I am hoping to keep this pace up! Enjoy the chapter. 3

Chapter 6

Light in the Darkness

Gently, Lucy closed the thick leather-bound book in her lap and stretched her hands over her head. She looked across the room, seeing the warm glow of the sun peeking over the horizon. The night had been long, as she worked to banish the nightmare from her mind, but Lucy had finally calmed down. She placed her book on the coffee table with a yawn. It was finally late enough to make her way down to the guild, where she could drink a cup of coffee while she searched for a job. Slowly, she made her way to her dresser, rubbing the tiredness from her eyes. She stripped her night clothes, tossing them into the hamper before rummaging through her drawers. She shivered as the warmth began to dissipate, the fire had gone out in her old wooden stove. She would be leaving soon, so she wouldn't need to relight it. Lucy wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to warm up. She decided to make quick work of getting dressed, and slide on a low-cut sweater, and a thick pleated skirt with wool thin high socks. She strapped on a pair of sturdy boots and her key pouch and she was ready for the day.

She took a moment to study her reflection, playing with the different ways she could style her hair when she noticed several small reddish-purple marks in various sizes along her shoulders, neck, and one near the line of her shirt just above her exposed scar. She traced the marks, the excitement reigniting at the proof he had left behind. The memories caused a shiver raced through her.

A maelstrom of unfulfilled desire swirled in her belly, the unmistakable ache of longing burning her core. Natsu had explored her body with wild abandon with a hunger in his gaze that had excited her beyond her most vivid daydreams. He had left her wanting so much more, and she knew there was no guarantee that they would ever pick up where they had left off. The thought troubled Lucy for only a moment, as she continued to trace the proof of their encounter. She had gotten farther than she had ever dared to hope for, and even if it was a one-time thing, she had shared something special with him. A silly smile pulled at her lips as she decided to leave her hair loose, keeping the marks hidden for her own personal gratification.

At the end of the day, he had given her the one thing she had desired more than anything in the world: his smile. The gentle smile he had on his face while he caressed her hair as he had said goodbye made her heart warm. Natsu was still Natsu, and that was enough for Lucy.


Wendy studied the door to Natsu's home with curiosity, she tilted her head in confusion as she tried to decipher the scents coming from the inside. It was completely different less than 12 hours ago, and she just couldn't make sense of it. There was an essence that she had never encountered before, but something about it was familiar.

After a long pause, she decided to let it go, there was work to be done. She knocked, and the door swung open, she made a mental note to have a discussion with Natsu about locks and security at a later date as she pushed stepped across the threshold. Her eyebrows knitted together as the sight of his living room came into view. She stood still staring at the floorboards, which had been piled high with - goodness only knows what - the evening before. The stale air was replaced by the stringent fragrance of cleaning products, fresh fish, and the faint scent of Lucy Heartfilia. With wide eyes Wendy made her way to the kitchen area, her steps unimpeded. She spotted Natsu struggling with the small laundry tub, his scarf wrapped around his head. Her confusion compounded as she listened to him hum a soft melody, his attention so focused that he didn't seem to notice her.

"Good morning." She announced quietly, bracing herself for Natsu's commonplace hostility. Her brain stuttered as he turned to greet her with a playful smile. He stood up straight, his white t-shirt plastered to his skin. She took a moment to let the image develop in her mind's eye, comparing it to the patient she had seen the day before. The images overlapped, but they didn't match. Natsu looked healthy, stronger, and well rested.

It was almost like someone hit the rewind button, and gave back the Natsu of old.

The thought lingered in her mind as she watched him move.

"Hey there Wendy, you're earlier than I expected," He wiped his hand on his pants before making his way to one of the dining room chairs. His voice was soft and calm, and his smile was bright. Wendy felt herself smiling back, overwhelmed by a happiness deep inside her heart. "Can you take a look for me?" Natsu pulled his shirt over his head and began to unravel the gauze. "I'm pretty sure I felt a tear, but I don't know how bad the damage is."

"O-of course," Wendy stepped closer, placing her bag on the table before going to work. She bit her bottom lip as she gingerly pulled the bandage away from his wound. Wendy's fingers twitched as she reached out to touch the edge of the scar. Three stitches had broken free, but it didn't matter, his wound was completely healed.

Something was messing with her head, she was sure of it, there was no other explanation for what she was observing. The angry red flesh that refused to fuse together, was now a thin white scar.

Natsu watched the emotions flicker across Wendy's face with amusement. "Is it that bad?" He questioned with a soft laugh. He honestly didn't feel the pain anymore, he had an enormous amount of energy to burn for the first time in months, and he was beginning to get antsy. He felt so good that he was considering returning to Lucy's apartment if only to test Lisanna's theory.

"It looks like you are ready to get these taken out anyway." Wendy gave him a once-over with her magic, noting the absence of heat that had been resisting against her during every other examination. She found nothing, the same as always. "I don't understand what happened, but whatever you did should become a regular part of your recovery routine from now on." She tried not to let him see her face as she examined the mixture of scents coming from him. It was making her feel funny, but she couldn't understand why. Her cheeks burned red as she removed the stitches, she forced herself to think of the way his eyes had looked the day before, dull, dark and haunted as if he had lost his will to fight. It was enough to get her through the procedure.

"Thanks, Wendy." Natsu's face lit up with the brightest smile Wendy had ever seen.

"You're welcome Natsu-san." She felt bashful, and brave at the same time. She gave him a soft smile before gathering her things. "See you at the guild." She waved as she made her way to the door, desperate to be away from the scent that was making her stomach do backflips.


Lucy's heeled boots tapped down Strawberry Street as she made her way to the guild. It was almost winter in Magnolia, and a chill hung in the early morning air. Lucy blew into her gloved hands to keep her fingers warm. "Today is going to be a good day." She chanted as she walked along the edge of the canal, her celestial keys jingling softly at her hip.

Her bare thighs bristled as the misty morning air caress her, sending her loose hair in every direction. She looked inward for warm thoughts, to stave off the brisk gusts of wind. Her mind turned once more to the memories of Natsu's embrace. It was bittersweet torture to think about his hands roaming over her body. Lucy could feel her insides twist and tighten as she lingered on the color of his eyes in the starlight. His hair had been so soft under her fingers, his breath warm across her skin. She could have basked in his heat for hours, gladly losing her mind.

Lucy had a dreamy expression as she entered the guild hall. "Good Morning Lucy, you look well," Mira called a greeting from behind the bar.

It took a moment, but Lucy waved back "Morning Mira!" as she walked to the counter intent on ordering her coffee. "I'm feeling pretty strong today, I thought I might take a job." Lucy had not been working on Wendy's orders, but she needed the jewels. "Can I get a cup of coffee with cream and sugar?" Mira smiled at the request

"Wendy didn't give you permission to go did she?" Mira turned her back to Lucy and when she turned back she had a steaming cup of dark liquid.

"I won't tell her if you don't." Lucy took the cup with a small smile. "I don't need much, but I do need to eat this month."

"You know your limits." Mira leaned against the counter her smile growing. "Just promise you'll keep them in mind as you pick a job."

"Of course." Lucy took her cup with her to the job board, slowly searching for something that would be quick yet paid well. "Geez, there are an awful lot of small jobs this week." Her tongue clicked in irritations as she read over the twentieth paper. Lucy must have been searching for a good ten minutes when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

"I'm busy right now." She continued her search, ignoring the presence behind her. "Come back later." She read over two more request slips, a frown pulling at her lips as she stepped to the side to check for more.

"I'll wait here." Lucy shifted her gaze to the side, watching as Gray lean against the wall next to her, his arms crossed over his chest, his booted foot tapping on the floor in irritation.

Lucy took a calming breath, she really hadn't expected to see Gray in the guild before ten, in fact, it was one of the reasons she had gotten such an early start. She really didn't want to discuss what had happened between the two of them, but she was pretty sure that he had no intention of let sleeping dogs lay.

How was she going to tell him that he was barking up the wrong tree, without making their friendship awkward?

She turned her attention back to the task at hand, and finally found a job that was perfect.

She plucked it off the board and turned her attention back to Gray. "Step into my office, good sir." She tried her best to keep her voice light and airy as she led him to a table that was unoccupied. She took a seat and smiled at Gray from across the table. "What can I do for you, my friend," Lucy emphasized the word, hoping it would get across without having to rehash what had happened.

"Lucy," He leaned back in his chair, suddenly shirtless. "I wanted to apologize about last night, I was out of line."

The smile never fell from Lucy's face as she reached across the table patting one of Gray's hands. "I know you are only trying to look out for me. That's what friends do for each other, right?" She emphasized the word again. "It's sweet that you worry about me."

Gray took a moment to observe Lucy and her super chipper attitude. Something about her mood seemed off, but he couldn't place it. He went over the argument they had and came to a solid conclusion; his feelings must have reached her. Gray let a soft smile curl his lips. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, Lucy."

"Gray." He watched her turn bright red, her eyes growing wide as she registered that he had grabbed her hand, interlacing their fingers.

"Yes?" He leaned forward, hope blazing through him for the first time in months.

"What is it that you want from me?" Lucy's free hand gripped her mug, the knuckles turning white. She was so uncomfortable asking a question like that, but she needed to have her answer.

"I thought that was kind of self-explanatory." Gray leaned forward in his chair, watching every change of expression on her face. "Do you really need me to spell it out for you?"

Lucy's voice waived as she choked out her next question, "Have I done something that led you to believe I wanted to -" She swallowed around a lump in her throat. "Be more than friends?" He watched her hand move up to play with a loose strand of her hair, and he noticed a small red and purple mark just below her right ear. "Please, if I did anything to encourage you - " Lucy chewed her bottom lip, her shoulders trembling with emotions.

"You." Gray let the words hang in the air between them. He knew what that mark was, and he knew that only one other person had been with her the night before, "You let him stay, didn't you?" his words were quiet, but Lucy could sense the chill that began to surround them. His eyes narrowed as he waited for her response.

"I..." Lucy was caught off guard, by the question.

"Do you honestly believe you are in love with him?" His voice was laced with disbelief. "After everything he has put you through, you are still going to cling to this fantasy?"

"I" Lucy stumbled over her words. "I can't change how I feel, it's not just something I can control." Suddenly she felt anger rise, tightening her chest. Hot tears started to sting her eyes as she stared across the table. "If you really cared about me, you would try to understand, and support me."

Gray took a deep breath, steadying himself as he let go of her hand. "Right." There was no use in making a scene in the middle of the guild, he wouldn't put her through that a second time. In the end, he couldn't reach her, but he hoped that with time she would come to realize that he was right. Gray got to his feet, shoving his fists in his pockets. "When he breaks your heart, remember that I warned you."

Lucy didn't reply as Gray walked away.

It was selfish, but she hoped that when he cooled off, they could put it behind them and mend their friendship. However, she was not naive enough to believe that things would be the same as they had been. Nothing would be the same after everything that had happened.

Suddenly Lucy felt her cheeks flare with heat. Gray had accused her of being in L-O-V-E with Natsu, and not only did she refuse to deny it, she had demanded that he accept her feelings.

It was such a bold thing to say, in such a public space. Quickly she did a scan of the room to see if anyone had been listening, mainly Mira. Lucy shuttered at the thought of this information getting back to her beloved, chatty friend. Thankfully Mira was busy speaking with Levy at the other side of the hall. Lucy continued her search, her eyes landing on Lisanna, who was only two tables away, in perfect eavesdropping distance. Lucy sighed as she crossed the short distance between them, "you're coming with me." She grabbed Lisanna's wrist and unceremoniously dragged her friend through the guild and out the back door.

Once the two were at a safe distance from earshot, Lucy turned to the light-haired woman with pleading eyes. "Please don't repeat anything you heard!" She begged. "I will be murdered for sure if it gets back to certain water mage!"

Lisanna finally recovered from her shock, and she shook her head vigorously. "I don't know what you're talking about." Lisanna offered a softer smile. "Unless you mean the part where you said you can't change your feelings for Natsu."

Lucy's eyes went wide, suddenly hyper-vigilant. She made a quick sweep of the landscape before turning back to Lisanna again. "Please, can you keep that to yourself as well?" Lucy bowed her head, begging once more. "Things are so fragile right now."

"Settle down Lucy, I promise my lips are sealed." Lucy took a steadying breath before wrapping Lisanna in a tight hug. "Besides it's not my place, you should be the one to tell him."

"I can't." Lucy's voice was laced with pain as she looked into Lisanna's expressive azure eyes. "It's too big of a risk."

"I understand, but have you considered the possibility that maybe telling him would be good for both of you?" Lisanna was the only person who Lucy had ever confided in about her feeling for Natsu. The light haired woman understood because she had once harbored a deep admiration for the fire mage herself. Lisanna was moved by Lucy's devotion and was genuinely rooting for Lucy's feelings to reach Natsu. "I just think that if you were more straightforward, he would respond to you more readily."

"I'm terrified of putting it into words." Lucy admitted, "One minute he wants to be as far from me as possible, and the next it's like there is no one else but us in the entire world."

"That is a good thing." Lisanna giggled as she slung an arm around Lucy's shoulder, steering her back towards the guild. Playfully she poked Lucy in the side. "A good relationship survives both good and bad time. Stay strong and show him that you'll fight through the fear."


Natsu walked down the path that led to the main road, intent on heading to Strawberry Street when he caught Lucy's scent on the wind. He raised an eyebrow as he followed it to the guild, wondering why she was there so early in the morning, she was the type to sleep in. Curiosity ignited his need to see her. He felt his heart race as the intoxicating fragrance swayed tantalizingly on the wind, igniting a different need.

Several deep breaths filled his lungs to bursting. Lucy was close, he smiled as he picked up his pace. He still didn't fully understand the new mixture that had been added to her essence, but he was aware of what it was capable of doing to his body.

It was a silent call, Come to me. He was powerless against it, not that he was even considering putting up a fight this time.

Natsu ignored the curious stares as he calmly entered the guild hall. He had let the smile drop from his face as he walked with purpose towards the bar. He watched as Lucy handed a piece of paper to Mira, her loose hair hiding her face from him. It dawned on him that she was going on a job, and he hesitated for a fraction of a second, the quiet voice in his mind repeating an old vestige 'She doesn't need you.' Natsu pushed the thought away as quickly as it came.

He had decided that avoiding her was no longer a viable way to keep her safe. He watched Mira's eyes go wide, her mouth pulling into a thin smile as she said his name. Lucy immediately turned, her smile was dazzling in the soft morning light, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Lisanna was right, he hadn't screwed things up. He stopped halfway to her, maintaining enough distance to keep his sanity intact.

"Heading out?" He tucked his hands in his pockets, tilting his head as he observed her.

"Yep, I've got a job on the outskirt of town." She held up the paper, her smile growing wider. "I'll be back later today."

Natsu took a deep breath as she walked towards him, savoring the sweetness of her alluring scent in its purest form. He wanted to say something clever, but his words died in his throat as she grew closer. Her hair swayed as she walked, revealing the small marks he had left in his feverish haze. Another new feeling swelled inside him at the sight, something akin to pride.

His hands balled into fists in his pocket as he fought the urge to touch each one, to let his mouth roam freely over them once more. The closer she came, the harder it was for him to stay put, but he managed to do it.

Lucy stopped right in front of Natsu, her hands linked behind her back. "It's a boring job, I'll be back before you know it." Her cheeks warmed as she took another step, closing the distance nearly completely. "You should head home and get some rest, I'll visit when I get back with some food."

He had been trying to keep himself from reacting to her, but he was enchanted once more. Natsu leaned forward, his lips grazing Lucy's ear as he whispered, "I'll be waiting." Discreetly he reached out and ran a hand through a lock of her hair that lay between them. "Be safe." He pulled away, with a mischievous smile on his face.

Lucy felt her body hum in response to his touch, she swallowed the sound of pleasure before it could leave her mouth, fighting against the burn of need that had been smoldering embers from the night before. It took a moment to recover, she had to gather her resolve before she started towards the exit. She wanted to finish her job in record time, and return to his side. She turned at the doors, her flush reaching the tops of her ears. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Natsu waited for the doors to close behind her before he walked to the bar. "I'm starving, is there anything good to eat?" Natsu fought a laugh as Mira came back to reality, he wasn't sure he wanted to know what she had been daydreaming about.

"Absolutely!" Mira hurried off to the kitchen, her soft squeals of jubilation hanging in the air.

"Well, that was interesting." Lisanna slid into the seat next to Natsu with a sly grin.