Disclaimer: I don't own FT ;A;
Burn
Chapter 9: Sunset
~x~x~
Natsu and Lucy's eyes widened, they were frozen into place.
They heard the grass crunching, nearer and nearer until it stopped, just beside them.
A few moments passed and from Lucy's, as well as Natsu's peripheral vision, no one was there. Lucy began to wonder, eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"What the..." she began, turning around to finally face whatever or whoever was there.
She spun around and it was not until she looked down that she saw a somewhat old man by her foot.
Natsu finally out of being frozen into place, followed Lucy's gaze. His eyes widened, "Granpa!" He explained, almost tackling the old man but the said man held up a hand at Natsu causing him to stop.
Lucy eyed the man meticulously. He was wearing the same uniform that Natsu was wearing except that it was fit for his size. He was clearly older due to the white hair that could be seen, as well as the wrinkles etched on the man's face. His face looked old but his eyes were still full of life, glaring, scrutinizing the young couple in front of him. His stature gave the impression that he was not just somebody in the castle, he was someone of high ranking. Someone to be respected, admired.
"I repeat, want what to work?" He sternly said, seriousness delineated on his features.
Natsu scratched the back of his head and smiled nervously. "Uh... It's nothing Granpa." The pinkette replied.
"You brat, don't lie to me!" The man shouted and Natsu and Lucy flinched at the boom of his voice.
Did anyone hear that? We might get into more trouble if this continues. Lucy thought.
"Why are you two so close to each other?" He eyed Natsu, ignoring the blonde.
He jumped quickly and reached for Natsu's ear, pulling Natsu with him as he landed on the ground again. He pulled him away from the princess and harshly let go of Natsu's now sore ear.
"You shouldn't be too close to the princess. Do you like your head, boy?" Natsu frantically nodded while rubbing his red ear and Lucy giggled at how cute Natsu was acting. "Good, then you better keep your distance. As well as you young lady." He then turned to the blonde.
Lucy gulped and pointed at herself to make sure she was the one who he was talking to. "M-me?" She stuttered.
"Well, do you see any other young lady around here? Unless, Natsu's isn't who we think he is." The old man suggested. Lucy giggled at his insinuation but stood back straight, looking straight ahead when the old man took a step toward her. This time, Natsu was the one laughing but he didn't hide it like Lucy did, he rolled on the grass, laughing out loud.
"Do you think this is funny, Dragneel?" He turned back to Natsu, who immediately stood straight as well, head held high, saluting to the old man. "Sir no, sir!" He yelped.
"Wait. Dragneel?" Lucy looked down at the tiny man, Natsu following suit, his hand limping back to his sides again.
"You think you can hide and lie to my face, boy?" He said, talking to Natsu. "Even with your green hair, I know who you are." The old man walked around the two. "What are you two up to?" He asked, eyes squinting at the couple.
"We- uh..." Lucy stammered, thinking of an excuse.
"We're planning our escape." Natsu answered, all playfulness aside.
Lucy's head swiftly turned toward Natsu, her expression changed into a flabbergasted one. What are you doing, Natsu? she thought. Natsu turned to her and smiled in solace.
"It's okay, Luce. We can trust him." The dragon boy mouthed to the princess. Lucy only nodded as reply. "Gramps, we won't tell you the whole story here since it's dangerous but I'll tell you this. We're going to go away. We don't know when but hopefully it will be soon." The tiny man, nodded in understanding.
"Natsu be careful. Be very careful, you don't know who's watching and who's listening. I will wish you for the best that you may be able to slip away." He said and bid farewell, leaving the two in the garden.
There was a brief silence, the wind blowing swiftly, as the sun set. The two turned to the horizon, watching the sunset together. There was distance between them but it was comfortable distance.
They'd had to plan out how they would escape but for now, they both just wanted to relax like old times, in their cave, watching the sunset together.
~x~x~
And there we go! The calm before the storm. I was about to make the person who heard it Grey but then one of the reviewers suggested me something and I thought, why not? My inner perv wants to express thyself so... we'll see in the next chapter where this will lead to. So for now, tell me what you think in the reviews and stay tuned for the next one.
-Summer
P.S. Sorry it's hella short. I wrote this on my tablet and it looked hella long but apparently not! You don't know how pissed I am since I've ben trying so hard to make my chapters at least 1000+ words. Gahhh! Anyway, I'll edit this once I get my laptop back. ((It's with my stupid brother -_-))
