For the love of Nalu

Chapter 10

Theme: Tears

Lucy sat in her dark apartment, staring at the picture. Today was the day. That fateful day so many years ago. She always hated this day. It brought back all the sad memories of her childhood. Reminding her of what could have been. She hadn't been to the guild all day, and no one has come by either. They all knew what day today was. They knew that she needed time to herself. To mourn in silence.

It's not that she didn't appreciate her friends and everything they do for her, but on this particular day, she needed to be alone. Collect her thoughts before she could go to them. She didn't want them see her like this. This was when she was at her most vulnerable. The box of letters that she always writes was laying open upon her desk. The letters scattered across. She didn't realize that she had wrote so many. And they go all the way back to her days as a child.

She just stared at them. Remembering how things turned out after she passed away. Tear stains streaked the blonds pale cheeks. Losing her mother was the worst thing that ever happened to her. And now, she no longer had her father. Coming back from Tenrou Island was another sad day. Seeing the guild in it's crumbling state, finding out that it was no longer as strong as it once was, then to find out that her father was gone.

If only she had come back just two months earlier, she could have seen him. At least one last time. Beside all the letters she wrote to her mother, was a stack of letters that her father wrote her. Most were unopened, afraid of what they might say. She no longer had any family left. The only thing she has now is the guild. And thankfully she still has that.

Years of her life were wasted because of Achnologia. Waking up to find out that seven years has passed was hard to swallow. Even more so when you realize that you hadn't aged any. Her guild is now mocked, called names and made fun of. She hated hearing the way people spoke of them.

Who would have known that their absence would cause something like this? But through out those seven years, their guild never gave up hope on them. They continued to search no matter the odds. Now Lucy has to visit two graves instead of one. Natsu was there for her on that dreadful day. Staying just a few steps behind her, watching her in silence. He was the best friend anyone could wish for. Maybe even something more than that.

Since they have come back, things have felt different between the two. It's not as easy to be alone with him anymore and he has yet to come to her apartment. Missions are scarce, and rarely taken as partners anymore. Overall, Natsu has changed drastically. But then again, that kind of experience can change anyone. And it pretty much did. There wasn't a person involved that wasn't effected by what happened.

She just wished that their friendship didn't change. She wanted her best friend back again. Using her arms as a pillow, she laid her head down on the desk, not caring if she was crumpling the letters. It seemed like nothing good has happened since they woke up. Lucy's eyes grew heavy, as she drifted off to sleep. Silent tears running down her soft cheeks, and onto the letters that lay under her.

Natsu stood outside her window. He could hear the faint breathing and smell the salty tears. He wanted to comfort her, go to her and embrace her. Tell her that everything was going to be okay. Even if he wasn't in any better shape. Each night he comes here. Staring at her window, wanting to go in. But never actually doing it. Seven years passed on that island, years that he could have spent searching for Igneel. Years that turned their once strong and well loved guild into the sham that it currently is today. Things have changed so much in those few years. More than one would think. He was now scared. With all those years gone, if there was any trace of Igneel, it would be lost for good.

There would be no way of finding his precious dragon. The one that raised him, taught him everything he knows. Took care of him when no one else would. He was abandoned as a child, then Igneel took him in, just to be abandoned once more. He was afraid. Afraid to see all the changes that took place in his absence. He didn't like the changes he saw in his friends and family. And he was petrified to see the changes in Lucy.

They were there. The look in her eyes no longer held that same warmth. Instead they held pain. Expressing all the hurt she felt without having to say it. He didn't like seeing that. He wished that he could still be that carefree guy he used to be. The one who was always happy and smiling. But things will never be the same. What hurt the most though, was the change between him and Lucy. He distanced himself from her. Tried to give her space. In hopes that her eyes will go back to the way they used to be.

But as time passes, that hope slowly diminishes. It feels as if things will never be the same between them again. He heard a sob come from the open window. She must have woke up. His chest tightened. As if someone reached inside of him and was squeezing his heart. He hated to see Lucy cry. It hurt too much. He wanted to be able to dry those tears, chase away all her worries. In order to do that, he had to face his fears. He had to face her.

Jumping, he grasped the window frame and landed inside without making a sound. Normally he would boast about how much of a ninja he was like, but he was no longer the boy he once was. He saw Lucy sitting at her desk, her back facing him. The smell of tears flooded the room. She must have been crying all day. Once more he felt the pull of his chest as he watched her. Heard her sob more, and saw the picture and the letters spread out in front of her.

She didn't notice Natsu standing there. She was to engrossed in her own thoughts. Flashbacks of her childhood, when both her parents were there for her, played in her mind. Like a broken record, replaying over and over again. Warm tears fell down her cheeks as her vision blurred. She could still hear their laughter, smell her mothers favorite perfume. Feel the love that her parents felt for her, the warmth that filled her from just being around them. The same warmth she used to get around Natsu.

Among all the stacks of letters, the boxes they belonged in and the photo of Lucy and her parents, sat another photo. One Natsu recognized immediately. It was the first picture taken of the guild with Lucy in it. She had just joined. At that time, her and Natsu had already formed a good friendship, and it was steadily growing. Natsu felt the burn in the back of his eyes. She wasn't just upset about her parents. But of the guild as well. Maybe even upset about their changed relationship.

Lucy looked at the young Natsu. The man who saved her so many times. The one she is grateful to for bringing her here. She couldn't imagine where she would be right now if it wasn't for him. She missed him so much. She left her window open every night not caring how cold the night was, just in the hope that he would visit. She picked up the photo and held it tightly to her chest. The amount of tears intensified as she thought of him. The thought of losing him hurt more then when she had lost her parents.

Natsu watched her hugging the picture of them. It ached just knowing that they were going through the same thing. That they shared the same feelings. He couldn't hold back anymore. The tears, her sobs, everything was getting to him. When he returned, even his feelings changed. His feelings towards her. Why did things have to be so complicated? He didn't know what caused the change in his emotions. All he knew is that they did. His feelings were on a different level now. Something he had never felt before. No longer the feelings of someone who just wanted to be friends.

Lucy wished that she could express herself. Just tell Natsu how she feels. He was the only one she was willing to let see her like this. She pulled the frame away once more. Running her finger down the face of him. Why is life so cruel?

Natsu watched as she stared at the picture of him. It wasn't just the guild that she was upset over. She was also crying over him. He hated that. He hated being the cause of her tears. He had to do something. Anything. Just to see that smile on her face once more. And this time, for it to fully reach her eyes.

"Lucy," it came out as barely a whisper but she heard. Gasping, she spun around, dropping the photo in the process. Her wide eyes landed on him. Staring at him, as if she couldn't believe he was there. They gazed into each others eyes. Not daring to look away. He could see the tears there, just waiting to drop from her longing eyes.

She was surprised to see him. Never did she think that he would actually come. This is the first time he has been in her room since their return. Her heart pounded in her chest. His eyes looked just as sad as hers. She heard the picture drop but did not care. Jumping from the chair, she ran towards him. His eyes widened at her sudden movement.

She threw her arms around him. Sobbing into his chest. She missed the warmth that he had. The kind that only he could provide. Natsu pulled her closer. Stroking her hair in a soothing manner. Her scent reached him. Reminding him of earlier days. When things were still okay. When they didn't have a worry in the world except going on jobs to pay for food and rent.

Her sobs grew louder as she clutched his shirt. Even his clothes were different. Long gone were the days of his open vest, revealing the muscles that lay underneath. His scent was still the same. His hold tightened slightly as more sobs were heard. He could feel her body shaking. Her tears soaking his shirt. He pulled her towards the bed, not letting his arms fall from their grasp. He didn't want to let her go.

She landed on the bed, pulling him down with her. She pulled herself closer. Wrapping her legs with his. They lay there, silently. Holding each other as if the world was ending. There was no need for words, they had each other. They took comfort in the others presence. She pulled her head back, staring into his eyes. Their eyes gave away what they were feeling, how much they cared for one another. He wiped the tear streaks from her cheeks as her lips tugged at the edges.

A small smile formed on her face. Small, yes, but still a smile. His need for this woman grew. Even though they were so close, it didn't seem good enough. She closed her eyes, raising her chin slightly. Natsu leaned down, connecting his lips with hers. Everything he felt for her intensified. All of those confusing emotions, surfacing at once. By such a simple touch.

She eagerly kissed him back, returning all the same feelings that he felt. Maybe not all change is bad. And the idea of tomorrow didn't seem so bleak.

The end

A/N: Okay, another chapter down! So this one was little on the sad side but I really wanted to do one about how they might have possibly felt after they came back. Hopefully this wasn't too much of a downer for you. Word count is 2,046. Next chapter will be called 'Gossip'. What do you think will happen? Please leave me a review or PM letting me know what you think. Thanks so much, Angel.