Blind Denial

by Madabelle

Natsu and Lucy are always together, but rarely alone. Their feelings for each other have been growing stronger but they are too scared to act on them. They both think the other doesn't feel the same way so they are denying their own hearts. But what will happen when Happy leaves them alone one night? Will they finally reveal their feelings? Or will they continue to blindly deny?

10. Forest of Dreams

Natsu was running through the woods at a rapid pace. Have to, he panted, get her off my mind. He imagined all sorts of villains surrounding him as he blasted fireballs in every direction. Training was always good for him in these moments. The moments when he literally needed to let off steam. He had been running and blasting for a long time before he finally collapsed on the ground looking up through the trees. He closed his eyes, still breathing heavily, and found himself drifting to sleep. He really hadn't slept much the night before. Lucy had whispered his name several more times during the night, each time pulling him from his own dreams into the nightmare of their confused reality. He sighed as he let sleep pull him away.

"Natsu!"

He turns towards the voice calling his name. Lucy. He stares longingly at her as she runs towards him. Everything around them is bright and he feels warm. He is too surprised to do anything as Lucy flings herself into his arms. She lays her head on his shoulder, and Natsu's arms wrap tenderly around her. "Don't ever leave me," She sighs, "Please Natsu, promise we'll be together forever." Natsu, looking down into her eyes, whispers slowly,

"I promise to protect you forever, Lucy." He whispers, gently. He moves one of his hands to her face, tilting her chin up. He leans in and places his lips on hers. Her hands move up to his neck and keep his head firmly in place as her lips move against his own. His hands find their way to her waist, where he pulls her closer to him. Her arm brushes against his jacket.

My jacket.

Natsu's eyes open reluctantly. It was only a dream. He knew that his jacket was still at Lucy's. He hadn't wanted to wake up, but it was better to avoid dreams that weren't coming true. He got up off the ground taking in his surroundings. The sun was in a very different place then earlier. He had been sleeping several hours. Natsu was grateful that so much time had passed. He really hadn't been ready to go to the guild earlier, but falling asleep had bought him some time. Resigned to the reality that Natsu needed to head back he pushed through the trees towards Magnolia.