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Chapter 9

Despite popular belief, Natsu is not an idiot. Contrary to popular belief, he really is a smart man. But he's not saying that he's really, really smart.

He's just smart enough to pass the required IQ for the military.

He's just smart enough to know which artery on a person's neck to cut and cause them to bleed to death.

He's just smart enough to do some complicated math problems.

He's also smart AND observant enough to notice how Lucy inconspicuously tries to catch his attention. He noticed how she secretly peeks at him, hiding her eyes from her bangs. He noticed how she tried to stay close to him while they both sat under the rainbow sakura tree, close enough for him to hear her heart beating fast, close enough to notice her reddened cheeks from either the alcohol or from embarrassment, but far enough for his own convenience. For their own convenience.

Lucy's beautiful, that was the first thing that came to his mind when he first saw her on that faithful night. Lucy's kind, that was the first thing that came to his mind when she helped him get off the fucking toy locomotive. Lucy's way too trusting, that was the second thought that came to his mind when offered to buy him lunch and spent (he thinks) most of her money. It kinda bugged him when she did that. Clearly, this woman knows nothing about how dangerous the world is. For all she knows, the man that she just offered lunch might be a serial killer. One minute, she's all smiles but the next minute, she'd be laying down on the ground, blood pooling all over it. And he's somewhat relieved that it was him whom she tried to help.

There are also many things that he noticed about their differences. Like their clashing hair. Another is that he loves adventure while she prefers to stay safe and sound. He likes spicy food while she likes hers sweet. There is nothing that scares him (except Makarov) while he is pretty sure that even a single rabbit will make her faint.

She also has an angelic voice, something that he found out as she leaned her back on the tree and absent-mindedly sang a song while she stared at the night sky full of stars.

"When daytime turns to night... When the moon shines bright... When you're tucked in tight, and everything's alright..."* He suddenly found himself addicted to her voice and deep down, he never wanted her to stop singing. Heck, he doesn't even want her to stop talking. But she stopped, and he asked her about the song.

She said that heard it from someone, but never elaborated after that. He was curious, but never pushed it because he saw something in her eyes. Something that he has seen in his very own eyes. The same eyes that stared at him after his beloved father died. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. But it was only for a brief moment before her eyes looked cheery again. But to be honest, it hurts him to look in her eyes. Because hers suddenly looked like it was overflowing with happiness, while his was brimming with sadness and pain. But he cannot look away, for her eyes makes him feel all better, despite how envy he is about it. So he continued to stare at her eyes. And she stared back

Beneath his confused emotions, he bitterly realized, he's feeling something for this girl. Here he was, trying his damndest to avoid the girl but she seemed so adamant about talking to him. Of course, he cannot say no because it will ruin his idiotic appearance and he also wasn't able to think of any excuse.

He can also feel that she wants him to like her. But he never made a move to pursue her, not even for a moment. He tried to never show any interest towards her. Made her believe that he's an idiot and that he doesn't see her as beautiful. Because he knows, that the last thing someone like her, someone sweet, kind, loving, easy-to-trust and innocent woman like her needs is a man like him. A man who takes the lives of other people to save the others. He doesn't deserve her, for he has committed crimes and has broken the third and sixth commandment* so many times.

If you were to ask people who's smarter, him or Gray, without any doubt, people would automatically say 'Gray', and Natsu won't be offended. But in all honesty, if you'd ask Natsu who's much stupider, him or Gray, then he'd say Gray, not because they have this rivalry thing going on, but because Gray truly is stupid. Gray might be in denial or he might not have realized his feelings for a certain girl, but Natsu knows. Natsu knows that Gray is falling in love with Juvia. Little by little, he's falling, and falling hard. And that's the reason why Gray is stupid and an idiot.

Suddenly, he lifted his right hand and cupped her cheeks, not breaking their eye contact. He felt her face grow hotter but she metaphorically stood her ground, refusing to look away. She doesn't want to blink for she fears that it might ruin the moment. A falling star shot out of the sky and they both silently wished that what they are about to do is the right thing.

They slowly leaned towards each other and Natsu's left hand grabbed her hands which were clasped on her lap. It was cold and shaking, so he gripped them tighter, hoping that the action would make it warmer. She parted her tightly clasped hands and for a moment, Natsu lost his grip on them but she grabbed them with both hands. His arms were warm, she fondly thought as their faces were just centimeters apart, their breaths warm on each other's face.

Natsu realized, as he closed the gap between them to kiss her sweet, sweet lips, that he really is nothing but an idiot.

*Came from the Ten Commandments. The third commandment is 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain' and the sixth is 'Thou shalt not kill'. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by using these.

The song is from a Pokemon movie called Jirachi Wishmaker.

Sorry it's really short and not what you guys were expecting, but I felt the need to write something about Natsu and Lucy rather than just hinting it towards the story. I wrote this while I was slacking off from doing my homework. Being a college student really is tiring but I REALLY wanted to write a new chapter for this baby.

Oh! I just had an epiphany, but how about we make a deal? If I get 20 reviews on every chapter (starting on this one), I'd post a new chapter every 2 weeks. I've already written half of the next chapter so everything is up to you guys. But if I don't get that many, then it's fine with me, as long you leave reviews lol.

I also have another idea for a story about GruVia, but I don't want to post it yet because I want to finish this one first, which won't be long, before starting on a new one. All I can is that it's AU. Another reason why I'm having doubts is because I fear about it being overshadowed. I'll elaborate on an A/N on the next chapter lol.

So please, once again, I ask of you to leave a review.