Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
It was Dark. Lucy kept her hand firmly attached to Natsu's, her eyes fearful. Her nerves were on edge, and her eyes still stung from crying. The cold stung her face.
The scenery around her was soft in the pale light, the trees coated with shadows. Lucy caught sight of a body swaying not far from them, and she tore her gaze away. It was so dark. She just wanted to go home. Home sounded wonderful right about now. She almost began crying again from how homesick she was. It clawed at her already fragile heart, and she tightened her grip on Natsu's hand. He was so comforting. With his hazel eyes and fanged grin. He gave off heat, like an open flame, his presence burning brightly as one. Lucy was beginning to adore it. And little did she know, Natsu was beginning to adore her. Her golden hair, her cinnamon eyes, and how she smelled. Like vanilla.
Lucy was fearful of what else lurked out in the dark. She didn't want to be scared anymore. She had made it this far. Besides, nobody back home would care of she died. She doubted her father would even miss her. All he talked to her about were things that pertained to the company, Heartfilia Konzern. The company she was an heiress to. The company she didn't want. Marry whoever her father wanted and give birth to a son on command. What happened if Lucy wanted a daughter? A daughter who she could style the hair of, and share clothes with when she was older? Her father wouldn't have it. He never listened to what she wanted. Her happiness was second to the success of the company. She shoved the negative thoughts from her mind.
Natsu suddenly stopped, pulling the blonde forward to face him. "You okay, Lucy? You're shaking."
Lucy blushed. She hadn't realized she had been shaking. She looked at the ground. "I'm fine... Just thinking."
He gave her a fanged grin. "watcha' thinkin' about?"
"Home."
Natsu turned, continuing to walk with her hand in his. Lucy figured that was the end of the conversation, but he suddenly asked; "What's your home like?"
"Big." Lucy said, "And... Empty."
Natsu gave a short chuckle. "Empty? You just move in or somethin'?"
Lucy shook her head, annoyance unwittingly showing on her face. "No. Not that. I think I told you, but my mother died two years ago."
Natsu nodded. "Yeah, you told me. But you've got your dad, dontcha?"
Lucy laughed bitterly. "He doesn't even know I'm there most of the time."
The warlock's voice was quiet as he asked the next question. "Why?"
"The company is all he cares about. When he does notice me, it's to tell me what he has planned. He wants me to get married to someone rich, give birth to a baby boy because the Heartfilia family needs an heir."
Natsu's voice was incredulous. "You're a Heartfilia?"
Lucy sighed heavily. "Yes. Regrettably."
"Well, that means your loaded. Why are you unhappy?"
"Because I don't want the company." Lucy snapped, annoyance flaring, "Money can't buy you happiness. I should know. I've spent eighteen years in that house, and I was happy before mom died... after she got sick. She was bedridden for years. But dad... Dad stopped caring. Those years of isolation from any form of love other than the love from my servants has taught me that lesson."
"Oh," Natsu said sheepishly, "Sorry, I didn't know-"
"It's okay," Lucy sighed, "But I want more than a big house, pretty clothes, and lots of money. I want to live my life, without the support of daddy's money. It's suffocating. Privileges because of something as silly as my last name."
Natsu was thoughtful, "What kinda respect do ya want?"
"I want respect for other reasons. For doing good. Helping people. For two years, I couldn't breathe. When I left that house, however many days or hours ago it was, I felt free. Even as a little kid, I never wanted to run a company, but I'd do it as long as mom was there to support me. But when she died..." Lucy trailed off, "...everything shattered."
"It was sorta like that when I lost my dad," Natsu started, and he cut himself off, "adoptive father, but you get the picture. I looked for him everywhere, but he was just.. gone."
Lucy smiled sadly, "Believe me, I know the feeling. They're there one minute, and the next... gone."
"So, carry on. Your dad." Natsu said, squeezing her hand.
Lucy nodded. "He wants me to get married to someone of his choosing. This man expressed his interest in me when we were young. My dad thinks it's a good idea because it will give us access to land to the east. But I don't want to marry this man. My father is arranging it... If I have a fiancé when I get home, I'm running and never looking back. He can try, but he can never make me marry this man."
Natsu's voice was soft, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Who is this man?"
"Duke Sawarr Junelle," Lucy said quietly, "He's my betrothed, I guess you could say."
The warlock's voice was heavier when he spoke, "You're betrothed?"
Lucy laughed bitterly. "Not if I have any say in it. I want to marry for love, not something silly and expendable like money," Lucy lifted her skirt to keep it from snagging on a rock underfoot, "and I do not love the Duke."
"When's the wedding?" Natsu asked, his expression unreadable.
"Hell if I care." Lucy said venomously. "I'll be a walking cliché is my father does decide to go through with the wedding arrangements. I'll be the runaway bride."
"So who will you marry?" The warlock's voice was gentler this time.
"I will marry someone I love or I will not marry at all."
"That's a good philosophy, I think." Natsu gave her a warm smile. Lucy smiled back, softer. "What else has your father done?"
Lucy bit her lip, careful not to run into any rocks. She carefully avoided a hole, stepping closer to Natsu. She finally answered, her eyes raised as she recounted the memory.
"One time, when I was younger, back when mom started getting sick, I told the cook I wanted to make my dad something to eat. It was my birthday. So the cook helped me make a rice ball. I put strips of seaweed on it, to make a face," Lucy smiled sadly, "But when I gave it to my dad, he told me that he was busy and to leave him alone. I put the rice ball on his desk so he could eat it later, but he..."
Lucy bit her lip as she recounted the painful memory, then continued. "He said, 'Lucy! I'm busy! I don't want your silly rice ball! If I wanted food, I'd call the cook! Get out!' I tried to protest, 'daddy, daddy, it's my birthday,' but he just kept yelling."
"That's... Awful." Natsu said, his eyes soft.
Lucy nodded, not looking at him, "When mom started getting sick, he started drifting away. It was like he stopped loving me all together."
"Lucy,"Natsu said, and she looked up. "If you wanna live somewhere else, you can live with me. I live in Magnolia, on a hill. Not much, but it's nice enough."
Tears gathered in the corners of Lucy's eyes. "You'd... do that for me?"
Natsu grinned toothily. "Of course! You're my friend, aren't cha?"
The blonde smiled. "Yeah. I'm your friend. I like that. But if I leave, I... I can't just leave without saying goodbye. He's still my father. When we get out of here, I want to go to the house and say my final goodbyes."
Natsu nodded. "That's understandable. If I could have said goodbye to Igneel, I would have taken the chance."
"I want you to come with me." Lucy said quietly, "It would be nice to have someone there with me."
"I'll be right there." Natsu said gently.
"Thank you." Lucy said. And she truly meant it.
This NaLu tension is driving me crazy as a writer. I wanna make them kiss so badly, but I'm going to wait possibly until the end of the story. But don't worry, it will happen eventually. Thanks for sticking with this story, guys! I'm so glad you all like it. Leave a review to tell me what you thought, and thanks for reading!
~Starry
