Note: Thanks for all the support everyone!


Paper Moon

Chapter 11

Nacre

Lucy did not have much on her mind as she sunk into the warm bath. She kept twisting Levy's words over in her mind, as if rewording it every which way would suddenly change its meaning.

"Natsu likes you. He just doesn't realize it."

Of course he did not. He does not really seem to know much of anything, the idiot. But as she continued to tell herself exactly that, she found herself less convinced.

Maybe he never said anything with his words but surely his actions told her exactly what she pretended to never hear. Or was she reading too far into it and it was just Natsu being Natsu?

She dunked her head, trying to cleanse her addled mind. She lingered beneath the surface in an attempt to drown out the racing thoughts in her head.

The warm water washed away some of the stress. She inhaled deeply, taking in the honeysuckle lavender scent of her bubble bath. The dull ache in her muscles lessened as the network of threads in her mind all converged, creating a singular line of thought she could slowly travel along.

She was only trying to convince herself that she did not feel that way about him and that he about her. What scared her so much about that prospect? What would happen if they moved forward? What if things did not turn out like she imagined? If they started out strong and then fizzled out and eventually drifted apart completely?

They could lose their friendship.

Was any of this truly worth losing her best friend over?

She was not even positive what he was really thinking about all this or about her. Chances were he was not ensnared in some tremendous internal struggle about falling his best friend. Provided the opportunity, she would put money on it.

Sure, Levy had earlier made the observation that he did have deeper feelings for her. But how certain could either one of them actually be of that? When it came to romantic anything, Natsu was considerably vacant. At least that was how it seemed, even to someone as close to Natsu as she was.

But that innocence and sincerity would continuously draw her in, pulling her back the moment she attempted to stray too far.

He only had kind words for and of her. He was naturally rough but when it came to her, he offered a special tenderness reserved for only her. He went out of his way for her safety and for her happiness. He brought her to a new home with a new family full of new adventures. And his fire was always there with her, lighting her life in a way she had never known but always craved and will eternally cherish.

When she thought she had lost forever, she could feel her entire universe begin to disintegrate when it had lost the light that was Natsu.

And she knew that she was aware of this all along: that her own doubts and her own timidity were really all it took to hold her back, to suffocate her in her fears of complete abandonment and isolation.

But no matter the cost and no matter the fight, Natsu would never allow Lucy to be or feel alone ever again. He had showed that to her every chance he got. Even after being afflicted with a curse that no human had ever survived he still came back to her.

In that moment, she truly realized how much of a fool she was. Natsu was not the only one to avoid romance in this. She was just as guilty as he was. Scratch that, she was more guilty than him.

She removed herself from the tub, grabbing a towel and wrapping it tightly around her.

She was not sure how and she did not know when exactly, but, dammit, she would figure out just how to tell Natsu. She would have to choose the perfect outfit and the perfect spot. Perhaps where they go fishing? They spent a lot of good times there. Have a moonlit picnic together and she would just let the words flow when they were there. No planning, just doing. Just like Natsu always did.

Lucy walked out of her bathroom, teeming with a copious assurance.

And when she was met with the one man she had been planning on confessing to, to very potentially change their lives with, she was flabbergasted. At first she thought it was an incredibly vivid daydream, trying to grant her courage or scare her away.

It took just a second to realize he was actually there after, once again, breaking into her apartment. At being caught so far off guard, being stared at so intently and suddenly being very aware of her mostly nude state, she bristled, heat flaring up her neck to her face. She held her towel tightly in place, painfully alert of her exposed skin.

Just what were the odds?

She spoke her words through clenched teeth. "How many times have I told you not to come here unannounced?"


It did not take Lisanna long to reach the guild from Natsu's home. She found her sister at the bar, engaged in a noticeably secret conversation with Levy. She meandered over, already certain of what they were chatting about. It was never hard to figure out when it came to her sister.

She smiled and sat down on the bar stool next to Levy. "What are you guys talking about?" She asked simply, entirely aware but trying to be polite before imposing.

The pair jumped, startled. "Lisanna!" They yelped in unison, appearing like cornered mice.

She just laughed. "Natsu and Lucy, right?"

Levy blushed, ashamed of their transparency. But Mira had a mischievous gleam in her eye, one Lisanna instantly recognized. It was her "Busybody Up to No Good" look. She was far too familiar with it and she was not sure whether or not she should be worried about or embarrassed of her meddling older sister. At the very least, she always meant well.

"Apparently Lucy confessed to Levy that she likes Natsu." Mira said, barely able to keep her excitement controlled. Levy nodded triumphantly, eyes closed and arms crossed. They were both quite proud at this information.

"Did either of you really need a confession? It has been agonizingly obvious for so long." She laughed at the sudden descent of their expressions. She was not trying to rain on their parade but everyone knew about them except them. Well, at least Natsu. Lucy was always somewhat aware – just reluctant to accept it, it seemed.

"Well, either way, now we have irrefutable proof. Plus, based on what she has told me, Natsu seems to have quite the thing for Lucy. He just doesn't really understand it."

Lisanna nodded at Levy's words. "I guess you two shouldn't worry too much about that. I actually just got back from talking with him."

"What?" They shouted simultaneously.

She was quickly bombarded with questions in quick succession: "what did you say," "what did he say," "did he actually outright say it," "how did he respond," "did he seem okay with it?"

Question after question came at her, leaving her no time to answer. They were garnering attention from the other patrons with their outburst. A small, familiar group formed around them.

"What's going on over here?" Erza suddenly asked, stopping the driveling girls.

They looked towards the requip mage, standing firmly and imposingly before them. He face was severe, demanding answers for their abrupt eruption and encroachment on her cake time.

"Yeah, you were making a tone of noise over here. What's the deal?" Gray crossed his arms over his chest, Juvia latched firmly to one and Wendy standing quietly next to them, a curious look on her face.

Gajeel mutely took a seat at the vacant spot next to Levy, his elbows on the counter and leaning against the back of the bar. Three exceeds stood amongst the group of people. Finally he said, "Heard a mention of Salamander and Bunny Girl."

Suddenly Lisanna felt immoral and thrilled at the same time, finally understanding why her older sister loved to keep up on and offer only the juiciest of gossip. Everyone wanted in on it and she wanted everyone to be. Was it horrible to feel this way? To be giddy to spread gossip about her friends?

In the end, all of them wanted each other to be happy.

Perhaps it would be best to keep her mouth shut and let the professionals handle it.

"Lucy confessed her feelings for Natsu and now Natsu may realize his feelings for Lucy and he's heading to her right now." Lisanna quickly covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide.

They all stared at the white haired girl in shock. Whether it was because her divulged information or her rash action, she was unaware.

Mira, however, kept her smile set firm on her face. "Apparently it runs in the family." She giggled.

"I can't believe I just did that." She buried her face in her hands. How tactless of her.

"Please, this is hardly gossip anymore." Gray waved her off with his free arm.

Gajeel snorted. "Yeah, plenty people here have wagered on them gettin' together eventually. Show her, raise your hand if you're bettin' on them."

All hands went up immediately, with the exception on Wendy. But just a couple seconds delay and she, with a sheepish smile, raised a tentative hand. "They just get along so well."

"Juvia thinks that Love Rival and Natsu-san would be a very lovely couple."

The entire group nodded.

"See, nothin' wrong with it. It's about time it happened already anyhow." The iron dragon slayer shrugged nonchalantly.

Lisanna could do nothing but laugh at the entirety of the situation. Of course no one meant anything harmful by any of it. She wiped at the happy tears in her eyes and cleared her throat politely. She never did finish what she was saying and she figured it wise to not get anyone's hopes up. Natsu did take off but who was she to say where he was going and what he was going to do when he got there. It was only sensible to consider potential, alternative outcomes.

With their chatter quelled and attention focused, she began. "Yes, I spoke to Natsu. I won't go into detail but I just guided him in realizing just what Lucy is to him. I didn't need to manipulate him or even say anything for him; I just pointed him in the right direction. I'm not going to say he's definitely going to say anything to her or even that that's where he is going. We all know how Natsu is." She paused, smiling softly with a rueful happiness. "But if he is actually aware and willing to admit it, then they'll both be much happier."

"Lucy is too shy and too reluctant because she's scared. But Natsu…" Levy trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Natsu is Natsu." Mirajane stated simply. "He'll come right out and say it. Maybe he will be nervous and maybe he won't really say the right thing, but he'll say it."

"I've never met two more oblivious people in my life." Charle said with a smirk.

"Aye, but that's why they're perfect for each other!" The blue cat yelled, stimulating small, quick conversations amongst the group about the soon-to-be couple.

Mirajane giggled, her hand cupping her cheek. A smile spread over her face. "Did you ever imagine it would be Natsu who takes the first step?"

Everyone smiled and chuckled at the outrageous notion.

No, they certainly did not.


If he were being honest with himself then he would say he had no idea why he was running to her. He just felt the impulse, the urge and he acted thoughtlessly on it. That was typically how it went for him – acting without thinking. He had always been more inclined to trust his gut over his head. It had not let him down this far. Why should he believe it would fail him now?

And so he ran.

His feet moved to the pounding in his chest and a thick knot had roped his stomach in. He weaved through the crowded streets, practically leaping over the passersby and vaulting over canals and market vendors. He refused to stop for anyone or anything. This was of the utmost importance. She was.

Turning onto Strawberry Street, he found exactly where he wanted to be and the lingering scent of lavender and honeysuckles in the air alerted him to her presence. Already disposed to the force of habit, he leapt up to the open window and invited himself in, completely unannounced, just as he always had.

So it should not be any surprise to Natsu that Lucy stood there completely red faced, ready to hurl an unrelenting flurry of reprimands in his direction with an anger contained only by the too small towel she firmly clutched to her chest.

And yet he had no clue as to why she was so upset.

"How many times have I told you not to come here unannounced?" The words were ground out through a tightly locked jaw.

He thought on it briefly, dismissive of the subject. "You expected me to keep track?"

Her fingertips were on her forehead and her weight shifted to one leg as she quietly grumbled to herself – the telltale "Lucy is annoyed" posture.

She relinquished her tension though the red still stained her cheeks. From anger or embarrassment, he was not too certain at this point. She turned from him with a huff as she declared she was going to put on some clothes. Minutes later, she emerged from her bathroom clothed and toweling at her still wet hair.

"What exactly are you doing here, Natsu?" Exasperation.

And there was that question that he really did not want to hear, the one he truly did not have an actual answer for. He did not know. All he knew was that he needed to see her.

And that is just what he told her.

"I'm not really sure. I just had to see you."

She reeled, slight but noticeably, at his answer. Her face softened and her blush brightened. "You don't know?"

He could feel his confidence waning, something he rare experienced. It was his turn to blush. "Well, no. I know. But I also don't know. Y'know?" He stammered helplessly, face scrunched with a frustrated perplexity. He could feel her, standing right in front of him, observing him with a muted fascination. What a pitiful sight he must be to behold at this moment. All that big talk he had always doled out was now nothing but a humbled murmur. And he was incredibly apprehensive.

Her palms cradled his cheeks, the contrasting chill of her hands captivating his attention. The gentleness from her that he was so familiar with, yet seldom felt, greeted him, halting his anxiety. And just like that, he felt okay. A soothing warmth radiated in his chest, stirring to life as he became wholly fixated on her.

He relaxed into her hold, his eyes falling shut. He breathed her in, taking in the air around her.

God, how much he loved her scent. It drove him wild and pacified him all the same. He never quite understood how or why. What a truly intoxicating creature she was.

All he knew in this moment that if he could stay with her as they were now then he would forever. Was he here for a reason? What was it again? At the moment he did not care, all he wanted was to continue feeling her warmth and inhaling her scent, losing himself in the lingering sensation that was purely Lucy.

"Natsu, what is going on with you?" She whispered, concern intertwined with her words.

He opened his eyes, looking urgently into hers, searching for an answer that he was incapable of finding. Every thought he could have possibly had was just out of reach, fluttering away like butterflies on a spring breeze.

Like hell he knew what was wrong.

He was hot and cold at the same time. His heart was palpitating, his throat constricting, his lungs seemed to shrink. God, he was nervous and he could not fathom why.

"Did you remember something?" Her eyes looked hopeful, almost as if she had been expecting him to show up like this, blithering like an idiot and claiming he had answers that he did and did not at the same time.

What had she been anticipating him to remember? The moment he looked at her he forgot everything – he forgot to breathe half the time when was with her. He was certain all these questions would be lost on him in a matter of seconds taking into consideration the rate that his mind was moving at.

"I realized something." His voice was quiet, not rising above a whisper, fearful that he would send her delicate touch floating away with the rest of his thoughts.

He held her shoulders, to steady himself and to find his lost confidence in her proximity. He was nervous and his mind refused to function. He took a deep breath, attempting to articulate anything that could make it from his brain to his mouth.

Lucy's focus centered on him. Her heart waltzed, dancing to the rhythm of her thoughts.

His face was serious, his eyes hard as he stared her down in a hope to find the answers in her which he so desperately needed. He looked older, more mature, and Lucy was completely enraptured by this side of him that was rare to see. The firm line of his clenched jaw was easy to discern. She followed it to his lips.

They were pursed, evidence to the silent conflict he was noticeably in. She observed in a trance as he opened them to speak, showing off the sharp tips of his fangs, only to close them again. He ran his tongue over them, moistening his thin lips as he stood there awkwardly at a loss for words.

Natsu Dragneel, the incorrigible hyperactive, was hopelessly stumped into silence.

"Lucy?" His whisper pulled her eyes to his. He was hesitating.

She begged silently, her dark eyes reassuring him.

It gave him the confidence he was in desperate need of but his nerves did not halt. He was terrified as he lowered his head slowly, his face centimeters from hers when he stopped his descent.

Their eyes were closed, their breath intertwined. It was such a familiar sensation to him. His heart was erratic in his chest, ready to burst free of its cage in his chest. Could she hear his heart right now? Could she tell that he was completely anxious collection of nerves?

"Natsu, please." Her voice was pleading with him, so low that he would have missed it if it were not for his enhanced hearing. And he thanked the gods that he did because it was what he needed to hear.

Burying his hesitation and his fears, he closed the short distance between them, his lips capturing her own.

It was shy and innocent as they acclimated to the new sensation, gauging the other's reaction.

Natsu could not believe how soft and warm her lips were. He never imagined that she would feel this good. That she could make him feel this good simply by kissing him. His chest swelled with pleasure, savoring the delicate taste that was purely Lucy – his Lucy.

She melted into their kiss, his pleasant heat a welcomed sensation. His lips were surprisingly soft, just moist enough that her own could glide across the surface. It felt so good, he felt so good. She needed more of him and she would let him know that.

She moaned, the sound coming from deep in her throat. She would have been embarrassed had it not given her exactly what she wanted.

Natsu wrapped an arm around her waist, a hand weaving into her loose tresses. Acting on instinct alone, desperate to get as close to her as he could, he pulled her flush against his body and slanted his mouth over hers, deepening their kiss.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, welcoming his tongue, her own mingling with his as their desire took control.

The closer they got, the deeper they kissed, the further they let their yearning take them, they could feel an emptiness filling in their chest, as if they were the pieces of themselves they had been missing.

The kiss became more fervent, only breaking for brief moments to take in air. Natsu maneuvered her towards her bed, their brief travel clumsy as they refused to separate from each other.

The pleasure she was feeling was making her thoughts hard to process, as if they were clouds and anytime she tried to grasp one, her fingers would phase right through. She was only able to perceive the bliss he granted her with his lips. Such a simple act and she was drowning in him. She had been desperate for his touch for so long and now that she had it, she would not dare to relinquish it or him for anything.

She loved this knucklehead too much to lose him ever again, even for the briefest of moments.

He lowered her gently onto her bed, kissing his way down her neck. It felt so natural to kiss her. He did not want to stop. Her taste, her sounds, her scent, all of it was urging him forward, his carnality hindering coherent thoughts. He was making her feel like this and god, did he love what he was doing to her. If he would keep feeling this way, he would never stop kissing her. She moaned as he ran his tongue along her clavicle. If she would keep making those wonderful noises, he would never stop kissing her.

He loved this weirdo too much to ever let her go, even for a millisecond.

He was nestled between her spread legs. Her hands were roaming over his chest and his back and she was moaning from his ministrations. He growled at the welcome exploration, wanting to see and feel more of her as well.

She really was such a pervert. No surprises there.

Lucy began to yank his jacket off and he obliged her, discarding the useless garment. He pulled her tank top off her, kissing greedily at the further exposure of her cleavage while tossing the unwanted barrier towards his jacket. He rubbed his hand up her outer thigh, squeezing the tender flesh hungrily. She mewled at the feeling.

If they did not stop now, it would be something they would both regret.

He detached himself from her breasts, kissing her gently on the lips and resting his perspiring forehead against hers. They both fought to catch their breath. He could feel her looking at him. And sensing her frustration and disappointment was not a difficult task in the slightest. "Luce, if we go any further I won't be able to stop myself."

He opened his eyes and saw the realization in hers. She almost gave into her lust, they both did. And Lucy was ready to renounce her inhibitions just like that. Suddenly she felt ashamed of herself. She wrapped her arms over her lightly covered chest, thankful for the lace bra that helped to retain some of her modesty.

"You don't need to be embarrassed." He whispered to her reassuringly, pressing quick, chaste kisses to her lips. "I'm sorry this took so long." Her eyes widened in surprise at the sudden change in his demeanor. "That's why you've been acting so weird for so long." She grimaced, ready to retort but he kissed her again and she quieted, an adorable frown on her face. "I suppose this is also why it's been bothering me so much." He smiled into the delicate kiss. This felt so right to him. "How you're able to put up with such a bonehead is beyond me."

"You're completely tolerable." Lucy giggled into the kiss.


Note: At long last! I was intending to push it off for longer but I really didn't want to anymore! Also, I was not intending it to be as…hot as it turned out. But I really wanted to capture just how much these two wanted and needed and loved the other. And what better way to exhibit that than a really hot, really desperate make out session? I mean, we all know their first kiss won't turn out like that but man, oh, man, if it did? Better bring a bucket of cold water for THAT chapter, am I right?

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed it! Don't forget to drop a review if you did. They really keep me going!