Chapter 11
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"Do you love someone, Natsu?" Lucy asked, stopping right in front of him to look at his eyes seriously.
Natsu's eyes widened after hearing Lucy's question.
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She heard?
She heard what he said last night? But he was sure she was too sleepy to remember what he said.
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Thump. Thump.
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His heart is now beating wildly in his chest.
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She knows.
She knows about the feelings he held for her for so many years. The feelings that he kept inside him as he waits for a perfect time to confess.
She knows about the feelings that kept him from loving any other girl than her. The feelings that made his life bittersweet.
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His mind replayed how he confessed to her last night- drunk and sleepy- which made him to barely suppress a groan. That was the first time he confessed his love for her and he didn't even bother to make it romantic? What kind of man is he?
The way he confessed was just plain pathetic. And to think that he confessed that way to the woman of his dreams?
Damn!
As much as he wants to beat himself up for being an idiot, Lucy is in front of him right now so he should give her an answer.
Wait.
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If she heard him last night, then why is she asking about the one he loves? Maybe she just wanted to confirm. Or maybe she didn't hear him clearly.
Oh well. He will just give her an answer.
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But what? What answer would he give?
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'Yes Lucy. I love someone... and that someone is you.'
That's it. He will just confess properly this time. Why not? It's his chance here so might as well grab it. Maybe telling her what he feels for her could help his situation right now.
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"Tell it to me Natsu, and maybe I can offer some help." Lucy said, effectively pulling Natsu from his thoughts.
'Help? Why would she help me?'
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"I don't know why but I think it's hard for you to tell who you love. But don't worry, I'll support you." She said as she grabbed his hands.
'Wai—Huh? support? What is that all about?'
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"You should just tell me about it then, maybe, we could reach an agreement. I could also leave your house if you wa-" Lucy's statement got Natsu to quickly react.
"What?! No! Don't ever think of leaving me Lucy." He yanked his hand from her grasp and he held her shoulders firmly.
"But-" She said, avoiding her eyes from his intimidating stare.
"No buts. You promised me last night so you better not break it." He lightly shook her.
"And what is this talk all about?" He continued, trying his best to meet her gaze to relay how serious he is at the moment.
"Well…" She looked around the park before hesitantly looking back to the pair of onyx eyes in front of her. "You're in love with Lisanna, right? I thought you are not getting together with her because of me."
"What?! Who's the freak that told you that? I'm not in love with her, Lucy." He yelled, noticing how Lucy slightly flinched from his outburst. 'You're the one I love.' he wanted to add.
"Natsu, please. Just admit it. It makes me feel guilty that I'm hindering you from being with the one you love. It's obvious you like each other." Lucy insisted, tears are starting to pool in her eyes indicating how her thoughts are affecting her.
"But I don't love her, Lucy. We're just best friends, that's all." He told her with so much sincerity, his hands let go of her shoulders to gently hold her face.
"Are you sure?" She asked softly. The relief that came from his answer is now making her heart feel a bit lighter.
Natsu groaned but answered, "Yeah. I'm sure."
Lucy silently looked at him, searching lies that might be hidden in his eyes… but she strangely found none.
"I'm...uh, sorry." He heard her answer as he let go of her face.
"It's okay." He sighed. "Why bring these all up anyway?" He quirked a brow and crossed his arms on his chest, realizing how this whole conversation about his love life, or more likely his relationship with Lisanna, came all of a sudden.
"I just thought that maybe you have someone you love, but because of your situation with me, you can't be together. I just felt bad because of that thought. And seeing how you and Lisanna interact with each other today made me realize that maybe... what I was thinking last night might be true. I just don't want to hold you back, Natsu. You've been so kind to me. That's why I want you to be happy too." Lucy looked down sadly.
"But Lisanna is just a friend. If my relationship with her makes you feel like that then I could distance myself from her."
"No! She's important to you so why would you do that?"
"Because its making you think that I like her even if I don't. Trust me Lucy, I don't like her- romantically."
Lucy nodded and mumbled a quick sorry. She was about to turn but Natsu held her back.
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Natsu couldn't hold himself back anymore. Standing there, in front of her, he took a few steps forward and hugged Lucy. He felt her stiffen and gasp in surprise but he didn't let her go. Their conversation earlier did give him a little bit of fright.
"Natsu?" Lucy said tentatively.
"Geez, Lucy. Don't suggest things like leaving me to make me happy because I won't certainly be happy if you leave me." He whispered.
Lucy nodded in his embrace and answered "Ok and sorry again."
She's thinking of why Natsu is acting like this but she just dismissed it, thinking that maybe, he is acting like this because in his mind, the child that she is carrying is his. Maybe he just feels protective of the woman who is carrying his child. What other reasons would be there... right?
Her heart clenched. She can see how Natsu cherish his family, but here she is, deceiving him. She is thinking of how long she can take to deceive a man who is this devoted to the people special to him.
But when the time comes and that she needs to tell the truth, can she leave him? Can she really leave him, like what she planned, even when she is already starting to like being around his warm presence?
She unconsciously hugged him back.
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She's so selfish- always thinking of her own convenience and not taking his feelings into account.
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And with the sudden question that popped in her mind and got her partially distracted and confused, she tightened her hug around him,
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Why... Why do I feel like I don't really want to leave him?
After their little confrontation, Natsu and Lucy continued to walk around the amusement park. They noticed that Mira and Lisanna were not with them anymore but they paid no attention to that, they're focus is only with each other. They ate a lot of food and tried a lot of games- of course, with Natsu being over protective of Lucy, he even nearly punched a guy who bumped Lucy's shoulder if not for Lucy's efforts to calm him down.
Natsu also won a stuff toy for Lucy who can't take her eyes off it even if the stall is twenty five steps behind them.
He was quite amused at her that time, he asked her a few times if she liked that plushie and she kept saying no. After passing by the stall she continued looking at it so he decided to drag her back to the stall so he could get that plushie she obviously wanted.
He can't help but grin at the moment he gave her the plushie.
How could he not when she flashed him a thousand-watt smile after she looked at it with awe. The toy, which she named Plue, is white and has an orange pointy nose. The stuff toy's rather unique appearance was the cause of their little argument- Natsu told Lucy that it is a snow man plushie but Lucy believes that it is a dog plushie and to prevent her from becoming angry, he chose to shut his mouth. But how in earthland did she see that as a dog will always be a mystery to him.
Later on, Lucy dragged him into a photo booth. They smiled and fooled around the camera, howling in laughter as the picture came out. Lucy jokingly wanted to throw some pictures showing her hilarious faces but Natsu was quick to pocket all of it.
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The sun has already set and Natsu and Lucy are enjoying a ride at the Ferris wheel… well, Lucy alone is enjoying because Natsu is busy trying not to feel queasy from the ride.
"Geez, Natsu, you are driving a car but a simple ride at this makes you immobile." Lucy said teasingly at him and poke his side.
"I…-ugh- drink motion sickness pills… every time before I drive." He successfully whizzed out.
"Then why didn't you drink any today?" She asked, thinking if she should pity him or make fun of him.
"Forgot… didn't drive." He answered.
Lucy chuckled at him. She turned to looked at the magnificent view as they reached the top of the Ferris wheel making her gasp softly and smile. Natsu, on the other hand, was contented seeing his love happy.
An hour later, they met up with Mirajane and Lisanna. Mira offered a drive back home which the two gladly accepted.
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Mira keep on giggling to herself while driving, finding it cute that Natsu is moaning in discomfort at Lucy's lap with Lucy teasing him from time to time while stroking his hair. Mira knows him too well to know that he's just exaggerating to keep Lucy's attention on him.
"Thanks for today, Natsu." Lucy said, looking at Natsu as he dries his hair after coming out from the shower.
She just showered and already in her pajamas. She is currently sitting at a love seat in Natsu's leaving room, smiling happily at Natsu who is also ready to hit the hay.
"You have nothing to thank me for. It's all Mira's idea, remember? She's the one who told us to go to the amusement park." Natsu smiled at her and proceeded to seat with her in the love seat.
"I know, but I just felt like thanking you too so just deal with it." She faced him, showing how happy she is today.
"Fine." Natsu chuckled.
But he quickly added, "Come on, it's time to sleep. We don't want mommy staying up late."
Natsu grinned at her as he picked her up bridal style.
"Natsu! Put me down." Lucy blushed hard from what Natsu is doing and from what he called her. She finds it embarrassing that someone is calling her that already.
"Hahaha. No! I want to carry you so just deal with it." He mocked her as he opened her door and gently laid her down to bed.
Lucy pouted at him and was surprised at the next thing he did.
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"Hey! Sleep in your own room!" She yelled at him as she tried to get away from his arms that had already caged her.
"But I like it here." He whined.
"Natsu." She whined at him too.
"No. I don't want to." He said, and smiled when Lucy laid her head on his chest.
"You're so hard headed." She told him softly while she listens at the steady beat of his heart. "Good night, Natsu." She said and closed her eyes.
"Good night, Lucy." He whispered to her, stroking her hair and silently wanting to kiss her- but decided against it. He will just take things slow. He knew he has nothing to worry about considering the progress he made right now.
He thought back to the events this day.
He learned about Lucy before she came to him- how she feels and what happened to her. Lucy opened up her concerns towards his love life.
He made her laugh.
He made her smile.
Natsu smiled and finally closed his eyes.
A lot happened today but he is glad he spent it with Lucy.
A/N:
Hey guy!
Sorry if I took too long to update T.T
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