Hello Fairies!
I'm sorry this is coming to you so late but midterms and assignments took over my life. University tends to get a bit excessive but I plan on doing some writing in the next week and a bit. So here is a long overdue chapter. I made it nice and long for all of the amazing people who have waited so patiently for this chapter.
Also for those of you who follow or favourite my other stories I have finished my other Fairy Tail adventure "As Time Go's By." Also I have started "Beyond the Cage" for any of you Attack on Titan fan's.
Well here we go day number six for these two wonderful characters.
I do not own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters.
Enjoy.
The sixth day came quicker than both had anticipated. Lucy couldn't believe that it had only been six days since the Prince had fallen into her life. It seemed like she had known him for much longer, and she didn't want it to end. For Natsu he was almost happy he had gotten caught in that storm. Sure the pain and fear had plagued him the first few days, but he had loved being here from the beginning. Natsu knew he didn't want to leave; he was having way too much fun with Lucy.
They had woken up and tended to things in the same routine that they had established over the past few days. However as the days went by Natsu was able to help out more around the small farm. His wounds had healed tremendously fast and if one was to glance at him they would think he was in perfect health. Natsu was still stiff from the newly healed wound and a scar cut across his body, but he was pretty much back up to full health and strength. Lucy however was healing at a much slower pace since she wasn't a Dragon Slayer. Her leg had healed nicely but the cut on her shoulder was taking its time. It would be a while till she could use her arm to its full capacity again.
Natsu had been a huge help since he was practically healthy and Lucy was still recovering. He had cut firewood for her, tended to the fields with her, and even repaired the fence of the chicken coop since the birds kept escaping. She was grateful for his help and his company. Lucy couldn't remember a time where she had laughed so often and felt so care free. They had chatted at night by the light of the fire, they had a picnic in the orchard once, and they had taken to spending a lot of their free time lounging in the garden. The past few days had been wonderful for the two of them.
Currently Natsu and Lucy were sitting at the end of the dock in the mid afternoon sun their feet skimming the cool water below. Natsu and Happy both had fishing rods and were attempting to fish in the small lake. Lucy had told them countless times that there were no fish in the lake, but they insisted that they would catch something, completely ignoring Lucy's protests. So, they sat together on the end of the dock chatting casually as they attempted to catch the fish that "supposedly" lay at the bottom of the small lake.
Lucy leant back on her hands and tilted her head up towards the sun. They had had beautiful weather ever since the storm had passed and she was taking full advantage of the beautiful warmth it gave. With Lucy's eyes closed she didn't get to see the small glances that Natsu tossed her way. Natsu was bent on catching a fish for Lucy but he couldn't stop himself from looking at her. Her blonde hair glowed golden in the sunlight and he could see a small smile playing at her pink lips. Happiness, relief, and contentment sparked in his chest like a fire as he gazed at her peaceful face. The faint aroma of the Ocean and Strawberries wafted towards him as Lucy's hair played in the mid afternoon breeze. He loved that scent, not only because it was Lucy's but also because it reminded him of the peace and happiness he had found in this little valley.
A massive "snap" broke Natsu out of the dazed spell he had woven for himself as his hand plunged past the little wooden dock. Natsu hadn't realized but as he had been watching Lucy he had been leaning towards her and he put to much weight on the flimsy board that supported them. Natsu let out a yelp as he fell towards Lucy. Not able to stop his momentum his head connected with her shoulder and his arm went around her waist. Lucy let out a startled shout as they both toppled over the side of the dock and into the water below. They sunk like rocks in a tangled mess of limbs, but Natsu finally righted them and hauled the two of them up to the surface.
Their heads broke the surface of the lake in gasps and coughs. Natsu's arms were still around Lucy's waist as he treaded water and grabbed onto the dock for support. Lucy clung to Natsu's form as she coughed and tried to get her breath back. Natsu had head-butted her injured shoulder and she could feel the pain pulsing throughout her arm. He looked down at her and he couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from his throat. Lucy looked like a drowned cat with her blonde hair plastered to the side of her face and her clothes clinging damply to her skin. Her eyes were wide from either fright or surprise and he couldn't help it, she looked hilarious.
Lucy's anger however was making a return trip and she glared up at the laughing Prince who had a tight grip around her waist as he clung to the dock. Ignoring the pain it caused her she splashed water into his face and glared up at him. Natsu yelped but then shook his hair sending water droplets back into her face. He then looked down at her with a bright smile. Laughter still danced in his eyes and Lucy's anger slowly ebbed away, but it was still there.
"Why did you push me in?" she demanded as she pushed a little away from him to get at least some space between the two of them. However she paused in her attempts as she watched a blush slowly creep over his checks. Why was he blushing? Natsu chuckled guiltily as he thought of what he had been doing and looked away from her.
"I was leaning on the boards and they snapped. Sorry I couldn't really help what happened," he said giving her part of the truth. He then offered her a goofy grin, the blush still tinting his cheeks.
"You're blushing," she pointed out with a smirk as she playfully poked Natsu's cheek. To Lucy's great enjoyment she watched Natsu's mouth drop open in embarrassment and his blush only deepened. He didn't' want to tell her the reason to why the board snapped. If he said that he had been admiring her and slowly leaning towards her, he was sure that he would receive some form of torture for being a pervert. He adjusted his grip on the dock trying to ebb away the embarrassment he still felt, making Lucy slip and cling to him. She huffed and looked back up at the still blushing Prince to see his own smirk pulling at his lips.
"Luce you're blushing too," Natsu said as he pinched Lucy's cheek with a sly smirk.
Lucy could feel her cheeks heat up in response at the small touch. Why did her face always betray her? After all the time they had spent together her cheeks would always heat up at the simplest of actions. However Lucy noticed that she was becoming less and less embarrassed whenever she blushed, it was always a bonus when she caught Natsu blushing as well. Lucy pushed his hand away and slipped out of his grasp. She wanted to wipe the smirk off of his face, he looked way to smug for her liking.
Lucy could feel the evil smirk cross her face as a brilliant idea came to her mind. Tightening her grip on the dock she brought her other hand back and splashed Natsu full in the face. She could feel the satisfaction spreading through her as his smirk turned into surprise.
"Oh you are so going down," Natsu said as he launched at her. Lucy gave a yelp before she dodged out of the way trying and failing to send more water at his face. Laughter erupted from her lungs and joy filled her heart as the two engaged in an all out water fight.
Happy watched them from afar. He had vacated the water scene not long after the two had fallen in. He had been watching the two closely and knew that they were becoming closer with each passing day. He saw the stolen glances, the subtle blushes, and the opening up on both sides. The blue cat always smiled slyly behind his paws as he saw the two basking in a friendship that had grown strong. Happy flew above the two as Lucy clung to Natsu as she tried to dunk him; he then in turn grabbed her around the waist and dunked the both of them. They came up laughing and Happy saw the deep blush on both of their faces. Happy flew in close and said the one line he always did in situations like this, hoping to point out the obvious that the two seemed oblivious too.
"You liiiiike each other," Happy cooed and had to fly back up into the air as two waves of water came flying up at him, but he only laughed and began to scheme up another plan.
After their accidental swimming situation something seemed to have shifted in their friendship. It was slight and barely recognizable but Happy was the one who picked up on it first. At first Happy thought it was a trick of the light, or maybe he thought on multiple occasions that he was just seeing things, but after watching the two carefully he noticed that something was indeed different.
It was small things that were barely even notable. Lingering looks. Small smiles. Occasional blushes. All stuff that Happy had been witnessing more and more as the days went by. However after the swimming incident Happy noticed more things. How Natsu always strayed a little closer to Lucy, or how she tended to lean more towards him. The small touches they shared. Lucy's hand on Natsu's arm when she went around him while they were in the kitchen, or a hand on Lucy's shoulder when Natsu leant over her shoulder in the garden. The most obvious which made Happy giggle behind his hands, was when Natsu offered to dry Lucy's hair. She hesitantly agreed and Natsu's warm fingers began to comb through her golden locks. That was the moment when Happy had noticed the change between the two of them. Natsu slowly combing through Lucy's blonde locks, a blissful and happy face gracing his features, and Lucy leaning back into him, her face showing contentment and peace.
Happy couldn't believe it. He had observed them all day and teased them relentlessly. Happy was positive that if Natsu and Lucy kept on this certain path he wouldn't have to scheme up any new plans.
At the moment Happy was currently curled up in Lucy's lap indulging in a well-deserved nap. Before Happy had fallen asleep they had set up a blanket in the tall grass that lay between the cottage and the lake. It was dark and Lucy lay back looking up at the glittering stars above. She had deemed it to be the perfect night to Star Gaze and they had complied with no argument. Natsu sat beside them leaning back on his hands with his head tilted up towards the stars. It had been peaceful until Lucy shivered, waking Happy from his sleep and causing Natsu to give her a concerned gaze.
"Are you cold Luce?" Natsu asked as Lucy rubbed her arms. She shook her head trying to pass off the cool air that was beginning to seep into her skin. Goose bumps spread across her arms and she rubbed them trying to keep the chill at bay.
"Come here" Natsu said as he moved closer to her and lay down beside her.
"What are…" Lucy began but Natsu only lifted up her head and lay it back down on his arm. Natsu wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her cold arm. Lucy instantly felt heat rush over her, not only because Natsu's body was leaning against her and she was tucked nice and cozily beside him, but also because of the intense blush that was beginning to cover her entire face.
"Hey Luce isn't your magic linked to the stars?"
"Yea it is," she said before continuing. "Each one of my spirits comes from the Celestial Realm. They draw their power form the cosmos and are personifications of their constellation. My magic is able to open a doorway between the two worlds so they can step through. The stars you can see above us are like a reflection from their world. Almost like an impression. I've heard their would is amazing but this is all we can see. Their stars always watching over us," Lucy said her voice taking a prideful and faraway tone as she thought of her family in the stars. She was proud to call herself one of the last remaining Celestial Mages.
"Can you teach me the constellations?" Natsu asked his voice curious and eager. Lucy smiled at the childlike enthusiasm that always accompanied him.
"Of course," Lucy said as she shifted into a more comfortable position. She moved so her head lay on his shoulder and she brought her arm up so Natsu could see what stars she would be pointing out. Lucy began her lesson. Showing Natsu the constellations that her spirits represented. She showed him the Zodiacs, and some of the other constellations in her possession. Then she moved onto others that she had only heard about and wished one day to meet.
"Okay so you see those four stars near the northern horizon," Lucy said pointing to a cluster of stars that lay just within their vision. She could feel Natsu nod so she continued.
"If your follow the stars straight up than curve it into an S shape you end at that bright star there. That's the constellation of Draco," Lucy said with a smile as she created an S shape with her hand, outlining the constellation above her.
"Draco?" Natsu questioned and Lucy smirked bringing her hand back down to rest.
"Draco is the Constellation of the Dragon," Lucy said waiting for Natsu reaction to this information. It was an instant reaction. She could feel him take in a quick breath and the arm around her tightened a little. Lucy looked up just in time to see the excitement and joy dance across his face.
"A Dragon in the stars! That's awesome!" Natsu exclaimed throwing a fist in the air and looking back up the Dragon constellation that blazed in the heavens.
"I thought you might like that," Lucy said as she snuggled closer to Natsu's warmth when a cold breeze blew through the valley.
They descended into a comfortable silence. Neither wanting to get up and head back to the cabin of warmth that waited for them. Lucy was content with the situation and she shifted to get more comfortable her head rolling a little to the side as she tucked herself more into Natsu's side. She was warm and comfortable in Natsu's embrace. Sure she thought that it was a bit unnecessary at first but she was too comfortable now to protest about their close proximity. And deep down Lucy knew that she was enjoying it far more than she let on. Natsu was in a much similar situation. He had been ready for Lucy's quick mouth to call him out on the necessary action, but she hadn't said a word and that made him soar with happiness. Lucy fit perfectly to his side and her head was slightly turned so he could see her peaceful face. He let his own eyes slide close as he let the scent of the ocean and strawberries waft over him. He was at peace and light with happiness and he unconsciously brought Lucy a little closer.
It was quite for a long time the only sound was the slight breeze and their deep breaths. Natsu didn't know how much time had passed or if he had slightly dozed off but he knew that Lucy still hadn't moved from her spot. Taking a deep sigh Natsu spoke his mind.
"Luce have I told you how much I love it here," he said honestly not knowing if Lucy was awake or not. It was his honest opinion about this little valley. The little valley of golden grass, the small farm that always seemed to be active, the bright clear lake that always shone in the suns' light, the little orchard that smelt like the delicious fruit it housed, and the beautiful view of the never ending Ocean that spread out towards the horizon. Natsu was honestly captivated by the small valley. He had never thought the he, Natsu Dragneel the Prince always itching for chaos and another fight, would find peace in a small little valley in the middle of nowhere. However deep down Natsu knew that one of the biggest reason's he loved this place so much was because it was where Lucy lived.
"No you haven't mentioned it," Lucy said into his chest and Natsu smiled. Natsu brought his hand up and slowly began to brush through Lucy's golden locks of hair, earning a content sigh from the girl that was curled beside him. He smiled at the little breath of air, his own heart skipping a beat at the little reaction.
"I never want to leave. I could stay here with you forever," Natsu said as he continued to play with her hair. He didn't miss the way she tensed at his words.
Lucy's mind had come to a screeching halt as his words rang through her mind. He never wanted to leave? Forever? She could feel her heart beating a mile a minute and she hated herself for feeling such joy at his words. Her eyebrows slowly formed a frown as her thoughts began to spiral into a dangerous decent. What had she gotten herself into? She was supposed to be protecting him not becoming closer to the Prince. She had opened herself up wanting to have some kind of friendship before everything turned to ashes but now she knew it had bee a mistake. They had become so close over the past few days that Lucy was content and comfortable leaning against Natsu. He could make her laugh, make her comfortable, and make her feel like it was only the two of them in the entire world. He had made her forget about the ugly things that lurked in her past and future. It was wonderful and she loved every moment they spent together. Her emotions were on high alert and she didn't' want to admit the feelings that lay deep within her heart. They were dangerous emotions and she knew that they would tear her to pieces in the end. She cared deeply for Natsu but she had let her friendship get carried away.
Lucy pushed herself up and away from Natsu and looked down at him. His eyes held worry and confusion and her heart broke at the intense gaze that was filled with concern for her. They had become so close. Lucy brought her hand up to Natsu's face brushing away pink strands that lay in his face. This small gesture was something that she had wanted to do for sometime and she let herself do it, this last and final time. Her hand skimmed his face briefly and she watched as the worry slowly faded into bliss. A smile however never graced her features, and only the cracking of her heart occurred.
Lucy stood up quickly and turned away from Natsu. She had to end this now. They both needed a reality check. She knew that this next conversation they were going to have would break the both of them, but it needed to be done. Why hadn't she just realized before then it would have saved them both from the pain that was surely waiting to happen? Lucy could feel it rising like a great wave within her. Pain and sadness raging as the wave grew. A little glimmer of desperation tried to plead with her growing resolve. Tried to reason with her that maybe she could let the friendship stay the same, but the wave only smashed the little glimmer of wishful thinking into the back of her mind. She didn't know if Natsu felt the same for her, but she needed to do this. Lucy stood at the edge of the lake looking out at the beautiful reflection of stars as she tried to hold in the tears that threatened to fall.
"You can't Natsu," Lucy said her voice sounding dead to her own ears. She had barely whispered the little sentence but she knew that Natsu could hear her. Natsu's body had grown cold and still at her words. He hadn't been able to read her expression when she gently played with his hair, but he had thought that he could stay like this forever. But his dream had shattered with her words, the cloud that they had woven slowly fraying as Lucy began to unweave everything they had built. He stood abruptly and walked up behind her ready to tell her what he wanted and thought, but she continued before he could even breathe a single word.
"I let myself get carried away. I let myself slip into the dream that only consisted of this valley and us. I let reality fade into the background and I'm sorry Natsu that I let our friendship grow this much, but it ends here," Lucy said hoping that her statement would end whatever the Prince was thinking. She didn't know if she could hold up her resolve for much longer, if he fought back then she could waver in her decision.
"Luce I don't want this to end. These past few days have been awesome. It's only been what six days and look at the friendship we've built. I can't leave when yet when I still want to spend time with my best friend," Natsu said placing a hand on her shoulder hoping that his words would smooth the doubts that raged in her mind. Lucy shrugged his hand off and Natsu froze. His heart seemed to drop as he saw a few tears fall to the ground.
"Don't you see Natsu? We can't stay friends. I'm a thief, a criminal, and you're the Prince. We come from two spate worlds. I wish it could be different but it isn't, it's just how it is," Lucy said not looking back at the figure that loomed behind her.
Natsu looked at her back. He could smell the salty tears that had slowly begun to fall down her face. He hated to see her cry; he also hated to hear those words spoken from her lips. His hand was still outstretched as her words hit him like daggers digging and embedding their way into his skin. He felt numb from shock and pain. After all this time, after how close they had become Lucy was trying to push him away, but Natsu would fight for her and for them.
"Luce. I don't care about any of that," he said coming around to face her. He wouldn't let her hide from him, not after how close they had become. He wanted to help her through this, and bring back the Lucy that was open and laughed with him. This Lucy reminded him to much of the walled and hidden Lucy he had first met and it frightened him.
"But that's just it Natsu. You should care," she said as she tried to keep the distance in their relationship that had become almost nonexistent. The distance she needed to protect him. Today had been a wonderful day, but their relationship and taken a step to far, and now she had to break everything they had built.
"No Luce. You keep saying you're a criminal, but I know you don't' believe it and neither do I. You don't' steal and you only do what you need to in order to fight the battle your in and stay alive. You aren't evil. You aren't greedy. Hell you have your on little slice of paradise and you are completely self sufficient. I just can't see you ever being a criminal. I see you as a protector and a fighter Luce," he said looking down at the blonde as he defended his belief in her. He meant every word. Lucy had told him about the title she had earned but she had explained that she had never actually stolen anything, except for medicine when she was younger, but she was fighting to save the kingdom from the darkness in her past. She always deemed herself as a thief but Natsu didn't see her in that light, she was brave and a fighter and he needed her to believe that.
This was Lucy. They had laughed together, shared stories together, and they had become so close in the time he had spent here. Ever since he had come to this valley he had wanted to get to know the mysterious blonde, like a force out of his control he had been drawn to her, intrigued by her, and cared for her. The time they had spent together in the 6 days he had been here only built up their relationship. He had never felt so comfortable and close with someone and he wanted Lucy to always be in his life. Sure he understood the situation she was in, but that didn't mean they still couldn't be friends right? He would fight to protect her, and help her in her crusade. However as he gazed down at Lucy he could see her walls slowly returning, he knew that she wanted to keep her distance in order to protect him, but who would protect her when her walls fell and shut him out.
"Natsu…" Lucy tried and failed as her voice betrayed her. She had to shut him out. She had to cut the connection loose but his dark eyes were making it hard. She could see his determination and worry as he gazed into her eyes. She could tell that he wanted to be there for her, but that was the one thing she could never let him do.
"Luce you know I care about you," he said placing a tender hand on her check. She looked up into his dark onyx eyes that she had grown to love and found herself crumbling. Her wall's slowly cracking under his heavy gaze.
"I know Natsu," she said, as she looked away form his dark eyes, pain erupting in her heart, as she knew what she needed to do. She had to cut him off and push him away. The only person she had gotten close too. The only person whom she had come to care about since her mother had passed away. The one person she didn't want to push away and shut out.
"Nobody should go though life alone Luce. Everybody needs someone to depend on," he said as his hand whipped away a stray tear.
She wavered. She wanted so desperately to keep their relationship the way it was and let it grow into something she knew would become a wonderful friendship. However Lucy wouldn't let him get caught in the cross fire of her battle. She would never forgive herself if she brought him into the shadows. Her fate was tied with the masked men, a road that would only lead her to death, pain, and darkness. Natsu was the Prince of the Dragon Realms; the next ruler of Fiore, if he followed her on her path it was likely he would perish along side her. This kingdom was young, and thriving, the next generation represented a bright future, and if Natsu stayed with her, that light would only die with him. He was the heart of the nation and she knew that he was loved throughout all of his kingdoms. Lucy would not let his fire die out; he had to live in order to lead this kingdom against the building darkness. She was doing this for him and the kingdom she swore to protect, and she wouldn't let them fall to the same fate as her own.
Natsu watched as raw emotion stirred in her brown eyes. He saw her begin to cave but something flashed through her eyes and he watched in horror as the walls came completely down. Don't do this Lucy! He mentally screamed as he brought another hand up to cup her face. He wouldn't let her shut him out. She was brave, determined, kind, and funny. He couldn't loose her, she had become too close to him to loose. He wanted to help her, protect her in any way, but he couldn't do that if she shut him out.
"Please don't shut me out Luce," he said as he looked into her brown eyes and he watched as another tear escaped from her eye.
They stood in silence for what seemed like forever. Lucy lost in pools of onyx black and Natsu lost in chocolate brown. Both never wanting what was going to happen next, both wanting to fight for this friendship. But the blonde beauty had made her decision. However painful it was going to be it had to be done. Natsu had his place in this world. He was the next ruler of this kingdom and they needed him, he had to forget about the lonely girl in the valley if he wanted to protect his realms. If they continued on this path he would be dragged down with her and a future would die with it. A future that was far too similar to the one she had lived. Lucy wouldn't be able to live with herself if that future came to pass. She caged her heart and brought up her walls, as her heart broke into a million pieces.
"Tomorrow I am taking you back, and this will only be a distant memory," Lucy said as she took a step away from Natsu. Letting his hands drop away from her face. She turned away from the one person she held close to her heart a cold barrier wrapping around her as she walked away. She told herself that it was for the best, but her heart still felt like it had shattered and would never be repaired again.
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