Waking up, he could hear the sound of the passing cars outside of the apartment. People were moving around, while birds chirped their song. A weight was upon his chest, the presence of another body on the bed reminding him he did not spend the night at the camp. Covering his eyes with his hand, he tried adapting his eyes to the light passing through the shutters. Feeling the steady exhaling of his partner fluttering, betrayed she was also waking up. His unoccupied hand, drew circles upon her back; committing to heart the feel of her silky skin under his fingertips.
A light peck of her lips, upon his chest, was followed by another. The bed rattled when she chose to move, positioning herself further over his body while her lips pressed firmer on his skin. All of his nerves felt like a fire swept over them as she crawled upon him. Her hands caressed his skin, as she reached his collarbone biting him lightly. Next, she found solace upon his neck passing over the same places she had bruised yesterday, a reminder of another passion-filled night between them.
"Buongiorno," As his arms wound around her middle, pressing her tighter on him, a tiny laugh escaped her. Her voice, always like honey, now was laced with sleep. His eyes locked with those brown orbs of hers that reminded him of the whiskey she offered him the first day they met.
Seizing her from the middle, he flipped them around. As his body settled over her, he attacked her lips. Her hands wound around his neck, bringing him even closer. It had become an addiction of his to feel her touch, even when they were not intimate. She could bring so many sensations and emotions out of him; he did not think it possible.
With the last peck, he settled back, hugging her waist and using her chest as a pillow. Her heart was beating loudly under his ear. Was it affection he felt, or just the rush of passion? Those thoughts had been haunting him for quite some time. If he left to go back, what would become of them? Will she follow or not? Should he stay or not?
"Don't frown," Lithe fingers pressed between his eyebrows, easing back the scrunched muscles. "You will age sooner." Her hand went to his hair, playing with the strands. An innocent act that lit him up, just by igniting the fire of emotions within him. Could she have other lovers except him? They had never talked of exclusivity or a relationship. Who did she go out with when she was not with him?
"Luce," Prompting himself upon his elbows, he watched as her playful eyes studied him. Her small hum was the only indication she was there with him, instead of daydreaming. It was a habit of hers in the morning to travel in unknown places. Small fingertips grazed his facial features like she would be seeing his face for the last time. He refused to acknowledge the possibility. "Will you be out tonight?"
Lucy's movement faltered for just a fraction of a second, yet he caught it. As an experienced soldier, every small move fell into the microscope. "No." Her thumbs stroked his cheekbones. Habitually, he leaned into her touch, turning his head to kiss her palm.
"Then, I'll come to find you at the pub," Pushing himself off her, he let his arm around her waist as he lay sideways. "I have an investigation this evening," Lucy's fingertips played with the scar on his neck. Catching her hands in his, he started placing kisses all over it. He always wanted to be able to shower her with affection. Adore her and cherish her in every aspect. She had become his addiction.
"What for?" Lucy's light giggle made him smile. Had her tender, siren-like voice turned him into a hopeless fool in love?
"Someone told the Commander a group of rebels are formulating an attack." Was he a fool for always entrusting her with this information? Maybe he was. Natsu could not hold a secret from her anymore. The only thing he hadn't been able to confess was his love for her. Her eyes widened at the information, her thin eyebrows arching high in surprise. "Nothing too serious, just a safety measure."
"Can't you skip it?" Lucy bit her bottom lip, a habit of hers when she was nervous. Her surprised expression got ousted by one of concern. His heart fluttered, knowing it was for him.
"I can't. The commander picked only thirty men for this operation." A lock of her had fallen in front of her face. Was it selfish of him to want those eyes only for himself? Sometimes he felt like a greedy dragon, hoarding a princess in a castle. "If it goes well and we uncover them, we will have a week off." He nuzzled her nose with his, trying to ease her worries. "We could go for a picnic in the countryside or stay in bed all day. Whatever you want!" Seeing as his excitement did not reach her, was concerning. Typically, she would be happy to have him there, planning small outings. He had sneaked out of camp once too many to be with her, something she appreciated. "What is it?"
"I don't want you to go." Her voice did not hold concern. It wasn't a request either.
"Why?" Natsu felt his eyebrows hike up as she turned to escape his hold. The bed creaked when she abandoned it, searching for her silk robe. As the daughter of a major businessman, who also tried to aid his nation, she was far better financially than any other civilian in this town.
"Don't question me. Just trust me." Her voice rung through the room even when she disappeared in the bathroom. Getting up, he searched for his underwear, feeling irritation gathering due to her bossing tone.
"Trust you in what? Are you suggesting that you're withholding information from me?" He stopped her right as she was about to leave the bathroom.
"Drop the interrogating tone with me." Pushing him away from the doorframe, she went to her drawers. Natsu watched her as she searched for her clothes, conflicted on whether he should hear her or not. Grabbing from the floor his pants, he put them on in a hurry, knowing he couldn't look that serious, just in his undergarments.
"Well, if you don't give me a reason to, then I can't." Moving towards her, he trapped her between the low dresser and his body. Definitely, not the style of interrogation he used. It was especially difficult to ignore her heated stare or her inviting lips or her robe sitting loose on her shoulders. In her presence, it was difficult for his brain and heart to function accurately.
"What are you fighting for, Natsu?" Lucy's question caught him unprepared. Her dismissal of their almost fight was grating on his nerves. He refused to back out now.
"That is not the point. I asked you a question." Natsu watched as she crossed her arms under her chest, leaning calmly to the drawer. She was a fire, he understood it from the first moment of interacting with her, and now she was ready to see someone burn.
"As I did just now." Her sarcasm was coming to the surface, a side of her he encountered once too many. Those previous times not meant to aggravate or mock him.
"I'm fighting for my country." His answer was short and cull of certainty. There wasn't anything else motivating him.
"And you're happy with that?" Lucy's brow raised in question, yet she did not cease there. "Have you thought what your country did to mine? We were living in peace, not bothering anyone," Her nails scraped his chest where she jabbed him with her finger. "Lives are lost for nothing, only because yours declared war!" Another jab that left a sting the other hadn't. "You say you fight for your country, yet my compatriots lost their lives to defend theirs?" This time she pushed him back with both of her hands. He withheld from backing out yet. "You have nothing to fight! Not a single cause! What are you defending? Your family? Your home? Your friends? How many of them have you lost in this meaningless war?"
Her comment made him falter, giving her the chance to push him back. Stumbling on his feet, he did not notice his boots lying behind him. He fell on his butt, although his pride was the one thing taking the whole abuse. "I'm fighting for my country!" His tone was a little louder than he intended. It had been ingrained to him, his whole life that it was a noble cause. All of her comments though were swimming around in his head, probing parts of him the war had erased.
"What a lovely country it is! I'm sure you're proud to know people are suffering." She was rushing around the house, putting article after article of clothing. "Our cities here are plagued in famine and poverty, just because yours decided it would be fun to create an empire!" Even though she was struggling to zip her skirt, her voice was not wavering. Her irritation was growing as each second passed. "Those ideals are long dead Natsu! Study some history! You'll see that an empire never lasts!" She tossed him his shirt and jacket and his flask, which she yesterday had filled with some whiskey.
"You can't accuse me of trying to care for you when in the eyes of everyone, even mine, I'm just a whore sleeping with a killer!" Lucy's last sentence was what caused the room to fall dead silent. She was breathing hard, face flushed. Tears were threatening to spill from her glistening eyes. Natsu was ready to let everything fall apart just to comfort her.
A horn blurring cut the silence. Natsu could identify everywhere the specific sound. On the road Gajeel was blasting the horn, impatiently awaiting him. The man even though terrifying in appearance, was also their cook and responsible for restocking. It was how he managed to always return to the camp without being noticed. Hiding between with the supplies and slipping out when they got inside.
"Leave," Like a stone, she was expressionless and unmoving. Her eyes were studying something only she could see at the wall next to her. Natsu wanted to run to hug her. Press his lips to hers, showing her how much he cared. That was not what he did.
"Goodbye," Uncaring of his half-dressed state, he left the apartment. As he got to the road, some old ladies were watching him from their balconies. Their eyes were piercing, judging him and his whole existence and state. He saw how they glanced at Lucy's, prompting him to turn his head to catch the barest of movement from her shutters. Was she watching him or the people's reaction? He would never know.
Gajeel pressed the horn once more, even though Natsu was standing right next to the vehicle. Getting inside, he ignored the raised eyebrow thrown his way. He had much to think off. Lucy's voice was still ringing in his head. All of her words. All of her expressions. All of her accusations. Who was right, who was wrong? Should he apologize or not? God, what was it with all those questions!
Lost in his thought, he missed when the car came to a halt. "Oi Salamander!" Gajeel's punch was the first thing he felt, after the call of his nickname. "Did your old man forgot to teach ya how to treat a lady? Even I heard her yelling!" He and the cook were first cousins from their father's side. It was by lack they found themselves in the same battalion.
"Quit it! We fought, what of it?" Natsu crossed his arms over his chest pouting. He was in no mood for questioning regarding his relationship with Lucy.
"She ain't wrong. Better think a bit today and reconcile with her." The black-haired man leaned back on his seat. He did not believe the two could fight and to hear them do so was quite unsettling. "You may not wanna say it, but you're in love. Better not lose your chance." Gajeel took the wheel back in his hands, drumming his fingers rhythmically. "Get in the back, Salamander, I have mouths to feed."
Natsu complied with his cousin's order. Settling on the back of the track, behind some heavy crates and sacks, he sulked. Contemplating Gajeel's words and going over his argument with Lucy, only unsettled him more. It was easy figuring out who was wrong in this situation. He had dug his own grave and had to find a way out. A wave of dread filled him at the mere thought of her leaving him.
The rest of his day passed in a bleary. He couldn't recall many details, especially after they reached camp. Determined to be part of the operation, against Lucy's wish, he was ready for assembly at the scheduled time. All-day, he reached one conclusion. Fighting for his country was not the most logical of reasons. Yes, he could love Alvarez. Lucy's arguments had stirred from a point of view he had not thought off before. He had been proud to be deployed, as their leader tried to justify the attack as beneficial for their nation. In his foolishness, he had not thought of the destruction caused to the people already there. Yes, he had witnessed colossal destructions. Never once, had he sat down to contemplate what that meant.
For every bullet fired, someone lost a brother, a father, a sister, a mother, a wife or a husband. People lost the ones dear to them, in a fraction of a second, just by the pull of a trigger. For every bomb their airships or cannons threw, homes, businesses, schools, churches, communities were lost, destroying the struggle of innocent men and women. Working your whole life to be comfortable, only to see everything burn down within seconds. Provided that, you survived the flames yourself. What was the point of taking over a country, when its habitants would suffer the aftermath of the war? It could take decades for them to come back to their feet and with poverty striking the country even more. Why had he not come to this conclusion sooner? Was that the reason why many of his companions choose to be executed as traitors, rebelling against another attack? Where they all sick of this, like he was starting to become?
As they passed from the mountain trail leading to the city, he couldn't help but admire the scenery around him. Nature was in its prime, the lush green forest, complementing the high mountain.
The faces of his comrades were everywhere around him. He never sat back to study them. One was fumbling with the edges of his jacket. Another was fixing his helmet; his eyes trained on the floor. The one sitting next to him was hunched over, holding a rosary, lips moving uncontrollably. They were other six in there, faces he would see or may not again. He would always remember the same expression on their face when the boom occurred. Fear. Fear for their lives.
Their trunk came to a screeching halt, raising dirt from the road. Shouts greeted them as they jumped off, taking immediate cover. Getting ambushed was not part of the plan. They only had their trucks for coverage and behind them a cliff. Like the mouse in a trap, they got caught.
Bullets got fired like rain. Another explosion shook the ground. It was accompanied by the screams of his companions; sent off the trail along with the vehicle. Natsu was left frozen, watching them fall to their secured demise. One of his comrades pulled him back, drawing him away at their commander's order. Not even a second later, their truck was tumbling off the hill. He felt his legs working once more, running fast to their last cover, jumping over faceless bodies.
Someone from their side had reached their ammunition vehicle, returning the heavy fire with their own. Somewhere in the forest, cries were heard as the explosion occurred. Part of the trees caught fire, raising smoke that minimised their visibility. The commander shot the soldier on the spot. It made him halt, a mistake from his part. Dying on the field, he considered it at some point a noble thing to do.
Forced on his knees from the bullets on his side and leg, he could not help the scream escaping the confines of his lungs. One hand was holding him up, while the other was clutching his side. None came to get him. It was surely risky to do so, in such a vulnerable position. Trying to stand up was pointless, Natsu knew he couldn't take it. He let gravity pull him, landing on his side. Everywhere chaos.
Was that how many of his comrades felt when they were left behind? Did they all experience such anguish, knowing their last moments would be drenched in blood, on a nameless hill, having accomplished nothing?
The wet spot on his side was growing. He could feel the moisture gathering, while his leg steadily went numb. His eyes were focused on the sky, watching a pair of birds flying high away from the trouble under them. Natsu had dreamed of the day he could take Lucy on a similar trip, far away from trouble. Now, he could only fandom her touch and her sweet eyes. Her golden hair and her perfect lips. Her smile and the dimples on her cheeks when she did. Would she cry, tomorrow when Gajeel informed her of his fate?
He hated seeing her eyes wet from tears. Her lips pulled down into a frown, yelling at him to stay with her. Holding him close and kissing his cheeks, trying to reassure him everything was going to be fine. Green didn't suit her that much. Although, her hair fell so perfectly around her face; loose from her ponytail. If he could, he would have raised his hand, yet she was already holding it so tight it hurt.
"I love you." Finally, he had found the courage to tell her that. Even if it was to a fragment of his wild imagination. In his eyes, she was smiling, whispering it to him. He felt so light like he weighed as much as a feather. Lucy was still beside him, even when his soul was floating among the trees. She was still there when he closed his eyes, letting the world go black.
How much did it hurt to die?
A stinging burn was what caused him to open his eyes. His ears focused on all the different voices assaulting him at once. The location he was at was not the infirmary of his camp. Many signs gave it away, with the most obvious one being the lack of understanding of the language spoken. People were moving, yet he couldn't. His limps were screaming for him not to move, yet his vulnerability screamed for him to do something.
Training had taught him not to get caught by the enemy forces. His morals though supported never to leave a comrade behind, and that's what they did to him. A very familiar voice was heard on his right, making his head turn abruptly. His hands were ready to push him up, but she reached him first, preventing him from doing so. An uncomfortable silence fell between them as they locked eyes. Maybe it was all a hallucination or a dream. There was no way for him to be alive right then and there. His burning side and leg were strongly fighting him over it. If all were a dream, the pain wouldn't exist, yet Lucy would be there. If it was the reality, he should be dead and Lucy far away. He didn't realise he had voiced his thoughts.
"I'm here." The watery smile she offered was anything but reassuring. Her eyes were running over his face, the black circles under them an indication of her restlessness. She was exhausted, her hair all over the place locks falling here and there while some strand stood straighter than a stick. Dirt smeared her face. For some odd reason, his whole existence agreed she was never more beautiful.
"You are with them?" Natsu's voice came out hoarser than he expected. He could vaguely feel someone probing his leg, yet he only focus was Lucy. She was smiling, that extraordinary smile, yet once his question registered, it faltered. He so much wanted to see it back on.
Lucy hesitated just enough for it to count as an answer. It was odd how his heart did not register it as a betrayal. That part of him that belonged to her could not. His mind would surely consider it. Right now, his emotions overpowered. "Ok." It was the only answer he could offer. Shrugging his shoulder, he winched when his side pulled. The two injuries he sustained were going to slow him down.
"Don't push yourself. I will take care of you." Moving at his leg, she continued dressing it with bandages, like the man was doing before. Against the protest from his side, he decided to sit up, supporting his upper body on his elbows.
Taking a look at the space around him, he studied the others with him. Some were laying on cots injured like him, being taken care of by their comrades. Others were humbled in groups, chatting and laughing like they were in a tavern, meeting up with friends. At a corner, a lone man was tuning the chords of a guitar. It was not how he imagined the rebels' residence would be.
"How long was I out?" His eyes focused on her dainty fingers rolling bandages around his wound. She held an air of certainty in her moves like she had done it hundreds of times before.
"Two days." Cutting with a blade the extra fabric, she tied it tightly. "You lost quite some blood." Natsu's undressed state had not registered before she had to pull his pants up. His right leg throbbed when he focused on it. "The bullet went right through your leg. We just closed it and bandaged it." His shirt was not there, making the bloody bandages visible. It was not that bad, he hoped. "This one is not out. They just stitched you up. It will probably leave a scar."
"What will happen from now on?" It was a question bugging him since it settled within him that he was in their territory now. He knew of other of his comrades getting caught from the rebels, never to be seen again.
Lucy pressed dabbed some alcohol on his wound, making him flinch. A small giggle escaped her when he rolled his eyes. Her brown eyes swirled with mirth. It was not the first time she had dressed a wound of his. "Well, it depends on what you want to do." Getting on with her task, Natsu watched as she carefully probed his skin, then searched on a table next to her for an ointment.
"Me?" Her answer confused him. He admitted the only future he could picture was next to Lucy. Some part of him remembered his confession. Internally, he cringed at the cliché way of confessing. At that moment, he had felt like he wouldn't see her again. Now, there he was laying under her gaze. "I want to stay with you."
Her movements halted quicker than a bullet fired. Those brown orbs of hers focused, searching something. "You do?" The bandages tightened a bit uncomfortably, around his middle. It must have shown in his face because the next moment she was focusing on them.
"Why wouldn't I?" Natsu felt the muscles on his arms tingling from staying that long unmoving. Laying back down, he was left to study the ceiling.
Feeling her finishing up, he turned his head as she deposited everything back on its place. Her clothes were simple, just a pair of pants and a blouse, yet they weirdly complimented her. They were torn and dirty. They spoke of a great story.
She mumbled something under her breath, which initially he did not manage to catch. Repeating it did not help either. Proper understanding came after the seventh repeat. "You shot me?"
"Only because I didn't identify you at first!" Lucy chooses to avoid his eyes, playing nervously with a lock of her hair.
"I could have died!" Natsu returned to his previous position, supported on his elbows. It was disbelief that coloured his expression, as more and more the consequences of his lover's action settled in.
"But you did not!" Offering a smile, she knew would be fruitless. Rocking back and forth on her feet, she let her gaze sweep over her comrades. Some were quite interested in their not so private conversation, which was gaining more and more attention.
"I have freaking pink hair!" The wounded man always thought his hair colour was a dead giveaway. How could she not see him? It wasn't like men praised around having pink hair!
"You were wearing a helmet!" Good point from Lucy's part, yet Natsu was not convinced.
"I had my scarf!" Not all soldiers choose to wear a white scaly scarf on the battlefield, that was sure. Both of their voices had gone a bit up at this point, as irritation gathered on both battling sides.
"And I was on a tree!" Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, stomping her leg on the ground to highlight her point. She could hear her comrades translating the conversation the two were having in fiorian, yet she did not care. Dealing with Natsu was more concerning.
"Try being on the ground next time!" Sarcasm dripped from his voice, thinking her argument was weak. Being on a tree gave her an immediate advantage, one that helped her side overpower them. She could have seen him there, even if he was in the distance. The racial part of his brain noted that smoke and distance played a role in perceiving faces, yet he silenced it.
"You are much suited for that!" Lucy knew her answer made no sense. All the exhaustion was starting to slow her ability to come up with plausible retorts.
"I can't believe I love you!" Natsu gritted his teeth as he laid back down. Crossing his arms over his chest was not the best of choice, since it pulled on his skin. Lucy sat next to him not even a second later, probing his side, with a scowl on her face.
"Well, neither do I!" The content of their conversation started to settle in on both sides, yet their voices did not lose their volume. From an onlooker's view, the two were having a very argumentative confession.
"Now, I refuse to propose!" Refusing to face her, his hands fumbled with his shirt trying to search for his necklace. Except for the metallic tag with his name, there was also a ring hanging there. His mother had gifted it to him when he was younger. Lately, he was planning on giving it to Lucy, yet he never did. The day of the attack, he would have gone to the city to find her and propose. As it was, his plans had to alter.
"And I refuse to accept!" Even if her tone was still quite irritated, her expression was full of confusion. Lucy's eyebrows furrowed together studying the ring hanging on his necklace.
After failing to remove the chain alone, Lucy came to his rescue. "Then, I won't be staying here with you!" She passed it to him as soon as his words settled.
"Fine! The rest of my life will be peaceful!" Crossing her arms over her chest, she turned her head the other way. Internally, her brain was burning from how fast the wheels were running. A question formed steadily; did he propose?
"Oh please! You wouldn't stand a day without me!" Removing the ring, he took it in his hands. Repeatably tugging on a lock of her hair, he managed to catch her attention.
"Neither would you!" The constant tugging caused an outburst like no other. The image of him laying with the ring in his hands, caused her eyes to widen.
"Should we stop shouting?" A smile grazed his lips as he took in her expression. Her eyes filled slowly filled with tears while he took her hand in his.
"I don't know!" Placing the ring on her finger, he couldn't help but feel like the luckiest of men. If his proposal was the weirdest of them all, he did not care. Between the two of them, it was as normal as it could be.
"Kiss me?" Pressing a kiss on her knuckles, he hoped she had not forgotten he could not sit up. Watching as her face came closer and closer, Lucy had gotten the message.
"God yes!" Their lips found each other in a sweet dance. It was not rushed nor hungry. It was the union of two lover's scared to lose the other. Passionate and full of love, the two relished at the moment. Both were smiling when they parted, touching their foreheads together and breathing the same air. Hearts beat in a frenzied tempo as their eyes locked.
"Don't shoot me, again, please." His whisper drew a giggle from her. Shaking her head, she touched his cheek lovingly, caressing with her thump his cheekbone.
"I promise."
A/N Thank you for taking the time to check this story! English is not my first language, but I try my best with editing and correcting any mistakes. Feel free to leave a review and help me with your constructive criticism to sharpen my skills!