"Okay parents said yes, so you let me know what time you'd like to meet, and I'll be there."
"Sounds good Natsu. I'll see you soon." It may have just been Natsu's imagination but she sounded more like herself, happier even. Waving Kade goodbye, Natsu turned around, a wide smile stretching his face and causing his eyes to crinkle.
I'm ready. He thought. Now he just had to wait for Lucy to text him.
Natsu ran a shaky hand through his pink spikes once more waiting for Lucy to show up. She had texted him maybe 30 minutes prior, and Natsu in his panic got in his car and drove to Magnolia Park, not realizing he had maybe 20 minutes before he was supposed to be here.
It did give him a moment to himself where he could think of what he was going to say. He knew the basics of what he wanted her to hear, that he was ready to fight for their relationship and by whatever means to make that happen. He would do anything to stay in their lives, that much she should hear. But words were harder than actions for Natsu. They always had been, what could he do to assure her that he would fight for them. Marrying her would do the trick. Natsu thought, but shook his head, it was way too soon to even think about marriage and as much as he would love to, they needed to have a stronger relationship and know each other more before that was even a possibility. He's known the blonde for maybe a little less than a year and dating her for even less. Yeah if he wanted her to really stop talking to him that was the way to do it.
"Come on Natsu, pull yourself together." He mumbled into the steering wheel. What a sight he was. Gray would keel over if he saw how much of a wreck he was over this. Honestly if he was the person looking from the outside in he would laugh too. The poor guy was smitten and it hadn't even been a year yet since he met her. Groaning, he sat up and rubbed his face. His skin feeling too tight for his own liking, he wished he could just crawl into a hole and lay there for the remainder of his days.
Natsu got out of his car and walked to the bench right under the cherry blossom tree, the seasons were crossing from winter to spring and as the days got warmer the buds became closer to blooming, some already were, sprouting a beautiful pink and painting the ground along with it. Natsu traced the grain in the wood, trying to distract himself from his nerves, his stomach clenched with the amount of stress he was holding. Just don't mess this up. Lucy was gracious enough to talk to him after their fight. Natsu was too lost in thought to notice a certain Blonde looking at him and held a soft smile on her lips.
Lucy walked up to the bench fully intent to tell Natsu what had transpired three years ago, ready to share that part of herself with him, she had been completely unfair to him and he gave her the space she needed to think and work out her feelings. Levy had also helped her see that Natsu was not the same as Hibiki, he listened to her and made her feel wanted. Natsu was different and it was high time that she stopped comparing the two. Natsu was ten times the man Hibiki ever would be and it was not fair to him to compare the two. So when she saw Natsu on that bench underneath the cherry blossoms, a shade lighter than his hair she couldn't help the twang in her heart. Natsu was a good person and no one could change her mind. In truth they had been dating each other but putting a label on their relationship made everything more real and putting her heart out on the line terrified her. But Natsu was worth the possible heartbreak, this she was sure.
Natsu didn't seem to notice her when she sat down, tracing the grain of the old bench seemed to be his top priority, so Lucy decided to be bold. Reaching for his hand she placed hers atop his, stopping his movements completely. His head shot up fast enough where he may have given himself whiplash and Lucy internally cringed. She looked up at him and gave a weak, "Hi."
Natsu mimicked her, his voice soft and coarse, almost as if he spoke any louder she would blow away with the wind. His eyes were bright and alight with hope, highlighting the beautiful green deep within his iris'. She hadn't noticed it before and he gave her a soft smile to watch her own.
"Hey Natsu. Before I let you start I wanted to tell you why I reacted the way I did. I also wanted to apologise for the way that I acted and not hearing you out. It wasn't fair to you and our relationship. I hope you can forgive me, I felt like I had nowhere to go and panicked. I-I just haven't felt this way before and it's all so new to be. So I ask that you just be patient with me and allow me to sort through my feelings."
Natsu took a hold of her hand and squeezed it lightly. "Lucy, did you think I wouldn't forgive you?"
Something in Lucy broke then, her insecurities and fears surfacing anew. Natsu hit a weak point in her. She nodded at him not trusting her own voice. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, she didn't want to cry, she was past this. Better than this.
"You know" he trailed, "You don't always have to play it strong all the time. I'm here too. Same with Levy, and Erza, hell any of our friends will never, never, make you feel small or weak for crying. It's okay to cry. It just shows you care. As for me, why do you think I wouldn't forgive you? Because we got into one argument?" He shook his head in amusement, "Gray and I have knocked the shit out of each other and have still remained friends through the years, plus don't you think it would be boring without a fight or two? I think we're supposed to challenge each other to make us grow. Otherwise I think it'd get rather boring if you ask me."
Lucy used her free hand to wipe the tears that were threatening to fall. "I guess you're right. Now, on to what I wanted to talk to you about, it's about why I freaked out the way I did." Taking a deep breath to settle herself and find the words she had been going over for days now she summoned all her courage and began to start the story of her and Hibiki, what he did to her, how happy she was to be in public school, the party, and the pregnancy. All of it. But as she got to the darker parts of the story his face began to look more and more withdrawn, but his eyes she found held the most emotion save for his smile. They were dark again, the light of the evening sun didn't seem to penetrate the same way as it once did. They looked...absolutely enraged. His jaw had set into place and his posture seemed stiff as if anticipating a fight. By the time she was done telling her story he looked ready to murder someone with a look alone.
"Hey," she rubbed his hand with her thumb, his gaze softened then. "I'm okay. I wasn't back then but I am okay now."
"I'm sorry, that should have never happened to you. You should have gotten support, and the love you needed when you were at your lowest point in life. I wish I could've been there. I would have believed you. Hell I would have just been your friend through it all. I-I just can't fathom someone being that cruel, your father was well not showing an ounce of compassion is really fucked up. I can't even imagine how hard that was. I'm sorry. Lucy I want you to know that you are no less special to me and our friends, your father missed out on an incredible grandson, and what an amazing mother you are. I'm sorry you've had to do this alone for so long."
Lucy just stared with wide eyes, not comprehending why he was apologizing. It wasn't his fault but something struck a chord with her at what he said. I want you to know that you are no less special to me. He thought she was special. This time she let the tears fall, small sobs racked her body, not knowing how much she needed to hear those words from him. Without thinking she grabbed his shirt and dragged him into an albeit messy kiss full of tears, but Natsu melted into the kiss after the initial shock had ebbed away, he cupped her jaw then, cradling her face in his hands. Lucy was the first to pull away, shocked at her boldness but seeing that dopey grin on his face showed that she had made the right move. "Thank you." she said tentatively. "That means a lot."
"It's the truth. But Lucy there were also things I wanted to say to you as well. I want this to work between us. I'm willing to fight tooth and nail, but I ask that we both be honest with our feelings and if there is something on your mind that you let me know."
"Of course." came her immediate response. Natsu nodded, happy she agreed and seemed that, that was a given factor.
"But in order for there to be complete honesty I also need to follow those rules. Lucy…" Natsu struggled to find the right words. His tone became serious and his gaze held a determined glint, "There's something I need to tell you."
A/N: Looks like we get a cliffhanger. Ooohhhhh I wonder what he has to say. I hope you guys liked this chapter! Communication is very important as is honesty in any relationship whether that be a friendship or romantic. I hop eyou all loved this chapter as much as I did! See you all next Sat!
As always thank you torao hyuga 18, MaraDragneel3113, Copperreign12, andAmanny for all reviewing. I love seeing your guys' reactions! It always makes my day and makes me look forward to writing the next chapter! Have a great weekend everyone! 3