Okay guys... I know I'm the worst...
My editor wasn't available to edit this or the last chapter... so it might be a little raw. Also, I had to up the rating to M...
Let me know what you think!
Chapter 16
Natsu laid there in his tent fuming about what events just transpired. He was sure that he saw Loke kiss Lucy on the beach, but was confused as to why.
Can celestial spirits even have relationships with mortals?
Natsu had never studied much on holder magic, so he was a little foggy on the details. All he knew for sure was that celestial wizard magic was on a whole different level than normal holder magic. But he did know there were rules about behavior between spirit and wizard. For instance; he knew that spirits were under no circumstances allowed to hurt their master, nor were they allowed to disobey them, even if it meant that the spirits themselves would end up harmed.
Natsu was confused and uncomfortable about the new paradigm that he might have to come to terms with. His arms were crossed against his bare chest, he stared at the tent ceiling while he assembling his thoughts together. When it came to Loki and Lucy, there were things that he was certain of and things that he was…. less certain of.
Why do I even care? Why do I feel this irrational desire to find out what's happening when it really isn't even my business?
He thought, glaring furiously at his ceiling.
In his mind, he made a list.
Things that he was certain of:
Lucy was on the beach with Loke and he kissed her.
Loke and Lucy have been together a long time.
For some reason the latter facts infuriated him.
Things that he was less certain of:
His feelings towards Lucy.
How to move forward from here.
Why exactly Lucy was suddenly spending all her time with Loke.
Natsu continued to simmer in his frustration while frowning deeply. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, trying to slow his heart-rate so that he could calm down and go to sleep. Happy snoring in the corner of his tent didn't help. He tried to concentrate on his breathing and tired to purge all thoughts from his mind.
But every time it seemed like his mind was calm, thoughts would creep up again causing his mind to race. This went on for awhile until he got so frustrated he sat up in his bed.
He leaned forward and placed his head in his hands.
Damn it, you promised yourself Natsu… you promised you'd never get this way again! Not after you lost Lisanna…
Natsu sighed, dropping his hands. He shook his head remembering the promise he'd made himself seven years ago.
"Huh… so it's been that long already…"
He thought about what had happened. How she'd left on a mission and how he should have gone with her and her siblings to back them up and didn't.
It was his fault. His half-hearted decisions and feelings weren't enough to reach her or convince him to follow after her.
Natsu slapped his face forcing himself to concentrate at what needed to happen now.
"I need to talk to Lucy before tomorrow if I'm going to concentrate at the war meetings; it's still a decent hour… I'll go now."
Natsu stood up in a determined manner, barging from his tent. He was in such haste that he did not bother to dress himself on the way out, regardless of how cold it was outside.
Lucy was sleeping soundly within her tent when she was suddenly woken up by the whispers of a man outside.
"Lucy! You awake?" said a hushed cry through the curtain of her tent.
Lucy wasn't entirely cohesive, so she really wasn't in her right frame of mind to make good decisions. Lucy sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes with the heel of her palm.
Who could possibly be at my door at this hour?
She thought angrily as she scratched at her head, causing her hair to get disheveled.
"Who is it?" she managed to whisper back, eyes still closed as she tried to fumble around for a flashlight.
"It's Natsu, Can I come in?"
Lucy's suddenly pried her eyes open as her mind tried to keep up.
Didn't I just say goodbye to him earlier? Why is he back here?
"Uh, sure that's fine." She said unable to think rationally while rubbing at her eyes, finally giving up the search for the flashlight.
Lucy was still half asleep when Natsu came through the curtain, so she wasn't really processing what was happening.
All she was really aware of was that Natsu was in her tent… for some reason.
"So…uh Lucy? Are you sure now is a good time? I could come back… later…"
"Huh?" she replied sleepily finally coming to her senses.
Lucy looked up to see Natsu standing before her red in the face and averting his eyes. Lucy then looked down to see that she was sleeping in nothing in a red lacy bra and panties. She was sitting up in her sleeping bag revealing the top half of her body.
Damn you Levy!
She cursed silently.
"Ah! Sorry!" she said grabbing a nearby blanket to cover herself up in front of her captain.
"Like I said before, I don't have any decent sleeping attire…"
Natsu raised a hand in protest.
"Don't worry about it; I'm sorry for bothering late in the evening. I should have been more aware that something like this could have happened."
He said taking a seat on the floor in front of her.
Lucy looked up at her captain seeing that he was merely dressed in a pair of loose white cotton shorts that ended just below his knees where they narrowed and cinched together, creating a balloon effect.
"Uhhh, Natsu? I know my attire leaves a lot to be desired but…. why aren't you wearing a shirt?"
Lucy watched confused as Natsu discovered the state of his own dress.
"Oh crap, I guess I was so worried that I rushed over without realizing I was half-naked. Gray's bad habits must be rubbing off on me if I'm leaving like this from my tent completely unaware. I'm sorry… I'll go now… you should go back to sleep."
Natsu made a move to stand when Lucy grabbed a hold of his arm to prevent him from doing so.
"You came all the way here in the middle of the night to say something to me; I suppose I can overlook the state in which we are addressing each other on this one occasion."
She smiled grabbing a blanket form beside her and handing it to him.
Natsu took it from her smiling awkwardly and draped it over his shoulders.
"Nice, thanks Lucy. Also, it's not all that late. You must have just been tired and conked out early."
He said teasingly.
"Oh… really? I guess I'm just not that aware, sorry."
Natsu laughed it off.
"Here, let me give us a bit of light."
Natsu lifted his hand upward and let a small fame ignite like a candle in the center of his palm. The light lifted slightly and hung between the like a lightning bug, allowing for them to see the scenery around them better.
Lucy loved watching his magic; it looked like life force and made her feel calm and safe. She smiled slightly at her captain who gave her a sheepish look in return.
"Um, yeah I did come here with something I feel I've needed to talk to you about."
Lucy broke her gaze at the small light he had created, to give Natsu her undivided attention.
"Yeah, okay… so what's up?"
She asked not sure how to start the conversation.
What does he want to talk about? Could he have found out about our plan to escape?!
Natsu shifted closer to Lucy as he gripped the hem of the blanket.
"I was kind of curious about the rules of celestial spirits and their companions…"
Lucy raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why? Natsu, the nature of my contract with my spirits is none of your business…"
The captain gripped the blanket tighter around him and glared at the ground.
"Yeah… I know I was just hoping you'd tell me."
Lucy narrowed her eyes and let out a sigh.
"You're up to something… what is it?
Natsu was obviously offended.
"Your highness! To insinuate that I, Natsu Dragneel would be up to something…"
Lucy continued to glare…
"Is this about Loke again?"
Natsu merely folded his arms and wouldn't look Lucy in the eye.
She rolled her eyes.
"This obviously seems to weigh heavily on your mind so I guess I can tell you…"
Natsu looked up in surprise at Lucy.
"I'll skip over the terms of our contract since I know that's not what you're interested in and just get to the point. I guess… there's no real simple answer. Loke has served my family for generations; he's just like family to me. I didn't really know him well at first especially before I was able to retrieve my keys. He couldn't always be there for me growing up because of my father's ridiculous rules, but that didn't stop him. He was the one who told me how and where to retrieve my mother's keys, seeing as my father wouldn't even let me have them. I had to steal from him and make the contracts on the road to Magnolia just before I met you. But Loke was different; he crossed over using his own power to watch over me like a guardian angel…"
Lucy smiled gently.
"Being around him, he reminds me of the stories of my mother and he makes me feel safe. If it weren't for him, I never would have made it here in the first place."
Natsu smiled and closed his eyes.
"Our contract is private, but there are rules to contracting celestial spirits…"
"I believe I can answer any questions you have Natsu…"
Lucy and Natsu turned around to see where the voice was coming form, only to see Loke standing at the entrance of the tent, hands at his hips with a smirk on his face.
Lucy looked at him in surprise.
"Oh, Loke… are you sure?"
She asked him gently.
Loke pushed his glasses further up his nose with his index finger.
"Yes. I believe you should listen to this as well Lucy, and as for that kiss… Which I'm sure was the underlying reason for your question Natsu… I'll have you know it was a mere peck on the cheek."
Loke peered over at Natsu with a snarky grin from the side.
Natsu glared back at him, refusing to make any other kind of reaction.
"Kiss? What kiss are you talking about?"
Lucy asked him with a panicked look.
"I must apologize to you my lady. I took advantage of you cute sleeping face while we were on the beach and allowed myself a moment of selfishness when I kissed your cheek."
Lucy's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh… I see… well then, thank you for telling me Loke."
She said, Unsure of how she should respond.
"Tch!" Natsu clicked his tongue in disgust and folded his arms.
"You should be way more mad or something Lucy!"
Lucy opened her mouth to calm Natsu when she was once again cut off by Loke.
"As I was saying…. As far as our relationship goes we are merely master and spirit, but we're also old friends. In regards to the rules of celestial spirits…. well, therein lies a plethora of insanity that we will merely dip our toes into."
Loke took a seat next to Natsu on the floor.
"All celestial spirits are cursed beings, not unlike the demons from Zerif's book."
"Zerif? Who's that?"
Lucy asked tilting her head slightly.
"Oh, sorry… I think people in Fiore now refer to him as the black wizard."
"I've heard of him during many of my travels…"
Natsu started to explain, facing Lucy.
"Apparently he concocted experiments on people and spirits with ancient magic and science to create new beings that he sealed in a book that he named the book of Zerif… really nasty guy if you ask me."
Loke raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Very good, seems like the title Captain that you hold isn't just that."
Loke said in a rather demeaning manner.
Natsu stared in front of him, refusing to acknowledge Lokes existence.
"We are extremely similar in creation. We all started off as human or animals but through one way or another our existences were so bastardized that we could no longer classify ourselves as human or otherwise."
Natsu and Lucy were listening with intent on every word he was saying.
"There are many ways this could happen to somebody; however I'm only aware of one particular way. Most importantly, no matter how it happens there is a price that has to be given willingly… and that price becomes your curse or weakness. In return, you gain immortality but you are only given it conditionally. Usually, you have to serve a master of some sort in addition to your curse. The demons serve Zerif, and celestial spirits serve wizards. Although, there is one major difference between the celestial spirits and the demons… demons immortality is in itself conditional. They are only immortal as long as they remain in the book of Zerif and only if the book remains intact as well. Once they leave, or the book is destroyed they are subject to mortality. In the case of celestial spirits we are not bound by those rules… we remain immortal forever. "
"But why is that?"
Natsu asked.
Loke shrugged and sighed.
"I'm not entirely sure… but my best guess over the years is that we spirits make deals with immortals, which have been blessed as holy beings… whereas the demons make deals with unholy and forbidden magic. Even Zerif was created in this way when he was cursed to live forever, although in his case it was done against his will."
Natsu shook his head.
"Wait, what? What happened? You lost me at that last part."
Loke rolled his eyes but continued his explanation.
"People who experiment with souls and re-animation of the dead can't do so without consequence. To do so bastardizes the lives we cherish and brings no meaning to life. Why would one cherish life when they could merely bring themselves back? So in response to this 'The Powers That Be' can command the very darkest of magic to curse those who try to step into the place of creation."
Lucy nodded, trying to understand all that had been told to her.
"So all demons and immortals have times when they are vulnerable… except for celestial spirits?"
Loke nodded.
"As far as I'm aware, I mean I've been destroyed many times and all that happens to me is that I re-appear on the other side in the celestial realm."
Natsu continued to frown and look puzzled.
"I don't think I get it…"
"He's basically saying the dark spirits of the earth cursed Zerif to live forever and that even though they can't die through normal means… they can still be killed."
Lucy tried to explain.
"Oh, why didn't you just say that?"
Natsu groaned to Loke.
Loke ignored the captain and stopped for a moment, shrugged his shoulders and stood up.
"Well, I hope that answers your questions you have Natsu. As for Lucy, I hope you learned a little something tonight."
"Wait, What? That's it?"
Lucy whined.
Loke laughed and walked to the curtain.
"It's what you need to know; even we have secrets Lucy, as for your guest… I hope you have the sense to send him back to his tent quickly… I just found out that we'll have to be going early in the morning. Our activities have had to move forward… It will be the only time we'll be able to get moving."
Loke said looking over at Lucy hoping that she would understand.
Lucy looked at him seriously and nodded, confirming she understood his meaning, while Natsu just sat there trying to understand what Loke had just finished telling them.
Loke sighed at Natsu, waving a hand dismissively and walked out of the tent leaving the two of them alone.
Lucy tightened her grip on her blanket worried that Natsu might have picked up on what they were saying about their escape having to be moved forward to the morning.
As she observed him pondering the thoughts that Loke had left with them, her worry started to dissipate. He was obviously not paying attention to anything in this spectrum of existence….
"… Captain? You still with me here?"
Natsu opened his eyes and looked at Lucy, reminded that he was in her company.
"Oh! My apologies, I can get fairly distracted when it comes to new information. Anywho… I suppose I should head out of here and let you get your sleep for the night, considering how late it is now…"
He said to her while standing up to leave the tent.
"Oh..."
Lucy replied.
"I figured since it's so late you could just crash here? I mean it's not like we're unaccustomed to sleeping in the same quarters…"
Natsu turned to face her and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure? It's one thing sharing a room in a cramped ship… but sharing a tent when I have my own… rumors may start princess."
Lucy rolled her eyes and laid back down, facing her back to Natsu in an attempt to go back to ignore him.
"Suit yourself… I figured I'd offer since it's freezing outside at night. These stupid mountains make the weather her almost unbearable. It's hot as sin during the day and at night it gets to freezing temperatures. But make your own decision… it's not like I'm forcing you."
Lucy closed her eyes and waited patiently for the sound her tents' curtain to open… but it never did. Instead she felt Natsu lie down next to her and press his back to hers.
Lucy's heart started to race and her face immediately went scarlet. Suddenly she was very thankful that he couldn't see her.
What's he doing sleeping next to me? He could have slept on the other side! What is this feeling I have? My chest feels heavy and my stomach is in knots!
Lucy was focused on the place where her back met his, it was so warm… It was nice. His body heat spread form the spot of contact and was making its way throughout her body. She found herself wondering if the magic abilities that he had raised his body temperature. He told her that they enhanced his physical abilities… so would it be a stretch to say that they made his body run at a higher temperature?
Maybe all men have warmer bodies?
"Uh… Natsu?"
"Shhhh, I'm trying to sleep highness. It's late."
Lucy waited a minute before she rolled over to face his back.
"Sorry, I guess I wasn't really expecting you to take me up on that offer…"
Natsu grunted and laughed.
"Guess I'm not getting much sleep tonight either… Sorry to disappoint, I can still leave if you want."
He said rolling over to face her.
Lucy pulled the blanket up over her nose so that he couldn't see her while she shook her head.
"No, I'd prefer you were here… truth be told… this whole situation is kind of scaring me.
Natsu frowned at her, while shifting to get comfortable.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Lucy looked at him for a moment to calm herself down…
"War… between my country… my family and Alvarez. I feel like I'm being put smack in the middle of it with no way out, and that I'm dragging all of you down with me. I'm not sure I have the courage to see it through to the end."
Natsu frowned more deeply, concern filling his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?"
Lucy closed her eyes and pulled her blanket back down to her neck.
"I mean… I'm terrified. I just want to run, but I know I can't… somebody is going to have to pay for my fathers' crimes after all this is finished. Countries at war don't exactly let the opposing royal family survive… and if they're tyrants like my father… their own countries don't let them survive either. Even if I marry the Emperor…"
Lucy was fighting back her tears only to choke on her words.
Natsu placed a hand over her mouth to stop her from speaking.
"Don't. Just don't. Don't EVER say anything like that ever again."
Natsu slowly removed his hand from her mouth and placed it gently on her face, using his thumb to wipe away her tears.
"I'll never allow anybody to hurt anyone in fairy tail."
Lucy looked up at him in despair.
"Am I though? I don't have a guild mark like the rest. I don't do anything for the guild to bring in money or protection or food!"
"Of course you are!"
Natsu said sternly.
"And if it's a guild mark that's upsetting you… here give me your hand Lucy."
Lucy looked at him, confused but placed her hand in his outstretched one regardless.
Natsu smiled and closed his eyes as he brought her hand to his lips.
The warmth Lucy felt before was radiating from where his lips touched. When they lifted from her hand, a small figure like the one on Natsus' arm appeared on the back of her palm.
It was pretty, small and pink… it suited her.
Lucy smiled at the mark.
"With this you're officially a member of our guild."
"But why? Wont the master get upset that you did this without his permission?"
Natsu shrugged.
"Our guild marks are special Lucy; many people are honorary members of our guild and have all the privileges as such but will never get a mark."
"What?"
"The magic of the guild marks comes form our first master. She's a spirit and she protects the Island we live on, which is why only guild members can find it. But with the guild mark comes a condition… We can't give them out like others do. Only members can, and they can only do it once.
"You mean a marked member can only give out one guild mark?"
"Yes."
He stated plainly.
Lucy swallowed, processing the implications.
"So… I'm the only person you'll ever be able to give a guild mark to?"
"Yes."
"Natsu… why…"
He gave her a corny grin.
"Do I need a reason? The reason is plain enough to me… I care about you. A lot."
Lucy's face twisted with emotion, while Natsu pulled her close to him in his arms.
"Lucy… its okay."
Lucy let her emotions out into Natsus bare chest. Her frustration of having to run away from her friends, the loss of Gray and then finding him again just to have him break her heart with the truth about their history and then getting engaged… or married. Most recently… her feelings about Natsu, she knew was that leaving his side was one of the hardest things for her to do right now. He made her feel safe, protected… and all she'd been doing lately was pushing him away. It was killing her. And here he was basically accepting him into his family… the only person he'd ever be able to do something like that for.
"Natsu, I'm so sorry… so sorry for pushing you away lately."
Natsu gently hushed her and stroked her hair.
"It's ok Lucy… I was worried about you, but I'm glad you trust me enough to open up to me."
Lucy felt guilt pit in her stomach at his words.
But at the same time she felt a strange draw to him like he was the only person in the world that mattered to her. It didn't matter if she never saw her family, it didn't matter that Gray abandoned her. It didn't matter that Silver betrayed her and tried to kill her.
All that mattered was Natsu.
That he survived this war.
She finally realized the real reason she was leaving to protect the guild…
It wasn't for them.
It was for him, it was all for him.
I Love him… I am in love with Natsu…
It was at this realization that she looked up at her captain.
She was sure of it.
The almost magnetic pull she had towards him. The desire to stay by his side.
"Natsu?"
"Mmmmm?" he said, releasing his grip on her so he could look him in the eyes.
"What if… what if I told you…"
Natsu smiled and looked at her blushing face as she buried it back into his chest.
"It's alright Lucy just go to sleep, we have all the time we need to talk later."
Lucy exhaled deeply as she relaxed in Natus strong arms.
What if we don't… should I even bother telling him? I am leaving to marry another man.
Another man…
It was hard to imagine that this time next month she'd be in the same situation… only with the Emperor.
She clenched her jaw tight.
"Mmm? What's wrong highness?"
Crap, he noticed
"Nothing, just this will be a first for me… falling asleep in a half-naked mans arms."
Natsu laughed out right.
"It'll be a first for me as well."
Lucy raised herself slightly so that she could look Natsu in the eyes better.
"Wait, what? First time?"
Lucy asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, is it that suppressing?"
He said cocking his head slightly, allowing his pink locks to caress his forehead.
"Honestly? Yes. As a pirate and a captain at that… I figured you'd have plenty of… well opportunity. I mean... I've heard stories."
"Of course I've had opportunity; I'm just not the kind of guy who takes advantage of women. Especially those I have no intention of making a lasting relationship with. Besides, I hope you don't lump us in with your average degenerate pirate Lucy."
"Of course I don't! I'm just surprised, is all..."
Lucy laid back down and got comfortable again, pouting slightly.
"Speaking of... have you… have you ever been in a relationship before?"
She asked wryly.
Natsu grinned at her playfully, almost in a teasing way.
"Hmm, that's a long story. The short of it is no… but I have been in love before. It didn't end well."
"Oh? Why, what happened?"
Natsu shook his head and frowned.
"Heh, she was lost at sea, during a mission. Nothing could have prevented it… Let's talk about something else… I don't think its common courtesy to speak of past loves while holding a woman in your arms."
"Ah! Sorry! Just… One more question?"
Natsu rolled onto his back and laughed, still keeping a firm hold on Lucy.
"Me thinks you have some not-so-honorable intentions highness… but sure."
Lucy fumbled a bit before asking the question.
"Do you still love her?"
Natsu scratched at his cheek with his finger and closed his eyes.
"That's an even harder question. She's dead, I mean can one even be devoted to someone who's passed on? I'm not so sure… But it's not like those feelings just vanish either. All I know is that I vowed never to love anybody ever again… at least not like that."
Lucy's stomach went cold.
Was this girl that great that he'd never love anybody else? Or was the loss that traumatic?
"Oh… really? So, you'll never love someone like that again?"
"No, I won't. I can't."
He said in a very matter-of-fact tone.
It was hard for her to hear him say that while she was being held in his arms. Tears started to sting again at the corner of her eyes. All she wanted now was for him to leave… to be alone. Until she felt the sensation of him cupping her face with his hand, drawing her gaze back to his eyes.
"Lucy, I will never love like that again. A half-cooked sad excuse for love that wasn't strong enough to make decisions that could have protected someone. A love that just let somebody walk out of their life and left them for dead, but I think... I've found something on an entirely different level."
What? What is he saying?
"I will never let anything like that happen again. Not to the woman I love, because I do indeed love her."
Lucy stammered.
"A..aaare you ttttalking."
"You Lucy, I'm talking about you... I love you."
Lucy was too stunned; she just kept staring at Natsu, her breath caught in her chest. He was looking at her with the most passionate eyes she'd ever seen. Fire, determination, fear, love, these were all being reflected in his gaze. It's like this moment had frozen and was allowing her bask in it.
She couldn't help it, she was so happy, but she was also in pain from knowing that this could never come to pass...
Lucy closed her eyes to prevent more tears from escaping them, to no avail.
She pounded her fists on his chest.
"You idiot! Why'd you have to go and say those things? I was barely hanging on there and then you… YOU IDIOT!"
Lucy buried her face into his chest again, still crying.
"I love you too, you ignoramus."
Natsu brought her face up again and gave her his signature grin.
"I'm so relieved; I was really worried I just destroyed our friendship."
He laughed, bringing her face to his, pressing his forehead against hers.
Lucy could feel his hot breath against her skin and the atmosphere was changing drastically to the confession of their mutual feelings.
All of a sudden they became very aware of the fact that they were essentially in their underwear and Lucy could feel sweat forming at the nape of her neck. Blood started pumping and breathing was getting more and more ragged.
"Lucy… if we continue…"
She placed her now marked hand against his chest.
"I know."
"… Do you want me to leave?"
Lucy shook her head, and Natsu sighed.
"… Then it looks like we've reached an impasse."
"No, please. Please stay."
Lucy could feel Natsu's forehead frown against hers.
"I've said before, even I have my limits Lucy. I'm just a man after all."
Lucy thought for a minute… playing out every situation that could possibly happen. She was leaving in the morning to marry the Emperor. Whom she knew would treat her like... well she didn't want to think about it, just once. She wanted to be with someone she loved… and who loved her back.
"Natsu… It's alright."
She managed to say, embarrassment evident in her tone.
The captain's body froze and gently, ever so slowly he sat up and pulled her away from him.
"No Lucy, I'm going back to my tent."
He said breathlessly as he stood up and dropped his blanket, leaving Lucy sitting there.
"But, Natsu! I said its okay!"
He sighed and looked down at her with a smile.
"Lucy, if I did… I'd no longer be able to pride myself as a gentleman. And besides, don't you think we should probably go on a proper date first?"
He said kneeling back down and laughing.
Lucy sat there somehow feeling jilted yet again…
"…Is it because I'm a princess? You're afraid to touch me?"
Natsu chuckled at that.
"No, it's because you're you Lucy. It's because I love you and respect you too much to rush into this."
He pulled the blanket up around Lucy too keep her warm from the cold trying to get in.
"I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning; I'll come get you for breakfast… how's that?"
Lucy nodded and put on a fake smile, knowing that it would never happen. She let it go though, since she knew he was just trying to make her happy.
"Good girl, see you then."
Natsu cupped her cheek and leaned in to kiss her gently.
It was soft, gentle and free of passion, but it was enough.
Lucy could feel his bangs against her forehead, caressing her.
When he pulled away, Lucy couldn't help but feel like she was betraying him.
"Goodnight Natsu… here take this, it's cold out there."
She said handing him the blanket he was wearing before.
He Laughed.
"No, I think a cold walk home will do me some good. Goodnight princess."
Lucy sat and listened to his footsteps walk away until she couldn't anymore. She fell onto her pillow still hot from Natsu's touch, and began to cry.
Goodbye Natsu… for sure this time.
