To say Natsu was nervous was an understatement.

Agitated, anxious, tense, discombobulated even, would be a better way to describe him.

Now, one would assume he's going through an immense complicated issue.

And he was.

Well…he thought it was at least.

Others, finding out about his situation, would call him an idiot, an oblivious dunce.

He didn't understand why though.

All he was doing was simply protecting his best friend. That's all it was. It definitely wasn't because the sight of another guy leaning against Lucy's locker to talk to her fueled a fire within him.

Not even a little bit

"Ow! what the hell was that for ice prick" Natsu glared at his raven haired best friend, rubbing the slight bump on the back of his head.

"So what, you're stalking Lucy now? Why don't you just admit you like her instead of acting like a toddler who doesn't like sharing his toys." Gray replied, giving him a smirk.

"I told you it's not like that, I don't have feelings for Lucy. I'm just making sure that guy over there doesn't lay a hand on her." Natsu lied to himself. He knew he was, but he tried his hardest to make it seem like he was telling the truth. Of course he didn't like Lucy!

Of course he didn't like her honey-glazed eyes that he can absolutely stare into forever. Not even a little bit.

Of course he didnt like her long, beautiful, golden hair that was soft to the touch. Not even a little bit.

Of course he didn't like the way her nose scrunched up like a bunny-hence the nickname bunny girl by Gajeel-when she reprimanded him. Not even a little bit.

Of course he didn't like the way her soothing voice calms him down when she reads him stories, or simply tells him about her day. Not even a little bit

And of course he didn't like the way she felt in his arms. Their hugs that sent him into an ultimate bliss that always ended a tad bit too soon. Not even a little bit.

Because Natsu knew nothing would come of this. There was no way in hell she'd ever see him the way he saw her. He knows the type of men in the romance novels she reads. He knows she loves the romantic type, and he knows she'd never go for an immature, reckless, carefree guy, when she deserves the best of the best.

He knew this. But he couldn't help it. He was hopelessly in love with the blonde beauty on the other side of the hall. His best friend since primary school, ever since she moved to magnolia with her father. They were inseparable since the moment they met, they always have been. No one's ever dared come between them. Until today that is

"All I'm saying is, you better either grow the balls to confess to her or move on. There's tons of guys in the school that have been dying to take her out, and if you don't move quick you'll lose her forever. " Of course, Gray was right. But he couldn't risk it. What if she didn't want to continue being friends because it would be awkward? What if she didn't feel the same way? What if he lost her forever?

Before he knew it his legs started drifting off on their own. Closer and closer to the blonde he was. He didn't have enough time to comprehend what exactly was going on. But the moment he saw the guy caress Lucy's cheek, he was on the move.

In an instant Natsu slammed the poor guy into the locker, hands on the guys shoulders, grip tightening. With the hardest, meanest glare he could muster, and the most menacing voice he could find within himself…

"Hands. Off. My. Luce."

Shit

Could this possibly be a dream? Had he said that out loud? Would his Luce hate him for the rest of her life for embarrassing her like that?

Not even a little bit.