TRIGGER WARNING - There are big mentions of self harm, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide. Also elements of abuse throughout the story. Please read with caution.

Lucy stood there for a while, her breaths coming in short, little gasps as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. Okay. No, this is fine. When she had nightmares, she spoke. From the sounds of it, she says pretty much whatever it is that she's saying in the dream…

Her stomach clenched.

This can't be happening. Natsu heard her. The thought that he was just outside her door as she whimpered, and cried… It was nauseating. And he just threw it in her face, clearly trying to hurt her.

Well, that was it. She couldn't face Natsu anymore.

Lucy had been alone in her room pretty much all day. She would have been completely alone if it wasn't for that constant guard outside the door. Apparently, there had been some kind of commotion on the adult's floor that needed extra hands, and so lessons were cancelled. All patients had to go straight back to their rooms after breakfast and lunch. So, what did she do? She read.

Multiple books were strewn carelessly across her bed, all of which she had finished over the last couple of days. Lucy hadn't seen Natsu ever since their little discussion, which was a few days ago now. So, Lucy read, and now she had finished all the books. And so now, she was bored. She groaned and thought about asking the guard if she could go see Erza, who Lucy knew was only outside in the hall since the older blonde was on duty.

Lucy had been avoiding Erza, which was something much easier said than done. She was aware that Erza obviously hadn't had any time to speak to Jellal recently, since in their private sessions, she hadn't mentioned anything. But Lucy couldn't help but assume that if Erza knew about that incident, she would have something to say about it.

Lucy nearly smiled. She frustrated Miss Erza and she knew it. Lucy knew how counsellors went about their jobs; she knew how they read people. She knew what they looked for if they thought someone was lying and so on. But Erza was very good. The older woman didn't give Lucy any sort of inkling that she had fooled her. She simply nodded along with a blank face and scribbled down on her stupid little clipboard.

Lucy pulled her door open to see it was only Erza on duty today – no guard. Erza gave the younger woman a smile as Lucy walked towards her.

"Oh, Lucy - I've been wanting to speak with you about what happened with Jellal, he's only just got around to telling me. I was surprised you didn't mention it in our sessions. What happened?"

Lucy gave her a dry smile. So, she had finally been told. Lucy let her eyes cloud with distress before hanging her head to hide her face. She thought she was doing a pretty good job.

"I don't know," Lucy muttered in an annoyed voice. She was smart enough to know that if she let Erza see her upset, she'd know that Lucy was lying. She had to fool her.

"It's no big deal, alright? I just got tired and overwhelmed, and I felt much better once I had some sleep. I just want to go read a while, okay? I was coming over to ask if I could leave my room."

Erza looked at the blonde blankly as Lucy held her breath, seeing how pointless the facade was. How could she fool a woman whose job it was to see through her lies?

"If you say so, Lucy," Erza sighed, giving nothing away much to the young blonde's disappointment. "Off you go."

Lucy was just about to leave when Levy came from her own room, her eyes widening when she saw Lucy. Lucy nearly closed her eyes in annoyance. She had been avoiding her too.

"Oh, Lucy!" Levy ran up to her and she felt her stomach clench with guilt. This girl was so nice it was nearly alarming. "Are you feeling any better?"

"M'sure she's fine," a voice drawled just as Lucy opened her mouth to reply. She near enough jumped a foot into the air when Natsu's hand wrapped the crook of her elbow.

"Stop doing that!" She snapped as she pulled her arm from his grasp.

"Doing what?"

"Appearing from thin air!" She exclaimed and Natsu just arched a brow. Lucy glared at him.

"Whatever," he sighed and looked up. Lucy followed his gaze and remembered that Levy was still there, who was looking between the two in confusion.

" Anyway - " Natsu began again before Lucy interrupted.

"Ignore him," Lucy said curtly. "I'm fine."

Natsu just looked firmly at the small blonde before squinting his eyes. He was definitely still angry.

"Can I talk to you 'a second?" he asked in a taut voice. Lucy rolled her eyes.

"I'm busy," she said through clenched teeth and Natsu scoffed before burying his hands in his pockets.

"Sure, you are," He held her gaze before sighing in defeat, his shoulders slumped. "Why, where you heading?"

Lucy folded her arms over her chest. "The library."

"I'll walk you there."

Now she scoffed and Natsu sighed again. He rubbed the back of his head.

"Come on, please? It'll literally take a second." Lucy looked at him a moment before turning to Levy.

"I'll find you later," The blonde muttered, and smiled feebly. Levy nodded.

"Alright," the smaller girl said nervously. "But don't fight, alright? Both of you, be nice."

Lucy smiled more genuinely. "Of course. I'll see you around."

She turned slowly to face Natsu again as Levy finally walked away, any positive emotions fell from her face in an instant. Natsu held his hands up in surrender.

"Hey," he warned. "I come in peace. I just wanna talk."

Lucy narrowed her eyes. "So, talk."

Natsu glared at her. "Alone. Not where everyone can see us. They might overhear."

"Natsu, the staff won't let any of us be alone together," She tried to reason but Natsu just walked away, not even looking back to check that she was following.

"Where are we going?" Lucy asked from behind him. She still felt more comfortable walking few steps behind the older man. He turned back to flash her that fanged, cocky smirk.

"Music room," was all he said. Lucy frowned.

"Isn't the music room that way?" She asked in confusion, pointing her thumb over her shoulder as Natsu chuckled and shook his head.

"Not that music room."

Lucy stared in awe at the room that she was led into. The room was dim but huge. The floor was a polished and shiny checked crimson red and black, so clean that she could nearly make out her reflection in it. Blood red curtains covered the walls and made the room seem darker and more isolated. The ceiling seemed to be painted a flat black colour which gave the illusion with was just so high you couldn't see the ceiling at all.

There was a small stage at the end of the room, though it only stood about two inches from the ground. On that stage, a flawless, massive sleek black grand piano sat proudly, the lid stood open, adding to its glorious size. Lucy's mouth dropped open at the magnificent instrument.

Natsu's quiet sigh brought her from her daze. She turned her head to find his face tense. He almost looked uncomfortable. Lucy's felt her own body tense at his expression.

"We won't get caught here," he told her abruptly. He buried his hands in his pockets and walked further into the room, only facing her when he stood a comfortable four feet away.

"They'll look for us," Lucy began but the words caught in her throat as Natsu shook his head.

"The staff… they trust me more than the other patients, I guess," he told her with a shrug. "I don't know, maybe because I've been here longer or whatever. And I get perks 'cause to who my parents are. That's why they let me do whatever I want."

Lucy arched a brow at the sudden information. That was more than he'd ever told her before, and he gave it up willingly. Lucy took a small step forward, not missing how Natsu's eyes cast down to her feet before flashing back up to her face warily.

"Is that so?" She murmured before looking around the room again. "Well, what is this place?"

Natsu grinned cockily. Lucy had to ignore the jump in her stomach.

"This is my room, since I'm the only patient who has access and the staff leave me alone in here," he made his way up to the piano and ran a finger over the lid that covered the keys. "Playing the piano was good for my recovery when I finally agreed to do it, and when I did, I didn't want any patients walking in on me. And I definitely didn't want them to hear me. So, they gave me this room."

Lucy looked at the man in shock, having to collect her thoughts.

"Wait, time out - You play the piano? Since when?" Natsu chuckled again before he slumped down onto the piano bench and stared at the instrument.

"Ever since I could press a god damned key," Lucy could hear the strain in his voice. "That's not the point, though."

Lucy frowned at him. "Then what is the point, Natsu? Why did you bring me here?"

Natsu huffed.

"I walked in on you doing something you didn't want anyone to see. As glad as I am that I was the one that saw you it wasn't all that fair that I pushed my way in. And when I mentioned – About when you sleep…"

He trailed off when Lucy visibly stiffened, her arms lifting to wrap around herself. Natsu watched and sighed.

"That wasn't okay." He grumbled, his eyes anywhere but on her face. "I shouldn't have said what I said. That was really fucked up."

Lucy didn't say anything. She was too uncomfortable to even try. Natsu waited a moment before continuing.

"You deserve to know something private about me, then I can stop feeling so guilty and then maybe he wi-" He stopped short, and this time the blonde picked up on the words that he clearly didn't want her to hear.

"He?" She asked and Natsu winced. "Who is he?"

Natsu let his head hang so that his bangs fell over his eyes. Lucy couldn't make out his expression – She almost didn't want to.

"I'm going to give you… a free pass," Natsu said in a voice void of any emotion as he stood up, but his face kept on scrunching up as if he was in pain. "You can ask me one thing about myself. One thing - And I'll answer you honestly. I know you cut yourself and that you do it uncontrollably. And... The other thing. I'd be pissed if someone found something like that out about me, so it's only fair."

Lucy stared at him in shock. Was this some kind of trick? The guy who hid from everyone and had more secrets than anyone she knew was giving her a chance to dig one up? The one question itched in her mind as she looked into his reluctant eyes. Lucy tilted her head before taking a step forward.

"Why can't you leave this hospital, Natsu Dragneel?"