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.

When Lucy opened her eyes, she was in the all too familiar hospital wing of the hospital.

The first thing she noticed was the lack of pain. She glanced down but only saw her body covered in the sheets of the bed. She grunted, at least she wasn't cuffed to it. She shuffled, but immediately stopped when her stomach ached.

"You're gonna be sore."

She looked to the side to see Gildarts typing at the computer at the side of the room. He stood to eye the machines that monitored her, then the IV's strapped to her arms before nodded sharply and assessing her figure.

"Appendicitis." He stated shortly at her silent question. "Unfortunately, it burst, since you neglected to tell me how bad the pain was."

Lucy met his blank gaze. His eyes darkened at her expression.

"Appendicitis is very serious, Lucy." He continued; his voice uncharacteristically sharp. "Especially when the organ bursts. The infection alone could kill you."

Lucy scoffed. "Not like that would have bothered me."

Gildarts didn't even miss a beat before responding: "I think you and I both know that's not true. Not anymore."

Lucy blinked but didn't break her glare. Gildarts met it for a long moment before clicking his tongue and shoving his hands in his lab coat pockets and waiting.

"It doesn't matter anyway," she finally muttered, tearing her eyes away from his. "It's done now. You fixed me."

"I did." He allowed, assessing the fluids on the stand next to her again. "Just barely."

"Good for you." She muttered irritably, turning her head away as he shuffled around her. It was quiet for a long moment before he spoke again.

"He isn't leaving you know."

Lucy stilled suddenly and would have sat up if the pain in her stomach didn't stop her. Gildarts hand gently pressed her back down.

"Easy." He warned lowly as he tried to meet her eyes, but they were wide and frenzied.

"He's staying? He isn't leaving?" She asked, disbelief apparent in her tone. Natsu was so sure. It seemed so certain. So final.

Gildarts scoffed briefly before turning back to the computer and resuming his typing. "No. I'm surprised he hadn't learnt more about this place with all his time here."

Lucy swallowed dryly, trying to bring some moisture back into her mouth. "But – He said his parent's – "

"This place is bigger than that," Gildarts muttered, the sound of his typing clicking nicely under her voice. When Lucy didn't relax, her continued: "He told you his folks have money, reputation, power and all that, right?"

"Yeah," Lucy barely whispered. "He said one word from them could ruin this place – That he wouldn't be worth the – "

"That's cute," Gildarts chuckled. Lucy felt a flash of irritation as he interrupted her again, but she bit her tongue as the man went on. "They may have wealth, and power in their own pretentious little circle, but this institution is tied to the most powerful man in the city. They have no power here." Gildarts lips twisted scornfully around but word 'pretentious' and Lucy blinked.

"The most powerful man in the city?" Lucy repeated stupidly. Gildarts stopped his typing to look at her.

"Laxus." He stated. When Lucy didn't respond he continued. "His grandfather is Makarov Dreyar."

"I figured," Lucy rolled her shoulders, frowning at the brown-haired man. "Not a lot of people have 'Drayar' tied to their name. What does that have to do with anything."

Gildarts shrugged and resumed his typing. "Makarov founded this hospital."

Lucy didn't say anything. For a long moment the only sound was Gildarts tapping when she finally found words. "The – The mayor of the city…"

"Owns and runs this hospital." Gildarts finished for her, his voice blank. "When Natsu's parents signed him into this hospital, they entrusted him into our care – giving up their own. He can only leave when we see fit. They have no say in the matter."

"But – But" Lucy could hardly form words. The blood in her ears was rushing so loudly she could hardly hear herself think. "Natsu was so sure… Why did he say he had to go?"

Gildarts shrugged. "He didn't know. We didn't tell him – We assume he overheard the conversation; his parents certainly weren't quiet when they exclaimed they would ruin this place to get him back. By now I'm sure they've realised any effort to do so is futile." Lucy could detect a slight sneer in the last sentence, but she brushed past it.

"And they don't have the right to do anything about his care anymore," Gildarts continued. "He told you he was adopted, right?"

"Right…"

"So, he's not their kid anymore," He continued. "He was actually adopted by someone you know. He was the first social worker assigned to your case."

Lucy felt a jolt in her stomach. "Igneel. Igneel Dragneel. I knew I had heard that name before…"

"Mhm," Gildarts hummed.

"Natsu…" She breathed, relief flooding through her as she felt herself lean back into the pillows. "He doesn't have to go. He's going to be okay…"

"Yep," Gildarts popped his lips on the 'p' with an obnoxious click of the keys before he wheeled away from the computer. "He'll be fine. He will only leave when he feels he's ready."

Lucy sighed again. Despite her anger towards Natsu, the thought of him leaving to go into the care of people he was so uncomfortable with was worse than anything she could have imagined. At least now he would stay where he needed to be.

But then came unease. Her and Natsu - They weren't okay. She wasn't sure they ever would be again. And now they had to stay on the same ward for as long as they would be there – and Lucy was certainly sure that she too wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Lucy turned to see Gildarts grinning at her. She shot the brown-haired man a dark look. "Mind your business."

"Noted," Gildarts stood from his chair and stretched his back. "You'll be here for a while. Since your appendix burst, recovery is gonna be a little longer."

"Does he know?"

Gildarts arched a brow.

"Hm?"

Lucy rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Does Natsu know he's safe? That he doesn't have to go."

Gildarts eyes glowed with something, but his expression didn't change as he nodded. "I've told him. He wanted to come visit when you woke up. Should I…?"

Lucy was already shaking her head before he had finished speaking. "No. I'll… I'll deal with it later."

Gildarts laughed. "Oh, so he's an 'it' now, is he?"

"Gildarts."

"Alright, alright."

The man left the room without another word. Lucy had to fight a smile – She had to give it to him, he could be annoying, but he was one of the only people in this hospital who never hovered. She settled more comfortably into the pillows and let her eyes drift shut as she fell into a dreamless, albeit drugged, sleep.

A week passed before Lucy was well enough to return to her own room. Her body was sore, but she could get around fine, and she was thrilled to find out that she would have two weeks of not having to attend group sessions since she still needed time to recover.

Levy visited her a lot while she was in the hospital wing, so did Gajeel, Mirajane, Lisanna, Juvia, Laxus and Gray. Natsu eventually stopped trying when she denied him enough times. She was glad. She couldn't see him, not yet. No one asked about them, at least, not till she returned to her room.

Levy helped her settle back in. Thankfully Natsu had chosen to actually attend group that day, so she didn't have to worry about running into him, but Levy was excused at Lucy's request.

"Do you want to talk about it?" The blue-haired girl asked gently when Lucy's eyes lingered on Natsu's door a little too long through her open door. Lucy looked away and shook her head.

"No," She replied. Levy sighed.

"Lucy."

"How's things going with Gajeel?" The blonde asked, but Levy's eyes only narrowed.

"Lucy." She repeated, her voice firmer. Lucy met her gaze head on before looking away.

"I don't have anything to say," she answered honestly, her voice tired. Levy didn't interrupt. "It's all so… complicated. It's hard to even think about."

Levy didn't say anything. Instead, she just tucked Lucy's sheets around her as the blonde tried to get comfortable.

"That's understandable," the short-haired girl allowed as she sat down besides the bed. Lucy couldn't find it in herself to look at her. "He doesn't talk anymore. He hasn't asked about you, and we know better than to bring you up. But it's… It's wrong. This isn't like you two. It isn't right."

Lucy fumed quietly. No, this wasn't right. But Natsu had only done this to himself.

"Are you ever gonna tell me what happened?"

Lucy looked at the smaller woman sharply, but found nothing but kind, earnest eyes. She found the words falling from her mouth before she could even stop them.

"He hurt me."

Levy nodded slowly. "Okay. How did he hurt you."

Lucy shook her head to herself. "That doesn't matter. All that matters is that it was exactly what he wanted to do, and he knew exactly how to do it."

It was silent for another long moment before Levy broke the silence again. "Can you forgive him?"

"I – I don't know. I'm so… confused." She confessed before gesturing frantically around them. "I've never had to deal with this before. I've never had… This, before."

Lucy looked up to find Levy nodding in understanding, her eyes suddenly lighter. "You mean you've never had friends before."

Lucy hesitated before nodding slowly.

"And I bet you've never had… A friend like Natsu before."

Lucy felt the blood rush to her face, but she nodded regardless. Levy just smiled nicely before pressing a comforting hand to Lucy's shoulder. Lucy was surprised to find she appreciated the touch and didn't have to fight an urge to shake her off.

"Then take all the time you need. But know it will get easier. I know it seems impossible but, you will get used to it."

Lucy felt tears prick her eyes and blinked furiously. She nodded quickly and turned her face away. The blue-haired girl seemed to take the hint and stood to leave.

"I'm just across the hall if you need me." Levy sing songed. Lucy could detect some teasing in her voice, but she didn't feel annoyed. She rolled her eyes with a watery laugh.

"Okay, okay, go."

Levy giggled and closed the door but didn't shut it fully. Lucy could see Natsu's door through hers and she felt her chest swell.

She knew she would have to face Natsu soon. But a few more hours of peace wouldn't hurt anyone. She closed her eyes again and faded back into sleep with ease.