Haloha, everyone! Hope you're all having a good day. Thanks for the reviews as always! Don't really have much to say, just...

Enjoy reading! This is the moment I'm sure you've all been waiting for!


Chapter 25: Our Feelings, Part 2


Wendy took a deep breath before taking a decisive step.

You got this, Wendy… you need to be strong. Wendy tried to convince her mind of a whirlpool of emotions. She pushed the gates into the guild and was immediately greeted by the scent of the person her heart desired to see, while at the same, wanted to avoid. Conflicting emotions left her paralyzed in place for a brief moment.

"No brawls happening today. What a surprise…" Carla flew into the guild. "I'm almost beginning to miss the usual. Almost."

"Haha…" Wendy chuckled nervously as she walked towards the bar. Towards him.

Keep it natural, Wendy. We don't have to bring that topic up. It's not like it matters… a pang appeared in her heart as she thought that. A thought betraying the feelings in her heart.

The person in question, having noticed Wendy's presence by her scent, turned around.

"Oh, hey, Wendy!" Natsu gave a bright smile.

"Hiyah!" Happy jumped up, raising a paw.

Impossibly, his smile managed to melt some of her worries away. "H-Hi, Natsu. Happy." She took a stool and sat beside him.

"How was the mission?" Natsu asked.

"It was… great. It went without a hitch." Wendy replied weakly.

"I see! That's awesome to hear." Natsu folded his arms on the table.

Wendy looked around the guild hall. I wonder where Lucy is? She expected to see Lucy with him. Well, I guess I'm glad she isn't here now…

"Wendy." Natsu straightened his posture, taking on a serious tone. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

"What is it, Natsu?" Immediately, warning signals appeared all over Wendy's body.

"It's about my answer to your fee-"

BADUMP.

Wendy slammed the counter and stood up. "Eh?! I j-just remembered something. See you!" She then dashed directly out of the guild, leaving a confused Natsu behind.

"Wendy?!" Both Happy and Carla shouted, bewildered by her sudden action.

"Wha-… Wendy?!" Natsu's eyes widened in shock. She ran so fast! "Where are you going?!" He tried to ask and reached out his arm, but she was already gone.

A few other people have noticed Wendy's sudden behavior.

"This feels oddly familiar…" Gray said, his eyesight following Wendy's trail. "If I recall correctly, Natsu said something which caused her to run away."

"She seemed… afraid?" Juvia added. "The way she was running…"

"Afraid, huh…?" Well, I suppose it's nothing the dragon slayers can't resolve. Gray turned to Juvia. "By the way, didn't you want to ask Natsu how his date went?"

"I wanted to, but…" Juvia tapped her fingers on the table. "Lucy isn't here. I wanted to ask them together." I want to enjoy her reactions.

"Oh, now that you mention it…" Gray scanned the guildhall, looking for the celestial wizard. "She didn't come by today, huh?"

"Did you think they…" Juvia brought her face to Gray's ear to whisper something… questionable.

"Hmmm?" Gray listened to what Juvia was thinking. Immediately, his face flushed red. "W-What?! That's ridiculous, Juvia!"

"This is Natsu we're talking about! He's a dragon in more ways than one…" Juvia said suggestively, winking twice.

"I highly, highly, highly doubt that!" Gray facepalmed, rubbing his temples. This is not a conversation we should be having in the morning…

"My, my." Mirajane popped out behind the counter, eyeing the trail left by Wendy. "She's a bundle of energy so early in the morning."

"Why'd she run away? I didn't even finish talking." Natsu stood up, scratching his head.

"You need to be more sensitive of her feelings, Natsu." Mirajane gave a bubbly smile.

"Sensitive of her feelings…? What'cha mean by that?" Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"That's for you to figure out." Mirajane rubbed her hands playfully. "Go get her, Natsu."

Something I have to figure out, huh? "… I will." Natsu ran out of the guild, searching for Wendy.

"Should we… follow them?" Happy asked.

"No." Carla shook her head. "I think this is something they need to figure out for themselves."

Mirajane giggled silently, seeing Natsu chase after Wendy.

It wasn't what I planned, but…

It's time for this ship to set sail.


..

.

"Huff… huff…" Wendy stopped running, using a nearby tree to support herself. She was catching her breath.

Why… did I run away? Wendy rested her arm on the tree. Why? Deep down, she didn't want to admit the reason. She already knew why. It's what she was afraid of since the very beginning.

I'm a coward. I can't bear hearing his answer. I'm so… afraid.

"Wendy!" A voice broke her train of thought.

"N-Natsu?" Wendy turned around and saw him charging at her.

"Wait up! I want to talk to you!"

"No!" Wendy began running again, away from Natsu.

"Come on, Wendy! I just want to talk!" Natsu shouted at the top of his lungs.

"I'm busy!" Wendy shouted back a random excuse.

"That's a lie!" Damn, when did she get so fast?! Natsu chalked it up to her small frame, guessing it made her movements nimbler.

From a distance, a certain scarlet-haired woman and azure-haired man were witnessing this scene.

"Erza, isn't that… Wendy and Natsu?" Jellal asked, tapping on Erza's shoulder.

"Hmmm…?" Erza turned her head to them. "Oh, it is them. They seem to be rather lively."

"Are they playing a game of tag?"

Erza focused her attention on Natsu, who was catching his breath. "… Not quite. It seems Wendy is… avoiding him?"

"Avoiding him?" Jellal raised an eyebrow. Natsu's chasing her? "Why would Wendy need to…"

"Allow me to enlighten you, Jellal. Natsu and Lucy went on a date yesterday." Erza informed. "It supposedly went well."

"Oh, that's news to me." Jellal replied, then tapped his chin in realization. "Do you suspect that's why she's…"

It might be about…? No, let's not jump to conclusions. Erza thought. "Well, there's no harm in asking. Let's go talk to him."

"Wow, she's faster than I thought." Natsu panted heavily, dropping his hands to his knees. Nothing's going to change at this rate! Unless I find a way to stop her…

"What appears to be the problem?" A voice asked.

"… Erza? And Jellal?" Natsu turned around, recognizing the voice. She saw Erza and Jellal walking together.

"Both of you seem to be in high spirits." Jellal smiled, oblivious to their situation.

"I couldn't help but get curious after seeing you chasing after Wendy." Erza approached him. "Did you say something to her?"

"It's more that I didn't get to finish what I wanted to say…" Natsu answered, then motioned to Wendy's trail. "She just took off."

"I see. How intriguing." Erza nodded thoughtfully. Is this what he wanted to tell Wendy? "I presume this is what you wanted to talk about yesterday?"

"… Yeah." Natsu clenched his fists, beaming with determination. "I want to tell her about my feelings."

"… Oh?" Both Erza's and Jellal's eyes widened in unison. This is what he wanted to talk about? Wait, is he aware of Wendy's feelings? Erza's guess wasn't too far off.

"I need to talk to her as soon as possible." Natsu turned his head in the direction she ran. "I don't know why she's running away, though."

Their feelings… I suppose she would be afraid if she thinks Natsu doesn't feel the same way… Jellal thought, folding his arms. Huh, so what does Natsu feel about her?

"How may I-…. we be of assistance?" Erza asked, tugging on Jellal's sleeve.

"… You'll help me?"

"If you'd like." Erza smiled. Wendy can't keep running away…

"I wouldn't mind lending a hand as well." Jellal added, partly influenced by Erza.

"Hmmm…" It was clear Natsu couldn't do this on his own. He needed to tell Wendy, no matter what.

He was going to put an end to this cat-and-mouse game.


"Huff… huff…" Wendy once again stopped. This time, she sat on a nearby bench to recover her strength.

Why do I keep running away? Wendy stared down at her feet. The fear in heart was slowly taking over, making it difficult to bear.

I thought I could be strong… but I'm weak. I can't face him. I'm too scared to face him. More than anything, she knew deep in her heart she wanted to be with Natsu. After her confession… no, after his date, she knew Natsu wouldn't keep things the way they are. The question is… how would their relationship after this point? She was afraid of that the answer to this very question.

Wendy looked to her side, noticing that Natsu wasn't chasing after her. Did he… give up already? She was skeptical. Once Natsu sets his mind to something, he'll go for it. She sniffed the air around her, trying to catch his scent. He's… not coming? Although, she caught another familiar scent belonging to…

"Hello there, Wendy." A gentle voice greeted her.

"… Erza?" Wendy raised her head.

"How are you feeling?" Erza sat down beside her. "I saw you run out of the guild so suddenly."

"I'm…" I'm fine? That's what she wanted to say, but she knew she was betraying herself. "It's… complicated."

"I see." Erza nodded, putting an arm over her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I… don't know." Wendy sighed.

"There, there…" Erza wrapped her arms around Wendy, pulling her into a gentle hug. "It's about Natsu, isn't it?"

"… Yeah." Wendy whispered. Erza was pretty much used to her concerns by this point.

Forgive me, Wendy. "We're sorry in advance."

"… You're sorry?" Wendy raised an eyebrow.

"Stay right there, Wendy!" Natsu jumped out of the bush. "I just need to talk to you."

"Eeep! N-Natsu?!" Wendy's body squirmed uncomfortably. Unfortunately, she couldn't move because Erza was hugging her tightly. "Let me go, Erza!" This was a trap?!

Natsu, do you not understand anything about stealth? Erza sighed at his idiocy. "As you can see… he wants to talk to you." She said, stating the obvious.

"N-No!" Wendy filled her lungs with air, almost instantly activating her Dragon Force.

"Woah?!" Erza had to release her due to the shockwave pushing her back. Wendy immediately took off, tapping out of her Dragon Force.

"Wendy, wait up!" Natsu shouted. "Damn, I'm not letting you go!" He charged against her.

Well, that was something. Erza dusted herself off. She was not expecting Wendy to use her Dragon Force to get out of this situation. She must not really want to hear Natsu's answer… she could understand that. Judging by yesterday's events, it seemed it could lead to one outcome. Even imagining that… makes me afraid. Although she wasn't sure what choice Natsu made, she believed he followed his heart.

I leave the rest to you, Jellal.

"Leave me alone!" Wendy shouted.

"Just stop running! Let me talk to you!" Natsu shouted back.

"No!"

"What are you, a chicken?!"

"What's wrong with being a chicken?!"

"Face me like the dragon you are!"

Immediately, Wendy tripped over her own feet and tumbled forward. "Ouch!" Out of all times for my clumsiness to kick in!

I guess that works too! Natsu thought.

Wendy looked back, noticing Natsu was managing to close the distance between them. In that case…!

"VERNIER!"

Standing up, Wendy placed her hands towards her feet, emitting magical energy from her palms. A light blue magic circle appeared below her, boosting her movement speed. She charged forward, considerably distancing herself from her pursuer.

"Hey!" Natsu gritted his teeth, seeing that Wendy was quickly distancing herself. "That's not fair!"

"I don't care!" Desperate times call for desperate measures!

"Grrr… Jellal!" Natsu shouted his name, calling him to take action. He stretched out his hand.

"Allow me!" Jellal appeared from his side. He ran towards him and grabbed his hand. Immediately, he surrounded himself in a cloak of golden light.

"METEOR!"

Utilizing his Heavenly Body Magic, he accelerated himself and Natsu through the air. Swiftly, he swung his arm and catapulted Natsu in Wendy's direction. "It's all on you!"

"I'm all fired up!" Natsu exclaimed, moving his hands behind him. He clenched his hands into fists, igniting them in flames.

"FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST BOOSTER!"

Using his flames, he propelled himself forward at incredible speed.

"Wha?!" Wendy turned her head around, seeing he was rapidly closing the gap between them. "H-Hey, that's not fair!"

"Two can play that game!" Natsu smiled menacingly, admittedly enjoying this wild goose chase. But it was coming to an end. Natsu ignited his legs in flames, boosting himself forward further.

Wendy turned around, but she was too late. Natsu was already in front of her. He grabbed her by her waist, causing both of them to fall down and roll over. He then pinned her against a tree by her forearms.

"Got'cha!" Natsu grinned.

"Let me go!" Wendy thrashed around, trying to free herself from his grip.

"If you're going Dragon Force, expect me to go all out too." Natsu said in a joking manner though it came out more threateningly than he intended.

"E-Eeep…" Wendy shuddered. There was no escape now. Her heart began throbbing painfully in her chest.

"Can we talk now? It's important." Natsu gazed into her eyes.

"You're too close… please, let me go." Wendy looked away.

"I ain't falling for that!" Natsu tightened his grip on her arms. "Listen, I just want to talk about my feeli-"

"I don't want to hear it!" Wendy shouted, tears welling up in her eyes.

"What…? Why?" It pained Natsu to see Wendy cry.

"Because I'm afraid, Natsu!" Wendy sniffed. "That's why I keep running away!"

"Why are you afraid?" Natsu raised an eyebrow. He couldn't fathom any reason for her to be running away.

"We both know why!" She cried out, clenching her fists. "You're going to turn me down!"

"…Huh?"

"I'd rather hear nothing! I'd rather cling on to some false hope!" Wendy gritted her teeth, shaking her head.

"… Oh." Mirajane's words flashed through his mind.

"You need to be more sensitive of her feelings, Natsu."

"Is that really what you want, Wendy?" Natsu asked in a serious tone. "Is that really how you feel?"

"Of course not!" Wendy cried out. "B-But it's impossible that you'd feel-"

"You got the wrong idea, Wendy." Natsu let go of her arms, fully trusting her not to run away. "I did have a lot of fun on my date with Lucy."

"…" His words pierced her heart. She didn't want to hear anymore; she didn't want to acknowledge her chances were being crushed.

"… You must have realized your feelings for her." Wendy said, her lips trembling. Her eyes didn't want to meet his own.

"She confessed to me after the date." Natsu continued.

Of course, she did. Wendy could feel a frown clawing away at her face. What did I expect-

However, what he said next…

"But…" Natsu took a deep breath. "I turned her down."

"… What?" Her tears came to a halt, her voice caught in her throat.

"The date made me understand my feelings." Natsu relaxed his body into a sitting position. "It made me realize… I didn't love Lucy in a romantic way."

"You… turned Lucy down?" Wendy asked weakly. His words put her in disbelief. "How could you…"

"... Yeah." Natsu nodded. "I did."

"… Why?" Wendy shook her head. "Why did you reject her?" Wendy was certain Natsu would accept Lucy's feelings.

"I just told you, didn't I? I don't feel the same way about her." Natsu chuckled, then gazed into her brown eyes. "And…"

"… Huh?" Wendy returned his gaze.

"I… realized my feelings." Natsu averted his gaze, a faint red growing on his cheeks. "For you."

"…" Wendy's mouth went agape, speechless at what she just heard.

Did I… hear right? Natsu turned Lucy down… and realized his feelings… for me? Huh…? Huh? What… does that mean?

"Whenever I'm with you, I always get these… odd feelings inside my chest. Inside my heart. I've never felt this way about anyone, not even Lucy." Natsu smiled warmly. "I understand now what these feelings are."

"…" Wendy remained silent, her mind still processing his words. It was as if he's saying he actually feels… that he actually feels…

"Wendy." Natsu steeled his resolve into his words. "Do you still feel the same way about me?"

"Do I still…?"

"Have your feelings changed at all since your confession?" Natsu could feel his heartbeat picking up speed, anticipating her answer.

"My feelings…"

Wendy's heart throbbed heavily against her chest. She reflexively looked away from Natsu. The words she wanted to say to him… she couldn't utter them out, as if a lump was stuck in her throat.

"I-I still…"

"I want to hear you say it again." Natsu inched towards her.

"H-Huh?"

"Please." Natsu gazed into her eyes. "I want to hear you say it."

Wendy could sense the determination in his eyes. A determination enough to draw the feelings out from her heart. His words were tugging at her heartstrings. The feelings she always wanted him to understand.

I… want him to understand me.

"Of course not… why would my feelings have changed?" Wendy fixated her gaze straight into his own, holding on to his scarf. "I can't stop… thinking about you. Don't you dare underestimate my feelings." Wendy bowed her head down, her face flushing red. "I want to hold your hand. I want to hug you. I want to… kiss you." Her feelings, her desires overflowed from her heart. "A-And all other sorts of thi-"

"I love you, Wendy." Natsu flashed his signature smile, his true feelings finally escaping his heart.

"Wha-!" His words snatched Wendy's breath away. "H-Hey! That's not fair! I wasn't done talking!"

"You were taking too long." Natsu chuckled, poking her reddened cheek.

Wendy wasn't expecting him to outright confess his feelings without hesitation. She could feel his words flow into her heart… but she shook her head, not wanting to get her hopes up yet.

"Y-You're lying." Wendy gripped the hem of his waistcloth tightly. "You mean that as your sister, don't you?"

"Eh?" Natsu blinked. This is… not how I expected it to turn out. "No, I mean it romantically. I don't mean it as fa-"

"Every time you said you loved me, you've always meant it nothing more than family." Wendy pouted.

"I-I mean…" Natsu had to admit… she's not wrong. There were never any instances where his love for her seemed to extend beyond family….

At least, until now.

"Why don't I prove it to you?" Natsu declared.

"… Huh?"

"That I love you… romantically."

Natsu's eyes flicked to her flushed lips. As if they were inviting his own. Seeing Wendy's lips, it was finally clear to him now why he couldn't kiss Lucy. I didn't feel the same way she did… I always saw Wendy in my mind.

BADUMP.

Natsu could feel his heart throbbing at the sight of her lips, at what he was about to do.

"Close your eyes, Wendy."

Wendy mindlessly followed his words. His gaze told her all that she needed to know, how he was going to prove it.

And she waited in anticipation.

Caressing her right cheek with his thumb, Natsu slowly shut his eyes as he leaned closer to her face.

"My kind of love…" Natsu whispered, his breath tickling her senses. "… is the kind that makes me want to kiss you, too."

Wendy's heart skipped a beat. Before she could voice out a response, he gently pushed his lips against hers, feeling the soft sensation of her small lips. A sensation he's never felt before.

Their first kiss.

It was only for a moment and yet…

Natsu felt his internal temperature and heart rate skyrocket. In contrast, he could feel Wendy's body relaxing under his kiss.

Wow, I'm feeling crazy hot all of a sudden. He never expected a kiss could do this to him. It was nothing like kissing her on the forehead, nor getting kissed on the cheek.

"There." Natsu pulled back, still feeling her lingering softness on his lips. He could feel the heat rising in his face. "Is that proof enough?"

"No…" With dazed eyes, Wendy wrapped her arms around his neck, craving more of his attention. "It's not enough."

"W-What? What do you-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Wendy pulled him close and sealed his mouth with her own, capturing his sulky lips. A captivating sensation that Natsu abandoned himself to. Controlled by instinct, he coiled his arms around her waist, bringing her closer, desiring more of her soft lips.

She could feel his warmth being transferred into her own body through his lips. She was acutely aware of his heart throbbing with such intensity that matched her own. All the anxiousness, all the nervousness, all the unsetting feelings that were plaguing Wendy were fading away one by one. Her head began growing dizzy.

Resting her forehead on to his own and gazing into his onyx eyes, Wendy slowly let go of his lips. "Do you really… feel the same way about me?"

"I do, Wendy." Natsu smiled softly.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Really, really?"

"Really, really."

"Really, really, really?"

"Yes! Really! How long are you going to keep asking me that?"

"I feel like… I'm dreaming." Wendy whispered through her tears, her mind growing fuzzy. "Is it… okay for me to be this happy?"

"It's not a dream, Wendy." Natsu caressed her cheek, gently rubbing her tears away as they fell. "Of course, it's okay. I want you to be happy."

"… Hawahawahawa!" Wendy's face flushed red immediately as she came to her senses. She buried her face in Natsu's scarf.

"Your face is awfully red…"

"I s-said all those t-t-things to you! W-W-W-W-We just k-k-k-k-kissed! I can't believe I just k-k-k-kissed you!" Wendy stuttered, steam blowing out of her ears. "D-D-D-Don't look at me! The embarrassment is hitting me all at once!"

She sure switched fast. Natsu chuckled, finding her reaction amusing. "It's a bit too late to feel embarrassed, don't you think?"

"Huaaaa… it's your fault for asking me how I feel! It's your fault for k-kissing me!" Wendy wrapped his scarf around her face to cover her embarrassment. I just couldn't hold my feelings back anymore…

"Did you… dislike it?" Natsu asked in a concerned tone.

Wendy bashfully nuzzled her head under his chin. "… No."

"Haha, is that so." Natsu rested his chin on her head. "… Wendy, I gotta apologize."

"Huh…?" Wendy slowly popped her head out his scarf.

"You were always in pain, weren't you? Knowing about Lucy's feelings… me going on the date with her…" Natsu rubbed her cheek in a circular motion. "I'm so sorry."

"… of course, I was." Puffing her cheeks out, Wendy wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "I was never truly happy for a second."

"..." Natsu remained silent, gently stroking her hair to console her.

"I was always jealous. I didn't know what to do." Wendy buried her head in his chest. "You always looked at me as a sister, and I hated that!" She tightened her arms around him, digging her nails into her back. "I thought you'd turn down my feelings… I believed you'd never love me the same way."

She was letting out all the frustrations, all the cries, all the pain she was bottling in her heart for so long. And Natsu was accepting every single of one of them.

"Haha, I guess that's true. Back then, I thought I had these feelings because I saw you as my sister. I felt we were already close." Natsu ran his fingers through her blue hair. "Maybe I was just… afraid of my feelings. Making an excuse for myself. Maybe I was afraid of seeing you anymore than that."

"You were… afraid?"

"Yeah. I think… I was in love with you for a long time. I just never realized it."

He wondered why he couldn't come to this conclusion sooner. He deeply regretted not knowing what he put Wendy through. Granted, his romantic opinion of Wendy didn't change until after she confessed to him, but he still wished he wasn't that dense.

"… You!" Wendy puffed her cheeks out. "You were always getting so chummy with Lucy!"

"Haha, I guess it seemed that way." Natsu caressed the back of her head. "Only that… now I know my love for you is romantic."

"Fueehh…" Wendy's heart melted. Is this a dream? Am I… dreaming?

Natsu grabbed her arms and gently pushed her, so he could look at her face. "I'll say it again. As many times as you need me to."

Wendy rubbed her tears away from her reddened eyes. "Could I… hear you say it one more time?" If this was a dream, she never wanted to wake up.

He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. He then gently held Wendy's delicate hands, hands that fit perfectly into his own.

Let's see this through the end.

"I love you, Wendy." Natsu brought her hand to his lips. "Will you go out with me?"

"…" Wendy remained silent.

"Er… Wendy?"

"BWAAAAAAH!" Wendy began bawling her eyes out once more.

"W-What's wrong?!" Natsu frantically waved his hands around, fearing he said something wrong. "Do you not want to-"

"Of course, you dummy!" Wendy leapt forward, wrapping her arms around him and pushing him down on to his back. "I would love to!"

"… Haah." Natsu sighed in relief. Hearing her say that filled his heart with a comfortable warmth. A warmth not even his flames can create.

So, this is romantic love, huh? Natsu let these feelings flow through his heart. It's… warm. To think the girl so close to his heart could bring such warmth…

Lucy's words flashed through his mind from that night. "Please… cherish her and keep her happy, Natsu. Love her well."

Natsu craned his neck up, smiling at the person he's come to love romantically all this time.

I'll cherish her with my life, Lucy. Count on it.

"… I love you, Natsu!" Wendy grinned brightly, snuggling her head against him. The person she's had feelings for so long.

"Hey, now…" Natsu gently rubbed the tears away from her cheeks. "You don't have to cry that much."

"I can't stop crying." Wendy rubbed her eyes, sniffling. "I'm just… so happy, I can't stop crying!" Her heart was imbued with so much happiness that it practically overwhelmed her emotions.

And there's that smile. The smile Natsu found the most beautiful. The smile that left him mesmerized.

Natsu pushed himself up by his elbows. He then wrapped his arms around Wendy, pulling her closer to his chest.

"Wendy." Natsu gazed into her eyes. "Please… teach me about love. I'm still… new to this, but I want to love you right." He may have understood romantic love better, but this was just the beginning for him.

"Natsu…" Wendy rested her ear on his chest, hearing the soothing sound of his beating heart. From now on, she didn't need to hide her feelings. "I'm… also new to this, you know? But… I want to love you right too."

"Haha, is that right?" Closing his eyes, Natsu gently nuzzled her forehead with his own. "Then…"

"Let's learn love. Together."