Chapter 19: Sincerity Is Key

"And what are you going to do about it?"

"This!"

Erza could've sworn her arm was being pulled out of her socket as her ex pulled her across the parking lot, as she thought up a way to get out of this. But, nothing would work, because Natsu had a steel iron grip and this man wouldn't let up.

"C'mon, Erza, let's go get something to eat!" He cheerfully said, as if he was happily strolling down the street. Erza looked up with an incredulous glare, her puffy eyes, though, decreased the effect.

"Natsu! This is no time to be thinking of something to eat. You owe me, Lucy, Juvia - whole hell lotta apologies, and this is on your mind?! Seriously, kami, Natsu," She reprimanded, shouting. Natsu paid no heed, however, and continued walking to his car - wherever that may be.

Erza, once again, tried to stop, but all her strength was crying hard all morning. And her movements were sleepy and sluggish as if she had taken a thousand sleeping pills. The last bit of resistance had taken all of it away, for good, and feel silent with feeble anger. She let Natsu drag her away to kami knows where.


And, apparently, that was McDonald's.

He had stayed true to his goal of grabbing food, and Erza had to stay along for the ride, otherwise, she's been left for dead at her apartment.

She and Natsu had gotten a few weird looks along the way in here - probably because she kinda looks high and Natsu looks like a kidnapper, but give or take - but had ordered without a problem and taken a seat without questions. Thank goodness.

And now we're happily gobbling up her Double Big Mac with a side of large fries and a coke, all very dutifully paid by yours truly. Natsu had finished his meal - two Big Mac with three large fries and one giant Dr. Pepper - and was awkwardly scrolling on his phone, occasionally looking up at Erza as she stuffed herself with food.

Once Erza took the last, littlest nibble of a baby fry, and had thrown out her tray, only leaving her soda left, Natsu saw it as his chance to strike.

"Erza?" He started, holding his phone close to his chest. The named woman looked up and tilted her head. "Yes, Natsu?" She said, cautious of the conversation at hand. "I'd like to say sorry, Erza, I guess. I know I've messed up shit, and I've still apparently got a lot of people to apologize to, but hey! At least I get to apologize to you first!" He said, smiling a toothy smile.

Erza was touched by the sincerity of his apology - even though it was as crappy as the picture she painted of her family in kindergarten. Still, it was something, at least. Better than what Jellal would've given her...

"Erza! I didn't mean to make you cry, but I don't know what I did!'

"That's bull and you know it!'

"I- excuse me? I don't know what I did-"

"-I was drunk!"

"That doesn't excuse you-"

"Erza?? Hey, Erz, you there?" Natsu was waving his hand in front of her face, wildly, as she noticed wet tears coming down her face. Which had elicited the whispers of nearby guests, as they wonder what the hell's up with this chick?

"I- I'm sorry, Natsu, but I best be going now-"

"Hey, Erza! Cmon, don't leave now!"

Erza felt her heart singing for her to stay, yet her brain told her to start moving right away; she needed to move away from Natsu. That was when Natsu had her in his grasp.

All common sense was removed. All Erza knew was she needed to be in his grasp: safe, comfy, and warm against his rhythmic heart. He was like a blanket, it knew it could keep you safe.

"Erza, please listen! I just wanna stay friends or something like that!" Natsu exclaimed. She couldn't hear him, she didn't have to; her eyes were fluttering to a close and she was about to fall asleep in a fucking McDonald's against the boy of her dreams. The weird setting, yes, but she'll be able to tell her kids one day that she had her (hopefully) the first kiss with their father in a McDonald's. It's so romantic.

"Uh, Erza? Hello? Erza, do you come in?"

Erza blinked back quickly to life, coming face first with a large, pink-haired man. Screaming, she bounced back to a nearby table, heavily breathing. 'Kami, I was just up against an adorable boy, kami- Ah' Her mind tried to compute what happened but the signal was lost, and instead, used her last remaining brain cells to focus on the extremely hot face of an adorably confused boy.

"Sorry, N-Natsu, I left on my cat, it needs to be turned off," She stuttered out. 'Goddammit, Erza, you're an idiot. Completely an idiot.' She reprimanded. Finally, after a few minutes of heaving, she caught herself and put on an insanely smile that may classify her as a serial killer, and heads back to the booth, and quietly sit down, sipping her Dr. Pepper in a controlled manner.

Natsu blinks a couple of times. Blinks again. Then sits down beside her, this time, and looks at the table, while she gets out her phone. Finally, after getting tired of the awkwardness, heaves a sigh and starts up another conversation - maybe this time without Erza turning into one giant strawberry.

"So, now that the apologies are out of the way, can we get to something else?" Natsu said. Erza doesn't look at him directly, instead opting for a cute side angle.

"Yeah? What about it, Natsu?" Erza said simply in response. 'Maybe it's about becoming boyfriend and girlfriend!' She thought excitedly. She shook her head. 'No, do not get your hopes up.' Natsu looks away, but Erza could still catch a nice blush dusting his cheeks. 'Hmh.' She mused.

"Well, you know, I'd like to maybe get to know you," He said. Erza let a smile drift onto her cheeks. "I- 'd love to too, Natsu. Truly, this time. Not one of these pining games again," The redhead heaves a sigh, coming out as a slight chuckle. This time, Natsu looks at her in all of his blushy glory.

"Uh, I'm free on Saturday, August 14th. You?" He said. Erza thinks for a moment before nodding, "Saturday is good, I'm off. Uh, is 2 pm a good time?" He nods. Erza breathes a sigh of relief. "Good. Well, see you around," She gathers her things and moves out of the booth.

"Yeah, see you around... Erza," Natsu smiles.

Goodness, this chapter took a total roller coaster ride. Kami, it was rough. Hopefully, this will suffice until next week's update, then goodbye to this story. Yep, next week's the last chapter! I'm really sad to let this go, but I know it's not going to be the end of my Natsu x Erza saga at all. And besides, I'd like to save the waterworks for the actual end.

Anyway, stay healthy and safe, have a good day/night, and I'll see you in the next chapter! Bye~!