Chapter 9
Laying on the bed, he looked down at Lucy who still looked white as a ghost while Layla held onto him like he would disappear if she let go. He went to rub her cheek when she flinched surprising him. She looked up at him terrified as she moved to sit in front of him as he just looked at her with a loving, warm smile. "I'm sorry" she said immediately as she grabbed his hand and brought it to her cheek. "Luce, you don't have to apologize baby" he said tenderly as he began rubbing her cheek making her close her eyes. He was glad he could bring her some comfort even if it was just a small amount when she spoke. Opening her eyes, she looked down as she muttered "It's just ..he..every touch" "shh, shh sshh , you don't have to explain Lucy" She shook her head furiously as she laid hard against him as he smacked the back of his head on the bedframe. "Oww" he said to himself as he rubbed his head. (kizuna FT soundtrack Vol.2) "It shouldn't matter" she said coldly getting his attention as he looked at her. "It shouldn't matter!, he isn't you. You are nothing like him. You didn't do any of this to me! So why does it hurt so much" she yelled angrily as Natsu looked at her with a saddened expression as he didn't know what to say. "I get terrified of you touching me and you didn't do anything! I HATE IT!" she screamed as she started sobbing as she laid her body down on his leg as she clung to it. "I LOVE YOU" she sobbed loudly as he and Layla both grabbed at her with loving smiles as they embraced her making her stop crying for a moment shocked. "We love you too" they replied as Lucy felt all their love. Tears continued as they just held her. (End song).
After crying herself out, she just laid on Natsu's chest as he stroked her hair staring up at the ceiling. "Natsu?" she said quietly sounding hoarse. "What is it Luce?" he said. "What are we going to do?" He gulped slightly as his breath caught in his chest. "I don't know Lucy." "He knows where we live" " I know" "Layla's school!" her voice rising in panic. " I know! Lucy" he yelled frustrated as he knocked his head back on the headboard a couple times closing his eyes trying to breath. "Jeeze Luce…you don't think I don't have those questions going through my head" he said calmer looking down at her. "I don't know what your thinking right now" she admitted. Sighing, he put his head into his hand. "Layla, I'm going to keep you out of school for now alright?" he asked her genuinely as she looked up at him and squeezed his shirt. "I'll that as a yes" "You want to take her out of school, Natsu?" She saw his hand slowly turn into a fist as he said through gritted teeth "Don't question me on this please" "Okay" she replied. He smiled a small grin at her relaxing his hand as she said "what are we going to about her school then?" "I'll find a tutor" " I would ask if we could afford" "Luce" he said cutting her off giving her a side eye glance. "I told you to leave that to me so leave it" said Natsu. "Alright, what about me?" He sat her up as he had a serious look on his face as he said "I am not letting you out of my sight. Especially now that he knows where we live" Letting out a breath, Lucy lifted her shirt and put a hand to her bandages running her fingers over it sadly. "Luce, stop" he said caringly as he delicately grabbed her hand and set it on the bed. "Don't torture yourself further baby…don't let him have that control of you" Getting up instantly, she said "I have to go to the bathroom" as she turned and walked towards it not looking at him.
Smacking his forehead, "damn it! The bastard didn't touch her, but she still feels ashamed. That's it! She's not going anywhere without me. I am going to make her feel safe again , I don't care what I have to do" he thought determined as he stared at the bathroom door waiting for her to come out. After a few minutes when she didn't come out, he attempted to get up as Layla gripped him. "Lay..Layla baby. Come on" he begged as she gave him a hard look. He grunted as he looked at the door again. "Luce?.Lucy?..You alright?" Having spent more then a few minutes now in the bathroom he grew worried as he called for her again. "Lucy!" "I'm fine" she said weakly. "Come with me Layla" he said as she walked with him to the bathroom where he softly knocked. "Lucy.." he said questionably. He put his ear to the door but didn't hear anything when he heard quiet sniffles. "That's it" he said as he grabbed the door and pulled it open as Lucy turned towards him with her bandages in her hand over her stomach. "Luce!, baby what are you doing?" he said as he grabbed the bandages and knelt down to put them back on her. Layla stood back letting him but she didn't leave his side. "Lucy, your wounds are still healing baby, you can't do this . Damn it Lucy" he said irritated as he wrapped her stomach as fast as he could and put her shirt back down. Standing back up, he towered over her.
Grabbing her chin, she looked up at him as he had an angry look in his eyes. "Don't do that" he said as he let go and walked out of the bathroom as Layla grabbed his hand. He stopped walking as he got to the foot of the bed with his back turned to Lucy. He stood there for a few minutes when "Daddy?" she looked up at him curious as she pulled at his hand. "Fucking idiot" he told himself as he head. It's okay" he heard her say as he held her out in front of him, her face expressionless as she said "I know your trying to protect me" she smiled a half smile as she walked out of the bedroom. Feeling more frustrated, he kept his face straight faced so he wouldn't scare Layla as he thought "she's slipping backwards... damn it" Letting out a breath, he pulled out his phone and dialed Wendy as he held it to his ear. "Hey Wendy, I need you to do something for me. Erza's told me a lot about you and wanted to ask if you could tutor Layla..no this is not an order..I'm asking as a father concerned for his daughter. I'm keeping her out of school and need someone to teach her. And, I need you to check on Lucy's wounds. Yes, that is an order. You'll do it? Thanks. See you tomorrow" he hung up as he muttered "solves one problem" "Daddy, are you alright?" she asked worried. Kneeling down, he looked at her and said "I'm fine Layla. Don't worry about me" he smiled at her as she hugged him. His smile faded as she couldn't see it. "I can't have this upon Layla too. I'm worried enough. I'm not going to let them worry too" he thought as he gripped Layla tighter.
Releasing her from the hug he said "come on baby dragon, let's go get something cooked for dinner, whadya say?" he asked nicely. "aye, let's do it!" she said enthusiastic. He chuckled as he put his hand on her hair messing it up as she giggled taking his hand as they walked together downstairs. "Mommy" she said softly with a smile. Lucy sitting on the couch smiled at her. "Hi baby" she said. "You want to go sit with her?" he asked Layla. "Nope, I'm gonna help you make dinner." "Layla, baby girl, give your dad a break" she said motioning her hands towards her. "No,! …and daddy asked me if I wanted to make dinner." She said insistent as both Lucy and Natsu sighed. "It's no use Luce, come on Layla." He said lightly as she followed him into the kitchen. Lucy watched them as they moved around the kitchen. She liked seeing them smile and how much he loved their daughter. She knew he would give his life before he let anyone touch Layla or her for that matter. Thirty minutes later, they had dinner on plates and brought it to the table. She picked hers up as she saw cooked fish, squash and rice. "Looks delicious guys" said Lucy.
"Thanks" said Natsu and Layla giving each other a high five. "Wendy is coming over to tutor Layla tomorrow Lucy" said Natsu as they ate. "Wendy?. I had no idea she could teach. How the heck did you know?" "I make a point to look into who I trust. I'm a leader Lucy, I like to know who I'm working with…and more to the point .I'm her father..I'm not going to leave her with just anyone. I hate the idea of leaving her as it is." He said as she caught the nervousness in his voice. "He's not going to say anything so no point in even saying anything" she thought. "What?" he asked as she didn't realize she was staring. "Nothing. Just spaced out for a minute" she told him quick. He shrugged it off as he went back to his plate.