Obsessed Deleted Scene 2: Recovery

AN: This is the last deleted scene, I promise!

Natsu frowned deeply, his arms crossed as he stared at the two metal bars in front of him. This was just humiliating. After spending days having to be pushed around by his wife and in order to learn to walk again he was gonna have to stumble against these bars like his kids had when they were babies learning to walk.

"Alright," the healer sai in a bright voice. "Let's get you in the harness."

He motioned for a harness attached to a track above the bars to be set up by two nurses. Natsu shook his head.

"Nu-uh."

Lucy, who had been standing behind his wheelchair, set a hand on his shoulder. "Natsu?"

"Mr. Dragneel are you sure?" the healer asked. "Your first time walking will probably be difficult and painful. The harness could help-"

"Nu-uh," Natsu shook his head again. "It'll only make my recovery longer."

"Well, yes, but it will-"

"No," Natsu said. "The sooner I can get to walking again the better."

"Natsu," Lucy said softly.

"Nope. You're pregnant. We've already got three kids. I gotta get back on my feet. No harness."

The healer sighed. "Alright, whenever you're ready pull yourself up."

Natsu looked back at the metal bars. He reached out, set a hand on each and pulled himself up-

-and immediately fell face first in the ground.

"Natsu!" Lucy gasped.

She, the healer, and the two nurses rushed towards him. Natsu held up a hand and shook his head.

"I got it," he insisted in a very strained voice. Dang, that hurt! Of course he wasn't going to be able to just jump back to it, what was he thinking? Well, no matter, he'd just have to take it slower. Reaching up he set his hands back on the bars and pulled up. He almost stumbled again as he tried to set weight on his legs, but caught himself on his elbows. Crap! His legs were weak as twigs now!

Lucy clutched a hand to her mouth, tears stinging her eyes. It was so strange and painful to see her husband like this. This wasn't Natsu. He was strong, lively, rambunctious, always smiling, always laughing. Now he could barely stand on his own. It killed her seeing him like this.

Natsu took in a deep breath and pushed himself up, putting all his weight on his arms so that he was standing to his full height. It was quite uncomfortable and unnatural, balancing on his arms rather than his legs. Still he tried to take a small step. Just lifting his leg nearly knocked him off balance. Crap! Why was he so uncoordinated? He adjusted his arm with much difficulty. Straightened himself up and tried to take a step. He fell right to his knees, the force of the collapse sending shockwaves of pain through his lower body. He let go of the bars and grabbed onto his leg, groaning in pain.

"Oh, goodness!" One of the nurses gasped as they, the healer, and Lucy rushed forward again.

"No, I've got this!" Natsu shouted through the pain. This scuked so hard! It was walking!? Just taking one step! Why was this so difficult!? He cursed under his breath as he pulled himself up to his feet. He was pissed now. He didn't have time for this crap!

He pushed himself to his full height, looking down at his legs. Cursing his useless limbs he tried again to take a step. He stumbled, but managed to catch himself this time. Grunting and growling he pushed himself back up, frowning down at his legs, and tried to take another step, only to teeter dangerously to one side. He lost balance and had to cling with both arms to the same bar to keep from falling. He all but punched the bar as he growled in frustration.

He gritted his teeth as he took in several deep breaths. He pushed himself off the bar so he could grab onto the other one with his other hand and stand once again. He glowered down at this legs again when he felt a soft touch under his chin.

"No, look at me."

Natsu glanced up to find Lucy standing in front of him. She cupped his face in her hands.

"Don't look down, look at me," she said as she stared him right in the eye. She had a look of determination in her eyes, brows knitted as she forced him to look up, and yet there was something so gentle about her expression. Natsu found himself strangely relaxing, even though he was pushing up on his arms to stand to his full height.

"Don't worry about your legs, just focus on me," Lucy said as she brushed his bangs out of his face.

Natsu nodded, keeping his eyes locked with hers. Lucy smiled softly as she took a tiny step back, hands still cupping Natsu's face. He almost instinctively followed her. It was clumsy and awkward but he managed to take a step without falling. He gasped and started to look down, but Lucy caught his chin and made him look at her again.

"Uh-uh, up here."

He smiled at her as they took another step together. Lucy waited until he'd stopped wobbling before stepping back again, guiding him to follow her. Soon he began to pick up speed a bit. One step led to another, then another, then another, and another. Then, suddenly, Natsu scooted his hand forward to grab onto a further section of the bar and it wasn't there. He began to fall forward, but Lucy slipped her arms under his and helped lower him onto his knees. It was only then he realized he was sweating and that his arms were shaking. He looked to either side. He'd walked the whole length of the room.

"I did it?" he sighed.

Lucy nodded as she tightened her hold around him. "You don't have to go through this recovery alone, you know? I'm right here."

Natsu sighed. He didn't like worrying her but it seemed no matter what he did at this point he did. "Luce, I-"

"Remember what you told me when I was on bedrest with Igneel?" Lucy asked.

Natsu gasped slightly.

"You told me that when we got married you made a promise that you'd always take care of me: for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Well, I made the same promise to you. Like it or not I'm walking through this step by step with you. Both literally and figuratively."

Natsu just sat there for a while, then wrapped his wife. "I love you."

"I love you, too. And no matter what I'm here."

"I know."