Hearts are empty at first until they are filled with a burning liquid from someone close to them and hidden away in chests for protection.
Lucy coughed herself awake everything was chilly except for her behind that rested on a hot water bottle. Dazed and confused she remembered she fell asleep on Natsu's back, his voice was like a soothing melody though she couldn't hear his words at the time, his body like a gentle heater she couldn't resist falling into dreamland.
she yawned/screamed and stretched her clicking bones removing the blue comforter from her body, she was still wearing her pantsuit but her ponytail had been let down probably by Natsu.
''You're up?'' Gray came through her bedroom door wearing the red apron she bought for Natsu on his birthday in July the chest read in bold letters. ''Parental Advisory'' it was covered by the fire emoji she giggled dryly at the joke she still found funny, one day she hoped he would actually wear it now that would be funnier.
''Hey you must really sick, laughing like a crazy person.'' she scowled at him. ''What did you bring me?'' she was surprised by her raspy voice it had been quite awhile since she was last sick. ''Natsu burned the toast and eggs and the oatmeal was watery..so I made you this.'' Lucy rolled her eyes so far back into her head it hurt.
Why was it that sometimes his food was delicious and then another time she would rather eat prison food? Gray presented her with Korean ginger chicken rice porridge, it was garnished with fresh green onions which to Gray was the most exciting part of the dish. ''It looks great thanks!'' she said taking the breakfast tray from the boy. ''Although he did get the orange juice right this time,'' Gray said going to retrieve it before handing the whole pitcher to her. ''I'm going to return home today,'' Gray said after awhile. ''Oh.'' ''Are you going to visit Juvia still?''
she managed through a sneeze Gray handed her the box of tissues whilst looking out the window. ''I should, shouldn't I?'' Lucy reached over and ruffled his hair she knew he was going to miss Juvia and that's why he acted this way. ''You make sure to make her happy every time you see her Eh?'' Gray turned and smiled widely. ''I will!'' 'he was so obvious she didn't know how the two weren't together yet.' ''Happy birthday by the way.'' she congratulated him on his eighteenth birthday. ''it's a shame you had to be sick we could have played around.'' he trailed. ''When is Natsu coming back you can play with him.'' ''I have to leave in an hour and Natsu said he would be late today.''
Lucy felt scared after Gray left it was the price to pay for her amazing skills, she couldn't bear being left alone it was torture. ''You gotta be strong,'' she whispered to her tears to afraid to talk aloud. it was like monsters were coming to get her whenever she was alone.
''Hey kiddo?'' she heard her father's voice scare the imaginary monsters away. ''What?!'' she said in the bold manner she used with him. ''Get well soon.'' quieted down not knowing how to respond to that little piece of kindness. ''You bet I will,'' she said determinedly. Jude was leaning in her doorway with a cup of orange juice. ''Would you like to work at my hospital until your case is worked out?'' ''I know how much you like to care for others.'' ''Wouldn't I have to get on a plane and fly somewhere?'' she didn't reject the proposal.
''Of course, not my hospital is an hour away, you would just have to rise early.'' Lucy felt bitter now that she knew her father was so close by all those years. ''Okay then I accept,'' she said coolly.
Jude poured the orange Juice into cups and placed them in the freezer as he knew how much his daughter enjoyed partially frozen juices she could make slushy and eat with a spoon.
Earlier the same day-
Natsu glanced at Juvia playing with the box of presents Gray had sent her through him. ''Why don't you open it?'' ''it's not my birthday yet.'' Juvia's eighteenth birthday was three days after Gray's and she was gonna open that box like he instructed her too. ''I know what's in the box.'' Natsu bluntly announced . ''Don't tell me!'' she panicked but he was only teasing.
''Okay Ace I'm going to work now.'' Ace was the nickname Natsu created for her he always affectionately called his friends and family by their names and he never could run out of nicknames to give.
He wondered what her reaction to her presents would be she had received new dresses like he didn't gift her that every year, a snow-globe bracelet and water droplet earrings not to mention cute booties and cozy socks plus a handwritten letter wishing her a happy time even though he would be there for her birthday accompanied by a snowflake ring.
Natsu was flung into a sour mood, he had gone to check up on the kids who recovering from previous surgeries including Angel who was coming along nicely, when he was met outside the ward door by Ivan telling him about the program and that he had one less day until he went away for an entire year and a half.
he sat on a bench by a vending machine reading the introductory paper he read one too many times before.
The World Savior Program was created by Makarov Dreyar.
In this program, the top Teachers, doctors and nurses and scientists and other public servants will embark on a journey of a minimum of one year,
where they will be sent to countries all around to treat illnesses and diagnose problems.
They will Educate the public and feed the starving, build and repair things affected by natural disasters.
It will be hard and potentially dangerous work so make sure you are prepared mentally and physically, all expenses including flight ticket will be paid for beforehand.
Magnolia Hospital wishes you the very best of luck and bids you farewell.
''-Lisanna Strauss'' the white haired girl said stating that she wrote that section. ''So are you gonna sign up?'' she asked sitting beside him her blue eyes glowing brightly.
''I've already been signed up.'' ''Why what about Lucy is she going as well?'' ''Nope Ivan signed me up.'' ''Why that old geezer we oughta-'' she clenched her little fists. ''It's okay Lisanna, it is a great cause and I should have to go.'' after that he filled her in on the details she kept bugging about and told her not to tell Erza and Levy as not to worry them, and she could tell anyone but Mira-Jane. ''Why not? we're sisters.'' Lisanna told her sister everything. ''Mira would not be able to keep it a secret.'' ''I just need more time to get things together before I tell anyone.''
Natsu went back to work feeling as though some of the heaviness in his chest had been lifted by talking to someone.
''I promised I would help write a book.'' he sighed another thing on his 29-day list of things he had to do before he went away.
he felt bad that he wouldn't be able to spend his birthday's with Lucy or be there for two of her own as they were both born in July and he would be away for the following year and a half.
Ivan decided Natsu's new schedule as one of the missionaries he had to go the gym and work his already fit body, to make time in the schedule he would need to take time off from this hospital and gather the supplies he might need in many different countries.
Natsu lifted weights will relative ease alongside the people who were going with him.
''Natsu what are you doing here?'' Laxus walked into the room holding bottles of water. ''I could always ask you the same thing.'' ''Are you going to come with us?'' Laxus went on. ''Yep.'' ''What about Lucy?'' Laxus asked the same question everyone had already asked him and he gave the same reply. ''I need to take her to therapy and hope for the best, I will have to tell her eventually.''
Natsu continued working out but also thinking about calling Lucy to ask her what she would like to do when she became well again.
Jude kept an awkward Lucy company for a long time silently before he went to sleep again rocking in his chair.
''Always staying up late.'' she sighed he never broke that habit and was always taking naps throughout the day because of it.
her phone buzzed by her side and her eyes lit up when she saw Natsu was calling her after all this time.
Natsu felt his heart somersault when she picked up excited to hear her voice forgetting all of his worries.
''Yo Natsu! I've been expecting this call for a while the days almost over..where are you?'' she said loudly waking her father who took his sleep session back to his room with his sour face intact.
''Slow down, miss me?'' he replied ticking her off slightly. ''Of course, I missed you! what do you take me for?''
Natsu smiled in a tight-lipped fashion his sharp canines still protruding from his lips. '
'Okay I have a task for you,'' he said hurriedly. ''What, what is it?'' ''I want you to write down activities we can do together in 28 days, write all the things you want to do.''
''We will write that book together, later on, Okay?'' ''Okay I got it.''
''Are you feeling better now?''
''A whole lot better, I feel like I'll be running around tomorrow thanks to Gray's porridge.'' ''Wow what was wrong with my breakfast?'' he felt shown up by his younger brother and slightly jealous. ''Everything was wrong with your breakfast.'' ''Did you eat lunch?'' ''Yep,'' she said cheerfully before whispering into the phone hoping Jude wouldn't hear.
''Papa made me butternut bisque and orange slushy.'' ''PAPA?! you haven't referred to him in that way for ages.'' ''Yeah well I can't stay mad at him forever I'm learning to forgive though I can never forget.'' ''I know that feeling.''
Lucy cracked up. ''Doesn't the whole Magnolia?'' Everyone from Magnolia could be traced back to the city simply for their astounding memories, everyone was blessed with a great memory murderers and pedestrians alike it was only some who were blessed with amazing skills as extra like Lucy and Natsu meticulousness that shown in all that they did.
''Great cause I want to take you out tonight.'' ''So make sure you're ready I should be back before dinnertime.'' Lucy's heart started racing like a marathon runner she didn't answer and thus the call ended abruptly. she picked up her phone and texted Natsu asking if Jude could come along to which he replied. ''No just the two of us.''
''I'm coming home early because I want to help cook something for him to eat, but I wanna go out with you alone.'' ''be there in an hour.''
'Alone'. the word sounded weird after she repeated it a bunch of times trying to press down the image of her haunting.
she could just feel Natsu warmly breathing on her neck while it was cold everywhere else.
She shuddered and climbed from her bed stretching the knots in her muscles out and waltzing into the shower she knew she deserved.
Natsu walked through the oppressively still night past the Sweet Alyssum flowers and into Lucy's apartment.
He watched her run to and fro searching for her jacket after a minute he commented, ''Luce you look mighty healthy.'' he scared her out of her wits which she calmly scolded him for. ''how many times do I have to tell you Natsu? Don't sneak up on me like that please!'' ''Sorry.'' he giggled half-halfheartedly.
''What?'' Natsu's unignorable smirk was decorating his face and he was slowly scanning her. She was wearing a white jumbo sweater that read. ''A day without laughter is a day wasted.'' -Charlie Chaplin. black tight pants and ankle boots
''Stop it you perv,'' she said covering herself with a long navy blue coat and Natsu's scarf he wrapped around her neck. ''I like your sweater.'' ''It's yours, though.''
''I know.'' Natsu had given her the sweater among other things years ago and he always found it adorable when she wore the items.
''I'm gotta be right back.'' ''Don't start making dinner without me!'' Natsu skipped down the hallway. ''I already made dinner, dessert and invited guests.'' she heard Natsu whining something unintelligible from the shower washing away the sweat from the gym.
Lucy was done setting the table when Natsu snuck up behind her for the second time. ''I'M GONNA SNAP!'' Natsu argued since she didn't include him in the cooking.
Lucy just looked into his eyes wondering why he needed to be included in even the smallest things, Natsu store back mesmerized by her clear eyes.
Lucy got flustered so she snatched a chocolate chunk cookie and stuffed it into his mouth making him avert his endearing gaze.
''Yummy as always.'' he chewed a smile present in his eyes. ''So who is coming over and does this collide with my plans?'' ''I invited Erza and Jellal and no it doesn't.''
''Why Erza and Jellal?'' Lucy stood on her tiptoes and held onto Natsu's shoulder to whisper. ''They didn't eat dinner yet and I thought they would make the perfect company for Jude.'' his head was still angled lowly so he could hear while he gnawed a peanut butter cookie. ''Hey!'' she tapped his face. ''I didn't give you that kind.'' ''let's go before you eat all that I cooked.'' ''But.'' he began but she was already leaving the house. ''Luce the steps are slippery,'' he informed her thinking of her safety and the incoming guests.
''Oh dear I should tell them that,'' Lucy picked up her phone and Natsu watched her every move from her hands holding the white case to the way her lips moved when she spoke.
He sighed cold air in the direction of the only streetlight outside their house. 'Oh, how I adore her so.'' he thought to himself.
He looked down at Lucy doing the same action of breathing air and declared she was just to cute all the time like give him a break already!
''Should I put some makeup on?'' Lucy thought aloud much to Natsu objection. ''You look beautiful this way.'' he shared his kiwi scented lip balm with her and that was that.
Natsu went down the steps first with a cloth and wiped away the frozen water and slight moisture before reaching out and lifting Lucy from where she stood to bring her to his location. ''Let us go,'' he said grabbing her hand tightly and walking past her car. ''I can drive,'' she said looking back. ''Yeah but I want to enjoy a walk with you,'' he said ushering her along.
Lucy looked at the dark canopy of leaves the shade of the tall trees were not welcoming anymore rather it was very creepy at night. ''trying to take her mind off of the lip balm indirect kiss, she could feel her face glowing under the darkness of the sky.
her mind was taken off of it alright, she screamed a couple of times but that was only because the devilish boy she was with enjoyed scaring her at random times, he could be mid-sentence and then suddenly he was yell RAH! and then get smacked by her only to giggle and hold her closer.
Natsu did most of the walking and carried Lucy on his back not because she was tired but rather because she was afraid.
when they reached Hargeon town Lucy got down and stared at beautiful colored lanterns in the night sky, they were having a winter festival.
''This is why you invited me?'' she inquired impressed by her surroundings. ''This and more, come with me.'' Natsu grabbed her hand to lead her into another adventure he was the pilot of. Lucy read the quote on the back of Natsu's sweater. ''You'll never know dear..-Johnny Cash.'' she had never heard the song so she wouldn't know the next verse.
She remembered Natsu had bought it two years ago and showed it to her shyly turning his face away from hers smiling sheepishly, she never got around to researching the lyrics but maybe he just really liked the shirt?
Stands selling different items at various prices riddled the streets and attracted crowds of people from all walks of life every year.
Natsu eyed earrings, never forgetting Lucy, the silver earrings were made to look like miniature trees that had different shades of color dripping from each leaf.
Lucy, on the other hand, glanced from time to time at matching maroon hoodies that read in tiny lettering: I don't want to stand alone in this world when you could be by my side.
Natsu followed her gaze to the hoodies and offered to buy them, she averted her gaze from the items and into his eyes. ''Only if you get the other one.'' the larger maroon hoodie read: I always am there in front and beside you, what are you worried about?
''Sure we did mess up our orange ones last time,'' he said turning on his oblivious switch.
Lucy gawked at Natsu when he went to buy the said items, how could he be so thickheaded? it was ridiculous when he acted this way but she was going to enjoy the entirety of this 'date.' she sometimes felt sad hoping Natsu could keep her selfish play going, she promised in her heart she would let him go to Lisanna afterward.
as she believed that's where his truly heart was though he never showed a sign of love for Lisanna, she was just being thickheaded.
Jellal enjoyed talking to Jude about his opinions on diverse topics their conversations were long and tiring to Erza who went right to sleep there on the couch, while the two continued on like long lost friends. Jude glanced at the finished lasagna tray that Erza mostly ate and the empty plate of cookies. ''How far along is she?'' Jellal replied proud and excitedly. '' eight weeks sir.'' ''Wow and she ate all of that?''
''She regularly eats like that.'' Jellal confirmed thoughtfully. ''Hey even if she begs for a crazy amount of sweets, do not give it to her she needs to eat in moderation.'' Jude smiled looking forward to seeing the couple again mentally thanking Lucy for the guests and food.
Vial are stored away in significant others chest to be kept safe on our behalf but when you break their hearts, you break your own by accident.
I realize I messed up on the names of the flowers the last time. (I'm pretty sure I said sweet asylum.)
{{{The nighttime date will be continued in the next chapter.
I haven't heard from anyone in a while so leave me a review and tell me what you think so far, criticism is welcome :)
(A/N) I wrote an entire paragraph then pressed 'save' it did not save.
excuse my errors of every kind.
~Peace