well well, fancy seeing you here

after two years I'm finally updating lol

I've decided to really try and pour myself into writing this year and I've been wanting to write fanfiction again now that I caught up on the anime, so here I am

My writing has grown a lot, and I think it was a little challenging to match the writing style of this story but I think it's fine

If something's worded weirdly/not in the style of the story then my bad lol

Chapter 8: Secrets

I stood there for what felt like forever, marveling at the sight. What's the chance that Lucy would just so happen to appear at my hiding place at one in the morning, the same night I have my reoccurring nightmare? Maybe like one in a gazillion. I was never good at math.

I started feeling like a creeper so I stealthily made my way towards her. Well, stealthily up until I stepped on a twig and pile of leaves and made a bunch of noise before promptly falling on my face.

I heard Lucy gasp and jump up. "Natsu?"

I mumbled in response, my mouth full of leaves.

I heard her rush over and crouch down beside me. "Are you okay?" Her voice wavered with laughter.

Slowly, I sat up and brushed the leaves off of my face. "Unfortunately."

Luce's giggling turned into full on laughter, her head thrown back and her face turned toward the sky. I gazed at her as she laughed, her cheeks growing red and her head a mess from laying in the grass. I could see faint tear stains on her cheeks as well and the thought of her crying made me angry and sad at the same time. But as I looked at her, like the fucking creep that I am, I realized something.

I am completely, unbelievably, 100% in love with Lucy Heartfilia.

I stared at her some more as her laughter faded.

Yep, definitely fucking whipped.

I rubbed my face, hoping to miraculously wipe the blush off my cheeks when I felt movement in my hair. I looked up to see Luce picking a leaf out of my hair with a small smile on her face. But the thing is, she was like two inches from my face. So close that I could feel her breathing on my lips.

When she tossed the leaf back on the ground, our gazes locked and time stood still. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, with neither of us moving. I could see the adoration in her eyes as her hand reached up and cupped my burning red cheek.

You know, the cheek up north. Not the one…you know…whatever. Anyway.

She turned my head to the side slightly and brought her lips to my cheek.

My face cheek not the- damn it, fuck this.

Her lips felt soft and smooth and I sighed at the feeling. Knowing Luce, this was her way of telling me her feelings. It didn't matter that we didn't have our first actual kiss at the moment. I would wait a lifetime for her, and if she wanted to take things slowly, then so be it.

I sound like a fucking pussy.

Standing up, Luce took my hand and we made our way down the hill to the spot where she was when I found her. She sat down and patted the spot beside her, so I followed suit and we both looked up at the night sky.

"So, what brings you here, Natsu?" Luce asked turning towards me. I moved to face her as we sat in front of each other Indian style, our knees brushing against each other.

"I found this place a couple years ago. So the real question is what brings you here?" I countered, unnoticeably scooting closer so that our knees were full on touching. My heart started to beat faster and I cursed inwardly at my nervousness.

Luce smiled softly. "Just a little nightmare, nothing too important."

I frowned. "You want to talk about it?"

She pursed her lips and my eyes flitted to them, staring longer than necessary. There's been a whole lot of staring tonight.

Or…this morning.

"You go first." She finally stated. "What secrets are you hiding up there?" She teased.

I let out a puff of air and rubbed my face with dread. This is it. This is where she finds out how much of a monster I am and runs away from me. Just when things were starting to look up for us.

"Before I tell you," I start slowly, making her eyebrows furrow, "can you promise that you won't leave me?"

Luce blinked, surprised before a smile appeared on her face. She held out her pinky. "I would never leave you, I promise." I locked our pinkies together as anxiety crept up in my chest, squeezing the air out of them as my heart palpitated.

I wanted to believe her, I really did, but I had no idea how she would react.

"Take your time, we have all morning." She encouraged.

I nodded gratefully and cradled my face in my hands, taking deep breaths. I felt a hand on my back, rubbing small circles and I fell in love with her even more.

I looked up, in her deep brown, beautiful big eyes and took a breath.

"I killed my family."

Opening up to each other will set their souls free.

{~•~•~}

So I'm starting off small with this chapter to get back into it.

I almost reached 1,000 but not quite, and I really wanted to leave a cliffhanger lol

But anyway, I hope you guys will continue reading this with me, even though I've been gone for so long

So long that I'm now almost in my second semester of college

I don't see this story surpassing 15, or at the most 20 chapters

I figured this story would be a good starting point in adjusting

So, I'll see you soon, Poptarts :)