Lucy didn't need a kiss to feel the warmth of his lips; Natsu's radiance was burning just shy of the point of it being painful.

She wondered if she had imprinted on him the same lingering fire he left on her skin. It surely had to hurt, whether it was his ego or not, but it was nothing compared to any pain becoming involved would've caused them.

She wrung her hands together, nervously tugging at her gloves. Just being so close to him was enough to make her feel disgusted; she had this scent over her that left her skin ridged with chills, her pores sweating at the same time.

He was a burning sun, and every thought of hers revolved around him. Annoying was an understatement for the constant nagging at the back of her mind. The idea of someone being so involved with her made her want to cry with aggravation.

He's too oblivious to be so cruel on the inside, Lucy assured herself. Though she always had a way of picking out the bad guys.

The tiredness had set in by the time Lucy got home. The thin mittens pulled off her hands and fell into the bin beside the door, right next to her keys. Her jacket, her shoes were in a heap on the floor, the blonde too hasty to put then away neatly as usual. He was already messing with her and he wasn't even here.

Lucy pulled the hair tie from her blonde locks, the mess of yellow tumbling down. Her scalp ached from having it in such tight hold. Relief flooded her body and she fell onto her bed, limbs snuggling under the thick blankets.

Her bed was warm, but it felt empty. There was no humid breath rushing against her face, no heat wrapping its arms around her body. The sun seemed too far away, like its heat wasn't quite making its way to reach her.

His scarf was softer than she imagined. The fabric bunched up, clenched in her fist. She pulled it closer to her, the black and white checkers all she could see.

Her sight was blurry, like she just woke up to see the sun hovering a foot above her face. Everything was cast in a golden halo; burning gracefully.

The smile was the brightest thing of all. It was broad and carefree, just as white as the pattern on half his scarf. It took up all her sight. All else ceased to exist.

Her skin flared with heat as his hand pressed against her outer thigh. The muscles in her leg seemed to contract and relax all at once, conflicted by each sensation of his touch.

"Luce." His lips were gentle against her skin. Each breath he took tickled her, goosebumps running over flesh in excitement.

She couldn't keep her hands from sifting through his hair. Never had she felt anything so soft. The color was soothing, the sensation addicting. His scent enveloped her.

"Luce," his hands caressed further up her thigh, palms pressing into the wide of her hips, "relax."

She didn't know how; every cell on her body was humming with ecstatic vibrations. They made her hands shake. Her only hope was to clench tighter onto his scarf, onto his hair, and hope his warmth would calm her.

Her chest rose and fell with each breath. His exhales became her inhales, the breaths shared between them tumbling around like smoke in the air.

His hands moved from her hips, sliding over the skin of her stomach. Her body seized subtly, his warm hands soon prying the tension away. Her body writhed beneath him, long legs kicking softly under his body.

A strong, solid knee pressed up between her legs. She felt a string of quiet hums leave her mouth. Her center trembled, shaking with nerves. His leg shifted, wetness seeping from her mound from his touch.

"Luce." His dark eyes flickered up to meet hers. The breath from his lips tickled her ear, his canines grazing her skin as he spoke. "Let me feel you."

"Natsu."

Lucy bolted upright in bed. The heart in her chest beat so roughly that her chest hurt. The blood rushed to her head, a migraine that escaped once she pulled herself to reality.

The front door was rattling, someone on the other side knocking impatiently. The thumping noise did nothing to help. Lucy was sweating, her heart beating frantically in her chest.

He's everywhere. Lucy eagerly took in gulps of breath, one after the other. She swung her legs over the side of her bed. They were shaking still.

Lucy grabbed a cardigan, pulling it over her arms and crossing them tightly over her chest. Her tired legs carried her across the floor, begging the pounding at her door to stop.

She didn't even bother looking through the peephole. Her hand grasped the doorknob, unbolting it and tearing it open. "Erza?"

The redhead smiled happily at her. She looked impatiently up from her phone, as if she was in the world's most intense conversation. "Lucy! Sorry, didn't mean to invite myself over."

Erza had a nice smile. It was genuine and smooth, like it could calm a storm. She teetered back and forth, sliding the phone in her butt pocket as she looked around inside. "Are you free?"

Lucy forced a small smile, her shoulders raising and falling helplessly. "Yeah, I guess. Why?"

The redhead pulled her phone out again, presumably scrolling through texts. "Well, Natsu and I were going to the café close by. He said he asked you, but you left before you said anything?"

Lucy's face fell. She was such an idiot to be so cruel like that and not even give an answer. A deep sigh escaped her lips. "Well-"

"Knowing Natsu it wasn't your fault. Let me guess, he scared accidentally made you trip or something?" She laughed quietly, locking her phone and putting it back in her pocket yet again. "He's such a klutz."

"Klutz?" Lucy furrowed her brows. She leaned heavily on the door, feeling weak suddenly. "I wouldn't see that in him."

Erza narrowed her eyes, trying to see if Lucy was joking or not. She finally chuckled, shaking her head. "You're kidding, right? It's amazing he hasn't screwed something up yet."

"No, actually. He's been really nice." The more Erza talked, the worse Lucy felt. Everything that went wrong was her fault; if Natsu was truly so clumsy, then she deserved an award for this. "The only thing he did was crack open that bag of food in class."

Lucy managed a small laugh. Erza nodded, her smile widening. "If that's the worst, then consider yourself lucky."

The blonde smiled nervously. "Lucky me."

Erza sighed, looking Lucy up and down. "Well, put on a coat. It's cold outside and we're walking." She said, raising a brow at Lucy as she just stood there.

"Oh. Uh, yeah." Lucy nodded. She didn't remember agreeing to tag along, but she turned back inside her apartment anyway. "Yeah, come on in. I'll be a minute."

Lucy turned her back to the redhead, trailing further into her apartment. She heard the door close again, and could only pray that Erza didn't touch anything.

For as long as Lucy had lived in the apartment complex and walked by the café every day to school, she'd never actually taken the time to sit down inside.

It wasn't anything special: there were tables crowded with kids drinking coffee and snagging any free wi-fi they could get. There were a few baristas, and the smell of ground cacao beans was overpowering.

Erza and Lucy stepped inside. The noise was surprising low for the crowd inside. At a table to their right was Natsu, sitting beside a dark haired boy with a scowl permanently across his face.

"Natsu!" Erza waved her hand happily. She grabbed Lucy's wrist, and pulled the blonde along to the round table before she could protest. She smiled evenly at the other boy. "Gray."

The dark haired boy grunted in acknowledgement as Erza sat down beside him. The only seat left open was beside her and Natsu. The sight itself looked intimidating, before Natsu kicked out his foot and nudged the chair out for her.

He didn't say anything. He didn't even look at her; Natsu watched Erza and Gray, his hands in his pockets. Lucy sat down gingerly, laying her purse over her lap without a word.

"You got the notes, thanks." Gray perked up quickly. He sat up in his seat, looking over the screen at Erza. "I was wondering if Natsu got any, but of course he didn't."

The pink haired boy scoffed. "Don't ask me to take notes for you then."

Gray rolled his eyes. "I didn't ask you. I asked Erza, and you just happened to be there to listen to our conversation. Which is rude, by the way." He retorted angrily.

"Rude? Look who's talking, stripper." Natsu seethed, sitting back in his chair. His face was so much more solemn than Lucy had seen.

"You're a stripper?" Lucy asked. Her face reddened quickly, knowing how rude she must've sounded to a complete stranger.

Everyone at the table quieted. Erza burst out into laughter, seeing the dark haired boy's face pale and blank. Natdu cracked a forced smile.

"You must be Lucy." Gray stood up, sighing. He wore a sweatshirt-which was clearly Erza's from the pink color to the glittered hood strings-and basketball shorts a size too big. "I'm not a stripper and you're coming to get coffee with me."

He already walked away, heading confidently to the cash counter. Lucy looked to Erza and Natsu, but both of them just shrugged as if to say 'good luck.'

Lucy huffed and pushed out her chair, quickly following after Gray. He long strides, and was already at the counter by the time she ran to catch up with him.

"Yeah, I'm Lucy." She smiled awkwardly. "I didn't know you knew me."

"I didn't. Well, until like twenty minuted ago." He shrugged, not looking at her. "Coffee or tea?"

Lucy furrowed her brows. "Um, chai tea. Please." She murmured. He was so straightforward, his odd clothing and unamused behavior didn't seem to affect him. "Erza told you I was coming?"

Gray shook his head, briefly looking at Lucy. She had the feeling he only reason he looked at her was to avoid the stare from the bluenette barista who was obviously flirting with him.

"Natsu told me. After he made me put on his extra shorts, he then proceeded to torture me further and tell me about some blonde girl that 'makes him want to scream.'" He rolled his eyes. "His words, not mine."

Lucy's chest tightened with the realization. She wanted to look back at him, but she had the feeling Natsu would only make her more upset. His words. Lucy could easily scream, too.

The blue haired lady slid them their drinks, flashing Gray a sweet smile. He ignored her, grunting to himself as he and Lucy walked back to their table.

"Why did they have to give you their clothes?" Lucy tilted her head to him questioningly.

She sipped her drink, coughing a little from the bitter taste. Lucy turned the drink around, reading the label:

Gray-sama

There was a streaky, hand-drawn heart scribbled by his name. Lucy stifled a smile, tapping his shoulder and holding the cup up to him in exchange.

Gray groaned, whining like a child as they swapped cups again. Lucy was all too relieved he hadn't taken a sip of hers yet. "They made me. I was happy in my underwear."

Lucy looked up at him with wide eyes. "It's cold outside. You can even get arrested for that."

Gray shook his head. "I'm attractive, no one was complaining except that hot-head."

Lucy laughed softly. "I don't think that's how it works."

They sat down across from each other, the silent contentment fading as conversation started. Natsu kept his smile up, but the fire was weak.

Nalu Lemon Novel
Exy Koroleva © 2016
Thank you for reading.
Some triggering scenes
to be included, so please
do not report. Comments
& votes are appreciated.