That night was an incredibly dark one.
Lucy laid on her back, resting on the blue mat. She'd found out so many things. It all seemed like a big blur.
What did midnight mean? I guess she'd find out tomorrow…
But why did he want her supposedly real celestial magic?
What even was Celestial magic?! She knew it meant something about the sun and stars… probably.
At least that's what Levy had told her. When she was on the roof all those years ago, reaching out for the clouds, she knew it was stupid but still…
Levy was telling her about some star keys or something…
Right before their accident.
Her accident.
Her fault.
She sighed, turning to see Natsu laid a few feet away from her. His mouth was wide open and his nose wiggled a little every time he made a tiny snuffling snore noise.
She giggled quietly to herself.
His eyes snapped open, making her jump.
"Uh, Lucy?" he mumbled.
"Sorry… I-I can't sleep." She blinked.
He didn't say anything… he just stared at her for a few minutes.
The blonde began to grow uncomfortable as the boy stared at her. His eyes bore into her mind, as if he could see exactly what was going through her head.
"I don't like it here." She whispered, looking anywhere but Natsu.
"Then come with us, Luce… come with me." he said, his voice low and serious.
"B-But what about your friends? We haven't even known each other for more than few days."
"They all like you! And we can all get to know each other, right? A-As friends?" he smiled.
Lucy's heart skipped a beat when he smiled. She didn't know why… she wasn't sure she wanted to. But it did.
She couldn't help a smile back, "Ok… thank you, Natsu."
She smiled a little wider not realising what it was doing to him.
"What's your favourite colour?" Natsu, suddenly asked.
"W-What?!" Lucy spluttered, turning on her side to face him fully now.
Natsu mirrored her movement.
"Well, since you said we didn't know each other that well… I wanna know more."
"Oh, u-um…" she stared at him, "My favourite colour is…"
What was her favourite colour?... she'd never really thought about it.
"I guess it's yellow or… or maybe…" she looked up to his hair, "Or maybe, pink."
It wasn't Natsu's hair that made her like pink!
No, it wasn't! It was her mother, yes, that was it. Her mother would always be seen wearing pink, she always looked so beautiful and elegant, yep, totally it.
"Cool!" Natsu shouted, making Lucy jump yet again, "Mines red! Hmm, or orange!"
She giggled
"Favourite animal?" he asked smiling.
"Hmmm… probably.."
*Basically they ended up playing 'the question game' for hours until both of them literally passed out next to each other*
*A few passed out hours later*
The closet was dark. It seemed darker than usual… and maybe a little smaller.
Her hands were buzzing and her wrists were stinging from the rope that had been rubbing off her skin for a few days now so it was digging deeper into her flesh. Her skin was papery and her ribs stuck out painfully through her old top.
She breathed slowly as her bruised body hung from her hands in the darkness.
However her breathing came to a complete stop when she heard his footsteps. They were loud and quick outside the room, she heard the door creak open.
He strode towards the front of the closet as Lucy began to squirm, the lock clicked.
"Put your head up. Stand up straight."
She didn't move, knowing either way what would happen.
Suddenly she felt his fingers curl around her thin neck and slam her body into the back of the closet, she yelped quietly.
"You look a little unwell Lucy, maybe you should eat something…"
He pulled out a piece of bread, making Lucy's eyes flutter open for a moment when she smelt the sweet floury scent.
He smirked, quickly placing the bread in his mouth.
"Anyway shall we get too it?" he said, cracking his knuckles.
She screamed. She screamed out for help, for anyone at all. Her stomach wretched as she lunged forwards.
She sat in the cell, tears running down her face as Natsu sat next to her clinging to her slim shoulders.
"L-Luce?!" he spluttered.
She began to cry quietly sobbing to herself.
"Luce…" he whispered, softer this time.
She curled up into a ball trying to protect herself from the ghost hands clawing at her.
Natsu pulled her onto his lap silently. For once she didn't protest at another being so close to her. For once she just wanted to cry and feel safe.
"It's gonna be ok, Luce." She heard him whisper.
He didn't know! He had no idea what had happened to her! Or why she was crying!
…But, he still held her, and told her it would be ok.
He rocked her slightly, placing his head on top of hers.
"It's ok." He said, "You're ok."
"Thank you… Natsu…" she choked barely audible.
He didn't answer her, but she felt him smiling, so she knew he heard.
And that's how they stayed. Just him holding her all night until eventually her sobs died down back into a silent sleep.