Chapter 5: The Hug

Hey, everyone! My computer is experiencing those DAMN issues with Windows 10 update that I will legitimately curse to hell. Now I'm using the most simple and logical method. I'm using my iPhone and my iPad to try to update the story because of the sliver of inspiration that I had gotten yesterday. I would never want to disappoint all of you just because of some stupid glitch, so...yeap, here I am typing away on my phone. Since the updating process will be undeniably tricky, there may be some flaws in the following chapters where I'm using my phone and tablet to update. My heart goes out to my #1 fan: Adelene900.

To Adelene900: Thanks for your never ending and heart touching support. All of my reviews have all been written by you and I appreciate the huge support. ^^

DISCLAIMER: IF I ACTUALLY OWNED FAIRY TAIL, I WOUDLN'T STOP DRAWING PHOTOS OF MY SHIPS, LIKE YASSSSS. All credits for FT characters goes to Hiro Mashima.


As I almost melted into the tranquility of Happy and Natsu sleeping, they started to stir, proving that they were about to wake up soon. I waited in bated breath, to see their reaction when they notice that I had awoken. Natsu and Happy both rubbed their eyes groggily, before opening their eye lids gracefully. Their eyes widened with elation when they saw that I was staring at them, they mouths expanding at the sight at as well.

They chimed in unison," LUCY! You're awake!" Happy sped to come hug me and his face landed in my bosom, while his tiny little paws wrapped around my waist. Natsu's eyes were gleaming with the tears that started to pool at the ends of his eyes. He seemed like he would have a random outburst of either felicity or sadness. I waited longingly for his reaction.

*Natsu's perspective*

Lucy. She was awake. My best friend, Lucy Heartifilia. The blonde who had been the only thing on my mind all day all night. I didn't know that my heart could beat that fast, and that my heart could well up with so much joy. I was at the verge of breaking down due to pure happiness. I could never contain it. After the year I left Lucy to go train, I felt this pang of guilt every single day. Lucy no longer had that spark in her eyes. I noticed immediately, and that tugging feeling in my heart increased due to the immense amount of pain that I caused the girl I never wanted to hurt. I would be reminded from her excruciated expression every time she would lecture me about leaving her or whenever she recalled about her period of depression. It seeemed to crush every bit of happiness from her soul. When I met Gildarts on my year of training, all I could think about was how Lucy would feel during the year I had left. Her absence. And me wanting to see her face all over again. That urged and served as motivation for me to train even harder, so that I would only be gone for a year. So that I would see Lucy again. Gildarts noticed me staring into the waterfall one day. I was thinking about none other than Lucy.

*Flashback*

She saved me from the waterfall during the fight with Oracion Seis. Just because I was motion-sick. She risked her life for my wellbeing. It was all at a waterfall. Her feelings and her friendship saved me from turning bad by the effects of Nirvana. How could someone be so important and significant to me? She was everything that I could concentrate on. How did she feel when I left her that note. Was she crying or was she happy? Would she be okay?

" Natsu," Gildarts called out." Whatcha thinking about?" I confided to him about my thoughts and how I could not understand why I felt extreme anguish whenever I thought about how I left Lucy. And about how much I missed her (and the guild). Gildarts widened his eyes to my sudden confession due to shock that the sense dragon slayer could feel that way towards the opposite gender. He wondered what the blonde did to make Natsu such a complete mess. But after looking at how much Natsu was blushing and gazing at the ground. His heart completely melted. He started,"Remember how I said fear shouldn't be shun away from? How it makes you stronger? How you are feeling now is another concept. Don't hide it, don't shun away from the prominent feeling inside your soul. It will strengthen your bond with Lucy, and above all, will make you a stronger and a happier person." Natsu nodded, still unaware about what Gildarts was trying to hint at. He grinned at the pink-haired mage and scruffed his hair up. "My My, Natsu, look at how much you've grown. You will understand your feelings after some time. Maybe soon or maybe later. But I hope you don't discover your true emotions when it's too late," Gildarts continued. However, there was one thought that stayed in Gildart's mind: I thought it would have been Lisanna but I guess Lucy must be pretty amazing to make Natsu like this.

*End of flashback*

I couldn't contain my feelings. My instincts tempted me to go forward and being the blonde.

And that's what I did.

She was stiff and tense at first at my sudden proximity, probably due to the fact that she was surprised and was not expecting such a tight embrace. However, after a while, she started to relax under my touch and she sunk into the embrace. It was as though he was right at home, with her head leaning on his chest and his chin laying on her head. It seemed so right. As though her body was especially made for him. "Don't leave me like that ever again, weirdo." She chuckled slightly, and nodded her head slowly but surely. I could feel her face rising in temperature and transcending into a red tint. I smirked at once, glad to be seeing her blush once again.

*Lucy's perspective*

I expected him to just say that he was thankful that I was safe. Or just ruffle my hair and tell me that he was worried about me. But did I expect this? No way.

He lunged forward and brought me into him strong hold. I was taken aback. Yes, we have had our hugging moments before, but I would have never expected him to show such affection. Due to my current state of shock, my body tensed up at the sudden contact, but after a while, it relaxed under his strong hold. It felt right. To be here in his arms. As though his body was meant for me to be hugged by. I never expected anything from this dense Dragon Slayer at first glance. He seemed like a glutton, judging by the way that he ate when I offered to buy him and Happy food as thanks for breaking the love charm's spell cast by Bora. Never had I expected Natsu to bring me to such a wonderful guild, meet such amazing people. All of them were so strong in their own way and they never gave up on their friends. My life would have been a wreck if it hadn't been for Natsu. I would have had to be the heir of the Heartifila Konzen. I would be stuck following the strict expectations and rules of rich life. I didn't need fortune bestowed upon me. All I needed was to be loved. Loved by a family. Loved by friends. Loved by people who cared about me. Natsu made me the girl I was. He showed me the true wonders of life. He led me on the path to pursue my own happiness. My train of thoughts was broken by his voice. "Don't leave like that ever again, weirdo." I blushed at his sudden outburst. Feeling heat rise to my rosy cheeks. I leaned in even further into his chest, as I nodded my head.

He was truly the one who could make me eternally content.

Little did the two of us realize (because we were so caught up in our moment) that the guild members had walked into the infirmary and that Happy was right beside us. And the worst part was, Mirajane had taken a photo using a mini vision lacrima. (A/N:Their version of a camera, because if you referred to chapter 429, then there was a mini communication lacrima that worked like a phone of the modern world, hehe.) Everyone threw knowing looks back and forth, and chimed,"Congrats to the new couple of Fairy Tail! And Lucy finally waking up!" Natsu and I were immediately flustered and let go of each other, and denied in synchronization," WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!"

As expected of Fairy Tail, they threw a party to welcome my awakening. And after a long exhausting day, I trudged back into my apartment and wrote a letter to my deceased mum.

"Dear Mom, it's Lucy. Today was undeniably the best day ever. Even though I did collapse due to emotional stress. However, when I woke up, Natsu embraced me immediately. He was so warm and it felt so right. Is this what you wanted to tell me when I was younger? Was this what you meant by "finding your soulmate"? Also, what do I do? I am so baffled by everything. Why did Zeref had to to choose me whether to break the news to Natsu or to let him destroy Zeref and cost his own life in the process? Please help.

Love,

Your Daughter,

Lucy.

P.S. How are you and father doing in Heaven?"

With that, her heavy eyelids overwhelmed her, as she leaned her head onto her folded arms with fatigue, and lulled herself to sleep.

The only thing that taunted me was the lingering feeling of remorse. I felt that I should tell Natsu to prevent him from killing himself. And also because Natsu deserved to know the truth. That very thought even haunted her in her dreams. That night, she dreamt of something utterly dreadful.

"Natsu...I have to tell you something," I hesitantly called him over to a secluded spot. He marched nonchalantly to where I was, with a carefree aura surrounding him. Little did he know that every step he took, my heart shook uncontrollably. It scrunched up in pure agony as Natsu approached. The wait was agitating. Once he finally arrived in front of me, and we were face to face, he started first, disallowing me to break my news to him faster," Lucy, whatever you are going to tell me, I know it won't hurt me because I trust you completely."

So much for breaking it to him quickly.

At that moment, I had not realised that tears had started streaming out of my eyes. All I could do was muster up enough courage that could last me a sentence. "N-Natsu...you...you are act-actually...E.N.D...and Zeref...is...your...your...b-brother."

Without asking me for an explanation, he turned his back on me and walked away. His last words of parting was," I should have never benign you to Fairy Tail. Meeting you was a complete and utter mistake."

It seemed somewhat weird. Even though I wanted to cry my eyes out. Even though I wanted to bawl until my vocal chords wanted to rip out. I just stared at his disappearing silhouette with a blank look on my face. My finger nails dug into my hands and I could feel blood dripping from my palm. My feet were immobile, as though they lost their ability to move. I could not even chase after the perishing figure. My heart had been shattered into fragments. How would I even live with myself after this?

That's when I woke up from that petrifying and harrowing nightmare. Cold sweat stuck to every inch of my body. My breathing was as heavy as lead. Would that really happen? Thank god it was all a dream. A fleeting dream. That etched itself into my mind. Even the memory of it sent jitters and remorse down my spine. Even if I had not told him, time would tell. He would find out. He would know. He would feel as if I did not respect him enough to tell him the truth. And that very truth purely was about him. I was struck with a dilemma. I really didn't know what to do.

Knowing that I would not be able to go back to sleep, I got up from the chair I was sitting on while writing yesterday to have an early start to my day. Even then, there was this odd and vaguely familiar feeling that someone was trespassing into my home. I looked around the room, and there they were.

Natsu and Happy had stuck into my room yet again! They were sprawled out on my bed, but the weird thing was...where did my blanket go? I looked at the table where I fell asleep on. My eyes widened and my insides were brimming with sentiment. My blanket lay there, having fallen on the floor, probably due to me moving around in my sleep. Both of them cared for me immensely. But what I hid from them brought indescribable amount of torture to me. How long could I keep up this facade? How long would I be able to stay this way without breaking my strong front in front of my friends? How would I manage to slow down my succumbing to insanity?

Letting out a long and frustrated sigh, I bent down and picked up the blanket, making my way to my very own bed and put the blanket over them so that they would feel more comfortable. I did not bother them while they snored away. Instead, I brushed my teeth and got ready for the day. Even though a million thoughts were swirling around in a huge typhoon in my head, I made chicken and waffles for two person's share, also leaving a fish for Happy. When I looked up at the time, it was already 10a.m. How did the two of them sleep for so long. I made a swift decision to wake the both of them up.

"Natsu! Happy! Wake up! I made breakfast for you two!" I shook the both of them until their eye lids fluttered upon. Natsu asked," What's that nice smell?" Happy followed," Is that fish?" Chuckling," I made chicken and waffles for you, Natsu. And yes, Happy, I put raw fish on your plate as well." Both of them exclaimed," Lucy, you're the best! All hail Lucy Heartfilia!" And after that statement, they lunged towards the ground and bowed down towards me. I rolled my eyes to their endless stupidity and cuteness. "I get it, I get it! Natsu, go brush your teeth and Happy, go gurgle your mouth! Both of you stink!" (It sounded weird but I always kept an extra toothbrush just in case Natsu decided to break into my house and crash at my place.)

After all three of us filled our famished selves, we went to the guild in merry spirits. Well, all was merry until we saw what happened there and then...


Yayyyyyyy! I managed to actually finish the fifth chapter on my iPad! Hehehe~ No glitch or malfunction can even faze me! My fanfiction can still be saved! I told you that I will never give up on this fanfiction no matter what, didn't I! So, until it is officially completed, I won't start with other projects, and neither will I stop updating! ^3^ love you all to Jupiter and back! (Because the moon is too near)

Drop me a review and if you liked the story (and my commitment), follow and favourite! I absolutely appreciate the support! 3 I also sent a request for my story to be added into two NaLu fanfiction forums, so...look forward to that! And my NaLu fanfiction may start appearing on WattPad soon too! ;))

Over and out!