"Lucy." Mirajane said with a sad smile. Her delicate hand reached forward and landed on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me. But, it provided little comfort when it came to all the thoughts that were currently floating through my head. The hand that sat ever so gently upon my shoulder, gave a tiny squeeze as she gazed over at me with the bluest eyes I had ever seen. They were so full of emotion that it almost overwhelmed me and I realized that she was truly worried about me. I knew that I probably looked a mess, even if I wasn't crying. Mirajane was always good at reading me and I'm sure she knew just what I was thinking. "Why don't we take a walk?" She questioned.
I nodded, not sure what else to do before she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and pulled me along as she walked down the hall. "Tell me what happened, sweetie." She said softly. The white haired beauty knew what was the cause but she wanted to know exactly what happened while I was in the room. I could see it in her eyes, the questions that circled around in her head. Do Natsu and Lisanna have something special? Is that why Mirajane seemed to understand what I was going through? If that's true, then why didn't anyone warn me? Why didn't anyone tell me to be wary when around him? All the did was tease me, push me closer to him and in the end, it seems that I'm the one paying for it.
"I met Lisanna today, while I was in the room with Natsu. She's clearly a sweet girl, but...I don't know." A sigh passed through my lips as I tried to fight back the tears that threatened to surface. Why is it so hard to talk about this? It's only Mirajane and I know that I can trust her. She's the reason I'm even here. She's the reason behind the happiness that I now have. "Maybe it was the fact that he never told me about her or..." I paused for a moment, trying my best to piece this puzzle together. Though, in reality, I wasn't certain just why I was this upset. I knew it was because of them all leaving, him especially but I also knew that that wasn't the only thing bothering me. "All I am is a temporary person in his life. In all of your lives. It hurts to know that once this is all over, you will go back to your normal lives and I will be here, missing each one of you. Seeing her only made brought such things to the surface." I explained, trying my best to avoid speaking of what else might be the cause.
"Oh Lucy, it's not like that. We could never forget about you, that's just not possible. Your a member of our family no matter where you are and once the war ends, that doesn't mean that we will never see each other again. Trust me on this, I have a feeling that we will see even more of each other once this is all over with." Mirajane reassured me.
I gazed up at her, my brown eyes shining from the tears that have yet to be shed. How could she be so certain? So sure of herself? There was no true way of knowing just what will happen once this is all over with. Besides, how many people claim they will stay in touch but really don't? I don't something like that to happen. I don't want empty or broken promises. I just want to still be with them. "Y-you really think so?" Though I was upset and cautious, the idea still made me a bit happier. Mira wasn't one to lie or break promises, especially ones like this. I know Mirajane is an honest person and if she says this, then I can only believe her. I don't really have any other options anyway. I care so much about the people here. They are closer to me then any family I had had before, if you don't count my mother.
"Of course I do. Especially when Natsu is involved. He's the type to just come and kidnap you when he wants to see you." She said smiling and rubbing my back slightly. I let out a giggle as I pictured him doing just that. It was something that he would do, just barge in and do as he wishes whether the other wanted it or not. But that was one of the things I liked about him. He's so different than anyone else I'd ever met. Unique and truly one of a kind. He's my best friend and I'm going to miss him terribly. I guess my only choice is to be strong, for me and for them. When things get rough, I'll just picture Natsu's smiling face. That usually lifts my spirits.
"Thanks Mira," I said before wiping my eyes and smiling at her. "I really needed that." She nodded in response before excusing herself and walking away. I did feel a great deal better, but there was still something bothering me. I still wasn't sure exactly what it was but when I thought of that pink haired idiot, that tightening in my chest returned. But, I took a deep breath, slapping my cheeks slightly to pull myself from this. No, I wouldn't turn Natsu's memory into something depressing. He wouldn't like that very much, anyway.
I turned back around and headed towards Natsu's room knowing that I didn't finish checking up on him. He would probably question why I left but I'll have to come up with something to take the attention from me. I can't waste anymore time, I should spend every chance I can with him...Just in case. I had complete faith in him, I know that he's strong but the worry was still there that something might go wrong. No, I had to stop thinking of these things. I'd be right back where I was if this kept up. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on his door lightly once arriving, hoping that I wasn't interrupting his time with Lisanna.
I heard a quick grunt signaling that it was okay for me to enter so I pushed the door open slowly before glancing around in the room. Lisanna was gone and Natsu was laying in his bed. His eyes lit up upon seeing me before a frown replaced his usual grin. "Lucy, where did you go? Why did you leave earlier?" He pouted. I couldn't help but giggle, his pouting face was just simply too cute to resist. But of course, he asked exactly what I thought he would.
"I'm sorry Natsu, I had...something that I had forgotten to do that couldn't wait." I stated nervously. I avoided eye contact, hoping that he couldn't hear the lies that spewed from my mouth. Damn, I hate this. I don't like lying, I never have but even more so when it comes to this man. But, at least I was able to come up with something, I just hope that he bought it. His charcoal eyes gazed up at me causing a small amount of sweat to form on my brow. He was clearly suspicious but debating on whether to push things further or not. If I weren't so nervous at this very moment, I would have laughed at the sight of his face all scrunched up and deep in thought. It's not often that he gave something this much concentration. That is, unless you counted him teasing me. It seemed like that came naturally to him though, without any real need for thought.
"Well, at least you're back now." He said while his usual grin returned to his face. I released a sigh in relief as I approached him closer. It was hard to think that in just a few days he would be gone, it wasn't something that I liked to think about. I sent the dragon slayer a smile as I reached for the plastic clipboard that contained his medical papers. Everything seemed to be in order, which of course was a good thing. But that just meant that his release was definitely going to happen. Putting the chart away, I turned back to him, a question surfacing in my mind but I wasn't certain if I wanted to know the answer to it or not. Pink brows furrowed as he gazed at me, he could apparently see the question on my face. "What's up, Luce?"
"Can I ask you a question, Natsu?" My eyes shifted from him and I began to busy myself with straightening the room to avoid looking at him. The question really shouldn't be that hard to ask, but for some reason it was. I threw away the trash from his lunch and prepared the tray to be taken away when it was time as I waited for his reply. "You just did." His short reply caused me to send a glare his way as the immature pinkette began to laugh once more. But, I couldn't stop the small smile that grew upon my lips. His laugh, that's one thing I will definitely miss. When he finally settled down, he turned his eyes back to me and I quickly turned away once more. "Nah, I don't mind. Fire away."
The pinkette chuckled a bit at his little joke, he always loved anything to do with fire. Now all I needed to do was work up the courage to ask him. But what if he mistook the reasoning behind the question? What if he read to deeply into and and began to think that it was more than just a question? What if it offends him and he tells me to mind my own business? The more I thought about it, the more worried I became. Even if I knew that Natsu wasn't like that, it still didn't sedate my growing fears. "Is this question going to take all day?" Lifting my gaze to him, I noticed he had one brow raised and a quizzical look upon his face. Oh boy, he was already thinking too much into it! And me taking so long to ask isn't helping the situation.
"What's your relationship with Lisanna?" Finally, I managed to ask the question that had been swarming in my head since I had met the girl. I mean, even if she's not his girlfriend, that didn't mean there wasn't some sort of special bond between them. Maybe they love each other but just haven't admitted to it yet. Natsu looked taken aback for a moment but my sudden question as I watched him from the corner of my eye, but then he began to laugh once more.
"Why do you want to know? Jealous?" His laughing calmed down and was quickly replaced with a smirk. Jeez, now I know I'm in for a bit of teasing. I knew this was coming one way or another. But, not that I really mind anyway. And not that I'd ever tell him that either. "Of course I'm not jealous! I'm just curious is all." I tried my best to pull off a nonchalant kind of attitude but it clearly wasn't working when I noticed the smirk growing on his lips. How is this man capable of this? One moment he'd have the most childishly adorable grin on his face and the next it would be the sexiest smirk I've ever seen?
"Tsk, tsk. It's not nice to lie, Luce." His words came out more like a song, his eyes shining with mirth and amusement. Groaning, I ran a hand through my long locks before turning to him and glaring. "I'm not lying! Now just answer the question!" I cross my arms under my bust, my head turning to the side to avoid looking at him. I was able to see a bit of movement in the corner of my eyes and I turned back around to notice that Natsu was standing up. "Wh-what are you doing?" I questioned, watching him closely and a bit worried about the evil glint in his eyes. He approached, taking a few steps towards me until I began to back up. Not this scenario again! No, I won't let him corner me again!
"Luce, all you have to do is admit that your jealous and I'll answer the question." The look in his eyes told me that he didn't care which I did. That he would get satisfaction from me admitting to my jealousy, but at the same time, he had something planned if I didn't. Come on, I can do this! Think of something! My mind was racing, my thoughts running wild as I tried to think of a way out of this. Natsu was still advancing and I didn't have time to think about. There is only one thing I can do.
"Alright!" Natsu paused, only a foot away from me as his brow shot up in surprise. The smirk on his face grew was he leaned in, grasping my chin between his thumb and index finger. "Go on." Oh, he was enjoying this way too much. My lips pushed out to form a pout, my brow scrunching as I moved my gaze from him. I couldn't turn my head, but at least I didn't have to look at him. "I'm jealous." I muttered, so low it was almost a whisper.
"What was that?" Now this was just wrong! I know he heard me, his hearing is just too good for him to have not heard me. But he's playing with me. Trying to get me to say it again! Damn this pinkette really pisses me off. "Come on, Lucy. You have to speak up if you want me to hear you." His words came out teasingly and I clenched my jaw in aggravation. Did I say before that this man would be the death of me?
"I'm jealous." I spoke up with more volume this time, there was no way he could deny it this time. His smirk turned into a grin before once more changing into a small yet warm smile that really did not make my heart skip a beat. No way, that's just not possible. His hand moved from my chin to cup my face and a rush of heat instantly grew, my cheeks stained with a light pink. "There, that wasn't so hard, now was it?" Another pout formed on my lips as I huffed and continued to keep looking away from him, even though I could still see him in the corner of my eyes.
"But Luce, just know that you have nothing to be jealous of. I care about you, a lot. You hold a special place in my heart that no one can ever come close to." Shock was the first thing I felt. My brown eyes widened before meeting his gaze. His eyes held such warmth that I felt as if I was melting just staring into them. His hand cupped my cheek so softly yet my skin tingled at the touch. What was this man doing to me? And just what was he trying to tell me? Am I really that special to him?
Before I could even reply, he pulled away and turned around making his way back to the bed. I remained there, standing there stunned at what had just happened. What am I supposed to make of that? He said that I hold a special place in his heart, but did that mean as just friends, best friends or maybe even something more? "Hey, Luce." Natsu's soft voice called out to me, pulling me from my thoughts and turning my attention to him. I hummed in response, finding it amazing just how much I liked the sound of his voice right now. "I'm hungry."
"What? You just had lunch an hour ago!"