For the love of Nalu

Chapter 7

Theme: Misunderstandings

Lucy sat in her quiet apartment. It has been a long time since she was able to enjoy such silence. For some reason, today she just couldn't relax. She had sent Natsu home earlier in an attempt to get at least one chapter written in her book. Unfortunately, here she is now, sitting at her desk with a pen and paper sitting in front of her but nothing written. She stared at the blank page where normally the words would just come to her so easily but today was the opposite. She spent three hours just stalling, finding anything she could to avoid writing and now that she had nothing to do, she couldn't write.

She was frustrated as she leaned back in the chair, hearing it creak in response. Sighing, she stared at the ceiling. She couldn't keep herself from thinking about Natsu. She has tried everything she could think of to show her feelings for the dragon slayer but he just doesn't notice. Everything short of just coming right out and saying it. She pinched the bridge of her nose as she wondered how she ever fell in love with such a dense idiot.

She knew deep down that he was smarter than she gave him credit for, it just seems that this particular subject was his downfall. Closing her eyes, she pictured Natsu with his joyous smile, bright eyes, and his warm touch. She longed for him to hold her in a way that wasn't meant for a friend. He was so brave and strong, funny and loyal. He was everything a girl could dream of, he just doesn't realize it. He never notices the looks that are sent his way and he really doesn't know the difference between a friendly chat or when a girl is flirting with him.

But hey, they are still young. 18 to be exact and they have time to figure out their feelings. Maybe Natsu still needs time to mature before he starts to notice women. Natsu looked like he was fully mature but his attitude says differently. Lucy loved that about him though, without that carefree attitude, or the confidence, he wouldn't be who he is. She just wants him to open his eyes and notice her. Lucy was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the figure approaching her.

"Lucy,"

"Kyaa!" Lucy screamed as she practically jumped out of her skin at the sound of the voice.

"Jeez Lucy, calm down. It's just me," Erza said as she took a seat on Lucy's bed. Lucy slammed her hand against her chest in an attempt to slow the heart that was trying to beat its way out.

"Damn Erza, don't sneak up on me like that!" Lucy exclaimed. She threw herself back down in the desk chair and sighed.

"What's up with you, you haven't been to the guild all day.,"

"Just trying to get some writing done," Lucy explained, but the blank paper in front of the blond did not go unnoticed by the red head.

"Hmmm, how well is that working for you?" She questioned.

"Not too well," Lucy admitted.

"Is there something bothering you?" Erza asked. Lucy debated telling Erza for a moment but decided to throw caution to the wind and tell someone how she feels. If there is anyone she can trust not to say anything, it would be Erza.

"Yeah, it's Natsu," Lucy paused trying to think of a way to word what she has to say.

"What has he done? I will punish him severely the moment I see him,"

"N-no, it's nothing like that," Lucy said hoping to calm the mage down. At the same moment that Erza was calmed down Natsu was just outside the window, about to jump in. He then heard Erza's voice and froze. What scared him even more was her talking about punishing someone. He heard Lucy as she calmed down the fierce mage so Natsu decided to listen to what was going on. He would wait until she left before going inside.

"So then what is the problem Lucy?" Erza asked in a stern, no nonsense voice.

"Well, you see...Um...I kinda,"

"Spit it out," Erza demanded, losing her patients. Natsu and Lucy both flinched at her sudden demand.

"I think I have fallen in love with him," Lucy almost whispered but it was enough for the dragon slayer and the re-quip mage to hear. At these words, it felt like the world was crashing down on Natsu. She's in love? With who?

"You're just now realizing this?" Erza asked sarcastically as she laid back on the bed.

"Well no but...wait what?" Lucy took a second to realize what Erza had said and was surprised by her response.

"It seems that everyone knows but the two of you. You apparently are just as dense as him. It's obvious you like each other, just come out and say it already."

"You really think he likes me?" Erza just glared in response, frightening the blond slightly.

"Okay, I'll tell him sheesh. I'll confess first thing tomorrow." Natsu didn't need to hear anymore, he turned and left as his head spun and his chest ached. He was confused and pissed at the same time. All he had to do was be at the guild early to see who the first person Lucy talked to was and then he would know. She did say that she would do it first thing so it should be the first person she approaches.

The next day

Natsu waited for Lucy to show and it was clear that he was getting impatient. His leg was shaking violently.

"What the hell is wrong with you flamer?" Gray questioned as he sat down next to his teammate.

"Mind you own business, stripper."

Lucy was standing outside the guild doors, nervous as hell. What if he rejects her? No Lucy, don't think that way. He is your best friend and even if he doesn't feel the same he would never just leave you behind. She took a deep breath as she pushed open the guild doors. She gathered all the courage she could muster as she spotted him sitting at the bar with Gray.

The sweet scent, that could only be Lucy, hit his nose at full force as he turned around quickly to spot her in front of the doors. She started walking and it looked like she was heading straight for Natsu. His heart rate increased as he questioned if she was truly going to confess to him.

She spotted Natsu as he turned and he flashed her his famous grin, the kind that only he can do. At the sight of him, all her determination seemed to have vanished. She gave him a weak smile in return as she tried to reclaim it. She was a foot away from Natsu now and she couldn't say anything. She opened her mouth to call his name but instead the name of the man beside him came out.

"Gray," said man turned in the stool as he spotted Lucy he smiled at her. Natsu's smile instantly faded as he became furious.

"Hey Lucy, what's up?"

"Can I talk to you for a second?" She asked figuring since she already called his name that she might as well get his opinion on this matter. Natsu's was fuming. Does she really love that pervert? It can't be! Gray stood up as Natsu glared at him.

"Sure, what did you need?" Gray asked. Lucy signaled for him to follow as she turned around and walked towards the exit. Gray followed as Natsu continued to glare. If looks could kill then Gray would definitely be dead right about now. Once they walked out Natsu slammed his fist onto the bar, causing it to crack under the pressure.

Mirajane spotted the dragon slayer as he muttered cuss words under his breath. She walked over to check to see if he was okay but Natsu just ignored her. His thoughts were all over the place. Why him? Am I not good enough for her? What does that stripping idiot have that I don't? Natsu kept asking himself. He told himself that he was a much better choice but it didn't help.

He stood up and started pacing the guild, stopping every minute to glare at the guild doors. Everyone was staring at him, most too scared to approach, while others found it amusing. It had been half an hour now and he was really getting annoyed. What was taking them so long? He was getting more upset as time passed by.

Finally the guild doors opened and revealed the ice mage along with the blond. They were laughing as a light blush was visible on her cheeks. Natsu's heart fluttered when he saw her and he couldn't help but think of how cute she looked like that. He watched as she leaned over towards Gray and pulled him in for a hug. And that was all it took. He had officially snapped. He launched himself at the ice mage, landing a surprise attack on the mans jaw.

"You bastard!" Natsu shouted as he glared down at the mage on the floor.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Gray yelled back.

"Don't touch her!" Natsu threw himself at the downed Gray once more as a fight broke out between them. Lucy was stunned. What had just happened? Natsu attacked his friend and teammate for no reason. And what was he talking about when he said don't touch her?

"Natsu!" Lucy shouted, wanting to break up the fight. He didn't seem to hear her as the punches were thrown at one another. Both men were now bleeding as Lucy felt herself starting to panic. She had to stop this. She watched as Natsu reared back his fist with it ablaze, and she knew that he was planning to finish it with one last hit. This was no ordinary fight between these two. No Natsu was fully intent on harming Gray.

Lucy glanced around wondering why no one was stopping them. It seemed she was the only one to realize that this was a real fight. Not just one between friends. It was up to her to stop it, she had to do something.

"Natsu, stop!" She shouted as she jumped in between the two. Natsu managed to stop his fist just before it made contact with Lucy. His flame was no longer lit as his fist was an inch from her face. Lucy sighed out in relief.

"Lucy," she was able to feel the heat from his fist on the tip of her nose as his hand lingered there. He lowered his fist, feeling defeated. "Is this who you really want to be with? Do you really love this pervert?"

Never in Natsu's life has he ever admitted defeat so easily as today. And it wasn't just a physical defeat.

"What are you talking about?" Lucy asked still standing between him and Gray. Gray was now standing up, holding his nose in his hand in an attempt to stop the bleeding. She took a step closer, confused about what he was saying.

"You don't have to hide it, I already know. I heard you,"

"Heard what?" Now Lucy was really confused. What was he talking about? Heard what?

"You and Erza, I heard you telling her that you were going to confess first thing today. I just can't believe it's this popsicle who you care about." Natsu sighed.

"Natsu,"

"No it's fine. If this is what you want then I wont interfere."

"Please Natsu let me explain," Lucy took another step towards him but he moved back.

"No just listen for a minute," He took a deep breath. It was now or never. He would rather him tell her, then her to never know. "Lucy, I know it may be too late but I want you to know how I feel. You're always on my mind, I can't stand being away from you. I don't fully understand these weird feelings I get in my stomach and chest when I am near you but I do know one thing. I do know that I love you. And I'm not going to give up so easily."

Lucy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Natsu loved her back! He really did, and he confessed first. Even though he misunderstood but still, he confessed!

"Natsu," she smiled at him before continuing. "You must not have heard our entire conversation. Me and Erza were talking about you."

"But, why did you talk to Gray first then?" Natsu was shocked. They were talking about him, then that would mean that...

"I lost my nerve when I saw you. I became really nervous so I decided to talk to Gray first about what he thought. Turns out he was right about you. He said that you clearly had feelings for me and that he gives us his full support."

"H-he did?" Natsu now turned to the ice mage who rolled his eyes and looked over at the wall. "Thanks Gray, and um...sorry about that." Gray just nodded and walked off no longer interested in being in the conversation.

"So what does this mean?" Natsu asked nervously. He wondered if he was dreaming. Lucy took another step towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"This means that I love you too," she then planted a light kiss on his lips. The instant their lips met, it felt like Laxus had used his lightning to shock them. Each muscle and limb in their body was tingling. Lucy felt like her insides were on fire. What this man did to her, she would never understand. Natsu wrapped his arms around her waist, loving the feeling of her being there and he really liked the way her lips fit on his. Like they were made for each other. They parted, not really wanting to. She leaned her head into his chest and sighed.

"I love you Lucy,"

"I love you too Natsu,"

A/N: Another one-shot. What did you think? I would really love to hear about it. Any improvements or ideas? Word count is 2,412 before authors note. Next theme is 'One step at a time'. Reviews are very much appreciated. They are what motivate me to keep going! Thanks so much, Angel.