For the love of Nalu

Chapter 8 Part 1

Theme: One step at a time

Natsu

Natsu lay in his bed with dark circles forming under his eyes. He hadn't slept a wink in days and all because a certain blond wouldn't leave his thoughts. He tossed and turned all night, trying his best to rid her from his mind. He could hear the light snores coming from the hammock above where Happy was currently asleep. He envied the exceed. Happy is able to fall asleep no matter the circumstance. Natsu used to be the same way until recently.

All those confusing and frustrating emotions he has been feeling are finally making sense to him. Not that he is no longer confused because in reality, he felt even more so then before. At the time, he was uncertain of what these feelings were. Now he doesn't know how to proceed with this knowledge. Should he confess? But what if she rejects him? Would that ruin the friendship they currently have?

But even if she accepted him, then what? But once he asks her, do they continue as they were before? What changes will there be? Does he kiss her or would that be moving too fast? He had no idea how one would know such things but all this thinking was giving him a headache. Once he realized how he felt, he started to watch her.

He could see how she flirts with men and how they look at her and it's painful to watch. But she never does any of that with him. Is that because she doesn't like him? Or maybe she is just as scared as he is. He needed to talk with somone about this but who? He sighed as he turned to gaze out his window at the stars. They lit up the night sky making it look almost like a dark shade of blue. Stars always reminded him of her. He never cared much for them until she came around.

When ever she was happy, her eyes would sparkle just like the stars. Natsu moaned as he fisted his soft pink spikes in frustration. There he goes again, thinking about her.

"Natsu?" a sleepy voice said from directly above him.

"Yeah, Happy?" he watched as the exceed peaked his head off the side of the hammock and looked down at Natsu.

"What's wronge?" He whispered, still groggy from just waking up. Happy climbed down and laid himself on Natsu's stomach as he curled into a ball and Natsu gently stroked his fur.

"Happy...I think I'm in love with Lucy," Happy wasn't in the least bit surprised to hear this. In fact, he was kind of expecting it.

"What are you going to do about it?" Natsu was surprised at how well Happy was taking this. He was certain that once he admitted it, that the exceed would tease him mercillesly.

"I don't kow Happy," Natsu sighed as he thought over the predicament that he was in.

"Well, why not tell her?"

"But what if she rejects me?" Natsu worried more about that than anything.

"You can't let the what ifs control your life Natsu. Don't let them hold you back." Happy was surprisingly insightful to Natsu's relief. He didn't think that Happy would be able to help him in this sort of situation.

"What do I do, how do I tell her?"

"Where is the Natsu that I know? The one that acts first and thinks later. Do what you always do and just go for it. Or you could just do what I do and give her a fish. If she accepts it than she likes you," Happy explained.

So that's why Carla never accepts his fish. Because if she did it would mean that she also accepts his feelings and returns them.

"I don't think Lucy would want a fish Happy," Natsu stated. He could feel the small vibrations of purrs coming from the little blue cat as he rubbed under his chin. Natsu turned his gaze back out the window to see that sunrise was now forming on the horizon.

"You know what Happy?" Natsu asked as Happy hummed a response. "Lucy, she is just like that stars. So beautiful yet so out of reach."

Chapter 8 Part 2

Lucy

Lucy sat at the bar with her forehead pressed against the cold wood of the counter. She has never felt so confused in her life. She muttered curses under her breath as she thought over her options. She just wanted to say to hell with it and tell her best friend exactly how she felt. But there were so many ways that it could go wrong. Too many. And she wondered if it would just be better to keep her feelings to herself.

She wished on many occasions that Natsu would give her some sort of hint. Anything to let her know how he feels. All this uncertainty is driving her insane. But then again, after being best friends for three years and never once seeing any sign then maybe that was her answer. Maybe he really did only think of her as a friend.

If he did have feelings for her then he would have said or done something about it by now right? It was frustrating trying to piece together this crazy make shift puzzle that happened to be her relationship. Sighing, she took a sip of the cold drink that sat in front of her. She ran her finger over the glass making shapes in the condensation as she lost herself in her own thoughts.

"Hey Lucy," came a voice from behind her. She didn't have to look to know that it was the blue haired script mage named Levy. The one who was currently making more progress than her in her love life.

"Hey Levy," Lucy greeted back as the girl took a seat next to her. The blunette ordered her usual drink as she propped open a large leather book on the bar. Lucy could smell the parchment and ink coming off of it and smiled slightly. That smell was always comforting to her.

"What's wrong Lucy?" Levy asked when she glanced over at the girl. She was concerned for her blond friend and knew that she was having problems with her feeling for Natsu. She didn't understand why Lucy just didn't come out and say how she felt.

"Oh it's nothing, thanks for worrying though," Lucy responded. She didn't want to worry her friend over her own confusion. Maybe when she figured things out a little more, maybe then she will talk to someone.

"It has to be something. You have been really distant lately," Levy's words caught the attention of the barmaid who stood a few feet away. She quickly strode over and joined in on the conversation.

"You know she has a point Lucy. You haven't been acting like yourself," Mirajane chimed in. Lucy scanned the guild to make sure that the subject of her inner turmoil wasn't present. After confirming she turned to face her friends with a sigh. Levy still looked concerned while Mirajane seemed to have a look of amusement plastered on her face.

"I think I am in love with Natsu," she waited for the shrieks and teasing to start as she took in a deep breath.

"It's about time," someone had said from behind Lucy. She was startled by the sudden voice and felt a chill run down her back as she turned to face the red head.

"E-Erza, so you heard me?" she was nervous as to what her teammate would have to say about her feelings but saw no sign of disapproval. If anything she looked pleased.

"Yes, but lets not worry about that. What we need to know is what your next step is going to be," Erza stated.

"S-step?"

"Yes, oviously you are going to confess right?" Erza added some un-needed emphasis on the last word which frightened the blond just slightly.

"Um, yeah," Lucy wasn't planning on it but if Erza knew about it then she really had no choice.

"So how are you going to do it Lu-chan?" Levy asked the blond. Erza took a seat on the other side of Lucy so that they could all speak without having to keep turning in different directions.

"I don't know yet," she answered honestly.

"You should go somewhere private and really romantic and confess your feelings while watching the sunset or something amazing like that." Of course only Mirajane could come up with such a way for a girl to confess.

"Mirajane, it's the guy who is supposed to confess in such a way. We need to think of something different," Levy interveened. Lucy was happy the she had said something because she didn't think that plan would work to well.

"I think you should just pull him to the side when you see him. Maybe invite him for a walk or talk to him at you apartment. Come straight out with it," Levy added. Lucy did like the idea better. It seemed simple and more like Natsu.

"I agree, so now we have a plan. We just have to wait for him to come in," Erza stated.

"W-wait, you want me to do it today?" Lucy shouldn't have been surprised but she was. She wasn't prepared to do it so soon. She thought that they would atleast give her a week, if not then at least till tomorrow.

"The sooner the better," Erza responded. Lucy lowered her head in defeat knowing that there was nothing she could say to change the red heads mind.

"Alright, fine. I'll tell him today," Lucy sighed.

"How long have you known of your feelings for him?" MIrajane asked.

"I started to notice them about a year ago but didn't put it together until just recently. Maybe two months ago."

"Why did you wait so long before doing anything?" Levy wondered.

"I was afraid, worried that he didn't feel the same way I did. Scared that our friendship would never be the same if things didn't work out. He's like a flame, beautiful from afar but get close and you'll get burned."

The girls thought over what Lucy had said. She was afraid of getting hurt as well.

"I don't think Natsu would ever intentionally hurt you," Mirajane informed. Lucy completely agreed with her. She knew Natsu wouldn't do it on purpose but he wouldn't know the first thing about being in a relationship. And besides if he didn't have feelings for her like she did, that would be painful enough. It's not like she would blame him for it but it would still hurt.

"I know Mirajane, but it's still a scary thought,"

"That's how all relationships are, you have to take a chance. They are all a risk that you have to be willing to take. Is he worth it to you?" Levy asked. Lucy quickly nodded knowing her answer without even having to think about it.

"Of course he is," she replied as her eyes starred into the empty glass in her hand.

"Well here is your chance then. He just walked in," Mirajane added, pointing towards the doors. She was right. Standing there was Natsu in his usual attire. His eyes scanned over the guild until they landed on her. She felt her face heat slightly as she watched him head in her direction with a determined look set on his face.

"Lucy can we talk?" He asked once he approached her. All playfullness was official gone from his voice and eyes as a sense of seriousness seemed to surround him.

"Um, yeah sure," Lucy was nervous. She had to fight herself to prevent her legs from shaking. What was with this sudden change in him? Did she do something to upset him? She followed him as they walked out of the guild and into the cold of the night. The stars were a glorious shade of gold against the deep and dark blue of the night sky.

The moon was almost full that night and she felt like it was smilling down at her. She followed Natsu's form as he slowed to a nice pace. She wasn't sure what he wanted but he seemed to be lost in thought as his face showed different expressions with his thoughts. She found it quite amusing and completely cute at the same time.

"So, Natsu. I was glad that you came to talk because I actually had something that I wanted to talk to you about as well."

"Oh really? Well you can go first then," Natsu was clearly stalling. When he saw her smile at him, her eyes full of life and warmth, he felt his determination waiver. Why was it so hard to say those three simple words?

It's because they aren't simple. The words themselves were, but once put together they had a whole other meaning. And not a simple one either. Those three words can change lives. They can either make him the happiest man alive or leave him heartbroken and shattered.

"No it's fine, I can wait," she said. She was also nervous. The fear of rejection weighed heavily upon her. She noticed that Natsu was acting weird as well. He seemed nervous, maybe even scared. What could have him so afraid?

"Okay, well..." he paused as he tried to find the words. The right way to tell her just how he felt. What she meant to him. He never felt so scared in his life. And if she rejected him, it would feel worse then when Igneel had left. The fear of being abandoned once more was a scary thought for him. Something he never wanted to feel again.

"Lucy, it's hard to say exactly what I need to say," he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes in an attempt to summon the courage that he normally has.

"The thing is...I find myself thinking of you constantly. And when I do my heart aches to be near you. My arms yearn to hold you, my body craves your touch. Your scent drives me crazy, your warmth is something that I can't get enough of. You have this inner light and strength that instantly brightens any room you walk into and I feel that I can't live without you."

"What I am saying is that I love you, Lucy. More that I ever thought possible. I have never felt such a way before and it was confusing at first but once I realized what these feelings meant, there was no turning back. I love you so much, no matter how you feel about me."

"Natsu," tears started to form in her eyes as she listened to him. He loved her back. He actually felt the same way she did. She couldn't describe how happy she felt.

"I never expected this from you. When you asked to talk to me, I had no clue what you were going to say. But what's funny is that I wanted to talk to you about the same thing. Your really something Natsu. Even though you have no experience in things like this, you really know how to sweep a girl off her feet. That was the most romantic thing I have ever heard."

"I can't stop thinking about you either. I share all those same emotions that you do. I feel safe when I am near you. Your loyalty to the ones you love is something that is rare to find. Your a warm hearted, brave, loyal, kind, strong, and just overall an amazing guy. You cherish things and the people that you care about and put them above all else. Your sweet in your own way, and even your headstrong attitude is a great quality about you. You have this boyish charm that I can't ignore."

"I love you as well Natsu. When we meet, I never imagined that our friendship could turn into something like this. You won me over the moment our eyes met in Hargeon. You took my breath away with each feirce battle that you have fought. Your determination is something in itself. You fight for those you love and what you believe in and stand up to those who threaten that. A life without you, wouldn't be a life at all."

Natsu's eyes were wide as he listened to her. He was honestly prepared for the worst. Now all his doubt seemed silly to him. She loved him back and that was all that mattered. No matter what happens from here on out, as long as they have each other than they will be just fine.

"You know I'm not very experienced when it comes to this kind of thing, so just tell if I do something wrong or anything like that. I could use all the advise I can get," Natsu smirk.

"I have no more experience in this than you do, unless you count reading romance novels. So we will just have to learn together. Take one step at a time. "

Natsu smiled down at the blond as he approached her. He knew that this was what he wanted. This was what he had been dreaming of and now that he has her, he was never going to let her go.

The end

A/N: Wow, thanks for all your reviews and everything! You guys are just awesome! Anyway, did anyone watch the Superbowl? It was pure awesomeness! GOOOOOO Ravens! I can't believe they won! I am so happy right now! I was born and raised in Baltimore so it feels great knowing my team won! And Jones (#12) with that kick return was just WICKED! Today just couldn't get any better! Who was routing for the Ravens? Back to business, total word count without authors note was 2,901. Next chapter will be called Insecure. Reviews are very much appreciated and are great motivation! Thanks so much! Love always, Angel!