For the love of Nalu

Chapter 19

Theme: Face Down

Hey girl, you know you drive me crazy. One look puts the rhythm in my hand.

He stood there and watched as the love of his life prettied herself up for another man. He hated how she wore all that extra make-up for him and those clothes that didn't suit her. In his opinion, this man didn't deserve her.

"So, what do you think Natsu?" Natsu blinked before glancing at the blond beauty before him. Her brown eyes sparkled with the excitement she was feeling. He wondered how she never realized that all that make-up does is cover up her true beauty. He smiled, the best fake smile he could manage and stood up from his spot on the couch.

"Good, as usual." Her smile returned to her beautiful face and she engulfed him in a bear hug. They were the best of friends, but that was all. She never realized how he felt for her, not once. He regretted not saying something to her sooner. But there wasn't much he could do now but watch her as she went out with that bastard and no matter what he said she wouldn't listen.

He knew what was happening between them no matter how much she tried to hide it. And it hurt to watch her.

Still, I'll never understand why you hang around. I see what's going down.

He was the one she ran to with her problems. She cried in his arms, seeking his warmth and comfort all the while never realizing what he felt for her. She would cry and blame herself for everything, saying that she was at fault. She shouldn't have glanced at that guy or should have choose something different to make for dinner. It was always her fault. And he hated it.

The first he heard of this, he stormed out of her apartment. He was ready to beat the prick to a pulp but she had begged and pleaded for him to stop. He didn't want to but the tears in her eyes is what hindered him. He was never good at dealing with crying girls, especially when it was her.

Cover up with make-up in the mirror. Tell yourself it's never going to happen again.

Another normal day that he decided to visit his best friend. He entered her apartment through his usual means, the window. He looked to the side to see her covering her beautiful face with double the make-up. She jumped at the sight of him and shot around. His eyes widened when he saw her deep brown eyes red from crying and the dark purple of the bruise that covered her left eye. She was trying to hide it.

He couldn't hold back his anger as the flames began to burn. She shrieked when her curtains caught fire and tried to sooth him. He was supposed to be comforting her, not the other way around. He glanced at her angelic-like face. Her chocolate eyes so full of pain and sorrow. He never wanted to see her like that. He wanted to kill that bastard for ever laying his hands on her.

"Lucy." He couldn't find the words that he wanted to say and she just looked away. She couldn't look him in the eyes right now for she knew how he felt. He cupped her cheek in his hand as his thumb brushed over her swollen eye. She cringed lightly making him pull his hand away.

"Don't worry Natsu, it was just an accident. It's never going to happen again." She smiled. And it was the worst fake smile he has ever seen. She wasn't trying to convince just him, it was for herself as well.

You cry alone and then he swears he loves you.

He had saw her just earlier, smiling her usual cheery smile. She announced to the entire guild how he spoke of how much he loved her. Natsu had scoffed knowing that it was nothing but lies. Now here he stood, outside her window listening to her sobs and smelling the salty sweetness of her tears.

What happened this time? She was so happy not long ago. His anger once more began to boil as he slammed his fist against the cobblestone road. He couldn't see her right now. Not in this state. Especially if that happened again. He didn't think he would be able to control himself. His anger has been building lately, growing and festering to the point where he would soon lose control.

A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect. Every action in the world will bear a consequence. If you wade around forever, you will surely drown. I see what's going down.

He saw the new marks on her. This man was asking for it. He felt the wave of nausea and disgust hit him as she laughed it off. Claiming it was all her fault, that she was practically asking for it. She said that she greeted her waiter 'a little too friendly'. She has been avoiding the guild, avoiding all her friends. They worry, but they didn't know the story like him.

She made him swear not to tell anyone and he couldn't say no. She had him wrapped around her finger and didn't even know it. Why did she have to choose him. This douchebag over him? Natsu couldn't stand much more of this. He was getting close to the breaking point.

I see the way you go and say you're right again, say you're right again. Heed my lecture.

"Lucy, you can't keep doing this! When is this going to stop?" Natsu asked of his best friend. Another day she had come back with new marks upon her face.

"Natsu, please. You don't understand!"

"Oh I understand perfectly. He won't stop, it will just keep getting worse. I don't want to see you hurt, you have so many people that are better for you than him." Her eyes flashed with a mixture of pain and anger. Natsu felt his heart clench at the sight. He couldn't stand seeing her like this. Why won't she open her eyes and realize just what is going on?

"Like who Natsu? Who?!"

"Like me!" Silence fell over the room at his surprise confession. He wasn't able to stop the words before they came out. Her surprise was evident upon her rosy cheeked face but Natsu's lips still formed the scowl. He was disgusted with this man and with himself. How could he just allow this to keep happening? All because he was afraid of hurting Lucy? He was hurting her by not doing anything! Natsu turned and stalked out of her apartment. No more words were said between the two but he knew of the date they had planned for that night. He wasn't going to let this go.

That bastard would get what is coming to him if it's the last thing he does.

Face down in the dirt, she said "This doesn't hurt," she said "I've finally had enough."

One day she will tell you that she has had enough! It's coming round again.

Natsu watched with eyes wide as the man yelled at her. He had come late, and didn't hear what originally made him mad. But now all he heard was the hurtful and hate filled words that spewed from the mans lips. Hiding behind the building, Natsu waited. This man wasn't going to get away with this any longer.

Natsu couldn't hold back his anger anymore. He didn't care if Lucy ended up hating him, as long as she was safe then that's all that mattered. He wanted to see her smile again. The normal cheery look she always had at the guild. He wanted to rid her of all the pain she has ever felt and remove the sorrow from her deep brown orbs. Rain continued to pour down in rapid succession. His clothes were soaked along with theirs. Lightning boomed across the dark night sky and Natsu watched as Lucy jumped to the sound.

There was more shouts before the man raised his hand. His fist came down across the blonds face knocking her down to the ground. He raced forward, his fist connecting with the man. He flew back several feet as Natsu stood in front of his partner. His best friend, and the woman he loves. His body trembled with the anger and resentment he felt towards this man and even himself.

"Lucy, are you okay?" He asked, still glaring at the man several yards away. The bastard was just started to stand as he rubbed the welt on the side of his face.

"This doesn't hurt." She lay there, face down in the dirt until she looked up at Natsu. His flames licked their way up his arms, swaying and lighting up the dark road in an array of colors. How had she never realized how he cared for her? He was always there, protecting her, saving her and watching over her. And once more, he came to her rescue. "I've finally had enough."

She watched as the smirk grew across Natsu's face and his eyes softened at her words. Yes, this is what he has been waiting for. Waiting on her to say those words. She sat herself up onto her knees, her dress now ripped and dirtied but she didn't care. She was done. No longer shall she deal with him. And maybe, just maybe, she can earn the trust of the dragon slayer who cares so much for her once again.

Do you feel like a man, when you push her around? Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground?

Well, I'll tell you my friend. One day this worlds going to end. As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.

"Tch, you can have her. She was dumping me for you anyway." The man spoke as he turned his back to Natsu. Onyx eyes narrowed on the man in front of him. He wasn't going to get away that easily. He was too angered to notice what the man had said. The dragon slayer raced forward and grabbed hold of the man. His flaming fist was raised as the man began to tremble under his grasp. The red and orange of the flames reflected in Natsu's eyes and increased the fear the man felt.

"You ever come near Lucy again, I'll kill you. Better yet, stay out of Magnolia." Natsu's low voice was deadly serious causing both Lucy and him to shiver. The man quickly nodded, his fear making him unable to speak. Natsu's fist flew towards the man, who yelped and closed his eyes. Once no pain was felt, he opened them to see the flames just an inch from his nose. Natsu dropped him to the mud as he quickly scurried away. Natsu scoffed, what a coward.

Natsu sighed before letting his flames simmer out. The sound of splashing footsteps could be heard behind him and he turned around. Lucy leaped into his arms, her own circling around his neck. Her brown eyes peered into his deep charcoal ones before she leaned forward and crashed her lips against his. Natsu's eyes shot wide open once he felt her soft pink lips against his.

Finally accepting that this was really happening, his arms wrapped around her waist tightly and he smiled into the kiss. After she pulled away, she peered once more into his eyes. All the happiness they felt at that moment could be seen reflected in the others gaze.

"I'm so sorry Natsu."

"For what?" He cocked a brow at her as he set her feet upon the ground but never moving his arms from around her.

"For all of this, for not noticing how you felt for me. For putting you through so much pain and torment. I was withholding my feelings for you, thinking you would never feel that way for me. I used those feelings and aimed them at someone else, hoping to heal the ache in my heart. All of this happened because I was too scared to come clean, and too blind to realize how you felt. Please, forgive me. I am so sorry."

"Lucy, it's not your fault. I didn't say anything either. But none of that matters now, we have each other and that's all we need." His smile warmed her heart in ways she could never describe. She tightened her grasp around his neck before pulling him in for another kiss. He spun her around as their lips remained connected. He never once felt this happy in his entire life and he knew that nothing could ever compare to this.

A/N: Okay, another chapter down. So this one is more on the sad side once more but ends well enough. At least I thought so. Don't ask who the man is that is doing that to Lucy. He is not someone from the show. I made him up because I couldn't see any of the characters doing such a thing to Lucy. If you haven't realized it yet, this chapters inspiration was from a song. It's called 'Face Down' by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Very good song and I suggest you give it a try if you don't already know it. All the parts during the chapter in italics are the lyrics. Total word count before authors note is 2,196.

Next theme: Intoxication.

What do you think is going to happen? Let me know what you think of this chapter or of the next chapter! I would love to hear from you and obviously the more reviews the more motivated I am. Thanks so much though, you are all some really amazing readers. How did I ever get so lucky? Angel.