"Natsu?" I murmured, turning my head to the side. His forehead was resting on the edge of the bed, and my hand was clenched in his. He snored quietly in his sleep, muttering something unintelligible. There was bright moonlight filtering in through the window beside me. It's a full moon, I thought to myself randomly, remembering the little calendar on my wall back home. Natsu's pink hair stuck up in every direction, just like usual, but it looked messier somehow. I couldn't stop staring at him.
Do I really love him? I don't know what true love feels like. I've never felt this way about anyone else before. I think I do, but who am I to know for sure? What could this feeling be besides love? The butterflies in my stomach, the way I'm always happier when I'm near him, how my heart beats five times faster when he accidently touches me or brushes against me.
There was a dull throbbing in my legs and arms. The white bandages covering my legs blended in with my unusually pale skin. I guess Wendy and Romeo were in serious trouble. I'm glad I could feel this for them. They're so young, they don't deserve this much pain yet. I hope Macao doesn't go too hard on his son.
Natsu sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes with the back of his hand. I hurriedly closed mine just before he could notice I was awake.
"Still not up yet Luce? That's fine. You'll wake up for sure today. And as soon as Wendy can finish healing you, we can go look for that other key," he said tiredly. He sounded exhausted. "I'm sorry for what I said the other day. I was just mad that I couldn't protect you like I always do. I hope you know that I love you."
My heart stuttered before pounding double time. He said he loved me. Is it love like how I love him, or the love he feels for his nakama? Could he possible know that I feel the same way for him? Or… I got angry suddenly. Did Levy tell him that I love him? I swear to Mavis I will kill her if she's the reason he's saying this. My spirits lifted again. Could it really be true? Could he honestly love me?
"I love you too," I said. I squeezed his hand tightly and opened my eyes. He was stunned. It doesn't matter whether he feels the same or not anymore. As soon as I said it, I knew it was true in my heart. But with that feeling, came fear. This is going to make things so much more difficult now.
"Lucy! You're awake!" he cheered, leaning down to hug me. I smiled and tried to lift my arms high enough to wrap them around his neck and failed.
"You shouldn't move! You're still really hurt!" he said quickly, backing away. He still held onto my hand though. He started muttering to himself about things he should do. "More bandages? No, I don't think I could do that myself. Blankets?" He put a hand to my forehead. "No, she feels warm. Maybe. I guess I'm not a good judge for that. Umm, what else could she need?" His head suddenly snapped up. I could see him going through his thoughts, just now realizing what I said when I woke up. His eyes popped open even wider.
"I'm ok, Natsu. But you could help me," I said, carefully sitting up. He rushed to push me back down, but I shook my head and held my hand up. "I just need some fresh air. Will you help me?" He grinned and took my hand. I tried standing by myself, and almost collapsed back onto the bed. My legs folded under me from lack of use and slight pain. Natsu swiftly picked my legs up from underneath me and carried me on his back through all the doors. I laughed quietly when he started walking in zigzags.
"Let's go to the river," I said softly, afraid suddenly that if I spoke too loud it would ruin the peacefulness of the night. He nodded and set off for the river hidden in the trees behind the guild. Everyone knew about it, but not many hung out back here. This was usually me and Levy's place to read, when we felt like it.
The night was silent, except for the crackle of branches and leaves under Natsu's feet and the hooting of owls in the treetops. A few minutes later, we arrived. The water reflected the moon in the sky above, leaving a breathtaking sight. Natsu set me down on the bank and I dipped my feet into the shallow water. The bandages were soaked in seconds, but I didn't care. The cold water felt good. The pink haired boy sat beside me and leaned back on his hands.
"You really scared me," he said. I looked at him quickly. He was staring across the water, his cheeks slightly pink. Mine heated up in response, and I stared at the ripples I made in the water.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why did you jump in front of me?"
It took me a minute to think of the right answer. "Because I love you. I didn't want to see you get hurt even more because of me. I was scared, so I acted without thinking. It was instinct."
He was silent for so long, I thought he would reject me. Panic filled me to the brim. Maybe this was all a mistake. Maybe I imagined him saying he loved me at the guild. I was about to try to take it back when he wrapped his left arm around my shoulders.
"That was a really stupid thing to do," he said. I nodded in agreement; it had been. "But thank you."
Every feeling in my body subsided, save for content. I leaned my head against his shoulder lightly. We sat there staring at the water for what seemed like hours. The sun was just peeking over the horizon when my eyes started dropping. I tried to force them open, to stay awake just a little longer so I could enjoy the last of this night with Natsu, but I couldn't help it when they finally shut and didn't open again.
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"Lu-chan!" The little blue haired girl called in delight when I opened my eyes. I smiled warmly at her.
"Levy-chan!" I said. She hugged me tightly. She was one of the few people that still treated me normally. She chose to ignore my wish for now, which I was so grateful for.
"I heard you had some fun last night," she said evilly, winking enough to make it look like she had an eye twitch. My cheeks burned when I thought of what happened this morning with Natsu.
"Uh…Well, you see…I…." I stuttered, causing my friend to laugh.
"I guess you forgave him! I wouldn't have so easily, if I were you!" she giggled.
"How did you know about that?" I asked.
"Well, I came in early this morning so I could check on you, but you weren't anywhere, and neither was Natsu, who said he'd watch you all night. So I panicked a little, but then Mira got here and said that you probably went outside somewhere. Just a few hours ago, when half the guild was already here, Natsu walked in carrying you on his back. He laid you down in here and took off with Happy. He said he was going to look for that key again!" she said. I smiled at my clasped hands. He was really going through so much trouble to help me. I guess he really does love me.
"Wait, does that mean…?" I asked. My stomach dropped to my knees.
"Yep!" Levy laughed maniacally as my face turned white as a sheet.
"You're kidding me," I whispered. My heart beat nervously.
"Nope! She definitely saw him carry you in!"
"Did she talk to him before he left?"
"He bolted as soon as you were in bed!" I made a mental note to murder Natsu later.
"Levy, you have to get me out of here! You've gotta help me hide!" I begged desperately.
"No way!" she said. The door squeaked open, and I froze.
"Levy!" I hissed.
"Sorry, Lu-chan! Nothing I can do now!" she said, kissing me on the forehead before dancing out of the room. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"So, Lucy, what's this I've been hearing about you and Natsu spending the night together?" Erza asked.
"You're more than friends now, aren't you?" Mira questioned.
Levy abandoned me. She had left me to die at the hands of the two scariest wizards in the world.
I have to apologize for the brief hiatus that I suddenly went on. Things have gotten really busy recently, with end of year testing and school and getting a (kind of) summer job. I have chapter all the way up to 40-ish, so don't worry, this story will go on for much longer! I hope you can all forgive me! The story will return to its usual scheduling (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, with random days in between). See you soon, Fairies!