Fight shadows with light

Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own Fairy Tail

Chapter 5

Rogue's POV

"Why?"

The timid voice snaps my attention to the blonde girl. She isn't supposed to sound unsure like that. She is normally cheerful, or at least trying to act like it. The broken voice stirs something within me.

This time I keep my gaze on her, carefully taking in her appearance. Earlier today I thought she was doing great. Now I really look at her, I see the dark circles below her eyes, making it clear that she hasn't slept well for a while.

Just when I want to reach out, she spins around. Even from a distance, I could still distinguish the salty smell of her tears. When she runs away, I instinctively slide into the shadows and follow her.

Just when I left the guild house, a rough hand suddenly drags me out of the shadows. The smell of charcoal immediately puts me on the defensive.

"Let me go, Natsu!" I growl at the other dragon slayer.

"First hear me out… please." The begging tone in his voice calms me down.

"Make it fast."

"I want to apologize for what I said on the ball. I just wanted to protect Lucy. She's my best friend…"

I nod in understanding.

"She has been continuously lost in thoughts since the ball. Somehow I think it's because of you. Please go after her."

"What did you think I was doing before you decided to interrupt? Now I have lost her track." The annoyance is getting the better of me.

"I'll give you her address... Her window should be open."

"You're telling me to climb through her window?" I ask in amusement.

"Well yeah… I always enter her house like that."

"Right." I don't know whether I should believe that or not.

"Please help her… she hasn't slept lately."

"How do you know?"

"Normally she sleeps until morning, now I already get kicked out of bed the moment I lay down."

"Natsu… Why are you sleeping in her bed?" I growl in a threatening tone.

"Her bed just smells so nice." He replies with a sheepish smile.

"From now on, you're not sleeping in her bed anymore!"

"Then you just have to mark her." He grins evilly, making me wonder whether he really is as naïve as everyone thinks he is.

Lucy's POV

The soft texture of my bed wasn't able to lighten my mood, since tears kept escaping from my eyes. Suddenly a small creak at the window warns me I'm not alone anymore.

"Natsu… Please go away."

"So he was serious when he said he always entered your house like this."

The familiar voice snaps my gaze to the window. Rogue is standing there, seemingly hesitant to come closer.

"Same request, other addressee… Rogue… Please go away." A sharp stab hits my heart by my own words.

"I won't." His red eyes are focused on my face, making me feel self-conscious.

"Why are you here?"

"Why are you crying?" He counters my question with one of his own.

"You don't care anyway."

"I do." His eyes are fixed with mine.

Those two small words seem to lighten my hope. Rogue must have noticed, since he hesitantly steps closer to me.

"Why?"

"If you don't smile, how will I ever find the light in the dark?" Even though the words seemed quite cheesy, I know it is a genuine thought.

"Try use the switch?" I reply with a soft smile.

"I prefer you with a smile like that."

He's now standing in front of me, making me feel nervous. "Thanks."

Suddenly he grabs me and pulls me into a hug.

"Sorry… I'm not always good with words." He explains in an almost inaudible mutter.

"That's ok… but please explain why you were ignoring me." I ask while finding comfort in his strong arms.

"It's just… I didn't want to put you in danger…"

"I thought we discussed that last time… You're not the same person as the future you…"

"I know… But I was afraid of losing you… and that fear made me push you way."

"Why are you afraid of losing me?" I ask, glad he is opening up to me.

"Because I like you."

The sudden confession startles me, making me lean back.

"It's ok if you don't feel the same…" Rogue ads, interpreting my reaction wrongly.

"No… I do… I do feel the same."

The soft smile I get in return, causes a blush to cover my face. Suddenly I start to feel nervous of how close we were.

"I promise to take it slowly… I don't want to pressure you into something you don't want." He whispers, noticing my distress.

Reassured I lean closer to him, mantling myself in the safe feeling of his hug.

Rogue's POV

Staring down at the beautiful woman snuggled in my arms, a warm feeling is overwhelming me. A bit more than a week ago, I thought I would never feel like this. Now I was glad Frosch brought us to Fairy Tail today.

Suddenly I'm getting drowsy, the lack of sleep finally kicking in. I drop us on the bed. Soon I'm aware of the embarrassed blond trying to escape my grip.

"Lucy… I promised… We're just going to sleep… Nothing we didn't do before." I reassure her, before planting a soft kiss on her head. "Sleep… you need it… just like me."

The gesture seems to have calmed her down, since she stopped resisting. Soon the only movement is that of her soft breathing, pointing out she already fell asleep.

After studying here sleeping face for a while, I let sleep take over.

Natsu's right… her bed does smell nice…

Hi guys! Sorry I took so long! Hope you like the new chapter. C&C welcome!