"A pure love unrehearsed"

Lucy burrowed herself deeper into the blanket Natsu had given her. Happy had found his way into her lap and was currently helping her keep her cup of tea from spilling everywhere. Natsu was sitting across from her on the couch with his own blanket and drink. Instead of tea though, he had a cup of coffee.

When Lucy had stumbled into his house he immediately rushed her into the bathroom to take a shower. She was soaking wet and he told her a hot bath would help. She wasn't complaining but she ended up feeling embarrassed after realizing she'd have to use Natsu's clothes which consisted of the best sweat pants she'd ever had the pleasure of wearing and one of his black sweatshirts she'd seen him wear multiple times.

He had wanted to make sure she was as warm as possible which she was perfectly okay with to be quite honest.

So here she was, sitting in Natsu's living room at three in the morning. She looked around his living room, taking in everything. It was a medium sized room with two worn out couches and a TV above the fireplace. The windows that lined the wall were being covered by long curtains that reached the floor and there were photographs.

Lots of photographs.

Most of them were of him and everyone else she'd come to know over the past month but among them were some of Natsu as a small child with an older man. She couldn't really see him clearly, but when her eyes landed on a photo of a man smiling at the camera sitting on the fire place ledge she realized who he was. He had dark red hair and was just as tan as Natsu. He had a more muscular built, but their smiles were the exact same. That's kinda how she figured out that this man was his dad. The happiness seeping through his smile was as pure as his sons.

"That's my dad, Igneel." Natsu suddenly said bringing Lucy out of her thoughts. She looked over at him as he stared at the picture. He had brought his knees up to his chest and lazily draped his arms over them while he displayed the saddest smile she'd ever seen on him.

"Well, not my real dad. My adoptive dad. After I was born my real parents died in a car accident, leaving me to the foster system" he began. Lucy listened, eyes fixated on the photograph. She wasn't going to deny that she was shocked they weren't related considering how much they looked alike, but she was beginning to see a few features that didn't match. "I think I was in the foster system... 3 years? I was moved around a lot. I didn't really have the best homes but I didn't really care."

"A few other things happened but that doesn't really matter because I ended up with Igneel," he proudly stated. Lucy felt a warmth in her chest as she listened to him talk about his dad. It filled her with hope to hear that good people existed. That fathers, biological or not, loved their kids.

"Where's Igneel now?" she found herself asking, wanting to know more about the boy sitting in front of her.

"He... He's missing." Natsu simply stated. She flicked her eyes towards him as she felt a sinking feeling in her chest. He still had his sad smile and suddenly Lucy felt hot tears threatening to spill. A long silence filled the space between them, neither of them wanting to say much of anything.

"I-If you don't mind me asking, but what happened?" she finally asked with a whisper. She didn't trust her voice and she certainly didn't want to break down in front of him.

He only shrugged in response. "You're guess is as good as mine. I was ten when I woke up to find him missing."

Her chest continued to tighten as she watched him.

"But one day, I'll find him. He's out there. I know it." He firmly said. She looked at him and she found herself smiling along at him. His eyes were filled with so much determination that it gave her hope. The nights events had totally left her mind. She didn't care what happened to her a few hours ago. In a way, she was happy it was Natsu who she went to for help.

"I believe you." She confessed, looking back at the picture. And it was true. She truly believed he would find his dad. There was no way a person with that much determination and hope wouldn't find his dad.

Lucy also found herself wanting to help him in his search for his dad. There was so much purpose and spirit emitting from him and suddenly the sadness she felt before was no longer there. "Natsu," she began looking at him. He looked backed at her while leaning his head to one side, waiting for her to continue. "Let me help you look for your dad. I want to help."

His face suddenly changed. Natsu was now grinning ear to ear and she'd never seen him look so happy. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She answered firmly.

"Awesome! I'm fired up now! With your help we'll definitely find him." He was suddenly standing, pumping his fists in the air and Lucy found herself smiling and laughing along with him. He looked down at her and Lucy couldn't help but notice the small tint of pink in his cheeks. She just hoped he couldn't notice hers.

After a bit of them laughing, he sat back down on the floor against the table and looked at her. "Not that I'm mad that you're here at three in the morning, because totally come over whenever, but why are you here, Lucy. Is everything okay?" The happy demeanor he had earlier vanished, replaced by a more serious one. There was no mistaking how worried he was right now.

Lucy quickly looked away. She didn't really know if she should tell him of what happened a mere few hours ago. Really, things were going great right now without her having a freak out, should she bring it up? But if she didn't and something happened to her, everyone would get mad.

She started to pet happy, wanting to avoid the question for as long as she possible could, which wasn't very long. She knew Natsu was just going to stare her down until she said something and she could slowly feel herself cracking under his stare.

"Lucy," Natsu said with that, that voice. The voice that always gets her. The 'tell me everything because I'm amazing and I will keep you safe' voice. She sighed and dropped her head in her hands.

"He was there." She whispered. That's right, her home is no longer safe. Nothing is safe and she has no clue what to do. Pulling happy close to her she let out another sigh. Things were finally getting better and here she was probably ruining everything.

Something suddenly changed. Lucy could actually feel the air thicken. The happy vibe she was getting earlier was definitely not there anymore. She looked to where Natsu was sitting and felt her eyes widen a bit. His hands were balled into fists and eyes covered by his hair. She could visibly see him shaking and his mouth had turned into a scowl. "D-Did he hurt you?" His voice sounded thin and she definitely didn't miss the hint of violence.

She looked back down at happy before moving a hand to her throat. There was a bruise but it didn't hurt as much as she expected. That wasn't what bothered her though. It was the reoccurring feeling of not being able to breathe. It was a terrible feeling that she could never shake off. The air was all around her, but it would never enter her lungs. And her lungs- oh how they'd burn and sting, begging for release. What's even worse than that is knowing just how weak she is because she could never fight for her air whenever he was around her.

A gentle touch on the hand she was using to touch the bruises on her neck brought her out of her thoughts. Snapping her head up, she watched as Natsu scrunched his face and moved the hood of the sweatshirt she was wearing to get a better look. "Oh Lucy," he whispered. All she could do was stare as he struggled to find the words to comfort her. With that said, she didn't want him to say anything. Him just visibly caring for her, that was everything to Lucy. She'd never seen this affection given to her before and it made her feel warm. His face was mere inches away from hers, feeling his hot breathe fan over her face

Almost her entire life she was deprived of having someone to care for her. She was deprived of a friend.

Lucy could feel something inside her click as she stared at Natsu's worried face.

'I'm pretty sure that warm fuzzy feeling you have is what it feels like to let somebody in.' Her mind sang. Well, she wasn't thinking it but her little friend sure was.

Suddenly Natsu closed his eyes and leaned his head against hers, while gripping her hand. "Lucy, he'll never hurt you again." He said, breaking any sort of resolve she previously had.

"This, I promise you."

"G-guys you can't be serious right now" Lucy stammered from her place on the floor.

"What, you scared?" Gray snickered from beside her while poking her cheek. She swatted his hand away and glared at him.

"N-no." She mumbled nervously while looking away. She totally lied of course. Lucy was currently terrified. The four idiots- Gray, Natsu, Gajeel, and Jellal -had somehow managed to find a Ouija board, a creepy and old Ouija board, and now everyone was currently sitting on the floor of Lucy's apartment with the lights turned off. It was late at night and Lucy wanted to blow a gasket because she was finally managing to get some sleep before they all managed to break into her house (she should really get a better lock system) and wake her up. She was in the sweatpants Natsu had given to her and a pink short sleeved shirt that covered her back scars. Her hair was in the messiest bun she had ever seen and she could barely see straight.

An arm suddenly found it's way around her shoulders and Lucy lazily glanced over to find Natsu in similar sweatpants and his black hoodie. "Nah, she's tough as nails." Natsu defended while glaring Gray. Lucy internally laughed. If only he knew how much she wanted to shit her pants right now.

She hated scary things, especially trying to contact spirits. And why, of all places, did it have to be her house. Why not Erza's or something? She's got a ton of weapons to protect her. Lucy only has a couch. Literally.

"Lucy your apartment is so plain." Levy complained from across her. "Although, the view you have is absolutely amazing."

"Thanks?" Lucy replied, unsure if she should accept it as a compliment or not.

"Ugh, bunny girl do you have any drinks or snacks at all?" Gajeel whined from in the kitchen. Lucy only sighed.

"No, but I can order us a pizza and ask for some drinks if you'd like." Lucy grumbled, wiggling her way out of Natsu's warm hold, which she really didn't want to do.

A chorus of thanks were heard through out the room as Lucy walked away. She groaned as she grabbed her credit card and phone from inside her purse. She never wanted anyone to come over. At all. There was literally nothing interesting in her house except for the view, which she was okay with. Hell, she didn't even have a TV yet, which she was probably going to get soon considering how everyone was probably going to break in again.

After calling in for a pizza she made her way back into the living room to take her unsaid spot next to Natsu. She stopped dead in her tracks though when she saw Erza and Juvia lighting candles around everyone. Where the hell did they even get those? She doesn't remember even owning a candle, much less a lighter for them to ignite them with. And there were lots of candles too.

"Guys can we please not do this at three in morning." Lucy blanched while gripping her hands together.

If her house becomes haunted, she'd never forgive any of them.

Everyone seemed to ignore her comment as they continued to set up the Ouija board and get in the mood to summon Mavis knows what.

"Did you order cheese?" Jellal asked from his spot next to Erza.

"Yes." she breathed out, sitting down next to Natsu, who immediately brought his arms back around her shoulders, pulling her close.

"Thanks for getting us food!" He happily stated, snuggling her like he was five years old.

"N-No problem." She stuttered, silently cursing herself by getting worked up by his closeness. She should be used to it by now considering how he was constantly attached to her. She never minded though because she enjoyed his company just as much, as she hoped, he did.

Everyone was sitting down around the Ouija board now and suddenly Lucy felt a chill run down her spine. Oh Mavis what kind of sick people wanted to summon a ghost?

"Alright everyone put two fingers from each hand on the planchette." Levy firmly stated.

"The what?" Gray said, dumbfounded by the new word. Levy only rolled her eyes.

"The piece of wood you use to talk with, you dumb ass." She responded.

"Hey! I didn't know it had a name!" Gray tried to defend himself, but everyone ignored him. Lucy felt bad for him.

Reluctantly Lucy did so along with everyone else. She looked around to see everyone focused and staring at Levy who had her eyes closed. Unsure of what was happening, she was ready to call out Levy's name before her eyes snapped open.

"Is there a spirit among us?" She called out. Lucy's breath caught her in throat and she tried to calm her nerves. This was not happening. This. Was. Not. Happening.

Her eyes widened in horror as she watched the planchette under all their fingers move towards 'yes'.

"G-guys c-cut i-it out." Lucy whimpered in fear.

"Shh." Levy snapped, glaring Lucy. Lucy just stared at her, scared out of her mind that any of this was happening. Lucy literally just wanted to sleep.

"Oh spirit, what is your name?" Levy asked, concentrated.

And as if on cue, the piece of wood moved yet again. She heard a few gasps but Lucy wasn't concerned with that. She watched in awe and horror as the words flew from one letter to the other, spelling out a name.

Acnologia.

"Spirit named Acnologia, are you a good spirit?" Levy continued. Lucy stared as the piece did not move. They all waited several minutes before Levy spoke again.

"Are you a bad spirit?"

The piece suddenly lurched toward the word yes and Lucy felt her stomach drop and all she wanted to do was hide in a corner.

"I'll fight his ass." Natsu suddenly stated looking around the room. "Come out ghost! Or are you afraid of me?"

"Oh my Mavis don't." Lucy pleaded, trying to get Natsu to not pick a fight with a ghost.

Lucy wanted to cry.

"Shh!" Levy hushed vigorously.

"Are you going to hurt us?" Juvia suddenly blurted out and Lucy stared at the blue haired girl in horror. These people were crazy. They're all crazy. Lucy cannot be friends with them anymore. She befriended a ton of psychos.

The piece of wood began to move and Lucy never felt like she wanted to puke so badly before.

It rested on the word 'yes'.

Lucy immediately pulled her hands back. "Nope. No more. I'm done." Her voice was unusually high and she stood up, shaking.

"Lucy don't take your finger-" Levy began but she was cut off. All the candles suddenly shut off, leaving everyone in complete darkness.

"What the fuck?" Gajeel shouted from somewhere and Lucy was on the verge of having a panic attack.

From somewhere in the room, Levy spoke. "If you take your hands off before you can tell the ghost goodbye, it's able to stay in our world forever, specifically in your home Lu."

Lucy gripped her hair. That's it. She hated them. She hated them all. Lucy was now going to be haunted for the rest of her sad and lonely life. Not only did she have a psychopath hunting her down like an animal, but now she had a ghost.

Her breathing began to quicken and she stumbled back, away from her friends and into the corner. "This is not happening right now." She whispered in fear.

"Luce?" She heard a familiar voice call out. She turned her head towards the voice, looking for that sense of safety she loved so much.

Suddenly the candles light back on again and she stared at her group of friends.

Her giggling group of friends.

They were all smiling at her, hands over their mouths trying to laugh. Natsu on the other hand had a scowl plastered across his face. Lucy only stared at them, blinking away hot tears.

"Y-You should see your face!" Gray suddenly said, laughing out loud. Lucy felt so confused. Everyone was laughing. Why were they laughing? She just found out her house is going to be haunted and they were laughing? This wasn't a jok-

It was a joke. Lucy suddenly felt her blood boiling. They almost gave her a panic attack and they were laughing?

Lucy was going to kill them all, starting with a certain raven haired boy.

She stormed her way over, tears still threatening to spill. "This isn't funny!" She stated, stomping her foot on the ground. This seemed to make everyone laugh even more at her for some reason. It only made her blood boil even more. "Explain. Now."

"Well," Levy began, but it was hard for her to continue because of how hard she was laughing.

"Basically we all tricked you. There's no ghost, we promise." Erza began more calmly. "I'm sorry Lucy, I didn't think you'd get scared so easily."

Lucy sputtered. "B-but the candles!"

"They're not real candles. They have a weird timer thing you can set for it to go on and off whenever you want." Gajeel said picking one of them up.

"W-where did you even..." Lucy began but she knew it was pointless. She was no longer angry but she sure as hell felt defeated.

And a bit embarrassed. She should've known it was all a joke. They were practically all scared out of their minds when they watched the conjuring. Hell, Levy's more of a scardy cat than herself. Now that she thought about it, it was a little funny, but she couldn't shake off the nervous feeling she still had.

Sighing, she slumped her way back over to wear Natsu was sitting- still scowling -and leaned against him, not even caring anymore about personal space. This was Natsu and there was nothing to be afraid of. Period.

Everyone continued to laugh and talk but Natsu stayed quiet. Low enough for only him to hear she asked, "you alright?"

"I think I should be asking you that." He responded just as quiet.

"Why's that?" she responded a little confused. He let out a little chuckle before responding.

"Mavis, you're too much." He continued, making the poor blonde even more confused than she was before. "Sorry about scaring you, I should've warned you I guess."

She blinked. Once. Twice. He was worried about her? She had to admit it was a little funny that they scared her like that and no harm was really done, so she didn't understand why he seemed so worried. She didn't know how to respond so she decided just to shrug against his shoulder.

A shrill ring brought her out of her thoughts, forcing her to move away from Natsu and to the door. "Foods here!" She called out, walking to the door. A few cheers were heard and Lucy only rolled her eyes as she pulled open the door.

The smell of pizza wafted into her nose and she felt her own stomach grumble. She was so happy a 24 hour pizza place existed in Magnolia.

"Just a signature here will do." The man said after she took the food and placed it inside really quickly. Lucy reached for the pen and paper but not before taking a glance at the man. He had his black hair pulled back in a pony tail with strands framing his face. And his eyes. His eyes were so empty. Black and empty and filled with no emotion at all, unwavering.

He suddenly flashed before her eyes. A quick memory of him wearing his white mask took the place of the delivery man.

Lucy stumbled back a bit before he vanished and it was still the same pizza delivery guy. Quickly shaking her head she grabbed the pen and paper. She was really losing it now. The poor guy probably was just tired and that's why his eyes were like that. Here she was making a big deal out of everything. But something- something about this man was off. Something was wrong.

Handing everything back she bid him and goodbye and went to close the door. If she had closed it any faster she wouldn't have heard his small comment that shook her whole body.

"See you soon." Was all she could hear. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Yeah, she was probably going to order pizza again, but did he have to say it like that? Lucy blinked, trying to shake the terrible feeling that was now settling in her chest away.

Everyone had surrounded the food, scarfing everything down without her but she didn't entirely care. She wasn't hungry anymore. Who was that man? And why did she feel like she was suffocating all of the sudden.

Lucy hated how paranoid she got sometimes.

'You know exactly who that was, Lucy.' The shadow stated, standing in front of her. She only stared in response.

Oh yes, Lucy knew. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she definitely knew, she just didn't want to believe it. Lucy knew him like the back of her hand. Every slight movement, every thought, and every glance. But for some reason she doubted herself. He would never show his face to her. The mask was always present.

"Luce? You gonna eat?" Natsu quietly and suddenly asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Blinking she opened her mouth to speak but no words could come out. She was not going to eat, that's for sure.

Without thinking she blurted out the first thought that came to mind. "C-Can you all stay the rest of th-the night?" She sounded scared and she felt small by asking that. They all looked back at her, before Gray pointed out a pile of bags with pillows and blankets in the corner of the room that she had not noticed before.

"We were already planning on it." Gray stated with a mouth full of food. Lucy blinked, the suffocating feeling leaving her completely.

Lucy suddenly found herself laughing and she made her way to everyone else, Natsu following close behind.

"Thank you guys"

"How's your neck?" Natsu softly spoke from his place across from her. Lucy was sitting on the wall opposite of him as the two sat on the ledge. He watched her carefully as she drank her tea and stared out the window. Everyone was on the floor sleeping but he had decided to stay up with her for a bit knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep.

It'd been a week since she stumbled into his house and he hadn't had the chance to check up on her and how she was feeling. When he looked at her neck earlier the bruises were fading and that made him feel a bit better. Lately he hadn't been getting much sleep in fear he'd wake up not to find her with him the next day. Watching her go home alone after school everyday was like a stab to his heart and he hated how he couldn't be with her every second of every day.

She was too good for the world. Too good for him and the wretched life she's had.

She looked at him and smiled. "It's getting better."

His heart jumped a bit at her smile. Even though it was dark, he could still see the faint smile, telling him everything was okay. He looked back out the window and watched magnolia. It was breath taking, being able to see everything.

"I'm happy that I met you, Natsu." She suddenly said, causing him to snap his head in her direction. She wasn't looking at him but he didn't care.

This girl was going to be the death of him.

Hello hello hello! How is everyone doing!

I am so so so so so so sorry for uploading this so late. I've had really bad writers block and this is kind of just a filler chappy I know :(

But the real fun starts next chapter! I think!

Anyway thank you guys so much for the reviews, they're all incredible. Absolutely incredible. I'm so happy to have such amazing people interested in my boring fic.

Anyway the quote at the top is from Hoziers new song, Better Love.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY

-Mad