She isn't sure when it happened.
Maybe it was Natsu's job dragging him away for extended periods of time, forcing him to work at odd hours of the day as Lucy lay at home, silently wishing for his safe return. Unable to sleep as her dreams plague with vivid, gruesome images of his demise. Warm, relaxing cuddles soon morph into cold, lonely nights in bed, wishing he'd quit but knowing he loves the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of the hunt.
The life of a bounty hunter is a dangerous one, but Natsu lives for it.
Or was it she, who unknowingly shuts her husband out to focus on writing, diving deep into another world as she pieces words together like a jigsaw puzzle? Pushing him away with an agitated glare, unaware of the longing in his eyes as he sulks away, a plastic smile glued on his lips once Lucy finally emerges from fictional fantasies.
Appearing just long enough for dinner before bedtime, exhausted from editing her newest novel. The next day, the routine repeats like a broken record.
Maybe it was the stress of caring for their adoptive son, who acts so much like his rambunctious father. She loves Happy with all her heart, but some days the little monster can be too much for the single mother, wishing, not for the first time, that Natsu was home to help. He has a way with their son, always knowing how to handle the boy on the hardest days.
Lucy's heart wrenches as she holds Happy to her chest, listening to him cry for his father at odd hours of the night, knowing there's nothing she can do to placate her child. Gentle lullabies only help so much, after all. Nothing beats the warm embrace of his dad, his strong arms wrapped around the little boy's body, oozing security and safety.
Maybe their relationship fizzled when intimacy slowly dwindled, until ultimately fading away. The nights of endless escapades between the sheets soon leave nothing but an empty heart. Leaving the two more analogous to roommates than a married couple. The hot, fiery passion between them diminished into a mere flicker of what it once was, like the embers of a once-thriving bonfire.
Then the arguments started, much too aggressive and snippy than their usual banter. Gone are the playful teases about her weirdness, quickly replaced with short jabs at one another. What little free time they have together turns meaningless as tension builds, delicately traversing over the eggshell that is their relationship.
Lucy knows she needs to repair their fragile relationship, to strengthen the fraying threads of their marriage. If not for them, then for their son, who she desperately wishes not to have a broken family like his parents.
It's unfortunate that this is what finally knocked some sense into her.
The stale, chemically air of the hospital stings Lucy's nose, bringing back painful memories from her childhood. Now, though, she stares. Silently watching Natsu's chest rise with shallow breaths. He lays there, covered in thin white strips and cheap blankets. Instead of her mother, Lucy's dull, brown orbs trace her husband's prone form, outlining the visible bandages with her eyes. Her once pristine skin now raw and puffy from sobbing. Her dry gaze studies Natsu, having run out of tears hours prior.
It wasn't the first time he'd been admitted to the emergency room, and it won't be the last.
A whimper draws Lucy's attention to the sleeping boy in her lap, cuddled snuggly under her chin. His shoulders shake slightly as he nudges further towards her, protecting his face from the dimly lit room. Sifting a hand through his blue locks, the woman hums softly, heartbreaking as it does little to soothe him.
She knew it was a bad idea to bring Happy, but the poor boy begged to see his father.
Glancing back at the injured man, she can't help but wonder once again. Where did it all go wrong? They've been married for seven years, and best friends for twice as long. There's no one else she'd rather spend her life with; they know, or knew, each other like the back of their hand, so why are they struggling? Why can't they resolve their issues like they've done in the past? Why did it take Natsu almost dying to realize their relationship is falling apart?
Glazing over her husband once more, Lucy counts the rings of gauze wrapped around him, making him almost indistinguishable between a man and a mummy. Most of his swollen face is obscured from view, leaving only a slight gap between his eyebrows and nose before a thick layer seals his mouth from view.
At least he looks peaceful.
Following the swirling path down his arm, her eyes land on the few inches of tanned skin visible. Long, strong fingers poke out between a white cast, looking far too pale and not holding nearly as much power as they used to.
Lifting a shaking hand, the blonde slowly reaches out, hesitating inches above his broken wrist.
The dim hospital lights catch on his finger, reflecting off his simple wedding band. Silent tears prick her eyes, fighting to break free and spill down porcelain cheeks. Her eyes catch the shining metal as a quiet, broken sob slips past her parted lips, and without another thought, Lucy grips his hand between hers.
Icy cold skin meets her fingers, bringing on another wave of fresh tears. His chilly hand is miles away from the familiar warmth she's used to, or was used to. It's been far, far too long since they've held hands, romantically or platonically. At this point, Lucy can bet she's held Happy's more than her own husband's.
The pads on her thumb brush against the rough material of his cast, sending a chilling tingle down her spine. Proof it's not a dream.
Clutching her son in one arm and Natsu's hand in the other, Lucy makes a silent vow to herself, the quiet beeping of machines her only witness.
"I promise Natsu, I'll bring our family back together," she whispers, tears trickling down her cheeks. "And you know I always keep my promises."
I should be finishing Frosted Glass Fantasies, but this kind of wrote itself! I may or may not continue this; I have a few ideas but no structured plot.
I'm inexperienced with relationships so if anyone has any tips or comments that would be a huge help!
What are small (or large) things a partner does that annoy you? What about small acts or quirks you love? How do you usually resolve arguments?