Author's Notes:

Disclaimer – Language, Mature Content

Enjoy!

The Difference Between Us

Lucy

"I want you," Natsu whispered.

His words sent shivers down my back, but this wasn't the right time to indulge in something intoxicating as his touches. "No…" I said gently, taking the chance to give us some space. "We can't." I cleared my throat. "This is not what you need right now." My tongue swiped at my lips tasting his residue which lingered. "It's not fair for us to…" I paused, wondering how to phrase what we were about to do. "…we can't, not under these circumstances."

I sound like such a hypocrite. I did exactly that the other night when he wanted to talk but I opted for sex to relinquish my sadness and frustration. He was doing the same; not talking about his issues and our own which is progressively growing.

The rejection was present on his face and then it quickly faded as he nodded understanding what I meant. I moved to the other side of the kitchen, allowing us to collect ourselves and let the sexual tension wane gradually.

He still had his back toward me when I sat on the barstool with my hands on the island tabletop.

"Natsu," I called out to him to get his attention. He slowly turned and faced me with eyes downcast on the granite flooring of the kitchen. "Tell me what's going on with you." The edges of his eyes crinkled as he pressed his fingers to his temple trying to alleviate the building pressure.

"What isn't going on with me?" he sighed in exhaustion.

"Let's start off with what happened five years ago after Igneel's funeral. Have a seat." I gestured to the empty barstool across from me. If he sat next to me exuberating the amount of heat that emanated from his body, I would not be able to concentrate.

He finally looked up; eyes glossed over staring at me. "Please," I begged.

Natsu closed his eyes and then slowly opened them. Taking a few steps and grabbing the barstool, he pulled it out to sit down. "Where do you want me to start?"

"Anywhere you find easiest."

He twirled his thumbs on the table inhaling slowly. "Touka told me flat out she needed me with my family standing there. They took it as an opening to fix our issues which I was blind to when we started dating. Gray told me she had a flip of emotions that were strange. I noticed it, but back then it didn't bother me, and I found her outbursts cute." Natsu pinched his nose trying to ease a headache. "When I ended our relationship, she didn't care. I was crushed at first, but my mind was too involved with getting Pop's affairs in order with Zeref to even dwell on it."

"I remember," I said watching him closely.

He nodded. "Without us knowing since we were in my room, she told my family a sob story about us. Touka told my family I shut her out after Pops died and I was only confiding in you."

That was news to me. Yes, I was comforting him, but that's what friends do.

"When she found us… sitting close to each other…" he paused. "… she used it to confirm her suspicion and used my family to rally behind her."

"You're missing something," I interrupted.

Natsu glanced up at me confused. "Huh?"

"When Touka and I were arguing, you were defending me but then you suddenly hugged her after she slapped me the second time."

"Oh…" he turned away. "It was to stop her from hitting you a third time."

"…right."

"I'm serious. The mood swings, I knew what was going to happen next after she cried. She gets aggressive and I was afraid she would do more than slap you. I did the one thing to keep you safe. I wrapped my arms around her and talked her down."

I swallowed the lump in my throat remembering that image. "Okay," I whispered. He leaned in and reached for my hand, but I pulled back. Touching while talking about something that has been the root cause of unhinging our lives should be discussed with our full attention. If I gave in, it would only break that. "Keep going," I gestured.

Noticing I wasn't in the space for contact, he drew back and slumped on the barstool. "My aunts found us together and you standing off to the side, they drew their conclusions from there. Seeing how I was holding Touka as she cried, that only proved her lies were true to them. They told you to leave to keep the peace."

"Okay," I inhaled. "What happened after I left? The hours, and the days between then and before I left for Stella. Why didn't you call me? Reach out? To at least let me know you were okay?"

"I did!"

A flash of anger propelled me to yell back. "No, you didn't!"

"Lucy… I really did," he said calmly. "I really did, but it wasn't until you left and changed your number, that I realized my mistake."

"What do you mean by mistake?" I asked in a panic.

"That night… after you left, my aunts were talking to me downstairs and Touka was in my bedroom alone. My phone was left in there and she took it…" he paused as I gathered my bearings. The horror of what he was about to say started to seep in. "She found your number in my phone and changed the last number. She kept everything the same but modified only the final digit. The person I had been calling, leaving frantic voicemails and messages finally picked up after they returned from out of the country swearing at me. At first, I thought you had your phone stolen, but after I explained my reasonings for the calls, they told me I had the wrong number." He finally reached out and touched my shaking hands. "I'm so sorry Lucy."

Tears I hadn't known were there, were running down my cheeks. I cried, realizing a trajectory caused by jealousy had ripped us further apart. A simple change of one number ruined our friendship for so long. Natsu got up and rounded the table to wrap his arms around my trembling body.

"I'm sorry…" I couldn't help but repeat. "This was my fault. If I just waited or called instead none of this would have happened. I'm so very sorry…" Tears continued to roll down my cheeks during our heartfelt hug.

"Just don't ever leave me again like that," he murmured, tightening his grip.

We were both apologizing, however, I was the one crying at the loss of our past, friendship, possible relationship, and future. The amount of time we can never get back again.

We held each other for what felt like an eternity, lost in our own world. Desperately thinking about what happens next in our story. After I settled down unsure of what would take place in the near future, I spoke. "We pick the weirdest people to date."

He ran his fingers through my hair in a soothing way. "I can't agree more. Dan is a piece of work. I almost punched that guy in the nose."

"I wouldn't have stopped you," I chuckled. I leaned back noticing my snot and tears had ruined his red collared shirt. "Sorry for this," I pointed out while wiping my remaining tears.

"It's fine. This is the norm. Your tears and snot all over my nice shirt whenever you cry. Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Oh, shut up," I said elbowing him playfully. "Take it off and I'll put it in the wash."

"Are you sure?" I gestured my hands for him to hurry him along. "Thanks." Natsu stepped back as I got up from the barstool. I reached for some napkins to dab my eyes and to wipe my runny nose. By the time I cleaned up, he unfastened each button and was pulling it down his tatted arms. It didn't register he was standing half-naked in my kitchen until he handed me the shirt.

I was staring at his chiseled chest before commonsense kicked in. Taking a deep breath, I turned away. "I should have an extra shirt of yours from high school still here. I'll go get it."

Quickly turning away, I fumbled and tripped over my own feet. He caught me around my waist and pulled me up landing my cheek on his hot chest. I gasped at the impact and the feeling of his warm body engulfing me.

"Sorry," I mumbled trying to get my feet steady, but I stopped when I heard his heart thudding against his chest. Without moving, I stood there listening. His heartbeat was strong and soothing. My free hand moved up and lightly pressed the pec over his heart. The tip of my fingertip grazed his nipple causing him to take a sharp breath. I looked up at him to see he was gazing down at me.

"What are you doing Lucy?" he asked with a voice that came out strained and… desperate.

"Sorry," I whispered. "Your heartbeats… it sounds nice."

"Don't… do that," he breathed out. His arms moved up from my waist to my arms. His fingers tightened around them pushing me back to give us space. "Remember what you said, this isn't what I need."

The sound of his pained voice made me feel unwanted. He was right because he tried this earlier and I said no. "Okay," I said softly. My ego was bruised from the rejection, but I understood. We didn't need this. I took in his body one last time before turning away but stopped short when I saw his erection through his slacks. Natsu shifted to hide his pronounced desire from my attention.

"If this isn't what you need… what is it that you want?" I asked, dropping the tear-soaked shirt I was holding to remain grounded down onto the table.

"What do I want?" he asked. His voice came out tight as he grabbed the edge of the island. I reached behind me to unzip my black dress. "What about the staff here?"

"They're sleeping," I murmured while untucking my arms from the spaghetti straps. I let the dress fall to the floor. I kicked it to the side and moved back to him in only my panties.

He stared at my bare breasts and hardened nipples. "Lucy…" he said desperately.

"We're both single adults who enjoy each other, right?"

"Yes. A whole lot." I pressed my breasts against his naked chest. His erection pressed against my stomach. I raised my chin catching his gaze and holding it, begging him with my eyes to touch me. His eyes filled with more than just desire, but I didn't have time to register it before his mouth crashed down on mine.

~s~

Natsu

I breathed deeply through my nose and exhaled slowly through my mouth trying to center myself. It didn't help. I couldn't push the images of Lucy on her knees, back arched, and taking me deep inside her.

My dick twitched in excitement. I tried to force the thoughts from my mind and replace them with something more neutral in nature.

"Yo! Hot head, you okay?"

I gazed up at Gray.

We sat in the Strauss Sibling's restaurant near Igneel's company. Gray invited me for lunch since he was in the area to catch up. Zeref was quick to shoo me away so he could call Mavis and check on his sons. Sitting in my favorite spot to curb my growing hunger was welcoming but the thoughts of Lucy staring up at me with hazy eyes as she squeezed her breasts and moaned persisted.

"Hey!" Gray tapped the table with his knuckles pulling me from my sweltering thoughts.

"I'm fine," I said throatily. The waitress placed our drinks on the table. I mumbled thanks before taking a much-needed gulp of alcohol.

"Fine my ass. You're drinking like you're a deprived feen." He sipped his own drink. "What's going on with you and Lucy? You never told me the details that day."

I slid my now empty glass to the side. "I honestly don't know."

"I'm all ears." I looked at Gray closely. As much as we argued, I consider him one of my best friends outside of Lucy.

"We just haven't been on the same page these past couple of years," I found myself saying.

"I figured as much. It was a little strange you asked for her number when she changed it five years prior. I chugged it up to you losing your contacts, but you should have memorized it. Then again… it is you. Your memory is shit."

"Gee thanks," I grumbled. The server came back with our food. I asked for another refill of beer before she walked away.

"Oh, I saw Touka the other day," Gray spoke up as he reached for the pepper and began sprinkling it on his food. "Juvia needed this ingredient from the farmer's market when I ran into her there. Seems like she still has this protruding hatred for Lucy. I never understood why."

"I didn't either," I grunted biting into the spicy chicken.

"You should know. Didn't she say anything to you during your relationship?" He started eating too.

She did but I honestly ignored it. Touka had this ever-revolving insecurity that I would fall in love with Lucy because she was beautiful, and I knew her so well. She was indeed the best friend I could joke around with. Also, she has always been cute to me, and I saw it in an openhearted way. I didn't see her in any other manner until after Igneel died. It ultimately sunk in on the night of the engagement party when she first walked into that hall, and I got my first taste back in her hotel room. But saying it out loud would make Touka's accusations true.

"I mean Lucy is an attractive girl with a good head on her shoulders," Gray continued. "Her background aside, she is the whole package. The insecurity of her being only your 'girl best friend' probably rubbed Touka wrong. Especially when Lucy was single around the time you guys were dating. How will that pan out for your future dating life?"

"What are you suggesting I do? Remove Lucy from my life to have a stable relationship? She's the first person I introduce them to when we begin dating. They know she's just my friend."

"Natsu, you say that, but what will happen when she gets into her own relationship? The last person I know she was with was Sting and that ended because of you. He went around saying you had feelings for her and broke them up because of jealousy. Yes, our group knew the real story, but it'll be a revolving door of relationships due to both sides' insecurities. Lucy will realize that too when her time comes when she introduces you as her best friend to whom she has no sexual attraction for."

No sexual attraction.

I knew that was bullshit. We had sex too many times and in different ways that the logic of no sexual attraction being present was a load of shit.

Gray eyed me as I didn't respond. "Oh shit," he murmured. The server returned with newly filled glasses of beer and placed them on the table while taking the empty ones. He waited until she was far enough away before he spoke. "You fucked Lucy."

I almost dropped my beer picking it up. "Why… why would you… really?"

Gray started laughing. "When I said no sexual attraction, you practically looked pissed. How did this happen? When did it happen? I need to know so I can get paid."

"Paid? You were betting on us sleeping together?"

"No. Juvia said you guys would be a couple before sleeping together. I, on the other hand, bet the opposite."

"Good to know only you and Juvia thought betting on our sex lives would be entertaining," I said as I rolled my eyes.

"Hell no," Gray chuckled. "We all did, but we didn't say anything to cause confusion. We needed to see how everything would play out."

"Wow, thanks," I muttered sipping from my glass.

"Hey, I think it's great that you guys started something. Now it gets easier from here. Does Happy know?"

I shook my head swallowing. "We're not there yet. Honestly, I don't know where we are right now."

"Yeah, you mentioned that. What's going on with you two?"

I ran a hand through my hair letting my bangs fall over my forehead. I gradually told Gray everything. From the funeral, the fallout, the miscommunication, the first night -less detailed- from two years ago, the sex from two weeks ago, the breakdown of Touka, and last night's conversation which led to sex again.

"Well, goddamn. What the hell is wrong with both of you?" Gray leaned back in his chair observing me for a few seconds. "This situation is all over the place."

"You don't think I don't know that?"

"Idiot. Am I not your friend? What about Erza, Gajeel, Levy, hell, even Jellal? Why didn't you come to us about these issues?"

I looked at him realizing the hurt. "Somethings you just can't tell everybody."

"Bullshit!" He slammed his hand on the table rattling the utensils. "We're not everybody. We're your goddamn friends. Your fucking family. We would have dropped everything to help you. Both you and Lucy."

I looked away ashamed. He was right, but how can I explain the mistakes I made which hurt Lucy?

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

"Damn right, you're sorry. Don't do that bullshit again. Zeref helped you sure, but he's busy with his own family. Think about that the next time you need advice." Gray took up his beer and gulped it down to ease his anger.

"Thanks man."

"Whatever." He mumbled finishing off his drink before placing the empty glass down. "And you want my advice. I suggest you date Lucy already. You waited this long to find your way back to each other, so put aside your misery and date. It's not that complicated."

But it was that complicated. Yes, in many ways, we were still the same. Lucy and I had gotten back into the flow of things. She still knew me better than anyone else. It was easy for me to just be around her. Our friendship dynamics hadn't changed in the slightest after getting things off my chest that night in her kitchen. But there was something new. Sex. And a whole lot of it. My body craved hers in ways it had never craved anyone else's. When I kissed her, touched her, buried myself deep inside her, and watched her beautiful face come just because of me, things were now beyond complicated.

"You make it sound so easy."

Gray leaned forward placing his forearms on the table. "What is it that's really stopping you from pursuing Lucy? Forget Touka and her nonsense, what is it?"

"I said I loved her once before."

"Oh yeah?" he asked, intrigued.

"She didn't say anything and the whole thing with Touka happened right after."

"Wait," he raised his hand. "It was the day of Igneel's funeral?" I nodded. "You fucking dumbass!" I sat back when he tried to grab me.

"What?" I was confused at his sudden hostile behavior.

"You told her you loved her while you were grieving? Are you insane?" I looked at him slowly understanding what he meant. I buried my face in my hands and groaned at what I had done. Gray leaned back and folded his arms over his chest, perhaps itching to punch me. "I wouldn't say it back either. Emotions run high during those times, especially if you're grieving. She probably thought you were just in the moment. Then the whole fiasco with Touka, that just made her double down."

"I get it. She's scared."

He scoffed, "Scared, not likely. At that time yes, but now, not so much. Five years after the fact can change a person. How do you feel about her now?"

I dropped my hands and really thought about how to answer his question. "She's important to me. Always has been. I want Lucy to become my girlfriend, my better half, my everything… but do I deserve to have her after all I've put her through?"

"Why not? From my understanding, this wasn't your fault. Circumstances happened. Look at the time apart as your growth. Finding who you were without each other and realizing you need each other to have further progression."

I looked down at my plate trying to piece together everything. "If you don't, you will never have your peace of mind for the rest of your life."

"Peace of mind?"

"Let's say you decide to let her be and don't seek her out as your girlfriend. You realize every guy she dates after this will have what you gave up. How will you feel when 'the one' comes along and he's with your best friend building the life you once pictured?"

I tried to think realistically, but the irrational frenzy boiling underneath must have shown on my face.

Gray's sly smile showed he was satisfied with the answer to his riddle. "I figured as much."

I reached my aunt Grandeeney's house after returning from talking to my attorney. Wendy and Happy were outside on the lawn playing with another little girl.

Opening my car door, a message came through on my phone. Sticking one foot on the pavement and remaining seated in the driver's seat, I took out my phone. I smiled when Lucy's name came across my screen.

It's been a week since our escapade in the kitchen. We messaged each other whenever we could. No matter how many times I saw her name across my screen I couldn't help but smile.

Lucy: Are you coming over again tonight?

Since the night two weeks ago when Touka cut me with a box cutter, I had not been home. Due to her irrational behavior, I no longer saw it was safe to be there, especially with Happy. I left him with Grandeeney and the first week I stayed in a hotel. The second week I stayed with Lucy doing everything sexual under the sun that was considered sinful.

Natsu: I'm picking up Happy today.

I glanced over to see Happy waving at me. I waved back before focusing on a new incoming message. My head tilted as I noticed it was a video. Opening it, I almost dropped my phone when I saw the familiar pairs of lips appear on my screen. I placed the screen face down and looked around. Happy, Wendy and the other little girl were still playing and not paying me any attention.

Closing my car door, I rolled up the windows and got comfortable. Flipping the phone back on its right side, I pressed play.

First, I say her neatly manicured fingers lay on her thigh while positioning the phone at an angle so she wouldn't have to hold it. Then her fingers started moving over to the soaked lips of her folds. Her forefinger and middle finger circled her clit a few times before inserting it inside. I groaned at how wet she was.

"What the fuck Lucy?" The sounds of her wetness and moans filled my car. I watched her add another finger and start going to town on herself. The soppy sounds and her hot moans saying my name made me want to start stroking my dick.

A soft tap on the passenger window grabbed my attention. I tossed my phone to the floor and looked up to see Grandeeney standing there. Her eyes flickered from me to the phone by my feet. The sounds of her moans were still playing, but not loud enough for her to hear outside. Reaching down, I closed the video and got out of my car.

The erection I had quickly deflated, thank God.

"Hey, Aunt Grandeeney," I greeted.

"What are you doing sitting outside like a creeping pervert? What were you watching for you to be so startled?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest.

"Nothing," I lied slamming my car door and locking it. "It was… Gray asking me best man questions."

"Through video?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. "Okay then…? Hungry? I made some lunch."

"Starving." We began walking towards the house. Happy ran up to me smiling. "Hey, kiddo. Have you been good?"

"Aye!" he smiled. I raised my eyebrow. He hasn't used that saying in months. To hear him using it now must mean the whole ordeal with Touka was behind him. For the time being, if I don't resolve this. "Come on, you have to meet Carla!" He grabbed me by the hand and pulled me to Wendy and the other little girl.

I smiled at them and patted my little cousin on her head. "Hey, Wendy. How are you?"

"I'm okay." She stood up and hugged me. "Thanks for bringing Happy over. We both needed this."

"A thirteen-year-old being best friends with a four-year-old is weird."

"Shut up. He's my little cousin," she said shoving me.

I stumbled but steadied myself to scrub her head messing up her pigtails. "Natsu!" I looked down at Happy who was bouncing on his toes blushing while holding the other little girl's hand. "This is Carla. She's my friend from school."

She had on a pink top, a light blue skirt with white ruffles, and matching sneakers. Her white hair framed her face with a pink bow keeping her bangs from hiding her big brown eyes. I crouched down and held out my hand to the small child. "Hello there. I'm Happy's dad, Natsu."

"I heard," she said with such snarkiness as she folded her arms. "I find it disrespectful that he calls his father by his given name." I was taken aback by her rudeness.

"I'm not offended if that's where you're going with this. Happy is my son and he knows that. Whether he calls me by my name or something else, that will never change our relationship as father and son."

Carla dropped her folded arms and glanced down at the ground. "Sorry. It's nice to meet you." She took my hand and shook it.

"Cool. Well, I'm starving let's go inside and eat."

Grandeeney served up a huge platter of dishes with each of the kid's favorite and some of mine. I was just happy to eat after working to get the requirements of the upcoming Little League boxing competition set, including the meeting with my attorney which lasted for hours. I mentioned the upcoming competition and Happy was quick to invite Carla so she could watch him. She nodded with equal excitement. Wendy teased the four-year-old girl causing her to blush and snap at her. The table filled with laughter.

Grandeeney dried the dishes as I washed them after eating. She spoke softly making sure our conversation didn't carry over to the kids watching television in the next room.

"He's doing a lot better," she said quietly.

I handed her another plate. "Yeah. Being here for the past two weeks helped a lot."

"He was sad for missing the last few days of school before summer break, but I think he was sad about not seeing Carla."

"I figured as much," I chuckled. "Good thing she's your neighbor's kid."

"It helped, yes." Grandeeney placed the dry plate down along with the drying cloth. "You need to get her away from him before she causes further damage to that poor child's mental state. He already knows about his adoption because of her." Her fingers tightened over the cloth. "She had no right to say anything to him. He was only three years old. Happy didn't deserve to be put through that. The shock of it all and the cries…"

"I know," I interrupted, to stop her from recalling the hardest time in my life.

During one of Touka's 'bad days', she visited Happy at his daycare and swindled her way inside. Happy knowing we were close at one point, trusted her, and let her take him back to her house. It wasn't until I was there to pick him up at the end of the day did the damage had already been dealt.

The trust that Happy once had in her quickly dissipated when she mentioned him not being my blood-related child. Telling him how he wasn't wanted by his real mother and father. Mentioning if it wasn't for me, he would be an abandoned discarded child. Her delusion sank deeper when she pushed herself to become his real mother and how they were going to be a family. This created more chaos and confusion in his young mind.

Along with the police, we found her hugging Happy tightly as he cried. I was ready to spill blood when I saw the pain in his eyes as she held him. The police had to be the ones to tear them apart because I would have done far worse. Her painful hugs terrified him enough that Happy was afraid to be held by me when we were united. He feared hugs in general after that.

With the help of a psychiatrist, he was able to get back the joy he once lost. I gained Happy's trust back during that time, and I promised to always protect him. Touka did not stay in police custody after the kidnapping. Somehow, she got out by using excuses from her own therapist and referrals from her doctors. Apparently, she was not in the right state of mind without being on her meds.

The suicidal ideations and mood swings were kept at bay with them. I had pressed for a restraining order but was only granted a temporary one. It pissed me off, but I didn't push further and focused on Happy's health.

But she was back again and off her medication. To confronting Lucy with lies about a made-up family, from taking him from Zeref's house by playing a fabricated voicemail with my voice saying it was okay for her to take Happy, and now her showing up at my new address with a box cutter.

Each time she was escalating. Fearing a repeat of before, I needed to get Happy to safety. He was my main priority. Grandeeney's home was my safe haven as a child, and it had become his.

"I already talked to my attorney about getting a permanent restraining order this time," I said as I began washing the last plate before giving it to her.

"I'm upset they gave you a temporary one the first time," Grandeeney sighed placing the plate back in the cabinet. "She kidnapped a child. As soon as it was lifted, she went back to do it again. Only that time she brought him to you. What about next time?"

I turned off the faucet and faced her. "Don't worry, she's still at the psych ward so I can take Happy home and he'll be fine."

"But for how long will she be there Natsu?" Her eyes pleaded for me to understand. "How long until she returns to harm you again?" she asked as her eyes moved to my scarred neck.

"It won't happen." I placed my hands on her shoulders. "I'll be with Lucy temporarily until the restraining order is granted."

"Lucy? Lucy Heartfilia?" she asked. Lucy didn't know it yet, but when I show up at her front door with bags, she can't say no. I nodded, removing my hands, and putting them in my pants pocket. My phone buzzed with notifications I had not looked at since seeing her video. "She's back in town? Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged. "She's usually not here for long periods. Only for a day or two then off to her next event."

Grandeeney frowned. "If my sisters didn't chase out the wrong woman we wouldn't be here dealing with this mess. How is she?" Her forced smile couldn't hide her heartache.

"Good."

Her thrilled smile was a silent cheer. "Are you two catching up?"

"Sort of. Hopefully staying with her would solidify our friendship."

"Only friendship? Nothing more?" she asked.

I frowned and then thought of the video again. The emotions attached to it and what will come if I answer her back. "Maybe," I found myself saying.

"Really! Ms. Lucy is going to be your girlfriend?" Grandeeney and I turned our heads to find the kids standing at the entrance of the kitchen. Happy was grinning ear to ear. "Please tell me she's going to be your girlfriend Natsu?"

"We'll see."

His intact smile was a sign of his innocence. "Aye, sir!" He said happily.

~s~

Lucy

She loved him, but not in the way he loved her. His love was like a blazing fire, burning brightly and fiercely. Her love was more like a gentle breeze, comforting yet mysterious. She yearned for him, dreamt of him, even as she knew that her feelings were unreciprocated.

I poured another glass of wine emptying the bottle while rereading the words of my latest chapter. The emotions were present due to my own distractions.

My eyes glanced at my phone and the lack of notifications from a certain pink-haired man. After sending that video, Natsu did not respond. I saw the receipt was read, but nothing. It was late in the morning after he left had the idea came about making the naughty video. Sending it was another day of thinking.

After he had me begging for more in my kitchen, I knew there was no going back. I knew he felt it too. Getting everything out in the open made my heart light and open for something real between us. However, after sharing so many kisses, touches, and multiple orgasms for the past week, we were stuck.

We neither said a word when it was time to depart. He kissed me goodbye and went to work as usual. There were so many questions on the tip of my tongue as I watched him leave again, but I couldn't bring myself to ask any of them. It wasn't the right time I convinced myself, but I had yet to find the right time since. I was stalling.

It's been two weeks since we found our way back to a conventional friendship. We texted throughout the day, and it was good to find that nothing had changed in that dynamic. We still shared everything about our day. Sending funny clips of videos, pictures of food we ate and how boring something was.

It was normal.

But something lingered under each text and each phone call.

It was unspoken words we buried deep.

Closing my laptop, I downed the glass before getting up from my loveseat. I needed more wine.

Sliding on my slippers, I trudged my way to the kitchen. Ms. Spetto was leaving with a glass of water.

"Lucy you're still up?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah. I was writing but I'm finished," I said moving to the trash bins. "Heading to bed?" I asked as I prop the empty bottle near the recycles before going to the other side of the kitchen to grab an unopened bottle from the wine cooler.

"Yes." Her eyes watched me take out the corkscrew.

"Okay. Goodnight." I began pouring a full glass of the red wine already salivating at the bittersweet taste.

"Drinking two bottles of wine is a bit much my dear."

"Anything to help me write my manuscript," I said bringing the glass to my lips.

Ms. Spetto sighed. "Just don't overindulge."

"Mmm," I hummed still drinking.

"Goodnight," she muttered walking away.

"Night," I replied after coming up for some air. I poured another glass full before corking it. Listening wasn't my strongest suit with Ms. Spetto, so taking her advice for once, I put the half-empty bottle back in its wine cooler. Grabbing the glass, I walked back to my room. "Maybe a bath will help take my mind off him."

Walking up the stairs, my doorbell rang. I groaned irritated. "Who's here so late?"

Turning around, I walked back downstairs to the front door. I placed my wine glass on the side table before opening the door. I gasped at the guests. "What are you two doing here so late?" I looked at Natsu and a sleeping Happy. They had overnight bags by their feet. "Is it still not safe at your house yet?" Natsu nodded.

Understanding, I moved out of the way letting them in. I helped take Happy from his arms, while he grabbed the bags.

"Follow me, I have a guest room prepared already. I thought Brandish would stay with me when she came up, but she had another place in mind." Walking up the stairs I saw Ms. Spetto coming out of her room as she tightened her robe. "It's okay. I got it. Go back to bed," I whispered to her. She nodded and gave a wave to Natsu before going back to her room.

"Sorry for showing up late," he whispered as we turned a corner.

"It's fine. Glad to know you're okay." We reached the room near the end of the hall. Natsu stepped forward and turned the knob. I walked in first going to the bed. Pushing back the duvet and blankets, I lightly placed Happy down. He grumbled but turned to his side to curl up in a ball.

"You know, I'm starting to think he really was a cat at one point in his life," I whispered to Natsu behind me as he placed the bags down.

His laugh was low but heartfelt. "Sure, and I was a fire wizard once upon a time." I turned to him glaring. He raised his hands in surrender. "Thanks for letting us stay here," he quickly said trying to deter the conversation.

"Stay as long as you want. I kind of like the company in this big house."

"It is big," he sighed moving to sit on the edge of the bed to tuck Happy under the covers. He glanced up at me, assessing me. "Have you been drinking?"

I opened my mouth to protest but hastily shut it. I nodded. "After I sent you the video… I kind of spiraled when you didn't answer back."

He laughed. "I wanted to but… I was distracted." Natsu gazed at me, eyes glowering with heat. I felt a rush of arousal flow to my core. "The timing was wrong too."

"I thought you were at the gym," I moved my thighs together trying to alleviate the need.

His eyes moved to my thighs before going back up to my face. "I was, but I had to handle some things with my attorney, plus I missed my little guy, so I left earlier than usual."

"Oh," I said. I felt my face growing hot from embarrassment. "I'll let you get some sleep then. See you in the morning." I turned and bolted out of the room.

He was right behind me before I could make it to my room on the other side of the hall. His hand wrapped around my wrist pulling me back to face him. "Didn't I tell you to stop running away from me?" he demanded in a low voice. I felt my whole body shudder at his command. "Don't you want me to reply to your message?"

"Right now?" I glanced over his shoulder to the room's door we had just come out of. I looked back at him.

His soft smile made my heart flutter. "Yes," he whispered. His lips were over mine as he swallowed my surprise gasp. He grasped my cheek to angle my head so his tongue could lap at my own. My eyes closed embracing how good it felt to have his body pressed against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran my fingers through his hair to bring us closer. I don't know what it was about his lips moving against mine, but it felt perfect. He gripped me by the waist and pulled me into the nearest bathroom. His foot closed the door and pivoted so he could press my back against it. Without taking his lips off mine, he pulled my lounge shorts along with my panties down and delved his fingers past my soaked folds.

He removed his lips from mine and huskily whispered in my ear. "Fuck, Lucy. You're already so wet."

My hips fell in sync with his fingers moving in and out of me. His lips sucked my neck as his fingers pulled out to flick my clit and sink back inside. I threw my head back and arched my back feeling the unraveling sensation approaching.

"Natsu… I'm about to…"

"Let go. Let me see you come," he said in a raspy voice near my ear.

"Oh god!" I gasped. He kissed me hard, swallowing my mewling cries as my body trampled over with an exploding orgasm. Natsu kept his lips pressed to mine in an open-mouthed kiss until my body stopped trembling. Pulling away, we stared at each other. My eyes looked over his face etching his good looks into my memory. His Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed catching my eyes. I moved my hand to trace his neck up to his ears and his cheeks.

Our eyes locked again. The emotion I saw once too many times gleamed down at me.

The same one I'm suffering from as I stare back at him.

Unrequited love.

Author's Notes:

Until Next Time.

Songs

Switch up the Vibe – Katnip, King Sis

Coming To My Senses – Alina Baraz

Love Me Less – MAX, Quinn XCII

ATM – Avery Wilson

Why Don't You - Thorgan

Come See Me – Teenear