The inn is nice enough. The room is somewhat small but it's nice in a small town way. There's a small walking trail out back, a little dinning room where they serve meals for their guests, and our room is outfitted with two medium sized beds and our own bathroom with an admittedly really nice shower.
We're both starving after our oddly eventful train ride. With very few words we agree to change and find the source of the amazing smell of dinner waiting for us. I gather a few things and head into the bathroom while he changes in the bedroom.
While I change I try desperately not to think about it but the absence of his touch is kind of torturous after having being held for long.
When I look in the mirror I realize the outfit is a little more revealing than I thought. I only bought it recently the gold strappless top with a sweetheart neckline is far lower cut than expected and the high waisted deep red shorts hug my thighs rather comfortably though. I throw on a necklace with red and gold beads that fall gracefully on my chest and I'm all set.
When I walk out of the bathroom, Natsu is leaning against the wall on the other side of the room, between me and the door. I walk towards him and he curses under his breath. When I near him, his gaze makes me flush. That hungry look is there again. He reaches out and his hands settle on my waist and he guides me against the wall. He's hot the touch as one of his legs settles in between mine.
He humms a low note. "Luce... you look incredible." His voice is a low rumble, almost a warning of an oncoming storm. His hand find's it's way to my necklace while maintaining eye contact with me. I'm captivated by his hungry gaze. This isn't the natsu I've known all these years. This is so much different. What changed.
"You... you really think so?" I ask.
His fingers slide over the beads of my necklace. The shifting reds and golds throughout the glass have a kind of magic to them.
"You look like you're wearing my flames Luce." His hand reaches up to my cheek. I find myself wanting, no, needing the sensation. I close my eyes and wait.
However when he pulls away I'm left feeling cold, alone, and deeply confused.
I hear the door click open and shut as my eyes flutter open, searching for him. I don't find him at dinner, I wait for about an hour but when I realize he's not coming I grab a plate and eat alone.
The food tastes alright. I know for a fact Natsu would love it more than I do.
Every time I think about him I'm left horrifyingly confused. The more I think about his behavior and how much he's changed, the more I realize he's only different when he's with me. The way he is around everyone else is the same. Bickering with the guys, being a bit of a destructive dumbass on jobs, goofing off with happy. Everything is the same except for when he's with me and he's been acting like this ever since he saw me in the park.
That look... was he jealous? Is that what's been different this whole time?
I shake the thought. Natsu just isn't like that. He's my best friend. There's gotta be another reason.
When I finally get back to the inn, it's late at night. I've been wandering around aimlessly, just trying to work through the nervous energy. I missed dinner which I'm not happy about but I was starting to lose my patience.
I've never had to take my time with anything before. Like I said, I'm not exactly one to hesitate with things.
All I had to do was duck my head and kiss her and it'd all be over. No more song and dance. I'd just be able to enjoy her.
But I could still see the confusion in her eyes. Like she was looking at someone she didn't know. When I finally get to have her, I don't want her to look at me that way or hesitate or have any doubts as to what I'm doing and why. I walked out because of that.
It's not an easy thing to know someone else has so much power over me. She makes me feel weak. Like she could snap me in half with just a few words and I'd be left broken in her wake.
She's so breathtakingly beautiful. Dressed up as if she's been bathed in my magic. Glints of light filtering through the glass on her chest, scattering light across her body. If there's anyone in this world beautiful enough to be a real fairy, it's her.
Even the most simple and basic touch from her makes me feel like the rest of the world doesn't exist, only us. She effects me in a way that no one else can.
Lucy's fast asleep when I make my way back into our room. Even in the dark I can tell she's shivering. It makes my chest ache a little. So I grab my blanket and place it over her instead. I can pretty easily keep myself warm so it's not like I need it anyway. I warm my hands a little and rub her shoulders until she relaxes. I don't remember the first time I did this for her, I just hate seeing her get cold when I know there's something I can do to help.
I sit on the floor next to her bed, just rubbing little circles into her shoulder while she rests. My heart feels so full in this moment. I've felt kind of like this when something really good happens at the guild, but it's different. She's changed me so much. I've always loved lucy but now? I love her so much more than I used to. It's probably the most terrifying yet happy thing I've ever felt.
My eyes get heavy as my thoughts slip past. Before I know it I'm drifting off to sleep next to her bed.