prompt two: complicated

rate: K+

two out of one hundred.

"They say if the love is true, then it's easy. But that's false. Love is complicated. It's sticky. It's bliss and it's a mix of emotions. It's not easy." -Dominic Riccitello

x

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Natsu was typically a straightforward type of guy. He went right to the problem and always gets it handled whether it means he had to deal with it with force or with some aggressive words.

He was an open book with his heart on his sleeves because he didn't see the point in hiding his feelings or thoughts. It made himself feel lighter and the burden of secrets and grudges didn't hold him down like some people he knew.

He didn't quite understand but everyone had their own demons.

Usually he would have help from his friends to educate him on harder things. Lucy was usually his go-to since she was so smart and so insightful when it came to stuff that made his head spin. She was great like that. Smart, kind, strong, beautiful—

Natsu blinked, stilling in his motions as he was mid-chew and mid-thought.

Huh? Where did that come from?

Turning his head to see Cana leaning into him, barrel tucked in between her legs and arms as if it was the most precious jewel, he could only see her lips move but no sound came out of them.

He blinked again, swallowed, and forced himself to stop thinking about his smart, kind, strong, and beautiful—

Natsu choked and Cana was giggling like the drunk she was.

"What?" He was now annoyed and flustered, cheeks blazed but he blamed it on his choking.

"I said," She huffed, clearing her throat. "Don't you think Lucy looks beautiful today?"

So that's where it came from. He was hearing Cana (not really) and it wasn't his stupid thoughts making him believe his best friend was beautiful—

"She looks like that every day." He countered, confused on what her initial thought was.

Cana's smirk had grown and she leaned in, smiling as if she won the lottery. "So you think she's beautiful every day."

Natsu felt the tips of his ears burn and he scowled, trying to focus back on his meal that Mira had prepared him. Cana was obviously drunk and in the mood to mess around but he clearly as not in the right mindset as he kept thinking his best friend was beautiful—

"Uh, sure?" he said half-heartedly, not wanting to further the confusing conversation. "Whatever you want to think."

"You're making this complicated for no reason. Just admit to it." Her whines had him irked and he wished she was sitting anywhere else and bothering anyone else.

"I said sure," he huffed in annoyance. "And I'm not making anything complicated."

"You are by acting so macho. Why can't you just say it?"

Natsu swallowed hard, finding it a bit hotter in the guild than usual. Did Gramps accidentally turn on the heat?

His eyes narrowed at the whines and the constant prodding from the mage and he had lost his appetite from her persistent performance.

His stomach flopped like there was a live animal in there and he felt squirmish to admit to something so… he couldn't even think of the word. He knew his best friend was attractive. She was a good-looking woman with assets that could tame a beast and he found himself ogling them in his free time when she wasn't looking. She had guys hit on her all the time and he had burned one too many with the intention of scaring them off.

But… Why was it so hard to just say it out loud and admit to it?

Especially to a drunk who probably wouldn't remember this conversation?

"It's… complicated." He finally answered and he found his throat running dry so he gulped down his beverage.

It was easy to spot her in the bustling guild because not everyone was as radiant as she was. His eyes followed her as she walked from the bar to the request board and watched how she spoke to Nab who always pretends he's going to go on a job when in reality he doesn't.

It made him queasy to think of her laughing with another man and he feels conflicted when his inner monologue yells that he is our guild mate!

"Psh, whatever," Cana scoffed, untangling herself to find someone more interesting to tease. "You're complicated."

And she left him with his thoughts and his complicated emotions because yes, it is complicated.

It was the moment they had met that it became complicated. And even months later, Natsu was still struggling to come to terms with this reality that even he knew Lucy might not be able to help with.

x

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fin.