prompt twenty four: forever and a day

rate: M for Mature

Twenty four out of one hundred.

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." – Apostle Paul

x

.

She didn't think she'd ever see him again. Especially at a time like this when she's working as a maid at a hotel while he's the guest renting out one of these ridiculously expensive rooms. He looked as good as she remembered and she was frozen as they crossed paths, gawking at each other as if they had seen a ghost.

His lips were moving but she wasn't hearing anything come out, her own body surely mirroring his own.

Searing hot flashbacks of their times together many years ago flickered across her sight for a brief minute before she was thrusted back into reality and she was moving. She tucked her chin down and scurried out of his room before any words could be exchanged, heart thumping loudly in her chest.

It's been well over a decade and now she had to see him? At a place like this?

Embarrassment and utter horror clung onto her like a second skin and she had to hide in the bathroom for a good fifteen minutes to cease her shaking. She had to blink back tears and count to thirty and then restart when the same feeling would wash through her.

"You're such a weirdo. But that's what I like about ya!"

"You're my best friend, Luce!"

"We'll always be together, right?"

Oh how ignorant they were to believe that they would be together forever.

Unfortunately life wasn't that easy.

All those years she had mourned his presence and regretted leaving him behind had now succumbed to this lousy outcome?

Having to choose safety over the love of her life?

Nobody should have to choose between their happiness or their safety and as the many years dragged along, she found herself wishing she would have done anything else but run away.

Nauseous and drained, Lucy splashed cold water on her face to give her some relief and she gave her pale cheeks a good slap to bring some color back. She literally looked like she had seen a ghost and if the way her eyes sunk in or how pale she looked didn't give that away, her trembling sure did.

"Who cares what anyone else thinks? I think you're the most beautiful girl in the world!"

"I would never let you go. You're my entire world."

"Stay with me, please. I—I can't live without you."

Forcing herself to get back to work and push everything behind, she hurried back out to her maid cart. She sped walked down the halls to avoid anyone and everyone, rapid thumps of her heart beating loudly in her eardrums.

The elevator was so close but so far away, the double golden doors just a mere eight steps away but looking further away than ever.

And the burning hot grip on her arm made her inhale sharply to let out a scream of terror but then a hand clamped over her mouth and they were thrusted into a nearby closet. She thrashed and screamed but everything was muffled and dodged till she was shoved into the room and she yelped as she bumped into the wall. She hissed and frantically looked around for her assailant but her entire body grew rigid at the sight.

Sharp charcoal eyes and vibrant pink hair. Smooth, tan skin that was so sun kissed he appeared darker in the small storage closet. She gasped as she caught the glimpse of the scar on his cheek he got when they were just young teens and her eyes felt hot as she blinked back tears.

The many days and nights she had only dreamed and wished to be back with this man. The horrid nightmares and heartbreaking memories of her wails as she mourned her loss. The years it took for her to try and move on and the memories of it all flooding back in as if a damn had broken.

His eyes flickered with all types of emotions as if he didn't know himself if this was real life or he may have been scaring some random woman. She had grown out her hair and he can see how long it was just by how her ponytail reached her hips. Chocolate brown eyes that never changed in their separation and the undeniable truth of her beauty flashing so brightly back at his dull life. The look on her face showed she was clearly uncomfortable but he could feel it in his toes. The moment his eyes found hers as they crossed paths heading into opposite directions, he knew.

"Lu..cy?"

"It's Ashley now, actually."

Emotions were high as they took each other in and while Lucy was in her signature all black uniformed dress, he was dressed in slacks and a nice polo. The material stretched across his strong frame and even from above the clothing, she could see the faint outline of his built structure. It made her swallow thickly and she was nervous as she tried to take another step away to create more distance but her back simply bumped against the wall once more.

"You… I… is it really you?"

His hands shook as they reached for her and she didn't know why she winced when his fingertips brushed against her equally as hot cheeks. Her face was flushed in embarrassment, shame, and desire. Her flesh tingled with his slight touches and she was leaning into his hand naturally.

His embrace was sudden and intense but she welcomed it all as he latched onto her as if she was a delicate piece of china. His body shook and his sniffles broke her heart but she was feeling her own body betray her as tears streamed down her face.

"Please, come back to my room with me. We have to talk."

"I—I'm working right now," she pushed him away as she casted her eyes down to avoid his judgmental gaze. "I won't be off for another four hours."

"I'll wait." He declared, grabbing her shoulders to steady her and force her to look at him. "Come to my room afterward. I'll be waiting for you. Please."

His pleads were ringing in her ear as she tried to keep herself busy during the last couple hours of her shift. She was mainly in a daze as she tried to ignore the giant elephant in the room but she was nonetheless panicking internally.

This is wrong. She shouldn't do this.

But it's all over now.

She shouldn't be doing this.

But this was Natsu…

She was torn as she battled her inner demons and she was a wreck trying to figure out if she should meet him nor not.

In the end, her heart won and she was practically shaking as she stood outside his door. She had been standing there for a decent while, fighting with self about leaving or knocking. Everytime her fist would come up, it would freeze and it would lower back to her side. Even when she would whirl in her spot to leave, her body wouldn't do more than a simple turn and step before forcing her to face her fear once again.

A decade later and here she was, facing the man she desperately wanted more than anything else in the world.

A decade later and he was right on the other side of the door waiting for her.

A decade later and he still hasn't forgotten about her.

Her arm came back up to knock on the door but it froze once more as she was mid-knock and her abused bottom lip was already swollen with the amount of times she chewed on the damn thing.

Before another decade could go by, Lucy finally threw her fist against the door and she cringed as she realized how hard and loud it was. Her heart was racing as she heard the patter of his feet before the chain unlocked and he opened the door for his entire glory to be seen.

Her breath hitched at the sight of him dressed so casually, her heart squeezing painful and hot tears threatening to spill.

The t-shirt they had won together back in high school looked so worn out and a bit small but she could see he still treasured it. He looked exactly the same but older and it made her feel as if she was suffocating because he looked so good.

And she was sure she looked like some mess after she got the biggest shock of her life on top of working an eight hour shift.

He didn't wait any second longer as he grabbed her by the wrist and practically hauled her little body inside and once the door was locked shut, he was on her as if she was some type of magnet.

He held onto her as tightly as he did in the storage closet but this time he didn't allow her to push him away. She hugged him back with equal fever, burying her face into his chest as she inhaled the smokey pine scent he always had. Her body shook with all the pent up emotions as they leaked from the cracks of her silhouette, two bodies not knowing anything else but to cry and cling on as if this was their last day on earth.

Memories and feelings poured out and as they cried, his trembling figure didn't allow her to experience another day without his embrace and he crushed his lips against hers in a panicked way.

It caught her off guard but the instant relief and warmth ignited deep within and the two were frantic trying to make up for lost time.

As if anything would ever be enough to fill in the deep depths of their loss.

Clothes were flying and breathing became heavy, trembling fingers peeling away clothing and swollen lips chasing their own.

Their movements were urgent, needy, and desperate as they didn't waste any time on anything but their own pleasures. Moans flying out of lips and whispers of sweet nothings in the air. He kissed her all over, drinking in her adult body and engraving her into his mind once again.

She filled his hands as if they were meant for him and him only. Her body quaked with desire and it felt like flames were licking at her sleek skin as a sheet of sweat doused their bodies. He didn't take his time to map out her body as he was needy of finding that connection they once had in a death grip.

As he sank himself deep inside of her, Lucy could only find herself back in her childhood house with Natsu on top of her making love for the first time.

Her breath was taken from her as the gentleness of his touches brought tears to her eyes and her entire body burned in flames so thick she couldn't breathe properly.

Her body always reacted very well to Natsu and it was nice to see even after all these years it still recognized him. Her back arched and her hips bucked, nipples perk and voice shrill as he drilled into her. He never let her go as he held onto her, filling her over and over again as if this would be his very last time.

Her heart swelled and tears fell but the love she had for him grew stronger and more powerful, fingernails digging into his shoulder blades.

They kissed hungrily and fiercely, smacks of their skin echoing into the room along with the raunchy sounds of their love making.

Once was simply not enough as Natsu would continuously take her, flipping her over and bending her like a pretzel. His movements became more hasty, harsh, and angry and she believed it all to be a cruel thing as she could feel the emotions seep out from him.

The sadness. The desire. The fear. The betrayal. The love.

She felt it all as he pounded into her relentlessly and while she struggled to catch her breath during his abuse, she found herself too afraid to take comfort in his pain.

Twice wasn't even the limit as her body shook with pleasure and as her back bowed and she screamed his name, he was still buried deep inside of her while he roared out.

On the edge of the bed to the seating in the corner and even to the bathroom, Lucy was repeatedly taken in more ways she wished for as the day had finally come where she could let herself be her.

With someone who only wanted her.

Not Ashley. Not Lucy Heartfillia. Not daughter of Jude Heartfillia.

Just Lucy. Natsu's Lucy.

Night fell and morning came and no words were exchanged besides for the passion and pleasure they were inflicting.

There didn't have to be words said to see how much they were starved of each other and as tears fell and sobs erupted, the couple could only hold onto each other.

Whispers of love and endearment lingered in the air as the sun rose above the horizon for yet another day of life, they stayed in bed with their limbs tangled and tales of their lives shattered in pieces.

And she knew even after all these years, Natsu will always be Natsu and she has never been so right in a decision she made all those years ago to befriend this ball of fire.

"I love you."

Now, later, forever.

"Marry me."

X

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fin.