" Grey ? You're leaving ? "
He was grabbing his jacket. And Lucy looked at him with wide eyes. She didn't understand. They were having fun.
" It's freezing out. You should stay here we have planned a sleepover. "
She was smiling brightly and he could only thought that Natsu made a big mistake by ignoring her.
" Sorry Luce not tonight. "
He never called her Luce. Something was off and she was not the only to feel it. Natsu magically appeared next to her.
" Hey icebrain. You okay ? "
He looked at him and he knew. Childhood bonds are strange. No matter how secretive you are, some people manage to read you. Natsu had never been able to boast of being able to read Gray. It was Erza's privilege, but on very rare occasions he managed to unravel a little of the mystery.
" Just tired. Good night everyone. Have fun"
He said it loud for Mirajane, Cana and Wendy who still were in the living room. Lucy tried to say something more but Natsu grabbed her hand and looked at her discreetly nodding his head. Let him go.
" I think I will go too "
Cana just appeared in the entrance. Natsu looked at her.
" Don't worry I won't follow him. He need to be alone I will only make sure he didn't stop by any bar without someone with who cheers "
She took her coat and disappeared just like Grey minutes ago.
" What is going on ? "
" Nothing you know him he is not a party guy. I guess he was tired by all the noise "
Lucy smiled at him. He still hadn't let go her hand.
" Guyz Cana hadfinished all the wiiine "
Mirajane was moaning without articulating correctly, obviously she too was properly intoxicated. She suggested they go buy some alcohol at a convenience store, and Lucy, a little tipsy herself, thought it was a brilliant idea.
She wanted to recapture the joyful atmosphere that had brightened the evening so far. Erza would be back soon, and despite Cana and Gray's absence, they could still have fun together. All they needed to do was find some more upbeat music, and they would dance together before starting yet another round of truth or dare.
" Nothing will be open at this time it's too late, we should all go home. "
" But it's not that late "
" It's two O clock Mira "
Wendy complained she had take her first drink tonight and she had rapidly understood that it was not for her she just dreamed of her bed.
Finally after some other negotiations Natsu managed to get everyone off the couch. He helped Wendy with her coat during Mirajane and Lucy laughed of each other clumsiness.
They were happy. Lucy laughed a lot and Mirajane made silly jokes than only girls could understand while Natsu ensured that none of them listen to the other's nonsense and start running next to the canal or knocking on a door before running off.
It was exhausting but not in a bad way, he had found himself smiling several times when he heard their nonsense and he liked seeing them so happy even Wendy, who was more reasonable, had joined in their merry conversation.
First they have dropped girls at Fairy hills it would have been smrter to first drop Lucy at her place but she wanted stayed with girls a little more and she thought to the walk home with Natsu.
" You sure you don't want water "
" Nooo "
He smiled at her. She struggled with her heels to get them off in vain.
" Sit down on your bed "
She looked at him perplexed bit did it and blushed when he knelt in front of her and carefully unlaced the straps of her heels.
" Thanks "
" Now put on your pajama and sleep "
He take her shoes to tidy them in her closet. She smiled he knew her house by heart.
" Could you grap a loose tee please ? "
He did so and gave it to her, turning away from her while she changed her clothes. He went into the kitchen and came back with a glass of water, which he placed on her bedside table.
" Stay "
She lay on her side, looking at him. He gently lifted the warm blanket over her shoulders and sat on the edge of the bed, then stroked her hair until she closed her eyes.
" Good night Lucy "
He stood up carefully and retrieved the set of keys she had thrown on her desk. He removed the key from the front door, left her apartment and locked the door before slipping the key under her door so that she could open it again the next day.
He knocked at the door several times. He knew she was still awake.
" You have forgotten something ? "
" Still up ? "
" Hard to not be when someone hammer your door "
He smiled.
" It's you ? Who had put evryone out ? "
" Yeah "
" Thank you "
" You would have done the same for me "
" You want to come in ? "
" Yes "
She tried to crack a smile and move to let him in.
" I wanted help you with the mess "
She snorted
" Which one ? "
She looked at him.
" Sorry it was inappropriate "
He looked at the coffee table, she had already clean the mess and remove the bottles. There was no music anymore. All was calm and tidy. Like if anything had happened. She had even take a shower her hair was still wet.
" You could have sent Mirajane if you wanted be sure that I was fine. "
His eyes fell on her again.
" Mirajane would have asked what happened "
" And not you ? "
" Not if you don't want to "
" you can sleep here you look exhausted "
" I'm not came to sleep "
" But it's all you will have "
He smirked as he patted the couch, next to him.
" I won't sit down "
" Why not, you are afraid by me ? "
She sighed.
" I'm not in the mood Natsu. "
" I won't let you alone. I don't know, who said what but it's obvious that both of you are devastated "
" I thought you would not ask anything "
" I didn't "
She rolled her eyes and reluctantly sat next to him. Life sucked sometimes. He smiled looking the ceiling, his neck rested on the top edge of the back pillows, he was agree. Life sucked.
" You really don't want to go home ?"
" It's unduly late, you wouldn't want me to walk alone in these dark streets in the middle of the night, would you ? "
" You are a fire mage. Darkness is not a problem for you. You always have light. "
" I wish "
She turned her head towards him. He was still looking the ceiling, hands crossed under his head. It didn't suit him to be so sombre.
" It's Lucy ? "
He smiled without any joy, dourly.
" That's more complicated. It's not just Lucy, it's love in general. "
It was her turn to smile pensively.
" You think too much "
It was bittersweet. She was half concerned for him, half displeased by her own thoughts.
" Froming you that's both, unexpected and pretty hypocritical "
" I'm not really the overthinking type "
" No but you are smart and collected. You think before act. So advise me to not is unexpected"
" I didn't say you to act impulsively just to not torture you with your thoughts "
" It's not what you're doing ? "
She didn't respond, glaring at the ceiling. Of course she was musing, she had just rejected her best friend. She had assumed she wouldn't find any sleep tonight struggling with regrets all night. Then he had knocked her door and now refused to leave. He took her silence for an answer.
" So it was hypocritical too"
" I prefer you being silly and impulsive, finally "
" me too, it's less painful "
She looked at him. Obviously, she was not the only to struggle with her thoughts.
" You should sleep Natsu "
" As you do "
She stood up walking towards her bedroom.
" You would sleep better in his arms. Silly that you had rejected him. He would have love to love you"
He was mumbling, slowly falling asleep. And she didn't bother turning around to give him a chilling look or a cruel diatribe of truth, not this time. She kept walking and ignored the few tears that silently rolled down her cheeks. She regretted.
Regrets are always late.