All to myself (NaLu Lemons)

Dos

Lucy couldn't believe it. She laid on her bed in her lone apartment apart from the college dorm rooms. She preferred her own space by herself without having to worry about the constant company being around. It was nice to not have to live by somebody else's standards.

Back to Lucy's current dilemma, she had been staring at her phone screen since the moment she got back. The pink-haired boy, now known as Natsu, had left his phone number on her phone for future references when they start meeting together to begin their project for class.

"I'm Natsu," He told her as they shook hands in greeting.

"I'm Lucy, as you already seem to know. Who do you know my name?" She asked him as they took their hands back to each other's sides.

"I've seen you around. Everyone else seems to know you and what your name is. I just seem to be observant." Lucy nodded and hoped that whatever he had heard about her name that it was good things.

They discussed their hobbies and Lucy learned that Natsu is a photographer. He shared a few of his own photos. She was awestruck by the amount of detail he was able to capture with just a bare photo alone, but the added effects nearly took her breath away.

Lucy had a gift for descriptive writing and creating her own analogies and metaphors. In her head, she could already piece together words to tie into the picture she examined before her.

They exchanged phone numbers and went on their way like so, but Lucy was dazed as ever as she walked out of the classroom and walked back to her apartment in a daze.

She nearly ran into a few signs along the way.

Lucy felt like a boundary had been crossed as she now knows more of the boy than before. It now felt weird to her that she had used him to fill an empty space in her fantasies. Sure, she could've used any other person, like an actor or a fictional character from one of the many books she's read, but something about using a complete stranger whom you've only ever seen in class made things more exciting. 

Her gears ticked as she thought about it.

But now there was a new possibility, whether fantasy or real, it was there and it scared her. She now had a name she could whisper into her pillow, but also an attachment to run away from. She already had her fair share of those and didn't plan on getting entangled in another one when they always turned out messy.

The last one really wrecked her, and now she just wanted to enjoy her time alone and to pursue her career choice away from those mistakes.

Then when she least expected it, Natsu sent his first message.

Natsu: Hey, since classes are finished for the day, let's meet up for coffee at Starbucks and get to know each other. We will be working on a project together and what better way to do that than to break the ice?

Lucy's hands shook as she typed her response.

Lucy: If you mean the one on campus, I'll be there in 20. And yes, that's a great idea

As nervous as she was, she was quick to throw on a different but casual outfit. She grabbed her bag and walked right out of the door without hesitation.

She had already gotten herself a drink and grabbed an empty table after noticing that Natsu wasn't there yet. She also realized that she said she would be there in twenty minutes, not ten. Whatever though, she had time to occupy herself with her computer and get ahead in classes and write some samples for her own personal portfolio.

She rested her chin on the palm of her head and tapped her cheek with her fingers as she clicked away on her computer.

"Hey again. Thanks for meeting with me." Lucy looked up from her computer and saw Natsu taking a seat in front of her with a drink in hand. She never saw him walk in or order a drink. Or even see him standing around while waiting on his order.

She definitely was zoned out.

"It's no problem." She smiled and bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from thinking of the dirty things about him that often kept her awake at night.

"So what's your major? I know you said your hobby was writing but," Natsu scratched the back of his head.

"Journalism. I hope to work with Sorcerer Weekly someday and maybe write novels on the side." Lucy fidgeted with her fingers. She was brief, but she can be very passionate about the things she does.

"That's some goal," Natsu said with a nod of interest. Lucy was already told of his major in photography and film, so she refrained from asking the same question.

"How did you discover photography?" She asked as she put away her laptop and sipped her coffee.

"Captured moments intrigued me, and how just the right moment of taking a picture could tell a million stories." Her heart melted.

"How poetic." She said in a softer tone as she admired his obvious cherish of photos.

"I think my favorite ones might have to be ones of strangers. Sometimes there are moments I walk past and can't help but take a photo. As creepy as it may sound, but doing so when they don't know, creates the most natural thing." The word creepy never crossed her mind as she could in ways relate. Writing stories was almost similar, as random moments whether it be from herself or complete nobodies she's walked past, she would get a burst of inspiration she'd have to write down to not forget it.

"I don't find that creepy at all," Lucy said, and Natsu smiled a cheeky grin. Lucy saw his camera sitting on the table next to him and she reached to touch it, but Natsu quickly snatched it out of reach. Lucy retracked her hand.

"I-I'm sorry, this thing is like my baby, haha..."

"I should've asked first. I just wanted to see more pictures." Natsu perked up.

"In that case..." Natsu dug into his bag and took out a large photo album and placed it on the table.

"You just carry this around everywhere?" Natsu blushed as she asked.

"Not everyone appreciates photography. These are some of the favorites that I keep with me in case anyone is interested." Lucy giggled and open the book. Inside was a compilation of all sorts of photos, some edited, some not. Either way, each one was beautiful and some left her not able to breathe. Natsu described everyone. Lucy would point to one and he wouldn't hesitate to tell her all about it.

So much inspiration bubbled inside of her as she inspected every photo. She wanted to devour each and every detail she could see and find.

Lucy dug into her bag and took out a notebook and pen. She had thoughts she needed to write down whether for future references or something to scrap down the way.

A flash went off.

Lucy looked up and Natsu had his camera held up and angled at her. Natsu smiled from behind it as he looked at the photo from the tiny screen of the camera. She tilted her head as Natsu set the camera back down on the table.

"As I said, sometimes there's a moment I'm not able to pass up the opportunity to capture." Something about that touched her in a way. So in return, she took a note she wrote down from one of the picture's Natsu showed her and tore that section out from the notebook. She went back and found the photo and placed it right underneath.

"Writing and photography have a lot in common." 

They talked much more. Lucy's hesitation and nervousness eased as Natsu was an easy guy to talk to. 

She went home later. They departed ways once they realized it was now dark outside and that the campus coffee shop was closing. Once she walked through her apartment door, Natsu sent another text.

Natsu: I look forward to working on this project with you.

Lucy: I look forward to being able to unravel more photos with you.

There was a tension between them now, and it drove her crazy. A name, a more clear memory of his face and body, and now a voice. She showered to relax, but the more she thought of him, the worse it got. Along with the existing fantasies she has, there was now a legitimate attraction and admiration for him. No longer was it just meaningless dreams to help her off herself.

She arched her back as she felt her walls constrict around her fingers.