The Fallen(Nalu)

26- The Source of Pain

I sob uncontrollably, my voice carrying through the trees.

My body is slumped over on the ground, my face resting in my arms as my tears start to create a tiny puddle in the dirt right next to my wrist.

This pain...

All of the memories are flooding in now...

I can't bear it.

How could I let myself be fooled these past few weeks?

Was Natsu even really there at all or was my mind so broken that I hallucinated him the whole time?

It doesn't matter.

All I know is that he wasn't truly there...because he...

The thought struggles to come to reality in my mind.

He died...

That's the truth.

That's reality.

He died on the last job we took...more than two and a half years ago today.

I remember now.

It was just Natsu, Happy and I.

Happy had picked out a job to mess with me... it was a job where we had to go into a cave...

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"A cave?! Are you kidding me? Who chose this job?"

Natsu and Happy both lean into each other and try to hide their chuckling but my glare finds my way to them.

"Not funny you two! This is gross. A cave is dark and slimy and who knows what's in there!"

Natsu and Happy look at each other and grin.

"Cool!"

My shoulders droop and I glare ahead of me as we walk through the mountains. The only upside to this situation is that the sun is out and it warms my skin...unlike some of the other jobs we've gone on in the mountains.

"You guys are a bunch of idiots. I can't believe you picked this job just to mess with me."

Natsu bumps my arm with his elbow and I glance up to him.

"Cheer up, Lucy. The pay is really good so that's why we picked it."

My glare loosens.

"Plus I can't wait to see what nasty creature is waiting in there!"

Just like that my glare returns at Natsu's normal immatureness and I begrudgingly walk along.

"I'm picking the next job you two...and you guys are going to hate it!"

Natsu snorts at me.

"Good luck. Happy and I enjoy any job."

My eagerness fades.

He's right.

Hmmmm....

I grow silent for a moment while I contemplate what job would make them unhappy.

Wait a second...

I smile mischievously at Natsu and Happy.

"I'm going to pick a cleaning job."

Their mouths fall open.

"That's not even a job for a mage!"

I shrug my shoulders and look ahead of me as we continue walking.

"Well after this charade of yours it will be. I'm going to find the most boring place to clean too... that doesn't involve any food!"

I smile smugly to myself as Happy groans from the other side of Natsu.

I stumble slightly when Natsu bumps his shoulder into mine. I shoot a glare his way expecting to hear him protest but instead he's looking at me with a smile.

I falter in surprise.

"What?"

He outstretches his hand and I hesitantly take it.

When my hand wraps around his he shakes it.

"Deal. Next job we go on will be super boring. Just for you, Lucy."

Happy looks at Natsu with an exasperated expression from beside him.

"But there's gonna be no food, Natsu!"

Natsu's smile falls and he groans, rolling his eyes at Happy.

"I know, Happy...but Lucy will buy us food when it's done to make up for our suffering."

Happy smiles and high fives Natsu.

"Deal!"

They both start running ahead on the path.

I stare at them incredulously.

"Are you serious! How is that payback for this job if I'm buying food!"

I start running after them muttering under my breath as I do.

"How do I always end up in this situation?...friggin jerks!"