Forever by his side (nalu)

Betrayed?

Natsu pov

After about an hour of talking about the house, cleaning up a minimum and planning the decorations with Lucy, Levy finally leaves with her sidekicks. The cat follows not long after. Finally, alone with Lucy after such a long time surrounded by strangers, I allow myself to let my guard down and fall back in my hammock. I'd hung it in the corner of the house earlier while everyone was still here. One side of it was tied to the tree growing out of the house and the other to the ceiling. Our new place was made up of one big room for the kitchen, dining room and bedroom with only the bathroom being separated by a door. Basic home appliances were present, as well as a massive wooden table and chairs.

Relaxing, I close my eyes. I let out a small sigh of contentment when I feel a hand run through my hair. I love it when she plays with them. I've never felt cared for before Lucy. With Acnologia, it was more rigid training over loving gestures. He did raise me, and I'm grateful for the strength he gave me, but I've never felt that close to him. Despite six or seven years of living with him, I'm not sure of the exact amount of time, I knew next to nothing about him. What I do know of him comes from rumours and stories humans whispered. I couldn't remember even one time when he spoke of himself. He trained me, taught me to hunt, survive, read, and so much else, but he was never a friend. I called him my father only because that's what you call the one who raised you, nothing else. Lucy was the one real family I could really claim as mine.

"Thank you," she whispers after a few minutes of silently stroking my hair. I make a noise of incomprehension, not understanding what she is thanking me for. "I know it's hard for you, us being around so many unknown people. I'm aware of all the efforts you make for me, and I really appreciate it."

At those words, I catch her without opening my eyes and shift her so she is lying down on me, her head over my chest.

"I don't understand why, but all of this is important to you, so of course, I will put in the efforts to make you happy." I hold her tight against me and let out another sigh, this one of happiness when she reciprocates my embrace.

"That's why I want to thank you. For always taking care of me."

"Isn't that what friends are for?" I smile softly. Those kinds of smiles are for her and only her. Nobody else will ever receive one from me. 

There is a weird silence, and I open my eyes to see her face and ask her what's wrong when her stomach grumbles. She giggles, and her cheeks turn a beautiful pink. "I think I am hungry."

"There is still some dried meat in my bag if you want something quick to eat," I tell her with some regrets because she will have to move away to go get it. She does just that, standing up and leaving me alone in the hammock. I stay lying down and watch her moving around the place.

"I think I saw some wild berries and mushrooms on the way here. I'll go gather some." She goes to the front door and grabs her bag, which was next to it.

I sit up. "Should I come with you?" I worry. I don't like leaving her alone when there are so many potentially hostile people who know where to find us.

"No, it's okay," she dismisses my concern and motion for me to stay where I am. "It's not really far, and I won't be gone for long. I should still be within your hearing range. If something happens, I will shout for you. Later." She doesn't let me say anything more and leaves the house. I have the urge to follow her but decide against it. I trust her to take care of herself. She has for the last many years, and it's not today that things will change. Still, this uneasiness doesn't leave me. This whole situation we are in contains too many uncertainties for me. Too many things I can't predict, too many humans variables that do not depend on me. Never before have we been so exposed to so many people, so many potential enemies. And that makes me doubt my capacity to protect Lucy. It's a feeling I despise more than anything but try as I may, I can't get rid of it.