Sweetheart

57

"Hey Melanie," Natsu hesitantly asked, "can you help me with something?"

"Natsu, that's literally what I'm here for. I'm supposed to be helping you with stuff."

"Uh, right, so I was wondering if you could walk me through what I'm, like, supposed to do."

"In what matter?"

"I just feel like I'm a total idiot when it comes to, like, relationships and shit, so I was hoping you'd be able to help a little."

Melanie nodded and motioned him to speak.

"So like I mean I know that it's supposed to be some commitment type thing, but I don't exactly know how to do that."

"Is she your girlfriend?"

Natsu shrugged.

"So do you both think that you're still in the initial stages of dating?"

"I guess."

"After three months?"

"I don't really know how to get from dating to actually establishing a relationship. I never went on dates with anyone. It just kinda happened."

"Well it's normal for the waiting period to be about two to four months, so you're in the area. Now are you saying you're ready for that type of commitment?"

"I don't know how to tell."

"Would the relationship be monogamous? Can you see yourself being with only one person at a time?"

"Like what?"

"Are you willing to give up sleeping around and instead remain faithful to her?"

"I haven't had sex since this whole thing started. Which is weird."

Melanie held a small smile that she kept hidden from the salmon haired boy.

"Do you think you can be open with her?"

"I mean she knows about my life and shit, so I guess."

"And is she open with you?"

"I know most of it, but she doesn't like talking about certain things. And I mean I get that because it's super hard."

"Do you think you can communicate with her about what you would like to happen?"

"I don't know how to communicate with anyone other than getting in trouble, so no."

"Do you see yourself able to remain consistent enough to engage in a relationship that centers around commitment and open communication?"

"I'm not sure."

"Okay Natsu, tell me straight. Are you afraid of commitment?"

Natsu looked off to the side and grumbled, "I mean it's never been something I thought about."

"Are you afraid of getting rejected?"

He shifted in the chair before slowly nodding his head. Melanie smiled, happy that he had finally started to come to terms with himself.

"Well I can tell you right now that the way that you're trying to work through this confusion is a good sign."

"Really? How?"

"You're saying that you think you're ready for something like this, which is, as I have concluded, something rather uncommon for you."

"So how do I do it?"

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Aina felt a kick on the back of her desk, so turned around and raised an eyebrow at Sting.