The Overprotective ⍣ [Nalu/Gruvia]

• CH 14 •

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☼ Natsu Dragneel, POV

"I completely did not say what I felt about Lucy. I wanted to hold her longer and continue to kiss her but I couldn't do it." I explain.

"Sounds like you're pretty damn stubborn." Gajeel says as he wacks the fishing pole back into the water.

"Shut up, I'm not stubborn."

"Well, you wanted my advice." Gajeel said, looking at me.

"Well, not advice like that." I start to roll my fishing rod a bit irritated. "I can't talk to Gray about this because he's apart of it, so can you please tell me what you think?" I said trying to hide my desperateness.

"Fine." He starts. "I think maybe you should forgive her. Obviously you like her too much to just quit on her. If she can suck up all the courage and pride she had and apologize, I think that means she does care and is truly sorry. Her apology was sincere, but I don't blame you for not getting over it so easily, but while you're stuck on her mistakes; Lucy is moving on, Gray is moving on, the world is moving on but you. You will be the one left behind stuck in time because you can't let go. It's probably time to start over. Everyone goes through phases over and over again, especially the love phase like you." I stayed quiet. Trying to sink in everything he just said. I suddenly had an urge to ask him a question.

"When did you start giving such good advice?"

"Levy. Don't ask me why, but ever since I performed my shobedoba single that one time in the guild, Levy told me I probably want to invest my time in other things and made me join an all-women book club that she hosts."

" . . . Wow. Okay."

"Anyway, the point is you have to just go for it. If you hold back for too long it's going to come out when you don't want it, but the good part is it feels good to get it out."

"You mean my urges?" I ask. He nods.

"I know the feeling all too well. I think it's a dragon slayer thing. Feeling the need to protect something you love even more than anything." I grip the fishing pole tighter then release.

"Yes! Yes! Finally, someone understands." I say in relief.

"Once I started doing what I felt towards Levy It's like the mental suffering stopped. I don't feel it anymore. But I remember the longer I held back The stronger the urge was and the more intense my feelings got." He explains.

"It's even gotten to a point where I'm depressed and my hurt feelings feel physical. I'm never depressed, what's happening to me?" I comment.

"You're probably reaching a dangerous level of your overprotective emotional state. I'd suck up the hurt and just go to her." Gajeel suggests. I cross my arms.

"No. I'm not a second option!" I whine.

"Oh, quit being butthurt and let go of your pride. You only see yourself as a second option. For Lucy, that's not the case. She probably didn't even consider you as a second option. She sees you as someone she messed up with and should have fallen in love with and all she wants to do is make it right."

"How do you know that?" I ask.

"I read the men's guide to women. There's some deep stuff in there." He says, casually leaning back in the chair. It was quiet for a moment.

"Can I borrow it?" I ask.

"No." He bluntly says. Suddenly Gajeel's pole begins to shake. "Oh, I think I caught a fish!"