The Lost Brother {Nalu Fanfiction} - semi-hiatus

Chapter 14: Pink cheeks

Hello, friend! Long time, no see, hahahahha, fuck.

So you all know why I can't update that much, and I'm sorry that I haven't uploaded earlier.

On another note, I'm dedicating this chapter to morbidEmpire, who is incredibly strong and has amazing stories. Go read them if you want cute (and hurtful :) ) Nalu and other stories.

//тнeвιѕcυιтqυeen♥

__________________________________________________________________

"I only went after Hidaka, because I care about you!" Natsu nearly spat out, surprising Lucy.

"Yes, because we're nakamas, right?"

Natsu shook his head. "No," Natsu murmured, lowering his head. "It's another feeling. I haven't experienced it before, but I know what it is..."

Lucy held her breath.

"Lucy..." Natsu started, sighing once again. "I... love you!"

For a few seconds all Lucy did was to stare puzzled at Natsu, the words still murmuring through her head. She never thought that she would ever hear those words, and now when they had been spoken, the red color rose in her face, but it warmed her heart.

"You... love me?" was all she managed to utter.

It felt... nice.

Seeing Lucy's puzzled expression, Natsu's face fell. "I know that you don't feel the same, but-"

Lucy shook her head, her eyes watery for some bizarre reason. "Natsu, you don't know what I feel," she said, her face unreadable. Natsu now sat up, leaning forwards to rest his weight on his knees. "You... you are so confusing sometimes, you know that?"

"Huh?" Natsu uttered as if the roles had been switched.

"Sometimes you make me so mad when you break into my apartment," Lucy admitted, letting out a small giggle of them memory. "Sometimes you make me happy when you do it though - when I'm lonely for example. It seems like I'm quite lonely lately."

"Lucy..." Natsu murmured, his hands clenched on top of the blanket that covered his legs.

Lucy put her hand on the bedside, focusing on it so she wouldn't blush so much.

"And... you always save me when I'm in trouble," she smiled sadly, avoiding eye contact with him. "So, Natsu... you don't know what I feel, but I do, on the other hand. And I..."

Inhaling deeply, Lucy let her hands fall loosely into her lap. She didn't know why it was so hard to say. Was it because she was afraid to ruin their friendship? Was it just the anxiety playing?

"And I... you are..." why couldn't she just spit it out it? He already confessed, so why was it so hard for her just to keep a steady heartbeat and confess her feelings.

As she was about to continue, suddenly, Natsu swung his legs over the bedside, ignoring the pain, and cupped Lucy's face gently.

It was like he was about to kiss her but stopped for a second, looking her into the eyes. Her eyes wide, he pulled her in for a hug instead. A tight and warm one.

Lucy didn't know what to do with her arms, because she was overwhelmed. Not risking him letting go, she decided to place her arms on his back, clenching his shirt. She didn't want to let go, and it was clear Natsu didn't want to either, by the way he held her around the waist.

Pulling back, Natsu let his hand slide down Lucy's arm, reaching her hand and their finger intertwined.

"A-and I love you," Lucy finished, a gentle smile planted on her lips, though she was mentally scolding herself for stuttering.