Soul Ties

Was it love?

The blonde duo had been talking all afternoon under the glaring eyes of their pink haired friend. "You okay buddy?" Happy questioned worriedly. Natsu's gaze remained fixed. "Hey Happy.."
"Hm?"
"Why does it hurt when I see them.. ya know, like that?"

The cats eyes widened, he was taken aback by this. "What'dya mean?" The boy groaned in thought. "I dunno, but when Luce is talking to em, it makes me mad. That shouldn't happen right? Sting is technically my friend."

His friend sighed in respone, thinking to himself. Why *was* Natsu getting so upset? If he thought about it, Happy could only relate what he had described to how he himself felt about Carla. So..was it love?.

"I'm not 100% sure.. but it might be that you actually do have romantic feelings for Lucy." The cat finally responded bluntly. He had always teased the pair about love but assumed that Natsu was too dense and oblivious to fall in love. Though, he had matured a lot since when Lucy had joined the guild all those years ago.

Natsu widened his own eyes now, frowning. He covered his mouth in coy embarrassment as his cheeks flushed. "Seriously? Love? There was no way. For Lucy?" He thought to himself. His face was going redder by the minute as he slowly turned back to Happy.

"It's probably jealousy, seeing Luce with another guy." Happy continued. There was silence for a few moments. "I- uh Happy I gotta go." Natsu quickly picked himself up and walking out of the guild briskly, passing Lucy and Sting.

Seeing him speed past, the girl halted her conversation, leaning past Sting to see when he was heading off to. "Hey I'm sorry I'm gonna go check on Natsu, but I'll see ya later!" She said following suit with a reassuring grin. "But Lu-."He called out, reaching to grab her hand but missing just slightly. His expression dropped in disappointment.

Sting made his way toward Juvia. She was Lucy's friend right? So she should know how she felt. "Hey rain lady," He called out. "Juvia?" The blue haired woman asked in reply, pointing at herself to make sure. "Yeah, so um.. do you know if Lucy likes anyone?" He inquired, straight-forwardly.

"Well, Lucy is Juvia's love rival, although Juvia doesn't really think she has a chance with my beloved Gray. She might like Natsu.. but Juvia thinks it's unlikely. They would've been together by now if that was the case." At this, the blonde's eyes brightened. "So she's available?"
"Juvia believes so." He beamed. "Thanks rain lady." His smile not too dissimilar from Natsu's Juvia thought to herself.

"Natsu!" He heard her call from a short distance away but, choosing to ignore her, he sped up, almost at the pace of a light jog. "Natsu! Wait up!" She yelled again. The pinkette turned to face her, realising he couldn't force himself to ignore her. "What." He replied starkly, staring at the ground.

"Hey, no need to be so cold, I just wanted to ask what was wrong?" She came closer to him, bending down to see his face. At this Natsu's face was hotter than ever, comparable to the flames of his magic. Instinctively he turned his back to her, hiding his blush as best he could.

Lucy's smile turned to solid annoyance at this. *Why's he being so rude! I mean I know he's upset but I wish he'd just tell me why!* She reasoned, turning the opposite way "Fine! Be that way, if you're gonna act all stand-offish the I don't wanna deal with you right now so I'm going back to the gui-" She was cut off feeling his hand grab her wrist pulling her from walking away.

"Stay."

Her face softened, turning to see him. Natsu was still staring at the ground out of embarrassment.

"Please." Lucy smiled gently, how could she walk away now? She slowly pulled him into a tender embrace.

"I will." She whispered, burying her face in his shoulder

"As long as you want me to."