Soul Ties

Mind, body and soul.

The weekend passed quickly, Lucy spent the majority of it with Sting. Their relationship sort of came out of nowhere so she was surprised when she realised how much fun she was having with him. Occasionally the thought of Natsu would cross her mind, she pondered why he hadn't come to visit him over the two days, but not enough for her to stress about it.

The Monday after the two had become official rolled around and she woke up next to him. They hadn't kissed yet so being in the same bed was strange, it's not like they'd done anything but still, it almost felt as if they had.

"I've talked to Rouge," Sting brought up, whist the two shared breakfast. "He says I've gotta get back to Sabertooth tomorrow, I am the master of the guild so being missing for four days probably wasn't the smartest idea." He chuckled. Lucy was genuinely disappointed but understood. "Well we've still got today!" He smiled, he loved her enthusiasm. "Yeah."

A few hours later the pair found themselves at the entrance of the Fairy Tail guild hall. The celestial mage clung to his arm, nervously as they stepped inside. She was worried about how her friends would react to their relationship. He nodded at her, reassuringly noticing her worried expression.

They walked through the entrance smiles on their faces.

Natsu was eating with Happy. He had wanted to visit Lucy over the weekend but got caught up with a job. See, he was trying to earn extra Jewel so that he could afford a gift for Lucy's upcoming birthday. He felt a gentle tap on his arm.

"What's up Hap-" The cat's expression was contorted with horror and shock as he raised a paw toward the doorway. Natsu followed his gaze and seeing the sight before him, dropped his fork.

Lucy was clinging to Sting, laughing with him amidst conversation with Levy and Juvia. "Why's he holding her like that." Natsu's tone was stark and emotionless. Happy knew it was a question but was also pretty certain he didn't want an answer.

Natsu's eyes narrowed as he watched the blonde dragon slayer pull her in tighter, gently latching onto her waist. The pinkette stood and began to walk towards them, he wasn't telling his feet to movement they were doing it on their own.

"What's this about then." He interrupted. "Well, Lucy is my girlfriend now, we've decided to try dating." He replied bluntly. The word echoed in Natsu's ears. "Girlfriend" He felt his heart drop, the feeling of shattered glass inside him. It made him realise. He wanted that with her. She should be his. She *was* his.

He loved her, truly, with all his mind, body and soul. He loved her completely.

"Natsu?" He snapped back to reality. "I'm fine." He very obviously wasn't, Lucy thought to herself. He wasn't.. was it seriously jealousy? She blushed at the thought. "No! What am I thinking!? I'm with Sting now. Natsu was just as oblivious and unaware as he'd always been." She reassured herself.

Natsu stormed away, Happy following close behind. After walking nonstop for about a half hour, he slugged down a small hill on the riverside, sitting on the damp grass. "Natsu.. what're you gonna do?" The blue cat piped up.

He turned to look up at his floating friend. "I dunno. Sting is my friend but..he stole her. He stole- my Lucy." He sighed blinking back the tears that had formed in his murky green eyes.

Happy flew down to sit beside Natsu, comforting him by resting his head on the pink haired dragon slayer's arm. His stomach ached. He yearned for her her, for her hug, for her smile.

Back at the guild Lucy was sat chatting with Sting, who had his arm around her shoulder, Levy, Juvia and Gray. She was constantly zoning out, all of her thoughts kept flashing back to him. She felt guilty for being this way. It wasn't happening as much over the weekend but after seeing his face, she couldn't wash the image of him out of her mind.

"Well yeah I saw him leave but to who knows where." The blonde caught the tail end of Gray's response. "I should go find him. I have a feeling he's upset because of me." She stood but was stopped by a firm grip on her wrist. "Why do you keep leaving me to see him?" Sting questioned. "I'm not- I mean that's not what.. Sting I don't have time for this I'm sorry." She pulled her arm away forcefully as she rushed outside.

It was that look in her eyes. The same look she had when they had been together before back then, when she told him about how much she missed that flame brained idiot. She never looked at him like that.. but he didn't loose hope. He was determined to make Lucy fall for him.