Soul Ties

Those Eyes

As soon as Natsu had arrived back in Magnolia, he had headed to the guild carrying Lucy in his arms, but trying his best not to wake her. A few hours later, he was still sat in the recovery room by her side. "Come on Lucy, wake up.. please." He continued to mutter variations of this and occasionally he would lightly rock her in the hopes she'd open her eyes but he had been having no luck.

It was now 4 hours since the pair had rushed into the guild, and Lucy had already been visited by most of the guild, Happy had stayed the longest well aside from Natsu of course. Lucy slipped slowly back into consciousness and fluttered her eyes awake. She stared at the ceiling for a second, remembering what had happened and realising where she was.

She then turned her head to see a snoozing pink haired boy beside her. He was sat on a little bedside stool and was resting his head on the pillow she has been sleeping on. "Hey, how long was I out?" She questioned.

Natsu's eyes snapped awake at the sound of her voice and raised his head to check he hadn't imagined it. "Lucy!" He grinned pulling her into a tight hug, cradling her head in his right hand. Touching his forehead to hers. "Stop scaring me like that." He pouted, which she giggled at softly. "I will. But atleast this time, you were right there with me!" She exclaimed, lifting her head to look at him.

Soon after exchanging prolonged glances at one another, there was a flash of bright blonde hair turn into the door. "Lu-" Sting called, however he stopped himself, staring at the pair together. He blinked and stumbled back at the sight of her giggle. She had never looked at him like that. Not with those eyes.

Her gaze shifted to the silhouette I the doorway. "Hey!" She beamed at him. He hesitated but smiled back, catching the unintentional glare from Natsu, as he made his way over to her. "Hi, Mira told me what happened. Are you okay?" His tone was serious although gentle.

"Mhm! I had my spirits and of course Natsu to protect me, not that I couldn't protect myself." She replied with a smug grin. "Don't lie! You would be totally done for without me!" The fire wizard piped up, chuckling. She tapped him round the head playfully.

Sting watched as he felt the jealousy bubbling up inside of him. In an attempt to pull her attention away towards himself, he grabbed both her hands and pressed his lips against hers.

Natsu caught his sharp breath. His eyes darkened as he stood up. "I'll leave you alone then." He murmured, slumping out of the room and round the hall out of sight. Lucy melted into the kiss out of pure instinct but her heart sank as she heard him leave.

"Was that really the right time?" He heard the tone of offence in her voice, which made his stomach ache. "Sorry. I- I couldn't help it." She reluctantly smiled in an attempt at comfort but they both knew it was extremely forced.

The next day, Wendy reassured Lucy that she was fully recovered and permitted to leave whoever she felt comfortable. Her first thought was to see Natsu.

She found him sat with Happy resting against the back wall of the Guildhall. "Lucy! Your better!" The blue cat cried excitedly flying towards her. She caught him in her arms. "Thanks for visiting me Happy!" She smiled down at him as he giggled.

Noticing Natsu's somber expression however, the cat wriggled out of her grasp, "Talk later okay?" He grinned making his way inside. "Erza said you caused a bit of chaos last night." She commented, sitting beside him, his gaze still fixated on the ground. "Yeah well that's what happens." He replied coldly. "When someone gets mad? Trust me I kn-"
"When someone needs someone else." He said bluntly. She blinked, speechless. "When someone needs someone else who won't ever *really* need them back." He continued.
"You need me?" She uttered, her face blank from complete shock.
"Why do you think I've kept you with me ever since I met you?" His eyes finally shifted to her face. "Why..why do you think I stayed?" Her voice was now trembling, holding back her tears.

She saw his expression switch hearing this, from a hard stare to a surprised and slightly confused look. "If you had bothered to notice that everytime I'm with you I'm happy. Even in the tough times, I'm smiling because I know you're there with me. Nobody else makes me feel that way, I like Sting but he can't make me feel the way you make me feel I just want to be around you all the t-"

She was cut off at the feeling of his soft lips pressing gently against hers. Her eyes widened for a moment, but then she cupped his face in her hand and pulled him in further. She felt his hot tounge slip into the kiss as he licked the roof of her mouth.

It felt like they had sat this way for hours, even if it had only been a couple minutes. He softly pulled away from her and turned his eyes back to the ground as she saw his face turn a bright red. "I'm sorry, for not noticing."