Chapter 3: Secrets and Shadows

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1: A Sudden Encounter
The days following Lucy’s unexpected run-in with Natsu Dragneel had been anything but ordinary. She had gone from a quiet life of mundane routines to living under the protection of one of the city’s most feared Mafia bosses. Every time she stepped out of her house, she couldn’t help but feel the eyes of Natsu’s men on her — discreet, but ever-present. It was an odd feeling, one that left her both comforted and unnerved.

Yet, amidst the chaos of her new reality, Lucy found herself strangely drawn to Natsu. There was something about him that piqued her curiosity. He was a mystery, a puzzle she couldn’t quite figure out, and against her better judgment, she wanted to know more.

One chilly evening, Lucy found herself on the rooftop of her apartment building, staring at the city lights below. It was her favorite place to think — to escape the burdens of her day-to-day life. As the wind tugged at her hair, she closed her eyes, letting the cold air wash over her.

But her solitude was short-lived.

The sound of footsteps approached, and she turned to see Natsu stepping onto the rooftop, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored black coat. He looked as out of place as a lion in a rabbit’s den, yet somehow, he fit in with the darkness that surrounded him.

“How did you find me?” she asked, half surprised, half expecting the answer.

Natsu shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “I have my ways,” he replied, his voice carrying that confident edge she was starting to recognize. “My men said you like to come up here. Thought I’d see for myself what the view’s like.”

Lucy gave a small laugh, though her eyes remained wary. “And? Is it worth the trouble?”

Natsu’s gaze drifted to the cityscape, his expression softening. “It’s peaceful,” he admitted, and for a moment, the hardness in his eyes softened. “A nice change of pace.”

There was something different about him tonight. Gone was the intimidating Mafia boss, and in his place was a man who seemed almost… human. It was in these fleeting moments that Lucy saw a side of Natsu that was hidden beneath layers of secrecy and power.

“You’re not what I expected,” she said quietly, not sure if she was speaking to herself or to him.

Natsu turned to her, one eyebrow raised. “What did you expect, Lucy?”

“I don’t know… Someone ruthless, cold, unfeeling,” she admitted, feeling a strange sense of vulnerability in revealing her thoughts. “But you… you’re different.”

Natsu’s smirk faded into a serious expression, his eyes locking onto hers. “Don’t mistake kindness for weakness, Lucy. I’m not a good man. I do what needs to be done to survive. To protect the ones I care about.”

Lucy couldn’t look away, captivated by the intensity in his gaze. “And… do you care about me?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

There was a long pause, the air thick with unspoken tension. Finally, Natsu looked away, breaking the moment. “You’re under my protection. That’s all you need to know.”

But Lucy couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his words — that perhaps, beneath the tough exterior, Natsu Dragneel was a man fighting battles of his own.

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Lucy's outfit:

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Natsu's outfit:

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⏰ Last updated: Nov 08 ⏰

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