The promise made but never kept

Chapter Forty Three

I COULDN'T HELP BUT POST THAT PICTURE!!!

SOOO NALU!!!

Sorry for fangirling!

Here's the story :)

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I woke up with Natsu beside me.

He's sleeping peacefully while breathing evenly.

4:31am.

I snuggled myself beside him.

Wait.

This is wrong.

He's dating someone else.

I felt sadness overwhelm me and decided to walk towards the garden.

Someone stopped me by tightening his grip around my waist, and brought me down to bed.

"Where are you going, Lucy?" he whispered through my neck, and goosebumps enveloped me.

"I-I was just about to c-cool off in the garden..." I answered softly.

"Cool off? Why?" he mumbled.

"Natsu... This is wrong..." I fought the words out, thinking that I need to get out of the room.

"How was loving you... wrong?" he questioned while cupping my cheeks and making me turn to him.

"You're dating someone else..." I answered, not making any eye contact with him.

"But..." He answered sincerely, his voice sounded earnest.

"I know and thank you." I smiled sweetly and he smiled back, while tucking a loose strand of my hair to my ear.

"Would you like to know who Sting is?" I questioned him, smiling and his eyes widen.

"I don't know... You don't have to tell me if you aren't ready..." he answered nervously.

"I'm okay now, Natsu. I finally let him go." I smiled brightly at him and he relaxed then showed me a wide toothy grin.

"That's good to hear!" he cheered and kissed my cheek tenderly.

"Can you tell me about my love rival?" Natsu teased and I chuckled.

"Sting Eucliffe was my childhood friend. He was the first friend I had, when I studied in Chicago. We were both 6 years old. Just like you, when we left. My feelings were light towards him and before I knew it, he already became my friend." I smiled.

"Natsu, ever since I was 5 years old, mom and dad noticed multiple talents of mine. Instruments and knowledge, that's why they set high expectations on me. My family and I weren't close, initially. I know I have everything as a Heartfilia, but I always thought that something was missing." I reminisced and Natsu looked quite interested.

"Sting changed that, as soon as he became my best friend. He convinced my parents that I wasn't perfect. That everyone's not perfect. He became my strength and courage. That's why my talent were only exposed to him. Whenever I do play music, it was always dedicated for him. Whenever he would request it, I wouldn't hesitate.' I paused to turn to him looking down.

"What's wrong, Natsu?" I asked.

"I wish... I was him..." he answered hesitantly.

"I don't." I answered with a full smile.

"You didn't want me to be him?" he asked in confusion and there was a hint of sadness in it.

"Nope." I teased.