Accidental Love - Nalu

>> Chapter 5 - Accidental Love - Stitches <<

Later that evening...

It was all over. An inseparable friendship ripped apart by just a few words. The blonde mage perched herself on the edge of her bed, her head buried her tear-soaked hands. Anguish flooded her thoughts as she relived every agonising moment of that day.

"It's all over. Who knew that a simple mishap like that could destroy of friendship?" Lucy whimpered, glaring at her face in the mirror, tears still streaming down her face. She growled ferociously. Louder and louder...

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU JUST HAD TO GO OUT ON A JOB DIDN'T YOU?" The celestial wizard howled, obliterating her mirror with her bear fist. Blood. Everywhere. Lucy's knuckles bled immensely as she continued to deliver a death stare at her shattered reflection. Yelping in pain, Lucy snatched a piece of toilet paper and hastily cloaked it around her bleeding palm.

"You alright, Lucy?" A very familiar voice asked, concerned. Lucy flinched. It was him. Her heart racing, the blonde Heartfilia glared at Natsu in the reflection of her smashed mirror as he cautiously approached. Throbbing with pain, Lucy's hand continued to bleed like crazy, the blood spilling all over her pink top and the broken glass coated floor. Natsu gasped, realising that his best friend was hurt and rushed over to her speedily.

"W-what happened? What did you do Lucy? Speak!" He pleaded, shaking her gently. Natsu grew desperate for answers. A glazed look in her beige eyes, Lucy ignores his pleas. She'd be the one to ask the questions.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned coldly, avoiding eye contact. Irritated, the dragon slayer shook his blonde friend more harshly, demanding answers.

"Lucy! Why did you do this?" Natsu fell to his knees, reaching for her hand which wept with blood. His friend instantly pulled away, finally making eye contact with the salamander.

"Not after the way you treated me today. What made you act like that? It's like I never knew you!" She screeched, clasping onto Natsu's chequered scarf and pulling him up to her infuriated face, threateningly. Driven by concern and instinct, Natsu latched onto Lucy's wrist and hauled her downstairs and into her tiny kitchen. Grabbing her waist, he hoisted Lucy up and perched her on the kitchen side. Puzzled, the blonde mage gazed at Natsu as he frantically searched her cupboards and drawers.

"Before we talk about any of that, let's stitch you up." The salamander stated, reaching for a needle and thread. Lucy instantly felt dread and panicked, staring at the needle in Natsu's hand. Setting his equipment down on the table beside Lucy, Natsu could easily sense Lucy's nerves and gave her a reassuring smile. Gradually, the pink-haired wizard skilfully removed tiny pieces of glass out of his friend's soft hand with a pair of silver tweezers. Lucy's jaw dropped. Who knew such a short-tempered fire wizard could have such steady hands?

"Almost done. Just gotta stitch up that cut," Natsu grumbled - he didn't want to hurt her "tell me if it hurts and I'll stop, okay?" Lucy gazed up into his unfathomable eyes as he commenced his work, piercing the needle into her delicate skin. Wincing slightly, the blonde Heartfilia was silent throughout the procedure. All she could do was stare at Natsu in disbelief. After all that had happened that day, he acted like it was all just some false memory or perhaps even a dream. Lucy knew it wasn't. She remembered every moment vividly. The focussed salamander finished his work and tied a small knot to seal the wound and prevent infection.

"All done. Nice goin' Lucy," Natsu praised, presenting his blushing friend with a thumbs up "it weren't so bad huh?" The blonde-haired wizard simply glared, a blank expression smeared on her face. Natsu's beaming grin faded away, noticing Lucy's eyes welling up.

"Why didn't you speak to me today?" She asked sternly, frowning down at a quivering Natsu - who seemed to have only just recalled what he'd done that day.

"I was afraid. I thought you wouldn't want to speak to me again." The dragon slayer breathed, gazing out the window at the dazzling stars. Dumbfounded, Lucy was speechless - she'd never heard Natsu say such a thing.

"No Natsu, you're wrong. I actually really wanted to talk to you about what you said...well...what you almost said a few nights ago." Lucy explained, shuffling off the table. Unsure of how to react, Natsu could only sit cross-legged on the floor, pondering. Glancing up at the blonde's pale visage, the salamander admired her beauty for a few moments - she was gorgeous despite the fact that she had been crying.

"I see. What I said - it was an accident. I'm sorry if you're offended," Natsu apologised as he came back down to Earth "I was just scared in case you didn't feel the same way..." Heart pounding. Nerve wrecking. Pressure building. This was her moment. The celestial wizard crouched down in front of Natsu and lifted up his chin lightly, her eyes filled with desire.

"That's where you're wrong, Mr Dragneel."