NaLu: Just Experiments

CHAPTER 14: Movies

(Natsu's POV)

     Ever since Lucy had that vision, we've all been on edge. I feel paranoid and jumpy. I sit down at our usual table and start to play our new game. We call it Unraveling. We talk about our past, try to sort out problems, and now, figure out all the details in Lucy's vision.
     "What about your house?" Levy suggests. "No, it definitely wasn't there. I was sitting on a hard floor in a big room. We don't have a place like that in our house." Lucy says. We've been trying to guess the location of the vision. "We haven't been to many places." I say. "Was it inside the lab?" Juvia guesses. "I hope not, but maybe." Lucy says reluctantly. "I suggest a new question: how many images can you remember?" Gray says.
     Lucy thinks for a moment, "There was that gun, cages, people crying, Zayn handing people money, and all of us being grabbed by guards. There are a few more, but I couldn't get a good look at them." "Okay, so why would Zayn give someone money?" Lissanna asks. "Are you sure it wasn't someone handing him money?" Jellal asks. "No, he was definatley giving someone money." Lucy says firmly.
     The rest of lunch went something like that. School was normal. Same, normal teachers. No one came to take us all away.  It's kind of stressful. I set down my backpack in my room and pick up my red marker. With one swish, I cross off today. "The week's almost over." Gray looks over my shoulder. It's been five days. By now, Dr. Crimson has had all his memory erased, but then what is Lucy's vision?
     I walk downstairs and hear shouting, "Hey! No fair!" That's definitely Wendy. "What's going on in here?" I say, walking into the living room. "Nothing Natsu. Carla just took my threes." Wendy says, pointing to their card game of Go Fish, "Now it's my turn. Happy, do you have any.....sixes?" Happy looks through his cards and says, "Aye sir." I smile and look into the kitchen.
     Mom is teaching Erza how to cook dinner, and it looks like Dad is supervising. "Yum!" He says after taste testing. "Hey! We're not done yet!" my Mom shoos him away. He pretends to leave, then sticks his spoon back into the bowl to have another bite. This action causes my mom to yell at him about how goofy he is. She says I get my silliness from him and I can see why.
     I go back upstairs and walk to Lucy's room. "Hey, Luce?" I ask. "Come in." I hear her cheerful voice reply. I walk into the bedroom and look at her. She's looking out the window, her long hair down and flowing in the breeze. One hand is lightly touching the spot on her neck she was shot in and she seems to be lost in thought. She looks so beautiful.
     "The week is almost over." she whispers, knowing my ears would pick it up, "I'm scared." She looks at me with those big brown eyes. Those eyes have endured so much pain, fought through so much loneliness, and cried for so long it makes my chest hurt. "I made you a promise." I say, "Don't you remember?"
She smiles at me, knowingly, "How could I forget? It was the day you came to the lab. You were so scared." I think back to that day and slowly nod my head, "You said that everything would be alright and that I could be your friend." "Then you looked at me and said that you promised to never leave my side. You promised you would protect me. You promised we would be the best friends ever." Lucy says. "And then you said I was the strangest boy you've ever met." I add, knowing what comes next. "But I liked it, and I liked you." she finishes.
We are standing right next to each other in front of the window. When did I move? I look into her eyes and she stares into mine. She leans forward and starts to hug me. Then her face tilts up and her lips connect with mine. At first I am shocked, but then I kiss her back.
It is sweet, passionate, and welcoming. I wrap my arms around her waist, never wanting to let go. Her hands go to my shoulders and play with my collar. She leans into me and I pull her towards me. A gust of wind comes thru the window and rustles our hair, but we don't mind. We are in a world of our own where we are free to love and live the lives we choose...where we aren't just experiments.
Slowly, I start to realize. This is my first kiss, and I'm kissing Lucy. I'm kissing Lucy! I lift her up and spin her around, causing her to squeal in delight. I listen to my instincts and don't hesitate to connect our lips again and hug her tighter. Her hands tangle in my hair, and I push her against the wall next to the window. I feel extreme happiness well up inside of me and give me a new energy. Slowly I pull away and look at her in those big brown eyes, "I promise to never leave your side and to protect you forever." She laughs and says, "You really are the strangest boy I've ever met, but I really like it."
Once we untangle ourselves, I grab her hand like it's a trophy and walk downstairs. "Where are we going?" she asks. "We are going to do something fun. Try to forget about the vision, Dr. Crimson, Zayn, and even The Indigo Project. We are gonna have some fun." I say determined. We need this. I march into the living room and pull out my imaginary trumpet.
"Do-doooo-dodo-doodo! By royal command of King Natsu the second," I say with my goofiest smile, "I declare we watch a funny movie!" Movies are perfect and Lucy has never seen one or Erza or Gray or any of the exceeds.
Soon everyone is sitting in the living room looking through all the movies. Then Lucy points to the box where we keep all the Disney movies. We watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella, Aladdin, Tangled, Brave, Monsters Inc., Monsters University, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmations, Pinocchio, Jungle Book, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, and Mary Poppins. Then we made a stack of all the movies we had to see tomorrow. We cried in all the sad parts, laughed at all the jokes, and Lucy hid in my chest when things got scary.
     Eventually, everyone was asleep in a pile of pillows, blankets, and popcorn. She might not have meant to, but Lucy was snuggled up against me and smiling as she slept. My plan worked perfectly. No one is thinking about any of our problems, no one was anxious and stressed, but instead we had fun and enjoyed being together.
     I smile as I remember kissing Lucy. That was the best. Maybe when this is all over.... she could be my girlfriend. She makes me feel different and lights a fire in my chest. I never want anyone else to touch her or use her. I feel like she is part of me and no one else deserves her. Why? Then the answer hits me. I love her.