Never let go

16: Fate

A screeching whistle came from a man to the left of Natsu and Lucille. "Return the boats!" The man yelled, placing his lips around the whistle and blowing again. The mess of people in the water had already begun to grow quiet and Lucille was absolutely freezing. Natsu looked at her, his eyes searching her face as she stared at the man, terror written on her face. Her body was shaking hard, white clouds escaping her lips as she shivered in the coldest water she had ever felt. Natsu swallowed and smiled to her, squeezing her hand.

"The boats are coming back for us, Luce." He said, causing her amber eyes to move back to his face. "Hold on just a little bit longer."

It was becoming harder to speak, his body jerking in the water in an attempt to stay warm. She looked to him, eyebrows drawn up and hands quivering in his own.

"T-They had to row away...for suction but....now they'll be coming back." Lucille nodded, looking over his head at the pleading people, screaming at the boats to come retrieve them from the water. She saw flash lights and the boats were moving together, hopefully coming to their aid soon.

After about ten minutes, the screeching of the whistle had grown silent and the cries had dwindled down into pathetic whimpers and sobs. Lucille felt tired, all she wanted to do was close her eyes and sleep. Maybe then she could focus on something else besides the cold. Natsu was panting, attempting warm himself as Lucille's cold chin rested against his arm.

"It's getting quiet." She murmured, eyes fluttering slightly as she attempted to stay awake.

"It's just...gonna take them...a couple minutes...to get the boats organized." Natsu forced out. Frost had begun to cover his hair, the cold night air freezing the wet, pink strands. Lucille watched him, swallowing hard. "I don't about you but...I intend to write a strongly worded letter...to the..
White Star Line about this. "

Lucille stared at him as he let out a forced laugh, his eyes fluttering as well as he blew out his cheeks in an attempt to warm himself. She swallowed and clung to his hand as hard as she could, swallowing once more.

"I love you, Natsu."

He looked at her and swallowed, eyebrows drawing together.

"Don't you do that." He said and she looked to him, wanting to cry but the tears weren't able to leave. "Don't you say your goodbyes. Not yet. Do you understand me?"

She let out a choked sob, her body jerking hard enough to cause her knees to thunk against the wooden door and laid her head head against his arm again.

"I'm so cold." She forced out.

"Listen, Lucy..." He began and she raised her eyes to meet his. "You're going to get out of here. You're gonna go on and you're gonna make...lots of babies. And your gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old...an old lady warm in her bed. Not here..." She was crying, though no tears left her eyes. Her body trembled as she searched his eyes, wanting to believe his words in a moment that seemed so futile. "Not this night. Not like this. Do you understand me?"

Her eyes closed and she let out a soft sob. "I can't...feel my body." Natsu adjusted himself so that he was closer to her, their frozen foreheads pressing against each other's.

"Winning that ticket, Luce was the best thing that ever happened to me." He said, his eye brows together as he stared longingly into her eyes. "It brought me to you and I'm thankful for that, Lucy." He smiled at her, causing one to spread on her cheeks as warm water finally trickled down her cheeks. "I'm so thankful."