Cherry Blossoms

Natsu Dragneel laid against the warm cement of the roof, his eyelids shielding his eyes from the sun's bright rays. His fingers were intertwined against his head, a small smile on his face, relishing the peaceful sounds of birds chirping and people chattering from below. It was tranquil and calm, so unlike the previous times filled with his friends pestering him with useless questions.

It was unfair of him to think that, he supposed, but he needed some goddamn peace and quiet, and none of them refused to give it to him.

There was a flutter--a breeze-- by his side, and her scent of cherry blossoms and vanilla carried its way over to him-- so strong, it seemed to be from his imagination. A hint of heat brushed against his skin, but his eyes remained closed, refusing to meet the warm chocolate-colored eyes of the person that laid next to him. "Natsu," she sang softly, but no response came from the boy. "Natsu, look at me."

"What is it, Lucy?"

She let out a giggle, sounding like soft bells in his ears. "Natsu, they're waiting for you."

Natsu's eyebrows furrowed, and his bottom lip puckered ever so slightly. "So?" he said harshly. "It's probably just another party or something."

"They're your friends!"

"I don't need them!" he snapped, but the weight of his words burrowed deeply into his heart, sinking the hope that had remained there still. "Luce, I..." His voice trailed off, unable to find the words necessary to rectify the situation.

There was another breeze, this time gently brushing against his hair, almost as if they were fingers playing with his pink locks. "I know, Natsu. You need time." Her voice was so gentle and understanding, and he wanted nothing more than to thank her, nothing more than to tell her that he--

But it wasn't as simple as that, now was it? Especially not for someone as complex as one Natsu Dragneel.

"Time," Natsu started, his eyes burning. "It isn't something that can help me."

"Time will heal you, Natsu," Lucy whispered, "because it heals everyone."

An empty laugh escaped Natsu. "Everyone says that, Luce, but... but still... the scars remain." Her voice echoed his, and finally Natsu's eyes opened in surprise. She stood before him in a beautiful, white sundress, looking as beautiful and as innocent as the sakura trees nearby. He flinched, lowering his head to make it easier for himself. "Losing Igneel... I... it..." Natsu struggled to find the right words that would show his true feelings, but dammit, he couldn't find anything. Nothing could convey his true thoughts, his true feelings, the mourning and pain and confusion and anger that he felt. And no one would be able to understand.

Including Lucy. Especially Lucy.

"Natsu..." She stepped closer to him, but Natsu quickly stepped back, his eyes staring at Lucy's painted toes. They were pretty and pink, and he found them odd. The color was so bright and happy....

Lucy sighed, and her feet moved from his line of sight. For a moment, silence reigned, with Lucy out of his sight doing who knows what, while he himself stood frozen, unable-- no, refusing-- to move. Finally, she spoke, "Remember when we first met?" At that, Natsu looked up, their eyes finally meeting. Lucy smiled, patting the spot next to her, and transfixed, Natsu's body followed. He sat next to her only inches away, and he could almost feel the heat radiating from her.

"Yeah, at Hargeon." His voice was rough, but the two ignored it.

Lucy giggled, her eyes trained on the ground below. "I didn't expect the fact that you were part of Fairy Tail. If anything, I kinda looked down on you because you seemed like an idiot."