The Gifted Mermaid➳Nalu

Chapter 17: Closer

"And he did what?! No, stop lying!"

"I'm dead serious!" Natsu laughed, seeing her crack a wide smile from his story.

After reluctantly pausing their dance, he'd taken Lucy away on a slow walk just by themselves. The peaceful, soothing aura of the late night with no interruptions to follow.

Or so he hoped.

There were occasionally a couple passing by, doing the same romantic walk next to the waters by the dock. Lucy thought it was cute how people managed to throw lights up on the boats, the night seeming brighter than usual.

On the way, they'd stopped to look at the gorgeous night scenery, having small conversation.

"I've never been to anything like this, it's truly amazing to experience." Lucy said, watching the lights reflect off the gentle movements from the water.

As she dazed ahead, she clearly was oblivious to the gaze he had on her. His eyes could show the hidden feelings ignited, the window to the core of his soul.

"I'm glad I was part of it." Natsu said. He swallowed the nervous lump in his throat, twiddling his fingertips together anxiously.

Lucy turned her head to see his enchanting gaze, her heart almost jumping from her chest. She recognized what his eyes silently spoke, every refined detail from the haziness of gray enlightened.

"You said you wanted to tell me something later," Lucy said, gently smiling. "You can tell me anything."

"Yeah, I do have to say somethin' to ya." Natsu practically blurted out, his eyebrows scrunching nervously. The more he thought about it, the more true the feelings were overwhelming inside of him.

'I have to tell her...I can't keep my feelings a secret from her anymore.' Natsu reminded himself. The more time passed, she was clearly on his mind frequently, longer periods of her beautiful image.

He peeked at Lucy, who was still patiently waiting to hear his answer. "Luce, I..." Natsu started, already tongue-twisted with his words.

Lucy took his hand in hers for comfort, as if it could somehow ease him. "There's no need to be nervous." She said, her bell-like voice a soothing chord.

Larger fingers slowly intertwined with her slim fingers, not realizing that simple touch made both of their hearts go wild.

Natsu slowly inhaled, taking one last calming breath. "I don't know where to start, but..." a silence passed over them as his mind raced to think of any sentences to describe the fire burning in his heart for her. "..You've become a person who's very important to me."

Lucy's eyes widened, black pupils expanding in surprise from the unexpected turn of vibes.

Natsu didn't face her, looking at a random spot towards the water. "I didn't expect you to be the center of my life right now."

'The center..of his life...' Lucy looked towards her feet, a true rose tinting her brightened cheeks.

"There's this type of happiness I can't really describe, like--I can't stop smiling when you're with me," Natsu chuckled, his thin lips forming a goofy grin, "or whenever I think about you."

He turned to see her eyes shining up at him, some sort of magic within the shimmering cocoa shades that boosted the confidence in his gut. "The thing is, I can't stop thinkin' about you."

A stinging sensation prickled her eyes, a lightly quivering smile formed with her cherry red lips. Everything he was saying out loud were her exact thoughts about him.