The Dragon's Mark

I Was Getting Tired of Waiting

The Next Morning:

"What is the meaning of this?"

The voice woke Lucy up with a start. She opened her eyes to find Porlyusica staring down at her. "What do you think you're doing, girl?" the old healer asked heatedly.

Lucy was aware that not only was she in the bed with Natsu in the clinic, but she was under the covers and something heavy held her to her spot. Happy got up and stretched at the bottom of the bed. "What's going on? Is it morning?" he asked with a big yawn

"You think you can just crawl into bed with my patient because you're uncomfortable? My patient needs rest and he needs space to heal!" continued the healer. Lucy's face blushed with embarrassment and shame. What if she had hurt Natsu in the night? She tried to get up, but the something heavy held her to the spot. Lucy felt as if her face were on fire.

"I can't get up," she murmured.

Porlyusica glared at her. "What did you say, girl?"

"I CAN'T GET UP!" Lucy yelled, struggling against whatever was holding her down.

"Oi, Luce, it's early. Quiet down, will ya?" spoke a soft male voice from behind her.

Lucy managed to turn her body despite the object holding her down, which she discovered was Natsu's arm. "NATSU!" she screamed, grabbing him and hugging him tightly. Happy, too, jumped at the voice and hugged his best friend, also crying out, "NATSU!"

"Oh for heaven's sake! At least let me check my patient!" grumbled Porlyusica.

"Lucy?" whispered Natsu in a worried tone. "Why can't I see you?" His hands reached up to touch his eyes, but of course these were bandaged as well. "Why can't I feel my hands?" he asked, his voice taking on a panicked tone.

Lucy felt his body heat up in his panic. "Natsu," she began, laying her hand on a bare part of his chest. "Your eyes are bandaged and so are your hands. It's okay. Wendy and Porlyusica have been taking care of you."

"Lucy? Are you really here?" Natsu asked confused. "I smell you, but I can't see you. Am I dreaming? Are you back?" He tried to sit up, but Lucy gave a gentle push and he lay back down.

"I'm back," she said, tears streaming down her face. "Now stop being a goof and let Porlyusica check you over."

She disengaged herself from Natsu's arm - the heavy object that had prevented her from moving before - and stood up and away from the bed to give Porlyusica room.

"Fetch Wendy for me," the healer ordered.

"Aye! I'm on it!" cried Happy, flying towards the door.

"Natsu," Lucy whispered happily, making sure to stay out of Porlyusica's way as the woman kept glaring at her. She wiped a tear as her eyes filled with grateful tears.

Wendy hustled in with Happy and Carla right behind her. Waiting at the door, but not coming in on Wendy's advice, were Lisanna, Grey, Erza, Levy, Juvia, and Gajeel. Lily hovered above the group with the master in his arms.

"He's awake!" Wendy announced to the group. "We just need to check on his injuries. He'll be sore for awhile so no more jobs for a bit." She turned back to Porlyusica who grumbled under her breath about "nosy brats."

"Oi, I can't see anything!" groaned Natsu. "I hate this!"

"Be patient!" Porlyusica snapped at him and Natsu clamped his lips shut. "Yes, ma'am!" he managed to squeak out. Wendy supported Natsu into a sitting position.

Taking a pair of medical scissors, Porlyusica started to cut at the bandages slowly. "Keep your eyes closed," she warned as she unwound the strip from his eyes. "Or you might damage your eyes."

She pulled one eyelid up, then checked the other. "Follow my finger with just your eyes," she said sternly. She looked up at Wendy. "His vision seems fine. Let's check the rest of him."

Once examined, Natsu was warned to take it easy but his attention was not on his medical staff but on Lucy. As soon as Porlyusica and Wendy moved out of the way, he stretched his arm out and Lucy came running to him. He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I'm so happy you came back!"

"You doubted me?" asked Lucy, lifting her head and looking at Natsu.

"Nah, but you were gone for way too long! I was getting tired of waiting. I almost called Loke and told him to bring you back, but I know how important this was to you."

"Natsu," whispered Lucy, leaning back into him.