The Pain of Memories

Chapter 5.. Exhaustion

This wasn't good. He's still here. I reached for the door handle and stepped through the door at the exact same second Natsu charged into my room. He fell right into me and knocked me onto the ground. I blushed as he sat on my legs.

"Lucy! Why did you leave? It's not safe!" he yelled.

"It's plenty safe," I mumbled. "And I only came back for a bath and new clothes. I told Mira to let you know I left when you woke up."

"Yeah, well, she woke me up and said that you left a few minutes ago, so I came straight over!" he said. "Don't leave my side again. I don't want anything to happen to you!"

My face turned an even darker shade of red, and his cheeks turned a little pink too. Wait, Natsu is blushing?? Does that mean...?

"You llllllike each other," Happy said, floating above us.

"No we don't!" I mumbled. "And I don't like how much you're rolling your tongue!'"

Natsu stood up and grabbed my hand, pulling me up with him.

"Come on, let's just go back to the guild. Levy was just walking in when I left and asked how you were, so you better hurry and get to her," Natsu grumbled, looking at the ground. I smiled to myself and kept a hold on his hand.

"Well then let's go!" I said, pulling him after me. Happy flew above us, chanting some rhyme about us liking each other. Natsu looked shocked at first when I didn't release his hand, but a second later he grinned bigger than ever.

We walked back the entire way like that, and were still holding hands when we entered the guild. Mirajane noticed us and winked at me as we walked by. I dropped Natsu's hand the second I saw Levy and ran over to her.

"Lu-chan!" she yelled. I grabbed her into my arms and we hugged the life out of each other. "Are you ok? They wouldn't let me see you when you were in the medical room! And I saw you walk in holding hands with Natsu! Does that mean you told him you liked him?"

I slapped my hands over her mouth and looked around. Natsu was standing right behind me. Levy looked at me smugly and laughed as she skipped away. I stared at the ground.

"Umm, what was Levy saying?" Natsu said, cheeks turning nearly as pink as mine. Why was he blushing?

Because he's embarrassed that someone like you would have a crush on him. He hates you more than anything or anyone. You are too pitiful for anyone to ever fall in love with you.

"Yo, flame brain!" Gray yelled, saving me from answering Natsu. He stalked up behind Natsu. "I heard you let Lucy leave alone this morning. Are you an idiot, or just insanely dense?"

"What'd you call me, droopy eyes?"

"I called you dense, squinty eyes."

"You think I meant to let her leave, Ice Princess?"

"How did you not notice? You were lying on top of her when I left!"

"STOP!" Erza yelled, shoving them apart. "How are you feeling, Lucy?"

"I'm okay," I said. There was no point in worrying everyone. It would just make them angrier.

"Are you sure? It looks like you have bags under your eyes. Are you sleeping properly?"

Natsu ran over to me and stared at my face. "Hey, she's right!"

"I promise I'm fine. It just took awhile for me to fall asleep!" I insisted, crossing my fingers behind my back.