Star-Crossed (A NatsuXLucy Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

AN: Hey, people. :) I know it's been... like... five days.... a lazy five days, to be honest. I decided to update tonight because of an epic reader of mine, named Froop. Froop, when you read this, I stalked your profile for 34 seconds. XD

Natsu's P.O.V.

We got Lucy to Magnolia, and even though you'd think that meant everything was alright, it wasn't. Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and Lucy remained sick. It seemed like she was getting worse before she was getting better. I currently sat beside her bed, holding her hand and dabbing her forehead with a cool rag. Her skin was still feverish, pale. She was so thin now... her cheeks looked sunken. Food didn't seem to want to stay down. A fever couldn't kill her, right? Right? I sighed sadly as she scrunched up her nose. I knew what would follow- the whimpers- the swatting me away and fit of coughing... I shuddered at the memory of the last time, when she'd coughed up blood. I was brought back to present time when she opened her eyes, and cleared her throat. I didn't hesitate in reaching over to the bedside table and offering Lucy a glass of water. She smiled, nodding a bit. She was still weak in the eyes... nevertheless, I held the glass to her lips, letting her take a drink to soothe her throat.

"Thanks, Natsu." She said, voice raspy and hoarse. It had been a while since she was able to speak. I cupped her cheek, and went to peck her lips when she pulled away, turning her head to where it was away from me. I suppressed a whimper as my mate did this; it felt like she was rejecting me.

"Luce, why can't I kiss you?"

"I-" She looked at me, and knew she couldn't lie. I felt my heart break as I waited for her answer.

"If this is going to kill me... I can't risk this killing you, Natsu." I had wanted to yell at her. I'd wanted to tell her how she was breaking my heart, but as soon as her tears started falling I found myself pulling her into my lap, holding her.

"Luce... You. Are not. Going to die from this. You and I are mates. You and me... we have lots of things to do before we die." Lucy looked up at me, and I wiped away her tears.

"Like what?" I smiled, caressing her cheek now.

"Like, going on proper dates. Getting married. Making babies. Fighting over said babies' names. Become S-Class wizards... grow old together... not all necessarily in that order," I smirked slightly at her reaction to this. Her face actually turned red. It was strange compared to her pale stature recently.

"Natsu... you idiot..." she murmured before slumping against me. I closed my eyes and focused on Wendy, sending my thoughts to her. For her to come as soon as possible. Lucy thought she was dying. When Wendy showed up, she was flanked on either side by Erza and Gray. They were panting heavily- indicating that they'd ran. Looking at Lucy, they frowned slightly.

"What's going on, Natsu?"

"She.... guys, she thinks she's dying." My voice cracks, and I struggle to contain my tears. I fail. They spill out, racing down my cheeks and falling onto my shirt; there is no sobbing, just silent crying. Nothing to wake my mate...

"Natsu, hey, no..." Gray said walking over and placing a hand on my shoulder. "She's just scared, and sick. That's all. She's gonna be fine."

"I don't want to live without her... if anything happens, I'll go insane.... I'll die along with her-"

"She's going to live! She's going to get better. For you. For us. For Fairy Tail. For you guys's future. It's not ending like this," Erza sniffled, wiping her own eyes. I nodded, holding Lucy tightly.

"Guys... I've never felt scared like this before," I managed to get out. "It hurts."

"Love's a biatch," Wendy agreed, which caused us to all laugh. Her cursing was like Lucy trying to be mean. Ridiculous.

"I freaked. Sorry." I mumbled. They circled me, creepily, I must add, before hugging me, careful of Lucy.

"We'll hold you together Natsu. Just be strong; for her," with that they left with my sick mate, to think about how I was going to make her get better before I lost her to a cold of all things. I closed my eyes and thought to Igneel... this won't happen. It's not supposed to be like this. I opened my eyes after, and peered down at her sleeping face. It would be alright. Somehow.