Star-Crossed (A NatsuXLucy Fanfiction)

Chapter 33

Lucy's P.O.V.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and I showed no sign of being pregnant. Meanwhile, Natsu had been...vigorous...in achieving the goal. It had made the night before awkward, when I'd refused his embrace, and dragged my pillow to the small couch, curling up on it and wrapped in a blanket. Even with the lights out, I knew he was staring at me. I felt his hurt gaze rest on me for the better part of the night. Then, I'd woken up to Natsu kneeling beside me, with a cool rag, dabbing at my face. What...?

"Good morning," he said, softly. I stretched, feeling my muscles and bones ache. I felt like I had the flu- everything was sore and heavy.

"Morning..." I murmured. My voice came out muffled, as if I had my mouth covered or something. I felt hot. Kicking the covers off of me quickly, I fanned myself, already feeling miserable. "What's with the rag?" Frowning, Natsu recounted how he'd been up most of the night, wondering why I'd slept on the couch, but about three hours ago, I'd started tossing and turning, burning up.

"So...what you're saying is...I'm sick?" I asked, sitting up despite the nauseous feeling that was settling within me.

"Uh huh," he said nodding. I tried for a smile, but my stomach flipped. Cupping a hand over my mouth, I got to my feet hastily, ignoring his out-reached hand, and dashed into the bathroom, collapsing on all fours above my toilet and wretched. Tears stung my eyes as I gagged and gasped, clutching the rail until I'd managed to get it all out. Unable to move, I knelt over the toilet shaking. What had brought that on? Natsu- who I hadn't noticed was in the bathroom with me- rubbed circles into my spin comfortingly, pulling my hair away from my face.

"Baby, are you alright?" He asked gently. My answer was a short gasp of breath, unable to speak through the bile trying to rise once again in my throat. Squeezing my eyes shut, blinking away the tears and shook my head. I heard the running of water, and then I was being lifted up to the bathroom sink. He flushed the contents from the toilet and pushed down the seat. I rinsed my mouth and brushed my teeth, leaning heavily against the counter. Natsu then scooped me up into his arms and took me back to our bedroom. Laying me down and pecking my forehead, Natsu covered me up. Sitting down at my side, he held my hand.

"Sorry you're feeling so lame."

"Me too."

"Cheeky, even when you're sick."

"Well, I like to where my best face on the worst days."

"Never miss a joke opening, do you?"

"Not often."

"How lovely."

"How nice of you to say."

"I'm gonna guess you don't feel like a picnic."

"You guessed correctly."

"Want some soup or something?"

"Or something."

"While you're sick?"

"You're a perv."

"You should eat some soup."

"I should eat some soap?"

"I said soup."

"...soap."

"Ugh. No! I. Said. Soup."

"Pretty sure you said soap."

"I SAID SOUP."

"Gee, no reason to shout...I just want some soup."

"BUT- I-" Natsu cut himself off, shaking his head. "I'm just going to go make you some soup." As he was walking through the doorway that led to the kitchen, I called out to him.

"Soap is in the bathroom!"

"SHUSH." Chuckling softly, I rolled onto my side and cuddled up to Natsu's pillow, burrowing my face into it and inhaling. Sighing happily, I felt a peacefulness settle over me. His pillow was like...SERIOUSLY... scrumptious-smelling. Mouth watering. I loved it. Then again, that could have been the fact that I'd just thrown up all of my stomach contents. My eyes were already beginning to close. I let out a grunt of protest, knowing that Natsu was going to be back in a minute- but being sick weakened my willpower. I drifted under the soft blankets into darkness.

Natsu's P.O.V.

I blew the hot tomato soup to cool it down- which ended up heating it up even more so than before- as I entered Lucy and I's bedroom.

"Hey, I hope tomato's okay-" I stopped in my tracks, sitting the bowl down on the nightstand. Lucy was breathing softer than before now, laying on her side. I walked around the bed to where I could see her face, and was met with the knowledge that she was, indeed, asleep. Shaking my head at her but grinning nevertheless, I crawled in and laid in front of her, taking in everything that has changed in her face. Unknowingly, as usual, sleep consumed me just as it had Lucy, and for a brief second- if not in my imagination- I felt as if our minds were connected in rest, as if I were about to enter the same dream as she was. One word describes the feeling of it: home.