Operation: Too Many Boyfriends

Not So Fake

"The kiss was nice," he told Lucy, whispering in her ear. "Maybe we can practice that part a little more."

She was sure he was teasing her, so she ignored him and sipped her milkshake. His arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her so that she was practically on top of him.

"Want to practice now?" he grinned, enjoying the blush that crept up in her cheeks. One of these days, he should count how many times he could make her blush and then see if he could beat it the next day!

"Natsu," she squirmed uncomfortably.

"Mira's watching," he told her. "Don't look - it's too obvious! Just relax."

He leaned in and gave her a not so quick kiss this time. He pulled back and smiled at her. "How was that? I haven't really had a lot of practice with it, so I hope it looks convincing!"

"Natsu, you can't do this to me!" Lucy hissed at him, conscious of people watching.

"Do what? Kiss you?"

"Look, this might be all fun and games for you but it isn't for me!" she hissed again at him.

When he noticed the tear in her eye, he stopped smiling and looked at her. "Don't cry, Luce. It's not a game to me," he said, this time him being the one blushing. He reached up and wiped the tear as it started to fall down her cheek.

"I have to go," Lucy said,standing up and practically running out the hall. She couldn't do this - her feelings were true for Natsu and he was just acting. It was breaking her heart!

She entered her apartment and flung herself down on the bed, sobbing into her pillow. She should be flattered all these guys were there to see her, to send her flowers! Instead, she loses it over one boy who couldn't see beyond his friendship for her. One boy she couldn't ignore her feelings for. For him to kiss her and not mean it, like it was a joke - that was one of the biggest heartbreaks of all!

"Lucy!"

Natsu jumped down from the window and joined Lucy on the bed. He grabbed hold of her and hugged her tight to him.

"It's okay. It'll be all right," he said, using the same words his father, Igneel, had used with him any time he had been upset.

"No, it won't be!" Lucy's muffled voice came from the pillow. "Just go, Natsu! I can't play this game anymore!"

Natsu paused, hand hovering over her. He set it back down on the bed and said, "Lucy, what if it's not a game?"

Lucy sniffed and looked up from the pillow. "What did you say?"

"What if it's not a game - what I feel for you."

"What do you mean?"

He blushed. "What if when I kissed you, I meant it. That I have liked you as more than a friend for awhile now."

"Natsu?" she sniffed, staring at him wide-eyed.

"Lucy, do you feel the same?"

She smiled through her tears. "Yes," she whispered. "It's why it hurt so bad when I thought you were pretending."

"I'm not pretending, Luce. I love you."

She reached up, hugging him to her. "I love you too," she whispered back.

They lay down on the bed together, her back to his chest, his arms wrapped around hers - much like they had woken up that same morning. She thought back to the morning and all the uncertainty she felt. Had he felt the same?

He kissed the top of her head and she snuggled into him.

"I love you, Lucy Heartfilia," he whispered. "I'll never get tired of saying it."

"I love you, Natsu Dragneel. Me neither."