NaLu- "The Princess and Her Dragon Knight"

Part 2 - Spotted From Afar

One day, while watching out her window, Lucy noticed a pink-haired boy show up to the knight's training. She felt his magical power instantly. He's strong, perhaps stronger than the rest of the dragon slayers who were training that day, and he's handsome. He was about eight inches taller than Lucy and had spikey pink hair. His skin was tan, and he was lean and well-built. He strode up to the trainer, his emerald green eyes looking completely confident, but it was obvious to Lucy that he was nervous. His fingers were twitching and his muscles were tense. He has a lot of muscles, Lucy thought, then she turned red and looked away as she realized what she was thinking. Lucy became completely mesmerized by him. Lucy watched as he reached the trainer, an older dragon slayer named Achnologia.

Achnologia narrowed his eyes at the boy, obviously feeling the power in him, and Achnologia said something. Lucy cracked her window open, hoping to hear what they were talking about; she finally started listening as the boy was finishing up his reply to Achnologia.

"-start training today," the boy finished. Lucy's heart stopped at the sound of his voice. His voice was deep, yet it had a boyish twang to it. She wanted to hear him speak again.

"Is that so?" Acnologia asked, brows furrowing as he stepped closer to the boy. "In that case, let me see what you've got."

"R-Right away, sir," he said, and Lucy smiled at the fact that his nerves got the best of him, despite how hard he was trying to hide them.

The boy stepped in the center of the courtyard as about fifteen other dragon slayer trainees watched him. Lucy watched in fascination as he closed his eyes and swallowed. His chest rose and fell as he took deep breaths, focusing himself.

He began, "Fire dragon, ROAR!!!" He bellowed, and then everything in view became engulfed in fire as he blew. Lucy felt her hair stand on end and her skin heat up from the hot flames despite the distance. Then the fire went away and the smoke cleared up, revealing everyone who was standing around the boy with wide eyes and open mouths. Some had fallen backwards onto the ground from the blast and others had scorched hair. The boy smirked and Lucy caught herself heating up again, not from the fire this time.

Achnologia seemed to be the only one in the courtyard not effected by the blast. "So, it's true what they said about your power, "Achnologia said. "Your magic is strong, but that clearly wasn't the extent of it." The boy shook his head, still smirking. "Alright," Achnologia said, then stared hard at him. "How good are you with a weapon?" With that the boy's smirk fell away.

"Well, I've never really used a weapon," the boy said, fidgeting his fingers again.

Achnologia grinned wickedly. "Is that so?" He said. "Well, Natsu, it's time learn."

Natsu, Lucy thought, the sound of his name ringing in her ears and reaching her very soul. Lucy felt the name on her lips "Natsu," Lucy breathed softly, reveling in the sound of it.

Just as Lucy said the name, Natsu looked in her direction. She quickly shut the window and backed away, goosebumps all over her body. After a few moments, once her nerves calmed down, she walked back to the window and watched as Natsu was training. As Lucy watched him, she continued to feel the warmth of his flames.

Lucy watched Natsu out of the window each day, marveling in everything he does. She noticed that Natsu was in the courtyard, training, more than anyone else. He was the first one there each morning and the last one to leave. She had never seen anyone work so hard, and it set off a fire in herself to work hard as well. She practiced her celestial magic more than ever. Testing her limits, just as Natsu was doing. Days turn into weeks as she spends every moment that she can watching him train. Although she's never met him, and he doesn't know she watches him, she felt an instant connection to him. Each new expression he makes causes her heart to race. Every time he smiles, her heart skips, and she wishes that the smile was for her. Natsu's laugh sent chills through her body. One hot day, while watching Natsu train, Lucy saw him take his shirt off. She grew flushed at the sight of his bare chest, her entire body heating up, even in places that she never knew existed. Every time she saw him, she longed for him more and more. He was always on her mind and in her dreams. His very existence gave her hope. She told nobody of her fantasies because they were forbidden. Who was he? What is he like? Where is he from? Why is her heart beating so fast?