400 years

19

"Well now that you know, it's time to go say thanks to Lord Natsu."

"Wha- eh, I suppose your right. But he was the one who put me in mortal peril in the first place.."

Sting slightly shook his head as he got to his feet pulling me up with him and ushered me out of my room. 'Oh come on!' I quickly found myself confronted by the long hallway leading to Natsu's chambers.

"Don't keep him to long, just say your thanks and leave."

"What if he's already sleep."

Sting's expression said Don't make me scold you. "Lucy. He saved your life. Now tell him your grateful."

Then Sting left. 'Well here I go.. maybe he really will be sleep..' One last look in the direction Sting had left in, I sighed. I know I shouldn't follow him, so I walked down the miserably dark hallway and climb the stairs to the tenshu. 'Even after saving my life, he acted like I was a thing.. but i would've died if he hadn't stepped in. Eh..'

The doors to the balcony were opened and moonlight poured through. Coming from the darkness, the light was disorienting.

"Excuse me, Natsu? Are you still awake?" I kept my voice low, in hopes not to wake him. 'Welp, I tried. But thankfully it seems as if he's sleeping. I guess I'll have to think him another time. I turned to leave-'

"Lucy, is that you?"

I froze midstep. Looking around, I see Natsu sitting on the balcony, gazing out into the night. He was still wearing his armor. I spotted a large cup in his hand.

"Why are you standing there, come closer."

"Alright." 'Leaving now would probably just make it harder on me later..' I approached Natsu, who was now leaning against the railing, still gazing outside. I took a deep breath and began to say all at once..

"I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I wanted to say th—"

Natsu waved off my words. "I don't care why your here."

'Does he ever listen?' Natsu stood up and placed a heavy, tankard on the railing. He came close, leaning so we were eye to eye. The moon traced the outline of his figure, creating a hauntingly stunning visual. 'T-to close.. geez, personal space!' Though it made me nervous to have him so close, I stood my ground.

Natsu "You arrived at the right time. I was unable to sleep. You will warm my bed."

'The fire eater wants me to warm his bed?' "I'm sorry your not making any sense."

"What's so confusing? I'm asking you to be my partner tonight."

'P-partner? Kyaa!! He wants me to sleep with him!? Grr, hell no!' I looked at him astounded and affronted. Mumbling, "How about a Lucy kick instead perv?"

"What was that?"

"I'm not doing that!"

Natsu pulled back some with a slight confused look. "Why? Is there a problem?"

The hint of tenderness in his low voice would have been attractive in a different situation..

"Duh, there's a problem. Firstly, I barely know you!" I crossed my arms to my chest and tried to hold in my annoyance.

His confusion slipped into a determined grin. "True. However, you and I are here together now. That's reason enough."

'Not reason enough for me! I've never even— (my cheeks flushed at the skipped thought) Besides, I would like to know more about a possible partner than: Hobbies: quashing revolts and talking to blue cats!' It was strange, the man I'd seen on the battle field really looked like a monster.. not to mention the scales. But the man questioning my reasonable refusal with amused curiosity was different. He made me feel confused..

"Look, the answer is no. Not tonight, not tomorrow tonight. Nor the night after that."

"Hm, the night after that then?"

"Still no! And just so we're clear, the night after that and every night after that and every day in between. My answer will still be no!"

I closed my eyes in annoyance and turned my head. He was playing with me and as aggravating as it was, I was taking his bait. At the sound of his amused scoff I glanced back in time to see his lips curl into a smile.

"Well, well. I've acquired a most outspoken women."

'Huh?' I felt his hand on my shoulder. Natsu was before me and behind was a wall. 'W-when did-' With an almost magnetic touch, Natsu caught my chin in his other hand. 'W-what's he doing!?'

"Why don't you let me have a drink from your lips, instead of all this insane complaining?"

I wasn't able to process whatever nonsense he was saying. I was drawn in by his eyes, onyx green vast caves, daring me to go exploring. Natsu took his thumb and traced the contour of my lips. I was entranced.

Natsu's touch was strangely light. But more surprising than the lightness of his touch was how I felt about it. 'It feels good, so warm and inviting.. This situation is utterly crazy!' My chest tightened and my stomach fluttered..