Hurt so good •Nalu•

18

Hearing his voice I turn around.

"Would you like to dance with me?"

"Wha- Really?"

Natsu is smiling at me and offers me a hand.

'Eeee! He wants to dance!' Pumped with excitement, I instantly nod. "Yes! With pleasure."

I take Natsu's warm hand in mine and with a proud grin, he pulls me to a open spot on the dance floor. Natsu wraps his arm around my waist and squeezes my hand with the free one. With the pleasant music of Dragon's of Iron filling the air, Natsu begins to move with grace. His movements are surprisingly fluid, moving rhythmically as if his body was light as a feather.

The clumsy and erratic movements are gone. I'm deep in thought, trying to figure out what in the world happened.

"What's wrong Luce?" Even when talking, Natsu doesn't falter.

"N-nothing, but, um.. when did you get so good at dancing?"

"Heh, I practiced."

"Y-you did!?"

"Well yeah, I mean unless you want me to embarrass you." Natsu glared at me mischievously and grinned.

"N-no thank you!" I'm so charmed by his deep green onyx eyes, "Oops!" That I forgot about the dance. I stumble, but Natsu's arms are there to catch me before I fall.

"Whoa. Need a hand??" Natsu teases while firmly holding me in his arms. "Don't worry, I'll take the lead tonight, Luce." Natsu says while pulling me closely.

"Uh, o-ok." I stutter, trying to match with him but I'm to flustered to get it right.

"You okay? You've completely lost rhythm."

"Sorry, I just.."

"Just what?"

"I-it's Nothing! Just forget it!" In a haste I do my best to mask my emotions. A certain feeling swells within me. It burns as though something's flames up inside me. The kind, reliable, firefighter not only knows how to put out flames. Tonight, he has set my heart on fire.

Like all good things, the party comes to an end. It's time for Natsu and me to go home. By then it's completely dark outside, the streetlights are the only source of light.

In this dim light we come to a nearby park.

"Let's take a short cut through here." Natsu gestures and we walk side by side in silence. "Oh, by the way." We both stop at the same time. Natsu turns to me with a smile.

"What?"

"Thanks for tonight, I had fun."

I know he's just saying it to reassure me. "Thank you as well. For being my partner tonight." I'm thinking back on our dance, the closeness, and the fun things we've done up till now. 'Would it be selfish of me to want to hog his smile to myself?'

I wrap my arm around his. Maybe it's the drinks finally taking their toll. Because usually I would not be so bold as to say what I do..

"Natsu.."

"Hm?" His carefree expression changes the moment he looks at me.

"Natsu, I-I really like-"

Before I can finish. Natsu puts a rough finger to my lips. My eyes slightly widen with shock, we stand there in silence for a moment. He eventually pulls his finger away and smiles again. But this time I see a tint of sadness..

"Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult. But don't finish." His voice is calm. He sounds like someone who's already given up.

'I-I guess I got it wrong..' His sorry, meant no.

Natsu furrow his brow in a sad expression, "Lucy, listen-"

"I-it's okay! I'm sorry." But in my embarrassment, I cut him off. Because anything he might say, will only make it worse.

After a bit of silence, Natsu starts to say something then changes his mind.

"Don't worry about it. It was a misunderstanding." I say, not noticing that Natsu looks sad and miserable. I feel terrible about how such a good night is about to end. So, in the most cheerful voice I can muster.

"So, let's put this behind us.. Natsu will you stay my friend forever?"

"Yeah Luce, for as long as you need me."