Hurt so good •Nalu•

22

When I arrived at the lab the next morning, something unexpected happens. No sooner do I step inside is when I know something is very wrong. The pungent oder of smile hangs in the air at the entrance. 'Another fire!?'

"M-miss Lucy!"

"G-Good morning Mr. Taurus!"

"Forget the greetings, come with me!"

Aldebaran Taurus, one of the senior researchers. A man that would rather flirt with you till your blue in the face, than actually see what kind of person you are. But right now he looks extremely troubled.

I'm following him to Mr. Capricorn's office as he's briefing me on what's just happened. Apparently there's just been another fire, luckily it was extinguished on time. However it was at the employees mailboxes, to be more specific, my mailbox.

We enter the office and there stands, Mr. Capricorn, Brandish, and Jellal, all gathered around the desk.

"Luckily one of the cleaning staff found it-"

Even the chill Mr. Capricorn was broke out in a cold sweat this time. Jellal looks at me, his brows furrowed.

"Lucy, do you remember what I said?"

When I nod, Jellal continues..

He tells me that this proves that someone's out for me. This statement causes the room to burst into a up roar over my safety. Their all fussing over how I should stay away from work, my heads lowered in thought. 'Should I walk away?'

Once I've reached my discussion, "No, I did not bring my research this far just to be discouraged." I lift my head and look at their faces. Every one stares at me with a stern expression.

But after over an hour of them voicing their worries, I'm able to stay and continue my work..

~•~

Very satisfied with today's work, I leave the lab on time. At this rate, I'll sum up my theory and the thesis will be finished in a few weeks.

As I step out of the lab..

"Lucy."

"Huh?"

I'm very surprised to see Natsu waiting at the entrance.

"Wha-what are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood, when I saw you."

'Yeah right! Your not fooling me!'

With tinted cheeks, Natsu intends to fool me. So I decide to trick him back.

"Well actually I'm meeting with my colleagues.."

"Ah, I see.."

Natsu sighs with disappointment and then I start to giggle.

"Just kidding! I'd love to walk home with you!"

"Hey! That's cruel Lucy!" Natsu pouts.

"Yeah, well, now we're even. So let's go?" I say, while winking playfully at him. Natsu's speechless at first but then catches up to me.

We're walking side by side. Joking around a bit when Natsu makes a comment about my shorts from last night and how short they were. Of course it has me blushing all over, so I try to change the subject.

"So uh, why'd you stop by?"

"There was another fire in the lab, wasn't there?"

"Yeah."

I'm not surprised that Natsu heard about it, he is a firefighter after all. He continued to beat around with an excuse on why he'd showed up. His arms were crossed behind his head as we walked.

"Aww, you were worried about me?"

I teased him, only making his tinted cheeks to brighten as he averts his gaze.

"Yeah well, I mean.."

While giggling, I change the subject. "So I'm almost done with my thesis on the project I'd been working on."

"About the new information on black holes you found durning your research?"

Natsu drops his arms and excitedly yells, "That's great! How about an early celebration! Are ya hungry?"

I nod in response and Natsu grabs my hand. "Well, come on then! I'll take you to my favorite spot!"

That evening we enjoy each other's company under soft light.