Love Kills, So Do I

Why Must We Have Secrets

Natsu's POV

My head is throbbing. The burn marks on my skin are bringing back memories that I would rather keep buried deep down in my memory bank that eventually I forget they are there. Burns don't even bother me anymore. I can barely feel anything these days. I don't notice my leg shaking up and down until Gray, sitting next to me, bumps my shoulder and tells me to calm down. "I can't!" I yell, "You saw! Don't act like you have your shit together!" I stand abruptly knocking over the chair I was sitting in. I run my hands through my hair, walking back and forth. "Natsu, you need to relax, alright?" Gray says standing up now. How can I relax after what I just witnessed? "I know you're worried about Lucy, but you need to just take a breath," he says. 

I groan in frustration. Gray picks up my chair and I look at him reluctantly. "Why are you being so nice? You're freakin' me out," I say taking a seat. 

"Shut up Natsu," he says crossing his arms. He winces immediately and rests his arms slowly on the armrest. He has burn marks all around his arms and chest. I figure he probably isn't used to the pain the way I am. "You should use aloe vera or honey to help with the pain," I say looking away, "And don't use cold water." I pause when I feel his gaze on me. "Just cool," I finish. He chuckles and I whip my head to glare at him. "What the hell are you laughing for?" I ask. He continues to smile and I want to slap his stupid face. "First you check me out and now you're telling me things I should rub on my body? That's cute," he says still chuckling. 

"You're disgusting," I say, "Don't talk to me." I stand up to grab my chair and drag it across the opposite side of the room. He continues to laugh. "Lighten up, Natsu. I'm just messing with you." I don't even bother looking back at him. We sit in silence for a few more moments. "Thanks," he says quietly. I turn my head to nod and then silence fills the room once again. 

"Hey, Gray?"  

"Yeah?"

"What-What do you think happened?" I pause for a moment. "Out there with Lucy, I mean."

He sighs heavily, "I have no idea Natsu, but it might be best if we don't ask questions," he says, "Erza told us to stay here so we should just listen for now."

I nod my head and this time the silence is thick. I know that we are both thinking about what happened what feels like hours ago.

Hours Ago

"LUCY! THE BOMB!" I yell wondering what the hell was taking her so long. The bomb is literally about to go off! I look to Gray and he looks back with a panicked expression then I look back to Lucy.

I freeze.

Lucy has a tear-stained face with the biggest, ugliest grin I have ever seen on anyone's face. 

She looks like an absolute mad man. 

"Lu-" I don't bother finishing. I drop the band and run to Lucy. I grab her hand with one hand and then grab the bomb with the other. I throw it has high and far as I can but I can only throw so far. The explosion was to close to us. We end up getting burned and I lose hearing in my ears and my eyesight. All I hear is ringing and I can feel lucy's body go slack. I try to get my self together but then everything goes black.

Back to Present

The door to the waiting room opens and I jump to my feet. "Erza!" I say. "So? What happened? How is she?" I ask. Erza looks to Gray but he is just as eager to hear answers as I am. She looks back at me. "I want you both to recall what happened," she says. We both nod simultaneously. 

"Okay, sit down." I pull my chair to her and Gray grabs another one for her to sit in. 

"Now what was the first thing you saw her do?" 

"Smile," Gray says. I nod.

"And then?" 

"Cry, she smiled and then she cried," I say, "She was also shaking." 

"Why didn't she sling shot the bomb like she was planning? What happened?"

I hesitate. "She," I pause, "she put the bomb in her mouth." 

Short chapter but an exciting one! But don't worry the chapters are not all going to be short! I promise! 🤭😉