With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 48

Poor Natsu hadn't slept a wink all night. He'd spent the hours switching his attention back and forth between Gildarts and Erza, watching them like a hawk—terrified that Laxus might try something against either of them. By morning, he was completely drained and could barely stay awake through his classes. He almost collapsed once or twice.

When his last class ended, he decided to take a quick nap before meeting up with Gray. He had just drifted off when he was jolted awake by the sound of someone shouting.

"How could you do this to me?!"

Natsu shot upright, blinking groggily. His eyes locked onto Lucy, who was standing a few feet away, clearly in the middle of a heated argument with her boyfriend, Loke.

"Lucy, I can explain," Loke pleaded.

"Explain what?!" Lucy snapped. "Explain how you've been lying to me this whole time? Going behind my back?"

"I didn't plan for this to happen!"

"Oh, so that makes it okay? That somehow means what you did wasn't wrong? If that's what you think, you're seriously mistaken."

"Lucy, please—" he said, reaching for her.

"Don't touch me! Just go. I can't even look at you right now!"

Loke let out a defeated sigh, turned, and walked over to his car. Without another word, he drove off, leaving Lucy standing on the campus stairs. As soon as he was gone, she collapsed onto the steps and began to cry.

Now fully awake and deeply concerned, Natsu stood up and slowly approached her, unsure of what to say but knowing he couldn't just walk away.

"Lucy?" he called gently.

She quickly wiped her eyes and turned to him, trying to compose herself.

"Natsu? I didn't see you there. What are you doing here?"

"I... I wanted to apologize. For how I acted recently—when I was... you know, under the symbiote's influence. I know I scared you, and that's the last thing I ever wanted."

She paused, looking at him closely. "But you're back to normal, right?"

"Yeah. I am."

"Then I won't hold it against you."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'm just glad you're back to the way I like you."

"You... like me? Like this? As the wimpy nerd?"

She laughed softly. "No, I like you as the sweet, sincere, loyal, and honest guy that you are."

Natsu scratched the back of his neck, blushing. "You're gonna make me blush, saying stuff like that. I'm really not that great."

"I can think of a lot of people who'd say otherwise. Myself included." Her smile faltered, her expression darkening. "I'm sure you'd never lie to your girlfriend. Or deceive her. Or betray her."

Natsu tried to lighten the mood. "Well, I can't say for sure... I've never actually had a girlfriend." He chuckled softly, but when Lucy didn't laugh, he dropped the humor and softened his tone. "I... I saw you crying. Are you okay?"

She hesitated. She wanted to brush it off, to tell him she was fine. But the truth was too heavy to keep in.

"You know how Loke's been saying he's busy with school and work lately?"

"Yeah."

"Turns out, that was a lie. He's been cheating on me—with one of his classmates."

"You're kidding," Natsu said, eyes wide in disbelief.