--- Lucy's POV ---

"A tie?" Natsu panted as he flopped down into his usual booth. "You're faster than you look."

"I get that a lot." I snicker and sat in front of him. "But I would've won if Droy would've gotten out of my way quicker."

"You can't faze that guy when he's talking to Levy." He snorted and leaned back in his chair.

"So about Zeref..." I changed the subject. "He's a—"

"—no. I don't need to hear it."

I blinked in surprise. "But... He's your only blood-relation left."

"It's okay. I can go without knowing for awhile. I just want to know about Igneel. That's all." He smiled slightly and reached his hands across the table to hold mine.

"You sure?"

"Of course." He chuckled. "Why are you so serious?"

My hands twitched slightly from under his warm ones, and I hesitantly looked away. "Your foster parent... Igneel... He..." I gulped lightly. "He died... Not that long ago. Right after he left you."

Natsu's smile never left his face. "I appreciate the jokes, Lucy. For real now, where is he?"

"Natsu... He died." I said softly, moving my hands so they were on top of his own. "He fell ill. Died peacefully in his sleep."

His smile slowly faded into a look that really shattered my heart. "Wh-what?" He said fragilely. "No... No he was the strongest and most healthiest man ever I swear."

I said nothing and just looked down at his scarf.

"Where's his grave?" He said, giving in bitterly. "I need to go there to make sure."

"Hargeon but... Right now?"

"Yes. Come on, we can make the next train if we leave now." He growled and grabbed my wrist, starting to pull me out of the coffee shop. "I'll prove to you that he isn't dead."

"Natsu—"

"—he wouldn't be dead. He wouldn't have made me suffer like this!" He shouted, gaining the attention of Mira and Lisanna who had been standing behind the counter.

Natsu's grip on my wrist was unintentionally tight, making me grit my teeth in pain.

"We're going to Hargeon." He forced out. "We're going to this imposter's grave."

"Natsu." Lisanna snapped as she walked over to the two of us. "Shut up and calm down. You're hurting Lucy."

"No it's alright I'm—" I added quickly but was cut off by her.

"Look at your wrist! It's starting to bruise."

Natsu and I both looked down, and he quickly let go and brought his hand close to his chest. "I... I didn't mean to." He whispered shamefully.

I stare at him wordlessly... I never saw him get angry like this. "No... It's my fault for intruding on your problems." I mutter, rubbing the minor wound.

Lisanna sighed and put her hand on my shoulder. "Come on, let's go get ice for that."

I glance at Natsu before nodding and joining her in the kitchen area, watching as she shoveled ice into a plastic bag, and wrapping a paper towel around it.

"He gets like that sometimes..." She said as she gently put the ice on my wrist. "The first time I saw him lose control like that, he accidentally burned down a tree." She laughed lightly.

"He burned down a tree?" I blinked.

"Yeah... During middle school there was a camping trip and he was going to light a fire but Gray got him angry and the match flew out of his hands and onto a tree."

"So he just hot-tempered and clumsy?" I laughed, taking the ice pack myself.

"You can put it like that." Lisanna giggled and motioned for me to follow her back into the main room. "Don't be angry at him though."

"I'm not." I smile. "I might hurt him though. That's just what I do."

She snorts and waves me away. "Ok. See ya, bruiser."

I smirked back at her and took my seat again in front of the glum looking Natsu.

"He really is dead... Huh?" He mumbled as he stayed leaned over on the table.

I gave him a sad smile and ticked my hand with the ice pack over to grab his. He instantly took a hold of it and looked straight into my eyes.

"We should ditch the field trip to go see him." He said bluntly. "His grave... I mean... I want you to meet him."

"But... The field trip was made for us in the first place." I looked back to see Amira tearing up from her plan being abolished. "I mean... Sure. I'd love to meet Igneel."

Natsu smiled slightly and took the ice pack off carefully, rubbing his thumb against the bruise. "Thanks Luce... Maybe we can visit your mother and father afterwards if you'd like."

I smiled and took a hold of his other hand. "I would love that."

Natsu grinned and closed his eyes as he pressed his lips gently against the wound he had accidentally given me only moments before. "I still can't help wanting to be your friend... Thank you for staying." He whispered against my wrist.

I blushed and just sat there, not wanting this to end. "Thank you as well..." Whispered and got up so I could sit beside him and give him a hug. "Thank you for being my best friend."

---

---Natsu's POV---

"So you're not going on the field trip after all, what I waste." Gray grumbled with a scowl as he leaned up against the bed frame. "Erza is going to be pissed."

"She's not gonna be pissed if you just tell her why I'll be out." I growl at him. "I'd think that you'd be happy to see me gone."

Gray crossed his arms and looked away. "Of course I'll be happy. I wouldn't want to see your salmon face anyway."

A small smirk crept onto my lips before I decided to turn the light off, his light, however, was still in "Whatever, snow miser."

"Oi! Don't go to bed yet." He snapped, racing over to turn on my lamp but I slapped his hand away.

"I'm tired."

Gray made a disapproving grunt. "I can't focus on my homework with you snoring like a elephant."

"Sucks for you." I mumbled and pulled the blanket up to my chin.

My raven haired roommate opened his mouth to retort but my phone suddenly buzzed, which made him let out a "tch" noise and walked over to his bed.

Slowly, I grabbed my phone and read the simple text message.

Good Night! See you tomorrow!
-From Lucy

I smile and typed a message back before falling into a deep sleep, with my phone pressed up to my heart.

Good Night, can't wait to sing our song together yet again!
-From Natsu