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-♾-

The ride back to the hotel was quiet. I kept looking out the window, watching the rain as it started to fall. Natsu insisted on taking the taxi instead the of the limo that always drives him and his teammates. During the ride, I called Yukino to let her know what happened. After that, he called in and reported the theft.

I wait in anticipation until he hangs up and looks at me.

"They will start looking for it right now." Natsu tells me. "In the meantime, you should cancel your card."

"Oh, right." I slap my head. "I'll call the bank once we arrive to the hotel." Suddenly a thought comes to me. "Oh no. If I don't get it back by tomorrow, how will I survive my first day of class?!"

"Relax, Lucy. We'll figure that out." He places a hand on my shoulder. "I'll help you in anyway at you need." I smile, while nodding in response and sit the rest of the time in silence.

-♾-

"Well this it." Natsu opens the door to his hotel suite. "Make yourself comfortable." The living room is in view when you walk in and the bathroom is on the right. There's a small kitchen on the left and a bedroom on the right. I glance around, admiring the place. A TV is set up in the living room, with a Xbox player. Videos and DVDs are strewn over the table between the couches and TV. A basket of laundry is on the couch.

"This is a nice place." I walk to the living room and touch one of the Xbox games. "You have this game?!" I squeal, picking up the disk, Fairy Tail: Legend of the Magic Games, Volume IV.

Natsu walks over, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, you play?"

I scrunch my noise and set it down. "Used to. My cousins owned it, but it's been years since I played." I sigh. "But I probably don't even remember how."

"How about you change into comfortable clothes and then I could teach you again." He offers, shrugging. "If you would like, of course."

"Sure, why not." I respond and head to the bathroom, but then stop. "Wait...I need extra clothes." I laugh nervously, scratching my head.

"Ah, right." He laughs and heads into his room, coming back in a matter of minutes with a pair of sweatpants, t-shirt, and an extra towel. "I hope this will do." He says, handing them to me. "If you need to shower, then go ahead."

"Thanks!" I smile and scamper into the bathroom. A shower does sound nice, I think to myself as I lock the door and strip out of my wet clothes. Once I turn on the water, I enter under the shower and sigh in content as the warm water pours over me. A slight blush forms on my cheeks, as the thought of Natsu being just outside the door.

Stop thinking like that. I chastise myself, while running my fingers through my hair. After applying some shampoo, I clean out my hair and turn off the shower. Grabbing the towel Natsu gave me, I dry myself before slipping on the clothes and ruffle my hair with a towel, before letting it fall down my back.

Once dressed and dry, I take a deep breath, before heading out to the living room. Natsu is sitting on one of the couches while typing on his computer. He looks up and gives me a warm smile.

"All done?" He asks, closing the lid.

I nod and sit down next to him.

"Are you hungry?"

I shake my head. "Not right now, but I am a little thirsty."

Natsu immediately stands up and goes to the kitchen, before coming back with a glass of water. I smile and take it gratefully, before taking a huge gulp. Once I put the glass down, I turn to him. "Ok, now it's time for you tell me everything."

His reacts by gripping the armrest of the couch and looks away.

"Natsu?"

"I'm sorry." He whispers. "It's just too much for me to bear to think about what I did. But the only way to make up to you, is to tell you. So..." He takes a deep breath and looks into my eyes, regret and sadness etched on his face. "Remember what happened with Sting?" He starts.

I snort. "I think anyone who gets kidnapped by their best friend's ex would remember something like that." I look up into his sad eyes. "Why do you ask?"

"He's the reason why...I hurt you..." He whispers. I gasp quietly at his words, but stay quiet while he starts explaining. "The reason he did all that was because he found out about us." He starts.

I cut him off. "Yes, I know that. How does that have to do with anything?"

"He threatened to expose us unless I broke up with you." Natsu tells me sadly. Again, all I see is regret and sadness in his eyes. But is it really sincere?

"So, you did it in order to protect your reputation as a coach, right?" I reply, my voice tight, with no emotion. Of course he did it to protect himself.

"No." He holds the armrest even tighter, his voice cracking as if what he's going to say next pains him. "I didn't care about my reputation. I did it to protect you." He lifts his hand and cups my cheek, looking deep into my eyes. "I couldn't let you ruin your life...just so I could be happy." Still looking at me, he continues. "You have no idea...how much is hurt...to lose you.." As he continues, his gaze is unwavering. "I know the way I broke it off...hurt you deeply. So if you don't forgive me, I understand. Bu-." Natsu still cups my cheek. "I just want you to know...that I regretted hurting you. There wasn't a day that I didn't think about you or the thought of your smile crossed my mind."

Still in shock, I don't say anything.

"Luce, please say something." Natsu begs, worry etched on his face.

"I-."  But my words are caught off when I notice the tears in his eyes. My heart breaks at the sight. Never once, during my time with Natsu, have I seen him cry. So many emotions cross my mind, as I finally understand that the reason he made such a hard decision was to protect me. This brings so much warmth to my heart and without realizing it, tears threaten to fall.

Leaning down, so I'm right in front of him, I gently cup his face with my hands, leaning my forehead against his. "Oh, Natsu, I'm not angry with you anymore...and I understand that what you did was to protect me. But still, what you did, deeply hurt me and the pain took almost a year to heal. Next time, tell me about it, ok? So we can figure it out together, don't put the burden on yourself."

"You...forgive me?" Natsu whispers against my forehead.

"Of course, Baka." I chuckle. "Why else would I make such a big speech?"

He sighs and lifts his head, before it falls on my chest. "Good, what a relief..."

"Idiot." I laugh, patting his head. Natsu chuckles, making a low rumble sound in his chest. Suddenly, he looks up, smirking in the process. "Natsu?" The grin on his face, is scaring me a bit.

"You said next time."

"What?"

"I'm your 'speech' earlier as you called it." He puts his hands up, making quote motions. "You  said, 'next time, tell me.' Which means..." He gives me a mischievous smile and leans up to my ear. "You still want me..."

A form of blush tints my cheeks. "Wh-what that's n-not w-what I-I m-meant!" I stutter, trying to look anywhere but at him. But there's a glint in his eyes and I struggle with looking away.

"Is it wrong to say that I still love you?" He whispers, cupping my face. "Or that I want to kiss you?"

My breath instantly stops and my mind goes crazy with thoughts just as he speaks.

No, it's not wrong, Natsu. I-I want to k-kiss you too...

Yes, it is...what if it happens again? My conscious counters back. Don't make the same mistake...

Who cares...my heart is telling me to love him again...and I'm not letting my chance with him get away! I've missed him too much!

"No." I respond with no hesitation. "No it isn't..." I whisper and look at him. His eyes widen at my words and a small smile tugs
at the corner of his mouth.

With that, Natsu lifts my chin gently and lowers his head. I close my eyes, just as his lips meet mine.

-♾-

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

A chapter that's full of emotions! Now things are starting to get interesting for our favorite couple, eh?

Please comment and vote if you wish!

Thanks for reading!

By my Angels!

❤️❤️❤️

Date Published: January 10th, 2020.
Word count: 1493