Natsu accepts the medal he receives and then smiles down at the guests. "Welcome everyone and thanks for joining us tonight..." As he talks I sink lower into my seat, trying to hide myself. My heart is beating fast and I can't think about anything but him right now.

While he speaks, I nervously tug on my hair and bite my lower lip. I can feel the orange haired guy sneaking glances at me. A little uncomfortable, I decide to go back to the girls' table.

Giving Kinana a wave of goodbye, I walk quietly from the bar and back to the girls. I sit down and turn to look up at the stage. However, just as I look up, Natsu finishes his speech and flashes the audience a smile. When our eyes accidentally meet, his face freezes in shock. His expression is full of emotions; joy, sadness, and...regret?

I bite my lower lip nervously, blushing slightly at the way he's looking at me. It reminds me of how he used looked at me all those years ago. With those eyes that seemed to pierce into my soul as if reading. Just looking at him makes my heart beat like a million drums. However, I don't take my eyes off of him and he does the exact same. I see him form his lips and say something, but I don't quite read what it is.

Soon the guests cheer, which makes me look away. I peek up at the stage, but see him talking to one of his teammates. Sighing, I look towards one of the exits that leads outside to the balcony, wanting to escape.

"That's my cousin, Jellal!" Meredy says pointing to the guy Natsu is talking to. He has blue hair and a tattoo over and under his right eye.

"Should we go say hello?" Juvia suggests.

"I don't see why not." Yuki stands up and grabs her purse. The others follow suit and begin walking to the stage. "Aren't you coming, Lucy?" She asks, turning around.

I shake my head. "I need some fresh air. I'll meet up with you guys later."

"Do you want me to come with you?" She asks.

"No, go on ahead." I grab my bag and jacket, instantly escaping to the exit. I don't glance at their confused expressions, keeping my focus on the deck. Once I'm outside, I take a deep breath and lean over the railing while closing my eyes. The warm breeze blows over my face and I sigh in content.

This is what I need...some fresh air...to breath away my pain...

I put my hand over my chest, while breathing in and out. The smell of sea water brings me a sense of calmness and I stare at the waves. I chuckle quietly to myself, shaking my head. Of all the places to run into him, it had to be here.

I glance over at the water, wondering what it would be like to swim in the shimmering sea.

"Lucy."

The familiar and husky voice that I know so well, takes me from my thoughts. I hesitate for a moment, not knowing what to do. I turn around and find myself face to face with none other than the man who I thought and hoped to never see again.

"Natsu."

We stare at each other for a few seconds. An awkward silence filling the air. What seems like an eternity later, Natsu awkwardly runs his hands through his hair and walks closer to me, finally speaking.

"It's been a while."

I nervously play with the end of my hair and look down. "Yes...it has."

"So how have you been?" He asks. Although he seems to be a little distant and hesitant, there's a small smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. The moonlight makes his salmon colored hair sparkle in the dark.

I press my lips in a firm line. "Fine." Not.

An air of more awkwardness fills the air. I keep myself silent, afraid that I'll lash out or say something to show how I really feel. As much as I find him attractive or have mixed feelings about tonight, doesn't mean I can forgive him for what he did.

"Is that so?" Natsu finally speaks, raising his eyebrows.

Hearing him say that makes me angry and I clench my fists. How dare he act nonchalant after all this time! Did everything that happened last year really mean nothing to him?

"What do you want me to say, Natsu?" I quietly say. "That I'm okay? That I'm happy to see you? That the pain you made me feel all those years ago just went away?!" My voice raises at the last sentence, making him flinch at what I'm saying.

"Lucy, I..." He finally looks up after a moment, hands still in his hair. There's a slight pain in his eyes, and sadness. Does he feel remorse for what he's done? "You have to believe, I didn't have a choice." Placing both his hands on my shoulders, Natsu looks straight into my eyes. I stiffen at the touch, hating myself for liking the way his hands feel. "You have no idea how much I've missed you." He whispers.

Although I can tell through his eyes, he means everything in his heart. I don't know if I can fully believe him. My heart screams for me to accept everything, but on the other hand, my brain tells me to fight it. To not make the same mistake I did all those years ago, all over again.

"Don't say that." I finally whisper. "Don't say you missed me, when you had a chance to take me back three years ago. It's too late now, Natsu. My heart can't take being near you, you've broken it too much."

"Please, Luce." He pleads, looking deep into my eyes. "At least let me explain myself. Then you can go, and I won't stop you." How can I say no, when he looks at me with those sparkling onyx eyes of his?

Taking a deep breath, I bite my lip. Looking at him, I plan to answer. Hoping I won't regret what I decided later and hate myself for another stupid mistake. "I-." But before I can answer, someone calls my name.

"Lucy!" I turn around to find Juvia puffing as she runs towards us. "The girls and Juvia are ready to go. So she came out to look for yo-." She stops when she sees Natsu. "Oh, your the one that got the medal!" She states, looking between us, confusion etched on her face. "Is Juvia interrupting something?"

"No." I immediately reply and grab my bag. "Let's get going. I'm sure the girls are waiting for us." After readjusting my jacket, I glance once at Natsu. "I need some time...to think..." I whisper quietly.

Nodding understandingly, Natsu smiles slightly. "I'll be at the Ritz Paris Hotel." He replies quietly. "In room 69. Whenever your ready, just come by. I'll be here for another month."

"Ok." I squeak, blushing slightly.

"See you around...Luce." He whispers. My body trembles in anticipation when he says his nickname for me. Feeling tears that could fall any moment, I only nod and turn around, quickly following Juvia back inside.

-♾-

"Lu, you ok?" Yukino looks concerned.

We finally got into a cab a half hour or so later and I'm leaning my head against the window. I move my head and turn towards her, contemplating what she asked.

"I don't know." I finally mange to say, only whispering it.

"I don't know."

-♾-

Hey guys! I hoped you enjoyed the chapter!

I had a little trouble in writing. I had a hard time trying to figure out how to write the scene of their talk.

But I finally did it!

So please comment your thoughts and vote if you wish!

Thanks for reading!

Bye my Angels!

❤️❤️❤️

Date published: January 7th, 2019
Word count: 1270