Before you read this chapter, can I put up a challenge. Not really a challenge, but like all of you, at any part at all in the story, even if it's next to each other, comment the first thought that pops up in your mind and comment it at any part in the chapter. As much as you want, whatever you like, even offensive haha it would...seem interesting. Alright, enjoy. :D

(I would like to use a bee and puppy cat sticker but sadly I can't :( haha.)

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I woke up in my own bed feeling so relax, like I had so many nights of rest, not that it actually feels good, but I feel quite lifted. I tried to brush off the thought that I was almost sinked in to what Natsu was doing to me, that I actually thought it felt good, that he felt good. It brought chills to my spine, forcing myself to forget it happened.

But I had nothing to worry about, before the days end we will go our separate ways although I wanted it to happen in the case of awkwardness between us or at least on my side, since he was drunk that time, I felt a stinging pain right in my chest crying for it to stop, but I'll have what I've always wanted. Freedom.

I took a bath, did my daily hygiene routine and went off to pack my things. Hearing a soft yawn from outside my door, I jolted up in surprise as my heart started to beat faster and faster.

"Hey, Lucy." Natsu called from the outside, slightly knocking with his knuckles. "You left this wine bottle in my room, it still has some in it, would you like to take it back?" His voice was prim and his way of speaking was much more proper than last night.

I placed my hand on my racing heart and tried to slow it down. I took slow easy breaths before replying.

"N-No, it's fine, you can drink it all---No wait, don't. Just throw it in the garbage please." I couldn't avoid sounding a bit nervous but I hope I pulled it off to, at least, him not noticing that.

"Hmm, what a waste, but if that's what you say." When I heard his footsteps getting softer and softer put me at ease. It was hard not to think of him, after all he's done to me, the good, bad and the neutral ones. But my job today is to pack my things and leave. After that, it's a lone wolf's life for me.

I felt much more freer now that the marriage between me and Sting was cancelled that easily, I smiled at my victory but not long did he come crawling back in my head.

'Then I'll marry you' was the scenario that popped up in my head, when he told me that. I shook my head trying to push it out along with these rosy pink cheeks of mine. After a few minutes of cleaning the room, I was soon to leave and finishing my baggages and changing into a street casual attire, a knock came at my door again.

"Hey, Lucy." He called happily at the outside of my door. "Are you busy?"

"Y-Yeah..." I replied.

"What are you doing? Maybe I could be of help." I couldn't help be attracted now to this side of him, but I didn't think of him like this before. 'Think of him like a brother, a brother.' I repeatedly stated in my head, but I felt uneasy being with him, as if I wanted to avoid him for as long as I can.

"No no, I'm alright, I'm just...packing my things."

"Still not done? It's already 12. Why not take a break? Let's eat out, it is out last day together."

"....I sure hope it is..." I whispered.

"What?"

"N-no it's nothing, you go on ahead, I want to finish this as early as I can." It took him more than a few seconds to reply.

"Okay then." Was his only reply and left. I sighed. I turned to the mirror, angry at myself.

"You can't lock yourself in this room for the whole day, Lucy." I scolded myself, trying to get a grip. "Just try and act natural, act natural, okay? You can do that? 14 years of acting classes will hopefully be worth it."

I patted myself on the shoulder, boosting up my confidence but when I touched my shoulder I remembered his slight touches on me that I kept trying to forget.

"I can't do it!" I exclaimed, crouching down on the floor. If I want to forget him I need to end this, face things. I won't run away. Even the quotes I use came from him. Ugh.

"Lucy are you alright?" He asked from, again, outside my door. "I heard a loud scream, did something happen?" I could feel my heart race, my mind getting flustered and my mouth shut, not knowing what to say.

"I..I'm fine, thank you."

"You sure?" I let out a huge breath for my sake and walked to the door, opened it and saw him, my heart jumped a bit seeing him.

"I...I'm fine, really. No need to worry." I reassured him with a tiny soft smile on my face. He was silent so I turned to look at him and his eyes were a bit wide and had a tad of blush on his cheeks, again, reminding myself of his expressions last night, but I tried not to let it get to me.

"So if you'll excuse me--" I continued to close the door, but he blocked it with his foot.

"Wait, are you sure you don't want to eat out? Come on. Last day, remember?"

"I remember." I looked down hiding my frowning face and because of that he must have noticed something was going on with me. I had to cut him off before he could even ask.

"Yeah, I'll eat out. Just give me a moment." I smiled and as I looked at him, his face was bright, smiling from ear to ear and eyes glittering in joy.

"Alright! I'll meet'ya down at the lobby, okay?" He rushed off like a little boy and I couldn't help giggle which I slapped my hand to snap me out of his adorable trance. I prepared myself before going down and it took me a few minutes before going down.

"What took you so long? Let's go." I tried to ignore the way he's so casual while I'm here fretting over something one sided. We stopped by a pizza place by a busy street.

"A pizza place? We're going here for our last day?"

"There's nothing wrong with pizza. Everybody loves pizza."

"You don't say...?"

"Don't tell me don't like pizza?" He stated wide eyed. I stayed silent, this is idiotic. I rolled my eyes. "Oh hell nah, you have to try this!" He quickly grabbed my wrist and again, I remembered something and pulled away quickly. He looked back at me with a questioning look.

"Is...is something wrong?"

"N-nothing's wrong, let's just go in."

He looked worried for a moment but didn't bother asking anything. We sat down near the window, having a clear view of the hurriedly walking people in the streets, the children holding onto their parent's hands and couples flirting with each other. I felt my lips being pulled down because of something I don't really know how to explain.

"So tell me again why you don't like pizza?" Natsu asked, snapping me out of my deep train of thoughts.

"I don't...not like it...but I've heard of it."

"PFFT!" He covered his mouth to stop the laughing from rushing out of his big mouth.

"You're kidding? 'I've heard of it'" he repeated my statement, doing this poor imitation of my voice. I blushed in embarrassment and trying to stop a smile from coming up.

"Shut up!" I laughed.

"You'll be surprised once you've had a taste of this. Just you wait."

"I can't wait." I said sarcastically. I could sense him looking at me with a raised eyebrow perhaps worry in it as well? But I don't think so. Soon enough the waiting ended as a man holding a flat box rushed to our table and left it there along with some drinks and packets with the words 'hot sauce'.

"Here!" He said, holding up a slice of pizza as I stare at the dripping cheese heated to melt on top of that thin plane of bread.

I hesitated to take it but someone was offering it for me so I couldn't turn it down. I reached out my hand but when it landed flat on my palm the heat started to run down my skin and I quickly let out a small shriek and let the pizza go. With a split second Natsu caught the pizza before it could fall on the table and grabbed my hand that was surprised with the heat.

"Be careful." He said holding my hand as if it was the most fragile thing in the world. "Sorry, " he said, still not letting go of my hand and grabbing a tissue from the corner of the table.

"I didn't know it was that hot. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just...jumpy today I guess." I joked as I took the tissue he gave me and held the slice with it.

"Tell me about it." He replied jokingly but it didn't feel like that to me.

"Here I go then." I stated, curious and yet afraid of what this pizza would taste like, might I not like it...? At my first bite, the mix of every toping topped on that triangular piece of bread.

"It's...it's.." I couldn't put an effort to speak and just keep eating.

"There you go. Amazing, right?" I could feel him looking at me being this hungry savage eating away the large slice, but I didn't care if he was staring at me like that, I'm eating this. Soon enough he chuckled and took a slice, eating it with the same speed as I had, but of course I was much elegant and gentle that he would ever be. I giggled at the thought and as I placed my guard down he suddenly emptied the whole packet of hot sauce just pouring it on my piece.

"Whaa--?? Natsu! What is this?" I turned to him seeing the large grin pinned on his face.

"That's...Hot Sauce! Super Hot!.......SUPER." I looked at my slice and it was flooded with the red tint of his childishness. When I finally processed what would happen because of this.

"Bloody hell! Natsu! Why would you do that???" I whined like a little girl as I tried to reach for him and hit him.

"Don't worry! Hey!" He raised both hands and leaned back, avoiding my swings. "Here, I'll do that to." He splattered another packet of hot sauce on his'.

"Oh no, no, no," I chuckled with a plan in mind, seeking childish revenge. "That's not fair Natsu, rather than using hot sauce which is your forte since your a FIRE dragon slayer--" I leaned on to grab my glass filled with nothing but ice cubes. I dropped it on Natsu's pizza, having him cautiously try not to let it slip out.

"This is disgusting, Luce!" He laughed with his face slightly cringed. "You're not suppose to put ice on pizza, you just destroyed pizza! Come on Luce." My ear flinched every time he uses that reminiscing nickname as he whined like a little kid, literally imitating a little boys' cry of irritation.

"Pl---lease, you just don't want to eat ice." I shot him a challenging glare with a small grin on my face that I must have given him loads of times today.

"That is true." He said formally and at the same time sounded comedic, somehow reminding me of a voice I've heard in my childhood...hmm...where have I...ah! sokka's voice. I laughed at the thought that Natsu would sound like a skinny, ponytail boy with a sense of humor, it was his total opposite. I must have laughed louder than I should since he paused and stared curious at me.

"What are you laughing at? You think I can't do it?" I smiled mischievously at him.

"I...might've....known you couldn't do it." I giggled, but of course not the girly kind.

"Oh this is on! Challenge accepted, I need a prize, come on!" He steadied the pizza with his hands as he waited for my reply.

"Hmm...Let's see." I said, posing as if I was thinking deeply on this. "If you eat that I'll do...whatever you want?" I was unsure but that was on my mind, but I must have said it in a misunderstanding way since he stared straight at me. Then I realized what I've done and I tried to take it back but his expression changed when before I could say anything.

"Nah..Pfft! That's boring!" He waved his hand lazily as he curved his lips. "I want something interesting...let's see." He looked up and stared at the melting ice cubes.

"Hey! You're stalling! Just eat it and let's decide later."

"Damn! You saw through it?" He laughed and so did I. At this moment I didn't feel fear anxiousness or any of the negative emotions I've been experiencing since this morning. He stared at the slice dripping with water and melting ice cubes.

"Here goes my lunch." He gulped and munched on the whole slice and swallowed it in a second, giving one more second of silence until his whole body trembled from bottom to top and it stopped as he sighed and stared at me with a smile.

"You're turn." He cough a bit but was trying so hard to hide it.

"Alright then, Here I go." I stared at mine and was very much hesitant to not do this, but if I don't, I might regret it and might even look like a hypocrite trying to avoid what I started. I mean, I have standards, turns out I can't live by them. With a gulp for myself, I closed my eyes and quickly chewed up the slice. I felt the stinging pain of the hot sauce but endured it until the final piece of bread was gone. It took me a while to finish all of it but I did it.

"Uhm..you can have water if you want?" Natsu offered, looking at me with a worried and concerned look.

"Thanks..." I smiled as I realized that my face was glowing red, teary eyed and mouth opened wide. I drank the whole glass and placed it back on the table, revealing Natsu's look as if waiting for something.

"What?"

"Did you get to decided what you want?"

"What I want?" I raised my eyebrow, seemingly wondering what he was going on about. He slightly opened his mouth and closed half of his eyes.

"You just ate hot sauce and you suddenly forget?" He laughed. "Okay I'll tell you mine first."
He crossed his arms and laid back on his chair.

"I want you to...marry me."

I paused, staring at him, questioning if he was actually serious.

"I'm kidding." He chuckled. "I ate that horrible disaster so...All I want is an answer."

I wondered how "Ask away." I gestured my hand to brush off to his direction, drinking more water and asking more glasses after that.

"Will you be my partner?" It took my sometime to actually process the words I've took and I accidentally spit out some of what I was drinking.

"Partner??" I sat, wide eyed, suppressing all the thought I know I shouldn't have right now. "Like...partner as a team?" I snapped out from the game of happiness that was at play, it was all fake. This isn't right.

"Yeah, what other?" He smiled innocently, I rolled my eyes in my mind, scolding myself from even hoping that it was like that, but he does just treat me like a lower co-worker he needs to look after, a kouhai, and I don't think I want him to think of me of any other than that.

"That's all you need? An answer? You're not even going to force me on it?" I tried to keep the fear and anxiousness at bay before telling him something I would regret.

"Why would I force you?"

"I mean, Come on, You've forced me lots of times, You'veevenforcedmeliastnightbutI--" I covered my mouth with my fingers, realizing what I just said, luckily I said it too quick for him to notice or even hear.

"I forced you last night?" Or maybe not. I averted my eyes plenty of times, I forgot that he was drunk last night and didn't actually remember anything from it, how naive can you be Heartfilia?

"Nothing, I'll think about it that offer."

"You already said that before, the first time I asked you." He looked a bit disappointed. "I did the dare, now I need your answer."

The decision split me apart, but I guess this must be a sign for me to still stay with him, but after what I saw last night, what happened to me, I don't think I can even bear another minutes with him right now, the feelings in my mind is as different as fire and ice. I might sound like a stubborn girl that doesn't see the truth, but if you had gone through that wouldn't you feel uneasy as well?

"I...well...how should I put this?" I looked down and then up at the ceiling and at him trying to face what I need to.

"My prize from all this was to not see each other again." With that, his face dropped as if a catastrophe had happened. His eyebrows met and he stared straight into my eyes.

"...w-what?"

"It's been good working with you Natsu, but that's the line for it. Sorry for bluntly stating this. I planned to tell you later about this but I couldn't find the right timing...and I mostly forgot." I couldn't bear seeing him in shock and an inch to tears so I stood up and gave a little nod.

"I apologize, Mr. Dragneel." I peeked to see him flinch as he heard me call him what I originally did. "But I think I'll be going now. Thank you for everything." He wouldn't say a word, but just stare at me, a bit teary but did a good job at hiding it. It was as if he was waiting for me to say the words, 'just kidding, I'm joking or I take it back' but why would I?

"What?" He followed me as I walked out of the place. "Hey..Luce, what do you mean?" I didn't look back nor did I reply, just speeding up as I walk. The area suddenly had very few people than before. Without me noticing, with the thought of him following me, both of us ended up in a small area where there were no people. That's just absolutely wonderful, Lucy. Peachy.

"Hey! Explain it to me!" Again, I ignored it. "Lucy!" He grabbed unto my wrist and I pulled away and turned around, couldn't take off the expression of fear due to his forceful grabbing.

"Lu...cy?" He looked very concerned.

"Look, Natsu." I felt my eyebrows meeting along with the uncontrollable tears that urged to fall down like a faucet. "I just can't stand it, please leave me alone."

"Wha--?? I don't understand, Lucy. What is happening to you? You were fine just a second ago?? Come on, tell me, what's wrong?" His eyes pleaded out for me to tell him, to explain myself. He gently held my hand with both of his and squeezed it. It pained me to look at his needy expression, but I couldn't get over everything.

"I know you don't remember a thing about what happened last night, and I'm very much alright with that, I don't even want to remember it myself, but that's just it. I can't forget about it. I'm sorry if you don't get what I'm saying but please just understand my situation." He loosened his grip on my hand and, again, tossed the serious look on me.

"I...I'm not apologizing." He stated. I felt a vein tick and my eyes widened in shock and anger.

"What?" I hissed, awfully offended at his retort.

"I'm not apologizing." He looked down and back at me. "Okay I'm sorry for surprising you that night but, all of that, I remember it. And what I said, what I did, I'm not sorry, I meant it. I'm serious about it." I got flustered. This is not the Natsu I know. This is something I don't think anyone had ever seen.

"Excuse me?" I whipped at him and slipped my hand away from his loose grip. "I've never expected an apology, but...wait, you--you remember...?" My face turned completely red and felt myself go down a drain. He remembered everything.

"So this is all some kind of joke again?!?" I asked, volume increasing with every word. "Why would you do that?! So that was really you? Not..not drunk you?! Goodness!!" Something must've snapped in him to why he exclaimed.

"What are you so mad about?! You liked it, didn't you?" Again I was shocked and offended at his words. I flinched, trying so hard to stop the tears but a few drops slid down. His expression lightened as he saw my weak side. He took a deep breath and let it out.

"Okay, fine...I'm sorry." He looked down, hiding his pained expression and looked up at me with a gentle smile. "I'll...respect your decision..." He had a hard time saying the last word and that was..."Luce." I saw his face twitch, as if he was fighting something inside him. It pained me but that's my decision.

"Goodbye." He said as he turned around, and as I stared behind him that started to walk away, I realized what I had done. I saw the thick tears trickling down on his cheeks and his ears were as pink as his hair. He didn't look back. I wanted to run to him, but I was afraid. Afraid to be honest to myself and face the person I've always feared to fight. Myself.

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A bit cliché but that was the ending, did you like it?

Pfft! Joke. Of course that ain't the ending. I tots believe in a happy ends so y'all just need to wait for part 2 cuz I couldn't fit the whole ending it one chapter.

Plus, ending everything in a chapter, to me that ain't nachie. (Natural) I like to make a slow but worth it process kinda thing. So enough with your bad jubies.

But joking aside, I'm very happy that you read this part because you might get the wrong idea of this being the last part. Like. Legit ending. But it ain't. I've lost my internet for now so I guess I'll update the other one sooner or later.