Natsu's  (POV)

I don't know what to say...

'Luce... I had a conversation in the spirit world with your dead parents about you becoming the ruler of the spirits and I died... But only for a little while...'

How do you bring that up in a way that doesn't sound completely crazy,

"Natsu...?"

"S-sorry Luce... I just don't know how to say it?"

"It's okay... Just breathe and tell me."

Lucy wasn't looking at me but I know she was listening. She probably didn't want to repeat what happened last time she cooked. I watched her as she cooked.

"Well remember I had a little talk with Igneel?"

"Yeah..."

"We'll this time it wasn't Igneel... It was your father... And your mother."

Lucy paused. "W-what?"

"But it wasn't the same as my talk with Igneel. It was like my consciousness was moved to the spirit world."

"Okay..."

"They said because they were deceased that they had to stop my heart to speak with me so that's why it seemed like I was dead."

"Makes sense. To talk to the dead you got to join the same train... What did they talk to you about?"

"About you... And our uncertain future."

"Is that all?"

How can I say what they told me so casually...

Well her mother says when the times right or something about coming of age... So really this whole Spirit Queen thing shouldn't phase us right now.

I highly doubt that she's ready to take on the duties of being a queen.

'One things for sure... We should focus on the wedding. I can't wait till I can call her my wife.'

I agree with you on that...

Luce... How are you...

I was curious...

"You know the whole telepathy/ mind thing is cool and all but... What if there's something I don't want you to know, like a surprise."

Lucy looked at me with concerning eyes.

"Lucy..."

"Just hear me out... What if I want to give you a present, the surprise would be ruined if you listen in on my thoughts."

"How about we don't listen on each other's thoughts unless it's an emergency."

"I don't know..."

"Luce..."

"I'll try it out but I swear to Mavis if you ruin any surprises I will never forgive you!"

"Aye sir!"

I understand where she's coming from but I can't help but worry...

Why would she want to keep anything from me? Does she still not trust me?

"Is that all?" She asked.

"Pretty much..." I lied.

I think it's best we don't listen to each other's thoughts especially in a time like this.

Lately I've been thinking things I never want Lucy to know about. I've been thinking about death mainly and everything I'd regret if they didn't happen before my time came. I also thought about Lucy leaving me and never coming back. I was terrified at the thought.

Lucy must have noticed because she had a worried face.

"What's wrong?"

"I was just thinking... Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with someone like me?"

Lucy looked at me with an annoyed face.

"No Natsu, I just say yes to every guy that asks me to marry them... What kind of question is that?"

Lucy turned off the stove and put the food on plates. I could tell she was agitated.

"I just mea.."

"No Natsu, I don't want... Happy could you give us a moment please."

Happy nodded then he flew past me smacking the back of my head and flying out the window.

"Ow." I rubbed the back of my head.

"Can you tell me what has been bothering you?"

"Luce I..."

I paused for a brief moment. A minute of silence passed till Lucy finally broke the ice.

"I worry too Natsu, I worry whether or not if you are gonna come home to me every day in one peice... I worry that I won't be able to be there those moments you need me to be... But most of all I worry that one day you'll realize that..."

Lucy's  (POV)

I could hardly breathe I was on the brink of breaking down.

I'm so scared... I love him... He says he loves me but... Is it enough? Is it true?

"I worry too Natsu, I worry whether or not if you are gonna come home to me every day in one peice... I worry that I won't be able to be there those moments you need me to be... But most of all I worry that one day you'll realize that..."

"You don't love me!"

I felt his arms wrapped around me. I could feel him shaking like he was terrified.

I started to hear him chuckle.

'Does he think it's funny?'

"You know Luce, we really do think alike. I can't help but worry the same things. It is because I don't know what the future holds that I worry."

"Natsu..."

"I'm sorry... I don't think I can protect you... I'm too weak... I don't deserve you..."

Natsu began to cry and something inside of me just snapped.

I blacked out for a minute and when everything became clearer I saw Natsu holding his cheek.

'What happened?'

"Luce I didn't know."

'Know what?'

"I'm sorry."

'What did I do?'

"I'm so sorry."

'What did I say?'

Natsu's  (POV)

"I'm sorry... I don't think I can protect you... I'm too weak... I don't deserve you..."

Lucy looked at me like I was pure evil.
Suddenly I felt a force across my face.

"YOU IDIOT! I'M THE ONE WHO DOESN'T DESERVE YOU. I'M THE ONE WHO'S WEAK. I'M THE PATHETIC ONE, NOT YOU, ME!"

I'm such an idiot. I cupped my cheek.

"Luce I didn't know."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm so sorry."

How could I be so inconsiderate. Still... this is the end... I am drawing the line.

"You are not weak... I hate it when you say that... Luce you are a power to be reckoned with believe me... Your love is stronger than that of the most powerful evil. I'm truly blessed to have you..."

I could barely manage to hold back my tears and sobs. I looked up to Lucy and she looked shocked she pulled me into her lips.

This kiss was unlike any of the kisses before it was full of guilt and confusion. I tried to pull away but she wouldn't let me. We kissed for what seemed like hours. Our kisses were salty due to the remnants of tears.

So much confusion... Why did we start this pointless fight in the first place?

"I was just thinking... Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with someone like me?"

Dammit, Natsu this is all your fault! I pushed Lucy away and caught my breath.

"Luce I'm sorry that I asked you such a heartless question I don't know why I even considered otherwise..."

"Don't apologize because I was questioning the same as well... We really are clueless aren't we?" She chuckled and I couldn't help but smile.

"Luce I don't think I can wait any longer... I want you to be mine already... I want us to bonded."

"Me too."

"That's why I was thinking how about we set the date for two months from now... It's the perfect amount of time I need to plan and it's as soon as possible."

'God I love her so much.'

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Natsu I'm sure. I want to become Mrs. Dragneel as soon as possible."

'She's so damn sexy.'

She smiled. "Mr. Dragneel I know that look... You pervert."

"Hey, it's not perverted if it's towards the one I'm gonna marry... It's just pure love. Pure dragons love to be exact."

She chuckled then wrapped her arms around my neck and pecked me on the lips.

"The love of a Dragon huh? Sounds wonderful... And hot." She teased kissing my ear.

"Lucy don't tease me it's unfair." I whined.

"We should eat. Our little episode caused the food to go cold so... Oh well! Eat up!"

I watched her as she ate like a starved beast.

Our emotions are constantly changing and it causes us to both think irrational.

I'm glad I didn't tell her the truth about why her parents really wanted to talk to me... I didn't tell her the truth but I didn't lie to her either.

It was between truth and a lie, for now that is my best option.

Soon, we will be bonded together for life and no more secrets.

Lucy's  (POV)

I know it's wrong but I can't tell him not yet. But... If I put it off till the last minute... He will hate me.

'I need to tell him. How am I gonna do it?'

My stomach began to churn at the thought.

'What if he hates me?'

I hate feeling this way.

'Don't chicken out you have to do this.'

"N-natsu th-there's something I... I... I need to t-tell you."

I choked on each word. They barely were understandable but Natsu gave me his undivided attention.

I can feel myself shaking... "Natsu I need you to listen to me, okay?"

"Of course Luce. What is it? You're kind of scaring me."

"I... Natsu... I..."

I can't talk...

"Luce..."

"Natsu, I..."

No matter how much I want it to come out, it just won't.

"Calm down Luce, take your time."

I took a deep breath and calmed down.

'You can do this lucy!'

"Natsu..."

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Why the sudden episode of doubt?

Plans for the wedding?

But most importantly:

What does Lucy have to tell Natsu?

Find out next time on The Long Road.

STAY TUNED NALU ENTHUSIASTS!!!