~Lucy's POV~

I woke up and the first thing I saw was Natsu, then I remembered yesterday. All the anger came back. He was awake too.

"Hey," he said causally.

"Don't hey me. I didn't forget yesterday. I thought you said no physical pain," I told him harshly.

His eyes softened a little bit, but still remained cold.

"I didn't mean for it to go that far."

I stared at him with open eyes. He looked honest. That was a sort of an apology, right? I closed my eyes, if you're going to forgive people who didn't actually apologize the next day, what would you become in the real world?

"That doesn't change it. I'm still wondering why you are who you are now," I said and changed into a random outfit, but I forgot one thing.

I changed in the same room Natsu was in!

I turned around and saw him smirking. "Stripping in front of me, huh?" he asked amused.

"Shut up," I mumbled annoyed. I turned around and walked to the door. I was less embarrassed than the time the towel fell. Still, I don't like that he saw me half naked again.

"I'm gonna go somewhere without you. Tonight there is a party at the beach at six pm. All the classmates are there, so this is an invitation. The theme is love," and with that I walked away.

"Thanks," I heard him say. I just clicked my tongue and walked to Levy and Juvia.

I knocked three times before I heard a response.

I turned the door open. "Hey," I greeted and they ran to me.

"How are you?" they said in unison. Before I could answer I was cut.

"I swear if Natsu did something to you again..." Levy said, angry and worried at the same time.

"Relax. He didn't do something today. He even apologized sort of though I still haven't forgiven him."

"Okay... let's change the topic. We are going to shop," Juvia said and squealed. They dragged me to Mira and Erza before I could even complain.

"Erza, Mira, come join us shopping," Levy said. The door turned wide open and there stood Mira and Erza with sparkling eyes.

"Yes, let's go!" they cheered and I smiled. Their excitement is a little contagious.

~Gray's POV~

I was going to visit Natsu. I heard what happened between the girls and Sting and Rogue. I couldn't believe Natsu let that happen for a while. He was different in the past, he was happy, funny and caring. Now he's everything he had hated. I knew about his past, but it didn't condone his actions.

His behaviour and the accident have nothing to do with each other. He's just pushing people away.

"Flame brain, open the damn door," I screamed and punched the door.

Finally he opened the door. Jesus. Could he take any longer?

"What do you want, Popsicle?" Natsu asked, scrolling through his phone.

"Have you apologized to Lucy? I know you didn't want it to go that far," I said. I heard what happened through Erza, and I honestly couldn't believe what I heard.

I don't think he apologized, but to my surprise he did.

"Let me guess, she hasn't forgiven you."

"Tch." Then he changed into red pants and a black T-shirt. "I'm going somewhere," and he walked past me. We did our handshake, before he pulled away I gripped his hand tightly. My whole face turned serious.

"Stop torturing yourself, man. Let it go."

"I'm fine," he said, his voice strained before he yanked his hand away.

"This act of yours is going too far. And I mean it. I was fine with you being this, cause I knew you had to process it. But this is pathetic."

He scowled. "Shut up."

"What even happened to you? You hate bullies and yet you're changing into one. This coping mechanism is unhealthy. Just because Lucy's interesting doesn't mean you can toy with her. She can still bring you excitement without you having to bring her down."

He glared at me, looking irritated. "I make no excuses for how I choose to heal."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "You call this healing? Wanting to conflict pain unto others for temporary relief? You only hurt yourself more."

His breathing got ragged, meaning he was getting into that damn bad place. He was thinking about my words and all.

"As long as I don't need to think anymore, everything's fine." His voice was harsh, almost as if he wanted to hide how broken his voice would be if he didn't force it. I looked at his hand, seeing it shaking lightly.

I sighed, not a good sign. I want to help him but I really don't need to rile him up.

"So what? You're gonna do this to Lucy all the time?" I asked, my voice raising.

"Why do you care about her?"

I tugged at my hair. "I like Juvia, and she's friends with her."

He raised his eyebrow, taunting me. "So? You mean that because you're friends with me, I'd blow away your chance with her?"

I chuckled, thinking it's funny how he would change the topic so we didn't need to talk about him.

"Well, she's not exactly your biggest fan."

He put his lip in a line. "Nobody is," he bit out bitterly.

"That's not true," I said lowly.

"Whatever," he spat out. "You want Juvia that bad? Choose her over me. Show me how little you care about me."

I narrowed my eyes. Is he seriously making me choose between Juvia and him?

As if it's that hard.

"Like I'd let our friendship down for a girl. Remember the promise?"

His face told me he remembers, but it quickly disappeared. Damn, how hot headed is he?

"I'm not worth it," he whispered, ignoring my question.

How hard is it to get him back?

"Remember?" I said again, emphasizing it.

"I'm leaving," he said and walked past me, purposely bumping his shoulder against mine.

"We will always be here, you know?" I called out to his retreating back. "We're friends, aren't we?"

His shoulders were tense.

"Get over it," I mumbled. Yes, his past is sad. But there are enough people who have it worse, and they still move on.

~Lucy's POV~

I was in Erza and Mira's room.

It's almost six pm. We were with the girls changing into our dress. We been shopping for — I don't know — six hours? We applied make-up and did our hair.

"Let's go," I said and cheered. We walked to the beach and saw everyone already there.

"Listen up, brats, let's enjoy it and make it one of the best parties ever." Everyone cheered and the music turned on. We soon joined the boys.

My shoulders getting a little tense when I saw Natsu in swim shorts and a white, transparant shirt.

Erza picked a sword —which I don't know where she got it from— and held it by Natsu's neck.

"Wowowow, relax Titania," Laxus said. Erza only glared back at him.

"You have the nerve to show up in front of Lucy. I'm gonna make you pay for what you did," Erza said with a firm voice. I couldn't read the expression of Natsu.

"Fine be me, I deserve this one. I admit I should have stopped them earlier," Natsu said, sounding mature for the first time.

From what I know Natsu never admits a fault. He has his hand in his pocket, giving a I-don't-care look. They all turned to me, waiting for my judgement.

"Let the blade go Erza. I'm sure Natsu has a reason. If he's going to act this way, his fault."

The sword vibrated, meaning Erza hesitated. She eventually let go before given him a warning look.

"Lu-chan! Are you out of your mind?Natsu is probably gonna do it again, so don't forgive him," Levy said while holding my hands.

I always tried to think positively of people, but getting nothing in return is draining. I just shook my head, "I'm not forgiving him. It's just not worth it anymore."

Laxus snorted, making me glance at him. He was already staring at Natsu, who looked at me with indecipherable eyes. "Well, there goes your chance," Laxus whispered to him, almost sounding smug.

He got an elbow in his rib.

I sighed and looked away, clenching my hands when the duo appeared again.

"What do you want Sting, Rogue?" I asked, venom in my voice.

"I'm still not satisfied. So I'm gonna beat you up until I feel satisfied," Sting said and my friend stood in a defence position. Meanwhile Erza came to Natsu.

"If you're really sorry, you're going to stop Sting and Rogue immediately," Erza said. Natsu looked straight at me before moving to Sting and Rogue.

"Quit it boys, you've done enough damage."

They widened their eyes and gritted their teeth.

"But Natsu, why? You said we could ambush her when we wanted," Sting said.

Great, so it was all Natsu's fault.

As a response Natsu glared at them. "I said no such thing. Yesterday was all your doing."

Sting and Natsu were in a intense state battle, Sting obviously didn't want to lose.

"Fine," Sting spat and stomped away, Rogue quietly following him.

"Choose a partner and dance," Mavis said, screaming over the noise. I was just standing lonely, having nobody to dance with.

That's fine. I can dance by myself.

Levy went with Gajeel, Erza with Jellal, Gray with Juvia and Mira with Laxus. Suddenly someone stuck his hand out.

"Dance with me," Natsu said. Wow demanding much.

"Why?" I said not in the mood to dance anymore.

"Or I'm gonna make you," he said. Unbelievable, he is never gonna change. I walked away, not sparing him a glance.

I sat under the tree stargazing. Natsu joined me. I let him, he wouldn't take no for an answer anyway.

"Natsu, why are you like this?" I whispered again. To my surprise Natsu heard it.

"Wanna know why?" he looked at me straight in the eye. I nodded slowly. "Promise first you're not gonna tell someone about it," he said seriously.

"How do I know this isn't one of your tricks?"

He sighed loudly. "I've been thinking about it for a while, and maybe you were right."

I blinked my eyes in surprise. That was the most honest I've heard from him.

"Maybe the wall I built to protect myself is taking a toll on me. Promise, or not?"

"I promise," I said sincerely. He breathed very slowly.

"Okay...it all began when I was ten. I had an older brother. We were a happy family when Wendy wasn't born yet. Zeref was there for me and I was there for him. We shared everything, from small to big.

"I was a happy kid who always came in trouble. One day we played in our garden with a ball. I accidentally kicked the ball to the neighbours. Zeref assured me it was okay. He climbed over the fence and went to pick the ball. When he came back, everywhere were cuts and bites. I thought is was all my fault, because if I didn't kick the ball so far it wouldn't have happened.

"My brother Zeref didn't hold a grugde against me. He said that no matter what happens, he couldn't be disappointed or angry at me. One day..."

He paused.

I sucked in a breath. I could guess the rest of the story.

"We played in the park. We went home with the limosine, but there came a car and it crashed against ours. I was injured, but nothing bad. My brother was rushed to the hospital but didn't make it. I was so heartbroken I didn't eat anything or smiled after that. Gray helped me out of that situation.

"Before Zeref died, he said that I had to take care of myself. I promised myself to never let anyone that close to me. I don't want to feel that pain ever again. That's why I put this cold wall up. Good thing too, because the amount of people that have abandoned me is only becoming more and more ."

"What about the scars on your back?" I asked carefully.

Our world is fucked up. Accident after accident, costing millions of people their lives.

"The limo's window broke. The glass dug into my skin, and not even a tiny bit." He let out a humorless laugh.

I was speechless. I have a brother, and I love him with all my heart. If he would die, I would be heartbroken.

"What about the bullying me?"

He sucked in a breath. "I shielded myself from everyone, even Gray sometimes. It got boring, but everything was better than feeling emotions. Then you came along, and you were this sassy, annoying person I liked to mess with. It was the only thing that truly gave me satisfaction. I felt like I had some control in my life again. So I'm sorry for all the shit I pulled you through, you didn't deserve it, but it was the only way to keep me sane."

He stared at the stars. Without thinking I embraced him. He froze for a couple of seconds but then relaxed.

"You know, Natsu, I think Zeref wants you to be that carefree child again," I said in his ear.

He didn't say anything, I didn't expect him to.

He put my arms away. "I'm sorry for everything I did to you. Seeing Sting and Roque yesterday was a kind of wake up call. I felt horrible. I was kind of frozen."

"You know," I began silently. "I'm sorry about saying you're a coward. I had a bad past too with my parents dying. Instead of shutting people out, I acted as if I was okay. One day it became too much and I had a break down at school. Safe to say people laughed at me."

I looked at him, his eyes gentle. "After six more months of acting, I was done. I was only taking pity on myself. I went to a therapist, worked on myself, and it happened so fast that one day, I didn't even need to act. I was really fine."

We went back to stargazing. "I understand how you feel on some aspects. I really do, but this is not the way to deal with it. Thank you for telling me."

"It feels easier to talk with someone you dislike than with one of your friends," he said.

In some way that's true. But it also isn't. We like to talk to people who went through the same, someone who understands us. But we like to talk to someone we trust too.

"You still dislike me?" I asked, tilting my head. I did nothing.

He shrugged. "I hate myself more."

"Not an answer."

"No, I don't. It doesn't matter anyways, I fucked up all possible relationships I could have had with you."

I smiled slowly. "I forgive easily once I see changed behaviour." I took a quick breath. "You have great friends, you know?" I lied on my back. The ground was a little hard, but it is what it is.

"Don't push them away."

~Natsu's POV~

I was glad I finally told somebody. Lucy and I were stargazing and she almost fell asleep

She was pretty when she sleeps.

I felt better after explaining to her. Of course she wouldn't forgive me right away, I'm not expecting her to, but I'm sure we can start anew from here on.

And if we can't, my loss.

I picked her bridal style and went to our room, not caring for the party.

I put Lucy on the bed and pulled a blanket over her. I went to her forehead, holding myself back from the weird need to kiss it. Fuck.

"Night, Lucy," I said to her. I went outside to breathe a much needed fresh air.

"You don't have to hide anymore."

~Erza's POV~

Gray and I were following Natsu and Lucy all the time. We told Juvia and Jellal to dance with each other cause we have things to do.

We watched as Natsu told Lucy the story, we knew it already, but still I can't imagine how he feels.

Lucy and Natsu have a special connection. Natsu never told anyone besides us about Zeref's death.

"Do you think Lucy is gonna change him?" Gray asked, staring at the ground.

"I hope so..." and we followed our gaze to Natsu and Lucy. Lucy was now sleeping peacefully.

He brought her back to the appartement.

I sighed and turned to Gray. "Let's go," I said.

I heard footsteps behind me.

Natsu sighed, "You two don't have to hide anymore."

We stood frozen, how did he know? We came from our hidespot.

We stood next to him with Natsu between us.

"I'm sorry, guys. I'm really pathetic."  Natsu frowned.

"It's alright, have you forgotten our promise?" Gray asked, stargazing.

Natsu shook his head. "I already remembered this morning when you mentioned it."

-Flashback-

There were 3 children playing in the park. One had raven hair, the other salmon hair and the last one has scarlet coloured hair. It was when they were nine. They were playing soccer. The girl and the 2 boys against each other. The girl was winning.

They rested on the grass and were having a picknick.

"I love being with you guys." Natsu, the salmon haired boy grinned.

"Yeah, it's fun. I wish it could last forever, you are like my brothers," Erza said and the two boys smiled.

"Yup," and the raven haired boy smiled widely. They ate their lunch and told some silly jokes. But the peace didn't last long.

"Gray! It's time to go home," his sister Ultear said. Gray sighed and went to say goodbye.

"Wait! Why don't we make a promise?" Natsu came with an idea.

Erza nodded. "Yeah. A promise that we would be forever friends and never let something come between us," she said.

Thwy agreed and pinky promised.

"Promise!" the three said in unison.

-End flashback-

"I broke the promise, didn't I?" Natsu said, letting out a sad laugh. "Jesus, no wonder no one likes me."

I smacked his head. "Baby steps."

"Goodnight," Gray and I said in unison. We watched him walk away.

No one ever got to Natsu, and still Lucy did it.

I just hope she wouldn't give up on him. He needs someone.

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