~Lucy's POV~

Where was I? My mind was a blur of slow moving pictures. The left side of my face had a delayed stinging sensation. My vision was fuzzy, everything looked animated. With my nose face down towards the ground, I shakily pushed my arms up.

I felt a pair of hands grab my shoulders. I couldn't process what just happened. It was as if my mind couldn't comprehend the situation. All I heard through my ears was a low hum of frequency. I gasped for air as I brought my weak arm towards the pressure on my shoulders.

I felt the contact of another human being. Black circles began to fill the corners of my eyes. I shoved my farther's hands off of my shoulders. The pieces of my memory were finally starting to return. My dad had punched me in the face after I mentioned my mother's death.

All I remember seeing was a fist right in front of my eye. I steadied my body on my hands, then began to raise myself. My left eye had swollen itself shut. The right side of the world was the only thing I could see. A bitter taste entered my mouth, tears. I brought my frigid hands up towards my face.

I wiped off the tears from my right eye, but they continued to fall. The world was slanted, showing me an even more odd picture. I looked at my dad, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. His mouth was moving, but no sound was traveling to my ears.

He looked worried, like he had made a mistake. He looked at me, but I continued to stare at the moving wall behind him. The green paint in our living room was swirling around like a pinwheel. It was causing me to feel quite nauseous.

I suddenly felt my body shift in direction. The black spots started disappearing, my vision was slowly returning. I was standing right next to our front door. I threw my hand at the handle, leaning my weight against it.

I swung the door open. The night breeze hit my face, but did nothing to aid my pounding head. I stumbled as I stepped outside into the dark night. By this time, who knows how late it was. The increments of time seemed incredibly off. Maybe I had passed out, maybe I had just been paralyzed.

I trusted my footing, but every step was extremely difficult. The earth was spinning up and down, causing my motion sickness to increase. I trusted my footing and started to pick up my walking pace. I was starting to regain control of my senses.

The air smelled like honeydew. Little bugs produced a yellow light, guiding my path. I tripped over my own foot and fell into the grass. It felt like a blanket of earth. I lay in the grass, soaking in it's beauty. I turned my head to see a pink flower.

Pink.

Natsu.

I snapped out of my delirious state as soon as I thought of him. I let out a loud groan of pain. I held my left eye cautiously. I picked myself up and started running. It was as if Natsu had cleared my head. If I only thought of one thing, I could make it to his apartment complex. I stared at the city, noticing the bright building. I saw the light emitting from the eighteenth floor window. He was still up; I wouldn't care if he was asleep anyway. I drowsily stepped towards the building, it's doors getting closer and closer each step.

It was as if everything else had been blocked out. Other than the hotel, the world was entirely black and white. Before my mind could decipher the route to take, I had somehow found myself in front of the large elegant doors.

Maybe my out of body conscience guided me towards what I needed the most. I swung the door open swiftly. I stumbled down the fancy red carpet towards the elevator. I didn't even bother looking a Guildarts. I don't think my one eye could take his reaction. I probably looked like a complete mess.

A messed up face, tangled hair, and the tears streaming down my face added to my horrific image. I anxiously waited for the elevator, keeping my mouth quiet. If he heard me, he would certainly ask what was wrong. As soon as the doors to the elevator closed, I let out a scream of pain. I sat on the ground and covered my left eye.

The pain was unbearable. It was like a throbbing sensation from behind my eyeball. I dragged my body against the marbled floor, and weakly lifted my frail arm. I lightly tapped the number 18. I let out a sob as the elevator jumped to life. I grabbed the railing along the back side of the elevator and pulled my broken body off the floor.

Breathe in, breathe out. Count to 10, everything will be okay. As soon as I see him, I know I will be okay. I clutched my eye with one hand and lifelessly walked towards 18A. I leaned my body against the door and cried my eyes out.

"Natsu," I slammed my fist against the wooden door, trying to get his attention.

"Natsu, please answer." I said through a sob. The air I was breathing turned thin. My short breathes caused my head to hurt even more. The door quickly opened and I instantly fell forward. My savior was standing there. He was wearing black sweat pants matched with a grey sweater.

"Lucy?!?" Natsu yelled with worry in his voice. I fell into his chest, my mind finally at ease. I continued to cry, not even caring if I soaked Natsu's shirt with my tears. I clenched on to his shirt, causing the weak fabric to wrinkle. Natsu wrapped his arms around me and gently picked me up. He moved me out of the door way, and into his apartment. I heard the door slam, causing the area to vibrate around us.

"What the hell happened?" He raised his voice causing me to flinch. He guided me to the couch and gently set me down. He threw a red blanket over my waist and sat directly beside me.

"Who the hell did this to you?" Natsu said as he lightly touched my face. He examined my eye, the anger rising in his tone. I flinched as he touched the irritated skin around my eye.

"I-I don't know-it hurts-I can't-" A raspy voice escaped my mouth, it was no where near attractive. I shook my head and continued to struggle with my words.

"I don't know, I- I feel bad-what do I do- I don't-"

"Lucy, you need to calm down," Natsu said putting his hand behind my aching head. His expression was something that I had never seen before. His eyes were filled with anger, it was as if I saw fire behind his pupils. I dismissed his comment and continued on this confusing train of thoughts.

"I-I tried-I just-I don't even-"

"Lucy!"

"What am I supposed t-" I felt the space between us turn to nothing. His hot lips pushed against mine. My mind had been through a lot tonight, but this really eased it. His touch brought comfort to surge through me. His lips were heaven, saving me from this tragic reality. I brought my hands towards his head. I grasped his hair and ran my fingers through it.

He cupped my face as he pulled away. I leaned my forehead against his, a small smile escaping my lips.

"Are you calm now?" Natsu asked quietly. He had a tint of pink on his cheeks. I thought it was cute that he was a little embarrassed.

"Yes." The word that I had used so often, now had some meaning. It may have been hoarse and cracked, but I'll always remember this word.

"Now, what happened?" He slung his arm around my shoulder, continuing to stay extremely close to me.

"Well, I-"

"Lucy, you gotta look at me." He gently lifted my chin to meet his gaze. I followed his order and locked my gaze on his eyes.

"Ever since my mom died, my dad started drinking again." A vein popped out on Natsu's forehead. "I brought up the issue, and well, this happened." I gestured to my left eye. Natsu's pupils turned to little black slits.

"I'm so sorry Luce," Natsu as he pulled me into a hug. My eyes were filled to the brim with tears, but I couldn't hold them in anymore. I silently cried on Natsu's shoulder.

"I don't want you to ever go back there, you hear?" I heard his voice slightly start to tremble.

"Natsu, he's my dad, I can't lose him too." I pulled away from our embrace and looked at him.

"I'll come with you to see your dad. I don't want you going alone." I nodded and wiped the tears away from my eye. Natsu instantly stood up and headed towards the kitchen. He pulled an ice pack from the freezer, and a water bottle from the fridge.

"Here, drink." Natsu handed me the bottle. I uncapped it and brought the spout to my lips. After a few gulps, I set it down on the glass table by my feet.

"This might sting a little," Natsu said as he applied the ice pack to my eye. I flinched at first, but felt relief quickly after. I took from him and held it against my burning eye.

"What time is it?" I wondered how long this whole situation was taking.

Natsu pulled out his phone and checked the time. "It's almost midnight." What?! How had four hours passed since I left Natsu's house? The strange time increments were stressing me out.

I put my hand on my head and sighed.

"Sorry for coming here so late," I said guiltily.

"I don't care about that, you're welcome anytime." Natsu showed a true, genuine smile.

I rested my head against the corner of the couch, exhaustion filling my entire body. I felt Natsu pick up my fragile body. With one arm under my legs, and the other securely behind my back, we traveled to a mysterious location. I closed my eyes and suddenly felt my body land against a soft cotton mattress. Natsu pulled the covers up towards my chin.

He planted a kiss on my forehead, and began to leave my side. I shot open my eye, grabbing his arm. I held his sleeve with two fingers.

"Stay, please." I begged him to stay with me. I heard him laugh, and jump under the covers next to me. I snuggled up next to him, his arm slinging over my waist. I laid my head on his chest, his heart beat acting as a lullaby.

It might have been the fastest time I have ever fallen asleep.