" Igneel, it's awful what happened. "
" I know Grandeeney. " 'Igneel' said, wrapping his hands around the blueish-silver haired woman, kissing her cheek. His blazing red hair tickling her a bit." I've never thought Jude would be so violent. "
" Right now, I wonder how Lucy's doing? She took the most damage, and even from her dad. "Zeref crossed his arms.
" Who? "a small girl with dark blue hair cocked her head, confused.
" A friend of the family, sweetheart. "Grandeeney said. The small girl nodded and went back to playing with their two cats, one had a clear white coat making it look angelic yet, ghost-like. The other was all blue, an usually colored cat.

" I'm home with friends! "Natsu came through the door grinning.
" Haoi! "Lisanna waved as she came in.
" Happy to see you again. "Erza greeted.
" What's up? "Gray said in a blunt greeting.
" Juvia's happy to see you all again! "Juvia smiled lightly.
" Hello! "Levy grinned.
" Hey. "Zeref greeted them bluntly like Gray.
" I'm so happy to see you all. "Grandeeney smiled.
" As if Natsu wasn't trouble enough without Gray. "Igneel sighed and shook his head seeing 'Gray' was here and Natsu and Gray were having a stare down.
" Wendy! "Levy smiled.
" Levy! "Wendy jumped up, hugging the big bluenette, at least compared to her Levy was 'big', how about a bit taller bluenette.
" Natsu. "Zeref called to his brother. Natsu walked up to him, a bit skeptical." Did you here what went down at the Heartfillia's? It's pretty bad. "
" No, what happened? "Natsu asked.
" No, never mind. You wouldn't care about what happened to 'Luce'. "Zeref said walking past Natsu. Natsu grabbed his shoulder.
" What happened to Luce? "he asked, a serious expression.
Zeref turned with a grin.

~Lucy's POV~

I sat on the grand staircase. Aries was wrapping my wrist in a bandage. It hurt but Aries told me it wasn't broken, probably sprained though.
Loki and Taurus stood over me, looking at me in worry and concern.
" Lucy, are you ok? "Loki asked. I only nodded, I couldn't speak. If I did, I'd burst into tears.
Father's never been so violent before. Even when he was feeling ill he'd just dismiss me, telling me he was to ill to deal with my disgrace.
I guess I've failed father... and mother...
I didn't notice until I felt something went hit my knee, that I was crying already.
" Alright, all done. "Aries declared." I'm sorry it took so long. "
She put the last medical tape on the gauze that was placed on my cheek.
" I'll be in my room... "I choked out, standing and walking up the steps into my room. I couldn't have them see me burst out in tears.
I shut the door with a light slam, and walked to my bed. I sat down on the edge and hugged myself, trying to hold in all my tears. 

"YOU'LL NEVER BE A HEARTFILLIA!!"

" I wish you'd never been born. Layla would still be here if you weren't. "

I grabbed my ears, I didn't want to re hear what father said. 

'Would it be better off if I wasn't born?'
'Would mother still be here?'
'It's too late to become unborn, but I could make father happy if I had not existed, if I wasn't extent now...'
'Is that what father wants?'
'I'm sure everyone else would be better off without having to deal with me...'
'What if-'

Ripped from my thoughts from a *bang*
I jumped to my feet and look at my door. I could only gasp. 
" Luce... "
There he stood. But why?
" Natsu-Dragneel! "I corrected myself quickly into my formal greetings. He was out of breath.
" Luce. "he said as he got his breath back. He was walking closer.
" Wh-What are you-"
I gasped. He was... hugging me. My arms against his firm chest as his arms trapped me in a warm hug. 
I couldn't hold myself back any longer. Tears fell quicker than any waterfall. I cried, right into my once dearest friend's arms. 
I remember the last time I cried into his arms like this, but less intense. It was after I lost my most precious thing to me. It was a doll that was given to me on my birthday by my parents. It had honey hair and blue eyes in an exquisite pink Victorian dress and a matching hat.
" Luce... I'm here for you... "
His voice calmed me in a sweet way, reminding me of my mother. How much I've missed her... and him. I've missed Natsu so much, and all my friends.
I felt his hand stroke my blonde hair gently. His arm around my waist pulled me closer and held me firmly. It was like he was trying to hold me up, like I was going to fall.
My legs felt so weak, my whole body did. 
Why is 'he' of all people here beside me, when I need someone the most? 
" Wh-Why is it you Natsu? "I sobbed. I took my uninjured right hand and slammed it on his shoulder." And with that damn nick name?! "
I couldn't help myself from getting angry, I had so many emotions I've been trying to hold back. But with him... they all came out.
I stopped punching his shoulder and practically melted." I-I'm sorry... "I sobbed more. Once I finally calmed, I took some deep breathes before pushing a bit on his chest." I-I've calmed down... thank you... "
" Are you sure? "he asked, his arms loosening, but they were still secure. I nodded. He released my body and I sat down on my bed. Crying is tiring, especially how much I had been.
" I'm sorry-"
" Don't apologize. "his voice was firm. I couldn't bring myself to look at him, so I just hang my head. What else was I suppose to do? I couldn't look at him, after all I did...

~Nobody's POV~

Lucy hung her head. Natsu sighed and sat down on the edge next to her, a bit close, gently taking her bandaged hand. She flinched, a slight pain coming to her wrist.
" Sorry. "Natsu said softly. He leaned forward, letting his hand slip on her chin, lightly pulling her head so he could see her gauzed up cheek. " And your hair is all messed up. Damn. "
" Sorry-"
" I told you, 'Don't apologize'. "Natsu talked over her, she hung her head.
" You didn't have to come. "Lucy's voice was raspy and only came in a whisper.
" I wanted to. Or you would've tried holding in your feelings and bottle them up. That's not good for you, Luce. "he said." And, about before... when I bumped into you... I take back everything-"
" Don't. "Lucy looked up at him." You were right to say all of it... don't take it back. "
" But I was wrong. "he said." Lucy Heartfillia isn't selfish and lonely, she doesn't care about herself more than others... she's the same as Luce just... keeps all her feelings to herself, afraid to show them because she's afraid of her father. "
" How did you know? "
" So I was right? "he grinned lightly, she blushed a bit, a little embarrassment showing.
" You're horrible. "
" For guessing correctly? "
" Shut it, dragon breath. "
" There's my Luce. "
Lucy smiled lightly at him." You always knew how to cheer me up, Natsu. "she giggled a bit. She plopped her head on his shoulder." I'm sorry though... not for you coming, though... "
" For what then? "
" For saying 'Luce' was buried away, and for pushing everyone away without an explanation. "
" You're fine. You know yourself they're understanding, well, maybe except Gray... "
" You still fight with Gray? "
" He's an ass, what can I say? "
" You haven't changed all that much. "
" You haven't either, Luce. Thinking of everyone else 'but' yourself. "
Natsu pinched her nose.
" ow! "she hissed as he let go. She held her nose with her hand." Jerk. "
He lightly snickered." I'm sure you're tired, Luce. From all that crying... Try getting some sleep. "he said.
" Are you going back? "she asked, secretly not wanting him to go.
" I'll be here when you wake up. "he linked his pinky with hers, promising her. She only nodded then laid her head on his lap." G-Luce! "
He looked down at her, blushing a bit. But she was already asleep. He sighed, resting his hand on her head.