▸▸▸ 1 year after the 'Zeref Incident'

•••

I set my bag down by my desk, kicking my shoes off and plopping down into my office chair with a sigh. My therapy session had finished early— apparently I was making "remarkable recovery", but I'd say that was complete bullshit. I had reverted back to my self-preservation mode, where it was basic instinct to avoid eye contact and to make sure I don't anger the queen bee. Even if I had kicked her ass, I didn't want to do it again.

School had been a hurdle, after being gone so long Natsu and I had to take remedial classes online over  break. We recovered the credits and graduated with the rest of our class—just barely. It was difficult to study and simultaneously work to not crumble to pieces within yourself.

Glancing at my phone's screen I decided that since I had extra time I would apply for another job. Although I was hesitant, Natsu insisted it would be good for me to do, since it was productive and time consuming, two things he said I needed. It was days like this that made me want to curl up and sleep for the rest of my life.

I sighed, now staring at my ceiling. I wondered how I was going to make it through the rest of my life, how I was going to function with any sense of normalcy. As I was loosing myself in my thoughts I heard the door open and for a moment panic raced itself down my spine and I froze.

"Luce, it's me babe," Natsu's comforting voice floated up the stairs, releasing the tension from my body. This greeting was typical. Loud sounds still shook me, and everyone knew to announce themselves when they came over—Natsu and I both had issues with the door opening to silence.

"I'm upstairs," I call out, knowing that momentarily he would make his way up to ask how my therapy session had gone. I already knew the bullshit answer I would give, and the look he would give me before wrapping me up in his arms and telling me he knows I'm lying.

And that's just what happened. Only, this time he also kissed the top of my head when he greeted me.

"Ah, I'll never get tired of seeing your beautiful face every day," he smiles as he cups my face in his hands. Warmth rises to my cheeks.

"Oh, what a tease," I roll my eyes.

"Why would I tease you?" He smiles, kissing me gently and then releasing my face.

"Because, you're you," I respond with a smile of my own.

He walks towards the door, but when he reaches the threshold he turns to look back at me.

"I love you," he tells me before continuing on his path.

"I love you too," my response comes naturally. Slowly, I get up off my bed and follow him out of my room. He's in the room he's taken over, now his own after living with me for so long. His back is to me from what I can see from his open door, and I'm about to call out to him when he pulls his shirt over his head—which immediately quiets me. After so long, I still found myself mesmerized by him.

His work shirt is quickly discarded and as he turns to reach for a new shirt he sees me out of the corner of his eye and stops mid-reach. He smiles and straightens up.

"What's with that look? You act as if you've never seen this before," he chuckles and I open my mouth but I shut it back quickly, momentarily at a loss for words. I couldn't believe I was dumbfounded by the sight before me.

"Uh, yeah I mean I have seen it but.. but you know I wasn't... I didn't expect to see it right...just now.." I stammer.

"Gosh, Lucy you're too damn cute," he laughs and grabs a shirt and quickly pulls it on. Then he pads over to me with his hands in his pockets and I back away from my door. He stops right in front of me and leans down to touch his head to mine.

"I'm so glad I met you, Luce," he murmurs, an air of gentleness settling over us.

"I couldn't agree more," I add, my voice soft, afraid to break the tender feeling between us. In that moment, I chose to believe that eventually things would be okay. They would never be the same, and we both knew that. But, there was one thing I could say for certain—Natsu and I were going to figure this whole life thing out, and we would do it together. No matter how difficult we may find it to be. Nothing and no one would be able to stand in our way.

After all, he did teach me how to fight.

END

After many, many days, months and even years I have finally finished this book.

I know I've been gone for long periods of time, but that is just how things have been working for me as of late.

I'm so glad to have finished this, as it was a random leisure project that turned into a learning experience that has taught me much.

I hope you all enjoyed it!

If you want to keep up with me and make sure I'm not dead,
my insta: @kelz.o
my snap: @BlueBear180
feel free to add me, send me a message, whatever you feel like. I love hearing from and speaking to you all.

Love you lots! Until next time,
Kels