Summary: Lucy Heartfilia became an overnight success when her first film, "Blondes and Diamonds," became the number one film in America. Job offers roll in and the camera flashes almost take away her eyesight. As the stress of fame takes over she runs to an old childhood friend and his small apartment on the California coast.

Notes:
   - inspired by actresses of Hollywood's golden age
   - (and my love for the 40's and the 50's)

Rating: T

• • •

You'd think after not being seen for hours, paparazzi would eventually leave. But sure enough, they chased Lucy Heartfilia's red Cadillac down through Beverly Hills. She was in too much of a rush to but the roof up so the wind blew at her harshly, just enough for her to loose her silk neck scarf. She was able to get away at around midnight, once she hid herself in a small beach town.

Once she was sure she was alone, she stepped out of her car to check for damage. There were scratches along the the front with countless destroyed, insects carcasses on the windshield but nothing major. She'd get it cleaned on Monday; as that was the least of her problems.

What she was worried about was the number of pill bottles sitting on her vanity at home. Her agent told her she needed to start losing weight, smile more, have silky hair, whiter teeth, and take care of the stretch marks on her thighs and apparently pills were the only way to take care of it. Lucy was afraid of the pills. She heard of countless actresses getting addicted and overdosing on drugs and didn't want to be another statistic. She was already becoming one. She was becoming addicted to prescription drugs and it was getting harder to avoid them. She needed to be with someone who'd help her. Anyone in Hollywood would think she was crazy.

She was only a few miles from Long Beach, where a childhood friend lived. She was going to visit; unless he kicked her out, which was likely. She stepped back into the car and left the woods, heading to the popular beach town. She drove through small towns and empty areas of land. Each town had a movie theater where a large poster of her recent film, "Blondes and Diamonds," was plastered over the front of the building, next to posters for a horror film and another movie starring Gregory Peck.

Long Beach was oddly quiet for a Friday night, bars and clubs were open but it didn't look like people were there. Lucy stopped at a gas station where a young man filled up the tank. She recognized him and she was sure he recognized her. Gray Fullbuster, the friend slash enemy of Natsu Dragneel. Gray was oddly close with Lucy until she went to Hollywood. They hadn't spoken since. He wouldn't look at her. He only spoke to her when he asked for the money for the gas. She handed him a ten dollar bill and told him to keep the change before she left.

She knew where Natsu lived. During filming, she was constantly getting letters from him. Each one invited her to visit. She always replied saying she couldn't. It was kind of sad that the only way she could was when she was afraid of a few bottles sitting patiently  in her room. She was surprised when she pulled up in front of the building, she checked the letter she brought with her to make sure it was the right address.

There was scratching coming from inside. Natsu's cat, Happy, was pawing at the window. He could clearly see that it was her. She got out of the car as Natsu looked out the window. She was half way across the sidewalk when he opened the door and didn't expect the tears that threatened to escape. He looked different than the last time she saw him, over a year ago at a college party. He seemed worn down, but also stronger. His skin was darker and his eyes weren't as bright or wide as they used to be.

Neither of them spoke for moments. Happy even seemed to sense the tension, he stayed right by Natsu's side. He looked her up and down, there was a chance she was different, too. Bigger. Ever since Marilyn Monroe became an icon, everyone wanted more curves. She was eating more and sometimes she had to wear a corset to get a petite waist. It was horrible.

"I saw your movie."

"Yeah. . ?"

". . . You did great," he told her. Lucy smiled and choked on a, "thank you." He didn't walk towards her until the first tear fell down her cheek. She didn't let her self cry until he was holding her and she could hide her face into his chest. Neither of them separated until Natsu noticed a camera flash coming from across the street. He lead her inside and closed the curtains and locked the door.

The inside was clean, mainly because there was hardly anything in it. There was a plate of food on the floor next to the TV and a scattered deck of cards. The couch and coffee table seemed untouched. There wasn't even cat hair on the couch, however, you could see it on the carpet.

"Why'd you come?" Natsu asked.

". . . Can't a friend just stop by?" She asked, quieter than she expected. He didn't respond as he stepped into his kitchen and switched on the light. He sets a kettle on the stove as Lucy noticed the radio was on. He wants to mention the letters, the ones he used to send every day, asking her to come back and visit, and all the letters where she told him she couldn't; but a piece of him holds him back. Now isn't the time. 

He hears Happy purr as the radio static emits from the wooden block on the kitchen table. The static quiets as Ella Fitzgerald begins to sing quietly. 

"Stars shinning bright above you, night breezes seem to whisper, 'I love you'." 

"I adore Ella," Lucy said. "She has a lovely voice." 

"Hmm?" Natsu humed. Lucy noded and the two went quiet, watching the speaker bounce along with the sound waves and Happy weave his way between the legs of the table. He walked against Lucy's legs, happy to have her back in the house. 

"How was school?" Lucy asked eventually. Natsu leaned back in his chair. 

"It was fine, I graduated eventually," he said, and added, "on time." Lucy nodded with a small smile on her lips. She was about to speak when Natsu asked, "why are you here?" 

"Why does it matter?" 

"Because you never said you could come and visit and you show up here at the middle of the night for no reason." Lucy watched his facial expression changed. He has asked her with an annoyed confused expression, then as she tried to speak it changed to worry. 

She choked on her words. "I'm afraid."

"Of what?" He asked as he leaned towards her. She took a deep breath as she tried to figure out how to word what she wanted to say. 

"My life isn't in my control. Nothing is good enough," she said. 

"What do you mean?" He asked, his voice filled with concern. She couldn't look at him, she couldn't admit what was wrong. She looked at the window behind him and caught her reflection. She saw her beautiful blonde waves  pulled up into a bun at the back of her head, she saw the slight bulge of skin against the tight red dress she was wearing and the few black smudges of mascara under her eyes. She could see the person she had turned into, and she could see how she was still changing. She looked weak, feeble even. She watched a tear fall down her cheek and let her emotions follow. 

"They're giving me drugs," she said. "They're supposed to keep me thin and happy, but they aren't working." She wiped away a few of the tears. "I can't stop taking them, and I'm hearing stories of people dying when they take too many. I'm afraid of being another statistic."

She wanted to say more but everything became too much. She let herself cry at Natsu's kitchen table. She didn't notice him get up and was surprised when she felt him wrap his arms around her. Lucy wrapped her arms around him and tried to not get mascara on his shirt. 

A soft voice came from the radio, which Lucy believed had encouraged Natsu to pull away. "Wanna dance?" He asked her. She nodded. He took her hand and pulled her up from her seat. She rested her head against him as he wrapped an arm around her waist. She kept her eyes open and tried to take in the moment: the golden light from the kitchen, the sonorous whisper of the radio, the gentle heart beat against Natsu's chest, and the first sense of comfort. 

Wise men say

only fools rush in

but I can't help

falling in love

with you

• • • 

Author's Note:

It's been a while (over a year) since I've written any Nalu. How we doin'? Was this good? I recently got caught up with the new series and I'm eager for the Nalu, cause if Gruvia is getting some attention, why can't my otp??? 

This had been sitting here, unfinished for at least a year and a half and I finally got around to finishing it. I hope you enjoyed!

Until I write again, 

Lucy