Backdated no last month. Mostly for crack purposes.

[loves_spirits]

Characters: Lucy and you~
Setting: The cafeteria
Status: Open, ongoing

How long had it been since Lucy had appeared there? It was easy to lose track of time in this tower, Lucy thought to herself. So much had happened during her stay.

“Your world is destroyed. I saved you.”

What a ridiculous message it was. Actually, it was beyond ridiculous since she couldn’t imagine a world with Gildartz, Makarov and other wizard saints in it having been destroyed. Of course she didn’t forget about Erza too. Even if Natsu, Gray and Jellal were there, their world still had some very strong people. Maybe this was just an excuse to keep them in the tower.

They would find a way out, she was sure of that.

Lost in thought, Lucy didn’t even realize that somebody sat right next to her.

Comments

[explodewiththerage]

Honestly Natsu had his doubts about that too. So many strong people plus his dad the great fire Dragon Igneel. Too many things existed to contradict that enigmatic message. Still one couldn't function long on an empty stomach. And luckily enough his partner was there already.

She seemed lost in thought so he quietly approached and sat next to her after grabbing his food. He was one inch away from poking her cheek when she noticed him.

"Hey Lucy~"

[loves_spirits]

"Whoa, Natsu!" Lucy couldn't help but let out a small yelp upon noticing Natsu's sudden presence and hearing his voice. "What is that finger up for?" she asked, eying Natsu's finger which was so close to poking her left cheek.

At least she had some company, and that company was Natsu. She didn't mind it one bit. It made her feel at ease. As long as Natsu was with her, things would be alright, she thought. She had always had that way of thinking about him anyway. He made her feel secure as well.

"How did you know that I was- Oh wait, looks like your nose is accurate even in this tower." She let out a small laugh.

[explodewiththerage]

A boysterous grin spread over his lips at her startled reaction. She had only herself to blame for his pastime of teasing and surprising her like he always did. Or more like always did back home. He hadn't exactly had the inkling to invade her bed at night since coming to this place and the whole mess with him losing control killed that idea for a while as well.

"You were spacing out so I was thinking if I'd had to poke or maybe tickle you to get your attention."

Company was one of the rare treasures in this place even more so when company was someone important to you. At least he was starting to take things back to the way they were before the incident. The last thing he wanted was to make Lucy as sad and angry as she had been when he stayed away.

"My nose is about the only thing that works normally in this place." THen again if he had his full powers...maybe his mind control state would have done more than just injure her. He quickly chased that dark thought away which was easy in Lucy's presence.

[loves_spirits]

Lucy couldn't help but smile at Natsu's words this time. He was showing clear signs or recovery from his down state. There was even a grin on his face, and the light of his eyes had returned. Now, she was finally sure that Natsu was with her in this tower.

Mocking a pout, she pinched his cheeks. "Geez, what did I tell you about personal space?" She faked a complaint and continued playing with his cheeks. "There, now I'm doing this to you."

It didn't take long for Lucy to notice how Natsu pondered for a while, even though that was a short while. "And what did I tell you about not feeling down? I did tell you that was already feeling fine as well."

[explodewiththerage]

He was mending. He still wasn't comfortable about using his magic around her given it had branded her arm like it did. Even if it healed completely he was still afraid it would leave a scar, or worse a permanent one. A permanent reminder of what he'd done.

"But you did say you want me near you. Trying to confuse me or something?" Natsu said with a pensive frown before giving a guilty flinch. Once again she read him like an open book. He bit his lower lip faintly before heaving out a small sigh.

"I'm trying to tell myself that you know. It's just...not that easy. But I'm trying."

[loves_spirits]

"Then try." Lucy said. She was still playing with his cheeks. "It's not like you to give up." Her fake pout was also still on her face.

[explodewiththerage]

"I'm not giving up!" He said a little louder than he probably should have. He quickly turned it down a bit seeing a few eyes turning towards his and Lucy's table.

[loves_spirits]

"OK, I got it. Why did you get angry anyway?" and this time, her pout got real. Besides, it was embarrassing to have so many eyes looking at them.

[explodewiththerage]

He quickly leaned more over his table and fiddled with his food as he answered in a quieter voice.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to. It just slipped out." No pouting dammit. He would want to fix that.

"Lets talk about something else?"

[loves_spirits]

It was the first time Natsu ever got angry with her, so Lucy was taken aback a little bit. "If you say so." Then, she quietly proceeds to eat her food.

[explodewiththerage]

" I do. " Natsu said with a nod before silence settled in. He said talk about something else not stop talking!

"So uh found any good books?" Surely that would open avenues to a more cheerful chat!

[loves_spirits]

"Not yet." she replied while eating. "I am planning to pay a more detailed visit to library, though."

Even though she was still pouting, Natsu was going the right way to make her talk.

[explodewiththerage]

Success. Now to build up on it.

"I'm sure you'll find something. After all Jellal is there too." Thankfully he was genuinely interested in making sure Lucy found what she wanted. So his tone was true as can be.

[loves_spirits]

It was cute how Natsu could smile like that. Still, Lucy didn't comment on that loudly. Her lips were curving into a small smile now.

"I hope so. It's not that fun here, after all." she said. "At least you are here with me."

[explodewiththerage]

He'd probably do it more if he knew. AS soon as he got over the tingling good feeling in his body.

As it were though he did it solely to cheer Lucy up even more.

"Well when you find em, call me. I'll carry all of em to your room!" And then maybe they'd read some together. Though that went unsaid.

[loves_spirits]

This time, Lucy actually giggled at Natsu. "Thank you." she said softly. It was amazing how fast she could recover from her bad moods.

[explodewiththerage]

Well it was hardly difficult when he flashed her his trademark boyish grin. Still with her lifting spirits, his followed suite.

"Then again if I'm supposed to be around you, then you won't have to call me." He teased, his grin widening.

[loves_spirits]

"That's true." Lucy replied with another smile. "Well, it's better if you are around. I still find this tower kind of scary, even though we've been here for months."

[explodewiththerage]

Aww he was aiming for a more flustered and amusing reaction. Still she was still smiling so he would settle for that.

"As if I'd let any of them lay a finger on you." That actually came out naturally and for a moment without any dark thoughts of guilt.

[loves_spirits]

"I know you wouldn't. Calm down." she said, laughing. Natsu's fighting spirit was always amazing, and she knew that she was safe when she was around him. "That's why I can stay still here." She finished nomming on her food with those words.

[deathsought]

"I can't think of any other alternative. And there is something that exists within our world that could do just that."

Zeref's voice came from the other end of the table. He had a little while before his magic went out of control again, so he used this opportunity to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Immortal or not, he was still human; he needed food, just like anyone else. He noticed the guild mark on her hand... was she one of the Fairy Tail members he spoke to over the network?

Zeref took a seat at the other end of the table; not close to her, but still close enough to hear over the din of the crowd in the cafeteria.

"That guild mark... you're from Fairy Tail, aren't you?"