Red Asters & Purple Gladioli

Chapter 8

Disappointed, Natsu removes his hand as Lucy let's out a shuddering sob, she opens her mouth to say something. Anything. But heat blossoming over her back makes her stiffen then relax almost instantly. It's warm. Filling her with comfort and security.

She feels more than hears Natsu's gasp as he gazes awe-struck at the red petals that seem to be burning from the inside. A smolder that spreads to all the petals, glowing brighter into a blazing campfire. So entranced is he, that it isn't until Lucy let's out a gentle laugh that he realizes his Soulmark is glowing too.

An almost overwhelming feeling of unadulterated love and jubilation fills his heart as he meets eyes with Lucy over her shoulder. She turns around swiftly, her chocolate eyes soft and gentle, and full of so much love that Natsu simply melts.

Lucy isn't faring much better either as Natsu worships her with his eyes, brimming with hope and so much love that she leaps at Natsu, arms going around his waist as he wraps her up in a hug.

There they stand, embracing each other tightly as their Soulmarks burn with the glow of a thousand stars. They don't know how long they've been hugging but when they pull apart, the glow from their marks has simmered down.

Sitting on the ground, Natsu stretches his limbs as he promptly tears his right pant leg. Each steady movement of the cloth away from his leg reveals verdant leaves and stems wrapped around his muscled calf, winding up to just below his knee. Right in the center of the intricate forest is a beautifully bloomed Purple Gladiolus.

Lucy gently traces her finger over his Soulmark, watching mesmerized as the flower petals lean towards her touch, faintly glowing with an internal flame.

'Purple Gladiolus,' Natsu begins as he watches Lucy raise her head in wonderment, 'It symbolizes grace, charm, strength and faithfulness along with love. Perfect for you.' He explains softly.

Fervently, Lucy turns back around and shows Natsu her back, needing him to know. Green stems twine around her shoulder blade, long leaves extending over her shoulder, and in the middle is the blossomed Red Aster with its many petals spread out proudly.

'Red Aster,' Natsu breathes out, tenderly caressing the many petals, 'It means loyalty and valor–'

'And undying devotion, or... love,' Lucy cuts in amazed and a little bit more smitten with Natsu, seeing that he's proficient in flower meanings, 'Very fitting isn't it?' She asks rhetorically, realizing at that very moment that her flower really couldn't have indicated anyone else.

Looking over her shoulder, she smiles gently at Natsu whose cheeks flush imperceptibly at that breath-taking smile just for him. Impassioned, Natsu surges forward and presses his lips against Lucy's soft ones. Pleasantly surprised, Lucy hesitatingly applies a little pressure, and Natsu tilts his head to improve the angle.

Every time she had read a romance novel, the act of kissing was described as fireworks exploding or butterflies flapping. They couldn't compare. It was indescribable really, this feeling.

She could only focus on the slow slide of lips against lips. the slight pressure. The intimacy in this simple act. And as the two slowly broke apart, breathing slightly heavily and grinning abashedly at each other, Lucy couldn't help but think that this innocent, close-lipped kiss was entirely perfect for her first.

'I love you, Natsu Dragneel. Not just because you're my soulmate, but because I always have. Even if it took me too long to realize it.' Lucy whispers with conviction, cupping his cheeks. Hoping Natsu understands that she doesn't love him because he's her soulmate, but because he's Natsu.

'I know,' is what Natsu responds, grinning sheepishly, 'I heard you debating with yourself. In my defense, I was on a moving train. It's a little hard to sleep when I want to puke my guts out.' He hastily explains as he sees Lucy's face become redder by the minute, 'Besides, I got to lie in your lap, excuse a love-sick guy for enjoying the rare moment.' 

'Shut it,' Lucy stutters with no venom, embarrassed that Natsu knew how she felt all along. Even if it wasn't for long. Although she forgives him easily because with that slip of the tongue, she realizes that Natsu's loved her for a very long time, 'Love-sick, huh?'

'I love you too, Luce. So much. I promise once we get back, I'm going to show you exactly how much!' He declares enthusiastically, blushing a bit and ignoring Lucy's amused look at his ignorance of her previous comment.

'I never particularly cared for anything other than finding Igneel, y'know?' He sobers, staring pensively into the distance, 'Until I met you, that is. You gave me another reason to live, Lucy. I knew from when I saw you that whether you were my soulmate or not, I would cherish you unconditionally for however long you would let me.' As he finishes, he looks right into Lucy's eyes and smiles, grabbing onto her hands tightly.

What else could Lucy do but smile back at him, speechless with the depth of Natsu's feelings. She swears to show him exactly how grateful she is to have him in her life. And with Natsu holding steadfastly onto Lucy's hand, they leisurely make their way back to Happy.

'So, you get jealous when I don't pay attention to you, Luce?' Natsu cheekily remarks, referring to her musing on the train. The comment causing Lucy to blush bright and splutter a response. Bickering good-naturedly, the two Soulmates firmly entwine their clasped fingers, facing a brighter future in each other's arms. 

Their Soulmarks glinting with an eternal flame.