Can't Help It ; Natsu

10 - Temptation

Even if an important and exciting event happened yesterday, you couldn't help it, but all you could think about was Natsu.

As hard as you tried, his face never left your mind.

Phrases ran through your head, distorting your thoughts.

"Make him understand."

"If he appears in your mind, while we are talking about love. Then perhaps..don't you think you love him?"

Your heart pangs, as you watch him peacefully sleep next to you. You couldn't help but wonder what would happen if you had told him. 

You close your eyes. You didn't like this whole Natsu and Lucy business. That was for sure.

If Lucy took Natsu away...it would just hurt so bad. You couldn't believe how lucky you were to have Natsu here.

You were no love expert, but you could tell when it was time to confess. Or at least you thought so.

With a yawn, Natsu sat up. "(Y/N)...I'm going on my walk." Natsu always got up and took a walk. Sometimes with Happy, sometimes without.

You scramble after his disappearing figure. "Wait, can I come too?" He turns around, and nods. Natsu waits, while you change.

"C'mon." He beckons you with his finger, tilting his head towards the door.

"Coming!" You quietly whisper, careful not to wake up sleeping Happy and Plume.

Following Natsu outside, you two soon arrive at the town. "Berries! Selling delicious berries!"

You immediately go over to look; you were starving. "I'll take some." You hand him 200 jewels, and take your fruit.

You both had changed courses, and went to the hills. Far away from the chatter of the town, where everything was quiet.

You handed Natsu's share of berries, as the both of you sat down on the warm grass.

"I've seen this berry somewhere...I just don't remember where.." Natsu muttered uneasily.

"It's okay! I got it from a shop~" You happily watch him study his berries.

"...Okay." He pops one into his mouth. But then-

"Ack! Sour!!" He quickly spit out the berry.

"Sour berry?" You cautiously bite down on one of your berries. "Oh." Your face scrunched up as your taste buds rejected the flavor.

Natsu begins laughing.

"What?" Your nose still scrunched. You hated sour things. "Your...face..." Natsu gasps out, still laughing.

"You're so mean." You laugh, popping a berry into his mouth, as he laughs. You loved these moments with him. You loved laughing with him. Talking with him..

Maybe it's how Lucy feels, too?

Your face suddenly gets serious. "Natsu, I-"

You were interrupted by a voice. "Natsu? (Y/N)!" Lucy suddenly appears smiling and waving.

"Ugh.." You lay down on the grass, your arm covering your eyes from the bright sun.

"(Y/N)?" Natsu leans over, his shadow letting you see. "What were you going to say?" You shake your head. "It's nothing important."

Maybe it was fate telling you to not say anything yet. Or, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. You immediately sit up, and stare at him intently as Lucy arrives.

"Um, (Y/N)?" Natsu looks back at you, confused and his ears a little pink. Maybe it was just the sun. You hoped not.

He was so cute. You look away and say hello to Lucy, who was also apparently on her daily walk.

'What is it with everyone and walks?' 

Thankfully, she had things to do, and quickly left. "Phew..." You hang on to Natsu's shirt collar, tiredly.

"Does talking to Lucy take that much energy, (Y/N)?" Natsu asks, jokingly.

"Yeah." You laugh. "Speaking of Lucy...what is she to you, Natsu?"

He looks blankly at you, his eyebrow raised. "What is Lucy to me..?"

You quickly wave your hands around the air. "Never-mind, I-"

"I guess she's a close friend."

You pause. "Just a friend, Natsu?" Every time you asked about Lucy, you heart felt like it was being torn apart.

"I think so. Why?"

He thinks so?

"No reason." You flash him a smile. After a moment of comfortable silence, you get up. "Should we go back now, Natsu?" You extend a hand towards him.

"Yeah." He takes your hand, and stands up. As you try to take your hand away, he holds tight. "Natsu?" You give him a worried look.

"Sorry, I...it's nothing." He lets go of your hand, and immediately you feel a shroud of loneliness come over you.

"Wait." You grab his hand on instinct. "Sorry...but can we stay like this?" You ask, quietly, avoiding his questioning eyes.

You could almost see him nod. He leads you over the hills, back home.

___

You bury your red face in your pillow. And to think you almost confessed! You just didn't have enough courage.

And you hated yourself for that.

"Silly (Y/N), what are you doing?" Plume asks, her laugh so familiar to your ears. "Plume!" You immediately sit up, and gesture her to sit down.

"What did I tell you, about the Natsu problem?" She sighs, and looks at you tiredly, but kindness was in her eyes.

You look up at her. "I couldn't do it." You confess. "The timing was right and everything! B-but..I just couldn't get it out."

You look down at your clasped hands. "Oh, (Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N).." Plume's tiny warm paws hold your head up.

She tsks, and looks into your blue and brown eyes. You feel tears starting to form. "Oh, Plume...I'm such a crybaby." Your shoulders sag.

She smiles, and lets go. "It's okay to cry, (Y/N). It's better to let it all out. I know you'll find a time. I know you'll find courage."

"Whether you do it before you leave for your parents, or after."

You smile. She made it sound as it you were just visiting an elderly couple. Your tears were gone. "Thanks, Plume. You reminded me why I love you so much."

She narrows her eyes and laughs. "You always will love me, (Y/N)."

You nod and smile. "Good point."

You hear a door open. "Heeeeello?" Natsu called out, and the kitchen lights turn on. You smile and get up. "Let's go welcome them, Plume."

She nods and flies out of the room. You go to the door frame and lean against it. "Welcome home, Natsu."

He spots you, and smiles warmly. "I'm home, (Y/N)."