Chapter 18

Natsu's P.O.V.

We were all sitting on the train, Lucy across from me. We were having a silent stare down, as everyone else had fallen asleep. Her eyes didn't move away from mine- mine didn't move away from hers. I wondered how long she and I had just sat there with our eyes in combat when she finally made a move- she lunged at me. I expected this as an attack, and braced myself closing my eyes. When I felt her arms going around me, I slowly opened them to see her crying silently, smiling down at me from her spot in my lap.

"It took a bit, but I remembered the rest now, Natsu." I felt my own tears running down my cheeks as I wrapped my arms around her. She didn't hesitate; she placed her lips on mine, kissing me passionately. I held onto her like if I let go, she'd disappear again. I couldn't handle that. We pulled away from each other and pressed our foreheads together.

"I should've found you," I muttered.

"I can see it in the bags beneath your eyes that you tried," she whispered. I dropped my head onto her shoulder, placing small kisses to her neck. "I'm sorry I didn't come back to you."

"You didn't have your memories- not the real ones," I shrugged. Lucy's grip on me tightened.

"I don't want you to get the wrong idea Natsu- these guys, they don't hold a candle to your flame." I smiled and laughed against her neck.

"No pun intended," she added through her giggles.

"Do you..."

"I'm still in love with you, Natsu." She spoke. There wasn't a shred of doubt in her voice as she said it. I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding.

"What are these guys to you?" I didn't want to fight, but I had to know. Lucy backed up, and took my face into her hands.

"Zeke, Bane, Chase, and Noah. They took care of me- like they were my brothers," I knew she wasn't lying to me. I could always tell when she was.

"You're still completely mine, then?" I asked, biting my lip.

"Not even losing my memory for three months and being away from you could change that, idiot." Lucy mumbled, blushing. I kissed her forehead, and she re-positioned herself so that she was curled up in my lap, head resting against my chest, ear pressed to my heart.

"Gods, Lucy...I was so scared-"

"Don't you dare cry, Natsu. Cause if you start then I'll start again..." I heard her voice quiver.

"I'm trying here," I snapped. She chuckled, knowing I wasn't snapping out of anger. Her hands found mine, and she fumbled with my fingers like a small child would.

"Tell me- has Levy had the baby yet?" Her voice was dripping with excitement.

"No- not yet. I'd say she'll have it any time now, though." I said, remembering the last time I'd saw the bluenette.

"I'm sorry, for what I've put you through Natsu..." Lucy said.

"Like I said, Lucy-"

"No. It's my fault. If I weren't in such a hurry to do a job on my own- if I'd been smart and took precautions- this wouldn't have happened."

"Make it up to me then," I spoke.

"And how am I to do that?" she asked.. Thanks to my heightened hearing, I heard her heart speeding up.

"You have plenty of money to live on for a while- so for at least the rest of the month, let's just hang around at the guild, okay?" I asked.

"Hmm..." Lucy made a thinking face.

"Just you...me...plenty of time to work on your novel while I lounge around in your apartment like the clingy boyfriend-"

"Mate," she corrected. I felt my own heart leap when she said it. Smiling, I nodded.

"-We both know I am."

"I love you despite that, though." Lucy stated.

"Lawl, you love me."

"We've already had this conversation."

"So? Say it."

"I-I did just a little while ago."

"Say it again."

"N-no!"

"Come on, just once~"

"I refuse!"

"Please, Luce..." I jutted out my bottom lip. I watched as her resistance crumbled.

"I love you." I grinned, pecking her lips. She cuddled me, which I gave a small chuckle to.

"Will you get some rest?" She pleaded with me. My mood immediately darkened.

"I-"

"For me?" Lucy had to pull that card on me, huh? I let my eyes close reluctantly. I was so scared- if I fell asleep, would I have a nightmare? Would I be terrorized by my own imagination? I guess I would just have to wait and see. To my surprise, I was welcomed with a good dream for once- of Lucy and I living a blissful life, gray haired on my porch, surrounded by our children's children. I was determined to make the dream a reality some day.