hi yes hello please enjoy

Lucy could confidently say that she had absolutely nothing to do with Natsu Dragneel. That was, up until about a month or so ago.

He wasn't the kind of guy you wanted people to know that you knew, not that anyone knew that she knew him. She didn't really know anyone else either, so that helped.

Who would care about a practical nobody anyways? That's who Lucy Ashely was, after all.

Anywho, Natsu was bad news. The hot and dangerous type, a lot of girls liked to say.

His dad was head of a private security company that ran some sketchy operations on the side, but nothing that anyone could prove. A big majority of their staff consisted of ex-cons, which made them stand out. Igneel Dragneel paid good money to those in need, that's all the media saw.

He was famous on campus for being…well, a huge prick. Most guys hated him for stealing their girlfriends. But who could blame a girl for making a mistake like that? It was a rush, to turn and see a bad boy like him checking you, of all people, out.

So mistakes were made. Boys were ticked off.

They got so mad that they thought they could stand up to the guy. Big mistake.

The adrenaline would wear right off with one punch to the face. And another punch to the face. And another. They had to be taught who they thought they could mess with.

And Natsu didn't get his hands dirty unless he needed to. Gray and Gajeel were more than ready to step in and teach a lesson.

Teachers would question what happened, but no one would name names.

Even if the teachers figured it was him, his family was too important to mess with. And he wasn't a terrible student either. Natsu and his friends were all in the top ten. Lucy was number two.

Fights would always take place after school, so the staff started lingering on the property. It wouldn't do their institution any good if rumors got out that students were getting beaten up every other week.

Lucy usually sat in an old storage room after school. It had a couch, a small table, and a couple of bean bag chairs, plus a shit ton of books that the library peeled from their shelves.

She aired it out and dusted it well enough, giving her a quiet room to study and be alone in. She ate lunch here too, it was more comfortable this way.

The blonde stayed as late as she could, either reading books or getting her homework done.

It was in their that she met Natsu Dragneel. He flew through the window one day. Ducking under the curtains with his back pressed to the wall.

She was startled but didn't make any sudden movements. He glared at her and pressed a finger to his lips as a teacher grunted nearby.

"Oi! Dragneel! I know that was you! Where have you run off to?!" It was Porlyusica-sensei, she was the school nurse. A woman who was absolutely tired of cleaning up after him and his goons.

She kind of rolled her eyes and went back to reading the book in her hand. Natsu didn't scare her in the slightest.

He didn't say anything to her, just waited for the annoying click of the teacher's heels to go quiet before he left.

He didn't say anything the next day or acknowledge her when she passed him in the hall. So, that was that. Or so she thought.

From time to time he'd jump through that same window, Porly's heels not too far behind him.

Lucy never paid him any kind. Just huffed a bit when he suddenly popped in and made her jump.

It took about a month for him to say anything to her.

"You always wear a sweater that big?"

"Yeah,"

"And those glasses?"

"Yeah,"

"That messy bun?"

"Yeah,"

He left with a slight smirk when it was safe for him to escape.

She pursed her lips a bit but paid him no mind. He was the weirdo in that situation.

The next day he asked as he caught his breath,

"So you always in here or what?"

"Isn't that pretty obvious at this point?"

He snickered for a second and shrugged with a nod, before taking off again when it was safe.

And again he appeared, when the sun had nearly gone down. It was five, and if Natsu was ever there, it was usually around three.

But that day he threw himself in with a groan, quickly shutting the window behind him.

Lucy looked away from her book with a quirked brow, gasping as she saw Natsu clenching a bloody wound that ran along his bicep.

"Geez, what the hell happened to you?" She asked, quickly setting her things down to rush to his side.

"Bastard caught me by surprise while I was talking to some chick," He huffed. "I laid him out but some crummy teacher was comin' by so I had to take off,"

"Shouldn't you go to the nurse then? That looks pretty bad,"

"Porly-sensei would just love that," He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'm not getting caught over some dumb shit like this."

"Uh-huh," Lucy sighed, figuring that was what he planned to say. "Hold on,"

Natsu was about to scold her and drag her down to shut her up, but Lucy stood to grab her school bag. She pulled out a thick white case, snapping it open as she sat back down beside him.

"A first aid kit? You really walk around with that?" He asked with a snort in his throat.

"You should be grateful," She said, dodging his question. "Just take off your shirt already,"

He quirked a brow but complied, his lip pulling upward slightly. Girls were always quick to swoon over his bare chest, so he was cocky about it the whole way through. Lucy just rolled her eyes as he took for fucking ever to take off one goddamn shirt.

The wound on his arm wasn't deep, a thin slice that just gushed a bit. She doused a cotton pad with alcohol and got to work, ignoring his tiny hisses and downward gazing eyes.

"What's your name anyway? I don't think I ever asked,"

"Lucy."

When she was done, he thanked her and took off again.

Not that she would admit it, but Lucy did blush a little when he exposed his bare chest. She could understand the intrigue now, if only a little bit.

She saw him again the next day in the hall, expecting to just plainly walk past him as usual.

"Heya, Luce." He called out, drawing her eyes and everyone else's to him.

It wasn't a flirty smile or that usual hungry gaze. This one was a bit softer, kinder. Like he was really just saying hi like they were friends.

"Fucking shit,"

While knowing Natsu was one thing, being known by the school as the girl Natsu fucking Dragneel smiled at, was another.

Her peaceful lunch was quickly interrupted by Natsu's frequented side piece, Lisanna Strauss.

While Lis was known as a pretty good kid, she was pretty crazy at times too. You could blame Natsu for that. She was plain and innocent one day, then naughty and raunchy the next. The white-haired girl liked to think that she was Natsu's girlfriend since he came back to her so often. But didn't she know that it was only because she kept letting him between her legs? Not that anyone would say it to her face.

"So?" Lucy asked, groaning as the mass of preppy girls stood around her.

"What was that about?" Lisanna asked.

"Um, what was what about?"

"Oh, come on," Milliana rolled her eyes. "We all saw it. So spill,"

"Really don't know what you guys are talking about, so can I go now?"

"Natsu doesn't smile at just anyone like that! So tell us what's going on? Since when were you on his radar?" Meredy asked with a hand on her hip.

"There's nothing going on between us," Lucy snorted, laughing as if what they said was offensive. "Was that all? I'm gonna go eat, then."

"Don't act like you're better than us!" Lisanna fumed, her hand jutting out to push Lucy back by her stomach. The blonde hissed and glared at her.

"Fuck off, alright? I don't give two shits about you or two shits about that idiot. Alright? So that dick in shining armor is still yours,"

"Hmph! Whatever, loser! Dramatic much," They scoffed, ignoring Lucy as she pushed past them.

She found her way back to the storage room, groaning as she lifted up her sweater and shirt carefully. The bandage over her shallow wound was still intact, but the center darkened with the spread of blood.

"Fuck everyone,"

Lucy planned to curse out Natsu the next time she saw him. Truly, it wasn't his fault. He was just expressing his gratitude and didn't give two shits about what anyone else was thinking. But it was the fastest way to cut ties with him. He'd get mad and curse her out for even daring to think the words she planned to say. A win-win for them all, really.

But he popped in that day, past five, blood coming from an injury on his forehead.

"It's not that bad, but I figure since you patched me up so well last time, I could go ahead and skip the trip to the hospital,"

The conversation never came up. As soon as he came for what he wanted, he left.

And would continue to do so, again, for the next month.

Lucy never asked what he did to get these cuts and scratches, and Natsu never told her. He just watched her patch him up and then ran off with a big, lopsided smile.

She wouldn't admit to being lonely on the days he didn't show up, nor would she admit to the worry that began to weigh on her chest.

They didn't really talk during school. Sometimes he would wave and she would give a tiny wave back.

The girls kept an eye on her but didn't really do anything when they saw that Natsu didn't attempt to get any closer to her.

Lisanna would try to 'put Lucy in her place' at times. Openly flirting with the pink-haired boy. Or sometimes she'd lean against him in the hall, begging for a kiss. She'd always catch Lucy's eye when he gave in and planted one on her.

Like she was saying, "See that, bitch? He's mine,"

Lucy didn't give two shits. She barely had a relationship with Natsu anyways. She was just thankful no one gave her shit about it.

"So, really. What's up with the hoodie? It's not even that cute," Natsu pointed out as he sat in that room again, running away from a teacher like usual.

"Do I seem the type that aims to be cute?" Lucy glared at him, Natsu shrugging his shoulders as he moved to sit beside her on the couch.

"I saw you sitting out in gym with it on. It was like ninety out today, you know? You weren't hot?"

"I was in the shade." She said, matter-of-factly, keeping her eyes glued on the book she held.

"Do you always sit out in gym?"

"My asthma's bad, so I can get out of it,"

"Uh-huh…"

It was silent for a few moments after that, until a grin found its way on the idiot's face.

"Come on! Take it off, just this once!" Natsu laughed, tugging hard on the edge of it.

What about this guy were people afraid of again? He was an absolute dunderhead.

"Quit it, Natsu! I'm not taking it off—would you stop pulling?!"

They kind of wrestled for a short while, Natsu most positively stronger than Lucy. Not to say that she didn't have any strength herself. He was pretty surprised that she could push him off of her like that. He pushed back, just to be funny, but his smile fell when she hissed and clenched her side.

"Hey, are you okay? I didn't think that—"

"It's none of your business, alright? Can't you just leave already? I'm pretty sure Porlyuscia-sensei gave up on finding you by now."

"Don't play that shit off," Natsu's eyes were serious as he stood up, towering in front of her. "Take it off. I mean it now."

"I don't see why I have to—"

"You're not going to like it if I do it myself," His voice commanded the room, his eyes piercing through her like daggers. "So take that fucking thing off."

Lucy and Natsu stared at each other, both sets of eyes angry and blazing. She bit the inside of her cheek and opened her mouth to bark a shoddy comeback off, his hand instantly coming down to smother her lips.

She let out a muffled scream and kicked him, Natsu not even flinching at any of her attempts to bat off his true strength. He forced her shirt up and cringed at the unsightly reveal.

He could barely even see the color of her skin. There was either a bandage blocking it or blotchy blue and purple bruises. Some were yellow, a bit green too. Too many colors that shouldn't be the.

"The fuck?" He pulled harder at the rest of her clothes, ignoring her shouts and cries, the angry tears that began to flow down her cheeks.

Her uniform was tossed on the floor, knee-highs and all. She sat in her underwear, not even shying away from being so exposed. She was, simply, pissed the fuck off.

"You happy now? Did you really need to see me like this? And for what?"

"Who hurt you?" His question was sour, bitter, like he hated even having to ask.

"What the hell does that matter to you? Are we friends or some shit? I really don't think so—"

"Who the hell hurt you?!" He shouted furiously, snatching her wrist in his hold, leaning over her with one hand on the back of the couch.

"None of your business," She spat, refusing to cower even as his nostrils flared.

"Was it your boyfriend? I know it wasn't from just one fucking fight so who—"

"Oh, you jealous?" She sniffled, turning her frown into a cocky grin. "Is that what this is about? Do you think someone's stepping in on your property? I'm surprised, I didn't think you were the type to get jealous,"

"This isn't the time for that bullshit, Luce, just tell me—"

"No!"

The heat of their anger built up, both confused but both too stubborn to try and work things out calmly.

Natsu never had to think about what a woman meant to him and Lucy never had to explain anything about her personal life to anyone else. It wasn't fair to start asking these questions all of a sudden, they both thought.

He kissed her. Without warning, without even a hint of that's where things were going to go.

It wasn't a peck either. Not with tongue or anything sloppy. It was just a hard, angry, press of his lips against hers. Both their chests heaved and both their eyes narrowed with each passing second. What else was there to do at this point.

They needed a release. A release of this misdirected anger, of their general pain in life, of this shitty argument they were having.

Lucy said fuck it, fucking fine. She didn't care anymore. Things were too unclear and too fucking annoying for her to bother with thoughts at this point.

She kissed him back with equal fervor, the heat quickly picking back up.

He still towered over her, one hand around her wrist, the other gripped tightly on the sofa. He dropped both knees beside her, now caressing the sides of her face as he continued to steal her kisses.

They didn't say anything, as if clarifying what this was would ruin it in an instant.

Lucy had never done anything like this before, which was clear enough, but she wasn't terrible at it. Natsu had had worst first kisses.

He would've talked her through it, try to shmooze her, and make her melt willingly in his arms, but this wasn't that. It was a fight, a weird one but still. Like every subtle bite was a curse word ingrained into their skin.

"Oh, I'll fucking show ya," Natsu thought, picking the blonde up to straddle his lap.

She felt his half-hard boner press against her inner thigh, Lucy gasping as his lips fell to her neck.

She tried to keep her thoughts geared on winning, but they kept getting sidetracked.

How could he accept doing this with her, how could he have even thought to make a move on her? Wasn't she…weren't the bruises enough to keep him away from her? Hadn't she been told that she was undesirable like this?

He needn't be delicate, the pain of moving with such deep wounds was a familiar enough feeling. But his hands ran gently up her arms, teeth laying waste to the junction of her neck.

She couldn't help the instinct to grind against him as he caressed her skin, as he unhooked her bra.

His eyes met hers.

Really? She didn't think he'd ask for permission.

Lucy led Natsu's hand to cup her left breast, the fire reigniting between them.

He'd say some cheesy line at times like these, whisper to a girl how soft she was. Ask her if it was okay to lick it, just once. But they were both dying to feel the most right now. He'd have her desperate to be held by him the next day.

He noted that she liked it when he bit her. He wanted to groan and call her names, as for her to tell him how it felt.

Lucy wanted to tell him to do that again, to squeeze her other breast just like that. She wanted him to roll his tongue over her nipple again and just…

But they refused to admit any selfish desires or voice anything other than a moan here or there.

He stripped off his shirt, holding her steady as he undid the belt on his pants.

He kissed her again, swallowing her tongue as he pulled himself free from his boxers. He mewled into her mouth as her panty clad center rubbed against his thick thing.

His fingers found their way between them, pushing into her without hesitation.

"Oh. Maybe she doesn't have a boyfriend after all,"

She moaned at the sensation, her arms wrapping tight around Natsu's shoulders as he steadily began to finger her.

He kissed her neck and fondled her chest, moaning out her name as his slick fingers moved in and out.

He cursed mentally as she distracted herself with his body, teeth nipping at the crook of his neck.

She panted his name as she came into his palm, a shiver running down his back.

"Fuck,"

Condoms weren't important right now. Not to say they weren't overall. But their emotions were raw and their bodies were sweaty and raring to go. They just wanted to finally feel that nonexistent feeling they were looking for.

Lucy arched her back and held in a tight squeal as Natsu pushed into her, his cock stretching her virgin entrance.

But she didn't shy away from this pain. She scratched at his back, driving him to move more, harder, faster.

They wouldn't end up with a baby after this, which seems good to know ahead of time.

It felt good, refreshing, like it was just what they needed.

Lucy sighed as she stood up, the sticky white substance dripping down her leg.

"You look beautiful," Natsu said without thinking about his words much. He never really looked at Lucy until now if he thought about it. She was beautiful by standards alone, but that's not what he complimented.

Maybe it was her attitude. Or how sexy she looked covered in his sweat and kiss marks. The bruises and bandages painted a melancholy image, and he liked that most about her.

"My dad's the one who beats me."

And they left it at that.

Going their separate ways, not even saying goodbye. See, they weren't friends. But now, maybe Lisanna had something to worry about.

The next day was the same as usual, a wave here or there, her quiet lunch. A cocky-eyed look from the white-haired girl clinging to her 'boyfriend'.

But Natsu shrugged her off this time.

And they hooked up again, after Natsu came in to hide.

It wasn't about love or the need to express anything. He just kissed her. And Lucy knew there was no intention behind his gesture.

She appreciated this new high, the distraction brought upon by his rough hands and thrusting hips. It felt good to be wanted, not used, abused, or degraded.

Sometimes her imagination began to wander.

Sometimes she thought Natsu was taking his time, making sure to kiss these odd inches of her skin, to be careful with where they were.

Even when he saw new marks, fresh bandages. He'd do nothing but press his soft lips to them.

Because she didn't need saving. He wasn't there to give her anything. And she wasn't there to expect anything in return.

After a couple more times, Lisanna began to get suspicious. Natsu didn't call her late at night anymore. He was more conscious of the blonde and didn't indulge in her selfish wants.

Suddenly he wasn't even greeting her in the hallway.

Oh, but he'd linger near her. So was she the new standard now? A baggy sweatshirt, unkempt hair, no makeup? As if that would attract a high-quality man like Natsu Dragneel.

And she stupidly decided to make a comment about the blonde.

"Since when did you get so close with her, hmm? She's not as good as me, is she, Nachu?" Lisanna batted her eyelashes and pressed herself against his arm. "If a girl like her is spreading her legs for you, don't you think—"

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence," He glared at her, snatching her lips in his grasp as he pushed her away. "Take the hint, Lis. I don't need you to spread your legs for me anymore,"

Lisanna couldn't choose between whether to break down right away or exact her revenge. She fumed with angry tears and a broken heart, fists clenched so hard that her palms began to bleed.

She wouldn't believe it unless she saw it for herself. There was no way that Lucy-freaking-Ashely got anyone's attention.

Lisanna made the mistake of following the two one day during lunch.

They never did anything around then, but that was the whole point. Natsu didn't want to use Lucy like this, but he needed to make a statement. That he wasn't going to touch anyone else while he was with her.

Lucy found it embarrassing to do this kind of thing when the school was still full of students, but she didn't say no. She didn't ask any questions when he stopped her on the way to the storage room. They never talked about when they would do it or why, they just did.

So to be taken to the abandoned end of campus, rooms filled with dust and old materials. She already knew what was up. This was where his people hung out, where students hooked up. The old art room had a comfy futon and was out of the suns reach, so it was always cool.

Natsu kissed her, stripped her, wrapped her in his shirt when she shivered with a chill. They moaned and whined, desperate for more of that sensation, for each other.

Lisanna watched in horror, seeing her first love hold another girl so gingerly, as if she were about to break. He gave her sweet kisses and caresses. He moaned her name as he drew it against her back with his tongue. He held her hips and kissed her lips as he pushed into her. He was rough yet tender, she knew that look in his eyes while he did her from behind, Lucy gripping onto the cabinet door she was pressed against. He looked at her like he fucking loved her. And that bitch was fucking oblivious to it.

Lisanna was quick to pull out her phone, to snap as many pictures as she could. To spread them on the internet, to plaster them against lockers and tell the whole damn school to look at this fucking slut. This skank who thought she could just take her man and everyone else's without a fight.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Gray whispered into her ear, shoving a hand over her mouth as Lisanna almost shrieked.

Gajeel silently closed the door from which Lisanna was peering through, and took her phone as Gray led her down the hall.

"What the fuck is this about?! Why the hell are you trying to scare me?!" Lisanna grunted as she weakly shoved Gray off of her.

"We're not your friends, so our priority isn't to make sure you're comfy here," Gajeel scoffed, deleting anything off her phone he seemed worthy. Their numbers. Natsu's number. The couple of photos she managed to take, even as blurry as they were.

"You were about to do a bad thing and we saved you, you should be grateful." Gray shrugged as the pierced student handed back her device. "Boss wants you to know that if you even think about it, Lis, he's not going to forgive you."

"What right does she have to hi—"

"It ain't about that shit anymore," Gajeel interrupted with a glare that made her flinch. "He ain't givin' her up, even for all the cheap pussy he could get around here. There's no wrong or right, there just is. And he decided she is,"

"I…do you know how many hours I spent—how many times he cheated on me?!"

"Pfft," They couldn't help but laugh. "Are you fucking kidding me? Natsu never said you were his, you decided that all on your own. Now hurry up and fuck off before we end up having to make it real clear for you."

Lisanna bawled her fists again, but cowered under the suffocating aura that rose behind the two.

"Let everyone else around here know that she better not be fucked with. Or there'll be hell to pay. And we have no problem makin' you the sacrifice."

Natsu sighed as he watched Lucy get dressed the next day after school. There was a new bruise on her back, though thankfully her cuts had been healed by now.

"Lucy," He began, swallowing the lump in his throat as he looked at her.

"What's up?" She asked, pulling up her skirt and fitting her bra back on.

"I was thinking," He groaned a bit as he proceeded with his words. "Well, I—uh,"

"Spit it out already," She giggled and rolled her eyes. "If you wanted to do it again, you should have said something before I stood up."

"That's not it," He shook his head, standing to straighten his pants. "I don't want you to go home tonight."

"…why?" Lucy expected that this might happen eventually, that things couldn't be silent between them forever.

"I don't want you to get hurt anymore." He said justly, gently grabbing onto her wrist as she turned her head away. "I can't just pretend it's not happening anymore."

"I don't need you to try and save me," She huffed, yanking her hand from his hold. "You know what this is, we don't—"

"You know that's not true," He didn't want to hear her say those words. After all this time together, didn't she feel the same way? Didn't she know that he had steadily fallen for her? Even though things between them weren't conventional, wasn't it obvious?

"I'm not someone who can just run away from reality, Natsu," Lucy frowned, trying and failing to push past him.

"Why not? Wasn't that what this was? I ran away every day to be with you,"

"Natsu, it's not that simple, it's not like we can just pick up what we have in here and move it somewhere else."

"Again, why not? I can take you away, I can give you a life where you don't—"

"I never asked you for that! And it's not something that can just happen, my life isn't that easy!"

"So tell me why," He frustratedly wrinkled his brows together. "Why can't you?"

Lucy turned her gaze away, taking in a deep breath before she spoke again.

"My real name is Lucy Heartfilia."

He knew that name, who didn't? His father had very close business deals with the Heartfilia Konzern, but since when did Jude have a kid?

"How have I never—"

"Why do you think he doesn't talk about me? He's not going to let it slip that he gets drunk and beats his daughter where no one can see it. It's easier to keep me out of the picture."

"But why—"

"People would notice me missing, Natsu," She almost laughed. "I can't leave. Not until I'm old enough to on my own."

"What if he kills you before then?" Natsu felt like he wanted to cry. Which wasn't like him at all. "What if he kills you before I even get to say that I—"

"You won't say it and I won't die," Lucy felt her heart drop into her stomach. "Let's not talk about this anymore, okay?"

This wasn't a place for these kinds of things, it was their place to forget.

He looked at her with solemn eyes; had he ever felt this helpless before? Even if he asked his father for help, there wouldn't be much they could do. Lucy was against making her pain public, of taking their love beyond the walls of this school.

But he wasn't going to be selfish and go against her. He feared that stepping out against this kind of request would tear their fragile relationship apart.

Because what else did they have in here? A promise to help one another, to quietly love each other.

"Okay," He agreed. "But I swear, Luce. I'll get you out of that house. And you'll come live with me, and we'll be happy there too,"

"...yeah, okay,"

Her weak smile was accompanied by a single tear rolling down her cheek, Natsu quick to wipe it away.

Lucy melted into the kiss he offered her, feeling her stomach burn as he growled and lifted her back onto the couch.

They'd go at it again to forget their conversation, to put it aside while they basked in the danger of their lovemaking.

Lucy sighed as she stared at the ceiling of her bedroom, flinching when her father roughly shut his door some ways down the hall.

Some nights the staff were able to talk him down from his drunken stupor, and others he had no problem forcing his way in.

She turned over and held her pillow tightly, thankful that he wasn't coming in tonight. There was too much she had to think about.

Before, Lucy had no problem putting up with the pain. She just had to deal with it until it was safe for her to leave, to be able to make that decision as an adult.

She didn't have friends for a reason, knowing they would have tried to help her out.

It was just...she didn't want to have to rely on anyone to help her, she could help herself. And she didn't want to be a burden, no one else needed to care about her but her.

A future with a husband and family...with Natsu…

Lucy could honestly say that she never thought she'd share herself with anyone else. So she didn't know what to do now.

He wanted to save her, to take her out of that forgotten room, to show her what life should be.

But did she want to run away with someone like him? He was problematic and a bit crazy if she were being honest. He liked to get into fights and slept around and intimidated everyone around him.

Sometimes she wondered if this was how he treated women. If his kisses and gentle words were just a smooth way to get into their pants. But she knew that he held back sometimes.

If there was a bad bruise on her stomach, he wouldn't move too hard, just gently thrust and fill her slowly. Or he'd take his time pleasuring her, with long stares and one masterful tongue. She knew he was the type to go hard, regardless of his partners wants. His satisfaction had always come first, the stories swarming around campus were enough to prove that.

So she expected that dominating behavior, she expected that this was an exchange without feeling.

Yet, he always made sure she was okay. That if it wasn't a good day, he'd only hang around for a bit before leaving.

The fact that he never stuck around afterward seemed explanatory enough.

They weren't lovers, and even if she really needed him, he wouldn't be there is what she figured. It wouldn't have been possible for her to feel that way anyhow.

She could live without his eyes, his smile, his seductive words. She didn't need the subtle touch of his hand on her hip, nor the reaffirming squeeze he gave her when they kissed.

It was the night after next, Natsu kissed Lucy goodbye.

He had just gotten dressed, and waited for her to finish as well. He took her face gently in his hands and pressed one softly to her reddened lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow,"

She couldn't help but blush or feel the roar of butterflies in her stomach. He never did that to her before.

Part of her wanted to run off and find Lisanna, to ask if this was a lie or if he meant what he said. If he really wanted to save her. But she feared the reality of what that answer would bring her if she would start to yearn for what could be.

Lucy returned home with half a headache, Spetto walking her up the stairs, relaying the day's events. Her father would be home late, so she could enjoy dinner in her room.

The blonde set down her bag and looked around. The tray of food sat warm on her coffee table, her strewn about things already put away.

The maid always did their best to tidy her room, something that would hopefully cheer the young girl up. She was the one who begged them not to say anything, by the way. She just couldn't handle what would happen if she had to leave this place, and her mother behind.

Lucy never knew her mother, but her grave sat in the garden. She always visited her.

Her father blamed her for Layla's death since she had died during childbirth. And the older she got, the more she resembled the woman. He'd hurt her most often for tricking him into thinking that his wife had come back.

Was this really it? Now that she looked around in this empty and simply too perfect room; was this really her life?

Wasn't this place another lie? When she stepped out of here, didn't she still pretend that her world was untouched? That she hadn't been holding back tears as her dad repeatedly kicked her in the stomach? That she hadn't been coughing up blood cowering in fear as he lifted a beer bottle, wondering if it was better to just finish the job or not?

Lucy scrambled to pack her more important things. Gifts from her staff, mementos of her mother. Clothes, money, shoes, all of her school supplies.

Spetto had put a suitcase under her bed some time ago, hoping that Lucy would have just taken it and left. She rested up, thinking about those who worked in her home. They were probably suffering too, knowing that their young Miss was getting beaten over and over and over again. And they couldn't do a thing about it.

Lucy flinched as she heard the front door shut loudly downstairs. Her dad was yelling, shouting nonsense, knocking vases, and pushing down maids who tried to greet him.

She quickly clicked the latch of the suitcase closed and ran out of the room. In the opposite direction, there was a separate staircase that was primarily used by staff.

The butlers used to carry her down there when she was young and too small to hit. They hid her in the kitchen until someone was able to calm her father down.

The kitchen staff flinched when she suddenly ran in, her chest heaving, and her eyes slightly panicked.

"Go!" She was quickly rushed out of the back door, legs carrying her towards the front gate.

Her eyes welled with tears, knowing that her staff could be facing severe punishment if they didn't reveal where she was. She didn't think it was fair to sacrifice their safety for her own.

Where was she going anyways? Now that she was on the street, where was there to go? It'd be foolish to go into the hotel district this late at night, and she had no one to call for help. She left her phone behind anyways, just in case she could be found that way.

Natsu...she didn't know where he lived, and they never exchanged numbers. They only had the four walls of that cramped room between them.

No one would find her there, even if they thought to look on campus. Her father probably wasn't sober anyhow, so there was no way he'd conduct a search this late at night.

Lucy stared up at the big white building that was her school, tossed her bag over the fence, and struggled her way to climb over it.

She groaned and clutched her healing stomach, thankful that it had been a few days since her dad bothered to mishandle his grief.

She sighed, not really knowing what to do next. Even if she came to hide out here, she couldn't just show up the next day for school. The school was aware she was registered under a false name, so they wouldn't risk the wrath of such a powerful man.

Lucy grunted as she threw her bag over her shoulder and into her secret storage room; she always left the window unlocked just in case. She heaved herself in next, squeaking as she tumbled in from the surprisingly high ledge.

"Jeez, that fuckin' hurt," She pouted, lifting her face from the hard carpet floor. Her eyes widened as they met the onyx eyes of her...well, she didn't know if she could call him a lover.

"The hell? What're you doing here?" Lucy saw that it looked as though she interrupted his sleep, that Natsu had been here for a while actually.

"I was taking a nap," He shrugged but spoke distantly as he didn't want to focus on why he was there. "What about you? You brought a bag?"

"I ran away from home," She said plainly, holding back her embarrassment as Natsu's face quickly lit up.

"...Really? Are you okay? Your dad didn't—"

"I got away before he got close," She said, trying not to mind the quick pounding in her chest.

"But you said you wouldn't leave," He had gotten up from the couch at this point, now kneeling in front of the blonde. "I didn't think you would,"

"Whether it's here or my house...I couldn't tell where my reality was anymore. I don't know what I've been trying to protect this whole time. I don't know what kind of life I deserve," Lucy spoke while looking into her lack-luster palms, not even sure that Natsu would care to understand.

"I want to be the life you deserve," He took her hands into his own. "I want to prove that I will do anything for you, Luc, from here on out,"

"But this room—"

"I'm done keeping it in here! Everyone needs to know that I'm your guy and you're my girl. Your father needs to know that he's not the only one you have to go back to. Reality starts when you choose your own life, Lucy."

Lucy flushed as he pressed his warm lips to the center of her palm, his eyes sharply meeting her own gaze. She took a deep breath and swallowed, her stomach twisting as she dropped her head.

"Do you know why I'm here? I always come back after you leave," He confessed. "I can't help myself. Because I can love you as much as I want within these walls. And I can hide just how beautiful you are in here too,"

"Is it okay…?" Lucy felt herself begin to tear up. "What have I done to deserve any of this from you?"

"I dunno," He shrugged and laughed as she pouted. "C'mon, do we really have to know everything right now, Luce? The only thing that matters is that I wanna be here for ya. I love you,"

Lucy groaned and fell against his chest, her head beginning to hurt from all of her swarming thoughts.

"I love you too," She settled with that answer and pushed aside everything else for the moment, following his advice. Not everything had to be made clear right now.

"Let's go, I've got a place not too far from here. You can hang out there till you decide what to do,"

"Are you sure? I don't want to—"

"Ah, be quiet already, would ya? I'm gonna take care of ya now, just accept it," He grinned, helping her to her feet as he took hold of her bag.

"Yeah, okay," She rolled her eyes and followed his lead, smiling with warm cheeks as they both finally left that room together.

truly hope the ending made sense bc I took some sleeping pills and do not have the energy to make sure this shit is consistent pfft