fall

Sometimes––after a battle, maybe––Natsu has nightmares. Not about treacherous monsters, stomping through Fiore. Not about being buried alive, or drowning, or––Mavis bless––not finding Igneel.

No. Natsu's nightmares are much scarier than all that.

Natsu dreams about Lucy, soaring through the air, arms flailing, trying desperately to grab onto something––anything. He dreams about running, sandals scuffing the dirt, arms outstretched to catch her.

He dreams of being too late; of letting her fall. The shouts of his friends, the worry, the horror at the blood rolling down Lucy's forehead, staining her yellow hair red are barely conscious as he stands, rooted to the spot, arms hanging limply at his sides.

When he wakes up, he goes outside to train, to become better––faster, stronger, anything––for her.

So the next time she falls, he catches her. Everyone calls out, relieved, and relaxes.

Natsu barely hears. He can only focus on her slow and steady heartbeat, the warmth of her body, and her hot breath tickling his neck.

Lucy looks up at him, warm brown eyes glinting with unfamiliar emotions––something so different and yet so in sync with his––and says, "I know."

And she does fall again––this time in love––and, as always, he is there to catch her.