*~Leaving You~*

Lucy's POV

I woke up sore, blinking at the ceiling before my eyes landed on the man snoring lightly beside me. His salmon-colored hair looked soft and messy, and I couldn't help but smile as I reached out to gently touch it. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, giving him an ethereal glow that made him look almost too perfect to be real.

My mind wandered back to the events of last night, and I blushed at the memories. God, it had been intense. Every touch, every moan, the way he pulled me close, and the sound of my name escaping his lips in the heat of the moment... I sighed, feeling a familiar warmth spread through me. My body began to tingle, and I closed my eyes, trying to calm down, but it was no use.

I sighed again and reluctantly decided to get up and take a shower to clear my head. Who would've thought a fire-breathing Dragon Slayer with salmon-colored hair could leave me feeling this way every time I looked at him? Smiling, I shook my head at the thought as I gently fixed Natsu's blanket, pressing a soft kiss to his nose. He scrunched it in his sleep, shifting slightly.

As I stood, I caught a glimpse of the red spot on the mattress and my thoughts instantly spiraled again. I rushed toward the bathroom, hoping a shower would help.

I turned on the water, hoppednin the tub humming to myself, but then the memories of that wizard returned, uninvited. His face flashed in my mind, and then Natsu's horrified expression as that bastard touched me. My skin burned, and my thoughts became clouded with self-doubt. How could Natsu still love me after all that? Did he only give in because I asked him to help me forget?

Panic set in, and I muttered to myself, trying to push the dark thoughts away.

"Think of happy thoughts, Lucy,"
I whispered, but the words offered no comfort. I felt as if I was drowning in those dark memories again. My heart pounded, and I felt trapped, as though his magic were still wrapping around me. I tried to stand, but I slipped, landing back in the water.

I struggled to get up and out of the tub,so it only made the feeling worse. The frustration boiled over, and I curled up on the floor, tears streaming down my face.

I could barely breathe when I heard Natsu's voice outside the door, calling my name.

"Luce? Luce, you there? You okay? Luce, open up."

"Natsu..." I could barely say more before my sobs overwhelmed me.

Natsu's POV

I woke to the sound of water splashing and a muffled yelp from the bathroom. My heart leapt in my chest, and when I found the bed empty, panic shot through me.

I heard her crying—Lucy.

"Luce!" I called, rushing to the bathroom. I pounded on the door.

"Luce, Luce, you there? You okay? Luce, open up."

"Natsu..." Her voice cracked as she sobbed harder.

My stomach churned with worry so without thinking, I punched the door open and rushed in.

Lucy was curled up on the floor, naked, with blood trailing from a cut on her head, and her arms were scratched again. The sight made my heart stop. Her pain was my fault.

I approached her carefully, scooping her up gently and carrying her to the bed. Wrapping her in a blanket, I cradled her in my arms, brushing her hair from her face to check the wound. It wasn't deep, but the bleeding was worse than it should have been.

I was about to leave to get bandages when she stopped me.

"Stay with me," she murmured, clutching at my hand.