You're Part of My Crew Now, Princess

Another 'Stealth' Mission

The walk back to Tim's house was silent, Lucy quietly fuming about the events that had previously transpired. Natsu and his undying will to protect her continuously, it was getting old and fast. Like she had said a million times before, she wasn't a princess anymore. He should start treating her more like a pirate now.

"You know, you don't always have to do that..." She spoke up, casting a glance over to the man walking beside her.

"Hm? Do what?" He replied, checking up on Tim with a quick look.

"Protect me."

"So, what? You'd rather me just let you get shot?" The words were spat out more harshly than Lucy had expected him to address her and her mouth closed quickly, he was right when it came down to that fact.

"Well, you aren't always going to be there to protect me you know." Lucy had meant to continue her sentence and explain what she had meant but he had already stopped his pace. She had meant it in such a way that he should allow her to grow stronger on her own as well, that if he kept saving her it wouldn't allow her to improve. He had obviously taken it another way, his quick halted walk had gained her attention and she met his eyes.

Instantly she had regretted bringing it up, something she had said was worded wrong and it was clear the impact it had on him. His usual cheerful expression was gone and replaced with a cold look, his eyes sharp and hurt. Natsu's mouth was pulled into a tight line and for a moment Lucy was at a loss of what to do.

Tim lumbered by, unaware of what was happening as he still mumbled quiet 'thank yous' as he wiped his eyes.

With a hard swallow, Lucy shifted her weight on her feet, this was uncomfortable, to say the least. Her lips quivered with unspoken words and just when she got the courage to say something to the offended captain he abruptly started to move again. This time Lucy stayed a few steps behind like a scolded child, it was strange that one look from him could have her so stunned. She felt awful, she never wanted him to look at her like that again. She had to apologize to him, she wasn't sure why it had hurt him...usually he just retorted with something witty but not this time. Lucy had saddened him somewhere along her two sentences. Was it really wrong of her to say that? Sometimes she believed that maybe it was easier to talk to royalty, everything they spoke of had already been rehearsed. Lucy still wasn't used to such free speech, or hurting someone for reasons unknown.

Tim eventually started to get it together and conversed with Natsu. Natsu responded kindly to him and said they would sort out details the following morning. They continued with idle chat for a few minutes until they reached Tim's house. They said quick goodbyes and then were on their way home in silence. A silence that was killing her. She couldn't help the small pout that stayed on her lips, she didn't mean to upset him, she racked her brain as to what she had done. The only thing she could come up with was Lisanna. Lisanna, Lisanna, Lisanna. She passed away right? And Natsu had been there when she did, it was possible and very likely that he did blame himself for it. For not being able to protect her.

The pout turned into a sad frown.

And here she goes telling him he wouldn't always be there to protect her when it was probably something he was constantly afraid of. But...would it be comparable to someone he had loved once? He would obviously try harder to protect someone who he was in love with than just regular friends right?

By that logic it would put her near the bottom, they were friends but they were still considered new friends, right? So why would it have offended him to that extent to hear that from her?

Maybe he was just like that with all his friends.

Maybe...

"What are you thinking about?" His voice pulled her back to reality and she realized with mild embarrassment that he had been watching her, for how long she wasn't sure.