So! This is my first FT fanfic. A NatsuxReader, 'cuz I love Natsu. Brought to you by ShadowSnowDapple, my awesome editor. Enjoy!

Author's note

"Talking"

'Thinking'

y/n = your name

'It's a great day outside,' you thought as you walked out of your house. The sky was a gorgeous blue. The small, puffy white clouds in the sky looked soft enough to be blown away in the breeze dancing through your hair. You strolled down the street, the waterway to the left of you gleaming in the sun, the water still in the almost-afternoon air. Your necklace bounced slightly on your chest with each step, and your t-shirt swayed lightly with each tiny breath of wind. A Sakura petal drifted above you, and you reached up and nabbed it from the air. Weightless and pink, it laid in your palm until the wind nudged it from your hand. You watched as it swayed lazily to the ground, resting a moment before joining the others, discarded, on the side of the street. Enjoying the quiet while it lasted, you watched the sky. You weren't going to get much more silence where you were headed. Fairy Tail was worth the noise, though.

You smiled down at your guild mark, the left sleeve of your shirt just barely brushing the tip of it. You remembered when you got it- exactly three months ago, you realized with surprise. It already felt as though you had spent a lifetime with your guild mates. And when Mira put it on your arm, Natsu had been there, albeit not paying attention (he had been sparring with Gray at the time). With a fond sigh, you remembered your happiness when you received the mark. That, too, had been a beautiful day, even if it had been overcast and gray (no pun intended).

But today felt different. Kind of... hopeful. Like something good was going to happen today. Was today going to be the day when Natsu and Gray got along? 'No, it's a good feeling, not miracle-grade,' you chastised yourself with a chuckle. The loud sound of splintering wood sounded up ahead, breaking you out of your thoughts. You quickened your pace, knowing you wouldn't want to miss this.

Well, there goes the quiet. A babble of voices filled the air- your guild mates. The shouts increased in volume as you hastened towards Fairy Tail, finally peaking when you got around the corner and saw the guild. There was a loose, loud ring of your nakama in front of the guildhall. Running the last bit towards them, a few glanced back you and a mixture of emotions livened their faces. You saw joy, surprise, and relief, but mostly curiosity.

Mira waved at you as you slowed yourself down for the last few steps. "Oh thank goodness y/n! I was beginning to think you'd never show up!"

You gave her a funny look. "Huh? What's happened this time, Mira?" You asked.

"The usual," she said, but the way her eyes shone with matchmaking power made your guild mates near us take a step back. That look made you want to run for the hills- the last time you saw that aimed at you was when she tried to pair you up with Loke.

And that had not ended up well.

She continued, "Well, the usual except Natsu was acting strange. When he came in, he seemed distracted and asked if you were here." A strange feeling came over you, but you shook it off. Natsu was asking for you? "I told him that you were probably at your house and gave him a key," Of course she did. But it's not like you could say anything about it. Not to Mira, anyway. She continued, "And Gray said something insulting but Natsu only responded with some sub-par comment. Then Natsu started walking out -ignoring a fight! Can you believe that?-" You shook your head no, bewildered.

Cana leaned in between us, apparently braver -or more drunk, judging by the smell of her breath- than the others. "But then Gray said Natsu was being a lovesick fool, and Natsu went and about took a chunk out of his head. Got Gray on defense, and Natsu wouldn't back off. Kept yelling your name, and he seemed really drunk or something." Mira gave you that smile, and your blood ran cold. That smile meant danger. Your feet itched to run away, but Cana carried on, oblivious, swinging around her bottle for emphasis. "Best fight this week. Anyhow, Elfman and Gajeel had to wrestle him down and then they chucked him out of the front doors to knock him out," she nodded her head towards the splintered remains of the guild entrance and laughed drunkenly. She stood aside and swept her arm out in a wide gesture, revealing Natsu.

The dragon slayer was sprawled out on the ground, a bump already forming on his forehead. You almost asked where Happy was, but then you remembered that he was on a mission with Wendy and Carla and would be for the next couple days. Your gaze strayed over to Gray who was standing nearby, looking a bit shocked. He certainly hadn't intended to wage a full-on battle. Your eyes drifted back over to Natsu, his pink hair poking out everywhere, clothes ripped and singed, and limbs strewn precariously over the ground. 'He looks strangely cute,' you thought. 'Wait, no. Natsu isn't your guy. He's Lucy's. And not cute at all.' He stirred slightly, and you fought to keep your cheeks from heating up as you realized that you weren't fooling yourself. He was really cute.

Your eyes traced the outline of his hair, then his arms. Was he always so muscly? Mira said something to you, but it didn't quite come through. You hummed an acknowledgment and continued searching Natsu's face. Mira said something to you again and you felt her eyes, beaming with terrifying matchmaking power, leave you. Cana laughed loudly, finally getting you to look up. Mira was gone.

"What are you laughing about?" You asked nervously, suddenly realizing you had no idea what Mira had said.

Cana laughed louder, "She just got you to take Natsu home and you didn't even realize!"

You were waging a war with your cheeks trying not to blush. "Like... To his house?" You said, part hopeful. You didn't want to know what the other part felt.

"You think Mira would aim that low, y/n?" Cana took another swig out of her bottle.

"Oh," was all you could say.

Mira just told you to take Natsu home. To your house. Your blush was winning, and you could feel a light heat coating your cheeks. It's not like you could disobey Mira- nobody wanted to get on her bad side. You shivered slightly just thinking about it. 'But it's not like anything romantic is going to happen,' you thought quickly. 'He is just going to recover and then go back to his house when he can walk. Plus, it's Natsu we're talking about, and nothing romantic's ever going to come out of his mouth,' your arguments were solid enough, but somehow they sounded hollow in your ears.

"Oi, Loke! Get your butt over here, playboy!" Cana yelled towards the orange haired mage. He turned and his eyes lit up as they saw us.

'Oh, this isn't going to end well,' you thought quietly.

He jogged over, "My beautiful y/n and Cana, how could I be over service today? Perhaps a massage from my nimble fingers," with lightning speed, he put his hands on your shoulders and kneaded them playfully.

You shoved him away from you, "Haven't I gotten the message through your thick skull? I. Am. Not. Into. You," you reprimanded, the blush melting away.

"Loke, she's taken. You don't want to face Mira's wrath, do you?" Canna slurred. Did she say you were taken- but you were single- and Mira's wrath... suddenly it all clicked. Oh, she was SO not setting you up with Natsu. He was dating Lucy.

Loke cringed away and looked at his watch, "You know what guys, I just realized I have a date right now, gotta go, sorry, bye!"

But before he could run two steps, Cana grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him towards us. "Not so fast, playboy. You need to carry Natsu to y/n's house."

Loke looked panicked, like a cornered animal. He sprinted to where Natsu was lying on the ground and slung him over his shoulder without much gentleness. Loke ran at a speed you had never seen him go, down the path you had come from not three minutes ago.

"Cana," you said slowly. "I am single." Cana just laughed.

"Did you see Mira's eyes, y/n? You're not going to be single for long if she has a say in it. And oh, believe me, she has a say in it." With those words, she turned and walked into the guild, muttering something about her empty flask. You were left standing alone, staring after her.

Alright! So that's chapter one. I'm not really sure how many chapters this is going to be since it was originally supposed to be a one shot, but I don't think it'll be too long. Reviews are welcome! They inspire me to write faster, which makes you get an update quicker. Flames will be fed to Natsu. Any kind of advice welcome, 'cuz I have no idea where this is going and I need a plot buddy. Favorite, review, follow, PM me, suggest a new name for this story, whatever, I appreciate it. But don't steal my work, because then I will set Achnologia on you. Love you guys,

~MTheAwesome