A.N.- Ohayo Minna! I am murasakiana and this is my 1st FT fiction... don't run away just yet! xDDD English is not my native language so... misspellings, grammar errors and poorly constructed sentenced are in the mix. Gommenasai!
Disclaimer: Hiro Mashima is the rightful owner of Fairy Tail. Yeap! even when he trolls us xDD
" Nursing "
1st Chapter
Looking around the Hall, watching her flamboyant Guild mates - her nakama and family, Fairy Tail - and smiling softly at their antics, Lucy Heartfilia the Celestial mage could never get enough of all of them, no matter how many time it passes this warm feeling of belonging to this place and people, of being home was overwhelming and filled her heart.
Three months ago they had returned to their rightful home - the one that had been denied to them during that seven years gap - victorious from the Grand Magic Games, but shaken. The events that had unfolded in Crocus took its toll in everyone, and the looming uncertainty on what might be coming their way in one year time, is unsettling.
But they will not mull or sulk over things yet to come, they're Fairy Tail after all. The strongest Guild there is, and as long as they stick together no matter what kind of hardships life throws in their way, they will overcome them as one.
Although, for the small group who witnessed future Lucy - a member of their extended family none-the-less - being strike dead by also future Rogue, right before their eyes and not being able to do a thing, it had been stranger and awkward to get back to their daily routines and move on.
In this early October afternoon, everything was in its usual "normalcy" except for the inexistent brawls all around. Wakaba and Makao were being the old perverts that everyone knows they are, cheering for Cana who was on her 13th barrel against a poor Max on is 5th. Elfman was with Ever - Mavi's knows doing what - at a dark corner of the Hall, while the remainder of the Raijinshū sat by the bar, drinking and talking - except for Laxus who was as always very quiet - with the giggling Strauss sisters. At the tables, on the left side of the bar Asuka's laughter can be heard as she plays with Master Makarov under the caring attention of her loving parents.
Close by, the Shadow Gear trio chat happily while a grumpy Gageel simply sneers boredly by his favorite bluenette's side. A few tables behind Lucy, a poor Gray Fullbuster was being cornered and stared down by a menacing looking Titania after accidentally knocking her beloved strawberry cheesecake to the floor when running away from a fangirling, day-dreaming Juvia as she chased him wanting him to wear a t-shirt with her face on it, as she wore a matching one with his face on it.
As she observed all this, Lucy was also listening to Wendy and Romeo's conversation, they sat beside her along with the three exceeds, Panther Lily, Charle and Happy, planning the last details of the trip the two teen and three nekos would be going later this evening. And Natsu - brave, sweet and silly Natsu - he sat right across from Lucy, bent over the table with his head resting on his folded arms, he has been awfully quiet and well behaved this afternoon.
This is the boy - scratch that - this is the young man, whom by simply outstretching his hand to her, offered her a entire new and wonderful life. The adventures and all sorts of craziness she's been through wouldn't have happen if she hadn't reached for that warm hand, one that had also saved her, protected her and wiped her tears countless of times. She trusted this pink idiot blindlessly and she knew that she could always rely on him to inspire and give her strength in the direst of situation, despite his recklessness and the tendency to rack havoc everywhere he went. She was grateful for that day, so long ago when they first met, it had been written on the stars, she was sure of it!
" You can't possibly be thinking of taking that many fish! " Charle was scolding Happy, when Lucy focus her attention on them again, " You'll only slow us down, and besides the fish will most likely rott ".
Flying off and plopping down on Lucy's head, the blue exceed had small tears prickling from his sad eyes " Lushi! Charle-le wants me to throw out my sakana, how am I going to survive? I'll starve! ".
" You will not Happy " Lucy softly spoke picking him up from her head and holding him in her arms " Wendy and Romeo would never let that happen, but you certainly cannot take that many fish with you " she stated, ogling the over filled back pack on top of the able that belongs to the little fella.
" NATSU! Lushi is trying to starve me, she wants to keep my fresh sakana all to herself " the exceed screeched outraged, seeking help from his best friend.
" I am not! " Lucy sweatdropped.
" She's just being weird as usual pal " the Dragon Slayer spoke, his voice rougher and not raising his head from his folded arms, leaving the little neko to sulk on his own.
" Don't worry Happy, we have enough supplies for everyone" Wendy said sweetly.
" Yeah, and besides Lucy-nee gave us jewels to cover your meals " Romeo added reassuringly.
" Lushi gave you her jewels? To buy me sakana? " Happy asked turning to the blonde mage, who nodded affirmatively " You're the bestest! " he exclaimed as he lunged to her breast and wiped some stray tears.
" I thought you were accusing me of wanting to steal your fish just now " she muttered.
" I never said that, you must be hearing things " the blue cat replied, " Oh no! Lushi maybe you're getting sicker from your weirdness thing ".
" Anyway… Everything's settled? " Lucy asked the two young teens, ignoring Happy's comment.
" Yup, we've planed everything Lucy-nee " Romeo answered grinning, " Thanks for the help ".
" We appreciate the time you spent to assist us Lucy-san " Panther Lily finally spoke.
" Well then, if you excuse me I think I'm done for the day " Lucy spoke , scratching Happy between his ears, " I'm in need of a warm bath, the cold is sipping thru my bones " she giggled.
Sitting Happy beside Lily, Lucy rose from her sit and walked to her worn-out looking partner, absentmindedly caressing his uncommon pink locks, burying her cold fingers in its surprisingly softness, ' So warm, more than usual… Or maybe I'm colder than I thought, should've brought gloves with me… '. It had become a more usual and natural behavior between the two of them – even though they were the only ones to not notice this change – to touch one another, as if they needed the physical contact to reassure themselves that they were real, that they were alive, together.
Bending slightly, so her head was leveled with his right ear Lucy softly whispered, " Natsu, I'm leaving now " letting him know.
" LEAVING!? " his head shot upright startling the Celestial mage, " Don't leave Luce, stay with me " he let out taking hold of her right hand, his somewhat hazy onyx eyes locked on her brown ones, pleadingly.
Lucy's heart skipped several beats at his words and her belly was doing some crazy somersaults, ' Not that way… He didn't mean it that way… 'she had to remind herself, " Always Natsu " she replied flustered, " I'm just going home silly " she giggled at his obvious confusion, it was clear that he had been in a world of his own just now " I'll see you tomorrow " she reassuringly squeezed his hand, his heat grazing her skin.
" Yeah, okay " was his short reply as he squeezed her hand back, never breaking eye contact.
" You liiiiike each other! " Happy tease them rolling his tongue.
" B-Baka neko! " Lucy death glared at him, flushing to her ears, " HOHOHO, maybe I should just take my jewels back and let you starve " she jokingly threatened, all the while still holding tight to Natsu's hand.
" Whoaaa! Charle-le what will I eat? " he whined flying away and hiding behind Wendy who now hold Charle on her lap, " Don't let her do that, I will die! " he sniffled.
" She won't buddy, now stop crying you're being too noisy " Natsu spoke, making all eyes fall on him, Lucy's the most as she watch him closely.
" So, you all have a save journey and be careful " Lucy said dismissing the situation, " You have Cana's card, right? " she asked and Wendy nodded yes, " Say HI to the exceeds from me, Ja na! " letting go of Natsu´s hand, while waving goodbye to the little group.
Glancing around the hall one more time from the double door gate, Lucy couldn't help but to let her eyes linger on the pinky Fire Dragon Slayer for a little longer. His face was hidden from view again, but she could tell by his body language that he was tired – and because of the obvious quietness of the loudest and hyperactive member of the Guild – it was a normal sight now though. Ever since they had gotten back to Magnolia, many of them – herself included – had been training in a daily basis, and Natsu was definitely not an exception. Plus the increasing number of missions and personal requests that they had been taking care of these days were draining them to exhaustion.
" OYASUMINASAI MINA! " Lucy shouted to the entire Guild.
" OYASUMI LUCY! " they all shouted back in one voice, all but one.
-xXxX-XxXx-
In this precise moment Lucy Heartfilia is in heaven. She had arrived home 10 minutes ago, tired and freezing. Autumn had just began though the first rains and cool breezes were becoming less sparse, and the blonde mage was already wishing for summer to return. Pure bliss is what she's feeling, relaxing on her bubbly bath, how she loves the sensations the warm water has over her skin, ' Warm, warm like Natsu… ' blushing furiously at the thought – warmth is always a synonymous of comfort, and Natsu – hiding her cheeks under water.
45 minutes later…
Playing with the remaining foam from the bath Lucy noticed her wrinkling fingertips and toes, also the water was cooling rapidly now. Getting out of the tub she wrapped herself in a fluffy pinkish towel, and with another one, smaller, she started to rinse her hair as she made her way out of the bathroom, musing about how the bath had warmed her considerably and some of those vanilla flavored waffles that she bought this morning from the baker and a cup of hot cocoa.
" Yo " the call came to her ears from the living room.
" KYAA! " she jumped surprised – not so much – holding her towel in place for dear life – not that he hadn't seen it all – " NATSU! The heck are you doi…, never mind I'm not asking " she gestured, " Let me just get changed, don't you dare walk in here Dragneel " she warned him, entering her room but leaving the door open.
" Kay " was Natsu's short reply.
" So. I take it that Happy and the others are off by now " she spoke from inside the room, trying to make small talk so she could keep an ear on his position.
" Yeah, half an hour or so ago " he answered from his place in the couch.
" Happy was really excited about it, and the other too of course " Lucy said putting on her underwear, " Mostly because he'll be tagging along with Charle " she added giggling.
"… "
" You don't need to worry about him, Wendy, Romeo and Lily can take care of themselves just fine and Charle will keep him straight " she reassured her teammate and to some extent herself, while spreading moisturizing cream all over her body.
" Every Fairy Tail mage is capable on his own " he spoke, bending over and holding his head on his hands.
" Not all of them " she whispered thinking of herself.
" You too Luce " he said weakly.
" Are you alright Natsu? " she asked picking from the door frame. She was going to scold him for his damned dragon ears prowess, but watching him like that she got worried, ' Something's going on… ' she thought, eyes locked in his form and concern slowly growing on her chest.
" Yeap, just fine " he retorted, straightening up and trying to flash his trademark grin her way, " Just a bit tired that's all " and failing completely at it.
" Okay " she retreated to her room not at all convinced, " You should've gone home then, and get some rest " she said wearing her soft pink, cotton, two piece pajamas.
"Hum " this time a nodding sound was his only reply.
Walking in the living room Lucy noticed the incredibly high temperature in the room, ' Maybe I shouldn't have put on this pajama… ' she thought, she had turned the air conditioner when she got home – she didn't dare light up the fireplace, in fear of burning any uninvited baka who thought to enter by the chimney – to warm up the place a little, but right now it seemed like she lived inside of a volcano.
Turning off the device Lucy walked to the kitchen, " It's really hot in here, isn't it " her statement came out more like a question.
" I guess " again a damned short reply.
' Of course, he's a fire user Lucy! He won't feel the difference… ' she thought face palming herself, going through her pans and pots, " Natsu, I'm gonna eat something simple today. What do you want me to cook for you? " she asked out loud, readying herself for the incoming huge request. She was used to this, cooking for him and Happy that is, and she was extremely glad that they enjoyed her cooking skills after all the boring and strict lessons she went through in her old days as a high class lady this made it all worth it.
" I'm not hungry, thanks Luce " was is astonishing answer.
" Na-Nani?! " Lucy froze where she stood, pan in hand ' Is the world ending again?… Am I dreaming of him again?... ' her mind was racing as she was taken by surprise.
"Neh, Lucy. I feel funny! " he stated from the other division.
' Funny… Funny like, I feel different when I'm around you funny… Yeah me too… ' she was lost on her own thoughts, ' Wake up Heartfilia… This is Natsu, he doesn't think about those things… ', shaking herself off she exited the kitchen, " Funny? What do you mean? " she asked looking at him.
" I don't know, funny " he said raising to his feet, " I better get home, you're right I need some sleep " he continued walking to the wide open widow that he must've come in from.
' Wide open window!... We'll freeze with that damned thing open… But it's still so hot in here, and I already turn off the AC… ' Lucy was thinking as she looked from the window to the device and back to Natsu.
He was walking in a quiet pace, almost like he was balancing himself when suddenly in a split second his body went limp, and he fell as Lucy watched it in slow motion, as his body crushed to the floor with a dry thump, " NATSU! ".
A.N.- So… What do you think? I hope you like this fic, I surely enjoyed writing it! xDDDD
Well then let me know if there is anything I can do to improve and make it better, your feedback is really appreciated.
Ja na!
murasakiana n.n