DIS-FRIGGEN-CLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail
"Natsu!" Lucy called out, frantically waving a sheet of paper. "I found the perfect job!" "Not interested," the salmon-haired fire mage said, leaning back in his chair. "But... We have to destroy these old ruins where a dark guild is supposedly hiding in... and the reward is 950,000 jewels... But that's okay, I'll go ask Gray," Lucy said rather sorrowfully. In a moment, Natsu was up and snatching the request page, mumbling something about having extra time anyway. When he left to pack, Lucy plopped into a chair and sighed. "Baka." she murmured, only to hear an elated giggle from behind her. "Lucy, you and Natsu are like siblings. Always fighting, but caring for each other," Lisanna said. Lucy smiled. "Yeah, I guess. But its still a pain in the ass sometimes." Lisanna smiled knowingly. "I remember when I was here before... Edolas, Natsu and I would fight so much, but in the end, he would still be my friend." They embraced before Lucy headed home to packo.
On the way back, Lucy was kicking a rock on the edge of the river, her hands out to keep balance. The smell of Italian food came wafting from a nearby restraunt, and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "Omph!" she smashed into someone, tripping and almost falling into the water, when a steady hand grabbed her wrist. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, catching her breathe. After a moment, the man still hadn't let go. Slightly scared, Lucy tried to pry the man's fingers off of her wrist. She took notice of his cloaked face and body, before her wrist started to burn, and she looked down to see fire. Black fire, that was currently burning the crap out of her wrist. "Let... Go... Of... ME!" Lucy muttered between gritted teeth. The pain grew till Lucy practically saw black spots. The man chucked, a low, humorless sound. He leaned in closer. "Be careful of that wound." he said, before releasing her and disappearing in a puff of ash. Lucy coughed, and massaged her already bruising hand, before running the rest of the way home and packing fast.
When she reached the guild, she saw Natsu without Happy(Happy formed a team and went on a mission with Wendy and Carla)getting the request she had mentioned earlier stamped by Mira, and turned to find Gray eating a snow cone. She hurriedly walked over to him, trying to conceal her burnt wrist from Natsu. Too late. Natsu walked up to her and slung his arm around her shoulder. He sniffed the air for a moment, before grabbing Lucy and dragging her to the back of the guild. "Luce?" he asked, his voice dead serious. "Yes Natsu?" she replied, tactfully hiding her hand behind her back, pretending to scratch it. He wasn't fooled. He grabbed her wrist and held it up, examining the damage done to it. "H-How did you know?" Lucy questioned, a slight blush forming from the look of concern on Natsu's face. "The unfamiliar scent I was getting gave it away. Luce, The scent was all over you." Natsu replied, watching Lucy wince from the pressure he put on the burn. He couldn't stand anyone he didn't know getting all over her or any other girl nakama of his. "It's nothing, really, a guy I bumped into next to the river saved me from falling in, but I'm guessing he doesn't control his magic very well, because he accidentally burned me while doing so." she replied. She left out the part where it seemed that the man knew her, and the way he hadn't let go until she literally passed out. It would only make Natsu want to rip the man's heart out for hurting his nakama. She could tell he didn't buy it, but he left the topic there, instantly turning back into the cheerful, clueless idiot he was.
Later, on the train, Natsu slumped onto Lucy's lap, like he always did nowadays, and she stroked his locks while staring out the window, lost in her thoughts.
How did he just appear like that? I know no one was in front of me. What do I do? I don't want to trouble anyone... Maybe Lisanna can help me... No, she just got back. She should enjoy herself, with no worries. AAARRRGGGGHHH! What do I do? Maybe I'm just over thinking it. Yes. That's what it is. I'm just stressed because my rent is due and I just came back from a parallel universe, and, and...
"LUSHIII" Natsu snapped her out of her thoughts. "Huh? OH! Sorry Natsu!" While Lucy was lost in her thoughts, she had unconsciously pulled Natsu to her chest like a little kid would do to a doll. She quickly untangled herself from him and skidded away, her face turned away and glued to the window as to cover her blush. "Its fine." Natsu said, scratching his head with his hand, giving of a toothy grin. The train lurched over a bump, knocking Natsu over Lucy, who turned her head at the exact moment Natsu's head was over hers... "OUCH!" they both yelped when their heads knocked against each other. The train gave another lurch, and Natsu slumped over her, completely knocked out. "Natsu? Natsu..." Lucy murmured. His head was nestled in between her neck and shoulder, his breath tickling her neck. She was completely wedged between the train side and Natsu, who, by the way, had absolutely no clue about what he was doing. She sighed, and gradually fell asleep.
"... Yeah, a room for two. Drugged? No, why would I drug her? Yeah, we're on a mission. Fairy Tail. See? And hers." Lucy felt her hand being lifted up for a second, and then dropped, hitting something warm. Come to think of it, the bed she was on was warm and oddly bent... it kept moving. Her pillow was fuzzy and soft, gentle across her face. She slowly opened her eyes, only to see pink. A pink pillow... hmmm. And looks just like.. like... Oh shit. Fully awake, she lifted her face from Natsu's hair. "You up Luce?" came a his soft voice. "Mmmhmm." she replied, deciding to let it slip and blame it all on her sleepiness, and snuggled back onto his back. Natsu chuckled and continued walking to their room.
He gently opened their room and murmured a slight curse word. "What happened?" Lucy asked. "They gave us a twin bed, instead of two." he replied. "That's fine, its practically how we sleep back at my apartment." Lucy said. "Besides, I trust you and can Lucy kick you if you try to do anything... special." Lucy pressed her head into his neck, trying to-yet again- cover an oncoming blush when she realized what she was saying. He gently draped her onto the bed and went over to the other side of the room to drop of their luggage. He turned out the lit lights and layed down on the other side of the bed, snoring softly. Lucy was drifting of when she felt his arms snake around her waist and pull her to him, just like he did every day.
