It was a nice day at the guild. Lucy was enjoying her usual strawbary milkshake and having a conversation with Mira. As always the center of the conversation was the 'boys'. Lucy was now 20 and still searching for her first boyfriend. She had tried hard finding one without success , the only reason being a certain pink haired dragon slayer that accidentally was her partner and is he the reason of love failure in Lucy's life ? Two reasnons. The first one being that she was actually addicted to the life with her partners ( Happy included ), so she definitely couldn't change that. And having a boyfriend would definitely change that. And secondly and most importantly , she was totally in love and intoxicated with the dragon slayer.
So much that she even loved some small pieces of his life that maybe even he didn't knew the existence . Like how he would make some small moaning noise when smelling his favorite dish , obviously cooked by Lucy herself. Or how he would always stretch starting with his right hand after getting up in the morning on Lucy's bed. Or how he would gaze at the stars in the night when mentioning some old memories remembering his only now deceased parent. She would actually do the same and even if it was kind of selfish , she felt somewhat relieved that Natsu could understand her in some ways. So all in all she wasn't only in love with Natsu , but all what life around Natsu was about. A million of different things to love and discover every day.
Why doesn't she remember a day with him being boring or just plain? Maybe the infatuation in her mind was creating illusions of some kind of reality that wasn't there. The thing that she didn't know was , when did it all started? After thinking the same thing over and over again the answer she got was really, from the beginning. Maybe it wasn't really love at first sight ( actually thinking about how Natsu was able to break the love spell only from Lucy ) maybe it was , for her part anyway. From then on, the feeling only grew exponentially. Throughout all adventures they got Lucy's feelings were confirmed every time.
"Lucy you are spacing out once again" Mira caught the girl's attention once again.
"Oh sorry Mira you know I was wondering about the past and everything that happen to me and how my life changed for the better. Do you think a possibility of another life when you could get more happy than this Mira ?" asked Lucy changing the course of her thoughts, not giving Mira the chance on prying in her personal feelings 'yet again'.
"You know , I have thought some time when I could get a normal life with a normal family and all. With a normal job and not a stressful bunch of riot mess we have here at the guild every day. But I know for sure that even if I got that life , I would be dreaming of this life every time. Just think about what would I be missing. The craziest most loving family in the world. Not a day similar to the other and an unending adventure of a lifetime! Go ask somebody on the street if they would give up their life for what I'm saying and I bet your chances of someone saying 'no' are lower than Nab choosing a job.'' Mira's face was so bright explaining this and Lucy's face lit up as well drinking all passion glowing from Mira.
"Sometime Mira I think you should actually write and express your thoughts so anybody could see them. You could actually help people with what you have to give. More and more time again you help anybody with your advices. Have you ever thought of that?" asked Lucy wondering if she actually could help Mira with that.
"Oh but I could never be as good as our noble writer, Lucy!" Lucy's cheeks tinted pink because not used to such praising about her writing ."By the way I haven't seen Natsu for the past three days. Do you have any idea where he is ? He haven't gone in a mission either and is really strange you know."
Lucy has been having the same dilemma and even though it was really strange not having the dragon slayer around for this long, having seeing Happy had assured her that nothing was wrong." No I haven't seen him either but Happy told me the other day that Natsu was having some kind of diseases , and is figuring out how to cure it or something like that. I wanted to actually visit him but Happy advised against it. If he doesn't come today I might as well go and pay him a visit tomorrow so I'm sure he really is okay after all." Mira eyed the girl and clearly seeing the trouble in her eyes. It was no secret that Lucy had created a bond with the favorite dragon slayer , that goes beyond the friendship type of bond. Seeing that Lucy would miss him even for less than one day, and reducing her to check the guild's door whenever it opened was really exhilarating and troubling at the same time. So to prove her thoughts once again Mira decided to say something that could bring voice to the celestial mage feelings.
"You know , have you ever imagined Natsu having a secret relationship and trying to get some time alone from discreet eyes Lucy? " said girl nearly choked on her milkshake hearing Mira, sending her a 'you don't mean' kind of look. Mira ignoring the underling message continued. "I mean its about time for Natsu to have his fun with discovering new kind of things that are able to discover only with a girl willing to give some details about it. You know what I mean right?" - oh Lucy knew exactly what Mira was going for and not wanting to give her the satisfaction of her reaction she responded in the nonchalantly way she was sometime forced when being bombarded with her personal issues regarding the dragon slayer.
"I don't know Mira. Natsu is really not the type of person to lie to his family and most importantly 'me'." Lucy pointed her finger at herself when pronouncing 'me' , to make it clear for the demon mage. "Also I would better believe that he is leaving Fairy Tail and is not ready to tell anyone than seeing him in an actual romantic relationship. You know what I mean right ?" Lucy asked Mira with the same expression that she herself was asked in return.
Mira laughed hard at the statement of the girl finding it actually really close to the truth, but for reasons that may differ from Lucy. " I know , I know what you mean and I can assure you that if anyone have the best chances of getting Natsu in a relationship of that kind , you my friend are the one leaving all the others really behind you know that right?" Lucy somewhat expecting this kind of comment just sighed and responded with an understanding tone
"Yes Mira I know , beside it's not really that difficult figuring out as you know that I'm the girl he passes like 75 percent of the time with. Its like actually we really are in a relationship and even though I'm glad the he actually has 'eyes only for me' , I think its not for the same reasons I have eyes only for him. I mean its not that I don't want him near me in that way , actually its the exact opposite , I really want for that to happen. The question is how would it transform from what we have now to what would we have in the future. And my doubt is like can he actually even feel that way. He haven't gave me a reassuring sign over all this year , except for some sporadic ones." At this Lucy has that wondering girly kind of look every girl has when remembering love and affection towards them.
"Like that time when I discovered he actually kept all the items from our missions , or that time when he would babysit Asuka with me and nearly giving me the first kiss ( somehow I should have accepted but I couldn't with all the audience around me and the worst of them being Happy , so I gave him the same medicine ) , or that time he was the only one to remember me drinking that stupid potion , and most of all, that magic sakura tree. I mean that isn't any guy in the world who would actually do that for a girl, and he did it for me , you know for me...ouuu..." sighing Lucy came to herself and now realised what was she doing. She blushed at the thought and saw an amusing Mira giggling at her.
"Lucy I don't actually think that exist a guy more perfect for you than Natsu. I'm actually a little jealous of not having your luck finding someone so loyal and caring, and all what Natsu, is. He is really special and he deserves happiness but so do you. You know I haven't really told you this because it's not really something I like to remember but when Lissana was gone , Natsu was the one to take all the pain inside, lifting it from every person affected by it. He had promised to her that he would achieve his dreams and with her going, he got her dreams as well."
Lucy was staring now with wide eyes not expecting this kind of response from the demon mage. She was nodding and letting her continue with the story. "He would come everyday at the guild after the accident and lift everyone spirit with his carefree manners. He initiated the first friendly brawl to take some tension. He was the one who took Elfman after some time to a mission and helped him release all the guilt and frustration built inside. He literally fight Elfman and took all the damage he could because that was the only way for Elfman to open up. When they came after the mission , Natsu had 5 broken ribs , a broken arm , dislocated limbs and some serious bruises that took over a month to repair everything." Lucy gapped at this and her eyes had become watery all of sudden.
"When I saw him I understood, but being the coward I was, I said nothing. He was hurting so much and not because of the wounds and again I said nothing remaining in my bubble. I hated that I was not the only one hurting. I hated that my hurt was comparable with that of another person. It shouldn't had been that way because I was her sister, her only sister. So what right had Natsu hurting as much as me or even more? And what was he doing with all of that? He was trying to move on, every fucking day. It went to the point I thought I hated him and I wouldn't speak to him for more than one sentence." At this Mira was smiling in her melancholy remembering this particular scene. Lucy was taken back from such revelation and after a small pause Mira continued.
"But the fucker never gave up. He knew better than me , I wasn't hating him I was hating myself. So what he did? He showed everyone a little recording of Lissana saying how much she loved everyone at the guild and how happy she was she had found such a great family. Going on details for everyone in the guild and the relationship she had with everyone. I didn't even knew about this, but watching when she spoke about me, something inside me snapped and I watched at myself for what i truly had become and not what I wanted to be and what Lissana saw in me. I broke down and Natsu was there. Even though I tried to push him away so I could grieve in peace he was there, not giving a single fuck of what I wanted because he knew what I needed. At the end of the recording Lissana was saying to Natsu that she wanted to record in some particular spots she had chosen during one trip she had with Gildarts and Elfman. She wanted to be only with him, because they had the strongest relationship. She was saying that they had to kiss on every spot during the recording and so they had to be a little more grown up for that. Natsu was grinning like an idiot not understanding the implications once a bit. But he accepted nonetheless."
Mira was still smiling even though some droplets was falling down her face. Lucy was the same because she knew what Natsu was but that didn't mean he couldn't surprise her anymore." After the recording was finished I was a mess and I was about to thank Natsu for what he had done, but he said he wasn't finished. He had actually got on the trip and had recorded in every spot Lissana had designed. He was having a little conversation with Happy in every spot about memories of Lissana and what not and how glad he was he had been able to meet someone like her. In every single spot when he finished the recording he would kiss a particular necklace that was given to him by Lissana on his presumed birthday (which was the first day of Summer because of his name. It was unknown his real birhday so Makarov had came up with this idea). He was moving on so fast Lucy, but you could see the pain hidden in his soul for the sake of his family members. I could see that and by the end of the recording he broke down as well saying he could never forget her and she would live through his dreams and adventures, because that was what she wanted and that was what he wanted. When the recording had finished I was hugging him so much, he was about to faint. I understood then I had another brother beside Elfman and I had a little of my long gone sister living with him. It was in that moment that Natsu became a special one in my heart. He had his own spot, named Natsu because he brought light and fire in the most darkest place inside my soul. It should have been me to save him, but in the end it was him saving me and each of the Fairy Tail's members once again."
Lucy was smiling looking down at her milkshake and concentrating in the particular dragon slayer, which she knew was special and in the end was having some doubts if she really did deserve him or not after all. But she dismissed the idea immediately because who was she kidding? Even if she wanted to distance herself from Natsu, there was no way he would let her. She was condemned forever to be by his side and she was not to let that particular spot to anyone. It was too precious to give away. And as if Mira was reading her mind added.
"You know Lucy you have some spot in his heart that others could actually kill to have. Hell, even though Lissana see him like a brother now, if the possibility was given to her to take your spot she wouldn't give second thoughts you know. So grab it with all your might because I'm really sure that some day he would reciprocate your feelings as well, just be a bit more patient and maybe make a bit more effort to show him what you want." Sighing Lucy again nodded finding some consolation in what Mira was saying.
"Yes Mira you are right and even though I love Lissana so much I can't give her this particular spot. Even if it's selfish I worked hard you know and more so when I already know that Natsu would never let me anyway" The girls was giggling finding truth in what the pink dragon slayer was capable of doing if his favorite nakama was about to be replaced with someone else. " But I have my doubts about his feelings and everything. Sometime I think he is asexual." Now the girls was laughing hard at the implications ." But the funny thing is that, you know, I have long decided I will Love him even if he is unable to love me the same way I do." grabbing Lucy's hand on her own Mira decided to comfort the Celestial mage in the only way possible this time. "Yes I know it will hurt but it is worth it. Maybe sometime I had my doubts but now I accepted it for what it is and I'm grateful for what I have because I know I will regret it deeply if I loose even some part of it. So I will say it proudly that I love him and will forever, without fear in my mind."
"Who do you love Lucy?" asked a certain dragon slayer from behind Lucy making her shriek and almost fall from her stool.
"WHAT" she almost yelled grabbing her poor tortured heart in her hands trying to calm down the emotions that was building up so fast. Mira was fast responding to the dragon slayer herself.
"It's you Natsu , she loves you and will forever." said Mira with her mischievous smirk.
"Mira what are you saying?" Lucy now was fumbling towards the bartender. Natsu was a bit confused of what he was listening but seeing that it was something that made Lucy uncomfortable he decided to change the conversation as quick as possible.
"Yeah yeah, I know Mira she loves me , I don't need confirmation about it and if it makes you happy I love her as well and like Lucy said I will forever. Right Lucy?" He was grinning like an idiot at her direction and Lucy was frozen at her spot listening to what he was saying. Processing what he had said she understood that it was none in the meaning of what she had said earlier but nonetheless It was something her brain was craving to hear out so she was smiling like an idiot as well in the direction of the particular dense mage.
"Right" she said with her little voice she had been able to produce due to the overwhelming emotions she was experiencing at this point.
"Okay, now that this is clear I have a favor to ask for Lucy and it's really important you know." he got some real serious expression and even though Lucy was having the time of her life she immediately changed her expression as well sensing that something important was coming out of this.
"What's the problem Natsu? And why are you here, aren't you supposed to be sick or something like that?" asked the girl sensing that something was wrong.
"Well that is what I am here for Luce. It's about this diseases of mine. I've tried so hard to find some meaning of this and now I know that only you can help me Luce" he pointed at the girl which was confused as well.
"Care to explain this." it was like Natsu to drop something like that and pretend that it was clear to everyone what he was talking about.
"Okay. Don't be mad Lucy but this thing I have it's really bad you know. I think I might die." he was saying this with the same carefree tone like he was saying 'cook me some dinner Lucy'
"WHAT" both the Celestial mage and Mira exclaimed at the same time. Their mouth open like a fish without water.
"Yeah right, it would suck if that happen right. Like who would tease you Luce and who would get you up in the morning placing my hand in that particular sensitive spot of yours. haha..." he was laughing and going on his daydreaming about what would Lucy miss if he wasn't there. Hearing what he was saying, Lucy shouted with all her might getting the attention of everybody in the radius of 500 hundred meters.
"NATSUUUUUU" said dragon slayer, taken aback by this, and the fact of his heightened sense, was frozen in the instant covering his ears with his hands as hard as he could. In the blink of an eye Erza , Gray , Juvia ,Happy ,Wendy and Levy were by her side with worried and annoyed faces. Erza was the first one to take action by taking out her sword and pointing it at Natsu leaving just some little space between her sword and the throat of the slayer. Natsu immediately flinched and paled as soon as he saw the equip mage darkening aura.
"You leave us for three days without saying a word or anything and the first thing you do when you show up like a ghost, is irritate Lucy, like she didn't had enough of problems already. Give me one reason why I shouldn't punish you right here , right now." seeing as Erza was really serious about this and the expression on Natsu's face, made Lucy feel a bit guilty. She maybe had a bit exaggerated. But can you blame her. Really! How could Natsu say he might die one second and joke about it the other, like it's something insignificant. Does he not know that Lucy can't make the effort to think about it let alone saying something like that. But now it's not the time about this, now is the time to make some light to what is happening inside the stupid brain of the dragon slayer in front of her.
"Erza I'm sorry that I shouted like that, just please calm down. It's not Natsu's fault. Let he explain what does he mean when he said the he might ... um ... die..." Lucy became naturally tense saying those words. Everyone eyed the girl with wide eyes and looking at the dragon slayer who somewhat was relieved that Erza's sword was finally away from him. He was actually in some thinking pose, letting know the others that he was thinking about the answer which implied the seriousness of the matter.
"I don't really know if I might die or not guys. It really is some conclusion I came up with. As you know more often than not I'm not really right about my assumptions , so you have nothing to worry about. But I can't speak about it with everyone, of what is happening to me. I can speak only with Lucy because I know that she is the only one who can help me." Lucy was somewhat relieved that she was the one he chose to rely on, but knowing Fairy Tail this was not going anywhere.
"Hey flame-brain what do you mean you can't speak to us about this thing and what is this thing anyways? Happy didn't say any details of what was going on with you" Gray was having a hard time lately because of Natsu and Lucy becoming really close and somewhat a bit jealous of their relationship. Don't get him wrong he is his life rival but at the same time Natsu was like his brother and considered the dragon slayer at the same rank as Lyon if not a bit higher, and seeing that Natsu was becoming more and more Lucy central made him feel a bit neglected. He has the right to be as close as he need to his brother right?
"Yo popsicle-ice , you are the last person I want to talk about this" seeing the reaction from Gray, Natsu immediately changed his tone and added." and it's not because I don't have faith in you or anything like that, it's because you couldn't possibly help me about this. Look I will figure this out with Lucy and after that what do you think me and you having our competition at mt. Hakobe we have every year? I really need to remind you who is the champion anyway."
Gray's face lit up at what he was hearing and all the late thoughts he had, vanished in an instant. " Im all fired up flame brain and what is this story of you being the champion anyway. We are 3-3 how could that make you the champion? "
"Well I won the last time so that count as my victory over all, because all the other times in the past we were weaker right. So I beated at our strongest so I'm the champion."
"Like hell you are ,and what about the other times I won. If it wasn't for your last victory I was the champion for two years consecutively. " Natsu and Gray was approaching each other with their murder-joking intent.
"Because you cheated every time you won and you know that."
"Say that to my face"
"ENOUGH!" Erza was now in her typical dark aura which could make the perfect bride of Satan itself. Everyone froze and Gray and especially Natsu was sweat-dropping like hell. "I don't need your stupid brawl-to-be at 10 in the morning before I could even eat my favorite slice of cake. So listen here and listen well Natsu. I want you to figure what is wrong with you as soon as possible. I don't care what you do or with who you do. I want it done, so we can go to a very serious mission we were assigned to. Lucy needs money, Gray needs some kind of gem he promised Juvia. Wendy needs some kind of herbs. Carla needs some kind of tea she was promised to get by Happy which will get a fish as well. Juvia, what does she need again...oh right Gray. And most importantly of all, I need that secret ingredient which can be found only if I achieve this mission. So now I'm asking you Natsu. What do you want?" she asked this with the same killing intent she initiated all of this. Natsu was reduced like a small soldier that was about to cross a mined field.
"I ... wa..nt...to...get...b..b..etter...and...ready...for this mission. Aye sir!" Erza liking the response immediately relaxed and put a hand on Lucy's shoulder which said girl flinched at contact but remained as calm as possible not wanting to release the scarlet hair wrath. And in the most motherly way possible Erza replied to Lucy.
"I'm counting on you Lucy. Now everybody just get out of the way and leave this two together so they can make this work. Am I clear?"
"Aye sir" Said everyone in unison like it was the most natural thing in the world. And so everyone scattered in the blink of an eye. Living alone the Celestial mage and the dragon slayer. Lucy relaxing a bit more decided to initiate the conversation.
"So... what is this all about Natsu?" She crossed her arms eyeing suspiciously the dragon slayer in front of her.
"Ah yes about that Luce can we do this at your apartment I really need this thing to be between us and you know better that here is not good enough with all the people spying and prying for some gossip." her eyes lit up at the thought of being alone with Natsu and having a real private conversation, maybe she can make this count as a date with some changing.
"Of course Natsu would you ... um ... like some lunch ...hm... with me?" Natsu's eyes widened not really expecting his luck today. Not only he was with his favorite person but he was going to have free lunch with her as well. He nodded energetically like a puppy and Lucy giggled at his stupid adorable manners. With that clear she was ready to look forward to this day together with Natsu.
Author note
This is my first Fanfiction and really English is not my first language so please be kind and leave some constructive criticism. So you can help me and I can help you as well by creating some good content.
I'm looking forward to make this a good story of what I think Natsu and Lucy are most likely to be having after the chapter 545 excluding the 100 year quest. I think I would make this a 10 chapter story with 50000 words. So if you like it follow it. Hope you have a good day!