Yah! It's Nalu Week! Best way to celebrate the year being half over. My contribution to this grand occasion will be this collection of related one-shots that will follow Natsu and Lucy during the week of July 1, X792 to July 7, X792 (one year after GMG.) The prompts came from NaLu week tumblr, so if you want some more Nalu art and stories go check them out. (Oh, I almost forgot, I do not own Fairy Tail.) And without any further ado:
Day One: Gifts
"Lucy! Lucy!" Natsu whispered as he gently shook the blonde mage. Lucy stirred and quickly swatted the boy, not wanting to wake from her deep slumber. Natsu wasn't one to take no for an answer as he picked her up out of bed and carried her out the door. Lucy was a tiny bit miffed at the fire wizard and asked for an explanation for his behavior.
"I got a present for you Lucy," he announced with a huge grin. The revelation wiped the remaining sleep from Lucy's eyes as she remembered the date. While it was still early morning, (the sun was hours from rising,) today was technically July 1st. It was her 20th birthday (depending on who was counting.) Lucy didn't think anyone was going to remember considering they were in the middle of a job. Team Natsu, which currently consisted of Erza, Grey, Natsu, Happy, and herself had been in this foreign city for a week now searching for the remaining members of a thief guild. They were so very close to finishing last night, but Erza decided to give it another day so that they could all be rested. Lucy had been upset knowing her birthday would be spent on a job, but kept it to herself.
Lucy couldn't contain her excitement as Natsu led them to the outskirts of town. He was half running while holding her hand, way too eager for her comfort. She found his enthusiasm contagious and started running herself when she realized they were alone.
"Natsu, why isn't everyone else here?"
Natsu looked at Lucy and suddenly cringed as he answered, "Have you ever seen Erza when she is awaken too early? I still have a scar from the last time."
Lucy giggled wondering what the story behind that was. But she decided to wait until another time to ask as they approached what seemed like a large drop off. Lucy suddenly didn't feel as confident in Natsu as they approached the cliff, and found herself clutching his vest as she looked over to see the lake water about fifty feet below their current position. She quickly backed away from the edge and took shelter behind Natsu.
"Come on Lucy, this will be fun."
"What will be? Jumping to my death!"
"Seriously Luce, its not like you haven't jumped from this height before."
It was true, she had jumped from much higher in the past. But back then she knew Natsu was there to catch her at the bottom. This time the only thing to break her fall was the icy cold black water of the local lake.
"Come on, we can jump together." Natsu assured her.
"Together? How?" she asked as she peered around Natsu to see his face.
"You can hold my hand. That way we hit the water at the same time." Natsu swung the celestial mage around and held on to her right hand. Lucy swallowed as she thought over all the consequences of jumping. She could land wrong and do a belly buster. She could let go of Natsu's hand and land who knows where. She could…
Just as her next thought came she felt her hand being pulled. Before she could protest Natsu had already jumped, talking her with him. Lucy screamed as they fell, plotting all the ways she was going to get back at the boy. But as they fell her frightened screams soon turned to excited ones as her adrenaline pumped with the rush. Natsu joined in with his triumphant voice as they hit the water, their hands braking apart on impact. Lucy had been practiced in swimming and was able to make it to the surface immediately. Once she emerged she scanned for Natsu, who was nowhere to be seen. She was on the verge of panic when the mage in question popped up behind her and scared the living bejesus out of her. She quickly slapped his chest as they swam towards the shore.
Lucy sprawled out on the grassy shore, upset that her clothes were now soaked but happy about having actually gone cliff jumping for once in her life. "Natsu, I'm all wet. Now what?"
Natsu grinned as he set himself afire, instantly creating a dryer for her clothes. She stood and wrung out her nightshirt and shorts, both articles drying in record time. Once she had finished Natsu doused the flames and turned to head back to the hotel. Lucy jogged to keep up with him.
"Thanks Natsu. That was an awesome birthday present."
Natsu looked at her sideways, and his face instantly went white. Lucy cocked her head sideways so that he would explain his weirdness.
"Dammit Lucy! I forgot today was your birthday," he explained with his head down. Lucy felt a little hurt at the revelation.
"Really Natsu? I can't believe you." Lucy retorted as she walked faster. Natsu quickly ran up to her.
"Come on Luce. We are almost done with this mission. All of us can have a party tonight for you. Erza will get the cake and Happy and I will get you presents."
Lucy laughed at his attempt to cheer her up, "What about Grey?"
"He can make the Ice Swan that we put the spiked punch in," Natsu offered with a grin. Lucy knew she couldn't stay mad at the boy, so she gave in.
"It's a plan. Thanks Natsu."
They continued their walk to the hotel when a thought occurred to Lucy, "Hey Natsu. If that wasn't for my birthday, then what was it for?"
"What was what for?" Natsu asked confused.
"My present. You know, sending me screaming off a cliff in the middle of the night."
Recognition flashed across Natsu's face as he remembered. He flashed her a huge smile and blushed ever so slightly, "Just because Luce. I figured it would be fun and you would like it."
Lucy couldn't help the blush that appeared at his thoughtful answer. Luckily he had already turned around and the awkwardness was avoided.
