Fascination: The state or an instance of being fascinated; a fascinating quality
Sanctum: A sacred or holy place; an inviolably private place or retreat.
Yes, this is going to be a cliché campfire/starwatching chapter drabble. I realize I have this in almost everything I write for Nalu but this trope is one of my favorites.
After the traumatic car ride up to the cabin, the four had decided to have a campfire. Natsu was overjoyed to hear this and instantly scrambled around the area, grabbing fallen branches and sticks. He tossed them in a ring of stones that Erza had put together and with a cackle threw in matches. Anyone sane would only put in one or two. But Natsu, being the pyromaniac he was, threw in at least five. Lucy lost count. Flames shot up with a ferocity that made Gray swear violently and jumped back with a bag of marshmallows. That just made Natsu laugh even harder. In retaliation Gray threw a skewer for said marshmallows at Natsu. Lucy rolled her eyes as Erza just sighed and sat down on a blanket she had tossed on the ground. With skewer in hand, Natsu slung his arm around Lucy's waist and yanked her down to the ground on another blanket. She squeaked in surprise and turned to chastise her boyfriend, only to find him staring at the flames.
Lucy didn't know why, but Natsu had been obsessed with fire ever since they had met when they were thirteen. Celebrating holidays was always slightly dangerous, if only because there was a dangerous amount of fireworks piled in the same place. Campfires was no exception. Erza had banned gasoline from camping trips when Natsu had almost started a forest fire after pouring an excessive amount of gasoline on the branches. Now, in the light from the fire, he seemed to glow. This was the first time all day he had seemed relaxed.
"Do you think if I stuck my hand in that I'd get excessively burned?" Gray and Erza spit out the s'mores they were eating.
"Of course you fucking would!" Gray replied. "Just because you don't burn easily doesn't mean you can't get burned from fire, Natsu."
"Fuck it," Natsu said and as he reached forward Lucy grabbed his arm and pulled it back.
"Are you crazy?" Natsu pouted but grabbed a marshmallow and held it over the fire with a skewer.
"Have it your way," he grumbled. They all sat in silence for a while. Just enjoying each other's company. At some point Erza mumbled something about being tired and got up. Gray went in shortly after, leaving Natsu and Lucy alone outside.
"Come on, I want to show you something." Curious, and slightly hesitant, Lucy took Natsu's hand and let him lead her through the forest.
"Natsu, where are we going?"
"Shh, you'll see soon. I think you'll like it." When they stopped Lucy looked up from where she was staring at the ground to make sure she didn't trip over something. Natsu had brought them to a place with a small stream going through it. There were very few trees so they had an unobstructed view of the sky.
"If the others know about this place, they haven't told me. But I'm pretty sure I'm the only one whose wandered this far away from the cabin. I thought you would appreciate it." Lucy gave him a hug and let her head rest on his shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered. Natsu gently tugged her to the ground and Lucy doesn't know how long they spent there, staring up at the stars and talking in whispers. At some point Lucy dozed off and Natsu chuckled. In a swift motion he picked her up and started the walk back to the cabin.
"Put me down," Lucy muttered and Natsu laughed.
"You really want to walk?"
"No." Natsu shook his head at his girlfriend. He had to put her down when they got back to the cabin. Natsu poked his head through the door and sighed in relief.
"Good, they're asleep." As Lucy ambled in and made her way over to her bed. Natsu pressed a kiss to her forehead as he whispered good night and made his way back to his bed. Lucy whined and yanked him back.
"Stay," she whispered.
"Luce, I'm going to be a foot away from you." She whined and tugged insistently. Natsu sighed as Lucy made room for Natsu to sleep. Natsu laughed softly. Lucy got like this when she was tired and half asleep. Clingy and wanting for attention. Not that Natsu was complaining. He loved cuddling with her. He crawled into bed and held her close as they drifted off to sleep. They were bound to get interrogated by Erza in the morning but Natsu would worry about that when he woke up.
Hope you enjoy! Reviews give me life.
