Hi guys! Back with another chapter! I literally worked on this all day and am just now posting it. It's a little lengthy, and I had a really hard time getting to a good stopping point for this chapter, but I hope you guys like it! I don't own Fairy Tail. I wouldn't be worrying over how I am going to survive weightlifting tomorrow morning when I've been up until midnight finishing this otherwise.
Natsu trudged along, shooting small glares at Erza every now and then. Happy tugged on his scarf in warning. He knew that it was just going to result in pain when she caught him, but the redhead had made him ride that ghastly thing called a train and he just wanted to pick a fight. Gray however was too busy talking to Juvia, his poster straight as an arrow, and words clipped and harsh. Juvia seemed to be completely ecstatic even with his cold demeanor towards her. Natsu didn't understand how the rain woman could stand the ice maker. Especially when he was obviously trying to get her to go away. The sound of jingling filled his ears and his eyes snapped over to Lucy. Her hand was placed over her keys, eyes subtly glaring at Gray. He had to hold back a grin at the thought of Lucy sicking Loke or Aquarius on the pop-sickle. The water bearer and water mage sure had hit it off when they visited the Celestial Spirit world. She would no doubt be pissed at Gray's attitude towards her.
Then again, he couldn't blame him per say. Juvia could get clingy fast and didn't exactly get personal space. He didn't respect Lucy's because he knew it annoyed the hell out of her, but Juvia did it because she couldn't be near Gray without needing to touch him. He didn't understand it, but it was hilarious to see Gray get flustered from the attention. Now, the stupid stripper just put on a arrogant attitude and acted as if he didn't even notice her antics. Which was pissing off the celestial mage on their team.
"Lucy's mad," Happy whispered, looking towards the blonde. Natsu only gave a small nod, barely moving his head. Lucy's mouth twitched like she was going to say something, before she froze, faltering in her steps. The male dragon slayer blinked, surprised. Then, as if nothing had happened, she took a stride forward continuing on next to Erza, her hand jerking away from her keys. Happy made a noise in the back of his throat, making Natsu look up. The exceed's face morphed into a grief stricken expression.
"Happy?" Natsu questioned.
Happy looked down, meeting his gaze before whispering, "I'll tell you later, but Lucy didn't tell us something." If Lucy hadn't told them, the feline figured she probably didn't want anyone else to know.
Now, the slayer was confused. He glanced over to his partner, watching as she laughed at something Erza had said, rambling on as she gave her piece to the conversation. Her eyes however, seemed rather dull, as if she was thinking about something else entirely.
The rest of the walk to the guild proved to be tense. Gray was trying to get Juvia to leave him alone, to which Juvia pushed herself on him more in retaliation. Erza kept glancing back towards Natsu as she spoke with Lucy, trying to see to it that he didn't hear the two's conversation. Natsu's focus however was pinpointed on the blonde, trying to figure out just what she was hiding. Happy pressed his face into Natsu's hair, making the boy wonder if perhaps his blue cat was sick.
Finally, they reached the guild hall. Natsu made his signature entrance, receiving a very lively response. The new guild was even bigger than the last, but the same layout followed. He grinned, rushing off to go find Gajeel for a fight.
Happy left him without a word, shooting back out the door. Lucy hadn't entered with them, and he didn't want to leave her alone at the moment. He'd wait until Natsu was there to question her about Aquarius, but for now he would just stay by his favorite celestial mage. She was still sad from earlier. Maybe a fish would cheer her up?
When Erza ended the brawl, Natsu made his way to the bar for some food. Mira slid a plate of his favorite to him with a gentle smile. When he asked where Happy and Lucy had gone off to, the woman frowned as if troubled.
"I saw Happy take off out the guild doors before the fight started," she said, tapping her chin. "I haven't seen Lucy at all since you've gotten back."
His mouth tilted downward as he chewed. Lucy always stopped by the guild before turning in after missions. It was strange, especially considering her wounds. Erza had helped wrap them up best she could, but the celestial mage still needed to see Wendy upon returning. Her voice had been slightly scratchy since the incident with Calder. Natsu was worried she had some internal damage.
"She didn't even stop in to see Wendy?" he asked. Mira shook her head, beginning to worry for her younger friend.
"No, did she get injured badly?"
As he finished up his meal, he told Mirajane exactly what had went down on the mission. The older mage seemed to listen to every word intently. Upon finishing, she leaned back feeling quite confused.
"While it's great you beat another slayer and accessed dragon force again," she smiled. "It worries me that Lucy and Happy were targeted so badly just for your scent on them. Did you notice that before?"
"No," Natsu said, growing annoyed with the subject. He really wanted to know just where Lucy and Happy had ran off to. What were they keeping from him? "Does it matter really? I beat the guy."
"It does matter," a rough voice cut in. Natsu shot a glare at the dragon slayer who had come to stand beside him. Gajeel ignored him and continued, "I noticed it too. At first you could only smell it on Happy, but now blondie has your scent too. Which means other dragon slayers can smell it on her, Not all of us are more human than dragon, Salamander. Others will take this as a sign of claiming."
Natsu laughed, "Your point, metal brows? She's my partner and if other dragon slayers take it as a hint to not mess with her then good."
"Wrong again," Gajeel snapped. Sometimes he thought the younger slayer could be decent and others he truly wanted to bury him in some iron he wouldn't be able to escape "She and Happy nearly got killed by that water slayer right? You said he had a grudge with Igneel, but others can have perfectly good reasons for murdering too. Some might even try and stake a claim over her just so they can prove their stronger than you. Like I said some weren't taught to be human too. They were trained to be the complete opposite."
Mira was the first to speak, looking at Gajeel and asking, "There's dragon slayers out there that follow dragon behavioral patterns?"
The older dragon slayer nodded in consent, before turning his red eyes back to the pair of onyx that was staring at him. He raised an eyebrow and Mira sat back as, Natsu hopped up off his stool, bolting from the guild.
"Where are you going Natsu?" she called to him, leaning over the bar. She sat back and looked to Gajeel.
"To go find Lucy. Stupid flamethrower probably thinks there's gonna be tons of slayers to beat up now. I've only met one other besides the one he did, but I've heard stories." Gajeel informed her, grinning at the thought of the trouble he had just called the poor holder mage. Mirajane sighed in exasperation before filling up a mug of liquid iron for the slayer. If she wanted more of her questions answered she was going to need to bribe the man.
Lucy sighed as she flipped the fish that sat in her frying pan. Happy sat on her shoulder drooling onto the floor. She quite honestly didn't have the energy to yell at him. When she had reached home, she had intended to shower before sitting down to do some writing. The female mage had not expected to see Happy burst in through her window holding a fish wrapped with a large pink bow.
At first she thought he was trying to please Carla with it and had come for advice on the change of ribbon color, that was usually red, but was astonished when he looked at her with wide eyes, asking her to cook it up for the two of them. For a moment she had considered saying no, because she knew exactly why he was offering her one of his sacred fish. He'd been sneaking glances at her all day, the question readable in his eyes. The exceed wanted to know what had happened to the 'fish lady's' key.
It was a way of trying to cheer her up, just like presenting a fish to Carla was a sign of his love. She smiled at that thought, picking the fish up between the tongs to flip it again. Happy was always trying to give something he loved to Carla, but never what she wanted. Maybe if he offered the female cat some rare tea she would accept. Of course it would have to be earl gray.
"Say Happy," she began, glancing over to him. He turned his drooling face towards her to which she scowled, reaching up to tap his mouth closed. The blue feline made a disgusted expression as he had to swallow the spit down. She laughed, picking the fish up to put it on a cutting board.
"Have you ever tried to give Carla some expensive earl gray tea?" Lucy told him, picking up a knife to cut the fish into pieces."Maybe instead of sharing your own special food with her-as cute as that is- she would appreciate something she likes."
She cut Happy's piece larger than her own before placing it on a plate for him. The cat took it gratefully, shoving it straight into his mouth. Lucy waited until she got to the table for hers, placing Happy on the top of it, in front of the chair opposite to her own. Since Happy always ate raw fish she never really ate it anymore so upon putting the first piece into her mouth she was surprised to find it quite tasteful.
"I like that idea!" Happy agreed cheerfully. "Will you help me Lucy?"
"Sure," she laughed, cutting another piece up.
When the two had finished, Lucy went to go make some tea, leaving Happy to naw on the bones. He said it helped keep his teeth looking amazing, but she still thought it was weird. When she was done putting the kettle on the stove, she went for the tea. However, she was met with an empty cupboard and sighed before going to her pantry for the extra she stored. It proved to be on the bottom shelf making her bend down to get it. With an irritated sigh, she told herself she would have to just move it to a higher spot. It wasn't like food where she had to hide it from Natsu.
A few months before she had actually gotten a flame proof cabinet and lock to hide her favorites in, only for him to melt it right down. All of that money wasted. The shop owner had been scared out his wits when he saw the damage, but gave her a refund and even a new key ring. She'd been so ecstatic she had put her keys on it right there outside the store.
Now as she bent down, she felt something against her hip. Her brows furrowing, she reached back and found it to be nothing. And that was the problem. The sound of metal ringing was heard from behind to which she turned to find another visitor to her apartment.
Natsu was near the stove, bent close to the ground, the fallen key pouch in his hands with the keys it held spread across his palm. Even from where she was across the room she knew what he was staring at. The measly, half of a key among the rest of the complete ones that circled it was painfully obvious. Her partner's head jerked towards her, eyes wide, mouth slightly opened. A tightness formed in her throat, eyes starting to burn, and she looked away, gripping the side of a shelf for support. She knew he wanted her to explain, but the celestial mage did not want to face those memories.
When he spoke, she wasn't quite sure she could hold back the tears anymore.
"Who? W-when?" he stuttered out. She kept her chin tilted towards the ground, letting her hair cover up her expressions as they flashed across her face.
"Natsu," Happy murmured. Lucy hadn't even heard him come in. "She's crying, don't ask her anything."
"What?" Natsu snapped. "Aquarius's key is fucking broken and she didn't tell us Happy! Lucy why didn't you tell us?"
"You weren't exactly able to do anything at the time Natsu."
The words came out choked but she continued, "When you were all inside of Face, or whatever the hell that was, I got left out. Loke, Virgo, and I weren't able to keep them at bay, but there was water, so I-I summoned her. Apparently, if a Celestial spirit mage can summon three zodiac spirits at once they have the power to summon the Celestial Spirit King."
She stopped, the memory pulsing through her veins. Old wounds began to hurt, sting even. Aquarius's face was fresh in her mind, the words ringing in her ears. Her eyes however had said something else. She hadn't hated the daughter of Layla Heartfilia, Lucy knew that deep within her own spirit.
"But it came with a price," Lucy rasped out. Happy walked over to her, gripping onto her skirt. She couldn't tell them the rest. She didn't want to, no more needed to be said anyways. The proof was evident in the broken key that Natsu held.
He himself felt hollow, as if something had been ripped away from him as well. The image of Igneel's body burning into the ground flashed across his eyes. So they'd both lost someone that day and yet she'd never let it show. For a moment he was angry, angry with her for keeping this kind of hurt from him, but then it passed, and the only thing he felt was her pain.
There was nothing to be done either. Neither of them could bring back their loved ones. By the few times the Celestial Spirit King had been in contact with them he knew he was kind, but Lucy had already gotten Loke out of trouble, and he seriously doubted that mustache dude would fix Aquarius's key. As many rules that Natsu had broken, he knew that he wouldn't be able to break this one.
His heart tearing at the sight before him, Natsu got to his feet, moving towards his two partners. Bending down, he grabbed her by her biceps, jerking her into his chest. Her arms wrapped under his own, her small hands splaying over his shoulder blades. He wrapped his own around her back, pressing his nose into her hair.
"I didn't tell you because of Igneel," she sobbed, clenching her arms tighter around him. A dull ache pulsed in his chest. Many times Natsu had forced it back down, as he was sure Lucy had, but this time, he let it come forth until the pain throbbed in his chest painfully. His eyes watered as he pulled the blonde mage in tighter. Happy had situated himself on their shoulders, head pressing into the duos. His coat was soaked from tears.
"You should have," he said scratchily. "You should have told us Lucy. I still would have been there for you."
"You didn't come to me either," she responded. "I thought you wanted to be left alone for a while. When mother died I know I wanted to."
"It doesn't matter," Natsu growled, yanking back. Lucy blinked at him in surprise, her brown eyes bloodshot from crying already. Happy wobbled onto her shoulders, clutching her about the forehead.
"Well it does," Lucy retorted, her expression taking a livid turn.
His voice rose, "I would have been there for you!"
Now Lucy was growling as well, her voice rough with frustration as she said,"You had something else to worry about!"
"I still would have been there for you Lucy, you should have known that!" he yelled.
"I did know that!" she shouted in return. Anger boiled under her skin, driving her on. "Why the fuck are you mad at me for respecting your feelings?"
He had nothing to say to that. His stare was blank as he looked into her brown eyes. Happy's head flitted in between them not sure who he should side with. Lucy sighed before standing and moving to turn off the now boiling over tea kettle. Happy only stared over to Natsu worriedly. It always tore at him when the blonde was truly angry with him. Still, he remained on the other mage's shoulders as she began to walk from the room.
Natsu wasn't having that. He lunged forward, grabbing Lucy by the shoulders and pulling her down into the chair she had left abandoned earlier. Sitting there stunned, she felt his arms move across her collarbone, hands settling on her shoulder.
Her heart raced against her chest from the suddenness of it all, and her cheeks began to feel hot when Natsu's breath washed over her skin. Still, she felt her muscles relax as he held her. Maybe it wasn't words that they had needed.
Natsu pressed his face into the spot between her shoulder and neck, hoping she would forgive him for yelling at her. He hadn't meant to accuse her. It had just hurt. He trusted her enough to tell her things like this after all. However, as she began to relax in his embrace, he knew he was already being forgiven.
Happy watched from Lucy's lap as the girl slid her hands upwards, into his hair, gently combing through it. The anger faded from her expression, and the feline smiled.
Lucy sighed pressing her forehead against the back of Natsu's head. He huffed, letting out his own frustration as well.
"I hate it when you two fight," Happy whispered, breaking the comfortable silence. Seeing the expression on his face, Lucy reached for him, pulling him against her stomach in a hug. She hadn't thought about Happy's own feelings during the fight. Only Natsu has he flung words at her that he didn't mean.
"I hate it too," she told him.
"Next time something happens," he said, voice turning hard and Lucy raised an eyebrow in surprise, slightly amused with how cute he looked right then. "You're just going to hug each other. It works much better."
Her cheeks exploded with red, and she choked on her own spit.
She shrieked, "Happy!"
"I'm serious! No more fighting!"
"Hugging won't always be the answer!"
"Will too! Natsu tell her I'm right!"
The two snapped towards the slayer, only to find him laughing hysterically. Happy moaned, telling the slayer that it wasn't funny, and that he really was onto something here, while Lucy flicked his forehead repeatedly.
"Alright, alright," Natsu whined, flicking her back. She yelped, rubbing the small red mark he had left.
"If something like this happens again, we'll tell each other. Whatever happens from there on is what happens," the dragon slayer said. Lucy smiled slightly, before rubbing at the marks she had left on his own head.
"Deal." she murmured
Happy yelled, "Aye sir!"
Natsu grinned. Comfort had never been something he was good at. It had never come naturally. Fighting off the person who had hurt his nakama was a cinch, but there were always other people who could do the 'making people feel better' part. Still, Happy had been onto something. If hugging Lucy was what gave her comfort, then he would be glad to do it.
"I'm going to finish up this tea," Lucy told them, standing as she did. The boy was slightly disappointed at the loss of her warmth, keeping a close eye on her as she poured three cups for them, making them up to suit the three's different tastes. A smile stretched across his lips when he noticed she was using spice for him, and even fish oil for Happy. Her eye twitched as she made that one, obviously revolted by the idea. Natsu was too admittedly.
When Lucy finished, the three made their way into the living room, where the two human's sat on the couch, Happy claiming the coffee table. The three chatted for a while about the previous mission. They hadn't been able to describe the events in full detail with each other afterwards. As Lucy explained her and Happy's fight with Calder, her eyes flashed when she told him about pulling Aries on instinct. The key by her side glowed tenderly, telling her it wasn't her fault. Natsu reached for her hand, holding it tight in his own.
"Lucy," he said. "Aries knows you didn't mean to get her hurt. You were just protecting yourself and Happy. No one is going to blame you for misusing your spirits, especially me."
She shook her head, looking at him in what he thought was fear, "I'm scared that it's instinctive to me now because I banished Aquarius. What if one day I break another key just because someone I love is being hurt? What if I have to summon the Celestial Spirit King again when Zeref comes back? What if-"
She broke off in her sentence as Natsu's hand slapped over her mouth, his expression fierce.
"Stop," he commanded. "Spirit's have always seeked you out, weirdo. You offered your life in trade for Aries key didn't you? You're spirits couldn't ask for a better mage to tie their lives with." Her eyes widened, the water works beginning to come back. He was right, she was being stupid. She'd rather die than give up another key.
As if he was reading her mind Natsu continued, "And no, you won't be sacrificing another key just to summon that weird king guy for one freaking time. I'm going to defeat Zeref and Acnologia both. No one else gets that chance at those two bastards."
Now she frowned, gripping his hand even tighter within her own. Happy had his head tilted downward, as if he was afraid to say anything to his adoptive father on the matter. Lucy however knew exactly what was running through his mind. It was the same train of thought she was currently following.
"Not on your own Natsu." she whispered. "I believe in you more than anyone, I do, but I can't let you fight them both on your own. Whether you can do it or not, isn't the question. The real one is whether or not you will make it out alive, and I'm not going to risk that."
"Aye!" Happy crowned, making Natsu jump. Lucy didn't break her gaze as his smaller companion gave his own piece.
"We won't let you do it alone, Natsu. Sometimes comfort isn't just in the bad times, it's when you need to be strong too, and you'll need that when we fight those two baddies!"
The slayer laughed, picking up his 'son' before hugging him to his shoulder. He forgot just how smart he could be at times.
"Fine," he said, letting out a long sigh. He knew that if he didn't promise them, they would just find a way to come with him. You couldn't keep the original Team Natsu apart. "You can come. But that means we reach S-class this year. Both of us, Lucy."
The blonde mage bit her lip, looking down at the couch. It was a big goal for someone who had only been in the guild for a little over a year now. She didn't count the seven years they had been asleep on Tenrou. To her the Tenrou team had been absent for too long to truly be considered apart of the guild within that time period.
"You know we can't do that right? We'd be against one another," she told him, keeping her doubts to herself. It would lead to a rampant on how she was stronger than she thought.
He instantly replied, "Then we team up this time."
Happy crossed his arms from where he sat in the salmon haired mage's arms. Even Lucy looked at him funny.
"It's the only way! Happy you understand right?"
"Yeah, but that's so unfair, choosing your girlfriend over your best friend!" the cat whined.
Natsu stuttered, looking at Lucy for help, but she only cracked up, just as he had earlier.
"It's not like that and you know it!" he said indignantly.
"Yeah, yeah," the cat waved him off. "Just make sure that I get to stay home with Carla and Wendy got it?"
"Got it," Natsu muttered, glaring at his friend. Lucy giggled, stifling a yawn as she did. Natsu's gaze softened before looking over to the clock. It was nearly nine o'clock, and he knew she was still spent from using so much magic. He himself was feeling the drain of dragon force. Quite honestly he didn't want to walk home. Before he could say anything, Happy beat him to the punch.
"Can we stay the night Lucy?" Happy asked. "In the bed too! You owe it to me if you're leaving me behind for the S-class trials this year!"
His comment resulted in a stare down between Natsu and her. While he was perfectly okay with spending the night in her bed, curled against her warmth, she obviously had issues with it. After a good fifteen minutes of pleading and snide remarks from Happy that actually had her feeling pretty damn guilty for once, the holder mage gave in. The boys cheered, high-fiving and leaping onto the mattress. She groaned, rubbing her temples as she collected a towel and pair of pajamas.
"You're going to shower as soon as I am out, Natsu Dragneel," she hissed at him. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know he hadn't bathed since they had been back from their looked at her innocently, as if he hadn't done anything wrong. With a threat of sending them home he gave a mutter of agreement.
After her routine was finished, Lucy came out from the bathroom to find Natsu actually ready for his turn. Blinking in surprise, she let him enter staring as he closed the door behind him. Happy cackled from the bed.
"You liikeee him! You were staring weren't you Lucy?" he giggled, referring to how Natsu had indeed been bare chested. She narrowed her eyes, lunging for the cat but he summoned his wings, taking off to hide on the ceiling fan. Grumbling about how stupid he was, she slipped into bed and situated herself.
The bathroom door opened a while later, steam rolling out into the darkened room. Natsu simply padded over to the bed, laying down on his side as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Even though they weren't close, she could feel the natural heat he gave off.
It wasn't long before Happy joined them, curling up against Lucy's curled legs, his body pressed into her lower stomach. Feeling left out, Natsu reached for Lucy's hand.
At first she nearly shrieked, but upon realizing he just wanted to hold her hand, she relaxed, letting him extend her arm to where it was more comfortable. The situation made her nervous, butterflies seemingly fluttering about in her stomach.
Rough callouses covered the tanned skin, along with many scars from the number of times he'd been in a brawl, and she counted them instead of sheep to get herself to sleep. His pinkie traced her guild mark, outlining the smooth skin perfectly from memory. Her skin was by far more innocent than his, and he liked it that way. He'd take the burden of scars and burns rather than her if it meant she was safe.
AN: This story is going to be about 16 chapters long, and follow Lucy and Natsu as they're figuring out their feelings. There's probably tons of those stories floating around of course, but I hope you guys still give mine a chance! I will be posting irregularly, but constant. There won't be a week where there isn't an update.
Thankyou again for reviewing, favoriting and following! :D :D :D
