A/N (forgottenwhispersxo): I can only hope this lives up to snogfairy's beautiful first chapter. I was blown away, really. For those of you who don't know, she and I are currently participating in a little game of fic tennis. I'm having fun so far! I'm a little rusty with bigger pieces, so I hope this reads alright. I apologise in advance if the story seems jumpy to begin with, snogfairy and I started out surprising one and other and around chapter 4/5 we made an actual plan for where the story would go. We promise you that there will be no disappointment, just lots of tears and heartache hahaha.


Nalu Tangled AU - Chapter 2


Stars painted the black canvas beyond the tower window, twinkling against the light of the moon. But those stars were nothing compared to her treasured lights, their radiance surely paled in comparison to the lights she so desperately wanted to see; to reach out with one hand and brush the tips of her fingers against their warmth, to bask in their heavenly glow. The tranquillity of night was a powerful thing. It summoned Lucy's every wish to the surface, wishes that gleamed with the stars, flickering against the darkness. The desire to be free possessed her, sparks travelling beneath her skin, urging an arm forward. The heat spread through her entire body, adding colour to her cheeks. She could almost touch them. Touch the stars. The lights.

"Don't touch me… stupid… stripper…"

Peeling her gaze back from the horizon, Lucy's eyes met those of the captured stranger currently bound to the chair at her desk. The tips of her fingers had connected with his cheek mid-thought, stirring the intruder from his forced slumber. An abundance of letters decorated the surface of the desk behind him, a single curtain fluttering against the edge. She'd utilised the rope in order to incarcerate her visitor with the hopes of questioning him should he awaken. Whoever he was, he looked strong. Even with his peaceful disposition. There was no denying the strength seeping out of his form. It set the room ablaze with wonder. Though the muscular arms currently bound behind his back helped with the description. While he slept he continued to mumble "Igneel". Lucy couldn't ascertain whether this "Igneel" was a person of importance, or some weird city.

"Excuse me," she responded finally, raising her weapon of choice in preparation for swing two, "This dress is of the highest quality. So it shows a little skin, I'm cute enough to pull it off, right?"

He raised his head to properly scrutinize her, wisps of pink hair falling over his eyes. He seemed dazed. Only when he attempted to stand did he snap out of his languid state. His shoulders lifted in a fit of surprise, chair legs clattering against the floorboards. He swung his legs out in protest, absolute confusion paling his eyes. Without hesitation she slipped closer to him, raising the pan high above her head. He stopped his struggle for a moment, a sense of pride washing over her.

"What the heck are you talking about?"

She stepped back in surprise. He seized this moment to glance about the room, taking in his surroundings. He seemed perplexed, then surprised. And then something else touched his eyes. His countenance grew pale, brows pulling together. He looked to be in pain.

"You called me a—"

"My scarf," he interrupted, lowering his gaze to the item trailed over his feet, "I need it."

"You need it? I hardly think so, Father keeps this room well—"

"I said," he leaned as close to her as possible, given his restrictions, "I need it."

Chills shot up her spine, causing her entire body to grow stiff. She could feel her soul tremble within her, her heart leaping into her throat. She kept her eyes on his as she crouched to retrieve his scarf, setting the pan down in order to get a good grasp on it. He didn't attempt to move, simply watching as she assumed an upright position. She couldn't offer it without removing the rope, she'd have to improvise. Circling around the chair, Lucy pulled the scarf over his chest and secured it over his shoulders. She couldn't be sure but, somehow, his entire body elicited a sense of relief. His shoulders dropped and his jaw unclenched the moment the material touched his skin.

"How did you get in here, anyway?"

She stepped around him once more, lacing her fingers together against the small of her back. He risked a glance towards the window before eyeing the pan she'd set down on the floor next to him. Her legs buckled beneath her.

"I flew. Duh."

"D-duh?! What are you, stupid? People can't fly!"

He raised a brow, dumbfounded by her exclamation. Recovering her weapon from the ground she spun it once before pressing it against his forehead. A hand shifted to her hip for a brief moment before pointing towards the window.

"You didn't fly in here!"

"Sure I did. With the help of my Buddy."

"Your 'Buddy'? Let me guess, a flying unicorn?"

"Close," he grinned, his eyes ticking back towards the window, "But you're wrong."

As if their conversation couldn't get any weirder, a thick, blue blur shot in through the window, urging Lucy to duck while she had the chance. A gust of wind tore through the room, pulling strands of hair towards it. Adjusting the hem of her dress before adopting a vertical stance, Lucy's eyes skimmed the far wall in search of the strange blur. When her eyes focused on the stranger tied to her chair, Lucy discovered that the blur was, in fact, a small cat. He sat on the man's head, an odd glint in his eye.

"You made it Happy. Good job."

"Aye Sir, a little wind won't stop me. Did you find it? You promised to catch some salmon on the way home. I'm hungry!"

"No, but I did find this weirdo. She hit me with a pan and tied me up."

"Did that cat just talk?! Wait, who're you calling a weirdo?! You're the one climbing towers and breaking into a girl's bedroom!"

The odd pair looked to where Lucy stood, puzzled and shocked by the sudden turn in events. For some reason, neither of them appeared troubled by their situation. They'd just broken into her home, her bedroom no less. Yet they weren't remotely worried? What's more the pink haired man was tied up! Surely they had some humanity within them. A little fear, perhaps?

"Why didn't you just break free, Natsu?" Happy seemed genuinely serious about his question. Lucy was baffled, truly. What kind of cat, a talking cat no less, believed a man capable of just breaking free of a properly tied knot? She'd read more than her fair share of books. She knew exactly how to reprimand someone with a simple piece of rope.

"I dunno, I kinda felt sorry for her. She seemed to think she could keep me here against my will."

"Wait, what? What does he mean by 'why didn't you break free?'?'"

She didn't have time to collect her thoughts. There was a burst of light behind the chair before the rope fell, both ends singed and black. He then stood from the seat and shook a set of fingers through his hair. Happy floated from his head, a set of wings unfolding behind him. The walls seemed to close in on her, the air growing thin and hot. Each breath scorched her lungs and scratched at her throat. The ghost of disorientation haunted her, making her sway from side to side like a pendulum.

"What's with that freaky pet? Why does he have wings?"

"She really is weird," Happy observed, circling around Lucy just once before returning to Natsu's side, "Super weird."

"Happy's not a pet. He's my friend. Besides, I don't think you've any room to talk about weird pets. What is that thing?"

Her eyes dropped to her feet where Plue had perched against her ankle. He shook gently against her leg, seeking comfort from the blonde. It was natural for Lucy to lean down and reassure him, pulling him into a gentle embrace. After all, he was a stranger to guests as well. He'd been her only companion all these years. The only thing tying her to her Mother. After all, he'd been in the family since she was a child.

"Who're you to call Plue weird? He's adorable! You guys wouldn't know cute if it hit you in the face. Oh wait, it did, with a frying pan~"

She paused, glancing down at her tiny companion. He rubbed his face against her leg, his tiny paws gliding along her skin. She lifted him from the floor, setting him down on her bed where she then covered him in thin blankets. He looked like a plush toy, really.

"What's with this chick? She has such a big ego."

"Yeah, she's weird," Happy responded, risking not-so-discreet glances Lucy's way, "You didn't do anything to her, did you?"

"I'm right here you know! Isn't it normal to be a little weird around new people? You're the first people outside the Manor to visit me."

"Really? That seems kinda sad," Natsu started, eyeing Plue with what appeared to be unwavering curiosity, "We weren't really visitin' you, though."

"I know that! You tried to sneak into my bedroom, remember?! I just meant… you're the first people I've interacted with outside of my family. Father won't let me see what lies beyond this tower. All I want is to see the floating l—"

"Look at this, Natsu!"

Lucy's touching explanation was cut short when the sound of rustling papers reached her ears. Her eyes widened as Happy waved the written manifestation of her hopes and dreams in the air with a great lack of etiquette. He didn't seem fazed that the parchments in his paws belonged to someone else. Not even a little.

"Don't touch that, Stupid cat!"

She lunged towards him, colliding with the edge of the desk as the winged creature soared over to Natsu who caught the papers in mid air. His eyes roamed the title page for a moment, devoid of interest. And yet there was something hidden within their depths.

"The Floating Lights by Lucy Heartfilia," he read aloud, "Floating lights? What kind of title is that?"

She could feel her cheeks swell with heat. Her entire body quivered. She pressed forward in protest, extending her hand out for the papers he'd stolen.

"Give it back to me. Please."

"Is it important to you or somethin', Luigi?"

"Yes it's… Luigi?! My name is Lucy!"

"Yeah, yeah, so Luna what's with the creepy tower and floating lights?"

"I told you my name is…" she paused, snatching the papers from his grasp before heaving a sigh, "My Mother died when I was young. I don't remember much about her… but Father blames the outside world for our loss. He says that the people outside are responsible. That it's safer in here. But… more than anything… I want to see the floating lanterns. Once a year, on the date of her death, I can see those big lights in the horizon. They fill the sky with a brilliant glow. I want to be there in person this year."

Holding the papers to her chest, Lucy succumbed to the hypnotic rhythm of her pulse, thinking only about the floating lanterns. How desperately she wanted to see those lights. To touch the grass beyond her window ledge and feel the rain upon her skin. She'd only ever gathered droplets within the palms of her hands by leaning out of the window. They'd travel along the creases in her palms like tiny streams before rejoining the others. She longed to feel more of them. To embrace the sunlight on her face and run wild in a field of flowers. She wanted to trip and stumble and travel on a big boat across the vast ocean. She wanted to…

"Well come on then," he held his hand out towards her, apparently forgetting their predicament, "Let's go."

"What?"

"Yeah Natsu, what are you doing? We still have to find that book. Or do you like her?"

"Like her? What're you talkin' about? She's interesting, isn't she? She should be able to see the lights on such an important day, right? I bet she's never even tasted salmon."

"My Father feeds me! I know what salmon tastes like."

He shared what appeared to be a knowing look with Happy. There was something there she hadn't seen before. A look of sorrow, even. His smile had faded the moment he'd mentioned her birthday. There was a sincerity about him now that resonated within her. Somehow a piece of her wanted to reach out and comfort him. She had a feeling the scarf he wore and the look of sadness were connected. Every now and then his fingertips would unconsciously glide towards the material hanging over his chest.

"Right, right, so what do you say, Lucy?"

Lucy. How could she refuse when the sound of her name against his lips felt so right? Now that she looked at him with eyes unclouded by fear and uncertainty, she couldn't deny that he was attractive. Especially when he smiled. But the thought of seeing those lanterns up close exceeded anything he had to offer.

"I couldn't possibly do that to Father. He said not to… but I really… wait, no. No, no, no. I can't go with you! I don't even know you and your cat talks! Tell me what's going on! Who are you?!"

Footsteps could be heard echoing along the staircase. One footfall after another, the sound deafening as it approached. It awakened an urgency within her that had long since become dormant. Her heart set off in a panic, beating frantically within her chest. What could she do? Did she take his hand or did she bid him farewell? This might be her only chance.

Her only chance to see the lights.

"We don't have time for that! We can talk later."

Taking his hand, Lucy could only pray she'd made the right decision as he clambered onto the window ledge. Before she could stop him Natsu had leapt from the window. The rush of adrenaline that gripped her brought all needs to scream and protest to a stand still. Her arms snaked around his neck and tears formed in the corners of her eyes. His arms slipped beneath her thighs, holding her close as they fell through the air. Happy soared hastily behind them, latching onto Natsu's vest just long enough to slow their descent. When they landed he quickly set her down, adjusting his scarf the minute his hands were free. The soft touch of wet grass beneath the soles of her feet sent sparks flying up her legs. It was then she noticed Plue latching onto her thigh. He'd followed her down. A true friend through and through. She crouched to pull him against her chest, both arms folding over his small body. She nursed his head against her chest, looking past him towards the vast meadow surrounding her home.

"Plue… thank you."

Flowers were in bloom at the bottom of the tower, their closed petals glowing beneath the moonlight. An expanse of trees disguised the path from the Heartfilia manor to Magnolia Town, giving Lucy little choice but to trust in Natsu's sense of direction. She didn't have time to bask in the wonders of the outside world just yet. Natsu set off in a sprint towards the woodlands, prompting her into doing the same. Only when she entered the forest did the truth dawn on her. As she swayed beneath branches, climbing over roots and avoiding the odd cluster of flowers did she realise it. The rush of warmth on her cheeks, the frosty bite of the wind, the shudder of leaves as she ducked beneath incoming branches.

She'd achieved freedom.