01

LUCY HEARTFILIA

I could feel Natsu's gaze burning holes in the back of my head. I kept ignoring him, but it had started being too much of a distraction. Letting out an almost silent huff, I glanced back at him to see what he wanted. He was just staring at me. His green eyes looking at me expectantly. I couldn't help the small blush that began to creep it's why onto my cheeks as he kept on staring.

I mean, how could I not blush? He looked too cute with his head tilted to one side, his eyes staring at me expectantly. I looked away from him and back to my paper in front of me. I was working on the next chapter of my novel for Levy to read, but I couldn't concentrate with those eyes on me. The fact that he wouldn't stop staring making it worse.

I turned around in my chair facing Natsu. He was sitting cross-legged with a sleeping Happy in his lap. "Is there a reason you've been staring at me?"

Natsu blinked, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm bored, Luce, entertain me."

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Oh yeah, and what am I supposed to do about it?" Natsu shrugged again looking at me. "Ugh, in my cardboard over there, there's a deck of cards. Maybe you and Happy can play or something."

Natsu smiled, standing up letting a sleeping Happy fall to the ground with a thud. Happy grumbled and complained about Natsu dropping him as I tried to get back to work. After a minute or two, of them being silent with only a few wisps of their voices here in there I began to get suspicious. I turned around to see what they were doing too late.

"LUCY WATCH OUT!" I heard Natsu scream a moment too late.

I turned just in time to see a small object come flying towards me.

I let out a hiss of pain as Mira pressed the ice pack to hard against my eyes, pulling me out of my thoughts. She let out a low sorry as she pressed it against my face again, only softer this time. I had another black eye. Only this time, it wasn't from Natsu finding my old champagne bottle, but from a bandit who had taken the scroll from me. The prick.

The mission Team Shadow Gear and I went, well, it was supposed to be an easy one, but no. Snatching the ancient scroll, of course, wasn't easy. We just had to run into booby traps and bandits looking for the scroll as well. We beat them and got the scroll, but didn't come out unscathed. A few cuts and bruises and Droy with a sprained wrist, but I got the short end of the stick and got stuck with a black eye.

Mira finished with me and went over to Droy to check out his sprained wrist.

I looked out the window of the infirmary watching the people of Magnolia. I wished Wendy was here to heal our wounds. Especially because I didn't want to walk around town with a black eye.

That would be just screaming, 'Hey look at me! I got punched in the face! Stare all you want I don't care!'

How about no. So I decided to stay inside until nightfall trying to avoid the worst of the onlookers.

I decided to hang out with Levy, who was lucky enough that she had no marks or bruises, and Juvia as I waited for night to fall. They both agreed that it would be better to stay indoors until Wendy could come and heal us, which, she did time and time again when we called her for help. When Mira had talked to her earlier on the communication lacrima she said it would be some time for her to get here, seeing as she was out on a mission with Gray and Lyon right now.

I would just have to deal with it until then.

NATSU DRAGNEEL

"Are we there yet?" Happy asked, forcing down a yawn. I couldn't help smile down at him.

It had been three years since we had been in Magnolia. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was basically shaking. I brought my hand up to my hair, running it through my long mane, one of the habits I had picked up since I had grown it out. Not that it was my choice really.

"Natsu," Happy said, drawing my attention back to him.

"What is it, little buddy?" I replied, putting my hand back down to my side.

"You never answered my question." Happy pouted. "My feet hurt from walking all day because you didn't want to take the train."

"Would you rather be doing this or be with Iraneth right now?"

Happy visually shivered.

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. Just a few hours ago he didn't have any problems with walking, in fact, he said it would be more of a surprise to them if nobody saw us when we came back.

"Natsu, can we stop and rest sometime soon?" Happy practically begged.

I didn't answer him, getting caught up in the familiar smells of home.

A grin appeared on my face as I looked down at Happy. "Well, I guess you won't have to wait for long. Come on, Happy!"

Happy didn't even have a chance to say or do anything as I scooped him up and I took off towards the familiar scent. It didn't take long to get there, having been not far away from town. When I stopped, Happy looked as if he was about to throw up.

"Lucy's place? Why aren't we at the guild?" Happy asked when he sat back up and looked where we were at.

The street lights were barely highlighting the alleyway which we were in, yet, without a doubt, this was Lucy's place. Her scent was all over the place, along with some less desirable scents mixed with hers, tainting it. I didn't even try to hide my scowl as I sniffed the air again. Hoping that my nose was tricking me into smelling what I did.

It was still there. I gripped Happy tightly in my arms.

"Natsu," Happy wheezed, tugging at my arm. "I can't breath."

I let out an 'oh' before releasing my grip on him.

"Sorry," I said, scratching the back of my head. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Happy said, rubbing the arm I squeezed gently. "What's gotten into you?"

I ignored him Turning to look back up at her window. It wasn't that I high above me. I could probably make it.

Hm...

I got ready, getting into my stance before I jumped up and grabbed onto her windowsill and pulled myself up. Her window was unlocked, like always.

"Hey, Luce! We're back!" I called out, half expecting her to appear from the bathroom and start yelling at us to go away, and stop using her window as a doorway. When she didn't answer I tried again.

That stench was worse in here. I had to cover my nose to try and block it out. Why was it even worse in here? I swear the next time I see him I'll kick his ass.

"See, I knew we should have gone to the guild." Happy groaned, plopping down face first into Lucy's bed. "I don't want to move." He complained, his muffled.

"Alright, let's just go to bed in Lucy's bed. For old times sake." Happy nodded sleepily, getting into the covers on the far side of the bed.

I took off my dirty shoes and shirt knowing Lucy wouldn't be pleased if I left those on and got her bed all dirty. Getting under her covers I was surrounded by nothing but her scent. I felt myself relax as I took in her scent. It had been too long.

Before I knew it my eyelids had fallen and I was surrounded by nothing but her.

LUCY HEARTFILIA

Night had finally come, and I was drunker than I had ever been in my life. Gajeel, Levy, Elfman, and I were all playing a drinking game until Gajeel and Elfman had to get into a fight about who was better at singing, not trying to be bias or anything, but I think Gajeel had a way better voice than Elfman's tone deaf one. More drinks were passed around as we watched them have their sing-off. By the time it was over, half the guild was passed out drunk and the other half too out of it to care who won.

I wobbled my way through the guild carefully stepping over people that were out cold from drinking too much, but I was in no place to talk. I probably drank just as much as the rest of them.

"Lucy," I turned to see Mirajane standing towards the back of the room, lifting up Elfman. "Are you sure you want to go home alone? I'm putting Elfman and some of the others in the back rooms. I can make you a bed too."

"I'll be fine," I slurred as I shook my head waving her off.

"Are you sure? You usually have Gajeel walk you home when it gets late." She looked at me worriedly debating whether or not to let me go.

"I've got her."

I turned around to see a handsome ginger-haired man with a suit on. I gasped jumping on him. "Loke!"

He gasped slightly as I snuggled myself into his chest. He was very warm. Like a kitten. A whole round of giggles erupted from my chest at the thought.

"I'll take her home, Mira. She'll probably pass out during the way there anyways."

"Okay, see you tomorrow then, good night Lucy!" I raised my hand in a semi-wave in return.

We made our way outside and I hugged Loke tighter, shivering slightly at the cold. "Lucy you should really wear more clothes, you know it's winter right."

I hummed in reply. Loke sighed, repositioning me for a second before bring me back to his chest. He had taken off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders. I sighed contently as he continued to walk. It wasn't long before we reached my apartment, Loke setting me down.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"Yup, I'm good. I'll be in the shower anyways." I slurred, handing him back his jacket.

"Okay then, goodnight princess," Loke said, leaning down and kissing my cheek before disappearing back to the celestial world.

I drunkenly stumbled up the stairs to my apartment, unlocking the door and stumbling inside. I threw my keys down on the table my eyes fixated with my bed.

Even with having been drunk and a bit loopy from lack of sleep I should have noticed quite a few things. The loud snoring coming from my bed, and the arm sticking out of my bed wasn't mine.

But no, I didn't notice these things. Instead, I smiled lovingly at my bed and blankets, throwing myself on them.

"Hello, I missed you," I said as I began cuddling into the warm blankets.

More than ever I should have noticed the warm chest beneath me and the strong arm that came to wrap itself around my waist, pulling me closer to their chest.

Instead of noticing these things, I just cuddled into the warmth they were providing me, falling asleep to the beat of a heart that wasn't mine.

a/n: Hey all! What's going on? So Natsu made not just one appearance, but two! Proud of me yet?

Anyways, hope you guys are good and all.

Love,

me

edited: 7/25/16