I don't think I'll be switching POVs all of the time. Natsu is much more fun anyway :p Please review!
Loud noises tear through my haze of warm bath steam and sleep.
I wake up, startled, blinking a few times before Natsu comes into focus. He's carrying me, I realize, as I feel my body suspended in the air by his lean but capable arms.
That's when I notice that he's making a face. Natsu makes tons of faces: the sparkly eyed I'm-up-to-no-good face, the glaring I'm-gonna-kick-your-ass-face, the puffy cheeked I'm-sorry-I-was-such-an-idiot face… to name a few. This one just has 'horror' written across it. And I notice it's fixated on something right ahead of us.
"Natsu," I drawl out, beginning to turn my head, "what's…"
I scream.
Then flail in a rush of panic, falling wet and naked (again) onto the ground. The hardwood floor feels anything but nice on my rear. It's freezing cold! I scramble, get up, and dive into my bed as if my sheets were the gateway to heaven. Well, they're not, but it's the only way to hide my everything from Gray and Erza!
Once I'm safely cocooned in my blanket I start to seethe with embarrassment. A little anger too.
My shout is muffled by a makeshift cave of fabric. "What the hell are you two doing here!?"
Erza stammers. "W-we just wanted to make sure-"
"At this hour?!"
"B-but," Gray chimes in.
"It's almost noon now," Erza adds.
"Without knocking first?!" I shout, grimacing at the fact that they never have knocked before. Not even once.
Rearranging the sheets so that I have a small hole to peek through, I blush as I catch sight of Natsu standing there in all his naked glory. He doesn't say a word or attempt to move. The idiot just stands there, letting it all hang out for our guild mates to see. I mean sure, Gray's probably been there done that. But Erza? I don't care how often they bathed together as kids… it's not for her to look at!
"Go wait in the kitchen. Now!" I warn darkly.
I want to die. I just wanna have Virgo dig me a hole I can stay in forever. Hopefully the humiliation would waste away before I do, but right now I'm thinking the chances of that are slim.
Natsu turns to face me. My heart had already felt like it'd been jolted, galloping so loudly that I could see it pressing against my chest with each pump. Something about his expression kicks it into overtime. Now I'm convinced that it might just explode.
He looks predatory.
I look at him and frown.
"This is your fault!" I yell as he gets closer to me.
"What?!"
"If you hadn't started that bad habit of coming into my house whenever you feel like it they wouldn't be doing the same!"
"SO?"
The half-assed answer makes me really mad. What am I supposed to do? I haven't figured out anything about this new situation with myself and Natsu, and now I have to factor two more people into the equation? My head throbs painfully.
"Go get dressed in the bathroom," I sigh shakily. "I'll knock when I'm done."
"But-"
"Natsu. Please. We can talk later."
True to his dragon-raised nature, he growls at me, stomping off into the damp room.
I know there's something wrong with me when I pause for just a second to admire his butt. It's nice. I can feel heat flash across my face. Are guys supposed to look like that back there? Yeah, Lucy, I think as I slap a palm to my forehead. Because now is the time to start wondering.
What bothers me isn't the fact that I was seen naked, I then decide as I untangle myself and head for my drawers. I start rummaging for underwear, a tee, and some sweat pants, feeling an acute need to cover up.
They saw me naked in Natsu's arms. Us, like that. Together.
Just the thought drains blood from the rest of me and pulls it straight into my face.
Great.
"Natsu," I mumble, tapping on the door of his temporary jail cell. "Come on."
I'm ready to face the grand jury… I think.
I immediately bump this up to top place on my ever expanding list-of-awkward-moments.
I boiled tea in silence. Brought out cups and a few snack cakes quietly. Sat down without a single word.
And here we all are. Still. Silent.
Natsu is sitting beside me, making an effort to chew his food rather than inhale it. Erza is across from him looking down into her cup of tea as she sips it nervously. She's pink in the face. Gray does everything he can to avoid looking at me, occupying himself by making an ice-make fork and knife to eat with that continue to melt after a while, forcing him to create them several times.
"So-"
"We didn't-"
"About what you-"
"This cake's awesome," Natsu finishes. Of course. He always has time to appreciate food.
"W-what flavor is it?" Erza asks almost shyly. She's doing her best to distract us. Cake is Erza's choice dessert. I'm sure she'd recognize this kind just from looking at it.
"Strawberry shortcake."
"Mmph," Gray nods as he stuffs another bite into his mouth with a fresh ice-fork.
Quiet creeps back into the room for another minute. I drink some tea, wondering what will finally break it. What should I say? Attempting to distract myself from my own mortification I swish a mouthful around as I turn to peek at Natsu, and then-
"So was it any good?"
I spew my tea all over the wall.
A sound like a thunderclap echoes in the kitchen as Erza punishes Gray with a punch to the head. Her face is so red that it matches her flowing scarlet hair.
"Don't ask such p-private questions!"
Gray's dark eyes are full of submission as he wraps his hand in ice and begins soothing the injury. Serves him right, I think for a second, before feeling complete pity. Erza's strength is beastly. Ouch.
"Well we're all friends, right? I was trying to ease the tension!" the mage winces, looking at me. Natsu snarls.
"Watch it ice-bastard!"
"Say what?"
They're already leaning over the table and butting heads. Oh please, no. Their hands are digging into the wood. They'll break my table. Destroy my apartment! Do they have any idea how much the security deposit was for this place?!
"You heard me frosty! You stare anywhere below Lucy's neck again and I'll melt yours down like a candle!"
What? Gray was staring at my breasts? Now? Part of me is amazed that his mind could go in that direction despite what just happened. The other part of me just assesses the obvious:
Men are a unique kind of stupid.
I look at Erza with pleading eyes. We're both glowing the same color as the berry puree that holds the layers of the cake together. She nods.
"Enough!"
Both boys are at the ready: Gray's ice-coated fist and Natsu's blaze-stricken hands taking aim. Thankfully Erza's shadow is still enough to make them shiver. They each take their seat. I'm surprised to see Natsu's cheeks tinted pink. He puts one of his warm hands on my knee, huffing, his eyes bright with warning. I squeak.
Wincing, I recall that most of the guild and many more unwanted strangers have seen me naked. Not that I wanted them to! And it wasn't my fault either! Ever since I joined Fairy Tail I've been in more involuntary-stripping situations than I ever want to talk about!
Sadly it makes this incident seem much more tame by comparison. I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but my breasts do feel heavier. Swollen, even though Natsu hasn't touched me since…
Never mind.
I shake my head, rattling my brain in the process, and shout, "You guys can't tell anyone!"
Erza nods as she finishes off her last bite of dessert and begins to eye Gray's leftovers. He looks at me quizzically. "We can't?"
"No! Are you insane? We're not ready for that… and Fairy Tail would never let it go!"
Gray either doesn't care or pretends not to notice the fair-skinned hand slowly sliding the rest of his cake away. He runs a hand through his messy raven hair. "But people would be happy for you guys, Lucy. And there's all those be- MMF!"
One very deadly mage sweeps a spoonful into his mouth, practically shoving the utensil down Gray's throat. Swallowing, he glares at her and begins to cough.
Erza is scary. Point taken. Again.
"All those what?" I ask curiously.
"Well, you see…" she begins hesitantly. What the heck?
"I wanna know!" Natsu chimes in. Apparently it's now safe to let go of my knee.
"The whole guild bet on you two," Gray wheezes.
"On Lucy and me?" the dragon slayer beside me asks, wide-eyed and curious. "What for?"
"To see how long it'd take you guys to… y'know."
He's kidding. He has to be. "Y-You're kidding, right?"
Both he and Erza stare at us blankly before shaking their heads. "Nu-uh."
"You guys bet on how long it'd take Natsu and I to… do that?!"
"To get together, yeah," he confirms. Oh thank goodness. I thought he'd meant-
"There's a whole other one for the two of you nest hopping and making slayer babies though."
"Ahh!"
I look at Natsu. He doesn't seem to mind the revelation. Or understand it for that matter. Moron.
"You can't tell anyone!" I cry out. "It's too soon!"
"We won't, Lucy," Erza promises. There's a little hint of a smile on her face that starts to annoy me. Or embarrass me into the depths of hell. Not too sure which.
"R-really?" My heart hammers away in relief as I plop face down onto my kitchen table and groan.
"We swear on our honor as members of Fairy Tail. And as your friends." She says valiantly. Erza reaches out and pats my hand as I look up at her adoringly. She's the older sister I never had- frightening, but all too easy to love and idolize.
I look beside me at the mass of rosy spiked hair. Natsu glances at me for an instant. One second too long that makes my stomach tighten and my toes curl. I hold back a shiver.
What is he doing to me?
"Well now that we know you're alright Lucy," Erza starts again, "would you two like to go on another job together? All of us?"
I make a quick calculation in my head and sigh. There's never such a thing as too much rent money.
"I'm in," I declare.
"Hot-head?"
Natsu grins dangerously. "You know it snowflake."
"Meet us at the board in the afternoon then," Gray instructs. "We'll leave tomorrow. That right Erza?"
A nod of crimson tresses confirms it. She gets up, her plain white shirt and pleated skirt devoid of the usual clanking her armor makes.
"Gray!"
The ice mage is as close to naked as a man can get, sitting on one of my chairs in navy blue boxers.
"Oops."
He shuffles back into his jeans. I blush a little, realizing that even though Gray and Natsu have a similar build, Natsu's backside is nicer to look at…
Stop it right this second, Lucy! Bad, bad thoughts!
He and Erza head for the front door. I see them out and notice that Natsu's gone. Probably went to take a nap. That lazy sack of potatoes.
"I saw that Lucy," Gray laughs as he heads down the stone steps of my house. "Now we're even." I walk back inside and shut the door. My face is on fire. He saw?!
Oh geez. Fair is fair though! I think…
"Natsu?" I yawn as I trod back into my room. I can't believe all that stuff just happened. Natsu, you guys are everything to me but you really need to learn some boundaries. Or not, evidently, because there you are trying one of my bras on again.
"Hey! That's one of my good ones!" It's a pretty blue heart patterned bra with white lace trimming. One that I'd almost died to buy- I'd had to run off from a seriously angry lady who tried to pry it from my hands at a sale. I snatch it away.
Natsu's entire posture changes.
"I saw that."
I tuck it away into the proper drawer. "Saw what."
"Lucy… do you like Gray?"
Oh crap. That. My wandering eyes.
"No. I wasn't-"
I don't turn around but the sound of my bedspread shifting tells me he's standing up.
"Then why'd you look at him like that." It isn't a question. Natsu's words are low, deep, and sharp. I can almost hear a growl vibrate across my skin.
"Because I was thinking that you look much better!"
The truth is the only thing that will pacify us both. Even if it sucks to admit.
"Huh?"
"You… you look better. Back there. That's what I was thinking. But I don't like Gray. Are you insane or something?"
Do I look like I want to be drowned by Juvia anytime soon? Besides, they'll be sweet together someday. If Gray ever wakes up, that is.
The scariest grin yet crosses Natsu's features. "So I have a better butt, Luce? Can't wait to tell him that. Do all girls look at guys' butts?"
"Yes! No! I don't know!" My mind is reeling. I shove past mocking laughter and collapse on my bed. Yesss. It's so warm. I wonder if it's because Natsu was laying on it…
"Lucy."
Hot skin wraps around my waist as he curls up beside me. Face to face. My heart rate shoots up again. "W-what."
"I wanted em to go away."
"How come?"
I stare into that molten hint of gold in Natsu's eyes. He smiles but gives me no warning. Just leans in… and it's the best kiss he's given me yet.
Those big hands of his are everywhere. His tongue starts licking at my mouth softly. Natsu cups my rear, rakes his fingers along my back, and slides them over my breasts. I moan, opening my mouth and giving him exactly what he wants as he starts teasing his tongue against mine.
The skin of his palm rubbing at my nipples through my shirt feels rough- in a good way. A way that's perfect enough to make me hitch a leg over his hip. We're still kissing breathlessly. Natsu tastes like a sweet, singed, berry flavored cake. Delicious.
"Mm… Natsu," I manage.
"Lucy." He replies by licking my neck. The tips of his fanged canines skim across my collarbone and I cry out. Why does every little thing he does feel so good?
"I'm…" I'm what? What was I about to say? I don't know. God, Natsu, don't, don't!
But of course he does, sucking at my too-tender breast, tee shirt and all. The dragon slayer does things with his mouth that make my entire body clench helplessly. Natsu's tongue teases me like crazy, flicking quickly before switching to slow deliberate swipes.
"I want a nap," I exhale roughly.
"You'll need one when I'm done."
Okay. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend. Or lover. Or whatever he is. Darnit!
"I mean it! Natsu, I want to. Really, I want to, but-"
"Then why can't we?"
Natsu looks up at me with honeyed eyes that shine with a hint of consequence should I answer incorrectly. But I have to. The rippling between my thighs wants other things but this isn't the right time for any of it.
You are not a hornball, Lucy Heartfilia! You are not a-
"Nnn!" He bites my nipple again. Then my neck. My lips. Natsu purrs yet another kiss into my mouth and I buck.
This is insane.
Was he always this handsome? Did Natsu's hair always look this good falling over his eyes? Did his muscles always strain this way, with little veins twitching under lightly tanned skin? A hardness brushes over my stomach, making my insides flutter. It presses against my belly…
"Stop!" I shove him away. Finally. "If we don't wait twenty four hours at least the potion might fail! You might," I pant, "get me pregnant before it has a chance to work the right way."
"Ohhhh," the dragon slayer pouts in understanding.
"I'm sorry."
"S'okay Luce. I didn't know."
"But you know that I want you, don't you Natsu?"
I've never asked such a bold question. Something about being beside him makes me brave.
The answering chuckle sounds like a crackling fire. My skin prickles, body aching from head to toe. Natsu crawls over me and faces the same direction as I do, spooning me from behind.
"Just go to sleep."
I'm about to protest. He hasn't answered my question, but it's obvious isn't it? He's the only person who's ever made me feel-
A strong hand finds the one I've twisted into my blanket, wrapping our fingers together. There's still a lot to figure out, I think as my vision blurs with a heavy yawn. It'll catch up soon enough.
None of it matters then. I fall asleep to the sound of purrs and sound-asleep moans.