AN: I honestly forgot I wrote this one. It was originally for a NaLu Week prompt in 2014, but I lost inspiration toward the end. Looking at it now it could pass as a drabble, so I wrote in a quick ending for it, and viola!

And to Martyn, the guest reviewer who asked for a couple of requests: don't worry, I have a rough draft of one of them written. If nothing happens, it'll probably be uploaded toward the end of the week :)

Title: Of Cuddling and Denial

Summary: They're just friends. Sure, whatever helps Natsu sleep at night...

Rating: K

Pairing: NaLu

Timeline: After Tower of Heaven (I prefer to think before Tenrou, but really, it can stand anywhere in the series)

Disclaimer: Don't own FT

"What are you lookin' at, Ice Princess?"

Gray rose an eyebrow at his friend/rival before lowering his gaze slightly at the bundle of blankets in the fire mage's arms. Lucy lightly snored peacefully, not at all disturbed by her surroundings.

"'Just friends.' Yeah, right," Gray snorted and smirked at the small flush on Natsu's cheeks.

"Sh-Shut up! You know how she gets when we go on these missions to the mountains. She has this thing where she becomes easily cold. It's weird, just like her!"

Gray rolled his eyes, "Suuure, and you just happened to offer her your comforting arms because you just want to be a good nakama."

Natsu huffed, "Yes that's exactly why, you stupid droopy-eyed freak!"

"Why I oughta—"

"Are you two fighting again?" a sharp voice asked and Erza appeared into the cave Team Natsu had taken refuge, Happy trailing behind her with more firewood. The boys stiffened and chorused, "No, Ma'am!"

Satisfied with her teammates behavior, Erza noticed her best girl friend's sleeping form curled up in Natsu's arms. She gave him a look, which caused Natsu to panic slightly.

"She's cold!"

"I didn't say anything," the Titania said with a teasing smirk on her face. Happy giggled along with her.

"Natsu liiiikes Lucy."

"OH SHUT UP!"

His outburst caused Lucy to stir in his arms. Natsu looked a little panicked and pulled the blonde more into his embrace. Instantly, Lucy sighed contently and snuggled further in his arms. Natsu gave a triumphant grin only for it to diminish when he glanced at the rest of his team, who were looking at him with knowing smiles.

"Why does everyone keep looking at me like that?!" Seriously, they were getting on his nerves with their secret glances and their snickering and teasing words.

"Dude, you have it bad," Gray said, shaking his head at Natsu's denial.

"I have to agree with Gray." Erza piped in, "Why don't you tell her your feelings?"

"There's nothing to tell!" Natsu grumbled, "We're just nakama!"

"He says as he tucks Lucy's head under his chin and gives her the most adoring look ever," Gray deadpanned and reveled in his rival's massive blush.

"You've been hanging out with Juvia too much, Gray. That was a really descriptive comment…" Happy said as he munched on a fish he conveniently took out of his pack.

"H-Hey! This isn't about me, this is about Flame Brain!"

Natsu was momentarily grateful for Happy's distraction, for he was able to scoot himself and Lucy to the other side of the cave and hopefully away from more of his friends' teasing comments.

"It's nothing like that," he muttered despite the fact his friends couldn't hear him now and had moved on to a new topic of discussion. "I don't have feelings for Lucy."

But as he looked at the pretty girl's sleeping face, he knew he wasn't fooling anybody. Not even himself.