For one of the first times even, Natsu was right. He caught a cold.

ACHOO! "See, Luce? I was -cough- right!"

"Yeah, well I just didn't expect the 'almighty dragon slayer' to give into sickness so easily."

Since they woke up, Lucy hadn't had time for anything besides listening to Natsu being proud of himself and taking care of him. As annoying as it was was for her, she'd still be lying if she said she wasn't concerned about him.

"Natsu, maybe I should get Wendy or Porlyusica to take a look at you."

"Wendy -sniffle- said she was going on a mission, and Porlyusica hates humans. Especially me. I want you to -sneeze- keep taking care of me. It's fine this way."

"I have a lot of housework to do! Even if Porlyusica refuses, I can find a way to get her here! Or maybe Mira... yeah, Mira would be a lot easier."

"Please?" he gave her puppy-dog eyes.

"Natsu, I already said I'm busy! What part of 'no' do you not understand?"

"Would you do it if I said it could be one of your -cough- favors?"

The blonde bit her lip, while the salmon-haired dragon slayer anticipated a positive answer. "Fine. But don't just expect me to be your maid again!"

"You're right, the maid outfit is still at my place.." He pulled a tissue from the box on the table next to him and blew his nose, discarding the soiled napkin on the floor after.

"Luuuuuce, can you make me some soup? Better yet, a LOT of soup." His words were followed by a dry cough and some wheezing.

She couldn't stand looking at him like that. Not only was he injured, but now he was also sick, and both were her fault.

"Okay, Natsu. But promise me one thing. You have to get better soon, alright?" The smile on her face was soft and motherly like Mirajane's.

"Of course I will, -sniff-, weirdo."

When she started down the stairs, she heard Natsu shouting.

"LUUUCE! IS IT DONE YET?"

"No!" Idiot, I haven't even started yet...

After she actually started the process of making chicken soup, she was constantly interrupted by the familiar cries. They finally came to an end half an hour later when she came up with a big bowl of the nutritious soup.

Immediately after receiving it, the dragon slayer started slurping the soup like a child. "SHENKS, RUSHI!"

How does that seem familiar..? Lucy smiled weakly, remembering when he first regained consciousness after the accident, which was also when it was decided that she would owe him nine favors of his choosing. Thinking back at it, she really found it all to be ridiculous and unbelievable, especially the way she was overreacting.

Her reminiscing was soon interrupted by a certain hungry friend. "Luuuuce, I'm still hungry! Can you get me more please?"

Rolling her eyes, the blonde came back with the rest of the pot of soup.

Once Natsu received the pot, he continued drinking it.

"Natsu, have you by any chance ever heard of manners?"

"Are they food? They sound tasty!"

Not long after that, the previously filled pot was empty. When Lucy was just about to bring the dish back to her kitchen, she stopped in her tracks.

"Hey, Natsu?"

"Yeah?"

"Just out of curiosity, what's your normal temperature supposed to be?"

"Uh, well, I'm pretty -ACHOO!- sure that it's higher than regular people. I remember Igneel telling me that if I ever get higher than 115̊ Fahrenheit, I'm screwed," Natsu explained.

"So you're saying a normal temperature for you is around 115̊ Fahrenheit?!" She hadn't ever thought that Natsu had that high of a temperature.

"Yep, that's basically it."

"Damn, Natsu! You're hot!"

He stifled a laugh. "Well thanks, Lu-cough-ce. You're not so bad-looking yourself."

After placing the pot down on a table, she smacked him, lightly, of course. "You know what I meant!" She walked over to a cabinet, pulled a drawer open, and started looking for something. "Darn! I can't find my thermometer anywhere! I guess I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way..," she decided, and placed her hand on his forehead. At first, he twitched, but then became more relaxed. "Woah! I could cook something on you, you're burning!"

Natsu laughed at her exaggeration.

"You need to sleep your fever off, Dragneel!"

"How can I fall asleep? It's barely 1:00!"

"I think I might know how. Lie down."

He obeyed.

"Mama used to do this to me when I was sick and couldn't fall asleep..." The look in her eyes was filled with emotion and sentiment. "Now shut your eyes and relax."

She started singing a beautiful, calming lullaby, so wonderful that it rivaled Lyra. While singing, she stroked his pink tufts of hair.

When she was sure he had fallen asleep, she have him a soft kiss on his forehead and whispered, "I'm glad I fell in love with you, idiot."

A/N I kind of like this chapter. I think it's sweet, and I finally get a hint of romance there in the end ;). I completely made up the 115̊ part though, which I don't really like XD

I hope everyone is safe through Hurricane Sandy, and happy halloween!