A/N; Just a note to start, there is some extremely mild nsfw in this chapter. Because I had to debate about putting in purity marks I decided to, better be safe than sorry :p. So if you want to avoid it, just ignore the paragraphs between +++
As a rule, Lucy always woke up after Natsu. It wasn't that Lucy had started sleeping in, but more that Natsu got up before the goddamn sun. And Lucy knew this as the first few times Natsu had tried to leave her bed in the dark he had woken her up, and while Lucy liked to consider herself a morning person she was none too pleased at being awoken before the stupid birds were singing below her window.
Natsu had learned his lesson. The hard way.
He was much better at leaving her blankets without disturbing her now, going for his early morning workouts. He never told her as much, but Lucy had put two and two together after he kept showing up as she made coffee. Beads of sweat trailing down glistening caramel skin, muscles sometimes still twitching as he came down from his adrenaline rush. Lucy having to fight back the urge to drag her tongue along the slick skin of his collar bone or rib cage...
Anyway.
Lucy was used to waking up to an empty bed again. Well, Happy was there curled at the foot or on Natsu's pillow, but he didn't take up nearly as much space as the pink haired man.
Which was why she was pleasantly surprised to feel Natsu's warm body curled along her back as she slowly blinked the sleep from her eyes. Both were on their sides, Natsu's knees causing Lucy's to bend with them, one arm slung across her middle and holding her tightly to his chest. Natsu nosed sleepily at her ear as she shifted her legs into a more comfortable position, and he murmured unintelligibly in his sleep when she settled again. Hot air caressed her ear as he exhaled slowly, the soft heat reminding her of how it almost swallowed them yesterday. When they kissed. No, it was more of a complete and utter make out session. Lucy had never been kissed like that before, the closest thing being an awkward peck on the lips after a truly horrible date in 11th grade. But her kiss with Natsu had been... Amazing. Passion and need and affection had consumed her when she kissed Natsu, and she knew in her bones that he had felt the same. Gentle flutters in her stomach broke out as she kept replaying the memory in her mind, one hand coming up to ghost along her lips. A large smile couldn't be forced down, and her giddiness made her restless, squirming a little to press her body closer to Natsu's.
"+++"
And then she felt it.
Lucy wasn't an idiot -anyone that knew her for more than five minutes would tell you that- and she knew what the hard thing digging into her lower back was. She had heard of morning wood before, she had just never, umm... experienced it. And boy, was she experiencing it now. Slowly shifting again, Lucy ground experimentally against the hardness pushing into her ass, lip caught between her teeth as Natsu made a low noise and pushed back into her lazily.
Natsu nuzzled further into her neck, past her hair and lips brushing against the sensitive skin on the hollow of her neck.
"Lucy," Natsu's sleep roughened voice groaned, the deep growl enough to turn her bones into jelly.
Lucy's gentle hum at the feel of his lips turned into a sharp inhale when she felt a rough squeeze to her breast, Natsu's hand having snuck up her front while she was distracted. Groaning as he stretched his legs slightly, Natsu continued to knead the supple mound in his hand, Lucy's chest arching and her legs squeezing together as desire flared in her blood. Heat was surrounding her again, Natsu's breath on her neck, his body wrapped so tightly around and rubbing against her, the heat growing at the apex of her legs.
"Mornin'," Natsu said gruffly, lips pressing a gentle kiss onto her pulse point. Lucy felt the smirk on her neck as she mewled, Natsu's other arm squeezing between the bed and her body to push her tightly against him and causing his length to press - wonderfully lewdly- against her ass. Twisting her neck, Lucy breathed out a soft greeting before pressing warm lips sweetly against his. "I like that noise you make," Natsu murmured after he pulled back a little, devilish glint in his drowsy gaze at Lucy's confused expression. Giving a rough roll with his hand into her breast, Lucy's eyes fluttered shut and she gasped a heedy sigh as Natsu palmed her hard nipple.
"Yeah, that one." Natsu leaned forward and caught her lip in his teeth mid moan, pricking at the plump flesh with their sharpness. Lucy pushed forward, claiming his lips hungrily and swallowing his noise of surprise at her sudden movement. Despite his early cockiness, Natsu's reaction time was still dulled by sleep and Lucy used it to take the lead as she kissed him. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, rolling with his and she took her time exploring the wet hotness. Natsu seemed more than happy to let Lucy control their pace, his hand still slowly squeezing and roaming her body. Twisting her body out of it's awkward position Lucy rolled so that her chest was pressing against Natsu's bare one, only her thin sleep shirt acting as a barrier between their skin. His warm hands now rested on Lucy's back, their play things having left their grasp.
Lucy peppered gentle kisses on Natsu's kiss swollen lips, a hum of contentment making Lucy grin as she ran her nails along his scalp with languid motions, combing through his wild, bed messed hair. One of Natsu's hands trailed from her back and ran along the bare skin of her arm, calloused fingertips brushing pleasantly on her soft skin. "Ya know," Natsu drawled, mouth free as Lucy was currently nibbling on one of his earlobes, surely and steadily making her way to those enticing silver bands located on the top. "I'd be more than happy if ya wanna wake me up every mornin' like this." Lucy giggled a little and released the flesh she had been rolling between her teeth, lowering her face to look at Natsu through her lashes, batting them a little as she drew her own lip into her mouth.
"Well as long as I'm not bothering you..." Lucy teased, fingers trailing gently over his face. Her index finger traced the outline of his lips, poking in slightly as his mouth fell open and his tongue flicked out to lick it. Lucy drew back her hand with a sharp 'eep', pouting up at Natsu as he cackled at her sound. "I guess I'll just stop then," she stated before rolling over onto her other side again. Natsu's hands were frozen in the air above her body as he tried to understand what had just happened, and Lucy tried her best to hide her prideful smirk.
"Lushii, don't be like that," Natsu whined as he curled around her again. Dropping his head into the crook of her neck, Natsu nosed at her ear and huffed as Lucy continued to ignore him. He called her name again, drawing the word out over several seconds and squeezing her body tighter against his. Lucy couldn't help it and broke into soft laughter, Natsu's happy sound as she finally broke her silence spurring her on. An idea sprung into Lucy's thoughts as Natsu continued to hug her, and she would have been rubbing her hands together like an evil cartoon villain if it wouldn't alert Natsu.
Rolling her hips sharply back into Natsu's Lucy hummed triumphantly as she heard him curse lowly, one hand digging into the flesh of her hip. Purposefully rubbing herself against him a few more times, Lucy waited until she felt the sticky hot air start to surround her again and Natsu's rough movements back against her made her mind blank for a second before she remembered her plan. Lowering her hand to cover his, Lucy bucked harshly into his crotch, sighing audibly as his cock ground into her ass. Natsu grasped at the skin where her sleep shorts had ridden low, fingers reaching underneath the waistband and toying with the strand of lacy material hidden beneath, hissing in pleasure at the pressure against his hardness.
"+++"
And then Lucy rolled away from him.
A big enough space for a third body laid in between them, Lucy looking at Natsu with wide, innocent eyes. Natsu's were also enlarged, but betrayal and sexual frustration were the main emotions in the dark colouring. Lucy blinked at him, feigning dumbness at his irritated whine and dodging the hand he reached out to her. Her bed was large enough so that when she rolled away from him Natsu's hand was barely able to reach her. Natsu pouted at her as he let his hand fall onto the pink sheets, fingertips ghosting Lucy's cheek. "Why're ya teasin' me?" Natsu questioned, brows pulled into a petulant look. Lucy sat up on her elbows and gave Natsu a warm smile.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Natsu," Lucy replied lightly, her mask of innocence remaining. Natsu gave a low noise of warning as he saw through her look, fingers stretching towards her again. His eyes narrowed and he huffed irritably though his nose as she dodged him once more.
"Stop it," he groused, voice still rough with desire and sleep.
"But where would the fun in that be?" Lucy asked, tilting her head and looking at him with large eyes, clever grin finally pulling her lips up. Natsu made another noise of complaint, letting his body lay listlessly on the mattress as he tried his best to make Lucy take pity on him. His eyes were sad and he looked at Lucy through his lashes, utter defeat written on his face. At least that was what he tried to portray to Lucy, but she knew him better than that by now. The second she gave into his puppy dog look he would have her pinned to the bed and would tickle her until she was begging him to stop.
She may have fallen for that look one too many times before.
"But you're so cute when you're frustrated," Lucy cooed, having to bite her lip to hold in her laughter at his outraged look.
"I ain't cute ," Natsu yowled sourly, voice falling into a low muttering as he half buried his head into the pillow, arms pulling it in a hug against his head. "I'm fuckin' badass . Or sexy . 'Cute''s for girls and pussies," he grumbled to himself, sharp eyes glaring at Lucy when she couldn't hold in her snickering. Natsu opened his mouth to complain louder at her -very cruel- treatment of him when a grating vibrating sound to the left of Lucy's bed sounded. Her face fell into blank shock in a second, Natsu's eyes lighting up at his chance for revenge. The phone was on his side of the bed.
"No," she said firmly, but Natsu's face only twisted into an evil grin at the challenge. Both lunged for the phone at the same time but Lucy was too slow and far away, the starry blue case pressed against his ear as he answered her phone, boasting smirk proudly on his face. He cockiely eyed Lucy as he spoke, confidence dripping in his tone.
"Yo," he said simply, Lucy groaning and falling to the bed in a huff at his poor phone etiquette. Natsu's perturbed expression at her dramatics sinking into one of fear as he continued to talk to whoever had called her. "A-ah, hello Erza ," Natsu's eyes were wide in horror as he sat frozen to the bed, gaze pleading with Lucy for help. "Uh huh, this is Lucy's phone. I know it's early, you're the one who called at the shit- yes ma'am . Well her phone was on my side of the bed. No-not that I sl-slept o're course! 'Cu-cus Lucy and I ain't marri- Oi! The fuck you mean by that ? You sayin' that I'd hurt her, 'cus that's just retarde- Erza I'm sorry don't kill meee," Natsu's panicked voice and wild hand movements signalled Lucy that her door was about to be broken down by an angry redhead on a warpath if she didn't take over soon. Taking the phone from his grip Lucy rolled her eyes as Natsu cowered behind her and glared at the phone warily, as if Erza would jump out of it and attack him on the spot.
"Good morning Erza," Lucy said calmly, trying her best to hide her exasperation at the interruption. It was only 8:00 AM.
"Lucy, is he attacking your purity?" Erza's voice was deadly serious, Natsu pale when Lucy snuck a glance at his face from the corner of her eye. She would have sputtered and rambled in embarrassment at the implications of her friend's question if it wasn't so early and if she wasn't used to Erza's odd mannerisms.
"No Erza, everything is fine," Lucy mollified, Erza's disbelieving voice interrupting her sentence.
"It's not proper for a young lady such as yourself to have a man sneak into her bed. I can correct his behaviour for you if you wish," Erza offered, Natsu gulping loudly behind her and sinking further behind her back at her threat. Lucy looked over her shoulder and down at his large eyes, raising an eyebrow at his cowardice. 'Don't let her castrate me,' he mouthed at her, Lucy having to slap a hand to her face to cover her snort at his pathetic plea. "Lucy?" Erza questioned, tone suspicious at the blonde's silence.
"No, no that won't be necessary, thank you though Erza. Natsu would never try anything, and if he did I can take care of myself. You are my teacher, after all," Lucy said easily, reaching behind her with her free hand to ruffle Natsu's hair at his breath of relief. He was so silly, as if Lucy would let Erza hurt him before she had fully explored all of his assets .
"This is true," Erza said in agreement, kind tone quickly replacing her dangerous one. "Anyway, Kagura called to say she wouldn't be able to teach sparring with me this morning and you're the best after her. Would you be able to to come in for 10?" Erza's words made it seem less like a request and more like a demand, and Lucy shook her head with a smile as she talked.
"No problem Erza, I'd be glad to help."
Natsu was less than happy with Lucy's agreement, and made his complaints apparent after Lucy hung up the call. Lucy shushed him with a chaste kiss, cuddling onto his chest. "I still have an hour and a half to get ready, no need to be so pouty," Lucy chastised. She chuckled at his continued mutterings and placed a few innocent kisses onto his shoulder and pectoral muscles, Natsu's hands finally coming up to play with and twirl her loose hair.
"I don't see why ya had to agree with helpin' that devil lady when you'd obviously rather be here," Natsu teased smugly. Lucy swatted at his chest before pulling away, arms crossing over her chest in a huff and looking away as heat flared along her cheeks and ears. She hadn't meant to be so blatant about it. "'Sides, nothin' wrong with not bein' able to keep your hands off me," Natsu continued to say, cheeky glint in his eyes as they roamed over Lucy's kneeling body. In her shifting away from him she had left the blankets, revealing her in her pink and frilly sleep tank and shorts. She narrowed hers eyes at him in embarrassed anger when he only continued to smirk at her, arms bent behind his head.
"You're the one who wouldn't stop kissing me last night," Lucy grumbled, recalling the dozens of stolen kisses Natsu had snuck as the pair tried to fall asleep. Natsu reached out and tried to tug Lucy back to his side, but she stubbornly refused to leave her kneeling position. Natsu rolled his eyes at her set glare, tugging on her a bit more firmly.
Lucy didn't move.
Lucy cocked her head to the side in confusion as Natsu suddenly lowered his eyes from hers, fidgeting under the blanket. His hand loosened his grip on her arm while still resting on it, warmth flowing through her body from the contact. "Natsu," Lucy questioned, having to bite her cheek to hold back her smile at the blush crawling up Natsu's neck.
"I kept worryin' that it was just a dream or somethin'," Natsu mumbled, Lucy's mouth falling open at his admittance. He still refused to look at her, and his body was shifting uncomfortably next to hers, clearly not used to saying something so vulnerable.
"You're so adorable," Lucy squealed as she dove back into his side, unable to fight back her giggles as Natsu loudly objected her comment. "You're like a giant cuddly puppy!" Lucy continued to tease, voice sweet.
"O-oi!" Natsu yelped, "I ain't no fuckin' puppy! I'mma dragon!" He sulked, shoulders drawing into himself. Lucy brought herself up and pressed a chaste kiss into his flushed cheek, irritation melting off of Natsu at her caring gesture.
"Then you're my giant cuddly dragon," Lucy hummed, beaming up at Natsu's fond gaze and small smile. He lifted a hand to cup her face, thumb tracing the top of her cheek as he spoke in a soft tone.
"I can live with that."
Lucy stretched her arms above her head, shoulders popping as the bones resettled and her tendons pulled at her tight muscles. The kid she had been sparring with at first had been too cocky for her taste, but she had agreed to spar with him for fear of a lawsuit if Erza had been his partner.
It would not have gone well.
It didn't go well with Lucy either, the boy getting frustrated that a 'blonde bitch' was able to block and counter his - barely adequate- attacks, and after he had thrown a particularly violent roundhouse kick and sucker punch combo Lucy was one muttered comment away from throwing the teen's ass out onto the curb. Instead he had challenged her to an actual match, and after a quick look to Erza for approval she had agreed. The early Saturday morning class had gathered around the ring, all buzzing with excitement at watching a teacher and student have an actual match only for Lucy to lay him flat on his scrawny ass in two punches.
She had then spent the next hour correcting sparring techniques and showing other students how to use the equipment properly, her sparring partner too scared to come near her, fear of another bloody nose written plainly in his murky blue eyes.
Erza would have broken it -or knocked him out- but Lucy didn't tell him that. She may have had to cut back on her lessons to once a week, what with her two jobs and yoga classes, but the four classes a week she had taken in Crocus for three years had made her a powerful fighter. Nothing compared to Erza, but the red head was the owner of the studio.
"Lucy," a voice called behind her, tone kind and strong. Lucy looked over her shoulder, blonde ponytail slipping off of her shoulder and ends tickling the skin on her lower back revealed by her tight black sports bra. Erza was walking towards her, hips swaying with the baggy red material that swallowed her legs, a white sports bra the only thing she was wearing on top. Her own fiery red hair was pulled into a high ponytail as well, bangs falling to cover half her face.
"Thank you again for coming in," Erza smiled at her, brown eyes softening as they looked at Lucy. Motherly pride peaked out as Erza clasped a hand on Lucy's shoulder, other hand on her hip. "I'm impressed with how much you remembered, I have to admit I was fearful that your training had slipped over the past few months. I know I don't spar with you one on one often enough when you have class, but my studies in Vovinam are during the same slot. You must forgive my weakness as your teacher," she bowed her head in shame as she finished, Lucy waving her hands in disagreement.
"Really, it's fine Erza! You've done enough for me, being my trainer in Crocus and then opening up a place for me when I moved out here! Not to mention our weekly yoga dates, I'm surprised you still have time to master all these fancy martial arts and run the studio. I couldn't possibly ask any more of you, and you said yourself that I haven't lost any skill," Lucy said, voice straining as she tried to ease Erza's sudden guilt. She was still smiling forcefully and waving with her hands when Erza nodded suddenly, patting her shoulder before heading towards the office.
"Good! Swordsman ship class start next, if you'd like to try your hand at using a blade," she said as she strode away, tone back to being full of confidence and commanding. Lucy was left standing in the middle of the entrance hall, hand frozen and fingers limp in the air beside her head. That woman's mood swings put Lucy's to shame, and even she knew how volatile she could be. Natsu's expression was enough to tell her if she should be mad or not when she wasn't listening, the pale fear making an inner voice in her mind cackle as it crossed Natsu's face.
Speaking of Natsu, he should be waiting for her outside. Adjusting her equipment bag on her shoulder Lucy walked through the double glass doors, eyes squinting at the bright sun. She scanned the parking lot until she saw him, black leather jacket and torn blue jeans regular enough clothing for a motorcycle rider, which he was currently leaning against. His helmet was tucked under one arm, -the other with pink flame decals resting on the handlebars- and his hair was pulled back into a ponytail, hairs long enough to start to be pulled down by gravity finally. Lucy stood outside the doors for a few more seconds, watching him. His shoulders were rolled in on himself like when he thought too hard and his face was pensive and drawn, eyes unfocused as they stared at the sidewalk in front of him. His head raised to look at her and his onyx eyes sharpened and lit up when they caught sight of her, large smile breaking across his face and hand starting to raise to wave at her. He froze in the middle of the motion though, features giving way to fear and awkward twist marring his usually impish and carefree grin. Only one person other than Lucy was able to draw that panicked mood from the young -witch- artist.
"I still don't like how close you are with him, Lucy."
Lucy fought rolling her eyes at Erza's disapproving tone, turning to look behind her and at her friend. "And I don't like how you look down on him," Lucy said flatly, protectiveness of Natsu over ridding her natural fear of confronting Erza. Surprise made Erza's eyes widen, and her lips pulled down slightly as her eyes flickered back to Natsu for a second before settling on Lucy.
"I do not look down on Natsu," Erza defended, tone serious but confused. Lucy's grip on her bag strap tightened, her hand flexing around the rough material as she tried to collect her thoughts. Erza noticed Lucy's struggle, and a small smile replaced her thoughtful expression. "Natsu is an excellent young man. Exuberant, loyal, kind. But he is also reckless and childish, and I know he is not being truthful with you, Lucy," Erza said, warning flashing in her eyes as Lucy snorted and looked at Erza with amused exhaustion. She had lost count of how many times her friends had tried to talk her out of being so close with Natsu.
"And what is he lying about, Erza?" Lucy asked, keeping her tone even and polite. Erza only had the best intentions for Lucy, and she had no reason to snap at her friend.
Erza's brows drew together by a fraction and she fiddled with the band on her loose pants, putting Lucy on high alert. Erza only fidgeted when she was hiding something. "It's more of a lie of omission," Erza said slowly, eyes looking over Lucy's shoulder and in Natsu's direction, solemn. Lucy looked over her friend's anxious face before shrugging her shoulder and looking back at Natsu.
"Then he'll tell me when he's ready. Everyone has parts of themselves they like to keep private," Lucy said kindly but definitively, ending the conversation. "I'll see you Wednesday at yoga." Natsu's eyes were wide in disbelief at her lack of fear of Erza as Lucy walked towards him, smug pride coating his features when he threw her helmet at her. Lucy rolled her eyes as Natsu made a face at Erza before yelping and jumping on the bike, nervous movements spurring Lucy to move quicker. He really did have poor impulse control, and he had a tendency to hide behind Lucy when he pissed off Erza. As though the blonde could provide some sort of shield from her friend's wrath.
She wrapped her arms firmly around his waist, cheek pressing into the sun warmed leather on his back as the bike roared into life. She ignored the strange expression Erza wore as the pair sped off, and had no idea that kickboxing instructor stood there for several more minutes, staring in the direction they had disappeared.
"Mraow"
"Yes Happy, I'm sorry we ignored you this morning."
The cat stared at her with aloofness, tail twitching as he sat on the counter while Lucy had him a plate of fresh salmon. He made another noise before falling onto his side, paws stretching into the air and revealing the white patch of fur on his stomach. Lucy tickled his chin and smiled when Happy gave a soft purr before remembering he was annoyed at her and slinking away from her hand. He definitely was a cat, no matter how smart he seemed at times.
"I think you're more needy than Natsu," Lucy hummed in amusement as Happy rubbed his head against her forearm but darted away from her when she reached out a hand to pet him. She shook her head as she finished fixing his plate, damp hair sticking to the nape of her neck, still wet from her shower an hour ago. Natsu had left her with only one towel as all the others were in the wash, which she had used to dry her body. She had then left the wet material on Natsu's side of the bed. It was petty -and Lucy knew she had only really done it because the sheets needed changing anyway- but it was what he deserved for making her compromise her beauty routines. Her hair was already starting to frizz, and the blow dryer would only make it worse no matter how many products she put in it. Curse her thin and delicate hair.
An indignant noise behind her broke her of her reprieve and gave her half a second of warning before arms coiled around her center. "I ain't needy," a low voice grumbled in her ear, pout clearly noticeable in his sullen tone. Lucy lifted a hand and pat absently at his face, fingers brushing over his nose and cheeks while she continued to watch Happy eat. She felt Natsu's turned down lips and the crease in his forehead, his chin resting heavily on her shoulder as he continued to sulk.
"Sure you aren't," Lucy placated, a noise of frustration pushing from Natsu's nose at her coddling tone. He continued to grumble but Lucy ignored him, opting to play with Happy's ears and tail as the cat had accepted her apology lunch and was now mewling in dry humour while she twitched his pointy ears. She could almost hear a high pitched voice in her head chiming about how weird she was, and she stuck her tongue out at the cat's imaginary insult. Happy let out a sound that sounded strangely like a laugh, high pitched chirping melodical. Natsu had fallen silent and Lucy turned her head to watch his face, faraway smile resting on his lips as he watched Lucy and Happy play. His eyes shifted to hers when he felt her stare rest on him for too long, and Lucy returned his easy and content grin. A thought sparked in his eyes and he pulled back from her suddenly, one hand unwrapping from the back hug to dig in his pockets.
"Aha!" he said as he brought his hand up in front of Lucy, a small key chain dangling between his fingers. Lucy took a sharp intake of breath and reached out to finger the latest present.
"Doggy," she giggled lightly. A small figure about the length of her thumb swayed in the air, all white aside from a pointed orange nose and black eyes. It was in a standing position, little paws at the end of each limb splayed out. It had no ears or tail, but it distinctly reminded Lucy of what she had first thought a dog had looked like before her mother had shown her a picture book. Lucy still secretly liked her version better.
"Ummm, no. It's 'posed to be a snowman Luce," Natsu said slowly, wary and confused as he looked over her expression. Lucy shook her head again and gave him an impish smile.
"Nope, his name is Plue and he's a doggy," she stated, ignoring the look Natsu shared with his cat. Let them think she was weird, the small figure Lucy was gently cradling reminded her of happy times with her mother. Like the first time she had heard Layal laugh so hard she cried - which had been when a four year old Lucy had a drawn a very crude picture of what she had imagined a dog to look like-.
"Did Erza kick ya too hard in the head," Natsu asked doubtfully, eyebrows raising in submittance and wry grin tugging one of corner of his mouth up at Lucy's sharp look. "Fine, fine, it's a doggy," he relented, arm settling back around her waist after he let the figure drop into her hand. It was lighter than some of the others, which meant Natsu had carved it from wood this time, the smooth varnish covering the paint hiding any of the rough texture of the wood.
"So what should you refuse in terms of payment this time?" Lucy mused aloud, lips quirking at Natsu's dry snort. "Money? A vacation? Or maybe you want me to make you homemade stuffed peppers?" her tone was teasing now, waiting for a joke about how she didn't need to pay him or that her cooking wasn't nearly worth the effort he put into his gift - a flat out lie considering the way Natsu had three helpings of whatever she made- but Natsu suddenly became tense behind her, movements fidgety and unnatural. "Natsu?" Lucy called, twisting in his arms to face him. Or rather, his chest, as Lucy had tilted her chin up to see his face at their proximity.
Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed the soft red on the tops of his ears and the way he worried at his lower lip. His eyes darted around the counter behind her, settling on her questioning ones when she touched her fingers to his chest. He licked at his lips before taking a steadying breath, worry pulsing through Lucy now at his strange behaviour. Why did Natsu look so, not-Natsu like? She had never seen this level of anxiety from him before, not even the night they had kissed.
"I was, erm, wonderin' if maybe we could have dinner. Like, only if y-you wanted to I mean. As payment. I mean, fuck, you don't have to. I just, I, shit ," Natsu rushed out, blush growing darker the more he rambled until he looked away with a low curse. His entire body was stiff, eyes guarded and glowering at Happy as she heard that strange chirping laugh behind her. Was Natsu... asking her on a date ? She cocked her head to the side and lifted her free hand to turn his face back to hers.
"Did you really make me this as an excuse to ask me out?" Lucy asked him slowly, forcing herself not to let her giddiness shine through. Natsu would really sulk if she accidently called him adorable while he was struggling to ask her on a date. As it was Natsu paled and gulped harshly.
"I, ah, no, I mean yes, I m-mean maybe? " Natsu squeaked out, Lucy biting down harshly on her inner cheek to stop from grinning like an idiot. Oh god he was just too cute when flustered. "I noticed that you kept picking the wrong key after getting those three new ones, and that you sometimes left'em in the bowl, so I made ya that to help. And as an excuse to, you know." Natsu hadn't stuttered this time, and Lucy couldn't hold back the fondness she felt rush through her. He noticed little things like that?
"Yes," Lucy said simply, chuckling to herself when Natsu's face whipped back to hers, hope growing underneath the flustered embarrassment. "Although I don't see why it's such a big deal, we've gone out for food more times than my bank account is comfortable with," Lucy teased, tone half serious as she tried to subconsciously lecture Natsu about their spending. Natsu tugged at his scarf, colour finally returning to his face along with a more subdued nervousness.
"I was actually thinkin' of cookin' you somthin' in my flat this time," Natsu explained, eyes watching her face intensely as the offer hung in the air. Natsu was inviting her over to his place? To cook for her? Maybe she had taken too hard of a kick from Erza in sparring earlier, because there was no way that Natsu could purposefully be romantic. He scratched at the back of his head, pink hair still pulled back in it's usual ponytail as Lucy continued to stare at him in baffled silence. "I mean you're always makin' stuff for me and Happy, and we kissed before I took ya on an actual d-date," Natsu stumbled over the word, blushing cutely and clearing his throat. "And I know how important all that romance cra- stuff is to you, so I figured even if I did it in the wrong order I could at least try."
Without speaking Lucy launched herself at Natsu, lips crashing clumsily into his. Natsu froze for a minute before sinking into the kiss, both sets of lips pulled into too wide of smiles to actually achieve anything. Lucy pulled back and beamed up at Natsu, both too lost in their own world to notice Happy making a sound of disgust and rolling his eyes as he dropped from the counter, time spent falling a little too long and landing a little too gentle for a normal cat.
"Come over in like two hours?" Natsu asked before leaning down to peck Lucy on the lips. She gave a short nod, humming as Natsu pressed his lips on hers again, and again, and again. Each time a little more firmer until the two were properly kissing, Lucy's hands running through his loose bangs and Natsu pulling her chest tightly against his. A loud and exasperated meow sounded by the door, Natsu pulling back with a grin and speaking while Lucy peppered kisses on his lips. "Two hours," he reminded. Untangling himself from Lucy, a cocky grin appeared for a second before melting into a loving one when Lucy pouted, standing alone in her kitchen. A swaggering bounce in his step made Lucy roll her eyes as he walked away, even if she did like the way it made his ass sway. Lucy turned away and patted her cheeks when she heard the door close. She needed to pull herself together, she only had two hours to make herself presentable for her date. With Natsu.
Oh god she only had two hours to get ready for her date with Natsu.
A/N; Hello peeps! How fitting that Natsu asks her out on Valentine's day, huh? Tbh never even thought of that until it posted :p
I just wanted to thank everyone for their super kind and supportive reviews, all of your guys's support really meant a lot to me. Truly.
So next chapter is back to Natsu POV, and we'll get to see how their 'date' is going to go... :D
As always feel welcome to drop a review, I love knowing how you guys feel about this story!
