After their heartfelt reunion, Natsu helped Lucy out of bed. She wanted to see everyone else too.
When she tried to twist her legs over the side she gasped in pain. Natsu was there immediately, easing her back on the bed. "What is it?"
Lucy felt something foreign holding her back, she lifted her shirt above her navel, both of them releasing gasps. There were stitches everywhere covering Lucy's midsection. Long deep gashes crossed her stomach, mostly healed.
"Ew. Those will probably scar. No more bikini modeling I guess."
Natsu had smoke rising from his clenched fist, the look in his eyes was murderous. "I swear to you I will pay that guy back tenfold for what he did to you Lucy."
Lucy eagerly grabbed for him, pulling his face to look her in the eyes. "Don't. Please Natsu. We were powerless against him. Please don't go after him."
Tears streamed from her eyes. "Natsu I can't loose you again. Don't... Don't take my sunshine away again.."
Natsu's hardened face relaxed at that. "When you say it like that I guess I have no choice."
They rested their foreheads against each other. Lucy wanted to lean forward and brush her lips against his. She wanted it so badly she didn't realize she was already leaning. She thought he was leaning in too... Her face contorted in pain again as a shot of uncomfortable pain went through her abdomen.
"Ugh!" She couldn't help the pain escape her mouth. Natsu pulled back immediately in concern.
Natsu thought, What the hell... I was totally about to kiss her. And I thought she was leaning in too..
He gently pushed her back down and laid next to her. "Maybe we should just stay like this then?"
Lucy started to get back up, holding her stomach, "No I want to go see everyone.."
Natsu sighed and got up. "Okay but let me help you." He helped her out of the bed carefully and slowly. Natsu wrapped his arm around her waist and supported most of her weight.
"Don't you dare make a comment about my weight or I'll send you back to that infirmary bed."
He just chuckled and remained quiet. He helped her down the stairs, trying to make sure she made little movements and had almost no work to do. "Honestly Natsu I'm not that fragile. I can still walk you know."
Natsu frowned, "Don't push yourself Luce. I'm going to help you, so get over it. Unless..."
Natsu smirked mischievously, and yanked her knees out from under her. She gasped as she fell backwards. His strong arm easily caught her and he straightened out of his crouch, carrying Lucy bridal style. Lucy's face was red as she smacked his chest. "You jerk! Put me down!"
Natsu laughed throatily and continued to walk to the main hall as she squirmed in his arms, unable to make him release her. Eventually realizing it was no use, she sighed and tentatively rested her arm at the back of his neck.
As Natsu and Lucy stepped out into the main hall, cheers went up into the air. They smiled around at their nakama, and Lucy once again smacked Natsu commanding him to put her down already. This time he obliged, but his arm wrapped around her waist like a vise, and he didn't move from her side as they greeted their friends. Everyone noticed this new protective stance, understanding the message that Natsu was not letting her out of his sight ever again.
Everyone came up to hug them, telling them how thankful they were that they were alive, and so on. Lucy blushed, it was similar to all the guests at a wedding coming to congratulate the newlyweds.
When Levy and Gajeel walked up, Natsu was reminded of his first unpleasant encounter with consciousness. "Lu-chan! I'm so happy you're okay! I've missed you! And you Natsu!"
Levy and Lucy were embracing awkwardly since Natsu refused to let go of Lucy. "Glad you're alright, bunny girl. And flame brain I guess."
Natsu just stared at them blankly. "I don't feel comfortable."
They both blushed and looked away. "Ah...okay then. I'll catch up with you later Lu-chan!"
Lucy glared at Natsu as they walked away. "What was that about?"
Natsu whispered in her ear, "When I woke up those two were getting it on right in front of me."
He smirked, awaiting her reaction. Sure enough Lucy gasped and whispered back, "No way! Seriously?! I didn't know they had gotten together! And in front of you? What do you mean?"
Natsu frowned and leaned closer to her, "What do you mean what do I mean? Do you need a demonstration?"
Lucy blushed, boy did she want a demonstration. "No baka! I meant- oh never mind!"
Natsu smiled, "They were literally on my bed, if that's what you meant. Like next to my feet. Too close for comfort."
Lucy gasped once again. "Nu-uh! IN your bed? Like freaking with you?!"
Natsu gagged, "Please never say that again."
Lucy giggled. "I'm sorry for your traumatizing experience. I hope for your sake it never happens again." Natsu was about to retort when the master stood on the bar, shouting for attention.
"LISTEN UP BRATS. Our dear friends have returned to us! You stubborn brats never give up, but that's what makes us Fairy Tail! Now enough talk, let's drink!" Master's speech was short and sweet, and of course ended in celebration. Everyone threw up the Fairy Tail sign while whopping and hollering, and they drank the night away. Surprisingly no fights broke out, probably because Natsu was joined to Lucy's hip, a certain iron dragon slayer and bookworm were missing, and Gray had a very happy Juvia sitting in his lap.
Natsu never left Lucy's side, and everyone saw the two whispering and giggling to each other all night long. They leaned into each other, exchanging secrets and observations, giggling into each other's ears. Their bodies pressed closer together after every drink, their laughs becoming louder and rowdier.
Natsu asked for another fire whisky when Mira set down her foot. "No way Natsu. You both just got out of the infirmary, no more alcohol! You should both just go home and rest."
Natsu's arm was slung around Lucy's shoulders and he leaned into her as he whined, "Miiiiraaa, you're no fun. Hic. We're fine."
Lucy laughed into his chest, smiling happily around her in a daze. Her arms were encircled around Natsu's waist and she leaned into him.
"Natsuuu hehehe" She slurred into his neck, completely unaware of her surroundings. "Luce you're already drunk! Such a lightweight. Hic. I guess I'll take you home then."
They stumbled their way over to the exit, both laughing as they tripped on their own feet. Everyone watched them happily as they left. Cana called out after they disappeared, "Looks like they're getting lucky tonight!" Everyone burst out in laughter, wishing the stupid couple a happy future.
She shoved the key into the door, wiggling it around trying to get it unlocked. Natsu pushed her hands out of the way and swiftly turned the key. She stumbled over the entrance, laughing. Natsu locked the door behind him and ushered her towards the bed. "Come on Luce let's go to sleep."
She giggled and sang, "Ohhh Natsuuuu wants to take me to beddddd!"
Natsu blushed at her implied words. He was still somber enough to not cross a line here.
"Kya!"
He heard her shriek and turned to see what was wrong, only to be toppled over by her as she was flailing her arms out trying to catch herself from falling. He cursed, why wasn't he watching her? She always tripped everywhere when she was drunk like this.
They landed on the ground with a thud. "Shit, that hurt Luce."
She giggled crossing her arms over his chest and staring dreamily into his eyes. He rubbed the back of his head as he sat up. Lucy had her legs tucked under her, her hands in her lap. Natsu sat with his legs on either side of her, bent upward. She smiled up at him, "Sowwwwy hehehe"
Natsu sighed and pulled her up as he stood. "Come on now. Sleep time."
He dragged her to the bedroom making sure she didn't trip again. He placed her on the bed and pulled off her boots.
"Hehehe! Natsu takes such good care of me! Good Natsu." She patted him on the head like a dog. Somewhat irked, he pushed her back on the bed and lifted the sheets around her.
"Yes yes. Go to bed now Lucy." He turned to go to the bathroom when he felt a tug at his shirt.
"No! Don't leave me!" He turned to see Lucy's terrified eyes piercing into his.
He reached down to caress her face. "I'm not leaving you Luce. I'm just going to the bathroom for a few minutes. I'll be right back."
Lucy's grip loosened, and she let him go. He took a leak and quickly hurried to return to her. She was laying in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. As he crawled under the blankets next to her, she beamed at him. "You came back!"
She circled her arms around his neck, enslaving him. Natsu settled against the pillows, returning her embrace. "Of course. I'll always come back to you."
Hey guys! So I had finally finished the rough draft of this story and it got completely deleted from my computer! There was no way to save it so it's gone. So frustrating! It was really my fault for not saving it constantly, so I can't complain too much. It will take a long time for me to rewrite the rest, please be patient with me! As always, thanks for reading! I have a small short story out if you can't bear to wait for more Nalu!