Author's Note: Hello everyone! Sorry this was posted so late in the day. This chapter is a little shorter than the rest, but apparently I had a road trip today that I had not planned, needed, or wanted. Thus resulted, ON MY ONLY DAY OFF, being stuck in a car for 4 hours to be waiting in said car without wifi or data for a good 3 hours, only to return home in 4 hours. Yeah, last time I help a friend move and they not be prepared. But the bright note is that I got most of the chapter for next week written.

The chapter is short as I said before, but I put a lot of quality than quantity into it. So that should make everyone a little happy. I am so excited for this next plot point twist I am going to throw in for the next few chapters. I promise everything will start to make sense!

To all my reviewers; I was so floored this last chapter update. There were so many! It literally feels so awesome to read my PM and read the reviews I recieved. If I haven't responded, don't worry I will! Just been difficult with my sechduling...-sighs- I appreciate your thoughts and your praise and all your questions! Please keep them coming! I love answering them and I love hearing your thoughts because it helps to shape the story...so in a way you are the ones helping me to write it! It is because of you all reading that I am able to keep going and we are on this awesome journey together. I am in love with it, are you? I hope so because there is so much more to come and I have plenty of curve balls I am gonna throw in. So in short, THANK YOU ALL!

-clears throat- Alright, without anything further to talk about, the song for this chapter is from one of my favorite artists, Ed Sheeran! The title is "Friends" and trust me, If I knew how to make a NALU AMV, I would seriously be using this song because I feel this is NALU from Lucy's perspective. It gets her level heh. But anyway, since I don't have amazing tech skills, I will have to use it as a way to write my chapter. Please pull it up to listen and read the chapter. Write in your review if you agree or not on my ramblings? Either way, enjoy!

Friend's Don't Sleep In Each Other's Beds

~Chapter Ten~

Natsu had returned at the normal time of evening from his daily meeting with Zeref. He had expected a full house of wonderful smells of dinner and Lucy's smiling face. He had every intention of creating a repeat of their wonderful night under the stars. She was all he couldn't stop thinking about. Her beautiful orbs, her swollen lips, the way she smelled, that irresistible taste; Lucy was his new favorite everything. He loved the starlight in her hair to her melodic laugh. Lucy was Lucy and Natsu was quite smitten. He had powered through the day in hopes he would return home that much sooner and have Lucy back in his arms.

Natsu had just opened the door and stopped mi-cry with his traditional return home call when immediately he knew something was amiss. No homely smells, no greeting at the door, and no Lucy. Everything was still. The dinner was not made and the magical lights were still dimmed. Natsu walked into his home and hesitantly called out both Lucy and Happy's names. When he did not get a reply, Natsu called again a little louder with a slight panic in his voice. Had something happen? Before Natsu could decide to go on a search, Happy's voice called him into the kitchen. Natsu walked in to see Happy standing on his stool cutting up vegetables. The Exceed refused to look at him and the aura in the room was quite unnerving.

"Happy?"

"Yes Natsu?" came Happy's curt reply. Natsu almost took a step back. His mind racing to figure out what goofed up thing he did to get Happy this upset at him.

"H-Hey Buddy, um...where is Luce?"

"Not feeling well. I let her stay in her room. She is probably still upset." Happy replied coolly and continued to prepare his vegetables. He purposefully did not give Natsu the time of day as he focused at his task.

"Upset? What happened? Is she alright?" Natsu's cautious tone turned more solid as he allowed his serious nature to take over.

"Funny. Maybe you should just ask her." Happy kept his tone the same which made Natsu narrow his gaze.

"I don't have patience to play detective Happy. Just tell me what is going on?"

"Find out yourself." Happy hopped down from his stool and headed towards the opposite side of the kitchen to leave.

"Oi, what are you doing?"

"Going to hang out with Lucy. Maybe you can figure out what the matter is by finishing up dinner." Happy coldly spoke over his shoulder as he exited. In his absence, he left a dumfounded Natsu behind in his wake that was only more confused by the unwarranted behavior.

With no other choice, Natsu finished making the meal as he wracked his brain for any kind of solution to the sudden change in the dynamic of their makeshift family. Natsu being Natsu could not seem to figure out for the life of him why everything was so drastically changed. It was almost as if he was a stranger in his own home. He set the meal out and called the other two residents to join him for dinner. The atmosphere did not change, if anything, it seemed worse at this point. Happy openly glared at Natsu while Lucy picked at her food while avoiding his open stares. Natsu gave a pleading look to Happy for some assistance of any kind, but the creature simply ignored him and engaged in either eating his own mea or attempting to make small talk with Lucy. To which, Lucy would give minimal responses as her eyes focused on pushing her meal from part to part on her plate. Her eyes held such a deep sadness within them. Natsu couldn't fathom what he much have done to leave Lucy in her sad shape.

After dinner, Happy had offered to take care of the dishes which left Lucy able to retreat to the sanctuary of her room, but also Natsu the chance to figure out what was going on by catching up with Lucy. Lucy had gotten as far as her bedroom doorway when Natsu had stopped her from entering. "Luce, can I have a moment?"

"Do you need me for something?" Lucy wouldn't even face him. She felt her hands trembling as she gripped the doorknob. Natsu stood a good two feet away from her as he watched her frame and attempting to decipher her tone, her body language, ad her words.

"Just to talk..." Natsu chose his words carefully and watched her reactions.

Lucy opened the door before stepping in."I am kinda tir-"

"I'm sorry!" Natsu blurted out. Lucy paused her entry to try and gaze at him, unable to hide her surprise.

"Y-you're sorry?" Natsu took an unsure step forward.

"Y-yeah, I am sorry. I don't know exactly what I have done or if I had said something that upset you, but I am sorry. If we could talk about it, I can try to make sure I don't do it again." Natsu was grasping straws. Lucy's surprised look quickly rippled into realization at his words to that of forlorn sadness.

"I-it's nothing you did Natsu. I just...want to be left alone for a while." Lucy stepped into her room after turning away. Natsu's face fell as his apology did not have the desired effects he was hoping for.

"Will we be able to have our story tonight?" His only reply was the door softly closing and the lock of the lock. Natsu stood in the doorway unsure of what exactly had happened, and this was the first time he was being held accountable; he knew this was his fault...whatever he did, he knew he had to make it right.

Over the next few days, Lucy had shut everyone out. She refused visits, kept to her chores, and her room. Natsu attempted to get closer to her, but that only furthered the gap between them. What's worse was when Natsu sought out council from either Happy or Levy, he was stone walled. Levy gave her sympathies where as Happy would only glare; their advice had been the same: Give Lucy her space and ask her for what was wrong when she was ready to talk. Of course, Natsu had never been the patient man and continued to press by taking every excuse and chance to talk to her. Not only was he met with rejection and half hearted responses, but his work began to suffer because of his confliction. So much so that his own squad mates began to worry and Zeref began to become annoyed by Natsu's lack of attention.

Natsu and Zeref sat at another strategy meeting with Zeref looked over to see his brother in deep thought, staring out the window, and willing to bet his favorite book that he was spacing out from the important information he was giving by once again traveling to wherever his mind went these days. He slammed his hand on the table making the pieces of the map shake and regained Natsu's attention. "Will you stop moping! I need you focused!" Zeref scolded.

Natsu sighed and eyed his older brother disinterested, "What's the point? They are not going to war and they won't after I am mated. So what is even the point of talking anymore about this?" he sighed.

"The point is we need to know their positioning. We need to be ready and anticipate their next move because they will attack us when we least expect it."

"So we will just fight back, I'll beat their asses, and we will continue to live like normal. I don't get why you are so obsessed with all this crap Zeref? I honestly think we are over thinking all of this." Natsu leaned back with a bored expression. Zeref studied his brother for a few more moments before setting his paper's down.

"Very well, what is going on? Lately you have been moody, agitated, your work ethic sucks, and you have been avoiding every topic we discuss. Is this about the wedding?" Zeref took a seat and Natsu adverted Zeref's gaze. "I see. Well, you will be fine. You are just nervous is all, but once you start courting-"

"That isn't it..." Natsu quietly interrupted.

"Is it the slave? Is she not performing her duties properly? You know I told you when you grow bored of-"

"It ain't her!" Natsu snarled and viciously narrowed his stare at his brother with such fire in his eyes; none of which Zeref had ever been on the receiving end for. Zeref, in kind, narrowed his own eyes to match his brother's intimidating ones.

"That bitch-"

"I said Luce ain't go nothing to do with this. Mind your own fucking business." Natsu felt his fingers dig into his fists that were beginning to smoke. He abruptly stood from his chair that knocked to the ground and his hard set gaze glared intently at the cool and collected king.

"No need to get your fire ablaze Natsu. Just making a simple observation. You seem really tense. Perhaps a change of scenery will do you well."

"You send me out on a mission, you can forget it." Natsu coldly spoke.

"I think a mission is the last thing I believe you need. A vacation might be more beneficial in your case. The first Princess shouldn't be here for at least three more weeks. Why don't you go off during that time. Go, clear your mind, and take some time to soil your oats on that slave of yours. She can't be that great in bed if you are this wound up." Zeref did not miss the dangerous gleam in Natsu's eyes at the insult, but took note of how his sibling dared not to speak a word in response.

"A vacation?" Natsu finally spoke carefully after sizing Zeref up.

"Yes, a vacation." Zeref replied.

"I am going to the summer palace." Natsu turned on his heel to leave. Zeref suddenly stood.

"Not there! That's-"

"It's my vacation Zeref. That is where I am going. You won't tell me otherwise." Natsu took his leave, not bothering nor caring to hear another word from his eldest brother; after all, the summer palace might be the first step in earning Lucy's forgiveness.

~Few Hours Later~

Lucy found herself on a horse riding along side Natsu with each horse carrying some of their belongings. Everything seemed like a whirlwind of events from Natsu bursting in and telling her to pack for a trip, to Happy volunteering to remain behind for the trip, and then to them both riding awkwardly together in silence. This was Lucy's first time riding and it was comical how Natsu had to help her mount it which ended him accidently being kicked in the face, to which led to them bickering and now both in the position that they were in. Truth be told that they been riding for a little past two hours, but Lucy felt her legs going numb and her mind over thinking of her situation. Lately, she had been sensitive and purposefully avoiding the head strong Prince that was riding beside her.

Natsu felt himself going out of his mind. This isn't how he expected to start this trip this way. Lucy was shutting him out and his head was throbbing from where her foot contacted his temple. The girl had no training whatsoever, but that kick did some serious damage. He kept eyeing her when he knew she wasn't aware of his gaze. She wore her normal blue dress attire, but wore a white cloak with his house crest in red; something he had given her to show she was under his house's protection should something happen on the journey to their destination. He studied her lowered expression and the way her shoulders had sagged in her defeated thoughts dejection. What he would give to know exactly what went on in that head of hers. The only sounds between them was the clomping of the horses on the dirt path and the wildlife that was around them in the beautiful forest. If Lucy hadn't been too distracted with her own grief, she would have been taken aback by the beauty of the nature around her. There was so much luscious green and the air was crisp as well as refreshing. It was another world she didn't know existed, but was a part of.

It wasn't even another mile until Natsu halted their horses at a clearing and hopped down from his own steed. Lucy looked at him quizzically.

"Why have we stopped?" she asked.

"Horses need to drink and we need to eat. We still have a journey ahead of us and need to keep up our energy." Natsu didn't look at her as he explained. He began pulling out the picnic basket of their lunch that was packed for them. Lucy silently frowned from how Natsu spoke to her, but did not argue. She joined him on the ground and wordlessly led the horses to the stream a few hundred feet off. she couldn't help but welcome the distance between herself and the Dragon Prince. Things were most certainly strained between them, but he had brought that upon himself. Lucy was conflicted between feeling betrayed and berating herself for being foolish as to fall in love with him. With the horses drinking their fill of the cold water, Lucy waited until they were finished before leading them back to where Natsu was waiting. He was sitting on the blanket with the spread of food out. He had her plate filled and it was resting in her spot. Letting the horses to graze, Lucy sat down beside Natsu and began to eat as she normally had been the past few days.

After several moments of Lucy picking and Natsu staring fully at her, he slammed his utensil down on his plate, "That is it! I can't take it anymore!" Lucy had jolted a little startled by the sudden brashness of his tone, but did not meet her eyes to his.

"So this is how it is gonna be? You just going to ignore me?" he sulked, folding his arms, and scowling at the silent woman beside him. When he realized he wasn't going to get an answer, "Fine, you don't want to say it, but I will because I am sick of this game Luce. What the fuck happened because I am going out of my mind trying to figure it all out! Just what the hell do you think I did?" Natsu growled. Lucy continued to remain silent and not meeting his stern gaze.

"Let me in Luce?" Natsu opted for a more desperate tone. Lucy, after a few more moments of silence, slowly made her eyes lock onto his. Natsu's harden gaze quickly faltered to regret. He swore to himself a long time ago that he would never return to that deep, profound sadness he worked so hard to rid of since the day he took her hand. Yet, there it was and he had felt all his anguish all but diminish. Lucy continued to hold his gaze with those eyes.

"I wished I never kissed you." The world stopped for Prince Natsu Dragneel.

"Bullshit." Natsu saw right through her, but Lucy never wavered. "You cannot believe that as much as I do. I know you Luce."

"Clearly you don't!" Lucy raised her voice. Never had she taken a bold stance again Natsu, but everything had been building and this was her breaking point.

"Then explain it to me. Explain so that I do understand." he narrowed his eyes.

"Why should I? You don't have to explain yourself, then why should I?" Lucy stood up and Natsu followed her.

"Why should you? Are you serious right now?"

"Yes." Lucy folded her arms and that sadness turned to anger.

"Because I ordered you to!" Natsu spoke the words before he registered them. The moment he said those words, he had instantly wished he could have taken them back. "Luce I-"

"Very well Master." Lucy coldly replied and took a step back.

"C'mon Luce, I didn't mean-"

"I said it was perfectly find Master Natsu. I have forgotten my place once again. I promise you that it won't happen again."

"Damnit Luce! Will you stop overreacting and putting words in my mouth!" Natsu found himself grasping desperately to anything to not have all his hard work undone. Lucy was retreating back behind her walls and if he didn't stop her, she would all be lost to him.

Master I am a slave. A slave cannot love. Just like a Prince cannot be with a slave as a husband." Lucy put more distance between them. Natsu froze at hearing her cold words.

"Who told you...how did you..."

"Does it even matter? When were you ever going to tell me? You are funny Master, you tell me you are sorry, yet you have not a clue what for."

"Don't call me that..."

"Would you prefer liar?"

"I prefer friend."

"Friends don't lie to each other about important matters. Friends don't kiss each other. Friends don't sleep in each other's beds or make them fall in love." Lucy kept herself together, but she was quickly showing herself falling apart.

"Okay, you don't know the whole situation."

"I don't want to. Nothing changes. I am a slave, you are a Master. tell me, in what world would we ever end up together? Masters are Masters for a reason. We played with fire and we got burned. Better this ends now then when it is far too late." Lucy held onto herself.

"You finished?" Natsu finally spoke. Lucy looked away partly ashamed for losing her self control over herself and not thinking of the consequences.

"Yes..."

"Good. Now if you would just shut up and listen for like one second, I will explain myself." Natsu huffed half heartily.

"I won't apologize."

"I ain't asking you do. But at least hear me out before you go cut yourself off from me. Sit with me" Natsu unfolded his arms and sighed.

"I rather not."

"Fine. Look, I should have said something before kissing you, but I have been trying to get out of this arranged marriage my Brother is forcing me in." Natsu took a seat while explaining. Lucy gave Natsu her full attention.

"Now we both don't get what we want." Lucy looked down at her trembling hands as she joined him.

"Doesn't have to be. Luce, I've fallen in love with you, but it is going to take me time to figure out a way out of this." Natsu did not waver from captivating gaze on her.

"But we should end this..."

"There are a lot of things I shouldn't do and this isn't one of them. No way am I going to give you up; not a fucking chance." Natsu brooded.

"It may not be our choice."

"Maybe not, but it has never stopped me before. I have chosen you Luce. If the worst happens, I'll just choose you and Zeref will just have to deal."

"Do you think it is wise to go against him? Your Brother is the King and he is your family."

"He is many things and he may force this marriage, but I belong to you. You are also my family and he will need to learn to accept that when the time is right. He may force this marriage on me and if he succeeds, then the woman I am caged with is going to have to accept certain aspects such as I belong to you and she'll have to stay in her own quarters as well as only show up with me at formal occasions; but I will always be by your side-that is where I know I belong." Natsu closed the space between them. As far as he was concerned, they had already spent far too much time apart. Taking her face in his palms, he made her look at him. He searched her eyes as he could see her emotions conflicting with the facts of the situation they found themselves in. He could see her struggle and wanted her to know he was with her.

"Natsu I-"

"Don't. Don't rationalize it because there is nothing to figure out. No matter what I am legally bounded to do, my heart is yours-I am always yours. I will find a way for this to work in our favor. So don't shut me out anymore. I-I can't take it." he whispered as his enchanting spheres took hold of here that much more. Prince Natsu Dragneel was most certainly a force to be reckoned with and like every instance before, Lucy found herself being swept away. She leaned in and captured his lips with her own. A sweet gesture that was slow and passionate turned into a heated need. Natsu pulled her into his lap as she straddled him. The food, now long forgotten, stayed on the picnic blanket as Natsu's hands roamed Lucy's backside and his mouth deepened the kiss. By the gods did he miss her soft skin and flushed cheeks that he was solely responsible for. He missed sweet vanilla and wild flowers. He missed her. Lucy whimpered against his touch. She could not deny him any longer as her body wept in rejoice at his return. Her heart raced at the feel of his touching and passionate kisses. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, clinging to him as he wiped her stray tears. He whispered comforting words between his kisses.

All was forgiven.