Important A/N at the bottom.

The Attraction

"My wrists are sore." I complained, rubbing the red marks that the handcuffs left behind. I had raised a very important issue with the policeman Steve - who swore that wasn't his name - about the possible inclusion of fluffy handcuffs for the lesser criminals. And the people who had soft, easily bruised skin.

He, of course denied said suggestion straight off the bat, and soon enough, Natsu was tugging me from the station with a chuckle, convinced I'd get us arrested again. Happy was off flying, just ahead of us, as Natsu mused, "Maybe if you hadn't of struggled..."

"I'm a powerhouse Natsu." I murmured dryly, "I can't help but struggle."

"It took three policemen to subdue you, Luce." He chuckled, shaking his head as I smiled a little, proud at that fact.

"Power. House."

"I was going to say a little cra-"

"Oi." I interrupted him, glancing over with a frown. "I'm sure you weren't going to say crazy. I am not crazy."

"I was going to say crafty." He lied and I snorted, "Sure you were."

We were both quiet, walking down the half-dead street, a few blocks away from the police station. I momentarily wondered where everyone had went, but with the loud sounds of music coming from straight ahead, I could only guess.

"Where are we going now?" Happy asked, turning around to face us as we both stopped. I glanced around, musing at what to do with our newfound freedom.

"I guess we could go get something to eat..." Natsu murmured, scratching the back of his head and I frowned at him, "We just got out of jail and you want to use our first five minutes of freedom to go eat."

He grinned at me bemusedly, "We were only in there for an hour Lucy."

"Details!" I cried out, before stating, "We must do something crazy, and insane. To abruptly say 'fluff you' to the MAN."

"Fluff you." Natsu repeated, his grin widening as I moved closer, nodding quickly, "Fluff you."

"To scared to say, fuck?"

I gasped at his word, outraged that he would say it. I poked his chest, "Be careful around my innocent ears."

His grin turned dirty, making something inside me somersault around excitedly. A shiver tore up my spine, and I poked his chest again, this time softer. He leaned closer and whispered, "Fuck."

I twitched, and Happy murmured, "She's going to blow."

"Here's hoping." Natsu replied softly, his dark, smoldering gaze glued to mine as I stared at him. A knowing smirk replaced that grin, and I didn't like how he knew that something warm and addictive was bubbling up inside me.

"I don't know whether to slap that smirk off your face, or kiss it." I told him truthfully, squinting my eyes as he chuckled, placing his forehead against mine.

"I'll let you choose."

The possibilities made me dizzy and I knew that he was teasing me. With his sinfully hot smirk, and those dark eyes. He was doing this on purpose.

But for the sake of tonight, and the alcohol, I didn't mind this sort of teasing.

It made me want to do dirty things to him, and that was okay in my mind.

I think it was an okay thought in his too, because I was caught in Natsu Dragneel's 'sex-eyes' and they were leaps above my own, in the scale of sexiness.

"Hey, look!" I heard Happy shout excitedly, "A tattoo parlor!"

We both barely glanced over as my own secretive little smile played on my lips, "You should get my name on your ass since I own it."

I almost snickered at my words, clearly impressed with my sass as he leaned back, brushing his lips against my forehead. Another shiver, another pile of melted warmth in my stomach.

"You should get my name on your ass since I squeezed it."

"Excellent idea." I breathed, swaying a little and he took my wrist, his smirk melting into something a little more affectionate. I couldn't keep up with how easy he turned me on, then made me feel like I was the cutest thing he had ever seen.

I mean, I probably was.

But dammit, it wasn't fair.

"Let's go then." He tugged me softly, and I followed, blinded by my feelings. Feelings that weren't going to stay down for long.

How To Tell If A Guy Likes You.

I nibbled my lip and stared at the magazine cover, the merchant was too busy assisting an old lady to pay me much attention as I carried my groceries home on an oddly warm autumn's day.

Seriously Lucy? You are looking at this trash? Some confident part of me knew I could just ask Natsu if he had feelings for me that passed friendship and went into something romantic. But unfortunately, my weakness was the worry that he didn't, and I would make things ridiculously awkward.

What made things worse, was that I was already awkward ever since I had realized I was attracted to Natsu.

I wholeheartedly blamed Drunk Lucy, because without her marvelous assistance, I would have remained oblivious for the rest of my life. And now here I was, staring at a magazine that probably had the most cliche bits of advice something could give to me.

I shook my head, giving the merchant a small smile and carried on my way.

It had been a week since Natsu had decided to become hot, and sexy, to my eyes.

I also partly blamed him.

How dare he look good with pink hair and have all those tanned muscles.

Stupid boys with their stupid muscles and stupid fluffy hair.

After the Halloween party finished, I had rushed home with the sole intent of trying to find flaws in his smile. And his teeth. And his cute, crackly - slightly insane - laugh.

But I couldn't.

His laugh was adorable. Not ridiculously deep, and not exactly musical. It was a testament to Natsu's personality; I had discovered that when sitting in the bath assessing his laugh.

It was wild, and carefree. And crazy.

All three were key Natsu personality traits.

Then his teeth were my target of inspection.

First of all, Natsu's teeth defied all laws of cleanliness. Or he had one crazy good toothbrush. Because I had seen him tear into meal after meal, most rare cooked and full of spices, covered in staining sauce. And they always stayed pristine white. It was a bit unsettling, imagining him savagely brushing his teeth.

And unfortunately, that's all I could say about Natsu's teeth.

They were white and perfect.

Not exactly finding the flaws, was I?

Then came the smile. That smile that I had seen throughout our drunken escapade, the smile he gave me the other day. So full of… something. Something I couldn't place but made me get shivers and my cheeks warm a little.

I had unknowingly unleashed the devil inside me, because looking at that smile, affected me.

And the worst part was, it wasn't just his smile that made me a little weird. His grin was ridiculous, a sort of grin that made my lips twitch and the feeling to giggle bubble around inside me. It was a disgustingly sweet realization.

All in all, it had led me to become pruned and bashful because I was sitting in the bath thinking about one of the most important people in my life.

My thoughts cut off when I saw the peculiar sight of my bed. Being shuffled out of my front door. By a cat and pink haired idiot.

"Quick Natsu! We have to move it before Lucy comes home." Happy chortled evilly, as Natsu, by himself, lifted the bed a little more so it could fit through the gap. They had tilted it on the side and I could only assume Happy was steadying it, rather then helping Natsu lift it.

I was too busy ogling his bicep to say anything — or yell anything. Although, my eyes were torn away when Natsu slipped a little and knocked the bed against the door.

Are they stealing my bed?

Anger bubbled up inside me, but I forced it down, stating calmly with a twinge of dissatisfaction, "You both have one minute to get my bed back into my room."

They both stilled.

A cool breeze brushed past me, making me shiver but I just watched as Natsu turned to me, smiling nervously.

I couldn't help but find his smile a little cute but I pushed that away and said calmly, "Fifty seconds."

I watched as Natsu began to hurriedly move the bed back through the door, eyeing Happy who whispered at Natsu, "Her foots twitching Natsu, hurry up!"

"You try carrying this bed up the stairs!" He glowered back as I followed them in. Natsu struggled with his footing but managed to get it up the stairs, and through the door. He had to tilt it this way and that, but once he got into my living room, I slipped past him.

Not without a firm smack to the back of his head.

He complained, a noise at the back of his throat but I just walked into my kitchen, pinching Happy's ear so he would follow me.

"Ow!" He cried out, as I set my bag down, then the groceries. Letting go of him, I walked over to the fridge and picked up his fish from the middle shelf.

His horrified little face made me smile, as did his, "No, please Lushi. Don't." I waited patiently for Natsu to join us and pointed to the fish once he entered the Kitchen warily.

"Burn it."

They both looked at each other, horrified.

"To a crisp."

"Luce…"

"Now." I leaned back against the counter as he shuffled closer. Happy whimpered, "Natsu, don't do it."

"He either does it, or neither one of you will be stepping a paw or foot into my house for the next month." I hissed, watching as Natsu snatched the fish up.

Then he roasted in, until nothing but ash fell out of his hand. Happy wailed and I began unpacking the groceries, tossing him a trout that I had bought at the shop.

His wailing stopped abruptly.

"Do you understand what you did wrong?" I asked him, placing the milk in the fridge as he nodded quickly, holding the troutin his paws.

"Will you do it again?"

He shook his head so fast that I had to smile a little, "You are both idiots. What did you think would happen when I came home with no bed?"

"We were hoping you'd come over to our house and have a sleep over again!" Happy informed me, as I sighed, "You could have asked me."

"You've been avoiding us!" Happy stated, his words muffled by the fish, as I stilled. I cleared my throat weakly before turning around, "It's Natsu's fault."

Natsu, who had been very quiet, gawked at me, "What the heck did I do?"

"Nothing." I shook my head, closing the fridge with my foot as he frowned, "Then how is it my fault?"

I briefly thought about the consequences of what I was going to say next, but I had to know. I had to unlock another part of Natsu.

"Natsu. Are you aware you are attractive?"

Happy was now gaping at me, as well as his partner in crime.

I felt nerves and anxiety bubble around in my stomach, and felt a tiny bit of sweat warm my neck. I forced myself to be calm, to look indifferent but it was easier said than done.

"...what?"

He sounded confused. He looked confused. He was also squinting at me suspiciously, which surprisingly, eased my nerves a touch.

I thought about my next words carefully and stated slowly, "You must know, that you are an attractive guy, right?"

I heard Happy murmur, "I'm going to take my fish somewhere else."

He left, leaving me staring at his friend, determined to know if Natsu had a clue about how hot he was.

I was guessing not, with the way he shifted.

I didn't see a shocked Natsu often - outside of combat related circumstances - and couldn't help but smile. His shoulders relaxed and he shook his head, "Why are you asking me this?"

The next words couldn't be stopped, "Because I'm attracted to you."

I almost expired where I stood.

What the flipping flip Lucy? What happened to 'don't say anything, you'll ruin the sacred friendship!' I screamed at myself inwardly, my palms beginning to sweat as he blinked at me.

"Attracted… to me?"

I nodded quickly, heat filling my cheeks as he stared a little longer, face completely puzzled and a little too blank for my taste. Then, his lips twitched.

I winced, waiting for the onslaught of roaring laughter. Instead he stated, "Pinch me."

My eyebrows furrowed and a frown perched on my lips at his random request, "Why?"

"Because you're so fine, I must be dreaming.

I blinked for a few moments before feeling a smile twitch at my lips, "Stop avoiding the subject Natsu."

"I'm not. What time do you have to be back in heaven?"

I snorted, shaking my head as he inched closer, moving around the island to get to me.

"Most guys need three meals a day to keep them going, I just need eye contact from you."

I squeaked before bursting into laughter, "That doesn't even make any sense!"

His eyes were playful and dark as he leaned against the counter opposite, facing me, "You ready for this one?"

"N-No!" I giggled wildly as he stated smugly, "If it weren't for the stupid sun, you'd be the hottest thing ever created."

I reached out and smacked his shoulder, still laughing uncontrollably as he smiled at me softly, watching patiently until I could breath again, "Is it bad?"

"Is what bad?"

"That you are attracted to me. Is it a bad feeling?"

I went silent with contemplation, looking down at the floor in thought.

Was it bad?

Well, it was a little distracting. And more than a little weird. But bad…?

I had thought it was bad earlier, that I shouldn't be allowed to find Natsu physically and mentally attractive but really, what would change unless we wanted it too?

Did I want to change anything?

"No…? I don't think it is."

He nodded as if he knew I was going to say that, folding his arms across his chest with a tilt of his head, "I won't tell if you don't."

I smiled a little, "That would leave you knowing I'm attracted to you and keeping quiet about it, without me knowing if you feel the same way."

I was greedy to know, did Natsu find me attractive? Later on, I'd blush at how forward and needy I sounded, but his answer would make my heart pound a little faster and I wouldn't even care in the end.

Because Natsu would stare at me for a long moment, then shake his head with an amused expression, a touch of pink to his cheeks.

"I feel the same way, Luce. I'd be blind if I didn't."

"Oh Lucy, you look nice!" Mira smiled at me, looking over black and blue sundress, my shoes a little higher than usual, my hair tied back into a long silky braid.

I had done my make-up lighter today, skipping lip-gloss and eyeliner but settling for a little mascara and a pair of earrings my father had gotten me for one of my birthdays.

"Thanks." I smiled back, remaining standing at the bar as she asked, "Going somewhere?"

I nodded, hesitating a little bit before informing her, and the prying ears of the guild, "Natsu and I are going to go visit Igneel's grave then my folks."

She stopped wiping over the glass, and I noticed how Erza straightened from a few seats away, eyes cutting to me.

I wondered if I should have been obscure. What if Natsu didn't want anyone to know he was going there today? They knew he went every three months, but I wasn't sure if he had a particular date he wanted to go. We had just made this plan after dealing with the demonic roach that had infiltrated my house.

"Oh. Are you going to be gone for a few days or…?"

"My parents are in Hargeon after they moved my mother's grave to the cemetery there. I think we are saying hi to Igneel, then getting whatever train to Hargeon. I assume we'll stick around for a few days, but I haven't made any plans." I told her with an easy smile, and she returned it gently, reaching over the counter to place her hand on mine, "Tell your parents I say hi."

My heart squeezed a little at her words and I fought to keep the 'easy' smile on my face, nodding once, "Will do Mira."

The doors opened to reveal Happy and Natsu. Natsu, had also worn something else for the occasion. Whilst I had never gone with Natsu to Igneel's grave – no one had – I had ran into him afterwards once. He always wore the outfit he had on in Tartarus, accompanied by a grey singlet this time for obvious reasons.

Happy floated over to me and Natsu took his time, a grin on his features but once he got closer, I saw the way his eyes shifted a little, unfocused and obviously uncomfortable. He wasn't uncomfortable often to my knowledge but Natsu dealt with grief differently, than most people I knew.

"Ready to go?" He asked, giving Mira a grin as I nodded, pulling my hand out of her grasp. He noticed that with a flick of his eyes as I waved, "We'll see you guys in a couple of days."

Mira nodded, her eyes flickering between us. I got the vague sense that she knew how we both felt. Of course, a lot of people in Fairy Tail knew how we felt when it came to losing someone but Mira was closed in grief about thinking she lost Lisanna.

Sometimes I hoped my Mom and Dad, and Igneel, were just in an alternate world as well.

But the reality was much more sobering.

Happy let me carry him, as I followed Natsu through the woods. Igneel had been buried in Magnolia, closer to Natsu's house then anything, but I had never seen where. No one had.

And I knew, that Natsu didn't have much to bury.

It was only a short walk to his grave and the location was beautiful. A small clearing, protected by what I assumed was Freed's rune magic with markings of a lightning placed Barrie's under the ground.

That warmed my heart.

Despite Laxus's stormy deposition, he had helped Natsu protect something sacred to him.

I watched as Natsu walked over the barrier, hands shoved in his pockets and I stepped over the line as well, thankful it didn't zap me. I wondered how it worked but pushed it aside, staring at the tombstone planted into the ground, stark in the middle of the clearing.

A thick piece of grey stone was sticking up from the ground, the word 'Igneel' crafted very carefully using… nails? I didn't move any closer, squeezing Happy as I saw the small claw marks on either side, as if Natsu had struggled to let go at one point.

Underneath the name, was four words.

'King, Dragon, Dad and Savior.'

My heart faltered a little, a sliver of grief and pain making me bite my lip as Natsu crouched down, brushing his fingers against the stone. I watched as the leaves fell to the ground, as Happy sniffled softly in my arms. I squeezed him again, lending my strength as we watched our friend, mutter something under his breath.

I waited patiently, a little nervous but the sadness outweighed that. I wished Igneel had been there to see Natsu defy the odds and make it out alive, with a stronger soul. With a bigger heart. I wished he could see the way his son, restored faith and peace.

I wish he could be here so I could tell him how much Natsu had grown, how much he had conquered. How much he had lost to get to this stage.

"You can come closer. He won't bite." Natsu told me, not even looking over his shoulder. I walked closer slowly, also crouching down beside him as I set Happy on the ground in the middle of us.

I was quiet for a few seconds, before I whispered, "Your son, is loved."

Natsu turned his head to me slowly as I shook my head, focusing on the grave. I didn't need to speak, I could have just kept quiet because I didn't know Igneel, but I knew he had a big impact on how Natsu grew up, he had helped shape him into the Mage he was today.

And that made me want to say something.

I took a shaky breath in, "He is healthy. He's loud. He's still destructive. And he's alive."

Happy rubbed his cheek against my leg and it soothed my nerves. I reached into my bag, pushing past a few items before finding the velvet pouch I had bought.

I brought it out and shakily withdrew the black stone from it, handing it to Natsu who took it, as I explained, "It's obsidian, blessed with fire magic. I thought it'd be nice for Igneel to have it. It was my mothers, then it was mine. Sort of a family heirloom."

He blinked, "And you want Igneel to have it? Isn't it important?"

"Igneel is important too. I'd like for him to have it. Might keep him warm, in case fire dragons ever get cold." The stone was warm to touch, and had been sitting in my desk drawer for many years, after Dad had given it to me when I was younger.

"Are you sure?" He stared at me seriously and I nodded, a shy smile on my lips.

I watched as he dug a little bit then buried the stone in the ground.

We stayed there for a while, just sitting in silence until he began to shuffle to get up, I followed suit, taking his offered hand.

"We should be able to get the last train to Hargeon." He paled a little at the idea of a train as I smiled, "Okay. You don't want to stay any longer?"

He glanced at the grave, before shaking his head, "Let's get going."

Happy hovered up beside us, before sitting on Natsu's head. And we began our walk to the train station, Natsu's hand warm in mine.

OKAY.

This is going to be a little strange, but bear with me. A comment I read, made me a little confused. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE when you guys comment. It fills me with all these annoying little butterflies and I love reading the epic FREAK OUTS some of you have. But this one had some questions that I think needs answering.

Question 1:So when are you gonna update again?

I have said this before. I update every 4-5 days, 6 depending on if I'm stuck. It's on my page, and I normally mention it at the end of every chapter. I haven't done it lately / because I was swamped with one shots/ Halloween prompts.

Question 2: And the therapy but was nice and all but you left out the therapist's reaction to all of that going on? What was her face?what did she say?

This one rubbed me a little wrong. Guys, I PROMISE you, I'm not leaving out anything on purpose. I have three alternate endings and I follow the flow/ plan I've made from my notes on this story. So if I leave something out, or I cut it off abruptly, you can either assume a) it's going to be explained later on and it would ruin the story if I explained it earlier or b) it's not important to the story line and the main focus would have been pushed to the back ground (e.g. Lucy realizing that Natsu is a hot little thing)

There's always a reason, I'm not getting lazy or just making it 'nice', I'm keeping some secrets on PURPOSE.

Question 3: What was Happy and Natsu original costume idea?

You do not have to read the authors notes. Most of the times, it's me flailing. But I did say what the first idea of Natsu and Happy were going as, but they didn't since Little Bo Peep needed her sheep. This is another point, if I don't think it's relevant to story, I won't add it. I work on the flow mostly, and I, for one, don't like when Authors over-explain every little detail. The focus of the Halloween chapter was to show that Natsu (being a cinnamon bun) wanted to make Lucy smile and that's why he dressed up as a sheep. What he was before, is unsubstantial and just pointless. But to answer the question, Natsu was going as a wolf, and Happy as his /owner/.

Question 4: I'm really tired of how slow and anticlimactic The Next Morning is. Just add a sex scene already?

This one was sent to me via PM. This one made me a touch annoyed. And since the person decided to block me before I could reply, here it is, you are under NO obligation to read my story. If you don't like the pace or flow, then click out. I write my story the way it's supposed to be written (e.g how I want to write it.) Please do not insult my work, and then demand I throw in a sex scene, that would make no sense in the current plot line.

If I seem a little annoyed, it's because I am. I would never send a writer a demand like that. I'm sure a lot of you are writers and write what feels natural.

In other news, YOU GUYS.

Reading your comments had me cackling. Oh my god. If I didn't just rant up there ^ I would be reviewing two. I WANT TO REVIEW THEM all.

Thank you so much for the amazing words and I hope you like the next chapter of TNM.

Do not be discouraged to review or leave me a question, if it hasn't been answered, I still love you all.

.

Anyway my dragonized fairies,

stay fresh and I will see you next time

xo fresh princess.