Natsu was the first to arrive back at the tower, it turns out that the boys didn't go hunting together as the iron dragon had to fly back to his own territory. Levy was saying her goodbyes until Lucy begged the fae to stay until Gajeel returned.
"It'll be no good if the metal brain get's back and you're not here." Natsu told the fae brightly as he joined Lucy in her begging for Levy to stay, it take much. When Gajeel did land on the little landing platform they built outside the window the boys were quick to argue over who won in getting their winter hunting done faster. Gajeel claiming his victory since he had to fly further away, drop his stuff at the cave before returning to the tower. Natsu arguing his own victory because he made it back to the tower first and he also dropped his stuff off at his cave first as well. Pressing their foreheads against each other as they yelled and growled, the girls said goodbye.
Levy gave Lucy a hug before she left with Gajeel, taking the moment to whisper a reminder of the Dragon's Kiss in her ear and giggling as the blond turned red. Gajeel and Natsu instantly freezing and standing away from each other as they stared at Levy. The iron dragon laughed and slapped Natsu on his back with a strong enough blow to knock the unexpecting pink haired boy to the floor. Quickly pushing himself off the floor, his face now completely red from the impact hiding his blush and yelled at his cousin for the sneak attack.
After the iron dragon left with his fae mate, Lucy stared blankly after them her cheeks flushed and red. Natsu looked at her, a small blush of his own. Happy flew around above them, the only thing breaking the silence.
"Luce." Natsu started. Lucy shook her head, slapped her cheeks and clapped her hands together.
"I should get dinner started." She declared. "Any request?"
"How about some of your fire flacks curry?" The dragon smiled back. Lucy knew that Natsu had to have heard what Levy said, but how could she talk about it right now. She just wasn't ready for what they had to be over, the fear of it not working between them and it running their friendship something she didn't want to risk it. What if once they changed their relationship, he decided he didn't want her? A voice in the back of her head told her that it wouldn't be like that, dragons mate for life after all.
Despite the charged air of the awkward situation the two were avoiding, Natsu slipped back into his bad habit of being constantly too close. As Lucy worked in the kitchen, Natsu almost purposely got in her way. Constantly brushing against her gently, each touch setting her cheeks a blaze and her skin crackling. The aching deep in her core coming back with a vengeance, the pain between her thighs almost too much to bear as Natsu came up behind her. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against him. She was about to spin around and leave his embrace when he nuzzled in the base of her neck, breathing in her scent deeply.
"Lucy." He breathed out against her neck, sending chills down her back. Since she told him her name, he had always called her Luce. Hearing him say her name, the way he said her name against her bare skin, the feeling of how his lips brushed against her skin as they form the shapes to say her name, it did something to her.
"Natsu." Lucy said softly. He groaned and pulled her closer, pushing his mouth deeper into the crook of her neck. His teeth nipping at her skin. With a shriek Lucy jumped out of his arms claiming that the food was burning, Natsu protested as he could smell it and it was not even on the stove. "Sit down while I make dinner and I'll sing for you." Lucy stammered out nervously, Natsu stayed there for a moment before mumbling an agreement and sitting down.
While they ate, Natsu told her stories of his hunting trip. Of the wonderful things he saw while he was out, the places he wanted to show her once the spell on the tower was finally broken. Lucy was grateful at how quickly Natsu was able to change the atmosphere. At night she waved him goodbye with a smile as he flew back to his cave to sleep. Closing the door to the window Lucy got ready for bed, forgetting to ask Natsu to light the fireplace before he left and not noticing when he snuck away her flit again.