The first time it happened, it was after they had returned to Earthland and there was no way to tell beforehand. Natsu and Wendy had been huddled in their cloaks from their little escapade, but it couldn't have been identified as anything but post-battle exhaustion.

The main focus had been bringing Lisanna back to the guild, where the youngest Strauss had been reunited with many of her dear guildmates and any past worries had been forgotten as they celebrated Lisanna's return the Fairy Tail way.

But then Natsu ran late for a mission, but that hadn't been anything new, because of his taboo with vehicles so nobody really thought anything of it but when he passed out fighting a bandit that shouldn't have required too much effort the guild knew something was wrong.

Fairy Tail was selfish. Just because they had a dragon slayer who attained healing abilities didn't mean she fully qualified as a healer. Wendy was but a child, the moment she spread her hands over Natsu's torso to alleviate the problem, sweat was beginning to form on her brow.

She was only twelve. They should have gone to Porlyusica, she wasn't far from the guild, but Wendy insisted tending to their fallen guildmate. That didn't mean they had to listen to her, though. A few hours later, Wendy was in the infirmary bed next to Natsu's.

Erza locked gaze with Makarov. Porlyusica? she communicated. Porlyusica, the Master confirmed. When all of this went down, Gajeel hadn't been at the guild. Had he been there, he would have delivered a punch to their heads for not noticing what it was sooner. Especially Ice Cube and that cheerleader, who had both been there. Goddammit.

Gray froze and immediately muttered a "Shit," when Porlyusica asked if these two had lost their magic as of late.

"Not lost," Erza corrected, quickly regaining her composure. "Drained."

Lucy had her hands over her mouth. She hadn't moved since she had frozen five minutes ago, but it was obvious from her body language that she was listening intently to whatever the aged healer was saying, eager to do anything to make it up for being a friend. Not that Natsu or Wendy would ever agree that she or anyone else in Team Natsu had been a bad friend to them.

"What do we need to do, Porlyusica?" Makarov addressed her. Expression unchanging and unreadable.

"They need plenty of rest and a lot of liquids," the old woman said. "I would recommend putting off any major missions because it will affect their condition. Wendy should not be healing any injury worse than a broken arm or a stomach flu,"

The last statement had a teary Carla straightening up and curling protectively at Wendy's side.

Natsu should avoid using as much of his magic as possible and - no missions for either for them. If their condition deteriorates inform me at once."

"But you just said if they didn't go on any major missions it would be okay," Lucy pointed out, surprised. Porlyusica sent her a look that made the blonde squeak in fear, she was nearly as intimidating as Erza.

"I changed my mind," Porlyusica said gruffly, and left.

Natsu woke up first, and having no self preservation, about fell out of bed concerned about why Wendy was in the infirmary next to him. Erza had to convince him that she had been suffering the aftermath of being drained of her powers from that time in Edolas, and threatened to knock him out if he did not settle down.

"There won't be any need for that," Natsu said hastily.

"Natsu, why didn't you tell us?" Lucy said softly. He was sitting up in the bed now, with Happy in his lap - the poor exceed had been worried sick about his friend since he had passed out. It had been unnerving to see his energetic partner unmoving for such a long period of time. Natsu avoided the blonde's eyes and asked her what she was talking about.

"Bull," Gray snapped.

"Gray!" Erza scolded, making a pointed gesture to Wendy's bed, the young girl remaining ignorantly asleep (and now Carla too).

Gray looked vaguely apologetic, but the agitation returned to his face when he faced Natsu again.

"That's rubbish, Flame Brain, and you know it! Why didn't you tell us you weren't okay! Now I feel bad for punching you this morning." He muttered the last part; after what Porlyusica had informed the guild, he did indeed feel a little guilty for picking a fight with someone who clearly wasn't at his best.

"Aw, Gray you do care," Natsu said, finally meeting their eyes with a teasing smile.

"Natsu," Erza said sternly.

"Okay," he grumbled. He gave in. "I didn't want to worry you guys just because I was a little tired."

That's all? Thought Happy.

"Too late," Lucy said wryly. "We're worried."

Natsu smiled slightly. It wasn't often he got to see this side of Luce, the blunt, protective side of her. It embarrassed him to admit to enjoying it, but he did.

"But because you did not inform us, your friends, your supposed 'tiredness' turned out to be so much more," Erza said.

"I didn't think I needed to!" Natsu argued.

"Natsu, we're your friends. We should know when you're not okay," Happy said, throwing what he said a year ago in his face.

He sighed. "I know."

"Then why didn't you?" Gray said angrily. He wasn't really mad at Natsu, he was using anger as a mask to hide how concerned he had been for his rival. He would kill the dragon slayer if he pulled something like this one more time.

"I told you, didn't I?" Natsu shot back. "I didn't want you to worry!"

Nobody said anything to that as he had said this before.

"Natsu, you scared us." Lucy said eventually. Natsu looked at her. Her eyes were overbright.

"I'm sorry," he said. He hated making Lucy cry. He felt his stomach weigh with guilt.

"It's okay," he didn't expect her to say that. She opened up her arms and hugged him. "Just don't do it again, okay? Or I'll kill you myself."

"Okay," Natsu chuckled. He didn't doubt it. Lucy may not be on the same level as Erza or Gray, but she was physically and mentally strong and scary as hell when angered.

She let go and the door opened, revealing Mira holding a tray of food. Lisanna was with her. Both of their identical eyes brightened when they saw Natsu was awake.

Mira asked him how he was feeling and to eat all the food on the tray to make up for scaring everyone.

"Didn't you guys cared so much," Natsu joked, but Erza watched him beadily for a few minutes after that.

When Wendy woke up she apologized profusely for passing out when she was supposed to be healing him. Natsu told her she had nothing to apologize for her. Wendy burst into tears and hugged him tightly before she was also ushered back to her bed so that she could eat too. Carla was watching her like a hawk, and scolded her like a mother for leaving it.

Team Natsu took shifts by sitting in between beds and talking with Natsu and Wendy to keep them company but by the time Happy and Carla took theirs it was agreed that they be left alone to rest. They were both still pale and showed signs of weariness. Wendy's hands had shaken violently as she tried to lift a mug to her lips.

Additionally, Natsu and Wendy were visibly disappointed about having to lie low (Natsu more vocal about it) but they had no choice but to comply with Porlyusica's orders after seeing how concerned their friends were combined with Erza and Makarov's threat of tying them down to the bed (although that part was mostly directed toward Natsu than Wendy).

Notes:There is another fanfiction about Natsu and Wendy suffering from magic draining in Edolas and after, but I wanted to form my own idea, because anyway that would be plagiarism. Natsu even dies in that one, I think. You guys should read it, it's full of angst and feels.