Hello Everyone! This is my first time adopting a story and also writing one as well thats published onto here! It's nice to meet you all and I hope you enjoy what I have in store.
A little info about this fic here is it picks up right after where weizguy stops. She gave me full rights to this story and I'm here to make you all proud! I loved this story so being able to continue it is really special to me. Please enjoy and know that I will post a chapter at least once a week.
Enjoy! ~Baccei
Natsu, Lucy, and Kade all loaded up into the car. Following Igneel and Greendeeny to their house. The drive didn't take that long, however Natsu did seem a little green from the ride. Not that Lucy cared to point out. Once pulled up to the house, a one story house that had a cute botanical garden and butterfly plants among the shrubbery. A pathway made of stones lead the way into the house where a cute fairy state held residency in the main part of the yard.
Igneel and Greendeeny lead the way to the door, Natsu slid out of the passenger side of the car and helped Kade out of the car, already unbuckled and ready to be lifted out. Natsu let a small content sigh through his lips, a smile working its way from his mouth and crept into his eyes. He dropped the squirt down and held his hand as he lead him to Lucy, who held a soft look in her eye, her smile easy and warm. Like the sun after a rainstorm.
Natsu looked down towards Kade, "Hey buddy! You ready to see where I used to live?" he whisper-shouted excitedly.
"Yeah!" said Kade as he enthusiastically lumped on the balls of his toes. Kade motioned towards his mother, "Mommy! Mommy! We're going to Natsu's old house! He grew up here!" he all but yelled.
"I know sweetie," she cood and bent down next to him, "we have to make sure we're on our best behavior, okay?" she booped his nose.
Kade nodded vigorously. "Okay Mommy." He pumped his little fist in the air. "I'll be the bestest eber!" still having trouble pronouncing "v's"
"Alright kiddo let's have some dinner!" Natsu said finally after watching the tender scene. It made his heart fuller than he thought possible.
Kade grabbed Lucy's hand and all three walked together hand-in-hand into Natsu's old home. Truth be told Lucy was really nervous to go to this dinner. She felt like it was her first day at high school all over again. But she hoped it would go well, the last thing she needed was his parents disliking her, but from the conversations she's had with them, she'd say she's heading in the right direction and seemed to like her enough to invite her over for dinner.
As they stepped through the threshold, Lucy could smell cinnamon and notes of apple, the atmosphere felt warm and inviting. A house very much lived in. Lucy, not noticing Natsu's gaze towards her, walks around the room taking in the scene. Family photos of both Natsu and Gajeel decorate the walls along with a young girl with blue hair and large round hazel eyes. She seems younger than both Natsu and Gajeel. By the photo she's looking at now, maybe around the age 16. Natsu notices the particular photo she's staring at and a small grin plays on his lips.
"That's Wendy, my little sister."
"She's adorable."
"Yeah, she's a little sweetheart, but a spitfire when she's mad." He muttered rubbing his neck nervously.
"I wonder where she gets that from." Lucy uttered under her breath.
"Oi it ain't just me! Pops here ain't no daisy either!" Natsu exclaimed, trying -and failing- to defend himself.
Lucy gave a light laugh. Her shoulders shaking to contain the giggle. She gave him a deadpanned look and said, "Oh I'm sure."
Kade looked between the two and smiled. He hadn't seen his mom this happy in a while and it was nice to see. He really liked Natsu and it seemed like his mom did too.
Just then Igneel and Greendeeny walked into the living room from wherever they were before.
A mischievous grin worked its way unto Greendeeny's face. If Natsu knew his Mother well then whatever it is she was planning he wasn't going to like it. His father was no different, a matching grin rested on his lips, a knowing glint in his eye as well.
'Oh this is not good' he thought.
"Hey kiddos why don't you guys go on and have a seat. Make yourselves at home. Greendeeny and I will whip up dinner real quick. But before that," Igneel said playfully and began to remove one of his hands behind his back, "I do have some awfully cute photos of Natsu when he was 8 years old." That devious smirk was back on his face, Greendeeny was smiling fully now, her white teeth on display and her eyes crinkled at the edges as they would when you grow older.
"Come on now Dad, you don't have to bust those old photos out." Natsu laughed nervously.
Lucy quirked a brow at Natsu, "I don't know Natsu. I for one would love to see these so called "relics", she air quoted. "What do you think Kade?" Lucy knew if she brought her little boy into this there was no way he could say no, and judging by the way he was mock glaring at her she knew she was right.
"I wanna see Natsu little!" he shouted with his arms raised.
Natsu exhaled a sigh and judded his lip out in a fake pout. "Well I guess I have no choice," he shrugged "bring on the photos."
Lucy let out a giggle. "Oh. So now my pain is funny."
"Yeah, kinda." Lucy laughed, not able to hold it back anymore.
Natsu, Lucy, and Kade made their way to a loveseat couch. Having to squish in for space, Natsu and Lucy sat thigh to thigh with Kade resting on top of their thighs, album book in hand they began browsing through the photos of young Natsu. Some were actually really cute, but at the expense of Natsu the rest were pretty embarrassing as he would put it.
While they were busy discussing how adorable it was that Natsu was so obsessed with dragons that he painted scales on his face when he was 14 years old, and Kade voiced his input about how awesome he looked, Igneel began snapping photos of the couple. Unbeknownst of them of course, Natsu had great hearing but not when he was putting all his focus into sneaking glances at Lucy when she wasn't looking, or the other way around.
Igneel has never seen Natsu interested in a girl since...ever. He thought they were cute, yes but it was never enough where he put the effort into going on any dates and after the incident he's never seen him smile so much. For that much he was grateful to her. Lucy was a fine girl and an excellent mother from the way Kade practically revolves around her. He has no doubt in his mind that she won't grow on him fast. Or his wife for that matter.
With that Igneel joined his wife in the kitchen. "How long do you think before they realize they look like a true family?" he said to her as he wrapped his arms around her torso, her back facing him.
Greendeeny chuckled. "I give it a year before he proposes." she said as she minced some garlic and zucchini.
"My dear you give our son too much credit." he rumbled. "That boy is an idiot and a half when it comes to love."
"And what makes you say that?"
"Well for starters he doesn't even know that he's fallen for her yet."
"All the more reason to watch the scene unfold. Besides he's never been in love before, how is he supposed to know what to feel when he's never experienced it before." she gave a half hearted shrug. "Gods forbid he be anything like you when we were dating."
"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?!" he defended looking over her shoulder. "I was a perfect gentleman."
"You were everything and more, but you sure took your damn time proposing." mumbling the last part.
Igneel withdrew from her back. "My love you wounded me with your words." His palm resting on his forehead in a mock swoon. "I may die from the injury."
This caused Greendeeny to finally give her husband her full attention for his antics. "What happened to sticks and stones?" her eyebrow crept up her forehead, managing a perfect arch. Her mouth fighting a smile.
"They were too much to handle, the wound too great." He howled, ignoring his wife's previous statement. "Goodbye cruel world."
"Oh stop your moaning already will ya." She teased.
Igneel peaked between his fingers to look at his wife and finally gave into the smile.
"So," he clapped his hands together, rubbing his palms in an up and down motion, "what's for dinner?"
"I'm thinking since we have a little one here that we have some roasted veggies and roasted garlic chicken. What do you think?"
"Sounds amazing to me. Where do you want me Chef?" he saluted. "Your helper is ready for action!"
Greendeeny have a hearty laugh, "Seasoning and roasting the chicken would be amazing I just got done mincing the garlic."
"Sounds good to me darlin."
With that the two began making dinner and before long everything was almost ready to be plated and served.
Natsu and Lucy, done browsing the album, decided to explore Natsu's old room. Kade walked ahead of them, practically bouncing off the walls with anticipation to see what Natsu's room looked like when he was younger.
"Kade, honey you need to calm down." Lucy warned.
"I'm trying mama, but-" he loud-whispered "-it's Natsu's room!"
"I know Kade, I understand how excited you are, but remember what we talked about not too long ago?"
"Yes mama." he said half heartedly.
Natsu took this as a sign to open the door to his old room. "Alright kiddo, you've waited this long," the door groaned on its hinges, "welcome to my room."
Kade walked inside with his eyes blown wide and a grin that couldn't be shaken. "Woah." he breathed
Natsu smiled down at him, his eyes casting a soft look that didn't go unnoticed by Lucy. As both adults walked in they all saw the dragon themed room. Red fire dragons coated the comforter and pillows, flames could be seen painted on his dresser, posters of dragons and fire alike hung on the walls. An old tv sat in the corner of the room, along with old soccer trophies placed upon shelves scattered around his room. Among the posters of dragons there were also posters of famous soccer player, Gildarts Clive if Lucy recalled correctly.
While Kade was fawning over his idol's room and how cool it was, Lucy stepped into Natsu's side, leaning her head softly in the space where his neck and shoulder met, and let out a contented sigh. Natsu wound a sturdy arm around her waist and held her firmly in place. Admiring how perfectly they fit together. Natsu breathed in, smelling hints of vanilla and strawberry, and he found he didn't mind the smell of either. It perfectly fit Lucy, he let out a breath of his own and admired the moment that all 3 of them shared.
"Natsu…" Lucy uttered. "What's this?" she said in hushed tones as to not disturb Kade from his oogling. Lucy pointed in the direction of a picture frame of Natsu and Gajeel rough housing when they were younger and a smiling Igneel in the background. Next to it was an old news article clipping, the headline reading, House Fire Ends With Three Dead. A picture of a building up in flames was right below it.
"That's nothing." he tried to brush off, his tone more flat than she's ever heard. Lucy lifted her head to get a better look at him.
Now that she was able to see him clearly she noticed how stoic his features had gotten, clearly this wasn't time for her to pry. She looked down at her feet, embarrassed that this is the second time she's pushed him to talk about when he's not ready to open up yet.
"Luce…" his voice dropped off, they were softer than before, quiet and gentle. She looked back at him to see that he started to relax, but his jaw remained clenched when he wasn't talking.
"I'm sorry." She blurted, "I never meant to pry, it was just interesting to see an article clipping in your old room." She looked at him dead on, her tone becoming more serious. "I promise I won't ask any questions, that's for you to tell me when you're ready. You've told me once, I'm sorry for overstepping."
Natsu looked at her dumbstruck, unable to find the words to say. But ideally this is the time to speak up, Lucy's posture began to crumble bit by bit, her shoulders began to sag, but she was remaining steady keeping eye contact. His brain seemed to short circuit, because words still escaped him. It wasn't until her eyes began to cast down that he finally spoke up after what felt like an eternity of silence.
"I…" he cleared his throat, "thank you." his voice barely above a whisper. He then began again, his voice stronger than it once had been. "Really Luce. Thank you. I want to tell you," He laid a hand on her shoulder and caught her gaze. "But right now-for me at least- I'm still working through some things. Give me time. That's all I ask. Give me your patience and one day I'll tell you everything." Lucy stared at him, absorbing his words like a sponge.
"Natsu. You don't have to tell me unless you want to. It was stupid of me to ask anyways."
"You don't understand, I want to tell you. I really do. But its just…" Natsu paused struggling to find the right word to say, his brows scrunched together in concentration.
"Harder than it seems?" Lucy finished for him.
"Yes! Exactly." He shook her shoulders lightly. It's almost like she was reading his mind sometimes.
"How about this," Lucy suggested "you tell me when you're ready, and I'll tell you mine."
Natsu took a breath. Processing the information. "Okay." he agreed.
"Okay." she repeated back.
Natsu and Lucy who seemed to forget a certain someone was still in the room, turned to look at Kade handling one of Natsu's dragon figurines.
"What'cha got there bud?" Natsu asked.
"A fire dragon!" Kade gave a squeal of excitement.
"You know, my Dad gave me that on my 12th birthday. Said it was part of a collection, something called the 'Dragon Slayers'-" Natsu have a half-hearted shrug towards the boy. "-I checked 'em out and they're pretty cool, there's this one dragon that's all metal with razor sharp claws," He mimicked with his own hands "and another that's pure white with feathers. But my personal favorite is the one you're holding."
Kade looked at Natsu then the dragon, then Natsu again before shouting with glee, "I wanna be a Dragon Slayer! I wanna get all the dragons!" Kade looked at Natsu, "What's this dragon's name?"
Natsu gave a boyish grin, "His name is Atlas Flame. He's a protector of sorts, keeps the people safe and warm during the winter time. And you know." he began to tap his chin methodically, "Old Atlas here has been pretty neglected here. Kade, would you like to take care of him for me?"
Lucy looked at Natsu, eyes blown wide. Judging by the decorations on the wall and the fact that his adoptive father gave this to him virtually after they met, this was really important to Natsu. This wasn't just a run of the mill toy. Lucy decided to interject before Kade could speak up, she squatted down to his level and said in an authoritative tone, the one she only used when she meant business with Kade.
"Kade honey, if you say yes you have to promise Mommy that you will be extra careful with this toy, okay?"
"Okay Mommy, I promise." he looked her straight in the eye as he said this.
Kade looked at Natsu, "Thank you fery much. I will take wreally good care of it."
"Thank you Kade. I know you will. Plus," he scratched behind his head, "I think Atlas will have a lot more fun with you than he did me."
Before anyone had a chance to speak, Greendeeny called from the kitchen. "Kids dinner's ready!"
Natsu yelled back, "Coming Ma!" He turned back to Lucy and Kade, "Well what do ya say? Ready to chow down!"
Kade now clutching Atlas flame in his tiny hand pumped his fist in the air, "Yeah!" and dashed out the room.
Lucy gave a light giggle at her boys antics and turned to Natsu before they left his room.
"That was really sweet of you Natsu. You know you didn't have to do that."
"I know, but I wanted to. I didn't have a lot growing up, so seeing Kade that happy is worth it to me."
Lucy stilled, awestruck by this man's words. Eyes gone misty, she swore she wouldn't cry two times today. Instead she reached for Natsu's cheek and planted a kiss on the other. Not knowing how to convey her gratitude in enough words. She figured he'd get the gist. If Natsu was anything he was a person of action. She pulled back and whispered softly, "Thank you."
With that she left, leaving Natsu alone in his room, one again at a loss for words. Not that Natsu seemed to notice, but all he could think was, 'Worth it'
"Natsu what are you doing?" Igneel called.
Seeming to snap out of a trance, Natsu plastered on a dopey smile and struts into the hall, with the confidence of a man who's just won the lottery.
He enters the dining room and notices Lucy and Kade both giving him a smile, and then his mother and father to her right with Kade of the middle of Lucy and his mother, leaving an open chair next to Lucy. Looking at the family before him he couldn't stop the feeling of completeness enter his heart.
"Everything okay son?" Igneel asked
"Everythings perfect." and he couldn't agree more with what he just said.
Natsu sat down next to Lucy, gave her a winning grin and looked at his parents. "Food looks great Ma! Lets dig in!"
With that the family began eating dinner with light conversation floating by, each and everyone of them enjoying eachothers company to the fullest. Lucy couldn't help but wonder if this feeling in her chest could stay there and never leave. Having a family dinner like this was nice, more than she cared to admit with her own father. She wouldn't mind if they could one day make this the new normal between them. There was a spark of hope in her heart that kept whispering that maybe one day it really could.