*Chapter Twenty-Nine: Merry Fucking Christmas- Part One

(December 25th, 2017, Monday Morning)

If Natsu had to describe his time in quarantine with only one word, that word would be 'boring'. 'Waste of time' was a close second, but that went over his word allowance, but Natsu didn't give a fuck.

He had plenty of time to think and come up with silly games to pass the time, but they didn't do the job. Unless he was sleeping, time seemed to stand still. Checking his watch only made things worse, making the time drift by slower. Once, he swore he saw his watch go back a minute, but he might have been delirious.

It had been three in the morning while he was trying to see how long he could hold his breath, but that didn't change his memory. He saw it go back, and he didn't care if anyone believed him or not, especially Gray.

The bastard had laughed when Natsu told him, but honestly, he should have expected that. Him and Gray had a complex friendship, one that consisted of name calling, fist fights, and the occasional long talk about life and the future...

But mainly it was about the arguing.

Both men loved challenging the other, which was why they got along so well when they first met at the orphanage. They hit it off immediately, what with Natsu punching Gray in the stomach and Gray slamming his fist against Natsu's head. He was surprised they didn't end up hospitalized after their first encounter, but since that day, they had decided to become friends. They were the toughest kids they knew, and nobody wanted to mess with them, not even Natsu's biological older brother, Zeref.

Natsu and Gray had been all on their own, at least until Erza was dropped off, but that was a story for another day.

Being locked up allowed Natsu to think about his days as a kid and teenager, remembering the antics he used to get into. He had less cares in the world back then. Now, he felt like the world rested on his shoulders, but back then, he only cared about two things.

Friends and food.

Well, he cared about more, but those were the two things dominating his mind. He couldn't help it. He craved human interaction and food, especially of the spicy variety.

That first day in quarantine, Natsu had spent hours reliving his memories, some he had forgotten about, some he held close to his heart, like the first time he met Igneel, or the first time Angela, his adopted mother, gave him a hug. He treasured those memories, a fond smile surfacing on his face when they popped into his head.

But, just like anyone else, Natsu's memories weren't all good. He had some he would rather erase, so he did his best to keep those memories away. Smoking helped calm his mind and relax his body, but he had run out of cigarettes the first night. He hadn't found any the last time he was a runner, so he was out of luck for the time being. He was more agitated than normal, but since he wasn't around a lot of people, it was easier to keep himself together when he had company.

Natsu was going to ask Lucy to bring his phone so he could distract himself better, but he hadn't decided that until the first night, and by then, some of his friends had already came and left. He hadn't seen Lucy anyway, leading him to believe she didn't care to show up.

He would be lying if he said that didn't bother him. He had seen her when she was locked up. He thought she would have done the same. Not only did he want to check up on her and make sure she was doing alright without him, he just wanted to see her and talk.

Natsu almost asked where she was that first night, but he kept his mouth shut until the next morning. Gray had shown up before breakfast to check in, making sure he was still among the living. Natsu never had any doubts. He knew Happy wasn't infected, meaning there was nothing his cat could do to harm him. There was no virus or infection to spread, so him spending two days in quarantine was more for everyone else's peace of mind than anything else.

"How's Lucy doing?"

Before Gray left that morning, Natsu had let the question slip. He missed when everyone had phone service. He could have just sent a text once the thought popped into his head, but now he had to rely on verbal communication. Well, there was still the chance he could have passed a note through people, but that was too much trouble for a simple question.

Natsu had felt guilty about not asking about her earlier, but when he found out Lucy had been there the first night and hadn't said a word, that guilt faded away. She hadn't even said hi, and that got him frustrated.

'What's the point in visiting me if she's not even gonna see me?'

He had to let go of the growing ill feeling in his chest before it took over, knowing Lucy tried to show her support by at least being there. He would have liked to catch up with her and seen how she was feeling, but he guessed it would have been hard to speak up when all his other friends were there talking to him.

He tried letting it go, but the lack of distractions didn't help. He was stuck in his head for the most part, forced to deal with his thoughts.

So, when the second night came and he found out Lucy hadn't even bothered to show up, he became pissed. His friends had asked him if he was okay, clearly seeing he wasn't when they told him she disappeared right after dinner. Levy offered to go get Lucy, but Natsu told her no.

If she didn't want to see him, he wasn't going to force her. No matter how much he wanted to see his friend, he knew it wouldn't be as thoughtful if someone dragged her there.

After saying goodbye to his friends the second night, Natsu went to bed early, only to lie awake for several hours afterwards. He was nervous and excited about tomorrow, looking forward to getting out and having Happy back. Happy had been locked up too long, and he wanted his cat free.

Natsu hadn't seen it himself, but he knew the other survivors who underwent the same test were doing fine. The guards didn't bother lowering their voices when they spoke, passing along their reports. The only person who seemed to be having trouble was a dog owner named Sadie, but that was because she was separated from her son while undergoing quarantine. Natsu could hear her crying from down the halls at night, which further made sleep harder to obtain.

All in all, being locked up for two days wasn't as bad as Natsu thought it would be, but he would have preferred people using some common sense to realize the animals were never infected in the first place. He understood people were scared and worried, but there were better ways they could have spent their weekend.

Natsu couldn't be happier when Monday morning arrived. He checked his watch every minute until Makarov's footsteps finally sounded down the hall. He didn't know for sure if it was their leader or not, but once he peeked out of the window and saw that weird blue and orange hat Gramps loved to wear, he knew he was correct.

Natsu grinned when he spotted Gray and Erza, as well as Laxus and a few others. He saw Wendy darting towards her mom's room, but she disappeared from sight a second later. He didn't have much of a view, his small window giving him just a glimpse of what went on in the halls.

"Step back," Laxus grunted, holding up a key before messing with the lock. Natsu did as he was told, listening for the sound of two locks being undone before the door was pushed open an inch, letting Natsu know he was free to go.

As soon as he opened the door the rest of the way, he was tackled into a hug, the air leaving his lungs as Erza crushed him. He gasped, wishing she knew her own strength. He didn't know how Jellal put up with her hugs. More surprising, Natsu figured by now Erza would have broken someone's bones at the rate she was going, but so far, she had only made people mildly sore after a hug.

Gray's welcoming gesture was more appreciated. He simply patted Natsu on the back, a smirk pulling at his lips as he said, "Glad you're still kicking."

Natsu was about to say something, but stopped when he looked around. His mood dropped when he noticed Gray and Erza had come alone. He didn't know why his other friends didn't show, but he was quicker to dismiss their absence than a certain girl who he was looking forward to seeing.

'Lucy still didn't show? Does she really not care I was gone?'

Deciding to take his newfound frustrations out on Gray, Natsu jabbed him with his elbow as a grin surfaced on his face. "I don't need to kick to put your ass on the ground."

"Oh, is that how it's gonna be?!" Gray made a move to grab Natsu's shoulders, but before he could succeed, Erza glowered at them.

"Boys, don't start this early in the morning."

Natsu and Gray grumbled, but complied. That didn't stop them from shooting a few glares at each other, both knowing it was all in good fun. Natsu was happy to see Gray without having to look through a window, and he was sure Gray was happy to have him back too, even if the two were terrible at conveying how they felt to each other.

They gathered around their leader, waiting for everyone else to step up before he began. A large smile rested on Makarov's face before he cleared his throat, speaking loud enough so everyone could hear him. "I'm happy to announce you're all free and clear. You may pick up your pet and bring them to your rooms now. They're in the same room as before."

Makarov's smile grew heavier until it faded, his lips pressing into a tight line before he sighed. "I do warn though, keep a close eye on your pets. The quarantine is over, but that doesn't mean the fear is gone. I'm sure nothing bad will happen, but just be aware in case I'm wrong. It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong."

His shoulders fell a bit, but he kept his chin up. "Stay with your animals if you let them out of your room to use the bathroom and such. This will all blow over eventually, but until it does, just stay cautious. And if anyone, I mean anyone gives you trouble over your pets, let me know and I'll handle it."

Natsu had to suppress the growl rumbling in his chest. His fist clenched by his side, ready to punch anyone who tried hurting Happy. He wouldn't tolerate it. He didn't fuck around when it came to family, and that was exactly what Natsu considered Happy. He wouldn't let any harm fall on his cat. They would have to kill him before they got the chance.

"Go on and enjoy your day off, and Merry Christmas! I know it's not much, but I hope you have a wonderful day!"

When Makarov dismissed them, Natsu turned, heading towards the annex's exit to get to Happy sooner. His friends were right behind them, Gray snickering as he said, "You wanna cool down there?"

"What?" Natsu asked, raising a brow as he looked back at his friend. He didn't slow his pace, ready to have his ball of fur in his arms as quickly as possible.

Gray didn't bother holding back his laugh, clearly wanting a rise out of Natsu when he said, "It looks like you might burst into flames any minute. I know I say you only got ashes up here," he tapped on his forehead for emphasis, "but I was kidding. You trying to prove me right after all?"

Any other day, Natsu would have taken offense, but he was too excited to get Happy back. Instead of growling at the insult, Natsu grinned at the challenge. "You must really be looking for an ass kicking," he said, turning so he was walking backwards, throwing his fist into his palm. He turned immediately after, not wanting to run into a wall or pole. He imagined he wouldn't come across as tough if he did either.

Natsu couldn't deny he was itching for a fight. Being locked up made him restless, and throwing down with Gray would be a great way to relieve his pent up energy. As long as Gray was okay with it, Natsu was down to fight after he got Happy, that way he could have his little buddy on his side while him and Gray duked it out.

Happy couldn't exactly cheer Natsu on, but having him there would be enough to brighten his morning.

"You wanna go Princess?" Natsu yelled, his voice echoing down the empty halls. They were near the exit, one step closer to retrieving his feline companion.

"Please," Gray said, his voice bored as he waved a hand towards Natsu. "I'll wipe the floor with you, Lava Breath."

That comment only got Natsu fired up. They continued bickering at each other down the hall until Erza put an end to their fight, her tone suggesting she would do some damage if they continued behaving like children.

Natsu didn't mind the scolding, too happy with his freedom to care. He couldn't wait to see Happy, and he knew Lucy would be ecstatic to get him back as well.

'Maybe she decided to wait with Happy this morning?' Natsu thought, his smile growing as he picked up his pace. If that was the case, he could forgive her for not showing up. Happy could use the company seeing as he had been imprisoned longer and in a much smaller cage than the one Natsu had.

His thoughts comforted him until he reached the room the pets were being held in, his smile slipping as soon as he opened the door. His shoulders fell when he didn't see Lucy, finding Eve to be the only human in the room. Before they could take over, Natsu swallowed down his ill feelings, knowing he was supposed to be celebrating the release of himself and Happy, even if Lucy wasn't there.

Things could finally go back to normal. Or, at least their version of normal, which was far better than what had been going on lately.

Natsu couldn't stay still while Eve unlocked Happy's cage, the man scooping up his cat as soon as Happy stepped out. He didn't bother hanging out there for long, turning around to head out of the classroom. He figured Happy could use a real bathroom break, one outside instead of on some old newspapers.

Natsu's nose wrinkled, realizing Happy could also use a bath. Being confided to that small space hadn't been good for Happy's hygiene, so Natsu decided to give Happy a wet wipe bath as soon as they made it back to the room.

While Natsu took Happy outside, Erza dismissed herself, saying she needed to check in with the other guards since she had a shift that day. Only essential personnel were made to work, which included guards. However, Makarov shorted everyone's shift so they could spend time with family and friends if they chose. Those who didn't have family were welcomed to hang out in the arena for the day, but it wasn't mandatory.

"Glad you're out?" Gray asked, ruffling Natsu's hair before heading to the nearest gate. Like Happy, Gray took advantage of being outside, relieving himself by trying to aim through the chain links.

"That's a stupid question. Of course I'm glad." Natsu snorted, deciding he should use the bathroom outside to save time and water. Once finished, Natsu walked over to Happy, finding his cat taking his time in the grass. He thought Happy would go as soon as possible, but his cat was in no hurry, sniffing the grass and weeds while his tail swished around.

"Wonder where Lucy went," Gray mumbled, stepping up behind Natsu.

Natsu prevented his eyes from widening, surprised Gray brought her up. He turned, seeing the bored expression on his friend's face. He couldn't suppress his curiosity, his voice laced with interest as he asked, "What do you mean?"

Gray didn't bother changing his tone, hands shoved into his pockets as he peered at Happy. "Me and Erza saw her in the annex this morning. I thought she was gonna follow us to get you, but I haven't seen her since."

"Wait, so she was there?" Natsu blinked, struggling to believe Gray. It wasn't that he thought his friend was lying. He was merely confused. If she had shown up, why didn't she stick around so he could see her?

Gray nodded, eyes finding Natsu's for a second before they returned to the cat. "Yeah. She was there before us, but she just disappeared. I dunno. If you ask me, Lucy's a weird girl."

That was the understatement of the year. Lucy was full of mysteries, her motives behind some of her actions unclear to Natsu. He couldn't name one person who was more weird than Lucy, but his brother was a close second. 'I wonder if they'd be good friends, seeing as they're both antisocial and quiet?'

Before Natsu could ask more, Gray changed the subject, chuckling as he said, "Happy looks silly when he pees."

Natsu looked down, glad his cat was using the bathroom. When Happy finished, Natsu grabbed him, the three making their way back inside. Natsu didn't work up the courage to ask more about Lucy, figuring Gray would have offered it if he had more information. Besides, he needed to drop off Happy in his room so he could get breakfast, otherwise he was going to be drained for the entire day.

Gray brought up the plans for tonight. They would be going to Levy's and Cana's for Christmas, and if he wanted, he could stay later when they brought out the booze and party games. While Natsu wasn't sure he would be drinking, the idea of playing games sparked his interest. He smiled, letting Gray know he'd stick around afterwards.

"Awesome. I got this cool game from the rec room, I think it'll be fun," Gray said, walking Natsu back to his room. "Wanna try it out before tonight?"

Natsu shook his head, holding Happy close to his chest. "Nah, I wanna rest before the party, if that's okay?"

"You've been resting for two days straight," Gray joked, his grin letting Natsu know he didn't take offense. "Don't go fallin' into a coma with all that sleep."

Natsu decided not to tell Gray it was hard getting to sleep while he was locked up. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable atmosphere, and that was saying something considering how the world was now. Instead, Natsu nodded, offering a soft chuckle before pulling his keys out.

That was Gray's signal to leave, giving Natsu an awkward side hug before parting ways. Neither Gray or Natsu were that great with affectionate touch, but Natsu knew Gray's heart was in the right place. They were best friends, and Gray had been worried about Natsu.

Natsu returned the hug, knowing it was better to not make fun of his friend for it. If the world wasn't they way it was, Natsu might have poked fun, but he didn't know when his or Gray's last day would be, and he wanted them to have some good memories in case the other didn't make it.

Not saying Natsu was ready to throw in the towel. He was determined to keep living, no matter what.

"See ya later," Natsu said, slipping his key into the lock. He nodded when Gray said bye, turning to the door before unlocking it. When he pushed it open, he expected to see Lucy hanging out inside, but once again, he was met without her presence.

"What the hell?" he mumbled, stepping into the room before letting Happy down. He looked around, even checking the closet before huffing. His roommate was nowhere to be seen, and that didn't sit well with Natsu. He could feel the tightening in his chest, worry building the longer he didn't know where Lucy was. His brain automatically jumped to the worst, worried she left the base while he was gone.

Natsu shook his head, knowing someone would have warned him if she did. Gray said he just saw her not too long ago, so clearly she didn't run away.

'Unless she left now?'

Natsu shook the thought loose, knowing he couldn't go down that road. If he worried every time he didn't see Lucy, he would run himself ragged. Instead, he waved at Happy, telling him he would be right back as he grabbed his dishes. He made sure Happy was okay before closing and locking the door behind him.

The halls were eerily quiet as Natsu headed to the arena, wanting to get something to eat. He found a few people outside when he left the school, seeing mostly kids playing in the grass. Natsu smiled, happy they were enjoying their day, even if it didn't feel like a holiday. He went into the arena, finding it loud and chaotic.

People spoke loudly, trying to hear over the other conversations. The place was packed, people filling the bleachers while others were at the tables, chowing down on their breakfast. Natsu got in line, surprised to see it moving quicker than normal.

When he got to the front, he found out why it wasn't a long wait. Today's breakfast was simply a Pop-Tart and two scoops of cereal. He ate on his way back to his room, not bothering to stick around seeing as he couldn't find any of his friends at the tables. He didn't feel like sitting alone in a room full of people, so he moved along.

By the time Natsu made it back to his room, he had finished eating. He set his dishes in their proper place when he entered the room, locking it behind him before he changed clothes.

He had been stuck in the same outfit for two days straight, and he needed something fresh. Once changed, he applied deodorant and combed his hair, groaning at himself when he worked out some knots. He needed to ask someone to cut his hair soon, otherwise he was going to need to find a rubber band. It was getting too long for his comfort.

Once Natsu set the comb down, his eyes flashed to Lucy's bookcase, spotting her brush. Natsu frowned when he realized he hadn't seen Lucy in the arena either. He didn't want to panic, so he kept his mind calm, wondering where she might have gone. She didn't have work today, so he didn't think she'd be in the graveyard. He didn't see her in the halls, but that didn't mean she wasn't in the school.

'The library!'

Natsu made sure to give Happy lots of pets and scratches before saying, "Heeey, buddy. I'm gonna have to go real quick, but I promise I'll be back soon. I'm gonna go look for Lucy, okay?"

He smiled when Happy started purring, but he knew it was probably because he was getting attention, not because Happy understood him. "I'd bring you with me, but I think it's better if you hang out here. I'll bring Lucy back as soon as I find her, then we can all hang out."

'She should be in the library. There's nowhere else she'd hang out.'

When Natsu searched the library and didn't find Lucy, he started to worry. He checked the nearest restrooms, walked down the halls of the school, then went to the arena once again. However, he couldn't find his roommate, and the longer he went without seeing her, the more he convinced himself something bad must have happened.

'Maybe she's with Levy? I didn't see either of them this morning.' The Christmas party was going to be in Levy and Cana's room, so it was possible Lucy was spending her morning there. Though, he found out that wasn't the case when he trekked his way back to the second floor of the school, getting confirmation from Levy.

"I haven't seen her all morning. Did you check the arena?"

Natsu nodded, his jaw tense as he looked around the empty halls. He had searched everywhere he thought she would be, but he kept coming up short.

"Maybe she went to the roof?"

Natsu shook his head, doubting that option. "I don't think she'd go since she doesn't know who'd be up there."

"I think it's worth a shot," Levy said, peering down before grabbing her shoes. "The person on watch might've seen her? Or if you want, I can search too?"

"That's okay," Natsu said, waving a hand to dismiss her. "If I can't find her soon then I'll come back. Maybe... Maybe she did go up there?"

He didn't think she had, but he didn't want to have Levy helping him. The girl was busy decorating her room for the party tonight, and if Natsu was overreacting to Lucy's disappearance, he didn't want to bring anyone else in it.

Natsu jogged his way to the ladder leading to the roof, not wanting to waste more time. If Lucy had left the base like part of him suspected, he would need all the time he could get to go after her, otherwise she could get away.

'Maybe I should just let her go?' Natsu thought, his nose wrinkling and brows furrowing at the idea. He didn't want to let her go. She wouldn't survive on her own. He had seen so himself. Sure, she was able to get a zombie off her, but she wasn't able to finish it off. Gray had to come in and save her. All it took was one wrong move, and she would be dead.

Natsu didn't want her blood on his hands. Not only that, he didn't want her to leave. He liked having Lucy around, even if she was a bit strange at times. She was finally opening up to him, little by little. She had been at the base for almost three months, and Natsu felt comfortable calling her a real friend. He wasn't going to lose that so easily. If Lucy wanted to leave, she was going to have to convince him she actually wanted to go.

Though, he held out hope that she was still on the base, hiding somewhere he hadn't thought to look.

When Natsu reached the roof, he scrambled to the top, eyes scanning the area before he spotted the guard assigned to do watch. "Yo!" Natsu walked towards Elfman, recognizing his build immediately. There were only a few guys near his size, but even they weren't as bulky. Plus, his white hair was a dead giveaway.

Elfman turned, a smile spreading on his face as he waved. "Hey, what brings you up here?"

Natsu waited until he got closer before slowing down, keeping his voice as even as he could. "Have you seen Lucy anywhere?"

'Have you seen her hop a fence?' was the question burning in his head, but he kept that one locked away, reserving it for if he really needed it.

When Elfman nodded, Natsu nearly gasped, surprised by the relief flooding in. "Where?"

Elfman turned, pointing in a direction Natsu hadn't thought to go. "I saw her walk that way earlier. Haven't seen her come back yet."

"Towards the football field?" Natsu asked, eyes squinting at the field in the distance. To his knowledge, Lucy never hung out there before, but he didn't have an eye on her every second of every day. He nodded, ready to turn towards the ladder as he said, "Thanks a lot!"

Before Natsu could take a step in the opposite direction, he heard Elfman say, "No problem. Merry Christmas."

Guilt struck him as he turned, giving Elfman his full attention. It was unfortunate he had to work today instead of spending the entire time with his sisters, but Elfman's job was deemed essential. Then again, Mira and Lisanna were essential personnel too seeing as they worked in food service. Even if Elfman didn't have to work, they still couldn't spend all day together.

"Merry Christmas!"

Natsu smiled when Elfman nodded, the guard turning back to go to work while Natsu headed towards the ladder. He almost fell a few times trying to get down it as fast as possible, but he decided it was worth it when his feet hit the ground.

He took off in a sprint, heading towards the football field as fast as his legs could carry him. He thought about all the places Lucy could jump the fence in that area. There were large bleachers blocking Elfman's vision from the roof, meaning Lucy could have used any of those spots to make her escape. He didn't understand why she would want to leave though, seeing as things had gotten better since she first arrived.

'Maybe these two days without me were too much for her? Maybe she changed her mind about staying after all?'

Natsu sped up, even when his legs told him to slow down. He hadn't gotten much exercise in the past two days, but that was partially his fault. Nothing prevented him from working out in his quarantine room, but Natsu chose to relax rather than strain his body.

Natsu skidded to a stop when he got closer to the football field, his eyes catching something moving in his peripherals. His plan was to run straight to the fence around the field, but the movement was coming from inside. He searched for it again, eyes widening when he saw a figure running the track.

It didn't take Natsu long to recognize it was Lucy, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail that bobbed and swished with every step. She was wearing his hoodie, the material baggy on her.

Natsu rested his hand on a nearby pole as he leaned on it, catching his breath. Lucy was safe. She was here. He could relax knowing she wasn't in danger.

His brows furrowed when his brain finally caught up, his eyes fixed on Lucy jogging around the field. She hadn't told him she was interested in working out, Natsu surprised to find her on the track at all.

When he composed himself, he headed closer to the field. He gave her a wave, unsure if she saw him or not. Walking down the steps leading to the field, Natsu decided to stick to the bleachers. There was a concrete wall dividing him from the field, but it was short, allowing him to see her as she ran around. She pulled out his phone soon after he sat down, then the faint sound of music rang in the air, only to disappear when she was on the other side of the track.

Despite the morning not going as Natsu planned, he smiled as he watched her jog. He could give her some pointers to help her run better, but he kept his mouth shut, enjoying what he saw. Lucy had come a long way since he found her, and he hoped she only improved.

He slowly released the tension he held, knowing Lucy was safe and well. He didn't know why she didn't stick around to see him when he was released, but he was sure she had a good reason. Hell, anything at that point was better than what he had been thinking. She hadn't run away, and that alone made him happy.

Natsu perked up when he saw Lucy's pace slowing down to a walk. She raised her hands up, putting them on top of her head as she kept moving. His eyes widened when he saw her lips curving, only to spread into the largest grin he had ever seen her wear. His jaw went slack as he saw her coming closer, a trickle of warmth spreading in his chest.

That. That was the happiest he had ever seen Lucy. She didn't look timid, shy, or scared. She looked confident, even with her face bright red from exerting herself.

Natsu waited until she got closer before cupping a hand near his mouth, letting his voice grow louder as he yelled, "You should smile more!"

He hadn't thought his action all the way through, so when Lucy jolted, he realized he shouldn't have said anything. Her smile was wiped from her face in an instant as she looked around for him. She looked terrified, and that made the warmth he felt disappear.

Natsu frowned as he stood, raising a hand. He didn't know what to do, hoping she wouldn't be too mad at him for disturbing her. "Sorry. I thought you knew I was here."

"Holy fucking shit."

Natsu's jaw dropped, his eyes blown wide at the curses flying from her mouth. It took him a moment to get over his initial shock, but when he did, he started smiling. He cocked his head, walking towards her as he dipped his thumbs into his pockets. "Who knew you had such a potty mouth. Think I need ta go find some soap to wash it out."

Natsu almost roared with laughter when Lucy clamped her mouth shut, as if he would really shove soap in there. He chuckled instead, his smile growing more real. "I am sorry I scared ya though. I didn't try to sneak in or anything. I waved, but I guess you didn't see..." That was an understatement. Given her reaction, she hadn't seen him at all.

"When did you come in?"

Natsu watched as she paused the music before saying, "Not long. I saw you pullin' that out, if that helps," he said, nodding to the phone.

He waited a moment before deciding it was safe to talk again. "You did great. Maybe we can race one day?" He looked at the track, hoping it would calm her down. He noticed her panting, unsure if it was from embarrassment or the exercise, or perhaps a combination of the two.

"Sometimes me and Gray come out here to run. I'm sure he wouldn't mind the extra company either. We could even try to work together, maybe trip him up or something."

Natsu snickered at the idea, already forming plans. Before he could get too invested in those thoughts, he heard Lucy taking a deep breath, his imagination halted to see if she was alright. He waited, watching as she worked to control herself. He could see she was thinking hard, but whatever it was stayed a mystery to him.

"Do you... want to walk with... me?"

Natsu paused, caught off guard by her request before he gave her a quick nod. He extended his hand towards the track, letting her take the lead. Once she started walking, he realized it was silly staying behind her, so he moved to her side, a smile surfacing on his face again.

They walked in silence, not that Natsu minded too much. If he had it his way, they would jump right into a conversation about how she hadn't shown up to see his release, but he kept quiet, knowing it would only startle her. Besides, Lucy had made the effort to invite him, and that gave Natsu a sense of relief.

They had been separated for two days, and she hadn't reverted back to the girl she was when he found her in that basement. If anything, it seemed to have a positive effect on her. Unless he saw it with his own eyes, he didn't think Lucy would willingly go to the field by herself to work out.

'Is that why she came out here?'

Instead of asking that, Natsu went with, "So, how was the run?"

Lucy glanced over at him, but her eyes fell to the ground within seconds. "Good."

Natsu nodded, his uneasiness coming back as he dived into a heavier talk, one he hoped Lucy was prepared for. He cleared his throat, but it didn't help. "I uh, I thought you'd be in the room, but you weren't..."

He debated if he should push, but ultimately he decided to go for it. If he saw Lucy begin to freak out, all he had to do was pull back and things would be fine. "I checked the library and stuff, but I couldn't find ya."

When Lucy didn't say anything, Natsu grew anxious. He wasn't good at expressing his feelings, the many fights he got into as a kid and teenager backing that statement up. He wanted to enjoy life. He wanted to laugh and have fun. Admitting he was upset and worried wasn't something Natsu wanted to do, but something told him he needed to say it.

More importantly, he thought Lucy needed to hear it, to know she mattered. He had a feeling she didn't feel the same way, judging by the way she carried herself.

"I don't wanna say I panicked, but I got kinda worried when I couldn't find ya."

Natsu let out a long sigh, crossing his arms over his chest to give himself a sense of protection. "I was glad when I finally found someone who saw ya. They said you were walking this way, so I decided to check it out." He was happy he did. He couldn't get that smile she wore out of his head, even if it didn't last long.

Natsu turned his head forward when he realized she wasn't going to say anything. It was easier for her when he did all the talking, though he preferred when they went back and forth. "I... I'm happy you didn't leave... for what it's worth."

They continued walking, neither saying anything for a minute, letting the crisp wind swept across their faces. Natsu narrowed his eyes as his bangs fell into his face. He was close to asking one of his girl friends for a hair clip to pin them back until he got a haircut, but before he could let that thought carry on, he forced himself back to the present.

"I was kinda curious though," he started, deciding it was time to bring up what was really on his mind. He waited a moment, figuring out how to word it. "I wanted to know why you didn't come say hi this morning... when I was released."

When Lucy stopped, Natsu worried he had said the wrong thing. He stopped by her, watching as she stared at the ground. He wanted to be her friend, but sometimes she could be frustrating when she shut down. He had to remind himself it wasn't fair for him to be upset. She had been through a lot, and social interactions had proven to be difficult for her. Natsu waited for her to speak, but after a while, he realized she wasn't going to say a word.

Natsu leaned his weight to one foot, forcing a shrug as he swallowed his pride. He tried sounding nonchalant, but he couldn't tell if she was buying it or not, her head remaining down while he spoke. "You didn't have to come see me, so I'm not mad or anything, if that's what you thought. I just wanted you to know I missed ya when I got out. Thought we'd hang out since I've been gone for two days... That's all."

For a moment, Lucy said and did nothing, leading him to believe she didn't care about what he said. However, when she tipped her head up and met his gaze, he saw the confliction in her eyes. He wanted to ask what she was thinking, but she parted her lips, silencing him.

"We... we can hang out now?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but strong at the same time. To Natsu, he felt she was being sincere, and when she added, "Wh-what do you say?", he couldn't help but smile. He wished she had stuck around in the morning to see him, but he could see she was making an honest attempt to make up for it.

Natsu nodded, glad she hadn't taken what he said badly. "Yeah. I'd like that." He felt a sense of pride in her, surprised she was putting herself out there. 'Maybe time away had been a good thing for her? It forced her to function without my help.'

"We got some catching up to do." Before the words left Natsu's mouth, he remembered a certain feline waiting in their room. His eyes lit up as he grinned, pointing towards the school. "Plus, there's someone else we gotta hang out with too! He's waiting in our room."

Lucy's eyes widened as her voice grew louder. "What? Who?"

"Happy!"

With all the emotional turmoil Lucy had put herself through that morning, she had forgotten one important detail about Natsu's release. If he was out of quarantine, that meant Happy was too.

Her lips parted, her emotions once again mixing as she sucked in her bottom lip. Guilt flooded her for forgetting something so crucial, but at the same time, she wanted to simply enjoy seeing Happy. She couldn't wait to wrap the cat in a hug and feel his soft purrs against her.

Wincing, Lucy released her lip, pain radiating from the cut she made that morning. She almost turned so Natsu wouldn't notice, but it was too late. She saw recognition flash in his eyes as they zeroed in on her lip, his brows furrowing. "What happened?"

Not a second went by before Natsu's eyes narrowed, his voice growing fierce. "Did someone do that?"

Natsu didn't bother concealing his anger, his right hand clenching into a fist, ready to knock some sense into whoever hurt his friend. However, his fist loosened when Lucy shook her head, her eyes filling with a sadness he couldn't understand.

"Accident," she whispered, her voice more guarded than it had been all morning.

Natsu's smile was long gone by that point, the need to protect his friend boiling in him. He wanted to demand she tell him what really happened, but he forced himself to let that emotion go. If Lucy didn't want to tell him, he couldn't make her. However, he asked again to be sure, not wanting someone to get away with hurting her.

"No one did that to you?"

She kept his gaze, her voice sure as she said, "It was an accident, that's all."

Natsu blinked, surprised by the way she spoke without hesitation. If he wasn't worried, he would have congratulated her on the progress, but instead, he softened his voice before saying, "Okay. Just please be more careful?"

He almost snorted at the advice seeing as he didn't take it himself most of the time. He was an adventurer by heart, always seeking his next thrill. Natsu thought everything was okay, but his comment made Lucy's eyes narrow, but not enough to alarm him.

'I don't need him telling me to be careful. I'm capable of taking care of myself just fine...' Lucy frowned, knowing that wasn't the complete truth. She hadn't shown Natsu much of that, relying on him for some of the most basic things. 'I need to prove I'm okay by myself, then he'll— He'll... I don't know.'

She didn't have all the answers, and that added to her frustration.

Accepting his words as nothing more than a friendly reminder had been hard to swallow, but she did. She didn't know if it was bad or not, but the more progress she made, the more annoyed she got with Natsu's treatment. He wasn't doing anything differently, but she wanted him to treat her like a normal adult, even if she rarely felt that way, even before the outbreak.

Turning eighteen hadn't made her feel like an adult, nor did nineteen or even twenty. She thought when she reached those ages, she would feel more mature, but her actions made her feel the opposite, like a girl pretending to be a big kid.

The only solace she had before the outbreak was her friends saying the same thing, joking about being grown children trying to fake adultness when they had to. She figured it would all come to her naturally over time, but time had run out, and now she felt stuck.

Well, stuck wasn't the best word to use, but for the time being, she couldn't come up with a better one.

"Lucy?" Natsu asked, waving a hand in front of her face, worry growing in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

She jolted, nodding too quickly. Panic rose in her chest, but she pushed it down. She had been doing pretty well considering the circumstances that morning, and she would be damned if she let it all go down the drain after one little fright.

How could she be upset at Natsu for treating her like glass if she kept acting fragile?

"I've been calling your name for like five minutes," Natsu said, causing Lucy's eyes to widened. Before she could say anything, Natsu laughed, shaking his head. "I'm just kidding. It was like a minute, maybe. Seriously though, are you okay?"

Natsu couldn't help but smile. He enjoyed a good, harmless teasing, and that light feeling in his chest only got better when Lucy didn't freak out on him for it.

She took a deep breath, her arms wrapping around her waist, but not as tightly as she did in the past. Lucy nodded, then looked towards the school. "Can we go?" she whispered, hoping they could see Happy soon. The little cat always had a way of bringing her comfort.

"Yeah, let's go." Natsu turned, the two heading towards the stairs that led out of the field. They were on the opposite side of the stadium, so it took a while to get to the exit.

No matter how many times Natsu walked past the middle bleachers, he always thought back to his Sophomore year when him and Gray pulled a prank on Lyon, the two giving Gray's adoptive brother a caramel onion after their school got a touchdown. Lyon had been so distracted he didn't notice Natsu or Gray's poorly concealed snickers as he bit into the onion.

Natsu smiled, remembering the way the two ran away when Lyon started chasing after them, screaming for them to pay for what they did. It had been too easy messing with him, but since the outbreak, pranks were scarce. Natsu understood why. It was harder to joke around when everything felt more serious, but sometimes they had fun, even if it was brief.

Lucy couldn't call the silence that lingered over her and Natsu awkward, but it wasn't comfortable. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to ask how Natsu was doing, and that only made her feel more guilty. He had seen her every day she was in quarantine, had been there when she got out and stayed with her that whole day.

She couldn't even manage to stick around to see Makarov release him, too scared she was imposing. Regret loomed over her as they walked, but there was nothing Lucy could do now, no way she could explain herself without sounding like she was throwing a pity party for herself. So, she remained silent, hoping the time they spent together now could somehow make up for her absence.

Natsu and Lucy stayed in their own heads as they made their way back to their room, Natsu reliving fond memories from his high school years while Lucy criticized herself for her actions. Lucy didn't let on to what she was thinking, her face blank as she berated herself.

That anger in herself doubled when they entered the school, the two running into Erza down one of the long halls. She smiled as she approached, a knife in the holster on her hip and her walkie talkie attached to the other. She nodded politely at them before her eyes set on Lucy. "Glad to see you again this morning. We missed you at Natsu's release."

'Missed you,' Lucy thought, hating that saying even more. It wasn't that Natsu or Erza legitimately missed her, they were just saying it. 'No one would miss me if I left. They would all forget about me soon enough.'

Lucy clenched her teeth, keeping herself from turning red. She gave a soft nod, merely acknowledging Erza's comment without answering. Luckily for her, Natsu stepped in, dismissing them by telling Erza they had to go check on Happy.

"Are you bringing him with you tonight to the party?" Erza asked as she began moving around them, her patrol not yet finished.

Natsu nodded, his smile turning toothy as he said, "Of course. I'm sure he's dying to see y'all."

"Good. We'll be happy to see him too. If I don't see you two again until dinner, have a good day."

"We will," Natsu said, radiating more confidence than Lucy could ever hope to feel. She envied his attitude towards life and the positive effect he seemed to have on others.

'Maybe I'll get better... Maybe I can't be like how I used to be, but I can try to be better than this.' Lucy's eyes fell as they continued making their way to their room, a single sentence bringing Lucy's mood down. 'Anything's better than this.'

It was only when they reached the stairs that a thought occurred to Lucy, the woman replaying Erza's words until her body stiffened. 'Did Erza tell Natsu I was there this morning and left?' She hoped Erza and Gray kept their mouth shuts, but knowing how close Natsu was with his friends, she wouldn't be surprised if they ratted her out.

All of Lucy's self-doubts, all of her insecurities seemed to fade away for a few blissful seconds when they reached their door, Natsu unlocking it before opening it wide. He let her in first, Lucy's eyes brightening when she saw that fluff of blue sitting on the desk, Happy's back facing them as his head turned to see who was at the door.

The cat stood, his tail flickering before he let out a loud meow, greeting his roommates before padding his way towards them. Before he could jump off the desk, Lucy was scooping him up, holding the feline close to her chest. Happy relished in the warmth, soaking up her attention like it was the source of life.

Lucy buried her nose in Happy's fur, only to pull back when she smelled him. He needed a bath, but that didn't stop her from holding him, Lucy sitting down at the chair so she could pet him while he stayed in her lap.

Natsu watched their moment before closing the door, locking it so no one could disturb them. He automatically went to his bookcase to grab a cigarette, only to remember he was out.

He couldn't fight the small frown that took over, wishing he had at least one cigarette after that long morning. He had panicked and worried, all because Lucy hadn't shown up for him.

To be fair, he hadn't asked her to come, but he thought it would have been something she did anyway. Gray said she was in the annex right before his release, so why couldn't she stick around and see him get set free?

Natsu gave Lucy a few carefree minutes with Happy before taking a seat at the desk, keeping himself perpendicular to her. He figured it would be easier if she wasn't forced to make eye contact with him, hoping that would get her to talk more freely.

When he cleared his throat, Lucy looked up, her eyes softened and her body relaxed. That made Natsu hesitate to speak, wondering if maybe he should let sleeping dogs lie. However, Natsu had a burning curiosity, one that would only be soothed by Lucy's explanation, if she provided one.

"I just... I was wondering why you didn't come this morning?"

Lucy's expression changed as she processed his words, guilt flashing in her eyes before she looked away. She didn't release Happy, holding him closer, more out of comfort than anything else. She didn't say anything, forcing Natsu to reveal what he had been keeping to himself.

"Gray already told me he saw you there, but you took off. Why?"

"I'm sorry," Lucy whispered, but that wasn't what Natsu wanted to hear.

He shook his head, trying to keep his voice soft but firm. "I'm not looking for an apology, just an explanation. Why didn't you show? I promise I won't be mad. I just wanna know."

He would accept anything at that point, as long as it was the truth. Maybe she didn't care he was getting out today, and if that was the case, he wanted to know. He thought Lucy knew where he stood with their friendship, but Natsu was starting to wonder if he misjudged where she stood.

Maybe friends meant something else to her. Maybe she wasn't the kind of person to stand through the good times and bad. He just wanted to know, that way he could adjust how he behaved around her if needed. He didn't want to put more into the friendship if she didn't care, but part of Natsu suspected she did care, she just didn't know how to show it.

'Or maybe I'm just hoping too much.' It seemed like he did more hoping that one person should, but sometimes that was all he had to rely on.

"Lucy, I don't wanna make things weird or anything. Just, just let me know, please?" Natsu pulled his legs up, sitting crisscross in his chair. He pointed himself at Lucy, but she didn't turn his way, instead staying in her seat while keeping her mouth shut. He was about to ask again, but her eyes flitted to his for a second, cutting him off.

"Honestly?"

Her voice was soft, but emotionless, almost dull as her eyes found Happy. She stayed quiet for too long, prompting Natsu to whisper, "Yeah, honestly."

.

.

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I'm sure you noticed, but I switched POVs a few times in this chapter. The next chapter will be the same, a mixture of Natsu and Lucy's POVs. Dunno how often I'll do that, but I needed to get their stories out without adding twice the chapters.

Without any further ado, thank you for all your support! I appreciate every favorite, follow, and review! Shout out to those awesome people who reviewed last time: PhoenixRomege, Nalulovers, Wiintery, Animeforlife1412, sofiesticated, XxBlue-ButterflyxX, Silencio, TheCrimsonPhoenix10045(x2), minuet33, lezonne, sassykitten1701, they. call. me. Bridge, ManderNaner, shootingstarssel, naluloverr, fairytaillif3, Fireflake the V, Crystal Kitty842, stranger1999, Amaimiss, Guest, AlycePixi, Shonix13, Ashnmarley, LucyHeartfilia, cOokIe-MOnzTa, StellaHeartfilia, TheUniqueFangirl, wolf-cry77, Gigi-San28, Firefly9917, Lodemai04, ArtemisRavenTerraFan, Guest, ElementlMiko12, Duchixx, sonikastalker, n. kukurichan, Tohka123, Deborahpflover, Jacyraecagle, FlameDragonHime, Luenacity, positive vibes only, Amazed lizard, Az, WhatAnimeHasTaughtMe, Sarah Wolfang, Satyrykal, itsxoi, CaptainRicochet(x2), Nightside14, beckstheunicorn, RoyaldragonSevgisi15, ThaDesperado64, Guest, MissVarta, Suga-and-Tacos(x3), ThaDesperado64, Guest, Guest, Nalu-Nerd13, Otaku004, Guest, beefcakebarbierenewed, and danielk4440!

Up next, Chapter Thirty: Merry Fucking Christmas- Part Two