AN: This was done for the Nalu Playlist event on tumblr! If you look up dabneelandheartfilibruh on tumblr tomorrow, you'll find a post with a bunch of nalu stuff made by a bunch of people, all of them inspired by a song! :D This fic is inspired by the song "Lightning" by Alex Goot. Go give it a listen! :D

"Lightning"

Rated T.

Summary: She was lightning, impossible to catch. But he only wanted her.

Lightning

Over a year had passed since the battle with Alvarez. A much-welcomed peace settled over Fiore as the nation scrambled to pick up the pieces. Everyone in Fairy Tail was still trying to adjust to the calm state of the world, something that they weren't used to considering they were always caught up in some sort of trouble. Now that they weren't busy fighting for their lives and going through emotionally scarring events, they had all the time in the world to delve into things they didn't usually have the chance to.

Natsu gazed across the guild to the bar where Lucy sat. With her chin propped on the palm of her hand, she leaned forward as she chatted to Mira. She was adorned in a typical miniskirt and crop top combo, her golden hair tied into a high ponytail. His fingers itched to run through it, knowing each strand felt like silk.

Those who knew Natsu knew that he wasn't much of a man with words. He'd much rather fight some dark mages than sit down and have a real conversation about his feelings. It was awkward and put him in a state of vulnerability he wasn't comfortable with, which was why he never acted on his feelings towards Lucy.

He knew it. The guild knew it. Hell, even Lucy probably knew it deep down. The whole world knew how he felt about Lucy.

Natsu Dragneel was in love with Lucy Heartfilia.

He'd only said it once aloud when he had a heart-to-heart with Gildarts after he went on his training trip. Even then, he could barely get the words out. His throat tightened, his face was set ablaze, and he couldn't stop fidgeting.

Since then, Natsu had buried those feelings to the depths of his being, hoping that he would never have to act on them. He loved his friendship with Lucy; he wouldn't want to risk it. However, his feelings for the blonde hadn't gone away, even after being separated for a year. And after everything with Zeref and Acnologia, they were only stronger and harder to hold back.

Now, after nearly dying a few times in their last battle, Natsu was actually wishing for some change in his relationship with Lucy. After her party when she won an award for her novel, Natsu was sure that things were going to evolve between them. She had just woken up after a drunken night and made it seem like she was going to confess. He followed with what he thought was appropriate. He leaned in for a kiss.

Only to have her freak out.

After that blow to his esteem, Natsu changed route and they never brought it up again.

Lucy wasn't ready for that step. She was shy when it came to romance, only able to indulge in it when it was between fictional characters. When it came to herself, she became a blushing, sputtering mess who stepped back rather than dive in.

Natsu wanted to wait until she was ready to make a move.

And it was tearing him apart.

Natsu thought he had lost Lucy in their last fight. He had woken up to find blood smeared over her face and her heart still. That was a big slap in the face that he needed to act on his feelings before he lost her.

But how long was Lucy going to need?

"Just make a move already, flame brain," Gray said. In all honestly, Natsu forget he was there.

"You don't know what you're talkin' about," he replied, turning his gaze towards his frenemy.

The other boy rolled his eyes. "There's no point tryin' to hide it. Just go tell her."

Natsu gazed at Lucy while she chatted to Mira. He wished that she would turn her head and give him one of those bright grins that lit up the whole room, or to call his name with her angelic voice. But that wasn't how their relationship worked. They only looked at each other when the other wasn't looking. They were constantly dancing around their feelings.

With a heavy sigh, Natsu stood up from the table.

"I'm headin' home. See you later," he told Gray. He didn't even bother telling Lucy or Happy that he was leaving. With his head hanging lower than usual, he was out the door, sure that his absence went unnoticed.

Natsu plopped on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. There wasn't anything for him to do when Happy or Lucy weren't there. Still, he needed to get away. He was tired of drowning in his thoughts about Lucy, all the while ogling her from afar.

He considered taking a nap, about to head to the bedroom when he heard the front door creak open. Expecting it to be Happy, he lifted his head with an apology at the tip of his tongue for leaving without telling him. The words died in his throat as he took notice of who was standing at the doorway.

"Lucy?" he called out, jolting into a sitting position.

The girl smiled at him, making his heart soar. He wondered if she knew just how powerful her smile was. It was so calming, able to bring Fiore's rowdiest dragon slayer to his knees. He was wrapped around her finger, and she probably didn't even know it.

"Hey, Natsu," she replied, moving to sit next to him on the couch.

Natsu inhaled deeply, indulging in the girl's sweet aroma. He was grateful she stopped wearing those strong perfumes she wore when they first met. He loved her natural scent.

"What're you doin' here?" Natsu asked after snapping out of his trance.

"That's what I was going to ask you," Lucy replied, tilting her head to the side as she studied him. "You left the guild so suddenly, and you didn't even tell me you were leaving. I was worried."

Warmth flooded through the boy's body as he swallowed thickly. Being around Lucy was so hard when she said those kinds of things so naturally. His heart threatened to beat right out of his chest, his cheeks burning red.

"You noticed?" he asked.

Lucy arched a brow. "Of course I noticed. Are you okay, Natsu? You've been quiet all day, and you're usually never quiet." She scooted closer to him, their thighs flushed together as she gently pressed her hand to his cheek. "Your face is all red. Are you sick?"

Natsu stared into her eyes. They were filled with such concern. And her warm hand, so soft against his cheek; his mind felt like it was short-circuiting from the simple touch.

His hand moved on its own, sliding over hers and squeezing it gently. His keen ears took in the quiet inhale from the girl in front of him as he watched her eyes widen. Her cheeks turned pink. Using his other hand, he brushed a lock of her hair behind her face, his eyes drawn to her plump lips.

Nothing could compare to her. Not other girls, not fighting, not even magic. With her golden hair and her electric brown eyes, there wasn't a thing in the world that could hold a flame to his best friend. She was up in the atmosphere while everyone else was down on Earthland. She was lightning, impossible to catch.

But he only wanted her.

"N-Natsu?" Lucy choked out, her voice hushed.

A shiver ran through him as he watched her lips move as she said his name. He loved hearing her speak his name.

"You trust me, right?" he asked, meeting her gaze. Fire burned deep within his onyx orbs as he gave her hand another gentle squeeze.

Lucy only nodded in reply.

"You know I'd never do anything to hurt you," Natsu said, leaning slightly towards her. He knew he had to move slowly, lest he scare her off. She was like a deer, easily frightened when it came to stuff like this. He pressed his forehead against hers, her breath fanning his face. "I just need to try something."

He slowly leaned closer to her, his lips dangerously close to hers. He watched as Lucy's face was set ablaze and he could feel her fidgeting as he inched closer. Part of him told him to stop. The other part, the part that wanted all of her, told him to keep going.

He listened to the latter part of himself.

As his eyes slowly began to close, the last thing he saw was Lucy's mouth parting. His lips brushed against hers, a shiver running through his body. Her lips were soft, just as he pictured. Since she wasn't pushing him away or running off screaming, he ventured deeper, pushing his lips harder against hers and molding them together. She didn't move at first, but eventually, he could feel a slight pressure against his mouth.

Their movements were sloppy, both of them being inexperienced, but they soon got the hang of it. Natsu cupped the back of Lucy's head and pulled her closer to him. His body felt like it was on fire as he kissed her. He could actually feel her lips moving with his.

Lucy's arms snaked around his neck as she repositioned herself against him. Her legs wrapped around his torso as she sat on his lap. She tilted her head, allowing him access to venture deeper into her mouth. A low growl resonated in his throat as he lightly tugged on her lip with his teeth before he pushed his tongue inside her mouth. He could faintly hear a startled squeak from Lucy, but instead of pulling away, she relaxed into him. His tongue swept through her mouth before finding hers. He pushed his tongue against hers, both of them finding a rhythm they could agree on.

Eventually, they broke apart, both of them gasping for air as they caught their breath. Their faces were flushed with heat as they studied each other. Natsu took in the hazy look in her eyes before moving his gaze down to her lips. Pride swelled in him as he could make out a slight swell of her lower lip.

"W-What was that for?" Lucy asked. Her voice was airy and alluring, almost driving him in for another passionate kiss.

Natsu shrugged. "I guess I just couldn't wait anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Lucy, I've been chasing after you every day, tryin' to make it obvious how I feel. I think you and I both know we aren't just friends, and I don't wanna act like we are anymore. I want you, Lucy. I want all of you. And I know I said that we'd be together forever, but I can't wait for forever to come anymore. Watching you every day, it's tearin' me apart."

His heart felt like it was going to thrust out of his chest as he waited with suspense for Lucy's reply. He had no idea what she was going to say. Sure, they shared a kiss, but was that enough to get her to take the next step? Or would fear wrangle its way around her heart and keep her from diving in?

Finally, a smile broke out over Lucy's face.

"I'm tired of waiting too," she said. "I've wanted this for so long. But I thought after my party, you didn't want to take things further between us."

"I only backed off because you were freakin' out about it," Natsu replied with a smile. He took her hand in his. "I wanted to wait for you to be really ready. So, are you ready?"

Lucy nodded, the blush on her face deepening. "Yeah, I am. Are you?"

A chuckle slipped past his lips. "'Course I am, weirdo."

"So… It's official?"

"Yeah. It is," he answered, squeezing her hand. "Should we tell the guild?"

"Oh hell no. Not yet. Not until they suspect we're never going to happen so that none of them win from their stupid betting pool. They deserve it for making a bet around our lives!"

Natsu laughed, looping an arm around her shoulder. "Sounds good to me. Anyways, I'm starving. Wanna go back to the guild and get some food?"

"Sure!"

As Lucy moved to get up from the couch, he wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her towards him, crashing his lips against hers in a chaste kiss. He pulled away with a mischievous grin, proud at the blush he caused to spread across her cheeks and the hazy look in her eyes.

"Let's go!" he exclaimed, heading to the door as Lucy chased after him, smacking his arm once she caught up. It was then that he knew that their relationship wouldn't change. Sure, they'd share kisses when no-one was looking, but they'd goof off just the same.

Natsu slid his hand in Lucy's. Intertwining their fingers, a jolt shot through his body at the fact that he could now do that whenever he pleased. It was official. He had done the impossible.

He caught lightning.

AN: This was basically based off my hcs. I think both of them know damn well how they feel about each other at this point but didn't want to rush into anything. I also believe Lucy is the dense one and that she is super nervous when it comes to this stuff. Hope you guys liked it! :D And make sure to go check out what everyone else did for the Nalu Playlist! :D