A Fire Dragon, His Princess and The Not-So-Terrible Party Aftermath

Nalu week 2020 Prompts: Voice, Flirt, Charm & Smile(All implied)

Genres: Romance, Humor, New Adult Fanfiction

Pairing: Nalu/Endlu (Natsu x Lucy & E.n.d. Natsu x Lucy)

Rating: M for language, steamy and mature/adult sexual content (all consensual) in these and future chapters. Reader Discretion is advised.(You've been warned!)

Summary: God knows it was all fun and games at an outdoor guild party until a drinking contest results in a not-so-great time for a certain celestial wizard much to the dismay of a protective dragon slayer and company. Even worse is Lucy's hangover with some kind of mild flu and busted ankle to boot . At least a doting Natsu is more-than-willing to provide his mate plenty of TLC. One of my entries for Nalu week 2020 and part of the Nalu-centric anthology series The Dragon Demon and His Celestial Princess anthology series (slight au/ canon divergent).

Chapter 3: Down With The Alcohol- Induced Sickness

A/N: Hey peeps, it's your girl back with yet another installment of this fic! I don't have too much to say in this particular A/N other than a shout out this time among other than a few things. Like how's there's plenty of romantic Nalu fluff, protective Natsu and platonic friendship in this chapter and fic for y'all to self-indulge to your hearts content for instance! Special thanks to the amazing MannyEGB for helping me edit and further develop this chapter as a beta! Oh and the title is partially inspired by a Disturbed Song. Now without further ado, here's the story-enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairytail which instead belongs to the one and only Hiro-sensei instead!

Legend

Italics: Fantasy, flashback & literary/ song quotes

Bold: First Person Thoughts

Bolded Italics: empathized word

Bolded Italics: outside of main story): A/N

"I've had a little bit too much, much (oh, oh, oh)

All of the people start to rush (start to rush by)

A dizzy twister dance, can't find my drink or man

Where are my keys?

I lost my phone, phone (oh, oh, oh)"

(Lady Gaga & Colby O'Donis: Just Dance)

(This particular song seemed to fit the chapter perfectly lol)

Shit... shit.. shit...

Not too many hours later, the poor celestial mage hobbled through the trees in search of well…..Natsu, Cana, Erza first aid, a garbage bin to retch over...or just about anyone or anything, really. Did she mention the fire water pumping through her veins?

Ugh... all that alcohol was the single thought of self-regret running through the sloshed woman's mind.

"When you see her

By the silver moonlight

Shining baby

Lying by your side

You know tonight

you're gonna die

Cheyenna

Cheyenna

Cheyenna"

A gothic rock song echoing in Lucy's mind that she vaguely recalled hearing earlier, a misguided dare in the form of a drinking contest that quickly spiraled out of control.

The hell was I thinking? How the celestial mage let herself be persuaded into tossing back so many alcoholic drinks by Warren and Max, she couldn't fathom. Thoughts swimming, whirling through Lucy's , that electric flash pain behind her eyes — (not unlike a hammer). Not to mention, mud-encrusted clothes, countless unsightly bruises, contusions along with abrasions topped off with a busted ankle from a tumble through some dense brush down a slope; that literally added further insult to injury. Needless to say, the blonde was clearly less -than -mint -condition to any person with eyes. Good god, was she mentally kicking herself for that terribly short-sighted lapse in judgment during that damned contest.

Hammered as I may be Why, just why? Now if I could just find where Natsu and the others are at, that'd be just great.

"HeyErza! Have you seen Lucy around at all? She's supposed to join us with Levy and Gajeel after that artifact — but isn't back yet and I'm starting to get super worried."

Natsu's frantic voice sounding through the trees alerted Lucy to the others' location.

Least I figured out where everyone is now...

" Not yet but don't worry," She heard Erza reply in attempt to placate her friend. "I'm sure she'll turn up soon thoug.h"

"I guess…..It's just….what if something happened?"

"You worry too much" was what Cana had to say in response, though not unkindly. "We both know your girl. Major nerd at heart, never one to pass up a chance to see or witness something cool when it comes to history or archeology or catch up with friends. She probably just lost track of time with Levy and Gajeel."

"Yeah, but you're not attuned to her like I am," Natsu didn't sound entirely convinced, more ill — at ease still if anything. "The way all dragon slayers, demons and hybrids are to their soulmates -slash- queen from the mating bond; which you'd all people would obviously understand seeing how you're with Laxus— but that's besides the point. Anyway, the bond gives me all kinds of abilities and enhances all others when it comes to our soulmates. Like being more tuned into them in every way possible with higher intuition when it comes to our soulmates as part of it. Can give us a good sense how they're feeling and if they're okay or not. Just like now. Getting real bad vibes here and I'm telling you something is wrong."

"Well In that case, we don't see any reason not to trust your concern based on what you're saying. Cana and I will help keep an eye out ."

"Thank you Erza— I appreciate that."

"Anytime. Both you and Lucy are our friends and we don't want anything bad to happen to either. Tell you what. If we don't hear or see that Lucy's not back within a few minutes, one of us can try calling or texting her."

"Okay."

"No need for that actually" Lucy called out, internally wincing at how garbled the words/voice/ sounded to her own ears. "I'm here now."

"Luce— There you are! Thank— oh my god! What happened?!"

Lucy caught a whole gamut of emotions warring across Natsu's face; relief, shock, and then finally tremendous panic just as the full reality of the inflicted damage sunk in.

"That's a….good question." The celestial wizard moved only to stumble forward; with a sharp pain shooting through the tendons of her ankle.

Fuck...

Another unsteady step forward though robust arms caught Lucy before she could fall at least.

"Easy there Luce." Natsu cautioned in that duclet undertone reserved just for her. "I got ya'. Come on— let's get you over to a chair." The fire wizard cautiously guided his mate over the grassy field to a chair that Erza and Cana were quick to provide.

"Shit" Cana muttered in alarm at the awful sight of her friend. "You're in pretty bad shape, Lucy….."

"All those injuries—- any pain?" Erza inquired, brow creasing in concern at Lucy's nod. "Anywhere specifically?"

"Ankle…..head…." Lucy's croaked way of pained reply. "from a splitting headache….really hurts Natsuuu!"

"Awww….I know….sweetheart" Natsu soothed; at the same time that hands were cradling the celestial mage cheeks who couldn't help but lean into his warm touch. "And I'm sorry that it does. Promise that the three of us here are going to take care of you, okay?"

"...Okay..."

"You can bet it on Lu," Cana was laying a hand over Lucy's with what could only be described as the utmost, sympathy shimmering in her eyes. "Majorly unfortunate timing and bad luck though with Porlyysuica being out of town on a special medical mission in a Hargeon hospice for and all. Wendy and Carla too. Think they only had time to stop by for a little bit before leaving to pack and join her at the train station."

"Definitely unfortunate timing indeed…" came Erza's sober response. "Especially seeing how though all of their services and expertise would have been a great asset and help. Right now it's up to all of us to manage the best of our ability; I have full faith that we're up to the task."

"Agreed—Lucy's counting on us. Guess it helps that we all have some level of medical, first aid and CPR training."

"Indeed it is. Alright Lucy, I should probably examine your ankle for a proper assessment of what we're dealing with. Is that all right?"

Yeah, Lucy gave her consent to Erza's clinical inquiry with a silent nod.

"Good." Erza's was dropping down before cautiously lifting the heel of her friend's busted ankle. "Now I'm gonna carefully use my fingers to check any deformities of bumps." Fingers gingerly pressed along Lucy's ankle only for worry to pull the corners of Erza's lips into a frown at the other's sharp intake of breath.

"Clearly some pain there judging by your reaction." Erza let out a heavy sigh of dismay. "Seems the type of injury you have is just as I thought— ankle sprain. We'll need to follow the RICE method of treatment and apply a tensor bandage for sure."

Figured….Stupid, busted ,ankle…...

"God Damn…." Natsu titled Lucy's head between his hands with such delicate care that her heart fluttered in her chest with adoration. "This friggin sucks big time. I'm really sorry this happened again, Lucy. All these bruises and scratches too.— god...dammit…."

"I'm not thrilled either…" Lucy voiced her displeasure aloud to Natsu who lifted a questioning brow in response to the constant slurring of her words. "Belish me...Bas ankle."

'Bas ankle'? Nastu echoed, eyebrows drawing together. "Seems like you're slurring your words again, Luce. Been doing that since we found you. Plus, I caught a whiff of the alcohol on your breath— pretty apparent even without my strong/powerful sense of smell."

"Yes," Erza chimed in, wrapping a tensor bandage around Lucy's ankle before cautiously setting it down with some kind of makeshift cold compress on cushion. "I couldn't help but notice that too. No question that you're pretty drunk though we were all too focused on your injuries to comment at first. Must've been a lot of drinks to get you into this nasty predicament though."

"Can you remember how many it was Luce?" Natsu coaxed, lightly stroking his soulmate's cheeks with the pads of his thumb; which sent a rush of sparks racing through her nerves despite that godman splitting ache of a migraine). "and If If was on an empty stomach or not?"

"Might be best to tell us what happened Lu," Cana advised, tossing her an encouraging smile. "That way so we know."

"Drinking contest— lots of booze" The words automatically tumbled out of the blonde' s mouth of their own accord. Cats out of the bag now... "Rum, whiskey, tequila, vodka, margaritas, cocktails, beer….Max and Warren...they...convinced me into doing it….."

It was her last statement that caught that sounded the alarm for the other three with collective noises of outrage .

"What?!" Natsu hissed, voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "You mean they're the reason you're in such horrible shape?!"

"Of course those two would be responsible. " Erza's lips were pressed into a firm line. Out f all the irresponsible party shegingans- good lord…"

" God- What total Idiots" Cana uttered, slapping a palm against her forehead. "No one loves drinking more than me but even I wouldn't be this dumb or reckless when it comes to my friends. Talk about Max and Warren being the worst drinking buddies ever."

"Yes and it was a careless error in judgement on their part."

"You said it Erza."

"Yeah." Lucy resounded in agreement. Especially seeing how those clueless idiots are the reason I'm in this whole mess.

"Definitely." Natsu let out a sharp exhale with a distinct flash of lethal intent in hie eyes that could be described as downright glacial . "Those bastards are gonna pay

Mhmm.. Yeah" Lucy gave a slight nod but couldn't help peer up at him or the twinge of apprehension threading through her veins.

Natsu does sometimes has a tendency to go overboard when angry...especially when it comes to me or certain others being hurt. Either way, I'm never having a drink with Max and Warren again... Too late this this time around though…just great...

"Lucy you—-oh god!"

Warren burst through the trees with Max at his side; only to to grind to a screeching halt at the

sight of frosty glares from three seething wizards.

"H-hey guys" Max's voice wavered by way of greeting. "S-S-Sup?"

"You tell us," The dragonslayer demanded, tone edged with steel. "The hell happened to Lucy?"

"That's what I'd like to know too" Erza pressed, eyes narrowing with the folding of her arms over her chest. "Good God..."

"Me three." Cana echoed in displeased agreement "Care to elaborate, boys?"

"W-W-Well...you see it's actually a funny stor-" Max yammered with trepid grin; just to break off into a whimper from Natsu's hostile growl.

"Don't care...Just explain...now!"

Wonder what they'll say...

"O-Okay, okay, o-okay! J-Just try not to get too mad" Warren more pleaded — than requested. Quite-feeble sounding too. "S-So yeah, Max ran into Lucy earlier as you know, mingling, making her rounds— you know typical party behaviour. We said hi of course being friendly and all that."

"We invited Lucy to have a few drinks with us" Max jumped in, eyes darting restlessly as if searching for a potential escape route. "One thing led to another and we ended up challenging her to a drinking contest. It was just for fun though it got a little of hand with what and how much Lucy drank and her being a such a lightweigh and. Next thing we knew she vaguely mentioned something about wanting to explore and pretty much slipped away any of us could blink…...oops!"

The last words was were really push an already incensed Nastu over the edge.

Uh-oh...

"'Opps...'?" 'Opps'!?" the fire wizard exploded, voice rising in volume. "Are you friggin' kidding me with that BS right now?! You dickheads honestly mean to tell me that you let my poor, drunk, mate wander off herself under both of your watch and all one of you can say is opps?!"

"Y-Y-Y-Yeah, p-p-p-pretty m-m-m-much.."

"You god -damn fucking!..." Nastu broke off into a colourful stream of profanities that'd be even enough to make a sailor blush.

"You Absolute Morons!" Erza's fists clouted over the heads of the Not-so-dynamic duo whose pained yelps seemed to fall on deaf ears. Just "look at the poor girl! She's covered in bruises and scrapes. Not to mention that sprained ankle on account of your negligent stupidity!"

"Aw come on!" Warren objected, on the defence while rubbing the sore spot on their head. "We didn't mean any harm! Though I guess it wasn't such a great idea for us to let her roam the park grounds all by herself."

"Gee you don't say!?" Cana spat, words dripping with acid sarcasm. "Nothing gets by you, does it?"

"You know I noticed Lucy isn't brimming with any of her usual drunk pep today?" Max interjected, much to the ire of all other sober friends with icy glares/glowers that gave new meaning to the phrase if looks could kill. "Just something I noticed."

"Yes Max...thank you for your insight." Erza snapped, her words more than a touch scathing. "What shrewd observation skills. It's not like any of us noticed. Of course Lucy isn't 'brimming' with her usual drunk pep as you so obviously put it. She's injured and unwell right now for God's sake!"

"Well yeah..."

Lucy meanwhile was watchingTitania tear into the men with displeased eyes; until another unwelcome wave of nausea crashed over her with the force of a freight train.

Shit...

"B-B-But it was still an accident."

"That's still no excuse Warren!"

"But..."

"Ugh guysss" Lucy spoke up in a feeble croak. "Could I maybe please have a bucket? Gonna...puke here... "

"Oh crap — here you go Lucy!" Erza set a plastic red pail down on Lucy's lap with urgent precision in record timing.

"Thank— Oh God'' Lucy couldn't even utter a full thank you before bile was rising up in her throat. The next thing said an indisposed mage knew, she was retching over the grass. Good god were the watery, undigested, brown contents spilling into the bucket less- than -appetizing.

Pasta, salad, beer plus whatever the hell that is. No longer appealing…...so gross.

Definitely all murder on Lucy's already- parched throat to say the least.

"Ahh shit….So sorry but it'll be okay, Lucy."

Natsu's hands meanwhile were rubbing soothing circles on her back with soft words that she faintly registered .

"That's right, I'm here. You hear me, sweetheart? I'm here. Cana and Erza too. We're all here and gonna take care of you."

"Don't forget about—".

Warren' s wary—but-sympathetic voice broke in just to be cut off by Natsu's ferocious snarl.

"Don't...You...Fuckin'...Dare….touch...Her." He bit out between grit teeth."It's you and that other prick's fault that she can't keep anything down. Plus all those other injuries like Erza said."

"W-W-We didn't..."

"Doesn't matter. Either one ya 'lay a finger on Luce and I'll roast your sorry asses."

Damn... Natsu sure is pissed. It's probably directed at Warren and Max though I hope he's not angry with me too.

"Natsu?" Lucy piped up, voice coming out a bit tentative. "You're not mad at me too, are you?"

"What? No!" Natsu replied, the roiling fury in his eyes immediately cooling . . "Course I'm not mad at ya',Luce. " Not to mention that hint of what could only be described as bemused affection in his voice "None of this is your fault, I mean I'm not exactly too pleased with those jerkfaces right now." He shot a pointed glare at the harebrained culprits over his shoulder. "But that's besides the point. What's more important is you and your recovery. I'm gonna take real good care of you with the help of Happy and the others."

"Thank you. Still sorry though." Lucy admitted, unable to stop the regret from bleeding into her voice; though she didn't miss the slight shake of Natsu's head in mild disapproval from her apology. "I really wanted to dance with you and still do." The prospect of being inside her boyfriend's arms, swaying together to the tempo of a romantic ballad under the stars were all too tempting for the crestfallen blonde to pass up before. "Always love dancing with you. Did I mention how great you are at the slow, romantic type with a partner?"

"Thanks, though no need to apologize weirdo. Next time, I promise." The soft touch of Natsu's lips to Lucy's forehead temple, how he only seemed to have eyes for her in that moment- no wonder that heart gave a little thump.

"Yay!" Lucy chirped, spirits lifted by the news." Looking forward to it!"

"Same here" Natsu let out a chuckle; fond amusement brightening his emerald eyes. "And you're too adorable when you get all excited. God I love how your entire face lights up. Too endearing, cute and beautiful for words. Yeah, being really sappy here but I don't care. Anyway, how about we get you home and in bed, yeah?"

Arms were lifting Lucy with delicate care so as not to jostle her-bridal style .

"Mkay—home" she breathed, letting her head fall against the fire wizard's chest." No more puking. Want our comfy bed."

"Yes mam."

Sleep would be awesome right about now...

"Bed rest would do a world of good" Erza recommended, sounding more optimistic now. "Sounds like both of you have the right idea. Natsu, make sure you apply ice to Lucy's ankle and keep it elevated— maybe with another pillow. Have more tensor bandages ready too."

"And don't forget to give her some painkillers and plenty of water too!" Cana added with tips of her own. "Hydration is key!"

"Also sound advice. As for me, I'll contact Porlyusica, Wend and Carla to inform them what happened. That way, they can bring us up to speed on what we can do in the meantime and then properly heal Lucy upon return. I'll stop by your apartment later with medical supplies and provisions that you'll need for the week."

"Ten four— thanks guys ." Natsu acknowledged with a grateful nod. "Time to go home, sweetheart."

"Kay..."

Lucy was only half -aware of her surroundings just then. The warmth of Natsu's arms as he whisked her away from the park, her other guildmates parting farewells, the sound of cobblestone streets underfoot just before an opening door. Letting herself be dressed in more comfortable sleepwear with a silent nod of consent at Natsu's inquiry; painkillers popped with the refreshing taste of cool water from a glass pressed to her lips. Hands tucking the now -drowsy mage beneath the downy softness of sheets on the couple's bed, fingers stroking delicate patterns between her eyes. The most feather -light pressure of the dragon wizard's lips against the summoner's forehead along with his hushed words that finally lulled her into the realm of the most pleasant dreams.

"Sweet dreams…princess."

A/N: That was Chapter 3 folks! Hope you enjoyed! Fun fact: I've been tipsy or under the influence of alcohol on more than occasion during my postsecondary and young adult years lol. My right ankle is my weaker and bad ankle due to 3 consecutive injuries within the span of a year and a half while I was earning my bachelors degree. Two were sprains with the second one being much worse than the first (First ankle sprain was in winter 2014 followed by a more acute sprain in summer 2015 and then a third injury in Autumn 2015 though it wasn't a sprain). Either way, those injuries unfortunately had long-last side effects on said ankle as a result; which means any other kind of injury on it wouldn't be ideal especially if it was a full-on fracture. Yes, I can be a bit of klutz and prone to injury and accident lol. Feel free to PM me or ask about my how my bad luck with my ankle occurred or other ways I've managed to accidentally maim myself lol. Anyway, hope you enjoyed Chapter 3 again! Please don't hesitate to let me know what you think by dropping a comment/review! Oh and be sure to stay tuned for more updates to this and other fics along with upcoming projects. Why not check out the rest of my writing out while you're at it too? (Corresponding links are above in this post, the navigation bar on the desktop and bio if reading this on tumblr. Also on my fanfiction profiles). All right, that's it for now! Take care until next time!