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 4: A Little More Conversation and TLC

A/N: Greetings and Happy New Year/2021 everyone! It's your girl back with yet another installment of AFHPATNSTPA! Apologies for the delay :) The initial development of the original chapter draft underwent a couple rounds of edits and revisions between my wonderful beta and I over the two months or so; with both of being extremely busy at times (especially during December ). At least the chapter is posted now though lol! Once again, a personal shoutout and major thanks to MannyEGB for taking the time for his feedback and assisting me in the editing and development process! You rock man! Now without further ado, here's the story (with plenty of fluffy Nalu and OTP goodness!) 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

"Be with someone who will take care of you. Not materialistically, but take of your soul, your wellbeing, your heart, and everything that's you."

(Source Unknown)

"Hljóðs bið ek allar helgar kindir

Meiri ok minni mögu Heimdallar;

Viltu, at ek, Valföðr! Vel framtelja forn spjöll fíra

Þau er fremst um man..."

Lucy's eyes drifted open to rays of sunlight streaming through the apartment window. A husky tenor over a tranquil, Nordic -folk melody with a guitar was floating through a lacrima-tooth speaker in the kitchen. And how could she fail to notice the most zesty aroma of herbal soup broth with a distinct hint of toast swarming her senses?!

Tasty food…and the perfect music…Hey….my headache's completely gone? Thoughthe celestial wizard couldn't say the same for that dry tickle in the back of her throat. God damn do I feel like I'm inside a furnace.

Not to mention the flare of heat blasting through her veins.

Why do I still feel sick?

"Natsu?" Lucy called out, her voice coming out as raspy to her own ears. "You in the kitchen?"

"Yup. Morning Luce!"

Natsu popped his head out of the kitchen before fully emerging with a portable tray in hands full of a light but-no-less-appetizing meal— herbal vegetable soul next to buttered toast; topped off by a turquoise mug of what was most likely tea.

That black tee and jeans combo with his trademark scarf though. Not to mention the attractively rumpled coral mane along the flash of canines poking through his trademark, infectious grin being tossed thrown Lucy's way.

So damn handsome, sexy, and attractive with that amazing, chiseled physique...such lean and corded muscle. But don't get me started on those rugged good looks. Those striking green eyes and freaking smile grin of his— holy hell.

Honest to God did it all send Lucy's hear racing. Just think.. we're alone together right now…which also means that Natsu has me completely to himself right now-like how I'm part of his hoard. Not that this already wasn't a proven fact before but it's still no less thrilling. Damn did the most joyous of anticipation bloom in her chest.

I'm really lucky and wouldn't have it any other way. And hot damn he really is a tall glass of water and more, isn't he?

"Yo! Earth to Lucy? You okay?"

Natsu's gentle call of concern broke through Lucy's thoughts.

"Yeah! Just…got distracted." Not to mention the heat rising in her cheeks.

"No worries! Anyways, time for breakfast- or brunch I guess." The dragon slayer declared, moving with the tray over to the bedside of his mate as if never noticing that tratious blush of hers . "Thought you'd like to eat in bed!" Hands unfolded the prongs of the tray over Lucy's lap in one fluid motion. "Herbal vegetable soup from scratch, buttered toast and black tea— milk, two sugars."

"Sounds delicious."

"You bet it is!" Natsu crowed, chest practically puffing in pride. "Don't mean to toot my own horn but did I mention getting up a few hours before to prepare this seriously awesome meal? The soup's what took me the most time to make from scratch- but still worth it either way!"

"Wow—-Really?" Lucy sang Natsu's praises, voice lifting into a higher pitch. He's amazing!

"I can't believe you went to all this trouble for me! You're the best— thank you!"

"Course— anything for you, Luce." Natsu jibed, bowing his head to steal a quick kiss from her waiting lips. "Now eat up. I can whip something else up if you're still hungry later. Bacon and eggs, pasta, stew —you name it."

"That's really sweet of you— thank you". Lucy sang more of Natsu's praises with a grateful smile forming across her lips. She couldn't help but be touched by his sweet gesture offer. "All of this looks great too and is just what I need -damn..." The tell-tale gurgling noise of a stomach rumbling in mild hunger drew mutual laughter from both wizards at the same. "Especially after last night and if the sound of my stomach is anything to go by."

"Agreed. It's probably a sign that you're a tad bit peckish." Natsu snickered, an teasing edge to his words twinkling his eyes. "From like the gods or whatever, either that it's your own insides demanding things like "feed me, feed me."

"Jeez you're such a goofball" Lucy fired back with a slight roll of her eyes. "But I will dig in. Think I'm going to have some of that tea first though." One hand raised the mug to her lips by the handle... and Good God did the creamy flavour of the black tea hit the spot! Just what what doctor ordered to soothe some of the dry ache in her sore throat!

Holy crap!

"Mhmm this is really good!" Lucy raved , though she couldn't help but internally cringe at the horse rasp of her own voice. "Though I can't say I'm a fan of my voice right now."

"Aw yeah— sounds like you might be losing your voice there, sweetheart." Natsu noted, shooting her a sympathetic glance at the dismay in her still- pitiful-sounding tone.

"You're looking a little pale and flushed too. Lemme' check your forehead…Damn." The back of Natsu's hand was being pressed against the summoner's forehead. "Hot to the touch— you feel like a furnace."

"Yeah, been feeling pretty warm" Lucy reported, not liking what she was hearing. "Think I have a fever?"

"Most likely though I'll have to check your temperature to be sure."

"Aw man" Lucy deflated with a moan, shoulders lumping only to break into a fit of coughs. "And now I'm coughing too— just perfect."

"Aw Luce;" Natsu sighed, tender sympathy echoing in his words. "It's not fun, I know." God Lucy's nerves under his fingers stroking hair back from her forehead. . "I'm really sorry you're so sick."

"Me too though I appreciate your sympathy and taking care of me nonetheless."

"Glad to be of service. Least we got plenty of medical and health supplies like magical throat lozenges to help get you better. Erza and Cana have been checking in with Porlysuica and Wendy too. Those two should be able to completely heal you when they get back."

"Sounds good — it'll definitely be a big help. Think I remember seeing some of those lozenges in our bathroom."

"Yep! There's a few stacked boxes of them in the medicine cabinet along with the thermometer and some other stuff."

"Cool. Might as well freshen up in there while I'm at it. How fast do you think I can motor on over there?" The celestial mage couldn't help but crack a joke of her injury to Natsu though how he seemed to bite his lip didn't escape her notice.

"What?" She questioned, lifting a brow at what was clearly hesitation written all over his face. "Got a problem with me doing that or something?"

"Uhhhhhh Yeahhhhhhh. About that" Natsu confessed, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck with his hand. "Afraid I can't let you move around on your feet by yourself, angel." A smoothing of the pyromaniac's hand down the back of Lucy's crown shot a bolt of tingly electricity down her spine. Damn... Mavis knows that her head couldn't help but tilt back into the warm touch of his hand with every each and every stroke. "Not just yet anyways. Sorry."

"Wait… are you for real?" Lucy contested; words laced with a deadpan sort of disbelief. "You're saying that you can't let me move around by myself. Even to the bathroom?! Good Lord."

"That's just how it is right now, Luce" The fire wizard reasoned, as if clued into some kind of critical insight that she wasn't privy to despite the evident insanity of his logic. "You aren't supposed to be putting weight on a sprained ankle or moving around too much until the injury heals enough."

"Well yeah" Lucy tossed back rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Everyone knows that— duh. But we're not talking about long distances here. Just a quick trip to the bathroom."

Stupid pyromaniac of a boyfriend..."

"Like I highly doubt a few meters are going to kill me. Pretty sure that I can at least manage to hobble over to the washroom door without much trouble as long as I'm careful."

"Mhmmmmm..." Natsu gave a slight shake of the head in dissent. "Still too risky. You could easily trip again and land on your bad ankle making it worse...Hey!" Excited realization flashed his eyes as if struck with the most ingenious plan of all time. "Why don't I just carry you over myself?"

"That's a sweet offer and all but…..aren't you being a tad overprotective?"

"Maybe you know what my kind's instincts are like— especially when it comes to our mates-slash queens. Extremely protective and territorial. We're pretty much hardwired to continuously restake and assert our claims on our bonded, keep them safe , and look out for their over wellbeing even if that means being what's considered overlycautious to most people."

"Okay, valid point taken. I'll give you that."

"Thank you. Just know all this comes out of love and our bond."

Well when he puts it that way...

"Now come on" The dragonslayer wheeled, flashing Lucy a cheeky grin. "Stop being so stubborn and lemme' carry ya' 'already! Cute as you may be when you're like this."

"Okay, okay, okay." Lucy conceded, lips twitching into a reluctant smile of her own. "If you insist." Mavis knows she couldn't help but finally cave whenever that drop-dead -sexy pyromaniac-of a boyfriend turned on that irresistible charm of his. "I'll let you carry me. Can't really refuse now, can I? Especially with all the sweet talk."

"Finally— that's the spirit Luce! Now up we go."

"Alrighty."

"Yep, that thermometer's also pickin' up a temperature of 100 degrees; just as we both thought. You got a fever— a mild one though."

Lucy was parked on Natsu's lap with a digital lacrima thermometer pressed between her lips.

"Fairly low-grade then," she noted when the thermometer was extracted from her mouth by his hand. "That's not so bad."

"Nope," came Natsu's sunny response of agreement. "A good sign at least. Still gonna do everything that I can to help you get better though. How's your throat by the way?"

"Much better, thanks. Those lozenges really helped."

"That's good." A hand affectionately ruffled Lucy's hair sending a tingly undercurrent through her scalp.. "Wouldn't want your throat bothering you, right? Now drink some juice. A little vitamin c always helps!"

"True that." Lucy chirped, sipping apple juice through the straw of a carton in her hand. "You really did your homework!"

"Yep! Owe it all to what Igneel, Makarov, and Erza taught me! Plus, what I picked up from Porlyysuica and Wendy! Oh —" mobile lacrima's ringing.

"Turn your magic on to me she'd say, Everything you want's a dream away…"

A jaunty tune accompanied by the buzzing of Natsu's mobile communication lacrima could be heard resounding through the fabric of his jeans.

"Wonder who it is?"

A free hand fished the device out from the pocket with the other arm still wound around her shoulder.

"It's Erza" Natsu announced, eyes sliding down to his screen. "I'm going to put her on speaker phone so she can hear both of us. That cool?"

"Yeah!" Lucy concurred more than eagerly' keen on chatting with their scarlet-haired teammate.

"By all means put her on!"

So glad that her, Natsu and Cana were there yesterday...

"Great! Yo Erza!" Natsu greeted, voice falling into a naturally conversational tone after tapping on the screen. "Got you on speaker lacrima. Lucy's with me."

"Hello and figured as much." Erza's cordial words resounded through the speaker of the mobile. "Hi Lucy."

"Hey!"

"So what's up?" Natsu inquired , sounding curious. "Not that I ain't glad you called but it must be for a reason."

"Indeed, there is. I wanted to check in on Lucy after last night" Erza verified, cutting to the chase." How's she feeling?"

"Eh... well... only so-so." came the dragonslayer's reply. "Not that great physically to be perfectly honest." Green eyes landed onto Lucy's face with what only could be described as a touch of doting concern. "Her nausea and headache cleared up just fine but she's still pretty under the weather. Slight fever, coughing, and a sore throat though no pain after some throat lozenges."

"Oh dear…" Erza's voice was nothing short of empathetic. "I'm really sorry to hear that. What a day she must be having."

"Yeah, I'll say." Natsu echoed with a rueful chuckle. "Anything else you wanna know? Lucy's voice is pretty shot at the moment right now so it's probably better that she just listens in and that I answer your questions."

That's what I was thinking too. Nice one, Natsu!

"Yes, I did notice that Lucy sounded a bit hoarse earlier." A distinct noise of what sounded like the whistle of a kettle could be heard in the background through the other end of the line. "Don't mind me. Just have the kettle boiling for tea while we chat. Anyways, it sounds like Lucy might have a case of the flu or something like it. You mentioned a fever?"

"Yeah, though I'm keeping a close eye on it. Haven't really noticed any congested sinuses or anything like that but I'm still gonna give her some cold medication just in case."

"Good idea. Has she eaten?" Erza inquired with a hint of a kind smile that Lucy could detect in her voice. "Having some food and fluids in her system would do her a world of good."

"No food yet but she's currently drinking apple juice." Natsu readily supplied an answer. "I'll make sure she eats soon though."

"Good, good. That'll help." Erza followed up, seemingly pleased by the new piece of information. "What are you two up to for the rest of the day?"

"Probably just chilling and relaxing together," was the fire wizard's reply; Damn did those love-filled eyes connecting with Lucy's just turn her heart to mush. Did she mention that disarmingly tender smile that practically had her melting in his arms?

God Damn… how does he keep doing that? Making me swoon the way he just did? The moonstricken mage lamented with an internal sigh of self-conscious delight. Like it really isn't fair, all those smiles, grins, and smirks always do the trick to get me weak in the knees or putty in his capable hands. Not to mention all those other kind of effects on me like say- stop rambling and your mind from wandering, Lucy! Oh well… just can't help myself, it seems.

"I'm gonna give my girl plenty of TLC."

"Sounds lovely — enjoy your romantic downtime together. You know Cana and I wanted to drop by with more food, meals essentials and other supplies as part of a supply train at some point. Her, me, and others could hang out and help keep Lucy company and look after her during those times you happen to be out on side jobs and missions. Afterall, I imagine that there would still be some bills and other expenses to pay, right?"

"True….that'd all be great— thanks!" Natsu gave an avid thanks at the same time Lucy offered a thumbs up. "Luce's on board too and Happy's also more than willing to help."

"Awesome!" Erza seemed to be positively bursting with keen approval. "It really is a major bummer that Lucy is unwell— but at least nursing her back to health can be a team effort and we can all spend time together while we're at it."

"For sure!" Natsu trumpeted, pumping a fist in the air. "Lucy will be feeling better in no time. I'm all fired up now!"

I hope so too.

"My thoughts exactly. Anyways, I should be off now. I'll touch base in a few days."

"Okay. Bye Erza!" The couple bade their simultaneous farewell at the same time before the lacrima was being slid back in Natsu's pocket.

Frig...

An unexpected chill passed through Lucy's frame Just then; Need warmth…. At least the dragonslayers arms were automatically drawing her tightly against his chest not too long after though.

Not a moment too soon either...

"S-S-Sooooo…c-cold" Lucy gasped, teeth chattering much to her displeaure. "Stupid flu."

"I know….You're shivering." Natsu pointed out, though not without his hearly obviously going out to his freezing mate. "Sorry you're so cold though. This help?"

"Yeah" was what she managed to utter in response with a content sigh.; a much-needed sense of relief flooding her veins. "Much better." That welcome heat of Natsu's touch seeped deep into her bones through his fingers as hands rubbed all over her body. "Thank you..."

Warmth...

Not to mention how the soothing warmth relaxed all those sprained tendons and sore muscles. Making her calm and relaxed even though her entire body had so much pain running through.

And I'm still tough enough to endure this flu thing despite its toll-especially with the amazing support of an incredible and generous soulmate like Natsu and our friends at my side . Not to mention them all helping to take care of and nurse me back to health...

"Anytime— my pleasure." Natsu pressed his lips against Lucy's temple— a kiss so feathery that it drew another sigh of bliss out of her. "I'm always glad to be help. Now just relax and I'll keep you warm. Then food not too long after."

"Kay."

A/N: All right, that's Chapter 4 folks! For those who are wondering, the lyrics are were from the skaldic version of the song Voluspa by Norwegian folk band Wardruna-aka what Lucy heard playing at the begging of this chapter. Natsu's ringtone is a Life Time of Adventure by Coldplay. Oh and the chapter title was partially inspired by an Elvis Presley song ( A Little Less Conservation). Anyway, Hope you all enjoyed and don't forget to let me know what you think by dropping a comment/review! Reblogging/sharing of this fic is also highly encouraged! Oh and be sure to stay tuned for more updates to this and other fics along with upcoming projects. I hope to start editing some other chapters for fics like Fire And Gold while starting the writing practice for other ongoing works such as TDDW and Tantric Flame too. Either way, 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 and A03 profiles). All right, that's it for now! Take care until next time!