Ch. 4- A Comforting Presence

Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima

Story and OCs © Me

Natsu sighed as he and Lucy sat under the awning of a garden shop together, watching the pouring rain as it showed no signs of stopping any time soon. Lucy shivered as she hugged herself for warmth, her wet clothes now sticking to her skin due to getting caught in the rain, causing Natsu to glance down at her in concern and perhaps a little bit of guilt. He felt fine, considering that due to his Dragon Slayer Magic, his body heat was higher than the average person... but he knew that Lucy must be feeling miserable.

Suddenly, Lucy covered her nose in an attempt to stifle a sneeze before she went back to shivering, again... but then, she sneezed again, and then a third time.

"Ugh... great..." she groaned. "I think I'm getting a cold."

Natsu's eyes softened before he glanced at his scarf, then back at the Celestial Spirit Wizard beside him. As Lucy sneezed once more, she gasped as a familiar white cloth was wrapped around her neck, causing her to look at Natsu as he carefully tied it around her.

"Natsu, what are you-" Lucy started.

"You need it more than I do, right now," Natsu said. "I'm warm enough without it, really."

"But... didn't Igneel give this to you?" asked Lucy.

"He won't mind if I let ya borrow it for a while," Natsu replied.

"Natsu..." Lucy whispered... but then, out of nowhere, he reached his arm over and pulled her closer to him, causing her to let out a muffled squeak in surprise as she felt her reddened cheek collide with his chiseled pectoral muscles. "Uh... what are you doing?"

"Just be still," Natsu replied as he sat quietly, and at first, Lucy looked ready to pull away from him... but then, as she placed her hand over Natsu's chest, she gasped silently as she suddenly felt the cold chill of the autumn rain beginning to melt away. It was then that she realized that Natsu was starting to raise his own temperature, not to the point where he was setting himself on fire, but just the right amount to warm her up. She smiled, sighing softly as she nestled up against him, causing him to glance down at her.

"Is it warm enough for ya?" he asked.

"Yeah," Lucy replied. "Thanks, Natsu."

Natsu smiled a bit... but that smile quickly fell as he sighed softly, a defeated and guilty look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Luce," he said, causing her to glance up at him. "I know this isn't the kind of romantic date that you wanted."

"Natsu," Lucy spoke.

"I really messed up, didn't I?" asked Natsu, a solemn look on his face. "I mean... I didn't even bring you flowers. I just snatched some off the windowsill from one of your neighbors."

'I thought those flowers looked familiar...' Lucy thought.

"I don't blame ya if ya never wanna do this, again, Luce," Natsu said, sadly.

"Natsu, that's not true," Lucy said. "I mean... despite the setbacks... I'm actually having a good time."

"Really?" Natsu asked. "You're not just sayin' that to make me feel better, are ya?"

"No, I mean it," Lucy said. "I mean... I'll admit, I was a little bit apprehensive, but I'm actually having a really nice time with you. I don't know why. I guess it's because I'm just so used to you, by now."

"You are?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah," Lucy replied as a fond smile graced her features. "I mean... it's been a few months since we first met... and ever since then, you've really ever left my side. I mean... yeah, you kind of drive me crazy and you always invite yourself into my apartment without permission... but despite all that, being around you just makes me happy... because if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met everyone else in Fairy Tail." She glanced up at him, her chocolate brown eyes giving off a glint of happiness. "You've been a real comforting presence in my life, Natsu... and I'm glad that I'm here with you."

Natsu's cheeks turned bright red as he blinked at Lucy before he gave her a toothy grin.

"I'm glad I'm here with you, too, Luce," he said, causing her to giggle as she continued to nestle up against him... and not too far away, Gray and Erza, both hiding under an umbrella that the former had made with his magic, smiled warmly at the sight. Natsu then looked up at the sky, noticing that the rain was still pouring down and still showed no signs of stopping any time soon. Then he looked through the window of the shop behind him and noticed that it was already 5 o'clock.

"I don't think we should stay here much longer," said Natsu.

"Yeah, you're right," Lucy replied. "Let's go back to my place. It's not far from here."

"Good idea," Natsu said as he grabbed a nearby discarded newspaper and put it over their heads. "Come on, let's go, but be careful about goin' too fast! Don't want you to slip!"

"Okay!" Lucy nodded as they hurried to her apartment... and once again, Gray and Erza followed behind, being careful not to get too close.

XXX

Natsu and Lucy arrived back at the apartment complex on Strawberry Street without incident, the rain still pouring down outside as they entered the building. As soon as they entered, Lucy headed into the bathroom so she could take a quick warm shower. Natsu declined when she offered him to use it after she was done, saying that he could always just dry off his magic. While Lucy was busy getting clean and warm, Natsu stared out the window, watching as the rain continued to fall.

Haru, Happy, and Blue Fang were probably wondering where he was, by now... but it looked like this rain wasn't going to be letting up any time soon.

That's when Lucy stepped out of the bathroom, a towel around her head as she was dressed in more casual clothes: a simple hot pink spaghetti-strap top with white sweatpants.

"Is it still raining?" she asked.

"Yeah," Natsu replied. "I don't think I can make it back home in this downpour."

"It's getting late, too," Lucy pointed out as she glanced over at the clock. "Listen... how about I make us some dinner and you spend the night here? We can go to the guild in the morning."

"You sure you don't mind me staying?" Natsu asked.

"Well, just this once, you actually have permission to be here," Lucy replied, "so no, I don't mind this time."

With that, Natsu sat on the couch while Lucy got to work making some dinner for the two of them. Nothing too crazy, just some simple sandwiches that she made with whatever she could find in her fridge and some juice. As they ate, Lucy glanced over at Natsu, who absentmindedly scratched at his bare neck. That's when she suddenly remembered that she was still wearing his scarf, so she pulled it off and wrapped it around his neck, taking him by surprise.

"I figured you'd like it back," she said, causing him to smile.

"Thanks, Luce," Natsu replied as he went back to eating... but then, he tensed as he felt a pair of warm lips press against his cheek before they quickly pulled away, causing him to glance over at Lucy, who smiled at him.

"W... what was that for?" he asked, his cheeks slowly turning the same shade of pink as his hair.

"Just my way of saying thank you for the lovely day out," Lucy said, "and... maybe we could do it again, one day?"

Natsu blinked at her, still a bit stunned from the kiss on the cheek... but then he smiled.

"Sure!" he replied. "I'd love to!"

"Great," Lucy smiled before she got up and took their empty dishes to the kitchen. "Well, I'm gonna head to bed, now. Goodnight, Natsu."

"G'night, Luce," Natsu said. "See ya in the mornin'."

As Lucy finished washing the dishes and climbed into her bed, Natsu remained on the couch, his arms folded behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. He glanced over at Lucy, who had soon tucked herself under her thick pink quilt and was drifting off to sleep. He smiled as he thought about everything that happened today and how much fun they both had, even in spite of him not bringing his own flowers to give her, or the fact that they pulled a dine-and-dash, or even the fact that it was raining... because he remembered the two most important things.

One: they both enjoyed themselves, and two: Natsu didn't have to act like some lovey-dovey Prince Charming. He was just himself... the person that Lucy came to be best friends with. Knowing that he accomplished those things, Natsu happily sighed as he let the gentle sound of the trickling raindrops lull him into a deep sleep.

Outside, Erza and Gray both smiled before they glanced at each other, then nodded their heads, satisfied that everything ended well before they turned and walked away.

XXX

The following morning at the Fairy Tail Guildhall, the rain had since stopped and everyone was sitting around, just hanging out as usual. Haru was sitting at one of the tables with Happy and Blue Fang, all three of them looking worried. That's when Mirajane walked up and set down a cup of coffee in front of her, a concerned look on her face as she sat beside her.

"You okay, Haru?" she asked as she put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Natsu never came back to our house, last night," Haru answered.

"We think he might have spent the night with Lucy since it was raining all night long," Happy pointed out.

"I see," Mirajane said. "Well, I'm sure he's fine. He probably just spent the night with Lucy."

"Heheh," Cana chuckled. "Wow. Didn't think that they'd get THAT close, already!"

"Cana!" Mirajane chided.

"What?" asked Cana.

"They must have had such a lovely night if Natsu got to spend the night with her," Juvia mused with a wistful look on her face.

'Hopefully, my darling Gray and I could have such a lovely outing like that,' she thought.

Suddenly, the doors open and in walked Natsu and Lucy, to Haru, Happy, and Blue Fang's happiness.

"Natsu!" Haru and Happy exclaimed as they ran up and hugged the Salamander, who laughed as he soon embraced them. Blue Fang also joined in to give him a big lick on his face, happy to see that he was all right.

"We were so worried about you!" Haru said.

"Aye!" Happy added. "We were up for most of the night, waiting for you!"

"Sorry," Natsu replied. "It was raining so much, I didn't think I'd be able to make it home, so Lucy let me spend the night with her at her place."

"Really?" Haru asked in surprise. "Well, at least you were safe and dry!"

"By the way, how did your date go?" Happy asked.

"Huh?" Natsu muttered. "Oh! Right! Well... it didn't quite how we thought it would, but... it was actually pretty fun! Lucy even said she wanted to do it again!"

"Wow, that's great!" Haru exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you both! I knew you'd have a good time!"

"Aye!" Happy agreed.

"Thanks," Natsu smiled. "I'm really glad I went through with this."

"So, since you guys are gonna do this, again," Happy began, "does that mean that you and Lucy are together?"

Natsu's eyes widened before he glanced down at the floor, furrowing his brow in thought.

"Well..." he muttered. "I... I honestly don't know, yet. I mean... I know we had fun the other day and it was nice, but... I still don't know if... maybe she and I..."

Haru smiled as she put her hand on her adoptive brother's shoulder in reassurance.

"It's all right," she said. "I'm just glad you both had a good time. Just don't rush things, okay?"

"Yeah, you're right," Natsu said before he went to go sit at a table. "Anyway, I'm starvin'. How about we grab some grub first and then we'll go on a job?"

"Sounds good!" Haru replied.

"Aye!" Happy piped up while Blue Fang barked in agreement.

"Good to see you, Lulu!" Levy greeted as Lucy came and sat down with her.

"Hi, Levy," Lucy greeted back.

"So, how was your date with Natsu, last night?" asked Bisca as she walked over, as well.

"It was fine," Lucy replied. "I mean... there were a couple of setbacks, but it was actually pretty nice! I actually had a lot of fun!"

"Really?" asked Mirajane as she walked over, as well. "Well, that's great!"

"To think, the guy who'd actually ask you out was Natsu, of all people," Cana mused.

"I'm still a bit surprised about that," Lucy began, "but... I'm glad that we did."

"So, I guess this means you guys are official?" Cana asked with a smug grin.

"Huh?!" Lucy asked as her cheeks began to turn red. "W-well, I wouldn't say that! I mean... well..."

"Oh, relax!" Cana exclaimed. "I'm kidding, Lucy!" She then gave her a genuine smile. "Honestly, whatever you guys decide, I'm just glad it happened."

"Yes, I'm happy for you, as well, Lucy," Juvia added, smiling just as warmly.

"Me, too," Mirajane agreed. "Good for you and Natsu, Lucy!"

"Thanks, guys," Lucy replied as she smiled.

"Man, I wish Alzack was more straightforward with me like Natsu," Bisca said. "He's a sweetheart, really, but he's so shy sometimes."

"I'm sure you and he will get your chance, too," Mirajane assured while Lucy chuckled, a feeling of warmth beginning to well up inside her.

Not too far away, Erza and Gray were sitting at another table, the former eating a slice of strawberry shortcake while the latter had his shirt off.

"I guess everything ended up going well," Gray said.

"Indeed," agreed Erza. "I'll admit, I did have my doubts... but I'm glad that Natsu and Lucy actually enjoyed themselves." She then glanced at Gray before muttering under her breath, "Perhaps we'll work on you and Juvia next."

"What was that?" Gray asked.

"Oh, nothing, nothing," Erza replied as she took another bite of cake. "So... do you think that Natsu knew that you and I were spying on him and Lucy?"

"Psh!" Gray buzzed his lips. "Yeah, right. That idiot wouldn't be able to spot his own head if it wasn't screwed on right!"

"Hey, Gray! Erza!"

The two wizards both looked up to see Natsu glaring at them with his hands on his hips, a look of annoyance on his face.

"I just thought I'd tell you that I smelled your scent all over town, yesterday," he groused. "Also, I could see you both peeking around the corners. If you're gonna spy on someone, don't be so damn obvious!"

With that, he walked off, leaving both Gray and Erza dumbfounded.

"...Well... I've been wrong before," Gray said.

And thus begins Natsu and Lucy's relationship, if you can call it that. Right now, they're more or less in the dating stage, but slowly but surely, they'll both come to realize their feelings for each other are real. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep everyone invested long enough!

For now, I'm gonna see what else I can work on before I start on my version of the Oracion Seis Arc.

Review, please!