The world outside is a blur of browns, grey and white as I gaze out of the window of the car. We're half-way to the estate, the ride mostly silent thus far; it started snowing a little while ago and I allowed myself several more minutes to collect my thoughts before turning to Natsu, intent on bringing up something I noticed this morning. It was subtle, but he seemed off and I have a hunch as to why.

He looked deep in thought as I studied his features, his brow creased slightly. His features smooth out and he looks at me with a small smile that I had missed so much.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" I ask before I lose my nerve. We talked a bit last night after dinner before we fell asleep, but it was mostly superficial chit chat. He hadn't really spoken about what he did while he was gone.

His smile faltered a little before coming back strong as he asked, "what do you mean?"

In lieu of answering, I rested my head on his left shoulder and allowed my hand to slide down his chest, stopping just above his hip bone, then pressed down gently. A pained hiss left him and I released the pressure, my hand smoothing gentle circles over the area as I looked into his eyes and awaited his reply.

"Oh…that."

"Yeah, that," I copied his tone. "Were you hoping I wouldn't notice?"

"Kinda," he told me honestly, scrubbing a hand through his hair. "I didn't want you to worry more than you already were. I was gonna tell you eventually, but I thought it could wait until it was completely healed first."

He laced the fingers of his right hand through mine and brought it up to his lips, giving a soft kiss to the back of my hand and inside of my wrist, then allowing our joined hands to rest between us. The kisses felt like an apology, and I squeezed his fingers to let him know he was forgiven.

"We were clearing out a warehouse," Natsu began his story, "one of Jose's - as I'm sure you've guessed by now. We secured the building, but one of the guards must have hit a distress signal. It was apparently decided that it would be better to 'lose the merchandise' and take us out with it than just allow us to rescue all those people. I was close to one of the walls when it blew, and a piece of rebar sliced me open pretty good." He sounded so proud, and had the nerve to laugh at his words. His eyes turn to the world outside. "Didn't matter in the end; mine was the worst injury and everyone else made it out relatively unscathed."

Several of his words stood out in my mind. After allowing myself to process that there had been an explosion, the gravity of what that meant sank in. Explosions are dangerous; the rebar that struck him was probably shrapnel - likely from the building itself. Natsu was injured in an explosion, and he was being so nonchalant about it, as if it didn't matter at all. Like he didn't matter at all.

A weight settled onto my chest, forcing me to take progressively shallower breaths. I saw the motion of his head when he finally looked up, but I could no longer see him clearly from the tears obscuring my vision.

"Lucy. No, no… Lucy, please don't cry," he said softly, pulling his hand from mine before wrapping me in a tight embrace. "I'm alright, I promise. It's still a little tender, but the stitches came out weeks ago."

The reassurances did nothing to stem the flow of my tears. I could have lost him. I could have lost him and I wouldn't have known until months after he was gone. This thought made the tears fall more freely as I clung to Natsu. He just held me tighter, whispering soft assurances that he was fine, and he would not have broken his promise to come back to me. All the while his fingers stroked through my hair in an attempt to soothe me.

Natsu was finally able to quiet my crying by the time Capricorn was turning into the long driveway at the edge of the estate almost an hour later. Instead of opening the door for us as he usually would when the car was parked, he gave us a few more precious moments of privacy so that I could pull myself together.

"Are you gonna be okay to walk, or do you want me to carry you into the house?" Natsu asked with a grin once he pulled away from me.

"I think I can manage on my own," I smiled back at him. I doubt it reached my eyes, but it was the best I could manage at the time. "Gods, I probably look like a mess, though. It's a good thing we're not expecting company today."

"I wouldn't say you look like a mess, per se, though you do slightly resemble an alcoholic insomniac with your eyes all red and puffy like that," Natsu jokes before placing a chaste kiss on my lips. "Let's get you inside."

I didn't have a chance to reply before he opened the door and slid out, helping me out after him. My feet only just hit the slick cobblestone when I hear an enraged bellow from my right. Snapping my head up, I see Laxus storming towards us, his furious face a stark contrast to the soft snow falling all around.

"What the hell did you do to my cousin, Dragneel?" If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure Natsu would be dead from the venomous glare being sent his way. Laxus curls his right hand into a fist; fucking predictable of him to decide to act before waiting for an answer.

Not that Natsu is planning to give him one. I watch him clench his jaw as well as his fists as he prepares himself for a fight.

Shaking my head in exasperation, I position myself in front of Natsu. His right arm slides around my waist and he attempts to move me out of the way, but I stubbornly go slack in his arms instead, allowing my knees to buckle and giving him a choice: let me drop to the cold, hard ground, or abandon the potential fight to keep me from getting hurt.

My actions have the desired effect as Natsu wraps his other arm around me and pulls me flush against himself, almost effortlessly supporting my weight. Also predictable; I knew he wouldn't let me fall. Both men have stopped their bullshit posturing to make sure I'm alright. At least I know the damsel in distress act works when needed. Setting my feet back down to support myself, I take a step away from Natsu so I can send a glare to each of them in turn.

"He didn't do anything to me, Laxus," I said firmly to my cousin. He looks less than convinced, but I continue anyway. "Natsu is here to help, just like everyone else. He just…shared some information that I didn't really handle well, but that's not on him. I'm fine. There's no need for you to defend my honor, or whatever."

He spent several moments eyeing Natsu with open suspicion and disdain, then wrapped me in a tight hug I was not expecting. This is the closest we had been since Bora hurt him, and it was something I didn't think I would experience again, so I wrapped my arms around him and settled into his embrace until he decided he'd had his fill.

"I just don't want to see you hurt," Laxus told me when he finally pulled away, his hands raising up to settle on my shoulders. "You don't know who he really is."

"I don't?"

"He's the one you ran away from all those years ago," Laxus informed me, his voice lowered. "After your birthday party, when your dad tried to sell you off… it was to him. I didn't want to say anything before because you told me he was your friend. You didn't mention that the two of you were so… close. He could be just trying to manipulate you."

Natsu snorted out a laugh, having overheard what Laxus had tried to keep from him. I was able to hold back a laugh of my own, but only because I know that my dear cousin is still just looking out for me.

"He shared that little tidbit with me months ago, and it's a bit more complicated than you make it sound, Laxus. But he is my friend, regardless of how close we are. And he's here to help, so it would be really nice if you could, you know, at least try to get along?"

"Yeah, Blondie, I can try," he sighed and let his hands fall from my shoulders.

I looked up with a smile to thank Laxus and tease him about being more blond than I am, but the scowl on his face stopped me short. Heat enveloped my entire back as Natsu had stepped close enough to press his chest against me, his hands sliding up and down my arms. Turning my head, I gave him a questioning gaze, my mind temporarily halted by the sight of tiny snowflakes that cling to his hair and eyelashes before melting away, only to be replaced by others moments later.

"You're shivering," Natsu explained, not stopping his motions, "we should get you inside before you freeze."

"Agreed," Laxus said unexpectedly.

Well, it's a start, anyway.

Natsu kept one arm around me, leading me towards the large front doors of the mansion I haven't visited since I buried my father. I'd forgotten how ridiculously large this place really was until I stepped inside again, immediately feeling miniscule as I was dwarfed by the vaulted ceilings of the massive foyer.

I was encouraged by two overprotective men to relax and warm up before starting to work, but I declined. It was both endearing and irritating to know that that is the only thing they will openly agree on. There is too much that needs doing in a short amount of time for me to rest now, though, so after giving Natsu a basic tour and setting him up in one of the guest bedrooms, we separated so each of us could start on our tasks for the day.

It was surreal walking into my father's office. Well, I guess it's my office now. Not a speck of dust could be found - the staff made sure to come in and clean weekly - and the cherrywood desk that I found so intimidating when I was a child shone with a polished gleam. I allow myself a few moments to reminisce as my hands slide over the worn leather of the office chair. My vision blurs as I blink away the tears that try to form. Crying can come later, but for now, there's work to be done.

Sitting behind the desk, I allow my eyes to roam the room and take note of the best places to install the new recording equipment that is currently sitting on the floor near the door. Two cameras and a microphone will be discreetly hidden in the office, with more being situated in the halls to the front entrance and what was formerly my parent's room. I sigh and open my laptop, making sure the software I need is downloaded before I start setting everything up.

Several hours and more than a few curse words later, I'm on the last camera. Thank the fucking gods, because I'm pretty sure if I have to climb up and down this ladder one more time my legs are going to protest and just give out. As it stands, I'm not exactly following safe installation procedures as I balance on my toes on the top rung, both hands above my head in an attempt to get the angle just right.

A slight wobble in my knees pitches me forward as I complete my adjustments; I flail for a moment, bracing both hands on the wall to keep myself from falling. That's what I was trying to do, anyway. My efforts were for naught, as I heard cursing behind me, prompting me to push off the wall in surprise before I had fully stabilized myself and losing my footing in the process.

The ladder tipped precariously before falling over, and for just a moment, I felt like a cartoon character hanging in mid-air before falling dramatically into a chasm. A grunt of surprised pain accompanies my softer-than-expected landing. It takes an embarrassingly long time for my brain to register that someone broke my fall, and just slightly longer for the adrenaline to fade enough for me to see my ass was crushing my savior's torso.

"How is it possible that someone with such a round ass has such a bony butt?" The words were slightly breathless, and I rolled myself to the side and onto my knees so I was no longer crushing my friend.

"One more comment like that, and I'm telling Juvia you've been checking out my butt," I comment as I help Gray sit up. "I didn't realize you were here; are you alright?"

"I'll be fine." He rubbed his chest as he spoke. "I got here a little while ago, and Virgo sent me to find you. Have you taken a break at all since you got here?"

I gave a slight shake of my head, only just paying attention to the fact that I've been working for almost eight hours non-stop. Time flies, and all that; not that I've been having fun.

"Let me check the angle on this camera, then I will take a break," I reasoned with Gray as I stood up. It should only take a few more minutes unless I need to make additional adjustments. Though I expected Grey to argue, or at least get up from the floor, he just looked past me and rolled his eyes.

When I turned around, a barely-registered flash of pink was in front of me before I was unceremoniously picked up and slung over one of Natsu's shoulders. The undignified shriek that came from me pulled laughs from both him and Gray.

"Natsu, you shouldn't be tossing me around like a rag doll," I scolded.

"Lighten up, Lucy," Gray said, still laughing. "It's not like he's gonna drop you. I thought you trusted him."

"Yeah, Lucy. Don'tcha trust me?"

"I'm less worried about being dropped and more worried about you hurting yourself." A few moments pass before I add, "idiot," under my breath.

Silence reigns as Natsu carries me down the hall towards the stairs, Gray trailing behind us with a look of confusion in his eyes and a smirk on his lips. I'm being set down at the top of the stairs when Gray speaks up.

"Why would you be worried about something like that? I know Natsu's a bit of a dumbass, but it takes a lot to knock him down." Gray punctuates the end of his sentence by slapping the back of his right hand against Natsu's side.

An expletive leaves his mouth as he nearly crumples to the floor in pain. Without so much as a word of warning, Gray reaches for the hem of Natsu's shirt, lifting it enough that both of us can see the still-healing lines of pink skin above his hip. I take note of the multiple small punctures and try to count how many sutures it took to close the massive wound. It looks worse that I had imagined, and I do my best to hold in a gasp of shock as I lose count of the stitch marks.

"What the fuck happened?"

"Rebar," Natsu grunted through gritted teeth while pulling his shirt down again. "And stop tryna strip me, Pervert." He let out a ghost of a chuckle while breathing through his obvious pain.

"Whatever, Pyro. You can tell me about it while we're eating." He started down the stairs ahead of us, pausing to turn around after a few steps. "Glad you made it back, even if you were an idiot and got yourself hurt."

"What a jerk," Natsu mumbled. "Not like I had a fucking choice in the matter." His left hand clutches at his side as he does his best to straighten his posture and start down the stairs.

"Natsu," I grabbed his arm to halt his motion. "Would you rather rest? I can bring your dinner up."

"Nah, I'm good. It's not like this is the first time I've caught shit from Gray for getting injured." The pain is no longer present in Natsu's voice, so I decide not to be stubborn about him getting rest. "I owe him an explanation; same as I owed you one. I… I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, and I'm sorry it upset you so much."

"I already forgave you for it, so there's no need to apologize." I took his hand and pressed my lips against the back, then the inside of his wrist as he did to me this morning. The dusty pink that settled on his cheeks was more rewarding than I expected it to be. "Next time something like that happens, though, I expect you to tell me as soon as you're able. No more waiting to try to soften the blow."

"Yes, ma'am," he whispers with humor in his voice. His free hand reaches up to sift through my hair, sliding to the back of my neck to pull me closer.

Taking the hint, I raise myself up on my toes to meet him in the middle. What we share is barely a ghost of a kiss before we're interrupted.

"Can't you two ever take a break?" Aquarius snapped from the bottom of the stairs. "Get your asses down here so we can eat!"

Loke entered the foyer as Natsu and I parted, throwing a dejected look up at us.

"My Princess," he called dramatically. "How could you forsake my undying love for you in such a way? I shall surely perish in this moment from the heartbreak of seeing you in the arms of this foul beast!"

"Perish later," Aquarius yells, grabbing his ear and pulling him towards the dining room.

"That's it, I'm firing the lot of them," Natsu grumbles as I bury my face in his chest to muffle my giggles. His chest is quaking from his own laughter at the situation.

"You'll have to wait until after dinner. I think if we stand here much longer, we'll end up getting dragged around down the stairs like Loke did." I pulled myself back from his grasp and looked into his eyes. "Are you going to be alright getting down the stairs, or do you need me to carry you?"

Natsu laughed harder at my question before answering. "Pfft, no. I feel so good I could run down them without issue."

"Is that so?"

"Yep."

"Alright, Mister Cocky," I said with a grin. "Race ya!"

Not giving him a chance to stop me, I leapt onto the banister and slid down like I used to as a child.

"Cheater," Natsu called and I heard his footsteps behind me.

I realize I didn't fully think this through when - halfway down - I remember my mom or a member of the staff always catching me at the bottom. This time, there was no one. Well, fuck; guess it's a hard landing for me today. My feet hit the floor first, but instead of trying to stop my momentum, I used it to push myself into a forward roll. By some gods-level stroke of luck, I was able to get my feet underneath me again, coming to a miraculously upright stop several feet away from the wall.

"That was awesome!" Natsu pairsed, slinging his arm around my shoulders when he reached the bottom of the steps. Oh, if he only knew the truth.

We turned together towards the dining room. True to his word, Natsu talked about his time away - including going into greater detail about the injury. I stayed in quiet contemplation throughout the meal unless spoken to directly, just too lost in thought to contribute to the conversation, and really only paying attention when relevant topics were brought up.

Several hours and too many bottles of wine later, we all headed towards our rooms to get some sleep.

Well this took longer than I expected to get out. I finished the writing a few days ago, but had to make edits until I felt it flowed properly. Hope y'all like it!

Thank you to everyone who gave a fave/follow. Special thanks to my reviewers, who give me life and the motivation to write just a little more every day: , anneryoko, galactiaconstella, Copperreign12, Parazzoni, Trugracee, and RequiemMage.

I was supposed to have jury duty this week, but it's cancelled due to Omicron, so instead I will be starting on the next chapter.

TTFN, Lovelies!