And Natsu was certainly not pleased about that.
"So I am going to loose my most comfortable sleeping accommodations just because you have a boyfriend now?" Natsu whined. "That doesn't seem fair."
"It was never yours in the first place." Lucy glared at him. But Natsu looked really dejected and so she searched for a solution. "Why don't I buy you a bed like mine, huh Natsu. We will place it in your house and you can sleep there."
"Really Lucy?" Happy chimed into the conversation with surprise in his voice. He knew how frugal Lucy was and she didn't just offer to buy stuff, especially something as expensive as a bed.
"Sure." Lucy was actually getting more enthusiastic about the idea. "Or if you guys really want my bed, I can have it transferred to your house and I can get myself a new one."
"Wow, Lucy is being extremely generous. While you are at it, why don't you throw in a ton of fish." Happy wanted to see how far she'd go.
"Sure Happy. As much as you want." Lucy didn't even seem to think twice about the request and Happy concluded that Lucy must be really walking on clouds at the moment.
But Natsu wasn't impressed. Had Lucy exclaimed that she would pick up all the stars in the sky to make him happy, he would be touched, but he wouldn't be surprised. Lucy was his most precious friend, and he knew that he was precious to her as well. They had been in too many trials and dangers together that placing each other's life on the line for the other was something natural to them at this point. What is one bed compared to that?
The shine in Lucy's eyes since she found herself a boyfriend really did make Natsu feel lighthearted. He liked how happy she looked and he was willing to protect that happiness with all his power. Ark was already a member of their guild and he even thought about inviting him into their team. He wasn't sure how much power Ark really had but he could always protect him like he did Lucy. He would make sure to protect everything Lucy cared about.
So why did his relationship with Lucy have to change?
"It is not the same." Natsu complained before he smiled mischievously. "Can I sleep on your new bed?"
"No!" Lucy glared at him once more. But Lucy wasn't stupid. She understood completely what Natsu meant. Of course it wasn't the same. She knew it had never been about the bed. Natsu felt comfortable sleeping at her place, because it was her place. In fact, in times when Natsu would leave on a mission without her, she would sometimes sleep at his place too. It just made her miss him less.
She understood all of that, but there was nothing she could do. She just imagined what would Ark think if he found out that she would sometimes wake up with Natsu sleeping beside her. No boyfriend would ever permit such a thing. And what's more... she imagined Ark kissing her romantically and carrying her in his arms and bringing her to her bed... she blushed at the thought. And then she imagined seeing Natsu sleeping there as they got to the bed... No way!
Happy actually understood Lucy. Unlike Natsu, Happy knew a thing or two about being in love. He had been in love with Carla for the longest time and he understood why Lucy would suddenly not want to have intruders in her home in inopportune times. Even if the intruders were her most precious family.
However, Happy had always thought that Natsu and Lucy just needed time, and they would one day find themselves in love with each other. He never thought they could ever fall in love with someone else. This was an unexpected turn of events for him. It was all Natsu's fault. The guy was so blind to romance that he probably wouldn't see it even if it landed on his nose.
Happy wanted to know how much Natsu actually understood their situation right now. "Lucy has a point Natsu." He started to explain. "If you got yourself a wife, what do you think she would do if she found Lucy in your bed?"
"Ha?" Both Lucy and Natsu faced Happy in confused surprise. The notion of Natsu having a wife never entered their minds.
"Oh come-on, it's not that impossible." Happy said with a sigh. Then he studied the dumbfounded look on Natsu's face and silently changed his mind. Well, maybe it is impossible.
Natsu got over his surprise and shrugged. "Lucy is family. No wife would complain if she found Happy in my bed, right?"
"It's not the same!" Lucy and Happy shouted in unison.
"Fine." Happy decided to phrase the question differently. "If Lucy was your girlfriend, how would you feel if you suddenly found another guy on her bed?"
Lucy balked at the idea. But Natsu just answered without hesitation. "Boyfriend or not, no one is allowed into Lucy's bed other than me." He said with all seriousness. Then he smiled, "And of course, you too Happy."
Happy sighed in defeat. "She's going to share that bed with her husband." He muttered more to himself.
Yet Natsu heard it. "But why?"
Both Lucy and Happy stared at him in consternation.
Lucy was really uncomfortable about where the conversation was heading but Natsu's response made her forget all that. "You got to be kidding me." She shook her head and like Happy sighed in defeat.
She would have to find a way to make Ark accept this arrangement. Guess she could go to his place instead.