A/N: I decided to do one more bridge chapter, this will be the last one for now before the push into the ruins. Originally I wanted this one and another one, but I decided that this will be the final filler chapter.

Now for my shout outs.

Next I've picked up to quite a few favorites and a shout out to them: Brao, Fluffy the Terrible, JinxTitan, Kirinah, Lilygrace001, Valerie Gambino-Snyder, caboose97 and nelly1210. Thank you, all of you.

I'm happy to say I now have 21 followers too!
Last but not least shout out to any ghosters! (ghosters are what I lovingly call those who pop in but either don't have an account or decide to casually check things out )

On with the story 3

Disclaimer: FT is not mine.


Chapter 13

Cold Desert Nights

He couldn't sleep, namely because there were strange sounds coming from Lucy's bedroom. Scratching the back of his head Natsu lazily walked over and placed an ear to her door. It sounded as though she was whimpering, almost in despair.

"What was that about distancing myself again?" Agitated with himself started to pace, then tap his feet, followed by annoyance only to see himself knock on her door with no answer. Deciding to screw it all, barged in anyway. A worn black blanket somehow had been knotted and kicked to the floor. Normally, if it was cold, Lucy would be bundled up in her warm pink pajamas; however, this was the desert and her typical sleeping attire for hotter weather is a white tank-top and loose cotton shorts. Today was their night off and he recalled that Lucy went to bed early not feeling too well. He pointed at her accusingly using a tone a little above a whisper. "Lucy…I swear to Igneel if you're sick…"

Her response was to soundlessly roll over in a tiny little ball, which prompted Natsu to make unintelligible complaints as he walked over to the bed kicking away her dirty laundry, scattered about the yellow stone floor. This also irked him since Lucy normally kept everything extremely tidy. He hadn't been sleeping lately himself and figured out, quite a bit ago, it was because he hasn't slept next to the Celestial mage in some time. Like it was a much-needed dose for his spirit.

The bed bounced as he plopped unceremoniously with his arm propping his head up in hopes to wake her. No dice. "Lucy…" He decided nudging her would work. "Damn it you're ice cold." More grumbling commenced as he got up, found the stupid blanket and realized it was only a thin sheet. "THIS is what you're sleeping with? Damn it Lucy can't I take my eyes off you for one second…." Sleepy Lucy only tucked herself further into a cold ball.

Natsu rolled his eyes, untangled the thing and spread it across her form. She coughed, it wasn't a normal dust in throat cough either, this was the type that spelled "sick" all over it. "Not tonight you aren't." He lifted the sheet, only to discover while doing so, that it had holes. He wondered how long without complaint did Lucy do this kind of thing. Tomorrow, he decided, he was going to use his personal jewels to buy her a fluffy warm quilt. Till then he slinked in next to her, raised his body temperature, like he's done many times before which prompted her to relax and wrap herself all around him like a pretzel.

Salamander couldn't help the smile that danced across his face. "Yeah, yeah, you're welcome." This was followed by an annoyed after thought with him wrapping his own body around hers with the sheet over their heads and nuzzled her. "Now don't get sick…"

::**::

Lucy stretched cozily, blinked her eyes to see that the room was a bit brighter and she felt much better as well as warm.

"Nope, you're staying right here. I didn't get all my snuggling in when we left home, I'm getting it now." For emphasis, flexed his arm around her torso which was enough to keep her in place.

After turning to face him, blinked and blinked again. "That wasn't a dream?"

The dragon raised his eyebrow. "Huh? What dream…Lucy go back to bed, you're tired."

"But Natsu, it gets extremely hot when the sun's up."

"Tch…then that's when we'll get up. Till then don't stress it."

"True, isn't that mage supposed to be here this week. It's already been about a month and a half…"

"Shhhh….sleeeeeeeep. Too tired to focus on it."

Lucy did as she was told and fell back asleep, though knowing with Natsu all wrapped around her, resisting was futile.


I realized that I wasn't staying consistent with where I placed my reviews, I went back and re-read what I said to make sure I stopped shifting around. I have one review!

Anon:
That makes me super fuzzy on the inside. What timing! I love that you are still enjoying it. :D