I Do Not Own Fairy Tail
"Hey everyone!" Natsu said cheerily when he entered the guild hall. H tried to keep his voice mostly muted wanting to be respectful in light of the recent turmoil everyone had been through. The guild hall had been repaired even before Team Natsu had returned, since Fairy Tail's strongest team had remained behind to clean up some of the mess left by Tartaros and keep a lookout for any further suspicious activity.
"Hey Natsu!"
"Are you OK?"
"Stop looking so happy dammit!"
The last one seemed to come from the metal dragon slayer at a table nearby but Natsu ignored him and walked straight to the bar where Lucy was sitting solemnly. Mirajane noticed him behind the bar and sent him an affectionate glance before placing a plate of food and an overheated cup of tea in front of him. The fire mage raised an eyebrow at the tea, since Mira usually just served alcohol. Understanding Natsu's silent question she quietly spoke, "It's a cinnamon medicinal tea Wendy prepared that heals wounds and decreases anxiety, you look like you need it."
Natsu gave her a thankful nod and turned to Lucy who had been staring at her own cup of tea since he sat down. He gently placed a hand on her back and she startled, looking at Natsu with first shocked and then saddened eyes.
"Natsu! Hi, sorry I didn't see you there.. I was just lost in thought i guess…"
"You know I'm always here for you Lucy, you don't have to pretend to be fine."
Lucy stared into his eyes and saw a sorrow that matched her own, despite the warm smile he was giving her. As Natsu returned her gaze, he saw something break in them, saw the slow crumbling as the tears came forth. Suddenly her face was buried into his chest and he began running his fingers soothingly through her hair as she let out all of her emotions. Natsu kept himself together, wanting to be strong for one of his best friends, and hugged her tight to his chest.
They sat together in silence until Lucy had run out of tears. Pulling away from Natsu, she rubbed her eyes and let out a big yawn, thoroughly drained and ready to sleep. Natsu noticed her tiredness and pushed himself to his feet before offering her his hand.
"C'mon Lucy let's take you home, you're exhausted." Lucy nodded and took his hand. Once she was on her feet, Natsu released her hand and instead wrapped his arm around her waist, ignoring the teasing from some of the other guild members about him and Lucy being a cute couple. He guided her through the middle of the guild hall and out the doors, towards her home on Strawberry Street. They walked in comfortable silence, both feeling the other's' pain but knowing that there was nothing they could do to ease it. When they reached the front door to Lucy's apartment, the celestial mage turned to Natsu and broke the long lasting silence.
"Thank you Natsu" she said quietly, pulling him into another hug. Natsu returned the hug warmly.
"No problem Lucy, anything for you. Do you want me to stay with you? Are you ok on your own?"
"I'll be fine. I was actually going to call my spirits to spend time with me. They deserve to know what happened and how A..Aquar.. How she saved us all." Natsu wiped another stray tear away from her face.
"Ok as long as you have someone. Just try not to overdo it with the magic it takes to summon multiple spirits at once. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Lucy smiled "of course! Thank you for everything. And don't forget I'm always here for you too, try not to overthink things and spend too much time alone." She gave him one last quick hug before rushing inside and closing the door. Natsu stared at the door for a while before he decided to return to the guild, walking back the same way he came.
...
When Natsu arrived at the guild this time, he quietly opened the door and slipped inside rather than announce his presence as usual. A low voice in the corner spoke to him as he passed by.
"What Flame Brain? Can only make a grand entrance once a day? Here to shower everyone with your fake ass smile again?"
Natsu, automatically zeroed in on his target and ready for a fight, lit his fists on fire and growled.
"What's eatin' you, popsicle?! And who are you calling fake?! At least I'm not sulking alone in a corner!"
"You wanna go Fire Breath!?"
"HELL YEAH I DO ICE BREATH, FIGHT ME!"
Unfortunately Erza happened to enter the guild right at that moment and glared menacingly at the pair who were oblivious to her presence.
"Gray! Natsu! This is not the time for a guild fight and we just finished rebuilding! If you are insistent on fighting then GO OUTSIDE and leave this guild intact!"
The pair flinched simultaneously and began walking outside, afraid of the punishment she would give had they stayed indoors. Besides, both were equally desperate for a good brawl and didn't really care where it took place as long as they could punch each other without interruption.