CHAPTER 2
It took another three days to arrive back home. They gave their reports and Lucy was bombarded by their guildmates all happy to see her back safe and sound. "So, did you tell her?" Gray asked as he walked over to stand beside Natsu who was anxiously waiting for Lucy to be free.
Natsu nodded as he remembered the other night when he and Lucy had confessed their love for each other, and how every night since they had slept even closer together, a new connection between them. "Yeah." He grinned at Gray.
Gray held something out. "Here, I grabbed this and with all the traveling to get back and all I forgot to give it to her." Natsu took it and realized exactly what it was. "We did go wandering around the world looking for it."
Natsu smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Gray." He said looking back at Lucy. "For everything."
"Of course. Someone had to help, you've got flames for brains." He smirked at his friend who looked truly happy for the first time since Gray could remember.
The guild started celebrating the safe return of Lucy and the hard work of their guild mates. Giving Lucy a chance to sneak back over to Natsu's side with a soft smile. "Would have thought you'd be out there starting a fight or something."
Natsu grinned at her as Gray smirked. "He's too wrapped up in his memory." Gray smirked. "It's good to see you're doing much better than how we found you."
Lucy nodded. "Thank you for helping Natsu." Gray just gave a nod and walked off to find Juvia. "I'm going to sneak out of this craziness and go home."
"Okay." He nodded.
"You coming?" She asked with a blush making him look confused. "I… I don't really want to be alone."
Natsu gave a small smile and nodded as he looked over at Happy talking with Carla. He smirked, the cat would find them when he was done. He turned and started after her out of the guild leaving several of their friends with bright smiles. "You sure you're good, Luce?" He asked worried as they got closer to her apartment.
She shrugged. "I don't hurt anymore, but… I keep having those nightmares."
"But you didn't have any the last couple nights. Maybe they went away." He said as she shook her head. "I would have heard you if you had a nightmare."
"It's not that." She said. "I think… I think you chase them away." She gave him a smile as he stopped walking a looked at her. "Having you at my side makes me feel safe."
"Well then I guess I definitely can't leave your side." He laughed
Lucy couldn't help the giggle. "Forever you said."
Natsu nodded as he stepped closer and pulled her into a loving kiss. As they parted he put his forehead to hers. "I love you, I'm not leaving your side ever, Luce."
Lucy smiled. "Good."
"Oh." He said as he pulled something from his pocket and held it out. She gasped as she gently took it. "Gray picked it up and he forgot to give it to you with everything going on with getting back and all."
"Thank you." She smiled at him as he grinned and gave a nod. She held the key close to her chest as she looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you for always being there for everything, Natsu." She kissed him quickly and took his hand, pulling him with her the rest of the way where he let her do her routine, just being with her was enough for him.
She took a hot bath, summoning Aquarius. "I know you said not to summon you in the bath again but…" She was cut off as the spirit smiled and gave her a hug.
"Thank you for saving me." She said as Lucy gave a small smile as she reached up to touch the chains making them burst and disappear.
"That's what friends are for." She smiled as they hugged a moment longer before Aquarius pulled away.
"Don't think this will change anything, you're still an annoying little brat." She put her hands on her hips, "And stop summoning me in the bath." She gave a small smirk before she disappeared leaving Lucy to sink into the hot water and relax with a small smile.
She intended to greet Aquarius and bathe before she went back to Natsu who was waiting patiently for her, but she ended up laying in there longer than she thought. She walked out to find him sound asleep on her bed. She paused and looked at him, remembering the times when she would get angry when he was in her house and when he would make himself at home. She walked over to the bed where she gently pulled the cover up over him. She kissed his forehead and laid beside him. Just as she lay down Natsu smirked and pulled her to him. She laid her head on his chest, feeling his warmth and hearing his heart beat as he held her tight.
"Took you long enough." He said.
"I'm sorry. What about Happy?" She asked looking up at him.
"He'll find us when he wants to." He said as he shifted, pulling her even closer. "We're home so Happy will be fine. Go to sleep."
"If you're sure." Natsu nodded. "Good night."
"Luce?" She hummed in response. "I'm really happy your safe."
She cuddled into his side more. "I love you, Natsu." She yawned
"Go to sleep." He hugged her tight again before they both dosed off to sleep
It had been a year and a half since they had gone to rescue Lucy from the dark guild and took Aquarius back. Lucy was laughing as she and Levy watched the two-year-old twins playing with Asuka. The twins were trouble and a handful for Levy when Gajeel went on jobs. They tended to listen better to Gajeel but then again Gajeel would bring them to the guild and let them go play while Levy ran on jobs with Jet and Droy. Lucy smiled watching as the twins laughed.
"They're getting so big." Lucy smiled.
"Yeah, sometimes I miss then they were babies."
"Every think of having more?" Lucy asked
Levy shook her head quickly. "No!" She said making Lucy laugh. "Two little half dragons are enough for me, thanks." Lucy giggled watching the twins. "What about you. When are you and Natsu going to have a couple?" She watched as Lucy turned bright red. "You can't tell me you don't want a couple little Natsu and Lucy's running around." Lucy shook her head as her face went even more red.
"Why's you're face all red?" Natsu said as he dropped in the seat beside her.
"Natsu, your back!" She said before she smiled and leaned into his side making him grin and hug her. "Where's Happy she looked around before Natsu pointed him out.
"He wanted to give Carla a fish." He smirked as they looked over at the two exceeds talking as Happy worriedly held out a fish. Usually Carla would stick her nose up and turn away but this time she looked at him before she took the fish from him, making him smile ear to ear.
The twins laughed and launched at Natsu who laughed and started playing with them making Levy smile at Lucy who's face went red again. She turned away and went back to watching Natsu with the twins and Asuka before Happy ran over to join in the fun.
That evening Lucy smiled as she walked with Natsu and Happy as they told her all about their job and how they had been able to get the whole reward since they didn't break anything. The three made their way to Natsu and Happy's house, planning to stay there for the night. Happy was unpacking while Lucy started to make a quick dinner when she felt his arms wrap around her middle making her smile. He rested his chin on her shoulder watching what she was doing.
"Hey, Luce." He said softly making her hum in response. "I was thinking while Happy and me did this job." He paused making her glanced at him as she continued to cook. "You want to move here?" She looked at him quickly. "You won't need to pay that crazy lady all that money and…" He shrugged as he turned to face him.
She gave a soft smile and nodded. "Yeah, you're right." He looked at her as she giggled. "It would save a lot of money not paying for that place. I'm like never there anyway." She shrugged. "Since I'm always with you."
Natsu smirked. "Good cause Happy and me are gonna make it even better."
"What do you mean." She asked looking over at Happy as he fixed one of the hammocks.
"Well you like to take baths and since we can't both sleep in that hammock, your bed is way comfier than the floor." He explained making her smile. He was planning on changing his home for her, it made her heart swell as she thought about it. "And we can make bedrooms and all, so Happy can have his very own room and we…"
"Can not be interrupted." She smiled with a light blush as he chuckled and nodded. "I think that sounds amazing, Natsu." She wrapped her arms around his neck as his wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. "Don't forget to make it the way you like it too, not just for me." He nodded and rested his head against hers before she turned and continued working on dinner with Natsu helping where he could.
Lucy was on a quick job to help waitress, she smiled as she looked over at Happy trying to help carry dishes to the sink to be cleaned. He and Natsu had insisted that he go with Lucy while she did her job. She was going to be staying in the little town for three days and it was nice to have company, especially when it was Happy. Although the cat knew every one of her buttons to push she did come to love him as her child and he was part of Natsu, sort of.
"Okay, Happy." She smiled. "You ready to go for the day?" He nodded as he dropped off the last load of dishes. He flew up to rest in her arms as she walked them back to the hotel. "You're working really hard."
"I want to help on jobs too, and then I can help buy the fishies for dinner." He said making her smile at him.
"Don't you worry, there will always be plenty of fish for you." She hugged him as he smiled up at her.
"Are you excited to go home?" He asked
"I'm always excited to get back home." She smiled. "I miss our crazy guild and all the noise and Natsu." Happy smile.
"Me too." He smiled. Lucy went to take a bath before the two went to sleep. Tomorrow was their last day of work and then they would be on their way home tomorrow evening.
Natsu grinned as he looked at what Levy had drawn. He had asked his friends for help in making the house better and bigger before Lucy got home. They all gave him a hard time before they agreed to help him with his surprise. "Okay, so you need to go melt Gajeel's iron here, here, and here. That will make it really strong." Levy explained pointing to the spots on the picture then she looked up at the structure that Gajeel had laid out. "Got it?" Natsu nodded as Lily lifted him up and carried him to each spot. "Wendy can you cut this one with your wind?" She asked taking Wendy over to another section to work on. She smiled as she looked around. Gajeel and Natsu were working on making a strong structure while Gray, Juvia and Erza worked on putting the sides of the building together and attaching it to the structure. Levy glanced over to where Carla was keeping an eye on the twins while the adults worked to finish the house before Lucy got back.
Levy smiled, they had all come so far from when they first joined the guild. They were able to share love and friendship and be adults about it with only minor brawls that were mostly just for fun and show anyway. "What are you thinking about, Shrimp?" Gajeel asked as he walked up to her side.
"Just how much everyone's grown." She smiled at him. "Gray and Juvia are together and Juvia is talking about getting married. We're together with these two little hellions." She smiled looking at the twins as they played being monsters attacking everything they could. "Natsu and Lucy are together and Natsu asked all of us to help him make a home for Lucy." She smiled as tears came to her eyes and she shook her head.
"Salamander has grown up a lot." Gajeel nodded as he watched Lily and Natsu working together, the dragon slayer focused on his task. "Who would have thought." He smirked as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.
"Thank you for helping." She said making him smirk at her before they started helping the others. They finished two hours before Lucy and Happy were due to be home. Levy smiled at the work they had done. "You have to tell us how she reacts when she sees this." She told Natsu who grinned.
"Thanks for all the help." He smirked at the others who nodded and smiled at him before they went their separate ways. "Okay, the rest is up to me." He said softly as he went into the much bigger house. It took a rough idea that Levy worked out perfectly and three days of hard work, but they had created a house they knew Lucy would really love. He was moving the heavy items in the one bedroom when he heard voices.
"Wow, this is huge!" Happy said looking around with a smile. Natsu walked from the room and smirked as Happy ran around looking at everything. he smiled at Lucy as she looked around with a bright smile.
"What do you think?" He asked as he walked over to her. "I told Levy what it needed, and she drew it all out and then I got Gray, Erza, Wendy, Juvia and Gajeel to help too." He grinned at her as she looked back at him.
She had no words as tears started to build in her eyes, confusing him. "It's wonderful, Natsu." She wrapped her arms around him as he chuckled and pulled her to him.
"Welcome home, Luce." He said making her laugh as the tears spilled down her cheeks.
"This is amazing!" Happy called as he ran back over.
"I got Levy to make a room for you too." Natsu smiled as he bent to talk to Happy before he led them to a room to the side that was on the smaller side but was more than enough room for any kid to live in. "This one's all yours."
"Really, Natsu? It's mine?" Natsu nodded and watched as Happy started to cry, so happy to have a room that was his.
"I think he likes it." Lucy smiled as she leaned into Natsu's side.
Natsu smiled and took her hand pulling her with him to a large room down the hall. "I told Levy what I wanted, and she made this." He stopped in the room letting her look around the master bedroom that held a large fluffy bed and very large window looking into the woods. There was another doorway to the left where Lucy wandered and looked in at the giant bathroom. "Levy said you would like it."
"Oh, Natsu." She cried as she pulled him to her. "I love it. It's perfect." He chuckled and grinned before she grabbed his scarf and pulled him down to press a deep kiss to his lips. "Thank you, Natsu." She whispered.
"For what? He asked confused before she shook her head and smiled at him. He could be so dense. He didn't even realize how much this really meant to her. "You're such a weirdo."
"You're such an idiot." She laughed before she kissed him again.