A/N: So this happened after I chatted with obsessedwithnalu, just throwing some crazy ideas about, deciding what I'd like to happen in the manga. A quick just for shits'n'giggles idea. So again, there's spoilers in here if you're not caught up on the latest manga chapter. And some things that didn't happen ~this is my fevered imagination forcing the action. lol
Lady Brandish gazed dispassionately at the Fairy Tail mages. Using her immense power, she caused the island to shrink. Islanders and tourists alike dropped into the ocean; some screaming in panic and all frantic to find their companions.
Natsu was worried for Lucy, so much so he shouted her name and swam over to where he thought she'd be. "Are you okay Lucy?" Natsu floated next to his partner.
Erza slapped the water, "everyone, we need to gather together and swim for one of the fishing boats."
Lucy spat water and wiped her face. "Where's Happy, Wendy and Charle?" More concerned for her guild mates, she ignored Natsu's question. "How could that woman do such a thing to a whole island?"
"We'll have time later to discuss that." Erza pointed up, "there they are."
Happy flew sobbing into Natsu's arms. He shuddered, gabbling nonsense and then held out his arms to Lucy. She gathered him up and patted his back. Erza and Gray commandeered a rowboat and began ferrying people to the scattered fishing boats. Eventually, all the guild mates reunited on the largest of the Caracole Island fishing boats.
Wendy had used a fair portion of her magic to treat Mest, and was only able to give Natsu a partial casting of Troia. Lucy and Erza sat near the bow, huddled under a single blanket. Mest laid unresponsive near their feet and Wendy and Charle kept watch on him. Happy tried to act nonchalant, but he shivered whenever he thought himself unobserved. The island of star mangoes was gone and it's people were homeless.
Gray was arguing with Natsu, trying to talk sense into the fire mage. "For the last time, we have to regroup and we cannot just storm into the Alvarez Empire and demand they release Makarov!"
"We don't need to ask! We'll take him and leave!" Natsu frowned at Gray. "You losing your nerve?"
"I've had enough of your stupidity." He turned with a curl to his lip, "Lucy! Talk some sense into flame brain."
"Lucy, we need to go after Lady Brandish right now! Use that mermaid lady you have and she won't even make it back to Alvarez." Natsu grinned, sure that he'd come up with a perfect plan.
Lucy's face drained of colour, her mouth dropped open, but no words escaped. She looked down at her hands and watched them tremble. She reached for her pouch of keys and then stopped her hand with a jerk. Lucy could feel the ache in her heart growing, her words were under so much pressure she could not speak.
Natsu scrambled up on his feet, still buoyed by Wendy's anti-nausea spell. "I know she might wreck this boat too, but it's a chance we have to take!"
The slayer knew as soon as Lucy eyes flooded with tears he'd said something wrong, but he had no idea exactly what he'd done. He gave her one of his most earnest smiles and stretched to touch her arm - but she shrugged off his touch and ran below decks. He only started running as he realized that his partner was crying, the kind of deep sobs that made your ribs sore even only after a few minutes.
Natsu didn't have to search too hard, his dragon hearing and olfactory senses were sufficient to find one crying blonde. He knocked on the door of the cabin Lucy was taking refuge in, waiting for her to bid him enter. Slowly he pushed the door open and shut it behind him.
"What's wrong?" He was puzzled. Lucy shouldn't be crying, Lucy was strong - she should be helping to plan their next move to rescue Makarov. Lucy surely knew what would be the best method of infiltration. Or knew who to ask, like the old dude spirit with the massive moustache. With no other thought in his head, Natsu strode over and gripped Lucy's upper arms and repeated himself. "What's wrong?"
Letting out deep shuddery breaths, Lucy tried to compose her thoughts. After gathering most of the guild together, now is the time Natsu unwittingly opens a scar Lucy fears will never heal. Misery pools in her eyes, she can't speak, or the walls she's spent so much painstaking time building will collapse. Lucy takes a step back, still mute. She can't break free of his grip, but she can hug herself, trying to calm herself. Blankly, she stares into his eyes.
He searches her eyes, desperate to understand why she's so upset. The boat makes a sudden yaw and Natsu stumbles, falling. They land on a bunk, limbs tangled. He blushes, realizing he's draped on top of Lucy, from head to toes - touching in a manner he's only ever dreamed of. His need to comfort Lucy in any manner he can guides him.
Lucy is still trapped deep in her own grief; dwelling on her sacrifice of Aquarius. She's been beating herself up over this - because Igneel DIED, and Aquarius is ALIVE, just eternally free of her contract . Logically she knows you can't compare losses, but the guilt is real and Lucy feels it at odd moments of the day, every day. Ever since the day Natsu left to train, she's felt that he abandoned her. She's still dealing with anger and depression.
Natsu can't just ask, 'What's wrong', no! He can't erase the year of anguish and sorrow so casually. No! He can't wipe the slate so clean with a dirty dishrag like that. Lucy has to make her struggle worth something - or her hurts and pain are as nothing.
She can't admit she needs Natsu. Telling him about Aquarius' loss means opening herself up to hurt again. That would mean she hadn't learned her lesson. If she can evade his concern, it means she's gotten better. No need to confide when she can conceal and deal with her losses by herself - just like when Natsu left to train. Lucy was on her own, and didn't need a partner. No! She's a self-contained adult - no need to lean on anyone but herself.
All these ideas jumble in her brain as she's pinned to a bed, under the warm body of her best friend. He's still her best friend, she's only questioning if she's his in return. She doesn't even try to struggle, because she's done - so done. Her warm brown eyes are now dull and she speaks. "What's wrong? Nothing."
"I know there's something wrong." Natsu is horrified at himself. Lucy is not acting like Lucy, but he can't make himself move. Pinning her is making a small corner of his soul roar in triumph. He's had the notion off and on he's wanted more from his partner, but the easy friendship was always so safe and satisfying.
The year away had served to hone his appreciation for Lucy in all manner of ways. Her smile, so bright and welcoming. Her strength, amazing. Her laughter, enticing. Her eyes, fathomless and warm - and right now, something had killed her spark.
"Talk to me!" Natsu realizes he's begging, something he's never done - but he can't fix the breach between them with nothing less than his all. Lucy is laying on her back, so quiet Natsu feels like she's a stranger. Putting his face ever closer to hers, Natsu pleads. "Please! I need you to talk to me!"
"There isn't much to say," Lucy's voice is dry and soulless. "Igneel is dead. Fairy Tail couldn't save everyone and we're all children wandering in the dark." She feels no achievement for wounding her partner.
Natsu's face crumples, thoughts of his foster father are vivid. A montage of childhood memories culminating in a recap of Igneel's death and his 'last lesson' assail him. Live and grow, be proud.
Lucy strokes his face to comfort Natsu. She's still very upset. Even though she calls herself weak and a fool, she can't bear to see her partner torn up and raw. She reaches up to kiss his forehead and Natsu turns at the last second and their lips collide. She was wrong, she can't comfort him, not when his warm lips and tongue are causing a riot inside of her heart. Abandoning her worries, Lucy decides to revel in the physical sensations.
Natsu's heat is welcome, bringing a blissful smile to the blonde mage. She stretches and arches to press against his sleek toned flesh even more. The tiny bikini she's wearing and his swim trunks are hardly an impediment to feel how excited his body has gotten. Lucy wonders, is her smile for the innocent joy in Natsu's companionship - or is it the new carnal knowledge? She's never kissed anyone like this - no, this is her first kiss and now the second and third as Natsu feverishly deepens his exploration of her mouth. The hard ridge of his arousal is pressing between them and she moans her appreciation.
Natsu wants to push as far as Lucy will let him. His feelings for his partner have been set free and he wants to understand in the simplest way he can. If Lucy enjoys his touches half as much as he does, then she must feel the same way about him as he's come to realize he feels about her.
The rough hammering at the door makes curses spill from both of their mouths. Natsu shudders as Lucy disentangles her silken legs from his, one last bump against his groin causing him to hiss.
"Gimme a minute!" Natsu was surprised his voice was working. Ignoring the possibility the cabin door could open, he fastened all his considerable attention on Lucy. "You're not gonna push me away ever again. We're not only a team, we're best friends and... I think, more-than-friends."
Lucy nodded. The knocking on the door started up again and this time Lucy yelled for the bastard responsible to piss off. Natsu grinned and began to laugh, Lucy joining in.
He hugged her close and Lucy wrapped her arms tight about his neck. "Let's work ourselves back together," she said.
His heart relaxed, this was the beginning of their healing. "We can get together right now if you want - I'm all fired up!"