AN: Hey guys! Day three is here and another daily dose of NaLu for you! :)

Consider this oneshot a prequel to the "Sleep" chapter. It is short and sweet and to the point so I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Fairy Tail. I am so sick of telling you guys that.

"No."

Natsu raised an eyebrow at a scowling Lucy and opened his arms wider, "Aww, come on, Lucy. You've been complaining about your apartment being cold, so what better way to help than to warm you up with my fire magic!"

Even though his plan sounded innocent enough, Lucy still couldn't help but blush because…well…Natsu was basically offering to hug her all winter!

"Couldn't you just use your fire to keep the fireplace going? At the very least, you could just walk around the apartment and it'll get warmer. There's no need for…what you're suggesting."

Natsu raised an eyebrow once again, obviously confused by her negotiations, "What? Cuddling?"

'Did he have to use that word?' Lucy thought as she shuddered at the idea of doing…that with her best friend of all people.

"Y-Yeah, that." She said, wishing the ground would swallow her up already, "Look, it's nothing personal, but I don't want to take up all of your time just because I get cold easily."

Natsu gave Lucy a reassuring look and grinned, "I don't mind. I like staying at your place."

"Aye, Lucy! It would be like a really long sleepover!" Happy exclaimed as he flew their heads.

Lucy's jaw dropped. Happy will be with them all winter too. Which means…

'It will be nothing but endless teasing! And if Natsu and I do anything awkward or suggestive, this damn cat will let everyone at the guild know!'

She could not allow this to happen.

Pulling Natsu away from his seat on the floor and Happy by the tail, Lucy dragged them to the window.

"I appreciate the concern, but it really isn't a big deal. I can manage a little chilly home, so please leave my apartment and I'll see you at the guild tomorrow."

Much to her chagrin, Natsu planted his feet firm on the ground, effectively stopping Lucy's plans to get rid of him, "No, Lucy. You are my friend and I will make sure you don't freeze to death. It would be like you lost to Gray of all people! You're stronger than that!"

The girl doesn't know whether to be flattered that he called her strong or roll her eyes that he compared the weather to his rival. Still, Natsu was stubborn and that is one of the many things she liked about him.

Sighing in resignation she said, "One night. I'll let you two stay for one night. Then we'll play it by ear afterwards."

"Yay!" the Dragon Slayer and his Exceed cheered. Before Lucy knew it, she was swept in her best friend's arms and onto the bed.

"Hey now, don't get too cozy!"

"Haha, Lucy you're so weird."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

There was no response and Lucy realized it was because Natsu chose that time to fall asleep…with his arms still around her.

Lucy pouted, her cheeks pink as she stared at the blue cat making himself comfortable at the other side of the bed. "This was all a ploy to get into my bed, wasn't it?"

"Aye!" he said all too happily.

"Stupid cuddle whore Dragon Slayer," she mumbled as she tried to pry herself from him. She then heard Happy giggle from his spot on her bed.

"Natsu liiiiiikes you, Lucy. Hehehe."

"Just shut up and go to sleep."

In the morning, Lucy woke up still in Natsu's arms restful and warmer than she had been in the last couple of weeks.

As she stared at her best friend's sleeping face, she couldn't help but let a smile adorn her face.

"Oh, well. It's just for the winter. How bad can it be?"

AN: Wait 'til summer, Lucy, and you'll think, "How bad can it be?" lol

Hope you all liked it! Leave a review and tell me what you think. Hopefully I get tomorrow's chapter up in the morning before I go into my summer job, but if not I'll try to get it updated by nighttime. See ya! ^^

Revised 4/26/18