Fishing and a talk with the old man

It's been three days since the sickness fiasco and Nalu has turned back to his cheerful self. Lucy has been very curious about Nalu after the incident through her various observations and was already wondering until when the child will stay with them. It's not like she wants him gone, in fact, at some point in time, she forgets that she and Natsu are only babysitting this little guy. Master Makarov hadn't said a word to them ever since Nalu came. He didn't even thought of talking to the little one. Instead he would only stare at him from afar and wave if Nalu greets him. What did the Master know to make him tell Lucy and Natsu to act this way?

For today, Happy had invited the 'Family' to go fishing. Lucy was a bit hesitant at first because she had to write on her novel. But of course, because of a teary eyed Nalu, she agreed.

"Look! Look! The water is clear! What kind of fish do we get here?" Nalu kept on tugging on Natsu's vest. The dragon slayer grinned at the little guy while he tries to balance a picnic basket and three poles or should I say sticks with string that he's going to use for fishing.

"You'll just have to see later" Natsu said with a huff as he placed the basket with the poles just near the edge of the River.

"Can I go fishing?" he looked up his 'father' with hopeful eyes. Before Natsu could even reply, the little boy went to his 'mother' and began tugging her skirt.

"Can I? Can I? Can I please?" he pleaded, showing that irresistible big eyes. Lucy sighed in defeat and smiles at him. Her right arm was cradling paper and a pen, so she used her left hand to pat him on the head.

"Go have fun" she insisted. The little boy didn't have to be told twice. He rose back to Natsu and Happy who were already ready to fish.

"Me too! Me too!" he said, taking the pole/ stick that was left idle next to Natsu. It was long so he had a bit of a problem, but with the help of Natsu, he managed to give it a good throw and have the line diving down into the clear waters.

As everyone would be aware of, in fishing, it takes patience. And to fuel that patience, Father, son and cat began eating. Lucy was just behind them, not even feeling impatient as she begins to write sentence after sentence, forming a complete chapter.

While doing so, she was amused to see Nalu, Natsu or Happy alternately come by her and ask for food. This routine repeated for a numbered time before Nalu came up and he was squirming where he stood.

"What's wrong?" Lucy asked, an eyebrow rose.

"Got to go!" he mumbled.

Lucy couldn't help but smile as he began jumping up and down while biting his lips. She pointed to the woods and he ran like his life depended on it. A giggle escaped her lips.

When he reached a few feet away from sight, he began to relieve himself. He hummed quietly until he quickly zips his zipper and turns around, throwing fire balls in the process.

A smile quickly went up his lips as he saw who disturbed him in his privacy, it was the old man.

Makarov sighed at him as he managed to dodge all the fire balls. Well except for one that slightly grazed his shoulder.

"Hello Old man" Nalu smiled. Makarov frowned at him.

"Will you never call me anything else?" he asked.

"Aren't you an old man?" Nalu blinked, as if wondering if there was any other way to address him possible.

When Makarov gave a sigh of defeat, Nalu smiled.

"Why did you come here?" he asked, and then he thought of a reason "Are you here to come fishing with us? Papa and Happy haven't caught a thing yet"

"No…I wanted to ask you something" suddenly, Makarov grew and lifted Nalu with one arm unto the top of the highest tree. From its branch they sat to get full view of the river where Lucy was still writing and Natsu and Happy was fishing.

"What is it, old man?" this boy seriously doesn't know what else to call the Master.

"When will you tell me why you came?" Makarov then pointed to something on his neck "And where did you get that from?"

He looked down and placed his hand inside his shirt. Inside was the ten Wizard's Saint's symbol, tied to a metal string, turning it into a necklace. Nalu has been hiding it for quite some time now.

"Papa gave it to me" he smiled "It's yours, is it not?"

"Yes…its mine" Makarov gave him a soft smile and began to ruffle his spikes. The boy grinned.

"I still want to stay…" Nalu then gazed at his 'parents'. Nothing's changed except the scene wherein Natsu asked for food.

"Why?" Makarov asked, wondering what the boy had in mind or what his purpose to even be here is.

"Mama and Papa aren't close yet!" he huffed, crossing his arms. His cheeks were tinted pink as she watches Natsu dig for food inside the basket. Lucy was already scolding him, saying that they're running out.

"Then why not do something about it?" Makarov suggested.

The little boy looked at him and smiled "I'm already trying to, old man"

From the distance, they heard Lucy calling.

"Nalu!"

With a smile, Nalu stands from the branch and tries to descend from the trunk, but not until he saying good bye.

As he descends, he began to run, calling out to Lucy.

"Mama!" he chimed.

Lucy looked at him and noticed some dirt on his shirt.

"What took you so long? And why are you dirty?"

"I saw this weird rabbit and I tried following it in the bushes…but it got away…it was this big!" he spread out his arms. As a lie it was, Lucy actually let him slip.

"Well then, you should-" before Lucy could continue, Natsu called out to them.

"Nalu! You got a catch!"

Just the call of his name had already got him running to his father, Lucy just behind him. Natsu was pulling as hard as he can, and grinned when Nalu began pulling, same with Lucy. Happy noticed them and thought of helping out.

They pulled as hard as they could. With a last pull, an enormous long purple fish came out. It splashed water as it flew over them. Nalu had a big grin on his face and wanted to catch it. Letting go, he and Happy tried catching the fish.

Since it was muddy by the edge, Lucy lost her footing. Natsu noticed quickly as Lucy was heading for a dive into the water. With quick thinking, not sure if right thinking, he dives in the water with her.

Nalu and Happy stared at the river while holding the big fish with both their arms. Just a few seconds, Natsu and Lucy erupts.

Soaking wet, Natsu stood with the water just by his stomach. In his arms, Lucy coughed up water while her arms wrapped along his neck.

She was blushing furiously, feeling Natsu's harms on her thighs and shoulder. She tried looking at his face. And what she saw was his grin, his playful grin.

"Got you" he muttered. Lucy tried her best to smile, and ended up with a shy one.

Nalu felt his lips go upward as he watched his parents. He just couldn't resist.

"I want to play in the water too!" he shouted running and then diving with a splash. He took hold of Lucy's shirt as quickly as he could. Lucy then takes him in her arms. She was actually surprised after a few minutes that Natsu's still able to hold up, even through the current of the river. Well, it wasn't that strong….and he's lifted heavier stuff…but still, the way he can carry both of them now while maintaining balance through the river, just amazes her. And in this instant, her face had gone to full red rose.

Meanwhile, Makarov still remains at his spot, watching what just occurred. He gave out a chuckle while muttering…

"Kids…"

Well, took me long enough and it isn't even long! I'm sorry….hopefully, you like it! I thank everyone who reads Nalu! I'm really grateful!