So long since I updated this collection. I finally had an idea and thought I'd post it in favour of Nalulovefest week.

This idea's a little cliche but I hope I did it justice :)

Enjoy 3

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL

Rainy Season

The guild was unnaturally quiet when Natsu and Happy arrived that morning. It was Magnolia's rainy season and it had been pouring for days. luckily however, the rain had begun to clear. The ground however, was still soggy and Natsu paid no mind as he tracked mud through the guild.

"Hey Mira," he called to the white-haired mage behind the bar, "what's up?"

Mira smiled as she spotted the energetic dragon slayer and his blue companion walking towards her.

"Now that the weather's dried up almost everyone's left on jobs", she answered his question, gesturing to the scantly decorated mission board.

"Really?" Natsu asked looking around at the few people who remained in the guild, "well, we can't let them out do us, huh Happy?" he said turning to his small partner.

"Aye!" Happy agreed, flying in small circles around Natsu's head.

"Let's get Lucy and go on a job," Natsu said turning back to Mira, "is she here?" he asked.

Mira shook her head, "Lucy hasn't come in yet," she explained, her brow creasing slightly, "I wonder if she's alright."

"She's probably just sleeping in," Happy offered cheekily, making Natsu laugh.

"You're probably right Happy," he said walking towards the door, "c'mon , let's go wake her up!"

Happy followed close behind, "Aye!"

… … …

When Natsu and Happy reached the familiar apartment of their blonde partner, it was almost noon. "Do ya' think she's still sleeping Natsu?" Happy asked.

"I dunno Happy, it's pretty late, even for Lucy", Natsu said absently. They were close enough now he could catch Lucy's scent on the breeze. There was something sickly-sweet mixed in that wasn't usually there and it made worry begin to grow in Natsu's mind. Before he had much time to think on it however, they'd reached Lucy's house and Happy was lifting him up to her window. Natsu slid open the window and climbed in effortlessly, the too-sweet smell was stronger inside. Lucy wasn't in bed, Natsu looked around the room, not spotting the blonde celestial spirit mage anywhere.

"Lucy?" he called out, catching her scent in the direction of the kitchen. Following his nose, he found her curled up on the kitchen floor, a blanket wrapped around her. As Natsu got closer he realised she was shivering.

"Lucy?" he said again kneeling down to pull the blanket way from her face.

Happy put his little paw on one of her flushed cheeks and pulled back with a yelp, "Natsu!" he said looking up at the rosy-haired dragon slayer in fright, "Lucy turned into a fire dragon slayer!" he said with wide eyes.
Natsu put his palm to her forehead and cursed his inability to feel heat, Lucy was obviously burning up but to Natsu she felt completely normal. Natsu gritted his teeth and turned the feverish mage onto her back. "Lucy," he said looking down at her face, "oi, Luce!" he said more firmly, shaking her shoulders slightly. Lucy's eyes opened slightly, their brown depths murky and only half awake.

"Na...tsu?" she murmured dumbly.
"What's goin' on Luce? You're burning up", he said frowning.

"Burning...?" she said confused, "no, no... I'm cold." Lucy began to shiver more violently, "s-so c-cold..." she said through chattering teeth before closing her eyes once more.

"What do we do Natsu?" Happy asked worriedly, Natsu's brpw knit in frustration.

"I don't know," Natsu shook Lucy again but this time she didn't stir, she simply continued to shiver silently, "go get Wendy, she'll know what to do!" Natsu ordered.

Happy shook his head, his eyes wide with worry, "Wendy's on a job with Gray and Juvia!"

Natsu's eyes widened, "Shit!" he cursed.

"Oi Lucy," Natsu said kindly but firmly, "you gotta pull yourself together and tell us what to do", he said making her sit up so that she leaned against his shoulder. "Lucy c'mon, wake up," he said shaking her gently, Lucy's eyes opened once more but she remained silent.

"Luce, I don't know what to do," he said, his voice becoming more urgent, "you've got to tell me how to help you."

Lucy nodded weakly, "f..fever," she said roughly through chapped lips, "cool down...b-body temper...ature..." she said, her frame still shivering harshly, "w-water..." she said before coughing loudly and leaning into Natsu's shoulder.

"I think I understand," Natsu said only half certain he was right, he turned to Happy, "we need to cool her down with cold water", he said. Where would they get that much water? Ah, of course! he thought.

"Happy, fill the tub with cold water, I'll bring Lucy", he said urgently before scooping the shivering girl up in his arms.

"Aye, sir!" Happy said before flying ahead to the bathroom. Natsu followed behind carrying Lucy, he didn't think to take her clothes off before setting her in the water. Lucy would probably yell at him later for getting her clothes all wet, but right now he didn't care.

"Is her fever going down Happy?" Natsu asked, cursing once more that he couldn't check it himself.

"A little, but she's still really hot Natsu", Happy said shaking his head.

Natsu nodded deep in thought, what else was cold? Natsu went through his memories for something cool, a sharp breath escaping his lips when he found what he was looking for.

"Happy, go get all the ice from Lucy's freezer," he said supporting Lucy's neck with his hand so her head stayed above the water. Happy left and returned quickly with a jug filled with ice, Natsu tipped it into the tub and gave the jug back to Happy so he could refill it. After the third trip Happy shook is head, "that's the last of her ice", he said puffing slightly from flying back and forth. Natsu shook his own head in frustration, what he'd give to have ice-princess's powers right now.

"Get anything frozen and bring it here", he said.

Natsu brushed back a strand of hair that had stuck itself to Lucy's forehead, taking in her flushed appearance with a solemn expression.

Lucy was slowly coming to, and she was not liking the cold, "f-f-freezing..." she muttered. Natsu helped her sit up, trying not to touch her too much, paranoid his abnormally high body heat would make her fever worsen. Happy came back with the contents of Lucy's freezer and tossed them into the tub with the ice. Soon the Lucy's body was surrounded by floating bags of vegetables, packages of frozen meat, and boxes of popsicles.

Natsu told Happy to go back to the guild and ask Mira if they'd missed anything important, while he stayed and kept watch. Before the exceed left, Natsu got him to check Lucy'd temperature once more and he confirmed with a relieved sigh that her fever was finally breaking.

Natsu watched in relief as Lucy's shivering began to slow, the tremors receding into small quivers that only made her flinch a little. He found a cup she kept on the basin for when she brushed her teeth and used it to pour water gently over her head, making sure it trickled down the back of her neck and not into her eyes.

"Sorry.." she said suddenly, without looking at him. Natsu frowned, "what're you apologising for weirdo?" he asked confused, but relieved she was speaking again.

"For making you take care of me," she said. Natsu shook his head, "don't be silly," he said continuing his ministrations, "you're my friend, of course I'd help."

Lucy closed her eyes as he poured another cup of ice water over her hair, "you could catch my sickness," she said.
Natsu smiled, "nah, I never get sick, I've got the immune system of a dragon remember?" he said, some of the water had washed her bangs into her eyes, he smoothed them back. Lucy looked different without them, younger.
"How'd you get sick anyway?" he asked.
Lucy pouted, "all this damn rainy weather, I got a cold", she said. Natsu nodded in understanding, "the rainy season always gets like this, you should keep warmer next year", he said.

Lucy nodded, "sorry..." she said quietly. Natsu flicked her lightly on the nose, "what was that for?" she whined.
Natsu shook his head, "I thought I told you to stop apologising."

Lucy's eyes widened, "oh... right, sorry", she said without realising.

Natsu frowned, "I swear if you say sorry one more time I'm gonna dunk your head under the water", he threatened emptily, before smiling, "actually, that might help to get rid of your fever", he said teasing her. Lucy took the bait and Natsu smiled brighter as she sent him a hard glare, "don't you dare."

Natsu laughed, "well if you're well enough to get angry you must be feeling better!"

Lucy attempted not to smile but failed, "I do feel a little better actually", she said finally, "in fact, I think I'm starting to get genuinely cold in here and-" she broke off, "are those lamb chops?" she asked.

Natsu shrugged, "we ran out of frozen peas."

Lucy shook her head, a small amused smile on her lips, "what ever... I'm just grateful you helped I suppose..." she trailed off, bringing a hand to her head, "I'm so tired..."

"It look's like your fever's all gone, do you wanna get out now?" Natsu asked. Lucy just nodded in reply, wrapping an arm around his neck for support. Natsu helped her out of the tub and onto her feet. Lucy let go, but found her legs shaky and was soon clinging to him again, "I think I'm gonna pass out..." she said pathetically. Natsu curled his arm around her waist to better support her weight.

"Is your fever coming back?" he asked, worry tracing his voice.
Lucy shook her head, "no... I'm just really tired..." she said before adding, "I can't go to bed in wet clothes, I need to change", she said blushing, making her already flushed cheeks a vivid red.

Natsu nodded, "where do you keep your night clothes?" he asked, ignoring her embarrassment.

"The top draw of my dresser..." Lucy said, her voice drifting off. She really is tired, Natsu thought. That fever must have sapped all her energy.

Natsu let her lean on him as he walked them both to the dresser. Lucy supported herself against the wall as Natsu selected a simple shirt and pair of flannel shorts, he wasn't going to bother with underwear, not if he had to help her get dressed. And, looking at the blonde mage who was slowly losing consciousness as she leant against the wallpaper, he would definitely have to help.

Getting her out of her wet clothes was the easy part, though her skirt stuck a little against her hips. When it came time to remove her underwear he only helped when necessary, it wasn't like he hadn't seen it all before, but it was more comfortable for Lucy this way. Even through her haziness Natsu could tell she was still embarrassed. He helped her put her arms through the new, dry shirt and put her legs through the shorts, allowing her to pull them up the rest of the way.

When this was done he helped her to bed and got her a glass of water.

Lucy looked lost for a moment, staring down at the glass in her hand, "my hair's still wet..." she said. It was so soft that Natsu wondered of she'd even meant to say it out loud. Whatever the case, Natsu eagerly positioned himself behind her so he could reach her damp golden locks, happy to finally find a use for his powers.

Natsu ran his fingers through Lucy's hair, drying it with his magic while she rested against him and finished her water. After her hair was dry, Lucy lay down on the bed and Natsu sat down on the floor beside her.

Lucy rolled onto her side, turning to face him, "thanks...Natsu" she said already closing her eyes.

Natsu shook his head, "all I did was freak out and then chuck you in cold water," he said jokingly, but his tone dropped slightly when he realised how true the words were, "you would've been better off with Wendy or Gray here."

Lucy looked at him then, brown eyes focusing on him sleepily, "you're wrong."

Natsu cocked an eyebrow, "how so?"

Lucy blinked tiredly, "you really saved me today... I don't think I would've been okay if you hadn't shown up", she said.

Natsu was silent, anyone could have come along and helped her, and anyone would have been more helpful than he was, he couldn't even feel her temperature.

"It was kinda scary... everything was all dizzy and I was so cold..." she said getting his attention once more, "I was really frightened... and then..." she trailed off and Natsu leaned in closer, trying to catch her words. Lucy surprised him by reaching out weakly to touch his face, her slender fingers, wrinkled from being in the bath, were soft against his cheek, "and then you were there and I knew it was all going o be okay..." she said with a small, sleepy smile.

Natsu felt his heart skip a little at her words, it really struck him sometimes, how much trust she held in him. Even when he had no idea what he was doing, she always believed in him.

"Happy did most of the work, I couldn't even check your temperature", Natsu said, coming to enjoy the pressure of her hand on his skin.

Lucy's eyes were drooping closed again but her smile stayed, "even so... I'm glad it was you who found me..." she said, her hand finally slipping from his cheek to rest by her side as the last of her consciousness waned, "you always... come to... save me."

Natsu watched her in silence, listening to the sound of her breathing. Lucy had seemed certain that Natsu would be able to help her. But Natsu hadn't been so sure... it was different when Lucy was kidnapped, or facing a monster, or a group of bandits. Those things were easy to save her from, all he had to do was use a simple roar of the fire dragon and he could blow any danger away.

But today had been different, he couldn't fight what was hurting her, and his powers had proved completely useless in making her better. He'd felt overwhelmed and powerless, feelings he did not enjoy in the slightest. Even now, he was watching her carefully, afraid that if he left her fever would return. He'd hated seeing her like that, shivering and vulnerable, he wondered if she'd ever gotten that sick before, then decided he'd rather not think about it.

"Natsu!" Happy called, flying through the window carrying a basket.

"Not so loud Happy, Lucy's sleeping" Natsu alerted him, Happy nodded in reply before setting down next to him on the floor.

"How is she?" Happy asked. Natsu smiled reassuringly, "she's a lot better, just tired," Natsu said before looking at the basket, "what's that for?" he asked.

Happy smiled, "Mira sent over some chicken soup and some smelly tea that's meant to make her better. Lucy should have some when she wakes up," Happy said before adding, "we're to make sure she drinks plenty of water and gets lots of rest", he explained.

Natsu said, "okay... then Mira thinks thinks it's a good idea for us to keep looking after her?"

Happy smiled, "yeah, I told her what we did, and she said we should be able to handle taking care of Lucy no problem."

Natsu nodded, "Yeah, Lucy said the same thing..." he said glancing at the celestial spirit mage, "I guess we did alright huh Happy?" he said smiling at the little blue exceed.

"Aye!" Happy agreed.

Lucy looked peaceful as she slept, her chest rising and falling steadily, and her hair spread about her pillow like a crown.

Natsu smiled softly at his sleeping partner. Maybe he didn't always have the answers, or the right skills, but Lucy was fine now and that was all that mattered.

Natsu pushed Lucy's bangs away from her sleeping face, making her look younger again.
If Lucy believed he could always save her no matter the problem, then he'd just have to do his best to always come through for her.

Hope that was enjoyable :) Might write a Part II to this one-shot, haven't decided yet though.

Thanks for reading, don't hesitate to review!