Alrighty Frighties! So this one's going to be a bit longer than usual; it was born (pardon the pun) out of procrastination and the song "There Goes My Life" by Kenny Chesney. I wanted to give it a bit of background, though, instead of just the interpretation of the song's content (that would have been quite a short fic) so here we are! At more than 3,000 words I've crafted this mess! XD Hope you enjoy.

Also, if you've heard the song you'd recognize that it's not an exact translation, but he was a bit less enthusiastic than I figured canon Natsu might be.

P.s. icefire13, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! You will get your story, it just may take me a bit, I already have a couple written down. I'm glad you're starting to like NaLu! It's my main. . . export, so to say. XD And who doesn't have a couple of screws loose? Enjoy!

Over and out.

"Ugn," Natsu moaned into his arms. He was sitting at the bar, guild life going on loudly behind him.

"Hey! Natsu, is your brain flame broiled? Yo, Charcoal Face!" An irritatingly familiar voice echoed painfully through Natsu's head.

"What do you want, Ice Princess?" He mumbled, unwilling to move.

"Natsu-Teme, what the hell happened to you and Lucy last night?"

"What are you talking about, you frozen bastard?" Natsu growled, lugging his head up to face the stupid ice mage head-on.

Gray laughed sadistically, "So you don't remember?"

Natsu's brows drew together. "I don't remember much. Last night is one big blur. All I got it a bunch of weird images and. . .strawberries?" He said.

But there was something off about those strawberries, wherever they came into it. They were. . . salty?

"I woke up at home with my shirt on backwards." He continues, growing angry at the amused look on Gray's face. "What?!" He snapped.

"Look, I don't know what happened, but you and Lucy left after getting pretty massively hammered. I didn't catch where you two love birds were going," he winked, "but you looked pretty snuggly there."

"Lucy?" Natsu stated questioningly.

Lucy woke up, shivering; her head pounding in time with the irritating birdsong outside her window. She patted her side to find her blanket without opening her sensitive eyes, only to find that it was nowhere to be found and that she was, in fact, very naked.

Eyes snapping open, she sat up quickly, immediately regretting having done so, her stomach threatening to revolt.

"Why am I naked?" She asked the room hoarsely.

The room had no answer.

Lucy looked about the room to find her missing blankets (as well as the previous day's clothing) strew haphazardly about the room. Frowning, she got up to find an ominous ache radiating from between her legs.

"Ooh," She winced, tip-toeing to the bathroom to take a hot bath, no liking her lack of memory and growing suspicions.

By the time she was drying herself, she had accepted the fact that it happened, but she still had no idea who it happened with.

She breathed a heavy sigh, upset for a number of different reasons. It wasn't just that she had clearly lost her virginity last night, but also that she had no memories of it, or who, in fact, took it. "I suppose there's only one way to find out!"

She entered the guild a few short minutes later to find everyone in the usual states of fighting, drinking, and socializing.

A quick scan found the rosy-locked boy she was looking for in a corner seat, brooding by himself. That's odd, Gray's even here and he's completely silent.

"Natsu!" She spoke, careful not to speak too loudly, as was her habit, as she (and she suspected many others were as well) was nursing a substantial headache.

She saw the initial confusion, and then the brightening of his face as he recognized her slim figure weaving rather ungracefully through the various tussles.

"Lucy!" he responded, before a lost look filled his eyes. Strawberries, he thought, Lucy smells like strawberries and. . . and me?!

He felt the panic set in and fought to keep his breath and temperature normal as conclusions clouded his vision.

Another frown drew the corners of her pouty lips downwards for the second time since she had awoken to a crazy mystery. "Natsu. . ." She called, trying to get his attention. She'd never known him to lose focus like this. He was rarely one to daydream (baring any food-related thoughts), favoring the excitement of the moment over anything he could cook up in his head. Natsu's life was, to be fair, more exciting than most.

"Natsu!" Lucy shouted regretfully.

". . .Huh?" He asked, pulled slowly from his thoughts.

"Natsu, do you happen to remember what happened last night? I woke up to some pretty crucial memory gaps."

"What do you mean by 'crucial'?" he asked nervously. Oh shit oh shit oh shit.

"I mean. . ," She hesitated, not sure how much to tell or how to tell it. "I mean my house is kind of a disaster and I was wondering if you know who was there, so I can, ya know. . . hurt them. . ."

"Uuuhhh. . ." Natu didn't like the idea of lying to her, but if it was a disaster in the way he imagined, then he definitely didn't want to own up to it.

Fortunately or unfortunately for him, Mirajane walked up at that moment, smiling. "Ohayo Lucy, Natsu. So, everyone's saying how you two left together last night~! You guys looked pretty cute, touching each other, and Lucy! I didn't know you were one to have grabby hands!" The older girl giggled, ignorant to the fatally red faces before her.

"Uh. . .ah. . . oh. . ." Lucy stammered, looking back at Natsu.

"Anyway!" Mira exclaimed, startling the two. "Catcha later!"

"Lucy." Natsu began seriously. "I-I don't remember anything myself, but from what I've heard. . . .and the way you described your house, and your scent, I th-."

"My scent?" Lucy interrupted, pulling a face.

"Uh, yeah." Natsu replied, fidgeting in his seat. "I have a pretty specific scent memory. It's the most powerful, intoxicating scent I have ever encountered, and I'm only remembering it. I know I'm not the most . . .aware guy in the guild, but I can't pretend to not understand that smell. As someone who's part dragon, I have slightly . . . animalistic tendencies. You've probably noticed a few."

Lucy nodded, a furious blush still dusting her cheeks. "So what you're saying is that it was you? You don't remember, but you remember smelling me?"

"Heh, I guess that's what I'm saying." Natsu mumbled, scratching the back of his head and looking away.

"Come with me." She said, causing him to whip around in shock. He thought she'd be furious at him, claiming he took advantage of her, though he was just as, if not more drunk than she was.

However, the Stellar Spirit mage made no such accusations. She took him by the hand and walked out of the front doors, completely aware of the gawking faces of her friends as she did so.

As they walked the short path to her apartment, Natsu writhed under the tense aura between them. "I'm sorry!" He blurted, not quite sure where he was going, but he had the feeling it needed to be said. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop myself. I'm sorry I challenged Cana to a drinking contest. I'm sorry I'm so competitive and couldn't give up when I knew I'd lost. I'm sorry I took both of our first times and don't even remember what happened. I'm-I'm just sorry."

Lucy came to an abrupt halt in front of her front door. She felt tears of confliction spring to her eyes. "Natsu, it takes two to tango."

". . . Whaa?" He asked, confusion tugging at his sorrowful features.

"I mean that it wasn't your fault entirely. There were things I could have done, too! I could have said no, I could have refused those drinks! And by the looks of me, I didn't put up much of a fight. Hell! It's entirely possible that I started it! Remember what happened at the beach? I was all over you! Or so everyone says. Damn alcohol." She mumbled the last part, staring at her toes.

He gently took her by the chin and raised her gaze to meet his. "Hey, don't cry, Luce. We'll be fine."

He slung a warm arm around her shoulders protectively as she wiped her face of tears and opened the door.

"Oh." Was all he could say as he took in the devastation. He looked down at her seemingly delicate body. Damn, we can really take a beating. She's gotta be pretty tough to have no visible bruises, though she was wearing more clothing than usual. He cataloged that bit of information away for the future.

"Natsu," The small golden mage at his side began, "where does this put us?"

He watched as she moved to clean up the demolished apartment, suspecting that she did so to not have to look him in the face. He thought about pretending not to know what she meant, but that would only make matters worse. He wasn't an ignorant little boy anymore.

"I don't know, Luce. Where do you want this to put us?" Other than standing here, awkwardly in the middle of the mess we created. He added in his head.

In truth, he knew exactly where this ought to put them, where he wanted it to put them. He'd had feelings for Lucy for some time, though he wasn't sure of them until this morning. Suffering alone with his hangover, he'd had ample time to think over the evening's events.

There had been a light bulb.

He knew, though, that no matter his feelings, he was never going to force her to be anything she didn't want to be with him; which is how they ended up in the strained silence, each not willing to say what the other was thinking.

The busty blonde paused in her work to turn to him, eyes trained on the ground. He stood before her, a quizzical look masking his panicked thoughts. Please don't say we shouldn't be partners anymore. I could handle anything but that. Not being with you might just break me, Luce. Don't you know that?

"Natsu, I think. . . .I think I like you." She mumbled to the floor. If he hadn't been a dragon slayer, there would have been no way he could have heard her.

A slow smirk drew up the corners of his mouth, his eyes narrowing predatorily. All of this being lost on Lucy, who was still working up the nerve to look her silent best friend in the face; before she could, however, two muscular arms slid easily around her waist and hoisted her into the air.

A small, strangled sound of surprise slipped its way past her lips and he chuckled. Natsu spun her around once before setting her back down. "I like you too, weirdo."

Everyone was surprised when, a month later Natsu and Lucy were still going strong. Their relationship had taken most by surprise; not that they had gotten together, everyone expected that to happen eventually. No, it was the way their relationship grew that threw everyone for a loop.

Most thought that they would be explosive and loud; fighting and screaming and loving passionately, throwing public fights and making up with vigor. While all of those things happened, for the most part the two were mild and content; well, as much as they always were. They weren't overly affectionate, even in the beginning. No "honeymoon" stage, as it were.

It seemed that they acted the same as they ever had, though their relationship before they were together was much like a married couple. The only difference now seemed to be the occasional peck on the lips and lap-sitting.

It was a morning like any other that Natsu stormed in, expecting to see his quick-witted blonde sitting at the bar or chatting with her small bookish friend, but she was nowhere obvious to his hungry eyes.

Slumping noticeably, the young dragon slayer stalked to the bar, claiming Mira's attention. "Yo, Mira! You seen Lucy this morning?"

"Natsu miiiiiiisses her." Chimed his blue Exceed, who was circling his head irritatingly.

Mira laughed knowingly. "No, sorry Natsu. She hasn't been in this morning. You might have some luck checking her apartment, though."

"Aye!" The two said in unison before bolting out the door.

"Ugh," Lucy moaned, waving her way towards the bathroom. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck!"

She knelt before the toilet, holding her head in her hands with her eyes closed as waves of nausea rolled over her. This method only worked for so long before she was forced to submit to her revolting stomach.

Finally after what seemed like hours, with the sun just peaking over the horizon, Lucy laid down on her side. She couldn't even think about moving.

Aargh! What did I eat?! She thought as she was slowly lulled into unconsciousness by the feeling of the cool tile on her face and the soft fuzzy rug beneath her.

"Luuushiii!" Natsu called from the sill of the open window. Not seeing her in plain sight, he ventured further into the room.

Having searched the admittedly small space, he decided there was only one place left to look. Munching on her leftovers he called out to his fried. "Ne, Happy! I'm going to check the bathroom."

Happy peaked around the door of the open refrigerator, "If you're suuure. I'm not going to help you if Lucy decides to kill you."

"Baka-neko." Natsu grumbled, reminding himself of Lucy. Laughing, he burst through the bathroom door.

His laughter dying in an instant, Natsu fell to his knees next to his closest ally, slumped and unconscious. "LUCY!" he yelled. "Happy! Go get Wendy. NOW!"

Happy was standing at the threshold, elephant tears forming in his large eyes. "Rushi. . ."

Natsu was cradling Lucy's head in his hands. He didn't look back at his crying kitty. "Please, Happy. Lucy needs help."

He didn't need to say another word as a moment later he could hear the rush of wings flying through the window.

"Urg, Natsu. What's up with all the shouting?" Lucy mumbled against his chest, rubbing her eyes.

Natsu jolted, staring in relief at his groggy girlfriend. "Lucy!" He yelped, hugging her close.

"Nafu, waf er you foing?" Lucy struggle to ask around a mouthful of his shirt.

"What do you mean?! You were passed out on your bathroom floor! What was I supposed to think?" He asked her sharply.

"Oh, Gomen. I wasn't feeling too good. I guess I fell asleep." She responded sheepishly.

"Well, then don't!"

"Don't. . . .sleep?"

He knew he was being irrational, but there was nothing worse for Natsu than the sharp twist in his gut when Lucy was hurt or sick.

Sighing, he helped her sit up. "No. . . I was just worried."

"S'okay Natsu." She said, fondly stroking his cheek.

He was about to respond when she turned green and went back to heaving over the porcelain bowl.

Is this what she goes through when I get motion sickness? He couldn't help but wonder as he patted her back, trying to block the powerful smell of vomit. There were times he desperately wished he didn't have such a sensitive nose; this was one of those of times.

"Natsu, Lucy!" He heard a high, panicking voice resound from the other room.

"In here Wendy!" Natsu called back. "She's awake, but she's pretty sick."

Wendy stepped hesitantly into the semi-cramped space, assessing the damage. Seeing Lucy void of color; hair dull, eyes lacking their usual spark, Wendy frowned with concern tightening her shoulders. Taking action, she gently Nudged Natsu back and sat next to her friend. "Lucy-san, I need you to lie down, so I can see what's wrong."

"Unkay," Lucy slurred, spitting the vestiges of sick out of her mouth and flopping on her back.

"Is she okay?" Natsu asked worriedly, leaning over the two.

Wendy sweatdropped. "I don't know yet, Natsu-san. I haven't done anything yet."

With that, she focused her vision on a point in space, her hands beginning to glow a brilliant white. She slowly hovered them over Lucy in wide sweeps. After a moment she narrowed her search; Lucy was throwing up, so Wendy figured she probably had some sort of stomach bug. Hovering over her torso, Wendy closed her eyes in attempt to find and eliminate the problem.

When she found it, she gasped, her eyes flying wide.

"Wendy! What's happened?" cried Charle, concern clouding her sharp eyes.

"Ruuuushi," Whimpered Happy.

"Is Lucy alright?! What's wrong?!" Natsu spoke at the same time.

"No, everything's fine!" Wendy reassured them, waving her hands frantically. "Ano, do you mind giving us a minute? I'd like to speak with Lucy-san alone if that's okay." Wendy added nervously.

Natsu was slow to leave, reluctance and worry etched into every line of his face.

Once the door was closed Lucy propped herself up on her elbows, giving Wendy a quizzical look. "What's wrong?" She asked simply, trying to hide the fear in her eyes.

"Oh! No, Lucy! You really are fine; I just thought you should know first and decide yourself where to go from there."

". . . What do you mean?"

"I mean you're going to be a momma, Lucy."

Natsu sat down hard, no longer aware of the soft pink bed under him or any of his surroundings. He was barely aware of the foggy-eyed girl before him or her deliciously distinct scent that, now he was paying attention, he noticed had changed.

"Natsu, please! Say something. Say anything!" She choked out.

In an instant he was on his feet, battle-worn hands running violently through his soft pink hair. His sensitive ears picked up a nearly-inaudible whimper as he turned away, beginning a frantic pace across the room.

He couldn't see the dim room, softly illuminated by the setting sun. He couldn't see the shapely blonde cover her mouth with her hand as she watched him with an agonized expression.

All he could see was smoke. Panicked, choking smoke that he couldn't seem to breathe past. Fire he couldn't consume.

I'm too young for this. I'm only nineteen! How am I supposed to raise a kid when I can't even manage myself?! I-I can't, I'm not mature enough. I'm. . .Oh kami, I don't know what to do.

As if by instinct, he turned and drew the shaking mage into a hug. He led her tight to his chest as she cried, realizing that she was more afraid than he was.

There goes our life of adventure.

Guess we got some learnin' to do, huh Luce?

A few flabbergasted guild-mates, sleepless nights, and frantic years later found him smirking as a flash of pink rounded the corner, out of sight.

He crept quietly after it, watching as the little mistake he thought he made jumped at the refrigerator door, trying to reach the handle to get a snack.

Closing in, he struck, snatching her up into his arms. She squealed, flashing a pointy grin and big brown eyes.

He walked with an exaggerated bounce in his step, jostling her as she hung over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, giggling and squealing; Natsu smiled widely at the amused celestial spirit mage watching from the top of the stairs, waiting. Bedtime in the Dragneel household.

The little pinkette slowly toddled up the stairs. About halfway up she turned back to look at him crouched at the bottom, ready to spring if she were to fall. She gave him his own signature smile, waving the little stuffed dragon clutched in her pudgy hand, and his heart swelled.

I love you, baby. Goodnight.

"Ninnite Dadda!" She called, as if hearing his silent regard.

He watched with a smile in his eyes as she stumbled into her mother's waiting arms. There goes our little life of adventure.

She hoisted the over-stuffed backpack onto her shoulders and smiled at the aging wizards before her, gratefully accepting their embraces.

Enveloped in the overly-warm arms of her father, she laughed. "It's just a quest, dad!"

"No. It's your first quest, and your first quest representing Fairy Tail." He said, tapping the guild park on her shoulder. "Every move you make in this world as a powerful mage is important."

When she wasn't looking, he slipped a few hundred jewels into her bag.

"I love you Nashi, be safe. Don't forget to take Capricorn." Her mother reminded, tugging playfully on her daughters rosy hair.

"I won't forget. I love you mom, dad."

After the door closed behind her, Lucy threw her arms around Natsu, clinging for dear life as tears ran down her cheeks.

There goes our adventure, Lucy. Look what we did.

She's strong, Luce, don't worry. She's smart like you and strong like all of us. She's a daughter of Fairy Tail, of course she's strong! She'll be fine.

There goes our everything.

Isn't it funny, Lucy? We wanted adventure and got a quest better than any that's been on the board. It's been tough, but there goes our life, off to defend the innocent,

He felt moisture slick his cheeks. "Goodbye baby."

Okay, so I tried REALLY hard to make the dialogue in-character. So if you would tell me how I managed it, I would be way grateful!