So I'm pretty shook that 28 of you followed this story and 20 favourited! I know it's not a lot in comparison to others, but to me it means a lot. Thank you so much for giving me the motivation to get this next part out in between studying etc. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Fairytail does not belong to me, but my love for these two incredibly dense characters does.

Chapter Two - Questions

Lucy heard Natsu before she saw him.

You would have thought that, when reaching her door and hearing a low muttering coming from the inside of her apartment, she would be terrified. But having known Natsu for the past almost three years, and thus getting used to his somewhat… unconventional antics, she wasn't worried. In fact, she felt more relaxed knowing he was already at her place. This way she didn't have to call him to ask about her, probably crazy, idea.

She opened the door and saw the tell-tale signs of 'a wild' Natsu in her apartment. Bright red trainers and a martial arts varsity jacket were splayed on the floor by her entrance. She sighed in exasperation as she walked to her room and immediately saw his bright pink hair against the light cream of her bedsheets.

"I'm surprised Natsu," Lucy began as she dropped her rucksack on the chair by her empty desk. "No Happy this time?" The boy lifted his head from the book he was reading to reply and- Lucy stopped mid stride across the room. Natsu. Reading? What the hell would Natsu even be reading? It didn't even look like a proper book, it looked like…

"NATSU?! ARE YOU READING MY BOOK?!" A wide smile etched on his face despite knowing her anger was directed at him.

"Oh hey Luce, whatcha been doi- hey!"

Ignoring his cry of protest, Lucy leapt towards him to grab up the loose pages and held them close to her chest. A blush now burned the length of her cheeks and her heart raced as the pages crumpled slightly in her fists. Her initial panic, melted into embarrassment and she squirmed a bit as her voice softened into a slight whine, "Come on, you know I've asked you not to read it…"

Her grip on the pages loosened and she fumbled as she walked back to her desk to place them back in order. She stretched out the pages and pressed them down with her palms as she carried on talking. "Obviously you didn't just break into my house to read my story," She paused for a second having to place them in the drawer of her desk and lock it with the small key, making sure to shove that into her bra so that he couldn't get to her book again. She then turned her attention towards him, a dark look in her narrowed eyes as she continued. "Did you?"

Natsu shook his head vigorously, knowing that his friend could be particularly violent if she wanted to be, seemingly satisfied with his reply she asked, "So why did you come here?"

Natsu's expression flipped from one of badly hidden fear to one of excitement as he reached behind him on the bed and pulled his own rucksack from the pillows. He pulled out a couple of DVDs, a bag of popcorn and more packets of sweets than she thought could even fit in there.

"I thought we could have a movie night!" Lucy quickly felt her face melt into a relaxed smile at his suggestion.

The DVDs he held were some of their favourites. Whilst they had wildly different tastes, Natsu's being held in crime and action whilst Lucy's were more romance and drama, they both shared a love of fantasy and adventure. Thus the films he held up were a mixture; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (purely for the dragon, of course) and Tangled, because who didn't love that film?

Lucy felt excitement wash over her, forgetting the original reason he wanted to see Natsu and grabbed her phone to order them some pizza. She ordered herself a medium vegetable and chicken, and Natsu an XL 'flaming pizza', whilst Natsu set up her bed to watch movies on.

After Natsu had finished, Lucy's bed had all of her pillows against the backboard forming what looked like a nest of fluff, and two of her blankets scrunched up on either side for them both to get under if it got colder into the evening.

Once the pizzas arrived, they quickly scoffed them in between excited chatter about the film. With the pizza boxes safely in the recycling and most of the pizza gone (the rest saved in the fridge for possibly a late night snack) they moved onto her bed to start the film. As Lucy starting opening the goody bags Natsu brought with him, he flicked the light off and jumped onto the bed next to her subsequently spilling some of the popcorn from the bag she had already set up. Quickly shoving the fallen kernels in his mouth and apologising at the same time, he made himself comfortable next to her.

Natsu had elected to watch 'The Desolation of Smaug' first, which Lucy didn't have a problem with but she knew it would be hard to grab his attention once the film started.

Surprisingly, though some argued that the pace of the movie could be improved, she quickly found herself immersed in the wonderful world Tolkien had created. As someone interested in writing herself, some of Tolkien's books were her favourite to reference when looking at world building. There was endless content that could be written about Middle Earth and the history of the species that inhabited it.

Despite her love of it, nearing the end of the film Lucy began to fidget in anticipation of asking Natsu about the cabin and couldn't hold back asking him any longer. Though she was nervous, she hoped the distraction of the film would tone down his reply; whether it be good or bad.

"So Natsu," Lucy started as Natsu shifted towards her to get more comfortable. "I was thinking.." She paused for another moment, gathering her courage and continued in the most nonchalant voice she could muster. "Did you want to come to my family's cabin this year?"

"Uhhhh.. huh.." His eyes were fixated on the screen and he barely turned his eyes to look at her. Okay so maybe he would actually need to be paying attention. Lucy pulled the remote from his firm grasp and paused the film, earning herself a huff of disapproval from Natsu.

"I said, did you want to come with me to my family's cabin this year?" His brows met with confusion and he only questioned that he thought he wasn't allowed.

"I sort of have a plan."

A hint of intrigue washed over his expression as she spoke. Always one for mischief, he practically glowed at the fact Lucy had come up with a plan of her own. Lucy shuffled a little awkwardly on her bed to face him as she tried to think of the right way to phrase the next question. Somehow during the film they had both leaned into one another and the proximity of his face was making her unnecessarily nervous. She pulled away to try and explain.

"Right, well I was thinking- now, you can say no if you want - but I was thinking maybe we could just pretend you were family you know? Pretend we are going out, or well seeing each other whatever, so that I can sneak you into our cabin!"

"Okay."

Lucy didn't even have time to look at him with bated breath as he replied immediately.

It took her a couple seconds to register that he had actually said something, and she looked over him whilst trying to catch her bearings in this conversation. Honestly, she wasn't expecting it to be that easy, thinking she would at least have to offer him some kind of compensation.

"Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable or anything, if you don't want to-"

"Luce, calm down. I already agreed," His face held the warm lopsided grin she knew and loved, before shifting into a more thought out smirk. One of his eyebrows raised in amusement. "Besides I think it will be quite fun. Pretending to date and all.. "He trailed off slightly, before widening his eyes to hurriedly continue, "Ya know because it's like a huge prank! An ultimate one!"

Lucy quirked her eyebrow at his little outburst, thinking he was far too enthusiastic about it. What an unbelievably huge child. However, once he seemed to calm down he ended up looking a little sceptical of her. "But have you-"

"Have I what?"

"Have you ever actually had a, uh, a boyfriend?" Natsu continued. Lucy felt her face flush slightly as she crossed her arms and pouted slightly.

"Well, I guess technically no.. not since secondary school.. but I've been on quite a few dates since then, how different is it? I swear you haven't either?"

Natsu shrugged in agreement. "Touché I guess."

He looked deep in thought, something that completely terrified Lucy because it felt like such a strange expression to see on him.

She knew he wasn't dumb, despite what people thought about him. He was definitely dense. My god trying to hint to him about something was physically painful, and he was even less tactful, but he was particularly cunning when he wanted to be. That is why Lucy was so scared to see him thinking that hard. Usually a poorly thought out prank, or a fight would occur afterwards.

"Well if we're both inexperienced I guess it shouldn't be too difficult, we are pretty good friends alre-"

"Best friends, thank you very much." Lucy interrupted, her arms crossing over her chest.

"Jeez sorry, best friends," The corner of his lips lifted up into a small smile as he apologised for his mistake. "As I was saying, because we are best friends I'm sure we already know a lot of the things a girlfriend and boyfriend would know about each other.."

"Oh god," Lucy's face fell. She didn't think she would get as far as him agreeing so she had barely thought out what to do if he had actually agreed.

"Yoouu didn't think that far ahead did you?" Natsu shook his head knowing his best friend too well.

"Should we brainstorm some things we think our significant other would know about?" Lucy suggested, already getting up to grab some pens and paper off of her writing desk. After dropping the paper onto the table, giving Natsu a red pen, and herself a light pink, they began writing out a list of things they should know about each other in their 'relationship'.

After scribbling down, idea after idea onto her own paper, and categorising them all into little lists, Lucy looked up from her paper to see that Natsu had only written down a couple of things.

"Natsu, you haven't written anything down! How are we going to be convincing if we don't-" The next few words died on her lips when she'd seen what he had scratched down in red ink. The red made his sharp writing pop on the page. The colour suited him.

There were three points written down.

adoption and Igneel

biggest hopes

biggest real fears

He smiled sheepishly and brought his hand up to scratch the side of his neck.

"They're really the only important things I think my hypothetical girlfriend should know. I know they're a bit sappy and you probably have an idea of them but everything else I'm sure you already know."

Lucy's lips formed an 'o' shape, and assumed they would have a more in depth and awkard conversation later about them. She put hers in front of him, now slightly embarrassed at how superficial her questions seemed. He glanced at her list and chuckled slightly.

"Luce you didn't have to write down the things I already know, ya know?" She huffed and snatched her list back. She knew he would know most of them, but in her completely stubborn mind she decided that she could just test him then.

"Fine, what's my favourite colour?"

"Really Luce. We're gonna do this?" She looked expectantly at him and he sighed. He could play along for a bit. "Obviously, it's pink." He gestured around the room to her pink comforter, her pink carpet, her pink feature wall- okay you get the point.

"Fine do I prefer coffee or tea?"

"You don't drink either, you like hot chocolate and chai lattes if you can find them."

"What about my favourite-"

"Luuccyyy I already know this shit, come on. I know you say that you like horror films but you get scared afterwards and leave your fairy lights on." He gestured to the small lights lining the corners of her room. "I know that you want a stupid fluffy dog, and that you will call him 'Plue' because it's based that manga you like, uhm.. oh! 'Rave Master'."

Natsu continued to list off other random facts he knew about her including the strange name of a doll she had when she was younger, and how long she usually took in the shower. Which was embarrassing to think that he knew that but he'd essentially broken into her flat so many times that she supposed he would've just picked it up. Sulking slightly she sunk into the pillows on her bed, and grumbled back at him.

"Okay fine. So you know me pretty well.. but I know a lot about you too." He breathed out a small laugh, but let her continue. He knew that she did, he just admitted it but he was still curious to see what she would say.

"I know you put ridiculous amounts of chilli powder or sauce on almost everything you eat.. but then again, everyone knows that…" She hummed for a second before leaning forward with enthusiasm again. "I know that you have your own set of soaps here but you insist on using mine because you actually prefer the 'girlie' floral scent."

"Wha- I don-" She sent him a smug smile and raised her eyebrows. He sighed in defeat and admitted that he did, but definitely did not admit it was because he wanted to use her soap because the scent on her actually made him feel calmer.

"I knnooww thhaaat you're taking an engineering degree but you would much rather be working as a firefighter like your dad was." Lucy smiled fondly at that fact, recalling the conversation they'd had about Igneel not long after they'd met. She started laughing to herself as she thought of the next one. "I know that you get super touchy-feely when you're drunk, and that you definitely cannot handle going shot for shot with Gray."

Now that irked him.

"I can too, that was just a bad day for me! I hadn't eaten much and I'd been to the gym as well!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Pinkie." She laughed as she prodded his puffed out cheek. "You were right we do know quite a lot about each other.. maybe it will be okay." He dropped his pout and hummed in agreement.

Whilst Lucy ran over a few more thoughts about him and the strange things he did, Natsu's train of thought took a wildly different direction. He really didn't want to bring it up but knew that she had a few cousins around their age, and it would almost certainly get brought up if they spoke.

"What about more intimate details?" He suddenly said. Lucy spluttered out a choked 'what?' and darkened a few shades of pink as she turned to him a look of shock on her face. "You didn't think that bit through either did you?" She furiously shook her head.

"Not really no, but we don't need to know that stuff. That's just embarrassing!" She brushed him off, and though he looked displeased he didn't argue with her. But the more Lucy thought about it, the more chance they had to get caught up in a lie. She would be lying if she said she wasn't curious, but it was just a completely horrible conversation that she didn't think she would ever have with Natsu, she was ultimate friend zoned. Best friend zoned. So she never bothered giving those unwanted thoughts the time of day buuttt…

"What kind of details were you thinking of then?"

"Nothing too serious, just basics like whether you cuddle or what you're like in the morning.." Natsu felt his own face begin to warm as he pulled at the collar of his shirt to hide it. Lucy did not notice.

"Are you serious?" She deadpanned. "You've slept over here so many times without asking. Surely you already know? I know that you are a massive cuddler, and despite my best efforts to escape your grasp you are unnecessarily strong in the morning."

"Ha ha very funny… I guess youre right.." He lowered his shirt collar, and continued. "But what about other things? Like what- that um- I guess what you like, ya know, in bed?" He mumbled the last words.

"Fuck off am I telling you that!" Lucy recoiled in embarrassment and moved further away on her bed, they had somehow gotten closer again. "That is beyond embarrassing and unnecessary, just make something up if you're asked!"

Natsu agreed, and Lucy let out a sigh of relief as he dropped the subject. But now that he had brought it up she couldn't help wondering about it. About him. Whilst she was in her dazed state, he grabbed the TV remote that had laid forgotten on the table in all the excitement and put the film back on. There was barely any screen time left as Bilbo climbed over the heaps of gold coins.

"Do you know what you like then?" Lucy asked quietly. Natsu froze, unsure he heard her correctly and turned his head back round to face her, shocked that she had indeed continued the conversation.

"Well yeah, I think so?"

"You think so?"

"Well I haven't really.. I've only done.. that a couple of times. To be honest." He admitted.

"I haven't done it that much either. To be honest." She replied softly, lightly mocking his choice of words. Her brown eyes met his shyly, and she covered her face with her hands. "God this is so humiliating, we never talk about this stuff, you hate talking about this stuff!"

"I don't hate it." Natsu answered, ripping his eyes from the screen to look into hers, almost checking to see that she understood him. Lucy, of course, was shook. She had just had the conversation with Levy about it, and was sure she was right. "Why would you think that, it's just awkward is all." Natsu said matter of factly, his eyes drifting back to the film.

"Well you never join in with the guys' conversations about it when we're all together etc."

"Ugh that's because most of them are perverts. I don't want to hear what those creeps are up to." His nose crinkled, and he grimaced no doubt thinking about some of the things they had said.

"Oh, I just assumed I guess. You always look so put off when I bring up anything to do with that area.. but I'm mostly sure my family will NOT ask about anything in that department soo.. let's just forget it."

Lucy sunk back into the pillows, and Natsu followed suit. Leaning back in such a way that she could lean against him again. She took the opportunity, they were only friendship cuddles okay?!, and continued on quietly to say that the only thing she would be comfortable with sharing was the amount of people they had both slept with.

When she muttered that out, Natsu felt his breath hitch. It was no secret that Lucy was gorgeous, and she knew it. She would try to use it for her benefit when she could, in terms of discounts and favours, but whenever it mattered, a switch seemed to flick and she seemed to be extremely shy. If a guy approached her first, when she wasn't intoxicated that is, she would usually just look awkward and blush.

Natsu angled his head slightly to look down at her as she had curled up slightly in her embarrassed state. He took a deep breath and reluctantly admitted he had only slept with two or three different people, and that he never usually bothered if there was no commitment. Lucy on the other hand burned as she admitted she had slept with six or seven. At least half of them being one night stands near the beginning of university, and most in her attempt to not like him, but she kept that last part quiet. Especially since she remembered the last attempt had neither been nice, nor pretty.

After a particularly heavy pres at Levy and the girl's house, the group of them decided to head out to their SU. They had a themed night on and because it was nearing exam season they all seemed up for a good final night out, especially considering the first thing they did when they got there was bought a round of shots and drinks, jaeger-bombs being a group favourite.

It was around half way through the night, when a slightly intoxicated Lucy felt her eyes drift back to her 'best friend' as had been announced by the guy in question earlier that night. As they danced her eyes drifted over him, his pink hair fell into a more muted version and of its usual spiky appearance, and the faded black button down shirt he wore really complemented his dark jeans. His eyes hooded eyes were gorgeous as he moved along to the music, WKD in one hand and the other shoved in his pocket. He looked good.

She had to stop thinking of him like this. He had admitted it earlier, he only thought of her as a friend. As she reluctantly tore her gaze from Natsu's dancing form she caught the eye of a relatively attractive guy standing by the bar.

This is what she needed.

A distraction.

She sauntered over, wobbling a little in her heels, and tentatively grabbed the side of the bar as she began to speak to him.

Unbeknownst to her, Natsu had seen her part from the group because he had been stealing glances at her all night. Whether it was the alcohol or the atmosphere he didn't know, but for some reason he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Even at the pres something felt strange, he assumed it was their blossoming friendship so had announced her as his best friend to the group. They all cheered and carried on drinking but he was beginning to doubt himself.

The combination of the high-rise black shirt and a short skirt showed off her legs wondrously whilst she danced. How had he never seen them before, and why was he so fascinated now? He shook his head to try and erase the image of her seductive dancing from his memory, but whilst closing his eyes to forget, she had snuck away.

Feeling nothing but concern for his very good friend, he moved within the group to size up the guy he now saw her talking to. She was twirling her long blonde hair and looking through their lashes up at the guy, who only seemed to have a stupid cocky grin on his face. Natsu couldn't help but feel unease when he saw her with him. There must be something dodgy about him, and wanting to keep his friend safe he kept an eye on the situation.

Unfortunately for him, this meant that he would then see the guy lean into kiss Lucy and whilst she returned the kiss, she didn't look particularly comfortable. He started to edge closer, pushing his way through the crowd of intoxicated teens, when Lucy had begun pushing him away only to have the guy grab her hand and forcibly pull her closer. The look of fear in her eyes is what made him snap.

"Oi," He pulled Lucy away from the guy and stood in between them, "She clearly wants to leave so let her, asshole." Stepping closer to the guy to try and intimidate him. He may not be the tallest, but his years of martial arts training proved he was a tough opponent in a fight.

"Oh yeah, and who are you, her boyfriend or something?" Natsu was further angered by that comment without realising and began to throw a punch before he felt a light squeeze on his arm. Instead he turned around to check on Lucy, and to his horror she was sobbing. Clearly the alcohol was enhancing her emotions, as if she wasn't scared enough as it was, but Natsu only saw her tears and immediately removed her from the situation. He threw a dirty look at the scumbag who dared to touch his friend, and marched her out of the club.

In his rage, he had marched them straight back to his house before he turned around to check on her again. Though her sobs had calmed down, her eyes were still wet with tears so he pulled her into a hug, trying to crush the sadness out of her. Slowly she returned it, her body shaking slightly as her erratic breathing mellowed.

They went inside and Lucy said she would feel better if they were able to just chill at his, and Natsu agreed just wanting to make things better for his friend. At some point whilst chatting and hugging on his living room sofa, Lucy had fallen asleep and Natsu was pinned down by her weight gently against his side. Not wanting to wake her, and feeling strangely comfortable he drifted into a deep sleep too.

Whether it was the alcohol or not, he had one of the best nights sleeps, and Lucy had just kick started what she would call his 'annoying' habit of sleeping around her. But to him, the end of that night was a little piece of bliss.

"Why didn't you ask Gray or Loké or someone to be your fake boyfriend?" Lucy was pulled from yet another daydream, to find Natsu's arm tucked around her just as it had been that night and relaxed into it slightly as she answered.

"One, I don't want to be killed by Juvia. You know how she is around Gray. Two, I think you're forgetting Loké is a family friend and he would play it up waayyyy too much" She involuntarily shivered at the thought of how above and beyond the player would probably go for her.

Natsu stiffened slightly at the mention of that scenario, but quickly relaxed when he heard the rest of her small speech.

"And finally, I don't want either of them to come, I want to take you." Lucy smiled, and Natsu just pulled her further into one of his signature side hugs. They switched the film to Tangled and settled down again, eventually drifting off. Natsu first and Lucy shortly after, but since he went first Lucy couldn't help but release a satisfied hum as she melded further against him and fell asleep. Finally content.

So yeah, what do you think will be happening next? Guess in the reviews, and stay tuned to find out! As always, reviews are welcome and wanted and I hope you all have an amazing day!

Also, Jesus Christ but I wasn't expecting to write this much for this chapter! Did I overdo it?

As an add on, I didn't realise but I left some editing in and a random capitalised word was right in the middle of a sentence (so i've updated it now but sorry if it ruined any flow of reading!)