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Chapter 18

Don't you want me?

He was avoiding her. She knew that. And something about it was really driving her nuts. She hadn't seen him in a week since that day and now it was getting the better of her. She really wanted to see him.

She knew he was about. Every day in the week she had left Nashi in Mira's care, knowing he would be there when she left. But picking her up after work, he would be gone. No sign of him, just a tale from Nashi about what her and her father did that day.

He really was avoiding her.

"Are you going then?" Levy asked sitting beside her friend. She had a magazine in her hand, shifting it through its pages.

"What?" Lucy wondered.

"The party" Levy said softly, as if it was obvious. Not so much for Lucy as she repeated the same answer as before, causing Levy to pull down her magazine from her face. Her head turned to her. "You've been invited right?"

"What party?" Clueless to what her friend was talking about, Levy's eyes widened.

"He hasn't invited you" she gulped with a shock. "His housewarming party. Tonight" she lowered her voice, looking around the room anxiously.

"Who's?"

"Natsu's, obviously" she muttered. "Did he really not tell you?"

Lucy's heart sank bitterly as she shook her head.

"No, I haven't seen him all week either" she exclaimed sadly.

"He's been here...maybe you've just missed him" Levy wondered innocently. This made Lucy roll her eyes, or he really was avoiding her. "I'm surprised he hasn't come by to tell you though?"

"Are you going?" Lucy asked back.

"Yeah, Wendy's looking after the kids for us" Levy admitted shyly. "She and Romeo didn't want to go, apparently it's going to be heavy night and it's not their thing" she shrugged.

"It's not usually your thing either" Lucy noted, trying to recall how many times she'd actually seen her friend drink.

"Well we helped with the house so we thought we may as well, see the end result" Levy blushed by the thought of the party.

"Well, I wanna go" Lucy demanded strictly. "I helped too"

"What will you do with Nashi?" Levy asked, frowning by her sudden change of mood.

"Kinana maybe? She's had Nashi before, or Lisanna?"

"Lisanna isn't going" Levy piped up. "She's looking after Ren as well"

"Then I'll ask her!"

Xxx

The sound of the party in the newly built house boomed heavily through the trees. Lucy, dressed in a skin tight blue silk dress walked up the dirt path leading to his home. Her blue heels tapped away, getting closer to the entertainment.

She was angry. One for the fact that Natsu had been avoiding her all week and two that he hadn't invited her to the party which she was so rightfully meant to be a part of.

She had dolled herself up plenty, she was exactly sure why she did, but it made her look good. Her hair was clipped up and her long hair spiked down, giving her a sexy badass look. Matching her pride.

She walked up the house, surprised that Laki and Freed were stood outside causally having a chat. Their faces turned to Lucy with a smile as their greeting before she opened the door and stepped in.

The house was hot, stuffy more like. People crowded as they danced to the music in the living room, steeping out into the hallway and then in the kitchen.

Familiar faces she noticed. Erza was there in her element as she downed a bottle of booze she was holding, while shoving the delightful little cake appetizers in her mouth. She saw Lucy and smiled excitedly, cracking open another bottle and handing it across to her.

Gajeel was also there, with his arm tightly curved round a drunk Levy's waist. She squealed happily upon seeing the blonde's appearance.

Max was sat on the floor in the living room besides the music player, drowning shots with Cana. Jet and Droy were bouncing off each other as they sang helplessly to the music and Reedus sat quietly in the corner painting the scene he was viewing while sipping causally on his glass of wine.

But Lucy couldn't see the host anywhere.

"Lushy!" Happy chimed, colliding into her revealing cleavage.

"Happy!" She hugged him tightly, causing Wakaba and Macao to gain nose bleeds from their view.

"You came!" The cat said happily. "I was hoping you would"

Lucy smiled as he released her.

"Where's Natsu?" She asked lightly, trying to hear what he was saying over the loud booming noise. Happy shrugged softly.

"Somewhere"

She scanned the room she was in, trying to locate the pink hair. But found nothing to resemble him.

"Drink with us Lucy!" Cana immediately pulled Lucy down towards her, handing a shot glass full to the brim of that dreaded sambuca. "We like to drink with Lucy, because Lucy is our mate..." she sang cheerfully. Max quickly joined in, watching as they began to count down the numbers. Lucy gulped it hard.

The taste was strong, tangy more than anything. But it was much nicer than whiskey, that's for sure.

Between that and the bottle of rum that Erza had given her. Lucy was really beginning to enjoy the party. As the music played, the blonde was up there dancing. She guzzled the bottle, proud of her achievement to catch up with the rest of the party members.

Her eyes twinkled, her body heat rising as she danced, mingled and drank her way through the house.

"Juvia thinks Lucy may need some water now" the water mage whispered over to her husband. Gray sniggered, shaking his head.

"She's letting her hair down, let her be" he mumbled, sipping his cold beer.

"But she's really drunk. We have to look after her" Juvia said softly, concerned for her friend. Gray snorted loudly watching the blonde sway back and forth as she danced with Bickslow and Evergreen.

"Fine, fine...hang on" he handed his wife his glass, before swimming through the crowd of people before bumping into the host himself. He frowned, stumbling back from the fiery mage. "Natsu?"

Natsu, who seemingly was in a full conversation with Mira and Elfman, turned to Gray with a smirk.

"You alright, icicle?" He slurred his words slowly, eyeing the ice wizard carefully.

"Natsu" he said again, catching his balance. "Where you been?"

"Here?" He said simply, looking at where he was standing. "Where have you been?"

"Over there" Gray pointed across to Juvia, who waved shyly over at them. "I was just going to get Lucy" he pointed the other way, at the blonde who was now slouched against Laxus.

"Lucy?" Natsu frowned by the name, turning across at her. He tensed. "Oh, um...I'll sort her" he patted Gray on the shoulder, slipping through the dancing people to reach her.

Laxus was stood beside the dancing Freed, his arms out and holding Lucy upright to keep her balanced. As soon as Natsu came to view, without warning he passed the blonde female over to him so she slugged into his arms.

"Blondie needs a lie down" he told him sternly. "And a water too"

Natsu groaned, feeling Lucy press up against him and mumble into his neck. Clearly now completely wasted, he swooped his arm under her very short dress, clutching her under thighs. He lifted her up into his chest.

She squeaked by the action, her arms snaking round his neck to keep her close to him.

"Is Lucy ok?" Levy asked, rushing up to them with Gajeel by her side.

"Yeah, I'm just gonna stick her on the bed" he carried her forward, ignoring the strong sweet scent coming off from her. Moving through the party gatherers, he walked up the stairs, carrying her up to his room.

He struggled by the position of where his hand was as he attempted to unlock the bedroom door, finally managing to grasp it and swing it open. He stepped inside and laid her down on his bed carefully before returning to the door and shutting it close so no one would come in.

"Lucy?" He reached back to her side, watching her eyes drift open and close like she was in some sort of battle against sleeping.

"Hmm" she hummed softly.

"Do you want me to get you some water?" He asked, glaring down at her.

She huffed back at him as her reply, showing how irritated she was in seeing the dragon slayer.

"Now you care..." she snorted sarcastically.

"Of course I care" he rolled his eyes at her. "Do you want a cup of water or not?"

He leant back on his knees, staring as she huffed once more at him. "Lucy" he grumbled her name in a defeated tone.

"You...been avoiding me, haven't you?" She chewed her bottom lip, her red cherry lip gloss shining back at him as she released it.

"No" he lied.

He jumped in surprise as she lightly tapped his nose, a giggle escaping her lips.

"You're a liar" she chimed sweetly. "You didn't even have the balls to invite me to this party"

"Only cause I knew you would come regardless" he stated blankly.

"And I did!" She exclaimed proudly. She tried to lift her head from the pillow, but struggled to do so.

"Where's Nashi?" He asked, concerned.

"With Lisanna..." her voice trailed softly. "Sleepover at Lisanna's" he nodded, accepting her answer.

"Ok, well you can stay here then. I'll get you some water" he lifted himself up from his knees but paused when Lucy's grasped his wrist. He paused, shivers from her touch coursing up to his neck.

"What are we?" Her question was slurred, much to the alcohol that she had consumed but there was interest lurking behind it. Her brown eyes searched his as she used all her strength to pull him towards her.

"We're best friends Luce" he told her calmly. He gulped, allowing her to yank him down to towards her.

"Just...friends?" She whispered.

"That's what you want isn't it?" He asked back, watching her lips pressed together. He couldn't help it but the fire burning inside of him was raging to be let out. And that dam cherry lip gloss had blurred all of his senses. He tried to avoid her stare, but her eyes were just so irresistible to him. It was like looking into a lake of velvety chocolate.

"What...if...I wanted more?" She breathed. Her touch left his wrist, her hand now sliding into his pink hair to lower his face down to hers.

His heart raced.

"More?" He repeated softly.

"More Natsu"

His breathing hitched, realising by now that his lips were lightly brushing hers. She was baiting him, begging him with her eyes to kiss her.

If he was sober, he may of had the strength to hold back, but after a dozen fire whiskeys, this wasn't the case.

Like on instinct, his mouth pressed against hers, moving slowly as she fiddled with the strands of his hair. His hands slid round her waist, holding her still as he kissed her deeply, not wanting to release his hold. A soft moan escaped her allowing her lips to part slightly as he evaded her mouth with his tongue.

His mind exploded, the feel of her, the taste of her. It was everything he wanted. And he remembered every little bit of detail she had to offer.

Before he even knew it, her hands were pulling at his clothing and this enticed him further. He wanted her, he really did. His waistcoat was flung to the side of the room, his scarf pulled away from his neck and dropped to the floor. All without releasing those delicious lips of hers.

She was eager, slipping out of her dress so that she was just in her lacey underwear and honestly it sent Natsu into a spiral. Losing control. Their hands aggressively touched each other, their mouths now hot and colliding, with their tongues dancing together in some hot fiery passion.

He couldn't stop. He didn't want to stop. Her scent was overpowering him, her sweet, delicious scent. He pulled from her lips, nibbling at her neck, kissing her collarbone and trailing down her body. He wanted to taste all of her. Every part of her.

Her hands yanked at his pants, pulling them down as she slowly sat up, her eyes twinkling as he continued to suck her skin.

That was until he twitched.

He sat up quickly, pulling away from her now only in his boxers.

"Fuck, what am I doing?" He brushed his hands through his hair, her taste lingering on his tongue. How much he desperately wanted to go back to her. But a force kept him back.

She stared over at him, wondering helplessly.

"Natsu?" The pain in her voice made him shiver as she sat there in only her bra and underwear. Her lips were a blushed pink, sore from how hard he had pressed against them. Her creamy skin around her neck and chest was now lavished in light red marks from his biting and nibbling.

He felt guilty, just looking at her tired eyes.

"You're drunk Lucy" he said softly.

"So are you" she pointed out, grinning. He shook his head.

"Not as much as you, I-I can't go through with it" he wriggled to the end of the bed, now keeping completely away from her as her shoulders sulked.

"Don't you want me?" She asked. Natsu froze by her words, watching the fear rise through her expression, her eyes suddenly glassy as she began to release tears.

He forced himself towards her, throwing himself over her to encase her inside his chest.

"Of course I do baby, but not like this" his teeth clenched, feeling her hot tears wet his bare chest.

It was the right thing to do, he knew that. After all, this had happened before and neither of them could really remember how it got to that stage. Just that it resulted in a child.

This time he wanted it to be different. He wanted her to want him, sober and full of sense. Much as he wanted to remember it happening in the first place. She needed to content to it properly, he wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

He wasn't going to take Lucy as his own, unless she had willingly thought it through.

Slowly he stroked her blonde hair, inhaling her smell along with her salty tears. It proved his instincts were correct however when the soft sobs soon became silent snores. He pulled her back from his chest, heavily sighing as she had fell asleep in his arms.

He placed her down softly on his pillow, putting the sheet up to her neck. He kissed her forehead and admired her sleeping form for a moment, before collecting the clothes up from the floor.

He dressed quickly, leaving the room with a heavy heart. Returning to mingle with his party guests downstairs.

As he walked down the stairs, he smiled to himself innocently.

At least he got to taste the lip-gloss and boy was it delicious.

Xxx

Lucy awoke the next morning in pain. Her head throbbed all around her eyes and all around the back of her head. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to find herself in Natsu's bedroom, dressed in her underwear with the sheets covering her.

No dragon slayer to be seen.

She rubbed her forehead, sitting up slightly and eyes bulging by the nausea that overwhelmed her. The urge to be sick was indefinite. She swooped a hand to her mouth, throwing the sheets off as quick as possible before darting into the ensuite bathroom.

She ducked her head so far into the toilet bowl, she hadn't realised the thick steam and the sound of the shower. She choked, gurgling helplessly as her insides tensed and the horrid liquid coaxed up from her throat. It hit the bottom of the water, her back arched over as she forced the remains of her stomach out.

Slowly, feeling like she was done. She sat up, wiping her mouth and panting by how warm she felt.

Her eyes shone across to the shower, eyes burying into the fabric curtain.

"You ok?" A voice came from behind it.

Lucy shrieked, hugging herself tightly, shielding her assets, just in time for him to peer round the corner to look at her.

"Natsu!" She wanted to yell, but the very tension in her head prevented her.

"Feeling better now you've been sick?" He asked, eyeing the towel that was near her. He turned the shower off, eyes still glaring at the large cloth. "Could you...hand me that please?" His eyes tensed to the towel near her.

"Huh? Oh...um sure" she pulled it from the rail, crawling across the bathroom to where he was standing. She held it up, making sure to avert her eyes as she felt him take it from her.

"Thanks"

"Don't mention it..." she blushed. "I'm just gonna...get dressed, I mean...where are my clothes?" She crawled to the door shamefully.

"I left my top out for you to wear, Happy took your dress to get it washed at the dry cleaners" Natsu said promptly as he disappeared behind the curtain with the towel.

"Oh, why? What happened?" She struggled to remember.

"You split that red wine over it last night, when you was dancing with Erza" he admitted. She gasped, embarrassed. She couldn't even remember that either.
"Don't worry, he's also called into yours to get you some clean clothes to change into"

"Oh" she mouthed silently.

"Just wear my top for now ok?"

She was too shy to reply to him, squirreling away back into the bedroom to search for the particular clothing item.

Strange enough a large grey top was folded out on the dresser, inviting her to wear it. She never seen Natsu wear a plain top like it before.

She slipped it on over her head and stared into her mirror. It looked like a dress on her. Perhaps that's why he offered it?

She nuzzled it up to her face and inhaled sharply. It smelt of him, so it was definitely a top he wore often.

She stared at the mirror again, this time frowning by the faint mark on the side of her neck. She scowled at it, leaning in further to investigate. Was that...a hiccy? Her face paled.

"Oh, not again!" Worry consumed her suddenly, face paling.

Natsu entered the room, a towel round his waist, watching her with his brow raised.

"What's the matter?" He asked, passing her to reach his wardrobe.

She stilled, side eyeing him to see if he had noticed as well. He seemed too occupied with collecting his attire for the day than to bother with her squeals of embarrassment. Placing them over his arm, he walked back past her, into the bathroom once more. However, the door stayed open, allowing him to talk to her through the small gap as he changed.

"Um, I don't suppose you remember much from last night?" he queried, curious. Lucy blushed by his question, her eyes glared at the mark on her neck. As she pulled down the top, she was horrified to see that it wasn't the only one pressed to her skin. "Luce?"

"No" she squeaked out. She was terrified, eyes burning at her body. What did she do? The bathroom door opened fully and a full changed Natsu walked out. He too, was staring. "Did…we…um…" she couldn't get the words out, peeling her eyes away from the mirror. She revealed her neck to Natsu, eyes swollen as if ready for tears. "It happened…didn't it?" she was so close to tears, her bottom lip trembling.

Natsu continued to stare.

"N-Natsu" she began to sob, feeling that his silence was answering her. "You're gonna leave again, aren't you?" the fear in her voice made him shiver. He shook his head, stepping forward only for her to step back.

"Luce…we didn't, go that far" he admitted. He lowered his head, ashamed to tell her.

"We…didn't?" she repeated through meek sobs. He shook his head, eyes facing the carpet flooring. "Then…then…what" she gulped rubbing her neck, sore from the mark planted there. "What…did we do?"

He tensed.

"Do you really need to ask me that?" he muttered, more embarrassed to say. She was horrified, her eyes wide and tears escaping them. Her memory was fuzzy, she couldn't even remember how she got so drunk, let alone doing anything with him. "Lucy…"

"I-I don't understand" she whispered, rubbing her sore eyes.

"Don't understand what?" he frowned, watching her shake her head at him in disbelief.

"How could this happen…again?" she looked away from him, not wanting to look at the confusion on his face. "Us…again"

"Lucy, I-"

"Is it cause I'm your mate? Is that why?" her tone turned bitter, as Natsu stood back, thrown off by her sudden confession.

"You knew?" he asked, shocked.

"Of course I knew Natsu, I found out the day you left me, idiot" she scoffed, rubbing her prickly arms from the sudden goosebumps that rose up on her skin.

"You knew I claimed you as my mate?" Natsu whispered, confirming. She nodded. "This whole time?" she nodded once more. "And you didn't say anything?" this time his voice had gotten louder than he intended, more like he was losing his own mind.

"Of course I didn't say anything, I didn't think you was interested in me…in that way!" she shouted back to him, in attempt to challenge his perplexed rage.

"Of course I do, weirdo! Why else would I have claimed you as my mate!" he stepped forward, as if challenging her to compete against him. His eyes now locked onto hers, as she span round to face him. Her cheeks heated by his statement. "Jeez, Luce…you've been driving me insane" he pulled at his hair, tugging at it to get some sort of relief.

"So…at the theatre…that" she paused, eyes gaping open as she suddenly realised. It wasn't an act. "You said…you-you love me" she gulped, watching him simmer down to look her in the eyes. His hands reached to her softly, placing them on her shoulders to keep her in his grasp. "Do you…love me? Natsu?"

He sighed heavily. It was now or never.

"Yes"

Her eyes swelled with tears once more.

"Do you really?" she asked again.

"Yes"

She blinked innocently, watching as he pulled her closer to him. The feel of her in his arms as she nested her inside against his chest, it felt right. He was warm, happy. Knowing that he had finally confessed his feelings, it felt good too. Until of course, he yanked her back.

"Wait! You love me right?!" he asked frantically. Lucy's head throbbed, almost getting whiplash from the sudden bolt in the opposite direction.

"Of course I do, idiot" she whacked him playfully, rubbing her forehead to ease her headache. "Honestly, what's wrong with you- we were having a moment!"

Natsu sniggered nervously. "Oops, sorry! I just wanted to…you know, double check" he shrugged his shoulders, watching her roll her eyes.

"NATSU, I BROUGHT LUSHY'S CLOTHES!" right on time, the two wizards sighed heavily as the blue cat stormed through the bedroom holding a carrier bag of clothes in his arms. "Jeez Lushy, even your clothes are heavy!" he teased.

"Stupid cat!" she yanked them from his paws, looking inside to see what he had brought. "Will you both get out so I can change" she asked. Happy frowned.

"But you look ok with what your wearing?" he stared at the large baggy grey dress she had on, frowning harder.

"I'm not wearing this!"

"I like you wearing it" Natsu sniggered, pulling at it. She slapped his hand away.

"Will you both leave- in fact, Natsu…you can go fetch our daughter!" she ordered.

"Didn't you wanna just spend some time together…" Natsu asked. "Alone?" he added, turning to the blue cat. Happy looked confused, his eyes staring over at blushing Lucy then back at Natsu.

"Have I missed something?" he asked puzzled.

"Nothing at all Happy, just can you leave so I can get changed?" she asked, holding the bag of clothes up. Happy nodded.

"Aye" he was about to leave when he noticed Natsu remaining in place. "Hey, what about Natsu?" the cat whined.

"Sorry Happy, but I've seen it all before anyway" he smirked, closing the door on the cat and leaving him outside.

"Wait what? Natsu?" the cat whimpered. "Natsu? Lucy?" suddenly realising why the door was remaining closed, his small frown turned into a mischievous one. His paws brushed up to his mouth as he let out a gasp. "OOOOOooo, you guys loooooove each other!"

XxX

Nashi was surprised to see both her parents collecting her from Lisanna's house. She was happily sat on the sofa watching some sort of princess movie she had never seen before when the door of the small apartment was buzzed through.

Breakfast had been and gone, along with Ren who had also stayed over. His parents had collected him early morning, while Nashi was still waiting on her mother to take her home.

So when Lisanna opened the door, she gasped quickly by the two wizards hand in hand outside her door. Her eyes remained fixed on their entwined grasp, connecting them together. Her brows raised curiously.

"So that's why you hadn't come this morning" she sniggered lightly, stepping aside to allow them in. Lucy had blushed madly by the comment made, attempting to release her delicate hand from Natsu's, but he kept a firm hold preventing her from doing so.

He chimed back at her, ignoring her greeting.

"Was she good?" Lucy asked, changing the subject quickly. Lisanna nodded, shutting the door behind them as they entered.

"Perfect, her and Ren played really nice together, we watched a few movies, had hot chocolate and then went to bed at a reasonable time" she stated happily. "How was the party?"

"It was good" Natsu's reply came first, a placid emotion as he finally let go of Lucy's hand so she could search for her daughter.

"You should see how messy his house is though" Lucy snorted lightly as tilted her head round the doorframe to the small lounge.

Sat on the small two seater couch, snuggling Blue the dinosaur stuffed teddy, was her daughter. Her brown orbs peered to her mother, a smile beaming brightly just to show how much she missed her.

"Mommy!" She squealed excitedly, leaping from her seat. Her small arms out wide as she launched herself across into her mother. Lucy fell back a bit by the impact, but embraced the child regardless, nuzzling her nose into her hair.

"My sweet baby, did you have a good time?" She asked, distancing herself mildly. Nashi nodded, her smile still wide.

"Of course she did, movies and hot chocolate sounds great!" Natsu piped up, distracting the two.

"Daddy! You're here too!" Nashi pulled from her mother to throw herself at her father's legs, clutching them tightly.

"Sure am poppet" he patted her head gently, turning to Lisanna with a steady smile. "Thanks for having her Lis, your the best!"

The animal shifter shrugged her shoulders, smiling back gracefully.

"You're both welcome, she's a pleasure to have" she paused, her arm raised as she pointed behind her at the kitchenette. "Do you both want a tea? Or"

"Nah, I got to head back and help Happy with the mess" Natsu grimaced by the thought of it. Tidying was never his strong suit. "Kinda hoping Fairytail's resident clean freak will help me" his eyes bolted across to Lucy, who was standing back up from her knees.

"Oh really now?" She taunted him.

"Well considering you made most of the mess..." he trailed his words, causing Lucy to stare at him with disbelief.

"I did not!"

Lisanna giggled at Lucy's shocked expression. More distraught than anything else.

"I can help!" Nashi announced, lifting her hand high. "I'll help you Daddy!"

"Come on then kiddo" he reached his hand out, smiling as his daughter accepted it so causally. Lisanna opened the door for them, while Lucy collected her sleepover bag and her teddy Blue, because Mavis forbid if they forgot that toy.

They thanked Lisanna again, stepping back out of the apartment. The door was closed and the small family of 3 made their way out of the building onto the streets.

While Nashi's arm swung with the rhythm of her father's, she couldn't get over the fact of how happy she was. The vibe she got from both her parents was a happy one.

Lucy walked beside Natsu, a small pink bag over her shoulder and carrying the blue dinosaur. Her smile was content, like she was happily thinking of something in thought. Her eyes ever so often would shimmer to Natsu, and he occasionally would meet her soft stare and smile back with a cheeky grin.

Nashi clocked this and it peeked her interest. The fact her parents were giving each other signals to each other that they were completely unaware that Nashi was monitoring their behaviour.

She smirked herself, squeezing her father's hand and feeling his warmth as he encased hers.

Her birthday wish, it was really coming true.

Yes, it's happened. They finally admitted it. It only took 18 chapters! LOL.