I have a confession - I originally wrote this chapter early on. But decided to place it here instead. We know that Natsu's having some...issues with himself and this is due to the mating process of a dragon slayer which was explained in the last few chapters. What happens when it gets under threat?

Are they any closer to finding romance...and being the perfect family Nashi wants them to be?
Stay tuned...


Chapter 14

You have a date

Nashi watched her mother from the other side of the guild hall, twiddling with her hands with a flustered yet overwhelming smile pictured on her face. Something was weird about it, that's what Nashi believed.

Sure she was happy that her mother was smiling and overjoyed about something. But the million jewelled question was what had perked her up so much?

She could tell that there was still tension between her parents though. There had been quite a few disagreements along the way too, but not as bad as they had been in the past, that Nashi had noted. That being said, she didn't quite understand why both her parents just couldn't get along in the first place.

When she studied Ren's parents, both Gray and Juvia never argued. They would share sweet little smiles at each other from across the room or hold each other's hands when they walked side by side. Her parents didn't do anything like that, they couldn't even stand to be in the same room as each other half the time without making some sort of comment to one another that didn't need to be said.

And when she monitored Aiko and Satio's parents, their father Gajeel was always very protective of his wife Levy. He would always have his arm around her, keeping her close and ever so often lean into her cheek and whisper something soft and quiet that would make Levy giggle and blush. Natsu and Lucy didn't do anything like that either.

The closest her parents were to someone else's was Ruby's. Erza and Jellal were rarely seen together, even on the brightest days. Ruby had told Nashi before that her father's job as Chairman of the Magic Council was draining and kept him away from them a lot of the time, but with Erza being the Guild Master- she also had responsibilities. But regardless of that, they still hugged each other when they saw each other and on one occasion Nashi had even seen them kiss.

So why didn't her parents do that?

"We're not together"

Her parents weren't married, she knew that anyway from the surname her and her mother both had. Otherwise, they would both be Dragneels. But because of that, did that mean they really weren't family?

Did this mean that they would never be a happy family like what her friends had? Her face pulled as she peered back over to her mother.

She was acting differently, stranger than usual. Most of the week she had been on edge, grumbling to herself or muttering under her breath- but today was different. She was beaming with pride, her face practically glowing. But Nashi wanted to know why? What had changed within the last 24 hours?

But then Lucy had also wondered the same thing.

Being a single mother had its disadvantages, one in particular was dating. Of course since Nashi was born she had been on a few dates with other men, all quickly resulting to her finding an excuse not to continue with them. She felt guilty using her free time to do such a thing when it should be spent on her daughter. And with that thought in mind, she completely stopped the dating altogether.

That had been a year ago.

"You haven't been on a date for that long?!" Levy was dumbfounded, sitting beside the flushed blonde.

"It's not like I haven't had offers…I just rather be with Nash" the mother shrugged.

"So what's changed your mind about this guy then?" Levy quizzed, positioning herself comfortably to listen in.

Lucy paused by the question. She had been up most of the night wondering the same thing. This guy at work was charming, intelligent too. They had been working with each other on the local newspaper for 3 years and there had been little flirts here or there, but she never actually expected him to flat out ask her out. She just believed it was harmless banter.

Did she find him attractive? Most definitely, as did most of the women she worked with. He was tall, with dark brown hair that had been styled up following the latest trend. His eyes were blue, an ocean blue that you found yourself swimming in if you looked into them too hard. And his voice was soothing, deepish but cheeky like his personality.

Safe to admit, she did like him.

"I don't know" Lucy muttered. "He's so kind and gentle. I've known him for ages now and he even knows I have Nashi and he's not freaked out by it either" she explained sweetly.

"He sounds like a catch"

"But we're just friends" she whispered, playing with her thumbs.

"Have you guys been flirting?" Levy wondered, her eyes fluttering devilishly. Lucy looked away, her pink cheeks turning red. "Oh Lu, you have!" she squealed inwards, pressing herself hard against the table.

"I thought it was harmless…"

"And now he's asked you out and you've given in to your desires" the woman winked with a smug. "Good for you Lu, you need that time to feel sexy again"

Lucy's eyes shrunk, her voice crackling as she shook her head to hold in her embarrassment.

"I…Uh"

Levy's eyes narrowed quickly by Lucy's stuttering.

"You have had it…more than once right?" Levy's eyes widened as her friend slowly slithered down her chair, pulling her turtleneck collar up and over her chin. That answered her question. "You've only had it once?!" she leaked.

Lucy sprang her hands to Levy's mouth, eyes nervously scanning their surroundings to see if anyone had noticed her little squeal.

"Shh…"

"But that means…" Levy's muffled her words against her friend's clamped hands. Lucy pulled away and sat back in her chair. The blunette's voice hushed lower into a whisper. "You've only ever had…Natsu?"

The blonde nodded shamefully.

"Jeez Lu, you really do need to get laid" she winced.

"And you're beginning to sound like Cana" Lucy noted with a wrinkled nose. The blue haired mother muttered a soft apology, realising her similarities to the alcoholic female. They both chuckled.

"So…" Levy gulped, her eyes focusing on the little pink haired child across the room playing with her own bundle of joy. "How you going to tell Natsu?"

"Why would I tell Natsu?" Lucy asked, suddenly growing defensive.

"Well, obviously you both have Nashi" she tilted her head over towards the small daughter.

"Separately!" the blonde uttered boldly.

"Yeah, but you know Natsu's a dragon slayer right?" Levy's voice tittered. Lucy rolled her eyes. "And you know they only mate with one and that's it?"

"Wendy told me" the mother croaked.

"So don't you think he'll get a bit peeved if he finds out you're seeing someone?" she wondered lightly.

"No, cause he doesn't see me like that. Neither of us do" she shrugged. "He made that very clear before"

"Maybe his feelings have changed?"

This made Lucy snort, holding back her laughter.

"We can't even last 10 minutes without bickering to each other Levy, trust me…me and Natsu are definitely not a thing" she seemed certain, even more so when the doors swooped open from outside revealing the cheery dragon slayer himself.

He made himself known instantly, addressing everyone in the guild with his trademark smile. Lucy's lips thinned, her head turning the other way while hearing her daughter's gleeful squeal as she welcomed him.

"Daddy!" she ran up to him with all her might, wasting no time to scramble up into his strong arms.

"Hey pretty poppet!" he squeezed her, allowing her legs to dangle before popping her back onto the wooden floor. "Whatcha been up to?" his eyes followed her trail to the table she had been sat at. "Playing with the iron girl, that's nice" he smirked, nodding his head across to Aiko who blushed in return.

"We've been playing puzzles" his daughter muttered as she pulled him over to her collection. Natsu stepped over, with her still clutched to his leg.

"That's pretty cool" he admitted, peering over. "Seems like you've kept yourself occupied" he turned back around, as Nashi released him from her grip. She sat back down on her seat.

Which was a good thing as Natsu began to get himself fired up.

"Where's Gray?...I owe him a knuckle sandwich" he chimed confidently. He scanned the room darkly, palming his fists together with a delighted smirk.

"On a job today Natsu" Mira replied, taking a short moment from her cleaning to respond to him. Natsu frowned slightly.

"That sucks, what about Gajeel?" He asked her, receiving a similar response. "Ugh...Erza?"

"She's at a guild conference in Crocus and won't be back for a while" Mira answered once more. His smile lowered, before glancing around the room at the few guild members dotted around the collection of tables.

"Someone fight me!" He roared playfully. No opponents rose up to his challenge. This was mainly because the guild members there were either fully occupied with their own conversations or eating.

He chortled, twisting his head round to see the blue haired script mage and his co-parent blonde in a full on whispering session.

Not that whispering did much when it came to his hearing. He could still hear every word clear as day if he focused on it.

"What are you planning to wear?" His eyes tensed as he sat down on a table a few places away. His ears locked on and curious.

"I was thinking my red dress? I don't want to go looking desperate, just presentable...you know?" His hands rested on the table, dropping his head low to use them as a cushion.

"What about that suit you wore? The grey one?" Levy suggested.

"It's a date, not an interview Levy!" His brows lifted with surprise. A date? With who? His interest seemed to rise as he slowly sat back up straight, clicking his neck and turning it round causally to look over at them.

They were both hushed, heads down and close like they were plotting a little scheme. It irked him even more as they both giggled, Lucy's smile getting wider and more brighter as their conversation went on.

"Will you look after Nashi for me?" Lucy asked. "It will only be a few hours"

"If it gets you laid Lu, I'll have her all night" Levy sniggered.

He didn't know why, or what made his body do so. But Levy's comment made him twitch. He felt his knees click straight, causing his whole body to shoot up from his chair, knocking the table forwards slightly as it scraped across the wooden floor.

His face blanked as he noticed a few confused glares land on him and his sudden burst of energy.

"Cana's rubbing off on you" Lucy chuckled innocently, completely unfazed by Natsu's quick moment.

He felt himself lean forward, arms straight and hands resting back on the table, before digging in his nails into the hard surface. His eye twitched, finally swooping round to face the giggling women a few plots behind him.

Noticing his stoic look, Lucy and Levy paused, gradually looking up from one another to face him.

"What?" Lucy was the first to speak up, revealing her annoyance as he disturbed their conversation. He didn't say anything, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want?" This time she growled, causing Levy to nervously look away.

The tension brewed between them, and after a few awkward minutes Lucy let out a defeated sigh. She wasn't going to let him ruin her happiness, not today. She pulled her glare away from him, looking back at Levy who seemed to feel out of place. She attempted to resume her conversation, when out of nowhere Natsu spoke.

"I'll look after Nashi"

"You what?" Lucy mumbled, not fully understanding what he meant.

"You have a date, right?" He asked, suddenly moving towards her. His face showed no emotion as she perked her brow.

"Um...yes?"

"Then I'll watch Nashi" he said simply. It threw her off at first. He was reasonably calm, if anything he seemed more stunned and lost for words. Much like she was.

"You will?"

"Yep" his answer was short and brief as he held in a breath.

"You sure Natsu? I don't mind having her" Levy piped in, concern painting on her face. They watched as he exhaled sharply, arms flushed to his sides.

"Yep, when is it?"

"Uh...tonight actually, but I can always re-arrange-"

"Awesome, fine by me" he quickly slashed up his thumb with a wink of an eye.

"Uh, ok... well you're welcome to stay at mine. Just in case I-" Lucy paused, her face now red as she avoided his stare. "Don't come home" He gulped. He knew what that meant. And she was pretty certain he knew too by the colour draining from his face. "Is that ok?" She asked worryingly. She waited for his answer, her eyes switching to Levy.

Another painful swallow.

At first, he was frozen, lost for words. With every sentence so far to her being a struggle to reach past his tongue. The image of Lucy with a guy didn't sit right with him at all, that being said, it never did.

He had to stop himself from thinking about it because he felt his hands slowly heat up with rage just by the idea of her not coming home and staying in someone else's bed.

But she was waiting on an answer. Was it ok? It had to be, she already claimed before she wanted to move on. He had to let her. But from this point, he couldn't even look at her.

His eyes averted round to his daughter, his now heated hands up in the air hiding his rage with excitement as he blasted them above his hand.

"Hear that, Nashi? We're gonna have a sleepover!" He grinned widely as the little girl stared back at him. Her puzzled look blending into a wide smile and a expel of air as she cheered back.

Lucy shrugged, her shoulders relaxing as she sat back in her chair, relief washing over her.

"See...he's fine with it" Lucy told her, her smile reappearing. Levy's eyes shifted uncomfortably. She didn't exactly think so.

Lucy rushed back and forth as Nashi sat on the living room carpet circled around her toys. Something was off with her mother. She knew it had been all day, but she couldn't put her finger to what. And now she was dressed up in a figure clutching red dress with makeup and ringlet hair. Nashi didn't understand it.

Nor did she want to.

She placed her coloured number block up on top of the other and looked over tiredly at the front door. There was a knock, but her mother was simply too occupied to hear it.

"Mommy...door" she called out, grasping a different coloured block to create a tower.

"Can you get it? It's Natsu" she heard her mother's reply from the kitchen.

Slowly, Nashi stood up from her spot, groaning as she scurried across over to the door and opening it half way to reveal her father.

"Hi Daddy!"

"Hey Nash" he quickly popped his head through the gap to look inside, all to search for Lucy. "Can I come in?" He asked, his voice a little louder to acknowledge his presence. He heard Lucy from the kitchen mutter quietly, giving him the ok to step inside and shut the door behind him.

"Do you wanna play with me?" Nashi asked sweetly, as she pointed to her building blocks. "I'm making a tower"

"Sure..." Natsu followed her into the room and shook his position beside her, collecting up the remaining coloured blocks scattered around them. He handed her one at a time and she very carefully placed them on top of each one, building a small thin sculpture. "Looking good" he praised as she placed the final one on top.

They could both hear Lucy trotting around in a hurried fashion, before finally joining them in the living room. She was balanced on one foot, with her arm outstretched and clutching the door frame as she placed on her heel to the right foot.

They both looked over at her as she repeated it to her left foot before standing up and giving her heels a little patter on the floor.

Natsu stared at her.

He couldn't help it. She looked stunning.

She had indeed picked the red dress, and Natsu recognised it immediately as one she had worn before... the night he decided to bring her to Fairytail. Did she do that on purpose? She twirled slowly on one foot, looking at them both with a smile.

"You look amazing, Luce"

"Do you think? It's not...too much is it?" She pressed her hands to her sides and slowly rubbed them down her dress, showing off her figure. Natsu looked away quickly, a flush rising to his cheeks that he tried to keep down.

"You look very pretty Mommy" Nashi admitted as she admired her mother.

"Thank you, sweetie,"

Natsu's head snapped back to her as she reached over to her side table to grasp her purse.

"Ok, so you be a good girl for your Daddy won't you?" She started, looking over at Nashi with pleading eyes. The girl nodded sweetly. "And make sure you go to bed on time!"

"I will" Nashi smiled harder.

"Make sure she does Natsu, I don't want her up late" Lucy whispered, her eyes now forced onto him. Natsu rolled his eyes. He knew why. In case she didn't come back.

"She'll be fine Luce"

It was right on cue when the sound of a tap echoed against the front door and this time Lucy quickly jolted up with a beaming smile from hearing it.

She opened the door and the man entered, dressed in a formal black suit with white shirt. Natsu's body immediately tensed.

"Lu lu... my god you look stunning" he wasn't afraid to compliment as he stepped in, his hand already holding hers as he gave her a twirl under his arm. "Wow...I mean wow" he was lost for words, and so he should be...Lucy was beautiful.

"Oh! Stop it" she giggled playfully, her eyes avoiding the two pairs of eyes glaring at from afar. She gulped, her hand still in his as she directed him over to them.

Natsu frowned the moment the man looked across, not realising he had an audience.

"Luke, this is my daughter Nashi" she introduced proudly.

"Well, hello little lady...your mama's told me so much about you" he released Lucy's hand and bent down slowly, holding his hand out to shake the little girl's.

Nashi stared at it, unsure what she was supposed to do. The man, Luke, shifted his hand across to Natsu and smiled.

"Hi..." he greeted happily. "Name's Luke"

Natsu stared at his hand quickly then back up to his smiling grin.

"Um, Luke...this is Natsu" Lucy cut in quickly. "Nashi's father" she croaked.

Expecting him to cower back, Luke smiled wider as Natsu took hold of his hand and squeezed it firmly.

"The great Natsu Dragneel, pleasure to meet you" their hands shook. "You look even scarier in person" he nervously laughed, letting his hand go and fall to his side. "I've heard stories about you, from Lu lu mainly" he casted a flicker over at the blonde who blushed heavily under his gaze.

"Lu...lu?" Natsu's brow raised.

"It's a little nickname we use for each other at work, because you know...Luke...Lucy...lu" the man stopped, chuckling to himself as Lucy giggled along with him.

Natsu's brow folded.

"Sounds stupid"

"NATSU" Lucy's voice squealed over him, her smile instantly vanishing. "Don't be rude"

"No it's fine, you said before he doesn't have a filter. I can get behind that" Luke said softly, completely unalarmed by Natsu's heated presence. Natsu's throat vibrated as he looked to Lucy.

"Well shall we head out?" He asked, rising up from his feet. "Tables booked for 8"

"Um yeah sure..." Lucy's eyes followed him as strolled over to the door.

"Oh and Natsu" Luke called back over, locking his eyes with the dragon slayer. "Don't worry about her, I'll make sure she gets home safe tomorrow" the door opened steadily as he reached out for Lucy to take his lead. She waved innocently back at them.

"I love you Nashi" she whispered, blowing a sweet kiss in their direction. The door shut behind them as Nashi pretended to catch her visible kiss with her fist. She pulled it close to her.

"I love you too Mommy"

As innocent as Nashi was, her head span round as she resumed playing with her toys, ignoring the fact that her father was sat there burning imaginary holes into the front door.

Did he say he was bringing her back tomorrow? He gritted his teeth, fists clenching as he used all his strength to not chase after her.

He wanted nothing more than to storm out that door, pound lu-lu Luke to the ground and claim his prize. Just the very thought of him flinging her over his shoulder would give him great pleasure, as long as she was away from him.

How could she be so selfish to pick that man over their daughter? Leaving the poor girl alone to fend for herself.

He wanted to roar flames from his mouth, as he replayed the scene over and over in this head of her being twirled in his arms and him telling her how great she looked.

"Pfft, what a loser" he exhaled out.

"Luke?"

His eyes flashed at the small voice beside him, realising what he said out loud.

"Loser Luke?" She repeated, staring.

"Um...no, I said poser" he lied, nervously covering his tracks. "Your Mommy's such a poser..."

"You're lying" the girl laughed, shifting her legs on the soft carpet.

"Am not"

"Yeah, you are" Nashi sniggered at him as she knocked over blocks, watching them fall in front of her. "You don't like Luke" she stated, her eyes remaining firmly on her toys. "You called him a loser"

"Nashi, I didn't call him a loser" he confirmed sternly.

"Fine, you were thinking it" she chuckled, noticing him clog up on her words. She wasn't wrong. He smirked at her, rustling her hair on the top of her head. This was when he truly did see Lucy in her.

"You're too smart for your age"

"I know" she shrugged, grabbing her bunny from her side. "I think he's a loser too"

Natsu frowned by her comment.

"You do?" She nodded back at him. "But you have no reason to not like him" he stated, smiling.

"You don't either..." she pointed out sweetly. Natsu tensed as her brown eyes looked up at him with pure innocence "Unless..." she stopped.

"Unless what?"

"You like Mommy" she whispered.

"I...uh, of course I like Mommy" he rolled his eyes at her. "We're friends...duh"

Nashi's lashes fluttered delicately as she peeped up at him.

"Mommy and I are friends..." he told her. "Best friends" he evaluated. As much as he tried to validate his reasoning with the small child, he seemed to be losing.

Nashi felt like she had the upper hand by now, watching as his tensed shoulders flexed.

"Daddy...do you love Mommy?" Her question was straight forward, blunt and direct which caught him completely off guard. How did they even reach this point exactly? What brought this up? What made her ask that particular question?

He questioned himself a lot as Nashi waited for her simple answer. It was yes or no. That's all she needed to hear. But instead, she received a tutter and a edgy cough.

He stuttered his words. Trying to come up with a valid excuse as to why yes or no was not applicable.

Of course he loved her, what wasn't there to love? The way her smile glistened, lighting up everyone around her, her bright brown eyes melting whenever she gazed up at him, her passion she had whenever she believed something. Even when they would argue, he would feel his insides cave in. But then Lucy was Lucy. They were never a thing, he told himself that before. He wasn't her type and she deserved better.

He frowned.

She deserved someone like Luke. She deserved to be happy and move on. It was what she wanted in the first place, until of course he ruined that by making her a single mother. Placing a burden on her and stopping her from wanting that real family.

He choked. He knew Nashi was her everything, but he couldn't imagine her having to stare at the small child everyday only to be reminded that he left her this way, that he didn't love her and abandoned her.

How could she really move on from that?

"Daddy?"

Even when he looked at Nashi, she reminded him of himself. That darn pink hair and cheeky fanged grin. She was his and he did that, by forcing her to take this life on.
She deserved to be happy, and he was being selfish for wanting to remain this way.

"Daddy...?"

He groaned, wiping his hands across his face.

Why was it so hard? He shouldn't have expected her to wait so long...was she just waiting all this time for him? Did she not actually want to move on?

"DADDY!"

He snapped his head back to his child and frowned.

"Huh"

"You said yes" the girl whispered. He frowned.

"No I didn't" he snorted back at her. She mirrored his stare.

"Yes you did, you said of course" the girl grumbled, her eyes peeling away from him.

Did he?

"I don't think I did"

"You really did" she seemed certain as he scratched his head wondering when did he zone out. Did his subconscious answer her for him? "Can you hold Igneel?" He was taken back once more as she shoved the plastic red dragon in his face.

"Um...sure" he took it in one big swoop, admiring its detail once more before turning his attention back to his little girl.

She decided to spread out on her tummy, playing with each toy in hand with her tongue sticking out as she danced them across the carpet. Keeping herself well amused while Natsu sat there in awe.

She really was a special girl, regardless of her life so far, Natsu was determined to make sure he was there for it. Anything that came their way, he would tackle for them. Even if it meant Lucy moving on to start a new life without him.

It was dark. Too dark. Natsu's eyes flickered from a sound from outside.

Sluggishly he rolled over from the side of the bed to the other and hastily looked over at the digital clock on the nightstand. 12:15. No wonder it was dark, it was the middle of the night.

He had put Nashi to bed 4 hours ago and had decided to check out Lucy's bedroom. He had always had a thing about snooping in her stuff and especially when they were younger. She would occasionally catch him and Happy fumbling through her draws and trying on her clothes. Happy would always blame him, and he would always deny it, not that it mattered as they both would end up receiving a forceful Lucy Kick in the face.

Though he didn't find much of interest on his quest. Just a shoe box shoved firmly under the bed with scans of her pregnancy with Nashi and some heartfelt letters to her mother about the experience she was going through. Alone.

It ached him reading the first 2. And by the time he reached the 5th it became too unbearable. He discarded them back in the box and forced them back under, realising why they were shoved so far under.

Then he saw her bed. Her large comfy bed that swarmed her scent. And he couldn't resist. He pounced on it, nuzzling his face into the pillow that she had slept on.

And that's when his eyes began to fall, drifting into a dream that was once a memory.

When he opened his eyes fully, he realised Lucy wasn't there sharing the bed and she was not his. She would never be his. He groaned, sitting up from the sheets to peer out the small window to investigate the noise that had woke him from that dream.

He rubbed his eyes, removing the curtain to peek out, only to see Lucy and her date stood outside.

She looked cold, still dressed in her red dress but with his blazer shielding her arms and shoulders. She clutched it round her, doing that annoying yet cute thing she did with her feet as she wriggled her heel to the concrete ground. She was nervous. He could tell.

"Thank you for tonight, it was great..." she whispered. Natsu frowned as she shivered from the chilly breeze. "Sorry about earlier..."

He stopped her, with his hands up towards her face.

"Please don't apologise, you have nothing to worry about. I get it" he was sincere, his smile fading.

"You're such a great guy Luke...and I'll love to go out with you again..." she seemed distant as she suddenly started to cry. Natsu felt his stomach twist.

"Hey now" Luke stepped forward, his hand cupping her cheek as he pulled her close. "I had the best time, and you were great. Don't put yourself down, ok?"

Natsu's eyes widened as he watched him lean into her. And there it was. A kiss. Slow, short and soft. It didn't last long, more like a little peck, but for Natsu it lasted longer. His eyes burning into them as he watched.

He pulled back. "Thank you" he said softly.

Lucy stepped back, sliding the blazer from her shoulders, she handed it back to him.
Turning her back, she opened the door and entered.

Natsu sighed, his chest tightening from the display he watched. He was bitter. His emotions getting the better of him, but he was also guilty. He stepped back from the window and waited as he heard her whip off her heels and slowly come up the stairs, meeting his eyes as she entered her room.

"Sorry I took so long" she murmured.

Natsu frowned.

"How was it?" He didn't really want to know, but he thought he'd better ask, just to be polite. Though he could tell by her smell.

"It went well..." she faked a smile, passing him to her wardrobe.

"Well? Or great?" He asked, pulling a deathly glare. Her breathing hitched.

"Great. It went great...is that what you want me to say?" She asked irritably.

"I'd rather you not lie, yeah" he spoke back, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. This made her sigh tiredly, grabbing her nightie from the wardrobe, she laid it out on the bed before shooting him a stare.

"I would rather not talk about it Natsu"

"Why not?" He was testing her, feeling her already on edge before finally snapping.

"Because it's none of your business!"

She sounded distressed, conflicted more than anything as she avoided his look. She slammed her hands to the bed, either side of her nightgown and scrunched the sheets into her fingers. She steadied herself. "I don't want to argue...I'm too tired" she whispered.

"I'm not arguing" he said calmly. "I was simply asking my friend how her date went" he shrugged, watching her shut her eyes close.

"I'm not going into details with you" she seethed. "Now either leave or take yourself to the sofa" she murmured. "It's late"

His eyes tensed to the clock to the side of the bed.

"So, it is..."

He didn't try to pry anymore, feeling that she had given the option to stay over but on the couch downstairs meant that she wasn't completely irritated by his presence.

He decided to take her up on the offer, not wanting to have the cold walk to his burnt home in the dark.

"I'll be downstairs..." he turned his back to her, feeling her rustle her red dress down as it slumped to the floor, her foot kicking it away to one side. He walked away, his body reaching the door to step out to the landing when he heard her sniffle.

"Wait..."

It was quiet, more like a mumble that escaped her throat. He etched his neck humbly to face her.

She had flung her nightgown over her head by the time he looked at her, her face blushed and eyes glistening. He hummed in his throat.

"If you want...you...can sleep here" she patted the bed in front of her cowardly, avoiding his gaze while her hands reached her arms. "Like you used to"

His brows knitted in a surprise. Did she just ask him to sleep with her? Confirming his thoughts she slowly shivered.

"I kinda miss your warmth"

"Really?" He asked, tone on the verge of surprise. She nodded shamefully. "But what about..."

She knew what he meant before he even had the change to finish his sentence.

"What would that guy think?" He wondered, not wanting to say his name.

"It's not like we're going to do anything..." her voice lingered longer than intended causing Natsu's body to tingle. "Just think of it as old times when you used to sneak into my bed" she crisped, a light shrug tailored to her shoulders. "You don't have to stay"

He thought about it. Like really thought about it. It was hard for him to tear up the opportunity to just have her in his arms. Even if it wasn't for the purposes he had rolling in his head. But at the same time, how could she move on if they were to give in to temptation.

"Natsu?"

His eyes dazed at her.

"Is that what you want?" He asked suddenly. He watched as her lips pressed together firmly, her bottom lip slowly crawling her teeth as she sucked it. He mentally moaned, mesmerised. "Is that what you really want Luce?" He repeated again, wanting to make sure that she had time to process what she had asked.

Her body shifted, her arms falling to her side before nodding gently.

"Then fine, I'll stay"

She didn't say anything after his response. Her body walking round to enter the small bathroom positioned beside him. He frowned, falling back onto the bed, removing the cushions as he made himself comfortable. He could hear her brushing her teeth, the water hissing from the tap as it hit the sink bowl.

After a few minutes later she returned, her eyes still avoiding him. She didn't bother walking round the bed however instead she lifted herself up from where Natsu was laying, climbing over him to get the other side. He gawked, wondering if this was a part of an act she was playing.

But her saddened expression remained the same throughout as she ruffled up the sheets and snuggled herself inside.

Settling her head on the pillow, she wriggled to get comfortable, bringing the thick sheet up to her chin.

"Warm enough?" He asked, watching her fiddle. She shook her head lightly, letting a soft eep as he snaked his arm around her head, pulling her closer to him. Her head rested under his armpit, the warmth she remembered surging off him and keeping her toasty. "Better?" This time the girl nodded. "Good..." he waited, shuffling his back down against the pillows all while inhaling her scent. Her delicious scent. His eyes drifted closed. "Night Luce..."

He smiled as she carefully turned her face to nuzzle into his side. Her muffled words as she tiredly closed her eyes.

"Good night Natsu"

The birds chirped outside longer this morning than any morning she could remember. Her face now fully implanted into her little pillow, she reached both its sides and curled it up to her ears. She mumbled into the fabric, still hearing the whistling tune as if demanding her to get up.

Nashi's eyes finally flickered opened, her face pulling away from her pillow. She took a moment to glare gingerly at her little window where the tune had come from, before pushing herself up with her little arms to admit defeat. She was awake.

She yanked her sheet off quickly, revealing her grey pyjamas that her father had dressed her in the night before. And then wondered about her mother.

She wasn't sure on the man who took her away for the night. The one she referred to as "the loser" because she could quite remember the name. He didn't give her the same vibes as her father did when she first met him at the door that time.

Nor the fact that he was so fond of touching her mother. She didn't like that. And she felt, coming from her heated father beside her- nor did he.

Maybe that's why she felt unsure as he approached her, hand out for her to shake it. Maybe that's why she didn't approve.

And she was pleased she did once she confronted her father. She, the moment she laid eyes on the strange pink haired adult, knew that he had all hearts for her mother despite his actions. And when she asked the question, instead of denying it. He had blanked out, all while muttering a "of course" that she don't think he had expected to come out.

Silly Daddy. He really was away with the fairies.

Which then lingered to her next question. Where was he?

She tiptoed across the carpet, reaching the handle of her bedroom door to open it carefully. She peeked round, inhaling the air.

After seeing Natsu do this, she had decided to test the theory of if she could do it too.

The answer was yes.

She could smell her father, more than her mother. But both scents were there. Plain as day and trailing across the landing to the slightly opened door that was her mother's bedroom.

Her little feet lead her the way, her nose directing her across to the door to creep inside.

She could hear her father's light snores, as her eyes scanned up to the bed. He was there alright. Spread out across the mattress with one tanned leg entangled with the sheet, the other entangled with a paler skinned companion. Her brows folded, peering up over to see her mother attached to that leg, her arms clutching around his chest with her head resting beneath his chin.

They were in bed together. Cuddling each other?

She rubbed her eyes to look again, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

Was this what parents were meant to be like? Because all hers ever did was wind each other up, bicker and then argue. It seemed a nice change for them to actually show some affection. It felt normal.

Like a normal, happy family. Like she wanted.

It brought her joy. So much that she wanted to be a part of it.

Scattering herself to the end of the bed, she pulled herself up, kicking her legs to the side of the frame to help her. The weight of the mattress shifted by her little movement, till she crawled up to the embrace where her parents were.

She found a gap between her father's hip and her mother's stomach, small but large enough for her to fit in. She cocooned herself into it, stirring her father slightly.

He inhaled briskly, one eye squinting to look down at the child who had made herself comfortable between them. He smiled warmly, his free arm stretching across to the sheet to pull it over her. Keeping her warm from the morning chill.

The tug from the blanket caused the blonde resting on his chest to moan softly by his disturbance. Her lips clammed together and rubbed against his right peck, sending him internal shivers as she adjusted herself.

With a few struggles to get comfy, her head fell back and her eyes flickered open, looking directly into his.

"Morning sleephead" he greeted, his arm still firmly round her back.

"Natsu..." she breathed. A slow yawn escaped her mouth. "What...what time is it?" She knew she had slept in, the longest she had ever had.

His head tilted, reading the clock out loud.
"Half 10"

"That's the longest I've ever slept in" she murmured, removing herself from his upper body. She twitched slightly, lifting the covers to spot the child safely napping between them. "Did you know she was there?"

"Only just now yeah, figured best not to wake her" he shrugged.

"What time did she go to bed?" She asked, facing him.

"About 9, like you said" he answered proudly. "Bathed and teeth brushed too" he winked.

"Wow, I am impressed. This father duties seems to be your calling"

Natsu smirked at her comment, watching her push up from the bed. She stretched. "Suppose I better get ready for the day and head to the guild" she was slow at untangling herself from him. "Hopefully there's some local job requests on the mission board today" she frowned, unless Nab had taken them.

"You not working at the newspaper place today?" He questioned, watching her shake her head.

"No, I try to get as much overtime I can there. But this week it's a bit fizzled for extra hours. So I have to hope that the girls have kept me a job back to do" she explained sweetly. "Mira's pretty good at saving me one or two anyway"

"Well...I know it's a sore subject but perhaps we can discuss me paying my way. I want to give you some money for Nashi" Natsu stated. "As her Dad, I should pay my way..."

"Oh no Natsu, I can't take your money" she whispered, her head rapidly shaking.

"No, you should. If we were together, we would be sharing the costs, right?" He watched as she leant forward slightly. "What makes this any different? Just because we're not, doesn't mean you have to pay for everything" he was right, as much as Lucy wanted to deny it. "Let me support you Luce"

Her bottom lip pouted.

"But I feel guilty taking your money" she said softly. Natsu rolled his eyes at her. Lifting himself up, he cupped her chin to move it so she was facing him. Personal space being invaded.

"Not as guilty as I've felt knowing you've been looking after her all this time...alone" her breathing hitched once more, the sudden heat from his words coating her lips. She blushed. They were so close.

He was looking at her intensely.

"You're not alone anymore" he whispered. "I promise you, I'm here" there was a moment when she felt her chest rise and stop, eagerly anticipating him to close the gap between them with his mouth. Her eyes scanned him, trying to read the signs before he released her chin and pulled away.

She exhaled sharply.

"So you will let me help you" he stated, pushing himself away from her.

Lucy stared at him, in disbelief more than anything as he shot up from the bed and stretched himself, his elbow in the air as his arm pressed down his back hearing a satisfying click before turning back to her.

"I'm gonna pop home and freshen up. Maybe I'll see you at the Guild?" He wondered.

"Um yeah, we'll be there"

"Cool then I'll leave you be" He grasped his scarf that was curled on the floor beside the bed. He nodded over at her, displaying his trademark smile. Her heart warmed. "See ya later then Luce!" He curbed his leg back, heading out the bedroom door. She could hear him patter down the stairs and shut the front door with a slight bang.

He was gone. Just like that.


So something's happening.

Wonder what the next chapter will hold...