Author's Note: I've always wanted to write about NaLu for a very long time especially since their chemistry and dynamic has been one of my favorites from Hiro Mashma much like HarLie (Haru x Elie) from Rave Master, and Shicca (Shiki x Rebecca) from Eden's Zero. The timing was also perfect with 100 Years Quest being just around the corner, and NaLu week starting off! I am a little nervous since this is my very first NaLu story, but I hope you all love it!


Day 1: Flames of Nightmare

Not a day had gone where I stopped think about my best friend who changed my entire world. A fateful counter on the bright sunny day of Hargeon when I fell under possession from Bora's charm spell that was only broken when we both first met. Who could ever forget that spiky pink hair and his immediate sense of excitement that fell into disappointment of boredom when he found out Igneel - The Fire Dragon King wasn't there. I didn't know what to think at the time because no Dragon had ever appeared back then, but his sense of curiosity and lifelong goal to find his father was so deep. Then, there was little old me who wanted to join one of the best guilds in Fiore; Fairy Tail. Little did I know that same spiky pink haired guy brought me to my new family and my home. It really touched my soul at the thought of how different my life would've been without him and his blue cat. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way after all the adventures we had been on together.

Isn't that right, Natsu? My best friend... Or was it something even more than that? I can't tell you how many times we had gotten ourselves in a bind, and you were one of the many of us who saved us. Those flames you carried were always so beautiful that invoked a sense of happiness and miracles. That was what I always believed for as long as I have known you even as we both embarked on the most difficult job that was the 100 Year Quest. You, me, and our friends were assigned to seal away the five dragon gods forever.

We all knew the stronger the flames the stronger you'd become which was why Happy, Erza, Wendy, Gray, Carla, and I encouraged you to take up the flames Ignia left for you in order to bring Mercphobia, The Water Dragon God, back to his senses. I couldn't have been more happier when you brought him down into an unconscious state before we all realized what those flames had done to you. In that instance, the person who meant so much to me was no longer present, and I couldn't bare to see that sight. Those claws, and harsh undertones you held in that one occasion.

"Natsu, please listen... We did our job!" My voice broke with my hands over my mouth as tears began to stream, "You can stop..."

"Natsu scowled at me, "We aren't done yet...The Body's still there..It must burn... All of it, to ash!" and proceeded to walk ahead...

"No... Natsu!" I rushed over to embrace him before being pushed to the ground, "Come back..." with the image of the town being engulfed in flames of destruction, "NATSU!"

My hand reached out as my body shot up from the bed I slept in at the hotel we had all resided in where we all had our own special rooms reserved for the night until tomorrow morning. I felt the cold breeze from outside as my eyes looked towards the reflection in the mirror. Asides from the black bra and panties I had worn, there was a ton of sweat that fell from the side of my face. As much as I told myself, Just get back to sleep, Lucy it's going to be fine now!

Deep down I knew it wasn't gonna help to be here... Maybe I just needed to get some fresh air to let my mind me at ease. I grabbed the black see through robe that hanged on the side the rack, and slipped it over me before I walked outside of my room to just outside the front entrance near the fountain surrounded by bushes with night lights that lit up the town.

"He stood there with only the white scarf over his toned body and a pair of white sweats where his hands were placed in his pockets, and with head faced towards the ground.

"Natsu..." My eyes drifted the other way with my hand gripped agains the side of my sleeve, "What are you doing up at this hour?" and slowly approached him

"He uncharacteristically took a deep breath, "I don't know... Just clearing my head from earlier...

"It's okay you weren't yourself..." I softly answered with my hand on his shoulder, "We had no idea what was going to happen when you consumed Ignia's flames."

His eyes looked towards me, "I almost killed Gray when we all fought in the battle against Alavarez when I was E.N.D., after you had saved me that day from being linked to Zeref... I thought everything was back to how it was."

"Hey... Why you being such a Debby downer... That's so unlike you?" I asked curiously.

"Natsu shook his head, "You could've been killed and I don't what I'd..." he stopped after my arm wrapped around him, "huh?"

"I'm still here, Natsu..." I answered happily as tears bursted from my eyes onto his shoulder, "No matter what I'll always be here for you!"

He pulled my chin up to where our eyes met with a curious remark, "Why are you crying?"

"My forehead met against his own, "Because stupid, I couldn't sleep tonight because... I was scared that I might've lost you..."

"Oh..." Natsu said softly.

"The embrace of my hands around his neck tightened, "After all, you mean so much to me!"

"You mean so much to me too, Lucy!" He continued as my geeks flared up.

My voice broke, "Y-You do?"

"It was then a cheeky smile broke through his face, "Of course, after all we are friends!"

Friends? My head just face the ground in disbelief... He really had you there for a second..

"Lucy.." Natsu blinked towards my expression and felt my tight grip around him, "Hey, what's gotten into you?"

That was when I giggled, "Nothing, you're just still the same Natsu I always knew." as my chin rested against his shoulder, "I wouldn't anything like this to ever change between us. You know..."

His arms wrapped around my waist tightly, "Lucy... I'm sorry if what happened today gave you nightmares, but... would you mind if I ask you something serious for a change?"

"What is it?" I asked.

Natsu quietly answered, "If something like that were to happen to me again, would you be there?"

"Always!" I happily answered as we both stood there in each other's warmth embrace.

An embrace I never ever wanted to let go.


The moment where Lucy embraced Natsu when he lost his sense of control after eating Ignia's flames was so powerful, and it really displayed how intimate and close they both had gotten in their relationship from the beginning. Especially when Natsu told Lucy that he was sorry for what had happened being in the state, and that led to me being inspired to write this quick little one shot moment between them where it could've happened in the canon story. Hiro is an amazing writer when it comes to character interactions and romance scenes so a lot of my inspiration for the serious vibes that were in this story stemmed from how it was for Haru and Elie in Rave Master, or between Shiki and Rebecca from Eden's Zero. I know there was also a very whimsical aspect to Fairy Tail too when it comes to character discussions especially with Natsu being somewhat dense which is where the "We are friends part" came in much to Lucy's dismay because... Oh they're about to kiss at last haha! In all fairness though, I had a real fun time writing this short one shot for NaLu, and I can't wait to write more between them for NaLu week 2024. Hope you all loved the story, and as always thanks for reading!