Summary: When a member of the Fairy Tail is targeted and kidnapped, how will the guild respond? Not great at summaries, but HEAVY NaLu.

- Takes place after the eclipse arc -

The moon was full as it shined through the window, illuminating the dark room. It was quiet aside from the sound of soft breathing, the blankets matching the movement with a slow rise and fall. It was the middle of the night, no earlier than 2 a.m. when Lucy heard a faint click, instantly waking up as she became alert.

Her head snapped towards the direction of her window, where she saw a silhouette that cast a shadow on the floor of her apartment. Her hand instinctively went for her keys on her nightstand, grabbing the first one she touched. She lifted it in the air as the window opened, the words to summon her spirit about to leave her mouth before her eyes adjusted and identified her intruder.

She lowered her hand, rigid posture slumping again and the realization that she was woken up in the middle of the night hitting her. Lucy sighed, putting her key back in her holster and placing it on back on her nightstand. She was glad she was clothed in her pajamas at least, not being caught on a bad night. A rush of tiredness came over her and she wondered if she had the energy to go off and lecture the salmon haired boy who had interrupted her sleep.

"Natsu, you can't just come into my place whenever you want! Especially in the middle of the night like this. I almost summoned one of my spirits on you!"

Clothed in only his pants and scarf, Natsu appeared upset, beads of sweat lined across his face and chest. He didn't look at her, didn't react at all how she thought he would. He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his pants, slowly walking over to her but not meeting her gaze. When he spoke, his voice was low and guarded, and if Lucy squinted hard enough, she was almost sure she could see a puffiness in his eyes.

"Sorry. Can I sleep here?"

Any anger Lucy had dissolved instantly at the sight of him, looking unusually broken. She shifted from one foot to the other, arms crossed tightly over herself. "What's wrong? And where's Happy?"

"He's still asleep. I didn't wanna wake him."

Lucy nodded slowly, repeating the question Natsu had casually ignored. "Are you okay? Did something happen?"

Natsu shrugged. "Can't sleep."

She knew the feeling all too well. Her eyes softened with understanding, but she had the urge to ask what exactly it was that was bothering him. She bit her lip, wondering if she should keep prodding. Her curiosity got the best of her.

"Why not?"

Natsu's gaze fell to the floor, eyes glaring hard enough she wondered if they were going to burn holes into the ground. He remained silent for a few moments, and Lucy regretted her question, figuring she should have just put her curiosity aside. She saw how Natsu's breathing was beginning to grow ragged, his posture tense as his fists were clenched tightly. She was about to wave it off and say they should just go to sleep instead, but Natsu spoke.

"I had a bad dream. I keep having the same one."

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Lucy asked, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Natsu sat on the edge of her bed, Lucy following as she took the spot next to him.

"Every time I close my eyes I see you dying again."

That's what had been bothering his sleep? Her? When she thought about it, it made sense. She was also plagued with dreams and images of her future self dying, jumping in front of her to save her own life. It had all happened so quickly, she didn't have much time to process the whole thing. Lucy knew if the roles had been reversed and Natsu was in her place that her dreams would be much more disturbing than the ones she was having now. She shuddered at the thought of watching his future self dying.

She shook herself out of her thoughts, reminding herself that Natsu was the one who needed comforted right now, not her. And certainly not over an imaginary scenario that didn't happen, and one that she prayed never would happen. Lucy reached for Natsu, delicately placing a hand on each of his cheeks and turning his head to look at her. His eyes seemed clouded and unable to meet hers.

"Hey," Lucy said gently, "look at me, Natsu."

He obeyed, eyes finding hers.

"I'm right here. The me that died wasn't the me now. I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere."

Natsu nodded, grabbing hold of her wrist for comfort.

"I know. But what if that means that in the future you'll…" His voice trailed off.

"I won't. We fixed it, remember? Because you destroyed the eclipse gate, you saved my future. You saved all our futures," Lucy reassured.

"I just can't stop seeing it. Every time I can't stop it. I know it's stupid, cause it won't happen, but it was still you. From another time or not Luce, you're still you and I always want to protect you," Natsu said, his voice unsteady.

Lucy pulled him towards her, enveloping him in a hug as he fought the tears that were threatening to fall. He stiffened in her embrace, arms awkwardly hanging in the air while she clung to him.

"Don't say it's stupid, it's not. You do protect me. I'm here, Natsu. Right here. Just hold me."

He resisted, for a moment trying to pull away. Lucy only tightened her hold on him as she repeated her phrase. "Hold me."

At her words, her soft tone and the scent of her hair filling his nose, Natsu relaxed. His arms wrapped around her, following Lucy's instructions as he stuck to her. His hold was firm, squeezing tightly as Lucy felt unable to breathe. Despite her lung's protests, she remained silent and let Natsu's hands feel along her back, her arms, almost as if to convince himself she was there, alive, and real.

"It's okay, Natsu."

"I don't wanna lose you again," he breathed.

"You won't. You don't have to worry about losing me. I'm not going anywhere," Lucy said, putting him at ease.

He pulled away, arms still holding onto hers, his hands resting on her elbows while her hands also held onto his.

"Let's go to bed. You can take the couch and—"

Natsu moved quickly, sprawling across her bed as he tucked himself under her covers. He had already reverted back to being his usual dork self, Lucy had to wonder if she imagined the last ten minutes or not. He covered his face with the blankets, giggling quietly.

"I said the couch, not my bed!"

He pulled the covers down slightly, eyes peeking over the edge as they went wide, putting on his best pleading look. "Pleaaaase?"

"All right," Lucy caved, smiling at the sight of him looking so childish. "Just this once. Scoot over, and no telling Erza! She'll have both our heads."

Natsu gulped in agreement, moving to the side to make room for Lucy. She took her place next to him, turning the opposite direction of him and closing her eyes. She was so tired, just a minute or two and she would be knocked out again.

Then she felt the touch of Natsu's body pressing against hers as he wordlessly pulled her close to him. He draped an arm over her protectively as his breathing slowed. Lucy's face went red hot, liking the contact more than she wanted to admit. Normally, she would have instantly shoved him off of her, but after seeing him tonight… maybe he needed this. At least, that's what she told herself. it convinced her that it was all right, just this once. She placed her hand over his, shutting her eyes again as they drifted off to sleep.

X

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