He was 10 when he first saw her. Thought she was an angel, and the pink-haired boy just gaped at the sight. She had golden, long hair tied in a side ponytail, looking so soft it practically begged to be touched. Her brown, doe-like eyes sparkled when she smiled, and all Natsu could think was, "I want to see her smile all the time." She was pretty—like his mom, based on the pictures his dad showed him, but... well, prettier.
"Natsu, I want you to meet your new babysitter," his father announced.
His dad introduced her as Lucy Heartfilia, their new neighbour. She was 16 and looking for a summer job, which seemed perfect since Natsu's last babysitter had retired—likely early—due to his endless energy and a fondness for pranks. Apparently, Lucy needed some extra cash, and Natsu? Well, Natsu needed someone who could handle him.
"Hello, I'm Lucy. Nice to meet you," she said, her voice sweet and angelic in Natsu's ears. He didn't quite understand what he was feeling, but suddenly he was frozen, staring at her like she was some kind of otherworldly being. Was she?
Wait—why did Lucy look awkward? Natsu's gaze trailed down to her extended hand. Oh. He was too busy admiring her to notice she was offering a handshake.
Panic set in. Before Lucy could pull her hand away, Natsu lunged like he was rescuing a fallen comrade, grabbing her hand with both of his and shaking it so vigorously you'd think he was trying to power a generator. He didn't stop until Igneel gently pried them apart, probably saving Lucy from a dislocated shoulder. Natsu finally let go, staring at his dad like, What? Isn't this how adults do it?
"Sorry, my son gets... weird with new people," his dad chuckled. "But I hope he hasn't weirded you out."
"It's alright," Lucy said with a smile. "Kids have good instincts about strangers, after all."
"True," Igneel agreed, though he added a warning. "But, fair heads-up—Natsu is a bit of a troublemaker. His last babysitter quit because of reasons. Feel free to confiscate his favourite dragon stuff toy if he acts up. Last time, he-"
Natsu tuned out after hearing troublemaker . He didn't even know what that word meant, but something about his dad telling Lucy all about his pranks made him feel... embarrassed? What was this strange new feeling? Normally, he was proud of his genius-level tricks, but now, with Lucy listening, it was like his dad was exposing his top-secret mission files. Arms crossed, cheeks puffed, Natsu stood his ground. Sure, he may have scared his last babysitter half to death. Once. Maybe twice. But still. Old people just can't keep up.
But now, he suddenly wanted to act all grown-up in front of Lucy. Unfortunately, all the thinking was hurting his little brain.
"Dad! I'm going to play outside!" he blurted out, desperate to burn off the strange, awkward energy building inside him.
"Please make sure he doesn't hurt himself, Lucy. Make yourself at home. I'll be back by 5," Igneel said, giving her a reassuring smile.
Lucy nodded as Igneel called out one last time, "Natsu! Be nice to Lucy, okay? No trouble."
Natsu gave his dad a quick hug before dashing off to the backyard. Lucy smiled at Igneel, then followed Natsu outside.
As Lucy admired the treehouse, Natsu jumped in front of her, practically vibrating with excitement. "That's my dragon lair!" he declared, pointing to the little structure nestled in the tree. "Come on, Lucy! I'll show you where me and Igneel Jr. live!"
Lucy smiled and followed him as he scrambled up the ladder, moving with the boundless energy of a 10-year-old who could climb trees all day. "It's where I sleep when I'm a dragon," Natsu explained proudly, already halfway up. "Igneel Jr. likes it here too. He's the Fire Dragon King, y'know!"
Lucy climbed up after him, trying not to laugh at how seriously Natsu talked about his stuffed dragon. When she finally reached the top and ducked into the tiny treehouse, she saw Natsu sitting cross-legged, clutching Igneel Jr. like he was a real dragon. The toy was worn but clearly loved, with bright red fabric and slightly frayed wings.
"Welcome to the lair!" Natsu said, grinning ear to ear. "Igneel Jr. says hi! He's super strong, and he can breathe fire and everything!"
Lucy sat down beside him, nodding with an amused smile. "He sounds really powerful," she said, playing along. "What does he do when he's not breathing fire?"
Natsu thought for a second, then his face lit up. "He makes friends!" he said, bouncing slightly in place. "But not, like, regular friends. He finds cool friends who want to go on adventures and fight bad guys! Like me! And my friends—Gray, Erza, and Lisanna!"
"Wow, sounds like a good team," Lucy said, picturing the wild adventures that probably existed in Natsu's mind.
"Yeah!" Natsu nodded, his eyes bright. "Gray's really annoying though, he likes ice a lot, but he's good at fighting! And Erza's super strong—she scares the bad guys away. But I'm the dragon, so I'm the strongest. And Lisanna… well, she's nice, so she helps me make friends too."
He held up Igneel Jr. dramatically. "Me and Igneel Jr. are the leaders. We fly over mountains and lava and stuff, looking for people who need help!"
Lucy grinned. "And what happens when you find them?"
"We save them!" Natsu said, as if the answer was obvious. "Then we go on more adventures and eat a lot of food. Dragons get really hungry."
"Of course," Lucy said with a laugh. "What about me? Can I be part of the adventure?"
Natsu squinted at her, tilting his head like he was thinking hard. "Hmm… Dragons don't usually need help. But you could be a—uh—the princess! Yeah! You can be the princess who finds the treasure while me and Igneel Jr. fight the bad guys."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Lisanna told me I should have a princess, but I don't really want one. They get taken away after the dragon is defeated, and I don't want that!" He pouted, then muttered, "I don't want to be left alone."
Lucy's heart softened at his words, and she knelt down to meet his gaze. "You won't be left alone, Natsu. I'm here, and I promise I'll stick by your side. Princesses can be brave too, you know!"
Natsu blinked at her, his expression shifting from pouting to brightening a little. "Really? You'd stay?"
"Of course! Let's go find that treasure together," she said with a smile, eager to encourage his imagination.
"Okay! Then it's settled! You're my princess!" Natsu declared, excitement bubbling back to the surface. "Let's go!"
With that, Natsu puffed up with pride, standing up and holding Igneel Jr. like a sword. "Okay! First, we need to go find the magic treasure! But watch out, 'cause there's a bunch of bad guys hiding, and they have sharks!"
"Sharks?" Lucy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah! And dinosaurs! And the floor's lava, so don't touch it!" Natsu warned, already jumping out of the treehouse with a fearless leap.
Lucy followed him down, carefully avoiding the imaginary lava as they sprinted across the yard. Natsu was already swinging Igneel Jr. around like he was fighting off invisible enemies. "Take that, evil dinosaurs!" he shouted, his face scrunched up in concentration. "You won't stop us!"
Lucy laughed as Natsu threw himself into the game with everything he had, completely lost in his world of dragons and adventure. "Did we win?" she asked, once he stopped swinging.
Natsu grinned, clutching Igneel Jr. triumphantly. "Of course! Dragons always win. Now we just gotta find the treasure."
"What kind of treasure?" Lucy asked, scanning the yard like she was hunting for gold.
Natsu thought for a moment, then said, "A big shiny rock. Or maybe candy. Dragons love candy." He looked up at her with a mischievous grin. "Let's go get some snacks after we find the treasure. Dragons gotta eat!"
Lucy smiled. "Alright, sounds good to me. Lead the way, Oh Mighty Dragon."
With that, Natsu took off running again, his imagination in full swing as he led Lucy on their grand dragon adventure.
By the time Igneel arrived home, Lucy was in the process of tidying up the remnants of their playtime—stuffed toys strewn about, crumpled paper from their "treasure map," and a half-eaten snack left behind.
"How was he?" Igneel asked, removing his shoes. His son was nowhere to be found. Natsu would usually greet him, bouncing off the walls and begging Igneel to play more at this hour.
Lucy smiled, glancing back at the peaceful sight of Natsu. "He sure was energetic, Mr. Dragneel. But he's asleep in his room."
"That's good to hear," Igneel said, relieved.
Lucy stood up and dusted off her hands, feeling a bit proud of how the day had gone. "Thank you for the opportunity. I should be going now."
With that, she grabbed her bag and headed toward the door. Igneel nodded, appreciating her help.
As she stepped outside, he turned to check on his son. The bedroom was a chaotic mix of dragon toys and makeshift pirate treasures, but it was Natsu's happy chaos. Igneel chuckled softly to himself, thinking about how much energy his son had poured into their day.
Peeking in, he found Natsu sprawled on the bed, a small smile on his face, probably dreaming of grand adventures with Igneel Jr. The dragon stuffed toy lay snugly in his arms, as if guarding him against the world.
Igneel stepped inside quietly, not wanting to wake him. "You're gonna be a handful when you wake up, aren't you?" he murmured, shaking his head fondly.
He sat on the edge of the bed, watching his son sleep. It warmed his heart to see Natsu so happy, even if it meant a little more chaos in their lives. "Just wait till tomorrow," he whispered, knowing that more adventures awaited them.
With a final glance, Igneel left the room, ready to prepare for whatever tomorrow would bring.
Natsu was always excited whenever Lucy came to babysit him, but today, a little cloud of annoyance hung over him. Just as he thought they'd have a whole day of dragon adventures, Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster burst in, asking Lucy to also babysit their son, Gray.
"We'll pay you double!" Mrs. Fullbuster pleaded, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "We just want to celebrate our anniversary today. Thank you so much, Lucy!"
With that, the couple hurried off, leaving Lucy with a pocketful of cash and an irritable Natsu. Igneel, tossing some extra bills her way, added, "Just in case you three want to grab ice cream later."
Once Gray arrived, the air buzzed with energy. "Welcome to the kingdom of Fire and Ice!" Natsu proclaimed, puffing out his chest. "You are the Ice Prince, and I am the mighty Fire Dragon! Lucy is the princess who needs saving!"
Gray raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I thought Lisanna was your princess?"
Natsu tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Since when?"
Lucy chuckled, shaking her head at the antics of the two boys. "I guess I'm just the backup princess today!"
A few minutes later, Gray got into his role, wielding a cardboard sword with gusto and wearing a blanket as a cape that was slightly too big, making him look like he was wearing a tent. He was ready for battle against the mighty fire dragon!
"Prepare yourself, Fire Dragon!" he declared, taking an exaggerated battle stance.
"Bring it on, Ice Prince!" Natsu shouted back, raising his arms like a dragon preparing to take flight. They began to brawl, swinging their cardboard swords with wild abandon while Lucy watched, half-amused and half-worried they might knock something over.
"Be careful, boys!" she called, her heart racing as they both lunged at each other.
The boys were soon rolling around on the grass, laughing and shouting their battle cries, each trying to outdo the other. Eventually, they both flopped onto the ground, panting heavily, a heap of tangled limbs and giggles.
Gray, still catching his breath, stood up dramatically and raised his sword high, striking a heroic pose. "I will now slay you and save Princess Lucy from your grasp, Dragon Boy!"
Natsu's eyes widened in mock horror. "Oh no! A tragic end for the mighty Fire Dragon!" He flailed backward, pretending to be mortally wounded, but his antics were too exaggerated to be taken seriously.
With a dramatic flair, Gray lunged forward and thrust his cardboard sword toward Natsu. "En garde!" he shouted.
"Ahhhh!" Natsu cried, flopping over in a goofy display of defeat before he scrambled to where Lucy sat. The black-haired boy reached out, offering her his hand. "Princess Lucy, the Ice Prince will now—"
But before he could finish, Natsu flung himself onto Lucy's shoulder, wrapping his arms around her neck like a baby koala. "No! You can't take my princess!" he yelled, burying his face in her hair.
Lucy laughed, trying to shake him off playfully. "Relax, Natsu."
Gray, clearly enjoying himself, crossed his arms and smirked. "But I already defeated you! In the stories, dragons lose, and the prince gets the princess!"
"Then take Lisanna! Lucy is mine!" Natsu shouted, puffing out his chest once more, as if the declaration alone would keep his princess safe.
Gray rolled his eyes, a grin breaking across his face. "But what if I say I like this princess better?"
Natsu gasped, turning to Lucy with wide, pleading eyes, his voice quivering. "No, Lucy! You can't join forces with him! He'll take you away and make you eat boring snow!"
"Don't worry, Natsu. I'm not going anywhere," Lucy reassured him, gently patting his back as Natsu nearly sobbed.
"What a baby," Gray commented, folding his arms with a smirk.
"Hey! I just like Lucy a lot, okay? She made me a bunch of cookies yesterday!" Natsu declared, sticking out his tongue.
Gray's eyes widened in mock betrayal. "No fair! I want cookies too, Lucy!"
"Find your own babysitter, then!" Natsu shot back, his hands on his hips like a tiny warrior defending his treasure.
"She's my babysitter too! Mom and Dad told her so!" Gray argued, pouting dramatically.
Their bickering spiralled into a whirlwind of playful insults, each trying to outdo the other. "Your cape looks like a giant tablecloth!" Natsu declared, pointing at Gray's blanket.
"Yeah? Well, at least my cape isn't backwards, Fire Dragon!" Gray shot back, adjusting his makeshift cape that was now trailing behind him.
Lucy chuckled, watching the boys bicker like two little roosters. "Alright, you two, enough! I have a solution to settle this."
Both boys paused, their eyes widening with hope.
"I'll bake you cookies, and then we can all go to the park." Lucy announced, raising her arms like a magician revealing her greatest trick.
Both boys erupted into cheers, their earlier squabbles forgotten in an instant. "Cookies!" they shouted in unison, bouncing on their feet like excited puppies.
"Yay! I'm going to help!" Natsu exclaimed, running toward the kitchen. "I can mix the batter. I'm the best batter mixer!"
Gray followed closely, pulling his cape behind him like he was charging into battle. "And I can taste-test everything to make sure it's perfect."
As they burst into the kitchen, Lucy laughed at the chaos that was about to unfold. Flour was destined to fly, and probably a few eggs too, but the anticipation of delicious cookies made it all worth it. "Alright, chefs! Let's see what kind of cookie magic we can create."
Natsu nodded eagerly, already reaching for the flour. "Just watch out! I have a feeling this will be the most powerful cookie ever!"
Lucy grinned, shaking her head. "As long as we don't end up with a cookie monster explosion, I'm in!"
With laughter echoing through the kitchen, they began their cookie-making adventure, filled with the promise of sweet treats and fun at the park.
It was the weekend, and Igneel decided to have a bonding day with Natsu. They were about to head to the arcade when Natsu suddenly pointed excitedly. "Dad, it's Lucy!"
Igneel squinted his eyes, scanning the area until he spotted her. Lucy was happily devouring an ice cream cone, her laughter ringing like music, and seated beside her was a man who looked suspiciously like her boyfriend. They were too close for Natsu's comfort, and Igneel noticed the guy lean in to plant a kiss on Lucy's hand. Natsu's face twisted into a mixture of disgust and determination.
"Come on, Dad! We have to save her!" Natsu tugged at Igneel's arm, pulling him toward Lucy like a tiny pink tornado.
"Natsu!" Igneel warned, a hint of amusement in his voice. He could already see trouble brewing.
As they got closer, Lucy caught wind of their approach and turned with a bright smile. "Hello, Natsu! Mr. Dragneel!" she greeted, waving her ice cream-covered hand. She handed her cone to her 'friend', who looked a bit bewildered.
"Hey, Lucy! Didn't mean to bother you, but Natsu just wanted to say hi," Igneel said, trying to sound casual.
Natsu's wide eyes were fixated on the guy next to her. 'What's that guy doing here?' he thought, his little mind racing. Lucy then introduced the man.
"Oh, this is Dan, my 'friend'," she said with a bright smile.
Natsu didn't like this Dan one bit. The way he smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth, sent Natsu's protective instincts into overdrive. Without a second thought, he stepped on Dan's foot with all the force a ten-year-old could muster, catching everyone off guard.
Dan howled in pain, hopping on one foot like a clumsy flamingo. "Ow!" he exclaimed, the ice cream splattering all over his other shoe, turning it into a bizarre, sticky canvas of melted vanilla and chocolate.
Natsu stood firm, hands on his hips, puffing out his chest in a dramatic display of bravado. "That's what you get for trying to take my princess, you jerk!" he declared, his voice echoing with the seriousness of a knight defending a kingdom, completely missing the absurdity of the situation.
Lucy covered her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle as Dan struggled to regain his balance.
"Natsu! Watch your language, boy!" Igneel reprimanded, though it was hard to suppress a smirk. He turned to Lucy and Dan, his cheeks a bit flushed. "I'm very sorry about that!"
"It's alright," Lucy said, trying to hold back her laughter. "I guess we just played too much of our game." She looked at Natsu with a mixture of amusement and concern. "You know, Natsu, it's okay to share."
But Natsu was far from done. He glared at Dan, puffing out his cheeks like an angry chipmunk. "I don't want to share! If that 'Dan' guy defeats me, Lucy will leave!"
"Defeat you? Natsu, it's not a competition!" Igneel chuckled, ruffling Natsu's hair.
Natsu crossed his arms, his expression serious. "It should be! This is serious business, Dad! He's trying to steal my princess!"
As they started to walk away, Natsu continued to pout, his little body shaking with indignation. He couldn't let Lucy go. He had to come up with a plan, a strategy—something to reclaim his status as the protector of the princess!
Igneel, sensing the turmoil within his son, chuckled. "You know, Natsu, if you really want to impress Lucy, maybe show her how cool you are at the arcade instead of stepping on people's toes."
Natsu looked up at his dad, eyes sparkling with determination. "You're right, Dad! I'll show her my awesome dragon moves and then- and then-!"
"Alright, chill, kiddo," Igneel chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Natsu bounce on the balls of his feet, excitement radiating off him like a firework waiting to explode.
It was becoming painfully obvious that Natsu had a crush on Lucy. Even Lucy could see it, with how his cheeks flushed whenever she smiled or how he would eagerly share his cookies with her, but the boy himself was blissfully unaware of his feelings. All he knew was that he wanted Lucy around, preferably every day. But Lucy didn't mind it knowing it's just a just a harmless crush Natsu will get over when he's older.
There was that one time, though, when Lucy couldn't babysit him because she got sick after they played in the rain. Natsu remembered how the clouds loomed overhead like a villain in one of his dragon stories, and how he jumped in every puddle and dragged Lucy to his antics, laughing until their sides hurt. But the next day, when Lucy didn't show up, his world felt dimmer. Igneel had been talking to her over the phone, and Natsu couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"She's not coming back?" he cried, his voice breaking. "But she said she'll be back. She was going to take me on an adventure!"
Igneel laughed softly, ruffling Natsu's hair. "Lucy will be back, I promise. She's just a little under the weather. It's not your fault, buddy."
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to splash her! I just wanted to show her the dragon dance!" Natsu had sobbed, tears streaming down his face as he clung to his dad's shirt.
"Don't worry, son. She'll be back tomorrow," Igneel reassured him.
But when tomorrow came and went, Natsu was less than impressed. He glared at Igneel, fists clenched, and declared, "You lied! You said she would come back!"
Igneel sighed, his heart aching for his son. "Natsu, she's sick. She'll be back in a few days, I promise."
Those few days felt like an eternity for Natsu. He busied himself with dragon drawings and making up epic adventures in his mind, but none of them felt right without Lucy by his side.
When she finally returned, the sun seemed to shine brighter, and Natsu's heart raced with excitement. He had spent the entire morning preparing a surprise for her. A giant banner hung clumsily in the living room, proudly displaying the words "Welcome back, Lucy!" Unfortunately, the letters were a jumble of childish scribbles, and the word "welcome" was spelled entirely wrong, looking more like "wlecame."
Lucy walked in, her eyes widening in surprise and delight as she took in the sight. "Natsu! You made this for me?"
Natsu nodded, beaming with pride, a blush creeping across his cheeks. "It's my masterpiece!"
Lucy knelt down to his level, her heart swelling. "It's beautiful, just like you! Thank you so much!"
In response, Natsu shifted his weight, scratching his head sheepishly. "I'm glad you're back. I missed you."
"Oh, Natsu," she said, her voice soft. "I missed you too."
To show her appreciation, Lucy decided to bake him his favourite cookies—chocolate chips, of course. As the sweet aroma filled the kitchen, Natsu bounced around her like an excited puppy, eagerly watching her every move.
"Are they ready yet?" he asked, peeking into the oven every few seconds, despite Lucy's warning not to open it too soon.
"Patience, little fire dragon," Lucy laughed, giving him a gentle nudge. "They'll be ready in a few minutes. Why don't you tell me about your dragon adventures while we wait?"
Natsu's eyes lit up. "Okay! So there was this huge dragon who was actually a prince, and he needed to save his kingdom from the evil Ice Prince! And I was the mighty Fire Dragon King—"
As he animatedly recounted his tales, Lucy listened with a smile, charmed by his boundless enthusiasm and imagination. In that moment, Natsu didn't just have a babysitter; he had a friend, and he was determined to make every day an adventure with her by his side.
But soon enough, the summer days began to wane, and with them, the carefree hours spent with Lucy faded into the backdrop of reality. The whispers of autumn rustled through the trees, signalling it was time for school to start again. Natsu stared out the window, watching the leaves dance in the wind, his heart sinking at the thought of returning to classes.
"Why can't I be in the same class as her?" he whined, crossing his arms in a dramatic pout.
Igneel sighed, knowing this conversation was coming. "You're not old enough to be in high school, Natsu. You'll get there soon enough," he replied patiently, giving his son a reassuring smile.
Natsu's eyes widened, full of hope. "But will she still be there?"
Igneel looked at his boy, sympathy tugging at his heartstrings. "Of course she will. She's your friend, and friends stick around." He ruffled Natsu's hair, trying to bring a smile to his son's face. "Just focus on your studies, kiddo."
Despite Igneel's words, Natsu couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in his stomach. Lucy had become a bright spot in his life, and the thought of not being able to see her every day made him feel like he was losing a piece of himself.
As the school year began, Natsu found himself bored in his classes and sometimes missed Lucy, but he often got distracted with Gray and the information he needed to absorb. His days were filled with lessons and homework, leaving little time for dragon adventures. The weekends were a welcome relief, but they were never long enough. Lucy could only babysit him on those days when Igneel was tied up with work.
Sometimes, when she did come over, she brought her notebooks and textbooks with her. "Hey, Natsu," she would say, smiling apologetically, "can we play another time? I really need to work on my homework."
Natsu would sit quietly on the floor, watching her write. Sometimes he'd muster the courage to ask her what she was working on. "What's that about?" he'd inquire, peering over her shoulder, trying to decipher the words on the page.
"It's math, Natsu. It's like a puzzle, and I'm trying to figure it out," she'd explain, glancing up at him with a patient smile.
Though Natsu didn't understand most of it—numbers and letters danced like fireflies in his head—he loved hearing her talk about it. The way her eyes lit up when she explained things made him feel warm and happy inside. And sometimes, when he got tired of waiting for her to finish, Lucy would read him stories from her textbooks.
"Once upon a time, there was a brave knight…" she would begin, her voice animated as she spun tales of adventure and valor, and Natsu would listen, wide-eyed, until he drifted off to sleep.
The only thing that pulled him from his dreams was Igneel's voice, calling him for dinner. Natsu would blink sleep from his eyes, momentarily confused, as he stumbled to the table, still caught in the remnants of the stories Lucy had shared.
Despite the growing distance of school and responsibilities, Natsu held onto the memories of their summer adventures, ready to welcome Lucy back into his life whenever he could.
Natsu turned 12 years old the following summer, and he was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. Last year, Lucy had surprised him with a spicy cake adorned with dragon icing, complete with little fondant flames that looked like they were ready to leap off the cake. It was the best birthday ever. When Gray saw that, his eyes had widened in envy, and he immediately wanted a cake made of ice cream.
"Lucy! You have to make me one of those!" Gray had begged, but his mother, Mika, had simply chuckled, telling him he could wish for it on his own birthday.
And when Gray's birthday was coming up soon, Silver, Gray's father, had asked Lucy if she could whip up an ice cream cake for his son. "Sure, I'll do my best!" Lucy had said. It was a perfect opportunity to earn some extra cash, but she genuinely enjoyed making the boys happy.
This year, they all headed to the amusement park, with Natsu's family and friends buzzing with excitement. Natsu could hardly contain himself, his heart racing as they entered the park. "This is going to be epic!" he shouted, clutching Lucy's hand tightly as they made their way through the entrance.
"Just remember, Natsu, no running off!" Lucy reminded him, trying to keep a straight face while he practically vibrated with energy.
Igneel took charge, handing out tickets and making sure everyone had a plan for the day. "Okay, kiddos, let's hit the rides first! But remember, you're all under Lucy's watchful eye!" He winked, knowing how much Natsu adored her.
When the group spotted Lucy for the first time, Natsu's friends stood frozen for a moment, jaws dropping in awe. "Is that really her?" Loki whispered to Lisanna, wide-eyed. "She's like… an angel!"
Lucy, caught off guard, blushed fiercely and smiled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh, you guys, stop it! I'm just me."
Natsu, practically glowing with pride, chimed in, "She's my princess! And she makes the best food ever!" His friends gawked, jealousy creeping into their expressions as Natsu launched into a detailed list of all the delicious things Lucy had made him: cookies, brownies, homemade meals, and, of course, the spicy dragon cake.
"Wait, you mean she made you cookies? Like, actual cookies?" Loki looked at Natsu with a mix of disbelief. "How come I didn't get any?"
Natsu shrugged, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Because I'm her favourite!" he declared, puffing out his chest as he dramatically tossed his hair.
"Really? You're her favourite?" Lisanna teased, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were just a handful!"
"She likes my dragon moves!" Natsu retorted, striking a goofy pose like a majestic dragon, wings outstretched. His friends giggled, and Lucy couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head at Natsu's antics.
As they moved through the park, Natsu eagerly dragged Lucy toward the first ride—a massive roller coaster that twisted and turned in the sky. "Come on! We have to ride this one first!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing on his heels.
However, Natsu's excitement had one small downside: he was prone to motion sickness. The first ride was exhilarating, but just a few minutes into the wild twists and turns, Natsu's face went pale. The moment they stumbled off, he clutched his stomach, groaning. "I… I don't feel so good," he mumbled, his eyes wide and dizzy.
Igneel, ever the attentive dad, quickly swooped in. "Alright, buddy, let's take a break," he said, guiding Natsu to a bench where he could sit and recover while Lucy and the other kids dashed off to enjoy the remaining rides.
"Don't worry, Natsu! We'll ride it again when you're better!" Lucy called back, trying to keep his spirits up as she joined the others.
After what felt like an eternity, Natsu finally started to feel better. However, by the time he regained his strength, the group had moved on to other attractions, and Natsu felt a pang of disappointment. "I missed everything!" he wailed, looking pitiful.
"Hey, there are still lots of fun things to do that don't involve rides!" Lucy reassured him, patting his back gently. She took his hand, and they wandered to a spooky haunted house, where Natsu jumped and squealed at every little scare, his friends' laughter and screams echoing through the eerie halls. All little hands are clutching Lucy's clothes.
Afterward, they hit the arcade, where Natsu was once again in his element, competing with Gray and the others to see who could score the highest on the racing games. The colorful screens flashed and beeped, drawing in players like moths to a flame.
Natsu hopped from one game to another, his excitement bubbling over as he tackled each racing simulator. "I'm gonna beat all of you!" he declared, his confidence unwavering. Whenever he won, he'd turn to Lucy, eyes shining with pride. "Look! I got first place!" He'd thrust the screen in her direction, displaying his impressive scores like a trophy, and Lucy would clap enthusiastically, her laughter ringing out. "That's amazing, Natsu! You're the best racer!"
The arcade was alive with the sounds of laughter, cheers, and the mechanical whirs of various games, creating a cacophony that fueled their energy. The air was thick with the smell of popcorn and cotton candy, tempting everyone to indulge in sweet treats. There was even a short puppet show, which the kids begged to stay and watch, their faces lighting up as they enjoyed the performance.
By the end of the day, everyone was completely exhausted. Natsu was barely awake, his eyelids drooping, but he stubbornly kept his hand clasped around Lucy's, as if she were the anchor that kept him from drifting off. Igneel dropped off the other kids at their homes first before heading back, and as the car rolled down the quiet streets, Natsu finally succumbed to sleep, his head lolling onto Lucy's lap.
In the backseat, Igneel glanced back through the rearview mirror. Lucy was gazing out the window, brushing her fingers gently through Natsu's hair, a soft smile on her lips. Natsu, oblivious to the world, was already drooling, his face relaxed in the peacefulness of sleep.
"Thank you, Lucy, for today," Igneel said, breaking the comfortable silence.
"It was no problem, Mr. Dragneel," she replied, still watching the passing scenery.
"Will this be your last summer here?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Lucy's smile faded slightly, replaced by a wistful look. "Yeah, I'll be moving to Crocus for college."
Igneel sighed, shaking his head. "The brat's gonna miss you a lot."
"Yeah, I'll miss him too," she admitted, glancing down at the sleeping boy. "I'll try to visit whenever I can."
"I appreciate it," Igneel said, his voice warm with gratitude. "He really looks up to you, you know."
Lucy nodded, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving. Natsu had become more than just a kid she babysat; he was a friend, a little brother in many ways. She couldn't imagine not being there for him, but the thought of their adventures together made her smile, even as the car rolled toward home.
A month passed, Igneel had met someone special months ago and finally introduced her to Natsu one evening. "This is Grandine and her daughter, Wendy," he announced with a proud smile.
At first, Natsu just blinked, his little brain trying to process the situation. He didn't understand what was happening until Igneel thoroughly explained it to him. "We're going to be a family," he said, his voice serious.
Natsu felt a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, surprise, and a hint of anxiety. For years, it had been just him and his dad, and then there was Lucy, who felt like a permanent part of his life. The words 'marriage' and 'new mom and sister' bounced around in his mind like chaotic fireworks, leaving him overwhelmed.
When Lucy came to babysit that week, he couldn't hold it in any longer. "Lucy, Dad has a new girlfriend and he says I'm going to have a sister now!" His voice was a mix of disbelief and uncertainty. "I don't know what to feel. I don't want a new mom or a new sister. I have you and Dad."
Lucy knelt beside him, her expression softening. "Oh, Natsu, that's great! Having a sibling is wonderful, you know? I'm sure Ms. Marvell is a great woman and will be a great mom to you." She smiled reassuringly, trying to ease his worries.
"But why now?" Natsu's brows knitted together in confusion. "How come he's just introducing her to me then?"
Lucy took a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Well, I'm sure he has his reasons. But it'll be a while before they get married, so you'll have time to get to know them. And maybe you'll even like having a sister!"
He looked down, processing everything. "Okay," he said quietly, though doubt still flickered in his eyes.
"Hey," Lucy said gently, lifting his chin to meet her gaze. "You're still going to have adventures, and I'll always be here for you, alright? Just because there's someone new in your life doesn't mean I'm going anywhere."
Natsu managed a small smile at her reassurance. "Really?"
"Really!" Lucy confirmed, her tone playful. "And just think of all the fun you'll have being the big brother! You can show Wendy all your awesome dragon moves!"
His eyes lit up at that thought, the excitement pushing the confusion aside, even if just for a moment. "Yeah! I could teach her to fly like a dragon!" he declared, imagining himself as a big brother, full of confidence and pride.
As summer came to an end, a bittersweet feeling settled in. This time, however, Lucy was moving out, and Natsu thought it was just another vacation. "When are you coming back?" he asked, glancing over at Wendy, who was standing beside him, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Lucy was outside, dragging her luggage onto the porch while her father, Jude, loaded the rest of her bags into their car. Natsu's heart sank a little at the sight, even though he tried to ignore it. He had spent the last few weeks of summer bonding with Wendy, who was only three years younger than him. They had become an inseparable duo, with Natsu quickly slipping into his protective big brother mode. Lucy had enjoyed babysitting them both, and it was a fun dynamic: Lucy had been upgraded to queen, and Wendy had become the new princess.
"I'll be back before you know it," Lucy replied with a bright smile, trying to reassure him.
"Promise?" Natsu pressed, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Promise. Now, don't forget to be good to them, alright? And don't cause too much trouble." She pulled him into a warm hug, and Natsu noted that he was just about the height of her chest. It wasn't fair; he wished he could be taller, just like his dad. He watched as Igneel and Grandine embraced and looked at each other, and he felt a twinge of jealousy.
"Lucy, when I grow taller, I want to marry you too," he declared, his face serious.
Jude choked on his laughter, nearly dropping the heavy bag he was carrying. Lucy froze, her eyes wide and her cheeks turning pink. She struggled to find words but eventually managed, "When you get taller and older," she stammered, unable to suppress a grin.
Wendy giggled beside him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ew, Natsu! You can't marry her! She's too old for you!"
"Hey!" Natsu shot back, puffing his chest out in mock indignation. "That just means I'll be the coolest husband ever!"
Lucy laughed, her heart warming at their banter. "You'll make a great husband someday, Natsu. But for now, just focus on being a good big brother, okay?"
Natsu nodded vigorously, determination shining in his eyes. "Yeah! I'll protect Wendy and keep her safe, just like you did for me!"
As they exchanged farewells, Natsu felt a sense of loss but also excitement for the future. He might be parting ways with Lucy for now, but he knew their bond would endure. And with Wendy by his side, he felt ready to face whatever adventures lay ahead, even if they wouldn't include Lucy for a while.
