A/N Thank you everyone for all your reviews, favs, follows and love! :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Lucy's POV

Lucy continued to walk arm in arm, with Lord Halloway As the rest of her team followed behind. She knew they would soon ask questions on how she had become acquainted with their client.

As they walked towards his home down the dirt path that had tall wildflowers following the path on either side, Sir Soren, or, Lord Halloway Lucy supposed, had told her about the wonderful produce and flower gardens his land holds. And how he would like to give her a tour of his personal gardens while she was there.

It was night, but with the lacrima light posts that lit up the path, Lucy was able to make out some of the beauty of the large home. They passed a view of the side of the Lord's residence. It had large bay windows lined along the mansion, of each level, with flowered vines of colors Lucy couldn't make out, spiderwebbing across them.

The path curved as they traveled and then brought them to the main entrance. The large front gate opened and they proceeded through the entrance.

The path turned to cobblestone, and there were shrubs on each side of the path that began to fork into a circle. In the middle were small shrubs mixed with wildflowers, and a decent sized three tiered fountain.

As they walked up the steps to the large arched top double doors, Lucy glanced back at Natsu, curious if he had shown any annoyance to her close proximity with Lord Halloway.

All she saw was his head slightly tilted down, hair covering his eyes.

She knew when he had his outburst at the bookstore earlier that day, it was only due to Natsu being a protective friend and partner, jealousy had nothing to do with it. Natsu would never bother letting himself get heated over such a thing, she thought.

She had told him if she needed help, she would ask for it. But she had wondered if it could have been more than just him, helping her out.

But when she glanced back and only saw his head down, she assumed he was tired.

So she thought it was just that, Natsu being an overprotective idiot.

Once they entered Lords home, Lucy had thought it was just as beautiful inside as well as outside.

It was large and open. A doubled staircase curve, with a large entryway in between flights.

Lord Halloway led them to a room on the left. Where they walked through a small arched entryway.

It was a lovely sitting room.

In the middle of the room sat a chabudai and two leather couches on either side of the table facing one another. Several bookshelves lined the beige walls.

He gestures to the couch for the team to sit. "Please, have a seat."

He sat down, rubbing his hands together.

"So, in the current job details, it states there was only one monster who needed to be taken care of." Lord Halloway continues. "Unfortunately, that is no longer the case."

Erza spoke up. "There is more than one now? In the request it stated it was a rock monster that was assumed to have originated from the mountains that surrounded your lands, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct." He confirmed. "Just a few days ago we had our first attack. And like you had said." He gestures to Erza. "We assumed the creature was from the mountains, and it strayed too far from its home. It didn't seem too interested in people, but our fields and crops, the fields closer to my home. Our men couldn't take on the creature but once it had destroyed some of our crops, it went on its way back to the mountains. We assumed that was the end of it." He paused. "But then the next day it came back. This time targeting another field, one closer to the town this time, our wonderful strawberry fields."

Erza let out a slight gasp at his statement, then Lucy giggled under her breath to her reactions

"So, after the second attack, we knew we needed assistance from wizards to subdue the creature. Before it could destroy any more of my family's livelihood." He carried on. "Unfortunately, just this morning we were attacked by not one, not two, but three of those monsters. Thankfully no lives were lost but some were injured trying to subdue them. They were once again focused on our farmlands." Lord Halloway lowers his head. "I just don't understand why these creatures keep coming after our farmlands, everything my family has worked for could be gone if they are not stopped… Please Fairy Tail, help me. Help my people."

Lucy laid a sympathetic hand on his knee. She then instantly feels a heat wave come from Natsu. Her eyes darted in his direction for a moment, only to see his head down once again.

"Don't worry man, a few rock monsters are nothing to us. We'll have them taken care of in no time." Gray says confidently.

"Yes, no need to worry. First thing in the morning we will find these monsters that dwell within these mountains and have them taken care of." Erza included.

Lucy pursed her lips and placed an index finger on them. "Hmm it sounds like these are golems. It seems as if they only have one goal in mind, and they were commanded to do so."

"So you think a wizard created them?" Wendy inquired.

"It's possible. It has to be some type of rock or earth magic." Lucy answered. "Soren- I mean Lord Halloway, do you know of any one who may want to hurt you or your people? A wizard you may have come across on your travels and accidentally made an enemy out of?"

He looked taken aback at first by the question. "Enemies? Oh no, I have come across some wizards in my travels but none I've interacted with enough to become a friend or a foe."

"Hmm. Well, either way, let's assume at this point we are up against more than just a few golems." Erza turns to the team. "We will get our rest for the night. Then at first light we will begin our search. Since the first attack originated from the mountains directly behind the lord's residence. We will start there." Her gaze shifted to Natsu. "You and Lucy will stay here while the rest of us search, just in case there is another attack."

They both nodded in compliance.

Lord Halloway stood grinning. "Sounds like a plan. I can't thank you guys enough. Now if you would please follow me, we will show you to your rooms." He began walking. He approached one of his maids, whispering something, then she nodded and strolled out of the room. "Please, this way." He gestured to the entryway.

Natsu's POV

The team followed the Lord and his maids up the flights of stairs.

And then around the corner to a long hallway.

"This is where I leave you all for the night. My help will direct you to your rooms during your stay here." Halloway then gazed at Lucy taking her hand and bringing it to his lips once again. "I will see you in the morning, miss Lucy. Goodnight."

"Goodnight to you as well." She replied.

It's taken everything in Natsu to muster what little self control he has, not to lay this guy out. Why is he all over her anyways? The absolute audacity of this guy. Who even is he to her?

He finishes saying goodnight to the rest of the team and heads the way they came. Natsu was glad to be rid of his presence for the night.

"Over here is where the boys room will be." A young maid said, opening a door. Natsu peaked inside and saw a balcony right across the room and with four twin size beds, two on either side.

"And this is where the girls room will be." Another young maid said, opening a door across the hall.

They began to separate and head towards their assigned rooms until one maid stopped Lucy.

"Oh miss, this is where your room will be." She said, leading her a little further down the hall to a door next to the boys room.

"Wait, I got my own room?" She said curiously. "I can room with my team." She looked towards the girls.

"My Lord insisted you have your own private quarters." One of the young maids spoke.

"I uh-" Lucy was cut off.

"Don't worry about it Lucy, take the private room. I bet it's beautiful." Wendy spoke with a warm smile.

"Well, that doesn't seem quite fair." Carla interjected.

"I don't think me and Erza mind, right?" Wendy asked as Erza nodded in agreement. "It's obvious that the Lord likes Lucy and is an old friend. Just enjoy the perks." Wendy insisted.

"Uh, okay, as long as you guys don't mind, I guess."

"Not at all, enjoy it." Erza assured her.

Natsu watched the exchange. Well, he definitely minded. Why is he buttering Lucy up so much? And what does Wendy mean, 'he likes her?' He was about to complain, until Gray shoved him into their room. "Okay cool, goodnight everyone!" Gray spoke, shutting the door behind him.

Natsu stood up ready to fight. "Why'd you do that jerk!?"

"So we can avoid a fight and just go to bed. Just let Lucy enjoy the private room." Gray said already down to his boxer.

"But why does he butter her up so much, huh? It's odd. Don't you think? What if he wants her alone for a reason?" Natsu rambled on. "I don't trust the guy. How does she even know him?"

"I don't know, probably an old friend. Ya know, back when Lucy was a part of all that high society stuff." Gray says, casually reclining back on the bed, one arm behind his head.

Natsu sits on the edge of the other bed beside Gray. "Lucy never liked all that stuff, so she probably didn't even like the guy." Natsu reassures himself.

"I don't know, with the way he's chummy with her, makes you think he's an ex boyfriend." Happy says nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.

Natsu's head whips in his direction. "An ex boyfriend!? No, there's no way. Lucy wouldn't date a guy like that."

"You never know, she could have. Maybe they were." His face twisted into a sly expression "In looooveee-" suddenly a pillow slammed into Happy, causing him to fall back on his own bed.

"Will you stop trying to freak him out, we don't need the idiot burning down the guy's home." Gray said, grabbing the pillow from Natsu's bed to replace his own.

Natsu stood up, too worked up to worry about picking a fight over his pillow. "I'm just gonna go ask her so I can find out who this guy really is." He declares, heading for the balcony.

"Just ask her in the morning, man-" Gray shoots up. "Wait, what are you doing dumbass, use the door!"

Gray's complaints fell on deaf ears as Natsu was already out the balcony doors. He looks to his left seeing another balcony, knowing that it had to be connected to Lucy's room.

He lifts one leg over the rails, then the other, and begins scaling the side of the mansion. With only a small distance left he leaps to the other balcony, clinging onto the rails.

He lifts his legs over once again. Natsu peaks around making sure this was in fact her room. He sees Lucy come into view, walking out of a room he guessed was the bathroom. Towel wrapped tightly around her. Natsu inspected the room through the windowed doors. On the other side of the room, directly across from the balcony entrance, was a small table with two chairs. And the doorway to the room next to it. On the other wall was an entrance leading to the bathroom and next to that, a giant wardrobe. On the other side across from the bathroom, was the queen sized bed that Lucy now sat on. Above the bed was a large painting of what Natsu guessed to be an area of these lands.

He knew she would be angry for bargaining in, but what was new.

He opened the doors and immediately began his complaints. "Man, this sleaze ball of lord really has you set up huh?" He heard Lucy squeal initially, then she grabbed her chest in relief once she realized it was him.

"What the hell, you ass! Why are you barging in here!?" She exclaimed, hands on her hips.

"Because."

She furrowed her brows, motioning her hands for him to continue. "Because…?"

"Because, well, cause I-" He honestly didn't understand why he was fumbling with his words. "Because I wanted to know how you knew this guy. Lord, whatever."

She stared for a moment, perplexed. "And that couldn't have waited until tomorrow?"

He thought for a second. He guessed it could have waited, but he needed to know now. He probably wouldn't have been able to sleep. Tossing and turning, wondering who he was to her, what kind of past they had. He began moving towards Lucy. "No, it couldn't have." He stared down at her, their faces mere inches apart. "Tell me how you know this guy. Please."

She studied his face for a moment before taking a small step back. "Um, okay.." she said meekly. She looked down at herself and Natsu looked as well. Shamelessly enjoying the view.

"Let me get dressed first." She said heading for the bathroom.

He ignored the part of him that was slightly disappointed she wasn't staying in her towel.

A moment later she came out. She gestured to the end of the bed for Natsu to sit and they sat beside each other.

She took a breath. "Okay, so."

She had told him a tale that happened almost a year before she had run away from home.

Her and the lord met when he and his late father were visiting the Heartfilia estate. They didn't get along at first, she had thought him to be a spoiled rich boy with a massive ego.

"They came to visit because our fathers were not only friends, but wanted me and Soren to get to know each other."

"Why?" Natsu asked.

"Because they wanted to have us betrothed."

He furrowed his eyebrows and cocked his head slightly, indicating he was confused by her words.

"It means they wanted us to get married."

Natsu abruptly stood. "Married!?"

Lucy pulled on his arm to sit back down. "Calm down, Natsu. We obviously didn't get married, so it's fine."

Natsu sat back down in disbelief. Yes, they didn't marry but still. They were supposed to. And here he thought he was an ex boyfriend, but it was worse. She almost married him!

"You almost married him!"

"Not really, I knew I wasn't going to the moment my father brought the proposal up."

"Why?"

"Well, because I didn't want to. I didn't want to be locked away in that house forever. I didn't want to play that role anymore, sure as hell didn't want to play the part of the dutiful wife to someone so arrogant." Her lips began to curl into a smile. "I wanted to have adventures." She locked her gaze with his. "I wanted to join Fairy Tail."

He felt his heart beat more rapidly as he shared her gaze for a moment. He swallowed nervously and looked down. "So you don't like him?" He shifts his gaze back to her. "He's a jerk?"

"Actually, not really, our acquaintanceship ended on a good note, we had become friends despite his unlikeable personality at first." She leaned back slightly, resting her body weight on her hands. "One of the times we were told to spend time together, he had once again, acted arrogant, thinking he was being charming. I lost it on the guy. Told him I couldn't stand his face." Lucy laughed. "But, come to find out he had no desire to marry either. He was only doing what his father asked. You see, our fathers wanted us together because my father wanted to expand Heartfilia railways in their lands. And the late lord wanted a powerful name attached to his family." She sighed. "Thankfully neither of us wanted that. I remember, he said he wasn't trying to come off so obnoxious and arrogant even though he knew he could be at times. His father told him to brag about his wealth and lands because ladies of my stature loved materialistic things." She rolled her eyes. "But, he said he wasn't ready to settle down, he had plans to travel and live more freely before he ever wanted to take a wife. So, we then planned to confront our fathers together and refuse to marry one another. Of course that didn't go well, especially with my dad. And surprisingly, Soren took up for me. He defended me to my father for treating me the way he did. That was probably the first time anyone ever defended me. So after that he became a friend." She exhaled loudly. "So after our fathers had no choice but to respect our wishes, they left. Soren wrote to me a couple times on his travels, and he may have written more but I had already run away." Her lips pulled into a grin and nudged Natsu. "Then I met you, and you brought me to Fairy Tail."

Natsu smiled warmly at her, feeling that familiar knotted feeling in his gut. He thought about how bringing her back with him was one of the best decisions he's ever made. "So… he wasn't an ex boyfriend?"

"What?" She laughed. "No, not at all. Just an old friend."

"Oh, that's a relief. Happy said he could have been an ex."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course he did."

Natsu became serious again. "But why is he so chummy with you?"

"I don't know, like I said; he's an old friend and he hasn't seen me in a decade. Last he knew I lived in a big house like this. Actually bigger. Maybe he thought I'd be more comfortable in a larger room of my own." She looked curiously at Natsu. "Natsu, why… Did you need to know right now? And why do you care so much if he was an ex?"

He immediately felt his face heat, and not in the way his flames made them. How is he supposed to answer a question that he didn't really know the answers to himself? He didn't understand why the question even made him so flustered.

"I uh, I… wanted to make sure he wasn't someone to be concerned about. You know, he wasn't some creep. Or something like that."

"Oh, um, no he's a decent guy." She said, almost sounding disappointed. "Listen, It's late. We should probably get to bed now."

Upon hearing Lucy mention going to bed, he immediately felt his exhaustion pour over him. He nodded his head in agreement and began to make his way to the bed.

"Hey, wait a minute, what are you doing?" Lucy asked.

"Going to bed." Natsu says, matter of factly.

"Well, not my bed. Your bed! You have your own room."

"Yeah, and I also have my own house but that's never stopped us from sharing a bed before."

Natsu saw color wash over Lucy's face. "S-seriously, Natsu?" She stuttered. "That's different."

"How is that different?"

"Because it just…" She scoffed searching for the words. "It just is, okay? Now will you go, please. To your bed."

He stood there for a moment, confused that Lucy never actually gave him a clear reason how it's different.

"Now, Natsu!" She snapped her arm in the direction of the door.

He immediately moved his feet heading for the balcony.

"The door you dope!"

Once again Natsu ignored the complaints, already out the balcony doors. Proceeding to his assigned room.

In a way, he may understand what she means. They never actually shared beds on jobs before. Not even if the job they went on only consisted of her, him and Happy.

But he had felt a compelling urge to be as close as he could be to her. He wanted to sleep next to her and be enveloped in her scent.

Even though he was exhausted, he doubted the night would be restful. He entered the dark room, hearing it filled with soft snores. He remembered the pillow Gray took from his bed, and grumpily picked up the other one off the floor. Then he threw himself and his pillow into bed.

Lucy's POV

Geez it's hot. She thought. Half conscious, she began to lift the blankets off herself. Only to feel a warm arm. Her eyes shot open and her expression immediately shifted to annoyance. She then realized there was a hand placed lazily on her hip. "Natsu." She mumbled in frustration.

She turned over and sat herself up on her elbows, then scanned a sleeping Natsu. Quietly snoring. He laid on his stomach, his face toward her. Mouth slightly parted. The hand that laid on her hip moments ago, now flat on the bed, fingertips lightly grazing her leg. The other arm above his head.

He seriously snuck in here in the middle of the night. Did he really need to sleep next to her that desperately?

She started to feel a blush creep across her cheeks. She scoffed under her breath. Why does he have to be like this? She wished he understood what these sorts of acts do to her. Things like this were way too intimate. Sure,they always slept in her bed together, but this was just different. They never shared a bed on jobs. It's not that she didn't like it, she did. But she had to admit, when it didn't mean to him what it meant to her, it hurt.

She looked towards the end of the bed to find no sign of blue fur. Huh, so he came here all by himself.

She turned over, laying on her side facing him. Both hands under her cheek. With the brilliant moonlight shining in through the windows and balcony doors, she could see him clearly. She found herself in a familiar routine, cataloging every feature, scar, freckle, and blemish. The corner of her mouth slightly pulled up. He really was beautiful.

She lifted one hand and caressed his cheek. She saw a twitch in his eyebrow and he slightly leaned into her touch, groaning softly as he stayed asleep.

She wished. She wished so much she wasn't in love with this idiot. But she was.

Sometimes she also wishes she could be like any normal girl who could fall for a man like Lord Halloway instead. Handsome, charming, someone who actually understood romance. It would make things so much easier on her heart. But instead, she fell in love with the dragon, not the prince. She studied Natsu further. She always said as long as he was by her side, she would be happy, and she was.

But she couldn't deny the pain that came with loving someone who doesn't feel the same.

Would she ever learn to get over him? She knew nothing could ever come of her feelings.

At this point she was pretty sure Natsu was asexual.

So it didn't matter how close they were, or how strong their bond was. Nothing romantic could ever come of their relationship. Perhaps she could fall in love with someone else one day. Someone who actually loved her back. But for now, she was stuck with her unrequited feeling.

She started to feel tears sting her eyes.

She tried to fight back the tears as the harsh realization hit her. Sure she knew it before, but really thinking about it, having Natsu so close to her, yet so far away. She would one day have to move on from her feelings. A part of her didn't want to. She wanted to cling to them for as long as she could, for that tiny sliver of hope, that maybe, just maybe, he did feel the same, he just hadn't realized it yet.

She rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling.

She told herself that would be extremely unlikely though. Her vision started to blur. And she began to sniffle as a tear fell, grazing her cheek.

"Lucy…" She heard Natsu's gravelly tone.

She turned her head in his direction. She saw his eyes were half opened, brow furrowed with concern. "Lucy, s'wrong? Why are you crying?" He started to reach for her, but not moving from his sleeping position.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned to lay on her side facing Natsu. "Oh it's nothing, just… just a bad dream is all." She fibbed.

Natsu also turned fully on his side. He reached an arm out to grab her waist and shoved the other under the side of her neck, reaching around to hold her and firmly pulled her to him. Her face made contact with the taught firmness of his chest; her arms scrunched up between their bodies. She was fully enveloped in his arms. Her face went beet red at his actions. He inhaled her scent and laid his chin on her head. "Don't worry. I got you." His voice is gentle but still holds its sleepy tone. He tilted his head down and did something he's never done before, she felt his warm, chapped lips connect to her forehead. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. Why does he do these things? She thought loudly.

"It's okay Lucy, go back to sleep. If you have a nightmare again-" He yawned, preparing to go back to sleep himself. "I'll just burn them away." He said with a sleepy grin.

She quietly giggled. "Cause that's how that works." She whispered.

He only closed his eyes, grinning.

The funny part is, she honestly didn't doubt for a moment the goof could burn away any bad dreams.

Maybe… maybe she could cling on to her feelings, just a bit longer. She nuzzled closer into him, prompting Natsu to hold her tighter. She took in his scent. He smelled of bonfire, with a hint of cinnamon. Such an odd combination that Lucy has always adored.

She fluttered her eyes closed. Letting sleep consume her.

Lucy awoke to the sound of someone barging into her room, speaking with a voice full of urgency. "Lucy! Erza sent me to get everyone. The golems are attack… ing." Lucy shot up hearing Wendy trail off from her sentence.

She saw the tiny dragon slayer's face turn as red as Erza's hair. Lucy rubbed her eyes and was about to ask what was wrong, when she then looked over and saw Natsu sitting up with an arm still around her. Then her face matched Wendy's.

Wendy covers her eyes. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to walk in on anything! I- I'll uh, just see you out there in a minute!"

"Wait, Wendy, it's not what you think!" Lucy tried to explain. But Wendy was already out the door.

She looked over at Natsu who was yawning loudly and stretching his arms above his head.

"Great job Natsu, you sneaking in here in the night has traumatized poor Wendy!"

He shrugged. "She'll be fine." He hops out of bed, gains an excited grin then wiggles his eyebrows. "But you heard her. We got some golem ass to kick. I'm all fired up! Come on, Lucy!"

She nodded, making her way out of bed.

She quickly got ready and headed out the door with her partner towards yet another battle.