A/N Hello everyone! This is my first Nalu Fanfic. I've this ship for almost ten years now. I've read so many fics but finally writing one. I used to write when i was much younger and I'm finally getting back into it. So, this is my first story in many years! Constructive criticism is definitely welcome but please be kind!
This is based before 100-year quest, after Alverez.
Thank you, enjoy!
Just My Partner
Chapter 1
Maybe it was when he grabbed her hand and pulled her along the streets of Hargion, looked back at her and beamingly told her to come to Fairy Tail with him. Or maybe it was when Phantom Lord captured her. She heard his voice in the distance, so she leapt out the tower and there he was ready to catch her. Or maybe it was when she got a cold and couldn't see the Rainbow Sakura. So he dug up the tree, placed it in a boat and sailed it down the canal in front of her apartment. Just so she could see it. Or maybe it was when a white haired barmaid suggested to her that he had feelings for her, that made her start thinking of him as something more than a friend.
Or perhaps it was the numerous times he has always been there for her. Saved her. Lifted her up. How he's the one who brought her to her family. Gave her the family she has always wanted. Now Lucy is always surrounded by laughter, chaos, and the love of her Fairy Tail family. Because of him, she was never alone now.
She's not sure when it happened, but It's true, Lucy Heartfilia was in love with the fire dragon of Fairy Tail, Natsu Dragneel.
Unfortunately, from Lucy's point of view, he doesn't feel the same.
How could he? He was just so dense. He's never shown any interest in dating or romance.
She knew their relationship was different compared to his others in the guild. But that's only because they were partners. Best friends. Apart from a certain blue Exceed, Lucy was the first person Natsu teamed up with. He cared about everyone in Fairy Tail but he had no interest in forming a team until Lucy walked into his life.
Sometimes she would kid herself into thinking that meant something and maybe in a way it did.
But not the way she hoped.
At the beginning she would find Natsu breaking into her home, making himself comfortable in her bed. At first, she would yell, scolding him and telling him to get out. Only for him to give her that look and say how he fell asleep waiting for her, or her bed was 'Just so much more comfortable!'
In which her anger would die down, and she would tell him he can sleep on her couch.
It was some time after Tenrou Island, after they awoke from their seven-year sleep.
Lucy had come shuffling into her apartment. Taking a long relieving breath from today's events. She spent the whole day invisible! And worse she blinked out of existence for a moment, for Mavis sake! Even though for what felt like an eternity, everyone completely forgot her. It was Natsu that remembered her and broke the spell. Subconsciously knowing he had to go to her.
A blushed crept upon her cheeks. "Of course it was him." She said, beginning to peel off her clothes. Her lips pulled into a small smile. "It's always him."
She stepped into her bathroom to finish her nightly routines.
Once done, she made her way to the bed and wrapped herself in the blankets, sleep finding her quickly.
I'm a little warm. She thought. Not sure what time it was and barely conscious. She pulled her blankets off her upper body and moved her leg over to sprawl out. She suddenly felt another leg touch her own. She snapped her eyes open and sat up in a panic.
"Huh wha- what is it?" She heard Natsu's Voice.
"Natsu!? What the hell dude!" She adjusted her eyes in the dark and scanned Natsu. His eyes were sleepy but on alert and hair a bit ruffled. Her eyes went further down and saw his chest was bare. The moon light creeping in through the window illuminating him.
She couldn't hide the blush that spread across her cheeks.
"Lucy s'wrong?" She looked back up to his eyes written with concern. "Uh..." she trailed off. "Wait yeah why the hell are you in my bed? Like that!" She motioned to his body. "Did you sneak in here in the night?" She yelled.
He looked at her confused for a minute. "Oh, yeah I guess I did." He said shyly grinning rubbing the back of his head.
She stared at him for a moment. "But... why?"
He shrugged. "Just felt like it. Wanted to be near you." He says, casually. As if it didn't make her stomach do flips and the already existing blush deepened.
"Well, you can't just do that Natsu. It's inappropriate!"
He pouted. "I always sleep better when we're together."
Her breath caught. "Natsu..." she said under her breath. Why does he say such things? She knew it never meant what she wanted. She shook her head and lips curled in a small smile.
"Idiot." She breathed. "Fine." She crossed her arms. "But you have to stay on your side. Got it?"
"Aye." She heard both Natsu and Happy say.
"Happy!?" She looked down and saw blue fur curled at the end of the bed. She rolled her eyes. "Should have known you were here too."
"Aye. Now will you two love birds quit bickering and go to sleep." Happy said not moving from his sleepy position.
"Oh, shut it cat!" She rolled over and began to get comfortable, hearing Natus do the same.
After that night she had repeatedly woken up and found the fire eater sleeping next to her. She tried to convince herself it was annoying and embarrassing. Which it was, but she would also find herself disappointed on the nights she didn't wake up to his warmth lying next to her.
But it wasn't long after the Grand Magic Games though when Natsu really made her head spin and stomach do summer salts.
She'd been sleeping after a lengthy day of being body slammed in the pool by Natsu. And then strangely getting repeatedly caught in some guy's butterfly net when she was just trying to enjoy a day of shopping. She was exhausted to say the least. She fell to sleep once her head hit the pillow. But when she awoke that night, it was different.
Natus was not only in her bed. But his arms were wrapped firmly around her. Once she realized she was still. She felt his muscular arm tightly around her, holding her close. Her upper back pressed firmly against his chest. She could feel his hot breath grazing her neck. She steadily turned her head to look back. His face, soft. Eyes closed and breath even. He was sound asleep.
He was.. Cuddling her. Natus has never been so close before while they slept. Sure, their legs would touch one another, but that was as far as it went. Did he even realize he was holding her so... Intimately. She thought herself bold for this, yet she couldn't pass up this moment. She slowly twisted her body so that she was facing him. His body slightly moved and his hold on her tightened and tugged her closer. Her arms were trapped and her nose was pressed against his upper chest. Her eyes darted up and she scanned his face. Still asleep.
His body relaxed again. A moment later she wiggled her body up, so that they were face to face, then she freed her arm.
She studied his face. She always thought he was cute when he slept. She lifted her free hand and gently ran her fingers through his hair. Natus leaned into her touch and let out a quiet moan. She stiffened. Natus' brow twitched and whispered. "Lu...cy."
Crap. She thought as she quickly turned back around and began to scoot away. Only for her to feel his calloused hand grip her arm. She turned and saw his eyes slightly parted, and arm reached out to her. "Wait Lucy... c'mere." He said, his voice gravelly. She gulped, her face heating. She let him pull her back to him and he wrapped his arms around her putting them back in the same position she woke up in. He burrowed his face in her neck and inhaled deeply.
"Mmm Lucy..." She laid there still for a few moments. She felt him move closer into her. As he did, she felt something hard press firmly against her rear. Her eyes almost popped out of socket, feeling her heart rate increase. He is pressing his ... hard on, against her. She thought her face was going to burn up from the heat she felt. "Um Natus..." She didn't dare look back. She felt him lazily rub a hand down her arm and to her hip. "Lucy..." he groaned and bucked again. She felt warmth pooling between her legs and the urge to squeeze her thighs together. Is he even awake right now? She could feel his hot breath on her and his hand began to make its way down her hip to her buttocks and between her thighs. She gasped loudly and jerked forward.
Natus then sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Yo, what's wrong?" He managed out.
She looked at him for a beat. "Were you asleep just now?"
He yawned. "Yeah, why?"
She just sat for a moment. He was asleep. So, he doesn't know what he did? Was he dreaming then... About her? "Oh, uh okay well back to sleep then ha-ha." she said awkwardly and whipped around to go back to sleep and forget about what just occurred. Which was useless, because the sound of him moaning her name was echoing in her mind.
Natsu just shrugged. "Whatever Lucy. You're weird. "Aye." Happy said at the foot of the bed.
But before she knew it, he was laying his arm over her. Not holding her so close but still touching her. "Goodnight weirdo". Natsu said with a yawn.
She wanted to yell at him for being such a dope but instead she just half smiled. "Goodnight." Drifting off to sleep.
Ever since that night, she would wake up with their limbs tangled together. Neither of them mentioned their newfound cuddling nor objected. It had become a part of their daily routine with one another.
Again, she told herself it was nothing. It didn't mean to Natsu what it meant to her.
Admittedly it had become incredibly hard for her to sleep during that year when Natsu was gone.
And these were all just some of many reasons why she could never get Natsu off her mind. Even though deep down she holds these feelings, she'll never let it be known. Because she never thought the feelings would be reciprocated, she tried for so long to deny how she felt. But during the year Fairy Tail disbanded and Natsu left her to train, she inevitably admitted to herself how she felt.
She wasn't sure if she was ever going to see him again. With Fairy Tail gone, and him having no knowledge it was, where would he have gone? So, what was the point of denying it? But as fate would have it, they found one another again.
And of course, Natsu doing what Natsu does, made her dreams come true once more and brought her back home to her Fairy Tail family. Reviving the guild with everyone back together once more.
Natsu was the furthest thing from a knight in shining armor. He was brash, impulsive, childish and obnoxious!
Although, he was also kind, caring, and incredibly loyal. He would burn the world for the people he cared about. Take down an enemy that did them any harm. Natsu truly had the kindest heart she's ever known.
So, was he her knight in shining armor? No. That wasn't Natsu's style. However, him being the dragon in her tale? That was more accurate to their story.
Regardless of her feelings for Natsu, all she knew was that as long as he stayed by her side, she couldn't be happier.
Lucy stretched back in her chair, arms over her head, exhaling loudly She had finished working on the next addition to her series for the day. She felt pressured to write another ever since the one she had published had gained decent popularity.
It's been some time now since the defeat of, Acnologia, Zeref and The Spriggan Twelve. And Fairy Tail has grown closer than ever before. After all the battles, all the heartache they've had to endure, they endure it together.
After the battle, Lucy finally had time to finish her novel.
It's become an incredible success. She's even been nominated for the Kemu Zaleon Award For, Best New Writer.
The event wasn't for another three weeks but she and the rest of the guild were invited. Of course she considered even allowing the rowdy bunch to come. Knowing how those goons would act.
She'll inevitably be embarrassed by them. But if she were to win the award it wouldn't be the same without them there to share in the joy with her.
She was a nervous wreck at best. This was something she'd always dreamed of. The thought of even attending made her so nervous she felt her stomach turning as bad as Natsu's would when he's on any transportation.
She's been living off the earnings from her novel for a few months now. It wasn't anything to make her rich, but it covered rent for a few months. She's been traveling to a few towns promoting her book, doing readings and participating in Q&A's. She hadn't had the time to go on a job with the rest of the team for a while.
Natsu sulked of course. Saying they were partners, and it wasn't the same without her.
But she couldn't help it, she was busy. Natsu reluctantly went without her, he and Happy still needed their food money.
Perhaps that is what she needed. A good adventure. The Award Ceremony isn't for another three weeks. She has nothing going on with her book for once. Three weeks is plenty of time to get a job done.
She's decided.
She darted up from her chair, pushing it back. "Alright, let's go!" She said to herself, heading for the guild.
Once she made it through the doors of Fairy Tail she suspected a certain pinkette to come greet her, but he was nowhere to be found. She shrugged and greeted who she saw. Levy and Gajeel sat at a table in the middle of the hall. She read while he rested an arm around her, the other stuffing his face with iron. Levy smiled and waved as Lucy passed by.
In another table sat Juvia and Gray. Juvia gushingly talked Gray's ears off while he sat there holding on to every word. He looked towards Lucy, giving her a smile and light wave. Only for Juvia to make eye contact with Lucy, mimicking a cutting motion to her throat while whispering: "Love Rival."
Lucy just rolled her eyes and continued forward to the Job Board. She waved to Cana, Lisanna, Wendy, and Carl who all sat at the Bar. Lisanna behind it, Wendy and Carla sitting at it, and Cana sitting on it holding a barrel of Alcohol. She wondered where the other Strauss sibling was.
She waved at the other members as she passed. She saw no sign of the scarlet haired wizard or the Dragon slayer as well.
She approached the Board and began searching for the perfect job, for all the team, or just her and Natsu. She scanned over the Board, lips pressed together.
She almost gave up hope, before seeing the perfect one at the bottom left of the Board.
She read the flier.
"What'd ya find there?"
Frightened from hearing a sudden voice near her and feeling lips graze her ear. She twisted around then jumped back a step. She saw pink hair. Of course.
"Mavis, Natsu. You scared me." She huffed. "What did I say about personal space?"
He shrugged and grinned. "You don't gotta bite my head off. I just haven't seen ya in a while."
She sighed. "I know but you don't have to get so close." She paused.
"Where did you even come from? I didn't hear you come in."
Natsu grinned wide. "I was with Mira, in the kitchen."
Lucy cocked her head. Weird, why would Natsu be there? Unless... "Is Mira feeding you scraps again?" She said with a sly look.
Natsu rolled his eyes. "Haha, very funny."
Lucy waved her hand and changed the subject. "Forget all that. Now, I have the perfect job, see." She waved the paper in Natsu's face.
He grabbed it and read it over. "Ah yeah perfect some monster who's plagued some Lords lands. I get to kick some ass and it's a big reward! I'm all fired up!" He glanced at Lucy "Not to mention this will be the first job we've been on together in months." He gave her his signature grin. Natus' expression then changed like he had remembered something. "Oh yeah! Like I said, I was with Mira earlier. Erza and I were helping her make your surprise!"
Lucy gave him a confused look. "My surprise?"
Natsu moved out of the way of her view, and she saw Mira and Ezra holding a giant cake surrounded by the rest of the Guild.
"Congratulations on your nomination Lucy!" Everyone said in unison.
"You got this in the bag!" She heard Wendy say.
"Yeah, you definitely deserve this, Lucy!" Gray then said.
"Yeah, the award is totally yours!" She then heard Levy.
"You're the man!" She heard Elfman.
Lucy could feel tears well up in her eyes "Aw you guys!"
She ran to Erza and Mira and pulled them both in for an embrace. She turned to Levy. "I'm guessing you're the one who spilled the beans to the rest of the Guild?"
Levy shook her head smiling. "No, that was actually Erza and Natsu."
Lucy lifted her head and gave her an 'Ah.'
"Congratulations Lucy." She turned to see Master Makarov. Laxus was behind him wheeling him to her. The Thunder Legion behind Laxus.
"Congratulations on the nomination blondie." The lighting Dragon slayer said.
"Yes. Congratulations. I have to say I really enjoyed your book." Evergreen said with her fan over her mouth.
"Congratulations girlie!" Said Bickslow. Followed by his babies.
"Yes, you've done rather well the book was quite good. Congratulations." Freed said with a bow.
She smiled warmly. "Thank you Master. Everyone" She gestured to all of the guild.
Lucy felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Natus. "Of course, Lucy. You deserve nothing but the best." He gave her his signature grin.
Lucy couldn't hide the blush that graces her cheeks.
There he goes again. Doing what he can to make her feel special.
She wiped a tear that threatened to fall.
"Yeah, now let's party!" She heard Cana say.
"Aye!" The guild said in unison.
She almost began to 'Aye' along with them till she remembered.
"Oh yeah." She blinked. "Erza, Gray, Wendy." They all looked towards Lucy with curious expressions.
"I actually initially came here to see if you guys wanted to go on a job." She waved the job flier. "I've been so anxious with this nomination, and I don't have any readings or promoting to do. I thought maybe going on an adventure was exactly what I needed." She finished smiling brightly.
Natsu watched her closely. His expression, soft.
"Yes. We haven't gone on a job as a complete team in quite some time." Erza said, placing her hands to her armored hips.
"I'd be up for it. I could always use the extra cash." Gray said now down to his boxers.
Juvia motioned to Gray's boxers. "Darling. Your clothes."
"Ah crap!" Gray cursed, Not bothering to put them back on.
"Yeah, going on a job as a whole team would be awesome! It's been too long!" Wendy exclaimed.
"Alright I'm all fired up now!" Natsu pumped a fist into the air. Grinning brightly at Lucy. She looked at him sharing in his joy.
"Alright then it's been decided. We shall go on this job, then once we are home and Lucy has won the award, we will all celebrate!" Ezra said with a look of confidence.
"Well, I haven't won the award yet. Just a nomination." Lucy said shyly while handing Ezra the job flier.
"Nonsense the Award is practically in your hands already." Erza gave her a confident grin then looked at the flier. "Hmm, this job seems rather interesting. Perfect for our team!" She scanned the flier further. "It says the Lord's lands are southwest from here. The train ride will be a lengthy one." Natsu and Wendy both held their stomachs with a sickly expression. "Okay team let's enjoy some cake then we shall gather our belongings. Then, we will meet at the station in an hour!"
"Right!" Team Natus said in unison.
Lucy grinned at her team then looked back to the rest of the guild. "Thank you everyone for your surprise. Let's dig in!" She said beamingly.
After finishing up her cake, Lucy made her way out of the guild and to her Apartment to pack for the new adventure. She walked along the canal. Excited to finally be with her team again, doing what they do best.
Lucy couldn't help but notice the Lord's name on the flier sounding awfully familiar. She knows she had heard it somewhere before. She placed her index finger to her lips. "Hmm I know I've heard it before. But where?" She asked herself.
She shrugged, glancing towards her apartment. "Oh well" she beamed. "Guess I'll figure it out later!" She strolled into her apartment, ready to pack for another adventure.