Hey there! Got a new chapter for you guys, enjoy!
Natsu yawns deeply when he wakes up, reaching over to check his phone for the time, realizing it's a little later than he liked. Though, he does tend to oversleep a little on his days off like this.
He freshens up in the bathroom a bit, then a gray and white tabby greets him with a loud mrowl when he steps into his kitchen to start some coffee.
"Mornin' to you too, Happy," Natsu grins, reaching over to scratch behind his ears when he hops up onto a stool at the small kitchen counter.
His apartment is small in general, but he doesn't need much and it's worked for him the past few years after he moved out from his parent's house.
Natsu sighs, settling on his couch as he sips from the warm mug, smiling to himself as he remembers the night before with Lucy and Kade.
It surprises him a little at how quickly he became so drawn to his new friends. It felt like a different kind of connection that he couldn't quite place yet, but he's grateful for it.
Lucy was so easy to talk to and it felt comfortable and warm when they're together. Kade was such a loveable energetic ball of sunshine that Natsu couldn't help but want to be around more too.
It's been a long time since he's felt that way with people other than his long time friends.
His phone pings beside him, his smile growing when he sees it's from the very girl on his mind.
Morning, Natsu! I talked to Gajeel and he said the car should be ready within the next hour, so whenever you want to head over is fine!
Natsu was looking forward to another day together with them, an excited flutter sparking in his chest as he eagerly sent her a reply.
Hey, Luce! Sounds good, just gonna clean up then head over!
He grins and finishes up his cup, putting out some food for Happy then grabbing some fresh clothes from his room before heading into the shower.
Natsu thinks over the couple of spots he's had in mind on the drive over. He smiles brightly to himself at one part he thinks they'll really like.
He sends Lucy a text when he gets to their house and a shout from Kade greets him as soon as he steps out of his truck.
"Natsu!"
"Hey, bud," Natsu laughs as he kneels and quickly catches Kade in a hug when he runs out to him.
"Kade, at least let Natsu get in the house."
Natsu looks up and his chest swells with that familiar warmth when he sees Lucy smiling at him brightly. He'd just seen her yesterday, but he missed that smile already.
"But I missed him."
Natsu chuckles at the pout he could hear in Kade's voice, seeing that it was a true sight when he pulls back.
"I just saw you yesterday," he grins, pushing back Kade's fluffy hair from his face.
"But that's too long," Kade whines.
Lucy shares a laugh with Natsu this time and the sound makes Natsu's smile grow.
Natsu stands, lifting Kade up in his arms. "Don't worry, we get to hang out all day today too."
Kade cheers happily, wrapping his arms around Natsu's neck as they make their way back inside for now.
He sets Kade back down and the boy bounds into the living room.
"He woke up with some energy today, huh?"
Lucy chuckles and shakes her head fondly. "As he always does."
"Sounds about right," Natsu laughs, leaning against the back of the couch before his expression softens. "How are you today?" he asks.
"I'm good. Better."
Lucy does seem a little better than she did last night. Like some of the tension on her shoulders was lighter.
"I'm glad," Natsu grins softly.
He still carries a bit of an ache in his chest at the thought of him possibly hurting her feelings with the whole money issue last night, but it's soothed by the bright kindness in her bright honey brown eyes now.
"Natsu! Wanna come see my room now?" Kade asks eagerly, hopping back over to Natsu's side.
"Of course, bud," Natsu says, looking over at Lucy to make sure.
She smiles warmly and nods.
Natsu chuckles as Kade takes his hand and pulls Natsu down the short hallway to his room.
"Woah! Such a cool, big boy room," Natsu grins, walking over to sit on the soft bed. "Can I have your bed?" He dramatically falls back against the pillows with a sigh.
"No!" Kade giggles, running over to pat Natsu's head.
"No? But it's sooo comfy I could take a nap!" Natsu pouts, shutting his eyes and pretending to sleep.
Kade giggles brighter, squishing Natsu's face with his small hands.
"No time for sleeps!"
Natsu opens one eye. "Ok, ok. Sleeps later," Natsu grins, sitting back up and catching Lucy's affectionate smile as she leaned against the door frame watching them.
"Sorry the room is a mess, you know how boys are," Lucy sighs with a fond shake of her head.
He smiles back brighter with a chuckle. "I definitely know, don't worry," he waves off before taking another look around.
Kade's new baseball things were on top of his dresser in the corner, his new glove closer by the bed. Also a lot of different types of dinosaur and dragon toys were scattered around the room, making Natsu smile.
"So, you like dragons huh, Kade?"
Yeah! They're the bestest," the boy grins wide.
"They are! I even got one for myself, look."
Natsu pulls up his right shirt sleeve, showing the colorful artwork of a dragon among a swirling background on his outer bicep and up his shoulder.
"Woah!" Kade shouts as he runs back over to get a closer look. "Look, look, Mom! Natsu's got an awesome dragon!"
Natsu looks over to see Lucy also glancing at his arm with a… blush? Maybe he was seeing things.
"Y-Yeah, it's pretty nice," she manages to say.
"Can I get one too?!"
Natsu joins Lucy's laughter again.
"Maybe in a few years, bud," Natsu grins.
"Lots of years," Lucy adds.
Natsu ruffles Kade's hair at another one of his pouts. "C'mon, lets go get your mom's car first then we can go get some late breakfast?"
Kade cheers in agreement and bounds past Lucy back towards the living room.
"Guess that's a yes," Lucy laughs and Natsu follows her back out to the living room too with a wide smile.
Lucy gathers up their stuff and they all load up into Natsu's truck and he heads off for the shop.
Natsu holds Kade's hand steady as Gajeel reviews the repairs for Lucy's car at the front desk and he catches her worried expression when Gajeel gives her the 'friends and family' discount.
"Just accept it, Luce. You guys are one of us now after all," Natsu grins.
Her expression shifts to warm relief over her shoulder at him.
"Levy wouldn't hear otherwise either," Gajeel smirks.
"Alright. Thank you," Lucy chuckles.
They finish up the paperwork and Gajeel takes them over to her car.
"Got her running smooth now. Had the guys clean it up for you too," Gajeel adds, crossing his arms over his chest with a satisfied look in his eyes.
Natsu had to admit, he always did good work anytime he brought in his truck and any other car than came through the shop.
Lucy steps into her car and starts it up. "Wow, looks and feels just like new again! Thanks so much for all your help."
"Don't mention it," Gajeel murmurs with a twitch of a smile on his lips. "Come back anytime," he says, waving behind him as he heads back inside.
"Alright! So, meet you back at the house?" Natsu says, admiring the bright smile that lit up Lucy's face as she took in her fixed up car, almost as if it was brand new.
"Yeah, that sounds good. You're okay riding with Kade? Or I can put the seat back in the car?"
"Of course we'll be okay," Natsu reassures. "We always have fun. Right, bud?" he says with a squeeze to Kade's hand.
"Yeah! Love going in Natsu's firetruck!" Kade agrees happily with a couple hops beside him.
"See you over there then," Lucy chuckles, shutting her door and starting off on the route back.
"Alright, let's get you buckled in, kiddo."
Kade happily keeps Natsu company on the way back and by the time Lucy's car is safely parked back in her driveway and she settles back in the truck, Natsu knows all about Kade's friends at the daycare, his favorite games to play there, and everything in between and Natsu smiles contently the whole time and added in sometimes.
Natsu parks at their next stop. A small, cozy cafe he likes to go to sometimes that he figured would be a good place to start. Get some good food and enjoy each other's company.
"Have you eaten here yet? They got all kinds of good breakfast food and they serve 'em all day!"
Lucy smiles. "I haven't yet, but it does seem good. Wanna try it, Kade?"
Kade agrees with a happy cheer and they start making their way up to the door.
"Now, be good and we use our indoor voices, ok, Kade?" Lucy says, keeping the boy by her side.
Natsu chuckles at Kade's eager nodding and leads the way inside. They end up in a cozy booth in the corner and he's glad it's not too busy today.
Natsu eagerly looks over the menu and tells them what's good, what he's tried, what they should try and Kade's eyes sparkle at each thing.
He ends up getting a couple of different things for them to try and happily digs in once the waiter brings their food.
"You boys and your food," Lucy laughs at Kade's big bites of his waffles, taking her time to enjoy her own pancakes.
"Hm?" Natsu says around a mouthful of his own french toast before he swallows. "Y'know you can never beat good food, Luce," he grins. "And Kade here is a growing boy and needs some good nutrition." He pats Kade's back beside him.
"Yes, sugar is such good nutrition," Lucy teases with a smile.
Kade eagerly nods with wide eyes and another forkful of fluffy waffle that makes them laugh.
They soon finish up and Lucy insists to pay for breakfast and Natsu easily relents as long as she keeps that warm, content smile.
"I really liked that place, but now I'm really full," Lucy sighs contently once they get back outside.
"Me too actually," Natsu chuckles, patting his belly. "The main part of town is just around the corner. Got some cool shops and stuff, we can take a walk, see what other food we come across?"
"You literally just said you were full too," Lucy laughs, "but that sounds good. We can burn it off a little."
"Like I said, can't beat good food," Natsu grins.
"Yeah! Like dessert!"
"Got that right, bud," Natsu laughs, pulling Kade to his side as they start to make their way down the street.
There was a slight chill in the air, but the sun above kept them warm. Or maybe it was more the company by Natsu's side.
Kade eagerly wants to go into all the toy and candy shops once they get to the shopping area and Natsu helps Lucy reign him in with a chuckle. Though, they do settle on getting Kade a couple things from one of the toy stores that puts a big smile on the boy's face that Natsu likes seeing and makes his chest warm.
Though, he especially likes when Lucy's face lights up when they pass by a small local bookshop. She says she doesn't need anything at first, but Natsu insists and pulls her in anyway and he lets a wide smile curl his lips when he sees the glimmers of happiness in her eyes.
Lucy does end up getting a few books and stationary things after all and Natsu takes a mental note of a few of the things she likes for another day.
Natsu stops to pick up some more candles from another local shop. Lucy gives him a surprised, playful smile.
"What? I like my apartment to smell good, ok?"
"I didn't say anything!" she giggles. "It's pretty cute actually."
Natsu hums and narrows his eyes at her playfully in return. "Mountain Pine isn't a cute scent, it's tough." He grips the glass and holds it in front of her to see for herself.
"Whatever you say," she smirks, looking over at another shelf and gets a few other scents for herself too.
Natsu laughs brightly.
Natsu's stomach wins after all and he takes them for a snack at the bakery before walking back to the truck to put their bags away.
A smile quirks Natsu's lips when he thinks of the next place he wants to take them.
"Oh, since we're in the area, there's another place I wanna show you guys. We gotta drive there, but it's not too far," Natsu grins.
"Sure. It's your famous tour after all," Lucy says, giving him an easy smile.
"I wanna go too!" Kade grins.
Natsu laughs happily. "Alright, let's hop in."
They talk easily while Natsu takes a couple familiar roads before turning into the small parking lot beside a large building that's practically become like a second home to him.
"A firehouse? Is there an open house today?"
"Not so much," Natsu grins, shutting off the truck. "I work here."
He can't help but chuckle at the surprise in Lucy's wide, honeyed brown eyes when it clicks for her after a long moment.
"You work… here ? You're a firefighter?"
"Woah, Natsu's a firefighter! Awesome!"
"Yup. Totally awesome." Natsu sends a brighter smile over his shoulder at Kade, who has a matching one on his own face.
"All this time and you never even said anything! Every time you said you were working at your other job, I never even thought it'd be this," Lucy chuckles with a fond shake of her head.
"Well, to be fair, I did try to tell you, but something would come up every time so I thought it'd be better to just show you guys," Natsu smirks, opening his door and helping Lucy get Kade after she followed.
Natsu walks them through the large bay opening and Kade gives an excited shout before he could say anything.
"Woah! A real firetruck! It's huge!"
Natsu laughs at the way the boy's voice echoes but his chest warms at the bright happiness in his eyes as he looks up at the large truck.
"My truck may look like one 'cause it's cool and red, but I get to ride in this one all the time," Natsu says proudly, patting the side of one of the doors.
Kade's eyes sparkle brighter up at him and Natsu shares a smile with Lucy.
"Well, who do we got here? Even have to see you on your days off?"
Natsu looks over to see Gray walking over. He rolls his eyes at his friend's teasing smile, but Natsu let's one of his own grow anyway.
"Yeah, yeah. Just giving these guys a tour of the firehouse," Natsu waves off.
"Hey, good to see you again, Lucy."
"You too, Gray," Lucy grins. "Oh, this is my son, Kade," she says fondly, running a hand through his hair beside her.
"Hi, Kade. Good to meet you," Gray waves with a smile.
"Hi," Kade greets a little shyly. "Are you a firefighter too like Natsu?"
"Sure am," Gray grins wider, patting the firehouse symbol on his chest of his shirt. "Taught Natsu everything he knows."
Natsu snorts, pushing Gray's shoulder lightly. "Yeah right. Wanna come up and see the truck, bud?"
"Really?" Kade's hazel eyes grow wide and bright again up at Natsu and turns to Lucy.
"Of course, bug," Lucy laughs.
"Alright, ready?" Natsu opens one of the large side doors and Kade giggles when he picks him up and sits him on the seat. Then Natsu turns to offer Lucy a hand up. "Ma'am."
Lucy rolls her eyes with a growing smile. "Stop." She takes his hand and steps up into the cabin too.
Natsu laughs brightly. She was just too fun to tease sometimes.
Gray steps up into the driver's side and starts showing some things to Kade, Natsu eagerly jumping in too.
Kade is all bright eyes and excited, happy smiles and every time Natsu looks over and catches the fond smile on Lucy's face while she's watching Kade, his heart swells.
After Kade had had his fill of the truck, Lucy thanks Gray before he goes off to finish something and Natsu shows them around the rest of the firehouse, introducing them to their captain and some other members of their crew.
They pass by the sleeping quarters and of course Natsu shows them the large kitchen space they use, where they grab a snack when Kade says he's hungry and use the chance to freshen up a bit. They take a seat at the large dining table while Kade enjoys his snack and plays with one of the toy trucks the captain had given him.
"What do ya think so far?" Natsu smiles, taking a long drink of water.
"I never realized just how big these fire stations could be," she chuckles, "but I can see how much you and your team care about your work and each other. Clearly a good fit for you with how at home you seem here too," Lucy says, a fond look in her eyes.
Natsu's chest warms again. "Thank you. That's high praise to live up to," he grins sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Did you always want to be a firefighter?"
It's an innocent question, but Natsu wasn't quite ready for it. Being a firefighter and helping people has been all he's worked towards for the past few years and he hasn't really thought about his past in a long time and the main reason that pushed him towards the path he was on now. A mess of emotions swirl in his chest, making it tighten sharply. Flashes of flames, burning, people rushing everywhere, the shouts-
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pressure you to talk about it or anything," Lucy starts, snapping Natsu from his thoughts.
His vision clears and Natsu realizes he must've zoned out for longer than he thought and probably made her worry she said the wrong thing. Natsu sees the guilt in Lucy's expression and it makes his chest ache, not wanting to be the reason for it.
"N-No, um, it's ok," Natsu reassures, feeling a little breathless. "It's just... a whole long story I don't want to bore you with right now," he breathes an empty chuckle, running and runs a hand through his hair to try and compose himself.
He tries to give her a reassuring smile, hoping she can understand and be patient with him. He just wasn't ready to unpack all that right now.
"It wouldn't be boring, I promise," Lucy says warmly. "But there's no rush. How about your favorite rescue stories?"
She smiles at him with endless kindness and understanding in those pretty eyes and he has to swallow past the thick emotion in his throat.
Natsu breathes an easier, warm laugh, his chest feeling lighter as he gives her a grateful look and happily shares a few memorable stories with them.
"Man, this kid's got some never ending energy," Natsu huffs with a smile as he slumps down on the bench beside Lucy as they watch Kade run around more with some kids who asked him to play after Natsu had enough running around after him.
"I don't know, it could be just your old age."
Natsu glances over to see the teasing glint in Lucy's eyes and smile.
He gasps dramatically with a hand to his chest. "Always choose to hurt me, Lucy."
The sound of her bright laugh makes Natsu's heart swell and he smiles wide.
They're at a spacious park now, having finished up his "famous" tour at the station and were simply enjoying the rest of the day.
The tightness in his chest from earlier had melted thanks to Lucy and Kade's comforting company.
"But really, you're so good with Kade. I'm glad he has someone like you," Lucy adds softly, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "His... his 'father' has never really been in the picture and sometimes I worry that he craves more of a male figure in his life and not just me? Kade's been so much happier since we've become friends and he lights up so much when you're around... What if I'm not doing enough on my own?"
Natsu's chest aches softly at the bit of vulnerable insecurity in those honey brown eyes when she looks back over at him.
"Hey," Natsu starts quietly, reaching over to grasp over her hand. "I'm sure it's been so hard on your own all these years, but you do the best you can and give Kade so much love. Look at everything you've been able to provide for the both of you to get where you are now," he smiles softly. "You're way more than enough to cover for that lame guy, who's an idiot for not realizing just how amazing the people he left behind are by the way. I'm so proud of both of you for everything you've been through and I'm so happy to have even a small part in both of your lives." He gives her hand a warm reassuring squeeze.
Lucy breathes through a wet laugh. "Thank you. You always know just what to say."
"Nah, I dunno about always," Natsu chuckles, scratching the back of his neck. "I just like to see you both happy."
Lucy smiles softly. "Thank you, and you have more than just a small part... in both of our lives."
Natsu meets her eyes again, sharing a meaningful look that makes that fluttering warmth swell in his chest again.
He gives into the instinct to reach up and brush away a lone tear that escaped on her cheek, leaning in a bit closer as he curls a soft lock of hair behind her ear.
"Then that makes me happy too," he whispers between them.
Natsu feels Lucy lean in closer, enough to admire the flecks of gold in her eyes that he could get lost in, the flush on her cheeks, the pink in her soft, full lips...
"Natsu!"
They flinch apart at Kade's shout of his name across from them.
"Look how far I can jump down!"
Natsu looks over and chuckles as Kade takes a big leap down from a couple steps on the play gym.
"Awesome, bud!"
Lucy shakes her head fondly. "Kade, be careful," she calls back. "Let's get ready to go." They laugh at Kade's dramatic groan. "Otherwise he'd stay here all night."
"You're probably right," Natsu laughs softly, looking back over to see the setting sun making Lucy's hair glow behind her.
The strong fluttering from before had settled into a warm, content warmth... both occurring way more often around her lately, he realizes.
They pack up into the truck and the moment between them pops back into Natsu's mind on the drive back to Lucy's house.
What was happening earlier? Was he almost about to... kiss her?
The thought quickly makes his neck flush, gripping the steering wheel tighter. He'd never felt the urge to do that with anyone else before? Why now?
Then again, he'd never really given much thought to anything past friendship with others before.
Maybe... maybe Gray and the others were right and there was something more between him and Lucy? He'd thought his friends were all teasing like they usually do when they would say stuff about them being close, so he didn't put much thought into it.
But with this deeper connection he felt with her, more so than with any of his other friends, and all the ways he was drawn to her, her beauty, her heart, maybe it really was... more than friendship.
The thought was a little overwhelming. Was that something she would want too? Was he even ready for something like that? What if it was all in his head and she just saw him as a friend? What if-
"Natsu?"
He blinks out of his swirling thoughts at the sound of Lucy's voice and tap to his arm.
"We're here. Are you ok?"
Natsu sees that they're indeed in her driveway already. He clears his throat, smiling to ease the worried look in her eyes. "Y-Yeah, just zoned out a little I guess. Let's head in," he chuckles, shutting off the truck and stepping out to help bring in all their stuff.
"You can put your things away, Kade. We'll clean up for bed soon."
"Ok!" Kade echoes, already bounding over to his room.
"Well, he really had fun today," Lucy grins, leaning against the counter by the kitchen.
Setting Kade's car seat down in the corner, Natsu makes his way over to her. "It was pretty fun. Especially seeing your face at the station."
Natsu cackles at the roll of Lucy's pretty eyes and playful smile.
"Yeah, yeah. Glad I could be part of your entertainment."
"What fun would it be if you weren't," Natsu smirks before his expression softens. "But really, I had a good time too. Always love spending time with you guys."
"I always do too," Lucy says softly before her expression shifts. "And... you know I'm always here for you too when or if you ever want to talk right?"
Natsu got the feeling she was talking about earlier today, and he smiles warmly. "I do. Thanks, Luce. Really."
There's a quiet, content moment before he hears Kade running back over.
"Natsu! I have something for you!"
"What's that, bud?"
"This! Ryu, my favoritest and best dragon." The boy holds up a large, faded dragon plushie with a wide smile.
Natsu looks over and Lucy looks just as surprised as he feels. He turns back and kneels to Kade's level as he sets the toy in Natsu's hands.
"Are you sure?" he asks softly, thumbs brushing over the soft material of the dragon. "You can keep it since I know he's special to you?"
"You're special to me too. Just like Mommy," Kade grins brightly, "and you like dragons too. I want you to have him."
Natsu's heart swells with such strong warm affection, he swallows thickly past another ball of emotion in his throat and pulls Kade into a tight hug.
"Thank you, Kade," he whispers into his hair before pulling back a little. "You're more special to me and I promise to keep him safe." The conviction settles in his heart.
Kade's smile brightens with a giggle as Natsu ruffles a hand through his hair.
"That's very sweet of you, bug," Lucy says warmly.
"Good to share, right, Mom?" He looks up with bright eyes.
Lucy chuckles, hugging Kade to her side with a proud look. "Exactly right. Now, say goodnight to Natsu before we go clean you up."
"C'mere, you." Natsu wraps up Kade in another hug as he stands. Kade giggles brightly again when Natsu spins him around before setting him down. "Night, kiddo. Make sure you be good and get good sleeps this week for our first baseball game next weekend, ok?" He ruffles a hand through the boy's hair one more time for good measure.
"Yay! I will!" Kade cheers before running back over to his room.
"Well, I definitely wasn't expecting that," Natsu chuckles, admiring the dragon in his hands fondly. "See, you're raising a great kid, Luce," Natsu grins over at Lucy.
"He really can be so sweet," Lucy laughs softly, curling some of her hair behind her ear. Natsu's fingers tingle at the memory of doing that himself. "And thank you... for everything today, Natsu."
Natsu could feel the deeper meaning behind her words and his chest swells. "Of course. Anytime," he says warmly, stepping closer to pull her in for a hug too. "I'm always here for you too. Have a good night, Luce."
He feels Lucy hug him back tightly and he breathes in her comforting scent of warm stardust and something sweeter.
"The same goes for you," Lucy whispers. "Have a safe drive back."
He pulls back with a bright smile. "I will, thanks."
Natsu gathers the rest of his things and gets settled back in his truck. "See you next week for another day of fun!" he calls out from the driveway with a wave.
He takes the sight of Lucy smiling back brightly at him as she waved in the doorway all the way back to his apartment. He smiles to himself as the day sticks in his mind for the rest of the night as he rests in his bed with his heart feeling warm and light until sleep pulls him.
Thanks for reading! Got some of Natsu's pov, and a little hint of his past and *feelings*?! ;) Till next time!