Hi! Hope the start of summer is going well and that you all enjoy this one!
It's a little special ;)
Natsu's woken up by incessant mewing and a soft weight on his chest again this morning.
He ended up taking home the kitten they'd saved last week and was basically fostering.
A few hours with the cutie back at the station while his shift ended, with those big eyes and the way it stayed curled up in his shirt pocket purring away, he didn't have the heart to take it to a shelter right away.
At the vet the next morning, they found she was a girl and she was a little weak and malnourished since she was so small, which Natsu expected, only being a few weeks old, but otherwise healthy.
Happy wasn't too pleased with their company at first when Natsu brought her home, keeping to himself in his corner away from the newcomer after hissing at her a little, but the older cat was warming up a little bit more.
The vet had given Natsu a nutrient and feeding program and after a few days, the kitten had perked up a lot. Which made Natsu happy since he wanted her in good health if she was going to find another a possible home.
He had found and saved Happy in a similar way a few years ago and ended up keeping him, so he couldn't help having a bit of a soft spot. Maybe more than a bit since he'd already went out to buy more toys, beds, and treats.
Natsu called her Ollie for now, and after giving her another cleaning bath last night, her calico mix of orange, black, and white colored fur was nice and soft now as Natsu ran a gentle palm over her back.
She arched her back into his palm with another meow.
"Alright, you. I'm up, I'm up," Natsu says through a large yawn and a long stretch.
He manages to get small claws off his shirt, carrying her to the bathroom with him since she'd just follow anyway as he freshens up and makes his way to the kitchen.
Natsu sets her on the short counter as he starts his coffee and gets both cat's things prepared.
"You stay there," Natsu says. Ollie only meows in reply, eagerly nosing into the small bowls Natsu was putting some soft food in. "Ok, ok, it's ready. C'mere," Natsu chuckles fondly, spooning up some for her since she still struggled a little.
The kitten makes content sounds and is quick to start eating her fill. She'd already started to get bigger and fill out her round, full little belly.
Happy trots into the kitchen with a slightly more annoyed mrowl.
Natsu grins. "Don't worry, I didn't forget you. I got your stuff ready too."
He sets down Happy's bowl in his corner and settles on the couch with some fresh coffee after they're fed. Ollie mews and claws up the couch towards Natsu as Happy goes to lay up in his tower in the corner of the living room.
"Hey, sorry, bud. Can't have this stuff. I just fed you," Natsu reprimands lightly with a smile, scratching behind her ears.
Ollie just purrs in reply, clawing up Natsu's shirt ru rub her head against his chin.
Natsu laughs. "I know, I know. We'll have lunch soon." He picks her up, unhooks claws from his shirt again and sets her on his lap and turns on the tv.
He takes a picture of Ollie purring away and sends it to Lucy. His smile widens when she replies excitedly soon after.
He'd been keeping her updated since he sent her that first picture the other week and his phone was already full of photos.
Natsu sighs with a long sip of his drink, thoughts drifting towards Lucy.
She's been on his mind a lot these days and every time they talked lately, that warm fluttering returned in his chest, bringing up a whole storm of emotions in his chest that he wasn't sure if he was ready to sort through.
Because he realized… recently he…
He really likes her.
A lot.
A big crush.
It all came to a point when Natsu was resting in the sleeping quarters at the station between a long back to back shift at the station last week, exhausted but couldn't sleep, and scrolling aimlessly through his phone before he got a text from Lucy.
It was a short video she took of her and Kade practicing some catch in their small backyard. He insisted he wanted to practice for practice tomorrow , she'd said in the clip. That warm, infectious smile is across her face and Kade's is even brighter when Lucy tells the boy to say hi. Hi, Natsu! Can't wait to hang out at practice tomorrow! Kade had said happily, giggling as Lucy threw him the ball again and ran over to catch it when he missed it. The picture went back to Lucy for a moment before it ended.
Natsu had smiled so wide it made his cheeks sore. Can't wait to see you guys too! He replied.
He thought about all the ways his life had already changed for the better since they became friends, how much he was just drawn to her, all the ways he just felt… happier when he was around her and Kade.
Something so seemingly simple, but something Natsu realized he hadn't really put first for himself in a long time.
He admired the happy curve of Lucy's smile in the still the video ended on, the way she captivated him, the warmth in those honeyed brown eyes...
Then every feeling that had built up for her since they met rushed back to him, all the warm flutterings he's felt, all the lingering looks and deeper moments of something between them, all the ones he'd brushed aside and wouldn't let his heart open up to…
Oh .
He really does like her.
Like, really like her.
More than just a friend.
For all the strength and determination she had, her dedication to Kade and starting their new life here, for her amazingly kind heart and radiant beauty.
A whole encompassing warmth swelled through him as Natsu sat up in the bed with a shuddering breath and a hand through his hair.
It was all a little overwhelming.
He'd never felt like this about anyone before, or even considered or felt anything past friendship with others before. But, looking back, he'd always felt a special connection with Lucy since the beginning, and over the past few months it just grew deeper into what he felt now, wanting to just spend more time together and learn more about her, be close to her, hold her hand even, or… kiss her…
Like he realized he'd wanted to at the park that day. He'd thought about it a little at the time, but then pushed the feelings aside. Though, his heart had already been ten steps ahead of him this whole time.
He hardly slept after that next shift too, and his focus was a mess at the team's practice the next day. His head heavy and full of messy thoughts.
His struggle now was himself. There was so much of himself he needed to work on, so much of his past that he still carried.
Was he even worthy of having something more with Lucy?
He didn't feel like he was, like he deserved her. Was he even ready for something like that? Was that something she would want too? He doubted she even saw him like that, anything other than a friend. Their friendship was so important to him. What if he told her how he felt and ruined everything they've built?
He didn't want to lose that. Couldn't lose that, or her.
His frayed focus must've been obvious, so much so that even Igneel asked him if he was ok after practice was over. Natsu told him he was just tired with the new kitten, but Lucy gave him a concerned look too.
Natsu's chest ached. He shouldn't worry them like that.
Kade had helped clear his thoughts when he ran over and knocked into him with a tight hug.
He laughed and hugged the boy back, feeling more grounded, and Lucy's warm smile she gave him was worth it too.
The swirling emotions still lingered over the next few days after that and he decided he didn't want to risk what they had and would just rather keep his feelings to himself.
Leading Natsu to now, heart still swelling and feeling all fuzzy whenever he and Lucy talked but he was content to just be there for her as her friend.
He sends her a few more pictures of the cats before Gray's name pops up calling on his phone, so he slides a thumb along his phone to answer.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Hey, I'm in the area and was gonna stop by to drop off the extra cat food we had at the house before heading to the station later."
"Yeah, that's cool. We'll be here," Natsu grins.
He relaxes into the couch, catching up on a bit of a random show he was watching before there's a knock at the door after a while. Holding Ollie to his chest, he makes his way to the front.
"Hey, glad I caught you actually awake today," Gray smirks in greeting, patting Natsu's shoulder on his way inside once he opens the door.
"Yeah, yeah," Natsu shakes his head. "As if you don't spend most of the day sleeping when you're off too."
"Can't say you're wrong." Gray sets the bags on the dining table and follows Natsu over back to the couch, handing him something wrapped. "Here, figured your own food was running low."
Natsu sets Ollie between them, unwrapping the paper to find a stuffed breakfast sandwich, his stomach already growling. "Thanks, I really was almost running on empty in the kitchen thanks to this one taking all my time lately," Natsu chuckles, taking a large bite and scratching the back of the kitten's fur. Ollie pads over to Gray, mewing and clawing up his shirt. "Hey, she missed you," Natsu grins.
"No, I told you last time. I can't take you. We have enough cats at the house already," Gray reprimands Ollie playfully, fingers brushing over the fur on the top of her head.
Their schedules had been opposite lately so Gray would stop by to check on the cats while Natsu was at the station. Which he was grateful for, though, Gray had an even softer spot for cats with about four cats between him and his parents at their house, so of course he quickly agreed to help.
"Thanks for all the help with Ollie by the way," Natsu says, cleaning off his hands after his breakfast.
"Sure thing. She's looking a lot better now, but you named her already? Might as well just keep her at this point. You're both obviously attached," Gray chuckles.
Natsu hums, palm smoothing over Ollie's back where she was already curled up back on his lap, smiling fondly. "My landlord was cool with Happy, so maybe they'll be ok with her too. It's already hard thinking about giving her to the shelter, so maybe I should keep her," he sighs. "Sorry, Happy."
The other cat pays him no mind, still sleeping away on his tower in the middle of a sunbeam.
He and Gray laugh, catching up a bit more before he hears his phone ping on the coffee table. Natsu leans over to check and smiles at something new Lucy sent him.
"Could only be Lucy that makes you smile like that. Someone's really crushin' hard," Gray smirks playfully.
"Mm, maybe yeah," Natsu admits with a sigh.
"Wait- really? Did you finally realize your feelings all on your own? Wow, I'm impressed."
Natsu scoffs, smiling. "Shut up. I just kinda… it all kinda hit me last week," he sighs, expression shifting as he runs a hand through his hair. "I-I really do like her, but I… I don't think I'm gonna say anything."
"What? Why?"
"Why? What if I fuck everything up?" Natsu says, chest feeling tight with uncertainty as the words spill out. "What if Lucy wouldn't want something more anyway? She has a lot going on and she deserves better than me anyway. Better than all my messy past and baggage. The mess I am now." He sighs again and runs a nervous hand through his hair.
"Natsu… don't put yourself down like that. You deserve to be happy," Gray says after a quiet moment.
"I'm- our friendship means so much. With her, with Kade. I don't want to mess that up or lose that if I say something and make things awkward if she doesn't feel the same. I'm already happier just being able to be friends," Natsu sighs, chest heavy.
"Look, I get it. But, over these past couple months, I can tell it's not just you, with the way you both act around each other. You're both happier," Gray says with a small smile. "I know it can be a nerve wracking thing thinking about all the what-ifs that can happen, but some things are worth the risk. You'll never know unless you try. How often do you feel this way about someone? It's worth finding out I think."
The conviction in Gray's voice and his grip on Natsu's shoulder was grounding.
He leans back against the couch with a deep sigh. "I dunno. Feelings are just so…"
"I know."
They're quiet for a few long moments, other than the cat's purrs and tv in the background.
"Thanks though," Natsu says, tapping a fist against Gray's shoulder.
"Anytime. Someone's gotta knock some sense into you."
Natsu chuckles at Gray's smirk. "You're probably right."
"Aren't I always?"
Soon enough, it's another baseball Saturday afternoon at the complex and Natsu finishes up another fun game with Kade and the kids.
There were so many moments he looked over in the stands and lost his focus when he caught Lucy's eye and that bright smile. Reminding his heart to be calm and not get ahead of itself.
He'd driven down to the lake after Gray had left the other day, trying to sort through his feelings and everything Gray had told him with the help of the quiet rippling sounds of the water and chill in the air.
He took Gray's words to heart, and while his doubts and insecurities about telling Lucy how he felt were hard to shake... there was a bright warmth in his heart when he thought about the slight chance of her sharing his feelings.
He should tell her.
Though, if he was going go through with it, he wanted it to be special. Dinner or something nice, he decided.
After catching up in the parking lot by their cars for a while after the game, Natsu gathers up some courage to ask, "So, um, I think I got another good restaurant that I think you'll like if you feel like hanging out soon? Just us?"
"Yeah, that sounds good. I don't have much planned tomorrow since it's Sunday, if that works?" Lucy agreed easily with that radiant smile.
"C-Cool, yeah that totally works!" Natsu can't help the wide smile he wore too. "I'll be there to pick you up around six?"
"Alright, looking forward to it," she says, still wearing that bright smile and making that familiar warmth swell in his chest.
"Me too," he grins.
"Natsu! Are you coming over today?" Kade asks, hopping over in front of him, hazel eyes eager.
"I gotta go check on the kitties at home and finish up some stuff today, but I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"
"Aw, I wanna see the kitties too!"
Natsu shares a look with Lucy and laughs at Kade's pout. "I'll bring them over soon, but good job today! Go get some good sleeps." He ruffles the boy's hair, making him giggle.
Natsu helps Lucy get him settled in her car and holds her door open for her. "Have a good night too, Luce."
"Thank you, you too. Drive safe. See you tomorrow." She leans in to give him a quick hug and sends him a smile over her shoulder before getting in the car.
Natsu waves them off and turns to open his own door.
Ok, step one done , he thinks with a steadying breath, smiling to himself the whole ride home.
Natsu wakes up the next day with excited flutters in his stomach at the thought of spending time with Lucy today.
"Mornin' guys. Gonna be a good day today."
Both the cats were curled up with him on the bed this morning and he gives them some scratches. Ollie was laying above his head actually, and she gave disgruntled meow when Natsu moved to get up.
He goes through the motions of his morning routine and gets the cats settled before heading out to get some things done before heading for Lucy's later.
When he gets back, he takes his time showering, but then worries about what he should wear. The restaurant he had in mind wasn't fancy or anything but maybe he should dress nicer for her? Maybe just casual? Was he thinking about things too much again? They're just clothes. Should he have just asked her out on a real date first?
One step at a time, it'll all work out , he thinks to himself.
He settles on some dark jeans, some of his nicer boots, and a black soft cotton button down. He sees he's running out of time by the time he's done and checks his watch, so it'll have to do.
Natsu huffs and runs a hand through his hair again, looking over himself one more time in the mirror in his room, putting on some cologne for good measure and heads out after making sure the cats are settled.
He pulls up to the familiar house and that warm fluttering returns in his chest as he walks up to knock on her door.
Just a regular dinner, Natsu. C'mon, he reminds himself, a palm smoothing over his chest to calm his heart.
His thoughts leave him when the door opens. Lucy is a vision before him, in her own light jeans, and flowing navy colored blouse that brings out the color in her eyes, golden hair cascading over her shoulder.
For a second, he doesn't remember why he knocked, but Lucy's warm voice brings him back.
"Hi, Natsu!"
That radiant smile makes his heart feel fuzzy, more so when she leans in for a hug. Natsu breathes in as he holds her close, lingering by her comforting warmth a little more than he probably should've.
"H-Hey, Luce," he says when he finds his voice again, managing a genuine smile. "Ready to head out?"
"Yeah, let me just grab my things." She turns back towards the dining table for her sweater and purse. "Claire and Noah just left with Kade, and let me tell you, he was sure way more excited to hang out with them than me today," Lucy chuckles. "So, I only felt a little guilty about taking some time for myself this time."
"I'm glad," Natsu laughs warmly. "You always deserve that."
"Thanks for asking. This week was so busy, I hardly had time to eat," Lucy huffs, securing the strap of her purse.
"Of course! You know how I feel about good food, so I can happily help with that," Natsu grins toothily, liking the way her expression brightens.
"Yes, I do know. So, lead the way."
Natsu laughs brighter, holding out his arm for her to go through the door before him.
They get buckled up in the truck and Natsu heads off on some familiar roads.
"This place is a little further out than the main places in town, but I promise it's worth it," Natsu turns to send her a wide smile. "Really good Japanese food with sushi, ramen, and a bunch of other food stuff."
"Mm, I've never had sushi actually, but that all sounds really good."
"I think you'll really like it!"
"Gonna hold you to that since I trust your judgment when it comes to all things food related," Lucy chuckles.
It was comfortably quite for a long moment before Natsu turns to admire the way the sun through the windows highlights all her beauty and makes his heart swell.
"You look really beautiful today by the way, Luce."
Lucy looks over with a soft smile, curling some of her hair behind her ear. "Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself when you clean up."
Natsu grins wide. "Think so? Had to dust off this shirt."
He enjoys Lucy's laugh and their drive continues, filled with more bright smiles and lame jokes on Natsu's part, mostly just to hear Lucy's laugh, and besides his slight nerves about possibly telling her his feelings, it reminds him just how easy and comfortable things always feel between them and it eases his heart.
Natsu eventually pulls into the lot for the restaurant and notices it looks a little empty.
"Huh, maybe they're not too busy today," Natsu murmurs, parking along the front. "Guess we just gotta check it out and see."
They step out of the truck, making their way to the door and seeing a sign that said it was closed for renovations.
Of course.
"Well, so much for sushi," Natsu groans, leaning against the wall by the door. "No wonder it looked so dead here. I'm sorry, Luce. Know you were looking forward to this." He runs a hand through his hair with a frustrated sigh.
"Hey, it's ok. You couldn't have known," Lucy says with a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, but I could'a called or checked or somethin'," he huffs. "Ugh, this sucks, but oh well, I think there's a good sandwhich place around here, could try that at least?" Natsu offers.
"That still sounds good. C'mon, we can still make something work, don't lose hope."
Natsu huffs a laugh when she pulls his arm and leads him back towards the truck.
They drive on with more light laughs, and Natsu's feeling a little better by the time he finds building he's looking for... only to find that it's not even the same restaurant anymore. It's some kind of new fancy looking smoothie place.
Of course. Again.
"It's not even here anymore? Wow," Natsu sighs deeply, leaning his head back against the headrest.
"Are you sure you don't want..." Lucy squints ahead to see the pictures in the window. "A really green, grassy looking smoothie?"
Natsu scrunches his nose. "Not quite what I was craving today," he chuckles, turning his head to see her giving him an amused smile, happy she didn't seem as disappointed as his heart felt.
"We can head back towards town and try that cafe in that cute bookstore? At least have some coffee or something?" Lucy offers. "Maybe third time is the charm," she smiles warm and reassuring.
"I hope so. I'm starving," he huffs with a pout, turning into a smile at Lucy's light laugh.
The day wasn't going as planned at all, making his chest tighten a little with worry.
Maybe it was all a sign he shouldn't have even thought about telling her today, or at all...
But there's still a slight flame of hope in his heart that maybe things will work out. Or maybe that's him just trying to stay positive anyway.
Natsu manages to drive them back towards the main part of town, finding a parking nearby the shop.
As they walk along the sidewalk, Natsu takes in the colors the late setting sun is making across the sky, the cool breeze that passes them, Lucy by his side, all helping his frayed nerves a little.
Until, they reach the door of the bookstore, only to find that… there's a note on the door saying it's closed for a family emergency.
Of course.
"Seriously?! C'mon," Natsu groans, running a hand through his hair and over his face before leaning his forehead against the door. "Out of all the days- ugh."
Feeling truly defeated now, Natsu slumps down into the bench along the wall of the building and bumps his head back against it, breathing an irritated sigh.
It figures, after everything else today, of course it would be closed. Because that was just his luck today and what was one more bump in the road. But he should've known and just called it quits since this morning.
Natsu looks up and Lucy has a palm over her face too and her shoulders seem to be shaking a little.
His chest tightens, worry instantly flooding through him. "Luce… please don't cry. I'm sorry today was such a bust, but I promise we can still try to find something," Natsu pleads, standing again and stepping closer to place a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, I'm- I'm not crying," Lucy's palm slips and a louder giggle escapes. "It's just funny, no matter how hard we tried to just do one thing, the universe was just not having it," she laughs a little brighter.
Natsu heart eases, letting his own smile grow at the sound of her laugh. "It definitely had it out for us today, huh. I wish it would've let something work out though," he sighs, running a hand through his hair.
"I still enjoyed it though. Just spending the day together," Lucy smiles warmly.
"Yeah, me too." Natsu's expression softens. "Guess we should call it a night then though? I can take you back home," he sighs, feeling drained now instead.
His courage to tell her how he feels has left him for sure now. She deserves a proper day when, or if, he tells her. Something special, not some half scrambled together attempts.
Maybe it's what he gets for even thinking about having something with someone as amazing as her, and maybe all this was really a sign that maybe he shouldn't...
"Well, we could just pick something up and just eat at the house? Claire still has Kade for a while," Lucy offers, breaking the static of his thoughts.
He clears his throat. "I dunno, with my luck that'll be shut down too," Natsu chuckles flatly, running a hand through his hair.
"Oh, come on," Lucy grins, reaching out to slip her arm through his and lead him back towards the truck. "We can get those big burgers from that drive thru place you like. Extra fries. I've been craving a good milkshake from there actually."
Natsu's grin brightens, skin warming at her touch. "When you put it like that, how can I say no."
He really couldn't. Those honey eyes are still bright and captivating, even after everything today, making his chest feel a little lighter.
They settle back in the car and Natsu finally manages to successfully get them some quick food before making it back to Lucy's house.
"See, I told you it'd work out."
Natsu laughs warmly at Lucy's playful smile, helping her set the food on the dining table.
"When you're right, you're right. Maybe we should've just done this in the first place and avoided this whole lame attempt of a day I just wanted to be..."
"To be what?" Lucy asks softly.
There's a bit of concern in her eyes, but her expression is open and kind and Natsu swallows, the words he's had on his mind all day bubble in his throat, he's so close to letting them roll off his tongue, but that thick lump keeps them there.
"Just wanted it to be fun for you," Natsu manages to say in the end.
"It was. I promise. Like I said, it was still great spending time together. Doesn't have to matter what we do," Lucy says, kind as always.
Natsu nods with a soft smile, as they dig into their food and talking about lighter things.
He fills Lucy in on the cat's latest antics, showing her more pictures, and with each one he shows her and every bright smile that he catches from her, it eases the way his heart felt so weighed down earlier.
Reminding him they'll always have this friendship no matter what.
They're soon full and satisfied and move to comfier spots on the couch after he helps her clean up, Natsu starting a random movie for them.
"Oh, here, I still have some candy left if you want some since I know you're probably already craving something sweet," Lucy says with a knowing smile, sitting beside him after coming from the kitchen.
"Ah, you read my mind," he grins.
He glances at her lips when she takes a bite of her own piece of chocolate, those look sweeter…
He blinks and directs his focus back to the screen.
It goes on and they also make some popcorn to go with the candy. A little something salty and sweet.
He grabs a handful and tosses it in his mouth. A couple pieces fall and he turns towards her when he hears Lucy giggle.
"Hm?"
"You're such a graceful eater."
Natsu grins around the pieces, finishing them before he says, "Here, don't forget yours." He tosses some of the fallen pieces on his lap in her direction.
"Hey!"
Natsu cackles as Lucy tries to throw them back at him until he finally relents. "Got some in your hair, sorry," he smiles."
He reaches over and grabs one of the popcorn pieces from the strands of her hair.
"Yeah, thanks. Just don't complain when I make you clean up all your mess," she huffs, playful look still in her eyes, brushing off a few more from her shirt.
"No problem."
Lucy rolls her eyes with a smile, but doesn't have a chance to retort, only yelping when Natsu's fingers brush the side of her neck when he grabs a piece, pulling a shoulder up to cover the spot.
"Sorry, did I… wait." Natsu pauses, searching her eyes in case he made her uncomfortable, but catches her trying to hold back a smile with a bite to her bottom lip. "You're not ticklish there, are you?" A smirk slowly stretches his lips.
"No, of course not."
"Hmm, I dunno. I think I need to check the rest of your hair there in case I missed any."
Lucy tries to keep a blank expression, but it breaks when Natsu starts to lean in closer and reach up towards her neck again.
"Don't you dare," she threatens in between a laugh, backing further into the corner of the couch.
But she's too late to get out of reach of Natsu's playful attack.
Lucy's bright, full laughs fill Natsu's heart and he can't help the wide smile that makes his cheeks sore through his own laughter.
Natsu stops his teasing fingers on her sides eventually, her other ticklish spot he came across, and they're both breathless and slumped against each other halfway down the couch.
"Was my pain fun enough for you?" Lucy murmurs, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'd say so," Natsu breathes a raspy happy chuckle,
"Just wait until I find your weakness."
Natsu turns his head to reply, just at the moment Lucy starts to pull her head up… and they're close enough for their lips to brush faintly.
Everything freezes, save for a spark down his spine.
Natsu pulls back slowly, chest tight with uncertainty.
"I-I'm sorry, I, um, I turned too quick and…" Natsu searches her expression, worrying that he stepped too far, but finds her widened honey brown eyes. A little surprised, but with something a bit deeper he can't quite place.
Lucy seems to blink out of her thoughts.
"Don't be…" she says softly.
"Are you sure? I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable or anything, I-"
"It's… more than ok"
There's a shift in her expression, a glint of something hopeful?
Emotions are swirling in his chest, competing with the butterflies in his stomach.
He slowly reaches up to curl some of her hair behind her ear and pushing the golden strands over her shoulder.
She's so beautiful he almost doesn't know what to do with himself around her sometimes.
The hopeful feeling he tucked away in his heart earlier ignites again at the warmth and affection in her eyes.
Ok, this was it. He was going to throw his heart out there and hope it's caught.
Lucy was worth everything. No matter what happens.
"Actually, the truth is…" Natsu breaths out. "I wanted today to feel special for you so I could… so I could tell you that I… that I really like you, Lucy," Natsu admits softly, the words finally leaving him, his heart feeling a little weightless.
Lucy's eyes are wide, lips parting a little.
It's quiet for a couple long moments and Natsu's chest tightens with worry, hot flush making its way up his neck.
Maybe this jump off the cliff wasn't worth it. Maybe he just ruined things. Of course she wouldn't feel the same, maybe-
"Really?"
The quiet words break him out of his spiraling thoughts, right when he was about to apologize. Lucy's expression a little softer.
"I-I really do," Natsu whispers, letting the admission fill him. "Getting closer with you and Kade these past few months has been everything I didn't know I needed. You're… amazing," he manages a warm smile.
Some pink spreads over Lucy's cheeks. "I-I don't feel like I am most days, but thank you." She pauses to take a slow breath, pushing some of her hair back. "All the time I've been here so far has felt far better than even all the years I was back in Crocus, and I think you have a lot to do with that because… I… I really like you too, Natsu," she smiles a little shyly this time, but her eyes hold a deeper kind of fondness.
His brain stills as he processes her words. Did... did he hear her right?
"You do?" he breathes, chest tightening for a whole other reason now. The butterflies from his stomach had lodged their way there.
"I do." Lucy reaches out to tentatively grasp his hand, making Natsu's skin tingle but he gives her hand a soft squeeze back. "I've loved getting closer with you too, Natsu. You didn't need to try and make a whole special day to tell me, and even though we didn't get to do all the things we wanted to do," she laughs softly, "that's so sweet of you."
"Well, I wanted to, or had planned to," Natsu smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his warm neck. "I-I realized I've liked you for a while now, but... I was scared of losing you and Kade if I told you and you didn't feel the same, but then… I didn't want to keep wondering then regret never saying anything so I at least wanted to make it special," he says warmly.
Her expression softens. "I was worried about that too when I realized what all my mess of feelings meant. I was kind of blind for a long time, but a bit of a push from Levy set things straight," Lucy laughs softly. "I haven't even thought about anyone like this even before Kade, so I didn't want to mess things up between us, so thank you for having extra bit of courage than I did."
"I dunno about courage, if you could've heard my crazy pounding heart all day," Natsu breathes a laugh, "but to think you've felt the same all this time too, I just… I care about you so much, and Kade. You both have made me happier than I've been in a long time."
Lucy slowly laces their fingers together. "You've made us both so happy too, Natsu. Everything you've done for me, for him. It's meant so much more than I can say. All your kindness and generosity since the beginning, I truly appreciate you… Even though you can be a little dorky," she says with that bit of a teasing smile.
"All part of my grand charm," Natsu laughs with a toothy grin.
Lucy adds into his laugh before they share another quiet moment, Natsu brushing his thumb along the inside of her wrist.
Natsu realizes they had gravitated closer again and he can't help but glance towards those plush lips again, swallowing thickly.
"Can… can I kiss you?" he rasps softly, his neck warming again.
Lucy smiles warmly, pink deepening on her cheeks, reaching up to thread her fingers through his hair.
Natsu leans into her touch, a warm tingle down his spine.
"Hm, didn't you already?"
He catches that playful glint in those honeyed eyes and breathes a laugh.
"No, that one didn't really count. Think we need a better one," Natsu smiles, he searches her eyes one more time to make sure she's okay with it, only finding content warmth and that same hopeful look. So, he slowly closes the distance between them with a soft, but firmer press of their lips than the faint one before and there's instant sparks between them.
Sparks that travel all the way down to his toes and spread a buzzing warmth through him, all the way to his pounding heart when Lucy kisses him back.
He rests his forehead against hers for a moment when they pull back, lips still tingling as a wide smile curls them.
Wow, he just kissed her. Really kissed her, and she kissed him back, and it was amazing, beautiful, and a million times better than he every dreamed.
"Was that one ok?" he rasps between them, thumb brushing over her hip.
Lucy huffs a soft laugh. "Perfect."
"I thought so too." He leans in to press a soft kiss to her temple, going back to relaxing against each other and allowing themselves to enjoy this new energy between them. Lucy's head on his shoulder, their hands laced together and Natsu can't help but smile into her hair where his head rests against hers.
His favorite person, this amazing woman by his side, really likes him back and returns his feelings. All the ones he thought wouldn't be worth sharing or opening up his heart too, and that same heart feels so full, more than it's ever felt.
Lucy's phone eventually pings and she leans over to grab it from the coffee table, telling him it was Claire on her way with Kade.
Whatever they were watching finishes up just as there's a couple knocks at the door.
"Natsu!"
"Hey, bud!" Natsu laughs, catching Kade in a hug when he ran over to him as soon as Lucy pulled the door open.
"Hey, coach!" Noah runs over to give Natsu a hug too.
"So much for my hello. These boys," Lucy sighs with a fond shake of her head, smiling before turning towards Claire. "Thank you again for watching him tonight, Claire. Hope he wasn't bouncing off the walls too much," she grins.
"Of course, anytime! But no, he and Noah were too caught up in their toys and cartoons most of the evening, don't worry, and they were well fed," Claire laughs.
"Hi, Claire, Good to see you," Natsu says, walking back over towards them by the door with the boys.
"Hey, Natsu," she greets with a wave.
"Well, glad they had fun," Lucy says.
"I hope you guys did too." Claire gives them a slight knowing, playful smile and wink that makes Natsu's neck flush again.
"I think I'd say so." Lucy turns to Natsu with a warm look and he smiles softly.
"Good! Natsu, be sure to remind Lucy here to take more time like this for herself more often."
Natsu chuckles. "I definitely will."
"C'mon, Noah. We'll see Kade at daycare tomorrow."
Noah pouts a little, but follows his mom's lead. "Bye, Kade!"
"Bye!"
They wave them off and on their way before Lucy turns to run a hand through Kade's hair.
"Did you have fun with Noah tonight?"
"Lots! Games and cartoons," the boy grins brightly. "And some cookies with Noah's mom!"
"Good, but now time for a bath and get ready for bed."
"Aw, but you got to hang out with Natsu all day and not me," Kade whines, reaching out to squeeze Natsu's arm to him. "Can I stay up longer?" Kade tries to use those puppy eyes, making Natsu laugh as Lucy shakes her head.
"How about as soon as you're done, we can all read a bedtime story or something together, ok?"
Kade's pout turns into a bright smile. "Ok!" He gives Natsu a quick side hug and runs past Lucy into the bathroom. "C'mon, Mom!"
Natsu and Lucy turn to share a look and laugh warmly.
"Thanks for offering. He can be a little stubborn about bedtime sometimes," she chuckles.
"I bet," Natsu grins. "I, uh, also wasn't quite ready for the night to end yet," he says a little softer, stepping closer.
"I didn't really want to say goodnight yet either, but be right back." Lucy reaches over to give his hand a gentle squeeze with that radiant smile over her shoulder as she follows Kade to the bathroom.
His own smile grows so wide, it almost makes his cheeks sore.
Natsu goes to wait in Kade's room, walking by his small desk in the corner. All his colorful artwork and baseball glove spread out over it and taped on the walls that blended with some posters of the things he likes, some pictures of him and Lucy over his dresser, all making Natsu smile fondly.
It's a well lived in room and it makes Natsu really happy that Kade's able to grow up in a loving house like this, with such a supportive parent as Lucy too.
Something Natsu wasn't really able to have when he was the boy's age, or most of the time he was growing up really.
He settles into the plush chair by Kade's bed with a heavy sigh at the thought. That really wasn't something he wants to dwell on tonight.
Luckily, Kade bounds into the room not too much longer, fresh pajamas and bright smiles and all.
"Ok, I'm ready!" The boy leaps onto his bed and gets bundled under the covers.
Natsu laughs warmly. "Woah, don't worry. I'm not goin' anywhere."
"For this, he listens and is eager to go to bed," Lucy says as she steps into the room, tossing some clothes in the hamper in the corner.
She'd changed into some comfier clothes too and he admires how effortlessly beautiful she makes even that look too.
"Hm, do you not always listen to your mom, kiddo?" Natsu teases a little.
"I do, I promise," Kade insists, those cute hazel eyes wide where he sits up in bed.
Natsu can't help but let his smile grow when he meets Lucy's eyes. "Alright, guess that deserves a story after all."
Kade cheers as Natsu leans over and pulls a book from the bookcase beside him. "This one has some cool dragons on the cover."
"That's one of my favorites!"
"I had a feeling," Natsu grins. "Let's all get comfy, looks like a good story."
Kade settles further under the covers and turns on his side to face Natsu, eyes eager, Lucy sitting beside him on the bed and giving Natsu a warm look, and that's all the encouragement he needs.
He leans back into the chair, getting comfortable himself. "Here we go." Natsu clears his throat as he opens the book to the first couple pages. "It was a dark and stormy night when a fearless Knight ventures into the woods along the outskirts of the palace..." Natsu starts, making his voice a bit deeper and dramatic.
The story continues and Kade's invested, clutching one of his other stuffed dragons to his chest. Natsu shares an amused look with Lucy and eventually Kade's bright eyes start to droop and flutter closed, fighting his sleep until he's breathing deeply and knocked out.
His chest swells as he watches Lucy tuck the boy in more, brushing back his hair as she says goodnight. Natsu smiles fondly, patting the boys shoulder before she flicks off the lamp and he follows Lucy back out to the living room.
"Well, as much as I'd like tonight to last longer, I should let you get some sleep too," Natsu sighs, slipping on his jacket.
"I guess I'll need some energy for work tomorrow."
Natsu chuckles at her playful, stubborn pout that he already wants to press a kiss to again if he's being honest.
"I'll walk you out."
Lucy tugs on a sweater too and they make their way out to the driveway.
"I had a great time with you today, thank you," she says warmly, eyes kind. "Despite everything the universe threw at us, I think it ended pretty well."
Natsu laughs and soaks in the way her eyes crinkle happily with that radiant smile. Even under the bright moonlit night.
"I like the way it ended too. Maybe all that stuff was supposed to happen to get here, but still think we need to get it right. So, can I take you out on a proper date soon?" Natsu asks, grinning toothily, leaning against the door of his truck.
"I told you you don't have to plan some big thing," Lucy laughs softly before her expression shifts with a bite to her bottom lip. "But a-are you sure? My life can be messy and complicated as a single mom and I don't want you to feel overwhelmed or like you have to feel obligated to do anything."
"Luce."
"And what if we get closer and you don- don't like me anymore once you find out my... messy past, or what if we try this and it doesn't work out? I don't want to lose you or what we have, or do that to Kade and I just-"
"Lucy."
Natsu steps closer and reaches up to grasp her upper arms, pausing her ramble as she looks up at him with those vulnerable honey eyes, with some insecurity he's so familiar with reflecting in hers. "You'll never lose me, I promise. I'll always be here for you, both of you, in whatever way your comfortable with. This doesn't even have to turn into anything more if you don't want it to." He smooths his palms down her arms to hold her soft hands instead. "I... have my own messy past that still follows me too, but my feelings for you are stronger. I like you for you, and everything you are. I doubt there's anything that can make me not like you," Natsu smiles softly. "All the worrying about all the what-if's that could happen kept me from telling you how I felt for a while now too, but... but I feel like what we have between us is worth exploring, so, yes. I'm sure, as long as you are," he ends with a reassuring squeeze to her hands.
Lucy takes a shuddering breath, gripping his hands back before stepping in to wrap him in a tight hug around his middle. "See, you always know what to say to make things so much better. Ground my frantic thoughts so well," she says softly against his shirt, head settled into the crook of his neck.
It takes a moment for Natsu's brain to catch up, quickly circling his arms around her to hold her against him just as close, breathing in her comforting notes of floral warmth in her hair.
"Like I said before, I just like seeing you happy and would do just about anything for that," he smiles against her temple, smoothing a palm along her back.
Lucy pulls up so their eyes meet again, some glossy emotion reflecting in them. "You make me happy. Happier than I've let myself be in a long time."
Natsu swallows past the lump of his own growing emotion, reaching up to cup her jaw and brush a thumb along her cheekbone. "I feel the same about you," he whispers, following his heart's pull to lean in and kiss her again.
Slow and lingering, feeling Lucy melt into it and breathe a soft sound against him. The feel of those plush, soft lips pressing back against his is already addicting and makes his heart swell as the arm around her waist holds her flush against him.
"Mm, I think we're already getting good at that," he grins against her, voice rough with warmth.
Lucy laughs, light and happy, pressing one more kiss against his jaw and palms along his back. "Let's save some for our date then."
There's a bit of a shy look in her expression, that pretty dusting of pink on her cheeks again, but it just makes Natsu's toothy grin grow at her words.
"Can't wait." He gives her one more solid hug before he moves to open his door. "Night, Luce. Get some good sleep. Talk to you soon?"
"Absolutely. Have a good night too, Natsu."
Lucy gives him one more warm smile and a wave that he takes with him on the familiar roads home.
Natsu can't keep the smile off his face the whole way and even when the cats greet him when he gets back to the apartment, fingers brushing over his lips as he remembers the shape of Lucy's against them and every feeling that sparked in his chest tonight.
He couldn't have expected or planned how today ended up, but he's so happy it did and he already can't wait to see her again.
AH *Feeling* realizations, confessions, AND a first kiss? Hope it was worth the wait!
Thanks for the support as always ❤️