Natsu huffs as he finally makes it back to his apartment, toeing off his boots and tossing his bag in the corner.
It'd been a long day after a double shift at the station. The team kept getting called out to lots of rescues, a couple of close calls in some residential and commercial building fires that just took a lot out of him.
It'd been a hectic week in general so, safe to say he was more than ready to flop on the couch and not move for a long while.
Ollie is quick to greet him first though, trotting over and clawing up the leg of his pants with a bright meow.
"Hey, you," Natsu chuckles, bending to pick her up and untangle her claws from his pants. "You're getting so big, aren't you," he coos, pressing some kisses to her soft fur.
He was happy that she'd gotten bigger and more healthy, playful as ever as her personality continued to come out.
Happy was just content to stay lounging up on his spot by the window.
He goes through the motions of setting up their food, which of course makes Happy leap down and rush over. Typical. Natsu chuckles and heads to his room to grab some clothes for his shower. He'd taken a quick one at the station, but he always just preferred his own.
Feeling much more refreshed after, he sighs heavily as he drops onto the couch and turns on some random show on the tv. Happy is quick to hop up onto the couch beside him this time, pushing his head up into Natsu's palm with a meow.
"Hey, bud, finally feeling social after I feed you, huh," Natsu grins, giving him some pets. Ollie's asleep up on the top of the couch, dinner must've tired her out.
Natsu almost feels himself dozing off after a while with the sound of Happy's loud, comforting purrs and tv in the background, when he jumps a little at his phone vibrating on the coffee table in front of him.
He groans and stretches out to reach it, grinning when he sees Lucy's name light up on his phone with a video call.
"Hey!" His heart swells when he sees her bright smile come through his screen.
"Hi, Natsu," Lucy grins, seeming to be in her car.
"Hi, Natsu!" Kade echoes in the background from the backseat when Lucy tilts her head to the side for Natsu to see.
"Hey, bud!" Natsu chuckles, leaning back against the couch with a wide yawn slipping through. "What are you guys up to?"
"Well, we're just leaving daycare and are pretty hungry, so, we were wondering if you wanted to go grab something to eat with us? Since it's Friday and all."
"Yeah!" Kade cheers in the background.
Natsu breathes a laugh, but even that tires him out. "I'd really love to go out and meet you, but I just got back from a double shift, all week actually and am pretty wiped to go out right now to be honest," he sighs, trying to stifle another yawn, rubbing the back of his neck. He just catches her expression that's starting to fall a little, which makes his heart hurt and he's quick to add, "But you're both more than welcome to come over for dinner if you want?"
"Are you sure? We can always plan another day, I don't want to bother you if you're too tired?" Lucy asks, some concern in those amber eyes.
"Yeah of course!" Natsu grins reassuringly. "I really would still love to see you guys. Think I got some stuff here or we can order in, whatever you guys want."
"Please, Mom? Wanna see Natsu too," Kade adds from the corner of the screen with a pout. "And the kitties."
Natsu shares a look and laughs with Lucy, soaking in the sound.
"Ok, ok," Lucy relents. "See you soon then, Natsu," she says warmly.
Natsu smiles brighter. "Can't wait."
He finds a bit of energy to get up and clean up a little bit around the apartment, and it dawns on him that this is the first time she's going to be coming over his place, fully… He looks around and sees more things out of order than usual, maybe he should've thought this through…
Oh well. He deems things picked up enough and goes to change into something a little more acceptable than his boxers and a tank top, settling for his comfy pants and a soft dark shirt.
By the time he was done, there were knocks at the door.
"Natsu!" Kade cheers as soon as Natsu opens the door, knocking a hug into his waist.
"Hi, kiddo," Natsu laughs, hugging him back tight and sharing a warm look with Lucy. "Come on in, guys," he grins, leading them inside.
Kade's quick to rush over towards the cats excitedly, with some caution from Lucy of course.
"Hi, Luce," Natsu says softly, pulling her into his side for a hug and quick kiss to her cheek while Kade was distracted.
"Hi, Natsu," Lucy grins brightly, some pink on her cheeks as she returns his hug. "Thanks for having us. This one had a little too much energy to go home yet, so I'm sorry if he keeps you up," she laughs, and Natsu drinks in the sight of her smile reaching her honeyed eyes and the warm sound.
"No problem," he grins, waving it off. "Ollie can give him a run for his money so we can tire them both out."
They share a laugh at that.
"Your place is pretty cozy, hadn't gotten a proper look before just from your pictures," Lucy adds with a grin, inspecting the bookshelves in the living room.
"Ah, thanks. It's not much, but a decent start from the small room at my parents," he chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "Here, I'll give you guys a lil' tour."
Kade jumps up and follows Natsu's lead with Lucy down the short hallway, showing them the bathroom, small laundry room/closet, and bedroom last. Good thing he thought to clean that up a bit too.
"Woah, cool room!" Kade says excitedly, looking around and picking up some of Natsu's baseball stuff and station helmet. "Look, I'm a fireman too!" the boy grins brightly after he runs and leaps onto Natsu's bed.
"Kade, didn't I say to be careful of Natsu's home," Lucy chuckles, shaking her head fondly.
"It's alright, Luce. Ain't got anything too breakable here," Natsu waves off with a laugh. "But, I'm actually really glad you're here, Kade," Natsu starts excitedly. "I was doin' some cleaning and have been wanting to give you something I found."
Kade brightens and perks up at that while Lucy makes herself comfortable on the bench at the foot of his bed.
Natsu's grinning brightly when he comes back over from his closet with a bundle in his hands. "Since it's the last game of our first baseball season together tomorrow, I wanted to give you somethin' special." He hands over a large, worn glove into Kade's hands. "Uncle Igneel gave me this glove when I started playing when I was a kid just starting to play, and now I want you to have it."
Kade's eyes are wide and bright, looking up at Natsu as he grips the glove tight.
"Really?" Kade asks softly, almost unsure.
"Really. You've done such an awesome job for your first season, and we've had so much fun! It's a way to celebrate," Natsu grins. "And you're a little more special to me than the other kids so don't tell them yet," he laughs with a wink.
Kade jumps up and hugs Natsu tightly. "I love it, Natsu! Thank you, thank you!"
Natsu smiles brightly, hugging him back tightly and spinning him around. "You're very welcome, Kade," he says warmly, ruffling his hair once he sets him down.
"This is really sweet of you, Natsu. Thank you."
The sincerity and strong affection on Lucy's expression that makes his heart swell achingly warm.
Natsu clears his throat before the fluttering in his stomach makes it burst.
"Of course," he smiles softly. "It might still be a little big for you, bud, but you'll grow into it." He gives Kade a reassuring pat on his back.
"Yeah! I'll practice everyday with it!" Kade cheers.
Lucy and Natsu share a laugh as they head back out to the living room.
"So, it turns out I didn't have as much here to cook as I thought," Natsu chuckles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "So, what do you guys feel like ordering? My treat."
They all go back and forth for a bit until they settle on some pizza, with some extra favorites that Lucy said Natsu got Kade into, and they spend the rest of the night with some board games, laughs playing with the cats, and subtle brushes of Lucy's hand and bright smiles throughout the night that Natsu couldn't get enough of.
Happily melting away all of the tension and stress he'd been carrying all week.
Natsu helps Lucy carry Kade down to her car and get him settled when they head out, the boy out like a light now, and Natsu's a little sad they have to go.
"Thanks again for comin' over tonight," Natsu says, leaning against the door jam of her driver's side.
"Thanks for inviting us," Lucy grins warmly. "I think Kade ended up more tired than both of us," she laughs lightly, Natsu adding to it. "And thanks again for giving him the glove. That was really special, and I'm sure it meant a lot to you, and he's going to always remember that."
"You both mean a lot to me."
Lucy's expression softens, reaching up to tug him closer. "So do you."
Natsu follows her lead and meets her for a slow kiss that sends a warm spark up his spine.
His fingertips slide around her waist, palm settling at the small of her lower back. Lucy huffs a soft laugh and smiles into the kiss, Natsu's lips spread into a smile too, he'd found she was a bit ticklish there too before and couldn't help use that bit of info at times.
Lucy settles her arms around his middle too and they rest their foreheads together with a warm chuckle that brings such a strong swell of affection into his chest.
Natsu wishes these moments could last forever.
The next day Natsu's phone pings with a text from Lucy to their friend group chat while he's out doing some errands at his parents.
Hey guys! Kade's last game of his t-ball season is tomorrow morning, if you want to come and cheer him on with me!
Their friends are quick to happily agree to go and offer their support.
Natsu smiles brightly, picturing Lucy's happy expression.
"What's got ya smilin' that much, kid?"
Natsu looks over to see Igneel wearing an annoying teasing grin. He rolls his eyes with a chuckle.
"Nothin', nothin'."
"Mmhm, sure," Igneel smirks, resuming his moving things around in the garage.
Natsu hadn't told his parents about him and Lucy, not sure if she wanted what they had to be out there to everyone yet. He had to hold himself back from pulling her close or kissing her out around everyone at times, but he was just happy to go at whatever pace she wanted. Wendy already pulled it out of him of course, but he'd been prepared for that and told her enough to keep her happy.
Sunday rolls around quickly and Natsu and Igneel get to the complex early to get the field ready. His mom and Wendy join them this time and Natsu even convinces her to set the bases down and he laughs when she can barely set them down.
Wendy wines in irritation and it only makes Natsu laugh more and they end up going back and forth until their parents have to settle them down. Just like old times.
They manage to finish things up just as more people start getting there, including Lucy and Kade.
Natsu hears Kade's excited shout of his name first as he comes out of the dugout, seeing the boy run straight for him.
"Hey!" Natsu grins brightly, arms open and catching Kade as he leaps up for a hug. "Mornin', you. Looks like someone woke up excited to have some fun, huh?" Natsu laughs, catching Lucy's amused look when he looks up.
"Of course, I could barely get him to sleep last night," Lucy smiles easily, setting their things down on the bleachers beside her.
"I bet," Natsu grins, ruffling the boy's hair and making him laugh. "Just means we're gonna get the best hits today, right?"
"Yeah! And look! I brought the special good luck glove to help us win too!" Kade holds up the glove Natsu'd given him and it makes his heart swell.
"That's awesome! Love it," Natsu smiles warmly.
Natsu happily catches up with Kade and Lucy a bit more, enjoying the way the morning sun made those honeyed eyes brighter and the way her smile would reach them, allowing himself to get a bit lost in it all for a moment.
Ok, maybe a bit more than that.
Cheerful greetings from their group of friends break his thoughts as they all gather around the bleachers too.
"Lucy!" Levy and Lisanna cheer, bounding over first to give their hugs. The rest follow at a slower pace with happy smiles too.
"Hi everyone!" Lucy grins brightly. "Thanks for coming!"
"Of course," Erza says, smiling warmly. "Hope this helps with your snacks." She hands over a large box of assorted snacks.
"Aw, you shouldn't have. Thank you! Oh," Lucy pauses to bring Kade to her side, arm around his shoulders. "Everyone, this is my boy Kade. Kade, honey, you already know aunt Levy and Uncle Gajeel, but these are the rest of our good friends who came to help cheer you on today."
Lucy's wearing a warm, proud smile as she looks down at him that Natsu can't help but share.
Kade grabs the back of Lucy's shirt, bit of a shy smile as he waves back. "Hi."
"Aww, you're so cute! We're so happy to finally meet you, Kade!" Lisanna grins brightly, kneeling down to his level. "Your mom has told us so many fun things about you, like how awesome you are at baseball."
Kade brightens at that and Lucy chuckles.
"I think that's 'cause he has such an awesome coach," Natsu smirks with a confident shrug.
Gray rolls his eyes. "Sure." Gajeel smirks beside him and Jellal is amused.
Natsu huffs. "C'mon, bud. Let's go show everyone just how awesome we are!"
Kade happily cheers in agreement and takes Natsu's hand. He shares one more bright smile with Lucy before they head over to the field with Igneel and everyone else gathering.
"Yeah! Go, Kade!" Lucy shouts, the others following with more excited cheers once the game gets started.
Natsu chuckles at how loud they are from where he is on the field at home plate with Kade since he's up first.
"Hear that, bud? Gonna hit a home run for sure with all those cheers."
Kade smiles brightly, practically vibrating with his own excitement. They gave each other a high five and off the game went.
Kade is the first to make a good hit from the tee, and Natsu and the crowd cheers louder. His heart swells at how happy the boy looks as he confidently runs around the bases. A whole different brighter energy he carries from when they first met and their first game together.
Natsu glances over his shoulder to the stands where Lucy was, catching her own bright smile directed at him already. His heart flutters as he matches her smile and throws in a wink before he puts his attention back on the field.
Several more short, fun innings later, with more cheers and laughter, their season came to an end.
The kids are quick to run and surround Natsu and Igneel after with many hugs and cheers. Kade is one of the first by his side and hugging him tight.
"Alright, alright. C'mon, you crazy kiddos," Natsu laughs brightly along with Igneel, doing his best to hug them all back. "You all played so awesome this season! Always happy to be your coach, hope you had as much fun as we did."
They all cheer again as Natsu and Igneel share a warm look and lead them all off the field eventually, everyone running off towards their families.
Lucy is quick to catch Kade in a tight hug and spin him around as soon as he runs over.
Their friends have happy smiles too as Kade happily is in the middle of a big group hug with everyone. The sight makes Natsu's heart swell, seeing them all together like this.
"Thank you all for a great season," Igneel announces loudly to everyone in the crowd. "We'll still be around here at the complex, but we look forward to next baseball season already!"
Cheers break out again and Natsu makes his way through towards the group with a wide smile.
"Hey, there he is, the big shot awesome coach. Can we get your autograph?"
Natsu rolls his eyes and chuckles at Gray's annoying smirk and the way everyone else adds to it.
"Ha-ha, very funny."
"Alright. So, lunch and game night at Lucy's? I do believe you said you were fine with it being your turn to host?" Erza says, getting them right back to business.
"Oh yeah, of course! Sounds like fun. Just give me a bit to get this one and the house cleaned up a bit?" she adds, ruffling Kade's hair. "I didn't get a chance to before."
"Of course! We'll all go get the food and everything, don't you go making a thing," Levy insists with a smile. "And don't go overworking yourself with cleaning, it's just us, ok?"
"I promise," Lucy chuckles. "That ok with you, bug? Wanna hang out with everyone some more at the house?"
"Yeah! We can play all the fun games we have!"
They all laugh warmly at that and soon said quick goodbyes for now and broke off. Natsu stood back and helped Lucy with their things as they made their way back toward the parking lot.
"There. All set, Luce," Natsu huffs, patting the top of the trunk of her car after setting down the bags.
"Thanks again, Natsu," Lucy grins, leaning against the open door, shaking her head with a chuckle as Kade insisted on getting himself into his seat.
Natsu chuckles too. "You got it there, bud?"
"Yup!"
"Hm, let's check." Natsu reaches in and pulls on the buckle and it's indeed locked. "Alright, good job," he grins, ruffling the boy's hair and making him giggle.
"Are we still gonna play together again next year, Natsu?" Kade's asks, wide hazel eyes looking up pleading already.
Natsu chuckles and shares a warm look with Lucy. "Hmm, I usually only fill in for our other coaches for the other bigger kid teams… but this group was a little special so I think I'll stick with them. Only if you promise to stay on the team with me too," he grins playfully.
Kade cheers and they share a laugh.
"Alright, I'll let you guys go get settled. I'm gonna go get cleaned up and changed too, pick up some snacks. Meet you guys at the house?"
"Sounds good," Lucy says, closing Kade's door and leaving over to give Natsu a side hug. "See you soon."
He enjoys the warmth and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek before he thinks about it too much, chest swelling when a flush appears on her cheeks as she smiles and tucks some golden hair behind her ear.
"See you soon," he grins, squeezing her hand before turning to head for his truck with a wave before he gives into the ache to stay right there and kiss her more… maybe later.
Natsu makes it back to his apartment after stopping by the store, gives the cats some pets and is quick to change out of his field dirt and grass covered clothes before jumping in the shower.
Feeling refreshed after his routine, he settles with throwing on some faded jeans and soft black shirt, grabbing his shirt jacket for later. He gets the cats set for the night with more pets before heading out again.
By the time Natsu gets to Lucy's house, he chuckles when he sees that Erza's is of course the first other car there.
He gets off and gathers his stuff before knocking. Lucy's there when the door opens and she's gorgeous as always.
"Hey, you. Long time now see," Lucy grins brightly.
"Yeah, it's been a long time right?" Natsu laughs as she leads him inside and helps him with his bags of snacks.
"Glad to see you're not as late as you usually are, Natsu," Erza reprimands playfully, coming over from the hall way to sit by Jellal on the couch.
"Yeah, yeah. Not all of us are overly punctual, thank you," Natsu waves her off, leaning against the armchair.
"No such thing."
They share a laugh at that, right as Kade comes running over from his room.
"Hi, Natsu!"
He knocks into Natsu's side with a tight hug.
"Hey, kiddo," Natsu grins brightly, hugging him back.
"I was showing Auntie Erza the new baseball stuff in my room, wanna see it too?" Kade asks eagerly.
"He's very proud of his decorating and is very excited to show everyone today," Lucy laughs warmly, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"You did, huh? Then of course I do! Lead the way, good sir."
Natsu stands and bows dramatically, making Kade giggle brightly and run back over to his room.
He subtly brushes Lucy's hand as he catches her eye with a smile when he passes by to follow Kade.
After the boy makes sure to give Natsu a proper tour of his "new" room, most of their friends have arrived and Kade bounds back out to the living room excitedly and soon, the living room is full of warmth and bright laughs.
Everyone digs into the food and snacks around the dining table and living room and Kade is quick to start break out their collection of board games for everyone, insisting on his favorites.
Lisanna is the first to eagerly help him get things set up on the coffee table, and Erza directing everyone into teams.
Natsu chuckles with an amused shake of his head as he sits beside Lucy on the couch on their team's "appointed side of the room."
"Nothin' like some organized fun, huh?"
He enjoys the sound of Lucy's warm laughter. "We can always count on Erza for that."
"Glad Kade seems to be having fun with everyone already," Natsu grins, looking over to see him laughing with Levy.
"Me too," Lucy says softly. "I was a little worried it would be a bit overwhelming for him with everyone at once, but he's become so much more social, I'm proud," she grins brightly.
"As you should be! I was just thinkin' during the game earlier that he's come so far from when we all first met. I'm proud of him too."
Natsu shares a warm look with Lucy, something deeper in her eyes he can't quite place that makes his chest feel light.
"Thank you," she whispers, knocking her shoulder against his lightly that makes Natsu smile brighter.
He gives her shoulder a soft push back just as Erza announces they're starting. Gray and Gajeel tsk as she pushes them to sit down by the coffee table on their side. Funny how Jellal is always able to get her to soften up her rough edges with just a look like he is now.
Natsu chuckles. Never a dull moment with this group.
They make it through some rounds of pictonary, connect 4, a couple rounds of ruthless uno that test their friendships. The teams end up with a tie, that's unacceptable to Erza and they try to settle it with some races on mario kart. Which didn't end up helping much since everyone forgot to keep track anyway and was just chaos. Especially when Lucy had no mercy and helped Kade blue shell him several times! The nerve of his teammate.
But Natsu's stomach was sore from how much they laughed. It'd been a while and was just the warm energy he needed to put the hectic week behind him. All the while getting to enjoy Lucy's bright, happy smile and laughter the whole night.
They decide to call it a night once Kade starts noticeably dozing off on Lucy's shoulder. Even though he insisted he wasn't tired. His drooping head said otherwise.
"Looks like I'd better get someone changed and to bed," Lucy sighs with a smile, running a hand through the boy's hair.
"Aw, guess we wore him out too quick," Levy grins warmly, looking a bit tired herself.
"It was bound to happen, especially with the game earlier," Lucy chuckles, maneuvering the boy into her arms. "C'mon, mister I'm not tired. Let's get you to bed, say goodnight to everyone."
Natsu moves to offer his help, but Lucy gives him a reassuring smile as Kade mumbles something sleepily and waves at everyone.
They all say their goodnights back softly, chatting for a bit before Lucy comes back and takes her seat beside Natsu again, making him smile. He almost forgets everyone else was there for a moment until someone clears their throat. Natsu looks over and the group giving them weird looks?
"What?" Natsu asks, brows pinching with a frown.
"Alright. Now that it's just us, something has been going on with you two all night, maybe for a while now. So, we're going to ask you both something very important," Lisanna says, suddenly very serious.
"And we want a straight answer. No ifs or maybes," Erza adds.
"Ok?..." Natsu looks over at Lucy and she has the same confused expression that's probably reflected on his face.
"We know you two have gotten closer with Kade's baseball and everything," Lisanna starts. "But, we've picked up on something different with you two today. So, are you, or are you not together? Or at least something more going on? We really hope we're right," she says with a giddy smile she couldn't contain. The others with overly bright looks in their eyes.
Natsu feels his neck warm instantly, chuckling and running a hand through his hair from nerves. He chances a glance at Lucy, her cheeks flush too. They talked about it a little, but he can't tell if she's ready to tell everyone right now yet.
"I, uh, I dunno what you mean," Natsu gets out.
"Oh, come on. The past few times we've all hung out recently and especially today, you guys have been sharing these looks and thinking you're being subtle," Juvia insists. "Laughing, and just seeming genuinely happier than we've seen you both," she adds warmer.
"Ugh, we don't need a play by play, Juvs," Gray huffs with a smirk, Gajeel agreeing.
Natsu lets himself smile softly with another chuckle. He catches Lucy already looking at him warmly, nodding softly.
"Alright well…" Lucy starts. "We actually… may have already been on some dates," she grins.
Shouts of what, I knew it, finally, and overall shock and happiness quickly fill the room.
"We probably should've expected that," Natsu laughs.
"Well?" Erza insists.
"Well, what?"
"Don't give me that 'well, what', Natsu. Well, give us the details of course."
"Like when did this all start first of all," Lisanna says.
"A couple weeks ago," Natsu smirks at the next round of shouts.
"What?! I can't believe you hadn't even said anything yet, Lucy," Lisanna huffs. "We're supposed to be friends." She pouts dramatically and Lucy laughs.
"Relax guys, you know now. We just wanted to enjoy this ourselves for a bit." Natsu reaches over to slip his palm against hers, lacing their fingers together. The warmth of her touch still gets his heart racing as they glance at each other, Lucy giving him a soft look.
There's a collection of aww's around them.
"Yeah, 'cause look at how you guys get. Them. Not me, I promise," Lisanna smirks.
Natsu rolls his eyes. "Sure. As if you're not the lead instigator," he chuckles.
"Yeah, c'mon, Lis," Levy decides to add.
"Oh? You've been a little quiet over there since they've told us, Levy," Erza says, eyes narrowing playfully.
"Come to think of it, you have!" Lisanna adds. "Did you already know something?" she turns to her eagerly beside her.
Levy turns and shares a knowing smile with Natsu and Lucy. Lucy chuckles and nods a little.
"Gajeel and I may have… been there when they went out on their first date," Levy admits, a rather proud gleam in her eyes and smile.
Echoes of 'what?!' surround them again.
"You both knew all along and never said anything?" Erza sends Gajeel a stern look.
"O-Oi, you had to throw me under the bus too, shrimp?"
Natsu laughs at Gajeel's shrink back from Erza's sharp look.
"Sorry," Levy giggles, squeezing his hand beside her. "But it wasn't ours to tell! Lucy's friend who was going to watch Kade got sick that night and we happily helped out in a pinch. They wanted to keep things quiet and I was more than happy to help keep the secret. Just meant we got to be one of the first to know," she smiles proudly again, softening when she looks over at them.
"It's true, I asked Lev to keep it between us for a while while we started this, but it's going well." Lucy turns to share a warm look with Natsu, smiling softly and giving his hand a squeeze.
Natsu's chest swells, the touch grounding him from all the rush of emotions. Probably for herself too.
"Aww, I guess that's ok then," Lisanna laughs.
"Hmm, true. Acceptable," Erza nods. "Now, more importantly, who made the first move? Who first confessed or was it mutual? Was there a first kiss? Are you officially together?"
Natsu shakes his head with an airy laugh, face still feeling hot. "I take it back, you're the lead instigator, Erza."
More laughter fills the room.
"Lucy, since you already told Levy, I think it's only fair you give us all the juicy details too!"
"Ugh, ok, ok. We're all happy for them, but that's enough mushy romance stuff for the night. Not all of us need all that right now," Gray rolls his eyes, but there's a playful understanding smile on his face and he gives Natsu a nod as he stands and stretches.
Natsu returns it and is, for once, grateful for his interruption this time.
The girls pout and grumble, but vow to get more details out of them eventually, but follow Gray's signal to call it a night.
Lucy gives Natsu's hand another squeeze, small grateful smile. If Natsu was already feeling overwhelmed, Lucy probably felt it too and that was the last thing he wanted. Especially since he knows how their friends could be.
They all help clean up a bit before giving hugs goodbye and then it's quiet and just the two of them again.
"Well, wasn't expecting all that, but felt like it would happen at some point soon," Natsu laughs. "Guess I wasn't hiding my feelings all that well when we're together, but couldn't help it," his smile widens, pulling Lucy against him as he leaned back against the couch.
Lucy matches his smile, arms winding up around his neck as she steps closer. "Mm, I couldn't really help myself either apparently."
Natsu gets a little lost in those brown honeyed eyes and the happy, content expression she wears.
"Feelin' ok? They didn't push too much did they? Everyone can be a lot sometimes," Natsu asks softly, reaching up to brush his thumb along her jaw.
"I'm ok, thank you," Lucy reassures warmly, fingers curling into his hair. "Did feel like it a little back there, but having you there with me helped. Guess it was time," she smiles.
"Mm, that's good. Also means I get to do this around them now," he rasps, leaning to finally kiss her deep and slow like he'd been wanting to all day. Letting the warmth swell up in him from his pounding heart.
A few days later Kade is having a playdate at his friend Noah's and Natsu asked Lucy over his place for dinner while she waited to pick him up later in the evening.
There's a movie on in the background, but Natsu's only half watching. They'd had a good dinner, Lucy's head on his shoulder, the cats purring between them, all making him sleepy. Just a whole sense of content that felt right.
"Hey, Natsu. Can I, can I ask you something?"
Natsu hums and shifts a bit to follow Lucy's lead.
"Yeah, of course. Always."
Lucy gives him a soft, appreciative smile before taking a deep breath and grabbing his hand. Natsu gives it a squeeze for support, sensing it's something important.
"So, um, I've been thinking about the game night the other night and um, how they were all asking us about what we are, assuming we're already together," Lucy starts, running a hand through her hair. "Well, we never really answered Erza's question and I've been meaning to ask if... if that's what you want? To be together… officially?"
Natsu's expression softens, but doesn't get a chance to reply when Lucy continues.
"This has been really great so far, has just felt right, but just made me realize how we haven't really… defined anything? Or talked about what we wanted, if we're on the same page? Because I… I want this, with you. Fully." Lucy's cheeks are flushed, but there's a warm, open, hopeful look in her eyes that makes Natsu's heart flutter.
"Honestly, it's been feeling like we just slipped into this phase of being together already so I hadn't thought about it too deeply," Natsu admits with a sheepish smile and hand through his hair, and Lucy breathes a soft laugh. "But I'm sorry if I made you feel like we were in limbo or somethin'. I guess I was also holding back a little to go at whatever pace you wanted. I do really want this with you too though," he reassures softly. "I'm new to all this and will probably mess up more than enough, but what we have means so much to me and I'm all in if you are," he says, smiling warmly and giving her hand another squeeze.
Natsu's heart swells at the shift of affection in her expression and the bright smile that reflects in her eyes.
"Of course you'd just feel like we already were," Lucy laughs softly.
"I just said I'm new to all this, didn't I?" Natsu chuckles too. "Hope I didn't mess anything up already."
"No, you didn't," Lucy says with a warm reassuring smile, hand coming up to brush his hair. His spine tingles. "But I'm glad we're on the same page and I appreciate you taking a bit of this slow pace with me, even though I didn't even fully realize it." She pauses to take a steadying breath, and Natsu gives her hand a strong squeeze again. "These are kind of new feelings for me too honestly… I think I was scared of getting hurt again and have been closed myself off from anything close to romantic for a long time, and I wouldn't even have thought about something like this if it didn't feel right with Kade either, but you came to mean so much to both of us and I don't want to put my heart last anymore."
Natsu had to swallow past the thick lump of emotion in his throat by the time she's done, tears pricking his eyes.
What did he do to deserve a woman like her in his life?
"Luce..." he rasps. "H-Hold on, I wanna do this right." He presses a quick kiss to her forehead before getting up from the couch to quickly get something from his room. Taking his seat beside her again, he grips something in his fist. "I got you something. Not much, but I've been saving it for somethin' special."
Natsu opens his hand to pick up the silver necklace with a moon pendant that had some stars around it. He'd seen it a while back and instantly thought of her since she'd told him how much she likes space and astrology.
"Lucy, you're such an amazing person. Kind, generous, beautiful, smart, funny, I can go on," Natsu smiles brightly, enjoying the bit of a shy smile that grew on Lucy's expression. "Thank you, for the trust you have in me, for all the ways you've already made me a better person, for how at home I feel with you. I realized I had closed myself off from letting myself be happy for a long time too, but you, and Kade have made my life infinitely better just from being my friend, bringing so much light and joy into it, making me feel things I never thought I'd feel." Natsu takes a steadying breath, reaching up to cup Lucy's cheek. "Friendship and feelings got stronger, and I don't want to lose what we have now or put my heart last anymore either, so... will you be my girlfriend? Officially?" He feels breathless when he finishes, heart racing a mile a minute, but his grin is so wide his cheeks feel sore.
"Yes, of course," Lucy breathes a teary laugh this time, Natsu brushing a few stray tears that escaped with his thumb.
His heart swells with so much happiness it could burst, more so as she leans in and meets him for a tender kiss that they smile into at first, but deepening so Natsu feels it all the way to his bones.
They take a moment to rest their foreheads together after a few more slow, lingering kisses.
"This is beautiful by the way, thank you! So sweet, will you put it on?" Lucy asks with a bright smile.
Natsu chuckles happily, fingers fumbling with the chain as she gathers her hair to the side and turns her head. He clips it finally and presses a soft kiss to the back of her neck that makes her shiver.
Lucy turns back around and Natsu admires the piece in its place. "I thought of you right when I saw it and had to get it. Perfect," he grins, curling some of her hair behind her ear.
They share a few warm, content, quiet moments before Natsu has a thought.
"Oh, so how did you wanna do this with Kade? I don't wanna do or tell him anything more that will confuse him."
Lucy hums. "We can keep it to a minimum like we've been doing, wait a bit longer. I'll talk to him first at some point, then we can tell him officially together. I know he's going to be happy either way, he loves having you over and being around you anyway. Though, I think that probably goes for both of us," she smiles wide, fingers tracing shapes on his open palm.
"Sounds good," Natsu grins with a nod. "So, can I take you out officially soon? We can celebrate?" he asks, heart happy and giddy.
"I think I'd love that," Lucy agrees, grin bright and happy as it should always be as she cups the back of his neck and they share another slow kiss that they're content to drag out for the rest of the forgotten movie.
Natsu wouldn't want it any other way.