Chapter Four
They spent the morning in bed exploring and learning about this new relationship. Despite their inexperience, neither of them felt unsure. Each touch of their hands, their lips, their bodies was like second nature as if they'd always been doing this. The idea of going slowly was thrown out the window as they both realized they trusted each other completely. Around lunchtime both of their stomachs started to rumble and they decided to head to the guild for food. Before heading out, Lucy suggested they get in the shower to get rid of any smell of sex lingering on their skin. Knowing their guildmates though, they'd realize the second they walked in the door. They lingered together under the spray until the water went cold. Natsu helped Lucy dry her golden hair and she put it back in a ponytail, then pulled on a black skirt, blue halter top and black boots. Natsu pulled out a set of his own clothes from his drawer in her dresser and wrapped his scarf around his neck.
Natsu reached for Lucy's hand as they left her apartment building and instead of wrapping his pinky around her own, he threaded all his fingers with hers and pulled her close. Lucy beamed back at him and wrapped her arm around his. Despite their hunger they took their time and enjoyed the nice day, ignoring the points and stares from the Magnolia citizens. They were both well-known from their time with the guild, but many of the people living near Lucy had seen their relationship grow and were happy to see the two finally together.
"We should find a job today," Lucy said as the guild was coming into view. "My rent is due soon and I'm still a bit short."
"Sounds good," Natsu said distractedly. He wasn't sure if she was ready for what he was about to suggest, but after last night and this morning he wanted to take a chance. "You know Luce, we've been basically living together for a while now. Maybe we should just make it permanent. My place doesn't cost us anything."
"I don't know Natsu," She didn't mind actually living with him. After all they basically were now as he'd said. To be honest it wasn't the idea of living with him that scared her. "The last time I was at your place it was a mess."
"It's not really that bad anymore," Natsu blushed as he avoided her narrowed eyes. "Happy and I have been working on it for a few months now. I wanted to be able to offer you something that was worthy of you. I've wanted to have a future with you for a while and I know you love your apartment. I do too, but my place is private and paid for so you can spend your money from jobs on whatever you want. Plus, we can do whatever you want to the house. Happy and I are pretty handy and with Gray and Juvia so close now he can help too if you want to expand or change anything. We're pretty used to it having to re-build the guild so many times."
Lucy tugged his hand to get him to stop and stared up at his questioning and worried eyes. She had no idea he'd been thinking so far ahead. People didn't give him enough credit. He may act dense, but underneath it all was a man just looking for a future with someone. And not just anyone. With her.
"Natsu," She placed her free hand against his chest and gripped his scarf tightly. "You've been doing that for me?"
"Yea," He smirked back at her. "I can show you later if you want."
"I'd love that," She smiled at him. They started back up again and the closer they got to the guild the more the butterflies in her stomach threatened to overwhelm her. She didn't know whether they were nervous butterflies or excited ones.
"We don't have to say anything if you're not ready," Natsu whispered as he sensed her distress.
"I'm afraid they'll know either way. You make me happy Natsu," Lucy looked up at him with the most beautiful smile on her face. She reached up and kissed his lips. "Don't hold back today, okay? If they ask - we're together. Because we are right?"
Natsu smiled down at her and wound his arm around her waist to pull her closer. "Of course we are."
Natsu pushed open the door to the guild with his hand still firmly wrapped around her waist. The guild wasn't super packed at this time of day so not a lot of guildmates saw the two come inside that way. Mira on the other hand, along with Laxus who'd become a fixture at the bar lately whenever he wasn't on a job, definitely did. Natsu and Lucy took seats at the bar and ordered some lunch while Mira narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"Where have you two been all morning? I'd have thought you were on a job, but apparently not from what it looks like right?" Mira bounced slightly on her toes, ready to celebrate if the two partners confirmed what she'd always thought to be true.
"No, we were at my place just having a lazy morning. We need a job though," Lucy replied and accepted the mug of cider pushed in front of her.
"Are you really going to make me ask point blank?" Mira asked. "Because I will. Are you two dating now?"
"Mira!" Lucy's face turned bright red as she leaned instinctively against Natsu. She glanced up at him and he just smirked back at her. "Yes, we are."
Mira's excitement bubbled over and she rushed around the bar to throw her arms around Lucy. "I always knew this day would come! This is so exciting!"
"Congrats," Laxus held out his hand to Natsu for a shake.
"I wish Warren was here," Mira happily replied. "We could tell everyone all at once."
"Honestly Mira we'd decided to confirm it to anyone who saw us and asked us today, but I think the rest of our team and Levy should be the next ones to know," Lucy looked to Natsu for confirmation and he nodded in agreement. "But thanks for being so happy for us. We're happy too."
"They should all be back later," Laxus said. "I saw Erza take a job, but it shouldn't take her more than today. I thought I heard Wendy say she and Carla were taking a day off too."
"And Gray and Juvia were packing today," Mira smiled thinking of all the new couples popping up in the guild lately. She stole a glance at the Lightning Dragon Slayer, who was sitting at the bar as was usual lately, and secretly hoped that they could join that list too someday. "I bet they'll all be back for dinner later if you stick around."
"Sounds good," Natsu smiled and accepted the food that was finally ready and placed in front of him.
They spent the afternoon talking to Mira and Lisanna who'd come to help her sister. The youngest Strauss sibling was just as perceptive as her sister and was able to tell something had changed between the two as well. She matched her sisters' enthusiasm too despite her childhood feelings for Natsu. Lucy had to admit to herself at least that she'd been worried when Lisanna returned from Edolas that her relationship with Natsu would be different or strained. It turned out not to change at all as it became clear to her that he only felt the kind of love for Lisanna that he felt for the other guild members and not a romantic love.
Right before the dinner rush, Natsu and Happy excused themselves to go browse the job request board. As he got up, Levy took his place at the bar leading Lucy to smirk at his back. He'd probably smelled Levy come in and was going to let her tell her friend privately.
"Hey Lu," Levy smiled at her friend. "What have you been up to today?"
"Nothing really. Just spent a lazy morning with Natsu," Lucy smiled at Levy's questioning eyes. "Yes, Levy. You were totally right. Last night we talked and it turns out he felt the same way I did. We're together now and I couldn't be happier."
"Oh Lucy, I'm so happy for you!" Levy wrapped her arms around her friend. They both glanced at the job board to see Gajeel pat Natsu on the back, somewhat roughly, as it was clear the news was shared to the Iron Dragon Slayer as well. "Now we'll both have Dragon Slayer babies."
"Oh gosh Levy," Lucy felt her face heat. "Not for a while hopefully. I don't know that I'm ready to be a mother yet."
The women sat at the bar talking while Lucy waited for the rest of her team to arrive to share the good news. It was becoming harder and harder to hold it in, but she knew Erza, Gray and Wendy deserved to hear the news before the rest of the guild. They'd been a team for a long time and had been through so much together. As if summoned by her thoughts, Erza opened the door to the guild and was closely followed by Wendy and Carla. Lucy waved at them and turned to order a spiked cider from Mira. She and Levy found a large round table and sat to wait for the others to join. Erza sat across from them with a mug of what appeared to be water while Wendy placed a cup of tea in front of her as she sat next to the requip mage. Natsu dropped to the seat next to Lucy with an arm across the back of her chair while Gajeel did the same on the other side of Levy. Finally, Gray and Juvia came into the guild in what looked like work clothes as they were dirty and sweaty from a long day. Juvia sank gratefully into the seat next to Gajeel and accepted both the mug of cider and kiss to her temple from Gray before he sat next to her.
"Long day?" Wendy asked with a smile.
"Yes, it has been," Juvia replied. "We've got all of our things packed up and ready to move to the house. It'll be so bittersweet to leave Fairy Hills."
"We'll miss you that's for sure," Wendy said.
Natsu's hand had drifted from the back of the chair to her shoulder and was drawing small patterns on the top of her skin. It was a soothing sensation as his fingers were always so hot from his magic and Lucy found herself fully relaxing and leaning against him. Erza noticed the interaction and narrowed her eyes at the pair.
"What's going on you two?" She asked in her true direct fashion.
"Well," Natsu glanced down at her and Lucy beamed at him. "We're officially together now. We're dating."
All the women at the table, even Erza, exclaimed with happiness and Gray reached over to congratulate Natsu. At the sudden commotion at their table Mira rushed over.
"Can I tell everyone else now?" Mira seemed so genuinely happy for the two and couldn't stop beaming at them. They both nodded and she rushed off in search of Warren who'd arrived back a couple hours ago.
A few minutes later they all heard her excited voice in their heads declaring that Natsu and Lucy were finally a couple and whoever had today won the bet pool. Both Lucy and Natsu did not look shocked at hearing about a bet being placed considering their guild. They were soon flooded with guildmates rushing to their table, mostly female members. They spent the evening drinking and celebrating with their friends who all seemed as if they knew it was a matter of time. As the evening grew late, Romeo offered to walk a sleepy looking Wendy back to the dorms which the young woman accepted gratefully. As they left with Carla in tow Lucy pointed to their retreating backs.
"Are they a thing too?" She was surprised, but honestly thought it was a good match.
"Not that I know of, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were," Levy replied with a smile.
Levy and Gajeel left next which prompted them all to pack up their things to head out. They all agreed to come help Gray and Juvia the next day with moving into their new place. After accepting a few more congratulations, Lucy and Natsu headed towards his home in the woods with Happy flying ahead.
"You weren't really going to pick a job earlier, were you?" Lucy asked as they walked home.
"No, I just wanted to give you a chance to tell Levy by yourself," He grinned down at her. "I figure we can pick one for real tomorrow."
"Thank you Natsu," She leaned her head against his shoulder. He really was thoughtful in a way most wouldn't think him capable of. But those who didn't give him that credit didn't know him that well in the first place.
As they cleared the trees that led to the house Natsu shared with Happy, Lucy couldn't help the shock that spread across her face. The once slightly overgrown yard was tidy and there was a fenced area next to the house that was clearly meant for training. The windows were clean and shiny and there were no vines crawling up the sides of the house like the last time she'd been here. But what made her heart swell was the sign which used to read "Natsu and Happy". Now it read "Natsu, Lucy and Happy".
"Come on. It's even better inside," He gently tugged on her hand that was tightly grasped in his. He opened the front door for her and she was immediately overwhelmed by a flying blue cat.
"Ta-da!" Happy was hovering in the living room and had his paws outstretched.
"Oh Happy," Lucy's face fell as she realized they hadn't told him about their relationship privately. He'd been with them when they told the team, but he'd deserved better. "I'm so sorry Happy. We should've told you about us alone."
"Don't worry Lucy," He grinned at her sheepishly. "I figured it out when I woke up at your place this morning. Natsu confirmed it before I left."
"Still, I'm sorry Happy. I hope you don't mind sharing Natsu with me," She opened her arms and the blue Exceed flew to her chest and hugged her.
"Of course not! Haven't we been doing that already?" He grinned up at her. "Just tell me before you need any bedroom time."
Lucy flushed as she realized she'd initiated sex with Natsu this morning without even thinking about Happy. She'd had no idea he'd left and hadn't given it a single thought at the time. She was saved from reply by Natsu who gave his friend his signature "Aye sir!" reply.
Lucy looked around the room and couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her at what she saw. Every surface was clean and free of cobwebs, clothes piles, trash. There was a large sectional couch in front of the fireplace that hadn't been present before along with an empty bookshelf next to the fireplace. The other side of the fireplace had a large empty space that had clearly been cleaned out and set aside. Off to the right of the living room was a sparkling clean kitchen. Every dish was clean and put in a cabinet where they'd been piled in the sink before. The fridge was also clean and on the inside it held both of their favorites along with hers.
Down the hall were two bedrooms. She glanced in the first knowing it to be Happy's space and she couldn't help but smile. She'd always loved that Natsu had made sure Happy had an entire room to call his and the space was currently spotless just like the rest of the house had been. The other bedroom, clearly Natsu's, made her heart stop. Before it had been a mattress on the floor and a mess of clothes piled in each corner. Now, an actual much larger bed with a head and footboard made to accommodate two people stood in the center and nightstands on each side. Another empty bookshelf stood on the opposite wall of the bed. The bathroom was the final door in the hallway and at this Natsu finally spoke up.
"Sorry the bathroom isn't the best right now. It's the first thing we'll fix. Just as you like it Luce. What do you think?" He was clearly nervous which was not a trait she associated with him. "I know it needs work still, but I hope it's ok. The kitchen isn't big enough I know and the bathroom doesn't have a great soaking tub like your apartment. Plus, if we ever have kids we'd have to add on to the place."
Lucy beamed up at him as he continued to ramble. She stopped him by wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a firm, but passionate kiss against his lips.
"It's so wonderful Natsu. It looks so amazing," She gestured to the empty space by the fireplace. "What's this space for?"
"Well, I figured you could put your writing desk there. You'd always be warm by the fire then," He blushed as he pointed to the empty bookshelf. "And I made you a couple bookshelves too. I figured you could fill them pretty easily."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. "When can I move in again?"
He cupped her face in his large hands and kissed her. "Does now work?"