Chapter Two

As Lucy opened her apartment door and gently set her bag on the table she couldn't help but notice how Natsu had referred to this as "home" earlier. She'd been quiet on the walk back as she over-analyzed every interaction they'd had especially recently after her conversation with Levy. Did he really feel the same as she did? She'd accepted a long time ago that she loved him, but she also needed him too. Taking the next step scared the hell out of her. What if he didn't and it ruined everything?

"You ok Luce?" Natsu was shutting the door behind them. "You were quiet on the way back."

"Yea I'm good," She smiled back at him to hide her musings. "I think I'm going to go take a bath. You and Happy ok to entertain yourselves until I get back? Without going through my desk or underwear drawer?"

"One time Luce. We did that once!" Natsu exclaimed. He smirked as she gave him an annoyed look. "Ok fine not just once, but I promise we'll be good."

Lucy shook her head as she headed towards the bathroom and stripped once the door was closed. She sighed as she settled in the tub, the steam rising and the bubbles soothing her body. This never failed to relax her no matter what the worry was. Maybe she was being silly. Normal friends didn't act the way they did right? They practically lived together. Natsu and Happy only ever spent an evening at home when they needed a change of clothes after all the ones he kept here were dirty. They both always looked exhausted the next day too as neither slept as well without the other. As her hand drifted through the water she couldn't help but let her mind drift from Natsu to her still broken celestial key for the water bearer Aquarius. Ever since the war had ended she'd been keeping her ears open for any leads, but so far hadn't found her friends' key. Luckily for her, there weren't many Celestial Mages left in Fiore and the ones she knew of were allies. They all wanted to help her find Aquarius' key.

Out in the living room, Natsu was trying to focus on the card game he was playing with Happy while they waited for Lucy to finish. Unbeknownst to her, he was battling similar thoughts about his best friend too. He may appear dense, but he knew things had changed. He couldn't seem to stop his hands from drifting to her whenever she was close to him which was quite often lately. He loved his best friend, but he'd never been so scared in his life. He desperately needed her and losing her was not an option.

"Natsu, it's your turn," Happy muttered. He knew his friend must be distracted because Natsu was currently losing, which was rare for this game.

Natsu dropped the cards in his hand and stood. "Sorry buddy I'm not really in the mood for it tonight."

Happy smiled knowing why Natsu was so distracted. The Dragon Slayer had drifted as close to the bathroom as he could before turning away from it so as not to get caught. He rolled his eyes and flew over to the cot on the other side of the room that Lucy had set up for him long ago. He curled up and decided to go to sleep, letting his friend pace. Natsu ended his pacing at her desk. He didn't go through its contents as he'd promised he wouldn't, but his eyes landed on her broken celestial key. Getting her to admit what had happened to the water bearer was not an easy feat. It had forced them to talk about him leaving her behind after Tartaros attacked. It was something he didn't realize they needed to talk about until after they'd done so. He'd hurt her and hadn't meant to. It still killed him that he had especially with what she was going through with losing Aquarius and the guild all at once. But they were even closer after that conversation.

Her smell drifted closer to him as the bathroom door opened. She came out in her sleep shorts and one of his old t-shirts. Just another reason to believe they were something more. She'd lost her pajamas on one of their jobs recently and had used his shirt in its place until they got home. Much to his surprise, and pleasure if he were honest, she'd kept using it despite the drawer full of other pajamas in her dresser. Seeing her in his clothes did something to him that he wasn't quite sure how to define. His heart fluttered and pounded knowing his smell was mixing with hers every time she put it on. Why was he resisting the pull he felt when he was with her?

Lucy was about to yell at him when she found him at her desk, but then noticed his hands in his pockets instead of going through anything. Natsu smiled at her when she approached. He'd shed his vest and scarf since she'd gone to take her bath and was standing before her bare chested. Natsu reached for her hand and led her to her bed. He climbed on top with his back against the headboard and pulled her to sit between his outstretched legs. She fit perfectly against his chest like a missing puzzle piece. There was no way she couldn't feel the rapid beating of his heart against her back. His arms wrapped around her and he bravely pressed a kiss to her temple. Lucy took a shaky breath, but leaned into the kiss despite her fears.

"Natsu," She whispered and ran her hands along the arms wrapped around her waist.

"Luce, I can't…I don't want to run from this anymore," He whispered against her temple.

"I'm scared Natsu," Lucy clung to him despite the fear rolling through her. "I can't lose you."

Natsu shifted her so she was straddling his lap with her legs on either side of him. He pressed his forehead to hers gently and ran his hands up her thighs. "I am too, but I'll always fight for us. For you. To get back to you. Lucy, you mean everything to me. I love you. I want to hold your hand for real and not hide when we're at the guild anymore. I want to be able to kiss you whenever I want and I want my first time to be with you and only you."

Lucy couldn't hold back the happy tears that trailed down her cheeks. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she placed her hands against his cheeks. "Oh Natsu. I love you too."

Lucy pressed her lips to his and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms wound tightly around her waist to keep her secured against his chest as he passionately kissed her back. His tongue swept across her lower lip begging for entrance which she gladly allowed. His warm hands slid under her shirt and brushed across the bottom of her bare breasts. Knowing she hadn't put a bra back on like she normally would have made his erection grow. As he was about to pull the garment over her head, Lucy pulled back and brought her forehead back to rest against his as a snore startled them both out of the bubble they'd been in.

Natsu chuckled as he kept his hands securely under her shirt and took a deep breath. "Happy."

"Happy," Lucy giggled back. She pulled away and stared down into his deep obsidian eyes with a loving smile. "Maybe it's for the best. Can we take this slow? I want to do this right. I really can't lose you."

"We'll go as slow as you need," Natsu cupped her cheek as his thumb caressed her cheek. "I'm never letting you go now."

Lucy and Natsu curled up under the covers that night with their legs tangled, her head against his chest and his hands tangled in her golden hair.