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Chapter Text

One

Natsu waited until he was positive that she was asleep, his foot tapping an uneven rhythm across her new flooring to try and ease the agitation crawling through his body. 

It was weird. He’d hated their ten months apart, and he’d hated himself for causing it. It was like he’d been wandering without a limb, like he was half of a whole. But, now that they’d reunited, as soon as she was out of his sight he felt like he couldn’t breathe properly. 

Still. She’d set her boundary, and he would respect that. It was the very least that he could do for her after causing her so much pain. Pain which she hadn’t fully opened up about yet, either. Not that he had the right to push her. 

Happy had already scurried off to bed with her. Her demand that he stay on the couch only seemed to be extended to him, as she’d called their blue Exceed into her bedroom with her when she’d called it a night, and he’d had to grip the arms of the couch to stop himself from ripping the stupid cat away from her when he’d heard his soft purrs and her sleepy giggles. 

He didn’t have that right anymore. And even though he was jealous that Happy got to sleep with her in her bed, he was still happy that his two favorite people had been reunited. Maybe Happy would finally be brave enough to admit to Lucy that he wanted her to be his mom. 

Maybe Natsu would finally admit that he was in love with her and he would sooner rip his heart out and hand it right over to her then ever cause her any pain again, no matter how accidental it had been. 

Gods, he had missed her. 

He stood up from the couch carefully sidestepping the squeaky floorboards he’d taken notice of when Lucy had stepped on them. He was only slightly breaking a rule, but still. He didn’t want to be caught before he’d managed to see her again. 

Slowly, he pushed the bedroom door open and tiptoed into her room inhaling deeply. 

His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he had to place his palm on the wall nearest to him to steady himself. 

Her bedroom was drenched in her scent. Vanilla, jasmine and something that was just inherently Lucy and it made his blood sing with need and a heady sort of possessiveness. It had been far too long since he’d been so completely surrounded by just Lucy. 

Natsu’s eyes sought her out easily. He had always known where she was at any given moment when they were near one another. Lucy had once joked that he had a built-in ‘Lucy-Detector’ and she wasn’t wholly wrong. 

She was tucked snuggly underneath her duvet with Happy curled around her neck like a scarf, both of them sleeping peacefully. 

She really was beautiful. 

A sliver of moonlight peeked in through her curtains, bathing her in a glow that just enunciated the beautiful golden color of her hair, the tresses flowing freely over the other side of her bed now that it was so long. Honestly, he was kind of obsessed with the new length, it meant there was so much more for him to play with. 

He could see the collar of one of his shirts resting just slightly down her shoulder, and it filled him with a surge of primal pleasure to see her wearing something that belonged to him. Something that claimed her as only his. 

His eyes roamed over her bedroom, and he froze as he spotted the large cork board that took up the entirety of one of the walls. It was filled with a map of the world, and it had various images of their guild mates and other scraps of paper, some of it joined by a red string. 

Stepping closer, his heart sank into his feet as he finally saw what she had been doing. 

Lucy had kept tabs on everyone she could, putting a colored thumbtack on different parts of the country where some of their friends had ended up, along with a paper trail for some others. She had been keeping track of them. 

A wave of heartbreak and anger washed through him. Heartbreak for the pain Lucy had been through because of him and everyone else, and anger for the same thing. And, also anger because he wondered if anybody had bothered to keep tabs on her. 

Before Tartaros, before he’d left her, before the guild had fucking disbanded , Natsu wouldn’t have hesitated if he’d been asked if their guild cared for Lucy as much as she cared for them. He wouldn’t have had to wonder if they’d take care of her, it had always been something he’d just known. 

But now, ten months later he was looking at the visible proof that his Lucy had been abandoned by everybody who claimed to love and care for her. She had been left alone after what was probably one of the most traumatic events in their lives, while multiple others traveled together. 

Did anybody ask her to go with them? Did they come to check on her every so often? Send her any letters? Anything? 

His eyes shot back to her sleeping form, and he desperately wanted to wake her up and ask her. He needed to know if his assumptions were true. And then he needed to get on his hands and knees and apologize to her again. 

Gods, he hated himself. 

If he had known the guild was going to be disbanded, he never would’ve even contemplated leaving her alone. He would’ve taken her with him. Or at the very least, he would’ve checked in with her. 

Slowly, he shuffled over towards the bed and sank to the floor beside it. He rested his chin on the mattress near her head and just studied her, watching as her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks as she dreamt, her chest hitching with a breath every so often and heart thumping a steady and beautiful melody under her skin. A melody he knew more intimately than he knew anything else. 

Natsu would ask her in the morning to explain the wall. He would ask her to explain everything she could about their guildmates, and then he would offer her a promise. A promise of forever, and he would prove it to her. 

He would prove to her that he would never leave her again, and that she was the most important fucking person in his life. And then, when he was sure that she knew that, he would rebuild Fairy Tail from the ground up. 

And he would do it all for Lucy.

Lucy wasn’t even wholly surprised to see Natsu in her bedroom when she woke up. 

If the butterflies in her stomach were anything to go by, she was in fact pleased to see him sleeping propped up against her bed, his head tipped to the side and resting on her mattress not far from her own face. 

She was grateful he had listened to her when she’d said she didn’t want him in the bed with her, that he had to regain that privilege. Even if she had missed him last night when she’d fallen asleep with Happy tucked against her neck. 

But, she had missed him every night since he’d left so that wasn’t entirely new. 

She reached out slowly and gently brushed her fingers through his hair, scratching her nails across his scalp in the way she knew always soothed him. It still felt surreal, that he was actually in front of her and real and that she could reach out at any time and just touch him. 

“Lucy.” 

Her heart stumbled and she shivered at the gravelly voice that rasped her name. He’d somehow made her name sound like a curse and prayer all at once, and her poor heart was about a second away from self-combustion. 

She offered him a soft smile, her fingers still brushing through his hair. “Morning, Natsu.” 

He reached up and gently tugged her hand away from his hair, only to drag it down his face and press his lips directly against the palm of her hand. 

It was quite possibly one of the most intimate things he had ever done, and she felt it chip away some more at the leftover anger she felt with him. 

“Natsu,” She murmured, her fingers twitching and brushing across his nose before he lowered their hands so that they were joined together and resting on the bed between their heads. 

He purred quietly in the back of his throat in response, his eyes studying her with a new kind of intensity. It was a look that had always been there and had always lit a fire deep within her belly, but there was a new wave of intensity to it that made her want to bury herself under the covers with him and discover what exactly that new look entailed. 

Lucy felt all her muscles instantly relax and her eyes close at the gentle purr. Natsu’s purrs had always been her kryptonite. He only ever made that sound around her, and it always worked to comfort her when she was sad, or soothe her when she was worked up. It was a sound she hadn’t even realized she’d missed until he’d just made it. 

She knew exactly what he was buttering her up for. They may have been separated for months, but she still knew her silly dragon and she knew that he wanted to ask her about the wall full of information on their friends but he didn’t want to upset her. 

“You want to hear about the wall?” She asked softly, letting her eyes flutter open so she could study his face. She knew the wall like the back of her hand, so she was content to just watch him instead. 

Natsu’s purring stopped, and he narrowed his eyes at her for a moment. “Only if you want to tell me.” 

Lucy smiled at him. It had been too long since someone had considered her feelings for anything, and here Natsu was not even back in her life for a full twenty four hours and already he was just reminding her why she’d missed him the most. 

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” She carefully shuffled backwards on the mattress towards where Happy had rolled off to in the middle of the night. Tugging at Natsu’s hand, she urged him up onto the bed with her. “It’s been ten long months where I’ve had nobody to talk to and nobody to listen to me. And now, you’re back and you want to know everything and I want to tell you everything but it’s hard because I know it’ll hurt to talk about. But, I do want to.” 

Natsu pulled her to him as soon as he settled on the bed. He tucked her against his chest, his chin resting on top of her head and his legs bracketing her in between them. 

“Baby steps?” He offered quietly, his warm hand sweeping up and down her back soothingly and turning her into a puddle. 

She hummed softly, relaxing fully against him. 

“Maybe it’ll be easier if you ask questions? Then I can just fill in the rest.” She kept her voice low, her fingers tapping a gentle rhythm against his side. 

He nodded, pressing his lips to her forehead and just resting them there. 

“Okay. I noticed that some of them have gone off together. Did… did any of them offer for you to travel with them?” 

Lucy’s heart twinged with a pain she had long gotten used to carrying around with her, but it felt more severe now that Natsu was back and holding her in his arms. It felt more real. 

“No.” She whispered, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. “When Master held the meeting to tell us he was dismantling the guild, it was two days after you and Happy left. I - everyone was heartbroken, Natsu. I tried looking for the others, but Gray had rushed off and Juvia followed. Erza had vanished long before the meeting so I assumed she’d already been told. Gajeel and Levy had taken off together with Jet and Droy not far behind.” 

Natsu’s arms tightened around her and he rolled her onto her back so that he was hovering above her. 

“Wendy and Carla stayed for a week, but their friend Sherria at Lamia Scale invited them to visit. And they just didn’t come back.” She shrugged like it was no big deal, even though her tears were clinging to her eyelashes and her bottom lip was trembling. “I think everyone sort of just forgot about me, y’know? Even though I was so mad that you left me, you’re the only one who bothered to leave any sort of note to tell me you were leaving.” 

She felt the air leave Natsu’s lungs in a sharp burst, almost like all of the air had been punched out of him. 

“Lucy.” He whispered, his own eyes bright with tears. 

She choked on a sob as his lips tenderly began brushing against the tears that had escaped, his hands securing her face in a gentle hold as he pulled back after a moment and just looked at her. 

“I know I apologized already, but I am so sorry.” He trailed his lips across her temple and down to her jaw. “I am sorry that I left. And I’m sorry that I left you alone with people who forgot how important you are. People who forgot that they wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you.” 

He was furious, she could see it in his eyes and feel it in the tenseness of the muscles beneath her hands as she held him tightly to her. 

It felt somewhat nice to have someone angry on her behalf. It made her feel more important than she’d felt in the last ten months, and she wanted to chase after that feeling with everything inside her. 

“It’s okay.” She breathed, pressing her forehead against his. 

A startled, high-pitched giggle burst from her chest as he frowned down at her and shook his head which caused her own to follow because he kept their foreheads pressed firmly together. 

“It’s not okay, Luce. It wasn’t okay then, and it isn’t okay now.” He swore, his eyes lightening slightly at the sound of her laugh. “I want to make you a promise.” 

Her fingers were drawing mindless patterns across his spine but they froze at his words, unconsciously drawing him closer even as he pulled them upright and sat them up so they were facing one another. 

She watched as he pulled his scarf from off his neck. 

“You know how much this scarf means to me, Luce?” He asked lowly, holding it carefully in his hands and refusing to look at her. 

Lucy frowned in confusion and slowly pushed herself forwards, her body resting in between his open and bent knees. 

“Of course I do, Natsu. I nearly threw myself off Hades stupid flying ship to save it because I know how much it means to you.” 

Her words had the intended effect and he snorted softly, his eyes finally finding hers again and she almost gasped at the emotion swirling in his brown orbs. 

“I know my promises won’t mean much right now. But, I wanted to offer you one anyway. The promise that I will never ever leave you by my own choice again. If we ever become separated for whatever reason, I will fight to come back to you no matter how long it takes.” He promised seriously, leaning towards her. “And, I want you to have this. At least, until you trust my words. Have this because you know I will always come back for it. And, when you trust me fully again, give it back. Because then you’ll have realized that you are more important to me than this scarf and I will always be back for you. Always “ 

Lucy was sobbing. 

Natsu wound the scarf around her neck like she was something precious to him, before he pulled her into his arms once again and curved his body protectively over hers and just let her cry out ten months of pain and loneliness against him. 

The intention behind his actions made them even more powerful than the promise itself. He had just willingly handed her the very last piece of Igneel he had left, the same dragon he had left to mourn. And now, he was letting her keep hold of something so important to him until she could fully trust him again. 

It spoke volumes to her of his willingness to prove to her just how sorry he was. 

“Natsu,” She whimpered, tucking her face into the scarf and holding him impossibly closer. “Natsu.” 

He smoothed his hand across her back, heating up his fingers and pressing them firmly into the knots across her spine. She melted against him, her gasping sobs dying down into sniffles and hitched breaths as she relaxed into his hands as he worked the tension out of her. 

“I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, Lucy,” He murmured into her ear. “And when you’re ready to trust me with your heart again, I promise I won’t break it.” 

She huffed out another sob, his sweet words sending her emotions haywire. “Okay. Okay, Natsu.” 

She would let him regain her trust again. He didn’t need to know yet that he still had her heart, even if it was a little broken and bruised. But, he held her heart inside his hands and he always would. 

“You guys!” 

She laughed loudly as Happy wailed, sobbing and scrambling to join them in their hug. He buried his little face against her chest and held onto both of them tightly. 

“It’s okay, Happy,” Lucy soothed, her voice raw from her tears. “We’re gonna be okay.” She paused. “Aren’t we, Natsu?” 

He brought his face down close to hers and Happy’s, all three of them content to share space as Happy cried quietly between them. 

“Yeah, Luce. We’re gonna be absolutely okay.” 

Chapter Text

Two

Natsu was beyond excited. He was ecstatic, stoked, enthused. 

Yes, Lucy had been teaching him about synonyms. 

He had the entire day planned out, from the moment Lucy woke up to the very end of the night when they’d go to bed. He was even hopeful that he’d be allowed to dry her hair for her with his fire after her nightly bath. 

She never normally said no when he wanted to play with her hair, but he had been cautious about it since coming back feeling like it was something he had to earn. 

It had been just over a week since he’d found her in Crocus, and they’d spent that week at her place just catching up and reminiscing. Rebuilding the bond that had been stretched between them during their separation. It had been one of the best weeks of his life, just recuperating with Lucy and Happy. 

Now, it was a new week and Natsu was ready to put his plan into action. He had a whole step-by-step list for what he wanted to do to not only regain her trust, but to also woo her in the process. He was more than ready to confess his feelings to his best friend, but he figured that proving to her that he could be a good life-partner before wouldn’t be such a bad thing. 

Especially because with the instincts of a dragon, it meant that he mated for life. And he had already chosen Lucy, he just hoped that one day she would choose him too. 

Therefore, he needed to put the work in. So, he’d booked them a table at a little family run cafe that she had absolutely adored when they’d been in Crocus for the Grand Magic Games nearly a year ago. 

He’d even paid the owner extra to bake Lucy her favorite chocolate cherry cake that she had obsessed over last time. He’d had to bribe the owner to make it because they’d taken it off the menu a few months prior, but it would be worth the extra jewel to see the look on Lucy’s face when she got to eat it. 

Maybe she’d even share it. 

“Lucy! You look so pretty!” 

Natsu’s ears pricked up at the sound of Happy’s awed coo. He felt both excitement to see what Lucy had picked to wear, and he felt such love for both of his companions. 

Whenever Happy said Lucy’s name, it always sounded like he was saying “Lushie”, and it was something that both Natsu and Lucy adored about their little blue Exceed. It never failed to make Natsu feel all warm inside whenever he heard it, especially because he knew it meant Lucy was nearby. 

She stepped out of her bedroom and honestly, she could’ve been wearing her ugliest, comfiest pyjamas and he would’ve thought she looked like a goddess because that’s exactly what she was to him. She was everything.  

“You look beautiful.” He beamed, his eyes slowly trailing over her. 

She was wearing a tight white tank top that she’d covered with his old sleeveless vest that she’d tied at the waist with a white sash just underneath her breasts and she’d paired it with a black skirt that fell just above her knees which was longer than her usual style, but it was getting colder so he assumed that was why she’d picked a longer option. 

She was also wearing her usual thigh high boots which absolutely murdered him everytime he saw her in them. His first sex dream had included Lucy in her thigh highs.

His scarf was draped over her shoulders, and it was the sight of her wearing it that stole his breath away entirely. 

He’d felt a little lost without it, but seeing her standing there wearing it? God, he would drop to his knees and worship her right then and there if he thought she’d let him get away with it. 

If his plan went well, one day she would let him. 

Natsu watched as a beautiful flush spread across her chest and face as she grinned at him, her head tipping forwards bashfully. 

It was another thing he was working on. Complimenting her. 

Lucy was very self-confident and she was all too aware how beautiful she was. But, she still deserved to be told just how gorgeous she was and Natsu was beyond grateful that he could be the one to shower her in all the compliments she should’ve heard years ago. 

And, he did so enjoy seeing the beautiful blush that washed over her every time he did it. 

“Thank you, Natsu. You look handsome yourself.” She smiled, lifting Happy up from the floor and letting him cuddle against her breasts. 

Fucking lucky cat. 

Natsu glanced down at his own outfit. He was still wearing his usual one-sleeved jacket, but instead of his baggy cream pants, he’d gone with a pair of black slacks. They were loose enough that he could move freely in them, but they weren’t as comfortable as his usual attire. 

He could deal with that. He would do anything for Lucy. 

She stepped into his space, chewing slightly on her bottom lip. “Are you comfortable like that? You know I don’t mind what clothes you’re in, Natsu. But I don’t want you to ever think that I want you to change.” 

Her words sent a spark of heat straight through his chest, and he had to fight the urge to lift his hand to his sternum to rub at the ache. 

“I know, sweet girl,” He murmured tenderly, reaching out and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and using the other hand to gently rub between Happy’s ears. “But I can do this for lunch. It’s not too bad, promise.”

She had practically melted at his nickname for her, a soft look entering her eyes and her mouth parting in a quiet gasp. She looked up at him like he was something precious to her, and he wanted to bury himself in her forever.

He wanted to just be with Lucy forever. 

“Okay.” She breathed, lifting Happy up between them and kissing the tip of the cat’s ears. 

Both of them shared a laugh as their little Exceed rumbled like a motorcycle with his purrs, his eyes shut in pure glee at their attentions. 

“I love you guys,” Happy groaned, smiling, stretching in Lucy’s arms so that his little nose was pressed against her neck. 

Natsu had the absolute pleasure of watching all the emotions flood over Lucy’s face. She looked shocked, then her face melted into what Natsu could only call pure adoration. 

“We love you too, silly cat.” She promised, pressing another kiss to his head before she let him go so he could fly around. 

“Let’s go!” Natsu grinned, grabbing Lucy’s hand in his and gently tugging her towards the door more than ready to get his plan started. 

She giggled at him, shaking her head fondly but allowing him to drag her. She had once told him that she would follow him anywhere, and she proved that every single time she followed him without question or allowed him to drag her wherever he wanted. 

He was so fucking in love with her.

Lucy couldn’t stop the excited squeak from leaving her mouth when she noticed where Natsu had taken them for lunch. 

It was a little cafe run by a lovely old lady and her family called Sweetest Time, and she had been obsessed with their food the last time they’d been in Crocus. 

She hadn’t gone back at all while she’d been living there. It had been too painful to go to a place where her memories were filled with nice lunches with Natsu and Happy. She had walked past it a few times, and it had only made her heart ache with loneliness. 

The fact that Natsu had brought her here for lunch made her realize that he knew her inside out, and he’d known just how much she’d appreciate this. 

“Are you happy?” Natsu asked, tugging her to his side as Happy flew inside for their table.

She tilted her head up so she could look into his eyes and she beamed at him, her heart fluttering with so much joy that she felt like she could fly. 

“I’m so beyond happy!” She shook their joint hands gently. “This is perfect, Natsu. Thank you.” 

His eyes dropped to her lips before raising again to meet her eyes, and she immediately blushed. 

Did he just look at my lips? 

“I’m glad,” He murmured, lifting his free hand up and placing it on the back of her neck and giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “I want to make you happy, Luce.” 

Her lips parted slightly in shock and her tummy erupted with butterflies. 

“You do.” She promised, pushing her neck back slightly into his hand so that he would grip tighter. “I’m so happy, Natsu. I’m happy you're back, and I’m so glad we’re doing all of this. It’s like a new adventure every day with you. I appreciate the fact that you’re working hard to make it up to me and regain my trust. It means a lot to me.” 

He smiled down at her, a soft look in his eyes that made her want to melt into a puddle of goo. 

“It’s more fun when we’re together, yeah?” He quoted her, his thumb brushing along her pulse, no doubt feeling the way it skipped hurriedly against her skin at his touch. 

She went up on her tiptoes and pressed her forehead against his for a moment, letting her eyes fall shut. 

“It’s more fun when we’re together.” She promised. 

When she dropped back down to her feet, she was surprised to see tears in Natsu’s eyes. 

“Hey,” She whispered, brushing her thumb underneath his eye and catching a tear on her thumb. “What’s this for?”

He laughed slightly, shaking his head. “I just..” He trailed off, a deep sigh heaving his chest. “I just missed you so much, Luce. I made such a mistake leaving you, and being with you now just makes me realize that I want to be with you, always.”

She let his words wash over her like a warm blanket, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. 

God, she was so in love with this silly dragon. 

“Always, Natsu.” She promised fiercely, a promise for right now and for the future. A promise that held so much meaning and possibilities, one they could work through together.

She would wait until Natsu was ready before she confessed her feelings. She would for now, enjoy the affection and attention he bestowed upon her and she wouldn’t let him forget how important he was to her in the meantime. 

“Guys! I’m hungry, c’mon!” Their little blue cat called impatiently, his wings fluttering in agitation as he came to join them back outside. 

They pulled away from each other with a laugh, the charged tension between them settling once more. 

“We’re coming, bud.” Natsu grabbed her hand again and dragged her towards Happy. “Let’s go stuff our faces!” 

Happy cheered, making Lucy laugh brightly at him. 

Her boys and their food. 

She was beyond excited to eat at the cafe. She hoped they still had some of that lovely cake that they’d had last year. It had been one of the reasons why she’d loved going there so much. She hadn’t been successful in her attempt to recreate it at home, so a slice would fulfill the craving she’d had since the year before. 

Natsu led her over to their table and helped her into the booth before sliding in and joining her, Happy fluttering over to the other side of her before letting his wings disappear. 

He patted the table with his paws impatiently, his eyes watching for the waitress. 

Lucy snorted and gently ran her hand down his head, sending him a smile when he tilted his head back and shivered. 

The silly cat wound her up like nobody else on a daily basis, but she adored him all the same. She had missed him when he’d gone with Natsu, she had even missed the slight smell of fish that always accompanied him because of his secret stash in his little green bandana. 

“So, I got one more surprise for you,” Natsu spoke quietly, immediately bringing her attention back to him. “They didn’t do that cake that you loved anymore, they stopped selling it. But I managed to convince the cook to make a small version just for you.” 

Lucy was about two seconds away from bawling her eyes out, affection for her best friend swelling up inside of her like a balloon. 

“Natsu,” She whined, covering her face with her hands. “That’s too much! You didn’t have to do that.” 

Natsu reached up and gently squeezed the back of her neck. He’d been doing that a lot lately, and Lucy was quickly becoming addicted to the feel of his large, hot hand on the back of her neck. 

He waited until she’d settled somewhat and looked at him before offering her a sweet smile. “It’s not too much if it’s for you, Luce. They were happy to do it, and I’m happy if you’re happy. That’s what matters, right?” 

She huffed through her nose and sent him a glare that held no heat whatsoever. 

“Of course it is! But, that absolutely doesn’t mean you need to spoil me, Natsu. Just spending time with you for lunch makes me happier than anything. Anything after that is a bonus.”

Lucy watched as his eyes widened in surprise and his lips parted slightly with a soft puff of air, but before he could say anything the waitress walked over with a massive smile on her face and a jug of ice cold lemon water. 

“Hi! What can I get you guys?” The waitress smiled politely, pouring all three of them some water. 

Lucy watched as her eyes widened briefly at the sight of Happy before her smile widened slightly as she handed him his water. 

She forgot sometimes that people weren’t so used to seeing talking cats that could fly, that it wasn’t their normal like it was hers. 

A wave of appreciation for the life she led, for the people she surrounded herself with, hit her right in her chest and she was helpless to do anything but reach over and crush Happy to her chest. 

“Ah, Lucy!” Happy complained, even as he snuggled closer. 

She huffed out a laugh, sending Natsu a smile after she noticed the concern in his gaze. 

“Sorry, Happy. I just felt like giving you a hug.” She murmured, dropping a kiss to the top of his furry head before releasing him, smiling the whole time. 

Happy grinned up at her and quickly nuzzled against her face before dropping back into his seat with a huff and quickly chatting the ear off the waitress as he ordered more food than Lucy had eaten all week. 

She felt Natsu’s hand on her neck again, and she shivered as he squeezed gently. Her eyes met his and they shared a soft smile before they both looked down at their menus, but Lucy was pleased that Natsu left his hand at the nape of her neck, his fingers twisting and twirling the little baby hairs that she hadn’t fit in her pigtails. 

“You order first, Luce. Yours will be less than mine.” He grinned sheepishly, nodding his head in the direction of the waitress once Happy finished giving his order. 

She snorted inelegantly, rolling her eyes fondly. Of course hers would be less than his, he ate more than anybody she’d ever met. Although, she knew by now that it was a dragon slayer thing. 

Their lunch was just as amazing as Lucy remembered, and once she’d had her fill of her ravioli and some of Natsu’s tacos she leaned back in her chair contentedly, her body warm and drowsy as they waited for the cake Natsu had promised her. 

“Wanna play a game?” She asked, her eyes roaming over the patrons of the cafe. 

Happy was immediately on board, bouncing in his seat while Natsu simply raised an eyebrow at her and cocked his head slightly, letting her know he was waiting for instructions. 

“Okay, I think we should all pick someone in the cafe and make up a random life story for them.” She explained, before tipping her head in the direction of two young girls sitting at the front of the cafe. “Like those two. I think the girl on the left works at an animal shelter, she has two boyfriends and neither of them know about each other. The girl on the right is her sister, and she recently left her job for greener pastures.” She paused and then snorted. “And that greener pasture is having a sugar daddy.” 

Natsu’s shoulders shook with laughter, his eyes bright with mirth as he looked over at the two girls Lucy had been talking about before turning back to her. “I bet her sugar daddy is her sister’s boyfriend.” 

Lucy’s mouth dropped open before she snorted, shaking her head. “Probably right.” She looked at her best friend with a cheeky grin. “Maybe we should invest in a sugar daddy?” 

Natsu raised his brow at her. “If you think I won’t seriously look into it… our lives will be so much cheaper.” 

She let out a bright laugh.

Happy was frowning hard at an elderly couple sitting together at a table over from them. 

“My turn, my turn!” He called, bringing Natsu and Lucy’s attention straight to him. “Okay, I think it’s their wedding anniversary and they come to the cafe because it’s the same cafe they met in and then they’re gonna go feed the fishies.” 

Lucy smiled at her silly little Exceed, because of course he’d managed to still include fish. 

“Good one buddy.” Natsu praised. 

They sat in comfortable silence as Natsu’s eyes roamed over the cafe, looking for his story. Lucy watched him, her heart feeling lighter than she could ever remember it feeling before. 

She still had nightmares about Tartaros and about Natsu and Happy never coming back. But now, Natsu was there to comfort her after every nightmare. He was there to settle her when she got angry with him over leaving. He was there to hold her when she cried over the loss of their guild and the abandonment from her friends. 

He may have left her, but he had come back. He had come back and was putting in the effort to prove to her that he was truly sorry. It was more than enough in her eyes. 

“Okay.” Natsu murmured. “That man over there, he’s here waiting for his date. It’s their third one and he thinks they’re perfect for each other but he hasn’t told her about all the dress up dolls he hides in his spare bedroom.” 

“What the fuck.” She laughed, having to hold her stomach as her muscles cramped from all the laughing she’d been doing. “That’s very creative.” 

He grinned wildly, looking more beautiful than ever. “It’s all that time spent with you.” 

She flushed, the praise washing over her and making her feel all fuzzy.  

He’d been complimenting and praising her more and more since they’d reunited, and she wouldn’t deny that she loved it and was quickly becoming addicted to the feeling it gave her. 

He was bolder and calmer ever since he’d come back from his training, more mindful of her feelings than he had been before. She wondered sometimes what had happened to make him change, but she was too afraid of the answer to ask. 

Maybe she would ask him one day. 

“Let’s do it again!” Happy cheered, head already swinging around to find his next target. 

Lucy laughed and nodded, following his example. 

She loved her boys.

They stumbled into her apartment, a tangle of limbs and bodies shaking with laughter. 

“I can’t believe you threw a fish at him!” Lucy was clutching Happy tightly to her chest, tears of mirth at the corner of her eyes. 

Natsu snorted again at the reminder, replaying the exact moment Happy had overheard the drunk man catcall Lucy before threatening to show her a good time. Happy had reacted before Natsu could even think about setting fire to the man, and he’d reached into his little green bandana and launched a fresh fish directly at the man’s face. 

Lucy hadn’t wasted a moment before she’d scooped Happy up and grabbed Natsu’s hand and took off running. She had been literally cackling with laughter along with Happy while Natsu had been too busy gaping in stunned shock before he’d joined them in their laughter, positively howling with joy as he took over and began dragging Lucy instead. 

It had been so long since they’d had to run from anything together, and it was just as exhilarating running from a drunk, angry man threatening to bottle them, as it was running together to save their lives. 

They collapsed on the floor in a heap as soon as the door shut behind them, Happy crawling out of Lucy’s arms and flopping dramatically on the floor in between them, a contented sigh falling from his lips that Natsu couldn’t help but copy. 

He turned his head to look at Lucy sprawled on the floor next to them,  his scarf framing her head, her cheeks flushed with happiness and a glimmer in her eyes that he hadn’t seen in a long time. 

“Hey,” He called softly, waiting for her to turn towards him. She shot him the most heartbreakingly beautiful smile, and Natsu was sure his heart had actually just ceased to exist inside his chest because it belonged to the beautiful woman next to him. It always had, really, even when he hadn’t noticed or known what love even was. 

He’d only started to figure out what love was because of Lucy. 

“Hey.” She echoed, turning so she was resting on her side with her head propped up in her hand. 

He reached over and gently twirled a strand of hair around his finger and tugging slightly, watching entranced for a moment as her entire pigtail bounced with the movement. 

“Did you have a nice time today?” He finally asked, heart in his throat. 

He was almost positive that she’d had a good time, but the small part of him that was still the insecure little boy who’d been abandoned - even if he hadn’t actually been abandoned -  ached to hear her confirm that his efforts hadn’t been ridiculous. 

Lucy grinned at him, her head nodding comically against the palm of her hand. “I had the best time!” She promised, reaching over and squeezing his free hand. “Today was perfect, Natsu. Truly. Thank you.” 

He sighed softly, relief sweeping through him. “You never have to thank me for that, sweet girl. Happy and I love spending time with you, no matter what it is we’re doing.” 

She blushed brightly at the nickname again, and it only served to make Natsu resolve to use it more often if only for the sole purpose of seeing her skin turn such a pretty shade of red. 

“He’s right,” Happy chimed in sleepily, his eyes already shut and face tucked against Lucy’s stomach. “Had the best time but am in a food coma now.” 

Natsu and Lucy both snorted in unison before their eyes met and they set off laughing again, their happiness and joy just bouncing off one another even as Happy complained between them that his pillow was bouncing. 

He was glad Lucy had a good day. He for one had enjoyed their entire day, from the moment he’d woken up curled up against Lucy’s side with her hair in his nose and mouth and knee about an inch away from injuring his most vulnerable parts, right up until this very moment where they were laid on the hard floor laughing so hard that his cheeks hurt. 

He wasn’t surprised though. He always had the best days with his Lucy. 

Chapter Text

Three

Once again, Lucy found herself trying to finish her article the day before her deadline after her stupid pen had exploded all over her papers the night before. 

She had horrific luck when it came to deadlines. Her last one, she’d almost been late handing in her work because someone had bumped into her on her way to drop it off to Jason and they’d sent her bag careening into a puddle. She’d had to rewrite the entire thing from scratch and she’d made it to her deadline by the skin of her teeth. 

This time, it felt like even more of a kick in the face because not only did she have to redo all her hard work, but she had to redo it on the night her, Natsu and Happy had planned to go out for dinner. 

Even though they’d both reassured her, she still felt guilty. Natsu had been putting in so much effort recently, and she felt like she hadn’t matched it at all , so the least she could do was plan a dinner date for the three of them to enjoy. 

“Stop sulking.” 

She grunted lowly at Natsu’s gentle reprimand, rolling her eyes as he reached out and tugged at her ponytail. 

“Luce, I told you already Happy and I aren’t fussed. This can’t be helped, you need to reach your deadline and that’s more important. We can go out for food anytime.” He promised, coming to stand next to her chair. 

He ran his hand down her head and spine, soothing her irritation and upset and she couldn’t help but lean into his side, her head falling to rest on his hip. 

“I know,” She murmured, letting herself enjoy the way he heated his palm up and swept it across her tense muscles. “I’m sorry. I’m just grouchy.” 

Natsu hummed softly. “Good job I got you all your favourite snacks then, really.” 

She pulled away and stared up at him, hope blossoming inside of her. “ All my favourites?” 

Her smug best friend smirked at her, and if he wasn’t the sole provider of quite possibly the best gift she was about to receive she would absolutely punch him. 

“All of them.” He confirmed, stretching his arm out that she hadn’t even realised he’d kept tucked behind his back and showed her what he was holding. “Even your most favourite.” 

A bag of milk chocolate shaped into little bottles. 

They were stupidly expensive from the sweet stores purely because they only sold them in kilo bags, not that Lucy was complaining about the size. She could demolish the entire bag herself if she was feeling particularly crappy.

“Have I ever told you that you’re literally the best person on this planet? Because, you absolutely are.” She beamed, her feet kicking out like a little girl as she happily accepted the bag from him. 

He snorted at her and brushed his hand down her head once more before turning and heading back towards the kitchen. “You’re welcome. Let me get the rest of it for you.” 

She hummed happily, opening up her chocolates and diving straight into them. 

He walked back into the bedroom with a bag full of stuff, and she watched as he pulled out every single one of her favorites. From her favorite bag of cookies, right down to her favorite pack of gum. Finished off with two big bottles of strawberry flavoured water. 

Lucy was absolutely positive that she’d somehow just fallen even more in love with the ridiculous dragon, her cheeks hurting from the force of her smile. 

“Thank you.” She sighed happily, still munching on her chocolate. “You have no idea how much this means to me.” 

He handed her a bottle of the flavored water and smiled at her. “You don’t have to thank me, Luce. Just focus on getting your writing done and enjoy your snacks, hopefully you won’t feel so stressed now.” 

What had she done to deserve him?

Natsu glanced over at her from the doorway of the bathroom, one ear focused on listening to the filling tub while the rest of his attention was focused solely on his beautiful girl. 

He watched as she chewed on her bottom lip, frustration beginning to darken her face again as she tried to write out her article from memory. 

Happy was cuddled up in her lap, happily munching on some chocolate bottles that she’d so graciously shared - after Happy had literally cried for some. He was nuzzling his head into her stomach every so often, and Natsu had noticed that every time he did that, she would take in a deep breath and some of the tension would release from her shoulders as she did. 

He definitely owed Happy some fresh fish. 

Glancing over at the tub over his shoulder, he went and turned the taps off before dipping his hand into the water to swirl the gathering bubbles around before nodding and marching back towards his partners. 

“Okay,” He called, his movements extremely careful as he leaned over her shoulder and plucked the pen from her grasp. 

She gasped, her body twisting to follow his hand as he moved the pen away. 

“No, wait! Natsu, I only have a few more paragraphs to spell-check!” 

He nodded. “I know. But, I also know that Jason has a whole team of editors that check over your work before publishing but you hate the idea of relying on them. You’ve been at this all day, Luce. I can literally see the tension in your muscles. I waited until you were nearly done, then I ran you a bath.” 

Her mouth opened slightly and her eyes watered. 

At the start of their friendship, Natsu, as clueless as he’d been back then, would've panicked and thought something was wrong. But now, he was very well versed in ‘Lucy-Talk” and he knew she was overwhelmed and tired and happy all at once. 

“You ran me a bath?” She asked, letting Happy hop onto the floor with a handful of her chocolates and a cookie before she stood up and drifted to his side. 

“I did, sweet girl.” He murmured quietly, heart feeling about ten sizes too big for his chest. “Go relax and I’ll make sure all your papers are together on the kitchen counter by your bag.” 

A strange little noise left her mouth and he barely had time to brace his feet before she launched herself at him, the force sending him rocking back on his heels as he wrapped his arms around her, one hand rubbing across her back and the other pulling her scrunchie out and then tangling in her long hair. 

“I’m really sorry! You keep doing all these nice things for me and I haven’t done anything for you.” She sobbed softly, squeezing his waist tightly and pressing her face into his neck. 

He frowned at her words, his chin dropping onto her head as he practically tucked her entire body into his own. 

“What’re you talkin’ about? It’s not you that has a mistake to make up for. And, I like doing all this stuff for you. So, you letting me take care of you is you doing something for me.” He explained slowly, wondering just when she’d started feeling guilty about not doing things for him. 

“But -“ He pushed her back just enough so that he could cradle her face in between the palms of his hands and tilt her up to look at him. 

“No, baby. No buts.” He murmured, not even realizing what he’d just called her. “You do stuff like this for me all of the time. You always have. It’s my turn to take care of you for a while, okay?” 

She nodded as much as she could with her face in his hands, her eyes closing and a soft sigh escaping her as he brushed his thumbs across her cheeks to wipe her tears away. 

“Good. Now, go enjoy your bath.” He tapped her nose with his index finger, grinning as it twitched under his touch before he dropped a kiss to the top of her head and spun her, nudging her gently towards the bathroom. 

He watched as she grabbed her water before heading off for her bath, sniffing and smiling as she went. 

“You are so whipped.” 

Natsu jumped at Happy’s sudden laugh, his eyes darting down to find his blue Exceed already gathering Lucy’s papers together carefully, his tongue poking out slightly in his concentration. 

His eyebrow rose, disbelief sweeping through him. 

“Yeah, I am. But so are you, buddy.” 

Happy squawked indignantly for a moment, before his shoulders slumped and he sighed giving him a solemn nod of solidarity. “Yeah, but it’s Lucy. She’s my mom.” 

Natsu snorted and gently ruffled the fur on his head before gratefully accepting the stack of papers from his paws. 

“That she is, but I’m sure she’d much rather you tell her that to her face.” He teased slightly, making sure to snatch up the bag of chocolates before Happy could get into them now that he had no Lucy to rein him in. 

Happy scoffed at him and frowned. “Says you.” 

“‘Scuse you, pal, but I’m working up to it.” He grumbled, rolling his eyes. “Gotta make sure she sees me as a good life-partner first. You can just tell her because she loves you like a son already.” 

They bickered back and forth good naturedly as they tidied up her workspace, putting everything back in its place so that it was one less thing for their girl to worry about.

She relaxed further into the hot water with a deep sigh, the day's tension leaving her muscles the longer she soaked even as her heart kept skipping a beat whenever she thought about what had happened less than twenty minutes earlier. 

Natsu had called her baby. She had gotten used to him calling her sweet girl whenever he was feeling particularly soft and tender, but he had never called her baby before. 

And it did things to her. 

She had always thought that she’d never want to be called something as cliche as that. Her eyes had always rolled whenever she’d read a character calling their love interest baby in the books she read, but something about Natsu calling her that with so much sweetness dripping from his tone made her want to bury herself inside of him and never leave. 

He had told her that she didn’t have to do anything for him, but she absolutely did. She understood that he was trying to make up for leaving her, but he was being so thoughtful and kind and sweet, and it was about time she put some conscious effort in as well. 

She knew they were both working towards something. Both curious and willing to explore the feelings obvious between them, but both content to let things progress as they were. Lucy knew they needed to regain what they’d lost in their friendship first, and Natsu knew that he needed to work to regain her trust before they could even consider taking things further. 

Still, the small changes happening between them just made her want to burst with happiness. 

If the Lucy from a year ago could see her now, she’d be so jealous. 

She quickly finished up in the bath with a solid plan on how to treat her best friends once she’d handed her work to Jason tomorrow and excitement pooling in her gut over how she knew they’d react once they’d heard her plans. 

She dressed in the panties and long top Natsu had thankfully left out for her, wrapping a towel around her hair and hurrying off into her bedroom to wait patiently for her boys to join her so she could fill them in. 

Normally, she would’ve just surprised them. But, considering it involved having to take a bunch of stuff with her she didn’t see her being able to scurry that past them. 

“Want me to dry your hair?” Natsu offered, practically tripping over Happy as they made their way into the bedroom, their little feline friend scurrying around trying to hold as many snacks in his arms as possible. 

She laughed at the twin scowls they sent one another as they scrambled for first place in their silent competition on who could reach her side first. 

Happy won, jumping up and flapping his wings in Natsu’s face to disorient him for a minute before literally falling through the air and landing in her lap with a feral grin that she knew would just taunt her silly dragon. 

She pinched Happy’s ear gently in quiet reprimand, watching with a smile as Natsu glowered at their little Exceed before flopping on the bed next to them with a put-out huff. 

“Yes, please,” She finally answered Natsu’s question once both her boys were settled on the bed, tipping her head back so that all of her hair tumbled down her back for easy access. “Happy, you best not get any cookie crumbs on these sheets.” 

Natsu snorted, dragging a heated hand through her hair and across her scalp. 

The almost violent munching that had been happening in her lap eased immediately. “Aye, sir.” Happy sighed, floating up and onto the floor to finish his cookies. 

Lucy let practically all of her weight fall backwards into Natsu’s hands, her body only being propped up by his hands as he continued drying her hair into soft waves the heat from his palms sending delicious tingles of pleasure racing up her spine. 

“So.” She began, the excitement over her plan beginning to overwhelm her again. “I have an idea.” 

“Don’t you always?” Natsu teased, flopping back onto the pillows and dragging her with him, keeping one hand in her now dry hair and bringing the other down her back to press her in as close as he could to his side. 

She was borderline addicted to sleeping with him at this point, something deep within her being soothed by his mere presence. And it helped that he would wrap himself around her as tightly as he dared. 

She never slept better than she did when Natsu was with her. 

“I wanna go fishing with you and Happy tomorrow after seeing Jason.” 

Their reaction was exactly what she expected. 

Happy’s mouth dropped open as quite possibly the loudest squeak Lucy had ever heard him make escaped from his tiny little body, all his snacks forgotten as he flew over to her side trembling with excitement. 

Natsu just stared at her like she’d given him the secrets to gaining all of the world’s food. 

“Really? Really?” Happy babbled, his paws tugging at her shirt and tail swishing. 

She grinned at him and nodded. “Really really.” She promised, stroking down his back to settle his manic energy. 

“I’ve been trying to convince you to come with us since I met you,” Natsu murmured, blinking at her rapidly as his brain tried to make sense of what she’d said. “I am so confused. Do you like fishing now? Did I somehow miss this when we did our catch up?” 

She snorted and shook her head at him. “I’m positive that fishing is still just as boring. But, and even though you disagree, I want to do something nice for you two. And I know you love fishing, so I wanna come. I was thinking that we can make it a weekend camping trip?” 

“You’re serious aren’t you?” Natsu was practically bouncing in his space, the entire bed rocking with the motion. 

She grinned at him. “So serious.”

Natsu had always found fishing to be peaceful. Even when Happy challenged him to see who could catch the most fish, he’d always felt relaxed. 

Fishing with Lucy though? Now, that was a whole other level of relaxation. He felt such a bone-deep contentment that he wanted to just stay in this very moment forever. Deep in nature, laying at the edge of a lake with Happy munching on his own hard-won fish and Lucy curled up in his arms reading a book, all of them drowsy and warm from lunch. 

“Having a nice time?” He murmured, lips brushing across the crown of her head. 

She hummed softly in the back of her throat immediately in response, marking her place in her book before tilting her head to look up at him, resting her chin on his chest. 

“The best time. It’s quite nice to just… be.” She sighed, a smile stretching her lips. “It’s not as boring as I remember it being. But, maybe I just have more time to appreciate the little things now.” 

He brushed his hand down her back, the pads of his fingers pressing into every divot of her spine. “Well, if appreciating the little things means we can do this more often then I’m all for it.” 

Lucy snorted and rolled her eyes fondly. “Of course you are, silly dragon. You two would spend your life having fishing competitions if you could.” 

He watched her for a moment, wondering just how honest he should be with her before deciding that fuck it, he had been working his way to this point for just over a month at this point and if he couldn’t start being honest yet, then when could he? 

“I wouldn’t spend my life doing anything without you.” He told her truthfully, fingers tangling in her long golden hair and nails scratching across her scalp. 

He very much appreciated that she’d left it down for their trip, her scrunchie resting comfortably on his wrist from where he’d stolen it from her before she could put it in her hair.

Her lips parted and a gentle noise left her. He watched her eyes widen and sparkle with joy, before she grinned mischievously at him tilting her head back slightly and he immediately complied with her silent request and clamped his hand down on the back of her neck running his thumb along her pulse, enjoying how it jumped out at him. 

“Yeah? What if I asked you to spend our lives on a train?” 

He groaned low and deep, fighting back his smirk when he felt her shiver against him and smelled the spark of pleasure his noise had caused her. 

God, he truly loved having dragon senses. 

“I would hate it, but I would do it.” He told her, once again completely honest. “But, I would probably throw up on you constantly. Sure that’s where you want to spend our forever?” 

He felt like he was toeing an invisible line they’d drawn ever since they’d reunited, and he wanted nothing more than to dive head first over it. 

She huffed out a laugh, nuzzling her cheek against his chest as she settled down again. “Fair. Maybe we can spend forever at the beach?” 

He squeezed the nape of her neck rhythmically. “I can handle that. We’d waste so much money on sun cream though.” 

Happy crawled over to them, settling in on Natsu’s other side so his face was level with Lucy’s on his chest. Their little Exceed huffed and reached out and tapped Lucy’s forehead. “You guys are gross. Can we nap now?” 

Lucy laughed so loudly and freely that Natsu desperately wished he had something so that he could bottle it up and keep it with him forever. He would do absolutely anything if she would just keep laughing like that. 

If she would keep looking at him like he mattered. 

They were so close to going over that edge together, Natsu could feel it deep in the marrow of his very being. They were moving to that point where they could become something more. Something that was forever. 

Lucy was his forever, in whatever way she would have him. But, he was so sure that she felt the way that he did that he was willing to bet everything he owned on it. He just needed to feel like he was worthy of her forgiveness before he could take that final step with her. 

He couldn’t fucking wait until they took that plunge together. 

Chapter Text

Four

Natsu carefully replaced the cool flannel on Lucy’s head for the third time that night, silently urging for her fever to finally break this time. 

She had been caught in a heavy rainstorm a few days earlier on her way back from her job, and it had left her with a nasty cold and chest infection that they were relying on normal medications to fix considering they had no Wendy or Porlyusica to lean on. 

It meant that they were stuck battling her high fever with cool flannels and ice drinks in between her fever reliever meds, and with that came the fever induced nightmares. 

He wasn’t sure if his heart would ever recover from the sheer amount of pain and heartbreak his girl had gone through in a single night, her own mind attacking her relentlessly every single time she fell into a restless sleep. 

The first few nightmares had been about her childhood, memories of her father she had long ago buried that had come back to her. Memories that made him want to go back in time and burn Jude Heartfilia to the ground for the pain he had caused Lucy, both emotional and physical. 

Her most recent nightmares hadn’t been a surprise to him. All revolving around Tartaros and him.

All he could do for her was listen to her sickly babbles and cries and soothe her, reminding her time and time again that he would never leave her again and that he would keep her safe from the demons her head was creating. 

Honestly, he was one more fever dream away from getting a train back to Magnolia and dragging Porlyusica’s grumpy ass to Lucy to heal her. He would suffer the journey ten times over if it meant Lucy would be okay. 

The only thing stopping him was how delirious Lucy had been the last few times she’d woken up from a nightmare. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her to wake up from a nightmare about him leaving her, only to find he wasn’t there. 

Lucy groaned lowly, her eyes opening into tired slits before widening as she began coughing and spluttering. 

He helped ease her up, propping her against his side and patting her back and rubbing firmly to help ease the mucous up her throat just like the doctor they’d visited had shown him. 

“Easy, baby, easy,” He soothed, bringing a tissue up to her mouth just in time as she heaved and spat the infected liquid out of her mouth, her entire body shuddering as her coughs eased off back into wheezy breaths. “Okay?” 

She grunted, turning to the side and pressing her hot forehead against his neck and winding her arms around his back. 

Carefully, he plucked the flannel from the bed where it had fallen in her haste to sit up and gently swiped it across her neck and face. 

Happy scurried over to the bed with another glass of ice water in his paws, worry twisting his face which only made Natsu grind his teeth together in frustration knowing there wasn’t much else he could do to ease his little family’s hurt and discomfort. 

“Drink, Luce,” He ordered softly, plucking the glass from Happy’s hands with a grateful smile and lifting it up to her lips. 

He placed his hand on the back of her neck and tilted her head back slightly, just enough so that she could sip on the water without drowning in the glass. 

She huffed out a breath and turned her face into his arm when she’d had enough, eyes bright with fever when she gazed up at him like he held all the answers to the universe. 

“Are you here?” She rasped softly, one hand reaching up to trace his jawline. “Really here?” 

He wanted to cry. And then punch himself for the hurt he’d caused her. Then maybe cry again. 

“I’m right here, sweet girl.” He promised, his thumb brushing back and forth across her hot cheek. “I’ll always be with you.” 

He watched her face as she took in his words slowly, before her eyes welled with tears and her bottom lip trembled. 

“Oh, Lucy, don’t cry baby.” He begged quietly. He would rip his fucking heart out and hand it to her whole and bleeding if he could just stop the torment she felt. 

He dragged her into his lap, her legs falling on either side of his hips and forehead dropping to his shoulder as she cried heaving little sobs that rattled her entire body. She had always been an emotional wreck when she got poorly, but this time was so much worse and it was all his fucking fault. 

Happy was crying quietly into the pillow behind Natsu, his heart aching for Lucy just as much as Natsu’s was and no doubt feeling the same guilt that Natsu would carry with him for the rest of his fucking life for causing his beautiful girl pain, no matter how unintentional it was. 

“I’ve got you. I’m right here with you.” He murmured repeatedly into her ear, dropping kisses across her wet face trying to comfort her. He wouldn’t tell her that she was okay, because he didn’t have that right, not when he’d caused the hurt she felt. 

She finally slumped into his arms after a while of crying and coughing, falling into another restless sleep, her face still pinched with sadness that literally tore his heart in half. 

“Natsu?” Happy called softly into the darkness of the bedroom. “Is she gonna be okay?” 

Natsu sighed deeply, slowly lowering himself onto his back keeping her secured to his front so she was sleeping across his body. 

“Course she will, bud. Once the medication from the doc starts to work she’ll start getting better, it’s just the fever that’s making it seem worse than it is.” He promised quietly, watching as Happy scrambled from the pillow and settled on Natsu’s chest right next to Lucy’s face. 

“Okay.” Happy sighed, and for the umpteenth time that night Natsu felt like his heart was being squeezed through a vice. 

Right in his arms, he was holding the two most precious people in his entire life and they both trusted him and it fucking hurt because what had he ever done in his life to deserve such devotion from such pure beings? 

He would spend his life making sure that he was even a little bit worthy of the trust they gave to him, especially Lucy. 

He reached across the bed to grab the thermometer, carefully checking Lucy’s temperature and almost crying with relief when it beeped two degrees lower than it had been when he’d last checked it. 

She would be okay, of course she would. But, he was so fucking glad her fever was beginning to break because if she cried one more time that night he would dig to the center of the world until his hands were bloodied and broken just so he could give her the whole world. He would give her everything if she asked.

She felt so warm and secure when she woke up, a fluffy tail tickling her ear and strong arms pinning her to a very familiar body. 

Memories of the past night came to her in flashes, and in every single one of them Natsu was right there taking care of her. Wiping her sweat away, catching her gross bodily fluid in tissue and holding her when she became delirious. 

A wave of gratitude and love washed over her like a tidal wave that threatened to drown her and buoy her all once. 

A glance at her headboard confirmed that his scarf was still resting where she’d left it when they’d got back from the doctors, and immediately she carefully reached up to grab it, knowing that it was time to give it back to its rightful owner. 

Natsu had done nothing but prove to her time and time again that he felt nothing but guilt for leaving her behind. That he would go back and change it if he could, but because he couldn’t he spent the past month and a half doing what he could to make it up to her, to make her see that he valued her and that she was important to him. 

He had told her to give the scarf back when she trusted that she meant more to him than the article of clothing, and finally, she did. 

Of course she did, how could she not? He had taken care of her, comforted her, and challenged her ever since he’d found her again. He had loved her. 

It was about time she allowed him and his actions to be louder than her insecurities. Being careful not to wake him up, she grabbed the scarf and carefully draped it around her neck letting herself have one more sleep with it before she gave it back, knowing it wouldn’t likely leave his neck again once it was back in his possession. 

She buried her face against his chest, completely surrounded by his scent from the source itself and the scaled scarf. 

Her body relaxed again, sleep pulling at her. She pressed her lips directly over his steadily beating heart and allowed herself to slip under, a soft smile on her lips and cheek nuzzled into his scarf.

Natsu couldn’t help the choked sob from leaving him, the clarity in Lucy’s eyes like a balm to his aching soul. 

“Let’s never do that again.” He begged hoarsely, leaning over and pressing his forehead to hers, silently searching for the comfort he felt too selfish to ask for. 

She laughed, the sound still raspy and quiet. “Deal.” She buried her fingers into his hair and held him firmly, not letting him move even an inch from her until his heart had settled back into a normal rhythm and his tears had slowed. 

“Just in case it wasn’t clear,” He murmured once he’d calmed somewhat, dropping kisses all across her face and relishing in the sleepy little giggles they were eliciting. “I am so fucking in love with you.”

Lucy’s eyes filled with tears and the look of pure adoration in his gaze stole his breath and made him want to sob for days. How incredibly lucky was he to be on the receiving end of her love? 

“Yeah?” She breathed, her fingers blazing a path down his back and across his shoulders. “That’s a relief considering I’m stupidly in love with you.” 

He would’ve kissed her at that moment. In fact, everything within him was crying out that he needed to kiss her, but she grinned sheepishly at him and placed her hand over his lips to stop his descent. 

“Still sick. Sorry, but if you get this you’ll set fire to our apartment.” She grimaced, brushing her thumb across his face to chase away the frown her words had caused. 

His heart was beating wildly against his ribs, her words echoing inside his brain. She had just called the apartment theirs and she hadn’t hesitated for a single second. 

“Fine,” He whined, nuzzling his face against hers instead, settling for the dragon version of a kiss. “But I want a do-over when you’re better. Deal?” 

She tapped her chin playfully. “That depends. Do I still get to tell you I love you in the meantime?” 

He pretended to think about it, yelping and laughing as she pinched at his hip in retaliation. 

He nodded seriously, lips twitching as he fought off a grin. “Obviously. I’d drop you in the lake if you didn’t.” He teased, feeling happier than he ever had before. 

Her face twisted into mock-outrage and he couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh. 

After the last twenty four hours of tears and heartache, seeing her awake and lucid, he felt like he was walking on air and now that he’d heard her say that she loved him he could quite happily ascend to Heaven because he was so happy. 

“I do really love you, though,” Her soft murmur immediately drew his attention back to her, the vulnerability in her words and her face seeping into his very soul. “I love you a lot.” 

He peppered her face with kisses, grinning at her soft giggles, her voice still sore and hoarse from all her coughing and spluttering but it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. 

He mouthed and whispered words of his love into her skin, his lips trailing from her face down to her collarbone where he finally gave in to nearly two months worth of urges and suckled a bruise into her skin, relishing in her soft and breathy whimper, her body twitching underneath him. 

If Happy weren’t sleeping in the bed with them at that very moment, Natsu would have explored every inch of skin, doing whatever he could just so that she would make that delicious little noise again. 

“Hey,” She panted softly when he was happy with the deep purple bruise he left behind. “This is for you, and before you say anything I’d already decided to give you this before you made a sickbed confession.” 

Natsu watched as she grabbed his scarf from somewhere behind her, offering it up to him with a gentle smile. 

“Does this mean you trust me to always come for you? No matter what?” He asked seriously, not even bothering to look at the scarf. Instead, he studied her. 

Her face still pale from illness, lips chapped and eyes tired. Her body boneless against their mattress, the first mark of many that he would leave on her shining bright like a homing beacon for everyone to see. And the steady calmness in her eyes as she offered him the scarf. 

“I think a part of me will always be a little insecure. But, I trust you to come for me. I trust you to pick me. And I trust you to tell me that I’m important, because that’s all you’ve been doing. With and without words, you’ve shown me time and time again that I am important to you, and it’s about time I show you that I trust you.” She whispered, smiling at him softly. 

He grabbed the scarf from her hands and then immediately discarded it, barely sparing it a second thought, instead focusing his entire being on the beautiful, silly woman he held in his arms as he rolled them over so he was hovering over her. 

“I’m gonna kiss you now,” He sighed, leaning closer. “You’re gonna have to just carry a fire extinguisher. Sorry.” 

He didn’t give her anytime to protest as he dropped his face down and captured her lips with his. 

As soon as her lips met his, it was like a shot of electricity was sent through his body. Zipping up his spine and into the bottom of his skull, his body shuddering. It was like coming home after so long away. 

He cupped her face in his hands, tilting her neck slightly so he could deepen the kiss nipping at her bottom lip until she opened her lips for him. She sighed against him, groaning and gasping as he licked into her mouth his tongue exploring as he licked deeper and hotter. 

The kiss was filled with a quiet sort of urgency, one built up over the years they’d known each other and pined. One that stemmed from the two months they’d spent becoming closer than ever before, and nothing else mattered outside of that very moment. 

He pulled away slightly to nibble on her bottom lip before soothing over the sting with his tongue and then dropping one, two, three kisses to her lips before diving in again already helpless against the heady sense of hunger that had been lit deep within his very soul at the very taste of her. 

He could spend the rest of his life kissing Lucy Heartfilia and he would never tire of it. 

Once he felt like he could pass out from lack of oxygen, he pulled away slightly and felt all the air punch out of him at the sight of his beautiful girl underneath him with love-filled eyes and swollen lips. 

Gods, she was fucking gorgeous. 

Her thumb brushed lazily over his bottom lip, heat in her eyes that sent shivers down his entire body. 

“You are everything.” He murmured hoarsely, leaning down and nuzzling his nose against hers to try and stop himself from dipping down for more. She was still sick, after all. 

“And you’re mine.” She breathed back eyelashes fluttering tiredly against her cheeks. “And I adore you more than I can tell you. But, my chest is on fire and my head hurts. Can we come back to this kissing stuff when I’m better because that was fucking great, but I’d like to not be sick when we do that again.” 

He snorted out a laugh, shaking his head. To be in love with his best friend was quite the experience. The best experience, actually. 

“Sure, sweet girl. We’ll revisit it when you’re better. Want me to get you anything before you go back to sleep?” He offered, reaching over to snag the scarf she’d given back to him and draping it over her chest and neck. 

He’d gotten so used to seeing her wearing it that he was thinking that this would have to be another thing they shared. He didn’t think Igneel would mind. In fact, he was positive the fire dragon king would’ve adored his Lucy. 

She shook her head and smiled beautifully at him. “Nope. Got everything I need right here.” 

He let her pull him down on top of her fully, quickly rearranging his body so that he didn’t crush her. He was half on her and half on the mattress, one leg slung over her hips and cheek resting on her shoulder. 

He let the pads of his fingers drop underneath the hem of her shirt, and he soothingly drew mindless patterns across her abdomen as he waited for her to drift off. It was the most settled he felt ever since she’d first shown signs of illness. 

Mostly, he was grateful that he wouldn’t have to face Porlyusica’s wrath for dragging her to Crocus against her will to heal Lucy. 

Natsu was stupidly relieved that Lucy knew how he felt. He was sure she’d known anyway, considering he hadn’t exactly been discreet about it. Still, there was something so fulfilling about actually saying that he loved her to her face. And having it said in return.

She had given him her trust back and her heart. And he would hold them both with more care than he’d ever given anything in his entire fucking life. The rest of his life would be spent making sure his sweet girl knew just how loved she was. How important she was. 

And she was so loved. 

Chapter Text

Five

“How much do you like me?” 

Natsu’s shoulders stiffened and his heart began to thump an erratic rhythm against his rib cage as the love of his life stood in front of him with her hands clasped in front of her and a grin on her face that was a touch too feral for him to even consider her question being asked out of anything other than her need to see him suffer. 

His eyes locked with hers, taking immediate notice of the mischievousness in the brown orbs he loved so much. 

He fucking adored playful Lucy. Just, maybe not so much when it was at his expense. 

“I like you just as much as I love you,” He said slowly, honestly. “But, if you think for one single second that any of this means you can just bat your pretty eyelashes at me and get me to do stupid shit, you’re wrong.” 

Her snort told him what she thought of that. And, honestly, she was right. He was a complete liar. All she had to do was breathe in his direction and he would do whatever the fuck she wanted, the good, the bad and the downright fucking dumb. 

He growled lowly, shaking his head already resigned to doing whatever she wanted. 

“Okay, fine. What is it this time?” He sighed, reaching out and pulling his ridiculous girl to his side. 

She sunk into his arms, her face nuzzling into his chest and arms wrapping around his waist tightly. He felt more than heard the contented sigh that she exhaled against him, letting him hold the majority of her weight up. 

“Well,” She murmured, shivering as he began trailing his lips across her temple and down towards her jaw. “Hisui told me about an old stablehand of hers that now owns a Christmas tree farm, and we did say we wanted to do Christmas properly this year. So, I think we should go and pick one out.” 

He grunted, dread already curling in the pit of his stomach. “What if I set stuff on fire though?” 

She pulled back immediately, staying within the circle of his arms but making sure he could see her face as she frowned in reprimand at him, one of her fingers coming up to tug at his hair. 

“Stop that,” She murmured, pulling his face down towards hers so their foreheads met and noses brushed. “I know you always hear everyone say about how destructive you are and the damage you’ve caused. I keep telling you that you never, ever set out with the intention to cause any damage. You’re in so much more control of your power now, Natsu. You just need to trust in yourself more and stop letting what the others had to say get in the way of you doing stuff just because you’re afraid you might go overboard.” 

He sighed heavily, guilt making it hard to swallow. “Luce,” He breathed, holding back a shiver as his lips brushed just slightly against hers. “You know they were right though. I used to cause so much trouble when we went on jobs, that we even had trouble getting enough jewel for your rent.” 

“Yeah, you used to go overboard but I never blamed you for it. Did I get irritated? Sure. Not at you, not really. Just at the amount of jobs we used to do just to pay rent and pay for damages. And it wasn’t just you. I caused a fair amount of trouble with my whip, Erza was the same, as was Gray and Wendy. We all went overboard sometimes. I’m just sorry that it seems like you were the only one who got blamed for it though and that it sticks with you now because of it, when it was all of us.” 

He let her words wash over him. They weren’t enough to completely chase away the dread and insecurity he felt at his own control, but they warmed him from the inside out and soothed the hurt he still felt over the words their guild had used when talking about him. 

Over the top. Destructive. Trouble. 

The thrill of the fight had always swept his control out from under him, no matter how tightly he’d tried to keep himself leashed. The excitement had sent his blood roaring through his veins and fire that begged to be released into the world so that he could show how powerful Fairy Tail was. How powerful he was. But, he had never figured out the balance between just enough and overboard. 

“Besides,” She continued, grinning cheekily at him, a sliver of her tongue poking through at him. “I like it when you go overboard.” 

Natsu watched as she tilted her neck back slightly, giving him full view of the marks he’d left from her collarbone down into her cleavage. 

He groaned softly, fingers clenching and unclenching against her hips as he fought not to dive right back in and cover her in even more marks. 

“Lucy,” He sighed, sliding one of his hands around the back of her neck and clamping his hand down, his fingers twisting in her hair and pulling, tipping her head back so his lips could meet hers. 

She hummed happily against his lips, her teeth nipping at his bottom lip before she ran her tongue along it to soothe the ache she left behind. He opened his mouth up for her, letting her lick her way into his mouth, groaning deeply as a spark of arousal flooded through him as every sense in his body was suddenly overwhelmed with his beautiful, precious girl. 

“I wanna go,” She gasped out in between kisses, sucking and licking deeper into his mouth before speaking against him. “In elf costumes.”

He reared back as soon as her words registered in his sex-addled brain. 

“Please,” He groaned hoarsely. “Please tell me you’re not trying to get me to dress as an elf in public with your hand currently being shoved into my pants.” 

Her nails scratched across his swelling length, a wild grin on her lips as she carefully worked her hot little hand up to the tip. 

“I’m just joking,” She laughed softly, her beautiful eyes flashing as her amusement and pleasure began to fight for first place. “But, we do have to cut the tree down ourselves. It’s a thing, apparently.” 

He huffed out a relieved breath before shivering as she began backing him towards their couch, mouthing at his jawline and neck. 

“I would’ve only agreed because your hand was on my cock, not for any other reason.” He grumbled, shaking his head at her as he fell onto the couch. 

“Oh, of course.” She practically cooed, both of them well aware of his lie. Lucy could convince him to go Christmas tree shopping while naked, if it was something she genuinely wanted. 

He reached out and pulled her hand out from his pants before yanking her down onto his lap and rocking his hips up into hers, his lips twitching into a salacious little grin as all amusement fled from her face and her mouth dropped open and her eyes rolled in pleasure. 

“This wasn’t - ah,” She whined breathily as he twitched up against her clothed center again. “Wasn’t my plan.” 

Natsu rumbled in the back of his throat and gripped at the strings holding her top shut with his teeth and pulled, her little gasp and ass wiggle making him grunt as his own pleasure rolled through him. 

“Liar.” He hissed out teasingly, using his nose to nudge her top open and expose her breasts to him loving the fact that this top tied up tight enough that she could go braless. His tongue darted out immediately to taste her, teeth nipping at her skin over purple bruises he’d left behind already before his tongue swirled over an already puckered nipple, pulling it into his mouth. 

She whimpered, arching into him, her back pressing into the hands he’d pressing into her spine to keep her steady and her hips rocking into his as she searched for some friction to ease the heat rapidly pooling in between her legs. 

He was fucking obsessed with how responsive she was. 

He had made love to her for the first time a little over a week before when Happy had decided to visit Princess Hisui because she’d promised to help him with something he was trying to do in secret for Lucy and Natsu for Christmas. 

He had fucked her exactly an hour after he’d made love to her. 

Since that first taste of sex, Natsu couldn’t get enough of her. He was fucking addicted to the taste of her, the sounds he pulled from her when he teased her until she came apart around him, the scent of her arousal that grew rapidly during their activities. 

They had become quite steady with where they made love. Natsu usually saved that for their bed when Happy was out doing his own things, or even in the bath where the hot water just pulled her body deeper into the ecstasy he helped her chase. 

He fucked her everywhere he could, though. It was always rough and quick, whether it was on the couch or on the kitchen counter, or he’d press her up against the wall in the bathroom and take her to her peak within five minutes while Happy was none the wiser in the bedroom getting ready for the day. 

He was just entirely addicted to her in every single way. 

“Na - Natsu,” She sighed out, letting him slide one hand down her back and around the curve of her ass. 

He trailed his fingers underneath her skirt, tickling at her skin and pressing against her twitching muscles as he worked his way around to her front where he could feel just how drenched she was. 

“Look at you,” He praised softly, completely enamoured with her and everything she gave him. “You’re so wet for me already, Luce.” 

She just pushed closer against his palm, trying to urge his fingers closer to where she wanted them. 

He slowly pulled her panties to the side, his fingers playfully skirting around where she was most sensitive making her groan low and deep in the back of her throat. Her fingers gripped the hair at the back of his head and she tugged sharply, letting him know how impatient she was.

He grinned darkly, his eyes locking with hers.

“What, baby? What is it you want?” He twitched his fingers closer to her core, his length twitching consistently as her heat began to overwhelm him, her scent floating up to meet him and only serving to send his own lust through the roof. “Use your words, Lucy. Tell me.”

She whimpered and leaned down so her lips were near his. 

“I want your fingers, Natsu. Please.” She rocked forwards again, trying to urge him closer. “Fuck me, Natsu.” 

He twisted his hand into her hair and gripped it tightly, making sure she was exactly where he wanted her before he finally brushed his finger against her. 

She was fucking soaking, it wouldn’t take much before she was ready to take him. 

He gathered her juices on his fingers before sinking his middle finger into her heat, pushing in quick and deep. His thumb pressed against her clit as he pushed in, the combination making her cry out his name. 

“Na - ah! Natsu!” She babbled, her face flushed. 

She was a fucking beautiful picture. 

He surged up and brought her lips back to his, not giving her a moment before he plunged his tongue deep into her mouth and began the now familiar path of tasting every inch and crevice she gave him. 

Adding a second finger, he pushed in up to his second knuckles and rubbed his thumb along her bundle of nerves quicker and harder, wanting to make her fall apart against him before he chased his own pleasure. 

“Fuck,” She sobbed out, dropping her forehead to his and meeting his fingers for each thrust. “Fuck.” 

Her walls were fluttering and tightening around his fingers, pulling him in deeper and deeper with each push. The muscles in her thighs were jumping with every sweep of his thumb across her clit and he knew she was close to her first orgasm of the afternoon. 

He was so fucking thankful that Happy was at the store. It gave him time to fuck at least three orgasms out of his girl before he got back, and he would enjoy every fucking one of them. 

“Come for me, baby,” He ordered, voice low and raw with lust. “Show me how much you need this.” 

He added a third finger, and she immediately crashed over the edge with a sharp cry that ebbed and flowed in volume as her orgasm rippled through her. 

Natsu kept pumping his fingers into her as she rode the wave of her pleasure, working her through it as she clamped almost too tightly around him making him groan wantonly into the juncture of her shoulder. 

He waited until she pushed slightly against his shoulder before he pulled his fingers away from her, immediately shoving them into his mouth and lapping up her juices like she was his favourite drink. 

She was his favourite drink, honestly. 

“I really love you,” She breathed against his cheek, hot and sweaty from the movement of her body against his. “And you are really fucking good at that.” 

He grinned before standing up and sweeping her into his arms, laughing quietly at her squeak of surprise before she clung on to him, her legs wrapping around his waist and her uncovered core pressing against his stomach. 

“I’m gonna fuck that pretty little smirk off your face, Lucy.” He warned her softly, biting and sucking a mark into the mating mark on her neck. 

The only time a dragon could give or receive a mating mark was during the first mating. It would happen during an orgasm only, and after that first one you couldn’t mark your mate again. Not permanently, anyway. The bond would still be there, one that tied their souls together forever, but the physical reminder wouldn’t be. 

Lucy was the owner of her very own mating mark just underneath her left ear, while Natsu was the proud owner of his right over his heart. 

He’d be lying if he said he was surprised Lucy had been able to mark him at all considering she hadn’t been a dragon slayer, but after all, it was Lucy, and she thrived in life when she exceed expectations. 

He carried her into their bedroom and dropped her onto the mattress, both of them sharing a soft laugh as she bounced a few times before settling, her body already wiggling with anticipation as he peeled her skirt and panties away. 

“I’m gonna fuck you, just how you like it,” He promised, leaning over and pressing kisses across her body. “And you’re not gonna tease me anymore, are you baby?” 

He trailed his tongue across her abdomen before dipping it into her bellybutton, grinning against her skin as she jolted and shrieked with laughter underneath him. 

One of his favorite things in life was making her laugh. 

“Can’t promise you that,” She giggled, before yelping as he bit a mark into the underside of her breast. 

He growled playfully, steadying himself between her legs. “Guess I’m gonna have to show you how to be a good girl for me, huh Luce?” 

His grin turned positively mirthful when she whined at his words, her body twisting and arching as she tried to line her core up with him. 

“Tell me what I wanna hear, Lucy,” He urged softly, lifting her leg and pinning it to the bed so she was spread all wide just for him. “Tell me what I wanna hear and I’ll make you feel so good.” 

She sobbed out his name, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes as she tried valiantly to chase her pleasure that only he could give her. 

“I’ll be a good girl, Natsu,” She babbled, her fingers gripping and twisting at his hair. “Promise. Promise.” 

He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and sunk into her with one sharp snap of his hips, her walls immediately fluttering and tightening around him drawing out simultaneous groans from both of them. 

Fuck. He could spend forever buried inside of her. 

He set a brutal pace, peppering her face and chest with kisses as his fingers gripped her hips tight enough to bruise. He was panting against her, smirk steady against his lips as she splintered apart again with a scream. 

“Na - ah!” She sobbed, body twitching against him in the aftermath of her second orgasm. “I can’t take anymore!” 

He kissed the tears away that had leaked from her eyes and nuzzled his nose against hers. 

“You can. Give me one more, sweet girl. One more.” He urged, one hand gripping her ass and tilting her hips up which allowed him to angle himself in deeper, his cock hitting that beautifully hot, warm spot inside of her that made her scream. 

“N - Natsu! Natsu! Fuck!” She cried, nails biting into his skin as she scrambled for purchase. “Fuck, right there, Natsu!” 

He brought his hand up to her sensitive clit and pinched it, and she immediately flew over the cliff once more sobbing and babbling his name, her legs clenching around his hips as she tried to ride the wave. 

With a croon of her name, Natsu thrust upwards once more before falling apart at the seams, her walls literally milking him for everything he was, drawing out his own pleasure as wave after wave of pleasure bounced between them. 

He fell on top of her when he finished coming inside of her, both of them laughing and panting into each other's mouths as they kissed lazily, tongues brushing softly and noses bumping into one another’s. 

“So,” Lucy finally spoke as Natsu whisked them both off to soak in the tub. “Will you come cut a Christmas tree down with me?” 

Fuck.

How was this her life? How was she actually at a Christmas tree farm, picking out a tree with Natsu and Happy for their apartment? 

She’d only spent one Christmas in Magnolia with Natsu before everything went to shit with Tenrou and then Tartaros before Christmas the year before, and she hadn’t wanted to bother with a Christmas tree before. Mostly because Magnolia didn’t offer Christmas tree farms and the idea of traveling just for a tree seemed stupid. 

Sure, she could’ve bought an artificial tree in Magnolia, but she wanted her first tree to be real. 

Her Christmas morning the year they did spend together was spent alone, Natsu having been roped into helping out at the guild under threat of Makarov and Erza’s wrath if he didn’t comply. 

She would say it was lonely, but Lucy had been spending Christmas alone since her mother died, so it was hardly a shock to her system. It had been nice spending the day at the guild opening little presents from everybody (most had gifted her writing materials or bubble baths) and enjoying a nice meal. 

Natsu had gifted her with a gorgeous leather-bound notebook that had a little pen holder to take with her when they traveled to jobs so she could write whenever inspiration struck her. And also, Christmas bedding. Because according to him, her apartment had been too bare and void of Christmas joy and it made him sad. 

Happy had gifted her a drawing he’d done of the three of them and a bandana that matched his little green one so that they could be matching. She still used the bandana, using it as a hair bow to tie her hair up when she felt like changing her scrunchies. 

Princess Hisui had told her about the Christmas tree farm that her old stablehand now owned and Lucy had immediately been enthralled by the idea of decorating a tree with her little family for their first proper Christmas together. 

So, here she was. Dragging Natsu and Happy through rows and rows of trees on her hunt for the perfect Dragneel-Heartfilia Christmas tree to cut down. 

“Am I…” Natsu trailed off and tugged at his scarf around her neck, bringing her to a complete stop. “Luce, slow down for a minute. I don’t even know what I’m looking for!” He laughed at her softly, eyes bright with what she’d come to realize was love. For her. 

She flushed and tucked herself against his side to try and settle the overexcited energy she was feeling for long enough to explain to him what kind of tree she was hoping to find. 

Natsu brought his hand up to her face and gently tipped it back so she was looking up at him, and her eyes fluttered shut immediately already knowing that he was leaning down to kiss her. 

Kissing Natsu had quickly become her favorite thing to do. 

She hummed happily as he pulled away, tucking her face right back into his chest and letting the feel of him and scent of him surround her and calm her. 

“According to the sign at the front of the farm, the best tree is called a Fraser Fir,” She rattled off, eyes looking around as she took in the other families and couples searching for their tree. “I have no fucking clue what that is, so I just want one that’s really big and full. And then we get to go to the little store in the middle of the farm and pick out all our decorations!” 

She was tugging at the bottom of his one-sleeved jacket, excitement beginning to swell up inside of her again.  

Natsu’s hand swept across her back and Happy floated up to her face, his wet little nose poking her cheek and making her giggle. 

“Okay, we can do that.” Her partner hummed, taking her wrist and pulling her into a run and making her and Happy almost collide as they all stumbled their way through the Christmas trees. 

“I’m so excited!” Happy practically squealed, flying in between trees and above their heads, soaring through the cold air without a single worry. 

She grinned up at him, silently echoing his statement. 

Lucy didn’t know how long they ran through countless trees both already cut and still rooted to the ground, their eyes in search for what would be their perfect tree. Their tree that they would spend the whole next day decorating once it had been delivered to their apartment, considering the owner of the farm offered delivery for locals. 

Running through the trees with Christmas music playing in the background and her senses filled with all things Christmassy, Lucy felt an excitement she hadn’t felt since the last Christmas she’d spent in her apartment in Magnolia. 

She missed running through the streets of Magnolia at Christmas time, lights dangling from every window and decorations flooding every street lamp and shop doorway. It had always looked so magical, and in a world where she lived and breathed magic, it had been Christmas that had made her feel like a little girl again. The happy version of little Lucy, when her mom had been alive. 

Crocus wasn’t like Magnolia because it was far too big. It didn’t have the little town Christmas vibe, only the odd decoration stretched far and wide between storefronts. The only place that was covered head to toe in Christmas stuff was the castle. 

Her princess friend was an actual Christmas elf and wanted to spread her joy far and wide, so they held an annual Christmas Eve light show, which is how Lucy found herself in this Christmas tree farm in the first place. 

She’d been unsure at first, not knowing whether she was even capable of feeling excited for a holiday that used to bring her so much loneliness. But, Hisui knew her. And she’d dared Lucy to find the best tree for her apartment and decorate it well, and if Hisui liked it then Lucy got to press the big button on Christmas Eve to light the whole castle up. 

And Lucy - and by default, Natsu - couldn’t turn down a dare. No, sir. Not one that came along with the possibility of flooding the kingdom in bright lights. 

The excitement had been steadily building since that afternoon when Natsu had agreed to go with her and cut their tree down. Now, surrounded by nothing but Christmas joy and squealing children and adults drinking cider and cocoa, Lucy was ready to do anything to make Christmas special for her little family. 

“I found it! I found it!” Happy’s voice screeched from somewhere, she wasn’t entirely sure where. “Natsu, Lucy! Over here!” 

Natsu must’ve spotted their little Exceed because he turned on his heel and tugged her with him, taking them in between people and trees until they found Happy peering up at a decently sized tree that was greener than anything she’d seen thus far and full with so much life. 

“Oh,” She breathed, scooping Happy up into her arms and leaning into Natsu’s chest as the three of them surveyed the tree Happy had found. “I think it’s perfect.” 

Natsu nudged her forehead with his chin and purred softly in the back of his throat. “Yeah? This the one you guys want?” 

Happy was squeaking and clapping his hands in joy, reaching out with his paw and bouncing it off one of the many branches. “We got a tree! We got a tree!” 

Lucy’s chest ached in the best way possible. It was something she was learning to live with after realizing that her heart lived outside of her body in the form of her fiery dragon and silly little Exceed. Every happy moment she spent with her boys made her ache. 

“I love it. I love you.” She breathed, tipping her face up so she could see Natsu. She wanted to etch this moment into her memory forever. 

His eyes locked with hers and he smiled the soft little smile that was for her only before he nuzzled their noses together in what he’d explained was the dragon equivalent of a kiss. 

“I love you, Lucy.” He promised softly, before his face twisted into a grimace. “Even if I am about to cut down a Christmas tree.”

Natsu woke up to the bed shaking, and he knew immediately who the culprit was. 

He reached out without even opening his eyes and snagged his girl around the waist and pulled her to him, grinning impishly as she collapsed against his chest with a quiet grunt.  

“No,” She groaned, wriggling to try and get out of his arms. “You and Happy have to get up now! It’s Christmas, Natsu!” 

He huffed out a laugh, soaking up the warmth of her body on his. 

“Then, can my present be a lay in? Because we had a late night doing that weird light festival and I already know without looking that the sun isn’t up yet, you heathen.”  

Lucy and Natsu had won the weird bet Hisui had given Lucy after he’d cut down their tree - without burning it - and they’d spent the day after decorating it in pretty lights and ornaments.  It felt like the first real Christmas Natsu had ever had, considering Igneel didn’t celebrate it and trying to celebrate Christmas properly with a guildhall full of kids had been more stressful than fun when he was younger. 

This year, it was him and his girl and their cat. His family. 

They’d gone to Hisui’s annual Christmas Eve light show, and Lucy had been allowed to press the big red button that flooded the castle grounds in Christmas lights and fake snow. It had been amazingly fun, more than Natsu had thought it’d be considering it was a royal event he had to wear a tux for. 

Though, Lucy had more than rewarded him for that particular clothing choice a few times. 

She growled, dropping her chin onto his chest and glowering up at him. “Natsu.” She poked at his side. “I have been very patient and didn’t give either of you the gifts I got even though I really wanted too. Now it’s Christmas. It’s socially acceptable to give you gifts. Now. Get. Up.” 

He shrieked out a laugh and arched away from her prodding fingers as she got him right in his ticklish spots. 

“Okay! Okay!” His laughter had roused Happy, so he was now wide awake with a grumpy girl and a grumpy cat. 

“Wha’s happening?” Happy whined, crawling down the mattress until he was curled up into Lucy’s chest which only served to make her grin victoriously at Natsu as she held their Exceed like a prize. 

“It’s Christmas, Happy!” Lucy giggled, peppering his fluffy little face with kisses. 

Natsu had the sudden urge to grab the cat by his tail and swing him all the way back to Magnolia. Lucky fucker. 

“Christmas?” Happy purred, leaning into Lucy’s affections. “Wait, presents!” 

He was left to watch as his little family took off back towards the front of their apartment where they’d placed their wrapped presents underneath their tree the night before. 

Yawning, he shook his head fondly and hurried after them, their own excitement fuelling his own and waking him up. 

Natsu was a morning person, he always had been. But, he was a reasonable morning person, which meant from six onwards. Not at the ass-crack of dawn before the sun even began to shine. But, if his future Christmases were going to be like this, he could definitely get used to it. 

“Can I go first? My one is for both of you!” Happy was practically vibrating in Lucy’s arms, his eyes wide with excitement.

Lucy had settled on the rug near the tree, her back pressed up against the couch and Happy in her arms. Natsu quickly grabbed a cushion from the couch and tucked it behind her back so she was more comfortable, flushing slightly under the warmth of her gaze when she smiled at him. 

“You can go first, Happy,” She smiled, pressing a kiss to his fuzzy head and then letting him go before she all but flopped into Natsu’s side, making him grunt at the sudden added pressure of his girl attempting to be a koala. 

“Merry Christmas, love.” She hummed happily, pressing her lips to his neck before trailing them up to his cheek and grinning cheekily at his blush that she’d caused by pulling out the term of endearment. 

He buried his fingers into her hair and held her to him, contentment thrumming underneath his skin as he was reminded once again just how fucking lucky he was that this was his life. That Lucy was his life. 

“Merry Christmas, sweet girl.” He murmured, dropping a quick kiss to her lips before they both turned their full attention to their little blue Exceed who was currently squealing with happiness, tail swishing and paws clasping a rather large gift that Natsu knew full well his Exceed had wrapped himself, if the copious amount of tape around it was anything to by. 

“Can I explain it before you open it?” He was bouncing in front of them, paws tapping against the present and eyes bright with so much excitement that Natsu genuinely wondered if he was about to self-combust right in front of them. 

Lucy reached out and swept a hand down his back even as he continued prancing around, grinning. “Course!” 

“Princess Hisui helped me get all the magic stuff for it. It’s for all of us. It’s got our names on it, and when we’re near it, our names light up so the rest of us know that we’re near it.” Happy babbled, clearly trying to explain the gift without outright giving it away. 

Natsu had a very funny feeling; he already knew exactly what Happy had made for them, and he had to tip his head up to the ceiling to blink the tears gathering in his eyes away. Sometimes, the life he was living felt so incredibly surreal. 

It had taken so much pain and trauma to get here, to be sitting here right in this moment with his best friends. With the love of his life tucked against him, listening to their Exceed explain his gift to them. 

He had been the reason there had been so much pain, and he didn’t think there would ever be a day he didn’t feel guilty about that. He just knew that for all the pain he suffered, all the anguish and abandonment he’d felt throughout his entire life, it would all be worth it to him. To love and be loved by Lucy was the greatest gift he’d ever receive. 

Not that he’d tell that to Happy, of course. 

He let Lucy unwrap the present, not even wanting to touch the stupid amount of tape because he knew he’d just set fire to the whole damn thing as soon as it refused to cooperate the first time. 

She gasped as soon as the present was open, revealing a beautifully carved sign in the shape of a star that read, Natsu & Lucy & Happy. Natsu’s name was coloured with red, Lucy’s was pink, and Happy’s was green. Happy had picked their Fairy Tail colours and the shape of the sign was no secret either, the star being a symbol for their very own personal star with golden hair and the best hugs. 

“I thought it would be nice to have something that was both the past and future. Me and Natsu had one for the house in Magnolia, but this one is for us. For here, or Magnolia or wherever.” Happy shrugged. “It’s us. Our family.” 

“Oh, Happy,” Lucy reached out and grabbed him, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “This is perfect. And so, so sweet. Can you tell me about the enchantments again?” 

He pulled them both into his arms as Happy explained how their names would glow with their colours whenever they were home, they just had to tap the top of the sign and it would activate their names. 

“It’s perfect, little buddy,” Natsu murmured, ruffling his blue fur. “And I think it’s about time we got an updated one anyway, considering we were with Lucy long before Crocus.” 

Lucy snorted and nudged against him with her shoulder, no doubt remembering all the times she’d woken up to two extra bodies in her bed, or less food than she’d had in her apartment the night before. 

She carefully dropped the sign onto the couch behind them, and Natsu knew the conversation they’d kept pushing off about their lives going forward was steadily creeping closer, the sign only serving as a reminder. 

Natsu truly didn’t mind what they did. He was happy in his little bubble in Crocus with his family, with Lucy going to work a few times a week and him helping out with the guards at the castle and not having to worry about making him and Lucy spend money paying for damages he’d caused on their missions. 

Yeah, he missed their adventures. He probably always would for as long as they lived life on the slow path. But, he wouldn’t give up the way he lived recently for anything. It was thanks to their slow living in Crocus that he finally got time to show Lucy just how loved and wanted she was. 

He would be fine with either choice, whether they stayed forever in Crocus or if they went back to Fairy Tail. So long as his little family continued to thrive and be happy, Natsu would be happy with whichever path they chose to go down. 

They went around in a steady circle giving each other their gifts until there was only one left under the tree, and it was the one Natsu had been most excited for. 

Lucy had given him an enchanted lighter that had unlimited fuel and some sort of wind protection, so he could use it to feed his fire powers whenever and wherever. Happy had given him another vest to wear in summer, this one had his name stitched into the inside pocket which was nice. 

He had bought all of them their own Christmas colouring books and pencils after Lucy had told him about the tradition she used to have with her mom when she was younger where they would spend a few hours on Christmas day colouring pictures and then steadily work through the book until it was finished, ready for a new one for the next Christmas. 

He’d had to let her cry for about twenty minutes after she’d opened her one, not that he minded.

This gift though, was one he’d brought back with him when he’d been away for ten months. He’d gotten it about two months after he’d left after coming across a pendant in a small store that reminded him of Lucy. When the owner, who had been a mage herself, had explained the idea behind the pendant, he knew he needed to get one for both of them. 

Happy took one look at the present and grinned at him cheekily, the blue cat already well aware of what the gift was considering he’d been with Natsu when he’d purchased it. He flew under the tree and grabbed it, handing it to Natsu with a little wink before making an excuse about needing to have a bath before he took off to give them some privacy. 

His palms were sweating as nerves settled deep in the pit of his tummy. 

“Natsu? I thought we were done with presents.” She tilted her head up to look at him from where she was splashed out on their floor colouring in the second page of her book. 

He huffed out a slow breath, and pushed it towards her. 

“This is the last one. It’s one for both of us, really.” He explained carefully, keeping a hold of his emotions as he studied her. “I got this two months after I left you, Luce.” 

Her eyes watered immediately at the reminder, pain twisting across her face before intrigue took over. 

“It must be special if you waited this long to give it to me then.” She smiled at him softly, reminding him without words that she had forgiven him even if the reminder did still hurt. 

He dragged his hand through his hair roughly, fighting against the anger that always settled within his very soul whenever he thought about the pain he had caused the one person he never wanted to hurt. 

She carefully opened the box and pulled out a black wristband that had a golden key stitched into it and a gold necklace with an orange fire pendant hanging from the chain. 

“Natsu,” She breathed, amazement plain in her eyes. “What are these? They’re beautiful.” 

“The necklace is for you, and the wristband is mine.” He held up his bare wrist to show her that he wasn’t wearing the plain black one he usually always wore, the one she had the matching band too since the first week he’d met her. “I got them personalised, hence the key and fire.” 

She carefully slipped the hand around the wrist he’d held up, her fingertips blazing a path down his arms as she used his body weight to carefully tug herself towards him without letting go of him. 

“Your fire pendant will feel warm on your skin whenever I’m thinking about you, and mine will do the same. But, if either of us are in any danger, they go really hot and glow brightly so we can see it.” He explained, brushing her hair out of the way and carefully clasping the necklace around her neck. “That way, whenever we’re not together, you will always know how much I love you. Because, I’m always thinkin’ about you, Luce. No matter what I’m doing, you’re always on my mind. And I’ve wanted you to know that for so long, even before I got to tell you I love you.”

She was crying again, but her smile told him just how happy she was. 

“These are amazing.” She sobbed softly, collapsing into his chest. “And the fact that you got them long before you even came back is nice. It sort of feels nice knowing that even though you were gone, you did still think about me. You telling me is one thing, but this is proof that I can keep with me forever that I was important.” She explained through her tears, being completely honest with him. 

He held her tightly, dropping kiss after kiss on top of her head to soothe her as she cried. 

“I’m always thinking of you, baby.” He murmured, nuzzling their noses together. “You are everything. And now, you can have a daily reminder of that.” 

She fiddled with the band around his wrist and sniffled. “And so do you. You’re everything to me, too, Natsu. I always think about you, even when you’re annoying as hell.” 

He flushed at her declaration, not having really considered that she might think about him as often as he thought about her but it made him feel loved knowing that he was just as important to her. 

“Merry Christmas, Lucy.” He dipped down and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose, the rise of her cheeks and then her lips all in quick succession. “I’m really glad we’re here.” 

“Merry Christmas, my love.” She sighed, pressing in even closer. “Our first of many. Now, I have a whole year to figure out how to top this.” 

He laughed brightly, a weight feeling like it had been lifted now that she finally had the gift he’d gotten her so long ago. 

“Well,” He began, soaking in her warmth in his arms and the slight warmth that was emitting from the band on his wrist. “We’ve got forever to top it.” 

Chapter Text

Six 

She stared at the absolute carnage they’d caused at the end of the fruit and veg aisle and grimaced, realising that maybe it was time to start going back out on magical jobs if this is what their pent up ‘adventure-energy’ as Happy called it, did to their local grocery store. 

Natsu was half bent at the waist as he apologised profusely to the kind old lady who owned the store, offering to pay for any damages they’d caused to the display shelves that currently had a cart sticking half out of it, the back wheels still spinning from the force in which they’d shoved it. 

They’d been playing a game of pass the cart between them, filling each other in on their day because Natsu had been out working at the palace with Arcadios to prepare for the New Year surge of tourists that got quite rowdy every year, so Hisui was taking full advantage of having a dragon slayer at her disposal. 

Lucy had been working with Jason to prepare for their final work party of the year. And, maybe her final work party ever if she decided to follow through with the half-assed plans she’d been forming since Christmas ever since she’d been given the sign Happy had made for the three of them. 

Of course, their built up energy meant they were both a little too exuberant and a little too strong. So, when their hands had joined together to push it towards Happy who’d wanted to play, they maybe pushed a little too hard and had wrecked almost the entire aisle and display case at the end. 

“I still think we should run before she takes all our money,” Happy whispered to her from where she held him against her chest. “She looks mean.” 

She snorted softly and buried her face into the top of his furry head. “She’s actually really lovely. We’re the ones who wrecked her store, Happy.” 

Happy tilted his head up and peered up at her with so much understanding in his eyes that it felt like a physical punch to her chest. “You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?” 

She sighed and nodded slowly. 

One of the things her and Natsu had been learning together was how to be entirely honest, even about the stupid thoughts in their head that they were embarrassed about because sometimes a second opinion solves a problem that wasn’t actually a problem at all. 

It had been working amazingly well. Their communication was so much better, and Lucy absolutely adored hearing every little thought in Natsu’s head, and he always said the same thing about her weird thoughts. Right down to listening to him try and decide if a fire chicken plate was better than fire spaghetti. 

Happy had picked up on their cues since the beginning, and he’d taken it upon himself to follow their example which only served to bring all three of them closer, and if Lucy was being entirely honest, Happy seemed so much calmer when he got all his thoughts out his head so she didn’t even mind when he went on tangents about different fish flavours. 

And, so, Lucy wouldn’t lie to her little Exceed. Not now. 

“Yeah. This sort of makes me think we should go back even more.” She exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the flutter of anxiety that rose in her chest at her own words. “Just need to work through my feelings and make a decision, I guess.” 

Happy nudged his head against her neck, huffing a breath. “I think it’s okay to feel what you feel, Lucy. We all really hurt you and that isn’t something you’re gonna just forget or work through on your own. It’s a big decision.” 

She held him closer, unable to help the relief that swept through her at his understanding. 

She loved Fairy Tail, and she loved everyone in it including her team. But, her heart was hurting and she didn’t know how to move past it. Natsu had readily taken her anger whenever she felt it, giving her the space she needed when she needed to cry or yell at him or just be held really tight. She was slightly afraid that the rest of her friends and family wouldn’t want to put that kind of work in. 

That they wouldn’t think she was worth it. 

But, she also couldn’t be certain they wouldn’t put the effort in to regain her trust. It was the uncertainty that made her feel anxious, the unease making it impossible for her to make her decision straight away. 

Natsu had been nothing but understanding. It still confused her sometimes, that he would choose to stay with her until she made a choice instead of going off to rebuild the guild he’d had since he was a little boy. But, he’d proven to her time and time again that she came before everything else, and she’d be lying if she said it didn’t make her feel relieved that he hadn’t stopped proving that to her, even after they’d gotten together and she’d given him her forgiveness. 

“I’ll talk to Natsu about it tonight,” She murmured, sending the shop owner an apologetic smile when she turned her way before turning around and stamping away with all the annoyance she was rightly feeling. “Although, maybe I’ll say yes just to never have to shop here again.” 

Happy threw his head back and laughed, his snickers rattling through his entire little body. 

“I dunno what you dorks are laughing at,” Natsu grumbled when he reached their side, his thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of his nose like he always did when he was getting a stress headache. “She wants us to help set out the display cases tomorrow and then she’ll call it even. I tried getting her to take the money but she’s stubborn.” 

Lucy carefully set Happy back on the floor before reaching out and pressing her thumbs against her partners temple on either side, putting just enough pressure against his skin to make him sigh softly and relax into her hands. 

“You’re sweet, y’know that?” She whispered softly, her heart feeling like it was trying to physically jump from her chest and into his. Her sweet dragon. “We’ll leave some money for her in secret tomorrow. We can still help out with her displays.” 

He let his eyes flutter shut for a moment before he reopened them with a sigh and a careful nod. “Yeah, okay. Let’s go home then, sounds like we’re in for a busy morning.” 

Happy had already taken off towards the storefront, calling over his shoulder that he’d meet them at home and Lucy was slightly relieved for the alone time with Natsu. 

“You okay?” 

She jumped slightly at his question, smiling sheepishly as he pulled her hands away from her temple and used the movement to tug her into his side as he slowly guided them out of the store and back towards their apartment. 

“Just thinking.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “About whether it’s time we go back.” 

He studied her for a moment, their hips knocking and legs brushing against one another as they fell into a familiar rhythm that came easy to them after many journeys taken together where they’d walked practically plastered to one another. 

How they hadn’t gotten their act together before, Lucy wasn’t sure. They’d been in a relationship since they’d met, really. Just without the kissing and sex that they both now thoroughly enjoyed. 

“Is that what you actually want?” He asked slowly, hand sweeping a gentle path across her side. 

She hummed. “I think it is. I’m still…” Trailing off, she shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “I’m still afraid of how It'll all play out. But Fairy Tail was our home, wasn’t it? We had so many adventures, Natsu. And there are so many more we can go on regardless of what happens. I think I’m ready to try and rebuild the guild. I’m ready to go on more adventures with you, that much I know for certain. As for my anxiety over everyone else, I can only get over that by doing something about it.” 

He pressed his lips to her temple and she immediately went up on her tiptoes following after his lips incessantly, silently asking for more which made him huff in amusement but he pressed his lips against her skin again. 

“My home is wherever you are, sweet girl. You wanna go back to Magnolia, that’s where we’ll go. We still got that cabin, so we can just get some work down to extend it with the jewel we’ve got saved.” 

Her heart fluttered at his words, at the easy way he just acknowledged them staying together no matter where they lived. 

“Don’t you have a preference though?” She urged, wanting to make sure he felt included. “There must be somewhere you prefer to live.” 

He shook his head. “Not really. These last few months here have been some of the best of my life, Luce. I could be happy here with you forever. But, we also had good days in Fairy Tail, too. That’s why I don’t mind. Where you are is when I’m happy, so if you have a preference, then I’m more than happy to go along with it.” 

She ignored the tears that sprung to her eyes at his words and just leaned more heavily into his side, both of them sharing a laugh as her weight caused them to stumble over each other before they fell back into an easy rhythm. 

“Okay.” She breathed, heart in her throat. “Then, I wanna go back. I wanna go on adventures with you and Happy forever. I wanna go back to the guild hall and see all our friends there. I wanna see Wendy and Carla again. That’s what I wanna do.” 

He grinned down at her. “Then, let’s go baby.”  

“How the fuck does this keep happening to me.” He grouched quietly to himself, frowning at his reflection in the mirror as he tried to knot his tie properly. 

The amount of events he’d been too since arriving in Crocus was bordering on ridiculous in his opinion. It felt like Lucy’s boss Jason had parties for every little thing, and Princess Hisui had invited them to a fair few events herself that required tux wearing. 

He fucking hated it. It made his skin itch and his muscles tense. But, he loved his girl and he knew she had wanted to go to the parties and events, even if she hadn’t voiced it. He knew how much she loved dressing up and considering she helped Jason plan the majority of his parties, she deserved to see the fruits of her labours. So, he would wear the tux to the stupid parties forever if it meant Lucy got to enjoy herself. 

He’d be lying if he said he didn’t love seeing her in beautiful dresses, or dancing with her and just generally enjoying her company in an atmosphere that was almost electric with happiness at all times. It was just the damn tuxes he hated. 

Lucy had told him after the first one that he didn’t have to go to such lengths just for her. She appreciated him going in the first place, and she’d much rather him be comfortable, she’d told him. But, he could and he would do this for her. He wouldn’t stand next to her underdressed and embarrass her while she looked like a fucking goddess. 

Although, Natsu thought she looked like a goddess in her comfy pyjamas, in her workout gear, wrapped in a towel and wearing nothing but his tops. 

He appreciated that she never wanted to change him, though. 

“Ah, shit!” Natsu cursed, about a split second away from launching the stupid tie across the room and going back to bed. Stupid ties. They were out to get him more than any enemy he’d ever fucking faced.  

Lucy’s sudden grumble made him jump and he watched through the mirror as she stomped over, the look on her face promised retribution if he set the tie alight and threw it across the room so he wisely turned and stretched his hand out to her for her to take it. 

“Thank you,” She sighed, taking it and looping it around his neck. “And what your fucking language.” 

The laugh wheezed out of him like he’d been punched in the stomach, his entire body curving at the force of it. 

“My little hypocrite.” He teased, flicking her nose and then immediately growling at her playfully when she retaliated and bonked their heads together gently.  

She pressed her body up against his, and that’s when he noticed what she was wearing. 

A beautiful forest green dress which fell to just above the knees that literally clung to every inch of her curves in a way that should be illegal. It had thin straps that went down the back of her dress in a criss-cross to her middle back that he absolutely would enjoy tearing through later. The front plunged down just enough into her cleavage without revealing the multitude of marks he’d left on her earlier that day. 

There was a slit down one side of her dress on the left side that almost had him drooling and he had to restrain himself from slipping his fingers along the opening because he knew if he did that now, they wouldn’t be making it to the party at all, and he knew how much Lucy wanted to go considering it was their last once before they left Crocus. 

“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever had the pleasure of looking at,” The words rumbled through his chest as he tried valiantly to push the arousal beginning to pool in the pit of his belly away. “You look amazing, Luce.” 

She titled her head up to look up at him through her eyelashes and she flushed, a gentle grin tugging at her lips. 

“Well, thank you,” She gave a playful little twirl before pressing herself up against him again. “I feel beautiful.” 

His own grin widened at her words. “Yeah? That’a good, baby. You’re always beautiful to me, but I’m always glad when you feel it for yourself.” 

She hummed and gently pressed her lips to his chin before she suddenly began peppering his face with kisses, making him laugh softly and tighten his hold on her hips to keep her in place, his heart fluttering with the kind of joy that only his sunshine girl could bring him. 

“Sweet talker.” She crooned before tucking her face into his neck. “I really love you. Really really.” 

His heart fucking squeezed. 

“I love you, sweet girl. More than anything in this life. My beautiful girl.” He nuzzled his nose against her face, relishing in her soft giggle. 

They were content to stay pressed together in silence for a moment, both of them just basking in the comfort of each other and the love that freely lived between them. 

“You ready to go, love?” She murmured after a few minutes, pulling back and straightening his tie once more before stepping away fully. 

He lifted a hand to rub at his sternum to try and massage the ache that always settled within him whenever she called him her love. He wondered briefly if that’s what she felt when he called her sweet girl. 

“I’m ready. Is Happy coming?” He quizzed, following her out of their bedroom. He knew their little Exceed had been unsure if he’d felt up to going out with them, so he wasn’t sure if they’d have company for the night or if their cat would be taking full advantage of being home alone to raid their fridge and take up the whole bed. 

“Absolutely not!” Happy cackled, flying over their heads and into the bedroom with his arms full of snacks to last him the whole night. “See ya! Have fun!” 

Natsu turned his neck back to watch Happy settle right in the middle of the bed just like he knew he would with a little glower before turning around and falling into step behind his girl to help her with the jacket blazer she was wearing. 

Time always seemed to both drag and fly by when they went to one of the events. He spent half of his time chasing after food, the other half chasing after his girl to either feed her when he noticed she hadn’t eaten yet or twirl her around on the dance floor just to be able to hold her close and hear her giggles ring throughout the room. 

He was in the second half of his evening, eyes searching the room for Lucy when he noticed her standing in a small group of people right next to Jason. 

Quickly, he hurried over to her side and tickled his fingers up her side making her squeal and whirl on her heel to shove him which only made him grip her wrist and carefully tug her with him, grinning at her cheekily as she scowled. 

“Got ya,” He crooned, bringing her into his arms and beginning to sway along to the music with her even as she waved over her shoulder apologetically at the group he’d pulled her away from. 

She huffed at him and carefully bonked her forehead against his chin. 

“You’re supposed to let me say my goodbyes before whisking me away.” 

He purred softly in the back of his throat as her fingers trailed across the nape of his neck before diving into his hair, her nails scratching at his scalp. 

“How is that any fun, when I can just surprise ya and keep your all to myself?” He murmured against her forehead before slowly trailing his lips down the side of her face, across her cheek until he finally slanted his lips over hers. “My beautiful girl.” 

She giggled softly against his lips, and if Natsu could bottle that sound up and keep it with him forever he would. 

“If you keep this up you’ll be stuck with me by your side forever.” She teased quietly, pulling away just enough so he could look into the eyes that held everything he ever needed, wanted and could ever want deep inside them. 

He dipped her back, sharp teeth pressing against her jumping pulse. “That’s my idea of heaven, baby.” 

Lucy giggled softly, pressing her neck harder against his face for a second before he pulled her back up to face him so he could nuzzle their noses together. 

“You ready? Few more days and we’ll be gone.” Natsu pointed out, twirling her in a circle and then pulling her back in. 

She sighed quietly and moved her hands from his to wrap her arms around his waist, every part of her body suddenly pressed against his as they swayed from side to side. 

“Still nervous. But, I’m excited. Even if we don’t find the team, the three of us are about to have an adventure for the first time in a year and I’m excited for that. What about you, love? How are you feeling?” 

He pressed his lips to her forehead. 

“If you’re ready, baby, I’m ready. It’s time we get out there and cause some chaos.” 

Chapter Text

Seven

The apartment was stupidly cold now that it was empty of all her personal belongings. 

They’d rented a storage unit close to the apartment to store everything in until they’d made a final decision about where they’d be living. It was hard to make a solid choice when neither of them knew whether they’d be successful in rebuilding their guild. 

Natsu pulled her closer in his sleep, huffing softly as he buried his face against her neck and threw a leg across hers effectively trapping her to the blow-up mattress they were using for their last night in the apartment and they’d be using it while they travelled to save jewel when they could camp on the clear nights. 

She smiled softly, her heart warming along with her body as her tense muscles relaxed underneath his comforting weight and familiar heat. 

It didn’t seem to matter where she slept. Natsu was never far away, and he always seemed to know just when she needed him to pull her in close and when she needed space, and it was those little things he did to show he cared, even when it was instinctive for him, that had made her follow him to Fairy Tail in the first place . 

She had felt slightly uneasy with her decision after the apartment had been cleared out, not entirely sure she wasn’t making a mistake by having them leave the place where they learned to fall back in love with one another after their separation. Where they’d become a proper family, the three of them against the world once more. 

Natsu had noticed how she was feeling, and he knew she hadn’t wanted to talk about it and so they’d spent the evening eating takeout from their favorite restaurant and playing board games with Happy before enjoying a bath together before bed, never letting her get too far in her own head. 

She loved him more than life, and even if it all ended up being a mistake and they ended up settling in Crocus forever, she couldn’t deny the excitement that rushed through her veins at the idea of going on an adventure with her boys after so long. 

“Hey, Lucy?” 

She jumped slightly at the sudden voice that rang through the bedroom, the sound much louder than it normally would’ve been because of the echo of the now empty apartment. 

“What’s up, Happy? I thought you were sleeping.” She murmured, watching as her little Exceed carefully scrambled up Natsu’s back until he was settled between his shoulder blades, his face close to hers. 

He frowned slightly, tail swishing in agitation. 

“I - is it okay if I’m mad? With everyone from the guild?” He asked softly, guilt bright in his eyes. “Including Carla?”

Her heart broke for him, and she immediately reached up to gently scratch between his ears to soothe him. 

“Anything you feel is okay, Happy.” She promised firmly, making sure his eyes were locked on hers as she spoke. “I’m still mad with everybody. You’re mad on my behalf, which is sweet. But, I hope you know that I don’t expect you to be. You and Natsu have done more than enough to apologise to me for leaving me behind, I don’t need you to be angry with the others for doing the same.” 

He nodded slowly. “I get it. But, I guess I just expected differently from them, y’know?” He sighed. “Especially Wendy and Carla, considering they know what it’s like to lose a guild suddenly. And, I’m not mad because I think you expect it, I’m mad because Natsu and I realized we’d made a mistake leaving you as soon as we’d done it, but we felt like we couldn’t come back. We know now that was wrong, but that’s the truth. It wouldn’t be hard to find you if they were looking, and the fact they haven’t reached out upsets me.” 

Lucy grimaced at the reminder, a pang of sympathy for her youngest guildmate rushing through her as she remembered what the girl and her Exceed had gone through. 

“Honestly, I think that’s probably why I’m not mad with Wendy and Carla.” She chewed on her bottom lip in thought. “They probably took the hit more than anybody, losing a guild like that again. Everyone copes with grief in their own way and Wendy is a young girl, Happy. If she needed to be with her friend than I can respect that. At least she had the decency to say goodbye to me before she left, unlike the others.” 

Happy huffed at the reminder. “Yeah, I guess. I’m still a bit mad though. Is that okay?” 

She smiled softly at him and rubbed at his fur until he was a puddle on top of her partner, purring sleepily. “Anything you feel is okay.” She repeated quietly. “And I don’t need them to look for me anymore, Hap. My heart hurts without them, yes. But, I’ve learned to live without them. I don’t miss them like I missed you and Natsu, it’s a different kind of feeling. It’s difficult to explain.” 

Happy purred softly, yawning. “Not really. We’re your most important people. Like Laxus has Evergreen, Bickslow and Freed. Like Mirajane has Lisanna and Elfman. Like Wendy has Carla.” 

She huffed out a short laugh. “Exactly like that.” 

Lucy continued rubbing at his head, feeling somewhat relieved that Happy had helped her realise that she wasn’t wrong or a horrible person for admitting she missed Natsu and Happy more than she missed everyone else. She hadn’t even realised how heavy that had been weighing on her until then. 

She waited until he’d fallen asleep before she allowed her own eyes to shut. 

There was a lot of pain that everyone was carrying, including the people she was angry with. It would take a lot to regain trust again, but Lucy truly hoped that one day they’d be back to how they were before. 

The strongest guild in Fiore with the strongest bonds.

Natsu brushed his fingers across her cheek softly, the feel of her skin on his fingertips sending sparks across his palm as it always did whenever he touched her. 

“Luce?” He crooned quietly, watching as her eyelids fluttered slightly. “Time to wake up, sweet girl. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.” 

She whined lowly, burying her face into the pillow for a moment before rolling over so that she was on her back and blinking sleepily up at the ceiling with a sleepy frown on her face. 

“Hey there, grumpy girl.” He greeted with a soft laugh, resting his hand on her stomach and rubbing slow circles on the sliver of skin that was showing from where her top had ridden up. 

She glanced over at him and grunted. “I forgot how much I hate sleeping on air mattresses. Even magically enchanted ones.” 

He snorted out a laugh, tickling her belly slightly to make her giggle. That’s not what she had been saying the night before when they’d pulled it out the bag and it had inflated itself. 

“Well, you’re about to spend a lotta time on one, baby.” He reminded her, watching in amusement as her face scrunched up and she stuck her tongue out at him. 

She rolled closer to him, his hand sliding from her stomach to her back, and he immediately complied with her silent request and began scratching his nails across her back, grinning as she immediately shuddered and melted into the bed. 

“We gotta have breakfast before we leave,” She murmured quietly, her lips brushing against his bare knee and making him shiver. “We don’t have any food left in the fridge so we’ll have to eat out somewhere.” 

He hummed softly. 

“I already ordered some food, it should be here any minute which is why I was waking you. I figured it’d be nice to have one more breakfast here before we leave.” 

She tilted her head up so that it was resting on his crossed legs and he moved his hand up her spine and across her neck until he was cupping her face, his fingers stroking a gentle path across her soft skin. 

“It’s weird, isn’t it?” She yawned, blinking rapidly for a moment before settling again, pressing her face into his hand more firmly. “I’m both excited and sad to leave.” 

He nodded immediately, having felt the same. “Yeah. I think it’s because we’re always going to crave an adventure, that’s just who we are. But, living here with you? It’s been the best few months of my life, baby. This life we’ve built together has been amazing, and I’m sad to leave it behind.” He explained quietly, brushing his thumb across her bottom lip. “But, I’m excited to get back on the road with you. I’ve missed us.” 

She smiled and tilted her head so she press a kiss to his hand. 

“I’ve missed us too, love,” She sighed softly, pressing another kiss to his hand before shoving herself upright and crawling into lap. 

“Feed me.” She urged playfully, nipping at his earlobe and giggling as he growled quietly in warning, both of them knowing they didn’t have time for sex. 

“As you wish.” He grinned, tweaking the tip of her nose gently before holding her closer and surging up from the air mattress. “I ordered you pancakes and bacon.” 

She hummed delightedly, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck as she pressed her face into his chest. 

“Thank you.” She murmured through another yawn, rubbing her face tiredly against the fabric of his top. “I need coffee before I pass out again.” 

He snorted at her dramatics, dropping gently on the floor next to a sprawled out Happy and spinning Lucy in his arms so she was facing outwards with her back to his chest. 

“Your blood is probably ninety percent coffee at this point, Luce.” 

Happy grunted his agreement, a scowl on his little face as he glared at the front door like it would make the food appear quicker. 

Natsu met Lucy’s eyes and they both hurriedly turned away from one another with a stifled snicker, neither one of them wanting to risk Happy’s hunger-induced wrath. He had sharp ass claws and he absolutely wasn’t afraid to use them. 

Lucy tipped her head back and pressed a gentle kiss to his jaw before pushing up onto her feet, playfully tugging at his hair as she shuffled towards the kitchen, sending her own pitifully desperate look towards the door. 

He shook his head fondly. Lucy may tease him and Happy about their love for food, but his girl was just as bad as him when it came to certain things, and caramel coffee, bacon and pancakes were something she’d happily fight someone over. 

Happy was at the door within a second of the delivery person knocking, and Natsu wasn’t far behind him with the jewel to cover the cost and a tip, thanking the teenage boy before shutting the door and scurrying after Happy who would ferret all the good pieces of bacon if Natsu and Lucy didn’t stop him. 

“I am definitely going to enjoy this!” Lucy hummed happily, practically running at them from the kitchen with three paper plates in her hands from the pack they’d bought to last them after sending all their stuff to storage. 

Happy immediately handed the bag of food over in exchange for a plate at Lucy’s pointed look, and Natsu had to stifle his snort of amusement. Happy had learned very early on after meeting Lucy that if she truly wanted something and you stood in her way, she wouldn’t hesitate to tussle with you. Whether you were human, demon, Exceed. Friend or Foe. Lucy got what she wanted. 

He fucking adored her. 

“So, if we get going around 10, that gives us plenty of time to drop the keys off at the landlord and get on the train that’s at half past. We’ll be in the next town over by lunch so we can stop there for lunch and start looking in the magic shops.” Lucy spoke through a mouthful of bacon, and Natsu suddenly wondered if he wasn’t a bad influence on her, knowing the prim and proper girl he’d met in Hargeon all those years ago would’ve been embarrassed at her behaviour now. 

Natsu didn’t care though. It didn’t matter to him if Lucy was messy, he thought she was perfect in every way. Not that he would tell her that right now with his own mouth full of some bacon because she’d definitely scold him without realising she was doing the same thing. 

And he never wanted her to stop being a little messy with him. 

“Sounds good,” He nodded, reaching into the bag to grab his breakfast burrito and water. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” 

She hummed, licking her lips to gather the syrup from her pancakes from around her mouth and his eyes immediately zeroed in on the action and he silently cursed the fact they’d agreed to leave so early, wanting nothing more than to bend her over and have his way with her. 

“I’m ready. It’s about time we go on an adventure.” 

Natsu smiled at her, heart warming. 

It didn’t matter much to him if they gathered their guild mates up or not. Not anymore. It’s not like he could never see them again. All he wanted was for Lucy to be happy. After everything he’d done to her, everything Fairy Tail had done, she deserved nothing less from him. So, even if they couldn’t convince the others to join again, Natsu would still make sure she had the adventure she craved. 

“Then let’s have an adventure, sweet girl.”