A/N: Hello everyone! I am back with another (mature… wink, wink!) NaLu Oneshot! This one takes place after the Tenrou Island Arc and at the beginning of X791 Arc (so around episode 120 or so I think?). So if you feel a little confused, you may just need to watch up to that point! Like my last story, please R&R! I am always open to constructive criticism! Thanks for all your support and I hope you enjoy!
The Continuing Mischief of Mr. Cursey
Even after a week from returning home, Lucy still couldn't believe how run down Fairy Tail had gotten over the years. While they had been sealed away for seven years after the attack of Acnologia on Tenrou Island, she still couldn't help but stare at the terrible wooden patch jobs that barely covered the gaping holes in the stone exterior; the upside down "L" on the archway that was supposed to read "Fairy Tail;" and worst of all, the overgrown foliage that had claimed their once thriving guild hall. Lucy couldn't bear the thought of how much her guild mates has suffered during the group's prolonged absence. The recent loss of her father definitely didn't help lessen the blow either. She quickly closed her eyes as the tears began to pool.
A few paces away, Natsu and Happy were having an animated conversation about which fish tastes the best.
"I think that the blue ones taste the best, but honestly, as long as it isn't those stupid winged fish, I will eat any of them," Happy exclaimed. "I wonder which ones Carla likes best… I was thinking of giving some to her as a present! What do you think, Natsu? Natsu?"
"Sorry, little buddy…" Natsu said placing his hand gently in the air and looking away.
"What's wrong, Natsu," Happy asked as he tilted his head in curiosity.
"I think Lucy might be upset… Give me just a few minutes. I just want to check on her."
"Awwww! It's because you love her!"
"It's not like that!"
"Whatever you say, Natsu. I'm gonna go ask Carla which fish she likes best! See you later," Happy blurted as he soared off towards the guild hall.
"Lucy!" Natsu shouted down the road toward the tearful blonde.
Lucy couldn't help but jump at his sudden presence as he flopped his arms around her shoulders from behind.
"Ahh! Natsu, you scared me to death! You should be gentler with me, you know. I am a lady after all…" Lucy pouted as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oh really? This tomboy standing right in front of me? This isn't very lady-like behavior…" Natsu grinned his childish grin as he squeezed her soft cheeks in between his fingers.
"Would you cut it out!" Lucy screamed as she tried to fend off Natsu's grasp.
Now Lucy was fighting embarrassment rather than tears, as her cheeks flushed at the closeness of Natsu's face from hers. He always knew how to distract her when she needed it the most. While many people have said that he is dense, she always knew deep down, he was more in-tune with people's feelings than he ever let on.
After everyone had faced death head-on while on Tenrou Island, she couldn't help but see Natsu in a different light. He had taken her hand and encouraged her when she thought all was lost. At his simple touch, she had never felt so safe in all her life. She knew that everything had to work out if he said it would. He always found a way to bring hope to her life when all she saw was darkness. After they had returned home, Lucy finally realized she was falling for the pink-haired dragon slayer. She wanted nothing more than to be with him, but it was also her greatest fear. She couldn't help but play the "what if" game with herself.
What if he didn't love her back? What if he did love her back and their relationship didn't work out in the end? Would they stop being partners, or worse, would they stop being friends?
Natsu was her first friend since she ran away from home. Not only did he accept her, he brought her to the best thing that had ever happened to her. He got her into Fairy Tail. She would never be able to repay him for the countless times he had not only saved her life, but also brought her hope and courage. It would be devastating for Lucy if she lost his friendship. She couldn't even bear the thought.
"Luce… Are you alright?" Natsu interrogated as he moved closer to her face, now only inches from each other's noses.
For a moment, they gazed into each other's eyes, Lucy with her sweet, chocolate brown and Natsu with his smoldering charcoal.
"I am fine! I just need to get some rest…" Lucy trailed off as she crossed her arms and freed herself from Natsu's grip. "I am going to go home for the evening, so enjoy the rest of your night."
"Alright then. See you tomorrow!" Natsu had to shout as Lucy was already running towards her home.
Even though Lucy said she was alright, Natsu couldn't help but shake the feeling that she was more sensitive recently. He knew that coming back after all this time and then to learn that her father had passed took a heavy toll on her. But he knew his Lucy would always bounce back. He just needed to be patient and not push things, however that was much easier said than done. He wanted only happiness for her.
After they had returned home, he couldn't help but remember the feelings that overwhelmed him on Tenrou Island right before Acnologia's blast. When he saw Lucy's tears, he felt an unbearable pain in his chest, like he had eaten the most unsavory fire. He never wanted to see her cry ever again. So he grasped her hand and he didn't want to let go. He had never felt that way before about a woman, even his affection for Lisanna in the past didn't compare to what he experienced that day. And to his surprise, even after waking, those feelings had not dissipated. After she had learned about her father's passing, there had never been a good chance to talk. He just wanted to wait until the timing was just right and she had a chance to heal. After today's episode, it seems like it will still be a while.
"Natsu! I'm hungry! Can we go home now?" Happy exclaimed as he landed on Natsu's spiked head.
"Me too, little buddy. Let's go!" Natsu grinned as they began their trek towards their woodland home.
After arriving at their humble cottage, now, like the guild, infested with overgrown vegetation, Happy and Natsu stormed inside. They ate a quick meal of fish and rice and sat down together.
"Ahhh! So good to be home!" Natsu said gleefully. "Although, I can't help but worry about Lucy."
"Oh, Natsu. See I told you, you loved her!" Happy exclaimed playfully.
"Would you stop, Happy!" Even if he hit the nail on the head, Natsu didn't want the first time Lucy heard that he loved her was through the grapevine, or worse, through a slip from Happy.
"Aye, sir! Sorry, I just get carried away sometimes… But I do have a surprise for you!"
"Really, what is it? Is it food money, because we could use some right now…"
"No, even better!" Happy stated excitedly as he slipped his paw into his green pack.
What came out, Natsu would have never expected in his wildest dreams. Peeking out from the top of the bag, was a golden hair attached to brown doll. This doll was none other than Mr. Cursey.
"Happy! How in the world did you get your hands on that?" Natsu squealed.
"Well you know, I am always so clever! I stole it off of that fat guy with the frizzy hair after we beat him! I thought we could have some fun with it because look who's hair is still in it!" Happy laughed mischievously.
"Wow, is that still Lucy's hair! We can totally have some fun with that!"
"Yeah, lets go now!"
"No, not today. Lucy has had a rough week or so. Maybe later. But I will hold onto it so you don't get any ideas mister!"
"Aye, sir…" Happy said as he sadly handed Mr. Cursey to Natsu.
"Now lets get some rest. It's getting late after all."
"Alright, see you in the morning."
After taking the doll from Happy, Natsu gently placed the doll in one of his pockets and laid down on his mattress. He couldn't help but let his mind wander back to Lucy as he drifted off to sleep.