Chapter Text
Lucy awoke to the sunlight trickling into her room through her curtains. It was morning. It was morning and she was awake. Awake with her love and his arms wrapped firmly around her. Those morning grounding thoughts were enough for Lucy to wake up and just breathe.
She had been in a state of unease essentially ever since Lisanna stepped into their lives. The blonde did not realize the extent of her anxiety until it was no longer grinding her down. It felt good though.
Natsu was in her bed, his arms were wrapped around her body, and he was there for her in the morning.
Small steps, a tiny bullet, making quite the indent.
Lucy Heartfilia could confidently say she was already having a good day. It hadn’t even been five minutes.
Typically, on the mornings the pair woke up together Lucy would wake up first. She would shower, prepare some quick breakfast for the two. She would gather herself.
But today, today she would just stay in his arms. Unwilling to break the moment. So, while Natsu stayed peacefully asleep next to her, Lucy just let herself exist.
Until their morning alarm went off and Natsu jostled awake at the blaring noise. Lucy’s back was to him which was helpful that he couldn’t hear her small laugh at his disorientated state.
Her boyfriend was a special kind of person, with strangely sharp hearing though.
Before she knew it, Lucy was being pulled even closer to his chest, she could feel some of his soft salmon hairs tickling her face. “Something funny?” His rough morning voice made her toes curl, especially with his mouth right next to her ear.
Lucy shifted in his arms, turning herself to be chest-to-chest with him. She hooked one leg around his waist bringing herself to be completely pressed to his body. Feeling every part of him brought such a strong feeling of content, amongst other sensations and Lucy could not even reply in the moment.
“Natsu?” The way his eyes seemed to stare so deeply into her. It was around seven in the morning, and he had just woken up. Yet, the man stared at her like he was gazing at priceless art.
“Yes angel?” That boy truly made her insides turn to goo.
“I love you, that’s all.” She gave him a cheeky grin and in the next moment she was pinned to the mattress as he placed himself above her.
“You are my everything, Luce.” His adoring gaze, sinful smirk, placement of his hips as he settled above her. Each factor was justification on its own to Lucy as to why they nearly showed up to school late.
No regrets by either party, and as the two parted ways for their first class of the day Lucy was almost tempted to drag him out of the school and just skip the rest of the day. It was Friday though, which meant only one more day. There was no soccer game until Saturday night. Meaning from the moment school ended until late tomorrow, he would be all hers. So, she begrudgingly parted ways awaiting til lunch when they would next see each other.
However, seeing each other meant seeing everyone else as well.
Lucy had some angry glares to answer to when she took a seat at the table.
“Lucy Heartfilia, did you disappear to another planet? You tell us you are unwell then go ghost the whole night! I only could assume you passed away from rotted tuna! And then Natsu disappears too after being cryptic. You two, I swear are in cohorts to send me to an early grave!” Levy was practically leaning over the entire table to address Lucy. Erza and Juvia just nodded their heads in agreement and only Gajeel was sending a sympathetic grin her way. He also had been on the receiving end of “protective Levy” and could relate to the blonde’s placating smile.
Underneath her supposed anger was worry. Even for something as minor as food poisoning, that Lucy did not even experience. So she was completely unbothered by Levy’s ranting and was content to let her friend rip into her. Truly, it meant a lot to Lucy to have someone worry about her in that way. She was incredibly thankful for the friends in her lives.
In a quick movement, Lucy clasped the hands Levy was frantically waving in her own. “Lev, I love you. I love you dearly and appreciate your concern. Natsu came over to check on me and we just got caught up in each other last night, and technically this morning. I can show you the proof if you want.”
“Ok-“
But a hand was covering her mouth before she could continue. “Nope. Drawing the line there. I do not need to see that. This is not lunch table discussion. This is girl night activities. Save it for girl nights. Leave me alone, leave me out of it. I am being victimized for the fact I am the only male here currently. Bunny girl, please. Spare me.” The girls just started laughing and both Lucy and Levy settled back into their seats.
A self-satisfied smirk took over Lucy’s face, she knew that would get them past the topic.
“Anyways, tell me what you all got up to last night.” And the peace was returned to the table. Lucy’s bliss over the day only grew as she turned at the sound of a tray being placed down to her left.
“Luce! In chemistry today we got to look at fire!” Whatever conversation was happening around her Lucy tuned out at Natsu’s presence. She loved moments where he rambled about a part of his day that excited him. Natsu could make a story about dust be enthralling to listen to.
She was broken out of her Natsu trance when she saw the person taking a seat next to him. “N! I grabbed you an extra bowl of spicy noodles, I know you like things spicy! I thought this could be our split for the day.” Lucy almost robotically turned back to her food. She was used to this routine by now. And facing back to her food she didn’t see the frown that quickly overtook Natsu’s face at his actions.
While talking to Lucy, Natsu was completely facing the blond, his back to the seat next to him. Without turning around he said, “Thanks, but I’m good today Lis. My angel and I are sharing today. These noodles are her favorite actually, isn’t it great that we both have a high spice tolerance?”
“Oh, uh yeah cool.” Lucy was a good person. A kind person. Who definitely didn’t smirk or have any sort of satisfaction at the response.
She turned back to Natsu when he clutched her hand. The frown still on his face, but at Lucy’s smile he easily lit back up.
“So anyways, the teacher asked for someone to help with the experiment. So of course, I volunteered.” And he jumped right back into his story. Throughout lunch the group ate, talked and yet the whole time Natsu did not let go of Lucy’s hand. Even if it made eating slightly awkward, neither seemed to mind.
When Friday night came, and Natsu made his movie selection. Lucy set the popcorn down on the table, settled into his arms and watched as his phone was silenced then forgotten on the table.
What Lucy didn’t know was that at every jump, laugh or comment about the movie; Natsu was paying no mind to the movie at all. He was watching his girl, because just watching her exist and enjoy life was his favorite scene of all.
It was Sunday morning, when Natsu had beaten Lucy to waking up. She stirred but he lulled her back to sleep with soft whispers and leaving in her arms his blue cat plush that smelled just like him.
He got ready and left Lucy peacefully asleep in his room while he ran an errand. A quick tast that he was unwilling to drag out as it took away frm Lucy time. Him and Lucy had talked about it the previous night so while he was eager to get it over with, he was also eager to deal with it.
Natsu took a seat with his coffee while he waited. He was not sure how the conversation would go, just that it needed to be.
When Lisanna finally walked up she greeted him with a smile. “Natsu! You didn’t order me anything? Don’t you know I love iced vanilla lattes?” No. He knew Lucy loved hot salted caramel lattes. That was the only order he cared to keep in his mind.
“Uh, no, not really. Sorry Lisanna.” She playfully hit him on the shoulder then stepped away to make her order. Natsu sent out the text that she had arrived and prepared for the wildcard conversation he needed to have.
When Lisanna finally took a seat with her order, Natsu took a breath to talk. “I was surprised when you texted you wanted to get coffee. Lucy has been kind of hoarding you all weekend, I am glad you could finally get time for yourself.”
Natsu thought he could be a patient, rationale person. He appreciated Lisanna the opportunity to practice. “First, Lucy doesn’t hoard me. If anything, I am the one who demands her attention and keeps her to myself. Second, Lisanna I wanted to meet because we need to set boundaries. I am not comfortable with where our relationship is at and how you act with me. Basically, you are one of my dearest friends Lisanna. Like my little sister. But you’ve been monopolizing my time lately and I am guilty of feeding into it. But it needs to stop. I care for you Lisanna, but I can’t be the first person you call every time you need something. It pulls me away from Lucy, and that just isn’t fair to her, and to us.” Natsu was going into the conversation full confidence. So he looked at Lisanna when he talked to her, he had nothing to feel bad about. She however, avoided his eyes by the time he finished speaking.
“Natsu, I, what? Did she put you up to this. I think she’s jealous. Natsu I’m sorry she feels that way, but insecurity and jealousy isn’t healthy. Maybe this is your sign to cut away from her if she is being controlling!” Natsu wanted to kick himself for how he’d been acting. How did he let something with this convoluted immature mindset consume his time for so long.
“Lisanna as I said you are like my little sister. I care for you. But I will not let you talk about Lucy this way. If you cannot respect my relationship, the best thing that has ever happened to me. Then you do not care for me like you think you do. And I cannot be around someone who does not support me, my choices, or my partner. Look, I’ve said what I needed to. This does not have to be messy. Lucy and I hold no animosity towards you. But if you continue to hold hostility towards her, then I cannot be around you. Have a good day.” And with that he left, but not before giving a nod towards the person sitting right next to the coffee shop door.
And as Lisanna almost broke into tears at her table, she was comforted by a warm embrace.
“Natsu?”
“No. Just your dear sister.” Through glassy eyes Lisanna looked up to her big sister and just crumpled in her arms.
“Oh Mira!” And Mira despite some of the stares proceeded to comfort her baby sister and calm her down.
The night before Natsu had called Mira and explained somethings to her. As the Strauss sibling obsessed with seeing relationships prosper, she completely understood Natsu’s reasoning. Even though Lisanna was her sister she understood what was happening was not right. So Natsu had texted her when he would be at the shop, when Lisanna would be there and thus when they would begin their talk.
Despite creating space, Natsu was not heartless. He figured Lisanna could possibly take the news poorly, so he called Mira to come assist.
And as he walked away, without turning back, Natsu felt all the lighter. Now it was time to get back to his angel, his person. The only person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.