Work Text:
Tender morning light filtered in through sheer curtains, casting the room with subtle pink and gold hues. Through the open window, an airy breeze could be felt, and songbirds could be heard chirping out their good mornings to one another. Spring had finally fallen over Magnolia, bringing with it a reprieve from months of bitter cold winter. A couple tucked away in a bed beneath the window slowly began to stir, having been roused by the gentle songs of spring.
Lucy was the first to move—at the apex of her stretch, she let out a yawn and made the smallest squeak. Sleeping soundly beside her was Natsu: her partner first, her best friend second, and now her lover. She opened her eyes to see his shaggy, pink hair mussed up from sleep and smiled to herself. Lucy counted herself lucky every morning that she got to wake up next to Natsu; she had done it hundreds of times already and looked forward to hundreds more.
Something else Lucy would never tire of is admiring Natsu and the way his face softened when he slept. Hard lines had built up from years of combat and fighting and life or death situations, but none were visible now. Lucy couldn’t help herself—she reached out to brush her hand over his cheek and the scar that adorned it. Each one of his scars a memory of his heroism, of how he saved his guild mates and Fairy Tail, and even the world. Though she hated to see him get hurt, she understood the significance behind each and every scar. He could have had Wendy heal them, but he instead chose to wear them like a badge of honor.
Continuing her ministrations, Lucy began to graze her fingertips lightly up and down Natsu’s arms and back to rouse him gently. Much to her amusement, he all but purred at her touch and groaned softly when she reached a particularly ticklish spot on his ribs.
“Natsu my love, it’s time to get up. We have to go by the guild today, remember?” she whispered with her lips pressed to his shoulder.
“Hrmph. . . wan’ stay. . .bed with ‘ou,” his reply could barely be heard through the pillow he had smooshed his face into, which received a small chuckle from the blonde. Lucy was used to this song and dance by now; waking him was easy when there was work to be done or a job to go on, or when they were already out on a mission, but for errands? Forget it. She would have to resort to more devious tactics if she wanted to make it to the guild for breakfast with the team.
“But we promised Gray, Juvia, Wendy, and Erza that we would have breakfast with them. You remember the last time we accidentally stood Erza up. . .” Lucy shuddered to herself and aimed her fingers at Natsu’s side. One good jab should do it, she thought. Or maybe she would go in for the rib tickle. He claimed he wasn’t ticklish, but that was only when he was fully awake and could steel his emotions. He didn’t stand a chance in this sleepy state.
Before she could enact her plan, however, Natsu whipped around quicker than she thought possible and flopped onto her, trapping her arms between them.
“I said I wanted to stay in bed with you, I’ll fight Erza any day” With that, his sudden bout of coherence dissolved, and he opted to nuzzle into Lucy’s neck.
“Natsuuu you’re crushing me! At least let me move to a more comfortable position before you suffocate me!”
Natsu didn’t respond, but he slipped off of her and opted to envelop Lucy in his arms instead. She sighed contentedly and snuggled in closer. The breeze from the window carried with it a chill, but Natsu put out enough heat to keep them both warm through even the coldest of winter nights. Eyes closed, Natsu began to massage knots from Lucy’s shoulders. Even in the haze of sleep, he was still so tender with her—rough hands calloused from years of wizarding work still capable of the slightest caresses for Lucy.
His hands glided down Lucy’s arms to hers and he held them for a moment, stroking her palms lightly. Her hands had hardened over the years from jobs and missions and battles, but they still held a certain softness. Natsu lifted Lucy’s hands to his lips and fluttered kisses over each fingertip, looking as though he had something on his mind.
“What’s got you thinking so hard?” Lucy spoke, mildly concerned with the furrow in her lover’s brow. Wordlessly, Natsu turned their palms together and lined them up. His hands were large and strong against her graceful digits, almost dwarfing them. Despite the juxtaposition, however, they fit together in just the perfect way.
“I’m just thinkin’ about how I’m gonna put a ring on this finger someday,” Natsu said plainly. He was not a man comfortable with expressing himself through words. Usually, he spoke through actions. In characteristic fashion, Natsu crushed Lucy to his chest before she could utter a single word in response. Not that it was hard—Lucy, normally the one with the words, was speechless. Now her turn for action, she snaked her arms around Natsu and buried her head in his chest.
Just maybe they would stay in bed a little longer this morning—their team could wait.