Pandemics, Neighbours, and Cats [NALU]

Future

(A//N: Last Chapter y'all!!! Ahhh, thx to everyone for reading!!!!)

Lucy woke up tucked under Natsu's arm, her head laying on a bare chest. The moonlight trickled in through a crack in the curtains, basking them in it's white light. She looked up sleepily, watching Natsu's sleeping face.

Pressing a soft kiss to his skin she snuggled in, smiling to herself. They hadn't known each other for long, but it already felt like an eternity, like they'd known each other forever.

And she was so happy. So happy that they happened to be neighbours, that her friends had convinced her to talk to him, to get to know him and ask him to spend quarantine.

Heck, she was even happy that the pandemic hit. Who knows what would have happened without it, if any of this would have happened. She was glad things turned out the way they did.

And even though they weren't together for long, they weren't even friends for long, but it just felt so comfortable. She'd never felt so comfortable around anyone so seen, even her closest friend Gray took some time to get used to.

But this was like it was meant to be. They just clicked, perfect puzzle pieces. Like the stars aligned. She rolled her eyes at herself, letting out a giggle. So cringy. And yet,...

She sighed happily. This was better than anything she had expected moving to this city. She'd had problems back home, and moved to escape. She didn't know anyone, didn't have anything.

The first month she stayed here she barely got by with little money she had saved before she got a steady job. And even then it was hard. She was alone, in a big city.

She met Juvia at work, and though they had some troubles starting off, they managed to get along, having no one else to talk to at work. After a little while, she'd bumped into Gray, and it's as if they kept running into each other.

After a while they also started getting along, and before long were inseparable. She'd met Levy at a library when they fought over a book, and then traded information so that they could contact the other when they finished.

Before she even realized, she was surrounded with friends, a whole new family in this strange new world. She found people who truly loved her, took care of her, somewhere she felt safe, where she belonged.

She couldn't help the stray tear that slipped out as she thought about how far she's come. That's when she felt Natsu stir, and when she looked up, she saw him blinking down at her.

He wiped at her cheek, looking worried "what's wrong?" She smiled up at him softly "I'm just thinking about how kind life has been to me lately." He studied her for a second before carding a hand through her hair, pressing a kiss to her hairline "me too."

They stayed like that for a while, silently pressed together, Natsu brushing her hair as she traced patterns on his skin. "Hey Natsu?" she asked, voice hushed "how'd you know you,...you know,...how you felt about me?"

He chuckled, leaning his head back "well, I was really dense. It was actually Gray that helped." She raised her head narrowing her eyes "I swear to god, if he,..."

He laughed, shushing her "no, he didn't. It was actually when I just moved in with you. I went out and we bumped into each other. We were just talking and it came around to you too. And I was just telling him about how it was, living with you so far and-"

He chuckled, smiling softly as he looked down at her "and he said 'I can tell you really love her' and before I could argue, he said 'you smile like an idiot when you talk about her.'"

He shook his head "and I was shocked at first, like, how could he say that? We were just close friends. He had to be wrong. But he wasn't. Saw right through me." He smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear "and he's absolutely right. I do smile like an idiot. Cuz I do really love you."

Lucy sucked in a breath, watching him with watery eyes. He smiled at her worriedly "awe c'mon, now what's wrong?" She sniffled, tucking her head into his shoulder "I love you too."

Natsu hugged her back tightly, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head "good. And I'm never going to leave. You won't be able to get rid of me no matter how hard you try." She giggled "wouldn't dream of it."

x-x-x-x

A month later, and quarantine was still in full swing, but Lucy really didn't complain. Sure, she missed going out with her friends and hanging out in big groups, but it also meant she had lots of time to spend together with Natsu and Happy.

The two of them decided that they'd sell Natsu's apartment, and officially move in together to Lucy's. Well, both of theirs now. They settled in right away, moving the needed things into the new apartment, and selling the others.

They had a virtual little housewarming party with all their friends for Natsu and Happy, and many more virtual hangouts. New routines were made, and so were memories.

Lucy felt happier than she had in a long time, and she planned on staying that way. She was going to fight for these people to stay by her side until the very end.

Because Lucy finally finished someone she really loved, and that truly loved her back.

And that was something to be treasured.

(A//N: Kinda shorter than necessary but welp,.... Thx to everyone who read this and voted/commented!!! It means a lot!!! Make sure to leave your thoughts!!! ;D)