Forever by his side (nalu)

A place to call home

Natsu pov

I stare at the blue cat in front of me. So he is the one who will be following me and Lucy around. Better him than a human. The dark haired guy from earlier in particular. I think I heard that girl, Levy, saying his name. I try to remember it then ask myself Is it really worth remembering? I decide that no, it is not. So ice princess it will stay. Or pervert. That works too. Levy I remember her name because Lucy has taken interest in her.

My attention shifts to the blue haired girl sitting next to Lucy. They are still talking together about something way too complicated for me. Once upon a time, I did try to read some of the books Lucy have interest in, but could never really understand them. It made for a great time of talking with Lucy so she could explain them to me, but at one point they only gave me headaches, so I stopped. Now, I only lay my head on her lap and take a nap as she read her books. Levy is quite the smart girl to be able to discuss those kind of topics with Lucy.

For now, she seems to be friendly. My presence doesn't seem to bother her too much, although she does shoot me looks of wariness from time to time. The two girls seem to really get along well. It's probably because at first glance, it's easy to believe Lucy is no threat at all, being so frail looking and friendly and everything. Also, with time, everyone kind of forgot about why she is wanted, other than the fact she is tagging along with me and is under some kind of curse. I have made such a threat of myself that the fact she was demonborn had more or less been forgotten. Or at least been put aside. Exactly what I wanted. If the people coming after us are more wary of me, there is less chance of Lucy being hurt. It was quite ludicrous. Between the both of us, she was the worst threat. Especially with the dangerous scent I had started to smell around her a few months back. I did not know what it was, neither did Lucy, but it was dark and powerful and could probably consume this town whole.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by the girls' conversation, "It's true we will need somewhere to live," Lucy says pensively. "Somewhere out of the town would be better, don't you agree, Natsu?" she directs at me. I nod. Yes, please. We had been alone for so long, I think being in the middle of the city over a long period of time would drive me crazy.

"In that case," suggest Levy, "I think I know a place. If I remember well, there is a small house abandoned in the woods not far from the city. I don't think anyone will complain if you take residence there." Of course they won't. We will be away from them. "If you want, I can show you around town and then show you where it is?"

"Showing us around town won't be necessary," I talk to her for the first time. She jumps a little bit, probably not expecting my intervention since I hadn't spoken to her since she had taken place at the table.

"Natsu is right," Lucy nods. "We've been here before, so we know our way around. Showing us the way to the house should be enough."

"You've been here before?" Levy asks, surprised. "How did nobody know about it?"

Lucy smiles, but it was not a happy one. "With the years, we learned to be more discreet and became more adept at hiding in a crowd. Magnolia was one place where we succeeded at sneaking around."

I frown. I don't like to see her like that, so bitter. I quickly change the subject. "Levy, right?" The blue haired girl nods. "Can you show us the way now? Having a place away from people would be nice." Our 'guild mates' stares are making me on edge. They are not obvious about it, but I can feel them all looking at me, waiting to see if I will make an aggressive move. If they do continue to stare at me as if I'm some sort of circus freak, I will become violent.

Understanding my uneasiness, Lucy nods. "It would indeed be nice to have a place far from all those stares." She turns to Levy as well. "Show us now? Please?"