Sensory Overload

Chapter 17

Lucy slowly became conscious, her thoughts collecting as the warmth she was enveloped in made her smile. She could feel that Natsu was sharing an equal sense of contentedness as he tightened his hold on Lucy. Both of them were reveling in the smell of bacon, delighted by the sizzling sound. Then as if an elastic snapped they both opened their eyes meeting each other's alarmed gaze. Lucy gives Natsu a tentative look and whispers "Who is making bacon?"

"I dunno but it smells freakin' fantastic!" he gave his signature wide toothy grin and dashed out of the bed to go and thank whoever was making breakfast in the next room.

Lucy barely had any time to respond before she heard Happy shriek in the next room "Natsu you've officially caught Gray's stripping disease!"

"Oi, you're ruinin' my appetite talking about that frost chub! "

Lucy startled both of them as she emerged from the bedroom wearing a simple pair of sleep shorts and a tank top "Speaking of chub, you may want to throw these on." she tossed him a pair of boxer shorts. Walking around the counter she inspected what Happy was doing.

Happy glanced up from turning the bacon in the pan "How do you want your eggs?"

"Hmm.. How about sunny side up!" Lucy paused for a moment "Happy, since when did you learn to cook? Have you been holding out on us?"

Natsu nodded his head in agreement "Ya since when?"

"Carla and Mira said I should start learning, kinda like a hobby so I can help Mira in the kitchen when you give me the boot for sexy time!"

Lucy laughed as she blushed "Does that mean we can wake up to bacon and eggs all the time?" Natsu just grumbled about not getting his food as he watched Happy make Lucy's eggs first. Lucy elbowed him "Oh please." Lucy made a little pouty face "Poor Natsu, not getting food before his woman." She felt his swell of pride at her statement and it just made her smile brighter.

"Aye, this is getting old quick. If this keeps up, you guys won't be getting any more breakfast from me!" Happy was shaking a wooden spoon in their general direction.

Everyone chuckled as they devoured Happy's breakfast, both mages being surprised at the apparent talent hidden in their blue feline companion.

"Yo Happy that was awesome!" Natsu leaned back rubbing his swollen belly.

"Ya, that was delicious, who knew a blue flying cat could learn to cook!" Lucy praised.

"Thanks guys, but you really need to find Meredy because at the rate you're eating Lucy, you're going to be the size of a house!"

"Thin ice cat... thin ice." Lucy glared while waving a wooden spoon she was washing in his direction. "You are right though, we need to get to the guild this morning and see if there is any news on Meredy."

Natsu frowned slightly though "I kinda like it, knowing how you're feeling and stuff." Lucy just gave a thoughtful look toward him "I agree, it is kinda nice, but it is also dangerous. Remember what Juvia said before?"

Natsu eyes flickered various emotions all at once "Phhsss. Like I would let anyone or anything hurt you!"

Lucy smiled but stated the obvious "I know that, but we don't always fight alongside each other. We can't afford those types of distractions if we are in separate fights."

Natsu abruptly stood up and uttered a dismissive "Whatever" and walked into the bedroom to get ready to head to the guild.

Natsu, Lucy and Happy traveled briskly to the guild, it was a chilly morning but the air held the promise of a warmer day. Lucy was beginning to really enjoy some of the new attributes she received from her handsome Dragonslayer. She inhaled deeply and could smell the faint hint of spring in the air mixed with the fresh baked bread and coffee from the cafe 2 blocks away. 'As much as this is nice, it isn't nice enough to stay like this. I don't envy him, always struggling to keep things in check-' her thoughts were halted when she felt his warm arm fall around her shoulder "Hey, quit thinkin' so hard, you're hurting my brain." They both laughed while Happy just rolled his eyes. The guild hall was a few hundred yards in front of them so Happy decided to get a head start inside "Bye guys, I am meeting Carla for another lesson!"