Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 18

Natsu was different. That much she was sure of.

And she guessed she did too. In her own way, at least. When she saw how Natsu held onto Erza's body, clinging to her as they all wept with the tower crumbling behind them. She was able to take a step back to realize how much Natsu had opened up, not only to her, but also to the people around them. So, when Lucy cried; she cried for everyone. For Erza; her friends, Jellal, and a specific chapter of her life coming to an end. She cried for Natsu who fought tooth and nail to save and protect the redhead and also for herself.

Just in a jealous and selfish kind of way.

Natsu snored obnoxiously in the bed, bandaged from head to toe. Lucy sat on the bed next to him, cuddling Happy, who snuggled into her chest greedily.

"Is this guy really okay?" Gray asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I'm a little worried, he's been sleeping for three days straight," Lucy bit her lip, furrowing her brows.

"He just ate a lot of that Ethernano, he'll be okay soon enough, I'm sure." Erza commented, gazing out of the hotel window, "anyway, I think it's time to put on our little show, don't you agree?" The swordswoman smirked, glancing back at her team. Gray grinned, jumping to his feet while Happy wiggled his way out of Lucy's arms.

"I'm going to stay behind with Natsu, just in case," Lucy said sheepishly while the rest filed out of the door and headed towards the beach. Alone and in silence, Lucy sighed, stretching her body as she turned towards Natsu. The pink-haired slayer slept contently, loud snores escaping from his lips causing her to giggle slightly. She took a chance, brushing his spiky hair out of his face while his nose twitched.

In the little time we've known each other, you've grown a lot. That makes my heart swell and break a little at the same time because who knows if you'll have enough room for little 'ole me? She smiled gently, pushing off the bed, aiming to write a few chapters for her novel, before she was grabbed by her wrist and tugged violently.

She landed on top of the dragon slayer, whose face remained passive, staring into her eyes. She would've shrieked if she hadn't been so surprised and stunned into silence. Then, as gently as he could, he positioned her on her side so that he could comfortably hug her.

"W-weren't you just sleeping? And doesn't this position hurt?" She asked quietly. He grunted in response, shifting her, so her body laid more on top of his.

"Don't go, just stay," he murmured in her ear before burying his face in her hair. She laughed as he nuzzled her head, grasping him tightly. It was so easy to pretend that he needed her too sometimes.

-----

"Wow! They finished it!" Lucy shouted in excitement, zooming towards the guildhall with glee.

The once meagre homey Fairy Tail guild had been transformed into a building of prestige. The hall was gated and larger than ever before. She could definitely agree with the new remodel. Natsu pulled her back to his side by looping his finger through one of her belt holes, openly scrutinizing the new building.

The team opted to tour around, but Natsu still looked completely distrusting of the new place, as he kept tugging Lucy back to him whenever she made the move to run off on her own.

It was exciting and humiliating when Max revealed her Lucy action figure as she blushed furiously. Cana laughed at her expression as she showed Team Natsu around. From the bar, the pool or the grand hall--Lucy didn't know what to focus on. Everything was just so amazing, she could hardly believe her eyes.

"The biggest change yet is the fact that anyone's allowed to go up to the second floor now!" Cana cheered, taking a swig of her beer. Elfman greeted them from above as he spoke to Warren. Lucy and the others waved, while Natsu turned away like a child, pouting.