Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 45

The conversation had yet to be brought up again.

Instead, as Lucy munched on her improvised breakfast of fruits and buttered toast, she listened as Happy and Natsu went back and forth. Natsu spoke up more; clearly and with emotion, unlike his usual guarded self. She observed him curiously.

"So, then, how are we going to get the guild back together?" Happy demanded to know, crossing his arms over his chest, staring at his best friend.

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet," Natsu admitted, mirroring his exceed's stance, "it seems like everyone just went off on their own."

Lucy sighed, having listened to the conversation turned debate for the past twenty minutes, she could barely eat in peace. The small voice in her head reminisced, though. Just like old times

"Listen, if you're so determined and set on bringing the guild back together, let's write some letters, ask if anyone's interested," Lucy suggested, pushing the stray bowl of fruit towards her companions across the counter, "I have a few addresses, not all—we can just inquire if they're interested. Does that work?" She quirked a brow, watching as Natsu tossed a piece of freshly cut mango into his mouth. Happy and Natsu shared a collective, thoughtful gaze before they nodded simultaneously. "Don't get your hopes up, alright? I wouldn't be surprised if they all moved on and built their own lives." Lucy mumbled, turning around to head over to her new desk space.

She cleared off a few stray papers and pieces of work she was writing for Sorcerer Weekly, feeling Natsu's presence hovering behind directly her.

"Happy, go to my board and find anything that would be useful information, okay?" Lucy called out over her shoulder.

"Aye!" Happy chirped, flying around towards her den.

Lucy hummed as she organized papers and envelopes to send, her skin got goosebumps when she felt an unwavering heat press against her back. She stopped her motions and looked up at Natsu whose eyes had transformed completely, red slanted eyes stared back at her; pupils shaped into slits. She would've stumbled back if it weren't for the desk supporting her. Lucy turned around to face him fully, her eyes a little wide.

His moves are slow and careful as he brings his face down to nudge at her cheek gently.

Lucy stood stock still as he touched her gently, not knowing whether to protest or melt into him. His touch feels insanely good, soothing, and a sense of relief courses through her body. She's shocked, but allows herself to be pulled towards him as he circles his arms around her waist. She absentmindedly notes how much more muscular he's gotten as she rests a hand on his forearm instinctively. He nuzzled the crown of her hair affectionately, and Lucy squeaks when his hand droops lower towards her backside.

That broke the spell.

She watched intently as his eyes turned back to normal.

"Sorry," he muttered, face falling as he dropped his arms.

Lucy shrugged him off, resuming her organizing just as Happy flew in to deposit some flyers before heading back into the den.

She grabbed a few quill pens to write with, urging Natsu to sit in her desk chair. He obliged, and she felt him inhale sharply as she plopped herself down in his lap. Lucy tried her best to look unaffected even though she felt like her face was on fire.

"Is this okay?" She whispered, "it feels better for the bond, right?" She asked, peering over her shoulder at him to make sure. She was only going off of what felt right, everything would soon fall into place. Natsu nodded once and that's all the reassurance she needs.

"Um, can I...?" She heard Natsu mumble from behind her, and she just nodded without really processing what he was asking.

Lucy tried to focus on her penmanship as she wrote Warren's name on the paper, analyzing the clipping Happy had dropped on her desk, but as Natsu brushed his nose over her hair and the crook of her neck repeatedly. A low growl rolled in his chest, and Lucy's body melted like liquid.

She hadn't heard that in a while.

With Natsu's head buried in her hair and his arms wrapped around her waist snugly, she began to write.

It had taken about two hours to sift through the members; to see who they could find, but when she was finished, she spent another two hours writing almost thirty-eight letters. That wasn't even a quarter of the guild, but it was better than nothing. Lucy couldn't deny the excitement thrumming through her body, it had her shifting slightly in Natsu's lap, but she quickly tensed when she realized her state of undress. After all, she was only clad in an old t-shirt and a pair of underwear.

Happy helped her stack the letters, putting them neatly into his little green sack.

"Be careful," Lucy reminded the exceed who saluted her before taking off through the open window to mail the letters.

If everything went well, there would be a guild again. Fairy Tail.

Her portable lacrima chimed from where it was strewn on the couch. She had no doubt it was Jason, but Lucy just wasn't in the mood nor had the energy to converse.

Natsu had been quiet as she worked, minus the low growl rumbling from his chest. He had just simply held her to his chest, content with watching her write with his chin hooked over her shoulder, or nuzzled her hair affectionately. Lucy didn't mind.

His touch felt like a drug.

Her muscles, however, protested in pain. She stood up from his lap, stretching her arms high above her head as she yawned.

She turned around to face Natsu, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Your hair is so long," she commented, raising a hand to wrap a strand around her finger, "do you want to cut it?"

"Should I?"

"It's up to you, it looks good though, just a change," Lucy said, walking off towards her bedroom. Natsu got up from the chair and followed her leisurely before pausing at her bedroom door. "Come in, I don't bite." She rolled her eyes, rummaging through her things before she found what she was looking for.

She held up a loose headband, a simple beige string with a small knot.

"It'll help keep your hair out of your face," Lucy explained, "push your hair back."

Natsu ran his hand through his hair, his abs flexing, and Lucy tried not to let her eyes stray too much. Why did it feel like there was so much tension between them? Was it because she was so astutely aware of the imprint now?

Once she secured the headband on him, she smiled slightly. Yes, this was much better.

"So, what happens now?" Lucy asked, trying to be nonchalant about the topic.

Natsu stood in front of her as he twirled a strand of his hair with his hand, bowing his head slightly.

"Whatever you want, I'm not going to force you into anything," he said.

"I know, I just need to know if this changes anything, if our relationship just stays the same,"

"I'll let you make that call,"

"What we want are two entirely different things,"

"Your wants matter more than mine,"

"No, they don't," Lucy denied his statement, "your feelings matter to me, Natsu."

"So what if I told you I wanted you? What would you say?" Natsu said suddenly, staring Lucy directly in the eye, "would you have the heart to reject me or turn me away?"

"Natsu..." Lucy started, a frown on her face, but she didn't know what to say. Did she have feelings for him? She'd tried so hard not to let herself look at him that way; the imprint, the sudden appearance—she felt overwhelmed, which is exactly what he was trying to avoid by not telling her.

What could she say?

"Just say the word, and I'll act like nothing happened, if those pills help then maybe that's your solution," Natsu stated plainly, "physical contact is better for you right now, but I'll stop if that's what you want."

Just say the word.

To be continued...