Star-Crossed (A NatsuXLucy Fanfiction)

Chapter 9

Natsu's P.O.V.

I would've ran out the door to see what was going on, but at the moment I had my mate and best friend to worry about. Instead, I held them closer to me than before, but made sure I was ready to throw them behind me and fight if needed. Happy was swishing his tail nervously, while Lucy stroked his fur and murmured comforting things to him, even though her voice gave away her own fear. She wasn't recovered completely, and despite how much stronger she had become in the last year, Lucy was in no shape to fight off a gunman. However, as a couple of minutes passed, a realization settled over me. Slowly standing and placing my mate down on the bed, I made my way to the front door. Sure enough, there stood Bisca and Al, practicing targeting range with their daughter. Asuka looked up from below, and frowned slightly.

"Something wrong?" she called up, her voice filled with worry. For a five year old, she was a quick observer. I smiled and shook my head.

"Nah, just feeling a bit jumpy anymore it seems. Continue." I then walked back into my house and shut the door, sighing.

"What was it?" I leaped in surprise as Lucy spoke up- how'd I forget she was here? Happy had flown back over to the hammock, and was now snoring lightly... Lucy herself sat up in bed, staring at me with concerned eyes. I waved my hand in dismissal.

"Asuka is learning how to shoot accurately. I got all worried for nothing," I mumbled, trotting back over to the bed. I was about to lay down when she wrapped her arms around me, and pecked my cheek.

"You're just trying to protect Happy and I. There's nothing wrong with that." I grinned at her, enjoying the special treatment- no, it wasn't special treatment- it was Lucy being Lucy. I laid down, pulling her half onto my chest, half beside me, and ran my fingers through her hair until her eyes started to close.

"You never cease to amaze me, Luce." I confessed, feeling starstruck for some odd reason. Lucy giggled, and fiddled with my fingers.

"Whatever you say," I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me.

"No. It's the truth." I insisted.

She replied, "I'm nothing special. Just Lucy."

"Lovely Lucy." I corrected, earning a small blush coating her cheeks. I pecked both of them, mocking her action from earlier.

"Okay... Dearest Natsu." she stated.

"How many Natsus do you know?" I teased. I could tell she was rolling her eyes without seeing them.

"I know two Natsus, actually." she replied. I made a ''gwuaff'''sound and pulled her back to peer into her mischievous eyes.

"Who's the OTHER Natsu?" I practically growled out at her. She giggled at me more, which was making me pretty angry- then she answered the question.

"I know you, and then I know Natsu in Edolas. Derr." I felt myself blush in embarrassment. We didn't speak for a few minutes after that; she broke it.

"Sorry," Lucy murmured in my ear, before placing a hand on top of my head. "I went a bit too far."

"No, it's fine. I didn't have a rebuttal to that, so..."

"So...." she mimicked.

"So I stayed quiet." she stifled another laugh, which I was grateful for.

"Can we go to sleep now?" she asked, yawning. I smiled and leaned back, closing my eyes. Her head nuzzled into my chest more so than before, her small arms going around my waist loosely.

"Love you," she murmured before her breathing steadied; Lucy was already asleep.

"I love you more," I smirked at this. I had the last word. Kissing the top of her head, I then allowed myself to rest- and this time, there was no problem to deal with- to ruin the moment. Just a peaceful nap. If only every day could be as wonderful as this...