Special Seasonings

An Unexpected Situation

One Week Later:

Lucy slowly came awake, aware of the warm body next to her, and felt her mouth curve into a smile. The past week had been wonderful. She and Natsu, always close before, had become even closer and way more intimate. Letting out a happy sigh, she snuggled against him, not wanting to wake up yet. She drifted back to sleep.

When Lucy pressed against him, it woke Natsu up. At first, he was confused - this wasn't his hammock back at his house. He didn't remember sneaking into Lucy's house and stealing her bed but maybe he did. He mentally shrugged. He became aware of Lucy pressed against him and immediately froze. Of all the times he snuck into Lucy's bed, she had never snuggled up next to him. When her hand moved to his chest, he gasped. What the hell was happening? He sat straight up, breathing hard.

The sudden movement woke Lucy up. She opened her eyes and sent a sleepy smile his way. "Good Morning," she whispered, sitting up herself and stretching. Natsu nervously watched the hem of her lacy tank top raise, exposing the smooth skin of her abdomen. It was then he realized that all she was wearing underneath was a matching pair of lace panties when the covers slipped down. Lucy usually wore a tshirt and shorts to bed. What the hell was going on?

He yelped, jumping out of the bed and discovered he was only clad in boxer shorts! "What the hell is going on?" he repeated, this time aloud.

Lucy's expression was puzzled. "Natsu?" she asked, "are you feeling all right?" She suddenly gave a sly smile and held out her hand to him. "Why don't you get back in bed and I'll help you feel all better!"

When Natsu recoiled from her hand, Lucy stared at him, feeling hurt. "Natsu?" she asked, hearing the hurt she felt reflecting in her tone.

"Lucy, why are you wearing that and why am I only in these?" Natsu was clearly confused and looked around frantically for his pants. He yanked them on along with his vest and scarf.

It was at that moment that Happy decided to fly through the window. "How are the two lovebirds doing?" he teased.

"Oh, thank god, Happy!" Natsu cried out, clearly relieved. "There's something wrong with Lucy!"

Happy looked concerned. "Are you sick?" he asked Lucy, landing on the bed next to her. He held his paw to her forehead.

"It's not me!" Lucy protested. "Natsu's the one acting all weird!"

"I - I need to go," Natsu said, confused, avoiding looking at Lucy. He practically ran out of her apartment, slamming the door behind him. Lucy could hear his running footsteps on the stairs.

Lucy turned, teary-eyed to Happy. "I don't understand what just happened."

Happy flew up enough to watch his best friend from the window running down the street. "I don't know," he shrugged, "but I'll go find out, okay Lucy?" He turned to look at his best friend's girl and, honestly, one of his best friends, too. "Don't cry. I'm sure it's just Natsu being dumb."

Lucy sniffed. "Thanks, Happy. I guess I'll meet you at the guild hall?"

"Aye!" Happy nodded, then flew out through the window.