You're Part of My Crew Now, Princess

Late Night Surprise

Lucy enjoyed being carried bridal style, it made her feel special. AS Natsu walked, Lucy looked around at the scenery around her. It was rather boring as it was still really early and nobody was outside and everything was rundown.

"So... Why didn't you kill the guards? It will probably cause trouble later down the road." She found herself asking the question before she could even think about it.

"They were just doing their jobs. They may not have been the best of people, but they were following orders from the real bad guy. I'll beat them up for doing their job, but not kill. Why would it cause me more problems?" Lucy was happy Natsu didn't ask questions about what happened with her, it was like he just accepted it.

"They will likely report to my father. He will send an army of people to attack you guys and to capture me."

"We'll cross that bridge when it comes."

Lucy was looking at Natsu when she noticed something, "hey! Your bleeding, we should get that wrapped right now!"

"It's fine. We'll fix it when we get back." Natsu's grip on her tightened to make she didn't move.

"You're so stubborn."

"Says the one who would rather get chased by dogs because she didn't want to share a bed with for one night."

"No, you're more stubborn."

"My god, you are a princess, aren't you?"

"Well if you stopped and let me wrap your arm. We wouldn't be having this conversation at all. And for your information, I was a princess, but now I'm a pirate. So you aren't allowed to call me princess anymore."

"Giving your captain order? If you act like a princess, I'll call you a princess. I can do what I want, I'm the captain."

"No, you're stubborn."

"A stubborn captain." Natsu corrected her.

Lucy laughed, he could be so ridiculous sometimes. She could laugh freely, glad to finally be able to do so, she could laugh at her heart's content. She felt so light without the weight of the mansion weighing down on her. Natsu chuckled along with her, still trudging along back to the ship.

"So, now that I will be living on the ship, where am I going to sleep? Are there any other women on board?" Lucy asked after her laughing fit.

"Well... um... there is one. Erza, she's kinda just considered one of the guys though, so she sleeps in the men's quarters too. No one bugs her, she's crazy strong. For now, you can sleep in my room, if you don't mind, form there we can figure something out. It's either that or the men's quarters. We used to have a small woman's quarters, but we don't anymore. We could probably rebuild it for you. I'll introduce you to the crew tomorrow."

Lucy's heart practically flipped, 'for now just sleep in my room'. She had never slept in the same bed as a guy before. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Not that he would try anything, she trusted him. Anyway, forsaking the possible bad outcomes, she allowed herself to be carried by the first real man she had ever met. Lucy wouldn't change a single thing about it.

They got back in good time, and everybody was either asleep or passed out on the ground. Natsu walked to his quarters and closed the door behind him with his foot. Shifting Lucy a little in his arms, he used his one free arm to lock the door. This seemed to be a habit of his. After securing the door, he carried her to the chair and gently set her down.

"For a pirate, you are rather gentle," Lucy observed out loud.

"Ha, I'd never heard the end of it from you if I wasn't. I'm just saving my ears." He laughed, grabbing the first aid supplies from his desk.