Lucy and the Definitive... Cat?

Natsu

Lucy didn't mean to scream but Natsu had taken her by surprise as he sat on her bed playing with Happy. He was shirtless with his scarf around his neck and long black flowing pants. His pink hair was a mess and she saw tiny ice crystals slowly melt from the ends.

"No, Natsu, we had this talk," she said crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot in agitation. She felt Mard brush up against her before he pounced on the bed, his back arched and tail poofed. He growled low in his throat as Natsu laughed at him, extending his hand to pet the kitty.

"Oh neat, you got a cat Luce!" he said with a toothy grin as Happy rolled over and crawled towards Mard.

Lucy scooped up her angry demon, finding it adorable that he was going to protect her. He struggled for a bit before she scratched behind his ears, "I found him last night. Now. Get. Out."

Natsu grinned and scratched the back of his neck, "please, I won't burn things again."

Happy flew up and started staring at the back of Mard's head, he tried to reach for her cat. Lucy threw him a hard glare one that had the Exceed gulping and slowly flying backwards. "Scary Lucy."

For fuck's sake, is it so hard to ask for my personal space and things be respected? You know like using the fucking door. When Lucy was truly agitated, she could swear like the sailors that hung around the docks. She loved Natsu but replacing her food and clothing had been too much of a burden for her pocketbook and sanity.

"Natsu, please. I know you like my bed and the food but now is not the time. You've scared the hell out of my cat," Lucy pleaded hoping he'd just get the hint and if not, there was always the Lucy Kick.

Natsu ran a hand through his wild pink hair and then fiddled with his scarf, "I can't, Luce I need someone to talk to." She noticed how his shoulders went lax as his mouth curved into a frown. Lucy was concerned to say the least, usually Natsu was so happy-go-lucky it was maddening.

She sat the edge of her bed, petting Mard who refused to look away, his tail tapping an angry rhythm on her thigh. "What's up?"

"H-have you ever met someone you think might be the one?" he asked as a flush dotted over his cheeks. Lucy let out a breath of relief, this was something she could handle and would do anything to take care of her friend.

"Not yet, I'm sure he's out there somewhere. What about you?"

Happy opened his big mouth and Natsu quickly covered it as the Exceed squirmed. "Happy, go home or shut up," he snapped. Lucy was shocked she had never heard Natsu scold the Exceed, least not like that. This had to be very important to him.

Who is this? Mard asked, his voice on guard. Is he someone you have sex with?

Lucy had to bite her tongue to stop herself from screaming. Of all the damn things he could ask, this was not it. Mard repeated the questions and she got up in a hurry, startling Natsu who was dealing with a now crying and freaking out Happy because he got yelled at. "One second Natsu, I'll make tea."

"Heh, thanks Luce," he said.

She left the room, her soft footsteps and breathing the only noises in her living room. As she got in the kitchen, she set Mard on the counter and leveled a gaze at him, "he is my best friend and guildmate. I would not sleep with him for all the Jewel in Fiore."

Then you have standards. He said plainly as she started filling the red tea kettle with water.

"What is your problem?"

He lacks respect of your wishes and boundaries. He also made you scream. The demon replied as she stopped the water and closed the top of the kettle before putting it on the stove. She grabbed her long lighter and turned on the gas, igniting a decent flame under the kettle.