Chapter Text
Lucy’s brain had slipped into autopilot after that. Somehow, she was both overthinking and not thinking at all, teetering between panic and numbness.
She barely registered Natsu putting out the fire and packing their things as the forest sank into darkness. At one point, he asked her something and she just nodded, not even sure what she’d agreed to.
Now she trailed behind him on the path, Happy curled on her shoulder, snoring softly. Her feet moved on their own. Her mind? Nothing but static.
So when a sudden brightness stung her eyes, Lucy blinked, startled back into awareness. They weren’t in the woods anymore. They were inside.
Inside Natsu’s house.
Wait. What?
Before panic could fully settle, something wet spread across her shoulder. She turned her head with a sigh. Happy, still dead asleep, was drooling on her shirt.
“Of course,” she muttered, brushing her bangs aside. She carefully slid the Exceed onto the hammock in the corner, tucking him in like a child.
Only then did she really look around. And, to her surprise, the place was…fairly clean.
Just like Natsu claimed.
Lucy blinked, mildly impressed. Right until her foot sank into a pile of dirty laundry. She stared down.
“…Okay. Maybe not that clean.”
A loud clatter made her spin around. From the corner, where a tiny kitchen nook was crammed against the wall, Natsu stood elbow-deep in suds. The sink looked ready to overflow, water sloshing across the counter like a miniature flood.
“Almost done, Luce!” he called cheerfully without turning.
“Uh-huh.” She stepped closer, shooed his hands away before the sink could overflow and with a quick twist drained the clogged mess.
“Seriously, what were you even doing?” she muttered, drying her hands.
“Dishes,” he said proudly, as if it weren’t obvious. He jerked his chin toward the door next to her. “Got a bedroom behind there. Well, sorta’. Mostly use it as storage. Bathroom and toilet are through it, though.”
Lucy let out a small, surprised “Oh.” So there was more to this place than she thought.
That flicker of awe vanished the second she noticed the puddle of soapy water spreading beneath her shoes. Her eyebrow twitched.
“Fantastic,” she deadpanned. “Mind if I use your shower?”
“Sure,” Natsu answered absently, rummaging through a cabinet.
“Thanks,” she muttered, ignoring the chaos behind her as she pushed open the back door.
The so-called bedroom looked less like a place to sleep and more like a storage disaster. Crates, discarded clothes, even what looked like remnants of a house wall were hoarded together in piles.
Her brow twitched again. This was the bedroom? Seriously?
She picked her way carefully across the mess until she found another door. It revealed a bathroom so tiny it made hers look like a luxury suite. A shower and tub crammed into one corner, a sink barely big enough for a washcloth.
But, to her relief, it was clean. Surprisingly so.
She lingered in the doorway, fingers brushing the cool knob. Did Natsu even use this place? It felt…too empty. Too untouched.
Lucy showered quickly, scrubbing off the day’s grime, then sank into the tub for a few stolen minutes of peace. The water wasn’t hot, but even lukewarm felt like heaven.
The bathroom itself, however, was bare. Uncomfortably so. No towels. No toiletries. The only thing on the counter was a freshly opened bar of vanilla soap. One Lucy was certain had gone missing from her apartment months ago.
She frowned, sinking lower into the tub. Perfect. She’d tossed her clothes into that laundry basket by the door, at least, she hoped it was for laundry, and now, unless she magically sprouted a towel, she’d have to march out stark naked and beg Natsu for help.
Yeah. Not happening.
The thought alone had her cheeks burning. Standing there dripping wet while he teased her like the shameless idiot he was? Absolutely not. She groaned and slid lower until the water lapped at her lips.
“I’ll figure it out later,” she muttered, closing her eyes. After all, she’d put herself in this situation. Somehow, during her mental fog, she’d agreed to spend the night here.
He always did this. Made her heart claw at her chest. Scrambled her thoughts until she couldn’t string two words together. And the worst part? He probably didn’t even notice.
Meanwhile, she could barely deny it anymore. Admitting her feelings to herself had only made everything harder. When someone teased them about being a couple, she didn’t even deny it anymore, just sputtered like some lovesick fool.
God, I must look obsessed.
She groaned again, twirling a wet strand of hair. Natsu wasn’t even that type. He never gave off that kind of… energy . Lust? Want? Anything beyond his bottomless appetite for food and fights? It wasn’t that she thought he was incapable of love. Just too dense to notice. Still…
Her hands pressed to her burning cheeks. He was okay with physical touch. Especially with—
Her brain screeched to a halt.
Me.
Steam might as well have been curling off her head.
“Idiot,” she muttered.
“No need to be so mean,” came a voice from the doorway.
Lucy froze. Slowly, painfully so, she turned toward the half-open door. Natsu leaned casually against the frame, holding out a towel and a bundle of clothes like this was completely normal.
“Just thought I’d bring ya somethin’ to wear,” he said, grinning.
Her body locked up. Blood rushed to her ears as she tried, impossibly, to sink deeper into the tiny tub.
“Wha—GET OUT!” she shrieked, hurling the soap at him.
Natsu yelped, dodging just in time. The towel and clothes hit the floor as he slammed the door shut.
Lucy slumped back into the tub, face burning so hot she was amazed the water didn’t boil.
Lucy lingered there a few more minutes, trying to calm the riot in her chest. When she finally slipped on the clothes Natsu had left, she padded quietly back into the bedroom .
The first thing she noticed was Happy sprawled next to her backpack, his little belly rising and falling. A smile tugged at her lips, until she spotted the empty container beside him and the crumbs clinging to his whiskers. Clearly, he’d woken up for a midnight snack and crashed mid-bite.
Lucy shook her head fondly, bent to pick up the blanket he’d dropped, and draped it over him. He mumbled something about fish but didn’t stir. She stifled a laugh and gently closed the door.
That’s when she realized: her feet weren’t wet. The puddles from before were gone. The kitchen counters next to her gleamed.
Natsu…had cleaned.
His voice echoed in her head: I do clean. Gettin’ better, too. Since you nagged me about it.
The memory made her smile as she placed the container into the sink.
Turning back toward the room, she spotted Natsu on the couch, slouched with a magazine in his hands and a popsicle dangling from his mouth. She recognized it instantly: that glossy cover was from Weekly Sorcerer.
Lucy walked over, leaning forward to peek at the page. “Anything interesting?” she asked.
Natsu didn’t look up at first, just mumbled around the popsicle while lazily flipping a page.
“Mira said she’s in this issue and—”
The words died in his throat. The magazine slipped against his lap, forgotten.
What the hell…?
Lucy was right there, bent slightly over him, swimming in his sweater that hung so loose the sleeves brushed her fingertips. The collar dipped wide and his gaze betrayed him, tracing lower before he yanked it back up. She’d somehow tucked the hem around her waist so it stopped just above her stomach, his sweatpants hanging loose on her hips like they had no right to.
And then the scent hit him. His clothes, sure, but mixed with her . That vanilla soap he’d swiped months ago because it smelled nice…The combination short-circuited his brain.
Hot…Why does she look hot like this?
She wasn’t showing more skin than usual. She was just…Lucy. His jaw worked uselessly, throat desert dry.
“Don’t tell me…” Her pout made his heart stutter. “You bought this just for Mira in swimwear?”
The words hit like a fist. He jerked so hard he nearly inhaled the popsicle, choking as the cold stabbed down his throat. Doubling over, he pounded his chest, eyes watering.
Lucy crossed her arms, completely unsympathetic. “Serves you right.”
He managed to swallow and shot her a watery glare. “Oi! I didn’t buy it for that! And I wasn’t done talking!”
She huffed, plopping beside him with a stubborn hmph.
Natsu dropped back against the couch with a scowl, magazine limp in his hand. “Mira said there’s an interview. About the guild.”
Her brow arched, skeptical. “Since when do you care about interviews?”
That cracked a grin across his face. “’Cause maybe she mentions who’s the strongest. Bet I’m up there. Definitely higher than that stupid Gray. Maybe even Erza or Laxus.”
Lucy just stared, unimpressed.
Her gaze drifted down. That’s when she noticed the slow drip of melted ice cream sliding down his fingers. “Your ice cream’s leaking,” she said flatly. Then, glancing toward the kitchen, “You got any more? Or was that—”
Before she could finish, Natsu shoved the half-eaten popsicle straight into her mouth.
Lucy made a strangled noise, face blazing crimson as her brain short-circuited. He didn’t even notice, already flipping pages again. “Last one,” he said absently. “But you can have it.”
She muffled something that might’ve been a thank you, pulling the popsicle out slowly, trying very hard not to think about how it had been in his mouth seconds ago. Her cheeks burned hotter.
They sat in silence like that for a while: Lucy nibbling at the popsicle; Natsu flipping with growing irritation. Only the rustle of paper and his occasional huffs filled the air.
Finally, Lucy broke it. “By the way, it seems like you and Happy don’t have hot water here.” Her voice was casual, but a pointed edge tucked inside.
Natsu’s hand stilled. With a sharp huff, he snapped the magazine shut. The sound made her jump.
His brows twitched as he tossed it onto the table with a thud, then slouched deeper into the couch, one arm hooking lazily across the backrest behind her.
“There was no stupid interview,” he muttered. “Just a bunch of dumb bikini pics of Mira and some other chicks.”
Lucy blinked. “Seriously?” A laugh bubbled out before she could stop it. “Most guys would be thrilled about that.”
He turned toward her slowly. The crease in his brow eased, but the weight in his gaze didn’t. It…sharpened. Lucy’s breath hitched.
She scrambled for composure, shoving the popsicle back in her mouth like sugar could steady her pulse.
“Anyway,” she said quickly, “about the water thing. Guess you don’t have any, huh?”
Natsu finally tore his eyes away, raking a hand through his hair in mild annoyance. “Don’t need it,” he shrugged. “I can heat it myself. You could’ve just called for me if you wanted it warmer.”
Lucy froze. His words tangled in her brain before dissolving into an entirely different thought: Why does frustrated Natsu look this good? His hair stuck out messier from his fingers, his mouth tugged in a faint scowl, his posture loose and sprawling. She swallowed hard, forcing her eyes back to the melting popsicle.
“It’s fine,” she murmured, taking a slow lick to ground herself. “It was warm enough.”
That’s when she noticed it. He was still watching her. Brows drawn, gaze steady and unreadable. He shifted, turning to face her fully.
Seriously…is he that annoyed about the interview? she wondered, but before she could ask—
Natsu leaned in.
Her brain shorted as his teeth sank into the last chunk of ice still in her hand. He bit it clean off with a crunch, mumbling around the cold piece, “Wanted somethin’ cold.”
Lucy froze. She looked at the empty stick, then at him, still close, close enough that his warmth cut right through the chill.
Her face went nuclear. “Wha—?! Why would you—?!” she stammered, clutching the stick. “That was mine!”
Natsu just grinned, reckless and toothy, before collapsing back into laughter. “Man, you should’ve seen your face!” he wheezed. “Now I feel way better.”
Lucy turned to him in disbelief, waving the stick like a sword. “You— That wasn’t my fault the interview isn’t in there!”
His laughter slowed, shoulders shaking as he wiped a tear. “Nah,” he said, still grinning as he sat straighter. “Wasn’t even mad about that anymore.” The grin softened into something smug. “Your reaction just cheered me up though.”
Lucy tossed the stick onto the magazine with a huff. “You really enjoy teasing me too much.”
“Yep.” No hesitation and still grinning like she was the best kind of entertainment.
Lucy sank back against the cushions, arms folded tight, trying not to think about how fast her heart was racing or how that grin made her stomach twist like she’d just walked off a cliff.
Her eyes darted around for an anchor, something safe to look at. The hammock hanging by the wall caught her gaze. That’s probably where he slept, she thought, swallowing. Which meant the couch would be hers.
Did he even have extra blankets? Pillows?
Uncrossing her arms, she leaned toward him. “Hey, Natsu, where should I—”
The words died instantly. He was already leaning in, closer than she realized, his hand reaching toward her head. For a heartbeat, all she could do was stare, reflection caught in the dark of his eyes. Her lips pressed together tightly, half to stop a gasp, half to keep from closing the tiny space between them.
Then his hand landed lightly on her hair. Just a pat. “Sorry,” he chuckled. “Didn’t mean to startle ya. You just looked so mad.”
Heat flared in her cheeks as his hand slipped away, only to rest on the backrest beside her shoulder. The faint brush of his arm set her pulse hammering. She forced a huff. “I wasn’t mad… much . And it was your fault anyway.” Her voice didn’t sound half as convincing as it had in her head.
Silence stretched. Only the thud of her heartbeat filled her ears. Then she felt it, a twitch in his arm. Barely there. Maybe imagined. Her eyes flicked down to the space between them—
“Lucy.”
Her head snapped toward him. Before she could answer, his hands clamped around her waist.
“Wha—?!” Her protest died as he hauled her into his lap like it was nothing, settling her against him in one seamless motion.
Heat swallowed her whole. His chest pressed firm against hers, solid and unyielding, his body burning like a furnace. She clutched the back of his shirt, breath shallow, every nerve screaming.
One hand slid low along her spine, burning her even through the cotton. The other curved around her thigh.
“N-Natsu…” Her voice cracked on his name. A warning? Plea? Maybe both?
He only leaned closer, dipping into the crook of her neck like he belonged there. His hair brushed her jaw, his breath curled hot against her collarbone. Her pulse thundered so hard she was sure he felt it.
“So,” his voice rumbled low, “where d’you wanna sleep?”
Lucy jolted, jerking back just enough to see his face. His grin was reckless, infuriatingly casual, like he hadn’t just set her on fire.
“Th-that’s what you’re asking?!”
“Yeah.” His hand flexed on her thigh, his grin softening into something warmer. “Couch or hammock? I don’t care. But…” His gaze dipped, heat sparking in his eyes. “Kinda feels like right here’s workin’ too.”
Her heart nearly leapt from her chest. His grip on her thigh tightened and she couldn’t find the strength to answer.
Lucy thought she might combust. A shaky sigh slipped free as she dropped her forehead to his shoulder, desperate for something to hold onto.
Don’t let go. Please don’t let go.
Even thinking it felt dangerous, like cracking open a door she’d never shut again. She bit her lip, pain sparking to ground her. His question resurfaced, demanding an answer.
“…C-couch,” she whispered.
Her hands clutched tighter at his shirt. The words stumbled anyway, trembling on her tongue. “I—I want to sleep on the couch…wi—”
The heat at her neck vanished. His arms loosened all at once. The weight pinning her was gone, like he’d dropped her without meaning to.
Lucy froze, as the rest of her words died, but still echoed, taunting.
Sleep on the couch…with you.
Relief came first. Thank God she hadn’t said it out loud. But beneath it, something twisted deep, low and aching. Because she had wanted to. And now the moment was gone.
Disappointment burned faintly under her skin. She risked a glance.
Natsu’s eyes were fixed on the ceiling, ears burning red. Then his hand dragged up, covering his mouth like he was hiding something. His gaze flicked back to her without moving his head.
Her breath caught. She jerked her eyes away, loosening her grip like the fabric had scorched her.
For a long moment, he didn’t move. His hand stayed clamped over his mouth, muffling his breathing. When he finally spoke, it sounded like it had slipped out by accident.
“…I really wanna’ touch ya right now. And it’s gettin’ hard to resist.”
Lucy’s brain shorted. “H-huh?!” The syllable squeaked out once, twice, each higher than the last.
She pushed herself straighter in his lap, panic ricocheting through her veins. “W-what…?”
His hand dropped from his mouth to her thigh. He leaned forward, brows furrowed, lips tugging into a faint frown. For a heartbeat he looked almost…annoyed. Or worse, frustrated.
“…I’ll get the bed stuff out for you,” he muttered, voice oddly flat. Then, like a mask snapping into place, that reckless grin spread wide and sharp. But it felt wrong.
The air coiled tighter. Lucy’s chest twisted, sharp and painful. Before she could think, her hands moved on their own, clutching his shirt, dragging herself closer.
His grin faltered. His brows knit. His eyes slid shut as he breathed, “Luce…”
She ignored the warning in his voice. “Repeat it.”
“Luce…” he rasped again.
Her pulse thundered. She shoved closer, breath brushing his cheek. “Natsu!”
His jaw flexed. His teeth ground audibly. His fingers bit into her thighs.
“Say it again,” she demanded, voice sharp and cracking.
Fire flared in his eyes. “Lucy.” His grip tightened, enough to sting.
She gasped, but before she could react, he moved.
In a blur, his face filled her vision, breath scorching her lips, eyes blazing like fire.
“I—”
The word scraped his throat, but never made it out.
Because when he looked at her, he didn’t see warmth or relief. She was trembling. Her fingers clutched his shirt like she was holding herself back , not holding on.
…Fear? Like she already knew what he was about to say and didn’t want it.
His chest twisted. Doubt carved through him.
Stupid. Don’t screw this up. Don’t make her afraid.
He wrenched his gaze away, dropping back against the couch with a dull thud. His breath hissed sharp between his teeth, trying to bleed the fire out before it consumed him.
When he finally spoke, his voice came too even. Too controlled.
“…Forget it.” His thumbs pressed briefly, into her thighs before sliding away. “Stop movin’ so much. You’re killin’ me here.”
Her mind snagged on the unfinished word. What was he going to say? For one wild second she thought, no, she swore, he’d been about to confess. But that was ridiculous. Natsu wouldn’t… right?
Her gaze dropped, desperate to focus on anything else. Her hands were still tangled in his shirt, black fabric wrinkled tight in her fists. She toyed with the hem, clinging to the scrape of cotton instead of the thunder in her chest.
But her eyes betrayed her. They slipped lower. Past the folds of his shirt. Down—
Her breath caught. Her body locked up.
Heat scorched her face. She didn’t want to see, didn’t want to notice, but she couldn’t not. The fabric of his pants did little to hide it. Especially with her straddling him, pressed right there.
And now that she’d noticed, she couldn’t un-feel it.
Her pulse roared. Panic tangled with something sharper, something she didn’t dare name. Her thighs twitched. Her fingers clenched tighter as she fought not to move. He’d told her not to.
She startled, realizing the reason why, as her gaze jerked up. Natsu wasn’t even looking at her. His eyes fixed on the ceiling, jaw tight, shoulders rigid. He hadn’t noticed her staring.
Her lip trembled against her teeth. The words slipped out before she could stop them.
“Is this…because of me?”
The instant they left, she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Her blush burned so hot it stung.
His head snapped toward her, confusion flashing. “Huh?”
Mortified, she scrambled, eyes darting aside. “I-I mean—” Her hand gestured weakly downward, biting her lip harder.
Silence stretched. Her chest nearly cracked with the waiting.
“Pfft.”
Lucy blinked.
His mouth twitched before he burst out laughing.
Her jaw dropped. “H-hey!” she squeaked, humiliation flaring. She leaned closer, frustration spilling over. “How was I supposed to kn—”
She cut off with a gasp. His hands clamped hard on her thighs, holding her still.
When her wide eyes met his, he was already leaning in. A wicked grin curved his mouth.
Close. Too close. Their noses brushed. His voice slid out low and teasing.
“I told ya…to stop movin’ so much.”
It didn’t sound like a request.
Her breath hitched. She opened her mouth—
But his lips crashed onto hers before she could.
The world vanished. Heat roared through her like a wave, dizzying and fierce, his mouth relentless. Her heart tripped, then thundered back, rattling her ribs.
And then he pulled back. Just far enough to look at her.
Her breath stuttered sharp. His gaze raked over her face, lingering too long on her lips.
Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled, wrecked and soft, a grin tugging crooked.
“Yeah…” his voice rasped. “Think I like this reaction the most.”
Lucy just stared, chest heaving too fast.
He kissed me. He actually kissed me.
And hell, she wanted more.
Her fists yanked him back down, crushing her mouth to his. The kiss was messy, desperate, nothing like his. Hers burned reckless and hungry, like she’d been starving. His heat seared through her, stealing every breath.
He froze a heartbeat, then a ragged sound tore from him, rough and low, and his grip locked on her thighs. He dragged her closer, kissing back just as hungrily.
The angle shifted, lips slanting hotter and deeper. Her heart jolted when his tongue brushed hers. A whimper slipped free before she could stop it. The sound undid him.
One hand slid up her back, pressing her flush to his chest. Every inch of him was fire. And lower, God, the hard, solid press beneath her. Her hips tilted without thought, seeking friction.
A strangled noise ripped from his throat, his grip bruising as she rocked. Shock bolted through her, dizzy and sharp. She gasped into his mouth.
He broke away just enough for their foreheads to meet, both panting like they’d run for miles. His voice came hoarse, trembling with restraint.
“Lucy…if you keep this up…”
She didn’t let him finish. Her lips crushed his again, frantic. Nails scraped the back of his neck as she kissed him harder, rougher. Words were useless. She needed this . Needed him .
He groaned, his hands clamping her hips and grinding her down. The jolt of heat shot through her so fast her thighs shook. She whimpered into his mouth, rocking without permission. Again. Again—
When they tore apart for air, she slumped against his shoulder, breath ragged, lips tingling. His own came hot against her temple.
“Luce…if you don’t stop me now…I won’t be able to.”
Her body shivered. The words escaped, broken and raw against his ear. “Don’t.”
The air itself seemed to stop. His head tilted back, eyes wide.
Her gaze met his, dazed but steady. Lips swollen, kiss-bitten.
“Don’t…stop, Natsu.”
For a beat, he only stared, chest heaving, hands trembling where they held her. Then his grip clamped hard at her waist, dragging her flush, his mouth crashing onto hers again. Any restraint he still had burned to ash.
This kiss was different. Rough, consuming, each press of his hands saying everything he’d held back. And Lucy, burning and breathless, answered in kind.
The way she moaned into his mouth, soft, wrecked, shot straight through him. His grip on her hips twitched, pulse stumbling. Damn. He liked that sound. Too much.
When she broke away for air, Natsu didn’t wait. He dragged his nose along her cheek, lips chasing her jaw with restless kisses until she shivered.
“Heh~,” he chuckled low, grinning against her skin when she trembled harder.
Shoving her hair back, he bared more of her neck. For a second, he caught her biting her lip, eyes shut tight, hands trembling. Was she scared? Waiting? His thumb brushed her cheek gently and she melted into it, lashes fluttering open. Relief loosened his chest as she wasn’t pulling away.
“Cute,” he muttered.
He tilted her head, pressed his palm against her cheek and her whimper curled heat through his gut. Each sound dragged him deeper, until it wasn’t enough. He wanted louder. He wanted all of her. His lips dragged lower, nipping and kissing, drawing sharper moans until her hands clutched his shirt.
Her skin was soft, addictive and the taste of her made him restless.
Her gasp when his tongue slid into the crook of her neck nearly undid him. He sucked at her skin, and—
“Ah—Natsu…”
The way she breathed his name, broken, wanting…The noise shot through him, so sharp his hand fisted over his chest like he could keep his heart from tearing loose.
Her sounds came quicker now, but muffled, like she was holding back. He pulled back, eyes flicking to the mark blooming beneath his mouth. Too much?
But Lucy didn’t flinch. If anything, she arched closer, lips parted, eyes glazed.
“…More,” she whispered, almost too soft to catch.
Every shred of hesitation burned out.
He yanked the zipper of his sweater down the rest of the way, drowning her in the oversized fabric. Seeing her swallowed in his clothes only made his chest ache harder. He pushed one collar off her shoulder and covered the skin with hot, uneven kisses.
Her moans grew louder, nails digging into him, hips grinding harder. The friction jolted through him, ripping a groan from his throat. He buried his face against her chest, shuddering. If he moved with her, he’d snap.
“L-Lucy…” His hand slid down to steady her hips, grounding her before they both burned out too fast.
The sweater slipped lower, brushing beneath the swell of her chest. She gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth.
His head snapped up. “Did I—?!”
Her cheeks blazed. “N-no…it’s just…s-sensitive there…”
He froze, breath caught. Gently, he tugged her hand away, kissing her softer this time, lingering.
“…Sensitive, huh?” His grin curved, half-cocky, half-shaky. “Guess I’ll just have to be careful.”
Lucy’s heart pounded. She didn’t know what unraveled her more, the teasing grin, or the promise behind it.
Natsu kissed her again, slower, deeper. His hand slid up until his thumb brushed her chest, and her breath stuttered. When his fingers toyed with her nipple, testing, teasing, her whole body trembled.
“A-ah, Natsu…” It broke more like a whimper than words.
He smiled, reckless spark in his eyes and kissed her cheek, warm breath curling against her ear. “Feel good?”
“Mm-hm—y-yeah…” Her answer splintered as his fingers twisted and rolled, dragging gasps from her until she was arching, clutching at his shoulders.
His palm closed fully over her breast, kneading slowly.
“Good,” he whispered, lips brushing her ear. His mouth trailed lower, scattering soft pecks down her jaw, collarbone, until heat pooled sharp and hot where his hand had been.
Lucy whimpered, shoulders shaking, when something wet closed over her. A startled moan tore free before she could catch it. Her hands flew to cover her mouth, mortified.
Natsu glanced up, fangs flashing as he smirked against her chest and kept going. Tongue dragging, lips pulling, sucking harder until every sound she swallowed slipped out anyway. The ache between her thighs sharpened unbearably.
Suddenly she felt a sharp sting.
“Ahhh—!”
He froze, brows furrowed, a fang still pressing into her nipple. Worry flickered in his eyes.
Lucy’s breath hitched. She should be afraid. Instead, all she wanted was—
“M-more…please.”
Surprise softened his gaze, then darkened it. His grip shifted, hauling her higher into his lap. She moaned helplessly at the press of his erection beneath her. Her body moved on its own, grinding slow, greedy circles.
His answering kiss on her lips was different: soft, warm, almost tender. It melted into her chest and for one dizzying heartbeat, Lucy swore she could feel love in it. Her chest clenched, butterflies storming wild inside her.
But the warmth snapped to heat again. His mouth dragged and sucked at her other chest now, her moans climbing louder with every pass, his hands steadying her as she rocked. She arched, head falling back, moaning louder as sparks shot through her every time his tongue dragged or his lips pulled.
The ache between her thighs throbbed. Wet heat slicked through the fabric of his pants she wore, every grind catching sharper against him. She was too far gone to stop, every motion dragged her higher, closer.
“N-Nat…su—” Tears pricked her lashes. “I-I’m…close—”
Her words barely made it out before his hands shifted, setting her in the exact place she needed. Lightning raced through her, white-hot, stealing her breath as her body broke apart against him.
Shaking, blurred, she collapsed forward. His thumb brushed a tear from her cheek before he kissed her.
“Sorry, Luce,” he murmured with a crooked grin. “But I still need to finish.”
Her dazed brain barely caught it before another rough grind dragged a cry from her.
“N-Natsu—!”
She buried her face in his shoulder. Too much. Too sensitive. Nails biting into his back through the fabric. His rough breaths came hot at her ear, matching the frantic pace of his hips.
He cursed low, muffling her moans with his hand.
“Sorry, Luce—hngh—I wanna hear ya so bad, but Happy’ll kill me if you wake him.”
His pace turned frantic, hips jerking. She felt him breaking apart.
“Shit, Luce—” His voice strangled.
She clung tighter, nuzzling into his neck as his body shuddered. Heat spilled out of him, arms crushing her against him like he’d shatter if he let go.
Her blurry gaze lifted just in time to catch his face: flushed, lips parted on ragged breaths, fangs flashing as his jaw locked. The sight felt heavenly to Lucy as she couldn’t help it. Her heavy-lidded eyes just lingered on him, chest aching, watching the strongest person she knew fall apart in her arms.
Natsu slumped back, dragging her down with him, sprawled across his chest. His arms loosened but never let go.
Her hair tickled his jaw. He brushed it away, then froze.
Her lashes lay soft against flushed cheeks, lips parted faintly, breath steady. She looked so…peaceful.
His chest squeezed. He could still feel the faint echo of her heartbeat against him, easing with each breath, but his own wouldn’t settle. If anything, it picked up again, thudding wild for no damn reason.
“Luce…”
“Mm~?” she hummed, already drifting.
Natsu chuckled under his breath. His whole body felt heavy and warm, until the damp cling of his pants registered. His nose wrinkled instantly. Riiiight….That. He needed to clean up. Even for him, sitting in his own jizz was gross.
“Oi… gotta clean up, Luce.” He tried shifting, but her hand fisted in his shirt. Already out cold.
He wriggled free, muttering, “What are you, a monkey?!” but she didn’t stir.
He stood, stretching the stiffness from his shoulders, then turned back toward the couch.
Lucy was curled on her side, sweater slipping off her shoulder, a faint smile on her lips.
His scowl melted. Heat crept up his ears. He rubbed his neck, glancing away, but his gaze kept dragging back.
“…What the hell do you even mean it’s not physical touch…” he muttered, echoing her earlier jab with a crooked grimace.
But his eyes softened, lingering a moment longer before he slipped quietly toward the bathroom.