Bittersweet NaLu Week 2022

Chapter One

Lucy quitely walked beside the salmon haired man, still not believing that he was finally back. After hundreds of painful sleepless nights and thousands of tears. It could be a dream for all she knew, maybe it was.

Natsu was back.

And even though Lucy was afraid that she might wake up too soon and then he’d be gone, again, she pushed that thought to back of her mind.

She’d just relish in the moment for as long as she could.

“…It’s been… long,” Natsu said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Happy remained silent, flying above the duo. Perhaps the blue feline too could sense the thickness in the air surrounding them.

“Uh yeah…” Lucy nodded, crossing her arms behind as she fought to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. It wouldn’t be nice if she started crying all on a sudden.

She didn’t want to make things worse by showing her emotions. But Lucy doubted she could succeed.

“You work with the magazine stuff?” The pinkette curiously looked at the blonde.

“Head reporter, and model.” She replied with a small smile.

“Model… that’s kinda, nice.”

Really? Because the way he said it made it seem the opposite. Even so, why did he care anyways?

“Yep.” She agreed.

It was a silent walk till Lucy’s apartment, none of the trio said anything until they reached. It was the first time that Lucy felt so uncomfortable around the two people she loved the most.

“And welcome guys!” Lucy stepped inside first, holding the door open for Natsu and Happy which felt very new considering she had never done formal things like that since of course, they would’ve never used the door in the first place and naturally Lucy had been more used to kicking them out for barging in through the damn window.

Good old days.

The slayer and the exceed paid no attention to that though, they looked around the house with wide eyes. It was five times larger than the one in the Strawberry Street. Spacious and top-of- the-line appliances and housewares with multiple amenities.

To think that Lucy would be able to afford a luxurious apartment despite her always struggling to pay her rent in the past was surprising. Indeed she had fully settled into a stable financial condition like she had always wanted.

Natsu was torn between being happy and sad at the same time, should he be glad that she had been doing just fine without him or should he be upset that she had quite moved on from Fairy Tail’s disbandment and most probably him?

It true that had he known about master’s sudden decision of disbanding the guild, he would’ve never left Lucy in the first place.

But the thoughts were of no use at this point and Natsu found out that he was actually more upset than not.

So much for not wanting to face his partner after losing his father in front of his eyes while being useless.

“It’s amazing Luce,” Natsu beemed at the celestial mage, successfully hiding his inner turmoil.

The nickname made her stomach roll with vague emotions.

“Thanks.”

Lucy giggled as Happy slowly landed atop her head and rubbed his face into her hair like a real cat. God she missed him.

“I missed you doofus.” She said reaching above and bringing him to her chest. Happy mumbled something inaudible and snuggled into her embrace. It looked like he was still holding back something for some reasons.

Natsu smilingly watched the duo from the side, not wanting to disturb them. Maybe she didn’t foeget them after all, maybe.

Lucy felt the fire mage’s eyes on her and slightly cleared her throat, making Natsu avert his eyes and run his hand through his pink locks.

“…Shower?” Lucy asked.

“Yeah. Happy, c'mon buddy!” Natsu guessed that it’d be the best way to clear his messy thoughts.

Lucy cluchted the feline to her chest as he proceeded to move away, figuring she would get him to talk while Natsu wasn’t around.

“He’ll take one with me, right Happy?”

Yeah it was a good opportunity.

Happy’s ears perked up at the offer and he looked at Natsu in approval, silently conveying his words. Which again, was really weird. Lucy wasn’t used to seeing them communicate like that, it was… unnatural.

“Show me the bathroom Lucy, I’ll go first then!” Natsu threw his signature grin.

After Natsu was done, Lucy summoned Cancer to fix his long hair back to the previous style and grabbed her change of clothes. She entered the bathroom with Happy following behind.

As soon as the door was shut, Happy flew to Lucy’s chest with a pained cry. The celestial mage knew something was wrong and turned out she was right.

Lucy hugged the feline tighly and smoothed her hand down his blue fur repeatedly in soothing motions. Questions could wait.

“Happy, look at me… Happy…”

The winged cat looked up at the blonde with watery eyes. “Lushieee…!”

“Shh, it’s okay.” Lucy reassured. “Tell me what happened?”

Happy turned his head and glanced at the dooe warily, then turned back to her and hugging her tightly. As if he was afraid. Of what…?

“He’ll hear us… Natsu. Will hear us.” Happy mumbled. He was scared of Natsu. Lucy almost felt like she heard him wrong.

“….What?” The key mage baffledly asked.

“Something has happened… to Natsu…” The exceed sobbed into Lucy’s shirt.

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