•••

They both walked side by side in the cool evening of September, Happy just hovering above. Lucy had decided to take the other route today, one that was slightly longer and a bit deserted than her usual.

She had both her hands stretched to her side, pretending to balance walk on a tight rope.

"It's pretty isn't it?" She exclaimed suddenly, stopping to admire the sparkling lake of Magnolia.

"Yeah." Natsu agreed. "Why are we supposed to be invisible again?" He asked, pointing at him and Happy.

"Because you can't pull another Levy on me." Lucy deadpanned. "You don't want your secret out right?"

"I never really said that.." he grumbled, pouting.

"Well..uh..that much is understood!"

"Sheesh, quit fighting you two!" Happy mumbled sleepily, finally settling down on Natsu's head.

Lucy was speechless. Now that she thought about it, he never really asked her to hide the fact about his existence. It had been her who was going crazy with the developments.

She glanced sideways at him, stealing a look. He was bickering with Happy, but Lucy had tuned it all out. She remembered how longingly he looked at Levy and her socialising with the others while he was just forced to watch, unknown and in the captivity of her office room.

She sighed. She knew she was going to regret it but oh well.

She fished out her phone from her coat pocket and began typing, putting her plan in action.

Mirajane, I have been caught up in some work so could you let Master know that I'll be on a leave tomorrow?

Within moments, the beautiful, head assistant replied back, relieving Lucy.

Sure! I'll let him know. Hope it isn't too stressful?

Convincing her that it wasn't, Lucy looked up, smiling at the still bickering best friends.

"Oh hush, will you? We are in public! You might be invisible but you're not unheard!"

For some reason, Happy and Natsu started smirking, their eyes glinting with mischief.

"Nobody can see us..But they can hear us..are you thinking what I'm thinking lil buddy?"

"Aye sir!"

A confused Lucy too turned in the direction in which they were looking. Some people walking on the sidewalk, and Natsu and Happy's devilish smiles. Finally, the pieces clicked into place before they could even try and take a step forward.

"Oh no you don't!"

She heaved them away by their ears, and them continuously moaning in pain.

She must look crazy, seemingly holding onto thin air behind her.

"Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow, Lucy stop!"

She let go and the dragon slayer straightened up, dazed.

"Aah this feels a lot better.." he said, rubbing his slightly red ear.

"Aye sir.." Happy agreed tiredly.

"C'mon now! We're almost home!"

"Why did we come from here today anyway?"

"Because it's my favourite route!"

"But isn't it quite deserted? Is it even safe for you at this time?"

She turned around to face him, who had his arms crossed and an accusing look on his face.

"Weren't you the one who told me 'to take risks?'" She asked smugly.

"This isn't the type I was talking about!"

"Oh? Are you worried?" Lucy then pretended to be flattered, giggling. "Oh my, I didn't know you cared so much!"

"Anyway.."

Natsu hurriedly resumed his walking, looking away from the still giggling blonde. She matched his pace pretty soon, and they both continued their walk, with Happy walking alongside them.

"Hey Natsu? How old are you anyway?"

"26. I-Is there a problem?"

Lucy had abruptly stopped walking, making him look back at her in concern.

"26? As in your realm right?"

"Yes?"

She then suddenly burst into a hysterical laughter, alarming her companions.

"Lucy?"

"Oh my..god!" She wheezed out between her laughs. "You're an old, old man Natsu! Damn!"

After a minute or so, she finally reduced her laughter to giggles and grabbed his hand, moving forward.

"It's a little creepy, don't you think?"

"What is?"

"That I'm letting a 260 year old man stay in my house. Seriously you can be a vampire!"

"No thanks." He huffed. "Those pricks are cold. Literally. And dead."

"Well wouldn't you know." Lucy sighed.

•••

She skeptically eyed him, deep in thought.

"This doesn't bode well."

Natsu groaned, irritated now.

"Again?"

Lucy nodded and then turned her back, shuffling though the pile once again.

"Aha! Here! Try this one next!"

She handed him another T-shirt, red this time with flames on it. Natsu groaned, reluctantly taking it.

"Ughh shopping is such a pain. This is my 5th trial already!"

"Oh you! Just shut it and get changed! The sooner you do as asked, the better chance you have of getting out of here."

"Seriously, I'm a dragon slayer-"

"Yeah yeah, I know. Now get going Natsu!"

He finally went in, and Lucy stood back, waiting for him to come out, until Happy burst out snickering.

"What're you laughing on about?"

"I never thought I'd see Natsu so flustered!"

"Flustered? How is he flustered? He is the definition of noncooperation right now!"

He looked smirking at her, trying, and failing miserably to hide his amusement. "It's his way of coping with it~"

Lucy wondered if it could all be actually true. If Natsu indeed was flustered by all of this. She wasn't sure about him being embarrassed, but she's understand if he was annoyed. After all, she did drag them both with her this morning.

The door opened and Natsu came out, uncharacteristically fidgeting.

"It's perfect!" Lucy exclaimed gleefully, clapping her hands.

"Does this mean it's over now?" He asked, shoulders dropping and letting out an exhausted sigh to dramatise his tiredness.

"Of course..unless you boys want ice cream!"

15 minutes later, Natsu and Lucy were leaning against the railing, eating ice cream, while Happy happily munched on his fish.

"You're not making us go invisible today?" He finally asked.

"What did you think the clothes were for?"

"Oh!"

Lucy rolled her eyes, smiling slightly at his cluelessness. "Hey..do you want to come to Fairy Tail?"

"Huh?" He asked incredulously. "What do you mean? Don't I already come there?"

"I meant.." Lucy took a deep breath.

'Now is the time Lucy!'

"I realised that you didn't really ask me to keep your existence a secret. It was my own..assumption. You might be beholden to me, but that doesn't give me any right to exercise control over your life..soo.."

'Almost there!'

"..what I'm saying is that it'd be okay if you'd like come as yourself. Well, I'd appreciate it if you didn't reveal your supernatural being, but you can come with me, make friends, and not be invisible."

"I'd like it if you are there with me in person Natsu."

•••

*Takes deep breath*
Okay, so look at this shit:

You👏🏻cannot👏🏻tell👏🏻me👏🏻that👏🏻they👏🏻are👏🏻no👏🏻more👏🏻than👏🏻 just👏🏻friends

Seriously like, she literally is the only person who can control his unchecked rage and aggression. And she is willing to do that despite it hurting her bad.
He freaking turned to END because he thought he lost her for god's sake!

Also, earlier in the manga, Lucy was shown to be afraid of his fire for the first time. I think it'll be pressed upon later in the story, and might be a NaLu catalyst. Fingers crossed🤞🏻

Let's hope for the best
Belle🌸
🔥❤️🔑

Disclaimer: the above art belongs to Hiro Mashima. I hold no credit for this masterpiece😍