Finished - June 18, 2020

Word Count - 3050

Music - Two Steps From Hell - Westward

Summary:
Lucy finally had the day off, a day to relax....sort of. She had loads of house chores to catch up on. But what happens when she cannot complete the housework?

When writing "The Switcher's Storm" I created a scenario I just had to write! Hope you enjoy it!

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The icy taste of strawberry filled Lucy's mouth, she relished in the delightful flavor of summer. Her lips upon a straw she sipped her smoothie, whilst observing the guilds rash behavior. Even after returning from a large Mission the day prior, everyone was still as rambunctious as ever.

Lucy was enjoying her morning at the Guild, for she must return to her apartment to complete all the house work from her return home. She needed to go grocery shopping, do laundry and do a general cleaning of her apartment.

At this point she was stalling, in all honesty she didn't want to do her chores. So instead she was mindlessly watching her friends throw themselves into battle. However her excuse to stay at the guild dried up as her glass emptied. She could no longer avoid the mound of tasks she had waiting for her.

Sighing she rose from the counter and returned the cup to Mira.

"Thanks for the drink Mira." Lucy thanked the pale haired mage.

"No problem Lucy. Where you headed?" Mira seemed to notice she was walking towards the door.

"I have a lot of stuff to get done back home." Lucy sighed, not excited about it.

"Don't push yourself too hard, you guys worked really hard on that last job." Mira pointed out.

"Tell me about it." Lucy rubbed her sore shoulder.

"Well, you should let Natsu know where you are going. You know how he gets when you disappear." She smirked, obviously hinting at something else.

Although Mira undoubtedly had other intentions, she was correct. Natsu definitely didn't like when Lucy left without him and if she tried to leave, he would simply follow her.

Therefore she stretched her legs as she stood from the wooden stool. Lifting a hand to her mouth she attempted to gain Natsu's attention, however the boy was grossly engaged in a brawl. Fists flew, dust scattered and feet tapped upon surfaces that feet should not. In simple terms, there was no way Lucy could catch his attention from her current position.

She knew better than to waltz into the crazy commotion, for she valued her health. However, luck seemed to be on her side today. Just before she turned to leave, Natsu was tossed into the table next to her. She thought it safe enough away from the rest of the bustle, she skipped over and squat down next to him.

"Hey, Natsu." She placed a hand gently on his shoulder.

However, Natsu didn't turn off his battle mode and didn't seem to notice his friend beside him. The focused dragon had narrowed his mind on his "advisories" and completely tuned out everything else. Therefore, without taking notice to Lucy's presence, enveloped his body with bright flames. The hot fire bursting from him violently and quickly.

Lucy shielded herself with her hands, too close to her partner to flee. She didn't expect him to suddenly explode, she was not prepared! A great burning ripped at her skin, tearing her fingers and palms. She exclaimed in pain, a sharp and sudden yelp of anguish.

Natsu recognized this noise immediately as his eyes darted to his right, seeing Lucy cowering from him. He extinguished his flames and leaned down to she what had happened. Why did she scream?

"Luce?" He asked softly.

It was then that he saw how she was holding her hands close to her stomach. Her whole body was shaking and she was leaning away from him

"What the heck is wrong with you?!" Someone yelled.

Natsu looked up confused at the angry voice, standing before him was Erza. Her hands folded and fury written all over her face. Natsu shrunk and had the sudden urge to apologize for everything in his life he had ever done wrong. But instead he just stuttered out one word.

"W-What?"

This was when Natsu noticed that not only was Erza starring at him sharply, but the entire Guild. Everyone in the building had stopped and starred, some in anger and some in shock at Natsu.

"How could you do that?" Erza pointed a finger at his nose.

Natsu went cross eye, his gaze not leaving the powerful extremity, especially when so close to his face. But again, he had no answer to her accusation. Therefore, this time he stayed silent.

"You just burned Lucy!" She finally enlightened him of the real problem.

This seemed to snap Natsu out of his pitiful state and he turned back to Lucy. She was sitting on her knees with her head down, clutching her hands tightly, close to her body. Just from looking at her, Natsu could tell she was shaking and breathing deeply.

Had he really burned Lucy? He had never burned her before! He had made a point never to do so. He was always so careful when she was around, so this exact scenario would never take place. He felt absolutely awful, no ocean could hold the sea of guilt that he felt.

Natsu slowly reached out and tried to comfort his hurting partner, but to his horror, she shied away from his touch. This small action drowned him even more in his own disgrace. After so many years of mindful and accurate attacks, years of trust flushed down the drain. She could never forgive him after he had hurt her like that.

Mira stepped in and escorted Lucy to the infirmary to clean and wrap her hands, but Natsu stayed. He sat unmoving in the corner if the Guild Hall, starring at the stop Lucy had sat.

The rest of the Guild, witnesses of the tragic event all slowly started returning to their tasks and "normal" conversations. Yet everyone had the same topic on mind. They all politely gave Natsu his space, knowing he was in no shape to he messed with at present.

However this made it impossible for Natsu to think about anything else and his mind kept playing the event over and over. Mentally killing himself for what he had just done.

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Everything felt fuzzy and Lucy couldn't actually remember much. She knew that she had been talking to Natsu and he accidentally lashed out in battle. But after that, it was all just a blur of pain. At the time she was mostly concentrating on breathing and staying conscious, for she refused to faint from something so miniscule.

Currently Lucy resided in the infirmary with Erza and Levy, both people she was happy to see. But she really wanted to see Natsu.

The two girls were dressing her red and quickly blistering hands. The pain had subsided greatly from the ointment they used to treat the burned areas. Therefore, Lucy's mind was much clearer than before.

"I cant believe him." Erza grumbled to herself, while wrapping Lucy's left hand.

"Im sure it was an accident." Levy tried to soothe her.

"He should learn to be more careful." Erza didn't seem convinced.

"I think he just did." Levy eyed Lucy with a soft smile.

Lucy returned the favor, feeling her cheeks warm slightly.

"Where is he?" Lucy spoke for the first time since the accident.

"Downstairs sulking, has been for the last twenty minutes." Erza finished her work and stood, folding her arms.

"I need to see him." Lucy started to stand from her seat, but was pushed back down.

"No way!" Erza threatened. "He hurt you Lucy. He burnt you!"

"It was an accident! I know he would never do it on purpose!" Lucy stood up and matched Erza's fury. "He is down there feeling like it's his fault."

"Which it is." She interrupted.

"Maybe. But I am not going to sit here and let him mope around, when I know I can help." Lucy shoved passed her and used her elbow to open the door.

Lucy quickly descended the stairs, remembering not to use the railing with her fingers. Even from across the large room, she could feel his depressing aura. He hadn't moved from the place she had left him. His feet not a centimeter off from their spot where the accident had happened. His eyes starred exactly where he had starred before.

What a baby.

Lucy reached out her hand towards his shoulder, stopped for a second just before contact and took a breath. Making her decision, she placed her hand upon his shoulder. The contact hurt, for she really shouldn't be using her hands at all, but she wanted to make a statement.

The moment her fingers made contact with his shoulder his eyes widened and he turned his head around quickly. Once he noticed that it was Lucy he was overjoyed, but his delight was quickly replaced with shame as he backed away from her and removed her hand gently. His touch so light, she barely even felt it.

However, his actions only made Lucy advance upon him. She reached out her bandaged hands towards him, her face stubborn. She would not let him flee from her, she would not let him think he was a monster. She needed to prove to him that she was not afraid of him.

Natsu on the other hand held many mixed emotions when Lucy held out her injured hands. He wasn't sure if she was showing him his handy work, or trying to show that she wouldn't let him avoid her. She kept trying to place her hand on his arms, but he didn't want her to hurt her hands any more than they already were.

"Lucy stop!" Natsu raised his voice, something he rarely did to her. On top of that, he used her full name, also something he wouldn't naturally do. These two things stopped her assault immediately.

She looked up to him with calm eyes, eyes not used to being yelled at. Her eyes were sad, but not because of the hurt on her skin. But because of the rejection he had just announced.

Obviously Lucy had pushed him too soon, he must have needed more time to think before she came and bugged him. She felt embraced and guilty. Pulling her glassy eyes from him, she slowly stood and walked away. She refused to look back, hoping he would catch her, however when she reached he'd the doors she realized he was not coming after her.

Using her elbow and forearms, she pushed the heavy doors open and walked home alone.

Once reached her apartment Lucy felt utterly embarrassed and frustrated. She had made a fool of herself in front of the entire Guild and hurt her relationship with Natsu. The closest person she had! The one she could never let herself loose!

Not even noon and her day was already ruined. Plus, she had lots of things she needed to get done. Chores that needed the use of her hands...this would he interesting.

Lucy took a deep breath and started picking up all the items scattered across her floor. Of course it was not her that had made this mess, Natsu and Happy had "escorted her out" before their Missions. Which always consisted of a complete disaster of her apartment. For they would try to help her pack, sending her clothes flying and essential items scattered.

The menial task hurt her blistering fingers, but she had no other choice. She refused to let her apartment stay in the horrid state and she didn't have opposable toes. Therefore she continued and her room slowly started to come together, but even after fifteen minutes of simply grabbing clothing from the floor, Lucy fingers ached and she could see blood start to seep out from the tips of her bandages.

Lucy sat on the floor gazing at her reddening bandages, she slowly came to the conclusion that she was not going to be able to get anything else done. However, just as she was processing this information a familiar noise interrupted her thoughts.

The sound of her window sliding open and someone slipping through with precise execution. She was surprised to see him so soon, she wasn't expecting to see him for several days. She was certain he was upset with her. Nonetheless, this did not stop the boy from approaching her quickly and examining her opened wounds.

He grasped her hands incredibly gently and turned them to see every angle of her bandages. He must have come because he smelled her blood, that was why he was there.

Neither person could make eye contact, for both parties thought that they had done the other wrong. Lucy thought that she had embarrassed and humiliated Natsu, while Natsu felt ashamed and traitorous that he let himself burn his beloved partner.

"Come on. Let's clean this up." Natsu stood her up and lead her to her bathroom.

Lucy sat on the lip of her bathtub while Natsu retrieved her Med Kit from the cupboard. Opening the canvas bag he found all the things he needed and set them on the counter. He then squat down and started to unravel the ruined bandages from her hands.

As Natsu steady fingers worked, Lucys lip trembled. She had so much she wanted to say and yet she had no words. She would go to speak, but at the last second she stopped herself, then regret her silence a second later. The process repeated over and over, creating a war in her mind. She was no unfocused that Natsu had finished replacing her gauze and she had said nothing.

He started putting away the equipment and turned, seeming like he was leaving. This made Lucy panic and she jumped up and grabbed the back of his shirt.

"Please don't go!" She hugged him tightly.

"I cant stay..." Natsu sounded like he was also mentally struggling, but he did not push her off this time.

"Please!" Lucy started to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I embarrassed you. Just please don't hate me! I couldn't live with myself if you hated me..."

These words stunned Natsu. What made her think that she needed to apologize for anything? He was the one that made the big mistake!

Natsu thought that distancing himself from her would keep her safe from him, that she would feel more comfortable without his erratic flames.

"What?" Natsu turned around to face her, Lucy's eyes were red as tears drifted down her cheeks.

"Back at the Guild you yelled at me."

Natsu sharply remembered his harsh action. "Oh...Im sorry."

"You were mad, it's okay." Lucy gave him a small smile.

"But I wasn't, at least not at you. I was angry with myself, I shouldn't have lashed out at you. Im sorry." The boy held her tight, but gently enough not to hurt her.

"So, you're not mad at me?" Lucy looked up at him.

"No, of corse not." Natsu almost laughed.

"Good!" The silly girl squeezed his torso and buried her head in his shoulder. "I'd hate to be at odds with you."

Natsu say an opportunity and took it. "And why would that be?" His voice fringing on skepticism.

He felt Lucy hold on him loosen as she realized what she had said. "W-Well..." She paused, contemplating on what to say. "You're really important to me."

Natsu did not expect that answer from her and felt his face redden, he didn't want Lucy to see his changing features and quickly turned his body away from her.

"I noticed you were trying to clean earlier." Natsu changed the subject, his cheeks still noticeably warm.

Lucy was quite disappointed in his switching of mood, but was also very accustom to his strange behavior. "Uh, yes." She glanced to the pile of clothes she had gathered. "I was planning on doing some house work today, but I guess its gonna have to wait."

"Nonsense!" Natsu spun around to face her, a large grin spread about his features.

"What?" Lucy jumped, shocked by his burst of energy.

"Just tell me what do to and I will be your hands." Natsu seemed much too excited.

"I don't know Natsu..." She thought about all the unfortunate possibilities, allowing Natsu Dragneel to clean her apartment would not go without its mishaps.

"Please Luce, it's the least I can do after hurting you." Natsu seemed more serious now. "Let me help."

"Fine." Lucy gave in and rolled her eyes.

"Yes!" Natsu jumped up. She had never seen him excited to do chores before and he probably wouldn't stay excited once he knew what he had gotten himself into.

"There will be conditions." Lucy held up a wrapped finger. "You will do exactly what I say and you will only touch things if I give you permission."

"Yes sir." Natsu saluted her, as if he were a solider.

As Lucy expected, these rules only lasted about ten minutes before the boy completely forgot the conditions of his hire. Soon enough he was waltzing though her clean laundry, half putting it away and half trying it on.

She saw this this coming and was not surprised about his lack of personal space, but she could not stop laughing when Natsu put on her cooking apron. Underneath, he was already wearing one of her red skirts, therefore the adding of the pink apron set Lucy into a world of giggles.

This was the whole reason Natsu wore the humiliating clothing, because it made Lucy laugh. He knew exactly how to make her laugh and he knew she needed something to lift her spirits. He owed her that much at least.

Therefore he put aside his pride and would do anything to make her laugh. The sound was an award in itself, her giggles sparkled in his ears and boosted his mood immensely. It was medicine for him, because he knew that when Lucy laughed, she was happy. Nothing made Natsu happier than knowing that he was the reason for her smile.