In The Hearts of Dragons

Winter Ch.1

       It was probably the coldest night of the year by far in Magnolia, and Lucy was definitely feeling it. Even after a steaming bath and two cups of hot cocoa, the cold still flew right through her. Gray is probably downright comfortable right now. Lucky. She thought as she burrowed deeper into her bed. Her heater had slowly become less and less effective as the months went on and it was really starting to bother her. She sighed. Her landlord had refused to fix anything lately, as she assumed Lucy had the money to fix things herself.  If only... the blonde mage thought. Shivers and thoughts of how she was going to pay rent plagued her mind until a warmness surrounded her, and her thoughts were of summertime.

Natsu P.O.V

        He wasn't exactly sure what possessed him to go to Lucy's that late. He knew her heater was pretty much broken and it was the coldest night of the year, so maybe it was that. He tried to convince himself that he was just trying to be a good friend, but he wasn't sure. He didn't really know but once he saw her breath puffing out from her blanket he knew she was going to get sick if she didn't warm up soon. So he did what any good friend would do, he climbed in the bed and laid with her. He didn't touch her, that would be too weird, but rather just laid there. She let out a contended sigh and Natsu knew he had done the right thing. Little did he realize that he soon would fall asleep as well, and have quite the rude awakening.

- 6 am -

"Natsu, WHY are you in here?!?"
"Good morning to you too,"
"Get. Out."
"Gone," the dragon slayer said gripping the windowsill to leave.
"Wait" Lucy said, looking down.
"Yeah?" Natsu asked, halfway out the windowsill.
"Do you want breakfast?" Lucy said looking to the side, at anything but him.
He scratched his head and looked at anything but her.
"Sure,"

- 8 am -

Lucy P.O.V

       Walking into the guild together so close to one another, she felt like at least half the guild was staring at them. They never really came in right beside one another, and that was the pattern. Mirajane gave her a sly look and whirled around back to the bar. Natsu, of course, was completely oblivious to all if it and proceeded to taunt his fellow males. Lucy settled at a both with Levy and the blunette instantly pounced on her.
"Are you two official?" She asked in excited whispers. "What do you mean?" The blonde replied. "Are. You. And. Natsu. A. Thing," Levy rushed out. "Of course not! Why in the world would you think that?" She replied. Levy gave her a long, meaningful look.
"And you and Mr. Tall, Dark, and definitely not handsome?" Lucy huffed. Levy blushed and suddenly became very interested in her plate.
"Touche"

Natsu P.O.V

       Seeing the reaction on the other guys faces when he walked in with Luce was priceless. Grey's jaw was practically on the floor. Of course Lucy was blushing and maybe upset. He didn't see why though, what was so bad about them walking together?
Of course it could mean they are a thing, and he was fine with letting his friends think that. All it did was keep other guys away from her. Which to him was very, very good...Ugh, snap out of it he thought angrily to himself. As gray started yelling to him about something, he started thinking, which was a rare and celebrated occasion. He knew deep down he wanted her, had known it for years. And every year, around that special time, he wanted her more than anything in the world. But he cursed himself mentally every time the thought came into his head. He couldn't bring himself to tell her, and risk changing everything with Team Natsu. He just couldn't do it. But he knew, soon he would have to.

Lucy P.O.V
- weeks later -

               It was the near the end of winter, and Gajeel finally confessed his love to none other than her own best friend, Levy. Gajeel attempted to keep it all very low key, and told many members of the guild individually, a blushing Levy in tow. Shadow Gear was inconsolable, but something told Lucy that those guys would be just fine. Despite Gajeel's attempt at subtly, the guild decided to throw a massive party that night anyway, and well... it was a Fairy Tail party after all. As soon as Lucy opened the doors of the guild, the joy and raucous noise assailed her, and she stopped and smiled. Natsu was fired up, sparing with just about any willing guild mate he could find while Grey taunted him. Erza sat on a barstool, for once really allowing the chaos to unfold while she lectured Gajeel on how to treat Levy.