605Summary:
Lucy and Natsu have known each other for years, facing crisis after crisis as the bond between them grew stronger. With the fall of Alvarez, life has finally begun to settle down and there is no impending doom to distract them from how much they've changed. When bottled up feelings no longer have an excuse to hide, it's only a matter of time before they reach their boiling point.
Rated M for mature themes: 18+ Only.
Spoiler Warning: Takes place after the Alvarez Arc but before the 100 Year Quest. Be aware that there will be spoilers in this story!
*Characters belong to the amazing Hiro Mashima, I'm just borrowing them for a little while.*
Enjoy!
Simmer – /simər/- Verb. To stew gently below or just at the boiling point; to be in a state of incipient development
"Luce?" He called out softly. His fingers gripped the cloth of his white pants, unsure what to do with his hands now. The air around them felt hot as if they were in a sauna – which was saying something considering Natsu regularly lit parts of himself on fire. He suddenly wished his wasn't wearing his normal overcoat. His vest would have let the cool air reach his overheating skin.
It wasn't like he'd never been this close to her – close enough to see how her eyelashes brushed across the tops of her cheeks when she blinked. Close enough to feel her breath in the space between them. It's just that she would have normally backed away by now. Natsu cursed himself silently, his plan to throw her off kilter had backfired as he felt the tips of his ears begin to burn.
Lucy's caramel eyes sharpened as she realized he was talking to her, pulling her out of her thoughts. She blushed, only now noticing that their faces were a mere hand's width apart. She was about to pull away when she stopped herself, her spine stiffening. Natsu was staring down at her, his pupils dark and focused. Her next breath came out stilted. Where was the carefree man she knew so well?
His expression was grave, his eyes darting across her face. He seemed tense like he did in the middle of battle, watching every motion in anticipation of his next move.
"Natsu?" She responded, voice barely above a whisper. Why wasn't he moving away? The pink haired man seemed frozen in the spot and she sensed a nervousness about him as another emotion swirled behind his hooded gaze. She could sense his petrichor and smoke scent: so distinctly Natsu. It lulled her into a false sense of calm. She didn't know when, but at some point, she had begun to associate that smell with home.
She suddenly felt light headed, scolding herself for the direction her thoughts were leading her. Natsu was her best friend, her partner – she'd do anything for him. Fairy Tail was her family, and she had no right to think of him in any other light. It was why she had been so upset with herself all day. When that coquettish waitress had tried to get his attention that afternoon, she could easily ignore it. It wasn't hard to admit that the dragon slayer was handsome, what with his roguish smiles and chiseled features. It was just… Natsu had seemed to enjoy the attention, even if he hadn't reciprocated.
That epiphany shook her more than she cared to admit.
To be clear – it wasn't that he didn't notice when someone was attractive, he just never did anything about it. Apart from the occasional crude joke, Natsu seemed fairly uninterested in anything remotely romantic. That knowledge kept her sane these last few months, content with how strong their friendship was, but today her confidence wavered. It was a sentiment she was familiar with. She'd felt something similar when Lisanna had come back into their lives after they'd returned from Edolas. She held no animosity for the youngest Strauss, but back then she had been sure her partner would drift away from her with his childhood friend was back in his life. Now, her thoughts were tinged with irrationality – she felt threatened by the mere possibility of some other woman stealing his attention in some vague point in the future.
She gulped in a breath of air and finally moved back. Natsu reacted likewise, taking a step away from her so his calves hit the couch. He ran his hand through his hair, roughing it up as he glanced away from her, breaking whatever spell of silence had fallen on them.
She tried to ignore the slight ache in her chest when she noticed how quickly he had withdrawn. Her lips twisted in a wry grin, she was acting ridiculous. So what if he took interest in a girl? She was his best friend, he would never abandon her. Looking at the man in front of her, his broad chest expanding with the intake of air, she knew with certainty that it was a fact.
Then why did it still hurt?
"Sorry," She mumbled quietly, but knew he heard her either way. His hearing was impeccable. "I got distracted for a minute there." When his jade eyes met hers again, that troubled glint hadn't disappeared. She held up her hands in front of her in a peaceful gesture and he follow the movement before glancing back up at her.
"It's fine." He murmured, his words coming out deep and gravelly. His heart was beating erratically, as if he had been running. Not for the first time, he was glad Lucy couldn't pick up the sound of his pulse, unable to come up with an excuse for its acceleration. He vaguely registered her own heart rate was faster than normal too, but it had been like that since they had begun arguing. He scowled at that.
"Listen Luce, I really was try'na help." His voice was low, sincerity dripping from his words. Her eyes were wide, expression open as she listened. He averted his gaze from the warm brown orbs, "If you don't want to talk about it, then it's fine." He paused for a moment, unsure if he should continue.
His scrunched his nose, unwilling to overthink it. "I just don't like seeing you upset."
It was quiet in the room and Natsu refused to look up, massaging the back of his neck in agitation. Slowly, he heard light footsteps on the hard wood floor as the celestial mage padded towards him. Facing down as he was, he didn't notice when she hesitated just in front of him, or when she raised her arms – trembling slightly before winding them around his torso.
Time stood still and he stopped breathing. Her slim hands curled into the fabric of his coat at the center of his back. Her grip was tight as she rested her cheek against his shoulder, strands of golden hair brushing against his lips. He closed his eyes, breathing in the floral and dawn soaked smell of Lucy.
For a moment he didn't react, distracted by how she curved into him, the crown of her head tucked neatly under his chin. Swallowing, he ignored his pulse thundering in his ears, and brought his calloused hands around her. One lay flat against the small of her back while the other went up to her neck, twisting into her tresses as he kept her against him.
When she spoke, her voice vibrated against his shoulder, flowing through him as his muscles pulled taut. "I know, really. You're always looking out for me. I can always rely on you, Natsu."
Warmth flooded his chest and he couldn't stop the wide grin stretching his face, faint dimples appearing in his cheeks. He ran his tongue over his teeth, collecting himself. The hand on her waist moved, stroking up and down her back, fingers tracing her spine as he hid the smile against her hair. Lucy noticed it anyway, feeling his lips by her temple. She snuggled closer to him, seeping in the warmth that always radiated from him.
"You'd do the same thing for me, weirdo." He chuckled, glad the earlier tension was no longer hanging around them. He felt her huff against him, her breath tickling the sensitive skin of his throat. He pulled away just enough so he could look at her, but simultaneously constricted his hold on her waist so she wouldn't go far. He slid his left hand down to her collar bone before growing serious once more.
"You're my best friend Luce, I'd do anything for you." The sounds rumbled through him so that she could feel it down to her toes. Their faces were only a few inches away once more, but she tried not to let it affect her. It was rare to see Natsu like this, the emerald undertones in his irises visible once more. Besides, his grip was tight enough that she didn't think she could move back even if she wanted to. She settled for roving her hands so they rested against the lapels of his jacket, twining her fingers into the fluffy white of his scarf.
"I promise I won't tell Happy you said that." She smiled, lightening the heaviness of the mood. His words had sent a thrill through her and she was precariously close to blushing again. Still, her joy was palpable, and he could see it brightening her eyes for the first time since they'd returned to Magnolia. He smirked at her teasing. It was true, Happy would have thrown a fit if he was here. Happy was his best friend, but he had still meant what he had said. Natsu cared about them both, though he recognized that it wasn't in the same way.
He chuckled and leaned in to rest his forehead against hers, his throat contracting when he remembered doing the same thing once before with her future self. He shook off the thought, unwilling to go down that road, it surfaced in his mind often enough as it was. Not to mention when –
He shut that memory down hard.
"You wouldn't dare." He teased, one of his canines catching on his lip as he simpered. Lucy giggled at that, relishing in the cheerfulness.
"Wanna bet?" She pestered back, amused when he snorted at her. He began rubbing his thumb in slow circles against her spine, a glint in his eyes as he stared at her. Her heart thudded in ribcage, resonating in her ears loudly enough that she missed the quick beat of the fire mage's.
"Luce if you do, I swear I'll tell Erza you ate her last piece of cake. Everyone knows you have a sweet tooth." The challenge was clear on his face and Lucy paled for a moment, before yanking at one end of his scarf. He was unfazed, expression rakish.
"That was you! Juvia and I saw you take it. You wouldn't lie to her!" She complained, a whine underlining her voice as she pouted up at him. His responding grin was absolutely predatory.
"Wanna bet?" He echoed her, crooning. She bit the inside of her cheek as a shiver ran through her. His hand dug into her waist, the calloused fingers by her neck ghosting along her shoulder, the rough pads setting off another tremor, even as she tried to stop it.
"Cold?" His voice was husky and low. Natsu's eyes flashed midnight, his pupils sharpening at her body's subtle response.
"N–no…" She stuttered.
And she wasn't. She was burning at each point they touched, his skin scalding as she felt heat rush into her cheeks for what felt like the millionth time that night.
He said nothing, wholly focused on her. He traced the plains of her heart shaped face with his eyes, noting her pointed chin and delicately arched eyebrows. She wore no makeup besides the vanilla lip gloss and a light coating of mascara. He admired that about her, that she looked so lovely without trying. The longer he looked at her, the more her cheeks darkened, the blood pooling under the surface as she flushed heavily. His breathing came out a bit more unevenly at the sight.
He didn't know how they'd ended up in this position, his own ears were turning red and his first reaction was to run. Still, something in his instincts were making him stay, unable to avoid the tell-tale blushes and how she'd initiated the contact. He licked his lips unconsciously, his hands still brushing against her in a way he never had before. What the fuck was he doing? Better yet, what in hell was Lucy doing to him?
He narrowed his eyes, a battle raging in his mind. Every reaction pointed towards one thing, but he couldn't believe it quite yet. He knew she cared for him, just as she loved everyone in Fairy Tail, but she had a history of pulling away from him as well.
He ran through his memories, recalling her every refutation of their guildmates' insinuations. He thought over each time she'd panicked when he got too close – from that day with Asuka to shifting lessons with Mira. A hundred other small moments played in his head of her bolting like a skittish deer or avoiding him when he teased her.
And yet…here she was, wrapped up in his arms, her own small hands tangled near his neck.
Her hazelnut orbs were wide as she glanced at him, pink dusting across her face. She still hadn't moved. His jaw clenched, unable to read her. Unsure if her own body and heart were at odds with each other. He decided to test it out.
He moved so that his fingers brushed the nape of her neck while the other pulled her closer so that their stomachs touched. Her breath hitched. Heartened, he neared, his eyes dipping to her soft lips. He briefly wondered if they tasted like vanilla too.
As Natsu bent closer, slow enough that she wasn't sure it was happening, Lucy's heart began to hammer. He was so close – so very close – that her blood felt like it was on fire. She had trouble breathing, feeling his own fanning across her mouth. He couldn't be doing what she thought he was. Right? And yet she was caged within his arms, his palm heavy against the small of her back while the other grazed her throat. His eyes were hooded and she could finally feel the drum of his heart from where she held his scarf.
Butterflies swam in her stomach as her panic rose. She couldn't wrap her head around his actions – how did the day's events lead them here? She let go of him and clenched her fists, drawing them to herself and squeezed her eyes closed. She pressed her lips together in a thin line. There was still a part of her that was terrified of the dark look that shadowed his features, and she was unwilling to find out what it meant – what she wanted it to mean. She must be misreading him, there was no way. They'd known each other for years and he would have already said something if... She was just confusing looks of concern for appreciation.
She froze, stiffening in his arms. With her eyes shut tight, she couldn't see his expression. She stayed like that for what seemed like eternity as she realized he wasn't moving either. Then the heat that enveloped her disappeared as a hand landed atop her head, ruffling her blonde locks.
Her eyes snapped open as she saw her partner a few steps away with a smirk on his roguish features. She was so startled by his sudden withdrawal that she missed the shadows still present in his gaze.
"I'll tell you what, we'll call it even!" He bartered, smile friendly as his hands were shoved in his pockets. He watched how Lucy began to loosen up, her shoulders relaxing even as his fists clenched outside her view. He'd misread her after all, if her actions were anything to go by. He disregarded the heaviness in his bones as he attempted to brighten the mood once more. After all, his main objective was to comfort his best friend and he wouldn't allow himself to be sidetracked again.
She folded her arms over her stomach. "That sounds like a plan."
Natsu nodded before peeking out at the darkened sky. It was late and Happy would come looking for him soon. It was time for him to leave before things became strained once more. He could always figure out what was bothering the blonde at a later time – and besides, she really didn't seem as upset as before. He cut across her apartment until he was hovering by the triple panes, one hand on the window jam as he looked behind him.
"I'll see you tomorrow at the guild, Luce!" He called out and gave a quick salut before vaulting himself down to the street below. He glanced up to see the girl leaning out of her window sill and gave her another salute before sauntering down the road towards Fairy Tail.
Lucy waved back as she watched him go, her chin resting on a propped-up elbow. When the dragon slayer turned the corner, she let out a sigh she hadn't realized she was holding. She let herself wander backwards to her bed and dropped to her sheets, exhausted despite herself.
She stared at her ceiling, unseeing as she replayed the evening in her mind, bewildered by the turn of events and her roller coaster of emotions. She couldn't imagine a stranger day in recent history. Her relationship with Natsu had always been so easy, and despite her conflicted thoughts earlier, she knew she hadn't imagined the tension simmering in the air that night.
Little did she know that it was just the beginning.
Hello again everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you liked this most recent chapter! As a reminder, this story is shaping up to be around 10 installments and I'll let you know if that changes.
Now I just wanted to say thank you so much! I am completely overwhelmed by the initial support! As of right now, this story has nearly 30 favourites and 60 followers! I never expected such a reception; I do hope y'all continue to leave your comments and thoughts as we continue. As a writer, feedback is crucial to growth and is honestly huge motivational factor!
I also want to give a shout out to everyone who did review, as a guest or otherwise! Thank you again to those of you who signed off: Phantomsoul2015, Mhilano, Starsfire, YukiMC, Neverendingfairytail, Raelin Thaon, SuperSaiyanGodess, and alydragneel!
Out of curiosity, at what point in FT did y'all start shipping NaLu? It took me a little while, but there are a couple of concrete moments that made me think - yup, they're soulmates!
Lastly, because it came up a few times, I update once a week, usually on Fridays but feel free to add 'Boiling Point' to your alerts list if you would like to keep updated. Next, this story is rated M for a reason, so take that as you will ;)
Cheers,
Satyrykal