The AllAboutNalu Gift Exchange is back for 2024! Even if you participated last year, please read the rules again as changes have been made.
Thank you to the ever talented @kaleilaart for this years banner!
Timeline:
Sign ups open: September 20th to October 4th October 6th
Assignments sent: October 6th October 8th
Check ins: November 2nd and December 1st
Gifts due and posted: December 20th
Sign up here!
Rules and FAQ under read more!
Rules
This is a Nalu based event. Everything created for this exchange must focus on Natsu and Lucy, whether platonic or romantic.
For administration purposes, you must have a Tumblr account to participate and you must have DMs on so that the organisers can contact you. This simply makes contact and coordination easier.
NSFW fanworks or requests are not allowed as part of this event
If you find yourself unable to complete your gift or you wish to withdraw from the event, you must contact one of the organisers to ensure that your recipient receives a gift from someone else. Failure to do so will get you barred from any future allaboutnalu hosted gift exchanges.
If you change your url between sign up and the end of the gift exchange you must contact us to ensure we can keep track of our participants.
AI, stolen, or traced works are not allowed as part of this exchange.
Use of official art must be transformative. Manga colourings, edits, or gifsets are allowed but must be transformative and not traced or unedited.
Until you reveal your gift, please do not disclose who your gift recipient is in any public capacity (i.e. on social media or in any discord server with a public invite).
All gifts must be new and created for the event. Dedicating a new chapter to an already existing fic does not count as a gift.
All gifts must be created to a standard that you would normally consider as “finished”.
Do not deliberately break your recipients DNW (do not want) guidelines.
All gifts must be posted to Tumblr with your gift recipient tagged.
Remember that this is an event that prioritises giving rather than receiving. While we will do our best to ensure everyone receives a high-quality gift that meets their standards, there is only so much we can do beyond ensuring that everyone gets a gift.
While we aim to accept as many people who sign up to the event, signing up does not guarantee acceptance into the exchange. If you were found in violation of any of the rules in the 2023 event, have your tumblr dms closed, or are otherwise non-contactable by the assignment period, you will be unable to participate in the exchange.
Please be sure to thank your gifter after you have received your gift.
Be respectful.
To ensure you have read and understood the rules, please write the code word aquarius in the notes section of the first page of the sign up form. This lets us know that you have read the rules in their entirety and forms submitted without this will be disregarded.
Have fun!
FAQ
I won’t be able to complete my gift/I need to withdraw/I have changed my url/I need to contact the organisers for any other reason. Who do I contact?
Please send a dm to @allaboutnalu or @tokkias to discuss your situation.
I’ve been allocated to create a gift for someone I don’t like, can this be changed?
Allaboutnalu aims to be a neutral zone and we encourage you to create a gift for your initially assigned recipient. If for some reason you feel you cannot create a gift to a high-quality standard for your allocated recipient, please reach out and we will try to reallocate you.
I was not given my assignment on the assignment date
While we aim to accept as many sign ups as possible, they do not guarantee participation in the event. Reasons for non-allocation are outlined in the rules. These are in place to ensure that administrative issues from the 2023 event are not repeated. If you think we have made a mistake then you are more than welcome to reach out via dms and we will see what we can do.
Is dark/violent content allowed?
Yes, but within reason. If your recipient has specified that they do not want to receive this type of content, please be mindful of that. Please also be mindful of tagging any potentially triggering content in your gifts.
What do I do if I need to contact my gift recipient before the gift reveal dates?
Please reach out to allaboutnalu through dms so we can contact your recipient on your behalf. Please do not contact your recipient via anonymous asks.
Can I give more than one gift?
One gift is the minimum. If you want to make more than one you are more than welcome. If you enjoy making gifts, we recommend you sign up as a pinch hitter.
My question wasn’t answered here
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Hi @inkperch I’m your secret santa! Heres a little ficlet for you!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
If you dont have ao3
Holiday season
A chill had crept through the window wrapping around the room, but she was warm. Under the covers snuggled tightly between a blue cat and a pink dragon, she felt warm inside and out. Slowly though she opened her eyes, and so did they. Leaving the solace of the pillows behind Some were ready for the new day, others, well mourned their morning cuddles.
——
“Natsu get up! And why are you in my bed!!! Happy you too!”
“So cold-“
“YOU DON'T GET COLD”
——
The morning of course started out perfectly hectic, it was that time of year of course, Christmas . And Lucy Heartfilia was a big fan. The bustle and taste of a perfect Christmastime breakfast was paid for by her two boys by their hands in the decorations she had pulled from boxes upon boxes.
—-
“No no no. The wreath goes on this way!”
“Its a circle!”
—-
“Lusheee there's a Creepy little man in the kitchen!!!”
“Thats Gnombert, he is a symbol of the history of Christmas. It could be said that his red hat represents the role fairytales played in the blending of pagan and church traditions which led to the creation of modern christmas ....(10 minutes later)… He is an important part of the Christmas tradition that has stood the test of time and left a real imprint on many people around the world.”
“Whatever he is, Get him ouuut!!!”
—-
“Lucy,Why are there lights on my scarf?”
“I love christmas lights!”
“ I love you”
“What?!”
“What?”
—
One by one each piece of the small apartment was transformed, turning it into a spectacular Christmas wonderland. As the noon bell rang the final pieces of the Christmas puzzle were completed.
——
“Ok so where do we put the maid ornament?”
“Why do we have that?!”
“Why wouldn't we have it?”
“touche”
“…tushie?”
——
“WHERE'S CANDY RUDOLPH?”
“ I *chew* have no *swallows* clue.”
“…i want you to know that you will never be aloud to set foot in my house ever again.”
____
“Awww look at the snowglo- is that a bear?”
“Fredrick the face biting bear!”
“I remember that guy!”
“Do i want to know?”
——-
As each ruby and gold ornament came out, followed by dozens of hand made and given ones; they giggled at the memories and stupid joy of their stories.
——
“ look at this one is us! It has to go on top!”
“Its us as fish, Happy! Put it in the back”
“But we looked so tast-cute!”
“Fine second row.”
“Yay!”
——
“ look its the paw print one I made!”
“ why Doe It look so funky…”
“LUSHE NATSU’S BEING MEAN”
“Natsu dont be mean to the baby”
“Yeah Natsu don't be mean to the bab- ……WAHHHH YOUR BOTH TERRIBLE.”
——
Finally the last piece of their holiday preparations fell into place.
——
We should put the dragon on the top!”
“The star goes up there!”
“It can guard the star.”
“Well ok then”
“Can we put the tiger too?”
“Of course! The star needs Two super awesome bodyguards!”
——
“ok and Up you go!”
“NATSU”
“Put the star on lushee!”
——
Lucy lightly placed the star at the top of the glimmering evergreen. Looking down at her handwork from her throne on Natsu's shoulders, her heart soared, and she couldn’t help but giggle.
——
“What's so funny luce?”
“Nothing. I just love christmas!”
——
And so, as the day came to an end, little family in the apartment down on strawberry street giggled merrily as christmas had truly come.
Hi, @thisisfullofrandomfandoms ! I'm your NaLu Santa hoho! I hope you like it!
This is my first time joining @allaboutnalu gift exchange and I had so much fun! The promt "Natsu's dragon tendencies" had me giggling fr. I had many ideas, but I ended up drawing something related to "scent" because this one is just a canon nalu thing 🤧
Hello!! I’m here to present part one of my gift swap hosted by @allaboutnalu !!!
My recipient is @urazoidy !!! There’s more on the way, but I knew I needed some extra time, so for now, here’s this!!! Also, part two of my gift will follow the prompt I SWEAR!!! 🫶
This year I participated in my first ever Nalu gift exchange. Host by @allaboutnalu
I really hope @dragolover95 really enjoys this piece I made for them!
Hi dear @starswritewhispers i am your gift giver for the @allaboutnalu gift exchange! I hope you are having a good end of the year and will be happy with the contents of the gift i made for you!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/61491538
Is the work, though i will put it below in case you don't have a AO3 account!
Heaven will kill you
In the valleys of Edolas, there was a little mess made in the guild.
Natsu was a good driver, same couldn’t be said for Lucy, who had a knack for breaking everything within touch. Not to say Natsu didn’t try teaching her the ways of the streets, but honestly, Lucy was way better at talking, taking the lead and guiding, than she was at receiving instructions.
Currently, her relationship with Levy was doing better than ever, she was the trusted mechanic of the guild, and Lucy was the best at making plans and taking odd jobs, which put her in the eye of the storm.
As the guild master, she had a duty with her comrades, she behaved well now that she took the lead, not causing nearly as much damage or riots. She had gained confidence, even if Natsu saw that tender side of her that wanted her hair to grow, she never showed it outside of the comfort of her own home.
She barely spoke to him as of now, but they had to go for a little road trip, all for the guild’s sake, as they needed supplies for the sustenance of their teammates. Levy’s needs specifically, were pretty urgent and while Lucy had been oddly quiet and shy about asking for his help, saying she could go by herself to catch the deal, Levy was adamant of Natsu tagging along.
Lucy grumbled something on their way out, which sounded pretty similar to “I didn’t want to go with him” But he denied the thought. He was sure they had been friends from way back, since he joined the guild late, she had a closer relationship with everyone, but that didn’t exactly mean she hated being with him, at least that’s what he thought.
“Lucy… I” He began, as the confidence of taking his car with him made him feel better.
“Natsu, I need to secure the deal by noon, can we make it?”
“Ah! Yes, if I put all the speed I can make us arrive before 11 am!”
He was quite happy to be relied on, more so if it was about Lucy relying on him. He had always harbored this weird feeling, if it was for him, they would have been together by now, but out of his car, his confidence faded away, and was left with a messy personality and a stuttering speech for voice.
They made their way silently, as when Natsu turned the power on, he saw Lucy get right into her documents about the repairs that needed to be done. She had made the blueprints and had planned a lot for the city they were allocated, making many advancements during her reelection as Guild Master of the famous Fairy Tail.
Soon, as they reached the next city, Natsu began to slow down through the highways, he knew the way as the back of his palm, but he was careful not to make a mistake unknowingly and end up passing right through the correct exit.
They made it to the next growing guild of the countryside city. It was tiny, compared to the big one they had constructed in the main city of Edolas.
It was quite barren, but they were known for being a secretive and quiet association of crafters. They were the main supply chain they had from the days when the guilds were fully growing in Edolas. After the last king, however, they had disappeared, and entered a dormant state, that was the information they had and also the same that Lucy had recovered from the guild of informants a few days prior to the outing.
Fairy Tail needed the supply to continue, as they never fully relied on magic, but on mechanics, and as they were labeled as a guild, they were heavily persecuted for facilitating the life of people for low cost.
Lucy wanted, and Natsu too if they were to question him, to make a deal with them, to make gadgets and make a team with some of their people, and Levy, so they could both benefit from the exchange, Lucy would also take part in the making. One thing Levy would compliment her on was her creative strive.
Natsu looked at the new watch he had in his pocket, and looked like they were going to be in and out, as they arrived early.
That was completely wrong though.
Lucy got out late, really late, five hours in and she went out of the little conference room to take a breather from all the talking.
“We’re not going yet, book a hotel room for two, I’m sick and tired of their shit” She mumbled, as close to him as she could, not to be heard by the people on the other side of the room. Natsu tried hard not to blush, brushing his hair softly as her breath made her way into his neck.
“Okay” He managed to squeeze it out as a word and not as a stut.
They both went out of the guild and Lucy looked for something in her pockets. Natsu never knew she had pockets on her shirt, but he didn’t comment anything, as he feared being kicked again for looking at that place on her shirt.
Lucy took out a box of cigarettes, pressed unevenly against her body, making the slim but long tubes into wrinkly ones. She searched for her lighter and Natsu stood there baffled.
“What are you doing?”
He asked, completely put out by the sight.
“Smoking?”
She finally found the lighter and started trying to light the cig. Natsu put his hand on hers before the flame came out and made her lower the lighter. All of that without realizing he was actually touching her, of course, leather gloves on, but usually, just brushing against her made him really nervous.
“You shouldn’t”
“Hah…” She made a grin, sarcastic and mean, raising her eyebrows at him. “You better go book room if you don’t want me kicking your ass right here”
Natsu frowned, but let go, and turned his back on her to head to the nearest inn.
He was mad, so mad. He didn’t know she was down in a vicious addiction? He knew she was stressed, but a cigarette wouldn’t help! It would bring more problems in the long run!
He took the keys to the room and headed out without looking properly, after all, he trusted the innkeeper to know better, they were obviously not a couple, and if they were, Natsu would perhaps have more will to say anything about her smoking, or hell, even her drinking habits. Thought the last one was a bit better right after she became the Guild Master
When she came out once again, Natsu was begrudgingly waiting for her out of the guild’s doors.
Lucy patted his shoulder and started walking. Natsu sighed, How would she know which direction to go?
As she was going to take a wrong turn, he took bravery on his side and stretched his hand towards her own.
“This way” He said, quietly into the poorly light streets.
If Lucy cared or not about it, he didn’t check, eyes on the prize, he was on a mission to get her some sleep at the inn.
Arriving at the place, Lucy extended her free hand, asking for the key, impassive, cold face.
She didn’t look all that mad, but it was weird how silent she was.
“Oh, right. Sorry” He let go of her hand, and searched for the keys in his pockets. Again, eyes on the prize, not focused at all in reading that soft grin she had on her pretty little lips.
Then they entered the room and Lucy crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Y’know, i was wondering what got you so brave today”
“Huh?”
Natsu entered behind her and blushed to the core.
“It wasn’t intentional!!” He said loudly. “I am sure I told them to book a room for two!”
“Well, this IS a room for two.”
She sighed and covered her forehead with her hand. One bed.
“Take a shower Natsu, I’m going after, so be quick”.
Natsu’s heart was beating hard, What did that mean? What did that MEAN?
He took the quickest and most careful shower he could in five minutes. Lucy was sitting on the bed, rereading the documents.
“You didn’t tell me what came off the deal” He mumbled as he got closer to her, all while drying his hair softly.
“Well, they agreed, but we also have to provide assistance in getting materials.”
“Oh…” She lifted her head and finally looked at him, he looked away.
“I was thinking I could sleep in the car, but you wouldn’t like that, right?” She ignored his shyness.
“Wh-? What do you mean?” He frowned, a little confused.
“We’re not kids to be sleeping on the same bed, Natsu.” Her eyebrow rose again, and Natsu, this time only, found it quite weird, it wasn’t the usual aggression, but a little nervous. He, who had always been looking quietly at her, noticed in an instant.
“So, sleeping in the same room makes you nervous?”
“What?” She said, baffled at the response. He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“That’s it, isn’t it, you don’t trust me anymore”
“What are you even talking about?”
“You’re right, I’ll better sleep in the car.”
Natsu had a really uncomfortable night. But he managed to sleep.
Lucy woke him at sunrise, he checked his watch, 7:30 AM. She must have been really mad to sleep, he figured, as he saw bags under her eyes.
They said goodbye to the guild master and a few members and went on their way back.
Silently, Natsu looked at the road, and Lucy tried to look at the scenery.
Natsu would steal looks at her, which was how he knew she wasn’t actually looking at the scenery, but trying hard not to fall asleep.
When she finally fell asleep, Natsu slowed down to avoid the holes in the street, and make it a comfortable ride home. They weren’t in a hurry, and they had secured the deal. Natsu thought it was fine to take a little longer.
“Natsu…?”
She opened her eyes slowly and sat straight, realizing she had fallen asleep while laying on the window frame.
“What time is it?”
She asked, and realized the car was not moving.
Then she realized Natsu wasn’t there.
Feeling left out, she left the car with a frown on her face and her ears ringing. If she didn’t know better than to hide her current emotion, she would have been blushing in disbelief.
Natsu was looking at her from the shop window on the other side of the street. He had parked on the road to get a coffee, thinking she wouldn’t wake up yet.
He saw her look around and then at him. She crossed the street, with that way of walking of hers, so stunningly, maddening, endangering, alluringly beautiful.
“What are you doing?”
She almost howled at him this time, Natsu shrugged.
“Drinking coffee.”
“You’ve gotten really good at making comebacks, haven’t you. Let’s go, we don’t have time for this!” She took his arm and started pulling him closer to the car “We should have arrived by now.”
“Well- Why are you so hurried?”
“Because!”
“Yeah?”
She turned to look at him, exasperated.
“Being together with you makes me weird!”
“What?”
“Don’t you think so too?” She had this crazed look on her eyes “Forget it, let’s go.”
She sat in the passenger seat and Natsu took the steering wheel again. He was tired.
Lucy was bouncing her leg up and down, making Natsu unusually nervous inside the car.
“Can you stop that?”
“Oh fuck off”
He pushed the brakes hard, and his hands clasped the steering wheel.
“What’s going on Lucy?”
She avoided his eyes, he knew he had said it too softly, which usually made her laugh at his weakness, but this time, she looked embarrassed.
“Nothin’.”
“It’s not ‘Nothing’ Lucy, did I make you uncomfortable? Did I mess up somewhere along the way?”
“No! It’s… It’s not you”
“You said I make you weird.”
“I said you make me ‘feel’ weird.”
She was looking at him again, but he was too mad.
“So you don’t like being alone with me, got it.”
“That’s not–!”
“Then explain it to me Lucy!”
He looked back at the road, he had improvised and parked at the side of the road, no one was going through at that time of day though.
“I– I would if I knew.” She looked down, Natsu was so confused, he could somewhat hear her heartbeat, because his heart was as steady as he never had in front of her.
Natsu left the car immediately after turning it off, walked all the way to the other side and opened the door, really fast and carelessly.
But he saw what he wanted to see, Lucy’s stunned face, blushing heavily and trying to look away.
Natsu took the courage he never had outside the car.
“Look at me. Does this feel uncomfortable?”
He leaned into her, looking at her eyes and breathing the same air as her.
“I don’t know what you–”
“Answer me” He put his hands on her seat, still looking into her eyes. “Do I really make you weirdly uncomfortable, or is it weird that you want to be closer?”
“I–”
The sun was starting to blaring hot as they tried to talk things out. It was, maybe, working to Natsu’s advantage, as Lucy blushed furiously and covered, or tried to, cover her face with her arms.
“Lucy, tell me. Please”
“I don’t dislike you.”
“Then you like me.”
Lucy looked on the verge of tears. As she bit her lip and looked down.
Natsu, rebellious as he was being right now, thought about Earthland Natsu, and thought “Could it be, we’re actually more similar than i thought”.
He kissed her.
Softly, slowly, moving on instinct. His hands on her chin, pulling her closer, then he felt little, rough and shy hands make their way into hugging his neck.
He didn’t know what heaven was, but if it was something similar to this, he would gladly die on the spot.
This is my gift for the talented @astral-fairyy as part of @allaboutnalu 's Nalu Gift Exchange 2024! Their request was for something that starts with angst, ends with fluff, takes place in the canon universe, & preferably within the 1-year time skip between the Alvarez War and 100yq.
I wrote a short fic based on this prompt & created audio for it with narration & music from the FT ost.
This was a lot of fun to make. I hope you enjoy it!!!
Please Come Home
Summary:
Things are finally back to normal in Magnolia, and Lucy is hard at work writing her novel. There’s just one problem: she is plagued by nightmares about the Alvarez war. In her dreams, she fails to rewrite the book of E.N.D. and is forced to watch Natsu disappear. To make matters worse, in her waking life, Natsu and Happy have run off on a job without her. Just when will this nightmare end?
I'm your "secret Santa" for the NaLu gift exchange this year! ❤️
I personally love fluffy and romantic stuff so your request was perfect 🥹. I hope I made it justice. Have a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate) and an amazing 2025! 🎉
Thanks to @allaboutnalu for hosting this event! I'm happy to have been able to participate and draw them again like I used to.
Happy Holidays to @fairylight-art , my gift-ee (???). Your requests were sweet and totally up my alley, hope I did them justice! (Hope you don't mind Happy either)✨ My favorite part was doing the line art and giving the shading pizzaz. Thanks again for @allaboutnalu for hosting this event. This is literally the only NaLu event you can count on me joining other than the literal NaLu Day 😞.
Here is my entry for the nalu Gift Exchange by @allaboutnalu . I have the honour to make a gift for the lovely Kaleilaart. It is my first time joining this event, so I'm very glad to participate in it!
.
Kaleilaart art is so beautiful! She does traditional art a lot, and all of her work looks amazing with the variety of mediums she uses. She is also the one who made the banner for this event hihi. I HOPE YOU LOVE MY GIFT 😆😆😆
This masterpiece is a combination little pinch of Angst/Fluff and Fantasy/Fae AU. When I got the prompt, I don't know which one to select, so why not combine them haha. Making this gift was so much fun, and I put a lot of effort into making it.
A manga coloring of Lucy Heartfilia hugging Natsu Dragneel's back from chapter 337 of Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima, my gift for @insert-favorite-fandom-here as part of the @allaboutnalu gift exchange! The prompt was "angst with comfort", so I thought what better scene than this one?
I decided to get a bit original with the background, it's a bit amateur hour but I figured there are likely bunches of manga colorings of this iconic scene so I wanted the gift to be unique in some way.
Happy Holidays to @insert-favorite-fandom-here and everyone else participating in the NaLu gift exchange, especially to @allaboutnalu for hosting it! Thank you so much for all your hard work!
A bonus version under the cut, cw for flashing lights:
A gif version of the first image, with rising then falling light orbs/snow overlayed on the still image.
this fic was written for @natsudragneelswh0re for the @allaboutnalu 2024 gift exchange !!
hi hannah!! im your secret santa, omg surprise!!! i tried to follow the fake dating, one bed, and general tooth-rotting sweet fluffinesss prompts (and also found from a mutual friend [shout out lauren] ur general fic tastes) so i hope you love this!! happy holidays, i hope you enjoy your gift aaaaaa
fic below cut
Lucy was really starting to question Natsu’s–and maybe her own– sanity as her eyes trailed over the rustic-styled lodge and the various frat brothers and their dates who were grabbing keys from Loke. She leaned up on her tiptoes, angling her head to shield her lips as she pressed them against the pink-haired man’s ears, voice dripping with syrupy sweetness.
“I’m going to kill you,” she murmured, for what had to be the hundredth time of the night. “This was supposed to be one date.”
“It wasn’t me who forgot that my friends were dating my fake date’s brothers, was it?” Natsu hissed back, faux smile gleaming on his face as his hand easily wrapped around her waist. “Not on me, this time, princess.”
“For once,” she grumbled, settling back down on flat feet to send a quick glower up at her best friend. “I swear–”
“Trouble in paradise?” Loke’s chipper voice cut her off, an all too knowing smirk playing at his lips. “How odd for such a happy couple.”
“We’re fine, mane for brains,” Lucy didn’t even want to begin to try and understand what Natsu meant by that. “Thanks for checkin though.”
“Always a pleasure,” Loke grinned, bright eyes drifting to Lucy. “If you ever wnat to spend time with a real fairytail man, let me know, Luce?”
“I will beat your ass,”
“Oh, I’m sure,”
“Boys, boys,” Lucy cut them off, rolling her eyes as she stepped in-between them. “You’re both pretty, now can we get our room key?” Loke snickered at her words, but easily opened his fist, dropping the key into her waiting palm.
“Sorry, but you two are sharing a queen bed,” Loke began, with a grin that didn’t seem the least bit apologetic. “All the remaining kings were booked so hope you two are cuddly.”
“I’m telling Aries you cried during Finding Nemo,” Lucy threatened, folding her arms over her chest. “And showing her photographic evidence.”
“Girls love a man who is in turn with his emotions,” Loke waved a hand, turning back to his own group. “Have a fun night, you two.”
“I’m seriously going to kill him,” Natsu grumbled, shaking his head. “I’m sorry about that, are ya sure you’re good sharing?”
“Nothing to do about it now,” Lucy mumbled, turning to walk up the stairs. “It’ll be fine, just like freshman year sleepovers.”
“You kicked me onto the floor during those, if I remember right,” Natsu teased, following her. “Usually, quite harshly.”
“Shouldn't have hogged the blankets, then.”
“Hogged?” Natsu placed a hand over his chest and Lucy scoffed, shaking her head. “You wound me with your falsities, woman.”
“Studying Shakespeare in Lit?” Lucy guessed, coming to a stop outside of their room and bending down to slot the key in. “You forgive him yet?”
“No, this shit is ass,” Natsu groaned, a light thud sounding from where he had let his head slam into the wooden door. “I don’t understand half of what he’s saying and Mavis dating my brother can only carry my grade so far.”
“It shouldn’t carry it at all,” she countered, pushing the door open and snickering at Natsu’s startled yelp. “You’re lucky she hasn’t failed you.”
“Shakespeare’s lucky he was born in a time before me or I’d kick his ass,” Lucy didn’t bother to dignity his retort with a response other than a mocking scoff as she walked over to flip the light switch on. “Oh.”
“Fuck me,” Lucy groaned, glancing over the small room. In any other time, she would’ve used the term cozy but when she’d be sharing it with her best friend that she idiotically agreed to fake-date despite being in love with the fool for the past two years claustrophobic would probably be the better choice. “I’m going to give Aries a list of Loke’s roster.”
“Hey!” Natsu protested, ever the loyal frat brother. “She’s different–”
“I know, idiot,” Lucy dragged a hand down her face. “I’m just joking and pissed off.” She turned back to Natsu, blinking at the strange expression that passed over his face. “You good, Natsu?”
“Yeah, of course, it’s just–” he cut himself off with a laugh that sounded almost sheepish, shaking his head. “Nothing.”
“Now I know it’s not nothing,” she walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge to stare up at him. If anything, he grew more nervous, his adam apple bobbing as he swallowed. “Seriously, Natsu, what’s up?”
“Nothing, Luce,” he put his hands up in a mock placating manner. “Just don’t want to know how much shit Loke has planned.” He added, walking over to her to sit beside her.
“He’s really suspicious, huh?” She sighed, folding one ankle over the other. “I guess because we’ve been friends for so long.”
“Shouldn’t that make him less suspicious?” Natsu argued, gaze locked on his hands as he spoke. “I mean, friends fall in love all the time, right?” Lucy tensed, forcing the panging feeling in the chest to subside before she answered. Natsu had never been the best at understanding emotions and he was always far from cruel–he had no way of knowing just how close to the truth he was.
“Yeah, but usually they make a move,” she pointed out, bumping her shoulder against his. “Loke’s probably convinced one of us would’ve said something years ago and that’s why he thinks you’re cheating your way out of the bet–” she shrugged, forcing a smile over her lips. “Which, I mean, you are–”
“Would you?” Natsu cut her off, finally tearing his eyes from where he’d been focused on his hands before. “Tell a friend, I mean.” Another oddly sheepish laugh fell from his lips. “If you loved them.”
Lucy swallowed, ignoring the ache in her heart. “I mean, it depends, I guess?” She fell back onto the bed, letting her head hit the softness of the plush pillow and tried not to wonder if Natsu would still smell of smoke and sandalwood–the way he did during their freshman year sleepovers whenever he’d tangle their legs together in the night before she’d push him out of her bed, before she had realized her feelings and stopped inviting him–or if giving into the cliche was worth it to build a pillow wall.
“On what?” Natsu’s uncharacteristically soft voice was followed by the soft sound of his head hitting the pillow next to her own and she tilted her head, a faint blushing spreading over her cheeks at the near non-existent distance.
“On the friend and our dynamic,” he nodded as she spoke, a pink strand curling over his forehead in an absurdly adorable way. “If I was willing to lose them, if it’d ruin what we have.” If you’d run away screaming, she added, watching the way Natsu’s forehead crinkled in thought.
“Sounds like ya think about it a lot,” Natsu murmured, a soft, nervous, smile playing at his lips. “Anyone in particular?”
“You’re the one asking all the questions,” Lucy reminded him, forcing an easy laugh to tumble from her lips. “Should I be wondering if you’re considering confessing to anyone anytime soon?” She regretted the words the second they left her lips, wished she could reach into the air and gag them back down her throat. She hated herself for uttering them the second a blush as pink as Natsu’s dyed hair spread over his cheeks and a smile so endearing she could feel the yearning in her chest turn to something sharp and green tinged.
“I–” Natsu swallowed, his usual cocky swagger seeming to fail him. “You have to promise not to hate me?”
“Is it someone I don’t like?” Lucy guessed, ignoring the sinking feeling twisting within her gut. “I don’t even think there is a girl I don’t like–is there–or is it like my cousin or–”
“Lucy,” Natsu cut off her rambling, his eyes momentarily dropping her own to glance down at her lips before slowly trailing back up. “If you don’t want this, I really need you to tell me now.”
Lucy could feel the dangerous glimmer of hope grow to a wildfire as she swallowed, forcing the words to slip off her tongue. “Want what?” Again, Natsu’s eyes drifted down to her lips, his tongue darting out to wet his own. “Natsu?” Anything else she considered saying was silenced by the soft feel of Natsu’s lips pressing against her own, and honestly, she didn’t feel like talking much after that, anyway.
Lucy practically melted into the kiss, letting her eyes flutter shut as she tangled her fingers in silky, smoke-scented pink, feeling Natsu’s hand wrap around her waist before tugging her closer, a relieved sigh slipping in the space between them. The books she had always gushed to Levy about were wrong about what kissing someone you love was really like, they were so wrong because it was so much better than anything anyone could put in writing. When they finally broke apart, a slightly dumb-struck, dopey grin was painted over Natsu’s face, one Lucy was sure matched the one on her own.
“If that was just for the bet I’m–” she cut herself off with her own shriek as a pillow slammed into her head. “Natsu–” she squealed, raising her arms up to defend herself from the sudden pillow onslaught.
“Don’t ever insult yourself like that again,” he grumbled, holding himself up by one elbow. “Obviously, I like you, I have for years.” Lucy could feel warmth spread over her cheeks, but she was too distracted by being consumed by the warmth within her to care much about her blush.
“Say that again?”
“For years?” Natsu repeated, his usual shit-eating grin back at home on his face. “Weird request, princess.”
“Not that part.”
“I like you,” he said, a warm smile replacing his grin as he ducked his head down, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. “I like you so much,” her other cheek, “It’s embarrassing,” he added, pressing his lips against her forehead. “Couldn’t even be mad at Loke because I finally had an excuse to try and make a move.”
“You could’ve always made a move, idiot,” Lucy’s words were laced in an almost sickening fondness as she grinned up at him, half-waiting to hear the blaring of her alarm clock. “Clearly, it would’ve worked.”
“Well, I see that now,” Natsu teased, rolling his eyes. “But, like you said,” he shrugged, pulling her even closer. “Didn’t want to risk losing you.”
“You have me,” she muttered, pressing a kiss to his chest before burying her face against it. “As a best friend and–”
“My girlfriend?” Natsu cut her off, excitement working its way into his tone. “Well, both, but–”
“Both, yes,” it was Lucy’s turn to cut him off, a wide grin spreading over her features. “You have me as both.”
“Forever,” Natsu mused into her hair, his smile evident in his tone. A moment of comfortable silence passed before he spoke again, something akin to dread in his voice. “We have Loke to thank for this.”
“He can never know,” Lucy wasn’t sure if she had ever spoken so fast in her life. “We stick with our old story.”
“Agreed.”
Even if they did have Loke’s stupid bet to thank for them finally getting their shit together, Lucy would never be another reason that man’s ego grew faster than the Grinch’s heart.
