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Lucy couldn't say she knew for sure who'd begun the argument originally. Honestly, she didn't really care who had started it. What she did care about was the fact that her partner was currently completely and utterly wasted, and she was pretty sure it was a tie between Cana and Elfman who'd given Gray and Natsu the idea that a drinking contest would be the best way to settle it.
At least they weren't destroying the guildhall.
"Hold my scarf!" Natsu ordered, shoving the scaled material into his friend's arms. Lucy wasn't the only one who gawked at him for it. This was Natsu Dragneel, after all, and that scarf rarely left his body, whether it be wrapped around his neck or tied around his head. It only came off by accident during a fight, or if he was bathing. Even then, his attention never really diverted from it until it was back where it belonged.
The fact that he'd handed it over to someone else, even if that person was Lucy…well. They were all beginning to get a little worried.
Deciding it was a bad sign of what might happen in the future as Natsu downed another drink, Erza elected to come and sit beside him, eyeing the empty mugs lined up. Lucy had lost count of them a while ago, though she worried her partner might suffer from alcohol poisoning if he kept it up.
Mirajane, who reluctantly handed over another mug of ale to each of the pair involved, smiled faintly at the bewildered celestial mage. "Here," she murmured, shoving the tray she'd been using into Lucy's hands. She took the scarf and gently wrapped it around Lucy's throat, ignoring the harsh glare that was suddenly turned onto her the moment Mirajane had touched it.
"He's got a sixth sense when it comes to this thing," muttered Lucy as Mirajane patted it down. Mirajane murmured her agreement as she took the tray back and returned to the bar. At least Happy had gone off with Wendy and Charle. She'd have been even more annoyed by his teasing remarks.
As soon as his scarf was safe and secure on his person of choice, Natsu turned his attention back onto Gray and the challenge at hand. Juvia hovered anxiously beside Gray, biting her lip as she stammered, "P-perhaps it's time to call it quits?"
"Juvia's right," said Erza despite the groans of protests from those witnessing the contest. "You two rarely drink as it is."
Cana, hugging an entire barrel of ale to her chest further down the table, threw her head back with a laugh and purred, "C'mon Erza, let 'em have some fun." The guild echoed her with cheers, which had Lucy rolling her eyes.
Strongest guild or not, Fairy Tail was still full of idiots, even all these years later.
Gray shrugged Juvia off with a taunting grin. "You really think you can go another round, pyro?" He curled his hand around his fresh mug, eyes sparkling yet distant. Gray was definitely a lot drunker than he usually got.
"I know I can, frostbite," mocked Natsu.
Nervous, Juvia tried to reason with them. "Gray, darling, perhaps it's best if you don't."
"I'm with Juvia and Erza," said Lucy firmly. The last thing she wanted was a completely blackout drunk Natsu to deal with. She wished Happy was there to forcefully fly him out of the guildhall, but he'd gone away with Charle and Wendy to visit Chelia in Hargeon. Then again, maybe that was for the best, since the last thing Lucy wanted was Happy teasing her over the scarf situation.
"Natsu," Lucy tried, shaking his shoulder lightly. He flashed her a bright smile, his cheeks red from the alcohol. "Come on, it's time for you to stop. You've had enough. Why don't you–" She cut off with a shriek of surprise when he suddenly leaped to his feet, slipped an arm around her waist, and hoisted her into the air as he jumped onto the table. The ale they'd been drinking went everywhere, splashing Gray, who immediately glowered at him for it. "Put me down!"
"Never!" he crowed proudly, arm tightening around her playfully.
"Erza!"
"Natsu," Erza said darkly, "put Lucy down. Immediately."
He cackled. "Never!"
Now he's just asking for it, Lucy thought with desperation. She was horrified when Gray hauled himself up onto the table, too, scowling as he said, "They said to put her down, stupid!"
Natsu studied Gray for a heartbeat before lifting his foot, planting it in Gray's chest, and giving a hard shove that sent him tumbling right off the table. "Go play with Erza," he laughed when Gray tumbled into Erza, sending them both sprawling. Erza squealed at the surprise, drawing stunned silence from everyone who'd been laughing.
When Erza sat up, there was a dark air about her. "Natsu," she gritted out furiously.
Natsu muttered a soft curse that made Lucy snort. At least it did the trick; he set her down and hastily tore off for the guildhall doors, eager to escape. As soon as she was free, Lucy fled for the safety that was Levy's quiet corner. She'd been watching from a distance, book in hand. Gajeel had taken shelter there, too, not wanting to be dragged into the chaos, which meant Lily was there, too.
Levy giggled as Lucy threw herself into a chair, eyes round as she watched her partner run circles around Erza, who continuously tried to grab him. "You're safe here, Lu," she laughed, setting her book aside. "Are you okay?"
"As fine as you can be after being dragged onto a table and tossed around a bit." Lucy huffed, fumbling with the scarf's end. "I might need help getting him–" She broke off when Erza suddenly succeeded in her mission, diving for Natsu. She hit the floor on her stomach, but managed to take hold of his ankle in the process. They all winced when she spun and hurled him across the guildhall as hard as she could. Natsu yelped. He scrambled to his feet, seeming to shake it off, and made a beeline for their table, as if he thought it'd be safer there.
"Time to get the fuck outta here," muttered Gajeel, immediately launching himself to his feet. He didn't hesitate to tuck Lily under his arm and grab Levy by the wrist, towing her from her place at the table. Levy barely managed to keep a hold of her book as she went.
"Come back," whimpered Lucy as Levy waved a farewell, grinning.
"Good luck, Lu!" Levy called back.
Lucy sighed as Levy vanished through the doors. "How am I supposed to get him home?" she complained aloud as Natsu realized Erza was storming after him, furious that she'd fallen, and detoured. She was relieved as he sprinted for the bar instead. She wouldn't be dragged back into the chaos – for now, at least.
Much of the guild was quick to leave as Erza's irritation grew. Juvia succeeded in dragging Gray out eventually, after a brief interlude in which he nearly got into another fight with Natsu. It was only after Erza felt satisfied with her punishment (which Lucy would never repeat aloud as to what it was, seeing as she didn't want to endure the same thing), that Natsu finally simmered down.
Mostly.
"My scarf," Natsu said, standing in the center of the guildhall. A panicked look formed on his face as his hands desperately sought the scaled scarf that was usually thrown around his neck. "Where's my scarf?!"
Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose and yelled back, "Over here, Natsu!" He snapped his attention to her, and Lucy held the end of the scarf up. He scurried over immediately, relieved. "It's right here," she reassured as he came to stand beside her. "You gave it to me, remember? To keep it safe while you paraded your ridiculousness around the guildhall–"
Natsu thoughtfully touched the end she held up, relaxing. Lucy eyed him warily when he suddenly stepped back and swept his gaze up and down her body, as if judging something. He rocked back on his heels when he was finished, giving her a lazy, toothy grin. "Looks good on you," he complimented.
Lucy's face flushed a bright red as she stammered, "T-time to go home. You don't know what you're saying–"
"No." Natsu crossed his arms and dropped straight into the chair Levy had occupied not long ago. He pouted, lower lip jutting out like an upset toddler. Smoke rose around him in warning.
"Natsu," whispered Lucy pleadingly when Erza turned a suspicious, narrow-eyed look on him, waiting to see what he did and if she needed to get involved again. "Please stop. Don't you want to go home?" He refused, rejecting that, and she tried to trick him to see if it would work. "You told me you were tired. Don't you remember telling me you were tired?"
She could have cried when he denied her again. "No, I didn't."
Lucy ran a hand through her golden hair, frustrated. She was trying to puzzle out how to convince him to at least go back to her apartment and crash on her couch when he suddenly gave her the biggest smile. Immediately, Lucy was suspicious. He only smiled like that when he was up to something. "I'll go home if you do something for me."
Lucy, eager to get him home as soon as possible, made the mistake of falling for it. "Anything."
She regretted that immediately.
"KISS ME!" Natsu shouted at the top of his lungs, recapturing everyone's attention as he happily rocked his chair back.
There was a beat of silence, and then Erza slowly turned around again with a dangerous expression on her face. Lucy's face turned a bright scarlet color, and she tried to shush him, but it did her no good as he repeated it a few more times, as if screaming it to the world would get him what he wanted.
"Natsu," pleaded Lucy, covering his mouth with her hands. "Natsu, stop. Before Erza kills us both!" She was fairly certain that Natsu's hangover would be a lot easier to fix then their deaths by Erza's foot.
A sharp pain in her palm made her reel back with a squeal. "You bit me!"
He beamed at her with those sharp teeth of his and only smiled wider when a shadow fell over them. "Erza!" he cheered, smiling up at the requip mage as if he'd done nothing wrong whatsoever.
Erza glared piercingly at the terrified Lucy. "Get him home. Now."
"Yes, ma'am," squeaked Lucy, tugging the scarf she wore from her face. "Natsu, come on–"
"No," Natsu said, making himself more comfortable in his seat despite the deadly look on Erza's face. "You didn't give me a kiss, Lucy."
Purely out of exasperation with her partner, Lucy threw her hands up and said, "And I'm not going to, Natsu. Ask me again when you're sober, and then we can talk." She regretted the words as soon as they popped out of her mouth – mostly because Cana whooped and several others applauded or cheered. Face a bright red, she hissed, "If you get up and come with me, you can sleep on my couch tonight."
Natsu considered the offer before bouncing to his feet. He said nothing about agreeing, but Lucy presumed he'd decided it was a reasonable offer, simply because he threw an arm around her shoulders and leaned heavily on her but allowed her to bid everyone farewell and start for the door.
"Why are we going to your place, Luce?" he asked.
Lucy sighed. "Your place is too far and I'm not leaving you to roam the town alone." She began towing him towards the doors.
Natsu squinted thoughtfully at her, considering. "...are you gonna take advantage of me, Lucy?!" he gasped.
Unfortunately for Lucy, they'd been right beside Cana when he'd said it. Cana spewed a mouthful of ale, coughing and hacking past the grin that broke free on her face. Lucy threw her a warning glare. "Out," hissed Lucy. "Out."
She thought Natsu might have looked disappointed.
By the time they reached Lucy's apartment, she was ready to scream. Natsu refused to go in the normal way, insisting on clambering through the window for some reason. She was relieved he was relatively unharmed outside of a small scrape when she opened the front door and found him wandering towards the–
"No," she said darkly. "You are not eating all my food, Natsu Dragneel." She grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around before he could reach her refrigerator, and shoved him towards the sofa. "Sit down," she huffed as he protested. "I'll get you something to eat."
As she pushed him, he craned his head over his shoulder and frowned. "Promise?"
"Yes. Now, sit." She waited until he was on the sofa to turn back for her kitchen. She'd not even reached the kitchen before he was trailing after her again. As she went about making him a sandwich, he watched her intently, confusingly serious about the matter. He watched as if her process of making a sandwich was the most interesting thing in the world.
Rolling her eyes, Lucy focused on what she was doing. Maybe if she got him fed, he'd go to bed and this nightmare would end. When she was done, she pushed the plate at him, and Natsu beamed, eyes gleaming with sincerity when he declared, "Thank you! You make the best food, Lucy."
She fought down the flush that threatened to bloom to life. "Thank you," she echoed. "Now sit down and eat your food."
He hummed and took a bite of his sandwich, wandering back to the sofa. Shaking her head, Lucy trailed after him. She grabbed her book as she went, deciding to curl up in the corner of her sofa and watch over him until he fell asleep.
Lucy had but a few minutes of peace before Natsu had finished his sandwich and was back to harassing her. Lucy wasn't even sure how he did it, but he managed to weasel his way between her and her book, demanding, "What are you reading?"
She spluttered, reeling back. He was so damn close. "My book," she snapped. "Lay down already!"
Natsu pouted, but left her alone. He hopped up from her sofa and wandered away, disappearing into her restroom. Lucy settled down, eyeing the entryway with suspicion. Eventually, she decided it was safe to focus back on her book. She rested her cheek on her fist, eyes scanning a few pages.
She made it through a handful before Natsu broke the silence again, chirping, "I love your bed, Lucy. It's so soft."
"Oh, hell no." Lucy shot up from her sofa, forgetting her book entirely. She was horrified to find Natsu face down in her bed, hugging her pillow and burying his face in her blankets. "You're not sleeping in my bed, Natsu! That's where I want to sleep tonight!" He ignored her, merely laughing into the blankets, and Lucy stomped towards the bed to try and haul him out of it. "Never again," she said darkly. "Never again will I – get out of my bed already!"
He peeked up at her with a sly cheshire grin. "I'll move if you kiss me," he nearly purred, and Lucy's face turned scarlet. Her reaction drew delighted laughter from him, as if he'd been hoping for it.
"Natsu," she complained. "Please?" When he didn't move, she threw her hands up. To hell with it. She gave up. She'd made it work before when he'd crawled into her bed; she'd make it work this time, too.
Natsu looked delighted by the admission of defeat. He scooted over in the bed, leaving plenty of room for Lucy. Lucy thought it likely had something to do with the fact that he never actually got permission to stay in her bed. He usually had to sneak in when she was asleep.
Not that it really bothered her. She was fairly certain he knew as well as she did that Lucy even enjoyed waking up to the protective warmth surrounding her, reassuring her that she was safe. Not that drunk Natsu needed to remember that right now.
Lucy crawled into bed, hoping that the scarf she wore wouldn't strangle her in her sleep. Almost as quickly as she snuggled under the blankets after switching off her lamp, her wild partner had curled himself around her, happily burying his face in her blonde hair. "My Lucy," he practically purred.
Lucy reached back to gently push his head away, her heart aching. "Not your Lucy," she reminded him, admittedly wishing otherwise.
Natsu shushed her. "Thank you for the food." His words seemed just slightly slurred, as if he was beginning to doze off. "Delicious," was the only word she got out of the rest of his sentence. She didn't really hear much else after he pressed a sloppy kiss to her cheek in gratitude.
She really should have scolded him, but Lucy only snuggled closer, knowing that when morning came, things would go back to the way things always were.
"Kill me now," moaned Natsu the next morning, ignoring the glass of water his partner set before him. He cradled his head in his hands. "It hurts. I want Wendy."
"I'm not letting Wendy anywhere near you," Lucy told him sternly, even as a smile threatened to break out over her lips. "You got yourself into this situation, and you're going to suffer the consequences. I hope Gray's in as bad a state as you are."
Natsu peered up at her between his fingers, giving her a half-hearted glare. "Lucy…"
Lucy laughed softly and affectionately touched his shoulder. "Alright, alright. I'll get you something for your head. Stay here."
She was in the midst of searching her cabinet when Natsu's panicked voice cried, "LUCY!" It made her jump, slamming her head into the cabinet she'd been digging through. She yelped, clutching the spot. She peeked her head out, glaring. His face was pale and he looked shockingly awake despite having been up half the night. "Where's my scarf?!" he rasped.
Lucy pointedly held up an end of the scarf that still lingered at her throat, waving it with lifted eyebrows. "Where you left it," she said drily. "When you were a little too drunk, you gave it to me. Mira helped me put it on, and I thought you were going to fry her for lunch."
His fear and panic vanished, replaced with relief, and for a moment, Lucy felt a little bad for him. It was the last thing he had of Igneel, after all, and she'd have been just as frantic if she'd lost her keys. "Thanks for watching it," he said, relaxing entirely. Lucy snorted quietly, turning away – and stopped when he added, "You look nice with it on, Luce."
She hated the way her heart skipped a beat ever so hopefully. "Thank you," she called back with a little uncertainty.
Maybe there was still some alcohol in his system…? She hoped not.
When they went to visit the guildhall later that evening, Natsu was doing a lot better. He complained on the way there that he was ridiculously hungry, more focused on that then he was on the fact that Lucy was still wearing his scarf. He seemed content with it on her person, so she didn't say anything about it. She liked it anyway. It smelled of smoke like Natsu did, and constantly seemed to feel warm, as if someone had just taken it off. It was particularly nice in the chilly air.
"Don't cause any trouble tonight," warned Lucy as they stepped inside the guildhall, recalling Erza's lethal glares from the night before.
Natsu pouted somewhat. "I just want something to eat, Luce," he said. Not trusting his stomach, Lucy had refused to let him eat any big meals, and he was determined to get some "real food" from Mirajane. After ensuring Lucy was comfortable by herself, he went to track down Mirajane.
Tugging the scarf away from her face, Lucy decided to join Erza, who was seated near Cana and Levy. Lisanna chatted cheerfully with another guild member a few seats down the table. Even Evergreen was there, though she was more focused on ignoring an overzealous Bickslow.
"Hello, Lucy," said Erza warmly as Lucy settled into a seat beside her. "I take it Natsu is back in his right mind?"
Lucy's lips curved into a grin. "As far as I can tell," she reassured. "Anyone heard from Gray and Juvia yet? If a dragon slayer's hangover was as bad as Natsu's been claiming, I doubt Gray is any better."
Cana snickered under her breath, but didn't bother to share whatever it was she was laughing about. Instead, she wiggled her eyebrows at Lucy and cooed, "So, Lucy. Did you end up taking advantage of Natsu like he asked?"
The sound of a plate clattering onto the table drew Cana's attention, and she only smiled wider when she found Natsu had come to join them, spluttering at Cana's statement. His face was as red as Lucy's, and even Erza was laughing softly at how he looked frantically to Lucy for help. Glaring at Cana, Lucy said stiffly, "No. And stop. It wasn't like that, and you know it."
Natsu hesitated to sit down, but a swift look from Lucy convinced him it would be safe enough. Lucy could tell he was considering whether or not it was actually safe to do so with Cana sitting nearby and a sudden eagle-eyed Mirajane staring at them from behind the bar. Lucy sat back in her seat, fully aware that Levy was peeking over her book and eyeing the scarf Lucy still wore with a grin on her face. Lucy glared at her, too.
It wasn't until Gray arrived at the guildhall with Juvia that Cana's attention was diverted, much to Lucy's relief. Natsu waited until Mirajane had focused on Juvia and Gray's linked hands to suddenly snag Lucy's wrist and drag her towards the back of the guildhall. "Natsu," she huffed as Cana perked up and called, "Oh, Gray!"
Gray took one look at those around them and towed Juvia right back out of the guildhall, ignoring Mirajane's screech of protest.
"Sh," hushed Natsu as they ducked into a backroom, where Lucy knew there was an exit. "We've got to go while they're distracted."
"Why?" demanded Lucy, bewildered. Sure, there had been a little teasing, but nothing they hadn't handled. Besides, it was Natsu who'd gotten himself under Cana's thumb. If he hadn't gotten so drunk he'd shouted ridiculous things for the whole guildhall to hear, then he wouldn't be facing the teasing. Honestly. "Natsu, I haven't even gotten dinner yet–"
He cut her off, eyes wide and pleading. "Gray's made a run for it, Luce. I don't stand a chance if we go back in."
"And whose fault is that?" Lucy asked drily.
"Lucy," he pleaded.
"Fine, fine," Lucy sighed, rolling her eyes. "We can leave – but only if you buy me dinner. I'm hungry, too, you know. And you owe me for last night anyway."
Natsu paused, blinking owlishly at her for a moment. "Like…like a date?" he asked uncertainly, voice rising just a bit in pitch.
Lucy hadn't meant it that way. It still didn't stop the sting of hurt that pierced her chest at the disbelief on his face, as if he couldn't fathom the idea of it. Lucy pressed her lips together unhappily. Turning away to head back into the guildhall, she said rather sharply over her shoulder, "If it's that horrible of an idea, then I'll just–"
Natsu hastily caught her wrist. "Hold on," he said quickly, and Lucy threw him a wary look, waiting to hear what he had to say. Her chest ached, and she wanted to go and pretend she'd never opened her mouth, but she couldn't bring herself to just leave Natsu in the dust when his voice was so shaky. He opened his mouth, then closed it, sorting through his thoughts. Finally, he said hoarsely, voice wracked with enough fear to make her lift her eyebrows, "You'd…you'd want to go on a date with me?"
Lucy turned back to face him, exasperated. How could she not? Natsu was her partner, her best friend, and someone she cared about more than anyone else in this world. He'd stood up for her in ways that others had never done. He supported her where others failed. He was everything to her. As if he could read the devastation on her face, Natsu averted his gaze, cheeks flushing a bright red that made her want to shake him.
"Not if you didn't want to," Lucy rasped, and her words shook as she pushed on, hoping this didn't ruin the relationship she cherished so much. "But if…if you asked, I certainly wouldn't say 'no.'"
His eyes darted back up to meet hers, startled, and Lucy found that her own cheeks were red now. Desperate to hide away, Lucy buried her face in the end of the scarf she wore, hoping he'd not humiliate her and leave her there to pick up the pieces of her dignity.
A startled puff of laughter burst from Natsu's lips. She didn't dare pull the scarf away to look at him, terrified. "Luce," he laughed, and she jolted when his fingers brushed hers, pulling the scarf away. He ducked his head to force her to meet his gaze, grinning. The sight only made her feel like she was burning. "Would you…do you want to go to dinner with me?"
Her heart squeezed so tightly in her chest she thought it'd explode. Lucy smiled hesitantly. "Yes," she agreed softly.
His grin widened and Natsu tugged playfully on the end of his scarf. "Kiss me?" he said, almost pleadingly.
Who was Lucy to refuse?