Everything had happened so fast, Lucy almost missed what had happened. She had a now sobbing Michelle in her arms when she heard Wendy scream. Lucy had been terrified, the girl had a claw to her neck though she tried to put on a brave face. Gajeel and Natsu were petrified, though as Lucy watched, she saw a calm, almost a blankness wash over Natsus face.

"You're going to be fine Wendy." He said, giving her a sad smile.

Lucy couldnt believe her eyes as she watched the man release Wendy, who quickly crawled to Gajeel. The man scooped her up and held her to his chest as Natsu sank to his knees. They had discussed this during one of their first meetings, she remembered her and Cana joking about it.

Of course it would take Wendys life at stake to force him to bloodbend.

"You ok?" he quietly asked Wendy, his forehead beaded with sweat and his body shaking slightly. The girl nodded, her eyes tearing and Lucy barely heard her say his name. She didn't need Wendys gift to know what he was thinking. She saw it in his eyes and he looked like he was going to be sick.

Gajeel set Wendy down and checked her neck, his face an angry mask. Wendy tried to wipe her eyes, nodding towards Natsu slightly. She must have heard something in the mans thoughts, because he nodded and stood. At that point, everyone was gathering closer, though Lucy knew Natsu wouldn't have wanted the attention.

"Why don't we all go inside? Michelle, these are my friends, you're safe with them. Erza, would you mind taking her inside?" She wanted to do it herself, but Michelle was now safe. There was someone else who needed her now.

Easily taking the hint, everyone started towards the house. Levy, who had summoned Baghira during the fight, asked him to check the surrounding land for any stragglers. Slowly everyone trickled inside, leaving Lucy, Gajeel, Wendy and Natsu outside.

Natsus shoulders were shaking as he stared down at his hands, never having moved from his spot. Gajeel knelt down in front of him, patiently waiting for Natsu to look up. When he finally did, Lucys heart ached at his misty eyes and pale face. Gajeel said nothing, no words were needed. He grabbed his younger cousin by the shoulders and pulled him close, wrapping him into a protective hug. Natsu began to shake more, trembling hands reaching up to clutch at the back of Gajeels shirt as he buried his face into his shoulder.

Gajeel held him like that for a long while, allowing Natsu to sob for as long as he wanted. Wendy walked up behind Gajeel as if summoned, which she probably was, and Natsu reached up a hand to her. She took it and allowed him to pull her into the hug, Gajeel easily squeezing her beside him. Lucy felt like she was intruding on such an intimate family moment, but the look Gajeel gave her said he wanted her there for Natsu.

When he had finally quieted down he pulled away, wiping his eyes as he caught his breath. Gajeel finally spoke up, "Are you gonna be alright?"

Natsu let out a shakey laugh, the smile not quite reaching his eyes. "I suppose I am... I'm just gonna go walk, clear my head alright?"

Gajeel looked like he didn't want to let Natsu out of his sight, but after a glance to Lucy he nodded. He ran a hand through Natsus hair before standing, picking Wendy up once against before heading to the house. He stopped to give Lucys shoulder a gentle squeeze as Natsu stood and wandered off towards the gate.

Lucy followed him to the pasture he wandered in to, she didn't know what she was going to do once she caught up to him. The field was bare save for a few scattered trees and several large water troughs. It didn't take her long to catch up to him on the flat terrain, and she was already expecting his first words.

"How can you stand to be around a monster like me?" He had stopped abruptly, running his hand through his hair and gripping it.

"Natsu, you arn't a monster." She knew he would feel this way.

"That's bullcrap Luce and you know it! I took control of that man, took away all of his free will."

"And you saved Wendy Natsu! That's more important than anything!"

"I'm just as bad as Etherios and his men!" Natsu clearly wasn't hearing her. He was spiraling into a void of self hate.

"Now Natsu that's not-"

"I don't deserve the friends I do, and I don't deserve to love someone as pure as you!"

Lucy stopped in her tracks, sure she had misheard him. Though as Natsu continued she knew she hadn't, and she needed to stop him. She stomped towards him, and Natsu hadn't realized it until she was right in front of him. A her hand cracked against his face.

Thoroughly startled out of his self hate he held his now bright red cheek. "L-Lucy..."

That was all he got out before she grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him into a deep kiss.

To say he was stunned was an understatement, and Lucy was sure she had gone a bit too far. She was ready to pull away when he relaxed some, his hands coming up to rest on her hips and pull her closer. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss and she relaxed her grip on his shirt, sliding her arms around his neck.

The kiss was passionate and yet brief. Lucy wanted to make sure she got her point across before her brain was anymore scrambled from his mind blowing kiss.

She pulled away slightly to look up at him, holding her face gently between her hands. "Listen to me Natsu. You are not a monster," he opened his mouth to protest but she immediately covered it with her hand. "You're not hearing me! You're not a monster, you saved Wendy. You helped me save Michelle. You could have easily killed that man and yet you didn't. That makes you so much better than them, who wouldn't have given it a second thought. I know it scared you, we were all terrified. But that's what makes you human, and now you know that if an emergency ever came up where you had to do it again you could. With these bastards roaming around, unfortunately, it's more likely than not. But we're here for you Natsu, we all are."

Natsu let out a little breath and gave her a small smile, resting his forehead against hers. "You're pretty amazing Luce, you know that?"

She gave him a gentle smile followed by a gentle kiss, "And you know I love you too right?"

This caused Natsu to blush brightly, which sent Lucy into a fit of giggles. She gave him another swift kiss before sprinting towards the house. It didn't take Natsu long to catch up to her, snatching her around the waist and lifting her into the air as she shrieked with laughter. He tossed her onto his shoulder with a laugh, slapping the back of her leg lightly as he carried her towards the house.

Lucy gave a little squeek before promptly slapping him on the ass, causing him to jump slightly. Lucy gave a little cackle as they reached the gate and he set her down. Their laughter slipped away as they looked at each other, and he gently caressed her cheek.

"Thank you, Lucy."

She smiled and leaned her head against his hand. "Anything for you Natsu."

He gave her a small, gentle kiss before taking her hand and leading her inside. The lights were now on throughout the house, someone had reset her kitchen table and the broken dishes were cleaned up. Everyone was gathered in the kitchen where Michelle had gotten everyone glasses of tea, and she and Levy were sitting on the counter.

At Natsus more brightened demeanor Gajeel smiled, nodding his thanks to Lucy, who nodded in return. "So what did we miss?"

"Your friends here told me all about the man behind this, said they wanted to bring me back to Italy with them." Michelle informed her, though she looked understandably concerned.

Lucy let go of Natsus hand and went to her sister, taking both of hers. Someone had helped her get cleaned up and bandaged any minor scrapes. "They are telling the truth, I promise. These are all wonderful people who are gifted just like me. Right now, our first priority is making sure you and all of the other families are safe."

Michelle still looked uneasy, looking around at everyone she considered a stranger. Looking back to her older sister she nodded, relaxing somewhat. "Alright Lu, I trust you."

Lucy smiled. "Great. We'll stay here tonight and leave out in the morning. I'm sure everyones anxious to get some sleep and have some real food."

"What about your animals Lucy?" Wendy asked. Someone had also bandaged the cut on her neck, and Lucy was still furious at the man.

"It wont hurt them to run wild for awhile. Theres about a hundred acres of land out there for them all to play in. They'll feed of the grass and theres a pond way back they can drink from. I just prefer having someone here, that's why I asked Michelle."

Once it had been decided, Lucy got everyone situated to sleep. She didn't have as many rooms as Cana, so most everyone had to sleep in the front room. It was large and open, even with the couch bed pulled out there was still plenty of space. Erza and Jellal had claimed the bed, and the others made a large pallet on the floor out of extra blankets, pillows and even clean horse blankets.

Despite wanting to sleep in her own room, Michelle agreed it would be safer for everyone to be in the same room. Juvia and Cana curled up together, immediately falling asleep. Gajeel laid back with Wendy tucked into one side, and Levy curled in on the other. Natsu laid to Wendys other side and Lucy laid between him and Michelle. He immediately pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin and she couldn't help but smile. She wrapped her arm around him as she snuggled into his chest, and fell asleep.

{ALL THE NALU ANGST. ALL THE NALU FLUFF. OUR FIRST CANON PAIR}