"Natsu, look, I got my mark!"

"Yeah, whatever," said Natsu, steering the wheel. Lucy felt hurt for some reason.

"Natsu, teach Lucy everything about pirate life, okay? I need to do some work, handle the wheel for a while," said Erza. She went down to her room.

"Natsu, what do I need to learn about pirate life? Tell me!"

"Well, I call them rules, but I don't wanna teach them to you"

"Huh, why?! Teach me, Natsu! Caps orders"

"You want to learn? Fine."

Natsu went behind Lucy and grabbed her waist. Lucy went red.

"Natsu, w- what are y- you- "

"Lucy, it's okay. Do you trust me?"

"Yes"

"Too bad"

Natsu pinned her to the wall. Lucy blushed more. He put one hand on her waist and the other in her neck. He brought his face near her right ear. Lucy could feel his breath. Her face colour might put Erza's hair to shame.
"Rule 1. Never trust pirates, Luce"

"Natsu, go back down, your shift is over. I am taking over," said Erza coming back. She behaved perfectly normal.

"Ugh, fine," said Natsu, letting go of Lucy and going back to his room. Lucy slumped down.

"Lucy, it's okay"

"Did you see him, Erza? He was behaving so, so weird"

"Don't worry, Lucy, Natsu never does anything to girls or women. He is, uh, in a way, a gentleman"

"You, you sure?"

"Yes Lucy, now go to sleep, there's a storm"

"Yeah, good night Erza"

"Goodnight, Lucy"

Lucy went back to Natsu's room to see him laying on his bed, hands behind his head.
"Lucy, I, I am sorry for before"

"It's, okay, I guess. Don't take me the wrong way. I am sleepy. Good night Natsu"
Lucy clambered into Natsu's bed. Natsu stood up and went to his table and took out a few papers.

Lucy watched him for a while before drifting off to sleep.

°°°

"Luce? Wake up," said a gentle voice.

"Mmm, please...." said Lucy, changing her position.

"Luce, it's morning, no it's noon"

Lucy opened her eyes. Natsu was beside her.

Too close.

"Wh- what are you- I mean, why, ugh, just- just stay a bit far, Natsu!"

She blushed furiously and her heart began pounding. Natsu smirked and stood up. He went to the door.

"Lucy, I am off. Change your clothes and come out so that I can tell you your work"
Lucy nodded and sighed.

Why does my heart pound so much when I am around him? And even if he isn't much close I blush like mad. I am used to having men around me but it is always so different around him. What's happening to me?

She picked out some clothes for herself and changed into them. She stepped out and the sea breeze hit her face. It smelled salty. She went and leaned over the deck. The azure water of the sea had small waves in it. Suddenly, two hands grabbed her waist.

"You smell like vanilla and strawberries, Luce"
Lucy jumped. She turned and saw Natsu grinning at her. She blushed. Why?!!!

"N- Natsu, what are you- ?"

"Chill Luce, Erza's calling you"

Lucy followed him once he let go of her. He saw the scarlet haired girl taking with the blue haired tattooed boy whose name was Jellal. She was blushing a bit.

Aha! So Erza likes him! I should ask Levy about it later.

"Lucy!" Said Erza. She smiled, blush vanishing from her face. "Are your good at swordsmanship?"

"Swordsmanship? No way!"
Lucy shivered at the thought of it.

"Natsu, teach her!"

"Sure, Cap," he replied cheerfully. Erza brief her eyes as Natsu took Lucy to the other side where they will have free space to practise.

It isn't like Natsu to do anything else than the assigned work. Not at all. That's weird. I actually expected him to say no, but he said yes. Lucy must be someone special to him.

Erza smirked before going back to her work.

°°°

With Natsu and Lucy

"Alright relax, first"

"Natsu, do you think I can do this?"

"Lucy, you can do anything of you have the wish to do it"

"Thanks, Natsu"

"Now, relax and put a firm grip on the sword. Not like that! Wait"

He went behind her and took her hand and shouted her how to hold it correctly. Lucy blushed at his touch.

Am I in love?

°°°

A few days later, Natsu called Lucy to the remote part of the deck. He said he wanted to tell her something very very important that concerned her.

"What is it Natsu?"
Lucy looked at him. He was looking very serious and gazing at her deeply (it made Lucy blush)

"Lucy, this is mighty important, so listen well"

"Go on, Natsu"

"Lucy, I think- "

"Natsu, Lucy!" shouted a voice. They both turned and saw Erza with her sword out. "It's an all out pirate war! Sabertooth, Blue Pegasus, Raven Tail, Quatro Cerberus [Also known as Quatro Puppy], Lamia Scale, and others have attacked! We need as much help as possible!"

°°°

Author's note:
Bold letters- Erza
Italics- Lucy
I hope you liked this chapter! Last chapter ahead!