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Day Three: Vacation/Magic Swap
The first thing Lucy noticed was the air: cool enough to raise goosebumps, with a faint salty tang like an ocean breeze and a whisper of sweetness, as if someone had bottled the scent of fresh fruit and let it loose. Ryuzetsu Land’s glass dome caught the midday sun, softening it into a warm, golden glow that spilled over everything.
She paused just inside the entrance, letting her gaze sweep the expanse. Pools spread out in glittering tiers beneath artificial waterfalls that poured from rocky outcroppings. Palm trees swayed in an air current scented faintly of salt and sunscreen. In the distance, slides coiled like giant serpents toward deep-blue splash zones and a pastel train whistled past the entrance to a massive aquarium.
“Feels like forever since we’ve been here,” she murmured, absently adjusting the ribbon tied at her hip.
Erza strode forward with purpose, though the corners of her mouth softened at the view. Wendy, between them, had her arms looped through a bright swim ring, already tilting her head back to take it all in.
“Feels like we really needed this time off,” Lucy added, watching sunlight scatter across the dome overhead.
Behind them came the soft click of sandals on stone. “Where is Gray-sama?” Juvia’s voice floated forward, her sunhat tipping as she scanned the resort.
The answer came in the form of a splash so loud Lucy jumped.
At the far end of the pool, Natsu stood dripping on the tiles, chest puffed out, looking far too pleased with himself. Happy was doubled over beside him, tail lashing. Below, Gray broke the surface with a sputter, his dark hair plastered to his head and his glare lethal.
“Oh no, Gray-sama!” Juvia gasped, bolting forward before Lucy could blink.
In one swift motion, Gray’s hand clamped around Natsu’s ankle and with a yank, the fire mage went under, his yell bubbling into the water.
“They never learn,” Erza muttered, stomping toward the pool. Sunlight caught the silver rings at her hips, flashing like warning lights.
Lucy leaned toward Wendy. “Not sure she’s the best person to talk about not making a scene…”
They skirted the crowd gathering at the pool’s edge, passing a row of beach chairs half-buried under towels and drink cups. A staff member in a green-and-gold uniform pushed a cart of frosted glasses. Kiwi juice, if Lucy remembered right.
“Nice that the reward was more than just money,” Wendy said, voice soft with delight. “A whole day here’s amazing.”
Lucy’s smile warmed. “Last time we came was during the Grand Magic Games.” She glanced down, eyes lingering for just a second too long.
A wet arm dropped across her shoulders, sending a cold shock straight down her spine.
She yelped, twisting, only to find Natsu grinning, scarf tied like a bandana, water dripping from every line of him.
“Bet it’s been more than two years, huh?” he said to Wendy, ignoring Lucy’s flailing attempts to shove him off.
Charle’s tail flicked. “Everyone’s grown up so quickly.”
Wendy’s gaze darted downward, lips pressing together. Lucy’s hand twitched toward her in comfort—
“I’m not done with you, flamebrain.” Gray’s voice was low, footsteps wet and deliberate.
And then Erza appeared behind him, soaked, red hair plastered to her face, eyes glowing like some deep-sea predator.
Lucy’s spine went rigid under Natsu’s arm.
They didn’t notice the shadow behind Erza until the air shifted. Cool mist brushed Lucy’s face.
A wall of water rose, sunlight scattering off its crest and Juvia was on top of it, riding like a knight on horseback.
“GRAY-SAMA!”
Lucy’s breath caught. Natsu’s arm tightened around her shoulders.
The wave came down.
When Lucy opened her eyes again, the world was hazy. Shapes swam in warped outlines: glass roof above, voices echoing too loud in her ears, the steady drip of water sliding down her neck.
She was half-sitting, half-lying on slick tiles, one arm braced behind her against a cold, wet stone wall. The chill bled straight through her skin.
As her vision cleared, figures came into focus: a few steps ahead, a lifeguard in a green-and-gold uniform was absolutely laying into Juvia, Gray and Erza.
Juvia was already in tears, wringing her hands and hiccuping apologies. Gray…couldn’t even look at the lifeguard, eyes darting everywhere else as his ears burned red. And Erza? Wasn’t faring much better. Her face was as crimson as her hair, mouth opening and closing in stammered half-sentences, hands flailing in vague gestures that explained nothing. Every time the lifeguard’s voice sharpened, she shrank another inch, shoulders curling like a kid caught breaking a window.
Beyond them, Lucy spotted movement. Wendy, Charle and Happy quietly sneaking away through the onlookers, inching toward the slides like they’d never seen any of these people in their lives.
That’s when a low groan vibrated against her side. And a wet hand squeezed her waist.
She twitched, almost laughing from the tickle, until she looked down. Her smile died instantly.
“Natsu!” she yelped and smacked the back of his head.
He jerked, but she froze mid-glare. Because his face…was pressed into her chest. Right into her chest.
The ribbon at the front of her bikini hung loose, sides slipping apart so each cup dangled precariously against her skin.
Lucy’s blush rose fast. Not the screaming, flailing kind, but the oh-of-course-this-would-happen-to-me kind. One eyebrow twitched. The corner of her mouth pulled into something between a grimace and a laugh, like she couldn’t decide whether to be offended or just give up.
Natsu, oblivious, pushed himself upright, one hand still on her waist, the other braced on the tile for balance. His brows knit. “Oi! What was that for?”
He rubbed the back of his head, the same hand that had been on her a second ago, while cold droplets from his hair slid down her stomach.
Lucy didn’t even look at him. She was too busy catching the loose ends of her bikini top and retying the ribbon, face calm with the faintest blush still on her cheeks.
“Where’d everybody go?” Natsu asked suddenly, scanning the crowd.
Lucy glanced up just in time to see him spot the others, still locked in their scolding.
Natsu’s gaze met the lifeguard’s for a split second. His expression shifted. “Oh, crap.”
Before she could ask, he grabbed her hand and yanked her upright.
“Hey—!” She stumbled after him, still fumbling with the ribbon.
“Stay right there!” the lifeguard barked from somewhere behind them.
Lucy’s brain caught up. Oh. They were running from that.
She picked up speed, matching Natsu’s stride as they wove between startled guests. He cut right, ducking behind a wooden divider painted with a wave motif. Over the pounding of her pulse, she caught just a few words — “bond” and “test” — before they burst into a dim, stone-walled room.
They stopped, both breathing hard. The air was cooler here, still tinged with that sweet-salt scent from outside. Natsu tugged his scarf from his head, shaking out damp hair. His hand still loosely held hers, like he wasn’t ready to let go.
Lucy stayed hunched forward, one hand braced on her knee, catching her breath.
“Man, that guy was stubborn,” Natsu panted, starting to glance her way. “Hey, you okay? You’re still—”
A new voice cut in from behind. “Here to test yourselves?”
They turned. A resort employee stood there in an over-the-top “shaman” costume, feathers exploding from a headpiece that kept tipping sideways, staff clutched like a stage prop.
When they didn’t answer, he pointed toward a dark, arched passage at the far end of the room.
“This place tests the bonds of its travelers,” he intoned. “Clear the passage and you will be blessed for the rest of your day.”
Lucy straightened, finally letting go of Natsu’s hand to check her bikini ribbons. “A blessing that lasts one day doesn’t sound very long.”
The booming voice deflated instantly. “Well…it is only a resort attraction.”
Her mouth twitched, that didn’t take much to break.
“Sounds fun!” Natsu cut in, ruffling his hair before tying the scarf back around his forehead.
The man’s eyes lit up again. He guided them toward the dark passage, explaining, “Inside, you may not use magic. Without it, you must rely on your bonds to succeed.”
Natsu was already fired up, striding to the threshold.
Lucy glanced back, the “shaman” flashed her a thumbs-up. “May your romance bloom further,” he added cheerfully.
Her face went hot.
Before she could respond, Natsu’s hand closed around hers again, tugging her straight into the shadows.
The darkness swallowed them instantly.
Natsu’s grip slipped away as soon as they stepped inside. Lucy’s hand lingered in the air, fingers twitching like they might reach for his again…before she curled them into her palm. Not that he noticed, his silhouette was already a few steps ahead.
The passage was narrow and damp, walls slick like the inside of a beach cave. Droplets slid down stone, pattering faintly. The muffled hum of the park filtered in behind them, mixed with the squelch of wet footsteps.
Then, light. An opening ahead. Her relief lasted half a second.
The “door” was a waterfall.
Lucy stepped through, hair plastering to her back, just in time for Natsu to shake himself off like a dog, spraying her with even more water.
“Hey! What was that for?” she snapped, wringing her pigtails out.
He barely looked back. “Man, this place is kinda whack.”
Lucy raised an unimpressed brow. “What’d you expect? It’s just a resort attraction.” She mimicked the employee’s ceremonious tone, earning a chuckle.
“C’mon, let’s get this over with,” he said, already moving.
She followed, muttering about how he’d been bouncing with excitement three minutes ago…though the corners of her mouth curved upward. Even a dumb attraction was fun with him here.
The course went on: a bridge of slick logs, a low climb up wet stone, balancing across two swaying ropes. By the next obstacle, Lucy had decided the real theme wasn’t “bond test”. It was water. Everything was wet.
They stopped before a solid stone wall.
Natsu knocked on it. Hollow.
“Secret passage?” Lucy guessed. Behind them, there was only the soggy course they’d just slogged through.
He crossed his arms, squinting at the wall like he could stare it into submission. Lucy crouched, sliding her hand along the damp surface for a latch.
“Forget it,” he said suddenly, flames curling over his fist. “I’ll just burn it down.”
“Stop!” she hissed. “We’re not supposed to use magic—”
Her palm pressed something that clicked.
With a grinding rumble, the wall split open, sending them both tumbling forward, Lucy still crouched, Natsu mid-punch.
They landed right where they’d started.
Before they could move, a bucket’s worth of cold water dumped over their heads. A blinding light flared and canned clapping and fireworks blared overhead.
Groaning, they stepped out. The “shaman” reappeared, staff somehow producing its own applause.
“Congratulations! You made it through!” he announced, then tilted his head. “Though you did take…quite a while.”
Natsu and Lucy stared at him, equally unamused. Even Juvia’s tidal wave had been less of a waste of time.
Natsu’s hand twitched like he wanted to punch the guy, but Lucy tapped his shoulder before he could. She nodded toward a wooden sign:
Bonding Test
Are you and your partner really destined?
Find out in our exciting new attraction and be blessed by the gods!
(For ages 8 and up)
Natsu’s face twisted into disgust.
Sensing danger, the employee clapped again. “Hope you had fun! Enjoy your blessed bond for the next…” He checked his watch. “…fifteen hours!”
Neither answered.
They shuffled past him, dripping.
“Remember to stay close together!” he called brightly.
Both ignored him.
They stepped out into the burst of golden daylight streaming through the glass domes.
“Natsu! Lucy!”
Happy swooped in, nearly crashing into them, juggling a triple-scoop ice cream.
“Where were you two?” he asked, eyes wide.
Natsu patted his head absently, gaze fixed on the ice cream, so Lucy answered. “Some stupid resort attraction. Not worth it.”
Happy blinked. “Huh?”
“Anyway, I’m hungry,” Natsu cut in, already walking. “See ya later, Luce.”
Lucy sighed as Happy zipped after him. So much for teamwork.
“Lucy!”
She turned to see Wendy hurrying over with Erza, Gray, Charle and Juvia, all holding snacks.
“Everything alright?” Erza asked, glancing at Natsu disappearing toward the food stalls.
“I could use some real relaxation,” Lucy said, rolling her eyes. “We just did some bonding test—”
“A bonding test?” Wendy tilted her head.
“Oh! Juvia and Gray should try it too!” Juvia clasped her hands. Gray’s expression soured instantly.
Lucy waved them off. “It’s just a silly attraction—”
Her left hand flicked mid-gesture and a ball of fire shot from her palm.
It smacked Natsu in the shoulder.
He spun around, dripping and furious. “HEY! What was that for?!”
Everyone froze.
Gray’s jaw dropped. Erza looked like someone had just announced strawberry cake was discontinued. Wendy’s eyes went wide.
Natsu stomped over and grabbed Gray by the necklace. “Was that you?!”
Lucy slowly raised her hand. “It—it was…me!”
Natsu turned sharply. “Huh?”
“I didn’t mean to!” she blurted, dropping her hands like they might betray her again.
He leaned in, eyes narrowing, close enough for her to see water beading at his lashes. “You’re sure?”
She looked away, cheeks warm.
“It’s true,” Erza said firmly. Wendy nodded.
“They looked exactly like your flames,” Wendy added.
Happy burst into laughter. “That’s ridiculous!”
Natsu didn’t laugh. He stared until her tiny “sorry” slipped out.
Then his gaze slid to the gaudy wooden sign. His jaw tightened.
Without warning, he grabbed her wrist and started dragging her back toward it.
“Ow—Natsu! Slow down!” she stumbled, blinking in the sun.
The “shaman” was ushering two kids inside when they marched up. His smile faltered for a second, before snapping back.
“Back so soon?” he chirped.
“What did you do?” Natsu demanded.
The man tilted his head. “I’m…not sure I understand?”
Lucy huffed. “He means the blessing. What is it?”
“Oh! That.” His grin widened as he gestured at the sign.
Natsu squinted. “Yeah, and?”
The man tapped a weathered bit near the bottom.
Most of the text was so faded Lucy had to lean in. Natsu’s grip didn’t loosen. His hand slid from her wrist into her palm, fingers locking stubbornly.
To protect Ryuzetsu Land from any possible repercussions, including lawsuits, we hereby inform guests that the Bonding Test offers a magical blessing if completed successfully. In such cases, the successful pair will swap magic (if applicable).
Beneath that were messy strike-throughs and edits, in a completely different handwriting:
Due to past complaints, duration has been shortened to 48 36 24 18 15 hours.
The spell activates only if the pair is separated by more than an arm’s length for over 5 15 seconds.
Good luck!
Lucy’s grimace deepened. She looked up. The “shaman” was still smiling like this was the best day of his life.
Twenty minutes later, the whole team was crammed around a big round table near the pool. Natsu and Lucy had finally gotten food. Though “gotten” was generous. Natsu’s plates were already spotless, while Lucy was still poking at her fries.
Gray was laughing so hard he had to clutch his side.
Wendy, sitting beside Charle, leaned forward, worry in her eyes. “So…that means you can only use each other’s magic now?”
Natsu frowned and, without even glancing, swiped a fry from Lucy’s plate.
“Not exactly,” Lucy muttered. “We can’t use any magic when we’re close. But if we’re apart, more than an arm’s length, for over fifteen seconds, it swaps.” She dropped her head into her hand, elbow propped on the table. “It’s stupid.”
Erza tilted her head. “Is that even possible?”
Lucy blinked. “What do you mean?”
Charle answered for her. “Celestial spirit magic is spatial. I doubt Natsu could open a gate even if the magic flowed to him.”
Arms crossed, Erza nodded. “My armors might function with a swap, but Lucy summons living spirits, not objects.”
Lucy sighed. “We thought about that already and…tested it.”
That made everyone lean in.
“The problem isn’t the magic itself. It’s the contracts. Even if my magic transfers, my spirit contracts don’t. For Natsu to summon them, he’d have to make his own contracts, and that’s obviously not happening.” Her voice dipped at the end, the hurt slipping through.
Natsu shot her a quick, guilty glance, then promptly stole another fry. Lucy smacked his hand away without looking.
Juvia tilted her head. “So, to be clear…you are the only one who can use Natsu’s magic now? But only if you’re apart?”
Both Lucy and Natsu froze mid–fry snatch. Lucy gave a slow nod.
Natsu still had her wrist in one hand and, grinning, leaned down to bite the fry she was holding in the other.
“Hey!” she yelped, jerking back, but he was already laughing and letting her go.
That was all the fuel Gray needed to start laughing again. Happy joining in a second later.
Natsu’s eyes narrowed. “What’s so funny?”
Gray could barely get words out between laughs. “You mean you swapped magic after barely finishing a kid’s obstacle course…and now you can’t even use it?”
Even Erza was biting back a smile, Wendy hiding hers behind her hand. Lucy’s cheeks puffed with suppressed laughter.
That did it. Natsu lunged over the table. “I can still beat you without magic!”
“Bring it on!” Gray shot back, and the two were instantly wrestling, splashing water from their still-wet clothes onto everyone.
The rest of the group stood, collectively deciding to ignore them and turned back to Lucy.
Juvia clasped her hands. “Even so, as long as you stay close for the next fourteen hours, nothing will happen.”
Wendy nodded. “You can still enjoy your time here. Tomorrow it’ll be back to normal.”
Lucy smiled faintly. “Yeah. I guess so.”
Happy zipped into view. “It’ll be just like always! The three of us can explore Ryuzetsu Land together!”
Lucy chuckled. “Sure, Happy.”
“Then—” Happy turned toward the chaos in the pool chair area, shouting, “—Natsu! We can finally try the new Shark Tower water slide!”
The fight stopped instantly. “Shark Tower?!” Natsu bolted over to Happy like a kid promised candy.
Erza and Wendy turned back to Lucy, only to freeze when they saw the color drain from her face. Her smile froze. Eyes wide. Sweat beading at her temples.
Charle crossed her arms. “Somehow…I don’t think this is going to go so well for Lucy.”
“Not going well” didn’t even begin to cover it.
From the second Happy yelled about Shark Tower, Lucy’s day turned into a string of watery near-death experiences.
First came the infamous Shark Tower slide: fifty meters straight down, two loop-de-loops and a final launch into a pool. Once was terrifying enough. Ten times was psychological warfare. The only upside? The whole ride took less than fifteen seconds, so the “blessing” never triggered while she was too busy screaming for her life. By the tenth drop, Lucy was pretty sure her soul had bailed halfway through the first loop.
The next two slides were…slightly less deadly. Slightly. At least she could cling to Natsu’s arm the whole way, which kept both the ride and the magic swap at bay.
Then came the “realistic ocean wave pool”. Lucy had been promised gentle, beach-like waves. That was before Natsu goaded Juvia into “making it bigger.” The waves doubled in size and Lucy got a full highlight reel of her life between gulps of chlorinated water.
The "cyclone pool", a spinning current that whipped riders in endless circles, wasn’t much better. By the time they stumbled out, Lucy’s legs felt like someone had wrung her into a pretzel.
So when Natsu suggested the sauna, Lucy thought, Finally. Something normal. She didn’t even care that it was mixed-gender. But just as she started to relax, she noticed Natsu had drifted more than an arm’s length away. The swap hit instantly and her body went up in flames. The sauna rocketed from “comfortably warm” to “surface of the sun” in seconds. By the time she, hands fully engulfed, found Natsu and Happy snickering in the corner, the staff was already shoving them out the door.
Now dressed and dragging her feet, Lucy shuffled toward home. Her slippers scraped the floor. Her back hunched like gravity was holding her hostage.
Wendy leaned in, brow furrowed. “You look like you’re having a hard time.”
“You don’t even know,” Lucy muttered.
Next to her, Natsu, arms folded behind his head, grinned. “That was awesome!” He looked at Happy for backup.
“Aye!” Happy beamed.
Lucy shot them both a withering glare.
“Only nine more hours till you’re rid of flamebrain,” Gray said like he was being helpful.
Lucy pouted. “That’s way too long.”
“What?!” Natsu barked.
“What?” she snapped back, straightening and crossing her arms. “It’s not like you cared what I wanted to do anyway!”
“That’s not true!”
“Oh yeah? Everything today was your idea!”
They were so close now their foreheads almost touched.
“Well maybe I thought you were havin’ fun too! Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because you didn’t ask!”
“I’m not a mind reader!”
They glared at each other like two cornered cats until Erza’s calm but firm voice cut through. “Enough. It’s just a stressful situation.”
“Yeah,” Happy chimed in brightly, “besides, we’re at Lucy’s place!”
“Forget it,” Lucy huffed, striding to her door and tossing the group a curt wave.
Natsu pouted like a sulky kid, then jammed his hands into his pockets. “C’mon, Happy.” He gave the others a half-hearted, “Later,” and followed her inside.
The door shut.
“…Will they be okay?” Juvia asked softly.
Gray smiled and patted her head. “They’re never mad at each other for long.”
Charle leaned toward Erza and Wendy, smirking. “Look who’s talking.”
Wendy giggled. Even Erza let out a small chuckle.
When they got into Lucy’s apartment, she didn’t even bother turning on the lights, just bee-lined for her dresser and grabbed pajamas. Before Natsu could trail her into the bathroom, she stuck her head back out.
“Forget it. Showering in cabins side-by-side and getting dressed in the same one because the rest were full was already pushing it. I’d like some privacy now. You can wait here.”
Natsu grumbled but turned away.
Inside, she started changing.
“You act like this is all my fault,” Natsu called.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You’re acting like it!”
Lucy slid the curtain open just far enough to shove a toothbrush at him. “You could’ve at least kept the teasing to a minimum today.”
Happy zipped over, all innocence. “Sorry Lucy, but it’s so much fun to tease you!”
Toothbrush wedged in her mouth, she freed a hand to tug on Happy’s cheeks until he squeaked.
Natsu rinsed his mouth, scratching the back of his head without looking at her. “…Sorry. I just thought you were havin’ fun too.”
He set down his scarf. “Next time we go, we’ll do whatever you want.”
She paused mid–cheek-pull. “…Does that even include a hot stone massage at the spa?”
He frowned like she’d just asked him to eat a salad, but sighed. “…Yeah.”
Satisfied, she patted Happy’s head. “Good.”
“I hate massages,” Happy yawned.
“I know, buddy,” Natsu smirked.
When Natsu came out, Lucy tossed him fresh joggers. Then she started shoving her couch toward her bed, grunting with effort. Happy was already sprawled across it like royalty.
“What are you doing?” Natsu asked, plopping down on her bed.
“What’s it look like? Moving it closer so we’re in arm’s reach.” She shot Happy a glare. “And you could help.”
Happy snored.
“That’s stupid,” Natsu muttered.
Lucy flopped onto the bed beside him, arm outstretched like she was measuring distance. “Why? Because I don’t feel like incinerating my apartment at three in the morning.” She hesitated, cheeks warming. “…And I’m not sharing a bed with you.”
“Stupid,” Natsu said again.
Before she could even throw a pillow at him, he grabbed her ankles and spun her until her head hit the pillow. She flailed, swatting at him, but he ignored it, tossing a blanket over Happy before heading to the light switch.
Lucy assumed that meant he’d given in, until the mattress dipped.
“Hey—” she started, but Natsu was already under her blanket, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her back against him. His breath grazed her neck, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
She froze. Risked a glance over her shoulder and immediately regretted it. His half-lidded eyes caught the moonlight, and for one wild second, she thought he might actually lean in.
Nope. Not going there.
She rolled away, clutching his hand to her chest. “…Stupid,” she muttered into her pillow.
He chuckled, breath warm against her skin. “Night, Luce.”
“…Night,” she whispered back.
Lucy woke to a chill and tugged her blanket tighter, only to hear a victorious, “Yessss!” and catch the unmistakable scent of something burning.
Blinking tiredly, she sat up. Natsu and Happy were in the middle of her room, Natsu flicking flames on and off in his palm like a kid with a brand-new toy.
“Wait—you mean…?” she asked.
“Yup!” Natsu beamed. “We got our magic back!”
Relieved, Lucy flopped back into bed and lifted her hand. A swirl of golden sparkles danced above her fingers. She smiled, though she had to admit, part of her already missed the constant warmth of Natsu’s magic.
Then the smell hit her again, stronger this time. She turned and froze.
A pillow on the floor was on fire.
“Natsu!”
“The pillow!” Happy shrieked.
“Oh, crap!” Natsu yelped, snatching it up and hurling it out the open window.
Lucy clutched her head. “You’re buying me a new one!”
He shot her a sheepish grin…which cracked into laughter. Happy joined in, the sound bouncing off her walls.
Lucy tried to scold him, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her. Yeah. This was normal.