Discussion The Official Relationship/Pairing/Shipping Thread

[Doughboy]

If you want to be really factual, Kagura and Jellal's kiss could challenge any sensual moment that Erza and Jellal has ever shown. I'm not joking either, Kagura kissed Jellal before Erza even did (and I mean with no "ambiguity") which she felt dumb to the point she kissed Erza to make it up to her for taking her bae's first kiss probably lol. Only two pairings are money that everyone knows: Gray/Juvia and Gajeel/Levy. I'm one of the rare people who likes Natsu's and Lucy's current relationship, not sure they'll be canon at the end of series but I think Hiro will definitely leave the door open in the epilogue for them to really develop, their romantic development is behind the big 4 but it's cause they're "more than friends, less than lovers" so it makes sense. Jellal and the rest of CS could head back to jail at the end of series so it'll be best to temper expectations for those two unlike their counterparts, don't wanna be that triggered nutcase online that everyone makes fun of you cause you claim "I didn't see this coming".

 

[Raven]

That was not nice at all, why would you do this?

I don't ship NaLi, I am not lisanna fan. This coming from you was unfair and plain bullshit and manipulation.

But I have stated it clearly before, that's the end of NaLi discussion for me, et up to date please and read previous posts.
Unfair
bullshit.




Na lu is not better than any ship nor their bond is exceptionally strong. It's Lucy who rely on Natsu, with him being all about Nakama, "I won't let you hurm my friends" and inability to express deep emotions in a more elaborate way than "I'm fired up".



Actually saying such line clearly says that you are so deep in NaLu fandom that it's beyond any discussion. Means- biased. Because again, you are not up to date, I never said NaLu won't happen but apparently getting up-to-date by reading WHOLE discussion is too much?
It's better to randomly jump in, throw some accusations and expect rest of NaLu fandom to jump on "bash him" bandwagon.


Seriously, what happened I really thought we are on good terms, but suddenly you start spouting plain lies about me (NaLi fan, Lisanna fan, biased, dont listen to him) and manipulate. I never ever could see that coming. But let it be this way.





Let me adress second half of the post after I get back from work

There is no reason to be mad. I remember that i had some discussions with you about Lissana and you were defending her relation with Natsu and her character too on the other hand you were attacking Nalu that make your interests very obvious. It's not a crime to ship Nali or like Lissana, To say you love it or hate doesn't matter to me. What is matter is what you type and how you voice it.

Natsu rely on Lucy too, In fact Lucy protected Natsu many times specially this arc. Yes Natsu is all about Nakama but still Lucy is from his priority between all ppl he choose her to write a letter for when he gone training, When it comes to Lucy's safety he is always over protective, In GMG arc he left the tournament and went to rescue Lucy. This arc he gave Dimaria nightmares because he thought that she killed her.

Now you're putting words in my mouth. Yes they're the best ship among all ships that's why they're the most popular globally plus I wasn't referring to you in my second half of my post i was speaking in general to anyone who thinks Nalu is forced and can't see it coming. No one here bashed you. I didn't even quote your post because i don't want to create problems between us but you got it wrong and thought i was single you out.

Yes we're in a good terms, Because we had a disagreement on something doesn't mean we're enemies. Simply i don't consider how ppl might feel when i type my posts as much as they don't care about me when they shit on the most thing i love in this manga.

 

[Schpittfeuer]

If you want to be really factual, Kagura and Jellal's kiss could challenge any sensual moment that Erza and Jellal has ever shown. I'm not joking either, Kagura kissed Jellal before Erza even did (and I mean with no "ambiguity") which she felt dumb to the point she kissed Erza to make it up to her for taking her bae's first kiss probably lol.

So now basic CPR maneuver is a meaningful kiss? Gimme a break.

There is no reason to be mad. I remember that i had some discussions with you about Lissana and you were defending her relation with Natsu and her character too on the other hand you were attacking Nalu that make your interests very obvious. It's not a crime to ship Nali or like Lissana, To say you love it or hate doesn't matter to me. What is matter is what you type and how you voice it.

Natsu rely on Lucy too, In fact Lucy protected Natsu many times specially this arc. Yes Natsu is all about Nakama but still Lucy is from his priority between all ppl he choose her to write a letter for when he gone training, When it comes to Lucy's safety he is always over protective, In GMG arc he left the tournament and went to rescue Lucy. This arc he gave Dimaria nightmares because he thought that she killed her.

Now you're putting words in my mouth. Yes they're the best ship among all ships that's why they're the most popular globally plus I wasn't referring to you in my second half of my post i was speaking in general to anyone who thinks Nalu is forced and can't see it coming. No one here bashed you. I didn't even quote your post because i don't want to create problems between us but you got it wrong and thought i was single you out.

Yes we're in a good terms, Because we had a disagreement on something doesn't mean we're enemies. Simply i don't consider how ppl might feel when i type my posts as much as they don't care about me when they shit on the most thing i love in this manga.

Let's just leave this, no point.

 

[darkenedreality]

I will say again that Lucy's reasons for falling forNatsu makes the most sense out of any of the girl's

Juvia gives her competition. She was a girl who once shunned love, but thanks to Gray who showed her kindness (despite being the enemy at the time) and took away the rain that plagued her, she was able to see the sun again. In other words he saved her, that's a pretty good reason to fall for someone. Most people misunderstand and look at it at surface level thinking Juvia only fell for Gray because he's good looking. That isn't the case. Gray was the first person who truly accepted Juvia as a person.

Right. And like Natsu/Lucy, Gray has also saved, protected, and inspired Juvia.

 

[Crescent Jinx]

That was not nice at all, why would you do this?










Let me adress second half of the post after I get back from work

Am looking forward to it.

Because I just basically reused the scenes from a post I made on reddit months ago. There's more left but I want you to finish your thought process before bringing anything new. (Well if we want to go into what is on my computer?)

But at least happy that some of the moments made you at least say that there's a smidgen of possibility... basically the fanservice moment to real meaningful moments are obscured. The endless fanservice subtracts from their relationship because the two are disproportionate with more weight on the less meaningful side. But there relationship is portrayed differently from Zervis or Jerza where the girl is basically the light for the boy.

Don't worry I will bring you into the light that is called Nalu .

So now basic CPR maneuver is a meaningful kiss? Gimme a break.

Let's just leave this, no point.

Actually Mashima made a big announcement before Air was release (chapter where Levy gave Gajeel air) where he said a romantic moment was coming up.

So CPR is something Mashima considers as romantic.

Guess Kagura destined to be tied to Jerza in an ultimate threesome battle.

Juvia gives her competition. She was a girl who once shunned love, but thanks to Gray who showed her kindness (despite being the enemy at the time) and took away the rain that plagued her, she was able to see the sun again. In other words he saved her, that's a pretty good reason to fall for someone. Most people misunderstand and look at it at surface level thinking Juvia only fell for Gray because he's good looking. That isn't the case. Gray was the first person who truly accepted Juvia as a person.

Right. And like Natsu/Lucy, Gray has also saved, protected, and inspired Juvia.

I actually feel Juvia and Lucy are very similar. The exception Juvia is more extreme. When she's sad, the sky cries. When she's in love, she's completely in love, body and soul. While Lucy tries to hide her feelings a lot. Or she becomes emotionally numb as when her father dies. Also while Juvia went after Gray to tell him her "sin" of killing his father. Lucy bottled up wanting to see Natsu for 10 months. Lucy also always denies feelings for Natsu even though her actions say otherwise.

Both girls have good reasons to love the boys. Gray saved Juvia from a life of rain. Natsu bring fire/sunlight/warmth into Lucy's dull life (that adventure she craves and the attention she never got from her father).

The girls just react differently to the two. Which in their expressions of love, Juvia tends to be very dramatic in her expressions which I feel is good for Gray.
Which is the same thing Natsu does for Gray. And that's why I can't for the life of me ship Graylu. Lucy and Gray need someone to upset their life/push them outside their comfort zone and that is what Natsu and Juvia do for them. It is just a personal preference. Natsu breaking into Lucy's apartment and Juvia stalking Gray are similar. Gray and Lucy seemingly annoyed with them but they are actually flattered and when Juvia/Natsu are no longer around to do it anymore they are upset. That is something Lucy learned after Tartars and she actively has been striving to make sure Natsu doesn't leave her any more. While Gray didn't realize how close he could lose Juvia until Invel's fight.

And that is more what Mashima has been pushing this arc.

Losing something precious

While Tartaros might have been about letting the past go (Mira's demon memory, Gajeel's memory of the council woman, Lucy's relationship with Aquarius, Gray with Silver, Natsu with Igneel, Wendy not wanting to cry anymore, Minerva's past with her father, Erza's darkness).... This arc has been about losing what is precious to you.... Chelia was given a choice of her magic or Wendy, Natsu thought he lost Lucy, Lucy thinks she's going to lose Natsu, Dimaria lost Brandish, Gray was going to lose Juvia, also with ice shell Juvia was going to lose Gray, Levy and Gajeel thought they lost each other, Laxus and thunderlegion, Lisanna thought she lost Mira, Erza lost a good parent of Makarov, Mavis lost two sons her god child, Makarov, and August, the son she never knew.

 

[x777]

Losing something precious

This remainded me of this:

Spoiler

 

[Schpittfeuer]

Don't worry I will bring you into the light that is called Nalu .

To be honest, if that's your aim, do. I would very much want to understand why people call NaLu good ship.

But this discussion was about Jerza vs NaLu, because even if you prove me that NaLu is reasonable and solid "ship" (that is unlikely IMO), It still won't be better than Erza and Jellal, because of reasons already said.

 

[M3J]

If Natsu really wanted to spend time with Erza, he would do it. It's not like Erza is going to bite his head off for wanting to spend time together. We don't really see them going on regular missions in the main story. We know that Natsu, Happy, and Lucy are a team. I think Lucy goes on most of her missions with Natsu and Happy. Natsu and Happy might go on a few solo missions here and there.

Spoiler: A bunch of examples

Spoiler: Lucy was happy that Natsu finally felt like going on missions again after the Harvest Festival.

Spoiler: They went on a mission after Lucy's father's death.

Spoiler: Erza happened upon them when she was playing superhero

Spoiler: They went on a mission together during Day of Fateful encounter

Spoiler: They were separated on a mission in the Rave Omake

Spoiler: They worked again as a team in the pre-movie omake

Spoiler: And of course, my personal favorite. I don't know if this was on a mission or not, but they must have found the time to just fall asleep beside eachother

But that's just it, Erza has the reputation of biting people's head off and being cold. Not to mention, we've seen Gray and Natsu be scared of Erza plenty of times. Lucy however radiates warmth and openness to the point that Natsu sexually harasses her and breaks into her home all the time, It's not surprising he'd spend more time with Lucy.

I never said they rarely went on missions, in fact I"m sure the trio go on missions together all the time. It's them hanging out outside of missions that I'm disagreeing with.

And one of the pictures show that Lucy wanted to go on a mission with Natsu and Happy more for the cash than for the enjoyment.

 

[Crescent Jinx]

To be honest, if that's your aim, do. I would very much want to understand why people call NaLu good ship.

But this discussion was about Jerza vs NaLu, because even if you prove me that NaLu is reasonable and solid "ship" (that is unlikely IMO), It still won't be better than Erza and Jellal, because of reasons already said.

My goal was basically just having you acknowledge that not all Nalu moments were aimed at pleasing the fans or general friendship.

I personally can't answer for other people of why they call Nalu a good ship but I call it a good ship because I see their development now. As in the present. Not 100 years ago. Not when they were children. From friends to something more romantic. And I personality love partners turned lovers of like Castle and Becket or Hook and Emma or Tony and Ziva. The playing around that hints at something more. That accidental touches. Plus I am a Lucy fan. And even tho I have issues with how Nalu is portayed and how it affects her character. I do think Natsu makes Lucy happy and she makes him happy. And to me, being happy is something all ships should strive toward. They really don't need excessive drama with what the fandom wants to push on them. They are good together. And they have been good together this whole time. And shipping them with other people like Gray, Loke, Lisanna, Erza, Yukino would interrupt their dynamic.

As for Jerza. It's really hard to compare the two since they got so much development at BoS. That's why I said Nalu is really more like Gruvia. Lucy having feelings for Natsu. Nalu is also more comparable to Gajevy and Elfever. Especially Elfman and Evergreen.

Jerza is more like Zervis before Mashima screwed the ship up by executing the love child subplot so poorly.

Jellal and Erza are basically kept apart from each other. You get that sense (especially with Simon's death) that they are the only two in the world for each other (although Naza fans would disagree.... feel like tagging you know who here) And they do get fanservice moments too - Erza sitting on Jellal's face, Jellal groping her boobs, Jellal falling into her boobs.

Same thing with Zervis. You had Mavis kill Yuri's wife and being cursed by a spell Zeref taught her. They were the only one for each other. Also Jellal and Zeref are both arc bosses playing a chess game, who's goals were to use Mavis and Erza for their end game purposes.

Something like that would never cross Natsu's mind.

 

[Axiomus]

But that's just it, Erza has the reputation of biting people's head off and being cold. Not to mention, we've seen Gray and Natsu be scared of Erza plenty of times. Lucy however radiates warmth and openness to the point that Natsu sexually harasses her and breaks into her home all the time, It's not surprising he'd spend more time with Lucy.

I never said they rarely went on missions, in fact I"m sure the trio go on missions together all the time. It's them hanging out outside of missions that I'm disagreeing with.

And one of the pictures show that Lucy wanted to go on a mission with Natsu and Happy more for the cash than for the enjoyment.

I think you're overplaying how harsh Erza is. If Natsu truly wanted to hang out with Erza, he's not so scared of him to the point where he would refuse to. It's not like Erza would bite his head off for just wanting to spend time together. There has to be a reason for Erza to be harsh towards Natsu, and it's generally only when he misbehaves.

Natsu and Happy are shown spending most of their time when they are not on missions hanging out with Lucy. Yeah, most of the time it's at her house, but we also see them together when they are at the guild or walking around town sometimes. When team Natsu first arrived at Crocus, they went off on their own and started playing around with flower rings. It's stuff like this that differentiates how Natsu acts around Lucy, and he acts around Erza. This really isn't sexual harassment either.

Spoiler: Simply having fun together

 

[M3J]

I'm not overplaying how harsh Erza is. I personally think she'd love to spend time with Natsu, but haven't Gray and Natsu thought of Erza as cold and scary?

Are you ignoring all those times when Natsu grabs Lucy's tits?

 

[Axiomus]

I'm not overplaying how harsh Erza is. I personally think she'd love to spend time with Natsu, but haven't Gray and Natsu thought of Erza as cold and scary?

Are you ignoring all those times when Natsu grabs Lucy's tits?

They might have viewed her as scary, but they were still her friends in her childhood. If they really wanted to spend more time with her, they would.

The only time where Natsu has ever purposely grabbed Lucy's breasts was during the Eclipse arc. Most of the other times he's touched her breasts were due to them falling in a typical ecchi fashion. I'm not saying fanservice doesn't happen for NaLu. Still, Natsu isn't hanging out with Lucy just so he could grope her.

 

[M3J]

I know that, but they were still somewhat scared even back then. Besides, they're not as much of a team as Lucy and Natsu are, and both seem to have enough free time to hang out. Would Erza spend time with others the way Lucy is? The difference in personalities matter too. I mean, Natsu could be closer to Erza and still hang out with Lucy more just because Erza's busy or more of a loner.

even if he did only do it purposely once, didn't he continue to hold onto her tits few times even after "accidentally" groping them? Would be considered sexual assault. And forced fanservice.

 

[Crescent Jinx]

But that's just it, Erza has the reputation of biting people's head off and being cold. Not to mention, we've seen Gray and Natsu be scared of Erza plenty of times. Lucy however radiates warmth and openness to the point that Natsu sexually harasses her and breaks into her home all the time, It's not surprising he'd spend more time with Lucy.
.

This is a it long since I am replying two posts but....

Spoiler: Natsu likes picking on Lucy

Natsu likes picking on Lucy. There was this moment in TOH where Natsu was going to play a prank on Erza for her reaction but switched to Lucy because Lucy's reaction would be better.

See him blushing to bring this frog to her in Edolas. He wants to mess with her. That is a goal for him. Happy said "Natsu I don't think she would like that."

^(He's soooooo cute)

Because Natsu enjoys her reactions.

That's his personality though. He really doesn't just mess with Lucy. He messes with Gray and Erza to fight. With Lucy, it is less about fighting and more about just bothering her. Like that boy who pulls your hair in class and you want to stab him with your pencil in second grade.

By the time, Alvarez comes around he is sooo happy when she tries to Lucy kick him.

Even earlier in the series, he tried to scare her.

He's basically being childish. And Lucy is the first one he does it to.

He knows when he goes too far

Even in retaliation to these break in moments (which are on the same creepy level as him touching her body)...

Lucy's first thought wasn't to go get Erza or Gray to make him stop. Cuz Natsu is clearly scared of Erza. Or even to have a long chat with him.

Her first reaction was to punish him by... BREAKING into his house and sexually harass him..... as a form of payback.

That is her personality though - she even wanted to do devious stuff to Everlue when he called her ugly (clean his toilet with toothbrush/rearrange his socks). She has these over the top reactions and usually they back fire. Even when she broke into his house, she ended up cleaning it. Cuz that's Lucy. Everyone freaked out with her Lucy kicking him and losing the towel for fanserive but that's Lucy. Natsu didn't go in for that, it happened. (That 's why when Happy or him say Lucy is Lucy..... Not even romantically, Lucy is weird, clumsy, dangerprone). And she also goes along with his sexy jutsu schemes. Remember the edolas clothes changer? He played around with changing her clothes then she changed his.

Now as for the boob grabs. No it is not right. And he SHOULD NOT do it. But everyone holds Natsu accountable when Cana did the exact same thing. Basically inappropriate touching is ok if it is girl on girl action? is what the fairy tail fandom is saying...

It was intentional unlike the accidental falls or grabs. Did Lucy want Cana doing that? No. At least she got to hit Natsu.

It is not ok for a friend or a ship or a villain to grope a female. Accidental or unintentional. But with "accidental" it is easier to forgive it. Look at the golden couple from Rave Master (Haru x Elle). Haru boob grabbing Elle without permission. And her punching him. Of course it was accident.

In Rave Master, Haru and Elle became canon when Julia stripped a drunk Elle at a party in order to get Haru to confessed. Sooo.... Boob grabbing is not the only problem with Mashima ships.

The first boob grab that I remember in Fairy tail was PL, Juvia vs Gray. Completely accidental, but Mashima copied it for all the major ships

With Gajeel he just did the fall on naked boob moment.

Outside of Natsu grabbing Lucy's naked boobs in GMG. I think can't of any other time it was intentional. IN this panel.... His hands are half on her arm and half on a boob. It looks more accidental even with "It's huge!" being shouted.

And the one in the stone age omake which was Rape fanservice heaven... extremely OOC and non canon. And the boob grab in it was the least of the problems with that omake with all the sexual harassment it had plus Natsu's dragon boner.

The only other moments for Nalu ones, I can remember (someone can correct me if I am wrong) were Happy using the doll to push Natsu into Lucy's boobs (Don't really remember one before Tenrou Island) and when Natsu and Lucy were in the GMG bell, flying through the air, and his face in her boobs (which connects back to that other grab, it was all the same situation), and when Makarov grabbed them to save them from Azir and his face was in her boobs.

Besides Cana and Nastu intentionally touching Lucy's boobs, Taurus untied Lucy's bikini top at a photo shoot at the beginning of the series and chased her around trying to grab them. And he's her spirit. That's his own celestial master he is disrespecting.

All of this is wrong but it is the culture of manga. And some of it is Master of Fansevice, the Pervert Trollshima and should be taken with a grain of salt. He wanted to cliché boob grope. And he did it between popular ships to not to make shippers angry.

 

[M3J]

Can't imagine Lucy being the first person Natsu jokes around with. But yeah, doesn't change my point that Natsu is more likely to play around with her because she's that open and won't beat the shit out of him every time. She's for the most part a pushover. Erza does not give off that vibe, and I don't think Natsu is as close to Mira as he is to Erza and Lucy.

 

[Crescent Jinx]

Can't imagine Lucy being the first person Natsu jokes around with. But yeah, doesn't change my point that Natsu is more likely to play around with her because she's that open and won't beat the shit out of him every time. She's for the most part a pushover. Erza does not give off that vibe, and I don't think Natsu is as close to Mira as he is to Erza and Lucy.

And another example of this is the Cain fight when she was hitting him and he remarked that those punches actually hurt or seemed stronger..... inferring that Lucy's usual kicks/punches/knife hand blade attacks barely register with him.

And that was only the point I was trying to make is that he enjoys triggering/playing with Lucy. Even mentioning she wouldn't have better reaction than Erza.

While Erza can freak out over something like destroying her cake..... she typically the kind who is calmer and harder to surprise. Touching her body might as easily instill some type of hug into the chest plate of her armor as it would a foot up his ass as a reward for messing with her.

 

[Axiomus]

I know that, but they were still somewhat scared even back then. Besides, they're not as much of a team as Lucy and Natsu are, and both seem to have enough free time to hang out. Would Erza spend time with others the way Lucy is? The difference in personalities matter too. I mean, Natsu could be closer to Erza and still hang out with Lucy more just because Erza's busy or more of a loner.

even if he did only do it purposely once, didn't he continue to hold onto her tits few times even after "accidentally" groping them? Would be considered sexual assault. And forced fanservice.

I highly doubt Natsu would let fear dictate whether or not he wants to hang out with someone. At the end of the day Erza is still considered close friends to Natsu and Gray. If Natsu truly wanted to hang out with Erza, he would find a way to make it work. It's not like Erza randomly beats up Natsu for no reason. It's really only when she is provoked. As far as whether Natsu is closer to Erza of Lucy. Volume 16's extra pages came with an interview from Jason's POV. The 3rd question he asked was they were close with. Natsu considers himself close with Lucy and Happy. Lucy's answer was Natsu and Levy. Erza's answer was basically all of team Natsu. Natsu and Lucy both consider each other among the people they are closest with. Keep in mind this is near the start of the series (volume 16), so in all likelihood Natsu and Lucy have only grown closer over time.

Spoiler: V16 extra pages

I won't deny that there are fanservice moments between Natsu and Lucy, but it's not the entirety of their interactions. The main point is when Natsu is hanging around with Lucy, he isn't actively trying to grope her. Most of the time they just fall in awkward positions due to plot. Nobody is really criticizing Gray for accidentally groping Juvia, or Jellal for accidentally groping Erza. People don't really even care about the fact Gajeel beat up Levy before. Also, Lucy is the ultimate authority on whether or not she finds Natsu's actions acceptable or not. This is Lucy like 20 minutes after Natsu groped her.

Spoiler: Warmth that dwells in your chest

 

[petto]

I highly doubt Natsu would let fear dictate whether or not he wants to hang out with someone. At the end of the day Erza is still considered close friends to Natsu and Gray. If Natsu truly wanted to hang out with Erza, he would find a way to make it work. It's not like Erza randomly beats up Natsu for no reason. It's really only when she is provoked. As far as whether Natsu is closer to Erza of Lucy. Volume 16's extra pages came with an interview from Jason's POV. The 3rd question he asked was they were close with. Natsu considers himself close with Lucy and Happy. Lucy's answer was Natsu and Levy. Erza's answer was basically all of team Natsu. Natsu and Lucy both consider each other among the people they are closest with. Keep in mind this is near the start of the series (volume 16), so in all likelihood Natsu and Lucy have only grown closer over time.

Spoiler: V16 extra pages

I won't deny that there are fanservice moments between Natsu and Lucy, but it's not the entirety of their interactions. The main point is when Natsu is hanging around with Lucy, he isn't actively trying to grope her. Most of the time they just fall in awkward positions due to plot. Nobody is really criticizing Gray for accidentally groping Juvia, or Jellal for accidentally groping Erza. People don't really even care about the fact Gajeel beat up Levy before. Also, Lucy is the ultimate authority on whether or not she finds Natsu's actions acceptable or not. This is Lucy like 20 minutes after Natsu groped her.

Spoiler: Warmth that dwells in your chest

Actually never seen interactions Laki and Lucy.
I'll take this information with a grain of salt

 

[Axiomus]

Actually never seen interactions Laki and Lucy.
I'll take this information with a grain of salt

These pages are from volume 16's extra pages. It's either written by Hiro himself, or he approved of it in some way or another. We don't see much of Laki in the manga, period. Regardless of how much actual time we see of her, it's the character's opinion that she is closest with Levy and Lucy.

 

[M3J]

And another example of this is the Cain fight when she was hitting him and he remarked that those punches actually hurt or seemed stronger..... inferring that Lucy's usual kicks/punches/knife hand blade attacks barely register with him.

And that was only the point I was trying to make is that he enjoys triggering/playing with Lucy. Even mentioning she wouldn't have better reaction than Erza.

While Erza can freak out over something like destroying her cake..... she typically the kind who is calmer and harder to surprise. Touching her body might as easily instill some type of hug into the chest plate of her armor as it would a foot up his ass as a reward for messing with her.

Ah, I agree with your point.

I highly doubt Natsu would let fear dictate whether or not he wants to hang out with someone. At the end of the day Erza is still considered close friends to Natsu and Gray. If Natsu truly wanted to hang out with Erza, he would find a way to make it work. It's not like Erza randomly beats up Natsu for no reason. It's really only when she is provoked. As far as whether Natsu is closer to Erza of Lucy. Volume 16's extra pages came with an interview from Jason's POV. The 3rd question he asked was they were close with. Natsu considers himself close with Lucy and Happy. Lucy's answer was Natsu and Levy. Erza's answer was basically all of team Natsu. Natsu and Lucy both consider each other among the people they are closest with. Keep in mind this is near the start of the series (volume 16), so in all likelihood Natsu and Lucy have only grown closer over time.

He kinda would. Plus, the main difference between Lucy and Erza, like I said, is how friendly and inviting Lucy is. Natsu could be closer to Erza and still be more drawn towards hanging out with Lucy purely because she's more patient. And Natsu tends to provoke people, and it's usually Erza or Makarov that beats the shit out of him for being an idiot.

Makes sense as they're a team, so they spent time earning trust and relying on each other. But then, Juvia did say she liked Gajeel, while Gray and Cana were into each other. Now it's all different, so who knows.

I won't deny that there are fanservice moments between Natsu and Lucy, but it's not the entirety of their interactions. The main point is when Natsu is hanging around with Lucy, he isn't actively trying to grope her. Most of the time they just fall in awkward positions due to plot. Nobody is really criticizing Gray for accidentally groping Juvia, or Jellal for accidentally groping Erza. People don't really even care about the fact Gajeel beat up Levy before. Also, Lucy is the ultimate authority on whether or not she finds Natsu's actions acceptable or not. This is Lucy like 20 minutes after Natsu groped her.

Spoiler: Warmth that dwells in your chest

But it does seem to be one of the selling points.

HOw often do Gray and Jellal grope Juvia or Erza? And does it seem forced and/or fan servicey? I don't remember them doing it much or it looking bad. And di Juvia and Erza mind or complain? If they did, then there should be an issue. If Lucy didn't complain, then I'd have less issue with it. And Gajeel beating up Levy was redeemed when he turned into a good guy and showed he cares about Levy. As you mentioned with Lucy and Natsu, growth and evolution.

I can't see the picture, but I'm assuming her reaction was probably due to Natsu doing smething to save them.