#metsu

When did they meet?

Officially, Natsu met Meredy-chan after Fairy Sphere sent the Fairy Tail members seven years in the future. (人◕ω◕) While training for the Grand Magic Games, Crime Sorciere approaches Team Natsu to offer them support... For the sake of tracking down a Zeref-esque person during the games. But also to repay Fairy Tail a little for giving them a second chance at life. (人◕ω◕)

Meredy was one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory, taken in by Ultear after they wrecked her village. Though Meredy was crushed to eventually learn the truth of the tragedy that plagued her childhood, she forgave Ultear and wished for her to live. Technically, Meredy viewed Ultear as a mother figure... But as I've been changing things for this harem-verse... Well, put simply Meredy-chan sees herself more as an imouto for Ultear. (人◕ω◕)

At any rate... Natsu never got to meet Meredy in the initial conflict on Tenrou Island. Ultear granting Team Natsu the power of Second Origin is the first time he met Meredy. (人◕ω◕) And put simply, Natsu wasn't focusing on her too much... He was too busy, uh...

... Too caught up in his "crossdressing Ultear" misunderstandings. (人◕ω◕);;; But that's... fine. Meredy was happy to see Juvia again. I mean, just look at these goobers~...

Still, during this time together between Crime Sorciere and Fairy Tail... There's nothing that says Natsu and Meredy couldn't have talked some. After all, Erza was being weird with Blueberry again, and that makes Natsu sour and bitter... He could have been doing something to distract himself, and Meredy noticed he was gloomy and not like his usual self. Natsu knows Meredy as a friend to Juvia, and thinks she's a pretty sweet girl. She shouldn't hafta worry about his problems with Jellal, though.... So Natsu does his best to pick himself up and not show the strain~... Meredy's not a dumb-dumb, tho. She can tell Natsu's suppressing his feelings... But she doesn't pry right away. They'll have plenty of time to get to know one another.(人◕ω◕)

When did they get closer?

Another change to the timeline is that during the dragon invasion, Ultear doesn't use Last Ages. Like... I understand the "need" to with characters dying, but if you're going to undo all those deaths with one character's sacrifice... Why not just go all the way and have situations where they nearly die, but manage to survive against all odds? Ultear can still feel pressured to use Last Ages with everyone's lives at stake... Remember, there's no drama between Kagura, Millianna, Erza, and Jellal. Simon's still alive. And while Ultear still claims to be responsible for "possessing" Jellal, there's not hatred from Kagura or Millianna over it... So really, Ultear leaning toward casting Last Ages to save everyone, it's really just the uncertainty of seeing so many dragons overwhelm the capital. That's all.

... Which is why Natsu talking Ultear out of using Last Ages is pretty important. (人◕ω◕) Through dumb luck, Future Rogue knocking him off of Motherglare led Natsu to encounter Ultear during that crucial moment of consideration, pondering what to do... And Natsu can tell Ultear's at her wit's end; he knows whatever she's thinking about doing, it'll be throwing away her life. After she and Meredy helped save him from Future Rogue's shadow... Natsu doesn't want Ultear to die. (人◕ω◕) So he gives her the courage to keep fighting, regardless of what happens here. Natsu declares they'll win. Somehow. And Ultear believes him. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

I bring this up because Natsu keeping Ultear alive, that's a big reason for Meredy to grow more curious and interested in the Dragon Slayer. Natsu didn't have to take a moment to raise Ultear's spirits; not with how crazy everything was with all the dragons around... But he had a big enough heart to see Ultear was in a sensitive, vulnerable moment... and he helped her out. He helped save Big Sis. (人◕ω◕) This leads Meredy to sneakily visit Fairy Tail sometimes. Just cuz Crime Sorciere is branded as criminals, doesn't mean Meredy can help restrain her curiosity. Besides~... She can learn about Natsu and visit Juvia. Win-win, right? (人◕ω◕)

At first Natsu doesn't know what to make of Meredy's visits. He rolls with them cuz it's what she wants to do, but it's still weird to him to see a non-guild member around so... "frequently". (Okay, so Meredy's visiting him every couple weeks, but she just looks so perky whenever she's hanging around him - how can Natsu say no to that?)

Sooner or later Tartaros rolls around. Then the one-year training trip with Fairy Tail "disbanded", and even with Natsu travelling around with the Strauss siblings... He still ends up seeing Meredy a lot more often, in addition to Sayla. (人◕ω◕) And after the war with Alvarez, Crime Sorciere is pardoned, and they wind up officially joining Fairy Tail. Natsu and Meredy's friendship very much deepens after that. (人◕ω◕)

When did friendship turn to something more?

I've talked at length about Meredy making frequent visits to Fairy Tail... and Natsu... before eventually being pardoned. (人◕ω◕) But every time, Ultear is there to round Meredy up and get them back on the road before the Council or Rune Knights cotton on to their presence around Magnolia. (人◕ω◕) Neechan is very grouchy about Meredy always finding some way to sneak off to Magnolia... But it's not for the upstanding, responsible reasons that she claims... Nah. Neechan wants her time with Natsu, too. And Meredy taking that frequent initiative to go see him... Well, how could Ultear not capitalize on that? (人◕ω◕) Natsu hugs her every time they meet. He's very warm. ... And affectionate. ... And maybe Ultear doesn't mind Natsu's head nuzzling into her chest~... Accusations of crossdressing be damned. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

I bring this up cuz Meredy and Ultear grow pretty fond of Natsu during their time together in the months and years after the GMG. Especially after joining Fairy Tail and Team Natsu. (人◕ω◕) Sure, Erza and a few others are rather grumpy at the two getting so close to the Pyro.... But you can't blame them. Natsu has much love to give, and he's rather charming. He's the cute type of pervert, the oblivious type and not the womanizing type. (人◕ω◕)

It doesn't take much negotiating between Meredy and Ultear to share Natsu. They can both tell he means a lot to one another. Meredy wants loads of pink-haired babies between them, and is eager to share with Juvia and Ultear. (人◕ω◕) Natsu finds it cool to share the same hair color. And Meredy is rather voluptuous herself, and he frequently takes up her offers of hugs, too. Planting his face first into her lovely bosom, too. (人◕ω◕) It's not really known "when" these two first fell for each other... It just happened. Eventually they came out as a couple, which everyone already knew about long before them.

... Needless to say, Meredy's use of Maguilty Sense is very useful... and deadly... during kinky time. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)