Lucy could handle her sensible four-door sedan as skilfully as the more powerful cars she'd driven when she lived with daddy dearest; but as a merciful kindness, she allowed Natsu behind the wheel when they went places. It was only the most sensible thing to do. With his motion sickness, if he wasn't driving, he'd complain incessantly, or eject the contents of his stomach. Every-damn-where. Sometime after the third occurrence, Lucy had dubbed Natsu her designated driver.

This Sunday they'd decided to pack up the car and lose themselves in the back roads of the county. Today was all about taking the scenic route - turning off the GPS, and exploring new towns.

Natsu took one hand off the wheel to nudge Lucy. "Hey, remember how you said you'd like us to get more cultured and I thought you were talking about yogurt?"

"You know exactly what I was talking about, and it was not dairy products." Lucy slipped off her sandals and wriggled her toes. At least being the designated non-driver had its perks. "Taking in a show once in a while would be fun, and exploring some of the historical sites would be informative."

"Y'know, I do listen to you." Natsu passed a steely gray Honda Civic with a burst of speed. "And I thought long and hard about how to combine our wants into one destination."

"Ew." Lucy mimed being sick. "Don't tell me there's a town where eating chilies and reading is mandatory! I can handle books, but I don't have your tolerance for Scoville units!"

"Is there somewhere you know like that?" Natsu gave Lucy a sidelong look and then fastened his attention back to the road. "Sounds better than where I was going. Let me find a place to turn around and you can pull up directions to this wonderful destination."

"Naw, I guess I'll let you take us to wherever you were going already." Lucy rubbed her stomach. "I'm getting hungry - I hope we'll be there soon."

"Soon," agreed Natsu, "It's almost funny how we've never done a day trip out in this direction."

"Funny, like 'ha-ha' or funny, like 'Alexa, play Despacito'?" Lucy asked with a smug smile. "There's lots of great towns within a hundred klicks of home and even more if we widen the field."

"Yeah, well this place will quench most of your needs." Natsu playfully waggled the steering wheel, making Lucy whip her head to glare at him - and so miss the giant sign that announced, 'welcome to Blyth.'

"How many times do I have to threaten you before you stop doing that?"

"More than what the current count's at." Natsu snickered. "But I'll behave for now - it's time to find a place for breakfast!"

Lucy wiped her mouth and delicately burped into her napkin. "You did well."

"You forgive me for my driving?"

"Just this time, until the next time." Lucy grinned and settled the bill. "Let's leave the car parked and walk around downtown."

"We can prolly walk up-town, down-town and back-and-forth all over town before getting tired," joked Natsu. "But I know you're gonna love my surprise."

"You planned something?"

"Yeah." Natsu caught Lucy's unbelieving vibe and bristled. "I do listen to you natter about wanting me to organize things for us to do together - but I usually forget."

"I'm going to give you a pass on that one." Lucy held out her hand and let Natsu lead her out onto the beautifully maintained sidewalk. The 'communities in bloom' signage was accurate. Decorative planters held beautiful displays every ten meters and the wealth of colour was invigorating. "Your surprise better wow me, or I'll be driving us home."

"You wouldn't!"

Lucy took perverse delight in how green Natsu became. "Oh? Wouldn't I?"

"Fine, I booked tickets to a live theatre show here in this town." Natsu gulped, his eyes still worried. "Don't make me a passenger, please."

"Oh my goodness! We're in Blyth, aren't we?" Lucy squealed, her expression of joy rivaling the brightness of the sun. She embraced Natsu, squeezing him and bouncing with excitement. "Which show? What time? Who's in it? Good seats?"

Natsu opened his mouth to try to answer Lucy.

Lucy shook her head and interrupted herself. "No! Those details aren't important - once we pick up a playbill I can Google anything I need to." Impulsively Lucy leaned in for a quick kiss