Hey everyone just going to get this out of the way. No I'm not changing Wendy's age, because one 12 is apparently legal in Earthland considering nobody bats an eye whenever Wendy drinks...And two, she's technically 19 anyway. (I also just don't care). So if that bothers you it's best to either not read this story or simply pretend that I did.

And one last thing, this story takes place after the Grand Magic Games arc so it's best if you've at least seen up to that arc. Anyway enjoy!

Natsu rose both his blazing arms up in victory as fire shout out of his mouth, "Oh yeah, I win!" Droy was lying beneath Natsu, sobbing on the ground.

Everyone else in the guild was gathered in a circle around them, each with sweat dropping down the back of their heads. "Poor Droy," Mira said forming an awkward smile. "Did Natsu really think he would get a good fight out of him?"

"It's Natsu...That pyro would fight a rock if he could," Gray rolled his eyes before throwing his clothes on the floor leaving him in nothing but dark boxers.

"Gray, your clothes," Cana informed the ice wizard of his half nakedness unamused as she took a chug out of a beer barrel.

Wendy walked up to Natsu and scratched her chin, "Uh Natsu, don't you think you should've went a little easier on him?"

Natsu cocked his yes to the side, "Huh? Why would I do that?"

But before Wendy had time to answer Makarov walked into the center of the circle with a dead serious expression on his face, "Listen well, my children. I have some very important news to share with you all." Everyone stood straight up with their posture at a fixed position. Makarov cleared his throat before continuing, "In two months will be the next Fantasia parade!"

Everyone cheered in joy, save for Wendy who looked around in a confused manner. Erza places her hand on Wendy's shoulder and looked down at her, "The Fantasia Parade is an annual festival we have here in Magnolia. Fairy Tail puts on a grand spectacle for all the citizens here to come and watch. We even have food stalls and gift shops set up."

"Oh, I see," Wendy took all of Erza's explanation in carefully since this would be her first time in the parade.

"That's right, I forgot you weren't here for the last one," Lucy realized.

Wendy simply nodded with a kind smile, "Yeah, it sounds like a lot of fun though."

"However!" Makarov yelled out to regain the guild's attention, "This year I have decided to add two extra events for the parade. First off is the Fairy Dance, as the name implies it will be a dance. I realize that all of you are growing up and so I figured you should experience the wonders of romance as well, so feel free to bring a date be they from either inside or outside of the guild."

Wendy looked up at Natsu with a slight luminescent blush before he looked back over at her. Wendy instantly turned her head away and buried her hands in her face. "Hey uh, is something wrong Wendy?" Natsu asked with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

Gray simply shook his head and sighed leaving Natsu to raise his finger in realization, "Gray, put some clothes on! You're scaring poor Wendy!"

"That's not it ya flame for brains!" Gray shouted at Natsu before their foreheads were smashed against one another's.

"You wanna go, pervy popsicle?!"

"Bring it, dragon breath."

"Not again," Lucy groaned in exhaustion.

"Aye!" Happy cheered as if he was proud of this daily occurrence.

"Focus!" Erza commanded as she pushed Natsu and Gray away from each other. "Now please what is the second event, Master?"

"Oh well that one..." a giddy grin suddenly formed on Makarov's face. "Is a surprise."

Suddenly everyone was filled to the brim with fear. "You know when he gets that kind of look on his face, it can't be good," Gray muttered his black bangs shadowing by his horrified face.

"I hope it's not a punishment game again..." Natsu mumbled while cradling his knees back and forth."

"I don't wanna play a punishment game," Wendy said with her legs shaking like jello.

"A real man, isn't afraid of some silly game," Elfman boasted with contradictory sweat running down every gland of his body.

"Anyway have fun kiddos!" Makarov gleefully skipped back inside the guild hall."

"Well, I don't know about Gramps' second event, but a dance could be nice," Gray was now leaning against a tree, still only in his boxers. "Although I have no idea who I'd go with..."

"Oh Gray dear," Juvia stepped inside Gray's bubble with hearts forming in her eyes.

"Not happening," Gray instantly dodged Juvia's tackle resulting in her head smashing against the tree instead. Regardless she had instantly managed to grasp onto his ankles as he shuddered. "Please take me home with you!"

"Get off of me!" Gray yelled out in frustration as he struggled to walk away with Juvia still on his ankles."

"So Erza, do you know who you're going to ask yet?"

"I don't believe that they would even be allowed in," Erza had a far off look in her eyes yet still wore a smile while she answered."

"But Master said we could bring people from outside the guild as well."

"Yes, indeed he did." Erza nodded clearly having already considered that factor. "And what about you Wendy? Have you decided who your partner shall be?"

Wendy pushed her fingers together while shifting her feet, "Well, sort of...I probably won't be able to ask him though."

Erza raised her eyebrows, "Why is that?"

"I just don't think I have the confidence for it," Wendy admitted her eyes slowly traveling to the ground. "I'd probably back down at the last second."

"Nonsense," Erza neglected Wendy's words as she kneeled down to meet her at eye level. "You have grown immensely from the girl you were back when you were in Cait Shelter. I should know, I've seen your growth first hand. You even were equally matched with a god slayer. If you believe in yourself, there is no doubt in mind you can do anything."

"Gee Erza thank you a lot," Wendy said with an ever growing smile."

"Don't thank me, I am simply telling you the truth," Erza stood back up and winked at Wendy. "Now go on and ask Natsu."

"You knew?!" Wendy asked in embarrassment.

"Of course, it was pretty obvious you had feelings for him since the beginning, and I know what it's like to hide your love."

Wendy looked over at Natsu again who had already started a confrontation with Gajeel. "I see..."

"Well we do have a while before the Fantasia Parade so take your time. I'll be rooting for you," Erza hugged Wendy before she went on her way.

Natsu had finally stopped his fight with Gajeel in his hands as Gray walked over to him, "What? You want some?"

"Cool it fire head," Gray warned Natsu with twitching eyebrows. "This is important."

Nastu studied Gray's eyes closely before carelessly dropping Gajeel in the ground. "I'm listening."

"Damn it Salamander!" Gajeel yelled infuriated at Natsu who simply ignored his anger.

"Do you have anyone in mind for the dance?"

Natsu stared at Gray for a while before holding him s hand in front of his honorary brother's face, "I'll pass thanks. You strip to much for me."

"That's not what I meant you numskull!" Gray sighed doing his best to not get exhausted from Natsu being as clueless as usual. He turned his back to the fire dragon slayer, "I just don't want to end up picking someone you want to ask."

"Gray..." Natsu knew Gray really did care for him just as much he did Gray, so he wasn't surprised Gray did genuinely care about his feelings. What he was surprised about however was how Gray actually admitted it to him.

"So who is it?" Gray asked angling his head back just enough to be able to see Natsu's face out of the corner of his eye. "I know even you have to have feelings for somebody."

And the strange thing was, Natsu knew Gray was right. He felt like he actually really did have an interest in one of the girls at the guild, he truly felt as though he had actually been in love for a while now. But for some reason, he couldn't just figure out who these feelings were directed to. Natsu lowers his head, "I don't know..."

Gray turned all the way around and drew towards Natsu, "What you mean you don't know?!" He then noticed the fragile look in Natsu's eyes, a look he has rarely seen, but nonetheless he has seen it. And so he rested his hand on Natsu's shoulder and spoke softly, "Hey, it's okay man. I get it, you've never experienced romantic love before so it's only nature you would have a hard time distinguishing it from familial love."

"Thanks Gray."

Gray rubbed his hair and looked up at the den settling into a deep maroon sky, "Alright, until you can figure out who it is you're in love with I won't ask anyone to the dance." Gray held out his fist and cocked his head to the side.

A grin slowly started to spread across Natsu's face before he bumped fists with Gray, "It's a deal!"

Wendy's eyes opened slowly as she awoke in her room. "I wasn't able to ask him yesterday," Wendy realized as she tugged in her pink sheets on the verge of tears."

"Patience child, I'm sure you will work up the nerve eventually," Carla assured her as she leaped off the bed.

"But what if I just keep backing out?"

"Instead of worrying about the if, you should be focusing on the now,"

Erza informed Wendy in a strict tone. "Keep wondering about what can happen and you'll only find yourself in a land full of disappointment."

"How did she get in here...?" Carla asked perplexed.

Erza however simply avoided the question as she went on, "Now Wendy, answer me this; do you love Natsu?"

Wendy quickly hid under her sheets and yelled albeit muffled, "Of course I do!"

"Well then you should know, how to get to him as quickly as possible."

"A fight..." Wendy instantly said as she rose out from under her covers.

"That is correct," Erza nodded in satisfaction. "He will fight anyone no matter who they are."

"So if I want to gain his undivided attention, I should challenge him," Wendy realized.

"Precisely, now come on. Let's go get some breakfast, I have a cake waiting for me."

"You're eating cake for breakfast?" Carla raised eyebrows at Erza who sent a bone chilling glare back in response.

"Problem?"

Carla's eyes widened in horror before she cowered behind Wendy, "Not at all!"

"You should be a little more sensitive Carla," Wendy told her Exceed in a gentle voice.

Wendy and Carla walked into the guildhall with Erza as they were greeted by Gray. "Mornin',"

Gray nodded towards the girls.

"Good morning Gray," Wendy waves politely before walking over to Gray. "So hey, have you seen Natsu yet?"

Gray shook his head, "Knowing that hot head, he's probably just sleeping or something.

"Oh, I see," Wendy lowered her head in disappointment.

"Don't fret Wendy, you know as well as I do Natsu is sure to come here eventually," Erza cheered Wendy up.

"Yeah, you're right."

Natsu walked in with Happy sitting atop his head, "Alright, first we get some grub and then we kick some butt! What do you say little buddy?"

"Aye sir," Happy raises his paw in excitement.

Natsu sat down next to Wendy causing her to shift in her seat a little. "Hey Wendy, did you just wake up too?"

Wendy nodded, "A little while ago yeah." Wendy struggled to keep her gaze focused on Natsu as she spoke, "So um...I was wondering...Would you please fight me Natsu."

Suddenly the entire guild hall went dead quiet causing Wendy to look around nervously and frantically bite her lips. But Natsu simply gave her a wide grin, "Sure Wendy, I'm always ready to throw down!"

"Yeah, but against Wendy of all people..." Gray remarked in confusion.

Erza pulled Gray to the side, "Shush this will be beneficial for both of them. You should pay close attention as well, Gray."

"Sure, whatever you say," Gray said sarcastically.

Natsu and Wendy stood in the yard outside the guild as everyone gathered around them in a circle. "So Natsu is really going to fight Wendy?" Mira asked smiling while her hand stuck to her cheek. "Oh dear..."

"A real man doesn't back down from any challenge," Elfman roared with pride nearly bursting everyone's eardrums much to their apparent dismay.

"I don't know if I'd call beating up on a little girl manly," Macao chimed in biting his lips. "It definitely takes balls though."

"I'm not gonna go easy on ya just cause you're younger, kay Wendy?"

Wendy felt her muscles tense up and gulped, "I wouldn't have it any other way Natsu!"

Natsu grinned feeling his adrenaline already burning as hot as his flames igniting around his fists, "Great, I'm already getting fired up!"

Natsu shot off his feet and leaped into the air, "Fire Dragon Wing Attack!" His flames took the shape of giant wings as they came crashing down at Wendy.

Wendy quickly inhaled sucking in as much as air as possible. "Sky Dragon Roar!" Wendy released a massive blast of wind from her mouth dispersing the flames. Natsu came in their place, lighting his knee on fire.

"Fire Dragon Talon!"

"Sky Dragon Claw" A heap of air surrounded Wendy's legs as they met with Natsu's knee.

Both of the dragons slayers flipped away from each other. Natsu smirked while wiping his lip, "Man, I didn't imagine I'd have this much fun fighting you. You're amazing Wendy."

Wendy felt her chest heat up as her face flushed red, "You really mean it Natsu?"

Natsu nodded with a bright cheery smile, "Yeah, you're one hell of a girl. I'm loving this fight!"

Wendy suddenly felt as if she was as light as a feather. Her mind was clear as a blue sky and she focused on on Natsu's beady black eyes. He was impressed by her fighting...he had called her amazing because of it. She had to keep going, she had to give it her all so that he would be even more impressed with her.

Natsu charged towards Wendy leaving a trail of fire behind him, "Fire Dragon Flame Elbow!" Natsu struck Wendy with his flaming elbow.

Wendy quickly covered and dashed for Natsu, "Sky Dragon Crushing Fang!" She swung her hand at Natsu as sharp winds cut through his skin. Natsu breathed in heavily as Wendy did the same.

"Fire Dragon..."

"Sky Dragon..."

"Roar!" They both shouted out in unison as massive blasts of fire and wind collided from their mouths. Natsu brought both his arms around him in a circle as flames followed, "Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Exploding Lotus Flame Blade!"

A whirlwind of fire consumed Wendy before knocking her off her feet. Sparks of fire burned around her. Natsu's jaw dropped as he saw Wendy get up, her face covered in wounds. Her right eye twitching and her white dress now a tattered mess. His heart twisted and turned just looking at Wendy like that. But he couldn't for the life of him figure out why.

She wasn't so beat up that she was going to die. Natsu always makes sure to never actually hurt any of his friends that badly in their little fights, not even Gray or Gajeel. Wendy's wounds were ones anyone would expect to receive in a fight between Wizards...yet Natsu couldn't even stand to see her hurt a little bit.

He took a couple of steps back and rubbed his neck, "Hey uh, Wendy. We can stop now if you want.

Wendy instantly shook her head, "No way, Natsu, we have to keep going." Wendy looked Natsu directly in the eyes thrusting out her small chest causing Natsu to distance himself even further. She couldn't stop now, Natsu was acknowledging her strength, she had to push herself past her limits and show him how powerful she could be. She felt her pulse race with excitement at the thought of Natsu praising her even more. If she were to keep this up, surely he would fall in love with her.

Wendy bender her knees and bounced forward using a gust of wind as a boost. She delivered a rapid series of blows as Natsu brought out his forearms and swerved from left to right. Wendy brought her arms around in a circle as billows of wind surrounded her and Natsu, "Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Shattering Light Sky Drill!"

All of the air focused in on Natsu flipping him through the sky. He quickly recovered however and managed to catch his fall. He ran for Wendy with a blazing knuckle, "Fire Dragon..."

Wendy gathered as much wind as possible swirling around her hands before Natsu got a good look at her face. Suddenly his flames dissolved and Wendy blinked in confusion, "Natsu...? Are you okay?!" The Sky dragon slayer asked before tripping onto Natsu.

Natsu felt his heart beat rapidly as Wendy's little chest was pressed against his rock solid abs. He looked deep into her pretty brown eyes sparkling like gems and gulped. He parted his lips as his heart pounded and pounded relentlessly. Her face just being an inch away from his, her lips being so incredibly close, their bodies practically merged...all of it was enough to make Natsu finally realize...he was in love with Wendy.