Hey guys! I'm so happy so many people liked Letters from War. And now I'm super happy to continue it! If you haven't read it yet, I would at least suggest reading the first chapter, although this could stand alone.

I really hope you like this story! Please note: I have never eaten seafood except for shrimp so.. yeah.

Fairy Tail and it's characters belong to Hiro Mashima.

Lucy was a nervous wreck. It had been a few weeks since Natsu was released from the hospital. She had seen him almost every day since, she either went to his brothers home and hung out with there as Zeref worked or Natsu was dropped off at her house for the day. Since she worked at home it worked out for the both of them. He was getting better walking on his crutches, but he still needed someone with him during the day. Or at least that's what Dr. Zeref said.

She tugged on her dress, not sure if her cleavage was too much or not enough. It was a mint green sleeveless summer dress. A little keyhole opening was right below her breasts. Strappy tan sandals felt much better than the heels Levy tried to make her wear.

She ran back to the bathroom to touch up on her makeup, again. Tonight was special. It was their first date.

She was surprised when he asked, and not because she didn't want to. She was so excited for it! She just thought he might wait until he got his prosthetic leg first. He was in the fitting process for it but it would still be months until he was on his own feet.

He didn't want to wait that long, and he didn't want her to wait either. So a few days ago he asked her to dinner.

So here she was, as nervous as a teenager going on a date for the first time.

"GAHH!" Lucy almost fell walking into the living room, "Plue!"

KNOCK, KNOCK

"Ah! He's here!" she dropped her purse on the couch and ran to the door, stopping to flatten her hair and dress.

"Hey," a familiar grin and pink hair greeted her when she opened the door.

"Yosh! Hey Lucy!"

She moved aside to let him in, "Nah. I'm ready to go if you are! Hope ya don't mind driving.."

"I told you It was fine," she ran to grab her purse and locked the door behind her, "I need to know where to go though."

"Nope, you'll just have to follow my directions!" he let go of one of his crutches and pulled her close to his chest.

"Oh!" she hugged him back, blushing like mad. She had learned quick that he had no sense of personal space, and liked hugs.

"..you smell good.." he said as he tucked his nose in her hair.

She hid her face deeper into his shirt, noting that he smelt heavily. Men's cologne was the best remedy for anything. Especially the fresh pine that Natsu wore.

"Well, ready to go?" Natsu stumbled, picking up his crutch. He stepped down and turned to wait on her.

"You bet," she walked next to him, placing her hand on his back.

"..you look.. really pretty.." his cheeks flushed.

Lucy smiled, he told her that every time her saw her. She had a good feeling he was trying very hard to impress her and make sure she knew how he felt. It was so sweet.

"Thank you, Natsu," she helped him into the car and before she put his crutches in the back she kissed his cheek, "You look pretty good yourself."

His face and hair matched. He was in cargo shorts, a black t-shirt underneath a long-sleeved red button flannel shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and the shirt was completely undone. Finishing off his outfit was a lone flip flop.

She could see his tattoo peeking out, she had yet to ask what it was.

She climbed into the drivers side, "OK. Now where to?"

"Take a left here," Natsu grinned as Lucy turned into a parking lot.

"Is this it?" She turned off the car and stared at the restaurant.

"Yep. Best seafood in all of Magnolia!" he looked at her, a little shy, "I hope it's OK.."

"It's great" Lucy squeezed his hand, "I haven't had seafood in a while. This'll be great."

"Yosh! Let's go then! I'm starving," he threw open his door and started to get out.

"Wait!" Lucy ran out to get his crutches, "Oh.."

He was holding onto the door, standing at his full height. Lucy barely came up to his collarbone.

"Lucy?" Natsu reached for his crutches, feeling unstable without them. Lucy handed them to him still in a daze.

"You're weird," Natsu closed the car door with his butt.

She finally snapped out of her head, "Hey! I am not!"

"Surrreee," they made their way inside slowly, it had rained the day before and Lucy didn't want him to fall, "You were staring at me like I was your dinner or something. You must be pretty hungry. But it's OK, I like a girl with a big appetite."

"I was not.. staring.." Lucy blushed at him implications, she wasn't that type of girl! It wasn't her fault her was attractive..

"Whatever ya say weirdo."

Lucy lightly smacked his shoulders, earning a laugh from him as they walked inside.

"Hello! Welcome to 8-Island! How many?" a cheery waitress greeted them.

"Two, can we get a seat by the window?" Natsu beamed at the lady.

"Of course," she grabbed menus, "just follow me.." she trailed off when she looked at Natsu up and down.

Natsu swallowed, trying to pretend he didn't notice. Lucy actually didn't notice the looks he was getting from her or the other customers as they passed.

"Here you go," the waitress pursed her lips as Lucy helped Natsu sit and place his crutches against the wall, "What can I get you to drink?"

"A water with lemon, please," Lucy smiled, sitting across from Natsu.

"Just a soda," Natsu kept his eyes on Lucy so he could ignore the stares. He still wasn't used to them.

Once the waitress left, Natsu's mood lightened, "Look out the window, Lucy!"

"Oh wow," it was a view of the sea, the sky was painted all shades of pink, yellow, and orange, the light making the water shine, "It's beautiful."

"This was my favorite place as a kid. Dad brought me and Zeref here all the time," he glanced at his hands on the table, "I thought you might like it. Once we saw a dolphin.. and we came here real early one time 'cause we were goin fishing and saw sea turtles going back to the water.."

Lucy placed her hands on top of his, "I love it already. A great place for a first date," she ignored his blushing face, knowing her's was the same, "what's good to eat here?"

Natsu went into a long rant, critiquing most of the menu. Lucy knew he liked to eat, that was pretty obvious.

"Are we ready to order?" the waitress returned, setting their drinks on the table. She was looking directly at Lucy, eyeing Natsu with caution.

"Yes, I'd like some crab legs and a side of hush puppies, please," Lucy had never tried them before, but Natus said they were great.

"Yes. And for you, sir?"

"Yeah.. A 3 pound lobster.. fried shrimp.. and I want some crab cakes. Fries on the side."

Lucy's eyes widened. He could eat that much in one sitting?

"Of course," she said no more, looked down and then walked away.

Natsu was scowling as she left, "Everything OK?"

"Yep! he flashed her a happy grin, "I'm on a date with a pretty lady. Everything's better than OK."

"..oh hush," Natsu took her hands back in his and rubbed his thumbs over her smooth fingers.

"So how the doctor the other day?" she never got the chance to ask.

"Fine. They gotta take more off my knee.. make it more flat or something.. but I'll actually get the leg in a month."

"Oh that's great!"

"Yeah, take a few months of therapy," he sighed, but looked happy, "but at least I'll get some of my independence back. I'm sick of these crutches, I got blisters from 'em."

"Aww," she leaned forward, unintentionally giving him a peep, which he quickly averted his gaze from, "how about after dinner I help with that?"

"H-Huh?!" his face burned, "You're uh.. what do you.. mean?"

"I've got some massage oil for blisters, I have to use it because i run a lot. What did you think.." she could feel his hands sweat and his face red, "Oh.. wait.. NO!"

Great job Lucy! Putting the wrong ideas in his head already!

"Oh.. good," his gaze went out the window, "I uh.. wanna wait.."

"Wait?"

"Yeah, ya know.. sex.. I want to wait until I'm married."

Lucy watched as a barrier went up around him. It was completely uncommon these days to wait. It was something precious that had been lost to time..

"Here you are, enjoy!" the waitress dropped off their plates with another waiter and they left.

"Let's dig in!" Natsu ripped his crab cakes in half and stuffed one in his mouth.

"What made you decide to wait?" Lucy had a hard time getting her crab leg to open, but soon found how delicious they were.

"Oh," Natsu ate slower, something lucy never saw him do, "I told you my high school was a stuffy place full of bratty rich kids didn't I?"

"Yes."

"Well, most of 'em did whatever the hell they wanted. They didn't had to work for nothing. The only reason me and Zeref went there was because mom was the principal when she was alive. None of them cared about anything but themselves."

"He stuffed a few shrimp in his mouth, "Like it?" when she raised an eyebrow he chuckled, "the crab."

"Yes! It's amazing," she giggled as she took another bite.

"Good!" he finished off the shrimp and drooled over his lobster.

"So, a stuffy private school where no one cares?"

"Yeah. My junior year, almost every single girl in my class was pregnant. It was awful. They talked about it in class all the time! Even the teachers did!"

He stuck his tongue out as if he was re-living it, "But the worst part was the guys. Only a handful were still with the girl and planning on helping. Most of 'em acted like she didn't exist and moved on. Some even got more than one girl pregnant!"

Lucy grimaced, that sounded horrible.

"I never wanted that to happen, ever. So I promised myself that I'd wait," he took a quick glance at Lucy's face, "I know that's weird.. and uh.. if that's a problem.. um.."

He blushed as his face fell, Lucy wanted to pinch his cheeks into a smile. She felt so.. touched. Men like Natsu hardly existed anymore.

"It's not weird and no it's no a problem," he smile grew as his eyes sparkled.

"Really?"

"Yes," she pushed her plate away. She was finished, but Natsu still had half a lobster, "something similar happened to me."

"Yeah?" his mood had lightened tremendously, a weight lifted off his shoulders.

"A few girls I knew slept around, a lot. One got a disease, two got pregnant.. by the same guy just days apart. Even after all that they tried to hook me up with guys like they liked, it was just too much."

Natsu closed his eyes and shook his head.

"So like you, I decided to wait, a few kisses here and there. But nothing else."

"Oh.. heh," his nervous laugh caught her off guard, "What is it?"

"Umm.. you were my first.."

Natsu raised a fist to cover his mouth, his other arm laid on the table, tapping it in a nervous habit.

Lucy raised her hands to cover her smile, he was embarrassed and she didn't want to make it worse. But he was just so cute.

"Natsu, that's so sweet."

He coughed, rubbing his neck, "It's not.. well I'm not.." he coughed again, "..a loser."

He whispered the last part and Lucy almost missed it, "No. Absolutely not."

Natsu stared her expressionless for a few minutes. Lucy felt nervous under his gaze. His lip twitched, a grin slowly blossomed on his face.

"Yosh! You're the best Lucy!" he took one of her hands in his and kissed it, "I mean it."

Lucy stood and leaned over the table to kiss him, he was surprised but quickly reciprocated the gesture.

A sweet an innocent act of affection. She released his lips, he caressed her cheek, just grinning away.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah," his face was pink as he motioned for the waitress.

"Yes?" she directed her question at Lucy.

"We're ready for the check, please."

"Ah yes, but no dessert?" the woman giggled at her own joke, "Here you are, I'll be back in a moment to get it."

Natsu grabbed it before Lucy could see, "Hey!"

"The man always pays Lucy," he winked.

"Not always," Lucy challenged, "I pay next time."

"Sure," he looked up at her, "Wait. Next time?"

She laughed at his awed face, "Well yeah. There will be a next time, right?"

He dug through his wallet and pulled out two cards, "Hell yeah! I'm all fired up now!"

Lucy giggled again, Natsu felt pride swell in his chest every time she laughed.

"I'll just take this," the waitress came back, "Oh. A military ID?"

"Yeah," Natsu looked down at the table, "It's actually a Veteran's ID. This place has a military discount right?"

"Oh yes! I didn't realize.. I'm so sorry, sir! I'll be right back!"

Blinking, Lucy watched her go, "What was that about?"

"She's been lookin at me weird ever since we got here," Natsu drained the rest of his soda, "You didn't notice? She wasn't the only one staring."

"What?" Lucy glanced around the room, a few people were taking quick glances at her date, "UGH! How rude!"

"Don't let it bother ya," he got her attention by taking her hands, "It sucks. But the only eyes I care about staring are yours."

She bit her lip, he was being so romantic without even trying.

"Wow. That was really corny."

Lucy snorted. The waitress returned before she could reply.

"Again, I'm sorry sir," she placed the receipt in front of him.

Natsu nodded and put his cards away, "Ready, Lucy?"

"Yes," she grabbed his crutches and helped him stand.

Lucy couldn't help but gush over this man. He was kind, strong, loyal, brave.. He didn't let anything keep him down for long.. His values matched her, and she'd begun to think she'd never find a man like that.

"Oh!" when they got to the door it was sprinkling, "Wait here and I'll go get the car."

"No. I'll be OK."

"Natsu! Are you sure?" one leg and crutches and he was still faster than her.

"Yep!" he slid on one foot over the water, giving Lucy a mini heart attack.

"You'll fall!" she ran after him as he skated across the parking lot.

"Never! Salamander never falls-" his crutches slipped from under him, "dammit!"

Luckily, Lucy was able to catch him in time.

"Geez. Be careful, we don't need you breaking the other leg."

"Heh, sorry," he rested his forehead against hers.

She stared into his eyes, joy and content were the only emotions she saw. She hoped he saw the same. She kissed his nose quickly.

"Let's go, I want you to relax. That oil will help you a lot."

"Yosh!"

"Bye!" Lucy waved as Zeref and Natsu drove off. Natsu complained for 5 minutes about feeling like a teenager needing dad to pick him up.

"That dork.." Lucy shook her head, picking up her empty wine glass and his beer bottle, "What's that?"

A piece of paper was under the bottle. A letter.

Lucy,

You're actually in the kitchen cleaning right now so I'll keep this short. Today.. was great. I've eaten there a bunch of times but this time was so much better. You just don't know how awkward I really am around people. It's cause I'm so comfortable around you. And about the waiting thing.. thanks for not laughing at me. Not even Zeref thought I was smart for making that decision. And I'm really happy you feel the same. So yeah. And that oil massage is gonna be a more than one time thing, I feel great! So, how about next week we go see a movie? That Disney movie is coming out, we can go see that if ya like. Unless you want to go see a grown-up movie. But those aren't any fun. Anyway, you're about to come back so that's it.

Love from not-so-far-away,
Natsu

I hope you like it!

*I have no idea if a Veteran's ID is a thing, but lets go with

**I'm using what little knowledge of prosthetic's I know combined with FMA for these chapters

***In USA, Veteran's day is right around the corner, so If you see one or know one give them a hug for me when you see them!

****I'm making Zeref kind of a jerk for a reason, you'll see probably next chapter!

I really do hope you enjoyed it ^^