Lucy turns on the shower head and finds relief in the jet of hot water cascading down her back. Ah, what's wrong with me? I shouldn't be like this.

She thinks back on the events of the day. She had really nearly lost it when she thought Natsu was gone.

But that's normal! Natsu is my nakama and team-mate! I would never want to lose him. Not any Fairy Tail member either!

"Don't deny your feelings for him anymore."

With a groan, she comes out of the shower and stands in front of the mirror. Enough, Lucy. Don't let your heart be disturbed.

Stepping out of the bathroom, the first thing she notices is Natsu and Happy, fast asleep on her bed. After the fishing event, Natsu had complained of muscle pain and successfully coerced her into allowing them to spend the night at her place.

"At least take a bath!"

Silence.

Sighing, she makes her way to a cabinet to retrieve her sewing kit. The fish-beast earlier on had torn Natsu's shirt, and she decided to do some patching-up for him.

She looks up and observes him from at her table. Yes, this was the best distance to look at him. The last time she observed his sleeping form – and even conceded that he looked pretty cute! – he had given her a Dragon Fist punch in his sleep, landing her right in the city river. She ignored him for 2 days after.

He is kinda cute though, she thinks to herself, sub-consciously walking towards him. You'll catch a cold not wearing a shirt. Though of course, he probably won't since he was crazy strong and a Fire Dragon Slayer at that. But even after a year hanging around him, Lucy sometimes still can't get her head around his insane tolerance to extremities.

She pulls the blanket over him, pausing to adjust Happy into the blanket as well. Looking at Natsu one more time, she finds her hand hovering over his face. Holding her breath, she traces a finger over his check and jawbone.

"Goodnig –"

Without warning, Natsu wakes up and grasps her wrist.

"Gyah! Natsu!"

"Lucy? What's wrong?"

Alarmed, Lucy wrenches her hand free. "You were snoring so loudly I thought you were having a seizure or something! Now either get back to sleep or go take a shower!"

Stop being so flustered! Act normal, act normal, Lucy chides herself, quickly making her way back to the table.

Natsu gets up and walks sleepily to her fridge to get himself a bottle of juice. He then plops down onto the chair opposite hers.

Doki-doki.

"What're you doing, Lucy?"

"Can't you see? Mending your shirt."

Doki-doki.

He gulps his drink as he watches her work.

After a few moments of companionable silence, he spoke up again.

"I'm really glad you did not lose your right arm, Lucy. I was really scared when I…" he trails off.

DOKI-DOKI.

"Hey Natsu. Tomorrow, are you free? Let's skip work and have some fun instead. How about the carnival at the city square?" Lucy hears herself say.

"Carnival? Ohh, sounds like fun! Okay, why not!"

Did I….just ask him out on a date?!

WHATT? What am I doing?!

"Yo, Lucy!"

Lucy turns and sees Natsu bounding up the slope towards her, waving wildly to catch her attention. She finds herself grinning and waving back.

"Where's Happy? He's not coming along?"

"That Happy! We were supposed to come together but he abandoned us the last moment when he heard Charle and Wendy were going to the beach with some others. Said something about seeing Charle in a bikini, that damn Happy!"

Lucy laughs, pulling Natsu along with her. "C'mon, let's go!"

The day passed sooner than Lucy'd like, filled with laughter and idiotic moments. Of course, with Natsu's overly-competitive and slightly wild nature, several game stalls were almost destroyed by him, and they had to run away. But that did not dampen their spirits, and Lucy realized she didn't seem to mind his recklessness much anymore.

Right now, Lucy was waiting by a taiyaki stall for Natsu, who had ran off suddenly, saying that he had something for her.

A head of pink hair catches her eye from a distance. Natsu. Cotton candy? That's what he wanted to get me? Geez, that silly boy!

Lucy couldn't help it, the grin on her face was growing wider and wider. Like two idiots, Natsu and Lucy smiled as they closed the distance between them.

Until Natsu stopped smiling, a panicked expression overtaking his features instead. He mouths something, but Lucy couldn't hear. Huh? She sees Natsu break into a run, and she is momentarily mesmerized by his figure.

Nat-

Closer, closer.

He reaches out to her, the cotton candy flying out of his hand. With one arm around her shoulder and the other on her waist, he throws them backwards, orientating their bodies so that she lands on top of him.

"Ow owwww," Natsu grunts in pain. "Lucy, you okay?"

The sounds of trumpets and clashing cymbals floated through the air. The parade had begun, and she had nearly been banged down by the parade truck.

"Natsu." You saved me.

They locked eyes for a seemingly long time. She feels his arms, still around her protectively. Those arms…full of warmth and masculinity, but why must this person have the mentality of a 10-year-old? He probably doesn't feel anythi –

"Lucy? Hey, you alright? We should get up now."

Lucy snaps awake.

"Ah! Gomen ne, gomen ne!"

"Gyahhh, Lucy! What were you doing being so careless! Ah, the cotton candy…!"

Natsu had on such a cute disappointed expression, Lucy's heart twisted a little.

Oh my god, I – it can't be…

"I'm sorry I spaced out a little! Hey, let's go get dinner, it'll be my treat!"

She stretches out her hand to him. His countenance visibly brightens. They link hands, dusting themselves off and walking towards a stretch of restaurants. Lucy falls back into her thoughts as Natsu resumes his chattering self, listing out the things he wants to eat.

I like you.

My notes: Is this kind of too slow-paced? :/ hmm, but I was just thinking, for these 2 love idiots, slow pace is apt! Shucks, I dunno. :(