Natsu walked down the street looking for an open restaurant. Seeing one on the street corner he stepped in with Lisanna following. Stepping in they saw a few people inside; just one or two couples eating and a few people conversing at the bar. A waiter escorted them to a table and the two ordered their food. They were both starving and craving of something edible.
Natsu sat in thought of his day. Besides their arrogant client and the dreaded morning train ride, he had one of his best days in a very long time. Even after all the downfalls the day held, he managed to have a great time. Lisanna got him out of all his funks; it was as if she had never left all those years ago.
She would listen intently to his stories. He had yet to encounter someone who enjoyed them as much as her. In fact, telling them to her made it all the more worthwhile. In fear of remembering the painful past he had given his storytelling a rest. Now that she had returned he could pick up his once favorable habit. In doing so he found it more enjoyable than ever before.
He had forgotten the way she would get lost in his stories. The world no longer mattered. It was only him and her. She would listen in silent bliss and Natsu would talk in a theatrical madness. She would smile, laugh, and even become disgusted at the more distasteful parts. But throughout it all Natsu had once again become acquainted with her serene gaze. It was then he realized the beauty of whom he had long missed. It was foolish of him to have fully missed it before, he knew she was gorgeous, but when she was lost in his world it had become perfectly clear to him. Her eyes were ones of an endearing manner and unmatched in beauty. The blue hue it held was one deeper and farther reaching than of any ocean he had seen. She would get lost in his illustrious tales and he would get lost in the depth of her eyes.
All too soon the stories would end and he would have to look away. He wished they could continue forever. The sight of her was one he would never grow tired of. On that use to bring him pain now brought an undying happiness and satisfaction. A feeling he felt at the very core of his being, one that filled the previously gaping hole of his heart even more.
The answer was clear, he only needed to open his eyes to see it. It wasn't another tormenting dream, it was reality. Lisanna had returned and she was within his very grasps. Not again, fate would not grab her away again.
The two ate in a welcomed silence. The kind known by couples who have spent years in companionship. Once finished they paid for the meal and went in search of an Inn. Once they left, Natsu decided to strike before fate had acted once again. They walked in the lamplight of the cobblestone street until Natsu had found the starting point he was comfortable with.
"Thank you, Lisanna." Natsu spoke quietly. It was late and sleep hung to his being. Lisanna, slightly surprised by his words, looked his way and smiled. Doing so banished all ideas of sleep.
"Sure, what for exactly?" she had questioned in a growing curiosity.
"You know, for coming along with me." Natsu said as if it had been obvious.
"There's no need to thank me. You invited me, so I should be thanking you." Lisanna said with her usual kindness. The two continued walking, Natsu was yet marveled by the her kindness which seemed to hold no limits. After thinking his next steps through, he had confronted the main task at hand.
"I suppose you want my answer then. We did just have dinner and all." Natsu said earning a startled response from her. She remembered their morning ordeal and a blush came to cover her cheeks. She got caught up in everything else that she had forgotten her earlier proposal.
"You know that the mission isn't over quite yet." she said with a creeping nervousness. Now that she remembered, she wanted the answer. In fact, the wait so far had been killing her once acknowledged. She had no clue if Happy was lying that morning or telling the truth. Now that she had a taste of what she had missed, she couldn't face a possible rejection. After all, it had been two years and it was easily possible he had moved on, a fact she found hard to bare. She continued walking besides him, but only staring straight ahead.
"I know, but I have my answer now. Unless you want to wait to hear it." Natsu said noting her growing distress. Suddenly, she stopped in the middle of the road.
"Alright, w-what is it?" she said while looking downwards. Natsu heard the sorrow rising in her voice. Only then it became apparent the hell she had been through. All day he had dragged her along and all because he was too foolish to see the truth. Seeking to console her, he grabbed for her hand.
Doing so caused her to look up. The thought of rejection that had completely clouded her thoughts and his action had taken her by surprise. She felt somewhat relieved at the embrace, but then again, it could be a way of letting her go nicely. It could only be answered by him. It was then she noticed a grin appearing on his face and the usual nervousness accompanying it.
"Of course I want to be your boyfriend. Only if you to want to be my girlfriend though." Natsu said with an uncanny grin and with his free hand he began scratching the back of his neck.
Her brain took several moments to process his words. As soon as she sorted her thoughts out, she realized what she had heard. Relief and joy flooded her. Immediately she buried herself in Natsu's arms. She wrapped her arms around him and refused to let go. Natsu was caught off gaurd, but welcomed her nonetheless.
"Of course, Natsu." she said and held him even tighter. Natsu held for a bit and saw something that caused him dismay. The reason was easily guessable and gave Natsu an undesired feeling of guilt.
"Sorry, I made you wait all day for my answer. It must have been tearing you apart." Natsu said wiping a tear from cheek.
"No, I made myself worry for no reason. Let's just find a place to stay for the night." She said wiping her eyes. Almost instantly a happy smile made it's way to her face. Natsu found himself in glee and the nervousness that plagued him had disappeared. The two walked down the street again and went in search of an Inn. Natsu had been more than happy to let her cling to his arm in the chilling night.
The two found a small Inn at the edge of town. It was the only one they found to be open or to have an open room. It was the busy season and rooms were booked up all over town. All they needed was a place to sleep and it had been an adventure to find the one they had. Though, in Natsu's opinion, a place to sleep meant more than one bed.
Stepping in he saw a single bed and a chair in the corner. When the lady had mentioned the rooms had very few provisions, she really did mean very few, but it would be enough to last them until morning. There was also a small bathroom with the bare necessities.
It wasn't that Natsu didn't want to share a bed, but the fact that he had ventured into new territories. He didn't know where he was standing, and the last thing he wanted was to seem like another pompous perv. Things already had a bit of a rocky start and his previous endeavor had left her with tears. A sight he already hated and never intended to cause again.
The two walked in and Lisanna took an immediate shower. Natsu plopped himself on the chair in the corner and sat in thought. If it hadn't been a record before, it certainly was now. He found himself conscious of every move he now made and unfortunately it caused him to think more than he had done ever before. He hoped it would have been just a phase and the constant thinking would subside. He was a man of action and one that acted whenever the mood struck. Luckily for him, the unusual caution would subside by morning.
Before he knew it, Lisanna was dressed and out of the shower. She had seen he was deep in thought of something, she knew it had been unusual for him to do such things, but the look he had was one to see. Thinking wasn't first nature to him, and the face wasn't either. He had been staring at the floor without reason and his face was mashed up, as if he was squinting to see something far away. Certainly a face that gave him no credit. Lisanna let a small laugh escape bringing him back to reality.
"I'm done. Are you going to shower?" she had asked.
"Nah. I'm too tired for it right now." Natsu said leaning back in the chair.
"Well you don't intend on sleeping in the chair do you?" Lisanna said before he could close his eyes.
"Ah, well...you wouldn't me mind sleeping with yo...I mean sleeping in the bed with you." Natsu said hurriedly. Thoughts instantly ran to his head and the blush appeared as always promised. He whispered a silent curse to Gildarts for such images flashing before him; they weren't helping him at all.
Lisanna saw his nervousness and as always spotted the blush adorning his cheeks. She found it odd he would have given her the entire bed in the first place. Numerous times before her assumed death, Natsu had found his way into her bed and had zero problems with it at all. In fact, she had been bothered by his overly friendly actions at first, but had grown use to his antics.
"Of course not. It's not like you haven't slipped into my bed before. You didn't forget that, did you." Lisanna said and the look of realization had crept to his face. She smiled knowing she had been right.
"Sorry, I had forgotten about that until now." Natsu said embarrassed.
"I can't believe you forgot that you had slept in a woman's bed, but it is you after all." she said jokingly.
"That was a long time ago and it's not like it had been anything." he argued in his own defense.
"Fine then. Hurry up, I want to get to sleep. And there is no reason for you to act any differently Natsu. I like you the way you are and honestly, thinking doesn't suit you too well." she said squarely. She laid down in bed and left Natsu at a lose of words. She had been right and he couldn't dispute her claim. Begrudgingly he shut the light off and clambered into bed. As soon as he laid down, sleep was knocking at his door.
As quickly as the two had fallen asleep the two awoke. Lisanna was the first to awake and failed to move from her comfortable position. Natsu had moved around the night and ended up with his arms around her, or at least she had presumed it was in his sleep. His grasp was warm and comforting, exactly what she had presumed of the fire dragon slayer. Much to her dismay, Natsu had risen quickly after her and backed away once he noticed the intimate position he had engaged her in.
"Sorry, Lisanna. I didn't mean to do that. It must have happened while I was sleeping." he said in a rushed worry.
"I told you to be yourself, Natsu. There's no need to be so shy about anything. I know you didn't mean too and I didn't mind it too much either." she said.
"I guess I'm still a little nervous about things. It's different from before and I'm just adjusting, but don't worry. I'll be fine in no time! Let's hurry and get back to the guild." he said optimistically changing the subject, pretending to have missed her last sly comment.
"Yeah, Mira and Elf must be worried sick by now. How are we going to tell everyone?" she asked with her a new found worry. It had been easy for her so far, but telling the guild and her siblings wouldn't blow over as easily. Especially with Elfman and his ridiculously protective nature. Natsu saw her now frazzled state and couldn't help a grin.
"Don't worry. It will be easy, there's no reason to be nervous." Natsu said mockingly.
Author's Note:
Holy Cow! It's been a while and I blame school for that. I have been far more busier than I had ever anticipated. It's pretty short, but it had a lot of progression. Sorry for the wait, but don't think I'll have the next chapter out any sooner, unless I feel the desire to write.
How did it sound? Any and all feedback is necessary and desired. I want to keep it cute and romantic without getting cheesy. I hate writing cheesy stuff and I feel that I may have ridden that border in this chapter. Or was it too dramatic or out-of-character? I seem to have a habit of making things overly dramatic. Also remember that their characters have changed a bit and I am trying to show that change.
Depending on people's opinions this chapter may be subject to being edited.
Thanks for reading!