chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail

previously:

Once, when we collected the full reward for a very hard job and I ended up with money to pay my rent for the next two months with a lot left over to treat my self. Natsu winked at me when he passed me my money. I think my jaw hit the floor. Did natsu just flirt? He chuckled lowly and went back to his childish grin, but I had seen a slightly more mature, responsible and dammed sexy Natsu in that little wink. What was going on?

Lucy's POV

Time passed and I realized one day that I had been seeing less of Natsu in the past weeks then I normally would have. He still hung out at the guild and he was normally at my apartment every night still asking me 'the question' every day, but he never stayed at the guild long and if we weren't on a mission he would disappear for hours each day.

I was not the only one who noticed. Some of the guild members started to question Natsu. The day Erza questioned him I don't think I'll ever forget. Gray and Elfman had been bugging him and when he still refused to give an answer they started fighting.

Erza, of course, came over to stop it and asked them what was going on. Gray gave Natsu a smirk and told Erza about Natsu's having a secret, that he refused to tell anyone about it and how Natsu was disappearing nearly everyday because of it.

This had Gray's desired effect. Immediately Erza turned to Natsu pulled out a very large, very frightening sword and demanded that he not keep secrets from his nakama and tell her immediately what this secret was.

All the guild was listening because we know that you could not go against the great Tatiana.

Natsu visibly swallowed, while looking down at the rather large sword pointed at his throat. Then he shut his eyes took a deep breath then slowly stood up. Erza was still pointing a sword at his throat, when Natsu opened his eyes and gave Erza a hard stare.

"No! and it is not your business, its mine and I do not want to tell you." He said, his hand came up and knocked the point of Erza's sword away. His head high and his shoulders squared looking for once tall and fearless in Erza's presence. The entire guilds jaws dropped and looked between the two. Grays grin was gone and he had effectively fainted behind Erza. Even Erza looked taken aback.

"Very well." She said quietly after a pause. "We must respect your decisions! Please accept my apologies, you may hit me if you wish" said an Erza who bowed her head slightly to Natsu. Natsu who had used all his courage standing up to the mage backed away at this suggestion.

"N-no Erza its ok!" Natsu said backing up towards the guild door his early courage seemed to have fled.

"but you will tell us if you are in trouble right Natsu, cause we will always help" Erza said, giving Natsu another hard stare.

"Ya for sure" Natsu said while still trying to get out of Erzas range.

"Well got to go!" He high tailed it to the door, running like hell was at his heels.

.

That night at my apartment, I decided to see if I would have any luck getting the secret out of the fire mage. What was it that Natsu was willing to stand up to Erza for?

"I have a project I'm working on." He responded to my question. Well at least I got a little more out of him.

"Aye sir, and I'm helping" Happy chirped.

"What is it? Can I help?" I asked. Natsu and Happy looked at each other.

"No. its a surprise" Natsu said grinning at me.

"Yep a surprise" Happy added unhelpfully.

"Aww come on you can tell me" I tried giving him my best puppy dog eyes, but he just burst into laughter.

"No Lucy, and stop making that weird face!" he chuckled.

"but, If you really want to know all you have to do is say yes and I'll tell you." His voice lost its mirth and was now low and a little rough, hope shined in his eyes. I blushed, it had been a while since I had blushed when he mentioned '.the question'.

"Why do you even want to marry me Natsu" I whispered looking down.

"I'm not as strong as you, I can barely keep up as it is and you would be tied down by me for the rest of your life, you would probably get bored." I looked away from him out my window.

"WHAT! lucy your one of the strongest people I have ever met, you always fight your hardest for your friends and you are damn tough. Your the smartest, funnest, weirdest and most prettiest person I know! How could you ever be boring? I would never leave you behind and I don't care if we are tied together that just means you cant leave me and I want to marry you because...because...because" I had looked up at his outburst he looked like he was struggling.

"Because I need you!" he said looking in my eyes "and you need me!" He stated with finality.

My heart had stopped. Had he complimented me, said he wanted me forever and told me he needed me all in one go? He had so much passion in his eyes. Who was this and where was my natsu? I blushed darker than before and Natsu's gaze softened.

"He liiiikkkeesss you" Happy said giggling. We both ignored him as we were both staring at each other. Also that was kinda obvious since the first time he asked me to marry him.

"So Luce, will you marry me?" My heart speed up and for the first time I was really tempted to say yes, but instead I giggled and gave him a small smile.

"What would you two like for dinner?" I said making my way over to the kitchen.

"FISH" Happy yelled.

Present time

I never did find out what the project was, but today was the day I said yes, so maybe I'll find out today!