A.N/: Third chapter! LokiLucy . :D I hope you enjoy it. Thank you to those who added me to their story and author you so much! Thank you to those who reviewed the previous chapter as well. ^^ Many many many many thanks!~


Chapter 3: With a Lion

"That's so cute!" Lucy said, pressing her nose to the glass. The display showed a stuffed lion plush toy, it's mane was furry and big. The lion was smiling, holding a big red heart. It was calling for Lucy, she was sure of it. She could almost hear the lion saying her name in the most adorable, persuasive voice. "Buy me,buy me..." Lucy blinked and looked to her right. A man in a suit stood there, smiling at her while whispering those words into her ears. He had been leaning over as she was, watching her as she was looking over at the toy.

'Loki!" she swatted at his arm. "Why are you here?" she demanded huffily. It was a bit annoying truthfully how he would slip in and out between the gates even when she did not call him. But she supposed she shouldn't really complain. After all it was more advantageous that disadvantageous.

He ignored her question. "This lion...it's really cute." he said.

"Ah, yeah it is." Lucy said. "Why? Do you want to buy it for me?" She teased him.

"Would it make you happy?" he flirted, coming closer to her.

"A lion plushie? Of course it would!" Lucy turned back to the display, ignoring his much too close proximity. "I'd hug it to sleep every night."

"Hug?" Loki arched his eyebrow. "Why hug a doll. When you could have me?" his voice trailed off suggestively.

Lucy turned to Loki.

"If I have to answer that, Loki..." She warned him.

"Lucy, darling," Loki purred at her, slyly coming putting an arm around her waist.

Lucy's face flushed bright red and she took his offending arm off her.

"Loki, " she sighed, exasperated and embarrassed at the same time. "You really have to stop flirting with me."

"But..." he took a few steps nearer to her until they were nose-to-nose. "Why?" he breathed out.

Lucy blinked at him before stepping back, only to find herself pressed against the window display.

Then she decided two could play at that game. She leaned towards him, closing what small distance they had between them.

"Loki..." she widened her chocolate brown eyes at him. "...You really need to stop playing around." she placed her hands on his chest and saw his Adam's apple, bobbing up and down.

"Please." She smiled at him before lightly shoving him away. He stumbled backwards, crying out, "Lucy!"

"Bye, Loki!" the blonde called out, walking away quickly in the direction of the guild. She waved at him as he watched her walk off, her strappy heels making that particular click-clack sounds.

Loki bit his lip, wondering if he had gone too far, for a moment he thought he had seen indecision and uncertainty in Lucy's eyes when he had been close enough to kiss her. But then that moment had passed and Lucy had pushed him away. But that moment...he closed his eyes, pondering. He had felt almost sure of himself, about to lean down to kiss her, knowing that it was what he had wanted. But...was it what she had wanted?

He sighed heavily, now unsure of where he stood with Lucy. Should he apologise?

Then he saw the lion plushie in the window display again.

He smiled.


Lucy walked into the guild which was noisy as usual. Her face was still burning red and she scratched her ear in an act of nonchalance, hoping no one noticed.

"Hey, Mira," she greeted the pretty barmaid.

"Lucy!" She smiled at the blonde. " A drink?" she offered.

"Sure," Lucy grinned. "Thanks." It was just what she needed, maybe she'd stop blushing then.

Natsu bounded over to where she was and sat down on a stool beside her. "Lucy!" he cried. "Let's do a mission!"

"Hm?" her eyes narrowed. "Have you picked one already?"

Natsu nodded eagerly. "Yep!" He held up a piece of paper.

Lucy grabbed it and scanned it with her eyes. Hmm...it didn't look too dangerous.

"Okay, Natsu. "She smiled at the pink-headed boy. "I'll just finish this," she gestured to the drink in front of her, "And go back home to pack."

"Alright!" Natsu punched his fist in the air. He was about to run off to find Erza and Gray but stopped and squinted at Lucy.

"Lu.." he said. "You okay? You look...red."

Lucy's cheeks burned, was she still blushing? She opened her mouth to reply but right then, the guild fell silent.

Lucy turned, wondering what had happened. Then she saw...a huge lion plushie standing in the doorway?

It was pretty big, easily six feet tall. It was bright orange and it smiled at the entire guild toothily. Everybody stared at it, its mane was teased up high and it seemed to be walking. It paused abruptly and suddenly spoke,

"Lucy?"

Lucy's mouth fell open in amazement. Loki's face peeked out behind the plushie.

"Loki?" she gasped.

"For you..." he brought the lion over to the mage.

The entire guild broke out in raucous chaos, everybody talking about it all at once.

"So cute!" Mirajane cried out.

"It's adorable, Lu-chan!" Levy complimented.

"Awwww!" Uncharacteristically, Erza was having a fangirl fit over it.

"What is that?" Gazille blinked.

"It's a grown up cat, aye!" Happy yelled.

"Wow!" Gray said, eyes wide.

Lucy , on the other hand, was staring at the orange-haired spirit.

"Lucy..." he began but was cut short when she suddenly flung herself at him and hugged him tightly.

"Loki," she squeezed him tighter. "...Thank you." She let go and smiled at him, ignoring Happy's cries of "Oh, you're sooooooooooooo together!"

He returned her smile, aware of the sudden, tight feeling in his chest.

"I should go then..." He said, ready to go back to the spirit world.

"Wait, Loki," Lucy grabbed his wrist. He looked at the blonde, grinning.

"Why? Do you want me to stay?"

"No..." Lucy drawled and stepped close to him again.

"I just wanted to say..." she whispered into his ear, laughing. "I'll make sure I hug him to sleep tonight."

Suddenly Loki wasn't so happy he bought her the plushie.