Happy Holidays to the World! (Continued)

Lucy was working hard, writing vigorously. She hadn't been this inspired to write ever. So engrossed in what she was doing she didn't notice two very hungry leeches come in through the front door. Happy went right to the kitchen in search of fish. Natsu on the other hand was mesmerized by the way Lucy's hand moved as she wrote the secret details of how she was feeling. His eyes followed her movements, her eyes fixated on the paper. He moved in closer over her shoulder, she looked possessed aggressively writing like that. He decided, against his better judgement, to try and investigate what was being written on the page.

A little too close, Lucy felt his hot breath on her neck. Her heart jumped and she screamed not sure if she should cover up what she was writing or get up and defend herself. She looked back at the perpetrator and her eyes widened. Oh my god it was Natsu. She couldn't speak only threw what she was working on into the desk drawers and turned to face him. Both horrified and unsure, he probably didn't read much but it still made her nervous. After the previous conversation she had with Loke her body was all mixed up with how it was feeling.

"Whoops! Sorry Luce...Didn't mean to scare you." He put his hands up defensively, she looked like she was about to kick the shit out of him.

"WHO SAID YOU COULD COME IN!?"

"Me and Happy were bored and wanted to see what you were up to." He backed away from her slowly.

She then heard Happy who was eating in the kitchen. They were probably hungry too, that's why they came here...she couldn't control it anymore. Her face softened and she let out a laugh, Natsu had no clue what the hell was going on anymore. He laughed too...nervously, expecting a kick to the face. Lucy blushed at him and gave him that look..like she wanted something from him. And she did, she wished she could hug him right now. This was so typical Natsu and she really enjoyed it more then she previously realized. She wouldn't trade these memories for anything in the world. So with all these feelings welling up inside, even though she was a bit confused, she knew what she wanted. A warm and long embrace with Natsu and only Natsu.

Lucy came closer to him despite his previous backing off. His eyes were locked on hers while she approached him. Again with that look...what did she want from him? He didn't care anymore he wanted to give it to her. Maybe it would stop these ridiculous feelings and thoughts about her. She inched ever closer and he didn't move a muscle to stop her. Partly curious and the other...wholly wanting whatever this is. Her eyes haunted him all night. She was so close he could practically feel her body heat...she fell forward and crashed into him wrapping her arms firmly around his body; melting into his chest. He could feel how warm she was, he wrapped his arms around her in return creating a more intimate hug.

She could hear how fast his heart was beating now and she was loving the way he held her. It was only a hug but she didn't ever want to let go. Natsu only hoped she didn't look up at him, he couldn't hide his face like this. The way this made him feel was plainly visible. He deepened the hug and rested his head against hers. Who cares...it's just a hug. They stayed like that for what felt like forever. Natsu was glad to know what she wanted though he was a little off. It wasn't the hug it was merely his affections she craved. Her body only made him feel warmer and the pleasant burning in his stomach returned, this felt so good. Different then their embrace in the snow, they both wanted to experience this feeling more.

Lucy finally removed herself from him after taking a deep breath, "You're probably hungry! I'll make you something to eat."

She sounded so happy...her needs were fulfilled. She was brave enough to give him the hug but not even close to telling him why she wanted to. Natsu was like some kind of drug for her now, she secretly desired more of him. She wanted Loke to be right about Natsu, until then she would keep her feelings a secret. That was her plan anyway: To stay his friend until he wanted something more. If he doesn't make a move then it's just obvious he doesn't like her. She obviously needed to calm down though, her sudden need to hug him burst out like a volcano. She hoped it didn't happen again. Scarring their friendship was something she absolutely did not want to do. Hugging is completely ok though, friends hug all the time.

"I didn't know you cooked." He was very surprised that he didn't know about that.

Her face had a nervous smirk, that's because I suck..."How else would I eat when were not on missions? I can't afford to eat out every day you know."

She went off to the kitchen, Happy was on the counter with a full stomach. He saw the hug they shared but held back the urge to say anything about it. Natsu was tearing himself apart over all of this nonsense. After what happened this morning Happy felt all types of guilt for always teasing them. This was different, Natsu seemed more serious about it. Lucy went to work, her fingers were trembling. Making food was never this nerve racking before, maybe her body was still reacting to the hug? She really wanted to impress him now.

Natsu sat down at the table trying to be as patient as possible. He felt so calm here, but he couldn't help but notice that everything in here smelled like her. Smothering him in her wonderful natural scent...until he smelled the food cooking. His mouth started to water, whatever she was making smelled awesome. There was no reason to be so nervous, it's just Lucy. He kept telling himself that over and over again but it simply wasn't helping. No way he could lie...he really wanted that hug. To be that close to her felt incredible, he was probably smiling like the biggest idiot in the world. Dazed and day dreaming now about her even though she was in the next room. Was feeling this way about her so wrong?

He wanted to say something about it but he just wasn't sure how. It gave him the biggest lump in his throat just thinking about it. Lucy came in with two plates, some kind of beef stir-fry. She placed it down gently in front of him and got him a drink. As much as he wanted to dig right in he waited patiently, he managed to sit here this long, waiting for Lucy wouldn't kill him. Though she was happy for the peace and quiet it wasn't like Natsu to be so quiet like this. She sat down across the table waiting for him to try the food she made for him...please let it taste good.

"Y-You ok? You haven't touched your food." She had the fork in her hand but she hadn't either.

He looked down at the plate...he had forgotten all about it when she sat down in front of him. Natsu picked up the fork and speared a forkful of food. Lucy watched him lift it up, why this event got her so worried she didn't know. He took the forkful in his mouth and started to chew, a smile crept up on his lips. It wasn't the greatest thing he's ever had, a hint of spice, good temperature...lacking in general flavor. But still...

"How is it?" She asked almost as if she were about to break.

"It's good. Thanks Luce..."

Her heart went right back to melting, she was probably totally overreacting because of what Loke told her. But it still made her happy knowing he didn't disapprove of her cooking. Happy walked into the main room and sat on the bed, he felt so sleepy and full. After seeing how they acted towards one another he was starting to feel like the third wheel. They didn't even notice him entering the room. Once they finished their meals Lucy cleaned up the dishes, Natsu went to the bed. Happy was there looking quite comfortable with his eyes closed; sleeping soundly.

A nap would be pretty good right about now.

Lucy came back in and saw Natsu already curled up sleeping away. She giggled and walked over examining his face, it was weird...she liked watching him sleep. It made her feel like a total creeper though. Did he really like her...? Natsu was acting really weird with the food. Normally he's all over the place, but he seemed so distracted in his own little world. Her face moved closer to his without realizing it, she wanted so much more.

Lucy was so quiet trying not to wake anyone up, "Natsu..."

Her lips brushed against his cheek, it was an impulse she could not stop. His body was so warm and it was so cold...Lucy's face flared up, what did she think she was doing!? She jumped back afraid he might wake up. This was bad...so very bad.

Bath, I need a bath. Right now.

Lucy grabbed her pajamas and ran into the bathroom shutting the door firmly behind her. Natsu's eyes slowly opened...he didn't want to move. His hand gripped the bed sheets under his head. His body was burning. Blood pumping, heavily breathing, temperature rising. But still like a calm high. It took every fiber in his being to not open his eyes when she was that close to him. Finally he got the strength to sit up and look out the window. Snow...more snow, did he ever mention how much he hates snow? He got up off the bed and knocked on the bathroom door.

Lucy flailed around in the bathtub, "Don't come in!"

"It's just me." Natsu spoke trying to disarm her fears of his entry, "The weather is getting pretty bad, I'm going to take Happy home."

Lucy's face burned, "You can stay here...if you want."

That stopped him dead in his tracks and his body reacted harshly. Under normal circumstances he would totally jump at the chance sleep here. He could absolutely NOT trust himself, the things he was thinking about doing to her were quite...lewd. She was on the other side of the door in the bathtub completely naked and vulnerable, while his mind played dirty tricks on him. He didn't know what was wrong or right anymore, if she was tempting him or if he was making things up. Lucy might hate him if she knew what she was doing to him.

"I'm gonna sleep at home tonight. I have some stuff there that I don't want to get snowed in."

Her face was still flushed, she leaned over the tub sadly laying hear head against her folded arms, "Oh that's too bad..."

Lucy wanted to egg him on, finding the courage to say things she didn't know she wanted. Confident but still so embarrassed and innocent. He could hear the longing in her voice...and he wanted to stay as far away from temptation as possible. Natsu picked up Happy and got out of there as fast as he could. Were women always this scary? For once the cold air and snow brought him relief. The temperature in her apartment was just getting way too hot for comfort. Natsu stomped through the wind and snow all the way home keeping Happy warm with his body heat. This was a total mess and it wasn't going away...what is he supposed to do now?

Author's note: Remember this is just a continuation of the last chapter. Hope you like the ending to day 3! More Christmas like stuff is going to be happening. I will try to get as many parts as I can out there, be patient!