Chapter 6

Lucy's POV

After Mirajane, Laxus, and the Raijinshu left, the guild became surprisingly quiet, until it dawned on me that no one would have any of Mirajane's cooking to look forward to. So as quick as I could, I decided I would alleviate some fears.

I went over to the bar counter, put on an apron that I left hidden behind a storage closet, and began my temporary take-over of Mirajane's job.

Many were wide-eyed, except Natsu - who I told about Mirajane training me - and Lisanna, who had helped. She also went behind the counter.

"Hey Luce, could I get another helping?" Natsu asked, holding up his plate.

"Sure thing," I said as I went to the kitchen in the back. I immediately remembered Mirajane's secret recipe for fire curry that she made specifically for Natsu, and made a lot of it, just because I was sure he would ask for seconds, as he always does.

Of course I was right, and he asked for two more helpings of the recipe within ten minutes of me filling his plate the first time.

Soon, everyone seemed to calm down after realizing they weren't going to starve, and headed over to the bar to test out Lisanna's and my cooking.

"Lu-chan, why didn't you tell me you could cook?" asked a shocked Levy as she had her usual soup that I also committed to memory.

"It's called a surprise for a reason, Lev," I laughed at her shocked face, returning to the kitchen to complete more orders.

Lisanna rang up all the orders, while I stayed in the kitchen until she had completed taking the orders, and then she began helping me make everything.

It seemed everyone wanted to see just how much of Mirajane's cooking skills she had passed on to me, because just about everyone was ordering some food or another.

Lisanna and I were running around like chickens with our heads cut off we were so busy.

It didn't slow down until after the dinner rush for most restaurants ended, right around 7:30. Natsu was still in his same spot, waiting for me as he usually does, even though we were staying in the guild like everyone else.

"Whew," Lisanna sighed as she and I finally allowed ourselves to relax, "some rush, huh?"

"I wonder how Mira does it?" I asked sincerely.

"She's amazing, that's how. There's no way she's able to do that much by herself without help."

"No kidding," I said as I hung up both our aprons on our new hooks the guild had placed for us while we worked.

Third Person POV

Once Lucy and Lisanna finished for the night, Lucy and Natsu make their way down to their shared room - though Lucy isn't certain as to why they are sharing, as they were under the guild's roof, but supposedly all the rooms were taken, and some were already being shared.

After Lucy was inside, Natsu shut the door behind them, wanting nothing more than to confess to his best friend/future mate of what was happening to him, but being afraid of her reaction.

Unbeknownst to him, Lucy was having the exact same thoughts. She wanted nothing more than to unleash her feelings and allow them to be free, but like Natsu, she feared how her best friend would react.

Lucy grabbed her pajamas that her guild mates had retrieved for her the day before and went to the bathroom down the hall to change. Natsu simply undressed in the room, quickly changing into some comfortable boxers, leaving only his scarf on him.

Though she had to wait for the bathroom to be unoccupied, she returned quickly, dressed in her favorite t-shirt and shorts, carrying her soiled clothes with her. When Lucy entered their room, Natsu was laying on the single bed, all the way by the wall, waiting for her.

He looked upon her entry, noticing her t-shirt.

Smirking, he said, "You know that's my shirt, right?"

"Is it really?" she feigned innocence.

"I've been looking for that thing everywhere. You've had it all this time?"

"Well, duh. I don't know why you don't just move in. You've got most of your things at my place anyway, not to mention you spend all of your time there."

"Of course. My favorite person is always there, so why would I be?"

Lucy's cheeks immediately heated up at his kind words. She smiled at him to hide her mild embarrassment, unknowingly making Natsu blush as well.

"Natsu?" she asked, not quite looking at him.

She had no idea he was right in front of her until he said, "Hm?"

"We'll always be friends, right? No matter what happens?"

"Aye. But not just friends. We're nakama, Lucy."

For Natsu, it almost physically pained him to label her as only a nakama. He desperately wanted - no, needed - to tell her what she was to him, but each time he'd finally gotten the courage, something got in his way.

This time, it was his own body betraying him.

Lucy had wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. She inhaled, allowing Natsu's calming scent to wash through her, instantly feeling her muscles and body relax as he wrapped his own arms around her, pulling them closer.

After what felt like hours, but in reality was only a few minutes, Lucy pulled herself away. She didn't completely step out of the embrace, just enough to look at Natsu. And what she saw shocked her.

There was a look in his eyes, something she'd only seen on a couple of people - Gajeel and Levy.

It was a look of love, And it was directed at her from the person she'd called hard for.

Natsu took action then, seeing the look in her eyes - the same one he knew was in his own.

Still keeping one arm around her, he brought a hand to her cheek, gently stroking it with his thumb, seeing her eyes widen. He almost pulled away, thinking he crossed a line - until he saw it wasn't shock or repulsion that made her eyes go wide - it was hope.

'She wants me to kiss her? Is this what Gajeel meant?'

But then his thoughts vanished. Lucy began to lift her head and rise up on her toes to close the distance between them, and he couldn't take it anymore.

His lips smashed to hers, and he couldn't describe the intense feeling it gave him. Not only did it feel like he was complete, but the explosion of sparks and light and fire going through his system as he held and kissed his tre mate, pulling her as close as he could to his own body.

Lucy couldn't believe it. She was finally kissing Natsu. And from the was he continued to try and pull her even closer to his own body, he was enjoying it just as much as she was. But the need for air was becoming too great, no matter how much she wanted this kiss that weakened her knees and made her toes curl to continue. Just as she was about to break apart, Natsu ended the kiss, but not in the way Lucy expected. Instead of pulling apart, he dragged his lips over her jaw line, leaving kisses and small bite marks as he made his way down to her neck. She moaned as he hit the spot where her neck met her shoulder, gripping the hair at the nape of his neck as he continued to attack the same spot over and over with his mouth.

Natsu was losing his mind in Lucy's scent, it was overwhelming his senses and self-control, and so he made his way back to her lips, kissing her all along the way. When he finally made his way back to her soft and luscious lips, he kissed her gently, putting all the love he felt for her into it, cupping her cheeks with both his hands. Just as he was about to pull away, he felt wetness hitting his fingers.

Lucy wanted this kiss to last a lifetime. She felt everything Natsu felt for her in his gently yet passionate kiss. As she realized he returned all of her feelings for him tenfold, she couldn't help the tears that fell from her eyes, the emotion overwhelming her as he ended it.

She opened her eyes, confused as to why he ended something that felt so wonderful.

He kept his eyes shut and put his forehead against Lucy's.

"Why... why'd you... stop?" Lucy said, panting, still clutching onto Natsu.

"Had to... might've... taken it too... far..." he replied as he too tried to catch his breath - and his sanity.

Lucy bit her lip, trying to prevent herself from saying that she wouldn't mind taking it further.

"Lucy... I need to tell you something. I've been trying to tell you for a long time... Lucy-"

Her eyebrows rose, her eyes searching his for some clue as to what he was trying to say.

"You're... Mavis, why is this so hard to tell you? Lucy. You're my mate. There. I said it. I've been trying to tell you for months and now you're probably freaking out cuz it doesn't make any sense or wondering 'why'd it have to be me' or-"

He was cut off as Lucy silenced him with a chaste kiss, her cheeks heating up at her actions.

"Why would I think any of those things, Natsu?" she calmly asked him.

"Because being a dragon's mate is more than some dumb marriage contract, Luce. It's an unbreakable bond between the two. If you were to fall in love with someone else, it would tear me apart - to the point I'd completely fall apart."

"Why would I ever fall for someone else? And you're obviously holding something back, so what is it? Spit it out."

He smirked at her for a second, reminded of yet another thing he loved about her.

"Well,,, you know how dragons hoard their treasure?"

She nodded, an eyebrow rising as she waited for him to finish.

"Dragons do the same thing with their mates. If you looked at somebody wrong or someone hurt you-"

"Wait. How long exactly have you been trying to confess?"

"Just a few months..." he said vaguely.

"How many?"

"Um... just... 12..."

"A year?!"

"Yes," he said lamely.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"Because I wasn't sure you felt the same. I didn't want to make you feel pressured into being with me if you didn't share the was I feel for you."

Lucy's eyes widened as she let his words sink in. He was right though. She'd only realized she was in love with the dragon slayer four months ago. And before that is was more infatuation.

Lucy smiled, then kissed him once more.

When they pulled apart, Natsu said, "But do you realize what you're getting into? I'll place you over the guild. Every time. I won't be able to help it. Because if anything were to happen to you, I'd lose control over myself. I won't be able to tell friend from enemy. I'll see you, then everyone else."

"So, basically, I'd be the center of your world?" Lucy asked, her smile growing wider.

"You already are, but yes, to put it lightly," he replied, pulling her back into his chest.

She bit her lip, thousands of emotions and sparks and butterflies set loose throughout her body.

"Natsu, I'd love nothing more than to be yours-" he growled possessively, "and for you to be mine."

Natsu cupped her cheeks once more, and just before their lips touched he said, "Did I mention that a dragon only has one true mate inits lifetime?"

"No," she murmured, "I believe you left that out."

"Does it scare you?" he asked, still looking directly in her eyes.

She smirked as she said, "Hell no," and grabbed him by his scarf to pull him to her, so their lips would finally meet once more, in a kiss that would seal the bond between the dragon and his princess mate.

A few doors down...

"About time," Gajeel said as Levy cuddled into his side, getting ready for sleep.

"For what?" she yawned out.

"Salamander finally claimed Bunny-Gril," he said simply, wrapping his arms in a protective fashion around his mate.

Levy's last thought before sleep claimed her was, "I can't wait to tease Lu-chan tomorrow!"

xxXXxx

Whew. Sorry for the POV change. I tried writing out that kissing scene in first person, and it just wasn't working, so I tried it in 3rd, and what do you know, I got it on the first try, I think! I hope everyone liked these two chapters for 'Can We Be More?'

And just so you know, this is NOT the end of this series. I've still got some bad guys to round up, remember? =P

I hope you guys enjoyed, and please leave a constructive review for me, this is something I've been struggling with for a while to write!

Have a happy Labor Day Weekend for all my U.S. readers!

-FairyTailFanGirlie