Freedom / Chained:

He wasn't going to sleep at all tonight. He'd already decided that. It wasn't that he was not tired. He'd...ahem...worn himself quite out a few hours ago. It didn't matter, though. Every move, breath, hum, mutter the sleeping girl made next to him sent him into another tailspin of emotions.

She was his wife. He still couldn't believe it. Mrs. Lucy Dragneel was all his. Now alone in th honeymoon suite without Gray or Laxus whistling at them, or Erza and Juvia squeeing with every smile they shared, or Elfman encouraging him to "husband her like a man" whatever that meant, he was able to admire her in peace.

She had steadily scooted closer to him in her sleep, drawn towards the heat his body put out. Now her head was pillowed against his bare chest (though he'd slipped on some shorts earlier), her ear placed against his heart, her hand resting against his collarbone. He gently reached up and took her hand in his, admiring the ring he'd placed on her finger a few hours before. He ran his thumb over the band, smiling softly before turning to look at the band on his own finger. He'd never been one for jewelry or fancy things. Too much trouble to take care of. This ring, though, this he'd wear this with pride for the rest of his life. He ran his thumb over the band one more time before intertwining his fingers with hers, bringing her hand to his face and brushing his lips against the soft skin of her wrist. He rubbed his cheek against the back of her hand, slipping his free arm around her shoulders.

She sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer against him. Her lips parted slightly, a small a breath escaping through them that grazed over the skin of his chest, causing him to shiver slightly. Her hair fell over her face, golden streams rolling down rosy smoothness of her face her adorable button nose twitching slightly as a strand of hair tickled it.

Why is she so cute!? Natsu thought to himself as he used his free hand to gently tuck her hair behind her ear. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly. He smiled and gently traced the curve of her ear with his finger. Her earlobe was still slightly swollen, which was totally his fault, making him smirk slightly. His fingers continued across her jawline, stopping at her chin. He grazed her soft lips, swollen and a little more red than normal, with the pad of his thump. She hummed in her sleep, mouthing something too slurred and quiet for him to under stand. He didn't care, though, smiling lovingly at her as he moved his hand up and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheekbone. She turned her head slightly into his touch. Even in her sleep she was drawn to him. It made his heart swell as he gently tapped the tip of her nose, slowly increasing the pressure until she began twitching it and frowned slightly, grunting as hair fell into her face again.

He chuckled and pushed the golden tresses back behind her ear again, allowing his hand to wander to her eyebrow, tracing it with his finger. He smiled as he through of the number of times she'd arched these brows at him in either confusion, annoyance, or flirtation. Or when they furrowed in worry or frustration. Or raised up whenever she smiled at him.

As his continued finger continued following along the arch of her brow his thumb grazed over her eyelashes. Her real ones, not the fake ones she often glued to her eyelide because she was self concious about her own. They were blond, like the rest of her hair. She thought they weren't dark or dramatic enough. He personally thought she looked better with her real lashes, but he didn't mind it when she wore the fake ones. She looked beautiful no matter what she did.

She yawned, letting out a deep exhale, her breath tickling his skin and sending another wave of shivers down his spine.

No, there was no way he was going to get any sleep tonight. Every little thing she did had him captivated. He was chained to her. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her if he'd wanted do, and he didn't have to. They were married. Just as he was chained to her, she was chained to him. They were one from now on until death did them part. He pressed his lips against her forehead, burying his nose in her hair, taking in her scent.

She stirred against his chest and yawned again. Her eyelids slowly fluttered open and she looked up at him, brown eyes shining at him.

"Hello there, my beautiful, sexy wife," he said as he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Hello, my handsome husband," she whispered back, causing butterflies to go nuts in his stomach.

"What time is it?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"I don't know. Still night I think," he answered.

"Really?" she asked, looking up at him. "Why are you awake?"

"Can't sleep."

"Why not?" Lucy arched her brow. "Are you not tired?"

"A little bit," he answered as he stroked her cheek. "But i just can't quit looking at you."

Lucy's eyes widened slightly before her nose crinkled into a laugh and she playfully shoved him away. "You dork!"

He laughed as he scooted back close to her, propping his face up on his elbow, leaning over her and tucking his hand under her head and rubbing her thumb over her cheek bone.

"It's true though," he smiled.

Lucy blushed softly as she drew the blankets up to her chin, squirming slightly, which he found a bit odd considering she had slipped into a pair of panties and his t-shirt earlier as well. (Not to mention is was their wedding night so there wasn't much left to hide.

"Why so shy all of a sudden?" he asked, tugging gently at the blanket, not enough to actually tear it from her, but enough to catch her attention.

"I…" her blush deepened. "I...I dunno. I just...I…" she covered her face in her hands, hiding her embarrassment. Her voice was muffled from behind them, but he could make out a few of the words. "..it's weird...not used to it...know I'm...stupid...sorry...such a whimp…"

He rolled his eyes, sat up, and leaned over to kiss her cheek. She let out a soft sigh, relaxing into his touch as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

As he held her he suddenly remembered something.

"Gotcha something," he said as he kissed her cheek. "I'll be right back."

He slipped off the bed and got the gift he'd gotten for her. She was waiting, cross-legged on the bed when he came back, placing it in her lap.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Open it and find out," he answered.

She did so, brow furrowing in curiosity when she opened the first letter. He figeted with his hands nervously, hoping she'd like it. Tears began pooling in her eyes as she read. A few spilled over as she folded the letter back up and opened the second letter. She gasped when she read what the book was meant for, putting everything back in place so she could set the book aside and throw her arms around his neck and kiss him.

"I guess you liked it, huh?" he asked with a smile.

"Uh-huh," she nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. "You're amazing! Oh my gosh, how did you even think of that?"

Natsu shrugged. "Just an idea I got."

She kissed him again. "I love you."

"I love you too," he brushed his nose against hers. "Glad you liked it."

"Now my gift for you is just gonna look cheesy," she chuckled.

"You got me something?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah...but I don't know if-"

"I'm sure it's great, let's see it!"

Lucy blushed as she scooted off the bed. Natsu smiled as he watched her go. Messy hair, dressed in a wrinkly tank top that only covered the important parts of her body. There were a few "love marks" on various parts of her body. He smirked at the sight of them as she slinked back towards him, head hung, a small black book in her hands.

"Here," she said, a blush covering her from her forehead, to her neck, to the top of her shoulders.

Natsu took the book with one hand, his other covering his mouth to hide his snickering. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but holy smokes she was just so cute. He regained control of himself and looked down at the book. Written in gold on the cover were the words: "For Natsu's Eyes Only."

His heart skipped a beat as he flipped it open. Lucy closed her eyes. This was going to be embarrassing. His gift for her had been so heartfelt, so personalized. And her's was...well...her's…

"Luce…"

She peaked one eye open. He was staring wide-eyed at the first picture, cheeks flushed red as he turned the page. His mouth curled up into a wicked grin.

"Oh, yeah!"

"Natsu…" she covered her face as her blush deepened.

"Do you have these outfits with you by any chance?" he asked, hungrily turning through the pages.

She nodded. "They're in my suitcase."

"Will I get to see you in them at some point?"

How was it possible for her to get any redder?

"Y...yes...but...I...yes.."

Natsu chuckled as he leaned forward, pulling her hands off her face so he could kiss her forehead. "Don't worry, I won't force you to. Just when you want to."

She nodded, her blush fading only slightly.

Natsu chuckled at her again. "Don't be so embarrassed, Lucy," he set his hand ontop of her head and leaned his forehead against hers. "You're gorgeous. You have nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Thank you," she smiled softly as she looked up at him. He had a soft, tired smile on his face that made her insides turn to putty. He was so handsome, his eyes so loving as he gazed at her. He stifled a small yawn, causing her to giggle slightly.

"You look tired."

"Nah."

"Don't lie to me, you need sleep."

"How do you expect me to sleep after you gave me that book and got me all excited?" he asked, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"Because you don't have a choice," Lucy said in as authoritative a voice as she could muster, poking her finger into his chest.

"That so?" he arched an eyebrow.

"Mm-hmm. You need sleep."

"Why? We've got four days in this suite all to ourselves," he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "We can stay up all night if we want."

Her face went blank for a moment, before curling into a chuckle as she grabbed a pillow and smacked him in the face with it.

"Oh, so that's how you want to play, huh?" he asked, grabbing a pillow and swinging it at her. She ducked it, grabbed another pillow and began "beating" him with them. He laughed as he somersaulted off the bed, ducking behind it, dragging several of the smaller, decorative pillows with him, which he began laughing over the edge of the bed at her. Somehow each of them found their mark, casuing her to drop her two pillows and hold her arms up to shield herself, shrieking in fun. Seizing his opportunity, he pounced onto her, pinning her to the mattress and kissing her passionately on the lips.

Lucy gave in, letting him deepen the kiss. She buried one hand in his hair, the other sneaking along the mattress to grab one of the pillows she'd dropped. She grabbed it and slammed it into his head. The pillow busted open, covering them both in feathers.

"Ooohhh! You're in trouble!" He pointed at her.

"You started it!"

"Did not!"

"Yes, you did."

"Oh, yeah…" he snatched her into his arms, tickling her.

"No! Natsu, stop!" she begged, tears of laughter rolling down her face.

"What's the magic word?"

"Please. Please! Stop it!" she laughed.

"Okay, fine, since you're begging," he relented.

She turned to him, still covered in feathers, a playful scowl on her face. "Now that you've had your fun will you go to sleep."

"I'll try, but I make no promises," he said.

Lucy sighed. "I'll take what I can get I guess."

They both lied back down, Natsu pulling the covers over them and tucking them around them. Lucy wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him close, running her fingers through his hair. He sighed as he nuzzled close to her, listening to her heart beat as he set his hands on her back.

"I love you," he whipsered.

"I love you, too," she answered as she continued stroking his head. This was different than the other times she'd played with his hair. She wasn't tugging at his tanlged locks or scraping her nails against his scalp. She instead smoothed his wild mane with absolute gentlness, petting him almost. It was strangely relaxing. He sighed again, pulling her closer.

This was heavenly, getting to simply lay here with her, free to hold her as close as he wanted, free to enjoy every small touch she gave him, free to engage in childish pillow fights or tickle her until she cried. He was free to love her in ways no one else was even allowed to dream of doing (otherwise he'd incinerate 'em!) He was free to just be with her, as her husband.

And boy, was he looking forward to it.