It's about 9 o'clock in the evening as the budding writer clacks away at her computer desk. By the time she entered high school, Lucy knew that what she wanted to be when she grew up was a successful fiction novelist. But the literary world was not a forgiving place, just getting a publishing house to look at your work was difficult enough, and getting it published was even harder; not to mention once you do get that opportunity you now had to prove to the fickle world of readers that you weren't just a one-hit wonder.

And that's where she was.

Two years ago, a small publishing company, Fay House, Inc was intrigued by her fantasy type stories and took a chance on the young woman. While the book had sold a fair amount of copies in the year it has been on shelves, and some critics deemed her a person to watch in the future, she still had a long way to go before she could quit her day job as a proofreader for the Crocus Gazette and focus all her energy on writing.

By day, she went to her regular job but at night and often through most weekends she spent it huddled over the keyboard hard at work on the second book of her Golden Key Series. It was due to her agent in 6 months and she had only completed about half of it so far. If all went to plan tonight, Lucy hoped to finish the chapter she was working on so that maybe, she could take a break and go to a concert this weekend with her best friend. He'd been bugging her to go ever since their favorite band announced they'd be performing in their hometown.

Typing away… '…She reached out to the shimmering metal in utter disbelief, could it be that this really was another zodiac key?The young girl already possessed three, but they were so rare and hard to come by, and more than once it had turned out to be a fake, touted as a reward for a mission completed only to end up being worthless….'

Without warning, the light of her laptop screen dims and blinks out as the blonde is left in total darkness. "No!" she bangs on the keyboard. "Ahhh! Damn it, Damn it, Damn it," she hits it again, "I didn't save…" Lucy slumps in her chair, two hours of work gone in a flash because she forgot to charge up the battery. Turning on the flashlight app on her phone, she makes her way to her window and that's when the gravity of the situation reveals itself; the whole city, as far as her eyes can see is completely black. "Just great!" she throws her hands in the air. "It's gonna take them all night to fix this!"

~~xx~~

Two blocks away, Natsu and his roommate Gray are bickering at the TV screen, game controllers in each of their hands when the power goes out.

"Fuck!" The dark-haired man laments, "And I was winning too!" tossing his controller down in front of him.

"Yeah, for once!"

"What they hell bro, I kick your ass most of the time!"

"Tch, only at this game cause you play it more than me!" Natsu looks over at the window, "Whoa, it's really dark out there."

"Of course, it's dark, idiot, it's night time and new moon."

But he stands and walks over to it, "No, moron, like the whole towns gone dark."

"Seriously?" Gray joins him and seeing it for himself exhales, "Well so much for a rematch tonight." His friend drops his controller on the couch and heads towards the front door. "Hey where are you going?"

"To check on Lucy, I bet she's screaming at her laptop right now." Natsu checks his pockets; keys, phone, ready to go. "Don't wait up on me."

"Right… you'll be back by midnight." Laughing. "You are so pathetic man, how long you gonna stay in the friendzone before you give up and move on."

"Prick." Natsu sneers back. "It's not like that with her, and you know it."

"Yeah I know." Jesting. "You two have only been 'friends' since Grammar school cause you never had the guts to ask her out."

"Whatever," he raises a finger before shutting the door behind him.

~~xx~~

Natsu manages to navigate the two blocks between their apartments despite not being able to see where he was going. Hell, he's travelled it so many times he could probably do it blindfolded, even drunk, which has happened on more than one occasion. A couple of times instead of going home to his apartment from the bar he ended up at her door step. Maybe it was the wishful thinking of a tipsy man… Oh, she would whine and complain, 'not again,' but always let him in to crash on her couch and sleep off the effects of that night.

But his friend had been right about one thing, Natsu's had a crush on the pretty blonde since they were children, but he was never very good at admitting his feelings, especially ones that had the potential of becoming embarrassing. He and Luce, which was his personal nickname for her, had grown so close that at times it was uncanny how one could finish the others sentence or would just know if something was bothering the other. Like tonight, he would bet money that as soon as the power went out, she had been sitting at her desk writing, screamed and cursed when the screen went blank because she probably hadn't saved whatever she had been working on, and is now sitting on her couch pouting with the plush dragon doll he won her at a fair clutched in her lap.

~~xx~~

Lucy hears a knock at her front door, "Hey Luce, it's me." She stands up from her couch and walks over to open it.

"What bring you here Natsu?" she moves out of the way to let him in before locking the door.

He kisses her on the cheek and chuckles at what she's holding in her arms, "Hi to you too. I just wanted to make sure you were alright…" grinning, "and didn't break your computer ranting at it."

"Tch." She crosses her arms around her doll. "No. But I lost everything I wrote tonight." Sigh, she plops back onto her couch. "I don't think I'll have time to go to that concert with you this weekend… and I was looking forward to it too." Pouting.

He sits beside her and puts his arm around, prompting her to rest her head on his shoulder. "I have faith in you Luce, you wrote it once so I'm sure you'll be able to whip it out easily the second time." Looking around her living room, she's set up a few candles around the room giving it that cozy, perfect to cuddle in, kind of ambience. He lets out a sigh, "Did you eat dinner? I know how you sometimes forget to when you start working on that book."

She shakes her head, "But I've got snacks I can break open if I get hungry." Cuddling a little closer to him, "Thanks for coming over… it was kinda creepy being alone in the dark."

Leaning his head against hers, "You're welcome. So… not much to do without power. Wanna play cards or something?"

"Hmm… not really…"

"Board game?"

"Mmm, no."

"I could put some music on from my phone."

"Alright." He fishes the device from his pocket and turns on Pandora to a mild volume before setting it on her coffee table. She sighs, "That's better than silence. What were you up to before the power went out? No wait, let me guess, playing video games."

"You know me well, Luce."

"And then you decided to come check on me, just because the power went out?"

"I told you, cause I knew you'd probably be upset."

It was nicer having him there, although she'd never previously admitted that she wasn't fond of the dark, somehow, he knew and simply came to her rescue. "Mmmm…" she hums, settling into the sanctity of his embrace.

The blonde falls silent, enjoying this little quiet time with her BF. With most people, Natsu is always goofy and gregarious but when it's just the two of them, a more modest and subdued man shows up. She doesn't mind it, but sometimes wonders why he's like that, as if he's hesitant in how to interact with her. Levy, her best girlfriend, swears it's because he likes her and is trying to hide it but one would think by now, I mean all these years later, she'd have noticed something that told her if that was a possibility. Or the other explanation is, she chooses not to get her hopes up because it makes her nervous… Well nervous in that happy butterflies in your stomach kind of emotion and she doesn't want it to turn into the sad, I wasted all these years waiting for nothing feeling. An incident a few days ago made the blonde start thinking about their relationship and what it really meant to him. Was she just his buddy? Being stuck without the benefit of distractions could be the perfect opportunity to ferret out the truth, if she was ready. She shudders at her thoughts.

He feels her tremble, "Luce, are you cold? I could grab you a blanket…"

"I'm not cold… I was just thinking about something."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No, it's okay, really." Faking a yawn. "Maybe I'm just tired."

"Do you, wanna go lie down? I can just head out."

She turns to look at him, "Would you stay tonight since the power is still out… I'd feel safer not being alone."

"Sure, I'll just crash on the couch."

Biting her lip, "I meant stay with me in… my room…"

His heart catches in his throat. The fingers he has resting on his thigh, curl and dig into his skin trying to wake him up from the obvious dream he must be having because Lucy has never asked him to sleep in her bed, with her. Sure, it won't be the first time they've shared an intimate space but it's a little different when it's a camping trip or group vacation with limited room that they must make due, and he has slept-walked in and woke up in her bed before… He blinks his eyes, but nope she's still there, waiting for his response. "O-okay."

She pats his leg, "I'm gonna change for bed. Would you mind snuffing out the candles before you come in?"

"Y-yeah, I can do that."

"Thanks." She kisses his cheek and walks to her bedroom.

~x~

Natsu bides his time, slowly moving around the apartment. 'I wonder why she's acting a little weird tonight.Maybe she was drinking before I got here…Nah that can't be it.' Just once, when Lucy had had too much to drink at a college party she came onto him, but he knew that wasn't the case tonight. He checks the front doors lock, makes sure the windows are closed, empties his pockets onto the kitchen counter, turns off the music, and one by one extinguishes the 6 or so candles, Lucy had placed around the space. Before blowing the last one out, he scans one more time to make sure everything is secure before knocking. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah." She calls out from behind the wooden door.

The light from her phone is the only thing illuminating the room as she sits on her bed in a cotton tank top and shorts type of PJ's. Lucy pulls back the comforter as he silently breathes a sigh of relief that she's not in lingerie or something more suggestive; the outfit she has on will be bad enough to be close to but that would have been much worse. She pats the bed. "Are you gonna sleep in that?" she points at his jeans. "Wouldn't it be uncomfortable."

He runs his hand nervously through his hair, yes it would be, but the alternative is what, his boxers and just the t-shirt? He grapples with the decision for a moment. "I think I'll take um off. I-If you don't mind,"

"I've seen you in just boxers before, remember, like that time when Gray yanked your shorts down during a wrestling match."

"Right…" but that doesn't make him feel better.

She turns off the light from her phone to give him a little bit of privacy, as he strips and get into her queen-sized bed. Pulling the covers up to her chest she lays there on her back staring at the ceiling and he does the same, remaining in that suspended reticence for some time before Lucy sighs loudly, "Are you asleep?"

"No."

"I wanna… play a game."

"Now? But I thought you were tired?"

"I lied."

Natsu turns to his side and props his head up to look at her, but she continues to stare at the ceiling, "Well, what did you wanna play?"

She can hear the irritation in his voice knowing that it's because of the lie. Sighing again, "I wanna play… 20 questions…"

Now his interest is peeked, but his anxiety also kicks in. What brought this on so suddenly? It's obvious to him that there must have been something on her mind earlier and this 'game' is just a ruse to bring it up. But why go through all the trouble just to ask a few questions unless they are a touchy subject? He can feel his heartrate pick up and his skin flushing at just the notion, things could become uncomfortable, very, shortly… He exhales and lays on his back again, "Fire away Luce."

"We'll take turns asking each other questions, no subject off limits, and we have to tell the truth no matter how hard it is." He cringes, yet at the same time, if he's gonna be asked some awkward questions then it's only fair he could finally get answers that have been burning in him too… "I'll start. What's my pen name?"

Breathing a sigh of relief, "That's easy, Lucy Ashley. My turn, um…" 'I think she's testing how well I know her…' "…How old was I when I was adopted."

"6. When did my father lose his company?"

"You were 16… I think."

"Close enough, I was 17."

"What's my favorite color."

"Red, specifically reddish-orange cause it reminds you of fire." His eyes light up, 'Damn she pays close attention!' "Who'd I go to the Junior prom with."

"Tch, Loke." Hearing the disgust in his voice makes her smile, maybe Levy was right after all… "But at least I got to take you Senior year…"

"If it bothered you that much, you should have asked me to go with you."

"Never mind, can't change the past." exhale "It's my turn again, what's my… favorite food?"

'Is he too afraid to ask something harder?'Lucy starts chuckling, "Is that a trick question? You'll eat anything but I guess I'll say, spicy stuff are your favorites."

He chuckles too, "Very true, I'm not a picky eater."

"Alright, my turn," she takes a deep breath. "W-why don't you have a girlfriend?"

'Ouch!She went right for the jugular.' His face paling, "B-because I didn't… I-I…" exhale "…was too afraid to ask you out." He feels her turn on her side, senses the stare even in the darkness but he gives her no chance to respond yet. "Same question Luce."

Sigh, "Because I was waiting for you to ask me out. How long have you had a crush on me?"

"5th grade." Now her eyes widen, she thought maybe he might say high school but grade school! "Same question Luce."

"8th grade, PE class."

Shocked, "You remember it down to the specific time?!"

"It's not your turn to ask a question, but the answer is yes." He feels the bed shift as she turns to face away from him. Even though she's the one who started this, it's still uncomfortable to say the least… "I always thought you were cute, and you were already a close friend but… that was the first time I saw you without a shirt on..." she's biting her lip at the memory and he can hear that slight mumble in the way she's talking even though he can't see it and his heart is beating as a fast as a hummingbird's wings to finally know the truth. "… and I remember thinking wow, you had really started to develop over the summer." Exhaling "My turn. If I asked you to hold me, right now, would you, do it?"

Thrilled by her question, his answer requires no verbal response as he spoons up behind her and puts his arm around her waist breathing out his next question, "What's your favorite thing about me?" expecting her to say maybe his personality or even his body which he keeps maintained just for her…

"Your hair and your eyes."

"Seriously? 'Didn't see that coming…' My hair?"

"I like the color. Do you… want a girlfriend Natsu?"

"Maybe… If I asked you to be my girlfriend, would you say yes?" His breathing stops in anticipation.

"Yes." Lucy can't help but giggle when he lets the air back into his lungs. "Were you that worried I'd say no?"

"Hell yeah, that's why I've never asked you before."

Taking a deep breath of her own, "Natsu, wanna know why I wanted to play 20 questions?"

"Yeah, kinda."

"Because this way I could test your reactions… cause, I was afraid you didn't like me either…"

"What brought this on anyways?"

"I saw you checking out a girl at the café the other day and…" she bites her lip, "I was worried you were moving on…"

He squeezes her waist and buries his face in her hair. "That girl just had a cool tattoo on her arm, so you needn't worry Luce… no one could ever take your place."

She yawns and relaxes against him, "Could you give Gray a message?"

"What's that?"

"Find a new roommate cause you're moving in with me."

Natsu feigns shock, "Hold up, who said I'd agree to that?"

"Oh please, you can't lie to me. I know you're thrilled about that idea."

"Damn you know me too well…" she giggles. "Well if we're moving so quickly why don't we just get married too while we're at it?"

She stops giggling and turns around in his arms. "Are we still playing 20 questions?"

"Does it matter? A question is a question."

But she punches his chest, "Ugh, you know a girl would prefer something more romantic if their being asked for their hand."

"Yeah and what about me made you think that was gonna happen? I thought you knew me better?"

Lucy does her best to pout but can't stifle the giggle, "Can't fault a girl for trying."

"So, are you gonna answer the question?"

Turning back over quickly, "Nope."

"What!" But she starts giggling. "Ooh you!" he pulls her onto her back and starts tickling making her laugh harder. "You're so mean to me!"

Doing the only thing she can't think of to stop his torture she grabs his face and pulls his lips against hers. It works as he stops to return the kiss. Smiling, "of course the answer is yes Natsu, though it wouldn't have killed you to try and be more romantic."

"Fine." He climbs off the bed and starts to put his pants back on.

"Wait!" Lucy scrambles to a sitting position fearing she pushed him too far. "Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back," kissing her cheek. "I'm taking your key so I can let myself back in."

"But where are you going?"

"Don't worry about it Luce, I just need to grab something from my apartment."

~~xx~~

Natsu leaves his nervous girlfriend hanging as he makes his way out. 'How the hell am I supposed to come up with something romantic at 1 in the morning, no one's open, and hell even if they were there's no power!' Flying up the stairs at his building two at a time, he finds Gray talking on his phone to his girlfriend.

"Knew you'd be back!" he calls out as Natsu just bypasses him for his room like a man on a mission.

"I'm not, just came to grab some things."

"Wait what?" "Juvy I gotta call you back." Hanging up, he walks over to his friend's room and sees a flustered man searching around in the closet. "You're goin back to Lucy's?"

"Yeah. Why is it so hard to believe?" Gray can't see what Natsu shoved into his pocket but can see him throwing some clothes into an overnight bag.

"Whoa, you really are spending the night there!" following Natsu to the bathroom where the man is adding other personal necessities to his bag. Snickering, "I take it things are going well between you?"

"As a matter of fact, it is." Zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "You know, maybe you should move in with Juvia."

"Why, sick of seeing my face?"

"No, I'll be moving in with Lucy..." Grays mouth hangs open. "…as soon as you find a new roommate or maybe move in with your girlfriend, like I am." And now his jaw drops. "Oh, and by the way yes she's now my girlfriend and we're engaged."

Following Natsu to the front door, his friend grabs his arm, "Are you fucking with me? That's kinda rushing things, I mean you weren't even a couple and now you're moving in and getting married!"

"Well not this second, but shit. Even though we weren't an official couple all these years you gotta admit it's what we practically were."

"Yeah but still…"

"Look, I gotta get back to her so can we talk later." He leaves his stunned friend behind.

~~xx~~

When Natsu returns to her apartment, he finds Lucy in the kitchen making sandwiches. He chuckles, "got hungry while I was gone?"

"MmHmm." She mumbles through a bite. "Want, I made for you too?"

He puts his bag on the couch and joins her. "Awe, so romantic, deli meats by candle light…" he grins. She rolls her eyes as she takes another bite. "But I'll eat in a minute."

"Suit yourself."

Walking up behind her he wraps his arms around her waist, "The candles are as romantic as this is gonna get," and holds something shiny in front of her face, "Lucy Heartfillia, will you marry me?" Lucy's hand trembles as it puts down the rest of her sandwich and he lifts her left hand. "Well?"

So, in shock she manages a fervent nod while he slips the ring onto her finger. "H-how… you couldn't have bought this tonight?"

"I mugged a lady I found on the street." She slaps his arm. Chuckling, "No I saw it, a couple of years ago at a store and thought it would look stunning on you."

"T-two years ago?"

He turns her to face him. "Well maybe more like several years ago… just in case this ever happened."

"You had hoped for a power outage?"

"What?" laughing he tilts her head up, "So smart until those blonde roots get the best of you. No, if I ever had the chance to be your boyfriend… and eventually your husband."

"That story… it's so romantic… you had been thinking about me like that for so long…"

He squeezes her waist again. "I guess it's a good thing you caught me checking out another girl…"

"Excuse me!" she tries to push him away, but he holds her firm.

"Well it's what prompted the 20 questions game, right?" she stops pushing. "and led to this. By the way, Gray thinks it's crazy that we just hooked up and are gonna get married already."

"Everyone chalked us up as a couple for years… so it's not like we just met and rushed into things."

Laughing, "I said the same thing!"

She tiptoes and kisses his grinning lips, "It's scary how well we know each other…"

Note* I wrote this during a power outage, it's where I got the idea from.