this one is for Kitani who requested Lucy kick it up a notch and some kissing. I hope you like it.

The end of the road
(rating: t)

Lucy was fed up. She had been trying for the better part of a year now to get Natsu to notice her as something other than a friend. So far all of her previous attempts had failed; the fire mage was simply too oblivious for anything close to subtle to work. She had gone as far as hinting at her own feelings but Natsu hadn't caught on it seemed. Today was going to be different.

She smirked at her own reflection, pleased with the results. She looked more like Edoras Lucy than Earth land Lucy but maybe that's what it was going to take. She had on a pair of thigh-high, heeled boots that clung to her legs and made her seem more imposing. The short black skirt was nothing unusual but instead of pairing it with one of her usual t-shirts she had on a deep pink halter that was cropped to expose the entire expanse of smooth midriff. She had no qualms in admitting she looked damn good and surely Natsu would notice. Making sure her skirt was sitting properly on her hips Lucy left her apartment confident in her appearance.

Lucy had been at the guild for a quarter shy of an hour and it had been rather disappointing. Levi had been one of the only ones to comment on her outfit and though she loved the girl she wasn't looking to attract her. Natsu had barely glanced at her; greeting her with his usual grin before immediately starting a fight with Gray over some imagined insult. Currently he was ignoring her as he chatted easily with Happy over something or another. Whatever it was it didn't concern her and as far as she was concerned that was a problem. She was seriously considering bringing Loke out just to get some male attention and appreciation; a fact that didn't leave her unaware of her sadness. As the afternoon continued to toil away her consideration grew and she fiddled with her keys; particularly the key to Leo. She was still staring at the key; fingers tracing the design when all of a sudden the familiar rush of the connection with the spirit world. A few seconds later Loke was in front of her; presenting himself with a flourish.

"Loke!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"At you service, my beautiful mistress."

This wasn't the first time Loke had summoned himself without her calling him. In fact, he seemed to quite enjoy surprising her in such a manner. While slightly irritating it didn't bother Lucy all that much since she knew he would never do it in a situation that could endanger her. The blond stellar spirit was currently ogling her outfit, his eyes wide in amazement. She blushed slightly under his clear appreciation, enjoying the ego-boost his hungry gaze was providing.

"Lucy, my love you look ravishing. There's no need to be shy, you should have called me out immediately."

"Thank you Loke but this isn't for you." Lucy said, her tone slight wistful.

Loke wasn't affected by her comment, his eyes shifting to look over to the table Natsu was currently at, golfing down a plate of fire chicken. Lucy followed his gaze and watched the salmon-haired mage, smiling slightly as he let out a fiery burp. Natsu was unrefined, gruff and impulsive. Nothing that would normally attract her but all wrapped together in this package she somehow found it was exactly what she was looking for. He was her unlikely prince.

"The guy still hasn't noticed you eh?" Loke sympathised.

Lucy let out a sigh, shaking her head. She wasn't sure when Loke had picked up on her feelings for her teammate but he had become her confidante, a soundboard for her ideas and frustrations. He would listen to it all and convince her she was beautiful and a great person and that eventually even Natsu wouldn't be able to ignore it. Her own personal cheerleader, who of course continued to hit on her.

Suddenly Loke was grinning. It was a mysteriously self-congratulating smile and Lucy feared what nefarious plan just entered into the stellar spirit's mind. Before she had time to ask or prepare herself for whatever was to come he was declaring in a voice loud enough to reach the far corners of the guild her beauty.

"Lucy Heartphilia you are simply heartbreaking and I can't resist you a moment longer."

"Resist me? Loke..."

Lucy was cut off my Loke's lips on hers, softly pressing against her in a gentle kiss. He had swept her off her stool so that her small frame was pressed tight against his own muscular frame, a large hand resting at the small of her back while the other cradled the back of her head. Lucy felt the blood rushing to her face at the rather public display of affection all the while being unable to resist kissing him back. Loke wasn't Natsu but he was attractive and one hell of a kisser.

The next thing she knew she was falling backwards, no longer in the solid embrace of her more passionate stellar spirit. Before she could hit the ground another pair of arms was catching her, pulling her close to an equally fit body. Blinking she saw Loke sprawled across the fiery remains of a table half way across the room. Loke met her eyes and tossed her a wink and it was then that she realized just whose arms she was in. She looked up into the fiery eyes of her best friend her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Natsu was glaring at Loke, his arms tight around Lucy without any sign of letting go.

"Natsu?" she said softly, capturing his attention.

"I don't want that player touching you, ever."

Lucy knew this was her chance and she silently thanked Loke for giving it to her even if it was in a rather unorthodox manner.

"Why not?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Natsu looked to the side before meeting her gaze again, his eyes shining with a whole new fire that had Lucy's blood humming with the possibilities.

"I want to be the only one who gets to do that." He replied softly.

Then he was leaning down, capturing her mouth with his and it was nothing like Loke's kiss; it was better. There was nothing soft about it; his mouth was almost bruising against hers and his fang-like teeth nipped at her full bottom lip sucking it into his mouth. Lucy allowed him control for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself closer to him. Feeling the heat from his body seeping into her own as she slipped her tongue out and into his mouth. It wasn't a fairy tale, happily ever after kiss. There was nothing sweet about it; it was pure hunger and pent-up emotions making it messy and rough and frankly just how Lucy wanted it.

When they pulled apart she was vaguely aware of some catcalls coming from the other guild members but her focus was on the boy who held her. The boy who was grinning down at her like she was a fiery feast and priceless gem all rolled up in one. His breath washed hot over her face and she smiled back up at him.

"Took you long enough." She said softly, giving his hair a slight tug.

Natsu didn't answer instead he simply captured her mouth once more and that was the response she had been looking for all along.