Natsu couldn't stop pacing. The pasta bake was in the oven, one of the simplest but still 'romantic' recipes he had found while trying to make his way through -the truly fucking horrible- websites that had popped up when he googled romantic date ideas. He couldn't tell whether Lucy should be thankful he had subjected himself to that gag-inducing horror or if he shouldn't never speak of it again. Considering some of the gross sex tips he had seen on -Cosma, Kosomo, whatever- he would go for never speaking of it again. But his fear of burning yet another oven apart wasn't what had him so on edge.
Instead he was mentally going through every single magical thing he owned, and making sure it was shoved into his spare room. His bookshelves seemed more barren to him than usual, but he had enough herbology and mechanic books to make it seem presentable, not to mention the multitude of statues and odds and ends he proudly displayed. Even if Lucy didn't know their true value she should still know what was important to him. Natsu had a feeling she would like that. All of the bones and stranger ingredients were tucked away in the spare room, along with his work bench, scrolls, extraction setups and spare materials. He nervously tugged at the edges of the long sleeves on his tight black shirt, trying his best to brush off the blue cat fur that clung to his top and his nicest -aka the ones with the fewest holes- pair of jeans. He was still unsure if he should wear shoes. Was it normal to wear shoes in you house? Of course not, but this was a date , and more importantly it was a date with Lucy and oh god what if he fucked it up what if the oven actually did catch fire again and-
A gentle weight settled on his head, sparkles dancing through the air as Happy's wings dissolved. "It'll be fine Natsu, just take a deep breath," the cat's high voice sighed, tone almost pitying as he tried his best to get his witch to relax. Somehow Happy did help though, the comfort reminding him that if Lucy hadn't run away screaming in the last few months of being with Happy and Natsu then she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "I don't even know why you're nervous," Happy continued to say, more confused than annoyed, "Lucy's almost as weird as you. You should have seen the way she kept looking at your butt." The small feline began to snicker, Natsu feeling his nervous grin melt into a more confident one. He already knew the way she looked at him, but the reminders were nice.
"I know buddy, its just... What if she sees something that freaks her out? Or realizes how much more amazing she is, or..." Natsu started to ramble, yelping when sharp claws dug into his scalp. He quickly detangled Happy from his hair, holding the unimpressed cat by the armpits and watching as his tail flicked in agitation.
"You're doing it again," Happy said dryly. Natsu narrowed his eyes at the cat, just because he was panicking -and was maybe in danger of setting his kitchen on fire- didn't mean his cat should assault him. Happy rolled his eyes at Natsu's glare, squirming as he spoke, "Why can't we just tell her," he whined, finally wiggling free from Natsu's hold and wings sprouting as he fell to the ground. The feathers tickled as they ran across Natsu's nose, his face wrinkling as Happy continued to fly circles around his head. "Pleaseeeee Natsu," Happy sang, "can't you just imagine what her face will look like when she hears me talk! She's gonna look so weird," Happy sniggered to himself, eyes sparkly. Natsu however was not looking forward to that introduction, and swatted at the air around his head until Happy flew off and perched on the counter.
"No," he said bluntly, eyes serious. Happy pouted up at him and sat down on his hind legs forcefully. "I'm serious Happy, its not safe. And I-I'm not ready yet. Someday, I promise, but not today. At least let me have one normal date?" Natsu tried to compromise, but Happy's eyes were set in the way that Natsu knew all too well. Happy had already decided he was going to talk to Lucy finally, with or without Natsu's approval. Which meant Natsu was going to have to accept it.
Or lock Happy in the magic room.
"You can't go into a relationship based on lies!" The cat howled from the other side of the door, loud scratching sounds and the gentle pop of failed spells making its way through the wood.
"Why won't you just let me have this," Natsu sighed, back pressed against the door and his head banging lightly on it.
"I want to talk with her Natsu! Lucy's so funny and sweet and weird and new ! You can't keep hogging her! She's my friend too!" Natsu groaned at Happy's loud -and fair- arguments, running his hands through his loose hair. Lucy had said at one point Taft she liked it when he left it down, so now the pink strands were free to be wild and fluffy to their hearts content. And hopefully Lucy's.
"If you'd never mentioned the fact that I hadn't taken her on a date yet then we wouldn't be here! This is your own fault!" Natsu barked out, finally taking out his short pocket knife and starting to carve a small silence rune into the door frame, right below the simple sealing one. "Fuckin' goin' on 'bout normal couples and how I was messin' shit up before she even knew what I was," Natsu grumbled to himself under his breath, Happy still angrily shouting out protests until Natsu sent a short spark of magic into the rune. Silence fell over the apartment, and Natsu sagged in relief.
He was going to owe Happy a lot of fish to make up for this. He rubbed at his temple as he walked away from the door, slowly making his way to inspect his bedroom for the 4th time. His floor was easily visible now, the most important of his magic books and tomes tucked and locked safely in his father's trunk, placed underneath his window at the foot of his bed. All the clothes were either put away or in the wash - Lucy, his personal hygienic angle- and all food containers were thrown away way. The dark hard wood of his floor felt odd on his feet as he was used to the plush carpet Lucy had laid in her own room, and Natsu couldn't help but compare the two rooms. Natsu's was quite sparse in comparison, only a double bed on a shitty black bed frame from Ikea, a desk, his trunk, and a small wardrobe decorating the space. Most of the time Natsu had spent at home had either been in the living room or the spare room, working on his projects, working out, or playing with Happy. He eyed the fresh gray cotton sheets on his bed, the small piece of furniture looking nowhere near as comfortable as Lucy's did.
Flicking the pocket knife open and closed in his hand, Natsu ran his thumb over the magical rune Igneel had carved into it when he gave it to Natsu for his 10th birthday. It was meant to easily create runes, seeding part of the magic so the witch would have to use less of their own or even bypass saying the spell out loud if they wanted to. The rune was fairly simple compared to some of the ones Natsu had seen, especially for what it was meant to represent. Magic itself. Two filled in crescent moons created a circle, two triple lined diamonds sitting in the center of the circle and perpendicular to one another. On the poles of the circle sat two filled small circles and on each corner of an invisible square around the central circle was the symbol for each base rune with a line through it's centre. A triangle for fire and energy, two wavy lines for air and gentleness, a rectangle for fluids and control, and an oval for the earth and strength. Even the symbols within the circle meant something, the crescents created darkness and chaos, the diamonds light and order. All sealed with the circle that contained and held all of magic, and life. Natsu had remembered being confused and a little scared when he had first seen the crescents, images of the runes Zeref had shown him and used flashing through his young mind. Igneel had then explained to him that magic wasn't inherently good or bad, but was rather a part of life with it's own unique story that only a few could read. Magic was made of both light and dark, peace and disorder, and everything that fell between the two. The circle not only contained the pulse of the spell, but also represented that everything was connected, and that order and chaos were as similar as they were different.
It had gone straight over Natsu's head.
Now he understood what Igneel had been trying to tell him, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he continued to study the worn knife in his hand as he thought about how easily Lucy would understand it. She was far smarter than he was after all, always reading and an answer ready for whatever random question popped into Natsu's head. She never got angry with him for asking questions, patient and encouraging with her answers, even roping Natsu into debates and shit. He had never thought of himself as the smart type - street smart, sure- but the way Lucy praised some of his ideas and opinions had him glow with pride. And she looked adorable in the reading glasses she had to wear when she used the computer too long.
The longer Natsu thought of Lucy, the more he could envision her sitting cross legged on his bed, typing away on her laptop either about her novel or her latest article. She would be wearing one of his old shirts that she didn't completely hate - he honestly had no idea why she had taken such a personal vengeance against his clothes, they covered his body and di their job. Who cared if they matched or had holes?- and her hair would be pulled back in a high and messy bun. Natsu would be trying to get her attention back on him, growing bored of tinkering with a small order. He would make small flames dance in his hands or a light show appear, multicoloured sparks swirling around and smoke circling his fingers in intricate patterns. Happy would be sleeping on the foot of their bed, ignoring Natsu and Lucy's antics, in need of his midday nap. Lucy would eventually give into his distractions, laughing and ooh-ing at his magical displays as she pushed aside her laptop, opening her arms to him. He could see it so vividly, he would tackle her to the mattress at her invitation, small whispers of love and teasing traded between the two before Natsu would claim her lips with his own. His Lucy, in his clothes, in his room, surrounded by his magic. The thought made something warm ache in his chest, and Natsu forcefully shook his head to clear his mind, watching as the images faded slowly until all he was looking at was an empty bed once more.
He should be focusing on making sure the first date went well, not daydreaming about the future. Their future, together. Natsu shoved the closed knife into his front pocket, leaving the room. It was just wishful thinking, no matter how real the vision of them on his bed had felt. Besides, Natsu could rarely see the future, his discipline was focused more on fire manipulation and bewitching.
A soft knocking on his front door made him pick up his pace, n apologetic look spared on the door that held Happy and all of Natsu's world. He'd tell Lucy. Someday. Right now though, he was going to treat her to the most fucking romantic date she'd ever been on.
He pulled the door open, slightly breathless from his growing anxiety and rush to the door. Natsu knew he looked like an idiot standing in the doorway and gaping at her, but damn . Lucy obviously had more of an idea what to wear to a date to impress him, the pink tank fitting nicely to her curves, plunging neckline -thank god for Lucy's odd taste in clothing- accentuated by the way the shirt stopped just below her ribs. A pale strip of her stomach was exposed between her shirt and high waisted shorts, the jeans also short and with patches of a starry pattern sewn in places. Lucy also wore a shoulderless soft grey cardigan, sleeves resuming mid upper arm and billowing around her wrists, delicate hands swimming in the excess fabric. The back of the material fell to her knees and the front ended about mid thigh, fabric dancing gracefully around her body as she shifted from side to side in front of Natsu, smiling nervously up at him. A pink ribbon was tied around her slim neck, matching the one that pulled a part of her hair into a side ponytail, the rest falling smoothly down her back.
"Hey," she said softly, sudden shyness new to both of them. Why did it feel like he was meeting her all over again, the way his heart raced?
"Hey," Natsu breathed, and he continued to stand there and gawk. How did something this gorgeous agree to go out with him? Her soft tinkling laugh made Natsu focus on her large brown eyes, familiar playfulness sparking in their depths as she spoke again. Natsu felt his smile relax and grow the longer he looked at her.
"Can I come in?" she asked, lips pulling up in a teasing grin. Natsu started and stepped aside, gesturing for Lucy to come in before scratching the back of his neck and grinning sheepishly at her.
"Aha, yeah, come in," he rushed out, letting the door fall closed after Lucy bumped him with her shoulder, comfort calming his frantic heart at her familiar touch. It was just Lucy, no reason to act like a lovesick idiot. Even if he was one. He followed her as she walked slowly to the middle of his living room. She was staring at a specific spot on the wall, eyes narrowing as they studied it.
"Natsu," Lucy called gently, head turning slightly over her shoulder in his direction but eyes not leaving the darkened spot on his white wall above the couch, "is that a burn mark? On your wall?" Natsu tugged at his scarf, his mind yelling at him that he knew he should have hung a picture over that.
"Yes?" he said, voice tense. Laughter bubbled in Lucy's eyes as she finally looked at him.
"Why?" she asked, voice cracking as the first few laughs escaped her. Natsu rolled his eyes at her, shrugging his shoulders as the usual easiness he felt around Lucy warmed his bones. He grinned down at her, arms crossing behind his head before he looked at the mark on the wall, trying to remember why that one was there.
"I think a spark from fire I was usin' for as ash paintin' escaped and landed on a blanket that I used to have. Blanket wasn't saved, but the couch was. And the wall, mostly," he mused, snorting when he remembered Happy flying around frantically before they shoved the smoldering material into the sink and ran water over it. Natsu was honestly a little relieved the blanket was lost, that thing was scratchy as fuck.
"You think?" Lucy asked.
"Eh, shit like that happens all the time," Natsu waved his hand, sticking his tongue out at Lucy when she shoved his shoulder again.
"And to think, I'm willingly letting you cook for me," Lucy teased, snorting at his offended pout. "What are you making me anyway?" she questioned, trying to peek inquisitively around his shoulder and at his kitchen. Natsu tutted at her and placed his hands on where her skin showed through her sweater - whatever it was. He honestly had no idea- to turn her away from kitchen. He rested his chin on her shoulder, smirking as he ran his hands down her arms and pressing his chest into her back.
"No sneak peaks for being so rude," he chastised, fingers skimming over her stomach as she giggled at his tone. "I am being a gracious host."
Lucy broke into loud laughter as Natsu suddenly tickled her, crying out in between gasps of breaths and laughter for him to stop. He picked her up instead, her pink and white star patterned socks made visible as she kicked her feet in the air, still yelling at him to put her down. With a huff he did as told, Lucy turning in his arms and winding hers around his neck. Natsu lifted a hand and gently wiped at a stray tear in her lashes, Lucy smiling heart meltingly up at him.
"Ass," she said sweetly, raising on her tiptoes so that she could rub his nose with hers.
"So loud," he complained over-exaggeratedly, smiling down warmly at her and returning the loving gesture. He released her reluctantly as she pulled back, moving to inspect his bookshelf. Her finger trailed over the wooden shelves as she looked at the titles, soon lost in one about lizards and another about dragon mythology. As Natsu looked over the trinkets on his shelves he cringed a little, finally noticing now much of it was dragon related. What if he made himself look like an even bigger dork? It wasn't his fault that his hands naturally formed little dragon figurines as he practiced his skills and new techniques, the more life like ones safely tucked away and flying around the spare room with Happy. Ash sketchings that turned out to be a dragon in motion after the person looked at it long enough, all colours of dragons in all types of poses displayed between plants and candles and books. Even some of the older less magical knickknacks Natsu kept in the open to remind him of Igneel were leaning towards the dragon or fire theme.
Oh god he was a fucking dragon dork.
"This is so amazing," Lucy cooed, gently cupping the sister of one of the statues he had made her. Her dragon had been a pastel pink -darker than the birdcage- front lowered in a playful pose like a cat. This dragon was white and raised on it's back legs, front paws in the air as though it were mid pounce. He had meant to give both to Lucy, but something in the back of his mind told him to keep it, the need for a matching set of something with Lucy making his stomach warm. "Did you make all of these yourself?" Lucy questioned, Natsu grinning as he walked over to her.
"Most of them, yeah. How'd ya tell?" he questioned, thumb brushing over the muzzle of the dragon she was still holding.
"You have a style," Lucy explained, smile widening at Natsu's shocked expression. "The lines are always flowly and fluid, but there's still a sharpness to the edges and hardness that somehow works with the way they seem in motion. It's in everything you do, if I look close enough." Lucy hummed as she leaned her head against Natsu's shoulder, not noticing the way he was still gaping down at her. Even he hadn't noticed that pattern, only making what he envisioned and felt that the material wanted to become.
She was so amazing.
Lucy blushed as she looked up at him, nervously twirling a strand of hair between her fingers, sleeve dropping to reveal the multiple rings she was wearing. One of which was Natsu's. "What are you staring at me like that for?" she asked, lip caught between her teeth when Natsu gently lifted her chin up. Slowly he lowered his face down to her, praying that his mask of confidence wasn't about to break. If he was ever only going to be smooth once in his life, please God let it be now.
"Can I not just look at my girlfriend?" he whispered, grin revealing a pointed fang as Lucy's eyes widened and red raced across her cheeks. Fuck did Natsu love making her all flustered and blushy, it was almost as good as watching her get riled up. Gently he placed his lips on top of her open ones, Lucy still trying to process how easily - HA! Natsu had nearly stuttered as he said girlfriend - he had called her that. As Natsu moved to pull away from her lips Lucy finally thawed, one hand lifting to cup the back of his neck and pull him towards her. Natsu chuckled against her lips as he let her take control, Lucy nipping at his bottom lip in retaliation. So that's how she wanted to play, huh? Without warning Natsu scooped her, Lucy shrieking even as her legs wound around his waist. She smacked playfully at his shoulder as he walked towards the couch, sitting down ungracefully but still keeping Lucy firmly in his lap. He hummed in contentment as Lucy slowly raked her hands through his hair, his own hands slipping under her cover and thumbs running along the revealed skin on her back.
Lucy leaned forward, trailing her lips over his jaw, Natsu letting his head fall against the back of the couch. He could have burst out laughing when he felt her tongue trace the outline of his cartilage piercings, each one helping advance his eye sight so that he could faintly see the magical aura around his objects. As a byproduct it also made his eyes a fuck ton better than a regular humans, but Natsu wasn't complaining. He also wasn't about to complain about Lucy's strange fascination with his peircings. Natsu made a low noise of complaint and cracked open an eye when he felt Lucy pull away, dropping his hands to squeeze at her ass in an attempt to spur her -wonderful- mouth by into action. She laughed at him, running her hands up and down his arms in a soothing matter.
"You know, Happy usually interrupts us by now," she mused thoughtfully, pointedly looking at Natsu as she tapped a finger against her lower lip. Natsu laughed shakily, looking away from Lucy and studying one of his plants. The Phoenix Flower looked like it was almost ready to seed. Lucy cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows as Natsu shrunk under her gaze, shrugging his shoulders. "You locked him in the bedroom, didn't you?" she questioned flatly, amusement making her struggle not to laugh.
"Well not the bedroom ," Natsu mumbled, sticking his tongue out at her sharp laugh as her concentration broke.
"You're being very presumptuous, Mr. Dragneel. Usually someone asks before calling a girl their girlfriend, and leaving your room available on the first date," Lucy teased, bringing her hand to rest on her chest in mock offense, dramatic gasp following quickly. Natsu's forehead creased as he examined Lucy for any hint of seriousness.
"But aren't people who make out and go on dates boyfriend and girlfriend already?" he questioned, ignoring what Lucy was implicating about his bedroom being Happy free. Even if the thought had been sitting in the back of his head. Screaming at him. You know what, you try being a 21 year old virgin and see how quickly your brain goes to the less than PG places when you have a beautiful girl who is interested in you coming over -sure to wear something that barely covered her- that you were already in love with. Yeah, that's what he thought.
"It's still nice to be asked," Lucy explained, fingers playing dainty with his scarf. Natsu lifted both hands and cupped her face, looking Lucy dead in the eye. Her beautiful, melted-chocolate brown eyes.
"Lucy," Natsu asked, voice low and sincere, "will you be my girlfriend?"
Lucy smiled broadly at him, nodding her head quickly. "Of course, you dork," she teased again, leaning forward and claiming his lips with her own. The two melted into the couch, Lucy holding onto his biceps as their kiss deepened. Natsu felt the surge in his magic again, quickly brought back under control from the months of practice. Whenever he was with Lucy he felt stronger , more alive. His magic responded to her gentle touches and breathless sighs the same way his heart did, thrumming and swelling until it felt like it was about to burst. Natsu was currently nibbling on the skin above her pulse point, enjoying the way he could feel her pulse race under his lips and tongue when he remembered about the pasta bake in the oven. He let out a groan as he pulled back glaring up at the ceiling. Lucy made a high whine as the cold air struck the wet skin on her neck, nosing at his jaw and pressing her own kisses into the area below his ear, slowly making her way down his throat and back up the other side.
"I gotta check on the food, Luce" he grumbled, voice roughened and scratchy. Lucy rolled her hips down on his lap in protest. Natsu inhaled sharply at the friction of his jeans rubbing against him, hands automatically dropping and pulling Lucy's ass down on his own crotch. Damn this vixen and her ability to read him. He felt Lucy's triumphant smirk on his cheek as she pressed gentle kisses over his face, rolling his eyes at how pleased she was with herself. But he refused to allow the food to burn, he was determined to prove Lucy wrong. Lucy rolled off of him with a pout as he dislodged her, shifting so she was sitting cross legged and with her arms folded in front of her. "Lucyy don't look at me like that," Natsu whined, rubbing a hand over his face as he stood. "I'll be back in like a minute, 'kay?" Lucy sighed heavily in agreement, Natsu chuckling to himself as he walked towards the kitchen to make sure the bake wasn't burnt.
Familiar warmth flared over his face as he opened the oven door, checking over his shoulder that Lucy was distracted with the plants before sticking his hand in and feeling the side of the pan. It needed another 10 minutes before it reached the temperature the site had suggested. He removed his hand, letting the heat dissipate into the air around him so that he wouldn't burn Lucy when he touched her. He made his way over to her, not much furniture blocking his path as most of it was in the spare room. Probably being destroyed by an enraged Happy. Damn.
"Hey Natsu," Lucy called, finger trailing over the deep red petal of the Phoenix Flower. "Can flowers give off, feelings?" Natsu stopped in his tracks a few feet behind Lucy, swallowing hard. She didn't turn to look at him, still inspecting his plants along the windowsill as she spoke. "Because that Mermaid Tail I bought a while ago kinda does. Like sometimes there's this animosity that radiates off of it, other times just a dull annoyance. That sounds crazy, right?" Lucy laughed at herself, Natsu closing his eyes as he rubbed at his temples. Goddamn flower just had to be the tether for the most fucking annoying sprite he had ever tried to deal, and of course it had chosen Lucy because why fucking not make his life He-
"OH MY GOD," Lucy shrieked, Natsu's eyes flying open just in time to see the Phoenix Flower burst into flames, petals curling in on themselves as black ash consumed them from the outside in. When all the petals had reached the eye a column of fire shot up, the image of a phoenix spreading it's wings clearly visible in the flame. The fire bird dove back down into the flower, burning the stalk with a loud sizzle until all that remained in the pot was a large pile of soot. Silence filled the apartment, horror making Natsu's blood run cold.
Fuck fuck fucking fuck.
It wasn't supposed to have seeded so early, there was supposed to be at least another three days before it's magic reached it's peak and burned it up! Lucy stood frozen in her spot, hands splayed in around air around it's pot, eyes wide and mouth gaping as she continued to stare at where the flower used to be. Slowly the ash began to shift and move, Lucy jumping back until she bumped into Natsu's chest. Together they watched as a pale green vine rose from the dark pile, splitting off into three new stalks and sharp leaves as it rose into the air. When the plant had reached it's desired stalk thickness fiery blooms sprouted from all three ends, flames licking at the edges of the petals as they unfurled and drooped down. Three layers of petals with vibrant red and yellow colours glowing and shifting in moving patterns relaxed, two thin appendages rising from the center with a pale blue flame replacing where the pollen usually sat.
Natsu forgot about the fact that Lucy was still there, shocked at the number of blooms. Usually the plant only had enough magic in it for one flower, and it was unheard of to see three.
"What the fuck."
Natsu's spit caught in his throat as he struggled to answer her, panic making his mind white and his mouth of incapable of speaking. All he had wanted was one normal date with Lucy -and the possibility of her staying the night- but noooooo his goddamn flower had to out him. What had Natsu done to deserve this? He was saved from stumbling through a shitty explanation when Lucy whirled on him, finger stabbing into his chest and eyes bright.
"I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" she chimed, exuberant giggles breaking through as she danced in her own spot.
"Eh?" Natsu sounded in confusion, blinking down at her repeatedly and a concerned smile tugging at his lips. Had he broken her?
"You're magical!" Lucy crowed, looking up at him excitedly. Natsu balked at her blatant use of the term, fear widening his eyes. She... knew? "I mean, at first I thought I was crazy, because magic couldn't exist," she continued to ramble, joy and sanity clear in her large eyes. "But then there were all those weird liquids and spills on your clothes, and you always smelt of herbs and smoke. Plus those weird symbols on some of my gifts, and then there was the heat ," Lucy giggled again, finally focusing on Natsu's shocked face. "Is, is it okay that I know?" she asked timidly, excitement disappearing as suddenly as it came. Worry made Lucy shift in her spot, her eyes muted and lips pinched together as she looked up at Natsu.
"Hey, hey yeah. Don't make that face, please Luce?" Natsu soothed, running one hand along her hair. "I just, I just didn't want you to find out like this," he sighed as he pulled her towards him into a hug. "I don't know why I didn't expect you to take it so well."
Natsu laughed dryly at his own stupidity, of course Lucy was smart enough to figure it out on her own. He let Lucy lead them to the couch, both gently sitting down on the worn grey material. Lucy tucked into his side and Natsu fitted himself into the corner, causing her to lean into his chest. "Well, I think it's amazing," Lucy said slowly, Natsu pressing a soft kiss to her forehead in appreciation.
"Looks like you're datin' a witch," Natsu joked, forced grin softening to a real one at Lucy's light laughter. He and Lucy held eye contact for all of three seconds before they burst out laughing, tears slowly trailing down both cheeks as they howled and dissolved into snorts and laughing fits. "You're not freakin' out?" he asked after they had calmed down, gaze still hesitant as he traced Lucy's face with his eyes. She shook her head no, beaming up at him as he let out another shaky laugh of relief.
His conscious finally rolled over him, and he let out another groan. "I have someone that wants to meet ya," Natsu said tiredly, standing up and holding his hand out to Lucy. She took it with only a questioning look, trailing after him as he led her to the spare room. He stopped in front of it, Lucy's concern growing in her eyes as Natsu took a deep breath, preparing himself. He lifted his free hand and rubbed his thumb over first the silence rune and then the magic sealing rune, both disappearing as light spread across the lines and vanished, taking any trace of them with it. He pulled her back cautiously so that their backs were pressed against the wall opposite the wooden door, a hint of a proud smirk on his face at Lucy's look of awe as she watched him do magic. After a few tense seconds of silence the door was thrown open, a blur of blue and white flying out of the room and circling Lucy's head.
"Lushiiiiiiiiiiii," Happy cried as he dove into her chest, a loud yelp coming from the blonde as Happy buried himself into her cleavage. "Natsu was so mean to me and tried to keep you all to himself and wouldn't share and I'm your friend too right?" The cat mewled in his tinkling voice, looking up at Lucy with wide, tearful eyes. Lucy 'awwed' at him before hugging the cat tightly to her chest, murmuring gently in a soft voice.
"Of course you're my friend, you silly kitty," Lucy assured, Natsu looking away in a huff as Happy stole Lucy's attention. So much for their date.
"And he didn't feed me before," Happy continued to complain, Lucy looking over his blue furry head and mouthing ' He can talk? ' at Natsu, giving him a wry smile at his sheepish shoulder shrug. "He's starving me Lushiiiii, that's animal abuse!" Happy whined pathetically, climbing onto her shoulder and nosing her cheek, wings stretching into the air and disappearing in a puff of sparkles. Lucy laughed and scratched under the cat's chin, giving Natsu a knowing look. He grumbled under his breath and led them to the kitchen, where the pasta bake would be done soon.
"Fine," he sighed as Lucy cleared her throat. "Happy, would you like to join us?" he asked the cat, wincing a little at Happy's glare.
"I guess," he said haughtily, nose turned up and sniffing at the scent in the kitchen. His little nose screwed up and a lip on his muzzle curled. "You didn't use fish," he pouted. He looked at Lucy, large eyes completely serious as he spoke and tail lazily swinging back and forth, "I told him that fish would impress you. Nothing says 'love' like a good tuna steak."
Lucy nodded at him solemnly, rubbing his head comfortingly as she spoke. "He tried his best, and that's what counts."
Happy sighed and shook his head before sounding his agreement, looking at Natsu pityingly. "He's lucky he found someone as nice as you. And almost as weird as him." Natsu's teeth gnashed at the cat's high pitched words and Lucy's smothered giggles.
At least Happy was going to have a good date with Lucy.
A/N; TA DAH! THE REVEAL! That only took twice as long as I was expecting. I think Happy is the erm, happiest, one right now lol. Anyone recognize a certain special flower make a cameo?
Celtika82: Ahaha no! But that would have been super funny if it had been :p
CuteKitty264: The boys are also called 'witches' in this fic, and can be replaced by the term 'mage'. A warlock is an evil witch. Wizards belong in LOTR, at least according to Natsu ;D And you'll just have to keep reading to see who is and who isn't magical... *evil laughter in the distance*
Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement from everyone! I say it every week, but I mean it! All of your guy's reviews bring a smile to my face!