Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted in forever and a few weeks, (besides updating the chapters recently) but I have been sick and haven't had the time between coughing my lungs up and doctors' appointments… Well anyways, happy Valentine's Day! :D :D Hope you guys like this chapter, I made it extra-long to make up for not posting for so long, and for your enjoyment of course!

*LUCY*

His stomach growled, he blushed and stepped away, leaving me shocked and cold from his lack of warmth. My arms dropped to my sides and I looked down at the floor, mortified at what just occurred. What just happened?! Did I like it? Wait, that's a stupid question, I know I did. But did he.

I felt a finger tilt my chin up, and what I saw on his face made my heart melt. He had the cutest smile you could ever imagine, so wide you could see that canine which was abnormally sharp. He had a pink tinge to his cheeks. That face annihilated all of my worries, about everything. I will just have to sort out my feel- thoughts later.

"Maybe you would like to go grab lunch or something..?"

Even though it was probably just because he was hungry, my heart did a weird stutter thing.

I beamed, "Sure thing!"

The suitcase was a mess to go through, but after sifting through very frilly, indecent clothing, I found something appropriate to wear in public. It was a light plaid purple button down dress, kind of risky to have the buttons in the front but they were cute little white stars, so I couldn't resist.

The restaurant was only a little ways away from the hotel, it was a nice one that Levy and I had been to while we were here. Although they did change the style a little, everything was now white, the table cloths, the walls, the floor. Everything. It reminded me of an operating room. This restaurant accepted hotel key cards from the customers in place of a name, and placed the bill on the hotel tab, it was extremely convenient.

We walked up to the podium that had a sign next to it that read, 'Please Wait to be seated.' A young man was standing behind it, he had a blinding smile and I couldn't say he was displeasing to look at. He had very boyish features, muscles, but nowhere near Natsu's kind of physique.

"Do you have a key card?"

Natsu handed him our room key and I turned to look out of the windows that lined the front of the restaurant, the sky was clear and it was a gorgeous day.

"Oh! Natsu and Lucy! We have been waiting for you two! Please follow me!"

He turned and practically skipped down the aisles of tables, not checking to see if we were following or not.

The table had a single unlit candle in the center and a crisp white table cloth, no surprise there.

The waiter, John, his nametag read, pulled a chair out, waiting for me to take a seat. Once I did he pushed the seat in, a little too much for my liking because my chest was now the main course, seeing how it was in my plate. But none the less I smiled and thanked him.

Natsu sat across from me and John pulled out a notebook from his apron, "What would you like to drink?"

"Something spicy!" Natsu answered immediately, not even bothering looking at the menu in front of him.

John scribbled something down in his book and turned to me, "What would you like sweetie?"

I didn't look at the menu beforehand and he was waiting, so I just said the first thing that came to mind, "Something with strawberries please."

He smiled, "You got it, I'll be right back with those!"

Why am I so giddy all of a sudden?! Where is this going to lead? Is it going at all?! No. I refuse to think about any of this. I am just going to go with the flow now!

I stood the menu up on the table; it was tall enough so that I couldn't see Natsu over it. I craned my neck to see him, and saw he had his menu in the same position I did. I quickly ducked down so he wouldn't see me gawking, burying my face in the laminated pages.

Hmm, spaghetti sounds nice right now, well then again that's the only thing that looks familiar, guess they changed the menu too.

I peeked over the menu once again and saw Natsu also looking at me, our eyes met and we both ducked hurriedly.

The family at the next table laughed at our antics.

"Have you decided what you wanted yet?"

John's voice caused me to jump, the velocity of my knee hitting against the table bottom making both of the menus fall.

John tried, and failed to suppress a smile as he moved the menus to the side so he could place the drinks on the table.

"So what'll it be?"

"Spaghetti"

"Spaghetti"

We both spoke at once, harmonizing completely.

He gave a big grin and scribbled something down on his notepad. He picked up the menus and took a lighter out of his pocket; giving the candle life.

"It'll be right out!" John spun around and pranced to what I presumed to be the kitchen. My eyes fell to my hands while I fidgeted in my seat, kind of sad he had to take the menus away.

This is kind of awkward, what do I talk about?

Natsu cleared his throat and muttered something

"What was that?"

"It looks like it's gonna rain today…"

That's weird, I just checked and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

I looked out of the window which was partly visible from our seat, and sure enough there was a clear sky. I heard the clatter of metal against glass and I whipped my head back to Natsu. He had a sheepish look on his face, and the candle was no longer lit.

"Natsu!" I hissed, trying to keep myself from laughing.

"What?" he said, feigning innocence.

"Don't eat the candles!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" he pouted his lips, crossed his arms, and turned his head to the side.

My chest tightened with a strange feeling that made it slightly harder to breathe.

I laughed and he looked surprised for a second before joining in, his pout breaking into a heart-melting grin as he chuckled.

"So, do you want to do something after this? T-the room is getting kind of boring…"

I beamed again, "Sure!" This is kind of like a date… Lucy, do we really have to have this conversation again?! He is your nakama, not your boyfriend!

He blushed when his eyes darted to my lips and pulled his drink towards him, it was a deep red color and had something that looked suspiciously like a pepper in the bottom. Gross.

He took a sip and his eyes lit up, "Lucy! Try it!"

He thrust the drink towards me, narrowly missing gouging my eye out with the straw.

"Ok, ok, calm down, I'll try it!"

He smiled and waved the drink in front of my face. I brought the straw to my lips and contrary to the bitter taste I was expecting, a surprisingly sweet liquid greeted my taste buds.

It was only a second before the drink started to scorch the inside of my mouth. It felt like Mt. Etna decided to spit down my throat. I recoiled from the liquid fire, fanning my mouth, not caring that I probably looked like a retarded seal in doing so.

"What's wrong?!"

I tried to answer, but I just coughed. I grabbed my pink drink and took a long gulp. I couldn't help but notice that the drink was the exact shade as Natsu's hair.

Wait, this one isn't supposed to burn going down…

I pulled it away from my mouth, which was now soothed, and sniffed it. Natsu gave me a weird look when I did but I help a finger up to silence him. It smelt like Cana. Alcohol. That's nice of you, John.

I put the drink on the table, sliding it away from me. Natsu looked at me quizzically.

"Alcohol."

He made an 'o' with his lips and stared at my drink, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you it was hailing outside, would you?"

I grinned, "Nope!"

"Alright guys, I got two plates of spaghetti here!"

Wow that WAS fast!

John walked towards the table, skillfully balancing two plates on his arms. He set one down in front of each of us.

"Is there anything else I can get ya?"

I glanced at the pink liquid, "Can I get water instead?"

"Sure thing, sweet cheeks!"

Natsu stiffened, and John grabbed the glass and went back into the kitchen.

I picked up my fork and twirled it in my plate of thick noodles, picking up a decent amount before putting it in my mouth.

The tangy sauce exploded in my mouth and I groaned internally at the taste.

"This is really good, isn't it?"

Natsu grunted and I looked up, his arms were across his chest and he was pouting again.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't like that guy."

"Which guy?"

"The waiter…"

"Why?"

He puffed his cheeks up, wait, no way! Is he jealous!?

I twirled another fork-full of spaghetti, and shoved it in his face, much like the way he had with the devil-juice.

"Try it!"

His eyes widened, and I wagged the fork in front of his face.

He grabbed my hand, steadying it and took the fork into his mouth.

"I got water!" John's voice floated to our table, he came skipping towards the table. Natsu leaned back, chewing carefully as John put the glass on the table.

"Is there anything I can get you..?" John purred, but he wasn't facing me.

Natsu shivered subtly, and straightened in his chair, he swallowed and meekly answered with a 'no.'

John looked slightly disappointed as he walked off, and Natsu let out a deep breath.

I couldn't help myself, I started to laugh, hard. Natsu looked terrified.

"If anything I should be jealous!"

"Yea, I gues- wait, I wasn't jealous!"

"Suuuuuure."

I took another bite of spaghetti, the sauce tantalizing my taste buds once again. Natsu picked up his fork and also took a bite, though it was much bigger than mine.

"You're right, this is really good"

"Don't talk with your mouth full!"

He stuffed his mouth again, "Mpf-k"

I smiled to myself and took another bite. Natsu then took an exceptionally big bite and slurped the noodles, one flying up and hitting him smack dab in the forehead, but he didn't seem to notice because he continued inhaling the meal.

"I can't believe you want to go shopping! Why couldn't we have gone to the game room?!" that was the whine Natsu had been chanting for the last ten minutes while we walked to the mall-like super store. They didn't have many of these in Magnolia, and I am determined to get something I have been looking for a long time now.

We walked past stores that had colorful dresses and candy in the windows when a thought crossed my mind, the underwear I had was not suitable for anything, especially for skirts, and maybe it would be nice to have a bathing suit that could contain my melons instead of spill them. But I didn't exactly want him there while I tried them on…

"Hey Natsu, I need to buy something, go away."

He muttered but didn't say anything else as he stomped off to nowhere in particular.

*NATSU*

I walked down the street, my eyes passing over the shops with no particular interest. There was an ice cream shop, a clothing store and a few boutiques that sold flower hair clips and cheap make-up.

I wonder why Lucy wanted me to leave… I'll ask her once I see her again.

Something shined in one of the store windows, catching my eye. On a mannequin wrist there was a golden bracelet with a key pendant. Lucy would love something like that… and without a second thought I entered the store and left with the black box in my pocket.

*LUCY*

The shopping trip went better than I expected, I found a few bathing suits that covered what I wanted it too and some decent underwear for casual clothing.

I exited the store with a bag on my arm and walked in the direction Natsu had wandered off in, I saw an ice cream and couldn't help myself. I walked in and got in line, waiting for my turn to order.

What would Natsu like? Something spicy of course… do they even make spicy ice cream?! I then remembered the time the guys in the guild had a contest about who could have a spoon full of cinnamon in their mouths' the longest. I was surprised Gray didn't spit fire from the description he gave me… do they have that here?

I glanced at the menu board and sure enough, 'Cinnamon' was up there in bright red letters.

I made my way up to the front of the line and ordered a cone of cinnamon ice cream for Natsu, and one of strawberry flavored popsicles for me. As I was exiting the shop, I saw a familiar face, it was the woman from the pool! She was all alone and walking quickly with her head down.

"Crystal!"

She whipped her head around and I waved, but the look on her face made me drop my hand. She had the, 'deer in the headlights' look about her. She turned herself around and ran, pushing people out of her way as she went. That's weird… oh well.

I continued walking the way Natsu had.

I hope I find him soon, the ice cream is going to melt.

"Hey. Girl." Said a gruff voice behind me.

I turned and there was a man, he was smoking and had tattoos all over his bald head and arms.

"Wanna have some fun?" he spit his cigarette to the ground and snuffed it out with his shoe.

"No thank you…" I turned back around and started to walk again when I felt a hand yank my shoulder back.

"I don't think you heard me, do you wanna have some fun."

I turned around and slammed both of the ice creams into both sides of his face, "No, I don't think you heard me, get lost you creep."

He smiled, ice cream dripping from his face, "Feisty, I like that."

"I don't think you heard the lady, now fuck off before I decide to beat the living daylights out of you."

I looked up, and sure enough, there was Natsu wearing a scowl that would make the devil cringe. The man scampered off with his proverbial tail between his legs.

"Thanks Natsu! And sorry, I got us some ice cream but he ended up wearing it…"

He scratched the back of his head, "It's fine."

"I was reading the brochure and it said they had a garden, would you like to go take a walk through it once we get back?" his cheeks puffed up cutely when he spoke.

"I would love to!" the garden was actually something I would have dragged him to anyways, you know what Levy, this is going well… I might not have to kill you anymore.

"Do you want to go back to the room now? It's almost three."

He shrugged, "Up to you."

Weird… he's acting strange, well then again he has been acting this way since we got to the resort, I wonder what's up with him.

I laced my arm through his and started to walk back to the hotel. I looked up and he was sporting an attractive blush.

"S-so what did you get?"

"Nothing special." I am not going to tell him, because if I do, he will wonder why. No thanks.

We continued to walk in silence, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was the kind of silence where nothing had to be said, and it made me happy that Natsu and I had that.

"Beautiful!" the white petals from the trees were falling to the ground, dancing through the air before falling to the ground. We continued to walk down the path, Natsu had one hand in his pocket, fidgeting with something. They had rose bushes, daffodils, and a whole bunch of other flowers I couldn't name.

We walked further down the cobblestone path, stopping occasionally to look at some brightly colored flowers. This is like a scene from a romance novel…

We walked past a patch of lightly colored flowers when Natsu cleared his throat.

"U-uh, I got y-you something at a shop…"

I turned my head and he pulled something out of his pocket, shoving it in my face. The action caught me by surprise and I fell back onto the flowers. I looked up at him, kind of shocked.

"I am so sorry!" he held out a hand hurriedly to help me get up, but instead I laughed and pulled him to the ground with me. He fell on his back besides me. I put one knee on each side of his narrow waist and placed my hands next to his ears. He blushed heavily and held an open box in front of my face. It contained a delicate golden chain with a key pendant, the hole in the key was shaped as a heart.

I gasped, "Natsu! It's amazing!" I sat on his stomach and took the bracelet from the box, holding it to get a better look.

"Can you put it on me?" he smiled and grabbed it, clasping it on my wrist quickly.

Natsu sat up as best as he could with me on him, which reminded me, I'm on him. I blushed as his face came close to mine, reminded of what happened earlier. I wonder if it will feel as good a second time…

I grasped both sides of his head and stared at his lips.

"Lucy?"

I hesitantly brushed my lips against his, and gasped when a bolt of electricity raced down my spine. He grabbed the back of my head, pushing me back against his lips. He fell back to the ground, taking me along with him. His tongue pushed against the seam of my lips and I willingly opened up for him, groaning as our tongues brushed against each other. I pulled back, breathing heavily and buried my head in the crook of his neck, kissing my way up to his jaw. He moaned and threaded his hands through my hair.

I heard a gasp, and it wasn't Natsu's.

"How indecent!"

I looked up and saw the old woman in the room next to ours and her husband, who was smirking again.

I am so not in the mood for this. I picked up the box which had been brushed to the side and chucked it at the old couple, saying something that sounded remotely like 'buzz off' and resumed what I had been doing. The old crone huffed in outrage and stomped off. I smiled against his neck.

"I can't believe you just did that" Natsu's awed voice vibrated in my chest.

"Well what was I supposed to do?"

He chuckled throatily, "I don't know, it worked… but now the mood is ruined."

"Unfortunately…" I sighed and sat up, taking a good look at Natsu's flushed face before getting up.

"We should get going. It's going to be dark soon." I held out a hand and he grasped it, almost pulling me down when he used it to get up. He didn't let go of it and swung it between us as we strolled along the path, back to our hotel.

Honestly, I don't know what the heck is going on here… but I think I like it. Natsu seems to like it too, the thought made me smile, if this turns out ok, Levy, I won't harm you in any way. I might actually thank you…

Sooooooo are you still mad at me?! :D I hope not because this chapter has over 3,000 words!

Review, like, follow, REVIEW. Leave what you think is gonna happen later in the story! :D tell me how your day went and what you do/don't like about this story… things like that