Natsu stared at the blonde that sat across from him in the train, his motion sickness long forgotten as he stared at his sleeping fiancée.After he asked her to marry him the pair quickly disappeared before Jude or anyone else saw them, the college students going to the train station once again. Now, they were seated in the train, on their way back to Magnolia—Natsu fully awake and Lucy completely knocked out. He didn't know what had happened moments ago when he just blurted out marry me to the blonde in front of him but he knew he was screwed. He loves Lucy but he wasn't sure if he wanted to marry the woman so soon.

They've known each other for almost four months now, dating for two days but was he really prepared to become a husband and maybe future father? In the outside he was calm but in the inside he was freaking out.

The old playboy flirt never thought he'll see the day where he'll be chasing after some girl for a long period of time neither the less proposing to somebody. Was he really ready for this? One part of his body was screaming at him to run for the hills—to forget everything and live his old playboy life again but the other part was screaming at him to marry her and start his life with her. He loved Lucy, he was certain he did, but he wasn't certain if this was the right choice he was making.

He was still debating on if he should marry her or not. He certainly didn't want that Dan bastard being with her again and he certainly didn't want Lucy shedding anymore tears again but he was just so confused and nervous.

He knew once they made it back to Magnolia he'll have to talk to some girl that knew him and Lucy well. And his options were Levy and or Lisanna.

He decided he'll call both of them later.

~X~

"He asked you what?" Erza Scarlet asked from the other phone line, her voice filled with shocked and worry.

Erza had picked up right away when Lucy had called after a long time of no chatting and the first thing that she hears is that pink-haired imbecile asked her precious Lucy to marry him.

"He asked me to marry him!" Lucy shouted into the line again, her voice full of nervousness. She, herself, was also nervous and debating if this was a good idea. She's only known him for four months and he asks her to marry him and she didn't know if she should trust him or not. Sure, she loved him and somewhat trusts him but what if he hurts her after a day of marriage? A week? A month later? She didn't want any more heartaches and she sure didn't want to be hurt by Natsu. Now, she was freaking out and is talking to her oldest and most trusted friend Erza Scarlet that says she'll be back in a couple days for Christmas.

"M—Marry?" Lucy could hear the embarrassment in her voice and a small smile spread on her lips.

"Yes, Erza, he asked me to marry him."

"When? How? Why? Are you sure you're ready for this? What was your answer? You understand this is a big part in your life, right?"

"I know, I know, I just needed some girl talk, not some lecture." Lucy sighed, Erza being silent from the other line.

"Once I get there I swear I'm going to pummel that idiot to the ground!"

"Erza, please, don't hurt him too much. I love him, remember?"

"I know you do Lucy but I'm afraid he might break your heart again. I'm just trying to protect you and—"

"I know." Lucy said while pursing her lips. She knew talking to Erza about this was a bad idea but at the same time it was good. The bad side on talking with Erza was that she just asked too many questions and goes protective so quickly. Sometimes she felt as if the scarlet-haired woman was like a mother to her. "I mean—he's not that bad, right?"

"He's alright . . . but are you sure you want to marry him?"

"The thing is . . . I don't. I mean, I love him and stuff but do I really want to marry some guy I only known for almost four months?" She heard Jellal's distant voice in the background and Erza's reply. "Keep talking, I'm listening." She said making Lucy sigh and continued, "Erza, do you . . . want to marry Jellal?" She heard sputtering from the other line, coughing and wheezing for a moment before hearing her friend's voice again.

"M—M—Marry Jellal?"

"Yes, you two have been going out for almost 2 months now. Do you think you want to?"

It was silent for a moment before Erza finally spoke, "I think it's too early but I could definitively see myself with him."

"Do you think it's too early for Natsu and me?" Lucy asked nervously, her fingers twirling around her soft golden locks. Her eyes continued to eye her clock and always checked to look around the room, not even knowing the reason why.

"Well, I don't think that's my opinion that if you marry him now or later. He loves you and you love him. The only thing I think that is wrong is that he's not explaining himself to you or anything. Where is he right now, by the way?"

Lucy sighed as she remembered what had happened moments ago, shaking her head side to side. "After we arrived back in Magnolia we didn't even talk to each other. It was so awkward and it felt completely different from how it was before any of this happened. When he dropped me off all he did was kiss my cheek and told me he'll text or call me later but I don't know . . . "She sighed for the umpteenth time, now examining her blue painted nails.

She took a mental note to go and re-paint them later.

"I should talk to him."

"Talk to him when you come back. I just don't know if I'm making the right choice."

"Lucy, if you love him and see yourself with him one day then it's a yes. I know you'll make a right choice in the future and you should also talk to Natsu about this. I have to go now—Jellal is taking me to go see some tourist attraction."Lucy could just see the scarlet-woman roll her eyes and it made Lucy smile, a soft snort coming out of her lips. "Call me if you need any more girl-talk later. I wish you the best; remember, make a good choice. Love you, Lucy."

"Bye Erza, have fun." Lucy whispered into the line, soon finding that she hung up after one last goodbye. Lucy sighed and locked her phone, tossing it on her coffee table to lie on the couch. She groaned into her pink fluffy pillow and whined about how she didn't know what to do anymore.

She started to think back at everything and thought of her mother, asking her dead mother what she should do. When she started to sniffle and feel tears in her eyes again she remembered something her mother had told her long time ago.

"Lucy, love is a precious thing. One day, you'll find the perfect somebody and no matter what it is, you'll want to do anything for this one person."

And after remembering that, she knew what her answer was.

~X~

"YOU ASKED HER WHAT?" Lisanna shouted from the line as Natsu pulled the phone away from his ear. He hissed in pain as his ear had a ringing feeling to it, his pinky finger going to pick at his ear. "Don't scream in my ear," The said male hissed into the phone, Lisanna huffing from the other line. "Please just tell me that you're lying."

"I'm lying."

"Really? So, you didn't ask her to marry you?"

"I did."

"Natsu!"

Natsu groaned again as he heard Lisanna's high-pitch squeak from the other line, hissing at the phone once more. "Stop screaming." He heard Lisanna sigh and he could just see the white-haired woman shake her head in disappointment. Natsu also sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, his arm loosely hanging from his couch that was inside the messy room along with the purring blue kitten right by his foot that hung from the couch. He bent down to scoop Happy up and he placed him on his stomach, slowly stroking the soft blue fur of his.

"Natsu,"

"Still here."

"Are you ready for marriage? I mean . . . I understand you love Lucy but marriage?"

Natsu ran a hand through his hair as he switched the phone to his other palm, his hand still stroking the purring cat that was on his stomach. "I mean—it's not that bad, right?"

"Natsu, this is marriage."

"I know, I fucked everything up!" The pink-haired male cried out, now wanting to bawl his eyes out to his childhood friend. Why did she have to leave early this morning? She should have stayed at least for a day longer. Natsu missed her and just wanted to be comforted like a little child. "Alright, start from the start and tell me how you just blurting out, marry me! like an idiot you are."

Natsu scowled at nothing in particular as he started to remember what he had done and what gone through his head when he blurting that nonsense out.

"Look, her father was trying to arrange a marriage with Lucy's ex who hurt her so badly that I just want to beat the shit out of him. I got angry and the only thing that popped up in my head is that if I marry her first than arrange marriage is out of the way. The thing is—I don't know if I'm ready!"

Lisanna clicked her tongue in disapproval from the other line, "Natsu, Natsu, Natsu . . ."

"What?"

"You can't just say things without meaning them. That's like a slap to the face in woman's view."

"But I do mean it. I just . . . I'm not sure if I'm right material for Lucy." Natsu mumbled, his eyes falling on the ground as he scratched Happy's ear subconsciously. He sighed as he looked outside his window, noticing how it stopped snowing. The cold weather didn't affect him as much anyways, the guy's only in his boxers. "Wait . . . you actually mean it? You want to marry Lucy?" Lisanna asked, not even trying to hide the surprise in her voice.

"Yeah, marriage sounds fun, right?" Natsu pulled the phone away from his ear as he heard Lisanna scream, Happy picking up his head to look at his owner who smiled and started to scratch his ear again.

"NATSU JUST WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU."

"Nothing." He replied back bluntly as he heard a deep voice in the back and Lisanna's voice growing high and all shy like, a giggle being heard after her reply. He felt sick knowing that his childhood friend got all like that when she was with her husband.

"You never acted like that with me, why act like that to some guy you were arranged to marry?" Natsu asked twirling the blue tail of his cat, his head hanging from the arms of the chair. "S—shut up!" He could just see her blush and he smirked, his eyes finding the clock.

He wonders if he should call Lucy later.

"A—Anyways, going back to topic—I think you should talk to Lucy."

"It's awkward between us. And I really don't want to face her after that whole marry me thing. I haven't even bought a ring," Natsu sighed, scratching his rosy-head trying to figure out if he had enough money to buy one or anything.

"Don't be stupid. You need to figure this out first. I know you love her and I know she loves you but don't you think you're going a bit fast? You only had known each other for 4 months."

"I know, but she's special. I rather marry her over anyone any day." A ghost of a smile lingered on his lips as he imaged Lucy smiling. "Natsu, all I have to say is talk to her. I know you have your mind set on her but think about Lucy here. She must be scared to death if it's marriage. And knowing that she comes from a strict and rich family, she might not want to rush into marriage so soon." Natsu sat up as he positioned Happy on his lap, scratching his ear once again while rubbing his furry body. "I know but I'm afraid to talk to her. I'll somehow talk to her soon . . . Once I find a good excuse."

"Natsu Dragneel you will talk to her right after this phone call. I don't care if it's awkward or not if I hear you made Lucy cry one more time I'll come over and pummel you to the ground! Now be a bigger man and talk to her." Lisanna snapped from the other line making Natsu scowl and stick his tongue out at her. "Put your tongue back in your mouth,"

"What the—how'd you know?"

"Old habits never die fast."Lisanna sang annoying him a slight bit. Natsu snorted and looked away, his cat hoping off his lap to go snuggle in his bed Lucy had bought for him months ago. "Fine, I'll talk to her . . . "

"Good boy, now I have to go."

"Don't tell me you're going to have sex." Natsu groaned, covering his face with his tan hands as he heard Laxus's voice in the background and Lisanna's cute giggles. "Maybe." Natsu groaned in disgust and Lisanna laughed, the male finding it a tad annoying.

"I'll see you later Natsu, remember, talk to her and work it out."

"Yes ma'am." Natsu mumbled grimly and soon the line cut, the male tossing his phone on the coffee table to groan and rub his face. He didn't know what to do. Should he talk to Lucy? It was awkward and it was weird to talk about marriage with Lucy. He knows his answer and he knows Lucy said yes but what if something bad happens?

Natsu pouted and whined about things and he threw his arms around the air, cursing.

He wanted to talk to a guy but knowing all his guy friends they won't be any help.

Gray is still a playboy but he noticed how different he was acting lately. Gray wasn't asking to go to Fairy Tail a lot lately and he seemed to hang around a lot around a blue-haired girl named Juvia he has met yesterday. He decided Gray was out of the question till maybe he decides to man up and ask the lady out. Gajeel was also out of the question since he never mentioned anything about marrying after four years of dating Levy and he knows he won't anytime soon. Loke won't be any help either, he was still a playboy. His friend Lyon was after Juvia and he could never take him serious and all of his other friends were idiots or douchebags, not wanting to even talk to them.

And that left out one candidate and he knew this will be much awkward then talking to a friend about love problems.

Natsu tapped his finger on his desk in his dorm, tapping his foot on the ground as he nervously hoped the person he was calling didn't pick up but at the same time he picked up. He hasn't talked to him since summer break and it's already almost Christmas time.

After the third ring he thought he wasn't going to answer so he pulled the phone away from his ear, sighing but when he heard somebody answer from the other side he froze.

"Hello?"

Natsu quickly put the phone back to his ear and cleared his throat, a small nervous smile on his lips. "H—Hey dad . . . "

"Natsu?" He sounded surprise and Natsu rubbed the back of his head, laughing sheepish. "Hey!" He shouted into the phone, trying to sound enthusiastic about calling his father.

"Hey . . . Natsu. What brings you to call me?"

"Oh, well, you know . . . the usual."

"Why do you sound so nervous? What did you do this time, Natsu?" Igneel sighed from the other line making Natsu scowl. He must still be used to it, Natsu thought as he remembered how Igneel got phone calls every day from his school telling him about how Natsu did this or Natsu did that.

Natsu took in a deep breath and exhaled, looking at his hand that was on his desk as he cleared his throat. "Dad, I need to talk to you." Natsu said seriously making the tension thicker. He heard his foster father clear his throat and something being set down, the pink-haired man assuming his reading glasses. "Sure, what's up?"

"Uhm . . . well, it's not easy to say this . . . but—"

"—did you get a girl knocked up?"

"What the fu—no!" He heard Igneel sigh in relief and Natsu found this annoying. "Tch, thinking I got some girl pregnant, what the hell, Igneel?"

"Hey, watch your tone, young man. And I was assuming it was something like that since you know, you've been sleeping around with lots of girls." Igneel coughed awkwardly, Natsu scratching the back of his head. He laughed sheepish once more and decided to start talking to his father whom he knew was possibly going to help him.

"Dad, I . . . need your help."

"With?"

"Well . . . currently, I'm in a relationship with some girl. I like—love her and I actually proposed to her today . . ." Natsu trailed off, as he saw Happy hop up on his desk and snuggle against him, his hand reaching over to stroke him once again. He heard sniffling from the other side and he was actually a bit taken back, his eyes widening. "Are you . . . are you crying?" The College student asked in bewilderment as Igneel laughing half-heatedly from the other line."My Natsu is actually going to get married!" He laughed again and Natsu sighed, a small smile lingering on his lips. "But you know . . .that's not the problem."

"Oh, what's the problem then? She doesn't want to marry you?"

"No, she does but . . .well, I don't know. It's hard to explain." Natsu sighed again, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose again. "I just sort of blurted it out . . . because she was angry and crying and I was worried and angry. But I do want to marry her! I rather marry her than anybody else in the world any day. The thing is just I don't know if she's okay with it because she just said yes and that's it. I'm worried and I wondering if she hates me or something. Should I be worried?" He waited to allow his father to process everything and when he finally spoke, Natsu just wanted to bang his head against the wall or something.

"Have you talked to her?"

"Why does everyone want me to talk to her?" Natsu groaned silently, earning a scoff from the other side of the line. "Natsu, if you want to know how she feels you must talk to her. Talk to her about it and see if she's nervous or doesn't want to move so fast. I proud you found a woman of your liking and somebody you don't want to lose but you need to give it time and effort before you finally give in."Natsu allowed his brain to process what he had said, a small smile lingering on his lips. His father always knew what to say and how to make him feel all fired up. "Hey dad?"

"Yeah, son?"

"Tell me how you and mom had met." Natsu said as he tested the word out in his mouth. He never used to call Igneel dad till around elementary school when Igneel had done something fatherly and something he liked. He became attached and soon he just called Igneel dad and his dead wife mom. It felt weird when he said it but he said it, making sure he didn't mention his dead wife a lot because he could tell they loved each other deeply.

Somewhat like what they were like.

"How your mother and I met?"He asked a bit taken back. "

Yeah,"

"Well . . . she went to my middle school and we didn't really know each other. Well, at least, that's what I thought. One day when she accidentally dropped all her things I went to go help her and she said, 'Thanks Igneel!'and I was shocked she knew my name. And after that, we talked a lot more and eventually I asked her to be my girlfriend. We dated for until high-school, the two of us breaking up because she went to a different college then I did and we soon drifted apart, never forgetting each other. But then, when I was twenty-six and she was twenty five, we met at a Grocery shop and eventually we started dating again."

"How did you propose to her?" Natsu asked as he was deeply interested into Igneel's story he was telling, his fingers brushing against the blue fur on his kitten. He purred happily and Natsu couldn't help but chuckled a slight bit.

"Oh, it was a disaster! Her father didn't approve of me and everything burst at that time. She ran away with me and we moved to Magnolia, getting married to have our first child but . . . the two passed away during delivery."Igneel said sadly making the pink-haired male feel bad for bringing it up. Natsu took in a deep breath and sighed, setting Happy down on the floor to allow him to stride away.

After listening to that, he knew what he was going to do and say to Lucy. A grin came on his lips and he imagined his precious Lucy again.

"Dad, I think I know what to do."

notes: friends and family always gives the best advice, ne?