Laxus led Lucy down a small, quiet side street to a little pub. It was a warm and cheery stucco building with a sign above the door that read "Daft Dragon". The celestial mage chuckled at the name, remarking while entering the establishment "I think I have a new nickname for you Sparky!" He chuckled at that but quipped "Don't you think that's a better name for the flamethrower?"

Laughter echoed in the nearly empty pub. Lucy loved the light banter they had shared over the years, but now that they were forming a more intimate bond and forming their own private jokes, she reveled in it.

He led her to a private corner of the pub where a booth was decked out in white linens, tea candles in little crystal holders, and a vase with a bouquet of stargazer lilies. Lucy was on the verge of tearing up. This was the most thoughtful setup for a date that she had ever experienced, of course her previous "dating" experiences were very few and far between. Most guys she had the "pleasure" of going out with were just interested in her obvious physical attributes. They would put in the bare minimum effort and expect the world. This is the main reason Lucy had decided to exclusively engage in one night stands. The man standing next to her was different, though. He was still there when the sun came up. The mating might have had something to do with that, but Lucy was accentuating the positive here. He wouldn't have marked her if he didn't love her. Natsu didn't think he loved her that way, that's why he didn't mark her during their two week fling all those years ago. He decided that they would be friends with benefits without even telling her. She had loved him back then. She kept allowing him back into her bed for quite awhile after that, even though she knew the relationship was turning toxic. Reality hit Lucy when Lis confronted her one afternoon. She saw the love shining in the takeover mage's eyes. Lucy realized her eyes had lost that luster for him long ago, and she happily supported Lis' romantic aspirations. It was also the perfect excuse to end the toxic cycle with her partner. She broke the arrangement off with Natsu an hour after that conversation, but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He knew neither Lis nor Lucy were his mate, and told the blonde that much. He also made it crystal clear to the celestial summoner that she would be the one to bear his offspring. Even if he found his mate, he wanted Lucy's magic mixed with his to "Produce the most powerful dragon slayers yet." That was also the day that Levy and Freed came over to ward Lucy's old apartment against the fire dragon slayer. She made sure either Erza or Gray was always present when she took missions with Team Natsu, but began to distance herself from taking mission with then in general. Her trilogy provided the money she needed to be free. It took awhile, but she was finally independent. There were happier things to think about now, though.

"Oh Laxus, this is beautiful. How did you know stargazer lilies were my favorite?" "I think you mentioned it to Levy a couple of years ago, when you were helping her plan her wedding. I remember she decided let the bridesmaids pick out their own flowers. You were so beautiful gliding down the aisle ahead of her, and I was fortunate enough to accompany you back down once the ceremony was over. I should have told you that night, but was still too afraid." He motioned for Lucy to enter the booth. She slid in and he followed. "I hope you don't mind, but I ordered for us already. The owner and chef is a good friend of mine. I know your favorite food is chicken pot pie, but he makes a lobster version that blows Mira's out of the water. Lucy began to drool a little as the aromas from the little kitchen wafted through the pub.

Drinks and dinner were placed in front of the pair. They chatted about guild life some of their more crazy missions while they enjoyed their scrumptious and leisurely meal. Upon finishing, Laxus paid and the pair emerged from the pub, lilies, wooden box, and overnight bag in hand, and headed for the guild. Unbeknownst to the couple who were so lost in each other, a very confused and perturbed salmon haired mage was down wind following the pair to their final destination.

Laxus and Lucy approached the guild. Lucy placed her bag and flowers behind Max's wares stall to pick up when they were ready to leave. They walked up to the doors and Laxus pushed them open with a great force that everyone present in the guild hall turned to look at who was making the commotion. The blonde slayer then dipped Lucy in a dancelike maneuvers, and bent down to passionately kiss her, in full view of the now shocked silent guild in-front of them, and an irate fire dragon slayer behind.