Disclaimer: Fairy Tail and the characters are owned by Hiro Mashima. I own this story based on Mashima's work

Change-with-no-name

In Edolas Natsu wanted to bring Lucy a frog as a souvenir.

"Getting anxious for your date, Lucy?" Levy teased, coming up next to her sister and stretching her arms out on the counter at Hemingway House.

Lucy blushed hotly. "It's not a date," she defended, "Natsu got something for me on his trip and he's just going to give it to me. No big deal. Besides, who's going on a romantic moonlit stroll with said boy's cousin tonight?"

This time it was Levy's turn to flush.

"It's not a romantic stroll. Gajeel just wanted to look again at some of the shops in the town and I volunteered to take him. I'm just helping out a new friend - and promoting my town at the same time. I, Lucy Heartfilia, am being a good friend and a responsible citizen."

Sure, Lucy thought rolling her eyes. It's obvious you're interested in him. It's not 'like', but you're definitely interested in learning more about our steely Master Gajeel.

Levy had basically acknowledged as much when they'd spoken about Natsu and Gajeel on Sunday after the lake trip. Lucy wasn't really sure how she felt about that. She didn't know much about Gajeel. He was pretty aloof at the lake on Sunday, but he'd eventually caved and played ball with them in the water. And he seemed like a good enough guy, if a little quiet. But that didn't change how he'd behaved the previous week.

Lucy had to admit, Gajeel Redfox confused her. She couldn't understand him. But Levy had good judgement and it was obvious she was reaching out to the reserved boy. Lucy wasn't one to hold a grudge - we all have bad days. So after being indecisive about it for several days she decided to trust that Levy saw something in Gajeel that she herself had yet to see.

It was now Friday, the end of their second week working at Fairy Tail Country Club, and the girls were getting comfortably into the swing of things. This week, as promised, old man Makarov called Lucy up to his office to offer a more suitable indoor and air-conditioned position in reception. Lucy, however, had politely refused. She was starting to like the variety she got with her current job, especially the times she could help out with the horses. The gardens, the golf course, the tennis courts, the days she got to be inside in the cafe - she was enjoying all of it. This afternoon Lucy was stationed in Hemingway House, which suited her just fine for a Friday afternoon.

For a Friday, it was pretty quiet. The rest of the week had been the same. It had just been Juvia, Mirajane and Lisanna around this week which was nice for some girl time after work, but it was much less rambunctious than usual.

Erza had left mid-week for a quick trip to Crocus. Elfman's girlfriend was in Magnolia and they spent much of their time in the Club's much smaller lakeside retreat. Natsu, Gray and Gajeel had left on Monday to spend a week at Natsu's house in Magnolia. That had come as a huge surprise. Lucy didn't know any of them had a home in Magnolia. She thought Natsu stayed in the Club Suites like everyone else, but apparently his dad found it hard to work from the Suites so he'd bought a property in Magnolia where he could feel more at home. Natsu, Gray and Gajeel spent the week there hiking, climbing and mountain biking.

Everyone was getting on with their usual summer vacation.

No big deal, Lucy thought, thinking back to what she'd just said to Levy. It's such a big deal! Something's definitely different. Lucy freaked to herself.

Last Sunday night Lucy received a text from Natsu. He'd said that he and the guys were taking the horses up to his house for the week and he won't be able to spend time with her in the coming week.

He actually thought to let me know his plans for the week. He didn't have to do that, but he did.

They'd IM'ed for a bit longer talking about their plans for the week, and that was the last Lucy thought she'd hear from Natsu.

But Natsu messaged her every day that week. He'd sent her pictures of the various places he went on his adventuring and of random stuff he came across that he thought she'd like. Part of Lucy soared. He was thinking about her even while he was away from her. But another part of her tried to reason with her happier counterpart - he must have shared the photos with all of his friends.

Even Gray had posted videos of their insane bike rides down the mountains on a video site. Some of those paths shouldn't have been walked on much less ridden down, Lucy thought. The boys' jumps and tricks down the rugged and steep terrain, with their crazy twists and turns, had left her heart racing in her throat when she first saw them. After looking at the videos a few times though, they left her with an adrenaline rush for something she didn't even experience.

So, obviously, sharing their adventures wasn't that big a big deal.

And this was still Natsu, after all.

Not all of it was completely normal, Lucy thought, thinking back to some of his stranger messages.

"Hey Lucy, which one?" was the message under a picture of leaves next to a roll of toilet paper. She'd only thrown the phone on her bed and squeezed her eyes shut, praying it was a joke and he wasn't actually waiting for an answer.

Or the: "Hey Lucy, check this out," accompanying a photo of the most gross looking bit of fungus Lucy had ever seen.

She could only manage a quick, "Natsu don't touch it!" and hoped the message reached him in time.

She would never know…

This one is going to be a handful, she remembered thinking at the time.

Still, Lucy felt happy. The part of her that had gotten trapped in Natsu's lively spell convinced her that her's and Natsu's conversations were private thoughts shared just between them. They weren't public like Gray's videos. Natsu was thinking of her. He wanted to be with her when he wrote to her.

And with those thoughts her heart throbbed; every time a little bit more than before. She could feel it in every beat - the excitement, the escalating emotion and the incredible longing.

Around Wednesday Lucy realised that she had started waiting for updates from him, excited to see what crazy thing he was up to that day. She was rewarded for her patience: a picture, probably taken by Gray, of Natsu standing off the side of a cliff looking over the fertile valleys beneath him. He looked so handsome just staring out at the landscape beneath him. Long rays of golden sunlight streamed across the picture through perfect breaks in the cloud, as if nature itself wanted to frame him. The picture came with just two words, "rock climbing," but Lucy rejoiced. She'd received a couple of pictures of him during the week, but this one captured Natsu perfectly. She would treasure it.

But it wasn't just short updates throughout the day. Every night Natsu messaged her before bed asking how her day was - as if her day was in any way interesting. They were just a few quick messages and a few laughs before bed but Lucy could feel it, the two were growing closer. Slowly, with each new message Lucy felt as if her life was bleeding more and more into his and a different bond was forming. That new bond didn't really have a name yet. Maybe it was just their friendship deepening. Whatever it was, it felt different from what they had before.

So when Natsu messaged her that morning and asked her to meet him at the glade after work, Lucy panicked. She was excited to see him after all this time - and in their special place no less - but a little nervous as well. What if things were different between them? What if this change-with-no-name between them made things awkward?

"I just got a message from Gajeel," Levy said, bringing Lucy back to the real world.

"Oh yeah?" Lucy asked inquisitively.

"Yeah, it looks like they got back this morning," Levy said scrolling through the message. "Natsu stayed back at the house for a bit but Gajeel and Gray are at the pool. He said to meet him out front when I get off."

Levy's voice was tensing up.

She's getting nervous, Lucy thought.

"Levy, it'll be fine," Lucy advised. "There's no pressure. It's just an opportunity to get to know him. If it goes well, you go out with him again and get to know him some more. If not, then it's not what you think. It's just to feel things out. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just be yourself - and don't panic."

Levy responded without looking at her sister, the corners of her lips turning up in a small, teasing smile.

"Just like you're doing right now?

Touché, Lucy thought before turning behind her to clean something. All this thinking was driving her mad.

§§§

Two hours later Lucy found herself winding Flame carefully through the crude tracks in the woods. She was in no rush to get to the glade. The woods, the musky smell of the trees, the cool wind blowing though her hair as she trotted along, Lucy wanted to savour it. It devoured her nervousness and filled her with exhilaration. This had always been what freedom felt like to her. Lucy didn't know when she would get the opportunity to ride again, much less alone like this, so she took advantage by taking the longer, more relaxed, route to the glade.

She'd found the route at the stables before setting out. Flame was already saddled up and waiting for her when she got there.

"Master Dragneel said you'd be coming about this time and asked me to prepare her for you," Sagittarius had said with a hint of interest.

"Oh, thanks Sagittarius," Lucy responded colouring slightly. She knew this looked suspicious.

Before setting out she'd looked at various trails and maps of the area. She worked out where the glade could be from the map and figured out a more leisurely, if slightly longer, path to reach it. She would enter the glade from its Eastern woods. She couldn't wait to surprise Natsu. That idiot, why he didn't think to use a map was beyond her.

As Lucy broke through the thick woodland, the scents, colours, lights and activity of the glade hit her unexpectedly. Her heart warmed immediately as memories and emotions from last week came flooding back. This place was so special for her.

Lucy spotted Natsu sitting at the end of the glade looking over Magnolia. He definitely thought she would be coming from the path between the rocks.

He, he, Lucy thought, a wicked grin plastered across her face. His back was to her. This was her chance to get him.

Slowly, Lucy tiptoed towards him, her fingers pressed mischievously over her mouth. She looked at Flame who she was pulling gently alongside her.

"Shh," she whispered.

Flame though, had much more experience with the knucklehead. Blondie, as smart as she was, wasn't thinking ahead: it's never a good idea to sneak up on an idiot. They're an unpredictable breed.

There was no winning down the road they were going, Flame knew. Only pain. So, as the two crept closer to the spaced out boy, Flame decided she was going to take matters into her own hands. When they were within obvious earshot of her owner Flame let out a loud, playful nicker. That had to get the boy's attention.

And it did. Natsu turned around eyes wide in surprise, taking in the girl and the horse behind him. He was definitely flabbergasted. Lucy sulked.

"Aw Flame, we were so close. We totally would have gotten him," Lucy whined, rubbing Flame's neck affectionately.

Natsu rebounded confidently, understanding of the situation quickly appearing in his eyes.

"Ha, no way Lucy. I knew you guys were there all along," he lied crossing his arms in front of him, "I was just waiting for the right moment to scare you guys. Flame girl, why'd ya have to mess it up?"

Lucy eyed Flame, if she didn't know any better she would have thought Flame was about ready to throttle the idiot.

"What took ya so long Lucy?" Natsu complained.

"Oh Flame and I thought we'd take the scenic route. Isn't that right girl?" Lucy asked nuzzling Flame's neck lightly.

Lucy glanced over at Natsu and stifled a laugh. He definitely had no idea how she got there. As Lucy took in his cute puzzled expression, and his absolute refusal to ask, she decided to leave him there to work it out. She wasn't under any obligation to share what she'd learned.

"I'm gonna take Flame over to the stream," she said. "Want me to get anything from your bag?"

"Nah, I'm good," Natsu answered tapping a small bag in front of him.

A slow smile lit his face as watched Lucy walk over to the stream where Thunder waited. Thunder immediately caught his eyes. He was watching Lucy with his ears held high, pawing the grass lightly. Natsu laughed shortly under his breath. His horse just kept surprising him these days. This enthusiastic, playful Thunder was rare. Natsu wasn't sure he'd ever seen it.

You like her a lot too, don't ya buddy? Natsu thought watching Thunder's eyes follow Lucy's every move.

As she secured Flame, Thunder reached down and nipped her hair lightly. Lucy giggled happily as she tried to secure Flame with Thunder snorting and gently nipping at her hair. It was as if someone opened a window in Natsu's heart every time Lucy laughed lightly like that. He felt as if she was born to laugh; it made the world a happier place.

When she was done Lucy reached up to play with Thunder.

"You had a nice week, didn't you?" she asked as she rubbed his neck affectionately. "You got to go home, you went exploring, what other mischief did you and Natsu get up to, huh?"

Thunder snorted and bumped his muzzle gently against Lucy's face, sending her into a fit of giggles.

"I think he really missed you," Natsu called out to her, pausing briefly. "Maybe he thought he wouldn't see you again."

Lucy pressed her face against Thunder, a wave of embarrassment rushing over her.

"Was he the only one who missed me?"

Lucy caught the flirtatiousness in her voice and cringed. She covered her mouth with her fingertips in shame. She was only expecting to tease him, she didn't expect it to come out that way.

Natsu seemed to miss it though as he turned back towards the city opening out in the distance.

"No," he replied long after the moment had gone.

Lucy grinned and squealed under her breath to Thunder, bouncing lightly.

"Wish me luck," she whispered to him as she left to join Natsu.

"So, tell me everything," Lucy said plopping beside him, "everything you did looked like so much fun."

"It was. I wished you were there too, you would have loved it."

Natsu pulled out his phone and showed her pictures from his week, sharing entertaining stories behind all the pictures. Lucy really wished she could have been there. It sounded like so much fun. There were so many pictures of him, Gray and Gajeel having fun and goofing around.

Some of his adventures were definitely too much for her though. Natsu and the others went big. Not thrill; it was proper flood-your-brain, heart pounding, limb wobbling adrenaline. Exciting, brave … and scary. As she watched the photos and listened to his amazing stories, Lucy felt a bubbling desire to get stronger. That expression on his face as he told his stories, the wild stunts that he'd gotten up to; this was his happiness. Lucy felt that she wanted to catch up to him, quickly, and share in this part of his life. She knew he'd let her in if she asked. She had no doubt. Whether he'd match her pace, well, that was another story entirely. But unlike the last time they'd come to the glade together, Lucy felt she could count on him regardless. He had his momentum - and that was impossible to match, but Lucy's heart told her, without question, that she'd be safe with him.

"Oh," Natsu said eventually, dropping his phone and digging into his bag, "I almost forgot."

He took out a small paper bag and handed it to Lucy.

"Here, I saw this in one of the villages we hiked to and it made me think of you," Natsu explained. He leaned back nonchalantly balancing his weight on his elbows to watch her open the present.

How can he say this stuff so casually, Lucy wondered.

Lucy took out a small item wrapped in tissue paper. Bit by careful bit she removed the paper and unfurled a gorgeous, shiny, green porcelain frog.

"UWAH," she squeaked staring glowingly at the tiny object. "It's so cute! Thank you Natsu. I love it."

"I remember you were staring at that little frog the last time we were here. The super tiny, green one. You kept trying to pet and it kept hopping away. I thought you might like frogs.

Lucy stared at him, her eyes wide.

He remembered that? He doesn't look like it but he's very attentive to the little things, she noted contentedly.

Lucy reached over and gave him friendly hug.

"Thank you Natsu. I really like it."

Natsu produced his usual grin. "I'm glad."

"So what did you do this week?" he asked sitting up and folding his legs beneath him.

Lucy described her week, it wasn't remotely as interesting as Natsu's but she was pleased he was interested.

"Did Minerva do anything?" Natsu asked, his eyes narrowing.

"No, I've been doing everything she asked me to do above and beyond. There's nothing for her to complain about. I've decided I'm gonna take the 'kill her with kindness' approach," Lucy announced pumping her fists in the air.

Natsu smiled at the girl he liked. This was why he liked her. Well, this was one of the probably hundreds of different reasons why she set his heart on fire: her first instinct was to be kind.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Natsu said changing the subject, "Gajeel sort of suggested that he may have done something to hurt your sister last week." A brief, musing expression crossed his tanned face. "He wasn't big on the details, only that he did something he regrets. You guys are too nice to punish him, so we punished him for you."

Natsu grinned, his eyes practically sparkling with the memory.

"What did you guys do?" Lucy couldn't help but ask. She was bursting with curiously. This had to be good.

Natsu's smirk extended to his ears.

"We pulled off his pants and tied him to a tree at the bottom of a popular hiking trail," Natsu answered good-naturedly. "We left him there for a while so he could think about what he did."

Lucy's jaws just dropped. She had no words. "You- you did what?"

"Oh, don't worry, we left him with a bottle of water. We even put a sign up saying that he's thinking about what he's done and asked anyone coming by to give him water. I mean, we're not monsters."

"Oh wow, Natsu. Did you really?" Lucy was grinning from ear to ear now.

"Oh yeah, we even have evidence. Wanna see?" Natsu was already inputting the code on his phone.

Lucy tucked herself in closer to Natsu who leaned over, his phone comfortably between them.

Sure enough, there was a photo of a gloomy-looking Gajeel in his underwear tied to a tree with a very rough sign explaining the situation.

Lucy burst out laughing at the sight, spittle flying everywhere.

"Oh my gosh, that was epic," Lucy said breathlessly after some minutes, clutching her stomach. "Well done Natsu!"

"Glad you approve," Natsu returned, high-fiving her. "I'll send it to you."

"Seriously? Oh Levy will love this. Thanks!"

"Oh," Natsu said spotting something else in his phone's Image Gallery as he scrolled, "you might like this."

Once again, Natsu held his phone between them.

"There's this tree up at the far end of the property. It's got this cute little wooden child's swing on it. See?"

Lucy felt the coldest chill run up her body. Without any warning, her heart started pounding erratically and uncontrollably her chest. It pounded so hard Lucy felt as if her whole body was shaking. She felt like she needed air, her lungs begged for it, but her breath had stopped in her throat.

Hold on tight, Lucy

Swing me higher mama

Higher mama

"Gray thought it would be a good idea to push me in it," Natsu continued, eyes locked on the picture.

He laughed and swiped to the next picture which showed Natsu sitting on the ground surrounded by shattered pieces of the wooden swing, only the tight ropes that once held the construction together still hanging from the tree. "I told him it was was old, but he wouldn't listen. It broke into pieces the second I sat on it."

Lucy just stared unseeing at the picture. Her mind trapped in a brief flash of a memory playing over and over in her head. It wasn't as much of a memory as it was a gauzy mist in her head. Only the sound - and the immense, overpowering feeling of the moment cut through the fog and reached her, stabbing at her chest and head, paralysing her.

Mama swing

Natsu realised Lucy hadn't said anything about the cute little swing. He was sure she'd love it - or at least joke about his big butt that broke it.

He turned to look at her. His body numbed the instant he saw her. She was sitting as still as Natsu ever saw another person, a flood of tears rushing soundlessly from eyes that were submerged in tears and shock. She was just staring at his phone. Natsu was sure she wasn't really seeing it.

The morning at the stables last week invaded Natsu's memory, as did the choking pain that he'd felt watching her at that time. Natsu swallowed dryly, his phone slipping from his hand and toppling to the soft grass and colourful wildflowers that cushioned them.

"Lucy." Her name broke from his lips as an involuntary, coarse whisper. She didn't seem to hear.

In a daze Natsu reached out to her. "Lucy," he called, touching her shoulders gently.

That seemed to wake her up. She looked at him and blinked hastily as realisation hit her.

"Natsu," she exclaimed, surprised and ashamed that she'd zoned out like that. She touched her face surprised to find that she had been crying. She scrambled to dry her tears, breathing unevenly and apologising frantically.

"Natsu, I'm so sorry," she said scrubbing at her face. "I don't know what came over me. I just - I just - I don't know. I'm really sorry. That must have really scared you. I can't imagine - I'm so sorry."

She cast a sidelong glance at Natsu. Concern was written all over his face. She owed him an explanation, but how could she explain that? She herself didn't even know what just came over her.

Natsu waited quietly for her to compose herself. She looked so shaken.

Natsu knew he didn't look so great himself right then so he tried to collect himself as inconspicuously as he could. He wanted to be strong for her. But he also wanted to understand. Those two forces, wanting to understand and just wanting to be there for her, fought a vicious battle inside Natsu as he thought about what he should do next.

"You okay now?" he asked when she settled a bit. His unnerved hand offered her a bottle of water - the best Natsu felt he could do.

She nodded. "Thanks. Yeah, I'm better now. I'm sorry," she apologised again.

Natsu went for it and prayed she believed in him.

"It's fine Lucy. Completely fine." Natsu answered, wanting to comfort her but not knowing what to do. "I'm sorry too. I don't know what happened, but I'm really, really sorry. Really. I didn't mean it. Seriously. I'm sorry."

As she listened to Natsu blame himself the fragile composure that Lucy had managed to put up immediately faltered. She felt as if she owed him an explanation, even if an uncertain one. It was the least she could do.

Drawing her eyes away from him and towards the horizon, Lucy tried to find the words to describe what she thought she knew. All the while Natsu didn't take his eyes off her. Maybe he was still struggling to understand. Maybe he was still in a little shock. Maybe his subconscious thought that he could find some answer if only he kept his eyes on her.

It was probably all and none of those.

"I think," Lucy began slowly, "I think I had one of those swings - a long time ago - when I was a kid. I don't remember it at all - but I think I just had a vague memory of it. I couldn't really see it. Just feel it. Me and Mam—"

Lucy felt her voice break slightly and cut herself off there. She could just feel it. Any more and all the walls she'd so painstakingly built would all come crumbling down.

Mama, Natsu filled in the blanks, comprehension finally flowing though him, dispelling all the doubt and apprehension he felt. Suddenly everything made sense.

Natsu had promised himself he wouldn't pry. He wanted to wait until Lucy trusted him enough to share her story with him. Natsu felt he didn't want to hear it from anyone else. But he had gleaned enough from his time with the Conbolts over the past weekend to have a reasonable understanding of what happened moments ago.

As he watched Lucy re-collect herself and put on that image of composure he'd just seen her wear, Natsu felt a fire rise within him.

Following his usual impulse he whirled around until he was facing Lucy head-on. Surprised, the girl just stared at him, his name issuing unsolicited from her lips.

Natsu put both his arms on her shoulders and regarded her squarely.

You don't have to let me in, but would you at least trust me to wait at the door? Natsu pleaded internally, as he took her in.

Lucy was so taken aback, she could only stare at him waiting for what he wanted to say.

"You don't have to force yourself," he told her, slowly, resolutely. "It's fine. You're always being so kind to everyone, but I think it's fine for you to be kind to yourself too. That's why - you don't have to force yourself. It's okay to just cry it out."

Lucy's eyes widened. Before she knew it the waves that she was fighting her hardest to keep down mushroomed, swallowing all of her walls in the tumult.

Lucy's palms flew to her face as everything she felt inside since the second she saw that picture all came pouring out.

Natsu pulled her to him cradling her head in his hand as she sobbed freely into his chest. As she cried, his eyes travelled from her to the woods she had just emerged from so playfully. Once in a while, through heavy sobs Lucy would whisper "mama", and every time that happened the hand that was secured firmly around her waist would pull her even closer, reminding her that she was not alone. The more she wept, the more Natsu felt his determination grow. This girl, he absolutely didn't want to leave her side. He didn't feel he ever could; he was certain it would hurt him too much.

§§§

"Hot," Lucy murmured against Natsu's wet chest, her fingers fisting the material slightly. Her cries had stopped for some time but she continued to hold on to Natsu until she had fully calmed. That's when the sensation hit her.

"What?" Natsu asked, looking down at her.

Lucy pulled away, "it's hot" she complained, fanning her face.

Natsu looked into her eyes. Real Lucy was back. He smiled, glad to see her back to herself.

He reclined slightly on his palms, stretching in the light breeze. She was right. It was hot. He let his fingers bury deep into the soft grass.

That's when Lucy caught sight of Natsu, or rather his soaked green t-shirt that now had huge blotches of beige where her makeup had rubbed off.

"Natsu. Your shirt!" she exclaimed. "I'm so sorry."

Natsu reached over and grabbed his shirt to get a closer look.

He flashed Lucy a look of feign indignation.

"Looks like you're buying me a t-shirt, Pervert," he teased.

Lucy smacked him lightly, glad that their usual banter was back.

"I wonder, who still owes me for my celestial spirit costume?" Lucy shot back tapping an index finger on her chin.

Natsu paled as he remembered a very minor, not really worth mentioning paint balloon "incident" from the concert last week. It had left Lucy and her costume covered in paint and glowing in the dark for much of the night.

"Debt repaid," he said instantly.

Lucy only grinned at him.

As they fell into a comfortable silence Lucy's eyes searched Natsu for any indication that he saw her differently. Reclined like that across from her, he was wide open for scrutiny.

Is the going to see me differently now?

Will he start feeling sorry for me? I don't want him to think I'm pitiful or an emotional wreck.

Is he going to be turned off by me?

Will he start distancing himself from me?

The thoughts spun around Lucy's mind in a blur.

I've really gone and done it this time, she scolded herself.

Natsu watched her examine him, an assortment of thoughts dashing across her eyes. He wondered if she'd tell him what she was thinking.

After what seemed to Natsu like hours under her studious gaze, Lucy finally spoke.

"Natsu, this is gonna sound weird, but, I wanna say it."

Natsu locked eyes with her, trying to match her solemnity with his sincerity.

"That person just now, that is not who I am. Well, I mean it is part of who I am, a small part, but it doesn't make me who I am."

There, that's it. Lucy thought. Whether he understood it or not, I've said it.

Lucy watched as, this time, Natsu studied her trying to understand what she meant.

Do people do that a lot? Natsu wondered, his anger brewing. Decide the kind of person she is based solely on her past?

Just by looking at her Natsu could tell he was right.

How many people have missed her energy and her laughter because they decided who she was without even trying to get to know her?

The image of Lucy texting her sisters in the garden on the night of the banquet flashed in his mind.

How many people have looked at her and not really seen her?

Natsu sat up abruptly pulling himself close. He was now so close that Lucy could feel his breath on her.

"I've seen so many sides to you already," Natsu said, his voice just above a whisper. "I already know that."

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect that kind of response. No one had ever said those kinds of words to her before. As the brown in her eyes gleamed in the sunshine, Natsu could feel how much his words had moved her.

Did she really think I'd think that? Natsu asked himself.

Before he could finish his thought, Lucy reached over and wrapped her arms around him in a warm, grateful hug.

Natsu smiled into her hair and returned the embrace. Before, they'd held each other in thankfulness and then sadness. This time, it was in unabashed affection.

They held each other for a long time, neither really wanting to let go. Instead, they relaxed into each other's arms, Lucy getting comfortable in the warmth of Natsu's chest and Natsu resting on her head. The cool hillside breezes were now rising in the late afternoon sun. They lifted the many scents of the wildflowers around the two and circulated them throughout the glade. The cool, sweetened air diffused the heat but seemed to stroke another, very different fire.

Without warning, as she held him close, Lucy felt Natsu's lips brush soundlessly against her hair.

Her heart swelled; erupting in a ripple of fluttering air and electrifying heat. She ached to respond to him.

Swiveling slightly, she pressed her lips against his chest.

She could feel his breath as he smiled into her hair, sending another ripple of happiness though her.

Encouraged, Natsu moved down, pressing yet another silent kiss on her forehead.

Lucy smiled into his chest, taking in the warm, sweet sensation that ran through her. She could feel his heart pounding against her cheeks, beating against the curved ends of her smile. Her mind was swooning from the wonderful new feelings charging though her. They were all sending her one very strong, very insistent message. Lucy knew without a doubt that she really wanted this.

She lifted her head slightly, kissing the part of his chest that she found there.

And on they went; Natsu pressing a trail of soundless kisses down the side of her face as Lucy returned each by pressing her lips soundlessly against him as she moved slowly up his chest. Before she knew it she was resting comfortably on his shoulder, the reassuring cool breezes around her refreshing her flushed skin. Her breath hitched as she felt his lips come down to the exposed corner of her mouth. Her eyes fluttered open slightly, only to close immediately as Natsu's lips grazed softly over her own.

No one had ever kissed her so lightly and with such intensity before. Natsu's lips were like feather-soft brushes as they moved across her own, but Lucy's nerve endings felt each and every bristle as an electric fire coursing though her.

How can someone be so gentle and so incredibly intense at the same time?

When they pulled apart Lucy wanted to bury her face completely in Natsu's neck. She knew she was blushing hard and wanted nothing more than to hide until she recovered her senses. But at some point, Lucy had no idea when, Natsu's free hand had moved to her face, locking her in place. His thumb caressed her cheek absent-mindedly. Stuck where she was, and burning up more by the second, Lucy opened her eyes and braved a glance up at Natsu. He was looking at her face with an unreadable expression. It was like he was reading every inch of her face, taking all of her in. It was profoundly embarrassing but Lucy found she could not tear her eyes away from his fixed, soulful gaze.

What is he thinking?

Before she could fathom a guess his lips descended on hers again. This kiss was much more sensual than the first, more wistful kiss, and Lucy found herself responding with a similar energy. She melted into him and gave in to everything she was feeling. It was as if the electrical storm coursing through her finally found its outlet - and she released it freely, without doubt or hesitation. Only emotion. She had never felt or done anything like this before. But then, neither had Natsu. In fact, they were both still figuring out how to handle this incredible rush of emotion. However, there was no insistence or assertiveness or judgment between them, only mutual trust, which left them both open to wonderful discovery.

And what a beautiful, earnest and soul-stirring discovery it was.

When they broke apart Lucy pivoted and launched herself into his shoulder.

He absolutely must not see my face right now!

"Ow, what are you doing?" he asked laughing, his hand moving tenderly to the back of her head.

"I don't know", she whined in response, his shoulder muffling her words. "I'm on auto-pilot."

He broke out laughing at that.

"Okay, okay, stay there," he answered, relieved that she wasn't looking at him either.

As Natsu waited for his heart to calm he felt a powerful impulse to say it. So much had happened between them, all unintentional, he didn't want to not say enough and for her to misunderstand him again. Even if it was probably obvious by now, he wanted to be clear this time.

"I like you, Lucy" he whispered into her hair.

Natsu knew he made the right decision the minute the words were out of his mouth. He could feel her smile against his shoulder and her arms tighten around him.

"I like you too, Natsu."

§§§

As Lucy reached down to untie Flame Natsu came up behind her, Thunder's reins in hand.

"What are you up to tomorrow?" he asked.

"Nothing much," Lucy answered, her heart picking up pace. "Probably just errands or playing video games."

"Do you want to spend the day with me?"

Play it cool girl, her conscience coached her. Play. It. Cool.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

Maybe all we ever really want is for people to see and accept us for who we are, scars and all.

A/N

Next update - the first planned date! Exciting! But ... oh oh, Natsu's planning it?

Hmm… I wonder if narrator-san will piss us all off and flashback it? She can't possibly be that mean, right? ;) Surely she can't...

I wonder…

Till next time. Bye :D