Hiya! This is 28!

7 more days of consecutive chapters! I got confused with the reviews from yesterday because I edited and lined up this chapter before posting 28 and thought I posted the wrong one lol

Happy reading!

The place was something out of a fairy tale, with small lights twinkling on the high ceiling, sheer curtains shimmering in the shifting lights. The crystal chandeliers reflected the other lights, casting rainbows over the ceiling when it hit it at the right angle. Tables were laid around the outside of the room, with ample room for the dancefloor, petals scattered over their surface and adorned with beautiful center piece. Pieces of art were laid on two long tables on either side of the room, and it took them a moment to realize they were food sculpture. Even Natsu couldn't bring himself to eat such beautifully crafted food – not until someone else ruined it, anyway. To Cana's delight, there was an open bar and she soon came back with three glasses of wine.

"I'm not drinking," Lucy and Natsu warned her in a same voice as she handed them.

"Doesn't matter, sweeties," she assured with a broad smile. "Everyone has a drink. If you already have one, they won't ask. Plus, on glass won't do anything."

That was when they took the time to look at all the elegantly dressed folks gathered. Lucy had thought her dress might be much for the wedding, but there were more obnoxious and more expensive ones everywhere. The suits, however, were mostly formal, but Natsu still stood out with his undone button and the absence of a necktie. Not to mention his unruly hair. Yet, no one seemed to pay them much mind. Lucy noticed Zera making her way over.

"Lucy, Cana, Natsu! Good to see you all!" She was wearing a gorgeous gown that was the same teal as Mavis's eyes.

"Hey, Zera!" Natsu greeted her with a wide grin.

"Let me show you to your table!" Their table was right next to the main table, all three of them seated together, along with Wendy, Shelia, Zeref's mother and Wendy's parents. To the left, there was a table with Mavis's parents, her aunt and uncle, Jenny's sister as well as her fiancée, as well as Sherry and her boyfriend. But no one was sitting yet. Zera explained that everyone had gone to mingle with the other guests, and they should probably do the same, then she rushed away, having something else to attend.

They found Wendy and Shelia and grouped with them, politely chatting with whoever approached them, shaking hands and introducing themselves to many, many business partners. Lucy had told everyone she wanted to go by Lucy Ashley for the night – Ashley was her middle name, she had explained – because she didn't want anyone recognizing her name.

She met with a few people that looked at her longer than she would have liked, but no one mentioned anything. Soon, Zeref had joined the reception and busied himself talking to everyone in small groups. He looked quite different, with his black hair slicked back, and Cana elbowed Natsu before he could make fun of him and embarrass them. She was discreet enough that even Lucy failed to notice it.

"Have you seen Zera?" he questioned, looking around the room.

"Not since you got here," Lucy replied.

"She probably went to help Mavis," Cana shrugged. "The ceremony is pretty soon."

"Yeah, Yury and the others have started taking people to the roof."

"The roof?" Natsu repeated, barely containing his excitement.

"Yes, the roof. I trust that you can behave yourself," he added, and Natsu became serious in a heartbeat.

"Of course," he scoffed. "Well, we should head up too."

"Natsu?" Zeref called back. Natsu glanced back at him over his shoulder. "Second row on the right, leave the first seat empty," he said.

"Yeah, sure." They followed another group, to the elevator, at which point Natsu decided to take the stairs instead, insisting they could all take the elevator without him – he wasn't wearing heels, he pointed out when Lucy and Wendy hesitated to let him go. He still made it faster than they did, waiting for them next to the door.

The roof wasn't any less eerily magical than the reception room. It was a greenhouse, still warm despite the season, the windows offering a beautiful view of the mountains. The sun shone through the stained glass that made part of the roof of the greenhouse, shining rainbows on the ground. Rows upon rows of chairs had been laid next to a carpet that led to an open section of the gardens. Even here, small crystals hung from branches, refracting the light like diamonds.

Natsu, Lucy and Cana all pushed themselves in the second row on the right side, keeping two seats for Wendy and Shelia between them and Wendy's parents. Natsu grinned at them and shared a few words before introducing Lucy and Cana to Grandeeney and Roubaul.

It wasn't long before most of the guests were seated, and Wendy and Shelia walked together, throwing petals down the path and over the guests, parting way at the top, even though Shelia went around back to sit with Wendy, despite being Mavis's family. Soon after, Zeref made his entry by his mother's side, walking up the aisle. He helped her down the seat next to Natsu and she smiled at them while her son took his spot

Zera and Yury were next up the aisle, taking places on either side of Zeref. Rita walked up with Warrod, and Jenny followed with Precht. Then the music changed, and everyone stood as Mavis made her entry at her father's arm.

She looked ethereal, like she was floating over the ground in her white dress. Layers upon layers of sheer fabric formed the skirts of her dress, flowing like wind. She looked like a fairy, Lucy thought, gaping as Mavis walked past them, smiling softly at the people gathered. Zeref delicately took her from her father and tried to blink away the tears in his eyes. They weren't even talking, and Lucy could feel herself become emotional.

By the end of vows, she had dabbed her tears often enough that Natsu had taken her other hand in his. His eyes did seem a bit wet too, and he was blinking more than usual. Loud cheers from the front and polite applaud from the back greeted their kiss.

...

Soon, they were all back down in the reception room, and Lucy was surprised to see Jason, the school photographer.

"What is he doing here?" Lucy asked quietly

"Mavis was really impressed with the pictures from prom," Cana explained.

"Oh! She gave us the album, I totally forgot to look at it! Where is it, Natsu?"

"Err…" he hesitated.

"I left it on the counter before we went to work," she insisted.

"That was two weeks ago. We probably put it away somewhere."

"Let's look for it when we're back," she demanded, and he grinned.

Once they were all seated, there were few more speeches, most of which brought Lucy's emotional side once more – she was a sucker for Highschool sweethearts staying together. The idea of finding your true love and never needing anyone else so early in life was so endearing.

Yury speech was professional, with a few jokes of good taste, and Zera's was more personal and passionate. Zeref's mother took the mic to talk about them, and Mavis's father teared up during his speech, and Natsu rubbed Lucy's back when he noticed her tears. He never knew her to be so emotional.

Soon, Zera beckoned the newlywed couple to the dancefloor for their first dance on 'I don't wanna miss a thing' – which had been their first dance as a couple –, then Mavis danced with her father on a song Lucy didn't know, and Zeref had a dance with his mother as well.

After the dances, servers flooded the place to bring food and drinks to all the tables. The dinner was stretched over a couple of hours, before music resumed. Zeref and Mavis danced together again and the floor soon filled with people. They changed partner's as the night went on. Natsu was dancing with Mavis when he saw Lucy with Zeref. Then he heard Cana laugh and found her with Yury. They quickly looked the other way when they saw him looking and he couldn't help the feeling that this was about him. He forced himself to ignore them.

Zera grabbed him for the next dance, and they swayed to the music when Natsu saw Lucy dancing with a man he didn't know.

"Who's that?" he asked, failing to sound disinterested.

"Don't you know?" she replied, following his gaze. Natsu gave her a long look and she chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you wouldn't ask if you did. It's Hibiki. He's Jenny's boyfriend."

"So why's Lucy dancing with him?" He blushed slightly when Zera cocked a brow at him. "It's just not like her."

"They know each other," she explained. "From what I got at the bachelorette's, he works with Cana's dad." Which, Natsu realized, meant he probably had been part of the team that had rescued him. He forced himself not to glare at them and looked at Zera again.

"What about your boyfriend?" he asked. He had heard she was dating a few months ago. Mavis had been really excited about her best friend finally putting herself out there. But Zera merely shrugged.

"Didn't work out."

"Why not? You're awesome." She smiled softly.

"We weren't looking for the same thing," she explained, neither of them noticing the song had changed and everyone else had changed partner, "and he had expectations I wasn't keen to fulfill."

"Whadaya mean?" Natsu asked. "If you don't mind me asking," he added, realizing it might be personal.

"I don't. I don't know if you knew, but I'm asexual," she explained, and Natsu cocked his head, obviously having never head the term before. "I'm not attracted to people sexually, and sex creeps me out," she admitted. "And he didn't want to go without it, so it was best to part way sooner."

"You mean it's normal not to be attracted to people?" he questioned.

"It's not common, but it's not abnormal," she replied, studying him. "Do you relate?"

"Well, the girls… Err… Lucy's friends, mostly Cana, brought it up a few times, but I can't say I understand them." Then his expression turned suspicious and he glanced toward Zeref. "Does he know?" he asked.

"He… doesn't get it," Zera sighed. "We just don't talk about it anymore."

"So do you still fall in love?" She shrugged.

"I don't know," she admitted, glancing up as she realized the second song was nearing its end. "I'm think I experience something different. I don't like dating much, but it could just be the expectation of sex." She pulled away as the song ended. "You still have my number, right?" she asked. Natsu nodded. "You can call me, and we can go for coffee and talk about it sometimes, if you want."

"Thanks," Natsu agreed. He had barely turned around that Cana grabbed him for a spin. "Uh… Hi?"

"That looked like a serious talk," she pointed out, and Natsu looked at her suspiciously.

"Can't say the same about you and Yury," he pointed out.

"I was so sure you'd be a happy drunk!" she laughed and Natsu's expression turned wary. What had Yury said about their night out? "But this! Though really, I should've known."

"Known what?"

"Don't you remember?" she questioned, eyeing him.

"I don't even know what you're talking about, Cana," he groaned.

"What type of drunk you are!" she exclaimed as if it were obvious, and Natsu squinted at her.

"There are types of drunks?"

"Well, duh," she said. "Happy drunks, sentimental drunks, horny drunks, violent drunks, hungry drunks, the embarrassing drunks, and there's you."

"What am I?" he asked, not wanting to risk making a guess. He had fun. He would have guessed he was a happy drunk, but Cana had showcased him elsewhere, apparently.

"Take a guess," she dared him.

"If it's not on your list, dunno," he replied carefully.

"You're the loud drunk!" she called triumphantly. He cocked a brow. He had been worried for that?

"Yeah, I guess," he admitted with a laugh. He had toned down a lot since he had moved, but he used to always be loud. There was no real surprise that this part of him would resurface when he drank. "What type of drunk are you?" he asked.

"Depends how much I drink," she shrugged. "Starts off happy, turns embarrassing, then sentimental and finally horny or violent, depends on the mood" she laid out. "We're gonna have to go on a drinking tour to see if you have any other levels."

"Forget it, I'm not doing that again," he flat out refused.

"I wasn't asking," she pointed out. "Later!" and with that, she spun away from him and clashed directly with Sherry's fiancé and started dancing with him instead, and Natsu was about to step off the dancefloor for a break when he saw Lucy moving his way, and he happily obliged one more dance.

"How did that go?" she asked, glancing at Cana.

"Apparently, I'm a loud drunk," he replied with a chuckle.

"That's not all that surprising," Lucy admitted. "Who gave it up?"

"Yury," he replied, glancing his way, and saw him chatting with the man Lucy had danced with earlier. "So, who's that Ibichi guy?" he asked. Lucy looked confused, then followed Natsu's gaze.

"Hibiki," she corrected. "He's the tech guy that helped locating you when…" She trailed off.

"Guess I should thank him after our dance," Natsu sighed. Lucy looked at him, taking in the slight frown on his face, observing the way he glanced his way a few times, noticing how stiff he was and feeling the firmer than necessary hold he had on her as they danced.

"Are you upset about him being here?" she asked, surprised.

"What? No!" he denied, looking away from Lucy's scrutinizing eyes.

"Are you jealous because I danced with him?" she questioned.

"Why would I be?" he mumbled, and Lucy knew it was it.

"He wasn't being creepy," she assured him. "Though he did mention his brother was my age." Natsu's hand twitched on her arm. "You are jealous!"

"Am not!" Natsu pouted. "I told you, I just… don't think someone else would get it."

"So what?" she questioned, forcing herself to sound annoyed. "You're just gonna keep me from making new friends?"

"Wow. Is that really how you see me?" he asked, hurt, slowing their dancing as if ready to pull away.

"Of course not," she argued, tugging on his hand to make him resume the pace. She groaned. "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair. I'm just… It's happened before."

"I'd never do that," Natsu insisted, still sounding hurt. "I'd be bummed to lose what we have, but…" He winced. "I might be a bit jealous," he admitted, "but I'd never control you for it." The music changed and Lucy moved to wrap her arms around Natsu's neck for the slow dance, and he was taken aback, not knowing where to put his hands.

"I know you wouldn't," she assured, peeling her arms away to lead his hands to the swelling of her hips, before holding onto him once more, trying to ignore the heat on her cheeks. They were closer together than they had been before and Natsu forgot how to breathe for a moment.

"Are you sure it's okay?" he asked, almost purring when her fingers grazed the nape of his neck.

"Are you okay with it?" she threw back. He smiled and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I could stay like this all night," he admitted. Lucy suddenly realized they weren't talking about the same thing anymore. Natsu was asking if she was okay with the proximity, but she had thought he meant if she was okay with him being a bit jealous. But she realized her answer would be the same either way. She didn't mind leaning against him, and she didn't mind a little bit a jealousy. It only meant he cared. Right?

...

As the night went on, most of the business guests started withdrawing, and as the wedding became smaller and more intimate, the remaining guests – friends and family – started loosening. Very soon, Cana was drinking straight out of a bottle of wine with Zera. Jenny and Hibiki were suggestively dancing together still, and Sherry and Ren had come back after being away for half an hour, her makeup and hairdo a bit sloppier than it had been when they were last seen. Cana loudly called them out on sneaking out for a quickie. Yury had taken Rita to their room, but had quickly returned. "I need to have enough fun for three!" he simply replied when Mavis asked if he shouldn't stay with her.

"Three?" Natsu repeated, barely loud enough for Lucy to hear him.

"Rita's pregnant," she told him, watching his face light up. She never thought he was the type who liked kids – though she supposed she had seen him offer free ice cream cones to more than one child during the summer, despite Loke giving him a hard time for it.

By the time most of the guests had turned in for the night, the DJ had changed the music to some classics and cranked it up. There were no more pairs as they all stood in a circle of twenty some people on the dancefloor, freestyling to the music.

As he came back from the bathroom, Natsu couldn't help taking in the sway of Lucy's hips. She had discarded her coat sometimes ago and the loose curls in her hair brushed against her bare back. He hadn't realized he was rooted on the spot until Yury beckoned him back. Noticing his movements, Lucy turned to look at him, the brightest smile playing on her lips, and he grinned back, moving to the spot by her side.

What a lovely wedding! I honestly couldn't be bothered trying wedding vows or speeches, so I'll leave them up to your imagination.
I mentioned before I saw Natsu being demisexual, and it will be re-addressed in story in a few chapters. He's also dense, mind you, cause he's not realizing that there is something about Lucy that gets to him yet. What a fun evening they had, though.
And I mean, of course Natsu would be a loud drunk. He's a loud sober lol
I know we're all looking forward to them getting together. Trust me, this was very frustrating to write, I wanted to smash them together the whole time, but I decided to let them flow as they would (Which is honestly why this story got so long), I was planning this to be MAYBE 20 chapters long, and here we are at 28, with 22 more to got. So I'm sorry if it is taking longer than you want for them to get there. It will happen, I promise!
See you tomorrow with the next update!

Bookwork129: We all know it's gonna take a while for anything to get through Natsu's thick skull, but why it takes him so damn long to figure it out will be addressed in-story too :)

SummeryNights: They're so ridiculously precious 3

Copperreign12: Aren't they just adorbs? Cana is definitely an interesting character, and I really love how she is in this story. Not 100% what I was aiming for, but characters just have a will of their own lol

Valerioux: Your review just made cut off, I was literally about to post when I saw it. Thank you for being understanding, but I am happy to report 28 is on schedule! Tomorrow will reveal the sleeping arrangements, so stay tuned!