Chapter 2

Even more rounds pass by. The questions and answers cause roars of laughter along with more threats. Everyone is having a good time all around. But now Lucy is fighting off sleepiness that's creeping in on her. She would love to play more, but her bed is calling her name. "I think I'm going to call it a night," the blonde announces, standing up. "It's late and I'm tired."

Natsu stands on his feet as well. "I'll walk your place, Luce."

"I'm fine on my own. Plus it's farther for you to walk home from my apartment versus the guild."

"It's fine. C'mon." He's already walking towards the doors.

Lucy waves goodbye to her guildmates. "Have fun playing!"

"G'night, guys!" the pinkette calls.

The friends all say their goodbyes before returning to their game.

The partners leave the guild, walking in silence under the night sky.

"Well, that sure was something," Natsu says eventually.

The blonde smiles. "I wouldn't mind playing again actually."

"Did ya have a lotta fun?"

She nods. "Sure! I mean, some of the questions Levy asked were a little embarrassing."

The pinkette laughs, rubbing the back of his head. "Mirajane got me on a few too."

"I was able to get revenge on Levy by asking Juvia some questions at least."

"I did too!" Natsu pumps a fist into the air. "That'll show 'em to mess with us!"

Lucy throws a fist in the air to join him. "Oh yeah!"

As the duo gets closer to her apartment, the blonde walks along the wall separating the street from the lower water level. She looks up at the sky above her that has twinkling stars in it. "It's really pretty tonight."

The pinkette looks up at his partner rather than where she's looking. "Sure is."

"I bet the stars are easier to see at your house since you live outside the city."

"Some nights it's crazy bright out with 'em."

When they reach Lucy's apartment building on Strawberry Street, she hops off the wall and heads for her room. Natsu joins her.

The blonde looks at him. "You've already walked me this far, Natsu. You don't need to walk me to the door."

"That's exactly what I'm gonna do."

She rolls her eyes, secretly enjoying the time with her partner. It's special.

Sure enough, the pinkette is still with her by the time they reach her apartment.

"So that was fun," Lucy comments, unlocking the door. "I'm glad Mirajane suggested that game."

Natsu nods in agreement. "We did have a good group to play it with."

She cracks open her door and looks at him. "Thank you for walking me home. It was sweet of you."

The pinkette flashes her a grin. "Don't mention it."

"Well, good night." The blonde makes a move to step inside her apartment.

"Uh, hey, Luce?" Natsu asks suddenly.

She stops to look at him, puzzlement on her face. "Yes?"

He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "Can I ask ya something?"

"I don't see why not."

In the spirit of the game, the pinkette leans forward, lips next to her right ear. "Do ya like me?"

Lucy blushes, glad he can't see her pink cheeks. "Wh-what?"

He chuckles, pulling his head back. "No fair. I asked a question first."

"B-but why would you ask something like that?" she stutters.

"Because people were asking us questions about each other. Or we were the topic. So it got me thinking…" Natsu admits.

Does she like him? Yes. Does that mean he has the same feelings? No. Her mind races. This is just like Levy's question all over again, but it's more intense this time because her crush is asking the question!

The pinkette's lips start forming a frown. "Uh, nevermind. Maybe it was a stupid question. G'night, Luce."

She grabs his scarf before he can walk away. "It's not stupid…" the blonde mumbles, heart hammering away in her chest.

"It's not?" he asks.

She shakes her head and opens her mouth to speak, but the word doesn't come out. All she has to do is answer his question with one little word. Of course, Lucy will be taking a risk because she isn't quite sure if he has the same feelings. She could make a fool of herself and ruin her relationship with her partner and closest friend.

Natsu steps in front of her and slips his arms around her waist, lightly pressing his forehead against hers. "I like ya. I really like ya. A lot."

Her heart skips a beat at his words.

"Does that make it easier to answer the question?" he asks.

"I like you too," she manages to say without embarrassing herself.

The pinkette grins from ear to ear and asks with excitement, "Really?"

To show him that actions speak louder than words, the blonde looks up and pecks his lips quickly. Then she pulls her head back to look at him.

He is staring at Lucy like he's in a daze. Then he blinks and something sparks in his dark green eyes.

"Natsu?" she asks, wondering if she somehow broke him.

Without a word, he sinks his lips into the blonde's and molds the front of his body against hers. Then he moves her backwards so her back is pressed against the wall that's next to her door. His right hand slides around to cup the back of her neck and hair while the other rests against the portion of wall next to her head. In return, Lucy stands on her tiptoes to be at a better angle and touches her right hand against his cheek gingerly.

They break apart for air, looking into one another's eyes.

Then the pinkette licks his lips. "I like the way ya taste."

She doesn't mean to snort, but she does. "That's such a weird thing to say."

He completely disregards her comment and focuses in on her lips. "I want more…" His dragon slayer instincts are kicking in and there's no stopping them this time. He's been able to control himself around the only one he wants to be his mate before pretty well. But now he's crumbling away to his desires.

The blonde notices the predatory gleam in his eyes. She hasn't seen him this way before, but can probably guess what could happen next.

"Luce, if I keep this up…" he begins, his voice slightly strained and husky. Natsu doesn't want to jeopardize the relationship they still have now all because of something he wants to happen. He just needs to know if she wants it too.

Her cheeks redden. "We're not doing anything outside in public where someone could see."

That's all he needs as an invitation.

A/N: Annnd I'll end the chapter here! Mwahahaha! A special thank you to Rawnblade for letting me know that list of chapters was originally wonky! I appreciate you having my back :D

Bird person: Thank you! And I plan on it! Maybe a few more chapters or so. Yeah, the list of questions turned out kinda weird at first. But I was able to fix it!

Opal-Wings1002: ^-^

fanficaddict14: More chapters are always a good thing :)

Rainbowpoptartcat: Thank you! :D And always nice seeing familiar readers from other stories I have reading new ones :D