Hey, Readers!

I made an update! I tried my best to make one. Anyways, here is chapter 15 and I hope it's long enough to satiate the absence I made. I put in some fluff here and I'm not sure if it's good but either way, it will be a ride for Lucy and Natsu. Oops! I think I said too much!

So, I'm not going to keep you longer so that you could start reading the chapter. I hope you'll enjoy the chapter. Leave me some review to tell me what your thoughts are about this chapter. I think I said too much chapter.

Anyways, that's it!

Love,
FairyTailxNaLu

PS.

I left a poll on my profile. I hope you can drop by my profile and vote. It has something to do with my writing schedule. So yeah, drop by after reading the chapter. Thanks!


Chapter 15

"1-2-3! 1-2-3!" A black-haired woman shouted as she twirls around in the ballroom floor to inspect every pair on the dance floor. She continued to count while she clapped to give the rhythm to the couples.

"Very good Jane and Matthew! 1-2-3! 1-2-3! Oops! Watch your step, 1-2-3! 1-2-3!" The instructor then double clapped as an indication of ending the dance, "and, pull apart! Then gently pull in...Take a step back and bow..."

As the couples did what they were told, they began to applause once they were done. "Alright very good everyone, let's have a 10-minute break before we start the next step," and with that, the couples on the dance floor began to retreat and head for their bags.

As for the instructor, she gave a smile to everyone before she turns around to face a couple sitting by the corner.

"So," the instructor exclaimed as she walks towards the pair, "how is your foot doing, Lucy?"
"Dead," Lucy then glared at Natsu, who just gave a sheepish grin
Hearing the instructor laugh at the look she was giving to Natsu, she then glanced at the woman, "Abby, this man intentionally stepped on me,"
"Oh, come on Lucy. Why would your fiancé step on you? Right?" Abby then looked at Natsu, who nodded furiously
"Yeah! She's right. Why would I step on you intentionally?" Natsu then wraps an arm around Lucy's shoulder and pulled her in, "It's not like I wanted you to have a dead nail tomorrow,"
"Gah!" Lucy wailed as she shrugged Natsu's arm off of her while Natsu laughed at her outburst, "I am so telling this to Auntie Grandine!"
"Oh, come on, she'll burn my ears off," Natsu whined as he leaned back on his arms
"Well, you should have thought of that before blindly stepping on her foot," Abby said in between her chuckle.

Natsu then blows a raspberry before he sat up straight and looked at their friend and instructor, "Who needs a dancing lesson? I mean seriously, no offense," Natsu regarded to the instructor
"Unfortunately you," Lucy hissed before she gave a weak kick to Natsu's shin
Taken by surprise with the little hit, Natsu gawked at the blonde as he replied, "Excuse me, I am great at dancing!"

Abby then chortled as Lucy choked on her own saliva, "Wow!" Lucy exclaimed, "You call that great dancing?!" Lucy sarcastically shouted before she laughed along with her friend
"You know what," Abby suddenly states as she tries to slow down from her laughter, "Why don't we just stay with the very simple dancing?"
"I like that!" Natsu perks up before he gave a curiously look to the black-haired woman, "You know you should have suggested that before we actually started,"
"Shut up Natsu," Lucy scolds before she looks at her friend, "Abby, tell me about this simple dancing so that I can save my feet from dying tomorrow,"
"Well...you both could just sway dance," Abby then shrugs her shoulders when Natsu and Lucy looked at her skeptically
"Sway dance?" Lucy repeats in disbelief, "Really?"
"Well, that involves fewer steps and counting," Abby reasoned out
"Okay then! Great!" Natsu said affirmatively but Lucy looked at him in shock before she shook her head
"No way!" Lucy uttered, "Let's just practice Natsu! I just don't want to sway in the middle of the room,"
"Umm, you sure? I can't promise that I'm not going to step on you," Natsu then grinned when Lucy glared at him
"Okay-okay, guys..." Abby calls the attention of the two, "I have an idea..."
"Make it a good one. Please?" Lucy requests
"Yes of course. Okay, so, this afternoon, I have another class. But it's more like a volunteer work,"
"Volunteer work?" Natsu echoes back as he finds it ridiculous
"Yeah. I give free dancing sessions with the elders as part of their physical activity to keep themselves on the move," Abby then smiled at the two, who was cautiously looking back at her.

With the silence of the two, Abby doesn't know if her idea was a good one or not. But with the sudden clap of Lucy, she jumped a little as Lucy said, "You know what let's give it a try. I mean, seriously, what's so hard about dancing with the elders?"

x...X||X...x

"Alright, guys! Let's all stand up and start swaying our hips!" Abby shouts as she tries to catch the attention of the elders, who were all, slumped down to their chairs. When no one moved an inch, Abby shyly leaned towards Lucy and whispered.

"I hate to say this...but," Abby then meets the gaze of the blonde, "Can you help me get these lovely elders get on their feet?"

Rolling her eyes, Lucy couldn't help but smile at her friend. She then says, "Sure, I think you need more help than our dancing problem,"
"Thanks," Abby then grinned before she took off and approached an elder

As Lucy and Natsu were left in front, Natsu didn't know what to do. He is not really familiar with this kind of volunteer work but he'd love to help. But seeing these elders look so bored but at the same time annoyed being in a dance session, he couldn't help but feel the same as if it's infecting him as well.

"What exactly are we supposed to do?" Natsu whispered as he leaned towards Lucy
"Get them to dance," Lucy simply replies before she nudges Natsu forward, "Come on, let's help Abby," and with that, Lucy walked ahead and approached an old man.

"Hi," Lucy sweetly greets, successfully catching the attention of the old man, who has been brooding on his seat, "Come on, let's dance,"
"Where do you see old people dance, young lady?" The old man said with an irritated voice as if he was scolding her
Lucy sheepishly smiled at the man, as she didn't know exactly how to respond to it. But alas, she still tried her charm, "Well, I haven't seen yet. But maybe you could show me?"
"And why would I do that? I'll just sore my knees," The old man then grunts as he looks away from the blonde

On the other side of the room, when Natsu saw Lucy approached an old man, he decided to do the same. So, walking towards an old lady sitting alone, mumbling softly which Natsu barely could understand, Natsu decided not to startle the woman.

"Hello," Natsu softly greets until the elder looked up at him with a curious look, "I'm Natsu," he brought out his hand for a shake, "I'm a friend of the instructor who teaches you to dance,"
"Oh is that so?" The old lady then smiles as she takes his hand to shake, "Abby-dear is a nice girl. She is very patient with all of us. She tries to get us dancing but very few of us follow her,"
"Why not?" Natsu asks as he sits down on the floor, looking up at the old woman
"Well, they find dancing boring," The old lady then widens her eyes as if she was finding it ridiculous to call dancing boring. With the look of the elder, Natsu couldn't help but laugh, earning a little more attention not only from the elders but from Lucy and Abby.

"Dancing? Boring?" Natsu laughed again before he stood up and offered a hand, "I don't think so. How about you show me how to dance because I get the feeling that you love dancing,"
"Of course I do," the old lady then places a hand on Natsu's hand as she stood up slowly, "I was a great dancer when I was a child,"

Soon enough, Natsu and the elder is in the middle of the room, moving and swaying to the rhythm of the song being played. With Natsu starting off the mood, Lucy couldn't help but smile at how good Natsu could make anyone smile. Smiling to herself, Lucy loved how Natsu could relate to anyone at any age. With him being her motivation, she looked back at the brooding old man again.

"Well, I don't think her knees are getting sore or her hips being painful. You want to try at least?" Lucy then gave a smile that tells the old man to try at least once
"Why do you even want me to dance?" The old man skeptically looked at the young blonde
"Because I'm looking for someone to dance with...will you be my partner?" Lucy then pulled off her cute look
"Well that boy looks like your age," the man points at Natsu
"Well, he has a partner and I don't want to steal him from that sweet woman," Lucy then smiled knowingly at the man
"I guess your right," the old man then tried to stand up, making Lucy perk up as she thought she successfully convinced the old man, "Well then, that leaves me no choice. Come on, I'll show you some of my moves,"
"Great!" And with that, Lucy walked along with the old man and began to dance.

Soon, more elders joined in the dancing and when all the elders were on the dance floor, Abby began her small routine for the elders' exercise. When Abby began her work, Natsu and Lucy stayed at the side and watched the group. Oblivious to what is happening, Natsu and Lucy didn't notice the elders were talking about them. The elders would say that the two were very kind to help out Abby and at the same time, they mentioned how they looked good together. Being the old romantic people they are, they thought they should do something about it and make the two young couple dance together.

So when their exercise was over and Abby gave them the free time to dance on their own or rest by their chairs, the elders decided to make their plan in action.

Grandpa Yujin, the old man Lucy talked to, came up to Natsu to ask some questions. As he stood next to the pinkette, he quickly cleared his throat to catch the young lad's attention.

"Oh, hey, grandpa Yujin, what's up?" Natsu quickly asks with a smile when he noticed the old man standing next to him
"I'm good-I'm good...how about you?" The old man widens his eyes in anticipation
"Yeah, I'm great," Natsu then chuckles to himself when he found the old man a little curious more than he was moments ago
"Good, good..." The old man then trails off as he gave thumbs up to another old man.

Finding this a little odd, Natsu tried to observe the two old man converse through gesture. Grandpa Baeku bounced his eyebrows before he pouted his lips to gesture to grandma Hyera. So as Grandpa Yujin nodded his head, he looked at Natsu once again.

"Before you say anything to me, can I ask you a question?" Natsu then crosses his arms as he dubiously looked at the elder
"Why yes," the old man confidently nods his head
"Are you planning something I should be cautious about?" Natsu then leans forward as he tries to eye the old man for any malicious act
"Oh, it's nothing!" Grandpa Yujin said while he shook his hand then tapped the boy on the shoulder. Leaning close to the pinkette, grandpa Yujin then whispers, "Perhaps, you'll be glad..."
"Be glad?" Natsu repeats, "About what?"
"You know that girl, right?" Grandpa Yujin secretly points at the blonde. When Natsu nodded, the old man then continues, "Well, we think you and that girl should be together,"
"Really?" Natsu questions with a triumph smile on his face, finding it unbelievable that these elders are rooting him for Lucy, like everybody else
"Oh, yes..." The old man expressed excitedly, "She is gentle and sweet. I thought she would give up easily on me. After all, I am one of the grumpiest old men in our group," Natsu and Grandpa Yujin then laughs together

"But seriously, you should ask her out," Grandpa Yujin said as he nudged the young man
smiling to himself, Natsu didn't know if he should tell these elders that he was going to marry Lucy. But then he thought twice when he realized he wasn't really in a relationship with Lucy.

"You think, she'll go out with me?" Natsu asks back with a little nervousness in his voice
"Of course!" The old man then slaps the back of the young man, "Hyera signaled to me that the young woman is interested in love,"
"How do you know that's what grandma Hyera told you?" Natsu asks astonished with the elders' way of secret communication
"Oh our minds are connected in some way," the old man chuckles to himself before he slaps the man again, taking Natsu by surprise, "Come on, we'll all dance. We have a special dance that creates a new couple," then the old man stood up and walked towards one of his co-elders, leaving Natsu confused.

As the elders began to dance again, with Natsu partnered with grandma Hyera and Lucy partnered with grandpa Yujin, the two young adults barely notices the glances the elders gave. Despite knowing a little about the scheme the elders made, Natsu doesn't know what to anticipate. And so, as the music begins to quicken its rhythm, the elders also quicken their steps as they turned and swayed from side to side. Soon, all pairs switched partners, surprising Lucy and Natsu. The switching continued until Natsu and Lucy became partners.

With the sudden partnership, the music then slows down again. Looking around them, Natsu and Lucy tries to imitate the elders. Without knowing, the two were successfully doing their waltz.

"Well, who knew these people have their own tradition of dancing?" Natsu mutters as he looks around the room before looking down to Lucy
"Yeah, it's like they planned it," Lucy replies back as she stifles a laughter
Chuckling as well, Natsu thought how funny Lucy guessed it right about the elders planning this whole dance, "So, have I stepped on your foot yet?"
"As the matter of fact, no," Lucy then smiled at the pinkette, but nearly shrieks in surprise when she felt Natsu pull her closer to his chest
"That's good, right?" Natsu asked and Lucy nodded, "Tomorrow is our engagement party..."
"I know and we have to be very cautious about what we say," Lucy reminded
"Yep, I know..." Natsu rests his forehead to Lucy, making her widen her eyes in surprise, "My neck hurts," Natsu mutters

Without hesitation, Lucy lifts her hand from Natsu's shoulder and touches his neck to give it a little squeeze as a soft massage.

"Your neck is stiff," Lucy noticed as she continues to massage Natsu, who is slowly becoming flushed, "Oh," Lucy then lifts her hand and rubs her fingers to Natsu's red ear, "Your ear is red...are you alright?" Lucy leaned back to observe Natsu.

Looking at the pinkette, Natsu had his eyes closed with his lips forming a tight line as if he was refraining himself from groaning.

"Natsu?" Lucy calls worriedly
"U-um...Luce," Natsu speaks staggered
"Yeah? Is everything alright?" Lucy asks again but this time her hand cups Natsu's cheek

When Natsu opened his eyes, he exhaled a heavy breath as if he was having trouble breathing. But Lucy was not fazed at all, rather, she is more concerned. Looking straight into Lucy's eyes, Natsu couldn't help but swallow hard. He doesn't know what is going on with him. With Lucy affectionately touching his neck, gently rubbing his ear, and cupping his cheek, he can't help but have short breaths. He knows he is holding Lucy too tight against his chest and if Lucy noticed it, she doesn't mention anything about it.

He can't help it, he just wants to be closer to Lucy, "Yeah, I'm fine..." Natsu then smiled to her, which Lucy returns with a smile of relief

As they were smiling to each other, the elders around, who have been watching since then, suddenly stopped dancing. Grandpa Yujin and Grandma Hyera subtly walked closer to the two and intentionally bumped Natsu and Lucy. When Natsu was bumped from the back unexpectedly, he wasn't able to catch himself quickly. So as he stumbles forward, Lucy suddenly yelped as she falls down with Natsu and rolls on the floor,"Kyaa!"

When the two stopped rolling and lay down on the floor, everybody, even Abby, gasp in astonishment. They couldn't react properly and just stared at the two fallen adults.

"Aww," Natsu groaned as he pushed himself up from Lucy. His arms were wrapped around her head, so as Natsu pushed his self up with his forearm, he looked down at Lucy and inspected her.

"Luce?" Natsu called, "Are you alright?"

Lucy didn't answer. She has her eyes closed as if she was sleeping. When Lucy didn't respond, Natsu had to shake his arm a little to wake up the blonde but then she stayed unconscious.

"Lucy," Natsu called again, this time with more fear in his voice. Without really thinking it through, Natsu leaned down and kissed Lucy as if he was waking her up from a spell.

The moment Natsu grazed his lips to Lucy's, the blonde slowly gained consciousness for she felt something warm on her lips. When Lucy was able to gather her thoughts, she shortly shrieked in surprise. Hearing the faint shrill of Lucy, Natsu pulled back an inch away to check on her. Immediately, he saw the bright brown eyes of the blonde and it is obvious Lucy was surprised with what he did.

Speechless to what he has done, Natsu looked away from Lucy's eyes because of embarrassment. But the moment he did, Natsu didn't know if he should have regretted looking away or not because his eyes suddenly fall on Lucy's lips. Lucy's plumped pink lips that were warm to kiss.

So, without realizing, Natsu leans down again and kisses Lucy once more.

There have been numerous times Natsu kissed Lucy, either accidental, intentional, or secretly. With the length of friendship she has with Natsu, Lucy doesn't know anymore how to respond properly to those kisses Natsu give. She has always been surprised to those kisses. Those kisses aren't always the shocking kisses, rather his kisses before were always brief.

But this kiss is different.

As Natsu kisses her, Lucy thought to herself what kind of kiss was Natsu giving her, so she thought, "First, Natsu is kissing me intentionally," Lucy suddenly swallows as she continually feels Natsu's lips on her
"Second, he's kissing me a little harder than before," Lucy suddenly feels her eyes getting droopy
"Third...he's kissing me longer," and with that, Lucy closes her eyes as she kisses him back.


Slumped on her table, Lucy tapped her fingers on it as she stared off somewhere within her apartment. Her thoughts are deep and obviously were not aware that her maid of honor was talking to her.

As Levy walks in from the kitchen, holding a glass of wine in each hand, she questions the blonde about her engagement party the next day. Tomorrow is Sunday and the most anticipated engagement party is going to happen.

When Lucy didn't budge to look back at her or respond any sound to her question, Levy finally realized that Lucy was in the outer space again, thinking about something she doesn't know.

"Lucy~" Levy calls for the third time but then Lucy was still staring off away from her
"LUCY!" Levy shouts again but this time with a loud clap
successfully snapping Lucy out of her thoughts, Lucy shouts back in alarm and surprise as she sat up straight and looked around her apartment, "Wha-What?! What's happening?!"

Sighing at the blonde, Levy suddenly shakes her head as she slowly pushes the glass of wine to Lucy, "You were lost in the outer space..."

"Wha-what?" Lucy asked baffled, earning her a roll of the eyes from Levy
"You zoned out on me. I just went to get us some wine and when I returned, you're...croo-croo~" Levy laughs at her poor imitation of an owl
"Sorry," Lucy apologized as she looked down and swirled her wine, "It's just that, this day is so unexpected..." She then looks up at Levy who gave her a confused look
"I don't want to talk about it," Lucy quickly declines, knowing her best friend is so inquisitive
"Oh come on, you can't bring up a problem and not talk about it. I'm your maid of honor, I can help you. It's my job to help the bride," Levy then smiled knowingly as if she is winning a bet
"This has nothing to do with the fake wedding," Lucy quickly said as she grabs her glass and leans back to her chair and drinks her wine
"Oh really..." Levy then hums to herself as she leans back to her chair too, "Then this means it has something to do with your personal life,"
"Yes, Levy-chan. It's personal, so yeah, I'm not telling," Lucy said shaking her head, making Levy scoff at the blonde
"And since when did we hide stuff from each other?" Levy asks before she smirks slyly
"…" Lucy thought for a second, "Today! Just today" Lucy then bites her lips as she looks down to her lap

Laughing at the blushing blonde, Levy couldn't help but be more curious about what Lucy was hiding. But there is one thing she is sure about this secret. It is definitely juicy that Lucy is too embarrassed to share.

"Oh, Lu-chan~" Levy cooed before she stands from her seat and rounds the table to sit next to the blonde. As she takes her seat, Lucy cautiously looked at her while she gave a mischievous smile, "Come on, I know you need someone to talk to~" Levy said as she teases the blonde
"I have no idea why we are friends," Lucy mutters as she eyes the blunette, making Levy slam her palm against the table and exclaim, "Lu-chan! Come on! I promise I'm not going to make a fuzz about it,"

Levy then gave her most innocent smile to completely make herself believable to the blonde. Sighing, Lucy knew Levy had some point. She needs someone to talk to.

"Fine," Lucy said and Levy quickly yelped in excitement, which Lucy immediately stops as she raises a finger as a warning, "But!"
"But..." Levy excitedly repeats
"You can't tell anybody about this. Not a single soul," Lucy then brought out her pinky and asked for their swear oath. As Levy loops her pinky and seals it, Lucy sighed as she prepared herself to relive that moment she has been thinking about.

"Okay..." Lucy then exhaled deeply as she continuous, "Natsu and I kissed," she simply said and immediately holds her breath

Levy didn't respond immediately as she waited for more. But then Lucy was obviously holding her breath already, making Levy realize that was it. So she said, "So?"

And with that, Lucy exhaled harshly as she astonishingly exclaims, "What do you mean 'so'?! Levy, Natsu and I kissed!"
"Yeah. So? It's not like you two haven't kissed. Let me remind you, you two do really kiss, sometimes, accidental or intentional," Levy said with a bored expression but Lucy had her shocked expression
"We do not kiss! M-maybe accidental but intentional... maybe just for the past few weeks, but they were all for show" Lucy then heaved as her cheeks become warm
"Okay, fine. Maybe they are for show...but still, so what? What's so different about the kiss this time?" Levy then crosses her arms as she rests to her chair

Lucy is then quiet, suddenly unsure of what to say. Well, she knew what to say, it's just that, she can't believe what she did and saying it out loud makes it 10x more hard to believe.

"...Um, well..." Lucy then trails off as she felt her heart beat faster. Unconsciously, she licks her lips and bites it in embarrassment, "Like I said Natsu and I kissed..."
"Yeah, you said that three times already," Levy replies with a impatience in her voice
"Um...He kissed me first..." Lucy then pauses as she swallows hard
"Then?" Levy provoked for more
"Then I woke up?" Lucy said more like a question than a statement, making Levy tilt her head in confusion
"Wa-wait!" Levy shouts as she waves her hands like she was trying to erase the thought, "Do you mind of telling me what exactly happened instead of jumping right into the climax?"

Lucy then nods as she slowly began the story. Lucy told Levy about the ballroom practice they had with Abby that morning and how they ended up helping Abby in her volunteer work for the elders. With that at the point, Lucy began telling about her and Natsu's experience in helping out and how they were able to convince the old people to dance. Then, later on, she began telling how the elders started their 'tradition' dance and make her and Natsu become partners at the near end of the dance.

"Wait, so after switching partners, you ended up with Natsu?" Levy clarifies and Lucy nodded, "Okay, go on," Levy said and so Lucy continued.

Lucy then told her how suddenly, unconsciously she and Natsu became intimate without really realizing it. Lucy said, at first, she was just surprised when Natsu placed his forehead to hers and with that they became unaware of their surrounding. So, when she and Natsu continued to dance, they were really surprised when Natsu was bumped from the back, making them stumble to the floor.

"I then became unconscious but it was more like out of fear," Lucy then leans towards the table with her head prompt up with her hand
"And the only way Natsu thought of to wake you up is by kissing you," Levy said with a matter-of-fact tone. Lucy then nods her head as she replies
"Yeah. I woke up because I felt something warm-" Lucy was then interrupted when Levy squealed in excitement, earning the blunette a slap on the shoulder to stop her from acting giddy, "Listen," Lucy scolds and Levy quickly stopped as she sat up straight with her legs crossed over her chair

"So yeah, I woke up and Natsu was kissing me. I was surprised so, you know, I kind of screamed and he pulls away. I thought that was it and he'd stand up. But then... he kissed me again,"
"Oh my god!" Levy screamed as she flailed in her seat, "Describe how he kissed you!" Levy demanded, making Lucy blush
"Levy~" Lucy whined as she sat up straight and cupped her warm cheeks
"Oh come on! That is the reason why you're like this! It's the matter of how he kissed you!" Levy then shook the blonde as is to force the answer out of her
"Okay! Okay!" Lucy surrendered before she positioned herself in her seat. As Lucy hugs her legs and rests her chin on her knees, she looked at Levy and started talking again.

"So, obviously, Natsu intended to kiss me..." Lucy helplessly blushed as she tries to think of that moment. When Levy nodded, Lucy continued, "Usually, his intentional kisses are just a smack,"
"Uh-huh" Levy answers
"But that kiss..." Lucy then pauses and Levy eagerly waited for the blonde to continue, "It wasn't just a smack-"
"Kyaa!" Levy squealed for a second then keeps herself quiet again and said, "Go on..."
"He was kissing me with pressure... I really felt his lips...it's warm, soft..." Lucy then hides her face as she squeals in her seat. Feeling her heart pound in her chest, she doesn't know how to handle her raging emotions

"Oh my goodness, Lu," Levy gawks as she finally figures out what happened, "Natsu kissed you long enough for you to kiss him back,"
"AH! Levy! Don't say it out loud!" Lucy bellows as she raises her head and her face was blown red
"oh my..." Levy astonished in her seat, dropping her back to her chair, "You kissed him..."
"I know I shouldn't have!" Lucy then slams a fist on her table, "I mean I can't kiss my best friend! That's like a universal law that you can't kiss your best friend out of nowhere!"
"Then why'd you do it?" Levy wickedly questions
"...I don't know," Lucy then slumps back to her chair, feeling exhausted
"You know the reason Lu-chan. Don't deny it," Levy states back
"Levy-chan, you know the reason why I'm trying not to like Natsu more than a friend. He's my best friend. I don't want our friendship to be at risk...and besides...he's in love with someone else," Lucy then hugs her knees again as she looks at her empty glass of wine
"Whom we don't know who. Lu-chan, we haven't met any girl that Natsu is interested with. He didn't introduce anyone to us," Levy points out but Lucy had too much doubt to see the silver lining in it
"Then why did he ask me to keep this ring safe?" Lucy asks back as she raised her hand with the engagement ring, "He told me, he was about to give the ring soon..."
"Okay, for that, I don't know. But still Lu, maybe..." Levy then trailed off as she doesn't know how to convince the blonde
"Let's just face it Natsu has someone that he has been hiding from us. The girl must hate me so much because I'm trying to make Natsu marry me..." Lucy then shook her head, feeling disappointed with herself

"I don't know Lu. I just can't make myself believe this. I mean, why would he kiss you like that if he had someone else?" Levy then perks up as she thought she had a point but Lucy was not fazed at all
"He didn't kiss me because he liked me back..." Lucy muttered, "He said, it was just out of fear. It was out of concern for a friend,"

Levy was then left silent. Now, Levy didn't know how to counter that. How was she supposed to defend that Natsu could possibly have feelings for Lucy?

"Well...that's bullshit," Levy sighed as she slumps to the table and gazed at Lucy
"Tell me about it..." Lucy slumps back to the table too
"So, what happens now? What about tomorrow?" Levy asks
"It's definitely awkward... but I'll get by," Lucy looked back at Levy and gave a small smile, "I'll just have to stop myself from liking him again..."


Flashes of cameras are seen from afar as cars slowly enter the wide drop-off section of the Golden Magnolia Hotel. As expected, media would take the opportunity to cover the once in a lifetime event, the joint occasion of wedding anniversary and engagement party of two powerful families from the business industry.

As their vehicle slowly gets near to the entrance of the hotel, Lucy couldn't help but feel nervous. Also for the fact that she is seating next to Natsu, she couldn't bear to look at him. She knows she is acting weird since Natsu came to her apartment and wait for her to get ready for the event. It was Grandine's instruction that the two should come together in one vehicle because it would be weird if they came to the hotel in two different cars.

Fidgeting in her place, Lucy suddenly jumped in her seat when she felt a warm hand envelops her shaking ones. Abruptly looking at her side; she saw Natsu was concernedly gazing at her.

"Don't worry Luce, everything will be fine…" Natsu said as he gave a little squeeze to her hand
"Uh yeah, of course," Lucy tried to give an assuring smile but it was more like a crooked smile, and this didn't make Natsu relieved
"I want you to know that I'm not going to leave you, okay?" Natsu then grinned wide and somehow it made Lucy smile back, "You better not or else I'll really kill you,"
"That's more like you," Natsu then chuckles along with Lucy

Soon enough, their vehicle stops in the middle of the drop-off section and a man opens up the van door. Natsu quickly stood up and heads down. He waited for Lucy and offered his hand, which Lucy quickly takes as she steps down from the van.

Instantly the media is all around them taking pictures of them together. They walked the red carpet hand in hand. Natsu entwined his hand to Lucy's as he guided Lucy inside. He would occasionally squeeze her hand as an assurance that everything is under control. For Lucy, as she walks towards the lobby, she suddenly thought of the days she was planning this fake marriage. She couldn't believe that she even considered the idea of looking for someone else to act as her fake fiancé. With this kind of events, she knows she'll never have the same comfort as Natsu is giving. She is more than grateful to have Natsu pretend to be her fiancé because she will always feel safe next to him.

x...X||X...x

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Mira greets as she stood in the middle of the stage, "Tonight we are celebrating love. A love that has been united 30 years ago and now, a new union of love will happen soon," Mira then glanced at Lucy and Natsu then to Layla and Jude.

"Before we invite the new couple on stage, I'd like to know more about our dear couple, Mr. and Mrs. Heartfilia," Mira said with an open arms welcoming the couple on stage

A round of applause is then heard as Jude and Layla stood up and headed for the stage. As the couple stood next to Mira, the trio went on for a short interview that people loved to hear. After all, they were talking about their beautiful marriage.

While people were all busy listening to the couple in front, Lucy and Natsu sat with their friends. With that arrangement, they were all supposed to be casual. Although everybody was acting casual, Lucy couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, especially when Natsu is still holding her hand.

Looking down at her entwined hand with Natsu, Lucy gulped before she tried to pull her hand away. When Natsu felt some tugging, he glanced at the blonde and gave a confused look.

"What's wrong?" Natsu asks as he secured his hold to hers
"Um, I don't think we need to hold hands…" Lucy whispers back, "Especially around our friends," Lucy then leans away from Natsu and looked at the stage
"So what? They don't mind," Natsu answers back. When Lucy looked at him, she replies back with a little frustration in her voice, "Natsu, they know that we are faking this. We don't have to pretend,"
"But most of the people here know we are in love," Natsu then gave a smile that told Lucy to quite complaining. But as stubborn as she is, Lucy tugged her hand again and said to Natsu, "I don't feel comfortable with you holding my hand," and with that, Lucy tugged her hand again and she was able to set her hand free from Natsu's hold.

With that chance, Lucy stood up and left the table. Everyone then glances at the sudden leaving blonde. As their friends threw a questioning look, they all looked at Natsu, who was left speechless with the sudden departure.

"What happened?" Erza asks Natsu, who finally looked back at them
"I don't know…she's mad I think," Natsu then scratches his head, earning him some glare from his friends
"Well, follow her!" Lisanna whispers madly as she widens her eyes to the pinkette

Soon enough, Natsu pushed his chair back and quickly runs after the blonde. When the two were no longer in sight, Cana sighed in her seat as she crosses her arms.

"Well, it looks like they have some lovers' quarrel," Cana then grinned as the others just shook their heads

x...X||X...x

"Luce!" Natsu calls as he runs towards the balcony where Lucy stood by. Lucy didn't turn instead she kept her attention on the night sky.

"Lucy," Natsu calls her name again before he stood before her, "I don't know what you're mad about but I'm sorry,"
Lucy abruptly looked at Natsu with rage in her eyes, "You're saying sorry for something you don't know what you have done?!"
Taken aback with her fury, Natsu stepped back a little as he replies, "I'm sorry…"
"Sorry for what?" Lucy challenged. She then took a step closer each time she said, "Sorry that you kissed me? Sorry that you keep on holding my hand? Sorry that I'm acting really weird right now? What? What are you sorry for?"

Natsu is then silent, unsure of how he will tell her this. He knew that kissing her yesterday was a mistake. He really doesn't know how to explain this to her without her getting overwhelmed. All he could think about is how sorry he is for confusing her.

"I'm sorry for everything…" Natsu mutters. He raised his hands to hold her but then he doubted that Lucy wanted to be held so he puts his hands down again and said, "I'm sorry for kissing you yesterday, for holding your hand too long, for making you weird right now. I'm sorry if I'm giving you wrong signals,"

Lucy then felt her knees weak, making her stumble back and lean to the railings of the balcony. Turning away from him, Lucy haggardly exhaled as she tries to stop her tears from coming. When she was kissed yesterday, she said to herself that she wouldn't mind if Natsu said sorry about the kiss, about how it was a mistake. But hearing it from him was a lot harder than she thought. She just wishes that she never really had feelings for him.

"Okay," Lucy suddenly said, making Natsu stunned a little
"Wha-what?" Natsu confusingly asks before he walks to the side to look at Lucy
"I forgive you," Lucy states as she looks down to her hands, gripping the railings, "Since you're sincere with your apology, I forgive you," Lucy then glanced at Natsu and gave him a weak smile
"Luce, I really didn't mean to do those things to you. Maybe, I just got used to the idea that I could do those things with you," Natsu then tries to smile but it barely showed because he saw the disappointment in Lucy's eyes
"Yeah, I thought so too. But I guess we have to put boundaries," Lucy then bites her lips when Natsu was stunned
"Boundaries? What for?" Natsu asked confused
"Natsu," Lucy then shook her head, "We can't act like this…like it's fine to be intimate," Lucy then looked at Natsu, unsure of how to continue without really hinting the man that she has some feelings for him, "We are not a couple. We may be acting as an engaged couple but…we are not in love. So, don't act like you're in love with me. I don't want you to,"

Silence then came between them. Feeling speechless, Natsu just nodded his head before he looked down to his shoes. He softly mutters, "I understand. I'm sorry,"
Natsu then looked up at Lucy and gave a soft smile, "I promise, I wouldn't confuse you anymore with my actions," and with that, Lucy nods her head.

Before they could continue to talk, Gray and Juvia suddenly calls the attention of the two as they were running towards them. Turning their heads to their friends, Juvia waved her hand as she shouts, "Lucy-chan! Mira will be calling you both next!"
"Come on, people are starting to wonder where the two of you are!" Gray shouts next

When Lucy and Natsu nodded, Gray points at the pinkette and uttered to him, "Oy, make it quick flame-brain," and with that, Gray turned around with Juvia and headed back inside.

When they were finally alone again, Natsu looked at Lucy and offered his hand, "Ready to put a show?"

With his words, Lucy couldn't explain the little pang in her heart but she smiled and placed her hand on his. Lucy then said, "Ready as I'll ever be," and there they went inside the grand ballroom hall again.

x...X||X...x

As Natsu and Lucy stood in the middle of the ballroom floor, Layla and Grandine stood at the stage with Mira. She asked the parents for a short message for the engaged couple.

Taking the microphone, Grandine cleared her throat as she smiled at the couple before her, "Well, my message for the two of you is something I have said before. I am truly happy to see my Natsu marry the woman I ideally wished for him. I am very grateful to have Lucy to be part of our family. I mean, her family has always been a part of us but seeing you two get married soon make our families closer," Grandine then looked at Layla who was smiling widely as well, making the two mothers hug each other, "I can't wait to see you two be one," and with that, people applaud as Grandine handed over the microphone to Layla.

Clearing her throat, Layla then starts, "Well…" Layla then chuckles as she brushes a tear away from her eye, "My goodness, seeing my daughter get married soon is such an overwhelming feeling for me, especially for your dad," everyone then glanced at Jude who was trying to hide his tears, making everyone chuckle and be awe at the father, "Jude and I are very excited for your coming adventure with Natsu. We believe that you'll have the greatest love because you have the greatest man who will ever love you. We love you Lucy and we love you too Natsu,"

And with that, Igneel loudly shouts, "Cheers, to the engaged couple!"

"Cheers!" everyone shouts as they raised their glasses and drinks their champagne

Soon music played, indicating that Natsu and Lucy should start dancing. And so, to introduce the next part of the program, Mira said, "Alright, it is time for our engaged couple to dance before they are joined by Mr. and Mrs. Heartfilia and Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel,"

Everyone's attention then falls on Natsu and Lucy, who slowly began their waltzing. As they danced, they could hear people mumble out how they looked so perfect together. With these little affirmations from other people, Lucy couldn't help but feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest. Slowly looking up at Natsu, Lucy tries to see the expression Natsu has on his face.

At the first glance, she saw confliction and question in his eyes. But the longer she stared eye to eye with him, Lucy suddenly sees determination. So without any guess, Lucy was then taken aback when Natsu suddenly kissed her square on the lips once again. And just like before, Lucy shrieked in surprise but had her eyes slowly close as she kisses him back.

With the two suddenly kissing, Levy, Juvia and the others suddenly gasps as they didn't expect the two to share a kiss in public. Looking at each other, Levy and Juvia had their eyes wide before they glanced at Natsu and Lucy again.

"Am I seeing it, right?" Cana questions in bafflement
"I think I'm seeing what you're seeing;" Gray mumbles as well before he chugs down his champagne
"They're kissing…" Lisanna points out before she glances at her friends
"Yep, poor Lucy…" Levy said as she shakes her head when she thought that Lucy is sure to get hurt again after that

"I understand now…" Erza suddenly mutters as she stares at the kissing couple, who soon pulled away. With her friends looking at her, Erza just shrugged her shoulder before she turns away and headed for the kitchen to prepare the cake.

When they have pulled away, Natsu kept his forehead against Lucy's. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw Lucy hasn't opened hers as if she was cherishing the moment. But as she was, Natsu couldn't help but see the little-pained expression on her face.

So, cupping her cheek tenderly, Natsu softly whispered to Lucy, "I promise Luce that will be the last"

To be continued…