AN: Beta'd by the amazing noseinabook145 as always, love you girl!


Pulling up the last of her knee-high socks on her leg, Lucy sighed. Today had been more than eventful and she was ready to get into an actual tub and relax. Getting pampered with hair and makeup was nice every once and awhile, but Lucy found that after a couple of hours the glamor of it all disappeared and the tugging in her hair along with the heaviness of her makeup gave her a headache.

Natsu had been dragged off after he finished changing to sign some standard forms. But it was more than likely just the PR team wanting to beg him to do more work for them and get more information about who he was. The girl was mildly surprised that there were still people in Fiore who didn't know. Anyways, she doubted the man would do it, only praying that he didn't harm the crew. She found solace in the fact that his gun was still hidden in her dressing room away from any trigger happy fingers.

Lucy shivered, eyeballing exactly where it was at in the couch cushions. She was slightly surprised she wasn't freaking out more, knowing the lethal weapon was so close.

Going back to her earlier thought, Lucy shook her head and turned away. Who knows, maybe he would be her next big competition in the fashion world and actually do it. He'd really surprised her today by not only barging in—nope, actually, she figured he would do something like that, he hadn't paid attention when she told him the first time that she was doing the photoshoot. Well, he definitely surprised her when he decided to trust her. Better yet, she surprised herself when she trusted him! It shook the foundations of what she thought she knew of the man when he stuck to the silent promise he made and went along with the shoot.

When she had begged him to not hurt anyone, it had been nothing more than a last-ditch effort.

A knock sounded on Lucy's door, startling the girl from her stupor. The door opened without her giving the person behind it a reply and revealed her manager. "Aquarius…"

After storming in, in the most dignified way Lucy had ever seen, the woman in question stood with her arms crossed and her expression affronted as the door slammed by itself behind her. Beige pumps tapped away onto the floor to seal her look of annoyance. "You mind telling me who that man was, Lucy?"

Lucy opened her mouth to answer before she was stopped by the very woman who'd asked. "Nope, no need to say. Everyone knows him." Aquarius growled. "Why the hell is Natsu Dragneel, newly made Head and CEO of Dragneel Enterprises here?"

Before Lucy could once more attempt to answer, the blue haired woman interrupted her again. "Don't need to answer that one either," she sighed raising a hand to her face in a move that showed she was fully depleted. "I should have figured when I saw those photos on the internet that it was you..."

"Photos?" Lucy asked, her heart suddenly stilling at the implication.

Aquarius gave her a look, "Yes, you stupid girl, you don't know? There's photos of you and that man all over the internet!"

"Then—"

"Then why doesn't anyone else seem to realize that?" Aquarius finished for her. Rolling her eyes at Lucy's nod. "The photos I found aren't that high quality and they don't necessarily show your face. The people who took it probably weren't professionals and it seems like some of them were running when it was snapped. Most of the sites with the pictures have only that man's name under them, but I found one with you tagged and that's how I even found out about it. Aside from that, there have been a handful of blogs with your and his name posted on them under dating rumors despite the blurry pictures. This can't be the first time you guys have been out together." Aquarius cut her eyes at the girl.

Lucy listened to this, remembering the girls she and Natsu ran away from when they went out for the first time after leaving the school, then the picture taken of them kissing at the restaurant all those nights ago. She wondered if some of their moments at school were mixed into the bunch as well or if everyone was so in shock that they forgot to take pictures. She knew the rumor was around school that they were dating from what Sting had said, but how far did that reach? Obviously, the point was for them to be public, at least as far as Natsu was concerned, but Lucy wasn't sure she was wholly ready for that yet. The thought still made her anxious.

"Listen Lucy, I don't mind that you have a boyfriend now and all that—it's about time you got one to be honest," that caused Lucy's expression became indignant as her lips pulled to a pout and her eyebrows turned down over her eyes into a glare, "but you need to tell me these things as your manager so that your image doesn't get ruined. We all know how much you care about that." Lucy felt her cheeks heat at the look the woman was giving her. It was no secret that she cared so much, but when her manager said it like that it made her feel no better than her father.

"Well...it's not true." Lucy looked away from the woman, instead eyeing the door that would lead her out of this hell she was currently in. "Natsu and I, we're not together."

Aquarius snorted, shifting her weight to her hip with one hand on it. "You could have fooled me." The woman smirked at Lucy's obvious embarrassment as she remembered everyone busting in on her and Natsu, knowing the woman must have gotten wind of it. "Here I thought I wouldn't be able to tease you about not having a boyfriend anymore."

"We-well he's not!" Lucy fumbled trying to see how she could make it through this without a lie. She didn't want to give her manager the wrong idea, but it seemed with this situation that was inevitable. Technically her and Natsu weren't dating, but they also kind of were…"Uh, It..It's complicated." Lucy squirmed under the woman's glare, even what she could muster as the truth felt like a lie under those aquamarine eyes.

Aquarius huffed, more than annoyed with her client, but well familiar with her foibles after working with each other for years and seeing her grow up, having originally been her mother's manager. "Well, whatever he is, I wouldn't be too hard on him." The woman relented before rolling her eyes and checking her nails. "Before I could get to those brats talking badly about you myself, he chewed them out."

"What?" Lucy asked, astonished. Aquarius shrugged her shoulders lackadaisically, but Lucy could tell the woman was a little impressed by Natsu's efforts. That wasn't light praise, coming from her. Whatever Natsu said must have been good.

"Yeah well, you can talk to him more about it yourself. I'm heading out." Aquarius turned to the door, leaving whatever information she could give to Lucy in the dust. Turning just her head back to the girl as she kept walking, a snicker in line when her next words started to form on her lips. "I've got a hot date with my boyfrie—" Lucy's face turned sour as the woman started, "Oh yeah, I can't tease you about that anymore." Aquarius pouted dramatically before winking.

Unbelievably, that seemed to embarrass her more than the average teasing as her face flamed. The implication that her manager had in her words made it seem like Natsu and her had a real relationship even after she told the woman they did not. As if she didn't believe Lucy's words in the slightest.

The woman left finally and the soft click of the door as it finally closed lulled Lucy into a daze. Was she really not believable, or did she and Natsu look too intimate on set? Did Aquarius really approve of their fake romance? And most importantly, what did Natsu say to the other models that got Aquarius to respect him? That was an amazing feat on its own.

"Hey Luce!"

Lucy jumped, a yelp leaving her lips as ocher eyes shot up to look at the intruder. All she saw was a pink tuft of hair before she was thrown over a brawny shoulder, all in the space of a few seconds.

Not again!

"Natsu, put me down!"

"Nah, I'm hungry, and I know you are, too." Lucy huffed when her stomach growled in reply. Natsu snickered at the sound before bending over the couch and snatching the hidden gun from its crevasses all while he kept Lucy balanced on his shoulder. He didn't even huff once he righted himself, further showing off his strength and physic. He then booked it out the door after giving Lucy a zealous pat on her butt—or what was barely covered by her skirt.

"This is indecent Natsu…NATSU!" The blonde yelled after swiping away his hand and desperately trying to pull down the skirt as Natsu beat it out of the studio. He didn't move fast enough, it seemed, because Lucy was still able to see the surprised faces of everyone as they passed by and heard snickers of amusement from some of her team. However, seeing Aquarius' sharp gaze in the quickly gathered crowd was the most unsettling.

"Bye Lucy~!" Cindy, her makeup artist, called as she and Natsu passed. She waved to them with a knowing smile on her lips as Lucy's hairdresser and stylist giggled in the background.

Lucy groaned, defeated as she stuffed her face in Natsu back. She ignored how her heart sped up at the smell of him as her thoughts focused on this moment most definitely going into gossip blogs.


"Hello, welcome to Mom and Pops! What can I get you lovebirds to drink today, sweetheart?" an elderly, rotund woman asked Lucy. Natsu in all his stubborn grandiosity, had continued to carry Lucy even outside of the building and down the street for more onlookers to gawk at despite Lucy's constant complaining and crying. He even carried her into the first diner he found, all without a care in the world. Unfortunately, this is how the small, older woman found them, with Natsu marching through the front door towards a seat without even waiting for someone to help them. Lucy had huffed, squawking at Natsu to 'put her down' until the woman was behind them, smiling at Lucy pleasantly as if there was no problem to be found.

"Oof!" Lucy felt the wind rush out of her all at once when Natsu finally let her down, nowhere near delicate as she would have liked with the exchange of her ass to the seat.

"Grandma Beino!" Natsu bellowed, his back now to Lucy's bewildered expression as he faced the older lady.

"Natsu-poo!" Lucy heard the woman cheer. Hearing such a reaction from the older lady, now named Grandma Beino, threw Lucy through a loop. They knew each other?

Peering around Natsu's built frame, Lucy was able to take in the warm glee in the woman's face as she cooed at Natsu and patted his head while he bent down, abashed, towards her. Lucy had to blink twice at the ruby red blush Natsu gave as the grandmotherly woman rattled off on how thin Natsu was becoming in a scolding manner. However, the fondness in her voice couldn't be ignored.

"Here, here, sit down sweetie." Grandma Beino said while ushering Natsu towards the other side of the booth Lucy was still plopped onto awestruck. "I'm so happy you brought a girlfriend in to show us, you've never done that before, Natsu…" The woman cooed while gazing openly yet happily at Lucy, whom continued to stay speechless with her mouth permanently gaping.

Natsu scratched his cheek, green eyes cast down in the most shamefaced look Lucy had ever seen him express. She didn't think her mouth could open wider unless it became unhinged.

"Well, I was waiting for the right girl, of course."

'WHAT?' Lucy's heart stuttered. 'Hold on, what did that mean?!'

"Well I see why you waited! This girl is gorgeous!" Grandma Beino tittered, her hands coming together in front of her and slightly ruffling her baker's mill cotton dress and apron. "What is your name, sweetheart?"

"A...a…"

Natsu finally looked up from playing with the doily on the table to stare at Lucy, having at last realized the predicament he'd placed her in. "Uhh, this is Luce—I mean Lucy Heartfilia, Grandma Beino. The girl dad wanted me to get married to."

That seemed to calm the woman down, as her expression, while still welcoming and warm, became slightly somber as she glanced back at Natsu in shock.

"N-nice to meet you, Ma'am" Lucy finally got out, slowly righting herself in the seat. A small smile perked at her lips as the woman instantly beamed right back at her. Lucy could see why Natsu seemed to like her so much.

"Aren't you just a vision, and polite too. Whatever the case, I'm happy our little Natsu found such a delightful girl like you to call his betrothed."

Blushing as if on cue, Lucy ducked her head at the woman, seeing exactly why the woman was able to get Natsu of all people to become flustered.

"Anyways, I can see that you children look like you're starving. Natsu you've lost at least ten pounds since the last time I've saw you for sure and your honey over here looks like she's wasting away! Say no more, I know exactly what to get you two."

"Thanks Grandma Beino." Natsu grinned fully, exposing white teeth and sharp incisors until his cheeks puffed and his eyes closed, astounding Lucy once more. She wished he'd do it more, it was much more charming than his usual expressions—or lack thereof. Those were more frightening than anything, but this caused her heart to skip a beat a little.

"I'll bring Grandpa out here as well, he'll probably have a few words to say to you." This caused Natsu's smile to wane and the shade of his skin to become slightly ashen. Grandma Beino only giggled at such an expression, which seemed like an odd reaction compared to the personality Lucy'd thought she had. The elderly woman winked at Lucy before taking her leave and left Lucy and Natsu to themselves.

"Are you okay, Natsu?" Lucy asked once they were alone at their table.

"Yeah," Natsu finally answered, clearing his throat. "Just haven't been back here for a while."

Lucy would come to understand that this was an understatement.

Once their food had been handed to them, Natsu went back to his carefree self, suddenly ravenous at the sight of food as always as platters upon platters of decadent food was placed in front of them. Pies, potatoes, steaks, greens, fresh fruits, and baked cakes were dished out to them as well as smothered ribs, other meats, and mouthwatering side dishes. Even Lucy couldn't deny her hunger at the sight, nor would she want to. After denying herself for the photoshoot, she was going to pig out. She hated the expectations put on her to succeed and bring praise to the family name, so the moments when she could really indulge and be herself without judgement from others was a blessing.

Oddly enough, she didn't feel weird showing such an improper side of herself to Natsu, even joining his exuberance at eating and stuffing her face with a turkey leg, quickly followed with a huge bite of strawberry shortcake. Natsu had laughed at her cheeks puckered up like a chipmunk before continuing his meal. Lucy had giggled a little as well after struggling to swallow it all down and chugging the cold, yet crisp Darjeeling tea Grandma had left for her. It was probably because of what Natsu had said to her earlier at the photoshoot, that he would force her to eat afterwards, or perhaps because Natsu had seen her as bare as a newborn multiple times—why not see her dig into food like this? Lucy wasn't sure but she couldn't deny the level of comfortability she had with Natsu in the moment, and wondered if she would feel the same doing this with another guy. That thought completely got X'd out as soon as it came; Natsu was definitely the only person she would do this with.

Finishing up and thoroughly stuffed, Natsu was in the middle of teasing her about the food she still had stuck to her face when an elderly man wobbled up to their table.

"Natsu, my boy." With his chuckle cut short, Natsu straightened up at the sight of the elder.

"G-Grandpa Yajima…"

"I see you're doing well." The older man hunkered to a stop, weight on a cane in his hand, and Lucy had the urge to ask him if he wanted a seat. Unlike his wife, Yajima was very small and skinny. His hair was completely greyed over on his face and his eyes, although warm, were almost completely hidden behind his bushy eyebrows. He wore a similar outfit to his wife's, although pants and a top instead of a dress, and an interesting green hat covered his head.

"Y-yeah"

Silence took over their side of the restaurant and as Lucy's eyes ping ponged between them, she wondered if she should introduce herself just to break the tension.

"Ack!" Before she could blink, Natsu was bent over and the older man's cane was poised against his stomach.

"I guess you haven't been training properly all these months since you neglected to come see me, eh?" Grandpa Yajima said as he smiled brightly. A sudden vitality seemed to glow in his eyes.

"You…wish," Natsu wheezed.

The elder stepped back with a guffaw, his previously weary gait forgotten as he stood up straight with his hands akimbo to his sides. "Ha, Ha, Ha! Now, who's this pretty little lady Natsu?" Grandpa Yajima didn't wait for his response to swing his attention over to Lucy. He beamed brightly at her, a characteristic she assumed was shared between both 'Grandma and Grandpa'. She smiled back politely but couldn't help but break a sweat at what just happened, finding herself idly worried about the pinkette.

Said man was still crouched over, grunting and glaring at the man as he tried to sit up. "That's Lucy, we're together."

That's one way to call it. Lucy arched a brow at that response but ignored it in order to smile her own megawatt grin at the old man while nodding and added a sweet, 'Nice to meet you.'

Grandpa Yajima's eyebrows rose while he whistled, "And you as well dear. Natsu, if I do say so myself, she is a keeper."

Fully upright this time, Natsu's glare turned petulant as another uncharacteristic blush dusted his cheeks. Lucy looked on with amazement at his next words, "Trust me, I know." She wondered if it was really all an act. Her breath halted and her heart skipped a beat when his glare directed to her gaze. His scowl remained even though she could see the sparkle in his eyes.

.oOo.

A bit later, after Natsu promised to visit more regularly and the older couple waved them down the road, Natsu had dragged Lucy to their next stop. It was an amusement park of all places. Natsu determined that Lucy needed a little fun after being so tense and uptight for the past few days, completely forgetting that he was a reason for her stress. When Lucy egged him on, not quite believing such a thoughtful explanation, Natsu relented that it would look good for them to be out together as well. Like a date.

Of course. It was all just for show.

That threw Lucy through a loop. Ignoring the hint of hurt she felt at Natsu admitting his intentions were just an act to his greater goal, she couldn't help but feel nervous at the thought of going out with him like this. It was one thing to sit down at a restaurant, but another to go to an amusement park of all places, potentially hold hands and act like a loving couple. On top of that…in front of other people. People with cameras.

Once they bought their tickets and made their way into the park, Lucy started feeling the excitement of the park. She hadn't been to an amusement park in ages, since before her mother died, and had honestly forgotten all she was missing. Her excitement grew more as she saw Natsu let go, just a little, and get absorbed in the chaos of it all as well. As soon as the sounds of laughter and rides, people milling about and children running around, as well as the smells of popcorn and warm fresh air hit them, he was off like a rocket, tugging Lucy's hand this way and that.

Although she felt the burst of excitement as well, she was grounded enough to realize running around would be pointless and they needed to pick something to do first and foremost. She ground her feet into the dirt and tugged on his arm, forcing him to stop. When she did, she wasn't prepared for the brilliant grin on his face, similar to the one in the restaurant. She almost felt bad for stopping him after seeing such a rare expression. This time just like the last, it got her heart racing and made it harder for her to look in his eyes. She crazily felt more abashed expressing herself now than when he was putting the moves on her!

"Is something the matter, Luce?" Natsu called, smile fading, after finally catching on to her discomfort. She blushed harder when his fingers grasped her chin and made her look up into his scrutinizing gaze. The green really shone with the slowly waning sun behind him, causing the girl to tense up and look everywhere else but his eyes.

Brushing her hand against the digits holding her chin, she distanced their bodies to gather herself better. "N-Nothing, we should just pick something to do instead of running around, Natsu." she chuckled, hoping to ebb away some of the tension with a small teasing smile.

Natsu smirked back at her, realizing her change in mood wasn't anything serious, just her being her normal weird self. His eyes dulled a little and turned wistful, as if remembering a time in his past. "Sorry," He coughed and turned away while shoving his hands in his pockets. It was now his turn to feel uncomfortable, a rare emotion for him. "I just haven't been back here in while, not since mom and dad…" He cleared his throat again, fully turning his back to her, "I just got a little excited, I guess."

She furrowed her brow, catching the hint pretty easily. It fit her storyline as well. Lucy watched the tension rise back into his shoulders and felt herself become angry at ruining whatever good mood he was in. Clasping her hands behind her back, the girl sidled up to him and peered over his shoulder, hoping to not see his classic scowl. Instead she found something more surprising: a longing look at the Ferris wheel in the distance and a sad smile on his lips. It must have been a bittersweet memory he was thinking of, and Lucy knew exactly what to do to help him work through it.

"Hey! Why don't we go on a couple of rides?"

Natsu's eyes grew wide, a little surprised at her presence as if she had smacked him out of his memories, "Y-Yeah…"

"Great!"

Lucy took his hand this time and lead him to the Ferris wheel.

"W-Wait, let's go on this one first."

Lucy frowned but didn't protest as he led them in the complete opposite direction to one of the scariest rides in the park. Confused that he'd want to go on this, despite obviously being interested in the Ferris wheel exclusively. She allowed him to take them to this new ride even so, screaming her head off once they got on and descended down the 200-meter ramp as Natsu laughed wholeheartedly at her and the excitement from the extreme heights. This continued on for a couple more rides until Natsu became the one having a hard time and eventually turned green just getting in the seat before take off. It got so bad that he was that close to throwing up on her during the Whoopty Whirl and just barely held it in once they reached a trash can. She firmly banned him from any more rides and demanded an explanation.

"S-Sorry Lu—Urrrrgh!" Lucy held her nose, smiling anxiously at the people who openly stared at them with looks of pity or disgust on their faces.

When he finally was done, and a little less green in the face, Lucy reached in her purse to pull out a tiny disposable toothbrush and some mouthwash. "Here, this should help." She gave him a small smile as he took the items gratefully. Despite the highly unattractive experience, Lucy still noticed the females checking him out and whispering girlishly to each other after getting an eyeful. Hell, even some woman with her boyfriend right on her arm gave Natsu a long look when he threw back a mouthful of mouthwash like it was a shot of tequila, to stare as his shirt lifted and showed a bit of his defined lower half. Despite rolling her eyes at the women and standing a wee-bit closer to Natsu, she could understand the attention he was getting. The PR reps from the photoshoot let Natsu change from his work clothes (which would have been equally distracting) into some from the brand's collection. They waved it off as being nice, but Lucy knew it was what they always did as an incentive for someone to come to their company, or even to have the person promote their clothes for free. And they made the right choice with Natsu, because the ensemble hung on his body like sin.

From bottom to top, he wore black leather combat boots, black tight-fitted jeans with slits at the knees that showed off his toned thighs and butt, held up by a leather belt with gold clasping. On his torso he wore a plain white shirt that had been tucked in until all his heaving and pulling from being sick pulled it up. It was covered in an open, mustard-yellow plaid shirt that eerily matched her outfit (she had to wonder if that was on purpose) and finally all covered with a leather biker jacket, maybe a little too many layers, if not for the cooling autumn air. However, she had to admit he looked good. And if he ever seriously thought about being a model, he wouldn't have too hard of a time. From the reactions of the women around them, they would agree.

Finishing up with his teeth, Natsu turned back to her with a smirk, knowing Lucy enjoyed those more than she let on, while handing her the small bottle of mouthwash back. "Good lookin out, Luce!"

"Right." With a sigh, Lucy smirked back while putting the item away. "So why did you become so sick all of a sudden? Do you have motion sickness?" She asked with an arched blonde brow.

Scratching at his cheek nervously, Natsu looked away. "I guess you could say that…"

Lucy raised both eyebrows at his willingness to give up a weakness.

"Anyways, let's get something to eat, I'm starved!" The pinkette growled, quickly taking her hand and leading her like he had been doing most of the day towards the first food stand his nose picked out. Lucy noticed he preferred to do most of the dragging and didn't mind it so much as she learned to relax and go with the flow—oftentimes it made the experience more fun, just as long as he didn't try pulling her arm out of her socket.

"Didn't we just eat a couple hours ago?" The blonde complained nonetheless as Natsu quickly went up the cashier and ordered a pretzel, two hotdogs, a large water, and cotton candy.

The man snorted at her question, giving her an intense look that read, 'Do you not know me?' but instead said, "You should be eating this before me, and you know it." With a blush, Lucy zipped her lips. She sighed when Natsu handed the befuddled employee a crisp hundred-dollar bill grunting that he didn't have anything lower and to keep the change.

After Natsu's hands were loaded with food as they went from stand to stand, Lucy found herself a little surprised when he handed her all of the sweet things, especially shoving the cotton candy into her grip. 'Eat' was all he said after he found them a place to sit down.

Moments passed by while Natsu scarfed down his food and Lucy once again took in the sounds of people enjoying themselves, the rides whooshing their patrons in the air bringing a tingle to her gut as she remembered how much fun Natsu and she had had before he became sick. Fully stuffing herself with deep fried Oreos, a banana split and most of the cotton candy, Lucy found herself picking at it as she remembered what Aquarius said earlier that day. "Thanks, Natsu."

The man in question looked up in surprise from his second burger and answered with a stuffed mouth, "Foh fwhat?"

"No, I mean…about today. Aquarius told me what you did for me, at the photoshoot. I appreciate it. You didn't have to say anything, I mean."

A sudden serious expression took over Natsu's face as he swallowed and placed the burger down. "Of course I would defend you. They didn't have the right to say all that shit. We may not be together by natural reasons, but even I can see you don't deserve that."

Lucy chuckled, going from his gaze and back to the cotton candy she was picking at, "Well it's not something I'm unused to so you don't have to worry. Usually it's better to just ignore them."

"Well, I won't!" He all but growled.

"Natsu—"

"No, I understand, trust me I do. You have to live up to what your parents put out for you, and those people were like a voice of your father's," Lucy's eyes widened at his passion, realizing those words were as true for him as they were for her. "Any criticism from them can't compare to what you get at home."

Lucy blinked, feeling a burn start at her chest and radiate up her throat to her eyes.

Natsu hands clenched and he looked Lucy directly in the eye, "But that's not right and you need to learn that. You have to start living for yourself and not for your father. I had to learn that the hard way."

Lucy felt a tear escape and finally looked away from Natsu's intense gaze before swiping at it. Her throat seemed to have closed up and when she spoke it sounded hoarse. "I thought you were bad at giving advice."

Snorting out a chuckle, Natsu's face finally loosened up into an amused smile. "I have my moments."

.oOo.

After Natsu finished up eating, they decided to walk around the park a little more. The sun was practically nonexistent in the sky and more and more couples started showing up as the Ferris wheel beamed romantically and fiery lights glowed around the park. The tunnel of love was absolutely packed and despite teasing Lucy to get on knowing full well his stomach wouldn't be able to handle it, they got a good laugh out of the idea.

Instead of pulling her along like before, Natsu had decided he preferred slinging an arm around her shoulder after more than a few guys had come up to hit on Lucy, only to get hit themselves after a round with the pink haired man. She didn't think it was a big deal, having been used to the attention, but Natsu became more attached to her hip than ever before, glaring over her head at anyone who looked too long, and keeping her tightly hooked under his arm as they walked. She openly complained, but knew deep inside that she enjoyed being close as the weather got a little chillier, and knowing she couldn't deny his intoxicating scent.

His sudden protectiveness also brought his attention to her attire. She noticed him looking down at her shirt and then his mouth forming a smirk, the one that really got her going as his sharp canines poked out and pressed against his lips in a small bite. It made her remember that they weren't just for show. That thought stayed close to mind as he pulled at her tight crop top that had the words, 'I Only Date Bad Boys' in pink font on the front. With no care or shame to how she may feel, he brusquely growled in her ear, "Was this for me?"

Lucy scoffed, pushing him away as his smirk turned into a full shit eating grin. She could feel the cockiness radiating off of him, especially when he noticed he got a rise out of her. "No! N-Not everything is about you, Natsu." She glared with her nose upturned and cheeks lightly pink.

Her reaction only made him laugh harder and hold her closer.

His exuberance finally got Lucy to crack a smile, growing mischievous as she noticed what was in front of them.

Before Natsu could realize it himself, the girl pulled them both in that direction until they were right in front of it.

"W-wait Luce…you know I can't ride these things." Natsu sobered up considerably once he noticed where they were. It was his turn to drag his feet and considering his comparable weight, it actually worked for him.

Lucy let out a huff, dutifully pulling his arm, but knowing he wouldn't budge. "I know! That's why we're not necessarily riding."

Five minutes later found Natsu staring at Lucy's skirt covered derriere as she wiggled her way up a very large and hulking tree. This was her third attempt at even getting to the first branch. "You jerk! You know you could at least try to help me!" Lucy yelled after falling on her bum once again. Natsu wheezed a laugh while once again helping her up.

"Well you didn't ask me to, so I didn't want to disturb you."

Lucy sucked her teeth before standing up straight after dusting herself off. She then stared at him with her hands on her hips expectantly.

Natsu bit his lip trying to hold in a laugh but obediently bent his legs and laced his palms together for her to step on. She had smartly ditched the heels, and that arguably made it harder for her to reach the branch in the first place since it took away some of her height, but it also kept her from breaking her neck. With her small foot in his hand, Natsu was able to easily lift her body weight up until she was able to grab onto the tree branch, then he helped lift her upper body as well. She was able to shimmy her torso onto the sturdy branch and wiggle around until she was sitting.

With a whistle, Natsu watched as pink lacy underwear came into view from her wiggling, getting an eye full until Lucy was able to sit upright and pointedly fix herself, "Pervert." She spat.

Natsu only shrugged.

From then on, Lucy was able to climb the tree on her on, eventually throwing down her blazer as well while Natsu followed behind. Mind you, he had a much easier time, and she cursed him for it.

They eventually reached one of the highest branches. It broke out with a clear view into the now night sky and overlooked the park. It was absolutely stunning. It had been a relatively clear day as the sky was full of stars, their light bringing a warmth to Lucy's heart that was reminiscent to when she thought of her mother. On top of that, the warm lights from the park made it all that more welcoming.

Lucy sighed, panting a bit after the exercise, once Natsu settled himself. Hearing him gasp, she knew he finally noticed their grand view.

"So, how did you know about this place?"

Looking back at him, Lucy saw his awed gaze directed at the sky, the brilliant hues from the stars dusted off his cheeks and gave him one of the most innocent looks she'd ever seen. It made a rush of warmth flow through her that surely dusted her cheeks. She breathed in, trying to find an answer. "Well, even though it's been a long time since I've been here, this is one of the places I distinctly remember. Mama and I used to go to this park every once in a while, especially when Papa was busy with work. It was something she did for me so that I didn't feel so down about getting in his way. At the end of the night every time, we'd come here and she would help me climb to the top. We'd watch the stars for hours…" Lucy cleared her throat when it suddenly started to close up. "A-Anyway probably not the smartest idea, climbing a tree with a child, but my mom wasn't like other moms, she was free spirited and loved adventure…" Lucy felt Natsu's gaze land on her, "Papa used to always say that's why she was killed." Looking up, Lucy's eyes connected with Natsu's, thoughtlessly picking at the leaves from the branch she sat on. The intensity in his gaze always astounded her, and she felt hypnotized, "I think he mostly said that to stop me from having ideas of my own."

Lucy looked away and back to the stars, keeping her eyes specifically on Leo the Lion's constellation. "Who was that old man at the restaurant, Natsu?"

The pink haired man hummed in the back of his throat, and a second passed before he answered. "He was my first teacher, well after my father…He may not look it, but he's one of the strongest men I know."

"Oh, I don't doubt you," Lucy said remembering how the man handled himself after incapacitating Natsu.

"Yeah he and Grandma Beino…they're people who can be trusted."

Lucy frowned at that, an odd thing to say about people he obviously cared about. It reminded her that despite today feeling like a normal date between a man and a woman, Natsu was anything but normal. He was still a young CEO of a multibillion-dollar company which was handed to him after his father was brutally murdered, by whom he assumed was her father. He had bought her for nefarious reasons and had killed many people who even questioned his position. He wasn't afraid to kill anyone that came in between his goal, as demonstrated with the gun he brought to her photoshoot today. The memory brought a shudder down her spine.

Despite all that, as Lucy looked back up to him, stunned to realize he was looking back at her—his eyes were the saddest she has ever seen, with more emotion pouring out of them than she could read, the young boy within his irises cried to break out and be understood. And he was. Despite everything, Lucy could only see Natsu at that moment.


AN: If you guys haven't already, please check out my new fic Heat! It's just going to have only a few chapters but I'm really excited about it. It's about Natsu and Lucy as hybrids born in a lab, they break out and all is well until Lucy starts going through heat and desperately finds herself trying to mate with Natsu. It kind of puts the normal Natsu in heat tropes on its head while adding some angst but keeping the spiciness (would it be my fic if there was no spiciness?)

Summary: Natsu's life was filled with cold until the warmth from Lucy's eyes surrendered to his own. From then on, the chill from the outside world could no longer affect him. Lucy's mate Natsu is the most important person in her life, he puts a fire in her belly that she's never felt before, and it seems to be boiling over to a point she can no longer handle.

Anyways hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as well as my new fic!