"Damnit!"

The frustrated roar started the birds roosting in a nearby tree, forcing them to take wing to escape a seemingly-enraged Dragon Slayer. Inside the cottage Natsu shares with Happy, things were literally heating up with every second that ticked by.

"Natsu, calm down," Happy pleaded. "Maybe you could just go without the tie tonight? Or you could have Luuucy help you with it…" He snickered behind his paw at his comment.

"Zip it, Happy," Natsu growled back while debating whether or not Mira and Gramps would kill him for torching the suit he was expected to wear and just stay home. "Screw this, I'm not going."

Within seconds, Natsu was sitting on his couch in his underwear, his pants, coat, and shirt scattered on the already-messy floor.

"Damn, Natsu, you could give Gray a run for his money stripping so fast." A withering glare was sent towards the Exceed who was busy picking the clothes up off the floor and trying to figure out how to get his friend dressed again. "The Master won't be happy you decided to miss out on a guild party, Natsu. He may even punish you for it."

An ominous air usually accompanied statements like that, even from Happy, but Natsu was left unmoved and pouting over them trying to force him into yet another suit. He remained motionless as Happy spouted off how pissed Mira would be, and that Erza would be mad and probably come drag him to the guild hall in his underwear if they took too long getting ready. It took nearly an hour for Happy to finally say something that got through Natsu's thick skull.

"Fine, you don't have to go, but I'm going so I can give Charle the fish I caught just for her." He frowned as he made his way to the door. "I'll just tell Lucy you weren't feeling well, since I know she has more fun when you're around - especially at themed parties like we're throwing tonight."

"What do you mean? Lucy is always yelling at me when there's a big party." Natsu's pout became more pronounced as he sank deeper into the couch. It's not that he didn't want to see his best friend; he could deal with the fitted pants and jacket, as well as a real shirt, but the tie was a little too far when he was expected to tie it by himself.

Fairy Tail always threw a great party, but this one was a little different than usual. It was a special Valentine's Day Fundraiser - to help pay for some of the damage they had caused across Fiore in recent months. All members were expected to attend, but it was the singles who were the real targets of the night's festivities. There was a small entry fee for the public to attend, and for a fairly reasonable amount of jewel, anyone interested could dance with a Fairy Tail member who did not have a significant other.

All of this information flitted through Natsu's head, and he realized that he wasn't likely to spend a lot of time with Lucy tonight, since men had been talking excitedly about 'getting a chance with her' since a few days after the party was announced.

"Besides, it's not like she'll be free to hang out with me; this thing is like going on a job, except I don't get to fight anything."

"Maybe, but she usually relies on you to help her keep the creeps away when she dresses all fancy. I'll do my best to help her in your place." With that, Happy stepped through their front door, closing it behind him before flying himself to the guild hall and leaving Natsu alone with his thoughts.

Meanwhile, across town, the Fairy Tail guild hall was practically bouncing with energy, packed as it was with members and civilians, nearly everyone drinking, and many people dancing. Happy had arrived within minutes, and was trying to work up the courage to talk to Charle when Lucy spotted him. It broke his heart to see the dejected look she tried to hide when she found out Natsu wasn't coming, but she still gave him a big hug and wished him luck with Charle before she was dragged onto the dance floor.

Another hour came and went. Lucy's feet hurt from dancing so much without a break, wishing desperately that Levy had not pointed out how perfect the ridiculously tall high-heel shoes looked with her dress. Not that she didn't agree, but she had hoped for at least a slight reprieve from all the men who wanted to dance with her. Some were sweet about it - she had danced with an elderly man who shared stories of his wife who had passed away several months before, though he swore it was an eternity he'd been without her. And Lucy just couldn't turn down the shy ten-year-old with dark eyes and freckles who told her she was his favoritest wizard ever (even more than Natsu, the boy had whispered).

Most of Lucy's dance partners were less polite, making crude comments about her body that they tried to pass off as humorous or charming, and with each of them she missed her fiery-tempered best friend just a little more.

Nobody noticed Natsu's entrance as he forewent his usual, boisterous kicking-in of the front doors in favor of sneaking in the back. He had taken the time to carefully heat his hands before putting the suit back on, effectively 'ironing out' the wrinkles. The only thing left to do was put on the damned frustrating tie, which was why he snuck in. Finding Mira, he gave a quick apology for his tardiness and handed her the torture device, which she quickly slipped around his neck and into a perfect knot before sending him on his way.

Natsu's eyes scanned the room as he stepped out of the back hall, almost immediately spotting Lucy's golden-blonde tresses amongst the crowd. He froze in place as he watched her dancing with some brunet he didn't recognize; her smile was as tense and fake as the polite laugh that caressed his sensitive ears, and he immediately regretted taking so long to get here.

As if she could sense his presence near the bar, Lucy looked his way. Her whole face lit up when she saw Natsu standing there, and he gave her a smile as warm and bright as the one she gifted him with. The moment was over as soon as it began, Lucy being turned by her dance partner, and Natsu being accosted by the fearsome Erza.

"It's about time you showed up," she scolded. "There are several women who have been asking for you, and since you caused a fair bit of the damage we're trying to repay, you will dance tonight."

And so he did; for Fairy Tail. But he barely saw any of the women who had paid to dance with him, his gaze drawn back to Lucy time and again, taking in the dark red dress that clung to her torso and hips, flaring slightly as it trailed to the floor, occasionally enjoying the flash of fair skin from the slit that traveled from her right ankle to high up her thigh. However, his favorite moments were when she looked his way; her smile seemed more genuine, and her eyes sparkled every time they met his.

No one could say for certain why this night had been so very different; Natsu had seen Lucy dressed up lots of times, and though he teased her, he knew she was pretty. Tonight, though, there was something different. She wasn't merely 'pretty' tonight, everything about her took his breath away. An unfamiliar warmth in his chest sparked each time he looked at her, and when she would look up and smile, the spark spread through him like wildfire. After contemplating this feeling while dancing with several different people, he was able to pinpoint the feeling for what it was - love - and while he loved the members of the guild like family, with Lucy it was different. Stronger. Something he was sure would last until the end of his days. With this realization came the fact that he had felt this way for some time, but never really thought much of it.

Natsu had heard others speak of romantic love many times, had heard stories of jealousy and possessive feelings when the person you love so much as talked to someone else. Watching Lucy dance with so many men tonight, he did not feel either of those things. Lucy was not some object to lock away from the world and keep hidden - her father had done that to her, and she had resented him for years because of it. If she wanted to be with Natsu, it was ultimately her choice. As far as jealousy, well, he could hardly feel jealous when she had saved all of her real smiles for him.

Near midnight, most everyone had trailed out, including Natsu's fan club of women. Once free from their clutches, he found Mira, handing her some jewel and whispering in her ear. The song that had been playing ended, and she hurried away towards Lucy.

"Thank you for the lovely dance," Lucy said to the elderly man she had danced with earlier; he had placed himself as the last on her dance request sheet so that he could make sure she was alright. She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before he walked away. "I'm glad he was my last one. Such a sweet old man," Lucy told Mira as the woman walked up to her.

"Actually, you have one more," Mira admitted with an apologetic look on her face.

"No, I can't," Lucy protested. "Can't he dance with someone else?"

"Please, Lucy? The guy's been waiting patiently all night, and he's really nice, I promise."

"Alright, but he will be the last one."

Mira squealed happily as she bounced away, only for Natsu to take her place.

"You ready?"

"Natsu," Lucy whispered his name, a sad smile on her face. "I've got one more dance to get through, then I'd love for you to walk me home."

"I know." A dusting of pink ran across his nose and cheeks. "I'm the one who requested a dance. You don't hafta dance with me, though, if you don't want to. I can just walk you home."

Lucy's smile lit up the room with its brilliance. "You're not getting off that easy; I want my dance."

They both laughed a little as the music began, Natsu pulling Lucy closer to him as they swayed together. It wasn't until they were in each other's arms that Natsu noticed how tall Lucy was tonight, the shoes giving her several extra inches, so she was nearly as tall as him.

"Lucy?" Natsu swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat.

"Yeah?"

"You look really beautiful tonight." The words were spoken so softly, he wasn't even sure if she had heard him.

"Thank you," Lucy replied, her face warming at his words. And his closeness. And how she tried so hard not to read anything else into what he said. She bit her lower lip, debating whether or not to follow his lead. "You look handsome in that suit." And everything else you wear, she added to herself. Some things he didn't need to know.

Instead of replying, Natsu pulled her just a little closer, allowing his cheek to rest gently against hers. A comfortable silence stretched as they danced, Lucy relaxing against Natsu's chest, finally holding him like she had wanted to as soon as she saw him arrive. They swayed together after the music stopped playing, keeping their arms locked around each other while several Fairy Tail members swept and righted the guild hall around them.

When Mira turned off the first of the lights, Natsu helped keep Lucy steady as she took off her shoes. He had offered to carry her home, but she wanted to feel the cold cobblestone road beneath her aching feet; he did take some of the burden by carrying her shoes for her instead. They walked side-by-side, their arms linked, all the way to Lucy's apartment. All the while, Natsu had been wondering if he should tell Lucy how he felt about her.

"Thank you for dancing with me." Natsu was nervous and didn't quite know how to say it, so went with smalltalk first, mentally smacking himself at how stupid he must sound.

"You're welcome. I love," there was a slight pause, barely distinguishable to the naked ear, "I love dancing with you. You can ask me anytime." Lucy graced Natsu with another of her genuine smiles, and his resolve solidified.

"I need to tell you something," he blurted out.

"Okay." Lucy unlocked her door and motioned him through ahead of her.

Natsu took a breath to steady himself as she closed the door and turned on the nearest light, then reached his left hand out to take hold of her right one. His thumb slid over her guild mark as he looked into her eyes.

"You're my best friend, Lucy," he began. "I don't really have any expectations here, but I don't want to keep secrets from you. I understand if you need some space after you find out, and I'm willing to give you whatever space you need, just as long as you'll still be my friend."

Lucy's left hand raised up to caress his cheek. "Natsu, is something wrong? You know you can tell me anything…"

"I…" Natsu leaned slightly into the warmth of her hand, his eyes becoming watery as he was overwhelmed with the emotions he felt for the woman standing in front of him. "I love you, Lucy."