BlackLynx17: I made a super duper long chapter in hopes to apologize for late updates. I'll try to post next chapter this week as well as sort of to make up for my disappearance... once again. My apologies.


Title: Love At First Sight

Secret Title: Pirate Love

Summary: Wendy is a princess forced to be married at the age of 18. It wouldn't be a problem for her if she had fallen in love with her fiance, but alas fate is not too kind. Determined to runaway to chose her own love, she runs into a nice man who rescues her from her guards. Thinking this man is her one true love, she decides to escape with him. She had no idea that her true love was a no good pirate.


Chapter Twenty

Happy Birthday


The cutest little noises are coming out of her as she snoozes. Mest leans his head against his hand and stares, smiling as he watches her sleep. He doesn't do it very often (not by choice). Wendy is usually the first one to wake up, but on the rare occasions he wakes up first... he likes to take everything in. A strand of her hair is caught in her mouth and Mest reaches over, brushing it back behind her ear. She's beautiful like this. She's always beautiful actually, he wishes he knew more words to describe exactly how she looks and how she makes him feel. Beautiful... and clueless. When Wendy finally wakes up she flutters her eyes open and stares at him.

"Good morning Princess."

Wendy yawns, "still tired," she mumbles closing her eyes again.

"Then go back to sleep my love, we still have the whole day ahead of us. I just wanted to be the first to tell you," Mest whispers, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss against the lobe of her ear, "happy birthday."

She immediately leans up, her eyes wide with excitement as she stares at him, "my birthday is today?!"

"Of course it is, don't you remember your own birthday?" Mest laughs.

"Yes," she pouts, "but still. I was so excited about it yesterday I must have forgotten that it was today. Silly me. So! What'd you get me? Are we going to throw a party? I know we're still at sea, so maybe a little party so no one gets hungover and we all crash and sink horribly to our deaths. A small party would be good, no alcohol for me thank you very much. I don't think I want to seem foolish and sing drunk on my birthday, I rather not be embarrassed-"

Her rambles stop as Mest places a hand over her mouth. "Don't worry about anything Wendy. No I'm not showing you what I got you... yet, yes we're going to throw a party, and for the rest of your sentence... we'll just have to wait and see. Right now you wanted to sleep some more though, so fall back into bed and let's rest."

"I don't know, I'm too wide awake now that I know it's my birthday." Wendy frowns.

"Try love."

Wendy hums and lays back in bed, feeling relaxed to have the cushions consume her. Mest doesn't like pillows very much; he's alright with using one, but Wendy loves to hug plush. In her old bed she had dozens of pillows to cater to her every hug, drool, and nuzzle. When they were redecorating their quarters Wendy had pleaded with Mest for more cushions, while Mest had bargained saying she could hold him anytime. As much as she loved that idea Mest wasn't soft; he was warm and all muscle. He wasn't as light as a feather or as soft as marshmallows. Wendy was allowed to have three extra cushions with her to hug and hold, but they had to stay on her side of the bed. If Mest got his hands on them he would throw them off and they would stay off until the next day.

"Go to sleep, go to sleep, rest you eyes now yadda, yadda." Mest sings, not entirely good.

It does the opposite of what he wants, but she giggles and rests her eyes, maybe falling asleep again. The next time she wakes up she's wide awake and ready for the day. Mest gets up out of bed, rolling around his stiff neck and shoulders, and sighs out in relief when he feels them pop.

"You know, if it's really that uncomfortable you don't have to hold me and let me use your arm as a pillow when we sleep." Wendy informs, a small frown on her face as she hears his back crack.

"But I very much like holding you in my arms. A little numbness is nothing compared to the happiness I get from watching you fall asleep in them," Mest winks giving her a dazzling grin.

Wendy gulps, feeling her throat go dry, and turns her head away from him. She gets up out of bed and walks towards her dresser, pulling out a pair of pants and a shirt, trying to find her leather vest next.

"Mest, have you seen my vest? The dark gray one?" She asks sorting through her clothes.

"No I haven't, but it doesn't really matter what you wear today since I'll be buying you a new dress once we leave."

Wendy turns around and looks at him, watching as he takes his shirt off and places a newer, cleaner one on. She'll turn back around once he takes off his old pants.

"What do you mean once we leave? Aren't we still at sea?"

"Nope. Just landed last night; we have a whole town to explore, shops to be discovered, and things to be bought as gifts."

"Really?"

She doesn't remember them landing last night, but then again she did go to bed quite early. She didn't see an island nearby though. She probably would have if she had gone up to the crow's next to hang out with Bickslow like she planned, but Lucy and Juvia had wanted to spend time with her so she ended up doing something else instead. Wendy shrugs as she gathers up... whatever clothes now, heading for the door.

"I'll be in the refresher."

"Okay, take your time. I'll meet you in the kitchen for breakfast." Mest replies back.

Wendy leaves the room without suspecting a thing and completely misses the grin on Mest's face. She takes about twenty minutes, thirty minutes tops, before she's walking towards the kitchen. Her hair is wet and dripping everywhere, so she decides to braid it and tie it in a bun for today. When she enters the kitchen she expects for it to be filled with her friends, laughing and wishing her happy birthday... but she spots no one except for Mest. He's sitting down at one of the tables, an arrange of food in front of him, playing with a spoon on his nose. When she walks in though he sits up straight and smiles.

"Wendy! You're just in time, the food is hot. Come eat your breakfast." He smiles at her.

Wendy looks and narrows her eyes a little, "what's going on Mest?"

"Why, what do you mean by that? Would you care for milk or juice?"

"Mest! Where are all our friends?!" Wendy shouts. Screw the drinks (although she would like juice).

Mest laughs as he places the cups back down, leaning against his hand as he rests against the table. Wendy pouts as she walks over, the scent enticing her. Her stomach gives a weak growl, but she's determined to not eat a single bite until he starts explaining things.

"I may have convinced the crew to leave us alone for the day so I could spend your birthday with you and you alone."

Wendy's face relaxes, her heart skipping a beat.

"Don't worry, I only get to keep you until sunset. Then I have to share you; they're going to have this huge party and we'll all have fun and yadda, yadda, yadda. I just wanted to make sure you have a great day before you have an even greater night. Don't be mad at me please for wanting you to myself; I even made you a happy birthday morning breakfast. I don't cook as much as I used to, but it's still good."

Wendy sniffs, rubbing at her eyes. Mest immediately stands up, cursing as he hits his knee on the table from getting up so fast.

"God dammit! Wendy, I'm sorry, I didn't mean- we can get the others, they're all in town, we don't have to-"

"No you dummy, I'm not crying over that. It's just... no one's ever done this for me on my birthday. No one has ever wanted to spend the full day with me and keep me to themselves." Wendy sniffs, trying to will her tears away.

"Oh," Mest sighs out, slowly sitting down as he watches her, "... so is this a good thing?"

Wendy nods her head up and down, "it's a great thing. Everything looks so delicious, I can't wait to eat." Wendy smiles reaching out for a pastry.

"Tell me about your other birthdays, if you don't mind," Mest asks, watching her take the first bite before he begins to dig in as well.

"They weren't really like the parties you guys throw. Um... they were more like ceremonial events. Allies and friends from all around the land would come and visit my parents. They were awfully boring things, there were never any kids my age, and I would have to sit on this throne and greet every single guest that arrived."

Mest's face scrunches up as he chews on some bread, "was there at least cake?"

"Yes, of course there was cake Mest. My parents weren't that cruel, I at least got to chose the flavor of my cake and enjoy it. That was probably the only thing I enjoyed at my party though. I would always run away to the gardens after finishing my duties and hide out there until it was time for my return. I didn't like entertaining people I didn't know, who didn't care for me other than my crown, but my parents would always force me to socialize saying that I needed to be on their good side for when I ruled. Every single day of my life was lessons to teach me to be a better princess, a better queen. I thought for at least one day out of the year they would let me relax and be just me, Wendy Marvell... but no. Not even on my birthday did I get to relax... I'm glad that's all over and behind me. Now I get to relax every single day with people who actually love me for me. That's the best present I could have ever asked for." Wendy grins a toothy grin at him.

Mest smiles back and nods his head, "and that's not the only present you're getting. Your cake is going to be big, huge, better than all the birthday cakes you've had before, and you'll get to eat it all by yourself if that's what you really want. Mira pulled out all the stops to make your cake and even had some of the girls help her."

Wendy laughs, "of course I would want to share, I can't eat a whole cake all by myself."

"But you can eat a box of pastries all by yourself," he teases.

Wendy and Mest both smile at each other and begin to laugh. She loves this already; if the rest of her day is going to be as smooth and easy and carefree as this morning then she already knows this is going to be the best birthday ever.


"Are you sure I should pick out a dress? It isn't practical out on the sea." Wendy hums staring at the dresses.

She hasn't worn one in what seems like... ages. Sure Mest bought her a few in the towns they've passed, but she's only worn them once or twice. Never on the sea, not when the wind is so fierce it'll lift up her skirts (she had to learn that the hard way with poor Jellal), and the air so cold it'll have her shivering in her boots. Once upon a time all she used to wear were skirts and dresses and she doesn't miss that past one bit.

"Of course, you should always dress up for your birthday. How about this one?" Mest asks.

He pulls out a long sleeved, sparkling, bright white dress with jewels surrounding the neckline. Wendy scrunches her nose up in distaste (which Mest thinks is the cutest thing).

"Too much sparkles, simple is best." Wendy answers pulling out a soft pale pink dress to admire.

"How about this one?" Mest holds up a snow white dress next, curls and ribbons handing down it.

"Too fluffy, I like simple things Mest."

"When I first met you your dress was anything but simple," he mumbles looking through the other dresses.

"That's because I wasn't allowed to pick my own clothes. They were picked for me and I had no choice but to listen."

Mest hums as he holds up a dark blue one, picking it because it looked like her hair. Of course it wasn't though, no color could match the beauty of Wendy's deep midnight blue, but it was a good try. Wendy looks over and smiles lightly, reaching out to grab it from his hands.

"Now this one I like," she mumbles.

It was plain, small colorful flowers sewn into the bottom, short sleeves stopping at the elbows. It looked like something really cheap to Mest; he didn't understand why she was admiring it so.

"I think you should try on something more like this for size," Mest frowns holding up another white dress to her.

"With all this white people would think I was a bride," Wendy giggles.

"Hey, I thought you liked white?"

"I do, but not to wear. I'm much too clumsy, I would dirty it far too quickly."

"So you wouldn't like to wear white on your wedding day?"

Wendy shrugs, "of course that's the exception, but I wouldn't want it to be all white. Maybe a bit of color with it, nothing dragging down behind me. You should have seen the wedding dress my mother picked out for me. It was the ugliest thing, all this lace, and fluff and feathers; it made me look bloated and had the longest veil trailing behind me. Ugh, I'm glad I'll never have to wear such a thing. I hope it gets burned."

Mest blinks softly, his heart lurching a bit, "she picked out a wedding dress for you the minute after you met the guy you didn't fall in love with?"

"Of course. Didn't matter if I loved him or not, our marriage was going to happen. They planned it too, have been since I was sixteen. It was supposed to be the ceremony of the ages. Royalty from all around were going to arrive and celebrate it. Hehehe, it would have been the perfect place for some pirates to loot at," Wendy grins, giggling to herself as she stares back down at the dress. "I think I'm going to try this on, I'll return shortly."

"Take you time," Mest mumbles to himself.

He's glad he rescued her. She was going to have a wedding, forced to be married to someone that wasn't him and he would have never known. If he didn't rescue her in that alleyway he would have no clue the joys of being in love, of having someone that truly enjoys his presence, and she... she would have only known loneliness. Mest gulps, shaking those dark thoughts out of his head as he continues his mission. He walks over to the other side of the store, keeping her words in his thoughts. He only has a few minutes tops before she comes back out of the dressing rooms.

Wendy stares at herself in the mirror and spins around, nodding her head. She really likes this dress. It doesn't make her stand out or look elegant, just cute. It stops just below her knees, a simple blue color with colorful pastel flowers standing out at the bottom. Mest definitely has an eye for style. Wendy giggles to herself as she gathers up her clothes, slipping her shoes back on as she exits the room. Mest is leaning against the counter, whispering with the clerk when she walks over.

"Ah- Wendy, you look lovely. I take it I can't convince you to get something more expensive?" He asks her.

"No, this will do nicely." Wendy smiles at him.

"Such a lovely wife I have, always thinking of her husband's pockets. Here, let me take these from you," Mest says grabbing her old clothes.

He places them on the counter and winks at the clerk with the eye Wendy can't see, "I'll send someone to pick these up later. Will tonight be appropriate?"

The clerk catches the signal and nods his head, "of course, tonight will be perfect. I'll have them ready for you by then."

"Wonderful, let's continue onward then darling." Mest smiles grabbing her hand and pulling her away.

"Ah, wait! Aren't we going to pay?"

"Already did while you were dressing, to our next store!" He cheers.

Wendy stumbles to catch her balance; she starts jogging as Mest strides into the next store. He's acting a bit weird, but maybe he's just really excited about something... or maybe he saw their friends outside of the window and didn't want them interrupting. Yup, that sounds more likely.

"Mest? What are we doing inside of a jewelry store?" Wendy frowns.

"Just making sure there isn't any other rings you would like to have." Mest mentions innocently.

Wendy immediately glares at him and hugs her left hand to her chest, "I thought you knew by now I treasure this more than anything in this store and would never replace it."

"Of course Wendy," Mest smiles fondly at her, "but can I interest you in another? To go along with it? Something with more diamonds that shines."

Wendy huffs and turns her head away, "you cannot."

"Then how about another piece of jewelry? A necklace?"

She touches the second gift he's ever given her, her green necklace hanging around her neck, "no."

"A tiara?"

Wendy gives him a look, "seriously?"

"How about some earrings? Or perhaps a bracelet, maybe even a locket?"

Wendy blinks turning her head back towards him, "a locket?"

Her mother had a locket around her neck. It wasn't anything fancy or special, but when you opened it the inside held a picture of Wendy and her father. She always admired it so and wished she could have one of her own, but she never knew whose face to put in it. Wendy didn't have a lover or a child, she didn't have anyone special other than her parents. She could have put their pictures in there, but it wouldn't have seemed as special since she was surrounded by pictures of them in the castle. Mest looks at her expression and grins brightly, nodding his head. He grabs her hand and moves them around the store with ease, once upon a time robbing this place in the middle of the night. Wendy looks down through the glass and stares at the many colors.

"What makes lockets so special that you would rather have one than any other jewelry in here?" Mest asks as he stares.

"My mother had one with a picture of me and my father in it. I've always wanted one, but I never knew whose picture to have with me always. Now I know I want one of us, me and you. Would you mind posing for a picture with me so I could put it in?" Wendy asks.

Mest face melts into something of pure affection and devotion. He can't help himself as he places a finger underneath her chin, tilting it up slightly to give her a soft kiss.

"Of course Wendy, we should get a matching pair, so I'll always have a picture of you with me as well."

Wendy ends up picking a rose gold colored heart shaped locket and wears it just below her green necklace that reminds her of Mest's eyes. She wanted to pick a gold or silver color, so her husband wouldn't be force to wear rose, but he saw the way her eyes lid up when she held that one in her hands and it didn't bother him so much. No one could even see it as he placed it around his neck, but Wendy knew, and she smiled brightly at him. Before they left the shop Mest gave her a look over and frowned.

"You need something for your hair, a tiara-"

She shoved him and Mest laughed deeply, teasing her relentlessly. She was too busy pouting to realize he bought something else along with their purchases, hiding it in his pocket to give to her at a later time. They left the store after that, Mest's wallet considerably more empty and light.

"Where to next Mest?"

"Sweets of course. Nothing but the best for my princess," Mest tells her, leading their way to a pastry shop.

Wendy oddly felt that the kind chef was expecting them for some reason because when he noticed them he smiled and led them to a table, returning a few moments later with an arrange of colorful cakes displayed on a tray for them. That thought quickly floated out of her head as her mouth watered at the sight.

"Try a bite of each and tell me which is your favorite." Mest says offering her a fork.

"You aren't going to have any? I want to know your favorite cake as well." Wendy frowns softly at him.

Mest shakes his head and laughs, picking up another fork for himself. He quietly nibbles while Wendy moans, her eyes going wide and sparkling as she tries each and every flavor offered. She's never had cakes this fluffy before, this moist, this deliciously sweet! It's killing her.

"I want to move here and live in this shop and eat cake like this every day." Wendy moans out.

"I don't know what type of work I would be able to find in a town like this, but I can especially see you becoming a baker's assistant. You'd get a little chubby though; ah- I actually think you would look cute with chubbier cheeks." Mest teases.

Wendy blushes as she stares at him, turning her head away. When she finishes all she can eat she finds herself unable to move anymore, patting her stomach gently as she tries to digest. Mest is highly amused as he watches her relax.

"So which was your absolute favorite?" He asks her.

"A mixture of things. I loved the fluffy whip cream cake with the blueberries, that was delicious. That rich chocolate cake with all those raspberries in it though- and that pumpkin one! With the cinnamon! Divine!"

Mest shakes his head and leans in to whisper, "if I had to come back in here to steal the recipes so Mira could make you them on the ship, and I could only get for you one, which would you want me to get you?"

Wendy hums, "let me think. Tell me what you loved best?"

"That's easy, watching you enjoy it all."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Um...the whip cream one... well, I enjoyed eating the whip cream, but the cake was... too sweet for me all together. Maybe if they added that with the pumpkin or the chocolate, the denser one we ate."

Wendy's mouth drools although she knows she can't eat another bite, "yes, whip cream and chocolate, chocolate whip cream, with lots of fruits! Completely covered in fruits! Do you think they would make us a cake like that if we asked? Chocolate whip cream cake with fruits before we leave town? I would love to eat that."

Mest smiles and gets up out of his chair, "well I can ask. Stay there and try to finish digesting, I'll be right back."

Wendy hums and waves a hand at him, planning on doing just that. This has got to be one of the best pastries shops she's been to. She definitely has to write this in her journal for Sherria to have her come and visit. Wendy doesn't notice how long Mest is gone, but when he comes back her stomach feels a bit better and she accepts the hand he offers.

"How would you feel about a stroll and picnic later on? We could watch the sunset before returning back to the ship for your party?" Mest offers.

Wendy blinks softly at him, "to be honest I've never been on a picnic before. Is it fun?"

Mest blinks back at her, "I can't believe, of course I'll make it fun for you. Never been on a picnic, you've probably had royal dinings outside, which are fancier picnics. Mine are just as fun though, maybe even better since Mira has cooked us our lunches."

Wendy giggles and smiles when they run into Mirajane, who is suspiciously standing out in the open with a basket in her hand. She pretends to be admiring the scenery before they walk towards her.

"Oh, hello you two. It seems like I'm just in time. Happy birthday Wendy, have you been enjoying it so far?" Mirajane asks.

"Yup, Mest has been buying me one too many things, so I'm happy we'll be leaving town so he can't use his money anymore." Wendy laughs at her.

Mirajane quietly joins in and looks over at their captain, a mischievous look in her eyes as she hands him the basket.

"Everything going according to plan?" She whispers.

Mest nods his head once, "yup. Thanks again for this Mira, I'll be sure to be by the ship at sunset."

"Oh yes, we have something special in store for you Wendy. Well I hope you enjoy your stroll, bye you two," Mirajane waves, walking off in the direction they came from.

Wendy waves back before looking up at Mest, tilting her head.

"Was she acting a little bit strange to you?"

Mest flinches and looks back at her, "strange? Mira? How?"

"Well, she was just smiling at me a lot."

"Mira always smiles."

"It felt more than usual... oh well, must be my imagination. What did she pack up for lunch? It smells delicious." Wendy sniffs around.

"Oh no, didn't you just stuff yourself with cake?" Mest laughs holding the basket high above her head.

"Yeah? So?! Doesn't mean I don't want another snack!" Wendy pouts jumping up and down to reach it.

"Just wait a second dear, let's finish our stroll and then we can find someplace nice to settle down at and enjoy her food to the fullest, until then though this basket stays on this side, and you stay on this side." Mest tells her.

He holds the basket on the left, and grabs Wendy's hand with his right hand, squeezing it tightly as he stares down at her lovingly. Wendy pouts, it not being fair that she can't fight against this, but goes with the flow as Mest begins their stroll. She loves holding his hand. She can't do it a lot on the ship because they're never really together; there's never any space for strolling around and the only time they cuddled was in bed. They were out in the open now though, with none of their friend's eyes watching them, and a vast amount of road laid out in front of them. Wendy rests her head on Mest's arm, sighing out in complete happiness as she doesn't take this moment for granted.


A gasps escapes from Wendy's lips. She slowly brings her hand up to cover it, staring out at the endless field of flowers. As far as the eyes can see there are flowers, all different shapes and colors, types and species. She's never seen anything more beautiful in her entire life, has never seen anything like this ever. Wendy takes a small step forward, afraid if she got any closer this mirage would end and she would discover her eyes were only playing tricks on her. She takes another, and another, before she looks behind her over at Mest and silently pleads with her eyes.

"Can I?" She whispers.

Mest nods his head forward, "go for it."

The grin that appears on her face is pure sunshine and she starts running through the fields of flowers. She could never do this back at home. She could never run without care, scream and laugh at the top of her lungs, roll around on the grass and stain her dress. Mest smiles as he watches her frolic, looking around for a place to rest at. He spots a tree providing shade and heads over there, opening up the basket and lying a blanket down before he sits. He makes himself comfortable, using the tree as a rest, and simply watches his wife play.

She wishes she could share this with Sherria, with all her friends. Of course they all must have known that such a place existed, or else why would Mest have taken her here? Why would he have suggested a walk and a picnic if it wasn't to lead her to this place? Suddenly she remembers him and looks around, not spotting him where she left him. Her eyes continues to scan and she sees him waving a hand at her, resting under the shade of a beautiful tree in bloom. Wendy smiles and waves back with both of her hands.

She wants to thank him.

She wants to run over and kiss him and tell him how much she loves him for this.

She still wants to run free though.

She wants to feel the flowers between her fingers and roll around in mother nature.

So she decides to do both. Wendy runs around some more, skipping and jumping, playing and rolling around until she feels her lungs about to explode. Once she's done she gathers up some flowers, enough to make a large bouquet, before running back to Mest. He gets up from his spot and walks over into the light, opening his arms up wide for her to jump in them. She does just that, wrapping her arms and flowers around his neck as she holds on tightly.

"Thank you Mest, I love it." She whispers in his ear.

"I knew you would." He whispers back.

Wendy pulls away and looks at him, tilting her head gently, "how long were you planning this?"

Mest chuckles and scratches the back of his head, "I knew I wanted to take you here when you told me what day your birthday was. It wasn't until after we parted with Lamia Scale that I talked with Laxus, Erza, and then the rest of our crew about heading here and surprising you."

"And you did this all for me?"

"Of course, who else would I do it for? You're the only one I'm in love with."

Wendy squeals and buries her face into his chest, taking in his scent as she lets her happiness overflow. Mest doesn't complain and holds her gently, happy that she loves everything. They find themselves relaxing together, Mest lying on Wendy's lap as she braids her flowers together. Mest grabs a loose one off the blanket and puts it in her hair, right behind her ear, and Wendy smiles as she presents him a flower necklace. They finally unpack Mira's lunch and are not disappointed by her skills. Wendy bites into the sandwiches and her face turns red from the heat coming from it; Mest coughs at the peppers while Wendy just grins and enjoys every bite.

The sun slowly sets in the sky. The food is all gone and Wendy's resting against Mest's chest, his arm around her waist, his fingers playing with her hair. She cuddles in closer, glaring at the sun setting. She doesn't want this day to end yet. She wants for it to go on for a couple of more hours, just a few more. She wants to stay with Mest and lay on him just a few moments longer. Hear his heartbeat underneath her ear, feel his chest make her head rise and fall with every breath he takes. To think she was so lucky to be here right now. To think if Mest never came to her then she would be at home, dreading and hating her fiance she would be forced to marry tomorrow morning.

"Mest?" Wendy whispers.

Mest hums, his eyes closed as he rests. He should be fighting the sleep, but he feels so at peace right now he can't help but be on the edge of sleep. Wendy's hold on his shirt tightens as her fingers curl up into a fist.

"What if you never saved me back in Fiore?"

She feels him stiffen up underneath her; his fingers no longer playing with her hair. It takes a minute as he tries to imagine that horrible alternate universe, his body relaxing a bit, but no longer at ease.

"I wouldn't be the man I am today." He tells her.

Wendy blinks softly and stares at a ladybug that flies onto one of the flowers.

"If you saw me, but didn't save me, you would have just left Fiore and continued on your way?"

"Yes, I would have been the same man as I was before, starting fights, not caring about the women I laid with, grabbing everything my skillful hands could take."

"And you would have been happy?"

"Of course. I didn't know there was anything better like this Wendy, so without you I would have been happy living that same type of lifestyle. Why?"

Wendy buries her face in his chest, feeling a bit embarrassed now, "I was thinking, I think we're meant to be Mest, so I was wondering if the universe would have brought us back together."

Mest hums at the thought, "I think... yes, I believe so."

Wendy looks up at him, "really?" Her voice is light and filled with happiness.

"Of course. I would have gone back to Fiore, the nobility there is too easy to steal from to never go back. I'm sure I would have seen you again, maybe you out on a stroll, or maybe a glance as you gave speeches to your people, I honestly have no idea what princess and queens do, sorry, but I would have seen you and remembered you. You would have been on my mind constantly through my journey, because when I first looked at you I thought you were beautiful. I felt a draw to you instantly, and of course I wouldn't have realized it was love at first sight at first. Once I did I wouldn't have let you go again. Would you have come with me if I offered my hand?"

Wendy wonders, "how long would it have taken you to come back to Fiore after our first meet?"

"Probably a year, seven or eight months."

"I would have been married by then." Wendy mumbles absentmindedly.

Mest's hold on her tightens.

"I don't know. I know I wouldn't have fallen for him, but my parents would have been so proud, and my kingdom so happy for me... it might have driven me to depression. I would have played the perfect part in front of everyone, but alone in my thoughts... if you had been as kind to me as when we first met, and we were alone, I would have told you everything about my life and probably cried to you. Would you have taken a married woman away?"

"If she were you, of course."

"Then I would have come with you. Would you still have wanted me if I wasn't pure and innocent?"

"Wendy, you don't understand how deep my feelings for you are. I would have fallen in love with you if you were a whore, or the daughter of some blacksmith, or a random milk maid, or a princess, or any number of things there are in the world. I didn't fall for your status or for your innocence, I fell for you and your soul. Not your face, but the expressions you make on it, and how your mind works, and your adorable personality. It helps a little that you're incredibly beautiful and cute, but that is only a small extra benefit."

Wendy giggles on his chest.

"You could have been with twice as many people as me Wendy and I would still want you. Even if you were married, once you laid those soft chocolate brown eyes on me and begged me to take you away, I would have done so without a single hesitation. Marriage be damn, I would have taken you as my wife and never returned you."

"Good, I would have wanted that. I would have fallen in love with you again just like I have done in this life."

Mest rubs her back in soothing circles as he sighs out, "we're going to have to return soon. The others are probably wondering why we haven't came back yet."

Wendy groans and leans up, rolling around and trapping Mest underneath her as she lays completely on top of his body. With a pout on her lips she shakes her head at him.

"Nope, I'm not ready."

"But I promised them-"

"You're my prisoner, I'm not letting you go."

Mest raises an eyebrow at her and folds his hands behind his head, "what are you going to do with me?"

Wendy thinks for a minute before looking down at him with a smile, "kiss you."

"And then we can go on our way before Erza sends the crew to tie us up and drag us back?" Mest asks her.

"Maybe two kisses and then we can go."

"Two kisses then."

Mest closes his eyes and waits for her to kiss him. Wendy doesn't expect this and stares at his face for a second. She raises her hand and cups his face, moving his bangs away from his forehead (he finally got that haircut, but it's grown back already), running her fingers across his eyelids, trailing down his cheek to his lips, further down to his chin, rubbing the small scruff he has there.

She's in love with this man. She wants nothing more than to be with him always and never be apart. She wants to marry him and have a life with him. A house on a hill, children, maybe a pet or two, and of course a garden.

"I'm waiting," Mest teases her.

Wendy smiles, tears coming to her eyes. Mest's eyes widen when he feels wet drops fall on his cheek and meets her eyes.

"What's wrong?!" He asks in a panic.

"I'm just...so happy Mest. So unbelievably happy. I can't- I only ever wished of these things Mest. I could only ever daydream about them, and now, it's really happening, and I just can't-" Wendy sniffs, more tears falling out of her eyes.

Mest's face softens as he reaches his hands out to cup her cheeks in return, wiping all the new tears that form.

"I've never met a woman whose cried so much because she's too happy."

Wendy sniffs, "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, I love you for it."

What he really wanted to tell her is that he's never made a woman so happy she cried tears of happiness. He doesn't know what he's given Wendy; he feels like she's given him her everything while all Mest has to offer is an old ship and a life on the run. He's become a better man because of her and... he wants to make up for all the times she's ever be alone. All the times she's cursed her life, all the times she's cried herself to sleep, cried because of him, got angry because no one listened. He wants to make up for all the bad in her life for the rest of his life. Her, crying because of him, it's almost funny. He's never graced anyone with so much happiness and she's already cried twice because of it.

"I love you Mest," Wendy clears her throat, trying to get a hold of herself.

"I love you too princess," Mest smiles up at her.

Wendy leans down and presses their lips together, closing her eyes as she just feels him. Mest closes his eyes as well and wraps his arm around her waist. It's soft, and sweet, and full of tears, but there's so much love in it they both feel like their hearts are going to explode. Wendy pulls away and catches her breath; she wipes her tears that still linger on Mest's cheek. She leans down and kisses him again, this time feeling a lot more adventurous. Mest moans into the kiss as she sucks on his bottom lip and turns them around, gently lying her down on the blanket as he cages her underneath him and attacks her.

When they part Wendy is breathless, clinging to his shirt and tilting her head to the side as Mest lays kisses against her neck. He wants to mark it up, shower it with love bites, but then everyone would know of their activities and he doesn't want to lead anyone on. He presses his forehead against hers and wills himself to calm down, it getting harder and harder every time they make out. With a deep and husky grunt he pushes himself off and gets up.

"Come, we're going to need to run if we want to make it back to Vermillion before dark." Mest says offering her a hand, but not meeting her eyes.

If he sees her with her eyes sparkling and alluring, lips bruised, and face red he's going to want to kiss her again. Wendy nods numbly and grabs his hand, taking a small breath. She walks over and leans her head against Mest's back, nuzzling into it.

"How come it only gets more and more intense?"

Mest chuckles and pats her head, "because we fall deeper in love with each other more and more."

Wendy giggles with him.

"Did you love this place Wendy?"

She hums and nods her head up and down, "yes, of course. It's beautiful. It would be the perfect place to hold a wedding; the people in this town are so lucky they get to view this everyday."

Mest smiles brightly, but doesn't say anything else. The two pack up their belongings and head back out towards the town. Mest was right, they should have left sooner. It's dark by the time they arrive back at the port. It's kind of strange though because there are bright lights she can see at the dark where there ship should be. Mest smiles as Wendy quickens their pace, dragging him ahead. She gasps when she turns the corner and finally makes out their ship. It's covered from head to toe in colorful lanterns and decorations. There's a big banner with the words happy birthday hanging on the ship. The crew is all lounging around, tired of waiting for their little princess, until finally one makes out Wendy and gives the signal. Wendy hears a loud whistling in the air, fireworks exploding above the ship as her friends yell out to her.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY!"

Tears fill her eyes and Wendy gives Mest a passing glance.

"Well what are you waiting for? They've all been waiting for you. Go have fun Wendy." He grins at her.

Wendy grins brightly right back and laughs as she runs on board the Vermillion, wrapping her arms around all her loving friends she wouldn't trade for the world.