Posting again because I can't wait for you to read this one.

Oh snap! Chapter 10 already! I never thought I would make it to this point. What do you all think so far? Anything you want to see happen?

The festival begins. What do Lucy and Natsu have planned? I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I do not own Fairy Tail.

10.

The town of Crocus was lively, everyone was getting ready for the festival. Lucy and Natsu decided to leave the day before. They had just arrived at the hotel in the city. "Wow this place is amazing. I hear its the city of flowers." Lucy said.

"Have you ever been here?" Natsu asked,

"No, I haven't my parents travelled here on business a lot when I was a child but I never got to go with them." she said looking out the hotel window watching the people pass by.

"Do you want to explore the city today? We don't start our job until tomorrow so this would be a perfect time to figure out where we need to be. Oh and we should decide how we are going to perform." Lucy stated, she was off in her own little world being in a new place on a new adventure, with a boy that she was crazy about.

Natsu was standing behind her looking out the window as well. He placed his arms around her and hugged her from behind. "Lets go, we can talk about ideas later. Once we talk to this Maggie lady tomorrow we will know exactly what type of thing she'll be looking for." Getting a nod from Lucy she grabbed her purse and they left the hotel.

...

They walked by many shops and food vendors. Natsu was drooling over the array of food. "You hungry Natsu?" Lucy asked as he sniffed the air. She heard his stomach growl. "I'll take that as a yes." She said with a laugh. "What sounds good?"

Natsu wanted to eat everything but they didn't have the funds for that. His nose led him to a food stand selling kabobs. "We'll take a few of your kabobs, sir" Lucy pulled out some money and handed it to the chef. "Here you go," the chef said, handing Natsu 5 kabobs and Lucy one.

"Thank you very much" Lucy said to the man.

Lucy found a bench near the stand and sat down. Natsu copied her with a kabob hanging out of his mouth. "Wow, this is really good!" She said. Natsu nodded in agreement his mouth was preoccupied by his food.

After they ate Lucy saw a store she wanted to check out. "Wow this place has so many books, I could spend forever in here." Natsu was learning against one of the bookshelves watching as she pulled book after book off the shelf. He knew she loved to read. He just couldn't pay attention when it came to reading.

"Find anything good?" He asked, pulling a random book from the shelf he was leaning against and flipped through a few pages.

"I found a few, even one about the city or Crocus. I love learning about all the towns in Fiore." She had a stack of 6 books in her arms.

She went to reach for book number 7 when she stumbled over the step stool in front of her.

Natsu sprang into action and caught her before she and the books fell. He grabbed the stack of books she was holding. "Here, let me hold these while you look around." She looked at him in awe. Eyes gleaming at his actions. "Thanks" she said.

She decided on 4 books and put the rest back. She paid the bookstore clerk and they left.

"I love books, the smell, turning the pages to find out what happens next. Thanks for hanging around while I got lost in their." She held her bag of books in her left hand and looped her right arm with Natsu's.

"Anytime, I'm just happy that you're happy. Speaking of I promised Happy I would pick him up a souvenir." Natsu said.

"I'm sure we will find him something. This place is huge."

They spent the rest of the afternoon going in a few more stores, getting a snack along the way.

Lucy found a Happy the perfect gift, a rare fish fish you could only get in Crocus.

One their way back to the hotel Lucy stopped by a flower cart. "These are beautiful." She picked up a bouquet and smelled the flowers.

"Beautiful flowers for a radiant miss." Said the gentlemen who was selling the flowers. Lucy put them back. "Maybe another time" she said grabbing Natsu's hand leading them back to the hotel.

"I think I'm going to take a hot bath and relax for a little while. Will you be alright on your own for about an hour?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, I can keep myself busy."

While Lucy was in the bath Natsu had an idea. He went back into town and found that flower cart. "What can I help you with sir? Hey weren't you just here with that hot blonde?" Said the flower guy.

"What did you just say?" Natsu asked intensely.

"Oh I said were you not that guy that was with that hot blonde earlier?"

"Don't talk about my Lucy like that, you're gonna make me real angry."

"Awe so Lucy is her name," he paused,

Natsu didn't like the vibes he got from this guy one bit. He grabbed a bouquet of flowers he thought were the ones she picked up earlier. He pulled some change out of his pocket and threw it at the man.

"Better keep a close eye on that one kid, with a hot piece like that." That did it. Natsu set the flowers down and sent flames flying, burning the mans cart down including all the flowers.

"You should be careful what you say, you never know who you're gonna piss off." He picked up the bouquet and walked back to the hotel. Leaving the flower guy shocked. He didn't say a word.

Back at the hotel, Lucy had just gotten out of the bath. She put on her pajamas. A white tank top and pink plaid pants. She wondered what Natsu was up too. She threw the towel in the basket the hotel had provided for dirty towels.

When she walked out of the bathroom she found Natsu sitting on the edge of the bed hold a bouquet of flowers. "Natsu" she said.

"Hey Luce, I uh, got these for you" he said shyly. Lucy accepted the flowers and brought them close to smell them. "Thanks, they smell amazing, is that what you were doing when I was in the bath?"

"Yeah, since today was kind of a date, aren't the guys supposed to get the girl flowers?"

"Today was a date wasn't it?" She thought allowed. "Thanks for the flowers, though it isn't necessary to buy me things." She giggled. "I love the flowers Natsu, thanks."

She was able to find a jar to put the flowers in. She admired how sweet it was of him to think of her and those were the exact flowers she picked up earlier. She was impressed.

Natsu was still sitting on the edge of the bed. She joined him and took his hand in hers. "So do you have some ideas about tomorrow?" She asked.

"Yeah, I have a few, how about you?"

"Well I asked Taurus and Horologium if they would be a part of my act and they accepted. I wish Aquarius would participate but I already know what she'll say. Don't ever call me for something so degrading, plus I have a date with my boyfriend." She mocked.

"She doesn't like you does she?" Natsu asked.

"I don't think that's it, we've been together a long time, I think she gets annoyed with my sometimes but I know she really does care."Lucy knew that Aquarius would always be there for her, but she only wished to be called upon when needed as last result. Lucy loved her most of all, she was her first key given to her by her mother. She would be lost without her spirits.

"Hmm, I think your spirits are amazing," Natsu said. "Hey Luce I'll take the couch tonight, you can have the bed." He changed the subject. It was getting late and they had a big day tomorrow.

Lucy looked to the couch and then to Natsu, "I don't mind sharing the bed," she said "It's big enough for the both of us."

"You sure, I really don't mind sleeping on the couch."

"It's fine, I would feel bad if you slept on the couch and I had this big comfy bed to myself."

Lucy crawled into bed followed by Natsu, they both laid looking up at the ceiling. "Hey Natsu?"

"Hmm" he turned his head to the side to look at her. She was looking at him. She scooted closer and put her head on his chest. "Goodnight" she said. He managed to wrap his arm around her. He placed his other hand on top of hers that was resting on his chest. "Goodnight," he responded.

...

The morning of the festival came, everyone in town was dressed in wild colors, lots of reds and oranges. She didn't think to pack a costume. The city was lively so early in the morning. Maggie asked them meet at 10am at a little cafe not far from where they were staying.

"Hello, you must be the wizards from Fairy Tail." She stood to welcome them. "Yes, I'm Lucy and this is Natsu it's nice to meet you." She shook both their hands.

"And what magic do the two of you use?" Maggie asked.

"Oh well I'm a celestial wizard" Lucy told her, displaying her keys that she had attached to her belt. Maggie ohh and awed. "And what magic do you use?" She asked Natsu.

"Well lady I'm glad you asked, I'm Natsu Dragneel and I am a fire dragon slayer." He announced with a smirk and a small display of his magic. Both hands were in flames for a few moments.

"WOW, your magic will be perfect for the show, since this is a fire festival after all. How wonderful!"

Natsu and Lucy both exchanged a look, this lady was a little crazy, Lucy thought. "So what are the details?" She asked Maggie.

"Well, there are many activities and shows, you two will perform at 1pm for about 30 minutes, 15 each unless you have something planned together." She said. "Payment will be given as soon as your performance is over and please enjoy the festival before and after. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask. Oh and if you need a place to practice or any last minute costumes we have a stage for you to do so."

Lucy wouldn't mind a little practice, and maybe she could find something cute to wear. "That would be great, mind showing us where it's all located and where we need to be?"

"Oh course."

They finished breakfast and Maggie took them to the stages. "You will perform here, and over there is where you can rehearse, there's a dressing room to the left of the stage that has costumes that you can barrow if you so choose."

"Thanks Maggie, you've been so kind."

"No thank you, I look forward to seeing you perform. Now I must go, I have many things to prepare for, before I do, do you have any more questions?"

"No, I think were good." Lucy responded.

Waving goodbye, the two wizard were left alone. Lucy went to the rehearsal stage and found the dressing room, Natsu followed her in.

"Wow, there's so many outfits to choose from." Lucy said, she pulled a few off the rack and held them up to her in front of the mirror. Natsu found a seat and sat down, watching her. She found a short red dress with a flame design going up the side and held it up to her. "This one is a little ridiculous but what do you think?" she asked Natsu.

"I think it's perfect," he said. Lucy blushed at his compliment.

"Are you going to change into something else?" Lucy asked looking around for a place to change her clothes. She spotted a curtain and went over to it. It would do. she went inside to change.

"I don't think I will. I like what I am wearing." he said. Lucy sighed shaking her head.

Once she changed her clothes, she threw her street clothes into her purse and exited."So how do I look?" She asked Natsu who was still sitting in the chair.

"uh, um, you look great!" he said enthusiastically.

"Really? it's not too over the top is it?" she asked.

"No, I don't think so."

She looked in the mirror. The red dress came down about mid thigh. It was a spaghetti strap and deep v neck line. She looked good but ridiculous. She was sporting so much cleavage. She kept her black boots on. She thought she looked like a hooker. It was all for show and there were so many others wearing absurd outfits. She sighed.

"What?" Natsu asked.

"Oh it's nothing, want to go and enjoy the festival for a little while?" He stood and nodded.

...

It was nearing showtime and Lucy and Natsu we're back stage waiting for their turn to go on. She was getting nervous but she had a plan and with Natsu by her side what could go wrong? Lucy looked to the stage, Maggie was about to announce their names. "You ready, Lucy?" Natsu said giving her a nudge.

"Uh, yeah, a little nervous though."

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DO I HAVE A TREAT FOR YOU, FROM FAIRY TAIL I PRESENT TO YOU, LUCY AND NATSU!" Maggie announced, the crowd clapped and cheered.

"Alright, it's now or never," Lucy whispered under her breath. She entered the stage waving to the crowd. She looked back to Natsu who she thought was following but he was no where in sight. "huh, that's weird." she said quietly.

Just then smoke surrounded the stage Lucy looked back confused by what was going on and in a burst of flames Natsu tore through the center of the stage, debris flying every which way. The crowd went wild with excitement. Lucy didn't know that's what he had planned, or maybe he didn't plan anything at all.

Lucy decided to follow his lead sending Taurus out, "I call upon you, GATE OF THE GOLDEN BULL!" She yelled waving her key.

"Lucy, you look smokin' in that tiny red dress," he said,

"Taurus, we got a show to do, save it." she retorted.

Natsu sent all sorts of flames out over the crowd while Lucy and Taurus displayed strength and cunning. Lucy wished she had enough power to send out two spirits but in due time.

Natsu made eye contact with Taurus, "Send some of your fire balls this way," Taurus taunted the dragon slayer.

"With pleasure," he tossed a few fire balls at the spirit, he swung his giant axe sending fire out on the stage.

Lucy was shocked, "You set the stage on FIRE!" she yelled.

Natsu laughed but continued to put on a show with her spirit.

"Alright, that's enough of you," she waved her key and sent Taurus back to the celestial world.

"Awe come on Lucy, we were just getting started," Natsu begged.

"Not on your life, we are supposed to be performing not destroying the stage,"

"But look at the crowd they love us."

Lucy face palmed her forehead, "You are something else, you know that?" He laughed.

"Follow my lead Lucy, pull out your whip."

"Uh, okay, but what are you gonna do?"

"FIRE DRAGON..."

"NATSU WHAT ARE YOU-"

"ROAR" he let our his raging flame towards the poor girl. With her quick thinking she snapped her whip at the flame causing it to disperse into the air. The crowd clapped and they heard a few woo hoos.

"AHH" Lucy didn't realize that the fire had burned part of her dress, exposing some skin. Her face turned red. "Natsu" She covered up her chest.

With one last act Lucy stood back letting Natsu finish up the grand finale. "FIRE DRAGON WING ATTACK" he yelled sending flames over the crowd one last time.

"HAAH" Natsu shouted. He turned back to Lucy who was still covering up her front not trying to expose herself to the world. He grabbed her hand and brought her to the front of the stage and they took a bow before they left. The crowd once again cheered and clapped for the wizards.

They left the stage and Maggie passed them going out to tame the crowd. "ALRIGHT EVERYONE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE AN INTERMISSION TO CLEAN UP THE STAGE AND WE WILL BE BACK WITH LIVE MUSIC."

Once back stage Lucy changed back into her street clothes and apologized over and over to Maggie about what happened to the stage and dress. " I am so sorry about the dress, and the about the stage,"

"It's all good, I will have to take a portion of your reward to cover the damages, but the crowd loved you, great performance you two. If you would wait here for a few moments, I will be back with your pay." She said and then walked away.

...

They walked away with 25,000 jewel, Maggie had taken half their earnings to cover the damages. She thanked them again and told them to enjoy the rest of their time at the festival.

Wondering around, they had a few people come up to them and asked for an autograph and a picture, they got lots of compliments about their performance. Asking if they would be back next year. "I don't know, maybe," Lucy told them. It was getting close to dinner time and her stomach started to growl.

"I think, it's time for dinner," Natsu said.

"Yeah, I think you're right,"

They walked around and found a nice sit down resturaunt. "This place looks nice." Lucy said.

"How many this evening?" asked the host.

"Two" Natsu said before Lucy could.

"Right this way."

They followed him to a table set for two people. They sat down and the host gave them menus, "Your server will be right with you,"

Looking at the menu, the prices were on the expensive side, good thing they just got paid. Lucy wasn't sure what to get everything sounded so yummy and she was so hungry.

"Can I get you started on drinks?" asked the server in a chipper voice, she was young and a brunette, she was wearing a uniform and had her hair in a high ponytail.

Natsu looked to Lucy, "Uh, I'll have the house wine." Lucy said, "Red or white, Miss?"

"Uh white" Lucy told the girl.

"And for you sir?" she turned to ask Natsu the same question. "I'll have the same," he said. The sever left and to got get their drinks.

"Copy cat." Lucy blurted out.

"I've never had wine before, I always get drink beer at the guild, thought I would be fancy tonight." He said.

"Oh really?" Lucy was surprised, "wine is my favorite, makes me feel classy." she admitted.

The server came back with the wine and placed it in front of them "Are we ready to order?" she asked.

Lucy had forgot all about the menu and quickly looked it over, she said the first thing that sounded good. "I'll have the chicken Alfredo with a side salad please."

"Okay, and for you?"

"Steak and potatoes for me" he said. The server took their menus and left to go place the order with the chef.

"Lets make a toast" Lucy said picking up her wine glass.

"What are we toasting?" Natsu asked.

"Us I guess, to the start of something new."

"Something new?" he asked again.

"Yeah, to our relationship, this is a date, remember?" she said nervously.

"Yeah you're right, to us" He raised his glass and the clinked their glasses and both took a drink.

"What do you think of the wine?" she asked him, taking another drink before setting her cup down.

"it's not bad, a little on the sweet side."

"Not all wine is sweet, but you're right this one is a little sweet, must be a moscato."

A few minutes later and food was placed in front of them. They ate and enjoyed each others company.

...

It was getting dark, after dinner they took a walk and Lucy spotted a section of the festival with rides. "Oh Natsu, will you ride the ferris wheel with me, now that you don't get motion sickness, it's the biggest one I have ever seen."

"Sure, it's all thanks to you though. I never take this thing off. I never want to feel that way again." he got a flashback from the last time he felt motion sickness. He made a face making Lucy giggle at him. They found the line and waited their turn.

"The lights are beautiful aren't they?" she awed at the rides lights in the night. It was their turn to board the cart on the ferris wheel. They sat next to each other and buckled in. "Hold on tight" said the ride operator.

They must have been the last ones to get on to fill the wheel because they started to move non stop. They went around and around. Lucy giggling the entire time. "It makes my tummy feel funny every time I go on rides. I love it." she said through laughs. "I am having the best time, I can't remember when I was this happy" she said.

Come to think of it he's never felt this happy either. He just smiled at the girl next to him, his scarf flowing in the wind as they went around in circles. The ferris wheel stopped leaving Natsu and Lucy at the top towering over city. "Wow, it's absolutely beautiful" Lucy said.

"It really is." he said leaning closer to her. She turned to look at him getting warm in the face by the closeness and the look in his eye. "Lucy" he breathed all husky. He closed his eyes and leaned in pressing his lips to hers. Lucy closed her eyes the moment their lips met. Her heart pounding out of her chest.

The kiss lasted a few long seconds, once pulled away they looked at one another and smiled. Lucy giggled with happiness. Natsu pulled her closer putting his forehead to hers.

The wheel stated to move again, stopping and going letting passengers off and on. They walked hand in hand back to the hotel where they gathered up their belongings and found there way to the train station to catch the 10pm train.

They had made it just in time to board. The train was practically vacant, only a few people sitting in the back of their car. Lucy chose to sit by the window, Natsu sitting right beside her. "Working on a job with you is really fun, even if you ruined the stage and caused us to get half the reward." She said once they were settled into their seats. Natsu grinned, "It was totally worth it to put on a show, the people loved it." Lucy rolled her eyes and smirked. "You're not going to make this a habit of yours are you?" she teased.

"No promises" he said.

Thanks for reading, please review. :)

How's everyone's summer? It's been a busy one for me with working nonstop and working on flipping our tiny home. I really want to go on a long adventure in the mountains. Hopefully once the house is done we will have some more free time. Hope you're all staying safe and healthy.

Until next time.