Well this one kind of got away from me. Whoops. However, Happy hasn't been around much, so have a little helping of our favorite blue troublemaker.

Sashaplaz444: This chapter should answer your question.

Sereneserious: Or did I?... Kidding. I did mean kiss and I have fixed it, thanks for letting me know!

As always, thanks for the love and happy reading!


Happy's tail flicked back and forth as he quietly watched Natsu and Lucy in the kitchen. It had been two days since he'd spoken with Lucy, and from what he could tell, Lucy had so far kept her promise and not mentioned anything to Natsu about his lapses in awareness.

Lucy was currently making breakfast for the pair, and Natsu, in a move that had surprised Happy both of the previous mornings, was washing dishes as they chatted with each other. Happy knew just how much Natsu hated doing chores, especially dishes. After the first time he'd done it, he'd immediately convinced Lucy to do them whenever he cooked. Lucy had agreed, saying it was more than fair and since then, he'd only washed things when he needed them to cook with.

That was certainly not the case at that moment. As Happy watched, Natsu filled his palm with bubbles and then turned toward Lucy, whose back was turned, and blew them in her direction. Lucy laughed as she quickly covered the pan she was making eggs in and then waved her spatula at Natsu as she threatened to throw his half of the food in the garbage. In response, Natsu merely blew more bubbles at her, this time in her face. She gasped, and then flung her spatula at him before turning to grab a new one. Natsu barely ducked the projectile, laughing as she turned away and continued to make breakfast. He grabbed the now dirty utensil and wiped up the floor before going to hug Lucy and beg forgiveness. She pretended not to hear him, but Happy could see the smile on her face as she avoided facing the half dragon.

Happy was going crazy, he was certain. It was obvious to him, and even Plue, that the pair liked each other, but until Natsu and his inner dragon synced up, Happy had to be careful what he said to his best friend. Grandeeney had told him as much, and even though he was happy to have some answers, the stress was eating away at him.

Happy and Carla entered the dragon's domain from a rather dangerous mountain range, filled with all sorts of unsavory beasts and demons. They managed to avoid finding any the last half of their journey, and as they reached the edge of the cliff, they found the reason it had been so empty. Perched on the edge was a large white dragon, covered in several spots with small tufts of feathers.

"Welcome Carla," the dragon said without turning around. "I could smell you coming, but I don't smell or sense my daughter with you. Is she alright?"

"She's perfectly fine," Carla answered. "Actually, I was accompanying Happy out here. He has some questions."

"Happy…" Grandeeney turned her head their way to study the pair. Recognition seemed to flash across her face as she fully turned her head. "Ahh, Happy, I remember you now. It has been some time since you last visited with Natsu."

Unsure how to address the dragon who had tentatively taken over as ruler of the dragons, Happy bowed as he answered. "It has. I'm sorry that Natsu and I haven't been around much lately. He doesn't like visiting here so much anymore since…"

Grandeeney smiled. "It is understandable. Truthfully, there are days when I find myself not wanting to be here either." She glanced back over the cliff once more before turning their way and lowering her head. "What is it I can do for you, Happy? I imagine you didn't travel here just to make small talk."

"No ma'am," Happy said with a shake of his head. "I was wondering if you could tell me about how dragon mates work."

Noticeably more interested, Grandeeney moved closer. "What has happened to Natsu? Did he bond with a demon? Tell me it's not a demon."

"He hasn't bonded with anyone. At least, I don't think he has? She's not a demon, at any rate, but I'm not sure what's going on."

"Tell me what has you concerned."

Happy told her about Natsu's changes in attitude, about how he'd been spending more than with Lucy than with him, and about how he'd blatantly ignored warnings from Erza just to make sure Lucy didn't have nightmares.

"He's terrified of Erza! He's never ignored a direct order before and I don't think it's normal. He's becoming more possessive of Lucy every day and I don't know what's happening. I don't know if I should do something to stop it or encourage it, or what. I was hoping you could give me some advice, maybe help me understand."

Grandeeney listened silently to Happy's rant, finally speaking once he had run out of words. "Have you noticed any instances where Natsu seems to forget himself? Or any times where his eyes changed color? Since his father was Igneel, I imagine they would change to gold or yellow."

"I don't think so. At least, I've never seen his eyes change. Why, does that happen with dragons when they find their mate?"

"Dragons are very connected with their inner self, so we are always aware when it happens to us, but dragon hybrids are very different. Demons have no such thing as a mate. In fact, no pure blood demon has ever mated another demon in the entire history of their existence, so for demon hybrids, all mating instincts tend to be subconscious.

"If this Lucy really is Natsu's mate, then more than likely his inner dragon will recognize her for what she is well before he does. Especially because it is Natsu. He will more than likely just think that he cares for her like a friend and never dig deeper than that. Unfortunately, you can't just tell him what is going on."

"Why not?" Carla asked. "Wouldn't that be the easiest way to fix the problem?"

"If Natsu does not figure it out on his own, it will stress the bond he has with his inner dragon and its magic. It is strange, but by not allowing his conscious mind and his inner dragon to come together on their own with the realization that Lucy is his mate, you could cause irreparable damage to his dragon powers."

"How is that possible?" Happy said.

"Well, it has been a very long time, and none of the dragons that are alive anymore remember the specific hybrid, but we've all heard the tale. There was once an ice dragon hybrid who fell in love with another dragon whom he did not like. As the story goes, there were instances where he was near the other dragon and during an argument, he would suddenly seem to lose all awareness of what was happening around him and focus solely on this other dragon. His eyes changed color and he seemed completely lost until she snapped him out of it.

"In time, she confronted him about it, but he had no idea what she was talking about. He became uncomfortable because his inner dragon began to fight him, so he left and took time to think about what she'd said. Once he did, he rejected her and the idea of mating her, and his inner dragon retaliated. Where once ice had been his greatest love, he began to hate it. He began to feel the cold, and when he used his powers, he would get frostbite on his hands. Eventually, his magic stopped working and he lived out his life very angry and very alone.

"There are some who think that the problem stemmed from his refusal to bond with his mate, but the story implies that the problem started as soon as his mate told him what was happening.

"If I were you, I would err on the side of caution and allow Natsu to come to the conclusion on his own. If he really has found his mate, he will no doubt need help figuring it out, but you must find a way of doing it without telling him outright."

Happy sighed. "Natsu doesn't do subtle very well."

Grandeeney laughed. "I remember. However, there is someone else you should consider."

"Who's that?" Happy asked.

"This Lucy person. I can't say that I'm happy he's bonded with a human, but with the proper care, she could live for at least another eighty years or so, if I remember correctly. It will kill Natsu in the end, but I know he would rather have those years with her, than miss out on his time with her completely."

"Are you sure?" Carla asked, her paw moving to rest on Happy's shoulder as his ears began to droop.

"I can assure you from experience," the dragon said softly, "when he is older and remembering his life, he will appreciate the time that they had together. I promise.

"Now, if I were you, I would find a way to use Lucy to help Natsu figure out what she really is to him. I do not know how she feels about him, so you may not want to tell her right away and put that pressure on her, but you could help push them in the right direction."

Happy groaned. "This is going to be so hard…"

Carla pressed her forehead against his head. "I'm sure you can figure something out, Happy. This is Natsu, after all, and you'd do anything for him."

Happy nodded before turning to rub his nose against her cheek. "You're right. I'll find a way. And then he's really going to owe me."

Both Grandeeney and Carla laughed and the Exceeds stayed for a little while longer before they started their long journey home, Happy spending the whole trip just hoping that Lucy wouldn't summon him back before he got Carla home.

Happy sighed as the door shut behind Natsu. He'd apparently decided it was his new duty to walk Lucy to work, so Happy found himself alone with only Plue for company. The cat jumped up on the couch and rubbed against him.

"What am I going to do Plue?"

Meow? Plue sat next to Happy, his tail lazily moving behind him.

"I have to somehow get Lucy to either like Natsu or realize she likes Natsu, and I have to find a way to get Natsu and his inner dragon on the same page about Lucy being his mate."

Mate?

"Natsu is half dragon. Dragons have one perfect mate that they bond with for life and Lucy is his. I have to find a way to help him realize it without telling him that she is."

Lucy love Natsu. Lucy tell Natsu. Natsu learn Lucy mate?

Happy tapped his claws against his knee. "That could work, I suppose, but I don't know if Lucy has any of those kinds of feelings about him. It'll be more difficult without something to build on, you know?"

Lucy like Natsu. Lucy tell Plue. Lucy dream about Natsu. Kissing. Lucy like Natsu. Doesn't want to. Natsu demon. No future.

"Well, that's not entirely true," Happy said. "It would be difficult, but they could manage."

Lucy not know.

"Hmm." Happy stared off into space for a while as he considered. "So I just have to get her to understand somehow that a relationship with Natsu is possible and then get her to fall in love with him. Then Natsu will fall in love with her and everything should figure itself out. Easy, right?"

Easy.

Happy groaned again. "What do you know? You don't have to do it."

Plue help.

"How?" Plue spoke for a while, and when he was finally silent again, Happy was surprised. "That could work. And Lucy would never suspect you."

Meow. Plue moved over and curled up in the middle of the couch to take a nap. Happy felt himself getting tired as well, since he hadn't slept well over the weekend, so he moved over and curled up next to Plue to sleep as well.

When Natsu returned and saw the pair cuddled up on the couch, he only chuckled to himself and headed for his room, content to let them sleep.


"So, how was it?" Levy asked.

"How was what?" Lucy asked.

"Your date, duh." Cana put her foot up on the arm of Lucy's chair. "Don't play dumb, our Friday night was lame without you and Levy there, so you both better spill, and I'm talking about the really good stuff. I don't care what you ate, I'd rather hear about what base you got to."

Levy's face began to turn very red as she spoke up. "Well I asked Lucy first, so I think she should talk about her date first."

"It sucked, and there won't be another one," Lucy said before gesturing at Levy. "Your turn."

"Wait," Juvia said, "what was so bad about it? I thought you liked him?"

"I did, but it was pretty obvious that he wasn't into me that way."

"I said details," Cana reminded her. "Tell us what happened."

Lucy told them about her date, including what she ate just to spite Cana. "And then he left with a very 'let's be friends' vibe."

"Well that's stupid. What guy turns away just before he gets the goods?"

"Thanks Cana," Lucy said, feeling worse after talking about it.

"Hey, Lucy, that's a diss on the guy, not on you." Cana sat forward and stuck her finger in Lucy's face. "You are amazing and if he didn't kiss you, there's something wrong with him. I'm as straight as they come, but if you offered to make out with me, I'd seriously consider it."

Knowing Cana like she did, Lucy didn't do anything more than smile and thank her before taking another bite of her food.

"Well, I want to talk about mine even less now," Levy said.

"Oh Lev, you should tell us, I don't mind," Lucy said. "Unless it was terrible, too?"

"No, actually, mine was really good. We're going out again this weekend."

"Oh Levy, that's great!"

"I'm really happy for you."

"Does that mean you guys did it?"

Juvia, Levy and Lucy all frowned at Cana who waved them away. "Don't even give me that. Two of you were wondering the same thing, and the only reason the third wasn't is because she already knows. So spill, lady."

Lucy only shook her head as she pulled her phone towards her and checked her emails. Natsu had been messaging her more often that day than normal, so she'd been trying to check every half hour so he wouldn't have to wait so long. She was not surprised to see a couple new messages so she tuned out the conversation going on around her as she opened the message.

(12:04)

Luce.

definitely going to be Australia. I wanna see one of these kangaroo things. And a koala. if we find one, could we bring it home? I'll do all the work taking care of it if you say yes.

(12:11)

Luce,

do you remember if we ever paid for the skis I lost? I don't want to get you in trouble with them, even though they don't have your name, but I need to get that cleaned up if I didn't talk to someone there.

(12:20)

Luce,

screw that Stier guy. You want a nice guy to ask you out? Well here goes.

lucy, would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow night? there's a nice little cafe thing across town that I think you would like, and I'd really like to spend some time alone with you. what do you say?

"Lu?"

"Lucy? What's up?"

Lucy finally zoned back in once Cana snapped her fingers in front of her face. She looked up, her mouth still half way opened as she looked at her friends.

"What'd I miss?"

"What are you reading?" Juvia asked.

"Yeah, you were making a very interesting face," Levy said.

Cana leaned over, trying to see Lucy's phone, but Lucy pulled it against her chest. "I'm just reading an email."

"That says something awfully shocking," Juvia said.

"What's going on? Did you find out your foreign boyfriend kept the money you sent him?" Cana asked.

"No, it's nothing like that, it's…" Lucy glanced at the email before looking up again. "Natsu just…"

"Is it a dick pic?"

"Levy!" Lucy squeaked.

"Nice one!" Cana said, raising her hand for a high five. Levy grinned as she smacked the offered hand.

"It's nothing like that, guys."

"Well it must be something pretty good. You didn't hear us for a solid ten seconds," Juvia said. "What did he say?"

"He didn't say anything, he… well, he asked me out on a date."

Silence.. and then…

"WHAT?!"

Levy was practically crawling over the table to get to her phone. "Let me see, let me see!"

"I knew he wasn't an idiot!" Cana said. "Where is he taking you?"

"You're going to say yes, right?" Juvia asked. "Forget that Stier guy, Natsu is way better."

"Hey!" Cana glared at the woman. "Don't try to pull that, I said that last week. You can only say that if you're getting on the NaLu ship with me."

"NaLu ship?" Lucy whispered.

"I'm getting on!" Levy said, raising her hand.

"Me too," Juvia said.

"Awesome. Now, as your captain, I say we help Lucy out with this."

"Help how?" Lucy asked.

"Well first, we need to know how you're going to respond," Levy said.

"Oh, I don't know. I don't know if it's such a good idea. I mean we're-"

"Ladies!" Cana stood, followed shortly by both Juvia and Levy.

"What are you guys doing? Guys? Guys!"


Ping! Natsu paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, and leaned towards Lucy's laptop to open the new message from her. Happy, enjoying his own meal, hopped up onto the table to see as well.

Natsu,

That sounds great! I'm not sure which cafe you mean, but I'm sure I'll have a good time with you whichever one you choose *winky face*. Just let me know what time and I'm there!

"What do you think she means by winky face?" Natsu asked.

"No idea," answered Happy, who turned back towards his seat with a small smile on his face.

"So, are you sure this is going to make Lucy happy?" Natsu asked, returning to his food.

"Of course. You said she was bummed no nice guys ask her out and you're a nice guy, right? So just take her out, treat her nice like you always do, and I'm sure it will go just fine."

"If you say so. Lucy said it wasn't the same thing, but I still don't get it, so as long as it makes her happy, I'll do whatever I have to do." He sent back a quick message and then closed the laptop to finish his food with Happy.


Levy jumped up squealing. "He responded!" She held out Lucy's phone towards Juvia and Cana, who were holding Lucy down.

Luce,

Let's say around five? I don't want to keep you out too late since you work the next day. Maybe we can even hang out on the couch after and watch a movie, if you want.

Have fun at work, I'll see you later!

"He wants to Netflix and chill! HE WANTS TO NETFlIX AND CHILL! Lucy, do you know what that means?!" Cana yelled.

"Please Cana, I highly doubt that's what-"

"He did say he wanted to hang out on the couch," Juvia pointed out. "Together. I'm not so sure Cana is wrong."

"I'm pretty sure Natsu doesn't know what Netflix and chill means," Lucy said.

"Doesn't matter," Levy said. "He didn't use the words, but it was heavily implied. I think you owe us a thank you."

"WHAT?! What for?!"

Before anyone could respond, Mira entered the cafeteria. She glanced over and saw Lucy on the floor, with both Juvia and Cana sitting on her while Levy stood over them. She smiled as she headed for one of the fridges and pulled out a lunchbox before walking back towards the door. "Remember not to take too long a lunch, ladies," she reminded them. "And don't rough Lucy up too much. She has a meeting later and I'd like her presentable."

"You got it Mira," Cana answered.

"Wait, Mira! Help me!" Lucy called.

"I'm sorry, Lucy, I'm not sure if I can. See you all upstairs soon!"

Once the door was closed, Levy turned back. "We're not letting you up until you say thank you."

"Thank you for what?! You guys attacked me and stole my phone, why should I thank you for that?!"

"We got you a date," Cana answered.

"I could have done that on my own."

"Maybe," Juvia mused, "but you were on the fence. We secured the date for you, so you really should thank us."

"I will thank you to get off me! Come on guys, I really do have work to do!"

"Thank us first."

"Thank us."

"Say thank you."

It was nearly ten minutes later that Lucy finally caved and thanked her friends.

And it was eleven minutes later that she was tossing the last of their food in the garbage and running for the elevators.