Hey Guys,

Okay, so two announcements. Things at work have been evening out, which means that hopefully, I'll be getting in more writing. Second, the song that Lucy mentions in here is real, it is the end credit song for that particular episode. As always, hope you enjoy it!

- Singed

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

Lucy

For such a stormy night, the next day was bright and clear. The sunrise was brilliant and the golden light brought a new sense of hope for Lucy. She rose with the dawn, seemingly invigorated, though she had gone to bed far later than she should have. She sat up, stretched, and then headed for her kitchen to start her day with a cup of tea and a simple breakfast of eggs and toast. As she made her tea, her thoughts drifted to the day before. It had been such a weird mix of relaxation, stress, comfort, hurt, happiness, and sadness. At the heart of it of course was the issue with Erza. She had no idea what had come over her, but if she had to guess it would be that Natsu was correct. Jellal had become a thorn of bitterness.

Erza had had her fair share of difficult situations but she always bounced back. However, it would seem that with Jellal she had finally found her stumbling block. In many ways, Lucy couldn't blame her. Jellal was no longer an outlaw, he was free to do as he pleased and the world was in an unprecedented time of peace. They could be together and Lucy could only speculate that perhaps the reason they weren't was either because Jella still felt too unworthy, or she, for the first time in her life, was too much of a coward to tell him exactly how she felt. It was probably both.

Shaking her head, Lucy stood and grabbed her outfit for the day. She would need to confront Erza early, but the redhead often slept in if she didn't have a job and since Lucy's wedding was around the corner, the guild had stopped taking jobs for the week. Lucy glanced at her clock as she finished tying her hair back. It wasn't even seven yet. No, Erza would not be up, especially if she was still upset. She might not have slept well and could thus be asleep until noon. Lucy sighed in frustration, unsure of what step to take next.

Sitting down, Lucy decided to come up with a diplomatic plan to handle Erza. Diplomacy was always such a complex dance. It required one to know exactly what you wanted, what you needed, and when to compromise. What Lucy wanted was for Erza to be her normal self and be a part of her bridal shower again in the proper dress. What she needed was for Erza to be her friend, her compromise would be for Erza to simply be at the wedding.

Now that she had a plan, she looked at her clock again to see that the minute hand had moved five minutes forward. It was now just past seven, still far too early for Erza. Well, if she had to wait then she was going to be productive. Crossing to her desk, she quickly set her next parchment out and started writing.

Piece 21 - You Dance Divinely When You're Not Puking.

Natsu,

As I write this, I am waiting for the clock to hurry up. I must speak with Erza this morning and see if I can smooth out the incident from yesterday. At this point I don't even care about the dress … okay I still do. Uh, if she comes it that thing it will totally clash with everything else, but in the end, she needs to be up there by our sides while we say our vowels. I just hope everything turns out alright.

Anyway, it dawned on me late last night that we still haven't picked out a song for our first dance. Our wedding is in five days, I think we need to do that. I'm sure we'll pick one by the end of the day and by that, I mean that we will be dancing to "Glitter" by Mayumi Morinaga. If you are wondering why I'll give you about five seconds to figure it out. Hopefully, you remember that that was the song we danced to at the ball where we had to stop the escaped convict Velveno from stealing the Balsamico family ring. Of course, we had no idea when we took the job that he was planning to propose with it and had already stolen Aceto's heart. It was one of the happier jobs we took during that time and it eased my father's passing just a bit. I remember being so happy for them and for a moment, I could forget my own troubles. Of course, it was really unfair that Count Balsamico refused to pay us for our services. I do see his point in that Velveno did steal the ring and he was obviously not happy that his daughter would marry Velveno, but I still think we deserved half pay.

Anyway, that is neither here nor there. I just remember watching everyone dancing after the truth came out and I wanted so badly to join them. That was when you approached me and for half a second I thought you might actually ask me to dance. Instead, you told me that you'd eaten too much and would need to be rolled home. I was disappointed, and a bit disgusted, but then I realized that we'd already danced with each other and had made a good team. What was stopping me from asking you to dance now? Nothing, just my hope that you'd take a hint. So, I pulled you onto the dance floor. You protested of course but started dancing anyway as Glitter came on. I loved that song and I thought it was perfect until you stepped on my feet and almost puked on my dress. Thankfully Wendy's floating disk was next to ours and she shot you with another troya spell before you actually lost your stomach contents all over my pretty red dress.

I remember you looking up at me with guilt and apologizing. That was when I felt guilty. I knew that you really didn't like to dance and I had pushed my own desires on you. "It's okay Natsu," I'd sighed. "We'll get down now and go home." I made to step on the tile that would bring us down when your hand tightened on mine and I looked up to lock eyes with you.

"What are you talking about? You wanted to dance right?"

"Well yeah, but…"

"Then let's dance," you said, pulling me into a waltz. I was floored because when we'd practiced, you'd been a pretty good dancer but now you were all grace and fluid movement. You must have seen my surprise because you laughed as you swung me out and then in. I suddenly found my face closer to your face than I ever had been and I wondered what it would be like to kiss you. I remember gulping as you explained.

"I took some extra lessons."

"With who?"

You had just smirked as the song ended and our disk settled to the floor. "You can't know all my secrets." You led me off then and I still wonder who had taught you so well. I was also having a difficult time ignoring how that dance made me feel and how I wondered what it would be like to kiss you. I decided to put it down to the late hour and since you did end up vomiting on me on the ride home, those thoughts and feelings did not return to plague me, at least not yet.

Love,

Lucy

Lucy sighed and smirked. Sometimes she found herself still dreaming about that night. His left hand on the small of her back and his right clasping one of her own, while she gripped his strong shoulder. Standing to stretch and seal her twenty-first letter, she didn't realize that she was humming Glitter and swaying softly.

Natsu

Natsu awoke humming for some reason. He was wide awake when he opened his eyes and practically flung himself from the bed. It was perhaps an hour after dawn and while he should have been sleepy, he wasn't. He was, however, still a bit apprehensive over the weather from the night before. The sooner he got to Lucy's and checked in the better. He scarfed down a breakfast of cereal and spiced milk as he looked at the lacrima. It was still sitting where he'd left it. Standing between bits, he went and placed it next to the other used one and then realized that he had to have some way of marking them. He wanted to make sure that Lucy watched them in order. He turned the first one on, to see it blinking at him saying it was full, but he went to the menu option and looked around a bit. He sighed in relief as he realized that there was an option to change the color of the lacrima. He made the first one red and the second one yellow. That done, he sat to finish his bowl of Sorcerer Seymor's Spicy Sugar Snakes. He didn't have much to do today so he was free to spoil Lucy and get his recordings done. He'd almost failed in finishing them last night.

Sighing, Natsu realized that he'd need to do at least one now. He swallowed his last bit and grabbed the third lacrima, which he made green.

Piece 21 - Dancing With You

"Hey Luce, I hope you slept well. I'm just finishing my breakfast and about to head over to your place. I really didn't like those storms last night. Something about them felt wrong. Anyway, I've been thinking about what my next piece should be after talking about your father's death. That was such a heavy time and in truth, I was almost tempted to talk about that mission we took right after you got your apartment back. I watched you over those two days be so strong and I heard you cry at night or when you thought you were alone. I remember not knowing what to do. I hated seeing you like that, but you never asked for help and you always seemed comforted just to have me around, so I made sure that I always was. However, I think for me the next piece was when we danced together for Count Balsico or whatever his name was, you know the sour-looking one."

Natsu stood and placed his bowl in the sink before returning to the screen. "I remember being nervous out of my mind when you decided that you needed to teach me how to dance. My palms instantly got sweaty and my heart started to race. I had no idea why I was feeling this way, but whatever the reason was, I didn't like it. I almost refused, but you really gave me no choice in the matter. I still remember the way you looked up at me while we practiced. It made me woozy and I don't even remember what I said if I said anything. I just remember thinking that you were more beautiful closeup." Natsu sighed and took a moment to relive that time.

Then he shook his head and he got an annoyed look on his face. "That was of course when I stepped on your foot, which broke me out of whatever trance you had me in. This led to you being taken away from me by Gray, who I know at the time had a bit of a crush on you." Natsu tried to sound neutral, but the smoke coming from his ears showed that he still disliked the idea of Gray having designs on Lucy, even if it had been brief. "I think he was more trying to find someone who wasn't Juvia, but I was happy to watch you send him flying. Unfortunately, this gave Erza the chance to steal me and turn me into a spinning top. Then somehow I ended up with Lisanna and you ended up with Capricorn. I remember feeling a sense of relief with Lisanna as she whirled me around. She wasn't quite as bad as Erza had been, but she always wasn't making my head spin or my heart go a million miles an hour as you had. I remember feeling both better and yet more annoyed. For some reason, I realized that I still wanted to be your dance partner."

Natsu laughed and sighed. "Man, the craziest rumors started about Lisanna and me after that. There had always been a lot when we were younger and a few came back when she returned, but now everyone thought we might actually become a couple. I remember laughing at them. Sure we were good friends, had been best friends before she disappeared, but my girlfriend? No. The very idea made me shudder and feel like I was betraying someone. I didn't realize until later that it was you I was thinking about."

Natsu sighed and shook his head. "Anyway, I'm getting distracted. After the private lesson ended, I agreed to meet you the next day to go see this Count Bulisco and headed home. Happy was hanging with Carla and Wendy and I was happy to have some alone time. Unfortunately, I found Capricorn waiting for me, reading a newspaper on my couch.

"Capricorn!"

"Aww, Natsu just the man I was looking for."

"What about? Is Lucy okay?"

"She is fine, for now, but if we don't get your dancing in shape, she won't be. Your foot-stomping must end." I remember being too shocked to say anything. "Now, I will teach you how to dance flawlessly as her dance partner. She already knows her part, I made sure of that today and with a few more lessons, she will be one of the most sought after partners on any dance floor. However, seeing as she'll ask you I am making sure you're not an embarrassment."

"Me!?"

"Of course, you are her partner, but more than that you are her best friend, the person she trusts the most in this world. Are you really going to let her down?" He just stared at me after that and I realized that his statement both elated me and terrified me. I felt the same about you, but knowing you felt the same about me put a lot of pressure on my shoulders.

"No, I'd never want to let Lucy down."

"Good, now first things first, show me how you'll ask her to dance."

"Wait! You said that she'd ask me!"

"Yes, but as the gentleman, it is customary for you to do the asking."

"Uhuh, no way. Dancing really isn't my thing. If she wants to dance, she'll have to ask." I remember Capricorn sighing in such disappointment that I almost caved.

"Fine, but Lady Lucy deserves better."

Natsu stopped telling his story for a moment and smirked at the lacrima. "You're goat sure knows how to put on the guilt there Lucy." Natsu chuckled then returned to his story.

"Now, put your hands here and here and she'll put her hands here and here."

"Ummm," I said, trying to get my placement right but also being really uncomfortable.

"What now?"

"Well, it's just you are such a … guy. It kind of feels weird since I'm supposed to be doing this with a girl."

"Honestly! Hold on." He disappeared for a second and returned with Virgo. "Will she do better?"

"Yeah, I guess." It honestly was better, but Lucy what happened for the next five hours was complete torture. Every time I made a mistake or he didn't like how I took a step, even if it was right, he had Virgo punish me. It was absolutely ridiculous, but I must admit I felt a lot better about the dancing situation after that." Natsu shifted in his seat and started humming a rather familiar tune.

"At the ball, you looked even more beautiful than you had when we were learning to dance and I remember wondering how I was going to ask you. I had refused to learn the proper way to ask from Capricorn and I now felt like a fool. I had learned how to dance flawlessly and now I wasn't even going to get to show off my crazy good dance moves. So I focused on finding and defeating Velveno and then stuffing my face. As the night drew to a close, I felt a sense of relief as I realized that maybe I won't have to dance at all, but also a sense of disappointment since I won't get to dance, at all, at least with you."

"So, deciding I'd go for broke, I approached you to ask you if you wanted to dance. A part of me still didn't want to dance but another part of me did and I was determined to get my chance. Unfortunately, when you turned at the sound of your name, I panicked and said the first thing I could think of, which had something to do with eating too much and needing to be helped home."

"I can't blame you for your look of disgust, but then you're look changed and you asked me to dance. Well, more like forced me too. I panicked again and this caused me to misstep and stomp on your foot. Then, I realized as we spun around up there that the troya spell was wearing off. Now it was your turn to panic as I turned green. Luckily, Wendy came to our rescue and I found myself not sick and staring into your disappointed brown eyes. Your eyes have always been a lovely shade, but that night in the light of a ballroom, they shone."

"It's okay Natsu, we'll go down now and go home." However, instead of giving me a sense of relief, your statement made me feel sad. I'd disappointed you and so I decided to put your desires first.

"What are you talking about? You wanted to dance right?"

"Well yeah, but…" you replied, your eyes gaining some hope.

"Then let's dance," I said, pulling you into a waltz. I could tell that you hadn't been expecting my moves and I was pleased to find that you danced beautifully. I quite enjoyed myself, especially as you gazed at me with surprised but glad eyes. I couldn't help but laugh and swing you out so I could draw you back in. I was a bit more forceful than I'd thought because suddenly you were right in my face, your lips just a hair's breadth away. I wondered if I should kiss you. Nothing overly romantic or passionate, but a quick peck. Then I realized what I was thinking and I decided to answer the question in your eyes.

"I took some extra lessons."

"With who?"

I smirked as the song ended and our disk settled to the floor. "You can't know all my secrets," I replied, deciding that if Capricorn hadn't told you about my lessons then I wasn't going to tell you either. This seemed to pacify you, though you did seem a bit distracted, then again so was I. I was beginning to regret not trying for that kiss, it seemed like a fun thing to do and if you hadn't liked it I could have blamed the situation."

Natsu just sighed again and looked at the clock. This recording had taken longer than he'd thought. "Anyway Luce, I have to go. I'll see you soon." Natsu signed off and stood.

He quickly brushed his teeth and changed his clothes before he headed to the door, only to pause. He would rather not have another crazy recording night like he'd had last night. So, he turned the lacrima back on but did not record. He'd seen something else in the menu that had caught his attention. Yes, there they were. There was an option to shrink the lacrima and to have to float next to you. Perfect. Choosing both options, the lacrima shrunk to the size of Happy's paw. Once it did this, it became to float and blink at him. He pointed to just above his eyes, where it quickly took its place. He then adjusted the focus so that it would be trained on his face.

With that settled, he practically skipped out the door. He could now record on the way.