*** Author's Note: Hi everyone! Hope you enjoy this chapter, I'm probably only going to write one or two more, we'll see where it ends organically. Thanks for sticking with me for so long!

SIX

I woke up feeling unsure about my upcoming night with Natsu. Was it actually a date? Was it just a casual thing? What do you wear when you're jot sure if you're on a date or not? Did I even want this to be a date? All things aside, Natsu was one of my only friends in the area; did I really want to risk that, when I wasn't even sure if he might have feelings for me? Was I even sure of my feelings for him? I took a moment to think about that.

I had never really had a serious crush on anyone before. I grew up somewhat isolated, and it only got worse by the time I was old enough to start understanding those sorts of feelings. Boys flirted with me, sure, I mean I'm not a dog or anything; plenty of guys have hooted and hollered on the street, and several have offered to buy me drinks when I go out. But none had stuck around long enough for serious feelings to develop. I'd only known Natsu a couple of weeks so far but I could tell he was special. He was kind and caring, even if he was sometimes disastrous at showing it, and he clearly cared about everyone he called friend very deeply. He had certainly given me butterflies on occasion, but was that enough to risk a potentially exceptional friendship on?

Feeling more and more uneasy, I decided to call and consult with Levy.

"Levy I'm freaking out here"

"Ohhhhh, about your daaaaaaaate?"

"Levy, do we even know it's a date? It was a pretty casual invitation, and it doesn't seem like he was asking me in a way that was any different from when he asks if I wanna watch a movie. Maybe he just wants to hang out as friends?"

"Maybe. But listen… He lights up around you in a way that I haven't…" She sighed, "Natsu had a pretty serious girlfriend a while back, Lisanna. They were thick as thieves and Natsu was crazy about her. But then one day she just up and left, without so much as a note, and it left Natsu… pretty despondent for a while. I know I haven't seen you two interact that much but he's lighting up around you in a way that I haven't seen since Lisanna. And it's possible not even Natsu has put two and two together yet, so I may be guilty of meddling a bit but you have to trust me on this, that boy is crazy about you."

I wasn't sure how to respond to all of the information that had just been dumped on me. I felt bad for the relationship Natsu had lost out of the blue like that, but conflicted hearing that Levy was so sure he liked me as more than a friend. It was a lot of pressure too, knowing he had been so badly hurt before. The last thing I wanted to do was to hurt him again in any way, but what if we went for it and things didn't work out? I'd have to live with the guilt of hurting him again, AND with the pain of losing a good friend.

"How sure are you about this Levy?"

"Pretty damn sure. The last time someone was able to get Natsu and Grey to stop fighting like you did the other night, it was Mirajane, and she had to grab them both by the ear first."

I smiled at that, then realizing she obviously couldn't hear that through the phone, said, "Thanks Levy. I feel a bit better. I'm still not convinced this is a date but I do feel better about the whole thing."

"Any time Lucy. Now go get ready for your DATE."

In the end, I decided to err on the side of caution, and get ready like this was going to be a date but mentally prepare for this to just be two friends hanging out at a concert. Ultimately, all I knew was that slightly manic, infectiously enthusiastic, pink haired boy was important to me, and that I wanted him in my life. And who said I couldn't look cute at the same time?

I was finishing putting on my lipstick when I heard a familiar yowl outside my door. Grinning, I ran to the front door to find both Happy and Natsu already walking inside. I decided not to make a fuss about this violation of common decency though upon seeing Natsu with his jaw open, staring at me. Clearly, I had chosen my outfit well.

"Lucy… You look awesome!"

I had certainly dressed for the occasion. Natsu had told me it was a punk rock show, so I had chosen some tight, ripped black jeans, lace up boots, and a cropped Green Day tee with a leather jacket, and I'd vamped up my makeup some, with heavy winged eyeliner and a deep dark red lip. I gave him a little spin (you can't blame a girl for flirting a little), "Thanks Natsu! Just wanted to look the part, ya' know?"

"You totally nailed it, you look… awesome!"

I laughed, "Yeah, thanks you said that."

"D'ya mind if Happy stays here while we're gone? He followed me out, and it's supposed to snow pretty bad again tonight. I don't want him getting lost out there."

"Of course! It's about time you started caring about your cat's whereabouts," I said with a wink.

Natsu grumbled at that, but nonetheless I set up some bowls of food and water for Happy before we set out for the concert. We talked on our walk over the venue, about our childhoods, about moving to Magnolia, about whatever little things you remember when you're getting to know someone and instinctively want to envelop them in your world. By the time we reached the backdoor to the venue, it felt like Natsu and I had known each other for years. It was a feeling I had only had a handful of times: once with a childhood friend, once with a friend in high school, and of course, with my mother. It's that feeling you get deep down, when you just know, this person gets me; I could tell them anything and they would understand where I'm coming from, even if I can't find the words. It's like finding a missing puzzle piece but in a person. It's coming home whenever you see them. And it was enough to give me butterflies at the realization as we rounded the corner to the door. Natsu was one of my people. No matter what tonight was, nothing could change that.

"You ok Luce?"

I shook myself out of my reverie, "Yeah, totally! Just lost in thought for a sec. Is this it?"

"Yeah! You ready to rock?" Natsu enthusiastically played some air guitar.

I laughed and copied his movements, riffing on my invisible guitar with windmill-like strokes, "Hell yeah!"

Both of us laughing, we carried on inside the venue, where Natsu explained where I was allowed backstage, as well as where to avoid the majority of the commotion, before making his apologies to go talk to the band about show preparations. While Natsu chatted with the band members and other concert staff about the logistics of what sounded like a giant fireball that was supposed to go off during the show, I started looking around the rest of the backstage area. I had never been backstage at a concert before, so I was curious what there was to see. It turned out, mostly lots of people running around getting things prepped: instruments being run around, stage lights and special effects being checked, PA's running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to get whatever requests filled. As I came back around to where I had last seen Natsu, I saw three other familiar faces instead; Grey, Mirajane, and Juvia walked through the backstage door as I walked up. Initially my heart sank on seeing them: clearly this wasn't a date if other Fairy Tail people were here too. Despondency was quickly replaced with excitement to share the concert with new friends though. From what Natsu had told me, he wouldn't be able to hang out much during the actual show as he'd be busy with his work.

"Hey guys!"

The group smiled over at me as they walked up.

"Hey Lucy, how's it going?" Mirajane asked as they approached.

"Pretty good, even better now that you guys are here too! I didn't realize you were coming or we could have all walked over together. Does Natsu invite you all to his gigs fairly often then?"

Mirajane beamed at me, "Oh, sometimes, when he can comp some passes for us. It's easier with the smaller bands, like tonight."

Natsu, seeing the four of us from his place across the venue gave us all a big grin and a thumbs up. We all waved back, and I hoped that mine didn't show the slight disappointment I felt at realizing Natsu had invited more than just me to his show. It was fine, really it was, but it was going to take a moment for me to mentally recalibrate my thoughts about what tonight could be, and I was glad for a moment that Natsu was so far away. I wouldn't want him to see any of my disappointment at the situation.

Grey, Juvia, Mirajane and I chatted some more about our weeks, the band we were here to see, and other mundane topics until the lights dimmed and a fog machine filled the stage for the opening act to make their entrance. The first band was pretty good; it was a smaller, local band I'd never heard of but they had great energy and it was almost impossible not to bob my head along to the beat. The others, I saw, were felt similarly, and had even started dancing a little. I just smiled at them at first, but eventually Grey saw me standing next to them not dancing and gestured for me to join them.

"Common Lucy, you gotta dance with us!"

Conceding, I grinned and joined them, bobbing and weaving to the music, hips swaying to the beat. We kept dancing through most of the set, until eventually the band started in on a slower, sweeter melody. Grey held out his hand to me, "Care to dance?"

Smiling, I nodded and we swayed for a bit. Eventually (and honestly predictably based on the intel Levy had given me the other week), Juvia cut in with an annoyed huff. I didn't mind, but when I looked over towards Natu's post, he was scowling. What on earth could that be about?

I wouldn't have to wait long to find out. At the break between sets, Natsu stalked over to our little group and shoved a finger in Grey's chest, "What does a perv like you think you're doin' dancing with Lucy?"

"Chill out, flame brain. You're the one that left her here by herself. Besides, you know I'm… seeing Juvia."

"Well, I don't like ya putting your hands all over her like that, got it?"

Grey put his hands up in defence, but I just got pissed.

"Natsu, what does it matter if Grey danced with me? It's not like you were going to be able to!"

Natsu pulled a bit at his hair and grumbled, "Ugh, FUCK, nevermind." And stalked back off to his post.

"What was that about?" Grey asked.

"As if my Grey would ever be interested in another girl anyways," Juvia said with a sniff.

I didn't much care for Juvia's tone, but it was all very odd, nonetheless. Natsu had invited other people here, right? Which meant this wasn't a date. But he had been acting weirdly possessive just then if it weren't a date. I ruminated over the whole situation for the entirety of the next set.

When we made our goodbyes to the rest of the group, Natsu seemed oddly curt and stiff, compared to his usual jovial demeanor.

As Natsu and I walked home in silence, I chanced a glance over at his still stiff form.

"So… That was… something earlier…" I said quietly.

Natsu let out a big sigh, "I'm sorry about all that Luce, Grey can just be such a perv sometimes. I was worried he was trying to put the moves on you or something."

"Aren't he and Juvia dating?"

"I guess but I just don't trust him. At least… not with you…" This last part was said so quietly I thought I might have imagined it. We continued on in silence for a beat.

"What does it matter if someone puts 'the moves' on me anyways?"

"... I don't know. Don't worry about it, I'm really, honestly sorry Luce. I promise I won't lash out like that again."

Not knowing what to say after that, I kept walking quietly with Natsu back to my apartment, the storm getting worse and the snowfall more intense the whole way. When we finally reached my front door, it practically looked like a white out.

"Look," I said, "this storm's getting pretty bad, you better just stay here for the night. That is, if you want to."

Natsu visibly perked up at my suggestion, "Aww, yeah, really? I totally didn't want to walk home in this by myself. Plus, now we can watch some movies!"

I chuckled as I unlocked the door, "Yeah! I'll put on some cocoa and everything."

When we got inside, Happy was cozily curled up on the couch, and purred loudly when he saw us enter.

"Hey Happy, you miss us?" Natsu went over to scratch behind Happy's ear.

I hadn't missed that he'd said "us" when talking to Happy either. Us. It had such a cozy feel to it, like being wrapped in a warm blanket. And this truly felt like an "us" moment, with the storm outside, a pink haired boy cozied up with his cat, and hot cocoa on the stove… It was easy to forget anything else existed. That feeling continued through the end of the movie and well past midnight, when all three of us started yawning our exhaustion.

"Couch tonight, right Luce?"

I paused. It wasn't like Natsu hadn't slept in my bed before, and I felt a little bad about leaving him out here in the living room when I knew the heating wasn't going to be great with the storm outside. It couldn't hurt to let him sleep in the bed with me right? My stomach did little flips at the thought, but I answered, "Actually… You can sleep in the bed if you want. Just don't hog all the blankets, ok?"

There, let him interpret THAT as he will, I thought.

As it was, he looked a little perplexed, but nonetheless, we both got ready to sleep and crawled into my bed together. I have to admit, I thought as I drifted off, even if it's just for added warmth, it's nice having him here with me.

NATSU

I woke up sometime around 3AM, confused about why I wasn't in my own bed, and why there seemed to be someone next to me, before I remembered, I stayed with Lucy tonight. Joy at that thought hit me like a freight train, and I had to lie back for a bit grinning at how lucky I was. The next thought I came right on the heels of that, I've gotta hold her.

It was a little risky. I knew there was a good chance if she woke up, Lucy would be pissed at me invading her personal space. Then again, maybe my luck would continue and she wouldn't wake up at all. I gingerly wrapped an arm around Lucy's middle and curled up around her sleeping form. There was some light shifting and a very quiet sigh, but it seemed like she was going to stay asleep; I couldn't believe my luck. This beautiful, wonderful, generous girl was right here and I got to sleep next to her. Even if nothing else ever happened, even if she never liked me back, I knew memories of this moment would keep me sustained forever. And really, I thought as I drifted contentedly back to sleep, as long as I get to keep hanging out with her I'll be happy with that.

LUCY

I woke up suddenly, feeling unusually hot. I started to fling off the covers before realizing the reason for the heat I felt wasn't the blankets, but a warm body melded to mine and an arm over my midriff. He did it again, I thought, but unlike the last time, there was no panic or annoyance, but only a dreamy smile at the idea of Natsu curling up around me last night. This, I thought, this could be enough forever, even if nothing else happened. And as the first rays of light hit our prone bodies, I drifted back off into a peaceful sleep, knowing Natsu would be there still when I finally woke up.