"You guys, he's not going to do it." Lucy says dejectedly as Levy hands her a box of pocky sticks.
"Don't be so negative Lucy! If Gray-sama would do it with Juvia this year then certainly there's a chance that Natsu could do it with you!" Juvia encourages while sighing dreamily at the memory.
"You're right. It was pretty surprising that he did it with you willingly this year." Lucy says and looks over at Natsu and blushes. "Oh well, I guess it couldn't hurt to try. Worst case scenario he just lights the whole box on fire and eats it like last year."
Lucy goes over to Natsu and taps on his shoulder.
He turns around and his face instantly lights up when he sees her.
"Hey Lucy! How's it going? Oh you have pocky sticks?" Natsu asks and looks at the box in her hand.
"Y-yeah." Lucy stammers. "I was wondering if maybe you'd want to play with me?"
"Sure!" Natsu says, making Lucy's face turn bright red.
"Oh! Uh, okay then." Lucy says and puts one of the sticks in her mouth.
Her heart pounds in her chest as Natsu hugs her close to him as he bites the other end. She places her arms on his chest to keep some space between them. She wasn't expecting him to embrace her!? Maybe he does really know how to play this time?
She begins to bite towards the middle when suddenly Natsu presses his mouth against hers and her eyes widen and she makes a muffled squeal in surprise against his lips while their guild mates let out a collective gasp.
Natsu pulls back with a goofy grin on his face.
"Did I win?" He asks.
Lucy just stares at him. Her face was bright red and she couldn't form words. Natsu just...kissed her!?
"Natsu you idiot a kiss means it's a tie! You're supposed to get to the middle of the stick before she does!" Gray shouts at him.
"Really? Then why did Juvia shout that she won when you guys kissed?" Natsu asks.
"Because getting a kiss from Gray-sama is always a win for Juvia!" Juvia exclaims happily.
"Oh. Sorry about that then Lucy. I guess I messed up." Natsu says and blushes while scratching the back of his head. "Can we try again?"
"Uh...maybe later I've gotta go, bye!" Lucy rambles and runs out of the guild hall.
Later that night Lucy came into her apartment and sure enough Natsu was there.
"What are you doing here! You know I hate it when you break in!" Lucy shouts.
"I know but I really wanted to play the game with you again!" Natsu says and holds up a box of pocky.
"Oh...alright." Lucy sighs and blushes. The memory of what happened earlier today was still fresh in her mind.
Natsu embraces her again and he puts one end of the stick in his mouth and she bites on the other end. They work their way towards the middle and Lucy feels her heart race again as their mouths got closer. Would he kiss her again? Nope. This time he bit off the middle and won the game.
"Yay! I won!" Natsu says cheerfully.
"Yep you did!" Lucy says and smiles while feeling both relieved and disappointed that he didn't kiss her again.
"Do I get anything for winning?" Natsu asks.
"Do you want anything?" Lucy asks.
"Yeah...I want to kiss you again." Natsu says.
Lucy blushes and wraps her arms around his neck.
"Then kiss me." She requests and Natsu closes the distance between them and places his lips on hers.
Yep. This Pocky Day was definitely a lot better than last year's.