They were storming through town, Natsu's anger keeping everyone away. Lucy pats his arm and states, "You can hold my hand. It's much more comfortable to hold than my wrist."

Natsu stops and blushes lightly as he slides his hand slowly from her wrist to her hand where he grips her and starts walking again. Lucy smiles and blushes as she follows while staring at their joined hands. He's so warm. She thinks.

What felt like minutes - even though it was an hour - they reach their cave hidden in the woods that nearly surround the town. The cave is hidden behind a tree with a shimmering blue lake right next to it. You would think a cave like this would be small but it was actually huge! The tree is right up against a rock wall that appeared to have its own cave so the large tree is just the entrance to the actual cave. The rock walls are smooth to the touch allowing to safely bring in human conveniences such as shelves and chests and even a kitchen!

Natsu stood at the entrance, allowing Lucy to look around his home while Happy showed Grumpy where they kept the fish. Natsu stood silently, bouncing on his feet, waiting for her opinion. The shelves are up against the wall and they hold his exercising equipment, photo albums, and moments of his adventures. The wood chest are filled with clothes and the metal chests are filled with food. He has a hammock for him, a giant pillow for Happy, and a bed made of animal furs and blankets. The kitchen is a small portable stove with a few pots, pans, plates, and utensils.

Lucy smiles. "I love it." Natsu lets out a sigh of relief. He never cared about others opinion of his home but this was Lucy, a female he wants to keep close, so her opinion matters to him. If she has a good opinion that means she'll want to stay but if she had a bad opinion she may simply ignore him for the rest of time. This is the first time he found his dragon instincts annoying.

"Make yourself at home while I go hunt." Natsu smiles as he walks out.

Grumpy flies in excitedly, "Sissy! Sissy! Come out to the water!"

Lucy giggles as Grumy grabs her hand and pulls her with him. He brings her to the dock where Hapy is fishing.

"Hi Happy! Catch any fish?" Lucy sits beside him with Grumpy happily on her head, snuggling into her hair.

"Wow. You are only happy when you're attached to her. Mamma's boy." Happy snickers.

"SHUT UP AND ANSWER SISSY'S QUESTION!"

Happy sticks his tongue out at him, not afraid. "Lucy! The fish keeps swimming away and won't let me eat them!" Happy whines. Lucy simply giggles. She places Grumpy next to Happy. She dives into the water and a minute later she comes up with six fishes in her hands.

"How did you do that?!" Happyshouts with stars in his eyes. Lucy steps out of the water and back to the cave with the exceeds following close behind.

Natsu was already waiting for them with a buck over his shoulder and two big rabbits in his tail.

Lucy smiles. "Nice catch! Looks like it's my turn to go hunting."

She gives Happy the fish and was about the leave when Natsu grabs her wrist.

"A-Actually. H-H-Here." Natsu turns crimson red as he hands her the rabbits in his tail. He can't believe he stuttered! So not cool! But this an important moment!

Dragons are both solitary and social creatures. They do everything by themselves. When they want to show that they want an important relationship with another - either as friends, family, pack mates, or mates - they share food to show they care.

Lucy stares at the rabbits in shock. The only one she ever shared food with her Papa and Grumpy. She couldn't stop the grin from growing ear to ear as she takes the rabbits. Natsu shows his toothy grin.

"Am I missing something?" Happy asks Grumpy.

"You're missing a lot of things, Blue Balls." Grumpy grumbles.