A/N: I participated on a Valentine's Fic Exchange on tumblr - just getting around to posting it here now ...
"Hand me the milk steamer." Lucy held out her hand and fluttered her eyelashes at Natsu. "Please?"
"No problem, doll face."
Lucy blushed and looked down at her feet, pretending interest in her shoes. She mumbled, "Not while we're working."
Gently Natsu tapped her shoulder, getting Lucy to look him in the face. "Sorry, I know we had an agreement, but I get so excited. I'll behave."
Taking the steamer, Lucy smiled. "There're no customers right now, I suppose it's not a big deal."
"Ah, yeah - but the more I flirt with you, the more I want to go further." Natsu stepped closer and whispered into Lucy's ear, "Too bad Levy is watching us - I'd like to give you a kiss and make you turn even redder."
Lucy shivered. "Try that once we're on break."
His face wreathed in wide smiles, Natsu winked. "You have the best ideas boss."
"Well, right now my idea is to finish making us drinks to take on break."
"Mmm, you said break was in half an hour." Natsu took matching coffee cups from under the counter and slid them over to where Lucy was working her caffeine magic. "Guess you're thirsty?"
Finished with her creations, Lucy put the drinks on a tray - along with cookies and sandwiches. She handed the tray to Natsu. "Yeah, pretty thirsty." Lucy turned to Levy and patted the little box in her apron pocket and grinned. "It's slow right now, so you're in charge while we're out. If you need me -"
"I'll be fine, and the coffee shop'll be fine." Levy giggled. "Go have a nice break."
"You really thought about everything when you leased this space, didn't you?" Natsu set the tray on the picnic table in the courtyard behind the store and sat down facing Lucy. "A great location, a welcoming feel to the décor and awesome coffee."
"Since when do you only want to talk work?" Lucy touched the lump in her apron pocket, drawing strength from the action. "It's a beautiful day, we're alone and don't you remember what today is?"
"Wednesday?"
Lucy smiled and shook her head a bit. "Yeah, but what else?"
"The day before payday?"
"Yeah, but not what I meant!" Lucy clenched her hands into fists, her eyes flashing. "There's something special about today. I thought you were aware of this when you were flirting all hot and heavy inside the coffee shop!"
"But Luce, I always flirt with you!" Natsu took a sip of his drink and smacked his lips appreciatively. "Man, that's so good!"
"I should let you eat first I suppose." Lucy pushed Natsu's sandwich towards him and took her own. They ate in companionable silence, enjoying the fresh air and warm sun.
Only cookie crumbs dotted the tray as both Natsu and Lucy lingered over the coffee.
"Guess again about why today is special!"
"I know what today is!"
Lucy blushed and giggled and Natsu smiled with his own cheeks growing pink.
"It's our three month anniversary!" Natsu pulled out an envelope from his apron pocket and presented it to Lucy. "I made you a card and got us tickets to that theatre show you've been mentioning."
"It's your birthday!" Lucy thrust the little white box under Natsu's nose. "Happy birthday...and happy three month anniversary?"
Natsu laughed until his ribs hurt. "Wow, how are you ever gonna live down forgetting our anniversary?"
Lucy snatched back the box, crossed her arms and pouted. "Humpf! How can you forget your own birthday?"
"I never forgot, it's just not as important as our anniversary!" Natsu reached over the table and held out his hands. "C'mon, say you forgive my teasing and hold my hands."
"I suppose." Lucy set Natsu's present in the middle of the picnic table and entwined her fingers with his. "You're always teasing or making jokes."
"And you're my better half." Natsu grinned, "Now, what did you get me?"
"Open it yourself and find out."
"But I'm busy holding your hands!"
Fully aware Natsu could carry on joking like this for hours, Lucy sighed. "I got you your own key to my apartment."
"Awesome!" Natsu looked left and right. "Looks like you forgot what we took break alone to do."
Lucy licked her lips. "Huh?"
"I promised you a kiss, didn't I? Happy anniversary, Lucy." Natsu leaned across the table and gave Lucy a sweet, loving kiss.
"Happy birthday, Natsu." Lucy felt warm and a little giddy. "Here's one to grow on!" She leaned over the table and kissed his cheek.
"Isn't that phrase supposed to go along with birthday spankings?" Natsu grinned.
"Break's over!" Lucy stood up and tucked the box into Natsu's apron pocket and scooped up his envelope to her, clutching it to her chest. "Use the key tonight after work and we'll see about those spankings!"