"Where are we going, Natsu? We have been walking for an hour now and you still didn't tell me"

Erza stated while following Natsu. At first, she was curious about where Natsu was taking her but her curiosity slowly started to fade into annoyance.

"I told you, it's a surprise. Also, we are almost there now"

Erza didn't react to that at all because that's what Natsu's been saying for half an hour now. Natsu seemed very eager though. He had this massive grin on his face the whole time already. He didn't seem to be bothered by the gigantic backpack he has been carrying all the way up here. Erza offered to help him carry it but he instantly denied any offer she made. Just what was he up to? It's this early in the morning and Natsu dragged her out of bed already and tells her that they are going on a trip now. Erza was irritated at first and asked if it couldn't wait but Natsu left no room for negotiations.

They walked silently on that forest path that didn't seem to lead somewhere special. A few minutes later, Natsu jumped up.

"We're here"

He stated and immediately run towards some bushes and branches that were in the way. The path seemed to end here. There was nothing in sight but Natsu was hyped and pushed through every obstacle.

"Come on, Erza"

Really? He wanted her to follow there. She didn't openly question it any further. If Natsu was that stubborn to take her here, then it must be a special place. So, she followed. The leaves and branches that got in her way started to annoy her as they scratched her and dirtied her outfit along the way. 'This better be worth it' she thought to herself.

"Tadaa~!"

Natsu presented. He stretched out both of his arms in an exaggerated way and smiled widely.

"A field…"

Yes, a field. A field on a hill. That's it. There weren't even that many flowers or beautiful trees that would add to the scenery. Instead, it was just a wide field of mostly grass.

"All this way, to show me a field?"

Erza asked sarcastically while hoping there'd be a catch to it that she didn't realize yet. Not even the view was that spectacular, just two strangely formed mountains and a forest below them. Was that his whole plan?

"Yes, awesome right?"

Natsu still smiled excitedly. He put down his oversized backpacks and started searching for something in them. An "Aha~" later, he pulled a big blanket out of one of the bags and spread it on top the grass. He took his backpacks next to him and sat down. He looked over his shoulder to look at Erza and tapped the place next to him, signaling her to sit down to him.

"Really?"

"Yes, come on"

Natsu didn't even show the least bit of doubt or boredom whereas Erza was just massively underwhelmed. She was tired because she got home late last night from a long, demanding mission. She had to go alone because she was specifically requested by the mayor of a distant city. So, waking up early, walking for over an hour and then be presented with a plain field wasn't really how she planned on spending her day off after that.

But Natsu seemed so happy and excited about it that she just couldn't refuse. It was a rare occasion for Natsu to be nearly begging to spend some time with her.

A small sigh later, she sat down next to him and rested her head on her hand.

"You had no breakfast, amirite?"

"No… Because a certain someone woke me up early and dragged me out here"

Sarcasm again. Erza tended to do that when she was tired or slightly annoyed, or both like in this case. Natsu didn't seem to be bothered at all though. He just turned to his bags and pulled out a massive basket out of it.

"Here"

Natsu placed that basket right in front of them and opened it, pulling out all sorts of food. It didn't look like it was made by a professional though. Some of the food looked sloppy or sometimes misformed.

Erza's eyes sparkled by the sight of food. She was starving!

"Did you make all this?"

Natsu blushed, slowly scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly.

"Hehe.. yeah. I thought about asking Mira to make it or buy something but that didn't feel right. I wanted to make it myself for you. But it probably didn't turn out that great, I'm sorry about that. I was kinda lonely when you were gone the last few weeks and I heard you like picknicks so I thought it was a good idea."

So he did feel lonely without her around. Maybe he was getting bored but then he would've just started a fight with Gray or whatever. It was truly rare for Natsu to openly admit his feelings like that.

But now that he mentioned it, Erza did notice the bandages on his fingers and the small bags under his eyes. He must have really worked hard to make it good. Did he try to make food all night long?

Erza couldn't help but smile at Natsu's effort. The sheer fact that he tried his best just to organize a picknick with her. Not enjoying this precious moment with Natsu would be an insult to herself. His thoughtfulness was too sweet.

She grabbed one of the sandwiches and took a bite out of it. Natsu stared at her in anticipation. Like a child waiting for the approval of his partner.

"Mhm. It's good. Thank you, Natsu"

Natsu's heart skipped a beat by that simple compliment. Yes! All his effort was already worth it. Having this genuine smile of hers that was shining like the sun between the cloud after rainy weeks during her absence.

Natsu immediately took out more baskets and opened them in front of her. Also, he secretly took out a small black box and hid it in his pocket. Erza only got a small glimpse at it, but the thing inside was shining brightly. What could that be?

"Here you have to try this. It' a bum with powdered sugar on it and filled to the core with strawberry jam"

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by Natsu offering her even more food to try. All those baskets were filled with it. They sure did look amateurishly made but delicious nonetheless.

It was delicious. After a bite, the jam slowly spread inside her mouth. The sweetness was balanced very well.

"Mhmm. It's delicious"

"Yes!"

After that Natsu happily presented lots and lots of the food he made. Some weren't as good but some were extraordinarily delicious. Natsu seemed like he put most of his effort into the sweets. Especially the ones that had strawberries. It wouldn't be Erza's first choice to eat so many sweets next to regular food during breakfast but because Natsu went out of his way to prepare everything for her, she would gladly accept it. The effort could be felt in every bite and Erza loved it. The taste was made that much better with the love of Natsu in each bite.

"Thank you, Natsu. I have to admit, I had my doubts at first, but this is a really pleasant surprise"

She confessed. It would be a lie to say that at first she wasn't very impressed but this turned out to be a good way to spend her day. Maybe it would have been better if it wasn't this early though.

"Glad you like it but don't thank me yet. That wasn't the main event"

"Huh?"

The picknick was not the whole plan? Then what was it? Was there still something left in the bags? Didn't look like it. He already took out all of the food and the baskets in it. They were empty.

She realized something though. Natsu seemed to be getting more nervous by every passing minute. He was still smiling brightly and ate like a true dragon but his legs seemed restless and he was spacing out sometimes.

"Do you think I would let you walk all this way for a picknick? There are way better places for it. Like the beautiful parks around Magnolia for example."

Indeed, that's true. If picknick was the whole plan then there certainly are more suitable places for this. The view wasn't something to brag about.

"What is it the-"

"Just look"

Natsu just cut her off and pointed towards the two strangely shaped mountains. And as if the sun waited for Natsu's signal, it started to rise between those mountains. The light slowly illuminated the place as rays of sunlight peaked through the mountains. It was a beautiful Sunrise but that wasn't it already. Erza looked over at Natsu but he just looked straight ahead with a smile on his face.

"This is it now, Erza"

Such a soft voice that Erza wasn't used to. It came by surprise. The happiness on his face still caught her eyes but she turned around again to look at the sunrise.

Now she realized it. It was breathtaking. The sun that had now positioned itself between those mountains. Now she understood what he wanted to show her. With the strange shape of the mountains and shined its light right through the gap. The sun seemed to have taken the shape of a massive heart with the mountains being the edge of it. Perfectly shining through to form the massive ball of fire to the shape of a shining, never-fading heart. But now started to fly through the gaps, the silhouettes making it look like the heart itself was sparkling in the sky. It was the most beautiful sunrise Erza had ever seen. To say she was speechless would be an understatement. With a face that showed genuine fascination and her gaze locked onto the delicately gorgeous scenery, Natsu used the moment to slowly take her hand. Erza was surprised at first and looked over to him once again. She was met with a cheerful smile that rivaled the scenery ahead of them. Both of their cheeks taking a deep shade of pink as they looked each other into the eyes for what felt like an eternity. With the heartshaped sunrise in the background and the face of her handsome partner made this moment truly engrave itself on her heart. A memory she would never ever forget. Natsu felt the same, the silk-like scarlet hair that danced in the wind, and the smooth sensation of her hand on his. It was the perfect moment.

Natsu now took the small dark box out of his pocket and presented it to her with him being down on one of his knees. After opening it, rays of light were reflected by the small object in it. Even the sun that shined through the heart seemed to shine even brighter right now like the giant heart itself was giving its personal approval.

Marked by the sunrise, this was the dawn of the greatest step in their relationship.