A/N: I do not own Fairy Tail or Nishikido Ryo's Code from which I borrowed the italicized words at the end.

"Merry Christmas, princess," He bent over her slumbering form and pressed his lips lightly against her soft cheek. He had come through his gate when he sensed her stirring—he had that kind of bond with her; he'd always thought it's because of love—because he wanted to be the first thing she sees during this special day. He sat at the edge of her bed and gazed fondly at her. Loke wrapped his hand gently around one of hers and cradled it affectionately.

"Mm…Loke?" she mumbled half-asleep. She rubbed her eyes with her free hand and squinted at him. Her hand tightened almost imperceptibly around his as she yawned delicately.

He loved her most like this, when her guard was down and they were just Loke and Lucy, not stellar spirit and master. He savored the moment because he knew that once she was fully awake, she would remember and pull away, leaving him reaching for her.

"What are you doing here?" She cocked an eyebrow at him.

Loke let her hand go with regret; he didn't want to spoil today by overstaying his welcome. But he didn't want to go back just yet.

"I was wondering if you'd like to spend the day with me," he replied with a playful wink. He wanted to keep it light between them because he knew that any serious attempt he made to woo her would just end up scaring her away.

"Don't you have some other girl to go out with today? It doesn't have to be me, right?" She waved her hand at him dismissively.

"Lucy, princess, you're the only one I want," He took her hand—it was still as warm as it had been when he was holding it earlier—and gave it a brief, chaste kiss. He looked up at her with a coy smile.

The effect was immediate—her cheeks flushed and she scrambled as far away as she could. The action brought her out of the protective cocoon of blankets she had been sleeping in and exposed her—all of her in a gloriously skimpy nightgown—to his appreciative eyes. He felt his jaw drop at the unexpected development; he thanked every deity that had ever existed for giving him this once-in-lifetime opportunity.

"Lucy—" He started towards her. She was just too cute, her curling up to hide her scantily-clad body from him. He wondered if she was shy because it was him that was looking at her; she didn't seem to mind parading around in a public beach in a bikini before. He adjusted his sunglasses and grinned.

"Don't come any closer!" She thrust her hands in front of her in an attempt to ward him off. He kept coming regardless.

"I won't leave unless you agree to one date with me today," He felt smug satisfaction; her agreeing was almost guaranteed. She wouldn't be able to change out of her night clothes as long as he was present and he was pretty sure she couldn't do a forced closure, not when he was this determined to stay. Loke could almost see the gears turning in her head as her expression cycled from desperation—as she looked around her small room for a private place to hide while she changed and found none—to determination as she realized she could try to force his gate close and finally, to grim acceptance as she looked up at him and saw that there was no winning against him today.

"Okay. But only one. And don't even think about trying anything funny," She glared at him as if daring him to argue. He could have, but he didn't want to push his luck.

"Wouldn't dream of it," His form slowly dissipated as he made his way back to the spirit world, confident that Lucy would keep her promise. Just before he disappeared completely, as he hovered in between the human world and the spirit world, her eyes met his and he was seized with a painful yearning for her. He didn't think she was ready to know yet just how much he felt for her. Loke didn't even know if she would ever be ready. But he would wait.

You can tell me that there is no such thing as forever,

But I want to shine with you,

Even if it's just for a moment.

A/N: It's short…Anyway, Merry Christmas, everyone!