A/N: Long chapter this time, but I think you'll like it. I hope. You might actually hate me after this chapter. It's both an end and a beginning, in the best and worst way possible. I guess you'll see what I mean once you get to the bottom of the page.

Thanks to all for your kindness, as always.

"Levyyyy." She was reading in the library, and I was anoying her so I didn't have to go to the student council meeting. They could deal with me being a few minutes late so I could talk to my bestie.

"What?"

"Two days from now. Saturday."

"Yes?"

"I have a day off."

"Wait, no practice?"

I nodded my head. "No practice. We get the weekend off. No competition, no practice. No cheerleading at all. I have the whole weekend to do whatever I want."

"Like homework."

"Like homework," I agreed. Teachers always loved to pile on the homework and essays before winter break, which was also coming up soon. "But I was thinking maybe we could hang out. I always have chores on Sunday, and we still have practice on Friday as usual. So. Are you free to hang out on Saturday evening?"

Levy had looked excited before, but she quickly deflated. "Ah, no, I can't do Saturday evening," Levy said. "I'm going to a concert with Gajeel that day."

"You're what?"

She laughed. "He may not look the type, but he's actually really into jazz. He said if I watched a live show I'd like it too, so he invited me this weekend."

"Wow, I…okay." More surprises from Levy and Gajeel. I should've been expecting it by now.

"You can come too if you want," she said offhand, looking at her twiddling fingers.

"I'll pass," I said, smiling. "I wouldn't want to interrupt your date."

She didn't look up or change expression, but her face turned extremely red. So it was a date. If it wasn't, she'd have protested as loudly as I always did when she teased me about Natsu. But here she was, blushing.

"Ahh, you're so cute!" I squealed, crushing her in a hug.

"Not this again," she groaned. "And shush, we're in a library."

"How do Jet and Droy feel about your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend," Levy snapped. "It's just one date. And, uh, they felt a little left out, I guess, but they both supported me."

"How noble of them."

"I wouldn't be friends with them if they didn't respect me. You know that, Lu."

"True enough."

Everyone knew that both of her friends had crushes on her to some extent. They could get a little extreme sometimes, but it was good to know they were decent human beings after all.

"Well, I'll just have to ask around some more. Maybe Erza or Juvia is free."

"I'm really sorry, Lu. I'd totally cancel, but he already bought the tickets. We'll be able to hang out over break."

"Yeah, it's fine. It's not every day that you get a date with Gajeel Redfox."

Levy blushed again. "It's not every day that I get a date at all," she said.

"And yet here you are, with a date. When did he ask you?"

"It was two days ago. I was going to tell you as soon as it happened, but..." She hid her face in her hands. "Ahh, what do I do, Lu? It's so embarrassing to talk about!"

"If you're this embarrassed already, what are you going to do on the actual date day?"

She looked up at me suddenly, eyes wide. "I don't know," she deadpanned.

I burst out in laughter. "I'll help you. Not that my dating history is much to brag about, but I can help you get ready."

"Would you really?"

"Yeah, why not? I can just invite people over in the evening, and spend the pre-date part of your afternoon with you."

She exhaled. "You're a lifesaver, Lu. You're so much better at picking out outfits than I am."

I gave her a thumbs-up. "Just leave it to me. If you want a second date, I'll have it so he's absolutely begging you. And if not, then at least you'll look fabulous when you kick him to the curb."

Levy giggled. "Just don't get too carried away."

"Don't worry, I know your style."

"Fashionable friends are the best kind of friends to have," Levy said, grinning at me.

"Ah, I knew there was a reason you kept me around. I see how it is now."

"Lucyyyy."

I laughed. "What time's the date?"

"Umm, he's picking me up at 7. We're having dinner at the place."

"Oo, he's even picking you up. Nice. I was worried, since it's Gajeel, but it looks like he's got some basic dating etiquette down."

"Lucy..."

"Okay, okay, I won't tease. I'll come over at 5 then. Is that okay?"

"Sure! That gives us plenty of time to hang out before I have to start getting ready."

"My thoughts exactly."

"Yay! Pre-date playdate!"

I laughed. "You have a busy day on Saturday, Levy."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Saturday. Levy's apartment. The TV blared some trashy reality show as I curled Levy's hair. Her hair was always naturally curly, but it was my job now to tame the usual frizz and make the curls shiny and stylish. The wild mess was about to be tamed into a fluffy mound of hair.

I put down the curling iron. "There. Done."

Levy turned her head this way and that, watching in the mirror as the curls bounced. "They look natural. You're amazing, Lu. Why can't they always look like this?"

I flipped my hair. "It's because I'm an expert." I laughed. "Let's just get this headband on you and see how you look."

Levy was wearing an abstract patterned dress with hints of red in the pattern, so I'd picked out a headband to match that. I let her tie it in her hair — she was the expert in headbands, after all, since she wore them every day — and then pushed her in front of the mirror. She twirled, letting the dress fan out around her.

"I feel so pretty," she gushed, twisting her legs to show off her red stockings. "I forgot I even had these."

"When you take off your coat at the restaurant, he's not going to be able to take his eyes off you."

"He's not going to think I'm trying too hard, is he?"

I dismissed her concern. "You always look this cute," I assured her. "I didn't dress you too differently from how you usually look. You're just a little more color-coordinated, and your hair is a little more tame than usual. That's all."

"I dunno, Lu, it sure feels like a magical transformation to me."

"No turning back now," I said. "But I do promise you're fine." I glanced out the window. Levy's room overlooked the street, so I could keep track of when Gajeel showed up even before he texted her that he'd arrived. And it looked like I had great timing, because a car pulled up just as a kid with pink hair ran by, disappearing out of my vision where the windowsill blocked my view of the sidewalk.

"Is he here?" Levy asked, noticing I hadn't moved from the window as quickly as usual.

"I think so," I said. I didn't tell her about Natsu. But that rusty gray truck was most likely Gajeel's.

Sure enough, moments later Levy's phone alerted her to Gajeel's arrival text. We went downstairs together, and I hung back in the lobby so Levy could greet Gajeel alone. She was smiling as she hopped into his truck, talking animatedly as Gajeel listened. And he actually smiled a little. Now matter how often I wondered how a bookworm like Levy and a delinquent like Gajeel could ever work out, the two of them went and changed my mind right back again.

Once the truck pulled away, I finally stepped outside into the cold air. It was frigid, the late autumn chill already well upon us. I stuck my hands into my coat pockets and shivered.

"Natsu."

Nothing but the sounds of the streets.

I repeated it louder. "Natsu!"

He slowly emerged from behind the neighboring building's staircase. "How'd you know I was here?" he asked, joining me on the sidewalk.

"Your hair is hard to miss," I pointed out. I reached to to twist a lock between my fingertips. "Speaking of which, I think it's time for you to re-dye it. It's getting faded."

He also reached up to play with his hair. "Yeah, you're right. My roots are getting really bad, too. There's almost more black than pink."

"Have you ever thought of dying it a different color?"

"Not really," he said with a shrug. "Why, is the pink bad?"

"No. It's very...distinctive. It suits you, somehow. You make it work."

He laughed. "Good to know. I always kind of wondered what you thought about it."

"Honestly, I wish I were as confident as you. I always just dye mine boring blonde."

"But you look good blonde."

I shied at the compliment. "Thanks."

"So," he said, looking at at the street. "Levy and Gajeel, huh?"

"I was pretty surprised myself," I admitted. "I should've been expecting it, after they kept hanging out in the library."

"Wait. Gajeel? In the library?"

"Surprising, right?"

Natsu crossed his arms and shook his head. "He must really like her. Gajeel hates reading."

I laughed. "They'll make an interesting pair, then. Oh, I never did ask. Are you free?"

"When? Now?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. I mean, making sure Gajeel didn't mess this up was the only thing I had to do today."

"Then do you want to come over?"

His face lit up, as expected. "Can I?"

"No practice today. I already asked the other girls, and they were busy too."

He pouted. "Why didn't you ask me?"

"Didn't think of it," I said with a shrug.

That was a lie. I had thought of it. A lot. Even before I had confirmed that a girls' gathering was out of the question, I'd wondered if maybe I could invite Natsu. Though he sometimes showed up unannounced anyways, we'd made no plans to meet this weekend. And honestly, I was kind of afraid to make those plans. Now that I had a certain idea stuck in my mind, being around him was making me awfully nervous.

But despite that fear, there was something positive. This right here was my chance, maybe.

I hooked my arm in his to drag him along. "Come on, let's go."

"There's no buses, right?" he asked hesitantly, letting me pull him down the sidewalk.

"Of course not. I'm only a few blocks away, remember?"

He thought a moment, then grinned. "You're right! I was worried for a moment there. Gajeel made me drive over with him, and I did take medicine, but I'd rather not be in a vehicle again for a little while."

"He even drove you over?"

"He dropped me off around the corner and had me hide and watch after he parked in front of Levy's apartment. I was supposed to wave my hands wildly if he started saying something wrong."

"Poor Gajeel. What's he gonna do for the rest of their date?"

"I don't know. Hopefully not mess it up," Natsu said.

At my apartment, I ran inside while Natsu was still slipping his shoes off at the door. "Snacks?" I called from the kitchen.

"Do you still have those hot tortilla chips?"

I plucked them out of the snack cabinet. "Yup! Saved them just for you. Daddy isn't allowed to touch them."

"Awesome."

"Let's go in my room," I said, emerging into the living room where Natsu had already found himself a seat on the couch.

"No TV?"

"No TV. Levy and I were watching stuff as I helped her get ready. I'm done with TV for the day."

"Aww."

"How about we listen to music instead?"

He jumped to his feet. "Can we listen to the Dragon Slayers?"

I laughed. "I knew you'd say that." Natsu's favorite band had just come out with a new album last week, and he couldn't seem to go two hours without mentioning it. He was that pumped over it.

"So is that a yes?"

"Do I even have the option to say no?"

"Awesome!" Natsu shouted, doing a full-body fist pump that involved some jumping, and ran into my room. He knew my computer password, so my laptop was open and playing the Dragon Slayers' new album before I even entered my room with the chips.

"You didn't waste a second starting the music, did you?" I mused. I tossed him the chips in my hand. "Here. Take these too."

"You're the best," he said, not even looking at me as he tore the bag open and began shoving handfuls of chips into his mouth.

I scowled as his messiness. "Don't get crumbs everywhere," I warned him. I collapsed backward onto my bed with a long sigh. "Whose house is this anyway? It feels like you own the place when you're around."

"Aww, don't be like that, Luce," he said, mouth full of chips so it came out more like a mumble. "The only reason I'm here all the time is because you're here. It's not like I come for the food or anything."

"Liar," I said, smirking at him.

"Not a lie," he insisted. "It's the truth." His words were still muffled by the chips, and I struggled to hold back the giggles. He seriously looked like a chipmunk with his mouth that full.

I flipped myself upright. "I'm going to write," I said. "You can do whatever."

He jumped up. "I'm going to sing!" he announced.

This could only end badly. But I acquiesced. "Go ahead. Just try not to disturb the neighbors, okay?"

"Aye, sir!"

It was getting late by the time the music was over. It was a two-disc album, and Natsu had sung wildly to the entire thing. It was a new album, so he had maybe two choruses memorized and that's it. The rest was just garbled gibberish sung to a tune approximately similar to the songs. It would've been annoying if it weren't so damn funny.

"You done?" I asked when the music stopped.

"Yep. That's the end."

I applauded. "And no noise complaints from the neighbors! Congrats!"

Natsu pouted. "Lucy's a meanie."

"Pretty sure you're meaner for making me sit through that." Please react, please react, please react.

Natsu did react. He spread his feet and took up a fighting stance. A sneer faced in my direction. "You wanna go?" he threatened.

"Go where?"

That threw him off. It took a moment for him to recollect himself. "I mean do you wanna fight?"

"Nah."

"Why not?"

Oh. My opportunity came sooner than I thought. My idea, the one that had been stuck in my head for a week, the one that I was finally about to release from my system: "Because I like you."

That really threw him off. His hands dropped to his sides, startled out of his stance. "What?"

"I said that I like you," I repeated, my face burning. "I really, really like you."

I couldn't look him in the eye. I couldn't believe I was actually confessing. I'd been thinking about it for ages, troubled by the fact that he was still clueless about my mad crush. And here I was, letting him know. But I wasn't sure I was ready to face him now; what would be his reaction?

Apparently, his reaction would be frustration. He crouched down with his hands over his head. "Argh, why didn't you tell me?"

"Wh-what?"

He mumbled, "I've had a crush on you for months."

My face felt like it was on fire. Had I heard that right? "You...m...m-months?"

He kept his gaze turned to the side so I couldn't see his expression. "Okay, I don't know, it's hard to actually figure out when it started. But like…how quickly you became my best friend…how quickly you became an important person to me…" He looked up at me with wide eyes. "It's not normal, Luce."

I walked over and squatted next to him. "We did become friends pretty fast, huh? We must be soulmates or something. In a friend way, at least."

"Do you think we could be soulmates other ways, too?"

Even more than him returning my feelings, I never though I'd hear these kinds of things from Natsu Dragneel of all people. It's not that he was particularly obtuse to such subjects — in fact, he was quite straightforward — but I never expected him to be so…smooth.

He grinned. "Lucy, you're blushing."

"Like you're one to talk," I grumbled, shoving him.

He grinned and laughed, and we were back to normal again, for a moment.

But only for a moment, because what followed his laughter was silence. Not the comfortable kind I usually had with Natsu, but a fidgety, awkward silence.

"So, uhh…what now?" he finally asked.

"I don't know," I said. "I didn't really have a plan, I just wanted to…say it." I was blushing again.

"Does this mean that we're…?"

"I guess so…?"

"Yes!" He squealed, falling over onto his side. "Ahh, so happy."

I giggled. He was acting so cute I could hardly stand it.

He reached over and took my hand. He held my fingers lightly in his, his thumb resting on top and stroking them with a gentle touch. I scooted closer and tightened my grip on his hand. My stomach was already swimming with butterflies at his positive response to my confession, but with this I felt like my heart would burst.

"Natsu…"

He smirked. "Don't worry, I already know your turn-ons and turn-offs."

I scowled at him, suddenly sobered. "Is that was this is?"

"You said you like holding hands and light touches. It seems you weren't lying."

"You sly bastard."

"I pay attention more to you than you think," he said. He was pouting now.

"I never doubted you," I said. "It's just…I guess this is all just so unexpected and I—"

The sound of a key in the front door stopped me short. Daddy was home.

I looked at Natsu. This was the worst timing ever. We still need to talk things out. We still needed to—

Natsu stood up and tugged on my hand to pull me up with him. "We can talk more later," he said. "I'll call you."

"I was about to say that," I said, slowly smiling.

"Lucy? You home?" my dad called.

"In my room," I shouted back. "Natsu's here."

He stood in the doorway. "Hello, Natsu. So you're here again."

Natsu released his grip on my hand, and I let my arm drop to my side. "I was actually about to leave, sir," he said. He turned to me. "See you in school."

"Bye," I said. I showed him to the door and gave a small wave as he left.

"He's been here a lot," Daddy remarked.

"Yeah." I was definitely blushing. "We, uhh…we may be dating now?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why does that sound like a question?"

"Because it literally just happened before you walked in."

"Oh." He shrugged and headed to his room. "I'll have to give him a good talking-to next time he's here."

"Daddy, please don't."

He looked at me. "I'm a parent. And your mother isn't here to do it, so it's even more important."

I sighed. "Fine. I'm going back to my room." I escaped back to the comfort of my closed bedroom door. Talking about it was just so embarrassing. How in the world was I supposed to go public with my affection for Natsu? It made me want to crawl in a hole just thinking about it.

I flopped down onto my bed and screamed into a pillow.

"I should tell everyone," I thought aloud. No matter how embarrassing, my friends deserved to hear it from me first.

I'd call Levy first. She'd been dealing with most of my agonizing over Natsu these days, and I also needed to hear about her date with Gajeel. Then Juvia. The conversation with Erza would go last; she'd probably interrogate me for the longest.

And then Natsu would be calling me later.

I squealed into my pillow again. This was too much. I was so happy. So happy.

That night, I spent almost an hour talking to my friends. Gajeel and Levy weren't actually dating, but they both agreed there was definitely something there. Even though Gajeel wasn't committing, the mutual interest was enough for Levy to give it a shot. Juvia spent about five minutes straight gushing about how cute we were before I had to end the call. I loved her, but the romance talk was so embarrassing when it was about me. And then Erza spent about two seconds congratulating me before launching into the expected interrogation. I should've told my dad I didn't need his concern when I had Erza acting as a second mom, and a much better one than him anyway.

After an hour talking to my friends, I spent another hour with Natsu. We actually talked about nothing in particular. Schoolwork, Levy and Gajeel, we even debated whether Erza was stronger than Mr. Strauss. But by the time the call was over and I went to sleep, I felt secure and happy with where we were. We were dating. We liked each other. A lot. The rest we could figure out together along the way.

Things were in uproar at school for a while. Our friends wouldn't stop teasing us. The cheer girls were the same, making all sorts of innuendos that I did my best to brush off. Mr. Makarov made a point of saying hi to me in the hallways every day, and loudly. I got used to it after a while, but the first week or so was absolutely mortifying. Thankfully, winter break was right around the corner so people forgot about it after that.

We didn't spend much time together over winter break; school might not be in session, but cheerleading sure was. And Natsu's family was going away on vacation for the holidays. So instead of getting to spend time together during our time off, we ended up relying on text messages and phone calls. It was a little lonely, but when we finally saw each other again on the first day of the new semester, none of that mattered anymore.

And then, as our relationship gradually became a normal thing at school, the firsts started happening:

Our first sort-of-date, where Mr. Makarov took Natsu, Wendy, and I to go skiing. Natsu wanted to snowboard, and somehow managed to get motion sickness from it. Yes, he got motion sickness from snowboarding. I wasn't a huge fan of skiing anyway, so I spent the second half of our day trip hanging out in the lodge and drinking hot cocoa with Natsu at my side. All in all, not bad for a first sort-of-date, motion sickness notwithstanding.

In the spring, our first kiss, surrounded by flowers and cherry blossoms in the park. It was awkward and clumsy and there were dozens of other couples around us, but somehow it felt like we were the only ones there, and it was amazing.

On our next date at the movies, as soon as the lights went down, Natsu treated me to a long, gentle kiss as the previews rolled. It was remarkably difficult to focus on the movie afterwards, especially when he kept brushing his lips against the back of my hand held in his. I didn't know where he learned these things, but I was dying of wanting to kiss him senseless.

Our first big fight was my fault. It was over something stupid. I say it was my fault, but Natsu's straightforward nature was his undoing sometimes, and this was one of those times. I was already having an awful day, but when he told me I looked awful, I snapped. There was a lot of yelling, and in the end we both had to apologize for our words. But once it was all over, I just took it as proof that we could talk things out when things went wrong. And seeing him so nervous and out of his element giving me flowers with his apology was kinda cute.

And then at the end of the summer, right before the start of our senior year, everything began happening at once.

A/N: Everyone's probably going to hate me after this, huh? They get together and I hardly even show it. And I'm not even sure that what I did show is the best way to go. Well, all that relationship fluff is cute and all but I have one issue that needs to be resolved before they can get their happily-ever-after. Basically what I'm trying to say is that the story is going to have a change in direction.

Don't worry, there will still be fluff! There will just also be some angst mixed in, especially in the next couple chapters. Well, I'll see what the reaction is I guess. After next chapter, you're all going to really hate me if you don't already. Mwahahahaha [insert doomsday music here]

Thanks for reading!