Chapter 10 everybody! After three re-writes, two ideas for this chapter being tossed, and a whole lot of hair pulling I got the chapter that I like :3 hope you enjoy!

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Chapter 10

Cobra fidgeted as he looked over his final arrangements once more, hoping that this went off without a hitch, unlike the last three times. Ever since they had gotten back to Magnolia, Cobra had attempted to court Lucy properly, being a gentleman toward her, and trying to show her how important she was to him. Yet, with each attempt, something went wrong.

On their first date, he had figured they could take a simple walk around Magnolia, stopping at her favorite places and just talking so they could get to know each other better. However, thanks to an idiot flame-brain and his damn flying cat, he had ended up in the canal, soaked, freezing, and reeking of stale water, they had canceled that one. And it took everything within him not to kill Salamander, preferably by drowning him in the canal.

The second date was suppose to have been a simple picnic. With every intent of him feeding her like a lover would. However, it seemed that the strawberry cake, a favorite of Lucy's that he learned from Mira, he had bought also attracted another woman. Titania. After helping herself to all of the cake, she had decided to hang with them the rest of the evening. Completely blowing the whole romantic evening apart, and even decided to take all of Lucy's attention for herself, leaving him as nothing but a third wheel as Lucy kept throwing him apologetic looks.

Then, he had thought of a simple dinner at home. He knew how to cook enough to keep himself and others alive, so he decided on something simple. Therefore, he had made pasta, and made sure to keep her portion far away from his, since he had a love for poison in his food. Hell, he had even kicked out Midnight and the kids that had latched onto the narcoleptic mage for some reason. Saying that they could come back later that night, when he wasn't trying to get his life together with his mate. They had left without much of a fuss, but the slight smirk that Midnight gave him, had bugged him to no end. Pushing that aside, he had set up the food, found a tall candle to light, and even found her wine she kept hidden from the guild's favorite drunk. It had been worth it to see the look on her face as she saw the setup, and he thought that the third time was a charm...and then Gray and Wendy appeared. Both had been soaked to the bone from the sudden storm, and had said that Lucy's place had been the closest.

When they had noticed the table, they had both stated that they would leave, but Lucy had given him such a pleading look that Cobra couldn't let them go. So, instead of a simple dinner between him and Lucy, it was the four of them. Albeit, it did make Lucy feel better knowing that her friends wouldn't be getting sick, but he just wished why he was cursed for failed dates with the woman.

Finally, this idea hit him. He was going to have a second try at the picnic. So, he had scourged all around Magnolia for the perfect place to have it, where he was sure no one else would know or find. He found it just beyond a small on the outskirts of the town. The hill had been a pain to climb, since it's slope was so steep, but had been worth it in the end. It spread out into a large meadow with trees just in the distance. He didn't know why this place was bare, but he wasn't going to question it, and quickly only let Lucy know about it. Merely giving her the directions since he hoped that no one else would drop in.

For extra measures, he had even gave Natsu different directions when the idiot had asked where he and Lucy were heading, hoping that he wouldn't try to track the woman by scent. He could understand why he was protective over her, but damnit she was his mate! And he wanted the chance to woo her and show that he wasn't a complete asshole.

So, he was triple checking to make sure that the blanket he had spread out was perfect, and that everything was just so in his perspective. When it passed his inspection for the third time, he gave a smirk and then walked over to the edge of the hill, feeling his smirk grow into a smile at the sight of Lucy making her way up the hill. He waited until she reached his side, her eyebrow raised in question before gesturing toward the spread. Watching as she blinked before giving the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

"Cobra. This is amazing." She whispered, and he felt relief course through him. Thinking that this date would go well, with no problem. Hoping for the best, he lead her over to the blanket, allowed her to sit herself before easing down beside her and opening the basket of food that he had prepared.

"You've really outdone yourself. This meadow is amazing." She whispered, causing him to smile and lean back as he handed her a plate and glass before pulling out a bottle of wine. After pouring their drinks, he turned his attention to start getting the food, but paused when she let out a confused sound. Blinking, he glanced over at her, and frowned as he noticed that her eyes were toward the sky. Then he realized that it had become slowly darker than what it should have been for that day, and felt his own eye going upward. Nearly cursing out loud as he saw the rain clouds gathering quickly.

At the sound of Lucy's communication lacrima going off, he turned back toward her as she answered.

"What's going on Mira?" She asked, and he nearly groaned at what he heard.

"Gray has really upset Juvia over something. I suggest you get indoors quickly." Mira stated, and Cobra gave a mental snarl before packing everything back into the basket, dumped his wine, and quickly grabbed Lucy's wrist. Giving her just enough time to grab the blanket before they both quickly started back toward town. Yet another date was ruined, he was beginning to wonder if he would ever truly get Lucy as his mate.

Lucy gave a sigh as she and Cobra finally reached the apartment, completely soaked through even though they had attempted to use the blanket as a shield against the cold rain. Looking up at the male, she felt her shoulders slump at his defeated look, and then dropped her gaze to the basket that he had prepared. That was the fourth date he had prepared for them, that had somehow got interrupted.

"Cobra..."

"It's fine. Why don't you go ahead to the bath. You shouldn't stay in those wet clothes for too long, least you catch ill." He muttered, before moving toward the kitchen, where she figured that he would put the rest of the food away so it wouldn't spoil. She hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to figure out some way to show him that everything he had been trying to do hadn't been a waste. Giving a nod, she followed him into the kitchen and watched as he began to pull out the food.

"Cobra. It's alright." She whispered, and almost knew that it had been the wrong words to say when he tensed.

"Alright? Alright?! Not a single thing I have planned for us has worked. How the hell am I suppose to show that I'm not a complete asshole if everything is ruined each time?" He snapped out, and she blinked before releasing a giggle. Only to quickly cover her mouth as he gave her a slight glare, clearing her throat she smiled at him.

"Cobra, not many men would keep trying to win a girl's heart with everything that has happened. Yet, you continue to keep thinking of the next date. Even now I see the wheels turning in your head. But here's the thing, I already know what kind of man you are, and that is the reason why I love you." She whispered, watching as he blinked before giving her a dubious look.

"I mean it. On your first try, you managed to hold back your anger and not drown Natsu and Happy. Why was that?" She asked, watching as he huffed.

"Hurting your friends isn't a way to impress you. Not to mention, you would have had my hide." He muttered, causing her to smile.

"You did it because he was my friend, you tolerated it. On the second try, you didn't complain once to Erza or make her go away. The reason?"

"She would have skinned me alive, besides she obviously needed to talk to you about her problems." He muttered, and her smile widened slightly.

"You understood that sometimes my friends will want my undivided attention, but that I would still be around for the next time. The third date, when Gray and Wendy crashed in, you didn't refuse them." She stated, watching as he sighed, apparently still not understanding what she was getting at.

"You worried about their well-being. They're your teammates and friends. Besides, it's your place I had no right to tell them to leave." He growled, and she shook her head.

"Cobra, today, you could still just give up and decide that it wont work. And the reason you're not?" She asked, watching as a spark entered his eye as he looked at her.

"Because, I would never give up on you." He growled, and she felt her chest tighten as a warm feeling filled her. Stepping forward, she wrapped him in a hug and nuzzled her face into his chest.

"Cobra, that's why I already know what kind of man you are, and why I love you. You realize that there will be times that my friends will just barge in, but in the end, I'll always be there for you, just like I know you'll be there for me. So many other boys will just give up eventually or make the girl choose between him or her friends. You would never do that. Not to mention, I know that you are kind and caring as well and would do anything for those that you care about." She stated, watching as he blinked before allowing a smile to appear and returning her hug.

"I swear Bright Eyes, I learn more and more from you each time. Which only makes me fall more and more in love." He whispered, nuzzling his nose into her hair before giving a sigh and leaning back so he could meet her gaze.

"However, you still need to get out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold, or pneumonia." He stated, and she bit her bottom lip before looking up at him shyly.

"You know, you've already put away all the food that was at risk for spoiling. And...My shower and bath are both big enough to fit both of us." She whispered, watching as his eye widened slightly before darkening with desire.

"You do realize what you are inviting, yes?" He growled out, and she swallowed before giving a nod.

"I've already accepted my love for you Cobra, and I'm more than willing to become your mate if you are ready for it." She whispered, blinking as a shiver shot through him that had nothing to do with his wet clothes.

"Damn straight, I'm ready." He growled, quickly picking her up and heading toward the bathroom.

And there's chapter 10! Next chapter will be the reason this story is rated M, this is your first warning! Also, I have at least two to three more chapters planned for this story, then I am moving onto another unfinished story (not sure which one yet). Once I finish those, I will come back and most likely start the two spin-offs on this one. All that aside, I thank all of you for reading and leaving reviews! Hope to hear from you again!