Natsu rose to his feet, clapping and blowing a series of piercing whistles; earning a wide smile from Lucy. She added to the noise with her own frantic clapping. The patrons showed appreciation as the cast bowed, hoots and whoops mingling with more whistles.
"Amazing!"
"So good!" enthused Lucy. "You picked an awesome show and I'm so happy you enjoyed it as much as I did." She leaned against Natsu. Not so much to get away from the pressing crowd, but to complete the emotional closeness she felt. "You constantly amaze me, d'you know that?" Lucy snuggled into the arm Natsu put around her. "I don't need any more presents. This has been more than I could ask for already."
"I like giving you presents." Natsu squeezed gently, one hand on Lucy's waist and the other petting her hair. "Not just the physical gifts, but the time we spend together is like a present."
Blinking to ward off tears, Lucy tilted her head back to look up at Natsu. Eyes reflecting a heated, slumberous quality, she gave him a matching smile. Her heart was full.
The crowd thinned; Natsu and Lucy linked hands and exited. A cool breeze scented with primrose and a hint of petrichor teased them with the promise of rain. Off in the distance, dull gray clouds gathered.
"Ah!" Natsu inhaled and exhaled with enjoyment, both arms stretching to the sky. He refused to release Lucy, glancing at his watch. "We've got over an hour to kill before dinner."
"You are absolutely spoiling me." Lucy began swinging their linked hands. "A pretty necklace, a hotel room, tickets to the theatre, dinner reservations. Not to mention so many books today!"
"When'd I buy you books?" Natsu tilted his head. "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't not buy you books, but I headed for the car each time before you were done browsing."
Flushing a light pink, Lucy muttered, "Well, I'm not sure actually. I used the 'tap' function on my debit and I think it uses your account."
"You're a weirdo." Natsu laughed and held tighter to Lucy's hand. "Oh no, you're my weirdo and you're not squiggling away from me. Let's take a nice, appetite-building stroll."
Full and delightfully buzzed from the wine they'd indulged in with dinner, Natsu and Lucy ambled back to the hotel. Once behind their locked door, Natsu grinned at Lucy with wicked intent. "Ready for some appreciation?"