A/N: Watch out, because I've decided to up the rating. I can't help myself it seems - I enjoy writing shenanigans. This chapter is still teen of course - the rating goes up with the next or the next-next chapter. As always, I'm open to any kind of review. Did you enjoy it? I'd love to know. Did you hate it? Go ahead and give me both barrels WHY it sucked. I'm not even kidding. I can't grow as a writer in this vacuum I find myself trapped inside.
"Maybe." Lucy swayed and giggled as she moved across the room to flick on the bathroom light and then open the small fridge. "What we need is more wine!" Hoisting aloft the chilled bottle Natsu had stashed there earlier, Lucy grinned triumphantly. "I propose a toast to the bringer of wine!"
"Propose?"
Letting the fridge shut with a slam, Lucy sauntered to Natsu and set it on the bedside table. "You bought toothbrushes, toothpaste, snacks and wine!" She weaved in place a little and then plopped onto the edge of the bed. "I love you."
"Me or the wine?" Natsu pinched Lucy's cheeks, enjoying her squawk. "I'll be right back with glasses."
Inside the bathroom, Natsu felt his pocket for the small box that hadn't left his thoughts for most of the day. Lucy was gonna be very surprised.
Returning with the promised glasses, Natsu found his girlfriend had industriously kicked off her shoes and was attempting to toe off her socks.
Concentrating with the tip of her tongue poking out, Lucy dug her big toe into the back of her sock. She wailed as her sock refused to budge.
"Bwahahaha!"
Immediately, Lucy pouted. "Help!"
Despite shaking his head, Natsu put down his burden to help Lucy. He slipped one offending sock down to her heel, leaving one-third on and slowly inched the other one down to match. An evil grin on his face, he backed away to watch her wriggle and flail.
"Why do you hate me?" Lucy cried, hamming it up with flair. "Nooooo! Not like that!"
"Weirdo." Natsu yanked one sock off the rest of the way and Lucy finally managed to grip the other in her newly freed toes, pulling and dropping it with relish.
"Yeah, but I'm yours." Lucy emphasized 'yours' like she'd proven something, but her train of thought had derailed. Not sure exactly where she'd gone wrong, she shrugged. Lucy began to pull off her shirt as she demanded Natsu open and pour the wine.
"All mine," answered Natsu, glad Lucy was preoccupied with wrestling out of her clothes. At first, Lucy had been shy and reticent to express herself in their relationship. But time had changed things, and if he was honest, Natsu knew his own lack of shyness had rubbed off on Lucy.
"I feel so much better!" Lucy bounced off the bed, clad only in bra and panties. "Monkey nightie?"
Understanding exactly what she meant, Natsu rooted in the bag he'd packed for Lucy. He'd suggested a day trip late at night on Saturday, but he'd spent time planning this event for much longer. Thrusting the garment at his girlfriend, Natsu smiled at a carefree Lucy who shimmied out of her bra and dove into the worn blue nightgown.
Lucy wiggled a bit more and kicked her panties off after the rest of her was covered. "Ah!"
Natsu said, "As nature intended," and reached for the wine. Lucy flung herself against his back and hugged with all her strength - Natsu stumbled. "Hey! It's a bad omen to spill booze." Natsu turned and patted Lucy's butt. "Lemme pour us some drinks, okay?"