Chapter 9

Natsu groaned loudly and buried his face in Lucy's pillow. "I'm soooooo bored!" he moaned in frustration, cracking open one eye to watch Lucy. She hummed absentmindedly in agreement, eyes never leaving the page in front of her. Natsu poked her cheek a few times, so she flicked her gaze up to him, thin eyebrows drawn in annoyance. "Want to go get something to eat?" he asked.

The two of them were home alone, as Grandine and Igneel were on yet another business meeting and Wendy was sleeping over at her friend's house. Lucy flushed faintly, as that offer sounded very much like a date (which made her inner Lucy do a happy dance). She cleared her throat and set her book down. "Sure. Where do you want to go?" she asked. Natsu internally sighed in relief that she accepted. "There's some new place that opened a few weeks ago" he said. "We could try it."

Lucy smiled and made shooing motions with her hands. "Let me get changed" she said. Huffing, Natsu heaved himself of her comfortable bed and decided he should probably get changed himself. 10 minutes later, a Natsu stood by the door in his favourite white shirt, leather jacket and black trousers, twirling the keys to his red Lamborghini around one finger. He tapped his foot on the gleaming wooden floorboards impatiently.

A small cough to his left caught his attention. He turned and his eyes widened. Lucy blushed slightly and clutched her left arm nervously. "Did I overdress?" she asked timidly. She was wearing a strapless black dress, with a black bow around the middle and a wavy layered skirt ending slightly below her knees, accompanied with black shoes with a small heel. Her hair was tied up in a bun with a black ribbon and a small black purse hung on one shoulder. Natsu gulped and shook his head. "Not at all. You look amazing".

Lucy's blush intensified but she smiled brightly. Natsu opened the door. "Milady" he said, bowing at the waist. Lucy giggled and walked through the door. Natsu locked it behind them then made sure to hold the car door open for her. "Aren't you a gentleman" Lucy laughed. Natsu only grinned as he slipped into the black leather seat beside her and started the car.

A few minutes later they pulled up outside a small restaurant. The walls were painted white, and the two windows at the front revealed neat rows of white table clothed wooden tables. Lights positioned in rows of black metal holders along the walls cast a gentle glow across the room. Natsu opened her door then extended an arm that she gladly took as they walked inside.

Soon they were positioned at a two person table tucked in a corner beside a window (Natsu pulling her seat out for her of course) Lucy was still debating whether or not it was a date. It seemed like a date, and felt like a date, but Natsu hadn't actually said whether or not it was a date. Of course in most first dates you'd normally be nervous. But since Lucy and Natsu were so close already it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable for either of them. In fact, it felt just felt natural.

Lucy suddenly spotted a flash of red. She turned and saw a certain redhead sitting across from a certain blue haired boy with a tattoo on his face. Lucy clasped a hand over her mouth as hysterical squeals flew out. Natsu raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to ask what was wrong. Lucy quickly shook her head. She grabbed his hand and gestured silently at the table. Natsu looked below them and his eyes widened.

He bit his lip and clamped a hand over his mouth as he snorted in amusement. "It's about time" they said in unison. They shared a grin and continued to spy on their friends. Erza had an unrelenting blush on her face but it was accompanied by an unrelenting smile. As their food arrived, Natsu and Lucy quickly decided to leave their friends on their date and went back to conversing.

Lucy twirled a strand of her pasta carbonara around an elegant silver fork and popped it in her mouth. She groaned out loud. "My God this is delicious" she said. Natsu took a big bite of his large burger and let out an identical groan. "I'm coming here for dinner everyday" he said. "Only if you take me with you" Lucy laughed. Natsu extended a piece of burger he cut off. "Want to try it?" Lucy shrugged and popped the piece in her mouth. "I've never tasted a burger that delicious before" she moaned. Twirling another strand of pasta around her fork she passed it to Natsu.

He took it and slipped the fork into his mouth. "Mm mm" he said giving her fork back. "Whoever these chefs are, they aren't human" he said. They chatted non-stop and soon their dessert arrived. They ordered a single piece of chocolate cake, since they were both too full for one each. Taking it in turns to eat a forkful, they continued the non-stop chatter. Once the check arrived, they argued about who should pay (Natsu insisting he would and Lucy saying she would) until Lucy realized she'd forgotten her money and Natsu happily paid for everything

As they drove home, both Natsu and Lucy's hearts were doing exhilarated loop-the-loops. They continued talking about how nice the food was until they pulled up in front of their house again. By now it was dark. Streetlamps cast beams of yellow light on the grey streets. Lucy clutched Natsu's jacket tighter around her shoulders as the night chill licked her skin (he gave it to her once she shivered when they stepped out of the restaurant – being careful to avoid Erza and Jellal)

As the approached the front door, instead of unlocking it he turned to look at Lucy. She raised an eyebrow at him. "This is the part where after the date the guy leaves the girl home, kisses her, takes his jacket then leaves right?" he said. Lucy's breathe caught in her throat. So this was a date! She breathlessly nodded. Natsu smiled then said, "Well since you live here too, and I'm sure you'll give me my jacket back when we're inside, I can only do one of those things". Before Lucy's mind had time to process what he said, his lips were on hers.

Lucy sucked in a breath as warmth flooded her body. She wrapped her arms around Natsu's neck and one hand slipped into his hair as her eyes drifted shut. Natsu smiled against her lips, his fingers clutching her waist as he pulled her closer. They broke apart, breath coming in heavy pants. Natsu grinned widely, his eyes soft as his fingers trailed gently down Lucy's cheek. She smiled lovingly and grabbed his other hand, knitting their fingers together. "I've wanted to do that for a really long time" Natsu laughed softly.

Lucy's eyes lit up in delight. She cupped his cheek and pulled his lips down to hers again. A few moments later they sprang apart again. Lucy grinned happily and whispered "Me too". "Want to go inside and make popcorn and watch a movie?" Natsu suggested. "Sounds good to me" Lucy agreed. They locked lips once more as Natsu unlocked the door behind him, kicked it open and without breaking the kiss, scooped Lucy up bridal style and carried her inside.