~Lucy~

"So who was that person?" I asked. I was sitting beside Val—the older one—and I was watching him closely.

He leaned back against the tree we were beside and sighed, "Her name is Ambrosia."

He stayed silent for a little while. "That's it? That's all I get?" I said, smiling a little.

He grinned and nodded, "A long, long time ago…I was dumb enough to fall for her beauty." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"You loved her?" I asked, a little creeped out. Anyone who could fall in love with someone like that didn't have very high standards. Something told me that Val's standards were pretty high when I considered his exterior appearance.

Val scoffed, "That's funny."

"What is?"

"Me falling in love?" he said, laughter in his voice as he raised an eyebrow, "Nope."

I frowned, "So you're saying you'll never fall in love?"

He was quiet for a moment and then looked at me. I saw something strange in his eyes, but I didn't know what it was. "I don't think I deserve something as incredible as love." With that he floated up to the branches above my head and perched there. He draped himself over the branch, letting one of his legs fall over the edge. I stood up and stared up at him, "That's sad, isn't it?"

He stared down at me, "There are sadder things."

"I don't think so."

"Yeah? Why's that?" he asked, sitting upright and propping his head up on his palm.

"Do you know what I believe? I believe that the One Magic, the much sought out powerful presence, is really love. With love comes understanding and happiness. Sometimes it can bring pain and hate, but love changes people. If you can't love anyone, you won't ever get the chance to experience that change."

I stopped myself, realizing that I was rambling. He was staring at me, his violet eyes peering into mine. I felt my face heat up and looked away. I heard him drift down beside me, his clothes rustling as he flew down. "Those are some deep words for someone who has never had a boyfriend," he said. My head whipped back towards him.

"What?" I yelled, outraged.

He laughed, "Calm down. I was just kidding." We were quiet for a moment.

"Thanks, though," he said quietly, the wind rustling the leaves above us and sending his hair cascading across his face. He closed his eyes and sighed, "I guess I am pretty sad, aren't I?"

I reached up and touched his cheek, wondering why I had. His eyes snapped open and he stared at me. "I don't think anyone is unable to fall in love," I whispered, smiling at him. He stared at me and closed his eyes again, nestling his face into my hand, "Maybe you're right."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, "You're a good little girlie aren't you?"

"Don't call me that," I said, frowning.

He patted my head, "Well, this is where we part ways."

I looked up at him, "What does that mean?"

"I'll be seeing you…or not. Who knows, right? Besides…I'm pretty sure you'd rather talk to the other me."

I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out. He nodded solemnly. I strange feeling rose inside of me and I pushed it away, "Wait, I—" I was too late. After a blinding flash of light, the smaller Val was sitting in front of me. I knelt beside him, "Hey, Val."

To my surprise tears immediately started to stream down his face like tiny rivers. He looked away from me. I sat beside him and lifted his chin so that I could meet his eyes, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he squeaked. He sniffled and rubbed his eyes, trying to stop his tears. It didn't work. I kissed his forehead and picked him up. He hesitated for a moment and then hugged me tightly.

He was shaking as he uttered his next words, "I'm so sorry, Lucy!"

That caught me by surprise, "What are you talking about?"

He pulled away and stared at me. His eyes were sorrowful and full of regret, "I couldn't do anything! I couldn't help you even though I really wanted to! I just cried…"

I smiled and went in for a quick peck. His stopped my face with both of his hands and cried out, "No! I don't deserve kisses!"

I frowned, his hands still on my mouth. "You're starting to sound exactly the same," I mumbled, my voice muffled by Val's hands. I reached up and detached his hands from my face, "Hey, buddy, you don't need to worry about that stuff. I forgive you."

"Hey, Val! You want some food?" Natsu called, "I don't usually do this, but I'm willing to share!"

Val smiled for a second and then determinedly sunk back into his foul and self-loathing mood, "No!"

Natsu got up and strode over to Val. He patted Val's head, "Feeling as miserable as I am?"

Val looked up, "Huh?"

Natsu looked at me and smiled. He took Val from my arms and carried him a few feet away. Val just stared at Natsu expectantly. "I don't know if you remember, but I couldn't do anything either," Natsu whispered as if it were a secret between only the two of them. I smiled to myself, watching the two having a stealthy conversation.

"But you did do something," Val pointed out.

"No, I didn't. When that scary lady took Lucy, I just stood there. I didn't know how I could help Lucy. So don't beat yourself up…I'm just as useless as you are," Natsu said, smiling at Val. Val grinned a little, "Can I have that food that you were talking about?"

"Nope…sorry, that opportunity passed you by. It's all mine now," Natsu said teasingly.

"What?! But you said—" Val began, grabbing Natsu's shirt tightly.

"Yeah, I did. And you know what you said? You said 'no'. It was just like that, except it was louder." Natsu was grinning now. Val grabbed his face, "I'll take your food!"

"Oh yeah? Can you?" Natsu taunted. Val grinned widely and shot out of Natsu' arms. I laughed as they played together. Val occasionally managed to snag a bit of food. Most of the time Natsu intercepted his attempts, but Val was quick.

"Oi! Natsu! Just give the kid some food!" Gray shouted, "You're interrupting my digestion!"

"Tell your digestion that it can suck it!" Natsu called back, busy with guarding his food from Val's tiny and mischievous hands.

"I'm fine with you playing as long as you don't ruin my cake or destroy anything!" Erza called. I laughed, "I wouldn't count on that happen—"

Natsu lost his balance and landed on the picnic table everyone was eating at. He slammed into it and it snapped in half, sending food flying. Erza growled, what used to be her cake sliding down the side of her face and splatting onto the remnants of the picnic table. Gray spat out a piece of lettuce and it landed beside Natsu who was splayed out in the center of the pile of different foods. He was filthy. Val laughed out loud, "You're so lame, Natsu!"

"I am not lame!" Natsu protested, waving a cake-covered fist in the air.

I facepalmed, "How did I just know that this was going to happen?"

"Naaaaatsuuuuuuuu," Erza roared, standing up, "You decimated my pastry!" I could practically see her evil aura whirling around her.

"Shit, run for it!" Natsu yelled. He sat up and launched out of the pile of food. He started running, Gray, Val, and I right on his heels. Erza charged after us.

"This is all your fault Natsu!" Gray shouted as when ran from certain death.

"Why are you so stupid, Natsu!?" I yelled.

"It was Val's fault!" he called back.

"Whaaaat?" Val asked, flying beside me. He lunged for Natsu and latched onto his head, "Take that back!"

Natsu tried to pry Val off of his face, but Val was a tough little guy. He held on tight. Natsu shouted something, but Val's body muffled his voice.

"Wait, Natsu that's a—" I shouted right before he sprinted smack into a tree. I skidded to a stop, "Tree…"

He moaned on the ground, Val detaching himself and laughing hysterically. He rolled around on the ground, clutching his stomach. "Laugh it up, Val. That was all your fault," Natsu groaned. When he opened his eyes he screamed like a little girl and I couldn't help but laugh. Erza was standing over him, her arms grossed over her plated chest and her fingers tapping her arm repetitively, "Natsu, prepare to pay the consequences!"

His eyes went wide and he looked at me desperately. I shrugged as if to say: you did this to yourself, pal.

Val was fast asleep, passed out on Natsu's lap. Natsu's arm rested on Val's shoulder protectively. "You know, he hasn't been able to fall asleep with anyone but me thus far," I huffed.

Gray and Erza were passed out next to each other. Natsu and I were leaning against a log, being warmed by the fire we'd started earlier.

"Jealous?" Natsu asked.

I smiled, "No. I guess he likes you, though."

Natsu smiled, "I hope so. He's a pretty cool kid."

I looked at Val. His stomach expanded with each breath, slowly and rhythmically. He was curled up in Natsu's arms, a tiny smile on his lips. He mumbled something quietly and then pulled Natsu' arms closer. Natsu looked down and Val and grinned. Natsu's eyes were filled with fondness.

"You're pretty adorable together," I said, not realizing that I'd said it aloud.

Natsu looked up, grinning happily, "You think I'm cute?"

"I-I never said that!" I protested a little louder than I intended. Gray stirred in his sleep.

"Shush!" Natsu hissed.

"Sorry," I whispered. I sighed deeply and stared at the fire. I watched the flames flicker and then raised my chin. My eyes followed a spark as it drifted up in the night air, blending in with the stars and then disappearing.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Natsu asked. I lazily looked at him, yawning and stretching my arms out.

"I've always liked the stars," I whispered. I let my head slump against his strong shoulder and closed my eyes. I immediately drifted to sleep, surrounded by Natsu's warmth and familiar smell.

I could have sworn I heard him whisper, "I wasn't talking about the stars."

A/N: Well, that was adorable. What did Natsu mean? I think you can figure it out. *winkwink* Please don't forget to leave me your splendiferous reviews! Thanks.