I'm back! Here's another chapter, and I hope you enjoy it! A little fluffier this time around, but I hate fight scenes, so this is like my rehab. I apologize if this offends anyone, but there might be some pretty . . . erm . . . CLOSE scenes, but there will be no sex! I do not write sex scenes! O.o And I need feedback quick, because I accidentally found myself writing this as a final chapter! If you want an epilogue, please tell me ASAP; if I don't hear from anyone, I'll just call it quits. Well, not permanently, but for this story. FEEDBACK!

Natsu lay next to Lucy in the infirmary, arm around her waist and face buried in her hair. She smelled normal again now that all the blood was gone and she was free of the witch's curse. Raspberries. He couldn't get enough of that scent. She had been sleeping peacefully for a couple hours now after an hour of thrashing. No one had come in to check on them; he had made it crystal clear he could take care of Lucy. He softly stroked her arm, running a finger over every star and scar.

"I wish you'd wake up, Luce. We have so many things we need to talk about."

She sighed in her sleep, burying her face into his chest. Her breath fanned across his neck, causing him to erupt in goosebumps. The only time he could catch a chill was when he was with her, he thought with a chuckle.

"You're the only one that makes me feel this at ease, you know? Any other time, I wouldn't be able to sit still, but something about you just makes me want to lay here forever. What have you done to me, Lucy Heartphilia?"

Her only response (if you could call it that) was another deep sigh. He chuckled to himself, so, so grateful that everything was over.

"Natsu? Is that you?"

God, she was awake. Now he actually had to pick up his nerve to speak with her. It had been so much easier when she was asleep!

"Yeah, it's me, Lucy. How do you feel?"

"Better than I've felt in a long time. Is there a specific reason you're in the sick bay with me?"

"Duh, I was worried sick about you."

He felt her face heat up, and he knew he'd embarrassed and flattered her. She snuggled a little bit closer, rolling onto her back so she could look up at him. He couldn't help the gasp that issued forth though when he looked into her eyes, her two big, BROWN, eyes. Her cursed eye had gone.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. You'll find out later. Want me to go?"

Lucy paused. She didn't want him to go, but didn't know if it would be appropriate to tell him to stay. Would he find that awkward? She snorted to herself; this was Natsu she was talking about, the king of awkward.

"Please stay."

He lit up a couple fingers, twirling them near his face to cast a little light on them. Lucy was sure her face still had a pink tinge to it, but she didn't really mind. They just laid there, the firelight casting shadows over the two mages and creating a rather calm scene. Natsu chewed on his lip a little bit before choosing his words carefully.

"Do you remember what I told you before we killed the witch?"

"That you wanted to kiss me?"

"Yes."

"Of course."

Natsu almost wished Lucy had forgotten. He didn't have the courage right now when she looked so adorable. He mentally cursed his cowardice; give him a monster any day, but Lucy Heartphilia could cow him with just a glance.

"Well, are you going to kiss me?"

"Do you want me to kiss you?"

"I really do."

Without further ado, Natsu found himself kissing Lucy very gently. His heart picked up the pace, wanting so much more than a kiss, but content with their current position. Lucy felt like she was in heaven. There was something she wanted to try, though. Trembling slightly, she slipped a hand under his shirt and caressed his chest. By now, they had gone into a full makeout session, and Natsu refused to back down from Lucy's challenge.

"You know we can't go all the way, right? It would be wrong, Lucy."

"I know. But this feels right."

Erza strolled in a little while later to check on her friends, noting that they were now in the same bed when they had previously been in separate ones. Approaching them, she eeped a little at the sight in front of her. Lucy was facing Natsu, her head tucked in his chest and arms wrapped around Natsu's waist. Natsu had his face buried in her hair and hands behind her head. Erza could not believe how adorable they were, so she decided to leave them. She did note, though, one more thing: Natsu's shirt was missing.

Natsu awoke to Lucy gone. Instantly panicking, he darted out of bed, running down the stairs to the guild hall. He scented around, but found no trace of her. The only people in the guild were Mira, Gray, and Erza.

"Where is Lucy?!"

Gray smirked, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"She went home to freshen up, dumbass. Chill out; she'll be back soon."

That was not good enough. He ran out the doors, ignoring Gray shouting something, and ran all the way to Lucy's apartment. True to Gray's word, she was in the shower, humming a lively tune. Natsu sighed in relief. Grabbing a seat on the couch, he realized what Gray must have been shouting about: he had no shirt on. Allowing himself a smile, he remembered why he had no shirt. He could still feel Lucy's fingertips tracing all the constellations. At that moment, she walked out of the bathroom in only a towel, hair still dripping.

"Natsu! When did you get here?! Where's your shirt?!"

"I just got here. I have no idea where my shirt is, but I didn't know I didn't have it until just now. How do you feel?"

"Amazing. That shower felt really good."

Lucy walked over to the couch, sitting herself down next to Natsu. She put her hand on his thigh, all smiles and confidence.

"You know, I really love you, Natsu. I never got a chance to tell you, but I do."

"I love you too, Lucy. Where do we go from here?"

She chuckled, moving a little closer so she could lean her head on his shoulder. He grinned down at the beautiful girl next to him, wondering how the hell he got so lucky.

"How about we actually go on a date?"

Okay, don't forget, I need opinions for an epilogue. I like this ending, but I can write an epilogue. Please tell me! I would also like some art for this, but I know that's slightly harder to come by. If there is an artist out there who would like to do some art, I would be flattered and glad to help if I could. Thank you, and unless I hear otherwise, the end!