Natsu had been dreaming about kissing Lucy again. He watched her disappear through the doors and once more felt an odd tingle vibrating through his lips. This was the first time that one of his dreams had left a physical imprint on him. He blushed as he imagined the feeling on his lips as something real. He followed Lucy through the doors, still confused, but resigned to be hit by reality. Lucy was already really far ahead of him, "Hey Lucy!" she didn't look back, "Wait up!" He started sprinting when he realized she was ignoring him. "So confusing,"he muttered under his breath.

When he finally caught up to Lucy he grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him. Even in the fading light he could tell that her cheeks were stained a very red color. What the-

"Let go of me!" her protest was a lot weaker sounding than usual. Natsu obliged and released her.

"Lucy," he began, but she wouldn't look at him. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah." Her voice was shaky, 'just a little tired. I'd like to get to the Inn sooner rather than later." He was certain there was more to it, but he didn't push. And so he simply nodded and led the way.

As they walked through the streets he felt waves of nostalgia sweep over him. It had been so long since they had met. They walked through the main plaza and it was like he was seeing their first few moments all over again. When he had first seen her in Hargeon there had been an instant connection. After interrupting the love charm the fake Salamander had cast she offered to treat him to a meal. As he had sit across from her, stuffing his face, she had talked and talked and talked. At first he was confused by her words, but then she started talking about Fairy Tail. He had loved the way she spoke of his family. She had never met them and yet she seemed to know, instinctively, what Fairy Tail was all about. He didn't tell her who he was, he still didn't know why, but when he had saved her later and seen her summon a spirit- or more like felt her power since he was actually trying not to puke when she did so- he knew she belonged with his family. He never would have imagined the crazy adventures they were destined to have. He never would have imagined the feelings Lucy would awaken within him.

Now, walking beside her, he couldn't imagine anything other than how much he cared for her and how deeply devoted he was to protecting her. He shook himself from his thoughts as they reached the Hargeon Inn. Lucy walked straight to the Innkeeper and demanded, "Two rooms please."

The Innkeeper looked down at Lucy with a frown, "Sorry, Ma'am, only got one room left, last one sold a few moments ago." Lucy looked back at Natsu, panicked.

"That's just fine, Sir, we'll take it." Natsu smiled at Lucy and whispered, "I'll sleep on the couch."

"And if there isn't one?" She glared at him. He shrugged.

"I'll sleep on the floor." Natsu leaned over the counter and paid for the room. As soon as he had the key he walked towards their room, room 26, without hesitation.

Lucy caught up as Natsu was turning the key in the door. Together they entered their room. Both of them froze as they realized the size of their room. Barely six inches separated the bathroom from the bed and not much more space was available between the bed and the door. Apparently the last room available was made for a single midget child.

"And if there is no floor?" Lucy asked, turning panicked eyes to Natsu.

". . . Under the bed?" they both looked hopefully towards the bed but discovered that this too provided less than accommodating space. "No? Um . . . "Natsu really didn't know what to say. They had been reduced to a single solution but a solution that presented them with a problem. "I guess I'll sleep in the tub." He peeked into the bathroom and was met with the most disgusting, grimy bathtub the world had ever seen.

"Natsu. Give it up." Lucy grumbled from behind him, "We both know we'll be sharing the bed, so stop whining and get ready." Lucy pushed him inside the bathroom with his bag and shut the door. He changed into his pajamas, or more accurately he took off his jacket and belt. After which he brushed his teeth. He started to walk out of the bathroom door when Lucy yelled, "WAIT!" he obeyed without a second thought and waited for her signal. Eventually she called out for him to come and he left the bathroom behind him. Lucy had also changed. She was dressed in a silky pink tank top and shorts. Pushing past him she entered the bathroom with her toothbrush. Natsu put his stuff down and sat awkwardly on the bed. He debated which side to sleep on for a minute before Lucy exited the bathroom and sat next to him.

"Um, do you want to sleep on the left or the right?'

"The right, it's closer to the wall." Natsu nodded and allowed her to crawl behind him towards her chosen side. When she was all situated he too crawled beneath the covers. The two of them lay on their backs in the darkness for several minutes- neither one spoke but neither did they sleep.

Natsu was doing his best to focus on himself. On his breathing. Then on his position. He couldn't believe that two nights in a row he was without Happy, alone with Lucy and in her bed. Natsu felt the bed tremble slightly as Lucy shivered. He turned his head to look at her. "Are you cold?" he asked, instantly concerned.

"N-no," came the stuttered reply. Natsu could see Lucy's hand rub against her arm, searching for friction, for heat.

"Don't lie Lucy. I can see you shivering." He scooted a little closer, hoping to aid her in the process of warming up. She pushed even further away, now against the wall completely. The second the skin on her shoulder made contact with the wall she jolted back. Her other shoulder bumped Natsu's. It was his turn to shiver. As the heat from his body reached hers he could see her resistance to him break piece by piece. Ignoring his conflicted feelings Natsu did the one thing she was denying herself, he grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.

"N-Natsu," she protested.

"Natsu nothing. Just be quiet and let me help you." Natsu held her in his arms and enjoyed how perfectly she seemed to fit there. Her skin was cold and her body stiff, but gradually he felt her begin to relax in his embrace. They didn't say anything else as they held each other. They allowed sleep to pull at them, relying on each other's warmth. Lucy curled her head into Natsu's chest and as exhaustion made its final claim to her mind Natsu leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. I love you Lucy Heartfilia, he thought to himself as his eyelids drooped closed.