He would've done it. No hesitation.

My heart hammered in my chest as I remembered how he stepped into me, eyes serious. Embarrassment painted my features, breath caught in my throat. I couldn't decide how I felt about it, emotions and logic warring, but my subconscious made the decision for me. Of their own accord, my hands grabbed the closet thing to me as defense of his encroaching lips.

I'm not sure who was more surprised, Happy or Natsu, as furred lips clashed with his unsuspecting ones. I know who was more disgusted. The feline dropped from the sky frantically wiping his mouth with tiny paws. Serves the brat right hovering next to my face waiting for a chance to tease, "She looooves him!" Not to mention he'd been an annoying, ever present pain the last few days. Raiding my fridge, leaving smelly fish carcasses is my trash. Karma is a mother.

Wait a minute. Was he unphased, or was there some big secret he was keeping to himself? Being raised by a dragon, maybe he preferred four legs instead of two. There's also the 'love the person, not the body thing'. Either explanation opened a door I was not ready to walk through. I mentally kicked it shut. To be safe, I bolted, chained, and locked that sucker, throwing away the key. Yup, none of that.

On the other hand, the logic part of my brain heard quite clearly how nonchalantly he stated how 'It wouldn't kill us'. Was he just trying to play it cool? Did he actually want to do it and didn't want to let on as to save face if I rejected him? Or, did he really have no preference one way or the other? I could feel a pang as I considered the latter scenario. You'd think you'd have more of an investment, feelings, involving a decision like that? How can you do something so intimate without a thought?

'Heh, Natsu and thought in the same sentence. That's rich.'

Maybe he was just trying to make Osca happy. He had been doting and sweet to the next generation fairy all day. It was kinda' cute. A blush plagued me as images flashed through my mind.

Natsu, holding a small, squirming bundle. A tuft of rose colored hair poking out the top of its duck yellow blanket. Natsu, pushing a squealing girl on a rope swing, pigtails flying out behind her. Both their laughter floating in the sunny sky. Natsu, playing catch with one of his less lethal fireballs in an emerald yard, dog barking and bouncing between them. Natsu, tucking blankets under two cloned faces before kissing them goodnight. He'll make a wonderful father some day.

I shook my head hard enough to send my golden locks flying. I definitely think I've been hanging around Juvia too long.

'Think of something else girl'.

"I know!" I exclaimed, finger gesturing my 'Aha!' moment. "I just picked up the newest book in my favorite series. That should distract me."

It worked all of five minutes before I blanked out, thoughts drifting back to that familiar face inches away. I could feel the heat radiating off him in waves. It had coaxed my muscles into contentment but had my heart trying to claw out my throat. And those eyes, always fierce and piercing, were overwhelming a half step away. I ruffled my hair as much in frustration as a physical dispelling of my thoughts.

"Shower. Cold shower." I hurried into my bathroom turning the knob all the way to the left.

'This is gonna suck.' I braced myself and hopped into the water whose temperature could rival any of Gray's ice make magic.

The snowcap cold water cascaded over my goosebump riddled skin. Hugging myself tight, I danced beneath the shower head. The chilled temperature of water did what it was meant to do after a mere five minutes. Luckily I wasn't in there for hygiene so when I had things under control, I hopped out onto the shaggy rug, wrapping the plush towel around me. I wound another around my dripping hair. I huddled in the terry cloth haven a bit before braving the cooler environment of my bedroom.

Teeth chattering, I tugged on my fuzziest pjs then cocooned myself into the pale pink comforter covering my bed. My ardor had cooled off but my thoughts still raced. I wanted, no, needed to know why. My curiosity had to be satisfied before I could let the whole thing go. Overcome with cowardice, I pondered how to obtain the information without having to put myself out there.

"Cana could get him drunk and ferret it out of him." I chewed my lip in thought. "No, he doesn't ever drink enough for that." I pulled knees up, head resting atop them. "I could have Erza intimidate it out of him. envisioning how it'd play out. No, no. No one deserves those terrifying looks. So scary." I snuggled deeper into my nest of covers.

"I could have Mira talk to him. Kinda' feel out the situation. She was always trying to play match maker. This isn't much different, is it?" I sighed deeply, head back against the headboard.

"I'm being a coward. This is Natsu were talking about. Plain old Natsu. Hot headed, destructive, annoying Natsu. I spend nearly every waking hour with him. We're friends. Close enough that something this silly shouldn't change a thing." By that thought alone, I felt the tension drain away. We've been through so much together, experienced things so much more terrifying than a mere crush. Finally deciding I would simply ask him next time we saw each other, I began practicing what I was going to say.

'Hey, about the other day. That was pretty crazy, huh? Osca asking us to kiss and all.'

I was pacing my carpet envisioning a plethora of reactions and expressions he may have.

'Natsu, you were trying to mess with me the other day, weren't you? See who would swerve first.'

I shook my head. No, that was just dumb.

'Ever tasted cherry lip gloss? No? You want to?'

I stopped mid-step exasperated with all the pathetic interactions swirling in my skull.

'I'm a freaking writer, I can do better than this.'

Increasingly more ridiculous scenarios buzzed my brain, my frustration near boiling.

'Keep it simple stupid. Just ask.'

Natsu needed flashing neon signs on a good day. Plain and direct was the best course of action with that moron. Chances are I'd have to beat him over the head with it. Maybe I could draw out a diagram and get him a 'Girls for Dummies' book. Then, have someone read it to him considering the only books he'd touch with a ten foot pole, consisted of pictures and pop ups. I chuckled to myself picturing a ecstatic Natsu turning the pages of the 3D dragons encyclopedia Levy had gotten him in an independently owned book store on her last job.

Relieved I finally had a plan of action, I pulled back my covers, crawled back into my waiting bed, and settled back into my pillows. Everything was gonna be a-o-k. The elephant would be addressed and we could get back to business as usual.

" Come hell or high water, I'll ask Natsu tomorrow."

"Ask me what?"

'Gulp'