The guild hall was buzzing with lively conversations throughout the building. Natsu was sitting at the bar, Lisanna next to him with her arm linked in his. He had to admit, he wasn't a huge fan of how clingy Lisanna was, but he read about the importance of letting your partner express their love in their own ways, so he never asked for distance.

It had been a week and a half since they officially started dating. The only alone time Natsu seemed to get now-a-days was when he went home to sleep, and that was pretty much it. He didn't mind it much, though. Mira said he was an extravagant instead of an intruder, or something like that. He didn't exactly remember the words she used.

Still, he would appreciate some privacy every now and then. It was weird. It never seemed like something he wanted before, let alone needed to ask for, but here he was wishing for just a day of nothing.

Erza walked over, taking the seat next to Natsu and ordering a piece of her cherished strawberry cake. "Hey Natsu, where's Lucy?"

His shoulders slumped slightly, letting out a small sigh and short response. "Dunno."

"That's strange. You two always seemed to know where the other was," Erza stated.

Lisanna opened her mouth to say something before being stopped with Mira's reappearance, Erza's cake in her hand. She placed it in front of the nearly drooling requip mage, who was quick to take her first savory bite.

"She took a job," Mira said, having overheard their conversation.

"Is that so?" Erza asked once she had swallowed her bite.

"With who?" Natsu couldn't help but blurt out.

Lisanna gave him a look, and he gave a sheepish smile in return. Mira giggled at the sight, always being able to notice any type of 'unspoken words' between a couple.

"She went on a solo mission. Don't worry, it isn't anything overly dangerous, but she needs to pay rent somehow," Mira said.

"True, I just hope she didn't feel as though she couldn't ask anyone. I certainly would have gone with her. I hope she's all right," Erza said.

Natsu mentally nodded in agreement. He knew any further reaction over the subject would just upset Lisanna, so despite the unease he felt about Lucy doing solo missions, he let it go for the time being.

"You guys don't give Lucy enough credit it sounds like," Lisanna said with a small laugh.

The three mages stared at her before she continued. "What? From what I've heard, Lucy is very strong and capable. You guys shouldn't worry so much, I'm sure she'll be back soon."

"I suppose you're right," Erza said with a smile. "Just because we aren't used to Lucy going on solo missions shouldn't change the fact that she is very smart and powerful. She wouldn't take any jobs she couldn't handle."

That made Natsu relax. Erza and Lisanna were right. He should have more faith in his former partner's strength. Satisfied with this, he finished his drink, thanked Mira and said bye to Erza, then was led away by Lisanna.

She had planned another date for them, saying that next time it was Natsu's turn to decide what they did. He wasn't complaining. In fact, he wasn't all that excited to plan a date for them either. He was just learning how to do things right, he didn't want to mess up again by planning the wrong day.

Lisanna took him to a grassy area, just before sunset. Natsu watched as Lisanna pulled out a rolled up blanket from the basket she'd been carrying. She flung it in the air a couple times before laying it neatly across the ground. She placed the basket next to the blanket, instructed Natsu to take his shoes off, and then they both sat down.

She revealed the remaining contents of the basket, Natsu's eyes growing wide at the sight of all the food she packed. It felt like magic seeing how much she kept pulling out of the seemingly small basket. He wasted no time digging in, starting with sandwiches and munching on watermelon after.

Lisanna was more of a slow eater, taking her time as she nibbled on the first of her two sandwiches, watching as the sun began to fall from the sky. She was lucky to have plated everything she wanted to eat, because by the time she was halfway done with her second sandwich, Natsu had finished what was left of the rest of the food she had brought, even licking crumbs off the plate.

She giggled, finishing her food and strawberries before they both sat there watching as the sun began to set. A beautiful mix of pinks and oranges flooded the sky, casting a dreamy glow over the two. Lisanna's hand found its way to Natsu's, their fingers interlacing.

Lisanna waited another minute, nerves taking hold of her as she tried to make a move on the unsuspecting dragon slayer. She took a slow breath in, turning to Natsu whose eyes were locked on the beautiful sunset.

"Hey, Natsu?"

"Yeah?" He replied, eyes unshifting.

"Remember when we used to pretend we were married as kids? And Happy was our child?"

It took Natsu a moment to respond. He remembered what they said and did as kids, and even now he still blushed at the memory. But that was then. Now… things were different. He wasn't even sure what all marriage meant as a kid, but now, reading the small section about it in the book he'd gotten, he had a bit more understanding.

Marriage was a forever thing. At least, it's supposed to be. You make a vow that you'll stay with that person until death do you part. Erza helped him understand that meant the only thing that can separate you from your spouse is death. And when Natsu thought of his forever person… it wasn't Lisanna's face he pictured.

"I didn't really know what marriage was either," Lisanna said, pulling Natsu from his thoughts. "Not like I do now, anyway. But I can't say that my feelings for you ever really changed as we got older."

"Lisanna…" Natsu's voice trailed off.

He had turned to look at her. She was glowing in the golden hour the sun cast on her. Her eyes were soft and her lips were curled upwards slightly in a gentle smile. He couldn't tell her how he really felt. Not right now. Not while she looked so happy.

But then, Lisanna inched closer, and Natsu inwardly panicked at what he knew she was about to do. She closed her eyes, leaning in while her lips puckered softly. He read about this, about a kiss. It was a special moment, an intimate act between two people. Besides the time when Lucy forced him to kiss Happy, which Natsu didn't count, he had yet to have his first kiss.

Time slowed as Lisanna continued to lean in. A few more seconds and he would have no time to avoid it, unless he moved. He didn't want to hurt Lisanna like that, but he also didn't want to kiss her. Was this how Lucy felt when Asuka wanted them to kiss? Is that why she put Happy in front of him?Natsu placed his hand on Lisanna's shoulder, her eyes reopening.

"I'm not ready for this."

A pang of guilt rang through him when the look of hurt flashed through her eyes. But Lisanna nodded, scooting back away from him.

"I'm sorry. I should have asked you instead of just trying to kiss you. And you're right, it probably is too soon—"

"Lisanna," Natsu cut her off. She met his gaze, stern yet gentle, like she'd never seen before. "I don't just mean I'm not ready for the kiss."

"But—you said you'd try, that you'd give it a shot for me. It's only been a week, how can you be sure—"

"I'm sure."

Her throat felt tight and restricted, tears welling up in her eyes. "W-We can try again? Start over—go slower. I promise I'll be more understanding, just…"

Natsu grabbed her hands, fitting them both in his. His next words cut deep, his voice soft. "I'm not sure I like you like that."

Lisanna's tears spilled over, her body trembling as she cried. She wanted Natsu to hold her, rub her back, soothe her worries, tell her everything would be all right. He just held one of her hands, massaging small circles with his thumb, and even that looked uncomfortable for him. She knew he wouldn't want to hold her, so she didn't ask.

The sun had disappeared, night beginning to creep in. Natsu's eyes remained on the sky as Lisanna's cries began to quiet down. Her body stopped shaking, and she was no longer hiccuping. They sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Lisanna spoke up, voice quiet and slightly raspy from all her crying.

"Is it because of Lucy?"

Natsu pulled his hand away from hers, grabbing a blade of grass nearby. He fidgeted, tearing away piece by piece until he couldn't anymore, tossing it in the wind and grabbing a new one. He found himself repeating this cycle a few times, fold, peel, toss, before forming the words to answer her.

"I'm not sure."

Natsu continued plucking blade after blade. He listened as Lisanna took a shaky breath, laying down and looking at the stars that were beginning to become visible.

"Do you like her?"

He ripped a new blade from the patch. "I've never thought of her like that until recently. We were friends—partners, before this." Peel. Toss. "I don't know if I saw us as anything more, but then again, I didn't really know there was more. And then when I started dating you, she basically cut me off and said we could never speak again."

"What? Why?"

"Something about how it was in your best interest. She didn't want to be disrespectful to you." Fold. Rip.

Lisanna pondered this thoughtfully. Lucy told Natsu to stop talking to her? How come she never new that? Natsu seemed to be unknowingly in love with the celestial wizard, but maybe she was knowingly in love with him. Maybe she pushed Natsu away not just for Lisanna's sake, but for her own.

"I'm sorry, Lisanna. I tried, really I did. But we never felt right. I think we're better as friends," Natsu said.

"Yeah… You're probably right. Thank you for trying," Lisanna said, sitting back up and pulling her knees to her chest. "Maybe you should try telling Lucy how you feel. I'm no expert, but it seems like you have a thing for her."

"I think I just need time to figure my feelings out before I agree to something that'll hurt someone else."

Lisanna smiled sadly in response. The stars had now come out in full, covering the sky in a glittering effect. Natsu stood, brushing the grass from his pants. He extended a hand out to Lisanna, grinning as he said, "Ready to go?"

She nodded, taking his hand and telling herself this was probably the last time it would happen. He pulled her up, letting go quickly and helping pack everything up. As they began their walk back, Lisanna couldn't help but notice how often Natsu had been staring at the stars. She smiled at him, asking, "They remind you of anyone?"

Although Natsu remained silent, he couldn't hide the smile that formed on his lips.

X

Hi friends! I'm back with another chapter. Let me know if you liked it and thank you all for your reviews ◡̈