Lucy mindlessly wondered through parts of the city by herself, obviously giving up on finding Natsu.

It was her fault for not being careful enough, she'd have to owe him a huge apology later tonight when the roads clear. It'd be easier for her to see the ship from wherever, so why not use this time to shop.

The image of Natsu's dominant figure flashed through her mind, still pondering over why he'd be so uptight about protecting her. She hadn't seen any sign of danger at that moment, and her eyesight was extremely well being gifted from having mermaid traits.

It was strange being alone after the long course of constantly being around the crew members, always having someone to talk to. The thought of being by herself was more relaxing rather than nervous.

After subsiding the worrying of finding her close salmon haired friend, her pinky lips formed a natural smile as she strolled wondrously.

"Hey Love Rival!" There was only one person who referred to her by that name, already turning around to see the bluenette latching onto Gray's arm.

Gray sighed in relief as they approached her, thanking Mavis he wasn't alone with her anymore. "Hey Lucy, what's up?" A crooked smile appeared on his face, subduing any stress.

Lucy perked up. "I'm doing okay! I just got um.." Her two pointer fingers tapped together, not finding the right words to explain her situation.

One of his eyebrows raised in suspect. "Hey, wasn't Captain supposed to be with you? Why'd he ditch you here?" He was surprised to see that Flame Brain wasn't with her.

"About that--" Lucy said, both mages carefully listening to her contently. "I accidentally got pushed and somehow got lost from him, he was really mad for some reason but he wouldn't tell me why."

"I'll talk to him later, don't worry bout it." Gray patted her bare shoulder lightly, a promising smile lit on his face. Juvia scrunched her nose as his fingertips barely brushed down her arm, mischievous thoughts roaming through her mind.

"Thank you Gray, I really appreciate it." Lucy softly said, oblivious to the jealousy radiating from the water mage squeezing Gray's arm.

Gray stiffened, somewhat taken aback from her gaze within the rich chocolate colored eyes she adorned so well. Their depth only glimmered further from the sunlight, one of her gifted physical traits.

"U-Uh yeah, no problem.." He lightly chuckled, brushing the hair away from his face with his hand. "You want to tag along? Looks like you could use a friend after all because of that thick-headed noob." The words slipped from his mouth like butter, not intending for them to be heard.

Juvia glared at the beautiful blonde sheigging her shoulders and replying. "Why not! I'm actually really hungry right now.." Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as her hands covered her rumbling tummy.

The young man chuckled. "Well we did just get a bite, but there's no harm feeding you up. You good with that, Juvia?" He turned to look at the bluenette tightly hugging his arm.

A grumble came from her. "I'm not hungry though Gray, I was hoping to shop to be honest." She poured her lips out at him, her eyes growing large.

"Oh! It's okay, I'll find a place to eat, no worries!" Lucy interjected, casually waving her hand.

"N-No, it's okay, I'll take you out." Gray stammered quickly, his words surprising all three of them.

Juvia sighed, glancing at the blonde standing before them. She'd seen the way her and the Captain have grown close to each other from the very beginning of their journey since Riduele. They were inseparable, so this time she shouldn't worry about her Gray.

"It's okay, I can find Wendy and Carla to shop with." Juvia confidently said, putting up her smile. Gray's eyes widened immensely, shocked.

Juvia let go of his arm and smiled up at him. "See you later, dear!" She winked, feeling confident in herself as she tuned around to stride away. It was the perfect test to know if Lucy was in love with her Gray-sama.

Gray blinked a few times, feeling the blood flowing back into his arm she had suffocated. "I didn't expect that reaction.." He mumbled, utterly confused but relieved.

"I hope she'll be fine." Lucy commented, brushing her ponytail behind her shoulder.

He smiled and nodded his head. "Yeah, she'll be okay. Now let's get you something, I don't mind eating again anyways." He motioned with his hand her her to follow his lead.

Lucy quickly advanced to his side, matching his walking pace. She found it quite different and awkward at first, the pace feeling unnatural to her. Gray took slightly shorter but quicker strides, his pace slightly faster than Natsu's relaxed walking speed.

Gray looked at her from the side, noticing up close how stunning she was. It was the first time they've been alone without anyone interrupting them after a few minutes, so he got the chance to gaze from the corner of his eyes.

She shone brighter than anyone. Flowing golden locks cascading on her shoulder, lightly tanned skin to glow from every ray of light gleaming on her. It's radiance was extraordinary, a treasure to behold. Her strong hips were barely covered from her white dress, moving perfectly in synch with every graceful step she took. The kindness from within only made her stand out from the crowd, something only comrades would know about her.

Holy shit--since when did Flame Brain deserve her? Gray's mind roamed. He saw her both inside and out how stunning she is. He's probably dumb to just admire her for how beautiful she looks.

He didn't realize how much he was missing out on an opportunity.

The confidence only sky rocketed every time he'd cause her to laugh or smile throughout conversation, easily entranced by her.

Gray walked Lucy to a nice, higher-class restaurant, since they were both dressed pretty nicely. He was glad he chose a thin black long-sleeved shirt reaching between his elbow and wrist, an addition of the v-neck highlighting his defined collarbone, connecting to his sharp jawline. He chose light material since it was sunny, his strong abs clearly visible through the thin material.

"After you." Gray held the large wooden door open for her, his eyes gazing at her soft smile.

"Thank you." She chimed back, taking his generous act. "I didn't know you were such a gentleman."

Light pink rose onto his cheeks from her compliment, taking it to heart. "It's nothing, you only deserve a gentleman anyways."

Gray gently smirked as she lightly laughed, quickly taking a glance from her behind. It was unavoidable to check her out for a couple seconds, her perfect long legs almost teasing him.

They walked up to the front, with a young gentleman waiting. "Table for two, upstairs outdoors." Gray causally said, his arm brushing against hers.

The young gentleman nodded. "It'll be about ten minutes until your table is ready. Name?" His hazel eyes adverted to Lucy, not being able to help from her natural beauty.

"Gray Fullbuster."

He scribbled it down, nodding once again. "You've got a very lucky lady, Gray."

Dark blushes tinted both mages faces, trying to stutter out a reply.

"O-Oh! Um, it's definitely u-uh-" Lucy began, awkwardly stopping when Gray's voice interrupted hers.

"Definitely a nice compliment." Gray finished, his hand grazing her lower back. The young man winked before he left to somewhere in the fancy restaurant, leaving the two to sit and wait.

Lucy crossed her arms and purses her lips out. "You didn't have to do that." Her crossed legs wouldn't stay still, her toes tapping rapidly.

Gray only had a dominant smirk play on his face. "Just go along with it, it's not gonna harm you." A laugh racketed from him after making eye contact with her, Lucy's expression completely amused.

Time quickly flew by as they made small conversation again, finding themselves outside at a beautiful small circular glass table. Lucy glanced at the water in expensive glasses, a few ice cubes floating in the cooling drink.

"You didn't have to take me somewhere so expensive Gray, you're really sweet." Lucy smiled, admiring the view from the deck they were on.

He grabbed the glass between his fingertips, slowly swirling the ice cubes. "I don't mind, it's a beautiful place for a beautiful girl."

Lucy snapped her head back at him, a relaxed smile formed by his thin lips. Her eyes widened, internally stammering at the bold compliment. "O-Oh, thank you..."

A soft chuckle came from Gray as he watched her cutely but shyly smile at him, her cheeks tinted a rose pink. "I'd like to get to know you more. It's been hard to since there's only so much personal space on the ship."

Her heartbeat quickened, but not in the way she was used to from a certain other. Her heart didn't flutter from his graceful words, the feeling in her stomach churning more with awkwardness rather than excitement.

Lucy shook away her thoughts, deciding to enjoy her time with a friend rather than debate with herself over emotions. "I guess it seems like a great place to start."

Their conversation was smooth, no awkward pauses of any sort. Lucy caught onto his difference style of humor, taking a liking to knowing more about him. They've never sat down and talked about each other before, and she felt welcomed by him. Gray tended to somehow make her forget the worries she had about earlier, lightly blushing at the occasional subtle compliment he somehow slipped between words.

Gray ordered something on the small side, while Lucy was starved. "Get as much as you'd like, it's all on me." He shone his perfectly straight teeth with an easy smile, letting Lucy have no boundaries to her hunger.

She settled for a type of pasta, adding a side of salad for her vegetables. Her skin didn't glow all naturally on its own, she made sure her diet was good for her body. Of course, she'd never let anyone know the secret to her enchanting mermaid gifts she could enhance.

As the food quickly arrived, Gray casually glanced down below again to watch the sea of people stream everywhere.

His eyes expanded twice as large while taking a sip of water, almost having the urge to cough. No other young man had pink hair like the dumb-wit he knew, praying he wouldn't look upwards at them, considering they were next to the edge of the deck.

Gray let out a relieved sigh as the pinkette walked by along with two other members, his muscles easing from tensing up.

"Gray? You want to go look at different shops after this?" Lucy asked, taking another small swirl of delicious pasta to chew on.

Gray softly gazed at her, leaning his chin on his hand. "Sure."

__________

Natsu's feet slightly stomped against the ground every step forward, his attitude smoking and his emotions flaring like a untamed wildfire within him.

"She could be fucking hurt--lost--and it's all my god damn fault." The dragon slayer irritatingly hissed at himself, aggravated. He kept a good distance between him and his two Fairy Tail crew members, a burning hatred still alit from their rough past.

Bickslow spun his head around, his long tongue hanging from his mouth. "C'mon, we'll find Luce for ya man-!"

"It's Lucy and I go by Captain, you understand me?" Natsu demanded, his ears picking up on his nickname for her that bastard slithered from between his crooked, jagged teeth. "Don't even use that nickname again."

His nose was distracted by the wonderful scent drifting by, the aroma catching him off-guard. Natsu looked to his right to see an expensive restaurant, catching the name printed onto the glass frame in the door.

"Of course it's a rich restaurant that I could've taken her to." The Captain growled under his breath, reading the name 'The Sohona Genie'. He'd have to remember that once they found Lucy.

She probably doesn't even have any money with her to buy something to eat! I'm a fucking idiot! Natsu's mind screamed as he remembered how hungry she was. His hands clamped tightly together, balling up into fists.

He felt a soft hand grab his, snapping him from the midst of his thoughts. His eyes pierced at the whitenette who softly smiled as his, her fingers wriggling against his.

"It can't be your fault Na-Captain, sometimes accidents happen." Lisanna cooed, trying to ease the stress away.

Bickslow internally cussed seeing her shape up to the salmon haired male like that. It was all because of that dragon slayer that Lisanna wasn't his, the jealousy motivating his adrenaline to flow faster in his body. "It's entirely his fault, Lisanna." He hissed, daringly casting a glare towards Natsu.

"Shut up or I'll leave you on this damn island." Natsu spat between his sharp teeth, matching Bickslow's glare with his own.

"Make me." The last words out of the man's mouth was just enough to trigger the Captain.

Natsu swung his fist back, following through by sending his fist directly into Bickslow's jaw.

Bickslow snapped his head back after being thrown off-guard from that punch, knowing it was bound to bruise. He hissed and advanced forward, placing both hands into Natsu's chest to shove him back.

"Bickslow! Natsu, stop this!" Lisanna screamed, taking a step between the men while holding her hands out to keep them separated further. "Now's not the time!"

"Don't ever call me by my name, Lasagna." Natsu darkly growled, refusing to let her hand touch him as he backed up.

"If you ever call her that again I'll send you to Hell!" Bickslow shouted back, his voice crawling with disgust. The only reason he wasn't lashing out at the pinkette was from the hand delicately placed on his chest.

Lisanna's head turned towards Bickslow. "I'll meet up with you later I promise. I need to speak with him for a moment."

Bickslow's breath hitched in his throat, his eyes quivering under his armor. He slowly stepped back, his lips harshly pressed together. "Fine." Swiftly turning around, he quickly let the jealousy flood his mind while walking off. His heart sank heavily in his tightened chest.

Natsu's eyes narrowed at his back, then adverting to Lisanna. "Why didn't you go with him?" He lowly questioned.

"I just wanted to be with you...I want to help you find Lucy." Lisanna added the last half, realizing the conversation could've easily steered a direction she didn't want to go.

Natsu shook his head, his lips forming a thin line. "Fine, but we're only looking for Luce."

They started pacing together, Natsu setting the fast tempo with Lisanna to catch on to. They searched for hours, peeking into shops that the blonde maiden would've maybe stopped by. As the sun began to start setting, the Captain only got more frustrated and worried, different emotions growing like weeds in his body.

They walked on a sidewalk just higher than the dock itself, the sun barley touching the shifting waters from the scene.

Natsu was tired and starving along with a huge headache to burden. All he wanted was to hold the maiden in his arms and fall asleep like he's done before, missing her presence.

"It's beautiful."

He turned around to see Lisanna admiring the sunset, the orange-yellow rays casting on her face and white locks of hair. His eyes boringly watched her for a second, walking to stand next to her. No, this is wrong.

Lisanna glanced up to meet his gazed onyx eyes, almost wanting to cry. No emotion lusted within the gray color, a fire glimmering that used to burn only for her was long perished.

"Don't you miss us?" Lisanna whispered, barely edging closer to him so he wouldn't notice. His eyes duly looked at her.

He only shook his head, his mind focused on an entirely different young lady. "You did this to us, it's sad to think I used to like you."

Her hand clenched his coats collar, tears brimming her eyelashes. "I'm sorry! You don't know how much I regret using you, I've only grown to love you!" Her voice desperately hitched, quickly gasping for air.

Natsu grabbed the wooden railing next to him, immediately conflicted. She said she loves him?

He only sternly shook his head slowly again, his expression showing distaste. "I don't love you, I-" his eyes snapped wide open, his pupils shrinking to little dots as his eyebrows roughly furrowed.

A pair of lips interrupted him firmly pressing down, completely silencing him. Her hands tugged on his collar to bring him closer, remembering the way their lips used to connect together.

Her eyes were shut closed while his still stared openly. Natsu didn't move his mouth against hers, feeling no connection of harmony at all.

His heart raced a thousand beats per second as he felt her gently plump, soft lips lightly kiss his forehead, her touch lingering for a few seconds. He felt her long blonde hair dust across his wrists, slowly closing his eyes.

No spark was lingering between them as her lips moved against his, tugging on his collar desperately.

His lips parted slightly, leaning forward to feel her face touch against his for a moment before she was gone from his room, almost like vanishing. Her soft touches lingered on his skin, wishing she didn't leave him in the dark like this. Letting his back fall onto his bed, a soft smile formed with his lips, hands running through his hair with the gorgeous blonde imprinted in his mind for the rest of the night.

No, this was wrong. Nothing about her lips forced upon his was intriguing, almost disgusted with the touch. It was a poisoning feeling against his own.

Lucy...

Natsu angrily tore his lips away from hers, his eyes darkly glaring at her, a hatred piercing through them.

"No, no, no."

"Please..." Lisanna's voice trembled, tears one by one slipping from her glassy eyes. She longed for the feeling of his body enwrapped around hers, caressing her while drying her eyes. She missed everything about him. "One more chance."

"Fucking--Lisanna, no! I don't feel anything for you anymore, get it through your head!" Natsu lashed out, his hands running through his hair and let out an agitated yell of frustration. "I only liked you back then, I never loved you!"

"I love you now!" Lisanna cried out, reaching to grab him again.

Natsu stepped back and shook his head, pivoting on his heel to walk away from her. A sleeve raised to wipe his lips from their touch, wishing to erase the scene from his existence.

He didn't know where exactly he was heading towards except away from her. The image of the celestial spirit mage wouldn't stop appearing in his head, constantly thinking about where she could've been.

Natsu found himself walking back to the Fairy Tail ship, hearing many loud voices echo from it. Obviously most of the others found their way back, not knowing how many exactly.

Swiftly climbing aboard, he glanced around to see everyone loudly shouting amongst themselves, some heavily drinking whole others laughing.

"Hey Captain! Glad you made it safely!" Erza commented, waiving her hand at the pinkette. She took a sip of her beer while Cana next to her downed another, countless of how many she'd consumed.

"Where's Lucy?" He sternly demanded, every muscle in his body stiffened. His jaw clenched together harshly.

"I haven't seen her, she might be in the Kingdom because of her father." Erza replied, noticing that the Captain was highly irritated. Angry vibes castes off his body like invisible flames torched and radiating from the heat he gave off.

___________

Nighttime fell quickly, different sizes of twinkling stars randomly dusting the seamless sky, not a cloud in sight. The moon shone brightly, aluminizing within the darkness.

A feminine laugh echoed through the air along with a chuckling masculine voice.

"Gray! You're terrible." Lucy laughed, cheekily grinning up at the toned, muscular young man right beside her.

He leaned down a tiny bit closer to her face. "Am I really that terrible?" He smirked, his face heating up with an apparent pink blush.

Lucy giggled and bit her lip, pretending to think. His arm brushed against hers, closing the gap between the two as they walked towards the ship. "No, I think you're fascinating."

Gray's eyes softened, finally meeting her gaze again. "Well I think you're gorgeous."

She playfully shoved an elbow to his side, trying to cover up her flushed face. "That's not true.."

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that? Not even Flame Brain?" Gray surprisingly questioned, his hand gently resting around her waist.

Lucy's eyes widened from his mention of Natsu, but quickly saddening as she thought thoroughly from his words. "No..."

A finger rested under her chin, bringing her back up to face him instead of staring at the ground. "Well he's either stupid for not saying it or he's blind. I'd say both." They were almost close to the ship.

Lucy gazed into his eyes with her lips curling upwards, forming a gentle smile. Their pace slowed down as his fingers grazed against her cheek, running them through a few strands of hair that framed her face.

They didn't notice the figure watching them from the ship's lower deck, completely focused on one another.

The Captain's heart tore into shreds, his shaking hands gripping the railing tightly. His teeth grit together watching how close they were, taking a sharp inhale. He felt like his eyes turned from coal onyx to straight black as he stared darkly at the scene.

That vile ice popsicle.

Natsu glanced down at his hands and chest, looking back towards the ice mage who's body was snug next to hers. He couldn't stand the sight of seeing her with another, especially ice princess. He ripped his eyes off from them, his chest heavy with envy crawling on his skin.

He listened to their voices quickly grow close as they made their way onto the ship, keeping himself from turning around to punch Gray like he did with Bickslow.

He wanted to let him know that his hands shouldn't be the one to hold her close.

Gray chuckled as he grabbed Lucy's hand, helping her up onto the ship. Their voices continued to ring unknowingly into Natsu's sharp ears. The salmon haired man slowly turned his head, seeing that he was unnoticed by them.

"Thank you Gray, I mean it." Lucy stated, feeling his larger hand delicately hold hers within.

Gray's eyes bored into hers, feeling the intimacy growing between. "Don't think much of it." His other hand reached up and rested on the side of her head, frozen in the moment. "I had a great time."

He had a what?! Natsu kept his growl from escaping his lungs, his instincts flaring up enviously the way he touched her.

"Me too."

"Wow, sure sounded fun."

Their heads snapped towards the same direction where the sarcastic comment came from. Natsu's mind continued to play their words over again, an envious feeling wavering rapidly that prickles his skin.

"Well I think you're gorgeous."

"That's not true..."

"Well he's either stupid for not saying it or he's blind. I'd say both."

Lucy's eyes widened, biting her lip as a smile formed.

Gray dryly swallowed, somehow keeping his composure as he quickly looked back to the blonde. "Goodnight Lucy." His hand slipped away from her, showing one last crooked smile before walking away.

"Goodnight, Gray." She replied, watching him until he turned his back.

Lucy turned to face Natsu again, mixed emotions flowing through her. "Natsu, I-"

"Luce, I'm sorry."

Natsu regretfully gazed at her, his eyes only focused on the person he'd missed. A silent moment passed by, their eyes intimately reading one another. A breeze tussled their hair, his locks sweeping against his forehead.

He advanced towards her, his eyebrows slightly furrowed together with frustrated eyes.

Lucy took a step forward, closing their gap quicker following with another.

His arms tightly embraced her from above her hips, following with hers snaking around his neckline. "I'm sorry." Natsu mumbled into her shoulder, feeling her tuck into the crook of his neck.

"Don't Natsu, you didn't do anything wrong." Lucy hushed gently, her fingers tangling in his soft, thick pink locks.

He raised his head back up, barely able to meet her eyes without his pupils dilating. A soft hand slid to his cheek gently over the healing gash, radiating brown eyes connected with his gaze.

"Did you eat something today?"

"Yes, Gray took me out. I'm fine."

Natsu sighed, a portion of his worry gone while another emotion grew from the thought of the icicle taking her out.

"I was being selfish." Natsu hastily gritted, shutting his eyes and leaning into her palm. "I never meant to lose you."

His own hand delicately laid over hers, his thumb gliding back and forth while his fingers curled around hers.

Lucy gently shook her head. "You know I'd forgive you about something so simple. I'm more concerned about you, you still seem agitated." Even with his eyes closed, she could see the anger forming his pressed lips into a thin line.

"It's just--" Natsu started, trying to find the right words to express his stirred feelings. "I don't know-" he turned towards her palm, his lips gently pressed on her smooth hand.

Lucy's skin tingled with warmth from his touch, sending jolts through her body. "Something happened while I was gone, didn't it?" She whispered gently, her other arm sliding down to rest her palm on his bare chest.

Her free hand slid to the left side sneaking underneath his coat, laying over to feel his thumping heartbeat. It quickened rapidly, beating more aggressively.

Natsu opened his eyes half-lidded, dazing at her while she overpowered his whole body with the simplest of angelic touches. His body temperature rose on its own, new untamed fires burning in his heart that only she could ignite.

"I couldn't stand to see you with him by yourself." Natsu gritted, squeezing her hand from his tensing muscles. "It just pissed me off--his hand shouldn't hold you like that-!"

Natsu stopped his rambling, realizing the words spewing from his mouth. He shouldn't care if she wondered with Gray the whole day, the ice mage charming her to make her smile, dangerously closing the small gap without her backing up-

But he did.

Lucy stood with widened glowing cocoa eyes, watching him bring her hand to rest his lips against her knuckles. She understood his anger from his carelessness earlier, but mixed thoughts pondered through her mind at his outburst of the other young man.

He'd seen them walk back to the ship.

The feeling of Gray's body next to her was clear in her mind, remembering every detail of his gorgeous smile that was vastly different from Natsu's. His face had been only mere inches apart, feeling the difference in their magic from his fingertips cooling her back. She'd grown used to the blissful warmth heating her bones from the icy mist prickling against her skin.

Lucy enchantingly gazed into his distressed coal onyx orbs, putting simple pieces together. No difference lied in his posture and emotions from when he dragged her away, refusing to let her know why.

"Even after everything that's happened, I'd come back for you." Lucy gently soothed, glancing at every aspect of his structured face.

Natsu let his lips brush barely-existent butterfly kisses against her knuckles, trailing along the backs of her delicate slim fingers. He saw she didn't freeze up from him, his tender gaze almost tearing from hers. Temptation was high for his eyes to glance at her perfect body close.

His hand let go of hers and reached to tenderly trail against her rosy pink cheek, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Lucy saw his eyes glancing from her eyes to her lips, causing her body to weaken. She almost gasped at how swirls of emotions were visible in his orbs. Lust and desire.

The Captain lowered his head with their noses touching, looking down after seeing her half-lidded eyes. Redness tinted from the bridge of his nose and flourished across his cheeks.

Lucy's hand crunched together on his coat, her breath unsteady from anticipation. Her heart throbbed painfully in her chest. Blonde eyebrows tended together as her eyelids snapped shut, long voluminous eyelashes grazing her skin.

"Luce...I'm not blind.." Natsu whispered, referring back to Gray's comment about him. Lucy took a quick inhale, full understanding those simple words he breathed.

A long second passed by, his lips so dangerously close she could feel the heat radiating onto hers.

He's about to-?!

Shyness redeemed over her body before he closed the gap, immediate regretful tears brimming in her eyes as she glanced downwards, their foreheads touching instead.

Natsu's eyes snapped wide open, noticing her body shrink against his.

"I-I think we should go t-to bed, it's late." Lucy stumbled from her quivering lips, too embarrassed and ashamed in herself to meet his eyes again.

Natsu could barely understand how it turned out. "Um, yeah! I'm actually pretty tired.." The rejection pained his heart, trying to keep it from being obvious.

His jaw clenched as an awkward silence passed, both knowing what should've happened instead.

Lucy took a shaky breath as she leaned into his chest, disappointment roaming her mind. Why was she afraid?

A hand swooped down and grabbed under the midst of where her knees bent, flipping her sideways. Lucy automatically let her hands wrap around his neck as she was facing the sky, feeling his other arm support her back.

"Natsu! You scared me!" Lucy yelped as he flashed an mischievous, cocky grin at her. He started walking to their room, carrying her securely in his buff arms with ease.

It was the first time he'd ever carried her, especially not how a groom would carry the bride. Her face deepened a scarlet red from remembering how short her dress was, thanking Mavis nobody else was awake to see them.

"Luce, I promise tomorrow's gonna be the best with me." Natsu grinned, holding her tighter to his chest.

Lucy lightheartedly laughed. "Even better when I was with Gray?" She daringly teased, seeing his grin form into a dominant smirk.

He confidently met her eyes. "That's a challenge I'll take."

Neither one of them brought up the almost and unfortunate scene as they reached his room and got ready for a long nights rest.

Lucy faced the window, softly smiling as his arm wrapped around her waist after a few minutes. His body relaxed snugly against hers, quickly growing sleepy.

Even if it was unspoken, both minds were occupied by the other, trying to sort out their own growing feelings.

Natsu listened to her slow breathing as she was fast asleep, mentally reminding of everything he'd grown to love about her again.

His heart wouldn't dare say three words he'd never confessed, not even certain if that were the correct term. The other comrade earlier had yelled them so easily at him he begged to differ if she truly felt that way.

His mind only asked him one question.

Am I really falling for her?

______________

Oh and that's a wrap 👍

I'm sorry, my other side-pleasuring ship is Graylu. I tend to ship Lucy with a lot of people.

The festival is so close now, what do you think will happen?

Not to mention the almost you-know-what 😏 what's a story without a teaser?

Thank you to every single one of you cinnamon rolls for reading ❤️💕