From Puppy to Prince

Where's the Proof?

Before she knew it, his lips were on hers. Her mind had been racing, but with one touch, her thoughts scattered. His lips were soft, and warm, which was expected, and the way he pressed her to him let her know she was safe. She had always thought Natsu was cute, but the more she got to know him, and to see how hard he would fight for someone, sometimes when he didn't even know them, it made her fall for him. And now that they were finally kissing, there was only one thought ruling her world. "This is too good to be a dream..."

He had never imagined kissing her before, but now that he was, he didn't think there was any better feeling in the world. He was still shaking from his confession. He had been so nervous. But now that her body was pressed into his, it was near impossible for him to pull away. He couldn't think of a better feeling than having his hand tangled in her hair at the back of her neck while his lips pressed into hers.

She pressed her lips into his harder when he deepened the kiss. She knew that she was going off the deep end, and if they failed, they would crash and burn, but the fire in her chest, the burn across her lips and tongue, they told her this was right.

He knew they needed air, but he wished so hard that they didn't. He let their lips part, nipping her lip with his teeth, pulling it a little. When their lips finally broke apart, he rested his forehead on hers, his eyes still closed. "...Luce...." He spoke her name with the utmost care, putting all his feelings into that one four-letter word.

She opened her eyes after a while, staring at him, memorizing his face, even though she would know it anywhere. "Yes... Natsu?..." She brought her hands up, one to tug on his hair just a bit, the other to cup his cheek. They both were panting, but still she kissed him lightly. It wasn't nearly enough for her, but it would have to do. Her cheeks were a light pink as the whispers from the surrounding onlookers brought her reminded her they weren't alone.

"We should go somewhere with less people..." It was like he read her mind! She nodded against his forehead, watching as his eyes opened and stared into hers. Neither of them moved for quite a while, just one watching the other.

Finally, Natsu loosened his grip on the scarf around her waist, pulling it up and wrapping it around her neck, and then he kissed her forehead. Cheers and clapping erupted from around them, bringing them both completely back to reality. Lucy turned bright red, and even Natsu was blushing. Together, they walked away, his arm around her waist and hers around his, with her other arm coming across to rest on his chest as she leaned on him.

They walked for a while, and eventually they ended up at the overlook where Natsu had decided to save Lucy from Bora, even though he didn't know he would be saving her at the time. "So... Luce?"

Lucy giggled, "Yes Natsu, but you're going to have to ask me to make it official."

He got down on one knee, making her gasp, "Lucy, would you make me the happiest man in the world and be my girlfriend?"

"Of course, now hurry and get up before someone sees you and thinks something else is happening!" She was smiling from ear to ear, unable to cage the happiness in her heart.

Natsu feigned hurt, "You mean you don't want to eventually marry me?" he put a hand to his chest, acting as though his heart was breaking.

"You know I do-" Lucy covered her mouth, a surprised look on both of their faces. Natsu's eyes lit up and he grabbed her into a hug, dipping her low and kissing her.

While holding her just a few inches off the ground, he brushed some hair from her face and whispered, "One day I'll propose. But not today." His lips brushed hers, then he pulled her upright.

Lucy was barely coming out of her head rush by the time Natsu had moved them to a bench and sat her down. He sat beside her and pulled her onto his lap. "You know, we're going to have to go back to the guild, which means they will eventually find out about us. We should probably tell them when we get back."