The Engagement Game

Baby Steps

Today was going to be interesting. Lucy's life was finally getting back into motion and it was thanks to Loke. She hadn't realized until now, but she was was just so depressed by his absence. She didn't work, or socialize and hardly took care of herself. Today was the first time in a whole week she'd actually planned on even getting out of bed.

A lot had been on her mind before she fell asleep and after she woke up. The puzzled girl laid in bed for a few hours, just thinking about how this was going to work. She hadn't minded knowing Loke must've came back to sleep with her after she dozed already off. He was lying behind her, breathing quietly, still sound asleep. Lucy was surprised he wasn't fully cuddled up against her, but then again, maybe he was just giving her some space. Considering he was lucky enough to get a second chance after such a misunderstanding, he didn't plan on treating it triflingly.

The mage inhaled a quiet yawn, rolling onto her other side to view Loke's minute smile. "Heh, cute." Hesitantly, she crawled over him, trying her best not to wake him up. After successfully failing to disturb him, Lucy grabbed some spare clothes and a towel and made her way to the shower. There, she continued her thoughts; how was he really going to be able to prove he loved her? Or better yet, how was she going to find out if she loved him in return?

After a decent amount of time, she turned off the water, got out and dried off. She was excited to be wearing a new outfit— well, sort of new. It was identical to the one she'd joined Fairy Tail in; the same one her landlady stole from her during the seven year gap. She even fixed her hair the same way just for the occasion. The only difference in her appearance from now and that day, was the length of her hair. The last time she'd seen herself wear this, her hair was only right below her shoulders. Today, it was well below her hips and significantly lighter than before.

After finally exiting the bathroom, Lucy was shocked to find Loke still asleep in her bed. She laughed lowly, walking to the spirit and taking one last glance at his sleeping face before poking his cheek. "Wake up, sleepyhead."

He faintly groaned, nestling further into her pillow and ignoring her order. He heard her perfectly clear, he just didn't want to wake up yet.

"Come on, Loke, seriously. How tired can you be?" She tugged at his sleeve repeatedly, continuing to bother him until he weakly threw her off.

"Stop." He mewled, keeping his eyes shut tightly to block out the sun.

Lucy giggled, "not so lively and affectionate in the morning, huh?" She grinned and leaned closer to him.

"Eh, only when somebody is waking me up," he sighed heavily. "Though for you, I'll make an exception... after all, it is a dream of mine up to that pretty face every day."

"Well, I guess I could be wrong about the affectionate part." She blushed and laughed. "But really, can you please get up?

"Only if I get a kiss~" his tired, teasing tone trailed as a smirk quickly swept across his lips.

"If I kiss you, do you promise you'll get out of bed?" Lucy's tone was slightly irritated, yet serious.

Loki blinked and nodded his head. Wait, is she serious? That's all I've had to do all these years to get her to kiss me?!

The girl herself smirked, "alright then." She swiftly pressed her lips to his cheek, then pulled him up by the arms. "Now come on!"

"Hey, no fair," Loki pouted. "I wanted a real kiss..."

Lucy pinched his pouty lips and giggled. "A kiss is a kiss. You made a promise, now get up, or you won't ever get a real one." She continued to smirk as she turned and walked away from him.

"Really? You're teasing me now?" He wasn't complaining... though it did make him more than a little curious, not to mention made Lucy even more attractive to him.

"Is there something wrong with that?" She wondered aloud, while pouring herself a bowl of cereal.

"Oh, 'course not. But it is a bit of a turn-on, so be careful." He smirked at her, knowing she must've been hiding flushed cheeks as she turned away, pouting.

"Pervert..." she mumbled, taking a bite of her breakfast. "Aren't you gonna eat something too?"

"Spirits don't need food, love. Though," Loke paused and walked towards the kitchen, leaning over the counter. "If you're planning to cook anytime soon, I'll definitely eat. It'll be kinda like you're already my wife." He winked.

Lucy blushed, smiled and shook her head. "You really are something else, Loke. But, on the topic, I was thinking..." she made her way to the couch and let Loke follow, throwing an arm around her. He kept a curious expression as she continued, "if I'm ever going to make a decision, I need to know what it would be like first."

He chuckled. "Feelings aren't a decision, Luce, but tell me more." His lion ears perked forward, awaiting the progressing conversation.

"Well..." she blushed, feeling a tad awkward. "What if we try living together, like..."

Loke smiled at her nervousness. "A couple?"

"Y-yeah. I think that's a good way of judging what I want."

"Despite what you want, you seem to be a lot more open to the idea of loving me, now." He pulled Lucy into his lap and affectionately nudged into her neck.

She laughed softly and snuggled into Loke's chest. "You mean believing that you love me."

He swerved his lips and thought for a moment, "hmm... nah, I meant what I said. You'll fall for me eventually."

"Why do you seem so sure about that?" She carried on giggling at the male, now lying across his lap with her head rested on the arm of the couch. Her hand rose up to Loke's head, sliding the hair out of his face.

"Simple," he grinned. "It's already happening."

All jokes and flirting aside, Loke was right. Slowly, the mage was getting caught up in his charm. The two of them went silent, smiles fading into serious looks as they both blushed.

Loke slid his hand behind Lucy's head, slowly raising it and leaning down, so their faces met. Lucy didn't resist; she closed her eyes and readied herself for what could be her first kiss.

Wait, her first kiss? She was just going to let Loke take it? The one Fairy Tail member who's dated more girls than the guild gets job requests and she was letting him do this... oh well.

The space between their lips suddenly closed. Loke had taken the opportunity to do the one thing he'd wanted since the day Lucy saved him. It was quick and soft, but it was perfect.

It was nothing like Lucy expected. She wanted to do it again— but she couldn't show that she really was falling for him quite yet.

They shared an awkward chuckle before Loke smirked, "you enjoyed that."

Lucy looked away, smiling. "In your dreams..."

"Yeah... definitely one of my dreams."