Hey guys! New chapter for you all, we're finally getting into the nitty gritty of the story! Also I'm thinking of putting smut into the story, thoughts? Enjoy!

"I can't believe you're going on a date with Natsu!" Lucy panicked at Levy's loud voice, waving her hands at her as a sign to lower her voice.

"Keep it down!" Lucy shouted, "It's not that big of a deal!"

"Of course it is!" The shorter female replied still not keeping her voice down. "It's not everyday when two of your friends get are you guys going to do? Who asked who? I need the details!"

"He said it was a surprise," Lucy began, "And he asked me."

"Are you excited?" When Lucy didn't answer promptly Levy furrowed her brows. "Lu-"

"I don't know." She mumbled to herself. She looked away from her friend, cheeks flushed. She was excited when he asked her, but now she was having second thoughts. Even though she couldn't get the moment out of her head, not realizing she was waiting for Natsu to ask her on a date until he did. He awakened a desire within her that she hadn't realize she wanted. Not after… him. "It's been such a long time since I've been on a date, I don't even know if I'm ready."

This sombered Levy's enthusiasm for her friend. "Did Natsu force you into this?"

Lucy snapped her head up. "What? Of course not!"

"Well what did he say?"

"He said we're both not ready for a relationship… but that there's also no denying there's something between us."

"He's not wrong." Levy mused. "All of us could tell there was a spark between you two, you guys just never explored it."

"I think that's mostly my fault." Lucy admitted. "I think it's pretty obvious I had problems with a guy from the past."

"Perhaps." Levy's eyes grew sad. "But Natsu's been through some difficult things as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he still had trust issues with people."

"Then why would he trust me enough to ask me on a date?"

Levy shrugged. "Beats me, but I bet he has his reasons.."

Lucy frowned at this. "He seems like a pretty happy guy though."

Smiling sadly, Levy explained, "He puts up a good front, but Gray's told Gajeel stories of Natsu having nightmares at night and Gray has to go calm him down. When Gajeel told me I was pretty surprised. Natsu's never given hints of going through something traumatic. The only reason I know about his upbringing is because of Gajeel." The blue haired journalist sighed at her long explanation, sadly sighing before she continued. "Even the strongest of us have a bad story somewhere in life."

Lucy frowned at that, feeling slightly guilty for thinking that Natsu couldn't have a traumatizing past for how happy he was now. The only glimpse she saw was that day they all went to the park together. "I guess you're right."

"Anyways!" Levy clapped her hands together, a newfound sparkle in her hazel eyes. "What are you going to wear?"

Gulping nervously Lucy looked at her full length mirror. Kade was already gone, Gajeel and Levy picked him up until after the date. She was beyond thrilled they offered to watch him, Eclair and Momon being out of town visiting family for a few days. While she was skeptical letting them watch her son, she didn't have another option. Besides Kade's already met them and responded well to them. The museum they were taking him to sounded fun as well.

During her nervous overthinking Lucy didn't realize she was scratching her wrist with her fingernail. It was a nervous habit since she's developed over the years. Luckily for her she always caught herself early enough before she could do damage to her skin. Good thing for her, the dress she wore didn't cover her wrists. It was a nice off the shoulder dress, the mint green color really emphasizing her brown eyes and the tightness of the material around her waist made her breasts look bigger and her hips look fuller. The skirt length reaching just above her knees.

The carmel colored, greek sandals she wore went well with with the dress. Lucy put her hair up in a bun, the pieces that framed her face curled. The make-up she wore was light, she'd never been a fan of wearing globs of it. The simple look she presented actually took her hours to do, mainly because she wanted to look the best for her date.

A date! She still couldn't believe she was going on a date after all of these years, even if she felt suckerpunched in the gut… she couldn't deny how excited she was.

The feeling in her stomach multiplied tenfold as she heard a knock at the door. She took deep, calming breaths as she made her way to her front door, hand shaking as she lifted it to the cold metal knob and gave it a twist revealing the handsome man on the other side. He was clad in a red and black striped flannel, the sleeves rolled and buttoned at his elbows. The dark blue jeans he wore accented his tanned skin well, as well as the black converse he was wearing on his feet. When he finally laid eyes on her his emerald orbs grew in size, mouth gaping open a bit. It took a few moments for him to get collected enough to speak.

"You look…" Natsu breathed out, unable to look at anything else but her. "Wow."

Lucy flushed, eyes darting in every direction but at him. She felt like a high school girl on her first date. "T-Thank you."

Natsu coughed into his clenched fist, cheeks still red from seeing Lucy. "Where's Kade?"

"Gajeel and Levy picked him up, they're taking him to the children's museum."

"He's gonna love it!" Natsu replied, tension exiting his body as he took a step towards Lucy. "There's a lot to do. Rock climbing, wind tunnel, any kid would go crazy there. Hell even I love it!"

Lucy laughed at his enthusiasm. "Well, you are just a big kid yourself."

He rubbed the back of his pink locks. "Heh. I guess so." He stuck out his arm, bending his elbow so his date could hold onto it easily. "Shall we?"

Lucy glanced at his elbow before turning her eyes back to his emerald eyes and giving a gentle smile. She lifted her hand and lightly placed it in the junction of his elbow. "We shall."

"Where are we going?" Lucy asked, her hand still tucked between his forearm and bicep. Natsu said they wouldn't need a car tonight, which was fine with Lucy. The setting sun made the the scenery beautiful. The hues of orange and red reflecting off the vehicles in the street and the windows to various buildings making everything seem more lively. The only thing Lucy would change is the humidity, her hair turned into a frizzy mess when it got too hot and she spent hours looking her best for this date.

Natsu unexpectedly led them down a sharp turn in the sidewalk, the city landscape soon replaced by a forest opening. Lucy hadn't been down to this part of town yet driving her anxiety up even further.

"You'll see." Lucy heard the gruffness in his voice almost like he was nervous. She guess it shouldn't surprise her too much, Levy did mention this was Natsu's first date. Which did fuel curiosity in Lucy. Natsu was a handsome, young and charming man. When he told her all those nights ago he didn't like the party scene like seemingly the majority of their age group did it made her wonder why. Obviously she didn't because she had a kid, but him? Lucy hadn't the slightest clue.

Just what did he go through that broke his trust in others?

"You okay?" His voice broke through her thoughts, Lucy's eyes meeting his worried ones. She offered him a slight smile trying to hide her obviously overthinking expression.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"I've been trying to call your name, you're kind of digging your nails into my skin…"

Immediately Lucy retracted her hand from him. "I-I'm so sorry!"

Natsu laughed at her antics. "You're fine weirdo, not like it hurt that badly. Besides…" He turned his head and muttered something Lucy couldn't quite make out.

"What did you say?"

"It felt nice… having your hand on me."

She could just hear the embarrassment in his voice and it made her heart soar with fondness. This man was just a giant teddy bear. This time she took initiative, putting her side flush with Natsu's before wrapping her slim arms around his strong one, leaning her head on the junction of his shoulder and bicep. Letting out a content sigh Lucy asked, "Is this better?"

She could practically feel his grin. "Perfect."

"Still not going to tell me where we're going?"

"Why would I when were already here?"

Looking up at the scenery in front of her, Lucy felt her breath leave her body. It was a small cottage, not nearly big enough to be a house, stood in the middle of the forest clearing. A opening of trees to the right of the cottage showed a lake, the red and oranges from the setting sun making the water glisten. She didn't fail to notice the blanket on the shore of the lakeside, a picnic basket placed in the middle of it.

"A picnic by the lake?"

She felt Natsu tense under her grasp. "Is… is that okay?"

She hugged his arm closer to him. "It sounds wonderful."

The peaceful moment was broken up by Lucy's cell phone ringing, the blonde pursed her lips at this. No one ever called her.

Without checking the name Lucy answered, "Hello?"

"Mommy!"

Lucy's heart warmed when she heard her son's voice. "Hey honey, what are you doing calling me?"

"Auntie Levy said you would like hear my voice!" Kade explained in his three year old language.

Lucy dropped the phone for a second, putting her hand on the receiver so Kade wouldn't hear her. "I'm sorry it'll just take a minute-"

Natsu waved her off. "Don't worry about it."

For the next ten minutes Lucy talked, well more like listened to, Kade babble on the phone about how much fun Auntie Levy and Uncle Gajeel were.

"That's nice sweetie, but I have to go back with Natsu-"

"C-Can I talk to Natsu?" He sounded so nervous, Lucy didn't understand why but she looked over at Natsu who was just playing a game on his phone waiting for her to finish her phone call with her son. She cleared her throat earning his attention and he responded in giving her a confused look.

"Kade wants to talk to you."

Confusion morphed into surprise as he reached for the phone putting it up to his ear, "Hey there little buddy."

She heard Kade's muffled babbles, but couldn't make out the words. She tried to judge it based on Natsu's expressions.

"Yeah me and your Mom are on our date." He said with a grin before that grin turned to scowl "Tell Gajeel to mind his business."

Lucy shook her head at that comment, seeing Natsu's face brighten back up. She adored moments like these. Kade and Natsu getting along melted her heart, her son loved Natsu and she knew Natsu loved him too.

All of a sudden she heard Natsu go into a fit of coughing. Lucy stood up in a panic, flailing her arms around everywhere trying to calm him down. "Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine. Everything's fine." He said to himself more than anyone. "Well Kade, I think me and your Mom should go so she doesn't have to pick you up too late. Alright, have fun. Kick Gajeels butt!" With that he hung up the phone and handed it back to his date.

"What did he say to you?"

"Nothing!" He said too quickly, Lucy assuming it was about her but not wanting to push the issue. "I'm starving, let's go eat."

Natsu took her hand, the pair making their way over to the lake. When they were close enough Natsu let go of Lucy's wrist and sat down.

"I was really surprised when you asked me on this date." Lucy admitted taking a seat on the blanket overlooking the lake, the stars were beginning to show in the sky lighting the water up in a memorizing fashion. Lucy loved the stars ever since she was a little girl, her Mother teaching her all about the constellations and the importance of stars. Her Mother told her stars were the souls of the deceased looking down on their loved ones, it's something that had always provided a form of comfort ever since her Mother passed.

"Why's that?" Natsu plopped beside her, intently looking at her face noticing that she was deep in thought about something. He hadn't known Lucy long, but he was already beginning to pick up on her physical queues. When she stared into space not saying a word, it always worried him what was to follow. Usually it was something negative about herself or the situation she was in. He hoped this time he was wrong.

Unfortunately for him, he wasn't.

"I told you before, I have a kid." She let out a cracked laugh. "Usually guys stay as far away from that as they can."

"Those guys obviously didn't care to get to know you, Lucy." He didn't stop even after he seen her cringe at his blunt comment. "They see Kade and run, assuming you have too much baggage for them to handle without even taking the time. They didn't even give themselves the chance to realize how beautiful of a person you are inside and out, and I'm glad that they ran."

"Why?"

"Because it gave me the chance to get to know you."

Lucy felt the stinging feeling growing in her eyes, swallowing before asking him something that's been on her mind since he asked her on this date.

"What made you not run?"

"Because I've been that kid before." Before Lucy could ask what he meant he explained on. "My parents died when I was younger, around two or three can't exactly remember. I was thrown around in the bullshit foster system for years. People seem to think just because we have a roof over our heads makes it okay; that it makes us happy. Those people are fucking wrong."

Lucy felt the change in atmosphere around Natsu. The peaceful demeanor he present throughout the night tainted by the absolute rage he felt. It almost felt like fire to Lucy, she didn't dare say anything just braved the situation and scooted closer to him placing a delicate hand on his thigh.

"They didn't care if I ate, didn't care if I was mistreated. They just seen me as a paycheck. I was a child who deserved to be loved, not like I was just a bunch of fucking numbers."

Lucy could hear his voice beginning to crack, she didn't know what to do in this situation, but her motherly instincts thankfully took over. She moved close enough to Natsu where the outside of their thighs touched, gently placing a hand on the side of his head and brought it to lay on her slender shoulder, running her fingers comfortably through his salmon locks still not talking; just listening to the seemingly broken man finally come undone.

"People didn't care to get to know me. Didn't care enough about me to just know I was a kid who wanted a place to call home." He sniffled, the tears not falling but they damn near close. He snuggled his head further into Lucy's shoulder before he continued on. "I was pretty messed up as a kid. All those "parents" I had hated me, so I learned to hate myself. I must've done something wrong to make them hate me, right?"

Still running her fingers through his hair Lucy couldn't help but say, "There is nothing wrong with wanting someone to love you, Natsu."

"Ever since Igneel found me, I've been slowly getting better." He sneaked an arm around Lucy's waist to pull her closer to him. She didn't complain in the slightest so he decided to continue on. "I gotta admit asking you out was the hardest thing I've done in awhile. I'm sorry I'm not ready to be in a relationship-"

"You have nothing to apologize for." She interrupted in a soft voice. "I'm not ready either, but if things blossom into something more or even if they don't... I'm not going anywhere." She hugged him tighter to him. "I'm not leaving you, Natsu."

"Good." He moved his head so his face was in her neck, some built up tears falling due to the overwhelming amount of feelings rushing through him. "I don't know what I'd do without you or Kade."

Lucy, not caring about Natsu's slight tears on her neck, smiled softly at that. "I'm glad you came into our lives."

Content with their cuddling, Natsu closed his eyes basking in the comfort Lucy provided him. It reminded him of Grandeeny gave him when he was upset. Natsu wrapped his other arm around Lucy, pulling her as close as humanly possible to him.

"Not as happy as I am that you came into mine."

"Tonight was wonderful." Lucy said dreamily, lying her head back on the headrest of Natsu's seat. "It was the most fun I've had in awhile."

"Same here." He said while he glanced at her from the corner of his eye before focusing back on the road. He placed his hand on the arm rest, his whole body content from the night he spent with Lucy. It felt great to be able to be himself and just to have a third party to talk to about his past, albeit vaguely. Just the fact that Lucy was being patient with him and not forcing him to talk about things he wasn't comfortable with made his heart swell with an unfamiliar feeling.

A feeling that's been growing since he first met Lucy.

A small hand on top of his, slim finger entwining with his brought him out of his thoughts. His eyes slid down for a brief moment seeing that Lucy place her hand on top of his. He gave her a goofy grin, noticing her cheeks heating up even in the darkness of the car. He flipped his hand over, connecting their palms and sliding their fingers back together.

Lucy smiled at their intertwined hands as they made their way to Gajeel and Levy's place to pick up Kade. After Natsu's talk about his life, the date went soothingly. They ate and cuddled on the blanket stargazing until it was time to pick up her son. The evening was simple and it was everything Lucy wanted and more.

Looking at the man next to her, his eyes focused on the road while rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand, while absentmindedly or in a calming manner she wasn't sure, but either way she didn't mind. She loved every minute she spent with this man.

And she hoped he stayed in their lives for a very long time.