Title: Meaning

Pairing: NaLu (Fairy Tail Fandom)

Summary: Do you know the meaning of love? Come here, and let me explain it to you.

Rating: K+

Chapter 3: Building Blocks

*Reposted from my tumblr account – was written last April 2013.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

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It started out as a date.

Natsu could still remember the first time he met Lucy - again.

That night, the sky was filled with dancing starlight – like how Lucy's eyes shone brightly when she saw him at the hospital lobby - this gave him some sort of approval that his haste decision to meet up with the blonde was correct.

He said 'Hi', she said 'Hello'; and they stayed silent for a couple of seconds just staring at each others' faces.

His hands itched to pat her head like how he used to do but he remained standing still. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Lucy biting her lip – a habit she used to do whenever she was feeling nervous and uneasy.

The eerie silence was broken when he cleared his throat (as if telling Lucy that it's okay, act cool, it's just a simple catch-up dinner), and she seemed to understood his intentions clearly – even patting his shoulder as she walked past him while muttering 'I hope the food's going to be nice. Where are you taking me?'

They spent a quiet dinner afterwards with a small chitchat of how they were in between. There were some moments when he wanted to tell Lucy an outright 'Sorry' but he tried to bit his tongue whenever it happened.

In the end, all of his rehearsed lines went down the drain – except for one.

Natsu scratched his head and stared at his phone for the nth time. If his numbers were correct, this would be their 500th dinner to date. One thing led to another, and before he realized it, two and a half years had already passed since their first date.

Who knew that a simple 'Can I see you again tomorrow for dinner?' could lead to countless more dates for him to bask under her presence – enough to even explain to Lucy what happened in the past, much to her surprise.

Even now, after spending almost each day with Lucy, he still couldn't understand why his heart still beats a thousand miles per minute whenever she's near; why his breath get stuck in his throat whenever she leaves fleeting touches on his cheeks; and why his mind knows nothing except Lucy whenever they're together or even when he's asleep.

And Natsu could never understand why the hell he brought a princess-cut sapphire diamond (engagement) ring when they're not even together – almost six months ago.

He sighed in his seat.

A simple meeting that opened a door to tomorrow –

"What?" Lucy asked dumbfounded – with her heart pounding loudly on her ears.

Tonight was supposed to be a quiet dinner by the riverside but sadly, Natsu had other plans. It was a good thing that her navy blue knee-length dress seemed appropriate enough for the occasion (because Natsu suddenly decided to take her on one of his private villa with butlers serving their meal left and right).

Well, what could she expect, with Natsu, nothing is predictable. Even the news of him being the youngest CEO of Dragneel Corp. almost zapped her soul away from her body. Every little thing he did tonight, from the private jet ride, to the private boat ride to the villa, and even to the 'greeting' staff took her breath away.

But this... this was on a whole new level – and Lucy hoped that this private island have a team of medics on standby because she's probably going to have a heart attack soon.

It was exactly thirty seconds since Natsu opened his mouth, thirty seconds of her gaping like a fish caught in the ocean, thirty seconds of her racking her brain if this was real and not just a dream.

And he said it so casually (in the middle of her chewing some lobster meat) that she thought it was a joke.

"I'll ask you again Lucy, what is love?"

It's like déjà vu slapping on her face -

What's a crush anyway?

-of memories and events from a distant past –

A crush is someone you like, someone who makes you happy whenever you're with them, someone who makes you smile.

-reminding her of how long she had been harbouring (secret) feelings for this wonderful man in front of her.

"Well, love is something that you like, something that makes you happy, something that makes you smile." Lucy tried to smile but her lips kept trembling with every passing word.

"It's kind of like a crush then?"

"Yes."

"But I guess your answer is wrong."

Natsu was walking towards her now; one hand inside his pocket.

"What?"

"I said your answer is wrong."

He was bending in front of her now; their faces inches apart (and she could see a tinge of pink adoring Natsu's face, while hers probably looked like a tomato about to burst).

"W-Why?"

"Because... love is none other than you." Natsu took out his hand from his pocket and continued, "And I mean it."

He slipped a ring on her finger and was about to kiss her senseless when Lucy finally came back to reality.

"Natsu, THIS is not a nice joke."

"It's not a joke."

"Then what the hell is this ring doing on my finger?"

"Assurance."

"What?"

"That we'll get married one of these days."

"But we're not even a couple!"

"We are now."

"I hate you."

He smiled at her cute antics; knowing that Lucy doesn't mean it - because her smile glowed like a thousand watt bulb with her pulse racing probably as fast as his.

"I love you too."

And he didn't allow her to say anything more as his lips reached hers in a gentle and heart-warming kiss – pouring all of their feelings together for the very first time.

- where me and you finally exists.

End

Thanks for reading and I'm hoping to hear your wonderful feedback/comments/criticisms/thoughts.

hugs and kisses,

Fia