**Hello, all! I am slowly going through and editing each chapter so you will probably get notifications if you are following this story. I realize that this could be annoying so I will apologize in advance :) I want to fix the errors and poor wording that I am catching now as I re-read. I hope this will be an improvement and as always thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! Love and hugs- sarey**

Hi guys! This is my first fanfic and its mostly canon but I wanted to inform you that I am adding some non-canon back stories and some alternate behaviors that may be slightly a-typical. Of course its in the early stages so lets just see what happens! Please leave your comments and let me know what you think, I greatly appreciate your input! Thanks and Enjoy- Sarey ;)

*I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters!*

Chapter 1- Daydream

Lucy squinted her dark eyes, shielding them with her hand against the blinding sun. She made her way to the great cherry tree in Magnolia Park and slid down its trunk to rest in the cool shade.

She packed a picnic to share with her partners, Natsu and Happy, but they wouldn't be arriving just yet so she sank into the thick grass and rested her eyes. She stretched her arms out above her head and let her fingers brush against a loose lump of soil. It reminded her of the tree festival that she had missed in the early spring.

She was so excited about the festival until she came down with the flu. But chance had it that the tree somehow drifted by her bedroom window and she was able to see its beautiful rainbow glow. And as the wind picked up the loose leaves they danced through the air in front of her apartment in a spectacle of light and color. Of course, the Major was furious the next day upon discovering the tree jammed back into the dirt at a slight angle.

Lucy knew it was Natsu's doing, though he would never admit it.

"Lucy!" The earth was shaking and Lucy, startled, shot up from her grassy bed to see Natsu stomping toward her. "Hey Luce, wheres the food? I'm starving!"

"Natsu! What the hell!?" The confused look on his boyish face was too adorable and she burst out laughing.

He scratched his head and a smile spread across his face. They laughed and Lucy began unpacking some sandwiches.

"Okay guys, eat up." She needn't say more.

Natsu and Happy had devoured most of the food in a matter of minutes.

"Hey! Save some for me." Lucy pouted.

She managed to snatch a sandwich before the last one was inhaled.

"We should look for a job tomorrow, I'm broke."

"Yeah", Natsu nodded and fell back into the thick grass, proudly patting his full stomach.

Lucy finished the last bites of her sandwich and watched a warm breeze roll across the field and ruffle Natsu's pink hair. After all this time she still could never tell what he was thinking.

She briefly wondered if he had thoughts beyond eating and fighting. But she shrugged off the idea and gave into the lazy warmth of the day, sinking into the swirling waves of grass.

"Hey Natsu?"

"Hmm?" he hummed sleepily.

She froze. What am I thinking!? He doesn't want to talk about this kind of stuff!

"Uh, never mind. I think I'm going to head home, see you tomorrow?"

She wanted to ask Natsu more about his past but decided against it at the last second. After all, she didn't want to seem nosy. Its just that they seemed to have so little to say to each other during peaceful times like these. Maybe they didn't need to, maybe that's how friendship should be. I'm probably reading too much into it, thought Lucy as she packed up the blanket and basket.

"Bye guys." She put on her signature smile and waved goodbye.

"Bye, Lucy!" Happy waved back.

"Later." Natsu sighed, eyes closed.

Happy, bored of listening to Natsu snore, flew back to the guild hall.

Natsu woke from his summertime nap just as the sun was sinking. He propped up on his elbow to watch the sun pull a canvas of orange and deep blue behind the mountains. It reminded him of the similar colored clothing that Virgo gave to Lucy. And of the way the brown of her eyes deepened in contrast to those vivid colors.

He shook his head as if to dislodge the strange thought. He doesn't need, or want, complicated thoughts taking up space in there. Even still, the image of Lucy stubbornly clung to his mind. "Stubborn, just like Lucy."

"What should I wear today?" Lucy wrinkled her brow and took a sip of tea.

She sifted through her drawers, bored with what she saw.

"Ugh, I'm so tired of these clothes. I wish I could afford to go shopping!" Lucy plopped down on the floor and pouted.

Vanity often got the best of her.

"Wait! I know..." And before the thought was finished, Virgo stood before her.

"Virgo, how did you..."

"Good morning Hime, I see that you are having trouble dressing today. Please let me assist you."

Suddenly, Lucy was robed in a celestial dress of sapphire and tangerine. A bit different than the last dress that Virgo gave her, with flowing bell sleeves and a floor length skirt with sides that split right up to her full hips.

"How exotic!" She nearly squealed as she twirled in front of the mirror.

"Thanks so much, Virgo! It's a little dressy for going on a job but hey, I'll look amazing!"

She hugged Virgo who, uncomfortable with such contact, quickly poofed the hell out of Earthland.

Lucy took her time walking to the Guild Hall. She walked along the edge of the river, holding her arms out as she balanced on the narrow stonework. It was nearing afternoon and the summer heat was beating down on the town of Magnolia. Heat waves bounced off the road giving the town a shimmering appearance.

"Morning everyone!" Lucy pushed open the heavy wooden doors to the Guild Hall.

"Lu-chan!" Levy grinned and waved her over to the bar, behind which stood the lovely Mira, polishing mugs with a white cloth.

"Hey Levy, whatcha up to?"

"Reading about Origin magic. This book in particular is great," she held up a thick leather bound book,"you can borrow it when I finish."

"Okay, thanks." Lucy could smell the musk of the ancient text as Levy set it back down.

"Hey, have you seen Natsu today?"

"Sure, he's asleep on the table." Levy pointed to a round table in the corner where Natsu snored noisily.

"How did I miss that!?" She giggled, "I'm getting way too used to him."

Levy caught a glimmer of affection in Lucy's eyes.

Lucy walked to the corner table and leaned gently toward Natsu, slammed her hand down on the rough wood of the tabletop, and shouted, "WAKE UP!"

He bolted out of the chair, a string of drool detaching from his cheek as he waved his arms wildly, "No trains! No trains!" As his eyes began to focus realization sank in. "Lucy...", he growled while wiping the remaining drool with his shirtsleeve, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" he shouted.

So much for affection, thought Levy.

"We can't go on a job if you're going to sleep all day!" yelled Lucy.

"Yeah... well," he began.

But before he could form his next thought he noticed Lucy's dress. His head cocked to the side and he thought of the coincidence that she would be wearing those colors today.

He drank in the sight of her. Her legs, half hidden by the trailing skirt. Her hips, peeking out from the rich fabric. Oh, dear god. The curve of her waist rising up to meet her voluptuous breasts, which always seemed just moments away from leaping out of her clothing. Please, please, please do! Her slender, delicate neck. Mmm... Those huge velvet eyes above full, pouting lips. And that silky blonde hair, her stray locks always floating around her heart-shaped face.

"N...Natsu?" She could feel the spread of heat across her cheeks.

"Oh...umm...we better go find a job." He laughed awkwardly, a nervous habit. Shit. Shit, shit, shit!

Natsu reprimanded himself internally, promising to never think about Lucy that way EVER again.

He tried to veer the conversation in a different, more comfortable, direction. "What about this one?" He pointed to the first flier he saw which depicted a swarm of bees wreaking havoc on a village.

"Uhh..." Lucy was still recovering.

Natsu had never, in all their time as partners, looked at her that way. Sometimes he made strange faces, sure. But he was usually lost in thought, obviously looking right through her. This was different, he had consumed her with his eyes. And now she was feeling very vulnerable...and slightly overdressed.

I usually can't even get his attention without some kind of physical violence!

"How about something not involving swarms of bees," suggested Lucy, "Like this one." She pulled down a flier offering 800,000 jewels to whoever can find a group of missing girls. She mentally slapped herself for picking a job with such ominous undertones. Too late to take my foot out of my mouth...

She was about to hand Natsu the flier but he was already heading for the door, "Sounds good to me!"

He desperately needed some air. And possibly a cold shower.

"Hey, wait up!" Lucy ran over to the bar to hand the job flier to Mira and rushed out.

She could see Natsu's pink hair just above the horizon. "Heeeey! At least let me get my stuff!" Lucy cupped her hands around her mouth hoping he would hear her before disappearing from view.

Natsu waved his hand in understanding and in a few more minutes she caught up to him at her apartment building.

"Let's wait and go tomorrow," Natsu thought aloud as he gazed up at the gathering clouds, "Besides, I'm starving."

His dark eyes met Lucy's, "Whats for lunch?"

It was so fast that he didn't have time to dodge and Lucy's fist came down on his head with a loud thump.

"I AM NOT YOUR PERSONAL CHEF!"

Her piercing scream roused the suspicion of several neighbors who were soon peeking out of their doors and windows.

She stomped up to her third floor apartment and burst through the door, slamming it shut behind her.

After pacing the floor several times she began to cool down and suddenly felt ashamed at her short temper. The heat pricking her cheeks began to subside and little droplets formed at the corners of her eyes. She hadn't meant to be so harsh, it was just that he seemed to take advantage of her at times.

"Uuurrrgggh!" Lucy was frustrated at her conflicting feelings. Damn it all!

Lucy ran to her window and looked down in the street where Natsu sat alone on the front stoop, his head cupped in his hands. It was starting to rain (cold shower?).

"Natsu," she called apologetically, "I've got some noodles, come on up if you want."

He grinned up at her before bolting into the building and bounding loudly up the stairs.

He's so forgiving, like a loyal dog.

Lucy was already in the kitchen when he bolted through the door.

She was humming something and Natsu watched her intently as she shuffled pots and pans, twirling around to her sweet song.

Outside, the rain picked up and clouds darkened the sky. But inside was the warm glow of home.

"Hmm..." He pondered. She lights up the room.