Previously

Later that night, not getting any sleep, Lucy got up to head out of their room.

Her hand on the door knob, she smiled when she turned to take a look at her sleeping friends.

A contented sigh escaped her lips as she turned the knob and headed out for a night stroll.

Chapter 12 (Times Like These)

The cold breeze of the night welcomed the blonde, causing goose-bumps to shoot throughout her whole body. It was then that she remembered that she was just wearing a light dress and forgot to bring a jacket.

But she didn't care. She loved the feeling of the wind blowing through her hair, the smell of the salty ocean that tingled her nostrils, filling her with a sense of comfort.

The cold waves bubbled up under her bare feet as she walked along the shoreline while she relished the light of the moon that fell upon her, wrapping her in its enchanting glow. It was at times like these that she forgets her worries.

It was at times like these, that she feels at ease.

She could still hear the beating of her heart even through all the roars and splashes of the waves. It was like her music for that night. The steady beat of her heart that proves her existence.

A smile graced her lips as she looked up at the sky. The stars are out tonight. Twinkling and gently looking down at her as they give her strength. She gently closed her eyes as her hands went up to clutch the area near her heart.

For a moment, she forgot everything.

For a moment, time stood still.

For a moment... everything was perfect.

It was at times like these, that Lucy's tears silently flows down from her eyes.

They weren't sad tears…nor were they happy ones.

They were just there, accompanying her for the night, along with the waves, the sand, the stars, the moon and the steady beating of her heart.

And it was at times like these, that Natsu would be watching from afar. Looking at her with raw emotions flashing in his eyes. His hand and leg would twitch every once in a while as he fought the urge to go and wipe those tears away.

To wrap his arms around her and feel the beating of his heart along with hers as they both try to forget the world.

But he wouldn't, because he was still afraid. Afraid of laying his feelings on her and adding up to her burden.

He was in love with an angel.

He was in love with Lucy.

He didn't know where these emotions came from. He didn't know when or where he started to love her but... he welcomed it. He let it consume him whole.

And while a part of his mind was warning him about the consequences, the bigger part of him knew and was ready to do everything. He knew that when the day comes when he needed to fight for this feeling, he wouldn't hesitate the slightest.

Because his feelings for her, was what he cherished the most... and he wouldn't let anyone take it.

It was their second day together and not a minute was wasted by the group. They checked out the different shops and souvenirs and even went on some rides at the mini-amusement park attached to the resort.

"This place has everything!", Levy exclaimed while closing her eyes to savor the taste of the delicious delicacies they were eating. Erza had somehow managed to convince the whole group that they should stay at the cake shop there for a while and so far, none of them regretted listening to Erza. The cakes and pastries there were heavenly.

"Juvia wants to live here forever."

"Me too Juvia.", Levy said with pout.

"Well, we're leaving later so I think you should enjoy every moment here, Levy.", Erza said while nibbling on her favorite strawberry cake. She got to admit, she would miss this resort too. If they have cake here like this, then she wouldn't mind living here.

It was so delicious.

There was definitely something different about the way it was made. Erza's eyes suddenly wandered to the pair in front of her and she tried hard not to smile.

"Natsu! Slow down!", said Lucy while wiping the cake crumbs on the corner of the pink-haired teen's mouth. She looked like a mother chiding her 5-year-old son.

"But it's sooo delicious Luce!", he said while talking with his mouth full. Erza's eye twitched at the sight.

"Well, yeah, but still!"

The scarlet-haired tried to restrain herself from punching Natsu as he ate the delicious and perfect cake like a caveman and instead, focused hard on thinking about the two of them.

Natsu and Lucy.

Everything changed the moment Lucy arrived. Nobody dared to say it out loud though. Maybe a part of them was just afraid. Afraid of what will happen if they asked questions. Because now, everything was in its rightful place.

They gained a new friend in Lucy, Natsu was back to his cheerful self, and slowly, there was an obvious improvement in their group's relationship. Except for her and Jellal, but maybe things are just made this way for them. And if you ask Erza, she would say that she was just happy the way things are now.

Or maybe, they were just waiting... Waiting for someone to break the ice.

Her brown eyes soon landed on her empty plate. Where did all the strawberry cake go? She stared at her empty plate once again before deciding that she wanted more.

"I'll buy some more cake.", she declared and quickly stood up to go to the counter. She was met with the same brown eyes behind the counter, though this person's chocolate orbs were much softer than her stern ones. She was a different woman from the first one but it's already past 12 so the first one's shift must have ended.

The woman behind the counter had a pink hair and porcelain skin. She was also wearing a fluffy white dress and the brown clips adorning her hair looks a bit like horns.

'She looks like an innocent lamb.', was Erza's thoughts before blinking and ordering another piece of strawberry cake.

"I'm sorry... Is that all?", the shy girl, who donned the name tag 'Aries' asked.

The redhead wanted to ask why she was saying sorry but just concluded that the girl was very shy.

"Yes. Thank you Aries.", Erza said with gleaming eyes and a very wide smile that took the pink-haired worker aback.

"E-Enjoy.", she stuttered out then bowed her head.

"I'm sure I'll enjoy it. The cakes here are heavenly. There's something quite unique in its taste. I love it."

The girl's cheeks tinted pink as she gave Erza a shy smile.

"Thank you."

"Thank you too."

After a few more hours of having fun, the group soon ended up in their respective rooms as their stay was about to end.

"We're leaving.", Erza said making the people in the room groan.

"Where did all the time go?", Levy whined. Her arms were spread on the bed as she faced the ceiling.

"I don't wanna leave the booze here.", Cana, who was currently next to Levy, muttered, earning a bewildered look from Lucy.

"They served you even if you're underage?", the blonde asked while standing in front of Cana.

"Oh Lucy-chan, you know I have my ways.", the brunette winked then quickly stood up and grabbed Lucy; earning a high pitch squeal from the blonde.

"You secretive little girl, have Natsu made his way to this sexy body of yours, yet?"

Lucy squealed (And blushed wildly at Cana's comment) as Cana began to tickle her stomach while straddling her.

"Ohhh! You're so sensitive Lucy, you must make a lot of indecent noises in the bed with Natsu huh?"

"Ah! Love Rival and Natsu are doing that already?"

Erza smacked her forehead as she watched Cana harass a bright red Lucy. She honestly wouldn't be surprised if the blonde soon fainted from embarrassment. She was so busy thinking that she didn't notice the brunette looming over her and looking at her as if she was her next target.

"How about you Er-za-chan? Any dirty secrets about you and Jellal?"

And it was safe to say, that it were the girls who made a mess in the room, not the boys who were busy eavesdropping on them from the other room.

"We're home.", Natsu grumbled as he opened the door to their house.

He was expecting his mom or his sister Wendy to be rushing to the door to see them but was surprised to find nobody at home.

"Weird."

"What's weird?", asked the blonde as she too entered the house.

"Nobody's home."

"Maybe they're just out shopping."

"Maybe. Come on, let's go upstairs. I'm tired."

"Okay."

"Okay, this is so weird. I know mom's shopaholic but dad too?", Natsu said as he scanned his phone for any messages. Lucy, on the other hand, was in the kitchen heating up frozen pizza.

"You think something happened?", she said as she entered the room while holding the pizza.

"Nah, I don't think so, but they should've left a note or texted me at least. Even Wendy isn't home yet."

"Why don't you try calling them then?"

"I don't know. I just don't want to."

"Why not? You're worried about them, so why don't you call them to check if they're okay?"

"Just... Let's just go eat okay?"

"No Natsu, why don't you call them, and then we'll eat."

"But Lucy... "

"What's so wrong about calling them Natsu? Don't you think that they'll be happy if you at least showed them that you care?"

She stopped and looked at him. His eyes still glued to the phone he was holding.

"What? Don't tell me you're embarrassed to let them know how you feel.", she pointed out and Natsu looking at her with wide eyes only told her that she was right.

She sighed a little and smiled

"There's nothing wrong with showing your parents that you care, Natsu. There's nothing embarrassing about it either. They'll be happy to know it, trust me on this. Besides, you can never predict life. You'll never know when it will end so I think that you should tell the people that you love them as long as they're alive... As long as you are alive. And I think that they'll love to actually hear it.", she smiled sadly at him then took the slice of pizza while trying to cheer herself up.

She was slightly sensitive about these topics because she couldn't help but feel jealous of those people who still had the chance to do what they want in life. Yes, she had accepted that she was dead, but it didn't mean that she never questioned why her.

Why her? When she still had these kind people to love? She was still young and she could've still done a lot of things.

She sighed. What a selfish girl she was. But was it so bad if she wanted to experience more things? To graduate, to find a job, to fall in love and get married. To get old together with Natsu... She blushed at that thought.

Natsu, on the other hand, just sighed and finally pressed the call button on his phone.

Maybe Lucy was right. What was he so afraid of anyway? It was just his mom.

And with that he took a deep breath and smiled as an old but sweet voice answered the phone.

Grandeeney was getting stressed out. They were out for some mother-daughter bonding when Wendy suddenly collapsed. She didn't know what to do. She was so worried about her.

She kept pacing in the hallway of the hospital and all she could think of was if her daughter is fine.

She had called Igneel minutes ago but he still hasn't responded, making her even more agitated than she already was. She flinched and almost dropped the phone in her hand to her surprise when it suddenly vibrated in her hand.

"H-Hello?", she said, her eyes bulging out of their sockets once she saw who was calling her.

"Mom?"

"Oh! Natsu! You called. Is there anything you need? Are you alright? There's food in the fridge if you're hungry. Is Lucy okay?"

"I'm fine. We're fine. I just wanna ask when you're coming home? It's pretty late already.. "

At that statement, Grandeeney's smile widened. Natsu, her baby boy, was worried! Though her smile soon turned into a frown when she remembered the situation.

"Uh no, we're going to take a few more minutes dear. Your dad seems to be busy at work too so just enjoy your Lucy-time until we arrive 'kay?"

"Sure mom..."

"Alright, don't stay up too late okay? I love you."

She smiled, not really expecting an answer. She was just happy that Natsu called her. That her son was worried about her.

Natsu, on the other hand, went silent. Torn if he should say the next words or not. But he decided to say it anyway.

"Yeah, sure. Love you too mom, and... I'm sorry for everything. ", he mumbled silently before turning off the phone.

When he looked up, he saw Lucy smiling brightly at him.

"That wasn't so hard now, was it? I'm sure your mom will be happy."

"Yeah, yeah just eat your food, Little Angel."

She pouted at that then happily turned her attention to her food. Natsu, on the other hand, just smiled.

The things this girl made him do was just amazing.

And Lucy was right, because now, Grandeeney was smiling and crying because of happiness, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.

And when the doctor told her that Wendy's examination was over and that her little girl was fine, she couldn't help but wrap her arms around Igneel (who immediately arrived after reading her messages, panting and out breath, probably from his rush to get to her) who returned her hug with the same bright grin that she had fallen in love with.

It was at times like these, that she was so thankful for this family.

Aries slumped onto the bed the moment they finished packing their things. She didn't know that a cake shop could need this much.

She squinted at the bright light of the bulb on their ceiling and was thankful for the shadow of the person who loomed over her.

It was a woman in her 20s. Her hands were planted on her curvy hips. Her hair was tied up in an ox horn style and the shiny bangles that hung on her wrist made the pink-haired squint. She had a sun-kissed skin that Aries envies with a pout and her deep black eyes shone with amusement.

"You're tired already?", she asked with an inquiring brow.

"I'm sorry but we packed a lot of things and-", she squeaked when Libra suddenly plopped down beside her while groaning into the pillow.

"You know what? I'm tired too. Those scumbags are so going to get it from me. How dare they leave us to pack everything", she mumbled and Aries couldn't help but giggle.

"I'm sure Virgo would enjoy some punishment.", she said making Libra groan.

"You know I'm not talking about her."

"Well, yeah but, I kinda miss her."

"We'll see her in a few hours. Magnolia isn't that far away you know. I'm sure she and Aquarius have something for us."

"Yeah, more work.", Aries mumbled making Libra laugh.

"Well, for now, let's look for Pisces so I can tell his mom that he's being a lazy ass.", she said making Aries giggle again.

Magnolia, huh.

"So, Loke is your next mission right?"

"Yes. Natsu-sama.", Lucy said through gritted teeth.

She didn't know how they ended up in this situation, but here she was, wearing the maid costume again, because Natsu claimed that she never did finish up her punishment of being his maid for the day.

Curse him for not forgetting about that stupid punishment!

So here she was, massaging his head while he was using her lap as his pillow. They were still waiting for Grandeeney, Wendy and Igneel, and Lucy couldn't help but blush at the thought that they would see her dressed like that.

'Natsu's mom will probably squeal again', she sweat-dropped at the thought making her miss the next words Natsu said.

"Why is it always boys?"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing.", he said quickly.

"So whatcha gonna help Loke with? He seems fine to me. Flirting with you and all.", he said with a pout, and Lucy couldn't help but smile.

"I need to help in reuniting him with his first love.", he raised a brow at this.

"Who?"

"I have no idea.", Lucy said while playing with Natsu's pink locks.

"Oh great, it's not like Loke isn't a playboy and there's like, thousands of girls he's gotten involved with.", he said with sarcasm making Lucy giggle.

"Have a little faith, will you? You're my partner right? We can do this.", she smiled.

He smirked, "Glad to hear that you know that already."

Loke adjusted his coat as he entered the noisy club. He was greeted by the smell of smoke, sweat and the loud music as usual. He saw a lot of girls grinding on the dance floor, but somehow, he couldn't bring himself to enjoy anything.

"Loke-kun!"

"How was your vacation?"

"We missed you!"

He was immediately surrounded by his so-called girlfriends. Their hands making their ways to the different parts of his body. He usually wouldn't mind it but today, he was not in the mood.

"Forgive me ladies but I would like to be alone tonight.", he said while forcing a smile. All the girls gave him a disappointed pout and filled his ears with their high-pitched whines. He gave them an apologetic smile and quickly slipped away from the crowd. Sighing, he reached an empty stool.

"The usual, Loke-kun?", Ren, the bartender in the Blue Pegasus Club asked him.

"Nah, give me something stronger tonight.", he said making the bartender pointedly look at him but didn't ask anyway, and Loke was thankful for that.

"Here you go.", the bartender said then gave him his drink that made Loke give him a grateful smile. The orange-haired quickly turned around though as a flash of pink caught his eye.

He quickly stood up, causing some of the people nearby to look at him, he didn't care though as his mind focused on one thing.

"Aries!", he shouted, though his voice was drowned out by the loud music.

He soon caught up to crown of pink hair and quickly grabbed her arm and spun her around. His brown eyes widened for a second at the sight and Loke couldn't help but take a sharp intake of breath.

It was not her.

His heart was beating fast. How could he think that this person was her? That was impossible. And even if she was Aries, what would he say to her? That he was sorry? That he regretted leaving her? That he regretted letting her go?

"Uhmm, can you let go of me now? My friends are kinda waiting for me?", the girl said making him snap out of his trance.

"Yeah... sorry."

"It's okay, it's looks like you mistook me for someone, and judging by your reaction, she seems pretty important to you."

The woman had a nice soothing voice, it reminded him of Aries, and that was enough to make him feel like shit.

"I'm sure you'll find her soon enough, bye."

The woman gave him a smile and soon left his sight.

He sighed. He just hopes that she is right.

*Sighs*

READ THIS IF YOU CARE:

No replies again for this chapter. Sorry. But just know that I love them. I always love them.

I've been thinking, I always update late. A month or so, and I'm not doing this on purpose really. I always feel like shit whenever I don't update fast but I'm just busy and I really can't concentrate on writing chapters.

I honestly love writing. I love this story and I love you guys but I'm lazy and most of the stuff I do doesn't require much energy.. and let me say this. Writing requires a lot of energy and thinking. I already do a lot of thinking at school so when I hit a writer's block for this story, I don't push myself to think anymore and just let go until inspiration strikes me again. So that is why I always update late.

And I'm sorry for that. But I'm not abandoning this story if that's what you're thinking, at least not now.

I want to be honest with you. I CAN'T update fast. I just can't. But I WILL update, this I promise you. UNLESS, of course, all of you hit me with the biggest Flames telling that I shouldn't update anymore because I always update late. But like what I always say:

AS LONG AS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTS THIS STORY AND PUTS UP WITH MY SLOW UPDATE THEN I WILL NOT STOP WRITING.

Thanks for reading and reviews are welcomed! Whether it's hate for my slowness or love for this chapter's fluff, you decide :)

Thanks starfire for beta-reading this. Love ya!

See you on the next chapter!

Next Chapter: Lion's Lamb

12 days and 89 more to go.

Edited-07-23-16

Cover Credit: Cover Image is not mine. I just added the text. I frst found it on deviantart, I can't remember the name of the artist. I searched again, but now the pic is linked to tumblr, and it just shows a bunch of nalu pics but the pic itself not included.