Lucy POV

I sat on my bed, not bothering to lay down. I couldn't sleep. How could I? I couldn't stop thinking about earlier, Natsu, how everyone thinks I'm his 'girl,' and about the dragon mates.

I wouldn't be his mate, right? Surely not, he didn't react to the test. If the feelings were as strong as Gajeel implied, there's no way he had enough self control to hold back. Our faces were inches apart. I could feel his breath on my face, which surprisingly smelt good. Hell, I could barely hold back. I wanted to kiss him. Between the distance from each other, the look in his eyes, and his oh-so-close lips, I barely stopped myself from him.

But still, if I was his mate, then how could he just stand there? Natsu is usually really easy to read, but now I just don't get it. I guess when it comes to romantic affection, he gives crazy signals, not that he gave any signals. It's probably from the lack of romance in his life, so he doesn't know how to handle it.

Or maybe he was just really, really good at keeping those feelings at bay. It would make sense, since all the emotions he ever show are simple. He could just keep the complex ones to himself. If that was the case, I wish he would open up to me.

Feelings were so confusing!

"Ughhh!" I groaned in annoyance, starting to get a headache from the stress.

It was one in the morning, and I still couldn't help but wonder about these things.

What was Natsu doing right now? Was he as confused as I was? Who was his mate? Will he even get a mate? I'm assuming you don't need a mate as a dragon, I doubt Igneel or the other foster dragons mated.

None of these questions I could answer, and it was starting to make me mad.

I lay down of my bed, trying to fall asleep.

I can find all of this out tomorrow... I just want to sleep.

I sigh, my eyelids getting heavy as I try and clear my mind of the thoughts that bothered me.

I finally fell asleep.

~*~

Natsu POV

"Come on Happy, let's go to the guild!" I called out to Happy, who was sitting on the table eating fish.

"Aye, sir!" He got up and started to fly to the guild with me.

Once we got to the guild, I walked inside to see everyone doing the usual. Either fighting, drinking, or just talking. Normally I would join in on the fight, but I needed to ask Mira something. Happy went off to talk to Carla, poor cat, and I went straight to the bar.

"Hey Mira?" She turned to me, and smiled.

"Yeah, Natsu?"

"I was just wondering about Lucy... is she okay? She was acting kinda weird yesterday."

"I'm sure she's fine, but would you mind telling me what happened?"

"Well, okay... she was touching me and looking at me funny."

Mira chuckled. "Is that it? She was probably just trying something."

"That's what she said, but I don't have a clue what she was trying to do. Do you know?"

"Hmm... I'm not sure, but yesterday right before she left, she went to talk to Wendy and Gajeel. I have no idea what about though. Maybe they know?"

"Oh, okay, well thanks Mira!" I thanked her and walked over to Gajeel, who was fighting a few people, but I just pulled him aside by the shirt.

"What's the big deal, Salamander?"

"I just wanted to know what Lucy asked you about yesterday."

"Sorry, can't tell ya. Now can I get back to fighting?"

I groaned. "Just tell me already!"

"She said nobody can know, I got no idea why though."

I thought about it for a second.

Lucy is never straightforward enough about this for me to get an actual answer out of her, and Wendy will probably not tell me, especially since Gajeel won't. So I guess knowing what she said is out...

But I can't get my mind off Lucy.

Last night, I was awake until who knows how late, just thinking about her. And not just about last night, her in general. This doesn't make sense!

"Well can I get back to fighting?" Gajeel said, sounding annoyed.

"No, I gotta ask you something else," He grunted, and I ignored it, continuing to talk. "Do you know what these feelings I'm feeling mean? I can't get my mind off of Lucy ever since last night, when she touched me." I said honestly.

"Well my guess would be that she's your mate."

"My what?"

"Didn't your dragon ever teach you about mates and mating season?"

I thought back to when Igneel was teaching me about magic and culture... wait, I do remember mates. He said a mate is your true love, blah blah. I don't think I really payed attention during that lecture.

"Well yeah, you're saying Lucy's my mate? But we're nakama, not lovers."

"I dunno man. Maybe? I really don't have time for this, I gotta beat up some morons." He excused himself from the conversation, leaving me to think about it.

It would make sense, I was thinking about kissing her when she touched me yesterday. If what I remember from what Igneel said is correct, I can only love one person. If Lucy is her, then I wouldn't have a chance with anyone else and would live a lonely life if I got rejected.

Which was sad, but true I guess.

It really all came down to one question; did Lucy like me?

If she did then maybe we could be mates, maybe we could get married, and have a happy life together.

But I had no idea how she felt.

Where was she anyways?

I sat down, trying to sort out my problems. After a few minutes of failing, Lucy walked in.

Hey! Maybe we should go on a job, then I could see if she acts any different or see if she shows any interest in me.

"Hey Lucy! Wanna take a job?" I asked, walking up to her.

She looked at me for a second with a curious face and finally answered, smiling. "Sure! Are Gray and Erza coming?"

"No, I dunno where Erza is and I don't wanna work with Gray right now."

"Okay," She said slowly. "Then let's get Happy and look at the request board."

I grinned, walking over to get Happy, who said his goodbyes to Carla and Wendy, then flew over to the board.

Lucy looked at the board, her eyebrows furrowed, trying to decide on a job.

"Hmm... aha! Perfect." She said, grabbing a job off the request board. "All we have to do is hunt down a rabid dog in a city, and we'll get 100,000 jewel!"

"Sounds easy enough, let's go!"

~*~

(A/N) Hello~! Yay! Another update! I gotta say, for not planning the plot, this is turning out pretty well. XD

Anyways, please comment, vote! I love feedback! xox, monica ♡