"Natsu! I can't find the gift wrap!" I shouted from the living room, my voice echoing throughout the house. He would've surely heard it. Sensitive ears, you know. "Do you know where I might've kept it?"

"You mean this?" Natsu appeared in front of the door holding the gift wrap and waving it like a flag. 

That idiot will ruin it if he keeps waving it like that. It's delicate enough.

"Exactly this. Where was it?" I asked him in curiosity.

"On the table in your room, duh. I'm using it." Natsu waved it yet again after a short pause and walked back to my room.

Swaggy.

Cue me slapping myself.

"Buy your own, you ashy scumbag! Give me back mine!" I clumsily ran back to my room only to fall face side down because of the foot mat. Natsu whipped his head, looking at my direction and ran straight to me, with the wrap in his hands, might I add.

"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself? Where does it hurt?" Natsu checked if I really hurt myself. I took an advantage of this great opportunity and snatched the wrap from his hands.

"Aha! Got it! Now get your own!" I stuck my tongue out, waved it in front of him and ran back to wrap it.

"Aw man, that's not fair!" He groaned.

"It's totally fair. It was mine to begin with." I stuck my tongue out at him. 

That's childish of me, yes, but what can I say?

It's fair, okay?

"Luce," he whined. "Pwease?"

"No." I deadpanned.

"Okay, but if mine looks better, don't cry." He said and jumped out of the window. I'm already used to him jumping out and coming back in from the window. He rarely uses the front door.

"We'll see, you sneaky human-lookalike-reptile." I laughed evilly. 

I was really, really sure that he wouldn't be able to wrap it properly. He is a really messy guy and he's bound to mess up. The tape would be placed all around, and the wrap would be cracked up.

And cue the ugly guffawing.

After a long session of wrapping Lev's gift neatly, I got ready and went to the cafe. Half of the gang was already there, almost fully prepared for the surprise we had prepared for her. I didn't see Natsu, thinking that he'd be trying his best to wrap her gift neatly. Besides that, Erza and Gray were decorating the last bits they could. Jellal was in the kitchen, helping Mira in icing the cake. Gajeel was nowhere to be found.

"Hey Erza? Where's Gajeel?" I asked Erza.

"He's in the store room, the one in the basement preparing his speech and I think he's about to puke." Gray replied and smirked.

"He's just nervous. He has never done this kind of stuff before." Erza said.

"He wants to impress her badly, doesn't he?" I asked.

"He not only wants to impress her, but he wants everything to be perfect. He's been preparing for this for so long." Jellal replied smiling, putting the cake on the table.

"Back off Erza. Don't even think of taking a bite before Levy." Mira ordered Erza who pouted and turned away after sneakily trying to have a bite.

I decided to check up on Gajeel so I went down to the store room, only to find him sweating badly and stuck on 'I' after saying 'happy birthday shrimp!'.

"What's wrong, Gajeel?" I asked him.

"I can't do this Bunny girl. It's too difficult." He handed me a paper on which his speech was written in a messy handwriting.

At least, it's better than Natsu's. 

I read it all in 2 minutes, handing it back to him. If he had written all of this, I'll make sure that Levy is left stunned.

"It's not perfect, is it? I knew it! I read so many books but couldn't add points properly! It's so mixed up-

"Gajeel look at me," I put a hand on his shoulder and continued, "It's not necessary that it should be perfect. Imperfections make us who we are. Some things should be left messy so that we realize the value they have in our lives. Trust me, you worked so hard for this. As far as I know, Levy is the one who values truth and the thing she loves the most is hard work that a person does with all their heart and give their best. I'm sure she'll love it. You don't need to freak out. Just go with the flow. Say whatever your heart wants to say to her."

"That's the thing...I can't confess anything to her." He replied.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I'm too...never mind. Where's Flame brain?" He turned to me.

"I texted him before I came here. I think he should be here by now. Let's go upstairs, okay?" He nodded and followed me. We saw Natsu glaring at Jellal and then sighing. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked, "Hey Natsu?"

"Yeah?" He raised his brow, smiling?

"Had fun packing gifts?" I smirked. He winked and nodded.

"It's time, you guys! Lucy, you ready?" Mira asked me.

"Okay, I'll hit that call button in 3, 2, 1!"

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"Hello?" A squeaky voice was heard from the other side. Mira was almost about to squeal but we shushed her.

"Levy... I... I'm so worried. I... I don't know what to do!" I tried to sound worried and lo! I was successful.

"What's wrong?" She said.

"Meet me at Mira's cafe in 15. I can't tell you everything over call." I hung up after I completed the practiced sentence.

"It's go time, you lazy bums! Mira, is everything ready?" I turned to her.

"All set! Let's hide!" Mira switched off the lights and we hid behind the counter, me throwing my phone on the table (it landed on the place where I intended it to land, yay) before ducking behind the counter.

Step.

Step.

Creak and ring.

The door opened to reveal a small, petite figure who nervously let out a 'hello' (the question, may I add) before moving again. She looked around and we ducked behind the counter, hiding ourselves the best we can. She turned on her phone and calls my phone, jumping and putting a hand on her heart when she saw my phone ringing on the table behind her. I was about to dance because it was my favorite song 'Kimi to kare to boku no kanojo' but Natsu grabbed my mouth and squeezed me tightly in his arms, in a position where you feel like you're being hugged me from behind.

I love this feeling. He's extra warm today.

Levy picked up the phone and squinted her eyes to check my phone.

"Turn around? Lu won't ever put stuff like that on her wallpaper...but...

As soon as she turned around, we jumped from behind the counter and screamed 'happy birthday' from the top of our lungs. She stepped back, somehow tripping and falling down, eyes wide from the jump scare we gave her.

By the way, we saw her turning around and turning on her flash along with the action through a little mirror Mira put near a vase from where we could see her doing that.

I'm such an idiot to not see that before.

"Were you guys trying to give me a heart attack?!" Levy yelled and started weeping.

"Aw, we're sorry. We were just trying to surprise you." I went to her and gave her a hug.

"More like wanting my heart to come out of my throat." She replied and wiped her nose.

"You really have a wild imagination, Levy." Gray said and we all laughed.

"Time to party!" Mira screamed and we all joined. 

The evening was pretty good. All of us had a great time. We laughed, danced, drank and played a lot of games. Mirajane didn't only have a cafe but she also had a bar in the basement where there were so many people. We partied as hard as we could. Time flew by and it was time to open the gifts she got. Gray gave her a few albums of her favorite artists, Mira gave her some make up supplies, Erza who ate most of the huge cake that Mira made gifted her a pair of earrings and a necklace. Jellal told her that he got a new stereo system installed in her car. When she opened my gift, her eyes sparkled with joy and tears filled her eyes.

"Lucy, this is-

"Yes, the drafted versions and the newly published versions of all the books you wanted to get." I completed her sentence and gave her a hug when she sniffled.

"Come on! Don't cry! It's your birthday! Cheer up, Lev." I rubbed my hand on her back and looked at Natsu. He smirked and cleared his throat.

"It's time for my gift now." Natsu moved forward to us. Levy wiped her tears and looked at him. Natsu brought his hands forward and my jaw literally dropped. In his hand was a very neatly wrapped gift and an envelope with no name on it.

"Whom did you get it wrapped from?" I asked him, still gobsmacked.

"I wrapped it myself, Luce. I told you, don't cry if mine looked better than yours." Natsu grinned.

"But-

"How, Natsu? How did you get this letter? What strings did you pull?" Levy looked at Natsu with confusion filled eyes.

"You earned it Levy. They were very happy with your record. They talked to Gramps and even Gramps said that they were very pleased. They'd love to have you as one of their most prestigious student." Natsu replied.

"What is it Levy?" Erza asked.

"It's a scholarship to Crocus University of Arts and Sciences. I thought they'd never accept me and Natsu did something to get me but...but they really wrote everything from top to bottom. They even provided me with the interviews they had with others and...this is too much for me to take in. Thank you so, so very much Natsu." Levy smiled halfway and Gajeel hugged her this time when she started bawling her eyes out. 

"Don't thank me. I did nothing." Natsu shrugged.

"By the way Flamebrain, how did you out of all get her letter?" Gray asked him.

"Sources." He stuck his tongue out at me when I looked at him in amazement. Never in my life did I think Natsu could do that. I thought of him as a goofy, idiot, narcissistic hothead who doesn't know a lot about world and only cares about food and fighting but in reality, I judged him wrong. 

After Gajeel sneakily took Levy out for the secret date he planned and saw Mira sneakily giving orders to a few people who she paid to secretly record everything, we partied again and lost the track of time yet again.

"Yo, Erza! Where's Natsu?" I yelled at Erza who was calmly sipping from her glass of beer, with Jellal sitting in front of her and waving his glass in front of him.

"I think he went up the stairs to the roof. He looked pretty sad. You should go check on him." She replied. 

"Okay." I shrugged and went up to the rooftop. There, I saw Natsu with his eyes close and his head raised up. If someone saw him like this, they'd think that he's calm and peaceful at the moment but I knew that he was in deep thought and trying to calm down.

"Will you stop staring at me Luce? It makes me feel things I shouldn't." Natsu smirked and opened his eyes, still looking to the sky.

"Oh uh, I-

"Come here. Sit beside me." He turned his head to me and pat the place beside me. I calmly went up to him and sat besides him, my head on his shoulder.

"What were you thinking about, Natsu?" I asked him.

"Nothing for you to worry about." He answered.

"Then it definitely makes me curious." I sat straight and gave him a pleading look.

"Don't worry your pretty little head, Luce. It's really nothing worth your concern." I laid my head on his lap and he started combing his fingers through it instantly and smiled.

"I'm tired." I looked straight in his eyes and I think I might've seen tears in the corner of his eyes.

But why is he hiding his tears from me?

"Natsu," I involuntarily held his face in my hands and slowly wiped the tear that managed to slip from his left eye.

Ba-dum.

"Please tell me what's wrong. You're making me worry more. Maybe I can find a solution to that problem. Did I do something?" I whispered. He shook his head and caressed my face with his right hand.

Ba-dum.

"You didn't do anything wrong. As much as I like you getting curious, you can't find a solution to that. I can easily handle it. Heck, I've been handling it for so long so now I'm used to it. Just don't worry please. Keep smiling and just enjoy the time you're spending here, 'kay?" I sat straight, letting him stand up. He brought his hand in front of me so I can hold it.

Ba-dum.

"For now, let's just enjoy the party when it's at full swing, hm?" I contemplated on whether I should smack him and his hand away, hug him or stand up without his support.

Ba-dum.

"You won't tell me after all, will you?" I asked him.

"I promise I will when the time is right, and you know better that I don't break promises." He smirked and signaled me to grab his hand and get up, and I did. He grabbed me by my waist and softly whispered in my ear, "Shall we go now, my princess?"

Ba-dum.

I laughed and whispered, "We shall, my dear dragon."

And that's how I spent the rest of my time...in his arms, with my heart beating fast and feeling safe.

Ba-dum.

A/N: I RE-EDITED IT. ENJOY AND KEEP SUPPORTING ME WITH VOTES AND COMMENTS. I WOULD REALLY LOVE IT IF YOU GUYS SHARE YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT THIS BOOK AND ALSO TELL ME IF I SHOULD ADD THINGS THAT YOU WANT ME TO.