Natsu, Lucy, and Happy are now together in the boats eating area.  Happy is not that hungry due to the huge snack he ate earlier while Natsu and Lucy were  asleep.   Natsu and Lucy are really hungry.  They both consume a huge amount of food!  When we say huge we mean it!

      As Natsu is about to eat his third slice of lemon creme pie, Lucy ask, "you are not really gonna eat that are you?" 

     Natsu turns to her and answers, "Nah, I thought  I would just look at it."    He laughs then eats it  anyway.   He then proceeds to eat four whole pieces of  apple pie. When he finishes he burps!

    "Natsu, seriously you burp from the pie , but not from all that other food you just ate?"  Lucy remarks. She is not sure what to think about the whole thing.  Goodness, he eats a lot!

     Happy laughs.  He cannot keep his giggles to himself anymore. It is so funny!  

     "Hey, you know she has  a good point!"  Happy retorts.

    "Oh, yeah  keep your opinion to yourself!"  Natsu replies.

     "There is no need to be rude to him, you know!"  Lucy remarks.

     Happy  shakes his head.  He watches as Natsu launches a grape towards Lucy -from off his fork-and sees his mischievous grin!   He thinks, that friend of mine is just one goofy guy!

     "Hey, what was that for anyway?"  Lucy says in a tone that shows her annoyance at once.

     "Oh, nothing!  Nothing at all."    Natsu says.  He has the same grin on his face now.

    "Well, then, two can play at this game!"  Lucy says.

         Lucy takes a french fry, dips it in ketchup and tosses it at him.

           Natsu gets hit in the shirt.  He looks a her and pretends to be hurt.  "Oh, I am goner for sure!  Did you see what she just did there?  She got me!  She got me good!"  Natsu says with a voice that shows he is  just faking it.

         "Ha, as if, that is only ketchup so just chill!"  Lucy says. She sticks her tongue out at him.

       "It is not nice to stick your tongue out , you know?"  Nastu remarks.

            "Who says?  I mean  it is a rule."  Lucy replies. 

        "oh,yeah it is inside the  Manners book."  Natsu says.

      "Manners book?"  Lucy inquiries.

      "Yes, you know the one.  It is the big huge beige one right over there!"  Natsu says . He points to a book about chess. He wonders how long it will take for her to catch on anyway?

      Lucy looks at the book on the table. She sees the cover and frowns.  She looks up at him.  "Natsu Dragneel, that is a book about chess!"  Lucy remarks.

     "Oh, so it is now how about that then!"  Natsu responds.

      Lucy throws a tart at him and gasps when it lands on his head.  She giggles a soft low laugh first, then it develops into a  lounder, better heard sound. 

   "Ha, ha, got you tart head!"  Lucy retorts.       

  "Oh, yeah than take that and that too!"  Natsu replies as he launches two cherries, a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, and a whole chocolate creme pie in her direction.  He watches in amazement as the cherries hit her shorts, along with ice-cream while the chocolate creme pie lands plop, smack dab in the middle of the seat.   

     "Ugh, now you have gone and done it!  There is a sticky mess all over my seat."  Lucy blurts out.

        "Serves you right, your royal, sticky ship."  Natsu says. He sees her jaw drop and her eyes get big at the comment.

       "You take that back, right now!"  Lucy says.

     "I will not."  Natsu says.

    "Hmm, well then you have to sleep in the bathtub tonight!"  Lucy says with tears in her eyes from crying so hard and so very much!  She shakes her fist in the air at him and she looks like she might throw her napkin at him next.

     "Fine, I am sorry, Luce!"  Natsu says.

    "I forgive you!"  Lucy says.

     Happy smiles.  He thinks, it is good to see those two can enjoy a proper teasing once in awhile like most couples.  He can tell those two will be together for many years.  He secretly hopes they get married and invite him to the wedding!  He so ships those two together big time!

       Natsu hugs her.  Lucy squeals as she feels some of the ketchup drip off his shirt and onto her own.  "N-Natsu!"  Lucy says with a gentle tone to it.

     "Y-Yes, Luce?"  Natsu ask.  He can see that she is as adorable as ever mess and all.

    "I  uh, think we better clean up!"  Lucy says.

    "Awe, do we have too?  What is the fun in that anyway?"  Nastu ask.

    "Well, you could get the gooey food off you."  Lucy remarks with a funny expression across her face.

    "Yes, well that is a good reason!"  Natsu says.  He picks up a whole blueberry pie and hits her with it.

   "Hey, you just got me even more messy!"  Lucy says.

   "So, what!  It will come off just fine. I am sure of it."  Natsu says.  He runs from her.

   "So, is that all you can say?  You get back here and face me like a real man!"  Lucy calls out.

   " No way!  I  know a trick when I hear one!"  Natsu calls out. He runs and hides.

       Lucy searches for him. She gives up after thirty minutes and sits down in a chair.  She is not sure what to do or say now.  She thinks, perhaps I was to hard on him and now he never wants to speak to me again. She begins to sob.

      "Luce, calm down!  It is alright! I am not angry."  Natsu says.  He sees her brush a tear away as she stands up to face him.

    "Oh, Natsu! "  Lucy says.

   "Oh, Luce!"  Natsu says.

          The two hug, kiss and head back to the cabin to get all clean.  Lucy takes her shower first while Natsu waits his turn.

       Happy stands their with a look of amusement on his face!  

"What, you not gonna join her?"  Happy retorts.

     Natsu turns pink.  Happy laughs.  Lucy finishes, dries off, puts a fresh outfit on and exits the bathroom. She sees Natsu's face and blurts out in laughter!
     

    to be continued in Chapter 18  Almost Home So Soon?