midnightstar | Happy Holidays Charlie Brown! .. oh wait wrong canon

Christmas and Thanksgiving were going to be difficult holidays for Regina and the kids. They had, for the most part, mended from the deaths of their friends, but this would also be the first Christmas slash Thanksgiving without them. So for that afternoon, she decided to let Natsu distract the kids and the dog for the time being. More than likely they were bundled up and jumping in piles of leaves outside, or begging Natsu for more demonstrations. As for herself, she went to help distract Regine with preparing food. Happily, Regina only took Lucy's bright smile for her natural demeanor and not for any other reasons.

On the other hand, Lucy hadn't been able to stop smiling since the night she and Natsu were.. er.. very intimate together. Assuming she didn't drift off into a dreamy spacey mode when she thought no one was looking. And if she actually saw him, forget it - it took everything she had not to grab him and hold him close. Heck, before that night she had difficulty keeping her eyes off him - it was more so now. SO it was probably for the best that she had something like cooking and entertaining Regine to occupy her attention.

If Regine noticed the way Lucy's conversation chatter kept turning to the topic of Natsu unconsciously, she didn't mention it, though she did seem amused for some reason. Currently the ladies were discussing options for the dinner - the kids wanted to start eating spicier food to - obviously - be more like Natsu after all.

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Natsu was a master at distracting. Making harmless fire toys or even putting on miniature fireworks displays always got them laughing and cheering. He even would mess with the dog by making a small flicker fly around taunting it into a chase. It was smaller than even a candle flame so it was perfectly harmless but just distracting enough to fool the dog into hunting it down.

Things between him and LUcy had also gotten more interesting since that night. That night that still played back in his mind in vivid detail. He didn't regret it and if that smile on Lucy's face he saw more often these days was any indicator, she didn't either. Unlike her however he didn't completely drift off into the memory though he did like those subtle signs of her revisiting that precious night.

"Hey Nev you want to see me make some stars rain~?" Natsu asked with a cheeky grin.

Regret it? She didn't think there was any possible way she could ever regret what happened that night. She shook her head a little. She could daydream about him later. It was only second to actually being with him.

Justyne seemed the most amused at watching the dog go hunting for harmless candle flames - even now the pup was still scampering from one end of the yard to the other, whining and wondering where it went. Justyne's giggles could be hear by the girls even inside the house.

Neveren, on the other hand, stuck to his not -dad like glue, his face lighting up at the question. "You can do that..? Yeah! Justyne come quick, Natsu's gonna do something cool!" No way did he wanna see it without his big sis!

The little flame pixie didn't return again since Natsu was clearly intending to make good on his offer. "Damn straight I can. I can even make fireworks. Like this." He said and seemed to chew up something in his mouth, his cheek bulging a little before he spat out a small globe that then burst into small sparks all around.

"I can make em as big as I want too~" Natsu said and waited for Justyne to walk up and join in on the fun.

Herb was a determined pup if anything! He kept looking just to be safe, until Justyne called him away to see what her little brother was seeing. She wasn't disappointed either, her eyes widening at the sight of the fireworks. "Whoah..."

Oh Natsu, you shouldn't have told him that you could make them bigger. Because naturally, Nev wants to -see- them bigger. "Ha haha, that's so cool - make 'em bigger, Natsu! Hyoooooooooooooooger!" This can't possibly end well.

The pixie would come back later. For now Natsu couldn't help the soft happy smile that flickered over his lips before it moved on to his more normal beaming grin. God these two kids were just the best.

"Not now. The bigger ones look the best when its darker. For now though~" he says and holds both hands in front leaving a space between his claw clenched hands where slowly there is a cloud of fire forming and growing until it looks like Natsu is cradling it in his hands.

Nev was momentarily disappointed he couldn't see the big big ones now, but that didn't mean they wouldn't see it later! When it was darker and all. Besides, Natsu was doing awesome things again. Justyne folded her hands behind her back, watching the cloud form while Nev stood as close as he was brave enough to- which was pretty darn close, considering he trusted Natsu to warn him away, "What's going to happen next? Are you going to make it fly away with the other clouds?"

He'd definitely make it worth the wait for the two of them. For now though he was focusing on his little rain of star project. Natsu built up the cloud a little longer before letting it float out of his hands a little ways away.

"Oh no it's too small for it to mingle with the big guys up there. But it can make it rain in this backyard." Natsu said and blew on the flame cloud, oddly bloating it up a bit more as it ascended over the backyard. It was definitely visible now over the building but Natsu stopped it at that. The cloud itself was like a bubble waiting to be popped in Natsu's head. So he pointed his finger at the cloud like a gun and fired a small bolt into the cloud. Immediately it glowed brighter and just when anyone watching thought it would explode, it started shedding tiny flaming stars that would extinguish the moment they touched anything.

That was definitely something well worth the wait. The sight of a little flame cloud was curious enough that it even got the attention of Regine and Lucy, who padded to the door to see what Natsu was doing this time.

At the sight of the cloud getting brighter and finally raining those tiny stars - both Nev and Justyne crowed with delight. Oh sure he -said- he'd make it rain stars, but that's clearly not what they thought he meant, from the way the two kids scampered about to pretend to grab those tiny stars, laughing with delight.

Additional laughter came from the doorway, where Regine and Lucy were watching the show. "Very impressive, Natsu," Regine said after a few minutes - Lucy was still a bit too caught up with the sight to say anything quite yet. But just look at that awe and admiration. Lookit!

Natsu watched his handiwork and the two children enjoying it in earnest. This was the kind of use of his powers that no one ever would expect from him given how he acted on a regular basis. But this little rain toy was actually a part of one of his secret projects he'd started since making things so utterly official with Lucy.

Still he was quite proud wiht himself for being able to make those two children laugh and run around so lively.

He was snapped out of that admiration when he heard Regina and sure enough Lucy was there with her. He flashed them both a cheeky grin before watching the show again.

"It was fun making it the first time. Bet I could make it have random colors next time too." Yup this was clearly not where he was stopping in its development.

Lucy was practically glowing with joy at the sight of the flaming stars, before sending that smile towards him as well. She'd had no clue he had been working on something like that - which one supposed, was the point of it being a -secret project-.

"It's beautiful, Natsu.." She breathed, still caught up in the admiration of the sight.

Regina nodded, grinning at the children, in particular Nev, who was pretending to shoot down the fire sparks, with Justyne making a 'Pshoom!' noise each time the sparks died out from his fake shots. "I'm certain you would be able to as well," She said encouragingly. "I look forward to seeing that." It would be even more breathtaking than it was now.

"Ah," she glanced around, "Would you two mind looking after the children for a little bit? I have to go into town for some things for them tonight." Clothing and gifts probably.

Indeed it was all completely top secret. After all it was going to be quite the gift once he sorted it out completely. This little teaser had gone over pretty well so that also helped his morale about the plan too.

"Hehe I'll be sure to show you guys when it's ready~" Natsu promised, his smile brigther and bigger than ever after hearing Lucy's own impressions.

"Like you even have to ask. Besides now Lucy can join us out here too so we'll be just fine~" Yup totally just made the decision to include Lucy in their playing.

Regina chuckled as Lucy was just included - as if she could ever say no to Natsu's decisions anyway. Well, say no and mean it. Maybe sometimes it'd be fun to say no just to fuss at him - some things never change, after all. "I did not think you would mind. I will not be long."

So after blessing the kids and giving them hugs, she trotted down the road towards town. Neveren, having successfully shot down all the little sparks, turned his attention to scampering over to Lucy, grabbing her hand and pulling her over to where Natsu and Justyne were. "Come on Lucy, let's play~!"

Lucy could only laugh, glancing at the little not family, "All right all right~!" Seriously, how could she ever say no to all of them?

They loved to play on each other's buttons like that playing hard to get and the like. But at the end of the day they always had the best of times when together. And that was even more so the case then the two kids and Herb joined them for it.

"Mmmm you've been busy cooking~" Natsu commented, sniffing a bit more loudly than necessary to emphasize what he was doing.

Without question. It would be harder to find something that they did together that they didn't enjoy - even the rare, RARE times Natsu irritated her (which happened less than one percent of the time now) - in hindsight she was never t hat bothered. It was weird. But then, it WAS Lucy.

She ruffled Nev's hair gently, giggling when he protested the gesture. Hearing the overemphasized sniffing, Lucy cast him a bemused glance, reaching over to playfully ruffle Natsu's hair too. "Mm, by the time everything's done cooking, we'll have a veritable feast. Nev and Justyne said they wanted to try spicier foods tonight."

So everything was spicy. Woe be to her and Regina - though to be fair Lucy has been tolerating it a little better!~

The list of things they had fun doing together was only growing by the day and some of them dud cine from that precious night. Though those kind of activities were a bit harder to pull off.

Still just seeing her ruffle Nev's hair with a smile was enough to warm his heart. And then she had to just give him the same treatment too. No doubt because of his exaggerated sniffing.

"Hoooo you guys want to try some of the stronger stuff eh. That's great~" Hopefully Regina picked up some extra milk in case the children needed to quickly cool their mouth after the first few bites. After all Lucy's first spicy meal was explosive in more ways than one. He'd never seen her move so fast before.

Especially around people, yes. Well, Lucy would swat him if he tried something like that in public anyway. When it was just the two of them on the other hand.. well. She probably wouldn't be as difficult. She chuckled, lowering her hand from the good natured ruffling.

No worries though, she did tell Regina to get extra milk and extra bread just in case. As long as the kids remembered to eat only the dishes that she or Regina gave them. Lucy of course, was handling Natsu's food herself. She didn't know why, but she didn't want anyone else to prepare the kinds of dishes that Natsu ate.

"We're gonne breath fiiiiiiiire~! Like in the books!"
Justyne palmed her face, "Silly, you don't REALLY breath fire from eating spicy stuff.." Yes, big sister knows all! ... ... She glances at Lucy, then Natsu. "Right?"

Big Sister THINKS she knows all.

Swatting usually worked though he'd make up for it the moment they were alone. IT was only fair for backing down every time she didn't want to risk it after all.

Natsu certainly wasn't complaining about Lucy being the one cooking for him. She was more or less a master at making his favorite dishes well before they'd admitted their obvious feelings for one another.

"Hahaha Justyne's right. You need a bit more than just spicy food to breathe fire. But that's about as close as you guys can safely get to tasting what it's like to eat fire~" Natsu backs up poor big sister with the truth while making sure to still make it appealing enough for the two.

She had no complaints about that, of course. Lucy chuckled - there was something about Justyne looking smug at her little brother and his brief pout that was pretty hilarious. "Okay okay-" Juuuuust in case Neveren got upset about that. Which he rarely did, since he and his sister were closer than close.

"So what do you guys want to do?"

The response is immediate. Neveren's grin widened, "Let's play hide and seek!" He's gonna grab for Natsu's hand because reasons. "You gotta seek us, Lucy. Turn around an' count to... to... um.."

"One hundred!" Justyne, precious baby that she is, who normally sides with Lucy with these sorts of shenanigans.. and she cosigns with her brother first.

Lucy stared at the siblings, and then to Natsu and back, "Wait a second here.. -!"

The kids gravitated between the two of them quite comfortably though they had obvious favorites. Natsu was Neveren's hero and Lucy was often the only one reasonable in their little games.

Oh hide and seek huh? Oh this was such an unfair game. Especially once it would be Natsu's turn to hunt them down. Something Lucy might have realized when she called out after them~

"You're not counting!" Natsu called out over his shoulder as he quickly ran to find his hiding spot.

It WAS an unfair game! "You can have Herb help you!" Justyne called over her shoulder as she ran off giggling.

"It's not -..." MAAAAAAN, so unfair. Natsu had the enhanced senses and everything. "Oooooooooooone, Twoooooooooooooooooo.. Threeeeeeeeeeeeee..."

Herb just sat and thumped his tail, ears perked and watching the direction that the group scampered off. Cheater pup. Neveren's idea of hiding wasn't very good though - he chose to crouch behind a tree, while his sister had a better idea. Though executing it was a bit off since she couldn't quite get up into the tree she had chosen for her hiding spot. At least, not at first.

Well Herb helping Lucy out was a good step in leveling the playing field. Natsu smirked as he ran off and paused after a while to look over his shoulder to make sure Lucy wouldn't see him circle around and climb on top of hte house, laying flat on his stomach on the roof overlooking the backyard.

He'd make his real move AFTER the game progressed far enough~

That sounded ominous. In any case when Lucy finally finished her count, she sighed, glancing around. Not a soul in sight. "Come on Herb, let's go find them."

Without even thinking to look up on the house - because why would she ever - she broke into a run in the direction that the group went, following the pup. Naturally, they find Neveren immediately. It was a terrible hiding spot- a blind mouse could have found him.

However, Lucy was a big softie so she gave him another chance to go run and hide, counting off twenty. When she uncovered her eyes, the game was afoot again! Herb was having a grand time, running here and there searching for the kids and - at one point charging around the house.

"Come out come out wherever you are! When I find you I'll tickle you to submission~!!" Lucy called out.

He watched her walk around looking for the kids and for him since she had no idea of knowing how out of the box, Natsu had taken his hiding place. It was quite the spectacle watching her and Herb try out various hiding place and then even giving Nev a second chance.

It was quite the amusing coincidence hearing her speak of tickling. Wasn't this hide and seek and not tag? Ah well he could go with it. Since there was no way she was finding him.

Well she could tickle in hide and seek or tag! There were no rules for that kind of thing. After a few minutes more, there is a series of barks and a young girl's squeal.

"HA ha! Found you!" Lucy announced, chuckling as she spied Neveren's sister in the tree. Also, the poor girl lost a shoe getting up there so.. that helped. "Come on down. I just have to find your brother and Natsu next." Oh the confidence.

Still, she caught the smaller girl when Justyne jumped out of the tree, making a grab for her and missing the squirmy little girl before she could make good on her 'threat'.

"One down, and two to go," Lucy called to the air, "Your moment is numbered!"

It's true that the winner could decide their spoils. But one rule that hadn't been mentioned was that once there was only one hider left, they were allowed to sneak up on the seeker and subdue them~ And poor Lucy had no idea~

Natsu had to give props to Justyne for thinking of the tree. That kind of vertical thinking was a good thing to have even if the execution had not been the best.

To help Nev out, he would sometimes make one of those flickering moving flames fly by in front of Herb, distracting him away from Nev's hiding place. Eventually though he couldn't find another opening to send that flaming little creation without blowing his cover.