It was Lucy who finally pulled away from the kiss, her breathing heavy as she separated from him. She was trembling, just slightly, the fierce tidal wave of emotion racking through her as she struggled to sort through it all. The only thing that made sense was him, and yet everything that seemed so new and terrifying was him as well, like a thousand roads that crossed and turned but all led to one place, all arrived at the same conclusion. Loke.

He was definitely feeling overwhelmed as well, she could sense it in every pore of his being but it was all trounced by an all embodying sensation. Complete relief, and happiness. He was happy, and so was she, really truly happy, even if they were nervous of it all.

She laughed a shaky airy laugh and kept her eyes on his wrist, transfixed by the gentle but powerful hand still cupping her cheek. "What, no fancy lines kitten?"

That got a laugh out of him, and it sounded like a release of tension from behind a dam of anxiety, making her smile more at ease and his gaze easier to match. "Oh I'm sorry hang on give me a second, I'm sure I have something."

He looked up and to the right, a look of false contemplation exaggerated on his features and she laughed again. He swiveled an ear flat against his hair like he was really putting some thought into it and it made her laugh even more, the grin impossible to keep from his face as she started to giggle uncontrollably. He couldn't help but fall into it as well, the sound of her laugh like a wash of cool water that cleared him out of all the tense, exhausting emotion he had experienced in such a short time. That kiss… had been so powerful, so charged and meaningful, that it gave him both unbelievable closure and unsettling uncertainty. What happened now? What did he do? What were the right words after something like that, after everything in your life was tied to one person and one person only. He had already been committed in his love to Lucy, as well as to her with his contract, but there was always that spare lifeline, that one doubt that would be able to say "I told you so!" and pretend like it had always seen it coming when his love was ultimately rejected. Now though… she severed every doubt, every lifeline with one action, and it was simultaneously the most freeing, and terrifying thing, because now if he messed up if he did something wrong… he had no idea how he would survive that.

'But you don't need to,' his thoughts comforted him as he and Lucy laughed and embraced each other, 'because she's here. She's here with you and she's yours. No matter what happens now, right now in this point and time she has completely accepted you… and I really don't think that is ever going to change.'

He smiled into her hair as he buried his face in it, tears blotting and marring his glasses. It wasn't very macho to cry, but this was sort of a big deal for him. An immortal being capable of true and complete love, a moment in time that will always mark a before and after for as long as his stars burned in the sky. Who would have thought.

"Guess I've got nothing," he finally admitted, shrugging his shoulders, "there just aren't words in any language that could ever compliment someone as radiant as you."

She pushed away from him and batted at his arm, exclaiming, "Oh that was terrible!" before taking his hand confidently in hers. Her smile was so bright and vivid it felt like he actually needed his shades for once when stood before such shining beauty. Oh that wasn't half bad maybe he should say that, or maybe not, it was pretty pathetic. So was he though. A spirit who was totally and completely pathetically in love.

Lucy seemed to sober up slightly, a look of wariness crossing her face as she let out and exasperated chuckle.

"Well we are right down the street," she finally spoke, gesturing towards the looming guild hall that had been their destination, and he suddenly understood her preemptive exhaustion.

"Ah… yes. They will probably be pretty excited, or angry. Or both." He idly considered if he was up for a battle with Natsu and Gray that was sure to follow the announcement that they were-

Were…

"Um," Loke stammered, drawing Lucy's attention from the towering building, "we are… uh- right?"

Her face was blank for a second before completely exasperated frustration overtook her expression and he chuckled nervously. "Oh come on!" she whined, "Do I seriously need to spell it out for you that I'm your girlfriend now?"

"That would make me feel better yeah."

She groaned and threw her palm into her face at his idiotic uncertainty. She had to admit it was kind of cute how shy he was about it, but come on.

"We are dating," she said with a faked scowl of annoyance, "I am your girlfriend. Your ONLY girlfriend that you will have."

He frowned at her implication that he would still keep the harem going after such an intense proclamation of wordless love but she pressed on.

"You," she gently poked a finger at his chest, "Leo the lion, Loke the dunce, are my boyfriend."

"Your ONLY boyfriend," he added, trying to ignore the shiver of satisfaction he got from her using his real name, and she raised an eyebrow at his need to level the accusation.

"Better?" she asked, and her usually tenderness returned as she dropped the pretense.

"Better," he replied.

"I KNEW IT!" a shrill scream pierced the air and the couple jumped at the intensity of the sound, both paling slightly as they spotted Mirajane standing (more like bouncing) in the road leading to Fairy Tail.

"I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I TOLD YOU HE WAS IN LOVE WITH YOU I TOLD YOU I SAW IT FROM A MILE AWAY!"

The two let out a nervous chuckle and clung a little harder to the others hand as more and more of their guild mates started to appear, alerted by Mirajane's screeches of joy. Loke just draped his arm possessively over Lucy and gave off the universally readable male sign of "Mine" that sent a thrill of joy through her. Gray, Natsu, and Erza made it to the front of the crowd with ease, and each leveled Loke with a deadly stare that he matched with complete confidence. Even Erza's attempt to test him didn't frighten him in the slightest, because when it came to Lucy there was nothing now that he was more completely sure of than his love for her, and he would fight every one of them if that's what it took.

The way he stood, matching their gaze and accepting their challenge to prove he was deserving of their friend reminded everyone of his true origin as a lion. Proud, powerful, and ready to prove himself without any trace of fear.

There was a beat of silence and Lucy waited with tension in her shoulders.

Then grins spread across each of her team mates faces. Erza closed her eyes and nodded her head to the lion in recognition, Natsu crossing his arms and giving that genuinely happy dragon slayer grin as he accepted his claim, and Gray just giving that haughty smirk that basically said, "About damn time."

Lucy let out a heavy breath and she felt Loke do the same though he would probably never admit to it, relieved that her admittedly overprotective friends weren't going to put Loke through the gauntlet, having already been convinced that he was worthy. He had enough on his plate today as it was.

The elated crowd of Fairy Tail overtook the newly announced couple and buried them beneath an absolute onslaught of well wishes and congratulations, but no matter how many people rushed up to them as they were ushered inside the two never lost contact with one another, holding each other all the while in one way or another. Far overhead, on the balcony railing of the third floor sat an old man, smiling gently to himself.

Makarov watched as his children funneled inside, no doubt to start some kind of impromptu celebration, and allowed himself to feel the joy he had in its purest form. The joy of seeing happiness in the lives of your dearest children, brought together by new and powerful bonds of love and loyalty. His heart felt light and young, filled with the love he felt for all who bore the mark of Fairy Tail. With a chuckle he hopped down to find his way inside himself, his thoughts turning to what he hoped would be a new addition to his beloved family someday down the road. He pictured tousled and knotted light ginger hair and deep pleading brown eyes asking grandpa Makarov for another story, and settling down to tell a tale to perhaps give the parents a moments respite from their child's endless search for adventure. Maybe he would be retired by then, with more time to gather any members of the newest generation around as he began a new story. A story about a wandering lion made of light who had never stopped roaming since the stars appeared in the sky, and of the princess who called out to him. Until finally one day, he stopped,

And stayed.

((I am sorry this is horrendously short, but it felt like it was over. I didn't want to tact this on at the end of chapter nine, but didn't want to drone on when ending here felt more natural. I think it fits, and I hope you all enjoyed the story J I had a lot of fun writing it and your support and favorites have meant the world to me. Thank you all so much! Please, leave in the review of this chapter what you would like to see next. A continuation of this perhaps? Where Lucy's mortality weighs heavily on Loke's mind? Or fluff, details of their lives together. Or a totally new story all together! Let me know, and thank you again. Bye for now!))