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"I think I'll pass, Levy."

"Aww c'mon Lu! Pretty please?"

"A pretty no, Levy. I just don't think I'm ready yet."

"But it's been a year Lucy!"

"Which is equivalent to just a litter over a month for him!"

"Lucy." Levy began sternly. "You're not living in his world. You're here. Here with us. And it's been a month for him too! He tried to make no contact whatsoever! Don't you think it's time to move on?"

The blonde sighed in defeat, flopping down on her bed. Plue snuggled in close to her, making her smile while she petted him.

"Yeah, I know." She answered grumpily. "But, it's just that...I'm not ready yet. I just don't think I'll be able to like another person right now."

"You were really in it deep huh?" Levy sighed. It then went silent on the other side, leaving Lucy to hear the otherwise nonexistent static hum of the phone. "But Lucy, I'm not allowing you to stay cooped up either."

"Levy-"

"Absolutely not!" She deadpanned. "I am not letting my best friend spend another new year alone!"

"But Lev-"

"It's New Year's Eve Lucy! Just come with us. No dates I swear!"

Lucy pondered over it for a moment, weighing the possibilities, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to go out after all.

"You promise not to set me up with someone?"

"I promise! Pinky swear!"

Lucy laughed, for she could almost see Levy holding out her pinky finger.

"Fine." She agreed. "I'll come."

The blonde woman sighed, keeping her half finished drink on the counter and grabbed her coat, ready to go.

"I guess that's that." She smiled slightly, walking out if the club. Somewhere in the distance, she could see Levy and Gajeel dancing wildly, having fun. Jellal and Erza sat in a corner, the latter giggling at something he just said. Juvia, Gray, Wendy and Romeo were probably somewhere there too, just out of her peripheral vision.

"Have a great new year you guys." She mumbled, finally walking out.

In an instant, she was greeted with a cold, harsh wind and a few stray snowflakes. She fished out her phone, texting Levy.

'I'm heading home now. You guys enjoy! 3 Have a blast! .'

On her way home, a flower stand with beautiful white lilies caught her attention. She walked over, pulling out one of them.

"Excuse me sir? How much for a bouquet? Actually...make it two."

The cemetery was deathly quiet, despite being surrounded by the noises of celebrations all around. Lucy made her way through the tombstones, admiring the fairy lights that the people had put up for New Year.

She finally stopped in front of a beautiful white marble headstone, right under a beautiful, lighted tree. Though the tree had no leaves as of now, it was the most beautiful there was out here, for it was a huge cherry blossom.

She set down the bouquet, brushing the thin layer of snow off of the names.

"Hey Mom..Dad.." she greeted, standing back up.

"It's been a while huh? I've missed you both so much. Life's been treating me just fine in case you were wondering." She chuckled.

"Hey! Mom! Dad! Do you know that my 'Adventures of Iris' series has been a huge hit and was a bestseller! It even won an award! I'm so happy! I hope you both are proud of me."

"Hey Mom? You know, Gajeel and Levy have finally started dating! I'd say about time! What do you think? Also.." she leaned closer, whispering as if telling a secret. "Gajeel is planning on proposing to her soon. Isn't is wonderful?" She cheered.

"Also, Erza and Jellal have finally decided on a date! They are getting married on 28th of September! Oh it's going to be so pretty! I can already tell! Although I wonder who'll be the Maid Of Honour.."

"Gray is still a tsundre and Juvia is still crazy in love with him. No surprises there!" Lucy laughed, the corner of her eyes beginning to fill with tears. "Although, I feel like it's just a matter of time before they're official too! And Mom! I met the most amazing and talented girl ever! Her name is Wendy! She is super sweet. You would've really liked her!"

"Everyone is doing fine. Laughing, enjoying..Actually, I just came over from the new year celebrations too y'know? No no, it's nothing serious, I'm fine too..it's just that..I hate being the third wheel..and in this case..I was the ninth wheel.."

She laughed, wiping away a few stray tears.

"Oh no mom! Don't worry! I'm fine, I'm totally fine! I'm-I'm...not fine..."

Lucy broke down, sitting down in the snow with a thump. She sobbed, while tiny snowflakes set over her coat and hair, glistening in the surrounding lights.

"I'm..I'm not fine Mom..I'm-I'm still hopelessly in love with him." She managed out between her sobs.

"That-That day..when I was back there..I actually thought that it was my end. That I'll die at the same place where you both did. Where I lost both of you.."

"I was so scared. So scared that I would not be able to escape the fire this time."

"But then he came.. His fire never burned me Mom..but it still stung...and it still stings.."

"I miss him so much. So very much..But I'm losing all hope of ever seeing him again..I don't think I can continue on like this..it's breaking me.."

However, she laughed, wiping away her tears.

"But you know what the funny thing is? I always knew that he'd not be around forever. That he'd leave one day. So I tried to stay away from these emotions as much as possible." She let out a bitter laugh, looking away. "But look where that got me.."

She wiped away her tears one last time before getting up and smiling. "I guess I can't really blame fate for my own foolishness right? Looks like I'll just have to get over it and live with it.." she chuckled, leaning close to the headstone and kissing it gently. "Happy new year Mom, Dad..I love you both."

She walked away, but didn't exit the cemetery. Instead, she headed for another headstone, which was under the huge Fairy Willow Tree.

"Happy New year, Mavis, Zeref. I wish I could've have had more time with him.." she mumbled while she set down the other bouquet there.

"You let your hair grow."

It was like life was breathed into her again when she heard that voice. Quick as a flash, she turned around, and let out a happy laugh, for he stood in front of her.

"Natsu!" She cried, launching herself onto him. He hugged her back, his arms firm and secure against her.

"You came back!"

"I came back."

She broke out of the embrace, looking at him with a tear stricken face. Then, she suddenly smacked him.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"You jerk!" She shouted. "It's been a year and you act like it's nothing? You're. Just. Like. 'Hey?'" She hit him with ever word she spoke. Finally he grabbed both her arms and held her close to him.

"I'm back, I'm back now. Calm down."

"I will not, I will not calm down!" She sobbed.

"You do realise it was just like, a month for me right?"

She let go again, glaring at him. He put up his hands in surrender, chuckling.

"You look beautiful with long hair."

Lucy blushed when he started playing with her locks.

"Why're you back anyway? And how? What about Ignia?"

He pretended to act hurt which made her giggle a bit. "Well.."

"Hm?"

"Without Igneel there, I didn't really have a reason to stay. As for how.. well we had to settle our 'brotherly disputes'. Why else did you think it took me that long? Besides..there was something that I had to take."

"Take? What?"

"Your answer."

Lucy blushed, instantly remembering their unfinished conversation.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about.."

"Really now?" He smirked. "Your blush speaks differently."

"It's..it's just because your holding me too close..l-let go!"

"Close?" He raised his eyebrows. "How close?" He asked, securing his hold on her. "This close?" He asked, pulling her even closer.

"N-Natsu-"

"Or this close?" He cut her off, with another pull towards him.

He leaned forward now, his lips brushing her pink ones again.

"Luce.." he whispers against them. "Answer me.."

"Y-yes.." she answered. "I did lie about everything.."

As soon as she finished, he kissed her. No more teasing her or playing with her. It was a kiss that conveyed just how much he was in love with her. Of how much he wanted to be with her. All of those unsaid things were poured into that single kiss, and Lucy heard every one of it, loud and clear.

"Lucy?"

"Hm?"

"Being beholden to you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I want to stay like this forever."

"Forever?"

"Forever."

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