A/N: I'm back! I'm really sorry that it took me so long to update. I just had my Preliminary Exam Week so I was pretty busy studying for my exams. I hope you all enjoy this. And I'm really overwhelmed with happiness with the reviews that I received from my readers. Thank you everyone! :)
Guest (1): I understand what you're saying. I was thinking that something was wrong with what I wrote and I finally found out what it was when you pointed it out. I think I really did put too much information on what happened. Sorry about that but I couldn't agree with the other things you said. I know that you're probably right about them telling the guild what happened and Natsu dying early in the future but this is fanfiction and I can alter things about what really happened in the anime and manga. I'm not mad. I just wanted to defend myself. Anyway, I still want thank you for reading and for telling me your opinion. I'll try to improve my writing. :)
Snavej: Well, here's your request! Request granted! One adorable NaLu moment in the apartment, coming right up! Hope you like it. :)
FlyingDoll4, Crazy Shortie, Guest(2), ThreeDarkAngels, NightCruiser, Guest(3), artistofthemind, Guest(4), YHA, Ryleeunicorn, Guest(5), , SimplyBirdy, Morningstar-Girl, Johnny Spectre: Thanks for reading everyone. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy! :)
lightning-storm: You have to read to find out! :)
RosesAndRavens: Sorry, I couldn't finish it sooner. I hope you'll still read it even though it's this late already. :)
NatsuForThePotato: I really thought about what you said. I really want to make this longer but I don't think I'll be able to finish this if I do. School is really taking all the free time I have and I still have two unfinished stories that I wish to finish before this semester ends so I'm really sorry but this will be the last chapter for this story. :(
Angel-of-kristen: I didn't really pay attention in keeping them in character but I'm glad they still did. I don't know if this chapter still keeps them in character. I hope you won't get disappointed. :(
AnimexFreakz 0.o: Where? Well, here it is! Enjoy! :)
P.S: Thanks for reading everyone! Thanks also for the awesome reviews that you left. Some of the usernames are really familiar. I think I've read some of their stories here in fanfiction and I'm glad that they're reading my story too. Gihee. I hope you all enjoy this one. Happy Reading! :)
"Normal"
'Thoughts'
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. :(
Meanwhile, our favorite celestial wizard was on her way to her apartment with her dragon slayer partner who for some reason didn't say a word and a still crying Happy in her arms.
'I wonder if he already calmed down. He seemed pretty angry with everything that happened a while ago.'
Lucy wanted to break the deafening silence but couldn't find the right words to say as if afraid that what she'll say will make Natsu even angrier than before.
Lucy just sighed but what she didn't notice was that Natsu looked towards her as a sigh escaped her lips.
Soon they reached her apartment and they went straight to her room.
Lucy noticed that Happy already fell asleep so she went to her bed and laid him down on her pillow as she sat on the edge of her bed while Natsu sat on the floor.
The awkward silence was still there but Lucy knew that she had to start asking about what happened in the guild if she wanted to calm down her pink haired partner.
Lucy faked cough to get Natsu's attention and when she saw Natsu look her way she decided it was time to break this silence.
"So Natsu, do you mind explaining to me what happened at the guild?"
Natsu looked away and said something that Lucy couldn't hear.
"Natsu, I can't hear what you're saying. Please tell me what's wrong. I'm your partner and best friend. You can tell me anything."
Natsu hearing the sad tone of Lucy's voice suddenly felt guilt run in his system.
"The bottle was flying towards you and all I could see after was red. I didn't know why. I just felt so angry and had the urge to beat the hell out of the person who tried to hurt you."
"Oh Natsu. I'm really happy that you did that all for me but you hurt Gajeel. You shouldn't have done that especially since I'm safe."
Natsu looked down like a child who was being scolded by her mother. "No one tried to stop me so I thought that I weren't harming him that much. "
Lucy's eyes widened at this. "Natsu! Erza, Gray, Laxus and Elfman tried to stop you but you didn't stop."
Natsu's attention that was formerly directed to the floor was suddenly returned to Lucy. "What? They tried to stop me?"
Lucy nodded at him as he stared at her in shock.
"But I didn't notice it. I didn't even hear or feel them stopping me. You're the only one whom I'm aware that tried to stop me. I'm so sorry, Lucy."
Lucy shook her head and hugged Natsu. "It's okay, Natsu. I know that you only did that because you were worried about me but you have to apologize to the others when we return to the guild later."
"But Luce…"
"No buts, Natsu. And you should also tell them why you didn't stop when they tried to stop you. They also got hurt from stopping you."
Natsu looked down and said, "Okay, Luce."
Lucy pulled away from the hug and went back to sitting on her bed.
"Now, Natsu, I want to know why you suddenly went on a rampage about me getting hurt. You weren't like this before. Is something bothering you?"
Natsu frantically tried to think of an excuse but Lucy knowing him all too well told him, "Don't lie to me, Natsu. I can tell when you're lying. I'm not dumb, Natsu. I noticed that something about you changed. You look stressed lately and it's like you and Happy are not getting enough sleep too. What's up with the two of you?"
Natsu looked at the floor. He suddenly found it interesting.
"Natsu, please look at me and tell me."
Natsu looked up and met her beautiful brown eyes. When he saw this, he knew he wouldn't be able to resist her and just sighed in defeat.
"Fine. I'll tell you. Happy and I have been plagued by nightmares lately. That's why we haven't been getting enough sleep.
Natsu looked away while Lucy stared at him. "What are these nightmares about? Maybe I can help."
"It's nothing, Lucy. Just plain nightmares."
Lucy shook her head and said, "It's not nothing, Natsu. If you haven't been getting sleep because of it that means it's something that is really bothering the both of you. So tell me what it is."
Natsu was debating in his mind if he should tell her or not. He looked at her again and then sighed. He knew he couldn't get out of her apartment without telling her and if he did actually try to escape and succeeded in doing so, he knows that Lucy wouldn't speak with him again until he tells her.
"It's about you dying and we couldn't do anything to save you."
Lucy stared at him shocked and then a sudden realization hit her.
"Is it because of the future me dying during the dragons' attack?"
Natsu just nodded at the celestial mage.
Suddenly Natsu smelled Lucy's tears and looked back to her just to see her jumping towards him and by reflex he caught her.
"What's wrong, Luce? Why are you crying? Is it something I said? Is it something I di-"
Natsu was cut off when Lucy hugged him tighter and said, "I'm so sorry, Natsu. It's all my fault. It's because I can't protect myself that she had to sacrifice her life and now you're having nightmares because of it. I'm so sorry."
Natsu shook his head and hugged her back.
"It's not your fault, Luce. I'm your dragon and I'm supposed to protect you but I couldn't. I'm sorry."
Lucy didn't answer and just kept on crying.
"Luce, stop crying. I don't want to see you crying. It makes me feel even worse. It's as if I failed you again so please stop crying."
Natsu was begging her so Lucy tried to stop herself from crying and pulled back to look into Natsu's eyes.
"Okay. I'll stop crying."
Natsu smiled as he saw Lucy wiping her tears away and started smiling at him.
"All I want right now is for you to be safe, Luce. I don't want anyone taking you away from me like that again. I will always protect you so don't hesitate to call my name when you're in trouble because Happy and I will definitely be there to save you."
Lucy's smile grew wider as soon as she heard what Natsu said, "Natsu, I can take care of myself but if I am really in trouble and I can't take it alone, you're the one I'll call first. As you have said, you are my dragon."
"Good! I'm all fired up!"
Lucy laughed and Natsu grinned but at the same time blushed when something suddenly crossed his mind.
"Luce, I need to tell you something."
Lucy looked at Natsu curiously as he nervously fidgeted in his position.
"What is it, Natsu? You can tell me anything."
Natsu looked up at her with hopeful eyes.
"Anything?"
Lucy smiled at him and said, "Yes, Natsu. Anything."
Natsu shifted nervously and said, "Well, I found out that Future Lucy had my scent all over her. I thought at first it was just because I was around you too much but then I suddenly realized that it meant something different and the scent on her was mine but a more mature scent of mine."
Lucy looked at him clueless at what he was trying to tell her. "What do you mean by that Natsu?"
Natsu sighed and thought, 'Lucy is so smart but also so dense at the same time.'
"What I mean is that, the scent belonged to the future me, Future Natsu. And that also means that Future Lucy was and still is Future Natsu's mate."
Natsu blushed as he said this and looked down on the floor. A few minutes passed and Lucy still hasn't said anything so he looked up to see her still gaping at him as if he just grown two heads.
"Luce! Are you okay? I know that this is all so surprising but I really love you, Luce. I realized that when Future Lucy died. I know you might not feel the same way about me right now and it's fine with me. You don't have to force yourself to become my mate if you don't want to. As long as you're happy and safe, I'm happy too. So if you ever find yourself falling in love with other people it's-"
Natsu was cut off again when he suddenly felt Lucy's lips on him. Lucy pulled away right after he shut up and smiled at him.
"You talk too much, Natsu. It's about time you idiot. I love you too."
Now, it was Natsu's turn to stare at her in shock and Lucy giggled at this.
Natsu snapped out of his shock and stood up suddenly that it surprised Lucy.
He lifted Lucy and spun her around twice before setting her down on her feet.
"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up."
Lucy laughed at him and said, "Well, Natsu, I think it's safe to say that this is real and not a dream."
Natsu grinned and hugged Lucy while Lucy hugged him back.
The couple was so occupied with themselves that they didn't notice that Happy was already awake.
Happy smiled mischievously and thought that it was now the perfect time to disturb his friends.
"They liiiiiiiike each other!"
The startled lovers broke the hug and looked at Lucy's bed where Happy was sitting and grinning at them.
"HAPPY!"
"Shut up, cat!"
The three stayed silent for a couple of minutes then burst out laughing.
As soon as the laughing stopped, Natsu put his arm around Lucy's shoulders and they walked towards the bed to seat on the edge.
"Happy, Lucy's my girlfriend now and mate. Is that okay with you?"
The two looked at their blue exceed partner expectantly and felt panic in their veins as Happy frowned at them. They unconsciously held their breath as they waited for the blue feline to answer.
"Does that mean I can call Lucy, mommy?"
The two sighed in relief and both smiled at the exceed. Lucy took Happy and put her in her lap.
"Of course, Happy."
The exceed smiled and hugged Lucy happily while Natsu watched his two favorite people with a smile.
"Now, Happy, I want you to tell me about these nightmares that you have been having lately."
Happy looked at her in shock and then at Natsu. Natsu nodded at him telling him that it's alright to tell her since she already knew.
Happy then looked at Lucy and tears started to form in his eyes as he started talking.
"They were about you, Lucy. I… We couldn't do anything when you were killed. We were so afraid that you'll get hurt again and die. We don't want that to happen again."
Lucy hugged the exceed as Happy continued to cry.
"It's okay, Happy. I'm here and I'm safe. I won't be dying soon. After all, I'm strong enough to protect myself and I know that you and Natsu will always be there to save me right?"
Lucy smiled at the exceed as the tears stopped falling from his eyes.
"Aye sir!" The exceed grinned at her as he hugged her again.
Natsu then hugged Lucy and Happy tightly.
"Natsu… Can't… Breath…"
"Aye…"
"Oops! Sorry!" Natsu grinned at the two as they tried to catch their breath.
"Mou! Natsu!"
The three laughed together as they talked some more to ease the worry that the two males were feeling about the blonde girl.
Fairy Tail Guild Hall
The bets are still being placed one by one but a certain group of mages were at one corner whispering to themselves.
"So what do you think? Will flame-brain confess today?"
"I think Natsu-san will do it today. What do you think Carla? Can't you see it from you visions of the future?"
"Wendy, I'm forbidden to use that now just like how Cana is forbidden to use her cards. But knowing that guy, I think he'll do it today."
"I'm so excited for Lu-chan! I hope Natsu tells her today. What do you think, Gajeel?"
"He'll do it today. I'm sure."
The group stared at him.
"How are you sure, Gajeel-san? Do you really think that Natsu-san will tell Love Rival today?"
Gajeel grinned at Juvia. "I'm sure, Juvia. Dragon slayers would want to claim their mate as soon as he discovers who he/she is. And Salamander has waited long enough. It's about time for his patience and self-control to break."
"C-claim her? I'm going to Lucy's apartment and bash his skull right now!" Erza stood up and was about to leave when Lily stopped her and spoke.
"Calm down, Erza! I think that's not what Gajeel meant by claim! Right Gajeel?"
Lily looked at Gajeel while Erza calmed down and sat back down.
"Well, that's actually what I meant but Dragon slayers also have great respect for their mates. If bunny-girl is still not ready for it then he won't claim her yet in that way so he'll have to find another way to claim her as his. And that other way is the way humans claim their mates. Ask her to be his girlfriend or ask her to marry him. That's why I'm sure that Salamander will tell bunny-girl how he feels today."
"So that settles it then? Team Natsu with Juvia, Gajeel, Levy and Lily will bet that Natsu will confess today. We'll bet 50000J each so a total of 400000J. We'll divide our win equally. Is that clear? Does anyone have objections?"
Erza looked at her companions. No one dared to defy Erza when she was set on something so they just nodded at her signaling that they agree with whatever she said."
Erza stood up and called Mirajane. "Mira! We would like to withdraw our individual bets for a group bet. Team Natsu together with Levy, Juvia, Gajeel and Lily are betting 400000J that Natsu will confess today."
The whole guild stared at them in shock. That was a whole lot of jewels.
Mirajane just smiled at the group and asked, "By Team Natsu do you mean, you, Gray, Wendy and Carla?"
The group nodded at her.
"Okay. Are you sure about this? This is a lot of money you're betting."
"Mira, we're sure. We already discussed this. And we are sure flame-brain will confess to Lucy today."
"Alright then. Team Natsu with Levy, Gajeel, Juvia and Lily are betting 400000J."
Everyone groaned. They knew that the group's guess would have the most probability to happen because they knew the two people who are the subject of the bet more than anyone in the guild.
They just hoped that Mavis would bless them than the group if they didn't want to be bankrupt by the end of the day.
Later that night, everyone in the guild was peacefully eating dinner in the guild hall when the guild doors were kicked open.
"We're back!"
Natsu walked inside the guild hall while Lucy and Happy followed behind him.
The guild was silent. It was as if they were waiting for some kind of announcement.
"Why is everyone so quiet? Did something happen?"
Lucy looked at everyone curiously but they just nervously laughed at her.
"Everyone is weird like you, Luce."
"Maybe Lucy spread her weird virus around the guild before we left the guild."
"Shut up, cat! And Natsu, I am not weird! Oh! I know! Maybe it's still about what you did before. Remember what we talked about, Natsu."
"Oh. Do I really have to?"
"Yes, Natsu. Now go."
Lucy pushed Natsu forward as Natsu cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Uhh. Everyone, I'm really sorry for what happened. I didn't mean to hurt anyone that badly especially Iron-breath over there. And for those who tried to stop me, I didn't really notice you stopping me so I didn't stop. Sorry."
"You didn't hurt me that badly, Salamander! You're getting weak!"
"You want a fight, Gajeel?"
"Bring it on!"
And the two started a brawl while Lucy just laughed at this and went to the bar to order dinner for her and Happy.
The other members of the guild blinked at the current scene.
"Nothing changed. Does that mean Team Natsu was wrong?" Asked Macao in a hushed voice.
"Erza isn't going to like this but at least now we have more chances of winning the bet." Answered Wakaba.
When everyone realized what was happening, Erza walked to the farthest part of the bar and ate her cake sadly.
Gray stripped and joined the brawl to release his disappointment on the dense pink haired mage.
Wendy and Carla just ate their dinner silently while Juvia sat beside them silently crying for the money she wasted.
Levy hugged Lily as they talked about the large sum of money that they are going to lose tonight.
Everything went on how it usually was in the guild when suddenly a chair was being thrown towards the bar where Lucy was.
Happy noticing it suddenly spread out his wings and flew towards Lucy to knock her over the chair that she's been seating at to save her from the flying chair.
"MOMMY! Watch out!"
"Wha—Ouch! Happy! That hurt. OMG. Who threw that chair over here?"
Everyone was suddenly quiet trying to process what Happy just shouted.
"Hey Luce! Happy! Are you alright? Who the fuck threw that chair? I swear I'm going to beat you to pulp!"
"Calm down Natsu! I'm alright. But what's up with flying objects and me today? Why do they always go to me? Jeez."
Natsu calmed down but hugged her protectively while Lucy was still hugging Happy who was looking at the guild trying to figure out who threw the chair at his mommy.
"Let me make this clear. Anyone who tries to hurt or hurts my Lucy will get beaten by me? Understood? No one harms her or Happy if you don't want a death wish. I hope you all know what happens to people who hurt a dragon slayer's mate."
Everyone stared at Happy then at Lucy then finally at Natsu.
Suddenly everyone shouted, "Mommy?! YOUR Lucy?! Mate?!"
"The three of you explain!" Erza's voice was booming with authority but happiness was clearly in her voice too.
"Well, since Lucy is Natsu's mate and he is after all my dad then that makes Lucy my mommy. I hope it's okay with Lisanna. She's still my mama but Lucy is my mommy."
Happy looked sadly at Lisanna but Lisanna just smiled at him telling him that she's fine with that so he felt relieved after that.
"Lucy is my mate. I love her. I have nothing more to explain."
Everyone looked at Natsu and just smiled.
'Typical Natsu. Straight forward as always.' Thought the guild.
"Well, Natsu confessed a while ago and asked me to be his girlfriend so I said yes. I love him too."
Lucy blushed at this. Everyone was quiet at first which made Lucy nervous but then the remaining members of team Natsu with Juvia, Lily, Levy and Gajeel cheered.
"WE WON! Heck yeah! Pay up everyone! Congratulations Flame-brain and Lucy."
"I knew your patience will break soon enough. Congrats Salamander and Bunny-girl. Gihee. Hey! Jet! Don't try to run away. Pay up! Come on Lily! Help me catch the sneaky bastard."
"Alright, Gajeel. Congratulations to the two of you."
"Congratulations Lu-chan! Finally your feelings are returned! I'm so happy for you. I'd really like to stay and chat with you but I have to collect our win first. We'll talk later, okay?"
"Natsu! Lucy! Congratulations. We knew you'd confess today, Natsu. Mira! I'll be ordering 20 slices of strawberry cake tonight. I have a lot of money to spend."
"Congratulations, Natsu-san and Lucy. Lucy, you're not my love rival anymore. I hope we can hang out as friends next time. Gray-sama! I'll help you collect the money!"
"Congratulations, you two. I knew that the two of you will get together. I saw it in my vision a while ago."
"Natsu-san, Lucy-san, congratulations. Carla and I wish you all the best."
The trio stood there shocked at what was happening. Their friends were chasing people for money and most of them are giving them money and then starts crying.
"Uhm. Thank you, Wendy. But can you tell us what is happening?"
Wendy smiled at them shyly but still answered, "Uhm. Right after we left, we kind of told everyone what happened during the dragons' attack with Future Lucy-san and Future Rogue-san. I sort of told them about getting a whiff of Natsu-san scent on Future Lucy-san. That then turned everyone into betting on when Natsu-san will confess to you. I'm really sorry, Lucy-san. I hope you're not mad at me for telling them."
"Oh. I'm not mad at you Wendy and Carla. I'm pissed at them. They made a bet about our love lives. They're going to pay!"
Lucy grinned evilly as Wendy backed away nervously.
"Natsu! Give them a beating they'll never forget."
"Your wish is my command, Luce. Happy! Let's go. Want to help me?"
"Aye sir!"
With that Natsu and Happy started to attack random people as Lucy smiled at the scene.
'This feels like home. I'm so happy that I'm part of this family.'
The brawl continued but was soon stopped when a booming voice started talking.
"You brats! Let us celebrate for our new couple, Natsu and Lucy! Lucy, my child, we are really happy that you're here with us and safe. Natsu, you did a great job in protecting Lucy but we're not letting you do it alone with just Happy. We are family and we protect family! Because this is Fairy Tail!"
Master Makarov raised his hand and everyone saw the sign that they have always raised to show that they are always watching each other's back no matter what happens.
Erza then stood up and said, "We will protect Lucy no matter what happens! We always protect our nakama! We are Fairy Tail!"
"YEAH!"
Everyone cheered and raised their hands and joined their master.
Lucy was now crying tears of joy. She was really lucky to be part of this guild, this family.
Suddenly, Happy landed on her head and she looked up to see him smiling at her.
Warm arms were suddenly wrapped around her waist hugging her from the back.
"Why are you crying, Luce?" Natsu nuzzled his head on Lucy's neck inhaling her scent.
"I'm just so happy. I'm so lucky to be here with you guys. Thank you for bringing me here, Natsu. I owe all this to you. I don't know how I'll be able to repay you for everything you've done for me."
"Hmm. Just stay by my side forever that'll be enough for me. I love you, Luce."
"I love you too, Natsu."
"Hey! What about me?"
"We love you too, Happy."
Lucy took Happy from her head and hugged him.
"Oh look at the three of you. You're just like one happy family. I can't wait for the pink-haired brown eyed babies and blonde-haired onyx-eyed babies to start running around the guild hall."
"MIRA!" Lucy blushed at what Mira just said.
"Mira! It's salmon! Not pink!"
Lucy, Mira and Happy just laughed at Natsu but soon stopped when the master spoke again.
"Let's party! Drinks are all on me!"
Everyone in the guild cheered.
"I'm all fired up! Come on, Luce! Let's have fun with the guild!" Natsu smiled at his blonde-haired mate.
"Aye sir!" Lucy smiled and grabbed Natsu's hand as they ran towards the table where the remaining team Natsu sat with their other bet-winner friends.
Happy followed after his parents with a smile in his face.
'Everything will just get better after this. My name's Happy and I'm feeling truly happy right now.'
A/N: Finally done! I hope you all liked it. Thanks for reading. I'll try making a one-shot sequel for this but don't expect too much. If I get a lot of free time and inspiration, I might write one. So wish me luck. Please review! :)
~Lala-chan