A/N: I do not own Fairy Tail. Cover image belongs to Inubaki. This is my first post, feedback is greatly appreciated!

Natsu was dreaming.

It was his favorite dream, but it was always a hard one to wake up from, to realize it wasn't real.

Natsu had always known that Lucy was way out of his league. The first time he heard Lucy gushing to Levy about smart, pretty, charming men from the books they read, he felt an aching in his chest. But now, after so long, it wasn't something he gave much thought. He just wasn't what she was looking for, romantically. So he would do everything he could to make Lucy, his best friend, happy. Part of that was never showing her his true feelings. He couldn't risk their friendship… he knew it would make her uncomfortable, and he was content to the way things were. They always had a blast, after all!

But it was on nights like tonight, where Natsu's imagination could do as it pleased.

He ran his hands up and down the sides of her body, whispering in her ear, "Lucy". He held Lucy in his arms, nuzzling her neck, as she sighed in content. It felt so real, he never wanted to wake up.

"Natsu," she replied softly, smiling at him.

He looked into her eyes, seeing the love her felt mirrored in her gaze, and replied, "Luce, I love you, let's be together…"

"Okay," she replied easily, and he bent his face down to finally kiss her…

Natsu woke with a gasp, his eyes immediately connecting with Lucy's, which were wide as saucers. SHIT he thought, realizing he was holding Lucy exactly the way he had just dreamt. And if that was the case…he prayed he hadn't said anything out loud.

"Natsu…." real-life Lucy started, but she couldn't seem to find the words. Usually, she would push him away when they woke tangled together like this, but she didn't move away from him this time. Maybe it's not a lost cause after all? Natsu thought, but his inner voice quickly rebutted Don't get ahead of yourself, buddy.

He knew he needed to do damage control before this got ugly. How could he play this off? A joke? Dreams don't mean anything? Nothing seemed like it would work, but he had to try.

"Luce, what's up?" Just play it cool, he coached himself. Maybe she didn't hear him after all?

"Natsu… You were talking in your sleep. And you said…you said you… l-lo…"

"Well yeah Luce! Of course I love you! You're my best friend! Besides Happy, of course," Natsu hastily interrupted, hoping she couldn't hear the tremor in his voice or how hard his heart was pounding.

Lucy looked away, seeming to consider his answer. Let it go! Forget it! Natsu wanted to yell, but waited for her to respond.

"But you said…'let's be together'… What did that mean?" Oh crap.

"I dunno Luce, I don't really remember the dream…" Natsu replied, scratching the back of his head as he tried to think of an excuse, "Maybe we were teaming up for a mission? Don't worry about it Luce, it's not like I like you like that or anything. Haha!" He laughed nervously.

"R-right, of course not. I'm just being silly" Lucy responded, looking down. After a moment, she turned around, facing the wall. "Good night," she called over her shoulder.

Whew, that was close! Natsu though, relieved. Their friendship was still intact.