August 2nd

Erza was right. Everyone really was okay. After the battle, we were all separated and treated in the infirmary. Since Wendy had healed most of my wounds, I just needed rest and a break from using my magic for a little while. I let my thoughts wander as I playing with my pen and stared at the swirls of letters on the page in front of me. I had a few broken ribs and a sprained wrist from when I caught Natsu, but the pain was bearable and I longed to see everyone else. Wendy had sat with me for days, keeping me company while I waited at Natsu's bedside for him to wake up. She assured me that the nurses let her heal him and that he just needed time to pull himself together and rebuild his magical energy. The king had insisted on honoring us, so I was forced to leave the small room to attend the banquet. It was lovely and everyone was laughing and dancing. Levy and Gajeel were dancing and enjoying each others company. Together, they twirled in the center of the room with the rest of the guild around them. I was so happy for them and a small smile had touched my lips when they were the only two remaining on the dance floor, despite Gajeel's original protests when Levy insisted they danced. Gray had spent most of the evening with Juvia, only separating to speak with Lyon before he returned to Lamia Scale. They were old friends, having trained under the same ice wizard when they were kids. Wendy was busy dancing with Erza until the desserts were laid out on the banquet tables. Nobody stood in Erza's way once she spotted the strawberry cake, beautifully decorated with swirls of glaze and chocolate covered strawberries. I had stood to the side, enjoying the sight of my fellow guild mates celebrating. Happy had come to retrieve me, soaring over everyone as his body vibrated with excitement. Natsu had woken up. Before Happy could even finish talking, I sprinted from the banquet hall, leaving my confused friends and the party behind. I had thrown the door open and sprinted halfway into the room before my momentum stopped. My heart was thundering in my chest and I gasped, tears welling in my eyes. Natsu was sitting up, his back supported by a mountain of pillows. They were of varying shapes, sizes, and colors. A laugh bubbled up and escaped my lips. Even now, after everything that had happened to us, he was still the same Natsu, the same dragon, that I had fallen in love with. Despite the fact that he could hardly keep his eyes open, he managed to push himself out of bed and stumbled towards me before falling into my arms. My knees dropped onto the hardwood floor, my body curling around him. We stayed like that for a while, his eyes shutting again as his nose nuzzled my collarbone. He inhaled deeply, snuggling closer after every breath. We didn't speak, but we didn't really need to. We were both alive and well. That's all that mattered. The nurses had thrown a fit when they did their nightly rounds, helping him back into the bed. I stayed at his side while he healed and we spent most days talking about what happened, about us, about the future. I smiled softly, the memory slipping away as I continued writing. The days had flown by and Natsu continued getting stronger. Eventually, we had to return to the university and back to reality. They brought us back in March, but the dragon slayers stayed behind. Natsu had to regain his full strength before venturing out and he insisted that an elderly wizard there could help all the slayers harness their powers. I wasn't going to stand in his way, even if I didn't fully understand the training. He always found his way back to me. Why would this time be any different?

Everything had returned to normal when we arrived back at school. It was August already and our summer classes were ending right before the fall semester could start again. Throughout the summer, Natsu wrote many letters. He was learning a lot and growing stronger everyday. I smiled softly as my fingertips brushed the most recent letter from him. It was written in sparkling gold ink and talked about how he wanted us to visit Igneel's place, together. He wanted to show me where he grew up, the place that made him into the mage he is today. I tucked the letter away, with care, and continued writing our story. I had changed our names, of course, but other than that, the story was true, every last detail. Levy leaned over my shoulder, her eyes skimming the page.

"You're using that as your final project?" She was baffled, which I expected. The story had to be peer reviewed by the entire class and yet, I decided to write about something and someone very close to me. The last sentence formed in beautiful script on the page before I closed the journal Erza had given me for Christmas. I smiled widely at Levy, my heart content with my decision and with my work.

"Yep. It's a gift, to Natsu. It's our story. Well, its really Fairy Tail's story. We have all been through a lot and I think our story deserves to be told. I only had time to write one story, so I figured I could use it for class and still have it to give to Natsu when he gets back. I didn't want to run out of time and it had to be perfect." I shrugged, capping my pen. Everyone in Fairy Tail had a special place in my heart. Gray, Juvia, Erza, Happy, Gajeel, Levy, and Wendy, who ended up joining Fairy Tail, put their lives on the line to save me. Lyon even had a place in my heart after he explained his role in Lauraline's plot. He was observing her, pretending to be a loyal follower until his guild could strike. We just beat them to it. I am forever grateful for my friends and for a place I can call home.

It was hard to believe, really. The following week would mark a year since I stumbled upon the fire dragon slayer on that bus. It marks a year since he welcomed me into his family. This story, our story, was my way of thanking him for everything he has done for me. Levy dropped back onto her seat with a knowing grin. I always had a certain look on my face when I got lost in my thoughts and she didn't question it anymore. The class settled around us and our professor began lecture for the day. She went silent, a few minutes into the lesson on peer review sessions. Everyone's eyes turned to face the courtyard, shock on their features. Brilliant flames danced in the window, arching into the sky and twirling towards the classroom. Fire.

"I'll be back!" I assured Levy before sprinting from the classroom and towards the blaze.

"Hey, lady! You're suppose to run AWAY from fire! Not towards it!" Not me. The man meant well, but that logic just didn't apply to me anymore. See, in the center of fire is where I can typically find my best friend, the love of my life. So, I'll always run to it. I ran until my eyes caught the familiar pink spikes, sparkling onyx eyes, and that scaled scarf. I jumped forward, throwing my arms around Natsu's neck as he pulled me closer, his arms circling my waist. The warmth of the flames danced on my skin and he nuzzled his nose in my hair.

"Heya Luce. Sorry I took so long." He whispered into my hair before his lips pressed against my forehead. I glanced up at him, locking my eyes with his loving stare. He smiled widely, fangs glistening in the jubilant embers from the flames. Light and adoration danced in his eyes and I smiled, pressing my nose against his gently.

"I didn't doubt you for a second. You are my dragon after all." An even wider smile blossomed on his lips right before I sealed them with my own.

Author's Note:That's a wrap! I hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was my first ever NaLu fic and I'm really happy with how it turned out! Thank-you so much for your comments and support. If you are interested in my other works, I will be posting the prologue and first chapter of a new NaLu fic! It's called Never Look Back. I'm hoping to have it up tonight or tomorrow! Those updates will be a bit more infrequent, as I am nowhere near finished with writing it (it will be a long one!). I do have a lot written so far though, so I hope you take a look at it. Thanks again! (:

~Jess