There are things I always think about.
For instance, food is one. I can always count on food to put the fire in my belly for fightin.

Then there's my dad, Igneel. He's the best father I could have ever had- taking care of me and raising me ever since I was small, into a strong wizard.

Sometimes I think about missions, and reward money. Sometimes I think about my pal, Happy. I know why these things always run through my head- because I care about each of them so much. They mean the world to me.

Then there's, Lucy.

It's different then when I think about food, Igneel, or Fairy Tail. Whenever I picture her in my head I feel my chest tighten into a ball, and my heart pounding over and over again until I can barely breathe.

She's always made my worst days better. Her smile makes the feeling in my chest relax and burn brighter than any fire I conjure.

Gray said something about feelings. I'm actually terrified of the feelings I have for her, would it break us apart for good?

....

There's a lot of people in Fairy Tail. Each one of them protects me all the same and I feel grateful.

But there's something about the way Natsu does it that makes my heart stop. He tells me things like there's no way he'd let me feel pain again, and the rashness in his voice makes me believe him.

And there's that moment when he's got this serious look on a usually cheerful face, as one of his arms wraps around my waist. Keeping me by his side and making me wish I was always this close to his body- wishing I could feel this safe forever.

Mira thinks I could have feelings for him, but I'm scared. Feelings could mean change- and I just want Natsu and I to be together. What if this "change" pushes us away?

...

I just really want to talk to her about this. My heart aches because I don't know if I can tell her what I feel.

All I know is that if she were to care for someone else I'd lock myself away for days and wallow in self pity.

...

Would Natsu reject me? He would- wouldn't he? Or maybe I'm just imagining things. I tend to do that when I want to know the truth.

Would it hurt or help to ask? Maybe I should go to sleep instead and forget about thinking up something as insane as Natsu and I.

Natsu and Lucy. Lucy and Natsu. I liked it- maybe too much that my cheeks burned with red.

...

The guild is close to empty today. Only a couple wizards are chatting at tables or drinking. It seems everyone's on a mission.

I yawn, because the lack of sleep's getting to me, and wander over to the request board.

Just as I'm approaching it, I hear a small bang, and leap forward to catch the falling figure before me. In the nick of time, I'm able to catch them, and I sigh to myself.

...

"Hey, you should be more careful." I hear above me, as warm hands hold my shoulders up, saving me from the fall.

Soon, my eyes meet his. "Natsu??"

...

Her eyes are really something...

Idiot! Don't dose off, help her up!

I help her stand, realizing my hands haven't left her shoulders. Freaking out on myself, I take them off and apologize. She shakes it of and gives me
one of those hotel-lighting smiles and I'm panicking.

"No ones here today." I say, trying to make pointless casual conversation.

"Y-yeah!" She replies, awkwardly.

And then strikes that eerie silence. Even those around us have stopped their conversations.

...

I can't take it anymore. "Can I talk to you for a second? Somewhere private?"

He nodded, and followed me back to a room connecting to the guild hall. It's small, but it's deserted. If we spoke normally no one would hear us.

As the handle clicked on the door, he turned to me with strong eyes and I started to feel embarrassed- like I should just forget about it and leave.

But I had to be still, calm. There was no way I could back out now.

Be truthful, Lucy. You can do this.

"Natsu, I'm going to be honest. I think I love you, everything about you. My heart skips a beat when you talk to me nowadays and I'm uneasy. Uneasy because...well...I feel you won't want anything to do with me now." I said, feeling a release in my chest, like I'd just dropped a weight.

Seconds passed, and Natsu left me with nothing. I feared the worst as he took all this into account, looking like he was processing an essay.

And then I felt sick again. Sick to my stomach. My feet wanted to carry me away and never look back. Why wasn't he answering? Why can't he say anything- anything to reassure me that I'm not crazy!!

The tears poured out faster than I wanted, pooling at the base of my chin. I tried to hold them back but it was too late, and I hated myself for looking so pathetic in front of him.

And then I hated him. Natsu why are you staring at me? Why are your eyes wide and why is your mouth open? Why does this feel like the worst kind of rejection?

...

I couldn't believe it. She loved me. Did I hear her right?

What do I say? Even though I loved her more than anything I couldn't speak my mind.

And then I saw her cry. I wanted Gray to come in and punch me in the stomach so I could get away from the pain in my heart at the moment. Seeing Lucy cry was one of the worst forms of torture imaginable- knowing I was to blame.

So I went with the first thing on my mind. I launched my arms forwards and wrapped them around her back, giving her a hug.

"I-is this goodbye t-then?" She asked in a nasally voice.

My heart pounded so loud. "No. No."
"I love you, I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Sorry for what?" She asked.

"The way I'm acting." I said a mile a minute. It's like the words were coming out in a foreign language. "I want to be with you Lucy, could we go out somewhere together, the two of us?"

The heat rose to her cheeks and she smiled through her tears. "I want to be with you too, and I think that's a great idea."

...

I felt so happy. I'd finally found a home, something I'd never found as a child.

And it was all because of him.

...

I felt like I'd finally learned how to breathe properly. I'd found a purpose in life, someone to work hard for every day of my life.

And it had always been her, from the very beginning.

...

Thank you for setting me free, Natsu.

...

Thank you for finding my way, Lucy.