Lucy Heartfilia had never felt so empty and hopeless. It was a few days after they had defeated Tartaros. Magnolia was in tatters, as were many other towns across the continent, due to the 3 000 Faces that had appeared from beneath the earth. The Kardia Cathedral and the guild were but craters in the ground.

After seeing the wreckage of the guild, all Lucy had wanted to do was have a nice, warm bath and sleep her troubles away. Her bones were weary, and she believed that had she stood any longer, she would pass out. Lucy had staggered home, only to be greeted with the fact that half of her apartment had been demolished. She couldn't even find it within herself to cry. She fell to her knees, staring blankly at a stone on the ground.

So many things had been lost in this battle, and not all could be rebuilt such as her house. Her mind flashed back to when she had been battling Jackal, one of the Nine demon gates while her friends had been caught in Algeria. Destroying Aquarius's key to help her friends had been the hardest thing she'd ever done. Her heart was shattered, and she swallowed a sob.

At least, she thought, the people of Magnolia had escaped safely. Though, looking around, they really didn't have much to come back to. If only she had been stronger...

Soft footsteps sounded near the girl, bringing her back to the present though she didn't turn her head. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped, and a shadow fell over her as the figure knelt down beside her.

"Luce..." A soft, ragged voice whispered.

It was Natsu. Numbly, Lucy turned her head towards the dragon slayer, and their eyes immediately locked. His eyes were full of concern and worry, worry for her. Why should he be worrying about her when he had his own loss to grieve?

"Natsu..." Lucy's voice cracked. She tried to hold it together, she really did, but before she knew it, tears began streaming down her face, soft sobs wracking her body.

Natsu merely smiled softly. He gently placed his hands on her upper arms and hoisted her up from the ground as he stood. Her knees buckled, and he smoothly slid his arm around her waist to support her. Lucy knew she was being pathetic and weak, and yet all she could do was lean into his embrace, trying to stifle her sobs.

"C'mon, Luce. You can stay with Happy and me for now." Natsu said softly as he started to lead her away from the wreckage of her house.

The only words spoken on the walk to Natsu's house were quiet words of encouragement every time Lucy stumbled. By the time they had reached the house on the outskirts of town, Lucy's tears had stopped, though as soon as the pair stepped into the house, her legs gave out. Natsu's reflexes kicked in, and he swiftly scooped her body up into his arms. He quickly strode over to the bed in the far corner of the room. Happy was already asleep at the end, curled up into a little blue ball.

The dragon slayer gently placed Lucy onto the mattress in a sitting position and moved to draw away from the girl, only to pause when she started to speak.

"How – "Lucy cleared her raw throat, before speaking again. "How do you do it? How do you stay so strong?"

Natsu chuckled softly, which made the young celestial spirit mage raise her head. "I look to the future. If I keep training and workin' hard, then next time I'll be strong enough to protect everyone." His signature grin spread across his face, eliciting a smile from Lucy.

Natsu gently ruffled the blonde's hair, "Get some rest. Don't worry, I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

Lucy nodded, only to suddenly fling out her hand to grab the retreating boy's wrist. "W-Wait!"

Natsu tilted his head quizzically at the blonde, "What is it, Luce?"

Lucy blushed, turning her head slightly away from the boy, and quickly withdrawing her hand. "C-Could you stay with me...? I m-mean, only if you want to!" Lucy flicked her gaze back to the dragon slayer. "I'd just feel a lot safer..." she mumbled quietly.

Natsu's face lit up, and he grinned. "Sure! I don't mind, it's not like we haven't shared a bed before!"

Lucy laughed softly and shuffled over to make room for Natsu. The dragon slayer kicked his shoes off, before plonking down beside Lucy. Natsu pulled the covers over the two of them, and she curled up into a ball.

"G'night, Luce," Natsu muttered quietly, already seeming to drift into the land of dreams.

Lucy smiled softly at the pink haired boy and shuffled slightly closer. Heat radiated off the boy, and she already felt warm and safe.

"Goodnight, Natsu," She whispered, her eyes slowly shutting.

This is my first fanfic, so I hope you guys like it! Please comment and vote, and whatever else you do on here!