(A/N):

So here we are, a NEW STORY!

Get ready for some multi-chaptered angsty goodness, people! No 5 chapters here! A good angsty long(ish) story.

So, I had asked my readers for ideas on what they want to see for angst. I said I would accept two. (I only got two)

ANYWAY, I agreed, and they gave me points and ideas. So now, since I have the rest of this week off, I will begin WRITING!

So basically, this comes in a few months after the Grand Magic Games fiasco that's going on right now. There will be very minor references to it, but there will be references in this chapter. I'm not going to make up some type of ending, or anything, just going to talk about one thing.

Just one thing.

Also, there is a small reference to one of my other stories in this chapter. Let's see who can spot it...

DISCLAIMER: If I owned Fairy Tail, no main character would have died. Damn you, Mashima-Sensei, pullin' a George R.R. Martin on us!(I'm kidding, I still love you)

Rated M for dark themes and language, nothing else!

It was just three months after the frenzy that was supposed to be the Grand Magic Games, and things had finally calmed down. Missions were piling up, being as Fairy Tail regained their title of "Number 1 guild in Fiore", and the guild was partying like there was no tomorrow. Lucy remembered the morning after party, the way they partied all day and all night.

It was Fairy Tail, after all.

She loved the guild with all her heart. She couldn't really believe that they had saved both the present and the future at the same time. It was an odd thing-time, that is-and how something you do now could create a whole plethora of possibilities for just the next day.

It was unfathomable.

But whenever she found herself thinking about it too much, she would remember the Future Lucy. Her death was scary, no doubt about it. But then she realized that future was gone; and she didn't want to die anytime soon.

She wanted to live a long life for Lucy. The future that died so she could keep hers.

She promised herself that she would keep on smiling, for the sake of Future Lucy.

Natsu trudged to the guild. Alone, and in a bad mood.

The night before had been full of nightmares and restlessness. He had been sleeping perfectly fine, these last months, so he couldn't understand why his sleep was so disturbed.

And the worst part was that all that sleeplessness was centered around the death of Lucy.

He knew it wasn't the Lucy from his world, rather, the Lucy who died was part of a future that doesn't exist anymore. But it was still her, and she still died.

It hurt.

He'd be lying if he said he felt nothing when she died. It felt like his heart had constricted. It was like he couldn't breathe. His chest seemed to tighten, as his mind went haywire for a reason he couldn't understand. He wondered if it always felt this way to see a person die.

Or did it just apply to Lucy?

He didn't know, and he really didn't want to find out.

He made it to the guild, which was noisy, as usual. He barely muttered a word to anyone, just wanting to sit down at the bar and eat something, to get his mind off his morose thoughts.

"Hi Natsu!"

And there she was.

Natsu turned in his seat, only to see a Lucy jogging over, a smile on her face. Instantly, he brightened, because at least this Lucy was safe.

"Hey, Lucy," he said back, "What's up?"

Lucy jogged up to him, placing herself in the stool next to him.

"Well, I came here to eat breakfast, and I kinda feel like going on a job."

"Oh," Mirajane said as she came in from the guild kitchen,"Good morning, Natsu, Lucy."

"Mornin'."

"Good morning, Mira!"

Mira smiled at the two,"Natsu, where's Happy?"

"He came in earlier."

"That's weird," Lucy said, genuinely curious,"You guys always come in together."

"I was tired, I slept in." As if on cue, he yawned.

"Oh, dear. Well, I'll get you two some breakfast," Mira said, before retreating back into the kitchen.

Lucy looked at him, taking in the way he slouched over the counter, his eyes half lidded a tired expression.

"Hm," was all Lucy could say, before she went on, "Well, I kinda wanted to go on a mission. Maybe we can go tomorrow, if you feel up for it?"

Natsu nodded, then rested his head on the counter."I just wanna sleep now," He yawned," Couldn't sleep at all last night."

"What happened?"

Waving a hand at her, he responded vaguely,"Nothin' much. Just couldn't sleep."

Lucy hummed, curious, but decided to drop the subject, not wanting to pry.

That night, Natsu was in his hammock, wide awake. Every time he tried to sleep, an image of a bleeding Lucy would appear, and he would open his eyes all over again. It was tedious, and really aggravating him at the moment.

"Happy," the boy whispered, checking to see if the cat was still awake. But when no response was heard, he sat up, sneaking towards the door. He stepped out into the cool October air, and made his way to Lucy's house.

During his walk, he thought about his dreams. They weren't entirely like the moment Future Lucy died. Each one depicted a different way Lucy could die. When he woke up, he would always think about her death. While she had saved a life, she had died in the process. It was a lot to handle for Natsu, considering the way he reacted. He couldn't remember a time when he'd been so... so livid. His own rage consumed him.

If this Lucy were to die...

He couldn't even begin to imagine what he'd do.

Before he even realized it, he could already spot the blond girl's house. He increased his pace, jumping up to the ledge under her window. He opened it and slipped inside with ease, landing on her bed softly. Just in front of him, Lucy slept with her back to him, unstirred by his weight on the bed. He laid himself down, and this time she did move, rolling over so she faced him. Propping his head up on his hand, he leaned on his elbow, watching her sleep.

He was glad she didn't die.

When he really thought about it, he realized that if this Lucy had died, Future Lucy would have disappeared too, and then 'Lucy' would be gone forever. So, in that way, he was slightly glad for her sacrifice. He would've never been able to see the girl again if it hadn't been for Future Lucy taking the blade. But her death was still no happy matter.

At that moment, Lucy's eyes snapped open.

Natsu almost screamed, but didn't get a chance to because Lucy did first. The piercing shriek was followed by a strong kick that sent him tumbling off the end of the bed. Disoriented from the noise and the hit-which was to his face, might I add-it took a few seconds to regain his bearings and sit up. The surprised girl had a brush and keys at hand, ready to defeat the intruder. But once she realized who it was, her panic quickly melted away to a tired anger, her raised arms sagging.

"Natsu, what are you doing here?" Lucy sighed.

Natsu climbed back on the bed, grinning apologetically. "My bad, I just couldn't sleep."

With another sigh, she said,"That doesn't explain why you're here, though."

"I get my best sleep in your bed," Natsu said happily.

"Ugh," Lucy sighed once more, before asking,"Well, why couldn't you sleep?"

Natsu expression darkened for just a moment-the girl didn't miss this-then his carefree grin came back,"Ah, I dunno," he lied,"anyways, can I sleep here?"

"Well it's not you're gonna leave if I say no," she muttered back,"Plus, you weren't even sleeping, you were staring at me like a creep!"

"Hey, I'm not a creep!"

"Then, why were you staring at me while I sleep?!" Lucy retorted, before shaking her head," And stop avoiding my question! Why couldn't you sleep?"

Natsu looked down."Look, it really doesn't matter..." he mumbled.

"Obviously, it does, since it kept you, of all people, from sleeping," she crossed her arms over her chest,"Now spill."

Natsu continued to stare at the wrinkled bed sheets, contemplating. He could tell her, of course, but what would she say? The dragon-slayer wasn't good at expressing his feelings and problems with words.

Well, what did that matter? She was his best friend, she would understand, right?

"Well," he began after a short silence,"I've been had a bad dream yesterday, and I couldn't sleep. Same thing today."

"About what?" Lucy asked.

"About..." Natsu started, then sighed, gathering his thoughts," About Future Lucy, when she died. And you dying, too."

The celestial mage looked at him, not saying a word, unsure how to respond. He paused, having so much to say, but not knowing exactly how to say it all.

"And," he continued," I just-I-I don't know what to feel. She died to keep you alive, but she still died. She was still you, Lucy, and it really hurt, and I don't know whether to feel glad that you lived, or feel sad since you technically died, too. I can't-I can't even imagine what I would've done if it had been you in her place, if you had-had..." his voice cracked and he swallowed past the lump forming in his throat.

Lucy understood what he meant. She didn't have any words to say, so she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around the guy in front of her. She put her forehead up to his, looking straight into his eyes, as he stared back in mild shock.

"Well, her sacrifice wasn't for nothing," she said softly, as if speaking in a louder tone would shatter the moment.

"She wanted me to live," the girl smiled," To save the future. To start a new future, a better one that what she had seen. I wouldn't want to mess up her wish by being sad about her death, no matter how much it hurt to see her die. I wanna smile for her, to honor her, and not dwell on the 'what if's of that day."

She pulled back, her smile warm. "So, there's no need to think about it anymore, 'kay?"

Natsu stared on, slightly surprised by her sweet words, before a wide grin took over his face. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into a tight bear hug.

"Right." he whispered.

And at that moment, he promised himself that he would keep smiling too, and ward off all those bad thoughts.

And he promised that he would protect her and make sure her future would be bright and beautiful, just as she was.

"Luce?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks."

(A/N): AWWWWWWWW~~~~~

I think this came out nice and cute. I really can write fluff.

Huh.

Who woulda thought, eh?

Well, get ready, because-unlike Mashima-sensei-I'm warning you that there will be intense angst in the near future. Maybe it's gonna be in the next chapter. Maybe not. Who knows? *cackles evilly*

A special shout-out to iohexa, who gave me the idea. Plot credit goes to her, I only wrote it out.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED, iohexa-san! (Or did you want an intense beginning, because I coulda thought of something to begin the story strongly.)

~Cool Noodles in Awesome Sauce~