A/N: Hi! This is my first Fairy Tail fanfic. I'm excited, because I love this show and Lucy/Loke is definitely one of my OTPs. Some of my other favorite pairings will almost definitely show up as well. So keep an eye out for that! And please let me know what you think. I'll update this for sure once a week, possibly twice a week, school permitting.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, or any of its characters, sadly.

"Open, Gate of the Lion! Leo!"

As soon as Loke shimmered into the Human World, he surveyed the situation. Lucy was doubled over on the ground. She had lost her shoes, and one of the sleeves of her shirt had been ripped off. Her body was bruised and cut. Not to mention that his was the fifth Zodiac Key she had called upon today.

His fists already glowing with bright light, Loke turned to see who had harmed his master. Whoever they were, he'd make sure they'd pay. Bigtime.

"Stand back, Lucy. I've got this," Loke said as he approached the group of snickering Dark Mages in front of him.

"This one's not a cosplayer, at least," he heard one of them say with a toothy grin.

"Not as pretty as the pink-headed maid with the chains, though," the other commiserated.

Loke heard a gasp from behind him. Lucy's voice was quiet steady. "As if. I fight beside my spirits. You know that. Let's go!" Although she winced as she stood, Lucy cracked her whip. The fact she was standing at all was amazing. Lucy gave Loke a nod and smile—that smile he so treasured—and forced herself to stand beside him.

"Alright, Lucy. Let's teach these guys a lesson."

Together they fought—Loke sending punches and kicks imbued with light, Lucy wrapping up the next victim with her whip, and Loke delivering the final blow. Just as they were facing the last one, there was a shout from behind.

"Loke, watch out!" Lucy swiveled around as Loke kicked the remaining mage in front of them. A jet of darkness was flying towards them, and Lucy pushed Loke out of the way. Even as he grabbed her arm, she took the brunt of the force. Loke barely managed to catch her before she hit the ground, her eyelids fluttering closed.

She took the hit for him, even though it would have hurt him far less.

"Spirits...aren't shields," she whispered. She coughed. "Finish him off, please. Loke. I...believe in you."

A wave of emotions surged through Loke: gratitude, pain at seeing Lucy injured, strength to finish this battle, but most importantly...love. Now was not the time for that, though.

"Regulus Impact!" Loke shouted, and a lion clad in light engulfed the enemy before him. He left the Human World and returned through his own magic. Lucy couldn't afford to have any more of hers drained.

Loke scooped her up, bridal style, trying his best to avoid her many bruises. Where were Natsu and the others? Surely Lucy hadn't taken on such a dangerous mission alone.

After several minutes of wandering around, Loke was forced to reevaluate that assumption. She'd probably taken it alone to help with her rent money. They weren't far from Mangolia, though, so Loke set out for her house.

By the time they had entered the town, Lucy was conscious, although just barely. "Loke..." He expected her to voice some complaint about how he was carrying her. "Thank you...for saving me."

"Of course, Princess. I'll always be there when you need me."

One of her hands gently cupped his cheek, and Loke reminded himself that she was not altogether right now.

"My knight in shining armor," Lucy said softly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks, before her eyes shut once more.

Stunned, Loke for once had no idea how to respond. Had she finally realized his flirtatious lines actually held truth behind them? Or was she simply tired and unable to think straight?
He would have to assume the latter for now. After all this time, to have his hopes crushed once she actually woke up...he didn't want to face that.

Loke sighed as he rummaged through Lucy's keys until he found the one that unlocked her apartment. Once inside, he arranged her comfortably on the bed, checking to ensure none of her wounds needed treatment. Then he set about cleaning her apartment and making dinner. It was the least he could do, since she was in this shape partly thanks to him.

"I'm home?" Loke heard Lucy ask a few hours later. Her voice sounded stronger, but it lacked its usual perkiness. "Was it all a dream? Loke, I thought he saved me and...Loke?"

He had popped his head out of the kitchen. "Glad to see you're feeling better."
"So it wasn't a dream?"

Loke shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I should have called on you sooner. Maybe then..."

Loke nearly dropped the pan he was holding. Usually he had to appear of his own free will. Lucy rarely summoned him. Of course she always thanked him-she was kind to all her spirits-but that was it. Loke's throat tightened. "I'm just happy you're safe. You shouldn't have taken that hit for me. It's my job to protect you, princess."

Lucy gave him a sad smile. "It was instinct. Why are you here, anyway? Don't you have a date or something?"

Loke winced. There it was. Back to brushing him off. "I haven't been on a date in months."

"Doesn't stop you from flirting with everyone. Even the enemy sometimes." Lucy sounded surprisingly angry.

"Lucy..." Loke set the pan down. So that was how she really saw him, huh? Whenever he tried to run and hide, no matter from who, it always caused him grief. Karen. Lucy. Hiding for so very different reasons, but here he was. "Nothing but a stupid playboy." He hadn't meant to say that aloud. "I'll go, if you want."

He waited for the wave of Lucy's hand, to hear her say "well, thanks again, bye now."

"No, stay. I smell pasta in the kitchen. Did you make that?"

Loke nodded.

"For us?"

Us? It took all of Loke's willpower not to let a cliché pickup line leave his mouth. That wouldn't help. "For us," he confirmed.

"Then let's eat, I'm starving!" Lucy smiled at him and tried to swing her legs over her bed. She nearly toppled out. "Urgh..."

"You're still injured. Let me bring it to you." Lucy didn't protest, so Loke ducked back into the kitchen. His heart and mind were both racing. None of this made any sense. Maybe he was the one who was dreaming.

When he returned, two plates in hand, Lucy was staring out the window. "Loke?" She sounded more timid than usual.

"Yeah?" He sat down on her bed, close but not too close, handing her a plate.
Lucy took a bite. "This is delicious!"

Loke laughed. "I'll cook for you whenever you want, love."

She stiffened at that word. "How many girls have you loved, Loke?" Lucy turned a dark shade of crimson. "Never mind. Forget I asked. I don't think I want to know."

"Not many," Loke answered truthfully.

Lucy snorted. "You just stick to seducing women? I can't believe I've fallen for that. For you." Lucy clapped a hand over her mouth in horror as soon as she realized what had escaped from her lips.
Loke's heart threatened to jump out of his chest. She had fallen? For him? Not that salmon haired flame brain or the perennial Ice Mage stripper?

Lucy was watching him, her face redder than it ever had been before.

His voice shaking, Loke asked, "Do you truly mean that Lucy? Because if you do, I swear I'll do whatever I can to prove that you are the only girl I love. Judy say the word."

Loke held his breath as Lucy struggled to regain her voice. "Can you set this somewhere?" She handed him the plate on her lap, not making eye contact.

"Sure..." Loke took it and set it on the floor behind them obediently. Was she going to try to run away?

Lucy looked up, and her eyes were full of hope, happiness, and a hint of fear. She leaned forward, and when his lips found hers, Loke knew what her answer was.

All the thoughts that entered his mind once he realized her intentions—everything from "she's mine, actually mine" to "but I'll still have to prove myself"—vanished when he tasted her lips. She melted into him. Her scent was intoxicating, her lips was soft, and her giggle as they bumped noses was beyond cute.

She broke apart only to whisper, "That was my first kiss, you know."

Loke stroked her cheek. "Teaching you will be so fun." Then he pulled her in again, her body on top of his. She kissed him with more confidence this time, as one of his hands trailed down her back, mindful of her injuries.

After some time, Loke too gained more confidence, leaving a trail of kisses down her throat, to her collarbone. He didn't want to push her. He wanted her to want this, to want him.

"Mm," Lucy breathed against him, running a hand through his ginger locks.

A door slam made them both jolt up. Loke helped Lucy sit up, keeping one arm around her.

"Yo, Lucy!" yelled a voice that could only belong to Natsu.

"Lucccccy!" Happy called out.

Loke adjusted his glasses and scowled. "Bastard. Needs to know when not to interrupt."

Lucy giggled at that, but when she saw Natsu stumble into her living room, she adopted her scary persona. "What did I tell you about learning to knock?"

"But Mira said you should be back from your mission by now but you weren't at the guild so I had to check on you," Natsu protested. Then he spotted—or smelled—Loke. "Oh Loke! What are you doing here?"

Natsu hopefully wasn't one to notice Loke's disheveled hair or his shirt being half unbuttoned. Happy might, but he was observing the pasta dish on the floor instead, wondering if it contained any fish.

"Just checking to make sure my master isn't harmed after her battle today," Loke said smoothly. Lucy stifled a laugh.

"Did you kick those guys' butts, Luce?" Natsu asked with a grin.

"Hai, hai. Which reminds me, I still need to pick up my reward. After I rest. Which means you need to get out. You can tell everyone I'll be by the guild tomorrow. "

"What about him?" Natsu asked, gesturing to Loke.

"I can close his gate. You have to leave by the...hey, the door, not the window!" Natsu and Happy were already cackling as they left.

Lucy sighed. "I really do need to pick up that reward. Rent..."

"I'll escort you down there later. But first..." Loke's lips crashed onto hers.

"It can wait," Lucy agreed.