Author's Notes: I actually started to write this fic before Ch 337 was released and was headed to a different direction. Although a bit anti-climatic for the action, I was thoroughly satisfied with the NaLu moment Mashima-sensei gave us in that chapter. That's when I decided to incorporate some scenes and added them to this fic. I hope you enjoy reading this!

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail totally belongs to Hiro Mashima-sensei. Even though he trolls his characters and readers, only he could make something so awesome. This story is purely a fan's imagination gone wild.

PROLOGUE

"After this, I have something important to tell you." Natsu whispered in her ear.

"What is it?" Lucy asked.

He smiled at her. "It will have to wait. Let me deal with the dragons and Future Rogue first. I promise I will come back to you. This strategy is fail-proof."

"But—"

"Also, you need clothes. You'll catch a cold." His sweet smile turned into a smirk. The towel she wrapped around her body once again fell into a heap on her feet.

She scrambled to cover her body. "You big pervert!" Her body flushed to the color of his hair. She immediately summoned Virgo for clothes and took a minute to choose what to wear. By the time she was dressed, Natsu was flying with Happy already. She could only look at them fly to the direction of Atlas Flame.

CHAPTER 337 AND BEYOND

Lucy could not believe her eyes. The Gate collapsed right before her. Just a few minutes before, Yukino and she tried in vain to destroy the gate with all the powers they can muster.

She was not surprised at all when she saw Natsu coming out of the rubble.

"He did it! Natsu did it!" Her heart did summersaults in her chest. Natsu really defeated Rogue and destroyed the accursed gate. Their future wasn't so bleak anymore.

Future Lucy's journal started to disappear in her hand. She thought that maybe her future self's fate was changed. She could feel an overwhelming happiness bubbling inside her.

"Natsu." she thought.

She ran to him and embraced him from behind. Her tears won't stop trailing down her heeks. She stifled a sob forming in her throat. She leaned her head on his broad back.

"Is something wrong, Lucy?" he asked. He felt her shake her head.

"Thank you, Natsu." she whispered to him. "Thank you."

Natsu turned around to reciprocate her embrace. "I will always protect you." he whispered to her ear. He wiped her tears with his finger. "So please stop crying now."

To her surprise, he cupped her head with his hands and kissed her forehead. "I will protect Lucy." He looked at her with fondness and a hint of passion in his eyes. She felt blood rush to her cheeks again. She just nodded, at lost for words. She was suddenly aware of the proximity of their faces and he was still coming near. She can already feel his breath on her cheeks. Her heart fluttered and she could only close her eyes to the rush of feelings inside. His breath was definitely intoxicating her. She could almost feel his lips on hers. They were only a few centimeters away from each other.

"Natsu! Lucy!" cried Happy from a far. He was flying towards them.

Out of reflex, she pushed herself away from Natsu. Her cheeks were still flushed from the interrupted intimacy. She heard Natsu sigh loudly. She saw him look up and flashed his signature grin to Happy's direction. She felt satisfied when she discovered that her flushed cheeks were reflected on his.

"Happy!" Natsu hollered. She also waved her hand on Happy's direction.

"Where were you guys? Fairy Tail is already celebrating over there! The others are looking for you." Happy reported. "And why are you blushing, both of you?" he asked in his usual irritating, questioning look. "Did I interrupt something?"

It took all of Lucy's will not to strangle Happy with her Fleuve d'Ă©toiles right then and there.

It was Natsu who saved the both of them from all of Happy's further questions. "We're just a bit tired. We just fought a dragon and destroyed the gates you know." He grinned at Happy. Happy nodded, satisfied with Natsu's made up explanation.

"Where are the others?" Lucy followed up.

"They are still at the plaza. Let's go! The others are waiting." Happy flew ahead, his wings flapping excitedly.

Natsu faced her. "Err, let's go?" Natsu asked a bit awkwardly. He held his hand to her.

Ignoring the awkwardness, she accepted his hand. "Yes, let's go!"

Happy turned around again. "Come on guys! Hurry up!"

They walked together holding hands to Happy's lead.

Lucy tugged his hand. "Natsu? What was it that you wanted to tell me before you flew off to fight Future Rogue?"

He blushed again and scratched the back of his head with his other hand. She found out that she enjoyed seeing Natsu blush. She noted that he was still holding her hand.

"That, err, I'll tell you later." He grinned sheepishly.

"Oh." She felt a bit disappointed. "Okay."

He turned away from her and whispered, "I'll tell you when we're alone."

She did not need a Dragonslayer's ears to hear that. She smiled in anticipation. She felt blood rush to her cheeks again when she realized that she also have something to tell him when they're finally alone.

Author's Notes (again): There you have it! Thank you for reading. The mature part would come eventually, around chapter 3 I guess. Let's build up the romance first. :D

Reviews are very welcome!