All right to Fairy Tail go to Hiro Mashima. I do not own this.

Day 2: Reunion

Lucy leaned farther back in her seat as she watched the night landscape pass outside the train's window. She was finally going home after eight months and eleven days of traveling all over Fiore, and even to some neighboring countries, on whatever possible leads she'd found on Aquarius' key.

The weight of her oldest friend sat wonderfully on her hip, finally back to her rightful home at Lucy's side with nine of her fellow spirits. She'd gone to great lengths to find her, having to spend over a month searching every inch of the winding caves under a dormant volcano before she found the spirit's key in an underground pool. Funny how it was the lead Lucy had thought the most unbelievable that was right.

It was hard, tiring and more than once Lucy found herself wishing she'd let her friends come. Wishing she'd let him come. For what must have been the millionth time since her trip began, Lucy reached up to gently touch her lips, remembering the way his warm and rough lips had felt against hers. The thought of Natsu's final goodbye had largely been at the front of her mind her whole journey, not that she'd minded.

Lucy still wasn't sure what that had meant for their relationship, but one thing she did know, the first thing Lucy planned on doing when she saw him was pick up right where they left off.

It was late at night by the time the train rolled into Magnolia station. Lucy quickly gathered her items and rushed from the car. She made her way down the empty streets, noting the small changes that had been made along her way.

Lucy didn't bother stopping at her apartment, nor did she go to the guild. Instead, Lucy made the slightly long and very out-of-the-way trek to Natsu and Happy's house. Like the city, his house had some changes done to it over the months she was away.

The roof had finally been fixed, and it looked like a second room had been added to the back. Lucy smiled softly at the thought of her two boys attempting to fix their shamble of a house, only for Erza and the rest of their friends showing up to help.

Reaching the front door, Lucy silently let herself in. Leaving her shoes and pack by the front door, she made her way across the room into the Dragneel household. The hammock was gone, replaced by more souvenirs Natsu had collected since she was away. Her chest felt heavy and light at the thought of him going on adventures without her but she noticed a large portion of the space had been left empty. Lucy smiled as she thought of all the adventures they could go on together to fill the space. Adventures that she could also do with Aquarius.

Lucy stood there for a while, simply thinking about all the fun things they could do now, when she heard a door softly creak open behind her.

"Luce?"

She didn't turn around right away, but she knew his eyes were wide with shock at seeing her and his hair was sticking up even more so than normal from his sleep. He took a single step towards her and that's when she turned.

He was taller than she remembered and his hair was slightly longer, though still just as wild looking. His eyes held the same longing look they had the day she'd left and Lucy felt her breath catch in her throat at the sight. Her heart raced in her chest and before she knew it he was across the room, his strong, warm arms wrapped tightly around her.

Lucy sighed and leaned into him, her own arms slipping around his waist. "I'm home Natsu," she said.

He sighed and buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent that he'd missed for so long. His nose bumped against the hollow behind her ear and her breath caught in her throat in a different way. A wonderful way.

Slowly, almost cautiously, Lucy tilted her head to the side, angling her face until her lips pressed to the underside of his jaw. He swallowed and pulled back just enough to look in her eyes.

"Lucy."

He breathed her name like it was prayer meant only for her to hear. Cupping the back of her neck he turned her face closer to his, and Lucy gasped when she realized she now had to push up onto her toes a little to reach him. He really had gotten taller.

He lowered his head then, claiming her lips like he would never let her go again. She wouldn't have left him again anyway, not if it could be helped.