"When will she wake up?" a voice said.

"When she's ready," another voice replied.

"It's my fault," someone said. Lucy's groggy mind recognized the voice Natsu.

"What was all that mate stuff about?" someone asked.

"I can't explain it, I just-" Natsu started when Lucy started to open her eyes.

"LUCY!" Natsu cried out, rushing over and pulling her up for a hug. She hissed from the pain and Natsu immediately set her back down.

"Where am I? What happened?" Lucy asked, her voice dry and cracked.

"Your in my house," Porlyusica grumbled," You're still very weak. I don't allow this often but I'll make an exception. Natsu, take her to the springs."

"Yes ma'am," Natsu said, picking Lucy up gingerly. She whimpered from the pain, but there was nothing to be done about it. Erza and Gray sat in the corner with cups of tea and watched as the two lovers left.

"All right, Lucy," Natsu said as he stepped into the hot water with Lucy in his arms.

"Wait! My clothes-" Lucy started before she looked down. Her clothes were gone. She was wearing a simple cotton dress.

"What happened to my clothes?" Lucy asked Natsu, who had taken off his scarf and vest.

"They were burned off in the fight," Natsu said, his voice filled with guilt. He looked away from her in shame. He hadn't been able to protect the most important person in his life.

Lucy lifted up one of her hands and managed to turn him back to her.

"What happened?" Lucy asked, her voice soft.

"It was my fault. I said something and Chandra took the opportunity to attack you with her dragon spirit. The only reason your here is because of Loke," Natsu said, his voice cracking with emotion," God, I'm a failure. I can't protect the woman I love. It's my fault your like this."

"No, it's not," Lucy insisted," Natsu, I was too arrogant. I shouldn't have just assumed that I would win just because she only had a silver key. Erza was right. I can't just let my guard down."

"I'm so glad your safe," Natsu whispered, hugging his girlfriend close to his bare chest. Lucy blushed slightly but then she remembered something.

"Natsu," she began.

"Yes?" he said, his voice muffled as he had buried his face into her hair.

"What did you mean by 'mate'?" Lucy asked. Natsu's head snapped up and he was red.

"W-what a-are you talking about?" Natsu laughed nervously. Lucy frowned.

"You called me your mate. During the fight with Chandra. Why?" Lucy asked, looking into her dragonslayers eyes. He closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath and then opened them to look at his lovers face.

"You know how I was raised by Igneel, right?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah,"

"And you know how I'm a dragonslayer?"

"Yes," Lucy replied.

"Well, dragons normally have something called a 'mate'."

"Is it like a sex baby thing?" Lucy asked. Natsu shook his head.

"No. That's for most animals but for dragons it's so much more. It means that your my partner forever. You'll be my best friend, my partner and my only love,"

"Is it like a soul mate?"

"Kind of but even deeper. We'll be linked emotionally and physically. That means I'll have a need to be near you and I'll be able to tell how your feelings and vice versa."

"Wow," Lucy whispered. She had no idea that she was this precious to Natsu.

"Am I your mate?" Lucy asked.

"Not yet." Natsu replied with a sigh.

"What do you mean?" Lucy said.

"There's a ritual. Then we will be mates. I also need you to physically say that you want me to be your mate and I'll do the same."

"Natsu," Lucy exclaimed, hugging him. The magical properties of the spring had given her back her strength and confidence.

"Lucy," Natsu said, looking into her eyes," I have loved you since the day we met. I have loved our journey's and moments together and I want to have you by my side forever. Will you be my mate?"

"Yes," Lucy whispered, leaning in for a kiss. His lips were soft and hot," On one condition."

"Anything," Natsu gasped, breaking away from the kiss for only a moment.

"Marry me?" Lucy whispered.

"You didn't even have to ask," Natsu chuckled. They continued to kiss in those springs, like there wasn't a tomorrow.