We've reached the end of this story. This is the last chapter, and it's like the oneshot I love you, Lucy, but a longer, developed version. If you have read the oneshot, you know how this story ends. Thank you so much for reading, following, favoriting and reviewing.


"Look, Natsu! It's Magnolia! We're almost home!"

Lucy pointed towards the town and smiled. Knowing this mission was almost over filled her with joy. It was like they were finally seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Natsu returned the smilenand patted Happy who was riding on his shoulders, half asleep.

"Look, buddy! We're almost home."

Happy straightened, wide awake and in a much happier mood.

"I can't wait to see Carla. I wonder if she have missed me."

Natsu and Lucy exchanged a look. They had only been gone for a couple of days, and since Carla didn't seem to share Happy's infatuation, the possibility of her missing him was very slim. But they didn't say anything, they didn't want to ruin his good mood.

Mr Granger was still walkimg in front of them, still as grumpy as ever. He had barely said a word since they woke up this morning, but when he did it was to complaim, and he shot them disapproving glares over his shoulder every now and then.

They finally crossed the town border and Happy didn't care about Mr Granger anymore. He spread his wings and flew towards the guild hall, excited to see Carla. Mr Granger, Natsu and Lucy continued walking through the town.

"I am very tempted to not pay you for this mission," Mr Granger said when they stopped at the same spot where they first met."Your behaviour has been terrible..."

"Wait, our behaviour?" Natsu interrupted.

"But, you got me back safe," Mr Granger continued, ignoring Natsu, "though not unharmed. I will never hire you, or your guild again. I never want to see you again!"

He glared at them and handed them the money. He gave them one last disapproving glare and then he quickly turned around and walked away. Natsu and Lucy watched him walk away and then they turned to each other.

"I can't believe this is finally over," Lucy said with relief and hugged Natsu.

"I could never have done it without you, Lucy. I had no idea it would be like this."

"It's alright. We made it."

The hug lasted a little too long, but Lucy didn't want to let him go. When they parted, they were both a bit flustered.

"Let's go back to the guild," Natsu said.

Lucy nodded. As they walked side by side, Lucy felt the brush of his fingertips against hers. She glanced at their hands and then at him, but he kept looking in front of him. Maybe he just walked too close by accident, it probably didn't mean anything more than that. But she wouldn't mind walking side by side with him holding his hand.

They reach the guild hall and Natsu opened the door. They both stood in the doorway looking at the familiar faces acting like they always did. Everything was back to normal. They walked inside.

"Lucy, your back!" Levy said and smiled. She was sitting at a table together with Erza and Cana

"Yes, finally," Lucy said and sat down next to Levy.

"How was the mission?"

"Terrible," Lucy said and leaned over the table, hiding her face in her folded arms.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad, was it?"

"Worse," Lucy said and sat up. She told them about Mr Granger and the things that happened on the journey to Hargeon and back.

"I have never met someone like him before. He complained about everything and he was so condescending. And he kept insinuating that Natsu and I would sneak off and... Like we couldn't keep our hands off each other."

"I bet you wouldn't mind having Natsu's hands all over you," Cana said and drank from her barrel with alcohol.

"What?" Lucy's cheeks burned and she quickly looked around, making sure no one had heard her. Her gaze landed on Natsu who was sitting at a table with Gray anf Gajeel. He looked up, and when their eyes met he quickly looked away. Lucy turned back to the girls.

"Come on, everybode knows how close you and Natsu are," Cana said and drank some more.

"Yeah, but not like that.."

"But you want to."

Lucy didn't answer, She glanced over her shoulder again. Natsu was bickering with Gajeel and Gray, his face a little red. She wondered what they were talking about.


"Thanks, Mira," Natsu said and started eating as soon as the plate was set on the table. He was so hungry.

"So how was the mission?" Gray asked. "It's ridicilous how much money you got for something so easy."

"It definitely wasn't easy," Natsu assured them and told them about Mr Granger and the things that had happened.

"And he kept insinuating that we would sneak off, unable to keep our hands off each other." Natsu sighed and shook his head.

"So you're telling me you and Blondie aren't banging?" Gajeel said and looked at him with one of his pierced eyebrows raised.

"What, no!"

He looked up and noticed Lucy was looking at him. He quickly loked away, and Gajeel elbowed him in the side.

"Come on, everybody know how close you are. I'm not the only one who thinks you are."

"Shut up, Metalface!"

He tried to ignore him, but then Gray joined in. Natsu did his best not to fall in their trap, but it was Lucy they were talking about. Everything he said, they turned against him. Usually he never backed down on a fight, but he wasn't in the mood this time. He finished his meal, and left the guild hall.


Lucy finished the meal Mira had given her and said goodbye to her friends. She noticed Natsu had already left. She was surprised he hadn't started any fights, especially since she had seen Gajeel and Gray bickering with him. They were always involved in some kind of fight.

she unlocked the door to her apartment and walked inside. She dropped her bag on the floor, and headed straight to the bathroom. She filled the tub and lowered herself into the hot water. It was so relaxing. She spent an hour in the bath. Then she got up and put on some comfy clothes, intending to spend the rest of the day on the couch watching tv.

When she reached the living room area she noticed Natsu. He was stretched out on the couch sleeping, with his head resting on one of the pillows and his arm hanging off the couch, his hand almost reached the floor. Lucy sighed. She was too tired to kick him out. How did he get in? And why hadn't she heard him? She

watched him for a while, not sure what to do.

"I love you, Lucy," Natsu breathed.

Lucy froze and her heart skipped a beat. Was he still sleeping? Did he know she was there? It had taken so long for her to realize what she felt for Natsu. Did he know? Did he feel the same? Was it just something he said to see how she reacted?

"Natsu?"

No answer. Maybe he was still sleeping. She slowly walked towards the couch and kneeled in front of it. He was really cute when he was sleeping. A lock of hair had fallen down to his eye, did she dare remove it? She slowly reached out her hand, and before she knew it Natsu pulled her closer and kissed her. He kissed her, and he was really good at it. Lucy gave in. She cupped his cheek and kissed him back.

"What are you doing, Lucy?" Natsu said and pulled away, the colour of his skin matched the colour of his hair.

"What - what do you mean what am I doing? What are you doing?" Lucy said and felt the blush spread across her face.

"Well, I was asleep, and when I woke up you were kissing me."

"I was not! And you started it!"

Lucy stood up and crossed her arms while turning away from him.

"Did you mean it?" she asked after a moment of silence and glanced at him.

"Did I mean what?"

"That thing you said."

"What did I say?" Natsu asked and Lucy could hear the smile in his voice.

"That thing you said. Don't make me say it. You know what you said."

"I was asleep, remember?"

She still turned away from him. Neither of them said anything, but they could both feel the tension.

"Lucy."

His voice was so close. He carefully slipped his arms around her from behind. Lucy couldn't move. They had hugged before, but this was completely different.

"What are you doing?" Lucy asked nervously.

"Maybe Mr Granger was right about one thing," Natsu said close to her ear. He slowly turned her around and looked at her in a way he had never looked at her before.

"Lucy," he murmured against her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was warm and nice. Natsu slowly walked backwards to the couch, carefully pulling her with him. He sat down and she sat down on his lap. They gave each other a shy smile. Lucy cupped his cheeks and kissed him. Then she leaned her forehead against his.

"Natsu?"

"Yeah?"

I love you too.

"Never mind. I can tell you later."

Natsu smiled and Lucy's heart melted. She smiled back and they met in another kiss