.Natsu and Erza grew up in Alvarez?

There was an old saying that caging a dragon was akin to inviting an apocalypse. And while Natsu wasn't a dragon, the analogy wasn't entirely unfit to describe him as well. The Fire Dragon Slayer was trying to entertain himself by swimming in one of the many pools within the imperial palace, but found it was just as boring. Happy was curled up on Natsu's chest as he floated over the water

"Will something just happen," he moaned.

"Don't talk," Happy mumbled, "I'm trying to sleep." Natsu glanced at his friend, before looking back at the glass ceiling.

"Behold the great Prince Natsu of Alvarez." Natsu looked up, and noticed a red headed girl wearing a purple bathing suit sitting at the edge of the pool.

"Yo Erza!" Natsu said, waving, "What's up?"

"Not you're motivation it seems." Erza Belserion was the daughter of one of Zeref's most trusted generals and ministers, Irene the Scarlet Despair. The two had known each since they were children, having grown up together in Alvarez.

"You're the prince, maybe even the future emperor," Erza said, as she slid into the pool, and started backstroking, "You need to exude strength and nobility."

"Zeref's immortal," Natsu said, as he closed his eyes, "He'll never die."

"First off, that's redundant," Erza said, not stopping her stroke as she came to the edge of the pool, and started backstroking back, "Second of which, his Majesty still needs an heir. For all we know, he may abdicate." She noticed Natsu looking up at her with confusion.

"Step down from the throne," she explained, "That would mean you'd be Emperor of Alvarez."

"If Zeref does that, then I'd kill him myself," Natsu said. The prince was probably the only person who could say that and get away with it. Erza sighed as she lapped the pool.

"You have an obligation to our nation," she said, "Just like I do."

"You're not the one who may have to emperor," Natsu said.

"Empress," Erza corrected.

"Whatever." Shortly after that, a servant entered into the pool room.

"Your Highness, the Emperor wishes to speak with you," he said.

"Ah crap," Natsu griped, "What does Zeref want now?"

"Only one way to find out," Erza said, as she swam over, and picked Happy off his chest, "Go meet with your brother."

"Do I have…." Natsu didn't finish as Erza konked him on the head.

"Yes." Natsu moaned, as he pulled himself out of the pool. The servant wasn't surprised by the noblewoman's act of defiance to the prince. It had happened since they were kids. Natsu left the pool, not changing out of his bathing suit, grumbling to himself as he walked down the hall.

"I'd take boredom over dealing with Zeref," he said, as he came to the door of his brother's study, kicking it open. Zeref was sitting at his desk, scribbling down something Natsu didn't care about.

"That was a good door," Zeref said calmly, not looking back at his door.

"What do you want?" Natsu said, "You keep me caged up in this palace, and don't let me do anything I want to…."

"What you want could lead to the destruction of half the city," Zeref said as he set the document aside, and went up to one of the bookshelf, and started rifling through the titles.

"What'd you even bring me for?" Natsu asked, folding this arms.

"Very well, I'll get to the point," Zeref said, looking at his brother, "You need to marry."

"….say what?"

"You heard me," Zeref said.

"I don't want to get married!" Natsu said, waving his arms frantically.

"You're a prince, you have a responsibility to this nation."

"Now you sound like Erza!" Zeref paused to think briefly.

"Irene's daughter," he said, "That's not a bad idea. I should talk to Irene about that."

"Wait… what!" Natsu said, "I can't marry Erza, she's my friend! It'd be so weird!"

"Come now," Zeref said, with a smile, "She's beautiful, strong, intelligent, I can't think of any reason you shouldn't want to marry her." Natsu opened his mouth, but actually, to his surprise, found himself unable to really name a reason either.

"Why do I even need to get married?" he asked.

"Again, you have an obligation to your empire," Zeref said, as he flipped a book, "You are my sole heir."

"I heard you had someone in Ishgar," Natsu said, "What happened to her?" Zeref twitched slightly. Only Natsu could make the Emperor do that.

"We're talking about you," he said, clearing his throat, "I will speak with Irene about betrothing you and Erza."

"Do you have to?" Natsu whined.

"My decision is made up."

"But she's my friend!"

"I know, I heard you the first time."

(the next day)

Erza stood beside her mother in the throne room, awaiting the Emperor's announcement. Also in the throne room were some of the other Shields of Spriggan, and several of the Imperial Ministers. Zeref was sitting on his throne, with a calm expression, as Natsu stood beside him, Happy on his shoulder.

"I called you hear for an important announcement concerning the future of Alvarez," Zeref explained, "It is of the utmost importance of the empire's future be assured, so to that end, I have decided to see to it that my brother marries, and produces an heir to ensure the throne." That surprised Erza. Her oldest friend was getting married, and she couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. Since she was a kid, she had a crush on Natsu. The notion of him getting married…. If not for her mother being next to her, Erza would've run out of the room.

"And to that end, I have selected that my brother's wife will be Lady Erza, the daughter of our Lady Irene."

Erza's heart leapt into her throat. She was going marry Natsu. Her feelings were a mad mix of shock, relief, and joy. Erza looked at her mother, who looked at her as well, with a satisfied smile, making the daughter wonder how much the mother had pushed for this.

"Come, Lady Erza," Zeref said, gesturing. Erza was going to go over there anyway, but Irene telekinetically pushed her daughter forward. The red-head walked up to the throne room, kneeling at the throne.

"Your Majesty, I am honored by this arrangement," she said, "I hope to do well by the empire."

"Rise, Lady Erza," Zeref said, "You will be family soon enough." He then looked expectantly at Natsu, who didn't seem to know what to do. So Erza did the work for him, and took her finance's hand, and stood before the hall, as many of the ministers applauded.

"Well, this could've gone worse," she said to her friend.

"This is going to be so weird," Natsu whined.

"Relax," Erza said, "What's the worse that could happen?"

Note: Now this is an idea that, in hindsight, seems really obvious. If anything this concept lends itself to a lot of possibility.

For the sake of keeping this fic from becoming too devoted to one concept, I'm trying not to continue these ideas to relatively sharp one-shots (mostly to introduce ideas), unless I get enough requests to continue certain concepts (again this is supposed to be a collection of one-shots). That said, if anyone likes some of these ideas, they're free to take a crack themselves. Maybe if time permits me I'll start a full story based on this concept; but no promises.

Be sure to review and prompt.