So, this one wasn't for NaLu week, but I wrote it a while back and thought I'd post it. It was originally just something I wrote out of boredom after listening to the song "Circle" by Flyleaf. The italic is a flashback, just a side note.

"Circle encircles the earth, chance and choice break his heart; his innocent arm moves to save me and I, I am spared. His beautiful arm is bloody and cut off, his heart ripped out to show me he loved me. But I wouldn't believe him, he did all that he could, I still would not believe him." -"Circle," Flyleaf

"Lucy, please."

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "It's not funny, Natsu!" Lucy shrieked. "You think this is such a hysterical prank, don't you?! Well, it's not! It's not a game, it's serious! You can't just say that to someone; you can't manipulate their feelings like that!" Searing, furious tears streamed down her cheeks, and she said in a cold voice, "Don't ever say those words to me again."

Natsu's expression was a mask of every negative emotion known to man. "Lucy!" He growled. He grabbed her wrist and spun her around, gripping her arms tightly as he pulled her closer, so that their faces were inches from each other. He stared down at her, a rare serious look in his eyes. "Lucy," He started, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is no joke. Why would I joke about something like that? I know you think I'm stupid, and I'll admit, I usually am, but this isn't a prank. And I'm going to keep saying it until you understand that." He never broke eye contact with her as he spoke his next sentence.

"I love you."

Lucy continued to stare up at him, her brown eyes blank. her lack of reaction didn't seem to unsettle Natsu in the least; quite the opposite, a glimmer of hope crossed his face and she figured it meant he thought she finally believed him, after weeks and weeks of trying to make her understand that he wasn't lying to her.

She didn't.

Her temper on fire, she shoved him off of her. "Lucy!" At first, Natsu looked taken aback, but as she glared viciously at him, his eyes fell back into hurt and disappointment. "You still don't believe me," He whispered. She said nothing and, turning sharply on her heel, retreated from the room, his desperate shouts following her out the door.

"Dammit, Lucy! What do I have to do to get through to you?! I'm not asking you to return my feelings, all I'm asking is for you to trust me! I'M NOT FUCKING AROUND, LUCY! I MEANT EVERY WORD I SAID!"

She slammed the door shut behind her, the loud bang muting the sound of Natsu cursing and punching a hole in the wall in frustration.

As Lucy replayed the conversation from a few weeks back in her mind, everything around her seemed to move in slow motion. There were only a few things she'd processed so far: she was responsible for the horrible future she'd heard about, Rogue had come to kill her, a scream, a pink and black blur throwing itself in front of her. Blood. Lots of it. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest, as if it was fighting to escape her body. This was wrong. This was so, so wrong.

"This isn't happening. This can't be happening," She watched, frozen in panic, as Natsu crumpled to the ground, drops of blood spurting from his mouth. Deep crimson liquid leaked from his torso.

Natsu was dying.

"Natsu!"

She didn't feel herself scream, nor did she remember doing so, but her own voice rang in her ears. Her future self was charging at Rogue, tears spilling from her eyes and shrieking in agony. But the noise didn't reach Lucy's ears. All that matter in that moment was Natsu.

Lucy dropped to her knees beside him, droplets of tears beginning to fall. "Natsu…" She brushed his hair out of the way to reveal his clouded black eyes. "Hey," He rasped, placing a hand gently on her cheek. "It's okay. You're okay, don't cry…"

"But you're not!" She sobbed, laying her own hand on top of his and squeezing it, as if holding onto him for dear life. "Natsu, what were you thinking?! If we don't get help soon, you're going to—" He shushed her, his eyes half closed. "It's too late, for me, Luce," She protested vehemently through her violent sobs, but he continued. "But as long as you're okay, I'll be okay. Wherever I'm going. At least I'll know I could protect you…"

"Natsu?"

"Hmmm?" He was fading fast. She leaned down and kissed him lightly, and he kissed back with what little effort he could muster. "I love you. I love you, and I'm sorry I'm so stupid," She choked on her words, sobbing into his shirt now. She thought she probably looked pathetic, confessing her feelings to this dying man, this man who she hadn't believed until he was covered in his own blood. He stroked her hair weakly. "Finally figured it out, huh?" He smiled, not his usual goody grin but a soft, content smile that was unusual for him, though she didn't see it. "Good. I'm glad. I meant it you know. I really do love you. Always will."

Lucy smiled to herself. "I—-Natsu? Natsu!"

It was too late.

Am I killing Natsu too often? Yeah? I'll stop...well, that is what the song's about, so you know. I wouldn't have been surprised if Natsu did jump in front of Lucy though. I really wouldn't.

Thanks for reading :D