A/N- Hello all! I'm really glad I was able to put this idea into writing, I think it's a neat concept. enjoy!

Aquarius noticed it the moment they formed a team. A bond so strong it rivaled that of their own. With her key strapped to Lucy's hip, it was no secret the connection she shared with that pink haired pyro.

It was subtle at first.

Every conversation Lucy had, either with herself or her friends, Natsu always eventually became the topic. The blonde just couldn't stop herself. Natsu this, Natsu that. Lucy complained so much about him that Aquarius was certain it was all for show. Which was pathetic in and of itself, considering most of her complaining was mumbling to herself.

But at time moved forward, Aquarius noticed the changes between the two. She could feel Lucy's rapidly beating heart whenever Natsu got to close. How her body temperature would rise when he touched her skin. And her trembling body when he called her name. Aquarius could feel it all as her key stayed by Lucy's side.

It was pathetic really.

But she wouldn't judge. After all she wasn't much different when she was near Scorpio.

But she couldn't help but laugh. It was exactly like Lucy. Of course she fell for a loud mouth, pink haired, fire loving, maniac. The exact opposite of her so-called "type." Had it been anyone else, she would tease them until their face exploded. Not that she'd admit it to anyone, but she was fond of Lucy.

Which was why no celestial spirit brought it up with Lucy. Not even Loke. Who was dying to ask what she saw in Natsu that she didn't see in him.

Aquarius was curious, despite Lucy's completely non-existent love life. Whenever the water bearer was called to fight for Lucy, Natsu always "happened" to be by her side. Even if he knew the foe was no match for Aquarius's overwhelming strength. But Lucy never minded. If her reddened cheeks and shy smile was any indication.

It was easy to tease Lucy about having no boyfriend. It always got a rise out of her. Especially since she met Natsu. Aquarius knew how she felt, Lucy knew how she felt. So why was she being such a coward? Aquarius was only trying to push her in the right direction.

"Hm, well that takes care of that," Aquarius huffed, having defeated a slew of dark guild members. "I have to get going, I have a date with Scorpio."

"I don't need to know." Lucy huffed in annoyance.

"Seems someone's jealous that she doesn't have a man of her own." Aquarius smirked, winking at the blonde. Lucy straighted up and quickly turned to Natsu who was busy with a fight of his own.

"Sh-Shut up and go already! No need to rub it in!" Lucy whined as she crossed her arms. Her pouting face sporting a noticeable blush.

"Sometimes I wonder how someone of your status can be so stupid." Aquarius sighed, disappearing back into the celestial world. She shook her head as she could hear Lucy mumbling to herself.

Sometimes, when her emotions were strong enough, Aquarius and the other spirits could even hear her through their keys. But only when they were attached to Lucy in some way.

"Stupid Aquarius...I know I know..."

"What're mumbling about Lucy?" Natsu grinned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. The blonde squealed and turned her head to look up at Natsu.

"Nothing! Nothing!"

Natsu cocked his head in confusion when Lucy put her hands to her face and gently slipped from his grip.

Aquarius could only sigh in disappointment.

But Lucy wasn't the coward Aquarius believed her to be. Lucy sobbed as she held her key in her hand.

"Open! Gate of the...Celestial Spirit King!"

Aquarius watched as her key broke right in front of her. Watched as Lucy cried and cried for her first friend. It reminded Aquarius of their times at the estate. Lucy cried at pretty much everything. Reading a sad book, tripping on air, memories of her mother...it all made her cry.

And here she was, doing the exact same thing. Except...she changed. Her sobs weren't of weakness, but of strength through her sacrifice. Aquarius felt as tears stung the corner of her eyes.

"Goodbye Lucy...I really...wanted to see you again."

She was gone.

Back into the celestial spirit alone. Physically, she would live. But worry consumed her. She couldn't feel a thing, was Lucy doing okay? Was she alive at least?

Lucy was left all alone, to deal with those demons who forced her hand. She had to rely on Natsu, and the rest of Lucy's guildmates. Because they had to take over her job of protecting Lucy.

Days passed before Leo gave her any information.

"They stopped Tartaros," He explained. "Lucy and everyone else are okay...but..."

"What do you mean "but"? Spit it out!"

"Just a day later after defeating Tartaros, Makarov disbanded Fairy Tail," Aquarius was suddenly overwhelmed with anger and sadness. For Lucy. For her dream. "And what's worse, Natsu left her and won't be returning for at least a year."

"HE WHAT!?"

Leo clenched his fist, teeth grinding in rage. "Since then, Lucy hasn't stopped crying. It's been a week since he left and she's a wreck. Not eating or sleeping. Crying through the night."

"Haven't you tried cheering her up!?" Aquarius shouted, resisting the urge to slap the zodiac leader.

"Don't you think I tried?" He sneered. "She's distant and runs to the bathroom every time I appear. I think...she's ashamed. She won't let anyone see her."

Ashamed...? Over what? That stupid stupid girl...

"She did nothing wrong."

"Of course. But I think she thinks she should be stronger. That because she views herself as weak, she had to sacrifice you. And that's why Natsu left. It's not true...it better not be...but that's what she believes."

Aquarius pondered on his words for hours. Which was probably weeks for Lucy. Most of all, Aquarius wanted to pummel Natsu for leaving Lucy in such a vulnerable time. But knowing that idiot, she probably never even told Natsu about breaking her key.

Because otherwise, Natsu would never have left. That much Aquarius knows.

It had been two days in the celestial world, but six months for Lucy since he left. Aquarius gave up on trying to reach any sort of contact with the wizard. She never expected to talk to Lucy, but to feel Lucy's body through her key, just like before.

Leo explained that Lucy doesn't carry around her keys often anymore. Since she stays within range of her new apartment now. She only takes the necessary keys with her when she wants to do some training. But what mostly stuck with her was that Lucy made a necklace of Aquarius's broken key and hung it around her neck.

That was how she heard her voice again. It had been so long.

"Aquari- ...I just...off...I...let you..."

Aquarius gasped as she focused all her energy on listening in on Lucy's words. Had Lucy been talking to her all this time? Even knowing Aquarius could never respond. She was truly a stupid girl.

The water bearer smiled as her voice became clearer.

"I just want to know why? Y'know? Why he felt he had to leave?"

He? Hm, she must be speaking of Natsu.

"I get it, I do. He watched his father...die...right in front of him. But he always told me that we need to find our strength within our friends! How does leaving for a year, abandoning everybody, how will that make him stronger! I don't understand his stupid backwards logic!"

"He- He left me, you left me! Everyone left! I feel like I'm a child again, running through those empty hallways. Always alone! Always running! Fairy Tail stopped me in my tracks, and now it's gone! They're gone!"

"What do I do!? I've been searching for months and can't find a single promising lead! I'm sick of it! Sick of him! Sick of seeing him in my dreams! He already left me, so why doesn't he leave me the hell alone!?"

Aquarius heard her screams and sobs as tables were knocked over and glass shattered. Chairs were smashed and walls were broken through. Aquarius had never seen, or rather, heard, the blonde so angry. Or more so, crushed.

"I get why he left but i hate him for it! I hate him! I hate him! I HATE HIM!"

She collapsed to the floor with a sob.

"I love him...why did he leave, why not take me with...? Why...why didn't I tell him about you? Why didn't I do a better job of comforting him about Igneel? Maybe then he wouldn't of left me..."

She continued to cry as she held Aquarius's key in her hand.

"I'm sorry Natsu...I'm sorry...I love you..."

It was quiet for some time after that. Aquarius wiped her tears as she continued to listen. The other zodiac had no idea. Lucy had only her key on her. While Aquarius was happy to hear her voice, knowing how broken Lucy was was a hard pill to swallow.

If only she was able to find Natsu and make him listen to what he did to her.

"Jeez," Lucy sniffled, giggling humorlessly. "Sorry for the rant Aquarius. It's been hard lately. I noticed it when Natsu went on a solo mission a long while back. I was irritable and moody. Towards the end I couldn't stop trembling and I felt like I was going crazy. It was like I missed him so much my own body knew and reacted."

"It's like a thousand times worse this time. The longer he's gone, the harder it's getting. I can hardly eat, hardly sleep, and I feel like my mind is on Natsu Mode twenty-four seven. It sounds so dumb, but I feel like I'm going through withdrawl or something."

A pause.

"Ah! Ignore that last part, I have no idea what I'm saying. I'm tried."

If Aquarius ever gets the chance to see her again, that's the first thing she's going to tease her about, the second being that entire rant.

After that, it was quiet for a long, long while. Until Aquarius felt warmth engulf her. Lucy was wearing her keys, the other zodiac felt it too. The warmth.

Natsu was back.

And Lucy was pissed.

But mostly happy. Happier than she had been in that entire year.

"Welcome back, Natsu."

He peered up at her from the stadium floor. He the gave her a grin that completely melted the wall that was guarded around her heart. Their embrace was one long overdue.

That entire year was hell for her, and unknowingly to her, him as well.

Aquarius let out a relived sigh, smiling at the rest of the cheerful zodiac.

He was back, and so was Lucy.

The reunion was short lived. They had a job to do. Find the rest of their guildmates and build the guildhall back up. And reband Fairy Tail!

Leo had notified her when Alvarez attacked, along with the Sprrigan Twelve.

And suddenly, she was there. Saving Lucy from Brandish. Face to face with her celestial spirit mage. Tears sprung to Lucy's eyes as hugged the mermaid tightly.

"Aquarius!" Lucy gasped, happy tears pouring faster as sobs rang from her throat. Aquarius tightened her grip on the blonde's back. Maybe to her, it wasn't that long, but to Lucy...to a human...it must of felt like a lifetime. And Aquarius could feel that.

"Y'know, my key has finally regenerated. I can't tell you where, but I wanted to let you know."

They were on the infirmary's balcony, watching the sunset. Lucy turned to her, determination twisting her face. Aquarius smiled, she couldn't believe she got to watch such a weak little girl grow into such a capable wizard. To use her star dress as a stepping stone to gaining every Zodiac star dress.

What a girl.

"I will search for your key. I will find it. Natsu told me he had plans for after this war, and now I do too. I'm ready."

That reminded her...

"Speaking of...withdrawl huh?"

Lucy's face immediately shifted into embarrassment. Her face resembling a cherry.

"Y-You...heard that?"

"You didn't know? If your emotions are strong enough, we call all hear you. Even through my broken key." Aquarius winked.

"So...So you all heard my entire breakdown!?"

"Nope, just me. My key was the only one attached to you at that moment. Just a warning for the future."

"Oh...nice...that's just amazing..."

"You should tell him how you felt that year, and how you feel now. I have an answer to this "withdrawl" theory of yours, but it should come from the horse's mouth."

"Do you even know me? I'm a coward...like you've said before. Plus, we're kind of in the middle of a full blown war. Bad timing."

"But you're not a coward," Lucy gasped from her words, and turned to her. Aquarius could feel her cheeks warm as she turned away. "Tch. I'm just saying. That's who you used to be. You're strong now. What does some boy got over you?"

Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat and played with a strand of hair from her bangs.

"He's just so...y'know, and I'm so..."

"Ugh, you're impossible! Stop being such a whiny baby and tell that idiot how you feel! And if in the impossible scenario, he turns you down, beat him to a bloody pulp!"

"I can't do that!"

"That's why I said impossible!" Aquarius huffed. "Look, I don't have much time. I know it's bad timing, so after. After you win. Promise me."

"But i-"

"Promise me goddammit!"

"Okay, I promise!" Lucy squealed.

How Aquarius had missed this. After she left, it was like how she felt when her key was first broken. She worried for the blonde.

It wasn't long after that Alvarez was defeated, along with Zeref and Acnologia. A feat she was sure couldn't have been done without Lucy.

Now all that was left...

Was that promise!

"Natsu," Lucy swallowed. She held onto Aquarius's key, for she was sure her emotions would be strong enough for her to hear. But she did decide to leave the rest of her keys in Happy's care while her and Natsu talked in private.

She needed to act on the promise she made...

Yeah, the promise she made to Aquarius, and not because it was eating her up inside.

"Natsu, I need to tell you something..."

"Hm?" He was confused, before his expression shifted into fear. He fell to his knees and bowed his head. "I ate that cake in your fridge, I know how much you like sweets, almost as much as Er-"

"No no no! Get up, this isn't about that!"

Aquarius laughed, hearing the conversation clearly.

"It's about, well, uhm..."

Natsu stood and blinked in puzzlement. He could hear her heartbeat. It was practically erratic.

"Are you okay, Lucy?"

"Well I, I need to tell you something."

"You already said that."

Lucy was so embarrassed she was sure steam was rising from her face. How hard could this be, really!? She stole a glance at Natsu and froze. His confused expression was so cute!

"Wha- What I'm trying to say is-" she took a deep breath in. "The year you left, was hard."

He visibly flinched.

"Not just for me, but for everyone. Including you, I'm sure. I wish things went differently. I wish Aquarius and Igneel hadn't...well...anyway! I did a lot of thinking during then. About me, you...me and you..."

"Everytime you're gone for a long length of time, I feel like my body is destroying me from the inside out. My brain can't possibly think of any other thought but you! Natsu, I think I love you!"

She thinks...? Aquarius groaned, slapping her forehead. That girl fumbled so much with that confession she was almost positive that peanut brained pyro wouldn't understand it all.

"It was the same for me."

Aquarius hummed. "Bold. For sure."

"Huh?" Lucy jumped from his words.

He crossed his arms, eyes darting away from Lucy's. "That year was hard for me too. Leaving was so hard. At every moment I wanted to run back to you. Happy had a hell of time dealing with me. Felt like I was going through withdrawl," He laughed. Lucy gasped, face steaming. "But I had to get stronger so that I could protect everyone. But mostly, protect you."

"But then why-"

"Why didn't I bring you with? Because," He stepped closer hesitantly wrapping his arms around her waist. Lucy stood on her tip toes while Natsu leaned down. "You're my weakness Lucy." His lips completely engulfed her own. Lucy had waited for this moment for so long. No matter how short lived it was. Natsu leaned back suddenly, surprising and disappointing the blonde.

"'Because, you're my weakness Lucy!'" A voice copied from behind them. Gray laughed, pointing a finger at the flabbergasted and extremely embarrassed fire mage. "How cheesy can you get, Flame Brain?"

"I'm inclined to agree..." Mumbled Aquarius.

"Shut up, why're you spying on us!?" Natsu shouted. Lucy hadn't even acknowledged Gray as a thought came to her.

"Ne, Natsu? Aren't you gonna say you love me back?" She pouted slightly, puffing her cheeks. It took her everything she had to admit that to him, the least he could do was return the favor.

"Ack! Not here, idiot!"

"But why not?"

"Be...Because!"

Aquarius giggled. No matter how tooth rottingingly sweet the confession was, she was happy for Lucy.

She was happy that she still had a connection.

Even through a broken key

A/N- And there it is. It might be a little choppy but I'm I still find it cute lol.