Natsu's PoV

"Lucy's been acting really weird lately," I said to Happy as we walked to her house. We've been staying there all week, but she doesn't seem to mind.

"Aye," he replied.

There was obviously something wrong with her. I don't understand why she won't tell me. Ok, maybe it would be awkward telling me about it if it's some kind of girly thing. But she hasn't talked to Erza or Levy either! I know, I've asked. I want her to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted. Maybe if I tell her how much I like her, she'll realize that she can tell me anything…

There was a big crowd gathered around in front of Lucy's apartment. I didn't think anything of it at first, until I saw Aquarius and Juvia standing in the center. I pushed my way past all the people. What I saw made my heart stop.

A soaked Lucy was lying on the ground. Juvia was using her magic to pull the water out of her lungs. I crouched beside my beautiful partner and lifted her head onto my lap.

"Lucy?" I whispered. Her face was contorted in pain, and she squirmed in my arms.

"The stupid girl fell into the water and almost died," Aquarius said, shocked. No matter how much Aquarius always got angry with Lucy, she wanted her master to live.

"Juvia was walking by, and saw a man appear in front of Lucy. After Aquarius pulled her out of the water, Juvia tried to help!" Juvia said.

"Lucy, wake up!" Happy cried. A long gash stretched from her temple to her chin.

"Juvia, will you go back to the guild and tell everyone what happened? I'm going to take Lucy home," I said. Juvia nodded and ran through the crowd back to Fairy Tail. Aquarius went back to the spirit world and the crowd around us slowly dispersed.

"Luce?" I asked, shaking her gently. "Lucy!" Her eyes shot open and she screamed a blood- curdling scream. She thrashed around on the ground in agony. There was nothing Happy or I could do but cry and hold her.

Lucy's PoV

"I," –punch- "hate," –punch- "you," –punch-. Natsu punched me in the face. He blew fire onto my arms. Happy bit my leg. The boy that I loved with all my heart was slowly killing me. Just as I thought I was going to pass out, somebody yelled my name.

"Lucy, wake up!"

"Luce?"

"Lucy!"

Natsu gave me one last fiery punch before I forced my eyes open and screamed. Natsu was leaning over me, about to punch me again, and Happy was floating above him.

"Shhh, it's ok," Natsu cooed. I shook in his arms, trying to get away from him.

"Please don't hit me, please don't hit me," I sobbed. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Lucy, I would never hit you," he whispered. He continued to hold me while I fought and sobbed. I guess, somewhere in that, I got tired and gave up. I chose to believe what he said for now, and I collapsed into him. I twisted his shirt in my fingers until my hands hurt, and I soaked his shoulder in tears. In return, Natsu stroked my hair softly , trying to calm me down.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, picking me up and carrying me into my apartment. Once up there, he got a wet washcloth and tried to clean the scrape on my cheek.

He's getting tired of having to take care of you.

"I'm sorry I'm such a burden," I said hoarsely. Natsu whipped his head around to stare at me. Happy looked sad again.

"Shut up, Umidjon," Natsu said darkly.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Could Natsu know that Umidjon was still alive, and that he's the reason I fell?

"My Lucy would never say those kinds of things. She would say she was sorry for falling, and then slap me for coming in to her apartment and eating all her food. Every single night, she would huff about how me and Happy should go back to our own house, but she'd secretly love that we stayed with her. Do you know how I know all of that?" he asked.

"I shook my head with tears in my eyes.

"Because I love Lucy. Not this Lucy, the one that doubts herself and her friends, but the Lucy has always been there for me. The one that cares for everyone back at Fairy Tail. The one that would do anything to protect us. And the one that loves me back!"

I stood up and ran into his arms. What else could I do? What do you say when someone say they love you? When someone gives you hope? I forgot my dream of Natsu punching me. I know the real Natsu would never do anything like that.

"I told you so!" Happy yelled, joining our hug. "I told you you liked each other!" Natsu dropped his chin on the top of my head.

"I love you Lucy," he whispered.

"I love you too."

"If your dreams are that scary, then dream about me. If we dream about each other, then nothing bad can go wrong."

"Umidjon is still alive. He haunts my dreams, which is why I've looked and acted so tired lately. I thought, maybe if I don't sleep, he can't hurt me. But he actually only hurt me more by making me fall into the river. Loke thought he defeated him, but nobody but me can actually beat him. To do that, I have to say with one hundred percent confidence that he is wrong," I explained to the crowd of mages around me. Everyone of Fairy Tail broke out in worried chatter.

"Then why don't you just say it?" Droy asked.

"I'm really sad and embarrassed to admit this, but I guess there's somewhere in my heart that thinks he's telling the truth. That I am unwanted and unloved. I know it's not true, but I don't know how I can convince myself."

Everyone was silent for a minute. Nobody knew what to say.

"Then we're just going to have to help!" Erza said. "We will convince you that we all love you. Every single one of us thinks of you as a sister, daughter, or friend."

"I promise, you won't ever doubt us again!" Mira promised with a warm smile.

"Thank you guys," I said, from the bottom of my heart. Maybe this would be as impossible as I thought.

Updating twice a day now! Every day starting today, two new chapter will be up by 9 PM. (I'm going on times in North Carolina. Is it bad that I don't know what my time zone is called?) I'm expecting about a total of 14 chapters when this story ends, but there will be more! Check the AN at the very end of the story for more information! (It'll be posted right after the last chapter is up) Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of this story! Message me any ideas you have to keep away the ending, since it's coming up sooner than I hoped it would!