(Has anyone seen the Fairy Tail movie poster? If not, look it up on google images and find the one with Natsu hugging Lucy. A scene in this chapter is based off that picture)

8. Smile

"I… I swore I would p-protect them." Lucy said in between sobs. She covered her face with her hands.

"Luce, it's okay." Natsu said, looking concerned. "You did nothing wrong. There was nothing anyone could have done about it."

When Lucy cried even harder, Natsu sighed and looked up. Happy had gone to look for an exit. Was that a bad idea? What if he got hurt?

"Natsu," Lucy whispered, her voice much more calm. He turned to face her. "Why are you forgiving me? Why are you trying to make me feel better? Why… why do you always do things for me?"

Natsu narrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Because," he started. "You're…" he trailed off, trying to think of something to say. He was going to say that Lucy was his friend, but she seemed more important than just a friend. What was Lucy to him?

"Well," he tried again. "You're really important to me." He sat down beside her. "I don't like seeing you blame yourself for this."

Lucy looked up at him and smiled sadly. "Thanks, Natsu." Her lower lip wobbled and she burst into tears once more. Why was she crying? Natsu was being so nice to her. But, for some reason, that almost made it worse.

Suddenly, Natsu grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug. Lucy widened her eyes, but tears continued to come out. So, she grabbed his scarf and cried into his shoulder.

a.a.a.

"You know, Luce," Natsu said, a tiny smile on his lips. "Even I wouldn't have been able to save them. And I'm amazing. And strong!"

He showed off his muscles, looking like an idiot.

Lucy giggled through her tears. "Natsu, you… you're so stupid." She was then full-on laughing and she whipped her tears away.

"Hey!" Natsu yelled, offended. He playfully shoved Lucy and she pressed up against the wall, still laughing.

"But, it's the truth!" she gave a huge grin and Natsu smiled back.

"I'm glad you're back to normal." He said, looking into your eyes. "You're best with a smile on your face."

Lucy felt her cheeks get hot. "Um…" she said. "Thanks." It seemed like Natsu's face was getting closer and closer to hers. Was he going to kiss her? For some reason, she didn't mind at all.

Lucy closed her eyes instinctively leaned in a bit.

"There you are!"

Lucy screamed and leapt away from Natsu. Natsu put a hand behind his head awkwardly. Happy stood in front of them, looking confused.

"What's wrong guys? What did I miss?"

More than you can imagine, Lucy thought.