Riven-LOL Yur a troll... hehehehehe

Panda- I am literally LMFAO at you right now! Yur review is just too damn funny! You remind me of more out spoken Groves! MMMUUUHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH I said don't hate me! LMFAO oh my~~

rena- Yes it is!

Melime- :) Just wait!

G.R.T.- He is... and therefor says idiot things or things in an idiotic way LOL

Celt- LMAO When I was writing it I was! hahahahahha

Exxcal- *tee hee* Are you implying that I create a verbal roller coaster? MMMUUUHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA

Souring- Ahh I see. No I don't want anyone or anything burning down... Besides I think he loves that bed as much as her LOL Also that sux! That's why all that kind of stuff is in a box so I know where it is but I don't have to look it. Finding old memories like that is rough.

Marina Rose- LMAO They are incredibly fun to write! Keep yur fingers crossed as you read!

Now my pretties on with the show!

Natsu fidgeted watching Lucy stomp over to the couch. He was hoping, praying, and begging anything out there that she would listen to him. When she said she would he almost jumped for joy until he realized he wasn't out of the woods yet. Swallowing the lump that took over his throat he hurried to the low lying table in front of her taking a seat on it, ignoring the wood's protest at the weight, and hoped she would at least look at him. Glancing at the tear stained face of Happy he smiled weakly in way of thanks and hoping to reassure the little guy that he'd fix this.

Taking a deep breath he opened and closed his mouth several times before snapping it shut not knowing where to start explaining. Looking at Lucy who was pointedly looking to the wall, he could see the unshed tears building and he sighed. "Lucy look it's not what you think."

That simple phrase snapped her hurt filled gaze to him as she bit out, "Really? Then explain it to me because I'm all ears!"

Whimpering slightly and holding up his hands defensively he tried again, "I'm sorry?"

The restraint she had on her tears gave way, "You're sorry? You're fucking sorry? Do you even know what the hell you're sorry for? Do you realize how much of a complete ass hole you are? DO YOU? WELL?" now she was standing hands clenched tightly at her sides glaring down at the cowering man. Emotions, tears, and confusion gave way to a torrent of furry that she unleashed verbally, "You are the biggest bastard I've ever met! Here I've been hoping and pining away over you and you just swoop in and finally steal my FIRST DAMN KISS! Then you have the gall to tell me you fucking LOVE me only because I taste like your favorite food! FOOD! Food you bastard… food…" as she trailed off so did her anger giving way to anguish. Crashing down to the couch she curled herself up as tightly as she could. Forgetting she was trying to stay strong and keep her pride intact she let the tears and sobs run freely into her knees.

Guilt, incredible guilt ran through his very being seeing Lucy so distraught. She always found strength and right now she had none. He watched as Happy held onto her thigh in hopes of comforting her and he realized it should be him doing so. No longer hesitating he stood up, and patted Happy on the head. When his silent question was answered by the exceed moving and flying to sit on the bed, he sat down next to her drawing her into his arms, holding as tight as he could without hurting her.

"Haven't you done enough? Just leave me alone." She weakly mumbled not bothering to look up.

Natsu chose to ignore her statement as her prior words replayed in his head. There was a small amount of hope for him in what she said. Given you had to get past the anger in there but it was still there. That hope gave him the strength he needed to not run away and just crawl in a hole. "I'm sorry I stole it, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to give you mine." He lamely attempted. Gaining nothing but a snort and another sob out of her, he continued, "Look it all came out wrong. It's not because of fire that just makes it perfect."

Lucy's tears had started to slow and she had relaxed some. Even though she was incredibly upset with Natsu, his presence always calmed her down. Confused and intrigued as to where he was going she mumbled out, "How do you figure that?"

A smile tugged at his lips because she was actually listening to him. "Because Igneel told me so." Once again she snorted at him but he continued on anyway, "Look dragons have this thing called a mate. They only get one but they almost never ever find them because there aren't that many dragons and they live alone. They only even go looking for another dragon when they, well ya know, need to make baby dragons." Blushing a bit at that he took a deep breath and trudged on, "Anyway, Igneel said that it was probably the same thing for dragon slayers, the mate part. But since there's like a billion zillion people in the world I probably never ever would find mine." Whispering he added, "I never gave a shit about it until I found you in Hargeon."

Lifting her head only enough for her eyes to peek out she sniffled and said, "You're not making any sense."

"Just wait I'm getting there!" he smiled further. "Anyway I don't know when but forever ago I started to feel, well, weird around you and then I realized it was cause you were special." Seeing her blank expression he frowned, "Oi don't give me that look! It's a good weird I swear! Just stop that and listen."

"Whatever."

"Yeh well I remembered what Igneel told me and I freaked out cause I didn't want to ever leave you weirdo. It made me all sad and shit thinking about you not being with me all the time. So I never said anything. I figured if I ever left it'd make it easier or something. And then last month all that shit happening, it just… Well… It fucked me up." By this point he was looking all around the room and refused to look at her because of embarrassment. Who knew a few words and feelings could bring the son of the Great Igneel to his knees?

"I'm still listening…"

Sighing he kept going, "So when all the nightmare shit happened and you started to let us stay I felt better. A load better actually. But a couple of weeks ago when me and Happy were talking-"

"Wait," she cut him off, "Stop right there. You and Happy? You had not only a mature conversation, but one with Happy?" she asked bewildered as she looked right at him.

Natsu blinked a few times before answering, "Yeh. What's wrong with that?"

Chuckling she waved him off, "Nothing continue."

"Ok? So like I was saying we were talking and he convinced me that no matter what if I did tell you or didn't you could leave. So I figured I'd tell you. But then a bunch of shit happened and I got sidetracked. But when I woke up this morning and you were all happy looking, and I was all happy, and Happy seemed all happy I remembered and said screw it I'd tell you today."

Raising a brow once again confused she asked, "Tell me what exactly?"

Natsu pouted. "That I love you weirdo." Spotting the swarm of emotions flickering through her eyes he stopped her before she could start yelling again, "Wait, wait, wait! Just hear me out!" When Lucy snapped her mouth shut and nodded he sighed in relief, "Ok, so I didn't do it the best way, I'm sorry! But I mean it and the reason that the fire part is all awesome is because that's how you find out who your mate is! That's what Igneel said. He told me 'They remind you of your element.' Well that's got to be what he meant right? So that's what I meant. I figured out that I loved you before but that just made it all the more better cause now I'll never ever have to leave you!"

Lucy uncurled from her ball and pulled away from Natsu to sit up on her own. Staring down at her hands she took in everything he had said and replayed in her mind. One thing kept replaying though confusing her, "What the hell is a mate?"

Scratching his head trying to think of the best way to explain he mumbled, "Well… Uhhh…. OH! I KNOW! It's kind of like a husband or a wife but better! Like there's this bond thing and instincts and stuff and they make you want to stay together forever and ever. Normal married people can get a divorce and stuff but mates don't ever do that they go all crazy thinking that they can't be with the other one."

Nodding in understanding she continued to think. It seemed along the same lines of true love and soul mates. Two individuals meant to be together once they found one another. Although in the dragon world it didn't work like the stories and you could possibly live your life never finding that one special one made just for you. That was kind of a beautiful sentiment in the rough and wild world of dragons. She smiled slightly at that thought.

So Natsu loved her and because she tasted like fire, which reminded him of his element, she was his mate. It wasn't the other way around, which was what the baka had initially led her to believe. In a way it was funny how they both were holding back their feelings because of fears. Here they were causing each other to suffer somewhat for no reason. She laughed, she was just as idiotic as him at times. A thought stuck her, "What do you mean by 'this bond, and instincts and stuff'?"

Once again confused on how to explain he scratched his head in thought, "Well…" Letting out a deep breath through his teeth he leaned back, "I don't how to explain it. I mean well the bonding thing is with our magic. It's like an exchange or something."

"Like how Laxus gave you his lighting?"

Shaking his head he said, "Not really. We don't get to use each other's magic it just makes it so it doesn't hurt each other and stuff… OH! But we end up with a mark or something. Just like our guild marks!"

After that she couldn't help the laughter that pulled from her. He was such an idiot!

"Umm Lucy?" Natsu asked nervously watching her laugh so hard and suddenly. For several minutes now he'd been sitting here wondering if she was still going to toss him out or if things would be resolved. If she went with the first he'd be damned and he'd just have to make her see the light, but he was really hoping for the later of the two.

"You are such a complete baka!" she chortled out, laughing hard enough that her sides began to hurt.

Flinching a bit at the insult he prodded, "Why now?"

"Because," she snorted, "you lit me on fire already and it did nothing!"

As her words sunk in he groaned and slapped his forehead. She was right. Not once but twice she was using his fire not to mention she was able to drink it last night. Holy shit she was right. A smile twitched in the corner of his mouth as his own laughter started to bubble forth.

Eventually the two quieted down whipping tears from their eyes. Stealing a glance at the woman beside him he felt anxious. Trying to hide it he threaded his fingers behind his head and leaned back against the couch looking to the ceiling, "So… About what I said?"

Stop hating me! See it will all work out! Maybe... At least you got some fluffy humor!

Fear not though the end is NOT near! There is like 10 more chaps after this!

So I decided that at the end of this I'll give you guys an Authors Notes chapter explaining my inspirations and all. I'll do it there so that if you don't wanna read it you won't haffta. LOL

Btw... I'm working on that lemon and let me tell you... I remember why I don't write them often! My love of pretty words and non smut make it hard for me when I have to describe things. My mouth is to damn vulgar but I refuse to write something I wouldn't read... BAH! Three days I've been working on this THREE! I'm not even half way through it -_- But I have enough chapters written to keep up a daily update so no worries. LOL I figure worse case you all might have to wait an extra day or two.

Sad part... I have the like two chapters AFTER figured out in my head! Just need to get past this part LOL

Anyway... Hope you guys enjoyed this! Keep on readin and reviewin!

~Gemi