Here's a Chapter 12. I broke 30k words with last chapter so here's to another 30k! (If it gets there. I'm planning about 25 chapters by the way). Anyways, these next two or three chapters will be slower. I apologize if you like fighting, because that's going to have to wait a little bit. But still! There's still quite to more to be written and I'm really excited for it! I've got the next few chapters entirely thought out in my head, so as long as I don't get amnesia, I should be good.

Another thing I'd like to mention is the use of PoV. As you could probably tell, this story is written in a third person perspective. Going forward, I'm going to either write stories with single PoVs (as in, the same character tells the story the entire time) or third person perspective. The only real difference is that I get a little more freedom with third person perspective because I can show you everyone's feelings as well as scenes that don't involve the main character. However in some instances, that mystery effect is rather helpful.

Wow, that's probably my longest Author's Note I've written. Don't worry though, it won't cut the chapter short!

Two friends, or at least that's what they thought they were, headed outside for some fun in the snow. It's been a while for Lucy in particular. After all, she hasn't played in the snow since her mother was alive. Her father didn't want her to get sick so he just assumed it'd be best if she didn't go outside during snowstorms. When Lucy ran away, she decided that she'd enjoy the snow as much as she could, because she missed the softness and fluffiness of it.

Natsu on the other hand was not too fond of snow. He had liked it a bunch, but it constantly reminded him of Gray. Gray, or stripper as Natsu would like to call him, was definitely not friendly towards Natsu. Although he didn't admit it, Natsu looked at him and Gray as best buds, they just showed their friendship through punches and insults instead of the normal getting along. He realized it had been about three weeks since the last time he talked to Gray or any of his guild mates. Happy was probably worried sick.

Then he remembered that he was supposed to go on the mission with Happy. That wasn't a big deal, other than that Happy was waiting for him at the guild to go on the mission, so he would've found out that something was up the day Natsu left. He realized his comrades were probably really worried about him, thinking he went off to look for Igneel without warning. He knew he should probably stop by, but he couldn't leave Lucy on her own, especially after he found out she was his mate.

Lucy saw Natsu staring out in the distance thinking about something with a serious face. It wasn't often that he thought about serious things, he was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. Someone who never let anything get to them, who was always having fun. She couldn't help but think about what that dragon slayer was thinking about.

"Hey Natsu, what's got you down? Why are you thinking so hard?"

"Oh nothing..." No way was Natsu about to say he missed Gray.

"It's not nothing if you're looking so down." Lucy said.

"It's... just that.. seeing the snow reminds me of Gray 'cause he's always making it snow back home." Natsu said. Yeah, so much for not telling her that you miss Gray.

"Oh." Noticing that he was missing his friends, she thought she might be holding him back. She started to frown too.

"Hey Lucy, don't get down, you're supposed to enjoy the snow!" Natsu said, regaining his cheerful nature.

"It's.. just that.. I feel like I'm holding you back from your friends." Lucy said very sadly. Although it was somewhat true, Natsu knew he was enjoying every moment with her.

"I can go back whenever I want. Sure I miss them, but they know I'm fine. And don't ever think you're holding me back, because you aren't. If I wasn't enjoying my time with you, I would have left already." Natsu said.

"So how long are you planning on staying Natsu?" Lucy asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. I have to go back eventually, but I'm having so much fun here that I don't know if I want to return anytime soon." Natsu answered honestly. Although his answer brought her the satisfaction of knowing that he didn't want to leave her, she realized it meant he must. So she'd enjoy every moment she had until he was gone.

While Lucy was thinking, Natsu picked up some snow and made a ball out of it. He threw it straight at Lucy and hit her on her left shoulder. It took her out of her thoughts, bringing her back to reality. She made a snowball and threw back at the unsuspecting Natsu. For the next thirty minutes, the two wouldn't stop throwing snowballs at each other, taking shelter behind trees, benches, garbage cans, and even other people. They even hit someone else who, to say the least, was less than happy. When he left, the two burst into laughter and continued their fight.

After they fought, Lucy found herself feeling cold. She offered Natsu a hot chocolate, and since Natsu likes all things hot, he couldn't help but say yes. The two of them walked further into town and grabbed hot chocolates and walked to the park. They sat down on one of the benches after Natsu melted the snow with his hands.

"Thanks for the hot chocolate, Lucy." Natsu said after sitting down on the bench.

"No problem Natsu. You deserve one after that snowball fight." Lucy answered.

"Hahaha, yeah that one guy who kept screaming at us because he got in the way, he was so funny." Natsu said chuckling.

"Well you kinda threw a snowball at his face." Lucy said.

"That wasn't my fault. You hid behind him." Natsu answered defensively.

"You were hiding behind someone yourself!" Lucy accused.

"Yeah but that's different!" Natsu argued.

"How? How is it different Natsu?" Lucy asked.

"Umm... I didn't hide behind a crabby old man who couldn't take a bit of snow." Natsu said. Lucy giggled at the silliness of his answer.

By then, the snow had stopped. It came down pretty hard since the morning, but it let up just before sunset. As the two sat there, they watched the sun set as they sat on the bench. Suddenly, an idea popped into Lucy's head.

"Hey Natsu come with me, I want to show you something."

"Uh okay Lucy. Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Lucy said. Then she added, "It's a surprise!"

The two of them walked to the edge of town. By then the sun had set. Lucy's apartment, however, was not only close to town, but close enough to the outskirts that it was only about a twenty minute walk from her home. However, since they were walking from the center of town, they took about forty-five minutes. During those minutes, Natsu thought about all the possible things that Lucy could show him. Most were ridiculous, some were probable, but the thing she showed him completely shocked him.

"A hill?"

"Not just any hill, Natsu. You can see the stars really well from the top of it!"

"Oh okay." Natsu answered. Even though he wasn't too interested, he figured he might as well go along with what she was saying. When they got to the top of the hill, he asked another question.

"So why'd you wanna show me the stars Lucy?"

"Well they're really pretty at this time of night. Plus I don't get to seem them that much at this time of year since it's so cold outside."

"But isn't it cold out tonight?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah, but you're here silly. You won't let me freeze would you?" Lucy said while pouting. Even though she knew she was asking for something that was clearly crossing the line of friendship, she wanted to make sure she enjoyed these last few days before he left for good.

"O-Of course, why would I let something like that ever happen to you?" Natsu said.

The two of them sat down, Natsu wrapped his arms around Lucy to keep her warm. He focused some fire on his hands so that they'd be really warm, and since she was able to feel his flames without hurt, it soothed her and made her feel relaxed. Now that she was comfortable, she immediately turned into a kid in a candy store, pointing out all the constellations to Natsu. Natsu sat there and listened, he figured he could learn a thing or two about her interests so that he knew what to get her for Christmas.

"Wow Lucy! You sure know a lot about stars!" Natsu said.

"Yeah..." Lucy said trailing off with some sadness. "Mama was an astronomer. She loved the stars. She taught me everything I know about stars. Every time I see them I think about her..."

"So you really love the stars Lucy?" Natsu asked.

"Of course. It's pretty obvious since I know almost everything about them! Why do you ask?" Lucy said.

"Oh no reason..."

For a few minutes, Lucy went back describing more things in the skies. She pointed out more of them while she was thinking about how her mother wasn't there anymore. She realized it wasn't going to be long until Natsu wasn't so she began to speak her mind a bit.

"We've really done a lot together Natsu." Lucy said.

"Yeah, I haven't had this much fun in years!" Natsu said back, cheerfully.

"Even though you're in an awesome guild? I mean your life sounds pretty sweet to me." Lucy asked.

"Well yeah, I have fun there too. But I have more fun with you." Natsu said bluntly, causing Lucy to blush.

"Yeah Natsu, I'm definitely going to miss you." She said, words slipping right out of her mouth before she processed what she said.

"Who said I was going anywhere?" Natsu asked.

"Didn't you say that you had to go back to your world soon?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, of course. I can't stay here forever, you know."

"Exactly. So you're going to leave."

"No, I'm taking you with me." Natsu said bluntly. Lucy was caught off guard when Natsu said those words so casually.

"What do mean you're taking me with you?" She asked.

"It's exactly what it sounds like. There's no way I'd ever leave you. You mean too much to me." Natsu answered. At that, Lucy felt honored and her blush only deepened. But still, she didn't think he understood what he was saying.

"Don't you think people would worry if you took them away?" Lucy asked.

"Not you. You always said you wanted friends right? Besides it's not like you'd have that many people here crying over you." Natsu said.

"Good point. So when are you going back?"

"Whenever you want? I mean. I really don't care. I just wanted to spend time with you, that's all." At that, Lucy was seriously glad it was dark out. If it were daylight, Natsu would have been able to see just how red her cheeks were.

"So why'd you come here in the first place Natsu?"

"It was a dream really. You know I had this weird dream that told me to go to this weird place that made me end up here!" Natsu answered.

"So couldn't you have just gone back right away? I mean what's stopping you." Lucy asked, again.

"I was actually supposed to find someone." Natsu answered, again.

"Who were you supposed to find?" Lucy asked.

"You remember that day when I first met you? Or really it was the second day. First day we had an actual conversation. You know the first time I fought Dan. You remember how our wrists glowed when I put my right wrist to your right wrist? I was supposed to find the girl who had that glow." Natsu said.

At that, Lucy's world came crashing down. She thought he was here on his own accordance. But really he came just to find the person whose wrist glowed next to his. She felt hurt, betrayed, once more. She started to squirm in Natsu's arms. She needed to leave. She felt used once more. She needed to go. And she needed to leave now.

"Lucy why are you struggling?" Natsu asked. At this point Lucy was crying.

"Because you only became my friend so that you could take me back! You didn't care about me! You just wanted to fulfill your stupid mission. Well I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving with you!"

With that, Lucy got up and began to run. It wasn't long before she tripped on a rock. Before she fell, Natsu caught her.

"I thought you knew me Lucy! Don't you remember? Don't you remember that I learned things about you before I tested it out on you. Wasn't I already your friend? So why would you accuse me of this. If I really didn't care about you I would have dragged you back. And you know I'm not lying when I say I could. I could just use my fire and everything would be fine. Yes, I needed you to go back. Yes, you were the person I came looking for. But you, you're more than just some girl with a glowing wrist." He paused. Was he going to say it? Yes he had to. It was now or never. He took a deep breath before saying, "You're the girl who I absolutely fell for when I first saw. I immediately knew that you were my mate, but I didn't want to tell you because we were strangers. I also had a mission though. I needed to find this person. But seriously Lucy! I was ecstatic when I found out it was you. It was like a dream come true. Not only were you my mate, but you were the one who I needed to bring back. It was perfect."

"You... love... me?" Lucy asked, more shocked than angry.

"Of course I love you. Why else do you think I stood up for you all the time? Lucy... you don't know what a dragon's mate is?" Natsu asked.

"No, of course not stupid. I'm not a dragon, and neither are you!" Lucy said, giggling while pretending to be angry. She was too elated to keep her angry face intact.

"Well my magic makes me take on ALL the qualities of a dragon. Including a dragon's heart. So yes, I follow the same rules of love as a dragon, silly."

"What are the rules for that?"

"It's simple really. All dragons get one mate, or wife or whatever you want to call it. Either way, we get one. Even if we don't end up with that person, that's the only person we could ever love. We know exactly who it is when we first see them. A dragon's mate is also eternal. You can't get out of it. There's no stupid divorce that some idiot humans thought up. Dragons are possessive around their mates. They don't let anyone else touch their mate. A dragon's mate also shares the same lifespan of the dragon. So the person with a shorter life span would take on one that would last as long as the dragon's. A dragon would do anything for its mate. If a dragon tries to claim someone who isn't their mate, it's not successful."

"So you're saying that I'm your fated one? That's too good to be true." Lucy said, full out laughing.

"Yeah well I don't control how the world works either. All I know is that you're my mate. So I can't live without you." Natsu said bluntly.

"So if you knew I was your mate, you kept me here longer anyways. But why? Couldn't you have taken me back right when you met me? You know I wouldn't have refused." Lucy asked.

"I wanted to claim you first. I didn't want to take you back to Fairy Tail and have all the other guys flirt with you." That made her heart skip a beat. He was here away from his friends so that she could fall in love with him without interference.

"Claim me? How would you do that?" Lucy asked.

"Kinda like wedding vows. You know, promise each other that you'll be faithful to the other for all eternity." Natsu answered.

"Nothing other than that?" Lucy asked again.

"Well we do get a mate mark. It's not too large. It's a red, in my case, dragon. Plus whatever the heck it decides you are." Natsu explained.

"Where does it go?" She continued to ask.

"Right wrist." He said simply.

"Seems like a lot of important things go on my right wrist." Lucy chuckled after saying that.

"So would you be my mate?" Natsu asked.

"You didn't even ask if I felt the same way." She said blankly.

"Yeah well I mean since you're kinda the only person I could ever love... I need to know." He answered nervously. Was fate really going to do this to him? Make him fall in love with a girl he couldn't be with?

"Well of course I'd be your mate!" She said happily. "You've made my life so much better! You came in and saved me from Dan. If it weren't for you, I probably would have gone suicidal after I found out that Dan was cheating on me. I was almost at the point of giving up on thinking that anyone would care about me. When you stuck up for me, I couldn't help but realize that you're my hero. When you offered to buy me that tree, I couldn't help but love how you were doing it to make me happy. You saved me. You did so much for me, how could you expect me not to love you?"

Without warning, Natsu pulled Lucy into a kiss. Natsu had never kissed anyone in his life but he was amazed at just how amazing it felt. After being shocked, Lucy slowly began to respond. She kissed him back with just as much passion. She felt like she was on fire. Her kisses with Dan were nothing compared to this. This kiss had so much passion. They had been both waiting to let out all of their emotions and were finally given the chance to. When they finally pulled away, Natsu answered her question.

"I don't know Lucy. Love is complicated."

"Not for you it isn't. It's so unfair. Why do you get to know right away who you get to be with?" Lucy pouted.

"I don't know, but I'm glad it's you. I couldn't picture myself with anyone else." Natsu chuckled while looking at Lucy's pouting face. He then added, "Hey let's go home, it's getting kinda late. You do need some sleep."

"Alright then, but first you're going to make me your mate." She answered happily.

"A-are you sure Lucy? I mean we've only known each other for three weeks."

"Of course I'm sure! Why wouldn't I be? Besides didn't you just ask?"

"Yeah, but I just wanted to know so you wouldn't run off."

"Well if you're planning on not letting me go, why don't you just make me your mate now? Besides if I really am your 'mate' then I'd get the mark right? You said if I wasn't then I wouldn't have the mark. And if you're my mate and I'm yours then that would mean we really are fated."

"Jeez Lucy you're so smart. Remind me in my next life to ask you to be my mate right away."

The two walked back home, hand in hand. They were both more than glad to have each other. Their lives were forever changed and they were ready to throw whatever life sent their way. Because they were together. Forever. That night, Natsu and Lucy said their mate vows and it was successful. Lucy's right wrist had a red dragon postured in the position of the draco constellation. On the dragon's body was the line of stars that created the draco constellation connected by lines. She assumed that was just because of her hobby. But Natsu knew what it meant.

Meanwhile, back at Fairy Tail...

"Jeez, it's so boring around here without Flame Brain." Gray said tiredly.

"Wow, you actually miss him? What was that about hating his existence?" A drunk Cana said back.

"Oh shut up!" Gray shouted before he mumbled a few things about how he didn't have anyone to fight with.

Meanwhile, Juvia took this as her opportunity to see Gray, so she walked over to his table and sat down next to him. She gave him some motivational words.

"Don't worry, Gray. Juvia believes that Natsu will return soon. He's probably just off looking for Igneel again. He should be back soon."

"Yeah he better because I'm gonna kick that matchstick's ass as soon as he gets back. I need a good fight." He said. Then he turned his attention to Juvia before saying, "Thanks, Juvia."

"Anything for Gray~!" She answered with hearts in her eyes.

Just then someone bursted through the door. It was Erza. She had went out to search for Natsu, unfortunately coming back with nothing. She was like his big sister, so she couldn't help but worry when her little brother ran away.

"Did you find him Erza?" Gray asked.

"No, I haven't seen him anywhere. Nobody has. It's weird. Where could he have gone?" Erza thought aloud.

"Don't worry, the boy will show up in due time." The master said, coming out of nowhere.

"But Master, it's been three weeks. He could be lost or hurt. He hasn't left without telling us in years!" Erza said, frustrated.

"I know you're worried, Erza. But I'm sure wherever he is, he will return on his own time. It's nothing to worry over." Makarov said calmly.

"Yeah, Salamander is probably just having a fun time off on his own." Gajeel added. Although he and Makarov knew where Natsu was, they didn't know if he was alive. So they didn't say anything.

"How about we have a bet, to see if he comes back or not?" Cana suggested.

"How cruel to think your friend isn't coming back! But still, 20,000 Jewel he comes back." Gray said.

"I'll bet 50,000 he'll be back." Gajeel said.

"Me too." Said Happy. He needed the fish money.

"Well you all have so much confidence he's coming back, you aren't going to get any opposition. Why not bet on how he returns?" Cana asked.

"Okay then Cana. I bet 200,000 Jewels... that Natsu... will return... with a girlfriend!" Lisanna said trying to stand up. She was well beyond drunk at this point thanks to Cana.

"You're insane if you think that idiot would return with a girl." Gray answered.

"Yeah I second that. Salamander is too stupid." Gajeel added.

"It's probably just that alcohol talking. Regardless, add me in." Erza said.

Pretty soon it was Lisanna vs. most of the guild in the betting pool. Everyone thought Lisanna was out of her mind. She did have a lot to drink, so they kind of felt bad making that bet with her. But they took it anyway, seeing it as free money. Nobody would have expect Natsu to actually return with a girlfriend, except for an extremely drunk and loopy Lisanna.

Normally I don't put anything down here, but I wanted to point out that a dragon's brain would be extremely stupid, even though that's where emotions are. So dragon's heart works better in this case. (Referring to his All the Qualities of a Dragon speech.)

Also, there will be no love triangle between Natsu, Lucy and Lisanna. (It'd be too late anyways, since I mean Natsu already has a mate). She's not going to appear much in this story and she is definitely not going to get in the way of Natsu and Lucy's relationship. She will provide some humor though.