Gray watched Natsu and Lucy embrace each other, a strange mix of emotions swirling in his chest. They laughed, relief ringing through their nerves. The ceremony had gone off without a hitch, a perfect memory for them cherish. Gray could feel their happiness, a high so contagious that he couldn't contain his own glee. And yet, when he saw Natsu cradle Lucy in his arms, holding his new wife close to him, longing pulled in his gut. He wanted that, Gray realized, what Natsu and Lucy had. It seemed so perfect, standing there now and seeing them newly married. They were glowing, radiant with love and hope. His eye stung with a budding tear. He wasn't sure if it was from joy or envy.

"You did it," Erza said, her voice pitched with joy. "I almost can't believe it."

"Neither can I. I feel like I'm dreaming." Lucy beamed. Natsu sighed for all of them, tension draining from his shoulders. Lucy's lips pinched as she turned to Gray and Erza. She chuckled, relaxed in the company of her friends. "I can't thank you both enough for your help in making this happen."

Gray stepped forward, stealing Lucy from Natsu's arms. "It's the least we could do." Gray lowered his head to Lucy's ear. "And you look beautiful, by the way."

"You both do," Natsu stated, his hand squeezing Erza's shoulder. "Most beautiful women in the guild."

Erza huffed a laugh that faded into a small sob. Her hand covered her mouth, hiding the frown beneath as she tried and failed to quell her own emotions. Natsu offered his embrace to her. Erza fell into it, allowing herself to be comforted as tears bloomed in her eyes. Sighing, Erza gazed into the distance, lost in fond memories.

"It feels like only yesterday that I was teaching you how to use grown-up words." Erza turned her painted face, pressing her forehead to his. "Where did that little boy go, Natsu?"

"He grew up, and still doesn't know how to use grown-up words."

"I remember how you and I would bicker like dogs when I first came here, Gray. And Lucy," Erza's eyes shined through hope and adoration, reaching out to the bride. "You've become so strong... I'm so proud of you."

Leaving Natsu, Erza threw her arms around Lucy. She closed her eyes into Erza's shoulder, squeezing her tight as white met lavender. Gray stepped beside Natsu, looping his arm around his friend's neck. Natsu returned the gesture, the two men relaxing under each other's weight as they silently let their friends ride through their emotions. Gray waited for the devil slayer's call, but it never came. He could feel his friend's warmth against his side, radiating like a candle on a snowy windowsill. His mind shifting away, Gray took in Natsu's new life. The dragon slayer seemed older somehow – wrinkles barely creasing the years around his eyes and mouth. An air of maturity that hadn't been there before crowned his head. After all this time, it seemed that Natsu had not only grown older, but he had grown up, too. Had Gray done the same?

"That's enough gawking, you two."

Lucy and Erza laughed, pulling the two men into their hug and completing the circle of friends. For a while, they all stood together in comfortable silence, taking in the company of each other and their shared memories. Gray sighed, closing his eyes as he hugged Natsu and Lucy closer to him. A sad mirth hung in his throat, thankful that he was alive to see their wedding day, to see everyone so happy. He would have missed it all if Natsu had been a second too late three years ago.

Erza broke the circle first. "All right. Show's not over yet. I say we all go freshen up and relax a bit before we go out there. Sound good?"

"You really want to keep that feast you made out there waiting?" Gray asked, hunger rising through him. Natsu's stomach growled in agreement. It had been a long day with an early start. They had barely eaten anything, and Gray wasn't sure sure how much longer he could wait.

"I agree with Erza." Lucy wiped her cheek, fingers trembling. "My nerves are still kind of fried."

"I'm ready for food." Natsu put a hand to his stomach. He smirked, eyes flashing to Lucy. "And for what comes after."

"Save it for the bedroom, you two," Gray scoffed.

Lucy leaned into him, forgetting herself for a moment in Natsu's passion. Erza blushed, coughing through the implications.

"We're not in a hurry - but I worked really hard on all the food that's sitting out there, and I won't forgive myself if it was all gone because we were standing around chatting the evening away. So let's touch up our makeup and make ourselves look presentable! We've got a reception to attend!"

Applause greeted them as they emerged from the hall into the court yard, the fresh air of nature cool on their skin in the late afternoon. Gray and Erza quickly stepped away from the couple, letting them bask in the attention of their guests. Natsu kissed Lucy, feeding the merriment in the atmosphere. The tables that had been taken out of the guild hall were now lined up here, filled with the laughter and presence of their friends who had waited for them. Natsu and Lucy found their seats with Juvia and Wendy. Happy, a small cat once again, fluttered to Natsu, settling on his shoulder as he pulled out Lucy's chair for her before taking his own. It felt good to be sitting down.

A pungent smell tickled his nose. Natsu snapped back up to his feet, eyes searching and mouth watering. His face opened in awe, gawking at the buffet laid out for dinner.

Erza really outdid herself this time.

The banquet that was waiting for the guests was beyond extravagant, roasted meats and steaming hors d'oeuvres shining with candied glaze before the plethora of selective dishes that most would only ever dream of. The veritable feast spread out before the hungry crowd was as fresh as the day it was cooked, magically preserved and beckoning. Everything was lined up, the food and drinks and the open bar, manned interchangeably by Freed and Mirajane. At the end of the selection, a capstone of tradition, sat the three layered wedding cake.

It was a beautiful masterpiece, patterned with dragon scales and cloaked with silver stars. Crowing the top was a buttercream fish, a dally that Happy had fought tooth and claw for. Lucy tugged on Natsu's sleeve, shaking him out of his cormorant.

"You're drooling, Natsu," she said, Happy giggling from his side.

"Hurry it up!" Gajeel shouted from the sea of waiting stomachs, pounding his fist on a table. The brass and steel facets on his face gleamed in the afternoon sun. "We can't eat until you do, and I'm starving!"

Natsu didn't need any more prompting than that.

They dined until the sun sat on the horizon. Bellies full of food and drink, Natsu and Lucy finally got to greet their guests. Friends that they hadn't seen in a while showered them with celebration. Kagura and Milliana were quick to swoon over Erza's dress. Lyon and Chelia found Gray and Juvia, sharing a drink and a toast. Even Bacchus had come, howling his felicity to the sunset and drinking the light away with Cana. Natsu and Lucy pocketed their friends wishes, laughing as some boasted that they had seen this day coming from a mile away. The men of Blue Pegasus were graceful to their hosts, cheering for a long and happy life together. Not once did they croon after Lucy.

As they swerved through the tables, chatting with each and every one of their guests, the weight of the bandage on Natsu's arm hung like an unused noose. Here he was, among his friends and family on what was the happiest day of his life… and he had almost missed it.

"You okay?"

Natsu looked to Lucy, blinking away the gloom in his eyes. "Yeah," he said with a swipe of his hand. "Yeah, I'm great."

"You never struck me as the type of guy to cry at your own wedding, Natsu."

Natsu smirked, spinning to the voice. "Oh yeah? Because you definitely do, Sting."

The Sabertooth Master stood from his chair and stepped forward, his pointed teeth gleaming within his broad smile. Natsu and Sting embraced, laughing together for the first time in ages. With a content sigh, Sting held Natsu out at arms-length, eyes scanning his companion.

"Look at you," Sting mused, throwing a laugh to his guild mates. "You're gonna be a weak old man before you know it."

"It looks like you've gotten fat, Sting," Natsu smirked. "Has being master made you lazy?"

Sting jerked. "I can still take your ass down any day!"

"We're not here to fight, Sting," Rogue grumbled, yanking Sting back. "Behave."

As much as the Twin Dragon Slayers had done their own growing over the past three years, some things would never truly change. Experience haloed their broad faces, casting away the time of the slim young men they used to be. They stood poised, refined through the fires of hardship and struggle to come out gilded in power. Sting had cultivated a reputation for being an excellent master, one that was both caring and strict. His Tiger's were strong and fierce, each stripe earned and deserved.

"Can't you guys just do simple hello's instead of insulting each other?" Yukino chided, her smile betraying her gaiety. She embraced Lucy, their stars colliding. "Thank you so much for inviting us!"

A fading bruise marred Yukino's cheek. The edge of a bandage peeked out from underneath Rogue's collar. Sting sported old injuries, too, still healing from Ruby Manticore's attack more than a week ago. They hadn't gotten lucky like Fairy Tail had – Sabertooth had fought off the full force of the dark guild, fortified with the effects of Zeref's stolen books. Knowing now what that entailed, it was no wonder they were still titled as one of the strongest guilds in Fiore.

As the night continued on, the festivities settled, morphing from the jolly celebration it had started as to a mystic gathering in the afterglow of the sunset. Lanterns were lit to provide both light and heat in the cooling atmosphere. Freed's special drink was the drink of the night, all by Lucy's recommendation. Even Bacchus and Cana, usually adverse towards the stereotypical "girly drinks", came back for seconds. The buffet table had been nearly picked clean by the time music started ringing through the yard. Lucy excused herself from Natsu's side, seeking out Erza. He took the opportunity to quench his palate, peeling himself from the crowd and slamming his hands down on the bar stand.

"Two champagnes," he blurted, "and make sure it's the really bubbly stuff."

Freed nodded, fetching the bottle. Pale arms leaned against the bar next to Natsu.

"So? Was it everything you dreamed it would be?"

Lisanna smiled, the same unchanged grin from his childhood. She twirled a glass of wine in her hand, the pellucid liquid tinted the same pink as her dress.

"Was what everything I dreamed it would be?" Natsu tilted his head at her, bracing himself against the counter. She was one of the few Natsu had allowed to assist him before the ceremony earlier. She'd painted over the black hairs on his head with no questions asked.

"You're wedding, of course!" She laughed, lightly slapping his arm. "Don't tell me you never once thought about it before."

Pop!

Natsu turned his head, watching Freed catch the cork as foam spewed from the neck of the champagne bottle.

He had once, thought about getting married, a long time ago. Aside from his childhood, it had been somewhere in the years between Lisanna's disappearance and meeting Lucy. A strange time, full of days spent with no one else besides Happy and his own thoughts. Back then, Natsu thought he knew exactly what it meant to be married; a drowning codependency, the shackles of reliance like a chain-link collar around his neck. It wasn't something that he liked the sound of. It actually terrified him. But he was lonely, too. When the solitude weighed too heavy on his chest, he'd entertained the idea of meeting someone who was worth that shackle.

"Nope," he lied. "Not even once."

"Well, I do hope you remember this day for the rest of your life." She sipped her wine. Natsu bumped her with his shoulder.

"I certainly will." Freed set the two glasses of champagne in front of Natsu, golden bubbles popping like fireworks. "Thank you for always being there, Lisanna."

She looked up to Natsu, her wide smile matching his. Lisanna tipped her glass to him.

"Anything for you and Lucy," she pledged.

Natsu and Lisanna toasted each other, the clink of their glasses resonating through time.

Lucy scanned the sea of faces, searching for the lavender stars of her maid of honor, wanting to thank her for going so above and beyond. She found the woman standing by the hedge that surrounded the courtyard, alone and peaceful. A soft smiled graced Erza's lips, her cheeks rosy. Through the thick leaves of the hedge, the outline of a hooded man lingered like a phantom. Lucy turned away, leaving her friend to have her time. They only got to see each other about once a year as it was.

"You're as beautiful a bride as I imagined you would be." The voice curled into Lucy's ear, smooth as honey. "It's just a shame you aren't my bride."

Lucy rolled her eyes. She turned, nearly crashing against the wool and polyester wall of Loki's tuxedo. His sunglasses were gone from his usual outfit, handsome eyes holding distant starlight.

"I'm pretty sure that's a violation of our contract." Loki retrieved her hand, planting a light kiss on her knuckles. "But really, I'm glad you could make an appearance."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Loki bowed. "I came to give you congratulations on behalf of all your spirits. We couldn't be more excited to add Natsu to the family. Where is he, by the way?"

"Making sure you won't steal my wife away."

Lucy and Loki looked up as Natsu approached, balancing the glasses of pale gold champagne. The dragon slayer grinned widely, satisfied with the look on Loki's face. He handed Lucy a glass, his arm naturally curling behind her back.

"I get to call you that, now," he purred, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Lucy and Natsu shared a laugh, toasting each other's graces. Loki watched them sip to their happiness, capturing their energy in the moment. The Lion Spirit shook his head, huffing a laugh as his hand disappeared into his pocket.

"I've also come on official celestial business," Loki said, pulling a small velvet box out of his suit jacket. With little fanfare, Loki presented the gift to the groom.

"Wedding's already over, Loki," Natsu said. "It's too late to propose."

Loki snatched the champagne glass from Natsu's hand, depositing the small box in it's place. It was heavier than it looked, an other-worldly weight against Natsu's palm.

"Natsu Dragneel, it is my honor to give to you the blessing of the spirits."

Natsu blinked, retrieving his other hand from Lucy's back. Opening the small box, a beaded bracelet lay on the cushion inside. The crystal beads blazed, capturing the light of dying suns within the diamond facets. Upon each bead were the engraved symbols of Lucy's spirits, both gold and silver class. A thin gold chain laced them together. It looked delicate, tender to the slightest touch.

"Thanks." Natsu bit his lip. It was beautiful, but in his possession it was sure to be lost or destroyed. "But I'm not really the jewelry-wearing type. Am I supposed to give this to Lucy?"

Loki shook his head, sipping Natsu's champagne. "I really think you should reconsider. This isn't a simple piece of jewelry - each one of these beads has the summoning power of one of Lucy's keys. All you would have to do is break the crystal, and that spirit will come to your aid. It's extremely valuable, a gift from the Celestial King only given to the wedded partners of Celestial mages. So make sure you don't lose it."

Lucy and Natsu gaped at Loki. The Lion Spirit waited, watching their amazement grow on their faces.

"How have I never heard of these before?" Lucy blinked, the ring of stars reflecting in her eyes. "Did my father have one?"

"These bracelets are a closely guarded secret of the Celestial Spirits," Loki explained. His smile faltered, thoughts drifting to darker times distantly passed. "A long time ago, unsavory people would bond with Celestial mages only so they could obtain one. The end result for the wizard and the spirits contracted with them was always… unfortunate. Thus, we only give them to those who prove themselves worthy." Loki dropped his eyes in thought. "I wasn't around when your parents got married, Lucy, but I do believe Capricorn told me once that Jude did receive one such bracelet, and simply never used it. When your mother's keys were taken or handed down to you, the beads lost their summoning power. He must not have thought that he needed our help."

Lucy and Natsu stared at the bracelet. The beads twinkled against the warm afterglow.

"Naturally, Natsu," Loki continued. "It's important that you keep its power a secret, even from your closest friends… at least, that's what I would say if we were part of any other guild. But I trust Fairy Tail, and so should you."

Natsu's fingers grazed the crystals, feeling clumsy and dumb against their fragility. Closing the lid, he tucked it safely away in his suit pocket. The box thumped against his thigh like a stone, constantly reminding him it was there.

"Now that business is taken care of-" Loki bowed to Lucy, his hand help open and inviting. "May I have the honor of a dance?"

Lucy blinked at the hand, then at Natsu. "Oh yeah," she mused. "We haven't had our first dance yet."

Loki snapped back up, genuinely alarmed and sloshing champagne. "I had no idea! What are you waiting for?"

The music swelled as if beckoned. Gajeel sat in a corner of the yard, looking out over the space that had been cleared for a dance floor. A keyboard sat in front of him, his fingers delicately stroking the keys. A small ditty flitted up from the dancing ivory. Putting his mouth to the microphone floating above the keyboard, Gajeel's rough voice resonated through the twilight.

"Since we can't have any cake until after the dancing, I figured we'd go ahead and kick the night off with a slow tune for the newly-weds," Gajeel easily found Lucy's white dress in the crowd. "So get over here, lovebirds!"

Rapturous applause. Loki eagerly took Lucy's half empty glass, her hand finding Natsu's like a magnet. They glided to the dancefloor, footsteps galvanized and building. Lifting her hand, Lucy spun with a laugh. She fell into Natsu's hold, sighing as he led her through a slow box step. The setting sun imbued them with its radiant glow, a shining hope flung from their shoulders as they moved. Losing themselves, Natsu and Lucy gazed deeply into each other's eyes as they entered into their own world for a little while. The jewels of Lucy's dress sparkled quietly, shrouding her figure within an ethereal cloud of white and blue. The wedding guests watched the couple, swept away in the love forged into the gold rings on their fingers. Natsu twirled Lucy, her dress rising up and flowing around her like a river.

"Don't they look cute together?"

Gray looked to Juvia, a wistful look in her eyes and a small smile on her lips as she watched their friends dance. Gray lost his words at her beauty, her smile drawing out his own. Juvia glowed with her own light, a full moon hanging above a calm ocean. She sighed, her dark blue evening gown rising with her chest. Gray's hand grazed her arm, fingers slipping under the single strap on her shoulder. The round silver plates sewn into the satin reflected dim ripples across her neck and cheek. Juvia looked over at his touch, her azure eyes eyes twinkling into his. His hand wandered up, tucking a blue curl behind her ear.

"Yeah," Gray breathed. "They sure do."

Gray and Juvia watched Natsu and Lucy dance for a little while longer. Gajeel gracefully led them through a slow ballad, each note of the keyboard inciting a step on their new journey. Gray stood from his chair and buttoned his suit jacket, deciding they had hogged the dance floor for long enough. He held out his hand to Juvia, palm holding his heart.

"We can look cute, too. Whadda ya say?"

Her face lit up like an exploding star, a remnant of her old fantasy bursting. Juvia's teeth flashed as she laughed and took his hand. Allowing herself to be pulled to her feet, Gray and Juvia stepped onto the dancefloor. Natsu saw them coming, smirking as he winked at Gray in an unspoken challenge. With an elegant twirl, Gray and Juvia swept across the stage like mist. The dancefloor opened up, beckoning others to their feet. It wasn't long before Elfman and Evergreen were also swaying side to side, along with Bisca and Alzac. Gray looked through the rolling crowd, surprised to see Lyon dancing with Kagura. They spoke quietly as they moved, friendly conversations in hushed tones. Gray watched in fascination as Lyon leaned close to Kagura, whispering something into her ear. The swordswoman smiled shyly, her cheeks rosy.

At the edge of the dancefloor, Laxus groaned, flustered when both Mirajane and Freed asked to dance with him. He walked away, and so the two bartenders settled for dancing with each other. Yukino found herself in a similar situation, but eventually settled with Rogue for her first dance.

"Look at them all," Wendy smiled, watching the melody move her friends. "It's nice to see everyone dancing together, isn't it Carla?"

The white exceed glanced up. "If you're into that sort of thing, I suppose."

Happy stared after her, clenching determination in his paws. He trembled, though, tail curled in anxiety. Her rejection had never hurt before. But Happy really wanted her to say yes this time.

"Go over there and ask her, already." Pantherlily licked his plate clean, the whites of his cheeks stained with food. "She's in a good mood."

"What difference does that make?"

Lily just grinned at Happy – a sly smirk holding secrets and promises. "Just do it, okay? You'll be fine."

Happy wanted to press further - but the song wouldn't last forever. Steeling his nerves, Happy marched down the table. Wendy watched his approach, clapping a hand over her mouth in glee. Happy opened his mouth to speak - but stopped, eyes sparking with an idea. Hopping down from the table, the blue exceed disappeared in a poof of cyan smoke.

"Carla?"

She turned. Happy tugged at his bow-tie, the fingers of his human-form clumsy and slow. The little boy shyly grinned up at Carla, visibly shaking as he tried to smooth down his wild blue hair. A moment of bumbling, straightening the lapels of his suit, until he put a smile on his face and graciously offered her his hand.

"M-May I have this dance?"

Carla stared at Happy, her silence loud against the music, lingering a little too long. Happy's smile faded.

"It's okay if you don't want to," he said quickly, snatching his hand back. "I just figured I would-"

"Stop blathering, Happy." Carla stood, jumping down from the table. Another puff of rosy smoke. She looked as beautiful as a little girl could in her light pink gown. "I'll dance with you. The song might end soon, anyway."

It wasn't really a yes, but Happy was delighted. As the two quickly made their way to the bustling dance floor, Wendy watched, catching a quick peek of the thankful smile on Carla's lips.

"Could I have a dance as well, Wendy?"

Turning in her chair, Wendy gulped against the hot rush of blood in her cheeks as Romeo stood before her. The young man, like Wendy, was growing to be a fine wizard, handsome and powerful. He and Wendy had grown closer over the years, and even gone on jobs together. And yet, Wendy's voice stuck in her throat. Romeo was patient, his eyes twinkling as she fumbled over the words fighting on her tongue. Before she could answer, though, Chelia appeared beside her. Taking Wendy's hand, she pulled her to her feet, teeth flashing bright and eyes brimming with sunlight.

"Nice try, Romeo," Chelia said, draping her arm over Wendy's shoulders. "But Wendy already promised that she would dance with me!"

She had made no such promise, but Wendy let herself be swept away by Chelia's whirlwind, flighting after the other girl into the melody. Looking over her shoulder, Wendy shouted a promise to Romeo, saving the next song.

Natsu and Lucy retreated into each other, blending in with their friends as a familiarly foreign sense of peace fell over them. Through all the preparations, planning, and ceremony, the troubles of life had almost been forgotten. The lantern light kept the night and their worries at bay, a bubble of warmth and hope and comfort for them to rest and grow. They danced out the rest of the song within each other's arms, Lucy's head on Natsu's chest. His heart synchronized with her own, a steady beat of forever and always. As the last notes of the song finally drew to a close, Lucy lifted her head and kissed her husband.

"I don't want this night to end," she whispered. "I want to stay like this forever."

Natsu hummed, holding her a little tighter. "Me too."

The cake was finally cut, a delicacy gone within moments as hungry mouths clamored to devour every last decadent crumb. Dancing continued through the playlist that Elfman and Gajeel had set up, a medley of genres for all to enjoy. Unburdened from his duties as the entertainer, Levy and Gajeel finally got to dance. She made him confess where he had gotten the harp-guitar from the ceremony - to her surprise, he had made it himself. Cana and Gildarts, both just tipsy enough to agree to a father-daughter dance, rocked out of tempo in a corner of the dancefloor. Lucy's heartstrings pulled in envy as she watched them dance, but she was truly happy for Cana. Every little girl deserved at least one dance with her father.

Stars were shining brightly in the sky by the time Lucy and Natsu began saying goodbye. Though they wouldn't be honeymooning just yet, they did want to spend time alone together before the night grew too old. Everybody kept their lewd comments to themselves, hidden behind knowing smiles.

The couple exited the guild under a shower of confetti, chased by the cheers of their friends. Stepping out into the night air, Lucy could feel the heat of the days happenings curling off of her skin. Natsu laughed, brushing bits of paper and birdseed from her hair and shoulders. She captured his hand, pressing his palm to her lips. The smooth gold ring on his finger ghosted across her cheek, burning into her soul like a nova. Natsu watched her, his thumb stroking her face. They stepped into the night together, returning home as different people than they were when they had left that same morning.

The walkway to the front door was lit with small candles, a pleasant surprise waiting for them. Inside, more candles rested on shelves and other flat surfaces, deepening the shadows in the room in the soft glow of the tiny flames. Rose petals scattered the floor, permeating the air with their subtle aromas. A gift to congratulate them for making it so far.

"We really do have some spectacular friends," Lucy whispered.

Natsu took a deep breath through his nose, picking up the faded scents of his guildmates beneath the rose petals. "You got that right."

A bottle of fine wine was waiting for them on the coffee table in their living room. Hours of the night wandered by, finding Natsu and Lucy with their shoes off and feet kicked up, clinking their wine glasses together in a toast. Curls of Lucy's hair draped down her back, freed from the bun and cascading over her shoulder like ropes of gold. They talked the wine and the night away, chatting like they were teenagers once again with nothing to worry about except what job to take next. It was the first quiet, peaceful night they had together in a long time. As the candles melted away and the wine was drank, Lucy stared hazily at the man that she could now proudly call her husband. Her eyelids drooped, heavy with exhaustion and alcohol. She was speaking before she could stop herself, enticed by a lull in the conversation.

"So... I've been afraid to ask this entire time, but… uh…" Lucy sat up, wine sloshing precariously in her glass. "How's your magic?"

Natsu sighed, the mirth fading from his face like water splashed onto a colored canvas. The paint on his head was fading, black hairs staining his scalp. He had taken off his suit jacket, the sleeves of his red dress shirt rolled up to his elbows. Natsu looked down to the bandage still wrapped around his arm. The wound has healed, for the most part - but Natsu couldn't stand to look at it.

"I'm not really sure," he started, trying to organize his thoughts into words that fit together through the murk of intoxication. "Something changed after Juniper Hills. I... I can't feel the etherious anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Natsu wasn't sure how to answer her. His core tightened, an ache splintering through his chest. The glass was gone, shattered into so many motes of red dust and lost in the unbridled hurricanes of rage and despair. Fire still burned through the storm, now fueling itself from a different source - something darker and far more potent, bleeding like the wound on his arm. He looked to Lucy, her brown eyes blazing against the candles around them.

"It's in my fire, now," he said. "My flame is tainted. I don't know what that means... and I'm afraid to find out."

Lucy bit her lip, thinking. "Porlyusica did say that the two were trying to merge together. Do you think…?"

Natsu sat forward, placing his wine glass on the coffee table and turning to Lucy. The sharp complaint of the glass on wood rang through the room.

"I really don't want to think about this right now, Lucy," he said, desperation lurking in his voice. "Can we please just enjoy our wedding night?"

Lucy jerked, wincing as guilt pricked its needle against her temple. "Of course we can, Natsu. I'm sorry."

She leaned forward and kissed him, an apology in the taste of the wine on her tongue. Natsu captured the back of her head, tilting his chin into hers and deepening the kiss. Lucy hummed softly into his mouth, wrapping her arms over his shoulders. She could feel Natsu's hand gently creep up her side, leaving small trails of cold heat in their wake. He stopped at the hem of her dress, hooking his thumb into the breast-line of the gown.

"You look so beautiful in this dress," Natsu's breathed between her lips. Lucy's hands were doing their own searching - lithe fingers slipping deftly between the buttons of his shirt, each one coming undone with hardly a flick of her nails. He chuckled as he pulled Lucy closer, bringing his mouth to her neck. His hand slipped under the fabric of her bridal gown, his passion sparking against the soft skin of her breast. Lucy sighed. "It almost seems like a crime to take it off."

Natsu snapped awake.

He blinked up at the ceiling, tired mind sorting through the veils of confusion. Darkness still lingered, the dead of night interrupted by the light of a waxing moon. He was naked underneath the covers, Lucy lying next to him in a similar state of undress. By the small amount of light granted by the stars, Natsu could see her back rise and fall as she breathed. Smiling softly at his sleeping wife, Natsu curled an arm under his head and sighed. Whatever had woken him up didn't seem to be of any consequence.

Or so he thought, until a shadow flashed by the window.

It was almost too fast for Natsu to see, his heightened sense only catching the slightest shift in the various shades of pitch. Natsu bolted upright in bed and stared out the window, mind switching into high alert. For a few tense moments, nothing happened, the night silent and waiting. But Natsu knew someone was out there. He could feel it.

"Ntsu…?" Lucy wearily lifted her head, cracking an eye open. "Wht's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Lucy," Natsu whispered, reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Just going to the bathroom. Go back to sleep."

Lucy hummed and let her head flop back to the pillow. Natsu silently crept out of bed, gathering his underwear and pants, wrestling himself into them as quietly as he could. Their home was silent, a thick quiet only broken by the occasional groan and snap as the house settled against the tree inside. On the balls of his feet, Natsu padded to the front door. The hinges creaked as he swung it open and stepped out into the night.

The candles that had lit up the walkway were out by now, burned down to their quicks. The moon's dim silver light shined from behind the house, casting Natsu into shadow and cold. Pressing his back to the rough siding, Natsu crept toward the silver edge of cascading moonlight, his heart racing. There was still one Ruby Manticore on the loose, out for his blood for some unknown reason. Natsu was powerless, but not defenseless. He wasn't entirely sure what he would do if-

A dark silhouette stepped around the corner of the house. Natsu lunged without thinking, colliding hard against cloth and flesh, tumbling to the ground. The struggle didn't last long, a few beats of slipping hands and growling breaths. Coming out on top, Natsu sneered down at the intruder beneath him, fist raised and ready to strike - but it wasn't Konza's face that stared back at him under the moonlight. Familiar eyes gazed up into his, dark irises that Natsu hadn't seen outside of his nightmares in three years. Shock and horror exploded from his anger like firecrackers lit beneath his skin.

Natsu flung himself away, crawling backwards through the grass on his heels and elbows. His stained flames thundered through his body on reflex, heart racing with adrenaline and lightning. The fibers of his nerves burned against the curse, a sensation pushed to the back of Natsu's attention by the implausible sight before him.

"It can't be you..." Natsu's voice barely came out a whisper. "It just can't be!"

The intruder sat up, brushing the night from his clothes. All other words died on Natsu's tongue. He was having some terrible nightmare, logic said, desperate to wake him up. The man looked to him with those dark eyes that had haunted him for his entire life - dark eyes, similar to Natsu's own.

Zeref smiled at Natsu, holding tragedy and betrayal in the points of his teeth.

"It's good to see you, too, brother."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! It was so nice to get such wonderful feedback! Just a reminder that if this story gets 100 reviews, I'll do a double chapter for you guys as a treat!

EDIT: This chapter has been heavily edited for content and grammar 11/21.

As always, read, review, and enjoy!