The calm atmosphere of a warm summer night had fallen over the town of Magnolia. Not a shed of light from any homes or businesses was shown as a cool breeze brushed through the trees, and crickets gently chirped.

Natsu and Erza, who had a long day from a job they took on together retired to their bedroom. He threw off his vest as it landed on the hard wood floor, along with his sandals, leaving him in his white baggy shorts. A golden glow emitted from the room that left Erza in just a white gown that went just below her stomach, showing off her muscular toned legs and black panties that her boyfriend paid no mind to.

"Man, I'm beat," Natsu stretched his arms upwards till a resonating pop came from his back, which he let out a soft sigh.

Erza rubbed her eyes with a tired expression, a yawn soon escaping her lips. "Yeah, it was a really long day. So let's get some rest shall we?" She laid down on her side, patting the bed for her lover to come to her, which he happily accepted the invitation.

His head rested on his pillow as his arm wrapped around her shoulder, bringing Erza's head to rest on his chest. She lifted her head a moment to plant her lips against his for a moment, before returning to her sanctuary. "Goodnight, my Dragon."

"Goodnight, my beautiful Scarlet Knight," he responded, planting his lips on the top of her head before his eyes soon closed, and sleep became an all too powerful force to fight back, Erza following him soon after.

The only sounds that could be heard was gentle snoring from the two lovers who slept peacefully in their bed. Ever since they became a couple after the Alvarez war, sleeping alone was the furthest thing for either of them. Erza decided to move in with Natsu, to share a home together with somebody she loved, and valued with all of her heart. She always thought it was Jellal, but when she realized he was far from interested in her it was time to move on. Now she wouldn't trade any of this for anything.

Another hour had long since passed as the moon's rays had hit the edge of their bed, gently illuminating the spot.

A groan could be heard as Natsu shifted in his sleep, causing Erza to moan in annoyance at her lovers sudden movement. But her eyes shot open when she heard... crying? Her head shot up off the dragon slayer's chest to look at him. Tears were present on his cheeks that continued to flow, his teeth gritted tightly together as he whimpered.

"Natsu?" She frowned, sitting up on the bed on her knees, bent over towards him in worry.

Suddenly his body jolted, causing her to yelp in surprise damn near falling off the bed from the action alone.

"E-erza... p-please don't leave me..." Natsu choked out in between his sobs of anguish that filled the room.

She could feel the tug on her heart from his words as she quickly crawled over to him, her hands gently shaking his body. "Natsu, wake up it's just a dream," she spoke softly, caressing the tears from his cheeks.

Natsu's body lay broken on the hard ground, his teeth gritting together tight enough to chip a tooth. He weakly lifted his head with a menacing glare that was directed towards an unknown threat.

"You were a fool Natsu, you had to get much stronger this if you even hoped of succeeding in killing me," Zeref's cold, emotionless voice could be heard in front of him. "Now look around you," he gestured behind him at the broken mangled bodies of his family, his friends. The life that once was there was gone in an instant.

Tears streamed down Natsu's cheeks. "You bastard! I'll make you pay for this!" he roared as his flames reacted, his body slowly rising to stand on weak wobbly legs. "I will kill you... I'll avenge all of my friends... my family, ALL OF THEM!"

Zeref could only smile sadly at his younger brothers state. "You can barely stand on your own two feet. Accept this loss, grow stronger and exact your revenge then," a portal had appeared behind him as he slowly walked through it, it soon closing to leave Natsu there, alone.

He dropped to his knees in anguish, his eyes examining all of his lifeless family, before his eyes landed on... Erza. She laid there with wide lifeless eyes, her white blouse soaked in blood from a wide hole in her chest. Natsu slowly drug himself to her corpse, blinking back the tears that would soon come. "Please..." he muttered as he slowly raised his arm under her back to raise her stiff body off the floor, as his other hand gently stroked her scarlet locks. "P-please don't leave me... Erza... I love you... I love you..." his grip on her body tightened as his head shot up into the air in pure agony. "ERZAAAAAA!"

"ERZAAAA!" Natsu screamed to the top of his lungs, before his eyes shot open as his body lurched forward in a cold sweat, clenching his chest tightly as his heart hammered in his chest.

"N-natsu?"

His eyes widened, his head shooting towards Erza who looked at him in concern, gently clutching his hand. Natsu's lower lip quivered as the tears from his nightmare spilled into the real world. "Y-your here..."

"Of course I'm here dummy," she smiled softly, opening her arms to him. "Commere."

Without a moment's hesitation he practically leaped into her arms, like a scared child. He clung to her for dear life, sobbing into her chest, soaking her white gown in his tears. Erza rubbed circled around his back, holding him as close as she could, her other hand gently stroking her fingers through his pink silky hair. "Shh, it's okay I'm here," she whispered, kissing his cheek and head with a soft hum. "I'm here."

Natsu's heart rate slowed down as his breathing had evened out. His body slouched against her, only slight sniffles coming from him. Erza lifted his head gently to lock her eyes with his frightened onyx orbs. "Do you wanna talk about the nightmare?" She asked, her hand gently stroking his cheek.

Images that were somewhat burned into his vision came rushing back. He nuzzled into her chest, "please just hold me... I don't even want to think about what I just saw..."

This caused Erza to frown. Whatever the nightmare was frightened her beloved dragon. She had a few guesses as to why, but she wasn't gonna force it out of him. If he wanted comfort, that's what he would get. If he wanted love, you wouldn't have to ask her twice. The love and care that she had for him transcended beyond anything they've ever faced together. "Whatever you need, my dragon I'm here for you. I'm never leaving your side, not now, not ever. That is my vow to you."

He lifted his head to look up at her with puffy red eyes. Her hands cupped his cheeks, before bringing his lips to hers. Natsu wrapped his arms around her waist, melting into her warm lips. He may of been a fire mage, but the fire of Erza's love was stronger than any fire. They pulled away to breathe, staring deep into each other's eyes with warm smiles. "Better?" She asked.

He nodded his head, "better," his body slowly relaxed against her. "I love you Erza Scarlet..." he muttered as the warmth that radiated off her body lulled him back into slumber with a smile that never left his lips.

"And I love you Natsu Dragneel. I promise I'll chase away those awful nightmares with my blade," she leaned down to kiss the top of his head with a warm smile, snuggling him close to her before sleep started calling her name once more. With a warm dragon ontop of her chest, she closed her eyes letting sleep take her away once more, but this time if she had to. She would fight her dragons nightmares, and send them back to the deepest parts of hell of where they came from.

This idea kinda just sprung out of me. I'm a sucker for hurt-comfort stories like this. There's a lot of fics or one-shots of Erza being comforted, but not much of Natsu. Anyway, I do hope you enjoyed it and I'll see you all in the next one. later. :)