"Breaking news and exclusive photos: Fairy Tail's Lucy dating Loke -

magazine's cover.

The pair was apparently unaware that someone was taking photo of them, not looking at the direction of the camera at all. She wasn't exactly surprised that they hadn't noticed the photographer who secretly recorded their meeting, even they might be two of the most powerful mages in Fiore, and Loke was usually cautious and alert to his surrounding. Their relationship wasn't a forbidden one anymore now that Loke was free; it was understandable that they had let their guard down when they were out in the public. Besides, they must could only see each other in their eyes in that moment.

There was nothing scandalous about the photo. Lucy and Loke were simply holding hands, walking at the beach side, and smiling widely at each other for something only shared between them in the photo.

Although the photo was taken with questionable intention and without Lucy and Loke's consent, she couldn't help but appreciate it, for the moment it captured had showed the beauty of their relationship in its truest form. Even the photo wasn't taken at a close-up, even it was not in high-definition, even it was only printed on low-cost paper, she could still feel their love for each other - sweet, pure, trusting, unconditional - overflowing from their unwavering gaze directed at each other.

And she had never seen such a heartfelt, worry-free and genuinely happy smile from Loke before, over the many years . Council, and from her breaking him out from the prison to them walking the path of redemption together. She knew. The primary reason for its' absence was her exactly. She also knew. There was no one but Lucy who could bring such a beautiful smile - bright like the sunshine - to Loke's face.

She was very, very thankful, to see that Loke could finally grasp the happiness he wanted and deserved in his hands, which had been taken away by her in the past. He finally returned to the side of the love of his life. And she didn't need to be close to Lucy to know that the redhead loved Loke back the same way he loved her, knowing every details of their history. Seeing Lucy's smiling face when she looked at Loke - one she had no doubt must be Lucy's prettiest one - was also a relief to her, because Lucy had suffered too because of what she did to Loke.

She wondered if her attempts to right her wrongdoings had contributed a little to the smiles on Lucy and Loke's faces. Maybe not at all. Maybe her sins remained. But to be able to see them being together happily before she dies, even only from a magazine cover, was enough to make her feel very, very happy.

"Madam, would you like to buy this magazine as well?" The guy of the newspaper booth asked.

She shook her head, and paid for the newspaper in her hand. "No need, thanks."

She had already stored their smiles in her heart."You are awake." Loke breathed a sigh of relief when he returned to Lucy's side and found that she had woken up from unconsciousness, after defeating Neinhart. "But you still need immediate treatment for your wounds. You are hurt so badly. Let me carry you back."

Lucy could only nod and smile weakly at Loke and also Kagura who stood behind, knowing she couldn't move an inch herself.

Loke took off his coat and placed it over Lucy's wounded body which barely covered by her clothes ruined in the battle, before lifting her up in bridal style.

Noticing the faint blush appeared on Lucy's face as Loke held her protectively in his arms, Kagura decided to take the lead, walking ahead of the pair to give them some private time.

"You defeated Neinhart, didn't you?" In her feeble state, Lucy asked Loke in a whisper.

"I did."

"Thanks a lot, Loke." She said heartily.

"It's nothing." He answered quietly. "Taking down Zeref and his followers is my purpose. I simply did what I live to do."

"Still." Lucy pressed her face closer to Loke's shoulder. "Thanks for being by my side."

Loke fell into a moment of silence, and Lucy could feel him breathing deeply from the rise and fall of his chest.

"But I failed to protect you again." Loke said bitterly, holding Lucy closer to him.

"It's not your responsibility to protect me. This war against Zeref and his empire is also mine to fight."

"I couldn't stand the sight of you being hurt so badly and falling unresponsive on the floor, Lucy." Lucy glanced up at Loke and saw the pain in his eyes as he confessed. "It was like…..reliving my worst moment in the . And once again I let the rage consume me.

She closed her eyes as she let his words sink in, trying to understand his distress.

"I have taken lives too in order to protect my comrades." Her voice came out loud and clear and unwavering when Lucy broke the silence.

"Fairy Tail members will bring down anyone who is dare to hurt our comrades even it will make us sinners." Loke looked at Lucy and found that she was smiling proudly at him. "Better to live with sin than regret, if it means avenging our precious ones and keeping them safe. Don't you agree, too?"

They held each other's gaze for a brief moment, seeking for mutual understanding, before Loke averted his gaze to focus on the road again.

"How do you always know how to reassure me when I have doubts in myself?" Loke glanced down at Lucy and smiled. "I'm thankful that we all come out alive from this battle."

"Me, too."

Lucy smiled in relief, before she closed her eyes and relaxed in Loke's arms.