~Lucy's POV~
I was standing outside, taking a breath of fresh air.
It had been six years since the resort trip we took.
Six years since Natsu and I had gotten together.
Levy came up to me, handing me a mug of coffee. "Here."
I smiled at her, accepting it. "Thanks."
She nodded, and took a sip of her own coffee. "So, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
I shook my head. "Not that I know of."
"Great, because now you do," she told me.
I raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you have in mind?"
"We're going on a hike," she said. "Sort of."
"A hike?" I asked.
"Sort of," she repeated.
I slowly nodded. "Okay... How do you sort of go on a hike?"
She smiled. "Guess you'll have to wait and see."
I laughed. "Okay. Who else is going?"
"Juvia, Erza, Lisanna, Gray, Jellal, and Gajeel," she replied.
I raised my eyebrows. "What about Natsu, Wendy, and Romeo?"
Levy smirked. "Well Wendy and Romeo have a date today."
"Really?!" I said. "That's great!"
"Yeah, it took him long enough, but when he asked, Wendy was beyond excited," Levy explained, laughing.
"Sounds like her."
"Yeah, and I don't know why Natsu isn't coming. You should ask him yourself," she said.
"But, I haven't seen him all day," I whined.
"He's probably just busy," she said, shrugging.
I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. "It seems like he's always too busy for me these days."
"Well he does have a life besides you," Levy said, laughing.
"Well that's dumb," I said.
"I know right?" Levy said. "Who wants to work and make money so they can actually live a proper life?"
"Exactly!" I exclaimed.
We both looked at each other, and then burst into laughter.
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"Natsu!" I yelled, coming into the guild hall.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning around in his seat.
"What'd you do to make her mad this time?" Gray asked, smirking.
"I have no idea, but I have a feeling that I'm about to find out," Natsu said.
"When did you come back?" I asked.
"About ten minutes ago," he said. "Why?"
"You should have come and found me," I whined.
"I didn't know where you were," he whined back.
"Come with me," I ordered, wrapping my hand around his.
"Gladly," he said, getting out of his seat.
We went around back to a large oak tree, and sat down in front of it.
"So, what's up?" he asked.
"You've just been out so much lately that I haven't gotten you to myself in a while," I said.
"Yeah, I know," he said. "I've just been busy."
"I know," I replied. "I just miss talking to you."
"Then let's talk right now," he said, turning around to face me.
I smiled. "Okay Natsu, what do you want to talk about?"
"Why you aren't going on jobs with me anymore," he said, taking my hand.
"It's not that I don't want to," I said. "It's just..."
"Just what?" he prompted.
I sighed. "Ever since that one job-"
"Luce, just because you didn't do well on one job, doesn't mean you won't do well on the rest."
"Yeah, but when I failed to do my part, you had to come in and finish it for me, while doing your own. You got hurt because you were trying to do both things."
"Oh, so that's is what this is about," he said.
I looked down at my lap. "Yeah."
"But Luce, I was fine. Wendy healed me, and now look. I'm perfectly fine."
My eyes snapped up to meet his. "That's not the point Natsu."
"Then what is it?"
"I burdened you with more work. If I keep going on jobs with you, that's all I'll ever be. A burden."
"You've never been a burden to me, Luce. The reason I get out of bed every morning is because I know I'll get to see you. The reason I fight so hard is because I know that when I get back to the guild, I'll get to see you. My whole life revolves around you. So how could you ever be a burden to me?"
"Natsu, I-"
"Luce, I never want to hear you say that again. Because it's not true, and it will never be true. Remember that," he said, quietly.
I nodded.
"Good. I have decided that you are going on my next job with me," he said. "It's been a week since you last went on a job, and I miss our adventures."
I smiled. "Okay."
"Now that that's over, let's talk about something else," Natsu said.
"Oh yeah! I wanted to ask you why you aren't going on the hike with us tomorrow."
Natsu muttered something under his breath, and then looked up to meet my eyes.
"I have some stuff to take care of. Sorry," he said.
"Come on! It'll be fun," I said.
He shook his head. "Sorry Luce, I can't."
I felt a sense of disappointment wash over me. "Okay."
Natsu must've noticed this because he lifted my chin up, so my eyes met his, and then pressed his lips to mine.
"I'm sorry," he said, quietly.
I shook my head. "It's okay. But next time, you definitely have to come."
"I will," he promised.
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"I've never been here before," I said, looking around.
We were on a trail, that consisted of beautiful scenery. It looked more like garden than a nature trail.
"Follow me," Levy said.
As we walked further, I saw something written on the ground.
"What is that?" I asked, walking faster.
As I reached it, I saw this written in chalk:
For my one and only Luce:
7 Reasons I Love You
My eyes widened, and my hands flew over my mouth.
"I was not expecting this," I said, looking around at my friends.
Lisanna smiled. "Well we needed some way to get you here. Natsu asked us to help him."
Gajeel grunted. "Who knew that idiot would do something like this?"
I followed the arrows down a path and reached some more writing.
1. You're always there for me through my ups and downs.
"That's cute," Juvia commented.
Gray huffed. "I could do something like that."
Juvia smiled up at him. "I'm sure you could."
I ignored them, and continued to follow the arrows until I found the second reason.
2. Even though I annoy you a lot, you're still with me.
"He finally admitted that he's annoying!" Gajeel said.
"Annoying only begins to describe that Pyro," Gray said, wrapping an arm around Juvia's shoulders.
I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he noticed how annoying he was sometimes.
I continued following the arrows until I reached more writing.
3. Because I just do.
Levy caught up with me, and laughed.
"That's some Natsu logic right there," I said, laughing.
Only Natsu would write something like that.
Erza face-palmed. "That idiot."
Jellal wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I helped him come up with that one."
Erza glared at her husband. "You better be joking."
Jellal laughed. "Sure."
I could see writing a few feet away, so I walked over to it, my heart beating faster.
It was exciting to see the reasons, and what would be at the end of all this.
4. You help me believe that everything will be okay.
"That's actually the other way around," I mumbled.
Levy laughed from behind me. "He's quite the romantic."
Gajeel huffed. "I'm way more romantic than him."
Levy rubbed his arm. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
I couldn't help but laugh, as I continued following the arrows. Once I saw writing on the ground, I practically ran towards it.
5. You kick some serious butt during our jobs.
I smiled, as my love for Natsu grew even more. He believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself.
How?
"There's the Natsu we know," Erza commented, nodding with approval.
As we continued following the arrows, we turned a corner, and after what seemed like forever, but was probably only a minute, we reached more writing.
6. You can make me laugh when I don't even want to smile.
"Since when is he poetic?" Lisanna asked.
I probably re-read that six or seven times, before it sank in.
He could be so sweet when he wanted to be.
I shook my head, smiling. "He isn't."
"This is so exciting! There's on reason left!" Levy exclaimed.
I raised my eyebrows. "Don't you guys know what the reasons are or what's at the end of it?"
The girls shook their heads.
"We know the reasons, but he didn't tell us what's at the end," Jellal explained.
"We're about to find out," I said, following the arrows.
We turned two corners, and finally reached the last reason.
7. Because you give me no reason not to.
"That's so adorable," Juvia gushed.
I nodded, smiling. "It is."
"Come on!" Levy exclaimed.
I followed the arrows through the garden, my heart pounding.
As we continued walking, the trees cleared, and we entered an opened up space, with a path leading to multiple hills.
The arrows led to one of the hills, and there was a crowd surrounding it.
I kept walking, and when I reached the hill, my heart stopped in my chest.
Written on the hill with flowers were the words:
Will You Marry Me?
With an infinity sign beside it.
Natsu was standing on top of the small hill, in a full suit, holding something in his hands.
Beside the hills, Mira was there with Laxus, and a whole camera crew.
He jumped down from the hill, and in front of me, a few feet away.
He walked towards me, took my hand, and sunk down onto one knee.
"Luce," he said, with a smile. "I love you more than life itself. You're always there for me through my ups and downs. Whenever I'm with you, I always feel at peace. And trust me, I'm not often peaceful."
I let out a laugh, a tear trailing down my cheek.
"I love the way you smile, and the way your eyes sparkle when your excited. I love it when you get excited over the smallest things, and hold my hand to assure me that everything will be okay," he continued.
"I know I'm not perfect, and I can really annoying at times," he said. "But I will do anything and everything to keep you happy."
"And honestly, I can't see anyone else being able to tolerate me for the rest of their life," he said.
I laughed, as the tears continued to trail down my cheeks.
"Lucy Heartfillia, would you do me the great honor of marrying me?"
I nodded, unable to say anything.
Natsu slid a ring onto my finger, and got up. He pressed his lips to mine, as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
I didn't realize until I pulled away that everyone around us was clapping.
I wiped a few tears off my cheeks, as I looked around and smiled.
"Sorry it took so long," Natsu whispered in my ear. "I wanted it to be perfect."
"It was perfect," I told him, with a small smile.
Natsu wrapped his hand around mine, and we walked over to our friends.
"My proposal was better, but yours was okay too," Gray said, smirking.
"Thanks," Natsu said.
"That was so cute!" Lisanna gushed.
"Absolutely adorable," Levy agreed.
"Hey, what about mine?" Gajeel huffed.
"Yours was okay too," Levy teased.
"Well you said yes so ha!" Gajeel said.
"You sound like a five year old," Levy informed him.
"I don't!" he whined.
"Yeah, now you sound like a two year old," she said, smirking.
Gajeel pouted and looked away. Levy jumped onto his back and kissed his cheek.
"Well done Natsu," Jellal said.
"Thanks," Natsu said.
"These proposals will make great stories for our kids some day," Jellal said.
"Like the one you're about to have?" Lisanna asked, looking at Erza.
Jellal smiled. "There's still five months."
"You're talking about it so nonchalantly, and meanwhile, I'm dying over here," Erza said, glaring at her husband.
Jellal laughed. "Sorry."
I couldn't help but laugh. "You sound like you're having the time of your life."
"Definitely," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Just then, Mira walked up to us, and handed a CD to me.
"There you go," she said, with a smile.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Natsu's proposal," she said.
"How'd you get it on CD so quickly?" I asked.
Mira shrugged. "I have my contacts."
"Wait, so you knew he was going to do it?" I asked.
"Obviously," she said. "Who do you think did the writing with the flowers? It was the team I hired, although Natsu insisted on helping."
I looked at the CD, and then back at Mira, a smile forming on my face. "Thanks Mira. For everything."
Mira smiled. "No problem."
We all talked for a few more minutes, before deciding to go for lunch at a nearby restaurant.
After lunch, Natsu asked to take me on a walk by the beach, and I agreed.
As we walked, I played with the diamond ring on my finger. It was absolutely gorgeous.
"So we're engaged now, huh?" I asked, breaking our comfortable silence.
Natsu smiled softly. "Yeah."
"I think I could get used to that," I teased.
"You don't have to, because we'll be married soon," he said.
"It's so crazy to think about everything that's happened, and how we're all still together," I said, staring at the sky.
Natsu wrapped his hand around mine. "I know. But I'm happy with how things turned out."
"There are still so many adventures ahead of us," I said.
"As long as I'm with you, I don't care what happens in the future," Natsu said, stopping.
"You always know what to say, don't you?"
"What can I say? I'm insane when it comes to you."
I shoved his chest lightly. "You're such a sap."
He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I wrapped mine around his neck.
"Only for you," he promised. "I love you, Luce."
"I love you too, Natsu," I said, smiling.
"I can't imagine living my life without you," he said, bringing me closer.
"You don't have to," I said. "I'm always going to be here. Because there isn't a single person on this earth that I would rather live the rest of my life with."
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So there's that.
This story is completely finished now.
Thank you for reading it, and I hope you enjoyed it.
I hope you guys join me in my new book once it starts. Until then, I hope you have a wonderful day :)
~Haazzel10