Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL! The Fairy Tail universe is the creation and property of Hiro Mashima and the respective distributors.

A/N: Yay! I have finally had some inspiration! Sorry to readers of Losing Her, my Sailor Moon fic, I'm really struggling to sort that but please don't eat me because an update is on its way very soon! Anyway I came up with the idea for this Fairy Tail story awhile ago but I hadn't really watched/read enough of the series to know what I was doing BUT that has changed so here it is!

I am a MASSIVE NaLu shipper and I'm very partial to GaLe as well, however the story will mainly focus on the relationship between Natsu and Lucy. I assume that reading this you will already have some prior knowledge of the characters and Fairy Tail universe so I won't spend too much time developing individual characters until later on (shhh...secret).

IMPORTANT! Read this! ~ To clarify the events in this chapter, and possibly the next, take place about three months before Natsu and the gang are shipped off to Tenroujima Island. I am also assuming that for the sake of this story that Natsu and Lucy are both around 18 (seeing as no-one knows how old Natsu is) and have known each other over a year (I think the exact amount of time is mentioned in the anime but I can't remember so I'm sticking with this) since Lucy joined Fairy Tail.

I'm going to warn you now that this will not necessarily be a happy story all the way through and there will be tidbits of swearing and implied sexual content so just beware.

As always, constructive criticism is highly appreciated. So I'll shut up and get on with the story! Enjoy! ^o^

Key to Life

~Chapter 1: Proposal~

Mavis help me! he thought. Natsu was on the verge of a meltdown. He was sweating up a storm and his knees were knocking together comically. This was far more terrifying than facing a powerful enemy mage and even more debilitating than a train ride. He was going to propose to Lucy... In front of the guild. The thought ricocheted around his skull like a bullet and he was having trouble getting his body to move. He had already taken Lucy as his mate a few months ago but this was another matter entirely. He had been going to propose in private but Mira had had other ideas.

So here he was, Erza's sword at his back to ensure he wouldn't get cold feet, standing just out of sight behind the curtains on the guild's stage. He knew that Lucy was sitting out there somewhere, Happy in her arms and the picture calmed his nerves a little. The S-Class exams were a few months away and Natsu had wanted to propose before they left so Mira and Lissana had devised a talent contest with Natsu's proposal as the grand finale and winning act. Natsu had been against it but when Gray had challenged his talent he soon had a change of heart. A change he was now thoroughly regretting.

Gray and Juvia had finished up their spectacular double act and were walking off stage toward Natsu and Erza, as Mira took the microphone. Gray didn't say anything, he didn't have to. He only put a hand on Natsu's shoulder and then continued off stage and round into the audience. Juvia gave Natsu's hand an encouraging squeeze and then followed Gray. They were the only other people who knew, although Natsu had his suspicions that Gajeel may have guessed.

"And now! We have our very own Salamander! Come on down Natsu!" Mira's cue and the tip Erza's sword in his spine had him shuffling out into the spotlight, looking uncharacteristically nervous. He glanced at Erza, gulping as she requipped another sword and then he turned to the audience. They had all gone quiet in anticipation. Natsu searched desperately until he found her. Their eyes met and he calmed a fraction.

"Get on with it moron!" Gajeel yelled from the audience.

Natsu took the microphone and inhaled deeply.

"HieveryoneI'mupheretodaybecauseihavesomethingreallyimportanttodoandineedanassistant," His words came loud and fast leaving the guild in confusion.

"Oi! Flame-brain! Slow down!" Gray yelled some encouragement.

He fidgeted and gulped for air, trying to get the words out. Nastu hadn't even proposed yet. How was he going to do this?

"Come on Natsu! I didn't know you got stage fright!"

"Pun-pun!"

"Are you hungry Natsu?"

Lucy, Happy and Plue were trying their best to give Natsu some support, for which he was thankful, and he felt some of his natural cheek returning. Lucy just had that kind of effect on him and he loved her for it.

"Well since you spoke up first, why don't you get up here and help me with my act Luigi?"

"That's not my name, idiot!"

"Aw come on! I need an assistant!"

"Natsu..."

Lucy was blushing furiously but she obliged. This man knows I can't refuse him, she thought miserably. She set Happy down on the table leaving both him and Plue in Levy's care. Standing up and walking awkwardly to the stage, Lucy could hear her guild-mates whispering their encouragement. She thought she heard gray mutter something that sounded like "Stage fright my ass," but she didn't have time to ponder the implications. Instead of using the stairs off stage, she grabbed Natsu's proffered hand and clambered up the front of the stage.

"Mira! I need the stuff!" Natsu shouted. Mira appeared with a strip of cloth and a small velvet box and then just as quickly disappeared. Lucy was beyond bewildered. Upon seeing the box some guild members guessed what was happening. It was common knowledge that Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia of Fairy Tail were an item but only a select few we're privy to the fact they had taken their relationship to the next level. And only the resident dragon slayers of Fairy Tail knew that Lucy was Natsu's once in a life time mate. So for the less dense of the members it was now quite apparent what Natsu's "act" was. For Lucy, however, ignorance was bliss.

"Ok Luce shut your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just do it!" Lucy obediently closed her eyes and felt Natsu wrap the cloth around her eyes. Lucy was feeling very unsure about this.

"Can you see anything?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes Natsu."

"What did I have for breakfast this morning?"

"What the hell has that got to do with this?!" Lucy did her best to send a slap his way but in her blind state she found herself swinging at air. She vowed to get him for this later.

Having narrowly avoided Lucy's swinging hand (She sure has good aim, Natsu thought) Natsu made a few faces and some outrageous poses that had the guild in peals of laughter, just to make sure she really couldn't see. When she neither laughed nor hit him, Natsu decided to continue. He waved his arms to quiet the audience.

"For the last act today I'm going to perform a magic trick!"

"Oi retard! This is a wizard's guild, we all do magic! Be more original dumbass!"

"Shut up ice prick!"

Lucy groaned internally. Something similar to this had happened on one of their missions. Natsu's "magic trick" had turned out to be setting her clothes alight while she was bathing so that he could give her new ones. It would have been sweet if it hadn't been her favorite blouse

.

"Anyways Lucy, give me your hand," Lucy lifted her right hand, "Not that one! The other one, weirdo."

"Who are you calling weird?"

"Just give it!" She extended the other and felt his warm hand enclose it.

With one hand Natsu popped open the little box revealing a simple gold ring with three rubies clustered at the top. It had taken forever to choose the right one which is why he had enlisted Mira and Lissana's help- the beginnings of this whole fiasco. The guild tripped over themselves trying to get a better look.

"You ready for this Lucy?" She could picture his lopsided grin that she loved so much as he spoke.

"Yep, just hurry up would you!" Lucy could feel something cold slipping onto one of her fingers but she couldn't pin point which.

"There! We're not boyfriend and girlfriend anymore! Great trick huh?" Natsu was very pleased with himself. So pleased in fact he took a minute to realize there was no cheering and Lucy wasn't kissing him like he expected. Everyone in the guild was silent but for Mira, who was banging her head on a nearby post.

"W-what do you mean Natsu?" Lucy was shaking; he couldn't actually be breaking up with her, could he?

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" Natsu was confused. He was sure she would like this.

"I'm Happy! That's Lucy!"

"Why aren't I happy?" She mimicked him. Oh Mavis, he was so dense! "Natsu you just broke up with me and I'm supposed to be happy?" In front of the whole guild and she couldn't even run away because she couldn't see anything with the stupid blindfold on. She would have removed it if Natsu wasn't still holding her hand.

"Hey! I already told you I'm Happy!"

Natsu was taken aback, "Hey, hey, hey! Who said we're breaking up?"

"You did!"

"No I didn't! Did you eat something weird today Luce?"

"My stomach has nothing to do with this!"

The couple's friends watched as the misunderstanding became a full blown argument. Natsu really didn't have a way with words. Eventually Gajeel intervened.

"Idiot you didn't take the blindfold off bunny-girl!"

Natsu stopped mid argument.

"Oops!" He let go of Lucy's hand and moved behind her to take the blindfold off.

"It's about time you took that off! Now get away from- " She stopped short. Lucy had raised her hand ready to strike out at the cowering Natsu when she caught sight of the ring.

"Natsu what's this?" Her teary eyes examined the rubies in the fading sunlight.

"It's a ring!"

"Idiot I know that! But where did it-" realization dawned on her, "This was your trick?"

"Yep!"

"Why?"

"I don't want you to be my girlfriend; I want you to be my wife!" His face split into a blinding smile and it took Lucy a moment to take in this information. And she found herself crying as she looked down at the ring. What a horrible misunderstanding, she had really done it this time.

"Marry me Luce?" She looked up and drank him in, his face, his smile, his scent. Finally she felt her voice rise in her throat.

"Of course you dummy!" Lucy threw herself into Natsu's waiting arms and they tu,bled to the floor laughing and, in Lucy's case, crying. The guild released a breath it didn't know it had been holding and soon wolf whistles and cheering erupted around the couple. Levy and Wendy were tearing up and Happy flew over and buried himself in between Lucy and Natsu. Mira stood stealing in delight next to her siblings and Master Makarov. Ezra nodded her head approvingly at Natsu's performance and Gray threw some half-hearted insults at the mushy pair. The guild was already preparing a lengthy celebration for the newly engaged couple.

The guild festivities went on long into the night, drinking and feasting and drinking some more. Everyone took their time to congratulate Lucy and Natsu, even Loke made a special appearance but had to leave after Natsu caught him flirting with his mate.

Levy, Juvia, Erza, Wendy and the other girls all discussed wedding plans with Lucy while the boys mocked Natsu about finally growing up. Lucy herself was ecstatic! She was engaged and to Natsu no less. She didn't think it was possible to be this happy! When she excused herself briefly from talk about the wedding theme to get food she was pulled aside by a very desperate Natsu.

"Luce we gotta hide!"

"Why on Ear-" but before she could finish Natsu had grabbed her wrist and was charging down one of many corridors in the new guild building. Her protesting was futile as her fiancé lead her around corners and down corridors until eventually they came to a sudden halt outside a room that Natsu deemed far enough from the commotion and pushed her inside. He locked the door and listened to make sure no one had followed them.

Meanwhile, Lucy examined the room. It was small, to say the least, but a large portion was taken up by a plush-looking double bed. There was a small golden light lacrima on a bedside table glowing softly. Lucy was just wondering why on Earthland there was a room like this in the guild when a pair of strong arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close. She could feel Natsu's hard chest on her back and hear his soft breathing as he leaned in to plant a soft kiss in the crook of her neck. Lucy resisted a moan.

"I thought I'd never get you alone," Natsu's voice was breathy against her ear, his tone deep and smooth. Lucy's heart did little flips as she turned in his arms to face him. She traced his collarbone and then up his next and jaw stopping at his lips. She moved her lips to meet his and Natsu growled in his throat. She pulled back and looked at him through long lashes. Natsu thought he might melt.

"I know." She said. Behind his dense exterior, Natsu, as she had learned, was nobodies fool. He pulled her closer and kissed her ear, her jaw her mouth; long, slow and calculating. Lucy closed her eyes but Natsu kept his half-lidded gaze trained on her face. She looked angelic in the low light, golden hair shining like a halo, pale skin almost translucent. And she was his. His.

"Wanna have some fun Luce?" Natsu whispered into her ear, hands moving from her waist to undo her belt.

"Thought you'd never ask," Lucy replied breathlessly, tugging at his scarf.

Back at the festivities, everyone was too caught up in the excitement and the alcohol to notice the disappearance of main couple. The girls were busy wedding planning and the boys were having drinking contests with Cana. Only a certain Iron Dragon Slayer and his girlfriend noticed Natsu steal Lucy away. He was sipping on Mira's latest concoction, an iron milkshake and she was reading through a magazine on wedding dresses, getting into the spirit of things in her own way

"Ghihi! Go for it bunny-girl."

"Hey Gajeel." He turned and looked down at Levy who was turning the glossy coloured pages, not making eye contact.

"Hmm?" He grunted.

"Wanna get married?" He choked on his milkshake. Levy giggling and stopped flipping through the pages to pat him on the back as he struggled to breathe.

"Where did that come from?!"

"It's nothing." She rested her head on her fists looking up at him. She smiled brightly and Gajeel found himself looking away so that she wouldn't see his blush. Levy giggled some more and went back to her magazine.

So what did you all think? Love it? Hate it? No idea what's going on? Want to see Lucy and Natsu's wedding? PM me if you have any questions and please review! Hopefully I will have the new chapter up soon but I'm going on holiday so no guarantee :) Thanks again!

~TheGecko99