Day 1: Gift

"Natsuuuuuuuuu!" A talking blue feline flew into a certain salmon-haired boy.

"Hey there, buddy! What's up?" Natsu grinned as he patted Happy's head. He noticed that the cat has been crying. He frowned as he lifted his best bud. "What's wrong?"

"It's Lushiiiie-" Happy sniffed to prevent his snot from falling. "Lushie's being extra weird!"

"But Lucy's always a weirdo."

"But when I went to Lushie's house to fetch some fish, you know, Lushie's fishes are so good!" The blue exceed has dreamy eyes until Natsu stared at him to hear the rest of the story.

"Lushie's not moving!" The whole guild gasped at Happy's sudden outburst. "Natsu! Help her, she's not moving! I tried poking her cheeks and offered fish to her but she wouldn't bulge!" Happy cried.

Natsu, on the other hand, stood up and put Happy down. He flashed a small smile and thanked the poor feline. After that, he sprinted towards Strawberry Street to check on Lucy. 'Why the hell isn't she moving!?' These were Natsu's thoughts while running towards the blonde's apartment.

Natsu finally arrived at Lucy's house and jumped through the window. The first thing he noticed was Lucy.

Lucy was sitting on her bed and is awake.

'I thought—' "Lucy?" He called to the blonde as he landed next to her. Honestly, Natsu was expecting a 'Lucy-kick' because he did not come through the door but he received nothing. Not even a single glance. He became curious and waved in front of her face. Still no reaction.

"Oi Lucy, if you're playing some game then you should tell me so that I could join!" Natsu grinned. But after a while, he became worried because Lucy's eyes looked so…different. It's like it has become dull and boring. Not the brown orbs that he loved.

He took a deep breath and went closer to her. He stared into her eyes and cupped her face with his left hand. He was sure of one thing; Lucy's still alive and is not cursed. She still smells of vanilla and strawberry and he could hear her normal heartbeat and breathing. His gaze softened as he asked the blonde.

"Hey Lucy, what's wrong?" He was willing to wait for her response no matter how long it will take. He's willing to go that far because it is Lucy. His best friend and most important person (dragons don't count but Lucy and Igneel are in the same level of importance). After a period of silence, he noticed that her hand was clutching something. Something gold.

And then it struck him. He finally knows why she's acting like this.

Her mother's death anniversary is near and she remembered the events when she summoned the Celestial Spirit King. He figured that she's like this because Aquarius was her mother's spirit and she broke it as a sacrifice. He understands that Lucy wanted to stop blaming herself over that matter— she saved Fairy Tail and succeeded with the counterattack but it couldn't be helped. She finally succumbed to her negative thoughts leaving her in this state. This… pitiful state of nothingness and sorrow. She finally broke down. He knew because he understands Lucy more than anyone. How could you not notice everything about the person that you love?

Once again, he tried talking to her. But this time, he held her hand.

"Hey Lucy, do you remember?" Not expecting a reply, he continued. "Without you, we'll never be alive. Aquarius helped you save us. She'll never regret what she had done because she saved her precious master; you. You are the only thing that keeps her connected from your mother. And now that she knew that she had succeeded in helping you in exchange for her freedom here in Earthland, she's more than happy." Natsu smiled as he leaned in so that their foreheads were touching. He noticed a small glint in Lucy's eyes. He knew that he could bring her back.

"She is not dead, Lucy. You may not see her again, but she could still live in the Celestial world. She'll be with Scorpio and the others. You know that she can handle herself, right? That woman's a tough nut to crack." Natsu chuckled. "So come back, you weirdo."

Large drops of water fell into Natsu's hand (which is still holding Lucy's). Finally, the dullness of her eyes was gone as they were sparkling because of the tears. Her lips were quivering as she clutched Aquarius' key harder. She stuttered her mouth finally moved. "I-I'll never see her again… I-It's my fault for being weak…"

"Lucy, you are not weak."

"But—"

Natsu hushed her. "You are strong, Lucy. And your spirits love you very much. You want to know something?" He grinned then lifted his hand from her cheek to his pocket to dig out something. Their foreheads' contact has also diminished for a little while. After finding it, he showed it to Lucy and smiled. "This is a proof that Aquarius loves you very much."

Lucy gasped as she saw a golden necklace with Aquarius' symbol as a pendant. "E-Eh?"

"I asked Loki a favor." He held the golden necklace with his left hand while his right hand pried open Lucy's hand so that he could get Aquarius' broken key. After getting the key, he slid it into the golden chain along with the existing pendant. "Now, it looks perfect!" Still amused by his work, Natsu pulled Lucy towards him making her stumble into his chest. The blonde blushed by the sudden action but before she reacted, Natsu has finished clasping the necklace into Lucy's neck.

"There!" He pushed her shoulders gently so that he could see her face. Tears were still evident on her face but her face looked more shocked. "Aquarius told Loki that whenever you're in danger, just say her name and the pendant will do something about it. What it does is a surprise though."

Lucy's fingers ran into the pendant and the broken golden key. Natsu really did so much for her. What would happen to her if he's not here? Well, definitely not in the living world. Most likely, she'll be in her bathtub bathing with her own blood. She looked once again to the handsome man in front of her. This man had saved her many times and she's glad that she was able to return the favor a few times. How could she be so stupid? Moping around in her apartment all day? Suicidal thoughts? Really? And then she smiled.

"Thank you, Natsu." Natsu finally saw the smile that he has been waiting for. His favorite smile. A smile that is directed to him. Her eyes were still shimmering because of the tears but the usual glint and vigor was there. This is his Lucy.

"Happy birthday, Lucy." He grinned sheepishly as he wiped away the tears from Lucy's eyes.

Lucy leaned into his touch and then reached for the dragon slayer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "Really Natsu, thank you."

Natsu wrapped around Lucy's waist as he held her tighter. "Anything for you, Luce."

'I'll do anything to make you smile, Luce.'

Unknown to the hugging best friends, a flying blue feline was hovering near the window holding a camera. After getting a few shots he snickered and flew to the direction of the Guild.

"They liiiiiiiike each other! The whole guild will like this!"

AN: Sorry if it's a bit rushed. Also, I might try to draw something out of this. Maybe in my free time :)) Crossposted in tumblr.