My entry for Litashe's Fairy Tail Writing Competition... Only it's the longer, alternate ending! And I'm so happy to have passed the first round along with everyone! Thank you so much for reviewing and favouriting! I've decided to post the ending just because I wanted to get the story completely out of my hair and this is my first fic that has Natsu and Lucy saying I love you. Although now I read over it... I think I prefer the first ending, lol.

This is in no way my attempt to alter or change my original entry. Just a little extra for the reviewers and readers.

Hope you enjoy.

"Nastu-" She called out, running after him. His head turned and he sent her another stunning smile but his movements were too quick, as if he was running away from her.

"Don't worry Lucy, I'll see you tomorrow!" He said, sounding confident and boisterous. And she could almost catch a hidden meaning that seemed to reverberate through her entire body: I'll always come to see you. I'm not giving up just yet. I can wait.

And that only served to further confuse her already befuddled mind.

"Wait Natsu!"

But the door slammed. And Lucy was left alone in her apartment once again.

"What just happened?" She said to herself, stunned to stillness and slightly whip lashed by his sudden departure. She stared after the door for a while before heaving a heavy sigh, her heart aching terribly as she finally moved to the door.

She hadn't been ready.

And yet why did she feel like she had completely missed an opportunity that wouldn't come up again for a long time?

"It's because I love you stupid." She sighed again as she rested her head against the door, one trembling finger reaching up to touch the handle. "I love you." She closed her eyes and almost felt comforted by the fact those three words had been said out loud.

(Alternate ending starts here!)

She sighed again before pushing away from the door, turning back to the kitchen to clean up the mess she had made.

But then her door slammed open once more.

"Natsu!" She whirled around. But any other words or gasps that could fall from her mouth died in that moment.

Natsu's face was strange, almost wild looking. His eyes were wide and his ears kept twitching. His mouth was pulled into a disbelieving expression.

"Say that again?" He said. Lucy blinked and nervously took a step back when he moved towards her.

"Say what?" Natsu sighed in frustration at her perplexed answer.

"What you just said… at the door… Did you mean it Lucy?"

The blood froze in her veins. Oh god did he…?

Natsu took another step and suddenly he was in front of her, her head forced to tilt up to look into his dark eyes.

Had he heard her?

The look in his eyes said yes. Or at least he was here now to confirm it. He wanted to hear the truth from her lips and hers alone.

But why did he want to know?

She… she wasn't ready… what to say… she couldn't hurt him again- the kiss had meant everything to her…

To take that first leap…

When she didn't answer, her mouth only gaping open and shut as she struggled to answer, Natsu sighed. He must have imagined it. And from Lucy's expression, he must have weirded her out. She couldn't know yet why he so badly wanted to heat her say it. After months of loving her, he couldn't bare to have his hopes up, or even force her to say something that she probably didn't even feel…

He made to turn around, his heart heavy. He was never going to trust his stupid hearing again! Maybe Erza had permanently damaged his hearing from the amount of beatings she had given him.

"I-It's…" Lucy began, sudden panic that he was leaving (possibly for the last time despite his earlier promise) making her want to take that final leap. Damn the consequences.

"I better go."

"It's because I love you, stupid!" She shouted.

Natsu blinked in shock and looked back.

"I love you! And I couldn't stand knowing that I never got the courage to tell you…" Sucked in a surprised breath of air and dropped his hand like it had burnt her, her heart hammering in her lungs until her chest felt like it was about to explode. But her mouth ran away from her and the words spewed forth from her control. This was intense and exciting and mortifying and she had never felt so emotionally strung up in her life but… At the same time it was liberating, a relief easing her tensed organs. She could almost breath again.

"You're my best friend, more even. You were the one who gave me life, I have a family and people who care about me because of you. I owe everything to you."

"I understand if you… don't believe me because the kiss was a heat of the moment thing, but… It was an opportunity to do something I've wanted to do for a long time. I don't regret it, only that I could lose you because of it. I meant what I said just now. I really love you…"

Her voice became stuck in her throat as Natsu turned away from her fully, walking towards the door with his face hidden and therefore his expression unreadable to her.

Tears were starting to pour down her face and she had to close her eyes, unwilling to open them and see the damage done. Because there was no way, absolutely no way that her idiotic, dense, fire breathing best friend would ever, ever, return her feel-

"Took you long enough, Luce."

Her her door close with a slam and a pair of warms hands were suddenly grabbing her arms and pulling.

And before her eyes could snap open, his other hand was cupping her face and his lips were moulding onto hers.

It seemed to Lucy that, impossibly, this kiss was more vivid and intense than the last. When their lips parted she clutched to his jacket and their kiss deepened, her knees trembling and heart practically flat lining from the exhilaration. She anchored her fingers to his head and tried to pull herself closer, pressing every inch of her body to his, feeling the vibrations in his chest when he moaned. And god was his tongue talented, hot and everywhere in her mouth.

When they pulled away for air they were both panting harshly, cheeks flushed brilliantly and gazes padlocked to each other.

"I mean, wasn't me wanting to kiss you enough of a hint?" Natsu managed to say when his heart sped down a little, a wide grin forming on his face, teeth showing cheekily. Lucy's face seemed to burst into red colours.

"Wha- You can't- Ehhhhh?" Her hand snapped forward to punch him but he caught her wrist, laughing, and kissed her again.

And she couldn't stop a giggle from escaping this time.