EPILOGUE

Lucy observed her empire with a fondness and smile that pleased her beyond anything else. She sat at a picnic table, a gun in a stylish hip holster at her thigh, while she cut a generous slice of apple pie for Little Wendy, one of the Slayers formally known as the Sky Sorceress.

Somethings never changed, while others did.

She watched further down the line as the Slayer Thunder, or Laxus as he was known, was sitting in the sand next to Makarov, his grandfather. That had been a particularly heartwarming reunion for them.

Laxus was talking with Mirajane, his expression carefully controlled but fondness in his eyes. Nearby Cobra, or Erik, was in a fierce drinking contest with Cana, who was shockingly keeping up with the Slayer. However Lucy suspected the bartender, the quiet Kinana, was quietly watering the drinks down the longer they went.

Erik kept smirking at her in such a way he knew precisely what she was doing, but Kinana resolutely did not look at him as she continued her 'generous' pouring.

Not even when a drunk Cana giggled over how absolutely adorable of a couple those two made together. A comment which confused Erik and made Kinana's entire head erupt into a blush.

Lucy's eyes drifted over to where Gray, Natsu, Sting and Rogue were all involved in a very competitive game of beach volleyball. At least until Natsu was kicked out for popping his second ball and Gajeel subbed in. Lucy secretly suspected he wouldn't fair much better.

Natsu however stomped over to her and Wendy, dropping down besides her and looking as though he were on top of the world.

"You look really happy Natsu!" Wendy exclaimed as she bit into the apple pie with a happy hum.

"Course I am!" Natsu cackled, "Nest's happy, an' life is good."

Life was more than good actually. Jude had taken Lucy's threats to heart and had been quietly running the 'family' business since the episode at Cana's. There had been some grumblings over the cancelled wedding, the cheeky little duke had even made the trek out to Magnolia to petition Lucy directly. That had been... entertaining.

Lucy hadn't even planned it. She'd been meeting with Laxus and the rest of the nest over how they were settling in when the little duke had swept into Cana's loudly proclaiming his desire for her hand. She'd been caught so flat footed all she could do was gape at him as the entire diner stilled and an angry Sting had demanded to know who the little toad was that wanted Natsu's queen.

The sight of the 'royal' duke wetting himself at the sight of seven angry slayers had been enough to snap her out of her shock and into a fit of laughter.

Ever since then things had been quiet, and Lucy had a feeling they would stay that way. Between the rumors of the destroyed base, and the cause of its destruction, filtering into the underground community, and the rumors of Lucy's ruthless dealing with Grimoire Heart and her father, the message had been properly sent at last.

Mess with Fairy Tail and Magnolia at your own peril.

And with their little 'guild' growing it would only get stronger.

"Life is good." She agreed, as she took a bite of ice cream, "I could definitely get used to this kind of peace."

"You'd get bored in a month." Natsu grinned at her, "You like the excitement."

Lucy laughed a little at that, "Maybe I do." She replied, "Maybe I should start an actual guild. You know, one where people can send in job requests for us?"

They stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Somehow I don't think that's your style." Natsu purred as he reached around to rub his fingers up her arm, "I'll just have to keep you entertained instead."

"Oh my god!" Levy exclaimed from a little down the beach, drawing everyone's attention, "Gajeel look!"

Gajeel immediately abandoned his game, but it was immediately apparent that it wasn't an emergency given how Levy was laughing at Jutla, "Your daughter takes after you!" She cackled, "Look!"

Lucy moved over to look and burst into laughter as she spotted Jutla screaming with laughter, her tiny fist wrapped tightly around a formless lump of metal.

"Wha-?" Gajeel asked, "But how?"

"Don't ask me!" Levy replied cheerfully, "She made it form all on her own!"

She waved it around happily and Levy gently nudged her daughter over to Gajeel, "go show your papa!"

Jutla squealed and waddled over to her dad, holding the metal out in her chubby palms, "da-da!"

"For me?" Gajeel crouched down and gasped at the lump, holding it in his palms as though it were something precious, "how about that? That's my girl!"

He picked up his daughter, things effectively distracted now since she stole the show. Lucy laughed as she watched the nest and all of Fairy Tail oooh'd and aweee'd over the display.

Natsu wrapped his arms around Lucy, burying his nose into her neck and breathing in deeply.

His eyes were soft on the scene before them, but he turned Lucy while she was distracted and the crowd wouldn't pay attention.

There weren't any words to describe what he felt about this perfect woman, so he cradled her close and kissed her sweetly.

They had gone on an adventure together unlike any other job or mission he ever had. And to think it started off with her almost running him over and cracking him across the head with a bat.

"I love you," he said quietly to her, speaking those words out loud for the first time in his life, regardless of how long they had been together for.

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, not having expected such a sentiment, but she melted into his arms and curled her head under his chin.

"I know," she murmured into his chest, squeezing her odd but perfect lover tight.

She played with the band in his left ring fingers, almost laughing at the absurdity of him only now speaking those words aloud.

"I mean we are married Natsu," she purred to him.

He let out a sharp laugh and clipped his fangs light across her bottom lip.

"That we are." He purred back, "My queen."

Lucy smiled at the draconic term. Natsu had gotten a lot more comfortable with them since he'd been reunited with his nest, and seemed all the happier for it.

"My drake." She teased, leaning up to nip at the tip of his nose. She glanced over at the happy scene, "Maybe one of these days we can add a 'hatchling' or two of our own to the nest." She looked up at him, "Would you like that?"

Natsu's smile was blinding as he kissed her, and Lucy felt her heart overflow with happiness.

Oh yes, life was very good in their little empire.

Exactly as she'd hoped all those years ago when she began to build it.

And that's it! Here's your SPEEDRUN FANFIC. I posted the whole damn thing in one day. My eyes are a little sore. I hope you all enjoyed the story as much as we liked writing it. You guys are the best and even though we're in the My Hero fandom now, we still wanted to bring you this finished story! Thank you so much to everyone who waited for it! - Mslead