Natsu POV
3 weeks later!

It's the end of the year. The snow is falling its no longer sunny skies and the once small cool breeze was now bone chilling. I wandered around the outskirts of town. I've been doing it a lot recently. It was always so quite, so few people came by. I sat on one of the largest branches of my favorite tree that is on the edge of town into a forest of all different types of trees. I loved this one though because I could see the whole town pretty well. Enhanced vision and hearing helps though. The tree's branches were large enough to lay on comfortably.

I leaned back on the trunk and let out a long sigh. You could see the air come out of my mouth. I wasnt cold though, but Luce insisted that I wear a coat over my usual outfit. She also insisted that a wear boots which I didn't really mind. She knows me a little too well though. She picked a long black coat with a hood on it. I loved it. It kind reminded me of the cloak my father gave me.

The town of Magnolia was a natural beauty in the winter time. All the hustle of day to day life in the other seasons was just too much for me sometimes. Now with the snow covering the whole town. No one was out much. No huge crowds that avoided me to the best of their abilities, no overwhelming noises and conversations that I could hear every word of. Well, except for the Fairy Tail guild. The guild was noisier then ever. Lucy went to the guild today, but I ran off to my tree. She was a little disappointed, but I needed a break and she knew that. So she let me go.

I just thought. She said to day was called New Years Eve. It's a celebration for the end of the year she said. I was slightly curious. Mother talked about it every year. Dragons, we celebrated, but not the end of the year. This was the day my father became king. We have a feast and a show, but it was all too much for me. So I always stayed back in the cave and watched the stars and the fireworks in the distance. Then when she died I would watch them alone. My father wasn't happy with me about it at first, but when mother died he let it go. Then after the incident I stopped completely. The cold air blew through the branches. Rattling the smaller ones, swaying the medium ones, but the large ones were unfazed. I sighed contently and drifted off to sleep.
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I woke up. The sky was dark. The snow was still falling. One flake hit me on the nose. I sneezed. "I have been up here for hours!" Now realizing and processing how dark it was. "Yes you have." A voice said from below. It spooked me a little. I sat up and looked down below me. "Oh hey Luce!" I greeted. "I was worried about you. I thought you might have come to the guild later, but you fell asleep and it's 11:20!" I flinched from her loud voice. She giggled "I know you want a break, but we have to make it back to the guild on time for the fireworks!" Fireworks?! That was a trigger word for me now. I thought of mother she would say something like this too me every time I tried to sleep it off.

I jumped down from the tree, landing on the snow behind her. She spun around and smiled at me. I felt her grab my hand and slightly tug on it to follow her. I did and she ran off toward the town. She cheerfully ran while I hesitantly followed. "Luce are you sure they'll want me there?" She stopped, looking down at the ground "after all you've done for all of us?" She looked over her shoulder, back at me. "Heck yeah they will!" She said in a firey attitude that shocked me slightly, but I felt happy. She ran off once again and I followed her just as eagerly.

We ran through the square. I watched as she didn't look where she was going and slipped and slid across the ice still on the ground. I couldn't help, but laugh. It was hilarious. She looked up at me and started laughing too. We bought a quick hot cocoa each. It was nice and warm. Lucy drank a big gulp of it then screamed at how it burned her tongue the lady selling them and I just watched her with smiles on her face. "Yes Luce, even I know hot chocolate is hot." I chuckled at her foolishness.

Then I got a snowball to the face. It took me by surprise. She was laughing and I threw one back at her which resulted in a snowball fight mixed with chase which turned into tag a few minutes later. We made our way down the street I caught her, but tripped causing us both to fall over into the snow. I fell on top of her. Both of our faces were red from the cold and mine was really red from the snowball to the face, but it hid our blushing well. I chuckled nervously and got up off her. "Sorry Luce, I wasn't watching where I was going." She dusted the snow off and smiled up at me. "It's fine Natsu cause we're here."

How did I not notice!? The guild's looming doors were close to us and the wild craziness on the inside that it is, is only a push away. "Let's Go!" Lucy pushes the doors open. "Welcome back Natsu!" Everyone yells! Music plays confetti everywhere. Levy, Juvia and Wendy run up to us. I was so confused. "Since I'm guessing it's your first actually New Years as well as your first New Years with us," Juvia said "we wanted to dedicate it to you Natsu!" Levy finished. "Sorry if it bugs you," Wendy said "we just felt like you've done so much for us after how cruel we were to you. We had to make it up to you!" Wendy said cheerfully. I was still shocked I looked over at Luce who was sweetly smiling at me and nodding. I smiled "Thanks guys" all their faces lit up at the same time. "It's a Go everyone!"

With that the music started again. People were dancing. Some brave souls were facing off against Cana in a drinking contest. None of them beat her. I sweat dropped as she called a barrel of booze her boyfriend. "Yep that's Cana!" Lucy said with cheerful sarcasm. I nodded. We ended up playing the brawling games. Basic people tried to fight me and I won by lifting a finger.

Then Gray and I fought. This time it was different though. Even though we still didn't get along, we were somewhat friends. Now he and I didn't have the I wanna kill you, serious, fights anymore. We fought all the time, but just as everyone else did. He showcased his ice devil slayer powers I laughed. It caught me off guard for a second, but I easily got out of it and beat him.

It was fun, but Luce pulled me out of it and took me up to the second floor where the master was waiting. He had a box beside him. No wait, two boxes! They weren't huge, but it still had me interested. The noise died down a little as the attention was focused up on us. I looked back at Luce, but she was just sweetly smiling. I could tell though that she was a little nervous.

"Natsu," Makarov began "I would like to ask you something." I hesitantly nodded. He sighed "you seemed to have warmed up to the guild a bit. I'm happy that you consider some of us friends and that you are willing to protect those who protect you. You've done so much for this guild and changed so much for the better." I smiled 'yeah I certainly did. "Which is why I would like to do two things."

He opened the first box and pulled out the remote. The remote I dreaded. No way! After all this time! Now!? I tensed and growled slightly. I haven't done that in a while. Makarov waved his hands at me "no no no, relax!" He pushed a button that made a small beeping noise. I felt like a weight has been lifted. Then a clank sounded on the floor. I looked down. The collar! I looked up at Makarov in shock. He smiled "I forced you to fight out of anger and hatred toward your kind, but I realize now that that's the worst thing I have ever done. I'm truly sorry." He bowed his head. I was still shocked. I completely forgot about it. I rubbed my neck. It felt weird without it.

"I will no longer force you to fight, but," he opened the second box. I had no idea what it could be till them smell of ink got to my nose. He pulled out several ink pads. All of them were different colors. Then pulled out a large stamp of the Fairy Tail emblem. This is when the noise completely died down. I knew now what was coming next. "Natsu, would you like to become a true part of our guild? A part of the family?" I felt my breath hitch. I felt nervous. I don't know what to do! I looked back at Luce, but she had the same questioning gaze everyone had except me. "I-I," i stopped myself. After this I would lose my loyalty to the dragon crown. I shook my head clear. I've made up my mind. I gave him a nod. "Yes I would." Makarov smiled. Lucy hugged me. Everyone cheered. "Red on my right shoulder." Makarov nodded and complied. I looked at it. It certainly was a sight that I never thought I would see.

A boom sounded from outside. A girl with short white hair yelled "guys the fireworks have started!" Everyone ran outside. I went to go down the stairs as well, but Lucy stopped me. I looked back at her. She shook her head silently and pulled me with her. I was so confused. She pulled me over into a room with a latter and a hatch on the ceiling. She climbed the latter despite my huge disapproval considering what happened last time! She opened the hatch and signaled for me to follow her. I did. The hatch opened to the roof and I saw the stars in the sky as well as the fireworks. We climbed out onto the roof and sat down watching the fireworks.

"Their so beautiful aren't they?" I smiled "yeah they certainly are." We sat in silence for a second "I feel like I have to get this off my chest." I looked over at her. Today is full of surprises! "That day, I was the one who gave the order to shoot you down." An awkward silence came between us. I chuckled softly "you think thats a bad thing? I wouldn't have been truly alive if it weren't for you. I wouldn't have made so many new friends and done the right thing if it weren't for you." I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close "so thank you."

I pulled out a small box from my pocket and gave it to her. "Here, open it." She looked at me curiously and hesitantly opened it. Tears streamed down from her face. "Merry Late Christmas Luce." She pulled it out of the box gently. It was a onyx heart necklace with a silver chain and a silver rim, and on both sides were a red dragon design. "I love it! Thank you." I smiled and nodded. I put it on her per her request. She put her hand on it. we continued to watch the firework as a large white firework of the Fairy Tail emblem went off followed by cheering. It signaled the new year. "Happy New Year Natsu!" I smiled at her. "Happy New Year Luce."

"Mai ship!" I heard someone yell from behind us. We both turned around to see Mira staring at us with that look. Then Juvia grabbed her and dragged her off the roof. We both blushed and turned around embarrassed. Silence filling the air. "Hey Natsu," i looked over at her curiously "can I try something?" Her face was red and so was mine and the cold couldn't hide it this time. I nodded "sure Luce," but before I could say anymore I was cut off by a pair of lips on mine. 'She's kissing me!' My inner voice was screaming, but before I could react, she pulled away and stood up "I'm sorry! That was so wrong of me!" Her face showed that she was extremely flustered.

She went to walk away but before she could I stood up and grabbed her. She looked back at me confused. I pulled her towards me and put my arms around her waist so she couldn't escape. "Natsu what are you," i cut her off putting my lips on hers. Kissing her passionately. It took her a second, but she kissed back. We stayed like that for a few seconds before pulling apart. She gave me the sweeties smile I ever saw. I chuckled "I love you Lucy Heartfilia." She smirked and playfully booped my nose "I love you too Natsu Dragneel." 

...OVER 2000 WORDS! This is the longest chapter I have ever written in any of my books! Thank you all for your support. This would have been out earlier if wattpad hadn't crashed and made me retype half of it! Sorry guys. Hope you all have had a great 2019 and have a wonderful New Years. Stay positive my friends. Arigato!