Loke looked up at the night sky over Magnolia, he had experienced a lot in his time, so much pain and sorrow. He pondered for a time if he would ever find true happiness, an owner who cared, someone, he would be proud of and someone who could be proud of him. He never in a million years thought he would find someone as amazing as the powerful woman who stood next to him, also gazing at the stars. She had become a pillar for him, she gave him so much strength and for that, he was beyond grateful. In his darkest moment, she was there, when he wanted nothing more than to die for what had happened four years ago, she gave him hope, and helped him heal. And now they stood side by side, and although they had many times before, this time he felt it was different. He could feel things changing and he wanted them to, his teasing, flirting and comments had held a much deeper meaning and he wanted nothing more than to tell her exactly what she meant to him.

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The stars were beautiful, twinkling, shining, dancing over the dark blue canvas above them. Lucy had always loved the stars, she saw her spirits in them, and she saw herself as well. The more time she spent with Loke, the more she felt as if she had someone who loved the stars as much as she did. Tonight had been a surprise, he had asked her to walk around the city with him and she couldn't refuse, but she was scared if she was being honest with herself. It was one thing to admit to herself that she had a crush on him, it was another to break down walls and admit it to him. She wanted to though, she wanted to be a little selfish and she secretly wanted him to be selfish with her. The blonde mange could feel the warmth spreading across her cheeks and she felt relieved that it was dark out so he couldn't see. She stole a glance over at him and was surprised to see he was looking at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked, cursing herself a little as her voice broke.

"I'm just enjoying the view." his voice was soft and sincere, Lucy felt her heart rise in her throat as he reached out across the darkness and took her hand.

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"I have been fighting with myself for months Lucy, I'm not perfect and I know it, I caused a lot of suffering in the past and I felt as though the stars were lost to me." His voice cracked and he took a deep breath, "For a long time I didn't think that there were any more good celestial wizards out there, but then I met you." He smiled and took her other hand, his heart was pounding in his chest and he was relieved that she had not pulled away, she seemed speechless and he knew he had to lay his heart out while he still had the chance, even if there was a chance she would reject him. "Lucy you've taught me so much strength, you've helped me see light, not even I knew existed. You've shown me true compassion and believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, you are the reason I'm as powerful as I am today. You've helped me see the stars again, and I see them every time I look into your eyes, they're the most beautiful stars I've ever seen and I can't help but have fallen in love with them." She must have been able to hear his heart pounding at this point, it was almost deafening in his own ears and it was hard for him to get the words out. "Lucy, I've fallen in love with more than just those stars though, I've fallen in love with you." He had done it. He had told her exactly how he felt and he just prayed now that she felt the same way, even in the pale light in he could still see the blush deepening across her cheeks and he bit his tongue, his heart stopped as she looked away but there was still hope as he felt her fingers lace through his own.

"Loke..." she was so quiet and he could feel the tears threaten to well, he wouldn't let them fall through, if this wasn't what she wanted then he would still be her friend, he would still be there for her and protect her no matter what, she was still the world to him even if she didn't share his feelings. "Loke, I-I" she bit her bottom lip as she stuttered frustrated, but then his world changed, he almost didn't hear it she was so quiet, "I love you too."