His words, his warmth and the feel of his arms around her - it was almost enough to make her tear up again. She managed to hold it back, knowing full well she was only going to cry later, into her pillows, when she was alone.

She wanted a spell. She wanted something to take away the pain and sadness. She couldn't bear knowing her father and her mother were both gone. An emotional blow - though she might think such words privately to herself, in a normal frame of mind she wouldn't say it out loud.

But the vulnerability brought it out in her. "Natsu..." She tightened her arms around him, taking comfort in his warmth. He was right - she had him, and she had Erza - and back home she had all of Fairy Tail, Levy, Gray, Wendy - everyone who supported her when she was troubled.

"Don't leave me alone."

It could be taken in the short term for right there, right then - or the long term. But either way, she couldn't bear it if she ever lost him. Any of her friends, really, but especially him.