I think this is an inevitable pairing, like Haru and Ellie from Rave. Mashima has made countless hints towards this pairing happening, and I truly believe it will happen. Though, the inevitable canon of this pairing isn’t what I like about it. My favorite part of this couple, is how much Natsu and Lucy need one another.
Natsu needs Lucy to be there for him. He obviously has some issues with people leaving him (i.e Igneel and Lisanna) and he needs someone who is going to be a stable part of his life. I think he really realized that Lucy wasn’t ever going to leave him on Tenrou Island during the battle with Kain. If you look closely that’s around the time he started treating her a little differently, a little nicer. I also believe that he needs her to balance him out. Lucy often puts an end to his eccentric ideas, but goes along with his adventurous ones. I don’t think he can see a difference sometimes. She’s also patient enough with him and his Natsu-like behavior.
Lucy needs Natsu to make her smile. We’ve all seen that Lucy never smiles quite as much as she does when she’s around Natsu. She also needs him to care about her. Having a childhood like she did, without her parents really being there for her, (yes her mother was dead, but still) she needs someone that she can rely on. Even though she does not need Natsu in particular to save her all the time, she does need someone who will try. She needs someone to care. Natsu is definitely a good match for that.
More than that, they understand one another. Lucy understands his need to find Igneel before starting any romance, and Natsu understands that Lucy doesn't need a savior, but rather a friend. Above all, they're best friends, and that's the best factor for a romance. (The picture below is from the first epid
Natsu needs Lucy to be there for him. He obviously has some issues with people leaving him (i.e Igneel and Lisanna) and he needs someone who is going to be a stable part of his life. I think he really realized that Lucy wasn’t ever going to leave him on Tenrou Island during the battle with Kain. If you look closely that’s around the time he started treating her a little differently, a little nicer. I also believe that he needs her to balance him out. Lucy often puts an end to his eccentric ideas, but goes along with his adventurous ones. I don’t think he can see a difference sometimes. She’s also patient enough with him and his Natsu-like behavior.
Lucy needs Natsu to make her smile. We’ve all seen that Lucy never smiles quite as much as she does when she’s around Natsu. She also needs him to care about her. Having a childhood like she did, without her parents really being there for her, (yes her mother was dead, but still) she needs someone that she can rely on. Even though she does not need Natsu in particular to save her all the time, she does need someone who will try. She needs someone to care. Natsu is definitely a good match for that.
More than that, they understand one another. Lucy understands his need to find Igneel before starting any romance, and Natsu understands that Lucy doesn't need a savior, but rather a friend. Above all, they're best friends, and that's the best factor for a romance. (The picture below is from the first epid