Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any way, shape or form.
Writing about a younger Natsu and Lucy is pretty cute~
I came up with the idea recently. I may actually expand this into a series of a few other one-shots based on an innocent friendship that they could have as children in an AU universe.
Happy Birthday to Lucy! It's just ironic that the first chapter is also about – Never mind. I might be spoiling.
I hope that you all enjoy~!
They Met in the Summer
01 – He Came With a Promise
The playground was unusually silent that afternoon. The laughter of children didn't ring high, nor was there even the tiniest sound of a gentle breeze.
It seemed lonely.
The little girl padded towards the deserted swing set, rusted and worn from years of use. She walked with no spring in her step, and almost seemed forlorn. The young girl's face showed slightly dried tear tracks, and chocolate brown eyes which usually flowed with warmth were rimmed with red. Her face held a frown, sadder than many a person may compare. The girl seemed heartbroken, and any passer-by - had there been any - would have almost immediately stopped at the sight of her to question whatever had been troubling her.
Sadly, no such thing had happened.
With a heavy sigh, she sat herself on the middle swing. Her hands gripped the chains the held it up. She began to sway, her toes dragging across the sand. She absentmindedly made swirls with her foot, taking small delight in such a simple action.
Although the solitude was somewhat comforting, she wondered whether she was going to be all alone in what was meant to be a fun gathering place.
Why was it that her life was so lonely? She lived under the facade of happiness, but truly, she just felt lonesome; a girl with no-one to turn to.
Even on the most important day of the year, she was still left abandoned.
The creaking of her swing echoed. Consumed by her thoughts, she hadn't even noticed when small droplets had run down her pale cheeks, sprinkling onto the ground below.
Let alone when another person had managed to join her in that secluded place.
Her attention was caught when she heard the swing beside her creak from movement, in time with her own. Eyes widening in surprise, she glanced up to see the person who came to sit beside her.
Oddly enough, it wasn't the unusual, vividly pink hair that shocked her first, but the widespread grin that he gave. It was so full of warmth and optimism; infectious to the point that after staring at it for just a second, a smile of her own had formed. It felt like a foreign entity – not something that she was quite used to having on her face.
"Why are you sitting here all alone weirdo?"
She had to rub her eyes to make sure that she hadn't fallen asleep while swinging around, or anything of the sort. Had someone actually approached her? Had someone actually just spoken to her?
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" the boy questioned, his tone a tad bit annoyed. He waved a hand in front of her face, to check whether or not she was paying attention. She shook her head, snapping her out of the disbelieving daze to nod vigorously at him in reply.
He stared at her, pointed eyes scrutinising her as if she were some mysterious alien that he had seen in one of those Sci-Fi films. Although they were a deep charcoal black, she could see a fiery spark from within. He didn't seem to be that much older than her; at most, a one year age gap or so.
Peculiarly, he was wearing a white scarf, the pattern looking almost like dragon scales, even though it was summer.
"Hi..." she mumbled, nervous at the fact that her brain had formed a word and processed it to come out of her mouth.
"So you can talk!" the boy exclaimed, making an utterly incredulous face which was enough to make her give a small giggle. At hearing the sound, his grin seemed to have spread wider. "And now you're smiling! You were sad earlier. I don't like it when people are sad. Why were you sad?"
He spoke at a breakneck speed, but it was his last question that froze her. Should she basically explain her predicament to this mysterious but adorably friendly boy? Or should she stay silent and wait for him to walk away.
At the point in time, the former choice was actually looking bright.
"Umm..." she uttered quietly, staring back down at the ground below. "Itwasmybirthdaytoday."
The boy blinked; clearly confused at the incomprehensible statement she had given.
She gulped, trying to ease her nerves, though it was a fruitless attempt. "It... It was my birthday today... But my Daddy forgot again... Like every other year."
He must have had amazing hearing, to hear words which she had barely whispered, because in another surprise to join the list, he moved forward to place his hand on her head. She flinched slightly, but calmed when she noticed that his hand was warm – a cosy type of warm. She looked at him with slightly watery eyes, confused at the gesture.
His eyes were trained to look away from her, and he appeared to be flustered. "Nobody should be alone on their birthday! So if you don't have anyone... then we'll just celebrate it together."
For a moment, it was like time had stopped. The statement slowly sunk into her system, and she couldn't help it when she expressed her total shock with a sharp gasp. She rubbed her eyes again, hoping that it wasn't all a mistake, or a dream, or a figment of her imagination.
The boy wanted to celebrate her birthday.
He wanted to celebrate her birthday.
"I... I think that I'd like that. A lot."
It was his turn to be surprised. He actually hadn't been expecting a response, more to the point a kind response. But still, something in him compelled him to just talk to the girl. Finding out that it was her birthday and she was spending it alone – no person deserved something like that. Even if they were just some weird girl that he'd never met before.
It was just a plus that the little girl had the prettiest smile he'd ever laid eyes on.
He stuck his hand out, turning his head back so that they could see each other eye to eye. "My name's Natsu! And I promise to give you the best birthday celebration that you've ever had! And after that, I promise that we'll become the bestest of friends!"
For a moment, she was hesitant. Should she be so trusting to a boy she'd just met?
However, with one glance at his confident grin and tempting hand, she just couldn't say no.
Placing her own hand on top of his, she hopped off the swing. Wiping away the unshed tears in her eyes, the corner of her lips quirked up, forming a tiny smile. "My name's Lucy and I have no doubt that you'll definitely keep your promises."
After a short, awkward silence, they both laughed, the sound ringing high and clear throughout the playground. Without letting go of his grip, he began running forward, and Lucy could only hold on and believe that his promise wasn't just full of baloney.
Her faith held true, and to put it simply, it was the start of a wonderful friendship.
