hertlerzsker here with a new series: NaLu week! All of these are my take on the prompts provided. Please also note that all of my written works, including this series, can be found on my tumblr account summonedlightning. Enjoy!
Day One: Wander
He's walking aimlessly—right foot forward, left foot caught in the reaching hands of his past.
Bright, sunny days filled with laughter and smiles haunt his sleep each night as he lays alone, rocking himself to sleep. But then, like always, he is reminded of the scaly back that used to gently sway underneath him as they twirled through the clouds.
His echoing footsteps seem almost like a desperate prayer to his heavy heart—pat… please be there… pat… take me home… pat… pat… But the road remains long, the winds silent as they tenderly caress his skin. Some days he feels as though the dirt path is mocking him, as if saying that there's no use; turn back now, silly boy. He's gone, that same voice whispers, he's left you and he's never coming back. Go home.
And he does, but only for a second—
Because the once silent wind is carrying a voice to him that sounds like home, and the sun catches on strands of golden hair. An angel is suddenly running towards him, yelling and screaming and waving a fist but he couldn't possibly care. He is pulled into a warm body that seems almost too soft and fragile under his rough hands as that same voice whispers into his hair.
"You idiot, haven't you learnt?"
His breath threatens to hitch as he whispers her name, too shocked to fully comprehend that his Lucy is here, chasing after him, stroking his hair and he's not alone anymore.
"It's more fun when we're both getting lost."
Her sunshine smile beams up at him from where her chin rests on his chest, and he feels as though his lungs have collapsed under the weight of all that is her. Her fingers raking through his hair slowly bring a smile to his face until he is grinning.
"Oi, you're the one that can't read a map," he grins slyly at her, watching in amusement as her cheeks puff up.
"That was one time! Once, okay? You're the one that brought the wrong damn map!"
"Ya sure 'bout that, Luce? I think it was more than once…"
"Natsu Dragneel! C'mere so I can throttle you!"
They're both laughing as they run down the path towards places unknown, the wind at their backs urging them on.
"Where are we even going?" she yells from behind him as they jog towards the setting sun.
"Dunno! Let's just wander for a bit!"
Later, as they rest on a grassy cliff somewhere in the middle of Fiore, he swears she is heaven-sent. Because not only does she seem to understand him better than he himself can, but she is warm, and she is gentle, and she is patient with him—something he's missed for over eight long years. He can finally rest his wandering feet.
But, most of all, he is never alone anymore. She will always be right there beside him, no matter the circumstance.
He has finally found his true home.