I love Nali. That's all I have to say.

Painting Flowers

When we were kids, I used my Dragon Slayer magic to make flowers out of fire for Lisanna.

It always made my day to see her eyes light up with wonder and curiosity at a flower she could not touch. She could only watch and stare as the sparks lit up the night and slowly faded away.

Happy would plop down on her head and sleep as the minutes dragged by without anything to say, and I couldn't have been any happier.

How could I not be?

Time went by, and many birthdays passed. And yet, I still continued to create little fire flowers, which became better and better as my skills grew stronger.

And when I'd have an especially bad day, she would invite me to sit with her by the river and just talk. Happy never tagged along, for a reason unknown to me, but I appreciated it all the same.

Sometimes, I just needed time alone with her to really connect.

And again, I would mold more flowers.

Why didn't Elfman let me go with them on that job that day?

I remember making my way to the guild, opening the door, and having the sight of sorrow almost suffocate me.

Mirajane looked up at me with grief-stricken eyes, and that's when I knew.

She was gone.

I was blind, deaf, and mute at the same time. I knew people were talking to me, but I was completely numb. How I managed to get home on my own is still a mystery to me.

I'm surprised I was able to sleep that night. Maybe the exhaustion that was weighing down on my heart was pulling me into a deep slumber.

I dreamed of her.

Her smile was as radiant as ever, her brilliant blue eyes gazed lovingly at me. I wanted to hug her, but with a flip of her short silver hair, she was gone.

I woke up with sweat covering my whole body.

Happy was very worried for me, and in return, so was I. Lisanna had been like a mother to my blue friend, and I personally knew how it felt to lose a parent.

Anger was my first reaction. I feared I would have demolished the house if the Master hadn't visited.

"Fairy Tail will never forget her," he told me.

That's when the tears finally fell.

Somewhere along the way, the Master left, and all I could feel was Happy at my side, his nose running because of his tears as well.

That night, I told the Master that besides the grave that was at the cemetery, I wanted one to be made at our old child dome. He obliged, and a couple of days later, a gravestone marked the spot where Lisanna and I had kept Happy's egg.

I wasn't the only one who visited.

"It was all my fault..."

Elfman was taking it harder than anyone else. I can't blame him, he was the one responsible for her death, after all.

As much as I wanted to blame him for everything, I couldn't bring myself to do it. How could I make a man who had already lost so much feel even worse?

Instead, I told him that she wouldn't want him to be sad. I spoke truthfully, and it was the first time I had directly spoken about her since her death.

Elfman left, and I stayed.

I took the time to create the best fire flowers I could manage. I covered the entirety of her grave, making sure that no dirt was visible. The flowers lit up throughout the night.

They only lasted till dawn.

...

I found her; I've truly made it home.

Ever since she died, Fairy Tail has ceased to be my true home. Sure, it was where everything I live and care about is, but I can't believe it to be my home 100%. Not without Lisanna present.

But now, she's right here in front of me. All I have to do is reach out and I can touch her. Too bad Lucy gets in the way.

Something is different about her. She's suddenly adopted the "bad girl" attitude and she's complaining about things I don't understand, and that's when Charle says out loud what has dawned on me.

She is not my Lisanna. She doesn't belong to Fairy Tail. She belongs to Edolas.

...

That night, in my hotel room, I'm reminded of all of my past memories, both good and bad. Why did I have to see her face?

I sigh.

Flames spread on my fingertips and take on the shape of flower.

"I'm still making flowers for you, Lisanna."

When I wake up, The dream isn't done

I wanna see your face and know I made it home

If nothing is true, what more can I do?

I am still painting flowers for you ~ All Time Low