A/N: Heya guys. wiErD here and I have a new story for you all.
As I was saying from the last month, I'm taking part of the NaWen Week created by our community in honor of this ship so this story would be different. And even though through the end of the manga, I still believe this is my only OTP so it's natural that I write for their sake. Unfortunately, I got a few setbacks during my time of the week so I wasn't able to post this chapter right on time starting from July 23 so I apologize for these late-ass uploads. Hopefully, I can deliver what I can in order for you all to appreciate it.
Anyways, leaving at that, there will be themes, each describing how the relationship in this pairing is portrayed in my eyes IF such a development occurs with these two, starting in this order.
Day 1 Hidden Feelings
Day 2 Neglect
Day 3 Confession
Day 4 First Date
Day 5 Conflict
Day 6 Reconciliation
Day 7 Family
So let's get started.
Oh, and didn't I mention time skips? Yeah, these themes have it all.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its elements. All belong to its respective owner. Support the official release.
- Hidden Feelings -
...
Things start out as simple understandings.
Even life begins in its simplest being.
And over time, it becomes complex―difficult to understand.
My feelings of admiration for him are but a simple adoration.
And who would've known that these feelings would turn into something―
―That I would come to crave for the most.
...
July 23, X795. Inside Fairy Hills.
The light of the new morning was the first thing she saw as Wendy shook herself awake, flickering her eyes from the blinding rays coming from her window. She slowly rubbed her eyes to shake off the drowsiness before slowly gazing at the open window where she saw the light.
It's her usual morning as the sound of the birds chirped in their nests and the morning dew vanished from the far high mountains. Her body still under the effects of her sleep, slowly began to spring back to life. She yawned silently, stretching both her hands upward to further shake off the drowsy feeling inside her.
After a moment, she finally woken up.
She took a few minutes of silence for herself before tracing her eyes onto her left as she saw much of her room which coupled with several furnitures and stuff that housed all of her things. Seemingly everything related to her everyday necessities could be seen such as clothes, chairs, tables, etc.
Afterward, she leaned right over the edge of her bed, spotting an empty cat bed which her Exceed was supposed to sleep.
It looks like she already went outside before she could wake up.
Leaning her body back to the bed, she shifted away from her room interior and gazed into the window once again. The sight of the distant town etched right into her mind as she recalled a lot of memories that contained a lot of memorable things.
Why did she suddenly started reminiscing about her past?
It's an unusual feeling, unknowingly looking back to something that happened a long time ago.
She stared at the scenery for a moment as her thoughts trailed off. A short silence assailed in the air, leaving only the sounds of nature to enter her ears as she began to ponder a lot of things in her mind.
It's been always like this for her recently.
Every time she would find a time to indulge herself, she would begin recalling the past, thinking deeply of every moment she saw in her eyes no matter how small or vague that memory had become. Usually, she wouldn't do this with others around her so being alone gives her the only time to do this kind of thing.
Having only herself to understand these recurring thoughts in her mind, she felt troubled to cope with them.
And at some point, certain feelings do surface as she looked back at the times she spent along with her friends.
―Thoughts that kept bugging her until now.
―The strange feeling she had felt ever since that time.
'Why... What is this feeling that I don't understand?'
She contemplated, placing her hand on her chest where she felt the faint beating of her heart reacting to her thoughts as she thought about that person. She could not understand the current feelings inside and would grow strong whenever she thinks of him.
It wasn't anything serious to her but over time, she began to worry herself about it, keeping it to herself without telling anyone. She wanted to make sure of everything if it's just something that she could easily get over with if taken enough time.
However, that feeling never faded in her.
By that time, she could not help but feel conscious.
She knew it's just a feeling of admiration but even then, she could no longer see it that way.
―Because it had turned into something new.
Her eyes stared softly at the window once more as her thoughts occupied her for a moment. Drowning in her pool of thoughts, her lips slowly opened.
'Natsu-san.'
...
It was ten in the morning.
Breakfast had already been served for the tenants of the dorm and Wendy had already changed into her usual clothes as she joined along with the other girls living with her. Her outfit consisted only of a light blue top with tiny white frills on edges and short white pants, reaching only to her legs in midsection.
Choices of fashion change in the growing years as Wendy grew out from her younger days and began wearing the same standard outfit as that of every teenage girl. She valued simple ones and doesn't think that much about the style of clothes.
Simplicity could also bring some charm into it―she thought.
...
The bluenette made her way downstairs, greeting some of the tenants along the way as she proceeded to the kitchen.
A long table is seen coupled with multiple chairs in which some of them were occupied by familiar faces as she easily recognized them due to the time she spent with them in the dorm together. The remaining vacant chairs brought her to think that the others either might still be sleeping soundly in their rooms or they might've already gone on their way to the guild.
She didn't bother asking too much about it as she sat on one of the chairs to eat breakfast.
The sound of the utensils clashing filled the room as some of the other girls began talking during their meals. Wendy seemed fine enough to speak but she had nothing to talk about or anything to start up a conversation so she silently ate without giving much of any presence of her in the kitchen.
Today's breakfast was quieter than usual.
Soon afterward, Erza came out from her room with her hair visibly messy at first glance as the girls all turned to her like it's a normal thing.
"Morning, everyone~"
"Morning... Better get up soon. It's already late, you know." Levy, one of the girls who sat beside Wendy spoke to the scarlet woman as she notified her.
"Yeah, yeah... I'll be there in the second." The tired woman yawned as she drew herself back to her room to prepare.
It's pretty interesting to note how the scarlet knight could show such an unladylike manner when asleep or half-awake. No one from the outside had seen this side of her as most see her as a strict woman with a strict moral sense of justice.
Wendy had simply thought about that as she sipped into her cup, watching the whole morning go by.
"Thank you for the meal."
She turned to head back to her room to get prepare some things until Levy's voice called her back.
"Hey, Wendy. Wanna tag along with me to the guild later?"
The bluenette made a short pause before letting out a soft smile.
"Sure thing." She saw her nodding her head which seemed to be a sign of confirmation from the bookworm herself.
Without anything to bother her downstairs, she proceeded back to her room.
Arriving at the hall, she soon found her best friend standing near their door as if pondering something in thought.
"What are you doing out here, Carla?"
The white feline was startled from her sudden appearance which brought her to a short stutter.
"W-Wendy... I'm just about done. A-Are you going in by any chance?"
The tone of her voice looks to be someone who's nervous at something. Wendy could pretty much guess what was going on. It's not like they both knew each other that long to be able to notice what was going on between them. It was more of an intuition since today seems to be a special day for the white cat. As such, she didn't want to pry any more questions about her meeting with a certain someone.
"I was until I saw you standing at the door." She replied as she slowly approaches right beside her.
"I-I see... I'm just about done here as well so I should be on my way. Are you going to be alright by yourself?"
"I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself, alright? I'll meet you at the guild once I'm finished up here, okay?" She voiced in reassurance in which made the Exceed relieved as she adopted a smile.
"Alright then..."
Wendy gave a smile of satisfaction as she watched the white feline unfurled her wings before headed straight downstairs.
"I hope Happy accepts your confession." She saw her quickly lose her composure as Carla was left stuttered in mid-sentence, glancing right back only to see her closing the door before she could retort against her friend's tease.
Since when did she become this sharp-witted?
...
Wendy closed the door right behind her as soon as she finished her conversation with the Exceed. She rested her back against the door as she released a deep sigh before sliding her body back down to the floor. She sat with her legs slightly bent as her thoughts wavered once again. Her body relaxed from the tension she'd been having ever since that morning.
For some reason, she didn't feel like doing anything. But the impulse of getting to the guild would always push her ahead because of the things to look forward to.
She stared into open space as the feeling hadn't vanished yet.
She can't go out like this.
She wouldn't want to worry the others because of this complicated feeling.
In response, she got back on her feet again before lightly slapping her cheeks to snap her way out of her daze. She shouldn't slack off today as there are a lot of things she wanted to look forward to this day.
After clearing her thoughts, she went out to the door once again. Since she waited inside the room, most of the other girls already ventured out to the guild. The young woman walked down only to see Levy and Erza waiting for her at the entrance door with the latter seemingly checking out the hall one last time before locking it to regroup with them.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"Don't worry. We were also just about finished up here. Ready to go?"
"Sure."
"Alright! Let's go!"
And with that, the three departed from the dorm and walked the road.
The trip didn't go in silence as Levy and Erza chattered amongst themselves with the former discussing her future with Gajeel. Of course, such topic isn't really a suitable thing to discuss openly for both the latter and the bluenette since they're always getting flustered in the process.
A lot of things happened ever since after the war.
It's been three years since then.
The world had started rebuilding itself from the ravages of battles and destruction that occurred between two continents. You could say, a new era has finally dawned at the end of this war. An era of peace and stability between both sides and also for the eradication of Acnologia thanks to the combined efforts of her alongside with other dragonslayers.
Well, she can't really say that it was only them alone who did the work. All the people of Ishgar had contributed to that one last battle in defeating the evil dragon once and for all and bring peace to Earthland.
Wendy had grown quite a lot in these past few years as she gained a lot of height in which she now stood equal to Levy and slightly lower to Erza who's currently the tallest in the group. Her body had undergone a lot of change as well as she slowly developed womanly curves which she's still getting used to due to wishfully thinking about having one despite years of losing hope to her slow physical development.
She also grew out from her innocent self and now sport a feminine beauty charm as her hair became silkier and longer than before. At one time, she eventually stopped tying her hair and decided to let it all flow down naturally like Erza's cascaded scarlet hair.
Her personality also underwent drastic changes but some bits of her once childlike personality tends to linger around once in awhile which included her usual timid nature.
Nevertheless, these years have changed her a lot along with other people whom she spent alongside with.
"Hey, so Wendy. Have you considered getting a boyfriend?"
Cutting through her train of thoughts, her eyes widened as soon as she heard Levy asking her directly with a question. Around the same time, her face slowly blushed due to the nature of the topic that she lost track of in due to their thoughts.
"U-Uh―Ummm, what?"
"I'm telling you, have you considered looking for a boyfriend? You've been out of it ever since last year. You've been spacing quite often as if you've been thinking a lot of things in your mind."
"A-Ah, I never really thought about it. It's nothing to worry about. It is just as you said, I've been thinking a lot of things lately."
"Like what?"
"Umm, something difficult to understand, I guess..." She didn't know how to put it in words.
"Would you like to tell us about it? Erza's here so she knew a lot of things." Levy looked at the red-haired woman who merely smiled proudly, wanting to answer to her expectations.
"That's right. If something's troubling you, I'm obliged to help out."
Wendy is not the kind of person who would want to burden others with her problems so she kindly denied their offers as she held both her hands up front in reassurance to them.
"Y-You don't have to worry about me, really. It's just a small thing. It'll get over soon." She smiled softly which only caused them to pause for a moment before dismissing the subject.
"Okay, if you insist. Just try not to bottle that up all to yourself. We're here for you, okay?" Erza reminded, her face showing signs of care for the sky dragonslayer teen.
"Of course, I'll do my best, Levy-san."
With her topic out of the way, the mood changed as Levy returned back to her usual topic in which the other two simply smiled along as they continued their conversation.
...
The three stood in front of the large building after arriving just in time to witness it open for the day. The building had undergone some repairs and remodeling due to it not withstanding fully throughout the war. This place had suffered a lot of damage and who knows just how many times it has been rebuilt due to it not surviving from its previous disasters.
Nevertheless, it's their home and it's the only place where they can share their happy moments and memories with their friends who stood alongside them in times of conflict.
Wendy felt an unusual feeling right inside her heart as she looked at the emblem located right in front of the guild's middle floors where a large banner is seen, carrying the same sign that was engraved onto her right shoulder as it gave her a sense of nostalgia.
Every time she looked at it, it reminded her the warmth that she had when she first entered inside.
After suffering a cold passing of her previous guild, she was welcomed with open arms by the people who accepted her despite her nature as a dragonslayer in which she thought would be upsetting in the eyes of others due to her young age of holding such magic.
A lot of complicated things happened here and there but that was years from now and the people had already accepted her of who she is and she was gladly happy for it.
Erza moved ahead to open the door as they were greeted by the nostalgic sight of their everyday lives inside this guild.
*CRASH*
Yup...
The eternally sweet atmosphere was quickly shattered as a body was first seen in front of their eyes. One part of the nostalgic experience was, unfortunately, one of these situations.
Chairs were flying up high, tables were turned and the intoxicating scent of booze filled the air with the brim laughter and noise of the people working inside. Guildmates fighting other guild mates in the contest of rivalry. Others just wanted to throw themselves into the fray to liven things up―with the cost of structural damage of course.
None of these people had the word 'careful' in their heads so why bother about the damage?
Wendy felt a cold sweat running down her forehead as she engrossed herself in this nostalgic sight.
...Ah, this scene never gets old no matter how much time passed.
The three stood blankly as the young woman felt another cold sweat dripping from her forehead after seeing the shadowed look on the redhead's face.
It almost seemed like she was already guessing the patterns how this day would turn out even with just looking at these scenes over and over again.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU IDIOTS ARE DOING?!"
...
After a few moments of beating up the perpetrators for disturbing the peace inside the guild, the place was returned to normal. Wendy had reunited with the two as they sat on one of the tables alongside with their other friends―well, some of them since a certain two were found knocked out cold after a severe beating from the scarlet knight herself.
And from what it looks like, the two needed some treatment.
Wendy couldn't tell if she would want to heal them first or fear of another fight breaking out which would spark the same scene over again.
Well, she chose the former.
Not wanting to get in the wrath of the Titania now, aren't we?
"Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... I thought the guild's gonna blow up any second soon. Good thing you arrived just in time, Erza." Lucy cried out in relief as she was one of the people who stood witness of the guild turning into some kind of a battlefield every time brawl breaks out.
"They deserved it. Just when I thought today would come out as normal for us, I'd find it being ruined by another of their pointless fights." Erza sighed. Her mood looking worse as ever after delivering punishment to the ones who started it all.
"Can't help it. These people aren't really getting that much fight ever since the war, you know." Lucy joked.
"It's not really assuring to hear that. The world almost ended."
"I know, I know... I'm just kidding. But you can't stop these people every day. It's like every usual thing ever."
"Well, if it's going to be like that, I'm just going to minimize the destruction at the very least."
"Right."
The conversation continued for awhile until Natsu and Gray finally woke up from their sleep as both of them rubbed their heads after wincing in pain from the smack done by Erza. It looks like the two had calmed down for now as they turned towards the group in surprise.
"Oh, I didn't you realize you guys would be here."
"You just didn't notice because we're knocked out cold, remember?"
"I'm not talking to you, Stripper!"
"You wanna go?!"
Just when things are about to settle down, these two had already relit their spark which only then released Erza's seething aura.
"Didn't I told you two to quiet down?!"
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE! WE'RE SORRY!"
Noticing her tone of voice, the two rivals immediately obeyed her as if they were her loyal dogs. No one could really expect how these two remained to their former selves after all these years. It's quite a shock that there's not a single change that happened with these two except for several instances. It is as if these two intend to retain this kind of relationship at the very end of their lives.
Really, a true sworn rival pact between two people.
"Anyways... we should also get a job soon since none of us have anything to do at the moment so why don't you take Wendy and scout ahead from the Request Board, Natsu." Changing the topic, Erza looked at the pinkette in anticipation.
"A-Ah, sure..." Natsu quickly abided to her orders as Wendy too also jolted into attention upon hearing her name.
The pinkette looked over to the blue-haired teen who happens to be looking at him by chance as he walked to her, urging her to come along.
"Let's go, Wendy..."
"U-Um―yeah sure..."
And with that, the two left the group as they make their way over to the Request Board located near the bar counter. Since their table was pretty much far from it, the two had to walk for quite awhile. At that moment, Natsu had already begun speaking openly as if complaining.
"That Erza... Ordering me around like that. It's not my fault for destroying those tables." It looks he was still bitter about the whole thing that happened earlier.
Wendy forcedly smiled as to show reassurance since she doesn't know the words to help him in his situation.
"...O-Oh, and sorry for involving you, Wendy. I didn't really mean it. It would be fine if I'm the only one who took the request."
"It's fine. You don't have to worry about that. It's not that I'm bothered to come along. I think I just wanted to walk for a bit as well, you know." She flailed her hands in reassurance earning his confusion which would then turn into relief.
"Is that so? Well, I'm glad. I honestly didn't tag along with you and Carla enough though so I was hoping I could spare you some time alone as well." He muttered.
"Really?"
"Yeah... Speaking of which, have you seen Happy around? I tried looking for him in the house but he didn't say a word about leaving first." He asked, his face adopting another set of confused looks to their conversation.
"Ah, I thought you knew..."
"What?"
"Actually, Carla had been asked out by Happy on a date so they had to share their time alone for now."
What happened after only made the pinkette more surprised.
"R-Really?! Did they finally hit it off?!" Asking as if looking really surprised about the revelation.
"Well, that depends on what would happen later. So to speak, they won't be coming with us on our job today."
"I-I see... I oughta congratulate him once I get back." Seeing him praising his partner, Wendy could only giggle in response.
"What? Is something wrong with what I've said?"
"Nothing. It's just that... you're always looking out for him. I thought you wouldn't notice their relationship."
"Nah, I kinda knew how Happy likes Carla but I didn't pay attention to it awhile back so I thought about doing something about it. You know... supporting them and congratulating them―that sort of thing." He sheepishly replied, having to scratch at the back of his head in response.
On the other hand, Wendy thought out in surprise to his words since he's pretty much paying attention to others, especially their feelings.
Let it be known that the pinkette hadn't much of any care towards romances and other things. The only things that kept him busy are food and fighting which pretty much suits his dense character.
For him to act mature towards their Exceeds' relationship, he pretty much did it well enough.
Like a father to a son giving a good nod to his first date, it seems like he was starting to get conscious about it as well. Wendy wondered what made him took such action to change. The reason, however, remains unknown.
Looking at how their conversation is going, it looks like it's going pretty well for the two of them. This is rather the first time they've ever talked this much about their personal lives.
After a moment of silence, Natsu began changing the topic.
"So, hey―uhh... How are you doing right now?"
"What?" Wendy asked, not fully understanding his question just now.
"I mean, how're you holding up? These past few years, I mean. It's pretty tough now that Carla isn't around you all the time."
"Well, I did feel a bit lonely when she started going out but I wanted to be independent even without her around so I can bear this much for myself. Plus, there's Erza and the others who can keep me company back at the dorm."
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear it." For some reason, he sounded a bit relieved after saying that.
Was he confirming about something?
Wendy thought that for a moment after noticing that unusual behavior but her thoughts soon came to a stop after hearing his next question.
"Say, Wendy, do you like someone?"
Of course, she would stop functioning―not literally―since she heard this from him who would never ask such a thing. Then again, she's been thinking about how he's changed over these past few years so this development shouldn't be this shocking to her.
Aside from that, the bluenette felt her cheeks rising up in heat as her face immediately became flustered. For some reason, she felt embarrassed hearing it from him but it didn't stop her from managing a reply.
"W-W-Why do you ask?" She looked at him as she tried regaining her composure while Natsu had his face seemingly in deep thought.
"Why you ask... I'm just curious. You know... things like that. Is it bothersome to be asked like that?"
Well, this is certainly interesting. Simply giving an answer of curiosity could probably mean with many things. But Wendy couldn't stop her blush yet as she couldn't control her embarrassment in the process. Her mind was literally filled with confusion and who knows just how she could answer back to him right away.
"N-No, it's alright! It's just that... I'm surprised."
"Surprised?"
"Yeah."
"What part of my question made you surprised?"
"All of it."
"You're weird..."
"That I am... I'm sorry about that." Wanting to make sure of things, Wendy thought about derailing off topic until she found him laughing for some reason.
Her composure already returned as soon as she saw him acting like that.
Did she say something funny?
"U-Umm... Natsu-san?"
"I'm sorry, Wendy! It's just that―it's just really you." He couldn't stop laughing at her as Wendy felt entirely puzzled in the process.
"Huuuh?"
"Your way of talking suits really like you! That's why I can't help it! Haha!"
It was then she realized what he was laughing at. Her face adopted a rather upsetting look as she puffed her cheeks peevishly.
"Muoooo... There you go again, Natsu-san."
This is the first time he'd actually teased her like this. Natsu would never take the time to tease someone as silly as this since he often does this as a way of livening things up. In truth, he only does this to Lucy but she never thought about him doing something as to tease her on his own accord.
Meanwhile, Natsu finally got over his laugh as he looks at her with the same displeased expression.
"But you know... I'm really glad."
"Hmm? What did you say?"
"Nothing... Anyways, let's get going. I wanna pick some good job requests! What do you want, Wendy?"
"A-Ah, me?" Wendy stared wide-eyed, seeing she was asked about the job.
"Yeah. It's not like I'm just gonna pick a job without you agreeing to it."
"Well... Any kind of job you take is okay for me."
"That's pretty difficult." Natsu scratched his head in confusion.
In truth, Wendy really didn't pick jobs personally for the team since it's always him or the rest of the team who decides for it in which she fully accepts afterward.
There was short silence as Natsu began to speak.
"Alright... If you can't pick a job for the team, pick something you want when we go together, okay?"
"Eh? Why?"
Wendy can't say she was surprised but her face slightly flushed red hearing that from him.
"Why, you ask? I just want to spend some time with you. It's fine if you include Carla, I'll tag Happy along since he's going to like it."
"Well, aren't you going to have any jobs from others?"
"Hmm... Not that I remember but I guess I would choose you first."
Her face turned red once again. Unable to face him right between the eyes, she could only stare right in front of her direction, trying to keep her blush as hidden as possible.
"Ah, we're going to be late if Erza knows we took too much time. Let's go, Wendy!"
And in just like that, Natsu had walked a few steps ahead as he make his way towards the board with an overjoyed expression. Wendy tilted her head in confusion towards his sudden exhilaration but she merely brushed it aside and followed him from behind. She wouldn't want to ruin his mood now that he's pumped up more than ever before.
Her thoughts looked back to his question that made her surprised for today. She wanted to take a look back to that time when he asked her about it.
The fluttering feeling she felt inside her heart grew stronger at that time. Even though she regarded it as a joke from him to tease her, she couldn't help but feel conscious about it―whether Natsu felt the same as her during that time.
It's just a simple assumption. There's no way he would feel that way towards her. She only looked up to him as a brother figure but―
―These recurring feelings slowly began to distort her way of view towards him.
Although she still didn't realize it, the words she heard from him are indicating her to realize it.
I wonder if that goes the same for him as well.
She could only think back to herself.
A/N: And there you have it. The first theme of the week is all about Hidden Feelings. The title of the chapter would indicate the theme since I suck at thinking good titles for it.
In addition, all of my themes will be directly connected to the aftermath of the last chapter of the manga (With a time-skip ofc). And yes, I've read it and I felt unsatisfied by it. Even I had already supported the canon pairings but in the end, it still got cockblocked and the rest of the pieces were left open, except for a few ones ofc. Still, not the best arc and certainly not the worst ending to this series so kudos to Mashima for handling it... well, I guess―I don't know.
Anyways, next theme would be Neglect so look forward to it.
- The wiErDos send their regards...