"Fairy tales are more than true, not only do they tell you that dragons exist, they tell you how to beat them."- G.K. Chesterton.

Natsu was thinking about Igneel. He often did, wondering why he left and when he would be found.

He hadn't thought of his father figure in a while, though. His new friends had distracted him from the pain. Even that idiot Gray.

It hurt, still. Natsu didn't think he'd ever get over it. Everyone said that things would get better, but it never does.

Natsu sat slumped at the bar of his newfound guild, Fairy Tail. His spirits were down, and everyone could tell. His usual energy was drained, replaced by an aura of longing and loneliness. Erza, who was currently fighting with the she-devil, noticed his foul mood first. Approaching him with a pretense of superiority, she cleared her throat. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"You're Natsu." He nodded his affirmation, raising an eyebrow, "Are you okay?" Her question hung in the atmosphere for a minute, the silence stretching until Natsu sighed.

"Are fairy tales real, Erza?" The girl in question blinked at him.

"What do you mean?" She was curious, this new kid, he didn't seem the type to ask too many questions. Where was this coming from?

"I mean," he tugged on his hair, letting out a frustrated breath, "can this be real? Fairy Tail. Is it possible for people to start over? To forget? He- my father- said fairy tales were all made up. But, I just wanna know, are they? Real, I mean." Erza was shocked. No one had ever asked her anything like this before. This kid was…

"Never mind." He started to walk away, but Erza caught his arm.

"Of course, fairy tales are real. Myths and legends aren't about the beasts and princesses, they're about the fights and hidden meanings. Stories are about anything you want them to be. Do you want to restart? What do you want your story to be?" Natsu smiled.

He would always miss Igneel… but maybe, just maybe, he had found something else to care about.

Fairy Tail. A second chance. A real-life fairy tale.