Disclaimer: I never have, and still don't, own Fairy Tail.

Passing Flame

The town of Magnolia rested dormant. The sun had not yet risen. Anyone awake at this hour couldn't be blamed for mistaking the morning for the previous evening, since darkness still lay over everything.

A large, looming hooded figure broke the quiet of the town church. The new arrival moved slow and deliberate; he set the doors closed behind him with his hands rather than releasing them. He turned and listened. Once certain the place was empty, Elfman Strauss lifted the hood of his oversized robe. The Take Over mage took a candle from a stand near the entrance, using a match to light the wick. His eyes lingered on the flame, and he felt the ache in his heart weigh heavier.

Lumbering forward toward the altar, he sat a few rows from the front. He rubbed at his eyes with large fingers. The middle Strauss sibling hadn't slept more than a few hours for several days. He sighed, collecting his thoughts. More than a few things had brought him here, and he'd come early to guarantee privacy.

A few minutes were all he allowed himself, anxious and afraid that he might lose his composure if he hesitated too long. Elfman brought himself to the altar with weary legs. He set the candle on the floor in front of him, and he knelt down.

"Kami-sama," he said, his deep voice carrying throughout the church despite how soft his speech. "I came this morning for help."

Elfman closed his eyes.

"A few days ago, my family," he began, pausing before clarifying. "My larger family lost someone very close to all of us in the recent war. The- the conflict ended sooner because of it, but I don't believe any of us find much comfort in that."

Elfman closed his hands into fists on top of his knees. He took a wet breath. He wanted to be ready, but he didn't have the fortitude to delve into that yet.

"My older sister couldn't bring herself to come with me today," he said, bowing his head. "Please don't think any less of her for it."

His eyes stung dry, but he was too distraught to cry. He pressed on.

"I came here, really, for my younger sister, Lisanna," he said. "She has secluded herself from our sister and from me. I only see her when she comes out of her room to eat. After taking the news of our loss," he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "She insisted that neither of us talk to her, that she just wants to be alone. Nee-chan has been tormenting herself trying to get her out of the house again, but she won't speak to us."

Elfman let his body fall forward, almost touching his forehead to the floor.

"I feel so powerless," he whispered. "I hate to see Nee-chan cry, but I can't face Lisanna. I don't know what to say to her. I'm desperate. I don't want to lose my baby sister a second time."

He couldn't speak for a while. He wished the tears would come.

"Please help me, Kami-sama."

Elfman waited for something that felt an eternity. He looked up from the floor and stared at the tiny flame in the melting candle. The small comfort the little light provided vanished with a brief draft that extinguished it. He brought his hands to his face, as if he could hide behind his huge palms.

Men protect with their fists. Men heal with their hands.

He pulled his hands down to uncover his eyes. The voice had been quiet, perhaps even imagined. He waited, praying to hear it again, hoping the message might be repeated. Nothing came. Elfman held his hands out in front of him. He curled his fingers in on one, considering what he'd heard. On his left, he wielded a massive fist capable of crushing enemies and threats to his loved ones. On his right, he still had a strong hand, just as capable, but maybe-

He stood, pulling his hood back over his face before hurrying out of the church. The night had broken into twilight outside. The town still sat almost silent, but a few others now walked the streets. Elfman kept his presence scarce. He hadn't wanted attention before he came, and he didn't want it now.

He all but tore his robe off once he got home. Mira had already left for work at the guildhall. Elfman didn't stop for any part of the meal she'd left out for him.

He hesitated at Lisanna's door, but after steeling himself, he turned the handle. His younger sister lay on her bed, facing away from him. He didn't speak; instead he sat in a chair. At the sound of the chair legs moving, Lisanna rolled over.

"I said I don't want to go today either Mira"

She stopped short. Elfman swallowed, but still didn't say anything, only smiling with as much sympathy as he could muster. Lisanna's expression of surprise faded back to one of indifference and she plopped her head onto her pillow. Elfman didn't miss the tear tracks on her face even as she tried wiping them away.

"I told you I want to be alone, Elf-nii-chan."

Elfman didn't move. She sat up in her bed and waved her arms at him. Her face contorted into one of pain.

"Go on, I said. Shoo!"

Still the Take Over mage stayed put. Lisanna got up from her bed, new tears forming in her reddened eyes. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and frustration.

"Are you deaf?" She shouted. Her hands closed into fists. "Leave me alone!"

Elfman stood then, but he didn't leave. He pulled her into a hug with his palms open, gentle yet firm. He held her, trying to convey with his actions all the things that he couldn't put into words. She resisted for several moments before conceding and sobbing. Elfman closed his eyes, rocking on his feet with his baby sister while she wailed. He didn't coo at her, didn't tell her things were going to be all right- he knew words wouldn't get through to her.

After many minutes of rocking and a few flailing, pounding fists against his chest from Lisanna, his sister's cries softened and waned into sniffles. Another few moments of silence passed before she murmured.

"I miss him," she said. Elfman hugged her a little tighter. "I miss Natsu, Elf-nii-chan."

Elfman let out a breath. His relief was faint, but it let his tears come through.

"I miss him, too."

A/N: Argh! My feels. Lowkey, reading this to myself to spellcheck it put a lump in my throat. I suspect that means I did something right. ... Yay.

This is my third Fairy Tail fic, and also my first real try at the Hurt/Comfort genre. I think this also falls into Tragedy, but I've been mistaken before, so let me know! The priority of this thing will be intermittent with Sweet Somethings, both a little behind Mutual Burns (even if the update schedule indicates otherwise.) If you enjoyed reading this, greetings kindred messed up soul! Also, leave a review. If you didn't like it, gimme your very valid reasons why in that little review box!