Summary: natsu's first father's day wasn't like how he wished it would be.

Series: Fairy Tail

Rating: k

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Angst

Note: I don't own Fairy Tail, nor any of the characters.

It's Father's Day.

And Natsu is trying.

Because this is his first time experiencing this day made for fathers.

And all Natsu ever had was him.

He's trying his hardest to figure out how to hold this pen comfortably so he wouldn't mess up like his previous attempts.

He is shaky and nowhere near steady, but his writing isn't completely scribble either.

He cannot mess this up.

This is for the old man, after all. No room for failure.

Finally. Finally. After what seems forever Natsu has finally achieved his goal.

He stands up and raises the piece of paper up in his hands in triumph. He was even able to get the grammar right. Heh, he bet that even the great Igneel couldn't write as well as he did!

(It says, I love you dad.)

His heart was burning with excitement, and he couldn't help laughing and grinning like an idiot, and he couldn't help yelling out, "Igneel! Look, Igneel! I learnt how to write and I did it all by myself!" No need to bring up Erza showing him how to write out the letters and her skills.

Because he has just written the best thing ever.

A Father's Day card to his dad.

There was only one problem, there is no Igneel here to show.

"Isn't that amazing, Igneel? I can write… and read."

(Happy Father's Day.)

Why? Why did it feel so bitter sweet?

Why did the bubbly boy suddenly become sombre?

He holds his scarf tightly in his little hands, and tears trickle down his cheeks. His lips are quivering and his hands are shaking, his knuckles are turning white. He sits back down, bringing his scarf up to cover his face as he tries to inhale the smell.

The smell of the dragon has faded over the years.

(I miss you.)

"Igneel… Dad… where did you go?" He lets out a hiccup, but continues, "Where are you so I can tell you all these things I've done?" So I can make you proud, are unspoken words that linger on his lips.

He continues to cry. Crying for the father he lost. The father the disappeared. The only father he ever knew, or wanted.

(When are you coming home?)

But Natsu knows.

He knows he'll meet Igneel again one day.

And he'll be even stronger.

"Just watch from whatever cave you're hidin' in, Igneel! 'Cause I'll become a great wizard. Just wait for me!"

He wipes he tears away and fixes his scarf, grinning from ear to ear as he shows off his spiky canines.

Natsu remembers what Igneel told him to do when he's sad. Because no matter what, Igneel is with him, now and always.

(Love, Natsu.)

He's going to show the old geezer how he's going to live his future. He'll make more friends, he'll become stronger, and he'll learn more.

Because no matter what, Natsu will make Igneel proud. He just needs to find him first.

(p.s, I am going to kick your butt when I found you.)

fin.

ahhhhh i have no idea what i just wrote but here. i had surgery a couple days ago and i've pretty much been stuck in bed the whole time, so i've been writing a lot. and y'know, studying for exams in five or so weeks since i'm missing out on a lot at school. and my kitten went missing and a joint in my finger is messed up from volleyball and i just. i've had a bad couple weeks tbh.

i also tried out a new writing style so iunno how good it is but i think it's okay.

please review, so i can be motivated to write more!