Bitter Lullaby


Warning: This chapter contains the use of ONE word that can be considered as profanity. Please proceed with caution.


"Sing another spell. Paint another dream. We could bring to life a new reality."


"Welcome to your new home… I guess." Lucy awkwardly stated as she opened the door to her home, letting the new member of her household step inside.

She watched Kiyoharu walk into her home with a curious expression, it was like he was discovering a new world. He's never actually been in Lucy's old home, when she got married, the couple got a bigger place for potential kids; in this case, Kiyoharu.

She shut the door behind her as he took off his shoes like his mother— Lucy taught him.

"You can put your backpack down anywhere, this is your home now." Lucy assured him, and he nodded. He walked over into her bedroom, and dropped his bag by her bed. He kicked it underneath her bed without hesitation.

Lucy watched him intently. So, this is her future son, huh?

She can see the resemblances between them… but actually there's only one resemblance between them, their hair colour, but then again many people have blond hair in the world.

If only his hair was the colour of his fathers', then maybe she would have a clue to who it is.

Although, Kiyoharu prefers not to have pink hair. Not that he hates pink, but he always thought that it's a weird colour on him.

In his own time, his dad, Natsu Dragneel, coloured his hair pink one day, just to see what he would look like if he was born with his dad's hair genes— if that term even exists.

He looked just like his old man, and it was fun at first to act like him, but Lucy eventually got angry at her sons antics and grounded him for being an accomplice to accidentally burning her desk.

Kiyoharu turned to Lucy and smiled excitingly.

Lucy smiled weakly, why did he come to the past?

Did something happen again?

Back at the guild, he wouldn't tell anyone anything.


"Lucy, you're a mom?!" Happy exclaimed.

"N-No! I'm not!" Lucy snapped, obviously flustered and confused.

"That's right, Lucy can't be a mom." Natsu shouted, "When I met her, Lucy wasn't that bloated!"

"Hey!" Lucy glared at the pink dragon slayer.

That was when Kiyoharu pulled away from her embrace. He wiped away his forming tears, and Lucy's anger melted into a puddle of nothing.

"Hey, kid! How is Lucy your mom?" Natsu stomped over to the two.

Kiyoharu whipped his head around and frowned, "Because she is."

"That doesn't tell us anything!" They all yelled.

"Everyone! Please, don't yell at him. He's just a little kid." Lucy furrowed her brows as she stood up, "Bring it down a notch."

There was silence. Was Lucy already becoming a responsible mother within five minutes of meeting the kid?

"Explain, kid." Gajeel crossed his arms crossed against his buffed chest.

"I'm not from this… uh… your time." Kiyoharu began, "I come from seven years from now. I think it's called time travelling… I travelled back in time."

"Why?" Ezra asked.

"I can't tell you guys that… not until I'm sure." He answered, "When I'm sure, I'll tell you guys why."

"Sure of what?"

"Sorry, can't tell you that either."

"Then how can we trust you?" Natsu narrowed his gaze.

Kiyoharu pulled his sleeve up, and sure enough, there was the Fairy Tail insignia on his right shoulder in a flaring red, "I don't think you guys would've let me join the guild if you all didn't trust me."

Gray pursed his lips, "We can help you, you know. If you just tell us what happened in the future, we can help prevent it from happening. We've done it before."

"I know that." Kiyoharu replied, "But this is something you guys won't do even if I told you. Fairy Tail mages care deeply for another, and because of that, I know that you all won't help me potentially take a life."

"What?" Everyone screeched.

Take a life?

What the hell was this kid talking about? Taking a life? What did he mean?

"It's none of you actually, don't worry. You haven't exactly met him yet, so despite what you say now, in the future when you do met him, you won't help me."

There was absolute silence. What Kiyoharu said struck everyone silent. There was an eery silence within the guild and Makarov cleared his throat.

"Well then child, I presume you couldn't have travelled this far on your own, did your father come along with you?"

Lucy's head perked up at the word, father. Who is his father?

"No." Kiyoharu answered, "I travelled here by myself— dad doesn't even know I'm missing."

"What?" Mirajane gazed at him in concern, "He must know! Your father must be worried sick!"

"Nope, he's busy."

"Busy?"

Natsu walked up to Kiyoharu and the two glared at one another. Natsu was trying to figure this kid out, while Kiyoharu was trying to find Natsu's motives for approaching him.

At the small interaction, Makarov clicked his tongue, of course.

It's so obvious.

The way those two were looking at each other, they're basically identical. Put one and one together, and he saw the bigger picture.

A small smile crept up on Master Makarov's face, what he was seeing… it was heartwarming.

"You know, I doubt your dad doesn't know your missing." Natsu crossed his arms across his chest, "He's probably looking for you right now."

"He isn't."

"And how would you know that?"

"Because—!" Kiyoharu caught himself there, ooh, that sneaky dragon slayer. He's obviously getting lessons from Lucy on how to outsmart people.

Kiyoharu smirked, "Nice try."

Natsu blinked, "What?"

"I'm on to you." Kiyoharu declared.

Natsu was completely and utterly confused, what just happened?

"Child, what is your fathers name?" Makarov stood up on the bar as he stared down at the blond little boy. Even though Makarov knew the answer, he wanted to hear it from the child.

Silence, he refuses to answer. He can't tell them, if he does, then they're just going to push him further towards Lucy. Kiyoharu's trying to prevent that. He looked away stubbornly, "I can't tell you."

Makarov only smiled, "I see… I understand. When you are ready, do not be afraid to approach me, child. You are always welcome here at Fairy Tail, we take care of our own here."

A dark expression ghosted over Kiyoharu's face as he mumbled under his breath, "Yeah… take care of our own… sure."

"You know what I'm interested in? I'm more interested in his magic than his father!" Natsu shouted, "What can you do?"

"Maybe he's a celestial mage." Happy flew over to them, "Because he is Lucy's son, so he has to be."

Everyone peered in close, "Well, are you?"

"Yes." Kiyoharu answered, unfazed by their sudden appeal, "I am."

"Summon someone!"

"I only have one key." Kiyoharu reached into his shorts' pocket and searched for his only key.

He doesn't really use it much, before he only used it because he wanted to play with the celestial being, but now he has to use it in battles and everything. If he doesn't want anyone finding out that Natsu is his father, then he can't use the abilities that his father, in his own time, taught him.

He pulled out a black celestial key with a picture of a gate on it.

"What's that?" Natsu pursed his lips, "That doesn't look like a celestial key to me."

"Yeah, why is it black? Shouldn't it be gold or silver? Like Lucy's keys?" Happy interrogated.

"It's a new key." Kiyoharu stated, "The Celestial King gave it to me."

"The Celestial King?" Lucy stood up from the ground.

Kiyoharu turned to Lucy, "He created a new key, because of you, mom."

"What? Me?"

"This celestial being protects the celestial spirits when their gates are in danger." Kiyoharu scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "I dunno, that's what you told me when you gave it to me."

"Come on! Summon it!" Natsu urged.

"I hope it's a giant fish!" Happy drooled, "Then I can give it to Carla."

"You can't eat a celestial fish!" Lucy snapped.

Kiyoharu raised the key in the air with a relaxed expression, he's done this so many times, so why is he nervous?

He stared down at the key, before he shoved it back into his pockets, "Maybe next time."

"You won't summon it?"

"No, I'm tired."

"I think it is best if we let the child rest. It has been a long day for him." Makarov announced and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Where will he stay? Erza asked.

"The dorms are always open—!"

"I'll take him." Lucy raised her hand, "He is technically my son, so he is my responsibility. Isn't that right, Kiyo?"

Kiyo?

"O-Oh… you don't mind me calling you Kiyo, do you?"

He smiled, "No, I don't mind. You used to always call me that."

"Okay then, Kiyo. Lets go home." She held her hand out to the little boy, and Kiyoharu was hesitant to take it.

Lets go home.

Three words he hasn't heard in so long, especially since it's coming out of his mothers mouth, it just made those words more emotional than intended.

"Your dad will be home any second. Come Kiyo, lets go home."

Who knew those three words could have so much impact on him.

"Yeah."


"Are you hungry?" Lucy asked as she took her shoes off.

He knows he rejected food at the guild, and he knows he's being selfish, but he nodded.

It's not that he didn't like Mirajane's cooking, but he just really missed his moms' cooking. She may not be the greatest cook in Fairy Tail, but to him, she's better than anybody.

Lucy made her way into her kitchen as Kiyoharu sat at the table silently. Lucy's place is really pink, is that why she fell in love with Natsu?

If Kiyoharu is correct, his mom has already fallen hard for that pink dragon slayer, and Natsu has already fallen in love with her. Kiyoharu may be a little behind on the game, but that doesn't mean he is going to give up.

He's going to protect his mom with all of his might. Even if it'll kill him.

"Hm, I don't have much." Lucy sighed, and that was when she found a note in her fridge.

Hey Lucy, Happy and I raided your fridge before we left, thanks for the food! - Natsu

Lucy clenched her fists, someday she's going to kill that man.

She let out an exhausted sigh. Come on Lucy, it's only been ten minutes and you're already being a horrible mother! Get it together!

Lucy smacked her face gently as she let out a breath of determination, she is going to feed this child and she is going to be a good mother. Besides, how hard can being a single mother be?

Lucy pulled out two slices of bread and some cheese, grilled cheese, how hard can this be?

She's not like Natsu, she won't burn the house down. Besides, she's a perfectly grown and mature adult, she can responsibly make a simple grilled cheese without any foulups.

As she was somewhat cooking, she peered over to where Kiyoharu sat. He was sitting obediently by the table. Still, as she watched him, one question lingered in her mind, who is his father?

Who exactly did Lucy end up with to make an adorable little boy like that?

Sting?

Oh god no.

Although, in Lucy's mind it could be possible. Spiky blond hair, a handsome complexion, but Kiyoharu has dark, almost black, eyes. So, she can cross Sting off of her list.

Gray?

No way. The hair doesn't even come close, and Juvia doesn't seem over Gray just yet, so he is definitely not the father.

Laxus?

Lucy shook her head, no way! She can't see herself with Laxus.

There was a blank line in her mind, until her heart skipped a beat.

Natsu?

She turned to Kiyoharu.

He's the closest candidate. The toothy grin, that hair style, and those eyes, Natsu has to be the only person who comes close to being possibly Kiyoharu's father.

"But they act so differently." Lucy mumbled.

Usually, Natsu would be making a mess of her house whenever he's over, but Kiyoharu is just sitting there patiently without any complains. The two are like complete opposites.

Lucy shook her head, maybe she's just overthinking things.

With that final conclusion, she put the sandwich on a clean plate and brought it to Kiyoharu, along with a glass of water.

"Thank you." Kiyoharu grinned as he dug in.

"Eat well." Lucy smiled as she sat down in front of him. She leaned against her right palm as she watched him eat.

Adorable. He's just flat out adorable.

Lucy cheered inwardly, she makes cute babies.

She knew her good looks weren't in vain, even her son has her brilliant good looks.

"So, Kiyo, how is it?"

"It's really good!"

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

"Aw, thank you, Kiyo. You're so sweet." Lucy cooed, "And you're so cute."

"Cute?" The little boy pressed his lips into a thin line, "I'm not cute… I… I don't wanna be cute."

Lucy giggled as she watched the flustered boy pout. He's such a cutie.

That was when she heard arguing and soon her partner came crashing through her window. Natsu rolled into her room with ease and he collapsed on to her comfortable bed. He let out a breath, "Is your window getting smaller, Lucy? I can barely fit through anymore."

"Maybe you should stop treating it like door then!" Lucy scowled, "Ever heard of a door?"

"Sure I have." Natsu shurgged, "You won't answer if I use it though."

Lucy huffed, fair point Natsu, fair point.

Natsu sat up on her bed with his legs crossed, "I smell something burnt."

Natsu spotted the burnt grilled cheese sandwich that was presently being devoured by Kiyoharu. It didn't look appetizing at all. It was all charred… and stuff.

Natsu cringed, "You're eating Lucy's cooking? You really must be strong."

"Hey, Natsu, no one asked for your opinion, and my cooking is just fine, thank you very much." Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, "In fact, Kiyoharu here loves my cooking, so can it!"

"Why are you always so loud?" Natsu huffed.

"I'm loud?!" Lucy was screaming at this point.

This would always happen, but no matter how many times it happens, Natsu enjoys it. He likes her company as much as he likes Happy's company. He feels comfortable around her, and he likes it like that. It always has been like that.

Kiyoharu watched the two interact as he silently finished his burnt sandwich.

With a pressed frown, he took in a deep breath.

Maybe this was going to harder than expected.


Thank you for reading.

Favourite, follow, and/or review, please and thank you.

So, second chapter... I'm just trying to ease people into the story.

I'm failing horribly at it though.

I enjoyed all the reviews people sent in, thank you all.

They were all really interesting and heartwarming. I appreciate it.

If it isn't obvious already, Natsu is the father. I needed to stress that a lot. I just didn't want to tease you all when it's so obvious to who the father is.

As the for the celestial being, it's not important right now. All that is important is the incoming Nalu moments and intense cock-blocks that will be preformed by the adorable Kiyoharu.

Anyway, as always guys, I'll see you all later.

Please advise. I do NOT own Fairy Tail, NOR do I own the cover image. All rights go to their respective owners/author/creator. Thank you.