I still don't own Fairy Tail *sighs*
Natsu sat on the window sill in his house, alone, ever since he sent Happy away to the guild. The little Exceed didn't want to leave his best friend, but understood why Natsu needed to be alone today. And so, Happy soared away in the light rain with a fresh fish in his mouth and Natsu watched him until he was obscured by rain and the cloudiness in Natsu's eyes.
"You know," He said to know one in particular, shifting his focus away from Magnolia and instead staring up at the gray skies. "I miss you; but not as much anymore. Is that weird, Igneel? Or is that what friends do to you?" Natsu may be smart in fighting, but when it came to talking or thinking… he wasn't as good at it as others. Sure, he knew happiness, sadness, sorrow, love… but he had trouble identifying them and reacting to them. Sighing, the pink-haired boy frowned at the sky as he recalled the last time he saw the huge red dragon.
"Don't worry, Natsu," Igneel had said, unfurling the massive wings that Natsu had long-since gotten used to. "I'll be back eventually; don't worry." And his son heard a loud rumbling in the dragon's chest that he'd come to associate with affection.
"I won't!" He yelled as the beast took off into the clear sky. "I promise!" Natsu waved his small hand as Igneel became smaller and smaller – eventually disappearing all together.
Natsu smiled as he remembered his last words; but it was a sad smile.
"I guess I broke my promise, eh, Igneel?" He muttered softly, grabbing the edge of his scarf and twirling the end between his fingers deftly. "I probably should've taken your last piece of advice to heart." The rain started to pick up in ferocity now, and Natsu frowned up at the sky. He didn't normally like rain, because he was fire and it didn't mix well, but since the water mage joined the guild, he'd been a little quieter about his dislike for the element. And since it was raining, he immediately thought of Gray, and his hand lit on fire.
"Damn Ice Princess," He muttered, extinguishing the bright, small flame but letting a smile pull at the corners of his lips. Natsu cleared his throat. "You know, dad… I don't really know what to do anymore. I mean, I know I need to go on missions and laugh and be with my guild, but I mean… what am I supposed to do about you? Should I keep looking?" He asked to nobody in particular, still watching the freezing rain pummel the grass outside, nearly flattening it.
You know, I miss you. I miss the way you'd fly me around and tell me stories and I just really miss you.
Natsu let his mind drift to the things he wasn't currently missing: Like a team! That Ice Princess, Erza – Natsu shuddered softly -, Happy and… Lucy. The fire dragon slayer smiled fondly at the thought of the boisterous blonde girl. She always made him happy, her sweet strawberry and vanilla scent really felt like home to him now. Her apartment was practically his second home – or first, since he spent more time than he did in his actual house – but it didn't matter either way, it let him spend more time with her regardless. Frowning, Natsu let go of his scarf and watched as it blew in the sharp wind that was currently blowing rain in from outside. Grumbling, the mage hopped off of the sill and shut the window, walking over to his fireplace and lighting it up, before sitting down cross-legged on the rug in front of it; content.
Staring into the orange, red and yellow flames, the young dragon slayer felt like he was back with Igneel, stretching out after a long day of training by the fire, listening to his stories. Looking back, Natsu hated the fact that he thought his stories were boring and old, because if he had actually bothered listening… he might've known more about the dragon. Sighing, he flopped backwards and put his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling and listening to the thunder mixing with the crackling of flames.
"Igneel… I have a home here now. I have friends; a family. I really miss you, and I wish you were around still, but…" Natsu faltered as his voice cracked slightly, but he quickly covered it with a cough even though he was alone. "… but I just wanted to thank you… dad," He whispered the last word softly. His eyes were drooping as the sound of rain drops landing heavily on the rooftop lulled him, along with the warmth of the fire. Just before he fell asleep, one last memory surfaced.
"You know, Natsu, when you're older you'll have many regrets." The little pink haired boy just cocked his head and frowned, his spiky hair flopped slightly to the side, but he didn't say anything; just waited for the dragon to continue. "One day you'll fall in love, get married, maybe even have a kid of your own," His yellow eyes bored into Natsu's own onyx ones' seriously.
"One day, Natsu, you'll experience heartbreak, and it will be painful, it will hurt; but in the end… it would be worth it," He rumbled, his gaze unwavering. "But then you will find family, friends, loves, companions…" Natsu interrupted at this point, shaking his head wildly and stamping his small feet (which were sparking).
"Nuh-uh! You're my family, Igneel! You're all I'll ever need!" He rushed forward and held onto a thick paw and Igneel rumbled softly and laid his head near Natsu, eyeing him with amusement.
"You say that now because, as of right now, it is true. I am all that you currently need – but Natsu, you must understand… life does indeed change. You will grow up and you will no longer need my guidance." Natsu just shook his head frantically.
"You're wrong! You're my dad – I'll always need your guidance!" He muttered, holding onto him a little tighter. Igneel went to speak, but Natsu beat him to it. "Can we please just go to sleep?" He pleaded. "I don't want to talk about this anymore tonight." Igneel's eyes showed that he disapproved, but gently lifted Natsu with his massive leg over to his little bedroll near the fire and laid his head next to him. The last thing Natsu remembers is a large, yellow eye staring at him sadly.
Natsu's eyes opened, and he rolled over onto his stomach, pressing the side of his face into the rough fabric of the rug.
"You tried to warn me; I guess I really am an idiot, ne, dad?" He mumbled softly while rubbing his dark eyes tiredly. Slowly, he drifted into sleep with one thought on his mind:
Life does indeed change.
Whew, that was fun. I think Natsu would be the one to reminisce about his memories with Igneel, but that's just my opinion. I hope you all like it! I enjoyed writing this – I'm sorry if it seemed a little rushed, just wanted to release it today before I passed out on my couch. So yea! Thank you all so much for your kind reviews.
YamiHinata: I wanted to add them in because I felt their relationship is quite important to Gajeel – even if he doesn't say it too much. :P And I hope that's a good "I was surprised" and not a bad one! But honestly, I can see what you mean; Gajeel isn't a smiley person at all, but I just wanted to change it up a bit. And who knows, maybe that's exactly what Gajeel is like when he's alone! :P (wow that was a long response, jeez, sorry! xD)
Animestorywriter: ;)
Beatress: Thank you! 3
