I do not own Fairy Tail

"Erza?' Natsu woke up to see the grim red-head by his bed. Next to him was happy, sleeping as well, but seemingly unharmed. That made Natsu sigh in relief. Gray was nowhere to be seen, but Natsu knew he was alright, well as long as he hadn't got pneumonia, which considering it was Gray-and Ice Mage-was very, very unlikely.

At the very moment, Happy woke up with a loud sneeze. It seemed the same couldn't be said for the blue Exceed. Happy snuggled up close to Natsu, realising he was awake. That made Natsu chuckle.

Next, he looked for Lucy.

"Say, Erza, where's Luce?' He asked casually.

Then reality set in. It was a storm. No happy or flying cat to get them across. She might've gotten hurt! He didn't want to consider any other possibilities. Surely, she was still safe, right? A little bruised up, maybe…

Erza looked at him with eyes full of regret.

"Lucy...drowned,"

Erza said, emotionlessly, but her hesitancy gave him every clue he needed to know that Erza was hurting more than she let on. And that she wasn't lying. Which meant his Luce...was she dead? No!

"No way!' He cried.

Natsu noticed Erza's red eyes. Even though his own eyes stung, he felt as though he should keep it in. There was only her friend's happiness that held Erza together. Erza kept her walls high to see them smile. He was determined to one day destroy those cursed walls. One day, she would talk about all her problems.

But despite not crying, Lucy's death left him shaken to the bone. Every bit of him was freezing with a foreign feeling, but then again, feeling cold itself was new to him. How could she die again?!

Then hurt set in. It was agonising. He had to admit that, guiltily, it was even worse than Igneel's abandonment. Perhaps, because he was angry because Igneel left him deliberately before, and Lucy had no choice in the matter. They never do. That what hurts the most.

There is always so much to say and never enough time to say it. Why? Why must it be that way?

That was when Gray came in. He looked so heartbroken that Natsu's tears couldn't stop themselves any more. They trailed down his cheek, leaving salty wetness on his cheek and a sob in his throat. He swallowed, wiping his rosy cheeks.

Not now. He had to be strong.

Gray's Point Of View

I had gone outside to take a breath, and suddenly it had become a full breakdown. I screamed into the night. And when all tears were used, and my throat was sore, I felt dull, empty.

I remember when we first met. Lucy's chocolate eyes so warm. So inviting. Her smile as big as her heart. If I knew anyone with a heart of gold, it would be Lucy.

So why? Why her. I would gladly, more than gladly, die for her. I desired it with all of my beings. I wanted to die for her, to die instead of her. Just like for all of the people I loved in Fairy Tail, she was my family. My little sister. I couldn't imagine life without her because it was unimaginable.

I shook my head, raking my hands through my black hair in fury. I suddenly heard Natsu's muffled voice cry out. If it hurt so much for me, I wondered just how much agony it would cause Natsu. No, poor Natsu.

I had to be there for Natsu. He needed me. So with each painful step, I slowly made my way to Natsu. He looked up at me as I came in. His eyes held mine, and I knew what he was saying. The regret, the pain in it reflected in mine.

I'm sorry

And as he searched my face, he broke into tears. He kept quiet. But he was hurting so much.

This wasn't a wound or a bruise. Not just because it would scar, but also because it cut through more than the surface. He was bleeding deep inside.

Looking at Erza made me want to cringe even more. Her eyes were puffy red. How much had Titania Erza cried?! She blamed herself. I could tell.

Bloody hands because she clenched her fist too hard, her nails biting soft flesh, to focus on pain other than the one inflicted on her heart.

Sunken, eyes with bags underneath. She had searched. She had wondered. And she had killed herself inside for it. Losing another friend because she wasn't strong enough even after all this time. She would never be enough. I wished I could help. But I felt the same. How could I help if I wasn't doing a very good job of even accepting that Lucy's presence had completely faded? How could I say my sister was gone?

I didn't want denial because it often was even more painful later on but nor did I want to accept it. Wasn't fate just cruel?

Short, yes, I know, especially as I've made you wait, but I've done a first person for the very first time in a story. Expect more of them. Even it made you legit cringe, I will do it, because how else will I get better? SO anyways, thanks for reading, everyone. Huge support. Love you all so much.