You know, when we were little, you promised me something. . .
Tell me about the promise. You mentioned in the last letter that we made one together. Levy told me I promised to never forget you guys. Is it that one? I apologized to her and the others, but I don't believe I've done so with you. Then, I'm sorry.
I always keep my promises. Breaking them hurts me, but I know it must've been tougher for you. I'm sorry I'm not able to remember a single thing, even with your help.
Natsu leaned back and smiled. Just knowing that she was trying to remember was good enough for him. Picking up his pen, he began writing. He wanted to tell her what it was, but he knew she'd be embarrassed if he told her now. They'll have to wait. Natsu didn't mind, he had already waited for eight years. Another eight wouldn't hurt, especially since he knew she was alive and well.
It was a silly childhood promise anyway.
It's not about remembering our friends. . .
"I don't like the ending of the book." Natsu gave Lucy the fairy tale book she had lent him. Lucy took it back confused.
"Why not?" The knight managed to rescue the princess and they married, living happily ever after."
"The dragon dies."
"The dragon dies so the knight and princess could marry."
"Did it have to?" Lucy thought about it for a moment.
"I guess if the knight had been sneakier and less impulsive, the dragon wouldn't have needed to die." She looked at him thoughtfully. "You remind me of the dragon."
"Huh? So you want me dead? You think I'm a villain?" He growled.
"No no no no. That's not what I meant. The dragon may have died in the book, but I don't want you dead. What I meant was you're both impulsive and strong. The dragon was guarding the tower right? In a sense that meant he was protecting the princess. You always make sure no one gets hurt when we're playing.
I think," she continued quietly, "that the dragon just wanted to keep the princess away from danger."
Natsu looked at the book in her hands. "If I'm the dragon, then you're the princess."
"Huh?" She looked at him in surprise.
"Hey Luce, can we change the ending of the book?"
"Why?"
"Let's get married in the future. But to do that, we have to make sure the dragon is alive."
"M-married? But you have to love someone to marry them."
"I love you." He answered honestly. "I really, really love you."
"Geez, Natsu. Stop joking." She laughed. "Alright, I'll marry you in the future."
"Promise?"
"Yeah." They pinky swore and went inside to change the ending of the fairy tale.
No, it was something else. . .
The knight fled in terror as the dragon clawed at him. Threat gone, it decided to rest. However, the human had inflicted a critical blow on the mighty beast before running away.
Blood oozing from its wound, the dragon tried his best to stay awake. It heard a yell of shock and through its blurring vision, saw the princess run up to it, begging for it to stay awake.
The dragon knew it was too late. It wanted to tell the young girl that everything would be fine, to stop crying, but it couldn't. For it was a dragon and she was a human, they spoke different tongues. With its last breath, the mythical being snorted a goodbye and closed its eyes.
The princess watched as the dragon stilled. She shook its body, called its name, but nothing worked. She knew it was gone. Crawling to the snout, she sobbed as she embraced the corpse.
The tears that slide down her cheeks glowed as it hit the dragon's snout. Too upset to notice, the human continued to grieve until there was a blinding light. The wind picked up, throwing her back. She covered her eyes. When the light subsided, there stood a boy at the place of her guardian.
He opened his eyes sluggishly. Just as slowly, he called out. "Prin. . .cess?"
The boy was clothed in nothing but rags, and on his back sprouted a pair of wings. A tail swished back and forth and long horns protruded from his head. It was the same as the dragon that had perished moments ago.
Lunging at the boy, the princess cried tears of joy, embracing the newly reborn human tightly, as if he would disappear the moment she let go. The boy returned her embrace.
"Don't ever leave me again." The princess' voice trembled.
"I won't."
"I love you." She was obviously embarrassed. burying herself deeper into his chest.
"I love you too." He kissed her forehead. "Marry me?"
"Of course."
Wedding bells rang throughout the kingdom. The groom had a special suit for his inhuman body parts. The bride was in an elegant dress that billowed with ever step she took. A veil covered her face. Vows were exchanged, and the guests cheered.
Grinning, the groom lifted the veil, revealing his wife's face and they kissed. Once they stepped outside, the hybrid picked the princess up and flew into the sky. She squealed in surprise and delight.
"It's beautiful up here!" She looked up into her husband's eyes. "You got to see this everyday?" He nodded.
"I wanted to bring you up here for a long time but. . ." He trailed off.
"You won't leave me, right?" The princess asked again.
"I would never."
"You won't forget me?"
"That will never happen." He bumped heads. She giggled.
"Good, because I would never forget you." She snuggled closer. "Even if I did, I'll definitely find a way to remember."
"Oh? Promise?"
"Absolutely! When have I ever broken a promise?" She grinned. He returned it with a small smile as they flew in a comfortable silence. You never have.