Lost and Found


notes: an epilogue! or rather, MY epilogue. :D this is what i PERSONALLY imagine would happen a year later. man it was kinda hard keeping the bride a secret till the end! so many times i wanted to reference a specific detail but i thought it would be way too obvious so i refrained. lol. lemme know what you think about this! i like it, but i don't love it, i guess. i wanted to write this from Natsu's perspective (but not first person because that's really expecting too much of me lol) so we could see his thoughts on everything. idk how well i did on that since i didn't want to be specific about the girl but hey i tried! sorry it's kinda short but i didn't wanna drag it out. i am considering a sequel because i know there were a lot of loose ends and not everyone wants to have to imagine there own resolutions (i know i like reading what the author really thinks) but i'm not sure yet. stay tuned though; i'll let you guys know if the sequel is a go in due time. thanks once again to everyone who read and followed and favorited and reviewed this story! it was fun and i definitely enjoyed it, and i hope you all did too! fell free to pm me if you have any questions or concerns or just wanna talk!

also MANGA SPOILERS cuz i can't help myself: council!gajevy is an actual thing squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


/finally

Natsu tugs at his starchy collar agitatedly, feeling more nervous and worried than he's ever been. Because this is it. Today is the day.

He is finally going to marry the love of his life.

As long as she doesn't get cold feet.

"Stop it, you're freakin' yourself out," he mutters to himself. "She's not gonna run away. She promised."

"You look like you're about ready to keel over," a calm voice snickers from beside him and he looks up in annoyance at Gray. His hands are stuffed deeply into his pockets to prevent him from stripping, but it doesn't seem to be that successful since he's already missing his jacket and his bowtie is gone too.

"Ice Princess," Natsu acknowledges.

"Flame Brain," Gray greets and then whistles. "Man, she looks good. Dunno why she's getting hitched to someone like you. We all know she looks better with me."

Natsu scowls. "Why did I ask you to be my best man again?"

Gray raises an eyebrow. "Who else would be willing? Not my fault your best friend's a girl."

"Speaking of, where is she? I haven't seen her all day."

"She's with the bride, of course. She's the maid of honor, idiot. Did you forget?"

"I didn't!" Natsu snaps. "Just 'cause she's the maid of honor doesn't mean she can't say hi to me!"

"Well," Gray smirks, "she's gotta keep the bride from panicking and running out on you."

"Shut up! She's not gonna run," Natsu hisses, pulling at his lapels and his omnipresent scarf.

"What, are you actually worried? Dude, I was just kidding. She's ecstatic back there. Says she can't wait for the ceremony to start so she can finally be married to you. Mavis knows why." He crinkles his nose in distaste.

"She is? Wait, of course she is, I knew that. How is she?" Natsu forces himself to take deep breaths.

"I just told you how she is, are you deaf?" Gray rolls his eyes.

Natsu groans. "Just go away. I can't deal with you right now. Go find your clothes or something." He waves his hand weakly and leaves Gray cursing and searching frantically for his clothes.

He's getting married. It's really hitting him now and he thinks he's starting to feel a little woozy, like he's on a train, all the suspense and anticipation making him sick, but he's determined to soldier on. He just needs to get through today and then he'll finally be married. Finally.

Mavis, he could hardly believe his ears when she had said yes and hugged him with tears in her eyes. If someone had told him when he first met her that they would fall in love and get married, he would've laughed and smacked the person upside his or her head for making up stories.

But here they are.

He should've known though. Someone like her, someone so kind and understanding and fierce and strong and vulnerable and trusting and charming and simply perfect—how could he not fall for her? How could he possibly resist?

People can call him dense all they want, but even he knows when his soul has found its other half.

She's his true love, his soul mate, his one and only, and he'll never want anyone else.

Erza stomps in and grabs him by the scarf, pulling him along behind her. "It's time, Natsu. Prepare yourself."

"Wait—Erza—hold on, I can walk!" he yelps as he stumbles behind her.

She ignores him and drags him into the church, which is already full to the brim with friends and family. He tries to smile at the familiar faces as he passes but Erza firmly yanks him and then practically tosses him onto the altar.

"Mavis, Erza, I'm getting married today," he groans, picking himself up and dusting off his tuxedo. "Can't you lay off the rough treatment for just one day?"

She gives him a look and he backs off. "Stay," she commands before disappearing.

He looks around at the people he's known and loved all his life and they smile at him, giving him thumbs-up when he waves. Everyone is in place for what's about to begin.

Suddenly, everyone quiets down and eagerly turns to face the door. Erza appears out of nowhere and quickly lines up with the other bridesmaids. Butterflies erupt in Natsu's stomach and it's all he can do not to double over and throw up.

Oh Mavis. Oh Mavis it's starting. I feel sick.

His eyes meet with those of his best friend, the maid of honor, and when she nods at him encouragingly, he forces a jittery smile back. He can do this. He can do this. He can do this.

It begins.

He focuses his gaze back on the aisle, anticipating the first step his bride will take. He thinks he's ready but when the music starts, the petals fall, the doors open, and she's there

He forgets to breathe.

Dear Mavis, she's beautiful. A vision in white, more gorgeous than anyone he's ever seen, and that includes Mira. There's an extravagant bouquet in her hands, the flowers spilling over her arms in an explosion of color. Her hair has grown out and is now piled atop her head elegantly, her veil covering her beautiful face with her beautiful eyes and her beautiful smile.

She's just so beautiful—and she's all his.

His chest starts to hurt and he realizes he has yet to breathe so he quickly gulps in air, his eyes never leaving the beauty walking towards him, step by step.

"It's happening," he whispers under his breath. "It's really happening."

It feels like an eternity until she finally—finally—arrives in front of him. She looks up at him expectantly but his mind is an empty cloud.

Gray jabs him in the side. "Your hand!"

"Oh, right!" Coughing a little with embarrassment, he quickly offers his hand and he thinks he can see her amused smile through her veil as she accepts it, placing her gloved hand in his. He helps her up the few steps, making sure she doesn't trip over her dress, and then she's next to him.

He really wishes he could see her face right now.

The minister clears his throat and begins speaking, but Natsu can't hear any of it. He can't stop staring at her, his hand still clutching hers tightly, and he has to keep reminding himself to breathe or else he'll ruin everything. He can vaguely see a pink blush on her cheeks as she nudges him and tells him to stop staring.

"I can't," he whispers back as quietly as he can so he doesn't interrupt the ceremony. "You're too beautiful."

The pink on her cheeks grows more prominent and he can't wait to rip that veil off of her.

Natsu is in a haze as they go through the vows, the rings, the "I do"s, until finally—finally—the minister announces, "You may now kiss the bride."

Grinning, he drops her hand and slowly lifts up the layers of tulle hiding her face. His breath hitches when she's finally revealed and her eyes are staring up into his with so much love and happiness that he can't move. So she rolls her eyes a little and kisses him instead.

Their friends and family are cheering loudly, all hugging and crying and roaring with congratulations, but Natsu can barely hear them. All he can register are her lips on his, her arms around his neck, her body in his embrace, and the thought that he can finally call her Mrs. Dragneel.

It's a blur after that but he somehow finds himself at the wedding reception, surrounded by food and music and laughter and all the people he cares about. Some people are dancing while others are just socializing, but he just wants to find his wife.

His wife. He likes the sound of that.

"Why hello there, Mr. Dragneel. You look a little lost."

He spins around and grins down at his wife—his wife!—before wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. "I was just lookin' for ya, Mrs. Dragneel. How ya feelin'?"

She smiles and hugs him. "Perfect. I like being Mrs. Dragneel."

"I like it too."

They smile at each other blissfully, in their own little world, until Cana raises her cup and calls drunkenly, "Hey, newlyweds! Get on the dance floor!"

Laughing, they make their way to the dancing couples and he twirls her around, admiring the way her eyes light up and the way her lips curve at the corners and the way her fingers grip him like she can't stand to be away from him.

He feels the same.

They melt into each other, swaying to the beat, smiling and kissing and talking and loving.

All too soon, Gray appears with a smirk and without a shirt, and asks with a playful little bow, "May I have this dance, Mrs. Dragneel?"

Natsu growls, holding her tighter, but she just laughs and pushes him away. "Of course, Gray. I'll see you later, Natsu. Go dance with your best friend."

He's sad to see her go but she's right: he should go greet his best friend. He looks around and weaves his way towards her when his eyes finally land on her. She's sipping on champagne, eyes wide and sparkling as she watches.

"What're ya doing here, all alone? Come dance!" He grins and puts her drink down, pulling her onto the dance floor.

"Wait, Natsu! Ugh, fine." She rolls her eyes good-naturedly and places her hands on his shoulders as they move to the music. "So how's it feel to be married?"

Natsu chuckles and shakes his head. "Same as always, 'cept now I can call her Mrs. Dragneel."

She laughs with him. "Yeah, you two acted like a married couple anyway."

Natsu smiles until he notices the tears in her eyes. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Confused, she blinks and a tear slides down her cheek. Her eyes widen in realization and she quickly dries them with her hands. "Oh no, nothing's wrong. Sorry, I'm just—I'm just so happy. for both of you. I'm happy that you're happy."

He hugs her. "I'm sorry—"

"No, don't apologize! What are you saying sorry for?" She shakes her head.

"Because you—"

"Natsu, stop." She looks at him sternly. "It's not your fault you didn't fall in love with me. I didn't confess to make you feel guilty. I just wanted the closure. You know that."

He nods and closes his eyes, thinking back to a year ago. She had burst into his room one day and declared, "Natsu, I'm in love with you." He had been flabbergasted, to say the least, but when her words finally sank into his brain, there was no doubt as to what his answer would be. He had known all along that it wasn't her.

"I'm sorry," he'd said softly and she had sighed and nodded expectantly. "I—I love L—"

"I know," she'd interrupted, surprising him again. "I've always known. But you better tell her soon, because she doesn't." She'd smiled then, through her tears, and said, "Don't worry. We'll always be best friends."

And that was that.

Their friendship had been slightly strained for a week or so, but they were best friends, and they pulled through, stronger than ever, as they knew they would.

He opens his eyes to find her smiling at him, the same brilliant smile he's known for years and will always love. He grins back and ruffles her hair before setting off to find his wife again. "You're right. Thanks, Lisanna."


© Copyright 2015 by The Siege