"Natsu, I want to stay on land." It was a request that still burned his heart. Lucy had spent two decades with Natsu on the ship, roaming the seas, fighting, living life like a wanted pirate. Their wedding was only the beginning of their journey. They had laughed, they had fought, they had reconciled and every day they were more and more in love. She was his sunlight, lighting up every single one of his days. Two years prior, he had excitedly spoken of his plans. To embark on their biggest journey and reach Guiltina, a kingdom on the north that few ever visited. It was a land of many myths and monsters. A hard journey through a sea as harsh as winter in Iceberg. The captain still remembered that day.
They were on Tenrou, one of the few times his crew stayed on land for over a month. Makarov had forced them to stay after hearing their plans to make such a journey. They repaired the ship, reinforced it to stand the sea, gathered supplies, planned their route. Everything was meticulously organised. Their home, a small hut close to the end of the hill, just enough for two people. They never managed to have children, even if they tried every brew Porlyusica could make. Whether it was his problem or Lucy's, the two had accepted their lines would end with the two of them. Over the years they accepted their fate, even if it still sometimes filled them with a sense of sorrow and grief.
The two were by the end of a cliff, the sun almost ready to set, as they enjoyed each other's embrace. Tender and slow kisses they exchanged under the slight glimmer of the first appearing stars. As passion brewed between them, he trapped her underneath him, wanting to be as close to her as possible. Her hands had become more calloused over the years, yet her touch was as tender as always.
"Natsu," The call of his name stopped him from marking her skin. Her tone was serious, somewhat hesitant, as she addressed him. "I love you; you know that right?" His brows furrowed as her question settled.
Stroking her cheekbone with his thumb, he offered a big smile. "No, I believe that eighteen years married to me you are just using me," Laughing, he kissed her cheek. "I love you with my whole being." Pressing tender kisses at the crook of her neck, he breathed in her scent.
Both of her hands went to cup his face. Guiding it so that their eyes would not part, Lucy admired his eyes, so dark like charcoal, yet so warm and alive. "I want to tell you something."
"What is it, love?" Natsu's eyes were glued to hers, yet it did not pass unnoticed how she abused her lips with her teeth. "Luce, what is worrying you? Is it the trip? It will be just like every other adventure we went to. At most, we will be gone for a year and a half."
"It's not that." Breaking their eye contact for just a brief moment, she took in a deep breath. Hugging him tighter, she forced him to lay all his weight on her. "Natsu, I want to stay on land."
She felt his whole body tense as soon as the last word left her mouth. Lucy had considered that thought for almost a year before deciding to tell him. The sea had granted her two decades of adventures, love, freedom. Something in her craved being on land. She was forty-two and for the first time since her marriage eighteen years ago, she found herself for more than four days on land. It was a feeling she had lost forgotten. It reminded her a bit of the life she had given up twenty years ago when she accepted Natsu's hand and became part of his crew. Her feelings about the sea had not disappeared, she loved how much of a mystery the endless sea was. Now, though she craved something else, a chance of relaxing. Lucy had discussed with Makarov about her wish to remain on the island permanently. He had reassured her that whatever she chose, they were things on land that would surely keep her occupied. Whether it was running the bar, helping the permanent population, keeping tabs of their ships. Whatever she chose she could do. She could sail off wherever she pleased if she regretted her choice.
"Why, Luce?" Supported on his palms, he looked down on her, caged between his arms. He never expected to hear that from her. Natsu had plans for them. To sail the sea till their last breath. To discover new lands and leave their lives to the fullest. He could understand that being always on the run or hiding was not an ideal life, but they were happy doing it for so long. "You are not serious."
Lucy's lips pulled into a bitter smile. Her palm caressed his cheek, as she supported her weight on her elbow. "I've given it much thought. It's something I want." It pained her seeing him so lost. They were few times his eyes became so blank and so far, only when they realised, they would not have children.
"But in two days we're leaving." Sitting back on his heels, he still did not get off her. His eyes were searching for any hint of mirth inside her eyes, yet only bitter truth he found. "We were supposed to do it together." He felt betrayed. Sailing to Guiltina had always been a dream of his since the discovery of the continent four years prior. Natsu had dreamed of setting foot on the unknown land with Lucy by his side. A new adventure for the both of them.
"My Love, in twenty years you gave me more adventure than I could imagine. More affection than I've ever thought of experiencing." Lucy sat up, taking his hands in hers and never breaking their eye contact. "I'm content with what I've accomplished till now." It was no lie, that sailing to Guiltina was never her dream. Sure, she had been excited upon hearing the news of the unknown land, but there had been no spark inside her to visit. If she went, she wouldn't enjoy it as much as Natsu thought she would. Lucy felt that it was a bigger betrayal faking her excitement and sailing with him, than being honest and staying back. "I'll be here waiting for you to come back."
"No! I don't want you to stay back, Luce." Standing up, Natsu wanted to put some distance between them. He missed her touch the moment her hands left him, but he also felt betrayed. What if so, many years she followed him without truly wanting it? How could she suddenly crave the land, when for the past two decades she rarely stepped foot on?
"Natsu, if I make this trip, I won't be happy." She too stood up, even though it hurt her seeing Natsu put distance between them. "I already spoke with Makarov, he said…"
"He said you could stay, I'm sure!" Natsu now understood why Makarov insisted he talk more with his wife than plan the trip. The old man was trying to give him time to enjoy their time together and he spent it planning. "How long did you know?" Because one did not give up on his ship without considering it long enough.
"I've thought it over for almost a year." Lucy understood that telling him now was far too late. All this time and she didn't dare to discuss it.
"A year?" He sounded so defeated. Natsu hoped she was only thinking about it for one or two months but a whole year was far too long.
"Natsu," Stepping closer, she once again took his hands in hers. "I know it's sudden, but if I had told you sooner you would have either tried to change my mind, or you would have stayed back with me." Taking another step closer to him, she brought his hands on her lips, placing a tender kiss on them. "I don't want you giving up your dream because of me."
Natsu was lost in the depth of her eyes. The sun had long set and only the moon was left illuminating her form. So many twinkling stars were shining above them and no matter how betrayed her statement left him, if she ordered him, he would bring her the moon. Maybe she was right, it was his dream to make this journey, not hers. "I love you." Taking her in for a hug, he buried his nose in the crook of her neck. The thought of not seeing her for a year and a half was already torturing him. "I love you with all that I am." His lips found hers in a scorching kiss, one filled with so many emotions. "I'll always return to you."
He hadn't seen her for the last two years. Due to the sea, their trip had taken half a year more than they expected. Now, they were only just a breath away from their base, Tenrou. Their ship was filled with treasures, foreign riches and gold they had pirated. It had been tormenting waking up every day without his wife by his side. So used to waking up with her in his arms, had made him for the first few months restless. Natsu missed her laugh, her giggles, her silky hair, her beautiful eyes. He missed her touch and her scent. He missed the days they would abandon their duties and run off to hidden beaches and make love till the next morning. He missed being able to say "I love you" and watch her cheeks redden even after all those years married.
Communication was far too difficult, the last time they had spoken, only three months after they embarked on their journey. It was the last letter he received from her and the last one he managed to send.
"Missed your lass, Flame Brain?" The voice of his first mate brought him out of his thoughts. He did not know how long he had been watching Tenrou come all the closer. The crew had seen how miserable their captain had been since he was parted from his partner.
"Aye, Stripper. Been two years and a month already." Natsu watched as Levy and Gajeel's son piloted the ship. The kid had grown over the years and it was strange seeing him in Erza's position. She had taught him well these past two years. Everything was kind of strange on his ship. In every nook and cranny, a kid of the new generation was working on it.
"Been thinking of wearing the long clothes, me and Juvia." For some reason, it came as no surprise to hear that. Natsu had expected that after this trip, some members of his crew would want to retire. Juvia and Gray had served well all those years and now their son was on the right age to sail too. He had many things to learn, but he handled himself during this sail.
"Was Juvia so shocked her son cracked Jenny's teacup she wants to retire?" The two shared a laugh remembering the night Greige had not slept at the ship. All kids had fled to the first bar they found upon reaching Guiltina. Most returned squiffy, while Greige did not at all. Jacob, Erza's son, was the one who fetched him from his escapade that night, and every other night after that. "We've become Seadogs, haven't we?"
"I prefer being called Old Salt." They had grown up with the salt of the sea on the air they breathed and the warmth of the sun on their skin. "We're not Scallywags anymore."
"No, we are not." Watching how Tenrou was almost a breath away, Natsu stood straighter. "Run a shot across the bow!" His voice alerted the crewmates. If he returned, he would do so with a grand entrance. Not that whoever was on the island had not been alerted to their presence, but he loved making some noise.
"Fire in the hole!" Someone shouted before the boom of the cannon was heard. Not a moment later, he heard one back from the island. He had missed his home.
Upon reaching the protected port, Fairy Tail had as its base, all labs got to their duties. The anchor fell and the ship was secured to the port. Those that gathered cheered as one by one the pirates disembarked. Natsu was the last one to do so. His eyes roamed over the crowd, searching for his wife.
Their eyes met among all gathered and a smile split his face in two. It was like not even a day had passed over her. He walked to her or tried to since his land legs had yet to return. It was embarrassing how a heartfelt reunion could be destroyed by his body not used to walking on land. Lucy was there to caught him though. She buried herself in his embrace, taking in all the warmth that she missed. Both breathed in deeply, having missed each other's scent. Their hands roamed, tenderly remembering the feel of each other. Their souls were finally at peace, knowing their other half was just there.
Lucy put a hand on his face, his eyes just like she remembered joyful and warm. Raising on her tiptoes, she kissed him, all the longing and missing and grieving of being apart expressed in a single kiss. He could taste the salt of her tears, yet her lips pulled into a smile. A laugh escaped her as they parted and she was buried once more in his embrace.
"I missed you." Both confessed at the same time, breaking into laughter. Putting a hand on her face, his palm engulfed her whole cheek, as he wiped with his thumb her tears.
"I'm here. No need to hang the jib." Pinching her pouting lips, he tried to get her to smile. If it was one thing, he missed the most, was seeing that beautiful, radiant smile. When she tried to bite his finger he retreated his hand, wounding it around her middle.
"You took your time returning." Playing with the hair at the base of his neck, Lucy noted how he had shortened it. Every day since he left, she had prayed for his safe return. When she heard the cannon go off, she knew he had returned. She had abandoned filling Makarov's books, one of her new duties, due to his old age. Staying behind had taught her how much planning was needed to keep their pirates' ships safe and the crewmates. The port was filled with people by the time she reached it, yet it took her only a second to spot him.
"I'm sorry, the sea was harsher than we thought up north." Nuzzling his nose on hers, Natsu was grateful to have made it home. He was no fool, he could admit fearing meeting David Jones once too many, but his crew and their determination pulled them through.
"At least, you're home safe." Placing her hands on his cheeks, she placed a brief kiss on his lips. "Shall we celebrate with the others or can I take you home first?"
"Let's go home." Taking her by the hand, he went to drag her off, but his legs still used to the rock of the ship, almost betrayed him. Her laugh rung throughout the whole port, as she placed his arm around her shoulders to help him. As they walked, his balance gradually returned, yet he never took his arm off her. Reaching their home, Lucy insisted they first go to the small lake behind their house for a bath to relax. Natsu agreed, knowing there was no way he was permitted inside their house without getting thoroughly washed. She let him alone to go grab some essentials while he headed for the lake. There he undressed, getting rid of all his dirty clothes and sinking to the cool waters.
Lucy did not take long to join him. He had missed her so much. As soon as she was beside him, he took her in his arms, just holding her close. He wanted to feel her skin on his, a reassurance that she was there and his return was not a dream.
"How were your travels?" That simple question was the start of a very long retelling of what their crew had done over the past two years. It was a story of harsh seas and foreign cities, of strange sea creatures and icebergs as high as the sky. There were good and bad moments on their travels. Moments of growth and times were everyone was ready to give up. He was proud as he listed the accomplishments of the younger generation and how proud he was for each one of them.
Then, as the sun began its descent, they returned home, a mess of lingering kisses and touches. Two years of longing and the everlasting love that still bloomed between them led to the foregoing of any celebration, to remember each hidden crook of their bodies, once again. It was the longest they had ever been separated for since they reunited all those years ago. Between moans and hitched breaths, they professed their love again and again. And when the sun had set, they were still embraced, a mess of limbs unable to comprehend where one began and the other ended.
"Luce," Her name like a prayer had been spoken once too many that night. Feeling his lips upon her palm, had her turning her head towards his, putting her chin on his chest and never taking her eyes off his. "I don't want to ever be separated from you again."
She did not know what to say. Lucy did not want to return to the sea, content with how her life had developed on land. "Natsu, I missed you too dearly, but I won't be raising the Jolly Roger anymore." She could admit missing a good fight and a dangerous heist, yet as time passed, she got used to her new life. No matter how much it hurt to see him go, she did not want to return to the ship.
"I'll batten down the hatches." Natsu was certain he had never seen his wife's eyebrows reach so high. Her eyes widened, her mouth fell open and not a sound escaped her. "I want to stay here with you." Cupping her cheek, he stroked her cheekbone with his thump. He would have never thought his words would elicit such a reaction. Even when he proposed in the middle of a battle, she was less surprised.
"But the ship is your whole life." It was no lie, Natsu was born and raised on the ships. His father was a pirate, his mother a maid at Lucy's old estate. From the moment he could crawl he was on a ship, crossing the sea and learning to sail.
"But you are much more." The captain had grown old. He was almost fifty, most of his crew had adult children and most of them wanted to retire. Gray was right in wanting to wear the long clothes and he would be a hypocrite if he didn't admit thinking about it too.
"I don't want you doing it just for me. I'll be here no matter how many times you set sail." Lucy was afraid he did not truly want to stay on land. Natsu became restless quickly, life on land was not suited for him. He was a free spirit meant to roam the seas.
"I'm doing it for me too. I want to pass on the handle to someone younger. Maybe Gajeel's son or Erza's, they are both capable." He had seen them in action during their travels. If he hadn't heard his friends and permitted the younger ones to tag along, he wouldn't be having that conversation now. "Gray's kid is good with the maps, so the ship won't sink and Gajeel's daughter can mend the ship just fine."
"You want to be tied down here? What will you do?" The woman was happy to hear him praise the children. Both of them had loved all of them dearly, most had been born on the sea, their mothers' far too stubborn to be let on land. Lucy had aided in all of their births and then their raising. She thought of them as her own.
"I could always learn to garden. There is land to cultivate or I could share my wisdom with the next generation." Letting his hands embrace his wife, he held her even tighter. "I could always dedicate my time to my wife though. Make her so sick of me she kills me in my sleep." Laughing as Lucy slapped his chest, Natsu stole a kiss. The thought of settling down was not so scary after all.
"Don't give me ideas, Captain." Smiling she let her fingers draw lines on his chest. A life not on the run, with her husband by her side, was a very domestic thought. When had they grown from youngsters yearning for adventure, to grown-ups wanting to settle down? "You sure about this decision?"
"Never been more." Hugging her closer, he sunk his nose in her hair taking in her scent. He always found it very soothing. "I'll be by your side, loving you, till David Jones comes looking for me."
"I'll love you, till the end of this life and the start of the next one." They sealed their promise with a kiss. One tender, long and scorching. It was a promise to never let each other alone. To always be together. To never stop loving each other. To this life, and the one after that, and so on, till the universe decides their love would never cease to exist.
A/N Throughout the years, I never forgot this story. As I re-read all the comments, then the two chapters I wrote, I decided their story needed an epilogue. I think what I decided for them is a fitting end.
Hope everyone enjoyed it, as much as I did writing it!
It is always a pleasure to hear from you, so if you want leave a comment! Constructive criticism is very much appreciated since English is not my first language.