Author's Note :
I'm not dead. I just suffered mayor writers block + i re-installed Windows on my computer, which due to an error on my side deleted a 75% finished version of this chapter... aaaaand there went my motivation. Anyway i actually have another idea stuck in my head and i wont even start it until i finish this one so lets get to it. It should've been finished like half a year ago.
July 3. X798, Crocus Hospital Hallway
To say the situation was awkward was definitely an understatement. Neither side was prepared for this sort of confrontation with the past. Lucy stood in front of her old friends as if she'd been turned to stone. The group of Fairy Tail mages however had expressions from shocked over sad to tears of happiness on their faces.
Levy was the first one to break the silence as she stormed towards Lucy, embracing her in a bone-crushing hug. "Lu! You're here!", she screamed while crying into her former best friends chest. Now Lucy started tearing up too. Seeing Levy like this made her realize once more how much pain she caused her friends by leaving without an explanation.
Tears now steadily streaming from her eyes, Lucy finally spoke up, remaining as calm as she could given the situation.
"Everyone! I'm back home... and i'm deeply sorry for putting you through all of this without properly explaining myself."
Silence from her friends. Everyone took what felt like ages to process her words. Lucy felt so embarrassed that she thought about grabbing Nashi from Erza's lap and hightailing it out of there. She cursed herself on the inside for making that stupid decision seven years prior.
"No!", she told herself. "I'm here today to make things right, not to run away again."
Suddenly she realized that everyone was surrounding her. Erza proceeded to speak up.
"We couldn't be mad at you... even if we wanted. You are family after all. You owe us an explanation though.", she said giving Lucy an honest smile. Gray and Gajeel just nodded at that and Lucy felt like a giant weight had been taken off of her.
Nashi tugged at Lucy's skirt and was promptly taken onto her mother's arm. Lucy then sat down with them and started to explain her side of the story from the beginning. When she was finished Nashi was already fast asleep on Lucy's lap and Gray started talking.
"Jeez, I called it as soon as we found the note. You should've just talked to us... any of us. Natsu actually worked his ass off to earn your rent money so you could keep the apartment when you return.", he said. Lucy swiftly responded. "I know. I made everything worse than it had to be by being selfish and again i'm sorry for that, but can we change the topic? I would like to know how Natsu is doing."
"He hasn't woken up yet.", Erza answered her. "Wendy and Porlyusica are trying their best to replenish his magical power reserves. Now you tell me something. What about your guild mark? Wasn't that on your bandaged hand?"
Lucy nodded. "Yeah, emphasis on 'was'. Natsu actually burned it right off with his last attack during the match. I already talked to gramps though. I will get myself a new one tomorrow."
Erza's eyebrows twitched. "He burned it off? When he is fit again he's up for a round of master's punishment game!" Lucy shuddered at the thought, but was happy how Erza was taking the matter of her burned guild mark so seriously. "Please just let him recover first.", she giggled.
Gajeel and Levy said goodbye soon after that. Lucy said goodbye to her best friend and fellow bookworm. Shortly after the door to Natsu's room opened and Wendy signaled them over.
"Lucy! You're here! Come on in, we managed to get him up a bit. He seems a bit disoriented but I'm sure that will change once we get him something to eat.", she whispered. Lucy's face lit up at the sentence. Natsu would be okay. They would be able to fix everything and live together from now on.
As she entered the room she saw Natsu sat up in the bed, giving her an innocent smile. "Hey Luce, nice to see you.", he said while blushing lightly. "I'm sorry, I overdid it!"
"Natsu... Thank you for saving my- our daughter!", Lucy responded smiling. "I guess i'll have to get used to that, huh?"
Natsu chuckled, then turned to Erza and Gray. "Please don't be mad at her, okay? It was all my fault!", he pleaded. Erza was quick to answer, a darkish aura surrounding her. "I know. I also know what you did to her guild mark Natsu Dragneel! I'll make sure you'll get to play masters punishment game when we get the chance."
Natsu gulped. "L-Luce? A little help?" Lucy shrugged. "I just told her the story and she decided on it on her owm and I'm not one to stand in her way, you know her. Punishment is put off until you're well again though, I made sure of that.", she said.
"Thanks I guess.", Natsu said. "Anyway how is Nashi doing? Is she okay?"
"She was so shaken up by the news that you were unconscious that she ran off from home just to visit you.", Lucy chuckled. "Now she is sleeping like a log. She is totally fine though, thanks to you."
Natsu sighed in relief at the response. He was happy that his daughter was okay. Lucy sat down on a chair by the bed and briefly sat the still sleeping Nashi on her lap.
"Would you like to hold her, Daddy?", she teased. Natsu's face became a deep shade of red and he only managed to get a quick "C-can I?" out. Erza and Gray struggled to contain their laughter as Lucy carefully handed Nashi over to Natsu.
"I guess we better get going.", Gray chimed in. "Looks like you have lots to talk about after today. You better not vanish again overnight!"
Lucy stood up and gave him a short hug. "I wont. Promise! But can you two do me a favor?"
20 minutes later.
"I can't even believe they agreed to that.", Lucy giggled. Natsu shot her a grin. "Me too. Though I find the idea hilarious. Can you already imagine the looks on Mira's face?"
Lucy tried to contain her laughter, as it was already way too late. She would need to depart soon to get Nashi into bed again before returning the following day. So she gave Natsu a goodnight kiss. It was not really long but she savored the feeling of his lips against hers. She then took Nashi from him and went towards the door.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Natsu. I'm actually really looking forward to this", she giggled again. After one last wave to bid her goodbye Lucy then proceeded to carry Nashi straight to their apartment and tuck her into bed. "Where is Daddy?", Nashi asked in a brief moment of wakefulness. "Still in the Hospital, dear.", Lucy answered. "He woke up though, he even held you in his arms. We're visiting him tomorrow, so for now just sleep."
A few moments later Nashi was fast asleep again. Lucy fell asleep in her own bed soon after. The stress of the day had taken it's toll on her.
July 3. X798, The streets of Crocus
The street to Crocus' hospital was in utter chaos as Erza tried to get the guild to order in line as around 100 Fairy Tail mages plus a few individuals from different guilds marched down on it to visit Natsu. It turned out the arena got destabilized by the accident the day before, so the magic council had called the rest of the games off for the year while they inspected the damage done. Among the mages them were of course master Makarov, Erza and Gray who were all smirking inwardly as the guild would soon have a pleasant surprise to share with them. Erza went to disturb Levy and Gajeel's sleep the past night to urge them not to tell anybody of Lucy's recent return. Normally she wouldn't even think about that, but first of all it was a happy occasion so they might as well turn it into a surprise for the guild. Secondly she had to accept that she also would like to see Mirajane's jaw hit the floor. As they started to approach the hospital Erza spoke up.
"Everyone! Stop! There is no way we can fit all of you in there! We arranged to meet Natsu in a little park behind the building.", she exclaimed while still struggling to contain the masses.
Like a miracle the stream of people actually parted in two before it hit the hospital. Master Makarov sighed in relief, since he would've been made to pay for any damages. The mages went around the building at a leisurely walking pace and slowly but steady made their way toward the piece of green behind the hospital.
Meanwhile in the park behind the hospital...
Lucy and Natsu had sat themselves down on a wooden bench under a tree. Nashi was happy to finally get the chance to talk with Natsu as her father, not the Salamander of Fairy Tail. She was happily sitting on Natsu lap while talking about a plethora of things with him, which of course included the rare Dragon Slayer magic that was slumbering inside her for all this time. Natsu had promised to train her in a couple of years after all. That was, if and when Lucy approved of it.
Lucy sat next to them. She was busy peeling apples for Natsu while smiling to herself. As he was about to hand the plate over to Natsu she heard the most girlish high-pitched squeal imaginable, almost causing her to drop the plate to the floor. Turning around Natsu and Lucy spotted the entirety of mages that went to see their injured friend. Among them Lucy spotted Mirajane, hands covering her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.
Lucy was at a loss of words. Thankfully Natsu decided to speak up. "Hey everyone! Look who's back!", he said with a smug grin on his face. With the tension somewhat broken Mira rushed up to Lucy to greet her for the first time after so many years. Lucy then explained to everyone the reasons of her departure and introduced her daughter to her old friends. After a couple of stern looks and talks everything was settled though and everyone was just happy that Lucy was back and that Natsu was alright. Lucy got a new guildmark from Mira and Nashi got a golden one on her upper right arm.
After that another person came walking towards the three. He had blonde hair, a smug grin on his face and a somewhat extravagant clothing style, on his shoulders was a child with blonde hair that looked around Nashi's age. Natsu immediately recognized him. "Yo Sting! What brings you here?".
"Don't play stupid Natsu! Something burned you at the arena! I want to know what happened back there.", Sting shot at him. Natsu chuckled and pointed toward his daughter that was still sitting in his lap. "I guess my daughter's magic went a little overboard."
Sting's jaw dropped. "You were burned by her?"
"Yeah.", Natsu responded. "Also, since you brought your kid. Why don't we introduce them?"
Sting nodded and set his child down. Natsu spoke up. "Nashi this is Yuugo Eucliffe, Yuugo this is my daughter Nashi. Be nice to each other."
Yuugo had a face written with shock. Nashi buried her face in her fathers chest and Sting had a puzzled look on his face. "What's the matter you guys?"
"I dont want to play with him", Nashi exclaimed. "He was mean to me at school!"
Lucy, who had been in a smalltalk with Levy and Gajeel looked over to see the current situation. She came up to Natsu to explain the bullying at Nashi's school. Natsu almost went balistic. It took the combined force of Lucy, Gajeel and Gray to keep him pinned to the ground, despite his injuries. Yuugo was covering behind his father now, who shot him an angry look. "I'm pissed Yuugo, but wait until your mother hears of this. I'm sorry Natsu, he's been difficult since we told him that he apparently didn't inherit my Light Dragon Slayer magic. I believe he was just jealous of Nashi.".
After Natsu calmed down they sat down together. Natsu demanded an apology of Yuugo, who obliged. Nashi and Yuugo shook hands and most of it was forgotten in that moment.
Okay so that's it. The Story is over. Thank you all for joining me on this journey. Also thank you for every follow, favorite and review that this story gained over the last year. You guys are awesome!
