Chapter 3: Family.

Natsu found himself at a severe loss of words looking at his father figure. The rugged man gave him a warm smile. "It's been a while Natsu! Sorry I didn't tell you I was coming… Zeref and Lucy stopped me from saying anything to you!" After looking at Natsu's inscrutable expression, he hollered with laughter "But that surprised look on your face makes it worth it!"

Natsu heard Lucy giggle beside him and held him by his arm, nudging him inside. He was crushed in a bear hug by Igneel. Natsu felt his head getting dizzy due to the lack of oxygen and confusion. Good thing he was released before he could pass out.

After that, the group went to the spacious living room and found Nashi speaking to 2 elderly people, sitting on the old man's lap. Their features were oddly familiar and resembled Natsu and Zeref. He saw Lucy rush to them and exchange pleasantries. "Mother, Father it has been a while since we met. How have you been?"

Wait mother and father… B-b-but those aren't Lucy's parents… Natsu pondered over it for a while before he was suddenly enlightened. They are my birth parents! Zeref showed them to me when I was unconscious! How could I forget?! But weren't they alive 400 years ago, how were there here?! Well, anything can happen in dreams…

The couple was enthralled to see him. "How have you been son? Mother is so happy to see you after such a long time", the woman spoke. "You should visit your old parents once in a while Natsu", The elderly man spoke with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Natsu was at a loss for words, luckily their conversation was interrupted when they heard a loud BANG coming from the hallway. "Watch where you're going Lucas! Are you so conceited that your eyes have grown hazy?" Came the voice of a young man, around the same age as Luke. "I wish they had grown hazy big brother; I wouldn't have to see your sullen face otherwise!" Luke's voice was heard. The rest of the group only gave out an exhausted sigh at the banter they seemed to have been accustomed with.

Lucas seemed to have inherited all of Lucy's intellect and Natsu's ill-temper Apart the fact that both father and son loved Lucy dearly, they didn't share many similarities at all. Argh why am I overanalyzing this, this isn't even real! Natsu berated himself.

Just when Natsu was stepping into the hallway to check it out he heard the voice of the woman he revered come from the kitchen. "Larcade! treat Lucas well, he's your brother!" First master Mavis! Natsu's almost ran towards th voice when he saw another figure of around 18 years of age emerge from the kitchen. He looked familiar as well… Since Larcade is here, then that must be their elder son August!

August skillfully managed to stop the spat between his younger brothers and came to greet Natsu with a polite smile, "Good evening uncle Natsu! It's been a while." Natsu only nodded his head in acknowledgment. August gave him another look and went to Lucy.

Natsu went towards the kitchen to find Mavis icing a cake. "Natsu! How have you been?", she asked Natsu with a bright, happy face before she pouted with a hint of hurt in her voice, "You should drop by more often. You're Always so busy with missions…"

Natsu didn't know how to respond and wished her a happy anniversary instead. He heard Igneel's voice from behind him "It's actually my fault! I couldn't teach this idiot to respect and spend time with family!" Mavis only laughed fondly and said instead, "Dinner is ready, I would love to have a few helping hands in getting the table set!"

And so Natsu was dragged into getting everything ready for dinner. His heart was filled with happiness as he saw the rest of the family helping out and chatting with each other. Igneel was rambling away happily about his recent travels to Natsu. Lucy and August were talking about the new book she released and was giving him the pile of books she brought with her from home. Larcade and Luke were still flinging insults at each other while Mavis was yelling at them to stop. His parents were meanwhile playing with Nashi as they were showing her all the gifts they brought for her and her brothers. However, it seemed like there was one person who was missing.

Natsu found himself getting teary eyed. This is just what he had imagined and secretly desired. A happy family with lots of stories and experiences to share. He didn't want to wake up anymore. Staying back here did not seem like a bad idea. Nothing bad has happened to him even once since he came here, instead, everyone was treating him with such love and warmth (except, probably Lucas).

For the first time in his life, Natsu was ready to give up on a fight and remain in the world of his dreams. Everything he had secretly desired was offered to him on a silver platter by the Mugen Setsugekka, what more could he ask for?

Just then Natsu heard Luke's zealous voice. "Uncle Zeref!", he exclaimed. The man in question ruffled Luke's hair fondly and gave him a warm smile. "Hello sunshine. You seem excited to see me today?", Zeref tilted his head. "Uncle… You promised me you would help me train everday after school. Here I though you valued your every promise", Luke pouted. Zeref laughed heartily before hugging him tightly "I will definitely help you train tomorrow onwards alright?" Luke squeezed his uncle tightly and beamed at him before going back to helping Mavis set the table. They seem close. Natsu thought.

Zeref greeted Lucy and Igneel before going to Natsu. Seeing Zeref approach him, he was filled with mixed feelings. He still found it a little hard to converse with his older brother, though things seemed to have smoothed over recently. "Its been a while. How's my little brother doing?" Zeref asked with a twinkle in his eyes. Natsu just laughed awkwardly, "Happy anniversary Zeref!"

In a second, Zeref's expression changed and he questioned Natsu with a dark expression, "What are you doing here Natsu?" Natsu was dumbfounded.

"Huh?!"

"Don't play pretend. This isn't where you belong. This is an illusion, a dream. Go back!"

Natsu was taken aback. Zeref's expression was stern, his older brother was aware that he was dragged into this dream! He wanted Natsu to snap out of it… Natsu was touched. It was as if Zeref had appeared as a personification of the last bit of sanity left in his mind, desperately trying to pull him back to reality.

Natsu was just about to respond when he felt 2 arms wrap around his arm and heard a honeyed voice next to him, "What's this about a dream Natsu?" before she chuckled lightly, "You think this is all a dream?" Zeref looked at him with anticipation.

"It seems something is holding you back Natsu. If this were before, you would've realized this was a dream sooner and broken out of it a long while ago. This seems different, you are well aware that this is a dream, yet you cling onto it. Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"

Natsu was puzzled, what Zeref said was perfectly logical. What was it that is holding him back? He wondered loudly, in broken sentences, "This happiness… The joy on the faces of the ones I hold close to my heart… You and Mavis happy together… Igneel being there... Having a family…" Natsu blathered on before looking at Lucy and saying softly "Having Lucy this closely by my side and not losing sight of her… Having a family with her and waking up to her voice every morning… Always being able to protect and cherish her…"

He suddenly remembered the time he held Lucy's supposedly lifeless body in his arms during the Zeref's war. He went so mad with rage and despair that his mind went blank. Feeling her husband tense up, Lucy smiled at him sweetly and gave him a peck on his cheek, "Then stay…" she whispered softly.

Zeref on the other hand was getting impatient by the second. "Natsu! what about the people outside who might be attacked by Selene any moment now?! What about Gray who is still unconscious, Hakune can do anything to your bodies right now!"

The reality of the situation finally dawned upon Natsu. His friends are fighting a life and death situation outside and here he was living in a dream which he knew could never become reality.

He felt Lucy squeeze his arm harder, looking at him with those beautiful eyes he fell in love with. Those eyes which were filled with love for him just a few seconds ago seemed to reflect dark memories and sadness deep within her heart now. He could see her eyes grow watery and his throat went dry. Natsu couldn't afford to lose Lucy a second time, even if it was just a dream.

Last time, he left her without even having the courtesy to inform her or discuss things with her beforehand. He could only imagine the pain she went through with the family she loved so much parting ways and leaving her all alone. Looking at the worry and sadness on her face, he decided that if he had to go, he would convince her to let go. He was never going to disregard her feelings for him, even if this was all an illusion, she deserved to take part in making his decisions.

Natsu finally took notice of his surroundings and realized that everyone had grown silent. They were looking at him as if to convince him that this was reality. His older brother was probably the only one who was trying to kick him back. Natsu looked at Zeref with gratitude and mouthed a "Thank you nee-san". Looking at this, Zeref finally calmed down and returned a warm smile.

Nashi ran up to Natsu and clung onto his leg tightly, "Papa are you leaving us again? How long will the mission take this time?". Natsu replied helplessly, "Nashi papa is on a very long and tiresome mission…", Natsu suddenly made a choice, "But I will see you soon, in the real world. No matter what happens, papa isn't going to let go of his children. I will make sure I hold you two in my arms again. I promise! ",he told her with conviction. Zeref knew what that meant and was genuinely happy for his brother.

Luke only glanced at his father and said, "You better not break that promise old man! Like uncle Elfman says, real men keep their promises!". Natsu laughed at this The guild members are rubbing off on my children as well… He thought fondly. He gave his son and daughter a kiss on their foreheads and turned around.

Natsu looked at Igneel as tears welled up in his own eyes. He won't be able see Igneel again in his world… He gently let go of Lucy's hands and ran to Igneel to give him a hug. He wanted to take in his scent as much as he could, he won't be able to see him again afterall. Igneel hugged his son back and soon let go. "You shouldn't keep your friends waiting Natsu", he said. Natau nodded before going to hug his birth parents as well. Had Acnalogia not interrupted with their lives, he would have grown up under the care of his parents…

Natsu thanked Mavis, hugged August and ruffled Larcade's hair. If the war never happened and everything was resolved with peace, had he understood his brother sooner, Zeref and Mavis wouldn't have died, they could have had a similar family back on earth. Natsu thought with dismay.

Natsu went back to Lucy who was now crying as Zeref comforted her. Zeref let go of her gently and stepped back as Natsu held her by her arms and said assuringly, "You know I'll never let go of you right?" He touched their foreheads together, "Seeing you cry makes me very angry, especially when I am the reason for those tears. It only makes me hate myself for my inefficiency and inability to get things done without wreaking havoc."

He held her face delicately, as if it were a feather which could be crushed by his hand if he didn't handle it with care. Wiping away her tears, he said softly, "I have my Lucy waiting for me back home. I need to tell her something as soon as I can." He hugged her in his arms tightly, "You're an amazing mother, a good daughter, a skilled author and a beautiful wife" He buried his nose in the crook of her neck and snugged into her hair, breathing her scent deeply, he sighed, "Thank you Lucy… and… I-I love you… More than you could ever imagine." he whispered in her ear breathily, "I'll get you, no matter what."

Suddenly, there was the sound of glass breaking, and when he let go of Lucy, she gave him a satisfied smile "I'll be waiting then…"

Natsu smiled back at her "I won't be long…"

Author's notes:

My friend rightfully pointed that this scene kind of resembles a scene in demon slayer. I can't believe I didn't realized it sooner. But this was in no way inspired by demon slayer and was just a coincidence, so please don't mind!

I actually didn't know what names to give Natsu and Zeref's parents, but wanted to include them no matter what. A love big family reunions, soooooo the more, the merrier!

I have always wanted Natsu and Zeref to share a deeper bond, so I made sure it was Zeref who was going to burst Natsu's tiny bubble. Being the wise nee-san he is, of course he would figure out what was going on before anyone else. Like I mentioned before, Zeref is like that bug in the spell that was trying to pull Natsu back to reality. It may be because Zeref IS that powerful or it was Natsu's sane mind which manifested as Zeref to help him snap out of it. I like the former reason better.

I also wanted to Natsu to resolve about his feelings and future with Lucy towards the end of this chapter.

Thank you for taking your valuable time out to read this chapter.

Please do leave comments so I can improve wherever necessary!

The last part will be the Epilogue.