This chapter is a slow and peaceful one, filled to the brim with nothing but brotherly fluffiness. At first, it was supposed to be longer but then I thought these two simply deserve a chapter dedicated solely to them so here you go. I hope you are in for some love between the Dragneel brothers ❤️
"I will protect you, always." The words of his older brother echoed in soft motions around them. The promise riding atop the acoustic waves was obvious even though it was left unspoken. Hearing these words from Zeref set his young heart ablaze. Normally, Zeref is calm and collected, happier to sink himself into a book about topics, Natsu will never ever try to understand. Life offers so many more interesting things and wherever you look, there is always a new adventure waiting. So it's a rare occurrence that Zeref gets so emotionally on his own. Most of the time he needs a little bit of "help" in order to leave his books behind.
After whispering his innermost wish and desire directly into Natsu's ear, Zeref had laid back on the grassy ground and stared deeply into his younger brother's eyes, watching as the cogs inside his brain worked as he tried to progress the meaning behind his silent promise to protect him always. The pink-haired boy looked back just as intensive as the still youthful black mage does. Zeref's blackish orbs are mirrored inside his brother's onyx ones as the Dragneel brothers gaze at the souls of each other.
Somehow Zeref found this moment strangely intimate as if this is a secret that belongs only to them and them alone. Nobody else is allowed to know about this, not even their parents. Zeref doesn't understand why but that's simply what his heart tells him at the moment. Each day Natsu's life continues is a miracle by itself. All members of the Dragneel household aside from Natsu himself are aware of this, so Zeref supposes it must be his brotherly instinct that wishes to protect his younger brother no matter the cost.
So when Zeref sees the grin falling from the spiky-haired boy sitting on top of him, his own small smile vanishes as well. That was not the reaction the raven-haired boy expected and even though he will never admit this, his heart hurt from the sight. Natsu is supposed to be a ball of pure happiness, always giggling, always smiling. A grim look doesn't suit Natsu, his face is simply not made for anything else than a blissful expression. And to know that he is the reason for Natsu's distress shatters and tears apart Zeref's soul.
But before the raven-haired can lose himself further inside his dark thoughts, Natsu narrows his glare at his older brother and Zeref is surprised by the small but noticeable action. Right now Natsu looks exactly like their father does when he's not amused by something and since they are so similar, so similar that they in fact could be each other's doppelganger if it wasn't for the difference in height, Zeref has the sensation that his father is staring at him. It feels like he will be scolded any second and he must admit it's fascinating how two different people can be so homogeneous. Of course, they are father and son but even then it's really outstanding.
But even knowing this, Zeref was utterly unprepared for Natsu's next actions. His small hands reached forward and cupped his cheeks. The skin covering Natsu's hands was so soft, almost like the skin of a newborn infant. It was a nice feeling, one that could easily lull Zeref into deep slumber if Natsu were to caress him with his tiny fingers. But instead of rubbing his cheeks like Zeref secretly hoped he squeezed them together until his older brother sprouted a lovely fish-mouth.
Internally Zeref sighed disappointedly. What was he even expecting? He should remember whom he is facing at the moment. Realism and logic are misplaced here, sticking out like the very hair of his brother.
"Natshuuu," Zeref tried to exclaim but with his current facial arrangement, talking properly turned out to be quite a harsh and difficult task. Under normal circumstances, his mischievous little brother would have laughed about the funny sound that was supposed to be his birth name. But since Natsu was the culprit behind Zeref's dilemma and didn't let go the young black mage had little hope this would change anytime soon, Instead, Natsu squeezed even harder than before and confirmed Zeref's assumption that this would drag on for a longer period.
The paths of Natsu's mind are an unpassable maze only the younger Dragneel can pass through. In that regard, he's similar to their dad because sometimes Natherious Dragneel's thoughts are as tangible as a foggy dream. Looking back at his life so far, Zeref has collected a few instances where it was all but impossible to look in his father's cards. However, there is a single but significant difference between Natsu and Natherious.
Their father doesn't get lost in the labyrinth he had constructed himself whereas Natsu tends to lose his way from time to time, ending at a dead-end. When Zeref remembers these particular scenes of the past he has to sweatdrop because his little brother plain out asked their father, mother or him to end his thought for the pink-haired boy.
"Zeref, Zeref! Please think for me. I don't wanna anymore," is what he would say. A ridiculous demand but at the same time so adorable that you melt as fast as ice would inside hell. Truly only his brother Natsu Dragneel could craft such a fabulous idea. And the worst of it all is that all of them would indulge him because neither of them can resist his radiating cuteness. It was a devastating force to be reckoned with and destructively effective. The youngest member of the Dragneel household is without a doubt the shining star of their family, bringing honour to his unofficial title of being a ball of pure happiness.
With these thoughts flowing through his mind, the current situation is even more painful for Zeref. But leave it to his younger brother to do the unexpected, hitting him like a boomerang he wasn't aware of having thrown in the first place.
"I don't wanna this," was all that Natsu said to Zeref's proclamation of brotherly love. At that moment said boy wished the earth beneath him would open up and swallow him whole as his inner eye watched how his heart fractured and broke into billion pieces. He's not one who can show his innermost feelings as easily as his brother or father. In this regard, he's very much like his mother. She loves them, all of them but likes to express her love in silent and hushed moments when she is alone with one of her men.
But before Zeref could lose himself in his dreading thoughts, Natsu tilted his head sideways. His teeth formed his signature smile as his eyes closed and squinted. The sunshine from behind him intensified, radiating stronger and morphed his appearance into something even purer than before.
"I don't wanna be protected only by you, nii-chan. I don't wanna this to be one-sided," Natsu explained his earlier denial before he elaborated what he wished for.
"If you will always protect me then I will protect you as well, no matter what happens." Zeref's eyebrows shot upwards, so high that for a moment he thought they had left his face altogether before they slumped back into their rightful location. His eyes widened at his younger brother's brief but impactful declaration. He was stunned and looked in awe at the other boy. All the negative emotions that had built up inside his heart burned, set ablaze by the radiance Natsu always gives off. Right now even more so than normally. Zeref could feel how his eyes slightly watered from his brother's words.
They were warm and full of love. It felt like his entire being was wrapped inside a comfortable comforter that protected him from all the evil in this world. Before he realised what he was doing his face sprouted an identical smile as the one Natsu's face is grazed with, all toothy bright and wide.
'Not only have I the best mother and father but also the best brother in the whole world,' Zeref silently thought to himself as Natsu started to giggle. What for? He couldn't say and most likely Natsu neither. It didn't matter anyway as long as both of them were comfortable about the shared laughter. The sounds of utter bliss and happiness were contagious and soon enough the wide plane of grass was covered in their combined giggles.
By now, Zeref had placed his hands on his brother's cheeks in a similar fashion and squeezed as well. Natsu sprouted the same lovely fish-mouth as his brother and squealed in his embrace but he was unable to escape. Not that he wanted to leave anyway. Too delighted was the youngest Dragneel about the affection his brother was showering him with.
"Zewef," he protested at his older brother's antics, the noises he produced sounding just as funny. But suddenly his face was gently pulled forward and Zeref's face claimed everything he could view. Natsu was surprised by the new closeness to his brother he found himself in. Not that he minds. He loves his brother greatly so an intimate position like this is exactly what he wants and wishes for.
Their noses brush softly against each other and their foreheads touch as well. Zeref's blackish spikes tangle with his own pinkish spikes. Their soft locks hug each other the same way their bodies do as well and Natsu loves every moment of it. Zeref doesn't mind when he clings to him like glue but it doesn't automatically mean that his older brother is overly affectionate. Much to his disapproval, it's rather rare but Natsu learned over time to respect his brother's wishes. Besides, when Zeref gets affectionate he does it for real, refilling Natsu's bottomless tank for love to the brim and beyond.
The two brothers gazed deep into the eyes of each other. There is a saying which states that the eyes are the mirror of one's soul. If anybody would tell this to the Dragneel brother's they would confirm this assumption without a second's hesitation because it is the truth. The one thing they found in their restrictive eyes was the one emotion that stands above all others. Love.
Lifting his right hand from Natsu's face Zeref relocated it between them. He tightened his palm to a soft fist with his little finger sticking out and then he cooed in the most gentle sound imaginable, afraid that somebody might hear and steal away the brotherly vow that was about to be born.
"It's a promise then. You protect me and I protect you. For eternity." Zeref whispered in hushed manners. Silently he waited as his new phrased desire washed over his little brother. He saw how Natsu's eyes burned with compassion and he once again smiled as brightly as the sun itself. It looked funny since half of his face was still squinted and deformed from his left hand but he knew he was looking the same.
And this time no denial nor abhorrence rose to Natsu's face. Instead, he raised his own right hand and took a similar position as Zeref. Their small fingers touched and hooked around each other. The promise between the Dragneel brothers was formed and sealed, meant to last for eternity no matter what will happen in the future.
It was a silly deed performed by youthful boys but the meaning it holds for the children of Luna Heartfilia and Natherious Dragneel is unimaginable. It's a link that binds them forever to each other and even if the world turns upside down and the heavens split apart their shared bond will persist through all hardships. It was crafted from the primordial magic known as love, making it inseparable and indestructible.
Zeref and Natsu stayed like this for a long time, simply content with soaking in the warm presence of each other, happy that they could embrace each other in such a manner without remorse. For as long as they can remember, their dad has always taught them that showing their emotions is not a sign of weakness but of strength.
"True men stand to their emotions," is what he would tell them and since they believed him with the utmost trust they just did so and never regretted it so far. Always, when something was on their minds, they spoke it out, releasing the pressure from their hearts and souls. Not always did they receive an immediate answer but that was not important. Simply the fact that it was out of their system was enough. The relief their minds sensed afterwards better than anything else.
They could always be open with their parents no matter what was weighing on their shoulders. There was no need to hide their most secluded emotions and even if there would be their father was a master in detecting any distress squeezing their young hearts just as it was the case with Zeref's insecurities about his heritage. It's still a matter he wants to ask but he never found the suitable moment nor the desire to do so. His days were filled to the brim with such happiness and joy that he didn't care anymore.
Zeref was the first one to break the embrace with his brother but only to pull him back on top of his chest. He pressed a gentle kiss on his brother's cheek who giggled jubilant in response. They found themselves back in their initial position. Only had the sun passed its zenith by now and it was early afternoon.
The beams of light loosed their power slowly but since the world had absorbed their energy all day long it was still pleasantly warm outside. Their soft robes were the perfect choice for weather like this. Not too warm and not too cold. It was a perfect balance and it lulled them into slumber.
Natsu was the first one to yawn. His sharp canines showed before he buried his head in the crook of Zeref's neck, inhaling his brother's scent and he was gone. Zeref winded one arm around Natsu's body, securing his body while he was fast asleep. He watched as the clouds high above him in the sky continuously shaped form while he played with Natsu's pinkish spikes. The younger boy made a sound that was almost a purr and Zeref couldn't help but chuckle silently to himself. It was amusing to witness but he knew that he wasn't any better.
His mother once told him that Natherious has a tendency to make animalistic sounds and that both, Natsu and Zeref, inherited this from him. Zeref didn't believe this at first until he woke himself up in the middle of the night with loud snores that sounded more like the rumbling of a dragon. He was perplexed that he could create such noises before embarrassment took over. To make matters worse his mother and father looked at him with mild amusement the next morning. He knew that they knew. He was as red as a tomato but luckily he has a walking escape route always at the ready. He offered Natsu to play with him all day long and of course, the youngest Dragneel agreed to this with utmost joy and excitement, completely obvious to his older brother's ulterior motives.
And as he holds his younger brother in his arms he can't believe just how peaceful life could be. Natsu's birth was anything but that but he still pulled through and Zeref couldn't thank him enough for this. Natsu is a manifested blessing that brightens his every day of life. Watching new clouds appearing out of nowhere he remembers the meaning behind Natsu's name and he realises that today is a perfect epitome for it. Zeref smiles brightly as he hugs the embodiment of life closer to him, greedily shielding him from the rest of the world.
It is his turn to yawn, showing off his own fangs before he is lulled into peaceful slumber by the soft breaths coming from Natsu's nose. At that moment, Zeref misses the words to express just how happy he is and with that thought lingering in his mind, he falls asleep as well, chasing Natsu across the countless worlds their dreams crafted for them to explore, knowing very well that their mother and father will always protect them.
And as the two brothers journey from one eternal adventure to the next one, fighting off fire-spitting dragons, exploring the mysterious realms of god and trying to discover whether fairies have tails or not, deep inside their hearts one single sentiment settles down.
They are happy. They are happy to be born as Zeref and Natsu Dragneel.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. I personally consider the relationship and story between Zeref and Natsu as a real tragedy. Not only because there is so much unused potential but also because Zeref never struck me as a person who is truly evil. I view him more as a lost soul, desperate for someone to reach out his hand and offer assistance to escape the darkness he dwells in.
But that's what we fan fiction authors are there for so I hope you are in for the ride :D
Further, I recently started to look through the chapters I have posted in the beginning. I think there are many unsaid words left behind and I want to share them with you. So while I work on the next updates I will also take some time to expand the published chapters as well. I will not change any major things but add stuff here and there to give more insight into characters and scenes to hopefully make this story feel more alive. The first chapter went already through this process and almost doubled in length so if you get tired of waiting for the next update you can check out the new version if you want ️
