Hi! I'm sorry it's been a while, life just got ugh -_- but was finally able to finish up this chapter and hope you all enjoy! Yay for reaching the big 2-0!
Natsu's dealing with a whole mess of emotions this time but there's always a happy ending uwu
Also updated my name here but still the same ol' otp feels ;)
It's always the trauma that tends to remain a vivid memory in your mind, while the rest feels like a blur.
For Natsu, the painful moments he wished he could forget that still sprung up every so often, while there were large areas after those moments he felt like a deep blur with no recollection of what he did, where he went, who he even was at that point in his life.
When he heard Igneel's voice on his phone again after all that time, the memories of his wide smile, loud deep laugh, and kind eyes came rushing back so quickly. The tone of his voice, so warm and familiar, just like it always was, pulled all the air he had in his lungs for a moment. It made him fully realize just how long it had been since he heard it.
Lucy had been right there to ground him as she always did, bringing him back to the moment after his rush of emotion and now they were seated back at the dining table.
He felt a little better after he ate something, hands still cradling the warm cup of soothing tea Lucy had made him.
"Thanks, Luce… sorry about all this," Natsu sighed, running a hand through his hair, "know you usually have stuff to do."
She put aside her own cup she was drinking, her laptop already tucked to the side of the table when they sat down. "Hey, that's okay. It's nothing that can't wait until later, don't worry," Lucy reassured softly, reaching over to squeeze over his hand. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."
He gave her a small smile and returned the touch before taking another long breath, quiet for a few moments before he said, "I haven't seen or really talked to him in a couple years, so guess it all just caught me off guard."
Lucy hummed in understanding.
Natsu sighed. "I know I've only talked about Igneel here and there, but it's just- he hasn't been around for a while and I didn't wanna dig up all these messy feelings," Natsu rasped, pausing for a bit. "He'd started to get a little distant a while ago, then the next thing I knew, all his stuff was gone when I got home from school one day. Left on some job. We still talked after that but it felt different…" Natsu huffed, bit of frustration tightening his chest. "Maybe I could'a tried harder to keep in touch… but then he had that chance too? Especially since he's the one who changed his number? I dunno."
"I'm sorry things are so confusing," Lucy said softly, brushing a soothing touch over his hand.
"It's alright," he sighed again, looking up into those warm understanding eyes, some of that frustration easing as he reached over with his other hand to place it over hers. "It just makes me sad that so much time's gone by… but then it makes me happy to finally hear from him and it frustrates me that I'm happy 'cause he's the one who left?" Natsu turned to look over through the windows in the kitchen that overlooked the backyard. "We were so close when I was younger, felt like I had gotten my dad back. He even moved in here after everything with my parents, helped take care of all the technical stuff so we could stay here… he was there on the nights I woke up a mess in the middle of the night, and mostly I was just grateful to still have someone."
Natsu's chest ached, remembering the nights Igneel helped him get through the rough nightmares of the crash where he woke up in tears, soothed by Igneel's reassuring hugs and words. The days he would question why it had to happen at all and why he was the only one left behind and struggled to just make sense of anything. His heart slowly pieced back together by Igneel's constant warm kindness and kept from crumbling completely.
"It slowly started feeling like things could be 'normal' again for us here after that… for a couple years, until he started working a lot. He got into construction and would take these long contract jobs where he'd be gone for weeks or months." Natsu's gaze found the wood grains in the table again, tracing random shapes with his fingertips. "By that time I was already good friends with Gray so I was always over his house. His parents took me in like I was their own," he remembered with a fond smile. "As if they needed another wild kid in their house."
He laughed lightly, making Lucy smile with him before he continued.
"Igneel started taking these longer jobs once I started high school, sometimes not even telling me until he'd already left," Natsu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It didn't even surprise me after a while. Zeref was long gone by then and I just hated coming home to an empty house so I would just end up staying over Gray's for a couple weeks sometimes. Igneel would send money and stuff, but that never mattered to me. I missed him and I just wanted him here… it-it made me feel like it was just another person who was leaving. That maybe it was me." Natsu took a shaky breath, swallowing past the lump in his throat as he felt his eyes prick with new tears.
"Natsu…" Lucy made a soft soothing sound, moving around the table to sit closer beside him. "I'm sure there's a deeper reason behind what he did, but I know you weren't any of the reasons. Things feel even more confusing when you're young like that," she reassured.
His eyes fluttered closed, leaning into her soothing, grounding touch on his back and shoulder. He hadn't thought or talked about all this in so long, the words felt rough in his throat.
"Hm, they really are," Natsu huffed, "but it got harder to try and keep in touch once I enlisted. I think I ended up telling him I was doing it over a quick voicemail," he breathed a tired laugh, "I eventually got less and less from him whenever I tried after that and there's was a whole mess of things in between, but I'm just more tired of holding onto all the anger and negativity, 'cause it's just-" Natsu cut himself off and sighed, running his other hand over his face. "Think I wanna call him back and see if we can talk." His chest throbbed at the thought, but he knew he had to take this step forward.
He'd felt better after moving past some of the lingering negative feelings with his parents after they cleared up the house, so he hoped it continue this time.
"Know it may be hard, but I'll be here for you every step of the way."
Some of the tension eased from his shoulders, leaning over to press his forehead against Lucy's with a soft grateful smile. "Thank you."
Lucy smiled back warmly, those amber eyes shining with kind adoration. She reached up to caress his scarred cheek, thumb brushing under his eye gently. "Thank you for sharing all that with me, I know it took a lot. You're so so good, everything that you are, and you'll always mean so much, to me... and I'm sure to Igneel."
Natsu gave a shaky nod, swallowing roughly before pressing a kiss to her forehead and pulling her in for a close, tight hug. He buried his face in her soft hair as a few tears finally spilled over, warmth and honey comforting his heart as Lucy wrapped her arms around him just as tightly.
Knowing he had her support, and love, always meant the world to him, giving him the extra motivation for what he had to do.
Natsu was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, picking up and setting down his phone on the island in front of him.
Lucy had already left a while ago, needing to do some work at the college today. Natsu got a few things done before his mind drifted back to Igneel and the voicemail that still flowed through his mind, as it had the past two days.
Of course it would be easier to just not do anything and tuck it all away again like he had before. Like he'd done so many times before for his parents, his brother… and him.
But he knew that was always a temporary fix and a bigger part of him wanted to sort through all the heavy emotions and thoughts he realized he'd been carrying around for longer than he thought.
He breathed in deeply with that thought, tapping Igneel's name he'd added to his contacts and put the phone to his ear. There was a moment of silence after the call picked up.
"Natsu?" A familiar raspy voice answered.
"H-Hey, yeah it's me," Natsu said, fingers fidgeting with a hand towel by the sink, watching Happy explore the backyard through the window in front of him.
"Hi, I'm happy to hear from you." Igneel's voice softened.
Natsu was quiet for a moment, gathering himself. Despite all the times he'd replayed the voicemail, hearing Igneel's voice in the moment like this after all these years made his chest ache and swell with warmth. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you all of a sudden like that, but I'm- I was glad..." Natsu admitted, moving to sit on one of the stools and running a hand through his hair. "Though, um, I was hopin' we could meet up for dinner and talk more soon?"
"Y-Yeah, of course," Igneel agreed, voice a little eager before he cleared his throat, "how's this weekend for you?"
Natsu thought of the rest of their week, thinking of nothing that would conflict. "Yeah, that works. Think I know a good spot too."
"I'm up for anywhere," Igneel said, Natsu hearing the smile in his voice and he found himself breaking a small smile along with it.
"Alright, I'll send you the info and stuff and talk more soon?"
"Sounds good. Lookin' forward to it already… and thank you, Natsu."
Natsu swallowed roughly and hummed. "Have a good rest of your day."
"You too, bye," Igneel replied softly before the call ended.
Natsu sighed deeply, setting down his phone and rubbing the back of his neck. That part was done.
His chest still felt tight, with swells of a mix of emotions he couldn't pick apart just yet, but there was a bit of anticipation at the thought of finally seeing Igneel again soon.
The weekend came up quickly after that and Natsu was fidgeting with the glass of water between his hands on the table, knee bouncing slightly as he slowly looked around.
Guess this was really happening.
His phone felt heavy in his pocket, the urge to call Lucy again bubbling up, but he could hear her reassuring warm voice in his head with the words she'd said to him at the house before he left earlier.
"Everything's gonna be alright, I believe in you. You're stronger than you know."
He breathed deep with a small smile, a little more settled.
Some movement by the door that lead out to the outdoor patio where he was sitting caught his eye, something tightening in his chest at the sight of familiar red hair.
Natsu took a steadying breath and stood to catch Igneel's attention where he was talking to one of the waiters, the older man spotting him when Natsu gave a wave.
Igneel grinned that familiar wide smile and slowly made his way over to Natsu's table. Though, when he got closer, the sight of him walking with a cane, a prominent limp in his step, sent a sharp throb through his chest.
"Heya, Natsu."
The sound of Igneel's voice in person distracted him and Natsu's expression softened and he found himself stepping into the hug Igneel was offering.
The scent of pine, cedar, and comforting warmth surrounded him, making Natsu's chest swell with such familiar fondness when Igneel squeezed him tight, it almost made tears prick his eyes.
Igneel sighed with a small smile when they moved to sit, hooking his cane on the arm of the chair.
Natsu cleared past the slight lump in his throat. "Hey, what happened?" Natsu asked with some concern, glancing towards the cane.
Igneel huffed a laugh, scratching the back of his head. "It was a whole thing," he said, waving a hand in front of him, "wanna order some food first?"
Natsu accepted the deflection for now and nodded with a light chuckle. "Yeah, sounds good."
Their waiter stopped at the table soon and after a little small talk, their food quickly arrived and tasted just as good as everything looked on the menu.
Igneel sighed in content, leaning back in his chair. "Man, that was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. "
Natsu grinned, looking at several of their practically cleared plates. He'd almost forgotten just how much they could eat together when they were hungry enough. "I dunno what you've been eating then, 'cause there's even better ones downtown. Just don't tell these guys I said that."
Igneel's warm brown eyes brightened, smile crinkling the finer lines around his eyes. "Really? We'll have to make another trip then."
"Just might have to," Natsu laughed lightly before they were quiet for a moment.
Igneel took a breath before giving Natsu a soft smile. "So the town's really changed, huh? But at the same time it hasn't… feels nice to be settled back in one place again though, back home. If it wasn't for this bum leg I would be able to do more. Least it's not my driving leg." Igneel winced a little as he reached to readjust his leg.
Natsu's brows drew in a bit and Igneel must've seen the concern on his face again.
"It happened on our last big construction job," he started, "corporate remodel, and one of the guys was moving some big, heavy wood beams and the machinery malfunctioned. A couple of 'em fell loose and I was the closest one and couldn't move away from one fast enough. Just my luck, huh?" He huffed a laugh. "But rather it be me than anyone else. Legs got pinned but only the left got bad fractures down the whole thing. I shoulda just let my crew take over from the beginning but I always had to be hands on with everything." Igneel took a long drink from his glass before leaning back in the seat. "They said it was gonna be a long recovery so I decided to come back and let them handle the rest. Been in all kinds of physical therapy for almost the past year since I've been back, but it's way better than when I got here." Igneel sighed deeply when he finished, running a hand through his hair.
Natsu took a moment to fully take in the sight of Igneel sitting before him. He was greying at his temples and along the scruff of his beard. His eyes were still kind, but there was an obvious tiredness behind them, in the set lines around them, and in the broad line of his shoulders.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that, but I'm glad you're okay and glad it wasn't worse for you. I know how hard recovery can be," Natsu eventually said with a heavy sigh, "but… so you- so you just came back 'cause you got hurt? After all this time?"
Natsu didn't mean for his frustration to leak into his voice so quickly but all the mix of emotions he'd pushed aside all these years were bubbling to the surface now.
"No… I-I promise. I'd been starting to feel really worn down before all this and wanted to come back, but this just pushed me to make it happen sooner," Igneel said, "and I… I really wanted to call you or see you as soon as I got back, I did, I just-" Igneel's expression pinched, running a hand through his hair again. "I figured I'd let too much time pass and it'd been so long, you wouldn't want to hear from me."
"Of course I would've," Natsu defended softly, his chest aching. "I've wanted to keep in touch all these years, but after getting less and less from you every time I tried to reach out, I got the hint so I just gave it some space.
"I know… I'm- I really am sorry, Natsu," Igneel rasped, his eyes pleading, "I never meant for so much time to go by and for things to drift so much between us. I was trying so hard to build my life into something more but then before I knew it, I just-" He cut himself off, running a hand over his face.
"I know it probably wasn't intentional, but I… I just really missed you," Natsu admitted, swallowing thickly. "We were living together at the house, but not really. Things felt different, distant with us. I would be happy 'cause you would get back, but then would just leave again without even telling me." He had to blink away the pricks of tears in his eyes with a huff. "Yeah, I got the money you would send, but that was never the important thing. Zeref was basically gone too, and I hated being alone in the house back then after everything and I just wanted you there… together, like you'd said we'd be." Natsu's voice faltered, grateful that they were towards the corner and the patio was a bit empty. His chest was still aching sharply, but the words he'd been holding onto for so long were out now. "Part of me thought I'd done something wrong..."
"No, that- it was never you, Natsu," Igneel reassured quickly, his own eyes glossing over a bit, reaching out to grasp Natsu's hand on the table. His hand rough and warm. "Your parents, they had put so much trust in me after everything, and you got so much taken away from you so young, after a while I'd started to feel like I wasn't doing enough or providing enough," he rasped, gripping Natsu's hand tightly, "I wanted to build a better life for y-you… for us, but I should've talked with you more and tried harder to keep in touch when I was gone. I'm sorry I made you feel like that for so long, I never meant to hurt you more than you already were. You had, or have, every reason to be upset with me. I'm upset with myself for not seeing how it was effecting you sooner. By the time I started to realize things, there was already this space between us."
There was such strong guilt in those familiar brown eyes when Natsu looked up at him, forcing him to swallow past the still growing lump in his throat before he tried to talk again. "We both lost a lot, but you were always enough for me. Just having each other was more than enough."
Igneel gave a shaky nod, quickly brushing away a tear that had fallen with his other hand. "I'm just more frustrated that I missed so much. I'm sorry for missing your graduation and not being there in the beginning when you first enlisted or all your promotions. I thought about you all the time, hoping you were okay out there. There's so much I wanna make up to you... if you can forgive me," he asked, with a shuddering breath, expression pleading.
Natsu sighed heavily, settling his other hand over Igneel's, the tight ball of tension in his chest easing. "It's easy to wish things could've been different, but we can just try to move forward now, together. Of course I do... if you can forgive me too for not trying to talk to you more about how I was feeling rather than hold everything in all that time. I know that probably didn't help either."
Igneel's expression softened, rough palm squeezing over Natsu's hand, the contact grounding him now, just as it used to. "There's nothin' to forgive. I'll always love you. Just as you are," he smiled kindly, quiet for a few moments. "Think messy communication got in our way and messed with a good thing," he said, breathing out a deep laugh.
Natsu chuckled in return, slipping his hands from Igneel's to rub the back of his head, heart warming at his words. "Hey, I've gotten better but can't deny I'm still a work in progress."
Igneel grinned wider. "Aren't we all."
They shared a meaningful look, things finally feeling a bit lighter between them after finally talking some things out, which Natsu realized they probably should've done much sooner, but now turned out to be the right time.
"So, how're you? Those look like they must've hurt too," Igneel asked, voice softened.
Natsu watched his concerned eyes shift to his cheek and lower, Natsu realizing the shirt he was wearing exposed the one on his neck too.
Natsu raised his hand, fingers brushing over the edge of some of the uneven skin along his jaw. "Oh, these?" They'd become part of him now, blending into his skin and hardly thinking about them most days anymore. "Happened on this last deployment I was on," Natsu sighed, "got caught in this bad blast that took us by surprise. I was the closest to it too and it aggravated my shoulder again from the impact. It was towards the end so they sent me home 'cause of it, and a bad concussion…" He ran a hand through his hair, remembering how much of a struggle those first days back home were always a struggle, more so that time. "But I had Lucy and my friends to help me get through it."
"I'm sorry, that sounds painful, but I'm glad you made it back safe," Igneel said softly.
Natsu sighed. "Yeah, I went through a bunch of PT too. Still have to go to check ups for my head and stuff."
Igneel hummed in understanding. "They never make it easy... Though, you've proven you got a tough head a bunch of times from falling growin' up so you'll be okay." Igneel laughed when Natsu narrowed his eyes at him playfully before Natsu couldn't help but chuckle along with him. A knowing smile grew on Igneel's face soon after. "So, there's a Lucy, huh?"
Natsu smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his warming neck. He realized he hadn't mentioned Lucy yet and just let it slip. "Ah, yeah," he breathed an airy laugh, "she's… she's my partner. We've been together for a little over a year and it's been… she's just- Lucy's amazing. She's gorgeous, so generous and kind, super smart, always inspiring me," Natsu grinned fondly, warm adoration swelling in his chest.
Igneel hummed. "You really love her don't you?"
Natsu glanced up to see Igneel's warm, kind expression, with that infectious wide crooked smile and he breathed in deep. "I really do… she's my everything."
He felt that with his whole heart and soul.
Igneel's smile grew. "Then that makes me happy that you're happy."
Natsu grinned and moved to pull his wallet from his pocket, taking out one of the mini polaroids of him and Lucy he kept there and showing it to Igneel. Sure he had lots of other pictures on his phone, but he loved the physical ones and this they took by the lake one day was one of his favorites.
"Well, that proves it. Y'all look perfect together. She even outshines you and your new loud hair," Igneel teased with a smirk.
Natsu laughed, fingers tracing the edges of the picture gently and running a hand through said hair with the other hand. "It's not that new, but she really does."
"I can tell you're crazy 'bout her just from the way you look at her in that picture," Igneel grinned.
"Yeah…" Natsu shamelessly gushed, "Lucy actually moved in recently and we've been cleaning up around the house a lot. Finally clearing out a bunch of mom and dad's old stuff, feels better already."
"That's so great, I'm glad." The warm kindness still radiated in Igneel's eyes, sharing a few quiet content moments together before he added, "Now, you've got to tell me the story behind this new hair," he said, wide toothy smile taking over his face again.
Natsu rolled his eyes and laughed brightly.
They talked for a while longer, about the bet with his hair, catching Igneel up about Gray and the rest of the group, some overseas stories. Igneel shared more about his company and the cities and towns he visited.
The more they talked, the tight knot of nerves in Natsu's stomach and chest he'd had since he got Igneel's call slowly melted into familiar warm comfort with every smile and full laugh, with a twinge of an ache in his heart that they let so many years go by without this.
They made their way well into the night until they noticed people started clearing out and they were one of the last ones left, eventually making their way back towards the front of the building.
Igneel sighed in content, looking up at the dark sky, tightening his jacket around him and adjusting his stance for his cane. "It's a nice night out tonight."
Natsu hummed in agreement, looking over at Igneel's softly smiling profile. One night wasn't able to ease everything between them, but his heart felt lighter than it had in a while when it came to their relationship and he felt like they were heading in the right direction.
"I'm glad we did this," Natsu admitted.
He turned to look over at him. "Me too," Igneel said quietly, turning fully towards him. "I'm sorry again, Natsu… I still wanna make things right and I-"
Natsu moved closer and gave Igneel's arm a reassuring squeeze, pausing his words. "I know," he said softly, "so do I." Igneel had made a lot of effort so far in this first step and Natsu felt right meeting him halfway to try and get back to what they had. "Maybe next time you can come over to the house for dinner and meet Lucy?"
The lingering flicker of guilt in Igneel's eyes cleared for now, giving Natsu a widening warm smile. "I would love that, thank you." He closed the distance and pulled Natsu into another hug. Natsu relaxed into it, returning it tightly. "Love you, kiddo."
Natsu smiled against his shoulder at the name, swallowing past the lump that reappeared in his throat and tightening his hold around Igneel's solid form. "Love you too… dad ." His voice trailed off into a whisper, the name tightening his chest from not saying it for so long, but it felt right.
Igneel may have not been his father by birth, but despite all the hurt they'd been through the past few years, it couldn't erase all the ways he became just that and more after his parents died, and all the ways he kept Natsu from crumbling completely.
Natsu felt Igneel take in a shuddering breath, pressing a kiss to the side of his head just like he used to and squeezed Natsu tighter.
They stayed like that for a few more moments before they broke away, Igneel ruffling Natsu's hair for good measure, making him laugh roughly.
"Alright, drive safe and get back home to your girl," Igneel grinned brightly with a squeeze to Natsu's shoulder.
Natsu chuckled. "I will. You drive safe too, talk to you soon?"
Igneel's grin widened. "Absolutely. Night." He gave Natsu a wave before heading towards his truck.
Natsu watched him get settled before turning to his own, sighing with a small smile as he started it up.
He kept his smile when he pulled into the driveway and saw the soft glow of the lamp still on in the living room through the curtains despite it being a little late.
"Luce?" Natsu called out, stepping out of his shoes and hooking his jacket and keys back on the rack.
It was quite other than the low murmur from the television. He almost called out again before he caught sight of familiar blonde hair spilling over the arm of the couch. He walked around the couch, grinning softly at Lucy's sleeping form, Happy purring loudly over her legs.
Warmth swelled in his chest, reaching out to brush back some hair from her eyes and pulled up more of the blanket to cover her.
This really was home, right here with her, and he would never tire of getting to come home to this.
Lucy stirred a bit, eyes eventually opening slowly and meeting his.
"Hey, you," Natsu said softly, "didn't mean to wake you, looked pretty comfy."
Lucy smiled a sleepy grin, stretching a bit and moving to sit up, much to Happy's irritation from his loud mrowl while he moved up to the back of the couch, and settling into the corner. "I'm sorry, I was catching up on one of my shows and didn't even realized when I fell asleep," she laughed lightly, adjusting the blanket and reaching out for him.
Natsu grinned and settled next to her after giving Happy some ear scratches. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, gripping her hand and held it in his lap.
"It's okay, just gave me more time to admire your endless beauty while you sleep."
Lucy breathed another laugh, knocking his shoulder with hers. "So, how did it go tonight?" she asked softly, thumb brushing across his knuckles.
Natsu sighed. "It was good actually," he admitted with a soft genuine smile. "I was a little nervous after not seeing him for so long and things felt a little off at first, but by the end it started to feel like it used to feel."
He looked over, meeting Lucy's warm expression. "I'm glad."
"Mm, It didn't resolve everything, but it feels loads better than it has in a long time," he said with a grounding squeeze to her hand.
"Sure, things like this take time… but I'm so proud of you, Natsu," Lucy said softly, leaning over to press a kiss to his jaw, "I know how hard it's been for you."
Natsu hummed into her touch, turning to press his face into the crook of her neck. "I'll fill you in more tomorrow since it's kinda late, but I couldn't have done it without you."
He felt her rest her head against his. "You know I'll always support you in everything."
Natsu gave her a grateful squeeze to her hand and they shared a few quiet, content moments before he pulled himself up.
"I was thinking of inviting him over for dinner soon if you're up for it?" Natsu asked, reaching up with his other hand to curl some loose hair around her ear.
Lucy turned a bit more towards him, pressing into his touch. "Of course, I would love to meet him… and I love you ."
His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, letting the words wash over him and swell in his chest.
"Love you more," he replied softly, leaning in to close the distance and press his lips to hers for a slow meaningful kiss.
Lucy sighed against him, arms coming up to wrap around his neck. Natsu made a soft sound, moving to pull her legs across his lap and hold her closer, deepening the kiss.
Any lingering tension he had melted away by her warmth and every press of her soft lips.
She gasped in surprise against him when he suddenly stood with her in his arms. Her own arms tightening around his neck
"Don't worry, I got ya, princess," Natsu grinned, moving to turn off the TV and lamp, "allow me to escort you to our chambers, it's getting quite late."
Lucy giggled softly. "How thoughtful, my kind prince." She ran her fingers through his hair, sending pleasant tingles down his spine as he carefully made their way upstairs, Happy trotting up past them.
Natsu paused when he got to the room, flicking on the light. "Prince? Thought we went over this. I'm your big, strong dragon, okay?" he insisted with a stubborn pout.
He tried not to let his smile break through at her bright laugh that crinkled her eyes as he settled them on the bed.
It would always be one of his favorite sights and sounds.
"How foolish of me to forget," Lucy grinned teasingly up at him, "of course you are." She cupped his face and pressed a playful kiss to his nose.
Natsu smirked, low growl in his chest and settled further over her, admiring her in all her radiant beauty.
"Maybe I'll just have to remind you," he rasped between them, pressing a few warm kisses along her jaw before capturing Lucy's lips again.
They smiled into the kiss a bit before he slid his palm up her side and swallowed her soft sound, her fingers finding their way in his hair again to pull him closer.
His heart light and warm, wrapped in her arms, he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be.
Ah, we got a lot of feels in this chapter! But all worth it and hope you enjoyed it! uwu
I've been through a similar situation and reconnecting with someone who you used to be close with is always hard. So many hurt and confusing feelings, not being sure if it's the right thing to do, so just wanted Natsu to have his father figure back in his life and have that full familial love again 3
Since Natsu's birthday is coming up in the story again, just wanted to clear some things up 'cause my brain is dumb and I realize I haven't really mentioned their actual ages in the story yet lollll
Natsu is currently 28, about to be 29, and Lucy is 26 and about two years have passed since they met.
The dates that match are the days of their birthdays (Natsu's March 23rd, Lucy's July 23rd) and their anniversary date, November 23rd. Which is why they like to call '23' their lucky number. Just 'cause I thought it'd be cute loll
Hope that helps clear things up for those who had asked and were wondering!
Also, based on some drafting I've done, looks like we're in the middle of the story but there's still some I wanna add (or more like keep adding loll) but will keep you guys posted on when the end is getting closer! Even tho I don't really want it to 'cause I've gotten so attached to this au T_T
Can also find me on twitter _nyakoze for more fictional character simping
Thanks for reading and as always, special thank you for all the amazing support from last time! AthomeinFairytail, stranger1999, sevenlaila, rao hyuga 18, Bookwork129, itsxoi, Min-chan17, valerioux, Copperreign12, MaraDragneel3113, MillennialStargazer, Evil-Ang3l !