Fairy Friendship Week 2020
Prompt: Bonds
Pairing(s): Natsu & Igneel, Igneel x Eileen, Natsu & Erza, Eileen & Erza, Natsu & Eileen
July 14, 2001
Erza 10, Natsu 7
"Momma, momma, look at me!"
Eileen and Erza looked up from the flowers they'd been admiring, drawn by the sound of Natsu's excited cries as he ran towards them, or rather tried to. For no sooner had he uttered the words than his sandals got caught on the overly large pants he was wearing, causing him to fall face-first on the soft grass that grew all along the East Forest.
Not one to be easily discouraged, he got right back up, grabbing onto his belt with his left hand and holding the pants up as he continued to hurry towards them. His right arm was swallowed up by the too-long sleeve of the dark jacket he was wearing, while around his neck hung a scarf that Erza immediately recognized, as their father rarely took it off. None of these things diminished Natsu's proud grin in the slightest, and Erza's heart fluttered at how adorable her little brother looked dressed in their father's clothes.
"Daddy's clothes fit me perfectly!" he crowed once he reached them, but rather than standing still so they could admire him, he shifted his weight from foot to foot in an almost gleeful dance.
Erza giggled, "No, they don't, they're too big, Natsu."
Natsu pouted at his sister, but before he had a chance to reply, Eileen had picked him up, hugging him to her chest and kissing his head even as he squirmed in her arms. "You have gotten much bigger, darling," she agreed and was immediately rewarded by a beaming smile.
"Still shorter than me, though," Erza teased, standing up straight to demonstrate her height.
Eileen set Natsu down, watching with amusement as he took off after Erza, who continued to taunt him, the chase even more comical as Natsu continued to fall every few feet.
"I am, however, curious as to why you felt the need to take off your clothes," she mused, her words full of fond exasperation.
The blanket had been spread out under the shade of a large fir tree, the food basket she had so carefully prepared already sitting atop it, along with the clothes Natsu had been wearing. Her husband, Igneel, also sat on it wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers and an impish grin that was identical to their son's.
"Maybe I just wanted your attention," Igneel flashed her a roguish grin, patting the space next to him invitingly. Eileen snorted but indulged him, feeling his arms wrap around her middle and pulling her against his chest as they watched their two children play.
Natsu had finally caught up to Erza, but rather than get into a fight with her, he'd wrapped Igneel's scarf around her neck, and they now walked hand in hand, Erza leading him back to the flowers she'd been looking at and telling him all about them.
"She is so good with him," Eileen commented as she observed Natsu's rapt attention at his sister's words.
"Are you really that surprised?" Igneel placed his head on her shoulder, "She takes after you, after all."
"While Natsu is just as troublesome as you," she responded playfully.
"He's got a lot of spirit, as does Erza. I can't wait to see what they'll be like when they're older." Eileen could hear the wistfulness in his voice and placed her hands over his.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, I know how lucky I am. I thought I'd never get to have this again. It's just I can't help but wish…" Igneel trailed off.
"I know they'll get to meet him someday." Eileen assured him, "But for now, we need to respect Zelda's wishes."
"As my Queen commands." Igneel turned his head, placing a gentle kiss on Eileen's lips.
"You are ridiculous," Eileen chuckled, "Think you can manage to get your clothes back from our son before the mosquitoes eat you alive?"
"You're no fun," Igneel pretended to pout, but he released her from his embrace and got up, sneaking another kiss before walking over to where Erza and Natsu were playing and calling out, "Natsu, I need my clothes back."
"You gotta catch me first!" Natsu exclaimed, running off and squealing happily when Igneel gave chase.
Erza sat on the blanket next to her mother, "Are you sure Daddy's an adult?" she shook her head as she observed her father attempt to tackle Natsu, who somehow managed to evade him and keep running.
Eileen only laughed, "I think you'll find that the best adults manage to retain a bit of their child selves. Would you like some fruit?"
Erza nodded eagerly, and they opened up the basket, searching through its contents for some grapes.
"Daddy, no!" Natsu's laughs were loud, and Eileen and Erza couldn't help but smile at the sound.
"I guess he finally caught him," Eileen remarked, splitting the contents of the basket onto four plates.
"I give! I give!" Natsu's laughter became more breathless as Igneel tickled his sides. He got up and stripped off his clothes, handing them back to his father until he was the one standing around in his underwear.
When everything was arranged to her satisfaction, Eileen called out for them to come eat, but they had disappeared. She put her hand up to her forehead, squinting to try to find them within the shadows created by the surrounding trees. It didn't take her long to sight them. Igneel, now fully dressed and looking as handsome as always, walked back towards the blanket, carrying a wiggling Natsu on his shoulders, and an incredibly pleased smile on his face.
"They're up to something," Erza commented.
"Indeed," Eileen agreed, sounding unconcerned even as she watched them approach, "those two usually are."
In one swift movement, Natsu dangled upside down in front of her, his legs clamped around Igneel's neck to keep himself in place, while Igneel placed a hand on his chest to make sure he wouldn't fall.
"Here, Momma, I picked these for you!" Natsu looked very pleased with himself as he handed Eileen a messy bouquet of wildflowers.
"Thank you, darling, they're lovely." Eileen kissed him on the cheek, which for some reason, amused the dangling Natsu.
"And for my princess," Igneel announced, presenting Erza with a much more orderly bouquet he'd managed to hide behind his back.
"They're beautiful. Thank you, Daddy!" Erza leaped to her feet to give her father a hug, examining the flowers as she waited patiently for him to set Natsu down and bid him get dressed so they could eat.
"I'm gonna eat a lot!" Natsu said with his mouth already full, "And then I'll get big and strong just like you, Daddy! I'll fit your clothes for sure!"
Igneel laughed and moved one of the sandwiches from his plate onto Natsu's. "I don't doubt that for a second. Here, have a little extra then. You need it a lot more than I do."
"That's for sure," Eileen teased, laughing at Igneel's outrage when she caught the grape he tossed at her and popped it in her mouth.
Soon they'd eaten all the food, and with the sun warm and pleasant on their backs they spent a lovely afternoon exploring the forest, looking for any animals brave enough to show themselves. It wasn't long before Natsu started to lag behind, exhausted by all his previous running around.
Igneel picked him up, carrying him in his arms so that Erza and Eileen could spend a little more time in the nature they both loved. Natsu's warm breaths puffed ever slower against his neck, and with a sleepy, "Love you, Daddy," he succumbed to sleep.
"I love you too, buddy."
A/N: Check out our tumblr blog ft-dads-au to see the edit that goes with this story!