Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

Really, working with Loke had not even been something Nab expected to come out of this conflict. He had created all of these problems, so why did his luck turn on him and become a benefit? For so long, Nab had dreamed that this would happen. Sure, Loke was just acting as a good friend, but it was close enough for Nab's wishes. He smiled happily as they walked out into the forest around Magnolia, with August following them. "So, I'm assuming you don't need much direction to try and take on some kind of animal spirit, right?"

That much Nab could agree with. Where his dilemma was would be with selecting a single spirit, and with holding back. Animal possession magic was designed for him to let a spirit possess his body, while retaining his own thoughts to somewhat direct the instincts flooding him. It was quite similar to takeover magic, but unlike takeover magic, he was supposed to lose control to some extent. Loss of control was normal, but he would likely be unable to control it at all given what happened last time. "Yeah…I can probably manage that. Just…stay back, just in case."

He closed his eyes, drawing on the unfamiliar energy that still existed within him. It had been so long since he tried calling on this power. He had forgotten how warm magic could feel, how it flooded his veins and spread throughout his body swiftly when activated. Smells became more intense as animal senses began washing over him. Untouched spirits crawled forward, begging to be used and released from their long slumber.

Taking a deep breath, Nab tried just one at first. He didn't quite know which one he had selected, but something went wrong. A different spirit was far more intent on coming out, more willful than the others. Unable to control his power, that animal took control and Nab felt himself black out, washed over with the sensations of the animal. Whatever that animal did while in control of his body was beyond his knowledge, but after a few moments, he found himself on his back in the forest, with August standing over him. "It appears as if you lose control to more aggressive spirits. Why not attempt something more gentle to begin with?"

"And I thought I was the one who was going to be training him." Loke sighed, shaking his head.

"Yet you could not stop him when he lost control."

Frowning, Loke moved closer and held a hand out towards Nab. "I just didn't expect it, that's all. I haven't seen him lose control of his magic before…"

"And you were not prepared to defend yourself against it either, hence my intervention."

Looking between them, Nab took Loke's hand and rose to his feet. He frowned, before his eyes went wide, piecing the information together. "I…I attacked Loke?" The celestial spirit gave him a half-smile, placing a hand on his hip.

"Yeah…but don't worry about it. Like we said, we figured you'd have a few—"

"I…I'm not ready then." He backed away, shaking his head. "I won't hurt him…I really am a failure…"

"Nab, just calm down." Loke focused on him, making the animal possession wizard glance up. "That's why we're here, okay? August can deactivate your possessions, it seems, and I am strong enough to defend myself. Don't worry about it and just try again…just one more time."

Why was he so forgiving? Nab felt warmth in his chest, and he smiled towards Loke. He didn't deserve his patience. Nab knew he'd fail again…but still, he couldn't disappoint Loke. August he could live with, but Loke was counting on him to bring back Lucy. So, taking a deep breath, Nab closed his eyes. He felt their spirits again, willful and strong. Almost all of them wanted the chance to come out, which he should have expected after keeping them locked within for so long. Predators were far more aggressive, trying to push their way out as soon as the channel to Nab's body was opened. However, Nab decided to do something a little different. Maybe a full possession was too much for now. Instead, he simply focused on letting their instincts wash over them, much like he had when trying to sense for the intent of the magical aura when he found Loke.

"Good…just take it slow, Nab." Loke's voice came, sounding loud despite his soft and quiet tone. His hearing was more sensitive, which was a good sign. He could hear insects flying around, and the footsteps of animals in the distance. When a breeze rustled the trees, he could hear the faint cracking of the branches as they were strained from the force of the wind.

"He isn't taking on an animal spirit." August spoke quietly, frowning.

"He doesn't have to if he isn't ready." Loke replied, looking towards August with narrowed eyes. "You asked me to lead this, so I'm going to train him my way, got it? Stop trying to take over." August said nothing in response, letting Loke continue on. "Anything is still practicing. If he can master…this, then that's one step closer."

Loke was right. Nab could feel the spirits calming, just being allowed to rest on the surface of freedom. They were growing used to the open channel again, and he was letting them get familiar with his mind for a second time. "I forgot…when first learning animal possession magic, we never begin with a full possession. It is always about…growing used to this feeling. This feeling…of being one with the animals, with their spirits. This feeling…of connecting with everything around you…"

His voice was calm, almost dream-like as it came out. "Then we'll start there. It sounds like you're already getting used to it again."

"Mmm…" Nab had forgotten how peaceful this was. It was almost like meditation, but with the senses of thousands of living creatures enhancing the process. "They're…calming down. It isn't so much that I've grown used to it, but that they are…"

"So your spirits are accepting you again…then we'll keep working on this." Loke sat down next to him, closing his eyes. "I'll even join you. It's like meditation, right?" Nab nodded, smiling faintly. "Then you just tell me…when you feel strong enough to try again."

That was how the transition began. From that point on, Nab spent the majority of his time meditating in the woods with Loke, while August watched them in silence. The elderly man did not take charge again, though Nab remained aware of his presence. Still, Nab found himself growing comfortable with the sensation of being near Loke, of just sitting by his side while lost in thought. The animal spirits inside of him reacted in kind to his emotions, and Nab made sure to keep them in check whenever they did. Animals could be rather aggressive when selecting mates, and he'd prefer not to let their instincts drive his actions, not when he hadn't even spoken to Loke about his feelings at all.

Still, after about a week of meditation, Nab decided it was time to make another attempt. "Alright then." Loke had risen to his feet after Nab made the declaration, smiling at him. "Let's see how far you've come."

While Nab had still not managed to identify the animals by species yet, he could tell the difference in gentleness by the feel of their spirits. So, he found one that seemed calm and gentle, and pulled it to the focus of his mind. He pushed for it to come out, to take over his body. On his skin, a faint red glow could be seen as the possession began, a normal sign that things were progressing normally. The glow intensified, and after a moment, he found himself grinning as the other spirits faded into the background. Eventually, his own thoughts joined them, and his body became light and almost weightless in feeling. Rushing forward, he jumped upwards, feeling the spirit's shape fan out and create wings. It had been so long since he'd managed anything that he'd forgotten which abilities could be accessed. This spirit belonged to a bird…which meant he could fly with this spirit in control.

When Nab landed, he was grinning. He dropped his magic rather quickly, breathing heavily and seeing August and Loke watching him carefully. "It appears as if his control has progressed rather rapidly. I see that you were correct about the meditation practice being of use."

Loke shook his head at August's comment, patting Nab's shoulder. "Yeah, and it looks like he'll be mastering this in no time. Didn't I tell you that you could do this, Nab? I knew you'd do just fine."

Smiling, Nab nodded. "I…I think I'd like to try again. My energy is still lacking…so I think I'll be limited to about three full possessions per session. One of them…one of these times, I'll have to be picking that weird one though, right?"

Loke nodded, squeezing his shoulder. It felt warm, where his hand rested, and his palm made Nab's skin tingle. "That's right. Take your time…and one of these days, we'll be bringing them all home."

Then, Loke wouldn't have to worry anymore. Nab felt a slight pang in his chest, uncertain if it was joy or sorrow. Lucy would be back, and Loke's attention would be gone then. However, he could enjoy this while it lasted. Focusing once more, he called upon another spirit, this time trying to progress to something more aggressive to test the limits of his control. However, the predatory mammal he had selected seemed to be too much. At first, things had gone well. He had been in control during the initial possession, when the other spirits backed down and allowed his selected spirit to take control. However, once the possession intensified into a full control, Nab's mind was lost entirely. Blacking out once again, Nab found himself in the same scenario as before, lying down on the ground with August leaning over him.

Tears sprung into his eyes at yet another failure. Why couldn't he manage to succeed? He had just managed one. However, Loke still smiled at him, looking ready to help him back up. "Well, looks like we've just got to try again, right?" He hadn't even waited for Nab to say something about failing, or for August to make a comment. Still, Nab shook his head, refusing to take his hand.

"I'll…I'm only going to fail again. I'm sorry, Loke…I'm not going to be able to bring Lucy back for you…" He closed his eyes, crying at his own uselessness. Loke looked uncomfortable, kneeling down next to him.

"Hey, I told you before, these things take time. I'm not upset at all, Nab, nor do I think this means you've failed."

"But I have!" He pounded his fist against the ground, angered with his own failure to use magic at all. "I knew I was right…I knew I was never cut out to be a wizard. I should have just quit all those years ago…then none of this would be happening and no one would have to be relying on me to save anyone."

"Then why didn't you?"

Loke had asked him this before. Still, Nab didn't want to respond. He didn't want to admit that he had stayed for the chance to see Loke again. He didn't want to admit that every day he stood at that request board, he was waiting for Loke to drag him away on another job. How could he? Loke was in love with any woman that walked his way. Even now, his heart belonged to Lucy and only Lucy. Still, he had kept his feelings inside for too long…and he was tired of lying. He was tired of hiding it away, of not letting Loke know. Maybe then he'd understand why it was so important for him to not fail, not with Loke here. "Because…because I realized there was someone in the guild that I was in love with" Loke blinked at him, looking a bit surprised. Nab couldn't fully admit the truth, but this was close enough, right? "I never told him the truth…and I don't think he'll ever really find out. Still, I just wanted…I wanted to be able to stay close to him. To watch him be happy and smile…and to just admire him from afar. Maybe I'm doing this for selfish reasons, but I just didn't want…didn't want to leave him."

It wasn't expected, Nab could see that much. Loke was staring at him in silence for a while, his eyes wide. After a moment, the celestial spirit takes a deep breath, nodding and giving him a faint smile. "Well, I'll admit, I never even realized you were interested in anyone. Still…you'll never know if you don't try, Nab. Giving up now…it'll lead to a life of regrets. At least by trying, you'll know how things will turn out, rather than wondering what could have been. Don't let the fear of rejection force you away, Nab. Keep trying, because one day, I'm sure it'll all work out for the two of you."

He didn't even know. Nab smiled faintly, sitting up and shaking his head. "Oh, I don't think that'll be the case." He spoke quietly, feeling heat in his cheeks. "Still…it's nice to be near him. That's really all I've ever hoped to have."

"And it appears as if we are straying far from our focus." August spoke, narrowing his eyes at them. "One more time. You yourself stated three possession attempts in one day, correct?"

Nab nodded, glancing towards Loke. How close had he been to revealing the truth? He really didn't know. Still, he sighed, closing his eyes to try again. However, his mind was distracted. He couldn't quite find that meditative trance again, not when he was still lost in thought about how close Loke had been. It had felt weird, getting advice from him on how he should talk to…well, him. Things really wouldn't work out like Loke thought, not when it was clear Loke wasn't even remotely interested in men at all, let alone him. "I said one more time. Stop getting distracted by the proximity of your lover and simply try."

For a moment, Nab nodded and began focusing again. Then, August's words hit him. His eyes snapped open, flashing towards the elderly man. Had he really worded it in such a way? Looking towards Loke, he saw the celestial spirit blinking in shock. "Proximity of…" Then, Loke shook his head, chuckling slightly. "Nice. I didn't think you'd be the kind of man to joke around, August. Still, this isn't the kind of thing to tease about…" He trailed off, looking towards Nab who had grown pale. "I mean…Nab isn't really…" He stopped, staring at the animal possession wizard who couldn't seem to look away. "Are you?"

Rising to his feet, Nab closed his eyes. "I'm sorry." He couldn't do this. August had destroyed everything, just by being here. He never should have even tried to do this. Right now, he just wanted to get away, to escape. However, he had no idea that it was that very thought that would trigger it. His eyes flashed open, sensing an odd spirit forcing its way to the front of his mind. He wanted to flee, but the spirit already had his body in its grasp, taking control with ease and forcing him to black out. He vaguely felt the draining of his magic, massively taking away his energy as his body glowed red, unleashing a portal just like before. Yet, unlike before, this portal swallowed himself and no one else. Nab fell into a hole, unaware of everything going on around him. He closed his eyes and collapsed, lost in another world while trying to recover from the spell he had just cast on himself to escape from his own breaking heart.

And August finally loses his patience...among other things. I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to review and tell me what you think!