I'm really sorry this chapter took so long! I could lie and say I had writer's block, but the truth is it's been done for a while. I've been having glitch problems with my computer, so it took me a while. And, well, I was being lazy. Sorry.
But anyway, this is the last chapter. I mean, there's still the epilogue, never fear, but this is technically the end. I'm already considering what I'm going to write next – I've got some ideas for Gruvia, and for StiYu. And one of those AUs with basically every pairing known to man. I have an incurable love of those.
Dedicated to nico2883! Special thanks to skullwingD36, TheCaptainOfShips, WhiteWinterStar, gwb620, KillerCupcakes, artificialartofficial, Readywolf02, artistofthemind, z-TragicMagic-z, SlightlyOff7, FrozenFireLight, and last but not least, Nekokittygirl! Your reviews were so sweet, thank you all tons for them!
So, since this is the "last" chapter and all, I'd like to say thank you so much to every person who has supported the writing of this fic, whether you favorited, followed, left a review, or PMed me. I adore all you guys, and I'm so lucky to have you as readers.
Without further ado, I give you Chapter 23 – "The End".
LUCY
Eventually, I stopped laughing and my brain started functioning properly again, and I realized that we couldn't just leave Cyprus quite yet.
"Natsu, wait," I said, pulling on his hand until he slowed to a walk. He turned back to look at me.
"What?"
"There's something I forgot to do." I scanned the streets for a landmark and set off slightly doubtfully to the left, tugging him along behind me. "Come on, this way."
"Wh-y?" he complained, dragging his feet. "You have all your stuff in that bag, don't you? What else do you need?" I glanced back at him.
"I need to give something to someone. Just hold on for a little longer." We traipsed through the streets in silence for a moment, until abruptly I noticed someone was missing. "Natsu, where's Happy?" He gasped and looked around wildly.
"I completely forgot! He went to find Frosch and Lector–"
"NAAAAAAAATSUUUUUUUU!" a high voice howled. We looked behind us, alarmed, to see Happy hurtling towards us, chased by an angry mob of Sabertooth wizards. "HEEEEEEEELP MEEEEEEEE!"
Natsu cursed and ran to grab him just as someone launched a stream of some sort of magic at him. Tucking Happy under his arm like a football, he shot towards me and latched onto my hand as he passed me, pulling me in his wake. I stumbled and ran, glancing back behind us occasionally to check on the wizards. They shouted insults and curses at us as they slowly closed the distance. "Lucy!" Natsu yelled, getting my attention. "You know the way to this place, right? Tell me where to go!"
"Turn right here!" I shouted, pointing down a side-street. He obliged, and we turned into Sam's neighborhood. I looked around frantically for his house and gestured at it. "Go that way!" He ran towards it and screeched to a halt outside it.
"Is this the place?" I let go of him and ran further up the street, searching for the path while he watched me bemusedly.
"Over here!" I called, waving my hand. "Hurry!" He followed me as I slipped between the houses and waited at the end for Natsu and Happy. It took me a minute to remember which way to go, and another to locate the alley, listening to the distant shouts of the Sabertooth members all the while. We emerged from the alley into the grimy neighborhood Holland lived in. Thankfully, it looked slightly better in the daytime, but the area was undeniably run-down.
"Lucy, are you sure this is the right place?" Happy asked anxiously, glancing around. I led them down the street and stopped in front of Fanny's orphanage.
"This is the place," I confirmed, starting up the stairs. "Come on, I can still hear that mob." I knocked twice on the big wooden door and waited. After a moment, it swung open to reveal Holland surrounded by half a dozen jittery little kids.
"Who is– Lucy!" He lit up at the sight of me, and I smiled fondly at him.
"Hey, Holland."
"Lucy!" the children bouncing off the walls shrieked eagerly. I recognized them from the last time I had been there.
"Hey guys. How've you been?" I crouched to greet them and give out hugs. Mia grinned at me. Her new front tooth was just beginning to peek out.
"Are you here to play?"
"This way!" someone nearby shouted. "I heard voices!"
"Lucy," Natsu muttered, shifting from one foot to another. I grimaced.
"Holland, can we ask you a favor?" He shrugged.
"Go ahead."
"Can we hide here? Please? There was kind of an incident with Sabertooth–" Pounding footsteps drew closer, and I swore under my breath. "Please? I'll explain in a minute." He ushered the kids out of the way and Natsu, Happy and I slid inside, shutting the door softly behind us. I laid my forehead against it and closed my eyes, letting my breath out as I listened to the mob go running past and turn a corner. Looking up, I saw that Natsu leaned against the wall, arms crossed, Happy sitting on his shoulder.
"So," Holland said slowly, "What happened?" I rolled my eyes.
"This idiot blew up their guild hall."
"It wasn't my fault!" Natsu exclaimed. "That damned bastard was just asking for a beating, and the guild was in the way!" I elbowed him in the arm.
"That's not an excuse. Their guild burned down because of you. Don't you remember how it felt when Gajeel messed up the old Fairy Tail guild hall?"
"I didn't do it on purpose," Natsu muttered sulkily.
"Yeah!" Happy said, adding his two cents. "Natsu only did it because he l–"
"Shut up!" Natsu hissed, clamping a hand over Happy's mouth. "Don't say that, you idiot!" His cheeks were tinged crimson, something I had rarely seen before. I leaned forward to get a better look, and he turned his face away from mine.
"Wait..." Holland said, interrupting the scene. "You're... Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail!" The pink-haired idiot blinked at him.
"What of it?"
Holland turned on me accusingly. "You never said he was the one coming to get you!" I pursed my lips thoughtfully.
"I didn't?" He crossed his arms and shook his head, frowning his disapproval at me. I laughed and ruffled his hair. "Sorry, I didn't think it was important."
"Brat!" a commanding voice called from upstairs. "Who was that at the door?"
"It's Lucy and Natsu Dragneel, Mama!" he called back. Almost instantly, there was a stampede of small feet above us, and then a herd of children came barreling down the stairs, pounding the steps so hard I was sure they'd break.
"I want an autograph!" someone shrieked.
"Me too!"
"Do magic for us!"
"Something cool!"
"Pipe down, you brats!" Fanny roared from the top of the stairs. Absolute silence filled the entryway as she descended, the stairs creaking underfoot. "Lucy, is it? And who did you say was with her?"
"Natsu Dragneel," Holland said. "He's one of Fairy Tail's best wizards!"
"Oh?" she said, unimpressed. "He doesn't look like much to me."
"What'd you say, old lady?" Natsu glared at her, ready for a fight. She gave him a death stare that was uncomfortably familiar.
"You have something to say, brat?"
"No ma'am," he mumbled weakly. To me he whispered, "Lucy, why is there a lady who can do the Erza thing here?" I shivered. Fanny was not to be messed with, that was for sure.
"Fanny," I said bravely, "Would you mind if we stayed here for a few hours? We're kind of being chased by Sabertooth right now..."
"Fine," she said without hesitation. "But you'll have to work." I nodded.
"That's fine. Thank you."
Natsu and I were put on kitchen duty, and Happy was assigned to play with the younger kids. I stood at the kitchen sink, up to my elbows in bubbles and grayish water, and washed dishes, handing them off to Natsu to be dried. He was sitting on a beanbag on the floor and dried them instantly with little puffs of flame. I avoided his eyes, conscious of the fact that we were alone, and tried to ignore the words echoing incessantly inside my head, slowly driving me insane.
Natsu, I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
Love you...
Love...
My fingers clenched around a plate, and I concentrated on repeating the word no over and over again in my mind.
NATSU
She was definitely ignoring me. I stared hard at a spot directly between her shoulder blades as she washed the same plate for the third time in a row. She squirmed uncomfortably, but she didn't glance back at me. I sighed in frustration and waited for her to turn around to finally hand the plate to me.
When she did, I tried to catch her eye. "Lucy." Her brown orbs met mine for a split second before she turned away and picked up a glass. "Lucy."
"What is it, Natsu?" she asked softly. She sounded nervous.
I swallowed. "Do you... Do you actually want to come home?" Her entire body stiffened, like someone rolling a piece of dough out flat. Her hands stopped moving, and she stared straight ahead.
"Why do you ask?"
I scratched the back of my head. "Well, I just..."
"You know, Natsu, if you ever feel uncomfortable around me, you only have to say so."
"Huh?"
"I mean, because of the letter."
Oh.
"I feel so stupid," she mumbled. "What an idiot I am..."
I got to my feet and stood there, not knowing what to do. I wasn't good at this stuff. I was the guy who beat people up. "I'm not good with words, Luce," I began, staring at my hands. "I don't know what to say, or when to say it."
"What are you–"
"I want you to come home!" I blurted, looking up. She had turned around when I wasn't looking, and her huge, startled brown eyes were riveted on my face. I took a step forward and grabbed her wet hands. "I really want you to come home. It sucks when you're not around, because I can't concentrate, and nothing tastes good and I'm too worried about you to do anything right! And everyone else is all mopey and depressing, and it's terrible without you, Lucy. And... I miss you when you're not with me. But if you..." I took a deep breath. Because you love her, I reminded myself. "But if you decided you wanted to keep traveling, I would let you go." Her eyes widened, and slowly understanding settled over her face.
"I couldn't forget," she said haltingly. "I tried so hard to forget, Natsu, but in the end, I still..." She trailed off helplessly, and I pulled her into a hug, burying my face in her hair. "I love you," she whispered into my shoulder. I held her closer and sighed in satisfaction.
She's mine.
"I love you too, Luce." Suddenly, she pushed me back and held me at arm's length, staring into my eyes and looking absolutely floored.
"You what?"
I love you," I said confusedly. "What is it?"
But you– You're–" she spluttered.
"I'm what?"
"You're Natsu!" she exclaimed ridiculously. "How can you say that so easily? When did you–"
"Ah, well, I was thinking about it on the way here, and I figured out that I'm in love with you." I grinned at her. "I probably always have been."
She slapped me.
"OW! What the hell was–" She pressed her face against my chest, dampening my shirt.
"Say it again." Her voice was muffled. I wrapped my arms around her and rested my chin on top of her head.
"I love you, Lucy Heartfilia."
"One more time."
"I love you, Luce."
"One more time." Tired of her little game, I tipped her chin up and kissed her.
Her eyes froze open, and she gazed into mine in shock, which faded away as I lost myself in the infinity behind her warm, dark irises.
I could definitely do this forever.
LUCY
It was a million times better than the kiss months ago. This was a real, I-mean-it I-love-you kiss. It had intent and purpose behind it, and more than that, it had meaning. It whispered I love you straight to my soul, begged my heart stay with me. Natsu stared into my eyes, his sharp hazel eyes soft and near, so near. I lifted my arms and twined my fingers in the soft hair at the nape of Natsu's neck. I stood on my tip-toes to meet him as we broke apart and connected again, our eyes never leaving each other's.
"Satisfied yet?" Natsu whispered, smirking against my mouth. I smiled back.
"Never."
"You liiiiiiiiiiike each other," Happy giggled from the doorway. I suddenly experienced what it feels like when your heart stops working mid-beat and stumbled backwards, gasping like a landed fish.
"Happy! What the hell are you doing?" He stood in the entrance to the hallway leering at us, surrounded by a small crowd of scandalized children.
"Way to go for it, Natsu!" he chortled, and they exchanged winks and thumbs-ups. Natsu came up behind me and draped himself over me, resting his chin comfortably on my shoulder. He peeked at me from under his lashes and grinned innocently when our eyes met. I flushed beet-red and averted my eyes. He was just too damn adorable sometimes.
"Hey, Lucy, didn't you have something to do here?" he asked me, blowing a strand of my hair out of his face. I blinked.
"I completely forgot!" I shrugged Natsu off and located my bag on the floor near Happy. "Thanks for reminding me." I bent and pulled the bag open, removing a square, thick journal overflowing with loose papers from the top layer of my things. "Happy, have you seen Holland around?"
He frowned, thinking. "The kid who opened the door, right? I think he was upstairs..."
"Thanks! I'll be back in a minute." I made my way down the dim hallway and climbed the creaking, dusty staircase to the second floor. I was faced with a long hallway lined with closed doors. Soft laughter filtered into the hall from a few, and sobs came from a couple others. I advanced as quietly as I could, listening for Holland's voice. "Holland?" I called softly, hoping I didn't disturb anyone. "Holland..." I reached the end of the hallway with no luck, and just as I was about to give up and look elsewhere, a door to my left opened.
"Lucy?" Holland said, mildly surprised. "Is something wrong?" I smiled at him and hid the journal behind my back.
"Nope, I just have something to give you."
"Something... To give me?" he repeated, confused. I nodded.
"I promised you, right? Can I come in for a second?" He stepped aside silently to allow me into the room. It was plain, furnished with two bunk beds and a simple dresser in the far corner. Tucked in the other corner was a beat-up desk nearly buried in people's clothes and other belongings. What wasn't covered by possessions was strewn with paper. Holland was carrying a pencil in his left hand, like he had gotten up in the middle of doing something. "Sorry, did I interrupt you?" I asked, sitting on the edge of one of the bottom bunks. He glanced at the pencil and then flushed red, rushing over to the desk and stuffing papers into drawers.
"Uh, no," he replied once he had finished. "So what was it you were going to give me?" I patted the bed next to me and he came to sit next to me, holding himself rigidly upright like he was afraid we would touch. I laughed to myself and mussed his hair until he relaxed so he sat normally. With the other hand, I dropped the journal into his lap.
"For you." He stared at it, speechless.
"What is it?" I smiled.
"Open it and find out." He reached for it and flipped the cover open in one swift movement, withdrawing again like it would bite him if it caught him.
"To Holland," he read aloud in wonder, and I winced.
"You really don't have to read it aloud, you know..."
"My favorite will-be wizard," he continued, ignoring me. "This is a collection of the many times I almost died. Once you join Fairy Tail, I hope you'll be able to make your own." He paused and lifted the old journal close to his face, almost jamming his nose into the binding. Standing, he made his way to the small, square window and held the journal out to the light. "Love, Lucy." I sighed, hiding my face with a hand, and leaned back on the bed.
"So do you like it?" I asked. He snapped back to face me, looking disbelieving.
"Can I really have this?"
I grinned. "Of course you can. I said it's yours, didn't I? Besides, I never really needed that thing anyway. Every day since I got to Fairy Tail is burned into my memory." He came back to sit beside me again and turned the page almost reverently.
"It starts on my first day at Fairy Tail," I said, peeking over his shoulder. The curling writing describing the horrors and fascination of Fairy Tail made me nostalgic.
"'Dear Mom'?" he said, frowning at the page.
"Ah, just ignore that. I'd forgotten about it." Holland continued to gaze curiously at me until I relented and explained, "I wrote all those journal entries to my mom. She died when I was young, so it helps me feel close to her." I smiled half-heartedly at him. "Don't let it bother you. It's like writing Dear Diary for me."
"Okay." We sat in silence with only the rustle of turning pages between us until Holland looked up from the journal. "Lucy?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you sure it's okay to give this to me?" I sighed exasperatedly and ruffled his hair for the thousandth time.
'I told you it was already, didn't I?" He nodded.
"I know, it's just... It seems really important. This isn't the kind of thing you just let go of." I closed my eyes and lay back on the bed.
"It was important to me yesterday. It was important to me a week ago. It was important to me two months ago. But a year ago, something like that was just a pastime. It was a routine to write down the day's adventures in my journal, like a ship's log or something. You know, when the real things are staring you in the face every day, you start to find the paper versions lacking." I laughed lightly at myself. "I'm really not making any sense, am I? I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't need that journal, because I plan on sticking around Fairy Tail until I'm a ghost like Mavis. I'm never letting those idiots go again." I stood up and walked to the closed door, feeling Holland's gaze pressing between my shoulder blades. "I'll be making many more of those journals, so many I'll have a bookshelf full of them," I predicted, stopping at the door and twisting my head back to smile at Holland. "Make sure you come to collect them, okay?" Wide brown eyes locked onto mine as he stared, lost for words. I tried not to laugh at the face he was making."I mean, you said you'd come to see me and join the guild when you get older, right?" That snapped him out of it. He set the journal aside and stood up, hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"Right! I'll definitely do it!" I winked at him and opened the door.
"That's my boy."
"Lucy!" Natsu shouted up the stairs. "Aren't you done yet? I wanna leave already!" I laughed.
"I'm coming, Natsu!" I looked back at Holland standing in the middle of the room. "Want to come downstairs with me? I haven't really introduced you to Natsu yet." He nodded eagerly and we left the room, shutting the door. Natsu was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently. Happy stood beside him, mimicking his posture. Natsu frowned at the floorboards until he heard my footsteps on the stairs. He looked up immediately, his expression brightening.
"Finally!" he complained, grabbing my wrist. "You took forever. Let's go!" I tugged free and pulled on his elbow to make him stop.
"Just hang on a minute, Natsu. There's still some stuff to do." He made a face.
"Like what? Couldn't you have done this before?"
"No. Now come on, cooperate. It won't take more than half an hour." He grunted and leaned into me, slinging an arm over my shoulders easily.
"Fine," he moaned. "Just hurry it up, okay?" I flicked his cheek and smiled sheepishly at Holland.
"Sorry about him. He's not usually such a poor sport. But, um, anyway, Natsu, this is Holland." He grunted wordlessly and closed his eyes. "Wake up, you damn idiot!" I growled, pulling out a pinch of soft pink hair. He howled and clutched his scalp, frowning at me.
"What was that for, Luce?" I scowled at him.
"For being an idiot. I just introduced someone to you, the least you could do is be polite about it!" He blinked.
"Oh. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." I crossed my arms and huffed.
"Right. Well, pay attention now." I cleared my throat officiously. "Natsu, this is Holland. He's been keeping me company this week." Natsu looked at me incredulously.
"Jeez, Luce, how many new friends did you make this week?" I laughed.
"Lots and lots. Holland, this idiot here is the one and only Salamander, Natsu Dragneel. Feel free to ignore him."
"Hey!" Natsu complained.
"Holland's going to join the guild in a few years, so try to get along, you two," I finished. There was silence for a moment, and I glanced back and forth between their faces, trying to gauge their reactions.
A wide grin spread across Natsu's face. "So this little pipsqueak is going to join Fairy Tail, huh? I can't wait to see that."
"Look forward to it, old timer," Holland shot back cockily, smiling in a way I had never seen him smile before. "I'm going to get way stronger and beat you." Natsu's fist shot out and landed softly on top of Holland's head.
"We'll see about that, kid." Natsu turned his smile on me, tugging an answering one from my lips. "I like him. You sure can pick 'em, Luce."
"I really can," I agreed, ruffling Holland's hair fondly. "Hey, Holland, do you guys have a lacrima we could borrow to contact our guild? I should let them know Natsu got here okay." He nodded and pointed at a door next to the mouth of the hallway leading to the kitchen.
"It's in here. Come on." He led us inside and flicked the lights on, revealing something of a home library. The walls were invisible behind bookcases stuffed full of books of all kinds. Overstuffed armchairs and a badly upholstered couch were the only furniture in the room, except for a small coffee table in the center of the room holding a crystal sphere.
"Hey, it's Lucy!" Crow said from the couch. I hadn't noticed him when we walked in.
"Hey, Crow," Holland greeted him, walking past to pick up the lacrima. "They're gonna borrow the lacrima for a minute." Crow ignored him – he was too busy staring in awe at Natsu, who in turn was preoccupied by laughing at the faces Happy was making.
"Holy shit, it's Natsu Dragneel," he breathed reverently. "I have got to be hallucinating."
"Nope," I said cheerfully, pulling hard on Natsu's ear and making him yelp in pain. "It's the idiotic Salamander, in the flesh. He's here to pick me up."
"You never said Fairy Tail's Salamander was the one coming for you!" Crow accused, scrambling off the couch. "That's so not fair! I didn't have time to prepare!" I rolled my eyes.
"I thought your idol was Gajeel."
"Well, yeah, but do you know how valuable a signature from the Natsu is around here? Thousands of jewel! Thousands!" He pulled a book off the nearest shelf and tore out the last page, which, thankfully, was blank. I didn't approve of defacing books. Then he fished a pen out of his pocket and held both out to Natsu. "Please give me your autograph!" Natsu blinked at him.
"You want my autograph?" Crow nodded eagerly. Natsu looked at Happy. "Hey, don't we still have that thing lying around?"
"Aye!' Happy said, sliding off his backpack and searching through it for a moment. "Here it is!" He tugged out a white square, handing it to Natsu, who promptly handed it to Crow.
"Here ya go!" he said happily. Crow stared at the pretentiously-signed board in his hands. My eyes widened in recognition and I snatched it out of his hands.
"Don't give this away without telling him what it is!" I scolded Natsu.
"Hey, give it back!" Crow complained. "I was gonna sell that for good money!" I tore the thing in half and tossed the pieces to the ground in contempt.
"That thing wasn't signed by Natsu. He got that from a fake Salamander back in Hargeon on the day we met." Crow gaped at me.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." I sighed. "Honestly, he's so much trouble."
"Lucy, the lacrima's ready whenever you want to call them." I smiled past Crow at Holland, who held the lacrima in one hand.
"Thanks, Holland." I pulled Natsu along by the hand to where Holland stood and picked up the lacrima. Tapping it, I waited a few seconds for it to connect.
"Lu?" Levy exclaimed eagerly, her familiar face popping into view. "Lu! I'm so glad you called! Did Natsu make it?" Her stream of words was halted by half the guild converging on the lacrima.
"Hey Lucy!" Gray shouted over the clamor. "How've you been?"
"Lucy!" Elfman bellowed. "You're a MAN!" I blinked in confusion at that one, but let it go.
"Love rival! Juvia has missed you!" the blue-haired water wizard shrieked.
"Lucy, is everything alright over there?" Wendy asked sweetly, hopping to see over the crowd.
"Hey Lucy!" Cana called from behind Gray. "We've missed you!"
Right in front, Erza smiled at me. "As you can see, we're all glad you called. But did Natsu make it?"
In answer, I shifted the sphere so they could see him standing next to me. "He's here." An enormous cheer went up in the guild, so loud I swear it shook the lacrima in my hand.
"Oh my God, is that Fairy Tail?" Crow asked from behind me. I grinned and nodded.
"That's right. This is my family."
"Where's Gajeel?" he demanded, standing on his tiptoes to see better. "I wanna meet him!" I scanned the crowd quickly and located a spike of black hair in the very back. Looking down at Crow, still determinedly searching for his idol, I sighed.
"Hey, Gajeel, there's someone I want you to meet." He didn't move, either unable to hear me or unwilling to listen. "Levy, would you bring him closer?" She vanished between Elfman and Mira and was back a moment later, tugging Gajeel by the hand.
"Come on, come on!" she urged him. He finally stood reluctantly before the lacrima, arms crossed grumpily.
"Crow, meet Gajeel. He's a jerk. Gajeel, this is Crow. He's a fan of yours." He grunted, but his eyes flashed with slight interest.
"Whaddya mean he's Gajeel's fan?" Natsu quipped. "I didn't think anyone liked that metal face."
"What was that, Salamander?" Gajeel growled. "Were you asking me to come over there and beat your ass?"
"Like hell! I'd never lose to an Eyebrow-less Wonder like you!"
"Try saying that to my face, ash brain!"
"I just did, you–"
"ENOUGH!" Both numbskulls backed down as Makarov came forward. He was, for some reason, seated on Erza's metal-plated shoulder, his staff balanced on his shoulder. "Natsu, I see you're not quite as stupid as I thought you were," he continued. Then he looked at me, and his expression softened. "I'm glad to see he caught you in time, Lucy, my dear. We've all missed you immensely." I nodded, suddenly afraid that if I opened my mouth to speak, the tears would start spilling out. "Come home soon, you hear?" I nodded again, my fingertips trembling with an emotion I couldn't grasp.
Something warm and slender slipped into my hand and squeezed. The tremors stopped. Natsu bumped my shoulder with his and grinned at me. "We're coming home real soon, Gramps." I squeezed his hand back and smiled at the people who had always accepted me, since the day I had shown up on their doorstep with nowhere else to call home. They had pulled me in and before I knew it, they were more my family than the man I had lived with for seventeen years. No matter how many times I caused them trouble, or made mistakes, they kept on loving me as their own.
They had given me a home. They had given me a family. And most importantly, they had given me Natsu.
"I miss you all so much," I said. "I can't wait to be home again." I didn't even realize that the tears had escaped until I reached up to touch my cheek and my fingertips came away wet. Natsu wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me in close. I rested my head on his wide shoulder, grateful for the support.
I really do love this idiot.
Levy started tearing up, and Juvia clutched onto Gray in what seemed to be, for once, a genuine need for comfort. Mira smiled kindly at me, and Erza patted Levy's shoulder while Gajeel stood awkwardly by, obviously not sure what to do about her. Elfman cried too, huge alligator tears, and Cana laughed at him. Wendy hugged Carla tightly, and the master closed his eyes, a content expression settling across his wrinkled face.
We laughed and cried together, a family standing miles apart, our hearts wrapped in an unbreakable knot.
So, I actually wasn't totally sure about this ending. It felt kind of unfinished, but I guess that's what epilogues are for. I've got a bunch of different ideas for that, some of which are fluffy and one of which is kind of serious, but in a good way. Feel free to give me your opinions on what kind of epilogue I should do, because I really don't have a solid idea of how I want to do it at all. If there's a scene you wanna see, I can most likely work it in.
Remember, this is the last chapter you can review on and get a mention for, so get to writing them comments! Favorites and follows are also greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for supporting me! I love you guys!