FULL SUMMARY: There is really nothing wrong between BFFs Natsu and Lucy, except that many things have influenced how they show their affection for each other. A personal notebook, romantic comedy movies, fandoms, fan people standards, everlasting BFF codes, family and friends. The challenge, done like some sassy God, has made them insane. They must face their fears, denials, and insecurities, because it will very well affects their lives. The problem: this whole thing is too messed up to be "Cliché, huh?"

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail or it's characters. This guy does: Hiro Mashima

'cited from Lucy's notebook'

"past conversations"

Natsu

"Natsu," Wendy, his younger sister called from the other side of the room. "You are up early? Is it your flight in three hours?"

"Oi, Wendy. Did I wake you?"

"No."

"Oh. I was just nervous that I might miss my flight considering—"

Suddenly, her small body collided with his. A pair of small arms wrap him tightly. Wendy doesn't need time to cry. Instead of being tough like the other Dragneels, Wendy was the emotional type. "I am going to miss you." Droplets of tears had already sunk through Natsu's shirt.

"—this would happen," he said in a lonesome tone.

Natsu hugged his little sister back. They were nothing alike except their surnames, address and parents. But Natsu love his sister despite the differences. They rarely argue and he respected her docile and sweet nature. He was protective too and would insist that she would be friends with his friends and vice versa. Natsu was fairly proud that Wendy and Lucy are great friends.

"I will bring us back together, okay?" It will take years though, he thought. "You will meet him. Dad's awesome. I promise."

Natsu had forgotten a detail that people overlook. His father was addicted to work and look what it got them.

"Leaving like your father?" his mother interrupted, partly covered by the shadows. Natsu pretended to ignored it. His mother passively despised Igneel for leaving them.

Actually, his mother even claimed they were abandoned. Almost fifteen years of scavenging or searching, the daddy Igneel found nothing but leads. He rarely communicated which infuriate Gradine. She wanted to file a divorce, but Wendy and Natsu forbade it. Besides if they filed one, who would sign when Igneel is out there where only his companied men know. With the world so big and the land so wide, places are still unattainable by radio signals. Unfortunately, those unexplored places are the best leads.

"I'll bring him back," he insisted to Wendy than to his mother. But deep inside, it was more of boosting his confidence. "I'll find him and convince him."

"Your father would have done that years ago."

"He would if you talk to him."

"Cold shoulder was always a method that went through that thick skull of his." Grandine stepped forward to show how dispassionate she is.

Wendy removed herself from Natsu. "Mama, please."

A look from Grandine made her silent. "Natsu John. I only permitted you because you are a stubborn boy. If you pursue this senseless dream, it would destroy you. Your father failed to realize that. Are you going to make her realize this kind of feeling as well?"

Fourteen years. The absence of a father had affected Natsu on the first few years. When he went on his first day of school, he did not want to enter the classroom. The depression set in quick that Gradine was not new to the principal or headmaster's office. It was until Gray and Ezra befriended him. Then there was Lisanna and his pet cat Happy who took most of his depression. When Natsu met Lucy, he had accepted that work was important. He also craved for a happy and complete family. The way how Lucy struggled with hers, he wished he could fix his as well.

'For one so greedy and disillusioned could still change. Even I hardly believe that papa wanted us to be family again. If it weren't for Natsu, I would have grown old hating my papa. It would have been a terrible fate; him dying in my arms but good thing he was released from guilt. I could not expression how thankful I am right now. I guess my tears of gratitude might prove it well.'

Natsu remembered Jude Heartfilia, Lucy's father. Three years of isolation. Three years he did not made contact, did not went to her birthdays, did not visit her in the holidays, did not allow her to see him, and forgotten her. Three years of a parent preferring not to see their child. It angered Natsu to the core. He had dream of being with Igneel and here is a father just five hours away from his daughter, yet does not want anything to do with her anymore.

That's why Natsu made a huge fuss at the Heartfilia Industries office. He made sure that a message was sent to their CEO. Apparently, he received a response only to find him at a hospital fighting for his life. Being so concerned for Lucy, Natsu made sure that Lucy would reconcile. It just broke his heart that Lucy still loves her cold-hearted papa who is dying. That became his wish that year: his best friend to reunite with her family.

It almost did not happen though because Lucy had been busy. Graduation was so close and she was so active at school. Jude Heartfilia's condition was almost hopeless as well. But Natsu did not wait, he acted, so Lucy's father converse, beg.

"If she does not come, I will not ask for forgiveness to you, I will be saying a reminder. Love her for I hadn't. Love her because she loves you. Love her because you do."

Lucy even wrote a whole page for these sentences: 'I wish for Natsu to find his father like I had with mine. Please let it happen.'

That's how Natsu started planning for his quest. If Lucy understood his plan, then what is there to lose? A ticket to the unknown, he was willing for Wendy to meet their father, their family to be complete and to be happy. That was success to him. "Success is here." Just find it.

"You are my family," he told his mother, knowing who she was referring to. "You are like my number priority."

Grandine walked to them. Her usually stern eyes had become unbelievably sad. It was like shattered glass so beautiful and intimidating but fragile. "Family can be found in anyone my son." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You of all people know that well. Look at Happy!"

"Natsu! Your cat keeps following me…"

"It's because you are family."

"Meow!"

"He says, "Aye sir!""

"Well, Happy, thank you for adopting me. Lucy thanks you."

'After mama died and papa left me, I thought it was impossible to experience a family. Yet here is Natsu. He is all I have. He is my family and he introduced me to his friends and family. They, too, have become my family.'

"But…" If loneliness and guilty had a conscious, it would form a body that can be intangible and tangible at its command. Right now, that consciousness would be pulling Natsu's dear heart down to his stomach. No wonder his chest felt so heavy, he could no longer feel his heart beating. The formidable sad conscious had gotten away with taking all his happiness.

'Not a day he misses walking me home. I hope it happens forever.'

Nevertheless how much guilt would he bringing one day, Natsu would will want to fulfill this. His mother should see the determination flaring in his eyes. He was a Dragneel anyway.

"Idiotic son," she said, hugging both Wendy and Natsu. "I'll miss you, Natsu John. I am still against this, but if it is for your father, go." His mother sobbed. "You should know that there will be a person more hurt than us."

'Who could not love this fool? If only he could have known. If only he saw how I glimpse at him. So many what ifs.'

"She will understand." He turned and kneel to his pet cat."Happy, my buddy, take care of Lucy, okay? I'm counting on you."

"Meow."

'Friends. That's what we'll be. Natsu and I. I should not hope for more.'

Lucy had not known that he had persuaded Yukino and Sting about the dates. His departure day was fast approaching and he was slowly detaching commitments. First was that, he was usually out because he was preparing for his documents. Everyone thought it was about college except Gray who helped him. Unfortunately, he had to fall madly for Lucy Heartfilia. The forbidden feeling for Lucy wanted him to be away from her at the same time be casual about it as possible. The only thing that came into mind was to ask any girl besides Lucy. Yukino and Sting allowed as long as he would only be with her for half of the event.

'That night in his suit and tie, Natsu is handsome. I think more handsome.'

"I am sure." Natsu smiled tightly, pushing the memories back again.

'I have done crazy things.' A memory of Lucy's face, her big chocolate brown eyes looking at him. She was wet because it was raining, but she was happy. She was laughing as she was turning around. 'For Natsu, I have done downright crazy but appreciative things.'

Grandine cupped her hands on Natsu's face. "A mother can always know how her children feel. You are not happy. You know she is sad. It hurts you and it her as well. Natsu," Grandine said, adding so much sadness and understanding on her tone, Natsu felt like crying. "Not everyone is strong."

'NATSU'S A DELINQUENT THE EFFF OF FAIRY DUST'

"You are not strong," Gradine reminded.

'Sure. Natsu is daring and totally invisible of human vulnerability. He stands strong but needs someone to tell him that he has stood long enough.'

If words could kill you, Natsu's death would have been infamous.

"And Lucy isn't strong."

"What are you talking about?" Natsu asked totally offended and utterly confused. This day has been for him.

'I won't be a reminder. I'll be there to support him to stand for as long as he likes.'

"Soulmates are one of the greatest blessings."Grandine kissed Natsu's temple. "Together. You are strong."

"Whatever," Natsu snorted, cheeks turning pinkish. "Do I have to keep on reminding, you mom? According to my birth certificate, I have no John on my name."

"So are you up for it?"

"Yes."

"And no silly matching schemes."

"And you have called me to help you with your matching schemes?"

"We got this Erza. Chill."

"That was what you said when you paired up Cana and that Wine dude."

"HEY, it was not my fault that they got locked up in a keg storage facility."

"He is right."

"Thank you, Erza."

So it has been awhile since I have updated. I was not able to do so because I got sort of lost my motivation, but since I can't leave this story unfinished, I am going to update. So I added more of Natsu's thoughts about Jude and Igneel, about his mom as well. I hope you enjoyed it!