A/N: Heya guys. wiErD here and I have the next theme for y'all!
As promised in the last chapter, this theme will be named Confession as per Day 3 of the NaWen Week. I know it's late but as long as I can deliver it in appreciation of this ship then that's all that matters.
I'll try to finish on time with the next NaWen Week if the community decided on it again next year.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its elements. All belong to its respective owner. Support the official release.
- Confession -
Natsu busted through the doors of the guild as he made his way to the bar counter. A couple of heads turned towards him at the sudden outburst but they dismissed it as a usual routine they would hear from him when the next brawl breaks out. In addition, the ice mage hasn't arrived yet so they can anticipate once he comes to the guild.
What they didn't notice though is that the pinkette had a rather anxious look on his face as he stomped his way onto the bar counter where Mirajane was currently at, doing her chores as the head waitress.
Around the same time, her eyes caught him coming into view which prompted her to smile sweetly in response as a sign of greeting to a fellow guild member.
"Oh hi, Natsu. I thought you were leaving shortly with Lucy and Happy."
It was at that moment when she also saw the look on his face as Natsu proceeded to ignore her greeting and asked a rather strange question towards her.
"Mira! Have you seen Wendy?! Is she still in the dorm?!"
The frantic expression he was making surprised at her at the very least but the fact that he was asking for the bluenette young woman also made her shocked as well. Combined with the unusual worried look, it made her difficult to find out what's happened between them that made him this agitated.
For the record, Natsu was never the person who make this expression unless it's something that threatens his friends.
Wendy couldn't be in danger now, is it?
The young woman is strong in terms of capability and power amongst the ranks of their guild so the possibility of her being danger doesn't seem probable in this kind of situation.
Turning back to her own thoughts, the white-haired barmaid could only stutter at his outburst.
"U-Uh, why you ask, Natsu?"
"Just answer me, Mira. Did she come here by any chance?"
Now, this is quite unexpected. She tried smoothing things a bit by prolonging their conversation but the way he brushed away her question for the second time seemed like it was a rather serious situation. At the same time, her beaming expression changed as well after understanding the desperate look on his face.
It was her first time seeing his tone of voice this demanding.
Just what happened between them?
"Y-Yeah. She came early at dawn and took a job with Carla just before you arrived." Her answer somehow made him slightly calm down but the majority of his expression remained worried for the bluenette.
"What kind of job she took?!"
"Umm... it was an A-Class job. About two weeks for completion if one person took it. If counted with Carla not being a mage like her then it wouldn't take that much longer, it seems."
After revealing the next answer, his face finally loosened. At the same time, the other guild members who heard him from their tables happen to glance at the scene in curiosity.
However, the news didn't relieve him of any signs of relief. Instead, the pinkette suddenly mustered a downhearted expression after hearing all those things from her. Mira thought this was also the first time she saw him this much dispirited at something.
Natsu, an ever-going person with the heart of gold who always smiles wholeheartedly along with his comrades even in the face of difficult situations had made such a miserable look.
The problem of him turning like this probably had something to do with the blue-haired woman.
His fists, which were balled tight from his frantic bursts loosened as well as his shoulders slumped in the process. A saddened look replaced his warm smile and his presence looked dim for the first time.
She wanted to try asking until the voices of his friends called him from the door, probably chasing him down all the way back after sprinting through here in the guild.
"Natsu! What are you doing running off like that?!"
"Natsu! We're going to be late for the job! Let's get going!"
The voices of his two best friends rang into his ears as they approach him. However, it seemed like he didn't budge from it either. It didn't take long as Natsu eventually moved as if he managed to get out from what it looks like to be a paralytic state after standing still for too long.
Mira worried for a moment as he made a bitter smile towards her just before the two could see through his real expression.
"Sorry about that, Mira... And, thank you for informing me."
Lucy and Happy walked next to him, giving light scolding remarks for running off without telling. At that moment, the trio soon left with Natsu's back reflecting off from her eyes as Mira observed him from a distance before disappearing from the guild doors.
Noticing all that, she couldn't help but feel concerned about what happened, especially with the pinkette who was looking like that after that one last glance from her.
It doesn't feel like the problem was resolved. And more importantly, what was the problem involving with Wendy that made him depressed all of a sudden?
She tried thinking possible instances about a fight breaking out between them but it wouldn't likely happen due to their personalities being different in a way that wouldn't conflict to their relationship as fellow teammates.
Plus, Wendy isn't the type of hold a grudge at someone.
Because of that, she couldn't help but feel uneasy as well, almost making her forget her chores as the calls from other guild mates inside returned her back to reality.
"So what's going on with him? It seems like he was in a hurry or something?" A familiar voice caught her attention as her eyes traced towards to a short-white haired girl who happens to be her little sister.
"Lisanna."
"The way he talked like that seemed like he had a problem with something? I wonder what it is that made him this panicked." She voiced her concern towards the dragonslayer as she was one of the people who noticed his earlier outburst from the bar counter.
She can't say she couldn't help but the way he looked at her older sister sounded like he was out of reach at the moment. Lucy and Happy might be able to help but it probably wouldn't give that much peace despite their attempt to reassure him once they notice it.
"I think it must've something to do with Wendy."
"Wendy?"
"Hnn..." She nodded. "...For some reason, he was looking for her but she was not here and that made him depressed."
"Hmm... Maybe they promised to meet together with Lucy and Happy but took a different job instead without telling them beforehand. You know how he likes having his friends together on a job with him. It's somewhere between that line, don't you think?" Lisanna guessed.
"I guess you're right." Mira agreed to that proposal but somewhere in her mind tells her that it was more than that.
The way he showed concern for her whereabouts is not something normal despite with that kind of scenario happening. Natsu can easily accept when someone on their team isn't coming to them at a later time. If anything, he would mostly be fine tagging Lucy and Happy since the three of them had a close relationship with each other from the rest of the team.
Not saying the others are not but there appears to be some kind of special relationship between them because they were the ones who formed the team a couple of years back.
In any case, Mira could only ponder in silence as she tried looking for more answers that could've sparked this kind of problem between her friends.
...
The dense forest packs a lot of obstacles to venture through since the path succumbed to the wonders of nature, making a part of it itself. Wendy and Carla had walked around the thick lush trees, carefully marking their steps without landing on something dangerous due to some parts that can injure a person without caution. The latter, however, had her wings unfurled to skip the walk as she followed the young woman who had been silent ever since asking her out on a small job.
Of course, the job isn't exactly that hard but the time of completion usually takes about a couple of days with some procedures needed to be done. Not all jobs require punching through some monsters and be done with it.
It had been two hours ever since they got out of the train and decided to walk towards the forest where rumors of a rare flower were sighted. The job requested extraction of this rare species of flower to be used as a cure but as easy as it sounds, finding one in this kind of environment usually takes a lot of time due to the abundance of flora surrounding them.
Wendy's heightened sense could've made the job easier if not for the same reason as the last one. Tracking the scent of something that is never discovered before would prove to be a hard task even for a seasoned mage. Couple with her partner's ability to fly which could be used to flying towards certain areas around the forest, it's a perfect combination for the job.
"The flower should be around here in these parts but I don't know if we can find it that easily though." Carla started speaking, wanting to cut off the silence as well though she was surprised that she didn't even reply right away.
Wendy continued on her way through the thick bushes, carrying her huge baggage which was only an exception for this job since they'll be taking a temporary night off in a couple of days in this forest if chances of finding one didn't go well on the first day.
Right now, their objective to make a suitable place to set up camp where they can sleep without having to worry about any danger that may be brought onto them.
Even with the forest shielding them from the harmful rays of the sun, some of the inhabitants aren't exactly friendly to humans either.
After a few minutes of searching, they eventually found a small space where trees do not grow spontaneously. A large pond is seated right next to them, making it a perfect spot for providing some food and shelter for the next few days.
"Hnn... This is the spot. We can use it to set up camp here. We can search for later after we're done preparing our tent." Wendy finally spoke as she sets down the large bag and began taking out a folded portable tent and began setting it.
"Sure..."
Carla was concerned about her unusual behavior and wanted to ask her about it but she set it aside for now as she helped out with the setting. A huge white tent was erected after adjusting it near the lake while a few things were brought out to use for making food such as a pan and other necessities. Wendy had taken some small twigs from broken trees as preparation for a small fire which they can use during nightfall. She also built a portable stand near the fire where they can place the pot for heating up water as well.
Since the pond is abundant with fish, they can fish out for some as their source of food for the night.
If Happy were to be here, he would've been overjoyed for setting camp in this small paradise.
The setup took about a couple of hours as the day progressed in the afternoon. Around that time, the two had begun searching for the rare flower since there's still time before nightfall.
Of course, finding something as rare doesn't come as easy as finding it the first day so the duo gave up for now after having no luck of locating one and returned back to the camp just in time as the sun began to set on the horizon. Since the trees block most of their view from all directions, it's impossible to see through where the sun had disappeared into as darkness took over Earthland.
The skies were cleared away from its brilliance of light blue color and painted white clouds. Instead, a seemingly endless stream of twinkling stars took stage as its source of light along with the white moon that shines down to the dark world. No clouds obscure the sight before them as the sky remained clear throughout the night.
Wendy and Carla had already prepared for the fire as the latter tended on mixing their dinner. The former, on the other hand, sat closely by the fire as her eyes stared right through it, looking for her thoughts have trailed off somewhere.
Her feet were slightly bent as her hands wrapped around her knees as if curling herself while spending the rest of her time looking at the small fire in front of her.
It was then, the white Exceed decided to talk about it.
"Something in your mind again, Wendy?"
Said person perked up into attention as she looked away from the small flame.
"Carla... It's nothing." Her voice raised upon the call of her friend's name but her tone gradually lowered down as she gazed to the side, seemingly to avoid her direct gaze.
"I know something's wrong so why don't you tell me about it? It would be problematic if you keep it to yourself without consulting help from me, you know." She remarked, hoping to offer some advice as well.
"It's not that I needed consulting... It's just that... I need some time." She meekly replied. Her voice hung low in the air against the sparks that came from the burning wood near the fire, making it seem like she wanted to conceal it but Carla heard it loud and clear.
"It's been that way for too long... don't you think?" She lightly smiled, seeing how she was aware of it ever since.
"..."
Wendy couldn't offer to offer a reply so she merely drowned herself in silence. Carla watched her as they waited for their food to finish.
She pretty much knew what she's feeling right now. It's not that she wanted to force her to it since she doesn't want to be honest with it. That's why she's been bottling that growing feeling from others even to her although she immediately found out soon after.
Wendy is just too indecisive for her feelings. Whether it be from someone she once looked up to, she would always hesitate to act on it, fearing that it would ruin her relationship with that person. Or that she might fear of affecting others as well. Her selfless actions towards others are amazing but giving them too much without caring for herself makes it difficult for her, including the feelings she had with that person.
The child just needs to be more honest with herself. Even at a time when she was still mostly dependent on her, she lacks the ability to speak for herself and would always be washed along the flow of others' opinions. Like a small rock being pushed along a powerful stream. Unlike the rest of her friends, she's still finding a way to stand for herself. Even until now, the way she acts is the same as before in which it took upon herself to bring up the topic again in order to consult her.
The white Exceed sighed deeply as she stared at her partner.
"Wendy. Why don't you confess your feelings to him?"
A statement that made her widen her eyes in response. Her expression changed completely from gloomy to an utterly shocked look on her face. A light blush appeared on her cheeks as she felt flustered towards her question.
"C-Confess?!"
"That's right. You can't just keep those feelings locked forever. It'll just hurt you more if you wait any longer."
"B-But that's... too sudden! I can't just c-c-confess to him that easily! It's embarrassing!" She stubbornly denied.
"What's wrong with being embarrassed? It's not like you're gonna confess in front of the guild, you know." Carla said as a matter of fact. Her tone adding a slight air of humor.
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" She peevishly shouted.
Carla could count just how many times she teased her like this just to see that embarrassed look. It's like she was born to be treated like this in a cute way. Nevertheless, she was relieved to see her being back to her usual self after putting up with all that gloomy face during their trip.
It doesn't suit to her sweet and caring self.
"Wendy. There are times where things wouldn't come as a second chance. If you feel that way towards him then you should make use of that opportunity to say it to him. I don't want you to regret your actions once it's too late, you know." She frowned, looking at her in concern which caused her bluenette to stop in her words as she thought about what she said to her.
"R-Regret...?"
"Failing to make that chance is much more painful than not having one, Wendy."
"I..."
She tried to speak but was soon cut off as the white Exceed hugged her comfortably. She felt her warm fur slowly easing her throbbing pain that was inside her heart ever since that day. She was able to push all her troubles as she stared wide-eyed towards her Exceed.
"It's never too late for you to make that chance. I'll say this again for you; be more courageous. Don't be afraid of everything that would make you back down just because it would affect you and those around you. Don't think the other way around, think what would happen to you and that person if he answers to your feelings. Do not hesitate to let it all out. Do not hold yourself in contempt. I want you to be happy Wendy. Don't hurt yourself just for the sake of others' happiness. Find your own happiness, Wendy."
Her words touched her greatly as Wendy felt tears forming from her eyes.
It's been like this for the two of them.
Carla would always encourage her every time she would feel down. She would always comfort her when she cries. And she would always be there for her when she was alone by herself.
The white Exceed heard her sob but she didn't care. As long as she can wash away the sorrows in her heart, she was fine to be with her.
It looks like she finally realized it.
After a few moments, the two eventually broke away as Wendy wiped the rest of her tears and finally able to smile genuinely for the first time in days.
"Thank you, Carla."
"Hnn..." She nodded.
Looking at that renewed gaze, she knew what she's going to do. She smiled underneath her breath, praying for her as they spent their time together in the cold night.
...
Meanwhile, somewhere in the far reaches of another forest, Natsu and the rest of the group camped out due to having a slight problem with the trip. Since night had caught up, they were forced to set up camp as well from a nearby forest to spend the night.
Lucy and Happy already noticed the crestfallen look on the dragonslayer's face ever since they stopped for the night.
The pinkette never bothered to speak to any of the two as if they were never there. This is the first time they saw him like this.
His confident personality, his unabashed disposition. It's not all there. It's like he was looking like the spitting image of his Edolas counterpart if only he had a deeper mopey look.
What made the pinkette this depressed is a mystery for them.
Even back at Magnolia when he suddenly sprinted off without saying anything only to be found at the bar counter, gives a huge fit of confusion inside their minds while also trying to find out what's bothering him.
A fire was set around them as Natsu sat alone across the other two who were stealing glances at him despite him looking intently at the flames.
The two even whispered quietly to each other, discussing the pinkette's condition right now. It doesn't seem like he was pumped up to take the job despite him planning it with them a few days back.
...
―Then, the person they longed to speak finally opened his mouth for the first time ever since leaving town.
"Hey Luce, what can you do to uhhh―relieve the pain?"
The two heard him speak but they were greatly confused at the choice of words he just said so they tilt their heads in confusion.
"Uhh, I'm sorry what? I think I lost you there, Natsu." Lucy replied, having not fully understood his question but the pinkette continued on nonetheless as he stared openly at the fire in front of him as if trailing off in thought.
"It's just that... I've been feeling a lot of pain lately. Even though I'm perfectly fine, I don't know what is..."
A moment of silence assailed between them as Lucy paused to speak for a moment, wanting to inquire more of what he's talking about. Happy seemed to be interested as well despite the atmosphere as the blonde haired mage tries to reply.
"Can you... tell me more about this pain you're talking about?"
Her question caught him slightly off guard but then decided to retain his composure as he looked down on his chest, unknowingly aware as he placed a hand on it.
"My chest feels weird for some reason... I can't explain it but somehow, I can feel pain from it even if I don't notice it."
At that moment, Lucy widened her eyes in surprise. No―it was more than just a surprise. She easily noticed something wrong with him but to think that he would be able to come to this kind of development is what made her surprised. Even the blue Exceed seemed to be shocked as well but both of them tried to hide their surprise yet as Lucy tried to ask more concerning about it.
"When did you feel it first? I mean, when did it start for you?"
Another short pause followed but Natsu slowly tried to recall everything that happened back then.
"When I walked with her yesterday... When I saw her making that forced smile, everything felt wrong for me."
Another piece of information baffled the two yet again. At that moment, Lucy recollected her memories about the things that transpired yesterday, hoping to dig some more clues about his problem.
At the same time, her cause for concern for him finally lessened which then was replaced with a growing smile as if to the point of merely teasing him, seeing how she was able to connect the dots altogether on her own.
It also kinda explains his unusual ruckus back at the guild.
"Aaaaand... Where did it grow?"
"When I found out that she's not in the guild..." He silently muttered, his face partly buried under his scaly scarf as he tried to cope with this difficult pain.
Lucy thought it could've been a complicated problem but it looks she already knew what's troubling him. Happy, who happened to cast a gaze towards her for the same reason, smiled in relief.
Thinking that he would finally realize as something as valuable in his life, they could only snicker silently to each other as they both turned to look back at the saddened pinkette who was unaware of their teasing.
"Ne, Natsu... Do you know what it means to love?" Lucy began, catching his attention as he etched that word inside his mind for the first time.
"Love?"
"Yeah, when you like something or rather―someone so much that you held them special to you no matters what."
"Like food?"
Looks like it's going to be hard to make him realize it.
"Weeeeeeell, something like that..." She partly regained her composure. Her forehead dripping with cold sweat after hearing his oblivious response.
"...But it's more than that. Let's take your scarf for example. What does that scarf mean to you?" She asked as if giving a short lesson to a kid. Natsu perked into attention as he slightly stuttered from her statement.
"My scarf? Well, it's from Igneel and it's very precious to me."
"Alright, then how about Igneel? What does he mean to you?"
"He's my dad. He's someone I hold dear the most because he taught me everything ever since taking me in."
"Good. Then how about Wendy? What does she mean to you?"
"W-Wendy? Well, I..."
He couldn't say it. For some reason, he finds it hard to explain it himself as he stutters in his words. At the same time, the thought of having nothing to say about her struck him immediately by which Lucy had caught on and merely smiled as she continued speaking.
"Natsu, what you're feeling right now is love. The thought of not being able to say much about her means you're unsure of your feelings. You feel conflicted because you couldn't see through the true feelings inside your heart."
"I don't know what you―"
"Tell me, honestly. When was the last time you felt really happy?"
Lucy knew he wouldn't understand it bit by bit if he answered generally in thought of his friends that's why she made it specifically simple to ask him directly and specifically that would make him slowly understand. She knew he wouldn't get past his dense nature unless it's something that would trigger him down in this kind of development.
On the other hand, Natsu contemplated those words inside his mind.
The things that he was extremely happy about.
The times he would have the best laugh with someone.
The memories of him wanting to treasure that person more than anyone else.
The person he wanted to protect and care for with all his heart.
'Wendy.'
A slow moment of realization dawned on him as he unconsciously opened his lips.
"...with her."
"What?"
"When I'm with her."
"I don't hear you." Lucy raised her voice.
"When I'm with her!" This time, Natsu also raised his voice. His thoughts clear with realization.
"Then say it loud and clear!"
"I feel happy when I'm with her! Alright?!"
Now it's getting annoying! Is she trying to make him mad or something?
Natsu glared at the blonde girl who immediately broke into a laugh after he shouted out those words. Even Happy seems to be riding the same boat which doesn't make him any better.
"Are you done?! Because if you're just joking around, it's not helping!" He retorted as he stood up in annoyance for looking like a fool.
Seriously, it's irritating.
While seeing him mad about it, Lucy eventually settled down as she wiped a tear from her eye as she looked at him carefully.
"Guhaha! I'm sorry! But, you finally realized it, right?"
"..."
There was no response but she took it as a sign of approval as the dragonslayer didn't offer any retorts despite accusing them of making fun of him.
"That's love, Natsu."
"Aye!"
"I know..." He sighed in resignation.
"So, what's the problem? Even with all that little lesson, you're still moping like before." Lucy asked in curiosity.
Natsu released another sigh.
"I did something that could've hurt her. I know I messed up but I just don't know what to do. I don't even know what to say to her to apologize." He explained as Lucy and Happy thought for a moment to come up a solution.
So that's why he was troubled.
"Well, why don't you try confessing to her?"
"Huh?"
"Confess. Like expressing what you felt about her." As if restating it again, Lucy boldly repeated the word which caught his attention.
"How's that gonna help me apologize?"
"Listen here you... I think you're misunderstanding something. Confessing your love is different from apologizing, blockhead. Moreover, why would you even apologize in the first place? Even if you think you made a mistake, you shouldn't take it to heart that easily. You said she was feeling down, right? Then her feelings to you are the same as you felt towards her."
"How could you possibly know that?"
"Because she wouldn't feel that way if it didn't. If you said that you were at fault and caused her to act like that then she felt unsure of her feelings towards you that she wanted to avoid you, don't you think?"
Natsu felt overwhelmed by her speech as he was left dumbfounded on the spot.
Sometimes, he wondered how she was able to understand situations quickly. Her sharp mind was enough to make him feel like he was being toyed despite all the things she did to make him realize his feelings. Not that it makes him feel any better though.
Still, he was glad to have this conversation.
He wouldn't able to realize it if it wasn't for her.
"Geez, I feel stupid for being helped like this..." He sheepishly replied, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment as he smiled towards them in gratitude.
"Well, you're already an idiot so it wouldn't be that surprising." Happy answered, earning him a tick mark.
"Why you―" Before he could even muster a retort, Lucy asked him again.
"So? What are you gonna do now?"
A confident smile occupied his face as he found what he's going to do from now on. Just like the times, he would usually find hope in a hopeless situation, the fire dragonslayer grinned widely as he stood up with his heart decided.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to tell her what I really felt about her."
A week later...
It was in the middle of noon.
The guild is as lively as ever and full of action. Guild members were talking around in their tables and seats, laughing all the way till they further drowned themselves in beer. The light atmosphere gave much of a soothing presence to the ones who wandered inside.
Natsu already departed from his home, having to wake up late with the intention of confessing to the young woman after his talk from last week. Since Happy had already gone out, he was the only resident left in the house. He didn't care about taking a job whatsoever. Taking a break would be a nice touch every once in awhile but the reason for this day off is something more important.
He wanted to say his feelings to her.
He wanted to let her know what he truly feels about her.
Those are the only thoughts he could think right now as he walked straight to the guild with a determined look. Since the road to Fairy Hills also takes to the same route as to their guild, he followed the street where he last walked with her.
This time, he wanted to make it clear for her to understand.
The moments he enjoyed when she's with him.
He will convey everything in his words.
―That he loves her.
...
He was making his way down, taking the time to look at the town's scenery as he smiles warmly towards the people who greeted him all the way. Everyone could've thought that something must've happened to him but Natsu didn't care.
It didn't take long as he sighted the guild as he took a momentary stop to stare at its structure. He could hear the rumbling noises coming from the inside which he probably thought a fight broke out somewhere within the members.
He turned his eyes away as he began continuing his way when he bumped into someone.
"Ah, sorry! I wasn't looking―" He quickly tried to apologize but his sentence was cut short as soon as his eyes caught to the person he bumped into.
"W-Wendy?!"
Said person also stared in shock as she also realized the person in front of her.
"N-Natsu-san!"
Both stuttered as their eyes stared right each other for a moment. Their faces flushed red after noticing the close contact they had between each other which prompted the two to break away in panic as they both regained their composure.
An awkward silence assailed soon after as the two can't help but avoid looking at each other's gazes as they stared into open space. Neither had the courage to speak first so the prolonging silence kept going on as the two felt overwhelmed by the unsettling atmosphere around them. It was then until Natsu tried breaking the atmosphere with a nervous response.
"H-Hey. Nice morning we have today, right?"
His voiced cracked due to the growing tension.
However, Wendy was also feeling nervous for some reason. Even after all that courage, she gained from Carla, meeting him here by chance is unexpected. Even saying it in front of him now becomes more difficult due to the awkwardness between them.
As a result, she lost her confidence, looking down at the side as she started walking right past him.
"I-I'm sorry. I'm in a hurry." Wanting to get out of the situation fast, she lied and tried making her way to the guild until―
"Wait!"
Before she could even move past him, Natsu had grabbed her arm just in time as she was held back with a gasp of surprise. The pinkette had stopped moving and slowly turned his face towards her with a serious look.
"I have... something to tell you, Wendy. Will you hear me out?"
The sincere tone of his voice caught her off guard as she loosened her body, effectively giving up running away. At the same time, she gave in from her lie as she felt her cheeks blush.
"I... too, have something to tell you, Natsu-san."
The pinkette widened his eyes for a moment before regaining composure as he began speaking first.
"Say, Wendy... Do you remember that time when I asked you if you like someone?"
The bluenette recalled the part in which she nodded in response.
"Well, to be honest, I only wanted to confirm something before I could do anything in the future..."
"...And after hearing it from you, I was relieved."
"Eh?" She looked up in shock.
"Because of that, I was overjoyed but I didn't realize that I was hurting you for ignoring you the whole time which I regretted the most."
"That was―" Wendy wanted to assure him but Natsu shook his head sideways as he continued. His expression changed as he recalled back in the last few days between them.
"That's why I couldn't help but blame myself for that. And I wanted to apologize to you as soon as I returned so..." He paused.
"...I also realized something. And I couldn't have done it without both of their help so that's why I decided."
They could feel both their hearts pounding as Natsu cleared his mind. His eyes stared right into hers as he let out those words.
"Wendy... I love you."
A wave of emotions went crashing down on her like a tidal wave. Wendy felt her heart bursting out from within due to the intense beating after hearing those words from him. She felt dumbstruck, overwhelmed in all kinds of mixed feelings. She couldn't muster anything as her cheeks flustered red, feeling a huge sensation of happiness creeping up to her as if coating her very being.
A part of her still couldn't comprehend behind his confession. That's why she was shocked in the process―completely speechless.
Natsu, on the other hand, remained composed though a part of him still felt embarrassed despite his straightforward response. He could see her face seemingly conflicted in all sorts of reactions, probably because of this sudden revelation but who can blame her.
You can't exactly react when someone confessed to you so suddenly when you were friends with each other a few days back and it's not like he was expecting an answer right away.
He rested his hands down on both her shoulders as he looked at her with a soft expression.
"Wendy, it's fine if you don't want an answer right now. I just wanted to tell you how I feel. Whether you accept it or not, I won't hold it against you. I don't want to regret my actions if I didn't tell you this that's why..."
This is the only thing he wanted to say to her after realizing these feelings.
He slowly placed his hand over her head as he expressed his happiness with a toothy grin
"...I'll be waiting."
Wendy felt the warmth behind that sincere smile. She recalled how many times she saw that from him. It was the same smile that lit up her darkest moments, the smile that gave her confidence and faith to herself and the smile she had fallen into.
She couldn't deny herself anymore.
-|Sukinanode by Sora Amamiya|-
"Natsu-san."
He heard her speak as she took hold of both of their hands together, putting it right between them. Her delicate fingers intertwined with his as she muttered softly.
"There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time... Can you hear me out as well?"
He stared at her intently as he began to listen.
"...Do you remember when I told you that there's someone I looked up to?"
Natsu remembered it well from his memory as he nodded lightly in response.
"...He was everything I admired for. Every time, I always depended on him. Saving me countless time and I didn't know how many times he did make me feel what it means to be someone that can protect those he cared. He never hesitated to reach out for me when I'm in despair. His spirit would always give me hope no matter how things go bad."
She giggled, recalling such moments as she kept speaking.
"...He would always do everything to make me laugh when I'm down. He would always comfort me when I'm sad. Sometimes, I wonder just how much he means to me that without even knowing it, I completely fell for him."
She slowly lifted her face towards him, finally free of doubt as she uttered the words she wanted to convey to him.
"That person was you."
The pinkette widened her eyes in realization. What she said to him, they were true from her heart...
―She felt the same way towards him.
Natsu stammered, overwhelmed by her confession as well as he stood on the spot, unmoving. His face full of shock as Wendy showed her sincere feelings towards him.
As a result, he could not do but utter her name.
"W-Wendy..."
"I wanted to tell you sooner but I was scared. Scared that you won't feel the same―that you had someone else that's why I kept it from you. But the more I try to hide it, the more I couldn't stop loving you that's why―"
Tears poured out from her eyes as she spoke.
At that moment, Natsu suddenly embraced her. Wendy felt surprised at the hug but her thoughts stop when she heard him whisper.
"Thank you... Wendy. Thank you for loving me that's why I wouldn't make you wait any longer..."
He wouldn't make her wait anymore. Because this time...
"...Right now, the only person I wanted to spend the rest of my life is you."
Not making her say anything else, he accepted everything. All this time, she's been holding back of her feelings in doubt. She's been holding it back for his sake.
He wouldn't want that. This time, he made sure to return those feelings to her as she had given to him. Without living herself in regret, he embraced her tightly as he heard her sob beside him.
"M-Me too."
That's the only thing he wanted to hear.
At that moment, she wrapped her arms around him as well as she went to hug him in return. Both felt happy after hearing their feelings for each other.
Around the same time, the guild doors also busted open as the two who happened to be standing in front of it were startled to see the rest of their guild mates standing between their sweet atmosphere.
A couple of faces held smiles in their expressions as if they jumped in joy.
"Congratulations you two!"
"I'm happy for both of you!"
"So you've finally got it through, blockhead!"
"Finally! We've been expecting this!"
"Congratulations, Natsu-san, Wendy-san!"
The two looked in shock as they heard them expressing their gratitude as they stood unmoving at the number of people―specifically, their friends seeing their confession towards each other.
"You guys..." Natsu spoke, totally overwhelmed with surprise.
"Sorry, we've been waiting. We didn't mean to eavesdrop." Lucy winked.
"Gihi, I thought something was up but it looks like it went well, huh?" Gajeel smirked as Levy walked beside him with the same happy expression along with the others.
"Y-You've been listening!?" Wendy stuttered, her face looked redder than ever.
"Well, not entirely, we're just making it the right time to jump and beat the shit out of you for taking too long, Flame-brain." Gray mocked, earning a tick mark from the pinkette who then realized something other than their sudden appearance.
"Then, all that noise from earlier..." He recalled.
"Ah, that. We've been preparing to celebrate for your new relationship." A voice spoke as Erza walked in front of the crowd in which soon broke into two sections as they revealed the interior of the guild that's been rearranged with a lot of decorations, seemingly in preparation for the two.
At the same time, the two caught sight of their two Exceeds who flew right next to them with beaming smiles.
"Happy... and Carla." Both the two dragonslayers spoke the name of their Exceeds as they approached them.
"Congratulations!" The two simultaneously greeted as they both reunited with each other.
"We've been waiting as well. We knew you two have something for each other that's why we gathered everyone to help out." Carla was first to speak.
"Aye!"
"This is the least we can do for you two. To celebrate your new relationship for long lasting." Erza muttered softly as the rest of the group gathered behind her with the same feeling.
Natsu and Wendy couldn't help but feel surprised at the actions of their friends. They've been waiting for them to confess each other that they even prepared a party just for the celebration of their new relationship.
The two could only muster a gasp of surprise.
"Soooooo, when are we gonna see a kiss, huh?" Lucy teased which then caught the two off guard as they felt their faces rising up in temperature.
"Aaaaawww, they're still not gone past that!" Mira squealed.
"If you're a man, you gotta do it!" Elfman shouted fiercely as the group shot glances of teases at the two who felt embarrassed with the subject.
In addition, to think that Natsu would feel embarrassed as well is something you don't see every day.
Looks like they're gonna be teased throughout the day.
"Well then, let's celebrate for Natsu and Wendy!" At that time, Makarov who led the group raised his hand in the air as the guild partied for the two dragonslayers' new relationship.
It was one of their wonderful moments in their lives.
A/N: Shucks... This theme took longer than I hoped. Spanning over 5k words? Welp, I was intending to keep writing themes at 5k words at most but it looks like this whole confession thing had me writing a lot without even minding the number of words from the bottom section.
Anyways, how'd you like the chapter? I wanted to convey a lot of emotions in this part since it revolves on the confession of both characters so yeah.
I wouldn't want to hang around since it's already past the excess word count so I'll see you guys in the next theme/chapter which is First Date.
Oh, the song is from Plastic Memories, specifically played to the scene where Isla confessed her feelings to Tsukasa. I did feel a bit sad when I played it but I hope it would work for the lighter side of things in this fic.
- The wiErDos send their regards...
