Natsu was sitting at the bar again with his fire whiskey, concentrating on reading the Celestial Magic book he'd found. He'd opened all the letters at home and read them, one by one. It was like reliving the memories with Lucy as he read them. He laughed, he cried, and he reminisced and now…he just needed a good, stiff drink.
Once all the notes were out of the book, Natsu realized the book itself was rather interesting. Celestial magic was a type of holder magic. He'd always thought Celestial mages were born into their magic, but upon reading the first chapter, he realized that holder magic was simply using an external source to summon the magic within. Lucy's gate keys served as her external source. The magic stemmed from her, to the keys, allowing her to power the spirits.
"You're reading?" Levy asked, coming alongside him.
He smiled, a rare sight these days, "Is that so hard to believe?"
"A little bit," Levy said softly, returning his smile.
These days, Levy was one of Natsu's closest friends. They bonded over their memories of Lucy. Gajeel watched their friendship with guarded interest. He only ever said anything to Natsu once about it and never mentioned it again, in essence giving his approval.
"She's mine, Salamander," he'd said. Natsu had nodded dumbly and that was that. Natsu supposed it was Gajeel's way of letting them both heal.
"It's actually really interesting," he told her, "I had no idea so much was involved with Celestial magic. Lucy had real talent. I mean, I already knew that, but not just anyone could do this."
"If Lucy were here right now, I'm not sure what would floor her more – the fact that you're reading an actual book, or the fact that you understand it and are interested."
He punched her arm playfully, earning a growl from the watching Gajeel, "Wanna read it with me?"
"Nah," she said, "But if you want, I'll lend you my speed reading glasses."
His face brightened. Laughing, she handed them over.
"You know, it's been awhile since you've smiled, Natsu. Lucy loved your smile. Do it more often, please!" she winked at him as she left to join Gajeel.
Natsu sighed. Yeah, it had been awhile. He knew that. It was time to find a way to be happy. Maybe if he couldn't move past Lucy, he should find a way to connect to her through things that she loved.
He got up with a determined look on his face and headed for the doors.
"Where are you going?" Mira asked.
"To see Yukino!" he announced. With more bounce in his step than anyone had seen in him for 2 years, he left the building.
Yukino was feeding the baby, singing at the top of her lungs to the music on her lacrima when the doorbell went. She opened the door, still swaying her hips when she realized she was face to face with Natsu Dragneel.
She squealed, throwing herself in his arms for a tight hug, "Natsu! I'm so glad to see you! It's been too long!"
Natsu nodded. It had been too long. In fact, he was pretty sure the last time he'd been at her door, he was there to hand Yukino Lucy's keys.
She ushered him inside, "STING! STING, WE HAVE COMPANY!"
She picked up the baby, and made her way to the living, gesturing for him to sit.
"How are you?" she asked, her face alight.
"I'm okay," Natsu said, reaching for the baby. Yukino passed her to him.
"This is Sera. Say Hi Uncle Natsu, Sera! Hi Uncle Natsu!"
Natsu peered into the little one's face. She was just over a year old now. Her eyes shone like Yukino's, but her hair was all Sting. Blonde spikes adorned the top of her head. Thankfully, the back was a little longer and she had a feminine look to her. All in all, Natsu had to admit, she was adorable. Subconsciously, he wondered if maybe he and Lucy could have had little ones. Little pink-haired babies with brown eyes. Or blond babies with fire magic. His heart beat harder for a moment, then sunk. That couldn't happen now.
Sting came into the living room, a towel wrapped around his waist, obviously fresh out of the shower, "Flame-Brain! How the hell are you?"
Natsu stood up to shake his hand, Sera in one arm. Sting pulled him into a man hug.
"I'm okay," Natsu replied, "How are things here?"
"Busy!" Yukino supplied, rolling her eyes, "Little miss Sera here keeps Mommy and Daddy very busy!"
"She's so cute," Natsu said, bouncing her on his knee. She laughed and he looked up to Yukino, surprised she was so easy to play with. Elfman and Evergreen's baby rarely laughed like that! He did it again, loving the musical giggle coming from the little girl.
"She likes you!" Sting was grinning ear to ear, "Seriously, Nats…you would be an amazing dad."
Natsu's face fell and he passed the baby back to Sting.
Glancing at Yukino, he nodded to her, already knowing instantly what his wife's thoughts were. The rumours were true...Natsu Dragneel had lost his ability to enjoy life.
"Okay Princess – time for a nap!" Sting swung Sera up into the air to obtain a giggle, then disappeared down the hall.
"Okay, spill it," Yukino said, moving closer to Natsu.
"Spill what?"
"You show up here for the first time in 2 years, still acting like a love-sick buffoon, and don't know what you need to spill?" Yukino asked incredulously, "Why are you here, Natsu?"
Natsu sighed heavily, "I miss her," he said plainly, "And it seems like spending time around the things she loved helps."
"I miss her too," Yukino said softly, squeezing one hand, "And don't think I haven't heard about you! As Master of Sabertooth, Sting hears everything. We know you're not doing that well, so if there's anything we can do to help you, please tell me."
"Can I see her spirits?" Natsu asked softly.
Yukino nodded, "I'm not as strong as she was, so I can only summon 2 at a time. I'll go get the keys."
She disappeared for a minute, returning with the golden keys. They shone with the golden luster he'd always seen in Lucy's care. She used to spend hours shining them up so they almost glowed. Kneeling beside him, she placed the keys in his hands.
He ran his fingers over the keys gently, remembering how proud she was of her spirits. Her friends.
"I've been reading about Celestial magic," he said quietly, "It's very interesting and I'm surprised there aren't more mages practicing it."
Yukino smiled, "Lucy and I were both born with the ability and we were both lucky to have great teachers. But you don't have to be born with holder magic, you know."
"I learned that in this book," he said, pulling out the book he'd kept close to him for the last several days.
"Would you like to try?" Yukino asked gently.
His eyes widened, "I'm a fire dragon slayer…I don't think I could!"
She giggled, "It can't hurt anything. Stand up."
They stood together. She pulled her own original keys from her belt, "I'm going to call Libra, okay? Watch what I do. First, I'm going to put the key out, like I'm opening a door."
Natsu stood beside her, mimicking her movement. He selected Plue's key since it was presumably an easy spirit to call.
"Open – gate of the balance – LIBRA!" Yukino called. Instantly, Libra appeared before her, "Thank you, Libra. I was just demonstrating for Natsu. You can go."
Libra disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What do I say for Plue?" he asked.
"Open the gate of Canis Minor - Nicola," Yukino said.
He was completely unconfident and it was actually comical when he voice cracked as he called out in a high voice, "Open the gate of Canis Minor - Nicola."
Nothing happened.
"You aren't channeling your magic," Yukino scolded, "That was pathetic. Try again. Say it like you mean. Visualize the door opening and Plue coming out."
Natsu closed his eyes, channeling his magic energy until he could feel it coursing through his veins. He took a deep breath, turned the key and called out again, "Open – Gate Of The Canis Minor – Nicola!"
He opened his eyes expectantly. Yukino gave him a half smile. No Plue.
"Why?"
"Because you still don't believe you can do it," Yukino explained.
He nodded, lowering his arm.
"What, that's it?" Yukino challenged, "Where's Natsu Dragneel? Where's the man that managed to make Lucy Heartfilia fall in love with him because he was capable of anything? Come on, Natsu! Get real here - Call on your energy, lift your damn arm and call out that spirit!"
She was almost yelling at him by this point. Natsu stuck out his arm, twisting the key, "OPEN – GATE OF THE CANIS MINOR – NICOLA - PLUE!"
He heard the familiar DING DONG and glanced at Yukino with absolute wonder in his eyes. Before him, jiggling anxiously, the little spirit gazed up at him. His carrot nose wiggled and he threw himself onto Natsu when he recognized him.
"Plue?" Natsu stared at the little spirit, trying to get onto his lap. He picked him up incredulously.
Beside him, Yukino grinned.
"That was…AWESOME!" Natsu exclaimed, hugging the spirit to him.
Just so you know, I'm not planning to make Natsu a celestial wizard.
I have **other plans**
Hope you enjoyed!