Chapter 1: A Smile
It started with a smile.
That's all it took to hook him. A smile.
Natsu hated the fog. He always tended to leave the guild such days. Most just chalked it up to a fishing binge with Happy, few knew the truth.
The fog was the first thing that greeted him when Igneel left. Left all alone in a dark cruel world. The silence of the forest mixed with that dense fog was burned into his mind. Until…
Until that smile.
She was the first to notice. She always somehow knew when he was conflicted, lost.
It was a foggy day. Just like then. He left the guild feeling the pang of sorrow that no guild brawl, no matter how rambunctious or rowdy would sooth. Happy, loyal as ever, understood and stayed by his side trying to make idle chatter.
"What's your favorite kind of fish Natsu?"
He sighed. Before this it was his favorite type of magic (fire, duh), or what he would do if he woke up in the morning with fish head for hands.
"You know this Happy."
It was short, clipped but not angry, just echoing of someone who wished to be left alone. Happy, not seeming to notice, nodded as if recalling some bit of profound wisdom.
"Any fish."
He could only sigh.
"I'm sorry Natsu…"
It made his heart ache. He reached down to comfort his feline companion, hoping to bring a semblance of comfort to them both. It was not his fault, Natsu knew this, but time had yet to truly heal his heart. Three years was not long enough. Their, deep into the foggy forest oh so similar to that which haunted his nightmares, they sat. They sat in a silence so deep it could almost be heard, begging anyone or anything to break it.
*Crack*
Both heads snapped towards the foliage to their right instantly noticing the rustling signifying the arrival of an unexpected companion. If his nose served him right it was… Erza?
She stumbled slightly over the last bit of foliage blocking her path, before correcting herself and glaring at the two, as if daring them to mention her slight blunder.
"W-what are you doing here Erza?"
The then 10-year-old still had a healthy fear/respect for the fiery redhead.
Then she did something he would have never imagined. Never expected in a million years. Something that shocked him, its ways he couldn't explain. It was so small. So insignificant. So mundane! Yet from that moment onwards he was hooked. He didn't know if it was love, not yet, not in his young, underdeveloped mind, but he was hooked. All due to this one little action.
Erza stared at Natsu and Happy, eyes hard as she seemed to judge the two, analyze them, before her eyes softened.
"Happy"
Her voice was soft, something that caught them both by surprise, but still had the undeniable edge they had grown accustomed to.
"A-Aye Sir!"
The animal was shaking, surely, she would punish him. Surely, she had found the stash of fish he had hidden under her bed for emergencies!
"Leave Natsu and I for a moment"
For all his loyalty, the exceed was smart. You obey Erza.
Then there were two.
Her eyes met his. Instead of hardened orbs analyzing his very being, he saw a softer orb holding nothing but concern.
"Natsu…."
"I'm fine Erza, just getting some nature time with Happy! You know me! Since you're here, fight me!"
The statement was followed by forced laughter and a small gout of flame spouting from his mouth, hoping his usual boisterous self would lead Erza away.
Her eyes never wavered, staring into him. Unrelenting. Unflinching.
"Erza..."
She stepped forward.
He stepped back.
"…please"
His back was to a tree, but she kept coming forward. Staring into him.
"It's ok Natsu."
He stared at her. Shocked. He wasn't sure what she was going to say or do to him if he was being honest, but that wasn't something he expected. It shook him to his core.
"I don't know what's wrong. But it's going to be ok"
He broke.
"He's gone Erza! He left me alone! All I had was my scarf!"
He was screaming, but even still her eyes never wavered. She never retreated, never looked away.
"I had nothing! The worse part?! No one even believes he's real!"
By this point tears streamed down the Pinkett's face. His pain evident and clear for Erza to see. It broke her heart.
Since their first meeting Natsu had seeming stollen her attention. His tenacity matched only by his passion and boyish foolishness.
He was special to her.
All of Fairy Tail was, but Natsu held a dear place in her heart. Watching over him, teaching him, correcting him, had helped heal a little piece of her own young heart.
Seeing her beloved companion, her nakama, in such pain Erza forced the young man to look at him.
Natsu felt her strong stern hand on his chin. He feared the worst. As she forced him to look at her what he saw took his breath away.
She smiled.
Not the usual small, reserved smile she might wear around the guild. Nor was it the almost maniacal smirk she could wield when in competition with their resident demon. No this…
… this was different. Soft. Sweet. Alluring.
It was a bright light that took him from his gaze, blinding him. Then a sweet softness. Erza smell so strong in his nose.
Cinnamon and strawberries. Sweet and heat.
He knew then she was special to him.
"I'm here Natsu."
Her voice was sweet like honey, wrapped in nothing but a loving concern for her younger comrade.
The damn broke, the tears fell. All while slender hands rubbed his back, and a honeyed voice whispered soothing words in his ear.
It was then he knew he'd die for her.
End of Chapter 1
So, this is my first fic in quit a while. I decided to start fresh and actually try and craft something worthwhile to build a solid ethic and style. This will be a romance focus fiction, Erza X Natsu obviously. Natsu might seem a tad obsessive, and this will be AU. I'm going to keep from trying to complicate anything and focus on telling a solid core store with the characters. Slight hints for going forward. Rather than focusing on the E.N.D. aspect of Natsu, he will fall more into his draconic aspect, and what it might mean to be the heir of the fire dragons. But that's all for now. Let me know what you think.