It was a rainy day in Magnolia. The loud booms of thunder, resonating in the air, lightning occasionally sending streaks across the sky. Unlike others who would just stay inside to avoid the weather, one did not. The Guild was more lively than ever, drinking, fighting, or just conversating amongst their peers."This rain is very unmanly," Elfman sighed, watching the rain out the window slide down the glass.
"Do you ever stop with the manly thing? It gets rather old, you muscled bafoon," Evergreen scoffed, punching the behemoth in his shoulder. "Knock it off already!"
Elfman winced, rubbing his shoulder. "Okay, geez you don't have to hit so hard."
Unlike the others having a good time, one was just sitting at the bar, laying his head on the table. Mira looked at the young man in concern, noticing his matted down spiky pink locks. The dark bags under his eyes. "What's wrong, Natsu?" She asked, setting down the tray of alcohol she had in her hand.
He didn't respond, only letting a sigh escape from his lips as smoke bellowed out. His head raised to gaze over at her with a weak smile. "Nothing, Mira just tired is all. Didn't get a lick of sleep last night," Natsu tried to extend his mouth into his signature toothy grin.
"Oh, well then I'll let you get some rest then. Sorry to disturb you," she smiled softly.
Natsu waved his hand in a gesture of peace. "Don't worry about it," he placed his head back down on the table, hiding the tears that were welling up inside him. "Just a rough day..." He muttered under his breath, not enough for anyone to hear but himself.
"Oi! Flame-brain I got a bone to pick with you," Gray walked up to the young dragon slayer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That last job costed us big time. Need to teach you a lesson about not destroying a whole town!"
All eyes were glued on the duo as Natsu let out another sigh. He raised his head and got out of his stool before turning to face Gray. He removed Gray's hand from his shoulder before giving him a sad smile, catching the ice make wizard off guard. "As much as I would love to fight you, Ice Princess. We'll have to do this another day," he flashed Gray a weak smile, before walking past him.
Everyone was in utter shock, including Gray who just stood there looking at the empty spot at the bar. Did Natsu just refuse to fight Gray? The mere thought of that terrified everyone. They watched Natsu push open the guild doors, before walking out into the storm brewing outside.
"What the heck?!" Lucy gasped, watching the doors close. "Natsu refuses a fight with his rival? What is going on with him?
Unbeknownst to most, a certain red headed knight was watching the whole ordeal with a frown. "Natsu..."
"I know a lot of you are concerned about Natsu, but do not worry," Everyone's eyes faced towards a little old man, who pushed himself forward in a wheel chair. "If anyone has forgotten, this is the day of Igneel's passing. I know it's been some years since the whole ordeal happened. But it's exceptionally hard on Natsu," Makarov closed his eyes for a moment with a nod.
Gray rubbed the back of his neck, running his fingers through the back of his hair. "Damn it.. I completely forgot about that. I should go out there with him, he doesn't need to be alone."
"I'll go Gray."
He turned his head to face Erza who came from Lucy's table. She had a small blush on her cheeks with a far away look.
"Oh, alright if that's what you wanna do, who am I to stop you? Besides, I'm no good at cheering that idiot up."
Erza just gave him a nod before facing Makarov. "That Is okay right Master?" She asked.
The old man nodded with a smile. "Of course it is, Erza. You two are as close as most. No offense to Lucy over there."
"None taken," Lucy retorted with a smile. "I agree with Erza going."
Makarov gave Erza a warm smile, placing his hand on her shoulder. Well she had to lean down for him to do so. His face was close to hers as he whispered. "Maybe it's time you tell him."
Her cheeks grew bright red as her hair. "I-I don't know Master, do you really think it's a good time?" She responded back with a whisper, careful to not let the other dragon slayers hear her.
"Indeed, I do think it's time. He shouldn't be alone anymore. After Lisanna, though she has returned to us. But losing the only family he has left, you can relate to his struggles my dear. Now go to him," He lowered his head back in his chair with a smile plastered on his face.
Erza hummed softly in agreement. "Then I'll be off then," she turned away from Makrov before requipping Into a rain coat with an umbrella. She gently pushed open the door, before walking out into the rain, knowing exactly where Natsu was.
"Are they gonna be okay, Master?" Mira glanced over at the old man with a worried expression.
Makarov smiled softly, nodding his head. "They will be just fine, don't worry."
Natsu slowly walked along the cobblestone path to his home. His eyes were downcasted to the ground, tears slowly dropping from his cheeks. Eventually he stopped behind his and Happys home. A giant stone slab was lodged into the ground with words etched into the tombstone.
Igneel
King Of The Dragon's
Father Of Natsu Dragneel
Year Of Deceased X791
His lips quivered as tears were coming full force. Even if years had gone by, the pain in his heart remained. He missed his father everyday, but this day was especially hard as he thought back on the war of Tartaros. Igneel's final words still drilled into his head. "Hey, dad... it's been a while."
Natsu got down on his knees, not caring about the mud that glued to his pants. "You know.. I miss you old man, every single day. But I've taken your words to heart, I've accomplished so much with Fairy Tail," he smiled, tracing his finger over the stone. "So much has happened in the last year. I met your son, Ignia the Fire Dragon God." He scowled slightly, before letting out a sigh with a sad smile. "I know you had your reasons not to tell me about him. Hell I think there's things you're still hiding from me. I... I killed him dad. He threatened the whole world along with the other dragon gods. It was a hard fight, a lot of blood, sweat and tears..." His voice slowly broke as he stifled a few sobs. "I know if you were here right now you would smack me upside the head and tell me to stop being a winy baby," he chuckled softly. "Yeah, that's me right now."
"I don't see it as that, Natsu."
Natsu's twisted around to see Erza who stood there behind him, holding an umbrella in her hand with a sad smile. "E-erza?" His eyes were wide as saucers. "What... what are you doing here?"
Erza's cheeks flushed a bit as she averted his attentive gaze, which surprised him. "I.. I just thought you could use a little company today."
Natsu was quiet for a moment, before he stood up off the ground, brushing the mud and dirt off his pants. He walked over to her slowly. The next movement surprised the scarlet knight as Natsu wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her chest.
"N-Natsu?-"
"Thank you..." He muttered into her chest, clutching tightly onto her body.
Erza trailed her eyes down to the boy with a warm smile. Her hand gently caressed his head as her arms wrapped around him, resting her head ontop of his. "Of course," she spoke gently, her breath brushing against his hair, causing Natsu's cheeks to become a tint pink.
They stood there in the rain, not caring about anything but the moment they were trapped in. None of them wanted this moment to end, until Natsu lifted his head to gaze at Natsu. His onyx orbs shined in the light as the rain had stopped, the sun slowly parted from the clouds. Her brown eyes gazed deeply Into his, almost entranced. "Natsu, there's something I've always wanted to tell you, but I was so afraid of the answer you would give."
"R-really? What is it?" He stuttered slightly, his cheeks growing more in color as neither could keep their eyes off one another.
Erza closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them once more. "I like you, Natsu I always have since we first met at the guild."
"Oh, well I like you too Erza!" He smiled softly, his childish innocence practically melting her heart.
"You idiot, not like that," She sighed softly. "What I mean is I like you, like more than friends."
Natsu looked at her with a confused expression, causing Erza to become irritated. "Oh damn it I'll just show you!" She grabbed onto his cheeks, placing her lips upon his.
he froze in that moment, eyes wide as hers were closed. The feel of her soft plump lips against his making him relax in her hold as he closed his eyes, returning the kiss. 'Tastes like strawberries' he thought as he pressed against her body, their kiss becoming much more passionate. After a while they had to pull away to breathe as they looked at each other with beaming smiles.
"Do you understand now?" She asked.
Natsu put a hand to his chin, scratching it in thought. "I don't think I do, maybe you could assist with that? He smirked towards her.
Her smirk matched his, "very well then," her arms yanked him close into another kiss. The heat from his body, melting the armor around her heart. Happy tears leaked from her eyes.
They eventually pulled away again before Natu turned towards Igneel's grave stone. He flashed the stone with a toothy grin. "Guess another new adventure, awaits me dad."
Erza smiled, interlocking her hand with his. "He would be so proud of you, Natsu as am I."
Natsu used his other hand to grip his scarf gently around his neck. "I know, I can feel it right now."
With the last words to his father, the couple turned away, walking back to the guild. The sun beamed down on the couple as they both finally knew they weren't alone anymore in their hearts. And maybe, just maybe her dragon wouldn't have to grieve anymore.