The moon's light shined brightly in the skies of Magnolia. Most light sources were gone, leaving a dark atmosphere in its wake. One guiding light was the only one seen, Fairy Tail. A guild hall that has stood the test of time and its own fair share of grueling battles. But right now it was the time for celebration, joy and laughter.
Team Natsu had just completed the hundred year quest, a mission that many have tried, but many have failed. The deadliest creatures to ever walked the land, dragons, gods to be exact. Even if there were many moments of failure, Natsu persevered and sealed away the dragon gods that threatened humanity itself. Especially one such god, the fire dragon god, Ignia, Igneel's blood son, Natsu's half brother.
The Guildhall was filled with roars and cheers, many barrels of alchol to fill their stomachs.
"Here's to Team Natsu!" Makarov's voice boomed off the wooden walls, vibrating off the sheer power of his voice as he raised a mug of ale into the air. "A Team that has gone through many battles, some that would test even the greatest of mages. You have never made me more proud!"
Natsu, Erza, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Carla and Happy all bowed their heads in respect to their master, smiles all reflecting off the warm atmosphere of the guild. "Thank you master, your words bless us greatly," Erza was the first one to raise her head to speak. "But we couldn't of accomplished this great feat without help of others," her eyes glanced over to the azure mage who stood next to her with a warm smile. "And long lost friends."
"Hmmm," The old man hummed in agreement, raising his mug in the air once more. "Well, what are we waiting for? LET'S PARTY!"
"AYE SIR!"
What became a calm environment, immediately became mayhem. Chairs were thrown over many heads, brawls were formed in great spirit. Erza parted from the group to take a hold of Jellal's hand with a bright smile. "Let's get you your mark."
"Right, of course," The azure mage willingly followed her with a smile.
"Man... I'm beat!" Lucy wined softly, stretching her aching muscles. "But it was quite the adventure, huh?"
"Aye sir," Happy nodded his head with a bright grin, Carla following suit.
"Hey flame-brain, why don't we have a good spa-" Gray turned to face Natsu who was currently missing from the group. "Natsu?"
"Where did he?" Lucy questioned with a small frown.
Gray shrugged his shoulders with a small sigh. "Maybe he went home early, though even I gotta admit it's not like him to skip out on a party."
Erza returned to the group, Jellal following suit as you could see a bright yellow Fairy Tail mark on his left cheek. Her eyes scanned the group, but a frown made it's way to her features. "Where's Natsu?"
Wendy, who was currently quiet slowly pointed up to the ceiling. "He's up on the roof, I can smell his scent from here."
"Maybe he just wanted some fresh air?" Lucy put a finger to her shin in pensive thought. She had to admit he did act a little off when they were returning home. He was unusually quiet, mainly keeping to himself.
"I will find him," Erza announced to the group in her classic stoic tone. Her attention turned to Jellal with a smile. "Why don't you get to know your new guildmates, I'm sure you'll make many friends in no time."
Jellal gave a nod with a smile. "I think I will, tell Natsu I wish him well," he replied before walking off to join the roaring party.
Erza took her leave, slowly walking up the wooden steps to the guild's balcony. Her body leaned over the banister. Pink hair, an immediate first thought when her eyes landed on Natsu. His knees were buried up to his chest as he gazed out to the starry night sky. "Natsu..."
Even if his body radiated heat beyond anyone's control, a small shiver made it's way across his body. Natsu's eyes glanced up to the glittering night sky, many celestial stars gleaming through out. A gentle sigh escaped his lips.
As much as he wanted to celebrate with the others on their job; he just couldn't bring himself to do it. There was much to think about. Ignia, his future from here. He despised the thoughts that lingered in the back of his mind. He lifted his knees to his chest, resting his head against them. "I wish you were here Igneel.. I could really use some advice you old scaly bastard.."
"Natsu?"
Natsu's head shot up from it's place to a familiar feminine voice. He turned ever so slightly to see Erza, someone who he's looked up to ever since they were children. "Oh.. hey Erza, what's up?"
The distance feeling in his voice only grew to make her frown more in worry. Her boots gently stomped along the many tiles, watching Natsu intently with each step till she was next to him. Her body lowered down to sit next to him, her legs dangling off the roof top. "What are you doing out here all by yourself? It's not like you miss out on a party."
"Just... thinking is all," he replied to her question, facing back out to the night sky.
An armored gauntlet was placed on his shoulder. "A jewel for your thoughts?"
Another sigh escaped Natsu's lips with a sad smile. "It wouldn't matter if I told you, it's something I gotta figure out for myself."
Erza could only raise her brow in confusion, tightening her hold on his shoulder. She could tell something was bothering Natsu greatly, and she intended to find out what. She wasn't a fool not to see how he acted after they defeated Ignia. It's like he lost a part of himself in that moment, a part the knight was unsure of. Steeling her resolve to help him; she resorted to her "scary Erza glare" as many members liked to call it.
"Natsu... I'm not leaving till you tell me what's bothering you," her voice was stern, but soft as her hand reached to cup his cheek for him to look at her. Her eyes immediately widened in shock. A salty liquid was pouring down his cheeks. Natsu... Natsu never cried. The only tears he ever shed was when he thought he lost her in the tower, and Igneel's death. "Natsu?"
Natsu forcibly turned away from her, using his arm to wipe away the tears. "S-sorry, I don't mean to be this way Erza. I want to go down there, fight that ice pervert, and party to my hearts content," he lowered his head as more tears made their way. "But... I can't."
Erza scooted next to him, a soft glow emanating from her body before his head rested on her chest. Natsu took a shaky breath, clinging to the knight, gritting his fangs tightly together. Her fingers gently combed through his pink locks. The silky feel of them brought a smile to her lips. "Whatever is on your mind Natsu, you can't bottle it up. I should know that more than anyone. So please..." she lowered her head to look at his hidden face that was buried in her white blouse. "Cry if you need to, vent out your thoughts. I will listen to all of it, I promise."
That's all it took before Natsu's muffled sobs were heard. Erza's grip tightened around the dragon slayer, wrapping her arms around him. Natsu was someone near and dear to her heart, even more so than Jellal. Even if it wasn't the right time to think on these thoughts, she couldn't help it. Natsu was a light at the end of her dark tunnel, the fire that pushed her to grow stronger and persevere through anything. Who wouldn't fall to his childish charms, that bright toothy grin that she loved more than life it's self.
Erza was always confused on why there was a warm feeling in her chest. A flutter of butterflies in her stomach that brought her great joy. The armor that she relied on most of her life as a protection from emotional pain was melted away. Natsu ended her nightmares of that god forsaken tower, something she always wanted to repay him for.
Even if they were family, friends, she wanted something more than that. A deeper connection that went beyond friendship or comrades. Erza Scarlet was in love with Natsu Dragneel. Jellal was thought to be her dream love, someone who she thought her heart was meant to be with. But overtime that feeling was lost, replaced with a deep friendship. Her heart belonged to Natsu, someone she hoped returned her affections.
Natsu grew quiet in her arms, slumping against her body. His warm breath against her chest that made the scarlet knight blush. He slowly lifted his head, releasing his hold from her much to Erza's dissapointment. "T-thanks Erza.. I really needed that."
"Of course, Natsu. Now can you tell me what's been on your mind?" She asked, hoping now that he would shed light on what was bothering him.
Natsu's hair shadowed his eyes as he took a deep breath of the cold nightly air. "Ignia... my future on where I go from here. Fear that I'm meant to be alone..." he clenched his fist tightly as Erza listened intently. "As much as he was evil, devoid of any humanity, he was still my family... the only part of Igneel I had left, and now.. he's gone."
Erza's heart was being tugged on at this very moment. It wasn't like Natsu to feel this... sad and broken. His voice was cracking, struggling not to turn into another sobbing fit. "You did what had to be done, Natsu. Ignia intended on wiping away the entire world with the dragon king festival. He was beyond saving, you have to know that."
"He asked me to join him in exterminating humanity..."
"W-what?" Erza stuttered slightly with wide eyes, trying to grasp the information given.
Natsu opened his palm as a small flicker of flame bursted forth from his hand. "When his group captured me, it was the first thing he asked me.. join him and kill every human, or.. fight him to the death till neither one of us are standing. I obviously picked the second option, even if he was my half brother.. I just hate it had to come to that."
Erza watched the flames in his palm crackle gently. "Even so, he had to be taken down Natsu. You still have your family here, your friends, everyone in this world is beside you. Igneel would've understood on why you had to kill his son," she reached out to touch his arm gently. "Don't let guilt hold you back from happiness."
Natsu's eyes met hers with a small smile. "Yeah... I guess you're right," his gaze went back to the twinkling stars. "The other thing is I guess a personal issue.. I... even if people think I'm dense on feelings, I'm not. Mira made sure of that.. even if right now I wished I never knew what love was. I.. I asked Lucy out after we finished the quest.."
Erza's heart tightened at the information, clenching her fist tightly till her knuckles were white. "W-what did she say?"
"She said that she didn't feel the same way as I did. I am her best friend, her older brother figure who always saves her from harm," tears made their way across his cheek. "But I guess I was an idiot to confuse it for love..."
As much as Erza wanted to be relieved that Natsu was rejected by Lucy. She couldn't help but feel for him, knowing what rejection feels like after trying for Jellal for so long. Her silence told him that she was listening so he continued on with his thoughts. "Maybe.. maybe love isn't for me. All I am is the flame-brained idiot that fights his guildmates. The dumb dragon slayer who is dense as a rock.. Gajeel has Levy, Mira has Laxus, Wendy may not have it yet, but she will. Gray and Juvia... but more so you and Jellal. He finally joined our guild, now this is your chance to be with him," a sad smile made it's way across his features as he closed his eyes. "You can finally be happy. And I'll be happy for you, all of you."
Erza couldn't believe the words he spoke. He was fully accepting that there was nobody out there for him. That he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. Even if this was stupid to do she couldn't help it.
"Thanks for listening Erza.. your a really good frie-"
Natsu couldn't say another word as a pair of strawberry scented lips that were currently pressed against his own. He could only stare at her with wide eyes. She eventually did pull away, immediately avoiding his gaze with a deep blush on her cheeks. "E-erza why did you-"
"Because I don't love Jellal.." She responded in a whisper, turning to face him with tears in her eyes. "I love you, you idiot. I've always loved you for a long time. But.. I never told you because of your feelings for Lucy. I didn't want to ruin this deep bond we have."
"Erza..."
"Please forgive me for my behavior Natsu," Erza went to stand up before a hand stopped her in her tracks. "Natsu...?"
"Please don't go..." Natsu whispered with a desperation in his voice.
Erza relented, taking her seat on the roof next to him. "So... what do you think?"
"I'm shocked in all honesty.." Natsu chuckled softly. "I wasn't expecting that from you of all people. I always thought your heart was dead set on Jellal."
"It was... but some idiot came by and changed my outlook," she giggled softly.
Natsu couldn't help but smirk at the comment. "I wonder who that idiot was."
"The world may never know," Erza turned her attention towards Natsu who reached out to touch her hand, gently clasping them together. "So, does this mean you accept my feelings?" She asked with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
"Of course I do. I'd be an idiot to turn down the queen of the fairies," Natsu pulled her close to his chest as they both stared up into the night sky. "Thank you... Erza for always being there by my side when I needed it most."
"I'll always be by your side Natsu," she lifted her head to meet his gaze. "Always," she closed her eyes to lean in to capture his lips as he returned the gesture in kind.
Under the moonlit sky were two mages who have gone through hell and back, but finally after so long. They were united under the stars with love in their hearts for the future.
Okay, first I know it's been a very long time since I've come out with anything. I deeply apologize for my absence, but I've hit a major stump in my writing as of lately after finishing Mending A Dragon's Broken Heart. My confidence that I once had is completely shattered and I'm not entirely sure why.
So those who were excited for the Solo Leveling Fairy Tail fic, it'll be a while before it comes. For now I hope this will suffice till I get my groove back because in all honesty I'm not confident in my writing at the current moment. I feel it can be better but I don't know how to make that happen. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.
For now that's all I have for you today. I hope you all have an amazing day or night, and I'll see you guys in the next one. Later