I do not own Fairy Tail and will never own said piece of media.
A/N: Enjoy!
"Natsu, we need to have a chat." Erza all but stated.
Everyone in the guildhall had came to a complete stop while Natsu himself seem to freeze up in place. The person that he was about to throw would fall down to ground with a loud thud. Natsu had cause the daily guild brawl. As a result, many assumed Natsu was in trouble including Natsu himself.
"Aye!" Natsu responded to Erza.
He would plead his case because the bastard started it first. Natsu straightened himself out before turning around to face Erza. It did not take long for both to be heading out the door.
"Flamebrain is really going to get it." Gray stated rather confidently.
"He shouldn't have started the brawl but no he did not want to listen." Lucy responded.
Mirajane watch from the bar as many residents of the guildhall began to feel either sorry or happy for Natsu receiving another punishment. However, she knew why Erza wanted to have a chat with Natsu. Mirajane glanced over at Gajeel. It didn't take long for him to look at her. However, she held her stare while he gave her a raised brow. Mirajane gave him a polite smile before looking away. Gajeel became confused before being reminded that Mirajane could be creepy if she wanted too. Thankfully, she wasn't and relief flooded his veins.
"I take it that he's partially responsible for why Erza is talking with him?" Makarov asked.
"You can say that again." Mirajane replied.
Erza may not have the secrets to everyone's heart. She did however know how many people behaved and that was going to be the crutch for her talk with the fire dragon slayer. Speaking of which...
Natsu found themselves in the forest opposed to the bank of the lake behind the guildhall. He might be getting out of trouble or things could be very tense. Natsu always believed in his gut after all.
"This should be private enough." Erza commented.
Natsu gut feeling got worse and by the way Erza is now looking at him. There would be no way to run away from this confrontation. It meet that he was going through the ring.
"I do not want you to run away from this and I'll get straight to the point." Erza stated.
Did she figure him out? How? Damn it! He got too emotional and this is ramifications of it.
"I'll start with what I piece together myself. Normally, you aren't so intense or fearless especially against the council. At the time, I admitly thought nothing of it but looking back on everything. You were ready to take the fall for me. You also were willing to kill Jellal because he made me cry. You begged me not to sacrifice myself like that again. You cried Natsu at the thought of losing me." Erza said.
Natsu knew where this was headed but didn't interrupt Erza. He might not be book smart but even he wasn't that stupid.
"It was and still is quite touching to hear that however, after discussing things with Jellal. I knew you wanted to prevent our meeting over the mission. I knew how you wanted to crush him. It wasn't out of malice but out of pure intentions. However, there was undertones to it. Unlike when Gajeel tried to help you, when Jellal tried to help you, you had attacked him."
The female crossing her arms while giving Natsu a reprimanding glare. He tried looking away. Natsu did not like how Erza weaseled the information out of Jellal. That guy was, he had to reluctantly admit, like him. They were incapable of telling Erza, "no."
"I settled it with Gajeel." Natsu weakly offered.
Erza all but snorted.
"If I recall, you should have settled it with Jellal at the Tower of Heaven but you have had a grudge against him. In fact, I remember Gajeel beating Lucy up and despite that tidbit, you seem to work with him to fight against Laxus. Why not do the same thing with Jellal?" Erza asked.
Natsu seemed apphressive and unable to immediately answer said question. Erza had him when she saw him stiffen and when he didn't say anything. Erza knew Natsu enough to know he was a particularly bad liar. However, he is stubborn and she kept pressing her point.
"I could take it if you treated Jellal and Gajeel the same. However, you aren't treating them the same. He did a lot of bad things to Levy, Droy, and Jet, he destroyed the Guild Hall, beat and kidnapped Lucy. However, you still had the heart to forgive him. It wasn't just about Lucy but the Guild itself. Yet, Jellal only hurt me and despite beating him. You sought it over the priority of the mission to keep me safe. The Natsu I know always does the mission to keep Fairy Tail's image intact. The Natsu I know would have forgiven Jellal or at the very least put aside his differences to fight a stronger oppenent. The Natsu I know is scared of the council and clearly hates Jellal. However, he was the one to start the fight against the council that was putting Jellal under arrest."
That's when the atmosphere became tense because Erza was now looking at Natsu with resolution. It didn't have to be said at that point because she figured out on her own. His actions had given Erza a clear message. Natsu tried again to throw her off.
"Doesn't Gray also not like Jellal?" Natsu asked.
"Funny, he didn't hunt him down in the middle of a mission. He also didn't help to start the whole attack against the council. He hates Jellal but not enough to go on a rampage like you did. There's no escaping this Natsu. I. Know." Erza stressed the last two words.
Natsu was now forced to confess.
"It's because...I love you, Erza." Natsu all but admitted.
Natsu laid it all out because she had figured it out. Erza Scarlet is oblivious but she wasn't stupid.
"I...I felt anger at Gajeel but it paled in comparison to what Jellal had done to you. I had became consumed by rage during the Tower of Heaven and during our mission to fight Oracion Seis. I didn't want to see you hurt all over again. If it wasn't for Carla and later me running into one of the members. I probably would have killed Jellal." Natsu admitted.
"Yet, you ultimately chose not too. Thank you, Natsu for making the choice to not go down that path. Jellal...is a dear friend of mine...before he became evil. He gave me my last name and gave me the will to keep living within that tower."
Natsu was becoming irritated and Erza found it endearing in a way. She grew a soft smile.
"I know how you feel but Jellal is still important to me. It seems unfair, me telling you that while you just confessed to me but I don't want you to do anything you don't want too." Erza spoke.
Natsu crossed his arms. She had misstepped it seemed.
"I get it, he's important to you and the reason why I did do that is because you were torn up on the inside. I thought if I got him back to you, it would...help stop the tears and to make you happy. I didn't want to help him but at the time. I didnt know what else to do. If it is for you, I'd do it again." Natsu admitted.
"Thank you but I didn't want to see anyone of you going to prison on my behalf. It's why I told you all to stand down because I couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear the idea of losing all of you." Erza said.
Natsu seem to understand because he dropped his arms.
"I couldn't either...the time you were forced to be a, 'scapegoat,' despite not being responsible. I didn't want you to go to prison." Natsu replied.
They were on the same page.
"Than please don't do something that reckless again. I couldn't bear it if I lost you too." Erza said.
Natsu relented.
"I'll think a little bit more but I can't make any promises." Natsu spoke.
Erza saw that she would have to go the compromising route. Natsu and her could be as equally stubborn, it seemed Natsu was hellbent on this front.
"Now since that is covered." Erza said.
Erza closed her eyes as she took in a deep breath. She open them again.
"Natsu, I can't express my gratitude to you in any proper manner. From saving me twice at the Tower of Heaven, to making me understand that I can't sacrifice myself needlessly. You have given me so much. Which is why...I..."
Natsu seem to freeze. Erza didn't want to break his heart. Natsu is so sweet and thoughtful. He deserved someone. However, Erza didn't know if she returned his feelings. The whole ordeal with the Oracion Seis had brought out a lot of emotions. Erza was sure that she needed time to sort everything out.
"...can't return your feelings. After everything, I need to sort out my feelings not only to towards Jellal but to you as well. It wouldn't be fair to you if I was lying to you." Erza said.
Natsu didn't take it as bad as she thought.
"Fair enough and I wasn't planning to confess to you until after I was stronger than you." Natsu stated.
Erza raised a brow.
"Is that why you're declaring you'll be stronger than me?" Erza asked.
"The man provides and protect. Of course, I have to get stronger than you." Natsu spoke.
Natsu found his head being placed on top of Erza's bosom. There wasn't the usual armor in the way that would undoubtedly cause him a headache. Instead, it was her white blouse signally to him that she had requiped into her more normal attire.
"You protected me in the Tower of Heaven, don't sell yourself short Natsu. You seek to make sure that I'm happy and not sad. You're amazing, Im truly grateful to have you in my life and I appreciate everything you do. You are still very much important to me, I just wish it was in the way you want me to be because you deserve it." Erza praised him.
Natsu seem to relax in her embrace. He may not have heard the words that he wanted to hear. However, having her say that and comfort him. It took the sting out quite a bit.