Author's Note:

Hello, everyone!

I'm so excited to finally share this with you all—this is my first fiction after years of being in a writing slump! It feels incredible to be back, and I can't thank you enough for your patience and continued support. I've poured a lot of heart into this story, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed working on it.

I'm looking forward to continuing this journey with all of you. Your comments and feedback always brighten my day, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts!

Love,

Ea Vertrag

Additional Note: AU Fairy Tail, OOC, NaVia

Welcome Home, Dragneel

"The cold wind is blowing…"

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Magnolia, City of Ancient Fiore. Local time is 1:40 p.m., and the temperature is 16 degrees."

The flight attendant's voice crackled softly over the speaker, breaking the stillness inside the plane. Passengers stirred, unbuckling belts, checking their phones, and stretching limbs stiff from travel. But one young man by the window remained motionless, seemingly lost in sleep.

Cherry blossom colored hair peeked out from under a navy blue cap. A white muffler, patterned like dragon scales, hid the bottom half of his face. He looked peaceful—too peaceful for someone with a ticking time bomb in his chest.

"Excuse me, sir. We've landed in Magnolia."

His eyes onyx green opened and startlingly alert. He blinked at the steward, then gave a soft grunt as he sat up straighter.

"Oh, sorry. I thought you were asleep," the steward said with a sheepish smile.

"Nah. Just thinking." Natsu Dragneel adjusted his scarf without much thought. The movement exposed a thin nasal cannula nestled just under his nose. He saw the flicker of sympathy in the steward's eyes and looked away. He hated that look.

"I'll head out in a sec," he muttered. "Just packing up."

"Take your time."

Natsu unhooked the nasal cannula and winced. The ache in his chest flared—sharp, then dull, like a phantom limb. He placed a hand over his heart, inhaled through gritted teeth, then slowly exhaled. The familiar constriction passed. Barely.

He packed up his portable oxygen concentrator and slung his small clutch bag across the handle. With a wave to the flight crew, he slipped into the steady stream of passengers leaving the aircraft.

Outside, Magnolia welcomed him with open skies and a threatening blanket of gray clouds. The wind was brisk, but not cold—just enough to carry the scent of wet concrete and distant flowers. A cafe speaker nearby was playing a soft tune.

"The scent of the blue sky…"

Natsu stopped at the exit and just stood there, letting the breeze tangle his hair. His chest ached. But not from the tumor.

"Natsu!"

He turned at the call. A man in his forties stood by a sleek red Porsche 911, waving enthusiastically. He was tall, built like a retired wrestler, and grinning like a fool.

"Igneel!" Natsu called out, breaking into a jog.

"Don't run, you little punk!" Igneel barked, rushing forward to meet him halfway.

Their hands collided, locking into a half hug and half handshake they hadn't used in years.

"You still look like crap," Igneel muttered, pulling him into a brief hug.

"And you still smell like meat and bad cologne."

"Shut up and get in the car."

The engine purred to life, and the Porsche pulled smoothly onto the freeway, leaving Magnolia behind. The city skyline faded in the rearview mirror, swallowed by fields and small roadside towns. Rain clouds lingered above, casting moving shadows across the road.

Natsu had his window down. His hand dangled outside, catching the wind like he was still a teenager testing fate. The air smelled different here—fresher, wild, alive. Not like the sterile halls of the hospital or the foreign cities that had become his prison.

He leaned his head back against the seat.

"I missed this," he said quietly.

Igneel glanced at him. "What? The countryside?"

"The smell. The sky. This road."

They fell into silence for a while.

"I still can't believe you just ghosted everyone, brat," Igneel said after a beat. "Seven years."

"Yeah," Natsu replied. "It was easier that way."

Igneel didn't push. He just changed the song on the radio and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Let's just go jump into this blue…"

Suddenly, Natsu leaned out the window and shouted, "I'M BACK, YOU LOUSY TOWN!"

"Oi! What the hell—" Igneel slammed the brakes lightly. "You trying to give me a heart attack?"

But Natsu was laughing—deep and real. It ended in a cough, but for a moment, it was just the wind, the sky, and that reckless, reckless smile.

~The Next Morning~

The soft hum of insects and the rustle of leaves greeted the dawn. Magnolia lay just beyond the trees, still waking up from its slumber.

On the porch of Igneel's home—an old-style wooden house nestled against the woods—Natsu lay on his back, bundled in a thick hoodie and sweatpants. A blanket covered his legs. The nasal cannula was reattached, and the small hum of the POC filled the quiet morning air.

"Why don't we spend the day lazily…"

He watched the sky change from steel gray to soft blue. A few sunrays peeked through the trees.

Igneel stepped onto the porch, holding a tray with miso soup, rice, grilled fish, and tamagoyaki.

"Breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

"You didn't come all the way back here to die skinny."

Natsu grunted but sat up. He looked out over the porch railing. There was a small garden below—neatly kept, with flowers Juvia had planted last year when she helped repaint the fence. He didn't know that yet.

"What are you gonna do now?" Igneel asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Dunno. Maybe sleep for a week. Watch some anime. Maybe visit the ocean."

"You going to see your folks?"

"Maybe."

"You going to see her?"

Natsu didn't reply.

Igneel didn't press.

They ate in silence. Birds chirped. The summer was just beginning.

For Natsu Dragneel, Magnolia felt like a dream he'd forgotten how to wake up from.

~ To be continued ~

Hi,

I'll be posting updates weekly, so stay tuned! Your support means everything to me, and I'd love to hear from you—whether it's feedback, thoughts, or even just a quick hello. Feel free to DM me any requests or ideas, and I'll do my best to incorporate them!

Thank you again for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoy the first chapter!

Love,

Ea Vertrag