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kiliinstinct · 6 months

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Chapter 23

Rating: R Pairing: Nalu FF.Net || AO3 [Ch: 1] ||| [Prev] | [Next] - Special Announcement: I'm going "dark" during November to participate in NaNoWriMo. (National Novel Writing Month.) I'm using this challenge as a way to work more on Flame's Desire, but the next update may not happen during this time. If it does, it will be a surprise! So, with that in mind- the next "planned" update will be: Dec 16th. See you then! I hope you enjoy the chapter!

It was three, fretful days before Natsu blearily opened his eyes again.

Another four days and Porylusica declared him stable. With him no longer at the risk of keeling over, she was ready to throw him out of her hut; which is exactly what she did. She claimed the worst was over, ordering him bed rest in his own home (rather than taking up space in her own) and demanded he talk as little as possible.

“In fact,” she had mumbled, almost absentmindedly, “It would be best if you didn't speak at all. Or moved.”

“- but...!” Natsu attempted with a croak.

“No buts and shut up!”

How did she expect him to do nothing? From the moment he first awoke with the scent of Lucy on his pillow, but nowhere to be seen, he wanted nothing more than to escape the healer's house and be updated on everything he'd missed.

Was she safe? Was Kage captured -or better yet, dead? Did the festival continue without him? The fire caused by his battle hadn't damaged more of the forest, had it?

There were too many questions and very little answers given. Only withering glares met his curiosity accompanied by a sharp slap to the wrist and another threat to keep his lips shut. When he tried again, she held up a needle, the silent threat of sewing his lips shut obvious.

“I'm in no mood to explain any of this to you. Just stay still until Makarov comes to fill you in.” Was the only answer she’d give.

Porylusica was not the greatest for information. It was hard to tell whether she truly wasn’t aware or just didn’t care enough to tell him anything. She was, however, true to her word of Makarov's visit. The chief did his due diligence enough to visit him while he rested, but even he was annoyingly tight-lipped with the truth.

“You'll know when you've healed.” Makarov tried to explain, a comforting hand resting lightly on Natsu’s arm despite the other’s stubborn scowl. He patiently sat by Natsu’s bedside as he picked away at the feathers poking through his pillow.

(”Stop damaging my furniture!“ Porly had shouted minutes later. The draconis ignored it until she smacked his fidgeting hands with a ladle.)

His throat stung at the slightest movement. It was a constant ache he now dealt with every shaky breath despite Wendy’s best efforts to lessen it. It was easier to keep his sentences clipped and to the point, if he spoke at all, when even swallowing jolted his nerves and pricked his eyes with hot tears. He didn't want to admit the severity of the pain, but it was too poignant to be ignored. Even so, that wasn't enough to stifle his impulsive need to growl out his frustration at Makarov's unwillingness to provide information.

The choked whine that escaped was more embarrassing than anything and the chief had left without giving him a chance to argue. He only offered Natsu an apologetic smile that didn’t reach his tired eyes.

He’d grown restless. Once returned to his own home, its walls began to feel like a prison the longer he stayed put. He’d yet to see Lucy since he awoke, (“She's helping with cleanup.” Warren had told him the second day when he garbled through his blazing throat to ask. “I'm sure she'll visit as soon as she's able.” That hadn't made him feel better.) He still didn't know what happened to Kage. (A fact that told him the bastard was probably still alive, damnit.) And he hadn't seen a hair of Erza's redhead since waking up. (He was positive she would have checked in on him at LEAST once!)

None of it added up and he was tired of waiting. So what if he was wounded. He deserved to know as much as everyone else, didn't he? Hell he was the one who tangled with Kage! He deserves to know way more than everyone else!

He was done waiting around for answers. First he would head straight for the old man and stare him down until he coughed up whatever truths he was hiding. Natsu nodded to himself, the plan set in his mind as he rose to his feet. With eyes trained on his door his determination was anchored into the depths of his soul.

And he took his first confident step towards his door.

Well, actually, he limped. His body still felt like it was on fire from aftershocks of lightning and refused to cooperate. In fact, he was certain his back was littered in spider web scars though he only caught the tail ends of the scarring that trailed along the side of his ribs, peeking out from under the bandages. Laxus truly did a number on him, but he persisted, intending to get the answers he sought for himself. He twisted the handle and shoved the door open with a grunt.

Unfortunately, he’d taken only one step through the doorway when his body was locked in place against his will.

Red light sparked at his feet and lit up the area around him as magic tendrils snaked their way around his ankles to keep him rooted in place and a literal bell dinged incessantly beside him.

His current keeper, Freed, stood to the left, a sympathetic grin on his face as he clicked his tongue and rested the bell lightly against his palm. “Sorry, but it's back to bed with you.”

Natsu sputtered, eyes wide and fury rising, ”What the-,“ His voice cracked and he winced, “... What... are. you. doing. here.” He took a deep breath, ”Freed?!“

It was weird, punctuating his every word with a pause to avoid as much pain as he could, but the serpentine hiss that pushed through his teeth couldn't be mistaken for anything else.

”I’m making sure you,“ Freed jabbed the bell accusingly at Natsu's chest and stifled a yawn, ”don't do something very unwise.“

'Shouldn't you still be sleeping?' He wanted to ask, the retort sharp on his tongue but his throat had already begun to clam up under the strain, crackling at any attempt to utter a sound. Frustrated, he wildly gestured to the red glow beneath his feet, that he now saw were enchanted runes etched around his front door and curved around his hut out of sight, most likely wrapping around his entire home. Bringing his attention back to Freed, he returned the accusing jab and quickly pantomimed his best impression of a person falling asleep.

Considering how exhausted he felt, it wasn't a hard act to do. Freed watched the display with a keen, amused interest and after a few, confused seconds, snickered behind his hand.

“I'm simply giving Warren a break and then I'll be back on bedrest myself.“ He conceded with a tilt of his head, long green hair slipping past his face to reveal he hadn't bothered to tie it up that morning. ”Makarov wants us to be on rotation after all.“

The draconis motioned once more to the enchantment beneath his feet and grunted, which spurred Freed to laugh again, louder this time. The grunt turned into a deep frown as his face burned in shame. ”My magic was all but drained when Kage attacked, but a simple circle such as this won't hurt me.“

If Natsu hadn't been so annoyed he may have felt relieved to know that. He'd only caught brief conversations over the last few days. Those visiting his keepers or passing by his window during idle talk that managed to reach his ears. It was never enough to know the full picture, but mentions of Freed's health had made the rounds enough for him to feel some concern.

Before he could start considering the strength of Freed's spell (or how long it would last), the other took the initiative to explain further, pushing himself up to quickly usher Natsu back into his home. The bell, Natsu noticed, was left behind.

”It's a preventative measure, meant to hold you still just long enough for anyone who hears it to come get you.“ He explained, hands surprisingly firm even as they gently guided the impatient draconis back into the soft furs of his bed, mindful of his many bandages. ”Everyone knows to listen for it, so I imagine, if it weren't me watching, someone else would have come running already.“

Natsu couldn't resist talking through what felt like a ball in his throat, ”Then... why ring the- “ and was immediately cut off by a fit of hacking coughs that doubled him over in pain.

Setting him down, Freed tried to give his back a soothing pat on instinct. White hot pain seared through his nerves and blinded him. The shock lit up every wound from a dull throb to a blazing fire. Seething through his gritted teeth, Natsu curled in on himself further, biting back a loud, pitiful whine. The humiliation was getting worse by the minute, but Freed jumped back at his error, apologies spewing from his mouth quicker than Natsu could pick them up.

”Of course... Laxus' magic must have...“ Freed began, looking just as flustered as Natsu felt over his own weakness, ”I apologize.“

He didn't bother with a reply, choosing to stubbornly look to the wall instead, arms crossed and ears burning. Taking his silence as a sign, the enchanter readjusted the collar of his shirt and brushed the hair from his eyes, blinking wearily. Uttering a meek farewell, he shuffled away, back to his post, gaze glancing at everything but the pouting draconis behind him.

He wavered at the door with his hand resting lightly over the handle. Whistling, he stole Natsu’s attention from the wall, who turned his shamed glare back at him. Freed met the gaze over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised into the fringe of his hair. “When you have a moment, I'd suggest cleaning up a little before Lucy convinces Makarov to let her join the rotation.”

He swept his hand through the room towards the organized mess of old knick knacks and clothes scattered haphazardly about. Mixed among them was ashen stems and half burnt flowers. He coughed into his fist, “Unless you want her to put it together so soon.”

Natsu didn't resist flinging his pillow with as much force as he could muster, mentally cursing when Freed shut the door in time for the pillow to bounce harmlessly off. His chuckle, however, reached the draconis' ears with ease, raising his ire further.

His place wasn’t that messy! He squinted at the floor, taking in every stray sandal thrown about and a crumpled shirt with broken buds caught in the folds.

Natsu pouted. And so what if it was? That was none of Freed's business. Besides whenever Lucy showed up he doubted she would-...

He blinked, eyes widening at the realization that struck him. His eyes zeroed in on a stray, dried petal and he cursed. He’d have to thank Freed later for the subtle information he’d just passed along.

And chuck a pillow at Makarov too, it seemed. Great. He'd bide his time with that one.

A decision that greatly undermined just how impatient he truly was. Within the hour, he was already attempting to leave once again. Though he belatedly realized Freed had switched places with Mirajane without his notice. The barrier hadn’t a chance to activate when she descended on him as soon as the door cracked. She brandished the bell in her hand like a when she forced him right back to bed with a sweetly menacing smile.

It would be two more days before anything new happened.

Two, long days of being pricked and prodded by Wendy during her check ins, moving mechanically as she wrapped fresh bandages around him.

Two extra long days of half hearted ‘cleaning’ whenever he was up, shoving away evidence under stray clothes and kicking things out of sight. His eyes narrowed, the enchanted barrier was proving harder to trick than the village’s night guards.

He didn’t know the ins and outs of Freed’s magic, but he felt its presence whenever he tried to leave. The barrier wasn’t all that strong. If he was at full strength he could break out just fine. It made him wonder if all he needed to do was give it a further push of power, despite his injuries. The harder the better, right?

If not for that damn bell.

It was more frustrating than the barrier. No matter the force used, it rang faster than he could reach it, bringing anyone in the vicinity his way to reprimand him. He hated it. Each escape attempt foiled by an incessant ringing that rang constantly in his sensitive ears. And it was always annoying out of reach despite Natsu’s best efforts. It would take only one slip up. Of someone absentmindedly leaving it just close enough for him to melt it. When the opportunity came, Natsu knew he’d enjoy the action far too much.

What little patience and self-preservation he had dispersed in a fit of manic clarity that had Natsu chastising himself. How could he be so stupid?

The window. He should have thought of it earlier.

Just small enough to be looked over. It was a shining beacon of victory. Surely there would be a chink in Freed’s barrier somewhere, and if he squirmed just enough, he could escape his house long enough to find it. It made perfect sense- and no one would have a chance to ring the stupid bell! The plan was foolproof.

Hoisting himself with more effort than he’d like to admit, he slipped one leg through the frame while the other feebly balanced him on his bed. With careful, slow movements, he began to pull himself through, grunting quietly from the effort. If there was a pinch in his nerves, or the shock of pain, he bit his lip harshly as he willed himself to stay silent. He could just feel the light echoing tug of the barrier, but no runes or magic coiled around him. It tickled the edge of his senses but moved no further.

Natsu smirked: I knew it.

But a sudden, familiar voice rang loudly in his ears and he froze, attention quickly turning towards the front of his home as the sounds of conversation floated his way.

”I know my leg isn't completely healed,“ Lucy argued. Mirth laced her words and he felt every muscle in his body seize up, ”but I know I can handle this. It's not that hard to ring a bell. Even then I doubt if he'd try and fight me to escape.“

He snorted, but was unsure if it was because of Lucy's lack of awareness towards his impulsivity or the fact she was right.

It took his leg buckling in on itself for him to realize he was still partially out his own window. Biting back a surprised yelp, he clung to the window frame frantically to hold himself up and missed the next part of conversation.

Freed had already hinted the chief wasn't allowing Lucy to watch over him, so the discussion outside was one that grabbed his interest, but once he'd finally settled himself, Lucy's emphatic urging had ended with a tense silence between her and the chief.

The draconis shamelessly strained his ears to pick up any further sound and considered throwing the door open to speak on her behalf if he could.

”All right then.“ Makarov agreed, throwing that plan out the window that Natsu's leg still dangled through, ”but don't hesitate to call on us if anything happens!“

”I won't!“ Lucy cheerily replied while the Chief grumbled a reply so low Natsu couldn’t make it out. His words faded behind the crunching of gravel down the path as he left as quickly as he came. He almost laughed at Lucy’s all too giddy squeal, and watched the door handle jiggle in growing excitement.

She was all right after all! That truth eased the worried pang that dug at him for days. What’s more, she could tell him exactly what had been going on while he was out. This would fix everything-

It was at that moment, Natsu became all too aware of the chipped wooden sill he was still halfway over as the door handle clicked.

Shit!

Many things happened all at once in the seconds it took for Lucy to entire his home. He scrambled to right himself, stepping back in with a rush that dizzied him. His weak leg, already struggling to hold him up, buckled under him, giving away in the tangle of his bed covers. In the struggle to free himself, he (and the blankets) crashed to the floor. The resounding thud not only shook the hovel, but brought down an array of knick knacks and other random things that hung on his walls.

The blanket - now forever labeled a traitor in his mind- snagged on everything nearby as its weight brought no comfort as it shielded his aching body from view.

And when the door swung open, Lucy’s shriek was the first thing he heard, “Natsu?!” The panic in her voice was palpable and her steps were quick. Before he could process his position, she was at his side, pulling the fabric from his face as small, brilliantly colored stones, scattered across the floor. (He would later realize his rock collection was no longer on the shelves above his bed and dutifully recollect every single pebble.)

”Oh my gods, Natsu, what are you doing on the floor?!” Her panicked cries were shrill and made his ears ring, but she worked swiftly, pulling the blanket from his person to toss it behind her.

In that moment, Natsu wanted to console her, but all he managed was sheepish blinking as she grasped his cheeks tightly to look him over, eyes wide and face pale. If he wasn't so dazed from his earlier tumble, he may have attempted to crawl back and bring space between them. Instead, he stared dopily into her brown eyes and gulped, ignoring the reflexive cough that tried to force its way out of him.

Worry knitted her brow as she tilted his head to the side, and there was a darkness under her eyes that was new to him. His entire body was ablaze, wounds screaming out for his attention but they barely mattered.

She was here. And she was safe. That was more important.

Relief flooded into his bones and an exhaustion he wasn't aware of pulled at his eyes. Dazedly, he followed her as she directed him back to the comfort of his bed. Subconsciously, he noted she was stronger than her frame appeared, and she wasted no time in checking him over, tsk'ing at the sight of bandages that had loosened during his less than graceful fall.

“What were you even doing to be on the floor like that?” She muttered, not waiting for an answer as she sat him down and began to fix the bandages along his arms.

Her movements were jerky with inexperience and felt too tight in places, but Natsu didn't mind it. He watched on in silence as she continued to fuss over him, unaware of the draconis' careful examinations, focused on her as much as she was him.

She didn’t have her cane, he noted curiously, and his gaze subtly dropped to the lengthy skirt that kept the old injury out of sight. She wasn’t in pain was she? He had to know, but he didn't dare try to pull her dress up just to see her knee. He wasn't THAT stupid.

A few seconds more of consideration and he threw caution to the wind, reaching over to rap his knuckle lightly against her leg instead.

She froze. He did too. Was that the wrong move? Had he hurt her?

“... if you weren't injured, I'd return the favor,” She muttered, tying his next bandage into a tiny bow, “but I'm fine, Natsu. It's sore, but manageable. Worry about yourself for two seconds. You’re lucky you don’t have a concussion after that fall…”

He didn’t even attempt to resist the urge to rasp out a cheeky response, “ ...Got an answer out of ya at least.”

“What?“ Lucy asked, puzzled, but clamped a hand over his mouth when he tried to respond, ”No, no, no! You should not be talking, Mister!“

Rolling his eyes, Natsu now had an altogether different urge to resist. He remembered, vaguely, many months ago, he'd done the exact same to her, and her response had been to bite him. He wondered if he should do the same...

Instead, he licked her. The cry of disgust when she retracted her hand was more than worth it.

”That’s disgusting!“

He waggled his brows, grinning.

Definitely worth it.

Natsu was a handful while wounded. This was a fact that hardly surprised Lucy. On any other day, he was often seen darting from place to place, his focus shifting as easily as the wind changed. She was no longer a stranger to him running off at the drop of a hat to return just quickly to do god knows what else.

The fiery draconis was simply the type of person who had to always be on the go one way or another.

Which is exactly what made watching him so difficult.

Makarov had given her plenty of warnings about his flightiness when ill and so had everyone else when she pleaded to be let on the rotation. She had expected it, but the guilt still gnawed at her bones as she watched his discomfort play out before her.

Restlessly he fidgeted under his blankets. He couldn’t sleep. When he sat up, he’d cast a longing stare at the door only to hide the expression moments later. She noticed every change in his expression and it attacked her resolve every single time. Any attempt to talk led to her shushing him, fearing his pain and any chance of his healing being interrupted. Each time, he’d throw himself under the covers in defeat, but the pouting lasted a few seconds before he was shifting yet again. His discomfort and inability to sit still was obvious.

He wanted to leave and Lucy hated that she couldn’t let him.

Her mind wandered back to her conversations with Makarov. Asides from the general warnings to his want to escape, Lucy was baffled to learn he was still in the dark over what happened after his battle. All knowledge of Kage and Erza's chase had been purposefully hidden: even her own whereabouts had been kept from him. And for what reason?

Makarov had grunted when she asked, having the self-awareness to look guilty, ”He deserves to know. And will. In due time, but I know this boy. The moment he learns of the truth he’ll take off, no matter the condition he’s in. I’d rather he give chase when he’s not wobbling where he stands.”

Lucy had to begrudgingly admit that the Chief was onto something with that thought. It was easy to imagine Natsu throwing caution to the wind to summon his fire in order to escape Freed's barrier. (The enchanter assured everyone that it would take a lot more than that to break it down, but Lucy wasn't so sure. How much of his abilities could he hold after the mass amount of magic he'd lost?) Then it wouldn't be a shock to find him dashing off into the woods, using his excellent sense of smell to track the others.

But handling another fight in his condition? Lucy dreaded the thought, and dutifully nodded when she was asked to keep the truth hidden as well.

As she surveyed Natsu now, however, she regretted that decision. His restless energy came from more than just a need to be busy. Looking back in her memories, Lucy felt it was much the same as her own feelings when she'd been asked to endure being locked away.

She hated being in the dark, and some of that was still hidden from her. Of course Natsu would hate it as well.

”You'll never get any rest if you keep moving like that,“ She gently chided, fingers moving to straighten his blanket and swipe his pink fringe from his eyes.

Natsu was quicker than she expected despite the injuries. Before the romni could pull away his hand snapped upward, grasping her wrist as he looked at her. His face was set in a careful mask but she could still see the frustration leaking through in the tightness of his jaw and how it thinned his lips.

But his eyes were so tired. Dulled without the usual spark of mischief that was always there.

It stabbed at her heart.

This was all because of her. His pain now, and back then, bleeding out on the ground motionless with breath barely rattling in his chest; screaming in Porlyusica’s hut as he desperately clung to life, crying out for a man she didn’t know as the healer stitched him back together. It was all for her sake while she could only stand by, useless.

The healer's sharp words echoed loudly in her mind, that she should respect his sacrifice. She felt the embarrassing prickle of tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

She had no right to cry.

Too many things weighed her down and here she was, crying. She came here to help, but instead she felt as if things were only worse.

“Natsu?“ Her voice fell to a soft whisper as she blinked back tears, “Just try to rest, please? I know you want to go out and see everything for yourself, but you're too hurt right now. I just..” What? What was she trying to say? Even though she wasn't sure, the words fell helplessly from her lips like stones before her mind had a chance to lock them up.

“You don't know how scary it was to see you like that. Please don't make me see it again….”

For a second, his grip tightened, brows knitting together as he processed her words.

As the pressure began to cut off circulation, his hand loosened just as fast, a silent apology marring the features of his face. Her vision blurred and Lucy realized her thoughts began to escape through her eyes and she quickly moved to wipe them before any tears could fall.

“Sorry, I shouldn't be putting this on you,” She began, hastily turning her attention to the rest of the room. It was a mess. “You were protecting me after all. I shouldn't make you feel any worse than you probably do-”

The words jammed themselves in her throat when he moved his hand again, bandaged fingers moving to clumsily entangle with her own as a comforting heat emanated from his palm. Surprise caused two drops to fall before she could catch them.

“... don't cry.”

His voice was quiet, meek almost, in an attempt to keep the pain of his throat at bay, but the hoarse rasp sent a shiver down her spine.

If Natsu hadn't blocked Kage's attacks, would she be the same as he was right now? No, Lucy shook the thought away, he’d needed her alive after all. It wouldn't make sense to mortally wound her.

When Natsu squeezed her hand again, pulling her from her thoughts, she coughed on a wet laugh. The way he looked at her now spoke volumes: quit thinking so much!

“All right, all right,” She conceded, giving his hand a returning squeeze. “Can you let me go? I think I have something we can do. There’s a quill and parchment in my bag. I think we can talk easier with that. Will that work for you?“

If his disgruntled pout was anything to go by, Natsu would accept this, but grumble about it the entire time. He was slow to ease himself back into a sitting position, scooting to rest his back against the wall for support.

He pouted the entire time she rifled through her pack, carefully stepping over fallen keepsakes and baubles that decorated the floors. It was still there when she turned back thim with prizes in hand. His eyes narrowed childishly at the papers while he drew a pillow onto his lap to serve as a frumpy table. Only her laughter at his expense filled the empty spaces. Though his own, pale attempts at chuckling joined hers when she tripped over and knick knack or two.

“Someone should really clean up in here,” she muttered, casting him a sidelong glance. His answering shrug was all she'd get on the matter for now, but with careful sweeps of her legs, she managed to clear a path back to him with minimal effort.

His gaze never left her leg the entire time, but she waved the stack of acquired parchment in his face to reclaim his attention. “Hey, I said it's fine, Natsu, so quit worrying about it!”

Had he always been this attentive to her leg? She'd pin that thought for later perusal. He scrunched his nose as the edges of the stack tickled it and with a snort, the edges curled back towards her in a flimsy show.

Hoping to prevent any further distractions, Lucy dropped the papers to his pillow and held her quill and ink between the fingers of her spare hand, excitement curling the edges of her smile. “Let's see how good your penmanship is, shall we?”

Natsu huffed, snatching the quill from her without a fight. She didn't expect anything special out of this arrangement. Writing with an ink well over a pillow wasn't the smartest of methods, but Lucy wanted to keep him resting as long as possible. She'd rather a few holes poked through her paper and spilled ink over him hurting himself to sit at the table any day.

But his handwriting was chicken scratch. Or barely a step up from that. Lucy was certain she wouldn’t be able to read it even if he had a stable platform to write on. Seconds turned to minutes as Lucy's earlier excitement shifted to utter bafflement.

Many in the village couldn't write, but she'd seen enough to know that those who traveled learned out of necessity, but how did Natsu get by with this sort of illegibility?

She bit her lip, tilting the paper from side to side as her nose twitched in consternation. No matter how she observed the thick and thin lines that scrawled along the paper, she couldn't make heads or tails of it.

”Whoever taught you how to write needs to give you another lesson,“ She muttered. Natsu's answering response was to scrawl a single letter over the paper, large enough that no amount of chicken scratch could hide its secrets from her: a large E.

Before she could respond with the obvious answer, he quickly scratched over the letter and shook his head frantically, lips thinning as he frowned. In larger letters, he added two more words that Lucy translated to, 'never again!'

She laughed so hard ink sloshed onto her fingers and dripped onto the paper, seeping into the pillow fabric beneath. A subconscious part of her realized she'd have to help acquire him cleaner bedding later if this kept up.

”Fine. No Erza to teach you. Let's try again... slower this time.” Lucy sighed, wiping her fingers on the hem of her dress, “maybe I can understand it then.“

Natsu crumbled the paper under his hand and flicked it into her face, grinning maniacally as she quickly tossed it back which he smugly dodged, and watched it sail by his ear to bounce off the back wall. More laughter ensued and even Natsu managed a chuckle, grunting from the strain.

It wasn’t perfect, and the mess of ink spread out of control, but it was enough to keep him occupied in the following hours while Lucy learned to translate the language he wrote in. It failed to get better under her tutelage, so the chicken scratch remained.

Lucy hoped it was enough to distract him from the burning questions that still hung in the air.

'I hope Erza comes back soon,' She thought, glancing out the window as Natsu, with quill held in the opposite hand, prepared another message for her. 'Maybe then I can give Natsu all the answers he deserves without any problems...'

Though, another more ominous thought struck her pulling a grimace across her face. 'at least then we'll know she's safe. Please let her be safe.'

Unbeknownst to Lucy, in the far off reaches of the forest, Erza still followed the tracks of a man half-dead. Her armor was stained, streaked with mud that dulled its pristine gleam as she tore through the trees with a blade in each hand, hacking a clear path with mounting fury.

Thin scrapes adorned her face from stray undergrowth and dust thrown into her eyes countless times. She’d had him in her grasp too many times and still he eluded her. Their last struggle had him inches beneath the tip of her sword, only for the sharp steel to sink uselessly into a tree trunk. His shadows protected him far too easily, giving him multiple chances to slip away not a moment too soon. Melting away from her sight, the chase would begin once more. It was infuriating.

He was weakening, and he knew it. But Erza was like a bloodhound, following him with a tenacity that matched the ones he'd fought before. Kage could admit to himself, as he struggled to move through the thick, spring bushes, that he'd sorely underestimated the members of the Fairies with Tails.

Escaping the fire and flames of an angry dragon while the bellow of lightning struck from above was nothing short of a miracle. He could boast it was skill and great timing, but the truth of the matter was far less a triumph. He'd panicked, called the shadows back into himself and desperately prayed he could shift his form into the ground and escape before his body failed him. His wounds were far too great to handle such a strike head on and the memory of the fanged smile snarling above him. It was inhuman and bordering on insanity with manic glee. The expression had bored itself into Kage’s memories and he was certain it would haunt his nightmares.

Swallowing back a cough he rubbed his aching throat where scale shaped bruises painted the skin in dark shades of purple. Not for the first time, he considered the draconis he battled a monster.

Battling a Draconis was something he never wanted to do again.

Even now, his body cried as he moved, but adrenaline and survival instincts served him well. What little magic he had left was used to aid covering his footprints and trails of blood or made to cloak him during the night as he sought what little rest he could. If he made one mistake. One misstep. Or lost the ability to draw the shadows around him, he'd be caught.

There was only one choice: find Jose. His own clan should be waiting for him. Kage was certain of this fact. All he had to do was survive long enough to find them and then... then..

He stumbled through a rather dense thicket of trees, and Kage almost wished he was tucked away back in his cell counting the cracks in the wall and taunting whatever guard he had for the day.

At least there he had a warm blanket and fresh food to eat. His stomach, empty, growled in tandem with the thought. Already he could imagine the fresh meals he'd taste once he'd made it safely home.

He paused for breath under a wide canopy and wiped the sweat from his eyes. His hair was dripping and his limbs shook signaling the need for another break. It was near impossible to resist the siren song for rest. The temptation to slide to the ground and lay his back against a sturdy tree trunk to slip off to sleep, but he managed to lock his knees in place as he listened to the natural sounds of the woods. It took a few minutes of sorting through the spring call of birds and buzzing bees to hear what he was looking for.

A restlessness in the trees that came from the source of a higher power, encapsulating a magic that had yet to be unleashed. Erza was still on his trail despite all his earlier escape attempts, and she was closing in once more. Cursing, Kage looked inside himself, eyes sliding shut as he felt for the remaining vestiges of shadows that still clung to his being.

“Just a little more,” he thought, “a little more and I'll be home free.”

The magic answered the call, thrumming softly beneath his finger tips before dark tendrils drilled into the mossy earth to settle in. A little surprise to buy him more time. If he was lucky, the shadows sprouting from the ground would hit Erza's feet and render her incapable of walking without excruciating pain.

He forced himself to move and Kage prayed the diversion would be enough. When the cover of leaves no longer barred his vision, he surveyed the sky to regain his sense of direction when he glimpsed the faint wisps of something hopeful.

A sick, satisfied smile curled his lips. Smoke, no doubt curling away from a campfire further along the hills. The wispy smoke beckoned to Kage and he saw no reason to ignore it. His allies would be more than enough to handle one warrior after all and then the others could finish what he could not. And he could rest.

Pushing through the pain, Kage continued his escape, ignoring the way his eyes swam in and out of focus as another drop of his magic faded away.

Time was unknown to Kage. All he knew was the steps he took. Counting them in his head as he motivated himself to keep moving forward. Eyes trained on the ever thickening smoke trail in the sky as he neared his target.

Just one more step.

And another.

When his trap is triggered, he barely senses it. The last dredges of his magic were too far from his body to strike his senses as they once would.

He was almost there. Just a little further. Feeling exhilarated by his soon to be triumph, Kage pushed passed twigs and leaves as large as his own head and the muscles in his face began to hurt from his relieved smile. Just a little bit further and...

When he stepped into the camp, he stumbled over a tree root and hit the ground, nose crunching against the hard ground. His mind whirled from the pain, curses and exhausted gasps escaping in short intervals as he struggled to reorient himself. He was there. He could smell the burning wood and the thick smoke. This HAD to be where Jose was. Already he could hear a whirl of movement, a clan mate he thinks with a lucid grin, rushing to help him -

”How the fuck did you get here?“ A voice snarled in a deep timbre. Kage stilled instantly, eyes widening as he realized his mistake.

This wasn't Jose's camp. This was-

Calloused hands bunched the thin fabric of Kage's shirt, hoisting him up to his feet as the world spun in dizzying circles. The movements were rough and calculated as an iron gauntlet struck his ear when the hands owners moved away. He barely had time to hiss from the smarting pain before his eyes swam back into focus to see angry, deep red ones glaring back at him.

-The camp of a man he'd been told to avoid at all costs.

“...Gajeel?” He breathlessly asked, laughing hoarsely, “I didn't know you'd be here. W-what a...” Kage swallowed, thinking of the correct words, “What a coincidence!”

A man known to be Jose's right hand when it came to information and trudging through the most dangerous of enemy camps. That was Gajeel. Gleaming iron studs dotted his brow and nose, speaking to a heritage many failed to understand, but the twisted smirk that gnarled his features was an echoing reminder of another deranged grin.

Kage was jolted from his memories when Gajeel drew him up higher, feet dangling uselessly above the forest floor. He shouldn't be here, Kage realized. Whenever Gajeel was sent out, carnage was sure to follow. Something jammed itself in his throat, cutting off his words as his eyes wildly scanned the area for an exit.

“You gonna keep staring or give me an answer, shadow runt?” He pulled Kage's attention back to him, dark amusement running through his impatient words, ”I ain't here all day.“

Was this another lion's den ready to consume him? Or a blessing in disguise? Kage honestly didn't know.

“Point me to Jose's camp,” He begged, words falling from his mouth like water, “I'm being followed by one of the fairies, you can't let them get me. I've- I've got information on their village!“

Hopefully his plea wouldn't land on deaf ears.

#Ft Fanfiction #Fairy Tail Fanfiction #Nalu Fanfiction #NatsuxLucy #Nalu #Natsu Dragneel #Lucy Heartfilia #Fairy Tail #Flame's Desire #My Writing #My Fanfiction

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rose-riot-johnson · 10 months

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3rd and 4th place tie alongside Fairy Tail's, Erza Scarlet according to a poll I originally posted:

Trafalgar D Law, from One Piece

Hello my Tumblr Peeps👋😃 Since I wanted to work on a One Piece fanfic for a long time, I have thoughts on my decision to work on him even before a poll I posted a while back, so on working on a fanfic about Trafalgar D Law, I figured why not and have fun writing about it🤷‍♀️😃👍

Please Don't Leave My Crew, I Like You A Lot (Trafalgar D Law (One Piece) x Female Reader)

Genres: Angst, Comfort, Fluff, and Funny Light Hearted Fluff

Eversince the day you became Trafalgar D Law's crew member (member of the Heart Pirates), you were always there for him, while you weren't sure why Law wanted you as part of his crew. You weren't upset about it not finding anything wrong about it nor thinking it was a mistake in anyway. You just ended up being atleast mostly curious, if you were being atleast honest with yourself.

Law can be at times distant and/or a little strict, however he has been kind to you, as well. Despite of him being protective of you, he usually treats you better than the rest of his crew, including Bepo. You just couldn't help that he appears to have a soft spot for you.

One day, you asked Law, "Hey, Law. Since you do seem to think highly of me, would it be alright, if I do join you on your adventures, sometime when we do land on an island or village or something?", then you explained, "I figured I'd ask, because I'm curious about why you have me as your crew member, while you only have me stay on the ship. I mean, if it's a no to me coming with you and/or a no to talking about it, then I promise to leave your answers, as such, until you decide differently.". Trafalgar D Law, then showed you a very, annoyed look on his face, as he said, "I'm not in the mood to talk right now! I'm sorry, if I come off as rude. I just need to think about this. We will discuss later! Please leave before I snap! It's not your fault for my bad mood! I just need time to process everything you said, including your question when I came down!". You did as he asked you to do. You just weren't sure what crawled up on him, all the sudden.

You went to your room on Law's ship, while comtimplating, if he only said that his bad mood wasn't your fault to make you feel better, worried about if everything you said got him snippy with you, and if he changed his mind about having you, as a member of the Heart Pirates crew. For hours you had to think things through, then your anxiety caved in, to the point where you jumped to the conclusion that you thought he took you in, for you to become the member of the Heart Pirates crew, only out of pity, so your anxiety has your mind made up.

After Law cooled off, he decided to go to your room to apologize and talk to you, however unfortunately when got into your room, he saw you packing your clothes. "What's going on and why are you packing your clothes, (Female Reader)?", he asked, as he became concerned. You answered, "I really do enjoy you as my captain, I really enjoy the crew, and stuff, so nothing against or anything. I have been thinking about that pissed off look you gave me and everything you said to me while angry with me, then I ended up having anxiety as I went to my room, so I think it would be best I leave the crew.", then you started to sob.

Law was shocked and confused then he asked, "What? Leave? Are those the only reasons why you want to leave?". As you continue to sob, you replied, "It's not that I want to leave, it's that I haven't been feeling much use in the crew and earlier today you seemed very, upset with me, so I felt I should leave so I don't upset you nor anyone else in this crew again. I just feel that you only took me in the crew, because you felt sorry for me. I feel like I'm nothing, but pitiful, so this is why I have to leave.". Law started to feel bad about not letting you on any adventures with him and the crew for you to stay on the ship, while being very nice, so he knew he had to tell you before it's too late.

"(Female Reader)... Please listen to me. It's not it at all.", he said, while trying to comfort you,"You see... I... I... I took you, because I like you a lot and I wanted you to be my apprentice... With not taking you with me, I didn't realize I was harsh with you, until you told me this. I just should have known better. I should have letted you come with us more, (Female Reader).". You were surprised that he told you this. You just never knew he was gonna say this.

Law, then continued, "You see, (Female Reader). I only had you stay on the ship, because I was worried that Doflamingo and other enemy pirates, would harm you, or even use you as hostage. So, I decided I didn't feel safe with you coming with us at the time. I felt safer you stayed on the ship. My anxiety does get to me, too.". Afterwards you asked, "Is this why you gave me an annoyed look, Law?", as you give him a confused look. He answered, "No... No... No... My crew just won't stop tormenting me about you. My crew told me that, if I like you so much, I should definitely take you with me. Then they tormented me chanting about you and I sitting in the tree, crap.".

Law then said with a tear rolling down his face," So, what I really wanted to tell you is, I'm sincerely sorry I blew up at you and I'm sorry for not taking consideration for your well-being and your potential. I really shouldn't have held you back. I know my annoyance is no excuse for me blowing up at you nor using my tone that I did use towards you. Will you forgive me, (Female Reader)?". You had to think for a second about the fact that things are starting to make sense on why he did what he did, while his words comforted you for a moment. You then told Trafalgar D Law, "Okay, Law. I will forgive you and since you explained what happened and your explanation of why you did what you did with your words of wisdom, I decided I will stay, as a member of the Heart Pirates, after all.", as you smiled and winked at him. He became relieved as he thanked you for your forgiveness.

Eversince you and Trafalgar D Law had an understanding, he started including you on more of his adventures with his crew, even if they constantly teased him about you. After a while, the Strawhats, including the captain of the Strawhats, Luffy noticed your captain with you in public and he had it figured out you and Law are also in a relationship together, as well. Unlike Law's crew, Luffy didn't teased him about you, which had Law relieved.

As months passed by, one night for Law to avoid his other crewmembers' teasing being the reason of hitting his other members (like Nami hits Luffy, Zoro, etc...), without he crew knowing, he snuck in your room, so he can give you quiet kisses and cuddles. That night was definitely relaxing for you and Law both. Luckily for Law, by the time Bepo and the rest of the crew woke up, both him and you woke up, afterwards quietly sneaking out of your room.

The End

I decided to write a fanfic about a One Piece character and I decided to write about, non other than Trafalgar D Law. He's definitely my 2nd favorite One Piece character and I have been wanting to write about him for a long time. So I do hope, as much as, writing this fanfic about Law, made my day, that this fanfic made your day, my Tumblr Peeps😁👍

*Fun Fact: Those who are curious who is my #1 favorite One Piece character is, my #1 favorite character of One Piece is definitely Roronoa Zoro

🗡️😁⚔️

#trafalgar law #law trafalgar #trafalgar d law x reader #trafalgar law x y/n #trafalgar law x reader #one piece fanfiction #angst #comfort #one piece fluff

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fics-n-stuff-n-stuff · 7 months

Text

Natsu Dragneel/Lucy Heartfilia

Gray Fullbuster/Juvia Lockser

Levy McGarden/Gajeel Redfoxall

fairy tail characters basically - Character Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic / Follows Fairy tail but with my own twists set in modern day /Fluff and Angst / Romance / Friendship /developing feelings / Lucy has new spirits

Summary-

Lucy is thrown into a world she didn’t know existed. Join her as she unravels this new world full of magic that brings adventure, romance and destruction along with it.

———

Just a modern re-telling of Fairy tail following its arcs with a few twists and turns along the way💞

You can also read it here

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Chapter 9

The air was filled with panic as Natsu and Lucy stumbled through the portal, hands clasped and trying to navigate through the onslaught of people around them.

Amongst the chaos Lucy could see Wendy tending to the Master, his body laid out on one of the tables, her glowing hands hovering over his abdomen as Mirajane went to call someone.

Other members were looking after the injured and unconscious mages as best as they could until Wendy could check their injuries over. Thankfully no one seemed to be severely injured.

As her adrenaline dropped Lucy started feeling dizzy, the noise surrounding her was becoming overstimulating and the room began to sway.

Chest heaving, Lucy took shallow breaths as panic kicked in and her legs gave out from underneath her.

A pair of warm arms were around her waist before she could fall. His chest pressed to her back, warming her from the inside out. The scent of pine and campfire filled her senses and subdued her anxiety.

"I gotcha, just breathe." She heard his voice in her ear as she focused on mimicking his breathing pattern. "There ya go. Relax, you're safe." He continued in a soothing voice as she relaxed into his hold.

Lucy let her head fall back on his chest and closed her eyes.

They stayed like that for a few moments. Natsu's hands around her waist, her head resting near his collarbone as she took deep breaths.

Her eyes closed as she embedded every part of how it felt to be embraced by him while trying to prepare herself for what was to come.

"Could you get Erza, Gray, and Mira? There's something I need to tell you." Lucy whispered out softly knowing he would hear her even with all the noise surrounding them.

"Sure, I can do that. Happy'll stay with you." He told her, his tone confused at her request, but compliant.

Lucy opened her eyes at the mention of their blue-furred partner and looking back at Natsu she saw the cat perched on his head, eyes wide as they both looked at her with worry.

She hadn't even realized he was there.

"Hey, Happy! Sorry for missing your big move on Charla, I was a little tied up." Lucy tried cracking a joke in the hope of lightening the mood.

"Waaa, Lushiii! Never disappear like that again!" The exceed exclaimed with a cry, tears falling down his face as he threw himself into Lucy's chest.

Smiling, she embraced the cat, rubbing his head in soothing motions. "I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Natsu was scary when we found your apartment trashed. He left me behind and I had to go to the guild on my own!" The cat complained and she kept scratching his head as she watched Natsu walk away to find Erza, Gray, and Mira.

"Oh you poor baby, how about I get you some fish later, will that make you feel better?" She asked, making the cat jump from her arms and into the air, wings fluttering.

"Ayee! Give me the fishies!" His antics brought a genuine laugh out of Lucy who watched him as he continued to go in circles and tried to decide which fish she should buy for him.

"Luce?" Natsu's voice called from behind her, and she turned she saw he had gathered everyone she asked for.

"How is the master?" Was the first thing Lucy asked, as she was not able to unsee his lifeless body in Mira's arms.

"Wendy tried her healing, but she isn't sure what happened to him and couldn't seem to do much, so she started tending to the rest of the injured members. We're waiting for Porlyusica to arrive, she will know what to do." Mira's voice cracked a bit a the end, and she cleared her throat before continuing.

"We don't know what happened to him. One second everyone was fighting and the next Master was dropped on the ground from the upper floor, unconscious." Mira answered, her tone staying neutral, but Lucy could see how worried the older girl was, and she felt her stomach drop.

All of this is her fault.

First Levy, Jet, and Droy. Now the master and countless others were injured, just because her father decided he had a daughter again.

"Natsu said you wanted to speak with us?" Erza asked her when Lucy didn't say anything else.

Turning to look at them, she took a deep breath and braced herself.

"I haven't been completely honest with you." She started, wringing her hands together as she started her story.

"The reason Phantom Lord attacked Fairy Tail, and took me hostage, was because my father hired them to bring me back home."

She stated, turning her head to the side so she wouldn't have to look at their expressions at her words. She clenched her fists to keep her emotions in check.

She will not cry, not again.

Natsu, as if sensing her emotional turmoil, moved to stand by her side. Their shoulders were not quite touching, but he was close enough for her to feel his warmth and its calming presence helped soothe her nerves.

Straightening her posture she continued.

"I ran away from home almost two years ago. It was just after my eighteenth birthday and I had been begging my father for months to let me study at an actual university after being home-schooled for all my life." She's never told anyone that she was a runaway, let alone the hows and the whys. But it was unavoidable now. He's made sure of it.

There was a gasp from Mira, and as she turned to look at them she caught Erza's soft gaze. "He called me to his office one evening, and I foolishly hoped he'd let me go." Her voice cracked at the admission, and this time Natsu moved to wrap his arm around her shoulder, bringing her back to his chest.

Lucy was thankful for the drakon's affection, his hold grounding her as she continued. "When I got there he handed me a marriage contract, my marriage contract."

This time it was everyone's turn to gasp, she felt Natsu's hold on her tighten.

"He arranged a marriage for you without consulting you?" Gray asked, outraged clear in his voice. "This isn't the 1500s'!"

A bitter laugh escaped her throat at his statement. "My father has never cared much of my opinion. Why would this be any different? He is not a kind man, my father. Maybe once upon a time while my mother was still alive, but even then his affection was mostly reserved for her. After her death.."

She trailed off, knowing now was not the time for that. "Have you guys ever heard of the Heartfilia Family?" Lucy asked them instead.

"Aren't they like ducks or something?" Natsu asked and a laugh escaped Lucy at his words.

"Duke. Duke Jude Heartfilia, and the late Duchess Layla Heartfilia. They are descendants of the royal bloodlines. In line for the throne, though they are pretty far down the line."

"Why are you telling us this?" Mira asked her.

"They have a daughter. I remember the announcement of the passing of the late Duchess, the guild was in mourning." Erza spoke suddenly, eyes looking over to Lucy.

Lucy's heart clenched at her words, knowing Master Makarov was mourning the death of a friend.

Lucy felt even worse with that knowledge.

"Yes, they do have a daughter. Lucy Heartfilia. My father decided that marrying me off to Pergrande so he could secure a safe trade route for himself was the most of use I was ever going to be to him."

She finally said it out loud, and it felt like a weight was lifted from her. After two years of running, she finally found somewhere she felt safe, and people she could trust.

"So after he went over all the details and dismissed me for the night, I decided that it was time." She shrugged her shoulders.

"I'd been pondering and planning an escape for years, but it always seemed like a fantasy. Something I would do to make myself feel better, lighter." She thought back to how scared she'd been climbing down the window that night, praying no one saw her.

"This was a situation I couldn't talk myself out of, he was very determined to make the marriage happen. So the same night I packed as much as I could carry, scaled my window, and ran until I literally passed out in the woods." She was shaking with emotion as she remembered how she ran so much her feet bled.

Her first months in the real world were humbling, and it was then that reality kicked in. There were people out there worse than even her father.

There was a moment of silence as she finished her story, she let them process everything and ask their questions.

"So you've been running this whole time?"

The first question came from Gray.

"Yes, I've moved locations ever so often since, trying to keep a low profile everywhere I go. But since I never heard word of my disappearance I thought I was scot-free." Lucy answered. "How stupid of me."

"How come no one ever recognized you?"

"After my mother's death, he rarely let me leave the house, and I was forbidden from making public appearances, of any kind." She told them, answering Mira's question.

He made sure to keep her as isolated as possible, cooped up in her castle, surrounded by staff and tutors.

Lucy moved from Natsu's hold and bowed at the waist in an expression of regret. "I want to apologize to all of you, and the guild for all of this. If I had been honest from the start, maybe none of this would've happened."

Lucy wanted them to know she felt awful about her father's actions. "I don't know why he's decided to track me down after all this time, but this was not the way he should've done it." She muttered looking down at the mark on her left hand, tracing it with her finger.

There was a gentle hand on her shoulder and Lucy looked up to see Erza's kind eyes staring back at her. "We are not responsible for the actions of others. You have done nothing wrong, Lucy. You needn't apologize." The older girl told her, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"Yeah, you did what any normal person would in your situation. Or at least what I would've done." Gray chimed in, shrugging his naked shoulders casually.

He seemed to have lost his shirt while she was talking.

"I'm just scared of what he's going to do now that Phanotm failed to bring me to him." Lucy admitted in a small voice.

"I already told ya, ya ain't goin' anywhere you don't want to. And no one here is going to make you! Dukes or Ducks or whatever the hell can piss off! You are Lucy of Fairy Tail now, and we protect our own!" Natsu threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his warmth once more as he spoke.

Lucy felt overwhelmed with emotion.

That seemed to be a recurring theme since discovering her magic and joining Fairy Tail.

She looked at all her friends, grateful to have them in her life.

"Everyone has their secrets, and we understand why you wouldn't want people knowing who you are." Mira told her, smiling kindly.

The tears finally escaped, and Lucy cursed inwardly, she vowed not to cry.

"Thank you for understanding. I feel so guilty about everything that's happened." She finally managed to find her words, her voice still a little shaky, but she felt better.

Like a weight had finally been lifted with her admission.

It was at that moment that an old woman, with pastel pink hair and a sour expression, entered the guild through the glowing doors with a bang.

'A portal.' Lucy thought.

"Where is that ridiculous man? What trouble has he gotten himself into this time?" She asked as she beelined to Mira and Erza.

"This way, thank you for coming. Wendy's already tried to help, but she can't seem to figure out -" Mira was talking to the woman as she led her through the guild and to the Infirmary, where the Master was relocated.

The tension was back in the air as they all watched the two women walk away, pondering over the Master's well-being.

"I'm going to go with them, see what I can find out." Erza excused herself, giving Lucy one last shoulder squeeze as she went up the stairs.

"And I'm gonna go see if Wendy can check out my back. Are you gonna be okay?" Gray asked her as he rubbed the lower part of his back.

Lucy smiled at him, shooing him off.

"Go, and make sure to remind Wendy to rest and not exhaust herself!" He saluted her and promptly left her Natsu alone.

"Do you think I could go and see Levy?" Lucy asked the pinkette, who without a word, grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs, and toward the guest rooms.

* ********* ********** ********** ********* *

She cried even more when she saw her friend lying beaten and unconscious in one of the guild's spare bedrooms. Natsu by her side offering her comfort.

Lucy understood where her friends were coming from saying she shouldn't blame herself for other people's actions, but staring down at the sleeping bluenette she couldn't help but feel responsible.

They left the room not long after they came, not wanting to disturb the injured girl.

The scene downstairs had seemed to calm down while they were visiting Levy. Most of the guild members were awake and back on track, with only a few occupying the Infirmary room.

They made their way to where Happy was and joined him at one of the tables. They didn't speak, just sat next to each other, waiting for someone to come back with news about Master Makarov.

There was a somber mood surrounding the whole guild, everyone worried about their Master and their Nakama.

Even Natsu was silent, sitting next to her with a rigid posture and she could feel the heat coming off of him in waves.

He turned his head suddenly, looking at the stairs, and as Lucy turned her head to follow his line of sight she saw Mira, Erza, and Porlyusica appear a second later.

All three had grave expressions on their faces and Lucy's heart sank as she braced herself for the news, darting her hand to grasp Natsu's for comfort.

"It seems that whoever attacked Master Makarov, literally stole his soul from him. We need to get it back, and quick." Erza relayed to the guild.

Mira's eyes were puffy, an indication that she's been crying. Lucy shot the older girl a small smile.

"I called Laxus and the Thunder League, They're on their way back from their job in the Lycan Woods, I don't know when they'll make it back." Mira added softly.

"I've done all I can for him, but we need to put the soul back for him to heal." The pink-haired woman proclaimed curtly as she made her way through the guild, Stopping at the door she summoned a portal. "Call me the moment you retrieve it and I'll be there." And with that, she left.

Leaving Fairy Tail in a state of shock and fear.

The Master was dying. His soul has been stolen by someone from Phantom, which means they're gonna have to go and fight them. Again.

'What kind of magic allows a person to do such a thing?' Lucy thought with a shudder, not wanting to think about what other despicable powers might be out there.

She also dreaded another encounter with Jose, especially after the way she escaped. She had a feeling he wasn't the forgive-and-forget type.

Discussions and shouts were echoing throughout the tavern as everyone debated on what their next move should be. More than half of the guild was ready to march back to Oak Town, seeking vengeance for their Master and to help save him.

While a smaller part argued that they needed an actual plan, not just to run straight into the fight.

As the mages went back and forth, some even started brawling over their differing opinions, a blast shook the building, knocking everyone to the ground in the process.

Natsu's instincts came in handy, as he gathered both Lucy and Happy in his arms and pulled them under their table.

The ground started shaking underneath them and as people got to their feet, they started rushing out of the guild to see what the hell happened.

Natsu was at the forefront, having sprinted away the moment the shaking stopped, leaving Lucy and Happy behind.

Lucy got up and followed behind everyone, her instincts telling her nothing good would come from this.

When she exited the tavern Lucy looked up to see the highest point of the guild was hit, their flag disintegrated by the blast and some of the debris was falling from the roof. Rushing after everyone she neared the back of the building where the crowd was gathering.

That's when Lucy saw the Phantom Lord's castle walking towards them. Walking. With spider-like legs protruding from the sides as it stalked through the forest and straight for Fairy Tail.

"What just happened was a warning shot, courtesy of my lovely Jupiter Cannon. You have fifteen minutes before it recharges to hand over Lucy Heartfilia or the next shot will blow you, and your precious guild away!"Jose's voice boomed through the speakers as the building stopped some distance from the crowd of Fairy Tail mages.

Lucy felt her heart drop at his words.

She looked around at everyone, they looked confused at his request but determined to fight, not even sparring a thought to giving her over.

And that's what set her resolve. No one else was getting hurt because of her. Head held high Lucy made her way to the front of the crowd, stopping as she started down the Cannon, which seemed to be counting down from fifteen.

"I am complying with your demands. Stop the Cannon and I will go with you." Lucy shouted at the structure, desperately trying not to shake with fear.

There was a hand on her shoulder, and suddenly she was being pulled back and Natsu was in front of her, she could feel the anger radiating off of him as he glared at the building. Erza, Mira, Gray even Elfman appeared next to her.

"You want Lucy, you're gonna have to go through us! And we're not letting her go!" Natsu yelled, and the whole guild cheered at his words.

Lucy felt her tears return as she watched her guildmates yell in agreement with Natsu. She couldn't believe the whole guild would fight for her. She didn't know how to feel, overwhelmed with emotions as the tears fell down her cheeks.

There was a cackle from the speakers and the Phantom Lord master taunted them. "I will take great pleasure in taking down your pathetic little fairies!" And with that, countless ghoulish apparitions flew from the building and started attacking them.

"We need to disable the Cannon, it's the only way. Come on, everyone else can handle themselves, we need to go."

Erza ordered the three men as she started sprinting towards the Castle.

Gray and Elfman followed without hesitation, running right behind her.

Lucy saw Mirajane next to her transform into a devil-like creature and viciously start fighting the ghouls.

Natsu hesitated as he looked at her, worry clear in his eyes. "Go, I'll be fine! They need you more than me, I apparently have a whole army looking out for me." Lucy told him as she gestured to the guild fighting off the apparitions around them.

Natsu's brows furrowed at her words and he narrowed his eyes at her, She's only seen that appraising look on his face when he was facing down an enemy, and Lucy found herself blushing in the middle of the battlefield at the intensity in his eyes.

"I need you to be safe, okay?" He told her tone deadly serious, his eyes never leaving hers.

Lucy gulped as she stared back at him. She had a plan. It was stupid but she had a plan and she couldn't promise him that. He will forgive her, she's sure of it.

So instead of answering, Lucy drew him in for a hug, using his surprise to sneak her keys into his pocket.

Either way, they'll be safer with him.

He hugged her back tightly and then turned to dash after Erza and the guys. Calling for Happy as he ran.

"Aye Sir!" The cat flew over her head, ruffling her hair as he did so, catching up to Natsu, he picked the fire drakon up and they sped off to stop the Cannon.

Lucy watched them as they disappeared, hoping they'd destroy it in time.

Though it was Natsu, Gray, and Erza. They had a knack for destroying things, she thought with a small smile. She had faith in them, they would succeed and come out on top. There was no other choice.

A ghoul suddenly charged toward Lucy, and having no time to take out her whip it almost got her, if not for a flash of light aimed at the creature that killed it.

Lucy turned to see Cana, cards in hand as she threw them at several targets at once.

"You need to get out of here and hide, we'll take care of the rest!" The brunette shouted at her.

"I am not going to hide from this! I will fight-" her sentence was cut short as someone hit her in the back of the head making her pass out.

* ********* ********** ********** ********* *

Waking up with a mild headache, Lucy looked around to see she was in a car, on her way out of Magnolia. She looked at the driver's seat to see Reedus speeding down the road.

"What are you doing? We need to go back and help them!" Lucy shouted as she climbed from the backseat to the passenger's.

"I had clear orders from Mira, get you out of the city, I don't want to be on the she-devil's bad side." The curly-haired man replied, shudder at the thought of Mira going after him.

"I can't let everyone else fight this battle for me! I have to at least fight beside them, please Reedus, you have to understand." Lucy pleaded with the man.

He looked at her from the corner of his eye and let out a sigh. Stopping the car on the side of the empty road, he turned to face her.

They were almost at the edge of the city, and given it's a Sunday afternoon, there thankfully weren't any people around.

"We need to keep you safe, the guild can take care of themselves. Someone will call us when it's over, it's safer this way I promise." He told her with a soft smile.

Lucy was about to protest again, or even book it out of the car to try and run back to the fight. But before she could do either a steel rod broke through the windshield, knocking Reedus out cold and making Lucy scream out in shock.

A tall, dark-haired man appeared on the other end of the rod, it seemed to be an extension of his arm. He was grinning at her, a wild look in his red eyes.

The steel retracted back and turned back into a normal arm. 'What the hell was this guy?' Lucy thought to herself as she struggled to unbuckle her seatbelt.

"Gihi, what do we have here? A little fairy thought she could run away?" The man taunted her as he neared the car.

Finally managing to unclasp the buckle, Lucy opened the car door and broke into a run. She hoped Reedus would forgive her for abandoning him, as she didn't have a better choice at the moment. There were no other cars around and Lucy decided to book it through the forest by the side of the road.

The dark-haired man's laugh was sinister as he followed after her.

"You can't outrun me, Princess!" His voice was getting closer as she stumbled her way through the trees, like a lamb running from the wolf. "Unfortunately for you, Jose wants his prize. So I have no choice." There was a shadow over her as he appeared behind her, Lucy didn't have any time to process his words before she was knocked out.

Again.

* ********* ********** ********** ********* *

"10 minutes to detonation of the Jupiter Cannon." An animatronic voice echoed through the halls.

"Fuck!"

Natsu was beyond frustrated at this point. This was the third dead end since he entered this ridiculous building.

"Where is that stupid Lacrima?" Natsu mumbled under his breath as he continued to wander the halls.

Happy was perched up on his head, keeping quiet as he didn't want to further irritate the fire drakon. Erza had ordered Gray, Elfman, and Natsu to find the Lacrima and destroy it before the Cannon could charge, but this whole place is like a maze, how is anyone supposed to find their way?

He suddenly caught the scent of fire and followed that. He could use a good meal at least, he's been walking around forever.

As he stepped into the room where the smell was coming from, Natsu spotted the Lacrima Crystal that charged the Cannon.

"Gotcha!" He smirked and lit his fists on fire.

As he went to charge and destroy the power source, his fists moved upward on their own accord and Natsu punched himself in the face, knocking Happy off his head in the process.

"You okay little buddy?" He asked, looking over to the cat as he caught himself on the wall.

"Aye! But what was that Natsu?" The exceed asked.

"I am Totomaru, one of the element four! And no fire can defeat me!" A voice boomed, and a young man with black and white hair, and a tattoo going over his nose and cheeks appeared from behind the Lacrima.

"I don't have time to deal with you!" Natsu told the strange man, ignoring his words as he charged at him, fists aflame.

Only to be decked in the face by his own hand once more. "The hell?" He yelled annoyed.

"I told you, no fire can touch me! I am the master of all fire!" The man exclaimed and threw a blast of fire towards Natsu, who in turn slurped up the flames.

"Ugh, yuck. You call this crap fire? It tastes awful. At least I have a fire in my belly." Natsu grimaced at the taste of the fire, rubbing his stomach. His opponent in turn was staring at him, mouth agape.

"You just, you just ate my fire?!" He yelled in shock, pointing an accusatory finger at Natsu.

"Well duh, what else was I supposed to do?" With a shrug of his shoulders, Natsu took a deep breath and prepared for his next attack.

"Fire Dragon, Roar!" He sent an inferno at the opposing mage.

The other man flicked his hand, directing the fire around him and smiling back at Natsu.

"Are you slow? I told you already that fire doesn't work on me!" He taunted back.

With a frustrated growl, Natsu lit his fist and went to attack. No one controlled his fire but him. With a determined cry, he went to hit the split-haired freak but his fire was redirected once more and Natsu was blown back by his own flames.

"5 minutes to detonation of the Jupiter Cannon." An automated voice rang through the room, making Natsu remember his initial objective, he needed to destroy the Lacrima.

"How many times are you gonna try the same trick? It's not going to work." The man stated, sounding bored.

"Natsu you need to knock down the Lacrima or the guild's gonna be destroyed!" Happy yelled from somewhere behind him.

"I know, I know!" Natsu huffed in response, he looked back at the annoying fire mage appraisingly.

"Fine. If I can't beat you using my flames, I'm just gonna have to do it the old-fashioned way." Cracking his knuckles, Natsu went to attack again, this time sans fire.

"What you think you're just gonna-" His fist interrupted the rest of Totomaru's sentence as he sent the man flying back and into a wall.

"You got lucky with that one. Let me show you what a member of the element five can do!" The man boasted and started accumulating his magic, focusing it on one point before sending an inferno at Natsu.

Slurping the fire, he noted that this one wasn't as foul-tasting as the last. "Thank you for the meal, and you called me slow. It looks like fire doesn't work on either of us."

Natsu smiled at the man as he approached him. "What are you gonna do now?"

The man started back at him, eyes wide in disbelief and he could smell the fear on him, with a smirk, Natsu threw his head back and head-butted the two-toned man, knocking him out flat.

"He was seriously getting on my nerves." Natsu grumbled as he moved back to finally strike the Lacrima, throwing a fireball that shattered the crystal into pieces.

"You did it Natsu!" Happy yelled out as he flew over his head.

"2 minutes to detonation of the Jupiter Cannon." The voice echoed once more.

"I destroyed it! How is the thing still charging?" Natsu asked in confusion.

Just then, he felt a twinge of a headache and heard Warren's voice in his head.

"Natsu? Can you hear me? I just got word from the others. There seem to be 5 Lacrimas that are powering the Cannon. Elfaman destroyed one, as well as Gray and Erza. There are two left." The telepath relayed to Natsu, who cursed inwardly.

"There is one Cannon left. Do you know where it is? I lost time in this maze of a castle trying to find the first one!" He thought back to the man.

"I can sense you in the east wing. The last remaining Crystal is located on the west wing. Elfman managed to take down Sol, of the element five, and Gray is currently fighting the water woman of Phantom. There are two members of the element five left, and one of them is the mage that stole the Master's soul, so be careful and get to the Lacrima, quickly!"

Warren told him, and Natsu sprinted out of the room before he could even finish relaying all the information, Happy flying behind him as they raced toward the last Crystal.

"What about Erza? Where is she?" Natsu asked, dread filling his stomach.

"She's joined the battle out front." There was a pause, and somehow Natsu could feel his hesitance.

"Natsu, she plans on taking the hit if you don't make it on time." With those words, the connection between them was cut, and Natsu ran even faster as he tried not to think of Erza and her stupid sacrificial tendencies.

* ********* ********** ********** ********* *

Lucy was tired of waking up groggy and not knowing where she was. How many times is this now? She wondered if all mages got kidnapped and knocked out as much as she looked around.

She was not in a car this time or a cell, she was lying on the ground in what seemed to be some kind of throne room.

'Of course, Jose would have a throne.' Lucy thought with disdain as she got up on her feet.

"You're awake just in time for the festivities." She heard his voice coming from the other end of the room.

Turning she saw Jose, and the black-haired man who grabbed her enter the room.

Jose went straight for his seat on the throne perched in the middle of the room, while his gorilla went to stand by his side.

"I was very disappointed in you, Lucy, and the way you behaved after my most generous offer." The auburn-haired man tutted at her. "It will not go unpunished, but first I want you to witness the fall of Fairy Tail." He started laughing as he gestured to the man by his feet.

The younger man moved to open one of the curtains and Lucy saw the guild fighting those ghoulish things. "10 seconds to detonation of the Jupiter Cannon." A voice echoed throughout the building, making Lucy's heart drop.

'They didn't make it in time.'

Jose was laughing like a maniac as the voice continued counting down.

"Nine, eight, seven, six" Lucy was transfixed on the fight below her, watching her fellow guild mates scatter around in panic as the voice counted down. "Five, four, three"

She saw a flash of scarlet, and Erza appeared in an armor Lucy had never seen before. It was heavy-duty, with a giant shield.

She wasn't actually going to try and take the blow?

"Two, one. Firing Jupiter Cannon."

"No! No, Erza!" Lucy screamed as the Cannon fired directly at where the scarlet-haired woman was standing, shield in place as she channeled magic towards it, a determined look in her eyes as she braced herself for impact.

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acacia-may · 8 months

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Can you do 55 for the fic writer's ask game please? Thank you

Hi there, Anon! I'd be happy to answer this question for you. 😊

55. Of the characters you write for, which is your favorite? Has that choice been swayed at all by your followers/readers’ reactions to certain ones?

Honestly, I think it just kind of depends on my mood and the story I'm writing. I always try to pick the POV character that fits the story I want to tell the best, and I have had lots of fun getting try out writing in different characters' perspectives. I don't know if that has really been influenced by the readers' reactions, but I do feel very encouraged to continue writing in certain characters' POVs if I get feedback that I did the character justice in my portrayal (since one of my biggest fears & insecurities as a fic writer is that I'll write a character I love as completely OOC).

It would probably be easier for me to pick the characters whose perspectives I struggled with and/or did not enjoy writing in since there are less of those lol 😅, but in terms of ones I did enjoy and that stick out as favorites, I have decided to break them out by fandom (and I've only included fandoms I have written more than one story about).

My favorite Character POVs to write in by fandom:

A Series of Unfortuante Events: Frank or Dewey Denouement (my real favorite POV character from ASOUE is Kit Snicket but I've never actually put any of my Kit stories online so it's either Dewey or Frank from the stories I have available to the public).

Black Clover: Langris Vaude or Vanessa Enoteca's POV are absolutely without question my favorites (and I think the amount of stories I've written in each other their POVs probably reflects that lol).

Demon Slayer: Giyuu Tomioka (Shinobu' POV is a close second, but I like the juxtaposition between what Giyuu feels on the inside and what he expresses on the outside)

Danganronpa: Shuichi Saihara (if only because I find it the easiest to write in--I feel like everything just flows very easily and naturally when I try to get in his head and write from his perspective. I also had a lot of fun writing from Masaru Daimon's POV, but it was a little more difficult for me since his thoughts are kind of all over the place so I'm not sure if I'll ever be writing in Masaru's POV again 😅).

Fairy Tail: Erza Knightwalker (I also really liked Gajeel's POV so it was a tough call on this one)

Horrible Histories: Atti (he's such an overthinker. I have too much fun with that)

OMORI: Aubrey or Hero (it depends on my mood, especially since Hero's perspective generally brings a level of angst to the story)

#fic writer ask game #acacia's ramblings

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pteradactaltoe · 3 years

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I just watched the first episode of fairytail galatic version. I have to say i haven't had to worry about my mom walking in to see a girl with less than underwear. On my tv since 8th grade when i watched all of fairy tail in 3 months. its kinda nostalgic

#fairy tail #eden zero #hiro mashima #erza titania #erza continues to be a mood #erza knightwalker #natsu dragneel #igneel #lucy heartifilla #gray fullbuster #anime

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damnusillygoose · 3 years

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Wendy: "Hey erza, are you free on friday like around

8pm?"

Erza : "yes?"

Wendy: "What about you Jellal?"

Jellal : "Yes, I am"

Wendy: "Great! Because I am not. You two go on

without me. Enjoy your date."

Erza : "Did she just-

Jerza week 2020

Jerza day 27th October 2020

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fairytail-incorrectquotes · 6 months

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Lucy: Did you know the human brain doesn't fully develop until 25?

Erza, looking around: I am made painfully aware of that on a daily basis

#lucy heartfilia #erza continues to be a mood #erza scarlet #incorrect fairy tail quotes #fairy tail #fairy tail incorrect quotes #incorrect quotes #incorrect quote #anime #manga

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fairy-tail-tings · 4 years

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Lucy: I mean am I really asking to much? Like, when was the last time a guy opened the car door for you?!

Erza: When I got arrested

#fairy tail #ft #incorrect quotes #fairy tail incorrect quotes #incorrect fairy tail #lucy #erza #erza continues to be a mood

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rebecca1998 · 3 years

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I could see this👀👀

#haha yeah #ft nalu #natsu dragneel #lucy heartphilia #erza continues to be a mood #gray fullbuster

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gogoani · 3 years

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Erza Scarlet Zodiac Sign ♈️

ARIES 🔥 - The Warrior, The Badass

Born April 7th (google info)

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anime4addict · 3 years

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Twas watching anime and I really like this picture

#anime #fairy tail #erza titania #erza continues to be a mood

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blackbatbbg · 2 years

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Lucy: You know how we all have that little voice in the back of our heads that tells us not to do bad, dangerous, and destructive things?

Erza: No. Am I supposed to?

Gray: I think mine checked out ages ago-

Natsu: Ohhhh so THAT’s what they were tryin’ ta say!!

#fairy tail #natsu continues to be a mood #natsu dragneel #gray fullbuster #erza titania #lucy heartfilia #natsu x lucy #why are they like this #go team

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ignitedbynatsu · 3 years

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He Makes You Feel Insecure ~ Gray

A/N: as promised here is the first one shot in the HMYFI series. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know who else you want me to write for! As you can see I decided to ditch the summary since I’m not very good at it oop- 🤭

Warnings: insecurities (feeling like you’re too clingy)

genre: angst to fluff

Other versions:

Laxus ~ Erik/Cobra ~ Bickslow ~ Gajeel ~ Natsu ~ Jellal ~ Freed ~ Sting ~ Rogue

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

Gray had just come back from a job with Natsu and the crew and to say he was in a bad mood was putting it lightly. He wanted nothing more than to go home and go to bed.

It was no secret that he and Natsu weren't always on the best terms, but for some reason, he was working even more on his nerves putting the ice-magic user on edge.

If Erza wasn't there he would've punched the dragon slayer right there and then in the face, but he didn't want to deal with her wrath, so he just cropped it all inside.

After he grumbled a goodbye to everyone in the guild he made his way home, where you were patiently waiting.You knew how tired he gets after he went out on a job, so you decided to make his favourite food and even picked his favourite film to watch tonight.

Once Gray was home, you immediately greeted him by the door with a wide smile. "How was the job? I made your favourite food"

"I'm not hungry" He replied in a rather cold tone.

"Oh... Okay." You said a bit taken back by his tone and answer, but you didn't want to let that ruin the mood "How about we watch a film? I got your favourite"

"No, thanks," He declined once again as he made his way further into the house with you trailing behind."Is everything okay? We could just cuddle if you want?" You suggested carefully, noticing how tense he was.

"Fuck (Y/N)! Can't you see I want to be left alone?" He suddenly exclaimed making you flinch at the sudden rise in volume "I don't need you making me food, I don't need you picking up after me after I throw off my shirt, I don't need you to cling on me every second of the day! Can't you see that you're smothering me? You are not my mother so stop acting like one! It's like you're suffocating me. I can't go one minute without seeing you everywhere. Just give me some space, God damn it"

You took in his words carefully as you slowly nodded at his little outburst. If you looked over all your actions you couldn't help but feel like he was right. You were almost 24/7 with Gray, so he wasn't wrong. Had he always thought this and had it now only come out?

"I'm sorry" you softly spoke, afraid to set him off further.He ignored your apology and went to your shared bedroom, slamming the door shut after him. You once again flinched at the sudden sound. Tears start pricking in your eyes as your mind went over everything that just happened.

You didn't mean to smother him. To you, it seemed like small acts of kindness. You didn't mind cooking for him as it was something you enjoyed doing. He always threw his clothes God knows where, so you made sure to pick it up, so he wouldn't lose it. As for the attention, you didn't see yourself as a clingy girlfriend, but he was right that you were around him almost all the time. Being in the same guilt meant having the same friends and even going together on missions from time to time.

It wasn’t the first time you two had an argument. You knew he was just frustrated and stressed. Most of the time it blew over by the next morning, but this time it kept running through your head. You quietly grabbed your coat and made your way over to Lucy. You didn't want to upset Gray even more, so you decided to give him the space he wanted.

The next morning when Gray woke up, he noticed the cold spot where you normally laid. He frowned at not seeing your figure but just thought you had gone to guilt early to help Mira-Jane as you did from time to time.

He got dressed and wondered what he had made for you this morning only to see you had nothing prepared for him. As he looked around more he noticed that the plate with his favourite food was still on the table, along with the unwashed dishes in the sink. That was some very odd behaviour for you.

Maybe you had overslept and were in a rush this morning? He shook it off and went to the Guilt only to see that you weren't there either.

"(Y/N) and Mira went out to do some grocery shopping," Cana said as she noticed the frown on the boy's face.

"Gray! We have a new mission! Let's go!" Erza called out to him as Natsu sprinted out of the guilt followed by Wendy and Lucy who were laughing about something.

As the night fell the group got back from the job. Normally you would sprint up to Gray and engulf him in a hug, but today you hardly lifted your head at the sound of him coming back. You were carelessly chatting away with Cana as she chugged down another glass of wine.

“Hey, babe,” He said as he came up behind you and sneaked his arms around you.

“Oh hey,” You replied and gave him a small smile before continuing your story. When he noticed that even Cana looked at you two weirdly, he knew something was up.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” He asked.

“Oh, I just made plans with Levy to go out and get something to eat-“ He cut you off before you could completely deflect him “please?”

You nodded your head at him and followed him outside. You didn’t miss the reassuring Lucy had sent you and gave her a small smile back.

Once you were completely alone, Gray sighed heavily “Is something wrong?”

“No why?” You asked as you chewed the inside of your cheek nervously.

“You’ve been kinda off today, you didn’t even give me a kiss when I came back from the job. Why is that?” he clarified.

“I thought you needed more space” You answered softly as you stared at your feet.

“More space? Is this about the argument yesterday?” Your silence confirmed his question, making him take your hands in his “(Y/N), look at me. I am so sorry about yesterday. I was in a terrible mood and shouldn’t have worked it out on you”

“You were right though, I am too clingy,” You said softly.

“No, you’re not. You’re perfect. It was never my intention to make you feel insecure about that. I promise you I do not think you are smothering me. You’re just incredibly kind, and I was an asshole for making you feel that way.” He assured you.

“You really mean that?” You asked unsure.

“With all my heart. I really am sorry for making you feel that way, my love.” He apologized as he pulled you into a hug, not planning on letting you go anytime soon.

“Good, ‘cause I don’t know how long I would’ve lasted without hugging you” You mumbled in his chest.

His laughter vibrated against your cheek, making you automatically smile as well “You have no idea how much I love you”

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jekde04 · 3 years

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Home

One-shot for Gruvia Day/Greige Day/Gruvia Family Day 2021

Summary: Coming home from a mission is always better when there's someone waiting for you.

Word Count: 2,483 words

You may also read it on FanFiction.net and AO3! Check out my master list for other Gruvia fics.

Tag List: @shampooneko @fbflame94 @juviaafullbuster @unvalley @gruviaftw11 (Wanna be tagged, lemme know)

“Mommy, we’re back!”

Looking for her blue head of hair had become second nature to him, so he quickly spotted her among their friends as she stood up to gather the running Greige into her arms. He followed right after, though a lot calmer.

“I finished my mission with Daddy!” the four-year-old boy with dark blue hair exclaimed as he reached his mom, still a little breathless from running. “I made big blocks of ice for the party, and Daddy crushed them to make snow cones for everyone!”

Greige prattled on excitedly, demonstrating each point with his hands and arms and making Juvia smile. Arriving at her side, Gray put his arm around his wife’s shoulders and kissed her temple. She embraced him back, giving him a quick squeeze before letting go and turning back to their son.

Gray chuckled. It seemed like ages ago when Juvia would welcome him with a half-hug, half-tackle to the ground while shouting, “Gray-samaaaaa!” Now, all her attention was on their son.

“That’s great, darling,” Juvia told Greige as they all sat side by side, with both of her boys on either side of her. “You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

Gray rolled his eyes. It was so like Juvia to get worried over a simple mission of making ice sculptures and snow cones for kids at a birthday party, even though she was the one to spot it on the job board.

At first, she got really excited as she saw it as an opportunity for family bonding. But with her six-month pregnant belly, Gray wouldn’t risk it even if it was just an easy and harmless mission.

It ended up being a father and son bonding with his little ice mage apprentice.

“Relax, Juvia. As if I would let something happen to our son,” Gray answered after taking a gulp of the ice-cold water waiting for him at the table. Mira passed by and set a hot bowl of udon in front of him, giving him a light pat on the back.

“Of course you won’t, Gray-sama,” his wife answered with a smile. “But Juvia will always worry for you two. It’s just the way it is.”

She turned to Greige and held his elbow to pull him closer but was surprised when he yelped in pain.

“Greige-kun? What’s the matter? Where does it hurt?” Juvia asked in a concerned voice, trying to look for any bruise or cut on his son’s well-covered body.

Gray also turned to look at him with worry. “Did you get injured, buddy?”

“N-nothing. I’m okay, Mom,” Greige answered, squirming from Juvia’s fussing and a bit embarrassed about his outburst.

“Don’t ‘nothing’ me, young man,” Juvia said in her stern mommy voice that meant business. She rarely used it to both Gray and Greige, so both of them knew better than to defy her in any way when she was in one of her moods.

And being pregnant, those mood swings escalated tenfold.

Greige let Juvia remove his outer coat, allowing her to quickly spot the source of the problem: a scratch on his elbow. It wasn’t that deep or big, but it definitely should be cleaned, or else it would get infected.

Suddenly, Juvia snapped her head towards her husband and glared at him with her fierce blue eyes.

“Gray-sama! You said you won’t let anything happen to our son!”

Gray gulped and scratched the back of his head. All they did was make snow cones, how the hell did Greige get that?!

“Juvia, I swear, I didn’t let him out of my sight! I don’t even know where he got that,” he answered as he moved to Greige’s other side, examining the wound. “Besides, it’s just a small scratch. It’s no big deal.”

He immediately regretted his words the moment they came out of his mouth. He felt goosebumps prickling his skin as Juvia’s glare intensified.

Really, this woman means the world to him, but she could be scarier than Erza sometimes.

But before he could appease his wife, Greige said in a small voice, “This was from yesterday.”

Juvia turned to their son. “Yesterday? What happened? And why didn’t you say anything about it?”

With his head bowed, Greige mumbled something he couldn’t hear. Gray was about to ask him to speak louder when he saw him chance a glance at the pink-haired girl just three tables away from them...

And blush.

Holy Mavis.

He knew that look. He used to steal glances at Juvia with that look.

But his son was just four years old!

“What did you say, Greige?” Juvia’s voice broke through his thoughts (and internal panic), and he tried his best to focus on his son’s answer instead of his pink cheeks.

“I-I... scraped my elbow while Nasha and I were trying to hide from Aunt Lucy,” Greige answered, and Gray swore his son’s cheeks flushed some more.

Okay, he and Greige need to have a long talk when they get home. He was just four, but who knows what ideas and thoughts were running through his head now? Better nip it in the bud while it was still early.

And maybe he would tell Juvia tonight, but he had to be really careful because it might trigger the waterworks. And God knew how extremely sensitive she was, especially now that she was pregnant. Just last week, they ran out of milk, and she bawled her eyes out over it.

“Next time, be more careful, darling,” Juvia said, seemingly oblivious to what just happened and already arms-deep into her first aid kit.

Juvia had always been like that whenever he returned from a mission. She would have a first aid kit by her side and a glass of cold water and a serving of whatever the meal of the day was already ordered for him. At home, there would always be a feast.

He had to thank her failproof Gray-sama radar for always getting the timing of his arrival right.

She started dabbing alcohol on Greige’s wound while blowing at the spot to ease the pain. Greige flinched a little, but he put on a brave face while his mom cleaned his wound, his eyes traveling now and then to the nearby table where his bubbly friend was busy playing with her mom’s keys, unaware of his stolen glances.

That talk was definitely happening the moment they get home.

“All done!” Juvia exclaimed, lightly patting the band-aid she placed over the abrasion. “Now, for the finishing touches.”

She puckered her lips and lowered it to Greige’s elbow to kiss the boo-boo away, as she always did whenever her son injured himself. But just when her lips were a mere inch away, Greige saw Nasha looking at him with her big brown eyes, causing him to push his mom’s lips away from him.

“Ahh, stop it, Mom! I’m a big boy now!” Greige blurted, crimson cheeks and all.

Lisanna, who was delivering some drinks to a nearby table, smiled widely and ruffled Greige’s hair. "Aww, you are so cute, Greige-kun!" This made the boy even redder.

Surprised, Juvia locked eyes with Gray, and he tilted his head towards the table where his rival’s family was staying. She saw Nasha looking at Greige, and she looked at her husband and raised one of her eyebrows.

“Okay, Mommy understands,” she told Greige as she smiled at him and smoothed the band-aid on his elbow. “But promise me one thing, darling.”

Greige looked up at her and waited.

“Promise me that even though you’re a young man now, you won’t give Mommy a grandchild yet, okay? Mommy’s too young for that.”

Greige just continued looking at her, brows furrowed in confusion. Gray, on the other hand, almost choked on his udon and shouted, “Juvia!” at his giggling wife.

“Really, I can give Mommy a grandchild? How?” their son asked, excitement twinkling in his eyes.

Gray took a gulp of cold water before turning to his son. “Alright, that’s enough. Greige, don’t listen to your mom. And Juvia, stop putting ideas into your son’s head!”

Juvia covered her mouth with her hands. “Juvia’s sorry, Gray-sama. Juvia just thinks it’s so cute that Greige-kun already has a --”

“Greige?”

A little girl’s voice interrupted them, and they all turned to look at Nasha, who had quietly made her way to their table. Gray stole a glance at his son and saw him giving the girl the tiniest of smiles.

Just like the smile he used to give Juvia when he was still fighting his growing feelings for her.

All of a sudden, the innocent-looking girl jumped on Greige and locked his head under her arm, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Aunt Juvia, Uncle Gray, can Greige and I get some ice cream?”

“Ow! Let go!” Greige exclaimed, suddenly finding himself in a headlock with a giggling Nasha. He escaped her grip and glared at her while his mom answered, “Of course, sweetie. Just don’t go far and don’t take too long.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Nasha excitedly answered, dragging a sulking Greige after her. “Come on, weirdo. Let’s get some ice cream!”

“But I just ate a snow cone!”

“Whatever, you’re coming with me!”

Gray followed the two kids with his eyes, watching them hold hands as they made their way to their Aunt Mirajane.

That was his son, alright. Before long, he would be all grown up and meeting Nashas from different worlds and seeing snow dolls of Nasha and having enemies conjure up fantasies of him and Nasha in a perfect, happy world and --

“Relax, Gray-sama,” he heard his wife say, bringing him back to Earthland. “It will be a long time before all your thoughts would come true.”

His wife’s Gray-sama radar probably got an upgrade as it apparently developed mindreading powers now. And since when did his mind start running off to fantasy world? After all these years, Juvia’s powerful imagination must have rubbed off on him somehow.

Gray stretched his sore muscles and popped the joints in his neck. “Don’t joke about grandkids again. It’s scary.” He placed his hand at his wife’s round belly. “‘Sides, we’re not yet done having kids.”

Juvia looked at him, the most beautiful smile gracing her face. “Juvia knows. Now, get naked.”

“N-now?” Gray stammered, surprised at his wife’s sudden request. Sure, he would love to try having more kids, but --

“-- so Juvia could examine you thoroughly for any wounds. And change your bandages,” she continued, eyes feigning innocence. But he could see a small smile tugging at her lips, satisfied with the little joke she pulled.

Gray rolled his eyes and took off his shirt. He let Juvia’s light fingers explore his body and carefully remove the old gauze wrapped around his broad chest. “It’s almost healed already,” he remarked.

Juvia just continued applying antiseptic on his injury, not looking up at Gray. His wound was by no means fresh, but it was a deep gash he got from one of his missions with Team Natsu. He threw himself in front of a kid to protect her from one of the bandits, which earned him a cut over his breastbone. Good thing Wendy was with them; it could have been fatal if she didn’t treat it right away.

“Still not totally healed. Gray-sama should keep the bandages clean to avoid infection.” She looked up at him and added, “And Gray-sama should be extra careful now that our family is growing.”

Despite her steady tone, he could see her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. He remembered the first time she saw his injury and how she tried to muffle her sobs so that Greige wouldn’t think something was wrong.

Gray wiped the tears that escaped her eyes and kissed her forehead tenderly. “I will. And no matter what, I will always come back home to you.”

Juvia nodded and gave him a small smile. She wrapped fresh bandages around his chest in silence.

“All done now, Gray-sama.” She patted her handiwork and started putting all the stuff back inside the first aid kit. When she was done, she stood up and was about to return the kit to Mira when Gray thought aloud, “How come she does it for Greige but not for me?”

Juvia turned to look at him. “Are you saying something, Gray-sama?”

Gray looked at her sheepishly while scratching his cheek. “Ah, nothing.”

“Juvia’s sure she heard something about doing it for Greige but not for you. What is it?”

Gray’s cheeks turned pink. “Well, it’s just that...” He puckered his lips towards her.

“Eh?” Juvia asked incredulously. “Juvia’s not sure she understands what Gray-sama’s talking about.”

Gray sighed and picked up his shirt. “Forget it. It’s silly.”

Juvia sat beside him again, thinking aloud to herself. “Hmm. What does Juvia do with Greige that she doesn’t do with Gray-sama?” After a few moments, her face lit up. “Aha! Does Gray-sama want Juvia to kiss his boo-boos too?”

Gray’s face flushed some more, but he couldn’t help the smirk from crawling on his face. “Well, you used to do it, right? I’m just curious how come you don’t do it anymore.”

It was now Juvia’s turn to blush. She put her hand over her mouth and said, “Is Juvia hearing this right? Gray-sama wants Juvia to kiss his body right in the middle of the guild?”

Realizing what she was saying, Gray suddenly burst out, “What? No! I was just asking!”

But it was too late. Juvia’s lips were already pressed onto a scar by his collarbone.

“Does this still hurt, Gray-sama?” She then moved lower to his chest where the bandage started, and kissed it softly. “How about here, hmm?”

Gray froze as Juvia’s lips traveled even lower, now kissing his hard abs covered by his bandages. He clenched his fist as he could feel something else hardening.

“Is Gray-sama feeling better now?” Juvia asked in a sultry voice, looking up at him with those beguiling eyes, a tiny smirk on her luscious lips as if challenging him.

Oh, she was definitely teasing him.

But why did she have to look this sexy?

Around them, he could hear some of their guildmates snickering and hollering.

“Get a room!”

“They’re being lovey-dovey again.”

“Give your wife what she wants, Gray!”

He was flustered alright, but he only knew of one way to turn the tables on his wife.

He grabbed her shoulders and straightened her so that they were at eye level with each other.

“You missed a spot right here,” he said, pointing to his lips. But before she could react, he angled his head and kissed her full on the mouth.

That will teach her, he thought.

Amid all the teasing, gagging noises, and catcalls, a little boy eating his ice cream a few tables away yelled, “Eww, Daddy and Mommy are being gross again!”

***

Happy Gruvia Family Day, loves! 😘

#gruvia #gruvia day 2021 #gruvia day #greige day #gruvia family day #gruvia fanfiction

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