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tobethefairybest · 2 years

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This is my contribution to the Fairy Tail Reverse Bang 2022! :D

I had the honour of writing a oneshot to the amazing art drawn by Narminax. (@lazy-w-leviathan )

Link to the art:

Here is the preview of the story, the rest can be read on either ff.net or AO3!

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Saved by the Fire

It was a humid, early summer day. A lonely wagon disturbed the peace of an abandoned road. Lucy let her legs dangle from the seat, watching them go up and down to the rhythm of the shaking carriage wheels. The sounds of birds chirping and cicadas buzzing couldn't pierce through the wooden walls, resulting in only a murmuring resonance.

It had been a while since the carriage left the cobblestone paths and turned to take a shortcut through the forest. According to their driver, this was supposed to be a shorter route to their holiday destination: a luxurious cabin in the woods, close to the ocean shore. A shorter route, but most certainly not a comfortable one. It was uneven and littered with large rocks and Lucy couldn't even read the little book she'd brought along.

She looked out the window at the passing trees and sighed. Every summer holiday they'd go to the very same cabin, spending their vacation reading and hiking. To Lucy, it was nothing different than the life on their estate—isolated, without other kids, and trapped in an endless cycle of days.

No, Lucy had never liked their summer holidays. Her parents had always thought it was great for her to spend time in the woods, away from her daily life, but she dreamed of adventure, of freedom, of everything beyond the gates of the estate and the doors of the carriage. A boring cabin did not suffice.

This year she had dreaded coming to this place in particular. This was the first holiday since her mom had died, and her father had convinced her they had to go on holiday this year, regardless of what happened.

She picked up the book she had planned to read. It contained mostly pictures and just a few paragraphs of text, but it was one of her favourites. It was about a young witch who travelled the world and helped people with her magic. Lucy was certain she would one day see the world and all its wonders. She was convinced that all the myths in her favourite fantasy books contained a grain of truth, and that all the things she had read about could certainly have happened and happen again.

She would never forget the day she learned that magic was real, and not just something limited to her books and fantasy. Her mother had left her a magic key, one capable of letting a mermaid appear in any body of water the key touched. Lucy had always loved that her mother could use magic. If her mermaid was real, then so were the dragons in her books. Right?

She was violently dragged out of her headspace by a sudden standstill of the wagon and was thrown forwards because of the loss of momentum. She shrieked as her head hit the floor. She immediately reached for it to see if she was bleeding.

She heard her father and the driver cursing outside, followed by hurried footsteps.

"Lucy!" her father let out as he swung the door open, "are you hurt?"

Tears welled up in her eyes and she silently nodded as she rubbed the forming bruise on her head.

"You better get this wagon moving again!" he yelled at the driver as he turned around again, without batting another eye at his daughter.

Lucy stared at the open door. For a second, she had felt her heart jump. Her father barely ever made eye contact with her, let alone talk to her in a way that expressed concern. But she had been too hopeful. He was gone again.

Beyond the door was the endless forest that they were currently crossing. Lucy couldn't even fathom how deep the sea of trees would go. Would it go for miles? Hundreds of miles? Maybe even thousands.

She stood up and leaned outside the door to see what had caused the sudden stop. A fresh breeze of petrichor prickled her nose. As she looked around, she noticed one of the front wheels had snapped in half.

Lucy was just a seven-year-old, but she was smart enough to understand this could not be fixed by themselves. They needed help.

She set her eyes on the treetops, trying to spot chimney smoke that could reveal a village. Finding a village would mean a craftsman who could help them fix the wheel. She couldn't see any, but she was convinced the change in the height of the trees in the distance could point towards houses.

Determined, she jumped down on the soggy soil and let her eyes adjust to the bright sunlight.

She looked back once more, and to her dismay, her father was still scolding the driver, and the horses had started to become restless. Lucy turned around and disappeared into the foliage.

It didn't take long for the forest to swallow her whole. She was too short to see what was beyond her, but she just kept going forward, scratching herself on bushes and getting stuck on prickly branches. Little did she know she wasn't walking a straight line and not even slightly towards the next point of civilisation.

As soon as she realised that she had passed the very same rock twice, panic started to rise up within her. She was lost.

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Ff.net Link

Ao3 Link

#fairy tail #ftreversebang2022 #natsu dragneel #nalu #lucy heartfilia #ftguildevents #kid nalu #fairy tail fanfic #nalu fanfic

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valderaa · 2 years

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After Fiore realizes the power of just seven dragons after the opening of Eclipse Gate, they task the seven dragon slayers to work together, and grow strong enough to defeat any potential threats in the future. Rather than any of that happening, what happens is this: all the Dragon Slayers happen to hang out around the time they're supposed to be having scheduled meetings, until they start hanging out outside of those schedules, too.

Cobra attends a Fairy Tail performance night. Natsu finds common ground. Gajeel reflects on his past. Rogue dominates an arcade game. Sting goes hiking. Laxus threatens the magic council. Wendy takes photos.

it’s FINALLY out!!! here is a fic abt the dragon slayers being Friends that turned into a lot-longer-than-I-thought fic about the dragon slayers being Friends!

this is also my fic for the @ftguildevents‘s 2022 Fairy Tail Reverse Big Bang--please check out the lovely art this is based on by @ziidoodles here!

#ftreversebang2022 #dragon slayers #stingue #wendy marvell #natsu dragneel #gajeel redfox #laxus dreyar #cobra #sting eucliffe #rogue cheney #my writing #seven to a sky

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pokeprism14 · 2 years

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Beach Mission Madness

Here’s my contribution to this years Fairytail Reverse Bang 2022! This was a lot of fun! Thank you to @ftguildevents and @cupcakesandnightmares for this amazing time! Don’t forget to check out the story by cupcakesandnightmares that goes with the piece!

Link below! ⬇️

https://archiveofourown.org/works/39311337

#ftreversebang2022 #fairy tail #team natsu #Juvia Lockser #ftguildevents #Wendy Marvell #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #gray fullbuster #plue #HAPPY FAIRY TAIL #carla fairytail #erza scarlet #PokePrism14

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thunder-spriggan-sorciere · 2 years

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Saint and Saviour

Hello and welcome to my latest fanfic, Saint and Saviour! This story was written for the Fairy Tail Reverse Bang 2022 event, where writers create stories based on artworks. The link to my partner’s artwork is below (a truly epic piece), and be sure to check out @ftguildevents for a whole load of epic fan creations. Hope you enjoy this story!

Artwork: https://www.deviantart.com/daitwo/art/A-Steel-Dragon-Against-the-Light-916118630

And a big thank you to daphneelise for beta reading this story!

Summary:

Gajeel Redfox was once a young boy who lost his father. Later he earned the title Black Steel, top dog of the Phantom Lord magic guild. Now he haunts a graveyard of broken parts, clinging to the past and slipping further and further into darkness, all while his colossal power seeks to consume his very humanity. Will Gajeel succumb to the shadows, or will a beacon of light guide him towards salvation?

Triggers: Canon-typical violence, blood

Pairings: None

Link to work: https://archiveofourown.org/works/38985615

#fairy tail #fairy tail reverse bang 2022 #ftreversebang2022 #gajeel redfox #black steel gajeel #makarov dreyar #simana’s fanfiction #simana

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kiliinstinct · 2 years

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Refinement - Team 30 RBB Entry

My final contribution to the Reverse Big Bang hosted by @ftguildevents ! This is a story about Natsu, inspired by @phoenix-before-the-flame ‘s amazing artwork that will be accompanying it.

Click Here For the Art

Find This on A03

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Darkness.

It was a blanket. A thick film that covered him from head to toe, blinding Natsu while he struggled to see. When he growled, it slithered through his teeth and down his throat suffocating him. He could hear nothing, see nothing, feel nothing. The environment around him was just a void intent to crush him; but inside, there was pain, deep and searing. It burned him despite the flames he housed inside his being. It stabbed him without any substance, any sharpness. It sizzled and burned through his veins, traveled through his muscles and seeped into his very bones.

He screamed, but no sound escaped him. Choked, but no one could hear him.

“The more you fight, the more it hurts.”

Except one voice, echoing through the void. Low, mirthless and familiar.

“So quit struggling, little brother.”

Natsu jolted awake with a yell that echoed off the walls, throat raw from the volume and body covered in a layer of sweat that chilled him. Gasping, he inhaled air as if he were eating it, gulping it down while his head throbbed. His mouth was dry, and when he swallowed, he thought he tasted a hint of blood. Dazedly, he struggled to move off his hammock, mind reeling in multiple directions, but circling back to one, clear thought. Water. He needed water. Anything to soothe the burning sensation that scorched his throat.

Forgetting himself, his hand slipped off the edge of the netting and the world turned upside down, flipping as he met the ground with a thud that shook the walls and a few pinned papers fell off the walls. Natsu barely registered his ungraceful landing, instincts in overdrive as he felt the last vestiges of his dream still clinging to him. The darkness was still there, clinging to his shoulders. It weighed him down. He had to move.

With heavy feet, he stomped through his house, grabbed the nearest mug he could find and chugged it as soon as it was full of water. Not enough. He refilled and drank again, spilling some as he missed his mouth and dribbled down his chin and to the floor. Still not enough. Five more cups and he still felt dehydrated, panting as his senses slowly caught up with the rest of the world.

And the terrified Happy sitting on the counter next to him.

“- did you have the nightmare again?” Happy asked when their gazes finally met. Everything felt still, frozen in time and Natsu briefly wondered just who or what he was looking at. Where was he again? Memories flashed forward and recollection forced him to twist his mouth into a half-hearted grin.

“Not the same one.” He said, refilling the mug for the last time: hopefully.

Happy’s gaze pierced him through the darkness, slightly illuminated by the moon shining through the window. It was obvious he didn’t believe Natsu’s words, but rather than press it, he shrugged and tried again, “This one sounded bad. Was it similar?”

Zeref’s voice filtered through Natsu’s mind. That humorless laugh as he mocked Natsu’s struggle to breathe and ordered him to stay still. The way it came from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Something pulled in the back of his mind, a soft whisper that he refused to listen to. He drank from his mug to give himself a moment to piece his words together. “Nah. Just a memory. Ya’ know, Igneel.”

Realization dawned on Happy’s face and the little exceed took to the air, wailing as he clung to Natsu’s arm in the tightest hug he could manage. “Natsuuuu, I’m sorry!” It took some time for both of them to calm down. Happy’s hug was a comfort and Natsu patted his head to help maintain that he was fine, but in the back of his mind he knew the truth. It was more to reassure himself than Happy. A reminder of where he was. Who he was. That he was home and in the comfort of his own good memories.

When Happy finally went back to sleep, swaying in his own, tiny hammock, Natsu avoided his own and dropped his pillow and thin blanket to the floor. He couldn’t sleep there. Not right now. While the floor wasn’t the optimum bed, it would have to do. It was the least he deserved after what he’d just done.

Igneel’s death was a painful memory. One that would always twinge and hurt him. A visual he would never forget, but it wasn’t the nightmare that plagued him night after night. Not the darkness that moved to swallow him whole. When the dreams started, he had unloaded the details and his feelings to Happy the moment he calmed down enough to remember how to talk, but the dreams continued. Repeating first every other week, but slowly increasing in number. He couldn’t admit to it. He couldn’t give Happy any more reason to worry. Natsu couldn’t. And the lie that slipped through his teeth felt like rocks settling in his stomach. I’m sorry, buddy. The apology would be late in coming, but saying it out loud was too much for him. If he admitted it verbally, that would mean admitting to things he wasn’t ready to think about:

What the darkness meant, and why a voice whispered soothing promises of carnage in the deepest depths of his mind. He pulled the blanket over his shoulders and closed his eyes. Sleep would be fleeting for the rest of the night.

I can’t tell you. I can’t… I can’t tell anybody. I’m so, so sorry.

These lies began months ago. And with each new nightmare that terrorized his sleep, the lies continued. The voice in the back of his head, often speaking in the depths of the night, often echoed its memories during the day. Sleep became a stranger and Natsu’s energy slowly drained with each new day. The Guild was accustomed to Natsu napping in the hall, especially after a difficult battle, but the amount of cat naps he began to take, started to raise a few eyebrows. And each time Happy prodded him for an answer, he shrugged it off with a smile, forcing the darkness away to start a rambunctious spar in the guild. Anything, to give the impression that while he was tired, Natsu was still Natsu. Right?

‘Now you know that’s not true.’ The nightly voice began its whispers yet again. Soft, but dark- an alluring power that tempted and raised the hairs on the back of Natsu’s neck. ‘You know there’s something more-’ His thoughts were far too loud.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

‘You’re not even human.’

“Shut up!” Natsu jolted awake from his own voice, snarling his words as a guttural growl echoed through the hall. What was once a loud, bustling place, fell silent. Blinking to readjust his vision, Natsu balked as Happy and Lucy sat across from him: stunned.

“... Uh- That’s a no, then?” Lucy asked, tentatively, hand outstretched as if poised to tap his hand, but she thought better of it and pulled it away.

Natsu stared. “What?” He asked, confused.

“We asked if you wanted to try a job.” Happy explained. His tiny feet padded across the table as he patted the top of Natsu’s head, paws rustling his hair. “You know, since you seem so tired. We thought going out through the town for some small jobs could help energize you?”

Natsu looked at Happy, then to Lucy before his eyes slid back to Happy’s. When had he dozed off? “... Well, why not?”

Lucy gawked. “You can’t be serious. You fell asleep halfway through your lunch, snarled at Happy and me and don’t know why we’d think that’s a no?”

“Oh, right.” He had the courtesy to look sheepish. “My bad. We could totally try somethin’, it’s been a coupla days, right?”

“More like a week.” Lucy said.

Now, that didn’t sound right. Natsu’s back stiffened and he stretched, ignoring the thoughts screaming in his head. “Seriously? There’s no way! Erza, Ice Princess or even Wendy snagged some jobs for us recently-”

“They did.” Happy agreed, but he didn’t meet Natsu’s eyes, “You uh- you told them you weren’t in the mood.”

That really didn’t sound right. “Why would I turn down a job? Now Gray’s gonna hold that over my head forever!”

“Why?” Lucy repeated, slamming a palm to the table. Natsu froze and, horrified, realized her eyes were watery. Before he could try and ask her not to cry, she leaned over the table and poked him on the nose. “That’s what we'd like to know! I’ve got rent due soon, and you’re acting weird. Too weird! Did you somehow get your hands on Etherion again or something? Are you okay? Are you sick? Can you even GET sick?”

“Uh, Lucy, you’re rambling like a weirdo, again.” Happy interjected, but earned himself a quick glare from the blonde.

When it looked like the two were about to start bickering, they were interrupted by Natsu standing abruptly, eyes looking glazed and tired while he glanced towards the job board. Across the hall, most could only pick out the larger details of each paper blaring with large title signs, pleading for help, but Natsu, through his blurred gaze, noticed a few jobs that would do just the trick.

“Happy, help Lucy.”

The Exceed blinked, confusion evident in his wide eyes, “Natsu?”

Too tired. Way too tired. “With her rent and stuff,” he motioned towards the board before glancing to both teammates, an exhausted grin split his face and he yawned, “there’s plenty of jobs you can do in town today that’s quick and easy.”

Silence filled the entire hall. Too many guild members were nosy and not a single one attempted to hide their obvious eavesdropping. Onlookers stared, slack-jawed at Natsu’s decision, but he couldn’t be bothered. The thoughts were deafening, the need to sleep a weight he couldn’t lift and the worry of his comrades was not enough to change it. Lucy and Happy both tried to interject, but he waved them off and groaned, walking off before the conversation could go any further. The doors looked so inviting. The exit and way back to his home.

Then again, each table he walked by looked just as inviting. He could sleep anywhere if he really wanted to, but no. If he had another dream, it was best done in the confines of his own home, away from prying eyes.

“Happy, do you know something?”

“I- .. I don’t know!”

He caught their voices. They echoed into his ears, but he couldn’t be bothered with them. The guilt he’d felt for months rose like the tides and Natsu grit his teeth. He hated it. All of it. Why was this happening? When the doors slammed shut behind him, the heat of the sun beat across his face in greeting and his steps trudged like lead towards the one place he could be alone.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The trek back to his home at the edges of Magnolia was a slow one, but the very reason his energy levels were low, was such a distance away, it would take days - or weeks- to reach. Far past the architectural remains of Tartaros, through the fields, forests and mountains of Fiore, over the Ocean and Beyond. The very reason to Natsu’s nightmares hummed to himself at his desk, working away through the empty pages of an old book, filled with blotches of ink and mystical spells wrapped and merged together with scientific formulas.

It truly was a shame the members of Fairy Tail couldn’t stop Zeref from obtaining his strongest book. END lay open before him, the pages an age old memory the Mage could recite with ease. If they had any inkling of the true power tucked within that book, of what it really held, would they have tried harder to keep it in their grasp? Zeref doubted it. They hadn’t the knowledge or the capabilities to stop him when he wanted something.

And he wanted this book. It would be useless in the hands of weaker beings when there was so much to be done. So much to prepare; and for one such as him, there was plenty of time to do it. Zeref’s work took a delicate touch. Intense focus. He brushed the dark fringe of hair from his eyes and inhaled, holding his breath while scratching ink into magic sigils on the page. Like surgery, he had to keep his attention. A single mistake could ruin the entire book.

A ruined book would throw everything into disarray. Though the effects on his brother would be interesting to examine. In some ways, the experiments used to create Natsu were similar to observing a lab rat. The part of Zeref that still loved Natsu like family, cringed at the thought, but the side that understood science, his studies, and the way of life, accepted it as a factual statement.

Natsu Dragneel. Zeref’s little brother and experimental Demon: his little lab rat.

Who was currently imperfect.

“Tenrou was the first proof.” He acknowledged, allowing his voice to fill the room as his only source of interaction. “Natsu wasn’t enough. Far from it. A younger me would be willing to wait, but I’m done with that. Mistakes were made, but they can be fixed.”

Days. Weeks. Months. He’d been reworking the words of END ever since he retrieved it. Only now would the effects start to take hold on the very being they connected to. It was a shame Zeref couldn’t visit and explore these changes in person, but he wasn’t stupid. A dragonslayer’s nose would scent him as soon as he was in range. No, this would have to do. Day and night, Zeref worked, and the newest sigil he brought to life, was the fruition of all his present plans.

If Natsu couldn’t defeat him. Then Zeref would force the destructive properties of Natsu’s blood to the front of his very psyche. He would become the power Zeref needed, no matter the consequence. Not for the first time, he considered whispering an apology into the air, but it was pointless. Too little, too late. It made no difference. The damned did not deserve forgiveness.

The sigil flared to life seconds after Zeref’s fingers moved from it. Light glowed from the ink, a deep red that simmered and burned, creating the scent of smoke and ash to flood his study. This was expected, but the speed of the reaction surprised him. His changes were speeding up their frequency beyond his own assumptions. Brilliant. What an excellent little Brother I have. Zeref marveled at his work as the sigil flickered from bright to dim, settling in a slight, ember glow as the small, miniature figure arose from the pages, arms and body bound by the links of chains made of ink.

“The start of my success.” Zeref stated, a self-satisfied smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. He didn’t give himself long to celebrate, dipping his quill into the bottle of ink nearby to continue his work. The pen scratched against the pages, splattering from time to time if Zeref grew too impatient with his dipping, but the figure in the sigil remained, struggling against its binds like a caged animal, struggling for freedom.

It snarled once, but the voice was so miniscule that Zeref paid it no mind. Another and once another line of etchings covered the page, a flare of flames burst from his captive, dispersing heat into Zeref’s face as his bangs blew back from the air pressure. A good sign.

Another growl and the chains lashed out from the thrashing, smacking against the inkwell spilling forth its contents against the corner of the book. Zeref cursed, fingers gripping the quill tightly before they relaxed. A corner would not spoil his plans.

“Now, now,” Zeref chided, voice soft as he set the bottle up once more and out of the range of his thrashing subject, “we mustn’t make a mess, Natsu.”

He finally examined his little brother, stuck in the confines of his glowing cage. A mere illusion, but a connected form that called to the inner beast that resided in Natsu’s veins. Zeref could see the preview of his work, fangs gnawing and gnashing as he continued to pull against his chains. No trace of humanity shown within his eyes, replaced by the demonic glow of fire and rage. A deep, angry fuel that gathered its strength and tried desperately to break free.

“Do you want to kill me?” Zeref asked, his attention to his writing was gone, focusing instead on the leftover remnants of what once was his brother. “End our suffering? Do you hate me yet? Lost in nightmares as I change your genetic makeup from the inside out. This is your fault you know.”

Not strong enough. A failure. A disappointment. The list could go on. Zeref sighed and began to write once more.

“No, that’s not accurate. The fault is also mine.”

The illusion that was Natsu, but not, howled as magic and energy struck back against the sigil, each new word on the pages pouring into his body, altering him with each new addition. Zeref clicked his tongue and began to hum to the rhythm of Natsu’s incarceration.

“Leaving you with the Dragon was a mistake.” Quick strokes against the pages and another line of changes was complete. Natsu’s body fell to the pages, curling into a ball as the snarls and growls petered out into a tired, pained whine. Zeref shushed him like a parent soothing their child and began the next line.

“Let me… refine you.”

The pen continued, and Natsu screamed.

He screamed and screamed and screamed. The darkness was no longer part of his dreams. He was small and encompassed in searing light that threatened to burn through to his bones. A heat he couldn’t handle. Gone was the laughter and the taunts, only the soft voice of Zeref as he continued his work. The walls that towered around him made Natsu feel small and miniscule, overrun by hopelessness and fear.

It hurts. I don’t want this. I don’t want this!

He woke from another dream, throat hoarse from the force as the taste of blood tinged his tongue. It was still midday and Happy hadn’t come home yet. Natsu’s need for rest pulled him from his Guild, but now he couldn’t find solace even in the light of day. And something was burning.

The house. His and Happy’s home. It was burning. Burning full of flames that were his and not. He didn’t recognize them. Black embers glowed and sizzled from the floor and to every collected item he hoarded. The walls lit up and the tree, central to the design of his home, all but melted before him, falling about with the rest of his own as the roof toppled down and sunlight poured in.

“Shit!”

Natsu had just enough time to escape with a few things bundled into his arms. His memories continued to send smoke into the sky and Natsu realized, in horror, that everything he had, everything that represented his love and care for the Guild who had raised him, was now gone. And a strange weakness in his legs kept him from moving further from the debris of his own home, falling to the dirt as tears stung his eyes.

“What's.. Happening to me?!”

He could have sworn he heard laughter, loud and mocking, echoing through the breeze.

#ftreversebang2022 #ftguildevents #rbb2022 #natsu-centric #natsu dragneel #Zeref Dragneel #END #nightmares #Fairy Tail Fanfiction #ftfanfiction #fanfiction #natsu #zeref #brothers/enemies #Happy #Lucy Heartfilia #no ship

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pencilofawesomeness · 2 years

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Aaaaaaand it’s here! My story entry for the @ftguildevents 2022 Reverse Bang! This was based off of the amazing artwork done by @rougescribe so go check it out!

Since the plot and worldbuilding got away from me, as usual, this will be a multichapter. First two chapters are up now, and I’ll update it every other Wednesday from here on out.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: Gen Fandom: Fairy Tail Relationships: Natsu Dragneel & Lucy Heartfilia, Cobra | Erik & Erza Scarlet, Gray Fullbuster & Loke, Natsu Dragneel & Zeref Dragneel & Igneel Characters: Natsu Dragneel, Lucy Heartfilia, Erza Scarlet, Cobra | Erik, Gray Fullbuster, Loke, Igneel, Zeref Dragneel, Gajeel Redfox, Wendy Marvell, Grandeeny, Precht Gaebolg, Mard Geer Tartarus, Meredy, Zancrow, Minor Characters Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Adventure, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Lucy Heartfilia-centric, Natsu Dragneel-centric, Angst and Feels, Friendship, Implied/Referenced Human Experimentation, Kidnapping, Blood and Injury, Action, the real prize was the friends we found along the way

Summary:

The world of Ishgar is a broken place—literally. A disaster decades ago left the planet fractured and drifting apart. It is a misfortune that most have no choice but to live with, but Lucy Heartfilia hopes for better. She embarks on a quest to heal Ishgar, lest their world and their magic die out slowly. However, as with most adventures, unforeseen obstacles come hurdling her way, dashing her plans before they hardly begin. Though not that every disaster is detrimental: through one, Lucy meets Natsu Dragneel, and together, their chances of saving the world just got better.

#fairy tail #ftreversebang2022 #fic #lucy heartfilia #natsu dragneel #brotp #fantasy au #so like a different type of fantasy lol #with fairies and dragons and a different magic system #i told yall i had too much fun worldbuilding

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ftguildevents · 2 years

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Fairy Tail Reverse Bang 2022 Sign Ups are OPEN!

Event banner by @oryu404

Signup Dates:

Artists - Jan 1 - 31

Writers and Betas - Jan 1 - Feb 9

Artist Initial Check Ins:

First Check In (Feb 9) - Minimum requirement is a rough sketch

Second Check In (Feb 20) - Minimum requirement is line art. You will also need to fill a short questionnaire for each fan art entered. This will allow you to communicate to potential writers any triggers or things you don’t want in the stories at claim time.

How does this work?

The Fairy Tail Reverse Bang is an art first event. Artists will provide fan arts that suggest a story. Writers will then have a chance to claim a fan art and write a story inspired by it.

This event will run in phases with check-ins throughout to help everyone stay on task. Posting is scheduled for May. Check the form for the complete event schedule.

You may sign up as a writer, an artist, or both. You may also sign up as a beta reader or a pinch hitter.

We will place all sketches and artist preferences in a document for the writers to select which ones they are interested in writing a story about. We have set the minimum word requirement at 2,000 words based on the results of the interest check.

Matches will be blind and made in the order they were claimed. Once all arts are claimed, we will continue to assign the remaining writers. It will be possible for one art to be assigned to multiple writers.

An email address is required to participate in this event. We will not share your information with anyone.

This event is open to all content creators in the Fairy Tail fandom.

Rules:

We will not tolerate ship or character bashing.

All @ftguildevents are LGBT+ friendly

We will not accept any content that portrays incestuous relationships

We will not accept any content that portrays romantic relationships between adults and canon minors.

If you have any questions, please send an ask to @ftguildevents or join our event Discord.

Please REBLOG to help us get the word out!

@fairytailevents @faneventshub

#fairy tail #ftreversebang2022 #Fairy Tail Reverse Bang 2022 #Open to all ships #Open to all characters #Gen representation is welcome as well #artist/writer collaboration #fairy tail fanfics #fairy tail fanarts #reversebang2022

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vannahfanfics · 2 years

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Reckless

Word Count: 2500

Fluff, Romance, Hurt and Comfort

Summary: Natsu's started a fight in the guild hall again, and Lucy must yet again try and calm him down. But things go awry this time, and she ends up burned. Now Natsu can't bring himself to be around her. He blames himself for her injury and has convinced himself that he's too dangerous to ever be around her again. What will Lucy do?

Hello, everyone! Here is my story for the Fairy Tail Reverse Bang hosted by @ftguildevents! I had fun participating again this year. Please do be sure to go check out the art done by my partner @xfangheartx!

Lucy honestly shouldn’t be surprised to hear clamoring bangs, resounding crashes, and vulgar swears bleeding through the grand wooden doors of the guildhall first thing in the morning. Yet here she was, her mouth twisting as it struggled to form an expression that would capture the level of annoyance she was feeling. It was eight in the morning, for crying out loud! What on Earth could they have to fight about? Lucy almost debated on turning around and going home, but she decided against it. Rent would be due soon, and she needed at least one more job to be in the clear.

With a heavy sigh, she pushed open the doors, trying her best to mentally and physically prepare herself for the chaos.

A flagon of milk slammed into the door beside her head, causing her to jump nearly a foot in the air with a loud screech. She was too busy trying to keep her heart from pounding out of her chest to notice that the milk had splattered over her upper arm. After that, her attention was captured by the pure and utter carnage ripping apart the guildhall.

All the tables had been upended and their contents spilled onto the floor, forming a mush of breakfast foods, fruit juices, and wood splinters. Food and plates and cups were flying left and right—some smashed against the wall, while others smashed into people, whether it be those perpetuating this early-morning brawl or those trying their best to hide behind the overturned furniture. Master Makarov was sitting on the bar sipping at some orange juice, his weary not changing the slightest when he shifted left or right to dodge an errant bagel or muffin lobbed his way.

Lucy just slumped in the doorway and groaned, “What could have possibly started all this?”

“Natsu said waffles were better than pancakes, and Gray got offended,” Levy quipped from where she was ducked behind an overturned table. No doubt Gajeel was deep in the scrap; he probably had no opinion on breakfast foods, he just liked to throw hands as much as the rest of them.

“Of course those two are at the heart of this,” Lucy sighed while running a hand over her face. Well, there was nothing for it. She would have to do what she always did—go into the thick of the fight to drag Natsu out by his ear kicking and screaming before he burned the guild hall to the ground. There were soot marks all over, and poor Juvia was doing her best to put out a fire burning on the remains of a fern that simply refused to die. Lucy rolled up her metaphorical sleeves, then stomped into the fray.

“Natsu? Natsu, where are you?” she shouted above the cacophonic din. “Natsu, you’d better—whoa!” she cried and swiftly ducked a plate that sailed over her head, the fried egg on it flipping in mid-air before landing back on the plate as it sped away. “Ugh, I don’t get paid enough for this. NATSU!”

“Hey, Lucy!” he cried as he appeared in front of her, his fists flaming and his grin broad. He punched away a muffin as it came sailing at its head, setting it on fire to instantly burn it into a rock-hard lump of what used to be muffin. “I got a question for ya. Which is better—pancakes or waffles?”

“Don’t drag her into this, moron!” Gray shouted as he vaulted over a table and fell upon Natsu in a fury. Lucy just watched, her soul draining out the soles of her feet, as the two of them scrapped like a couple of toddlers—punches and kicks everywhere. “Besides, Lucy definitely thinks pancakes are better!”

“What was all that about not dragging her into this, huh?” Natsu growled back. “And no she doesn’t! She likes waffles!”

Lucy’s eye twitched in annoyance. She liked them equally as much, but she doubted she could tell the hot-headed boys that. Instead, when Gray and Natsu sprang apart to stick out their tongues at one another, Lucy stomped up to Natsu.

“Natsu, that’s enough! How many times have I told you not to start fights in the—Aiiieeeeeee!”

She reached out for his shoulder right as Natsu blasted a column of fire at Gray. The flickering flames enveloped her hand, instantly searing her skin. Though she reflexively wrenched her hand back as soon as it hit her skin, just the milliseconds of contact was enough; her skin was bright pink and blistering, clear fluid leaking all over as they burst. Lucy fell to her knees, throwing back her head in an agonized sob. Everything froze around her, everyone halted in the middle of beating one another up with their owlish gazes fixed on Lucy. Not that she realized.

It hurt, it hurt so bad, she had never felt anything like this. She tenderly held her wrist just underneath the border of burned skin, but that didn’t stop the tendrils of pain from zipping up and down her arm. It felt like snakes of fire were searing through her nerves, burning her from the inside out. She just howled and sobbed, thick tears pouring down her cheeks like the blister fluid sticking to her hand, because she couldn’t think about anything but the pain.

“Oh, no! Oh, Lucy, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry!” Natsu cried. He fluttered around her, hands flapping around her body like he wanted to help but was too terrified to touch her. “Shit, shit, shit—what do I do, what do I do?”

“Get the hell back, moron!” Gray snarled and yanked Natsu back by his scarf. “Haven’t you done enough?”

As Mirajane and the Master rushed to her side, Lucy opened her watery eyes. Everything was a blur around her, but somehow, she could see Natsu clearly. She had never seen such an agonized look on his face; he looked like his soul had been crushed, all the life drained from his eyes as he regarded Lucy’s burned hand like it was Death itself.

And then he hung his head, two thin rivers of tears rolling down his cheeks. Lucy lost track of him as the guild members crowded around her, all clamoring to get her medical help. And Lucy reached out to the place where he had been with a quiet whimper of his name…

~~~

“Hey, Lucy! It’s time to change your bandages.”

Lucy looked up from her book at the sound of Mirajane’s voice. She used her good hand to close the book and set it on the barrel that was serving as her nightstand, while Mirajane pulled up a stool to sit at her bedside. It had been several hours; lunch would be starting soon. Lucy could smell some simmering stew wafting in from the kitchen, which was not far from the back room of the guild in which she was currently resting.

Mirajane gently took Lucy’s hand and inspected the bandages. It was saturated with burn cream, antibiotics, and fluid from Lucy’s blisters, making them a sticky, tan-colored mess. Mirajane began to unwind them, and though she was doing her utmost to be gentle, Lucy still winced and whined as little jolts of pain assaulted her nerves. Clumps of sloughed skin clung to bandages, and as it peeled away from her flesh, it felt like she was being seared all over again.

“Sorry,” Mirajane smiled apologetically at her.

“It’s okay,” Lucy breathed through clenched teeth. “It’s not your fault.”

“Tch, you’re right. It’s Natsu’s,” she grumbled. Lucy quirked an eyebrow, shocked to see Mirajane slip so easily into her dark persona. She immediately switched back, closing her eyes and smiling awkwardly. “Ah, I shouldn’t say that… He didn’t mean to, and he’s been tearing himself up over it all day.”

“He has?” The conversation was distracting. Lucy hadn’t even noticed that Mirajane was slathering burn cream all over her hand. Lucy relaxed into the pillows with a quiet sigh; it sure felt good, so cold and soothing.

“Sure has. I’ve never seen him mope like this. Though maybe it’s good for him. Maybe this’ll finally teach him to be more careful with his flames,” she tutted with a click of her tongue.

Maybe that’s what everyone else thought, but the idea of the normally boisterous, happy-go-lucky Natsu trudging around in a hyper-depressed state made Lucy’s belly twist. It was just an accident. She didn’t want Natsu to blame himself…

“Mirajane? Will you send Natsu to come see me?” Lucy asked petulantly. She just couldn’t stand the idea of Natsu being sad. If she could do something, say something…

Mirajane looked at her questioningly for a moment. Her expression was blank, at first, but it slowly softened into a smile. She took Lucy’s hand and gave it a firm pat, then held it tenderly for a moment.

“Sure, I’ll send him in. Don’t be too hard on him, okay? He’s already heard it from me and Erza.”

“I’m not going to be hard on him at all,” Lucy reassured with a wan smile.

As Mirajane rose, Lucy cast her gaze down to her lap. No, she wasn’t going to be hard on Natsu at all. Even though Erza’s and Mirajane’s lectures were both legendary, there was no one in this entire guildhall that could be harder on Natsu than himself right now. And she could tell that by the way he was hovering just outside the door right now, thinking she couldn’t see him. But she could. She could see him trying to hide in the shadows, but nothing could hide the tension in his body, the faint gleam of his green eyes brimming with regret.

Lucy’s heart shattered when he finally crept into a room—hesitant, like an animal expecting to be scolded and tensing to take off at the slightest provocation. His expression was absolutely crestfallen. She’d never seen him so crushed. The sadness was so pervasive in his expression that he didn’t even look like the same person. It brought tears to her eyes, and Natsu, who was keenly studying every inch of her, instantly shrunk away.

“You’re hurting.” His voice was hoarse, like a ghost of the happy-go-lucky cry of joy she was so used to. “I… I hurt you, Lucy.”

“Natsu,” she sighed and reached out her hand to him—her uninjured hand. If she offered the one swatched in bandages, he’d probably collapse right there.

Natsu reluctantly crept forward. When he slowly, ever-so-slowly slipped his fingers into hers, they were violently trembling. Lucy crooned soothingly and gave his fingers a squeeze; it enticed him to sit on the edge of the bed. However, though his body relaxed just barely, his expression remained broken. Slowly, his gaze fell to her injured hand resting atop her thigh.

“I… I burned you.” He fixated on her hand like he couldn’t look away, but his expression also grew more pained the longer he looked at it. “It’s because of my recklessness that you got hurt.” He tore his gaze away from her hand, and his mouth twisted into a self-deprecating scowl. “Lucy… I’m too dangerous to be around you.”

“Natsu, stop, please.” She was so desperate to banish that agonized look off his face that she cupped his cheek with her injured hand. He recoiled from the scratchy bandages with a groan, but she didn’t let him flee; she pressed her hand to his cheek again, and this time, he allowed her to gently turn his face back to her. “Please,” she repeated in a voice just as pained as his own. “You hurt me so much more blaming yourself than you ever could with your flames.”

“Really?” He looked so pitiful, as if he were afraid to even hope.

“Yes,” Lucy nodded. “It was an accident. Nothing more.”

“B-but—”

“No ‘buts,’” she asserted, poking her lips out in a firm pout. “I could have just as easily been hurt by anyone else in the guild. These things happen sometimes.” Her pout curled into a smile, one of amusement and fondness. “That’s what being in Fairy Tail is all about, right? Chaos and mayhem and craziness. Sure, someone may end up with a bump or a bruise or a burn every now and again, but I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”

Her smile broadened, and when she leaned forward to touch her forehead to Natsu’s, he drew in a quiet breath.

“More than that, I wouldn’t change my partner for the world.”

He looked down at his lap. He fiddled nervously with the cloth of her blanket, then slowly reached up to peel her hand away from his cheek. He looked down at it while idly tracing circles over the bandages with both his thumbs.

“Even if I burn you, huh?” he sniffed, and Lucy melted a little in relief when she detected a little chuckle in his tone.

“Hey, you gotta be at least a little bit reckless to be a part of Fairy Tail, right?” she joked. “Guess my reckless bit is being with the most reckless knucklehead there is.” She nudged him with her forehead, prompting his uncertain gaze to flick up to her eyes. “But you know what? So what if he’s reckless? He cares so much that he’d worry himself sick over me. That’s still the best partner in the world, in my book.”

Natsu blinked, and then a bashful smile bloomed on his face. He eagerly pressed his forehead into hers, then came a little closer to bump the tips of their noses together. It was such a tender and touching moment, one of so many that she had the privilege to share with Natsu. Still, she couldn’t deny that he was owed at least a little repayment for her injury.

“Ow!” he yelped when she pinched the meat of his arm, hard. He jerked back, his green eyes wide, and Lucy stuck out her tongue playfully at him.

“There. Now we’re even.”

It took him a minute to register what had just happened. Then, he snorted in laughter and shook his head.

“Man. You sure are something else.” His shoulders sagged as he heaved a sigh—like he were finally letting out all that tension he was holding on to. He practically fell onto Lucy, dragging her back down into the bed. He snuggled up next to her, hooking one leg over hers, and buried his face into her tresses of blonde hair. He’d always said he loved what she smelled like—like strawberry-lemon, whatever that meant.

“I wouldn’t trade you for the world either, Lucy,” he mumbled softly against her scalp. Lucy hummed, idly tracing abstract patterns into his arm as he hugged her around her middle. “So I’m gonna take better care of you from now on, ‘kay?”

“I’ll hold you to that,” she said, then yawned. With Natsu’s body draped around her, cushioning her in soft, mellow heat, it was so easy to be lulled into drowsiness. Natsu was already softly snoring in her ear. She allowed herself to drift off, falling headlong into the comfortable twilight of sleep. After all… even the reckless had to sleep sometimes.

#nalu #natsu x lucy #lucy x natsu #faity tail #ftreversebang2022

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xfangheartx · 2 years

Text

My contribution to the Fairy Tail Reverse Bang, hosted by @ftguildevents !

Summary: Natsu blames himself when he accidentally burns Lucy's hand during another brawl and he believes that he's too dangerous to be around, so it's up to Lucy to reassure him that he's not.

And here is the coinciding story, Reckless, by @vannahfanfics! Enjoy!

#ftreversebang2022 #fairy tail #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #natsu x lucy #nalu

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freedjustineappreciation · 2 years

Text

Invincible

This piece is Fraxus (Freed x Laxus) and was written for the FT Reverse Bang 2022, hosted by @ftguildevents ! I signed up with a different account ( @furidojasutin ) but I’m having troubles with the E-mail and the password because I’ve been absent for so long, so... I’m glad I’m one of the admins here haha.

My partner for this was the amazing @artd-nsfw ! I was super glad to be paired up with her. I absolutely love her art and also the Fraxus piece she drew for this event. You can find the matching art piece >right here<. Please go support her wherever you can!

“Are you not going to join them?”

“Oh, no.”

“Why's that? Is it not classy enough for you, Mr. Justine? I would understand why a man like you wouldn't want to participate.” With his chin resting on the back of his hand, Hibiki leaned forward in question.

Some members of the Blue Pegasus guild and some of their guests had decided to engage in a drinking contest. Ren, Master Bob, Bixlow and Laxus were participating, among others. Though Bixlow already seemed to be out of it.

Freed smiled, amused. He had long gotten used to the flirtatiousness in the way all of the Trimens often interacted with lots of people,Hibiki especially. It was all in good spirit. When the Fairy Tail guild disbanded they'd had plenty of time to get to know each other better, and appreciate one another. “It's not that, exactly. I'm not in a particular rebellious mood right now.”

“And that's all?” Hibiki questioned, sensing that there was something else.

There was a small pause. Freed's eyebrows quirked and he took a sip of his beverage of choice. “I know I wouldn't stand a chance. Had I participated, I would already be lying on the floor. That wouldn't be a fun competition, now would it?”

The response was a chuckle and Hibiki nodded in agreement. “That's fair.”

“What about you, Hibiki?”

“Oh, I feel the same. That, and I feel like we might have a different purpose tonight.”

Just on cue, there was a loud crash from the other side of the guild hall. The drinking contest went on, not caring about anything other than the own havoc they were creating with it. Instead, the sound originated from a table that had been moved too strongly and both Hibiki and Freed turned their heads towards the scene.

“There it is.”

Evergreen and Jenny were throwing some passionate sentences at one another, fire in words and eyes, though nothing truly vicious. Apparently they had engaged in an arm wrestling match, and Freed wondered if this party had turned into a tournament instead. And if that was the case, he might have to find something to participate in after all. He too wanted to put somebody in their place.

As the boisterous discussion between the two confident women continued, Hibiki and Freed exchanged a look.

“Do you want to check on them, or should I?”

It wouldn't hurt to make sure before the table got destroyed completely, especially as it seemed that the two of them had consumed quite some alcohol as well.

And Evergreen was a lightweight, too. As was Bixlow. And himself. A pattern there, huh.

“It's alright, I'll go look after them.” Of course, chivalrous as ever. And he was sure that Hibiki actually worried, as there was a heart full of care behind all that playfulness he displayed. “I'm sure you'll be fine on your own.” So Hibiki excused himself with a wink and Freed shook his head before taking another sip, a faint smile on his lips.

As he did that he couldn't help but wonder; if looking after Evergreen and Jenny was Hibiki's purpose of the night, what was his purpose tonight?

Freed didn't have to wait for his question to be answered because it didn’t take long for a certain someone to grace him with his presence, a drink still in his hand and his walk not exactly straight.

“Hey,” he greeted his new company, looking him up and down and watching how he didn’t hesitate to enter his personal space and make himself comfortable. That was completely fine.

“Hey.”

“Are you drunk?” A rhetorical question, really. There were a few indicators for Laxus' current state.

Firstly, the way Laxus was leaning into him with his arm loosely wrapped around one of his shoulders. Most of the physical closeness they shared were shown in private rooms, no matter the kind. Not because one of them was ashamed or for any other similar reason, just because they simply preferred it that way. So while public display of affection was rare, it wasn't completely non-existent.

Alcohol altering some patterns was one of the possible triggers.

Secondly, going hand in hand with the proximity, the strong scent of alcohol wafting from Laxus. When he approached, Freed involuntarily crinkled his nose at his boyfriend's breath. He himself had mostly abstained from drinking tonight and although the scent of alcohol was filling the entire hall, it was definitely more intrusive when right next to his nose.

But it only bothered for a second.

And thirdly-

“Eh? Nah, just a little tipsy.”

-the way Laxus half-heartedly tried to deny it and the way he had a light sway in his voice.

“Okay,” Freed tipped his head a little, deciding that he would indulge in his boyfriend's answer for just a moment. A treacherous little smile had already formed on his lips and he didn't bother to try and not let it show in his tone of voice. “I've had one mug of beer and I doubt I'll drink more than this second one right here. Now, I know that you've got a high tolerance but I also watched your little debacle with Master Bob over there and eventually I stopped counting how many mugs of beer were involved. Can you tell me, perhaps?”

The candid smile that had previously been on Laxus lips, and Freed already missed because it was so heart-warming, changed into a frown within a split-second. “No and 's not important anyway. I tapped out, the old man would've kicked my ass.”

“Yes, and we both know you don't like having your ass kicked.”

“Only if it's you who's doing it,” Laxus grinned and it actually managed to catch Freed off guard. Cheeks tinted red from the surprise but then he let out a quiet laugh and shook his head, leaving his boyfriend's statement pass without a comment for the time being. The time they had spent as part of Blue Pegasus and as hosts had initially shown that Laxus sucked at any kind of flirting – he was neither interested in doing it nor did his social awkwardness help in those situations, although Freed knew that he had begun working on this issue.

Turns out Laxus was able to flirt, well or clumsily, under two different circumstances – when he had consumed enough alcohol and when he was genuinely interested in the other person. Or just the latter. Because then he actually tried to make an effort.

“Right, right. Why did you start a drinking competition with Master Bob anyway?”

“Is that important?”

He could have claimed 'yes' because there was a time when alcohol consumption certainly didn't bring out Laxus' best sides. The tendency for testiness had decreased over time and Freed liked to think that it was thanks to the dragon slayer finding his inner peace.

There was less stress all around and Laxus had taken lots of time to rediscover himself, reassess his values and who he wanted to be. It was all still a work in progress – did this journey ever truly end for anyone anyway? - but it was impressive how much progress his boyfriend had made and how much had changed in the course of just two years.

So he could've claimed 'yes' some time ago, but now he could just brush it off and smile because it didn't matter. Laxus was relaxed and despite the drinking contest being a lost cause, he also looked happy as he continued to lean into him.

“No, you're right, it's not.”

“Good.” Laxus exhaled softly and his fingers fumbled their way along the front of Freed's shirt until they found his chin where they lingered. There was immediate tension when he softly caressed the skin and Freed felt the pleasant tickle along his spine, warm and pleasant. “Can I kiss you?”

xxx xxx

“Can't sleep?”

Laxus didn't flinch at his voice, he knew he could sense him walking up. He still figured that it would be best to be considerate with his approach to test the waters. After all there was a good chance that Laxus wasn't in the mood for company.

And the dragon slayer didn't turn his head when Freed came to stand next to him, he just shrugged and pinpointed something invisible in the distance, staring ahead. “Just needed some fresh air.”

“Okay,” Freed nodded and fixated the same spot as Laxus for just a moment before slightly turning his head. Perhaps he would spot anything on Laxus' face that revealed that he's had a nightmare again even though he of course hoped that this wouldn't be the case. His friend wasn't particularly good at communicating his thoughts and feeling... But he supposed he himself wasn't one to talk.

Laxus shifted his stance slightly, maybe he was feeling some discomfort after all. “I could ask you the same.”

That was fair. “I was feeling uneasy for some reason, so I too figured that some fresh air might help.” That wasn't the whole truth. After noticing that Laxus was gone, he had been a little worried and decided to look for him. The night sky was very beautiful and even though the fresh air hadn't been his true priority, it immediately had a soothing effect on him. The quiet peace and Laxus' presence calmed him and his mind and part of him hoped that he could be the same for the other man right now.

The two of them stood in silence for a a few minutes before he decided that he should at least ask if Laxus wanted to talk about whatever was keeping him up that night, and what had troubled him in the last couple of weeks. He had a good guess what it was. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Laxus exhaled slowly. “Talk about what?”

The nightmares, the fear, the worries... There was a lot he could say because there was just so much at the forefront of their minds. The guild's disbandment had hit them all very hard and Laxus' sickness... Laxus' sickness hit even heavier. He was sure that Ever and Bixlow were just as worried as he was, but he was thankful that Laxus had decided to confess to them after all. Nobody else knew about the current situation. Nobody but the four of them.

There was a long pause before Freed sighed. “Has it gotten worse?”

“What? No, I'm fine.”

“You're clearly not fine, Laxus.” The words sounded harsher than he had intended for them to be and he immediately regretted it. There shouldn’t be such fire in his voice. “I apologize.”

“Tchz...” For the first time in minutes Laxus actually turned his head to look at Freed and his eyes betrayed what was burning inside him. Something was clearly racing in his mind. “You should know me better than to think that I would let some shitty sickness beat me. I'll go down fightin'.”

Freed decisively shook his head. That wasn't something he wanted to hear. It immediately triggered the fear that had found a home somewhere deep within. “You won't go down at all.”

“I'm just sayin'-,”

“No,” he cut in, almost angry. “I promised that we would find a solution.” A cure. Even if that was the last thing he would be doing, there was no way that he would let Laxus... disappear. Die. “And you should know me better than to think that I would break a promise, I-”

“Dammit Freed!” Emotion flooded Laxus' exclamation and Freed was taken aback by the sudden outburst. The dragon slayer was making direct eye-contact with him now, orange colors sparkling under the moonlight. It was beautiful, like a golden flame almost. “This is different. Fuck, we don't even know if there is a fuckin' way to heal this shit.”

The scene had escalated so quickly that Freed was overwhelmed by his own mind, and that wasn't something that happened often. He liked being the master of his own thoughts and emotions, of the things that happened around him. But this situation demonstrated perfectly how that wasn't always possible.

Worry, fierce ambition, fear... love. It all was clashing together at once. It was too much. And while he was all wound up in this spider web in his mind for a moment, Laxus continued to talk and he suddenly sounded calmer than ever.

It was a rarity. It caught him by absolute surprise and he found himself mesmerized.

“I won't go down without a damn good fight, you hear me? And I know that Ever, Bickslow and you, you'll be fightin' with me.” There was a pause and Freed wasn't sure if he just imagined the shiver in Laxus' exhale. “Especially you. Look... Fuck.” Raising his hand Laxus scratched the back of his neck in what seemed to be tinge of awkwardness. Freed was still captured as he examined Laxus' features and listened to his voice. Something was... different. “It's not the... the fucking nightmares or the curse or the old geezer or the damn disbandment. Not this time. There has... been somethin' else and I wondered if it will be too late for me to say somethin' sometime.”

“What?” Freed tried to ignore that, again, Laxus was talking as if his death was inevitable. He despised thinking about it and he didn't want to envision the scenario. It was simply not an option. But instead of saying something, he figured he would try to ease the mood a little. Something was up and it was rare that the dragon slayer opened his heart like this, even towards him. His best friend. “Is it about the horrible host skills you've been presenting? Are you worried that there is something you will never improve at?”

Laxus blinked, caught off guard. He had previously been avoiding Freed's gaze, now he was looking at him again. Perhaps this helped a little to ease the tension. “What? No, I don't even wanna be good at it. It's a useless skill anyway,” he snorted and Freed's lips curved into a faint smile. “Ichiya has his new Aces already, been tellin' me that Bixlow and you are pretty popular.”

“Oh, he did? Well, you never know when you are going to need a skill of this kind.”

“Tchz yea, well. Anyway,” Laxus muttered and scratched the back of his neck again. Was he getting more nervous? Had it not been in the middle of the night then he would have spotted the light red tint on the dragon slayer's cheek. “I was wondering...”

Freed's smile disappeared. He furrowed his brows instead when there was no continuation of Laxus' sentence, at least no immediate one. Laxus was looking away still and he could see the inward fight on his face clearly. What was the matter?

“Laxus?” He decided to ask, cautiously. “What is the matter?”

“Can I kiss you?”

Was he... dreaming? For the second time this night, Laxus had made him go speechless and with so little words, too. Had his best friend just asked him if he could kiss him? His best friend who he's had feelings for for a very long time?

And he had always thought that Laxus was the oblivious one. Just now he had been just as oblivious and it had him rooted on the spot. Unable to move, unable to reply. Even though he wanted to, so badly. He could feel his heart beat harder in his chest, he didn't think it had ever beaten so vigorously before.

At this moment it was as if no battle he had fought, no injuries and fear he had endured could compare to what Laxus' question was doing to him right now.

“Fuck... I'm sorry.” Without glancing at Freed Laxus turned around, ready to flee from the situation. The nervousness seemed to get the better of him after all. That he would experience such a moment; Laxus willingly fleeing. “This was a bad idea, I'll just...”

“Laxus!” And it was his fault that Laxus wanted to flee. What was he thinking, just standing here and torturing his best friend, his love, with no answer? He would have gone crazy too. And he was going crazy right now, but for an entirely different reason. A wonderful reason. “Wait!”

The dragon slayer stopped dead in his tracks, his shout had been effective. Watching that, Freed finally found himself able to move again, thawed from his frozen state. His hands suddenly felt a bit sweaty but he didn't care. The sound of his heartbeat was overcoming the thick and heavy silence around them as he made his first step towards Laxus, and then the following ones.

And after that, there were just fireworks. Beautiful, unique, unforgettable fireworks.

xxx

“Can I kiss you?”

Freed smiled and thought back to the first time Laxus had asked him this particular question. He would forever cherish the moment, and every moment in the future Laxus would initiate intimacy like this. “You may.”

His boyfriend didn't need to be told twice. He closed the few inches of distance between them and joined their lips in what was a slow and soft kiss. Freed immediately tasted the alcohol on Laxus but that was as little of a problem as the scent was. The kiss was all but rough, he felt how Laxus' fingers wandered from his chin down to his collarbone and he relished in the feather-light touches. After all the times they had kissed since they had become a couple, he still couldn't get enough of the sensation of kissing Laxus and how it made him feel.

As light as a feather, as intense as the night, as stormy as the ocean and as powerful as thunder. All at once. It was an all-consuming experience, something so heavenly he at one point thought he would never be allowed to experience.

At moments like these, Freed was especially thankful for how everything turned out. He was thankful for his friends and for the families he had found, because Blue Pegasus had certainly grown on him as one as well even after Fairy Tail had reunited. He was glad that nothing had happened to Ichiya and that his best friends, Ever and Bix, were still here and alive with him. He was glad that he had been able to keep his promise towards Laxus and that Laxus was cured. And not only cured, but happier. Happier and his boyfriend. What else could he wish for now, except for continuous health and peace?

Laxus was the one to move the kiss from his lips to his neck and he could feel him hum against his skin. It was hard not to lean into this tempting touch so Freed decided to indulge for just a moment and closed his eyes as the dragon slayer kept spreading little dwelling kisses on the exposed skin of his neck.

“I love you,” he sighed and opened his eyes again, tilting his head just enough so he could make eye-contact with his boyfriend.

“Love you, too.”

The lopsided grin Laxus wore was contagious and so Freed smirked in return, nodding towards the mug of beer that was still resting in the dragon slayer's other hand. “Didn't you want to put this down?”

“What?” Laxus blinked as though he had sincerely forgotten about the drink in his hand. The grin made a quick comeback, however. “Nah, would be a waste. That's the last one.”

“Ah,” Freed hummed and decided to tease his boyfriend a little more. “And what is the deal with your unbuttoned shirt, anyway? Are the buttons broken?”

Once again he seemed to have surprised Laxus and once again the grin widened quicker than anticipated. The dragon slayer leaned in, his cheeks red from the alcohol and redder than before thanks to the moment of intimacy. “Don't even act like it's a problem. But if yer jealous, how about we make your shirt match mine?”

It hadn't been his intention but now Laxus actually felt prompted to put his mug of beer on the counter next to them. Why? Because of course he needed to fumble with the rune mage's shirt now and Freed couldn't help but laugh when Laxus' sneaky fingers tried to go to work. “Laxus, I'm fine, thanks.”

“Oh, what? Don't ya think it's unfair that you get a show and I don't?”

“A show? You standing here with an unbuttoned shirt is supposed to be a show? Or do you mean the drinking contest that you miserably failed at?”

“I take that personally.”

“Go ahead.”

Both men smirked at each other in challenge, Laxus' fingers still grabbing at the fabric of Freed's shirt lightly. The dragon slayer's gaze was a tad bit cloudier due to the beer but he was still holding the eye-contact until he leaned in to steal another kiss.

Freed welcomed the touch and gladly reciprocated, his lips moving in natural rhythm with Laxus’, feeling electrified yet again. “You know what,” he muttered into the kiss while grabbing Laxus' wandering hand and intertwining their fingers.

“Hmm, what?”

“I actually do feel a little left out. How about we find another challenge for tonight's party. I'm fairly certain that there's something we could team up for.”

They both moved apart and Freed knew he was going to get approval when he spotted the sparkle in Laxus' gorgeous orange eyes. “Let's kick ass together.”

“Let's kick ass together.”

And so both mugs of beer were left on the counter as the two men returned to the crowd to find a, probably ridiculous, challenge and their opponents. Time had proven that, together, they were invincible.

Nothing could stop them.

Except for too much alcohol, it seemed. A drinking contest was absolutely out of question in the future.

#fraxus #fairy tail #ftreversebang2022 #freed justine #laxus dreyar #I hope youll like this!!#it was supposed to be longer but I was and still am sick with covid ugh #life rly doesnt wanna let me write and be on tumblr more again huh?? ill continue to try to not disappear fully #anyway!! thank you for hosting this event!! <3 #;;fanfiction #freed x laxus

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thewritingstar · 2 years

Text

The Scars That We Share

I had a lot of fun writing for the reverse bang hosted by @ftguildevents

I had the pleasure of writing a fic inspired by @blueoceanarts amazing artwork. I hope you all enjoy! You can find the art here!!

Pairing: Gruvia

Warnings: Mentions of blood, scars and pain.

---

She stares at the ice wall before her. It's massive and sparkles with an unsteady glow. This magic is much different than her beloved. It doesn't hold the same strength and grace as the ice that he creates. There is a darkness that lurks inside the fractals.

There's only so much that she can do. Heat is what she needs in order to burst through the wall and help Gray on the other side. She has no clue how he's holding up and she begins to fear for the worst.

The wall had grown and circled around the men in the center. She has no choice but to go through. Although she loved the combination of their water and ice magic, there are certain limits that the both of them have.

Juvia glances towards her hands and then back to the wall.

“Juvia has to break through.” She says to herself. But there is a fear bubbling up inside of her. She knows very well that it will take an incredible amount of force to demolish even the smallest hole. Perhaps a tsunami is not enough.

Time is of the essence and there's not much room for waiting. Her hands catch her attention again and this time the fear of realization runs through her. On each of her palms holds faint scars. Scars from her childhood of over doing her power and causing herself inattentional danger.

She hadn’t meant to do it and vowed to never push herself to that extent, but now isn’t a time to reminisce. She needs to help Gray.

Slowly she takes a step back and throws off her coat. She takes a steady breath before aiming at the wall, praying that it will work.

“Melted Geyser!” She screams and sends a sharp water blast through the ice.

She hears the crack of the ice. It begins to splinter as boiling water forces its way through the thick walls. As the hole begins to appear, her lungs cave and she lets out a trembling scream. The water she emits runs at a temperature hotter than what humans are capable of obtaining. She pushes her body to the limits, tears blurring her vision as she continues with the boiling rampage.

She's entering a point of danger. Her body can only sustain so much heat. She feels like she is eveaporting. Her body twisting and begging for the cooling sensation she naturally has but it doesn’t give. Her knees buckle and she can see the light coming from the other side.

The only thing in her mind is saving Gray as her vision blurs.

–

Gray glares at the man before him. Another ice wizard but working for a dark guild.

“Murdering innocent people for power? You disgust me.” Gray spats at him. He couldn’t stand people like him. Cruel and evil who mock and prey on the powerless.

The man does nothing but laugh. The ice wall surrounding them makes Gray’s skin crawl.

He got separated from Juvia a while ago and he knows she's on the other side, he just has to get to her now. He can’t move or rush to break the wall either. He has to be patient and hope that she can get to him first, for now he can keep the man preoccupied.

He lunges at the man but he's too quick and forces Gray back with spikes of ice.

“Juvia, come on. Where are you?” He mutters to himself. As long as she's okay that's fine, but back up would be nice. “Stupid ice wall.” He says as he prepares another attack.

There's a rumbling from the wall that makes them both stop and turn. A treamble runs through the earth and shakes them. Gray’s smile appears knowing that this has to be Juvia’s doing.

He then hears it. The sound of the wall cracking and he sees the seam running up the wall. The dark ice wizard turns to try and reinforce it but Gray hits him hard with an ice blast to the back.

He watches the man fall to his knees, and just when he is going to get in another blow, he hears Juvia. His smile drops from his face.

It's a scream he can only categorize as brutal and possibly fatal. A type of sound that is squeezed from the lungs and bruises the vocal cords. A sound he never wants to hear again.

But as he turns and watches Juvia fall to her knees, her scream is on repeat in his head. He forgets the man and sends a cascade of ice towards him as he runs to her. His heart hammers from his chest and he can see her eyes fluttering and trying to stay open.

“JUVIA '' He shouts and the water that was blasting in the air comes crashing down like a rainstorm as he reaches her. His knees scraping against the earth as he catches her torso and pulls her to his chest.

Gray doesn’t care about the way the man behind him whimpers in pain and runs the other way. He doesn;t care about the mission or the reward, only about his girlfriend in his arms.

“Juvia?” He brushes her blue locks from her face. Her body is like ice but her chest still rises and falls and he can feel her faint breath against his skin. “What happened?” He whispers as he searches around for an answer.

His eyes zone in on her hands. Blood drips from her palms as if something has sliced them open but there's nothing but the wall of ice near them. Unlike the rest of her body, her hands burn. It's as if they have their own personal thermostat that's cranked way too high for anyone's health and he holds them to help cool them down.

Slowly he rises and holds her in his arms.

“Gray-sama?” Juvia mumbleds against his chest.

“I got you, just hold on. We’ll be at the hotel soon.” He says and her eyes shut as she falls asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.

—-

By the time Juvia wakes, night has fallen.

She sits up, her head slightly pounding but she feels alright.

“Gray?” She calls to him and notices that he has fallen asleep in one of the plush chairs. She stands and walks to the bathroom and begins to wash her hands. Her body has mended most of the damage on her palms but a present scar is still there.

She feels a warmth behind her and looks up in the mirror to Gray hugging her from behind. He places a kiss to the side of her head and she turns in his arms to peck him on the lips.

“You worried me.” Gray says.

She can tell he's holding back on his anger and it pains her. “Juvia didn’t mean to scare you. She had no other choice.”

He sighs and walks back to the bed, flopping onto his back. “I know, but, what even was that move?”

“Melted Geyser. When Juvia was a little girl, she got very upset one day. Somehow she was able to change the temperature of her water, but she wanted to see how far she could go. Juvia has no problem with the cold, of course she can’t freeze her own water but she can boil it.”

Gray chuckled. “I know that. I was once water locked in a boiling bubble.”

She rolls her eyes and playfully smacks his arm. “Anyways, Juvia wanted to see. She practiced and was able to get a small boil going. But on the day she got upset, she let out a cry and the water temperature escalated greatley that it ended up hurting her. Since then, Juvia has been careful on how hot she makes the water. If not, then what happened today occurs.”

Gray sat up and looked at her hands. They were much better than they were hours ago but it still made him feel anxious to know that this could happen again. And he knew she wouldn’t hesitate either.

“Does it hurt now?” He asked and she shrugged.

“It stings a little but it's nothing that Juvia can’t handle. Once we return home, Juvia is going to go see Wendy.”

She can tell that he still isn’t satisfied.

“Gray, my love, Juvia is okay.”

“You got hurt because of me.” Gray frowned.

“A small price for your safety, they will heal.” Juvia shrugged.

“I just don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“Juvia knows, but she would do it again and again. Do not pretend that you wouldn’t risk yourself for Juvia so there is no need to think that she would not do the same.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’d risk my life for you.”

“As would I.”

Gray takes her hand. “Ice make flurry.” Suddenly a small cloud appears and snows lightly on her palms.

She has always taken a liking to his magic, as if it was a phenomenon of its own. The flurries hit her skin and provide a sweet relief.

“Scars are not always bad. They can remind us of what we have and what we treasure in life.”

She lifts the edge of shirt up to look at her stomach where a fine scar lays. Looking at it, she can still remember clearly of the ice chains and her sacrifice. In the same breath, Gray reaches to his own matching scar. Although that was one of the scariest moments of his life, he's not sure if he would trade it.

He had a few scars from when he was younger. If you looked closely, you might be able to see them but he has started to forget about those marks. He once had a small red line near his eye where Lyon had accidently hit him. A few where he was practicing with his magic without Urs supervision and he wasn’t fast enough to move out of the way for his ice spikes.

Although most of his scars had left, there were only a few that remained and caught his attention. The stomach scar that he shared with Juvia, a mark on his calf from Erza’s sword, and even a mark here and there from the many fights with Natsu. Each had a history and a story behind them.

“What are you thinking about?” Juvia asked to pull him from his thoughts.

“All the times I got dinged up as a kid.” He smiled. “I once sprained my arm jumping off some stairs I made. Ur was so mad at me. To be fair, I thought that the snow would be a lot softer.” He turned to look at her, never getting tired at the way her dark blue eyes captivated him. “Also about what you said. Scars aren’t bad. They keep us grounded.” His hand found its way to his guild mark where underneath each peck was a faded surgery scar from years ago, scars that he was the most proud of.

She places her hand over his, a beaming look in her eyes. “Everytime Juvia looks at you, she falls in love again.”

“And everyday you get more beautiful.” He smiles.

Her own smile gets taken over by a small yawn.

“I think we should lay down, you’ve had quite the day.” Gray watched as she tried to suppress another yawn.

“Juvia doesn’t know what Gray-sama is talking about, she slept for hours.”

He only laughed and fluffed up the pillows before laying down and Juvia followed. She rested her head on his shoulder as he started to trace patterns on her arm.

“Thank you.” Gray whispered.

Juvia turned to look at him. “For what?”

“Saving me. Protecting me. Loving me.” He said.

He could see the slight pink rise to her cheeks. Even after all the time they have spent together, he has never failed to make butterflies in her stomach or blush.

“You will never have to thank Juvia. You have her heart till the end of time.” She kisses his cheek. “She will always be there by your side, scars and all.”

“I love you Juvia.” Gray whispers as he kisses her softly.

---

Had a lot of fun with this, hope you enjoyed! Make sure to go look at the amazing art!!!

#ftreversebang2022 #gruvia #gruvia fic #fairytail

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