火 Dragon's Son 火

Lucy observed Natsu with a mixture of concern and empathy as he entered the guild, his words though LOUD and boisterous, seemingly carrying the weight of a burden too heavy for even his broad shoulders to bear alone. She could see the turmoil etched upon his face, the haunted look in his eyes betraying the pain he tried so desperately to conceal.

With a gentle touch, Lucy reached out to him, her fingers brushing against his hand in a silent gesture of solidarity. She understood all too well the ache of past failures, the relentless torment of memories that refused to fade.

Fingertips delicately traced along the fabric of his coat. It's with a gentle tug and a soft, sincere smile chestnut hues trace along his facade, his gaze seemingly avoiding her her own.

❛Natsu — she murmured softly, her voice a soothing melody amidst the chaos of his thoughts. ❛ Are you alright? — Her gaze held his, a beacon of unwavering support amidst the storm raging within him. ❛ It a bit too hot to be wearing this isn't it ?

It's in these quiet moments of their conversation, where silence falls between them, the world fades into shadows and the echoes of laughter dim, Lucy finds herself consumed by a profound ache. It's the ache of witnessing the storm that rages within him, the turmoil that dances behind his fiery gaze.

The desire to ease his burden grows stronger, a relentless whisper in the depths of her soul urging her to help him find peace amidst the chaos of his emotions.

It was no secret that the aftermath of the Grand Magic Games, amidst the jubilant celebrations, Lucy found herself haunted by the subtle shifts in Natsu's demeanor. She couldn't help but notice the fleeting glances, the hesitant touches, the words left unspoken in the charged air between them. It's as if a veil has been drawn over their once effortless camaraderie, replaced by a tension thick enough to s u f f o c a t e.

What secrets lie hidden behind the mask of Natsu's happy facade? And as she watches him, a sense of longing grips her soul, a desperate plea for clarity in the midst of confusion. For Lucy knows that their bond is fragile, a delicate thread stretched taut between them, threatening to unravel at the slightest touch.

and yet . . .

❛ Hey look at me, i'm right here you know. . .

It's with these words she finds her hand yet again searching for his, giving it a gentle squeeze as a reminder that she, Lucy Heartfilia, was there and he had not failed her.

Not yet.

                                                     That all it took  ???

          Emerald soon trailed down to hazel,  the look upon Celestial's face revealed all.  She saw right through boy,  no matter how much he tried to hide behind the very walls put up by fear and anger.  Tug pon long sleeve soon alerted keen senses,  the instinct to pull away rithed,  but Salamander fought it tooth and nail.  With contact,  emerald soon drifted away,  finding the same pain within that gaze as boy found within his dreaded dreams.  Casual grin soon wiping away,  being replaced by quivering features.  Slayer was not one to hide emotion .. but this was no typical feeling.  This was beyond help,  beyond reasonable fear .. and beyond her capabilty to fix.  

          Claws began to clench at both sides,  yielding away from Celestial touch,  locking away any further attempts.  Salamander could do anything if put the right talon forward .. he could stop a world ending dragon attack from a madman from the future .. he could save the entire world from a Phoenix reborn for destruction .. he could even take out the slayer of Gods .. but one thing boy couldn't do .. was save the the one he loved.

❝ I'm alright .. quit worrying yeah ???  ❞

          With that,  Slayer soon took stride,  stepping away from Princess once more,  and continuing his charade around the Guild.  Boy ordered something to eat,  got into a scrap with Black Steel,  was told off by Gramps,  and even continued to rant and rave until the sun was down.  All while Celestial looked on,  that same look plastered on .. one boy had seen before.  

          As the day drew to a close,  coat still tied firmly upon Salamander's waist .. to which no one had said anything about ( beyond the one who actually noticed ) as Slayer soon found himself alone within the four walls of the Guild.  Attendance had dwindled,  as moon lit the sky above.  The only ones left were Team Natsu,  and as Titania soon offered to take Sky Dragon home,  Ice Mage soon following their lead,  Exceeds flying behind .. there left two more members.  

          As the doors of said Guild slammed shut .. emerald soon shot over to hazel,  that same look .. that same worried gaze .. it burned a hole right through even the Fire Dragon Slayer.  

I forgot Tumblr existed, my bad.

Funny how life works. You could be stranded alone on an island one moment and struggle to even survive, and the next you can be picked up and adopted by a literal God on earth. Fate is fickle like that, and as such you can never fully prepare for what's to come; the universe has its own plan, and whatever happens really can happen purely by chance. Then again, when you set your sights on a goal pertaining to a specific person, it's impossible not to meet that end if it really is up to mere chance, and all pieces are present to begin with.

He'd recognize that pink hair anywhere; and presumably, as the other's senses would indicate, he too must be recognized. He has to be, there's no way he wouldn't be! But just seeing that flare was enough to cause Zancrow to stop in his tracks. Standing still, even shivering a little at the mere sight. Shocked, that after so long, he sees him again!

"...You."

In broad daylight. In some random town, between so many people he just so happened to step by! It's him!! His Magic Power flared up immediately as the stone bricks below his feet began charring, the air around Zancrow heating to dangerous levels as he failed to contain himself; "YOU!!!"

          A familiar heat soon came barreling towards Salamander,  which because of that danger sense ( or maybe him shouting at the top of Godlike lungs ),  gave him ample time to dodge,  and even counter.  Flaming claw came to clash with the other,  a forceful embrace before boy swung once more,  only to be greeted by wind and disappointment.  As familiar enemy slunk back,  emerald hue scanned distinct features.  Long,  golden hair .. piercing crimson eyes .. and most of all,  black flames.  It was him alright .. the Fire God Slayer.                   

                                              What was his name again ..  ???

Take my hand