"Natsu has died."
"…..has died." finish it in my ask.
[ This is gonna be kinda long. Somewhat Nalu angst yo. ]
There she sat, waiting in the guild for what seemed like hours. Not a single word was spoken in the time that elapsed. A nearby clock tick-ed and tock-ed, which she found to be rather annoying, but nonetheless she welcomed the sound. It’s how she knew the world was still spinning; that time wasn’t frozen, and that she would still be breathing once she returned from this trance she was in. Caramel hues gazed at the front of the guild, perhaps waiting for the sight she wondered if she would ever see again. A few bodies surrounded her, all with the same expression she displayed: worry. None of them spoke either; this atmosphere was a regular in the guild now.
It all started with the day both Natsu and Gray set off on a mission, along with Happy who trailed behind lazily. They smiled, grins so fierce and faces so full of life, it was as though nothing could ever bring them down. Lucy stood near the entrance, ready to dismiss them. It came as a surprise, at first, when Natsu told her about the trio’s job. The day that Natsu and Gray would go on a mission alone, (save for that baka cat), was a once in a millenium experience. Regardless, they treated it normally. Lucy distinctly remembered the final words Natsu called out, in joy.
"Yosh! We’ll see each other again soon, ‘kay?"
Gray nodded with him, and gave a thumbs-up. Then they were gone, and the guild was silent. Already, the traces of those three were gone, and it was like they never were there in the first place. Only the memories kept with each member signified their true existence.
Now, it’d been several months since they left on that ordinary evening. No calls, no letters; nothing. After the first month, people started to wonder. The second month is where Erza was sent out, accompanied by Mira. They traveled to the place of the job, yet there was no sign of the three. The third month is where they thought of it best to simply wait, and theories spread not only throughout the guild, but throughout the town, that now got word of the disappearance. Most gave up hope immediately, others waited until Month five. Lucy, on the other hand, never gave up hope, not once did she doubt they were alive. Every day she sat, staring at the front entrance to the place she once called home, now a dreadful reminder. People knew it hit her hard, with both of her team mates missing, one of them being her best friend. That Natsu.. they’d been so close ever since they met. He was the one who got her into Fairy Tail, and for that she was so grateful. It showed how much she missed him by the expression she wore and the bags under her eyes from the small amount of sleep she got nowadays.
It couldn’t be helped. She was used to waking up from nightmares.
When she was a child, she’d occasionally get them, but none were so terrifying for her to wake up sweaty and with tears running down the sides of her face. At this point, they were now recurrent, and all they showed were vivid images of her lost friends.
Shaking away the thoughts, she stopped a single tear from falling, as she had to be strong. It was rather tiring, to be in such emotional stress. Few times she wondered if dying would be the solution. Yet, that would truly solve nothing. It would only put her friends in the guild into even more distress.
In a sudden movement, she rose and walked towards the back, feeling angry and even stupid. Though she stopped the earlier tear from dropping, there were more, and she simply let them go. In continuous drops they fell, splashing again the floor. The silence that encased the entire hall was deadly. However, it was pierced quickly when a loud bang on the door echoed.
Eyes widened, and Lucy turned, just in time to see red everywhere. A familiar body struggled inside, heavy breaths escaping from open lips. Black hair covered his face, as he faced the ground. Behind him, outside the guild, it seemed a small crowd of people had gathered together, all in utter shock. They had a reason to be. A damn good one. It was so quick: the time from which everyone was silent to when screams and shouts were the only thing occupying the space.
Gray Fullbuster has returned.
The only issue was, Natsu wasn’t in sight; nor Happy.
The only sound Lucy then heard was a loud, continuous “beeeeeeee,” and at some point she realized she’d been running over towards the male. Scratches covered his skin, and blood caked his arms and torso. Immediately, she got down on her knees and looked over him. His eyes were closed. He was still breathing. Though a smile hadn’t appeared on her face in so long, now her lips turned upwards, and she laughed.
"Gray!" Now came the time to ask questions; she didn’t give a shit if he wasn’t able to even answer. She just needed answers as soon as possible. First, came the obvious one: “What happened!!” Next, “What took you so long?!!!!” And finally.. “Ne, Gray, where’s Natsu and Happy!!”
The Ice Make Mage didn’t respond at first. A large crowd of guild members gathered behind her, sobs of joy and shouts of excitement coming from them. Some hugged each other, and others just stared in shock. They all fell quiet at the time of the questions, thankfully. Gray breathed in, and spoke.
"Lucy.. E-Everyone.." His voice seemed to crack, to Lucy’s surprise. A worried expression once again took over. "Gray? ..What’s wrong?" He spoke again.
"Natsu.. has d-died." A tear rode down his face, as he silently sobbed.
And all at once, Lucy froze.
No, no.. no no no no.. that’s not possible!!
He’s alive, I know he is
He has to be
No… Gray’s telling the truth.. No.. Natsu..
Natsu?
She seemed to come to realization that Gray wouldn’t trick her on a topic such as this. All of the people around her began to weep as well.
You lied to me.. You said you’d see us soon..
Why did you lie?
You left us!!
She got up then, and walked out. The sun was shining bright, but her heart was no longer able to take it.
I thought.. I…
Someone screamed in the distance. Lucy’s thoughts responded poorly.
Such a loud noise.. I wonder.. Natsu, can you hear that?
It was then she noticed it came from herself. Her screams continued, until she felt empty.
Not only had Natsu died, but now, Lucy had died too.