My girlfriend and I were watching the episode where Lucy and Gray rewrite the book of END, and Natsu defeats Zeref. It got me thinking, despite those scenes being widely interpreted as the climax of Natsu and Lucy’s relationship… but the framing when Natsu comes back isn’t on Lucy: it’s visually, the entirety of both conversations, on Gray.
‼️I am not using this to diminish Lucy in Natsu’s life‼️ Lucy and Gray are the most importent people to Natsu- that’s why Mavis entrusted them to be the two to rewrite the book of END. They were also physically the only ones who could. Lucy could rewrite it, and Gray could keep the demonic magic from burning her from the inside out- he could also cleanse it after.
I went ahead and added the video- mainly because I want to talk about this scene being visually framed on Natsu and Gray.
Natsu and Gray have long been established as true equals- they’re on the same level, and they always have been. They’re fire and ice. They’re in opposition, but they can’t fluctuate. In these scenes, Gray is standing up. Happy’s flying, and Lucy is sitting down (which by god does she deserve.) this visually frames Natsu and Gray as being on the same level. They’re equals here, and for once they’re on the same page- this conversation isn’t violent and doesn’t pretend to be: they care deeply for each other, and it’s plain as day.
Visually cutting from Natsu to Gray- yes, there are certain parts where it cuts from Natsu to Lucy, but that only happens three times- shows that they’re the subjects. This conversation isn’t violent happening mainly between them. This is a moment between them that is irregular enough for it to register to the viewer. Natsu and Gray don’t have heart felt conversations without any riffing off each other, so this moment of care is monumental. This interaction is brimming with overwhelming relief that the other is ok.
The reason I personally view this scene as romantic is because of how it’s animated and the way the dialogue is written. Lucy, despite being the feminine party, is not framed in a particularly romantic way. Gray however is Natsu’s equal in the scene. Happy is clinging on to Natsu in a childish manner. Lucy is sitting on the ground because she’s exhausted and so incredibly relieved that Natsu is alive. Gray? Gray who was grievously injured early that day is standing at Natsu’s level and smiling.
In my opinion most of Fairy Tail leads up to this emotional climax between Natsu and Gray. Even if you don’t ship Gratsu, you cannot understate just how important Gray is to Natsu and vice versa. I’ll make a separate post about this in specific- with evidence- at a later date. They’re inseparable, and genuinely written in a way that they can’t be without each other. They’re inseparable. They care about each other so deeply, but they’re destined to destroy each other and are the only other person who could. Only Gray has the capabilities to defeat END. END- Natsu, is the reason most of Grays life happened how it did. Gray Fullbuster would not fundamentally be Gray Fullbuster without Natsu Dragneel. Natsu Dragneel would not be Natsu Dragneel without Gray Fullbuster.
Yet again, as this is a post about PERSONAL INTERPRETATION, this scene also cements my headcanon that Lucy is like a sister to Natsu. Not only do I see her as a lesbian, but this scene is framed on her end as familial care. And to me that frankly makes the relationship between Natsu and Lucy and even stronger one.
