Fairy Tail: Seven Year Anecdotes

Magnolia Town, Fairy Tail.

The pink-blue duo stood before the entrance of the guild. Usually, the energetic dragon slayer would kick its doors with gusto, announcing their return in a loud and chaotic manner. Following that, everyone will welcome him back while starting a brawl for no reason.

It was simply the norm that all were used to.

But right now, for the first time ever since joining the guild, Natsu was nervous about opening the door. His fists were clenched, as he felt another slight pain within his chest. However, he completely replaced this feeling with hope. Hope that maybe this was a town-wide prank on the two of them.

After arriving at Magnolia, the same dreadful reactions that he didn't want to sense pierced him like a living target. Their walk towards the guild weighted on them, and seeing Happy's growing fear and sadness influenced him too.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump! BA-DUMP!

His shaking hand reached for the entrance, while that ugly feeling in his chest became too strong to ignore. As soon as he gently pushed it, he closed his eyes. Wishing that the greetings that he heard all the time were there like usual.

He waited…

Waited…

But there was nothing.

Natsu opened his eyes hesitantly, still hoping that everything was an elaborate prank. His eyes scanned the guild hall, and his heart dropped. Only a few people were currently inside, as their sorrowful expressions brightened up a bit when they saw him.

"Welcome back, you two."

"How was the quest, Natsu?"

Macao and Wakaba tried to start a casual conversation, as if attempting to erase the somber atmosphere, even though it seemed useless. Unsurprisingly, the pink-haired dragon slayer ignored them, and walked towards their table wordlessly.

He held the veteran mage's shoulders, making sure he reigned in his strength due to the now chaotic emotions he was having.

"Where are they…?" Natsu asked so gently that it didn't match on how he carried himself through the years. The shaking became even more prominent, because he finally relented in inquiring about that headline he read.

The purple fire mage could only stay silent. Such a response only irritated Natsu, making the young man grit his teeth as he asked again. "Where are they, Macao!? Oh, I understand now!" He suddenly said in realization, letting him go as he rested a fist on his palm.

"All of you guys were in on the prank, right?" Natsu laughed awkwardly, looking at the rest.

He simply denied the reality in front of him.

Kinana was handling the bar with slow movements being accompanied by Laki, they continued to organize stuff even without customers. And if they stop now, it would probably be not a good idea.

Nab was sitting alone on a table, surprisingly not loitering around the quest board. He clenched his fists as he rested both his arms on the table, lost within his own thoughts.

Reedus blankly stared at his empty canvas, not gaining one bit of inspiration. It's as if his magic just froze, reflecting his current state of mind.

Jet and Droy began to silently cry at the question that echoed throughout the hall, still processing the news in disbelief.

Max's outgoing social personality would've helped right now, but like the others, he was in a similar mood. The beer bottles around his table expressed it openly, and he didn't care about his low tolerance of it at this point in time.

Warren was with him and also drank, holding his bearings as his tolerance was a bit higher than his friend.

Alzack and Bisca comforted each other at one corner, not noticing the arrival of their resident dragon slayer.

Such reactions confirmed it, making Natsu stagger a little bit. That ugly feeling now displayed itself in full force, as he started to shake even more. He supported himself on an unoccupied table, tears appearing within his eyes.

Happy already began to cry when he saw the current state of the guild, looking at his partner who couldn't accept the cruel truth. The Exceed stayed in place, as the shock was too big for him.

"No… NO! Maybe gramps accidentally crushed the boat that they used. I'll go back to Hargeon to request for another one." Natsu instantly composed himself, ready to go for the guild's doors.

A hand patted his shoulder softly, prompting him to glance at the person who stopped him. It turned out to be Macao, who still had that solemn and sorrowful expression. The veteran pondered about what he needed to say to calm the young man, but nothing came to mind.

"...There's no need for that, Natsu. We already searched these past few days-"

"DON'T SAY IT!" Natsu screamed, prompting Macao to be silent. He understood the young man's emotions, so he didn't mind the outburst.

BA-DUMP! BA-DUMP! BA-DUMP! BA-DUMP!

The dragon slayer hyperventilated, clutching the table until it broke under his grip. "It doesn't make sense for them to fall like that! I know them! They're all cool and amazing, even if some are annoying!" Natsu stated loudly.

"Now you guys will believe in something that's fake!? I'll still go to Hargeon, since I know they wouldn't kick the bucket so easily." He said as he brushed off Macao's hand, going for the doors a second time.

"Big bro!" Natsu abruptly paused as he looked at the boy who appeared out of nowhere, tugging his clothes. Romeo's tear-stained face settled his boiling emotions, albeit a little bit. He tried his best to listen with reason while trembling in absolute denial.

"Dad and the others are also sad right now… And I agree with you that they're still alive somewhere. So, everybody needs each other for the moment, right?" Romeo looked at the young man with clear eyes that presented optimism and sadness at the same time.

Natsu's expression softened, even with all the tears he's shedding. "Romeo…" His trembling slowly but surely receded, he closed his eyes as took deep breaths. Then, he glanced down at the boy.

"I get ya! I just need… time to absorb it. Everything happened too fast. Me and Happy will return to our home for now." He rubbed Romeo's hair. "You convinced me, buddy!" Natsu tried to do his trademark smile, although it looked ugly.

He called out to Happy, who was also crying. The blue cat was quiet as he followed Natsu to the doors. They left the hall under the eyes of everyone, bringing the inside to tranquility again.

Macao arrived beside his son, looking at the entrance with gratitude. You really are good with emotions, Natsu. You didn't want to worry the kid, I can tell that much… Take all the time you need to let it out, we each have our own ways of dealing with this news.

"I'm proud of you, Romeo. Being mature at your age is a blessing." Macao glanced back at the kid while he gently remarked, also rubbing Romeo's head with a slight grin.

"Heh, it's indeed a blessing. Cause there ain't no way he inherited smarts from you." Wakaba said cheekily.

Romeo and some chuckled, making the mood lighter.

"Why you! This is a moment between father and son! I might as well tell your wife about the numerous times you've ogled different women!"

"Huh!? You wouldn't do that! I dare you to do it, and maybe I'll knock your teeth out!"

A hint of the usual rowdiness appeared, courtesy to the dragon slayer who embodied the spirit and motto of the guild.

…

Once they arrived at their house, Natsu told Happy. "You go inside first. I'll go to the forest to search for more fish." Although the both of them knew it was a poor excuse.

Happy stared at him for a moment, nodding slowly. "Alright, finding them might take a lot of time, since the ones in there are special." He gave his partner the go signal in a roundabout way.

The dragon slayer gave a thumbs-up as he bade farewell to Happy. He entered the forest with normal strides, then into a fast directionless walk after a few minutes, followed by a full-blown run the next hour.

He didn't have any destination in mind, trying to tire himself out until he loses consciousness. Natsu wanted to erase this ugly feeling that was hovering within him, now that he understood the reason for it.

Ba-dump!

You guys…

Ba-dump!

Disappearing like this…

Ba-dump!

Isn't funny!

BA-DUMP!

The pink-haired young man ran in silence, but he activated his magic this time. He used his newly added golden flames, spreading destruction around carelessly. No obstacle could stop him as he jumped up into the air.

Natsu gazed at the clear blue sky, letting out the loudest scream that he could muster.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

His scream shattered the peaceful greenery, as it actually felt like a dragon announcing its presence. Even though it was simply a young man, who was always energetic and joyous most of the time.

However…

Only a roar of grief filled the forest, expressing his pure, raw and genuine emotions.