#gruvia angst

[zal-eska]

The Phantom Fallacy Ch 6

Smol update, I’m just desperate to make them happy again omg!! What do you guys think so far?:) ~~

“Come on man, wake up already!” Natsu had Gray by the scruff and had been shaking him for about 2 minutes now. “What the heck!”

“Do you think he’s possessed?” Lucy asked shakily, looking wide eyed at the two boys. She was still in Erza’s clunky armour, the metal noises echoing round the large room as she moved her hands towards her face.

“God, I hope not,” Totomaru said. “He should wake up soon, whatever happened to him must have something to do with the castle's magic energy. Could be the Demon Slayer magic going nuts.” 

Erza hummed and looked around the room. Juvia took the moment of silence to look at Gray, he had suddenly dropped to the ground after Wendy had accidentally used Erza’s magic on her and Lucy. She could still feel Jose’s magic around them and was sceptical that he had used his power on the Fairy Tail wizard.

~~

Read on FF.net or AO3 

#gruvia #gruvia fanfic #gruvia angst #gruvia fluff #gruvia fanfiction #Gray x Juvia #gray fullbuster #gray fullbuster x juvia lockser #juvia lockser #fanfiction

[nabateaprodigy]

Please may I have a Fairy tail scenario Platonic and angst and comfort because it is between parents and their child and the pairing between Juvia Lockser and Gray Fullbuster is Gruvia and they are married and adults. Juvia and Gray could clearly see that something was affecting you (their son age 5 *he is the most sweetest kid known to man and everyone and he is just starting to learn ice magic) and the lack of appetite for Juvia's cooking and your older brother Greige Fullbuster age 10 noticed that something was clearly up with you as well..you were a sweet kid but seeing you this down..clearly broke their hearts (the Gruvia couple and your brother and Fairy tail noticed that something was clearly up). Gray and Juvia made an excuse to talk to you alone just to divert Greige to leaving the room just in case if it was a private conversation..you were rather reluctant to open up about was wrong when you were gently picked up by your mum and you saw the concerned look on Gray's face..you were reluctant but you then..told your parents that..your close friend from school passed away from a illness yesterday and the teacher told your class and you guess that you should feel relived right? *you were clutching your toy rabbit (Lucy got you the rabbit for your fifth birthday) closer to you* That your friend wasn't in any pain when he passed away in his sleep..Gray promised to listen when he just told you to talk while your mother was already listening to you clearly knowing that you wanted to talk to someone *you faltered again* after a while though, you start talking, reluctantly, your voice faltering and stumbling on each syllable as you choose your words..it was a rough start but it soon steadies and along with it..to keep company the stories and the memories you are so fond of..are the tears *the rain outside started to fall the moment that you started to cry*...like any parent..the Gruvia couple hated seeing their children cry..it was generally heartbreaking.

https://youtu.be/kuU7gEaIGso (to help you with the angst scenario)

https://youtu.be/gLVTeHPu_kY (to help you with the tears ost)

Moving On

Series: Fairy Tail.

Characters: Gray and Juvia.

Genre: Angst.

Proofread: Yes.

Reader: Male.

You're behavior change had not gone unnoticed by your parents. You thought you were putting on a brave face. But your actions betrayed that and Gray and Juvia knew something was wrong.

At first Gray and Juvia thought that you would come to speak with one of them about what has been bothering you. But time passed and you still didn't say anything. Their ray of sunshine their beautiful son was hurting and they were hurting as well.

Juvia's cooking was something that she knew you were always looking forward to and enjoyed. However at dinner tonight you've barely touched anything on your plate. Picking and playing with your food with a sad expression.

Gray and Juvia had tried to make conversation with you but you didn't seem interested. All you wanted was to be alone and you didn't want your parents to see you in such a sad state. "I'm not feeling all that hungry. I'm going to go to bed goodnight Mommy good night Daddy."

You spoke pushing your plate away from you and getting up from your chair. You walked to your bedroom and your parents could tell you weren't feeling the best. Gray and Juvia shared a look knowing they couldn't let this go on any longer.

Juvia and Gray both made their way up to your bedroom. Juvia knocked on the door as she spoke. "Sweetheart, can me and your father come in?"

A weak and soft response could be heard through the door as you replied. "Yes..." With permission, both Gray and Juvia entered your bedroom. You were lying on your side facing away from them as they entered the room.

Juvia sat down on the bed next to you putting her hand on your arm for comfort. "Sweetheart you haven't been acting like yourself lately. You've had me and your father worried sick. Please tell us what's wrong?"

You sat up from your bed and hugged Juvia and she wrapped her arms around you. Gray also sat on the bed putting his hand on your head. You couldn't hold it in anymore and the tears just started to flow out like waterfalls.

"It's okay sweetheart we're here cry for as long as you need," Juvia spoke as she rubbed her hand up and down your back. Your grip on Juvia tightened as you cried even more.

Juvia had picked up the toy bunny that Lucy had gotten you for your fifth birthday and gave it to you. Holding the bunny you now started to calm down and started to cry less. "Sweetheart if you're ready please tell us what's been bothering you."

Juvia spoke with a concerned look on her face. After finally finding the words you spoke. "My best friend...my best friend has passed away."

You spoke as you held your toy bunny and rested your head on Juvia's lap. "Oh, honey..." Juvia spoke putting her hand on your head to comfort you.

Silent tears fell from your eyes and your father Gray spoke to you. "It's okay to feel sadness like this and to show emotion. Don't feel the need to hide it if something is bothering you talk to one of we're here for you.

I'm sure in their final moments your friend was happy they were happy they met you and everyone in their life. So don't worry even in their final moments they passed on happily and without pain."

With his words, Gray wrapped you and Juvia into a hug. You smiled as happy memories of you and your friend filled your mind. "Yea you're right Daddy I'm sure they were happy."

#request #fanfic #fic request #fanfiction #fairy tail #fairy tail fanfic #fairy tail imagines #angst #fairy tail juvia #fairy tail gray #juvia lockser #gray fullbuster #gruvia #ft gray #ft juvia #ft gruvia #fairy tail anime #fairy tail manga #fairy tail guild #platonic #platonic fanfiction #platonic reader #platonic x reader #x male y/n #anime x male reader #x reader #x male reader #i like how this turned out #i love how this turned out

[poecansalad]

the cause, the effect, & the healing

this is my (very, very late) submission for gruvia week (my ao3 is niagrafallin, in case you liked this)

Juvia smiled and waved as she left the guild hall to go back to her apartment. Her guildmates waved back, most of them drunk and rowdy, half of them too distracted in their arguments to even notice she was leaving for the night. She didn’t mind. Juvia liked how lively the guild was, especially when compared to Phantom Lord. 

Now, though, the guild’s liveliness felt dampened, a bit lonely, even. None of her usual barmates (a.k.a. the instigators of most guild fights) were around. Gray was gone on a mission, and while that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, he was on one without Juvia. To be fair, that wasn’t unusual either, but he had specifically said he wanted to go on a solo mission. 

Then he proceeded to leave with Erza, Lucy, Wendy, and Natsu. 

They all jumped on him as they did in that boisterous way of theirs, charming and heartfelt in a way Juvia could only hope to be. She could always chalk it up to them knowing Gray for longer, but hell, Lucy arrived just a few months before her, and Wendy had barely touched him before he was doting on her. They obviously had something she was missing.

Erza had taken one look at the job Gray was eyeing and declared it was a good pick of his. They’d have a nice time with this one. Gray agreed with her, and off they went, a merry little band of one, two, and not her. 

It wasn’t as if Juvia was sad about that, really, as Juvia and Gray went on missions together often enough.

She just didn’t like being lied to. Juvia had gotten enough lies to last lifetimes at Phantom Lord. Jeez. The nostalgia nestled in her nerves tonight was surely not doing any favors to the part of herself dedicated to controlling emotions.

All in all, it was a pitiful excuse to get her off his back, and it only served to make her more downtrodden than she already was that day.

Juvia was well aware Gray didn’t like her as much as she wanted him to, despite the guild’s ‘secret’ opinion that she was a clueless teenage girl who would get over her little crush eventually. He slithered out of her grasp time and time again, curled his lip when she offered him her love through her crafts. At least he was honest about his feelings, she supposed. Gray didn’t hide his distaste behind saccharine smiles and pre rehearsed words of feelings that didn’t exist.

Maybe that was why Juvia loved him as much as she did. Nonetheless, Gray was dishonest. He said a solo mission. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings when he favored someone else over her, and yet here she was, feelings hurt. He was trying to protect her, but she didn’t feel better about it. Why couldn’t she go with Team Natsu? 

Juvia knew the answer to that, obviously. Team Natsu was Gray’s escape from her. Even if Gray did love her back, which he did not, he wasn’t built like her. He couldn’t depend solely on one person. It just wasn’t in his nature. Juvia had to give him a break once and a while, and that was why she didn’t mind him going off without her, even if it made her heart wrench and she had to tamp down the aching feeling in her chest whenever he left her.

It would still be nice if he at least had the decency to be upfront with her about it.

Juvia sighed as she came across the door to her apartment. Fairy Hills was nice and she loved each and every one who lived there, but Gray couldn’t go there with her. She wanted to leave that option open to him. At least, that’s what she liked to tell herself.

She needed the solitude, no matter how much she hated it. Juvia sorted things out in her brain carefully, and it was a tedious process that was always messed up in someone else’s presence. Really, how was she supposed to plot the next love trap for Gray when there was someone asking her to have an epic slumber party next door? Pillow fights a given.

Not to mention the fact that he probably wouldn’t want to live with her anyways. He’d always thought she was weird. Nothing new. Why’d he want to live with a weird girl? Juvia was a weird girl.

Her apartment was cold inside, the lights out and the shades drawn. Juvia slipped off her shoes and padded over to the windows, ignoring how the hardwood chilled through her socks. She reached out and pulled the curtains back, though the streets were dark and nothing could be seen. 

She sighed again. Of course. Even the moon couldn’t be bothered to brighten up her night.

Instead of lighting a candle or two, so she could actually see, she tried to envision the layout of her apartment to navigate. Juvia didn’t like candles much. They were hard to keep lit. Always had been.

Her bedroom was even colder, as she liked it. It was uncomfortable, of course, but it reminded her of Gray. He was always found in the coldest spots, whether it be right by an open window, in the basement, etc. Gray himself, though, his heart, well. He was never chilly.

One’s heart always had a temperature. Juvia had lived by that since she was just barely able to put both feet on the ground, and it had never led her wrong.

Except, of course, in the ignorance of her youth. Cold hearts and hands weren’t dealbreakers, back then.

It was odd sometimes, to reminisce on her past. She’d been with Fairy Tail for what.. two years now? Maybe three? It was hard to keep count. Either way, she was kept busy one way or another. Whether it be going on missions, vying for Gray’s love, even just being around her guildmates, she was hardly alone. It was wonderful, really. 

As much as Gray couldn’t stand being smothered in attention, Juvia loved it. Not the attention, per se, but the surety that they were there. She had guildmates to rely on, even if she never took that opportunity. It was evidenced by the fact that here she was, alone in her bed, curtains drawn while her friends partied it up in the guild hall. 

It reminded her of how it was when she was young. The constant loneliness, how not one person truly loved her. She bounced around orphanages who didn’t want her, when the rain was just barely a mist on the hairs of her arms and her eyes took note of the smallest of details. 

There were memorable places, such as the time a rich family brought her into their too big house and let her stay in the servant quarters. It was a publicity stunt to recover their plummeting reputation, of all things. She heard of their plans the moment she was taken in. They’d ‘raise’ her as their own, then she’d tragically die in an accident two years later.

In the meantime, she’d be a servant, dressing up only for public events and company. If she stepped out of line, they’d send her to the stables. The servants had no sympathy either, considering a peasant girl just took another one of their jobs and got special treatment for it. 

Juvia’s accident happened two months later, when the lady of the house complained of the constant fog since the bastard child’s arrival. 

It wasn’t good for her complexion, you see. Juvia understood.

Another, she was working in a sweat shop and making clothes for ladies like her former “mother”. Fancy dresses that took days to sew had to be made and ready within hours of the work being assigned. She learned how to keep up very quickly. Juvia was young and built with nimble fingers, of course. 

Then the company went under and she was booted onto the streets. 

It was a scrappy lifestyle, but Juvia got by. She earned herself an apprenticeship at a bakery, also with financial troubles, for no pay. That was fine. She got extra sweets right before they went bad, and it was more than most vagabonds ate.

Then she’d ended up at a convent. 

She managed to stay in that place for a year, an accomplishment she hadn’t reached yet. By then the rain was a drizzle, and the other girls had gone from feeling odd around her to avoiding her completely to salvage their ratty clothes and feel some sense of control.

Juvia didn’t mind. She told herself that she didn’t mind. They were the same as her, alone and abandoned in a cruel twist of fate. They needed some kind of way to express their anger, their sadness, their sorrow. Juvia happened to be an easy target. 

They always talked about Juvia. Juvia this, Juvia that, she’s just so weird! No one talked to her directly, of course. They liked to pretend they were nice, that way. Juvia understood. She never thought of herself as anything but an outside character, too. Juvia was a depressing girl. Juvia didn’t have any friends. 

Sister Maria took her aside one day, after they were fed watery corn, stale bread, and salty meat. Her tongue was raw, and her jaw was sore. Her knuckles were slapped red and her nails had dirt under them, from when she tried to plant potatoes by stealing one from the mess hall and burying it.

She thought she could grow more food.

“Julia, dear,” Maria had always been Juvia’s favorite. Even if she still couldn’t get Juvia’s name right, Juvia didn’t want to correct her. Sister Maria didn’t like the rain, and usually steered clear, but she gave Juvia warm smiles and extra scoops of soup some days. Other days, she ignored her completely in favor of taking care of the other, sweeter kids, kids that didn’t soak her robes straight through. “You are being transferred to a better home.”

Juvia nodded, her hair falling in front of her eyes. Sister Maria tucked it behind her ear. It didn’t hurt much, anymore. She was used to it. They got sick of her, and wanted to pass her off onto the next unwilling recipient. The only reason she lasted there so long was probably because no one else would take her. The ‘better home’ shtick meant she’d get rags for sheets, communal baths once a month, and instead of meat, she’d get unwashed broccoli in water. 

“Julia.” Maria’s voice was sterner, and Juvia met her eye. “Be careful who you trust. There are people who want to take advantage of you. Of your rain. Judge a person by their temperature. The colder they are, the colder their heart. You’re a sweet girl, Julia. You’re better on your own. You can only be on your own.” Juvia listened with rapt attention, engraving each word into her memory. Maria was smart. She should listen to Maria.

Her rain was steady.

The next place wasn’t an orphanage. It was a home, with two other kids like her. One was a boy her age, the other was a girl much older. She was very nice to Juvia. The boy was not. He pulled her hair, kicked her, pinched her cheeks red. There was only a nice old woman in the home, with bad ears, hardly functioning eyes, who sat in her rocking chair knitting sweaters all day.

The sweaters had too many holes and too little sleeves, but Juvia wore them. They were warmer than her rags. 

The girl, Daisy, was almost never there. She brought back sweet bread and apple cider each time she visited, though, portioning it out with a smile. Juvia tried to hide hers for later, ration, but Bennett almost always found it and ate it all within a day. Juvia learned to eat before he could take it.

Eleanor sat in her chair, and Bennett often went out to play with the neighborhood kids. It wasn’t a wonderful place to live, and everyone was poor, but they tried. When no one else was around, Juvia would sit by Eleanor’s chair, tending a fire with the wood Bennett brought back. He always complained that it got wet before he even got inside. 

Eleanor liked to talk while she knitted. She talked about the weather, how rainy it had become as of late. She said she liked the rain, how soothing it was on her old bones. Juvia smiled. Sometimes she would talk about her family, a sweet boy who brought in firewood and loved to play outside. He was rude and mean, but he cared about his family at heart.

There would be a nice neighborhood girl who came by with snacks from the market often. She was like a flower. She came and went, but everyone liked her. She was very kind.

She had a daughter, a sweet child who liked to go outside and play with the other kids and her brother. She was beautiful and kind, and everyone knew it. The neighborhood boys would fawn over her, the girls jealous, just a few as enraptured as the boys. Her brother tried to keep her inside, because she got too much attention and wanted to keep her safe. The girl let him, and stayed inside with an old woman as a way to spend her time.

Juvia frowned. That girl sounded stupid.

She didn’t get another home after that. She could no longer bounce around. The house got mortgaged, and the boy was arrested. The girl stopped coming. The old woman could barely keep the scraps of food down. 

Juvia spent her time wandering the streets. She didn’t know what town she was in, what kind of town it was, how vigilant she should be. She simply walked, well after her legs started to burn.

Then there was the moment that changed the fate of her life, when she turned a corner, and a man with a funky mustache and odd hat immediately ran into her. The apple she had just swiped from a stall fell on the stones.

“Oh, I truly am sorry, dear. Here, let me get that for you.” He bent down, and brushed her arm ever so slightly. Juvia suppressed a shiver.

His hands were freezing .

As he handed her the apple, he smiled. It was almost as if he didn’t notice the rain wetting him further every minute he stood near, stalling. Obviously stalling. “Thank you,” She said, trying not to look him directly in the eye.

There was an awkward pause before he said, “Say, dearie, would you like to come work for me?” He looked her up and down. She simply stared, finally meeting his eye to see if he was serious. Did he think he could lure her into sex work that easily? Juvia was low, very low, but certainly far from rock bottom. What a prick.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” He chuckled, hitting his head. “I forgot to introduce myself. I am José, the master of the guild Phantom Lord. You seem like the perfect candidate for a new team I am trying to put together. How is your magic?”

“What magic?”

He laughed again. It was an odd sound, shallow and fake. She tried to suppress another shiver, but based on his haughty smirk, he caught it anyway. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed your rain,”

“That’s not magic,” She insisted. “Simply bad luck.” “You and I both know it’s not. So, what do you say? I could use that rain.” She took careful notice of how he never mentioned he needed her specifically.

“I’m not interested in keeping this rain,” She countered, picking her words carefully so he knew of her skepticism without an outright denial. 

José’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “Well, I might not be able to get rid of it completely, though I could certainly help teach you how to control it.”

That caught her attention. “And what exactly do you want to do with me ?”

“I’m not sure myself of all of the details, though I am trying to form a team of elements. Yours would be water, of course.”

She thought it over a moment. It would certainly be better than roaming the streets of some random village. “Okay,” she said finally, and hoped she wouldn’t regret it.

He grinned, leading her hand up to his mouth and kissing it softly. “You won’t regret this,” He said, as if he could read her exact thoughts. She tried to ignore how his hand wasn’t any warmer. It was probably the rain. 

It was impossible to ignore the pouring, by now.

She didn’t like Phantom Lord much. It was cold, usually empty, and her teammates were very odd. That weird earth man with the accent was constantly trying to get them to go to shady clubs. The fire man just annoyed her, and the air guy avoided them completely. It didn’t feel like a team, despite what José said. 

She felt like a weapon.

Nonetheless, Juvia became powerful. Really powerful. She couldn’t take someone like Gajeel in a fight, sure, but she could hold her own, at the very least. She went on missions with her team, and sometimes had one on one training sessions with José. He still made her feel uneasy, but now it was bearable, at least. Juvia didn’t find it very difficult to keep her distance. It was one of the very rare instances she was grateful for her rain.

When she found out they would be kidnapping a girl from Fairy Tail and selling her back to her father, she was a tad anxious. As much as the rest of the Guild liked to pretend, loved to boast their (not so) infinite strength, Fairy Tail was known for being incredibly powerful. There was Titania, the She-Devil, Laxus, even Makarov himself was a Wizard Saint. 

As for the actual kidnapping part, Juvia had been a criminal for long enough that she wasn’t sensitive enough to be worried. Phantom Lord had made her do worse than just bringing a bratty runaway back home to daddy. They were getting paid too much to even think about turning it down, anyway. 

It would be an easy, quick job. Fairy Tail wouldn’t go to that much effort to take back one girl, anyway. Especially one that was new. 

She was wrong. Very wrong. Of course they would retaliate, after that moron Gajeel decided to go and destroy their guild and nearly kill three of their longest standing members. Juvia had never understood why he’d been so revered. It only boosted his inflamed ego and caused him to do dumb things like that.

Now she had to go fight, even after she had kidnapped the girl, who José let escape. Not only that, their employer threatened to back out of the deal if they couldn’t get the girl back within the next twenty four hours. Juvia was not as clueless as the rest of the guild. She knew how Fairy Tail was, what kind of reckoning they could bring to her guild. That fire dragon slayer had destroyed countless towns with just one breath. Not that Juvia couldn’t do the exact same, but still. He wasn’t even the most powerful among them. 

Juvia was not looking forward to her fight. Not one bit. She was confident in her own abilities, sure, but it would be a pain either way. 

The ice mage annoyed her. He had that smug smirk that never failed to make her nerves twitch, had the audacity to strip in front of her, and insulted her rain. She didn’t like her rain either, but it was rude of someone else to comment on it. 

Juvia disregarded him. A mistake, and she was paying for it then. She was about to die. The roof was slippery. Of course it would be, with both ice and rain. Worst of all, she’d die with regrets. Thousands of regrets. The first that came to mind was leaving that poor old woman for José. She probably died alone, didn’t she? Maybe by starvation. Or did she have a stroke? She could’ve simply died of loneliness. Ahh, Juvia was certainly  a hypocrite, wasn’t she?

Then her hand had caught on something, and she looked up, shocked. The ice mage stared back, wide eyed. “Why didn’t you try to catch yourself?” She didn’t answer.

He stopped her from dying, and the rain had stopped with it. 

Juvia looked up at the sky, squinting against the sunlight. It was blue. Who would've guessed? He pulled her up off of the edge, but she wasn’t paying much attention. She vaguely registered a wetness on her cheeks, and had to look up to make sure there weren’t any rain clouds still.

It wasn’t rain on her cheeks. 

Juvia looked back at the mage, still not quite believing her eyes. “Why would you save me? I- I’m your enemy,”

He stared at her as if she asked him whether or not the sky was blue. She should ask him that, too. “Because you don’t deserve death.”

Tears poured out of her eyes faster, harder, and she reached for him, his body snug against hers. “Thank you,” She whispered in his ear. He’d brought her light. 

Juvia buried herself further into the covers, very aware how the windows pattered with raindrops, how the apartment shook with thunder. Maybe the forecast was cloudy today. Maybe it was a freak weather incident unaccounted for, like Laxus back in town. She sighed. No use lying to herself. It was sunny all day. She tainted the sunshine. Everyone at the guild would know it was her, too. They’d all have to go home tired and annoyed they would have to walk through the pouring rain to do so. 

Sister Maria was right.

She didn’t notice the feather light footsteps padding down her hall, the wince at the creak of her bedroom door. It was out of character, to say the least; she’d been trained particularly enough to react to the slightest change of environment. Juvia really only noticed when there was a dip in her bed, hand around her waist, pulling her close to a warm, muscled body. 

They didn’t speak. Juvia knew tears were flowing down her face yet, but she didn’t move to wipe them. He couldn’t see. 

He rubbed his thumb on her ribcage through her shirt, making her shiver. His skin was warm. Maybe he hadn’t stripped. He rested his head on her shoulder, as well, kissing lightly behind her ear. 

Ah. That’s right. Gray liked her. Gray would stay. Wouldn’t he? He was annoyed by the rain too, wasn’t he? He didn’t like rain; Juvia remembered that from their first encounter. 

“I’m sorry,” She whispered, so softly he might not have heard her despite their close proximity. Juvia wasn’t sure exactly what she was apologizing for, whether it be the rain, him having to come home to this, all of her weaknesses put on display like they were in that moment. He’d get it. He always did.

He squeezed her tighter to him, “You have nothing to be sorry for, Juv. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I was going on a solo mission, then Natsu and company just came and crashed, and fuck, I’m sorry. I would pick you over them any day.”

“I don’t want you to pick me over them. You love them.” Her tears had stopped now.

“And you think I don’t love you more?” He sounded positively baffled, and backed up just enough to flip her over so that they were looking into each other’s eyes. 

“You don’t have to,” She still didn’t look at him. 

“Juvia.” She didn’t move. “C’mon, Juv,” He pleaded, and she met his gaze, albeit hesitantly. “Listen to me.”

“I am.”

“You’re more important to me than anything else, okay? Your happiness is first. I promise. You wanna know why I really wanted to go on that mission?”

She just hummed, well aware he wouldn’t need a response. He shuffled around, pulling something out of his pocket and holding it up to her face. 

“A necklace?”

“Not just any necklace,” He grinned, and moved it so she could see the cross charm, a small blue stone at the center. “Now we can match!”

She stared, wide eyed, at the necklace, and looked down at Gray’s chest at his own and back again. “Why?”

“Because I want to match with you,” He frowned. “Do you not like it?”

“No, no! It’s beautiful, I’m just- why would you want to match with me?” 

He gaped. “Did you not understand anything I said?” He shuffled over her, necklace in clutch, and said, “I. Will. Always. Choose. You. Over. Anything. And. Everything. In. The. World.” He punctuated each word with a kiss, over her neck, ears, chest, abdomen.

She giggled when he continued, “Stop! It tickles,”

Juvia could feel his grin against her skin. “Not until you understand what I’ve been saying,”

“No! No! I understand, I swear! You can stop now!” She half heartedly pushed him off, chuckling the whole while. He could’ve resisted if he wanted to, but instead performed a theatrical roll to the side, almost off of the bed before catching himself last moment and flipping up on top of her.

What a show off.

“Will you put the necklace on, then?” He shuffled to straddle her hips, sitting up, and it might’ve been an erotic position if not for the pure glee in his eyes. 

“Of course,” Juvia smiled, and he mirrored the expression, wiping the tear tracks off her face with a swipe of his thumb. 

Gray pulled Juvia up by her shoulders, carefully moving her hair out of the way and clasping the chain behind her neck. He sat back on her thighs, tucking a strand behind her ear as he admired it on her.

“I can’t believe someone like you exists,” Gray awed, and Juvia could practically see the stars in his eyes.

“I love you.” She’d said it a million times before, but not every time did he grin as he did now.

Gray drew her closer, stifling a squeal as he felt her necklace on his skin. “The Gray and Juvia in Edolas had a kid together, you know.”

She froze, though he knew better than to panic at her reaction. She pulled back, shock coloring her features. “What?”

Gray chuckled at her reaction. “Yep. He looks just like you, you know. Has your eyes. I wanted to take him home with me, but I don’t think the other Gray and Juvia would’ve liked that very much.” 

Juvia grinned, the true and utter giddiness practically tangible. “Tell me everything.”

Gray smiled as he indulged her, leaning them back so she was lying down with his head on her chest. “He’s kind of shy like you. Aloof like me. He has my hair color, but it’s curly like yours. He has your lashes, as well. I swear, Juvia, he was the cutest thing. Natsu and Lucy had a kid too, but she was not nearly as pretty as Greige.”

“Greige, huh?” Juvia mused, and by the look on her face, Gray could tell she was exploring and comparing every single one of her dreams. “They have good taste.”

“His blush is adorable. And god, did I mention his eyes?” Gray’s voice lilted up into what could only be classified as a girlish glee. It reminded Juvia of herself, and just that thought made her hold back a giggle. She wouldn’t interrupt such a rare, golden moment.

“They look so much like yours. They’re gorgeous. He acts like me, especially when I was that age, but I promise he is the spitting image of you. Well, except for the hair color. He doesn’t smile a lot, either, but he’s so full of love, exactly like you are. I can see it from miles away.”

Juvia thread her fingers through Gray’s hair, listening to him ramble with undivided attention. It was these moments that her younger self would dream of. Soft, tender, and with Gray being uncharacteristically vulnerable. “You’re full of love, too, you know.” 

Gray paused, meeting her eyes. “Why would you say that? I pushed you away for so long, until, well,” He cut himself off, blushing.

“And look at you now, cuddling with me and talking about how much you love our kid.” Juvia’s smile stretched from ear to ear.

He spluttered. “I never said I loved him! He’s just really cool, is all.” He decided not to divulge his fantasy to her, where she was his wife, where his father, Ur, and Ultear were alive, and they had a little baby boy just like Greige... 

Oh, she’d go nuts. Better to keep that one in the ‘distant dream’ category of his mind, or he’d never hear the end of it.

They stayed like that, talking late into the night, before Juvia sat up, a frightened look on her face. Concerned, Gray got up with her, but then she whispered, “How did you break into Fairy Hills?”

Gray blanched, envisioning Natsu hoisting him up onto the windowsill of Juvia’s living room, Erza distracted by Lucy and Wendy. He was very, very lucky Lucy owed him one, or she’d rat him out immediately. That and the fact that she did like Juvia, despite the latter accusing her of being in love with Gray on numerous occasions.

“Uh, I was let in. They, um, changed the rules. For us. Yeah.”

Juvia deadpanned in response. “You’re a horrible liar.”

Still, she didn’t kick him out, so Gray supposed it was a win either way, and if she threw a fit in the morning because of course he left the window open, he’s a man, that was a problem for his future self. 

#gruvia #gray x juvia #gray fullbuster #fairy tail 100 years quest #fairy tail #fluff #angst and fluff #backstory #character study

[stopbeingrude]

Quick something I've come up with today...However brace yourselves... it's angst.

,,Homewrecker".

#gruvia #juvia lockser #gray fullbuster #fairy tail #fairy tail 100 yq #gray x juvia #juvia x gray #au #angst #break up

[sweetmemories2606]

GW 2022-Day 5: Unwavering (Story)

I was in the mood for some poetry so came up with this amusing and endearing idea. Imagine if Gray had actually written something for her, Juvia would die from happiness. 😂

Happy New Year everyone! May 2023 be the most inspiring and exciting year yet! 💙

Title: Our Whole Lives

Summary: Prompted by Erza, Gray decided to write a collection of poetry as his answer to Juvia. Though there was no doubt in anyone’s mind about how he felt, he still didn’t believe he deserved to love and be loved by her. (Post-Alvarez) (includes minor GrayLu and GaJuvia Brotp) 

Timeline: Alvarez Arc

Word Count: 2200

Link: Fanfiction.Net

Sneak Peek 1:

Gajeel sat at his usual table with Levy and Juvia. The three of them were chatting about the couple's latest mission when she spotted Gray approaching them.

A smile immediately lit up Juvia's face and she waved at the ice mage, who also smiled, though rather nervously.

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "What does he want?"

"Be nice." Levy warned.

Juvia stood just before Gray had reached the table. "Morning, darling. How did you sleep?"

"I slept alright, thanks."

Gajeel noticed he was holding something. An envelope. He wondered what that might be.

Juvia beamed. "Isn't it a lovely morning today?"

"Sure." There was no denying the ice mage's anxiousness. Gajeel didn't like that one bit. Narrowing his eyes, he inquired; "Is there a reason you're at the guild so early?"

"You're not usually up yet at this hour." Levy remarked.

"Well, I've been waking up a lot earlier recently." Gray told them, and the way he glanced softly at Juvia, who smiled knowingly, left no doubt in Gajeel's mind of the reason why.

"I see." Levy grinned.

"Hey, do you think I could speak to you?" The ice mage took Juvia's hand.

"About what?" Gajeel inquired, but was ignored.

"Of course." She nodded and let him take her away from the table, towards the entrance to the guild hall.

Before they were too far, Gajeel warned. "You better not disappoint me, Fullbuster."

Gray stopped and looked at him, his expression showing a strong resolve. "I won't."

Sneak Peek 2:

Juvia let him guide her outside the guild, towards the river. Once they stood by its edge, Gray nervously scratched his throat.

"So, I have something for you."

Her eyes were drawn to his free hand where he held an envelope. Curiosity bubbled inside her. "What is it?"

"Do you remember when we spoke before the war?"

"Of course." Heart racing, Juvia started to piece together where this was going. Could this be the moment she had always dreamed of?

"I promised you that I would give my answer once the war was over." Gray remarked, squeezing her hand as he gazed at her determinedly.

"Yes, but there is no rush." Juvia smiled gently.

"I've kept you waiting long enough." He gave her the envelope and Juvia let go of his hand to hold it. Something told her this was the most precious thing he had ever given her.

"Erza suggested I could write to you." Gray explained. "I know how much you enjoy reading, so I tried my best."

"Thank you." Juvia was at a loss on what to say. This was so unexpected; nothing like she had imagined. She felt overwhelmed but also ecstatic knowing what awaited inside the envelope.

"Well, I'll let you be." With one last nervous look, Gray left her. Her gaze followed him as he disappeared inside the guild. Then, once he was gone, her attention returned to the envelope.

Juvia sat on the grass, opened it and took out the carefully folded piece of paper. She began to read, and as she carried on, her heart swelled with adoration and pride.

#gruvia week #gruvia #fanfic #poetry #fairy tail #day 5: unwavering #gray fullbuster #juvia lockser #erza scarlet #lucy heartifilla #gajeel redfox #levy mcgarden #alvarez arc #artsy gray #sappy gray #romance #fluff #angst #our whole lives

[theguildawards]

Hello guildmates!

The Nomination Period is now closed! Below the cut you will find a complete list of all the fanart nominations received for The Guild Awards this term! The mobile-friendly version can also be found in a Google Doc here that has the complete list!

You can find the list of all the fanfiction nominations here!

If you do not see your nomination, or you find issues with the links, please reach out to us as soon as possible!

We are going to give you 2 weeks time to enjoy all of the pieces nominated for this term! We strongly encourage that when you view a work of art or read a fanfiction, please reblog or leave a comment to let the creators know how much their work and talent is appreciated!

The voting period will begin April 15th and end April 29th at midnight PST!

In order to be able to vote, you will need to login. We will be posting the link to the voting form on the first day of the voting session.

Got a question? Check out our FAQ Google Doc or send us an ask!

Message one of the mods directly: @classysassy9791 @phoenix-before-the-flame @kiliinstinct @ratretro @phoneboxfairy

Thank you to everyone who nominated for making this term absolutely wonderful and happy voting!

[please reblog to help spread the love of these amazing creators!]

FANART

Best Action/Adventure

“Jacked Erza” by @pkuinn (tumblr)

“Dragon / Goddess Irene” by @eepintothewoods (tumblr)

“Super Late But Happy Gruvia Day” by @hollie-artz (tumblr)

Best AU/AR

“Shiny Shiny Gold” by @fainttwinkling (tumblr)

“It’s Lisanna’s turn to be badass” by @pencilofawesomeness (tumblr)

‘Circus AU Lucy by @beanthespleen (tumblr)

“Just some late night Lucy star dress doodles” by @beanthespleen (tumblr)

“FarmLu” by @likubears (tumblr)

Best Canon

“Capricorn Star Dress” by @moxiepoxart (tumblr)

‘Dan Lucy, Your Bobbies’ by @boxonarock (tumblr)

‘Cuddling’ by @smappybubbles (tumblr)

“Like The Natsu I’ve Always Known” by @shiiro-arts (tumblr)

Best Angst

“I love them so much” by @shiiro-arts (tumblr)

‘Manga Redraw’ by @Azriaann (tumblr)

Best Dark

“Rogue on the Battlefield” by @celestialrayna (tumblr)

“He’s Fine. Don’t Worry About It” by @kitsunegender (tumblr)

“For All You Gajeel Thirsters” by @mavikiu (tumblr)

Best Humor/Parody

“they are too silly” by @heartonxions (tumblr)

‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’ by @riveluart (tumblr)

“Them, Basically!” by @friedmeatbuns (tumblr)

“Shadowgear Lethal Company” by @firapolemos05 (tumblr)

FarmLu” by @likubears (tumblr)

“I Feel Like this Joke is So Them” by @acnologias-ass (tumblr)

Best Kiss

“Happy february to them” by @lav3nder-bees (tumblr)

“Punks and their short bf/gf (pic 3)” by @merryweathart (tumblr)

"A Bit Early But Merry Christmas Everyone!"  by @hollie-artz (tumblr)

"Natsu's Kiss" by @disnimeartzy (tumblr) 

Best Romance

“Sleepy afterschool lolu” by @l-owe-i (tumblr)

‘Untitled’ by @roseletterchan (tumblr)

“Untitled” by @bakutenshi (tumblr)

“This is how it should be” by @moxiepoxart (tumblr)

“Gruvia Week Day 3: Starlight” by @jmoart214 (tumblr)

Best LGBTQ+ Romance

“Untitled Fraxus Week Prompt” by @bluessom1 (tumblr)

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” by @nostalgiedromer (tumblr)

“My peppermint pookies” by @mousecracker (tumblr)

“Music!” by @itsfasterifyouroll (tumblr)

Best Character

“The Sun” by @moonylilies (tumblr)

“untitled color palette challenge (jellal)” by @acnologias-ass (tumblr)

“Lucy 🌻” by @melognut (tumblr)

“Levy bout to fuck shit up” by @phoenix-before-the-flame (tumblr)

“Erza for a friend :]” by @cassikitty (tumblr)

"Mira" by @imyourcoopid (tumblr)

Best Duo/Pairing

“Gajeel + juvia = besties” by @anniechuuu (tumblr)

“Natsu and Happy fanart” by @lostprinxe (tumblr)

Best Group Depiction

“It’s Nice to Have a Family” by @classysassy9791 (tumblr)

‘ Untitled’ by @watcher-ofthe-sky-art (tumblr)

“Levy and her boys” by @riveluart (tumblr)

“Dragon Fam Christmas Sweaters” by @pencilofawesomeness (tumblr)

Best Manga Coloring

“Fire & Lightning” by @fairy-edits (tumblr)

‘I Hyperfixated’ by @fairy-tail-trash (tumblr)

“Minerva Orland of the Sabertooth Guild” by @googler49 (tumblr)

“Congratulations 100 yr quest!” by @vaniliens (tumblr)

Best Redraw 

“Screenshot Redraw of the Raijinshuu + Laxus” by @sheltered-uno (tumblr)

“manga redraw🫣” by @azriaann (tumblr)

“Gray and Wendy” by @heartonxions (tumblr)

“Some Manga Redraws (thunder legion)” by @zai-doodles (tumblr)

“Falling with the Stars ✨💫” by @limboistic (tumblr)

"Loke and Gray" by @konohamaru-sensei (tumblr)

"Team Natsu 🔥🗝️⚔️❄️💨😸😾"   by @c-art-y (tumblr)

Best Overall

“Levy all Soft and Glowy” by @mavikiu (tumblr)

“Punk Boyy” by @heneryque (tumblr)

‘Erza Scarlet Art Nouveau’ by @Syenneart (tumblr)

“Erza for a friend :]” by @cassikitty (tumblr)

"Juvia Lockser" by @imyourcoopid (tumblr)

"Edolas Lucy Loml"  by @robin-vb (tumblr)

#fairy tail #theguildawards #ft awards #tgat12024 #fairy tail fanart

[winterlogysblog]

Mertyl Angst Fics List

I'm a writer who adores making my favs cry and suffer in my fics. Don't know why that's just a thing that I do. I did it with Gruvia, I did it with Ragbros MULTIPLE times and now I'll be doing it with the Kiane fam primarily Mertyl cause his character is just begging me to write something gut-wrenching.

Sixtus steps in and protects Nasiens and Tioreh. Mertyl, seeing the brother that he's closest with be on their side, loses it BIG TIME.

Mertyl has zero control over himself but he's still in there, begging his body to stop hurting his family then he lands a fatal blow on King.

Mertyl ran away to Camelot and lived a life that he wished for himself, but slowly he realized just how much he messed up.

Mertyl, now on Camelot's side. Faced off against the knights. Sixtus, not wanting to give up on his brother, decided to go talk some sense into him only for him to get stabbed. LANCELOT IS PISSED

Mertyl was caught by the knights of Liones and was sent to the dungeon for interrogation. Just so happened that Ban is in the Castle. Let's say Uncle Ban is not too happy about his nephew switching sides.

#angsty fics #I'll write these sooner or later #4kota #nnt #4kota fanfic #Mertyl #nanatsu no taizai #four knights of the apocalypse #seven deadly sins #mokushiroku no yonkishi #nanatsu no taizai mokushiroku no yonkishi #seven deadly sins sequel

[bumblebeehug]

i’m so jealous of gruvia, as a nalu fan. gruvia has everything nalu doesn’t - a real relationship, shown canon obvious mutual love, angst that still haunts them, DOUBLE SUICIDE IN ORDER TO SAVE THE ONE THEY LOVE THEM MOST????? Gray offering his life before that minute got turned back when they fought the dragons after the grand magic games, and Juvia indirectly “killing” Gray’s dad (in order to save the rest of fairy tail and not knowing that silver was already dead in a sense, but still) WITH Gray crying in her arms after being so sad and angry (not at her, but just so filled with emotion) that he cant be the same cold heart that he’s always pretended to have.

while i love the nalu moments we have to death, I NEED more concrete development before i explode. Love the feral Natsu being calmed down by Lucy, but we need more than just funny moments afterwards. I won’t rest until Natsu breaks down over all the times he’s disappointed Lucy or accidentally hurt her with his own fire, I need him to cry and apologise as if he’s never cared about anything else more than Lucy. I want him to feel like proper shit for leaving her that full year, and for never taking these horrifying moments seriously. Not until he breaks down to his most vulnerable state will he be able to rise again - because Lucy will always forgive him for everything he does, and Natsu knows this so he doesn’t find it urgent to properly apologise or check in with how she has been hurting alone. That’s why i need him to realise how he has been acting, and of course Lucy will forgive him, but she’ll forgive him for real this time, because he finally knows how he has been messing things up.

When they’ve gone through that, Natsu will be able to be more vulnerable with Lucy all the time. He’ll still be able to be his carefree fightloving self, but he’ll know that Lucy and him has a special connection that goes beyond what they would do to other teammates. That’s when he can start to realise his feelings and be mature enough for a relationship.

And I can’t wait for that to happen. I’m not expecting Mashima to make his cool main character break down, because that’s probably impossible, but i’m hoping he’ll let Natsu mature soon. Because, despite being the main character (apart from Lucy), Natsu hasn’t developed forwards at all, other than fighting wise

this got so much longer than i intended lol, and i lost the gruvia part there too. i just wanted to ramble😌

#fairy tail #fairy tail 100 years quest #lucy heartfilia #nalu #hiro mashima #natsu dragneel #gruvia #gray fullbuster #juvia lockser #juvia loxar #natsu x lucy #gray x juvia

[noodlelove3000]

Attempting to get fluff ideas before i start writing natsu inhuman angst or 1st/3rd generation dragonslayers immigrant angst

#fairy tail #natsu dragneel #brotp #ft natsu #gajeel redfox #wendy is best girl #dragon slayer siblings #dragon slayers #fairy tail gajeel #fairytail wendy #gruvia #gray fullbuster #fairy tail juvia #ft juvia #laxus dreyar #fairy tail laxus #loke fairy tail

[gruviasama]

Gruvia Week Day 4 - Delirium   ⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙‧͙    ‧͙*̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆

Summary: The time Juvia and Gray spent together in a void after their fight with Invel. A realm between the real world and the afterlife. Not fully alive, but not yet dead.

Rating: K+

Genre: Angst and Romance

Day 4: Delirium - Gruvia Week | Fanfiction ♡ @gruviaweek

#gruvia week #gruvia week 2023 #Gray X Juvia #Juvia Lockser #gray fullbuster #gruvia fanfiction #my gruvia art edit

[fuck-yeah-nalu]

what is the content the mods would post about? and is it just reblogging, or is it other things as well? like, what is the purpose with the blog, that for example the nalu archive doesn’t already do? genuine questions, because i’m considering applying as a mod :)

Hello and apologise for the late reply!

FY-nalu has been around for a very long while, so I have no idea what “nalu archive” does.

Fynalu is hosting the naluween week, is reblogging absolutely every post people make about nalu, including happy, Nasha, Lucy and Natsu as separate individuals, but as a family/couple as well.

We do have affiliations with other blogs who asked us in the past for advertisment (idk if they are still active or not) including other Nalu pages, but also other FY pages like gruvia, fraxus, and evem some EZ pages.

The reblogs and own posts all have to follow certain tags to make it easier to browse and FY nalu is usually also posting the news FIRST. Meaning, any Nalu news we see on twitter, Mashima’s arts or comments regarding Nalu and so on.

We also promote other weeks (such as nalu week, angst and fluff week and whatever new has appeared, if those weeks still exist)

We also have 2 categories with Nalu moments from both manga and anime, which will need to be updated, especially in the manga one. Unfortunately none of the active mods kept in touch and I definitely didnt follow the spin off so I wouldnt know what new moments are in the manga, but I am sure they appear!

You can find the manga category right here

Hope I answered everything. I believe other blogs such FYN started when we became inactive. But there is no competition between the blogs! 🫶🏻

#nalu #lucy heartfilia #natsu dragneel #fairy tail #fynpost

[fairydares]

fuck it, new fic. let's do this.

(there's a 'keep reading' line so don't worry, this isn't too long.)

Title: Chasing Tails (AO3 Link) (Chapter 2) (Chapter 3)

Fandom: Fairy Tail

Rating: E (Explicit) because I'm almost positive there will be eventual smut. I'll be clearer about this as I actually decide what I'm going to write lol. Overarching Warning for Graphic Depictions of Violence.

Categories: 2nd gen fic; adventure, humor, romance, fluff, and angst in approximately that order. i guess.

Pairings: Nalu, Gruvia, Gajevy, Jerza, Miraxus+Fried (don't know what that ship's called sorry), Chendy, Sting/Yukino, Baccana-- next gen has pairings, too, but I don't want to reveal those yet.

Tags/TW's: The first chapter contains UFC/MMA-esque violence as well as some implied street violence. There may be more TW's I need to add later, but I honestly haven't written the whole story or decided everything, so that's all I can give you for now. I'll do my best to tag appropriately as I go.

Summary: It’s been almost 12 years since 17-year-old Layla O'Neil was found living alone on the streets and put in foster care, and she likes to think she’s done a pretty good job of forgetting the past. She doesn’t remember her birth family, the name “Nashi [*1] Dragneel,” or where she heard the absurd stories she told the police who found her. Stories about Wizard Guilds, flying cats, and–most cringey of all–her self-proclaimed status as a “Fire Dragon Slayer.”

But the past becomes pretty impossible to ignore when it confronts her in the form of some middle-aged, pink-haired stalker who won’t stop calling her the ridiculous name she’d nearly forgotten, and trying to convince her to come back to “Fairy Tale.”

Oh, and claiming to be her dad.

Like Layla doesn’t have enough problems! The last thing she needs is some delusional freak following around. Especially one who’s starting to make her want to take his hand…

Yep, this is a Second Gen (and therefore post-canon) fic. The idea took root and just would not let go. I’ll warn you ahead of time that the premise is somewhat dark. That said, I’m the kind of writer who likes (and tries to write) stories with sad beginnings, hopeful middles, and triumphant ends. I don't want to give too much away, but you shouldn't expect major character deaths or anything like that, though their may be some forms of lightly implied abuse.

Feel free to reblog, make your own additions with commentary, whatever. I'm quite lax with stuff like that. Hope this was comprehensive enough, and that you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Dragon-Slaying Aliens

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That’s correct…a world that exists independently from the one we know. And, unfortunately, a world that’s begun losing its Magic…unlike here, in Edolas, Magic is a finite resource. Without limits on its use, it will one day disappear forever.” -from Episode 78, “Edolas”, (English dub, ~00:09), Carla’s line [*1]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------To say this mission had gone sideways was a big-ass understatement, and even Natsu had to admit it. 

It had started well enough. A relatively small mission. Not even S-Class! Puny wannabe Dark Guilds like the one Shirotsume needed dealt with–what was it called? Bony Jewel or something? Anyways, they were a dime a dozen, these days. Hell, Natsu was pretty sure he and Happy took out, like, a billion of them in the past seven years by pure accident. So how the hell was he supposed to know that this time, he’d get blasted to another world–one even Team Natsu hadn’t wound up in? 

And he was positive they’d never been here. He may have had a bad memory (something he’d begrudgingly been forced to actively acknowledge as he grew into a man) but he was sure he’d have remembered somewhere that made him feel this bad. It wasn’t just that he couldn’t use his Magic. If it had just been that, this might have been fun. Hell, a lot of the worlds Team Natsu had visited–even Edolas–had been fun.

This one sucked. 

If he hadn’t known better, he’d have thought he’d been transported to the future–one where FACE had been activated and all the Magic had been dissipated. Because it had felt, truly, like all the Magic was being sucked out of him. When he’d woken up on the forest floor, he’d felt as if he was dying. His lungs had burned with each breath (and not in the good way). His limbs had felt like lead when he tried to rise. 

He’d quickly realized that couldn’t be the case, though. Even if the Dragons hadn’t destroyed FACE, if all the Magic had been sucked from Earthland he’d have Magical Deficiency Syndrome. He’d either be down or in forced into his END form. 

He’d wandered around the small forest he’d woken up in alone, trying to focus through the stink and noise he was only capable of perceiving through what felt like about a hundred layers of thick blanket, and calling for his best friend as long as he could. It hadn’t been long before he gave up and left; Happy had never shouted back (something he considered fortunate, at this point; hopefully Happy was back in Earthland) his stomach was trying to eat itself, it was dark–and, worst of all–he still couldn’t use his Magic. At all.

Actually, scratch that: the absolute worst part was when a glance at his (as usual) bare shoulder showed him that his guild mark had vanished. It was just gone. So was his scarf, and so was his Mini Communication Lacrima. Obviously, his guild mark and scarf were bigger deals personally, but the Mini Comm was a bigger loss in immediate, practical terms. After That Day, seven years ago, Laxus–now Fairy Tail’s Master–had started putting Navigation Enchantments on everyone’s Comms so that anyone who went missing could be traced. There was a 3D map of Earthland and Edolas visually tracking everyone’s movements in the Master’s Office. It could even find them in Edolas. 

Now, Natsu’s was nowhere to be found. No one would be able to find him, wherever he was, and any hopes of contacting them were obviously dead in the water, too. 

He was gonna have to find his own way back, somehow. He only prayed his scarf was somehow back in Earthland, and that Happy had grabbed it for him. 

As he hobbled down the weird, too-neat walkway he’d found, he had to believe that whatever was preventing him from using his Magic was what kept him from sensing anything beyond the general–the stink, the sound, the pain, the hunger. Normally, with his better-than-normal resilience and enhanced strength, his pain would have mostly taken care of itself by now. Usually, making himself move helped. Now, it seemed to be making things worse. 

After finding the pathway, he’d kept shouting for his little buddy a whole bunch of times, but all he’d gotten were several loud verbal confrontations and one physical one. He’d expected to beat the massive brute towering next to the smaller woman beside him–and he had. But it hadn’t been as easy as he’d expected. His movements had been slower than normal. His limbs had felt like lead. His strength had been lesser. Every time he tried to call up his Magic, a wave of dizziness and lethargy had overcome him. It was like he’d feel the rushing up inside of him only to sputter to coldness at the last second; he hadn’t seen so much as a spark since he’d woken up. 

In the end, it was only experience and determination which had allowed him to level the much larger man, and hard-earned wisdom which had seen him running from the screeching woman and the gun-wielding, uniform-wearing soldiers her screeching had drawn. Yet the punch he’d taken to the nose had made it bleed and the kick to the thigh had made him limp. 

It wasn’t just that his Dragon senses had vanished, making him woozy, making it difficult to stand and excruciating to move. His strength was gone as well. Not even sealstone would have weakened him this much.

He’d wandered, now, for what felt like several hours. The number of Magical Vehicles around were astounding–astounding, and nauseating; just looking at them made Natsu want to vomit. The one good part of having an empty stomach was that he had nothing to give up. He meandered in a stupor, through unbelievably thick crowds, dodging Magic Vehicles and their honking, and glaring down anyone who yelled at him for not understanding something, occasionally barking back to scare them off.

He’d never been so disoriented, and the worst part was that deep down, he knew that there was no one to blame but himself. 

Lucy and Happy had asked him, point-blank, if the Quest he’d chosen had anything to do with his search for their long-lost daughter and kitten. 

It had. Of course it had. 

However, Natsu had denied it. Because if he hadn’t, he and Happy wouldn’t have been able to leave right then. Lucy would have forced him to bring someone else along; she was busy taking care of their son, Luke; the Perve-sicle was already out on his own mission/search for Juvia, and Erza was away, which meant he’d have had to ask someone outside Team Natsu. 

No thanks, he’d decided, covering up the fine print on the mission request with his fingers before holding it up to Lucy’s nose. 

Now, as he snarled at yet another person yelling at him for being in the way, Natsu was starting to consider the possibility that he just maybe should’ve been more upfront, and even that he should–perhaps–have waited for the stripper to get back before taking on Bony Jewel or whatever alone.

But how the hell was he supposed to have known it would end up like this?! It had been going fine–in fact, it had been going great! A couple opponents had offered a real challenge before their Master had shown up. Natsu had been laying down brick in that fight, too. Yet when the guy had been on his last legs, he’d whipped some creepy, sparkly rainbow skull from nowhere (now that he thought about it…that might have been what the Guild was named for!) and shot one last attack. One so big, Natsu had been unable to dodge–though, of course, he’d made to both block and finish the fight with an enormously powerful Fire Dragon Wing Attack. 

Based on his current predicament–he had to assume it hadn’t worked. Even though the skull had shattered in the heat of his flames at the last second, the blast had still hit him. His one consolation was that he was pretty sure his little buddy had heeded his final warning to get back. So he was almost definitely still back in Earthland.  

It had taken Natsu several pathetic attempts to stand. Getting here felt like a blur. Now, he had no idea what he was doing. What he should do. Their money had been in Happy’s knapsack, and without his precious nose, finding food was basically impossible anway. 

Man…Lucy’s gonna kill me, he grumbled internally, grunting at another group who shouted at him for bumping into him. 

Okay, yeah, maybe he should’ve been honest. Maybe he should’ve waited. But how could he do that when the lead was so good? When there was even the smallest chance he might finally find Nashi [*]? 

At the thought, his footsteps halted temporarily. He ducked his head, bangs shadowing his eyes. He balled his fists at his sides. The thought of the missing daughter he’d never stopped searching for never got easier to bear. 

It was the worst thing that could happen to a parent, to lose their child. Something he wouldn’t have wished on Fairy Tail’s most vicious, evil enemy. He and Lucy understood that too intimately. Still, he didn’t let himself get bogged down, not when it might hold him back, not when it might keep him from finding her. Seven years, she’d been gone. Her, Wendy–so many of their nakama and allies. Time had neither hindered nor halted his search for any of his missing comrades, but especially his little girl. She’d be twelve, now. He’d gotten better with birthdays and anniversaries when he married Lucy. He’d woken up and started crying on April 14th this year, the same as his wife. 

Still, even on that day, he’d spoken of her. When he was with Luke, Lucy, and Happy, he talked about it. He talked about how he’d find her and Harley–Happy and Carla’s kitten–how they’d be a family again. He spoke of the future to give it power, just like Igneel had taught him. Just like he’d taught his own kids. Wherever Nashi was, he was sure she must be doing the same; speaking of how she’d find them again, the same as he strove to find her. 

But he couldn’t continue his search (covert or not) until he got home. So getting home was definitely at the top of the to-do list. Right after eating. 

He kept walking.

Wherever he’d wound up was seedy, dark, yet strewn with lights that made paths across his newly-sucky eyes when he looked at them directly. Gross and smelly, too. The people he’d just bumped into started shouting back at him, something about bumping into someone’s girlfriend, and he huffed irritably. Normally, he’d never back down from a challenge like this, but believe it or not, he was too lost, confused, hungry, and tired to deal with another fight–not when the injuries he’d sustained from the previous one were still hurting this much. 

It was humiliating. He’d always been the type of person who refused to back down from a fight, no matter how outmatched he was. These days, a lot of fights were honestly pretty boring for him. Erza would always be scary, and Gray was admittedly pretty strong (if not badass enough to stand up to him, or so he would always insist). He could proudly admit to having achieved (at least) Gildarts-level strength without the clumsiness to make him dangerous. 

Now, he was balking out of fights with people who weren’t even using Magic. 

There was something viscerally terrifying about how much his injuries were troubling him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t limp without worsening whatever injury that asshole had doled out on his knee. His nose felt bigger than his head. 

He stumbled on, brooding. 

The guy whose girlfriend he’d bumped into got louder, closer. Obviously, the freak wasn’t gonna let it go. Cursing, he started hobbling more quickly, turning the next corner. To his relief and curiosity, bright lights, loud voices, and a huge crowd–littered with food stands he might be able to beg food from–appeared. He made his way into the thick of it, ignoring the shouts behind him, and ducked and wove between people. It took him several seconds to realize he was still trying to find food by his nose, which barely even freaking worked. Frustrated, he turned his attention to the source of the light, which seemed to focus down on whatever sat in the middle of the crowd. 

Curiosity shoving past the numbness and hunger, Natsu pushed his way towards it. 

“Ow!” 

“Hey!” 

“Watch it, freak!” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Natsu grumbled. “Watch your damn selves!”

He still felt like shit, but the crowd was oddly invigorating. As he crashed through the thickest (front) lines of the crowd, more lights came on while the darkness behind him fell deeper. Natsu winced, blinking. It took him a few moments to register what he’d stumbled upon: a roundish sort of stage, elevated a few feet off the ground and bordered by some kind of chain-link cage thing. Two corners were open to be entered, but fended off  by some big dudes in black suits, holding back the crowd. 

“WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!” boomed a voice that came from everywhere and nowhere at once, making Natsu flinch again and the crowd start chattering loudly. 

Match? Natsu wondered despite his disorientation and exhaustion, thinking of the Grand Magic Games. He shoved aside every stranger who tried to take his place at the front of the audience, looking around with wide, curious eyes, shoving his gnawing stomach to the backburner.

“FIGHT FANS! ARE YOU REAAAADDDDYYYYY??!!! ” 

Fight? Natsu thought, perking up, conveniently forgetting his injuries in a burst of excitement. Several people started chattering at the crack of the loud voice that was everywhere and nowhere, making Natsu look around even more fervently. 

“BECAUSE THIS LONG-WAITED MATCH-UP IS… ABOUT…TO…BEGINNNN!!!”

The cheering got louder, the shoving got more aggressive, and Natsu got more aggressive right along with it. He’d be damned if he was going to miss a good fight. Besides. He needed to see what the Magic here was like. He was being smart. So ha! How about that, Lucy?!

“INTRODUCING: OUR FIRST FIGHTER!” the voice shouted while Natsu continued to elbow and shove, anticipation rising. Music rang out, a dude’s loud, snarly voice backed up by a bunch of deep bangs and booms which had Natsu trying to decide if what he was listening to was awesome or fucking awful–nope, definitely fucking awful. For the first time, he was glad he couldn’t hear properly since he got here. 

A light flashed at one corner, drawing his eye. “UNLIKE HIS OPPONENT, THIS FIGHTER IS WELL-ESTABLISHED IN THE SEMI-UNDERGROUND OCTAGON! HAD HIS PERFORMANCES BEEN FORMALLY JUDGED WHILE THE UNDERGROUND WAS STILL ACTIVE, HE WOULD LIKELY HAVE LONG-BEEN PERMANENTLY DISQUALIFIED! YET, IN SPITE OF A CONTROVERSIAL CAREER, HE HAS REMAINED A STAPLE OF THE SEMI-OCTAGON FIGHTING WORLD FOR TWO YEARS!”

“Er, feels kinda harsh?” Natsu muttered to himself, sweating slightly. Though he didn’t really get what “controversial career” meant. 

“WHILE THIS IS NOT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE, DUE TO HIS HISTORY, MANY WILL NO DOUBT VIEW HIM AS REIGNING CHAMP AND DEFENDER! INNNNTTRRROOODUUUCCCINNNG… ‘MAD BULL’ MATTHEW BRON!” 

A door Natsu hadn’t even seen was slammed open as if it had been kicked, and an enormous man–even bigger than the one that had managed to tag Natsu just a little bit ago, a man built like that potato head guy from Lamia Scale, and actually bearing a similar-shaped bald head–appeared, yanking off headphones and chucking them over his massive shoulder one of the lackeys who’d followed him out. The much shorter guy jumped, barely catching them and fumbling a lot once he had. “Mad Cow” or whatever grinned maniacally as he stormed for the ring, dark eyes wild.

The response from the crowd was mixed but mostly positive, Natsu quickly noticed as he glanced around. His eyes skated quickly over the group next to him (which was booing, unlike most of the crowd) then returned his focus to the stage-circle thing. He could see well enough, he was glad to note, even if his vision was nowhere near as sharp as it was back on Earthland. Big Guy took his place at the corner of the ring and immediately started pacing, lifting tree-like arms and roaring as he did so. Meanwhile his lackey scurried for the bit of protected corner behind him, trying to shout for his attention and getting nowhere as he continued to pace. 

Natsu quickly decided he didn’t like the looks of this guy, intro aside. He was the type of asshole Natsu lived to knock down a peg, and despite his injuries and exhaustion, Natsu found himself appraising the big bastard, hands twitching. Sure, he wasn’t in the best shape, but since when had he been one to turn down the chance to kick some ass? It was more a reflex than anything. For about the billionth time since he’d landed here, he tried conjuring up some fire only to curse internally as all he got for his efforts was a wave of dizziness and a wash of helplessness. 

“NOW FOR OUR CONTENDER,” the voice boomed. “SHE’D ONLY BARELY ENTERED THE UNDERGROUND BEFORE IT BECAME THE SEMI-UNDER, BUT WAS ALREADY MAKING WAVES! THIS FIGHTER HAS SPARKED INTENSE DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER WOMEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FIGHT MEN–IN ANY OCTAGON!” More mixed din. Natsu frowned in confusion. Was it for the other fighters’ safety or something? Because someone should ban Erza from contributing to the guild hall violence. Oh, yes. That was a great idea. He’d have to bring the idea up to Gray when he got home. 

“BUT IT’S DIFFICULT TO ARGUE WITH HER HANDY VICTORIES!” the voice boomed. “THANKS TO HER NEARLY-UNBROKEN STREAK OF INSANE WINS, SHE HAS BEEN NICKNAMED THE THE ‘PHOENIX’, ‘UNDERDOG’, ‘TENMEN’...AND HER PREFERRED NICKNAME…” 

A new song started, and this one was undeniably cool, in Natsu’s opinion. Something hard, fast, and catchy, punctuated by an angry-sounding woman singing something about “not giving a damn” about something or other. The door at the opposite end of the ring swung open. A girl came swaggering out, and Natsu froze.

“THE DRAGONESS, LAYLAAAAA O'NEEEILLLLL!!!!”  

It wasn’t his daughter. It couldn’t be. Her name wasn’t Layla. Her name was Nashi. His Nashi would be twelve, and this girl was in her late teens–maybe even her early twenties. The fact that her fighting nickname was “The Dragoness” was a nasty coincidence, but that’s all it was. This couldn’t be Earthland’s Nashi.

But it was this world’s Nashi. Of that, there was no doubt. And Natsu couldn’t make himself take his eyes off her, couldn’t even make himself blink as he stared, ignoring the cheering and booing all around him. 

A couple strands of unruly pink hair at her bangs had broken free of their tight braids, as adorable and predictably unpredictable as his little girl’s. They clung to her forehead, bouncing as she strutted towards the monster still pacing, practically frothing at the mouth, and Natsu vaguely registered the sound of several peoples’ alarmed murmuring. If he hadn’t been so distracted, he’d have understood; she was about half the guy’s size and about -50% as insane-looking.

Not scared, though. 

And…she looked like Lucy. She looked so much like Lucy that it hurt. He could still remember times when he’d call his little girl’s name, she’d turn around, and he’d gasp–because it really was like an adorable, wild little pink-haired Lucy turning to look up at him, her whole face lighting up like he was the greatest thing in Earthland. The memory choked him up, a feeling he’d gotten used to over the past seven years. He swallowed hard.

But that wasn’t Lucy’s smile. Natsu felt like he had seen that smile somewhere but he wasn’t particularly interested in thinking about it all that deeply, because what mattered was that it was her smile, his little girl’s, big and toothy and unmistakable–a little lopsided, the corners of her lips characteristically curling. 

It hit his chest like a shot from Zeref, making him briefly clutch at his waistcoat’s dirtied fabric. 

Natsu knew, firsthand, just how similar other worlds’ versions of his loved ones could be to his. Hell, Edolas Lucy had chopped off her hair to make it a little easier to distinguish herself from Earthland Lucy. 

That didn’t make it hurt any less to suddenly see another world’s Nashi– Layla, this one was called. That was Nashi’s middle name. It made sense, when you thought about it. Names were one thing that seemed to sometimes differ slightly between worlds, as he’d learned on the 100-Year-Quest [*3]. Her canines were sorta sharp, maybe, but they weren’t Dragon Slayer sharp, like his and daughter’s. Besides. Edo Nashi and Fireball’s canines were a tiny bit sharper than normal, too. 

It couldn’t be her. It couldn’t be. Looking at her still felt like being punched in the chest by Erza. Yet he couldn’t stop watching as the music, cheers, and boos faded, she stripped off her sweats (to much catcalling and whistling) to reveal a black sports bra/shorts getup sort of like “Mad Bull’s” shorts, revealing a body packed with much more muscle than any of Fairy Tail’s women would’ve allowed themselves to accumulate. She looked pretty badass, he decided. 

The voice that was everywhere and nowhere boomed on:

“NOT ONLY A CHANCE AT THE UPCOMING TITLE ON THE LINE, BUT–POTENTIALLY–THE FUTURE OF MIXED SEMI-UNDERS. TWO CHALLENGERS, SQUARING OFF FOR A CHANCE AT THE SEMI-FINALS. THIS IS A GIGANTIC CULTURAL MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THIS SPORT… ‘MAD BULL’ MATTHEW BRON VS. THE ‘DRAGONESS’ LAYLA O'NEIL!” 

“‘Dragoness’ is fucking right!” Mad Cow or whatever roared while he hugged one arm across his chest, grinning ferally at his much smaller opponent. “Here hoping some man will look at you, fugly?!” 

Several people in the audience laughed. Even the announcer chuckled. Meanwhile, Natsu’s blood boiled. On some level, he knew he needed to separate himself from this. From this fight, from this “Nashi.” Especially when he was this powerless to do anything about any of it. But it was impossible to listen to someone say that to another version of his daughter and not have every protective instinct in his body flare, especially when the spectators apparently thought it was fucking hilarious.

However, her grin didn’t even flicker. “Like you’re one to talk!” she cackled. “You look like Popeye fucked Bigfoot!”

Natsu didn’t flinch at the language like many people in the audience seemed to. In fact, he found the disapproving murmurs confusing. The other guy hadn’t exactly been polite, but he hadn’t gotten the same reaction. Still, a solid number of people were laughing their asses off, including the group next to him which had booed Mad Cow. 

He also had no clue what the hell she’d just said even meant, but the way Mad Cow’s smile dropped off his face, a handful of people started howling with laughter, and the commentator’s chuckles cut off abruptly was enough to make Natsu grin. 

Some random guy in some sort of black, collared uniform entered the arena, signaling to the loud, annoying commentator. Unlike her opponent, no one had followed This Nashi into the arena; she was all alone. So she ran back to her own bit of protected yet empty corner and threw her clothes and a water bottle over the chainlink fence, then ran back towards the middle of the arena. There, she  hopped up and down, shaking out her arms. Stretched them above her head. 

“OUCH!” The commentator finally seemed to recover, though he sounded somewhat vexed. “WELL, ONE THING’S FOR SURE, THE CHALLENGER CAN TALK GAME…WHETHER SHE CAN LIVE UP TO IT IS ANOTHER QUESTION.” 

“God, I fucking hate when Hansis commentates,” the guy next to Natsu muttered, his friends snorting in agreement. Then he glanced at Natsu–only to double take. “Oi, are you related to the Dragoness or something?!” he asked, eyes on his hair. 

“Uhhh…” Natsu chuckled nervously, feeling himself start to sweat. He may have been what Erza would (and frequently did ) call an “impulsive idiot”, but he had no clue how to explain that he was the father of her other self. “Something like that.”

“Whoa, seriously?!” The guy’s friend leaned around him to look at Natsu with wide, shining eyes, then continued, “I won’t ask anymore, ‘cause obviously you’re trying to protect your identities or something, but that’s so cool! We’re huge fans!” 

“Hmm…” Natsu said, scanning their apparel–t-shirts and hats emblazoned with her face and silhouette–and what looked like homemade signs of her name, written in fiery letters. “I can see that…what is this, exactly?” He asked this while looking around at the lights, spectators, an unfamiliar kind of money being exchanged and counted between several people.

Natsu tilted his head, blinking. “No?” he said. 

“The semi-underground tournament?” the only girl in the group said, eyes almost as wide as her friend’s. When Natsu only continued to look confused, she said, “What, do you live under a rock?! You’ve at least heard of MMA, right? Mixed Martial Arts?” 

He perked up at this. “Like a fight?! Hell, yeah! How do I get in on this?!” He grinned, cracking his knuckles, his earlier scuffles and empty stomach completely forgotten. 

“YOU DON’T!” the entire group shouted, eyes bugging. 

The dude who’d first started talking to him huffed, sweating slightly. “The ‘semi-underground’ octagon used to just be called ‘the underground fights,’” he explained loudly, Natsu still having to lean in to catch what he said with his new, bad ears over the increasingly excited din. “It was illegal, but, like, illegal in the ‘everyone knows but won’t squeal’ way, you know?” 

Natsu nodded, fully getting this. After all, how many times had soldiers arrested him only for Queen Hisui to let him off with a finger-wag. Of course, his luck on that front had run out seven years ago…

“The feds finally cracked down on it,” the guy continued, “but didn’t prosecute any of the fighters. Now, it’s called the ‘Semi-Underground’...it’s got no weight-classes (which is why the Dragoness can fight big dudes like Mad Bull). All genders are free to compete and fight each other. It’s a bit more for entertainment than pure fighting prowess– that was different, before,” the guy added with a wistful tone. “But still! You can’t just go waltzing into the octagon, you know? Back in the basement where this used to happen, you could’ve gotten away with that, but now you’ve gotta work for it, you know? Seriously, do you live under a rock or something?” 

Irritated, Natsu opened his mouth, but his response was cut off when a loud voice–not as loud as the announcer, but still–redrew all their attention to the ring. “Alright, fighters,” the black-collar guy said into a microphone which was smaller and not as loud as the commentator’s, quieting the audience. “We’ve been over the rules. Protect yourself at all times. Follow my instructions. We’re going to have a clean fight, you hear me?” He glared at Mad Bull, but This Nashi was the only one who dipped her chin in recognition. Natsu’s eyes narrowed along with hers when her opponent refused to acknowledge the guy’s words. “Now, touch gloves at this time, and come out ready to do this!” 

Both fighters instantly danced away from each other. Black collar guy scowled. Both the commentator and the audience made sounds like “ OOOOOOOH!” 

“NO TOUCH!” came the commentator’s gleeful voice, “I REPEAT, NEITHER FIGHTER TOUCHED GLOVES, AND SO FAR, NEITHER ARE REALLY MOVING FOR EACH OTHER–” 

“SAY YOU’RE PRAYERS, BITCH!” Mad Cow roared. “YOU’RE DEAD MEAT!” 

“BRING IT!” This Nashi roared back, and Mad Cow lunged, swinging in immediately with a big, dramatic overhand hook that would have knocked her out immediately if she hadn’t skated out of its way. It took about three similar exchanges for Natsu to sag in disappointment. 

“Oi!” he shouted, utterly let down, “Where the hell’s the magic?!” 

“Geez!” the guy next to him laughed. “The fight’s only just started: give them a minute to warm up! Then we’ll get to see the cool stuff.”

“What, they’re not allowed to use it at first or something?” Natsu asked, still staring as This Nashi fended off huge, devastating blows raining down from above and leapt back from the powerful kicks, eyes narrowed and expression tight. 

“...Er, what?” the guy asked. 

“Magic–duh!” Natsu huffed, flickering wide eyes between the guy and This Nashi, who was now darting backwards around the round-ish ring, still fending Mad Cow off, weaving and ducking with a speed few could hope to match. “You know?! Fire, Ice, Celestial Magic…?

The guy stared at him for a second along with his companions, all of whom were also sweating. It was then that Natsu knew: 

Something more was going on here. Something he didn’t understand. This place…wherever he was, it was like Edolas. Not now, but back when he, Lucy, and the others had gone there. Magic didn’t just not exist, here; was some kind of… taboo on it.

“Oh, sorry,” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. Trying to keep his voice as quiet as he could over the crowd, he continued, “I didn’t mean to say something that would get you in trouble...” 

The group’s only response was to sidle away from him surreptitiously, glancing at him and sharing looks with wide eyes. Natsu was thrown for a loop once more. Ooo- kay, talk about overly-suspicious. Were there guards listening in on their conversation or something? As discreetly as possible, with his hand still at the back of his head, he looked around, eyes narrowed. 

Yet…he saw nothing to warrant their suspicion. An unruly crowd…and an astonishing lack of guards. At the Grand Magic Games, there’d always been a ton of guards. Way more than he wanted to be there, honestly. Did this have something to do with the whole “underground” thing? 

He looked at the group again, then realized something important: it was him they were looking at nervously. Nervously, and like…he was crazy or something. 

It had taken time, but the years had made Natsu wiser–cooler–about situations like this. Even as his stomach sank with the realization that getting home was going to be a much harder task than he’d initially realized, he acknowledged that he’d need to be careful about mentioning Magic here. Dropping his hand, he forced a small smile at them then turned his attention back to the arena, where Mad Cow continued to chase This Nashi around the edge of the arena. Meanwhile, his mind continued to reel, loud to himself and no one else. 

“–IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SHE’S CAUGHT IN A CLINCH, HERE, AND THEN OUR NIGHT WILL BE OVER!” the commentator was blaring. It was sort of surprising, how easily he’d been able to tune out when Natsu’s ears were registering so little. “I HATE TO SAY IT–” (Based on the glee in his tone, Natsu doubted that.) “–BUT HOWEVER MUCH OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FIGHTER SHE IS, SHE’S STILL A FEMALE FIGHTER. HER OPPONENT HAS WELL OVER A HUNDRED POUNDS ON HER [*4]. AND, AGAIN, I HATE TO SAY THIS–BUT THERE ARE JUST PHYSICAL BARRIERS NO CHICK FIGHTER WILL EVER BE ABLE TO OVERCOME! RIGHT NOW, THIS IS A DOG FIGHT, AND NOT ONE SHE CAN KEEP SCRAPPING IN! SHE’S NOT GOING TO COME OUT AS THE ‘UNDERDOG,’ THIS TIME–”

“Man, she’s getting her ass beat!” someone from the group broke the awkward silence as This Nashi was swept aside by a blow that caught the guard at her ear. 

“Maybe she’ll make a comeback!” another guy said, tremulous but hopeful, as a log-like shin crashed into her stomach. 

“She definitely will!” the guy who’d first spoken to Natsu said, though there was a distant note of doubt in his voice as she barely reeled from an arrow-fast straight right. 

Despite the awkwardness of their last interaction, Natsu couldn’t help appreciating these people, who were so devoted to this world’s Nashi. He decided to end their night more positively. “Is that what you think?” he asked in a somewhat bored tone, eyes on the girl still gliding backwards, dancing away from the hits and kicks or else blocking them. He felt, rather than saw, the group’s eyes jumping to him, some of them quickly leaping away only to dart back. 

“What do you mean?” the first guy ventured when he said nothing else, edging a little closer once more.

Natsu crossed his arms over his broad chest, eyes thinning as Big Boy brought down a hailstorm of fists on This Nashi’s head. His eyes tracked the way a particularly big hit caught her forearm–but only barely, seeing as she’d slid out of the enormous range even as she blocked. Just like he’d thought…

His stomach churned uncomfortably. It was eerie and cruel, how much her movements and the memories aligned–

“OUCH! That hurt, Daddy!” After the exclamation, Nashi began grumbling, vigorously rubbing her forearm where his fist had just him. 

“Woops!” Natsu chuckled sheepishly, “My bad!” 

Despite the fact that she was still rubbing the arm he’d tapped with a light hit, the little girl who barely came up above his knees scowled. 

It was midday, now. In their front lawn; his and Happy’s house, now much larger with the rooms he’d added for Lucy and their kids. 

“But–” He grew serious. “–you think your enemies will take it easy on you, Nashi? You think they’ll give you a break because you say ‘ouch’?” 

She dropped her arms to her sides and scowled–pouted, really. She was so cute, he couldn’t have kept his lips from quirking into a grin if he tried. Strutting forward, he planted a hand on top of her head, rubbing the unruly locks. He only grinned wider when she turned her scowl/pout up to him. “Sorry, kiddo, but they won’t!” 

Lucy would have lost her mind, if she saw the interaction. Natsu could just hear her now: “NATSU, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?! SHE’S FIVE! BE CAREFUL, WOULD YOU? BLAH BLAH BLURGH BLAH– !” 

He never really got Lucy, when she acted like that. Nashi was a Dragon Slayer, like him. She could take much more than a normal human, but would never learn that she could if he didn’t show her! Not to mention that Igneel had been way tougher on him, when he was five. Besides, he didn’t want his kid to be some weakling! What father did want that? 

Not any good ones, that was for sure. Especially not when their kids had Nashi’s determination and drive. 

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he apologized again, still rubbing her head affectionately. “But you’ve got to understand…if I hurt you, it’s because I know your enemies will hurt you the same way…I don’t want it to surprise you. I want you to be able to fight back, still. You do still want to be a big-time Dragon Slayer, don’t you?” 

She stared up at him dubiously, but the smile caught on quick. She’d never been able to resist smiling back at him. 

“...Yeah,” she admitted finally, feigning reluctance. 

He lifted his hand off her head, cupping it around his ear and leaning down towards her. “What was that?!” he shouted. “I couldn’t hear you…what was it you want?!” 

“I–pfft–I WANT–” Her small smile turned to a grin–the big, corner-curled grin only his daughter ever could or would achieve. The one that always melted his heart. 

“I WANNA BE A DRAGON SLAYER!” she managed to roar through her grin. “NO–I MEAN, I WANNA BE THE STRONGEST DRAGON SLAYER EVER!” 

“HELL YEAH, YOU DO!” he roared back, the pride managing to make his chest burst even as he squared up again, preparing for more training. An adrenaline only teaching one’s prodigy could spark electrocuted his system. “IF THAT’S REALLY TRUE, THEN COME ON, NASHI! YOU’VE GOT MORE IN YOU! I KNOW YOU DO!” 

“OH YEAH? WELL I DO! I GOT WAY MORE IN ME!” She dropped into the stance he’d taught her, grinning for everything she was worth. The sun illuminated her smile. 

He somehow managed to grin even more widely. “Right, then listen up!” he commanded. “When Dragon Slayers fight, they got one big advantage: they can take a whole bunch of hits–then still get up. So that’s exactly what you’re gonna do.” 

“...Huh?!” The little girl’s eyes bulged out of her head. “You’re sayin’ I’m gonna let myself get hit?!” 

“Well, not too hard,” he elaborated. “And not too much…you’re just gonna play defense for a while, see?” He moved for her, throwing a fist much more slowly than he normally would have. Automatically, she wove away, eyes wide on his face. His right fist was followed by his left, then a kick–all too sluggish to be real. She easily moved around and blocked all of them. “This way,” he continued, throwing another kick. “You can learn the guy you’re fighting, how step, how they breathe…” 

“How they step…how they breathe…” she repeated to herself in a murmur, eyes flickering all over his body as he continued to pantomime a real fight. Natsu couldn’t help but grin. Nashi was a distractible kid, but when it came to fighting, she was always on the ball.

Natsu didn’t mind one bit when Lucy blamed him for that. 

“...how they fight,” he finished. 

“...how they fight!” she whispered. 

He started speeding up his movements. Let her orient before he lit up his fists. She mirrored him, flames igniting her much smaller fists. Their dance became even faster “That’s it, Nashi!” he praised as she leapt back from a kick, only letting it clip her shoulder. “Get into the flow of it! Read my movements! Remember, breathe, and–” 

“She’s reading him,” he murmured, voice softer than he’d meant it to be. “Fending him off and waiting for the right moment; his hits are only clipping her.” His hunger was catching up with him again, as was his pain. He ached. He wanted to sleep. And…

…It hurt. It hurt too much. Knowing it wasn’t his Nashi…that just made it hurt more. Each hit, each block, each flash of those brown eyes…they felt like shards of glass piercing his heart.

I can’t stay here, he realized. 

“What was that?” the girl in the group asked, venturing closer to him. 

His heart was heavy, sinking as he watched the girl. Embarrassment washed over him as he realized that had been a stupid thing to say in the first place. This wasn’t his Nashi. She wasn’t using what he’d taught her because he hadn’t been the one to train her. Hell, she probably wasn’t even gauging her opponents’ movements; she was probably fighting for her life, here. 

She would lose. 

“Nothin’,” he replied thickly, dropping his arms even as he watched the girl roll away from a rather impressive and extremely long-ranged crescent kick, not even the man’s big toe catching her at all. “I was wrong…enjoy the rest of the fight, guys.” He used the ensuing beat of silence to stare–for just one more second–at the girl. This world’s version of his girl. 

Without thinking, he went to heft up his backpack, only to sigh in quiet defeat–the exhale almost visible even in the warm air–as he remembered it wasn’t there; he was just a weakling in this world. That’s why his back (and whole body) felt so heavy. 

“Oh, you’re leaving?” the first guy who’d spoken to him said as he turned away, pushing back through the crowd. His tone was an odd mixture of relieved and disappointed. Natsu said nothing, merely waving. 

Overhead, the booming voice–which he’d tuned out during the competition–continued to sound off. “–AN ADMITTEDLY UNBELIEVABLE DODGE, BY ,” it said, clearly shocked, as Natsu pushed past a woman who was obviously excited to be moving closer to the arena. “BUT THE NEXT FLURRY OF BLOWS LANDS, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS SHE’S BLOCKED MOST OF THEM–” 

“YOU’RE DONE, BITCH!” roared Mad Cow, so loud that he managed to drown out the commentator–who went silent, anyway. This made Natsu pause, his brows knitting with fury. 

It doesn’t matter, he reminded himself. She’s not your daughter. He refused to look back, forced himself to take another step, then another. She’s just some fighter from another world who’s, apparently, out of her league. She’s not–

A loud slam, like a body falling on a mat. “SHE’S DOWN! I REPEAT, ’S DOWN!” 

Natsu smirked. “See, dumbass?” he murmured to himself. 

“IT’S ALL OVER, FOLKS! SHE’S–” 

All of a sudden, a fleshy CRACK rang through the air, followed by an enormous chorus of gasps and cries of surprise from the crowd. A deafening silence ensued. 

“... HOLY– UNBELIEVABLE!” the commentator managed. “A KICK FROM THE GROUND–AND O’NEIL'S BACK ON HER FEET! THEY’VE GAINED GROUND FROM EACH OTHER, AND MAD BULL–MAD BULL IS NOW TRYING TO RECOVER!”  

Despite himself, Natsu slowed even as he urged himself to keep walking. Even as he continued to force himself not to turn back. Looking back is only a distraction. It’s not Nashi. That is not Nashi. It’s not–

“Man, I really hate guys like you, you know that?” 

The seething voice was what made him stop, closing his eyes. There was just…something about it. A growl. A fire. Something that punched right back into his memories:

“Remember, breathe, and keep your eyes on my chest! That way, you can see my whole body at the corners of your eyes!” A combo, one which he pumped more speed and power to than before–throwing her off on purpose. 

“Oof!” she grunted as she landed on her butt. 

“There, when you fall– that’s when you make your comeback! Now that you’ve watched your opponent, and tricked him into thinking you’re down– now is when you get back up and blow them away! That’s how a Dragon Slayer fights! That’s how a Fairy Tail Wizard fights!” She stared up at him with huge eyes, shining with admiration, and flushed cheeks. 

He grinned. 

“So?! Get up! Always get back up, Nashi! I’m not asking the impossible of you–you can do this! I know you can!” 

“I–I will!” she scrambled to her feet, fists blazing with gold heat as she lunged for him. “I’ll always get back up! No matter what, I’ll–” 

His chest seized. He clenched his jaw, knowing he needed to make himself keep walking, but unable to do it. Even as people churned around him, trying to push past him, he found himself shoving them off, refusing to move from exactly where he was. One foot planted in front of the other. Half-hovering. Eyes still closed. 

Whatever just happened had quieted the crowd, an anticipatory sort of silence that made him clench his fists, eyes still closed. 

And then, Natsu’s world flipped upside down: 

“You didn’t even bother to study my previous fights, did you?” Her growl carried across the hushed crowd. “Tch, typical…if you had, you’d know: You’d know I always get back up!” 

His eyes flew open. 

He whirled back around and watched, wide-eyed and world rocking, as the pink haired girl rose. Rolled her shoulders against her ears, one at a time. The grin was gone, a heavy, intimidating scowl having taken its place as she recovered, getting her feet back underneath herself, her stance back in place. Her nose was wrinkled in fury. Her eyes burned. 

Natsu’s lips parted on a gasp as he stared. 

Mad Cow scoffed, hunched and rubbing his chin with a hand like a mitt. Natsu guessed that This Nashi must’ve caught him there–probably with a kick, given the size difference. That must have been what made the crowd react with shock. They were recovering now, though, getting louder.

“And why the fuck would I bother to do that?!” Mad Cow shouted, dropping his hand. “I don’t need to! Every guy you’ve faced could’ve beaten you easily if they’d quit acting like even more of a little bitch than you! You shouldn’t fucking be here anyway…fucking birds, knowing dudes will take it easy on you so you can take advantage of it and collect the reward…well I’M NOT ONE OF THEM!” He roared the last part. The bitter fury in his voice was a kind Natsu was familiar with. 

“Studying what you can find of your opponent’s fighting style–that’s basic! And you wanna sit here and bitch about how I don’t deserve to be here, you lumpy-headed fuck?! ” 

“The FUCK you just call me?!” McCow snarled back. 

“YOU HEARD ME, SHITWIT!” 

“THAT’S IT!” the man shouted. “I’ve had it! I was gonna take it easy on you, but–” 

“THAT’S MY LINE!” 

It seemed that was both their limit. 

They flew at each other. But now, everything was different, and Natsu doubted that anyone without a trained eye and fighting experience like him could recognize it. 

Apparently, the commentator was one such person: “THIS IS–THIS IS INCREDIBLE!” the voice boomed, full of disbelief, as the girl caught the fist rocketing towards her face with a hard elbow, making Mad Cow let out a roar of pain. She kicked away an arm flying towards her head, and launched a sidekick at his now-uncovered stomach–one that landed hard. She built on the damage, bearing down on him as he stumbled backwards, tripping over his own heels. A right roundhouse followed by a left to his head. Despite the fact he was obviously disorientated, he caught the first one– blocked it and tried, unsuccessfully to catch her foot–but not the second, which cracked into his ear and made him stagger, her chasing him and hammering him with surprisingly powerful blows. Each one of her hits accumulated speed and strength.

The commentator picked up again, saying something or other about “striking machines”, but Natsu didn’t hear. His eyes were wide, now, and glued to the girl cracking her shin into her opponent’s nose, teeth bared. The expression on her face…the fire in her eyes…the speed of her hits…her fighting style…it was like he’d begun watching the fight currently happening through one eye and a stream of memories through the other, his breath going still in his lungs–

“–No matter what, I’ll always get back up!” screamed the little girl, running forward and hammering him with fiery strikes, kicks, and even elbows. They’d only just started elbow work. Natsu staggered back with each good combo she landed. He put in the effort to make it look convincing, pride swelling within his chest. 

“That’s it! Build on it! Faster…harder! C’mon!”  

This Nashi slipped underneath and into one of Mad Cow’s big overhand hooks, the corrected trajectory of his fist barely skidding over her shoulder as her right fist tore up, slamming into his chin. Even as his eyes rolled and he staggered backwards, her expression was so mutinous it was almost funny. 

But as good as the uppercut was, it turned out to be a set-up: 

“LOOK AT THIS COMBO…CROSS, HOOK–WHOA! AN ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING LEG KICK! CLASSIC MUAY THAI-INSPIRED COMBO FROM TURNING–” 

“FUCKING BITCH–!” Mad Cow roared, but his opponent cut him off with a voice like thunder. 

“I’M THE BADDEST BITCH YOU’VE EVER MET!” 

“I’LL ALWAYS GET BACK UP! I WILL! I’M GONNA BE A GREAT DRAGON SLAYER, JUST LIKE YOU! NO–I’LL EVEN BEAT YOU, ONE DAY!” Nashi took a deep breath, and Natsu grinned, allowing the pause in the fight, because he knew what was coming. The catchphrase both like his and not. Inspired by him, but all her own. 

Her fists blazed brighter than ever. The sun illuminated her grin.“JUST WATCH ME, DADDY! DON’T EVEN BLINK! BECAUSE I’VE–” 

“–GOT A FIRE IN ME THAT YOU’LL NEVER PUT OUT!”

Mad Cow’s eyes were wild with fear as he desperately swung for another, big lead cross–one which spelled his downfall. The Dragoness leapt off her left leg–her back leg. Her right shin cracked into his already dipping head. 

He fell forward and bounced off the mat, limp as a ragdoll, while the audience screamed all around him. 

Even as the giant fell still, she made for his prone form, fist raised, but didn’t fight at all when the black-collared man appeared seemingly from nowhere, grabbed her around the waist, and practically threw her away. Instead, This Nashi– The Nashi skipped backwards, smirking, and raised a wrapped fist. 

And that was the realization which thundered through Natsu, now gaping up at the victorious, pink-haired fighter stalking towards the edge of the cage: not This Nashi. The Nashi. 

After seven, grief-filled years, Natsu Dragneel was absolutely sure he had just found his daughter.

*1. Yes, there will be quotes from the original series (the anime dub, sub, or the manga depending on whichever version I like best) at the beginning of each chapter. HOWEVER. The quotes are not spoilers and are often only tangentially related to my plotline. The one for this chapter, for instance, is specifically about Edolas, but is not actually true of the world where Natsu has landed.

*2. Yes, I know the canon Edolas Nalu child is “Nasha.” I decided on “Nashi”, instead, for reasons which will be explained later.

*3. Sorry in advance, but I pretty much kept what little I remembered/liked from 100YQ and ditched everything I didn’t. Same with the original story, but way more with 100YQ. Idk what it is but even though I’ve read the whole thing, 100YQ has this unique quality where a lot of what happens slips straight out of my mind as soon as I’ve read it. In one eye, out the other. So you’ll just have to roll with me, sorry.

*4. Real-life inspiration for Layla (/Nashi) comes mostly from Ronda Rousey, whose biography I read and happen to have on hand, along with Kaoklai Kaennorsing (especially his fighting style). Those are the two main ones. If you’ve read My Fight, Your Fight, you’ll understand how Layla (/Nashi’s) personality is inspired by her–especially as you go on. I highly recommend looking up the Thai kickboxer/Muay Thai fighter Kaoklai Kaennorsing. He has been called the Giant-Slayer because he did, in fact, defeat opponents who had over 100 pounds on him. Watching his fights is just an incredible experience. Other inspirations include Rose Namajunas, Connor McGregor, and some others. There are also several fictional inspirations including and outside Fairy Tail which I won’t bore you with (some of them I’m sure fellow anime fans will be able to guess lol).

#nalu #fairy tail #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #nashi dragneel #nasha dragneel #gruvia #gajevy #jerza #fan fiction #fanfiction #2nd gen #post-canon #if this is wonky i'll fix it tomorrow. too tired now. #nalu fic

[nabateaprodigy]

Please may I have a Fairy tail Platonic scenario of when a couple of asshats (inconsiderate bullies) thought it would be funny to make fun of you because you (the five year old son *it rains everytime he cries and he is just learning ice magic* who is the younger brother of Greige Fullbuster age 10 and he is younger son of the Gruvia couple..Gray and Juvia Fullbuster..the Gruvia couple are married. The five year old son of Gray and Juvia is pretty much the sweetest little boy known to man) are basically a mama's boy and a crybaby and to say that you were hurt was a understatement of how you felt..you were only minding your own business in the guild hall and the horrible teasing made tears well up in your eyes and you ran off...it started to rain outside not long afterwards because you were crying. Gray understandably was pissed off with the people who made fun of you..he frankly didn't really care that the girls were only teenagers..he and Greige basically forced them to apologise to you when they finally managed to find you. After all that drama was over.. Gray asked if you were alright after the rain thankfully gradually held up until it was over (Greige and Gray stayed with you as Greige held a umbrella over you until the rain stopped).

Gray was in charge of watching you and Greige today considering that Juvia was on a job and won't be back until late.

Rain, Rain Go Away and Come Back Another Day

Series: Fairy Tail.

Characters Gray, and Greige.

Genre: Angst/Comfort.

Proofread: Yes.

Reader: Male.

Rain. It was raining again but why? One would think that it's just the weather but this was a different type of rain. It was not natural but one of magic and emotion.

Rain was something that was all but too familiar to you. Even when you were very little you had always been an emotional child. Crying, rain, tears, all these things were very familiar to you. Some of these traits you shared with your mother Juvia.

Juvia had told you that when she was as young as you are if she was ever sad rain would soon follow. But Juvia found her husband Gray and Fairy Tail who loved and welcomed Juvia with open arms. Juvia had told me that she, Gray, Greige, and Fairy Tail would always love and support you when you need them.

You knew this and yet whenever you would need help or want to reach out to someone anyone! You always felt like a burden and never sought out the help of others even when you desperately needed it. So you would cry and you would continue to cry as rain pours down from the skies.

It had been raining a lot as of late but why would that be? It was all due to one reason you were being bullied by three girls. Every day they would pick and tease on you for no other reason other than their amusement.

It had gotten so bad that you feared going outside and would rather stay home. Your family had noticed this behavior yet you gave no response to their questions. You had grown more quiet and reserved due to this and your family began to worry.

Once again the rain had begun to fall from the skies. It had happened again hadn't it? Yes, those girls they had picked on you again. You were on your way to the Fairy Tail Guild when it happened.

You chose to ignore them and just ran past to get to the Fairy Tail Guild as quickly as you could. When you arrived your father Gray was at the entrance and had noticed you weren't your usual self. "Y/N? What happened? Please talk to me you haven't been your usual self me, Juvia, and Greige are all worried about you."

After some thought you finally decided to tell your father what those girls I've been doing. "I'm being picked on by some girl's dad. They won't leave me alone and continue to pick on me and I don't know what to do."

Hearing this Gray was angry very angry why would anyone pick on you? His precious son would sort out this situation and make things right. "Thank you for telling me Y/N please whenever something like this happens again tell me alright? Now what are the names of these girls?"

After a brief moment of silence, you decided to give the names of the girls to Gray. "Thank you Y/N now I'll be back soon just wait here from me okay?" Okay papa I'll wait here for you." After patting you on the head Gray soon set off.

Just then Griege came out from the Guild he was your older brother and had heard the conversation you and Gray had. Your brother had never been one for speaking but you knew he cared. Just then your father had returned with the girls who had by picking on you.

"Now apologize," Gray spoke. After a brief silence, they spoke up. "We're sorry and we know you won't forgive us but we still wanted to apologize anyway." The girls spoke hanging their heads in shame.

"Good. Now leave." Greige spoke. "But-" "leave." He spoke once more this time the girls listened and left. "Are you alright M/N?" Yes, I'm fine thank you Griege." You smiled as Griege hugged you. "Don't worry Y/N I won't let anyone bully you ever again."

#request #fanfic #fic request #fanfiction #x reader #fairy tail #fairy tail fanfic #angst #comfort #fairy tail fanfiction #Ft #ft gray #gray fullbuster #anime x male reader #x male y/n #x male reader #fairy tail imagines #fairy tail imagine #fairy tail guild #fairy tail gray #fairy tail anime #readerfic #platonic reader #platonic #platonic x reader

[ao3feed-gratsu-brotp]

The Water Maiden

by LissyArt101

A Gruvia Fairy Tail Fanfic “Historical East Asia” AU

-- “Find him!” The loud shouts were loud enough to wake up the whole town. “They’re looking for you,” he sighed, closing the window. “So why don’t you tell them I’m here?” a voice said from above him.

Her focus shifted to Gray, and a soft smile spread across her face. It was a different kind of smile than the one she had given to Natsu’s and Lucy’s hug. It made him want to stare at it all day.

He was trying to get them out of the kingdom, but in his hurry, he forgot to check if anyone was after him. He was completely out of strength, his pursuers have caught him. His lost is consciousness feeling like he was sinking through the stone. The court official cursed, "Her world. Of course, he's in her world she's attracted to him." --

Words: 2377, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Fairy Tail

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Characters: Gray Fullbuster, Natsu Dragneel, Lucy Heartfilia, Juvia Lockser, Ultear Milkovich, Ur (Fairy Tail), Silver Fullbuster

Relationships: Gray Fullbuster/Juvia Lockser, Natsu Dragneel/Lucy Heartfilia, Natsu Dragneel & Gray Fullbuster, Lucy Heartfilia & Juvia Lockser, Natsu Dragneel & Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster & Juvia Lockser

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Historical, East Asia, Asia, Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), Original Mythology, Original Universe, Dragons, Goddesses, Gods, Magic, Alternate Dimensions, and more tags that I'll probably add later, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Angst

Source: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53848204

#ao3feed #fanfiction #fairy tail #gray & natsu #natsu & gray #gray fullbuster #natsu dragneel #brotp

[a-very-tail-wizard]

I have been absent from this blog for literally years, but I can now say I have 3 Gruvia fics in progress. 1 is fluff, 1 is angst/fluff, and 1 is smut. (I’m most excited about the last one.)

#one of them is also be a continuation of my first and only Gruvia fic #for those of you who liked that one #fairy tail #gruvia

[sweetmemories2606]

GW 2022-Day 6:Shiver

Happy 2023 everyone!

This prompt inspired me for some good old angst and a little horror too. I blame my Creative Writing teacher because when I started writing this we were studying how to write horror. 

That led me to come up with a Murder Mystery AU which will probably never be finished, but the planning is there. There’s some fluff at the beginning too, so I hope you enjoy that! 

Title: Lost Without You

Summary: Gray shivered again, but actually welcomed the cold. It was better than the numbness he had been feeling ever since he had returned home 6 weeks ago. As he tried to block the memory, the image of broken glass, crimson splatters on the floor and a discarded blue hat was inescapable. (Murder Mystery AU) (Angst and Horror)

Timeline: Avatar Arc 

WARNING: There is some gore, so if you're sensitive to blood, caution when reading the second scene

Link: Fanfiction.Net

Word Count: 1600

Sneak Peek 1:

"It's okay." She removed her head from his neck and glance behind him, at the cottage. "I feel at home now. With you."

It took him a moment, but he admitted it. "I feel at home with you too."

Her smile brightened. He thought about how beautiful she looked when she was happy. Then he thought he'd like to kiss her.

She noticed her gaze on her lips and answered the unasked question. "Nothing's stopping you."

It was true. They had been dating for weeks now, not that anyone knew, so kissing her was no longer a fantasy, but a natural part of their daily life.

The kiss started out slow as it usually did, but soon became passionate other word once he brought her closer, pressing her against him. The blanket fell from her shoulders onto the snowy ground, but neither noticed or cared.

His hands reached for her hair since he enjoyed tangling him in her blue locks and her hat was discarded. Her hands played with his hair, messing it up, not that he minded.

They would've never pulled apart if breathing wasn't a necessity. When they looked at each other, trying to catch their breaths, Juvia smirked. "I love it when you warm me up."

Sneak Peek 2:

"Are you scared?" Sawyer teased, smirking.

"We all should be." Meredy's face was devoid of colour. She stood by the entrance, hesitant. "We don't know what we're going to find there."

"Hopefully this won't be another pointless mission." The poison dragon slayer rolled his eyes. Annoyed with the sound of rainfall, he cancelled it, creating an eerie silence.

"Remind me why we're the ones doing this again?" Sawyer looked away from the portrait he had been examining and towards their leader, eyebrows raised.

"Because we're the only ones who aren't emotional about this." Sorano reminded him, gratefully accepting Macbeth's offer of his coat.

"That's not exactly true." Erik pointed out, glancing at Meredy.

"Meredy, are you alright?" Jellal, who was sensing the candles in the corner, glanced back at her in concern.

"Fine." She sniffled and they exchanged worried looks.

"Maybe you should sit this one out." Sorano gently suggested.

"No." Though Meredy's voice was shaky, there was strong determination in her eyes. "If there's a chance we'll find Juvia tonight, I need to be here."

#gruvia week #gruvia #day 6: shiver #fanfic #fairy tail #murder mystery #horror #angst #gray fullbuster #juvia lockser #crime sorciere #jellal fernandes #meredy milkovitch #2022 #this is super dark #writing horror