Published  - June 12, 2020

Word Count - 4297

Music - Keith Power - This Is What You Are

Hey everyone, this is a short story written by nutellalover38. This is an amazing little story, I simply copied and pasted it from an email she sent me. I was given full permission to publish this on her behalf and I hope you all give her some love. 

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It has been Two weeks since the war with Zeref and Acnologia had ended. Fiore was healing little by little including Magnolia and the Fairy Tail guild.

The war was tough, heartbreaking, as well as eye opening for most of the Fairy Tail members. Seeing their dear Master, they're gaurdian and Father figure sacrifice himself for their sake and waking up again was overwhelming to say the least. Erza did not know how to feel about meeting her Mother and fighting her to the death only to watch her kill herself at the end just so she wouldn't have to kill her own child who she loved deeply. Gray was stricken by guilt and grief over what had occurred between him and his best friend Natsu, when he actually tried to unjustly slay him, his rival, his brother. And when he was forced to fight Juvia to the death only to kill himself and see her kill herself too for his sake! When he awoke and discovered that she had given him blood transfusion spell he was utterly heartbroken.

Lucy was emotionally and mentally exhausted from all the events that has occurred, Almost losing Natsu so many times has left her paranoid to the core. Seeing his unconscious body with his flame going out and no beating heart was nerve wracking for her, and then finding him fight his best friend with his Demon form horrified her, let alone having to rewrite the book of E.N.D so he wouldn't die and disappear on her only to be affected by the Demon powers and be almost burned from the inside-out, if it wasn't for Gray's Demon-Slaying magic she would have died.

And then have Natsu actually disappear out of sight when they thought all is good and the war was over. Luckily she managed to collect her self before going insane and she helped the Dragon Slayers defeat Acnologia by incasing his physical form in the Fairy Sphere which gave the Slayers an advantage for the final blow. All was good and they all returned to Magnolia and Natsu was back to where he belong.

None of Team Natsu has made an appearance to the guild, since. They needed time for themselves, to reflect and heal their wounds, physically, emotionally, and mentally. They needed to think of their past and their present, to think of the next step, to make changes in the way they see and treat the people around them and life itself. This war has opened their eyes to their flaws and to what needs to be changed. Little by little they were coming to their own conclusions.

Gray decided to grow closer to Juvia, Erza decided to be more open about her emotions and take her armor off, Lucy decided to grow closer to Natsu as she finally realized that she can't let the fear of rejection get the best of her, Natsu on the other hand haven't decided anything, but to shut himself out from the world and stay in the comfort of his own dark home. He was shattered.

When Lucy was on her way to the guild for the first time since the war ended, she was feeling nervous yet happy that no more life-threatening situations will happen. She suddenly felt a wave of wind and magic power coming her way, only to be knocked on the ground by non other than Happy; the Blue Exceed. She was overjoyed to see him and excited to see his gaurdian pretty soon. Until she realized the fountain of tears on Happy's face and his scared expression. She was alarmed and stood up from the ground with shaking hands and legs.

"What happened Happy? Where is Natsu?!" Lucy exclaimed fearfully

"He's home in bed since Two weeks, Lucy! He wont budge or talk or anything. I tried and tried but he wont even utter a word!" Happy said while tears are pouring heavily on his cheeks.

"WHAT? WHY? LETS GO SEE HIM!" She yelled

Happy grabbed Lucy by the back of her collar shirt and started flying her to where he and Natsu live. His paws were shaking, he was trembling with fear for his best friend.

Lucy's mind started playing tricks on her, her paranoia for Natsu's life and disappearance started making her struggle for air. It felt like forever till they actually made it to where Natsu is, but it was only 7 minutes since Happy used Max speed magic.

When both Lucy and Happy entered the house, it was pitch black, not the slightest sunlight was allowed to enter the humble home of Natsu and Happy! Happy led her to the bed room and showed her Natsu's condition on the bed. What she saw scared her to death, she started trembling mid walk and her heart was pounding! It was the only sound she could here in that pitch black, quiet place, even Happy could hear her pounding irregular heartbeats.

Natsu was on his bed, sleeping shirtless with no covers, he was kind of pale, and looked thinner than Two weeks ago, way too thin, he actually started losing muscles. His breathing was fast in his sleep.

Lucy slowly approached his bedside and steaded her breathing, she reached her hand out to his shoulder to wake him up, he was almost cold. Lucy was really scared for him, not knowing what drove him to such extreme condition. She tapped on his shoulder gently and whispered his name to wake him up.

When Natsu opened his eyes, its like he looked way passed her. He did not flinch nor make any sort of reaction upon seeing Lucy in his home. He simply turned the other way. Lucy was shocked at what she witnessed, he didn't even acknowledge her and his eyes were dull and bloodshed. He wasn't doing well at all!

She walked to the other side of his bed and sat next to him, she started carressing his hair and it felt dry. Natsu opened his eyes upon Lucy's touch but didnt move another muscle nor look or speak to her. This went on for a good 10 minutes.

Happy was just sitting on the floor observing without making any sound, hoping for some progress. Lucy began speaking ever so low and sofly.

"Natsu.. I wont push you to start talking, but how about I make you breakfast? Something light so you wouldn't surprise your system with the sudden change. You haven't eaten in a while." Lucy said softly still carressing his dry frezy hair.

Still no response, no reaction from the Dragon Slayer. Lucy left him to make him Chicken and vegetable soup with Chicken broth. Came back with a tray of soup and water and set it on the nightstand next to his bed.

She started carressing his shoulder and kept her low and soft tone of voice.

"You know I care about you, right Natsu? You're always by my side and I hope you know how much you mean to me, Natsu." She said softly while looking him in the eyes, having tears threatening to pour.

He was now looking right at her with a blank face. He was actually seeing her now and listening to her. That encouraged her to keep talking till he at least sits up and eat his breakfast.

"I know the war was difficult on you, Natsu. You were the one who ended it all honestly! Im thankful and grateful for you! Always!" She let few tears fall and put a little smile on.

"I don't remember what it was like before I met you and joined the guild. You might not realize this but you saved my life that day in Hargeon in more ways than one!" Lucy said softly with a little frown

Natsu frowned at what she said in confusion but then smiled at her. She was extremely happy at this progress. Now she needs him to sit up and eat then talk.

"I hope you know you can count on me just as much as I count on you! Im never leaving your side!" She said firmly standing and holding his arm and pulling him up to sit.

He sat up with his head low looking at his hands in his lap. Natsu was slightly shaking and Lucy figured it was from the lack of nutrients so she gave him the bowl of soup but he shook his head and said "No.." his voice was dry and raspy from not speaking in weeks, it almost hurt him to speak. Lucy passed him the glass of water and he gulped it in a second. Lucy and Happy exchanged looks of pure shock and Joy! Happy was over the moon for hearing his best friend talk in what felt like forever, he flew and sat on the end of Natsu's bed and remained quiet, observing.

Lucy sat on the bed next to Natsu and removed his bangs from the view of his eyes. He was still looking at his hands slightly shaking. Lucy took his left hand and held it tightly in her lap carressing it with her thump while looking at him.

He was shocked for what she did, looked at her with scared wide eyes. She didn't understand why would he be scared? Natsu pulled his hand out of her grasp and looked the other way. Lucy grabbed his chin and turned his face to face her.

"What happened? What are you scared of, Natsu?" Lucy asking tilting her head slightly.

He looked away and started breathing heavily little by little. She held his hand with her left, carressing his back with her right and whispering calming words in his ear till his breathing went to normal.

"Please Natsu! Im really worried and Im scared of losing you. Don't shut me out" Lucy pleaded.

He looked at her and opened his mouth to speak. It was raspy and trembly but non the less they were actual words.

"W-what am I?" Natsu asked Lucy with the lowest voice she wasn't even sure if she heard him right.

"What? What are you? You're a Fire Dragon Slayer, you're a Fairy Tail wizard Natsu! One of the greatest wizards!" Lucy said sternly shocked at his question

He looked at his hands again and asked the same question only to himself this time. He was tearing up as well. Seriously scared of the answer that he believed.

"What do you mean by this question, Natsu? You're a Fairy Tail wizard, you are the son of the Fire Dragon King, you are your own person!" She said sternly and slowly letting every word sink into his brain.

"N-no!.. I should.. be de-ead. I-Im a Demon. H-he wants me dead. Im n-ot good!" Natsu said stuttering and tearing up

Lucy and Happy were utterly shocked at what they just heard. Did Natsu really call himself a 'Demon'? Did he really say that he should be DEAD? Happy flew right into Natsu's chest and started crying, Lucy wrapped her arms around his neck and cried even more. They were terrified to say the least. She never wanted to let go, she wanted to stay on his bed to protect him for as long as he needs to, to recover from these sickening thoughts.

"I should leave.." Natsu breathed

"NO!" Happy and Lucy yelled together and held him even tighter

"YOU'RE NOT LEAVING! YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE NATSU! you're not a Demon, you are a human being. The sweetest I've ever met. I wont LET YOU LEAVE ME AGAIN! NEVER!" Lucy yelled, crying her eyes out while hugging him tightly

"B-ut I destroy things.. I set things on fire.. I set my flames free to burn everything. I AM a Demon, I am E.N.D.."

"NO NATSU! Listen to me carefully.. You are not a Demon, you are more than a wizard who set things on fire, you are a loyal, loving, caring human being. You are so much more!"

"What am I?" Natsu asked again looking straight ahead at the wall.

Lucy let out a heavy sigh and turned his head to look at her. "You are Natsu Dragneel. And if you dont know who or what that is, let me tell you." She said sternly looking him in the eyes.

"Natsu Dragneel is the one who saved me from a phony wizard who had me under a charm spell, he also saved me from the same phony wannabe Wizard again, by busting in on a sailing ship despite his severe illness of moving vehicles. Both times I was saved, it was totally coincidental! I cheated death twice that day because of Natsu Dragneel. I was going to be shipped off and sold and who knows what would have become of me.

When he grabbed my wrist and started dragging me with him I was annoyed, the army was behind him and I just got dragged into his mess, until he turned to face me and flashed me his beautiful grin and said "you said you wanted to join the Fairy Tail guild right? So come on!" The moment he said that I was over the moon! This guy saved my life and is taking me home at last! I went to many adventures with him, that didn't always end well but he always managed to make the most of them. From then forward I wanted nothing but to be dragged into his mess. It was exciting, adventurous, and lively!

Natsu Dragneel is the person who risked his life for me repeatedly. He saved me from the Iron Dragon Slayer and took him on until he couldnt move a muscle anymore, but still, that didnt stop him from mustering whatever strength he had left and keep fighting to free me. He was a total mess and I was so scared for his life!"

Lucy started crying and chocking on her words trying to breath and continue talking. Happy was crying too, listening to her talk about Natsu and his actions. It was overwhelming to hear.

"Natsu Dragneel has caught me falling from the sky multiple times, and he never let a hair on me hit the ground. He protects me always! Natsu Dragneel is the person who always sneaks into my apartment and starts wrecking the place just for the fun of it. He always managed to empty my kitchen and my wallet, hense why I always complain about rent money! Natsu is the reason why Im always broke to be honest!" Lucy sniffed and chuckled

"Natsu Dragneel is the one who uprooted an entire tree and set it on a boat into the canal just so I could see its rainbow colors shine through the night because I couldnt be there.
Natsu always encouraged me when he saw that I tried to better myself at weilding my magic. He always supported me, always motivated me.

Natsu Dragneel is always there for his family. He saved Erza's life by risking his own and consuming something that is not of his elemt that left him ill for weeks. He did it for her because he loves her and cares for her, because she's family. And what are we without the people we love?" Lucy breathed and closed her eyes for a second to collect her self. Natsu was absolutely baffled at everything she was saying. He was speechless, frozen in shock.

"Listen, Natsu.. I could go on and on about what you are as a human being, and I could never finish because you ARE human, a PERFECT one. I might.. have been falsefully charmed by Bora... but I am blissfully enchanted by you!" Lucy stopped talking, holding her breath in and looking him in the eyes waiting for a reaction. The room was silent. Happy stunned speechless at what she said, Natsu stunned as well eyes wide open with mouth partly open, heart pounding. Lucy silently letting tears rain down her rosey cheecks. It was deathly quiet for what seemed like hours but it was only 3 minutes till Natsu moved his arms and raised them up to Lucy's teary cheecks. He wiped them both and carressed her right cheeck with his thump. Natsu started tearing up silently as well, not knowing where to begin..

"Lucy.. I.. I always.. considered you to be my best friend.. but when I watched.. your future self die.. something in me .. shattered.. the word 'Precious' came to my tongue without thinking.. I realized then that, thats what you are to me.. 'Precious' I had fears and flashbacks of that moment haunting me for months.. I wanted nothing to do but be by your side at all times, to always protect you. You always worried me when you where out of sight or injured.. I didnt understand why you had this kind of hold on my mind. But I realized it during the war, when I thought that you were dead for the second time.. I lost you and I lost my humanity with you.. I became E.N.D.. I lost the chance to be honest with you.. and then I had to fight Gray to the death.. I was.. willing to kill him to get him out of my way! I needed to kill Zeref, E.N.D was not about to let Gray live and go.. We were stopped and you came back to life, you came for me and I was thankful for your life but still took your existence for granted.. never told you the truth about my feelings.. because Im TOO MUCH OF A PINK HEAD TO DO THE RIGHT THING! EVER!.." Natsu screamed the last sentence gripping his head and pulling on his hair crying.

Lucy was taken back by his sudden outburst but quickly reacted and held both his hands on either side and told him to calm down. Happy was just crying silently at the end of the bed watching the two humans cry too. Once Natsu has calmed down and let go of his hair, Lucy took both his hands in hers and looked at him with warm eyes and tender smile and said what he finally needed to hear.

"My favorite shade of Pink!" she said simply

Simple words yet they held so much meaning and power to them. It gave the Dragon Slayer a new meaning for life, a purpose to live.

He looked at her in awe and his eyes were glittering with life. There was a moment of silence, staring at her until he moved slowly leaning forward towards Lucy, she was doing the same until their noses were touching, they both took a second and then clashed their lips together. It was gentle and sweet and lasted for 5 seconds until they pulled away. 5 seconds was all he needed to come back to life. Their sweet moment of silence ended with hearing a snickering sound coming from non other than the Blue Exceed.

"They loooove each othherr" He snickered at them

They both shyed away from each others gazes but then looked at each other with love.

"Lets have Lunch at the guild, my treat!" Lucy said happily

"HECK YEAH" Both Happy and Natsu said together

"IM ALL FIRED UP" Natsu exclaimed with his fist up in the air.

Lucy just looked at her lovable idiots and giggled. The Three of them made their way to the guild hand in hand filled with content.

Not knowing what awaits them, specifically what fate awaits Lucy. Not knowing that these happy moments will just leave them as fast as they appeared. To never show themselves again.

Its been Two blissful days since the Trio got back to the guild with the rest of their friends.
Two days since Natsu and Lucy been together as a couple, Two days since Gray and Natsu spoke and hugged it out. Until that fateful night at Lucy's apartment.

It was almost 4:30 AM when she started stirring in her sleep, trying to get comfortable when a burning sensation flashed through her veins in her arms to her face and abdomen. She opened her eyes in sudden shock and horror at what she was feeling, she saw the markings, the Demon flames was flowing inside of her veins, the same one that flowed into her veins Two weeks ago. She was in complete pain, more so than the first time, Lucy stirred, kicked, and rolled out of bed in pain. She couldnt scream or utter any audible sounds. Once she hit the cold floor it relieved her for a second. Lucy tried to call for Loke or Virgo but her magic power was depleting fast. The markings of the Demon's flames were spreading all over her body, burning her from the inside-out. Lucy tried to call for Gray or Natsu, or more like prayed they would sense her calling. She knew it was pointless but breathing their names took her mind off of the burning flames eating her away for few moments. She started coughing up blood. Her chin and neck were bathed in blood. Her vision started getting blurry, she quickly turned her head to look at the window hoping for Natsu to bust in. Lucy kept her eyes at the window while her vision was slowly burning from the inside. Her nose started heavily bleeding streaming on either cheecks to the floor. Her brain was burned, her veins, arteries and organs slowly turning black and ash inside her. Her heartbeats were slowing down, her moves calmed down, breathing shallow. She didnt feel anything at all, no pain at all. Lucy lost her sight. No longer able to look at the window and the stars shining above. Her breathing started to slow down, she felt like she was floating.

This was it for Lucy Heartfilia, she finally got the one she loves but it didn't last long. Two beautiful days she had with him, she will cherish these Two days forever. Lucy Heartfilia took her last breath in her dark, cold apartment alone, no one to hold her hand, no one to see her off.

Happy and Natsu were on their way to her apartment early in the morning, when Natsu started sniffing blood on the way to her apartment, they raced to her in worry, climbed up the window and got in. The horrifying scene before them petrified them. Natsu and Happy were absolutely still, not processing what they're looking at. It was her dead body. Face covered in blood, dry blood pool on the floor from her Ears, Nose, and Mouth. Black Markings all over her body. Natsu let out the loudest scream it shook the building. Happy couldn't blink at all. Natsu grabbed Lucy and carried her dead body out of her apartment and sprinted to the guild leaving Happy in shock staring at the dry blood pool. Natsu was heavily crying unable to breath, running as fast as he could to the guild.

When he busted in, Natsu let out another defeaning-heartbreaking scream. All in the guild were horrified at the scene, not quite understanding whats happening. Natsu dropped on his knees with Lucy's body in his arms still. Team Natsu, Levy, and Mira were the first to react and let out their screams and cries. They raced to Lucy's body for inspection. Wendy was lost for words at what she learned that happened. She started uncontrollably sobbing and pulling her hair, Carla tried to calm her down so she could understand what happened to Lucy. Levy and Mira collapsed at the floor, Erza was physically drained and dropped on her knees. Gray was standing still, eyes wide open, trembling, and crying. He knows what happened, these markings are familiar, he didn't think that it was possible for the Demon's Fire to still affect her. Didn't he remove all it from her body? Was there more? Should he have checked on her always? Should he have told Porlyusica about this instead of thinking that he had saved the day? Was this his fault? Guilt and Grief have stroke him once again. He can't come back from this, ever. His cockyness have cost him the life of one of his best friends. Gray will never come back from this.

Wendy started screaming what happened saying that Lucy was burned from the Inside, her heart and other vital organs were burned into crisp, nothing left of her to heal. Nothing at all. At that moment all the guild was screaming and wailing. You could hear their wails from miles away. It was a dark day for Fairy Tail. No one can come back from this. Definitely not Natsu. Natsu felt like his life was over, Lucy died on him twice but she came back, but the third time was the charm. She was dead and never coming back again. The guild was informed of what happened to Lucy by Wendy and Gray. Natsu was shocked, angry, and devastated..

Lucy Heartfilia died alone in her apartment because of him, FOR HIM! Natsu was the reason his one and only is dead. Because she loved him too much, her love for him killed her. Much like the First Master's cause of death. She was loved by Zeref too much therefore she was taken away. Its almost tragically funny!

Fairy Tail, Gray, Natsu, and Happy were not the same, and never will be.