How Writing Fanfiction Saved Me

A Grandfather's Love

Disclaimer: All Fairy Tail Characters Belong To Hiro Mashima

Chapter 14: A Grandfather's Love

Makarov Dreyar sat up in his bed and strained his ears to try to isolate the noise that had awoken him. He was a light sleeper on the average day but being responsible for four kids had made him even more alert. He heard movement inside the house followed by the sound of the front door closing softly. He looked at his alarm clock which alerted him to the fact that it was 3:34 in the morning and groaned. It was way too early to be awake. He sighed, rubbed his eyes and decided that if he was already up he might as well get some fishing in. He got dressed and gathered his supplies, going out the side door to place them on the small dock where his boat was moored. He headed towards the beach wanting to check on whichever of his grandkids was outside before he left. He was surprised to see it was Natsu, he had been expecting Laxus or even Zeref. Natsu was sitting on the sand with his arms wrapped around his knees, staring out at the water. He looked very young and a little spooked, although he could just have been cold. Natsu was a difficult person to talk to and Makarov watched him for awhile as he thought about the best way to approach him. When he made up his mind he went back to his boat and grabbed a blanket before making his way towards his youngest grandson.

"I thought I'd find you here." Makarov chuckled as he tossed the blanket across his grandson's shoulders. "You're so much like your mother sometimes, it's uncanny."

Natsu looked up from where he was sitting on the beach to find his grandfather staring down at him. He was still a bit shaken from his nightmare but sitting by the water had calmed him down somewhat.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Makarov asked as he sat down on the sand without waiting for an answer.

Natsu snorted and shook his head. "Go right ahead."

"So what brings you out here so late, or should I say early?"

The sun had not yet begun to rise and the stars could be seen shining brightly in the dark sky.

"I had a nightmare and I couldn't get back to sleep," Natsu said honestly, "I didn't want to wake anyone and I figured the sound of the waves would calm me down."

"A nightmare, huh? I imagine with everything that's happened it's to be expected." Makarov commiserated. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"Not really. To tell you the truth I've forgotten a lot of it already it just freaked me out right when I woke up." Natsu said and it was mostly the truth. He had forgotten a lot of it but the things he did remember about it were still confusing, not to mention creepy.

"You know Natsu, I'm always here for you." Makarov told him seriously. "We might argue at school but I'm your grandfather and I love you very much. You can tell me anything. I've been around for a long time and I've been a high school principal for close to fifty years . Very few things faze me."

Natsu nodded but remained quiet. He enjoyed the night breeze that blew through his hair and caressed his clammy skin. The sound of the waves helped to relax him and the vision of that bloody green haired boy receded more and more. He wrapped the blanket tighter around himself.

Makarov remained quiet for awhile seemingly lost in his own thoughts. "I used to find your mother out here all the time. She used to love the water, just like you."

Natsu smiled at the thought that this was something he shared with his mother. "Hey Gramps, what was she like at my age?"

Makarov stared out a the sea thoughtfully. "When Mavis was your age she wasn't very happy. She was stuck in the hospital most of the time with only Mika and Yuri for company but she made the best of it. She was a cheerful girl who was quick to open her heart. She always tried to see the best in everyone. You used to be like that once. I know it won't be easy but I really hope, someday, you will be again."