Trail of a Fairy

08. The Second Scarf

Natsu entered the room quietly. Nashi was already in bed and asleep. Natsu could hear the quiet snores of the twelve-year-old easily. The dad moved with practiced stealth - years of parenting taught him that at least. Reaching into his sack, Natsu felt around. First finding a pair of underwear and pants. Then, something else. The long pieces of metal and the soft ball weren't easy to find. But once he had them in hand - and his pants on of course - he left the room. At the end of the hall was a small chair. Natsu sat down, preparing his find.

The needles felt awkward in his hand, and the ball of yarn kept trying to roll off his knee. But Natsu caught it each time. Finally, after it had rolled one too many times, Natsu placed it on the chair beside him. Thankfully, it didn't roll again.

Natsu proceeded to wrap a small bit of yarn around one of the needles. The movement was slow, and it slipped off several times. But he got it. Taking the other needle in hand, He slipped a loop of yarn off the first needle and onto the other. And repeated.

Natsu focused on the needles. He wouldn't dare try to focus on something else as well. Knitting was new to him, and it was only through Juvia's help that he learned how to knit. Or even what knitting was. And as Natsu stared at his project, he saw the difference practice made.

The first rows of it were smooth, and even. The rows that Lucy had made. But the rows Natsu had started were rough, and ragged. Mentally cursing, Natsu dropped his project. How did Lucy do this so easily? How did Juvia manage to teach such a slow learner?

Natsu dropped the project and leaned back on the chair, closing his eyes. The train ride had taken a lot out of him. As he closed his eyes, he tried to remember what Juvia had said.

"Natsu-san," She sighed. "Juvia has tried all she can, but Juvia does not think Natsu is ready to knit on Lucy's project."

"I know! Just," He groaned. "I want to do this, for Nashi. Lucy started this. It'll be a present he got from his mom. From Lucy. I-"

"Juvia understands." Slowly, she stood up and took the needles and yarn with her. "Natsu-san just needs more practice. Lots more practice."

Natsu groaned. He hadn't gotten the chance to practice. Yet here he was, trying to knit something. Looking at his two rows again, he let his head fall back. It was supposed to be awesome, yet here he was, destroying it. Something Lucy had made.

"Luce? Whatcha doing?"

"I'm making a scarf, Natsu."

Natsu looked at the things in her hand. Two giant needles, and a bunch of white string. "That doesn't look like a scarf to me."

Lucy stuck her tongue out. "I'm making it into a scarf!"

"No need to get grumpy!" Natsu chided. "Now, how do you make it into a scarf?"

"Well," Lucy began. "You loop the string here, and pull it onto this needle, letting this part fall loose, then, you-"

"Yeah, yeah." Natsu cut her off. "How long do you think that will take?"

Lucy huffed. "Doesn't matter. It's not for you, and you're too impatient anyway."

Natsu sat down on the bed next to his wife. He gently rubbed her shoulder and held her close. She looked away, trying to keep a frown on her face. But Natsu twisted around to see her face. He grinned, and a smile broke out onto her face. Playfully, she shoved him away.

"Baka!" She laughed. "Don't make me smile when I don't want to smile!"

Natsu grabbed her waist and pulled her close. "C'mon, you love to smile. Plus, you look even more beautiful when you smile."

"No!" Lucy giggled. But she didn't pull away when Natsu nuzzled her head. Gently, he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you, Luce."

"I love you too, Natsu."

Natsu froze. Lifting a hand to his face, he felt the wetness under his eyes. He quickly wiped it off and sat up, leaning on his knees. The door where Nashi sleep was only a few feet away. But the knitting sitting on his lap felt like such a heavy weight. So Natsu stayed sitting on the chair as he looked at the door to his and Nashi's room. Sighing, Natsu decided it was time for him to go to bed. Hie wasn't tired, but Natsu could still feel the ache in his muscles and bones. He really had been too rough with himself in the past.

Quietly, Natsu opened the door. Nashi was still asleep in bed. Natsu quickly hid the knitting needles and wool. Feeling the moisture on his face, Natsu brushed his hand over his face again. This time, he felt the scruffy stubble on his face and neck. Curious, Natsu looked in the mirror. His stubble was growing longer - he hadn't shaved in weeks. Maybe even a month. Natsu rubbed his stubble again. He could feel each hair as it moved on his face. It was a weird feeling. Plus, the pink stubble was a little weird to look at. I guess I'll have to shave tomorrow morning.

Placing his sack under the bed, Natsu crawled into bed. He briefly searched around for a second pillow to hold, but remembered there was none. With an ache in his heart, Natsu wrapped his arms around himself in an attempt to not feel so lonely.