Nalu oneshots

shot 6: They never would

After countless battles, Natsu didn't take anything for granted. The strongest warrior could suffer defeat. The meekest supplicant could dig deep into themselves and wrest victory from sure failure. What he was sure of, was his trust in nakama. Natsu knew his friends were stalwart and true. Any and all of his comrades-in-arms were devoted to one another; a family strong in bonds not limited to blood.

Natsu felt affection for all his guild mates. He was closer to some more than others, namely Happy and Lucy. The trio formed a unique unit each contributing various strengths and talents.

People often considered Natsu immature and naïve. Yes. He delighted in pranks, ate his food with a maximum of haste and minimum of manners. Yes, he fought with Gray Fullbuster for the most spurious of reasons. Yes, Natsu wanted to challenge every mage he considered stronger than himself. Natsu also was willing to fight for his friends - and bolster their confidence. He saw any misdeed as a chance to redress the inequalities of the world - and would throw himself into the thick of things heedless of any danger.

Lucy was a good friend. She shared her company, her apartment and food. Natsu was drawn to her for those things and other reasons he never had cause to explore. After all, things were more fun when they were together.

Encounters with dark guilds and dangerous missions were daily occurrences. Various deadly groups were encountered and defeated - until the darkest of guilds ravaged Magnolia and destroyed much of the town. Tartaros was something neither Natsu nor Lucy would willingly speak of; each had suffered and yet ultimately prevailed.

Taking a year to train, Natsu and Happy disappeared with only a hastily scrawled letter addressed to Lucy. Lucy endured, but not without privations. She held herself together and survived. The hope that her team would see each other again gave her purpose.

After being reunited with Natsu and Happy, Lucy began to ease back into their easy camaraderie but not without some changes. Her trust was still extended to the slayer, but it was thin and weakened. Being left behind, not given a choice to travel with her partners; it galled her. She fought against her angry churning feelings, hating how stained she felt with resentment.

Both slayer and celestial mage were biding their time, waiting for the opportunity to fully mend their friendship. Gathering the guild together was a priority, and personal business could wait. Natsu struggled with the words he wanted to share with Lucy, even as he wanted to keep his burdens to himself. Lucy also had her feelings bottled up and was loathe to express just exactly how depressed she'd been.

All Natsu was sure of, was that he would do anything to put a real smile back on his best friend's face; he'd pluck the stars out of the sky and shine them brighter. He'd never say sorry for caring so much he'd needed to become stronger. He'd never betray his father's memory by becoming a shell of himself - he would live and grow and stand proud. One day, his fang tipped grin would spark an answering smile from the girl; each would shine with deep emotion, love and need mixed together - never needing to separate - and they never would.