The Paradox of Time - A Fairy Tail Fanfic

Chapter 12

Lucy had offered Wendy to take the couch, while she set up her own bed using the blankets on the floor, right in front of the fireplace. Wendy was already fast asleep, and Happy seemed to be dreaming peacefully as well, thanks to Wendy's magic. Lucy, on the other hand, had too much on her mind to fall asleep, so she instead listened to the crackling fire in the fireplace. The flames grew to be larger and wider, allowing her to become fully embraced by its comfort and warmth. It reminded her of Natsu's fire, and how he was always there to provide her with a strong sense of safety. It certainly wasn't there before, but Lucy could now see how this current Natsu is opening up his warmth. It's in his own, unique way, but Lucy knew that could be nothing more pure.

"Is the fire bothering you?"

Lucy turned around to see Natsu walking into the kitchen. His hair was brushed and he was changed into clean nightclothes.

"I could eat it if you want..."

Lucy chuckled. Natsu was never that good at humor, but she enjoyed it. It seemed like that part of him was apparent in any time dimension. Lucy sat up, shaking her head. "No thanks. It's comforting, actually."

Lucy had a lot of questions to ask this Natsu, because she knew that any detail she collected could help with bringing the old Natsu back. However, she didn't want to come off so brash to him, considering that he was her guild's enemy.

She decided to wait on her questions, but even so, there was one that she couldn't help but ask.

"Hey, uh, why did you bring me here along with Wendy?" She asked rather bluntly. "She's the one with the healing magic, so what was the point of taking me as well?"

Natsu grabbed a glass from his shelf and filled it with water. He thought for a moment before responding. "I didn't want your friend to feel uncomfortable if it was just her at my house. So, I guess I was just lucky that you were there when I arrived."

Lucy didn't really expect that answer from him.

Natsu leaned his back onto the kitchen counter, looking into her eyes. "Now, answer my question. You... must be afraid of me." He said, taking a sip from his water. "I'm the top mage of Dark sparrows, which is the greatest enemy to your guild. And on top of that, I kidnapped you. Why are you taking this so well?"

The real reason is simple. It is because she was not afraid of him. Not when she has known him as her best friend, and since she could clearly see his true nature. He is actually a sweet and caring person, just like the Natsu she knew back home. "You don't scare me, Natsu."

He furrowed his eyebrows, not fully understanding what she was saying. "I don't scare you? I literally destroyed your guild two years ago during that war. I think I even killed some of your members."

Obviously, Lucy did not remember this war. Even so, it seemed that everyone was afraid of Natsu's actions during it. And as Lucy could tell, it looked like Natsu was unnerved by what he did as well. "Natsu... are you afraid of killing people?"

He hesitated. "No... why would I be? I told you, I'm a Dark—"

"Okay," Lucy interrupted. "Sure, you're the Dark Sparrow prodigy. But that's only your title. That doesn't identify you. So who are you, really?"

Natsu remained silent, staring at his cup of water.

"I'll tell you who I  think you are. You're just a softy under all that tough skin. You don't enjoy killing, or doing evil, but it's what you've been raised to do." Lucy knew she was stepping into dangerous territory, prodding a stick at his weaknesses in order to understand him fully. But she knew. She knew that what she was saying was correct because she had realized that this is Natsu's true nature, that he has the roots of compassion and love for others. It's a great quality... she admitted. And I admire that.