Fairy Tail Guild's Medical Room
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Fairy Tail's new medical room, painting the walls with a warm, golden hue. The air smelled faintly of herbs and poultices, the scent of various ointments clinging to the air.
On one of the cots, Natsu Dragneel lay still, his chest rising and falling under layers of bandages. Bruises and burns were covered as reminders of the battle he had weathered against Issei. His once vibrant scarf lay folded neatly at the bedside, singed but intact, placed there by careful hands.
Curled up on Natsu's stomach was Happy, his little wings twitching now and then as he snored softly. His tiny body moved with each breath Natsu took, refusing to leave his partner's side.
Beside the bed sat Lucy Heartfilia, her golden hair cascading like a curtain across her shoulders. She had spent several days in that chair waiting for Natsu to wake up. Her chin rested on the edge of the mattress, one arm draped against it as if to anchor herself to him.
For a while, the room remained quiet. But after three days Natsu finally stirred.
His brow furrowed as consciousness returned, his body tensing as if bracing for another fight. A groan escaped his throat, and slowly, painfully, he forced his eyes open. The ceiling above was unfamiliar, wooden beams instead of sky. "…Where am I?" His voice was hoarse, his throat dry.
When he tried to sit, pain shot through every muscle, forcing a sharp hiss from his lips. His body screamed with protest, bandages pulling tight against his injuries. 'Tch… I'm still not healed.'
His gaze drifted downward, and he froze as Happy was sprawled across his stomach, fast asleep, his little paws gripping his bandage as if to make sure he wouldn't vanish.
"…You idiot," Natsu muttered softly, a grin twitching at his lips despite the pain. "Sleeping on me like that…"
Then his eyes shifted again, and his chest tightened.
Lucy was seen slumped against the bed, her cheek resting on the back of her arm. Her hair had slipped loose, one golden lock falling across her face. Her breathing was soft, steady, lips parted slightly in sleep.
Natsu blinked. Heat, not from his flames, but something far more bewildering crept up his neck. He didn't know why, but seeing her there… waiting for him… it made his chest feel weird, too tight and too warm at the same time. 'She… she stayed here all night? Watching me?'
Awkwardly, his right hand trembled upward, fingers stiff from the bandages. He winced at the effort, pain shooting up his arm, but he pushed through. With rough, clumsy care, he brushed that stray lock of blonde hair from her face.
This movement caused Lucy to stir as her lashes fluttered, her head shifting slightly at the touch. Slowly, her eyes opened, still heavy with sleep, until her gaze focused—and landed on him.
Her breath caught. "…Natsu?"
Natsu froze, hand still hovering by her face. He blinked, then, in a true Natsu fashion, he grinned sheepishly, his voice low and rough but warm. "Yo."
Lucy sat bolt upright, her chair screeching against the floor. "You're awake!" Her voice cracked with disbelief and relief all at once, her eyes brimming with sudden tears.
Happy stirred at the noise, lifting his head groggily. "Natsu…?" His eyes widened, and in an instant, he was crying too, rubbing his face against Natsu's chest. "Natsu! You're okay!"
Natsu winced from the pain but laughed anyway, raising a hand to ruffle Happy's head. "Oi, oi, don't cry, you goof. I'm fine. Just a little crispy."
Lucy's hand trembled against her lips as she tried—tried—to hold back the whirlwind of emotions inside her. Her emotions went from relief, to joy, to frustration… and then finally to anger, burning away the rest. Her heart pounded against her ribs, from the sheer stupidity of the boy sitting in front of her.
"You—" She choked, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes. "You absolute idiot!" Her fist slammed against his chest—not hard enough to injure, but enough to make him wince.
"Ow—hey!" Natsu flinched, clutching at his bandages.
"You reckless, selfish, flame-brained IDIOT!" She shouted, pounding his chest again and again, tears spilling freely now. "Do you have any idea what you put me through? How scared I was? You were so burned and battered! I thought—I thought I was going to lose you, Natsu!"
Each word was punctuated by another hit, another tear dripping onto his bandaged tunic.
"Lucy! Ow—! Stop, that really hurts! My body's still busted up, y'know!" Natsu whined, trying to shield himself with one hand. He leaned back, his face twisted between guilt and pain.
But Lucy didn't stop. She kept hitting, sobbing, her heart too full to listen.
Natsu's chest tightened. He hated it. Hated seeing her cry, hated knowing he caused it. 'What do I do? I can't just sit here and let her break down like this…'
He wracked his brain, searching for an answer—until a voice thundered inside him. (Fool.)
"Dad?" Natsu blinked, startled.
The dragon's voice echoed in his head, low and commanding. (Are you going to just sit there while your mate cries? A dragon shouldn't allow his chosen to weep from neglect. Hurry up and comfort her.)
Natsu's breath caught. Mate? He didn't have time to question it—he understood the message. Suddenly a memory appeared in his head as he remembered asking Issei how to show the one you planned to marry that you cared about her. "…Got it."
With sudden determination, Natsu surged forward. His bandaged arm wrapped around Lucy's waist, pulling her close and halting her fists mid-swing. Her eyes widened in shock as his face closed the distance—
And then his lips pressed against hers, causing Lucy to freeze.
Her fists went still, her mind blank. Her eyes widened as warmth spread across her lips, across her body, rooting her to the spot.
Happy's jaw dropped. "NA—NATSU?!"
The kiss was brief, clumsy, but it carried everything Natsu couldn't put into words. When he pulled back, his amber eyes softened, guilt and sincerity written across his bruised face.
"…I'm sorry," He whispered. "For making you cry. For making you worry. I don't ever wanna see you like that again."
For the first time since waking, Natsu looked… peaceful. As if a weight had lifted. He sat back, smiling faintly, waiting for her to respond.
Lucy blinked. Once. Twice. Her brain sputtered, gears refusing to turn. 'D-Did he just—? Did Natsu just—kiss me?!'
And then it hit her. Her cheeks flamed red. "Y-You… YOU… STUPID FLAME-BRAIN BAKA!"
Her fist came down harder than ever, cracking against his skull.
"GAH!" Natsu toppled backward, collapsing against the bed, eyes spinning.
Lucy's face was crimson as she spun around with a furious Hmph! Her arms crossed, her entire body shaking—not just with anger, but with the confusing storm that churned in her chest.
Happy panicked, flapping over to Natsu's side and started to shake his shoulders. "Natsu! Natsu! Are you okay? Wake up, buddy!"
Natsu groaned faintly, dazed, but a goofy smile lingered on his face.
Lucy, meanwhile, pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks, her heart pounding. 'What just happened? Why do I feel so—so warm? Why am I smiling inside even though I should be furious?' She stared down at her hands, trembling. 'Wh-what does that kiss mean? Are we…? No, no, it doesn't mean anything! Right? But then why—why does it feel like everything just changed?' Her chest tightened, a strange mix of joy, fear, anger and excitement rushing through her veins.
The chaos of the medical room didn't last long as the door creaked open, and in strode Erza, Gray, Mirajane, and Master Makarov.
They had heard yelling from the hall and expected Natsu to be awake.
"Lucy? Happy? What happened?" Erza demanded, her sharp eyes scanning the scene immediately.
Gray frowned, crossing his arms. "Sounded like you were killing each other in here."
Mirajane's expression was softer but filled with concern as her gaze swept across the room. "Did Natsu wake up?"
Lucy, her cheeks still crimson and her heart hammering, jolted upright. She waved her hands frantically, sputtering, "N-Nothing happened! Absolutely nothing!" Her voice cracked high, her face the very picture of guilty denial.
Erza's brow arched, suspicion flickering in her gaze. Gray smirked faintly. "Uh-huh. Sure. You're acting real convincing, Blondie."
Before Lucy could snap back, a low chuckle echoed from the bed.
"Hahaha…" All eyes turned as Natsu stirred, groaning but grinning from ear to ear. "That was a good hit, Lucy."
Lucy nearly toppled over in her chair, mortified. "S-shut up, you idiot!"
Happy threw his paws around Natsu's neck, tears brimming in his eyes. "You're awake! I was so worried, Natsu!"
"Of course I'm awake," Natsu said with a crooked smile, patting Happy's head gently. "It'll take more than a fight and a punch from Lucy to put me down."
But then he looked up and spotted the group standing near the door. His grin widened. "Oh, hey guys. What's up?"
The response was immediate.
BONK!
Erza's fist came down on his skull. Gray's knuckles followed right after. And Makarov, not to be outdone, extended his staff to bop him on the head as well.
"OW!" Natsu yelped, clutching his poor, battered scalp. "What was that for?!"
"What was that for?!" Erza's voice was sharp, her glare like steel. "You and Issei burned down an entire forest!"
Gray stepped in, jabbing a finger at him. "And nearly killed each other in the process! Do you ever think before you act, flame-brain?"
Makarov's voice carried the final weight, low and stern. "Natsu… do you have any idea how close you came to leaving your friends behind? To leaving this guild behind? What possessed you to push yourself so far?"
Natsu scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a nervous laugh slipping out. "Heh… sorry about the mess. Guess we got carried away."
The three of them stared at him in silence.
It was subtle, but something had changed. Natsu's grin wasn't as wild as usual—it was softer, calmer. His shoulders weren't buzzing with restless energy but carried an odd steadiness. For once, it seemed like he wasn't about to leap out of bed and punch the first moving target he saw.
Mirajane tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Natsu…" she murmured, almost to herself.
Breaking the silence, Natsu leaned forward, his grin returning, though gentler. "Hey—what happened to Issei?"
Makarov exhaled slowly, his expression grim. "He was as badly injured as you. Worse, in some ways. The boy almost lost his arm. If not for the women by his side, he might have."
Natsu's eyes widened. He remembered it clearly—the sheer force of Issei's final blow, the blazing dragon that had nearly swallowed him whole. His grin sharpened into something fierce.
"Figures," He said, nodding to himself. "That last attack… it was incredible. If I want to fight him again, I'll need to come up with something like that. But…" His gaze shifted to his own arms, wrapped in heavy bandages. "If I'm not careful, I might end up losing something too. Like he almost did."
The room fell quiet. For just a moment, Natsu's expression was serious—intense in a way that made even Erza pause.
Then he looked up again, fire burning in his eyes. "So… is he okay? Tell me he's okay."
Mirajane smiled softly, her voice calm. "The last time I visited, he was still sleeping, but his worst injuries are healed. He's not in danger anymore."
Relief washed over Natsu's face. He leaned back against the bed, grinning again. "Good. Because next time…" His eyes lit with determination. "Next time we fight, I'm not gonna lose. And I don't want him making excuses that he was still recovering."
BONK!
Three strikes landed on his head again, this time harder.
"OWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR AGAIN?!"
Makarov's voice thundered, his mustache bristling. "You nearly killed each other and you're already talking about the next fight?! You idiot child!"
Gray shook his head, muttering. "Unbelievable. Same old Natsu."
Erza's eyes narrowed, though her lips twitched as if fighting a smirk. "At least he hasn't changed completely."
Lucy, still red-faced, turned away with a huff, crossing her arms. But her heart thudded strangely, her lips tingling as she remembered what had just happened minutes earlier. 'Idiot… why did you have to do that?'
Natsu rubbed his head, groaning. "Geez… you guys are too violent." But even as he complained, his grin never faded. Because deep down, he was glad.
Natsu suddenly sat up straighter on the bed, his grin shifting into something brighter, deeper. His eyes flickered with a new kind of fire. "Hey, guys," He said, voice carrying a strange weight. "There's something I gotta tell you. During my training with Issei… I finally found him."
Everyone blinked.
"Found who?" Gray asked, his tone skeptical.
Natsu's grin widened, his fists tightening in the sheets. "Igneel. I finally found Igneel."
The words hung heavy in the air. Silence blanketed the room.
Lucy's lips parted, her eyes widening in disbelief. Erza's hand froze on her hip as she gasped loudly. Even Mirajane covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes shimmering with awe.
Makarov's brow furrowed as he peered up at Natsu. "…Natsu. Are you certain of this?"
"Of course I'm certain!" Natsu snapped back with raw emotion. His voice trembled—not with anger, but with the release of years of searching, of yearning. "I've been looking everywhere for him, Gramps. And now… I finally know where he is."
Everyone leaned forward, breathless.
"Where?!" Lucy asked, her heart hammering. "Where is he? How did you find him?"
Erza's eyes sharpened, voice urgent. "You were training with Issei, weren't you? When did Igneel appear?"
Natsu's grin softened, and to everyone's shock, he pointed to his chest. "Right here. He's been right here all along."
Confusion rippled across the room. Gray scowled, scratching his head. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"
"Inside you?" Lucy blinked rapidly, completely lost. "I don't… Natsu, what?"
Mirajane tilted her head, with her smile drooping. "A-Are you saying… Igneel's… dead?"
Natsu's expression flickered, but he shook his head fiercely. "No. That's not what I mean. Igneel isn't gone."
Everyone's confusion only grew, murmurs breaking out. Until Makarov sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging with a strange mixture of relief and resignation. He stepped forward and patted Natsu's bandaged back gently.
"So you've finally come to terms with it," The old master said softly. "That's right, Natsu. Igneel may no longer walk this world, but he will always live on in your heart. That fire he left you—"
"Gramps." Natsu interrupted, his tone sharp, cutting through Makarov's words.
Makarov blinked, surprised.
Natsu's eyes burned, fierce and alive. "That's not what I mean. Igneel isn't a memory. He's not just in my heart because I believe in him. He's literally living inside me."
The room erupted.
"What?!" Lucy shot up from her chair, her face pale.
"Don't screw with us, flame-brain," Gray barked, though his own voice cracked with disbelief.
Erza's eyes narrowed as she didn't understand "Explain, Natsu. Now."
Natsu rubbed the back of his neck, trying to find the right words. "Alright, listen. You all know about Issei, right? About the red dragon Ddraig sealed inside his soul?"
Everyone nodded slowly, even the skeptical ones. That much was undeniable—everyone has heard Ddraig speak up from Issei's left arm, surprising them and causing great shock whenever he suddenly spoke up.
"Well, my situation's kinda like that," Natsu continued. "But not exactly. Igneel wasn't sealed away against his will. He chose it. He entered my body himself, a long time ago, because he was… really badly hurt. He needed a place to recover. And that place was me."
Lucy gasped, her hands flying to her lips. "All this time… you've been looking for him, and he was… he was with you?"
Natsu clenched his fists, fire flaring in his eyes. "During my fight with Issei, Igneel finally woke up. He talked to me. Guided me. He told me not to give up, not to fall. He was there, right beside me."
For a moment, silence filled the room again, the weight of his words settling in. And then smiles began to bloom.
Erza's lips softened, her sternness fading. "So that's what was going on." she murmured.
Mirajane's eyes glistened with tears, her voice gentle. "Congratulations, Natsu. You finally know what happened to him."
Gray exhaled slowly, shaking his head, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Guess you weren't lying after all, huh, flame-brain?"
Lucy stepped forward, her eyes shimmering. "I'm glad, Natsu… I'm so glad. You've been searching everywhere for him. Now… now you can stop searching for him."
Happy broke into sobs, throwing himself against Natsu's chest. "I'm so glad! When Issei told us about his weird dream. You were so angry at not being able to talk to him! I'm so glad you were finally able to talk to Igneel!"
Natsu laughed, hugging him close despite the sting in his burns. "Yeah, buddy. Sorry for acting like a jerk." Natsu then leaned back against the pillows, his grin fading into something unusually firm. "There's only one thing I have to say."
The room stilled.
Gray raised a brow, his arms crossed. "...What the hell are you talking about?"
Even Makarov tilted his head, his mustache twitching. "Out with it, boy. Don't leave us guessing."
But Natsu didn't answer them. Instead, his gaze shifted straight to Lucy.
Lucy froze. Her stomach flipped, her face heating as memories from just minutes ago—his lips pressing against hers, her first kiss stolen in the most reckless way possible—flooded back into her mind.
'W-Why is he looking at me like that? Why's his face so serious? Don't tell me—'
Natsu inhaled deeply, then spoke with a voice that carried none of his usual recklessness. "Lucy," He said, as if the word itself were a vow. "We should get married."
Silence. Pure, deafening silence.
He followed it up with that wide, goofy grin of his, so utterly confident in the declaration. "Yeah! We should definitely get married!"
The room didn't move. Not even a breath.
Lucy blinked once. Twice. Her mouth opened, then closed. She swore she heard the sound of her own brain breaking. 'He didn't just say that. He couldn't have just said that. Marriage? Did Natsu—'
The seconds stretched.
Then, finally—
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?!?" The entire room erupted at once.
Erza's jaw dropped, her armor clattering as she took a step back. "M-Married?!"
Gray's eyes bugged out of his head. "WHAT?! Are you insane, flame-brain?!"
Makarov's cane nearly fell from his hand as he stumbled, his tiny body almost tipping over. "M-Marriage?! At your age?!"
Happy's wings shot out stiff, his eyes wide as saucers. "N-N-Natsu! Did you really just—?!"
Mirajane, meanwhile, covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes sparkling like stars. A squeal threatened to escape her throat as her shoulders trembled. "Oh my goodness… ohhh myyyy—how bold!"
And at the center of it all sat Lucy, the girl in question, her entire face burning red from hairline to collarbone. Her hands trembled, her lips moved, but no sound came out.
Her heart was slamming against her ribs, her mind spinning like a storm. 'Married? A Proposal?! Natsu Dragneel just proposed to me? Is he serious? Does he even know what that means?! Is this just his dumb way of saying we're close? No, he looked serious—too serious! What do I even say? I want to scream! I want to hit him! I want to… I don't know what I want!'
Natsu, completely oblivious to the chaos he had unleashed, scratched the back of his head, grinning ear to ear. "What's with those faces? Isn't it obvious? We're always together, right? We fight together, eat together, laugh together. So… we should get married!"
Lucy's mind fractured further. 'He says it like it's the simplest thing in the world! Like asking me to lunch instead of—MARRIAGE! What do I do?! What do I—'
Her body moved on its own, her fist slamming against Natsu's stomach as she shouted, her voice cracking between fury and fluster.
"Y-Y-YOU IDIOT! YOU CAN'T JUST SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!"
But her voice was shaking, her cheeks burning, and deep down, a tiny, terrifyingly joyful part of her whispered. 'But what if he means it?'
—-------------------------------------------
Lakeside Hyoudou Mansion
Morning light filtered through the wide windows of the Hyoudou Mansion, painting the dining room in soft warmth. The table was filled with steaming plates of various dishes.
Issei sat at the head of the table, shoulders hunched, his eyes darting nervously from side to side. Around him, every single one of his wives and his parents glared daggers into his soul. The weight of their fury was so heavy, he swore it felt harder to breathe here than when he'd been inside a fire tornado.
The only reason he wasn't already six feet under or at least thrown back into bed with a cracked skull, was the little girl sitting happily in his lap.
"Papa, say 'ahh~'," Sakura chirped, holding up a piece of meat on her chopsticks.
"A-ahh…" Issei obediently opened his mouth, letting her feed him. His smile was awkward, his laugh forced. "Heheh… see? Totally fine. Just… you know, recovering. Nothing to worry about!"
The stares only intensified.
Sakura, oblivious to the deathly atmosphere, giggled and leaned back against his chest, happily munching her own food. For her, it was perfect her Papa was awake, she could sit with him, and everything felt safe again.
For Issei, she was the only thing standing between him and total annihilation. He could practically feel Yuuka's gun twitching, Karasuba's hand itching toward her sword, and Tamamo's tails lashing behind her in barely restrained irritation.
"Y-you know," Issei said nervously, raising his free hand in surrender, "I, uh… I really am sorry, everyone. I didn't mean to make you worry. Just, you know, the heat of the moment and all that."
"Heat of the moment?" Yuuka's voice was cold as she narrowed her eyes. "You nearly burned yourself alive."
Uzume slammed her chopsticks on the table, veil snapping angrily at her side. "You scared Sakura half to death, you idiot!" Akitsu nodded with a frozen glare.
Matsu pushed her glasses up, her voice sharp. "Do you even comprehend the odds you defied? Statistically speaking, you should've been dead!"
"Dead, and in pieces," Karasuba added, her grin sharp and wolfish. "Would've been a shame. No one else is allowed to cut you down but me."
Tamamo's smile was deceptively sweet, but her golden eyes burned like fire. "You really don't value your own life enough, Darling. I shouldn't even have to tell you to not make me heal wounds that should've killed you!"
Issei gave a weak laugh, tightening his hold on Sakura like a lifeline. "Hehehe… I know, I know. I'll do better next time. Honest!"
"There better not be a next time," Miya said softly as her Hannya mask appeared, the aura of death seeping into the room. "Or else."
Issei stiffened. 'Gods above, save me…'
Just then, a firm knock echoed at the front door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound sliced through the tension like a blade.
Issei shot up immediately, practically bouncing Sakura on his lap as he used the opportunity. "I'll get it! Whoever it is, I'll—"
"Sit down." The command was unanimous, sharp, and absolute coming from various girls.
Issei froze mid-step, sweat rolling down his neck. "…Yes ma'am." He sat back down instantly, Sakura giggling as if this were all part of a game.
Yuuka stood gracefully, her chair sliding back with a scrape. "I'll see who it is," She said, her expression still tight with irritation. She adjusted her sleeves and walked toward the living room, every step crisp against the polished wood floor.
Issei slumped in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous grin. "…Maybe it's the mailman?" Issei released a joke to lighten the mood.
Matsu adjusted her glasses, smirking. "If it's a coffin delivery, it's for you."
Sakura tugged his sleeve, beaming up at him. "Don't worry, Papa! I'll protect you!"
Issei hugged her tighter, muttering under his breath. "God, I love this kid…"
The knock came again, louder this time. Whoever was on the other side, they weren't going away.
—------------------------------------
The sound of her footsteps echoed softly in the quiet hall as Yuuka made her way toward the grand double doors of the Hyoudou Mansion. Her brows pinched together, lips tight with mild irritation.
'Who in the world would come all the way out here? We're in the middle of nowhere. If it's a shady merchant, I'll introduce him to the end of my gun.'
The knocking came again, louder this time, rattling the iron handles. Yuuka exhaled through her nose, placed a hand on the polished wood, and pulled the doors open.
The sight that greeted her made her jaw clench.
Standing on the front steps were Natsu, wrapped in fresh bandages, his scarf frayed at the edges, his grin as wide as ever. Behind him stood Gray, Lucy, Erza, Mirajane, and Happy perched on Natsu's shoulder.
Yuuka's gaze zeroed in on Natsu. Her expression hardened instantly, her lips curling downward. The memory of Issei's charred arm, the worry that had gripped them all for days, came crashing back in. She folded her arms, her voice clipped and sharp.
"…What do you want?" Her tone left no room for pleasantries.
But, predictably, Natsu didn't seem to notice—or if he did, he didn't care. He grinned brightly, throwing up a hand. "Yo! We came for breakfast! And to see if Issei's awake yet!"
Yuuka's eye twitched. 'Breakfast? Did he really just—'
The rest of Fairy Tail visibly stiffened. Gray groaned and rubbed his face. Lucy paled, offering Yuuka a sheepish apologetic smile. Erza's hand twitched into a fist as though she wanted to smack Natsu on the head. Even Happy wilted, his ears drooping as he muttered, "Natsu…"
Before Yuuka could slam the door in his face, Mirajane stepped forward with her signature soft smile, her hands clasped together politely. "Please forgive Natsu's bluntness. Ever since he woke up, he's been eager to make sure Issei was alright. We thought it best to come together, to check in and… thank you."
Yuuka's glare softened a fraction when Mirajane spoke, though her eyes still lingered coldly on Natsu. She wanted nothing more than to tell the Salamander to turn around and never show his face again. But her manners—and the innocent faces of Lucy and Mirajane—stopped her from slamming the door.
She exhaled slowly through her nose, her tone grudging. "Fine. Issei is awake. He's recovering. You'll be pleased to know he's stubborn as ever."
Lucy and Happy both brightened instantly. "He's awake?!" Lucy asked, her voice filled with relief.
"That's great!" Happy chimed in, wings fluttering happily.
Mirajane's smile warmed, genuine joy sparking in her eyes. "I'm so glad to hear that."
Natsu, predictably, was the loudest. "Ha! I knew that idiot would pull through!" His grin widened as he pushed past Yuuka. "Come on, let's go eat!"
He didn't get far. A hand clamped down hard on his shoulder.
"Not so fast."
Natsu blinked, turning to find Erza Scarlet glaring at him, her grip firm enough to grind his bones together. "We will enter politely," She said firmly, her voice cutting like steel. "We are guests in this home."
Natsu winced, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "R-right. Sorry, sorry."
Yuuka's gaze lingered on him a moment longer, her voice low and frosty. "Try not to burn down this place. We've had enough fire to last a lifetime."
Natsu blinked, caught off guard by the venom in her words. For a moment, he opened his mouth as if to argue—but then he caught the look in her eyes as it was quite angry. He closed his mouth for once and stayed quiet.
Lucy and Mirajane exchanged quick glances, then both gave Yuuka small, respectful bows of gratitude. Gray shoved his hands in his pockets, muttering something about "flame-brains never knowing when to shut up." Erza, still holding Natsu's shoulder, gave Yuuka a curt nod.
"Thank you for allowing us in."
Yuuka turned briskly, gesturing with a wave of her hand. "You came at the right time. Breakfast is being served. Follow me."
The group entered the mansion, their footsteps echoing against the polished wood. Natsu tried to speed ahead, his nose twitching at the scent of food, but Erza's iron grip dragged him back into line.
—------------------------------------------
The dining room was alive with the clatter of dishes and the warm aroma of food. Yet despite the homey spread, the atmosphere was anything but welcoming.
As Yuuka ushered Fairy Tail in, every member of the Hyoudou household turned their heads. And almost every pair of feminine eyes turned sharp, icy and furious as it locked immediately on Natsu.
The tension was palpable, but Natsu? He didn't even notice as the moment he spotted Issei, seated at the head of the table with Sakura in his lap, he broke into a wide grin. "Oi, Issei!"
Issei looked up mid-bite, blinking as if surprised, then grinned just as wide. "Yo, Natsu! You're up too, huh?"
And just like that, the tension broke—at least between them. The two idiots lit up like old friends, despite having nearly incinerated each other days ago.
Natsu marched straight across the room, ignoring the heat of a dozen death-glares. "Man, you look rough!" He leaned down, eyeing Issei's bandaged arm with obvious interest. "That attack of yours was crazy strong. Thought I was gonna get flattened."
Issei chuckled, scratching his cheek. "Says the guy who nearly roasted me alive. My arm still feels like a barbecue stick, thanks to you."
They laughed together, shoulders shaking as if they hadn't almost killed one another.
Then, predictably, Natsu puffed out his chest, flames practically flickering in his grin. "I can't wait for the next fight! I promise you—I'll get even stronger before then!"
Issei's grin widened, his aura flickering faintly from his body. "Same here. Next time, I'll win again and take you down."
That was the breaking point.
"WHAT?!"
The chorus came from nearly every corner of the room—Tamamo's tails bristling, Uzume slamming her chopsticks down, Matsu static came from her hair, Akitsu's ice started to form, Karasuba reaching for her sword, Miya's mask appearing, and even Lucy and Mirajane joining the uproar.
"You will not fight again!" Tamamo barked, her golden eyes blazing with fury.
"You idiots nearly killed each other!" Yuuka added, her voice sharp as a whip.
Lucy slammed her palms on the table, her cheeks flushed with frustration. "Do you have any idea what you put us through? I was terrified you wouldn't wake up, Natsu!"
Mirajane's usually gentle smile was gone, her voice uncharacteristically firm. "She's right. Both of you. You left us in tears, worrying if we'd lose you. Enough is enough."
Natsu whined, his hands waving defensively. "Aw, come on! What's the big deal? We were just fighting! That's what we do!"
"Exactly!" Issei chimed in, nodding eagerly. "It wasn't that bad—"
He froze as every pair of female eyes in the room turned on him.
"…Okay, maybe it was that bad," He corrected quickly, sweat rolling down his temple.
Still, Natsu leaned in stubbornly, fire flickering in his eyes. "But fighting's how we get stronger! Isn't that right, Issei?"
"Damn straight!" Issei agreed, grinning.
Lucy groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You're both hopeless…"
Before the tension could ignite into another battle—this time across the breakfast table—a calm but firm voice cut in.
"Enough." All heads turned toward Miki, who stood with her arms crossed the table, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"You two can argue about fighting all you want," She said, her gaze flickering from Natsu to Issei, "but not at my table. Sit down."
"And eat," Gorou added, his deep voice carrying from the other end of the room. His eyes narrowed with fatherly authority. "You both have just woken up. That's already more than enough. Be grateful and show some respect."
The tension snapped like a twig.
Natsu blinked, scratching the back of his head. "Er… right."
Issei chuckled sheepishly. "Heh… sorry."
With that, Natsu finally sat down, Erza dragging him by the ear to make sure he didn't sit too close to any of the other girls. Family and friends settled in on either side of the long table.
The clatter of dishes resumed, though conversation was stiff at first. Slowly, though, as rice and meat were passed around and cups were filled, the sharp edges of the atmosphere softened.
Issei continued to sit with Sakura on his lap, carefully holding her bowl while sneaking bites of his own. His eyes drifted across the table, to his wives, his parents, and the Fairy Tail guests, and a thought bubbled up.
"So…" He began casually, swallowing another mouthful of rice, "what did you all get up to while I was training with Natsu?"
He hadn't expected much of a response as he thought they were still angry. But to his surprise, Sakura immediately perked up, raising her hand like an eager student in class.
"Papa, Papa! I learned so much!" She beamed, her voice carrying across the room. "Totomaru-sensei and Levy-sensei taught me all kinds of magic!"
Issei blinked, then smiled proudly, ruffling her hair. "That so? Were they good teachers?"
Sakura nodded furiously, her golden eyes sparkling. "The best! Look, look!" She concentrated, puffing out her cheeks, and in her little palms flickered a tiny flame—first blue, then red, then green. With her other hand, glowing letters spelled out "PAPA" in midair, shimmering before fading.
The room fell quiet for a heartbeat. Even the stern glares softened into awe.
"Whoa…" Issei breathed, his chest swelling with pride. "That's amazing, Sakura." He kissed the top of her head, his voice warm. "I'm so proud of you."
Sakura giggled, wiggling in his lap.
Across the table, Totomaru, the black-and-white-haired mage, puffed out his chest with uncharacteristic pride. He had been silent for most of the meal, careful not to draw the wrath of the women around him. But being praised by the little girl made his lips twitch into a smug grin.
Issei noticed, and his eyes shifted toward him. "Oi Totomaru. Thanks for teaching my daughter."
The fire mage stiffened, caught between pride and fear. He gave a small nod, mumbling, "It… it was nothing. The kid's very talented."
That seemed to satisfy Issei, who turned back to his family. "So," He said, curiosity in his tone, "what about the rest of you?"
Matsu was the first to respond, adjusting her glasses with a smirk. "I've been studying lightning magic. Very handy for jump-starting some of my more complex inventions. Oh, and I finally mastered storage and requip magic." She tapped the side of her glasses, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Now I can tuck away my prototypes into a neat little hammer space. Taught it to the others too—so weapons, clothes and gear are no longer cluttering our room."
"It's really useful.," Yuuka muttered. "No more tripping over Matsu's junk."
"Hey!" Matsu huffed, pushing up her glasses again. "They're not junk. They're brilliant inventions ahead of their time."
Issei chuckled, amused, then looked at Yuuka. "What about you, Yuuka?"
Yuuka leaned back, crossing her arms. "Picked up some new tricks with my revolvers. I can enhance bullets with elemental magic now. Also worked on my eyesight—makes long-range shots sharper. My aim was already deadly, but now?" She smirked. "I don't miss."
"Note to self," Issei muttered nervously. "Don't get on Yuuka's bad side."
That earned a few chuckles, even from Fairy Tail's side.
Akitsu spoke next, her calm, quiet voice carrying over the table. "Gray taught me Ice-Make. My abilities were too straightforward before. Now… I can shape ice as I wish. Shields, weapons… even sculptures." A faint smile flickered across her lips. "It makes me… versatile."
Issei's brows shot up. "Ice-Make, huh? That's huge. Nice going, Akitsu and thank you Gray, you're a real pal."
"Don't mention it." Replied Gray who was shirtless and without pants.
"Gray your clothes." Lucy scolded.
"Damn it!"
Karasuba then leaned back in her chair, twirling her chopsticks between her fingers. "Guess I'll go next. I worked on enchanting my blade. Now it can burst into flames when I want it to." She clicked her tongue, tilting her head toward Totomaru. "Thanks to our servant, for teaching me."
The fire mage flinched, looking anywhere but at her, as if eye contact might cut him down.
Issei smirked despite himself. "So your sword's on fire now? That's… terrifying. Good job."
Karasuba's grin turned sharp. "You'll see for yourself eventually."
Yashima quickly brought out her hammer from nowhere and lifted it as if it was nothing. "I focused on enhancement too. I can make my hammer bigger and heavier. I learned a bit of gravity magic too, to add more force to my swings." She smiled warmly, though her tone carried pride. "When I strike now, nothing stands."
Issei whistled. "Remind me not to piss you off either."
Uzume leaned on her elbow, flipping her long hair with a smirk. "My veil got an upgrade too. It can get bigger, hotter, and deadlier. Just like Karasuba's sword it can go on fire. Looks beautiful when I fight—like a fiery ribbon dance." She grinned. "Sexy and dangerous."
"Fits you perfectly," Issei admitted with a grin.
The girls all shared their small triumphs, and though Miya and Tamamo didn't add anything, it was clear in the way they sat that they had grown stronger too. They just didn't need to say it.
Issei leaned back, his heart swelling with pride as he looked around the table. "Wow… you've all been working so hard while I was off getting roasted. Guess I've got to step up even more if I want to keep up with my family." His words softened the room. The glares faded, replaced with quiet smiles and a sense of pride.
Sakura happily hummed while eating in Issei's lap, and for the first time since everyone gathered, laughter flickered here and there between bites of food.
It was then Matsu who leaned forward first, her glasses glinting. "Alright, Issei. You've heard about what we learned… but what about you? How exactly did you end up learning Fire Dragon Slayer Magic?"
The question caught everyone's attention. Chopsticks stilled, eyes shifted toward Issei. Even the Fairy Tail members looked curious, their heads tilting slightly.
Issei glanced at Natsu across the table. The Salamander grinned back, rice stuck to his cheek. For a moment they shared a silent exchange, a flicker of amusement and respect passing between them.
Issei exhaled, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… at the beginning? Not great."
Tamamo tilted her head, ears twitching. "Not great?"
"More like terrible," Issei admitted with a chuckle. "I couldn't produce fire at all. Every time I tried, I just ended up coughing smoke. And…" He jabbed a thumb toward Natsu. "Let's just say my teacher wasn't exactly the best at explaining anything or the most patient."
Natsu froze mid-bite, then laughed sheepishly, scratching his scarf. "Heh. Yeah… sorry about that."
Lucy smacked him lightly on the arm. "Honestly, Natsu…"
Issei shrugged, smiling faintly. "But eventually, I got the basics down. Breathing, focusing, feeling the fire inside. I managed to produce flames… but they weren't Dragon Slayer flames. Just regular fire."
That earned a chorus of curious murmurs from his wives.
Yuuka narrowed her eyes. "So how did you bridge that gap? From what I found out you can't just pick up Dragon Slayer magic like regular fire spells."
"Yeah," Uzume added, pointing with her chopsticks. "There's gotta be more to it."
Issei's expression softened, his gaze lowering for a moment. "That's when it happened. One night, I… met Natsu's dad. Igneel."
The room fell silent.
Yuuka blinked, setting her chopsticks down. "…You what?"
Miya leaned forward, curiosity etched across her usually composed features.
Issei nodded slowly. "It was in a dream—or maybe not a dream, I'm still not sure. But he was there. Massive, terrifying, but kind. He helped me unlock it as a favor for helping him wake up. After that, I finally produced true Dragon Slayer flames."
The Hyoudou household looked bewildered, exchanging confused glances.
"Hold on," Matsu interrupted, her voice sharp. "Where did Igneel come from? Isn't he supposed to be—"
"Missing?" Yashima finished flatly.
Issei glanced at Natsu again, who was no longer eating. The pink-haired mage's grin had softened into something quieter, almost proud.
Realizing they didn't understand, Issei leaned forward, resting his good arm on the table. "Igneel isn't dead. He's alive. Just… injured. Badly. He's been recovering this whole time."
Gasps broke out around the table.
Issei continued, voice steady. "And the reason no one's seen him is because he's been living inside of Natsu. Not sealed like Ddraig as he chose to enter his body to heal. For some reason, when Natsu and I trained together, it seemed to accelerate that recovery. That's why Igneel was able to reach me."
For a moment, the only sound was the quiet clatter of Sakura setting down her empty bowl.
Then, almost in unison, his girls released a collective, "Ohhh."
Tamamo's tails flicked slowly, a smile curving her lips. "Fascinating. And fortunate—for both of you."
Sakura beamed, clapping her tiny hands. "So Natsu gets to see his Papa again!"
Natsu blinked at her, then chuckled softly. "Yeah. Guess I do."
Yuuka, arms crossed, gave a begrudging nod. "Well… congratulations, I suppose. Finding your father after all this time… that's no small thing."
Yashima smiled warmly. "Indeed. That must bring you great peace."
Uzume clasped her hands together, her eyes shimmering with joy. "It's wonderful, Natsu. You've been searching for him for so long."
Even Akitsu's lips softened into the faintest smile. "I am glad for you. Truly."
Natsu scratched the back of his head, a little flustered under all the attention. "Thanks, everyone. Really. I never thought… after all this time…" He trailed off, then grinned wide, fire sparking in his eyes. "But now I know for sure. He's with me. And next time, I'll fight even harder—with him at my side."
Issei smirked, lifting his teacup in a silent toast. "Guess that means our rematch just got a whole lot more interesting."
"Damn right it did!" Natsu shot back with a grin.
Every woman in the room groaned in unison.