Bitter

Nalu

Angst, hurt/comfort

All rights to Hiro Mashima

The chaos gets to Natsu and when his shock finally fades he’s left broken, bitter, and angry.

Chapter 1

A demon. Natsu was a demon, not just any but END himself. Looking at the scales on his claws in disgust he attempts to tear them off only to find his scales as hard as steel. Tears stream down his partially scaled face, the skin sensitive and red from their constant rubbing. No matter what he did, the horns and scales wouldn’t disappear, this ugly transformation was permant and the sharp pain in his back was evermore increasing. Natsu falls to his knees in front of Igneel’s corpse, choking on tears at the realization of his situation. His heart hurt so badly as if it were ripped from his chest. To see his father killed and hear Zeref’s laughter triggered a rage that scared even Natsu. That loss of control revealed his true, painful, ugly form.

Lucy began calling his name from a distance causing him to shudder in response. Fear spread through his body like wild fire at the notion of his friends spotting him but his legs just wouldn’t work. Natsu was grounded, helplessly waiting for the inevitable outcome.

Hate.

Disgust.

Isolation.

Why was she running towards him? Why was Gray close behind? Didn’t they hear Zeref’s declaration? Can’t they see that Igneel’s death was Natsu’s fault? Lucy is the first to reach him, embracing her dragonslayer despite the harshness of his scales. Gray stands silently watching them, a look of confusion wresting on his face.

“Can you turn back?”

It was a simple question, one that was answered by silence but it brought Lucy’s attention to Natsu’s true appearance. She sucks in a breath at the sight of him, gingerly touching his face. Her fingers feathered the skin nearest his scales, concern rising as her friend shuts his eyes. It hurt.

Rough hands force him upward and Natsu finds himself draped across Gray’s shoulder.

“Makarov will know what to do.”

Makarov, the guild, Fairy Tail. They were taking him to Fairy Tail. Fire erupts from his body, burning Gray and forcing his friend to let him go. This was all to much, he had to get away. Gray thought this was reversible but it wasn’t. The agonizing pain in his back overwhelms him and Natsu falls to his knees crying out in pain and hugging his sides as two massive dragon wings tear out from his back, reducing his back to a bloody mess. Black spots overtake his vision and the world spins around him, a headache so fierce he feels like throwing up. Natsu barely notices Lucy catching him as he blacks out, her cries for Gray to help going unnoticed.

—-

Natsu stirs in his sleep, bleary eyes opening just to find himself in Lucy’s bed. The pain was gone but his demon form was still there. He felt heavy, as if gravity was acting against him and yet he was still aware of his surroundings. For instance, he could here the door slowly opening and caught the strong smell of coffee.

“You’re awake.” It was more of a statement then a question. Lucy makes her way to the side of the bed and sets her coffee on the nightstand. She gingerly runs her hand through his hair as if trying to comfort him. “You really scared me you know. We barely reached Wendy in time, if it wasn’t for her you would’ve-“ Lucy pauses, not wanting to say that dreaded word. “But you’re okay now,” the mage says softly, “And that’s all that matters.”

“Luce.”

She smiles at her nickname, the worry apparent in her eyes. His friend leans down and kissed his forehead before getting back up as if to leave. He reaches out immediately, grabbing her arm, silently begging for her to stay. She seems to catch on and joins him in bed, not denying his need to embrace her under the covers.

“I’m a demon.” He whispers, his heart racing.

Lucy nestles closer, placing her head against his chest and smiles.

“Demons don’t have hearts, and yet you do.”

He wasn’t sure what to make of her response and yet he took comfort in it. His eyes grew heavy and once again Natsu drifted into sleep, not wanting to think anymore.