Natsu Dragneel one shot - The Fire in Burnished Copper

Gotta love Natsu!

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.x.Hidden.x.Winter.x.

                There was something about a fire that called her. It had something to do with the boy, that one who always seemed at home in the wash of orange and red. The one who lost himself in them, comforted by their presence, the boy at home in the flames. The way the fire seemed to burn down to his very soul and fuel him, the way it propelled him forward.

                There was something to be said about a determination that never quit, about eyes that only looked forward, about a heart that never wavered. Though, she supposed she knew quite a bit about that last one. Katie had never faltered in her love for the dragon slayer, not for a second. He was why she trained every day, to be better, to be able to protect him the way he protected his friends. To be able to help, so that one day he might see her as an equal.

                It scared her, the way he always put himself on the front lines. He was always risking his life for everyone, even if he didn’t know them. It scared her that there was never anyone beside him. And now suddenly, it was as if her nightmares had all come true. Here he was, standing against an enemy, exhausted but ready to fight to the end. She had just rushed into the room and could see Gray, Erza, and Wendy unconscious on the ground. It was all up to Natsu now, it was up to him to protect his friends. Well, it had been.

                She saw the man’s arm move, as if in slow motion. She ran towards them, feet heavy as if running through treacle. Her heart was pounding, she had never been so afraid. Natsu seemed to hear her footsteps and turned to look at who was running behind him when her arms wrapped around his waist and tackled him to the ground.

                “Wha-? Katie?” He asked, bewilderment on his face.     

                She didn’t respond, simply stood and faced the other man. “Your fight is with me now.” She tried to keep her voice strong, but everyone could hear the slight tremble.

                “Katie no-”

                “Be quiet Natsu!” She yelled, balling her hands into fists. He staggered to his feet, that determination blazing in his eyes to keep on fighting. She closed her eyes, she would not be swayed. With a motion, he was clamped to the wall of the room, completely unable to move.

                “Katie!” He roared.

                “If you can’t get out of it then you’re in no condition to fight!” She yelled back, knowing it was true. This was her fight, her chance. It was her turn to protect him now. She locked eyes with the man and crouched her knees enough to keep her balance. Her senses felt around the room for any of the material she needed, feeling small traces here and there. Looks like she would have to rely on her own supplies.

                Natsu struggled against his bonds, but Katie had done her job well. He watched her with wide, protesting eyes. He hadn’t seen her fight in a long time, he couldn’t remember how the last fight had gone. There was a tense silence as the mages looked at each other, and then the man moved, quickly diving towards Katie. Natsu watched her weave and dodge in her unmistakable style. Her mahogany hair fell out of its ponytail and strands hung at her forehead. She ran her hands along the glimmering bracelets she always wore, and the metal seemed to melt, moving around her in a thin stream of bright copper. She barely had any, Natsu realised. And then it was as if an ice cube had slid down his throat in into his stomach, she was using her copper reserves to restrain him. To keep him safe.

                “Katie! Take the copper!” He yelled, but she ignored him. She would keep him safe. She would protect him. The copper hardened into small shapes and launched at the man who dodged each one, laughing. He landed hit after hit on the small girl who recoiled at each one, but jumped back into the fight every time. She hadn’t done any damage, and was quickly running out of copper.

                “Is this all you’ve got, Fairy mage?” He struck her to the ground and she stayed there. Natsu yelled, but no one heard him. “Get up Katie! Get up!!”

                She stayed on her knees, her head bowed, her face cast in shadow. Then she lifted it and Natsu could see the small smile on her face.

                “Where’s my copper?” She asked, looking up to the man standing above her.

                “Planning another game to play?” He sneered.

                “No games,” she said, “but just think, where could my copper be?”  

                The man opened his mouth to say something, words that were never heard as he fell to the ground. Katie let out a breathless chuckle, as if she couldn’t believe she had done it. She had won, she had protected Natsu.

                She looked to the fire salamander still pinned to the wall and summoned the copper back to her wrists. She smiled, and then he was the one running to catch her as she tumbled downwards. She opened bleary eyes to see a frantic Natsu looking down at her. “You ok?” She asked.

                “I should be asking you that! Katie how did you beat him?”

                “Build-up of copper in his bloodstream, couple of blockages in important places.”

                “Katie, why?”

                She coughed, and a small drop of red stained her lips. “I wanted protect you.” She whispered.

                He caught her hand and lifted it to his cheek, feeling the coolness of her fingers against his skin. “You did Katie, you did.” Her eyes closed with a smile on her face and Natsu could feel a wetness roll down his cheeks. He hastily wiped the tears, and looked around.

                “Happy!” his small friend emerged from a pile of rubble, a little bruised but ok. “Can you get help?”

                “Natsu…” Happy said, looking at his friend who was more broken than he had ever seen him. Natsu was a blaze of fight, and honour. He never backed down, and here he was. Tear stains fresh on his cheeks, and an unconscious girl cradled in his arms. Happy nodded, flying off to find help. Right now, Natsu needed him more than ever.

                Natsu refused to let go of Katie’s hand. He carried her all the way back to the guild, he was beside her as Wendy healed her. He slept with his head on Katie’s blankets as she rested. He didn’t eat unless someone brought him food. He would not let her die, she had sacrificed herself to protect him, he would not let her die!

                His head rest on her bed again, eyes closed and breaths deep in sleep. He heard a rustle and felt fingers softly combing through his hair. He smiled at the pleasant feeling, and then his heart jolted as he realised what it meant. He leapt up, eyes wild as he looked at her.

                “Hey you.” She said with a grin, obviously still tired, but awake!

                She let out a breath as Natsu jumped on her, hugging her tighter than she’d ever been held before. “You’re awake! You’re awake!”

                She laughed, “Of course I am, didn’t think I was going to die after my greatest battle did you?”   

                His smile softened, “why did you do it Katie?”

                “I already told you.” She said, but he could tell from the faint shade of pink dusting over her cheeks. Slowly, he leaned in, movements exaggerated so she could push him away at any second. But she didn’t. Her breath caught in her throat as his breath mingled with hers. He was close enough to count the lashes framing her bright eyes, and saw her parted lips glisten as she waited for him.

                Their lips met like the first rays of sun on a misty morning, like a hearth fire reflected off bright copper. It was gentle, and passionate, and everything they’d ever imagined it would be.

                They broke apart when a voice interrupted them from the door. “You lllllllllike each other.”

                Natsu grinned at his old friend, looking back to Katie. “Yeah, I guess we do.”