From Partners to Lovers?
The aftermath of battle settled over Tenrou Island like a gentle blanket. Moonlight filtered through the damaged ceiling of Grimoire Heart's airship, casting soft silver light over the wreckage. In a quiet corner, Wendy continued to treat Odyn's injuries, her healing magic glowing with a soft blue light that complemented the now-dormant dragon crest on his forehead.
"You pushed yourself too hard," she scolded gently, her fingers trailing over a particularly nasty bruise on his arm. "The Dragonoid transformation could have..."
"Worth it," Odyn interrupted softly, his orange eyes meeting hers. "To protect everyone. To protect you."
Nearby, their guildmates were huddled together, their voices carrying in excited whispers.
"Did you see that transformation?" Lucy whispered, clutching her keys. "I've never read about anything like it in celestial records."
"The power rivaled that of the dragons themselves," Erza noted, her arms crossed. "Master Makarov must have sensed something special in him when he joined."
"Man, I want to fight him!" Natsu's eager voice was quickly shushed by Gray.
"Read the room, flame-brain," Gray muttered, gesturing toward where Wendy and Odyn sat.
The pair seemed to exist in their own world, oblivious to their friends' discussion. Happy, uncharacteristically, remained silent, watching with wide eyes. Even he understood the significance of this moment.
"I still can't believe you inherited all three bloodlines," Wendy said, her hands moving to heal a cut on Odyn's cheek. "Dark elf magic, cosmic power, and dragon blood... it should be impossible."
Odyn leaned slightly into her touch, a small smile playing at his lips. "I'm beginning to believe that 'impossible' doesn't exist around you, Wendy Marvell."
A blush colored her cheeks, but she didn't pull away. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it," he said, reaching up to catch one of her hands in his. "The dragon crest appearing after thousands of years, being paired with a Sky Dragon Slayer in the S-class trials, our magic resonating in ways I've never read about in any legend..." His thumb traced small circles on her palm. "Maybe some things are meant to be impossible until the right moment – or the right person – comes along."
Carla, watching from nearby, couldn't suppress her knowing smile. She'd had visions of this moment, though she'd kept them to herself. Some things needed to unfold naturally.
"The way your magic felt during the battle," Wendy continued, her voice soft with wonder. "When you transformed into the Dragonoid... it was like I could feel everything you were feeling. The power, the determination, the need to protect..."
"The affection?" Odyn added quietly, causing Wendy's blush to deepen.
From their position, Lucy subtly elbowed Natsu who was about to say something, probably inappropriate. Even Erza looked touched by the scene unfolding before them.
"I've spent years searching for answers about the dragon crest," Odyn continued, his free hand reaching up to trace the now-invisible mark on his forehead. "Trying to understand why I inherited these powers, what I was meant to do with them. But maybe..." he paused, looking at Wendy with an intensity that made her breath catch, "maybe the answer wasn't in ancient texts or cosmic knowledge. Maybe it was always meant to lead me here."
"To Fairy Tail?" Wendy asked, though something in her eyes suggested she understood he meant more than that.
"To you," he answered simply.
The moonlight seemed to intensify around them, as if nature itself was acknowledging the moment. Even the usual sounds of Tenrou Island had hushed.
"You know," Wendy said after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper, "when Master Makarov paired us for the S-class trials, I was worried about working with someone I barely knew. But now..."
"Now?" Odyn prompted gently, both of them seemingly forgetting they had an audience.
"Now I can't imagine facing any of this without you."
In that moment, the dragon crest flickered briefly to life on Odyn's forehead, responding to his emotions rather than battle need. The soft blue glow reflected in Wendy's eyes as they drew closer together...
The moonlight streaming through the damaged airship seemed to cocoon Wendy and Odyn in its gentle radiance, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere around them. The dragon crest on Odyn's forehead continued to pulse softly, its light synchronizing with both their heartbeats.
Their guildmates had gathered quietly at a respectful distance, drawn to the pure magic of the moment. Even Natsu, usually boisterous and energetic, stood in reverent silence, his arm around Lucy's shoulders as they watched. Erza's eyes shimmered with unshed tears of joy, while Gray tried to maintain his cool demeanor despite the slight smile playing at his lips.
"You know," Odyn continued softly, his orange eyes reflecting the moonlight as they stayed fixed on Wendy's face, "there's an ancient dark elf saying about destiny. They believe that when two souls are meant to find each other, even the stars will shift their courses to make it happen."
Wendy's healing magic had faded away, but her hands remained gentle against his skin. "Is that what you think this is? Destiny?"
He shook his head slightly, a warm smile gracing his features. "No, this is something better. This is a choice. Every moment since we met – fighting together, protecting each other, understanding each other – those were all choices we made."
The dragon crest's light intensified slightly, casting soft patterns across their faces. Behind them, Happy had to stuff his paws in his mouth to keep from making his usual teasing comment, while Carla watched with maternal pride, her usual stern expression softened by genuine happiness for her longtime companion.
"When I transform," Odyn continued, one hand coming up to cup Wendy's cheek, "when the Dragonoid power flows through me, it's overwhelming. Like trying to contain an ocean in a teacup. But when you're near..." His voice became softer, more intimate. "When you're near, everything makes sense. The cosmic magic, the dark elf blood, the dragon power – they all align perfectly, like they were always meant to lead me to this moment. To you."
Wendy leaned into his touch, her brown eyes shimmering with emotion. "I used to think being a Dragon Slayer meant I would always feel a little different from everyone else. Even in Fairy Tail, even with all our friends..." She glanced briefly at their watching guildmates, who quickly tried to act like they weren't hanging on every word. "But with you, I don't feel different. I feel complete."
Lucy squeezed Natsu's hand tightly, fighting back happy tears. Gajeel, who had joined the group silently, tried to maintain his tough exterior but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. Even Pantherlily, standing beside him, looked touched by the scene.
The dragon crest's light began to spread, creating a gentle aurora around them both. As Odyn and Wendy drew closer, the magical energies around them started to dance – her Sky Dragon magic intertwining with his cosmic energy in delicate spirals of light.
"Wendy," Odyn whispered, their faces now inches apart. His orange eyes searched hers, asking a silent question.
"Yes," she answered just as softly, understanding perfectly.
As their lips met in a gentle first kiss, the dragon crest blazed with joy, creating a momentary display of magical light that illuminated the entire chamber. Their combined magical aura created a spectacular aurora above them, cosmic energy and wind magic dancing together in beautiful harmony.
Carla dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, while Happy finally lost his battle for silence, letting out a quiet but emotional "They liiiiiike each other!" that was quickly muffled by Lucy's hand. Erza had given up all pretense of stoicism and was openly wiping away tears of joy, while Natsu grinned broadly at the magical display.
When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, the aurora of their combined magic continued to shimmer above them. The dragon crest's light had settled into a content glow, marking not just Odyn's power now, but the bond they shared.
"I think," Wendy said with a soft laugh, finally acknowledging their audience, "we gave them quite a show."
Odyn smiled, touching his forehead to hers. "Let them watch. Some moments deserve witnesses – especially when they're shared with family."
To be continued in Chapter 3: Acnologia, The Dragon King