The next morning arrived quietly, wrapped in a cool breeze that slipped through the cracks of the window.
The sun was barely rising when Natsu opened his eyes. Juvia was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, calmly fixing her hair. The distant sounds of the streets were starting to stir, and the scent of fresh bread drifted in from the bakery across the road.
"You're awake, Natsu-san?" she asked, turning with a small, gentle smile.
"Mmm… yeah…" He stretched, letting out a loud yawn. "Slept way better this time…"
Even though he could stay awake for a day or two like anyone stubborn enough, he still needed a proper night's rest. That's why he'd decided to rent a room in town; sleeping on the road was too risky while traveling, and he didn't want to take that chance. That's also why he'd stayed up the night before.
He envied people who no longer had such a pointless need. Why did he think that way? Simple: if someone lived seventy years and slept an average of eight hours a night, that meant they'd spend almost twenty-three years asleep; twenty-three years lost to unconsciousness while the world kept turning, while time (irreplaceable time) slipped silently through their fingers.
It was a cruel calculation, but impossible to ignore.
In his previous life, he'd never been one to enjoy sleeping. Partly because he was always surrounded by parties and friends, always chasing some college girl for a night out. The rare nights he slept alone in his own bed were few and far between, and maybe that's exactly why sleeping had felt a little nicer back then.
In this world, that hadn't happened. Sure, he'd shared a room with Juvia, but nothing had happened. And to think he'd used the "I'm short on money" excuse just to split the room with her last night… The idea had sounded way more promising in his head than it turned out in reality.
"…"
There it was again, his morning habit. His mind always raced with useless, random thoughts that showed up uninvited and served no purpose.
Anyway, putting that aside, he glanced at Juvia. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"Juvia slept well too…" She smoothed her skirt and stood. "Today's journey will be long, so we should eat breakfast early…"
A little while later, the two headed downstairs to the inn's dining hall. They had a simple meal: warm bread, milk, and fruit, then hit the road again. The sun gilded the horizon as they started walking north through Fiore.
The day passed peacefully. The road wound between green hills and small groves. Every now and then Natsu would point something out: a funny-shaped cloud, an animal darting through the brush, or a strange flower. Juvia listened attentively, laughing softly at his little observations.
They passed through villages, rested by streams, and shared fruit along the way. Time moved slowly, and the landscape gradually turned shades of orange.
When the sun began to dip behind the mountains, they decided to make camp.
Natsu found a good spot on a hillside with a view over the valley. The wind was cold, but the air was clean and the sky overflowed with stars.
"This'll do." He dropped his backpack on the ground. "I'll go hunt something…"
Before she could reply, he'd already vanished into the trees. A short while later he returned with two rabbits dangling by their tails and a handful of branches ready to be used as makeshift skewers. The ones from yesterday? He'd just cleaned and tossed them. It was almost a reflex from his old life: when he used to barbecue at home he'd clean and keep the skewers, but once he realized these were just branches, he saw no point in keeping them.
He really needed to break that kind of habit…
"That was fast," Juvia remarked, surprised.
"Got lucky," he muttered, snapping his fingers.
A tiny spark flashed, followed by a fingernail-sized magic circle that glowed softly at the tip of each finger, radiating the power of his Fire Dragon Slayer Magic. Flames sprang to life instantly, dancing in the night breeze until they settled into a steady, warm campfire, perfectly placed in the little campsite they'd set up.
Even though there wasn't much firewood around, he didn't really need it. Over the past two days since being reborn into this world, he'd learned to keep his flames burning for long periods with nothing but finely controlled magical output. Still, he gathered a bit of wood just in case.
After collecting what he needed, he carefully arranged the sticks in the fire.
While he cleaned and seasoned the meat, Juvia used her water magic to bring clean water from a nearby stream. The crackling of the flames mixed with the quiet breathing of the night, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
When the smell of roasting meat began to spread, Juvia's stomach let out a soft growl. She blushed all the way to her ears.
"Heh, someone's hungry," Natsu teased, turning the skewers over the flames.
"Juvia… was just a little curious about the smell," she said, looking away.
"Curious, huh?" He grinned sideways.
She puffed out her cheeks, trying to hide her embarrassment, but a small smile slipped through anyway.
The mountain cold grew sharper, and Juvia hugged her shoulders, rubbing her hands discreetly. Natsu noticed.
Without a word, he took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
"Here," he said simply. "I don't get cold anyway."
Juvia blinked, startled. "B-but… what about Natsu-san?"
"I'm the Salamander, remember?" He flashed a grin. "Fire's my thing."
She lowered her gaze, clutching the warm fabric against herself. "Thank you…"
The flames reflected in Juvia's eyes, and for a moment everything felt still. Only the crackle of the fire, the wind, and the distant chirping of crickets filled the comfortable silence between them.
Above, the sky was a vast, living ocean of stars, almost infinite.
Natsu leaned back against a log and let out a satisfied sigh. "Heh… it's been a while since I just stopped to look at the sky like this."
Thinking about his past life, he'd never really stopped to gaze at a starry sky. First, because he lived in the city, and in the modern world it was hard to see a sky this beautiful and clear. Last night he'd stared at the stars with the same feeling, but right now the sensation was even stronger, maybe because this spot was perfect for stargazing.
Juvia looked up, constellations mirrored in her eyes. "It's beautiful… Juvia loves the night. The sound of the wind, the glow of the stars… it's like the whole world becomes peaceful for a moment."
"Peace, huh?" Natsu gave a wry smile. "I've never been great at staying peaceful. Whenever everything gets quiet, I start feeling restless, you know?"
In that way, he admitted he was a little like his predecessor. Of course, it was nothing compared to the "old Natsu," who lived picking fights with guildmates, challenging Erza over anything, taking on strong enemies just for the thrill, all because he couldn't stand stillness.
"That suits Natsu-san," she said softly, covering her mouth as she laughed. "Juvia imagines that even if the whole world stopped, Natsu-san would still be jumping around, looking for something to do."
"Obviously!" he replied with a playful tone. "If the world stops, someone's gotta get it moving again, right?"
She shook her head, smiling. "Juvia admires that… that endless energy. Even when everyone else is exhausted, Natsu-san keeps going. It's something beautiful."
"Beautiful?" He raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Never thought of it that way. Always figured I was just kinda stubborn."
"Stubbornness and determination are sometimes the same thing," she said gently, turning her gaze back to the fire. "Juvia wishes she could be like that too."
"You already are."
She blinked, surprised. "Huh?"
"Determined. And strong." He answered naturally, poking the fire with a small stick. "You might seem calm, even a little… I dunno, dreamy sometimes, but when it comes to protecting someone, you never back down. That's real strength."
His words hung in the air, warming Juvia more than the flames. A soft blush rose to her cheeks.
"Juvia… thanks you. Natsu-san always says things that… make Juvia's heart hurt a little."
"Hurt?" He looked at her, confused.
"A good kind of hurt…" she murmured, glancing up at the sky. "It's hard to explain."
Silence returned, but now it felt different, closer, more intimate.
After a while, Natsu broke the quiet with a lighter tone.
"So, Juvia, is there anything you really hate? Not food, I mean, something you truly can't stand."
She thought for a moment. "Hmm… Juvia hates feeling useless. Seeing someone suffer and not being able to do anything. That makes her heart… sink."
"I get it," he said with a sigh. "I hate losing people. Even knowing it's part of life… I still hate it. It's the kind of thing you can never really accept."
She looked at him with tender, understanding eyes. "Juvia thinks that's why Natsu-san is so strong. Because he never accepts losing… anyone."
He laughed awkwardly. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just bad at giving up."
"Even so…" She scooted a little closer, giving a shy smile. "Juvia prefers that kind of stubbornness."
For a moment the wind blew colder, and the stars seemed to shine a little brighter. Natsu stretched out his arm and pointed upward.
"Look, that one looks like a dragon."
"Huh?" She tilted her head. "Juvia doesn't see it…"
"Right there! Those three stars are the wings, and that one's the tail."
Juvia squinted, trying to see what he saw, and ended up laughing. "Juvia thinks Natsu-san's imagination is as strong as his magic."
"Hey, it's definitely a dragon!" he insisted, and her laughter rang out softly across the hillside.
Natsu turned the skewers one last time, letting the scent of roasted meat fill the cold mountain air.
"Done." He blew on one skewer and handed it to her. "Careful, it's hot."
"Thank you…" Juvia took it with both hands, blowing gently before taking her first bite.
"Mmm…" Her eyes sparkled. "It's delicious!"
"Heh, knew you'd like it." Natsu bit into his own with gusto, chewing without ceremony. "After walking all day, anything hot feels like a feast."
Juvia giggled quietly. "Even so, Natsu-san cooks well. Juvia thought you only knew how to make fire."
"Making fire is half the job, right?" He flashed a smug grin, wiping his mouth with his forearm. "Funny… a friend of mine always said food tastes different depending on who you eat it with."
"How so?" she asked, curious.
"Like… eating alone just fills your stomach." He twirled his skewer absently. "But when you've got company, everything tastes better. Even if it's simple."
Juvia fell quiet for a moment, her heart beating faster. "So… the flavor is in the people?"
"Something like that." He scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "I'm not great at explaining it. Not as good as that friend I mentioned…"
"Juvia understands." She smiled softly. "Then tonight's dinner is very tasty."
He blinked, surprised, then grinned. "Heh, yeah, it really is."
For a few minutes they ate in silence. The fire slowly died down, casting dancing shadows over the leaf-covered ground. When they finished, Natsu tossed the bones into the flames and wiped his hands on the cloth he carried. Juvia gathered the leftover fruit and offered him a piece.
"Want some?"
"Sure." Without hesitation he leaned in and bit the fruit straight from her hand.
"N-Natsu-san…!"
"Hm?" He looked at her with fruit still in his mouth, genuinely confused. "What?"
She turned away, clutching the rest of the fruit to her chest. "Nothing… it was just… sudden."
"Ah, sorry." He scratched his head, laughing sheepishly. "Reflex."
"R-reflex?" she repeated, glancing sideways. "Juvia didn't know sharing fruit was one of Natsu-san's reflexes."
"It is now."
Juvia sighed, but a smile slipped out before she could stop it.
She looked at the boy beside her and asked shyly, "Natsu-san… besides the things you already told me, what else do you like?"
He thought for a second.
"Hmmm… I really like music. And parties. And doing whatever I feel like. I guess… I like feeling alive."
The answer made him sound momentarily more mature. Juvia glanced at him, her heart beating faster for no clear reason.
"Juvia likes that too," she whispered. "Seeing people smile. Especially… Natsu-san."
"Me?" He turned to her, surprised.
She nodded with a shy smile.
"When Natsu-san smiles… the world feels less cold."
For a moment Natsu didn't know what to say. He just stared at her.
He looked away and gave a small cough.
"Heh… you say stuff that leaves a guy speechless, you know?"
"Juvia only said the truth."
"Then I'll tell you one too." He leaned back, hands behind his head, staring at the sky. "I feel calm when I'm with you. Like… even when we're doing nothing. It's weird."
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. "Calm…?"
"Yeah." He smiled, not realizing how much weight those words carried.
For someone who'd never had a real relationship and had only ever chased fleeting nights with girls he wanted, this situation was, at the very least, unusual. Not that he wasn't interested in Juvia; God, if she gave him even the slightest opening… But she'd just gotten out of a heartbreak not long ago, and he wasn't enough of a jerk to be insensitive about it. So he was just acting casual, natural. Whatever was meant to happen would happen on its own.
And right now, his focus wasn't romance. He wanted to get stronger and explore not just this world he was in, but the infinite other worlds he had access to.
But…
His gaze drifted back to Juvia.
The firelight danced across her face, making the glow play over her features. She looked away, blushing faintly. The silence between them was starting to feel different… warmer than the fire itself.
"…Why are you staring like that?" she asked, too shy to meet his eyes.
"Dunno." He answered honestly. "I guess… you seem different today compared to when we started this trip. Calmer… less sad about everything. You know…"
She blinked, surprised. "Juvia… seems different?"
"Yeah." He gave a soft smile. "Today you just seem like… you."
The words hung in the air. Juvia felt her chest tighten in the best way.
"Juvia… feels happy. Maybe that's why," she said softly. "I think it was a good idea to come with you, Natsu-san. I've been able to move on from the fact that Gray-san doesn't like Juvia that way, and I discovered that even without someone to love, I can be happy just for myself."
There was a time when those same feelings would have left her confused or even sad. But not anymore. She had learned that when love is sincere, it doesn't need to be tied to a single destination or demand reciprocation. It simply exists; it changes, matures, finds new paths.
Watching the campfire, she realized a similar flame burned quietly inside her: steady, constant, warm.
For so long she had shaped her life around Gray, forgetting who she was. Her heart still raced sometimes, yes, but it was no longer a dependent heart.
Looking at Natsu, she saw someone who, without even realizing it, had shown her that freedom. He didn't promise anything, didn't expect anything; he just lived intensely, honestly, always moving forward. And somehow that inspired her.
Realizing she could be happy on her own didn't mean she had to stop loving; it meant loving in a new, more mature, lighter way.
After hearing her words, Natsu stayed quiet for a moment, staring at the fire, then murmured, "I'm glad."
His tone was simple, but sincere, and Juvia knew he truly meant it.
A few more minutes passed in silence. The fire dwindled, casting only faint red glimmers.
Natsu stood, grabbed a few more sticks, and revived the flames with a touch of magic. Then he looked at her and said,
"You can sleep easy. I'll keep watch tonight."
"Juvia can help if—"
"No way." He cut her off with a smile. "I'm not even sleepy…"
She gave in. "Then… good night, Natsu-san."
"Night, Juvia."
She lay down on the makeshift blanket, close enough to feel the warmth of the fire and, somehow, his warmth too. She watched him for a while, the way the firelight traced golden lines across his face, how his eyes looked steady even when relaxed.
He really had grown up a lot…
"…Natsu-san?" she called sleepily.
"Hm?"
"Thank you… for today."
He glanced at her and smiled.
"Heh. Go to sleep already."
Juvia closed her eyes, the smile still on her lips.
The crackling fire, the wind, and Natsu's steady breathing blended together, lulling her into a light, peaceful sleep.
And for a moment, Natsu just watched her face in the firelight, the calm way she slept.
"You really are weird…" he murmured, almost affectionately.
But the smile that followed… was the smile of someone who didn't mind one bit.
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