The only way to truly hurt a man is to take away everything he has ever valued and remind him of it every day. By doing this you will also create a monster, you will regret ever harming that man because he will become your greatest nightmare.

"He hasn't been the same since, has he?" Red haired knight sighed as her hands folded. She looked at the Ice mage beside him with worry in her eyes as they both stared at the Dragon Slayer who sat alone at the table.

"Yeah, I hate to admit it but I really wish we could do something." He spoke back. He got up from his chair and began walking towards the mage. Erza reached out her hand to stop him, but he was already far gone.

"Natsu.. listen.." Gray talked softly, as soft as he possibly could. He put his palm on the boy's shoulder but Natsu quickly moved away.

"We understand you're hurting, but you have to snap out of it. Try to move-" he stopped himself.

"Try to what, Gray?! Move on? You all say you understand my pain but I don't see any of you hurting as much as me! It's only been a month since she-" Natsu stopped talking as well, it was too painful for him to continue his sentence.

He looked away as shadow hid his face and grit his teeth before getting up and walking out of the guild. His pace was slow, and his head was down.

As he walked through town he received quite a lot pity looks from people. Since Magnolia is not as big as you'd think, everyone in town knew what happened.

Fire mage growled at their pity and tried to ignore every single one of them. He only had one objective.

To go visit Lucy's place.

It was the only place where he felt at ease. The only place where it seemed as if she was still here. Her smell still hasn't vanished, it was like a gift from above to help him cope.

He twisted the doorknob and was soon greeted with her scent. As soon as he took a step in and breathed in, he could feel his body relax. He walked slowly, collapsing on Lucy's bed and hugging the sheets close to himself.

"I miss you.."

"I miss you, I miss you, I miss you so much!" He gripped on the pillow so hard that it set on fire.

"Damn it!" He yelled out and put the fire out. He sat on the bed, staring at his hands as they shook.

Suddenly, few drops landed on them and he connected his hands to his face.

The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds. The taste. The smell. Everything was just gone. He paused trying to hold back the strange feelings rumbling inside him but he couldn't.

A lone tear traced down his cheek, and just like that, the floodgates opened. So many tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down his face. His chin trembled as if he was a small child. He breathed heavier than he ever had before. He was gasping for air that simply wasn't there. His throat burned, forming a silent scream.

It was like a part of him was dying inside yet, it felt like relief.

Natsu lied back down and slowly drifted off to sleep. Nothing has ever taken such tool on him as much as this.

Today might have been hard, but tomorrow will be easier. Hell, maybe tomorrow will be just as bad, if not even worse, but the important thing is that you can't stop trying. You can't give up. The road to recovery won't be a smooth ride however, it will be bumpy and sometimes it will seem like you'll never get to your destination.

But, you'll get there. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but you will eventually.

Someday, you will be able to say it's better and truly mean it.

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a little angsty and hope-to-be-inspirational update today lol

i really hope you liked it!

a tiny story time from me:
i lost someone important too, they didn't die or anything but i lost them. 9 years of friendship was gone down the drain in an instant. i missed them so much when it first happened and regretted letting them go, but i knew i had to. they have broken my trust. but today i can confidently say i'm glad they're gone.

if you have a toxic person you're afraid to let go.. do it. you'll feel so much better and it will set you free..