The door clicked open just as Ryuji eased back against the pillow. Wendy stepped in, balancing a tray with two steaming cups; Carla floated after her, eyes watchful.
Wendy—smiling gently. "I thought you might want something warm. Tea always helps me when I'm tired."
Ryuji blinked, straightening a little. He glanced from her to the tray, expression unreadable before settling into caution.
Ryuji (quietly, after a pause): "You didn't have to."
Wendy set the tray on the bedside table with careful hands.
Wendy: "I wanted to. That's what friends do."
Silence hovered, soft as the steam. Ryuji's gaze lowered; his fingers curled into the blanket.
Ryuji (muttering): "The old man... he said I could stay. That Fairy Tail would be my home if I wanted it."
Wendy's eyes widened. She stepped closer, hope brightening her voice.
Wendy: "Then... will you? You don't have to keep wandering. You could belong here—with us."
He flinched at the certainty in her tone.
Ryuji (hesitant): "Why? Why do you care so much? You barely know me."
Wendy's cheeks puffed; her hands found her hips in rare defiance.
Wendy: "Because that's what Fairy Tail does! We don't care about where you came from—we care about who you are now. And you... you already protect the people beside you. That makes you one of us."
The words landed deeper than he expected. He turned his face away, heat brushing his cheeks.
Ryuji (softly, almost to himself): "...Then... I'll join. If this is what you want... I'll try."
Wendy nearly dropped a cup, bouncing in place.
Wendy (beaming): "Really?! You mean it, Ryuji?"
He couldn't meet her eyes; his ears burned as a strange warmth climbed his chest.
Ryuji (turning away, cheeks red): "Yeah. I mean it."
Did I really say that out loud?
At the crack of the door, Happy and Carla froze—Carla's gaze softened, but Happy's grin stretched wide.
Happy (whispering loudly): "Aye, sir! Did you hear that?! He's joining!"
Before Carla could stop him, Happy streaked down the hall. Footsteps thundered back toward the infirmary; a draft rolled in as the latch flew wide and the guild rushed in like a wave—boots thudding, mugs clinking, voices stacking over each other.
Makarov stepped forward, small frame casting a long, certain shadow. He stroked his beard, eyes warm as they fell on the boy.
Makarov (smiling): "This lad stands here because of his own spirit—and because our Wendy wouldn't let him fall. That's good enough for me. From today, he walks among us as one of Fairy Tail's own."
Cheering burst in the hall and spilled into the room. The crowd pressed close, faces bright.
Ryuji (quiet but steady): "My name is Ryuji Kazuma. If I'm truly part of this guild... may I know yours as well?"
A heartbeat of stillness—then the room bloomed with names.
Natsu (grinning, thumb to chest): "I'm Natsu Dragneel! And since Wendy's on our team, that means you're with us too!"
Happy (hovering): "Aye, sir! I'm Happy!"
Lucy (kind smile): "Lucy Heartfilia. Nice to meet you properly, Ryuji."
Gray (arms crossed, smirking): "Gray Fullbuster. Don't think I'll go easy on you just 'cause you're new."
Erza (firm, warm): "Erza Scarlet. You fought bravely for Wendy. You have my respect."
Wendy (beaming): "I'm Wendy Marvell! ...But you already knew that."
Carla (tail flick, cool): "Carla. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
Gajeel (from the wall, dry): "Gajeel Redfox. Another Dragon Slayer, huh? Don't think you'll outdo me."
Mirajane (gentle, hands clasped): "Mirajane Strauss. I'm glad you're awake—and welcome to Fairy Tail."
Elfman (clenching a fist): "Elfman Strauss! Joining Fairy Tail is what it means to be a man!"
Levy (cheerful wave): "Levy McGarden! Excited to have someone new."
Jet & Droy (puffing): "Jet!" / "Droy!"
Cana (raising her mug): "Cana Alberona. Welcome, kid. First round's on me when you're better."
Macao (gruff, kind): "Macao Conbolt. Stick with us, you'll be fine."
Wakaba (with a squint): "Wakaba Mine. And try not to cause trouble, eh?"
Voices overlapped—loud, unique, alive. Ryuji's eyes flicked from face to face; the warmth pressed close, and for once it didn't feel like it was asking anything back.
Makarov (grinning, staff raised): "Then it's settled! From today—Ryuji Kazuma of Fairy Tail!"
The cheer hit like a small earthquake.
The echoes were still bouncing when Natsu cracked his fists.
Natsu: "Alright, Ryuji! Now that you're one of us... fight me!"
Gray (deadpan): "He just got out of bed, genius."
Erza (one look): "Natsu."
Natsu (sweating, backpedaling): "Kidding! Totally kidding!"
Happy (stage whisper): "Not as much as Wendy wants to fight for his heart! Aye!"
Wendy (scarlet): "H-Happy!!"
Laughter rolled through the room; even the walls seemed to smile. The crush eased as people drifted back into the hall, leaving space—and a soft, settled energy only Fairy Tail could make.
Ryuji sat in the middle of it, still bandaged, still tired—surrounded. The warmth was loud, overwhelming... and not unwelcome. His gaze slid to Wendy; she was still blushing, scolding Happy with little fists and a helpless, shining smile. He looked away fast, heat brushing his cheeks, heart thudding.
...What is this? It's different from anything I've known.
This... doesn't feel wrong.
The chapter closed not with words, but with the image of Ryuji among Fairy Tail's chaos, the faintest smile tucked into the corner of his mouth.
Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.