1:18 am. Here I am, lying in bed, crying a damn river. I read the warning, the "prepare yourselves" you wrote, and thought to myself "Hey, I can handle it".
Well, I couldn't.
I've become a fountain. Or a river. Or the fking sea. God, bring me some tissues.
I think I can safely say that this is one of my favourite fics ever. And I've been reading fanfiction for over 12 years.

That was so touching :')
I love romance (prefer M/M a little more than F/M), but my favorite genre will ALWAYS be Bromance. It makes me 1000 times more excited than the smuttiest smut stories, haha XD

There's just something so beautiful in a strong relationship without the sex/romance part. I have a hard time finding general stories in the FT fandom (because there are sooo many couples. It's like Mashima absolutely wanted ALL his characters to be shipped), so your stories are refreshing :)

Nice job!

(PS: I may or may not be stalking all your stories right now)
(PPS: I'm Rababaz on FF! I was so happy when I discovered that you were also on AO3! I really prefer this platform)

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chanting: sabertooth sabertooth sabertooth! SABERTOOTH!
okay u have everything written out so idk how mucg sense my comments make but! KSAFJSKSJAFKF IM SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT IM SUPER HOPEFUL,,,not to b cliche but THIS IS SUCH AN EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER

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the tag 'hurt/comfort and humour' IS SENDING BC,,,GOD WHAT A JUXTAPOSITION.,,,,like the image of natsu crying over the dead flower rly hits hard ASJFSAKFJFRIQOE im so (not) ready for the other chaps u incredible pain inducing writer,,,,i love ur writing style so much

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I am not a big crier, especially when I read fics, but this chapter had me in awful choking sobs. I wish I could write a more composed comment, but I’m absolutely destroyed. You’ve hit every emotion with masterful precision and oh, it’s amazing and heartbreaking in equal measures.

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This is too much for me, my heart is broken up into a thousand pieces and then pieced back up throughout the story. I’m so glad Gray went through the internal struggles and found that he was Gray and he was himself all along. The characters you built and the bonds between Natsu/Gray and Lyon/Gray are so beautiful. Thank you! (AND YES FINALLY HE MADE IT HOME I CANT IM GOING TO CRY AGAIN)

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I can’t. I kept telling myself that this won’t be the last time and that Gray is only making Natsu let go once not forever, but this is hitting me hard and I am absolutely devastated. I just love Gray’s character so much- I miss his pre-void self who came back with the help of the link and memories, and also the post-void self who tries his best to remember and understand a foreign world for the sake of his friends.

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Okay first I’m literally silently screaming out of happiness when Gray started that light conversation with Natsu in the morning. It makes me feel hopeful along with Natsu. BUUUUUUT I can feel your symbols and foreshadowing and all of that underneath the cover of “Gray is getting better”. He isn’t happy when people compare him to the pre-void Gray, for example, in the end here, Lyon said “that’s when we will have OUR Gray back” and “EVERYONE BUT GRAY” was happy about it. Wow I can sense that some angst will still be ahead.

Also, I have a theory on Gray’s sudden improvements: is it because he saw the emotions and memories of others of him, and now he is almost “acting” out the old him in some subconscious yet intentional ways?

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This is so beautifully written, I can feel Natsu’s stress and hopes sitting right here with my phone. When Gray smiles unknowingly I may have screeched a little-

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Ahhhh this rollercoaster ride

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Damn this is such an intense fanfic, I’m loving the amazing ideas and brilliant plot! Wow just wow

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I cried this chapter, the tears started falling at Gray's "Come back", because ack, connecting those words to the time he 'died' and how he told Natsu to "go". I don't know, all the emotions just built up and I-this is a beautiful chapter.

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5) Your usage of the tombstone – both it's location (Natsu hiding it by THE river, of all places – oh, I love that.) and the lack of inscription on the gravestone. The symbolism and meaning behind that….gods, that was heartbreakingly beautiful. Their love for each other, as friends, as brothers….as family….it goes beyond words.

6) The sequence where Gray confronts Natsu about why he's there and when they actually TALK for once; "Why are you still standing in front of a rock that you've already admitted was never enough? I'm right here, Natsu. Am I not enough?" And then throwing the tombstone in the river, together? Ahhh, my heart. 3

7) Natsu loosing his scarf again and Gray catching both him and the scarf, coupled with this parenthesis: (because you told me once that if something is important to me, I shouldn't lose it) – Masterfully done. I love the parallels here. And, gods, the scene/dialogue after that? With the hug, Natsu finally admitting his fears, his feelings, what their friendship means to him? And Gray's reassurances and talk about family? Again; my heart's flip-flopping all over the place.

Also, I have to say; I especially love that parenthesis – the meaning behind it, what it really says – That you should always pay attention to and cherish the things, the people, that are important to you. That you should never neglect or take it/them for granted. Before you know it, they're gone. Gods, I just love that one.

8) And finally; THAT ENDING. Gray giving Natsu the ice flower (this is probably my favourite parallel of them all in this fic 3 ), Natsu's closure, Home is the guild…..HEARTRENDING ENDING. I have no words. That took my breath away.

So….yeah, that was supposed to be the short version…which ended up more of a rambling mess, I guess? Again. Sorry? AHHH. This fic. It'll be the death of me. *flails* I just…..yeah, no. To sum up? BEST EPILOGUE EVER. GLORIOUS WORK. 3

AND, ALSO? Super-excited for the two one-shots! *squee* While I truly love this epilogue, I can't help but feel as if this was more as a closure for Natsu than anything else. Hence, I'm hoping the two "after-fics" will give Lyon and Gray some closure as well. Though, even if they don't, I'm still really, really looking forward to them ;) As you know; I can't get enough of this verse. xD

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Okay, so I've calmed down….a little. Well. My emotions are still going haywire, tbh, so this probably won't be very eloquent, but here are my comments on my favourite bits….or the cliffnote-version of that, anyhow:

1) First of all; the parentheses come-back. I've already said it, but….YESS. I LOVE how you fit them with the events unfolding. Masterfully done. Just….WOW.

2) How realistically you portrayed the aftermath – That everyone's having trouble adjusting after all of that is understandable, and to be expected, honestly. I mean, just because he's gotten his memories back, doesn't mean things will magically go back to normal. Love how you also highlighted that with Gray's soul and his curse – it's bittersweet, for sure, but also much more realistic than if his soul was "healed" and the curse disappeared completely.

3) Your portrayal of Gray; spot-on, as always. And utterly heartbreaking. Also as always. His whole façade of being back to normal, of everything being alright, just to reassure and stop the others from worrying? My heart. Typical Gray, always putting everyone else first and down-prioritizing his own struggles, his own fears. The fact that he's still having to fight the curse, though? Oh, my heart.

4) Your portrayal of Natsu – his fears are definitely valid – and to be expected after everything that's happened. How you depicted that, though? That was visceral. Definitely struck a cord, that's for sure. It was nice to see a mature (and down-to-earth) Natsu for once, instead of him just steamrolling through everything and thinking everything'll be alright and turn back to normal. I'll admit; if you compare this Natsu to canon, he'd probably be a bit out of character, but, well, that's actually what I love about it. You made it realistic and relatable, in a way that fit with the version of Natsu that we've seen so far in this verse - and in your other fics. Which, in my opinion, should be the real version of canon. Haha xD

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Oh my god. THIS. This was, hands-down, the best and most beautiful epilogue I've EVER READ. Honest to god. I have no words. The way you tied everything together, all the parallels and symbolism coming full circle…. GAHHHH. It's like being in a candy store with all your favourite treats; there's so many tidbits to sink my teeth into, I CAN'T EVEN. *hyperactive happy dance* And don't even get me started on the parentheses….how you broke them up to fit each little moment/reflection so seamlessly…..AHHH. That was PERFECT. I really wish I could write something more coherent – or, heck, just leave a decent review, but I'm just….mind-blown. Again. THIS…..honestly. I am just in awe right now. From start to finish, this fic/verse has – without fail - broken my heart and taken my breath away countless of times, but this time….gods….seeing everything coming full circle, looking back on all the little hints and finally being able to see the whole picture. The symbolism, the allusions, the hidden meanings…. how it all connects...I just…WOW. This is ART. It's a MASTERPIECE. I've said it before, but, nothing else can compare. Exceptionally done! This was LEGENDARY. Truly. I mean that with all of my heart. This has been such beautiful, heartbreaking, but wonderful wreckingball. 3 I'm really, really sad to see it end, but I have no words for how grateful I am that you've shared it with us. 3 Thank you so, so, so, so much. 3 *hugs infinitely*

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