Chapter 2: A Contract is a Contract
Lucy didn't know what was going on with her. There wasn't anything particularly different about Natsu today, but ever since her party earlier that night, she couldn't stop thinking about him. And it wasn't just that she was thinking about him, but she was thinking about him in that way. As in she can't stop imagining his muscular body or what he might look like naked or what it would feel like being touched by him.
The thought of him was making her aroused, something that didn't happen often... Actually, she hasn't felt aroused in all her life despite being well past the average age for puberty. In the back of her mind she that knew this was strange, but it only remained a passing thought. Her mind was flooded with sexual imagery and no matter what Lucy tried to do, she couldn't fight it off.
Lucy's bed was position against the wall, right next to the window. She was glad she decided to leave her window slightly open. She was feeling warmer than usual. The cool breeze felt good to her. And it was a little exciting to be to be doing something naughty like touching herself near an open window. Lucy didn't necessarily want someone to see her, but the idea that she might get caught was somehow exciting.
It didn't occur to her that she might actually get caught.
Lucy, whose eyes have been closed this whole time, glanced over at her window only to find Natsu crouching at her window sill.
"Natsu!" she squealed, tossing a pillow at him in reaction.
The pillow caused Natsu to lose his balance, which lead to him falling forward onto her bed. He scrambled his way up into a sitting position.
"Natsu," she said in a loud whisper. "What are you doing here?!"
"I came to see you," Natsu whispered back.
"I just saw you!"
"Geez. I can't even come to see you?"
Lucy blushed. "Of course you can," Lucy said. "I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to." Lucy's blushed deepened." I just wish you would pick our times better. I could use some privacy."
Lucy looked away, her cheeks extremely flush. Natsu barging into her apartment was normal. Normally, she would yell at him for coming in at an inopportune time and maybe she would punch him in the face. Every time he came in like this, that is what would happen. Not this time. Instead, all she could think about was their kiss earlier. They've never kissed before. They weren't even close to ever kissing. She couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Natsu," Lucy said quietly. "About that kiss."
"What about it?" he asked.
"What did you think about it?" she asked.
Lucy's question came out without her thinking about. They came out on their own.
"I was fine with it," Natsu thought she heard a little strain in his voice.
"Did it bother you that I wanted to kiss?"
"No. What makes you think that it would bother me?"
"Because we're friends. Sometimes friends don't like kissing other friends."
"It doesn't bother me."
Lucy looked at Natsu, relieved. "Did you like it?" she asked.
Natsu paused. "Yes."
Lucy stared at Natsu who was looking at her seriously. She moved to sit next to him.
"Can I kiss you again?" Again, the question came out almost without Lucy's consent. What in the world was she saying?
Natsu remained quiet for a few moments. "Why?" he asked, almost choking as he said it.
Lucy thought about it. "I just want to."
"I mean why are you bothering to ask?"
Lucy didn't wait a second longer. She pounced on him, her mouth nearly colliding into his. Whereas their earlier kiss was slow and sensual, this kiss was wild and restless. Lucy felt like her body was moving on its own. She pushed up against Natsu, desperately wanting the press of his body against hers. Lucy's body temperature seemed to elevate. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her breathing became heavy. The more their bodies touched, the less controlled Lucy became. Before she realized it, she was already sliding his shirt off his shoulder and pushing him down against her bed aggressively. She sat on top of his crotch, noting the press of his erect penis against her. Her body reacted favorably. Lucy grinded against him and was rewarded with a groan from Natsu. Again, the back of her mind knew something was amiss, but Lucy kept going.
Lucy reached down to pull of her shirt. Her body was fully committed to this and she wanted it so badly.
Suddenly, there was a noise coming from downstairs.
"Lucy?" Erza's voice called out.
Lucy snapped out of her frenzied state. Lucy nearly jumped off of Natsu upon hearing Erza's voice. She quickly pulled Natsu up and straightened herself out.
"E-rza?" she called back. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to check in on you. I got your apartment key from Mirajane."
Lucy stared at Natsu for a moment before she started pushing him towards the window.
"Natsu, you need to leave," Lucy said in an urgent whisper.
"But why?" Natsu asked, confused.
"Let this be our secret," she answered as she pushed him even more.
"But-" Natsu seemed befuddled.
"Please," Lucy pleaded. "We can talk about it tomorrow."
The sounds of Erza's footsteps could be heard coming closer. "Lucy?" Erza asked again.
"Just a minute!" Lucy called out. She turned to Natsu again. "Go!"
Lucy gave Natsu one final push. Luckily for Lucy, Natsu decided not to be stubborn that night and jumped out the window. As he walked away, Lucy poked her head out the window.
"Natsu!" she whispered, getting his attention. Natsu stopped and looked up at her. She smiled at him playfully and mouthed the words: "Let's do that again."
Natsu stared at her up at her. He was looking at her with his serious face... Oh, she loved his serious face. Goofy Natsu becomes manly Natsu when he makes that face. Lucy felt her heartbeat deepen. Then he smiled. The same old, goofy Natsu smile. Lucy couldn't help smiling back.
A day after Lucy's encounter with Natsu, Lucy prepared to have a meeting with the Tobias Company regarding her marriage contract involving the heir, Damien. Lucy found out about the contract two weeks before her birthday. Lucy was really angry at first for being pulled into one of her father's schemes even after he had died, but she wasn't at all surprised that her father would do something like this. She called on Capricorn for support on this matter since he was somewhat familiar with this sort of thing, having been a former spirit of her mother's.
A carriage picked the two of them up from Lucy's apartment. Lucy sat quietly in the carriage, idly looking out of the window on the way to the corporate office. Lucy should have been nervous about this meeting, but she wasn't. Rather, she felt like her mind was still lingering on Natsu. She and Capricorn have been preparing for this day for the past two weeks and yet all she could think about was kissing and touching Natsu.
"Princess," Capricorn said.
"Yes?" she said, snapping out of her thoughts.
"We're here."
Lucy nodded. She had been so preoccupied that she didn't notice they arrived. She shook her head a little. Right now, she needed to concentrate.
Lucy and Capricorn were escorted into the office of Rayf Hitzig, the man who is responsible for the actual running of the company. Since the recent death of Damien's fater, Rayf has been overlooking the Tobias' personal affairs as well.
"Miss Heartfilia," Rayf greeted as he entered the room. Rayf was an older gentleman who was in his mid-50s. He had well groomed dark brown hair and brown eyes. He dressed in a sharp suit and conducted himself in a pleasant, but business-like manner. He gently took Lucy's hand and gave it a kiss.
"Mr. Hitzig," Lucy said, reminding herself that for this meeting she would act as a proper lady.
Rayf took a seat at his desk and pulled out some papers.
"I'm sure it must be a shock for you to find out about this contract. Marrying for something other than love can be an unpleasant reality," Rayf said.
"Yes, I would agree," Lucy said politely. "You must be aware that I had no say in this matter. I didn't know about it until I received the letter from you."
"I am aware of that. Unfortunately, both your father and Damien's father passed away before we could talk more about it. We'll just have to do the best we can. I'm sure you have a lot to say."
Lucy looked to Capricorn for assurance. He nodded back to her.
"Yes, Mr. Hitzig, we do," Lucy said as she held up her copy of the contract. "I understand this contract was created when my family's business was still flourishing. Things have changed. The Tobias family has nothing to gain by having me marry in. Even when my father recovered from the collapse of his business, whatever fortune he recouped since then was modest."
"Ah, but there is a reason," Rayf politely interjected, much to Lucy's surprise. "You may not have the wealth, but the Heartfilia name still carries some meaning in the business world. Right now the Tobias Company is struggling, especially in reputation, due to some unfortunate shipping accidents. This marriage is nothing but good news and would at the very least distract our critics from the ugly shadow that's been cast over our services. Think about it: Damien Tobias uplifts former heiress from the squalor of being a for-hire mage. I realize you haven't been connected with this part of society for years, now. I can tell you many people have expressed their sympathies for how far you've fallen."
Lucy felt a large vein throbbing in her right temple. She could feel all of the nerves on her face tighten, but she tried her best not to let her anger and annoyance show. She looked again to Capricorn. He didn't say anything, but she could tell from his calm gaze that he was telling her to cool down as best she could. Lucy took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hitzig. I have to be blunt. The Tobias Company may grow by reputation, but I don't have any personal interest in this union."
Lucy looked quickly at Rayf's face as she said this. The expression on his face didn't change, but for a brief second, she saw a twitch under his left eye.
"It's unfortunate that you feel this way," Rayf said in a quick and sharp tone. "To be blunt, as you put it, there is no leeway in the contract for you to pull out of it. There will be legal penalties if you resist. For instance: your father's debt."
"His debt?"
"When your father's company was going under, he turned to us for financial assistance. He still had a sizable amount left at the time of his death. If you are considering backing out, the debt is passed onto you." Rayf pulled out a document and handed it to Lucy. "We compiled a financial report to assess your ability to take on this debt. Based on your average rate of pay as a mage, you would be making payments for a long time. Mind you that the terms on this debt is very aggressive. Your father barely managed. With the debt on top of your rent and other living expenses, your quality of life may dramatically decrease. Considering that the availability of high paying work for mages is inconsistent at best, I would say you would want to reconsider saying you have no personal interest."
Lucy looked at Rayf with a carefully held expression of calm, though underneath this veneer was her seething anger.
"I'm willing to deal with that debt even if it takes the rest of my life," Lucy said emphatically. "I am a stellar mage. I take my promises seriously."
Rayf stared at Lucy, face a still as a statue's. Moments passed in a tense silence. Rayf seemed to be thinking of his next move.
"I'm lead to believe that you were fond of your mother," he said. "Part of the personal possessions that were given to us included your mother's journals."
Lucy's eyes widened at the mention of her mother. An image of her mother flashed in her mind: her beautiful, gentle mother looking at her with a soft expression. Lucy didn't have many reminders of her mother. All of her mother's personal belongings was left with her father. All Lucy really had were the stories her mother told her, which Lucy tried to write into her failed book, Maya's Forest. If Lucy could get a hold of those journals, she would finally get a hold of a real memento of her mother. Lucy said nothing at first. She was trying her best to hide the sense of alarm she was feeling.
"You're going to use that as leverage to force me into continuing with the contract," she said calmly.
"Force is a strong word. I just wanted to let you know the stakes."
There was something about the way Rayf said this to her that rubbed Lucy the wrong way. He was polite and professional, but there was also something sharp and calculating about him. His words had the vaguest feel of a threat. She started to feel anxiety well up in her heart. She tried to keep her cool.
"Tell me more about these journals," Lucy said.
"Damien is the legal owner of that property. If you marry him, his property becomes yours. If not, it's up to him what he will do with it. Your father's debt would be absolved as well."
Lucy couldn't help betraying just the slightest furrow in her brow. "It sounds like you fully intend to continue with this marriage," she said coldly as she tried to hide her mounting frustration.
"It's what I believe is best for the company," Rayf replied.
"Then I suppose we have nothing further to discuss."
By now, Lucy's ears were ringing. This Rayf fellow seemed to be fixated on this idea of her marrying his ward. It seemed like it didn't matter that the marriage itself was useless, Rayf just wanted to force his way because he liked having that kind of control.
Lucy wanted to get the hell out of there before she tried punching that guy in the face. Lucy stood up, wordlessly excusing herself from this meeting.
"There's also the matter of your... occupation," Rayf said as she headed for the door. "If you're to re-enter high society we can't have you-"
"That's non-negotiable," Lucy said with finality. "We will not discuss that any further."
"Very well," Rayf said. "There's nothing in the contract that would prevent you from continuing your line of work. I suppose even your mother was a trained mage. We'll even hold off on the living arrangements that were originally planned."
"What arrangements?" Lucy said, skeptically.
"You were to start living on the Tobias Estate immediately after the official enactment of the contract. It seems that you require a certain degree of personal freedom. We're willing to accommodate that as long as you comply with the contract."
It's not like I have a choice, do I? Lucy thought to herself. "I appreciate it," she said.
Rayf paused and gave a pointed gaze towards Lucy. "The Tobias estate will deal with the planning of the wedding, which should take place in about a year. Before you leave, please speak with the secretary to schedule a meeting for you to meet Damien. He is looking forward to meeting you."
"As am I," Lucy said in a perfunctory tone of voice.
Lucy turned again and headed for the door.
"One more thing, Miss Heartfilia," Rayf called out. "We're giving you certain freedoms, but please be aware that as Damien's fiance, you are a representative of the Tobias company. I would advise you to conduct yourself in a manner that is befitting of one of our social standing. Otherwise, we will have to ask you to start staying here at the estate."
Lucy only half nodded and headed straight out the door. As she and Capricorn headed out the building, a carriage was already waiting to take them back home. Lucy walked straight past the carriage. She was furious. The two of the walked for two blocks, just out of earshot of the Tobias building.
"Can you believe that guy?!" Lucy said in a rage.
"He is a businessman," Capricorn gently reminded her.
"It is so typical of them to use other people like pawns!"
"He kind of reminds you of someone, doesn't it?"
"That guy is exactly like my father!"
Lucy stopped walking at the realization that Rayf Hitzig was just like her father. Feelings of anger and helplessness took over her, the same feelings she felt when she was still under her father's care.
"Shit," she muttered as tears began to well up in her eyes.
Capricorn walked Lucy over to a nearby bench and had her sit down. He seemed to already know what was bothering Lucy.
"Thank you," Lucy croaked, taking the handkerchief into her hand. Lucy cried quietly for a few moments "Sorry about this. I thought I would have it together for this meeting, but it looks like I'm a mess."
"You did wonderfully in there, Princess," Capricorn said reassuringly. He patted her on the back while she let her tears quietly roll from her eyes. "You kept your composure. That's what's important."
"I tried..." Lucy lifted up her hands, showing Capricorn how much she was shaking. "I can't stop shaking..."
Capricorn put a fatherly arm around her shoulders.
"It's okay, Princess," he said soothingly. "It's over."
"I know," Lucy said. "I really thought we could get out of this contract. But it's real, isn't it? I really have to marry that guy..."
"We don't know that for sure."
"On paper, it's real. Legally, it's real. Do you think it's possible for me to simply refuse? What are they going to do to me if I refuse?"
"You could refuse, which I know you want to do. Fairy Tail will probably do its best to protect you from whatever the Tobias Company tries to do."
Lucy sniffed and wiped the tears off her face. She thought about some of the things her father did to get her back under his control. Phantom Lord ended up attacking the guild to get to her. Fairy Tail really stuck by her then. There's nothing the Tobias company can do that would really do her any damage, especially if Fairy Tail was willing to get in the way, which they always are. The debt, she could deal with. She's willing to risk a life of squalor if it meant being free of high society... The only issue was the journals, which could be destroyed at a moment's notice if she made the wrong move. Lucy thought about what she should do.
"I'll play along," Lucy said. "For now. If they have my mother's journals, then they must have other personal possessions." Lucy handed the handkerchief back to Capricorn. "I want to figure out how to get access to those possessions before I do anything else."
Lucy looked at Capricorn resolutely. He smiled with approval.
A/N: The second part ended up being not a lot of NaLu and longer than I wanted, but it kind of frames the rest of the story. Chapter three is probably going to be similar. I promise more NaLu after that!
