Chapter 3 - Invite
It had been a week already since Lucy had spilled her guts to Cobra, and the entire guild. Natsu, Happy, Erza, and Gray felt awful for not noticing Lucy was hurting and that they had been part of the problem. They five friends had sat down the next at Lucy's house and talked for hours, until everything was sorted out and back to normal. There had been a lot of tears and yelling at one another, with emotions running high she was very glad she had taken Laxus' advice and had Freed place protection runes around her apartment. Natsu and Gray would have blown apart her home and then frozen all of the pieces as they were exploding. She was still pissed at them for losing the reward money on their last mission too and let them have it, telling them that she wasn't going on a single mission with any of them for the next month. Of course that was met with a course of yelling and whining, but Lucy stuck to her guns and wasn't going to let them push her around on this. Lucy suggested they use this month to work on their control so that this didn't keep happening in the future, and they all eventually agreed that it was for the best. Lucy then ordered from their favorite restaurant and they finished the evening with good food and tonnes of laughter.
Lucy was currently humming a tune while working on some paperwork, waiting for Laxus to get his ass to the guild with their lunch. I'm starving! When the hell is Laxus going to get here? Oh speak of the devil . . . Laxus walked into the office carrying a tray with two drinks and two plates, kicking to door shut behind him. He set the tray down on his desk before handing Lucy her strawberry smoothie and cheese burger with a side of caesar salad. He had gotten himself a root beer milkshake and two double cheeseburgers, with all the trimmings, and extra large fries. Lucy was practically drooling at the sight and smell of her meal.
"This looks amazing! Thanks again for lunch Laxus!"
"Not a problem Blondie. I'm happy you had some time today to help me out."
"This is easy peasy! Just the council trying to rob us blind when they actually owe us money."
"I do love when you are able to squeeze money out of those political pansies." They ate and worked in comfortable silence for a while, but Lucy started to get antsy. Laxus was having a hard time concentrating with all of her wiggling and fidgeting in her chair. Generally Lucy was quiet and diligent in her work, with the odd maniacal laughter here and there, but today she just seemed off. He knew something must be tumbling around in that head of hers, he just wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was all about.
"For the love of Mavis please stop and just say whatever you're thinking. All that excess noise is grating on my nerves!" Lucy stuck her tongue out at the big blonde man who rolled his eyes at her.
"Laxus am . . . am I your dragon kin?" Lucy inquired while staring at her hands that were in her lap.
"Where did you hear that term from?"
"I was walking home from the guild last night when some guy came out of an alley and tried to kidnap me. Gajeel was walking Wendy and Levy back to Fairy Hills when he heard me scream and came running to help me. He demanded the guy to let his kin go or there'd be hell to pay and the man dropped me a ran away yelling how he didn't want Black Steel it impale him." Lucy giggled while Laxus smirked. "Once they made sure I was alright I asked Gajeel what a kin was. He started to explain that kin is a dragon's way of claiming family outside of the nest, mates, and children - more like a really strong sibling bond. His dragon and Wendy's dragon see me as an irreplaceable sister, plus Wendy is pretty sure that's how Natsu views me too. So I was just curious if you saw me that way too."
"Come here Lucy." Lucy pushed herself out of the chair and walked slowly over to the lightning slayer. He pulled her into his lap, nuzzled her hair, and emitted and soothing purr sound from his chest. He didn't realize how calm she made his dragon, but the annoying beast had curled up into a ball and was peacefully sleeping - Thank fuck for that. "You are indeed kin to me Lucy. You are the only one my dragon has talked to me about, ever. At first I thought you might be my mate, but it became clear that you are the annoying little sister I never had but always wanted." Lucy playfully glared at him, but continued to sit in his lap. Laxus would never tell Lucy this but he absolutely adored the celestial mage and was 100% content with having her cuddled up with him. As long as Ever doesn't find out and try to black mail, afterall I do have an image to uphold.
"Well I'm glad that I have such an amazing brother like you now." Laxus kissed the top of Lucy's head and she took in Laxus' cuddliness because it wouldn't last for long. "So what are dragon mates?"
"A mate is a person the dragon picks out to be our better half and partner in life. They'll essentially balance out all of our flaws, but we also balance all of theirs. A soul mate if you will. Dragons, and dragon slayers, only get one mate their entire life so the dragon needs to be sure." Laxus thought about everything that Gajeel had gone over that one random night. "I know the slayer has to mark it's mate, but I don't remember why or how. A slayer will do almost anything to get their mate's attention and then they'll try to woo you with things they think you'd like. Then there's a possessive streak that happens, followed by sex and/or mating. Apparently slayers will have a difficult time just fucking their mate without mating them, so mating usually happens."
"Do you know who your mate is?"
"Nope. Haven't come across anyone that sparks my interest." It was Lucy's turn to roll hers eyes at her brother. "Why the sudden interest?"
"I was just curious about all of it. We do have five dragon slayers in our guild afterall. I work with you quite frequently and do jobs with two others all the time, so I figured I'd be better off prepared. Thanks for answering my questions, but that paperwork won't do itself."
"That'd be a fuckin miracle if it could." The two mages laughed and went back to work.
The afternoon had passed by in the blink of an eye and it was well after supper. Lucy bid Laxus goodnight, saying she'd she him around later, and headed downstairs to see if someone was around to walk her home. She was still a bit rattled from last nights attack, but really didn't want to bother Laxus and all his masterly duties. She looked around but couldn't find anyone that lived close to her, so she decided she'd call Plue out for the walk home. If worse came to worse Plue would zip back to tell Leo or Virgo that she was in trouble and they'd open their own gates to help.
"Hey Tink. What are you doing out here alone?"
"Hey Erik. I'm just heading home and I do have Plue with me ya know."
"Well how about I walk with you since my house is only another fifteen minutes or so from yours?"
"Company would be nice, thanks." Don't think about how defined his abs were as the ocean lapped against his skin or how it felt to have his large . . . NOPE! He can probably hear you, so just no. If Erik could hear Lucy he wasn't saying anything and she was thankful for that since she needed a minute to get her raging hormones under control. Cobra wasn't having an easy time either after she started going over their beach incident, because he was definitely listening to her. His member was starting to awaken and he needed to get rid of it before they reached her house. Lucy in a bikini - well that made things worse. How about the souse? Nope. Oh I know - the old hag in a bikini. *Gag* yup that'll do the trick.
They arrived a Lucy's and she invited him in for a drink which Cobra wasn't going to say no too. Lucy set about getting everything ready for hot chocolate and Cobra followed her around the kitchen, eyes glued to her amazing ass. The shape, every bounce it made when she walked, and the way it looked in her skirt - enough to cover her ass and tease at the same time. The things I wouldn't mind doing to that ass. Cobra was imaging bending her over his knee for being a bad girl as he caressed her ass before bringing his hand down with a loud smack, leaving a red hand print. Cobra tried to readjust himself discretely but his leather pants didn't have much room for him to hide his throbbing length.
"Coco is done. I added some wintergreen drops to yours, so let me know if you want more or if I need to grab a new cup and try something else." He sipped the hot drink taking in the taste of the chocolate mixed with potent mint flavor.
"Poison me more often Tink, because this is amazing!" She giggled as she put out a bowl of chips and two bowls of salsa. One was a regular tomato salsa and the other was a peach and mango salsa that was laced with chloroform.
"This one is for you." Lucy slid the orange concoction his way. "This is also a new recipe was going to bring to the guild tomorrow, but since you're here now you might as well tell me if I should be trying harder to kill you or not."
"Fuck, this is amazing. Change nothing!" Lucy just laughed, but was genuinely happy that he enjoyed her cooking. It was her favorite way to show her guildmates that she loved and appreciated them. Erza was strawberry cake of any variety, Natsu was a grilled chicken with a flaming hot sauce, Gray enjoyed frozen peach cheesecake, Wendy adored anything sweet, Happy was always content with fish, and Laxus was a huge fan of her roast beef with all the trimmings. Lucy would also bake cookies, muffins, or cupcakes to take to the guild just for everyone to snack on because she could.
Lucy moved to take the empty dishes to the sink and started to rinse them off while Cobra followed her movements while listening to soft and soothing tune that was her soul. He wanted to see the lust in her eyes again and actually smell her arousal while it wasn't laced with salt water. He still had his cup in his hand so he downed the rest of its contents and smirked as an idea formed in his head. He walked up behind his blonde haired mage, put his left hand on her waist and with the mug in his right hand pressed it inbetween her waist and arm to put it in the sink. He heard Lucy's breathe hitch and listened to her soul as she played out her fantasy in her head, so he decided to mimic exactly what she was conjuring.
His lips kissed her neck while both of his hands rested on her hips, playing with the skin that was showing from her shirt riding up. He pressed himself against her back so she could feel the hardness of his cock pressing into her ass. She wiggled against his hold earning a low growl that urged her to continue. One hand traveled under her shirt to gently massage her breasts and his free hand would spin her around so that she was now facing him. His eye look positively hungry as he gazed into her own lusty chocolate orbs. She wanted him to kiss her, to feel his lips move with her own and see if he tasted like caramel. Cobra fiercely pulled her in for a kiss that was so full of passion and want that it had her toes curling. He nibbled on her lip before slipping his tongue into her mouth. Tastes like strawberry and vanilla - something I could easily become addicted too. Lucy wanted to taste him as well so battled with his tongue before Cobra relented and let her have access. He literally tastes like chocolate covered caramels. I don't think I'll ever get enough of that.
"Luce open up!" Natsu yelled banging on her front door. "I accidentally set my house set my house on fire and need a place to crash."
"Please Lushee!" Happy begged from outside.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me right now!" Cobra growled as he glared at the door, contemplating on poisoning the two idiots who just ruined the mood. "Guess I'll see you at the guild tomorrow morning Tink?"
"Yea you will." She smiled brightly up at Erik. You're not the only one who's pissed that we got interrupted. Just remember that. Cobra looked back at Lucy with a smirk, gave her a quick kiss before wrenching open her door and storming out of the apartment.
"What's his issue?" Happy asked hiding on Natsu's shoulder.
"Oh you know how grumpy he can be Happy. He walked me home from the guild and I invited him in for a drink." Lucy smiled as she let the two boys into her place. "I'll grab the bedding for the couch so you can crash here tonight, and maybe Laki can help you rebuild tomorrow."
"That's a great idea Luce! Thanks for letting us crash here."
"It's not a problem Natsu. But it's late so I'm going to head to bed and will see sometime in the morning."
"Night!" The duo called out to Lucy as she went into the bathroom to change into her pajamas and snuggled under the covers. Even though they were interrupted she couldn't help the peaceful smile that appeared on her face as she wondered into the world of dreams.
The next morning Lucy woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. She had a quick shower, put on a normal skirt and top, threw her hair into a high ponytail, hooked her keys onto her belt and took off towards the guild. There was excitement in the air and Lucy just knew that something great was going to happen today, either that or she was still on a high from last night. The way Erik had kissed her still made her toes curl, but now she wanted more. However she didn't want to get too far only to find out that she wasn't his mate, because that wouldn't be fair to either party. I will have to find some time today to talk with him about that.
Lucy entered the guild and said good morning to everyone she could before sitting on at stool at the bar. Mirajane waived to her before heading into the kitchen only to return with a strawberry smoothie. Lucy enjoyed the time to herself and began to wonder what today would bring. Maybe she would help Natsu with his house, or take a mission so she could go shopping, or maybe she'd be the one to initiate a kiss between her and Erik.
"Hey Lucy. The Master would like to see you up in his office when you're done that." Mira said with a smile before taking a tray of food to the Thunder Legion's table. Lucy sucked back the last of her drink and bounced up the stairs to her brother's office.
"Good morning Master. Mira said you wanted to see me?" Lucy swung open the door to seem not only Laxus there but all of Crime Sorciere as well. "What's going on here?"
"We would like to formally invite you to be part of our latest mission." Jellal said in all seriousness. "We find ourselves needing someone of your various talents." Lucy was quite confused about what he could be referring too. They had many talented mages on their team and were already super successful, so why was she needed?
"What blueberry here means to say," Cobra said in a bored tone directed at Jellal and Master. "Is that we have been requested by a high profile client to head to a temple to retrieve an item he has been searching for, so there may be some ancient texts involved. You understand what is required of someone in that lifestyle, you have a huge knowledge base, and on top of the ten million jewel reward there is also a rare silver key up for grabs."
"The choice is up to you Blondie. It's an S Class mission so you are free to go with Jellal and the team."
"What do you say Tink? Up for a fun time with a bunch of crazies?"
"Yes! I'd love to go with your guys!" Lucy was ecstatic to be able to go on a mission with a new group and possible get a key out of the whole situation.
"Well you better go get packed Blondie. You'll probably be gone for a few months, since it's going to take you three weeks to travel to your employers place." Laxus stated as he signed off on the job himself. Cobra tried to hide his smile as Lucy started mentally listing off all of the keys it could be, oh he was going to have fun on this mission with his celestial mage.