Hey guys! So Sorry that this took longer to update than usual. With hurricane Sandy, it made it hard to do any work considering that I had no power for about a week /: So, hopefully, you guys won't mind too much! Anyway, you might have noticed that I've changed the title... Well, I thought the previous one was a bit too long and that a simple, one-worded title was a much better means of attraction :) Once again, I hope you don't mind that too much! Ahem. Enough of my ranting now! And enjoy the chapter!
Adherence
o0o
The Secret
"Ya'know, Shorty, Bunny-girl denied it today," the iron dragonslayer muttered lowly to his bookworm of a partner. He was sitting at a table, heavy legs propped up on the tabletop with his thick, studded arms folded menacingly across his chest. Gajeel Redfox was an intimidating man on any normal day, but now, he looked downright frightening—as if he would challenge anyone unfortunate enough to fall under his gaze.
By his side, an overgrown encyclopedia on her tiny lap, Levy sat, her fingers drumming on the cover. She huffed, blinking up at him from underneath her eyelashes again, and then fiddled with her custom made headband. "I know, Gajeel…and I'm worried about her… That's not the sort of thing she can keep a secret from Natsu."
He snorted, rocking back in his wooden chair which squealed from the pressure. "Damn straight." Being mated was no joke, and Gajeel didn't know if the Bunny-girl seriously understood that fact. Once done, it could never be undone, like an irreversible curse.
"I…" Levy started very hesitantly. She looked back at him, her button nose wrinkled, her lips pulled into a thinned line, and her blue eyebrows drawn together out of worry. "Should I go talk to her about it? I mean…this is serious, Gajeel, and I don't want Lu-chan, or Natsu, to wind up getting hurt."
Gajeel regarded the small mage carefully, and he, for once, selected his response beforehand and thought it over studiously before actually saying it aloud. He grunted, looking up. "Ye're her friend, ain'tcha?"
The solid script mage smiled softly. "Yeah, I am."
"Then go do that pansy-ass friend stuff ya do…" he grumped awkwardly, refusing to make eye contact.
Levy smiled brightly, like a miniature sun, and threw her arms around Gajeel's meaty neck as she jumped up from her seat. "I will," she said determinedly, a twinkle in her eyes. "Thanks, Gajeel. You give the best advice."
The dragonslayer snorted, pushing away her arms. "What damn advice? Just get goin." He watched as she tossed her book onto the table, dusted off her skirt, and ran for the exit, her blue hair bouncing with each step.
After the little episode earlier in the day, the "misunderstanding" between Salamander and Bunny-girl having been cleared, Bunny-girl had headed back to her apartment early, saying that she needed to take a nap. Gajeel snorted at this. Who did she think she was fooling? Everybody else except for him, that was who. Man, the people in this guild were so incredibly dense sometimes. But, then again, they also didn't have enhanced senses and had to rely solely on the word of mouth.
Bunny-girl had been upset about something. Now, about that something, Gajeel had no idea. She wanted to lie and make it known that she and the Salamander hadn't mated, and she had accomplished that goal. So why on Earthland was she upset, Gajeel wondered to himself, brooding. She had gotten what she wanted, hadn't she? Mission accomplished, Bunny-girl. She was infuriatingly complex…as were all women.
"Women," he hissed, narrowing his bleeding-red eyes.
o0o
Outside Lucy's apartment, Levy stood nervously, anxiously twisting her hands together and chewing her bottom lip. She had to confront her friend about this, it was her duty as Lucy's best friend. But Levy didn't want to pry. This was a private, personal matter, and she just couldn't sit there and watch her best friend make a heady mistake. How would she say this to Lucy, though? It wasn't as if she could just come out and say, "Hey! You're making a huge mistake!" could she? No, she couldn't.
And it frustrated Levy that, given how smart she was, she still couldn't find the proper way to confront her best friend. Was there any good way to spring upon this, though? Levy wasn't entirely sure.
"…-chan? Levy-chan!"
Levy blinked, startled to hear Lucy's voice, and looked up at the initially closed to door to find it wide open, a smiling Lucy standing in the doorframe.
"Lu-chan," Levy murmured, smiling.
"Come on inside," Lucy insisted, stepping out of the way. "I just cleaned earlier, so make sure you take off your shoes. Vacuuming is a pain," the blonde muttered, glaring at her cleaning supply closet in the corner of the room. Then, Lucy's bright brown eyes lit up like a sparkler. "Oh!" she exclaimed, holding up a finger. "If you're here about my novel, I'm sorry, but I don't have anything new…I've been procrastinating lately." She laughed, waving her hand dismissively.
Levy frowned. Lucy was too…cheery. Much too cheery for someone who had been caught in bed, naked, with her supposed male best friend.
Of course, the celestial mage noticed the frown upon Levy's face. Lucy's smile slipped as she asked, "Is everything okay, Levy-chan? Did you get into a fight with Jet and Droy again?" She huffed, leading her friend to the couch with a gentle, one-armed tug. "I swear, they get jealous over every little thing! Especially where it concerns Gajeel… They really need to accept him, it's been a few years—actually, for them, it's been more than a few years. But I wouldn't let it bother you, okay? They're just worried about you."
Levy lowered herself onto the plush couch slowly, staring at Lucy's carpeted floor and letting her bare toes wiggle between the short strands of the rug-like material. "Actually, Lu-chan…I'm not here about your novel, or because of Jet and Droy…" The bluenette bit her bottom lip. There was no easy way to say this, was there?
Lucy pulled a strange face, looking both perplexed and concerned at the same time. When, suddenly, she smiled like a child on their birthday. "Then, is this about Gajeel? Oh, Mavis, Levy-chan, did he confess to you? Did he? He's such a stubborn ass, I thought it'd never happen!"
"Gajeel?" Levy squeaked, flushing ten shades of red before settling her emotions and coughing. "Um, no, it's not about him, or the matter of him confessing…" She hung her head like a scolded child and poked her fingers together innocently. The girl took a deep breath, preparing for her best friend's anger when she reluctantly said, "I'm here because of you and…Natsu."
Lucy stilled, her muscles locking, and Levy flinched, waiting for the explosion. But, much to her surprise, Lucy smiled and patted her on the head. "Oh, don't worry, I cleared up the misunderstanding, there's nothing to worry about."
"Lu-chan…"
"I'm fine," Lucy insisted, giving a small, and obviously forced, laugh. "I just didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about us, especially Natsu…he believes anything anyone tells him."
"Lu-chan…I know," Levy said weakly, timidly.
The blonde gave a quirky smile, giggling at her best friend. "Then there's nothing to worry about, is there?"
"No, Lu-chan," Levy whispered, "I know." She folded her hands in her lap, tightly squeezing them together until her knuckles were white.
Lucy faltered for a brief second, obviously quite disconcerted, as her eyes began to scrutinize Levy's small, twiddling form on the couch. "I…don't understand, Levy-chan. What do you know?" she asked honestly. Her friend was behaving awfully strange, and, to be truthful, Lucy was concerned.
"I know what happened…what really happened."
Everything in the room went silent as Lucy stared dumbly at her best friend. Levy…knew? She really knew? How had she found out? No one except for her, and possibly Natsu at the time, was supposed to know about it, and even thought Levy was her best friend, there were some things that Lucy just didn't want to share with anyone.
But that didn't matter anymore, she supposed. She just needed to cover it up again.
"That's…" Lucy stuttered. "That's a funny joke! Sheesh, Levy-chan, you – "
"Lu-chan!" Levy's small voice was like the crack of a whip, it demanded obedience and honesty. Neither of which Lucy wanted to give. And as uncharacteristic as it was for her, Levy found herself glowering at the blonde in front of her with smoldering eyes. "Enough! This isn't funny."
Lucy shrank back in shock.
"Mating…mating isn't something you should play with, Lu-chan, you should know that!"
And then Lucy reared back with a fiery comment of her own. "Play? Levy-chan, I would never play with something like that." Lucy's pretty face was marred with a sulking frown; it drew down her perfect eyebrows and made her sculpted lips purse.
Levy's gaze was challenging when she asked, "Then what, Lu-chan, are you doing?"
The blonde started, feeling all-too defensive and somehow angry with her best friend for interrogating her. But, she kept her mouth closed for fear that she would say something she truly would regret. And, as she did this, she began thinking, seeing things from Levy's perspective—the solid script mage was only trying to help her best friend. Lucy sighed, the words bubbling on her tongue. "I'm…" She halted, feeling suddenly unsure about her answer. "I'm protecting myself, Levy-chan…from change."
The solid script mage's golden eyes grew soft at Lucy's defeated look. Levy reached out with a small hand and wrapped it around Lucy's slightly larger one. "Lu-chan," she said softly, comfortingly, "change isn't always bad. For all you know, Natsu could have been excited to be mated, I know Wendy-chan is, she talks about it all the time, saying that she can't wait."
Lucy grimaced, glaring at nothing in particular. "But this is Natsu we're talking about. He…he doesn't view me as anything more than his friend, his nakama… If he were mated to me…he would act accordingly because he would feel obligated to do it… I…I don't want him to feel obligated, Levy-chan…"
Levy drew her hand back, soaking in Lucy's words. This was probably true. Natsu, although one of Fairy Tail's notorious powerhouses, was very, very dense when it came to social skills, and Levy wondered if he actually properly understood the concept of mating and love. He probably didn't. But, still, Levy didn't think that this was a viable reason for Lucy to lie about her and Natsu having an intimate, life-altering experience.
"Either way, Lu-chan, you shouldn't hide this sort of thing from him…"
"Levy-chan, he isn't in love with me."
Shocked, Levy's eyes flashed to Lucy, who was staring down almost bitterly at her hands, wringing them anxiously.
"What are you talking about? Of course he loves you…" Levy murmured.
"Loving, and being in love are two very different things…"
Both girls knew this was true.
"And…" Lucy took in a breath, using her arms to hug herself tightly. "Honestly, I don't want to tie him down, you know?" she said sadly, blinking furiously. She almost wanted to cry. "He's an idiot, but he's a free-spirited idiot who doesn't know what he wants in life yet… I don't want to take that away from him."
Levy watched silently as one single tear dared to travel down Lucy's pale cheek. "Lu-chan," she whispered. She rose off the couch and hugged her best friend. "I understand…you're frustrated, and feeling helpless."
Lucy nodded into Levy's chest, barely containing a sniffle. Never in her life had Lucy felt like she had lost control of a situation, except for now. Now, she felt like that no matter what she did, something uncontrollable would happen. And Lucy didn't like this feeling, not at all. It wasn't pleasant.
Lucy let herself draw in a sniveling breath. "I'm being selfish, I know…but I'm doing what I think is best…for him and for me. He can move on in life, and I can find some way to cope with this."
Levy pulled back, a serious expression etched on her small, pixie-like face. "Lu-chan, Natsu probably won't be able to move on… Dragonslayers mate for life. Even if he doesn't understand it now, he'll certainly be very attached to you."
"That's the thing, Levy-chan…I've done my fair research on dragonslayer mating. I was curious," the blonde defended suddenly when Levy arched a single brow. "But, I read that in order to be successfully mated, not only do we have to…you know, sleep together, but he has to know that I accept him—as a lover, I mean. The whole mating thing is like a psychological bond that is tied together by mutual feelings of love. As it stands now…Natsu has no idea that I'm…" She stopped suddenly, her lips twisting.
But, this was all Levy needed. "That…you're in love with him."
Lucy swallowed what felt like gravel in her throat. It was so painful to admit it. So damn painful. "Yeah…until I tell him those words, we won't be…officially mated. He'll just exhibit attempts at dominance over other men and maybe try to protect me more than usual… I doubt he'll even notice it though. And then, over time, those feelings will fade and everything will go back to normal."
"So, you're not going to tell him?" Levy wondered, bringing Lucy to sit on the couch with her.
Lucy heaved a heavy-sounding sigh. She licked her lips as she thought about her answer carefully, letting her chocolate colored eyes roam around the room in an almost guilty manner. "It's not that I won't…not tell him. I'll just keep it a little secret for now. Well, we'll keep it a little secret for now," Lucy said finally, eyeing Levy expectantly.
The tiny bluenette only sighed as well. "Lu-chan, you know I don't like to lie…"
"I know, Levy-chan, I know. But, technically it's not lying, it's just obscuring the truth for a short amount of time."
Levy found herself scoffing. What a way to make lying sound like something completely harmless.
Lucy grasped the hand of her best friend, eyes pleading for understanding. "Please, Levy-chan…for me? Just this once?"
Levy, ever the rational person, weighed her options. On one hand, she would be lying to not only Natsu, but her entire guild, and on the other, she would be helping her very best friend in a time of trouble and uncertainty. She sighed. Decisions, decisions. If only things were in black and white without so many shades of gray.
And thus, Levy McGarden, the girl who hated to lie, caved. "Alright," she said slowly. "I promise to keep this a secret…for now, Lu-chan…"
Lucy's pale face brightened a considerable amount at this and she tackled her friend in a monster of a hug. "Thank you, Levy-chan. Thank you."
"But," Levy mumbled, hugging Lucy back. "If the situation becomes dire, and I feel the need to expose the secret, I'll do it. Understand?" Her voice was stern, but Levy saw the genuine relief in Lucy's eyes, and she suddenly felt warm inside, like she had done the right thing. Levy really hoped she had.
"Okay…Thanks again, Levy-chan," Lucy repeated feelingly with moist eyes.
"What are best friends for?" the solid script mage asked with a laugh. "But are you sure you okay with this?"
"I'll manage," Lucy answered rather vaguely. "It'll all work out fine."
Levy locked gazes with Lucy, her amber eyes intense. "Maybe, Lu-chan, but what about Natsu?"
"What do you mean?" the celestial mage questioned. "He's fine, didn't you see him? He's as loud and as annoying as ever."
"No, not that, I mean, what are you going to do about him?"
"Oh…" Lucy paused, fiddling with stray locks of her shiny, healthy blonde hair. "Well, I'll just act like usual. Like his best friend."
Levy looked apprehensive when she asked, "Are you sure, Lu-chan? Unrequited love is painful…very painful, and with this encounter, it's only going to make it more difficult for you to move on." Honey eyes shimmered with understanding of this. If there was anyone who understood unrequited love, it was Levy.
Because she was in love with the second densest man in all of Fairy Tail, and he had no clue about her feelings. Calling her "squirt" and "shorty" and "midget" every chance he got. Did he even realize what it did to her on the inside when he talked to nonchalantly to her like that? Probably not. So, in other words, Levy fully understood what Lucy was about to throw herself into.
"I'm sure," Lucy assured her with a smile.
"Lucy!"
Both women started, ice running through their veins at the new voice and at the sound of Lucy's apartment door flying open, colliding with the wall like a domino. Had their conversation been overhead?
"Lucy! Look! Look at this mission!"
No, Lucy exhaled, her eyes fluttering closed in relief. It looked like the person barging inside was too busy causing a racket to listen.
An excited Natsu barreled into her living room, a raggedy piece of ripped paper in his hands, jabbering about this and that and holding it out to her like a trophy. Lucy only gawked at him. She would have asked him how he had managed to get into her apartment, again, and so silently without her noticing, but, kept her mouth shut tight as she watched him talk on and on and beg like a child. She couldn't help but smile.
"Sure, Natsu, it sounds like fun," she mused, taking the paper from his tanned hands. The same hands that had touched her body the night before.
Lucy shuddered just thinking about it.
"Yes!" he shouted, fists held high in the air. "Let's go, c'mon!" The dragonslayer aimed to yank on her upper arm, but Lucy only pulled back with a scowl.
Her foot was tapping when she blatantly stated, "Natsu, I have to pack still…and so do you."
"Oh…right…" And he started laughing, ruffling his own pink hair in the process.
"Lu-chan…" Levy murmured from the couch, eyeing her best friend and the source of her best friend's rather serious predicament. "Are you sure?"
Being alone with Natsu right now…Levy wasn't all that sure that Lucy could handle it, even if she swore to the high heavens that she could.
"Of course I am. I'm a big girl." Lucy placed her hands on her hips with an exuberant grin that almost made Levy reel back from its sheer force.
Well, Levy supposed, one thing was for sure; her best friend was a trooper. Maybe a frightened girl in love with an idiot, but a trooper nonetheless.
"Are you sure about what, Luce?" Natsu asked curiously, his green eyes wider than usual as he stared his partner down.
"Um…" the blonde fumbled. How was she supposed to make up an excuse with him staring at her like that? It was most unnerving, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief and he blinked at her like a child.
"Lu-chan's still getting over her cold," Levy covered quickly.
Natsu gaped. "You are?" he asked incredulously. "I thought you said I helped you sweat it out last night?" His gaze turned half-suspicious and he inched closer to her, as if inspecting her.
Lucy turned red as her hands began to twitch nervously. "I…um, I mean, I'm fine, Natsu, really…just can't be too careful."
"But your face is all red…" he grumbled with narrowed eyes. Then, the oblivious dragonslayer yanked his blonde partner closer to his body, pushed up her bangs with one hand and held his other palm to her forehead. Lucy squealed.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, pulling back with an embarrassed glower.
Natsu huffed as he crossed his muscular arms. "I was checking your temperature, Luce. You don't feel like you have a fever…but that's weird since your face is all red. Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should stay home another day after all…"
Lucy, feeling more flustered than ever, rolled her eyes. "Natsu," she said, "your body temperature is higher than mine even when I have a fever…you wouldn't be able to tell, I'd still feel cold to you." The celestial mage scoffed haughtily at his disappointed look.
"Whatever," he muttered. "You're weird, Luce."
"I'm weird?" Lucy echoed. "You're the one that's weird…"
"Well, you're weirder."
"I am not getting into this conversation with you, and for the record, no I am not! Now go home so I can pack!" Lucy rounded on her companion, turning him around and shoving him towards her front door.
"So…" Natsu began slowly. "Does that mean we're going?" He peered over his shoulder at Lucy, clearly expecting an answer.
"Yes, Natsu, now go home…Levy-chan and I have important things to talk about."
Successfully pushing him outside of her door, Lucy went to shut it, when her childish partner shouted, "What kind of things? I want to know!"
And Lucy only yelled, "Go home!" before slamming her door shut with a red face. She sighed, turning on her heel to her best friend. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?" she asked, referring to the mission.
Levy only shrugged. "Maybe."
So, what did you think of the confrontation? Poor Lucy, ne? Well, hopefully everything turns our alright, but, secrets never end well... Stay tuned to find out what happens next! And be sure to review! I really want to hear your thoughts on what's happening :)
inukagome9193: Yeah, it's a bit of a sticky situation for her, ne?
xXxAddicted2ChocolatexXx: Oh ho ho~! Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we? ;)
dog's paws burning in hot ash: Thank you! And I love your reviews, so I hope you review for this chapter as well :D As for you speculation... All questions will be answered in due time! So, maybe, maybe not... It's all up to fate now (aka. ME. Muahaha)
Disappear500: Oh, yes, she is QUITE the liar. Shame, shame on you Lucy...
gameer1000: Oh, I plan on it! I just hope that I receive more reviews ;) Looking forward to hearing more from you!
GoldenRose Tanya: Yessssss! Dun dun dunnnn! I hope you review, I'm looking forward to your input :D
Amychama248: Viola! Update I have :3 Thank you for the praise, I hope you keep reading and I hope to hear more from you in the future! :D
black thorn angel: Thank you very much :) And I know what you mean... Lucy's in a pickle, ne? She's too scared to reveal what really happened for fear of ruining her relationship with Natsu D: Hopefully, she can get over this and they really can become a family!
Suilen: Haha! Yeah, everyone is saying, "Poor Lucy!". Myself included. I mean, that just burns, ne? And I know, right? If it were me in her shoes, I would have crawled under a rock and become a hermit for the rest of my life. Ah, but Lucy's too good for that XD. Thanks for waiting and I hope to hear more from you!
KawaiiOdango: Sorry this took so long! I was without power for just over a week, so I hope you can forgive me! Hopefully though, this chapter makes up for the wait :) Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Lucechan: Thank you :D And also, thanks for being the first reviewer of the previous chapter! :) I hope you plan to continue reading!
Thanks to all who reviewed for the last chapter! And I hope you all review for this one, I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this!
