Annie: Hey, everyone.
Just2protect: Short AN.
Annie: This chapter going to be split into two then the second book is going to be going out.
Both: Enjoy. ^-^
"…Axus…Laxus…" The referenced blonde groaned and swatted absently at the noise. Whoever it was could wait. He wanted to go back to sleep and back to a very pleasant dream. A slam on the desk had him all but jumping out of his seat, half-asleep, and looking around for the source of the noise. Freed was standing beside the desk, a thick book in hand that had been slammed down on the desk where Laxus had fallen asleep while organizing some of the Guild's paperwork.
"What's up?" Laxus yawned as he stretched, his back protesting the action after being bent over the desk for so long. "And at that…why are you still here? It's gotta be past midnight by now."
"Indeed it is. We didn't see you yesterday and so when you didn't come down today, Natsu started getting worried and I decided to come up here and see if you were here. Thank goodness I did."
"Wait a second…" Laxus said, still trying to shake the cobwebs from his brain.
"Today's Friday…right?"
"No, it's Saturday." Freed corrected.
"What? I only fell asleep a few minutes ago…" Freed shook his head as he set the book down on the floor before he began looking at the massive stacks of paperwork on Laxus' desk.
"What in the world is all of this?" Freed asked.
"Umm…Some invoices for repairs…letters from the counsel demanding written apologies…drafts of said apologies…final letters of apology…tax records for the d financial stuff like that." Freed cast Laxus a curious glance.
"And why are you here…in your grandfather's office…with the Guild's financial records?"
"I…I figured I should start being a bit more active in the Guild's management. I mean…something happens to Gramps, I'm next in line to inherit the Guild so I can't be caught off guard. If I'm going to take over one day, might as well get some practice while I can make some screw-ups." Freed nodded, although he could tell there was something Laxus wasn't telling him. Despite having slept for a whole day, Laxus still had dark marks under his eyes, his clothes were rumbled more so than usual, and his hair was in disarray.
"When was the last time you went home?" Freed asked, part of him already suspecting he wouldn't like the answer. Laxus didn't answer. In all honesty, he hadn't gone back to his house since he and Natsu had returned from their job. He didn't want to go back to that place where his father had lived, where a murderer had lived, where someone who'd driven him to hurting one of his dearest friends had lived.
"Um…Well.." Fred groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You do realize that you can't live in the Guild Hall, correct?" Laxus shrugged.
"I've managed it for a week now. But I'm not going back to Ivan's house," the blonde said firmly as he stood up and moved a few papers around.
"Then why don't you just tear the place down and build another home?" Freed asked.
"I've considered that. But it would be no different than what I'm doing here and now. And that place can rot for all I care right now," Laxus snapped. Freed sighed and moved towards the door.
"You'll want to come downstairs soon. Natsu's beginning to get agitated." Laxus' head shot up as Freed shut the door behind him. The blonde ran a hand through his hair and reached into the space under the desk for his legs where he'd stashed his pack. He quickly changed into a fresh shirt and jeans. Once he came to the railing of the second floor, his signature smirk found its way to his lips as he saw Natsu kicking his feet and looking around nervously. Gray was sitting next to him, trying to calm the boy down some.
"Oi! Natsu! Gray!" The boys looked up at the teen as he jerked his head back, gesturing for them to come up the stairs. The boys looked at each other before Natsu hopped off the bench and raced up the stairs. Gray shook his head for a second before following the pink-haired boy. The second Natsu was on the second floor, he launched himself into Laxus' chest and the teen burst into laughter as he wrapped his arms around the boy.
"AH!" Mira cried from the first floor. Laxus looked down, ready to shock the girl if she said anything offensive or to make Natsu uncomfortable. But when he looked down, he suddenly wished he never had. Mira was dressed in her usual outfit but was looking up at them with hearts practically swimming in her eyes and drool coming off her bottom lip.
"What?!"
"I ship!" Mira cried. Laxus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Natsu buried his reddening face in Laxus' shoulder. Laxus turned his attention to the boy and moved to sit down on the long couch the second floor had that was well out of the line of vision of the first floor. Gray came over and sat down next to the teen.
"Where were you yesterday?" Natsu asked, his arms tightening around Laxus' neck.
"Did I worry you? Sorry bud. I was working up here," Laxus said gently as he rubbed Natsu's back gently.
"You were working? On what?" Gray asked as Laxus' fingers touched the ends of Natsu's ponytail, which was now beginning the reach his mid-back.
"Just some stuff. And I wanted to show you guys the second floor. So I had to make it presentable. What do you think?" The boys looked around before Natsu buried his face in Laxus' shoulder again.
"This couch is comfier than the benches downstairs," Gray commented.
"That's because S-Class missions are tougher than the regular missions," said a new voice that made all the boys turn and look. Standing at the stairs was a young man with black hair held back in a low ponytail, dark brown eyes and a slight tan dressed in a black shirt, dark jeans and combat boots with a pack slung over his shoulder.
"Daemon," Laxus said as he stood up, setting Natsu down behind him.
"Who's that?" Natsu asked as the boy grabbed onto one of Laxus' legs and peered at the new addition to the room from behind the older teen. Gray moved behind the two as Daemon narrowed his eyes at the younger Wizards, more particularly on Natsu. The boy shifted to hide a little more behind Laxus as the man's eyes looked him over in a way that made him very uncomfortable. Laxus looked down at the boy and reached a hand back to gently run his fingers through Natsu's hair, trying to reassure the boy as he shot a glare at Daemon. Gray looked nervously between his friends and Daemon before reaching forward to hold Natsu's hand. The other boy latched onto his friend tightly. Gray could feel Natsu shaking a little.
"Natsu, Gray, this is Daemon. He's one our other S-Class Wizards. Daemon, this is Gray Fullbuster and-"
"Natsu Dragneel. I know. What are they doing here? Your team is one thing, but these kids-"
"Are joining my team once they can. I figured if they would be spending time up here, they might as well see what it's like. Natsu, Gray, why don't you two go downstairs and find Gray's clothes, alright?" Natsu looked up at Laxus, then to Daemon then bit his lip.
"I actually have to go take care of the egg…" Natsu said before he and Gray headed down the stairs. Daemon glared at them until they were back on the first floor. Gray went back to the table with Atlas and baby Romeo while Natsu headed out the doors.
"What the heck was that all about Dreyar?" Daemon asked, a little too calmly for Laxus' liking. The blond walked over to the railing, keeping his eye on the raven-haired man.
"I told you-"
"Not that! I meant how that Natsu brat was clinging to you. And the way you were treating him…" Laxus shot his own glare at Daemon as the man set his pack down and came over until he was practically in Laxus' face. Laxus glanced to the side and caught sight of Mirajane's little sister, Lisanna, heading out the door. Something deep inside him made a low sound. The only thing his memory could compare it to was the Rogue Wyvern he and Natsu had fought. But, at the same time, it wasn't. This sound was deeper, more regal. His hand shot to his pocket, to where the tiny glass dragon was hidden away.
"I fell asleep at Gramps' desk doing some paperwork. I slept through yesterday and Natsu got worried. That's all." Daemon rolled his eyes.
"Look, just last year, I was a teenager too. I had urges. But if this homo-act you're putting up is some kind of teenage phase, get over it! If you're pent up, find a girl to handle it. If you've got a thing for kids Natsu's age, get Erza or Mira." Before Laxus could even realize what was going on, his fist flew, lightning sparking to life as his arm moved and smashed into Daemon's cheek, sending him flying back into the couch, knocking it over.
"I'll see you around. But if you ever say something like that again, I won't hold back, got it?" Laxus growled before he headed towards the door, snarling under his breath. Freed came up to him and grabbed his arm, getting the blonde's attention.
"This may not be the best of times, but when you and Natsu were upstairs, Mirajane came over and told me that her sister, Lisanna, had gotten angry when you invited Natsu up. Just to inform you." Laxus nodded before Freed released his arm and the blonde stormed out of the Hall. He didn't care where he was going, only that he was putting distance between Daemon and himself. There had once been a time when he had looked up to Daemon, just like he had Ivan. But Daemon had just lost all his respect. The deep sound, almost like a growl, rumbled deep inside him. His hand went back to his pocket, reaching in and feeling the cool glass ornament. The being growling inside him stirred his thoughts as Daemon's words echoed in his mind about Mira and Erza. He had nothing against the girls. They fought a lot, but Laxus knew there were plenty of times they could be civil…to a degree. But neither of them arose any special feelings in him. If anything, he could only see them as little sisters, them and Cana. Lisanna was another topic entirely. Usually, the girl didn't talk to him at all, and if something didn't go her way, she tended to get rather hostile about it.
"It's been fun playing house with you." Lisanna's voice snapped Laxus out of his thoughts. He realized he'd completely left the city and was now standing in front of a few trees with branches clustered together. On top of those branches was a huge hut with a rope ladder hanging from the opening making the door. He sniffed the air and smiled when he realized Natsu's scent was everywhere.
"Um…yea…I guess," Natsu said inside the little house. Laxus heard the rustling of dried grasses but they were fading marginally from the door, as if someone was moving away from it. Then the sound repeated on the other side, nearing the door.
"Maybe someday I can be your real wife?" Without thinking, Laxus grabbed the ladder and all but yanked himself up over each rung until he came to the door. Natsu was holding the egg away from Lisanna as if she'd threatened it and her cheeks were bright red. Natsu swallowed nervously.
"Lisanna!" Laxus said to make his presence known as he pulled himself up so his upper chest was visible. Natsu let out a tiny breath in relief.
"Yes?" she asked expectantly. Laxus could all but hear 'I'm in the middle of something so make it fast or get lost' in her tone. Natsu noticed it too and held the egg against him a little tighter.
"Your siblings are looking for you," Laxus said jabbing his head to silently tell the white-haired child to leave. She pouted and glared before crawling out of the space.
"Fine. I'll go back. But Natsu, I want your answer when I see you again!" she said before climbing down the ladder. Laxus watched her leave, that deep growling noise ringing in his ears as he did. He turned back to Natsu and smiled.
"May I come in?" he asked. Natsu loosened his grip on the egg and sat down, nodding. Laxus pulled himself in. The roof was made of branches and was high enough that his hair brushed against it as he stood up straight on his feet. The floor and walls were made of wooden planks. The floor was covered in dried grasses to offer some form of comfort and the half furthest from the door also was covered in smooth dark stones that radiated heat through the tiny abode.
"What do you think? I built it all myself," Natsu said nervously, wrapping his scarf around his hand anxiously. Laxus smiled and placed a hand on Natsu's head.
"I think it's awesome. And when you find Igneel again, he'll be honored to have such an inventive son." Natsu beamed brightly.
"You really think so?" Laxus nodded and Natsu all but leapt at him, throwing his arms around the teen's chest and nuzzling into the tiny space under Laxus' chin where Natsu's own head just seemed to fit perfectly. Laxus smiled and petted Natsu's back affectionately before looking over at the egg, now nestled comfortably on a small pile of blankets.
"So, have you thought of a name for the little guy?"
"Not yet. Not until it's hatched. I mean, I can't give a boy's name to a girl or a girl's name to a boy. And the name should fit the little guy. Like if I chose a boy's name that sounds all big and muscly but the little guy turns out to be really small, it doesn't fit." Laxus nodded, understanding.
"Do you press your ear against it at all? Some parents will put their ears against the baby to see if they can hear it inside." Natsu's eyes widened as he pressed his ear against the egg. His face split in a wide grin.
"Laxus! Come listen!" Laxus moved over and pulled off his headphones before pressing his ear to the egg's shell. He quieted his breathing and a gentle humming sound came from the dark depths of the inside. It almost sounded like a purr. The shell trembled a little and he could hear something moving around. Natsu pulled away, beaming brightly as he petted the shell.
"Sounds excited to come out." Laxus said with a warm smile.
"Sure does." Natsu smiled at the fellow dragon slayer before he yawned widely.
"Why don't you get some sleep? Being a parent is a lot of work and it gets tiring. I'll keep watch if you like." Natsu nodded before moving the egg away from him a little and lighting a fire in between his palms and setting them on the stones, warming them for his bed. Very little time, Natsu was curled up on his little nest of hot rocks, snoring away without a care in the world. Laxus picked up a rock near the edge and warmed it in his own hands before setting it under the egg and draping his coat over the shell. Then he turned his attention to Natsu and smiled when the boy snuggled into the warm rocks. He couldn't help reaching over and brushing some of the pale-red hair back. The blonde pulled off his shirt and folded up before tucking it under Natsu's head. Natsu smiled in his sleep and snuggled into the makeshift pillow but didn't wake up.
"Hello?" Laxus instantly snapped to attention and slunk to the entrance on his kneels, only to relax once he saw Atlas standing near the ladder.
"Oh, you're up there?" Laxus nodded.
"Just wanted to ask you if you'd be willing to watch Natsu while I went on a job."
"Wait, what about your injuries and Romeo?"
"Master will be watching Romeo for a bit. And Porlyusica has given me leave to do some small jobs so long as someone goes with me. Macao's drinking buddy, Wakaba, volunteered to come with me." Laxus nodded again and sat up straight, revealing the mark on his chest. The dragon's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
"Atlas?" Laxus asked.
"When did you get that?" Atlas breathed. Laxus looked down at the mark and sighed.
"On our job. It wasn't there the when we went to fight the monster, but it was there when I went to bed the night I got home. Why?"
"Do you have any idea what that mark signifies?" Laxus looked down and shrugged. Atlas gestured for the teen to come closer. Laxus looked back at Natsu and the egg and slowly eased his legs out and simply stood on the ladder where Natsu could still see the back of his head if he woke up. Atlas raised an eyebrow expectantly.
"I told Natsu I'd keep watch. If he wakes up and I'm gone, he'll think I just left."
"That's an effect of that mark on your chest," Atlas said. Laxus looked down again and poked at the dragon.
"Is it a curse?"
"No. Hardly. It's a dragon mating symbol. They're unique to each dragon family. Basically that mark will appear on anyone destined to be with you and Natsu."
"To be with…as in…"
"Happy family and mating? Also known as intercourse, or sex? Bingo, kiddo." Laxus' eyes widened.
"It'll only appear on dragons or dragon slayers or their Mates after physical contact."
"But Natsu and I are both guys. Aside from that, he's five years younger than me. Isn't it a little screwed up to just suddenly be attracted to a 13-year-old kid in that way?" Laxus objected, knowing he should be panicking a little, but yet, oddly, he felt at peace with the whole idea.
"Gender and age doesn't matter with dragons. We can literally change between internal anatomies as needed. So since there's more male Dragons Slayers in the world than female, I'd says it's safe to say Natsu's gonna be having the babies."
"WHAT?!" Laxus yelled, now starting to feel panicked.
"Yes. Babies. Look kid, it happens when you put your-"
"I've already had that talk!"
"Stop yelling or you'll wake up Natsu," Atlas scolded gently. Laxus took a deep breath and relaxed a little.
"For now, just worry about keeping him and that egg safe. I'm counting on you." With that, Atlas left. Laxus sighed again and pulled himself back into the nest. He sat at the entrance for a moment, thinking over what Atlas had said before looking back at Natsu. The kid was still asleep, thankfully.
"Mates, huh? And just how am I supposed to tell him that, old dragon? It would be just way too weird." Lost in his thoughts, Laxus didn't notice his own body laying down behind Natsu's and pulling the boy's back into his chest before he fell asleep. Once Laxus was asleep, Natsu opened his eyes and rolled over, having heard every word Atlas and Laxus had exchanged. He smiled and snuggled into his Mate and happily fell asleep again.
"Hey, Natsu!" Laxus called as he neared the hut. Natsu popped his head out the door and his face lit up brightly at the sight of the fish hanging over Laxus' shoulder and the boar being dragged by the foot behind him.
"Wow, that's so much!"
"I hope you're hungry bud," Laxus chuckled as he handed the fish up to Natsu before climbing up himself, pulling the boar in behind him. Natsu's grin was so wide, it looked like his face may split. His mouth began watering when he realized that all the meat had already been cooked, most likely by Laxus' lightning, and the smell coming from them had him trembling in his seat.
"Did you already cook it?" Natsu asked.
"Yea. Dig in, go ahead. I gotta change my pants," Laxus said as he began taking off his belt, making sure to keep the wet pants outside as he shifted around, pulling off the cold garment. Natsu watched the older teen struggle and covered a giggle. Laxus looked over his shoulder as he draped his pant over a nearby branch to dry and reached for his pack to get a fresh pair.
"Don't worry, I like the view," Natsu said teasingly as he pulled off some boar meat and stuffed it in his mouth with a grin. Laxus shot him a playful glare as he pulled the new pants on over his boxers and then turned to Natsu. The boy squeaked and backed up until his back hit the wall as Laxus began crawling over on all fours with an almost predatory glint in his eyes.
"You laughed at me, didn't you?" he asked. Natsu shook his head quickly, trying to hide the laugh that was aching to be let out.
"No!" Natsu squeaked.
"I think you did," Laxus teased. Natsu threw his arms up to cover his face.
"I submit!" Laxus grabbed Natsu's wrists in one hand and yanked the boy into his lap.
"You're not getting out of it that easily," Laxus said as he held Natsu's wrists up and his free hand began mercilessly tickling the boy's belly, armpits, any spot that would pull a giggle from the child. Natsu kicked, screamed, struggled in Laxus' hold, did everything in his power to escape the teenager's tickle attack, only find his struggling to be for naught.
"I give! Submit! Mercy!" Natsu cried breathlessly between giggles. Laxus smiled and stopped tickling as he pulled the panting boy into a warm hug and nuzzled his cheek into the soft hair atop his head. His life since "moving in" with Natsu and the egg seemed to be nothing but happiness. He'd begun the deconstruction of his house, determined to rebuild it brand new so that if he, Natsu and the egg outgrew the tree-house, they could move right into the house. It really felt like the past was beginning to be left behind. Natsu had mostly stayed in the nest with the egg, save for a few hours a day when they'd decide to go to the Guild to show it off to everyone. Laxus would spend some time in the river or woods, hunting for food. His instincts drove him to provide for the little boy who bore a Mate mark identical to Laxus' on his lower left abdomen. Laxus had been surprised to say the least when he found out that Natsu had heard everything Atlas had said about being Mates and was perfectly fine with being with Laxus. News of them being Mates had gone over well with their friends, save for Lisanna who took the time to explain to Natsu that some people referred to close friends as "mate" and how every man was supposed to marry a woman and have babies. For half a second, Laxus was half-tempted to throw the white haired girl into a wall and he growled a warning at Mirajane to keep her sister from Natsu.
"Alright. I forgive you for laughing at me," Laxus teased before reaching back to the boar and ripping out a handful to chew on. Natsu snuggled into Laxus' chest as he panted for breath.
"Don't tickle me like that again," Natsu complained as he pouted slightly. Laxus almost choked on his meat, his inner dragon snarling at him, demanding he remedy the situation and turn Natsu's pout into a smile, immediately.
"Sorry bud," Laxus said gently, rubbing circles into the boy's back.
"I forgive you," Natsu said with a smile. Laxus' hand froze before he began tugging on one of the loong strands of Natsu's hair.
"You should think about cutting your hair soon. If not, people are gonna think you're a girl."
"Uncle Atlas has long hair. No one thinks he's a girl."
"Because he's fully grown. But you're still growing up so having longer hair makes you look like a little girl," Laxus explained. Natsu shook his head, tugging his hair from Laxus' fingers. The two dug into the boar meat, talking about anything and everything that came to mind. But soon enough, Natsu was curling up into Laxus' chest, his belly full and his eyelids heavy . Laxus chuckled as he began pulling apart one of the fish he'd caught. He nuzzled against Natsu for a second before turning to the egg and moving the huge mass of blankets he and Natsu had covered the unborn creature with over the past couple weeks. He twisted to grab his coat off his pack and gently threw it over the protected shell, hoping whatever warmth he'd transferred while wearing it to the Guild still remained. Satisfied that his Mate was full and content and the baby was safe and warm, Laxus let himself relax and drift off to sleep.
"Laxus! Laxus!" Natsu cried as he shook his Mate to alertness. At first the blonde wanted to groan and insist on another five minutes. But then he took a deep breath of air through his nose. Natsu was emitting a scent similar to one every animal he'd caught and they'd eaten gave off just before he killed it: panic. The blonde's eyes snapped open and he latched onto Natsu's arms as he sat up, looking the boy over for injury.
"Are you hurt?" he asked. Natsu shook his head before glancing to the side. Laxus followed his gaze and his grip on Natsu lessened as the reason for the boys' panic settled on him. The egg was gone. The blankets were pulled back and Laxus' coat was draped over his one foot.
"It's gone…" Natsu said, lip quivering as his voice cracked. Laxus pulled the boy into his arms and held him tightly. He sniffed the air again and snarled. Someone had come in. He couldn't recognize the scent right then and there. It was covered in mud, grasses and river water.
"We'll find it. Don't worry. It's our kid so it'll be alright. We'll find it," Laxus assured as he gently began pulling them towards the door. The blonde grabbed his coat and draped it over his shoulders before Natsu wrapped his arms around his Mate's neck and his legs around the elder's waist so Laxus could move down the ladder. Laxus continued whispering assurances of finding the egg and making the thief pay as he continued to follow the scent of mud and river water until the blonde almost ran smack into the front doors of the Guild Hall.
"Someone from the Guild?" Natsu asked as Laxus set him down.
"Maybe. Maybe Atlas knows something about the egg we don't," Laxus suggested, although the second those words passed his lips he himself was doubting them. If Atlas knew something of eggs and how to properly raise one, why wouldn't he have told them earlier? Natsu tugged on his hand and the two went inside. Only Gray, Cana, the Strauss siblings and Freed were there at the time and all were staring at them with wide eyes. Natsu ran over to Gray.
"Gray. Have you seen our egg?" The question made everyone's eyes widen.
"Wait! The egg's missing?!" Gray asked, standing up and tossing his shirt away so it landed on Lisanna's head.
"That's awful!" Cana cried.
"You sure it didn't hatch?" Elfman asked.
"It didn't hatch. Someone broke into our tree-house and stole it while Laxus and I were sleeping," Natsu pressed. Freed looked over at the blonde Dragon Slayer, who nodded solemnly.
"You sure Natsu didn't just eat it?" Mira sneered. Natsu turned to the white-haired girl as she smirked, looking rather proud of herself.
"I wouldn't!" Natsu cried.
"Why not? It's just an egg? If you want another one, I can find one in a chicken coop for ya to hatch! Ba-gawk!" she mocked, moving her arms like chicken wings. Natsu grit his teeth as tears began forming in the corners of his eyes. He hiccuped quietly, but Mira and Laxus both heard it.
"That's quite enough Mirajane," Freed scolded gently.
"Why? Cause the baby's gonna cry?!"
"Mira!" Laxus snarled as he grabbed the white-haired mage by the scruff of her neck and lifted her right off her feet. She started kicking and scratching at his arm.
"What would you do if it was Lisanna or Elfman who was missing?" Mira went still and stared wide-eyed at the blonde mage.
"All we want to know is if anyone has seen the egg."
"I saw Daemon bring in something in a large crate earlier," Elfman offered, earning him a look from Laxus and Natsu.
"He took it into a kitchen then left after a few minutes. It might still be there. He was looking pretty frustrated when he left," Cana finished. Natsu sprinted full speed to the kitchen and Laxus dropped Mira before following his mate.
By the time he got to the kitchen, Natsu had thrown himself onto the egg and was nuzzling his face into the shell as he cried silently. Laxus came up behind him and wrapped an arm around the two, relief flooding him that the egg was unharmed, despite the number of hammers on the floor around it.
"Dang this thing must be tough," Laxus breathed, running his hand over the blue markings on the shell.
"Yea…it really is our kid," Natsu breathed. Laxus smiled before picking Natsu and the egg up. He summoned his lightning and the small family shot through the ceiling and landed back in front of the tree-house. Laxus didn't say a word. He simply climbed up the ladder and set Natsu down on the pile of blankets. The pink-haired Dragon Slayer simply huddled into the egg. Laxus pulled some blankets over the egg and Natsu before Laxus pulled the two into his lap and wrapped the rest of the blankets and his coat around his tiny family. The rest of the day, the two Slayers were all but silent. They ate the cooled leftovers of their dinner the night before whenever they felt the need but otherwise, no one moved. It was almost sunset when Natsu readjusted his arms around the egg and rubbed his cheek against the shell. Laxus looked down worriedly and rubbed his hand on Natsu's head, trying to comfort him. But it wasn't easy. The egg hadn't made a sound or movement inside its shell since they'd gotten back.
"Laxus…do you think it's okay?" he asked. Laxus moved over to Natsu and pulled him and the egg into his lap.
"I really hope so. Maybe the little guy's just sleeping." Natsu snuggled into Laxus' chest and the elder pulled his coat around his tiny family.
"Hey! Bolt-face!" Laxus snapped around to the door and sniffed the air, only to snarl as Mira's scent came to him. Natsu curled around the egg a little more as Laxus set them down and slipped out the door to face the angry she-devil as she stormed towards him.
"What do you want demon?" he asked.
"Where is she?!" she shrieked.
"Where's who?" Laxus asked.
"Lisanna! She disappeared a while ago and you're the only one that threatened her!" Mira screeched. Laxus' eyes narrowed and sparks of lightning shot off his arm.
"I was using her as an example to try and make you sympathize with Natsu losing the egg, not trying to threaten your sister! Only a real coward would threaten a kid like Lisanna."
"Right, so where is she?!"
"You want to start something demon?" Laxus asked, his lightning arcing around him.
"I'll say it once. I don't know where your sister is, nor do I really care. Right now, I have more important things to think about than how badly I'm going to hurt you if we fight."
"Laxus…" Natsu whined nervously.
"It's alright Natsu. I've got this." Natsu didn't want Laxus to fight Mira, not right then and there. Mira obviously didn't understand that this was not the appropriate time to pick a fight with Laxus. His inner dragon was irritated enough by the egg's disappearance earlier that day and Mira's presence was not going to help in the slightest. A slight noise behind him caught Natsu's attention. He whirled around and saw a large crack appear in the egg's side. His eyes widened in horror.
"Laxus! The egg!" Laxus whirled around and shot up the rope ladder, pulling himself into the tree-house in one fluid motion.
"What's wrong?"
"It's cracked…" Natsu said as he looked back at the egg. Laxus looked as the egg moved and another crack appeared, a tiny chip falling out.
"It's hatching…" Laxus breathed.
"Hey! Don't ignore me Bolt-Face!" Mira screamed as she neared the ladder. Laxus hooked the rungs with his foot and pulled the ladder inside the tree-house, much to Mira's disdain.
"Go away Demon!" Laxus barked as Natsu crawled over to the egg and another crack appeared, more tiny chips falling free.
"Not until I-"
"Laxus was with me all day Mirajane! He couldn't have done anything! Now go away!" Natsu roared as another crack appeared and a larger chunk fell away. Mira growled as she stormed off to find her sister. Another chunk fell away. And another and another until the egg practically collapsed. Right in the center of the shards was a tiny blue creature with white tips on the ends of his ears, a long tail with a white tip, white tips on his paws, a white belly that bulged somewhat, and a design around his neck that looked like white lightning bolts. The rest of the tiny body was blue and his eyes opened to show big, dark eyes. Natsu's smile threatened to split his face in two as he reached over and began rubbing the tips of his fingers against the silky-soft fur.
"Hey there little guy," Laxus said as he reached over and rubbed the tip of the kitten's ear. The kitten mewled and stretched his head for a second before it fell back to the ground. His neck wasn't too strong just yet.
"He's so tiny…" Natsu marveled.
"Well yea, he's a baby," Laxus said with a chuckle. Natsu giggled and then gasped as his eyes lit up brightly.
"I just thought of a name!" Laxus raised an eyebrow.
"What name?"
"Happy!"
"Happy huh?" Laxus said, trying out the name before moving his hand to tickle the kitten's belly.
"Because, you and I were both really scared all day, then you got angry and Mira and now he's hatched and made us happy!" Laxus chuckled.
"Alright. Happy Dragneel Dreyar it is." The tiny kitten mewled almost pathetically and began moving his arms and legs in an attempt to crawl.
"Aw…what's wrong Happy?" Natsu asked.
"Maybe he wants to be held?" Laxus suggested. Natsu nodded, picked up the hatchling and cradled him to his chest. Happy began rubbing his face into Natsu's chest and paused for a moment and sniffed at Natsu's nipple before taking it into his mouth and sucking on it.
"Oh! Whoa! Hang on!"
"Natsu!" Laxus moved and wrapped an arm around Natsu's shoulders and his other hand instinctively moved to hold Happy steady as Natsu fell back against his Mate.
"Happy, I'm a guy, nothing's going to come out even if you do that…" Gently, Natsu puled Happy away from his chest. The cat mewled again and Natsu felt something warm slip down his stomach. He looked down to see a pale white stream making its way down his ribs from his nipple.
"What in the-" Laxus began as he shifted Natsu to sit properly in his lap.
"Oh gosh." Laxus gently wiped at the liquid and pressed his finger to his tongue.
"It's milk," he said as he let Happy lick it off his fingers before Natsu set the hatchling back on his chest and the cat latched on again to feed.
"What the heck?" Natsu asked, leaning further into Laxus' arms.
"Does it hurt?" Laxus asked.
"Not really. Kinda weird but not anything really worth complaining about. Actually, it feels pretty good," Natsu said with a shrug.
"It feels good?"
"He doesn't have any teeth yet, so… Yea. You don't think I'm going to be leaking milk forever do you?" Laxus chuckled.
"No. I don't think so. You'll run out eventually, I think," Laxus assured, pressing his cheek to the top of Natsu's head.
"But it may cause a problem with my vest."
"Maybe to make sure no leaks happen in public, you should wear a proper shirt or something like that." Natsu nodded and began petting Happy's head as he fed.
Annie: If some readers are confused on what had just happened with the Natsu's body. Here's Just2protect's answer to that question. Take it away!
Just2protect: Thanks Annie. I'll be taking it from Justie's Biology of Fairy Tail Class to answer the readers question of "What the heck is happening to Natsu's body?" Now some people might be wondering: How the heck Natsu was able to produce milk despite not only being Happy's adopted mom but also a virgin, meaning his body should not have had been producing any milk for Baby Happy? Here's how it works: Every Dragon Slayer gains a special side effect when they become Slayers; they gain dragon-like behaviors and instincts. For Natsu, his instincts told his body that Happy's egg was his baby and the baby would need nutrition when it hatched. Thus, his body began creating milk for baby Happy. And the reason it felt good is because there's a chemical released during breastfeeding called Oxytocin that is also the cause of contractions during birth and contractions during orgasm. So despite Natsu's freaking out, chemically and instinctually speaking, this is all very normal. Personally, I think that's pretty cool.
Annie: WHOA! Shit, that means...?!
Just2protect: You don't mean...?!
Annie and Just2protect: NATSU IS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RELATIONSHIP?! *Faints*
Laxus: Ja Ne. Now, I have to get them onto a couch. *Picks them up to get us onto a couch*
