Disclaimer. I don't own anything!
-Oby Abel-
Chapter 10: Feelings and resolve.
Lucy internally cursed herself for her slip up. She looked at her friends, shocked and looking at her for explanation, and then Natsu. His usually tan skin was white. Sweat rolling down his face. Mouth agape and eyes wider than saucers. He was in complete shock.
And she felt bad.
This information was only meant for his ears, not theirs. This was perhaps the most crucial information about him, she had shared with others.
"What's the meaning of this, Lucy?" Ezra broke the silence as she began demanding answers.
"Erza… everyone. As much as I would like to explain, I think I should speak with Natsu alone. Just this time, please." She held a pleading tone and hurriedly added. "I'll explain everything else tomorrow. At the guild." She promised.
"You better be. This is not something to joke with." Erza countered.
Feeling offended, yet a bit understanding Lucy nodded gravely. She didn't want to argue with them since they will all know the truth and have an explanation for her claims tomorrow.
She turned to the shocked still Natsu. It broke her heart to see him like this. It was never her intention. But he needed to know everything. It wouldn't be right to leave him oblivious. And it would've kept eating her alive if she didn't tell him. She just couldn't live with the guilt, despite it only being a few hours her knowing.
"Natsu," She called softly, putting a hand on his slumping shoulder. "Natsu, let's go to my apartment."
"Is… is it true?" He asked with the softest tone Lucy had ever heard come from him. It was so vulnerable. It hurt her so much.
"It's… it's better to finish this conversation at my apartment. I'll tell you everything." She promised. With a nod, he let her drag her away.
"Let's leave as well. We'll get answers tomorrow." Mira told the others, and turned her back to the couple. She knew they needed the privacy, away from their prying eyes. It was only fair not to follow them since the blonde had already promised to tell everything tomorrow.
With murmurs, the large group agreed and filed back to the guild. Levy kept looking back, contemplating if she should follow the duo because her curiously was beginning to get in on her and she worried. Natsu was shocked, his skin was so sickly white that it scared her.
She took a step towards their directions. Being curious was her weakness. Before she could take another step, someone called her.
"Shrimp." She looked to her side and saw her mate walking from the shadows up to her with a stoic expression.
"What are you doing here so early?" She asked with a small pout. She rarely got some alone time with him being possessive and all. And not to mention protective now that she was pregnant.
"Was waiting out in the shadows for ya, then Bunny girl showed up. Heard everything."
Understanding dawned on her. She gave her mate a serious expression and said. "Don't tell anyone yet. This is a private matter. We…" She trailed off, because what she had in mind was to tell him to lay back, but then that would be too contradicting since she wanted to follow them and eavesdrop.
Letting out a sigh she reckoned that that would be a lousy move and decided against it. She had to be the bigger person for once, and not meddle in their talk because they seriously needed the privacy.
"We shouldn't eavesdrop."
"Something is weird though. Bunny smelt like Metalicana, yet she didn't. She smelled like a million dragons."
"She'll explain tomorrow. It's probably nothing of importance." Levy said with a shrug. Tomorrow they would have their answers. Levy would have her answers. And then her curiosity would be quenched.
Gajeel didn't say anything. He just looked at the emptiness where Lucy's scent lingered mixed with that one he couldn't pin point. He felt uneasy by that scent. It wasn't much, but it made him feel weird. Like his instincts told him to lower his head in its presence. Like that person or thing was far more superior than anything he had ever encountered. It freaked him out. A lot.
The mated couple then entered the silent guild after everyone were settled in. Gajeel felt out of place. It was all women with the exception of Freed, and everyone was still hung up on what Lucy had told Natsu. Some afraid, others confused.
But one thing was sure. They couldn't wait for her to explain herself.
Even Gajeel couldn't wait. He wanted to ask about that scent. Not having answers annoyed him.
Lucy dragged Natsu all he way to her apartment. They entered and went over to the couch, sitting in silence.
The blonde didn't know how to start. What she told him was a spur of the moment thing because he was seriously confusing. Who asks someone on a date just like that? Especially when she hadn't even finished speaking. He left her no other choice.
Sighing deeply she turned her body towards him and held his hands, making him look at her. Holding his hands gave her the little strength she needed to tell her little tale in the Celestial realm.
"You probably think that this is a lie, I wouldn't blame you. I was doubting it too when Aquarius told me. But it is the truth." She started. "Zeref is your older brother. You shared the same parents."
"How?" he managed to ask. He held onto her hands as a way to stay calm. Everything hurt. He was so utterly confused. He couldn't make sense of anything other than that he knew Lucy spoke the truth. She wouldn't lie to him, she wasn't that low.
"When you were little, you almost died. It was during the Dragon Civil War, 400 years back. Because you were so ill Zeref sought many for help, but none would help. Until.."
"Until Igneel?"
She nodded. "Igneel the Fire Dragon King did the impossible. He saved you. You were at the brink of death but by infusing his magic inside you, you survived and gained Dragon Slayer Magic. Zeref was thankful of Igneel's help, so he offered him his assistance on defeating Acnologia, who at that time had declared war on all of the Dragons, gone mad with blood lust."
"What?" An astonished Natsu asked. Zeref approached Igneel?
"This was before Zeref had gone completely mad. By that time he was just a desperate and lonely boy, trying to find a way to help his weak, wounded little brother's body. So he began experimenting with dark magic. And was cursed by Ankhseram. What he couldn't do, Igneel did." She told and then added, a way of understanding passing her. "In retrospect, Zeref was just misguided. He was a lost boy, who did everything for the safety of his only living relative, his little brother. You."
"But that was 400 years ago. Why am I even here? Am I cursed like him?" Natsu still couldn't grasp the idea of having Zeref as a brother. If he had been his brother and he cared so much, why did he cause so much destruction in the world? Creating his demons and let them cause havoc? It was not okay and no excuses would ever make Natsu understand Zeref. Or forgive him for that matter.
"July 7, year 777x was the year you arrived at this time. The day Igneel and the others performed the Dragon Soul Technique Spell. You and the others came to this time, to defeat Acnologia." She explained.
"How and why?"
"Remember I told that Zeref agreed to assist Igneel on defeating Acnologia? Well by assisting he let Igneel adopt you, and train you till the day would come and you and the others would get to defeat Acnologia. The Dragons were already half dead, so you were their only hope. But…" She paused, didn't know if she should bring it up or not. Everything she had told had been crucial, but there was one thing more that she just dreaded to tell.
"But?" Natsu prompted, feeling uneasiness settle in his core.
"Remember that book?"
"What book? Just spill it out Lucy. Just tell me in one go. What could be worse than what you already told. Just say it." He felt frustration take over. Why did people like suspense? He just couldn't understand.
"The Book Of E.N.D." his face scrunched up in confusion.
"Zeref's strongest Demon, the master of Tartarus. What about it, him?" He noticed her pulling her hands from his, and turned her body away, refusing to meet his eyes. Odd was what Natsu thought and it made him feel even more uneasy.
"That book… don't you ever open it nor destroy it." She warned, her hands gripping the hem of her shirt tightly.
"Why? What's so important about that book? Igneel told the same thing." He was getting annoyed. That book had more answers to his questions than his friends and family did. He seriously wanted to find the book and find out what was so dangerous and special about it.
She turned her head towards him, looking at him sadly. "Because if that book is destroyed, you'll die.."
His heart stopped for a second. What did she mean he would die? What did the book have to do with his life? And why? Why was it that everything that was happening lately meant that he was in danger of dying. Whatever he does, he's always the one targeted with some kind of death threat.
Couldn't he for once be spared? No? Okay.
"How? Why?"
Feeling a rush of sadness wash down on her, the blonde threw herself into him and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" He questioned bewildered and hugged her back. At least something good came out from all this. He got to hug her.
"Because you are hurting. I-I didn't know what else to do than tell you."
"Luce," he pulled her away and wiped her tears. "Just tell me the truth. Why is the Book of E.N.D connected to me?" He pulled his face away, looking at her tenderly.
"Z-Zeref created E.N.D with y-your DNA, in your image… Etherious Natsu Dragneel, E. N. D."
"What? E.N.D is me?!" Alarmed he shot out of the couch, letting Lucy fall to the ground with a loud thump. "Does this mean I'm a Demon?"
"No!" Lucy shouted, and stood up wincing. The fall had hurt a bit. "You aren't E.N.D. you are the original Natsu Dragneel, the human brother of Zeref. The Fire Dragon Slayer. Son of Igneel. You-"
"Then what does it mean? Why would I die if the book gets destroyed?" He cut her off getting more confused.
"Because Zeref created E.N.D with the purpose of infusing your bodies, to make the strongest mage ever. He wants to die, Natsu, and he wants you to kill him."
"Why do I have to kill him? And why should I? He deserves eternal punishment for what he has done to this world. It's evil because of him!" he hissed, feeling angry.
"I didn't say you should. Zeref has gone mad after 400 years of waiting, alone. I only told you what I was told." She laid a hand on his bicep and added. "You deserved to know the truth."
"What should I do?" He was so lost. So many mixed emotions.
"Nothing. There is nothing to do."
"Shouldn't I find him, confront him and…" He trailed off. He didn't know what else to do than confront his brother. Even that seemed weird.
"Just know that I'm standing by your side, always. Zeref may be your blood relative, but blood doesn't make family. He has lost his mind, strayed from his purposes. So there is nothing for you to do, other than just know."
She had a point. Of course it would take a while to accept that he's brothers with Zeref, but as she put it, they aren't necessary family. Fairy Tail's his family. Igneel is his family, Happy is his family.
And Lucy is his home.
Letting a small smile appear, he pulled the blonde into a hug. "Thanks Luce. Having you by my side again, and telling me. Thank you."
The blonde smiled back, and returned the hug. Her head laid on his shoulder. "We are family. And family stick together."
Both kept silent for a while after that. Both relishing in each others embrace. It wasn't awkward as Lucy had thought it would be. With everything going on with them these past wee – months, so that was a good thing. She was actually happy that he hadn't gone all crazy when she told him.
Of course there were a lot more she wanted to tell.
Like about how Draco had marked her as an mate candidate for whoever saw her first or that she would probably take some time off from the guild to find Aquarius' key, and not to mention just Draco in general. There was a lot to tell about that sly, perverted Dragon God.
But she didn't. For now she just enjoyed the silence with her best friend. She needed it.
Natsu on the other hand loved having her in her arms with feeling the awkward tension, yet his mind did wander to those things they had talked about today.
Everything he had learnt today was not something to be taken lightly. It was important, crucial and somewhat dangerous. If the newly formed Council heard, he was sure they would use him to bait Zeref out from where ever he was hiding or staying.
In fact he had a inkling feeling that there were a lot of people who would try to kidnap him for different reasons.
Some trying to get on the good side of Zeref. Others trying to depose of him.
So it wasn't exactly a win-win situation for him to be related to the Dark Mage. Actually it was slowly feeling like a curse.
"Ah!" Lucy suddenly cried, breaking the silence and pushed herself away from him. He looked at her alarmed, looking her up and down as reflex.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
The blonde locked eyes with him and suddenly her face was beet red. Thrusting an accusing finger at him, she stepped back. "Y-you said it! YOU SAID "I LOVE YOU"!"
"No I didn't." He quickly lied. He had a plan. He might use this to his advantage.
"You didn't?" She tilted her head, confused. She swore she heard him. "Are you sure? I remember you first asking me out on a date – what was that even about? And then not long after you sputter an I love you out." She may have kept a straight face but her face was red and her heart beating erratically. Who does that? Ask you on a date, when the other person is being all serious and then viola, throws in an I love you? She couldn't even expect less when it was the Fire Dragon Slayer involved.
"I did ask you on a date, but you refused." He sulked. He clearly remembered how it had hurt when she dismissed him. But then he hadn't had time to dwell on it since she dropped a huge ass bomb on him.
"Then you also told me that you love me? Didn't you?" She was getting confused. Had her mind really played a trick on her? Had Draco's constant blabbering made her hear things?
"No that's all in your head. But," he stepped closer to her with a tender, loving even, expression and grabbed her hands, squeezing them tightly. "I do love you." He confessed, gazing deep into those deep chocolate brown eyes that could always make his heart beat. Those eyes he missed for months.
Her eyes widened as she let out a gasp. What was this? What was happening? Was she dreaming? Had her brain been affected by staying at the Celestial Realm for so long? Was Draco trying to get into her head? If he was he was going to pay!
Did Natsu seriously just confess to her?
"Wah-w-what?!"
"I love you." He repeated, his cheeks painted pink. He wanted to confess to her while nothing else was in the way, like earlier. And this time it wasn't a desperate attempt either. He just wanted it to get out in the open. Let her know his feelings he had finally figured out after being so obvious. And he deemed now to be a perfect opportunity.
Lucy was left speechless. And confused. Was this truly a confession or was he telling her that he loved her as a friend. She did just drop a bomb on him, so maybe he said it in a friendly way?
"Uhm," She really couldn't form any words. Even though it was meant in a friend way of not – she assumed I was – it left her heart beating super fast. She even felt lightheaded.
"Y-you don't have to say it back. I mean, Levy said that I should tell you after taking you out on some dates but I couldn't help but telling you now." He was being bashful, cheeks turning red. And just by looking at his eyes she knew.
He was not loving her as a friend but he was in love with her. She didn't know how to feel about it. Happy? Sad? Relief? Her brain couldn't process it.
She just couldn't find the right emotion despite her heart calling out the answer for her. It held the answers but she just couldn't understand nor would she acknowledge it.
Her heart may be beating fast and face flushed, but her brains hurt from the rollercoaster of a day. She at least needed time to digest what he said before she really could say anything back. Or her logical part thought she did. While her heart already had the answers, she was deaf to it.
Pulling her hands away, she stepped back. "I.. I really don't know what to say." She admitted. "Today has been a long day. Too much information and confusion. I don't know… sorry."
"You don't have to say anything Luce. I wanted to confess and I did. And yeah, it has been a long day for you. I'm glad you told me about those things despite them not being pleasant. So thank you." He would give her time, he didn't want to pressure her into anything.
The blonde absent-mindedly nodded her head, while staring at the floor. Looking at him at that moment felt weird. Lucy felt weird. Her heart was still beating rapidly with no intention of slowing down.
"I'll go. You have a lot on your mind right now." The awkward tension couldn't be helped. It was an awkward day for them.
"Yeah.." She mumbled weakly. Still refusing to meet his eyes.
"See you later then." He decided for once not to jump out of the window though he did consider if he should've used the window, just to get a reaction out of her, like always. But by the state he left her, he doubted she would.
But that was okay. So he walked out the apartment using the door and entered nto the streets of Magnolia with a sigh. He too had so much to process.
When he left the apartment and was out of earshot, Lucy collapsed on the floor. Holding a hand to her heart, clenching her shirt in the process, she looked at the spot he stood just mere minutes ago. Her heart didn't stop it's beating. "What just happened?"
How did they go from a serious conversation to a confession? And more importantly it was Natsu that confessed to her. The fuck?
"He just… he said he loves me. Natsu loves me. He's in love with me?!" The realization just frightened her. Natsu Dragneel was in love with Lucy Heartfilia?!
While she was freaking out, Natsu strolled down the streets of Magnolia with a frown beginning to settle on his face. He didn't feel disappointed of her reaction. It was normal, really. Or that was what he repeatedly told himself.
And then there was his whole past. Thinking about it just made him confused at best.
"Zeref's your brother." He repeated the blonde's words with a sigh. "Zeref Dragneel." It was weird finding out that you have a brother after so many years. And that you aren't even born in this time line.
"400 years ago… wow. That makes sense though." He recalled that time Laxus had Freed put a Rune Barrier up at the guild during Laxus' attempt of take over the guild, and neither Natsu nor Gajeel could get out because of an age limit. At that time they thought Freed had put a no Dragon Slayers are allowed through in the barrier, but no. Even Freed had been confused why the two couldn't get out.
He was amazed that he could put the pieces together with how slow he usually was, but that incident had bothered him a lot. And it was the first thing he thought made sense when Lucy told him. He was old...
"That does explain it.. Damn...we're 400 years old. Glad we ain't wrinkly.." Then as he continued he suddenly remembered. "What about the rule?! The 22 year old rule?!" a sudden panic filled his core. They were all freaking over 22! They were ancient! "Does this mean we are-"
"Oi, Salamander!" he turned around to see Levy and Gajeel walk up to him, cutting him off from rambling. "Who's 400 years old and what rule?" The gruff Slayer asked.
"Nothing!" he told too quickly. "Just me being silly, haha." He didn't know if he should tell Gajeel or not. He had already mated, so he hadn't a reason to panic like Natsu did.
"I knew ya were weird, but this is just disturbing. Tell us. I heard about ya brotha." The Iron Dragon Slayer said with a look that held tinge ofor pity. But you had to really watch closely to see it. Really close.
"He ain't my brother! We may be blood related, but he ain't my brother." He dismissed, his mood turning sour by Gajeel's remark.
"Still." He shrugged off Natsu's claims and turned serious as he narrowed his eyes on him with a stoic look. "Explain what Bunny told ya. Everything." Gajeel demanded. He had waited in secret not too far from Lucy's apartment because that scent had annoyed him. He couldn't just let it go.
Call him stalker or not, but he was determined to find out. He had even been tempted to go to Lucy for answers but his mate had told him off. So he had to do with Natsu for now.
"What's it to you Tin Can?" Natsu narrowed his eyes, feeling annoyance by Gajeel's gruff behavior. More than usual.
"Just tell me already!" The Iron Dragon Slayer was not one to be patient. Never.
"Gajeel." Levy scolded her mate. "Ask nicely instead of yelling."
"That scent, whose was it?" He relented and asked nicely, through gritted teeth.
Natsu gave him a quizzical expression. Scent? That was what got his panties in a twist?
"Which one?" There had been more than on Lucy. From all those people she had met in the Celestial Realm.
"That one that smelt like Metalicana. Bunny girl had his scent on him, or at least a scent similar. Who is he or it?"
Natsu looked thoughtful for a moment, trying to remember the scent but all he could remember was that of Igneel's or like Gajeel said, one similar to his foster father's scent.
Shrugging his shoulders off, he answered. "Dunno. Didn't ask." Not like he could dwell on it. He was pretty much in a daze after her news.
"Didn't it feel weird to ya?" Gajeel couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling. That scent was something terrifying yet it was also soothing. Weird. And annoying as hell.
Natsu was getting annoyed by his constant questioning. Was he brought interrogation?
"I had other things on my mind to think about. So no. It didn't feel weird." He didn't understand what Gajeel's problem was. He looked so tense and alerted, nothing like the usual Gajeel he knew: the scowling Metal Head. And that pissed him off more.
Gajeel was the same. Natsu was no use and that scent was messing up his mood.
Both felt the sudden need to bash each other's skull to the ground, Gajeel for getting no answers while Natsu was just plain annoyed by his fellow Slayer. They glared at each other, pissed off and leaking their magic.
Sensing an upcoming confrontation between the two Slayers, Levy stepped in between them. She looked tenderly at Natsu. "How are you holding up?" She had been worried about him. And Lucy. It wasn't easy on neither of them.
"Dunno. Everything's weird." His mood changed once more, all aggression gone when he saw the blunette. "Luce told me a lot of things, but it does makes sense when I think about it. All of it." He admitted. He still couldn't wrap his head around the thought of Zeref being his brother. It would get some used to. In fact, most of the things she had told him felt like he was in a bad dream of sort. Everything was just plain weird.
And his nakama also had to get used to it. Being Zeref's brother was a big deal. He was their enemy.
"What things? I still can't understand how Zeref can be your brother. I mean, he is over 400 years old. That would mean you are also 400 years old, and that you are immortal. Like him. Only logical explanation." Levy mused. She had been thinking about it from the minute she heard what Lucy told him. The only logical explanation was that he was either immortal like his brother or that he arrived from the past, time traveling. Everything else just seemed impossible. Even the latter.
Smiling sheepishly he looked at the scowling Iron Dragon Slayer and then landed his gaze back on the pregnant blunette. Scratching his neck, he answered. "Well… about that. If we think about it, it makes sense. It really does-"
"Cut to the chase Salamander." Gajeel grumbled, still pissed off. When wasn't he?
"Fine." Natsu sighed and looked at him. "You," he pointed a finger back and forth between them, "me, Wendy, Sting and Rogue. We aren't from this time line. The five of us are from 400 years from the past. Lucy's ancestor used the Eclipse Gate from our original timeline while her mother opened theirs," he gestured to Levy. "So that means we are from the past."
"That's bullshit." The Iron Dragon Slayer said after a few seconds of silence. "I don't believe this shit." It was a load of bull crap. Him, them, were from the past? Got to be a lie.
"Don't. But it is the truth. Anna Heartfilia and Layla Heartfilia opened the gates for us to enter through. It was the same day Igneel and the others disappeared. We are here in this time line because our Dragons count on us to defeat Acnologia." Natsu didn't give a fuck if Gajeel believed him or not. It was his fault for even telling them but Natsu was not one to lie or keep information to himself. Especially one that contained information of his nakama.
"Still don't believe it. I've been here since I can remember. Pops and I trained here. It doesn't make sense." Still not believing him. Gajeel could even remember their territory at one part in the mountains, it still held Metalicana's scent, so no. It didn't make any sense to him for them to be from the future.
Levy keep silent as she processed the information. She was skeptic but she also know that Natsu wouldn't lie. He didn't have a reason too. Hmm.
"Maybe this will make some sense then." Natsu didn't even understand why he tried to make him understand, but he did nonetheless. "Remember Fantasia? When we couldn't pass the Rune Barrier because of an age limit? Freed didn't add anything else other than the age limit. We weren't allow through because we were over the age over 80. 400+ to be exact."
Levy looked at the Fire Dragon Slayer totally surprised. And awed. Her mouth hung open. Was this Natsu Dragneel, thinking logical? It couldn't be. The usual hot-headed Dragon Slayer was using a logical approach to help the other see reason.
It left her astonished. And she could understand what he meant. It all made sense now. The pieces connected.
"It does make sense." Levy agreed. "And as you said, Freed hadn't included anything about Dragon Slayers. He, himself, was confused when he found out." She had been the one to rewrite the Runes and there wasn't nothing other than Freed's one restraint.
Gajeel turned to his mate. His eyes a bit wider than usual. "So ya telling me Salamander is right? That we ain't from here?"
She nodded head. "The more I think about it the more sense it makes. Dragons hasn't been spotted in Fiore for centuries, but then you lot show up and tells us that you've been raised by Dragons and have a Lost magic, Dragon Slayer Magic. Your dragons had left you on a specific day, leaving you alone in an unknown place. It connects the missing dots, what Natsu just explained." She smiled at him "Doesn't it make sense to you as well?" She questioned tilting her head.
"But-"
"Just accept it, Metal Head. We may come from a different time but we belong in this time line." Natsu had a point. It was just a small detail. So what if they were over 400+ years old? Did it matter? No. They were still mages of this age. They had always been and would always be. The only different now was that they knew they were from another time. It didn't change anything else. And it wouldn't change anything.
Gajeel hated himself for doing it, but he agreed with Natsu. The Pyro of the Guild had a valid point – which he never thought would ever occur in his life time and which he never ever in his life would verbally agree with – and he hated it.
He had some time to get used to the information but like Natsu had said, it didn't matter.
"Shut up, Salamander." He pulled his mate to his side and gruffly told her. "Let's go home."
He didn't want to admit to Natsu that he was right. No way in Hell would that happen. His pride wouldn't allow it so they just left. With only Levy waving goodbye, amused by her mates behavior, they left the other Slayer.
For now Gajeel's uneasiness was forgotten by the new information.
Sighing to himself Natsu couldn't help but smile at his accomplishment. He got Gajeel speechless. Muhaha. It felt great. Actually he felt a bit better after speaking to those two. It made him accept things better. Because it wasn't only him who had been affected by Lucy's news. Everyone was affected.
Okay. Maybe he had it worse than the others, but he would manage.
He shook his head with a chuckle as he saw he tiny blunette hit the huge lug for being rude – Gajeel had called her something weird and that earned him a few hits on his back, she couldn't reach higher.
He actually felt great after speaking with them.
Slowly he began walking again.
As he walked through the streets casually, his mind began thinking about Lucy again. Her reaction had started to bother and worry him too.
How was she doing? Had his sudden confession freaked her out? Upset her? Had he acted too soon and frightened her? What if he had turned the situation worse?
He just couldn't help his worries yet he still felt relieved that he told her. Now she at least knew that he was having other feeling for her than just that of friends. And she would see him trying to be the man for her and his will to make her fall for him like she had requested.
Sighing once again he sulked when he thought about the blonde mage and her demands.
He knew he lacked. He did. Maybe more ways than he could count, but he was willing to at least try to do something that would please the blonde. Make her see him as a man. Make her like him. He would try to thrive to be the perfect man for her.
Key word, try.
No one was perfect, but a man and a woman could be perfect for each other and that was what he had in mind being, after those long hours of lectures (torture) from Levy, Erza and Mira.
And not to forget, him rereading Lucy's journal.
He had learnt a lot from reading that. Of course he had also been tempted to burn it about… a million times when his really old friend jealousy appeared but he didn't. Barely though. He was terrified of Lucy finding out. That could seriously jeopardize everything. So he begrudgingly read through the whole journal and about the other freaking candidates that Lucy viewed as boyfriend material. Some even listed as husband material. That pissed him off the most.
When he reached and read Gray's profile, a fight had ensued immediately. Him running to the guild aflame and attacking the obvious Ice Demon Slayer out of the blue.
The reason: Gray's profile was more positive worded than his own and that just set a fire deep inside his core and he let jealousy take over.
A good hour later or two, after their most serious brawl which Gray still was confused about how happened, Natsu calmed down but did not apologize. His pride wouldn't let him. And luckily Erza or Master had been present too.
Wendy had healed the two, the others at the guild hadn't sustained that much injuries that they had. Many didn't even dare join in on their fight sensing Natsu's hostility. So after he had gotten his broken ribs fixed, cuts and bruised bandaged and a cast on his arm for being dislocated, Natsu just left the guild with a small thanks to the youngest Slayer. The guild was left confused by his odd behavior but blamed it on the absence of the blonde, so nothing more was said that day. Gray didn't even question it since he had been on the receiving end of Natsu's anger and fist.
Actually he had been eerily nicer to the Slayer after learning about his situation from Lucy. So he just thought he Slayer had been afraid or something.
Anyways. Natsu's jealousy had gotten so bad to the point that hethat he even pondered on the idea of visiting Hibiki and the others just because they too were included in Lucy's journal – thank God Ichiya wasn't even mention once, or else the woman seriously had some sick requirements for a man – but he didn't. He didn't want to turn suspicious by fighting all the men that were included in her journal. She would definitely know that they had "burrowed" it. It wasn't that hard to figure out.
So he started focusing on the quality she sought in the "perfect man" and oh boy was her list complicated. Yet not. He fulfilled many of her requirements.
Under some of the men she wrote date-able and then circle around their good qualities while other were just date-able with a side note about what they lacked yet how their charms compensated those. Others were just friendship material. Friend-zoned.
That's why he had ignored his profile because he didn't want to get his hopes up nor down, so he was content being oblivious about that part. Or he tried to be.
He had only read a bit of his profile, but just that one bit had made his heart beat uncontrollably. So he knew if he read it to the end he would either let it go to his head or let it crush him. He didn't want neither. Better be oblivious, he decided.
So after reading through all of the other profiles, he made a list by those who stood out more. And compared it with the other girls listed. (Mira, Erza and Levy wrote their preferences for him to get a feel of what women liked in general. Cana had deliberately tried to sneak her own list in, but after just glancing at one word, they all – Natsu included – decided not to use hers. Ever.)
The quality they sought the most in a guy was how dependable he was. Lucy for instance wanted to be with a man who was strong, loyal and that could take care of her. Some one she could depend on whenever she needed – not that it would be a lot – and someone she could feel safe around.
He was sure he could include himself in that category. He was loyal, – to a fault really – strong both mentally and physically and he would always take care of her. He would make her his first priority in life and beyond. He would do anything just to please her. He would protect her always. Be it economically, spirituallys or mentally, he would also be there for her.
So dependable he was. Or he felt like he at least was. So what if he left her for one year, he had his reasons. And if he had known about the guild disbanding, well then he would've brought her along. Sometimes he regretted he didn't, because even today he could feel that his year of absence had put a strain on them despite neither really mentioning it…
Next on the list was how caring a guy should be. Selfless and kind. Lucy hated egotistical men who always thought of themselves to be above everyone else. So full of themselves and those who suppressed women too. She needed a man who would see her as an equal, show her the respect she deserved. And give her freedom despite them being in a relationship.
He reckoned that he possessed those qualities as well. He was kind. At least to those who deserved his kindness. Gray and Gajeel were not included on his list of kindness. But he was kind nonetheless, and he never saw himself above anyone. No one was superior than others. And that was what matters.
He respected women too. Not to mention he was scared of them as well. They were the scariest creatures ever created – Erza, Mirajane, Lucy and Levy were prime examples of that. Scary… - and vicious too. Say one wrong word and you were eaten alive. So he fe – er respected them, a lot.
And he knew perfectly well what Lucy meant by freedom. The problem was that by him having inherited – sort of – Igneel's magic, he had his instincts as well. And those instincts could seem a bit controlling. Dragons were very protective and possessive of what were theirs. But, he would give her as much of freedom that he could "manage". Or at least try his best.
He had seen how Gajeel acted when a male approached Levy. It ain't pretty. But he had confidence that if they did mate, he wouldn't be that dominating… he hoped.
Sighing deeply, he entered the path to his house.
Thinking about what Lucy wanted in a guy, he just couldn't fathom why she was so against them being together. He mostly fit her description of a decent, loyal man she would date yet she had been so against it from the beginning.
Rather. She was against it being him. And that sorta hurt.
So what if he lacked at some areas – being romantic is hard, he never knew women could be that demanding – but he still possessed many other good qualities. Like, he never wanted her sad, she was always his first priority, he made her laugh, feel safe and so much more.
So why was she still hung up on having a romantic boyfriend and not just him? It was as if she had written a formula for a perfect boyfriend. For what he knew of there wasn't exactly a build-a-boyfriend shop anywhere. Her demands were too goddamn high.
This was reality not a dream. And he was her perfect fit, or that was what he was deliberately told be his friends. And that Lucy was just stubborn.
"What does it mean to be perfect.." he mumbled to himself as he looked up at the darkening sky.
Why did Lucy had to be one of the complicated ones.
They were perfect for each other. Really, they were. He believed it, why couldn't she?
He knew her like he knew the back of his hand, and she knew him just as that. They were best friend, partners for fuck's sake.
It didn't have to be too hard to chose him, accept him.
Or maybe he was just being biased.
Taking a deep breath, he reached for the knob of his front door, and opened it.
"Nashuu!" an overjoyed Happy greeted upon him entering and crashed into his chest. "I was so bored today! Don't leave me here again!"
"Sorry bud, but last time you were there you kept teasing me so much that I had no choice to leave you. Anyways, how was your day?" He flopped onto his hammock, and proceeded to kick off his sandals. He could really use some sleep, his brain had been working overtime today. And hurt like a bitch.
"Boring I tell you!" The Exceed wailed. "Carla refused my fish, again! And Lily was being mean to me too. I went home right after! They are bullies!"
Natsu rolled his eyes, making himself comfortable in his hammock. Happy was so overdramatic about almost everything. But that was Happy for ya. It was the little feline creatures charms and it always brought a smile upon Natsu's face.
"Happy, you are the worst of them all. With all your teasing and pranks on the guild members." He reminded with a smirk.
The blue Exceed began pouting. "Am not! You're as bad as me! Always teasing Lushy… wait that's me and you.. but you're bad too!" He pointed an accusing finger(paw) at him and listed many of the pranks that they had either used on the blonde or the guild – in general just Gray and Master but it always ended bad that the rest of the guild was victims too. Not on purpose.
"Yeah yeah. I saw Luce today." He brought up, thinking that would make the Exceed stop his rambling and pouting.
That shut the rambling cat up. "What! Lushi's home?! When? Why aren't we there! Let's go!" Natsu leaned forward grabbing Happy's green backpack halting him from flying away.
"Today isn't a good day bud. Lucy is tired, and have a lot of things on her mind. You'll see her tomorrow." He wanted to go too but today had been a challenging day for them both, and Lucy needed her privacy. Not only had she thrown a bomb on him but he returned the favor.
"Why? I wanna see her now! I missed her." Happy got teary-eyed. For those months apart he missed the blonde just like he had missed her when he and Natsu left on their (mainly Natsu's) one year training trip. It was just weird not having her with them by their side all the time. Plus he had so much sharing to do with her, like telling her all the embarrassing things Natsu did while she was away just so he could impress her. There was just so much to tell her..
"Happy," Natsu said with gentle warning, "just listen to me this once. Lucy needs time alone to think some things through. It has been a rough day for her." And me. So please just let it go. He mentally added and let go of the Exceed's backpack.
"What happened?" The blue Exceed knew Natsu, perhaps too well, so seeing him denying him the right to fly to the blonde only meant something had happened. And Happy had a feeling it involved Natsu.
Natsu sighed and fell back on his 'bed'. He ran a hand through his hair and decided to tell Happy everything that had transpired today. So he retold everything. Everything…
And he immediately regretted it.
"What do I do? Natsu loves me.. he… he loves me." Lucy paced in her living room. She couldn't fathom what had just happened. It was something she didn't see coming in a million years ago. And it was so sudden too.
"How? How could he know? Liking is one thing but loving? How? And why? Why does he love me..arhhh!"
She threw herself on her couch and screamed in to the pillow. Her mind was jumbled. Too many information in one day.
"You can deny it all you want, human, but in the end you will fall for him. It's written in the stars."
She knew exactly who that was and inwardly growled. Draco!
"But, but we are best friends! I can't like him. It's wrong…" forgetting her annoyance, she began kicking her legs in the air, frustrated and confused. It seriously was wrong but yet her heart told her otherwise..
"Even the more reason to be with him. He is your friend, your most trusted companion. What is wrong with loving him? And now you know he love-"
"Just shut up! It's all your fault! If you hadn't used me, I wouldn't have been in this predicament!" She snarled to the emptiness of her apartment.
"Would you rather not have met him then?"
That stilled the blonde. Would she rather not have met Natsu those years ago?
"N-no… life without Natsu is weird. Because of him I gained so much… but it still doesn't make it easier. You shouldn't have meddle with our lives like that." Her tone softened just a bit.
"And for that I am sorry, but for centuries my heart have ached the loss of my children, and for centuries I tried to access your plain but only now it has been possible or it will be possible. So do this old Dragon a favor and accept. I'll grant you my powers doing so."
"Draco, you already know my answer, don't you?" The blonde said. Her eyes were glued to the ceiling.
"You wish to still find a way out when there isn't. Lucy Heartfilia, the last of the Heartfilia bloodline. You are destined to do great things in life, and you will accept eventually. Just like your ancestors did yet failed to help me."
"Don't you feel any remorse that you put such a curse on those innocent Dragons, and Slayers alike? Forcing them to reproduce just so your legacy isn't put to vain? It's heartless. 22 is still too young to be a parent…." She mumbled the last part while ignoring his earlier statement.
"What I did was to ensure that my kin lived on for eternity. Like your family did with their legacy. You Heartfilias have been blessed by not only the Stars but the Universe as well for your help and kindness. And it's up to you to – " The blonde cut him up frowning..
"You never explained the reason you want to enter Earth Land." She remembered him only given her vague detail on why. "You only said you missed your kin."
"Your Slayers, the only remaining five. Do they miss their parents?" His question threw her off.
"Of course they miss them. Igneel and the others were just like any other parents and they helped us in our dire need of help. Even I miss them, and I haven't even probably met them."
"Then the more reason for you to accept. If you accept Natsu Dragneel, son of Igneel, the Fire Dragon King, then you and I can form a blood contract. You gain powers of the first Dragon, you get to become my Master-"
"Don't say it that way! Pervert!" he was purred, disgusting the blonde.
"Prefer Dragon, no better yet God tamer?"
"Ugh!" If they weren't speaking telepathically she would've kicked his snout, hard. Like she did earlier. "Just shut up. I don't care about powers but why you are so set on coming here. You can grieve your children at your own Realm, so why?" She pressed for his answer. It left her curious.
"I'll tell you the second you accept and complete the ritual. I believe that's only fair."
The blonde scoffed, rolling her eyes and stared angrily at the ceiling. If only he was there to see her with her mean Erza glare. "Tch. Fair my ass. You left an invisible mark on me, you dictated my life since birth. I bet it was you that compelled me to follow my mother that day too. So don't tell me it's fair 'cause you weren't fair to me."
"Alright, you do have a point. But think of it from my perspective too. And your mother's. She agreed to all this."
"Probably because she was too kind or you manipulated her into doing it." She retorted.
"No. Even Anna Heartfilia and her ancestors agreed. It's only you who are a hard to crack. Maybe it's because time has changed so much and women are-"
"Don't." She growled. "Don't even go there. I just don't want my life to be dictated because it is my life not yours, not any one else's but mine."
"Heh. You sound like a Dragon. That's why I like you, Lucy Heartfilia. You are strong, and you know what you want and value. You possess great abilities and that's why I believe that accepting Natsu Dragneel will only make you stronger. Plus as I said, if you agree I'll grant you powers that's far greater than you can imagine. You'll become one of a kind and your children will be the strongest generations of their kind. So just accept."
Closing her eyes, Lucy let out a sigh. Draco was just so infuriating. All he said since their meeting was; accept. Just accept Natsu. She was at one point even willing to do so till she remembered that she didn't want to do anything just because another one said so. She wanted to agree wholeheartedly, or else she would regret it till the end of times.
And then he began sprouting about power. She could do this and do that if she accepted. He would willingly do a contract with her on grant her power of a God. The Dragon God. But did that interest her? Not one big. Sure it sounded tempting but Lucy was not easily won over by such tempting offers. She had her morals. Her dignity.
And must importantly she had her freedom. Draco was in a sense just like how her father had been just less strict and more… pervy, annoying and even childlike. It still amazed her that he was a God. Guess the shock the Dragons would have when they meet him...
Anyways, bottom line was that Draco was annoying fuck. Reminding herself of her past she hated at the Heartfilia Mansion.
So no freaking way was she going to accept just because he wanted her to and because he would grant her powers far greater than anything she knew. Nope.
So being fed up she told him off. She didn't care if this was a worshipped God she spoke to. For all she cared he could be oxygen, she would still tell him off. She didn't fear him.
"Listen here you big overgrown perverted lizard! I will accept Natsu whenever I feel like it. On my terms. Don't try to manipulate me because it won't work! And for Mavis sake, just tell me the fucking reason why you fucking insist on this to happen! I'm sick of you telling me, accept, accept every two second. Just shut up and tell me, dammit!"
A small silent pause ensued after she finished her rant. She felt somewhat victorious that she finally got the Dragon God to shut up. But it only lasted 40 seconds. Much to her liking.
"You Heartfilia women are strange… but fine." He said with much amusements she could practically see his huge ass grin as he spoke. "I'll tell you. Just promise – no, don't want to hear your screaming voice in my head. Alright. The reason I want to gain access to the Neutral Realm, is because I want to bring my children back to my realm. There are so many lost souls abandoned in Earth Land and their cries for help have wounded my pure crystal heart. It hurts me so so deeply." He was being so over dramatic the blonde couldn't help but roll her eyes. "So I want to give them life back, after how badly they've been treated on Earth Land. I want revenge on-"
"Hold on, hold on." She interrupted. "So you want to collect all the Dragons' souls back to your realm, and then revive them? And then have your revenge on humanity? Are you stupid?"
"No? I believe I'm quite wise."
Groaning and the blonde facepalmed. "Ugh. Your parents must've dropped you as a child." She remarked. Could this Dragon by any weirder. Who answers that?
"I was never a child."
"Well… no Lucy don't even bother." She told herself, as she rubbed her temples. Draco was testing her patience. Or what was left of it at least.
"Draco." She started after letting out a deep frustrated sigh. "You just gave me another reason not to accept your offer. If giving you access to this realm means you will try to bring justice to your kin, then no. There is no way Hell that I will allow that. What happened centuries ago doesn't have anything to with this generation of people. So no. My answers is definitely no. I will not accept you or Natsu."
"Fine. I won't avenge anyone.." he relented and she was sure she could hear him sulk and perhaps pout too. "But a little of destruction here and there won't hurt, will it?"
"Draco!" She said with a threatening growl. "Do you want to tarnish your people even more? Don't be petty. And just… just shut it."
"If I was there or you here, would you have hit me?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Nothing further to say."
Thank Mavis for that, Lucy sighed.
"But," She groaned and buried her face into her pillow. What more could he want to say. "I want to meet your Slayer friends and their mates if possible. Even those without parents too. So what about you bring them to the Celestial Realm on Saturday your time so I can get acquainted with them?"
She thought about. For like three seconds. It wouldn't be bad, she figured. Plus it would make it easier for her to explain to Natsu why exactly they were "destined" to mate.
"Why not the Dragon Realm?"
"Because it isn't as human friendly as the Celestial realm, plus food is delicious here. Stache knows how to feast." She could hear the grin that formed on his face and smiled. Even he called the Spirit King, Mustache Man King or Stache King like she did. Or he picked it up after she chewed off both their heads earlier – calmer but not tamed – and used up a lot of profanities. She was perhaps possed with a Demon Mira, Angry Erza and Aquarius mixed together at that moment.
Yet they were only amused by her. Which just had pissed her off further, and another rant ensued till she had calmed down till she could form a more civilized conversation.
"And did the Stache King agree to this? And yes, Celestial food is one of the best. Virgo and Aries are the great cooks." She agreed.
"It was his suggestion, actually. Little Leo was against it though, so if you see him a bit battered and bruised, don't mind. I just used him as a tooth pick real quick." The blonde blanched and pitied her spirit.
"I would like that you treated my spirits with some respect, Draco. They are a packaged deal. If you harm them you harm me."
"Hey! He challenged me. And I went easy on him... A little."
Shaking her head, she decided to let it slip this time. "Just don't let it happen again." She warned.
"Yeah yeah. So you accept?"
"To come to the Celestial realm with my friends, yes that I accept." She smirked when she heard him grumble something that wasn't in any language she knew of but she had a feeling that it was him saying something along the line: sneaky little….
"And about the other part? Just say yes and it will all be over. Just a little tiny yes."
"No. So shut up and get out of my head. I have a long day tomorrow. We'll talk more when I arrive Saturday."
"Just a tiny –"
"Draco, if I hear you speak one more time I'll personally ask Stache King and some other gods to help me punish you. Shut up and leave already! I'm tired."
Sulking the Dragon relented. "Fine. Just… think about it. And good night little Star child."
"I will, so good night stupid overgrown perverted lizard. See you in a week." She smiled as she walked over to her bed, and then hurriedly added. "And don't pop up inside my head again."
"Hey, I only wanted to help making your decision easier." He defended.
"Well you didn't help. At all. So just don't do that again. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
And their connection was lost.
The blonde let out a deep breath and began to undress. It had been a long day. And so much thinking. But she couldn't help the smile when she through about the Dragon. It was like they were long lost friends by the way they spoke to each other - if you ignore his annoying nature of asking her to accept..
Yet she couldn't help frowning too.
"What should I do?" She asked the now dark room. Had Draco been right? Her mind had wandered to Natsu once more.
"We are best friends, I don't want to lose our friendship. I'm afraid that if I accept, everything will change… because.." tears welled in her eyes. "Because I do love him…"
She admitted it. She loved Natsu, but she's letting her fears control her. She doesn't want things to change. She had lost him once, and that was the first time she had felt the emotion. Love.
It had been painful. She was heart broken when he left. Not only had Aquarius left – been sacrificed – and then he left with Happy. Leaving her alone. Just one letter, and that wasn't even a goodbye letter.
And then she truly felt alone when the guild disbanded. Everyone went their separate ways, and she was left all alone. Her family gone..
So she pushed those feelings away before they could form further, and locked it deep inside the pit of her heart. She denied liking him, loving him even, so much that even she began to believe her own lies. She believed that she didn't like Natsu. She just couldn't. It hurt too much and she didn't want that pain. To feel so heart broken and lost. Never.
But after thinking about it, and after Aquarius' lecturing her, she came to realize that she did in fact love Natsu but she was afraid to act upon her feelings. She was afraid that if she allowed herself to agree, everything she did would be for naught. She would be reminded of her first heartbreak. And that was something she couldn't allow. Not yet.
Strengthening her heart and resolve, she decided that she wasn't there just yet. She needed time. She needed to see his sincerity. His willingness to be with her... his love.
She had to see it all before she could even think about reciprocating his feelings.
Only then would she be able to open up her heart once more and fall completely and utterly in love with him. Only then…
Wow. 9000 + words just because I didn't know where to stop. Shit. O.O
Oh well. XD
Just to clarify somethings. Natsu is not E.N.D in this story. Didn't want to follow the original plot. So E.N.D is a Demon Zeref created in Natsu's imagine. Think of it like he's Natsu's Evil Twin brother separated at birth. XD haha. And that whole body fusing thing, well that's because when Zeref first began his research on making his Demons, he thought of a way to save Natsu's then frail body by making the perfect Demon for him. And today, the present, he still want to fuse their bodies so he can finally die. Or at least get a decent fight out of it. XD
And about the book killing Natsu if it was to be destroyed… let's just leave it at that for now. Lucy may be misinformed or it may be the truth. Who knows? XD
And Draco! My sweet, sweet overgrown perverted lizard! I love Draco. Draco is the best! I think I've included him almost in every story I have written. That's how much I looooove him. XD
And I thrive for a DraLu relationship. Friendship of course! XD OR parental DraLu. Just DraLu in general is good for me. XD
I think I made my point. DraLu for the win! XD and NALU! Gi hi!
Anyways, tell me what you thought about this chappie in the reviews and if things were confusing! And sorry if I rushed things. I just wrote what I felt like…
I probably won't be able to update again for a while. I'm going on a two weeks trip to the countryside starting tomorrow, and there won't be any WiFi or signal. Sad, but I'm actually excited. Going to chill with my childhood friend/cousin. Haven't seen her a while. ^-^
So yeah. Review, fave and follow!
Peace out!
-Oby Abel-