14 Deal with the Devil
The pair was sitting on the bed, with Lucy sitting between Natsu's legs, her own slender ones wrapped around his waist, her ankles locking behind him.
Lucy was top naked, her blonde hair was a disheveled mess around her shoulders and her slim arms were wrapped tightly around the male's wide torso. Her fingers were splayed across his muscular back, her nails digging marks into the slightly battle scarred surface of the tanned skin.
A series of expressions played out across her face; pleasure, delight, lust and even a little pain, as she clutched onto her partner as though she was riding a tsunami of emotions and he was her lifeline.
"Na… Natsu…."
Lucy mewled softly and her head fell backwards when he did that little nibbling and suckling thing again across the highly sensitized flesh circling her hardened nub, his tongue coming out to wet the titillated surface lasciviously.
Involuntarily, she ground her body harder against Natsu's and a shiver of delight ran through her when she heard him growl audibly in the back of his throat.
Natsu too was top naked, his scarf having been discarded in a messy pile of white at the end of the bed. The moonlight that filtered in through the open window reflected off it and gave it a slightly dusty glow, as though the small boxes of white had indeed become the shimmering scales that clothed a dragon.
Natsu's brow furrowed when she pressed herself firmer against his own body, and a sound of delight rumbled at the back of his throat. It was unintelligible and deep, rather like a beast than a human and truth be told, it kind of frightened him.
It frightened him that this blonde girl… no, this woman, in his arms could elicit such a raw sound from him. It felt as though the scaly beast that dwelled in him that only appeared when his blood boiled with the fire of battle wanted to be unleashed and take her, claim her, at this very moment.
Urgency suddenly filled his mind and Natsu lifted his head up to press their lips together again. Lucy blinked in surprise but she caught on quickly and clutched at his hair, responding to his kiss with her own form of wild abandon.
He moved one hand to the back of her head and wrapped the other arm around her waist firmly and eased his legs into a kneeling position. Lucy wrapped her arms around his bare shoulders as he slowly lowered them both down onto the bed. With her body now lying on the soft mattress, Lucy gasped softly in protest when the male broke the kiss and moved his head away from her. Natsu was on all fours above her and he paused for a moment in silent admiration.
Lucy's face was flushed, and her golden strands were spread out like the rays of the sun, framing her beautiful heart shaped face. Her amber eyes regarded him curiously as she watched him watch her. Her chest rose and fell in quick, short breaths as her heart thumped with a hastened rhythm that mirrored his own.
"Natsu…?"
He chuckled softly and lifted a hand to her cheek.
"Luc-"
The door burst open with a slam, and yellowish light from the corridor flooded the entranceway of the room as a very unsuspecting girl burst into the room in excitement.
"Natsu! Lucy! Come quickly! Droy's a-Kyaaaa!"
Upon the sudden intrusion, Lucy peeked over the male's shoulder only to shriek in horror.
The small blunette's silhouette in the middle of the doorway was illuminated from behind by the light in the corridor. Natsu gave a startled gasp and instinctively huddled himself over the blonde protectively, his hand coming up to press her head against his chest as he attempted to hide her from sight. He snapped his head around to glare at the midget of a girl.
"Levy!"
Catching her senses, the blunette let out a sort of strangled sound and immediately ducked out into the corridor.
"S-sorry! I didn't… I didn't know you guys were busy."
He sighed. "Never mind now. What's up?"
Levy's head tilted slightly into view from behind the wall but she did not peek in. "Sorry… I- I just came to say that Droy's awake."
Lucy perked instantly, her head popping up from being buried against the pink haired male's chest. "He is? Is that true, Levy – chan?"
"Mmhmm." The happiness in the blunette's voice was obvious despite her embarrassment.
"I'll come over immediately! Just… Just give me a minute to… get ready."
"I'll return to my room first. You guys can come over once you're um… decent." The small girl quickly shut the door to the room and fled the scene.
Natsu released Lucy from his embrace and moved away from her. "You ok, Luce?"
She nodded and hurriedly slid on her tank top, only to realize that it wouldn't be enough, given all the fresh marks he had left on her skin. Lucy felt her face heat up again as she climbed off the bed, fully aware that he was watching her every move.
"Get dressed, Natsu."
The male clasped his hands behind his neck, a protesting look on his face. "Ehhh… What for?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're going over to see Droy."
"Geez. It's not like I've got anything to hide…"
True that. She sighed, pulling on a long sleeve cardigan and buttoning it all the way up. Lucy strode over to where the blue feline was curled up.
"Happy… Happy. Wake up."
"Ru… Rushi? Is it morning?"
"No, but Droy's awake. We're going over to visit him."
"But…" The cat yawned widely and rubbed a paw over his face.
Lucy turned when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Natsu was standing there, his scarf wrapped around his shoulders. His vest was still hanging from the chair.
"C'mon, Lucy. Happy's not going to get up unless you have fish prepared for him."
Sighing, Lucy followed him out of the room, and closed the door softly behind her.
Droy was sitting up on the bed and clutching his head when they walked in. "Lucy! Na- Aaah!"
He gave a startled yell when the blonde girl suddenly launched herself at him, flinging her arms around his wide frame with a delighted squeal.
"Droy! I'm so glad you're ok!"
"O-oh." The large male gave her a comforting smile. "Me too."
Natsu clapped a hand on his back and grinned widely. "Yo, Droy! Great to have you back. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've slept too much…" He groaned as Lucy moved away, her face beaming with a smile. She clasped her hands on his shoulders and smiled broadly at him, her eyes crinkling up with joy. The sincere look in her eyes embarrassed him and Droy turned away, scratching his head.
"What on Earthland happened?"
"We don't know."
Levy piped up from where she was sitting at the end of the bed. "I highly suspect what happened to Natsu is related to Droy's blackout. I've been researching using the information Lu – chan told me about what happened to Natsu but I… I can't seem to find anything substantial."
She folded her arms with a dissatisfied sigh. "You sure you didn't see any runes, Lu – chan?"
"Nuh uh."
"Ah mou… That's what makes it so troublesome. The only other magic that I came across that serves as a form of isolation barrier is something called Sphere magic. But Sphere magic died out almost three hundred years ago when the only village that practiced it was buried in a landslide and was never successfully excavated out."
A grave look came into her eyes. "And that being that attacked Natsu and knocked Droy out… I can't find anything about it."
"How could they be attacked by something that doesn't exist?" Lucy replied, surprised.
The blunette shook her head. "No, Lu – chan. It's not that it doesn't exist, but more like it has been erased."
Shock was apparent on the trio's faces as they stared at the blunette and she continued.
"Every time I came across anything that looked remotely like shadow possession, the trail would suddenly hit a wall. Almost as though someone doesn't want their secrets on this form of magic to get out, even going so far as destroying any mention of it in books and manuscripts."
A dark silence fell over the group as the implication of the girl's words sunk in. Eradication of magic records was never a good sign, since it reflected that this magic was either ridiculously dangerous, the user had very powerful connections, or that it was ridiculously dangerous.
"So… So what now?" Lucy asked softly. "We can't just stay here waiting. What if whoever attacked Natsu and Droy comes back?"
Her hands twiddled together nervously. "I… I can't bear to go through last night again. I felt so useless… powerless."
"Lucy…"
The worry on the blonde's face was reflected on Natsu's, but his stemmed more from worry for the blonde rather than for his own safety.
Levy sighed. "For now, we can only stay put till the guys return. Then we'll head back to Magnolia to finish the job. There, I'll have access to the guild's extensive library collection. We'll definitely be able to find something, Lu – chan." The blunette gave her friend a comforting smile, even though she wasn't really feeling it inside.
"Also." Levy lifted a finger. "I sent out a special mage – seeking letter to someone whose help we might need."
"Someone?" Droy looked up in surprise.
"Yeah. He's an expert. I think. I just hope he'll be able to reach Magnolia soon by the time we return home and that he agrees to help us."
"Levy – chan. Who is it?"
The blunette winked and grinned. "It's a secret. You'll find out."
"Mou… Levy. Just tell us already." Natsu clasped his hands behind his head as he fidgeted impatiently on the bed.
"Nope. Haha." Levy smirked. The fact that she knew something that they didn't was making her feel proud and there was no way she was going to reveal it before time. She got up and made a shooing action at the pair.
"Now get out. Droy and I are going down for supper."
The rest of the night past uneventfully for the couple. After they had returned to the room, Lucy had headed straight for the bed and laid down. Her mood for any romance had dissipated after she had heard what her friend had discovered on their assailants, or rather, what she could not discover.
The mystery was not reassuring in the least.
Natsu had also plopped down on the bed with a look that told Lucy that he was busy with his thoughts. While the male hadn't seemed to pay the news of their unwelcomed guests much concern just now, Lucy knew he had to be bothered by it too. After all, he had been attacked by them.
"Natsu."
"Hmm?"
"If… someone comes for you again, make sure you tell me. I don't want to be kept in the dark. I want… I want to be able to help you."
He paused for a second at the determined look in her amber eyes and smiled. "We'll see."
"Natsu!"
The male chuckled. He turned onto his side and draped one arm around her waist. "Don't worry about that, Lucy. Of course I'll tell you, we're still part of the same team. But geez… it really bothers me…"
He groaned in annoyance.
"What does?"
The fact that we have obviously been targeted by someone who's after who knows what? And that if you're taken out again, Levy, Droy and I may not be able to hold out for long? Considering that we don't even know how many people are after us and what type of magic they wield, but given what we have seen, I doubt we'll stand much of a chance…
"That Levy, of course!"
He exclaimed in indignation, his hands fisting. "That annoying blue midget… I bet she thinks she's all smarty-pants and all, keeping secrets from us like that. If she wasn't female and all weak looking, I would have kicked the crap out of her already!
"Haahh?!"
"Grrrr. Whatever! I bet I can figure out who she contacted in no time at all. Ahahahaha! Eh tou… She sent out a mage – seeking letter, which mean she doesn't know where the person is now…"
Lucy watched incredulously as the male started ticking names off his fingers.
"Gildarts? Laxus? The Raijinshuu? Eh… But she said it was a male. Lucy, Evergreen's not secretly male, is she?"
"Ano neh…"
"Trimens? Ichiya? Geeeeh! She had better not have contacted the perverted angel Master Bob!"
Natsu's face drained of colour as dark lines of impending doom lined his forehead when the memory of how Master Bob had 'nursed' them back to health on the Christina came back to him. Thank God the freakish baldie had been more interested in the Ice Idiot to bother much with Natsu…
"Ahhhhh! Now his face is in my head!" He shrieked in fear, as he rolled about on the bed in agony, clutching his head.
Lucy hurriedly scooted away from him and facepalmed, but her irritation didn't last. Seconds later, a smile was lining her lips and she positioned herself next to the male again, giggling against the back of her hand.
"Thanks, Natsu."
"Huh?"
His onyx eyes widened when the blonde suddenly leaned in and pecked his cheek. When she moved away, Natsu's face was flushed crimson and he pressed a palm against that cheek.
"W-what was that for?"
"Nothing nothing." She smiled and curled up next to him, her arm coming to rest on his chest where his heart beat under her fingers.
"Goodnight, Natsu."
"Ah~ I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry, Natsu."
Happy padded along behind him, as they made their way to the dining hall. Lucy had already disappeared from the room.
"Not true! You don't see me eat during a battle do you?"
"That's cause you eat the fire."
"Sou ka? Morning, Levy, Droy. Ah, Jet! You're back?"
"Ohayou, Natsu." The skinny male waved from where the trio were seating at a table having a lunch. The clock above their heads ticked to an early noon.
"Happy, come here. I have a souvenir for you. Picked it up on the way back from some street bazaar."
Jet dug through his bad and retrieved an odd – shaped package. The feline took one sniff and his eyes immediately burst into twin hearts as he dashed towards the male on his stubby legs.
"Sakana!"
The male laughed. "No need to be impatient. I bought it for you."
"Arigatou, Jet!"
Natsu walked over to the table and grabbed a fresh sausage croissant from the plate. "Where's Lucy?"
Levy looked up and gestured with a thumb at the main entrance of the inn. "She's talking with Loke outside."
"Hmm…"
The dragon slayer suddenly perked up when there was a series of banging sounds from outside that sounded very much like fire crackers being set off, and then he heard Loke's voice after the fire crackers had died off.
"Ai no hikari? What's that?" Natsu asked, as he bit into the crusty bun.
Happy sighed and shook his head as though disappointed.
"Loke's confessing to Lucy again in the same style. He has no creativity. Love confessions must always involve sakana!"
The dragon slayer froze and dropped the bread in his hand. "Nani?! Loke, that bastard…"
Jet and Droy stared at the door that Natsu had burst through, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
"What was that about?" Levy sighed and sipped from her juice. "Just ignore them."
Lucy was standing by the inn's vegetable patch with her hands held up, her palms facing the orange haired celestial spirit as she laughed sheepishly. Loke had his middle finger jammed up against the nose bridge of his shades as he smirked. His other hand was held straight up and red cursive letters had burst from his fingers. The words spelled out "I heart Lucy" with magical roses and vines tracing out a makeshift frame around the text.
A venial line popped on his forehead and Natsu zoomed forward, growling. "Oi, Loke! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Natsu!"
"Oh, Natsu. Good afternoon. You're finally up." The male added, smiling warmly.
"Loke, you asshole… Who do you think you're confessing to? Lucy's mine!"
The blonde gasped and flushed at his directness.
"Yours? Oh, you mean that. Natsu, don't be ridiculous. I don't believe in that. That's all human stuff."
Natsu gaped when the male reached out an arm and pulled a very surprised Lucy against himself.
"Lucy and I share a very special Celestial mage and Spirit bond. Neh, Lucy?" The blonde laughed, embarrassedly, as she pushed at the male's lapel.
"Te-me… Get your hands off Lucy." Natsu growled as flames started wrapping around his fist. Lucy blinked in surprise at the fire and sighed.
"Go back, Loke. You're just making it worse."
"As you wish, my lovely Lucy." He bowed gentlemanly, but not before throwing the seething dragon slayer another smug look.
"Ja. Call for me again when this reckless dummy can't help you."
"Hai hai." The blonde waved as the man in the tuxedo faded away.
"Lucy! Why'd you send him away?" Natsu protested, the flame dissipating.
"Why do you think? Mou... You're so childish, Natsu." She sighed as she strode back into the inn, leaving him to follow behind her whining.
Natsu was still grumpy by the time they reached the train station at Vermenopolis, even stubbornly refusing to lie on her lap even though the discomfort was nearly killing him.
Lucy sighed and looked up from where she had gazing out the window as they waited for the train to set off back to Clover station.
"Are you still mad, Natsu?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." The male grumbled as he folded his arms.
"Aye… Don't bother, Lucy. Natsu can be very stubborn." Happy commented, waving a paw nonchalantly.
The cat had chosen to sit on her lap, a position Natsu very much wished he was in, though his pride forbade him from giving in. Lucy sighed again.
"I said I was sorry, alright? Just get over it already."
"Hmph." If anything, he folded his arms tighter, eliciting an eye roll from the blonde.
Well, if he was going to be stubborn about this…
Lucy decided to ignore him for the rest of the journey back, which was rather difficult since the male looked like a picture of near death during the entire half day train ride, his only comfort being that he would get to rest at Clover for two hours before they took another ride back to Magnolia. Before long, the male had given up due to his weakness and started begging to lie on her lap again, to which she relented, seeing how much pain he was in.
Jet sat back down in his seat from where he had peeking over the seat divider to spy on them. He had initially wanted to tell the male to shut it with all the groaning since it was giving him a headache but the sight of the all powerful fire mage close to tears and pleading with the blonde for help had been too entertaining.
Jet chuckled, drawing the attention of the plump male sitting opposite him. Levy was still poring over her manuscripts, only looking up to add to the words floating in the air.
"What's so funny, Jet?"
"Nothing. Just amused from watching the pair of lovebirds behind us." He laughed again, propping his chin up on a fist as he looked out the window.
Droy paused mid bite. So it was true.
During the journey back to Vermeno, he had caught Lucy glancing at the dragon slayer who had fainted on the flat bed of the cart with an odd expression more than once. It was a mix of impatience, amusement, adoration and longing.
Her eyes seemed to say "How on Earthland did I fall in love with an idiot like this?"
The realization had hit him like a blow to the gut and he had been quiet ever since.
Told you so.
His breath hitched when the voice rang out, like an echo in his ear that only he could hear.
I told you so, didn't I? You don't stand a chance with the celestial mage. Not when she's constantly around that dragon slayer.
"I… Don't know what you mean." The large male muttered, annoyed.
Jet looked up sleepily. "Did you say something, Droy?"
"Eh? No no… Just talking to myself."
"Ok."
His friend looked surprised before chuckling. Within seconds, he was asleep against the window pane. Levy had also tucked away her scripts and pens and had her head buried in her arms on the table between them.
The voice laughed a child's laughter.
You don't have to say it out. All you need to do is think it. I'm in your head, I'll hear it loud and clear.
Who are you anyway? Why can I hear you but not the others?
Cause I'm in your head, you silly man. Pay attention when I'm speaking. Now, what are you going to do about it?
Huh? About what?
The blonde, of course. You like her, don't you? I've been looking at your memories, you've liked her for a very long time now. What? Ever since you first saw her?
The male fisted his hands. Who… who gave you permission to look at my private thoughts?
I can't help it. I'm part of you now.
Well, get out.
Can't do that.
Why not?!
Just cause. Besides, think of it this way, I can help you get the mage, that Lucy girl.
… What do you mean? Besides, why should I listen to you? I don't even know who you are.
Droy replied, angrily.
The voice sounded impatient.
Geez, it's really not that difficult. You want to look good for her, don't you? I can help you.
Don't be ridiculous.
I'm not lying.
The stranger paused, and when it resumed talking, the tone was deeper, the previous levity gone.
I'm serious. Think about it. Unlike you normal mages, I wield a great deal more magic. I can help you if you let me. Your choice. Either way, you're stuck with me anyway. Just think of me as your wish granting guardian angel.
… …
Come on, Droy. You know that by the time you manage to shed everything, the girl would have slipped out your fingers even more.
But… Natsu… Natsu's my precious friend. I don't want to hurt him.
Hurt? You're funny. Based on what I've seen from your memory, the entire guild is his friend. He won't suffer from just losing one girl.
But… I…
Make up your mind soon. I'm going to sleep now. Talking to you is irritating since you're so indecisive. Don't forget. If you take too long, you'll end up losing out.
Droy gasped when his mind suddenly cleared, like a sudden gust of wind had swept through his head. The presence that had been lurking there since morning, just waiting, had vanished. Not entirely though, the male still had a feeling he wasn't alone. It was hard to describe, but it felt as though there a second presence overshadowing him, although it did not seem the least bit malicious.
He was torn. Levy had linked what happened to Natsu to his situation, but the presence had yet to threaten him at all.
While he had been sleeping, Droy had awoken to a sudden pressure on his chest that had quickly spread to his throat area. The burn had almost made him scream out but as quickly as it had come, it had disappeared and the next thing he knew, he had blacked out.
Droy knew that he really should tell his blunette best friend about what he was experiencing but…
The large male arched his neck over the wooden backrest, looking past Jet's head and over to the next bench.
Lucy had fallen asleep, her head lying against the glass window pane. The sky outside was dark, since it was now past midnight, but the lacrima light fixtures overhead beamed down on her and cast an almost ethereal glow on her face.
Sleeping, she looked vulnerable, innocent and all too beautiful. The male felt a pang in his chest.
"Lucy…"
He recalled the moment he had first laid eyes on the pretty blonde.
She had been sitting at a bench in the guild hall when Shadow Gear had approached her, with Levy asking Lucy to let her see the story that she had been working on. Lucy had blushed and flustered, and Droy had thought that he had never seen a more adorable girl. Well, beside the small blunette.
"Lucy, I…"
"I'll help you. Believe it or not," Lucy grinned, her cheeks flushing despite the cold air. "I used to be overweight too, from all the snacks and sweets I loved as a kid, but the servants around always tried their best to help me. It's always easier with a friend, Droy."
Lucy, who always smiled even when she was crying.
Droy wanted to protect that smile. He clenched his fist, his brows furrowing.
I'll take it. I want your help.
The presence seeped back to the front of his mind.
Ohoh, you've decided then?
Yes. Help me win Lucy over. But I… don't know what you want in return.
Oh, don't worry about that. Guardian angels don't do trades, all they want to do is help people. The voice replied as if it was smiling.
I'll help you, don't worry.
Th-thanks… I think. What's your name, anyway?
My name? I suppose calling me Father would be weird.
Father?
Yeeeeaaah… It's really creepy when you call me that. The voice deadpanned.
Vas then.
Vas?
Yeah. My name is Vasuta. Nice to meet you, Droy.