I watched the blonde, forcing my tears back as Gajeel walked in holding plates of food. He was a dragon slayer so he had a higher immune system than regular people. He watched the scene for a moment and shook his head.
"I talked to Levy…" He trailed off and I shook my head.
"Don't tell me now...tell me later." I said firmly. He frowned but didn't say anything else, setting the plates on my desk. "Wendy is almost done eating. She'll be up soon." He told me and I nodded. He left the room, turning the lamps on before.
The door closed and I sucked in a deep breath, holding the girl closer to me. She cuddled into me, a slight smile on her face in her delirious dreams. Before I could stop it a tear fell from eye. That smile wasn't for me. It was for someone who wasn't her mate.
"Mavis have mercy on me." I whispered, pushing my nose into her hair. I could guess what Gajeel had to tell me by the time of his voice. The mark probably counted. I couldn't reject her if it counted. There were two options. I could tell her and pray that she would stay with me...or I wouldn't tell her and suffer my fate. I licked my lips and took a deep breath.
"Sa...Salamander?" A groggy voice asked and I looked down. Lucifer was looking at me in confusion through tired and sick eyes. My own widened, hoping she wouldn't notice the light tear streaks on my cheeks from puffy eyes.
"Hey...how are you feeling?" I asked, she seemed in a decent state of mind, not the delirious from before.
"I...feel awful. I don't know why it's just...goodness my head is pounding and my stomach hurts so much...I'm so...cold." She shivered and snuggled closer to me subconsciously.
"You have a pretty high temperature, once Wendy is done eating if she has enough energy she'll be up here to heal you." I explained. She hummed for a moment.
"Why are you holding me?" She asked and I let out a deep breath through my nose.
"I came in to wake you up so you could eat and you were really warm, when I tried to go get Erza to check you you kept tugging on me. When I got Erza in here and we were discussing things youuuuu…." I trialed off, not sure if I should tell her what she said about me being sexy or not.
"I what?" She asked and I decided against it.
"You said you were cold so I sat down and you rolled over. You asked me to cuddle like before…" I trailed off again as her blurry mind processed what I was saying. Realization hit her and to my surprise a blush rose to her cheeks.
"Oh...I'm sorry. You didn't have too you know." Was that guilt in her voice? I shook my head slightly.
"Hey don't worry about it, I don't mind...it's kinda nice Luce." I stopped when I used her nickname, worry running through me. It had come out without me even thinking about it. Would she be mad? I hated having to call her Lucifer. Luce just sounded so much better on my tongue than the others. She didn't seem to mind but suddenly her face scrunched up with pain and she curled in on herself slightly.
"It hurts." She whimpered and the reason for my worry switched. I sucked in a deep breath, rolling her over so she was on her back, still between my legs.
"What're you doin?" She mumbled through her pain and I shook my head.
"Just trust me alright? I won't hurt you. Lean back on my chest. If you're stomach hurts and you curl up like that it's going to hurt worse. You need to stretch out some." I explained to her firmly but with a caring voice. It seemed to work, that or she was in too much pain to argue. I sucked in a breath, moving my hands down and hooking my fingers under her shirt, pulling up.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, swatting my hands away as she burst into a coughing fit. I let out a frustrated sigh through my nose and rolled my eyes up to the ceiling.
"Luce just trust me." I ordered and she paused with trying to push my hands away, her body still tense.
"Now I said I wasn't going to hurt you. Do you trust me?" I asked.
"You can't pull my top off! I have a boyfriEND." Her pitch got higher as another wave of pain ran through her. I flinched, pushing away the sudden rage and grief I felt.
"I know." I hissed, shaking my head and pulling her top up quickly. She squealed but paused when I folded it over her breasts, the fabric never uncovering her chest. She let out a deep breath and I brought my hands down, pressing them to her stomach.
"Where does it hurt?" I asked her, my voice gentler and calmer than a second ago. She took an unsteady breath.
"Down a little." She instructed and I slid both hands down slowly until she told me to stop. I took in a breath, slowly starting to rub where it hurt her, being gentle. After a second a soft sigh came from her and I felt her relax against me, her head on my shoulder. I sighed myself, glancing at the scar on her neck before resting my chin on her shoulder, continuing to rub her stomach. I had a frown on my face, my mind whirling with ideas.
"Hey Luce…?" I asked quietly, not sure if I wanted to continue.
"Yeah?" She matched my tone, as if picking up on the need for quietness.
"Do you...love Sting?" I asked, forcing my throat open so I didn't choke on my words. She was silent for a long moment and I felt myself getting dizzy with the wait. She was an extremely smart person, does she know why I asked?
"I do love him, being away from him made me realize how much I appreciate him." She told me. I licked my lips, pulling my chin away slightly so I could look at her face. She craned her neck slightly, looking back at me. Our faces were close and I met her eyes.
"Do you think you could ever be happy with someone else?" I asked her, my voice barely a whisper. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes as she tried to read mine but I kept my emotions strictly hidden, waiting for her to answer me.
"I don't think so…" She said and I slowly nodded, looking away from her. I felt like my insides was being torn open. I started rubbing her stomach again.
"Why did you ask?" She questioned and I shrugged slightly, not answering until she touched my hand with hers. I paused, staring at our hands.
"Please answer me…" She trailed off and I shrugged again.
"Gray likes you." I lied easily.
"Bullshit." She said and I sighed, looking over at her.
"Salamander what's wrong?" She asked, concern in her voice. I would have to come up with something better. Why not tell her the truth? I huffed at my own thoughts.
"I don't know...everything is more fun when you're around. No one really wants you to leave." I told her, not exactly lying. She looked at me for a second before smiling, leaning forward. I nearly choked on my own spit when she kissed my cheek. The skin tingled slightly and I looked at her in surprise.
"Wha…" I trailed off, feeling speechless. She gave me a sympathetic look.
"I really like everyone in Fairy Tail...but I can't leave Sabertooth...this mark on my chest shows everyone who I belong to." She said and I tensed.
"You don't belong to anyone. No one owns you. Isn't that why you ran away in the first place? Don't you have fun with us?" I asked, hurt leaking through my voice. She pulled away, flinching and holding her head as I let her move away.
"That's not it Salamander...but Sabertooth is where I need to be. I have fun with you guys yes but you're forgetting I didn't choose to be at Fairy Tail. Sabertooth is where I need to be, just like you need to be with Fairy Tail. We're from two different guilds and now war has been declared. Please...understand." She said firmly. I held her gaze for a long moment before the door opened. Wendy and Gray both paused in the doorway, looking between us.
"Are we interrupting something?" Gray asked after a moment and I shook my head, getting up and grabbing my belt, pulling on my boots and jacket.
"No. Wendy please heal her then I want you back in bed. Gray come with me." I said firmly, tying my belt around my hips, my swords familiar weight offering slight comfort.
"Salamander…" Lucifer's soft voice made me pause, my hand on the door near Gray. I met her eyes and forced a grin. It felt weird. Two months ago it was the easiest thing and I did it all the time. Now it seemed just as painful as after Lisanna had died, forcing a grin. Was it because being around Lucifer I had been smiling for real?
"Get better." Was all I said, short and simple before turning again and walking out, Gray behind me. The doors closed and I sucked in a deep breath. The air was still crisp and cold but signs of the near coming spring would start to show soon.
"What's up flame brain?" Gray asked and I turned to him, ignoring his insult. I gave him a serious look.
"Gray, would you be willing to be Captain if something happened to me?" I asked and his eyes widened in surprise.
"What?!" He exclaimed and I moved closer.
"You're my second mate. If something happens to me are you going to take over?" I asked, my serious tone not letting up. He narrowed his eyes.
"Natsu what are you talking about?" He asked.
"Just answer the question." I snapped and he let out a breath through his nose, both of our breaths clouding in the air.
"I would take over and return to Master Makarov. If he wanted me to be captain then I would be captain." He said and I licked my lips.
"Who would be your first mate?" I questioned, he answered without hesitation.
"Erza would be my first mate, Gajeel would be my second mate." He told me and I slowly nodded. We were quiet for a moment and I took a breath, looking up at the stars that were starting to come out.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked back at Gray, a serious look on his face as well.
"Why are you asking these questions?" He demanded, a 'don't fuck around' look on his face. I pushed aside the competitive side of me, knowing that I could confide in him when I really needed too.
"I just...want to make sure." I said slowly. He didn't say anything, just stared at me waiting for me to continue. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
"Lucifer...she's my mate." I sighed quietly and his eyes widened, understanding everything.
"Reject her. We all want her to stay but we know she won't. Natsu you have to." He said firmly and I shook my head.
"I can't…" I trailed off and Gray grabbed both of my shoulders, forcing me to face him fully.
"Why not!? You can't just do that and leave us!" He snapped, struggling to keep his voice low. I grabbed his arms back.
"You think I don't want too!? I can't! I fucked up when we were little, I didn't know what it was and I marked her. You don't think I know what's going to happen?" I hissed at him and he took a few deep breaths.
"Then she has to stay. You've got to tell her and she has to stay." He concluded and I shook my head.
"What if she doesn't want to stay?"
"Then we make her stay." He growled and I shook my head again.
"No...she wouldn't be happy." I said quietly and his shoulders sank.
"There's gotta be a way…" He trailed off and I frowned.
"Why are you so determined? Don't you want to be captain?" I asked and he glared at me.
"Why did you knock me out instead of letting me fight Lyon when I could hardly stand?" He asked and I scowled at him. We shared a look and I sighed.
"Come on, let's go talk to Levy." I said and he nodded, both of us turning and making our way across the ship to where Lucifer had been held captive when she first arrived.
I opened the door, seeing Levy hunched over a desk and reading a book while scribbling away on a paper, Reedus reading a paper and every other word seemed to paint another thing on the canvas. Gajeel was in a chair next to but slightly behind Levy, watching her carefully like he usually did. I had never understood how he could be content with just watching her work. Wasn't that boring? But now I understood it wasn't him watching her work. It was him watching her do something she was passionate about. I understood because that's how I felt when I watched Lucifer fight or spar. It was enchanting. Even the little things Lucifer did I was content to watch.
"Aye Captain." Reedus said, glancing from his canvas. I nodded to him, Gray closing the door. Levy looked up in surprise, a half eaten plate of food on the edge of her desk.
"Captain?" She asked and I rolled my shoulders.
"Reedus could you give us a moment?" I asked and he nodded.
"Oui," he said, standing up and leaving the room. Levy tilted her head and Gajeel crossed his arms. Gray sat on Reedus's stool and I sat in a chair in front of Levy's desk.
"What did you find out?" I asked and she frowned.
"About what?" She asked and I frowned myself. Gajeel coughed and realization washed over her.
"Oooohhh! That! Yeah okay so I was doing some research and found out something that might help. You marked her before you hit puberty so it was before your dragon instincts were a big part of you. But it was still a mark." She explained and I tilted my head.
"Annnnd?" Gray drawled out and Levy continued.
"So it would only affect you if both parties acknowledge it as your marking and her as your mate. If she left you for someone else it wouldn't kill you, you would have bad mood swings for a long time and you could be caused physical pain but it would go away unless…" She trailed off; a blush on her cheeks.
"Unless what?" I asked, my mind spinning as she slowly went on.
"Unless she was in trouble or...having intercourse." It took me a minute to process what she said, my fists catching fire.
"I see." I choked out. Levy gave me a sympathetic look.
"But since you're already so attached...it's best that you keep your distance until we drop her off, you guys can't be alone together." Gajeel said and I growled out.
"You can't-!" I started but Gray joined in.
"Natsu stop it! We don't need to risk anything. You want Lucifer to be happy then this is how we do it and keep you too." Gray said and I shrunk into my seat.
"I...fine." I muttered, looking away. The three nodded and I sighed, running a hand through my hair and standing up.
"Thanks Levy." I told her and she nodded, giving me a grin
I walked out, taking in a deep breath. I couldn't tell Lucifer. She would know and then when she left I'd be left to suffer my fate. I couldn't do that...she would feel guilty for it and then I would cause my family pain. I watched Wendy leave my room, crossing the deck towards her. She gave me a tired smile.
"Hey Natsu." She said tiredly and I put a hand on her shoulder.
"How's Lucifer?" I asked and she yawned.
"She's better. She'll still feel kinda bad for the next day or two but she's fine now, you could go see her if you want-" I cut her off, shaking my head.
"No...it's fine. I'm sure you did a good job. Anyway I want you to go back to bed, you used a lot of magic earlier." I said and she gave me a grin.
"I'm a Fairy tail mage Natsu! I can handle it. Besides I've been getting stronger with my magic." She said and I gave her my own grin, fist bumping her and doing our little handshake.
"Damn right! You're getting stronger everyday. We just need to work on your mundane fighting skills." I said and she pouted, a look of worry on her face.
"But I'm no good at that Natsu." She whined and I ruffled her hair.
"Alright well here. What if I taught you a few things? I know Ice Princess is a pretty weird teacher." I told her. Gray was in charge of teaching Wendy how to sword fight and do hand to hand combat but he had all but given up due to Wendy always skipping the lessons or her not getting it. Her eyes sparkled slightly.
"Really? You think you can teach me?" She asked and I gave her a huge grin.
"Yeah! We'll start tomorrow alright? Besides, Gray shouldn't be teaching you anyway. You need a dragonslayer." I said proudly, holding up my fist. She grinned and nodded.
"Alright! I'll try my best!" She said in excitement.
"Wendy come on, you need to rest child." Carla called, giving me an annoyed look since I was talking about fighting. I shrugged at her. Wendy quickly said goodnight, walking off with Carla over her shoulder. I sucked in a deep breath of the cold air, letting it clear my head. I caught a whiff of strawberries and looked up. Lucifer was at the top of the helm, her hands on the railing. Our eyes made contact. Something about the way she looked at me underneath her mask caused the hairs on the back of my neck to raise. She had a knowing look on her face, as if she could see into my soul. It was as if she was somewhat disappointed but in what I didn't know.
I felt a sting in my chest and let out the deep breath, shaking my head slightly at what I knew I would have to do, breaking my gaze with her and turning my back, going below deck where calls of my guildmates could be heard.
It was as she herself had said. War is coming and we're from different guilds. She's my mate and I want her by my side. But that wouldn't make her happy. And as long as she doesn't know and doesn't acknowledge it I'm mostly safe.
Sharp pain coursed through my chest and I grabbed onto the wall for support, taking in a deep breath before continuing my way down. I'll drop her off and then I'll start making plans. We would sail back to the guild house immediately and if the Master said so, we would be going to war.