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This would be the last chapter of Embracing Fire. Thank you for hanging on until here!
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Epilogue
When I saw her bleed, I wanted to run to her.
"Natsu!" Invel shouted when I moved to stand up.
He forced me to dock again with his arm but I felt a stabbing pain on my arm.
"Damn it!" I said while firing a shot at the direction where Lucy's assistant was..
He fell. I shot his head and probably it killed him. Their faces were hidden because most of them were wearing face masks. My stomach churned. These are men my dad trained. I personally know those who are firing and probably including the one I killed earlier.
That didn't stop me though. I fired more shots at them. Lucy is down because of this. If something happened to her, I'll never forgive myself.
"Natsu, you're shot!" Invel shouted.
I know. I got shot on my arm earlier but that didn't stop me. I joined my men in exchanging shots. I saw how the rest of them escaped. They were many but they got outnumbered. Lucy's father has many bodyguards and I also took many with me.
"Mard Geer is dead!" Jacob closed his eyes.
My stomach felt colder. These are the men my dad trained. I grew up with them. And I killed them too.
The police came. I need explanation. I need to know why they did it. What's the reason why they turned their backs against me, my brother, and even my deceased father. My agents silently mourned. I went inside the van that my men brought. I saw the wound on my arm. I'm bleeding but I don't care. Lucy's state now was bugging me more than this scratch. Damn it!
"What hospital was Jude Heartfilia's daughter taken?" I asked.
I grimaced at the pain in my arm. I dismantled the gun I used. Invel shook at me while observing what I'm doing.
"We still don't know. You also need to be brought to the nearest hospital. Some of our agents were wounded too. Kyouka was shot on the chest. She was on the van in front."
"What? No one stayed for the protection of the Heartfilias?" I shouted in both lain and horror.
"The police are there. Neinhart and Ajeel were left to talk to the police."
I wanted to curse. I saw many of our men earlier but no one stayed to protect Lucy? Fuck!
"The theory's right. They are planning an ambush!" Serena said while sitting on the shotgun seat.
I tore my white long sleeves to check my wound. At first, I thought it was just a scratch but based on the pain I'm feeling, I think there's a bullet buried there.
"The guns used were from Drakes, Natsu! Who else did you see earlier? I saw Mard!"
The truth is, we had a speculation that Touka would move one of these days. I know she's still not over her mother's death. Even myself. I still haven't forgot the pain of what happened before but I never want to dwell on revenge.
"I saw Mard," I said before clenching my jaw.
Mard Geer is one of our best agents. A veteran. He's a few years older than me and I treated him as a family. He's the one who taught me how to aim and I couldn't believe that he's one of the traitors!
We know that Touka has a plan to ambush them. The last time we talked, I told her to back off and stop attacking the Heartfilias. It's been years for God's sake!
"What, Natsu? You are damn falling for that Heartfilia, right? That's why you don't want this to happen anymore!"
"There's no use, Touka! Even if you got your revenge, it won't return the lives of our parents! It's a waste of time and energy! It's a waste of life!"
Her eyes widened at me. "No, really. You are falling for the girl!" she spat.
We couldn't get along anymore. That's why I assigned someone to man her and her moves. I just wasn't sure if the information we received were accurate since the one monitoring her was also a traitor! And I killed Mard on that battlefield!
Our van arrived in the hospital. Our agents rushed to get medical treatment. As it should since their wounds might be critical. I also had mine treated. I undergone an operation to remove the bullet in my arm.
And the whole time the doctor's operating me I can't help but think about Lucy. She was shot, for God's sake and I don't know where she is!
The operation was successful and I was made to rest in a room. Though, I didn't want to sleep, it was necessary.
I woke up at dawn. I opened my eyes to Zeref and Invel, quietly talking inside my room.
"Zeref!" I quickly got up.
My arm still hurts but I managed to raise my upper body. I don't need to stay here. I need to do something.
"Natsu, don't move too much..." Zeref immediately went beside me.
He guided me so I slapped his hands away. I don't need his help. I can do it. I moaned in pain that I felt in my chest.
"You're also wounded in there so they bandaged your chest," Invel answered my silent question.
"How's the Heartfilias? Which hospital were they taken? Invel, can you look for them!?" I said.
Zeref and Invel looked at each other. I almost shouted a curse. Can't this man hear me?
"The Heartfilias issued a Temporary Restraining Order. Any of Drakes agent can't go near the Heartfilias."
"Then don't introduce yourself as an agent! Just go there and see if she's okay!"
Zeref sighed, "I need Invel with me. Let's ask Larcade since he's new and still isn't known to public. Invel, go outside and tell Larcade..." Zeref said.
I sighed deeply and tried to stand. All my wounds were screaming in pain. I also felt tubes syringed in my veins. I quickly removed those. don't need it!
"What the hell happened?" I asked.
"I am sorry, Natsu but your speculations were true. We had no knowledge about where and when they would attack since it was Mard Geer who —"
"Why did they betrayed Drakes? Zeref? Damn it, what happened to them?"
My brother tightly closed his eyes. I know that he's also going through so much pain right now. He treated them as his own brothers and they they shot us themselves?
"You know Mard Geer liked Touka, right?"
"Fuck that!" I shouted.
"Natsu, and the rest were blinded by their loyalty to Mard. And of course, the extra money. They didn't know it would lead to this. According to Torafuzar —"
"What?" My eyes widened, "Even Torafuzar joined Mard?"
"Yes. He's one of those who escaped but were quickly caught. They were many, Natsu. Almost half of our men were involved and were on Touka's side."
I feel so damn desperate and helpless. The police already left so I just got angrier. Invel arrived with Larcade. His expression was grim while looking at me.
"Attorney Eehto is on his way here," Invel said. "Larcade is here to report about the Heartfilias..."
"What happened?" I said.
"They issued some statements from the victims. One of those is from Jude Heartfilia's daughter, the one who was shot."
"What statement?" I asked.
"That Drakes was behind the shooting. The she knows someone from Drakes and she knows the Head. I am not sure but the statements were forwarded to their lawyer and to Attorney Eehto. The detailed info was on their legal consultants," Larcade finished.
Waves of unnamed emotions filled my system. I wanted to break or wreck things. How could Lucy think so ill of me? I can't blame her, though. It's true that Drakes are involved. Damn it, I'll kill every traitor that's left!
"And she's leaving too. For her safety, she'll leave with her... I don't know... boyfriend? That Sting —"
"That's not her boyfriend." I tightly closed my eyes.
As soon as all these got settled, I'll look wherever she's hiding. Don't be afraid of me, Luce. I am not going to hurt you. I can never hurt you. I would never let anybody hurt you. Never.
The situation frustrated me more. Especially after I read the statement signed by Lucy.
Natsu Dragneel could be the mastermind of the ambush. He's the head of Drakes and the men involved were his men.
"Why is this case non bailable?" my brother shouted in anger.
"Zeref, it's the judge's orders,"
"No evidence can back their claims! It's still isn't proven that Natsu was the one who —"
"And there's also no evidence to tell that it's not him. Zeref, the bullets were clearly from Drakes. The men too were from Drakes. They confessed themselves and you also told us that they were indeed from Drakes —"
"We were damn betrayed by Senator Aalabaster!" Zeref shouted.
I couldn't talk. All I think about is Lucy's statements. One day, I am going to prove to you that I can never do that.
"That's what should be publicised!" Zeref argued.
"That should be but there are no evidences too! Even the men that were caught pointed the Drakes! All we can do now is abide the law. Follow due process to not irritate them while we're waiting for the evidences!"
"Who's the judge?" I asked.
"Judge Luna... There's nothing else we can do, Natsu, their evidence is strong but yes we are going to claim that you are betrayed."
I closed my eyes. How can we make them believ us if the caught men themselved were pointing at me?
And yes, like what the Heartfilias want. I was jailed. I spent the whole two months in the regular prison. I can't believe it. And while I was behind bars, I can think of nothing but the memories of me and Lucy together. I know she's out of the country but I'm hoping she'll visit. I've not been a total asshole in our entire relationship, damn it! I made her feel everything that I wanted her to feel because of me.
I closed my eyes while going back to our first night together. It sent shiver down my spine. The insides of Cerberus was dark. I was on the second floor that time while she's dancing at the floor below. Her beauty outshines all the colourful lights in the dance floor as she danced with closed eyes, hands combing her long golden hair.
"Watching someone?" Bixslow asked, my friend who's a shareholder and bartender of this bar.
I drank my scotch. This night, I am really going to go up to her. Damn her long legs, damn her silky golden hair, damn her perfectly narrowed nose, and damn her plump lips. I wonder how it feels like when I kissed her? Will it be as soft as it looks?
"Who's that girl? The blonde who's dancing in the middle with closed eyes?" I asked Bixslow.
"Hmm... It's Lucy," Bix started. "Oh, man, she has a boyfriend..."
Damn the hell I care about her boyfriend. I just want a taste of her lips.
"But it's a pity because her boyfriend kept on fooling her. She's probably here because last time I heard, she caught him cheating again."
I didn't talk. Though I am guilty of not being able to sty committed, I can't just believe a girl like her is putting up with men like that.
"Then why are they still together?" I asked.
"She's a martyr. She'll probably wont even look at you. She's really loyal to her dumbass boyfriend," Bixslow laughed.
"What's her real name?" I asked.
"Lucy Heartfilia..."
I turned to Bixslow. It's been three years since that ambush. It's true that I wanted to get revenge for the death of my father but I'll reserve that revenge to those who are really at fault.
"Heartfilia? She's the daughter of Jude Heartfilia?" I asked.
"Yup. His illegitimate daughter to be exact. You like her?" he asked.
I didn't reply anymore. I went down to the ground floor while drinking scotch. A waiter passed by me so I quickly placed the glass on his tray before approaching her.
I touched her hips. Her skin was soft and damn it, I am already turned on that fast!
I know she felt me behind her since she swayed her hips more. She turned around and faced me. Her warm chocolate eyes met mine. Her pouty lips parted which made me clench my jaw. Damn, she's going to slap me hard if I try to kiss her right now. But her damn lips looked so delicious!
I caressed her waist. I felt her slight shock. Her eyes got wider like she's not used to this.
She has a boyfriend, right? She's probably not a virgin anymore but hell I can deal with that. I wonder if she's wild in bed. I stared at her hips before my eyes traveled up to her lips. She bit it. I can't do this. I need to be alone with her. I need to taste her so bad.
I never felt this way towards a woman before. Normally it takes time for me to get turned on but this girl is too hot. I couldn't wait to feel her skin. I can't wait to kiss every inch of her. I can't wait to hear her moaning and whimpering. I want her panting and sweating under me. Images of her sweat in between her collarbones made me dizzy. Fuck it, Natsu, get a hold of yourself. You can't explode this early just yet! And when I laid my hands on her, I didn't care about those things anymore. I want her to moan in pleasure. I want her to whimper and moan in pleasure under me.
"Natsu, we need help. We should talk to Judge Luna. They also said that you helped his niece on her exhibit before. Do you know Ashley Luna? And it's a coincidence that she's Lucy's half sister!" Attorney said.
My eyes widened. They managed to transfer me to a more comfortable place but it's still enclosed with bars. Drakes is impaired. While this case is going on, it wasn't allowed to operate. I sent an amateur to Stella in search for Lucy. A newbie that was still in training and wasn't an official member of Drakes yet.
"Yes, I know the girl..." I said when I remembered something, "Fine."
I didn't want their help but I need it. They're also close to Lucy so it's better to use them for information.
A loud thud that was made by the utensils I threw echoes inside my room. The young agent who just made his reports about Lucy stood up in fear.
"Sir, I saw her w-with Sting Eucliffe while roaming around. They were holding hands. I still don't know anything except that. I didn't know that their security's still tight even if they're overseas —"
"Then work harder!" I furiously shouted.
We were that way when Zeref, Gray, Jellal, Laxus, and Makarov arrived. They were shocked at the utensils on the floor.
"Have you lost your mind, Natsu? That young man wouldn't be able to get close because Lucy's security is tight! Stop it! All we need now is to concentrate on your case! Just ask her mother if you're that thirsty for information!"
I couldn't talk because of anger. I closed my eyes and turned around for them to face my back. I don't need them right now.
"Natsu, if they found out that you're paying someone to stalk Lucy, that would just make their evidence stronger. Maybe we should concentrate on the case so-"
I cut Jellal off, "Wait till I get out of this prison! And what? When I got out she probably might left me already!" Fuck, I can hear the deafening frustration in my voice. I have completely lost my mind.
"Stalking her won't be easy, Natsu. She's probably angry at you now. She has a statement, right? And her family made sure that none of us can reach her too. Our companies are brothers so-"
"I need her to know what's going on! This could stop her from concluding that I'm a bad person!"
"She already concluded, if you weren't informed!" Gray shouted, joining Jellal on his pursuit while Laxus was just observing beside Makarov. "She has a fucking statement —"
"She was probably manipulated by her father! Damn it, Gray! Don't talk like that about Lucy!" I moved to punch him.
He took a step back and shook his head. Jellal rushed to stop us but Laxus got in between us first.
"We'll do what we can do-"
"Do whatever you can do, Laxus!" I shouted, "She's holding hands with her cheating boyfriend! My men told me, by the way. And what's next? They'll get married? Well, that's fucking fine. There's still divorce. When she returned here, I'll make sure she'll want to run back to me."
"Dammit, Natsu! Concentrate on your case so when all these damned issues are finished, you can fucking go to her and get her yourself!" Gray shouted.
But then her mother told me she's married to Sting. I felt every ounce of my strength left me. I comforted myself through her probable divorce but the question is, is she even going to return here?
Every night, I dream of her lips on someone elses lips. I felt like the pain is killing me. Her soft and long legs round someone else. Her pants given to her by someone other than me. I lost my mind thinking about it.
"Natsu, just forget about Lucy. She's happy now. You should be happy too. What happened to the playboy I know?" Ashley smiled at me. Her lips resembled Lucy's.
It's a total asshole move to get along with her sister. She wouldn't like it but fuck it, does she even bother? I wasn't even sure if she's still thinking about me! She's married! She's vowed with someone else and I still can't believe it.
Those eleven years inside prison changed me. I can't believe that in a span of 1 year, those things morphed me into a person I never imagine I would be.
Lucy taught me to see the good things in all people. That everyone can hurt but can also heal. That is why she still appreciate her parents despite of how they treat her. Because despite her knowing that they're like that, they still care for her in some ways.
Lucy taught me about how shallow revenge is. That it won't restore what was already destroyed.
Lucy taught me about sacrifice. You hurt for the people you love.
And damn it, Lucy taught me how to love. She taught me how to love without expecting something in return.
But why does this kind of love that I have for her needs her response? Thinking about her not loving me in return can hurt me beyond fucking repair. I feel like if I wouldn't feel her again, I would bleed to death.
Her love soothed me from the monsters and demons that haunted me. She tamed me through her lips and her eyes.
She's married to Sting Eucliffe. And the only thing that stopped me from completely going crazy is the news that she'll be in Crocus soon.
"Miss Lucy left," the agent said when I knocked on her unit.
"Huh? Where did she go?" I asked.
"I think she went for a jog. The two went with her."
It made me think. Should I follow Lucy or just wait here? If I'll go to her, there's no probability that I'll find her. Sativus High Street is quite big. But then I can text the agents and ask them.
I was shocked when the door of her unit opened.
"Who is it?"
An unfamiliar woman who looks younger than Lucy opened the door. If my trust to my agents weren't that big, I would say that I got the wrong unit. But I can't be mistaken, this is Lucy's home. Why is there another girl here?
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. She has a house help. She's the one who's left here when she leaves..."
I took a deep breath, "I'm Natsu Dragneel. A friend..." dammit, when would that change? "Of Lucy..."
She blushed and fidgeted with her hands. She's painfully shy but her heavy lidded eyes told me she's comfortable.
"I-I'm sorry! But Miss Lucy isn't expecting any visitors today."
"I didn't tell her I'm visiting. I planned on surprising her..." I reasoned.
She looked inside the unit before opening the door. Indeed it's Lucy's unit. The style of the room remained the same but the furniture changed.
"U-uhh I'm sorry, sir. I'm cleaning so it's a mess. Do you want some refreshments?"
She's holding a mop and she carefully placed it on its container to properly entertain me. I sat on the sofa. I made myself comfortable there. Imagine how will Lucy react if she saw me right here?
"I'm fine with water," I said.
The young girl nodded and went to the kitchen. I turned the TV on. It displayed some cartoon show.
The girl went back and placed the water on the coffee table. She excused herself before grabbing a mat.
She placed it beside the TV cabinet. What is this, she's going to sleep or exercise? The girl glanced at the clock.
"Is Lucy like this every day? I mean does she jog at this hour? And when does she return home?"
"Usually sir Miss Lucy goes home around nine. She jogs regular."
Why didn't she just buy treadmill, then? Oh well, she probably wants to see some things.
"But she might be back early because she bought food for Beau..."
My eyes stayed in the young girl. Who's Beau?
"E-excuse me, sir..."
She slightly ran to a room that was unoccupied before. Maybe it's where she sleeps? But Lucy's unit has a maid quarter.
She went out after a few moments with a child on her arms. It's a boy and his hair is kind of messy. The child who looks around two years old scratched his pale blond hair.
"Where's mommy..." he whined as the girl placed him on the mat.
"I don't!" the child shouted before acting to cry.
"Oh, I'm sorry, baby! Where do you want?" the young girl looked at the child.
The child pointed to me. "Oh? You want couch! Okay couch!"
I slowly froze. Mommy? Whose child is this? Whose... child is he?
"What's you name?" I asked her house help.
"Uhh, I-I'm Aries, Sir."
She placed the kid beside me. The child looked at me intently. It's like he's shock because of my presence. I stared back at him. I felt my heart clenched. I feel like I'm staring at someone very familiar to me.
"Aries, whose child is this?" I asked.
The kid pouted. His lips resembled someone's... damn it!
"He's Miss Lucy's, Sir."
Fuck! It's Lucy's! How... What the hell I didn't know! She has a son and... damn it!
"Hi big boy, what's your name?" I asked, lips curving into a smile as I stare at the kid.
He's still staring at me. His eyes were the color of mine. I suddenly remembered Lucy's painting.
"Beau mon Ams Artfiya..." he exclaimed.
My lips trembled. I'm not sure with his name but I'm sure that he's surname isn't different, Heartfilia!
"How old are you?" my voice cracked.
He didn't answer. He raised two of his fingers.
Aries shyly chuckled, "No, Beau. Still one but turning two next month," and guided his finger to raise the proper answer.
Damn it! He's almost two. Lucy left me almost three years ago.
"My toys?" Beau asked me.
Toys? What do you want, big boy? I can buy you anything!
"Cars!" he shouted cheerfully while pointing to the basket full of toy cars.
Aries chuckled again before grabbing the basket, "Miss Lucy said that you can't play in the couch, Beau, just here in your mat..."
The phone rang so Aries excused herself to run to the kitchen and answer it.
The child sneered at me. I closed my eyes at his expression that I saw. He resembled me. He looked like me. Especially when I was his age. Damn it. I bit my lip and looked at him again. He's pouting while staring at me. Hot tears clouded my vision. I sobbed quietly before getting on my knees to properly face him.
"Hey, big boy... I love your mommy so much..." I said.
He frowned ay me. His hand moved and tried to touch my eyes. I held it and guided it to my face. He smelled powder and milk. I kissed each of his tiny fingers.
This is my son. This boy is my son. Why did Lucy hide this from me? What happened? Why hasn't she told me until now? My heart clenched every time I got reminded that I didn't know. I didn't know that I got her pregnant. I should've been there, taking care of her while her tummy blowed up! I didn't know how she gave birth to him! His first months! Did our child let her sleep while he's still a baby? His first birthday? His first everything.
Both his hands were now on my face. I let him touch me. We look so alike.
"I love mommy..." he pouted.
"I love your mommy more, I'm sure of that..." I laughed, a tear that I was holding in escaped at the action.
"No! I love mommy!" he shouted.
I grinned, You do, I'm sure of that. Every part of me loves your mom. You're a part of me so I'm sure you love her so much!
My lips trembled as I smiled at him.
"Play!" he said while pointing at his toys. I sighed before nodding. Damn it, Lucy. You are not going to leave me now, I'll make sure of that! I'll make fucking sure of that. You are tied to me. Like how I am part of our son's life!
"Natsu..." she cried my name again.
My movement became faster, harder, deeper, and more intense. I grabbed her legs around me and crossed it properly behind my back. She clutched the bed sheets tightly. She bit her lip and she exploded before I felt her body weakening. Her body convulsed over me. I can feel her intensity. That's it, Luce. I am the only one who can do that to you. I am the only man who can ever make you feel that way.
I covered her lips with mine. She couldn't kiss me back. She's drained because of what happened and I can't help but smile.
"Natsu," she called me again and kissed me back.
I filled her harder and faster again. I filled her to the brim, forcefully and frantically. Her hot and wet insides made me mad. I felt all the sensations I'm feeling spiked up.
My body convulsed. I poured out all my frustrations, my longing, my love inside of her. Because I couldn't hold it in anymore. I love every bit of her and I need her in all my fucking lifetimes.
I hugged her until my heartbeat returned to normal. I continued catching my breath as I dropped myself beside her, arms still wrapped around her body. Beads of her sweat caressed my skin. I smiled. That's for you, Lucy.
"I love you, Luce. I'm gonna change your name and our son's name..."
She sighed before smiling. She turned to me. I pouted. Something's on my mind before we got here.
"Are you on the pill?" I asked.
She just stared at me and answered me with another question, "Why? You don't want another child?"
I hugged her tighter, "I want five sons and five daughters, Luce. But right now, I need a year or so. I want my whole attention for our first born. I haven't even been with him for a week."
I kissed her cheek. My lips stayed there. She chuckled breathlessly so I removed my kiss.
"Okay..."
"I'll hire a team for our house in Caspius. You decide what designs you want to do for our house. I want you to move out of that unit as soon as possible. My son should run free in a bigger house, Luce."
She lightly hit my arm, "That house is too big, Natsu."
"You have no choice. You're marrying me so you have to deal with it. Beaumont Adams Dragneel..." I kissed her again and tightened my hug if possible. "Thank you bringing our son to this world, Luce. Thank you so much."
She chuckled, "Sorry that you're outdated, though. I love you..." she sweetly said.
I feel like it's a sin to have someone accept me for who I am. I feel like it's a sin to have someone embrace the scorching fire that burned even the deepest part of my being. I feel like it's a sin to be this happy.
"I am madly in love with you, Luce. Words aren't even enough to describe it."
We looked at each other. I saw how her eyes became red. I felt my heart clenching while watching her crying.
I hugged her tighter to get hold of the emotions that's starting to burst.
"Dammit, I am so glad you came back to me. I am so glad, Luce... Thank you."