"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all…" I think to myself, chewing my nails in nervous anticipation. Natsu's gaze is burning into my back, I don't have to turn to know that he hasn't let me leave his line of sight since we left the apartment. His presence is different than usual, there is a definite edge to his movements and anytime someone looks at us for any longer than a second, a low growl sounds from his chest.
It had taken quite a bit of coaxing and perhaps some rather personal promises made on my part to get Natsu to open up earlier. Our moment of happiness had suddenly turned stiff and sour, his body curling around mine protectively and it took several minutes before he would even speak. Turns out that he had been mid verbal battle with his Dragon spirit, apparently, we now have a time limit to get this 'marking' done, and the beast won't even tell him how to do it.
~.~
Earlier that day…
"We should find Levy, she'll know how to find this kind of thing out," Natsu shouts, his eyes shining triumphantly and throwing his fist into the air. He clearly thinks he is being clever, and normally it would be a clever plan, but not this time.
"Uh, I don't think Levy is the best person to bother with this. You know this is likely something that she is going to go through herself, and we don't want to scare her, do we?" I reason. Natsu turns to me frowning, his arms have fallen behind his head on the pillow as he looks to be puzzling out my meaning.
"What the heck are you talking about Luce? She doesn't have a Dragon spirit in her, wait, DOES she?!" he half yells, springing up on the bed like an excitable puppy.
I can't help but laugh at Natsu's idiocy, I love him, but my goodness he doesn't even try to use half of his brain sometimes. Leaning over my adorable idiot, I roll my eyes and say very slowly, "No, but Gajeel does."
Natsu blinks at me, the connection clearly isn't being made. My head sags on to his shoulder and he pulls me to sit on his lap, his fingers slowly stroke my sides and for a moment I lose all focus as a shiver runs down my spine. "So what?" he asks sincerely, his eyes search my face and I watch as they keep dipping to my mouth, which in turn makes me lick my lips expectantly.
Before I can answer, Natsu sweeps his mouth to mine, his hand cradles the back of my head as I moan into the kiss. My fingers find their way into his hair, and I tug on it lightly knowing that it will make him groan in pleasure. As he moves his mouth down to my jaw, his teeth nipping at me, I manage to speak between squeaks of pleasure, "Gajeel and Levy are in love you moron." At those words, Natsu stills on my neck, his hot tongue that had been swirling on my pulse point lifts as he stares at me like I'm the crazy one.
"Since when are THEY in love?!" he demands, smirking at me, in obvious disbelief. With a less than gentle push, I press Natsu back on the bed and shuffle further up his body, he gasps as my ass rubs against his groin and I relish the power I have over this man.
My mouth descends on Natsu's parted lips, our tongues meet in a punishing dance, the battle for dominance is heated, but I refuse to back down. As I pull from the kiss, Natsu begins to protest, his hands reach up to pull me back down, but I resist. "How long did it take you to work out your feelings for me huh? I hardly think you are an expert when it comes to love, just trust that I am telling the truth. Gajeel and Levy have been in love for quite a while, and like us they chose to ignore it. But from what Lily told me after Gajeel's battle with that Bloodman guy, they are definitely on the same page now."
Natsu's eyes are glazing over as I explain this to him, "are you even listening to me?" I hiss. A hand reaches out to my face, his fingers stroke at my cheek and his thumb brushes lightly over my lips, I bite at the pad of his thumb earning me a delicious sounding chuckle from the Fire Dragon Slayer.
"I can't help that it is hard to concentrate when the woman of your dreams is sitting on you, and all you want to do is make up for the time we have lost," he whispers quietly, and I can't catch the gasp that flutters from my lips. "But to answer your question, yes I did listen, but I gotta see it to believe it" he scoffs before rolling me over and me pinning me to the bed.
~.~
So that is why I suggested we go see Porlyuscia instead of finding Levy, I also wanted to get out of the apartment. I hoped that without us being trapped in such a confined space, we could go at least an hour or two without our clothes hitting the floor, I had aches in places I didn't even think were possible to ache.
Now, I'm not so sure...the way Natsu keeps glancing at me, I know his thoughts are not truly innocent. This is partly my own fault, when choosing my outfit, I decided to go for something a little more form hugging than my normal everyday attire. The light blue sundress with pretty daisies covering the fabric is cut low enough that my cleavage is just barely peeking out, and the hem ends above my knee, paired with blue wedge sandals, I am almost as tall as the man currently staring holes into my backside.
I stop walking to admire a jewellery stall, causing Natsu to knock straight into me. Luckily his quick reactions mean he is able to catch on to me before I face plant the ground. A sheepish looking Natsu lifts me back to my feet, he lightly dusts down my dress as I scowl full force at the clumsy mage. "Honestly Natsu, where is your fricking head at?" I snap angrily, tossing my hair over my shoulder and marching away into the crowded market.
My pace is probably faster than I had intended, as I slow to turn and apologise to Natsu, I realise he isn't there. My eyes quickly scan my surroundings, it's a busy market day, the street is packed with people buying and selling their wares and there are no signs of my pink haired companion. As my heart rate begins to swell, an arm wraps around my midsection and I am pulled forcefully into a narrow alleyway between two stalls.
A hand covers my mouth as a scream starts to bubble out, my own hand instinctively moves to my keys that are attached to a pouch on my hip. "Don't you dare summon Loke here, Lucy. I am not competing with another man over you, right now," Natsu's voices rumbles out as his face appears out of the darkness.
He leans into me as my knees begin to tremble, the adrenaline that had been flooding my body now releasing out at a frightening pace, replaced with waves of relief. "Did you really think you could lose me? My eyes have barely left your body since we stepped outside," he growls in my ear, my body presses into his even more, "between keeping an eye on you and making sure no one kept their gaze on you for too long, it's been a full-time job.
I think I am liking the idea of marking you more and more," he continues, gripping my ear with his teeth and tugging roughly, my back is being pressed into the wall behind me as Natsu uses his knee to part my legs. "Then everyone will know you are mine," his voice is more like an intense purr as his tongue sweeps over my neck.
"Nat-su," I moan out, his tone is turning me into a wobbly mess, his left hand is creeping closer and closer to the hem of my dress and I want him to touch me, even though we are in public. His bright onyx eyes snap to me, there is a fire dancing in them and when he finally crashes his lips to mine, I groan loudly as my desire spirals out of control.
Slipping my hands inside his open tunic, my fingers stroke up his naked back, loving the way the muscles ripple under my touch. Natsu hisses into my mouth as I rake my nails over his shoulders, he breaks the kiss to stare at me, his breath catches as he sees the clear wanton lust that is showing on my face. Our bodies couldn't get any closer if we tried, his hands have slid under my dress and are clutching at my ass, grinding his straining erection straight into my aching core. "Lucy," he breathes, I can hear the restraint in his voice, and I answer it by pressing one hand to the front of his pants, eliciting a heavy groan.
"Oh my, what has Juvia just witnessed?" a breathy voice whispers out of the darkness. Natsu and I are frozen in place, his hands are still gripping my ass and my hand is still pressed against his crotch, but our eyes are wide open as we stare at each other in shock.
An angry growl resonates in Natsu's chest as he removes himself from me and turns, keeping me mostly hidden by his body. Peering over his shoulder, I watch as a visibly shaken Juvia emerges from the shadowy alley, her face is aflame as her eyes take in the scene before her.
"Juvia, -" I start, trying to move round Natsu, but it's like trying to move an unyielding mountain, his arm curls backwards to grip my hip and I give up on getting past him.
Snarling like an angry dragon hiding his loot, Natsu hisses to our intruder, "are you spying on us?" Juvia takes a step back, there is a look of hurt in her now watery eyes. "You will say nothing of this, to anyone, especially your precious Ice Princess. Understand?" Natsu warns. My arms slip around his body as I attempt to calm the beast within, this isn't like him at all, and I know he will regret his words as soon as he has full control again.
He finally allows me to ease around his tense body, as long as I maintain my touch on him, I turn to Juvia and give her a pleading look, "Natsu, he isn't quite himself right now. Please don't take it personally, I'll get him to apologise when he is better," I explain hastily, he stiffens as I speak about him but thankfully does not interrupt. "But I do have to ask you to keep this encounter to yourself until we can fix things. Please?" Juvia's eyes have been wandering from Natsu to me repeatedly as I speak, and I anxiously await her response.
"Of course, Lucy, Natsu. I meant no offence. Juvia hopes this has not spoiled our friendship? Especially now that you are clearly no longer a love rival," she smiles cheerfully at the last part. It's just like Juvia to bring this around to her love for Gray, I return her smile as I straighten my dress and begin to tug Natsu back into the throng of the market. Juvia waves as she continues on her own journey, Natsu watches her until she is no longer visible, and his body finally relaxes.
~.~
The Dragon is finally withdrawing, his presence slinking back to wherever he hides himself. I could hear what I said to Juvia, and I won't lie that I did agree with the words. However, the tone in which I spoke was unacceptable. Juvia has never been anything but a friend, well, as long you don't count her time in Phantom Lord, and I should have treated her better. Now I have two people to apologise to, Juvia and Wendy, god dammit.
My body is still alight with burning desire, Lucy is pulling me after her and it is taking all my restraint not to throw her over my shoulder and find a more secluded spot to show her exactly how things would have ended had we not been interrupted.
Before I can act on my impulse, Lucy chirps, "we're here," and I look up to see we are indeed standing before the entrance to Porlyuscia's new clinic. Lucy knocks on the door before pushing it open and slipping inside, I hurry after her, groaning at the missed opportunity.
The imposing Porlyuscia steps into the room, her eyes narrow on me and I feel the Dragon stirring, he thrashes restlessly, making my head pound. Lucy turns as I grasp the side of my head; she appears before me instantly and the Dragon calms once more.
"This will have to be a short visit Dragon Slayer, your Dragon can barely tolerate my presence it seems," the pink haired woman states curtly. "Why are you here?" her gaze moves from me to Lucy, and I place my arm around her waist protectively.
Lucy audibly gulps, her hand rests over my own and strokes it reassuringly, "we need to know how Natsu is to mark me, can you help?" she begins, the normally confident Lucy seems to be wilting under the intense stare of Porlyuscia and it is really starting to grate on me. A low hiss emits from my lips, the healer doesn't even look at me, annoying me further.
"Surely your Dragon would be best placed to answer that question boy," she quips back at us, her long cloak swirls as she sweeps through the room, grabbing at various vials, yet her gaze never strays from us for long.
"He won't tell me." I grit out from between my teeth, "he says I need to figure it out myself, and I only have three days in which to do so, or -"
"Let me guess, he plans to take you over once again and mark Lucy himself?" she interrupts, "what an egotistical beast, but what else should I expect from a Dragon." The thrashing in my skull starts again and I close my eyes in an attempt to control the pain.
As I steady my breathing, Lucy grabs my free hand and places it on the other side of her waist, she strokes at my skin and I can hear a soothing shushing noise from her as she leans back into my chest, "will you help us?" she beseeches the healer. I can't bring myself to open my eyes, I focus on where mine and Lucy's skin connect as we await her answer.
"I will do what I can, I would be lying if I said I had not already started researching this curious condition, especially since you will not be the only one affected," as I open my eyes, Porlyuscia's gaze has softened as she is likely thinking of young Wendy. "Will you allow me a small sample of your blood Dragon Slayer?" she asks, as she refocuses her attention.
I merely stick my arm out and await the sharp scratch of a needle, it comes and goes quicker than expected. "Take these with you," the pink haired woman pushes several vials and bottles into Lucy's outstretched hands. She holds up a silencing hand, "don't ask, the contents and instructions are clearly labelled on each bottle. Don't suffer in silence, especially when there is an available remedy."
I squint curiously at the bottles then at Lucy, who has turned a lovely pink colour, "what the hell is that about? Is Lucy in pain? Is it my fault?" My mind races at the possibility that I have been causing her unintentional pain, reaching out again I turn Lucy to me and give a quizzical look. "We'll talk later, I promise," she whispers, her blush deepening.
Snapping me back to the present, Porlyuscia loudly clears her throat and begins to usher us out the door, "I will either come see you myself tomorrow morning, or I will send someone with a message. I suggest you try to remain indoors as much as possible, I am sure you do not wish to be brawling with your guild mates unnecessarily," she snorts and adds, "well apart from that raven haired boy you seem to like so much."
Lucy has to practically drag me away from the now chuckling older woman, "what the hell do you mean, like so much? Gray is nothing more than a perverted Ice Freak and any fight with him wouldn't last long!" I am yelling loudly as I let Lucy pull me away. Fire spills from my mouth as I continue my angry tirade, stamping my feet and throwing punches at an imaginary Gray.
"For goodness' sake Porlyuscia, you would have to get him all riled up," I hear Lucy whine as she huffs and puffs, continuing to make me move in the direction of her apartment. When I finally cannot see the clinic, I turn with a pout, my arms crossed sullenly over my chest as the fire in my vein's cools.
I figure action is the best form of distraction for my current bad temper, stepping into sync with Lucy I lean down and whisper, "so are you going to tell me about these pains?"
Sighing, she looks at me hastily, "it's nothing to be concerned about, it's just a bit sore...you know, since it was my first time," she stammers over the last part and I want to punch myself for being so thoughtless. I didn't even ask if she was alright afterwards. She notices my yet again darkening mood and pulls me to a halt, facing me she continues, "don't let this bother you, if it was really bad then I wouldn't have wanted you to touch me so badly back in that alleyway."
Lucy scans some of the bottles, her eyes light up before she fixes me with a sultry gaze, shaking a bottle she purrs, "this one says to be applied to the affected area with extreme care. How about you help with that?" My eyes widen, without further thought I grasp Lucy around the waist and hoist her over my shoulder. Taking long strides, I practically run home, her words of protest are drowned out by her own giggles as she smooths a hand over her backside to keep her dress in place.
"Don't worry princess, Doctor Natsu is here to help!" Lucy lets out a deep belly laugh as we climb the stairs to her door, "time for some healing hands!"