I could get used to this.
The warm rays of the morning sun filtered into the quiet bedroom, shards of light hitting the bed as I lay with Lucy snuggled deep in my arms. We were cocooned in a mountain of sheets and blankets, our legs entwined as I woke for the day.
My thoughts were still hazy as I reflected on the words that Lucy spoke to me yesterday, "I love you too, Natsu." It would be impossible for me to feel any happier, the girl I loved more than anything in the world, loved me back, and she accepted me flaws and all, even with this crazy Dragon shit going on.
I wanted to do something nice for her, she deserved to be pampered and treated like a true princess. Thinking over my options, I went with attempting a simple breakfast in bed. I knew she wouldn't appreciate me burning her apartment down with my cooking abilities, so cereal and toast would have to do, I couldn't stop the smile spreading over my face at the thought.
It was a twenty point manoeuvre to untangle our limbs and slip from the bed without waking the sleeping beauty, my fingers trailed over her soft cheek once more before I tiptoed to the bathroom.
As soon as I closed the door behind me with a soft snick, all hell broke loose.
The sound of shattering glass and the deep boom of an almighty explosion ripped through the silence, fear rippled through me in painful waves as I threw the door open again. The sight was too much, falling to my knees, I watched the two figures that held Lucy captive.
Gray stood with his damn hand over Lucy's mouth, I could see the pressure he was applying as redness spread over her skin like a rash, waves of hot tears streaming down her cheeks. His other arm was around her waist, lifting her from the ground as she swung her legs in desperation. She fought against him and Juvia, the blue haired woman gazing at no one but Gray as she held both of Lucy's arms tightly in front of her body.
My rage had never been this intense, not in any previous fight, not even against Zeref or Acnologia, it was white hot as I stood again. I could barely recognise the roar that left my own throat, it was raw with emotion and promised of blood and vengeance. My fire was reacting to my will, the heat of it spiralling through my body as I readied myself to attack, to fight, to kill.
"Now!" Gray yelled, drawing my attention back to him, it was a fucking trap and I fell straight into it. My arms were yanked behind my back by unseen forces, and the deep click of restraints were like a knife to my rampaging heart. The magic cancelling power flowed into me like a bolt of Laxus's lightning, frying every nerve it met. It was a struggle to remain on my feet, the crushing power felt like a physical weight, trying to force me down, but I would not submit.
A harsh kick to the back of my knees had me finally falling to the floor, pain exploding as my knees impacted heavily. I watched as the fearsome figure of Erza filled my vision, followed closely behind by Gajeel, his face twisting into an evil smirk as I took him in. Erza crouched down, grabbing at my chin so our eyes met, I gnashed my teeth at her which only made her tighten her grip. "Did you honestly think we would let you do this?" she sneered at me, her other hand flying towards me as a tremendous backhand landed on my cheek, rocking my head around from the force.
Spitting blood on the fluffy white rug on the floor, I fixed my gaze upon Erza once more, she filled most of my vision but I could still see and hear Lucy continuing to struggle against her captors. I needed to protect her, I couldn't let it end like this. "What the fuck Erza? Do what you want with me, but leave Lucy out of this!"
The wicked laughter that met my ears was enough to chill my blood, goosebumps rippled over my flesh as I looked to my friends, my gaze being met with nothing but hatred and malice. Gray's dark blue eyes sparkled with wicked enjoyment, his fingers visibly tightening on Lucy's skin, and I wanted to flay him alive where he stood.
"It's bad enough, the power you've amassed over the last few years. Did you really think we were going to let you bond with a Dragon and gain even more power? You are deluded." Erza continued as if I hadn't spoken. Before I could brace myself, her steel encased foot kicked towards my stomach and I wanted to hurl from the agony of it.
I was slumped on the floor, my restrained arms resting on the cold floorboards as I panted, trying to fight past the pain I was in. "I'm begging you, please, let Lucy go. Beat the shit out of me, lock me up, kill me if you must, but LET LUCY GO!" I roared the last part, Lucy's gasping sobs filling my ears, each one twisting like a knife to my heart.
Gajeel strode forward chuckling darkly, he lifted me back to my feet and I tried to fight with every fibre of my being, yet I couldn't. I was as weak as a kitten, these restraints sapping my strength as well as my magic, my spirit was slowly leaving my body as I realised the hopeless situation we were in.
"You see flame brain, there is a flaw in that plan," Gray stated calmly, he took one step towards me, Lucy bucking wildly in his grasp. "Lucy is the catalyst here. You need her to complete your bond, without her then you'll be powerless. The Dragon within you will go mad at the loss of his mate, and he'll destroy you. So you know what we have to do, don't you buddy?" he continued, the evil look in his eyes intensifying as his meaning crashed into me like a devastating tidal wave.
His hand released Lucy's mouth, her choking gasps harsh as she sucked in air to her burning lungs. "Natsu!" she wailed, the deep chocolate of her eyes murky from the continuous tears that fell. "Please help me, it hurts so much."
This pain, it was too much to bear. I couldn't take another second of it, yet I had no choice. I couldn't see any way out, Gajeel held me facing Gray and Juvia as they continued to hold Lucy. Erza drew her sword, Gray placed his hand on Lucy's back, and I lost it.
Strangled pleas left my lips, I begged with every desperate part of me, struggling against the unmoveable force of Gajeel as Erza calmly walked to where Lucy was held. The begs were now cries of unfettered agony, I would do anything to stop this, I would die a thousand deaths to avoid this fate.
The tears fell thick and fast, Lucy writhed in utter terror and I wanted to look away. The sight was unbearable, but I couldn't let her go like this. "Lucy, look at me," I called, my voice breaking, but I was determined to bring any amount of comfort to her, "it's going to be ok, I promise." I hated myself, the promise was a boldfaced lie, it tasted like ash on my tongue. Lucy calmed, her gaze softening as she listened to me.
They couldn't do this.
They were our friends.
This was madness.
Without warning Gray thrust a spear of ice through Lucy's back, it exploded out her chest with a sickening crack, a trickle of blood spilled from Lucy's parted lips. At the same moment, Erza ran her sword through Lucy's stomach, a torrent of blood rushing from the wound like a gruesome waterfall. I watched on in utter horror, the colour and life from Lucy's eyes fading fast before me, her mouth opened, "I love you...Natsu," was the hushed whisper in the room.
Lucy slumped to the floor, dead.
"LUCY!" I roared my sorrow for the entire world to hear, my head wanted to explode from the pain of it, Gajeel's grip fell away and I crashed forward.
~.~
I couldn't wake him, Natsu twisted on the bed in apparent agony. His scorching hot skin was drenched in sweat as I desperately shook him. "Natsu, wake up!" Yet he continued to thrash, his hands were fisted so tightly, the veins prominent along his arms as he held the sheets in a death grip.
Climbing on top of his writhing body in the desperate hope of halting his movements before he hurt himself, I held either side of his face and watched as his eyes moved rapidly behind their eyelids. "Please forgive me baby," I whispered before raising my hand to land an almighty slap on his cheek. The sound of it rang out in the otherwise quiet of the room, and Natsu stilled.
His eyes fluttered open, he searched my face as if I was the last person he expected to see, and tears began to fall from his eyes. Natsu took in great shuddering breaths as he continued to stare up at me, what was going on?
He moved faster than I could comprehend, I went from being on top of him to being fully wrapped in his powerful arms. He squeezed me so tightly I thought a rib might crack from the force of it, I could feel his heart thundering in his chest as hot tears fell down his body and pressed on to my own skin.
"Natsu," I cooed, lifting a head to cup his now soaked cheek, it burned from where I had slapped him, and a pang of guilt twisted in my stomach, "talk to me baby."
He merely shook his head, he nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and I let him hold me. I rocked my body, quiet shushing noises left my lips as he continued to cry against me, this was both agonising and terrifying.
A full ten minutes passed before his sobs finally stopped, his head continued to remain pressed into my neck as his breathing evened out. Without lifting his head, he whispered, "I thought I lost you…" the agony of his voice was like a gut punch.
After a lot of loving kisses and sweet coaxing, Natsu relented in telling me of his nightmare. Part of me wished he hadn't, the images he conjured were truly sickening. The churning in my stomach was overwhelming, yet when I really examined the sequence of events, it simply did not make sense. They were our friends, they loved us and would never harm us.
"Come on Natsu, you know they would never hurt us," I tried to reassure him, his jaw was set in a stubborn line, his eyes scanning the room as if awaiting an attack. Rolling my eyes I lifted the pillow from the bed and smacked him straight in the face, giggles erupting from me as I watched him train his steely gaze on me.
His eyes were blazing, a confused mixture of irritation and desire swirling in the deep onyx. His brow lifted as I attempted to calm my laughing, the entire bed was shaking as I watched on in amusement. He caught my wrist as I started to lift the pillow again, Natsu pressed me back into the mattress as he quickly climbed atop.
His nose pressed against his mark on my neck, the deep purple still staining my skin and he inhaled deeply, his body shuddering as I gasp from the movement. His hands are everywhere, his touch setting fire to my skin as he lovingly caresses every inch of me, seemingly checking me for injuries. My fingers twist deep in his hair, tugging to lift him to me, his eyes are like pools of unabashed love and I dive deep. Our lips meet, the kiss so sweet it hurts my teeth, I pour all of my love into the kiss and Natsu returns it with fervour.
I lose myself in the sensations that Natsu gifts so freely, I know this is his way of ensuring I am safe, whole and unharmed. He needs to reclaim me, losing the taint of his nightmare by displaying his love and lust, and it will be frantic.
As our clothes hit the floor in a hurry, I admire the strength of Natsu's body poised above me. My fingers stroke lovingly over every muscle on his front, he groans deeply as I graze my nails along his tanned skin, "such power," I purr, "I have never felt so safe baby." I know he needs to hear this more than anything else, his chest expands as I praise him so brazenly. His eyes are hooded as he lifts one of my legs on to his shoulder, kissing my calf as his hard length teases my slick folds.
One push and he slides into me, my moans are deep, I love the way he forces my walls apart, the slight burn of pain ebbs away on the heels of intense pleasure. He bends my other leg to my chest, this position makes everything more intense, Natsu feels deeper than every before and I need more.
"Move baby, please, I need you," I mewl, my fingers sinking into his tight ass. His thrusts are measured, he is holding back and its driving me crazy. His head dips to mine to capture my lips, the kiss is heated, full of desire and I cannot stop myself from biting down on his lip. Natsu groans openly, and I greedily swallow the sound as his hips roll into me, hitting my sweet spot with deadly precision.
My legs are shaking from holding this intense position, but I never want it to end. Natsu is like a wild beast as he slams into me with relentless desire, his breathing is harsh and his gaze never leaves my flushed face. His hand lifts to smooth the hair from my face and I lean into him, my own hips meeting his thrust for thrust, gifting him extra friction.
"Fuck, Lucy!" he groans, his movements becoming unstable, every slam of his length into me has my walls tightening around him. My release is so close, one more thrust has me clawing at the sheets in utter ecstasy, he pushes my legs even further as Natsu chases his own release. With my back bowing off the bed as he rides through my orgasm, its enough to tip him over and I feel his release deep in my needy heat, filling me to the brim.
He releases my legs with a grunt of exhaustion and collapses on top of me, his weight crushing me, but I don't care. He needs me right now, and I would do anything to chase the fear from my Dragon Slayer. We lie like this for what seems like eternity, our bodies still connected as I stroke his hair with one hand, drawing lazy patterns on his smooth naked back with the other.
Natsu speaks after the long period of quiet, his voice is hushed but so determined, "I need to mark you, I can't go through losing you. It'll kill me." I can only silence him with a kiss, I know his fears are deep rooted, but I have faith in both our friends and Porlyusica.
"Its going to be ok, I promise." I whisper, and he stiffens in my arms.
~.~
Those words. Why did she have to say those exact words? The nightmare floats through my mind, the Dragon stirs and his deep rumble resonates in my skull;
"We will not lose our mate, Dragon Slayer. I would kill anyone that tries to harm her. Mark her soon."
"I will, that's a promise." This promise I will keep, or die trying.