Ch 2
Lucy paced her apartment floor back and forth.
She had just gotten back from the guild after having a two hours long discussion with Sting Eucliffe and his partner Rouge, who was also from Sabertooth. Turns out they were both dragon slayers. And having a mate was a real thing dragons had dealt with. A mate for a dragon was basically just a soulmate for a human. Destined to be lovers and all, but Dragons? Their soulmate was completely different from the optional soul mate of a human. Dragons needed to be with their soulmate once they found them. Otherwise they'd have a mental breakdown, seep into a depression and literally die from a broken heart. The pressure was heavier than Lucy could have ever imagined.
However what confused her the most was that there were four Dragon slayers in Fairytail and none of them knew about dragons having a mate. Well, Lucy assumed since Gajeel and Wendy didn't know about it Natsu and Laxus didn't know anything as well.
"THIS IS CRAZY" Lucy balled her fists and pressed them against her temples, plopping on her bed
"ARUGH" a rough voice moaned out in pain. Startled Lucy jumped to her feet and ripped the covers off her bed.
"NATSU- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN MY HOUSE." Lucy yelled. her nerves were already frazzled but now there was a dirty dragon slayer covered in scratches and dirt curled up in her nice, soft, clean bedding.
Natsu threw a lazy arm over his eyes.
"I dunno a few hours maybe?" He ignored her glaring and pulled the covers back over him "ya know.. it's not nice to make such a racket when people are trying to sleep."
Lucy's jaw dropped open at the audacity. She swiftly kicked the pink haired pyro out of her bed.
"Excuse you but this is my apartment and that's MY BED whichyouregettingalldirty!!!" Lucy huffed. Judging by the fire breather's state he had just gotten back from his special mission with Erza and Blue Pegasus.
"Geez Lucy- what's got you all bent outta shape?" Natsu scowled as he rubbed the sore spot Lucy had kicked him. "Didn't even say a hello or anything."
"Maybe she's hungry or something." Happy popped out of the kitchen fish in mouth. "You know how Lucy gets suuuuperr cranky when she's hungry."
"Oh yeah." Natsu crossed his arms nodding in a serious manner. "Lucy go cook us some dinner so you can stop being so cranky."
Lucy tried her best to keep herself from strangling Natsu right then and there. I mean come on, she couldn't afford to get rid of a dead body and risk getting caught red handed. The stress of today's events were bad enough already, pushing her to her limit. With Natsu and Happy intentionally pushing all the wrong buttons Lucy felt her eyes start to burn. Tears of frustration threatening to show up ready to embarrass her more than she already had been today.
With a huff Lucy began to replace her bed sheets with clean ones. Natsu noticed how stiff she was and frowned.
"Hey… is something wrong Lushie?" Happy stopped nibbling on his fish briefly, eyes filled with concern.
Should she tell them? Happy could be a good listener when he wanted to be but Nastu was childish and he didn't like sitting through deep conversations for too long if he could help it… but she needed her best friend right now. And besides everyone at the guild already knew what was going on and they'd gladly fill him in on all the spicy details tomorrow.
Lucy dropped the dirty bed sheets in the dirty clothes hamper and steeled herself. She turned around and locked eyes with Natsu as he sat cross legged on her bedroom floor.
"I-"
Natsu snapped his attention to Lucy's front door, frowning just before persistent knocking rang out.
Knock knock knock Knock knock knock
The noise cut off Lucy's resolve to speak up so instead she walked towards her front door. Who could that be at this hour? They sounded desperate. Cracking the door open she peeked outside at the guest. Her cheeks flushed pink and she quickly tried to slam the door in the man's face.
"WAIT WAIT- LUCY!" Sting held the door open preventing Lucy from shutting him out. "I just want to talk!" He grinned nervously at her. Blue eyes filled with worry and fear.
"How'd you find out where I live?" Lucy demanded trying to sound intimidating. However her squeaky voice betrayed her and had the opposite effect.
"I followed your scent here…" Sting looked away sheepishly but that just encouraged Lucy to try and close the door again. "Oi Oi! I'm sorry for following you here really I am- I just, well I just wanted to see you again and-" Sting began to stumble over his words as it became more apparent that Lucy was trying to keep herself away from the dragon Slayer.
Sting froze mid sentence which made Lucy stop as well. He jerked his face to look behind Lucy, his eyes darkening.
"Are you living with someone? A guy?" Sting's voice became low and hostile. Lucy flinched at his stern gaze. He looked back at her accusatory.
"I-I don't see how that's any of your business-"
Sting's grip on the door and door frame tightened and cracks formed from his touch.
"Let me in."
Lucy felt her heart leap into her throat and feared he was going to force his way into the apartment. She knew she wouldn't be able to stop him if he decided to do so.
The front door was yanked almost off its hinges as Natsu stood in its place along with a scowl.
"Friend of yours Luce?" He crossed his arms blocking the man from entering. Sting's face darkened at the sight of Natsu.
Lucy winced as the two men began a staring contest. Taking a deep breath she decided to intervene.
"Natsu this is uh.. Sting Eucliffe he's-"
"I'm her mate." Sting groweld changingly at Natsu. Natsu sneered at this in return.
Glancing at Natsu, Lucy could see his agitated stance as the air began to form waves of heat that rolled off of him. The scratches and dirt only added to the fire mage's wild and intimidating look. They both looked ready to start throwing fists and if Lucy didn't want her apartment to get destroyed… again… she needed to do something quickly.
"Sting what did you come here for?" Sting looked back at Lucy with softer eyes and smiled warmly at her.
She had spoken to him! Sting couldn't help but admire the way his name sounded on her tongue.
"I wanted to see you again and maybe talk some more?" Hopeful and begging Lucy felt a little sorry for the man.
Dragons have an uncontrollable desire- no a need to be by their mates' side. If their mate is not close by, a dragon could become hostile, restless, and unpredictable. They won't rest until they're by their partners side.
Rogue's words flashed through Lucy's mind and she rubbed her temples, guilt weighing on her shoulders.
"Ok- come inside let's talk about this." Lucy sighed.
"What?" Natsu snapped his attention back towards Lucy as Sting grinned triumphant.
The atmosphere in the room was stifling and awkward. Lucy sat across from Natsu on the floor as Sting sat close to her grinning like a fool. He didn't take his eyes off of her and Lucy could feel her face flame red. Natsu frowned at the two mages while Happy sat next to Natsu, worry flickering across his blue face.
"So what's all this mate bullshit about anyways? What the hell is going on?" Natsu kept a close eye on Sting and decided he didn't like how close he was trying to sit next to Lucy.
"Well that's just the thing- I only heard about it today." Lucy shifted nervously and didn't look at Sting, face flushed with embarrassment. She gave Natsu a brief run down on the situation- he didn't say a word as he absorbed the new information.
Sting saw this as his chance and he reached out towards Lucy grabbing her attention.
"So… Lucy...have you decided to come with me?" Sting's voice was tender as he brushed Lucy's hand. Lucy laughed nervously and struggled to form a clear response.
Sting was really reaaaallly cute. Lucy's stomach fluttered every time he looked at her like that and it didn't help her nervousness at all.
"What do you by that?" Natsu became more annoyed by the second.
"As my mate- she needs to live with me obviously. I knew it the first moment I laid my eyes on her- she's gorgeous and graceful. But more than that I felt it in my spirit...We're destined to be together." Sting didn't want to look away from Lucy and it made her feel like she was gonna faint from embarrassment. He was just so corny and cute!
Natsu bursted out laughing and Happy joined in with him. Lucy and Sting both watched the two as tears of laughter streaked down Natsu's dirty face.
"Haha 'graceful' thats a good one." He grinned wiping away tears.
"Aye! And 'gorgeous'?!" Happy gasped for air. " You guys really went all out on your prank huh?"
"Can you imagine? Lucy? Pfft GRACEFUL" Natsu went into another fit of laughter and Lucy felt her anger rising.
"Shut up! What do you know about being graceful? You're the one covered in scratches and dirt! What happened? Did you decide to dance in a thorn bush or something?" She growled at her teammates.
"This isn't a joke." Sting locked eyes with Natsu scowling. "I'm dead serious. Lucy is my mate. And she will live with me." Natsu straighten up at Sting's tone.
"Wait hold on- I never" Lucy began to sweat nervously.
"That's not gonna happen." Natsu voice was firm and serious once more.
"Oh? And why's that?" Sting forced a grin as he sensed Natsu's challenge.
"Because Lucy is a member of Fairytail. Her home is here with her Nakama." Lucy felt annoyed. Yeah she agreed with Natsu but she had wanted to be the one to say that!
"Look Sting..." Lucy reached out and touched Sting's arm in response; he gave her his full attention blushing a little. "I already told you back at the guildhall… I need some time to process all of this and... think about it.." she winced at the pained look on Sting's handsome face.
"Lucy! You're not seriously considering on leaving Fairytail are you!?" Happy ran over to Lucy and placed his paws on her legs.
"There's nothing to think about Happy." Natsu crossed his arms and scowled. "It's obvious she's gonna stay here with us! Right Lucy?" Sting growled at Natsu and he quickly grabbed hold of Lucy's hand. Holding it tightly as though to will her to stay by his side.
"Geez- Natsu! It's-it's more complicated than that!" Natsu's eyebrows furrowed tighter at the anxiousness in Lucy's voice.
"A dragon can't live without his mate, you moron." Sting stood up and pulled Lucy up with him before stepping in front of her. He clearly wanted the two separated as soon as possible.
"What did you just call me?" Natsu stood up himself and stepped towards Sting threatenly.
The room's temperature seemed to only increase as Natsu clenched his fists. Happy began to distance himself from the group, well aware a fight could break out any minute.
"A moron. Not only do you not understand the gravity of this situation but more importantly who the hell do you think you are?" Sting's murderous aura caused the lights in the room to increase in power starting to blind Lucy. "Whatare you to Lucy to decide all of these thingson her behalf?"
Lucy struggled not to roll her eyes. Didn't he just do that himself? Talk about short term memory loss.
"I'm her best friend and teammate. Natsu Dragneel." Natsu flashed a toothy grin as he glared at his opponent "Fire Dragon Slayer of Fairytail."
The Sabertooth wizard narrowed his eyes at this new information.
"So a dragon slayer huh?" Sting barked out a short laugh. "Then you should know all about dragon traditions and about the concepts of mates."
"Uhhh if you guys are going to fight please take it outsi-" Lucy tried to step in between the two to try and push them apart.
" I've never heard of Dragon slayers having mates. Igneel never mentioned it. To me this all sounds like a load of bullshit." Both men ignored Lucy's feeble attempts to break the two apart.
BANG BANG BANG
Someone was knocking on Lucy's door demanding their attention. The two dragon slayers stood still not looking away from each other as Lucy went to check who it was this time.
"Rouge?" Rouge hurried past Lucy muttering an 'excuse me'.
"Sting! What the hell are you doing here?" Rouge hissed as he yanked Sting's shoulder- forcing the blonde to look at him.
"I just wanted to see Lucy." He scowled.
"You can't just barge into your mate's living quarters like this! She hasn't even accepted you yet! Come on we need to return to our guild immediately. The Master wants to speak with you." Rogue forcefully pulled Sting towards the door. Suddenly panicked by the thought of leaving Lucy's side Sting grabbed her arm as they began to walk out. This in turn caused Lucy to Yelp in surprise leading to Natsu immediately appearing in front of her to shield her from the obsessed blonde.
"Hands to yourself ya creep." Natsu snapped, protectively hiding Lucy from Sting's Line of sight. This ticked off the light dragon slayer and he dug his heels in preventing Rouge from pulling him away any further.
"Watch it buddy." Sting clenched his fist and it began to glow white. "You don't want to get in between a dragon and his mate." Sting gritted his teeth and his eyes flashed dangerously.
"Sting that's enough." Rouge tried pulling him away again. Lucy yanked on Natsu's shirt.
"Natsu! Stop provoking him!" Happy watched from behind Lucy as he scowled at Sting. Natsu looked like he was going to say something but Lucy quickly shoved him aside.
"STING- look I promise I'll think about it. We can talk again later, through a lacrima. Ok?" Lucy flashed Sting a polite smile and he blushed grinning. Natsu clicked his tongue and glared at the ceiling.
Before anyone could react, Sting rushed forward and gave Lucy a peck on the cheek before being yanked back by Rouge once more. Natsu clenched his teeth and shot Sting a nasty look.
"I'm looking forward to it blonde." Sting winked as he was practically dragged away. Never mind he was also a blonde.
Lucy's face was redder than ever and she was speechless. Natsu slammed the door and grabbed Lucy's arm dragging her to her bathroom.
"Wha-HEY! Natsu!" He fumbled around and grabbed a rag, wet it and began to scrub her cheek aggressively. She shoved his hand away "NATSU STOP IT."
"Why'd you just let him kiss you like that?" Natsu gave her a stern look and Lucy looked away embarrassed. Natsu's anger only simmered hotter at her reaction.
"It's not like I wanted him to, he just suddenly did it." Lucy mumbled annoyed. " and why are you trying to get me to wash my face?? I'm a whole lot cleaner than you right now!"
"He's a stranger Lucy. We have no idea who he is. Do you seriously BELIEVE A WORD HE SAYS?" Natsu tried to keep his voice from yelling but it was a struggling battle. Not likening his tone Lucy scowled at him.
"But what if he IS telling the truth? I CANT JUST IGNORE this." Natsu rolled his eyes throwing up his hands
"HA- alright sure." He growled annoyed. Natsu stepped back, hands on hips. And eyed her angrily.
"I get it now, you want it to be the truth don't you?" Tone slightly mocking but not in a joking friendly way… in a way that almost sounded… disgusted?
Lucy narrowed her eyes and she clutched her fists angrily. How dare he?
"SO WHAT? WHAT IF MAYBE I DO? THATS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"
Natsu scowled and brushed past her out of the bathroom.
"Just what is your problem Natsu?" Lucy followed him out. Happy sat quietly on her bed as the tension between the two mages increased. Natsu didn't usually react so harshly like this. "All I said to Sting was 'I'll think about it'"
Natsu let out a frustrated groan and scratched his head furiously.
"I can't believe you're actually considering leaving Fairytail for that bastard. You don't even know him!"
"Look, it's an important decision! I have to seriously think about this! It won't just affect my life but his too!" Lucy stepped in front of Natsu trying to get him to look at her. "Do you know what happens when a Dragon isn't with his mate after he finds it? He'll die! They can't live without their mate! What if I kill him by being selfish?!"
"OH BULLSHIT all this mate crap? It's a lie. It's NOT a thing!" Natsu rolled his eyes and refused to look at his teammate.
"How do you know that?!" Lucy got in Natsu's face forcing him to look at her.
"Because if it was a thing Igneel would HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT IT."
"Oh and you remember EEEEEVERY LITTLE THING IGNEEL TOLD YOU when you were what? FIVE?!"Lucy was fuming now. This was already hard enough without Natsu throwing a fit because one of his precious nakama might have to leave the guild. Hell, Natsu was upset when Laxus was kicked out and he was an asshole!
"YES!" Natsu clenched his fists. "JUST ARGH." Wiping a hand over his dirty face Natsu growled in frustration. The temperature in the room was scolding hot. Natsu muttered underneath his breath as he turned around and grabbed his travel bag.
"And where are you going?" Lucy followed him. Quickly he opened Lucy's window.
"Home. Obviously." He sneered and leapt out of her apartment window, taking the heat with him. Lucy trembled with anger and tears began to blur her vision. Natsu and Lucy rarely fought seriously- it hurt to see her happy and easy going partner focus his anger on her. It was scary.
Happy stayed put for a moment- sadly looking at Lucy.
"You know he's just worried about you… right?" Happy said softly. Lucy sniffed her throat too tight to speak. Instead she gave a slight nod.
She knew that. Of course she knew he was just worried.
Happy hesitated before flying out the window leaving the celestial mage alone to cry.