Chapter 10

(Time skip: After the carriage ride to the ocean port)

When Lucy, Laxus, and the Thunder God Tribe got to the port a storm had already hit the area. They had decided to get a hotel till morning. The closest one to the port only had one room available. Everyone was extremely exhausted from traveling 10 hours. When they got into the room it was decided that the two females would take one bed, Freed and Laxus took the second bed; while Bickslow took the only couch.

Evergreen went to take a shower after Laxus and Freed went to get food. Bickslow was setting on the couch reading a magazine. Lucy had changed into exercise clothing to relax before Evergreen took the shower. Lucy was getting bored waiting so she walked over to Bickslow, "Hey I haven't been able to work out in a few days. Want to start my training that you offered?", Lucy asked. Bickslow stood up and stated, "Show me how flexible you are. So, I can see where we need to begin. Do the splits for me. Can you do a handstand?"

Lucy did the splits with ease and said, "I cannot do a handstand." Bickslow sat down in front of Lucy and proceeded to teach her stretches that would improve her flexibility. When Freed and Laxus walked back into the room; Laxus dropped the food he was carrying. Laxus jerked Bickslow up by the collar, growling "What the hell are you two doing in the full view of anyone who walks in!?" Lucy stood up from laying on the ground and yelled at Laxus, "He was helping me with my training you Dick! Now let him down before I decide to get Virgo to punish you!"

"It sure as hell does not look like training! If you two got a relationship going, then keep it in your private lives!", after Laxus said this he dropped Bickslow. During the yelling match Evergreen, had come out of the shower. "YOU BAKA! I am not interested in Bickslow as anything but a friend. When will you fucking dragon, slayers use the head on your shoulders for once in your lives." Laxus said very quietly but everyone still heard, "Do not compare me to your fuck buddy Natsu."

Hurt crossed Lucy's face right before anger hit, "You know Natsu is like my brother. I would never touch him like that. I do not sleep around, nor am I easy." Laxus got an evil grin on his face, "You let me in your bed with no problem…" Lucy moved so fast that Laxus did not see the fist till it connected with his face. "Everyone at the guild is right you are a dick.", Lucy said, "The night Laxus stayed over we shared my bed, but it was innocent. All we did was sleep, nothing more."

The Thunder God Tribe just looked on in shock at the fight playing out before them. Lucy Left the room after she explained that night to the group. Evergreen said nothing and followed the blonde female. Bickslow said, "We really were just training Laxus. You overreacted. You owe her an apology." Bickslow followed the two girls out the door grabbing enough food for the three as he went. Freed sat on the couch, "Want to really explain what is going on? No cover up, no lies. Your behavior has been erratic and strange, and do not say it is because you are Lucy's guard. You have been acting odd since she knocked you out weeks ago. We have all noticed but now you are attacking team mates. So, spill it now."

Laxus separated the rest of the food between them, and said, "Honestly Freed all I know is my dragon demands I protect Lucy at all costs. That includes keeping all males away from her. I see a guy near Lucy and I see red. When I saw Bickslow kneeling on the ground with one of Lucy's legs on his shoulders my dragon snapped. It screamed, 'Mine. How could what is mine betray me? I must show her she is mine.' My dragon has never reacted to a female before Freed. I don't know how to handle it. I know I over reacted; for what it is worth I will apologize to them both. It is all so confusing and frustrating."

Freed and Laxus sat in silence for a while eating their food. Freed had a thoughtful expression for several minutes. Freed finally spoke, "It sounds like your dragon has found its mate, Laxus. It explains the uncontrollable mood swings, the need to protect, and the restless behavior when she was away. My theory is when Lucy knocked you out, she proved to your dragon to be your equal physically and magically." Laxus pondered Freed's words before saying, "You may be right Freed. I have always noticed her, ever since she came to the guild. She just always seemed weak to me. After she knocked me on my ass I was impressed, but Freed she is not my equal except maybe her IQ. Also, you could be wrong my friend. I do not know Lucy enough to have an emotional attachment like I would to my mate. Don't get me wrong, I like Blondie and she is extremely attractive, but I am supposed to love my mate. I do not love Lucy in such a way."

Freed shook his head, "Your dragon seems to think she is your equal. I know you; you would not settle for subpar abilities in a female. Plus, we have not seen Lucy fight since she left to train. From her right hook, I'd say she improved in hand-to-hand combat. Might want to put ice on it before it bruises even more. Looks like Lucy gave you a shiner." Laxus grunted and did as the ruin mage said. Freed continued, "From what I have read about dragon slayer magic your mate is chosen by fate. You might develop your feelings for Miss Lucy over time, your dragon would not have a mate that it and you both did not care for Laxus."

Laxus sighed before replying, "I know all that Freed. That doesn't help with the frustration or confusion. My dragon has not called Lucy mate; he has only called her mine. Till it does I am not sure Lucy is my mate. Since I am confused about Lucy it only makes my dragon want to keep and protect her more. Then there is the problem of me being possessive will only make Lucy run if she is my mate. Lucy has proven that she is no bodies object to be kept." Freed looked at Laxus with an exasperated expression, "Just be your normal self Laxus. Show her the Laxus the Thunder God Tribe knows. She will not run if you get your act together my friend. Either way you will end up with a new friend or a mate." Laxus just nodded as the two men lapsed into silence.

The other three did not come back for hours. Evergreen went to bed as soon as they got back. Lucy walked up to Laxus and was about to speak when he cut her off, "Do not apologize. I deserved the punch; you were right Blondie I was being a dick. I am very sorry I over reacted and yelled at both of you. I will stay out of your training from now on. I understand if you stay mad at me." Bickslow just stuck his tongue out and slapped Laxus on the back to show his forgiveness. Lucy looked at the floor and stated, "we need to have a conversation; follow me please?"

Laxus followed Lucy to the roof of the hotel, where she sat down and looked up at the stars since the weather has cleared up. Laxus could not take the silence for long, "I am very sorry Lucy for the comment about Natsu and the one about that night I stayed over. I had already explained to the others that night was innocent. They knew I was just being a dick when I said those things." Lucy sighed as she looked at Laxus, "I know you are not one to apologize easily. I accept your apology about our fight. I do not know you well Laxus but I know these mood swings are not like you. Your team would not adore you so much if you were this damn spiteful to them. Something is wrong, and I know you may not want to tell me, but I would listen if you decided to talk."

Laxus debated on how much to tell the celestial mage and then spoke, "For some reason my dragon will not stop obsessing over you. There are several reasons for this, but the result is it makes me moody, protective, and jealous of others getting close to you." Lucy stared and the dragon slayer, "Why would your dragon obsess over me Laxus?" Laxus refused to look Lucy in the face when he answered, "Well it could be that my dragon and I are sexually attracted to you, my dragon may see you as my bond to humanity, my dragon sees you as bonded family, or my dragon thinks you are my mate. I am not sure which of those is the truth. My dragon has not given you a name, all it says when I think of you is mine. Before you get mad no I do not see you as a belonging."

Lucy sat silent for a while thinking on what Laxus had told her. Finally, she asked, "Why would your dragon suddenly become interested in me when before you barely acknowledged my existence? Also, what is a bond to humanity?" Laxus finally looked at Lucy and replied, "My dragon normally stays silent unless I am angry. That day you left for your training, when you knocked me out, my dragon was impressed. My dragon has been focused on you ever since. A bond to humanity is a person. That person basically grounds you mentally or emotionally. They become your moral compass when you do not have a mate. They are the third most important person to a dragon."

Lucy nodded and asked, "what it the difference between family and bonded family?" Laxus sighed, "That is more complicated. Family is who you are blood kin too. It is not something one gets to pick, as you know. Dragons normally only have one bonded family, but can have multiple. Bonded family are chosen and normally have no relation to the dragon, not always. They are the second most important people to a dragon." Lucy went silent again and looked back at the stars, "I have one more question for you. How did you learn all this if you had no dragon to teach you?" At this the dragon slayer laughed, "Books Blondie, and I talked to Gajeel some too."

Laxus asked, "How come you don't know this stuff about dragon slayers? I figure with Natsu being your best friend you two would talk." Lucy sighed, "Natsu doesn't talk much about his magic or the past. I think it is too painful for him to really think about. I did not know dragon slayers or dragons had mates till Levy and Gajeel got together. My team are my closest friends other than Levy, but they are all very private people. There is much even I don't know about them. With Natsu I think it is more that he does not see it as important more than privacy."

Laxus sighed and said, "Come on Blondie it is time to go back down to the others. We are getting up early to catch the boat." Laxus helped Lucy to her feet before he asked, "Hey, I have been meaning to ask you something. Why were you nervous before you went to go see Gray back at the guild yesterday?" Lucy could not help blushing, "I was worried about seeing him. Yukino looked pretty rough after she was attacked. I was worried Gray got it just as bad.", she lied. Laxus stopped dead and accused, "You just lied to me Lucy. I told you the truth, now tell me the truth." Lucy groaned, "Gray is part of the reason why I left. I was nervous because I felt bad for leaving like I did. I knew I had hurt my team leaving like I did. It was the only way though. If I had said goodbye they would have followed me or convinced me not to go."

Laxus thought for a moment then asked, "What did Ice Stripper do to make you leave? Should I kick his ass again when he heals?" Lucy laughed, "No Laxus don't hurt him. My whole team had hurt my feelings that day in some way. None of them knew it though. That is why I kicked you that day. Your comment on being kidnapped was the last straw. Do not apologize for it, I know now you were just checking on me in your own arrogant way." Laxus began to think back to their earlier conversation about why Lucy left, "Gray is the guy who considered you to be unacceptable, isn't he? You had a thing for the Ice Stripper?" Lucy blushed, "It was a fleeting crush, nobody knows and I expect it to stay between us. Gray is happy with Juvia and it needs to stay that way. I no longer see Gray as anything but a friend."

Just as Lucy has finished her sentence the duo had reached the door to the hotel room. When they entered the room the Thunder God Tribe had already settled down for the night. Freed was the only one still awake. When Freed saw the two blondes he asked, "Is everything okay?" Laxus just nodded and Lucy replied, "Yes, Freed. We talked and we are friendly again. Good night guys, see you in the morning." After some time, everyone was asleep.