CHAPTER 16
Lucy sighed as she watched Natsu scribble listlessly at the essay they were supposed to be working on, and decided it was past time they talked. She was tired of not speaking to him, and missed her friend badly.
Zalty and the others were nice, but Natsu was a big part of her life and without him around it felt like something precious had been cut out of it.
She was still a little upset about the whole soul feeding thing, but some more talking with Gajeel had explained, finally, how it really worked and that had eased her mind a lot. It relaxed her to know that souls regenerated like blood, and as long as he didn't eat the whole thing no lasting harm would come.
She waited patiently for the bell to ring and reached out to grab his sleeve as he packed up his books, "Hey." She said with a small smile, feeling unaccountably nervous, "Um, I..." She sighed and looked down, "I'm sorry I haven't talked to you lately." She rushed out, "I had some things I had to work out in my head."
She peeked up at him, her heart twisting at his vaguely stunned but otherwise blank expression, "Um, I know there's some things we need to talk about, but I understand a lot better now. Gajeel and Leo helped." She took a breath, "So if you're not busy tonight... d'you want to hang out? Maybe order a dozen pizzas and have a movie night...?"
Lucy waited, watching how Natsu was turning the words around in his head. He straightened up, sliding his books into his bag as he considered his answer.
He wanted to, desperately. But he was scared, deeply so. Part of him was worried that this was it. That she had come to a decision to send him away, force him back to hell and Acnologia.
But this sounded promising. Almost like the dumb stuff he and Lucy normally did when they weren't fighting with one another
He had to know the answer for himself. Regardless there was nothing else more important.
If Lucy wanted him gone, as much as it stabbed a knife of fear through his chest, he would go.
He'd beg for her forgiveness if he had to, Natsu's pride meant very little to him in comparison to making Lucy happy.
"Lucy," he started, "Of course I want to hang out with you. You're my best friend."
He shifted his weight to slide his bag off the desk, "but you don't have to force yourself if you need more time..."
She set her hand on his forearm before he could flounder off.
"I want to hang out with you again. I've missed you," she repeated earnestly, and she thought she spotted the ghost of a smile trace his lips. She certainly didn't imagine the hopenin his eyes
"Okay, I'll be there," Natsu nodded to her, "tonight. Just you're on duty if Levy asks between two different shades of green. They're for her napkins and I can't tell the difference anymore."
Lucy laughed at that and ventured closer, "It's a deal." She promised, and dared to slip her hand into his, "Would you like to start now?"
He blinked a bit at that and the uncertainty was back, "But... aren't you meeting your other friends?"
Lucy frowned a little, "Natsu, you're my first and best friend." She half scolded, "Recent events aside, that hasn't changed." She smiled at him, "Please? I want my best friend to meet my new friends properly."
Natsu felt something in his chest relax a little at the way she firmly claimed him as her first and best friend. Perhaps he was overreacting a little and she had no intention of sending him away?
The thought brought an actual smile to his face and he nodded, "Sounds good." He agreed, and hesitated, "I'm... sorry." He offered awkwardly, "About what happened." He looked down at their joined hands, "I know I said it before, but I really am. I didn't mean for what happened to happen, and it definitely shouldn't have happened that way. I just lost it."
Lucy squeezed his hand gently, "I know." She replied with a smile of her own, "You were just keeping your promise and things got out of hand." She met his eyes, "I can't say I'm totally okay with it, but it wasn't your fault and I understand that now."
Natsu relaxed a little more at that, his smile turning a bit more genuine. He could sense they needed to talk this out properly, without all the gossipy humans around, but he liked what they'd said so far. It seemed like he really had overreacted in his head.
More confident now, he leaned over and pressed their foreheads together, "I'll always be your best friend if you'll be mine." He breathed, "And I'll always protect you."
"Always." She breathed back, gently reaffirming their deal, and unknowingly settling a very big ache in her demon's chest, "Now c'mon, let's go meet up with Zalty and meet this Jellal guy." She laughed, "And then we can order a bunch of pizza and drive Gajeel insane with a Star Wars marathon!"
Natsu was alright with anything that involved stuffing his face with pizza, although he was less excited about interacting with more humans that Lucy made friends with. He was naturally distrustful of new people in general, and while he was happy Lucy made herself some friends she could get along with he tolerated them for her sake.
He liked an exclusively small amount of people and had no interest in more. Apocalypse dragons, according to Gajeel were extremely territorial over those they considered part of their coven. Although dragons supposedly had a different word for it.
He could be perfectly content with hanging around Lucy and her friends. But he was just as well being in their tiny group he knew well and trusted. At the moment though, he was so willing to do anything for Lucy and get them back to where they were that he would gladly let the complete strangers that were Lucy's friends braid his hair.
Or draw on his face. Whatever this Zalty guy and his buddy Jellal were into.
Natsu sighed when Lucy drew away from him and took her pleasant scent with her, leading him by the hand so they could dump their books in her locker before going to meet up with her friends.
He didn't know much about Zalty other than the fact Natsu's sensitive nose picked up on the perfume the guy normally wore. That wasn't too weird considering how many times Natsu walked into a mist of Lucy's body mist out of the shower or how often she had directly sprayed him after he sparred with Gajeel.
So aside from smelling nice, the guy was completely human. Natsu didn't mind and he had been to their house to study several times before in the past. Natsu didn't want to admit the guy was kind of a genius either, way smarter in the school subjects than Natsu was.
Or at least he assumed he was judging by what Natsu overheard when he was sulking away from the two of them while they studied.
So when Lucy dragged him out of the school and through the parking lot he didn't complain one bit. There was a weird outcrop of construction and building on the area a while back and the city had built up a small business area of coffee shops and a bookstore for the students.
Across which was an old residential home which dated back several centuries with an immaculately manicured cemetery belonging to the families that resides there. It was a small slice of Magnolia's history that was carefully tended to and Natsu had been to it more times than he could count for field trips.
And because of the weird juxtaposition of the coffee shop nearby, it was a beehive for students to hang out in.
Natsu huffed when Lucy dragged him there, spotting Zalty and a blue haired teenager a couple of years older than them leaning against the fence. A college student?
Natsu sniffed the air, not a fan of being out of sorts or meeting new people flat footed.
He picked up nothing out of the ordinary in his scent. Definitely human...
But there was something about the way the man stood, something about how he looked...
It was familiar. And in a way that sent his instincts on edge and a terrified sweat prickling in his scalp. He couldn't explain the reaction, especially not to a total stranger.
And a human no less.
Lucy shot him a concerned glance, a silent question in her eyes. He smiled briefly at her and shook his head a little. He wasn't going to spoil this for her. Not when they were finally on speaking terms again.
It was probably his usual territorial unease anyway.
That and recognizing another predator.
His time in Lucy's world had not dulled his instincts one bit, and he could tell at a glance that Jellal was highly dangerous. It wasn't anything specifically out of the ordinary for them. Their closest friends were highly dangerous after all. Hell, Lucy was highly dangerous when she put her mind to it for all that she was also girly.
Perhaps it was the self-assurance of another magic user?
That was the most likely answer, though something in him couldn't help thinking that wasn't right somehow.
Still, he kept his peace as Lucy greeted Zalty.
"I hope you don't mind I brought Natsu along." She smiled, "It seemed like a good time for him to meet you too."
"Not at all." Zalty smiled, somewhat creepily in Natsu's opinion, but everything about Zalty was slightly creepy in his opinion.
He gestured over to where the blue haired guy was waiting patiently, "Allow me to introduce my very good friend Jellal Fernandez." He nodded at Jellal in a way that wasn't quite a bow, "Jellal, my friend Lucy and her demon Natsu."
Natsu and Lucy both stiffened at that introduction and Natsu immediately stepped forward, ready to shove Lucy behind him if something happened, "Who the hell are you?" He demanded harshly, "And what do you want?"
"Exactly who Zalty introduced me as," Jellal said politely, not at all concerned by the alarm on Lucy's face or the threat of violence on Natsu's.
He stepped forward and gave her a small smile, "please forgive Zalty. They can be a little straightforward, but I don't mean you any harm."
"I've always known Natsu was a demon, it was a little hard to miss considering he sits in the class with us and sometimes sets the leaves on fire outside of the window," Zalty said dryly, "it's not exactly hard to miss."
Natsu supposed that was fair, but he was pretty discreet when it came to his fire burnings. The amount of magic it required wasn't a lot, but it demanded concentration and focus.
And it was usually over so quickly most human eyes couldn't pick up on it.
"I'm sorry Lucy, but the other day at your place I noticed a book that was left on the table. It was one I recognized Jellal also had," Zalty gave her an easy smile and it was one Natsu didn't trust.
"You see, I've practiced in necromancy as well. And as I'm sure you've noticed by now, it's a little difficult to meet people who are alright with that," Jellal spoke up softly, his eyes casting down towards his shoes for a moment before flashing up to Lucy, "I wanted to meet you. That text is very advanced, so you must be a talented necromancer."
Lucy looked torn, and Natsu could see the caution in her eyes warring with the hope she found another like her. He could see the want plain in her eyes, and it was enough to make him lower his fists. But not relax.
"You're a necromancer too?" Lucy said slowly, testing the waters from his introduction, "I don't sense that kind of magic from you."
"Because I don't specialize only in necromancy, although my magic is very close in nature," Jellal explained, "I use celestial body magic, born from the amazons priesthood. It carries the weight of the stars and those of our ancestors who have passed assist me in channeling the heavens."
"Oh, and I summon ascended spirits!" Lucy said, connecting the dots quickly, "that is fairly close."
"Yes, but I have had the advantage of several tutors in necromancy. The Amazon's sent me off island for an education before our home was destroyed," Jellal said quietly, and Natsu thought he saw a flash of darkness in his eyes. It made him advance a step, Jellal's gaze snapping up to regard him with amusement.
"I'm sorry to hear about your island," Lucy said regretfully and reached out to touch Natsu's wrist to stop him from attacking Jellal flat out.
"I was informed that my people were wiped out because of how close the priests and priestesses practiced the magic of the heavens. It was too similar to necromancy to let it stand,"
Jellal murmured, but his face didn't reflect anger, "So I'm wanting to gather people who are similar and are tired of being hunted down just for having a different kind of magic. To join me and try to make a world where people won't make mistakes like that again."
"So people like my family won't be annihilated," Jellal gave her a hopeful look.
"Sounds to me like you're wanting to recruit for a war," Natsu growled.
"Hardly," Jellal said patiently, "I'm merely offering Lucy a safe place so she won't have to hide from what she is if she needs it. And the tools she needs to master necromancy."
Lucy frowned at that, "I have a safe place already." She countered, "My godfather is insistent that I learn my family magic to the fullest extent possible. For my own protection if for no other reason."
She tilted her head slightly, "I'm more interested in what tools you think I require. If you're clever enough to spot Natsu despite his cover, and don't try to tell me spotting that was something an ordinary person could do, then you're also clever enough to know my family history."
She met Jellal's eyes fearlessly, "Heartfilia women are renowned for their practice." She told him boldly, "I have hundreds of years of history and teachings to help guide my way. Why should I be interested in yours?"
Her eyes narrowed a little at the flicker of red that had appeared when she'd said her name. He wasn't a demon. She was positive of it. But she was sure she hadn't imagined that spark of demon red. That was... not comforting.
"Your family history is, indeed, extensive and impressive." Jellal replied smoothly, rubbing a hand lightly over his heart, "I can only envy you your inheritance. It must be extraordinary to have so much accumulated knowledge to call on." He smiled charmingly, "However, there are surely things that your esteemed ancestors were unaware of. Our ability to train and study is so very sketchy after all. I can offer you the chance to learn what they never did."
He gestured around them, "Just think... a chance to refine your family's techniques with teachers who also practice the art! And a chance to learn things you never dreamed of!" He gave her an excited look as if he could already imagine it, "Think of how powerful you could be!"
Lucy crossed her arms, "I'm not interested in power." She told him flatly, "I never have been. My power, whatever it might be, is only a means to an end. That end being the protection of the natural balance." She eyed him warily, "Something a great many necromancers seem to forget if history is anything to go by."
"But surely you would have an easier time protecting that balance with more power at your disposal?" Jellal asked, "And regardless, is that not in and of itself a worthy reason to learn all you can? So you can better protect the balance you cherish so much? And wouldn't it be easier to do that protecting in a world where you don't have to hide what you are?"
"You must know that Necromancers often go to the dark because the light won't accept them," Jellal said reasonably, "You've probably run into it yourself by now, and if you haven't then you've been very lucky."
He gave her a wistful smile, "I can't say the same for myself."
Jellal shrugged and grabbed a notebook from his pocket and scribbled a line of numbers on the slip of paper, "What about this, just give it some thought okay?"
He handed the paper with his name and number over to Natsu, not trusting the demon not to separate his hand from his wrist if he got too close to Lucy.
"I know whether your demon will admit it or not, he values the power it takes to protect the people he loves," Jellal nodded to Zalty and they began to walk away, "Apocalypse dragons always do."
Natsu felt a true and real chill then, even as Jellal and Zalty walked away from them.
He pegged Natsu for what he was.
Not just a demon, but an Apocolypse Dragon.
One of only two in both this world and in hell. Only very old demons and mages had ever been able to figure it out upon looking at him. Sure, many people knew the legend of his species, but picking him out of a line up was almost impossible.
Not unless he was exceptionally powerful.
"I don't like this," Natsu growled, but passed the paper over to Lucy. The human was showing off with his knowledge, proving to her that he could back up the game he was talking.
Lucy took it and carefully folded the paper, "Neither do I. But he makes a good point."
At Natsu's surprised look, Lucy gave him a sheepish smile, "I can't help but think about Levy and what she went through. I will never forget what she was like when Gajeel finally brought her back after her guild turned on her, you remember?"
Natsu remembered. A flush of anger fueled the demon in his blood, prickling adrenaline in his veins and making fire build in his throat.
Levy had been so quiet right after the event that saw her losing all of her earthly possessions and home. She had been hunted for over a day straight before she found refuge in Blue Pegasus.
The feeling of being hunted was one Natsu knew all too well. Every time he dropped into hell before he could control his visits felt like a constant invasion on his soul. Of Acnologia's shadow creeping over him and burrowing a coldness into his being that would forever remain.
Knotted up fear and the terror of what would happen when he was caught. The times his captor would close his claws around his body and try to rip him apart...
Levy had that happen with the people she trusted never to hurt her. That betrayal from her family had shaken her to the core. And she had spent days afterwards cuddled up with Gajeel and them.
A world where their loved ones were safe from persecution.
It was a tempting thought, one Lucy entirely sympathized with. How much better would her life have been if she hadn't had to hide? Was it possible her mother might still be alive in such a world?
Gajeel could openly be what he was and not hunted for it.
But...
She frowned as she thought about what Jellal had said. She was lucky because she'd avoided darkness. Because the light wouldn't accept her kind.
A kind that included him.
Which meant that he had touched that darkness.
She sighed a little regretfully as she and Natsu walked home, "Pretty words."
Natsu shot her a slightly confused look, "Jellal's speech." She elaborated, "He told me that I was lucky to have escaped darkness because the light will never accept my kind. A kind that includes him."
She shook her head, "I'm not any luckier than the others." She said, "It's true I got lucky in my contracts." She flashed him a smile, "But the fact that I refuse to fall to darkness and the temptations within it has nothing to do with luck. It's my own choice to maintain balance instead of chasing after power."
Natsu's expression smoothed into understanding, "Yeah. Do you think he was lying then?"
"I don't know." Lucy replied seriously, "It's possible that he's touched darkness but not been drawn into it. But at the same time, his words bothered me. And I noticed your reaction to him too."
Natsu shrugged a little, his cheeks pinking a bit, "That could've been anything." He replied with a small frown, "It bugs me he knew what I was though."
Lucy nodded, "Yeah. That's not common at all." She shook herself a little, "Still, I don't think his idea was completely wrong. It would be nice to have a world where all types are accepted as long as they don't harm anyone else. I don't think I want to join him to achieve it though."
"Me neither." Natsu breathed in relief, "How would you go about it though?"
Lucy cocked her head slightly, "I don't know." She confessed, "Maybe a new type of guild? One that accepts the outcasts and misfits?" She smiled, "We should ask Levy about it! If anyone might have an idea she would!"
"Considering she's the only one of us that's actually been in a guild before, I guess that makes her something of an expert on the subject," Natsu said dryly.
They headed back home, stomping up the stairs to their apartment and opening the door. Gajeel's bag was by the door, telling them he had just gotten back from a job. Levy's was on the couch, informing them she was about to go out.
Gajeel and Levy were going over some details on the previous job Gajeel had just gotten back from. She was curled up against his chest, her legs hooked over his lap and back supported by his strong arm.
They both looked up at the sight of them getting back, Gajeel's expression clearing a bit at how they were standing closer together. Clearly the two of them had made up.
"Welcome back runts, what took you so long," Gajeel grunted, "Levy's about to head out to find her orange headed friend."
"Gajeel he has a name," Levy chided him with a smile and leaned over the back of the sofa to smile at the two, "You guys are going to be alright while I go fetch Jet and Droy for the wedding?"
"Yeah," Natsu smirked at her, "Promise Gajeel won't tear out all of his hair while you're gone."
Levy laughed at Gajeel's grumpy expression and reached out to tug on a lock of his long hair, "See that he doesn't. I'm quite fond of it."
"Hey Levy, is there such thing as a neutral guild?" Lucy asked, holding onto the doorframe to pull her shoes off and Line them by the door.
At the seemingly odd question, Levy glanced back at a confused Gajeel and then back at Lucy.
"You mean a guild that isn't aligned with light or dark magics?" Levy clarified. She kicked her legs up and rose, sweeping around the couch to gather her purse and keys, "what makes you ask that?"
"I was just thinking it would be nice," Lucy replied honestly, giving Levy a somewhat hopeful look, "A place everyone can belong to and not be afraid."
Levy stilled, her eyes flashing over to Gajeel's, who met her gaze solemnly.
Levy sighed and grabbed her overnight bag, sliding it onto her shoulders.
"Yeah, that would be wonderful," Levy admitted, "a place where no one is hunted down simply for what they are."
"People have tried on the past," Levy glanced at Lucy, "the trick of forming a legal guild is that it needs to be approved by the magic council or it's no better than the dark guilds."
"What does that matter?" Lucy pressed the topic, and Levy gave her a sad smile.
"Dark guilds are hunted down, especially new ones just starting out," Gajeel spoke up, "people have tried in the past to form independent guilds, but it just doesn't work out."
"It doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room," Levy admitted, hating the crushed look on Lucy's face. She walked over and gave the girl a tight hug. Lucy was actually taller than her now and had to bend a little to hug Levy. It was her fae blood that made her so tiny compared to normal people, and Gajeel towered over her.
"I'll look into the process when I get back, Okay?" She smiled at Lucy, "don't look so down, right?" She tapped her chin, "I'll be back soon okay?"
Lucy sighed and nodded even as Levy went to hug Natsu, who patted her on the head with a fangy grin.
Levy walked over to Gajeel and kissed him lightly, smiling into his mouth.
Gajeel seemed to sigh into it, the big man melting an inch or two under the tiny fae's touch.
"Remember what we talked about," Levy whispered to him, "It's time she knew the truth. She's old enough now."
Gajeel rumbled out a mournful growl at that, but nodded against Levy's forehead.
Natsu was giving him a curious look, having overheard Levy's words but not knowing what they meant.
He decided to let it go for now as Lucy tugged at him to head into the kitchen. Gajeel would tell them whatever it was when he was ready to and not before.
"So how many pizzas should we get?" Lucy asked with a smile as she rifled through the various coupons they had.
"Pizzas?" Gajeel asked, looking up curiously, only to find Lucy and Natsu flashing him identical grins.
"Yeah." Lucy grinned, "We thought we could order some pizzas and do a movie night since it's Friday and no homework."
Gajeel groaned while Levy giggled, "Try not to eat us out of house and home." She scolded lightly before brushing her fingers against Gajeel's cheek one last time, "I'll be back soon."
Gajeel shot her a mushy look that had the teenagers giggling and nodded. The vampire watched her go for a moment before turning back and stalking into the kitchen.
"Alright you runts." He growled, "You want pizza you can have pizza, but I'm placing the order. You're still hungry after that you can raid the kitchen."
