LOL the way that I started writing this in December last year and this story was supposed to be your New Years gift ;-;
Finally got her done! it's almost 2 am and I'm up late wanting to play Legend of Zelda but I finally found some focus!
Natsu knew his heritage well, Grandine and Igneel careful to be sure their son wouldn't act recklessly. Being a dragon had its strengths, but it wasn't lucrative to always be so happy-go-lucky.
There wasn't much to watch out for aside from explosive tendencies, the rage of a dragon something not most could parallel. If he let his anger run out of control, he could end up hurting those around him. He learned that lesson sometime in the first grade.
Some older kids took it upon themselves to pick on Lisanna and needless to say, they never did again. They were properly traumatized after a hailstorm of fireballs were sent their way.
He was capable of a lot more power than other kids his age, so he had to be careful of who he used it around.
He was taught how to transform and fly, how to better use his magic in the air. Combat training with his dad was always what he most looked forward to.
The only really important thing he needed to remember was to never bite a girl, either on her neck or her wrist. The subject made him blush, but Grandine forced him to listen.
From there, she detailed the entirety of the dragon mating process, and to a teenaged Natsu, he couldn't have hated anything more. Who needed to hear the refined details of instinctual behavior?
But, his mom had nothing to worry about. Natsu didn't have feelings for anyone like that. So he could enjoy his life as he continued to grow up in their peaceful part of Fiore.
Unfortunately, there was always a chance for important information to fall through the cracks. Something not even the most helicopter parents would be aware of if it hadn't been reminded to them. There was always that .1% of information that someone might choose to leave out. Information that steadily over time, becomes somewhat of an old myth. It was rarer than rare, undetectable by usual means of investigation.
Normally, a dragon would go through three separate stages of growth.
Fledglings were just kids, their element manifesting at some point within their first few days of birth. Next was during the preteen years when young dragons learned to sprout their wings and fly. And then, usually between their eighteenth and twentieth birthday, they'd connect with their inner dragon.
It was like meeting someone for the second time, seeing them embrace their true reality.
It wasn't a second voice, but a higher understanding. Everything just made sense. Stronger magic, stronger instincts, and the ability to become a fully formed dragon.
Unbeknownst to his parents, Natsu was plagued with this .1% problem. Something that down the road, would prove to throw a curveball into his world.
His dragon had a mind of its own, of course, not that he knew. It hid itself and only came out when it could, on the night of the full moon.
This occurrence, funnily enough, was known as moon fever.
It was a heightened state of awareness and fragility, a dragon on its own feeling a hundred times the wave of its emotions without a vessel to contain it.
But there weren't any late-night news alerts of a dragon running wild in the city, so what was the beast doing in its free time?
He managed to fall in love, meeting a girl sometime around his twelfth birthday.
Natsu was blissfully unaware. He went on living his life, going to school, playing with his friends, and getting into fights. And all the while his other half flew a few towns away to visit his dear, blonde love.
They met by accident, the dragon exploring in the night while his other half slept.
He liked to fly around to random places, absentmindedly enjoying the cool breeze under the light of the moon.
The dragon flew to sit beside a pond he saw overhead in a stretch of woods, admiring the reflection of the moon.
He sat and stared at it for who knew how long before he was approached by her.
A twig snapped behind him, Natsu's head quickly turning to meet whoever it was with a scowl and a warning glare.
A girl stood stiff, gasping slightly as she caught his gaze. He softened his expression but kept his guard up as she slowly made her way toward him.
"I've never seen anyone else come here," She began with a soft smile forming on her lips. "Do you like to come look at the stars too?"
He rose a brow as she took a seat beside him, falling onto her back as she stared up at the sky.
She didn't say anything else, nor ask who he was. He kept his eyes trained on the pond for some time before laying back to join her.
She pointed a finger up toward the moon, tracing a few stars that surrounded it.
"You can see Leo right there,"
"And right beside him is Virgo, in front of him Cancer, and then Gemini…"
He let her talk without interrupting, the mysterious blonde describing each constellation in full detail. Their origins, their brightest star, their adventures. She spoke as if she knew them, and he didn't seem to mind at all.
Not that the dragon ever met anyone before, but he thought having to listen to someone would be annoying. Especially with the way his friends acted; he would rather not get into a fistfight every five seconds.
He found out how much he liked stories, imagining the scenes of battle and hardship as she continued on.
Once it got late enough, he stood up to leave, the girl quickly getting up with him.
"Wait! Don't go…won't you tell me your name?" She snatched his wrist, desperation written on her face. "I-I had fun, didn't you?"
"...Natsu." He mumbled before taking off, attempting to shake off the strange feeling that nestled in his heart.
The next day, his host was no worse for the wear, if a little sore. He figured it was growing pains, otherwise, why would wings feel so worn out?
While idle in their consciousness, the dragon couldn't help but think of that girl. Normally he'd rest until the next full moon, but his thoughts kept wandering back to her.
Her voice and her image, though more importantly, her smell.
He could only describe it as out of this world. As if she'd literally fallen from the sky after spending her life among the stars. It was different and new; he was curious to see her again.
The dragon took off with their body as soon as the next full moon was high in the sky, following his way back to that lonely little lake.
And there she was, lying in the grass as if she'd been waiting for his return.
He flew down in the nearby trees, walking between them as he carefully approached her. Her eyes were closed and her breath was steady, Natsu crouching at her side.
Before he could get her attention, the girl opened her eyes and let out a sharp shriek.
"Ah! Oh my gosh!" She shouted, scrambling onto her knees with a panicked breath. "D–Don't—oh...oh my….it's you!"
"I thought...I thought you were a dream…" She lamented, calming herself as he stared, his lips almost tugging into a smile.
"I'm not." He shrugged, scooting a bit closer to her.
"Why didn't you, um well, not that you had to...but why didn't you come back?" She asked, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
"I couldn't." He gave her a simple enough answer, one he was sure satisfied her curiosity.
"Oh," She nodded, slightly disappointed that he didn't want to share more with her. "Well, do you want to hear more—"
She yelped as he was quick to grab at her wrist, bringing it up to his nose for closer inspection.
He could hear her pulse quickening, his eyes turning up to catch the faint blush on her cheeks.
"Why do you smell like the moon?"
"You can tell?" She swallowed the lump in her throat as he nodded. "I'm not supposed to show anyone...but I think it'll be okay if it's you."
She maneuvered her hand to hold his, motioning him to lie back along with her.
They stared up at the stars, the full moon looking down on them.
The girl let out a deep breath, reaching her hand up toward the sky.
He turned to face her, watching as her eyes shone with an otherworldly light. It looked as if a million galaxies were swarming in her eyes, guiding her sight and controlling her fingertips. She grabbed onto something in the air, the sky dancing with her.
The stars moved in a flurry, pushing and pulling in the air akin to ocean waves.
"Pollux…" Her voice was different, deeper, a mix of other tones and depths that amplified her own.
One star began to outshine the rest, the girl smiling as she pulled her hand back, her grip steady on something he could not yet see.
The sea of stars broke apart as she turned to face him, twirling a golden key she now held.
"This is Gemini," She smiled, carefully showing it to him. "I'd call them out to meet you, but my parents would find out."
"You can control the stars?" She shook her head at his question, almost laughing.
"I'd never try to control them, I'm just able to open their gates."
"Gates?"
That night, Natsu learned her name was Lucy, and she was born into a long family line of celestial royalty that fell to earth long ago. She had the power to call upon the stars and see the figure who stood behind the constellations in the sky.
He noted that she smelled just like the night, as if the moon wrapped her in its embrace. He felt oddly comfortable at the thought, missing her scent every time he left.
From then on, they spent every full month together. He laid by her side and they stared up at the sky, so close that their shoulders bumped against the other.
Natsu listened to Lucy's stories and found her presence a comfort. Other humans seemed annoying and unnecessarily loud; Gray and Erza for example. He would plug his ears whenever they started shouting, vowing that the day he got the chance to, he'd show them his true strength.
Although not to say he didn't like humans, he just liked to be alone. Being alone with Lucy gave him a sense of peace that outshined anything else in his world.
They grew up together, one day, one month at a time. There were years of Natsu flying back and forth to hear her stories, watching her pull more keys out of the sky before sending them back, and a gentle friendship built itself.
He got used to her hugs, Lucy always eager to jump into his arms when his feet touched the ground. She felt delicate in his hold, so soft that he couldn't be anything but ginger. She'd look up at him with a smile, his lips tugging upward slightly as he pushed her hair behind her ear.
There was always one second where she appeared to want to say something, but she never did. Instead covering it up with a,
"So, what story should I tell you today?"
He learned about her family over time, that they kept her sheltered from the outside world. Someone with her abilities would be at risk, her father swearing up and down how dangerous the world could be.
She always stayed close to home, at most only ever getting to go out when there was a festival in town. But even then she was escorted by her staff and never allowed to make any outside friends. Natsu was her only one, so she made sure to know he was cherished.
He followed her home once out of curiosity, wondering just where she'd been sneaking away from.
It was elegant, to say the least. A giant house that looked centuries old, but well preserved at the same time. It was surrounded by pale brick walls, Natsu watching her shimmy through a hole hidden between some bushes. He almost laughed.
It looked like an ancient castle, an estate surrounded by gardens and separate houses; Lucy quickly ran into her own.
It was double the size of his own home, though surely she was the only one staying in it. It was littered with her scent and random ones coming in and out that probably belonged to help of some kind.
He could hear her breath begin to slow after a while, a sign for him to go home.
They were halfway through the age of sixteen when for the first time, Lucy didn't show up.
The dragon left around the same time he usually did, and Lucy was always there before him. She wasn't hiding behind a tree in hopes of surprising him, something she tried to do more than once. She simply hadn't come to see him.
He felt his heart twist slightly, a dull pain worming its way inside. There was no way she wasn't here by choice. For four years she managed to come to him every full moon, so what was stopping her now?
Natsu quickly took off into the air, his nose keeping an eye out in case she got into any trouble. The woods around here were safe from anything predatory, but there was no knowing if something wandered by.
He made it to her home in a short flight, gliding high in a mix of clouds until there was no one in his direct line of movement. He closed his wings to fall quickly, carefully landing on her balcony where he could hear her stifled sobs.
"Oh, Natsu…" She mumbled into a pillow before her chest wracked with more cries. His anxiety made him rush in, sliding open the paper door that kept them apart.
"Lucy," His voice felt odd as he spoke her name, hurrying to her side as she raised her tired head.
"N-Natsu?" She sniffled, her eyes lighting up as he kneeled onto her bed. "You…You found me…!"
"It wasn't hard," He chuckled as she swallowed him in her embrace. "I was worried, why didn't you come?"
"I've been sneaking out through a hole in the garden wall," She explained, Natsu nodding as if he didn't already know. "Some rabbits were getting in and eating my mother's flowers recently. They found the hole last night and bricked it up...I was so worried I'd never see you again."
"I'd find you anywhere," He confessed, his nose buried against her crown. "Don't worry, Luce, they could never keep us apart."
Lucy didn't want to let go of their hug, her tears staining his thin shirt. He held her with a similar strength, whispering comforting words as they lay in her bed.
He found himself growing more overwhelmed, finding it hard to imagine having to leave her room after that night.
Her scent was overpowering, clinging to his nostrils and clawing its way into his system. He exhaled with a slight growl, a possessive feeling crawling its way up his throat.
They shared their first kiss that night. Lucy was showered in the light of the moon as they spoke their goodbyes and promises of seeing each other again. He'd be on her balcony in one month's time, for more stories and her company.
She finally said those words she'd been dying to let out, her body a ball of nerves as their eyes met.
"I love you," Her chest rose heavily in the silence of her breath, Natsu tilting his head curiously at her.
He knew of love, of course, but dragons didn't necessarily love. His parents described it as many things, a different discovery for every dragon to make themselves. He didn't know what it would feel like to find his mate, but the thought of spending his life with anyone but Lucy made his heart ache.
He surprised her with a kiss, his lips burning at the touch. He'd never felt so warm before.
"I love you," He spoke against her lips, another deep embrace he didn't want to leave. "Lucy."
It pained him to be away from her once he discovered his true feelings, but he was patient, knowing there was, unfortunately, no way for him to see her outside of the full moon.
When the night came, he shot off at full speed to her window. Sneaking in was easy enough, not too many guards out on patrol.
He kissed her right away, not even giving Lucy enough time to greet him. He was more than desperate for her, knowing it wouldn't be long for the urge to mark her to overcome him.
A dragon without its reins was hard to control, the beast himself doing his best to hold back. If driven to the point, he'd want to take Lucy away and hide her where no one else could reach her. Alone in a cave somewhere at the edge of the world sounded more and more like the right thing for them.
She was always nervous to reciprocate his touch, the two going slow as they learned just what they were doing.
The stories were long forgotten, each night they met filled with hours of gentle embraces and soft kisses. It was comfortable with her in his arms, gazing into her eyes and keeping her close. Natsu wanted to soak up as much of her as he could, feeling his heart break every time he left her side.
Their relationship carried on for a year and a half, though Natsu couldn't help but be a mystery. There were qualities of himself he couldn't unlock, a voice that was and wasn't his, one he wanted Lucy to know. He wanted her to know his real self, someone neither of them truly knew.
He'd only hurt them both if he revealed his other half too soon; the side who didn't even know Lucy existed. A side who would sooner run away rather than try to understand what she meant to him.
Natsu felt as though he couldn't honestly give himself away to her, struggling with his instinct and the semblance of a human mind he had. He was more inclined to listen to the voice that wanted her all to himself, but Lucy had a choice here too.
He visited her one night under the Pink Moon, the sky lit with a different hue. It was one of Lucy's favorites since the night matched him so well.
He arrived at his usual time, ready to greet Lucy with a long-overdue embrace.
Natsu slid open the door, slightly surprised as her room was riddled with candles, a few on every possible surface. The sight made his mouth water; he could always go for a midnight snack.
Lucy cleared her throat and pulled his attention toward her bed, the blonde clad in a thin white dress. One that didn't leave anything to the imagination.
He wasn't dense, his heart racing at the sight of her. His thoughts couldn't slow down, all of them shouting to take her, to mark her, to riddle her skin with his touch, to embellish her memory with him so she'd never yearn for another.
They held each other in a heat so thick, that even Natsu found himself getting lost in the fog.
All he could manage to think about was her smell, how her body felt against his, how she writhed and whispered his name into the air.
He looked down at her on her white satin sheets, her chest rising and falling with heavy pants passing through her bruised lips.
Those lips…he memorized their shape and their feel, how wonderful they felt against his own. He loved those lips, especially when they smiled back at him.
He'd never forget the hushed voice she let loose every time he touched somewhere new, his eyes following her own for permission.
He brandished her with a kiss wherever he could, letting himself linger with a warmed-up graze. He watched every twitch and flutter, listening to every gasp and mewl.
Natsu kept her warm with his fire, moving carefully so as to not alarm anyone who hear the slightest of sounds.
He kissed the pinky she chewed on to keep herself quiet before spreading her legs.
Lucy's face was bright red and nervous, not sure where she should look. His fingers intertwined with hers, and he spoke a string of affirmations in her ear. One's that Lucy would hold onto every night he couldn't be by her side.
Her body bore his mark, a sweet red stain hidden on her nape. Now, Natsu felt more comfortable on the days they had to spend apart.
And each time they saw each other again, the warmth of that foggy night followed.
~000~
"Ah! I can believe we're finally off that damn train!" Natsu shouted as he threw himself onto the ground, his head reeling as he tried to keep himself from upchucking.
"Speak for yourself, I was really enjoying the scenery." Lisanna sighed, stretching as she helped Erza move their luggage aside.
"Get a fucking grip already, the car should be here soon," Gray kicked him lightly, ignoring the glare the pinkette sent toward him. "I don't want to be late."
"Juvia thinks Gray-sama could stand to be a little nicer," Juvia clicked her tongue as she helped Natsu to his feet, handing him another motion sickness pill. "It's hours till the event starts, we have time."
"There's enough time for Natsu to rest up while we do a little light shopping," Erza grinned, hauling the sick dragon onto her shoulder as Gray flagged down their ride. "Let's go!"
The end of their senior year had rolled around, the gang excluding Gajeel and Levy going on a trip to the historical town of Acalypha. It was a more rural side of Fiore, home to centuries-old buildings that were more than worth sightseeing. And every summer they were known for one of the biggest festivals around; honoring the sage celestial beings that overlooked and protected their town.
It was something Erza had been looking forward to visiting since she was young. It definitely had nothing to do with the first Heart Kreuz ever opened in Fiore.
Their parents were more than eager to let them go somewhere on their own, especially to a place where it'd be impossible to get kidnapped or stolen. And there was no seedy nightlife to get mixed up in; even better.
The seven set out as soon as the sun went down, soaking in their new freedom. It was an indescribable feeling, but something was so different about experiencing an unknown place with friends.
They'd been to festivals before, but nothing like the one in Acalypha. There was a lot to be grateful for under the watch of their observed deities, so why not celebrate with the riches of the land?
Lisanna kept an eye on Natsu as he lost himself in the expansive food stalls, trying almost one of everything he could get his hands on. He was smart to save up all the money his dad gave him for helping out on odd jobs.
The group was in and out of every street they could find a stall on, making various stops to window shop and get souvenirs.
And, of course, they stopped to pray and have their fortunes read.
"Books will lead you to far away lands," Levy pursed her lips, annoyed with the strip of paper. "Really? That's so lame."
"Mine says a shorty'll find ya real hot one day," Gajeel snickered as Levy smacked his arm.
"As if!"
"Watch out for rain clouds...funny." Gray rolled his eyes, embarrassed as he avoided Juvia's gaze.
"Don't be so shy, Gray-sama," She giggled, cozying up to his side. "Juvia's says she has a warm heart, isn't that nice?"
"How about you, Erza?" Lisanna asked as she tried peeking over the red head's shoulder.
"W-Why don't you tell us yours first?" She coughed, turning away to keep hers a secret.
"Fine," She pouted. "But mine is kind of weird. A broken heart leads to sparks."
"Natsu?" He shrugged as he unfolded the paper again, not able to understand his message either.
"The stars will guide you," He said. "Guess this town really likes gimmicks."
"Let's just find a good spot to watch from!" Erza cut in, pulling Juvia and Lisanna alongside her. "I want to see the ceremony from up close!"
"Whaddaya think hers said?" Natsu snickered as they followed close behind.
"Probably Jellal's name in big red letters, I bet." They laughed, devising a plan to try and steal the paper when she wasn't looking.
They followed Erza as she barreled through the crowd, festival-goers getting out of the way at the brief sensation of her aura.
There was a large stage set up, for what, they were unsure of. Weren't they just gathered for the fireworks show?
There were ropes set up on the wide main street, leaving room for an envoy to make their way to the front.
Everyone bustled with excitement and laughter, expression building as the allotted time for the ceremony grew closer.
He looked up at the stars, feeling a bit stuffy and overstimulated in the crowd. All the voices and scents were stifling every so often, Natsu almost wanting to spread his wings and take a seat above everyone.
It wasn't long before someone walked up onto the stage, the crowd cheering as they took hold of the microphone.
"Good evening! Welcome everyone, to our annual constellation celebration!" The speaker paused for the crowd to cheer again, the five smiling and joining in on the ruckus.
"As most of you may know, our humble town of Acalypha is home to the most ancient of the very ancestors of our sky! Fallen stars that walk among us! It's our honor to have their blessing presented to us once again, so without further ado, I would like to introduce our Princess of the Stars! Her Highness, Lucy Heartfilia!"
The crowd behind them cheered as a palanquin passed by, Natsu catching sight of someone behind the curtain. There was only a wisp of blonde hair he was able to see, but that was enough for him to feel a small shiver run down his back.
He shook off his sudden nerves, the sound of the crowd overwhelming his senses. The caravan stopped at the steps leading up to the stage. The shouts and greetings grew even louder as the footman helped his mistress set her feet on the ground.
She wore a shroud that covered her face, her kimono made of almost an ethereal-looking fabric. The silk glistened under the moonlight, the train that dragged behind her flittering with an elaborate pattern that mimicked the constellations.
Natsu heard others whispering how she looked like an angel, and he couldn't help but agree.
His skin was itching, waiting and wondering what she looked like. The MC began to raise his hands, motioning for the crowd to quiet down.
It seemed like everyone in the crowd was holding their breaths as she slowly raised the thin veil, her bright brown eyes settling onto the crowd.
She smiled and gave a polite wave as the cheers erupted once more, Natsu at a loss for words.
"Oh, wow, she's…"
"...beautiful." Natsu finished Gray's sentence, ignoring the turn of his friends' heads. "So beautiful that I…I feel like I'm going crazy…"
"Chill, dude, you don't even know her." Gray stifled a laugh, elbowing Natsu who still had yet to look away. Even if his friend was right, there was just something so familiar about her.
He felt his heart jump in a way he never felt before, the blood in his veins almost clawing to reach her.
His wings were itching to expand, take hold of her, and fly away somewhere where no one else could set their eyes on her.
Natsu ignored the worried gaze of his friends, unable to take his eyes off her. She continued to wave, turning to face every side of the crowd until she saw him.
He felt her gaze twist his stomach and answer the question running circles in his head. He could hear her quickened heartbeat and the catch in her throat, see the blush that began to burn at the mere sight of him. He licked his lips, almost tasting her on his tongue, the announcer stealing her attention before Natsu could answer her unknowing call to go to her.
"Let's begin the ceremony, shall we? I'll leave it to you, princess," He bowed as the crowd let out another uproar, the girl quickly nodding.
He could hear the deep breath she took as silence swelled, her eyes closing momentarily as she reached out her hands.
She lifted them halfway to the sky, closing her eyes as the breeze shifted. The sky trembled as her lips parted, an amalgamation of voices accompanying her own. The words she spoke were quick and not easy for him to pick apart, but he recognized some names of the constellations. Pyxis, Lyra, Virgo, Orion, Lupus. Names he hadn't recalled knowing before.
Everyone looked up as the stars swirled and whirled above them, the crowd in awe of the push and pull of waves in the sky.
She transformed the night into the ocean, moving the stars into brilliant swirls and colors, dragging planets and milky ways through a sea of magic.
Natsu would've looked up, but he could feel the faint memory of having viewed this spectacle before. She was all he wanted to look at right now.
She pulled her hand back to reveal a swarm of keys, her voice booming and melding with the sky. The loud clang and toll of a bell rang for miles around them, before a mass of spirits swarmed the air above them.
"The members of the eighty-eight constellations, everybody! Please give a round of applause for our princess!"
The shouts and hollers were drowned out around him as he watched one of the spirit's kneel at her side, taking her hand in his.
"Ouch! Natsu, what's with the heat?" Lisanna hissed, rubbing her arm as Gray counteracted his sudden rise in temperature.
"S-Sorry," He shook his head, momentarily looking away from the scene on stage to look after his friend. Luckily both he and the dragon missed the suited spirit press a kiss to the back of her hand. "I was spacing out. I didn't get you too bad, did I?"
"I'm okay," She gave him a half-pained smile, Gray carefully cooling her burn. "Thanks, Gray."
Natsu shook his head of the thoughts that felt heavy on his mind, wondering why he felt panicked and needy and drawn in. He continued to watch as she bent the sky, smiling as the fluttering stars passed her by.
The show came to its end and the princess was shortly taken away as the sky settled into its natural image.
Natsu felt his anxiety rise as her carriage vanished in the direction it came. They only let the crowd disperse after she was a safe distance away, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip.
He followed his friends as they made their way toward the hotel, the sounds of their voice drowning out. He couldn't think straight but his thoughts didn't make much sense.
Why was he suddenly so aware of someone he'd never met? It felt like something inside of him was trying to crawl out, a fidgety voice sitting behind his, scrawling his thoughts in an uncomfortable manner.
He wanted to find her; it wouldn't be hard. He could feel his eyes narrow and begin to change, a dormant side of him crying to take over.
"Natsu? Natsu, are you sure you're okay?" Lisanna's hand on his wrist snapped his attention; when had they gotten back to their rooms? He was already standing in front of his door, Gajeel holding it open with a wayward glance as Gray leaned against the adjacent wall.
"I'm fine," He shrugged off her hand and moved to walk past his cousin. "I'm gonna go to bed, you guys. I'll see you in the morning."
"Yeah," The ice devil rose his brow curiously, looking at Lisanna as she nervously shook her head. "Feel better then, I guess."
He laid on his bed and stared at the dark ceiling above, listless and unnecessarily too awake to sleep.
Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her.
His heart squeezed itself with a lovesick ache that slowly swallowed him up. His chest began to rise with quick, distressed breaths as he felt himself begin to spiral.
He whimpered as he cried a few frustrated tears, a strained growl rising up his throat through the growing sadness.
Why? Just why? He couldn't make any sense of this urgency, his fire practically screaming to be released.
He caught wind of her scent without even trying. Of course there was nothing like it around for miles. It was sweet and alluring, silencing his developing madness.
His fire begged with persistence, he needed to see her, to hold her, to make sure she was safe. The safest place for her could only ever be in his arms.
If he found her, he'd be able to understand just what was going on inside of him. Laying here and crying at the sound of his own mental breakdown wasn't doing him any good. At this rate, he'd slip into the cold pain of his flames and succumb to his wild nature if he weren't careful.
A soft knock at his door drew his eyes to the shadow carrying in from under the door, the distant rampage settling its overwhelmed behavior.
"Natsu? You're here, right?" The light sound of her voice wrapped around him and sang to him like a siren's song. It lulled him into the sense of security he'd been craving, calling out to the uneasiness shrouded in his flames.
He was on his feet before he realized it, his hand twisting the doorknob to reveal the object of his desire.
There she stood, smiling so brightly like the stars she commanded.
He flinched as she suddenly wrapped her arms around him, a delighted squeal passing through her lips.
"Oh, I knew I'd find you! I wish I knew you were coming to the festival! I almost forgot what I was supposed to do next when I saw you in the crowd!"
The door closed behind them as she pulled him into the room, his confusion smothered by her sting of words that failed to come to a stop.
"Did you come to see me?" She nervously pushed her hair behind one ear, a blush forming on her cheeks. "The full moon is tomorrow night, so I figured you were going to stop by, but I'm staying in town until the morning. I never get to come to you, so I hope it's not too surprising that I came to see you."
"H-How'd you find me?" His throat felt dry as he spoke, a stiff lump in his throat as he swallowed.
"You told me I'd be able to find me no matter where you were," She laughed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Well? Aren't you happy to see me?"
He couldn't describe the bursting happiness that made room for itself, replacing the primordial ache that almost buried him alive.
The moonlight fell from his open windows and framed her so pleasantly, her skin practically shining akin to the heavens she fell from.
He took a few steps forward, looking down on her as she played with the ends of her hair.
"...Aren't you?" Her smile began to falter as he took his time absorbing her image, wondering what to do now that his thoughts came to a standstill. Everything was suddenly so quiet, the beating of his heart the only thing audible aside from her voice. "This was a mistake, wasn't it? I knew I should have waited for you to come…I should've just waited for you to co—"
"Don't leave," He shook his head with a frown, moving to kneel before her. "I'm sorry, I just don't know what to say,"
"You've never been the type to talk much," Her giggle soothed his subtle headache, a curious scent wafting under his nose.
"You…you have my mark?" His nose twitched as he recognized what probably had him in such a fit up until this point. He sensed his fire wrapped around her, traces of it settled in the sweet sections of her body. His magic ran through her blood, just how…
"You just want to see it, don't you?" She playfully nudged his shoulder, the star loosening the obi around her yukata. Natsu's eyes widened as she pulled her sleeve to the side, revealing the faint red swirl reacting to his presence. His finger gingerly traced the emblem, its color shifting and moving with him.
"Natsu," Her hands moved to encompass his. "I want us to lay together, is that okay?"
She scooted back on his bed, patting the empty space beside her. "I won't be able to stay for much longer, someone will come to check on me in a little while."
He stood up, but only to stare at her more, his thoughts slamming, almost beating against a mental wall. His previous anxiety was gone, but something still didn't feel right. He would've remembered giving away his mark, no? Natsu knew he'd only give it to the one meant for him…and even though it felt like she was the one,
"I don't remember you at all," He mustered a strained frown onto his features. "Why don't I remember you?"
"...What?" She looked at him, Natsu knowing her stomach and heart probably just twisted into a tight knot. "You don't…what do you mean?"
"Just…! Just why…!" He snatched her wrist and pulled her forward, huffing as his confusion began to melt into anger. "Who the hell are you?! I feel like I'm going insane and it's all because of you!"
She flinched as he raised his voice, an increased rise in her chest as his magic reacted within her. It burned in the way he often made it to comfort her, so why was he yelling and looking at her as if they'd never met?
"N-Natsu, please…why, why are you...!" She shrieked as he slammed a fiery fist into the bedframe, the scent of burnt cotton swallowing her happiness in an instant. "Natsu!"
"Stop it!" He roared, golden eyes flaring as red scales started to fleck on and off the surface of his skin. Her bottom lip quivered as she cried, knowing those eyes anywhere. But the boy in front of her would never raise his voice, in the six years they'd been together, never once did he.
He fell to his knees and clutched his stomach, a discomforted roar passing through his lips, the room around them shaking.
Lucy couldn't help her tears as his grief overwhelmed her, a rapid knock at the door snapping her from the sight of her tormented dragon.
"Natsu? Natsu, what the hell is going on in there?!" It was a girl's voice, Lucy quickly looking around. What should she do? What could she do?
The balcony door was her only saving grace, even as part of her wanted to console Natsu, something was too wrong for her to understand what to do. How could he forget who she was?
Loke grabbed onto her as she cried out for him, the princess disappearing into the sky as the door came barreling down.
Natsu wept as he stared at the trail of stardust, the ache growing again as he let out another pained scream.
"Holy shit…!" Gajeel stood beside Gray, Erza guarding Lisanna, Juvia, and Levy who timidly peeked from over her shoulders. Everyone covered their ears as he wailed with such distress that only his cousin could understand.
Natsu's tears turned from water to a thick form of lava, the fire in his soul leaking out and running rampant. The carpet around him began to burn, the air becoming more and more dry as he neared an emotional explosion.
"Knock him out!" Gray heard Gajeel shout as Natsu's skin started to glow with an underlying orange hue. "Cool his ass down, otherwise, we're gonna need to start running!"
Gray clicked his tongue as he took form, tattoos crawling up his skin, before he wrapped himself around Natsu.
"You owe me one, you hot fucking bastard!" Gray matched his desperate cry, Juvia pushing her way into the room as his magic emitted its familiar blue light. "Now, go to sleep!"
The hotel staff and other guests who waited anxiously behind Erza calmed as she apologized on their behalf, explaining as much as she could from the scene she had just witnessed. Thankfully, as long as Natsu was out of it, they seemed happy enough to keep their nose out of whatever had just gone down.
"Gray-sama!" Juvia caught his tired body as he fell back, Natsu falling forward as he returned to his usual looking self.
"I'm okay…" He sighed, leaning into Juvia's palm as she applied a cool hand to his forehead. "Geez, that asshole…nearly over-boiled."
"What's going on? He said he was okay," Lisanna asked, tears pricking the corner of her eyes at the sight of her limp best friend. "Gajeel?"
"Not that I've ever seen it before," He grunted as he lifted Natsu off the floor, Erza helping to lay him out properly. "But I think he's got moon fever. Sick idiot went and fell in love without even knowing it."
~000~
"So you mean," Levy gasped from where she sat on the edge of the bed. "It was probably that girl, the princess? But why would she drive him over the edge?"
"I mean who else's been around that made him suddenly start acting all weird? When has he ever accidentally burned someone? I thought it was off, but moon fever isn't something you can really notice until it's too late. Natsu was about to transform and probably blow apart half the hotel if Gray didn't shock his body out of it."
"Transform? Into a full dragon?" Lisanna's eyes widened slightly as Gajeel nodded his head.
"I could smell it between all of that crying, he didn't even know what he was doin'. Brat was practically sitting between his two halves and they still couldn't figure out how to communicate. It's supposed to happen naturally, but if a dragon finds his mate all on its own, yer body can't really figure out what to do. It was tryna force its way out since it knows more and why he was upset in the first place."
"Juvia thinks that's so romantic," She sighed, leaning against Gray's arm as he rolled his eyes. "But poor Natsu-san, he must've been in so much pain…we didn't even notice."
"What do we do now?" Erza asked solemnly, brushing her hand against Natsu's cheek. "We should get home as soon as possible, let his parents know? I don't want to leave his side until he wakes up."
"I'll give 'em a call, it'd be faster just to go home dragon-back instead of the stupid train. Hopefully he's solving everything in there right now, otherwise, I don't wanna have to deal with whatever he might be."
~000~
Natsu woke up to the familiar sight of the stars swirling above head, soft grass tickling his arms as they were folded to cushion his head.
"Plue is your favorite?" His lips moved without his intention, his eyes moving to cast on the person that laid beside him.
"He's just the cutest! All the Nikora are, they're little puppies! I only get to play with them every once in a while, but…"
His heart leapt at the sight of the blonde princess, but, she wasn't this young? He was looking at her, but she looked about twelve or thirteen. He turned his eyes back to the sky, a smile spreading on his lips as she continued talking.
"What?"
He blinked, opening his eyes to the familiar sight of his bedroom, his feet carefully touching the wooden flooring. He was drawn to the sight of his blue kitten sleeping on his favorite pillow, and wearing the green collar that had outgrown him by the time Natsu was entering high school.
He turned to his window, noticing the full view of the moon casting itself down on him. It wasn't long before he took off into the sky, flying and following a path that Natsu felt was all too familiar to him.
He landed beside a small pond, its water reflecting his image, the fresh pinkness of the scar on his neck from a fight he'd gotten in with Gray over the summer before their first year.
"Natsu!" The sound of her voice soothed him, almost making him purr. He felt her arms encompass him, the relaxing feel of her embrace smothering every bad feeling he'd ever had.
"Oh, gosh, where'd you get that scar? It looks bad," He didn't like to see her worrying, Natsu distracting himself in the comfort of her exposed nape. "N-Natsu?"
"I fought with a friend," He shrugged. "But I'm okay."
"O-Okay…"
"Seriously, what's going on? When did any of this…"
Natsu wanted to reach to cover his mouth, his cheeks burning with a maddened blush, his embarrassment off the charts at the sight of Lucy…so exposed…
"Natsu," Her breath tickled his ear, a groan slipping from between his lips as she reached out to hold his bicep. "T-That's…!"
"It doesn't hurt, does it?" He felt smothered by her scent, the room around him covered in the addictive odor. He wanted to dart his eyes around crazily, already not recognizing the bedspread she laid upon.
"W-Where are we?! When did I…?!"
He stilled at the feeling of her kiss on his lips, his mind relaxing as his body did, his physical form coaxing the confused entity to slip into its natural place.
He remembered this feeling somehow…the taste of her tongue, the pillowy sensation, the calming effect it always had on him. They both took in a deep breath, sharing a peaceful moment in between their heat and passion.
"Here," Natsu lifted her from where she lay, Lucy squeaking as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I think it won't hurt as much if I do it like this,"
"O-Okay," She held herself close to him, the warmth of his hands soothing and relaxing her body to accept his. "I'm ready, Natsu,"
"I love you, my Lucy,"
He felt shocked into his own body at the moment of penetration, feeling his thoughts overwhelm with troves of hidden memories from over the years.
The first night they met, of when he thought he'd like to see her again, of when he knew he fell in love and learned she did to, of their first night and every few following embrace. Of the night he made her cry and cried himself. Of her sorrowed look and broken heart. Of the feeling of his flame calling out from inside her, begging to be known and cherished.
He choked on his gasp, shocking himself out of sleep and back into the hotel room. Natsu breathed rapidly in and out, trying to calm himself, reaching for the glass of water placed at his bedside.
It was still night, but the moon outside was now full instead of waning. He shook his head and groaned, feeling sore and slightly uncomfortable. He couldn't really remember anything after Lucy ran out of his room, the dragon quickly jumping to his feet at the thought.
"Shit, I need to find her,"
His head turned at the sound of voices outside his room; his friends and his parents approaching the door. They all sounded worried, but Natsu had his priorities.
"Sorry, guys, I'll be right back,"
Natsu was quick to take off into the night, already knowing which way to go. Thankfully, her family's estate didn't seem too far away, her home just on the outskirts of Acalypha.
He managed to see a light from her drawn curtains, his ears catching the sound of her quiet and woeful weeping.
He rushed to land himself on her balcony, pushing past the thin barrier to the sight of her gathered in her bed's pillows.
"Luce," Her name rolled off his tongue in a way that felt a little foreign but just right, like he'd been dying to say it these past few years.
She hiccuped behind the organza canopy, quickly lifting her head to face his poor form.
"Natsu?" His lips formed a soft smile; she looked so cute even when she cried. "What…what are you doing here? You…! You can't just show up here after what you said to me last night!"
"I know, I know," He knelt on her bed, scrambling to wipe the tears that continued to decorate her features. "I'm so sorry, Lucy. I didn't mean to yell at you and I know I scared you, I shouldn't have—"
"Scared me?" She pushed away his hands and smacked him with a pillow. "You told me…that you didn't know who I was…me, Natsu. And after everything we've been through…"
He grimaced as she began to cry again, her hand weakly gripping the collar of his shirt.
"How could you say that to someone you love?"
"I'm so sorry, Luce," His nose stung as he held back the sudden onslaught of heartache. "I wish you never had to hear me say that…but it was true. I know how much I love you now, but my memories were kind of locked up for a while."
"Locked up?" She sniffled as his thumb cleared more of her tears.
"Yeah, it's a little hard to explain." He smiled sheepishly. "But I'll tell you everything, I swear. Is it okay if I ask you to trust me, just for a little while?"
"...I suppose," She straightened herself out, matching Natsu who sat across from her. "I trust you."
"I guess I'll start with the full moon…"
I hope you liked it! I forget how I got this cute idea but I'm really glad I did!
I'm still on a 'break' but only so people know not to bug me with anything that isn't my priority lmao
and yo! the tart cherry juice thing totally works
