BlackLynx17: Took me two days to edit this! Hopefully you enjoy it!


Title: Love At First Sight

Secret Title: Pirate Love

Summary: Wendy is a princess forced to be married at the age of 18. It wouldn't be a problem for her if she had fallen in love with her fiance, but alas fate is not too kind. Determined to runaway to chose her own love, she runs into a nice man who rescues her from her guards. Thinking this man is her one true love, she decides to escape with him. She had no idea that her true love was a no good pirate.


Chapter Five

What Can A Princess Do?


"Ah- I'm not so sure I should go." Wendy mumbles as she fiddles with her fingers.

"Why not? Come on Wendy, breakfast is over. We have work to do in the day. Mest knows the shift, he'll find you even if you come with me. Do you really want to just sit here alone waiting for him to return?" Natsu asks.

No, she doesn't want to do that. She wants to explore; she's never been on a pirate ship before. Wendy bites her bottom lip before she nods her head and takes Natsu's extended hand. The man laughs and is leading her out of the kitchen, towards the deck where hundreds of things seem to be going on all at once. She sees people tying ropes to the ship, moving boxes and barrels, shivers when she feels water splash against her boots as some of them scrub the deck, and hears loud banging noises as she finds people hammering away. She doesn't know what's going on, but everything seems so... so... intriguing.

"Here's the poop deck," Natsu laughs to himself, "this is basically where I tend to spend my time during the day, unless the weather isn't being so kind, then I go and hide down below. I'm the carpenter of the ship, one of many, but there are also a lot of other positions you can do on old Vermillion. Spend some time with me, and if you think carpeting is not for you, I can give you to someone else to try something new."

Wendy blinks and tilts her head, "carpeting? What do you do, fix things?"

"Exactly! Our ship is strong, but old. You wouldn't believe how many things break every single day, so it's my job to make sure we stay floating. There was a railing I planned on fixing today that's been a bit shaky. You can be my trusty assistant and help me. I'll show you all the ropes to being a fixer-upper." Natsu grins at her.

Wendy smiles back and nods her head with enthusiasm. Yes, she could try to do that, fix things. Although she's never fixed anything in her entire life before, it's never too late to learn. From the way he's describing it to her carpeting sounds like it will be fun. Natsu laughs and pats her on the back before leading her to the storage room. He shows her where the tools are always located before going back on the deck, explaining the ins and outs of each tool.

That is where Mest finds her in a panic. What Erza promised ten minutes ended up being half an hour and he rushed back to the kitchen, expecting to find his princess there LIKE HE TOLD HER TO BE, but instead the room was completely empty. After that all hell broke loose as he ran all around his ship trying to find her, fearing for the worse. Of course he finds her with Natsu though, the last person she was with before he left her. And if that wasn't a scary enough sight, she was on top of the deck nearly leaning over the railing as Natsu hammered away at it.

Something possessed Mest at this moment. He stalked over there and wrapped his arms around Wendy's waist, pulling her as far away as possible from the railing where she could have easily fallen over and drowned to death.

"Wendy, I thought I told you to wait for me." Mest tries to sound pleasant enough.

But Wendy flinches from the sound of his voice and looks down at her feet, ashamed of herself. Natsu yelps at the sudden surprise and throws down his tools on the floor. What in the world was wrong with his captain? He stalks over to him and glares fiercely at the man.

"What the hell Mest? You didn't have to scare the girl!"

"Why is she even with you in the first place Natsu?!"

"Because we were trying to see if she had a knack for carpeting! She was helping me fix our ship and was doing a pretty good job at it before you stole her away!"

"Why would you make her do such a thing?! Why would you have her over the ledge like that?! Do you know she can't swim?! She could have fallen over and drowned!"

"Excuse me, I may not be smart, but I'm not dumb either! I never would have let her fallen over! And even if I had, I'm pretty sure I would have figured out she couldn't swim when she didn't come up for air! I would have jumped after her in an instant! She's part of our crew now, and more importantly, she's my friend! I care about her, and I didn't force Wendy to do anything she didn't want to!" Natsu yells back.

"It's true Mest, I wanted to try it, Natsu's not at fault." Wendy whispers to him.

"She's not to be a carpenter!" Mest growls out.

"Then what is her role on this ship?! Because it can't just be playing your wife! She'll go mad, along with the rest of us since she wouldn't be pulling her own weight!"

She can't be a carpenter, she can't be. It's too dangerous, too gruesome. Wendy can't handle tools, she's a princess. He doesn't want her dangling on some rope fixing the sails, or hanging over the rails patching up holes. He's handled a hammer and a nail before, those shits hurt when you miss. He can't have Wendy hurting herself like that.

But what else could she do? She can't be a fighter or gunner, he doesn't want her around the violence. He doesn't want blood on her hands, blood being splattered on her and tainting her. She can't man the helms or be a navigator, she knows nothing of the world, nothing of the seas. Besides, those are well sought after; if pirates attack them and find out his innocent Wendy is a navigator they'll kidnap her. He couldn't have her on her knees scrubbing the decks, or working all day downstairs organizing and keeping books. He couldn't have her in the kitchen wasting away with Mirajane; he's seen her scars and burns. Nothing will ever blemish her flawless skin... there's no job a princess can do on a pirate ship... there's no job a princess should do on a pirate ship.

"Mest?" Wendy calls, placing a hand on his chest.

Mest flinches and looks down at her.

"I want to help, I want to have a role and a place in your crew," she says glancing at Natsu, "I want to pull my own weight."

"Wendy, there's nothing you can do-"

"I know that, but that doesn't mean I can't learn. That doesn't mean I can't try." She pouts at him stubbornly.

He could always put her in the crow's nest with Bickslow. No, not with him, with someone else other than him. She would be safe there, away from the other mates, away from danger if a large tide washes over them or if a ship attacks.

"You can keep watch in the crow's nest then-"

"I want to stay here with Natsu," she commands, stomping her foot down on the ground.

Mest takes a step back and Natsu grins. This girl is going to do just fine if she's standing up to their captain like that. Just fine all on her own.

"Natsu's helping me, he's letting me try his job and told me if I didn't like it I could try something else. I want to try them all and find out what I'm good at. Don't you want me to belong? Why won't you let me try?"

Mest bites his tongue and glares down at her. All he wanted to do was help her. She isn't used to this kind of job, this kind of work. It's hard work. Being a pirate isn't all fun and games (mostly). It's life or death! And she is just taking that all for granted! Well fine! Let her slave herself away! She'll come running back to him completely tired and beat, begging to have an easy job, and he'll just laugh and have her admit that she was wrong to spit at his kindness.

"Do what you wish then," Mest spits out before he turns away, stalking up the stairs towards the helm.

Wendy frowns, looking down at her boots as she sighs out. She didn't want to anger him, but it just wasn't fair. She's not a princess anymore, yet he's treating her like everyone else did back home. Like she's just a delicate little piece of glass that can't do a thing for herself. Natsu walks over and places a hand on her shoulder, grand smile on his face.

"Don't worry about it Wens, our captain gets kind of crazy sometimes. Still want to help?" He asks.

Wendy nods her head at him, "yes Natsu."

"Good, maybe stay a little bit away from the railing though. I didn't know about the not being able to swim part, and to be honest I'm not the best swimmer as well." Natsu chuckles.

Wendy joins him in laughing and nods again, "good idea."

Mest glares from his seat as Wendy smiles and laughs with Natsu. Oh look, hitting a nail is so much fun. He scoffs and broods to himself. Erza sighs and shakes her head, tying the wheel with a rope before she joins her captain.

"You know, spying is never a good hobby."

Mest lurches back like he's been slapped, "I'm not spying! They're out in the open, I'm simply looking in their direction and making sure Natsu doesn't do anything stupid with her!"

"Mest, we all know she's your wife."

"What does that have to do with anything? She doesn't know how to use a hammer, she'll hurt herself."

Oh, so that's what this is about. Erza presses her lips together and narrows her eyebrows.

"She can't just warm your bed at night Mest. Captain's wife or not, she has to earn her keep like the rest of us."

Mest starts spewing out profanities as he jumps to his feet and glares at his first mate, "SHE DOES NOT WARM MY BED AT NIGHT! FOR YOU TO EVEN SAY SUCH A THING!" He yells out before shouting more curse words.

Erza holds her hands up in the air, clearly hitting a nerve with that one. Mest grunts and kicks whatever is in his way, walking over to the charts on the counter and throwing himself into navigation.

"Stupid, I would never... she's just a kid... 17 year old princess... where the hell are we going anyway?!" Mest yells slamming his hand down on the compass.

"Mest, you're being foolish."

"I'm being foolish?!"

"Yes, you are. Stop acting like some love sick fool and start acting like our captain. There are things you need to get done."

"Well then bring them here, I'm not letting her out of my sight."

"Well you need to if you ever want her to find a place on this ship. She isn't just yours Mest, she's everyone's. Friend, companion, mate. You can't lock her away like some kind of princess! Er, even though she is one, you know what I mean!"

Mest freezes because yes, he does. She was a princess... she was locked away in her castle, forced to take classes and be guarded and watched and cared for... and she hated that. She wanted freedom (still not what she truly wanted), she wanted the chance to chose her fate and do what she wanted to... and he wanted to give her that... but he's not. He's keeping her contained just like she was back home. Mest groans and runs a hand down his face.

"I'm not husband material."

"I agree with that, you're barely even captain material," Erza tries to crack a joke.

Mest chuckles a bit under his breath, "please promise me she's going to be fine."

"I promise you Mest, she's going to get along just fine."

He takes a breath and stands back up, nodding at his first mate.

"Well then, let's get to work. We have lots of things to discuss if we're going to be trading all we've stolen at the next island."

"Glad to hear that," Erza grins.

Mest walks back downstairs, planning on heading to the charting room. He spares a glance at Wendy, her face narrowed with determination as she helps Natsu. She's doing her best, she's going to be just fine. She's doing her best, she's going to be just fine. He repeats this mantra to himself as he disappears from her sight, and her, out of his protection.


Mest walks into the kitchen, eyes automatically scanning around for exotic dark blue hair. He doesn't see his Wendy anywhere and frowns, wondering where she was. Did she already eat? No, he's sure she would have waited for him. Mest walks over towards Natsu and taps on his shoulder.

"Where's Wendy?" He asks.

"Last time I checked with Levy; she was showing her the ropes to bookkeeping after she helped me finish fixing up the railing." Natsu answers.

Mest glares and looks around for Levy, finding her sitting in the corner next to Lucy and Gajeel. He starts making his way over towards them, but is stopped when Cana cuts in front of him and shoves a tray into his arms.

"Here," she hiccups.

"What's all this? I'm busy at the moment Cana, I'll eat when-"

"Shut up, will you? Mira told me to give this to you. Told me your wife is in the infirmary right now; got herself a nasty little burn while she was down here cooking up lunch."

Mest's blood goes cold, "what?"

Cana shrugs and lets go of the tray, "that's what she told me, now if you'll excuse me. I got a bottle calling my name."

Mest is out of the kitchen in an instant, knuckles turning white as his grip on the tray tightens. He's practically running down the corridors towards the infirmary, kicking open the door when he finally arrives there. Wendy is sitting down on one of the cots with a frown on her face, Elfman chuckling as he pats her head.

"Captain, I thought you'd be here sooner. You've even brought some food for her as well, perfect. There's no reason for my staying anymore. Wendy keep the bandage on and have Mest change it for you tomorrow. Try not to get it wet, alright?"

"Yes Elfman, thanks for helping me." Wendy nods her head.

"Not a problem, I think I'll get myself something to grub on now. I trust you can handle the rest Captain." Elfman says, patting his shoulder on his way out.

There is a big frown on Mest's face as he walks over, slamming the tray on the table before taking Wendy's hand. The whole palm is bandage up and he turns it around, examining it closely. Wendy blinks at him and stares at his face. She didn't think it could be possible, but he looks even madder than before at her. Should she stay quiet? Maybe he's just worried about her? She notices a bit of sweat running down his face. Did he run here to check on her?

"Elfman said it was just a burn. Um... I touched a pot I wasn't supposed to and burned my palm. He put some ointment on it though and now it feels completely fine. He said there wouldn't be scarring either, so I'm lucky." Wendy grins.

Mest gives her a look making that grin drop. She looks back down at her lap and he sighs, dropping her hand and rubbing his eyes. He reaches out for her plate on the tray and hands it over.

"Here, eat."

Wendy silently takes the plate and shoves whatever is on it in her mouth. He's mad at her. She doesn't know why, but he's mad, or disappointed, or something else that isn't good. Mest watches her with a blank expression. Her hand shakes when she holds her fork; even if it's fine now, that burn still must be causing her some type of pain.

"I don't think the kitchens are for you." Mest mumbles quietly.

Wendy looks up to meet his eyes, then looks back down at her plate. "Me either, it was really hot and sweaty in there. Before I got this Mira had me cutting onions and I couldn't stop crying. I'm pretty sure there are tears in the onion soup." She responds back.

Mest chuckles, "maybe it'll make it taste better? Onion soup has a ghastly flavor; I hate it when she makes it."

Wendy finds a smile and Mest finally relaxes, pulling his plate to his lap as he begins eating along with her.

"So what have you done today my little princess?" He asks taking a bite out of a bread roll.

"Oh, well, first I helped Natsu fix the railing. It was hard work; I didn't like how many times he hurt himself hitting his thumb with that hammer. Then he let me go with Levy and I went downstairs and helped her clean the books that you have. There was a lot of dust down there and it was a bit stuffy. She had this weird way of organizing I couldn't get the hang of, but it was interesting reading some of the books. When she started having me calculate all these numbers my head began to hurt and then Juvia came in and dragged me away. She had me help clean the girl's room; I had no idea that so many people could sleep in one room! Everything was decorated so cutely and it smelled sweet in there, like fruits and candy. I got to scrub the floor with this spiky thing that tickled. I liked doing that, but my knees really hurt after being on them for so long. I think Gajeel came in, asking me if I wanted to learn how to arm a cannon? Or guns? Some type of weapon, but then Lisanna ran in and pulled me away saying her sister was in desperate need of a helper. After that I burned myself and now I'm here with you."

Mest bends his fork under the force he's holding it, "Wendy... I'm trying to be understanding, but I don't think you should learn how to mess with the cannons or the guns. Stick with anything else."

Wendy blinks and tilts her head, "why? I wanted to experience everything Mest and see what I like. What if I'm actually good at it?"

"No, you won't be, and even if you are I won't have you being really good at those machines. I don't want you hurting people. You wouldn't be able to handle the burden of taking a life. Do you want to kill people?"

Wendy bites her lips and shakes her head, "no, not really."

"Good, then listen to me. Other than that... I'm glad you had fun." Mest sighs out reluctantly.

She's smiling, she's having fun. That's all that should matter. Nothing else. Mest will personally talk to everyone she's been with and find out exactly what has happened with them, but for now he'll just smile and encourage her.

"I got a full tour of the ship running around with everyone today and I didn't know a pirate ship could hold so many rooms. Are all ships like this?"

"I don't know, I've only sailed under one flag my entire life. This ship is the only one I've known," Mest answers.

He keeps it a secret about all the times he's been kidnapped and sent to the brig on other ships. He wasn't admiring those ships when that happened, but trying to plot his escape.

"How old were you Mest when you decided to be a pirate?"

"15."

Her eyes widen, "really? That's younger than me."

Mest shrugs, "hometown didn't really have anything to offer. I wanted to sail and have adventures; I met a captain I liked enough to follow under his lead and ended up loving it."

"How did you become captain?"

Mest hums and places his fork on his plate, suddenly losing his appetite. He places it back on the tray and leans back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling.

"Well there was a raid and our previous captain was killed. I... I don't care what the others say, I didn't save everyone. I just helped come up with a plan for our victory and escape and after the dust had settled everyone in the crew named me captain. I wasn't even second in command, maybe third or fourth. They wanted to sail under me though, and I didn't want to spit on their respect, so I became the fifth captain of the Fairy Tail Pirates and have been so for the past three years."

Wendy nods her head at him, "I hear the way everyone talks about you. They really like you Mest, I'm sure we all like you as captain."

Mest gives her a look, "finish eating your food, and mine as well while you're at it."

Wendy grins and scarfs down the rest of her plate before reaching for his. She licks her lips as she digs in, Mest dumbfounded at how much she can pack down.

"What were you good at Wendy? Back in your kingdom?"

"A princess is supposed to be good at everything," she answers automatically.

"Well I'm asking you what you think you were truly good at."

"Running away... actually no, I always got caught. I guess I wasn't very good at that," she giggles.

Mest chuckles with her.

"I don't know. I don't think I was good at anything really. I didn't mind my lessons, but I didn't like them either. I was bad with numbers, I did love reading though. So many books we had, so many far off places and knowledge to obtain... actually, I really liked it in here when Elfman was patching me up. I was always curious about medicine; listening Eflman explain everything to me was fascinating."

Mest raises an eyebrow at her. Doctor, huh? That could work. She wouldn't be out on the deck getting attacked or hurt being a doctor, only hurt others, no, save others. He already thinks of her as an angel; if she learned about medicine she could heal their crew with her magic touch. And if anything ever happened to his ship, if they were ever pillaged by other pirates and (hopefully not) beaten, she would survive. Doctors were just as important and well sought after as navigators. No pirate who knew better would take her life. Wendy would be the perfect doctor, intelligent, skillful, small, and weak. Easy prey for anyone to kidnap; they would have to be completely stupid to kill her. They would imprison her of course, and hurt her, and the thought burned as his imagination ran wild... maybe it would be better for her to perish with the crew rather than get captured and held against her will.

"You should have him train you if you're interested. Elfman isn't really our ship's doctor, it's a little bit of everyone honestly, so the position is open. You could help a lot of people Wendy," Mest smiles at her.

Wendy looks over and smiles back, "I'll think about it. I still want to try everything else, but Elfman said I could borrow the medical books and bring them to our room. I'll be reading them tonight before bed so I can learn a bit more."

Ah- no, now he's reminded of a problem, good thing too. Mest leans up in his seat and crosses his legs, clearing his voice to catch her attention again.

"Wendy, I've asked for Juvia and Mirajane to help find a space for you down in the girl's room. They said that they would clean up and find something for you by the time the day ended, so you'll have a place to lay your head."

Wendy looks up at him and tilts her head, "why would you ask that when I already have a room with you?"

"Because I don't plan on sharing my room with you."

A frown appears on her perfect face and Mest stiffens up. She opens her mouth, closes it, and then furrows her eyebrows. She's thinking, that's clear, so Mest just keeps his mouth shut so he doesn't say the wrong thing.

"I'm not... understanding Mest. Please explain it to me. Why can't we share a room? I thought we were married? Or at least, married to everyone else."

"We are-"

"And don't married couples share a room?"

"Normally yes Wendy, but we're a special case."

"Do you just not wish to sleep beside me? Did I do something wrong last night? Was I a terrible bed mate?" Wendy gasps, covering her mouth as her eyes widen.

"No Wendy, you were wonderful! You were just fine! No! I just don't think it's the wisest thing to be sleeping in the same bed-"

"Well why not?"

"Because only people in love sleep in the same bed-"

Wendy scoffs at that, but bites her tongue. Mest freezes and looks at her.

"What?"

Wendy shakes her head.

"No, what is it Wendy?"

"It's nothing, please continue."

"No, it's not nothing Wendy. If it was you wouldn't have made that noise. We're supposed to be honest, remember?"

Wendy takes a breath, "well, it's not like you've never slept in the same bed as someone you didn't love before, so I don't believe that."

Mest grimaces.

"You said I mattered to you, that I meant more, and now you're kicking me out? How am I supposed to understand that?"

"I don't trust myself around you Wendy, that's the real reason why we can't share a room." He confesses.

"But I trust you, so what's the problem?" She pouts at him.

She's trying his patience, she really is. One day he's going to do something and it's going to be his fault for not being more careful. It's going to be all his fault.

"Please, for me, just... try it. If you really don't like sharing a room with the other girls then... we'll figure something else out." He tells her.

He'll give her his room while he sleeps in the hammocks below with the rest of his male crew. He doesn't care, he just can't risk another night with her. Wendy stares at him before going back to her meal, nodding her head.

"Okay Mest, I'll try it."

He sighs out in relief and pats the top of her head, brushing her hair away from her face and behind her ear. She really is beautiful; he's surprised he didn't realize that she was a princess the minute he laid his eyes on her. Wendy finds her cheeks warm being under his intense stare and soft touches. She clears her voice a little bit and Mest jumps back, staring at the wall all of a sudden, embarrassed.

She smiles quietly to herself and continues to eat.


Wendy loves her female crew mates, she loves her friends. She has always wanted people to talk and to share things with, to be close without her being a princess ruining things. The girl's room was filled with just that, all sorts of girls with different personalities gathering around and wanting to know everything about her. It was really fun. She got to make new friends, she got to talk about her old life as a princess, and she got to hear adventures about Mest and learn more about him. The room wasn't as... relaxing though.

Everyone was sweet, she had a nice little mattress at the corner of the room, and her own little station to place her borrowed things. Her bunk mates were Lisanna and Levy and they were really nice to her. When lights out came, even though most of the beds were still empty (she was told some girls worked late into the night keeping watch) she couldn't find sleep. She laid in the bed, letting the ship swish her side to side. She just wasn't used to it.

Although it was impossible to be used to something because this was only her second night on the ship. She couldn't have gotten used to Mest's quarters and his bed so quickly, no, of course not. She knew it wasn't the room or the bed, it was him. So she tried to sleep, but she failed. She tried reading until she passed out, but it was hard to read under such pale moonlight, so she failed again. She missed him. He was her first friend, her first love (soon to be). She didn't want to be here, so she left.

Wendy leans up from her bed and places her feet down against the wooden floors, shivering at the coldness. She tiptoes towards the door, trying her best not to make a noise. Her nightgown slips from her shoulder a bit, and she pulls it back up as she exits the room. Levy was kind enough to loan her one, she still preferred the freedom of Mest's shirt more (no she doesn't, she just misses him). It's scary to be someplace you're unfamiliar with people you aren't used to. Wendy's sure one day she'll feel completely at home as she does in Mest's quarters, but until that day comes she sneaks her way down the halls.

Reedus is there and he nods at her as she passes. She recognizes a few others as well on her walk, but they don't notice her so she keeps moving. A minute or so passes and she thinks she's standing in front of his door. It looks like his place... kind of. She can't really remember, she's only been in here once. The only way to be sure is to open the door and find out; hoping she's not bursting into a room that belongs to someone else. The door creaks softly as she peeks her head in, and a smile appears on her face when she recognizes everything. The mirrors, the charts, the rugs, the bed, Mest. She quickly walks in and closes the door behind her, nearly scampering to the bed. The covers are warm and enticing and she's ready to crawl under them... but remembers what he told her.

The real reason he didn't want her sleeping in the same bed with him. They weren't in love yet and only lovers did that, and also something about not trusting himself which was ridiculous. Well that was foolish, he's slept with others before, so why can't he just share a bed with her? She's about to crawl underneath the blankets and rest her head on his pillow... but stops herself.

Mest is completely knocked out, snoring loudly as it echos through his room, and she smiles at him. He looks handsome like this; who is she kidding, he always looks handsome. He's not going to like it that she did this. She promised him to try, and honestly she really did... but she couldn't do it. Just having his presence was enough. Wendy yawns and looks around the room, spotting a chair in front of a desk. She walks over, grabs the coat hanging on it, and pulls it around her before she sits down and lays her head on the desk.

Far more uncomfortable than the bed she just had, yes, but she falls asleep in an instant knowing Mest is right there near her.