BlackLynx17: I lost the will to write, but now I'm back. Sorry for the long delay.


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 Eighteen

Allies


Wendy cracks one of her eyes open. Her vision is immediately split and the bright light from the sun creeping into her room is blinding. She closes her eyes and wiggles her butt, placing her face on her pillow as she tries to get up. She starts with her behind first, knowing that it wouldn't give her a headache if she does. She leans up on her knees next and yup, there it is, she got up too fast. Wendy groans and holds her head in her hands, sitting down on her legs.

"What do you remember about last night?"

She flinches and looks beside her, heart beating against her chest. Maybe it was because she didn't know her left from right that made her panic, but she should have known that the only male voice she would be hearing this early in the morning would be her husband's. Mest is sitting on a chair beside their bed, his face wiped clean of emotions as he watches her. Wendy lets out a small breath of relief and rubs her eyes as she calms down.

"Huh?" She hums.

"Last night. What do you remember about it?" He asks.

Wendy blinks, her vision getting clearer each time; she can finally make out Mest. He's in the same outfit he was in last night, er- or at least, his shirt is the same except for the giant red stain on the bottom of it. He's missing his pants, leaving him in his underwear, which is pretty much covered because of his shirt. Her eyes narrow as she stares at him with a very amused expression.

"What happened to you?" Wendy asks, her voice hoarse.

Mest looks down at the state he's in and shakes his head, unbuttoning his shirt. He should have changed a long time again.

"You did Wendy, you happened to me."

Wendy doesn't know what she's seeing as Mest takes his shirt off and is left standing in just his underwear... and socks. Her mouth feels a bit dry as she stares at him. She's never seen a man this naked before; he at least keeps his pants on whenever he's teaching her to swim. She still doesn't know what happened to his pants though, even if he does say it's because of her. Mest doesn't seem mad or embarrassed to be lacking clothes; he's too concentrated on scolding his little wife. He blames the blush on her face from embarrassment, thinking her memories of last night are resurfacing, but in truth it's because she can see a lot of him and doesn't understand how it's making her heart race and her mouth run dry.

"What did I do last night?" Wendy asks, struggling to make eye contact.

And failing miserably as she stares at his arms, at his muscles, admiring the fairy tail tattoo on his shoulder. He should really go shirtless more often, but then again her crew would be able to see him like this as well and that doesn't sit too well with her.

"... Wendy."

Wendy blinks and looks up at him, "huh?"

Mest sighs as he leans back in his chair, "how bad is your hangover? I don't think I've seen you this absentminded."

"I'm not, I'm listening now, and what do you mean hangover? I thought you said I wasn't allowed to drink."

Mest glares and she flinches, feeling as if a big chunk of her memory is missing if he's giving her a look like that.

"Just because I say things doesn't mean you actually listen to me. I don't know how, I was watching you very carefully with Sherria, but one minute I look away and then the next you're completely drunk off your mind." Mest tells her.

Wendy looks down at her hands.

"You jumped on the tables and started singing with Sherria while everyone else cheered and chanted your names."

Wendy's face turns red again, but this time it's actually because of embarrassment.

"You called yourself the Sky Sisters and you were actually pretty good. I didn't know you could sing like that, even in a drunken state."

"Please stop," Wendy moans covering her face to hide her shame.

A smile makes its way on Mest's lips, "oh, that's not even the worse part. When I tried to get you down after you finished singing you started declaring your love for me for everyone to hear. I don't think anyone has ever seen such an entertaining thing in their life. I would have enjoyed it as well if I wasn't worried about the guys messing with you trying to get you to sing again."

Wendy doesn't move from her state.

"You started stripping your clothes off- you lit your pants on fire Wendy, on fire, as soon as you took them off, and was daring Natsu to eat them. That is why I'm not wearing pants, because you held yours above a candle and was waving it around in the air with your sword."

She peeks down and sees his pants on her, nearly falling off since they're so big. She can't remember any of this. Not a single thing and Wendy doesn't think that she wants too.

"When I tried to put mine on you, thank heavens your shirt was long enough to cover most of your legs, you somehow managed to find a bottle of wine and was telling me to lighten up. That ended in you breaking the bottle on the table, it spilling all over me, and waving the broken top around asking someone to bring you a cup to pour me a drink."

"That's enough," she whispers.

"No, the story is almost over. You need to hear this so you know what I had to put up with and so you know you are never, ever, allowed to touch a single drip of liquor again in your life. I had to wrestle the broken bottle from you and then you started crying buckets of tears. By that point I was beyond frustrated so I had to carry you out of the tavern and head back to the inn, pants-less, smelling like wine, and pulling my pants up on you since they kept falling down. When I finally got you into the room I thought to myself we're finally home free and that all I need to do was get you into bed and we're good... but you threw up Wendy... on my new favorite pair of boots, and then passed out on the floor. I spent the better night cleaning up your mess after tucking you in... now what did you learn from all this princess?"

Wendy is silent. She can't believe herself, she can't believe she did any of that! If Mest is telling her this though it must be true and just- ugh, she becomes the worst person when she's drunk. She doesn't want to be in this room anymore. She wants to curl up into a ball and die.

"Wendy, I'm speaking to you."

"I'm sorry Mest." She whispers.

Mest leans forward, "I didn't hear that very well, can you say it again?"

"I'm sorry Mest! I don't know what happened! I don't remember any of that! I just remember hanging out with Sherria and then just blank! I'm sorry you had to see all that! I'm sorry you had to do all that, oh my god the shame! I can never see any of my friends again! I can't believe I got on top of a table and sang! I just want to stay in here forever." Wendy cries pulling the blankets over her head.

Mest sighs as he leans back; at least she feels bad about it. If she felt absolutely nothing then they would have had a problem. Hopefully she learned her lesson. He stands up and walks over to the bed, tugging on the covers.

"Come on Wendy."

"No!" She moans holding them tightly.

"Come on Wendy, get out from under there. Everything is fine now."

"I tell you I won't do it."

"Come on!" Mest grunts, finally pulling the covers away.

Wendy screams lightly and gets up, glaring at him through her tears. The door to their room opens up and Natsu and Mirajane stand in the doorway, looking at the scene. They see their captain nearly naked and Wendy with a large blush on her face, her clothes and hair messed up, as she sits on the bed. Very slowly Mirajane reaches for the handle, closing the door with a soft click.

"Breakfast is ready, sorry to interrupt." Her voice calls before footsteps fade away into the hallway.

Wendy drops back on the bed then covers her face with a pillow, done with life. Mest's face heats up as he stares down and realizes exactly what he's wearing and what they must have thought. He walks over to the dresser and pulls out a pair of trousers and a button down shirt, putting them on as Wendy continues to sulk.

"Wendy-"

"I don't want to talk about anything anymore Mest. Just let me die." She grumbles.

Mest sighs as he wonders what to do. Force her to get up? Yeah, like that worked so well last time. Although he knows Natsu must be telling everyone what he saw, so it's likely no one will come to disturb them again. He looks around his room and spots a hairbrush on one of the counters. An idea comes to mind and, after he finishes up putting on his clothes, he grabs the brush and joins Wendy on the bed. She doesn't move to lean up, so Mest gathers her hair on his lap and starts brushing.

"I was very disappointed in you Wendy and mad as hell, but now... everything is alright."

What he really wanted to say is that he feels her embarrassment and doesn't think he can scold her any longer.

"No more drinking, that's a given, and no more being around our friends while they drink. I'm starting to think they have a negative impact on you and convince you to do things you know you shouldn't."

Still no response, he continues to brush.

"I'm not mad at you anymore though. I'm actually very curious about your voice now. Do you think once we're back on the ship you can sing to me? I'll brush your hair in return and it can be a special moment just between us. I love your voice Wendy. I love you."

Wendy finally moves and scoots closer to Mest, cuddling on his lap like a cat would. She wraps her arms around his waist and buries her face in his lap, curling around him.

"Steal me away from everything." She whispers.

Mest chuckles as he puts the brush down, "I thought I've already stolen you away from everything once."

"Well do it again. Let's just take the ship and leave."

"Hmm, as much as I would love to, it takes at least nine people to sail old Vermillion."

"Find nine people in town who don't know us then and let's go."

Mest laughs loudly at that and picks Wendy up, looking at her pouting, tear stained, red face. He brushes her hair back behind her ears and presses a kiss against her forehead.

"Did I ever tell you about the times I first got drunk in front of the crew?"

Wendy blinks and shakes her head.

"Well the first time I woke up completely naked, being held up by a rope on the Vermillion. Everyone got a good laugh at that one; those bastards kept me up there too until I got myself down."

Wendy giggles a little.

"Then there was another time where I decided to give myself a haircut; completely shaved everything off. Was called buzz cut and bald eagle until my hair grew back."

"Oh no, I like your shaggy hair." Wendy tells him, lifting up her hands to wrap around his neck and run her fingers through his hair.

"Took a while for me to grow it back this much. Let's see... there was the time I lit the Vermillion on fire, that was a good one. There was a time I caused an explosion in the kitchen because I wanted to make Mira's jerky biscuits, she hated me forever for doing that. Oh, there was one time I blackout and woke up in a pig's pen, completely covered in mud, with a pocket full of jewels in my coat, but I was only wearing my coat and a wig. Till this day I can't recall what led up to that."

"Wow, I guess what I did last night is NOTHING compared to what you've gone through." Wendy hums.

"You guess?" Mest asks raising an eyebrow.

"Okay, you win. I feel better about facing the crew now."

"Good, I'm glad my embarrassing stories could make you feel better about yourself. Hopefully you will remember them next time one of our friends tries to offer you a drink."

Wendy smiles at him and presses a quick peck against his lips, "I'm hungry Mest."

"Well then princess get dressed and let's join our friends."


Wendy bites down on her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood as she stares at Sherria. She's not in a better state, gripping on her skirt so hard it's wrinkling as she keeps sniffling.

"I promise to write in a journal everyday about everything and the next time we meet we'll exchange journals and learn everything we missed about each other." Wendy cries.

"Please do Wendy. I'll write down all the new medical knowledge I learn and force Lyon to make port whenever we hear rumors of your ship being seen. I'll even make lists of all the sweets I love so you can go and try them yourselves." Sherries whimpers, wiping her tears away.

"But I would want to try them with you."

Lyon and Mest sigh at the girls, shaking their heads. It was finally time for everyone to depart dear old Conomi Island. They've been here for nearly a month, staying an extra four days after Lamia Scale Pirates arrived. It was time for new adventures though, maps to be followed, treasures to be found. It seems for the Sky Sisters parting was much harder than they realized.

"How old is yours?" Mest asks rubbing his chin.

"19, you?" Lyon asks back.

"17."

It's really hard to believe it though with how childish she looks with all those tears running down her face. Sherria looks no better. Gray walks up to Wendy and places a hand on top of her head, grinning down as he rubs her hair.

"Don't cry Wendy, we're not saying good bye to them. Just... until next time. You'll want to see Sherria, and I'll want to see Lyon, so with two reasons instead of one Mest is bound to make it happen for us. Right Captain?" Gray calls out.

Wendy looks at him with hopeful, teary eyes, and he feels his heart break, "of course Wendy. We'll see her whenever you want."

"We're allies now, so we'll be keeping an eye and ear out for you guys. Sherria, you're going to have a lot more work cut out for you. I'll be sure you see your friends too." Lyon smiles gently at her.

Sherria's heart does flips and she nods her head, giving Wendy one last hug before she has to go.

"I'll see you soon Wendy." She whispers in her ear.

"Until next time Sherria." Wendy whispers back.

She parts and wipes her tears away, giving Wendy a grand smile before she takes Lyon's hand and heads for the ship. Lyon winks at Gray and waves a good bye, Gray grinning and waving back with Juvia coming to his side. Wendy tries to stay strong and send her friend off with a smile on her face, but as soon as she's gone she breaks down and cries.

"I've got her, get ready to set sail. I want to be out of here in twenty," Mest orders the crew as he walks over to Wendy.

He bends down and picks up her crumbled form, carrying her in his arms up the boardwalk and onto the Vermillion. Wendy buries her face in the side of his neck as she whimpers, not letting go of him even when they arrive at their quarters and lay down on the bed.

"It really hurts; I love her so much Mest." Wendy cries.

"I know, there, there. It won't be forever."

Especially if this is how she reacts when she parts from her.

"I didn't even cry this much when I left my parents and my kingdom. I don't understand."

"Well your parents and your kingdom tried to take all your happiness while all Sherria did was give you happiness. Those are two completely different situations. When you love someone of course you cry when it's time to part, so it's alright for you to cry now Wendy. You'll feel better once you've done it, and then you'll go on in life, and look forward to seeing her the next time."

Wendy sniffs and wipes her face off on his shirt. Mest doesn't say anything, it's not like he loved this shirt a lot... he doesn't... he does wonder where he bought it from though.

"I'm happy everyone else is all happy. Gray's back, he's friends with his brother again, our two crews aren't trying to kill each other anymore. I should be smiling, not crying."

"Wendy you can do whatever you want. No one would ever judge you for it, especially me. I'm here for all the moments in your life, the happy and the sad ones. I want to be there when you smile and comfort you just like this when you cry. So go ahead, cry for as long as you like, cry for the whole day even."

Wendy sniffs and squeezes Mest once, "actually, I'm a little bit hungry. Do you think I could eat something and then cry some more?"

Mest chuckles and she feels it vibrate through his chest. It's deep and heavy, but filled with warmth. He strokes his fingers through her hair and kisses her forehead.

"Of course princess. I'll be back with whatever Mira has already brewing away. Maybe even sneak a dessert or two from the shop we wiped clean," Mest says moving around.

Wendy rolls off him and cuddles with a pillow as he leaves, her stomach growling a little. She doesn't want to go with tears still in her eyes for her friends to see. Mest closes the doors behind him and heads up deck, nodding when he sees they've taken sail. He's about to go back underneath and head towards the kitchen when Erza and Laxus cross his paths.

"Where to Captain?" Erza asks.

"How is our money supply doing?" Mest responds.

"We're good for another adventure, after that we may have to start stealing again depending on how big the find is." Laxus tells him.

Mest nods his head, "we should probably hold off on the adventure; let's hit up a local kingdom and do what we do best. Maybe start heading over to the other part of the world; I feel we've overstayed our welcome in the East Blue."

"Told you Erz, you owe me money." Laxus chuckles.

Mest raises an eyebrow, "seriously guys?"

"You know it's all fun and games Mest. This time I was betting you'd be reckless and want us to go on an adventure to cheer up Wendy, Laxus said you would stick to your old tendencies though and make sure the crew was taken care for. Either way would still make you a good captain, I just wish I didn't lose." Erza pouts.

"Unbelievable you two, you know that? What if I would have chosen a third option? I would have wanted both of your money." Mest laughs.

Erza and Laxus join him and laugh together.

"Well, if we're going to be crossing oceans the sooner the better. It's about to be September soon and the waters will be freezing when winter rolls around. We should head somewhere warm and sunny, like the Tropics. I don't do so well in cold weather." Erza says.

"Agreed. Sailing through the snow is a bitch, everything gets frozen over, and winter in Fiore is the worst. We should high tail our assess before they get frozen to the floors." Laxus grunts.

Mest nods his head, agreeing with everything... and then thinks for a moment. He replays what Erza told him, something in the back of his mind nagging him. He got to thinking when she told him something, something about-

"Oh," Mest gasps slightly.

He had almost forgotten.

"What is it Mest? A problem?"

He had almost ruined what he had planned for her; if they sailed to new waters she wouldn't have seen it.

"Cap?" Laxus calls, waving a hand in his face.

"Erza, Laxus... there's actually been a change of plans. Listen, I need to tell you guys something. Wendy's..." he's nervous to tell them because this isn't what's good for the entire crew, only good for his wife. They'll gain nothing from making this side journey... and if they say no he'll have to plan something else for her, but there was no harm in asking, "Wendy's birthday is in September and well, I wanted to surprise her with something special. Visit an island we passed that I know would light up her entire world... but to do so would mean altering our course, wasting a few weeks getting there, playing good guys for even longer... do you think we could-"

"Yes. Is that even a question? Of course Captain, anything for Wendy. It's her birthday and her first one with the crew. We all want to be there to celebrate it with her and make sure it's something special. Besides, this wouldn't be the first time we've done something like this. Remember Natsu's birthday last year? When he was completely convince that there were real dragons in the caves at Mt. Colubo? We made that trip all the way to the island and spent the better night of his birthday walking around in the dark. We all get at least one selfish birthday wish, it's tradition for Fairy Tail Pirates." Erza nods her head.

"Plus we owe her a lot. That Doc has really earned her keep and place with us. When you first brought her aboard, eh I thought great, Mest is tired of old floozy wenches now he's gone after a princess, and that we were going to dump her on the closest island the moment you go bored, but you really surprised me Captain."

"Thanks Laxus, is that really how you feel about me?" Mest asks.

Laxus smirks and slaps his back, "I'm saying you made a good choice with her. We want to make sure she has a good birthday as well, you're not the only one who cares for her. Although, I doubt any birthday we throw for her will be better than the ones she's used to at her castle."

"I actually don't know about that last part. You see, my union with Wendy was all very quick. We didn't actually have time to have a real wedding, so I was thinking..." Mest scratches the back of his head.

Laxus and Erza share a knowing look before they grin back at their captain.

"What do you have in mind?"