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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 Twenty-One
At Last
"Mest?"
Wendy's hand feels around his side of the bed, but she doesn't come across his warm body. She sleepily leans up and looks around the room, not spotting him anywhere. She runs her hands through her hair as she curls her knees to her chest.
Where is her husband?
She remembers him falling asleep next to her last night. The party had been wonderful, colorful, and so much fun. Wendy was careful when she drank, and Mest never left her side and glared when others spiked her cups. She did have a few sips, but not enough for a hangover. She felt energized and rested... she would be feeling happy if she woke up with Mest next to her. Wendy drops her feet on the floor and gasps, stepping something that doesn't feel like their carpet. She glances down and sees... flower petals? There are flower petals on the floor... what in the world? Why?
Wendy stands up and walks over, following the trail that leads to the closet. She takes a small breath and squeals as she opens it up wide. Nothing pops up to scare her, but she does see a box wrapped with a pretty white bow. There's a note attached to it.
"Get dressed and follow the flowers love," she reads, recognizing Mest's handwriting.
What is this? Another gift? But her birthday was yesterday; she doesn't need anything else. She had the perfect birthday party. What in the world is he thinking? Wendy sighs as she grabs the box and heads to the refresher, ignoring how the trail of flowers leads up to the deck, not deeper into the ship. She enters the refresher and pulls the ribbon off the box, wanting to see what she would be wearing after she cleaned up.
Inside the box is a beautiful new dress. It was snow white with a baby blue sash wrapped around the waist, the most beautiful bow on the back of it. It was so cute and simple, thin silk straps for her shoulders, the skirt made out of lace that was designed with flowers with only two layers underneath that added volume and made it seem puffier. It was so beautiful she didn't want to wear it. She had to though because this is exactly the reason why Mest bought it for her. Wendy quickly takes her clothes off and scrubs herself absolutely clean before trying the dress on. She remembers the feeling of this type of silk pressed against her skin from long, long ago when she was a princess. The dress was a perfect fit. It clung to her every curve and shape, the straps hanging down her shoulders in elegant layers, the fabric hugging her hips and curving around her breasts (Wendy smirks to herself as she cuffs them and actually thinks her breasts look good in this), the skirt cascading down beautifully likes waves to her ankles. She told Mest she liked simple dresses, but she would make an exception for this one. Wendy couldn't believe who she was staring at in the mirror. This wasn't a princess or a pirate, not nice enough or dirty enough, no, this was someone in the middle. This was her.
Wendy sings happily to herself as she fixes her hair next. She braids one small section of her hair, leaving the rest down. Once she finishes getting dressed and fixing her hair she continues her journey of following the flower petals, it leading her to the kitchens next. There's a small dish covered up on one of the tables and two small boxes with blue ribbons right next to it. The small dish contains her favorite porridge Mirajane makes and she inhales it all (being extra careful not to spill any on her new dress) before opening the two boxes. The first one contains a pair of sapphire earrings that has Wendy's eyes widening. Her immediate reaction is to scold Mest for spoiling her too much, but he isn't around. No one is. The next box contains a small golden bracelet, not looking nearly as extravagant as the earrings, but still too much. She pouts as she puts them on, both hating and loving them. She uses one of the blue ribbons from the boxes and ties it up in her hair as a nice touch before continuing to follow the flower petals. She's surprised when it leaves the ship and goes off into town. Some of the petals may have moved around because of the wind, but she can still see the path clearly. She walks through town, people staring and smiling, but none of them saying a word. When she reaches the edge of town Natsu is there, leaning up and tapping Lucy's shoulder. Lucy looks around and smiles brightly at Wendy, holding a beautiful blue and white bouquet of flowers.
"Natsu? Lucy?! What's going on here? Where is Mest?" Wendy asks meeting them.
"It's a surprise, he wants us to take you to him." Natsu grins so brightly she's never seen him so happy.
"Here, mind holding this for me Wendy? Your hair is falling out some places, let me just help you a bit." Lucy asks pushing the flowers into her hands.
She goes around Wendy and starts fixing her hair, re-braiding it and trying to recreate the small bow she did, but neater. Wendy frowns as Natsu just grins wider and wider.
"What's going on?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Nothing Wendy, nothing at all." Natsu chuckles.
"I highly doubt that." She mumbles breathing in the flowers.
They smell sweet and heavenly. Lucy takes a step away from her work, nodding her head. She walks back around Wendy and fixes her dress at some places, agreeing with her work completely.
"All done, let's go." Lucy nods heading off.
"Lucy? Aren't you forgetting your flowers?" Wendy asks waving the bouquet at her.
"Ah- could you hold them for me? I got a cut picking them and it hurts." Lucy lies giving a look to Natsu.
Wendy doesn't catch it and shrugs, looking at her two companions. Lucy is dressed in a pretty dress, but she always likes to dress up. Natsu on the other hand, he looks handsome right now. He's wearing clothes that aren't wrinkled one bit, and actually attempted to fix his hair this time around.
"Why do you two look nice?"
"Um- I'm taking Lucy out on a date." Natsu answers.
"Yeah, and I'm tired of him looking like a slob. We're going to go as soon as we lead you to Mest." Lucy replies after.
"Oh... I don't think you look like a slob all the time Natsu."
Natsu chuckles and looks back at Wendy, "thanks Wens."
"So where is everybody else? I was expecting to find our friends passed out on the deck, but it was empty... again."
"We all got up real early for some exercise then split up. You know the guys, doing things willy nilly," Lucy forces a laugh.
Wendy blinks and stops walking. Lucy and Natsu both stop as well and give her a look, waiting for her to catch up. Wendy doesn't plan on taking another step though.
"Natsu... Lucy... I'm not dumb. What is going on here? What's with all of this? My dress, these flowers, everyone missing, you two!" She shouts, "it's all just a little too suspicious for me."
Lucy frowns and Natsu pats her shoulder, "don't worry, I got this."
He walks over to Wendy, pout on her lips, and ropes their arms together. He stares at her and smiles gently, "Wens, do you trust us?"
Slowly she nods her head, "yes."
"Then trust us now. Mest... he has a surprise in store for you-"
"But it was just my birthday yesterday! I don't need anymore presents-"
"It's not a present Wendy, don't worry. He's waiting for you right now and he's been waiting for a very long time. The longer we wait the more he's going to get scared and worried."
Wendy frowns; he knew how to play her. With a huff she starts walking again. Natsu escorts her down the path, Lucy sighing out in relief. She nods her head at Natsu, giving him a thumbs up, before she realizes it's her time to go and warn the others.
"Oh no, it seems I forgot something back on the ship. Well I better go get it, please go on without me." Lucy waves at them before disappearing back where they came from.
Wendy stares at her before looking back at Natsu, "was that planned?"
Natsu sighs and shakes his head, "we're almost there, let's just go."
Wendy shrugs and continues their walk. She recognizes the path they're on; it's the same path Mest took her when he led her to their picnic in the flower bed. She wonders if they're heading there? Or to a place beyond that? Are they going to explore the rest of the island?! Are they going on a treasure hunt?! If that's the case though, then why is she wearing a dress and holding flowers? Shouldn't she be wearing something more-...
"Oh," Wendy gasps, finally getting it.
Natsu looks at her and grins, pressing a finger against his lips before leading her the final stretch. Wendy feels her head go dizzy and feels a bit light headed. No, it isn't possible. But she did tell him... no. She decides to wait and is dead silent. They cross through the trees and with each step they take her heart beats louder and louder. The trees begin to thin and they come across the flower fields. There, she finally sees it. Music pours into the air as Natsu and Wendy walk through the field of flowers. All her friends are there and stand up, smiles on their faces, all dressed their best. Some of them are huddled together playing fiddles and flutes. Most of them are standing up in rows, chairs behind them. Wendy sees a giant table set up with all sorts of foods on it, a huge chocolate looking cake in the middle covered completely from head to toe in fruit. She sees Lucy, her face slightly red (from running here to warn everyone that they were coming), standing with the crowd. Wendy recognizes the song being played, the wedding march here comes the bride, and she stares down the aisle, seeing Mest dressed all handsome in a dress shirt and pants, no leather on him whatsoever, even wearing a tie. She snorts and covers her mouth, tears appearing in her eyes as she realizes what this is.
Her wedding day. He plans on marrying her today. He had planned on marrying her all along. All of a sudden Wendy thinks back to yesterday. Taking her to buy a new dress, he kept showing her white gowns and she told him what she thought would be best. Taking her to the jewelry place, he wanted to buy her new jewels for her to wear on this big day; she has her locket, earrings, and bracelet on now. The pastry shop! He found out her favorite cake and ordered it to be made. The entire time he knew he was going to marry her tomorrow, and she didn't even suspect a thing.
She's reduced to a puddle of tears as Natsu walks her down the aisle. Never has she had someone so caring and understanding, someone who loved her so much as to go through all of this for her and surprise her like this. She couldn't imagine a better birthday yesterday, and now she can't even imagine a better wedding today. Mest is grinning at her tears while Erza stands next to him, captain's hat on, a soft smile as it seems a tear is falling from her eye as well. When they reach the end Natsu pulls out a handkerchief and hands it over to Wendy, letting her wipe off her tears and blow her nose before giving her to Mest. He reaches out his hand for her and Wendy grabs it without a single doubt in her mind. She takes her rightful place at his side. Erza clears her throat and all of their friends sit down in their seats.
"Fairy Tail Pirates, we are all gathered here today to join our two friends here in holy matrimony, since we all missed it the first time," Erza smirks.
The crew all laugh at each other. Erza chuckes a bit before she continues. Wendy stares up at Mest to realize that he's staring right back at her.
"You look beautiful," he tells her quietly.
She blushes and looks down, "so do you."
"I know," he gives her a cheeky grin.
"What brought this all on Mest?" Wendy whispers.
Erza is talking on and on about things that don't need responses, so they're quick and quiet with their conversation. Mest stares into her eyes and shrugs.
"I don't know really. I thought we would plan our wedding together, but then I remembered when you told me that once you turned 18 that after your birthday you were supposed to get married back home... and it just gave me an idea, and I thought why not here? Why not now? So I planned and the crew helped me get this all together."
Wendy giggles and brings a hand to her lips, "a little childish, don't you think? I was already yours."
"Nope. Now instead of being the day you were supposed to marry a man you didn't love, it's the day you marry a man you do love."
Erza clears her voice, breaking Wendy and Mest out of their private conversation. She gives them a look over and a teasing smile.
"You can say your vows now and exchange the rings," she tells them.
"Oh," Wendy blushes taking her ring off her finger.
Mest's cheeks turn red too as he does the same. They exchange rings and Mest grabs her left hand, holding it tightly in his.
"Wendy Marvell, do you take me to be your husband?" Mest asks, his voice shaking a little.
Because even though he knows for a fact she is going to say yes, she can still reduce him to a puddle of nothingness with one word. Wendy smiles and nods her head, tears appearing in her eyes, but she won't let them fall down yet.
"I do," Wendy answers.
"Great," Mest smiles in relief, slipping on her ring again.
Wendy reaches out for his left hand next, "Doranbolt Mest Gryder the third-"
"The third?!"
Mest groans as he hears a few chuckles from his friends; they aren't going to let him live this down. Wendy giggles lightly and apologizes.
"Oops, sorry. Mest Gryder, do you take me to be your wife, in sickness and in health, with sickness being the less lightly because I am a doctor and it's my job to keep you in tip top shape?" Wendy grins at him.
Mest chuckles and nods his head, "I do."
Wendy smiles brightly as she slips his ring back on.
"As Captain, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Wendy stands on her tip toes and Mest cups her face, leaning down to press their lips together. He doesn't want it to last too long, especially with everyone watching them, so he pulls away seconds later, giving her a quick peck before staring into her eyes.
"You are now mine forever Wendy Gryder."
She cries at that moment, happy tears, wrapping her arms around Mest and squealing as he lifts her up into the air and spins her around. Everyone erupts into cheers for the happy couple, Natsu sounding the loudest as he jumps up on his seat and whistles.
"Whoo! It's time to party! Again! Hit it guys!" He cheers.
Music starts up and everyone is at their feet in an instant, running over to the happy couple. Wendy laughs and thanks her friends, Mest blushes and threatens to punch people, the two of them never letting go of each other's hand. When it comes to the first dance Mest is a mess, not knowing anything other than jumping around while drunk, but Wendy laughs and quickly joins in his pirate dances. She never imagined her wedding this way. She thought of it as a big ceremony, thousands of people she didn't know or even care about coming to see her marry some stranger and be happy for her? No, that didn't make sense. But this, this right here, being with someone she truly loves, having fun and partying with friends that truly care about her and how her day has been... she couldn't have asked for anything more amazing.
She wasn't just gaining a husband, but a family as well. A new family who loved her, cared for her, and would always be there for her.
Always.
"Ah!" Wendy squeals, a bright blush appearing on her face as Mest sweeps her off her feet.
It's in the middle of the night, the party finally over, and everyone is returning to their rooms to hit the hay. Mest carries Wendy up the board and back onto the ship, following the flower petals that have scattered everywhere as they head to their bedroom. Wendy giggles as he struggles to open the door when all his free hands are holding onto her.
"A little help Mrs. Gryder?" Mest asks.
"Oh, that sounds nice. Of course, Mr. Gryder," Wendy smiles opening the door.
Mest grins as he walks in, kicking it close behind him. He walks over to the bed and places Wendy gently on top of the covers before he walks away. She rolls around and watches him, a slight blush on her face to what comes next. She's been taught about the duties of a woman back at her old home; she knows what to expect after a couple gets married. She's just happy she gets to do it with someone she loves. Mest walks over to his closet and opens it up, pulling out his night shirt. He discards of his pants, leaving on his briefs, and changes shirts before walking back over to the bed. Wendy is watching him with careful eyes, her heart really racing now. Mest leans over and presses a small kiss against her forehead, smiling brightly.
"I love you Wendy."
Wendy blushes and smiles back, "I love you too Mest. Thanks for today. It was... perfect. Beyond anything I ever imagined for myself. Thank you."
"Of course, anything for my princess... well, good night."
Wendy's loving expression drops as Mest pulls the covers up and gets into bed. She blinks, thinking a part of him is kidding, but he makes himself comfortable and keeps his eyes closed.
"Um... Mest?" She asks.
"Hmm?" Mest hums.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Mest cracks open an eye and looks at her, "going to bed? We had a tiring day, I know for sure that I did. I need a good rest."
"But we're married."
Mest looks at her, not understanding. Wendy sighs, is she going to have to spell everything out?
"This is our wedding night? Ringing any bells? Aren't we supposed to, you know... consummate our marriage?"
It makes sense to Mest now and he jumps out of bed, eyes wide as he shakes his head at her.
"What? No, no way." He tells her.
Why is he looking at her like she's the crazy one right now? Every other couple who just got marriage would be thinking the same thought, and yet here he was telling her no.
"Why not? We're married, I want to try it. I want to have my wedding night!"
"Wendy, please, you're not ready-"
"How can you tell if I'm ready or not? Huh? Only I have that decision to make Mest and I'm telling you that I am!" She glares stubbornly.
Mest stares back at her, knowing that he isn't going to win this argument. With her gaze this intense she isn't going to let this go, even if he tries and leaves she is sure to follow. Why can't she understand the point he is making? She isn't ready, not truly. She's never been with a man before. Never had any experience with one until him, never fallen in love until him, and now after only knowing each other for a few months and getting married wants to take that last step? Does she even know what that implies? She isn't going to let this go though, not with that look on her face. Maybe... yeah, maybe if he scares her a little bit then she'll realize that he was right and that this is a bit too soon.
"Alright then Wendy, strip. Show me you're serious about our night by stripping down and joining me in our bed."
Wendy huffs, determined to prove him wrong. She leans up from her bed and starts fiddling with the straps of her dress. She kicks the thing off of her and is left in only her undergarments. Mest tries very hard to keep a straight face and only stare at her eyes, not down at her body.
"Now the rest," he says, keeping his voice leveled.
Wendy reaches for her bottoms, but all of a sudden her hands begin to shake. She's never stripped completely in front of anyone before (she doesn't count the chamber maids that used to help her bathe and dress). To do so in front of Mest, in front of her husband, it should be normal, but... she feels nervous.
"Do you think I could blow out my candle first?" Wendy asks, gnawing on her bottom lip.
Look at her. She's uncertain, she's unclear. He was a little surprised when she just threw her wedding dress off like that, but he's winning now. She just needs another small push.
"No, I want it on. I want to see you." Mest tells her.
Wendy nods her head slowly and swallows. Just close your eyes and do it without thinking. That's all she has to do. Wendy nods her head to herself again and again, tightening her hold on her bottom garment. She's about to pull them off real fast when Mest realizes that she's serious. Before he can see, he throws their blanket on top of her and covers her up.
"Ah-Mest!"
Wendy struggles to get out of it, but Mest just wraps his arms around her covered form and holds her tight. Through the blanket he presses a kiss where he assumes is the top of her head.
"Wendy, don't. I know you're scared. I know you're not ready, and that's okay. I don't need anything more tonight. You've given me everything I've ever wanted, you've given me yourself. I don't need anything else to make this night even more perfect than it already is."
Wendy can't help the shivers that course through her body. She was nervous, of course she was nervous this was her first time, but still. That shouldn't matter. Mest is her husband, she shouldn't be scared of him. She should be trusting and loving.
"It's not fair though Mest," she whines, "you bring me such happiness and pleasure all the time and for once, just for once, I wanted to return the favor for everything you do for me. I wanted this night to be special for you. I wanted to gift you with me."
Mest laughs and she can feel it vibrate throughout his entire body, "Wendy, you just being with me gives me pleasure."
"You know that's not what I meant. You always keep me warm at night and make sure I have everything I want and have eaten enough food, you plan all these surprises for me and buy me things that mean the world and I just... don't feel like I show you my appreciation enough."
"You do Wendy, you just have no idea that you do. If you want to please me so much though Wendy, just continue to do the small little things you know you can do without being scared. I would take great pleasure in the small things of gratitude you always give me Wendy, like stroking my hair, or kissing my cheek, or making me breakfast sometimes. Don't ever force yourself to do anything you're not comfortable with because I would never want that Wendy. Just continue doing your cute, small things for me because they really mean the world."
Wendy struggles in the blankets a bit, trying to peek her head out. When she does she stares at the sincere look Mest has in his eyes and nods her head. He's right. It makes sense to her. He doesn't want her to force herself if she's scared; she'd never make him force himself if he was. Maybe Wendy wasn't as ready as she thought and that's fine. He's okay with it and it's alright for her to be as well.
"Mest, you really are sweet. I can't believe you're mine," Wendy mumbles softly.
Mest smiles and pecks her lips, "you stole the words right out of my mouth wife. We don't need to be like the other couples out there, because we're not. We just need to be you and me, together."
Wendy nods her head again and lets out a small yawn. She wiggles a little to get out of Mest's hold and goes to stand up off the bed.
"I'm going to put on my nightgown real quick and then we can go to sleep."
Mest nods his head and looks away, welcoming her into his arms warmly when she returns and holding her tightly as they sleep. It wasn't the wedding night either of them expected when they were growing up, but it surely surpassed it.
