"Natsu?"
The dragon in question hummed in response, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the exquisite feel of the young maiden's hands brushing through his pink locks. Natsu's head rested in Lucy's lap as the pair relaxed in the heart of the Dragon Prince's hoard - deep within the bowels of one of the largest dormant volcanoes in Alagesia. A network of underground caves housed his riches - shelves upon shelves of precious keepsakes, caskets of rare stones and of course, mountains of gold. Being his treasure, and therefore a part of this vast collection, Lucy had been granted full access to it and it's contents - which the kind young woman had demurred from taking advantage of. When her stubborn friend had demanded she take something from his collection, she had found a mutually satisfactory way out. To her surprise and delight, amongst the glittering piles of trinkets, Natsu had also collected a decent number of tomes about ancient magical races. These proved to be fascinating reads, and she unabashedly borrowed as many as she could, whenever she was able - although she made it a point to return each one to his hoard as soon as she was done reading. It was on one of these 'library trips' to his hoard that Natsu had dragged her deeper into the caves to show her the current place they were relaxing in - a beautiful grotto in the center of one of the more dilapidated caves, that had a ceiling that was open to the starry night sky.
"Can I ask you something personal?"
The content dragon man cracked open an eye to look at the lovely girl serving as the most comfortable pillow he had ever had the pleasure of using. She was not looking at him. Instead, she stared pensively at the black, twinkling expanse overhead, her chocolate eyes reflecting the sparkling stars she gazed upon. Natsu sighed, his heart aching at the intimacy of their position, and his entire being screaming at him to just hurry up and confess his feelings and claim her for his own. He quelled his exuberant thoughts, opting instead to let out a huff of amusement before answering her silly question.
"Of course you may, strange one. But frankly, you are already in my hoard with my head upon your lap and, as my best friend, you know every tiny detail about every aspect of me. I can't imagine how much more 'personal' you wish to get, unless you wish to ask me about my prowess in the bedchamber…"
The shameless dragon shot her a suggestive grin, wagging his eyebrows for added effect.
Lucy blinked a minute, before turning a deep crimson. She unceremoniously pushed the hapless dragon out of her lap, glaring at him in response to his surprised yelp.
"You pervert! That's not what I meant, and you know it!"
Natsu just chuckled, dragging his lazy form into a comfortable seated position beside her, reclining against the smooth obsidian walls of the cave just as Lucy was doing. He looped an arm around her shoulders, tucking her into his side as he affectionately nuzzled the top of her head. Lucy let out a blissful sigh, melting into his warmth as she returned her gaze to the gorgeous night sky.
"My apologies, Princess. Ask away."
Lucy hesitated a moment more, clearing her throat before stammering out her question.
"I-I was merely curious about your other title - END. Err… If you don't mind talking about it… How did you get it? What is it like to be the emperor of demons?"
Natsu stilled beside her, his form stiffening imperceptibly. Lucy waited with bated breath for his reply.
He let out a low chuckle after a long moment, although the perceptive young maiden noticed the slight forced nature of his laugh.
"I'm not surprised that you are curious. In fact, I'm astonished that you've waited this long to cross examine me. I expected to be in the hot seat far before this…"
Lucy's gaze snapped to his face, as she scrutinized his shadowy profile.
"You were obviously upset about your demon heritage, Natsu. And you seemed particularly keen on keeping the details from me. Why would I wish to probe you on something that seemed to cause you pain?"
"I'm not upset… And it doesn't cause me pain… it's just irritating…" he grumbled.
Lucy shot him an understanding smile. Natsu huffed.
"It's nothing special, really. When I defeated their overlord - Acnologia - I automatically inherited his position. But it in no way prepared me for the formal responsibilities of that role, so I just instructed my next in command in the demon army - a repulsive chap named Mard Greer - to carry on with business as usual. He sends monthly reports on the state of the demon nation, and I've dropped in on them for surprise inspections from time to time. From what I've observed, they've kept themselves in line after the war - so I see no need to trouble myself with them much at all."
Natsu shrugged, the action a little strained despite his intent to make it appear casual. Lucy gently extricated herself from his grasp, twisting to face him directly as she kneeled between his bent legs. She locked him in place by placing her dainty hands on his knees as her chocolate brown orbs arrested his emerald gaze, the curiosity raging in its depths unnerving the dragon man.
"That is it? You have not tried to learn more about demon culture in general? Would not this position of yours be an excellent chance to ask questions and find out everything about your demon side?"
Natsu looked away, unable to meet her burning gaze.
"Nay, Lucy. I know all I need to know about my demon side. I have no desire to learn anything more about that accursed part of me."
"But…"
"It's getting late." Natsu hurriedly interrupted. "Let's leave now whilst you are still conscious? You're a tad heavier to carry about when you're deep asleep…"
Lucy's eyes narrowed, the previous conversation almost entirely forgotten in the wake of his baiting words.
"Are you daring to imply that I'm fat?! Why you…"
She was cut off by a snicker, as Natsu hoisted her into his arms, snapping open his wings as he launched himself into the inky night sky.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Lucy?"
The golden haired young maiden in question turned towards the regal Dragon Queen with a radiant smile on her face. Grandine looked down with affection at the cozy sight of her son, his exceed and the beautiful human girl seated around a small, low table, sharing a scrumptious, wholesome breakfast amidst much merriment and joy.
"Yes, Grandine?"
"We have a visitor who came in quite late last night, who wishes to meet you immediately. Will you come with me?"
Her breakfast companions, the dragon exceed duo who joked and chortled by her side, subdued their mirth to listen to Lucy's response.
"Of course! But may I ask who this visitor is? It is not like you to grant an audience with anyone so early in your morning routine - he must be an important person indeed, if you felt compelled to bend this usual dragon rule."
Grandine's fond smile widened.
"It's a surprise, Lucy."
With those cryptic words, she gestured to the young maiden to follow her as she briskly exited Natsu's chambers. Lucy rose swiftly from her spot to follow suit, Happy and Natsu close on her heels. The group of four made their way down to Igneel and Grandine's chambers, pausing at the entrance for Grandine to unlock the door to the antechamber. Once inside, the Dragon Queen gestured to the various comfy chairs in the room.
"Make yourselves comfortable. Igneel and I will escort our guest here shortly." Grandine paused, her expression sobering. "He is especially keen on talking to you, Lucy. And I apologize in advance for my role in all this…"
With a slightly guilty look, Grandine inclined her head respectfully to Lucy, leaving the chamber with a graceful sweep of her flowing dress.
Lucy frowned, her expression changing from one of curiosity to concern. She glanced at her dragon and exceed best friends for help, disappointed to see equally disturbed expressions on their faces. The door behind Grandine closed with a snap, leaving the three alone again.
"Are you in trouble, Lushi?" Happy whispered, his usual teasing tone absent.
Lucy shrugged, trying to affect nonchalance.
"Not that I know of. Perhaps our mystery visitor is just a fussy, formal dignitary who hassled Grandine and Igneel into this meeting?"
"I doubt it." Natsu interjected, his tone thoughtful. "Father and Mother are not the types to be bullied - especially by fussy, formal dignitaries. This has to be someone they hold in high regard, but who…?"
Natsu's voice trailed off as the door opened once again, and a dimunitive figure stalked into the room.
Natsu let out a hoot of excitement, as Happy chiruped in joy.
Lucy's face lit up like a light lacrima, before falling the very next moment as she took in the visitor's sober expression.
Colonel Makarov did not look pleased.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Grandpapa?"
Makarov continued to level a stern look at his granddaughter, one that caused her to flinch. She had never been at the receiving end of his serious ire before. He had rebuked her in her younger years for her reckless pranks, but he had always done so in a tone of exaggerated, faux-anger. His look now was so grave and unlike the cheerful, jovial grandfather that she had always known, that it caused her heart to twinge anxiously. She bit her lower lip, as her mind raced to ascertain what could be the source of his disapproval…
"Child, Grandine contacted me a few days ago. She had a very sordid tale to tell me regarding you, one that I could not believe at first. In fact, so faithless was I, that I contacted Laxus to find out the truth of the affair… Imagine my shock when I found that it was all true!" Makarov's grave expression softened into one of grief and hurt instead. "Why did you not tell me he whipped you, child? Did you not trust your Grandpapa? Have I done something to upset you? Why would you keep it a secret from me, and also go out of your way to ensure your courtiers kept the secret as well?..."
Makarov's gruff words were abruptly cut short as golden locks filled his vision and muffled his voice. A soft sob broke free from the trembling figure tightly embracing him, causing the elderly gentleman to abandon his rebuke to return the ardent hug.
"I-I'm sorry, Grandpapa." Lucy's voice trembled with genuine regret and sorrow as she clung to her grandfather. "I trust you with all my heart! But I've always feared for you, thanks to your outspokeness against father… Be truthful, dear grandfather, what would you have done if I had told you of this punishment father chose for me?" Lucy drew back to cautiously regard the old man.
Makarov grimaced. "That is not something you should have worried about, Lucy. As your elder, I will take care of myself! It is my duty to take care of you too…"
"You've evaded my question, Grandpapa." Lucy gently halted him, gazing into his eyes.
The old mage sighed, running a tired hand over his face. "I would have found some way to extract you from that damn palace and hidden you away from that brute of a nephew of mine…"
"...Consequently causing God knows how much trouble for yourself." Lucy finished for him, her tone turning brusque in her exasperation.
"I can put up with much more than a little 'trouble' if it means keeping my granddaughter safe and happy…"
"Why do you assume I am not happy?" Lucy countered softly. "And as for my safety, being constantly on the run from my father and traveling through strange lands with strange people could hardly be considered a 'safe' alternative to what I have made for myself in Pergrande. By standing my ground and making the most of every sordid situation life has thrown my way, I have not only constructed a base of relative stability in my nation, but I have also created my own foolproof escape plan with Laxus' coronation…"
"Nay, Lucy." Makarov interrupted solemnly. "That plan is not foolproof. It is clever, I'll admit, but there are many chances of it going awry."
Lucy's face fell as she absorbed her beloved grandfather's words. Natsu, who had been quietly observing their exchange until that point, spoke up the moment he saw her crestfallen look.
"Gramps, that's not fair! Lucy's putting everything she's got into making Laxus the king - she even exposed herself as the primary Guardian of the Celestial Vow to garner the support of the magical alliance…"
"SHE DID WHAT?!"
Natsu blinked. "You didn't know that part?"
Much to Natsu's surprise, Makarov rounded on his parents. "Grandine! Igneel! You let that happen?!"
Igneel grimaced. "We weren't exactly consulted prior to the decision. And how could we be? Someone deigned it better not to tell her who her fellow guardians were…" Igneel's sulky look only served to increase the confusion on the diminutive Colonel's face.
"What?! That wasn't me! Those were not the instructions I left for…"
Makarov stopped abruptly, slapping his forehead and letting loose an exasperated groan.
"Loke! That fool and his overzealous protectiveness… I'm going to kill that spirit."
"What's going on, Grandpapa?" Lucy interjected timidly, her gaze shifting restlessly between the royal couple and her beloved grandparent.
"Lucy, did Loke tell you all about your role in the Celestial Vow? Including the part that there are three guardians of the vow? Each with three of the zodiac keys?" Makarov enquired softly.
"Yes. But he insisted that the other two guardians would be kept a secret from each other, for each of our safety…"
Makarov interrupted her with a sigh.
"Nay, that part was his own addition. He was mainly focused on your safety, and he strongly believed that keeping you away from the remaining two guardians was a good idea…"
"Why?" Lucy cocked her head in curiosity.
"Because the remaining two were ferocious dragons, that Loke doesn't fully trust."
A brief silence descended as the occupants of the cozy chamber dwelled on Makarov's words. The quiet was unceremoniously interrupted by a blunt voice.
"Who the fuck are they?"
"Natsu, language!" Grandine snapped, flustered and chagrined. "And Makarov is referring to both of us. We are the last two guardians of the vow."
Lucy let out a trill of joy.
"That's amazing! But… that means that six of the keys are already in Alagesia… Oh dear."
"What's wrong, Lucy?" Grandine enquired, stepping forward to comfort the nervous looking young woman.
A low chuckle from her bonded mate stopped her.
"You placed your set of keys in Natsu's hoard, didn't you?" Igneel smirked at the blushing Princess, his eyes darting to note his son's proud look as the younger dragon man hovered protectively behind Lucy.
"Well…" Lucy stammered. "He offered… and it did seem like a marvelous option at the time…"
"She was keeping them on her person! As if I could let her be even more of a danger magnet than she already is…" Natsu added vehemently.
"Hmmm." Makarov added his two cents. "I think we can rest easy on that point, Lucy. A dragon's hoard is the most secure place in the world to keep any treasure - all the keys will be fine." The Pergrande Officer rounded on the dragon Prince. "Provided Natsu hands them over the moment you request him too…"
Natsu straightened up, eying Makarov solemnly. "I will, Colonel Makarov. I swear on my honor as a dragon."
Lucy stepped back to stand beside her dragon friend, placing a hand on his shoulder as she shot him a warm smile.
"Thank you, Natsu."
She turned to her beloved elder. "But that really isn't necessary, Grandpapa, for don't you remember that he's claimed me as his treasure? I have full access to his hoard, and can retrieve the keys whenever I wish."
Makarov blinked. "That hatchling spell? But Lucy, it would have worn off when…"
Makarov ceased speaking as he saw the look of panic bloom on Natsu's face, as well as the powerful negatory signals he could see Happy make behind the young couple.
"Worn off?" Lucy prompted, a slight frown forming on her face.
Makarov offered his granddaughter an apologetic smile as his mind worked furiously. The 'treasure' spell would have dropped away when Natsu attained magical maturity. And he had not replaced it, the old man could tell by the magic signature that Lucy sported, or lack thereof. The fact that Natsu had shared the intimate, heavily guarded secret of his hoard with his lovely granddaughter could mean one of two things. The trust between these two close friends was exemplary or…
The fire brat had found his bonded.
"Ah, I was thinking of another spell. Forgive my old mind, little one. You are right - you are indeed his 'treasure'." Makarov smothered his knowing smile.
"Well then, Lucy. Let us put all this behind us - henceforth, at least, will you be fully honest with me and all those who care about you?"
Lucy gulped, averting her eyes.
"I will… try…"
A heavy silence settled in the chamber before Makarov broke it with a resigned sigh.
"Honestly child, you will turn me old before my time…"
Lucy shook her head, her lips turning up into a smile.
"You are ageless, Grandpapa! Why, you are as spry and sharp as a young man!"
"Hmph. Shameless flatterer. Well then, would you forsake the company of your numerous young male admirers to spend the day with your old Grandpapa?"
Lucy's eyes lit up.
"I would love to!"
"Hey! What about me?" Natsu grumbled.
"And me?" Happy chimed in, an excited smile adorning his little face.
"Fine you scallywags, you can tag along! But get into one needless brawl when we drop by Fairy Tail, and I'll smash you straight into the ground!" Makarov pretended to huff impatiently.
"You wanna fight me?! Awesome, Gramps! I'm all fired up!"
Makarov groaned. "What?! No! I didn't… argh, just go on ahead you brats! I'll meet you in the palace foyer in ten minutes - I must finish my report to your parents, Natsu."
Lucy giggled and bent down to give him a swift, tight hug, before she grabbed the hands of the two males behind her.
"Let's go!" She trilled, her excitement bubbling over.
The noisy, cheerful trio exited the chamber, leaving an ominous silence in their wake.
Igneel and Grandine turned to Makarov.
"We thought all had been discussed last night…"
Makarov solemnly shook his head, as he opened the door and addressed the figure leaning next to the jamb.
"Wakaba?"
A lanky man with a pipe strolled in, offering his superior a salute before turning to bow to the Dragon King and Queen. Makarov nodded at him, turning back to the royal pair.
"I'll have to return to Pergrande tonight, Grandine and Igneel. But I'll leave Wakaba here in case you need to contact me."
"How long are you going to stay in town this time, Makarov?" Grandine enquired gently.
Makarov sighed, running a hand over his chin.
"Until Lucy completes her treatment with you, Grandine, and her visit to Alagesia ends. There are a great many things in Pergrande I must investigate, and since some of them revolve around Lucy herself, I best do it whilst she is not around."
"What sort of information are you going to be searching for?"
"I'm honestly not sure. But I just can't help but wonder… If Lucy was able to successfully keep an affair of this magnitude so well hidden… Then what other gruesome secrets could she have locked away behind the closed doors of her heart?"