edited chapter two
The next day
Natsu spent the night cleaning up his house.
He went all out. If a floorboard was loose or damaged, he replaced it.
He made sure all easy to reach places for a baby were locked up.
Making sure nothing was in reach by putting anything a child might find in a high cupboard.
He even sprayed down everything to make sure no germs were on it and got rid of the scent of B.O.
By the time he was finished, it was just after midnight.
He doubly made sure there was room for a proper bed.
Now it was time to return to the guild and hope Erza and Happy are back.
But first, he headed back to Porlyusica to see how Dimaria is doing.
When he finally made it, Dimaria is outside already on her front steps.
"Whoa, I figure you would still be inside?"
"I was, just got outside. She's...something else."
"Believe me, I know," the cause both to let out a small chuckle.
"Maybe this won't be so bad," they thought in unison.
"Well, I think I have everything set up at my house. I just need you to make sure everything thing is to your liking.
"And what will you do?"
"I have to hunt down Erza and hope she can help us keep this a secret, assuming she doesn't kill me first."
"I'll see you, at….home," pink dusted her cheeks.
Natsu gave her an enormous grin.
Natsu headed back to Magnolia while Dimaria headed to his home.
Dimaria made sure no one saw her as she traveled to Natsu's home.
The first thing she noticed, no trash on the floor or rotting food.
The floor was spic and span, and all edges were made dull or covered up.
From what she can tell, he also fixed up any damages evident by what looks to be new floorboards on the ground and walls.
She also noticed there was a large section utterly devoid of anything.
She made the connection; that's where her bed will be going.
The next question she couldn't stop her blush from forming was to get a single, full or queen-sized bed.
With Natsu
Natsu finally entered the guildhall, and to his relief, Erza is sitting in one of the booths eating her strawberry cake. Happy is close by eating a fish.
He walked over and sat down across from her.
"Is there something you need, Natsu?"
Natsu struggles to find the words to say but slaps to the side of his head t bring some sense back into him.
"Actually, there is something, but I can't say it here. Meet me at my house in one hour and make sure no one followed you the same for you, buddy."
Erza just narrowed her eye on him before remembering the promise they made.
Letting out a sigh, "I'll be there, and it better be important and not some trivial task, ok!"
"Of course, I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important," he said with a grin.
She mirrors his smile before saying, "I'll be there."
"On second thought, Happy wanna comes back with me?"
"Aye, sir, see you later, Erza."
"Same to you, Happy."
With those words spoken, Natsu returned home.
"Hey Natsu, what's so important you needed Erza to come over and make sure no one followed her?"
"Can't answer that now, but you know when we get there."
"Ok"
When they made it home, Natsu knocked on the door of his own house.
Happy was confused about this, only for the door to open, revealing the blonde time mage.
"Natsu, what is she doing here!" He was shivering nervously.
"Happy, the reason she here is because...is because she is pregnant with my child."
Those few short words were enough for him to pass out.
Natsu caught him before he could hit the ground.
He carried him inside, putting him on his little hammock.
By the time he woke, 10 minutes have passed.
"Natsu, I just had the weirdest dream," he would continue before his eye locked on Dimaria again.
This confirms the dream he had wasn't a dream at all.
"What I said is the truth, Happy" he couldn't even look him in the eyes.
"Who else knows?"
"Gramps, Porlyusica, and you know, and soon Erza will."
"Are you sure it's a good idea to tell Erza?"
"Yes, as she is the only one I trust to cover up my tracks from the rest of the guild."
"Can't argue with that. I just hope you're still alive after telling her."
"Don't remind me."
Dimaria, who has been quiet this whole time, decided to speak up. "Happy, I just want you to know I'm sorry for the harm I cause your guild during the war. And this wasn't planned or anything. It just happened," she said with a hint of guilt.
"You have nothing to be sorry about, but apologizing to the guild when the time comes wouldn't hurt," Natsu stated in his usual tone.
This caused a small smile to form on Dimaria face for a brief moment.
Happy eyes widen slightly at this "this is really happening."
Around the 55 minute mark, Natsu stood outside by the door, waiting for Erza to show up.
He didn't have to wait long. Looking at the brushes, he saw Erza come out behind them.
"Ok, I'm here and made sure no one follows me. What is it you need?"
"Before I tell you. Promise me you'll behave yourself," he said sternly.
Erza is taken back at this. "I promise I won't overreact to whatever it is you having a problem with."
"I wouldn't call it a problem, but I definitely need someone I can depend on for this."
"Ok, now spill it."
"Follow me," he opened the door, holding it open for her to come in.
As Natsu closed the door, he saw Erza holding a shocked expression and was almost frozen like a block of ice.
She was staring Dimaria dead in the eyes, her mind trying to figure out why one of the spriggan twelve was in Natsu's house.
She took a deep breath calming her nerves. After all, she made a promise to Natsu, and she intends to keep it.
"Natsu, why is she here?"
"About that, please don't kill me for this. We had a one-night stand my last night in Alvarez.
"I became pregnant as a result," Dimaria finished.
They look to Erza, who had his head held down with her bangs covering his eyes "who else knows about this!"
"Gramps and Porlyusica and everyone in this room."
"What are you asking of me, Natsu?"
"Well, obviously, keep this to yourself. But, for the time being, we want to tell everyone on our own terms."
"Fine, I'll agree to that, is there anything else."
"Well, you see me and Happy sleep in hammocks, but she doesn't want to, so I need you to help cover for me. So people don't start sticking their nose where it doesn't belong."
"Is that all there is?"
"For now, yes, if anything else comes up, I'll let you know."
She took a deep breath before exhaling. "Dimaria, I hope you don't mind but need to have a private talk with Natsu."
"No problem here."
Erza then dragged Natsu by his scarf outside.
She dragged him about 20 meters, making sure no one was around.
As for Natsu, he was white in the face down on his hands and knees, hoping she wouldn't kill him.
Erza stared him down with her red piercing eyes, deciding on what course of action to take.
She walked over to Natsu, grabbing hold of his shoulder, "Stand!"
He complied with her demand. Suddenly she punched him with so much force he was sent flying into a tree.
"Goddamnit, Natsu, how could you be this Stupid!"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean for any of this to happen. It was a spur of the moment you have to believe me, Please," Natsu pleaded on his hand and knees.
With the grace of a fairy, she walked towards him before picking him up again. She held him in place as she punched him right in the gut.
Natsu was justifiably terrified right now.
What he wasn't expecting was a tearful hug from the scarlet knight.
"Erza, are you ok?" he returned the hug, hoping it would calm her down.
"I'm not sad, sure a little angry, I'm just surprised you, of all people, would end up being a father so soon."
"I know what you mean, and to be honest, I'm kind of excited to be one….but."
"Don't worry. I'll help you. However, I can."
"You just want to be my child's favorite aunt, don't you" he deadpanned.
"You know it, she said, holding a fist in the air as her eye shined like stars" Natsu could only chuckle at this.
"Thank you. That means a lot. Now it's time to go bed shopping."
"Ok, let's go inform Dimaria first."
They informed Dimaria they're leaving to get a bed for her and asked Happy to stay here.
"Sorry, Happy, but we can't risk you going back and accidentally spilling the beans."
"I understand. Can you bring back some fish while you're out!"
"Sure thing, little buddy."
When they made it to the store, it was near noon.
Natsu walked up to the clerk to check out the beds.
"What brought this on from what I've heard you sleep in a hammock?"
Before Natsu could answer, Erza covered for him.
"I thought it best if Natsu upgraded to a bed as his hammock was on its last leg."
"If you're involved, who am I to argue" she led them to the bedroom section before allowing them to browse what they have for sale.
After browsing around and input from Erza that Natsu greatly appreciates, they settle on a full-size bed.
It cost 50,000 jewels. The store offered to deliver it there for them, but Erza shot that down.
"How are you going to carry this back to his home, miss scarlet?"
She walks up to the mattress and the pieces for the frame, placing her hands on it.
The whole thing was engulfed in the light before disappearing.
"Like that."
"What did you just do!"
"She put them in her requip space, oh, and here's the money for pillows and sheets and blanket" he handed her the money needed.
The sheets in question were this weird transition between blue and red.
"Come back soon, you two!"
"Only time will tell," Natsu said as he waved goodbye to the clerk.
When they just left the city outskirts, "thanks, Erza."
"No problem."
In no time at all, they returned home and set up the bed for Dimaria.
She thanked Erza for helping them out.
"As I said to Natsu, it was no problem. One more thing if Natsu gives you any trouble, tell me, I'll make sure to set him straight," she said with a smile, causing Dimaria to giggle.
"Again, thank you."
With those words, Erza waves goodbye to them.
After Erza left, they took their seats at his dining room table across from each other.
An awkward silence fell between them as they had no idea how to proceed from here.
Natsu, being well, broke the ice, "so tell me a little about yourself, Dimaria."
She was reluctant at first but ultimately conceded to Natsu's request.
"Well, you should know I'm 28 years old."
"I'm technically over 70 years old from my death to when I came to the future with igneel, so the age gap isn't a problem for me," he said with a chuckle.
Dimaria let out a giggle at this.
And they talked for the next few hours, learning a bit about each other.
Then their stomach decided to make themselves known.
"Look likes someone is hungry."
"Can say the same for you."
"So, what do you want to eat?"
"What do you have?"
"Well, let's see."
He looks through his pantry, only to find out all of it has gone bad or is very little.
"Well, this sucks. All that time I spent in Alvarez has left my food unused and is all expired," he said with a nervous chuckle.
Dimaria let out a sigh at this "do you have any other ideas."
"Well, we could go fishing there a river nearby and should be far enough away so no one will find us. just in case, Happy, I'm gonna need you to be on the lookout."
"Aye, sir."
With that, they were off. With Natsu's intimate knowledge of the forest around Magnolia, they found a secluded spot far enough away so they wouldn't be disturbed.
Luck was on their side today as Natsu caught a few keepers, including a giant one.
Being a fire mage, he made a fire to start cooking. But, of course, Happy ate his fish raw.
After about 10 minutes, the smaller fish were done.
He handed one to Dimaria, who hesitantly took it in hand before taking a bite.
"So, how's it taste?"
"Hmm, this is good."
"Yeah, I figured, nothing beat wild-caught fish."
"Natsu right that farmed fish tastes bland and doesn't have that kick, wild has," Happily informed.
They stayed there for a few more hours before heading home well. After that, Dimaria and Happy went back. Natsu went shopping.
He was going to the store to stock up on anything they might need.
He tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, but that is complicated when you have pink hair.
That's when he ran into Bisca, who's also shopping for food.
"Never thought I'd see you in here, Natsu," she said not too far away. She waved for him to comes closer.
It wasn't long before Alzack showed up with Asuka in his arms.
"Yeah, being away for over a month took its toll on my food, so gotta replace everything."
"I can see" Natsu cart was piled high from fruit and vegetable bread and meat, of course.
"Well, this is a surprise Natsu getting fruits and vegetables. You almost always eat meat exclusively."
"I guess you could say it's an unintended consequence when you're a continent away from everyone."
"They forced you, didn't they."
"Yes," he said in defeat.
"Do you need any help getting that home?"
"No," he said quickly, a little too soon since this is Natsu.
Bisca and Alzack traded glances for a brief second before mentally agreeing to drop it for now.
"Will see you around, Natsu."
"See ya," he paid for his grocery, and the owner was gracious enough to let Natsu use a pull wagon to carry it all home.
He had to be very careful getting home. Too quickly or too slow might arouse suspicion since he never made it hard to read him.
Fortunately, his luck held out for him so far, but for how long, he had no idea.
The sun is starting to set when he finally made it home.
"I'm back!"
Happy and Dimaria came outside to see Natsu with a wagon full of food.
"Got enough food, their dragon boy."
"Since we have two extra mouths to feed, yes," a blush graced Dimaria features from Natsu's comment.
After Natsu restocked his pantry, they ate what remained of the fish they caught earlier before calling it a night.
Just before they went to sleep, they got close to each other before taking a step back, realizing they were going in for a kiss.
That was when the gravity of this situation finally hit them.
"Um," hope you sleep well tonight," he manages to say before jumping on his hammock.
"You to" she raced to her bed, also trying to get some sleep."
As the sole witness to this exchange, Happy's only thought is, "This could be a problem."
The next day
Natsu prepared Breakfast for everyone, but there was an uncomfortable silence.
"As much as I want to stay here and make sure you're alright, people will get suspicious if I'm gone for too long like last time. I'm gonna have to go to the guild and might take a job, so we have some money coming in. I'll be gone for a few days since the big ones take time to complete," he was unable to look her in the eyes.
"That's fine by me. I might actually stop by Porlyuisca to make sure everything goes smoothly while your away," she rubbed her lower belly, confirming her words.
"Sound like a plan. So let's go, Happy."
"Aye, sir."
The walk back to the guild was silent as Natsu's mind was still in turmoil from last night.
"Natsu about last night?"
"I don't want to talk about it," he said sternly.
"Ok," he said just as they entered the city.
When they entered the guild, Natsu noticed Erza on the far side; they simply nodded to each other.
Natsu went to the job board, going over it to see if any piqued his interest.
"Natsu, been wondering where you've been the past few days?" Lucy asked
"Just been at home relaxing after being away for so long, you wouldn't happen to have a job lined up?"
"No, I was just about to look for one myself."
"Ok then, so far, nothing caught my interest" he went back to the board, scanning it over for anything that paid well. After all, he gonna need every jewel he can get his hand on.
Erza walked up to them, "actually, I have one lined up for us, Gray. You interested?"
"What did you have in mind."
Wendy showed up and had a shocked expression, causing Natsu and Erza to cringe.
Erza quickly whisked her away, sending a nod to Natsu.
"I wonder what that about," Gray, though, noticed Wendy's reaction.
With Erza
Erza rather forcefully dragged Wendy to a secluded part of the guild.
"Wendy, I need you to calm down and let me explain," she said in a hushed tone while glaring at her, telling her to keep her voice down.
Looking Erza in the eye, she took a deep gulp, "Ok."
Erza made it as brief as possible, telling her about Natsu and Dimaria situation.
"You have to keep this a secret, Wendy. You can't tell a soul as they want to tell everyone on their own terms," she said farmly.
"Ok, you have my word, but."
"What is it?"
"Would it be possible I can stop by and" she trailed off
Erza let out a giggle at this. "I'm sure Natsu would be fine with that after the job is done, ok" Wendy nodded at this before they regrouped with the others.
"So, what do you guys think of the job."
"Seems simple enough all we have to do is stand guard at some event a couple of towns over," Gray said
"And it pays well too," Lucy through in.
"Sound like it's up to our ally, so how long will be gone?" Natsu asked
"The party is two days from now. So if we leave now, we will have a full day before and leave the day after the party, so about three days."
With their plans set, they headed off to gather their stuff and meet at the train station.
Natsu and Happy were the first to make it there, followed up by Erza and Wendy.
Natsu and Erza traded glances. Then, finally, she walked past him into an ally far away from peering eyes.
He followed, leaving Happy Wendy and Carla to themselves.
"How's Wendy doing?"
"She seems to be handling it pretty well. I didn't go into full detail, just a brief overview, and she wants to stop by and make amends with Dimaria."
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea, is there anything else?"
"Yes, actually the job I pick wasn't just because the party paid well, there a book store in the area. So it might have few books about pregnancy and what to expect when the baby is born," she gave him a wide smile.
"That could be helpful, but that gonna be kinda hard when you have pink hair."
"I made that conclusion to so I prepared a bit of a disguise for you."
Natsu had a skeptical look in his eyes "hey, it's a good disguise. It will work, I promise."
Natsu continued his stare "if it helps, I'll go with you, so you don't mess it up."
"Fine, let's get back to the others."
When they met up with Wendy, Lucy and Gray just came out from behind the corner.
"You guys ready?" Natsu stated
"Sure are Flame brain."
"Gray, don't be rude. He's your friend," Lucy scolded.
"Lucy doesn't worry about it," he said in a bored tone.
This got looks of surprise from the celestial and ice wizard.
They got on the train, rode off in the distance, and noticed Natsu wasn't getting motion sickness.
Noticing the stares, he pulled out a necklace "keeps my motion sickness at bay, ow here's one for you, Wendy" he gave her a smaller one he had in his pocket.
She put it on, and it did the trick.
Natsu didn't mind the other as he just stared out the window, not speaking a word.
Both Gray and Lucy just stared at him as this was a first, considering this is Natsu.
Erza didn't pay him any mind as she was more focused on Wendy and Carla.
"I really hope she doesn't look into Natsu's future. But, if she does, this could get ugly and fast."
Later that day
They had just settled into the hotel for the night since the party is two days away.
When the others were fast asleep, Erza confronted Natsu, "you ready? This might be our only chance while we're here."
"Let's get this over with," Erza requiped an outfit for Natsu, which was a black leather jacket with beenie that turned his hair jet black and a face mask that covers the lower half of his face.
"Good thing it getting colder out even though I'm unaffected."
"Yep," Erza requip into a similar outfit as well.
"How do you even know this place is open at ten at night?"
"Natsu, you forget I have connections in the book trade. I think going to a book store this late won't be a problem."
"You mean those dirty novels you love so much," she promptly smacked him on the head for that comment.
"Worth it," the got another smack to the head.
After about 10 minutes of walking, they stood in front of a door on the corner store of the block.
Erza knocked on the door waited a minute for a slot on the door at eye level to open up.
"Ah, titania, what brings you here at this lovely hour?"
"A friend of mines needs a few books but is too embarrass to do it publicly given his reputation."
"No question asked like usual."
"Yes"
"Then come on in" he opens the door and leads them into the back to the basement.
Natsu let out a sigh at how many books were available.
"Take whatever you need, and you don't have to worry about paying for them. Titania has done more for me than most have in my life, so a free book is the least I can do."
"Is my order in by any chance?"
"Yes, actually, it is."
Natsu wasn't paying them any attention. Instead, he was scouring bookshelf after bookshelf looking for anything regarding pregnancy and child care.
After about half an hour of searching, he found a couple of books that met his needs.
When he regrouped with Erza, she had a small bag of books as well.
"Thank you, Rodger. We are going now."
"Take care now," he waved them off as they walked back to the hotel.
"Thanks, Erza, this will come in handy."
"It's my pleasure."
that it for this chapter
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