Title: Fata Donum 2: The Continuing Story
Fata Donum 1 Premise: Based off of aloosh_s's masterpiece found on tumblr with the following description (written by illustrator herself but edited a bit by me):
"An AU where Zeref is a protective older brother of Natsu. He always takes an hour off from his tiring job to go take Natsu home after school, but he always finds his little brother crying while waiting outside. He would kneel down in front of him and ask him, with a warm smile, 'Why are you crying, Natsu?" "M-my…friends keep saying bad words about my pink hair…" Zeref would notice the kids in the distance laughing while eyeing Natsu, and his anger would start to snap, but he manages a way to hold it in. One day he decides to talk to his teacher…that is when he meets Mavis…"
replace each "*" with a period and replace each "#" with a backslash to view artwork...
aloosh-s*tumblr*com#post#130828258068#an-au-where-zeref-is-a-protective-older-brother-of
A/N: I originally intended for this to be a series of one-shots, so I am not sure how many chapters I am going to write. After thinking I had an outline set, I ended up combining what would have been two separate chapters (Natsu meeting Igneel's author and Zeira meeting one of Zeref's friends).
****************Chapter One*****************
It was a normal day in Magnolia town. The sun was currently shining, but grey storm clouds were rolling in from the west, and the kids were just dismissed from school for winter break. The air was a bit cold and the local meteorologists were calling for a small snow storm, which made the children of the town excited even more for the upcoming holiday.
Mavis Vermillion, kindergarten teacher at Magnolia Elementary School, was making her way to her car with her bag of gifts from her students after tidying her classroom up for the break. Suddenly the boxes she was carrying was taken out of her hands.
"Oh Zeref. Thanks!" she replied after realizing who her savior was.
"It's not a problem. It's my job after all as a boyfriend." he teased and then leaned over to kiss her on her cheek.
She linked her arm into his as she carried her other bag.
"Where's Natsu?" she asked as they entered the office real quick to drop off her classroom keys and so she could sign out for the day.
"I told him to stay on the playground for a few minutes. I wanted to help you before we headed to our homes."
She nodded and smiled as she held the door for him exiting the building.
"What time were you thinking for dinner?"
"Well, we have a few days to decide, really, but he becomes an animal around four thirty and a beast by five." Zeref joked.
Mavis giggled at his description of his brother.
"Okay. Maybe four thirty will work then." she commented before giving him a quick peck on his cheek and then saying goodbye.
Zeref made sure she backed out of the spot she was in before heading back to the school's classroom and grabbing Natsu to head to the baby-sitter's house.
"Zeref?"
"Yes?"
"Why do I still go to the sitter's house when your girlfriend can watch me?"
"Because you need to limit your exposure to her. You still get crazy ideas in your head about me and her and she and I have only been dating for seven months." Zeref replied. "And you've always liked going to the sitter's house."
"I know. I just feel like it'd be better if I went to Mavis' house."
"Oh? You're on a first name basis with her now, are you?"
"Sorry, but she is your girlfriend now. And she's not my teacher anymore."
Zeref rolled his eyes and continued to drop him off. Then it was back to work as usual and then to pick him up again and go home.
"When is the new Igneel book coming out?" Natsu asked his brother once they walked into the living room.
"Next month I believe." Zeref replied. "I'll check the site later."
"Aw man! I was hoping I could get it for it for Christmas."
"You never know what Santa can get you." Zeref said nonchalantly with a smile. "Oh, but I do know there are new toys coming out too, all for the new animated movie that will be coming out."
"M- movie?" Natsu asked with a large toothy grin.
"Yup! Just heard about that too. Some big "to do" with the author and some company. They are making an animated movie, but it will be a direct to t.v. type movie. There may even be an animated series by April."
"THAT. IS. SO. AWESOME!" Natsu yelled as he ran around the room.
Zeref let out a small chuckle as he shook his head. Natsu ran upstairs to his room to play before dinner.
A few hours after dinner, Natsu was sleeping peacefully in his room while Zeref was busy online going through emails and having his Skype open. He received a notification of an incoming video call and accepted it.
"Are you there Zeref?" a voice asked softly.
"Ah. Hold on Mavis." he said as he started to close open windows down. "Sorry."
"It's fine." she said with a small giggle. "What were you doing?"
"E-mails. A lot of them."
"Can you talk?"
"Yes, they can wait. Mostly junk." he answered. "What's up?"
"Is Natsu sleeping?"
"Yeah, he crashed."
There was a small moment of silence before she spoke up.
"So, I just got off the phone with Zeira."
"And?" he curiously asked.
"She was wondering if the three of us wanted to go to Tenrou for the holiday. She's been bugging me for years to spend Christmas there. I've always declined."
"Umm. I don't see it as a problem. When did she want us there, and are there rooms?"
"Yes, to the rooms. She set two aside. And as soon as possible I think." Mavis answered.
Zeref nodded.
"Okay, let me call my boss real quick."
"Okay." she replied not really listening to his half of the conversation.
Zeref dialed Mr. Dreyar's phone and spoke with him quickly.
"My boss is okay with it, so I can go. I just have to bring my laptop just in case something pops up."
"Awesome! I'll let her know." Mavis excitedly commented. "How long do you think you can stay?"
"I'm not really worried about that at the moment. I'll pack for a week just in case. If I have to come back early, I will."
"And Natsu?"
"Uhh…I have no idea. We'll see when the time comes I guess."
She let out a small laugh realizing the predicament.
"Hey, has Natsu met the author yet?"
"Uhh..no, he hasn't. He will next month but he doesn't know that yet."
"How's that going to work?"
"He and I arranged for it as an autograph signing at a local bookstore here in town." Zeref answered and then got quiet. His phone buzzed and he looked at it puzzled.
"Who's texting you at this hour?" she asked.
"The infamous author." He joked. "Hold on. Just listen as I talk to him on speaker."
"Aye-aye!" she said with a joking salute.
Zeref called his friend.
"Hey Mard! What's up? And were your ears ringing?"
"Why would they be ringing?"
Zeref laughed.
"Mavis and I were just talking about you. That's why." Zeref answered before continuing. "Why the text to call you?"
"Because I just got off the phone with my agent. He's booked me a week's stay on Tenrou Island for mental prep before the new launch and book signing tour that he convinced me to go on."
"Really? Where are you staying?"
"Err…at the Red Lizard Inn I think."
"Cool. I'm actually going there as well with Natsu and Mavis for a week or so tomorrow."
"OOhh…wait…"
"Her friend's father owns the place. She asked us to come a little while ago and put aside two rooms for us. Don't get any nasty ideas in your head." Zeref stated slightly embarrassed as he looked at his screen. He could see Mavis trying not to laugh out loud.
"Oh. That's cool. Can you bring me to Hargeon then as well? I'm currently in Magnolia staying at the Fairy Tail Inn. I'm supposed to check-in tomorrow in Tenrou."
Zeref looked to Mavis who nodded.
"Sure. I'll pick you up before Mavis then since it's better. Say nine in the morning?"
"That works for me. Will they be okay with it?"
"I'm sure they will. This just moves up Natsu meeting you before the set date next month."
"I can play dumb for a month and not tell him if you can."
"Or we can arrange something while on Tenrou. Doesn't matter either way. It was going to be a belated Christmas gift anyway."
"Sounds good. See you in the morning. I gotta go." Mard replied and then hung up.
Zeref looked at his phone for a few seconds before putting it face down on his desk and getting back to the video call with Mavis.
"Mard sounds…nice." Mavis stated breaking up the new, and slightly awkward silence.
"He is." Zeref replied. "I'm just sorry it's taken me this long to introduce you two."
"It's fine." she said with a giggle. "Maybe the four of us can figure out how to surprise Natsu with him being Igneel's creator."
Zeref's attention was snapped to the screen.
"Four of us?"
"Yeah…you, me, him, and Zeira."
"Oh right. Just as long as nothing happens in the car."
"You and I both know your brother. He'll be asleep once I get in the car." she responded. "All you have to do is keep quiet until I get in."
"Ten four." he replied. "Let me log off and shut down so I can pack for Natsu and I. I'll bring some of his gifts with us and bury them in the trunk."
"And write a letter to Santa explaining where you are going."
"Ah! Good idea." he said with a smile.
After saying their good nights and such, they both decided to pack. Zeref quietly and carefully went into Natsu's room and pulled out clothes for a week's stay on Tenrou.
In the morning, Zeref woke up earlier than he had planned and loaded the car with some presents and the luggage. He hoped he left enough room for Mavis's and Mard's luggage, but he wasn't too worried. He woke up Natsu for breakfast, got him showered, and dressed and then started to head out of the house.
"But where are we going?" he whined. "It's too cold to go camping."
"Who says we're going camping?"
"The car is packed."
"Ah, yes, well there are other places to go for a week."
"B-but Christmas! And Santa!"
"Relax Natsu. I left a letter telling him where to find you. Don't worry."
"Really? Do you think he'll be able to go there then?"
"He stops there anyway. I just asked him to bring your presents to where we will be." Zeref answered as Natsu climbed into his seat.
"Who are we picking up, anyway?"
"My friend, Mard, and Ms. Vermillion."
"YAY!" Natsu said with a devlish smile.
Zeref ignored the look in Natsu's eyes as he buckled himself up and drove off.
It was a semi-quiet ride to Hargeon with Mavis and Mard in the car, and all because the adults didn't want to wake up the sleeping child.
Zeref dropped the group off with the luggage and then found the parking lot in town where he could leave his car for the extended period of time they'd be on Tenrou. He then headed back to the dock to join the three.
The boat met them at the dock and it Zeira who greeted them and helped them load their stuff after quick introductions were made.
"Uh. Oh." Mavis quietly commented to Zeref as she gently grabbed his forearm.
"Huh?"
"I think Zeira likes the look of your friend. Is he single?"
Zeref looked at how Zeira was fixated on Mard and smirked.
"Yes, but don't tell her."
Mavis smiled and boarded the boat with Mard's help.
A little while later, they were on Tenrou and Zeira hung around Mard more than she planned to. Realizing her mistake, she went over to Mavis and whisked her away leaving the boys to follow.
Mard picked up his pace and followed talking with Zeref.
"So, uh, she's your girlfriend's friend?"
"Yeah," Zeref started. "She's nice. Sneaky, but nice."
"I get the feeling you know something you aren't telling me."
"Of course I do." Zeref teased. "Come on. The inn is dead ahead." he stated and then turned to Natsu. "You okay, buddy?"
"I'm good." Natsu said as he took in the sights of the small island town they were walking through, although he was hiding his drained face.
Once they made it to the inn, Zeira checked the three rooms in and had a bell-hop take the luggage to the rooms.
"Follow me!" she stated as she handed them their keys. "I will give you the grand tour of the Red Lizard Inn. And it's history."
The small group followed Zeira around and listened to her as she pointed out some interesting facts, like how it used to be a bar and saloon type of place, with rooms upstairs to rent like back in the wild west. The bar and saloon were converted into a restaurant and the hotel had expanded.
Mavis just followed along, listened to her best friend, and chimed in when asked to or thought it necessary since she knew the history already.
Zeira guided them to their rooms and then let them settle in, keeping Mavis company.
"So, how do you like your room?"
"This is great. Still has the kitchen I see." Mavis commented as she took in the room's featured and toured it herself. "The view from the balcony is nice too."
"Only the best for my bestie, of course." Zeira commented. "Zeref and Mr. Geer also have like the same view and room style."
Mavis let our a small giggle.
"I'm sure you can call him, Mard, Zeira." she teased.
"I know." Zeira commented as she excitedly hopped on the bed. "I think he's handsome. I really like his look with his dark purple hair and dark mysterious eyes." she responded. "Is he one of Zeref's friends?"
"Yes, and he's the author of Natsu's favorite series." Mavis confirmed. "You can ask him to proof-read your blog entries before posting." Mavis teased.
"Ha. Ha. Very Funny." the brunette responded. "Is he single?"
"I'm not really sure." she answered lying. "You can either ask Zeref, or Mard himself." the small blond teased her friend as she was unpacking her clothes and hanging them up in the closet.
"No. No. No.I don't think I'd be able to do that." Zeira replied nervously.
Mavis smiled as she grabbed her toiletry bag and put it in the bathroom.
"You know, it's not the end of the world if the girl makes the first move."
"Funny. But after that last guy I swore I would never make the first move again."
"Okay, that guy was a creep. Even after you broke it off." Mavis agreed and shuddered.
"I think he thought that since I was so forward in confessing it meant that I would want to fast-track our relationship. I was not having any of it."
"He was a bit of a psycho." Mavis agreed again thinking of the horror stories Zeira would tell her. "I think Mard is nice. You probably could make the first move and he would be impressed, and not aggressive. And since you aren't a parent of a child who likes his series, it might be even better for you."
"Even though I know of a child who is utterly obsessed with Igneel?"
"Eh, he's a friend's brother. I don't think Mard really cares." Mavis shrugged off. "It's a different situation."
Zeira still looked conflicted.
"Or wait and see what happens while we're here. Maybe things will unfold on its own with you and him." Mavis added bringing a small smile to her best friend's face.
The was a light knock on the door and Mavis opened it to find Zeref and Mard outside. She waved them in puzzled at first, and then realized why. Zeira was still puzzled though until Zeref spoke.
~With Zeref and Natsu~
"This is cool!" Natsu said as he went around the room. "And Mr. Geer's room is right next door to ours, as is Ms. Vermillion's."
"That will come in handy."
"How?" Natsu asked confused.
"At least I know they aren't far so if you want to take a nap, I can go over and talk to them."
"Speaking of, can I take a nap Zeref?" he asked. "My tummy doesn't feel all that good."
"Oh, right. The boat. I should have let you nap once we checked in instead of taking you on the tour around the hotel." Zeref belatedly realized. "Go ahead, Natsu. You have your Igneel plush right?"
"Yup!" he answered as he tried to climb on the bed.
Unsuccessful, he instead backed up and little and gave himself a running start before he jumped up onto it.
Zeref smiled. He let Natsu lie down and made a barricade so he wouldn't fall off of the bed since it was higher off the ground than his bed.
"Why'd you do that?" Natsu asked confused.
"I don't want you to fall off and get a concussion." Zeref teased. "This bed is higher than yours and mine. It will hurt if you fall while asleep."
"Mmkay." Natsu agreed as he settled in with his Igneel plush next to him.
Once Zeref was sure Natsu was sleeping, he quietly made his way next door to Mard's room and knocked. He opened the door and Zeref waved at him to come quietly to Mavis's room.
Once they were let inside, the four moved into the room where Zeira was seated on the couch next to Mavis and across from Mard who was seated in the desk chair, while Zeref sat in the small recliner that was also in the room.
He carefully and quietly explained how he had wanted to surprise Natsu with meeting his favorite author, who happened to be Mard.
"Oh, right. We were going to do that next month, but since I am here too it makes sense."
"Yeah, since someone might slip up at some point." Mavis commented.
"We need a plan."
"What is Natsu doing now?" Zeira asked. "Is he in the room unsupervised?" she asked worried.
"He'll be fine. He's just napping. He's out cold. He gets motion sickness so the boat was fun." He answered with a small laugh. "And he knows the rooms next to us belong to people I know." Zeref answered.
Zeira nodded in agreement.
"Okay, well, maybe something can be done at dinner tonight to get it out of the way." Zeira commented as her gaze shifted from Zeref to Mard making Mavis giggle. "What?"
"Nothing." Mavis replied still smiling, but waving her hands.