Disclaimer: I do not own Fairytail
Summary: After the war with Alverez Zeref and Natsu aren't exactly on the best of terms, but all this might just change when Zeref walks into the Fairytail guild hall with a job that was mysteriously sent to his doorstep one day.
Warnings: Extreme fluff and maybe cringe-worthy... not sure... what did I write?...
It was an ordinary day at the guild hall. But once the clock reached three o'clock, things weren't very ordinary afterward. Because at three o'clock Natsu's brother came through those large doors. It was not ordinary at all. In the war neither Alverez nor Fiore won. Both sides had to retreat and negotiate a peace treaty since neither side had the means to continue the war. Needless to say, Zeref and Fairytail were not on the best of terms. "Hello." Zeref said as he strode into the guildhall. Natsu's happy smile disappeared almost instantly.
"What do you want?" Natsu asked his lips drawing downward.
"It's a free country isn't?" Zeref asked. Natsu scowled.
"I guess so." Natsu grumbled. "Is there something you need then?"
"Well, you're a guild and I have a job."
"Aren't there guilds where you come from?" Natsu spat. Zeref just raised an eyebrow.
"I'll have you know that Fiore is where I come from. I was born here you know." Zeref said. "Now, I have a job for you. I would like help deciphering this spell. I would be happy to post it in your guild should you take it."
"Take it up with Master Makarov." Natsu finally said after eyeing him up and down. Then he turned around, ignoring anything else that Zeref might've had to say." Zeref pursed his lips and went to the masters office.
"Mr. Dreyer." Makarov looked up. Zeref could tell Mavis was in the room as well.
"Zeref…" Makarov gave a cough. "I mean, Emperor Spriggan. How may I help you?" Makarov asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I… I just have a job to post, if you'll take it." Zeref said. Makarov was silent for a while.
"What kind of job?"
"I, -I need help deciphering the spell. On this paper." Zeref said, handing Makarov the parchment. Makarov stared at him.
"You came to see Natsu, didn't you?" Makarov asked. Zeref hesitated and then nodded.
"Yes, I did." He said quietly. Makarov nodded.
"I thought as much." Makarov said. "After all, if there's a spell you can't decipher the rest of us would never have been able to." Makarov handed the paper back to Zeref. "What does that spell do anyway?" Zeref blinked.
"I'm actually not quite sure. I haven't deciphered it yet. Although I do believe there is a bit of transformation magic involved." Zeref said, squinting at the paper. "Perhaps I'll decipher it once I return home." Zeref said.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. You've come to us with a job and so we will accept." Makarov said.
"Oh yes, but you must let me help." Zeref said, a small smile on his face. Makarov nodded.
"Very well." Makarov said, grinning. "Now, I'll have my guild wizards get right on it."
"Oh, that won't be necessary. Your wizards can accept at your own leisure." Zeref said. Makarov shook his head.
"Nonsense. This is a request from an emperor. We will accept it right away and that's final." He said.
"Well, in that case, thank you very much." Makarov nodded.
"Of course." He said.
"So," Natsu said. "How do we solve this?" he asked. "Also, why am I the one helping?"
"I will decipher the spell and cast it. And if something were to somehow go wrong, you are to fight it. Although I doubt something of that caliber will go wrong I'd rather be safe than sorry." Natsu rolled his eyes. If there was a threat Zeref could very easily take care of it. This was just an excuse. An excuse for what, Natsu did not know.
It only took about an hour for Zeref to convert the spell into Fioran. "Here we are. Alright, let's read it and see exactly what it does." Zeref spoke the spell aloud and paused after he was finished. For a moment nothing seemed to happen, but then Zeref started feeling strange. Zeref collapsed. His body was feeling strained. Zeref peered up at the table. Zeref was confused. Was it some sort of shrinking spell? He did not believe so.
"Um… Zeref?" Natsu said. Zeref frowned up at Natsu. He was quite a bit bigger than Zeref remembered. "Is that you?"
"I believe so." Zeref said.
"Now that's just weird." Natsu said in a disbelieving way. Zeref wondered what Natsu was talking about. "You're… a puppy." Natsu said, tilting his head as if trying to get a better angle. His brother bent down and picked him up. Zeref tried to make sense of that. He supposed it made some semblance of sense. He had thought it was a transformation spell of some kind and he was rarely wrong. the unfortunate part was that he was unsure of the counter spell. He supposed he'd have to wait for the spell to wear off. Spells like these usually did so within twenty-four hours. The problem was that if anyone were to get word of this then people would no doubt take advantage of his vulnerable state. Zeref sighed, how was Zeref going to explain how Natsu was to keep this a secret without being too obvious about how terrible this was.
"Um… Natsu. This is… this should remain a secret." Zeref said. Natsu looked confused.
"Why?" he asked suspiciously.
"Just… just because." Zeref said quietly. Natsu pressed his lips together.
"Alright." Natsu said, cradling Zeref. "What do you want me to tell them.
"Nothing. If they come over say that you found a black puppy on the streets and wanted to take care of it. Say that I went home to Alverez after paying you and deciphering the spell. As far as their concerned, nothing was amiss, yes?" Natsu nodded.
"Alright." He said. Zeref sighed in relief. "So, is this a permanent thing?"
"Of course not. Likely I will be back to normal in the morning. If not, then we'll have to study the spell more closely. Likely there's something hidden within the text that will allow us to break this spell. Usually something specific that I will have to accomplish." Zeref said. Natsu nodded.
"Okay. I'll take you back to my house then. You can stay there for tonight… I guess." He added, eyeing Zeref. "But you owe me big… twice! For keeping your secret and letting you stay at my house." Natsu shook his head. "Why are you always so much trouble."
"Sorry…" Natsu sighed and started home. It wasn't far since they were already in the forest. Zeref had wanted to go some place secluded. Natsu placed Zeref on his couch and sat down beside him.
"You know, you're a cute puppy." Natsu said, studying him. Zeref was unsure of how to respond to that.
"Thanks?" he tried, unsure if that was what was best to say at that moment.
"Your welcome." Natsu said. And then they sat in silence. Zeref eventually lied down. It was strange, resting on his stomach and walking on four legs. Zeref jumped slightly when he felt a hand on his head. Was Natsu petting him? Zeref leveled Natsu with a curious look. He supposed that petting was what you did to mindless animals. Zeref however, was by no means mindless. Yet he still found himself liking it. He also had the faint urge to roll onto his back so Natsu could rub his belly too. Zeref's eyes snapped open.
"What are you doing?" he asked in a slightly irritated tone. He was only irritated because of how great and energizing it felt.
"Oh… sorry. I forgot you're not a real dog for a moment there. Especially when your leg started going." Zeref scowled although it was likely Natsu could not tell.
"Whatever." He grumbled and laid his head down. Zeref couldn't wait to return to his human form. He was far too vulnerable like this. Perhaps in this form he wasn't even immortal. That was a terrifying thought. Natsu could kill him at this very moment if he saw fit. That made Zeref shudder. Natsu shrugged and started rubbing his ears. "I'm surprised you haven't attempted to kill me yet." Zeref blurted his black eyes flickering up to Natsu's.
"Kill you?" Natsu asked. Zeref felt hands grab him. he wanted to growl or something from the interruption in peace, but he did not. "You're in the form of a cute little puppy and utterly defenseless. How could I possibly kill you?" Zeref sighed.
"Puppy or not, I'm still me. And you hate me." Zeref said quietly. Natsu frowned.
"I don't hate you. I dislike you very strongly, but I don't hate you." Natsu cradled him again and leaned back. "You know, I wonder why I always feel calmer when something's in my arms. Especially if it's small and vulnerable."
"Why especially?"
"I'm not sure… I think that I just… like to feel like I'm protecting something." Natsu grinned and looked down at him. "I guess you're no different."
"If you say so." Zeref muttered.
"I do… Hey Zeref."
"Yes?"
"I think I know why you wanted to come by the guild today." Zeref frowned.
"What do you mean? I came by because I had that job."
"Zeref I may be stupid but not even I'm stupid enough to believe that monstrous lie."
"Alright, if you're so smart then why did I come to the guild today?"
"You came to see me." Natsu said.
"Don't get full of yourself, I most certainly did not." Zeref growled. Natsu grinned.
"You did, and nothing you have said or will ever say is going to change my mind." Natsu said defiantly. Zeref rolled eyes his and contemplated biting the fingers that were currently petting him again, like some common household pet. "You wanted to see me, didn't you? You want to protect me. Because in your eyes, I'm small and vulnerable, aren't I?" Zeref wasn't sure what to say to that, so he sighed.
"Yes, you are."
"I knew it!" he cried, grinning. "It's okay Zeref. I'm not a baby anymore. I can take care of myself… but sometimes it's nice to be vulnerable, wouldn't you say?" Natsu asked, rubbing his belly, the most vulnerable part of him. Zeref tensed and gulped. "It's nice to trust people to take care of you, isn't it?"
"I-I-I suppose s-so." Zeref said, slightly petrified. Natsu sighed, his hand coming up to rub his chin, another vulnerable part.
"It can be a great way to get a weight off you." Natsu said. Zeref hummed his agreement, but he was still tense. Natsu sighed. "Zeref, I'm not going to hurt you. Not like this. Not when you're in this state. Just trust me." Zeref's rapid breathing slowed and he took deep breaths.
"Right… trust." He whispered quietly. Natsu nodded.
"Yes, that's right."
"Alright, I trust you." Zeref felt a strange sensation all over his body again. after several minutes he slowly opened his eyes. "Natsu? What happened?" he groaned and wriggled in Natsu's suddenly tight grip. Natsu quickly loosened it and stared at Zeref with another confused look on his face.
"… It's you. But I mean, it's human you… how strange." Natsu muttered.
"I see… so, now are you going to try and kill me again now?" Natsu rolled his eyes.
"I never tried to kill you in the first place, and were you just listening to a thing I said?" Natsu asked. Zeref shrugged, unsure. He had thought that only applied to him when he was in such a miserable state that Natsu couldn't bring himself to kill such a pitiful creature.
"I guess so." Zeref whispered.
"I said that it was okay to be vulnerable, you don't have to be so… so sad all the time. You can trust me. I won't hurt you… well, not when your back's to me. If I'm gonna fight ya, I'm gonna fight ya head-on." Natsu said. "Anything else would be cowardice."
"I see, I take it things like chivalry matter to you."
"Heck no! this ain't about chivalry, this is about how I fight. And I fight head-on instead of stabbing my opponents in the back." Natsu said seriously. That was when Zeref realized he was still being cradled.
"Um… you can let go now." Zeref said quietly. Natsu stroked an invisible beard as he contemplated what Natsu decided to take as a request.
"I don't think I will. As I said, I like protecting." Zeref, annoyed, scowled.
"I don't need your protection!" he cried.
"Yeah, maybe, but you want it." Natsu said, smirking. Zeref muttered and grumbled under his breath as he let himself relax in his brother's hold. "Listen Zeref, I don't hate you. I just thought you should know that, brother." Zeref nodded. He felt Natsu squeeze him tighter and kiss his forehead. "You're still welcome to stay the night, if you want. I said you could stay and you can. But you still owe me regardless."
Zeref chuckled quietly. "I think I understand." He said.
"Good, 'cause I'm not repeating it."
"I love you Natsu." Natsu blinked at him and ruffled his hair.
"Love you too, buddy."
"Hang on a second… why am I getting treated like the little brother. I'm the big one!"
"Come back later when you're actually taller. Then we'll talk." Natsu said smirking. Zeref scowled because he knew he was never going to grow a single inch taller for the rest of eternity.
"Curses." He muttered.
"Yep, Master put a pretty good one on you, didn't he?" Natsu said, his smirk widening. Zeref's scowl deepened.
"You're the ones that sent that spell to my doorstep and suggest I visit Fairytail, weren't you?" Natsu's grin said all he needed to know. "So, that's why that little troll wanted to get the spell deciphered right away. It was all an elaborate set-up."
"You're funny when your mad." Natsu said grinning that infuriating grin.
"Wipe that grin off your face before I smack it off you!" Zeref cried, pushing Natsu's arms off and standing up. "And no, I won't be staying with you." Natsu laughed.
"You're acting like a child." He said.
"I most certainly am not!" Zeref shrieked. Natsu laughed even harder. Zeref crossed his arms and stared at his feet. "That was really scary…" he mumbled. Natsu sighed and pulled Zeref back on to his lap.
"I'm sorry. And the rest of us will apologize tomorrow. But you have to admit, someone had to knock you down a few pegs." Zeref frowned and kept his hands clenched.
"I don't have to admit anything." He said.
"Yeah, yeah. But it was a perfectly safe experiment. I could've kept you safe had anyone found out and I would never kick you while you were down… plus, you Were. A. PUPPY!" he cried.
"Yeah well, I didn't know that." Zeref mumbled.
"If you say so." Natsu said placing Zeref beside him. The black mage felt Natsu's arm draped over his shoulder and decided to let it slide this once.
"I'll let it go." Zeref said with a sigh.
"Yes!" Natsu cheered.
Zeref settled back to relax for the rest of the day. He supposed he had been taught a valuable lesson, despite how terrible the methods were. At least it worked. If it hadn't or something had gone wrong Zeref would be much more upset and Natsu would've had to deal with a moody black wizard. "But just this once." Zeref added in a warning tone. Plus, the fact that he'd already cursed Natsu as payback. That helped calm Zeref down a little bit. Let's just say the next morning Natsu was a pink cat and Zeref was happy as could be.
A/N I don't know what this is and I don't know how it came from inside me, but I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading, reviews/follows/favorites are all welcome.