Fairy Tail Guild, Summer Time,
Year X792,
General Perspective
The guild was quiet, however that was to be expected this early in the morning. Besides the Guild Master, Makarov Dreyar, and a few choice individuals the hall was almost completely empty. "Dawn, I'm never up this early unless I've got something to do" Edric Zollzero complained, as he sipped the coffee that Mirajane had handed him quite kindly.
"Don't complain Ed" Haruki said from beside him. The pair were sitting at one of the many unoccupied tables currently available within the grand guild building. Edric raised an eyebrow to the Bullet Mage.
"Ed?" he parroted. Haruki smirked.
"My apologies… Edric Zollzero" the teen replied, in a falsely subservient tone of voice. Edric laughed a little.
"Technically it should be 'sir' or perhaps 'Young Master'… however Edric will suffice" Edric stated jovially. Haruki rolled his eyes, before looking back to the door.
"Gramps and Thomas should be arriving together, right?" Haruki asked Edric, to which the blond nodded.
"Yes. According to Arties fast-tracked letter, Thomas and Kenji should arrive by 5AM. That gives us… another forty minutes or so of freedom before we have to resume our usual roles" Edric stated. Haruki nodded.
"Okay. Do you think they must have found something serious to have both me and my grandfather, as well as you, Medea and Thomas all gathered in this one place?" he asked Edric, who pouted in thought for a moment. Although Thomas was the 'genius' of the family, Edric, when he wanted, could be quite intelligent himself, although he would often disguise this fact since it could be off putting in his 'information gathering' work.
"It's likely something must have been noteworthy in the good Captain's memories to elicit such a response as this. It's also likely that whatever it is will have Arthur trying to keep this from our father. In their previous message Thomas mentioned that our rivals were possibly on the move, so… give the current status, it's likely they'll attack here, at Fairy Tail. Mostly just to make a point. If that's the case then… hmm… Thomas probably has a plan" Edric reasoned, before his eyes were drawn to something near the guild entrance.
Thomas stood with Kenji behind him, a slight smirk playing with his lips. "It seems that I need to tell you very little, Brother" he stated. Edric chuckled.
"I take it that means that my summary was correct, or near to correct, yes?" he replied. Thomas shrugged.
"Where's Medea?" he asked, "I need to tell all of you what's going on".
Edric snorted a little and laughed loudly. "Do you really think her royal highness could be bothered to get up at this time?" he asked Thomas rhetorically, "I mean… this early in the morning she's likely still-"
"I'm likely to be doing what, Edric?" Medea interjected, as she stalked into the guild and up to where Thomas was standing with Kenji. Edric smirked.
"Well… it seems it's a moot point now, Sister" he stated, before finishing the rest of his coffee. Standing up, Edric, Medea and Thomas all left for a more private area of the guild, Haruki and Kenji closely in tow. Kenji appeared to be muttering something to Haruki, however the blond seemed not to notice, as he was more fixated on the group in front of him, his eyes still concealed behind the same sunglasses he always wore.
The only people to notice the groups departure was Mirajane, who stood by at the counter, having been there early that morning to take note of stock that would need to be replenished, as well as Gajeel, who was drinking alone, having just returned from a late-night job that morning and wanting nothing more than some peace and quiet.
/
Magnolia Outskirts, Summer Time,
Year X792,
Natsu Dragneel
I awoke to the peaceful sounds of nature, filtering in through the fabric of the familiar tent; Happy and Sting were both sleep at either side of me. I smiled to myself as I took in the pairs faces individually. We actually told Happy I thought, as I looked at the snoring feline, plus… Sting and Happy seemed to make at least pleasant friends, if not good friends I added, as my gaze shifted to Sting. Although the night before he had been a bit reluctant to sleep so close to me in the tent, lest it 'freak Happy out', his sleeping formed seemed more than happy to hold me as tight as possible, not that I was complaining about that. I brushed a hand through Sting's hair, the faint softness of the blond strands comforting under my fingertips. "Sting…" I muttered under my breath, before I leaned in close to plant a quick kiss on his cheek.
I hoped I could remained like this forever, in this place of peace, happiness, love and friendship. Soon, though, the quiet was interrupted by an odd noise; the sound of giggling. Looking to my left, where Happy was curled up, I found a great pair of cat-like eyes gazing up at me. "He he, were you think about something naughty Natsu?" Happy questioned me in a quiet tone of voice, his smile broad across his still somewhat sleepy features. I frowned at him.
"Come on Happy, is that all that you think I think about?" I sighed, "Oh, and good morning by the way" I added with a slightly sarcastic voice. Happy continued snickering.
"So, does that mean you weren't think about that kind of stuff?" Happy questioned, "And good morning to you too Natsu" he added.
I smirked. "Actually, I was thinking how great it was that you and Sting at least seemed friendly towards one another. I don't know what I woulda done if you two didn't like each other" I stated honestly, in a bid to make Happy apologise. He didn't.
"Yeah, of course I'd be friends with Sting. He's funny, and a powerful wizard… and he's a guild master too, so he must be pretty capable" Happy stated, before looking at the still sleeping White Dragon Slayer. I smiled a little brighter hearing Happy's assessment of my new boyfriend.
"He is all that. He's also pretty cute and attractive too, although I suppose I'd be the only one to think that here" I added with a faint smirk. Happy laughed.
"Well you're right there. Carla's the only girl for me" the exceed stated happily. I brushed my hand through Sting's hair again.
"Sting's is also bad at some things too" I added after a moment. Happy gave a confused look, which I immediately met with a big grin. "For example, he's dumb with money, and he's really bad at lying. He's also bad at pretending to be asleep when he's actually awake" I stated with a slight laugh. Happy began laughing too.
"Aww… I thought if I stayed 'asleep' then I'd get to hear more praise" Sting stated, as he opened his eyes. I smirked at him.
"Sorry, but that's all the praised you're getting" I stated. Sting gave a momentary pout before replacing it with a wide grin.
"Guess I've got to take what I can get" he stated, "When did you work out I wasn't asleep though?" he added as he rose his head and rested it slightly on my shoulder. I slid my arm down from his head to his side, where there was some exposed flesh. Sting and I had decided to remain clothed whilst we slept in the tent with Happy, and so the only time I could get to feel his body was when my arm or hand brushed up against his exposed abdomen.
"I figured it out when Happy woke up. After he had shown he was awake I checked you're breathing pattern, it changed a few minutes ago so I figured you must be awake" I stated with a knowing, yet still cocky, smile.
Sting smirked back at me as my fingertips ghosted over his abdominal muscles. "Figures you'd still be observant even when you first wake up" he mused. I just shrugged.
"That's just how amazing I am" I stated. Happy and Sting both laughed at this.
After that we decided to continue resting for a few more minutes, before Happy, Sting and I all packed up camp and set off back for Magnolia. On the way, back Happy stopped mid-air, a suddenly surprised expression on his face. "Oh right, I almost forgot that I promised Carla and Wendy that I'd go on a job with them. We didn't know when you'd both be back so…" Happy gave an apologetic expression. I just shrugged.
"So, go meet up with 'em. Sting and I can haul this stuff back to my house, then I promised I'd take Sting around town for the day, so I'm sure that we'll be here when you get back" I stated. Sting nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you should break you're promises" he added. Happy nodded before flying low and handing the pack of stuff he was carrying over to Sting.
"Alright, I'll be back sometime tonight then" he stated. I smiled and waved him off.
"Okay, see ya later buddy" I shouted, before I looked to Sting, a grin breaking over all my features. "Hey Sting" I said once Happy was out of sight. Sting looked to me with a suspicious expression.
"Yeah Natsu?" he stated.
"I was thinking that I should probably take a shower when I get back to the apartment… wanna join me?" I asked him. Sting seemed to consider this for a moment, before giving his answer away with just his expression; I never saw Sting smile so quickly.
We both then hurried off towards mine and Happy's shared abode on the outskirts of Magnolia town.
/
We barely got in the front door before I dropped the stuff I was carrying and grabbed hold of Sting. "Whoa… Nats-" he began to protest, before I silenced him with a short, but hungry kiss. As I broke off I gave Sting a wild smirk. He smiled back, his usual, handsome grin placed firmly on his features.
"I take it a shower wasn't the only thing on your mind?" he asked me, as I let him go so that he could place the multiple bags he was carrying down on my living room floor. I shook my head at him.
"I just can't help it… every time I look at you I get… heated" I stated with a mild pout. Sting chuckled.
"Well that's… reassuring" he mused, "At least I know you won't be getting bored with me any time soon" he added, as he sat down on the single, slightly battered, sofa that was not covered with stuff. Despite various attempts by Lucy, Erza and even Mirajane and Lisanna, mine and Happy's house never managed to remain tidy for very long. I knew that I should feel at least a little embarrassed about the state of things, however it was exactly how I wanted it to be; plus, it also meant I could show off all of the cool stuff I bought or collected on my various jobs. I took the seat next to Sting, wrapping an arm around him as I did so. "So, you worry that I'll get bored of you?" I questioned him. Sting smirked slightly before shaking his head.
"No" he answered. "I was just poking fun a little. Although…" he trailed off, looking to me for a moment.
I met his gaze with a cheerier expression. "Don't worry, I like you Sting. You're funny, and… hot… I'm not gonna be getting bored of you. Ever" I stated, giving a glance up and down his body, my eyes belying my own passions. Sting registered this glance and gave a smile.
"Well… you're not bad either" he said, before leaning in and brushing my open-fronted waistcoat to reveal the muscles beneath. I smiled as our lips connected for another kiss. We lingered for a few moments like this, just us, on this sofa, comfortably alone. Then we broke apart and looked to each other, and without another word I took Sting's hand and led him off towards the bathroom in order to have that 'shower'. Grins wide on each of our faces, as we both filled our heads with all manner of… fun… thoughts.
/
Natsu's house, Summer Time,
Year X792
General Perspective
Sting pushed Natsu up against the door of the shower room having just practically fallen through it as the pinkette dragged him into the, relatively small, room. "Mmph… Natsu…" he groaned as he held the pink-haired Fire Dragon Slayer tight, his lips crashing against Natsu's in a more heated battle for dominance, which he easily won.
"Sting…" Natsu moaned back, as Sting used one arm to support himself against the wood of the closed door, and the other hand to caress the pinkette's exposed muscles. After a few moments of impassioned kissing, the pair broke off from each other with faint smiles as they panted for breath. Natsu was the first to make a move, sliding his waistcoat from his shoulders to reveal his perfect torso. Sting ogled the pinkette obviously, the faint hunger in his eyes amusing to Natsu. "Like what you see?" he chuckled. Sting smirked, before sliding off his blue vest, and accompanying tan top, leaving his suspenders to dangle loosely by his sides.
After stripping, Sting then slid one arm around Natsu's waist, his hand sliding up the pinkette's back, whilst the other slid around his shoulders to rest against the door and once more support his weight as he leaned in against the other male. "Of course, I like what I see" Sting stated, before he moved to whisper in Natsu's ear in his most sensuous voice. "I just wanna see more" he added, before trailing a few kisses along Natsu's cheek and neck. Natsu shivered slightly at Sting's words, before his hands slid around Sting's waist, one moving up the blonde's back, whilst the other rested at the waistband of Sting's trousers.
"Well if ya want to see me naked that badly…" Natsu began, before mimicking exactly what Sting had just done to him, leaning in to the White Dragon Slayer's ear, a wicked smile playing with his features. "Then make me" he stated, before leaning into Sting's neck and giving a playful little bite.
Sting could barely suppress the moan that rose in his throat, and with Natsu so close to his neck he knew that the Fire Dragon Slayer would be able to hear even the slightest muted noise. Damn that's hot he cursed inwardly, before giving in to his rising heat by moving to capture Natsu's lips in his own. They kissed for a few minutes, Natsu eagerly allowing for Sting's tongue to enter his mouth, the wet muscle moving and tasting every corner of the Fire Dragon Slayer's heated cavern. "Mmm…" Sting groaned, as the hand Natsu had slipped around his waist before moved lower, squeezing his butt slightly. Natsu gave a muffled laugh, and Sting opened the eyes he had closed to meet the dark gaze of the pinkette.
The two broke apart for a moment. Natsu couldn't help but grin, as the hand he had on Sting's rear maintained its firm grip. "Aww… you like it when I do this Sting?" he mused to himself. Sting blushed slightly.
"Yes, but not as much as you like it when I do this" he replied, before trailing kisses along Natsu's jaw and neck, moving lower. Natsu already knew what Sting was going to do, and bit his lip slightly in anticipation. As Sting's lips moved across his bear torso, they stopped at Natsu's nipple. Then, with a lewd smile on his face, Sting sucked the bud into his mouth, rolling his tongue over it and eliciting the most delicious moan from Natsu's throat.
"Gngh… Sting…" Natsu muttered, before his hand came to rest on Sting's head, fingertips playing with the soft blond strands. Sting gave his own muffled laugh as a response, before tormenting Natsu's nipple a little more. Natsu continued to moan, until Sting withdrew from the bud, giving one final suck. "Like that?" he laughed.
Natsu did not have it in him to respond. Throughout the assault to his nipple, the heat in the lower half of his body grew rapidly, until it soon it became out of his own control. With one final hungry look, Natsu leaned in to kiss Sting, before tugging at the White Dragon's trousers. Sting immediately understood Natsu's wishes, since he himself was also experiencing that same heat, and helped the pinkette by loosening the belt he wore. After a few seconds of hungry kisses, the pair stood naked before each other. Sting was the first to look down, to where his and Natsu's members were rubbing against one another. "Natsu… I…" his lust-ridden mind struggled to put into words exactly what he wished, so instead Sting moved his hand down to grasp both members between his fingers, rubbing them together and eliciting moans from both Natsu and himself.
The pink-haired Dragon Slayer made no move to stop Sting, and instead helped him by pulling the White Dragon into a much tighter embrace. His eyes met Sting instantly he was enraptured by the sheer, naked beauty of the other male. With a faint smile, he leaned in. "We haven't even stepped into the shower" he laughed. This snapped Sting out of his frenzy for a moment, as the White Dragon also gave a face of amusement.
"That's true…" he mused, before leaning in. "However… I wanna make a mess of you before we go in" he added. This sent another shiver of want through Natsu's spine, and the pinkette could do nothing but blush at Sting's luscious words.
"Then. Do. It…" Natsu stated with an inviting smirk. Sting needed no other invitation. With a final smile Sting kissed Natsu's lips, cheek, neck and then moved on another trail down his body. Like before, Natsu hand expected Sting to stop at his nipple, however as he looked down, the White Dragon smirked up at him, before kissing a further trail down Natsu's abs. It wasn't until Sting was one his knees that Natsu realised his true intentions. "Sting…" he muttered in anticipation. Sting smiled up at Natsu, before taking his member in hand.
"Natsu, before I do this… gimme your hand" Sting stated. Natsu did not understand Sting's request, however he held out his hand anyways. Sting smiled, before grabbing Natsu's wrist with his other hand. He then moved it so it was closer to his head, before looking back up at Natsu. Then, without saying anything, Sting took Natsu's fingers into his mouth, sliding his tongue over them quickly, coating three in layers of his own saliva.
With his work complete, and all the necessary preparations made, Sting removed the fingers. It took Natsu a few moments to work out exactly what Sting intended, however from the look on the pinkette's face when he removed his fingers from his mouth, Sting gauged that Natsu was at least beginning to realise what Sting hoped he would do. "Ready Natsu?" Sting asked the pinkette. Natsu nodded, with a lewd smile.
"Yeah" he said. Sting smiled, before eyeing up Natsu's hardened member once more. Then, without another word, Sting licked along the length of the hard cock, before sucking the tip into his mouth. This was only Sting's second time giving a blow job, however he felt like he was starting to get a feel for the action. Starting with the tip, Sting licked and toyed with the slit using his tongue as much as he could. With each flick of the wet muscle, Natsu let out a most perfect moan.
Soon Sting began to suck more of Natsu's member into his mouth. Natsu could feel the warmth of Sting's mouth cover his dick, however nothing compared to the sight of Sting looking up at him, blue eyes staring directly into the pinkette's dark ones. It made Natsu moan all the more, however it was only through a momentary flash of thought that he remembered his slickened fingers. With a lewd smirk down at Sting, Natsu moved his hand to his own ass, lining up the first digit with his hole. Sting watched the movement with satisfaction, before he closed his eyes to enjoy sucking Natsu's cock all the more. Natsu paused for a moment, before he allowed the first digit to enter. "Agh…" he moaned, as the two sensations, pleasure from the front and odd filling from the back, mixed inside him.
It was weird to him, fingering himself, however not that unpleasant. Natsu remembered the feeling from when Sting had prepared him on their first night together. The pinkette had not expected the sensation to feel so good then, however now, with Sting before him it seemed different, but not unpleasant. As he pushed it further inside, Natsu reached down and stroked his free hand through Sting's blond locks. This seemed to attract the White Dragon Slayer's attention, at least momentarily, as Sting looked back up at Natsu, however this was just met by a bright smile from the pinkette. Then Natsu gripped the back of Sting's head, applying a little pressure and his whole member into Sting's mouth, whist simultaneously inserting the second digit into his own ass. Sting moaned as Natsu took the dominant position, the pinkette's cock moving much more forcefully as he thrust into the White Dragon Slayers awaiting mouth. Sting could barely contain himself as it was, and now, with Natsu's hand on his head, and those fiery eyes burning down on him from above, he lost the last bit of control and began to jerk himself off. "Ahh… Na-tsu…" Sting moaned in tones muffled by the invading presence of Natsu's dick.
"S-so good… Sting…" Natsu moaned back, much louder, as his self-fingering began to take a much more vigorous motion, his fingers scissoring with each thrust he delivered. After a while Natsu reached his limit, and, removing his fingers from his ass, he gave Sting three more rough thrusts, before coming directly into the blonde's mouth. "Coming… Sting. STING!" Natsu panted loudly as he filled the blonde's mouth with his seed. The White Dragon could do nothing but receive Natsu's seed, although he did stop touching himself so he could make best use of Natsu's now thoroughly prepped butt.
Once Natsu's body stopped shaking with orgasm, Sting pulled the pinkette's cock out of his mouth. "That was great… Sting…" Natsu smiled at him, as Sting began to drew level with him once more. Sting smirked darkly at the pinkette as he stood up.
"Natsu, it's not over yet" he stated, before leaning in to deliver a short-yet-delicious kiss to the pinkette's lips, the taste of semen being transferred to Natsu's mouth in the quick exchange.
"It's not?" Natsu mumbled into the kiss, his sex-addled mind not currently able to keep up with what was going on at that moment. Sting shook his head.
"No" Sting confirmed, before leaning in to Natsu's ear, "Now I get to… fuck… you" he whispered. Natsu shivered a little in anticipation, before he smiled. Sting smiled back and the two leaned in for a more passionate kiss. Natsu opened his mouth to allow Sting entrance once more, the tongue that entered bringing even more of that delicious taste from his own cum. "Mmm… Sting…" the pinkette moaned into the kiss.
A flicker of a smile rose on Sting's lips, as the blond slid his hand down Natsu's side, to grip at the upper part of his thigh. Natsu, a little more wakeful now, understood immediately, and began to move. The two broke apart for a moment, in order for Natsu to turn around, placing himself against the door, with his ass pointed towards Sting. With a smile, the White Dragon moved closer, rubbing his cock against Natsu's hole without entering, a lewd smile on his face as Natsu looked back to observe what was happening. "Like that?" Natsu smirked, before he reached back to touch Sting with one hand. "Please though… just fuck me already… I… really want you to" he added after a moment. The White Dragon Slayer needed no second request, as without a second thought he leaned in and kissed Natsu from behind, before sliding his cock inside of the pinkette.
The tightness and heat felt too good to Sting, he just could not stop himself from moving. Despite receiving no warning, Natsu did not stop Sting's movements, as he knew that, much like he was, the White Dragon Slayer had long gone past his limit. "So… good…" Sting panted in Natsu's ear, as he fucked the pinkette from behind. "You're so… fucking… sexy Natsu…" Sting added with a faint smile.
Natsu moaned loudly as Sting sweet-talked him whilst fucking him. "More Sting… I'm gonna… come again" Natsu begged the blond. Sting's faint smile turned into a grin of pure lust, as he acted to Natsu's heated request.
"If… that's what you want… N-Natsu" he said in between moans, increasing the pace of his heated thrusting. Soon the pair were left as nothing more than moaning, heated, horny, sweat-slickened messes of flesh, their minds completely enveloped in the lust and sensation of their activity.
"Natsu!" Sting moaned, his thrusts becoming more erratic.
"Agh… Sting… c-coming!" Natsu gasped, as he felt his second climax fast approach. Sting breathed deeply, as he reached around Natsu with one hand, stroking the hardened member there.
"Me too. Let's c-come together" Sting said. Natsu gave a conformational moan, before he was pushed finally over the edge. Sting was not far behind. "Agh… ahh… Natsu… Natsu…" Sting moaned several times, before he released his load directly into the Fire Dragon Slayers awaiting ass.
Likewise, Natsu gave off one final moan before his cum shot out in hot, thick ropes of white, covering his chest, Sting's hand, and a good portion of the door. "Ahhh!" he said as the waves of pleasure rolled over his body.
After a few moments of delicious pleasure, Sting pulled out of Natsu, the Fire Dragon spinning around to grab the blond and hold him in a long, sweet kiss. Pulling away Natsu gave Sting an amused look. "Look at the mess…" he stated, gesturing to his cum-covered abs, then to Sting, who had a few little splashes of cum on his chin from his earlier blow-job. Sting laughed, before looking to the door.
"We gotta clean-up" he chuckled. Natsu nodded.
"Definitely, otherwise Happy will not be happy" Natsu laughed.
Sting shrugged. "You know what we really need?" he asked Natsu. The pinkette frowned momentarily.
"What?" he asked confusedly.
Sting smirked. "A shower" he replied.
/
Fairy Tail Guild, Summer Time,
Year X792, a little later that morning,
Continued General Perspective
"So that's it" Thomas concluded, the fatigue from several hours of explanation, debate, questions, and answers creeping into his tone as he faced his siblings and their retainers. "Basically, it's likely that they, or someone hired by them, will strike here at Fairy Tail" Thomas added.
Edric groaned. "What a pain" he complained. Medea gave a sour expression.
"Not to underestimate our opponents," she stated, "But what actual chance do our rivals think they have taking us on, along with this whole guild, which is in itself the proclaimed number one wizards guild in Fiore?" Thomas shrugged.
"I don't have enough data to speculate" he stated, before looking to Edric, who unlike Medea seemed a little more amused. "Do you have something on your mind brother?"
Edric smirked. "Hm… it's not so much something bothering me, however I think I begin to understand our opponents plans a bit" he stated. Both Thomas and Medea gave mildly intrigued looks, whilst Haruki and Kenji stood silently and watched the three; they both knew it was not their place to speak in matters that concerned the Zollzero directly. "You understand something, Eddy?" Medea questioned her brother, trying to prompt him to give up whatever information he had just thought up.
"Yes, I think I understand something, sis" Edric corrected his elder sibling, before looking to Thomas. "Tom, did Arthur ask you to do anything specific, like dig around for information? Or are we just gonna have to deal with this issue ourselves?" Edric asked his twin brother. Thomas frowned for a moment, before swiping his hand in the air, bringing up another Archive screen, separate from the multiple screens he currently had facing Edric and Medea, which he had used to relay the information he had already gathered. "Arthur only said to leave this up to you. I was going to see if I could find out some more information by… examining people about town, without harming them of course, however… if you have a suggestion…" Thomas trailed off and looked to Edric with a piercing gaze. Edric smiled at his brother, then winked.
"If that's all he said…" Edric smirked, "Then I guess I will have to do something myself. I wouldn't worry about doing any examinations though, Thomas, because I've got a plan that should lure our enemies to us, and allow us to deal with them a little more… discretely" Edric stated with an amused tone. Medea smiled at her brother's antics; she could already sense the excitement coming from him, and from that she knew he must have come up with quite the interesting little plot.
"Well, come on Eddy… share it with us" she said, in her most wry of tones. Edric shrugged at her.
"Alright, however I don't want to hear any complaints from you, got it?" he stated. Medea was momentarily drawn aback by Edric's words, however she soon smiled again.
"Fine. Now let's hear this plan" she stated. Edric then proceeded to lay before the group his own machinations. After explaining both Thomas and Medea agreed, and then not long after the three left the guild to begin preparing for their night of espionage and trickery.
/
Magnolia Town, Summer Time,
Year X792
Sting Eucliffe
After our 'shower' Natsu and I decided to spend the remainder of the day going about Magnolia having fun, before showing up at the guild later to see if there were any jobs available. We still had the debt to pay off after all. First, after making the peaceful walk through the outskirts of the busy town, Natsu took me to a local café that he knew about to treat me to some breakfast. "This place is nice" I said as we entered the establishment. Natsu grinned.
"Thanks" he said happily, "Lucy forced me to come here once, however… after a little bit of complaining, I thought it was nice. Plus, the food's cheap" he added with a slight smirk. I laughed. Of course, the amount of food he can buy would be his top priority…
"Well, it was a good choice then" I laughed, as Natsu and I sat down at a table, a friendly-looking waitress coming over to us.
"Hello Mister Dragneel… and Master Eucliffe" she said, giving a visible blush at noticing me. I sighed inwardly; I didn't want to have to deal with any fangirls whilst I was with Natsu.
"Hi" Natsu replied to the waitress' greeting. Although Natsu still wore a smile, I could see the coldness in his eyes towards this woman; clearly, he had also noticed her actions towards me. Is Natsu… jealous? I cooed slightly at the thought of Natsu defending me against other people, however I pushed this down quickly so I could reply to the waitress without my inner thoughts spilling out. The waitress did not seem to have noticed Natsu's tone, she just looked between us with a blissfully unaware smile. "Do you want your usual breakfast order, Mister Dragneel?" she asked. Natsu nodded.
"Yeah, Sting'll have the same as me" he replied, on my behalf. I raised an eyebrow, but did not say anything.
"Okay, which beverage would you prefer with your order, Master Eucliffe? We have coffee, a selection of teas, as well as cold drinks if you prefer" she said, pen ready with a pad to take my preference down. I smiled slightly, at least she maintains her professionalism, even if she is a fangirl I thought to myself.
"I'll have coffee" I stated. The woman nodded in confirmation.
"Okay, so that's two coffees, two sets of cakes and the full breakfast meal for each of you?" she stated, before looking to us for final confirmation. Natsu nodded hurriedly, before I could interject to question anything.
"Yes, that's it" he smiled. The waitress nodded, before flipping the pad closed and moving off to deal with our order. Once she was gone I looked to Natsu.
"Two sets of cakes?" I questioned him with faint amusement. The pinkette nodded with a hungry expression.
"It's not as big as it sounds, the cakes are really small" he said. I chuckled slightly.
"Really…" I mumbled, before looking around. Natsu seemed to grow quiet. After a little while he spoke up.
"Did you not want me to do that?" he asked me. I gave a mildly confused expression, before I realised to what he was referring.
"No, I'm okay with you ordering for me. I'm not that fussy an eater, plus it makes things easy" I said with a slight shake of my head. Natsu smiled slightly.
"Okay then" he said, before a quiet rose over us again. I turned my attention to the window of the café, looking out into the relatively quiet street outside. My thoughts drifted slightly, from topic to topic, however soon my train of thought was derailed as Natsu spoke up. "Hey Sting, what's up?" he asked me. Once more I turned to look at Natsu.
"Nothing" I said. Natsu frowned and pouted at me.
"Then why does it smell like you're thinking about something serious?" he asked me. I sighed defeatedly. Of course, he can smell it. I was stupid for thinking I could hide anything from him I thought to myself, before I decided to give him an answer.
"I was just wondering… well, how you'd react if say… a girl came up to me and asked me out?" I stated, trying to prompt Natsu in a subtler way, rather than just outright stating what I was thinking.
Natsu gave a moment of thought, the pout on his face turning from accusing, to curious, before eventually he shrugged. "Well I guess I'd try to get you away from her" he admitted, "But only if she was being really clingy. Why'd you ask?" he added with a more focused gaze fixed on me.
I smiled. "I just wanted to know how you feel, because… I know we're keeping it quiet for now, especially since I'm a Guildmaster and everything" I said, before leaning in closer to Natsu, "Plus I just needed to ask how you'd react, since you seemed to get really defensive with that waitress before" I added with a faint smirk. Natsu gave a momentary blush, before shrugging this off with a smile.
"I saw how she was blushing when she saw you… and I've been here a lot so I noticed when her scent changed" Natsu stated, before shooting me a big grin, "However, don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself, if you think she'd ask you out?" he laughed. I pouted for a moment.
"Hmph… I'm the Master of a famous wizard's guild, so don't think it can't happen" I mumbled. This made Natsu laugh all the more.
"I know that" he said, "However I also know that the waitress we just saw has been in a relationship with the same woman for the last three years since I've started coming here. The reason I was looking to her like that was because she was wearing some new perfume that really annoyed my nose" he added with a wide grin. I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows for a moment.
"So… I… argh, don't laugh" I sighed, an embarrassed blush forming on my face as I buried my face in my hands. Natsu reached over and patted me on the shoulder.
"Hey, don't worry, we all make mistakes. Even high-and-mighty Guildmasters like yourself" he laughed pleasantly, before another person came over to our table. I looked up to see the very waitress that had been the source of my embarrassment shoot me a pleasant smile, before placing down both mine and Natsu's ordered coffees.
"Here are your drinks, gentlemen" she smiled, as she also placed down the milk, sugar and various other things required for the coffee, "The food will be ready in a few moments. If there is anything you need, I can get it for you whilst you wait" she added, looking to us both intently. Natsu shook his head, the smile still present from before.
"No, it's fine, by the way is that a new perfume I smell?" he asked her. The waitress smiled a little.
"Yes, it was a present from my partner" she smirked. Natsu nodded.
"It's nice" he lied. She laughed.
"Actually… apparently it was recommended by Lucy Heartfilia herself. We bumped into her in the market a few days ago, she was with some strange woman, who insisted on going into every shop" the waitress informed us. Natsu shrugged.
"There's been a lot going on at the guild recently. If I see Lucy I'll tell her that I saw you wearing it, or smelled I guess" he chuckled. She nodded.
"Thank you Mister Dragneel" she said politely, before looking towards the door as a new group arrived that she needed to deal with. Without another word, she made her way over to them. Once she was out of ear shot I sent a suspicious look towards Natsu.
"I thought you said that the perfume she was wearing irritated your nose?" I asked him. Natsu nodded.
"Yeah, that's why after I tell Lucy I smelled her wearing it, I'm gonna tell her to keep her suggestions to herself" he grinned at me. I couldn't help but smile back.
Not long after that our food arrived, and no matter what Natsu had said, it was a lot of food. The breakfast meal alone was easily enough to at least half fill me, and the six regular sized cupcakes that were added to that meant that by the time I left the café with the pinkette, I already felt fit to burst.
/
A little while later, Natsu and I entered the doors of the guild hall, to be met by a most unexpected pair; Kenji and Medea. "You're here at last" Medea stated, in a tone that suggested we were late for something. What's going on now? I thought in mild exasperation. The older sword-wielding man smiled.
"We would like a word with you two" he stated. I frowned at him.
"Is there an issue with the debt?" I asked him. He and Medea both shook their heads.
"Not quite" Medea said in a slightly more passive tone, "It's more a… job, specifically for you two" she stated after a short pause. Although this seemed reasonable, from her tone I could tell it would be anything but reasonable.
"Okay, should we speak elsewhere?" I asked her. Medea nodded.
"Yes, if you would follow me, darlings" she stated, before turning to go. As we followed I noticed Kenji bring up the rear, which seemed to make Natsu tense.
"What do you think this is about, Sting?" he whispered to me. I shrugged.
"Probably another job, like the ones we did for them before" I reasoned. Natsu nodded, although he still seemed a little wary, not that I could blame him; Medea's tone, and that short pause she gave, had me on edge as well.
We followed Medea to a secluded room on the farthest wing of the guild. As we entered, we were greeted by Edric's wicked grin, and a very bored-looking Thomas. "Well, you two took your time getting here" Edric commented as we entered. This room was the room that the Zollzero representatives and siblings had often been seen using for the last few weeks. It wasn't a particularly well-furnished room, it only had two wooden seats set opposite a slightly more comfortable chair and desk, at which stood Edric. Medea took the seat behind the desk, whilst offering us the two chairs opposite. "If you would care to sit down, we have a little preposition for you. It has already been run by Master Makarov so it is just up to you two to decide whether you would like to take us up on it" she stated. We both nodded as we took the offered chairs. Once we had been seated, Thomas, who was sat on the floor with his back to the wall near the desk, looked up.
"Ready?" he asked, directing this more towards Edric and Medea than us. They both nodded, and Thomas then waved his arm, conjuring a number of Archive screens, whilst simultaneously maintaining the three he had floating before his eyes. On the screens appeared a number of pictures, including some of Natsu and me, all in that abandoned house back in Hargeon. "What the…" I remarked as I saw the images, "Where did these come from?".
Edric smirked. "From the memory of the Captain whom you met on your last job" he explained. I raised an eyebrow.
"Am I allowed to ask how you got them?" I added. Edric shrugged.
"It's best if I just explain to you what's going on, and then leave it up to you to decide if there are any other questions" he said. I nodded in understanding, Natsu remained silent beside me, seemingly letting me do the talking. Edric looked between us for a moment, before nodding. "Right," he started, "Basically… the good Captain, came to us, the Zollzero family, seeking protection. We offered it to him, since both Medea and myself had made Arthur aware of the events that occurred on your last job, for which we were partly to blame. Thomas then 'interviewed' the Captain, and used his Archive to take copies of the memories of those events, which you now see before you" Edric gestured to the Archive screens, and the accompanying images. "Unfortunately, there are no images of the man with black hair, whom you described to me, however we believe, at least we think that it's likely, that he is part of a group that rivals our own Zollzero syndicate. This group consists of four members, along with two leaders, and have been suspected of causing several incidents in not just your job, but also others. We also believe they were the ones responsible for sending those thugs to attack our Zollzero-associated restaurant that you helped, as well as the kidnappers at the theme park" Edric continued, before looking to Medea.
The woman nodded. "As you can see, if our suspicions are correct, then they are targeting both the Zollzero name, and our associates, which at some point or another will likely include both Fairy Tail and Sabertooth. Because they have already had contact with you, it is more likely that they will target Fairy Tail first, so we wish to stop them here before they cause any more issues" Medea then looked to Thomas and Edric. "Earlier today we all went about town, doing a little digging, and we believe that these rivals are already here in Magnolia. To that end we wish to exploit this opportunity to take them out" she then nodded to Thomas, who nodded and clicked his fingers, changing the images on the screens. I looked at the pictures closely; they seemed to be of some newly refurbished building, with a bright sign on the front, along with the familiar star sign that seemed to be on every establishment associated with the Zollzero family group.
Edric then continued. "In order to trap them, we decided to use the bar you of Fairy Tail destroyed, the same bar that put you in our debt, as bait. Our intention is to announce a party of sorts, in which the esteemed Zollzero children, Medea and Edric, will appear, which should be enough of an incentive to draw them out. Thomas will be stationed nearby in order to scan people's minds using his Archive, in an attempt to find our enemy. If he is successful then he will implant a form of psychic tracker spell, which will allow us to track their movements and deal with them discretely at a later date" Edric smiled.
"However," Medea picked up where her brother left off, "In order to do this, we need to sell the illusion that this party is for Fairy Tail and Sabertooth to make up with the Zollzero. To that end we would ask that you two show up and act like this is the case. Before you ask why we chose you, it's because you have already had contact with our rivals. To be precise, they implanted a small curse in you, Natsu Dragneel, through that man's cursed blade, leaving a small incision in your arm. Whilst the curse is not likely to be strong enough to overcome you and take control, its presence at that party may be enough of an incentive to make at least the man who cursed you to show up, if not their whole group. If that's the case, and he approaches you in an attempt to make you do his bidding, we, the Zollzero, would ask that you play along in so far as you are able, without causing harm to either yourself, us, or Master Eucliffe. This is to avoid any incident that may cause further issues" Medea stated. Edric then smiled.
"Basically, you'd be additional bait to make this trap all the more tasty. Once we lure them out, it'll be up to us to defeat them, however I don't think that ought to be too difficult if all five of us are working together" Edric smirked. "So… do you have any questions?" he finished.
I shook my head, before nodded in understanding. "Alright, so you want to trap this guy. It's a pretty good plan, considering the short time you seem to have had on it, however I can only speak for myself" I stated, before looking to Natsu, "My only issue with this plan is that it may bring harm to Natsu depending on how that curse on him works. That means I won't participate in this without Natsu's approval. Are you alright with this, Natsu?" I turned to the pinkette. Natsu grinned at me, the prospect of violence clearly entertaining to him, as the flames within his eyes glittered.
"Yeah, it's fine with me, since I don't think any stupid curse is gonna take control of me" he chuckled in an almost childish tone. "Plus," he added "it'll give me the chance to pay those guys back for what they did to us". I smiled and then turned back to Medea and Edric.
"I guess that means we're in" I confirmed for them. Edric chuckled.
"I figured you might say that" he mused. Medea remained quiet, although she seemed content with this outcome as well.
Although it did seem like a very elegant plan, I couldn't help but shake the feeling that something bad would happen.
I just hope that nothing happens to Natsu… especially not from that stupid curse that he got because of me…
End of Chapter 16
Chapter Hint; Charming