Lucy POV

"So Wendy-chan, what did the grumpy tin can want?" Evergreen asked.

Wendy smiled. "Oh, he just wanted to know some things about dragons and dragon nature." She said after hesitating a bit. "He wanted to check some things from the source."

"Like?" I asked her. Yoshiro heard some things about "dragon instincts" and "smells" that piqued my interest.

Wendy pointed at the doors as Macao and Wakaba came in, a little bruised and battered but overall okay. "Who are they? They have to be strong!"

I could see her avoiding my question, but decided to let it slide. I assumed it's something that she isn't allowed to tell me. Like it's a dragon secret. I giggled softly at my own musings before answering Wendy. "The tall guy with the weird "S" necklace is Macao Conbolt. He uses a type of Fire magic. The guy with the weird hair is Wakaba. He uses smoke magic. Such a nasty habit, don't you ever start." I warned.

The doors crashed open again and we all looked up to see Gajeel Redfox standing in the doorway holding a dead animal in his right hand. His eyes locked on his target, which was me. He walked over to me and dropped the animal, a bloodstained rabbit, on the table in front of me. He pulled Bixlow from his seat next to me and sat down. His eyes were scanning for a reaction. I just stared at the rabbit.

"What is this, Gajeel-san?"

"It's a rabbit." He answered like it was obvious.

I glared at Wendy and Natsu, who had come over to see what Gajeel wanted, were trying to contain their giggles. "Why is it dead?"

"I killed it."

I sighed and picked up the rabbit. "If you wanted to say how you feel about me, just tell me. If you hate me, fine. I tried to care because you need friends in this world in order live. You've been surviving. Nakama is our principle, Gajeel-san. Hopefully, one day you'll understand that." I shoved the rabbit carcass into his chest, picked up Yoshiro and stormed out of the guild hall. I faintly registered the howls of laughter that was Natsu. Wendy jogged to keep up with me. I didn't bother to look at her. "Wendy-chan, tell me what you know."

I felt her eyes on me. "I can't tell you, Lucy-nee. It's Dragon Art. Only Gajeel can tell you, but I can tell you that Gajeel doesn't dislike you. In fact what he did was kind of romantic. That rabbit was a gift."

"Who the hell would give someone a dead animal as a present?" I grumbled as Wendy chuckled. "Well, tomorrow he'll have some explaining to do." We walked towards Fairy Hills and I set her up in my room.

"Lucy-nee I can't possibly share a room with you…" She refused.

"You'll be staying here free of charge of paying the 100,000 J rent fee. How about that?" I smirked.

"That's no fair, Lucy-nee!"

I laughed. "Right. Go take a shower, I'll start cooking."

She nodded and left as I walked into the kitchen. I sighed when I realized I had no food in my room. I pulled out a piece of paper and wrote a quick note to Wendy saying I was going shopping. I walked out the door. I was walking through the market looking at all the raw meat I could buy and cook it up into a stew. I bought four pounds of meat, carrots, two peppers and a celery stick. I jostled the bags in my arms, trying to make sure I don't drop anything. My steps were wobbly under the weight of it all.

"Want some help with that, Star Heart?"

I peeked over the bags and smiled at Gajeel as he reached for the meat bag, which was the heaviest, and carried it.

"Where to?"

"Fairy Hills, Gajeel-san." I answered quietly, still somewhat upset about what had happened in the guild an hour ago.

"I told you to drop the honorifics."

"S-Sorry." I paused, not sure how I should ask about what happened. "About the rabbit-"

"Just forget it. You obviously rejected it, so just forget about it, okay?"

"What did you mean by it? Wendy said that only you could explain it to me. She said it's Dragon Art. Yoshiro heard you guys talking about smells and dragon instincts, too. Wendy also told me that it was meant to be a gift and that it was 'romantic'."

Gajeel's face darkened. "Right, well, I'm not particularly well-versed in this subject so I'll tell you what I think is right. Basically, when a dragon slayer finishes their training with their dragon, the dragon gives them a description of their mate, the one person they'll be with for life. I never finished my training, so I don't know the description of my mate, but when a dragon slayer does find their mate and they touch, it flips a switch inside the dragon slayer and the mate. It could simply be a bump in the shoulder or a handshake, stuff like that. The female is more emotional and cares for her mate's well-being, has a tendency to make sure her mate is okay. The male, however, has to stay by his female or his magic will spiral out of control, also when she experiences strong emotions, like fear or anger. Those emotions power him to protect her. During the time before the two are mated the male will bring the female 'gifts' in which she is supposed to accept and make and present a meal out of." He finished with his eyes locked with mine. I could tell his eyes were full of hope, but hope for what?

"G-Gajeel. I don't know what to say." I paused. "But what happens if one mate rejects the other?"

"They live a life of solitude and their emotions spiral out of control. Eventually, they go insane. Though, that's coming from Natsu." His face softened. "You're brother wants you to be with Freed or Bixlow, doesn't he?"

My eyes watered slightly at his question. "He just doesn't want anything to happen to me again. Freed is a gentleman and Bixlow is a great person to turn to when you need help but they're my brothers just as much as Laxus is. I'm not attracted to them like that." I unlocked my door and ushered him inside. "In turn for helping my carry these home, you can stay for a meal. I would like Wendy's advice on this." I muttered the last part.

"I'll stay but I doubt the brat will tell you anything."

I mentally face palmed myself, remembering he has hypersensitive hearing. I nodded and began to prepare the stew as Gajeel sat at the table watching me work.

I shrugged of my jacket, tossing it onto the couch, and pulled on my apron with all the zodiac signs on it. I began to brown the meat and chop the vegetables. I filled a pot with water to about half full and added some broth. I faintly registered Wendy coming in to help. She jumped right into routine with me saying a word. She set the table, places for three. I heard a slight "eep" coming from behind me, so I casually looked over my shoulder. I found Gajeel right behind me, looking over my shoulder. Our faces mere inches apart.

"Can I help you?" I asked with a blush staining my cheeks.

"Perhaps," He placed his hands on my hips and nuzzled my neck. "I like it here. Feels like a family, you know."

I resisted the urge to roundhouse kick Gajeel and thought about what he said. To anyone who didn't know the situation, we did look like a family, one of weirdoes but a family nonetheless. Wendy being the child, Gajeel is the father, and myself as the mother. "I see where you're coming from. After mom died, I relied more on Father and Laxus. Then Father…" I trailed off, not wanting to relive that abuse I suffered from his hand. He wished for me to pick up where Laxus lacked, which was strength in power instead of heart. I became what I am today. Which is part of the reason Father wants me to join his guild. I shook my head and added the vegetables and meat. I stirred it for a while, with Gajeel still holding me, not saying a word. I eventually leaned into his hold. I found it relaxing to be in. Almost like I was safe in these arms. And perhaps I am. "Gajeel?"

He hummed in acknowledgement.

"Do you think maybe we could… Take a job… Together?" I mumbled.

He pressed his lips to my neck and nuzzled it once more. "I'd love to take a job with you. On two conditions, Star Heart."

"And those are?" I asked curiously.

"It has to be an S-Class job and you have to give me a chance." He stated proudly.

"I'll think about that last one. But we can definitely do an S-Class quest. I could use the money since I have to feed three dragon slayers, now."

"Three?" He asked confused.

"Wendy, Laxus, and now you. After this meal you'll keep coming back. It's always the same with anyone I cook for." I smirked as I stirred the stew again. "Okay, slops on, guys."

I turned off the burner and carefully lifted the pot and placed it on a coaster on the table, Gajeel following closely behind.

Wendy put her hands together in a prayer-like formation. "Thank-you for the food, Lucy-nee."

Gajeel mimicked her movements. "Thanks for the meal, Lucy."

I smiled and blushed. "Shut up and eat, dorks."

Wendy was the last to finish, stating she wanted to savor my cooking. Gajeel had finished first, reasoning that my food was the best he had ever had. I ate my food like the normal person I am. Once we were all finished Wendy picked up our plates and began washing dishes in the sink. I brought the pot in for her and set it beside the sink. I went to the living room area and plopped myself next to Gajeel.

"So about that second condition. Elaborate, please."

"I want to court you, Lucy. Isn't that obvious. You must have noticed the sudden change in your behavior when we shook hands. Your hatred for that bastard ran deep and I experienced it. It made me want to attack the motherfucker even though he is dead."

"He's not dead." I corrected him. "He has something protecting him where he can only die by a celestial spirit called Lepus. It's the Hare constellation. It has the power to neutralize any spell and use it against the caster. It's a very useful glass key. Right now, I only have Orion. And out of the Zodiac keys I'm only missing Leo, the lion, but I think I'll be getting that key soon. I've had an idea of who it might be…"

"Who?" He furrowed his brows at me.

"Loke. He had affiliation with Karen Lillica, a celestial wizard I crossed keys with a few time as a young wizard. She was a role model to me, that is until I found out how she treated her spirits. You see she used them as mere tools who aren't capable of feeling, only able to follow their master's orders. I see them as allies and friends. Nakama if you will. Growing up they were my closest friends besides Laxus-nii, Freed, Bixlow, Evergreen, and Lisanna Strauss. I noticed she wasn't at the guild today. She must be out on a job. And Mira and Elfman seem different… I'll ask about her tomorrow."

"And our job?" He asked patiently as he stood from the couch.

"I accept your terms, Gajeel. Just warn me about the stupid dead animals, okay?" I stated firmly as I stood.

"You made the best choice of your life just now, you know." He smirked. "I'm gonna head out, Lucy. See you tomorrow at the guild. You can pick out the job, okay?" I walked him to the door and hugged him. He kissed the top of my head and I felt my cheeks flare up.

"Good night, Gajeel. Be careful." I said before I could stop myself.

He laughed. "Don't worry about me, Star Heart. I'm the one protecting you, remember?" He hugged me again, only tighter. "Be safe going to the guild tomorrow. That bastard could still be lurking around."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine." I kissed his cheek. "Thanks for saving me today." I pushed him out the door before he could say anything and leaned against it. Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

Hey guys! Here's a long chapter for you! I hope you liked it. Let me know what you though, okay?

Love 'n Hugs,

-SFL