A/N: Fairy Tail does not belong to me in any way, shape, or form, nor do I claim it does. Thank you.
Hooray, Part 2!
She wasn't sure what had changed.
Sure, the Demons of Tartaros were all on fairly decent terms with them now(Seilah was becoming fast friends with Levy and Freed, Kyouka continued to glower at the green-haired letter mage, Tempesta was playing nice with Cana but Gajeel and Laxus still refused to go near him, Mard was dating Mira, Lamy was practically dying over all the men—except for Gray, she really would die then—and Jackal still fought on a daily basis with the Fire mage) but something had changed.
Jackal was… clingy? Okay, maybe not clingy, but she found he was always near her to some extent, if not right next to her. That caused some issues with Natsu when he realized the demolition expert had taken his "spot" ("Luce! You let him take my spot?!" "Your what?" "He stole my seat! Hands off, dog-boy!" "Back off, dragon spawn, or you'll lose your hands!") She was, understandably, confused. Since when had they even been friends? More often lately, she saw him perched at the bar, Mira giggling and patting his head while he huffed and sighed, growling at her. He was still prone to violence, that was a given, but it was on a much smaller scale now. The brawls with Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel were bigger with the addition of the blond and tended to go Guild-wide a little quicker now.
And he invited himself into her apartment on more than one occasion. Sure, she was used to it with her friends, but Jackal?
This was one such time.
"So…" he was sprawled out on her couch, hands laced behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. "I'm bored." She was tempted to hurt him. Here she was, at home, just stepping out of the bath to curl up and get a good night's sleep for once. But no. As if that would happen. She wasn't that lucky. To be honest, she had expected Natsu to be raiding her fridge, but Jackal? Bored?
"Well, I'd like to get dressed. Mind leaving?" He sat up too quickly to be safe. She feared he may just have whiplash. And the way he was staring at her was making her very uncomfortable. "Um, Jackal?"
He merely blinked, golden eyes continuing to trail over her form. She'd been caught in a towel by her friends enough times that she was only mildly uncomfortable, but this was a whole new feeling. She felt a blush take over her cheeks and spread, warming her entire body. "No."
"N-no?!"
He grinned, a lazy smirk pulling over his lips and showing sharp teeth. "I'm enjoying the view, thank you."
"PERVERT!"
He honestly had no idea how he ended up in the canal, but there he was, floating in the cold water and glowering up at the sky.
"Oi, barmaid," a sharp look from the blue-eyed demon caused him to backpedal quickly. "M-mira," her smile was blinding, but he knew what evil hid beneath that façade. Why else was the Underworld King interested in her? "How do I…" he turned away, pouting. This was embarrassing.
"Oh~? You need something, Jackal~?" She was grinning, a smile too wide to be as innocent as she wanted him to believe it was. "Does it have anything to do with a certain pretty blonde~?"
"O-oi, shut up! What's wrong with you? As if I would—"
"Natsu, stop bothering Lucy already," the whitehaired woman called out and Jackal immediately whirled around, teeth bared as he spotted the pink-haired idiot with his arms around the blonde.
"It's fine, Mira," Lucy called out, waving a hand to signal she was fine. Mira hummed, turning her eyes back to the demon bomber, eyes too bright to not be calculating.
Jackal was twitching, eyes narrowing as he glared. "You shouldn't stare. It's rude," she chided. He flashed her a dark look and she matched it, smile dimming as he returned his gaze to his rival across the guild. "Honestly, why don't you just tell her how you feel, hmm?"
He glanced back at her, pure contempt written across his face. "Tch. As if a human would understand." He returned to glaring across the guild.
All semblance of happiness faded from her, leaving behind the former personality of Mirajane. If others in the hall understood what was going on, they would have feared the return of Mirajane the She-Devil from her teenage years. But, as it was, no one noticed.
Mistake number two.
Mistake number one was all on Jackal: he pissed her off.
"Oh?" her voice was an octave lower, something he noticed but ignored in favor of trying to incinerate the Dragon Slayer from afar. "Is that right? My, how silly of me." He made a low sound of agreement and her blue eyes narrowed, lips pulling into a thin line.
Mistake number three: he was ignoring all the alarms blaring in his head. But he was too far in now, plans developing fast in her head on the best way to punish him.
No one insults Mirajane Strauss. Sure, over the years she's calmed down, but she still got her revenge—in less painful ways of-course. But this blond was about to understand why she was S-Class and feared, up there with Erza, if not more terrifying. She was a demon and one he had never before encountered.
"Lucy, I found the perfect job for you!" she pasted on a bright smile and when the duo turned to look at her, she waved the flier cheerfully. Jackal's eyes followed it, trying to make out the words. "See? See? It's just perfect!" She stepped out from behind the bar, moving towards them and leaning over. Natsu immediately cheered, something that alerted Jackal there would be monster fighting involved, in addition to Lucy's groan. "See? It'll pay your rent for three months!" The blonde immediately began singing the woman's praises. "With extra!" Lucy promptly began crying tears of joy.
No one questioned the speed at which the two left to pack. Everyone knew Lucy would do anything for her rent money—her landlady was (an unconfirmed, but highly suspected) demon.
No one asked about how long it was expected to take them. Or if they were taking the rest of Team Natsu.
1. A month. 2. No they were not.
Fourth mistake. Mirajane intended on driving the blond mad in an effort for him to realize not only his mistake in dismissing her so easily, but also that Mirajane was his only chance at possible happiness. She intended to collect in full.
After the first week passed, he was jumpy. Brawls didn't interest him and when he was finally dragged into one (by Gajeel or Gray) he reacted with his semi-violent tendencies, which only seemed to get worse as time dragged on. Gray acted accordingly and Erza took it upon herself to make sure they were behaving, something Jackal learned soon enough was very painful. Mira would send him happy little smiles and he scowled back at her, slumped on the bar and muttering about idiot dragon slayers(from across the hall, Gajeel would grin and aim to throw his mug at the blond, only for Levy to stop him) and detailing his plans on how he would beat the pinkette senseless upon their return.
"And why would you do that, Jackal?" Mira would inquire innocently, wiping down a glass.
"The idiot totally deserves it."
"Oh? What for?"
"For taking too damn long. Mavis help him if he gets her hurt," he would growl and seated on the bar top next to him, Mavis herself would raise a brow before smiling knowingly at Mira. "Bastard…"
"Well, I don't think you need to worry too much. Lucy can handle herself pretty well.
By the end of the second week, he couldn't handle being in the guild without twitching fairly often. Some noticed and others ignored it. Gajeel tormented him to no end and Jackal caused several brawls, something Makarov himself settled six times. Mard was beginning to notice his rather interesting behavior and Mira's smirk told him near everything he desired to know. He avoided the blond and instead found himself in the Guild's library with Seilah, Kyouka and Freed, helping the young man continue to deal with the green-haired demoness' ire.
"Oi, mutt, will ya stop yer pacin' already? Yer actin' love-sick over Bunny-Girl," Gajeel called out mid way through the third week when he found the blond beginning to wear a tread through the wood.
"Fuck off, bastard!" Gajeel blinked hard, taken aback by the hostility. He recognized the deranged look in those golden eyes and merely grinned wider.
"Wonder why they're takin' so long. Any guesses, Shrimp?" he turned to look across the table at the bluentte. They had long since realized why he was acting like this but Levy, unlike the Iron Dragon Slayer, chose to not aggravate the blond further.
"Hm? Oh, well, it was a fair distance away. The trains will only go so far. Then, I expect it took a few days of walking, if not a week. Depending on the weather, they could be holed up waiting for it to clear before continuing. From there—" Jackal had paused to join their table, watching her with almost desperate eyes, "—I would think they'd make it to town. If I recall," she tapped at her chin, looking up the rafters as she thought. "They'd have to go up a mountain to deal with the monster. The flier wasn't specific, but I don't think it's a Vulcan. It might even be a Wyvern…"
Jackal held in his wail. He was a demon of Tartaros and he was not pining after the blonde.
"It might take a few days. From there, if all went well, I'd think they'd be back here by the end of next week," Levy finished with a nod and smile, returning to her book. Gajeel smirked, holding his chin in his hand.
"If the weather was clear."
"Mm."
"If it was snowin' or rainin', they'd have to take shelter. Maybe a cave. Few days even." Levy made a noncommittal sound as Gajeel made himself comfortable. " 'm pretty sure Flamebrain would be helpful, keepin' Bunny-Girl and the cat warm."
"He does have an elevated body temperature."
"Snuggled up real close."
"Gajeel, don't be crude," Caramel orbs flashed up to send him a dark look. "Lu-chan's not like that."
"They sleep together all the time." She hummed, taking in his words before shrugging. "Not nuthin' new."
"I guess." She turned a page as Jackal perched on the edge of the bench, form trembling as he took in their conversation, eyes hard. "They are pretty close." Gajeel snorted and she shot him another look. "Natsu is not that bad. I'd think even he'd know how to act at that point."
"We are talkin' 'bout the same Salamander, right? The guy who gropes her on a regular basis?" Levy hummed, brows furrowed. "That's what I thought."
"This is different though. Natsu would realize that and talk to her first." She looked back down at her book, but failed to concentrate fully, a small smile breaking on her lips. "You don't think…?" She glanced up.
"Who knows. Couple days holed up together? I don't think even Salamander's that dense. Could be the push 'e needs." A giddy smile broke on Levy's lips as she clutched the book to her chest, biting her lip.
"I'd be so happy for Lu-chan… I'm sure she'll be so happy. Dragons do anything for their mates, right?"
"Yup. All in their power to make 'em happy." Gajeel grinned across at her, arms crossed lightly over his chest. He saw how the blond bomber had stiffened, form ramrod straight as he took in their words. He wondered when he would crack. "Fight to protect 'em and all that."
"I'm sure Lu-chan would be happy. I think she's had a crush on him since forever," Levy sighed, eyes dreamy as she pictured it. "Probably since she joined! Do dragon slayers have weddings?"
"Take it back." She jerked, taking in the demon by them, his frame hunched over and positively seething. "Take it back."
"W-what?" Gajeel shifted closer, not liking how his eyes were empty and training his bloodlust on the bluenette. "Take what—"
"You need to deal with it, mutt," Gajeel stated, bloody orbs narrowed on him. If he was stupid enough to go after the Shrimp, he'd have hell to pay. "So what if Salamander claimed her?"
They could almost feel the dark pulse of energy shoot through the guild as his eyes flashed black, lips pulled back over sharp teeth, baring them at the slayer. "If he even touched her, I'll kill him. She's mine." His voice was eerily low.
"I don't remember you doing anything to back that up," Gajeel snarled, rising to face the demon and stand between him and Levy. The Guild was holding its collective breath, watching the standoff with wide eyes. No one caught what was going on, only that Jackal was angry and Gajeel wasn't helping matters. "I only ever remember smelling Salamander on her, not mongrel."
Power rippled through the guild, Jackal's form heaving in his anger, silver beginning to glimmer along the Slayer's arms, showing that things were about to get very serious very soon.
"Take it back."
"You don't got jack-shit, mutt. Don't go claiming Bunny-Girl if you can't back it up. Dragons mate for life, do dogs? You'll have to deal with a pissed off dragon if you go after her," he sneered, rolling his shoulders as scales marked patches of his skin. "You threaten their mate and you lose your life. Are you willing to take that bet?"
"Like hell I'll let Salamander claim her. She's been mine since I saw her!"
Gajeel grinned, watching as his body shuddered, fangs growing and nails sharpening into claws. "Is that a confession then, dog-boy?" Silver took over more of his skin in response to the demon's growing anger. As much as he was enjoying this, pushing him any further wouldn't do them any good.
"Are you finished?" the low drawl came from behind him and he paused, glancing back at the bluenette. Levy was not amused. "Gajeel, don't get him angry. Honestly what's wrong with you?"
"See here—"
"Be quiet." He glared at her and she eased between the two, tugging hard on his arm and reaching out for the blond demon. Golden eyes narrowed on her, a low growl rumbling from his throat. "You bite me and you'll have Lu-chan to deal with. And the rabies shot will be the least of your worries." He scoffed but made no move to go after her. She grabbed his arm and pulled the two close to her, the boys glaring at each other as they were pulled closer. "Now, what we're gonna do is make nice. Agreed?"
"Like hell."
"In hell."
"Correction: you're going to make nice, else, one, Gajeel," red eyes glared down at her and she smiled prettily, "I'm stealing Pantherlily for a week."
"Woman, you cannot steal my—"
"And two, Jackal, I'll tell Lu-chan you were mean to me."
"I was not—"
"Are we agreed?" They straightened, pulling away from her hold to glower at each other. "Shake hands." Their lips curled in distaste, sending her disgusted looks. "We're all family now. Make nice." She was totally not budging an inch. Gajeel groaned and ran a hand down his face.
"Shrimp, honestly…" Her gaze hardened. "Fiiiine. Oi, mutt." Jackal scowled. "He ain't interested. Good?" He held out a hand and the demon narrowed his eyes on him before looking back at his face. "He ain't." Jackal took his hand and tightened his grip to almost painful levels but the Iron Dragon Slayer merely grinned and tightened his own grip.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," Levy swatted their hands apart and shooed the red-eyed man back to his seat. "Jackal, maybe you need to talk with Mira, hm?"
Like hell he was going to that woman for advice.
"You know she only gave them that job because you made her mad, right?"
"Oh, so that's how it is, huh?" He turned, stalking towards the bar where he expected to have a very enlightening chat with the demon barmaid.
By the fourth week, he was slumped over a table in the corner, idly tracing the wood grain and sighing heavily. Gajeel would snicker at the face he was making but Levy would quiet him before they had a repeat of the previous week. She quite liked the Guild and prefer if the demon didn't destroy it because Gajeel pissed him off again.
"—bad weather, so we'll be here for another few days!" He perked, looking around quickly. The voice was painfully familiar and he would give anything right now to see her(and punch the idiot who dragged her away).
"Aw, that's too bad, Lucy!" Mira hummed, gazing down at something. Jackal pounced towards the bar. "Well, just take it easy then, okay? We'll see you in a week! Bye!" Just as he crashed into the bar, the lacrima went dark. "Oh, Jackal. Is something wrong?" After being made to beg forgiveness from his King's significant other, Mira finally relented and forgave him. He resolved never again to underestimate her(she promised Lucy would be sent on a mission that would take two months).
He glared at the orb. "Call her back."
"What?"
"Call her back. I want to talk to her." Mira smiled, lips stretching wide, her joy coming off her in waves.
"Aww, how cuuute~!"
"It's not cute! I haven't seen her for a month! Call her back!" He was pouting. He knew he was. Currently, he didn't care.
"Sorry! No can do~!"
He twitched. "And… why not?"
"Don't you take that tone with me," she warned, holding the rolled magazine threateningly. He shrank back. "And I can't call her back because it took her over an hour to even connect with me because of the weather. She'll be back in a week." Right now, he didn't care who saw him. He slumped down, letting out a pitiful whine. "It's cute how loyal you are! Just like a puppy who misses his owner!"
"Shut up!"
"Yo, Fairy Tail! We're—" Natsu was flying out into the street and Lucy blinked at him where he groaned. She heard a distinct growling from above her and looked up, faced with the seething look in the blond demon's eyes.
"Um… Hey? You alright?" she poked lightly at the arm wrapped tight around her. "Jackal?" He immediately focused on her, turning her in his hold and looking over her carefully. "What're you doing?"
"Injuries."
"Ah. Well, I'm fine. You can let go now." He didn't and she frowned. "Seriously, what's going on?"
"You smell like him." He was angry. Why? She had absolutely no idea.
"Well, we did just come back from the train," Natsu had risen by now and was stalking towards them, a feral grin on his face, itching for a fight. Upon hearing the magic word, he immediately paused, cheeks puffing and skin taking on a green tint. Happy fluttered above him, snickering at his dilemma. "And we did just spend a month together. On the bright side, my rent is paid for the next two months~!" the smile she sent him was blinding and in his amazement, he slackened his hold on her. In the back of his mind, he idly wondered what he would have to do to cause her to smile at him like that.
"Oi, Jackal! You wanna start something, huh? What's with hitting me before I even walk in?" Natsu was recovered by now and a dark grin curled onto the demon's lips at the thought of a good fight. A month he was stuck and now he gets to vent his frustratiosn on the idiot that caused them? Sign him up.
Lucy slipped away, hugging Levy and catching up with her friend as the brawl began, pulling Gray and Gajeel into it quickly and escalating from there. "So what all did I miss?"
Both Levy and Mira shared equally evil looks.
"So. Jackal." He raised his eyes, gazing up at the Celestial Mage before him. It had been two days since they returned and Natsu was sporting a black eye. The demon was unabashedly joyful as he claimed the seat next to the blonde for the remainder of the day, much to her confusion. She let it go, deciding to believe Levy and Mira when they mentioned he had missed her. Natsu was put out so she moved down the bench and was then sandwiched in-between the two(one of her worst ideas) and they proceeded to glare and hiss at each other over her head. "You want to take me out to dinner?" He immediately spit out his food, gawking at her. "Mira and Levy-chan told me that—"
"Oi, Metal Bastard!" he hollered across the hall. "Keep the pixie's nose outta my business! And Strauss! Don't go—OWWW OWW OWW! LETGO LETGO LETGO!" Lucy only twisted his ear harder, an unamused look on her face. Raucous laughter rang through the guild as they noticed the demon's plight. Mira was smiling the brightest.
"And here I was gonna say yes," she drawled. He blinked up at her through the tears(that were totally NOTflowing from the pain, no way), hands clutching at her wrist, hoping she would let up.
"Y-you were?"
"Changed my mind."
"You can't do that!"
"Ohh? And why not, hm?" She leaned down, raising a brow and tugging once more on his ear. He jerked in her hold, trying to shift away from the pain. Honestly, all these Fairy Tailers were cruel! The girls go for his ears, his poor tail had been pulled way too many times by that little cowgirl brat, not to mention the obscene amount of times it had been slammed in a door or sat on! Had these people no shame?!
What was he thinking? Of-course they didn't. They were Fairy Tail. They probably did it on purpose.
Shame? They didn't even know the word. Cana pranced around in a bikini top, Mira was a model(something Mard was beginning to find he didn't like, what with all the men swooning over her), Evergreen wore way too low-cut dresses, Laki and Kinana were hardly any better, and then there was Erza with all her different requips. Lucy was the exception. As long as no one else commented on her. Then they'd die.
She was his and anyone who would even dare to say anything about her would be personally introduced to the nearest brick wall.
She squeaked when he suddenly tugged at her wrist and found herself in his lap. Her guildmates laughed harder, whistling as he grinned down at her wolfishly, face a little too close for her liking, hands caught up in his. He twined their fingers together and her blush deepened. "J-jackal, what're you doing?"
He liked how her voice got breathless and how his name sounded on her lips. He really liked it.
"Change your mind back." She frowned up at him but couldn't keep eye-contact.
"A-and why should I do that?" He leaned down and Cana shrieked out that she was gonna win the bet. Macao and Wakaba shot back that it didn't count yet and then Mira brought of the notebook and most of their attention was shifted.
"I'll just make you say yes."
Her eyes sparked in challenge. "No one can make me do anything I don't wanna do."
He grinned, golden eyes lit up. "Ah, but, see, you want to. Isn't that right, Blondie?"
"Ha, what makes you say that?" One hand untangled from hers and slid up her arm. She swallowed audibly but kept her eyes on him this time.
"See, thing is," he hummed, showing sharp canines, "you can't really lie. Truth is, ya suck at it." She puffed out an annoyed breath, eyes narrowing as his fingers trailed past her shoulder, settling under her jaw. "And your heart's beatin' real fast. Nervous, Lucy?" He didn't miss how she shivered and his smile widened. He shifted his hand, tilting her chin up so she was forced to look at him. "Huh?"
He wasn't expecting her cheeky grin as she moved her own hands, cupping his face. Now he was swallowing hard, especially how she settled more securely at his waist—which was beginning to feel pretty tight—and leaned in close. "Now whose nervous, Jackal?"
It was official. Goddamnit, he was in love with her.
"Still you." She breathed out a soft laugh—Zeref help him, she was going to drive him mad—and he found himself sliding his hand behind her neck, fingers curling through sun-spun hair that was totally as soft as he imagined it would be. "So. Dinner."
"Does that mean we're dating?" He mentally gagged at the thought, but apparently he sucked at hiding his feelings because she burst into laughter. He liked her laugh. It made him…
Well, it made his homicidal (if it's only directed towards every man who even dared to look at her, would it be considered serial murder…?) tendencies abate. He was always in the mood to punch Salamander in the face though, he wasn't an idiot.
But, on the other hand… If dating—uuuggghhh—meant that he got to hold her like this and actually have a reason to beat every male into the ground… And even kiss her…?
He was going soft. That was the only logical explanation for this. They were demons incapable of emotion. But, here they were. Mard had Mira and Seilah seemed pretty fond of Freed(Kyouka would get over it eventually) and he…
He claimed Lucy Heartfilia months ago. About time everyone knew. Especially her.
"Damn right we are."
"What?"
It was long overdue, really. Him kissing her. And, hey, if the entire Guild saw it happen, made his job easier, right? It meant they all knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Lucy Heartfilia had been claimed by the demon of Tartaros. And they knew what would happen, then, if they made a move on her.
Total and utter annihilation. Or they'd lose an arm. Either or, depending on his mood and their offense.
Cheers exploded around them as they congratulated the new couple (Lucy was burning up, embarrassed to be displaying affection so publicly) and Jackal recognized the shriek and thud that was Mira fainting. She'd be out for a while. No matter, he could do without her shrieking for a while.
"J-jackal!" she pushed him away, bringing her hands to her lips, avoiding eye contact as her cheeks flushed red. "D-did you have to—I mean, we're in the middle of the Guild! Honestly!"
"Oh, so you wanted to do it back it your apartment, huh? Well, easy enough, I guess," he nodded sagely and she squeaked at his insinuation. The Guild collapsed at his words, wheezing for breath and trying to continue thinking properly. "Round Two?"
"NO WAY IN HELL, DOG-BOY!" He pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest, glowering at him. "Changed my mind! Totally not going to dinner with you! Take a hike you, per—P-PUT ME DOWN!" she flailed in his arms and he tightened his grip.
"Well, home we go then, eh?"
"H-home?!"
"Well, if you insist."
"I-I DON'T!"
"Good! So we're agreed!"
"WE ARE NOT! YOU CAN'T JUST—JUST MOVE IN!" He didn't seem to hear of protests(or care, for that matter) and pranced towards the doors, cackling madly as she threw her arms around his neck, telling him exactly what they would not be doing.
"Oh." He drew up short at the doors, stopping so suddenly that Lucy blinked at him, falling silent. "Salamander." He glanced over his shoulder at the Slayer. "Sneak into Lucy's bed again…" Lucy burned pink and Natsu straightened, a grin on his lips. Jackal's smile went dark, showing his sharp teeth, eyes hooded as his demonic aura seeped out. "…and her wrath will be the least of your worries." His grin promised pain and the possibility of never waking up. "Get it?"
"Wait a sec! Luce's bed is the most comfortable! Why can't I—"Gajeel grabbed the idiot before the mutt decided he was fighting his claim to the blonde. That was the last thing they needed—an answer to the question of who was more territorial.
"We'll make sure he understands, mutt," he groused, keeping a tight hold of the pinkette, who glared up at him, fire beginning to lick at his skin.
"Just so we're understood. Come on, Blondie, we gotta rearrange the furniture~!"
"YOU AREN'T MOVING IN! DON'T YOU TOUCH MY STUFF!" And the blonds disappeared, leaving the guild to wonder if the demon would survive the night. They'd find out in the morning, they supposed.
Now, a more important question needed to be answered as soon as possible:
"Who won?!"
Part Two!
It seems… different than the first one… lighter? Hm…
Hope you like it?
Oh, I have a poll up for the next major story I'm doing, so, if ya'll could vote, that's be awesome! And, it's come to my attention that you cannot, in fact, vote multiple times. Bummer about that. If you'd like to vote on the newer stories I've put up, feel free to message me your top four picks and I'll mark it down in my notebook!