Hello! Here is Chapter Two!
Title: Paradox
Rating: M
Genre: Supernatural, Horror, Romance, Adventure
Summary: In a world where magic is used only by the rich and the elite, debonair noble Lucy Heartfilia is far from pleased when her father assigns a trainer to help her with her magic. He is strong, sharp-tongued, mysterious, and dangerously powerful—and despite this, she finds herself drawn to him, and together they spiral into a world of darkness and intrigue.
Characters: Lucy Heartfilia, Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Jude Heartfilia, Erza Scarlet, Jellal Fernandes, Makarov Dreyar, Laxus Dreyar, Freed Justine, Bickslow, Gajeel, Sting, Rogue, others
Relationships: Natsu/Lucy (implied), Natsu/Gray, Laxus/Freed/Bickslow
Warnings: Blood and Gore, Torture, Emotional Manipulation, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Mind Games, Mind Manipulation, Depression, Implied/Referenced Torture, Implied/Referenced Character Death
Author Notes: Natsu's a bit out of character (or maybe he is a lot ). I focus on his darker side (and make it creepier) in this story.
You think I will be the dark sky so you can be the star? Well, guess again, lady.
Those were the most words Natsu had said to me since his arrival.
I am not the savior you think I am. You'd best be remembering that. I'm not here to help you, and I'm not here to be your friend.
I had quickly come to learn that he was as strange as he had first seemed, if not more. There was always this air of mystery surrounding him, this eternal cloud of intrigue and darkness that was nearly invisible one second and then so powerful and thick that it could strangle the life out of someone.
But enough of that. Let me say just how weird this man is.
First of all, he eats all the time. Every minute I saw him, he had something in his mouth—meaning it didn't necessarily have to be something that one would consider edible—and he was almost always chewing on it.
I had first—unwillingly, might I add—freaked out when I realized he was eating fire.
He had waltzed into the training area, a well-lit torch in his hand as he sucked at the flames extending from the head.
"What are you doing?"
He blinked a few times as he turned his head over to stare at me. "I'm eating. What does it look like?"
"You're eating fire!"
The pinkette tilted his head, staring at me dumbly. "Is there something wrong with that?"
I shook my head in disbelief, watching with wide eyes as he finished off the last of his meal. "But—you ate fire—"
"For the love of Fiore, are all elite girls this stupid?" He glared at me, the light reflecting off of his emerald eyes and making them flash gold for the briefest of moments. "Yes, I ate fire. Yes, I can eat fire. No, it's not that hard to understand."
I narrowed my eyes at him, scowling at his attitude. "There's no reason to be all snappy."
Natsu growled softly and bared his teeth in a smirk, something like dark amusement flashing in his eyes. "You're the one who started it, little blondie." The smirk on his face vanished as quickly as it appeared as he cracked his knuckles. "Now. Shall we begin?"
I cried out as I was slammed into the floor mat, gasping for air as pain laced through my body.
Natsu rumbled deeply as he loomed over me, his teeth glinting in the light. "You're moving way too slow. What did I tell you earlier?"
I glared at him, pushing away his outstretched hand and crossing my arms over my chest. "I don't see how this is going to help me with my Celestial magic."
The man huffed heavily, shaking his head as he scratched at the side of his neck. "You won't get anywhere if you keep doubting my methods, blondie."
"Stop calling me that! I do have a name, you know."
Natsu shrugged his broad shoulders, staring blankly at me. "Yeah, you do. And it's boring. Lucy. It sounds like a nickname for a disease."
I gaped at him as irritation surged through me. "Why, you—!"
Suddenly, Natsu was surging across the room towards me, dangerous intent flashing in his eyes. I reacted before I could stop myself and pulled a knife from the sheath strapped to my belt.
There was a sickening tearing sound, and then an overwhelming source of heat wrapped itself around me. Cracking open my eyes, I stared at the sight before me.
Natsu was hunched over me, his body trembling slightly as he panted heavily. My knife was hilt-deep in his abdomen, and blood poured from the wound.
Nausea overcame me at the sight of the viscous crimson fluid. I tried to move away from him, but he shifted on his feet and let out a heavy breath as he straightened.
"Huh. You actually hit me." The pink-haired man ran a few fingers over the torn flesh, curiosity burning in his eyes. "I didn't expect that."
I watched in shock as he pulled the knife from his stomach, narrowing his eyes in slight discomfort. He inspected the blade with a suspicious eye. "This little pigsticker actually hurt me. Who would've thought?"
"You...you're bleeding, Natsu."
"Hmm, what?" The man scratched his neck before glancing down at his stomach. "Oh, yeah. It'll stop eventually. No need to worry."
"But you—"
Natsu frowned deeply, his eyes darkening as he stared down at me. "I said enough, blondie. I'll be fine." He took my hands in his own and shoved the knife into my grasp. "Now, we're going to—Lucy?"
I swayed on my feet, gasping slightly as I stared at the bloody metal object in my hands. Why had I agreed to this? I couldn't—couldn't—
"Give it to me." Suddenly the weapon was out of my hands, and Natsu snarled in wordless irritation as he threw it across the room.
I jumped as two large, hot hands cupped the side of my face. "Lucy. Why didn't you tell me you couldn't stand blood?"
"I...I just thought that I—"
"Shut it." Natsu steadied me on my feet and braced me against his side, and heat rushed to my face as he wrapped an arm around me.
He helped me into the hallway, where I was gasping for air that wasn't stained with the thick, cloying taste of iron.
Natsu turned his head down to look at me, the sunlight streaming in from the window in the hallway reflecting off of his bronze skin and exotic eyes. "Go get cleaned up and then come back here after you've collected yourself. Don't be late."
And with that, he was gone.
"Hey, blondie."
I frowned and turned at the voice. Natsu was heading towards me, his hands stuffed deep into his jacket pockets. Today, he wore simple, normal-length black slacks and a form-fitting maroon shirt, but he still kept that infernal jacket on. Today, however, there was a thick white scarf wrapped around his neck.
"What do you want?" I demanded as he got close to me.
Natsu huffed out a laugh. "Aw, you're still sore about our first session? Don't worry, it'll get better from here on out."
"I'm more concerned than irritated," I muttered, flicking my hair out of my face. "I stabbed you. And I doubt you went to a doctor."
"Fun fact about me, blondie. I heal fast." Natsu stepped in front of me and leaned down so we were eye-to-eye. His overwhelming body heat encased me, and I found myself breaking out into an uncomfortable sweat.
I pushed him away, wrapping my arms around my torso. "I won't ask again, Natsu. What do you want?"
The pinkette sighed dramatically, cocking a hip to the side and running a hand through his messy hair. "Gray's coming to watch us tomorrow, so how about you try not to stab me again, huh?"
"Oh, I promise that won't happen again. But I may knock some of your teeth out."
Natsu blinked and twitched, shifting on his feet. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Figure it out, why don't you?" I growled, turning to stalk towards my room for some well-needed alone time.
... ... ...
I sighed as I threw myself down on my bed, moaning at the softness of the blankets. I turned on my side and shut my eyes, stretching and shifting until I was comfortable.
"You never answered my question, you know."
Shrieking, I sat up quickly and felt for anything I could use as a weapon.
"Relax. I'm not going to do anything to you."
Blinking at the figure sitting in the large armchair facing the window, I glared at him. "Who are you?"
"You really are a stupid blonde, aren't you?" Natsu muttered, staring out and up at the glaring sun. His skin was burned golden in the light, and his eyes glowed unnervingly bright.
"Get out of my room before I call the guards."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Will you answer my question?"
"Tomorrow, during our session. Now get out."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to."
I growled, clenching my hands into fists. "Natsu, I swear if you don't—"
"Just listen to me, okay? I need to tell you something important."
"And it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"
"No!"
I stared as the man turned his head, a snarl curling back his lips and exposing his razor-sharp teeth. For a brief moment, he looked like a feral animal intent on devouring me whole. But then he shook his head and that strange, blank look filled his eyes again.
"What do you want?"
The pinkette leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes. "I just need to warn you about Gray."
"Your partner?" I leaned forward, crossing my legs and resting my elbows on my knees as I tilted my head to the side. "Why?"
Natsu let out a heavy breath and shook his head. "When I said he was going to be watching us, I mean he's going to be watching us." He opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. "Gray's what you would call...overprotective, and he hated the fact that I was taking this job. I told him we needed the money, and eventually, he obliged. But he hates the Heartfilias, Lucy. And most of all, he hates you."
An involuntary chill went down my spine. "Why me specifically?"
Natsu shrugged slowly, pressing his lips together as his eyes flashed. "Dunno. Probably because he thinks you're a spoiled little tramp with nothing but time and money on her hands. His words, not mine, although in a cleaner version for your little lady ears."
"You're warning me about your boyfriend because he hates rich people?"
The pinkette twitched in his seat, his fingers tapping restlessly against the arms of the massive chair. "You think Gray's my boyfriend?"
"What is he, then? You're always in contact with him and you're inseparable when you're together."
Natsu nodded as if he were just now realizing that. "Huh. I guess you're right." He jumped to his feet, striding over to the door.
I glared as he stopped with his hand outstretched over the doorknob, not bothering to mask my irritation. "What is it now?"
He turned his head to stare at me, and I restrained a shudder at the slightly hungry look in his eyes. "Just listen to what I said, blondie. I don't think I'll restrain Gray if he tried to attack you."
"Natsu."
The pinkette tilted his head in a silent question.
"I thought you said we weren't friends. So why are you warning me about this?"
He shrugged, a cross between a snarl and a smirk curling back his lips. "I don't want to see you die yet, Lucy. You're much too entertaining for that."
He left before I could even think of a response.
Sorry if this seems a bit rushed, but I think I know where I'm going with this story now, which means this had to be taken care of. Review, please, and don't be afraid to leave suggestions! :)
Thanks for reading!
