Hello! Here is Chapter Three, and I apologize for the wait!

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, Masochism, Sadism, Implied/Referenced Submissive & Dominant Relationship

Author Notes: There's a bit more background into Gray and Natsu's relationship. You have been warned.

Thank you so much for all of your support for this story! It really means a lot! :)


He wore his hatred like a cruel, disgusting second skin. Darkness cloaked his very soul, wrapping him in a heavy, unbreakable shroud of demonic strength and lovely ignorance that poisoned the world around him.

Natsu had come to realize that long before they were together.

The ice wizard was a complete monster, but Natsu knew that only two monsters could cancel out each others' darkness.

He could recall the first time he had encountered Gray, all those years ago. It had been in a bar, where two inebriated men had dared to invoke the ice wizard's wrath. Natsu had done nothing but watch as his soon-to-be lover had laid waste to those fools, how he had grinned wildly as their blood spattered against the alley walls and the sound of their flesh tearing destroyed the silence of the moonlit night.

That's why they were together. The two monsters were able to see beauty in the depths of their darkness.

Natsu twitched and straightened in his seat as the familiar scent of mint and pine invaded his senses, and an involuntary chill crawled down his spine. His fingers drummed against the arms of the massive chair he was curled up in, and bright emerald eyes fixed on the massive mahogany door.

"Why are you staring at the door?"

Smirking slightly, the fire wizard turned in his seat. Gray stood there by the window, his powerful frame bathed in cold white light as he stared hungrily at his partner.

Natsu's gaze became hooded as he stared at his lover. "In case you didn't know, you're supposed to use the door to enter."

"Really, now?" Gray moved behind the other wizard, a heavy trail of cold following him. He sat on the armrest of the chair, running his fingers over the smaller man's neck.

Natsu groaned and tilted his head to give the demonic man more access. "Mmm-hmm. Apparently, it is a custom here."

"So you're becoming accustomed to the traditions here. Good." Gray pressed himself against the smaller man, humming deeply. "They are treating you well." His voice offered little to no room for argument, despite the fact that his darkness was contained within his heavy, powerful aura.

"They have no choice. I wouldn't take their snobby attitudes any day." Natsu turned and stared up at the larger man, something like feral hunger and amusement flashing in his eyes.

Gray frowned, threading his fingers through thick pink hair. "You're getting used to the girl, aren't you?"

Natsu flinched violently, jerking his head away as his breath hitched. "Don't blame me for this, Gray. I'm only doing what needs to be done. We won't get through any other way."

"You can't get attached like this. You know that," Gray murmured, tracing his fingers over the large scar on the side of his lover's neck. "That isn't what we've been assigned to do."

The fire wizard panted heavily, bringing his hands up to hold Gray's, digging his talons into icy skin. "I...I'm not protesting. I'm just—"

"Natsu." Freezing cold hands cupped the flame wizard's face, and Gray forced him to meet his gaze. "I'm not blaming you. Just remember the mission."

Natsu hissed softly, pushing away and rising to his feet. A vicious snarl exposed his teeth as he glared through the window. "I'm supposed to remember the mission, huh?" He turned his head to stare at Gray, his bright emerald eyes glowing in the moonlight. "You're not fully here, are you?"

Gray scowled and ran a hand over his face, his icy breath fogging in the suddenly heated air around him. "I am aware enough to watch your makeshift battle with the noble."

"You have to tell me that you'll leave her alone." The pinkette stared intently at the raven-haired man, something like determination and fury burning in his eyes. "Leave the noble alone."

Gray growled deeply, leaning forward and enveloping the fire wizard in a blanket of malevolent power. "You know why I'm not going to agree to that."

"I need more time. One month isn't enough—"

The ice wizard sighed heavily and wrapped his arms around his partner's waist, pulling him close. "It'll have to be. We can't change what we want anymore."

"Yes, we can!" Natsu growled, baring his teeth as he pushed away from the larger man. "What made you so hopeless, Gray? Do you really hold that much contempt for the Heartfilias?"

"Enough!" Gray slammed a fist against the wall, leaving a formidable dent in the painted material.

Natsu breathed heavily, rage burning in his eyes.

Gray's frown seemed to be set in stone as he reached for his coat, shrugging it back on and fixing the collar. "I'm done talking about this, Natsu, and you're not going to bring it up again." He turned and stepped out into the hallway, glancing over his shoulder.

"I look forward to seeing you fight the pretty little noble."


I awoke to a vicious pounding on my bedroom door."Lucy! Get up!"

"Lucy! Get up! You're late!"

My heart racing, I got to my feet and threw on my robe, tying the sash around my waist and threw open the door.

Natsu stood there, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes glowing brightly.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" I crossed my arms and glared at him, cocking a hip to the side. "What are you doing here?"

The powerful wizard curled his lip back in a snarl, his body heat surrounding me in an uncomfortable embrace. "You're late, blondie. I told you to be on time."

"What—? It's only—"

"It is past the time you were supposed to be in the training ring." He leaned close, bending down to my height. When we were this close to each other, I could see the flecks of gold in the emerald depths of his stare. "Don't you remember what I told you last night? About my partner?"

I shook my head in disbelief. "Just give me five minutes and I'll be ready, okay?"

Natsu growled deeply, sounding more like a feral animal than a human. "You're already late, and when Gray shows up, he'll expect both of us to be there ready and waiting." He placed a hand on my shoulder, his heat searing through the silk fabric of my robe. "Get going, blondie. Don't make me regret this."

I stared at him as he stalked down the hall.

Don't make me regret this. His voice had trembled, and terror had flashed in his eyes. There was only one thing that could make anyone sound that way, to make that much hopelessness show through someone's eyes.

Fear.

But what was he so scared of?


After I had gotten dressed, I headed down to the training room. Natsu was there already, his broad back to me. He was holding something in his hands, his head tilted to the side. His deep, accented voice echoed throughout the room, but I failed to recognize the language he was speaking.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that it's impolite to stare?"

Natsu's head was turned to the side slightly, enough so his vivid stare was fixed on me. There was something in his eyes, some strange desire or hunger, that sent a chill down the length of my spine.

"Can we just get this over with, please?" I demanded, tapping my foot against the cool tile floor. "You were so fired up to do this earlier, and now you're wasting your time inspecting your little playthings?"

"What?" He scowled and shook his head, turning to fully face me. It was then that I saw that he was holding a large, well-kept rifle in his hands.

My eyes widened as I noticed the brand on the weapon. "Where did you get that?"

Natsu sighed and rolled his eyes. "You're not so surprisingly smart, blondie. You know what this is."

"But—how did you get into the safe? Father keeps it locked and guarded—"

"Yeah, and I got it anyway." The fire wizard sighed and rolled his shoulders, grunting as something cracked audibly. His mouth split open into a wide grin, exposing his unnaturally large teeth. "This is what we're going to be training with today."

A thrill raced through my body, almost against my will. "But I haven't learned to evade gunshots yet—"

"And you'll learn today! Now, enough whining and let's get started."

I glanced around the room, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. But even as I looked around, I noticed something different.

"Wait. Where's—?"

"Looking for me?"

I whipped around to find none other than Gray standing in the doorway.

The raven-haired man smiled as he waltzed into the room, his hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his flawless white coat.

Natsu left out a heavy, slightly shaky breath as he nodded towards the larger man. "You're here."

"That's what it looks like, doesn't it?" The ice wizard shrugged a shoulder and sat down on the floor a few yards away from us. "Well? Aren't you going to begin?"


I shrieked as a stream of fire roared past me, ducking down and narrowly avoiding getting my hair burned.

Natsu growled, stalking towards me with his teeth bared. Feral hunger and desire flashed in his stare, and his footsteps seemed too loud and too heavy.

Behind me, I could feel Gray's eyes boring into me, inspecting my very body and soul at every angle possible. There was a faint chill that surrounded him in his little corner, an icy aura that hung heavily and prodded at the corner of my mind.

"Eyes on me, blondie!"

I cried out as a heavy, hot fist connected with my side, sending me collapsing to the floor. Black spots darted in and out of my vision, and I struggled to catch my breath.

In the corner of my vision, I could see the ice wizard tilt his head to the side, something like a smile curling back his lips.

A deep snarl thundered through my range of hearing, and then two heavy, booted feet appeared before me. Leaning down, Natsu grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled me up, uncomfortably close to his face.

His breath was hot and damp as he hissed at me. "Get your mind out of the gutter and fight."

Gasping, I nodded roughly and swayed on my feet as he shoved me upright. Attempting to collect my wits, I unsheathed my wooden sword—Natsu had replaced my original blade with something that wouldn't cause as much bloodshed—and stood my ground.

"Natsu."

I tensed as that detached, droning voice sounded. I felt more than heard Gray rise to his feet, and the icy wind surrounding him trailed through the room.

"You're doing it wrong."

Natsu trembled visibly, his breathing becoming slightly unsteady. "Gray, sit back down."

"Oh, you think you can order me around, little dragon?" Gray grinned widely and crossed his arms, tilting his head once again. "How about you wait until we're alone in the bedroom?"

"If you don't mind, Natsu and I were kind of in the middle of something." I boldly met the ice wizard's stare, resting the makeshift blade of my sword on my shoulder.

Gray's lips twitched, and he stared intently at me with those endless, abysmal eyes. "I don't believe that I asked for your input, now, did I?"

Natsu huffed out a heavy breath, flames flickering on his skin. "That's enough, Gray. You wanted to watch and comment, right? Why don't you—?"

"Oh, my dear, that's what I'm doing." The raven-haired man's grin became feral as he began to approach me. "Now, here's a little demonstration."

Before I could react, Gray swayed on his feet and then was barreling towards me. Moving in a quick series of movements, he blocked my attacks and reached down, his greater height giving him an advantage as he hit a spot on my arm that made it go numb. I dropped the sword with a hiss of pain, pins and needles traveling up the length of my arm. He vanished from my view for a split second, reappearing on behind me and kicking my feet out from beneath me.

I grunted as I slammed into the floor, the breath knocked out of me and my vision becoming blurry.

Gray leaned down, pressing his knee into my ribs and making me groan. His unnatural coldness wrapped itself around me and I found myself shivering as I stared up at him with defiant eyes.

"That, my dear, is how you disarm someone." He frowned slightly and shook his head. "Do try and remember that, will you? You look like an inexperienced child swinging that sword around."

I glanced up to see if Natsu was going to do anything about the guy who hated me and most likely wanted to end my life. To my chagrin, the fire wizard was standing off to the side, in the same exact spot he had been in before Gray had attacked me. His body was trembling viciously, and his eyes were glowing vividly in some cocktail of rage and desire.

Gray sighed and shifted his weight, rising to his feet with a groan. "Natsu, do it right this time. Do you understand me?"

The pinkette bared his teeth but, surprisingly, nodded in submission. "Yeah. Blondie, let's run through it again."


Natsu moaned as he was slammed against the bed, breathing heavily as he glared up at the man looming over him.

Gray grinned widely, his pupils dilated and his breath heavy and hoarse. "Damn it, Natsu. You shouldn't have provoked me like that."

"Oh, you know I would have anyways." The fire wizard arched his back as his lover ground down against him, laughing hoarsely as his head lolled to the side. "You broke your promise, though."

The raven-haired man drew back, his eyes narrowed to slits. "I never made a promise and you know that."

"Still." Natsu sat up abruptly and pushed the other man away, wrapping his arms around his torso. "I don't like that we have to manipulate someone like this."

Gray frowned, pulling the other wizard closer. Pressing his lips against the scar on the side of his neck, he murmured softly in his ear. "You never had trouble with the others."

Moaning softly, the pinkette tangled his hands in thick black hair. "They—they weren't like this one. I don't know; there's just something...different about this case."

Gray growled and leaned into the welcome pain as large talons scraped against his scalp. "Mmm, Natsu. We can talk about this later."

"Or what? You'll pin me to this bed and ravish me all night?" Emerald eyes glinted brightly as the fire wizard grinned dangerously wide.

Gray groaned heavily, slamming the smaller man back into the bed and grinding roughly against him. "That's exactly what I plan to do."


Thanks for reading! Review, please!

P.S. The last section may be edited once again, but I may leave it as is. I'll let you all know if anything changes.