Disclaimer. I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.
-Oby Abel-
Chapter 19: Proposal and rules
"Wh-what?" He stared at her completely taken aback by her confession. His mind drew blank. Was he hearing this or had she just –
"I want to be yours forever. I accept. I want to be your mate." His eyes widened by her clarification. So he had heard correct. She wanted to mate. Be his for the rest of their lives.
He was stunned speechless. What emotions should he feel by her so sudden revelation? All he had been thinking earlier was how he just wanted her to feel at ease by his presence, get used to their new titles, new relationship. Making her realize nothing was going to change other than said titles and them being maybe a bit more affectionate towards one another.
What he hadn't thought was that she would already accept him this early on.
This scared him. Not that she accepted to mate with him. No that made him truly happy, but the suddenness of the situation scared him. He wanted to get used to their new relationship. He wanted to have her as a girlfriend and then when the time was right he wanted propose. The thought of proposing to her had been stuck inside his mind since the girls at the guild taught him about romance and all that followed.
But now she just proposed. Accepting to be his mate was just as much as a proposal as an actual marriage proposal was. And to be completely honest he wanted to be the one to do it. It had been his secret wish and he even got to the point of planning the perfect proposal for the blonde in front of him. Why else had he gone with Capricorn and Loke and stayed so long?
The Goat Spirit was very protective of the blonde Celestial Spirit Mage. Like super scary protective of her. So protective that he threatened Natsu the second they were away from vicinity of the blonde and the other guests.
But luckily he warmed up when Natsu told him his sincere feelings he had for Lucy and assured that none of his feelings was due to his Dragon Slayer Magic – not that it mattered much for Capricorn, he had told. Everything was purely him and his heart feeling the strong emotion of love. Of course he did admit his magic had been the reason for him to realize he did feel something different towards the blonde that was of pure friendship and of course he also had to thank the endless lectures from his guild mates for helping him confirm what those feelings were and meant.
He was dense. He wasn't going to deny those claims when it was true.
And that was why Capricorn agreed to help him make a move on the blonde. Court her like the lady she was. Like asking her out on a date. Give her gifts and such. Loke of course had to make a scene and protest till Capricorn shut him up which Natsu was in secret very thankful for. He didn't want to deal with the playboy.
Capricorn told Natsu a lot about Lucy's mother, Layla Heartfilia. But the thing that surprised him the most during their talk about the older version of Lucy was when Capricorn suddenly pulled out two items. One was a beautiful necklace. The necklace was simple yet very cute and stunning. White gold chain with a heart formed locket in the same white gold with some soft pink diamond outlining the heart and a bigger pink diamond in the middle. Inside the locket was two pictures, one of Lucy and one of the three, Lucy, her mother and father. All smiling happily. Capricorn handed him the necklace telling him that it once belonged to Layla Heartfilia and he thought Natsu should gift it back to Lucy on her birthday that was coming soon. It would make her happy he had claimed.
So would the next item. Very happy indeed.
The Goat Spirit open a red box and inside it was a ruby ring. It was simple but mesmerizingly beautiful and had Natsu stare at it transfixed while Capricorn explained it used to belong to his old Master as well. It was Layla's engagement ring. She had given it to Capricorn just before she had passed away and told him to give it to the man Lucy would end up with. She had known that her daughter had always admired the simple yet very beautiful ring and she wanted her to have it, make her happy even after her death.
The ring's band was also in a white gold as the pendant, and the ruby formed as a small heart with round diamonds accenting it beautifully. Jude Heartfilia must've had a knack for hearts since every jewel Layla owned was always heart formed.
Natsu had been very overwhelmed when Capricorn gave him permission to have those two items to give it to the blonde he was in love with. He promised he would treasure the items and that he would return them to Lucy when the time was right.
But apparently that hadn't been the only surprise from the Goat Spirit that moment. They handed him a paper or to be exact a small map of Earth Land. A red circle around Alakitasia was formed and he asked firstly why they gave him the map and then about the circle.
"Aquarius' key is somewhere around here," Natsu stared at Loke in disbelief.
"What do you mean? How do you know?"
"With special permission from the Celestial Spirit King, he revealed the information. We can't tell you the exact location. This is the most we're allowed to do." Capricorn explained with a small smile.
Natsu's face lit up with a shit-eating grin spreading his lips. "Lucy will be thrilled when she hears this! I have to tell her now!" Capricorn stopped him from leaving by grabbing his scarf.
"I'm afraid you can't do that without breaking a rule. Lucy-sama can't know before you find the key. It's against the law for a Celestial Spirit Mage to venture to find a Golden Key who not only was the cause for it to be re-forged but also finding it by information leaked by us, her Spirits. She would be punished especially when she is a Gatekeeper."
Natsu stared at the Goat Spirit in shock. "So if she found the key by herself, pure luck, she could be punished too?" He asked trying to understand what he meant.
Loke nodded as he explained. "It's one of the rules here. Cruel but it's for safety precautions. Think if someone like Angel for instance broke several of her gold keys to summon the King, and then found the newly forged keys again so she could repeat the process over and over. It would not only cause a disturbance in the balance but it would also weaken us."
"I'm not following. So is Lucy allowed to make a new contract with Aquarius or is she not?" And why hadn't they told her about this? Lucy was already planning to find the key. The least they could do was to tell her this, Natsu thought annoyed.
"She is. As the Gatekeeper it's perfectly alright for Lucy to have her key back."
"Then why can't I show her this? You aren't making any sense." And giving him a headache.
"Because we aren't allowed to inform you in the first place. But we are Lucy-sama's spirit and we have witnessed the anguish and guilt since she had to sacrifice Aquarius, so we partition to tell her the location of the new key. The King agreed but only to have you find the key for her."
Furrowing his brows he looked at Capricorn. "Me? Why?" He was skeptical of why he was the one to find the key for her.. as he said, they didn't make any sense.
"Firstly because he's already breaking a rule by allowing us the knowledge of the location and informing you, secondly he want to protect Princess from her new found position as the Gatekeeper of Earth Land." Loke answered with a smirk slowly forming as he added. "And lastly our King has a weird hobby."
"Which is?"
"Matchmaking."
Natsu's jaw almost touched the ground by Loke's revelation. "The fuck?"
"He's not the only one. Him and Draco, and sometimes Hera or some other goddesses would scheme some dreaded matchmaking of random people. They had one time even convinced Eros to throw his arrow at the humans they had chosen, for sport. Let's just say, be happy you weren't one of those victims." Loke visibly shuddered as if a memory passed his mind.
"Are all the gods this, I don't know, ungodly?" Natsu was still baffled and thankful like Loke had stated, of not getting hit by an arrow of love. He didn't know what happened to those who had been and he didn't want to know either. The gods and goddesses were already weird as they already were. Or the ones he met, Draco and Mustache Man.
"Some are cool –"
"I believe we're getting off topic." Capricorn cleared his throat and looked at Natsu sternly. "We, the Zodiacs, ask of you to accept this secret mission of finding our comrade's key. Will you accept?"
"Of course but –"
"And will you keep this a secret from Lucy-sama?"
"That's what I'm still confused about. You start by saying she can't find the key because she would be punished and then you say if she found it by herself she would also be punished but then you say she can form a new contract with Aquarius? You're confusing and annoying me."
"I apologize for not making myself clear. Lucy-sama is the Gatekeeper of the Neutral Realm, Earth Land and that means special rules apply to her. I won't go into details of what those rules are because frankly I do not know them well enough but I know she would be punished if she had been giving this map but not only her. Our King as well. He can't abide her. So that's why he request you to find the key. The rules does not apply to you. But if you tell Lucy-sama you will not only risk her safety but the King's as well and perhaps your own too. We are not only talking punishment from the Celestial Realm but the Universe as well."
"But Loke said if she found the key by herself she would still get punished?" Natsu was only getting more confused and uneasy. The Universe could punish Lucy? What did that mean?
"Yes. As Leo stated earlier with the example of Sorano Aguria, laws of precaution had been made to save us and our two Realms from danger so therefore Lucy-sama could be risked with punishment but what Leo failed to mention was that since Lucy-sama has everyone's consent she can summon Aquarius to form a contract."
"Heh, I just love to tease him." Loke grinned mischievously at the Dragon Slayer.
"Alright let me get this straight – and fuck you Kitty Cat – Stache want me to fetch the key that's somewhere around Alakitsia without of Lucy's knowledge, hand it to her? And no punishment or whatsoever will happen?"
Capricorn nodded. "You find the key, bring it to Lucy-sama and she reunites with Aquarius."
"And keep it a secret from Luce."
"You really are a Flame Brain." Loke said rolling his eyes. "Yes you keep it a secret from Lucy. This is somewhat a very illegal if not also a dangerous mission."
"Fuck off Fur Ball. I understand it's dangerous, I heard ya the first time." Natsu snarled.
"Then why are you repeating yourself like a broken record? So uncool."
"Because this ruins every plans I made. First I'm not only going to lie to Luce but also keep a secret, then I have to be away from her for fuck knows how long. I had plans you know." He grumpily answered crossing his arms.
"It will only be a secret till you give her the key. Plus I'm sure she'll jump your bones by how happy you'll make her. She has been very depressed since Tartaros. All your sins will be forgiven."
"She already forgave me last night."
"Well we just delivered the perfect window of opportunity to have her accept to be your mate. I'm sure you'll be happy by receiving a very generous gift from her."
Natsu punched the Lion Spirit for his lewd comment and for having his annoying smug smile and his winking. As much as it sounded very tempting – Loke's thoughts – he didn't want Lucy to jump his "bones" before she accept to be his girlfriend. He want them to start slow and she didn't want to rush anything. She clearly stated so yesterday.
"Keep your perverted comment to yourself. Beside, she isn't my girlfriend yet." It was a sad fact causing him to turn all pouty and glum.
"Then I have an idea. We all know Lucy feels for you. We feel her emotions and are very attuned to them." Loke started as he got up on his feet after the gut punch.
"Let me hear." The sullen slightly depressed Dragon Slayer said in an uneasy tone. And he had every right to be uneasy when he saw the dark smirk on Loke's face.
"Make her jealous."
"How?" He didn't even know why he asked. The idea was idiotic, dreadful and would definitely make the blonde hate him even more and that was something he didn't want but he listened to Loke's advice anyways. He had no other reason not to.
"Well you're going on a mission since you accepted to find Aquarius' key, so all you have to say you're going on a mission with a girl that is not her. She'll be sooooo jealous. I can guarantee you that."
"Are you sure? Won't it just make her mad and ruin her trust in me?" That was not something he wanted plus he reminded himself that he didn't have to hurry nor had he to accept Loke's idea. But he had to admit he did want to see Lucy jealous. To see she did care for him just a tiny bit.
Damn he had it bad.
"Nah, don't worry. The worst she would do will be get angry but that just confirms she's jealous. Plus you know Lucy, she forgives easily." Loke shrugged his shoulder with a smirk planted on his lips.
"Then who?" He was cursing himself for asking. Here he was agreeing to make the woman he loves jealous despite he already told her that he would wait for her to accept him. Damn he felt like a jerk but Loke's idea did sound promising and it would be harmless, right? It's not like he was demanding her to be his girlfriend if she was to be jealous or be sad if she wasn't jealous. Whatever scenario he would still love her the same and continue his waiting.
So he nodded, agreeing to Loke's plan when he began elaborating. It sounded more and more harmless as he explained. And a small spark of hope was planted in his heart.
"Natsu?" He blinked when he was brought out of his thoughts when he felt light pressure on his right cheek. His gaze met a worried Lucy's, her brow furrowed.
"Y-yeah?"
She pulled her hand away and sat up, looking at him nervously and he could also see some part of hurt and instantly remembered what brought him back to his talk with the two male spirits. Eyes widened he sat up abruptly.
"What you said, do you mean it?" his heart was beating rapidly in his chest.
"Y-yes."
"Why?" She looked surprised by his bluntness.
"I-I don't… don't you want to?"
Alarmed by her low tone that just screamed sadness he shook his head which just made her tear up.
"No!" he yelled panicked. "I mean yes! Fuck don't cry Luce, I didn't mean to shake my head…"
"I d-don't un-understand.." Her lips quivered as tears sprung alive.
Sighing he pulled her into his embrace. "I'm sorry for making you cry. What I'm trying to say is of course I would love to have you as my mate but not now." His statement caused her to pull back staring at him in anguish.
"Wh-what?"
Feeling frustrated from his own stupidity he let out another deep sigh rubbing his temple. "I want to," He let his hands drop to his lap, "do this the human way. Court, get engaged, marry and then mate. I don't want you to miss out on all those things that you always wished for."
She just sat on her knees and stared at him in disbelief while he continued. "We're both young and have so many things we want to do before settling down. There's so many adventures out there that awaits us. And we both are so inexperienced with all this dating stuff that I thought that we should do it slow. Of course I want to mate and make your mine, my instincts are screaming to claim you but I don't think it's fair that I don't court you like you always wished for."
"Did-did you read my journal and diary?" Now it was his time to stare at her in disbelief, and slightly guilt.
"So you did." She mumbled and locked down her laps before realization sunk in and her head snapped up. "You did!"
"Only your journal of eligible males!" he shouted in defense.
Her mouth hung open as she stilled. "Wh-what?!"
"I just wanted to know what kind of guy you liked since I wanted to be that kind of guy to court you!"
"I didn't fall in love with you because I want you to act like some random guy I thought looked cute or acted nice! I fell you because you're Natsu, you idiot!"
Opening his mouth, ready with a retort he closed it again when she finished. "What?" He asked stunned.
"I don't need you to be anyone else. I love you just the way you are. My best friend, Natsu Dragneel is who I fell in love with." Her annoyance and anger wasn't gone but it had simmered down when she saw his surprised expression.
"Y-you mean that?"
She nodded and let out a sigh. "I fell in love you, Natsu. Way before we ended in this situation. You've been my best friend for so long and I've always loved you, but suddenly I found myself in love with you. It just happened."
"Wow."
"It's not hard to fall in love with an idiot like you." She giggled.
"But –"
"I still want to mate with you. I don't need someone to court me when I know that your my soul mate. You make me laugh, cry, annoy me, anger me but most of all you make me feel loved. Like you said earlier, we're best friends just with other titles thrown in the mix. I want to always be your best friend. Forever."
Stupid. That was what he felt he was. Utterly stupid. She was willingly telling him that the she had decided, made her mind that she wanted to be his mate while he was still stuck on changing his ways to make sure that he was like those traits she wished for in the "perfect" man. He was stupid to miss that this was Lucy, his best friend he was walking to.
Of course she didn't want those things when she already claimed she wanted him. She was sincere with her decision and feelings and he couldn't be more happier with this outcome.
It made him laugh. Out loud. It was so funny that first it had been him who tried to reason with her, make her realize that nothing much was changing in their new found relationship and now it was her telling him the same.
"Why are you laughing?" The blonde looked at him oddly as if he had lost his mind. He may very well have.
"Because… because I'm so stupid." He laughed.
"Only realizing now?" She giggled. He didn't say anything and just continued laughing as well as push every doubt that had manifested inside his heart and mind. Pushing every negative emotions and thought out of his heart and mind and let his laughter consume him in pure bliss.
Lucy not knowing exactly why he laughed but liking it joined him as the two just kept laughing and probably disturbed her neighbors, with no care in the world. She felt free and very much clear in her mind. The year of doubt, anger, betrayal and abandonment seemed ridiculous now, and only fueled her laughter.
People would think of them as if they were crazy by laughing so hysterically and nonstop but it was exactly what they needed. People could think whatever they want. Their laughter were rejuvenating, setting their inner demons, doubts free. Letting them see clear.
"O-okay." Natsu suddenly spoke after minutes – if not hours – of nonstop laughing. Both of them were lying on their backs as they faced the dark ceiling while eyes were squinted close as tears trailed down their reddened faces and bodies trembling and stomachs aching.
Lucy opened her eyes turning her head to face him while her lips were still trembling. "O-okay?"
Turning his body fully, lying sideways he grinned widely and nodded. "Okay."
Instantly Lucy understood and matched his grin feeling wonderful. "Okay!"
"But first after my mission."
"Alright," that was actually okay with the blonde. It meant she had time to prepare for whatever she needed to prepare for.
"But I still want to do all those things first." Her face fell by his seriousness.
"What things?"
"Take you on a few dates, then surprise you with a proposal and have you change your last name to Dragneel." He told with a wide grin.
Lucy Dragneel, both of them thought at the same time feeling warmth spread through their body. For Natsu it would be the second best accomplishment other than actually mating with her, intertwining their souls and starting their new life as expected parents to be.
For Lucy it would be a dream come true. Not only did it mean she married but she married her best friend, the person that made her feel complete and whole. It meant family.
"You never cease to amaze me." Lucy looked at him with adoration and turned her body to lie just him bringing a hand to stroke his cheek tenderly. "You truly are an amazing guy, Natsu Dragneel, and I'm lucky that I'm yours."
Smiling lovingly at her, he put his own hand over hers and pushed it gently to his lips kissing the palm of her hand. "I'm luckier to be yours, Luce. Your my happiness. The Fire that's burning in my soul, the stars –"
"Don't go all romantic on me." She cut him off as she teased him.
"Is stating the obvious romantic?" He grinned.
"Coming from you, yes. But I admit that I like it." She said giggling.
"Then what can I do to make you love it?"
"Kiss me."
"Gladly."
So this happened. XD I couldn't help with making another fluff and explanatory chapter. Now you know what those items in his pockets were and I hope it pleases you xD
Making Natsu romantic is so weird yet so adorable! The women at the guild would be so proud of him while I think the men would rip their ears off hearing him so affectionate xD
Bluebolt050: Sorry *wink wink* didn't happen this chapter BUT it will happen soon. That I can promise you xD And I'm glad you feel special because you are! Everyone of my readers are special and I am happy for your encouraging words! Luckily a writers block haven't caught up in me with this story as it has with my other ones xD
Johnny Spectre: Sorry for being a meanie xD
authorshateus: Thanks! I wasn't ready either xD
Braveartemisknight: I know I'm freaking kind with my cliffhangers xD And you'll surely love me even more know that I once again updated early again but then you'll probably hate me as well because "nothing" serious happened… yet xD
Guest: LOL xD Ya probably disappointed that they didn't get down and dirty yet xD soooooon.
Helenezahl: Det er nemlig det jeg er. Eller jeg er halv dansk og halv tyrkisk xD og ja Lucy gav ham og Draco et godt spark som de vel og mærke fortjente. XD Tak for du kunne lide den, håber du også kan lide denne her kapitel. ^-^ Og en masse kærlighed tilbage til dig fra mig i lille bitte Danmark ^-^
Kuki: Thanks ^-^ And yeah, I know I need to have it revised and corrected it, and I'm trying to do my best by editing and proofread it. It's hard to find someone else who I feel comfortable showing my work to (irl of course), but I'll definitely try do my best from now on so truly, thanks for pointing it out. I sincerely appreciate your input. ^-^
Shunakoo25: Sorry xD I want them mated now as well but let's see if Natsu can manage to keep himself from jumping her xD And thanks, I try to update as fast as I can and you all keep me motivated so I keep writing, meaning earlier updates! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay xD
amzerlex: Thank you! And here's your update xD yeah, my friend and her father's situation sucks, but that's life… anyway, enjoy xD
And thanks to those of you who've read, faved and followed as well! Y'all keep me soaring through the skies!
The next chapter is in the writing process and will probably be out soon (not today though), so you don't have to wait too long! XD And the title will be: Interruptions. Lol xD
Keep reviewing, fave and follow!
Peace out! I love you all!
-Oby Abel-