I giggled evilly to myself as Salamander looked away from me, a guilty red tint to his cheeks. He was at the helm, next to Erza and speaking with her. I was next to Jellal and Gray, sitting at a small table and playing cards.

"Alright that's the third smirk you've thrown at Salamander and the third

time he's blushed and looked away. What's going on?" Jellal asked and I looked up at him, giving him an innocent look.

"What are you talking about?" I asked and Gray tossed down his cards, leaning forward with a grin.

"Alright I'm interested. Did you and Natsu get it on?" He asked and I blinked at him before casually pushing my foot into his chest and knocking him over. He groaned and picked himself up.

"I didn't hook up with Salamander, I'm dedicated to Sting. I just...taught Salamander a lesson he won't soon forget." I said and both boys looked at each other then at me, tossing my cards down and collecting the money.

"Don't you and Sting have a deal that nothing counts if it's for a good reason?" Jellal asked and I raised my nose, ignoring him.

"No clue what you're talking about." I said and Gray cackled.

"If that's true then I can give you plenty of good reasons." The ice mage said and I glowered at him. He shut his mouth and I sat back in my seat.

"Nothing happened. Just something that I told him in a way he would understand." I said before getting up. I knew Salamander was watching me. I nudged Cana and she turned, grinning at me and taking a quick swig of her drink.

"Lucifer! There you are babe!" She said and draped an arm over my shoulder, pointing into the distance.

"Are you excited?" She asked and I tilted my head.

"About what?" I asked and she pointed to a black dot where we were headed.

"To get to the guild hall! We'll be there maybe a day or two, we'll see the other members of the guild that aren't on the ship and we'll be home for a few hours. You'll love it! It's where a lot of us grew up!" She giggled and I raised my brows.

"Oh?" I asked and she nodded.

"It's true...a lot of us did grow up in that building...to be honest I was feeling kinda home sick myself." I turned at the sound of Salamanders voice. He held my gaze for a moment then looked at Cana. She took the hint, chugging the rest of her beer down.

"Oh hey I'm out...I'm go refill." She said slyly and walked away. I looked back at the man in front of me.

"What do you want Salamander?" I asked, lifting my head up just a bit more so he could fully see the mask, my hat no longer hiding most of my face. He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking at me.

"You know you look prettier without the mask." He said and I narrowed my eyes.

"What is this, a courtship? Please hold my sword while I swoon." I said dramatically and he offered a slight grin, shrugging.

"I don't know...just seems like you're more...Lucy and not Lucifer when it's off. And it lets me see more of your face." He explained and I frowned slightly.

"I just took on the name Lucifer, how would you know the difference hm?" I inquired as he walked forward, coming to my side at the edge of the ship. I turned halfway so I was facing him as he gave me a sideways glance.

"You started wearing the mask after Galluna Island...that's when Lucifer came to be, she just wasn't given a name. So you've been Lucifer ever since you put on the mask. Maybe even since you joined Sabertooth. But when the mask comes off no matter how hard you try...I can see right through you." He paused for a moment, taking in my face before continuing. "You try and act heartless, like the world is your enemy and you can't trust anyone. You think we'll all hurt you, that you have to be cold hearted and ruthless to be Captain when you're so wrong. You're actually pretty amazing when you're not hiding behind the mask." He said. I felt like he had punched me. I blinked at him before huffing, my breath coming out in a little cloud.

"That's what you have to be to be the Captain of Sabertooth." I said, being honest. He let out a huff himself as he looked back at me.

"Well then maybe you shouldn't be at Sabertooth." He said suddenly and my eyes widened in surprise.

"Excuse me?"

"I didn't stutter."

"What the hell Salamander!? When you didn't get off last night did the cum go to your brain?" I hissed and he frowned.

"What? You're still going back to them after they abandoned you? You're going back to them when they don't care about you?" He said and his words hurt. A lot.

"Shut up pyro!"

"Or what? You can't handle the truth Miss Big-bad-nothing-bothers-me-at-all? You're going back to a crew that doesn't care, and a boy who lied to you and doesn't love you-" I pushed my face into his, my chest against his and my arms at my side, my hands in fists.

"And what, you do!? How would you know!? You don't know anything! You're a quitter! You quit on me after promising to stay with me and be my friend and to never hurt me! Look around Salamander! You're the only one causing any hurt at the moment! How would you know what Sting feels?!" I seethed in rage and he glared back.

"I just know okay! Just trust me on this~" I pointed my finger in his face, just under his chin.

"No no you shut up! Why on Earth-Land would I trust you!? You kidnapped me, beat me, gave me back to my father and when you decided to play hero and change your mind, you sexually assaulted me. Why should I trust you?" I demanded and he looked at me, his eyes softening.

"Because I think you might be my mate." He whispered and I pulled away, stumbling slightly.

"Wh-what?" I sputtered and he looked at me with a mixture of hope and regret.

"No no that's nonsense!" I yelled and he scratched the back of his head. I took a deep breath of anger.

"Alright fine. Kiss me." I said stubbornly and his eyes nearly popped from his skull.

"What?" He asked in disbelief.

"You said the only way to be certain is by kissing that person. And biting doesn't count and that's the only thing that has happened." I said. He looked unsure for a moment and I narrowed my eyes.

"Can't do it can-" He cut me off, moving forward quickly and grabbing my arms. I closed my eyes, expecting to feel lips against mine but my eyes snapped open in surprise when I felt the pink haired boys lips on my forehead. His eyes were closed as his soft lips pressed against my head. I never let anyone touch or kiss there. It was too intimate, something my mother and father had done when we were all still happy. He slowly pulled away, his eyes fluttering open as he looked at me. He was slightly out of breath and his fingers were twitching around my shoulders. He looked down at me, staring at my upset eyes and unhappy face at him touching me.

"You're...you're…" He looked at me again, swallowing hard and slowly stepping away, looking to the side.

"You're...not my mate. You were right." He flinched as he said it and I slowly nodded, crossing my arms.

"I told you." I said harshly, walking away and trying to keep my legs from giving out on me.

-edited version-