I wonder why he's acting so weird? You know what it's probably the whole war thing. He's worried about his crew and guild, That's understandable. I thought, opening the door to his room. I hadn't been in here since after we fought of the king when they meant to trade me.
I crinkled my nose at the smell and look of it.
"No way in hell I can sleep in here…" I muttered to myself, pulling the curtains over the doors. I made the quick decision to clean his room up, hoping he wouldn't think of it like an invasion of privacy. I pulled off my jacket, tossing it on the bed and after some shuffling I found a hamper.
I started moving around, picking up all the dirty clothes strewn throughout the room and under the bed. It took about five minutes to get everything together, pushing the basket aside I looked at the now much improved room. I huffed. Jeez this guy, when was the last time he cleaned it? I grabbed a golden key.
"Open! Gate of the Maiden! Virgo!" I chanted and a second later she appeared, bowing.
"Hello master." She greeted. I sighed, not liking the nickname but she refused to call me anything else, excluding princess which was not tolerated.
"Hey Virgo, can you maybe take these to the spirit world and wash them real fast?" I asked and she nodded, picking up the basket easily and looking around.
"Would you like me to return and help you clean Master?" She asked and I gave her a grin.
"That would be great." I told her. About an hour later Virgo and I had his room clean, every fish bone or plate of food or random food was gone, his sheets and blanket was washed along with his clothes which I had organized in his previously empty wardrobe. Virgo had put a powder on the rug then sucked it up in a vacuum, bringing out the dirt and smell, showing off a rather intricate design. I had organized his desk, being careful not to read anything and just stacking things in piles based on the type of document, making everything look neat. I sighed in happiness, pulling off my clothes and handing them to Virgo, her handing me panties and a night shirt which I pulled on before she left. I flopped onto the luxurious bed and shimmied under the covers, curling up and falling asleep quickly.
-!-1-1-1-1
I tied down the rope, clapping Elfman on the back.
"Alright, since you've got it I'm gonna go check on Lucifer." I told him and he nodded, grinning stupidly.
"Lucifer? She's a real man!" He complimented. I simply chuckled, turning my back. There was about half an hour before dinner was ready and I was worried that she hadn't eaten all day. I took the steps two at a time, smirking at Erza who avoided my gaze while steering, a dark red blush on her face. I looked over at Jellal who was also avoiding eye contact.
"Can you go wake Wendy up so she can eat? She's been asleep all day as well." I asked and he nodded, jumping up and rushing away. I looked back at Erza and grinned.
"Nice grip." I said casually and she jolted, her face becoming redder than her hair. I let out a laugh, enjoying the one and only thing I would ever be able to tease her about. I sighed happily at her reaction and opened the door carefully into my room, the curtains pulled over the windows to block the light, vague outlines around the room. I made my way through to the edge of the boat where there was a row of windows, shoving the curtains gently so that they were quiet but moved all the way down, I frowned slightly at how clear they were, letting in much more light than usual. What happened?
I turned, facing Lucifer but freezing when I saw my room, my jaw dropping. It was...clean? My clothes were gone from the floor and...everywhere. The countless fishbones and plates of half eaten food were gone. The rug that covered most of my floor was clean, the colors more vibrant than they had been in years. And the smell. It smelled like my usual cologne but mixed with something else; I took a deep breath, clean crisp scents filling my nose and then I caught it. Strawberries. Lucifer.
My gaze snapped to my bed, seeing the outline of her body curled up on my bed. I had calmed my hormones from earlier so I wasn't in danger of pouncing on her. I very slowly dragged my eyes away from her, looking around the room again. I walked slowly to my desk. There were three piles of papers, maps, letters and then sheets with data on them. The ink bottle had been closed and the three pens were cleaned off and in a neat row. I moved to my closet, opening it and finding all of my missing clothes; washed and pressed and hanging up. I raised my brows, slowly closing the wardrobe and smiling at the sleeping form on my bed. I walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed and putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Lucifer...Lucifer wake up." I said quietly and she shifted slightly, barely opening her eyes and turning towards me.
"Wha...Naa." She mumbled, clearly still mostly asleep. My heart leapt into my throat, it sounded like she was about to say my name. I looked at her hopefully, giving her a grin.
"Hey...you need to wake up and eat." I said quietly and she frowned, shivering.
"Nuh." She mumbled, turning over completely and draping her arm over my waist, snuggling into me. I froze, holding my breath.
"Lucifer...come on you need to eat you're….burning up." I said slowly as I brushed her cheek with my hand. I frowned, pulling the covers back and doing my best to ignore her mostly bare legs. I felt her forehead and neck, mentally cursing my own body heat so I couldn't feel anything.
"Alright hold on." I muttered, starting to get up. She grasped my jacket, not firmly but lightly.
"Dun leave." She muttered and I bit my lip. Wendy was still tired and wouldn't be able to heal her till at least tomorrow.
"I'll be right back alright?" I told her, tentatively running a hand through her hair. She paused, her head falling back onto my pillows and closing her eyes. I nodded, jumping up and moving out of the room quickly. I opened the door, leaning against it in the doorway.
"Erza come here." I instructed and she looked over in surprise at my tone, Happy tilted his head.
"Is something wrong Natsu?" He asked and I looked over at him.
"Don't worry about it, can you steer while Erza comes in for a minute?" I asked and he nodded, taking the wheel from Erza who walked towards me quickly. I pushed away from the door as she came in and I pointed her towards the sleeping blonde on my bed.
"Can you check to see if she's warm? I can't tell…" I said, holding up my hands and she nodded, reaching forward and putting her hand on Lucifers forehead. She frowned for a moment, moving her hand slightly across the blondes skin before moving down to her neck.
"She's burning up. I'll go get Wendy." She said, starting to walk out but I grabbed her arm.
"Wendy is still exhausted. It won't do any good to worry her. She'll heal Lucifer after she's eaten." I said and Erza slowly nodded.
"Alright, do you want me to stay with her until then?" She asked and I licked my lips, worry all over my face. I knew Erza would take care of Lucifer and would be careful but I didn't want to leave. I shook my head.
"No, go eat and once Wendy is done eating give her a few minutes and ask her how she's feeling. If you think she's got enough energy then send her up. If not send her back to bed." I instructed and she nodded.
"Alright, I'll have food sent up for you both, try and get her to eat." Erza said and I nodded myself.
"Alright, I don't know if she's contagious so try and keep everyone out of here, wash your hands after leaving." I told her and she nodded turning and walking out.
"Mmm you're sexy when you're serious." A soft voice mumbled and the hairs on my neck stood up. I looked back to see a barely awake Lucifer staring at me through hardly opened eyes.
"You're sicker than I thought if you're saying that." I muttered, walking back over. She giggled but stopped when she had a small coughing fit. I got to the side of the bed and she rolled onto her back, throwing her arms open as if wanting a hug. I looked at her and sighed at the fact she wasn't wearing pants. I rubbed my face, looking up to the ceiling.
"Why me?" I mumbled, sending a prayer up to Mavis. I kicked off my boots, not wanting to get the sheets dirty. I wasn't sure of how she had managed to get everything cleaned and washed but she had done it and honestly I was grateful for the fresh scent and not to be attacked with crumbs or cat hair. I pulled off my jacket, pausing mid movement when I went to toss it on the ground. My room looked so nice when it was clean. I draped my jacket over the pole on my bed, taking my scarf from my head and wrapping it around my neck. I didn't get to wear it around my neck usually but it always felt right when I did. It made me feel safer.
I pushed the blanket to the foot of the bed, not wanting it to warm Lucifers temperature anymore. I sat down, scooting over so I wasn't on the very edge, leaning my back against the headboard and laying my legs out on the bed; crossing them at the ankles. Half a second later I felt weight on my lap and looked down to see Lucifer had rolled halfway on top of me.
"Cuddle like beforrre." She whined and I frowned, my brow furrowing. What did she mean? We had never cuddled before except that-
For the second time that day I was reminded of many years ago, the day in the dungeon where she had clung to me and cried into my tiny chest. This was different however, we were older and my arms were free. I wasn't bruised and bloody. I took a deep breath, hooking my hands under her arms and dragging her up, moving my legs apart so that she settled between them, her leaning against my chest. I wrapped an arm around her lower back, moving my pillows behind me so that I could be comfortable as well. She moved her arms behind my waist and I shifted slightly to adjust, her head right under my chest as she seemed to fall asleep again.
I sighed, looking down at her sleeping face and running my hand through her blonde hair gently. "If you were in a sober mind set you would have my head. I wonder how many secrets you would tell me if you were drunk." I pondered aloud, continuing to play with her hair. It felt nice, just holding someone close. It had been forever since I had.
What am I going to do? If it does count as a mark then why hasn't it mattered before? Why has it never come into effect? Maybe it was because at the time I didn't know what it was, now that I acknowledge it or remember does that mean it counts? Is there anyway to undo it? Mavis this is so messed up. I can't even deny it anymore. Mavis I love this woman. I don't want to let her go. I don't want to leave her I don't want her to leave me. I want her to love me back. Does she know how I feel about her? Does she know the changes I've felt since I've been near her? I wonder if she maybe feels the same? She would never admit to it though...unless I did first. Maybe I could get her to forget Sabertooth, forget Sting. I want her to love me, to love Fairy Tail. I have about a day and a half before I have to say goodbye. There isn't any time. I...I have to tell her. I will tell her! As soon as Wendy heals her I'll confess. I'll ask her to stay. The guild and crew love her. How could they not? She's great. I smiled in excitement, thinking about how it would go. I would confess to her and she would blush, admitting to feeling the same. I would move forward and kiss her, we would live happily ever after-
Lucifer shifted in her sleep, snuggling closer to me and I paused, looking down at her.
"Mm...Sting…" She whispered and my breath hitched, my eyes watering as my heart plummeted.
-edited version-