Rated M.
M is for MATURE people, if I can pretend to be, then you can too.
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING! *sob* However sometimes I wonder if Mashima-sama used to follow me around and take character ideas from me and my friends.
At least let a girl dream!
RATED M-RATED M-RATED M RATED M RATED M!
RATED M-RATED M-RATED M RATED M RATED M!
Chapter 27
Stardust
Natsu laid in his lover's bed wide awake. Morning was soon to come, but the sun had not yet come to reclaim the night. The wizard stared up at the ceiling while he listened to his beloved's soft breathing. His heart was troubled as he recalled a conversation he'd had last night.
-FLASHBACK-
"You're really getting on my nerves, four-eyes. What do you think you're doin?" Natsu approached Loke slowly, his body language screaming out his will to fight.
The lion spirit leaned on the railing in front of the master's office and shook his head at the dragonslayer coming closer. "You just don't get it. I guess I'm not surprised, Celestial wizards don't speak of it much so it makes sense that you wouldn't know."
"You're the one who doesn't get it." Natsu clutched his hands into fists. "Time for you to go back to your litter box, cat."
The sandy haired spirit stood up straight and half grinned with his eyes closed, his hands rested in his pockets claiming he was unperturbed about the dragon coming to rip his head off. "Changes are happening Natsu. Changes that have been brought on by your damn animal instincts. You ravished my summoner yet you have no idea of the consequences something like that can bring." He looked to the fire wizard then, and narrowed his eyes. "You need to back off, and let someone who knows a thing or two to stay close to Lucy."
"What?" Natsu was beyond angry now, "I ain't going no where. You're the one who needs to back off. I love her, and it's way better for her than whatever notch you're trying to put on your bedpost."
Loke scoffed, looking up to the ceiling. "You love her? Whatever man. Your weird little dragon claim is simple infatuation. For her sake, you need to step aside before she gets hurt."
"What do you know." Natsu growled, his fists started to catch flame.
Cocking an eyebrow, Loke said to him, "I know that love is fickle and soon your instincts will find you something you think smells better and you will leave my summoner tainted and broken. Step aside now so I can help her. What you've done already has changed the general flow of her crea-"
Natsu held him by the collar of his suit and lifted him off the floor. His eyes were shadowed as he spoke, "If you think a dragon's love is fickle then so be it. If you're so confident then you will leave and let our love play out. I'm telling you though... you ain't getting a chance with her because she's mine." He looked up and showed the puny Celestial spirit the golden, slitted eyes of the son of Igneel. "Hate to burst your bubble, but a dragon's claim is forever. She's with me."
It took immense will power to set his mate's contracted spirit back on his feet. Loke straightened his suit and frowned at him. "I will be back to speak to her some other time. I can tell you're being unreasonable. Watch her carefully Natsu. She's going through changes that she doesn't even understand. I know she'll call for me soon." He smirked, "I don't have to stalk her constantly to make sure she doesn't forget about me."
Natsu growled and punched at the puff of smoke where Loke had been standing.
Gripping his fists so hard they shook, Natsu muttered through ground teeth, "Asshole."
-END FLASHBACK-
Natsu sighed. Sleep would not come for him again, he had too much swimming around in his mind. He sat up and looked over his shoulder at the sound of his mate's murmurs. She was so beautiful. Lucy rolled over and laid her head where his had just been and smiled sweetly in her sleep. Watching her turned an upward curl to his lips. He would never understand how she had chosen him. By running from him that night at the ball, he knew she had chosen to walk his path. Such was much of the reason he called her Dragon Charmer. Not many would think to flee only to gain. Heh, guess us dragons really are weird.
Lucy understood him though, and for that he owed her a debt he could never repay—but spend his entire lifetime trying.
Digging through his hair, Natsu realized his mind was still swimming with too many thoughts. How was a guy supposed to get any sleep with all this stuff controlling the direction his of mind? Lucy was his, and he was Lucy's. All the other things were pointless. He stood up, stretched and found his clothes.
Crap. I still don't have a vest. Guess I should head home. He turned and looked back at Lucy. I'll be back before you wake, I love you. Natsu deftly left through the window and closed it securely behind him. On street level, he enjoyed a run back to the cottage he shared with Happy.
^.^
All was dark in the closed guild hall. With the first brushes of light brought the door swinging open revealing Mirajane and Erza to start a new day. They chatted lightly with each other as they brought some bags of groceries in. Mirajane only held one because her friend had insisted that she carry all the others. Honestly, Erza was more chivalrous than most men nowadays.
They set the bags down on the bar and went to work putting them away.
"So Jellal had no hard feelings then?"
"Of course not." Erza said matter of factly, "Jellal understands the risk of standing against what is right." She smirked to herself, "and he knows what happens should he stand against me as well..."
Mirajane giggled nervously, "Of course! Yes well, there is certainly a reason why we're so proud to have Erza Scarlet as a member here!"
The battle maiden turned and nodded to her friend with a smile, "As we are proud to have you as well, She-demon of FairyTail."
It was when they had almost finished tucking the rest of the groceries away that Gajeel and Natsu both came storming into the guild yelling at each other. Erza and Mirajane peeked around the corner, curious about the sudden commotion.
"No way man, you know how much trouble I almost got into cuzza last time? I'm not doin it dude! Gramps would have us cleanin the basement for a month!" Natsu barked at him.
"I knew you lost your balls the second you showed up here yesterday stinkin like the bunny-girl. You ain't got any guts no more." Gajeel folded his arms and shook his head.
"I got balls!" Natsu yelled at him, "plenty enough to kick your ass!"
The iron dragonslayer barked back, "Just try it Salamander! You ain't got nuthin anymore!"
They were growling at each other when Erza walked out from the walk-in pantry, "Good morning boys, so lovely to see you getting along this early in the morning."
The two of them stopped, Gajeel just turned to look her direction, but Natsu yelped, "Oh hey Erza! Yea you know us! FairyTail friends all the way!"
"Yea. Whatever." Gajeel turned around and walked out.
The ladies watched Natsu as he watched Gajeel exit. Natsu seemed a tad nervous.
"Oy, Natsu, what was that about?" Erza asked, making her way out from behind the counter.
"Hmm?" The fire wizard looked back to her, "nothing really. That guy just doesn't know when to quit."
The battle maiden raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And you do, I suppose?"
"Eh heh, heh," Natsu scratched his head, knowing he didn't have much room to talk.
Suddenly Mirajane smiled brightly, "Oh my goodness! Natsu doesn't want to get in anymore trouble because he has a lady he needs to impress!"
"OH!" Erza clasped her hands together and her eyes went wide, "You're right! NATSU! You and Lucy?! When is the wedding? I will see that the cake will the the grandest in all the land!"
Stepping back warily, "Uh..." Natsu raced around Erza and slammed his palms onto the counter in front of Mirajane, "Mira! We need food! Hurry before she traps meee!"
As though the mage already knew why Natsu had come, she held out a small bag of groceries with that sweet, understanding smile.
Natsu grinned broadly and thanked her, snatching the bag, "I'll talk to ya later, Erza!" He high-tailed it out of there.
The red haired mage ran after him until the front door, "You get back here Natsu! I will find you! Natsu!"
Mirajane placed a hand on her shoulder, "It'll be alright. Give it time, you know they'll let us know eventually. I happen to recall a certain requip mage that took her dear sweet time letting us know about her relations."
With a heavy sigh, Erza followed Mirajane back into the guild.
^.^
With a spring in his step, the fire wizard was excited that nothing happened on his way back to Lucy's. No iron dragon laying in wait to snatch him into something—probably fun—or some jerk ice guy to push him into a fight. Happy hadn't even showed up. He should take him fishing tomorrow. With a leap to her window, he saw that she was already out of bed. Upon entering her home, he scanned the area. There was stardust everywhere! What the hell is going on?
He walked through the bedroom and noticed the speckled silver dust was heavier around the bathroom door. He closed his eyes and casually knocked, "Hey Luce, are ya in there?"
He waited and got nothing. Natsu knew she was in there, the her scent was all too strong. He stared at all the silver glitter floating around and frowned. He knocked again, a little harder. "Luce! What are ya doin?"
Nothing...
"Alright, you're kinda freakin me out so I'm comin in!" His grin was full of sharp teeth. Upon opening the door, he froze. Holy hell! This stardust stuff is everywhere! I can hardly see anything! Suddenly very worried about his mate, Natsu stepped forward to where he knew the bath was. He squatted down next to it and could see that Lucy was soaking in the tub—but she had fallen asleep, and her head was dangerously close to sinking under the water in her slouched position.
He dipped his hands into the water and brought her up a bit, man she's slippery... and so smooth! "Luce.. Lucy!"
She looked like she was sleeping soundly but his moving her should have woke her, she looked flushed. Natsu sat her up and felt her forehead, no fever, just warm from her bath. "Luce!" He shook her a little.
"Oh Nat...suuu," she murmured, still sleeping.
"Wouldja wake up already, ya weirdo! Luce!"
Natsu jumped when the stardust started twirling around. He tightened his grasp on her shoulders as he looked up and down and all around, "Hey... uh, Luce? What's goin on?" He looked back to her, "Wake up!"
To his immense relief, her eyes fluttered open and the stardust in the air started fluttering down onto their skin. "Na, Natsu...?" She blinked.
"Are you okay?" Natsu stared into her dilated eyes, "sleeping in the tub is bad, ya know."
"The... what? Tub!" Lucy looked around her and squealed, "What are you DOING in here! Natsu GET OUT!" She pushed him away and he scrambled back to the bedroom, "and SHUT the door!"
Standing up, Natsu shut the door and sighed, "Yeeesh Luce! I was only checking to see if you were okay..." He looked to his arm and raised an eyebrow at the stardust seeping into his arm. I'm... absorbing it? But this is Lucy's magic... WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
He was leaning against the door he'd just shut, examining the disappearing dust when Lucy opened it, promptly tumbling a dragonslayer back into the bathroom. "Aggg!"
Lucy looked down at him blocking her way, "Natsu, quit screwin around.." as she stepped over him, draped in a towel.
Natsu rubbed his head, "Geez, that's cold Luce."
The Celestial mage bit her lip and turned around, "I'm sorry Natsu... old habits and all."
He still sat on the floor with a disgruntled expression.
With a sigh, Lucy walked back into the bathroom and sat down in front of him, her legs tucked neatly under her. She took his hand and placed it on her heart, "I'm sorry."
He repositioned himself so that he was squatting in front of her and took hold of her shoulders, "I was really worried about cha Luce! All that stardust everywhere, and you were asleep in there." His eyes widened, "you wouldn't wake up! You were sleeping way deeper than you normally do. What's goin on?"
"I don't know Natsu..." Lucy's eyes started to water. "This is news to me, I just don't know."
Suddenly she found herself in his arms, warm, strong, loving arms. "Don't cry, Luce." Natsu's voice was soft but confident, "We'll figure this out." He cupped her chin in his hand and kissed both her eyes so that he could share in her tears. He then stared into them deeply, "I'm going to have to ask you not to take a bath without me around." He half smiled, "Wizards aren't supposed to drown in their own bath."
Lucy blushed, "Are you kidding me? What, are you just gonna sit and watch?"
"Now there's an idea!" He grinned brightly, "I could even help! There wouldn't be a chance of you falling asleep then!"
"Oh man... maybe we should just play this by ear instead of planning out my next bath time..."
"Heheheh," Natsu was still thinking about it.
Lucy groaned and started to get up, but it seemed to be a thing now that her dragon would pull her back down into a kiss. He'd pulled her into his lap and immediately pushed his tongue into her mouth. Natsu growled into her lips and massaged her tongue with his magically warmed one. Lucy moaned into his passionate kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her heart started racing and she enjoyed his exploration past her lips. It was when he started pulling her towel down that Lucy breathed heavily and broke the lip lock, "Natsu!"
"Let's get into the shower now Luce," her hunter responded huskily.
"No Natsu, I want breakfast."
He started nibbling the bosom above her towel, "So after breakfast we'll get in the shower?"
"I want to, ahh! Natsu! I wanna go to the guild to~day..!"
His fingers were all over her, the towel had been considerably loosened, "I already went there, we got everything we need right here." He curled his warm tongue under the towel to go over her pert nipple.
"Yugh!" He was getting her all revved up, "Na, Nastu!" She started pushing him away and he whimpered.
"Aww, Luce! Why do ya keep doing that!"
His lover stood up and adjusted her towel, "I just got myself all washed up to start the day! Forgive me if I don't want to make myself all sweaty again so soon!"
He showed those pointy teeth again in a grin, "But then we'd get that shower!"
Exiting the bathroom and walking to her closet, "You are so incorrigible!"
Natsu was now leaning against the bathroom doorway, "Totally encourageable!" He barely caught her damp towel she'd aimed at his face from her closet—where he couldn't see her.
"Get us something ready to eat Natsu!"
"Mmmm, your towel's still warm. I'm takin it with me!"
"Just put it in the hamper, wouldja!" She yelled from her closet.
"No way." Natsu draped it over his neck and walked into the kitchen.
Dressing herself in a black skirt and white sweater, Lucy sat on the bed and pulled on some white knee high socks. She started to smell sausage as she clamped her hair up just right so that its golden strands would feather out around the clamp. Smiling to herself she said, "It's kind of nice havin this guy around. Smells great!"
Her eyes widened when Natsu popped his head in, "You like me around for more reasons than just my flambe skills!"
"Damnit Natsu! Can't you turn your ears off once and a while?!"
"No way," he grinned, "ya never know what I might miss out on!" He scratched his cheek, "maybe you should stop talking to yourself." He ducked beneath a slipper she threw at him and laughed back into the kitchen. "Breakfast is up Luce!"
Lucy came into the kitchen to see the dragon standing proudly in the kitchen. He'd cooked several sausage patties, heated bread into toast, and had slices of cheese out. "Uh, sorry, I can't really do eggs, but there's eggs in here too."
She smiled and walked up to him and pecked his cheek, "That's fine, eggs are quick. I'll scramble some up if you'll get this to the table. Thank you Natsu."
"Not a problem. If the dragon charmer wants breakfast, it's the least I can do." Natsu kissed the bridge of her neck before gathering up what he'd prepared. He set them on the table quickly and returned to her in the amount of time it took her to set out the eggs and grab the skillet. She started breaking the eggs, handing the shells to him to throw away. While they worked, Natsu started the conversation.
"So the first time you ever saw that stardust stuff was when Mira took us to that forest right?"
Lucy turned around to grab some milk for the eggs. "Yea that's right, but I don't think that has much to do with anything other than us being in that crazy place. Everyone's magic was acting at least a little weird."
Natsu shrugged. "Not mine."
"That's just because you're always weird."
"Heh," Natsu grinned, "you're probably right. Okay... so when was the next time?"
"In the.." Lucy started.
"Tent." They both finished. Lucy blushed, and Natsu quickly wrapped his arms around her waist while she scrabbled the eggs. He buried his face in her neck as they both fondly returned back to that night. How the stardust reflected his orange glow—of how he'd lusted over her with such intense animal passion.
"You gave us a great memory, Luce. When you agreed to be my mate..." He lifted his face to smell her hair.
She blushed and removed the skillet from the heat, "...the eggs are done."
Natsu placed his hands on her hips and spun her around, catching her in a kiss before she'd finished turning. The kiss was short lived, but when her dragon met her eyes again, they were filled with earnest, grateful love. His hand caressed her cheek and he said, "Thank you Luce. I wanted you—so much, but for a while there I worried I would never be the one to claim you."
Lucy smiled, "Well... it didn't seem like you'd take no for an answer."
"Not when you kept running away like that." Natsu smirked.
He followed his egg-wielding mate to the table and they sat down to eat. Of course Natsu ate more than half of what was prepared before Lucy was even halfway done with her single plate. He tilted his chair back and reached for another loaf of bread that sat on the counter.
"Soooo, let's say the tent was the first 'normal' time my magic leaked out, since we weren't in some who knows how magical kinda place." Lucy continued.
"Okay." Natsu started toasting the bread he held in his hand, "so why did the stardust go all over us in the tent?"
"Hmm..." Lucy was still flushed from remembering that night, "emotional magic?"
Her partner thought about it for a moment, "We were being pretty sappy there for a little bit..."
"Really Natsu?!" Lucy yelled at him.
"Woah!" He held his hands up, "don't throw a fork at me or anything, I was just saying!" He leaned forward, "you'd finally—finally admitted that you not only liked me, but you agreed to be my mate. That's heavy stuff, Luce. If my emotions can increase my fire, then maybe it's sumthin like that."
"The whole, make-Natsu-mad-to-get-him-to-kick-the-enemy's-butt technique?" Lucy smirked.
Natsu smirked as well, "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." ((Natsu-the big, pink HULK))
Thinking it over for a moment, she nodded. "Seems like a good hypothesis, but-"
"Hypotha-what now?"
"Hypothesis."
"Hypothamiss? You mean hippopotamus?"
"No Natsu, nevermind!"
"But what about just now...?" Lucy continued. "I was just taking a bath..."
"Hmm." Normally Natsu wouldn't care to talk about this kind of stuff, but it involved his mate's safety, so he persevered. "Maybe you fell asleep because of how much magical energy you'd used." Natsu frowned, "why are you casting spells in the bathtub anyway?"
"I WASN'T!" Lucy growled, "like I'd summon any of my spirits while I was bathing!"
Hehe, I'm the only one who gets to walk in on her bath and live to tell about it. Eat that up kitty cat! "Okay, okay. There are other spells though, I mean, you cast that one with Gemini back during the Grand Magic Games right?"
Lucy quieted, "Oh... you mean like the Urano Metria?"
Impatiently, Natsu waited for his mate to continue, taking a bite of his toasty bread.
"Hmm... but I wasn't... Natsu I wasn't doing anything. When I'm in the bath, I just..."
Her partner raised an eyebrow.
Lucy frowned, "I just think about stuff... like, the stuff that happened that day... or past few days."
Natsu sat up and rested his elbows on the table, counting on his fingers. "So let's see. Your hippopotamus on emotional magic-"
"Hypothesis."
"Heterologous on emotional magic, your magic came from you when we met in the tent." He smiled, "so... when you were in the tub—thinking too much..." Natsu stared at the ceiling and started to grow a grin.
Lucy's eyes widened, and began fading into a deeper flush of color.
Oh but her lover suddenly felt so, so good about himself right about then! He slowly looked across the table at her, She's red! Like really red! My hypochondriasis must be right! Natsu kept his elbow on the table and pointed at her, grinning widely. "You were thinkin about me!"
She pressed her lips together and Natsu smirked louder, reclining his chair. "You were thinkin about me and aaaaaall that stardust stuff started comin out of you." Oh this is too great! "So much that you passed out!" Then it was his turn to widen his eyes. He stood up quickly and slammed his palms on the table, making the red Lucy jump. "But it didn't stop! Nah, there was way too much of the stuff. You..." He snickered, this is so awesome! "You had a dirty dream about me!" Natsu couldn't help it, he started to laugh, and laugh, hold his sides and laugh more.
What Lucy didn't understand, was that he wasn't laughing at her—precisely. He was laughing for joy that it was him on her mind. Not that chump ice freak, not the cat that needs to be neutered, me!
His lovely blonde took her turn at slamming her palms down on the table and vociferated, "Well you were a lot nicer in my dream!" Lucy stormed to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Natsu's laughter was cut short by the sound of the door slamming shut. He tried to stop—but his smile was still huge, "Aww come'on Luce!" He shouted after her, going to the door and leaned his face against it. This caused his voice to sound muffled, "I'm laughin cuz I love it! You can't get enough of me so you gotta dream about me too! Luuuce! It's pretty great!"
"Well then I'm all done with you and I'll just—SLEEP a lot more!" He heard her yell from beyond the door.
"That's so cold! What about me?" Natsu whined.
"Go get a magazine like any other guy would!"
Natsu leapt into an excited stance, "You got pictures in one of those?"
"NO!"
"Aww..."
The fire wizard pouted on the other side of the door. "What're ya mad for?"
He listened, his ear on the door. Nothing.
"Hey Luce, didn't ya wanna go to the guild...?"
No response. Natsu frowned. He could hear her breathing, her heart was beating a little faster than normal too. He grinned, "So is it time for that shower yet?"
"NO WAY!"
^.^
Lucy sat at her desk. Writing something smutty wasn't any easier now that she was no longer a virgin. She definitely found that disappointing, didn't experience make a writer great? There was definitely a horny dragon on the other side of her door, but she was so embarrassed that she couldn't even think about opening it. Maybe tonight I should just get him to cuddle with me. She smiled, would be nice to actually let him do it willingly. She supposed it wouldn't technically be the first time, but... close enough. She jumped when she heard a thump on the window.
Happy was there waving at her. Lucy smiled and let him in.
"Hey, is that Happy?" The two of them heard from the other side of her door. "What's up?"
Happy looked to Lucy with question marks above his head, "Why is Natsu on the other side of the door...?"
Lucy folded her arms and barked at the door, "Because he's a jerk!"
"But you still love me right?" His voice carried pretty well through the door.
"He liiiiiiikes you!" Happy snickered.
"Shut it Cat!" Lucy growled. "I'll let him in when I'm good and ready."
"But I need to talk to him, Lucy!"
"Oh Yea?" Natsu walked right in, "What do ya need Happy?"
"HEY! Natsu! You're supposed to be locked out!" Lucy pointed and shouted.
The dragonslayer cupped his hands behind his head and closed an eye at her yelling. "I was? I thought the closed door was more like a symbolic thing."
"That doesn't mean you can just break my door!"
Natsu squatted in front of Happy, "What's up?"
"Oh hey Natsu!" Happy smiled. "Not much. Mirajane and Erza just wanted me to find you and ask if you'd be able to come help with preparations for the Rite."
"But the Rite is still over a week away. Why do they-" Natsu paused. "I see what they're up to..."
Lucy was looking at her door, "The doorknob doesn't turn anymore..." She was a sad mage.
Natsu grinned at Happy, "You tell them I'm not fallin for it. It's a trap and I'm on to them!"
"What do you mean Natsu?" Happy asked quizzically.
The blonde in the background turned to them, "A trap? What are you talking about."
He snickered, "Those coots just want gossip! You tell'em I'll help, sure, but I'm not going over there right now. Preparations aren't for another week." He stood up and put his hands on his hips. "Yup. They're gonna have to get up pretty early if they're gonna catch me!"
"Gossip?" Lucy and Happy asked together.
"Yeah." Natsu turned to his mate, "They think we're together, but they don't know for sure and I bet it's driving them nuts!" His joviality was her blush.
"Eep! Are they getting that nosy already?!" Lucy went from red to blue.
Happy whispered to Natsu, "What's with her?"
The fire dragon patted his cat on the head, "Happy, meet my mate." He motioned towards Lucy.
"WHAT?!" Happy jumped in surprise, "You two are—official?"
Natsu nodded proudly, "Yup."
"Now wait a minute guys," Lucy waved frantically, "let's not go nuts—and Natsu! DON'T introduce me as your 'mate'! People are gonna get the wrong idea!"
Her partner blinked, "But—"
"HEY Happy!" Lucy interrupted, "you just let them know we'll be by to help them out in a few days... DON'T you tell them anything else!"
Happy raised his arms, "But—"
"You're gonna be screamin 'but' when I kick the both of yours!" Lucy's voice echoed at them intimidatingly.
"Umm..." Happy could tell Lucy meant her words, with a glance to Natsu he said, "Okay Lucy. I won't tell anybody."
"Good. It's our news to tell." The mage noticed that Happy seemed unhappy, "hey Cat." Happy looked back up at her, "Thanks." She gave him a thumbs up, "I just don't want them all up in our business yet is all. It'll be fine."
Happy smiled, "Aye sir." He manifested his wings and bid them farewell before he flew back out the window.
Lucy bent over her bed to close the window back. When she stood back up straight, the blonde looked over her shoulder at her lover. He stood perfectly still with his arms folded, looking out the window. She couldn't help but admire him for a moment. He always looked so confident. During the Ball he seemed like an unearthly Dragon God, when he'd arrived in the tent he was the embodiment of the fire dragon in human form. And now he stood in her bedroom, and called her his. Lucy found her eyes resting on his torso, so many curves displaying his long sought after strength. Strength he had always been willing to share with her to see her safe. She was the luckiest woman on earth to have such a man to be hers. Lucy pulled her eyes back up to his face and discovered his gaze had moved to her.
"Wh, what is it?" She asked hesitantly.
Natsu tilted his head, "I was going to ask you the same thing."
Lucy shook her head, "Natsu, I'm not ready for those girls to ask me all those questions they'd asked Erza when they learned that she'd taken a lover. I'm not—"
"Ashamed of me?" The wizard interrupted.
Lucy jumped, "No! Hell no, Natsu! Don't even say that! I wouldn't, I couldn't..."
"Because if I was in your place, I might be. I'm not the gentlemen you used to talk about wanting with the other girls." Natsu dug a hand into his hair.
This made Lucy jump again, "You heard stuff like that?! Natsu you really gotta tone those ears down."
"No way. It has come in handy way too many times."
Lucy sighed, "Anyway... considering Mira and Erza's 'request' for you to come by... we should probably stay in today. I do think I need to talk to someone about my magic leaking from me though." She blushed when she saw her dragon's grin growing, "I can't be spending all my magical energy just by thinking about you."
"So does that mean I didn't do a very good job last night...? I didn't see any stardust floating around then." It was too fun to tease his star maiden.
Lucy turned redder and almost shouted, "It's a GOOD thing it doesn't happen every time, Knucklehead! At least that means I have hope to gain control over this."
"Yea yea." Natsu feigned sulkiness.
Lucy walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Don't worry Natsu," she blushed a little and kissed his jawline. "I believe we have all day for you to make my dream come true."
Natsu chuckled mischievously, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissed her for a mere two seconds before pulling away and scratched his cheek with his index finger, looking up at the ceiling, "I dunno Luce, wouldn't want to be late for lunch after you thought breakfast was so important."
"Oh shut up, Knucklehead." Lucy kept her arms around his neck and used her body to nudge him.
"Aye sir." Natsu agreed in a low voice and leaned in to kiss her sweetly, more than happy to be a player in his mate's dirty little secret.
^.^
Mirajane wiped down the guild's counter with a smile on her face. She recalled all the odd things that had led up to the Ball. She remembered how so many guild members had used her as a soundboard to discuss their worries and listened to her advice. She triumphantly thought about how much her family and friends had been dreading the All Hallow's Eve Sacred Rite in the beginning of the month and how they felt now, that the Rite was brooding just around the bend. Everyone knew it was coming, but the peace she could see in their hearts gave them strength. They would reminiscence on all the smiles they found on Magnolia's citizens during the Festival of the Dancing Sky; the joy of making a child laugh was something anyone could enjoy, yet there were not nearly enough who bothered to try. The guild members worked as a team to bring something special to Magnolia and that helped build a greater brotherhood not only to the neighbors of the town, but a stronger bond between citizens and FairyTail.
And throughout it all, she saw new love budding. Mirajane kept a keen eye out for those sorts of things. Love not only built a stronger heart, but increased a wizard's basic ability. Emotional magic was a powerful and ancient thing never to be taken lightly that made the guild she and so many others loved even stronger. The Gypsies and Thieves Ball had brought feelings to light that was not hindered by a stuffy formal atmosphere. There had been beauty everywhere, in nature and in her guildmates—and she did not mean the beautiful costumes they had donned. No one had to dance if they did not want to, and if they did, there had not been an important way they were supposed to dance. Since their visit to the enchanted forest, the platinum haired bartender would notice little things, like how Gray would go and sit with Juvia, of how Gajeel would always wait outside for Levy simply to walk into the guild with her and watch her read. She even loved how Cana and Laxus seemed to fight everyday and yet continue to return to each other. Those two enjoyed the challenge they presented to one another. Mirajane thought of how her sister brought out a foreign light to their Bickslow. She glanced at the two of them now, Lisanna was spoon feeding Bickslow the last of his soup. Mirajane wasn't sure how, but the two of them had turned it into an adorable little game.
And then there was all the trouble she and the other girls had gone to on Natsu's behalf. Those two had been borderline hopeless. Their fire wizard's ingrained dragon instincts had been going haywire since the Ball's announcement. Mirajane chuckled to herself as she recalled all the many shenanigans one or the other had pulled since then. However, she certainly hadn't taken a blind eye on the many times both of them weren't here. It had been a few days, and neither had showed up. The She-demon couldn't help but entertain fancies of the two of them having a pre-wedding honeymoon. It was the idea she liked best when she thought of the two's daily absence. Perhaps they could use a fresh batch of food delivered, almost everyone was feeling the financial pinch this late into the jobless month. The townsfolk helped the guild with donations here and there, it was a big help with keeping their members fed and happy.
All in all, the general attitude of FairyTail was different this year, and Mirajane loved it. She glanced at Freed and found herself blushing and she quickly looked away. Yes, this year her guildmates were happy, this year they were not weighed down with the dread of the All Hallow's Eve Sacred Rite—and this year, the Rite would go smoother than ever because of it. The strongest magic came from the heart, and FairyTail wizards possessed hearts that held loyalty, friendship, dreams, and love, and no amount of fear could ever hold enough power to sway hearts such as these.
Reviews are welcome, cake is more welcome.
Thank you for taking the time to read my work, I hope you enjoyed. ^.^
See ya soon, and yes—shower or no, I still very much want to lick you—you look like you MIGHT taste like peppermint.
Much love
Stay naughty
Happiness is infectious,
Share your smile.
Seri aka Lick