A Dragon to Light the Way
Chapter 8
Sting smiled as he watched Lucy view all of the booths and rides around them. It hadn't taken him long to figure out the reason why the girls had suddenly wanted to come to the carnival, but wasn't mad about it one bit. If Lucy wanted to test their compatibility, then so be it. It actually told him that he had a better shot of winning her over than he had originally thought he had. Although, he very did much appreciate the stunning entrance she and the other two women did.
He had been having a conversation with Gajeel and Rogue in the mess hall about figuring out what to do about Natsu, and had noticed something amiss when everyone had suddenly become quiet. He had looked up with the other two, and had nearly fell off the stool as he saw Lucy leading the other two into the mess hall, all their eyes settled on him, Gajeel and Rogue. Even from where he was at, he saw the nervousness in her eyes because of what she was wearing, having gone back to the skirts that he love on her, but there was also a determination in her eye that made him smile at her. The smile seemed to put her at ease, because the walk became more natural, and even had a slight sway to it.
"Gajeel."
"Rogue."
"Sting." Each girl had stated their mates name with a slight purr, and when Lucy had said his he had to physically fight not to shiver. He loved how she had said his name, and wanted to make her say it more. Although, in a slightly different setting than what was before him.
"I'm guessing you girls want something." He had stated, thankful that his voice still sounded natural and didn't take on a husky tone. He watched as nerves seemed to take control of Lucy again, and turned his gaze to Yukino when she cleared her throat.
"We were wondering if you three would escort us to the carnival. If you don't want to go, we understand, but either way we will be going." She stated, and he had looked at Lucy, who quickly shot the woman a surprised look before looking back to him. It was then he realized what the plan was. This was all for Lucy's sake, she wanted to test him about all the mate stuff that she no doubt learned from Yukino and Levy.
"The carnival? Why the hell do you wanna go there?" Gajeel asked, and Sting had held back a laugh when Levy stepped forward with her hands on her hips.
"Because, we want to have some fun. Not stay coped up in a guild all day." She had stated, pouting her lips slightly and he nearly lost it when the Iron Dragon Slayer seemed to melt on the spot. Gajeel had sighed and gave a nod that he would go, and he knew that it was going to happen when Rogue stood. He glanced at Lucy, and acted like he thought about it a moment. Becoming curious as to what she might do should he refuse.
"If I say I'm not interested?" He asked, watching as her shoulders fell ever so lightly, before she straightened.
"Then I'm sure one of the others males here would escort me. Or perhaps I'll find a nice man at the carnival." She stated, and he had been on his feet in a flash. There was no way in hell any other man was going to watch her have fun. She was his, and he'd be damn if he was going to allow her to go through with that threat. Even though it was nothing more than a trap, and a bluff.
"Sting, look. Aren't these just the cutest." Lucy stated, bringing him out of his thoughts and turned his attention to her. She was standing beside a booth selling plush dolls. She was holding a small stuffed cat doll, and was looking among the others.
"I guess it is. Although, it kinda looks like Lector." He stated, chuckling when she nodded and then pulled another from the group.
"They even have one that looks like Frosh. Oh, they are just too adorable." She stated, squeezing both and then started to reach for her small purse. He beat her to it though, and laid the amount needed onto the booth. Smiling to the man behind the stand before turning to her, huffing at the pout on her face.
"I could have gotten them." She stated, and he lead her away before pressing a light kiss to her lips.
"Now what kind of escort would I be if I allowed you to pay, hm?" He asked, watching as she just blushed and held the plush dolls tighter. Causing him to smile at her and then take her right hand in his. They had been at the carnival for two hours now, and after a bad incident with the rides, had decided to stick with the booths until the real show started.
"But Daddy?" The small cry caused them to pause and looked to their lefts. A small boy was pointing to a large stuffed animal, but his father was shaking his head.
"Sorry son, but there is no way I can beat this game." The father stated, and Sting blinked as he saw what the game was. He glanced down at Lucy and then motioned toward the father and son.
"You wouldn't mind, would you?" He asked, watching as she smiled and followed him over. He hated these type of games, the ones that cheated people out of there money.
"Excuse me sir, but may I try?" Sting asked, releasing Lucy's hand and handing the booth owner the money. The man smiled, showing crooked teeth, before taking the money and sitting three white balls before him. He winked down at the small boy and grabbed the first ball.
"Watch and learn kid." He stated, smiling when the kid's eyes widened as he chucked the ball, adding some force behind it, but just enough to ensure that all the bottles fell. Then quickly grabbed the second ball and chucked it at the second tower of bottles, causing them to collapse as well. He grabbed the third ball, smiled at the owner of the booth who was sweating bullets, and then chucked the last ball. The third pillar of bottles collapsed, and the owner gave a defeated sigh while giving him the stink eye. Sting merely smirked and crouched down beside the kid.
"Alright, which prize did you want?" He asked, looking up and smiling when the kid pointed to the long white dragon with a blue main plush doll. He raised an eyebrow at the owner, who carefully took it down and handed it to Sting, who in turn handed it to the kid.
"Thank you Mister." The kid stated, taking hold of his father's hand. Sting smiled and ruffled his hair as he stood.
"No problem sport." He stated, and then nodded to the boy's father when he bowed. Sting watched as they walked off, and then blinked when Lucy slid her hand back into his with a slight squeeze.
"That has to be the sweetest thing I've ever seen anybody do." She stated, as they continued walking through the booths. He blushed and scratched at his cheek as he fought just to look her in the eye.
"I...Just can't stand con artists like that." He muttered, blushing harder when she laughed and moved closer to him. Sliding her hand up his arm so she was basically hugging it as they walked.
"We need to meet up with the others soon. The show is about to start." She stated, and he nodded while trying his best to ignore the face that her breast was rubbing against his arm with every step they took. He mumbled his agreement, and did everything he could to keep his gaze forward and on the tent where the main even was to take place, but couldn't help but take a peek down at her. Only to blink when he saw a blush across her cheeks and a smile on her face.
"Lucy, I know why you did all of this." He stated, giving a small smile when she looked up at him with fear suddenly in her eyes. He turned to face her and gently cupped her face with his hands.
"You're...not mad, are you?" She whispered, hugging the two plush cats to her chest and gnawed on her bottom lip. Giving another smile, he captured her lips with his, and pulled away after she relaxed some.
"No I'm not mad. I understand that you want to make sure that we are compatible, and I hope that you got your answer. Besides, I also enjoyed this outing, and I'm hoping that it will be a memory you cherish. Now, come on, we have a show to catch." He stated, pressing a kiss to her lips once more and then tugged her along to the tent. Smiling when she giggled faintly and matched his strides.
"It's about time you two showed up, the main event is about to start." Yukino stated, ushering them into the tent with the others and everyone quickly took their seats just as the lights dimmed and focused on the center of the ring.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming to our main event for tonight. We hope to astound you with never before seen talent, that had only been attempted with those that wield magic. So, sit back, relax and please enjoy the show." The ringmaster announced, stepping to the side just as some performers jumped into the ring with large hoops, that one lit on fire. Sting glanced down at Lucy to see that she was watching the show with awe, and figured that so long as she was having a good time, he wouldn't complain about the mediocre performances. It was almost an hour before the lights dimmed dramatically and the ringmaster appeared once more, signaling for the audience to go quiet.
"Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, for our last performance of the night. First though, I will need a volunteer. Come now, don't be shy." The ringmaster stated, scanning the crowd as everyone suddenly started to fidget. Sting didn't like the change in the atmosphere one bit, and quickly slid his hand into Lucy's, tightening his hold ever so slightly before looking around.
"You there. The pretty blonde lady with the cat dolls. How about it?" The Ringmaster stated, causing Sting's eyes to snap back on him and nearly growl before looking at Lucy. She looked shocked that the Ringmaster was asking her to perform and quickly looked at Sting. He swallowed, and then slowly inhaled.
"It is your choice." He whispered, although everything within him was screaming at him to grab her and go, but sadly he released her hand when she stood and placed the dolls down. He made sure to keep his gaze solely on her though, as she walked past others and finally made it to the Ringmaster's side.
"Excellent! Now, what may your name be young lady?" He stated, and Sting made a quick glance around as she stated her name.
"Well now everyone, you see Miss Lucy. Now you don't!" The Ringmaster yelled, causing Sting to tense when the man swiped his cape in front of Lucy and then dropped it to reveal an empty space where she had once been. He jumped to his feet, and was about to send out his senses when a feminine yelp caused him to look up and go wide eyed. Lucy was about four stories in the air, balancing on a thin wire.
"Here is the final act of the night folks. Our brave tightrope walker, is to save the young maiden before she falls into the net of fire." The ringmaster called, taking a torch that had been offered to him and pressed it against the safety net right below Lucy. Sting tensed, his body ready to spring into action as he saw the fear on Lucy's face as she stared at the scene below her, and nearly growled when a large muscular man stepped onto the tightrope causing it to sway and Lucy to start fighting for balance.
"Sting, you have to do something!" Levy cried out beside him, and he blinked as a large hand shoved him from behind.
"Seriously, get her down from there." Gajeel growled, but he still remained where he was. He wasn't about to do something she didn't want him to do. She had only voiced her surprise so far, nothing that exactly stated that she needed him by her side yet. Although, that wasn't stopping him from preparing a leap at any moment.
Another step by the muscular man had the rope swaying again, and this time Lucy tilted to far just as he took yet another step. Causing her to slip off of the rope, but she managed to grab onto it with her hand.
"Sting!" Her shout was all that he needed, he took off full speed down the aisle, and braced himself on the edge of the ring, before launching himself into the air. His heart nearly stopped as everything seemed to slow down as he saw her hand slip from the rope, and she braced her body for impact. He reached out his arms, and quickly grabbed onto her body a few feet above the burning net. After quickly encircling her body, he twisted to take the impact of the landing, and tightened his hold until they slid to a stop on the ground.
"Oi! Who do you think you are, messing with my performance?" The Ringmaster growled, marching toward them. Sting stood, and gave a low warning growl that had the man freezing in his tracks, but stopped when Lucy's hand tightened on his vest.
"Please. Just...take me back to the guild." She whispered, he gave a final glare to the Ringmaster, and then stalked out of the tent. Not even bothering to wait for the others, but instead took off for the guild at a dead run the moment he got outside the tent.