Soundtrack - Mess is Mine by Vance Joy
She hadn't stopped running.
Was she chasing them down? Or perhaps…was she merely blindly fleeing? She didn't know. The answer was so matted and snarled together she didn't think they were separate. Not anymore. The lines between them had faded until it was all just a blur of dark watercolors. All she knew is that she had to keep going. If she stopped…then the frost would climb up her heels. It would bleed into her veins and shatter her. Spread straight from the beat of her breast, her heart crushed within the cage of her lungs. Destroyed from the inside out. The cold would be her undoing.
She sagged a bit, hands clutching her knees as she bent over to catch her breath. There was sudden movement beside her, a rustling of grass and dirt soft under padded feet. She didn't turn – she knew who it was.
"We're almost there," rumbled the voice. It soothed at her…the worry was touching. She reached blindly out to the side and felt her palm hit a slick furred head. She rubbed the massive triangle ears between her fingers. "I can carry you," he soothed. "Climb up."
"No, that's alright," she answered with a small smile. She huffed out a breath and stood up straight. The morning was cresting in front of her, warming her face and filling her body. It spattered gold on the far away mountains to the north and showered rays of light on the glass of Crocus. He was right. They were almost there. The sun was rising.
"It seems that the magical capital has remained unharmed," he was saying, sitting down on his back legs gazing out on the valley before them. His luminous eyes narrowed slightly. "I hope we can find shelter here for a time. When was the last time you truly slept mistress?"
She didn't know. She couldn't remember. Was that why there was an ache that never seemed to leave her bones? Or was that just him…his frost filled creep hunting after her? She refused to give in. To give in to him.
"You need to change," she said instead wiping her brow with her forearm, a hand to her hip. "What would people say? Seeing you running through the streets? Utter pandemonium if you ask me. No, Skoll we shall be fine. For the moment at least. Perhaps you're right…we might even be able to rest awhile."
She heard him huff, or perhaps was it a growl? Either way she could feel the rush beside her – the crack of magic at his blatant irritation. But he did as she asked. He always would. The spell of his transformation barreled outwards and skittered across the tall grass; sparks showering through the air. When he was done…looking up at her with large, innocent eyes she smiled and took him up into her arms. She didn't look back.
She wouldn't stop running.
His world wouldn't stop spinning.
Natsu hung his head pitifully out the window, hoping that the breeze against his face might offer some relief. Just a little relief. That's all he wanted at this point. Anything else seemed completely hopeless. His stomach was currently lodged right at the base of his throat – swimming back and forth through his chest. Surging and dropping, it made his head spin and eyes lose focus. Everything dipped blurry as his mouth began to water, the horrid taste of bile filling his tongue and slicking over his teeth. Oh good Mavis…here it comes…
He wretched pathetically out the train's jolting car. He was vaguely aware of it spattering along the side – and he supposed that all those passengers who had had their own windows open for the winter breeze had now gotten quite the surprise. Maybe that's what that far away shouting was all about…
Oh fucking shit…He clamped a hand over her mouth again. This was absolute hell.
"Oor 'atuu," Happy was saying though it was hard to understand with his teeth full of the last of a massive fish tail. He sat merrily, planted firmly in the middle of Lucy's lap. After last night's incident – the Exceed had been strangely attached to her hip. "Wendy's Troia spell doesn't even work anymore."
"It is a shame," Erza added from her seat across from them. She frowned, resting her chin on the back of her hand. "Especially since the train ride into Crocus can be rather long. But he's lasted this far…I'd only say we're about three hours away now."
"If he wasn't such a weak moron," Gray sneered from next to Erza. His eyes narrowed and the largest smirk appeared on his face. "We wouldn't have this problem. This sure does get old, every single damn time."
"Watch it Gray," Natsu hissed in a half groan. "Or I might just decide to aim your way the next time I have to hurl my stomach outta my mouth!"
"That's sick dude."
"Yeah, well – so am I!"
Natsu turned away from the window and sagged forward in his seat. It was a lost cause anyways. It always was. A stupid hiccup escaped his mouth. Ugh. It tasted like despair. Despair and regret. Regret at this fucking train.
"Maybe you should try laying down?" Wendy suggested timidly from Lucy's other elbow. "I know sometimes that might help…"
Lay down? Well, what the hell did he have to lose? Natsu would rip out his own stomach at this point if it would help. He thought back to this morning – the strange quiet he had felt curled up in Lucy's bed. With Lucy. He wanted that back. Mainly because you know…the bed hadn't been strapped to wheels and jostling him like a rag doll. He could lay down there! But it wasn't because he had been wrapped with Lucy. No. Absolutely not.
"Here Natsu! You can lay here! Lucy is so soft and comfortable!"
"Wait…what?" Lucy blinked several times, but the cat had bounded forward - Cheshire grin on his face and subsequently smacked his partner upside the skull. Natsu toppled down with a rumbling moan and landed straight in the young woman's lap; head cradled on her thighs.
Lucy slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from screeching. Her face immediately inflamed with a brilliant shade of red and a panic began to rise in her chest. What could Happy be thinking? Here? In front of all these people…? Lucy's cheeks burned as she stammered at the small animal. Not that – not that she didn't want Natsu there…not that he didn't need her right now…
"Good idea Happy," she vaguely heard Erza say. "Lucy does have a rather calming effect. Perhaps he might find some relief this way. Besides we might take the opportunity to find some rest for ourselves as well."
Lucy pushed out a small breath and turned to her friends in embarrassed astonishment. However, Erza had simply closed her eyes; armored palm still cradling her cheek. Her head was leaned back – a small smile on her resting face. She did look ready to drift off…but Gray. Lucy groaned inwardly. She wondered if it would be possible to just smack that grin off his face. She resolved to blatantly ignore it. Or at least…pay him back later.
Natsu meanwhile found that he had to agree with his little partner. She was gentle and warm. The feel of her scent intermingled with his own, was…oddly satisfying. The turbulence of the train was brought down to more of a loll now, his stomach slowly dropping from the edges of his tongue back down to the base of his chest. He swallowed the foul lump and let loose a nausea free breath instead. It wasn't quite the perfect cure he had been wanting…but it was damn near close.
They hovered like this, for a long moment. With the train vibrating underneath them – the group became peaceful and silent. Happy curled around Lucy's neck, grinning (rather proudly she might annoying add) taking a place firmly on her shoulder. She tried to muster up a glare, or at least a comment of frustration…but, she couldn't find any. They had helped him right? Natsu always helped her, the most recent only just last night, so…she was just returning the favor. That's all. Like best friends do for one another. Yes. Only that. Friends.
Lucy glanced down at him in her lap, face softening as she watched him. She had always thought he was kinda cute when he slept, after all. Now was no different. Though…she was stubbornly ignoring that part of her brain that was unashamedly shouting that he was more than cute. And it was definitely not just when he slept. Her heart was wildly beating once more. Throbbing as if to burst from her body. There was that thinking again. That strange occurrence where she found it was so very hard to breathe when he was so close. She groaned; dropping her hands dejected and confused down…where they landed right in the messy strands of Natsu's hair. She blinked as she watched them, eyes wide and brows raised.
The young man however, remained with his eyes tightly shut. The darkness was a welcomed relief. This way he couldn't see his world moving up and down – his vision blurring or even…
Natsu stopped immediately. A low contented sigh escaped his mouth and he sagged, finally relaxed, further into his friend's soft skin. Lucy's long fingers had begun running gently through his hair.
Oh Mavis…why hadn't they done this before? Forget Troia…Suck it motion sickness! Natsu had never felt so peaceful on a moving vehicle. Her hands toyed with the salmon colored locks around his forehead, his ears and the base of his skull; nails sometimes drifting over causing him to hum in contentment. His hands moved up to better settle against her, one sprawled over her legs to dangle over the side and the other…the other he fisted in the fabric of her skirt. He sighed again, an unspoiled grin pulling on his face.
"Thanks Luce," he mumbled and felt her pause for only a second. "It means a lot to me."
He could hear the answering smile in her soft voice, even through the awkward stammering. "Yeah…of course…anytime."
Natsu dropped quickly into an uneventful sleep, the peace that he and Lucy had found so easily this morning filled their small train space once more. Lucy reclined herself, leaning back and turning to stare at the passing wilds outside her window. The last few hours of their train ride to Crocus passed quite simply then. Erza and Wendy easily dozed the remainder of the way and Happy just contentedly continued his perch from near her head – his peaceable purring vibrating through her skin.
But, Lucy never once stopped her tender ministrations of Natsu's hair…nor did the smile ever disappear from her the curves of her mouth.
But then again…that stupid damn smirk never left Gray's face either.
Crocus was alive with people and colors. The ever blooming Flower City was covered in petals of white, ruby red and pale pink. Garlands of winter floret hung in lazy beautiful loops from buildings and balconies, while large arrangements of the same shimmering flowers hung from lampposts. There was a flutter of light snowfall dusting along the ground and above their heads. Just enough to dot on lashes and turn surfaces into mirrored crystal. Here, the flurries simply made everything flicker and shine like glitter. Nothing dark or foreboding. Magnolia's domineering sleet seemed nothing but a distant memory now.
The crowds milled about in posh dress – laughing widely and leisurely shopping through the street. The guild mates stared with wide eyes as they got off the cursed train, though Natsu had to be honest…he'd never exited a metal death trap in better spirits than he did that afternoon. He placed his hands on the back of his head, glancing about. It was still there thought. The strangest sensation in the base of his chest. Flutters and his blood pounding in his ears and yet – Natsu smiled widely. For some reason he felt like he could take on the world right now. He couldn't name the feeling, but it felt good. Her kindness towards him on the train had felt good…
"Oh wow!" he heard Lucy cry excitedly. "Crocus looks so amazing! Almost like a festival…"
"But of course, I cannot believe I forgot," Erza began glancing around at the whirl of movement around them. "Your right Lucy…This is the start of the Crocus Snow Festival. It's one of the capitals largest seasonal events. It's quite the good fortune we will be here for it."
"It's so beautiful," Wendy awed. "I'd say even more than when we were here last time for the games."
"A festival huh?" Cheered Natsu turning around to watch with wide eyed interest. "Excellent! I'm guessing that means food! And lots of it."
"Feasting is a part of it," Erza continued as they milled down the street and away from the steam gusts of the locomotive. The blare of horns and whistles gave way to the excited hum of the Flower City. "But it is mainly a holiday reveling in the beauty and gracefulness of winter. There's hundreds of snow sculptures and ice statues for the public to view…"
"Hear that Ice Prick? A whole celebration dedicated to your fucking prissy elegance!"
"Bite me moron."
"…and there are nightly balls with dancing and…"
"Yeah, no thanks," Natsu interjected with a wave of his hand. "Last time I tried that stupid ballroom shit you and Lisanna spun me around like a damn top! Never again…" He could almost feel the bile rising in his throat at the thought of it. Bleah. So close to feeling back to normal again too.
"But you didn't feel that way dancing with Lucy," Gray suddenly interjected slyly. Natsu whipped around his shoulder to glare at him. Self-arrogant bastard. And what was with that grin?
"Yeah well that's because she was the only one that could actually dance," he snapped back with an annoyed huff. "Didn't you try to dance with her anyways? I'm pretty sure she dropped kicked your ass! Don't blame me that your psycho stalker was shit at dancing and spent more time wanting to grope you…"
"What'd you say flame brain?"
"Does it count as dancing when you kept stepping on her foot?" Happy teased as he walked beside Natsu. His tail curled as he snorted into his hand. "Because I'm pretty sure that's all you did…"
The boys kept up their squabbles as they walked. Lucy meanwhile blushed a brilliant shade of scarlet – mind flooding with memories of only last year. The foot stomping – yeah, that had been annoying (and rather a little painful of course), but Lucy couldn't seem to recall her exasperation at Natsu's rather basic grasp of social dancing. No. What she did remember was the feeling of his rough hand clasping hers. The pressure of his touch on her hip. The feel of his shoulder muscles move under her own fingertips...
"Lucy?" Wendy's voice suddenly called out to her, concern edged in her question. "Are you feeling alright? Your face is all red. I hope you're not getting sick..."
Mavis! She needed to pull herself together! She saw Natsu glancing back behind him; a slight frown and concern edging on his features. There was no way he was worried about her…right? Flustered and sufficiently flushed she turned back to Wendy and Carla quickly. "Oh no, I'm completely fine," she waved a hand back and forth for inference. "Just...um excited about possibly attending the festival! That's all."
"We need to meet with our client first," Erza gently chastised, but she stared about in poorly reined in anticipation. "But once we complete the job I see no reason why we can't enjoy ourselves for a few days. Especially considering the value of our reward..."
"You're right," Lucy added. "Even with some down time I'll be able to make rent money for three months."
"Okay, okay," Natsu shouted at his friends (yeah he was including the maker magic moron). "The flyer said something about bandits' right? We gotta smack some heads - so let's get this party started! Where are we supposed to meet the guy?"
Wendy giggled softly, whispering behind her hand to Lucy. "Natsu is the only person I know that could consider a fight a party!"
"Don't forget Gajeel though," Lucy said alongside, but then placed a finger to her chin in feigned thought. "Or what about Sting? And Laxus...Come to think of it...wouldn't you say it's simply a trait of Dragon slayers?"
"Let's say just male Dragonslayers," Carla added and the women laughed together once more.
They kept their pace throughout Crocus – their small group trailing after Erza and her massive mound of luggage. Lucy kept turning her head every which way; longing for another pair of eyes. It certainly looked like quite the holiday…strings of lights laced up along real gleaming icicles that glowed gold in the early afternoon sun breaks. Everything buzzed, covered by a feeling that seemed so very alive; the colors of cold white, silver grey and brilliant crimson red splashed in every corner. The crowds were certainly boisterous, laden with food and dessert, or regarding the many colossal snow sculptures that dotted about intersections. They passed quite a few – and Lucy stared in open mouthed astonishment at the minutiae details that made up the frozen monuments. A winged horse with the rippling of thousands of feathers; an immense bouquet of roses, mums and tulips; and even a flawless replica of the great Flower Light Palace – home to Fiore's King.
Natsu was, of course, forbidden by Erza (under very terrifying threats of retribution) to go anywhere near such works of art. He had to be content to stand a ways off – which he took as a prime opportunity to shout insults at Gray's poor ice making abilities in comparison to those they saw. Which…in all actuality…he was completely fine with. That was until said Ice mage landed a nicely aimed right hook straight to his jaw.
"The client requested to convene at a small hotel just north of here," Erza answered ignoring the rumble that was escalating just near her feet. "Called the Gold Iris. The Master also managed to secure us a room there – convenient enough." She brushed her hair from an armored shoulder, before her eyes suddenly narrowed dangerously. "Seriously? In public of all things…Gray - your clothes?"
There was a barrage of sounds all at once that included the screeching of shocked passerby's, Natsu's loud cackles and Erza's reprimands. Gray was in a panic – eyes wide and skin swiftly turning a rather interesting mix of ash and scarlet. Lucy would have thought it hilarious…if it also wasn't entirely mortifying. And definitely illegal. Of course there was no way they could finish their job if they were arrested!
"At least we went a few hours without him stripping," Happy was hollering as he hovered above their heads. His tail moved like a snake back and forth. "Maybe we can -!"
But he never finished. Not that sentence anyways. Added was the sound of small nails against the cobble streets, a tongue lolling out of a mouth and the unmistakable noise of barking. Natsu blinked rapidly, dumbfounded as he watched in slow motion, Happy's eyes grow round and wide. Pooling with large crocodile tears the Exceed sped like gunshot towards towards his chest.
"Natsu! Natsu! Help me!"
They froze at once, (Gray even with his shirt halfway back across his shoulders) and snapped their gaze in almost unison from Happy's wailing face…to the dog that was suddenly sitting at the base of Natsu's feet. It was no bigger than the cat's themselves with ink black hair and yellow eyes. The small head was crested by the enormous triangle shaped ears and the paws seemed much too big for its body.
It barked again and jumped up against Natsu's calves – tail wagging merrily and tongue flopping from a mouth filled with pearly teeth. Happy had now retreated in horror to the top of Natsu's head, paws fisted in his hair, but then again…Carla hadn't fared much better. Wings immediately open and finding refuge a good ten feet away from that cuddly monstrosity. She glared daggers at the horrid little creature.
"What is this?" Lucy cooed coming over with Wendy hot on her heels. "This little guy is adorable!"
"Don't touch it Lucy!" Happy cried. "It might bite your FACE OFF!"
The fur was soft and slick; eyes bright and when Lucy cradled the dog in her arms its pink tongue peppered her cheek. Natsu meanwhile jerked and pulled at his cat, doing his best to pry him off while Happy in turn was just as determined to remain fixed on his head.
"Oh it's so cute," Wendy exclaimed rubbing the lighter hair of the animal's under belly. "I've never seen a dog like this before!"
"That's because it's not a dog at all," came Gray stepping closer. "That's a wolf."
Wendy stopped immediately and turned open mouthed to the young man.
"What? Seriously?" Lucy stammered. "But…but it's just so…sweet! Are you sure…?"
"Positive," Gray replied, hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans. His voice tone left no room for argument. "In fact, it's strange but can you feel the massive amount of power coming off this thing? It's subdued…but definitely there."
Curious, Natsu stepped forward wrapping his fingers around the crook of Lucy's elbow to get a better look. Oh lord…Seriously. She had to pull herself together! What the hell was wrong with her that one touch from him was suddenly sending her heart into a rapid runaway thud against the walls of her chest? Had this all stemmed from last night? From waking up to find him tousled and totally adorable in her bed? But…but they had touched so often before…why was it now so different? Though, in harsh retrospect – Lucy had to be honest with herself. It wasn't just last night. And it wasn't just now. He had been weeding his way into her heart since the moment she met him. In his own perfect oblivious fashion.
"See? I told you!" Cried Happy breaking her from her thoughts. He was pulling on the end of Natsu's scarf vainly trying to drag him away. "That thing's going to gobble us down in one bite! Kill it Natsu! Kill it with fire!"
"But where did it come from?" Erza wondered aloud, fingers to her chin. Frowning she stared at it still cradled in Lucy's arms. "A wolf pup in the middle of the city? Seems incredibly odd."
"Where's your owner little guy?" Lucy whispered, tucking the roly-poly animal closer to her chest. "Did you get lost?"
She watched as the diminutive wolf blinked those innocent almond shaped eyes up at all of them, their heads bent in close. It was still for a long moment and Lucy wondered if she was imagining the flick of its gaze darting back and forth towards Natsu…but then it passed so quickly she must have imagined it.
"What should we do?" Wendy worried aloud. "If he's all by himself – maybe we should take him with us…"
"What? Absolutely not!" Carla stomped, eyes narrowed and angry. "That thing should be left here! Away from us…"
"But Carla…!"
"He does look hungry," Natsu murmured from beside Lucy's shoulder. "If we're gonna grab something to eat, might as well feed the little guy too!"
He flashed Lucy a wide grin, one that showed off the sharpness of his own teeth. Gray snorted loudly. "Only you ash dick would bring food constantly into a conversation."
"Hope he's not hungry for CATS," Happy muttered with a panic. His little paws still clutched tightly to the fire mage's scarf. Natsu threw back his head and chuckled noisily.
"Come on Happy," he encouraged his partner before promptly yanking the wolf from Lucy's arms. Ignoring the young woman's shouts of protests he held the canine up in front of the Exceed; hands cupped beneath the front paws and back legs dangling downwards. "Seriously, does this guy look all that tough?"
Happy tremored as he met the canine's silver light stare. They stayed there for a great pause, the cat sweating great beads like pearls down the crest of his head, until the wolf moved forward and licked Happy clean up. From to bottom to top.
"Aw sick! He's tasting me!" he whipped the slobber from the mounds of fur. "Wanting to know if I'm edible!"
"I think you're safe Happy," Erza laughed as Natsu put the animal back down near his feet. It gazed up at him with a cocked head. Lucy blinked again – because there it was. The outlandish feeling that the wolf was focused on Natsu. Narrowed eyes searching as if he could gaze right inside him. It was such a strange look on such an adorable face.
"Wendy's right however," the woman was continuing. "We can't leave it here. Let's meet our client, grab some lunch and then decide what to do from there."
Happy grumbled, but the steam had gone completely out of his argument. He seemed to be more concerned about drool than anything else. Carla too, looked somewhat satisfied – if not a tinged with a little hesitation. She quickly darted after Wendy and Erza as they turned on their heel deeper into Crocus.
Lucy felt jolted out of her thoughts with an arm was dropped across her shoulders. Friendship. Campfire. Warm. Wild. Home. Natsu's scent brought on so many flashes of craving memories. They were creating an ache in her core. A fever that was rushing through her whole body. She couldn't – wouldn't stop it. She didn't want to.
"Come on Luce," he laughed carelessly beside her. "Let's get going before all the best food gets swallowed up! I'm starving!"
She laughed with him and they left the small square and continued their meander towards the Gold Isis Inn. Natsu's warm arm still looped across Lucy's shoulders and even though a healthy blush spattered her face – she couldn't stop the sigh of content that escaped her lips. They walked easily together…the small wolf trotting along in their wake. Strangely and oddly silent.
Author's Notes:
I don't own Fairy Tail. Sigh...if I did, well - Natsu and Lucy would be incredibly more obvious about their feelings with each other ;P
Oh my! Follows and favorites and reviews? Yall are too incredibly kind…thank you from the bottom of my heart! Whenever I get that little reminder email from fanfiction letting me know that I have another comment, like and ESPECIALLY a review I just get so incredibly happy! Your encouragement makes me even more excited about writing and inspires my creativity.
TheSpaceSpace: Thank you so much for your compliments towards my writing style! Sometimes I feel like I bluster on way too much, but I love descriptive details (one of the MANY reasons why Tolkien is my favorite author) and I am glad you appreciate it too :) Yes, I wanted to give Lucy and Happy a better relationship, because there are so many instances in both the manga and anime that show just how much they care for each other. I wanted to honor that in this story.
Waterelement13: I'm glad you like the original setting too! I'm a fan of some modern AU, but Fairy Tail itself is such an amazing setting all by itself – I will try my very best to do the time period justice!
PinkLemonade: Natsu is freakin adorable. If he wasn't completely head-over-heals for Lucy I would take him home myself.
Also, the Crocus Snow Festival that I am striving to create here is actually based on a real festival that takes place in Japan. Called the Sapporo Snow Festival it is held over seven days in a few main sites. Usually in February it is the largest winter celebration. They display hundreds of ice sculptures, statues and etc. for people to go in view. While researching it I got very jealous. It looks like an amazingly good time!
I'm sure yall already know this as well – but different kinds of flowers represent different meanings. I was very purposeful when choosing the name of the inn in which our Fairy Tail members would be staying. Yellow Iris can mean passion, while mums, roses and tulips can symbolize a secret love, true love and a perfect love. Just something for you to mull over. Wink! Wink!
I wanted to update sooner, but finding time was difficult this week. I'm hoping to post a chapter every few days, especially if you like it. Please leave me a review, drop me a follow or a favorite! They're like a drug. Feed the addiction!
- Aulani