Chapter 2: The Book
[Previously:]
Growling all together, we jumped into action… Everyone in the guild prepares for a big blow-out with screams and cheers.
"Ice-make: HAMMER!"
"Fire dragon… ROAR!"
"Iron dragon… FIST!"
The familiar sound of gramps crying in the background reached my ears, the old man shouting about us, brats, destroying the new guild—It wouldn't be Fairy Tail or home without a good fight, my eyes narrowing as a smirk broke out seeing my opponents.
'Now is not the time to get off focus…'
I grinned, determination shining in my eyes to win this fight, my hands lighting on fire in a familiar fashion as Gray and Gajeel teamed up against me. Honestly it felt like that time in the Grand Magic Games, a chuckle breaking out as I showed off my sharp canines. "Ha, now I'm all fired up!"
(Lucy POV.)
"H-Hey… W-Where are we even going?" I asked, stopping Levy from dragging me further as we wanted to catch our breath. Levy shaking her head, smiling and pointing to a large building that was uphill, "Why Fairy Hills, of course! The book is back in my dorm—Plus, that way Gajeel or Natsu won't spy on us… Remember? No boys allowed." Levy giggled and I couldn't help but join, not wanting to dim the mood by explaining that kind of rule wouldn't keep Natsu out if he actually wanted to tag along.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Running toward the hills once more, I started asking questions about this mysterious book, "So Levy-chan, what is the title of the book and where did you get it?" My curiosity in getting the best of me as a writer and book lover was overwhelmed for answers. "The book is called 'Dragon Slayer Mating Season'! Team Shadow Gear got it on our mission… You see it paid 100,000J, with an old limited-edition book! There is only one of these books in all of Fiore! You know how I'm a big bookworm for knowledge Lu."
'Mating season…? What's that all about, and why do I get the feeling something bigger is in that book?' I frowned in thought, only snapping out of it when finally arriving at Fairy's dorm. The two of us walked inside and up the stairs where Levy's room is. "It's so quiet," I mumbled, hearing no sound of anyone around as Levy stops to fidget with her keys to open her dorm.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone is on a mission or partying like there's no tomorrow. That's our guild for yuh!" Levy laughed, bursting the door open as I smiled to myself. 'I wouldn't have the guild any other way…' Walking into the room, I shut the door after Levy and locked it. Giggling when Levy nearly tripped over her stack of books to get toward her bed. "Grab the book, it's over there on my desk!"
Throwing the worn-out book on the bed, Levy faced it by laying on her stomach as I jumped in right next to her. Both our feet swinging back and forth from behind, not being able to stay still from our excitement as we propped ourselves up to look down at the mysterious book. "Okay, let's get started Levy-chan! I have a feeling this is going to take a while to read."
Levy's eyes turned playful as she nodded with a serious expression, "Right Lu-chan! Okay, I'll read it—Oh mavis, I'm so excited to read what's in this book!" I laugh at my best friend's behavior, watching Levy open to the first page of introductions.
"Alright, so it says… If you're reading this, I can't tell you who I am, but I will explain everything involving the 'Dragon Slayer Mating Season'. This comes around autumn, on the first day of October—October…? Quick Lu-chan, check the calendar to see what day it is!"
Not wasting time, I got up from where I was sitting… Being careful not to trip over the many books that littered the ground until I came face-to-face where the calendar was hanging. "Mavis… Today is the 30th of September—Tomorrow it starts! What are we going to do, we got four dragon slayers at the guild… Not to mention the other three that also live in Fiore!" My breathing came out in hard pants, internally freaking out as panic started to set in.
'What are we going to do?! I knew something strange was going on… I should've listened to my gut—Oh no… What am I going to do?! I have a pink-haired best friend that's a dragon slayer, and he's going into season! What does that even mean?!'
"Lucy, snap out of it! Everything is going to be okay, just breathe. Take some deep breaths—In-and-out," Levy instructed, shaking me back to reality as I did what she said. Getting calmer by the second, "Thanks Levy."
The two of us decided it'd be best to go back to the book so Levy can finish reading the introduction.
"Mating season lasts for about 2 months… Usually after certain stages are done and passed, they will become more affectionate than normal in their own way—Now, dragon slayer's inner dragon know who their mates are at first eye-contact. However their more illogical side doesn't know it until the bond with their mates are stronger, all they know is that there is a pull to them every time… An instinct to protect—Although they won't go into season until they reach age, which is around 21 years old. During that time, they'll run on pure instincts and will ask the mate to be theirs. Yet, they will not ask directly… They ask by placing their mark with a bite. If it appears, it means in the mate's heart that they've accepted them even if their lips deny. But if it never appears, then the dragon slayer will literally feel the pain of rejection and will slowly decrease from a heartbreak—You see a dragon/dragon slayer only has one mate in their entire life that they are destined to be with. Mates are higher than soulmates, although they can't always predict their chosen mate will love them back… Thus the rejection. Now, this is the end of the introduction, please continue reading for more information if you happen to have or know someone with a dragon slayer nearby."
"That's so romantic… But a tragedy for those that had to endure that kind of rejection," I mumbled, Levy looking downward at that part too. "I know… I can't help but wonder how they must've felt, it's hard to imagine the pain that they went through," A single tear rolled down the solid script mage's cheek, hiccups starting to form as more fell.
"Oh, Levy. Don't cry, it's okay… Gajeel would kill me if he found out that you cried and I did nothing to stop it," I slightly smiled, pulling her into a hug and rubbing her back in a comforting way to calm her down. Levy sniffled, picking her head up with a smile and a slight blush at the mention of the Iron Dragon Slayer, wiping her tears.
Laughing at the redness in her cheeks, something in the corner caught my eye, gasping seeing the clock strike midnight. "Shit, it's late! I should really be getting home before it gets too dark… I'll meet you at the guild tomorrow. Don't forget to bring the book with you!" I rushed out, gathering my keys and whip before heading towards the door. "Of course. Goodnight Lu-chan," Levy said, yawning and waving goodbye as she watched me practically run down the quiet hallway. Needing to be careful not to wake up an angry Erza or Evergreen.
Letting out a breath of relief when making it out of the quiet dorms, I looked up to see the stars twinkling especially bright tonight. Giggling when certain stars brightened as my keys glowed with a warmness… I couldn't help but smile to myself when seeing Natsu's favorite constellation, Draco.
"Mating season, huh?"
[Time Skip:]
Walking along the river and balancing on the bank, being careful not to accidentally fall in as Plue—my celestial pet—keeps me company. I arrived safely to my apartment building without a sudden creep trying to pick me up, gesturing Plue to go back into the Celestial World so I can quietly sneak up to my apartment without waking up the scary landlady. Only letting out a breath of relief when gently closing and locking my door.
'That was close…'
A sudden sound coming further into the apartment had me jumping in fright. My feet cautiously walked further into the room to see a giant lump underneath my pink blanket, a single hand tightening around my whip as the other gently pulled the covers back—There, laying on the bed, was a knocked out and snoring Natsu. Immediately I face-palmed myself, annoyance building up only for confusion to hit when not seeing a familiar blue fur ball.
'He'll never listen… But where is Happy? I haven't seen him all day.'
Frowning, I shook my head before going to the dresser and pulling out a pair of pink pajama shorts, with a comfortable black tank top. Heading toward the bathroom and turning on the shower, making it steamy hot… I decided to leave the bathroom door slightly open, not minding since Natsu was dead asleep. Stripping down and jumping into the shower, I sighed in content feeling the hot water kiss my skin. Hands reaching to grab my favorite shampoo as I started to run my fingers through my golden locks. 'Mmm, vanilla,' I hummed when the scent filled the air as strawberries were added to the mix when washing my body. Finally, when all the soap was gone, I turned off the water and stretched for my towel to dry myself off before washing my face and brushing my teeth.
Nothing like a shower to make you feel refreshed… Now to deal with a dragon.
Making my way toward the bed, I smiled slightly seeing Natsu sleeping so peacefully, despite his mouth open and snoring. 'He looks cute when he's sleeping. Then again, Natsu always did look cute… and h—Wait! No Lucy, bad! He's your best friend… You shouldn't think of him like that!'
Sighing, I gently pushed Natsu further on the bed before climbing in the little space I had, snuggling into the pillow and warm blankets. My eyes were drooping, sleeping slowly consuming me until strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer to a heating source. Eyes widening, I turned my head slowly to glance at Natsu's face.
"N-Natsu?" I ask, unsure. The dragon slayer still looked as if he was sleeping, although he was faintly mumbling something, curiosity getting the best of me as I scooted closer to listen, "…L-Luce." A blush started to rise, turning back around as I tried to fall asleep again.
'What am I going to do? M-Maybe that doesn't mean anything… Yeah, it's nothing. It's fine, I'll give him a good Lucy-kick in the morning. Right now, I'm tired.'
(Natsu POV.)
The sweet scent of vanilla and strawberries made its way in my dreams.
'Mmm, that smells so good. Better than food, more… delicious.'
Movement of the bed dipping as someone's presence came closer had my eyes cracking, looking around my surroundings as I laid in Lucy's bed—Next to me was none other than Lucy, herself, as her back was facing toward me… That delicious scent was coming from her that almost had me growling in pleasure. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her waist to pull the blonde beauty closer. Inhaling the sweet smell coming from her, I couldn't get enough of it. It was like some sort of drug, but before I could do anything else, I felt Lucy squirm in my arms as I quickly pretended to be asleep once more.
"N-Natsu?"
Her sweet voice echoed out throughout the quiet room; I couldn't help but faintly mumble her name right back as she called for me. Though I made no such sign of waking, Lucy quickly turned around to face the other direction again.
'Why is her heart beating so fast?'
Patiently, I waited until her breathing steadied before opening my eyes.
'She must be asleep by now… Luce looks so beautiful asleep, and I just love having my mate in my arms. Although I don't know how long this will last—Oh well, I'll just enjoy it for now. Mating season starts tomorrow, and tomorrow is the day I risk everything either way. Let's see how that goes.'
Pulling Lucy tighter against me, I slightly nuzzled her neck and inhaled her sweet scent with a content sigh… Never wanting to let her go. Soon, I drifted off into a peaceful slumber with my mate's scent around me… Growling in pleasure like the happiest dragon in the world.
