Chapter 3: Inner-Dragon


[Previously:]

"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.


(Lucy POV.)

I woke up to sunlight hitting my face through the window that was still slightly open, my eyes tightly shutting, refusing to wake up just yet. 'Dammit… It's morning already? Ugh, I better get ready to head toward the guild—' However, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a loud snore reached my ears. Stiffening as I finally adjusted to my surroundings, feeling a pair of strong-warm arms wrapped tightly around my waist as if scared to let go.

Slowly, I turn to face none other than my pink-haired dragon slayer that I've come to love. 'Wait… Love?! I can't love Natsu! He's my best friend and partner, nothing else… Right?' I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize my hand was reaching out to push his bangs away from his sleeping face. My eyes hesitantly glanced down to his lips, I couldn't help but lean toward him and just when I'm about to press my lips against his…

"Youuu liiikkkkeeee him!"

I jumped back in surprise, falling off my bed with a loud thud as I screamed and hiss when landing on my butt. My face turning tomato red, embarrassment flooding in as I hear laughing from above. Looking up to see a familiar blue cat flyin' over my head, an angry growl leaving me while still being red in the face.

"Happy! You stupid cat… You scared the shit outta me!"

'I'm so getting that damn cat back for that… No fish for a week! Muhahaha!"

At the sound of my yelling, Natsu immediately shot up in worry and fear, "LUCE?! WHAT HAPPENED… ARE YOU OKAY? Did something—" Me and Happy flinched, both of us reaching forward to shut his mouth from talking any further, "Shut up, you're hurting our ears Natsu!" The fire dragon slayer winced at our outburst, instantly becoming quiet and calm when noticing there was no sign of danger.

Happy flew around in circles before landing on Natsu's unruly hair with a wide grin, "We're sorry Natsu, we didn't mean to wake you. I was just playing around with Lushie and accidentally scared her," Happy explained. The Exceed sent a playful wink in my direction that had me softly smiling.

'Maybe this furball isn't so bad… He IS covering for me.'

Patting my lap, signaling for Happy to come here… The Exceed got the message, flying off Natsu to curl up in a ball on my lap. Gentle purrs rumbling when I start combing through his blue fur, Natsu looking at me with a tint of a blush on his face.

I smiled, 'He looks even cuter in the mornings—No! Stop Lucy! Bad, you can't think of Natsu like that… He's your friend! He doesn't like you like that.' Frowning, I smiled once again before Natsu noticed the change in mood.

"Good morning, Natsu. Sorry for waking you, sleep well?"

Natsu's blush darkens, spitting out an answer in a fumble, "Y-Yeah Luce. G-Good morning to you too." A giggle bubbling out hearing his stuttering-self, this was the first time you've seen Natsu like this.

"You're lucky I was so tired to give you a good Lucy-kick out the window."

Natsu chuckled, grinning a toothy grin that showed off his canines. Although just as I'm about to say something, I remembered one little key detail… Today was officially mating season for dragon slayers.

Glancing at the time on my desk, eyes widening, '11: 00a.m? Shit, I'm late to meet up with Levy at the guild. However I have bigger problems, if mating season starts, right now I have a pink-haired dragon slayer in my bed near me.'

Starting to panic slightly in my head, Natsu looked down at me in concern seeing how quiet I've gotten.

"Are you okay Luce?"

Picking up Happy, I placed him on the bed right next to Natsu and got up, starting to rush around the apartment to gather my belongings for the bathroom. As I get everything that's needed, I yell out an explanation.

"Y-Yeah, yeah! Why wouldn't I be fine? I, uh, just remembered I'm late with meeting Levy at the guild. That's all!"

Nervously, I glanced behind me to see Natsu raising a single eyebrow in question, eyes almost narrowed in suspicion… I could've sworn, I saw his eyes flicker from onyx to a forest green.

'Maybe it was just my imagination…'

Snapping out of it, I practically ran toward the bathroom… This time closing and locking the door behind me, sighing in relief with my back against the door.


(Natsu POV.)

Watching Lucy rush into the bathroom, my ears twitched hearing the sound of the water starting to run from the other side.

"Weirdo…" I mumbled.

Turning toward my partner, Happy, I smiled seeing him asleep on Lucy's bed. My hand automatically reaches to pet his head, hearing Happy's purrs and mutters about fish/Carla. Shaking my head, I suddenly froze when I got a strong scent of Vanilla and a hint of strawberries. I couldn't help but take a bigger whiff, shivering slightly as if the smell was some kind of drug.

'It smells so good… Is this Lucy's scent? Why haven't I ever noticed this amazing smell before,' A growl accidentally leaving, I could feel myself wanting to lose control as sweat slid down my temple from fighting this force that needed to get closer toward the scent.

'Fuck, what am I going to do? Lucy just smells so delicious... Wait, no stop! Remember what Igneel told you about losing control, even for a second—Think of Gray or something… Oh mavis, I think I'm going to throw up. Gray certainly killed the mood, ick. Also today is the first day of the season… When the leaves fall, the dragons rise from inside. Hopefully the only thing that changes today are my eyes—Crap, I'm starting to feel the pull toward Lucy again. I need to talk with Laxus and Gajeel.'

Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair and got off the bed only for a glimmer to catch my eye. Frowning at Lucy's mirror to see my reflection—My eyes were already tainting a green and my canines were starting to form into a sharp set. Gripping my white scaled scarf for comfort that Igneel gave me, I took a deep breath… This will be my first ever mating season, and with my best friend.

"The next time I see you Igneel, I can introduce you to the love of my life… My mate, and maybe even grandchildren—I'll make you proud… dad," I whisper mostly to myself so no one can hear.

Heading back to the bed, needing to wake up Happy so we can head out for the guild. I stop when hearing a sort of chant nearby, eyes narrowing and immediately jumping into a defensive position with a growl. Eyes darting to every shadowy corner with my fist lit on fire.

'Mate, want… Must take.'

"Who are you? Show yourself," I growled.

'Calm yourself… I am no threat or an outside enemy—I speak through your mind for this season only, until you claim that mate of ours… For I am your inner dragon, and we are the Prince of the Fire Dragon!'

'Inner dragon…?'

'Yes, you see all male/female dragon slayers have one. Without me there is no you, and without you… There is no me. Although we only come out during season, wiping away your human sense and only sticking to pure instinct until a mate is claimed. Afterward we take our leave… Get buried deep once more and let you have control.'

'Alright, so what do I call you? How's Drago… That's fine with you?'

'Drago… Fine, I like it—For now on, my name will be Lord Drago! Hear me roooaarrr!'

Chucking, I extinguished the flames upon my hands and perked at the sound of the shower coming to a complete stop in the bathroom. Not wasting time to grab Happy by his tail and leaping out the window, landing safely on the ground as a few people freaked out at the sudden scare. Although I didn't mind, simply grinning as Happy spread his wings to fly with a slight complaint. The two of us made our way to the guild, hands behind my head and a love-sick gaze upon my face when thinking about a blonde beauty, my mate.


[Time skip:]

(Lucy POV.)

When I had gotten out of the bathroom, Natsu and Happy were already gone... Having probably gone to the guild ahead of me to get some food and just as I walked through the guild doors, my hunch was right—There at the bar, Natsu was eating his usual/favorite breakfast.

'A whole plate of bacon, four stacks of pancakes, a huge ham, and let's not forget the spicy hot sauce next to his plate… Wait, what? Huh, that's new,' I raised a single eyebrow seeing a fresh bowl of strawberries next to him. Since when did Natsu eat anything sweet?

Looking at him as if he's gone crazy, I headed over to take my usual seat next to him at the bar. Petting Happy's head as the Exceed munched on a fish in delight, tail slightly wagging in happiness. Turning my attention toward Natsu, who was stuffing his face, I gave him a questioning gaze.

"Hey Natsu… What's with the strawberries?"

Natsu glanced at me with a weird glint in his eye, trying to swallow all the food in his mouth but before he had time to answer anything. Mirajane beat him to it as she placed my favorite strawberry shake right in front of me. The oldest Strauss hopped in excitement with a cheerful smile, squealing like a fangirl.

"It was so cute Lucy! Natsu, here, came to order his usual breakfast but then asked for a small bowl of strawberries. I was at first confused too but didn't question it further other than commenting that it was a new change. Though that's when it got adorable! Natsu started blushing a deep red and saying it was for you, not him! He said that he knew strawberries were your favorite and he wanted to buy you some!"

I blushed… Becoming redder when Happy decided to cut in with a tease grinning, "He liikkkesss youuu," It rolled off Happy's tongue, the Exceed snickering before stuffing his face.

Looking over at Natsu, I was surprised to see him blushing as well, yelling at Happy to shut up. I couldn't help but get over my embarrassment and laugh at his reaction, especially when it deepened. A sudden squeal leaving Mira's lips as she got the whole guild's attention with a delightful scream.

"NALU IS SOON GOING TO HAPPEN!"

The guild went silent for a moment before bursting into cheers, everyone raising their beer mugs to the announcement. Although me and Natsu looked at one another in total confusion.

'What's Nalu?'

However before I could question it, something caught my attention in the corner of my eye. Slightly turning to see Lisanna staring… and she didn't look so happy.