lowkey just got the spark of inspo I needed to finish this chapter!

What I had planned didn't make muuuuch sense,, as much as I wanted to add some spice, this story feels angsty too so I wanted to lean into that

enjoy!

I couldn't control my momentary desperation, savoring the flavor of Natsu's tongue as it licked slowly against mine. He tasted of need and heat, and I felt my heart respond unwillingly.

The deep growl vibrating between us made my body shiver and my heart pound in my ears. He'd been craving this kiss just as much as I had. His touches, his being; he was still my Natsu. And I couldn't help but love them both.

The darkness was winning, claiming me with my weakness for his attention. I'd dreamed of his kisses so much that experiencing one in real life made it that much harder to pull away.

His power flared deliciously in my stomach, growing like the roaring flames of a campfire.

My tongue chased his, a seductive smile spreading as he purred in response.

"Mm, there she is," My cheeks felt warm at the sound of his roughened tone, arms moving to circle carefully around his neck. "My Lucy."

Parting from our embrace, he looked down from our angled position, swiping his tongue along his bottom lip.

"Good girl," He was careful, helping me to my feet, my body still abuzz and ablaze with the burn of his traveling curse. But my thoughts felt so much more at ease; why was I fighting this? Him?

Natsu wanted to be with me, for me to be his queen. Why would I turn him away when I knew I would willingly follow him to the ends of Earthland, demon or not.

I was feverish, edging on delirious the more his curse welled inside of me, Natsu holding me gingerly against the tree behind us. He lifted my left arm with a satisfied glint in his eyes as he watched the red veins spread and further cover my skin.

My vision swayed as he kissed the palm of my hand, a tightness forming in my throat. Our eyes met as he slid off the long cuff of my dress, tossing it to the ground. The soft trail of his lips moved upward along my exposed arm, dipping and nursing against the spots he favored. Nearing the mark of Leo's sign, he glared for a short moment, before whispering in a sinful tone.

"You'll soon bear my mark, my love," I swayed under the demon's gaze, intoxication from the kiss of his lips against my throat sending me over the edge.

~000~

I awoke with a sharp gasp, the air knocking out of me as my back collided with a tree a few feet in the distance.

My body shook as I looked over myself with wide eyes, my breath hard and fast as I panted.

I had control over my body, I couldn't help but smile as I attempted to stand to my feet.

"L-Luce! I, I'm okay, oh my gosh, I didn't think—"

I knew it had to be her who threw me back, most likely jarring E.N.D's senses enough that I could regain consciousness momentarily. I could only watch from my confines how he tainted her, how Lucy fought to keep her own sanity.

But he pushed her too far, and she slipped.

The demon within her surfaced, harsh and ragged breaths echoing from her lips. She hunched over the ground, heaving and grabbing at her hair, trying to understand what was going on with herself.

I paled, rising on shaky legs, sick with myself that I dragged Lucy into this. How was I supposed to help her? Or rather, help us both, because who knew how long I had left in my own body. I could already begin to feel E.N.D yelling for what he intended to claim.

Her soul.

I could put more distance between us, get myself far enough away that the demon energy inside of her might settle. But looking at Lucy, my heart fell into pieces. She was at war with herself, seemingly battling for sanity, and I knew how that felt all too well. I couldn't just leave her here, but I didn't want E.N.D to further his goal.

"She'll only hurt herself," The demon in my mind spoke. "Lucy wasn't born a demon like us, cursed energy running wild without a dominant force to tame it will lead to her death."

I grit my teeth as his nonchalant tone, my body still unable to make its choice to approach her or run away. "The fuck do you mean by that, you bastard? How could you hurt her like that wi—"

"You weren't supposed to come back," He snapped, the dark energy of his curse welling within my heart. "But that just proves how strong my queen will be once she accepts the curse into her soul."

"I'll never let that happen," I spit back, swallowing thickly as Lucy raised her blackened eyes towards me, lips curling into a snarl. "And neither will she! Luce, you have to fight this, listen to me!"

I braced myself for impact as she rocketed forward, her fist coming into contact with my forearm. The demon cackled again, his excitement mixing with my adrenaline.

"She's perfect, just perfect!" He roared with pride as I continued to duck and weave her punches, the force of her attacks pushing me back. I grimaced at the pulsing red veins crawling up her body, unsure of how to undo their ascent. "Fight back, make her submit! She needs to recognize my strength, our curse! The one who made her!"

E.N.D shoved inside me for control, growling and reaching for control over my movements. I wouldn't hit Lucy back, even with her enraged and out of her mind. This wasn't her fault; taking a few of her kicks was rightful punishment.

I stumbled backward as she knocked me to the ground, quickly tumbling out of the way as she lifted her leg, aiming to stomp me out.

"I know you're in there, Luce," I whined again, clutching my chest as E.N.D flared his curse angrily. "Don't let him do this to you! S-Shit!"

Lucy's speed suddenly increased, side-swiping at me and successfully scratching my bicep with her nails. Her punches and kicks came, giving me barely any time to dodge as she edged me closer and closer toward the rushing river that cut through our trapped territory.

"She's pushing herself beyond human limits," Another warning boomed in my ear as her heel connected with my side, knocking me onto one knee. "I won't let you ruin her, she needs to be tamed!"

"I won't let you," I could feel my fire diminish, the strength of the demon seed within me growing, aided by the wizard who attacked us. "Fuck, I don't know if this'll work, but I won't let you lose to him, Luce."

Catching her by the ankle as she attempted another kick, I parried her balance. I managed to force her toward the water in one swift motion. With Lucy's back facing me, I tackled her in a split second, ignoring her cries as I held her under the water.

"You gotta trust me!" She thrashed and shrieked, too far gone to use her words, my mentality slipping away as I called out to the sky above us.

"Aquarius! I know you can hear me!" My strength slowly dwindled, but I held on as Lucy kicked, pinning her arms around her torso as I screamed. With her key out of Lucy's possession, there was a slim chance the spirit could interfere with the spell trapping us. "You have to pull Lucy into the water right now, or she's gone forever! I need you….you to protect her from me, until, until she can get out of here! Fuck, d-dammit, I'm serious! T-Take her right now, or I—I…I…"

~000~

When the demon awoke, he stood in the center of the river, arms empty of his tainted bride.

A snarl graced his lips, anger flooding him in a rush, an angered roar breaking past his lips.

"Where did you go?!" His nose couldn't locate her scent; the magic around them was the only other overwhelming scent under his nose. There wasn't even a trace of her to find, and there wouldn't be, until her luck ran out.

school starts in literally 2 days AH

but I'll probably be back on my stress grind and distracting myself with fanfics lmao,, that's how it usually goes for me

hoping to post again sooooon