prompt forty six: faith

rate: M for Mature content

Forty six out of one hundred.

There will be one more part after this. Here's to those who had a million and one questions. & i'm here to say HA GOTCHA before anything else. Anywaaaays... Enjoy! x

"When you want it the most, there's no easy way you're ready to go, and your heart's left in doubt. Don't give up on your faith, love comes to those who believe it...And that's the way it is." —Celine Dion

x

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Waking up the next morning, Lucy woke with a gasp and her entire body throbbing in pain. Her core pulsed with the sensation of her being stretched the night prior and she didn't know if this would be a continuous struggle for her. It felt as if she had been horseback riding for nearly ten hours straight and sword fought with her entire army. Twice.

She has never felt so tired before and she wondered if her magic had been drained for her to feel so weak.

Sweat clung onto her naked body and the heat surrounded her like a blanket of fire. She shifted around and tried to sit up but felt something heavy stop her from getting up. She twisted slightly to turn and see a shocking sight of a snoring dragon snoozing comfortably beside her. One strong arm tucked underneath the pillows while the other laid across her waist. The metal chains that kept his hands together wrapped around her as well, keeping her trapped between his arms.

Her entire face flamed up at the sight of her falling asleep and cuddling with this man. It was such an intimate act it only made the embarrassment of what she had done grow stronger.

Doing her best to maneuver around his arms and chains, Lucy successfully got herself free without waking the snoozing beast. She tried her best to roll out of there without making any noise so she could slip back to her chambers but once she heard the bed squeak, she inhaled sharply and held her breath in hopes he did not hear it.

But as a dragon with sharp senses, she could feel him stirring beside her and she slowly turned her head to see his eyes slowly flutter open before focusing on her.

Her entire face felt as if it had burst into flames and she gaped at him like she wasn't the one trying to sneak out of there.

"Going somewhere?" His deep voice vibrated down to her core and she shuddered.

"I—I have to return to my chambers at once," she scooted away from him as he shifted in bed. "T—the day has begun and I have many duties I must tend to."

"I believe I am also one of those duties you must attend to as well, my queen." He purred at her and she could feel the heat rise in the room. She let out a soft gasp as he sat up, the creaking of the bed shaking underneath of her while she grabbed at the sheets and pulled them up.

Natsu grabbed at the sheets and yanked them back down, making her cry out.

"Natsu—!"

"Like I have mentioned yesterday, you do not have to be so shy. I have seen and tasted all of you," her eyes widened as he leaned in to smirk darkly.

Her body trembled and she didn't know why her womanhood clenched at the close proximity he held or the way his deep voice rumbled in the chambers. Her thighs squeezed together and her breath was starting to quicken as he leaned in closer for his breath to tickle her neck.

She whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut as she felt his presence, her head tilting to the side as his soft lips grazed across her skin.

She let out a shaky breath as he planted a kiss on her shoulder and she tilted her head up to look right into his deep golden eyes. "How are you feeling?" He asked, one hand coming up to tuck a strain of her hair behind her ear.

She swallowed thickly, hands trembling slightly as she fisted them into the sheets that laid across her lap. "U—um, sore." She admitted while leaning into his caress. "Is intercourse always like this?"

"Not always," he responded gently. "Sometimes it's worse."

"Worse?" Lucy echoed in horror, her eyes widening. "You mean that I shall be feeling worse than this after every time we..?"

"I believe you may become accustomed to it and won't be as fatigued afterwards." He drawled as he let out a small yawn, leaning away from her. She could only watch in the daytime how his muscles bunched with his movements and how wide his shoulders truly were. Strong arms that held her down last night just pressed against the bed as he leaned back. Bruised lips, tossed hair, and bare skin was enough for all those memories to come back to her and she felt her heart skip a beat before she twisted her head away to look away from the godly sight of this dragon.

She couldn't believe she had actually been intimate with a dragon and survived. This entire time she was so worried she might be split in half (it certainly feels like it) and he would have eaten her alive but from what she could feel, he definitely did eat her alive.

She shook her head to get rid of the lewd images growing inside of her head and she shuffled to get out of bed, a slight wince mirroring her features as she felt the soreness.

Natsu noticed immediately and surged forward, placing his hands on her shoulders to have her face him. "Is it unbearable?"

"I—it is fine… I shall get used to it… hopefully." She grumbled the last bit under her breath and she tried to move out of his grasp but ended up hissing out in pain.

"Allow me to help with that."

"No, I am—"

"Lucy."

Her spine straightened out at the sound of her name coming out of his mouth and she turned to look at him, eyed wide and cheeks growing crimson. He had a stern look to him and the tinkers of gold swirled around his orbs.

"Let me help you."

The authority in his voice merely made her nod in response, afraid her voice may fail her. She allowed him to slowly push her back on the bed and she whimpered out as he laid her flat. She felt a bit self conscious being bare like this out in the open during the day but she tried to keep her mind off of that as Natsu moved around the bed to come between her legs. He lifted one of her legs up and she winced at the tightness, seeing how he seized his movements to gauge her reaction.

Soon, warm rough fingers slid down her leg and down to her ankles and she let out a soft gasp as he applied pressure, swirling circles deep into her skin. The warmth he provided shot up her body and she let out a small gasp of surprise before she was melting into his touch.

It felt as if he was caressing her with his magic, imaginary flames licking at her skin where it soothed her aches. She could feel it almost pumping through her body like her magic did and she was moaning into his touch, body shuddering in delight.

He expertly moved his hot hands up and down her body, massaging her in all sorts of places that had her relaxing further. She whined when he would nick at a particular sore spot and by the time he was by her hips, she had felt a lot better and she was purring in contentment.

"It almost feels as if I can feel your magic," she let out breathlessly, looking up at him with wide doe eyes.

"It probably is my magic that you are feeling," he murmured as he focused his attention on massaging her pelvis. "You do have my seed inside of you."

She could feel the blush rush down her chest and all the way up to the tips of her ears, an embarrassed gawk replacing her expression. The way he smirked down at her had her face shifting to a scowl and she tipped her chin the other way.

"You have a filthy mouth."

"I seem to recall you quite enjoyed this filthy mouth," he hummed in amusement and she was back to sputtering out while trying to twist out of his hold. He kept her firm, pinning her down by her hips which had her gasping out. "And where do you think you are trying to run off to, my queen?" He purred down at her and she was gaping at him like a goldfish. "I believe we have a contract to withhold."

It was hard to utter any type of words this way when he was staring down at her so hotly and making her heart stutter. "I—I have yet to wash and it is morning! I must get up and start my—"

"I believe it is you who has agreed to the terms that we must participate in intercourse at least once a day to ensure pregnancy… no?"

Her body trembled at the thought of having to go through such a strenuous process once more.

"Y—yes I did but I—"

"And you wish to be with child, yes?"

"Yes! But Natsu I—!"

"Then I shall help carry out your end of this contract and impregnate you, my queen," he growled, eyes darkening as she felt him yank her down by the leg. She let out a loud gasp as he dragged her further down on the bed and her eyes widened as she stared up at the beast who hovered over her.

Her body shook with desire and even in its sore state, she could feel the urge to feel his body against hers again. Her body was starting to heat up and she whimpered out as the surge of heat that surrounded them. With him still between her legs, she could feel his cock slowly swelling against her inner thigh, her eyes fluttering as he began to descend down closer to her. She tilted her head up to give him better access to her lips, her eyes glued to the dragon who watched her like a predator ready to devour his prey.

It should honestly scare her considering she was under a dragon but it only made her want him more.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her lips against his, moaning into his mouth where he did not hesitate to thrust his tongue out and lick at her lips. They kissed harshly, lips molding together in a fright of lust and she was digging her fingernails into his back while pulling her closer.

His body pressed against hers and she moaned when she felt him grind his hips and she felt her own hips bucking up to meet his.

She felt dizzy as he pulled away from her, a line of saliva connecting them from their own two lips. She watched him lean back and look down, forcing her own eyes to follow where she could see his member standing thick and hard. She didn't know why she was feeling as if she did not get to feel him stretch her, she would die.

All she knew was that she wanted him and wanted him now.

He wrapped a hand around her ankles and spread her legs, scooting in closer so the shaft can lay right on her womanhood. She let out a small breath of air at the feel of his heat against her own, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

"Is this okay, Lucy?" He asked softly and she peeled her eyes away from the sight to look up at him. His bangs hung over his eyes but she could see them clearly, dark golden slits that stared down at her in hunger. "I shall be gentle with you."

She slowly nodded and braced herself, fisting the sheets behind her. She spread her legs for him even wider, giving him the access he needed which earned her a rumble of approval. She winced as he slapped his length against her sex, tingles of pleasure rushing throughout her figure when he rubbed himself up and down against her folds. The slick sound of her arousal and from last night's activity lingered, the sound of her wetness sliding against his cock in a slow tortuous way.

She held her breath as his tip nudged at her entrance and she squeezed her eyes shut, preparing for the burn that came with his penetration. But instead of the burn, she felt her entire lower half warm and a small gasp flew out when she felt her stretch around his girth.

"O—Oh.. wow…" she let out a small sigh, looking up at the dragon who was watching her. "It… does not hurt or burn like it did last night."

"I am using the small bits of magic I have to help soothe you," he spoke, his eyebrows knitted together in concentration as he slowly continued to push himself inside of her. "And like I mentioned before, you shall not feel such pain and soreness every time."

Lucy moaned as she tossed her head back, feeling how deliciously Natsu filled her. The new position felt great for her where she could really feel every inch of him slide inside of her. When he bottomed out and had his hips pressed against hers, a silent stilled moment passed before he pulled his hips back before plunging himself back inside of her.

Her back bowed and she let out a choked gasp at the rush of pleasure that overwhelmed her and her nipples hardened almost immediately. She really did feel like she was suddenly on fire and she yanked at the sheets as he rocked his hips.

She could feel it all. Feel his shaft rubbing and stretching her walls. The tip of his cock nudging at her womb with every thrust. The burning sensation of his magic coursing through her veins. The searing hot grip he had on her legs to keep her spread. And his smothering piercing gaze that was trained on her as he panted.

Her body felt like it was over a thousand degrees, not to mention the room. She couldn't help but moan out loud with every thrust of his hips, her mouth hung open and tears pricking the corner of her eyes. Her breasts bounced with each thrust and she didn't know what this rush of sensations she was feeling when he would grunt or speak but she could feel it throbbing in her cunt.

The filth he uttered was very racy and she didn't think she would be the type to like such things but the way this dragon was whispering to her while stretching her so, it only had her crying out for more.

"You truly are a sight to behold," he growled as he moved his hands to her hips and slammed her down with each thrust. "Your flushed face is such a beautiful thing."

Having his hands tucked underneath her legs and pushing them up, Lucy shrieked as she felt him hit her in a whole different way. Her back arched off of the bed and she let out a strangled gasp as he grinded his hips deep inside of her. Her hands found purchase on his biceps, nails digging into the flesh as tears streamed down her face.

"Natsu! Too deep!"

Natsu let out a low groan and his hips picked up the pace, slamming into her over and over again while her voice only grew louder. Her head was tossed back and she was thrashing, legs shaking high in the air.

She was sobbing in delight, the creaking of the bed overpowering the grunts and groans coming from his lips as well as the loud squelching of her wetness coming in contact with his.

She felt that persistent pressure building inside of her gut again and she still didn't know what it was. She only knew that once she could tip off the edge it allowed her to feel all sorts of pleasure and her main goal was trying to reach it.

But she just didn't know how.

And she happened to know someone who did.

"N—Natsu..!" Her voice came out in a half-scream as he pushed himself inside of her all the way. "P—please..!"

"Please, what?" He gave her a devious smirk, his hips not slowing at all. He barely gave her a chance to speak or catch her breath, his thrusts becoming more powerful and harsh.

What was it that Natsu said she did last night? Ejaculate? Is that what she needed?

"What do you want, Lucy?" He asked, voice gruff and doing all sorts of things to her. He leaned down to lick around her nipple, teasing her of such an pleasure, while she thrashed and cried out.

"Natsu, please! I—I want..!" She gasped, arching her back into his mouth where he sucked on her nipple. "Please, I want to—!"

"Cum? You want to cum?" He asked, tugging on her hard nipple with his teeth before popping it out and grinning at her.

She merely nodded and whimpered, pulling him closer to her where her legs wrapped around his waist. She dug her heels into his back and he growled at her, pushing himself deep inside of her earning a strangled sob to spill out of her.

She felt his hand come up to her face, tilting her head to face him. He crushed his lips against hers without hesitation and she moaned into his mouth, arms tightening around his shoulders. It was entirely too hot to breath with his body mounting her like this and his hips thrusting into hers. His mouth swallowed each and every sound she produced, tongue shoved into her mouth to take whatever she was giving.

The feel of his large hand sliding down the side of her body while he nipped at her lips made her shudder, her back arching into his strong smothering hold.

His hand found her core, sliding over the patch of hairs that curled on her pelvis before dipping to her wet folds where he touched that bundle of nerves once again. She gasped against his lips and he pressed his mouth harder against her, swallowing the moan she produced while he began to rub circles around her clit.

Her body was jerking with the sensations and she was desperately rocking her hips back to meet his, whining into the air as the suffocating air caught her breath. His thrusts were growing needier and faster and with how he applied pressure to her clit had her eye rolling and her back arching before she was experiencing her climax for the second time in her life.

She screamed into the air as Natsu wrapped his arms around her and pounded into her relentlessly, allowing her to ride her orgasm till the very end till her body was nothing but a limp figure.

With a few more sloppy thrusts and a low groan, Natsu pressed his hips against hers and plunged inside of her deep before she felt his seed spill inside of her and start to warm her immensely. Her eyes rolled with that feeling alone, the burning lava of his semen filling her to the very core.

Her body felt incredibly weak and sticky with her sweat as Natsu panted harshly in her ear and as he removed himself from her grasp, she could only stare up at the ceiling in wild wonder.

It was only the first day and she felt so worn out. Will it be like this for the next of the twenty nine days? She definitely spoke too soon about surviving, she was sure by the end of the week she would break.

Lucy could say she has been better but she's definitely been worse. She didn't know where this pertained to the scale of really bad and really good but she would like to consider it more good than bad.

The bad is that she's practically wobbling around and having to stop to regain her strength every so often and the fact that she feels like she's run a goddamn marathon.

The good thing is that she's actually moving forward in helping her kingdom and engaging with Natsu every day. Though, engaging in Natsu always had its pros and cons.

It was only day three and Lucy felt as if she was going to drop dead from the exhaustion.

Lucy is finding out that Natsu is a very needy person and it has been making things a bit more difficult for her. She wished she knew better than to write in the clause how they must perform intercourse at least once a day because now Natsu makes it a point to tell her it's simply because of the contract and worms his way back between her legs.

She knew he is in heat and he can't help but feel these animalistic urges but she was just a mere human and not used to such strenuous activities, especially not with a dragon in heat of all things. Natsu was wearing her body dry and it was only the third fucking day.

She has had sex with this man more than she can count on her fingers and the kingdom didn't seem to care that she was forced to mate with this dragon as long as an heir were to be produced. All her queenly duties have been either pushed aside, postponed, or easily transferred over to someone else to handle while she is building the future of the kingdom.

She sometimes honestly wished she could just do some paperwork instead of having to perform intercourse but she couldn't lie and say she didn't enjoy it.

Because Queen Lucy was enjoying it alright. Maybe a little too much.

Which is why it scared her to the core to think she actually liked doing this so much, even with her body screaming at her to take a break. She wondered if intercourse was like this for everyone or if it was just because she was mating with a dragon. Or maybe because it was her first time?

Natsu seemed to know a lot more about her body than her and it frightened her to think he could produce a sound from her from one soft stroke or whisper in her ear. It was alarming to see how her body reacted off just a simple touch or flick of a finger.

She enjoyed everything about it. Even down to the way they would be all slick with sweat and their fluids after a heated session of intercourse.

Her most favorite had to be in the end when they both reached their climaxes and he would fill her up with his hot semen. The feeling of it felt so deliciously warm and she loved how it felt as if his fire would pump through her body.

Lucy shivered as she sat up straighter at her desk, her eyes taking in her surroundings for her to realize she had dozed off in the middle of her work. Again.

It was so hard to get Natsu out of her head. He was literally everywhere with how she was forced to see him at least once a day (not counting their meal time) and hear about him from everyone else. Not to mention she could practically feel him on her body, too. It was utterly ridiculous that someone of her status was worried about if her said dragon prisoner had eaten or if he was lonely.

Sure, Natsu was a friend to her but what they were doing together wasn't really… friendly. It was domestic in a way where he would lay with her and speak about anything and everything afterwards. Or how he would help soak her in a bathtub with him nuzzled behind her. Or the times they would share meals and tea together while they chatted.

She's never done what she did with Natsu with anyone else and it was sort of… refreshing. It was fun in the way Natsu kept her laughing and interested in the tales he told. Tales of him growing up and being up to know good. Tales of his wild dreams and what he's seen before in his life in the wild.

She genuinely liked him for him and while others were still wary of said dragon, she trusted him completely.

After all, the biggest trust was getting naked with him and she's done plenty of that.

"Are you sure you are comfortable with those on?" Lucy asked breathlessly as Natsu kissed down her neck. She let out a sigh as he sucked on her skin, trailing his tongue across her collarbone.

"I hardly notice them there," he murmured against her skin, one large hand squeezing at her breast while the other palmed at her hip.

"B—but surely they are heavy and annoying?" She winced as he swirled his tongue around her nipple.

"Would you prefer them off?" He asked as he made a popping noise with his mouth, lifting off her breast to look up at her.

He needed a haircut. His bangs hung over his eyes like curtains and some of his hair stuck out on his nape. The same place she liked to tug on while he pleasured her.

"I—I just want you to be comfortable is all."

He simply shrugged and went back down to assaulting her swollen nipples that rose with his attention. She whimpered as he sucked on the nubs, small flicks of his tongue causing her to moan.

"I won't know how strong my magic will be once you take these off," he spoke while he trailed down her stomach with soft kisses. "But I am sure I will be able to control it."

"Would you—ah!" She twitched as he nuzzled between her legs and blew on her sensitive lip. "Would you transform back into a dragon? How does that work?"

"No, I won't transform into a dragon." He laughed lightly as he looked up at her flushed face. "But it might get a little hot in here for a bit."

"Nothing I have not been experiencing the last couple months," she gave him a small smile and he chuckled deeply.

"And how easily you were able to, my queen, it's quite the turn on to see you accept my heat as such."

Lucy let out a low moan as his tongue ran up her folds and her body let out a twitch again when he met her swollen clit.

"I like your heat," she whimpered as he pressed his tongue against her nub and he froze in his spot, his eyes coming up to lock on hers.

She didn't know what this tingly feeling she felt or why her heart beat so fast when he did. The way the golden swirls flashed with such intense warmth and emotions made her want to shudder.

"You do?"

"Yes," she admitted, whimpering as he pulled his tongue back and he stared at her with a dumbfounded look on his face. "Is that not allowed?"

He stared at her for a moment longer before he smiled and dove right back, using his tongue to show her how he truly liked to hear her words.

When they would be done doing the deed, she would usually need a few moments to catch herself. Natsu would lay beside her and brush her hair with his fingers or run his hands over her body in a nice, soothing manner. It made her relax and want to snuggle into him which most of the time she did.

She wondered if Natsu ever wondered and felt the way she did. Surely he didn't overthink as much as she did but she always wanted to see what he was thinking.

By the second week, Lucy had grown very accustomed to the lifestyle of mating and while her body continued to throb in certain places afterwards, it was much easier for her to go about her days. Natsu's massages helped a lot and she could tell how much magic he truly harbored even with those cuffs on.

Sometimes she wondered if they were even still working.

"They do," Natsu answered one night, the naked dragon laying on his back with Lucy laying on his chest. "I can feel it dulling it but I can still use small doses of it. Especially since I've recovered a lot since my first day and with me feeding off of yours during our intercourse, it's been slowly building."

"I always wondered what your magic looked like. Can you really change into a dragon?"

"Of course I can," he scoffed as if he was offended. "And I am certainly not pink if that is what you were going to ask again."

She giggled as she traced shapes on his chest, watching how his muscles twitched with the movement. "It must be amazing to be so high up in the sky. I bet it is thrilling."

Natsu smiled down at the blushing queen with admiration, his hand coming to stroke the side of her face as she looked up at him with those wide doe eyes of hers.

"One day, my queen, I shall fly you high and wide and show you how it feels."

The idea of flying in the sky on top of a large dragon sounded frightening but nonetheless exciting. It seemed like a dream where they would be able to glide in the air through the clouds and peer down at the land that surrounds them. Just like the very guardians that shined so brightly in the night skies.

They continued to have meals together and midnight tea and Lucy had found it easier to just spend her nights in Natsu's chambers. She had grown too used to having a warm body asleep beside her and it may be a selfish desire but with the days flying by and knowing that at the end of the month Natsu would be leaving her, she only wanted what she wouldn't be able to have for a moment longer. She liked to use the excuse that it was easier than having to go all the way back to her own chambers on the other side of the castle and then coming back to abide by their 'contract'.

By the third week, Lucy had taken matters to her own hands and released him from his cuffs.

No matter how many times Natsu would say he did not mind them, she had believed that nobody would like to be chained for so long. Besides, Natsu had proven himself as a trustworthy person and she knew no matter what he wouldn't abandon her.

The instant heat that followed was overwhelming but nothing she couldn't handle after months of enduring it. She watched in utter fascination as Natsu began to transform, red scales running up his forearms and torso. Nails growing long and sharp as if they were talons. A tail that began to sprout and swish around eagerly and large scaled wings that attached to his back. Even with the small horns that poked out from on top of his head she found it utterly captivating. And a bit adorable.

Normally she would have been afraid to be in front of such a beast but after spending so much time with the man, she could only stare in awe and admiration.

"Wow," she sighed softly as she approached him, hand slowly reaching out to his figure. "You are…" She ran her fingers through the scales and she was surprised to feel how silky smooth they felt. She looked up at the dragon whose eyes were still golden and much more intense as he stared down at her. "Not pink."

The grin that stretched across his face made her grin right back.

"Is this your true form?"

"No, I can grow into an actual dragon as well. I believe it has resorted to this half dragon because of the cuffs that were keeping it locked up for so long. It's probably because my magic just surged forward and transformed me."

Dragons were fascinating creatures on their own and to see a man transform like this was something special. She felt special to know such a beautiful creature that could show and tell her about the world of dragons.

The new information she had been taught brought much joy to the kingdom. Scholars were eager to learn and write about this and she felt as if she was finally doing her queenly duties right.

After two days, Natsu had changed back to his human form and it was a bit odd to say she was disappointed. She was getting used to seeing the newly added appendages and it was cool to feel and see them with her own eyes.

Not to mention feel them as Natsu had gained a new surge of energy and power with his cuffs off. He was much rougher with her but she did not mind it so much. She was finding out that she actually liked it rough and while she was still very new to this world of intercourse, she was not by all means someone who was not experienced.

Natsu was teaching her so many new positions and ways to please a person and while it was scary to have him stuff his gigantic dragon dick in her mouth, the act of it was an experience she would never forget. The way his heat throbbed in her mouth. How vulnerable he was to her as she was on her knees. The sounds he made as he thrusted into her mouth and the way it would make her core ache with the desire to be filled.

Natsu was making her into a dirty whore and queen Lucy was going down a rabbit hole with no return.

"Do you have any family or friends?" She asked again as they sat and ate their nightly meal, watching how the dragon was eagerly stuffing his mouth with all sorts of treats after a session of heated intense love making.

He paused for a moment to look at her and she felt her face heat up.

"Yo—you do not have to answer," she turned her head away, staring down at her teacup in her hands. "I understand it may be a personal matter so I will not—"

"I do." He said, cutting her off from her nervous babbling and she lifted her head up to look back at him with wide eyes. He was quiet as he chewed, golden slits turning more black as they reached the end of the month. "I.. got separated from my nest a while back."

"Separated?" Lucy echoed, intrigued and confused at the same time. "How long ago was this?"

"A couple years ago," he noted as he reached for a finger sandwich. "Our nest moved around quite frequently because there are still dragon hunters. Or what society liked to call them: 'the crazies'. Dragons stayed hidden the majority of time and if one were to ever stumble across a dragon they usually don't survive." His eyes fell on the sandwich, opening it apart to look at the filling. "So naturally the world thought dragons have died off and the few who lived to tell the tale are usually called crazy."

Lucy stayed quiet as she took in the information, sipping at her tea.

"But usually when we moved, it was pretty easy and quick but there were dragon hunters around during the time. Humans can be nasty and persistent creatures." He said it with much distaste and it made her frown slightly.

He shoved the whole sandwich into his mouth. "Well, they found our new nest and we all had to flee. I tried to stay back and help as many nestlings and dragons but there was a giant explosion." He swallowed, grabbing for his teacup. She watched how he used his magic to heat up the liquid, the seemingly calm surface bubbling after a second of it in his hands. "I got injured pretty badly and got captured. Luckily, I was able to escape and I was traveling around to see if I can find them again."

"Can you not just sniff them out?"

"Normally, yes, but like I said, we moved around a lot and we had to be careful in case more humans were around. We have to be very careful with masking our scent and hiding away from the world to ensure our safety. So we lived underground and it's usually surrounded by a mass body of water or a volcano."

Her heart broke for him and she could see it still bothered him with how tense his muscles got and how his eyebrows furrowed together. He tried to seem casual but rotating between the snacks and his tea, his eyes casted downward and were avoidant of her eyes.

Lucy set down her teacup and reached over to place a hand on his forearm, catching his attention almost immediately. Golden dark met chocolate brown and she held his gaze for a minute longer before speaking.

"Natsu.. I am terribly sorry that you have been separated and have endured all this pain. I am sure your family is looking for you as well. Is that what you were doing when you crashed into my borders?"

"Yes and no." He answered. "I had been flying around for a bit, trying to find something to help me lead me back to my nest but I was also very hungry and tired. I ended up spotting a wild boar and I chased it but with me over exerting my magic, I sort of just… crashed."

"You must have been so lonely and scared."

A part of her just wanted to wrap her arms around him and comfort him. She knew how lonely it was without any friends and family around. While she was surrounded by people and loved by many, she was still always alone. Nobody to keep her company. Nobody to eat with. Nobody to chat about irrelevant matters and nobody to laugh with.

"I was," he admitted. "But, it's okay," he shrugged nonchalantly as he popped another chocolate into his mouth. "I have you, now."

She didn't know what he meant by that nor did she ever ask. Those simple words made her entire body feel like it was lit on fire and it warmed her deeply. Her heart felt like it grew twice its size and the fluttering feeling in her belly was intense.

If Natsu had a hard time finding his nest, how could she possibly do something? Dragons have practically disappeared from the face of the earth and while there are some tales that may speak about seeing such a beast, there has been none that have surfaced in a very long time.

She wanted to help Natsu since he was helping her. It was still unknown to anyone if she was with child and even if Natsu couldn't help her get pregnant, she would still release him afterwards.

It wasn't right for her to keep him imprisoned in her kingdom for her own selfish desires and as scary as it was to depart from her dragon and have him out in the world all by himself, she knew he would be able to take care of himself. He was a fire breathing beast and with someone with his magical power, she wouldn't be surprised he would be able to wipe the floor with just a roar.

She wondered to herself for a while where he would go and if he would miss her, too. Even when he was right next to her, snoring in her ear, she missed him.

Because one day, he wouldn't be here.

"Are you sure about this, Natsu?" Her voice wobbled with uncertainty and fear as her hands began to shake. "I—I do not know how safe this will be. Have you ever done this before?"

"Not with someone else."

"How are you so sure it is safe, then?"

"Do you trust me?"

The words in itself would have been easy to understand and respond to but when she was standing at the very top of her castle with a fire breathing dragon offering to fly her, she couldn't find it in herself to respond as quickly.

"Of course I trust you!"

"Then… trust that I will not drop you nor will I bring harm to you, my queen."

Natsu scooped her up in his arms and she was quick to toss her arms around his neck, holding on as tight as she could. She was the one who asked him to fly her so she should be more excited about this but it was hard when her heart was racing and all she could think about was falling to her death.

She watched as Natsu began to transform, red scales trailing up his arms and his torso. Horns growing out from his head and matching wings and tails sprouting from thin air.

It was such a sight to see and as Lucy watched with wide, twinkling eyes, she could only feel the skipping of her heart and the warmth that followed whenever it came to Natsu.

"Hold on tight, your majesty, this will be the ride of your life." He gave her a toothy grin and she let out a shriek as he started to sprint before jumping off the ledge. She shoved her face into the crook of his neck and squeezed her eyes shut, hoping if she were dropped, it would be instant.

She could feel the air whipping around them and her hair dancing wildly. The nip of the summer heat on her skin was nothing compared to Natsu's and as she heard the flaps of his wings, she held her breath the entire time.

"You must look," he murmured against her hair. "The sight is just godly."

Slowly opening her eyes, Lucy blinked as she stared at the strong neck of her lover. She tilted her head up to look at him and her heart skipped a beat as she could see the wide grin on his face and the relaxed expression he held. His hair was flying with the wind and she was entranced by his beauty for a moment, bright stars twinkling in the darkness above and clouds so close she could easily reach out and feel them.

She slowly turned her head to look elsewhere and she let out a gasp, eyes widening.

She knew her kingdom was a large, beautiful place. She's just never seen it from above and the sight itself nearly took her breath away.

"It is… truly breathtaking."

"Yes," he agreed, his eyes falling on her in such a gingerly manner. His eyes were soft and so warm as they clashed with hers. "Truly breathtaking, indeed."

Lucy had come to the realization one day that she may actually be in love with Natsu.

She didn't know how to quite pinpoint the reasoning behind her emotions and it took her a very long, stressful time to figure it out. She didn't think that she would have attached herself to a dragon but with the amount of time they spent together, it was inevitable. He was all she thought about, cared about, and who she wanted to be around.

He has introduced her to a whole world of possibilities and she was immensely grateful to have met someone like him, even if the circumstances were a bit… rough.

Was it bad for her to be grateful he had come crashing into her borders? Maybe. But was it worth it? Absolutely.

There were many things that plagued her mind and while she still had that gnawing sensation of her being a failure, Natsu was the one who helped bring such peace. He comforted her during her times of despair and entertained her when she was down.

During the moments she felt like she was in complete bliss, oblivious to the world and oblivious to her duties as queen.

When it was just him and her tangled up in bed with their naked bodies flushed against one another, it was only Natsu and Lucy, not Queen and Dragon.

It pained her to think Natsu wouldn't be with her anymore. Some days it hurt more than others and some days she was able to ignore the jabbing pain of his upcoming departure.

Panting harshly, Lucy laid boneless on the mattress (they have broken too many beds and have resorted to tossing the thing on the ground in the time being) and as she felt the rush of his warmth fill her, she could only feel the worries plague her mind again.

"Natsu?" She said in a small breathless hush and he turned to look at her, his own chest heaving with his harsh breaths. "Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"I.." she lost her train of thought as she stared into those dark eyes that flickered with gold. "Why did you agree to this?" She blurted out in a hurry.

His eyebrows furrowed for a moment, confusion crossing his features. "Why did I agree to… what? This?" He motioned towards them and she slowly nodded. "I mean.. why not?"

"Be serious for a second."

A light laugh came from him as he ran his fingers through his messy damp locks. "The chance to bed the queen of the Celestial Kingdom and be treated like royalty? It's a bit hard not to."

With the frown deepening on her face, the playful nature of his voice slipped and his smile began to drop. He gathered her in his arms as he turned to face her, her small body fitting perfectly against his. He cupped the side of her face and tilted her head up so they could stare at one another.

"To be honest, I did it so I could escape." He admitted in a soft whisper and she felt a slight pain slice through her. "I believe if I helped you achieve something you need, I could walk a free man once more. Continue my mission on finding my nest."

She swallowed thickly, her throat feeling dry all of a sudden. She wanted to cry and break apart from this man who she had fallen so desperately in love with to save her the further heartache once he left.

He had been thinking the same, apparently as his one true goal was to leave and find his nest. How could she be so selfish to want to keep him? How could she have been so selfish to keep him captive this whole time?

"Lucy," his voice brought her back and she blinked as she looked up at him, his fingers brushing against her cheeks. "Why are you crying, my queen?" He asked with such softness and love making her chest burn with emotions.

Lucy didn't even realize she was crying until she felt Natsu brush away the tears and the hot sting of her eyes blurred her vision. "I—I apologize, I do not know why I am spilling silly tears all of a sudden." She tried to turn away but Natsu's firm grip on her didn't allow her to.

"Lucy," he murmured again and she whimpered as he brushed his lips against her cheeks, taking the pain away with each kiss he pressed against her face. "I do not like to see you sad…"

"I am not sad."

"You are terribly sad, my queen," he said, his fingers combing through her locks. "Will you enlighten me on the reason?"

She was quiet as she stared into those eyes she had gotten so used to. The golden flakes that decorated his irises, the emotions that swirled so deeply through, and the softness that came whenever he would look at her.

"I will miss you when you are gone." She confessed softly, heart pounding behind her chest. "That is why I am so sad."

His eyes were wide at her confession, dark eyes staring right into hers as they darted back and forth from one eye to the other. The silence was heavy and they could only stare at one another, unsure of what else to say.

Lucy knew that no matter what she said, Natsu wouldn't understand. He had accidentally stumbled across her land and he had his mind set on what he wanted to do. She had a duty as the queen and could not abandon her kingdom even if Natsu asked her to come join him.

He was to be freed and she was to stay, ruling over her kingdom till her time comes.

She just hopes that one day, Natsu may return to her on his own terms.

x

.

tbc