Levy is not usually a violent person but she was soon coming to the realization that it was only because of the people she had yet to meet. She was usually a witty gal with her words and heated glares and nobody dared to mess with her when she could verbally and mentally destroy someone in a matter of seconds. Her list of people who irritated her enough to want to commit murder was slowly growing ever since last year and while it's not an accomplishment she should boast about, it was still something worthy of mentioning.
One of her biggest headaches had to be her best friend's boyfriend because this man was dumb as rocks sometimes and some of the things he says really deserve a good punch to the face.
She also thinks Lucy may think like her and sometimes she really does question her best friend's sanity but the man makes her happy so whatever.
And honestly she's kind of glad Natsu said some dumb shit like this because it helped her snap out of her shock.
But her gratefulness didn't stop her from reeling her arm back and throwing a punch right at him which thankfully, hit him square on the jaw.
His yelp of pain and surprise as he stumbled back to slam against the doorframe before falling over was music to her ears and as she stood there with a pulsing fist, racing heart, and flushed face, she could only thank Natsu secretly for helping her come out of this phase.
"What the fuck!" Natsu nearly shouted, the baffled frat boy laying on the floor in between the bathroom and hallway, his eyes wide and hand pressed to his cheek.
Lucy merely stood frozen with a hand slapped over her mouth and her eyes as wide as dinner plates, chocolate orbs darting from him to her.
It took Levy a minute to collect herself, chest heaving and mind racing at a million miles per hour. She blamed it on her hormones.
"Why did you hit me?!"
"I'm pregnant."
"What the fuck does that have to do with me?!" Natsu screeched, still in shock that such a small woman like herself was so fucking strong. "It's not like I knocked you up!"
Levy looked like she was recharging for a second round as she clenched her fist and Lucy was quick to snap back from her daze. "Okay, okay," Lucy said slowly as she got in between the two, hands held up in front of her. "Let us all calm down and take a deep breath."
"I was calm! I wasn't the one who just punched random people at any given time!" Natsu squealed as Levy bucked at him and as he hid behind his girlfriend, he could only give Levy a glare who glared right back in return. "Lucy, I'm scared."
"Natsu," she let out a sigh as she turned back to her best friend. "Is… are you okay?"
"Sure," Levy shrugged nonchalantly.
Lucy looked at her warily, unsure if she should even be getting too close.
"Do you… want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?" Levy let out a manic laugh and it made Lucy and Natsu both stiffen at the tone of it.
Natsu stood up, gripping onto Lucy's hips while he leaned in to whisper, "We should get out while we still can."
Lucy merely elbowed him away from her and tossed him a scowl at his pouting expression.
"I mean… talk about the whole positive pregnancy test?" Lucy's eyes darted over to the counter where the test brightly showed she was indeed pregnant before dragging back over to where her petite sister was standing.
"What? Talk about the fact that I'm pregnant with Gajeel's baby? Or the fact that this baby will be a bastard because it got conceived when I'm a semester out of graduating and starting my masters program? Or the fact that I'm over here freaking out in the bathroom and this dumbass," she pointed a finger right at Natsu who's eyes widened and body tensed. "Just asked if I'm going to be laying a fucking egg!"
"Don't get mad at me that you got knocked up! It's not my fault Gajeel's pull-out game is—" Natsu shrieked as Levy lunged forward and he not so gently pushed Lucy right to her for him to high tail it out of there. "I love you, babe, see you in our room!"
The loud stomps of his feet before he made it safely in their room with a slam of her door confirmed his absence and Lucy could only pinch the bridge of her nose. Levy was still huffing and puffing and while Lucy did feel for Levy's reaction, she knew it was mainly because pregnancy was a scary moment. She couldn't imagine being in Levy's shoes and finding out she was pregnant.
Though, she probably would have taken it a little bit better.
Turning to gently close the door to give the two a bit more privacy, Lucy made sure to turn the lock as soon as the door clicked shut. Levy had returned back to sitting on the toilet, her face a lot paler than it was seconds ago when she had turned bright red in anger.
Lucy inched closer to her, still sporting her tank top and panties and having lipstick smudged all over her face. Levy couldn't take her too seriously when she looked like that but there was nobody better to help her through this time in need. Luckily, it was only Natsu and Lucy in the house and everyone else was either still out drunk or doing god knows what. She was lucky she had come home early and Lucy called it an early night as well.
Though, now it made her a bit nauseous to think about how she had been drinking during the day and now for her to confirm her suspicions, it made her feel entirely different.
"Lu, what am I going to do?" Levy asked as she curled her hand over her face, a low groan escaping her lips. "I can't believe this."
"Well, it could be a false positive."
"I'm eight days late."
"It could be a false positive." Lucy tried again, giving her a weak smile but Levy was not having it. The blonde merely sighed and slumped her shoulders, leaning against the bathroom counter. "Well.. it could be worse, right? This could have been a one-night stand and not your boyfriend."
Levy gave her a flat look and Lucy was rubbing at the back of her neck while averting her gaze elsewhere.
"I am literally less than six months away from graduating my undergrad and going into grad school. I won't be able to anymore!"
"What? What do you mean? Of course you can!"
"How can I when I'm about to blow up into the size of a pumpkin within a couple months and then have to take care of a baby?!"
"You can always abort."
There was a short silence between them as they stared at one another, all sorts of thoughts and emotions swirling through and as Levy started to consider the option, she all but groaned before throwing her head back.
"No, Lu, I… I have to talk to Gajeel first."
"Do you think he'll be happy?" Lucy started to bite on her nails, her own nerves getting to the best of her.
Levy let out an exasperated sigh, narrowing her eyes to the pregnancy test on the counter. "I… don't know." She ran her hands through her messy tangled locks. "I mean, it was hard enough to get him to commit but a baby? That's just…"
"I can't believe you're pregnant." Lucy said with a hand over her mouth, eyes glued to the test.
Levy scoffed angrily. "Tell me about it."
"We have to take more to make sure it's one hundred percent true."
"You think Natsu could talk with Gajeel and get a little bit of an insight on how he feels about… babies?" Levy cringed as the words came out of her lips. "And… sorry about, uh, punching him."
Lucy laughed lightly, waving her hand out in front of her. "No need to apologize, I know how annoying Natsu can be at times. Though, I'm sure he'll be wanting an apology from you."
Levy snorted, a small smile curving to her lips. "He'll get over it."
"But yes, I'll try to see if Natsu could get into Gajeel's head a bit. I assume this means you're going to wait to talk to him?"
The anxiety she felt earlier bloomed inside of her chest in a fury of unwanted pain and shock. Her hand curled over her chest as her eyes pinned to the tiles in the bathroom and while she wondered if this would be a good idea, she could only imagine the chaos it would bring to them all.
She just hopes Gajeel would do the right thing.
Whatever the fuck that was.
Natsu was not a happy camper. Mainly because his wife's best friend just socked him in the jaw for asking a fucking question and because he was being forced into helping the little devil out.
Of course he knows she's not really going to lay an egg. He wasn't twelve anymore. He knew she'll be giving birth to a whole ass baby. He just wanted to uplift the spirit a bit and it didn't help that he was still a little tipsy when they had broken into the bathroom during her screaming.
He loves Levy. Truly. She's a little spitfire who has the brains of his girl in such a cute body but she was truly a terrifying character. She was also Lucy's best friend and ride or die so he doesn't really have a choice in this matter if she is in his life or not. More days than others he likes her enough to have her around and the days where she's screaming and throwing punches at him are enough for him to not be around her.
And with Gajeel over here fucking shit up for not only him but for him and Lucy, he was sure to be wanting to throw a punch or five his way. Because Gajeel is a fucking idiot and he didn't think someone like him had such a weak pull out game. He couldn't wait to fuck with him on that one once the news come out because at least he hasn't gotten anyone pregnant.
Granted, Lucy is on birth control and he certainly had no room to talk as he filled Lucy with his semen day in and day out but at least they knew Lucy had a low chance of getting pregnant.
Levy on the other hand… if he knew Lucy wasn't on birth control like her little friend, he wouldn't be willy nilly nutting inside of her like a fucking idiot.
And now with Levy being pregnant, she was more violent and moody and he was not looking forward to being around such an angry being. Especially since he knows what kind of right hook that little bitch had.
His jaw was still sore.
"Okay, but this is fuckin' gay."
"Natsu!" Lucy scolded as her beautiful face scrunched into a scowl. She glared at him over her shoulder as the frat boy laid on her nicely made bed, a look of displeasure present on his own face. "You need to stop saying that."
"You honestly think Gajeel is going to want to talk about babies with me? He's going to call me gay!"
"Well we all know you aren't and talking about your feelings and whatnot doesn't make you 'gay'. Honestly, men need to stop saying they can't talk about their feelings without it being 'gay'. It's ridiculous."
Natsu gave her a flat look, "It's gay."
Lucy let out a groan as Natsu flopped back on the bed, dark eyes glaring at her ceiling. "Levy hasn't even apologized to me. Why am I doing this for the little devil?"
"Because you love me and she's my best friend."
"I thought I was your best friend," he muttered bitterly under his breath and all he heard was her sigh again. "Besides, if she truly is that freaked out, just abort the kid." He shrugged and Lucy was groaning at her vanity.
"Levy doesn't want to do that. She wants to talk to Gajeel about it first."
"Gajeel is going to literally pass out the moment he finds out—"
"That's why I need you to go and talk to him!" Lucy came stomping over to glare at him. Her hands were planted on her hips and she growled at him, piquing his interest.
"Keep growlin' at me like that and see what happens."
Her cheeks flushed crimson but her scowl didn't disappear. "I'll even buy your drinks for you. Take Gray with you."
Natsu groaned, scrubbing his hands down his face. "Not the fuckin' stripper, too."
He felt like he was getting into more trouble once Lucy had rampaged through his life and as much as he loves this woman, he did not like having to go around and constantly poke at the bear to make a manly move. Why can't any of them just man up and do what's right? He was so tired of playing daddy.
Only when it came to them, though because he will always be Lucy's daddy.
Feeling the mattress dip and the familiar warmth of his wife's body coming to hover over him, Natsu removed his hands to see Lucy straddling his hips. She gave him a sly smile and he was smiling right back, hands moving to land on her thighs.
"I promise once you're back we can have some fun," she purred, trailing her finger up his chest. "I'll pay for your services, Mr. Dragneel."
"No payment required, Mrs. Dragneel," he smirked, wrapping his arms around her to flip her over on the mattress. With him hovering over her now, he could really take her in, a soft rumble of a purr echoing from his chest. "But I do expect some form of relief from all the pain I will be going through." He dipped his head down to nip at her neck and she was giggling underneath him.
"Natsu, stop. You have to get going," she didn't sound too serious as she continued to giggle and squirm. "Natsu!"
"I'm in pain now, I need you to relieve it for me," he sucked on a particular spot on her neck making her shiver and moan.
"Natsu," she whined, pushing him back, which he allowed her to do. Her cheeks were dusted pink and her eyes were glossed over but the pout on her lips was still relenting to his pleasure. "When you get back. I promise."
Natsu took this to flop back on the bed beside her, a loud groan flying out of his lips. "This sucks!"
Lucy flipped over on the mattress to lay on her stomach, scooting closer to her boyfriend who was pouting. "I'll be the one sucking later," she purred, tracing her nail on his bicep. "And I'll even do it with my tits, too."
Natsu turned his head to look at her with wide, expectant eyes. They trailed down to look at her generous cleavage first before looking back up at her mischievous gaze. A slow grin spread across his cheeks and he was back to throwing himself over her, her squeals and protests echoing in the air as he shoved his face into her chest.
It took him entirely too long to get away from the irresistible sorority sister. She was intoxicating all on her own and he was fucked in the way he wouldn't ever be able to get away from her. (Not like he wanted to)
And it was worse since he didn't want to go and talk to Gajeel about goddamn babies and their futures and he was sure they would find it all too suspicious. They were men, they didn't sit and sip beer and chat about their feelings or future plans. No matter how close they were, it felt wrong for them.
That's why as soon as he recruited Gray to come along with him downtown to the bar closest to Gajeel's shop, the ink-haired frat was immediately suspicious of why Natsu suddenly offered to buy beer for them and snag Gajeel on the way.
Gray kept looking at him in a way where he looked like he was trying to pick a fight with him so it ticked him off. He was already pissed he had to do this for someone who rocked him in the face and had yet to apologize (he's going to be petty about this) so he really didn't want to continue this whole stare-at-you-till-you-crack bullshit so he just decided to air it all out.
Besides, he needed all the help he could get. Gajeel was definitely going to find something suspicious and call him out for his odd behavior.
"You can't say anything to anyone. Not even Juvia."
"Don't tell me Lucy is knocked up or something," he chuckled and when Natsu stayed quiet, Gray's smile slipped from his mouth. "You're fucking lying."
"Lucy isn't pregnant," Natsu said as the two continued to wave through people in town. "But someone is."
"Who? If Lucy isn't pregnant then—" Suddenly it clicked for him and Gray's jaw was growing slack. "Levy?!" He stopped walking to gawk at the rosy-haired one who groaned. "Levy is pregnant?! Does Gajeel—"
"Shut the fuck up!" Natsu hissed at the baffled brother as his eyes darted around to see if anyone was listening too close. "I told you not to say anything!"
"How can I not?!" Gray hissed right back, the two hunched over and whisper-shouting back and forth. "How far along is she? How'd you even find out?" His own eyes were wandering around to ensure they didn't see anyone they knew. "Is that why you're being all weird and asked me to come out for drinks?"
Natsu groaned, not knowing if this was a good idea now. Gray was obviously not the one to be talking about futures with and commitment. It was hard enough to get this guy to finally ask Juvia to be his girlfriend and having to talk about babies and their future was going to have him explode.
"I need your help guiding the conversation so Gajeel doesn't find out about it. Levy and Lucy sent me on a mission to see how he feels about babies and shit. But he cannot know, okay?" Natsu looked right into Gray's wavering eyes.
He could practically see him already about to melt away into a puddle at the thought of pregnancy. He knew he should have kept this fuckface in the dark. Gray was the worst secret keeper.
"How are we supposed to do that?" Gray asked as the two resumed their walk. "We don't fuckin' sit around and talk about shit like this. Gajeel is going to be sus."
"Then make sure it's not."
That was easier said than done because Natsu had no fucking idea how to make it seem casual either.
Luckily, he had already reached out to the Neanderthal so he would be there waiting for them but now he regretted telling Gray anything because this little ball of anxiety was fucking shaking like a goddamn chihuahua. He was in no doubt thinking about Juvia and imagining what life would be like for him if Juvia suddenly announced she was with child.
He would most definitely fucking die.
"Yo," Natsu held his hand up as the two DT brothers made their way into the bar. "Fancy seeing your ugly mug here."
"You asked me to come." Gajeel spat and Natsu shrugged as he and Gray slid into the booth. "And you even brought your little boyfriend."
"Fuck you," Gray hissed as the long-haired one snickered.
The waitress was quick to come and get their drink orders, returning not even minutes later for a nice ice-cold sparkling ale to sit in front of them. Gray was avoiding eye contact as he made sure to keep himself occupied and Natsu was one second away from kicking him under the table for being so fucking obvious. Gajeel seemed like he didn't care about anything besides checking his phone every two seconds.
He didn't remember the last time shit was so awkward.
He was eyeing Gray to have him start the conversation but he was avoiding all types of eye contact which pissed him off even more. So knowing he was alone in this and he brought the stripper along for no fucking reason, Natsu began to rack his brains for shit he can say.
He really should have prepared something because now he looks like an idiot just staring at Gajeel who was scowling at him.
"So, I've been looking at rings." Natsu blurted out, unsure how to start this very painful conversation about their futures. "I think I'm going to propose next year."
This had Gajeel and Gray's head turning at rapid speed to gawk at him and Natsu took large gulps of his beer to keep his hands and lips occupied.
"Are you serious?" Gray asked and Gajeel just blinked at him.
"Yeah," Natsu said as he set down his beer, running his fingers through the condensation. "I graduate next month and Lucy graduates the semester after. I know what I want so why should I wait?"
"Don't you think you're movin' a little too fast?"
"Nope," Natsu popped the P as he leaned back, arm tossed behind the cushion. "Y'all don't think about your future?" His eyes darted to Gray's pale face as the male looked like he was a deer in headlights.
There was a silence that lingered for a minute as Gray and Gajeel both tried to chug their drinks and Natsu sighed.
"I want to marry Lucy and put as many babies inside of her."
Gajeel choked on his drink while Gray nearly sprayed everyone with his mouthful earning a scowl from Natsu.
"You're already talkin' babies?" Gajeel's cheeks were growing red and Natsu quirked a brow at him. "You can't be fucking serious."
"As serious as I could be."
Natsu held Gajeel's gaze for a moment until the mechanic cursed under his breath and narrowed his eyes.
"You guys don't want kids?"
"Fuck that—" Gray avoided Natsu's glare as he turned away from his heated gaze. "All I'm saying is that I want to enjoy my time for now. Juvia and I just got together—"
"Levy and I haven't even been dating that long, either!"
"So, what? You're saying you don't see a future with them?"
"What's with all the gay ass future talk, salamander?" Gajeel pointed a glare at him, narrowing his eyes. "I didn't realize this was some tea party where we were going to talk about our ladies and the future."
Natsu shrugged, grabbing for his drink to take another large gulp. "All I'm sayin' is that I know what the future holds for me. Maybe being a husband isn't as bad as it may seem. Or maybe even being a dad," his eyes glanced over at Gray before darting to Gajeel. "You ever think about that? Especially since we have our girls?"
"First of all, nobody but you is thinking about shit like that." Gajeel turned to see Gray's reaction but he was still sipping at his beer with his eyes trained on the table. "Second of all, Levy hasn't even graduated yet and she's planning on continuing her studies so there's no time for all that."
"What if Levy told you she's pregnant today?"
Gray spit out all his beer this time, coughing up a storm as Gajeel and Natsu scowled disgustingly at him. He waved them off, telling them to continue as he waved down the waitress for some napkins and another round.
"Impossible, that—"
"I'm saying what if she did," he pressed on, dark eyes glaring into red. "Because let's be real, we're at the age where this shit is normal."
Gajeel was sputtering, unsure on how to respond to Natsu's wild question. Gray was busy trying to clean himself off as best as he could until he decided it was best to just take his shirt off to dry right beside him.
"What about you, ice-prick? What if Juvia told you she was pregnant?"
"I—I don't know!" Gray stuttered, face growing red. "I guess that all depends on Juvia but I know I sure as hell ain't ready for a baby."
"Yeah, me either," Gajeel scoffed out and Natsu hummed as he sipped from his glass again. "You're just fucking batshit and pussy-whipped, salamander. No wonder you want to marry bunny-girl and pop out as many monsters as you can."
"I know what I want," he shrugged his shoulders. "Doesn't make sense why you two don't."
"Your dumbass would be the first one to pop the question and have babies." Gajeel growled and Natsu's lips curled into a mischievous smirk.
"Want to bet?"
"Bet what? I know you'll be the first. Stripper over here can't even pop the goddamn question of wanting water woman to be his girlfriend and Levy and I have plans before kids so obviously you're the first one."
"Oh, I don't doubt that I would be the first to marry but what I do doubt is the kids." He felt his smirk growing as he looked from Gray's disbelieving expression before looking at Gajeel's glaring ones. "I bet one of you will knock up ya girl before I do."
"With the way you fuck? Fat fucking chance." Gajeel scoffed, downing the rest of his beer before slamming it down a little too hard on the table.
"Don't be actin' like you two aren't fuckin' either."
"Levy and I use condoms."
"So do Juvia and I." Gray piped in. "Sometimes," he muttered in the last part. "But she's on birth control so it's fine."
"I'm pretty sure the shrimp is, too." Gajeel said while looking up at the ceiling as if the answer was there.
Natsu snorted, shaking his head back and forth. "Whatever. I got money that one of you two will be first to have kids."
"You're delusional." Gajeel growled his way and Natsu gave him a wicked grin.
"Want to bet? One hundred bucks."
"Easy fucking money." Gajeel didn't even hesitate to thrust his hand out and Natsu sneakily looked at Gray to see him gawking.
Joining their hands together in a rough, firm handshake, Natsu could only feel victorious as he knew that he would be winning this bet without a doubt in the world.
"Alright, enough gay talk, are we gettin' shots or what?"
Natsu just agreed as he pulled his phone out to text his wife, a shit-eating grin on his face as the messages were sent back and forth.
Natsu: not looking good but I'm still expecting that blowjob Mrs. Dragneel
Lucy: that's not going to be good… but your blowjob is waiting whenever you return home, Mr. Dragneel.
"I can't stay long but fuck yeah, bring on the shots. I got a hot babe waiting for me at home with my name all over it."
"Can't wait to be one hundred dollars richer."
"Yeah," Natsu snickered. "Can't wait."
Lucy normally wasn't the holiday loving type of girl. Never really cared for them but lately, she's been growing excited for them. She hadn't felt like this since she was a little girl and she only really had Natsu to thank for that one. Especially since she was invited over to the Dragneel's house once more and she was finally going to be spending Thanksgiving with someone other than herself.
Her father usually worked during this holiday and he didn't sound too sad over the line. He was more of a Christmas guy anyways so she took that as a sign and packed up their shit to be flying back to one of her favorite places in the world.
And to her surprise, Gray was flying back with them and Juvia.
She figured Gray was close with Igneel too if he and his son got along so well. They were childhood friends so it made sense but that didn't stop her from being dumbfounded at the sight of them at the airport.
"Yo! I didn't think you'd make it," Natsu grinned as he and Gray bumped fists.
With his large headphones hanging on his neck, he let out a grunt while running his hands through his hair. "Nah, TCA just took longer than expected."
"Juvia! What a nice surprise!" Lucy squealed as she jumped out of her seat and rushed over to the equally giddy gal. "I didn't know you'd be coming!"
"I wanted to surprise you!"
"Well considered me surprised," her eyes darted over to her boyfriend who looked sheepish. "Nobody told me."
"I kind of forgot, that's my bad." Natsu laughed lightly before turning to his partner. "Anyways, this will be great! You have to try this shit, Gray, it knocks me the fuck out."
Lucy was pretty reluctant to try this drug on Gray considering he doesn't need it but wants to try it for what he says 'for scientific research'. But he wasn't even a science major (Natsu argued that he was, so his approval is the only one that mattered). It ended up being this whole argument in the middle of the airport with them fighting about what mattered and what was ethical but Gray wanted to be a little bitch and say that this was not ethical no matter who the recipient was.
After bickering back and forth for a bit, Lucy had finally gotten fed up with it and gave in.
It costed Gray a bag of chips and a candy bar at the concession bar but it was totally fucking worth it.
In the end, the girls even found themselves enjoying the necessary silence during the trip there. Decked out in their most comfortable outfits, they chatted while their two idiots lay dead to the world. Maybe she should start investing more time and effort into this even during the school year and not just during traveling. It may save her a headache or eight.
"Are you guys staying the entire time?" Lucy asked as they strapped their bags to their back, getting ready to deboard the giant plane.
Natsu was still wobbly and groaning and Gray looked hungover as well but he was managing just fine with a couple of stumbles here and there.
"Possibly, I'm just here for the ride." Juvia shrugged and Lucy flashed a warm smile before turning to the boys.
"You two alright?"
"You were right," Gray said as he shook his head back and forth, his hair flying with him. "This shit is good. Knocked me the fuck out."
"I told you!"
Getting off the plane and finding their luggage didn't take much time. Especially since they have packed light for the four day trip. Natsu and Gray hauled around two suitcases each with a backpack strapped on their back as Juvia and Lucy lugged around their backpacks and totes along. The rental car they had gotten was sitting outside already as they threw their bags in and got strapped into the vehicle, Natsu refusing to even get in if he wasn't the one driving.
Gray didn't put up much of a fight considering he was still a bit woozy from the drug and was laid in the backseat with Juvia giggling and running her fingers through his hair.
Luckily, the trip down to Igneel's house was less than an hour away so nobody had to fight to stay alive.
"So, can we talk about Levy now?" Gray asked, making Lucy snap her head over to look at Natsu while Juvia raised a brow.
Natsu pretended he couldn't see Lucy glaring daggers at the side of his face and he started to feel his hairline moisten. "I don't know how you expected me to get Gray on board without telling him."
"That wasn't your job to tell him! You should have made something up."
"Babe, you know how Gray is. You should have seen this dumbass—"
"Hey!"
"He was sweating and being all weird and shit. I shouldn't have even brought him along. And I told you that Gajeel was going to call me out for being gay!" He held an accusing finger her way while she growled.
"What's going on with Levy?" Juvia piped up, confused on why the two up front were bickering and Gray was rolling his eyes at the pair.
Natsu turned around to look at Juvia as he came to a stop at a stop sign. "Levy is pregnant."
"Natsu!" Lucy shrieked as she swatted at his arm and Natsu went back to driving, trying his best to dodge his wife's fists. "Stop telling everyone!"
"It's just Juvia and ice-dick," Natsu waved it off and Lucy growled at him before twisting in her seat to look at the dumbfounded hairdresser and a scowling Gray. "Levy does not want anyone to know, especially since Gajeel and her haven't talked about it yet."
"What is she waiting for? It's already been almost a week." Gray scoffed as Lucy narrowed her eyes at him.
"Levy doesn't want to ruin the holidays."
"Yeah, because having the news broken to you on Thanksgiving is going to be way worse than any other fucking Thursday."
"I will gut you, Fullbuster." Lucy hissed and Gray made sure to inch away from her, pulling Juvia a bit closer so if the blonde did end up jumping out of her seat, Juvia would take the blow. "Besides, it's not our place to do anything but support her in whatever she wants to do. You were there, Gray. Gajeel doesn't want to even think about babies, nonetheless marriage."
"So technically their baby is a bastard, right?" The sharp glare Lucy gave her boyfriend made him huff. "I'm just askin'."
"Unless they wed before the baby is born."
"Then a shotgun wedding." Gray added and Lucy was groaning in her seat up front.
"Does Gajeel not want babies?" Juvia asked, still trying to wrap her head around the constant chatter going back and forth. "Or marry Levy for that matter?"
"That idiot has screws for brains. He doesn't even know what he wants." Gray scoffed and Natsu nodded his head in a silent agreement.
"Do you think Gajeel would bail if Levy decided to have this baby?" Lucy turned in her seat to look at Gray before her eyes were darting around to gauge everyone else's reaction.
It was silent for a moment as they all absorbed the question and thought about it until Natsu spoke.
"If he does, I'll fuckin' kill him."
"I wouldn't blame him if he did want to but I don't think it's right," Gray ruffled his hair, a soft sigh flying out of his lips. "It's not like he got some random girl knocked up. Him and Levy have been going steady for a while now and I don't see a problem when Gajeel is pretty much established and a working adult with his own shop. He could definitely do it."
"And Levy is in her last semester, too. The baby wouldn't be born till the summer time." Lucy added, enjoying how everyone was dissecting the topic to make a plan for her best friend. It really did stress her out to think about how her best friend who was the same age as her and in the same boat as her with relationships was expecting. The idea of pregnancy was scary and even though they were well past their teenage years, Lucy still felt as if she was going through a teen pregnancy and having to help her friend figure out what to do.
"But she's also about to enter into her masters program in the fall so I'm unsure how that will work."
"Levy's a smart girl. I'm sure she'll be able to manage." Natsu put a reassuring hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze. "Besides, she'll have us to help her."
"You're delusional if you think Levy is going to let you out of all the people who help watch her kid." Gray scoffed from the backseat, the two brothers glaring at one another from the rearview.
"I am great with kids! Kids love me as much as I love them!"
"Please don't ever say that, again." Lucy pleaded and Gray was cackling in the backseat.
"Gray, do you want kids one day?"
The question itself made the entire car go quiet and Gray was sputtering as he looked at his girlfriend who looked a little too doe eyed for his liking. He could feel his hairline moisten with the tension and he definitely could see his two traitor friends up front pretending not to listen, roping him into this mess that he definitely should not be so fucking nervous about.
But the thing is, he didn't know if he wanted kids. Gray never was the type to wish for kids or think to himself that once he got older he would want to become a parent. He felt like it was batshit to want to be a father to little goblins that scream, cry, and shit constantly. Even when he was a kid, he never saw the appeal. It was hard enough trying to take care of himself and his grown ass mother, he couldn't imagine what life would have been like if he had a little brother or sister to care for, too.
Besides, the point on reproducing is to continue on the lineage and why the fuck would he want to continue on this shit bloodline? His bloodline consisted of addicts and good-for-nothing blood and he didn't know when his parents became shit people (or maybe they were shit people from the start) but he felt as if he were to become a parent, he may become a shitty good-for-nothing, too.
"Maybe." Is all he said because he didn't want to get into this now or ever so he offered her a small smile and a pat on the head and left it at that.
Because if he got this nauseous and worried about one of his friends having a baby, could anyone imagine how he would be actually if it happened to be him?
And then of course this dumbass up front wants a whole army of children with his wife so the world is already going to be shit with his seeds running rampant.
God save them all.
—X—
Gray didn't think he would ever step foot back into this town. There were too many bad memories associated with it and he didn't like to return to the same place that broke him. Especially when he was bringing his girlfriend along but he had been pushing it off for far too long and Igneel did threaten him so he kind of had no choice.
That red-haired man was the father he's never had and while it was hard to wrangle up two rowdy growing boys all on his own, at least he tried. That was more than what his two good for nothing parents did.
So that's why he has such high regards and respect for Dragneel senior because he was there for him when nobody else was.
"I have no idea what I did to get my two boys to meet such beautiful women like you and Lucy but I must have played my bingo cards right!" Igneel barked out in laughter, his loud obnoxious voice reminding him of a certain pink-haired pyro. "At least they did something right!"
Natsu rolled his eyes while Gray scoffed, having his arms crossed his chest while Juvia blushed and giggled at Igneel's compliments. Lucy was already attached to his side with his arm swung over her shoulders, a wide grin on his face.
"Now you two can be on your merry way, the house is too full." Igneel turned towards the two boys, shooing them with his hand.
The DT brother's gawked at the older man as Lucy and Juvia giggled, giving him bright smiles as Igneel grinned right back.
"Alright, old man, that's enough. Get your paws off my wife!" Natsu came barreling in, shoving his father off the blonde to snatch her back in his arms. He wrapped his arms around her as if she was some delicate flower that would blow away in the wind and he hissed at his father who rolled his eyes.
"Seems like nobody could take a joke anymore."
"I thought it was funny, Mr. Dragneel." Juvia said and Igneel was beaming as he came to her to swing his arm over her shoulders.
"Juvia, it's not too late to reconsider your options. I told Lucy the same thing when Natsu brought her over the summer."
"Hey!" Gray cried out while Natsu was back to rolling his eyes. "Don't give her any ideas!"
"Come on, now, children, I made a nice spread! We can unload later and after dinner we can conjure up a bonfire in the back and roast marshmallows!"
Lucy squealed in delight as she dragged Natsu inside the house, leaving the other three to come trailing inside. The lovely cottage home smelt like home cooked food and love, the cozy place giving it such a nice homey feeling. Especially with all the bodies that were now occupying the once empty place, it felt lived-in for once and Igneel was beaming with joy to see his kids all in one place.
Natsu and Gray were back to shouting and shoving at one another, pushing through the halls to get to the kitchen first.
Igneel barked at them to be careful and not to break anything while Juvia clung onto Lucy, giggling with her as they whispered about this and that.
All of this was new to Juvia as she hasn't experienced something like this in many, many years. It was weird to have a father figure around again and to have someone as lively and loving as Igneel, she felt her heart soar at the memories of her late father.
Thanksgiving was always meant for family and Juvia did not have any family left. She considered Meredy like a sister and usually she would go over to her place to join in her family festivities but this year she had Gray and the privilege of being asked to join not only him but two people she also considers very dear to her.
She loved the dynamic of everyone around her. Full of life, laughter, and a shitload of disaster that follows but she wouldn't want it any other way.
The way her jaw dropped at the large spread had Lucy cackling. There wasn't a single place in the kitchen that didn't have food covering it and it seemed as if Igneel had run out of space on the table considering he had other types of dishes littering all over the kitchen surfaces. There was two of everything, ensuring everyone would be able to get plenty and more. Rolls on top of rolls, one turkey and one ham cooked to perfection. Bubbling Mac n' cheese, fried egg rolls, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole—the list was never ending.
Juvia could only stand in the kitchen and gawk in half surprise and half amusement as everyone began to grab for a plate to start their buffet line.
"You think this is impressive," Lucy leaned over to whisper. "You should see what a normal Tuesday night is."
Juvia had no idea what to expect but it certainly was not this. She didn't even know where to start.
"Come on, babe," Gray waved her over, already holding onto a second plate for her. "Let's grab some food."
"Where are we supposed to sit?" Natsu asked as he was already helping himself to the Mac n' cheese.
"I set up the table outside."
"Are you crazy? It's cold out there!"
"Do you take your father as a dumbass?" Igneel clucked his tongue, tossing his son a small scowl as he was making sure Lucy got enough rolls on her place, plopping three on the large paper plate. "I have the heated lamp out there and we're going to start a fire. I would never let my daughter-in-law freeze out there." Lucy giggled sweetly at his title for her and he flashed her a quick grin. "And of course, my other one as well."
Juvia flushed at his kind words and Gray was scowling at his bonus father, flipping him the bird while Igneel flipped it right back.
"Gray, don't be rude."
"That's just our love language," Gray said as they all moved uniformly around the very packed kitchen full of everything they could think of.
Everyone was quick to plate their food and with Natsu holding two large full plates with a roll popped into his mouth, he held the door open for his wife and his friends as they trailed out of the kitchen and to the backyard. Igneel had cleaned it up real nice considering there weren't just piles of wood and tall grass covering the area.
He had hung up string lights that brought light into their scenery and he had a large six person table set up towards the right of the house. With a nice tacky thanksgiving table cloth laid over it, Lucy giggled at the scene of a turkey butter sitting right dab in the middle of the table along with feather hats and turkey napkins.
"What are we? Five?" Gray asked as he fingered the cheap feather hats Igneel had laid out for them.
"Funny. I recall you boys loving these hats and even wearing them till you were probably fourteen." The red-haired mused as he dragged out a chair and placed his plate down.
Gray popped red in embarrassment and Natsu snickered, grabbing at the feather hat to come to his wife to place it on top of her golden head. The red, yellow, and orange feathers that stick out of the band were a bit bent and some feathers were missing but it was still intact and exactly the way it's been since he was a kid. He held his thumb and pointer fingers out into an L shape, boxing Lucy's figure in as he closed one eye and looked at her through the hole between his hands as if he was taking a photo of the beauty. Lucy merely giggled and posed for him, blowing him kisses in his imaginary camera.
"Just as I thought, my wife is beautiful in anything." Natsu exclaimed, grabbing at her waist to pepper her with sweet kisses earning a squeal and laughter from the blonde. "Or nothing at all." He whispered into her ear and she was blushing while trying to push him away.
"Gross." Gray scrunched his face up in disgust while he sat down. "In front of my food? Really?"
"I think it's sweet," Juvia piped up as she sat beside Gray, eyes darting from the couple to her own boyfriend. "Shows how in love they are."
"Hey, we are in love, too." Gray said with a small frown on his face. "I just don't have to flaunt it around or fuck in front of everyone to prove it."
"Oh put a sock in it, Gray." Lucy scoffed as they looked at the ink-haired frat. "Just say you don't like PDA and move on with it."
"Not everyone can be madly in love like us." Natsu smirked as he pressed his cheek against Lucy's, the two of them sporting identical grins at the disgusted DT brother.
"Oh, young love," Igneel sighed happily as he was now seated. "Reminds me of the good old days." He dramatically dabbed at the corner of his eyes and Natsu was groaning, rolling his eyes.
"Dad," he whined while pulling out a seat for his wife before sitting down beside her.
Igneel flashed him a playful scowl as he scooted into the seat and beamed at the four that were seated in front of him. "Alright, kiddos, you know the rule." The red-haired male said, making Gray and Natsu roll their eyes as they shifted into their seats, digging into their pockets. Lucy and Juvia watched in confusion as they held their cellphones out to the older man. Igneel plucked the devices from their hands and then looked at the girls expectedly, his palm outstretched out in front of him. "You too, girls. Phones."
Without another word, the girls fished their phones out and also handed it to Igneel who got up to go place them inside.
"What's with the phone confiscation?" Lucy asked, leaning over to whisper at the table.
"Igneel doesn't like phones at the table." Gray said as he draped across his chair. "If you have yet to notice, the Dragneel's have a black hole for a stomach and take their food very seriously."
"And it's also Thanksgiving so dad likes to really get into the holiday. Seeing how he dug out these little hats," Natsu held up the flimsy almost broken feather hat. "He wants to continue the tradition."
"Oh, what kind of traditions?" Juvia asked, a bright look plastering on her face.
"Kid stuff," Gray waved his girlfriend off as he played with his own feather hat. "We did the hats. Say what we're thankful for. The wishbone. Pie. And a bonfire. Sometimes games."
"It's cute that your dad is still doing all this. Did you do this last year?"
"Nah," Natsu played around with his utensils, growing antsy as his meal was beginning to grow cold. "Last year it was just me and pops so we kept it casual. But this year Gray came back and we have three extra people so I guess he just got a little excited." He shrugged while Lucy plucked the feather hat from his hands, trying to perch it on top of his wild spiky locks.
Juvia already had her hat on her head as she had placed it on top once she knew what it was and Gray just scowled at the thing, glaring at the feathers that were on their very last legs. But after a minute of Juvia pouting at him and giving him the puppy eyes, he relented and put it on his head with the roll of his eyes.
By the time Igneel returned, he was taken back by the sight of his children gathered at the table with their feather hats and waiting for the adult to return to begin their feast. He wiped at the corner of his eye as he rushed back inside, coming back with a camera in his hands as he cried about how utterly adorable this was and how excited he was to have everyone home. The photos came out with Natsu and Gray scowling but they happened to get one adorable pic with everyone at least smiling (curtsey of their girlfriends who pinched at them to behave) and once that was done, Igneel finally sat back down at the table with his hands stretched out on both sides of him.
Once hands came together, Natsu was rolling his head back to groan as Igneel shot him a disapproving look.
"I am thankful that I have both my kids home this Thanksgiving and I am extra thankful that they have brought along their girlfriends." Igneel beamed at the girls who gave him shy smiles. "I am thankful for the food on this table and thankful for this amazing life I get to live."
"Do we say amen?" Lucy whispered over to Natsu who snorted. "What? I've never done this before."
"No, babe, we just got around saying what we're thankful for."
"So we don't say amen?"
Igneel cleared his throat and caught Lucy's attention, the blonde whipping her head over to see everyone was staring at her and her cheeks flushed.
"I'm sorry. I, uh, this is my first time."
"No worries, baby, we'll take it slow." Natsu gave her thigh a pat and she glared at him while the corner of his lip tipped up. "Just say what you're thankful for."
"Um," she felt self-conscious with all the eyes on her. "I'm thankful to Igneel for inviting us to this magnificent feast."
"There you go," Natsu cooed at her encouragingly and she felt her cheeks heat up further.
"And I'm thankful I get to spend this holiday with some of my closest friends and amazing boyfriend."
"Husband." Natsu coughed in between but they ignored him.
"And um… thankful for…" Lucy trailed off, trying to see what else she could say but was finding it hard to put it all in one sentence. "Just… thankful for everything. The life I'm currently living and will be living. Thank you."
"You're not supposed to thank us," Gray snorted from across the table and Lucy gave him a mean look. Juvia nudged him on the side and he just rolled his eyes.
"You did great, babe." Natsu leaned over to whisper and she just planted a kiss on his cheek resulting in him trying to chase her lips with his.
"Can you just hurry the fuck up? Some of us are hungry."
"Gray, let Natsu finish." Igneel spoke and Gray just grumbled his breath.
"Well, I'm thankful for everything and everyone." Natsu boasted proudly. "Besides Gray." He looked over to snicker at the glaring male. "Thankful for my father who slaved away at this meal and thankful to have him around for another year since he's practically a fossil."
Igneel shot his son a look but Natsu just smirked back.
"Thankful for my friends and thankful for my amazing, beautiful wife." He leaned over to get all in Lucy's space who gave him a small scowl but couldn't help smiling as he gave her a wide grin. "And thankful for this bomb ass meal!"
"Oh!" Juvia squeaked as she realized she was now next, all eyes on her. Her cheeks glowed red and she squirmed, looking down at her plate. "Um, I am thankful for Mr. Dragneel inviting us—"
"Igneel." He corrected and Juvia flushed further.
"Igneel." She corrected herself, clearing her throat. "And I am thankful for the friends I have in my life and my boyfriend," She peeked over at Gray who looked away in embarrassment, his own cheeks tinted pink. "And I am super thankful that I get to live another year and experience all the fun and love the world has to offer." She smiled softly down at her plate, squeezing the hands of Natsu and Gray. "I really am." She muttered the last part and when she looked back up she could see Igneel looking at her all teary eyed and Lucy was giving her such a loving warm smile.
She felt Gray and Natsu return the hand squeeze and she flushed once more, dipping her chin down to smile into her lap.
"Saved the best for last," Gray smirked, taking away the moment and Natsu was scowling at him from across the table. "I am most thankful for Igneel inviting us to Thanksgiving and the food he prepared. I am thankful for my friends and brothers. Most thankful for my beautiful girlfriend," Gray grinned boyishly at Juvia who gave him a loving look. "And I am thankful none of us have died, yet."
"Gray!"
"What? It's true. You don't know how many times—ow!" Gray's knee jumped up to ram against the table, silverware and plates clattering and jumping with him.
"Not appropriate." Lucy hissed and Gray sighed as he looked over at his bonus dad who looked more amused than anything.
"Thank you, Igneel. I am thankful for you always."
"Aw, look how cute you are, Gray. I am thankful for you, too," Igneel grinned, which made the ink-haired one look away with a flush on his cheeks. "I am thankful for you all. Now, let's dig in!"
Natsu didn't hesitate to drop hands and immediately dig into his meal. Everyone else followed suit, hungry and excited to have a taste of Igneel's cooking and after spending months away and not being able to have home-cooked meals, it was heaven for every one of them. Moans of delight echoed and laughter followed, the group of students and father enjoying the company and food that was offered.
Igneel could only watch with a soft smile to his lips at the conversation and laughter that floated between the students. Even with Natsu and Gray old enough to be on their own, he could still see the young boys who always bickered about something. The feather hats on their head brought such warmth to him that he had to wipe his eye a couple of times, nostalgia running deep inside his body.
Now with the whole family together and two additions to his already small but loving family, Igneel felt as if he had finally done it.
I did it, Summer. The boys are grown.
Now, all he had to do was marry them off and get them to pop out a couple of kids and then he could finally die happily.
"Why do you get the last leg you fat fuck? Give it to me!"
"You snooze, you lose, you little bitch!"
If he could keep them from killing one another.
Help us all.