Hey guys just wanted to say thank you for all the followers. I know I've been less active than before and it's because life is busier than ever. However I'll continue to run this blog as long as I don't start hating Nalu completely and that's not gonna happen lol. But I do need help from you guys to maintain this archive in an easier way.
Would you guys tag this blog (@) in posts you'd like to see reblogged so I can find them easily?
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(L to R) I love me some sci-fi Fairy Tail stuff and I eat that up whenever there is one. There is a similar one but there was no update, sadly. Honestly, while reading this, Natsu caught me off guard like dude wtf?
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This one shot (even though I lowkey wanted to know what happens after that) is just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 The author also have some other one shots so go ahead and check it out
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I wrote another fic for Nalu :)
ao3 link here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54123970
Fandom: Fairy Tail
Relationship: Natsu Dragneel/Lucy Heartfilia
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Natsu's POV, Fluff, Established Relationship, They get chosen by the cat distribution system and it's really cute
Words: 2218
Summary: Natsu and Lucy lose track of time while working at the library, and they wind up in the right place at the right time for the cat distribution system to do it's work, even through a storm.
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The crowds at the library were bigger than ever when Natsu and Lucy arrived—the curse of exam week upon them. Looking out over the first floor, neither table nor chair was left unoccupied. Each computer, barring those with “Out of Order” signs, was in use, some occupants typing furiously, and some occupants sat with their heads in their hands looking at blank pages. Even the rolling whiteboards provided by library staff had all been checked out—some held scribbles of math so complicated it gave Lucy a headache, and the others held drawings of complex organic chemistry reaction mechanisms.
Natsu completed most of his examinations earlier in the week and in the week prior, but he would never turn down an opportunity to keep Lucy company while she wrote. Especially because she was here last week holding his hand while he screamed about thermodynamics and “what the fuck is fugacity anyways?!”
Watching her write was truly one of his favorite pastimes—he loved the way her eyes lit up when the ideas started flowing, the way her nose crinkled when she made a typo, and the way she scowled when erasing whole paragraphs.
“Do ya wanna try another floor? Maybe we’ll find an opening somewhere else,” Natsu leaned down to whisper in Lucy’s ear.
Having come so far in her creative writing degree, exams were a thing of the past for Lucy. All her professors now preferred to assign essays and stories instead, something which gave Natsu a headache of his own.
“All I need is a spot in a corner away from people and near an outlet,”
The pair made their way to the stairs and up to the third floor, because if any floor was less busy it would be that one. With the third floor’s quiet policy, most people frequented the lower floors during exam week to accommodate the cacophony of voices that study groups frequently produce. To their relief, the floor was nearly empty. A number of plush chairs waited unoccupied for the pair. Lucy grabbed Natsu’s hand and led him to a particularly enticing corner with two cozy armchairs. She plopped down into one and smiled at Natsu as he took the other.
“Okay, just one more chapter to go, and then I can start my last essay.” Lucy’s affirmation to herself before she pulled out her laptop, cracked it open, and slowly drifted away into her writing.
It was now that Natsu found himself starring at Lucy, watched as she chewed her lip whilst thinking of the best word to use, or the right way to structure her sentence, or whatever she happened to be thinking of. It didn’t matter—all he knew is that he loved that expression regardless.
“Gonna make your lip bleed if ya keep worryin’ at it like that, Lucy,”
Lucy waved his comment away without looking at him, but Natsu smiled softly to himself when he saw that she had removed her lip from between her teeth. The pair worked in silence for quite some time, Lucy on her writing and Natsu on one final bonus assignment, with the occasional sharing of whispered words between them. The silence was comfortable, like a blanket enveloping the couple.
Long after the clock read midnight, the pair tucked away in a corner were some of the only ones to remain. Early exams meant an increased need for a good night’s rest for the other patrons. Not much could be heard aside from the soft pattering of fingers on keys and the tapping of feet on the ground.
That is, until a huge crash of thunder washed over the building. The pair jolted away from their respective activities, startled by the sudden noise. Lucy looked around wildly, as if having just become aware of her current surroundings.
“I thought the storm wasn’t supposed to start until like 1am!”
“Uh Lucy? It’s nearly 2am. Think we los’ track of time.”
“Shit! I had planned to be out of here way earlier so we could at least grab food on the way back, I didn’t even grab an umbrella!”
Natsu chuckled internally at Lucy’s expletive—it wasn’t often she cursed, but he had rubbed off on her in the last year. She never would have cursed prior to the start of their relationship, but one slips out every so often, as much as she’d like to deny it.
“I don’ have one either, but tha’s okay. I know it’s closer to yours but there’s more cover on the way to mine so we can go there. I’ve got clothes for ya there,”
They gathered their belongings and padded their way down the stairs to the first floor. The windows in the entryway exposed sights of the downpour just outside the library, sounds which, except for the thunder, the building muffled significantly. They exited the building and stood just in the doorway, taking one final dry moment. Jackets pulled tightly around them, Natsu and Lucy braced themselves before walking out into the deluge.
Natsu had made this trek between the library and his apartment probably hundreds of times in varying degrees of bad weather. Given his propensity to ‘forget’ his umbrella, he had all the best spots to duck for cover memorized. The pair skittered from portico to portico, thankful that there were so many businesses between the library and Natsu’s apartment.
Despite their best efforts, Lucy and Natsu still wound up utterly drenched. They were about 50 yards from their destination, but the storm kicked up in intensity and began dropping coin-sized hail that trapped them under the last awning between them and the apartment.
“Dang it we’re almost there! I shouldn’t have lost track of time like I did, because now we’re stuck for the foreseeable future. This is just great” Lucy huffed out a brief chastisement, seemingly incredibly disappointed with herself.
“Hey, you don’t gotta be so hard on yourself, we both got equally distracted,”
Natsu knew the late night was getting to Lucy. She never really was a night owl, always preferring to end the night early so she could spend time getting ready for bed. She had an extensive skincare routine that confused him, but it always left her skin looking glossy and clear. After skincare, she would wind down the rest of the way with a cup of tea and a little bit of light reading. Rarely was she in bed later than 10pm—exam week was just doing a number on her sleep schedule.
Natsu’s thoughts were interrupted by a sound that carried just above the howl of rain—the tiny, strangled mews of a kitten in distress. Lucy gasped, indicating that she had heard the cries as well. The awning they were currently huddled under was adjacent to a narrow, crooked alleyway, from which the sound had come.
“We have to find ‘em, won’t last long in this weather,”
In total agreement, Lucy and Natsu ducked into the alley to search for the source of the pathetic sound. They shuffled around trash bags, discarded boxes, and several trashcans before they found him huddled in the very corner of an overturned box. He was skinny—that much they could tell through the dark. He had definitely gotten separated from his mom too early, but he was friendly enough that he came right up to Natsu’s outstretched hand. He scooped him up, shoved him in his jacket, and the now-trio ducked back under the awning.
“We should make a run for it, Natsu. We have to get him inside,”
Just as they were deciding to make a break for it, the rain let up just enough as if to encourage them on their way. They ran out towards Natsu’s apartment, making the last leg in record time. After a tiny struggle with keys that just wouldn’t cooperate, the trio practically fell through his door.
Lucy and Natsu were truly a sight to behold. They stood in the entryway of Natsu’s apartment positively dripping with rainwater and holding the most disheveled looking kitten ever. They confirmed that he was in fact a little boy, but also that he was grayish blue in color and far skinnier than he looked whilst hunkered down in the box. Natsu found himself wondering how long it had been since this kitten had a proper meal. He was shivering from the cold and perhaps malnutrition.
Looking around at the state they were in, Natsu decided a game plan was in order.
“Alright, I’m gonna grab some towels for us as well as your hairdryer from the bathroom. I’ll take care of drying him while you take the firs’ shower, you’re shiverin’ as bad as he is right now. There’ll be a clean set of clothes waitin’ for you on the counter.”
She moved to protest, but he wasn’t taking any arguments. This would be the best way to eliminate as much discomfort as possible in a timely manner. He didn’t want his girlfriend or his newfound kitten suffering for longer than they had to. She sighed in resignation and instead went to take a quick shower.
Satisfied with Lucy’s lack of protest, Natsu bustled around his apartment gathering towels, the hair dryer, and a set of old clothes for Lucy to wear once she had finished her shower. The kitten had cozied himself into the folds of Natsu’s scarf in the meantime. He sat down crisscross on the floor, laid a towel on his lap, and placed the small bundle of kitten down on the towel to blow-dry.
The noise of the hairdryer startled the kitten at first, but once he realized the air was warm and helping him to dry, he began to rumble contentedly. Natsu continued to stroke the kitten in his lap as he went about drying him, the kitten receptive to his ministrations. This little grayish blue kitten was easily worming his way into Natsu’s heart, as he was slowly beginning to realize that he would do anything for the feline.
Now that the kitten was sufficiently dry, Natsu figured that the next most important thing was to get some food in him. He had no way to get actual kitten food right now, but he did have some canned tuna that would have to do until he could make it out to shop tomorrow. As he was getting the tuna set up in a little bowl, Lucy emerged from the bathroom with a slight flush on her face from the heat of the water.
“All better?”
She mumbled softly and gestured towards the bathroom to indicate that it was his turn in the shower and that she would take over kitten-watching from here. He just sighed softly with a little smile, kissing her on the top of the head as he headed towards the bathroom. He watched her cozy up on the couch above where the kitten had tucked into his tuna before he closed the bathroom door.
Natsu showered quickly, seeing as he had already dried off most of the way while he was attending to the kitten. He mainly used the time to bring some heat back into his bones and to brainstorm all of the supplies he would need to buy—kitten food, litter and a litter box, food and water containers, some toys, the list goes on and on. Of course, he would also have to get him checked out by a veterinarian, who knows what he had picked up on the streets.
He surmised that it was too late in the night to be agonizing over specifics and elected to check on the pair in the other room instead. He stepped out of the bathroom followed by a cloud of steam and was greeted with perhaps the most wholesome scene imaginable. Lucy was snoring softly on the couch (though she’d insist later that she does not snore, thank you very much) with a little ball of blue-gray kitten curled up on her stomach.
He had fluffed out quite a bit now that he was dry, and Natsu quite enjoyed the color of his fur. It was unconventional, not like your typical tabby, black cat, or calico. Now, if only he could come up with a name for him…
Natsu stared at Lucy and the kitten for a moment longer before deciding to carry them to the bedroom to turn in for the night. He wrapped Lucy’s arm around his neck as he cradled her back in one arm and the crook of her knees in his other. She nestled her head under his chin and let out a cute little sigh.
As he laid her down on the bed, Natsu heard the smallest of murmurs from her.
“What was that, my love?”
“He is happy,” she affirms a little stronger.
“Hm, Happy? I think I like that very much,” he whispered as he tucked himself in next to her, making sure not to disturb her or their little sleeping bundle of Happy.
What a happy coincidence that the pair found themselves huddled under that particular awning, only to hear the kitten’s mews for help? Tomorrow, Natsu had to figure out everything he could possibly need to take care of this kitten, but right now? All he had to do was love them both.
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Rating: R
Pairing: Nalu
FF.Net || AO3
[Ch: 1] ||| [Prev] | [Next]
Thanks to @phoenix-before-the-flame for their awesome Beta work, as usual.
March Post Dates: 15th and the 28th (Yes, my Birthday!)
April Post Dates: To Be Decided
When Gajeel was finally questioned, it was days after he'd willingly been led through the gates and brought into the dungeons. His cooperation led to an easy time of sitting around in proper chairs and choosing his own cot to bunk in, all while Kage sulked in his renewed prison. The shackles that scraped his wrists and ankles were a formality more than anything else; One he seemed unbothered by.
His interrogation wasn’t in the official chambers where Makarov sought counsel with Erza, Laxus and Mirajane days before. Instead, when Laxus came to retrieve him, eyes narrowed and posture full of unspoken threats, he'd been led to a small room in the depths of the keep, where the draconis assumed was their chief’s private quarters.
While this was a curious turn of events for him, what made his studded brows rise was when Laxus irritably slammed the door behind him, leaving Gajeel alone with the short chieftain and no one else. The room was cramped, too small to host many occupants regardless, but he didn't even hear the click of the door lock.
“Have a seat.” Makarov drawled, mustache twitching as he glanced his way. He was seated behind a grand red oak desk that filled nearly half the room. Tomes in messy piles and stacked parchments littered its surface, with odd knick knacks and baubles that didn’t quite fit thrown into the mix. He casually motioned to one other seat that Gajeel had almost missed. And rightly so, it was nothing more than the tiniest of stools, splintered beyond belief and standing on rickety legs despite the ashy burn marks that littered its surface: a stool made for a child.
“Yeah, no. Not sittin’ on that,” Gajeel replied dryly, leaning against the doorframe instead, “you sure about having me in a room alone with you, old man?”
“Why?” Makarov lowered his hand, confidence gleaming in his eyes, “Do you think you pose a danger to me?“
He shrugged, “Dunno, do I?” Lifting his shackled hands he bared his teeth in a sardonic grin, “or these give ya a sense of security?“
The old man's chuckle as he relaxed into his chair made Gajeel frown. Was he missing something here?
”I didn’t take you as a man to make jokes. If you were going to attempt anything, I think you would have already. A man of your strength could break those shackles in minutes.“
'Not even that.' He thought idly, but brushed the words aside as more thoughts gripped him, ”What would you know of my strength?“
”Boy,“ There was a near irresistible urge to snarl that Gajeel swallowed in the back of his throat, body bristling in offense, ”I've three clansmen all with the blood of Draconis in them. Surely you know that they scented you the moment you came near our walls?“
A chink in Gajeel's facade was finally made. His grin faltered with his confidence. Of course, he didn't doubt they'd catch a whiff of him if he'd smelled them, but to have passed that information along already? They were quick. The element of surprise was now lost, and that disturbed him more than he wanted to admit.
”That ruins my fun,“ He snorted, arms crossing in disdain, the shackles clacked together.
Another soft chuckle left Makarov as he propped his short legs on the edge of his desk, managing to look more indifferent than the large draconis had been. “I’ve been informed of your attunement. Metal I believe? Erza’s report of your camp was quite thorough.“
His eye twitched before he could control himself: another chink added.
”So I was right.“ He whistled, watching Gajeel with a keen eye that felt as if it were seeing straight through his mind. “A fascinating element to wield no doubt.”
When speaking with Jose, their banter always felt like a dance around threats and subtle digs of information towards one another. As if the other clan leader was always looking for a way in to sniff out Gajeel's weaknesses, but he never learned any more than what Gajeel chose to reveal.
In a span of a minute, here in this dinky room standing before a geriatric who hardly came up to his thigh, Gajeel felt uncharacteristically small. He didn’t like the clever glint in the old man’s eye or how he steepled his fingers. He didn’t like how he managed to learn what even his own clansmen didn’t know. This was a sensation that made bile rise in his throat, shame fueling the tension in his shoulders as hurt pride demanded he act out.
But he had more discipline then that and stayed still while his sharpened nails dug divots into his biceps.
“Do you fairies always spoil the fun like this?” The question was pointed and petulant, but Gajeel felt he deserved the momentary childish barb.
”Oh we have our own ways to have fun, I guarantee you.“ The old chief finally settled down into his seat, dropping the casual attitude as one drops a burning coal, ”Now, with that out of the way, do you want to remove those shackles or keep pretending you can't? I think we both know you wouldn't get very far if you attacked me anyway.“
That confidence was one thing shared between Makarov and Jose, Gajeel noted. A grim knowledge of one's own abilities. It was an asinine trait, but having the wind torn from his sails so soon into the conversation had left the draconis feeling out of sorts as he dragged his feet to finally sit down.
A part of him was more than satisfied when he heard the legs crack under his weight, struggling to stay intact. If he couldn't keep his abilities a secret longer than a day, fine. At least he had this.
”Fine. You got me.“ He growled, not bothering to hide his irritation. ”But we're not here to discuss what I can do, are we? You got questions and I got the answers you need.“
”Now we're to the meat of the matter, very good,“ Makarov entwined his fingers under his chin and hummed in agreement, watching as Gajeel fiddled with the shackles but made no attempt to rip them off. He'd save that for later.
“Since you've made it obvious you come from Jose's clan,” The old man continued, voice dripping with acid at the name of the other leader, “Clearly you have a reason for giving us Kage without any demands for compensation. Before I ask you anything more pertinent, let me make one thing clear: Kage's return does not give you access to the Celestial your leader has been after and she's no bargaining chip. Are we clear?”
Gajeel snorted, his grin finally returning, “Crystal. She’s of no use to me anyway.”
And now, it finally felt as if he'd regained his foothold as he watched Makarov's stern expression drop. He decided to run with it, continuing before he could start his line of questions. Gajeel leaned forward, ignoring how the stool creaked as he propped his elbows on his knees.
“I’ll let you in on a secret. Jose thinks he sent me here to get on your good side, learn your towns in and outs and buddy up with you all before dragging the girl out by those golden locks he’s so obsessed with. That was the mission assigned to me,” The more he spoke, the more Makarov's expression changed, hardening into a silent, dangerous rage that fueled Gajeel's amusement.
“He still thinks that, and while I was down for playing along for a bit, there's no point in that now.”
“... and why is that?”
Gajeel's laugh dripped something close to madness, “Let me see your other Draconis members and I might tell ya.”
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In the restless hours between Porlyusica begrudgingly giving Natsu the go ahead for freedom and the strange draconis being led through the gates, the Draconis of Fire was not sitting still. In fact, just outside the doors of the keep, he paced, snarling and spitting fiery fury each time he was dragged back to his quarters by those who watched him.
His fellow villagers were glad to see him on his feet. But still, they couldn’t help but wish that the old hermit had ordered him more time in his home. If only to give his frazzled keepers a break now that he was set loose. Keeping him confined to his home was infinitely easier than dragging him back to it after a long walk that always led to the keep; No matter how many times they'd convince Natsu to try a different path, to entice him elsewhere, he found one way or another to lead them back to his planned destination.
It was this constant back and forth and his demands to be let in that Makarov had found him before his meeting with Gajeel. In fact, he'd gone out specifically to settle the fiery man down, who refused to be calm and listen to reason. Having the opportunity to tell his chief the truth about the newcomer had eased him minutely, but he continued to stay close, refusing all attempts to bring him home.
“You need to eat-” Max had attempted to lure him with the promise of a meal and he looked exhausted from the conversation, ”Seriously, Mirajane promised to cook a different kind of soup this time so-“
”Can eat it here.“ Natsu cackled, ignoring the hard stare of Wendy who'd come along. She was adamant to stay by his side ensuring he wouldn’t push himself too hard. He was talking more than he should, he knew, but the parchment Lucy had left behind was long consumed by his own flames and he hadn't the patience to bring anything similar with him.
”Seriously, Wendy. He’s being difficult. Maybe I should swap with Lucy-”
Natsu's ferocious snarl ripped from him without thought, startling the other roma to silence. He muttered a quiet apology a moment later. The mere thought of Lucy being anywhere near the keep was too much. He wouldn't allow it. Considering Kage's attempts to kidnap her and the possible ties this new draconis had to Jose’s clan, Natsu would rather open his wounds than have her near
But he didn't bother saying this outloud, his feral snarls and disturbed pacing was enough to get the point across.
”... Natsu,“ Wendy mumbled, trying to placate him, ”Makarov already knows. No one's going to let Lucy get hurt, you know this. Please calm down.“
Her tired, meek tone was almost enough to mollify him, deflating at the look of her. She'd sat upon a nearby stump, fingers digging into the bark with claws she couldn't contain any longer. Their instincts were in sync with the arrival of a new draconis to their chosen flock and the knowledge he wasn't alone was sobering.
But he dug his heels into the dirt and shook his head, ”fine, but I ain't leaving.“
She sighed, looking at Natsu's current charge in sympathy. ”Maybe you should go get your replacement. You look like you could use some rest.“
”And leave him alone to bust the door down?“ The man asked, cringing at the thought, ”No offense to you Wendy, but I don’t think you can hold him down if he starts getting bright ideas.”
She pointed to her nose, sniffing the air as her eyes gleamed, Natsu caught the motion and immediately knew she had caught something in the air he'd missed, ”It's alright, he'll stay put.“
”Pfft, yeah right. Like I won’t-“ He began, following her action to taste the air. The wind had changed direction, something she would have sensed first before him and with that came the familiar scents of not just Erza, but the one person he hadn't wanted near at all, his statement changed in an instant, snarl returning through sharp teeth, ”Why is Erza bringing Lucy here?!”
Max stiffened with his eyes going wide as he began backing down the path. “You know what? Good idea, Wendy, I really SHOULD go. Have fun with that.“
It was almost comical how fast he booked it down the gravel path, shouting for Freed at the top of his lungs. At least it wasn't Warren, Natsu thought, that man's telepathy was irritating on a good day. He would hate having his every thought broadcasted.
But with the knowledge of Erza and Freed both coming his way, the Draconis knew he'd have little time to act and wasn't about to put Wendy in a rough spot in the scant minutes he had. A conundrum that left him grumbling in annoyed dissatisfaction.
”... do you really want Lucy to see you like this?“ Wendy asked under her breath eyeing him closely. The remark felt pointed, but the reason behind it was unknown to him.
”... What, mad? She's seen me mad before. Ain’t like this is new,“ He stated, letting her question distract him from the agitation still boiling under his skin, ”What's your point?“
”Well, uhm,“ She fumbled with the hem of her shirt, brows knitted together as she considered her next words, “since you two are together now, I thought you'd want to put your best foot forward. That's all.“
The restless anger that had him pacing disappeared with the wind, leaving him rooted on the spot. Confusion made him stare at with comically wide eyes as heat burst to his cheeks. His face felt far hotter than it should have as he spluttered, voice a blank monotone, ”Since we're what?“
His empty stare must have spoken more than his mouth as Wendy turned a violent red. Tearing her gaze away, she wrung her hands nervously as she tripped over her words, “Oh- are you not? I just could have sworn you-“ She cut herself off again, switching sentences on a dime, ”Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I completely- I thought-!“
An awkward laugh poured from his lips, cutting her off, fighting off the rising embarrassment that threatened to steal his voice. He asked hoarsely, dreading her reasoning but desperate to know all the same. “What did you think? Who said we're together?“
”You... you were covered in her scent the other morning,“ the air draconis explained, covering her beet red face, ”so I assumed. I'm sorry!“
It all clicked at that moment. The way she refused to meet his eyes the day before, the flush that dashed her cheeks when mentioning Lucy. Wendy's odd behavior had nothing to do with some private thing in her life distracting her but rather... Natsu's jaw dropped, staring quizzically in disbelief as the younger Draconis fidgeted in her seat.
When too many silent seconds passed, she began again, ”I really AM sor-“
”It's not the first time her scent’s been on me,“ Natsu said hurriedly, cutting her off again as he regathered his thoughts, ”I-It’s been on me before loads of times. Like... this ain't known? Why would now suddenly mean we're a thing?“
Wendy whined, peeking through her fingers at him, ”All over your face Natsu?! Her scent’s never been on your face before! And when we were coming to see you she bumped into us and- and- Your scent was all over her neck! What was I supposed to think?!“
Her voice cracked, striking a new octave strong enough to make his ears ring. He tried to hurriedly defend himself, but words didn’t escape- That didn’t mean anything! That was because he-
His teeth clacked at how quickly he shut his mouth as the memories of his escape with Lucy came flooding back.
He was hardly aware of himself, too tired and comfortable to argue with Lucy when she was being weird. So he did the first thing that came to his mind, sinking his teeth in her ear. He didn’t remember much after, with sleep claiming him as he rested his head in the crook of her neck. It was the most restful sleep he’d had in a while before Kage’s scent forced him awake again.
It felt right in the moment but now, during the day, wide awake and running on adrenaline, he finally pieced together why Lucy had reprimanded the action. He hadn't meant it the way Wendy had translated it, but -
He choked out a squeak, an oddly shrill sound that made Wendy jump in her seat. If she could smell that, then that means- ”... oh god the old lady….does she…?“
Wendy could only nod and Natsu felt another stone drop into the pit of his stomach. The approaching scent of the girl in this scenario was a staunch reminder of how little time they had left to talk privately and each second slammed another fact straight through Natsu's brain.
Why had he been so touchy? Not just then, but lately? How often did he cross that line with Lucy and not realize it?
It was too much to think about. He decided, teeth grinding, especially with two enemies currently in the keep. Changing directions, he stuffed the thoughts of Lucy into the back of his mind (to hopefully forget), and spun towards the door of the keep. There were more pressing matters at hand. Wendy leapt from her seat, latching herself to his arm. A surge of wind wrapped itself around them, gently pushing Natsu away from the door.
”No, no, no!“ She cried, face still a flaming red. He could feel her heated cheeks against his arm and guiltily looked to his feet, still attempting to walk forward, ”Natsuuu, I really AM sorry, but you can't go in there! I swear I mostly kept it to myself so-“
He froze when she did, both realizing the emphasis she put on 'mostly.' With a voice lowering to such a whisper that his own ears could barely catch it, he tilted his gaze back to her, ”... mostly?“
”Oh no!“ She flinched, burying her face into his bicep while her fingers dug into his skin, ”I didn't mean that-! Well, I mean, I did, but it wasn't supposed to happen-'. He didn't stop her rambling, but the way they both could now hear Erza and Lucy's voice down the path helped spur her to get to the point.
“It’s just the old lady right? Only she knows?” He hissed.
Wendy gnawed at her bottom lip guiltily. ”I…..may have accidentally let it slip near Gray...“
No.
Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, she hesitantly added, “... who was... talking to Cana.”
NO.
“Oh you’ve gotta be fucki-” Horrors upon horrors fell upon Natsu's shoulders. He needed to get inside the keep to see the old man again. Or connect his fist with something solid, like the face of that strange draconis before anything else happened. His exclamation however, was interrupted before he could finish the thought.
“Natsu!” Erza bellowed, commanding voice cutting through the air. They both froze. She was on a warpath barrelling towards them in armored fury, leaving Lucy behind to watch with unhurried steps. “If you think you can bully Wendy into letting you in -”
Wendy looked just as overwhelmed as Natsu felt, ducking behind him to hide from her wrath. She sprang into action at Erza’s accusation, peeking out to wave frantically to the angered woman, ”It's all right! He wasn't trying to go in, I swear!“
Eyes shifted to meet Natsu’s in a silent plea, making him force a grin (albeit a terrified one) and nodded, ”Was just teasing her! I wouldn't put Wendy through that, haha.“
But then his eyes narrowed, hoping his fellow draconis would catch the underlying, 'this doesn't make up for it' message behind it. Nodding, she accepted the claim, as both seemed to take on a more relaxed air with practiced ease.
First he needed to chuck a pillow at Makarov and Freed. Now he had to noogie Wendy and prank her. How many people were going to get added to his 'be an annoyance' list before this week was through?
”Ah, very good then,” Erza said, her approach slowing when she caught up. She eyed them both suspiciously despite their assurances, but thought better than to continue the line of thought. Rather, she examined Natsu from head to toe and frowned deeply.
“Shouldn't you sit down?” She questioned, “While I understand your need for exercise, you've been out of bed for some time now. You should rest your legs.”
Natsu rolled his eyes and snorted. Seriously he wasn’t gonna keel over if he stood up.
“I'm fine-” Natsu cut himself off, looking over Erza's shoulder to meet the brown eyes of a certain celestial Romni finally catching up to them.
“It really doesn't matter what state you're in,” She beamed, face practically glowing with her greeting, “You're still ready to cause trouble, aren't you?”
“I-” Suddenly, words became difficult all over again. As if the damage in his throat had returned tenfold, forgetting all the hours and magic put behind healing it. He couldn't find the words to reply to her and laughed breathlessly.
At Wendy's curiously wide stare, he shook his head to regain his thoughts and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, ”I'm just... tryna to make sure no one else gets hurt. That's all.“
And that was the perfect distraction he needed, eyes narrowing as he remembered his earlier ire. At his sudden glare, Erza matched his expression and crossed her arms. ”What’s the big idea bringing Lucy up here anyway?”
”I don't see why not.”
“There's TWO good reasons inside those doors-!”
Before Natsu and Erza could continue, Lucy jumped between them with hands on her hips, eyes glinting dangerously in his direction. “I thought we got over this speaking as if I'm not RIGHT here half a year ago?”
He flinched, “Ah... but I-“
Her expression soured, “But?“ She repeated, a hint of her magic sizzling in the air.
The return of her magic threatened to pull a grin out of Natsu, but the scent of danger radiating off her made him immediately backpedal, ”Nothing! Sorry!“
”Thank you.“
He didn't miss the way Wendy inhaled sharply, giving him the most deadpanned stare he'd ever seen from her.
While Natsu chose to ignore Wendy, he looked to Erza who avoided his gaze. Whatever her reasoning for bringing Lucy along, it would remain a mystery. And rather than risk angering her further, he moved to claim Wendy’s stump, flopping onto it with a dramatic huff. His thoughts had been in disarray since leaving his home, But now this? It was too much to think about. Not today, he could think about it another day.
Lucy, on the other hand, took the moment to question Wendy about the draconis' inability to stay home now that he'd been given permission to walk around. Recounting the tale of Natsu's exploits against the keep door had her exasperated in seconds, but her smile grew at a subtle humor as well.
Erza had fallen silent. She vaguely listened with a curious expression. Yet her eyes flickered from place to place, unable to stay focused.
In fact, Natsu noticed once he'd broken through his own sulking, the redhead could barely stand still: feet shifted and fingers drummed along her forearm. Once or twice her gaze settled on a specific room attached to the keep before darting back to Wendy and Lucy's conversation.
Natsu knew restless energy enough to recognize it in Erza and her revealing it was fascinating enough to distract most of his errant thoughts.
“In a hurry to go somewhere?” He cocked his head and waited for a response, surprised when Erza jumped. That was... not normal.
“Not particularly,” Her breezy reply was too controlled and Natsu didn't buy it for a second. Ignoring Wendy and Lucy's sudden silence, he hardened his gaze and waited until Erza's uncharacterized fidgeting grew even more so, “why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why are you lying?” He countered, voice cutting sharp through the cracks of his throat.
With eye twitching, her tone dropped to a hiss, “Not everything needs to be YOUR business.”
Fear shot through his system like lightning and he gulped. Abort! Abort! “Fine, whatever! I bet it's something girly anyways.”
“You're clearly trying to provoke me,“ she crossed her arms, fiddling with straps of her leather bracers, ”considering your injuries, I'll choose to ignore it: back. off.“
Foolishly realizing he'd backed himself into a corner, Natsu was stuck between pushing her buttons further or doing just as Erza suggested. Whatever was on her mind, it wasn't worth the risk, but the curious gazes from Lucy and Wendy began to crack Erza's shell as a blush crept down her neck.
There wasn't a chance to call it out, as those flickering eyes finally caught something in the distance, widening in relief. “Ah, your charge has finally arrived. Good. I can go then.”
“Wait,” Lucy chimed in, puzzled, “what was the point in bringing me if you're just going to leave-“
Her question went unanswered as Erza beat a hasty retreat towards the keep. Turning right at the entry door, she entered the side building, where Natsu realized the smell of their other stranger was currently dwelling. His eyes narrowed as she slipped inside. Odd, but not important enough to dwell on now, not when Freed and Levy's scent invaded his senses.
”Oh, that's what she meant,“ Wendy clarified, ”He was downwind and I couldn't smell him.“ And his rising voice, chatting about the inner meanings behind rune writing and enchantments, went over all of their heads except for the short romni who walked beside him eyes gleaming in excited interest.
”Tch,“ He grumbled, ”getting more crowded by the minute.“
Now how was he going to sneak into the keep with not two, but four pairs of eyes here to watch him?! He sulked so far down into himself that he slid off the stump. Some day out this turned out to be.
.
.
.
Natsu was right to question Erza's actions. She was flustered from his perceptive senses, annoyingly sniffing out her calm ruse. But a different worry weighed heavily on her mind, one that had her hanging on the edge with apprehension. Her old friend and temporary guest was at risk of being imprisoned right along with the other two. And his fate entirely hinged on the answers he gave in the next hour.
Her intentions with Lucy and waiting for Natsu's next keeper to arrive were layered. While Freed recovered quickly and was back to his prime, even she'd noticed Natsu's penchant for calming down around Lucy. It was an effect that garnered Erza's curiosity as well as mystified her; If it meant easing everyone’s frustrations, then it was an effect she was willing to put to use.
But she had to admit to herself, there was an altogether different motive to her actions today.
She knocked on the door to Jellal's current quarters mostly out of polite tradition, but didn't bother waiting for permission. Using it as her introduction, she entered the small room that had once been used for storage and immediately looked for the current subject of her thoughts.
She didn't have to look long.
Jellal made it easy and the size of the room gave no options for hiding either way. Seated by a makeshift table of old barrels, he pored over a book he'd brought along with him, brows furrowed in concentration. It gave the impression he hadn't heard her at all, but the subtle pause when he skipped the page told her otherwise.
This gave her ample time to get comfortable, grabbing the nearest, rickety chair and barring the door from other potential visitors. Silence built between them as she watched him flip through another page, clearing his throat at odd intervals. She took the time to study his profile, noting the changes from the time she'd seen him two years earlier.
His hair was a mess, shaggier than she was used to and sheared unevenly as strands of blue brushed along his shoulders. What once was a man of pale skin, now looked tan as if he'd been under the sun for months of travel, but most noticeably, was the red tattoo etched into the right side of his face.
”You didn't have that when we last met,“ She broke the silence, pleased when he paused in his reading, softly shutting the book with a finger marking his place.
He glanced back with a light smile crinkling his eyes. He knew he should’ve greeted her when she came in, but he was too engrossed in the pages to pull himself away so soon.
”Many members of my clan become tattooed once they reach a certain age,“ He explained, trailing a hand along the red lines thoughtfully, ”In my case, this was due to a promotion in rank, more than anything else.“
”... does this rank perhaps have anything to do with why you sought me out?“ The question was pointed, seeing no reason to dodge the meat of the matter.
Chuckling, Jellal shrugged, ”Ah, so we're starting this so soon?“
She murmured his name in a soft warning, eyes narrowing, “I've given Makarov my faith in you, but that doesn't mean I'm allowed to avoid protocol. I need to know why you're here.”
“And I suppose wanting to see an old friend isn't a good enough reason?” He asked, voice lowering as he looked at his book, not expecting an answer, “it would be ridiculous to assume I miraculously found your location out of a drive to see you again, but I won't lie and say I didn't wish it were the truth.”
She warmed at his confession, the implication plain as she coughed into her arm to hide it, “Please, be serious. If you don't answer me honestly, I'll have no say in where you end up next. It'll be out of my hands.”
“My apologies.“ The book was set aside and he turned in his seat fully facing her. ”Then you want to know what reason could I possibly have to work with a man whose clan has made attempts on your family's life all for the sake of kidnapping a certain girl. Am I correct?“
Erza's teeth clenched and she nodded, allowing him to continue. A few seconds passed in awkward silence and she feared he wasn't going to continue, but eventually Jellal hummed and pulled the sleeves back on his hands, holding his arms to the dim light for her to see.
His hands trembled as he held them aloft from strain of a secret shame she knew nothing of, but she spied the thin faded lines of old scrapes that litterred his skin under the sickly purples of fading bruises. They coiled around his arms and fingers, and drew her attention to what he quietly wanted her to see.
His wrists were swollen with old rope burns and she bit back a gasp. She hadn’t seen them before, and bile climbed into her throat as she wondered just how they looked before Porlyusica had a look at them.
She knew immediately what he intended to tell her. “... you were imprisoned by them.”
He nodded, covering his arms with a swift flourish, “the only one I consider myself allied with is Gajeel. Even then, it's merely out of convenience. If not for him, I'd still be tied up like some animal.”
Shocked, Erza tried to put the pieces together despite missing far too many points for a clear picture, ”I need you to tell me the whole story. Please.“
Wetting his lips with a swipe of his tongue, Jellal took a second to consider and nodded. “Jose is looking for a celestial, but he’s doing so blindly. He has no idea which one he needs so any of us not hidden to the North are fair game. When I was in their camp, Erza, I heard him boasting that he'd finally found the right one. The one your clan has taken in. A girl of golden hair whose family was massacred a year ago. I’d heard of their demise and grieved deeply for them, but I had to see for myself if there was a survivor. And if Jose was right.”
“Right? Right about what? What would he need a celestial for?” She pressed, voice growing cold.
“There are numerous myths and legends in my tribe, Erza,” he said amiably, running a finger along the spine of his forgotten book, “and I honestly can't say I know for sure, but... this book may hold the answer. Gajeel had it. Swiped it from Jose himself, I imagine. It may hold the answers you and I both seek.”
“And Gajeel?” She asked, “what's his angle?”
He fell silent, for the first time since their chat began, he looked insecure, uncertain. ”That man has many secrets and faces. I don't think he ever lays out his full hand for anyone, but he's made it clear he doesn't plan on bringing the girl to Jose. He has his own agenda.“
Exhaling, all the tension Erza had upon entering the room fell off her shoulders. She couldn't sense an ounce of dishonesty in his words, and it was more than enough for her to feel Makarov would allow him to stay.
”Then I can only hope Makarov is able to figure out his motives for the rest of us.“ There were still many unknowns, but at least this much seemed to be in their favor.
Unfortunately, he didn't share her optimism as his lips thinned into a grimace, “I can assure you that he will speak the truth when the time comes, but he'll do everything he can to avoid sharing all that he knows. I can vouch that we're not here to cause trouble, but any further than that, is a mystery.”
“Thank you for being upfront with me,” Erza was emphatic with her words, her interest now falling on the book he was carefully studying, “... would you like to meet her?”
“Her?” Jellal blinked and Erza beamed.
”Lucy,“ She said, ”you are technically cousins, are you not?”
.
.
.
Night fell quickly for those who wanted to spend more time out and about. Natsu in particular, though distracted by his friends as best as they could, fumed at the wasted day. By the time the chill started to creep into the air, he'd been whisked back to his home and the night crickets serenaded the night sky by his window.
Erza remained in Jellal's room for hours, learning what she could and catching up with her old friend. When she fell into the comfort of her own bed, her mind buzzed with information and puzzle pieces that were far too varied to connect.
Makarov, too, rested with his mind surrounded by deep thoughts. He frowned as he recalled his conversation with the new Draconis and tossed and turned above his furs until a fitful sleep claimed him.
It was a night full of peace and restless unease teetering back and forth on scales, waiting to balance out. Even Gajeel, given a small room to rest in, laid on a cramped cot that barely held his frame. Long hair trailed down in a wild mass to brush the floor that he swept up to rest on his chest. He smirked, combing his fingers through the long locks. His talk with Makarov led him one step closer to his goals and the shackles had been removed.
But he caught the slide of a wooden board and the familiar bolt of iron latches being shoved into place, effectively locking him. And the nearest window was too narrow for him to slip through. He fiddled with the random baubles in his pockets and studied the ceiling above him, mind abuzz with possibilities.
His travel partner, Juvia, should have made it back to Jose by now, he figured. While the woman was more reserved, willing to follow orders than lead, he trusted she'd feed Jose the information they agreed upon and stay at the other chief's side in his absence. She could take care of it, but that left him with his other goal. He thought it would take longer to find what he needed, but everything had fallen into his lap with very little effort.
Withdrawing his hand from his pocket, he cupped a blue gem nestled in his palm. He eyed the small orb lazily, throwing his other arm behind his head. It glowed slightly in the darkness, and it hummed with a magic all of its own that he could feel lightly tugging against him. Beautiful and rare; a gem that could be mined in the depths of his true home. He rubbed a smudge off it and snorted, glaring into its translucent surface as if peering into a far off space.
“Now I know I ain’t taking that long for you to stop paying attention to this thing,” He said dryly as one does to a person standing in front of them. “It's only been what? Four years? Don’t tell me my old man was right about you givin’ up.”
It was a tasteless barb, one that held no heat, but sparked a response in the gem. The shimmering mass of liquid inside flickered and spun itself into an image pieced together by bits of light until he saw the innards of an old cave, illuminated by thousands of gems in its likeness. It refocused on the silhouette of an older man, peering back into its depths as he growled in turn.
”Your father,“ The man said, rolling his eyes, ”has lost the bet. He thought it would take you another ten. Good to see you alive, kid.”
He cursed, already annoyed two seconds into the conversation, “Of course he did, the ass. You're looking rather alive today, have you been able to see the sun more than once a month?”
The voice in the gem grumbled, ”You're as insufferable as he is. Get on with it. I doubt you're using up the magic in your lacrima for pleasantries.“
”Gihee, maybe I just wanna string you along just to piss-“
”Gajeel.“ The voice rumbled and the gem shook violently, spiking with heat as magic flared within its depths and somehow, so did the walls of his room. Dust fell from the ceiling and onto Gajeel’s shoulders as he flew up, stiff and alert, glancing wildly around. He strained to hear any signs of others becoming aware of the magic surge. A beat passed and he sighed. Good, no one was alerted. He refocused on the gem and squeezed it tight with a snarl.
“Cheating asshole,” He spat. What was it with old men ruining his fun today? “Your good ol’ pal and rival has been busy makin' connections, but he ain't got what he wants yet. On the other hand, I got exactly what YOU want.”
“...meaning?”
He smirked, eyes wild with brimming excitement, “he's here. I found him.”
Another flare of heat came from the gem, strong enough to crack the surface. But the break didn’t matter as the light began to fade. The lacrima, made to send only one simple message, had lost its stored power. With his message sent and the sudden chaos of shocked shouts within the stone cut out. Chuckling, Gajeel pocketed the stone to charge it with his magic once again. Now in a much better mood than he was before.
His whistling echoed off the walls and down the hall of the keep. The balanced scales teetered once again as the uneasy restlessness was overpowered by a sudden peace.
The village settled. Stars sparkled their light along with the moon above, and somewhere far off on the edges of the Magnolia forest, another camp settled to sleep as well.
All, but one. The Phantom Chief, receiving news from a reserved woman who recently returned. Her report was given succinctly and he'd waved her off with an impassive facade.
In truth, he was holding back cackling loud into the night. It would only be a matter of time for him to get what he wanted: glorious.
He'd have to promote Gajeel when he returned and maybe commend Kage as well: if the lowly peon managed to survive.
The warmth of her bare feet against the cool grass is a pleasant sensation—something that would have never been allowed at the estate back home. But she’s not at the estate and that’s not home anymore. This is her home now and she can walk barefoot in the grass of the courtyard if she wants to, so she does.
It’s a little overgrown now with no gardener to tend to it, but neither of the residents seem to mind that. It suits the feel of the rest of the property with greenery making its home in the cracks of the stone walls, ivy running up and down the cobblestone. It looks like it came straight out of a children’s picture book right down to the centrepiece of the yard who is currently sprawled out across the grass, wings draped comfortably over his back as he basks in the sun.
His stature is massive and intimidating but the size of the castle makes him look measly in comparison. Still, the presence of a dragon laying in the middle of ones’ property would be enough to have any one cowering regardless of size, but Lucy knows better.
She has no issue approaching and subsequently, she has no issue reprimanding him to rouse him from his slumber.
“Are you going to do anything today, or are you just going to sleep in the courtyard all day, you lazy dragon?”
Natsu doesn’t say anything but he slowly opens his eyes and lets out a huff that subsequently wakes the little Russian Blue stretched out in the grass beside him. Lucy is still standing before him, hands on her hips, expecting an answer out of him but instead, all she gets is his snout nuzzled into her stomach in a sign of his affection.
She stumbles back slightly from the force but quickly regains her bearings and clutches onto him. When she is fully balanced, Lucy rests her forehead against the top of his snout and nuzzles her nose against the warm scales that line it. It’s maybe a strange, unconventional show of affection, but they have a strange, unconventional relationship, so it just feels right.
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in my head i know it’s canon that lucy is in love with natsu (IT IS TRUST ME…) but i can’t help but be scared that even after all this time they won’t make nalu canon by the end of this godforsaken series💀 like please it’s the only reason i’ve kept up…
