The Fire in My Soul

Our Forever

NATSU

The next morning I woke up in just my boxers. After that first time I blacked out which I figured was sleep but when I turned over Lucy wasn't there. I sat up quickly and sniffed the air, she was still here. There was steam coming from the attached bath and the smell of coffee was in the air. I got up and put some shorts on that I found in one of the dressers. As I walked past a mirror I saw dark hickeys up and down my neck on both sides and claw marks on my chest and back, "What the hell?" I asked myself. I didn't remember us getting that into it last night.

When I walked out of the bedroom I saw Lucy standing on the balcony looking at the sunrise. She was in a white, fluffy robe and her wet hair was hanging down her back. She had a steaming cup of coffee in her hands and she seemed relaxed. I opened the glass door and she turned her head to look at me. She smiled at me and went back to watching the sunrise, "Morning, sleepy head." I walked up behind her and put my arms around her waist. She leaned into me and relaxed into my arms. I looked down and that's when I saw it, the dark hickeys and marks up and down her neck and shoulders. The bite marks on her neck and the bruises on her arms. I let go of her and turned her around, "What's wrong, Natsu?" she asked and I pushed her robe down a little near her shoulder.

She looked down to see what I was looking at and smiled, "Yeah, I guess you probably don't remember," my hands were shaking, "Lucy, I-" she cut me off by grabbing my hand, "After that first round you got a little rougher. It was like I couldn't break through to you." I started to back away and she pulled me closer, "Natsu, it's ok. It was fun. We had a good time, at least I did," she blushed a little, "You did see what you look like didn't you?" I remembered looking in the mirror, "Still I never wanted to hurt you," she giggled, "If that was you hurting me I'm not sure I want to know what you pleasuring me is like," I blushed a little, "Like I said I had a good time." she sat her cup down and wrapped her arms around my waist pulling me in, instinctively I put my arms around her, "We didn't do anything I wasn't comfortable with last night, ok?" she asked with pure honesty. Her eyes were open and truthful, "You never pushed too far or did anything I didn't want you to. I was honestly surprised I could walk today."

She stood on her toes and kissed me, "I waited a long time to tell you how I feel. Sure we skipped a few steps but I'm ok with that. I agreed to this because I want this, you and me. I've loved you for a long time, Natsu. I didn't say anything because I figured you didn't feel the same way. And I don't know if you only feel this way or said those things because of the Mating season but this is how I feel. I'm laying it all out on the table. I want you for you and everything you are. I don't care if you're the supreme demon Etherious Natsu Dragneel, Igneel's Fire Dragon Slayer son, Zeref's little brother, or just plain old Natsu. I love you and everything about you." I could feel my heart pounding. I couldn't believe she was saying all of this. Lucy, my Lucy, my best friend, Lucy Heartfilia, now my mate for life.

Tears welled up in her eyes and I kissed her lips softly, "We have all the time in the world for all of the other things. Right now I'm just glad that I have you," she said. I could feel tears in my eyes, tickling my throat, "Lucy, I don't just want you because of the Mating season. I've known I was in love with you since Tenrou Island, but I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I wanted you to live and have experiences I couldn't give you. I can't give you a normal life or a mansion. I can't give you a million first kisses. I can't give you tons of first dates or breakups. I can't give you a quiet life in a small town far away from here, but I gave you my heart a long time ago. There's nothing and no one I want more than you. My world moves fast and it's ever changing, but if you'll let me I'll try my best to make you happy for the rest of my days." Her tears overflowed now and she sobbed into my chest. I just held her close and kissed the top of her head, "I'm sorry I couldn't give you any of that, Luce." she shook her head, "I never wanted any of that," she cried, "Just you."

LUCY

We stood on the balcony in each other's arms for a long while after that. Finally, we came in and ate. I could barely get anything cooked, Natsu was ravenous. I wasn't much better. We had sex three times before I ever got breakfast on the table. "So when do you have to mark me?" I asked him from across the table, he talked as he ate, typical Natsu, "Just before midnight tomorrow." We spent all day and most of the next in bed. I barely got Natsu to take a shower he was so into it. I knew why of course it was to make sure I got pregnant. Thankfully Erza took care of that issue beforehand but I had begun thinking that even if she hadn't and I had ended up pregnant I would have been ok with that. Natsu would make a great father someday.

At 11:55 P.M. the next night Natsu and I stood on the balcony once again watching the stars. He turned me towards him, "This may hurt," he said and I pulled my shirt down, "It's ok. I trust you," he leaned in and I felt his lips touch my skin. He kissed the crook of my neck softly before he bit into it. I yelped a little, it burned like his fire but it was over quickly. When he pulled back I saw three shooting stars streak across the sky. I smiled, the others had completed it too. He touched the place on my neck with light fingers and smiled, "Go take a look," he said tilting his head towards the house. I walked into the mirror in the bedroom and smiled. Where pale, clear skin once was, there was now a flame inside a bright red bite mark. He came up behind me and kissed it, his hands on my waist, "I love it," I said and he smiled, "I'm glad."

It still took another week for us to get it out of our system and start to calm down. That's when a knock came on the door, it was Erza and Gildarts, "Ok, love birds, time to get back to work," Gildarts chimed. Natsu jumped up, "Yeah! Let's go on a mission!" I laughed at my mate, "Lucy, can I see it?" Erza asked and I nodded. I was wearing a pink tank top and jean shorts so I just pushed my hair back and she touched it smiling, "Thank you." she whispered and I hugged her, "I guess this makes you kind of like my sister in law," she squealed, "Dear Mavis, when's the wedding?" Natsu butt in, "Hey, I haven't even proposed yet!"