The book of NAVIA

Mates Pt 2

We were always together, especially during my last days with you...

"Juvia? Who's this chick? You finally have a girlfriend flamebrain?' Gray asked, smirking at the man's aggravated face. 18 year old Natsu felt like he was on the brink of extinction as graduation was around the corner. That meant filling out applications for colleges and studying for major tests. He wasn't as excited as he should be although he was finally an adult and out of school. But he wasn't as upset when his friends who were planning a trip to the zoo said he could bring Juvia.

"You don't know who Juvia is?" Loki asked with a wild grin, shock painting his face. Everyone knew who Juvia was, whether they were friends with Natsu or not. The kid literally was tied to him, meaning that no matter wherever Natsu or Juvia went, they stuck together like clay. It was a rare sight to see the two somewhat siblings, in a way, apart."And you've been friends with Natsu for how long?"

Gray grunts. "Years, yet he's never told me about her before."

Sting laughs obnoxiously loud, disturbing the lowerclassmen at the table over. "Really? Well I honestly don't blame him... The girl is clingy. You're in for a real treat buddy. Natsu, tell him about the little angel?"

"Huh? Don't tell me he banged some chick and now he's got a kid... Unless you're some kind of pedophile?" Gray said dumbly, making even Natsu himself involuntarily groan for a moment. It was only a second before he frowned after hearing his and Cana's words. "I wouldn't be fucking surprised if he did start dating Juvia when she hit 18 or something. The age difference won't seem so bad at that point."

"Do you approve of that?" Lisanna chimed, raising a white eyebrow towards the girl. Cana gave a small laugh, drunkenly slurring her words. "Hun, my ex boyfriend is 12 years older than me. How do you think I got my hands on so much alcohol? But yeah, it's normal for mates and soulmates and all that shit to be years apart from each other. Natsu, isn't your brothers wife like fucking, a 100 years younger than him?" They all continued to bicker with each other until lunch time was officially over. Natsu couldn't help the controlling, sick thoughts entering his mind. He had seen this before and tried to prevent it. He guesses that he wasn't doing enough. Natsu continued to feel horrible like he committed the most horrific crime in the world. It was clear to him, he wanted, never needed, a rebound...at least for now.

Natsu still felt sick to his stomach at her words for the rest of the day. He was guilty and felt almost exposed in a way that he couldn't describe well. Cana was right though, right? All of the mated or bound to be mated couples all had some weird dysfunctional age gap. He thought that maybe this time he could change that. That his love for practically the sister he had always wished he had, would always remain platonic. His dad and father told him many times that yes, it was extremely shitty but eventually as time passed, he would realize that it was okay. It still made him queasy when it came to thinking about Juvia and her parents' reaction to it. For fucks sake, they probably already knew... Yet Natsu tried and tried to reverse everything.

Line break

"Be safe Juvia and listen to Natsu-san okay! Have fun!" Levy called out from her spot in the garden, currently planting flowers and waving off Juvia with her mini shovel. Juvia ran over to her mother, pecking her cheek sweetly. She let her eyes wander to Natsu who was busy cleaning out his expensive suv. Juvia had no idea that Natsu was into cars and things like that but it wasn't too far off. She put a bit more pep in her step, skipping towards the older man. "Natsu-san! Where are we going?!"

His rumbled, rough laughter always made her laugh with him."It's a surprise Juves." He left it at that, taking her backpack and opening the back door for her. She was quite stunned when she saw the faces of his friends and her uncle, shying away into the seat next to him to which he roughed up her neatly curled hair. "Hey stop! It took mama forever! Uncle Rogue knows Natsu-san?!" Juvia is starstruck.