Black Dragon's Prince (Natsu x Reader)

Part 20 (Natsu's Home)

"Brother? Are we there yet?" Wendy asked, carefully eying the small sinkhole in the ground. Surrounding it were several routes, nature's very own way to trip up people and make them fall flat onto the muddy forest floor.

The last two hours had been way too similar for Wendy's liking. As much as she loved nature, she couldn't help but feel like the forest held some deep-rooted grudge against her. The deeper they got, the harder it seemed to not face plant on the muddy and grassy ground.

The environment here had a completely different vibe and temperature when compared to the guild. In fact, Magnolia seemed to be some city paradise with walkable roads, and a buzzy atmosphere that always seemed to be warm.

Y/n let out a small chuckle. As much as Wendy traveled with them, she still refused to let Natsu transport them. It seemed like the Chaotic rift left its marks, and thus it seemed like they had to walk all the way to his home.

How Natsu was able to find his house was a surprise to both of them. As good as his nose, there was absolutely no way that he could use it to get to his house. Considering all the smells from the surrounding fauna, stray animals, and other creatures it was nearly impossible to distinguish one scent from the other.

Ducking under a branch, the two followed the prince with salmon-colored hair. Being as tired as she was, Wendy almost missed it.

"Yes, we are." In true Natsu fashion, the male didn't bother turning around. "If you have permitted us the use of Chaotic Rift, we would have arrived a long time ago."

"I'd rather walk for another two hours if not more." Wendy huffed out, tho a small smile stretched on her lips when she caught Natsu's quiet, "I should've just pulled you through."

Of course, she wasn't the only one catching it, but Y/n decided not to alert Natsu of it. She would much rather see how it would play out between the two adoptive siblings.

"Don't even think that you can utilize the same method that you used on Lucy. I won't fall for it." Wendy reprimanded Natsu, the smile still present. "Besides, Y/n would slug you for doing that to me."

Y/n chuckled at the comment, ears trained on Natsu awaiting his response. However, confusion struck when no audible response was heard. Realization hit her fast, Natsu had purposely made it so she wouldn't be able to hear it.

"Rude," she commented with a grin. Guess her time on the sidelines was over.

This time Natsu actually did stop and turn around to face them. "Careful," he said voice so dry Y/n had half the mind to throw water on him. "I could use it on myself and leave you two on your own."

"Oh?" Y/n asked, shifting her weight on one foot. With one hand on her hip as she eyed Natsu with a smirk.

"Is that so?"

While being timid on S-class missions, it went without a say that Y/n had no problem testing Natsu's patience. Especially if he decided to somewhat resemble his old self when he was under Acnologia's rule.

Or as the guild, so all so eloquently would state; whenever he chose to be a rude, unfeeling asshole or callous, cold, and closed off.

"We could always sniff our way out," Wendy added as the two girls looked at Natsu.

The small twitch in Natsu's lips, a smirk if you will, was barely left unseen due to the nonexistent light from below the tree canopies.

"Try it"

Had it not been Natsu who was the one talking, the girls would have believed that there was a mischievous undertone to his otherwise monotone voice.

Wendy blinked in question but did as her brother had instructed her. Upon taking in all to the familiar scent of the underbrush and surrounding flora, the young dragonslayer was met with nothing.