Sensory Overload

Chapter 7

     Walking into the guild felt like every other time they ever walked in. Everyone was boisterous and busy. No one really paid any mind to the three as they entered. Natsu made the quick assessments that his favorite target hasn't come back yet and Lucy scanned nervously for Levy and Freed. Once Lucy spotted them under a pile of books at one of the dozens of tables, she grabbed Natsu's hand walked in that direction. When Lucy made the physical connection she had a potent shiver of warmth and humming throughout her body. It was like their magic was perfectly synced and to her it felt absolutely splendid. Even though she didn't want to she released his hand quickly once they were moving in the direction of the two engrossed guildmates. 'Damnit, I hope he didn't notice that' was all she could think.
     "Hey guys so what have you come up with?" Lucy decided to stay standing so she could figure out how to steal a moment with Levy alone. Natsu went ahead and gingerly sat at the table still feeling slightly off and completely pre-occupied with all the weirdness he was feeling.
     Levy stretched out and let out a deep sigh. "Well Lu, I am not really sure we found anything helpful. It's almost like this kind of magic doesn't exist anymore."
     "You know what Lev, why don't we go get some snacks at the bar you guys look beat and I know that I could SO use a snack." Lucy then grabbed Levy's hand and dragged her toward the bar before she could protest.

     At the bar the first thing Lucy grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. The bluenette looked baffled but was only met with a motion telling her to be quiet and read. Lucy scribbled down briefly what she discovered. 'I don't want Natsu to know. He can hear us. We have shared senses and feelings.' Lucy glanced up at Levy and gave her a nod to continue 'we can feel each other's magic, pain, ticklishness and sometimes emotions.'. Levy then pointed to the first thing she wrote "I kinda get why, but you have to Lu."
     Lucy let out a sigh as she balled up paper and tossed it in the trash "I know Levy, but the torture I would endure. Also there is just a lot more going on here and here" Lucy pointed to her head briefly and then laid her hand over her heart.
     Levy eyes softened sympathetically "I know Lu, I know".
     Shifting their attention to Mira they placed their order for food and then started to discuss the books that could help.
     Happy and Natsu had almost completed their construction of a makeshift bookfort for Happy when they were interrupted by a sneer. They glanced up to notice that Freed was glaring at the two and muttered to himself "So childish as always". Natsu pretended not to hear it and continued his construction. Happy watched Natsu to gauge his reaction 'Oh boy, it's gonna be one of those afternoons.' 
     A tray of food was settled onto the table in front of everyone "Ladies, is this all for me?" Natsu inquired with his bright wide smile. "Where the fishies at?" was the first thing that came out of Happy's mouth.
     "This is for everyone to SHARE, just because it is food does not mean it is automatically yours." Lucy her attention to Happy "What, the Mackerel wasn't enough for you cat!" Happy put his head down "Not nice Lucy, I'm gonna tell Carla" and with that Happy flew off to find his lady love.
     Lucy sat herself next to Natsu and leaned into him lightly as she got comfortable and whispered "Nice fort" and she winked at him. "Can you hand me that one on top" she half stretched her arm and waved her hand open.
     "Yes Princess - here you go - I'm ready for punishment now." Natsu had his famous devious grin. Before Lucy could even react she was interrupted
     "If the both of you could please refrain from your inappropriateness, I am trying to concentrate." Freed glared at the two of them with disdain.
     At that moment Lucy felt a roll of anger that was not hers, looking over at Natsu she expected to see his face reflect what she felt but she was surprised to see him with a smile. "Sorry Freed, hey why don't you hand me that book next to you there." Freed looked at Natsu for a moment debating whether he was sincere or not and then finally handing over the book.
     Taking the book from Freed still smiling he opened the book and thumbed for the table of contents "Hey Luce, you said your sense of smell and hearing increased so would that be a sensory thing?"
     "Ya, like heightened senses." Lucy looked over to Levy which was staring her down almost willing her to tell Natsu the truth.
     Just then Lucy heard the practically inaudible comment Freed made to himself "Not like he would know what he was looking for." again Lucy felt a ripple of anger.
     The four guildmates spent a considerable amount of time looking through the books for any information. As time passed Lucy started picking up different smells from around the guild. The smells were distracting and coupled with all the pieces of conversation she was hearing she was become less focused on reading and more so on trying to figure out what was going on around her. Lucy decided she need to stretch her legs so she walked over to the bar to get a drink for herself.
     Cana was also at the bar and Lucy noticed she smelled of booze but she also smelled of something else that she couldn't place, something a bit more metallic. She thought hard for a moment and then she remembered the rant Cana went on the other night about how unfair it was for women and being blessed with monthly stupidity. 'That is what that smell is? Ughhhh Gross!' Turning around with her drink she almost walked directly into Evergreen and Elfman and it didn't take more than second for Lucy to register that they both smelled of each other and of other more intimate things 'no friggin' way ew' she smiled sheepishly at them and excused herself. Passing Wakaba all she could smell was the smoke and it was ten times more offensive to her nose than it usually was. Droy tried to squeeze past her unsuccessfully and she got a nostril full of fried chicken and barbecue ribs.
     By the time Lucy got back to her table she had just about had enough with smelling everything. Shifting her weight to get comfortable as she sat, she leaned toward Natsu and for her nose it was more than welcoming. She inhaled more deeply and even though he smelled like he hadn't showered in days, which was likely, there was another smell that prevailed. It was a strange mix of the forest and crisp fall evenings with a hint vanilla. It sent her head swimming in thoughts from delightful to sinful. She was quickly snapped out of it when she heard someone in conversation.

          "Sheesh you think Natsu would have hit that by now, what gives with that kid"

          "Who knows, he's pretty dense does he even realize she's a woman." 
          "With a rack like that? How could he not! I would love to grab me a little bit a Lucy"
          "You think she would even let him tap it?" 

          "Highly doubt it, she doesn't strike me as the type to offer up pitty fucks."

     Before Lucy could even finish processing what she heard or where it came from she felt the familiar heat throughout her body but this time it was laced with something more than anger. At that moment she looked at Natsu who was calmly getting up. He look down at Lucy not making eye contact "Hey, I am getting bored think I will go do some training. Let Happy know if he is looking for me." and before she could say anything else he walked out the door.
     It all came crashing at her, this man is no idiot. 'He understands more than anyone knows, except maybe for other Dragonslayers. They have no idea that he smells everything and knows what it all means. He knows who is hooking up - what they ate last - hell, he even knows which women to steer clear of on a monthly basis. He hears what people say when they think no one can hear them. He hears everything people say about him. He hears their comments about me, about our relationship. He hears the good and the bad from everyone. He lets us all think he is a giant man-child with no understanding of how relationships work. I don't get it.'
     Lucy got Levy's attention. "Lev, you were so right. I should have said something to him. If I can feel his magic when it stirs then what will happen if he uses it to his full ability?" Levy's thought and then a look of horror crossed her face "It would burn like hell Lu."
     Lucy was startled when she heard Gray enter the room and boisterously call out "Oi where is that flamebrain idiot!" She quickly got his attention and waved him over. He walked over rather looking rather annoyed with Juvia hovering behind him like a lost puppy. "What's all this about?" Gray looked over the table full of books.
     "We are trying to figure out what this is." Lucy lifted her wrist to show her tattoo.
     It was Juvia who moved swiftly toward Lucy and grabbed her hand gently inspecting the marks. "Meredy, this is Meredy's Magility Sense." She looked up at everyone and then to Gray "This is the same magic that was used on Tenrou Island when we fought"
     "Well what does it do and how do I get rid of it?" Lucy nearly demanded, her anxiety was increasing ten fold which made her even more nervous that Natsu was feeling the same way.
     "You can feel each other's pain, emotions, and pleasures. Also, if one of the wearers receives a fatal blow it will be shared by both." Juvia clasped her hands together and looked down trying to avoid eye contact. She knew this was news that was not welcomed. "The only one Juvia knows of is Meredy and she removed the link herself."
     "Great, just fuckin' great!" Lucy's use of wording certainly earned her some concerned looks. "I have to go find Natsu, right now. You all need to figure out if this can be unlinked without Meredy and if not, we need her here STAT!" The furious blonde searched the room looking for Happy when she saw him "Happy let's go, I need to find Natsu NOW."
     As Lucy ran out the guild she sniffed the air trying to find a trace of Natsu's smell. When she caught it she began walking in a hurried pace.
     "Lucy is everything ok?" Happy asked as he tried to keep up with her.
     "It will be, but right now we have to find Natsu - I need to let him know that he can't use his magic"
     Happy looked puzzled "But why?" Lucy sighed "Because it is gonna hurt like hell." They just cleared the eastern edge of the city when she felt highly agitated and then it started welling up inside her. She looked up at Happy with panic in her eyes "Happy go ahead as fast as you can and find Natsu and tell him to stop using his magic.... Please"
     "Aye Sir!" and just as he was turning to go a scream of pain ripped through Lucy. "Lucy? Are you OK?" the cat turned and hovered around her head really concerned about what was happening. Lucy fell to her knees from the pain and started panting heavily. "GO NOW!"