Lucy and the Definitive... Cat?

King for a Reason

"So, when we go back, I'll explain things to the father. Natsu I want you to watch the basement stairs and my back. Loke, follow Mard." Lucy said as she stretched her arms overhead and let out a breath. She snuck a look behind her at the still closed bedroom door as Natsu sat on the couch and Loke was in the kitchen, enjoying his candy.

"Luce, why can't I go with Mard?" Natsu asked.

"I'd feel better if you were watching my back and Loke's. You'll be in a position to move in either direction. We don't know this dad. Mard was certain he's just a human but it's not like the demon knows the difference between humans and mages."

Natsu nodded, "okay. He seemed like just an old guy to me but then again I was in and out pretty quickly."

Loke snorted, "that's what she said." Lucy tried to hide the giggle but failed as Natsu looked a bit confused. She would explain it later.

"Now we just have to wait for Cancer to finish up," Lucy said looking, again, at her closed bedroom door. It had been fairly quiet in there. Which could be good, or it could be bad. Though it was quite the view of watching a nude Mard walking into her bedroom. What she would give for that level of confidence in her own nakedness or in general. He really did move like a demon who knew just how strong he was.

The trio went back to quietly milling around her living room, Loke trying to sneak into the kitchen for another Cherry Cordial Kiss, and Natsu looking through the pictures of the History of the Underworld book. Lucy was daydreaming a bit, hoping that if this went well the curse would be broken and Mard wouldn't be a cat again.

She also worried about that, if he wasn't a cat would he leave? Would he give her a nice goodbye romp around the sack and leave her heartbroken? Lucy could admit she didn't know him all that well and considering some of the things she had read about him, he very well could be that type. She also knew she really liked having him around, cat or demon form. That in the last few days she'd become very attached to him and not just because of the things in her dreams or even half asleep.

Lucy liked explaining things to him, she liked having someone to talk to who could keep her guessing, and she liked not feeling alone. Sure, her teammates had habits of constantly breaking into her apartment, but this was different. She wasn't emotionally alone, around the demon she felt just a bit more whole. Which didn't make much sense but then again feelings rarely do.

We can discuss this later, he said into her head as the bedroom door opened.

Why are you reading my thoughts?

You broadcast and it concerns me. Mard walked into her living room and Lucy let out a small whistle. His hair was up in a massive pony tail with bangs framing his face. He wore a long black coat with a swirl like pattern on it and large white cuffs matching the exaggerated white lapel. Ruffled white shirt covered by a dark grey vest and grey pants with leather straps criss-crossing up to his knees.

"Cancer, wow, thank you," she said as Mard nodded at her with a slight smile across his lips.

"I said that portrait was not my best," Mard added.

"My pleasure Ebi," he turned to Mard, "thanks for the advice." The demon gave him a slight nod and then held out his hand. Lucy watched how a small glow formed before it turned into a beautiful dark pink rose, the bloom larger than his hand. He handed it to Cancer who gave him a smile before vanishing.

"What did you say?" Loke asked, looking a bit nervous.

"That he needed to be as bold with a female spirit as he was with his styling. The rose is a rare gift to help with that. I do not hand out my children often or to just anyone," Mard replied as he stepped closer to Lucy before taking her hand and looking into her eyes.