Dragon Slayer Mating Season

Chapter 3: Inner-Dragon

[Previously:]

"N-Natsu?"

Her sweet voice echoed out throughout the quiet room; I couldn't help but faintly mumble her name right back as she called for me. Though I made no such sign of waking, Lucy quickly turned around to face the other direction again.

'Why is her heart beating so fast?'

Patiently, I waited until her breathing steadied before opening my eyes.

'She must be asleep by now... Luce looks so beautiful asleep, and I just love having my mate in my arms. Although I don't know how long this will last—Oh well, I'll just enjoy it for now. Mating season starts tomorrow, and tomorrow is the day I risk everything either way. Let's see how that goes.'

Pulling Lucy tighter against me, I slightly nuzzled her neck and inhaled her sweet scent with a content sigh... Never wanting to let her go. Soon, I drifted off into a peaceful slumber with my mate's scent around me... Growling in pleasure like the happiest dragon in the world.

~

(Lucy POV.)

I woke up to sunlight hitting my face through the window that was still slightly open, my eyes tightly shutting, refusing to wake up just yet. 'Dammit... It's morning already? Ugh, I better get ready to head toward the guild—' However, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a loud snore reached my ears. Stiffening as I finally adjusted to my surroundings, feeling a pair of strong-warm arms wrapped tightly around my waist as if scared to let go.

Slowly, I turn to face none other than my pink-haired dragon slayer that I've come to love. 'Wait... Love?! I can't love Natsu! He's my best friend and partner, nothing else... Right?' I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize my hand was reaching out to push his bangs away from his sleeping face. My eyes hesitantly glanced down to his lips, I couldn't help but lean toward him and just when I'm about to press my lips against his...

"Youuu liiikkkkeeee him!!"

I jumped back in surprise, falling off my bed with a loud thud as I screamed and hiss when landing on my butt. My face turning tomato red, embarrassment flooding in as I hear laughing from above. Looking up to see a familiar blue cat flyin' over my head, an angry growl leaving me while still being red in the face.

"Happy!! You stupid cat... You scared the shit outta me!"

'I'm so getting that damn cat back for that... No fish for a week! Muhahaha!!"

At the sound of my yelling, Natsu immediately shot up in worry and fear, "LUCE?! WHAT HAPPENED... ARE YOU OKAY?? Did something—" Me and Happy flinched, both of us reaching forward to shut his mouth from talking any further, "Shut up, you're hurting our ears Natsu!!" The fire dragon slayer winced at our outburst, instantly becoming quiet and calm when noticing there was no sign of danger.

Happy flew around in circles before landing on Natsu's unruly hair with a wide grin, "We're sorry Natsu, we didn't mean to wake you. I was just playing around with Lushie and accidentally scared her," Happy explained. The Exceed sent a playful wink in my direction that had me softly smiling.

'Maybe this furball isn't so bad... He IS covering for me.'

Patting my lap, signaling for Happy to come here... The Exceed got the message, flying off Natsu to curl up in a ball on my lap. Gentle purrs rumbling when I start combing through his blue fur, Natsu looking at me with a tint of a blush on his face.

I smiled, 'He looks even cuter in the mornings—No! Stop Lucy! Bad, you can't think of Natsu like that... He's your friend! He doesn't like you like that.' Frowning, I smiled once again before Natsu noticed the change in mood.