~Oh my word, I feel like it's been forever my darlings!

So I'm really excited about this one because it's... TOTALLY UP TO YOU GUYS WHO LUCY ENDS UP WITH!

That's right, I've left the pairing open so you all can review and pm who you want her to have her New Years kiss with. While I wait for the results, I'll be working on Dragon Incidents so please please please, leave me a review with who you want Lu to end up with and if it's someone I haven't written in yet, I'll gladly write them in, you just have to let me know!

I really hope you like it because it was super fun to write!~


The week before New Years was one of Lucy's absolute favorites. She loved watching the people of Magnolia rush around from store to store, buying all the necessities for the holiday season bundled in thick coats, scarves, gloves, hats, all topped off with a rainbow of colors and patterns clashing against the stark white snowfall.

She had Taurus put up her tree the first day of the month, all her spirits coming out to help decorate the beautiful silver and gold adorned tree. It's tiny bright, crystal clear lights reflected off the metallic sheen of the ornaments to create an enchanting scene when the sun went down and she curled on her couch in her little apartment to watch the snowflakes coat the town in a fresh sheet of white. The little blonde had almost regretted having to ruin the peaceful untouched frozen dreamscape this morning on her way to the guild to help Mira and Max with the planning for the guilds New Years Eve party next week. After they three had a pretty solid plan, making sure to have Lucy inform Laxus that he would have to get in touch with the guilds of Fiore to invite them all as soon as possible seeing as how she was the only person who could get close to him during the holiday season. For some unknown reason, the massive Lightning dragon absolutely despised Christmas time and did his best to avoid any and all things 'cheery and bright', which made the Takeover Mage swoon at his acceptance of the Celestial Mage who exuded holiday cheer with every breath she took.

In the years that Mira had gotten to spend Christmas with Lucy, the silver haired beauty noticed the closer they got to the last week of the year, the brighter the little blonde got, more pep in her step, her voice caught in a permanent sweet, lilting cheer and her eyes pulled whoever met their golden sparkle into the infectious bubbling excitement right along with her. It made for a much more interesting December to watch from behind her bar at the guild, amusing her to no end to watch the angelic mage flit from guild mate to guild mate, taking the time to sit and chat, smile and laugh, with her precious nakama. While it shouldn't have surprised her as her sapphire blue eyes were greeted with the sight of Lucy, leaned over the table across from the Iron Slayer, her little white skirt's hem stretching high on her red and green striped stocking covered thighs as she managed to get the surly man to smile at her, his faint pink blush not unnoticed by the matchmaker. The fact that while his ruby gaze was fixated on her beaming smile, the onyx gaze of the pink-haired Slayer was unmoving from the sliver of white lace at her core and the Devil Slayer next to him was equally as obvious. She almost couldn't handle all the beautiful baby possibilities before the Poison Slayer drawled from his usual barstool at the end of the bar, perfectly positioned that he could watch the guild from the corner of his good eye but far enough out of the way that most of the guild had to go out of their way to interact with him, just they way he liked it, "Fuck, Demon woman, get yourself under control. It's bad enough with Bright Eyes running around, her thoughts set to ungodly fucking levels of joy, I don't need your insanity as well."

Setting another belladonna bourbon in front of the maroon haired man, her eyes never leaving the little blonde as she spoke almost a little watery, "She really is something else though. Ever since Lis disappeared, Christmas had always been this dark cloud for us. The guild turned into this enigma of guilt, drinking the season away but when Natsu brought her, she managed to get us out of that funk." Turning to meet his amethyst eye, voice back to normal, which grated on the poor dragon's senses endlessly, "And now Lis is back and Lucy's unshakable love for this guild and this time of year has brought a fervor our nakama hasn't had in a very long time." Narrowing her eyes with a curling smile Cobra did not like the thoughts behind, her voice low as she spoke, "Don't think I don't notice your watching of the Light of Fairy Tail, Erik. You aren't the only observant mage at this bar."

He rolled his eye at the barmaid's giggling as she went back to wiping down her glasses, unwilling to make a comment because he knew no matter what he said, the oldest Strauss was right and he wasn't willing to admit that to the love-crazed matchmaker.

Across the guild hall, the woman at the center of conversation at the bar had left the table holding Gajeel's smirking face to bounce her way to her team's table and plopping down across from Gray and Natsu, who were suspiciously too quiet and too still for her liking. With her golden gaze narrowing, her voice was skeptical and probing as she leaned over the table to poke each of their foreheads, effectively breaking whatever weird trance had taken over them, "Why are you two being so good? I don't like it when they two of you are calm, makes me nervous."

Gray was the first to recover, his voice cool and easy as his shirt flew from his body unconsciously, "I'm always good, it's Fireface who starts shit with me."

The Ice Make Mage's words pulling him into his usual hot-headed nature, the Fire Slayer let a punch fly towards the raven haired man next to him, voice filled with the fight he obviously wanted, "Me? You're the one who says stupid shit to piss me off on purpose. How is it my fault that I happen to speak better with my fists than my mouth?"

Knowing just how quickly her two teammates' arguments can escalate, she walked around the table, going completely unseen by the pair, before throwing her arms around their shoulders and whispering low, enunciating every word with the practiced ease of an heiress, "Now boys, you wouldn't ruin my favorite time of year with your asinine fighting, would you?"

Both the mages in her arms were trying desperately to focus on the opposite face instead of her very low cut red sweater, the edges of her matching white lace bra peaking from the collar, as Natsu coughed to clear a sudden lump in his throat, his voice almost convincing as light-hearted, "Don't worry, Luce. We know how much you love the start of a new year so whatever you need, just let us know," his toothy grin bright as she looked into his onyx eyes.

Half pushing and elbowing to get between the two to sit down, pulling a notebook from...somewhere on her persons, her voice suddenly serious, "I need a couple of dapper gentlemen to help me keep my New Years party from being a dud and I know exactly who I want to fill those positions. Virgo already has already tailored your tuxedos."

Gray let out a groan at the prospect of having to keep a tux on his body before he leaned forward heavily, his voice defeated, "Lucy, I can't keep my own clothes on and you are gonna want me to wear a monkey suit? You know how that'll go."

Smiling mischievously at him, her voice held an air that Gray definitely did not like coming from her lips, "Don't worry about that. I've been talking to Virgo and she's making all the outfits for the party. She's putting her very extensive knowledge of bindings on yours to make it irremovable," mumbling under her breath absently, "well, I'll be able to get it off you but that's because Virgo insisted I learn how."

Interrupting before Gray could make a snarky comment about the beautiful blonde being the only one who'll be able to undress him the night of the party, Natsu, who was completely oblivious to the other man's thoughts, leaned closer to his best friend, his tone excited, "Do I get to MC? Please tell me I'm gonna MC, Luce."

Chuckling at the pinkette, she nodded as she spoke kindly, "That's the kind of enthusiasm I like to hear. Of course you're going to be MC. But we're partners, right?"

Raising a fist in the air, he shot up, "Does that mean you'll be date?" His onyx eyes were shining with what the blonde assumed was excitement but Gray knew the emotion to be something far less innocent as he looked to her.

Tucking the planner away, Lucy smiled up at her Fire dragon from under her long lashes, her voice light with cheer, "Who else would be your date?" Putting her hand on Gray's bare, muscular shoulder to help her up from the bench, ducking to give the mage a quick hug before heading to the second floor, calling back easily as she waved, "Thank you! You guys are the best."

Taking the steps two at a time, she was about to turn to head into Laxus' office when she caught the rest of the Raijinshu sitting together in the S-Class lounge overlooking the first floor of the hall. Changing her course, she leaned a hand on the wooden tabletop, smiling wide at Evergreen who had helped her do some Christmas shopping for her nakama and had a girl's date where they had their nails done at the spa Ever liked to go to to get away from the testosterone of her team. Hitting the Seith Mage's shoulder with her hip to get the tall man to scoot over to give her room to sit next to him, before speaking easily as she filled the space next to him; in a brilliant tactical move by the man, he only left her enough space to make her fit tight next to his body before he looked down at her from under his visor, voice playful and teasing, "What brings you up to our little corner of the guild, Cosplayer? Need someone to help you keep those cute little stockings up?," tongue lolling from his mouth.

He was rewarded by her melodic laughter, jiggling her chest with every little chuckle, which Bickslow had a perfect view of from his high vantage point before she elbowed his side good-naturedly. When her gaze turned to Freed and Ever, her voice was cheery and bright, "So Mira put me in charge of attire, among other things, and I was wondering if you three had any preferences. I figured that instead of having a million plain black suits and run of the mill dresses running around, Virgo could make some really killer custom outfits instead. I know that I can just bring Virgo out to talk to you about yours when you come over Ever, but I don't want to put you guys in something you hate since you'll have to stay in them until the parties over."

After a surprisingly easy discussion, Lucy had a design for both Bickslow and Freed's outfit for the night and a new found kinship with the two members of her nakama she really didn't get much of a chance to spend time with, much to the blonde's chagrin.

Saying her quick goodbyes and letting them know she would probably let them know in the next few days when she needed them to come over to try on the garments before walking to the closed thick door that held the Grinch himself away from all the holiday cheer. Without even a splinter of fear in her body, she turned the handle and pushed into his Scrouge-y sanctuary to force him into the festivities.

His deep rumbling baritone rang through the little room the moment her booted foot stepped through the door, giving the sweet mage a glare from behind his desk, "Nope. No. Whatever it is you're here for, Blondie, no."

Unfazed by the gruff dismissal from the Lightning Mage, she quickly crossed the room to sit in the cushy chair on the other side of his, her legs gracefully crossed in front of her as she pulled the hem of her skirt down, but not before unintentionally flashing the older mage her tiny thong and her creamy thighs. Her voice was filled with an air of uncaring, upper-class tightness but her face held a sarcastic smirk and a fire in her eyes that Laxus hated to admit, even to himself, made his blood boil for the curvy blonde brave enough to waltz into his office during this time of year, "My dear fellow blonde, I need your expert lightning skills."

Narrowing his steely blue eyes at the Celestial Mage, he set the report in his hand on his desk before leaning back, his bulging arms stretching the purple of his dress shirt as he crossed them over his chest, his voice stern but the notes of curiosity didn't go by unnoticed by the now grinning woman staring at him, "My lightning skills aren't available for you until after New Years." Pausing a moment before adding, attempting to sound casual as he openly eyed her body, "But if they were, what would you need them for?"

"Lights, Big Man. I want you to be in charge of the light show Mira and Master want and since I can't think of anyone better suited for the job, I'm willing to bargain for your cooperation," standing to lean forward over his desk, her left palm gripping the edge of his desk as her voice dipped, luring the dragon into her game.

Mirroring her posture, he leaned forward, leaning on his elbows as he drawled lazily, trying to keep his focus on her face instead of her cleavage sitting eye level to him, "My cooperation, eh? And if I say no? What'll you do then, little angel?"

Casually checking her gold-tipped almond nails, her voice matching her actions as she sat on the edge of his desk, "Well, you see the thing is, if I can't convince you to help, Master and Mira said they had a plan set in motion to force you to help and I know you know how dangerous the two of them can be when their devious minds come together so I'll give you this offer as a means to save you from them, okay?"

Groaning at the mention of his ridiculous grandfather and the matchmaker coming together, he ran his hand through his blond hair before relenting, "Fine. What's your offer?"

Speaking excitedly as her hands gestured about in tandem with her words, "So in exchange for you helping me get all the lights up and set to music for the party and your attendance for the whole thing, no bowing out, I'm willing to waive all costume requirements as long as you wear your black dress pants and a white dress shirt. I feel like I should mention that Mira brought up the prospect of getting you in an old fashioned tuxedo costume, cummerbund and bowtie and all, which Gramps was a huge fan of..."

Resting his head in his hands, his voice was muted as he mumbled under his breath, all his very colorful insults directed the demon and his grandfather lost to the blonde before he lifted his head to meet her bright golden eyes, expectantly waiting for his response, "Fucking hell...I don't really have a choice here do I?"

"Nope. This is a 'lesser of two evils' thing and I feel like I don't have to say this but I'm going to anyway; I am the lesser of the two evils."

"Fine. I'll be your lights guy, Blondie."

Without really meaning to, Lucy all but squealed in his ear as she leaned over and hugged the brooding man, pushing her chest into his surprised face, "Thankyouthankyouthankyousomuch! I'll probably be back tomorrow early to start planning everything and hanging lights while the guild is empty. Is five too early?"

With his head cradled in the valley of her breasts, he couldn't think straight so he agreed to the ungodly hour in an effort to remove her from his office before she saw the tenting of his black slacks. The huge toothy smile he was rewarded with blew him away as she skipped out of his office, tossing a sweet, "See you tomorrow, Big Man!," at him and closing the door to his office. Left in with a raging hard on and a pit in his stomach at the little minx getting him to participate in the holiday season, which he hadn't celebrated since he was a child.

The brilliant smile and cheery eyes on the blondes face as she stepped from Laxus' office didn't go unnoticed by the trio of mages of the S-Class lounge who were staring at her with open astonishment and gaping mouths, the proper Rune Mage included as she bounced down the steps to lean over the bar to talk to Mira excitedly.

She tried to keep her voice even but as soon as her eyes met the glistening blue of the sisterly mage behind the bar, Lucy gushed to the silver haired woman, "You'll never guess what I just managed to do, Mira-chan. I just got Scrouge himself to agree to help me with the decorations and dress in a mildly formal outfit while he attends the entirety of the party! Can you believe that?!"

Smiling warmly to the blonde, Mira's voice was light but unsurprised, "That's wonderful news, Lucy. I'm sure it didn't take very much convincing to get him to agree to your demands."

Hearing a heavy scoff come from the Poison Slayer to her right, she turned to face him, raising a brow at the loud, incredulous noise, her voice accusing, "Something funny, Pretty boy?"

Giving her a devilish, knowing, toothless grin, Lucy almost felt nervous for what he was about to say, "Oh, I just think it's funny that you lied to Spark Plug to twist him into thinking that the alternate to agreeing to your terms were far worse for him." Nodding in the demon's direction, his continued, "and to use her to do it? Brilliant and devious, Bright Eyes. I'm impressed."

His eye widened as he heard the Takeover Mage's thoughts and the Celestial Mage took advantage of his momentary distraction, "Impressed enough to come to the party? It wouldn't be the same without you scaring the other mages with your acidic glares and witty remarks."

Leaning back on the stool, his hands moving in a motion to portray a 'oh hell no' sentiment before his deep voice drew from his chest, "There is absolutely no fuckin' way. Not even you could get me-" He stopped at the flash of an image that popped into the blonde's head.

With a knowing look, she sauntered over to the Slayer, a hand trailing across the back of his hand as she spoke lowly, "I know exactly the way to get you to sit your ass on that barstool on New Years eve during the party."

Narrowing his eye dangerously at the tricksy woman, snatching her hand in his but with a care to not hurt her, his voice a whisper dancing over her ear, "Careful, Bright Eyes. I don't think you want to be making promises you can't keep."

Instead of struggling or crumbling like he expected, he felt her fingertips run along the curves of his palm as she turned her head, her breath light and airy as it fluttered through his soft maroon hair, "I don't ever make promises I can't keep, Pretty boy."

Letting her go reluctantly, he returned to nursing his deadly cocktail as he grunted under his breath, "Fine, I'll be there but you better deliver."

Backing away from the bar, her voice teasing as she sing-songed, "I'll see you at the party, Erik."

Smirking when she heard his throaty chuckles from behind her back as she walked back over to her team's usual table. Lucy was having a really good day and she knew her team was only going to make it better. As she sat down between Wendy's giggling frame and Erza's armored figure, she waited until after the Requip Mage had finished the last bite of her cake before asking the two women earnestly, "So here's the thing lovely ladies, I'm in need of some serious assistance and I know you two are perfect for the job."

Erza's serious voice was low but earnest as she responded to her teammates words, "Assistance? What what, Lucy?"

Giving the red-headed mage a huge smile as she answered simply, "Shopping." Earning her little squeals of bubbling joy from the Sky Dragon Slayer and a very painful sort of hug from Erza, both only making her chest sore as she looped her arm through theirs to grab their coats from the closet and head downtown to do some serious decision making.

xXx

With an ungodly amount of reluctance, Laxus woke up balls ass early the next morning to meet the little Celestial Mage to set up her ridiculous lights for her ridiculous New Years party. When he managed to roll up to the guild doors fifteen minutes late, he felt a pang of guilt as he noticed the curvy frame of Lucy's body, wrapped up tightly in a thick woolen coat, her fluffy pink scarf tucking her ears away from the freezing temperatures of Magnolia on the 26th of December, her breath puffing away as her golden eyes brightening as she took in the fur-trimmed coat the Lightning Mage was famous for. He was pointedly silent as he closed the gap between them, ignoring the warmth that was spreading through his chest as he could feel her eyes on his face.

Her bright cheery voice would have been irritatingly grating in his head if it wouldn't be for the fact that it was her voice, and that almost irritated him more, as he unlocked the door.

"Good morning, Sparky, I brought you some coffee. It's just the way you like it; black, lots of sugar." Adding quickly with a blush rushing across the creamy skin of her face, when she noticed his raised brow and quirked grin, "I mean, Mira told me how you liked it because she always made me take it to you...and I know how much you hate waking up early." This only raised his brow even higher. Smacking her forehead with her free gloved hand, she added quietly, "That isn't creepy, Laxus. I never see you in the guild before noon so you can't look at me like that for being observant."

Pushing the door open and holding an arm out to let her head inside first, his voice still raspy with sleep, "I can look at you however I want, Blondie. Not only did you make me get up before the fucking sun, you made me do it to decorate for a holiday I despise. As far as you're concerned, you're pretty much enemy number one."

Handing the surly man his coffee and headed to the closet behind the bar to take off her winter gear. When she came from around the corner, running her hands through her long golden waves to clear out the static, she completely missed the Lightning Mages onceover of her frame. The thin material of her white thermal was doing nothing the hide the lace outline of her dark blue bra, the tight stretchy material of her leggings hugging every curve of her shapely legs, as she spoke to him, "I was thinking maybe we could do like all of those really soft glowing little strands covering most of the beams to give the guild hall a glow," sweeping her arms widely before turning to face him, her smile wide as her hair fanned out around her, "Do you think we could get up there to wrap them tightly?"

Clearing his throat bruskly, he turned his attention to the ceiling before answering the hopeful woman, "I think there's a ladder in the basement. I'll grab it and you start untangling the lights."

Turning to the storage room, she answered brightly, "You got it, boss man."

Twenty minutes later, Laxus returned with a very rickety looking ladder. Lucy had managed to untangle most of the strings of clear lights before looking up to eye the old wooden ladder in his hands skeptically, "Well that does not produce large amounts of confidence."

Chuckling darkly as he sat it up on end, "Oh it gets better, sweetheart."

Looking up at the towering man with an even stare, "I don't like the sound of that."

After he set the four legs on even ground, he turned to her, voice casual as he gestured up the tall rungs, "Okay. Get up there and do your lights."

Her voice incredulous as she stood and put a hand on her hip, "Nonononono, I am not going up there."

Putting his hands over his chest, he gave her a small shrug before drawling, "Fine. I'll go put this back downstairs and you can figure out a new plan for your lights because this thing isn't hold going to hold me up."

Walking in front of him and turning to look up the rungs herself with a look of serious consideration before turning back to Laxus. Poking him in the chest very adamantly, her voice questioning as she looked up at him, "You'll hold this like your life depends on it?"

Rolling his blue-grey eyes down to meet hers, scoffing out, "Blondie, my life does depend on it. If anything happens to you under my watch, the line to murder me will reach Crocus."

Nodding her head as she starting throwing strands of lights over her shoulder, mumbling under her breath, "Well, I don't know if that's actually reassuring but these lights are going up on those rafters," mustering up her courage as she grabbed the ladder, her voice lighter than before, "Plus, you'll catch me before I hit the ground, right?"

"Yeah, I got you. Lightning fast reflexes remember?"

Making her way up the rungs, spoke to herself as she ascended, "I feel a little better with you at the bottom than just about anyone else."

Not really knowing what to do with that information, he instead opted to watch her very nice ass shimmy up the shaky piece of equipment, suddenly very thankful for the guild hall being empty so he could do so without the prying eyes of his grandfather and the matchmaker.

Three hours, two close calls and one abnormally smiling Dragon Slayer later, Lucy climbed down the ladder for what she hoped to be the last time ever in her life and sent the Lightning Mage a megawatt smile as she spoke breathy and cheerful, "Okay, now all you have to do, is figure out how to get all those," pointing to the hundreds of little glass bulbs, "to come on simultaneously without blowing the power."

Helping her down off the last step, Laxus' voice was lazy as he reassured her, "Don't you worry about that. I'll make sure all your twinkling lights stay bright over your head."

Poking his forehead with one dainty finger as a Cheshire cat grin split her face, "Our heads, my fellow blonde, our heads."

Both blondes turned their heads at the sound of the guild's front door opening, one bundled Takeover Mage stepping through. Lucy's voice was sweet as walked to greet Mira, "Good morning, Mira-chan! You're just in time for our test run so take off your jacket and join me at the bar please." Pushing the hulking man towards the end of the string of lights, pointing in an animated fashion as she whispered to him, "Go! Do your thing and make this place shine," pausing briefly before tacking on, sugary sweet, "please."

xXx

After a few more hours of scheming between the two women and getting roped into way more decorating than he signed up for, their guild mates started filtering through the door finally giving him the chance to escape up into the safety of his office under the guise of paperwork to get done and absolutely not because he was running away from the two females.

The Celestial Mage giggled as she watched the fur-trim disappear behind his door, turning to elbow the silver haired beauty and pointing towards the door, her voice teasing, "Looks like the strongest mage in all of Fiore can't handle a couple of bombshell ladies and some mundane tasks."

Mira gave her own little giggle before heading behind the bar to start serving lunch as Lucy felt a heavy arm fall around her shoulders.

Turning to see who held the familiar cedar wood scent, she was met by the huge grin of the guild's resident pervert and acrobat, his voice deep but full of mirth as he asked, "Damn, Cosplayer, what'd you do to the boss to have him running scared into his office already?"

Returning Bickslow's easy smile with her own, she gave a flippant hand gesture as she teased, "Oh, you know, the usual scary things; waking up early, helping people, socializing with his guild mates, socializing at all really..."

"Tough break for him, but I know if you and I ever got to spend some time alone, I wouldn't be running and hiding," lolling his tongue out as he squeezed her shoulders.

Joking with the Seith Mage, she easily countered, "No, that'd probably be my job," as she snaked a hand around his thinner but unbearably toned and hardened waist and squeezed back.

Taking the opportunity he had beside him, Bickslow escorted her all the way to the S-Class stairs before she stopped and put a hand on his chest, her voice low as she tilted her head, her long waves dipping lower, "Why don't you ever just hang out with the rest of the guild, Bix?"

Her sudden inquiry took him by surprise as his brain stuttered a little before speaking cautiously, as if a wrong answer would cause the blonde to flee in earnest, "I, uh, well...I guess after everything that went down, we just got used to staying away from everyone and no one invited us down here so we just...stayed put."

Frowning for a moment, which made the older mage to squirm at the foreign expression on the bubbly woman, before her face brightened. She gave the towering man a few pats, her voice sly and lilting as she smirked at him, turning his insides to mush, "Well, what do you say, Bickslow? Would you care to join me for lunch?"

Clearing his throat, his voice was tight for a moment before relaxing into an easy tone, "Uh, yeah. Sure, Cosplayer." His babies twisting and twirling around them as they chirped before echoing their mage, "Cosplayer!" "Cosplayer!"

"But first, two things; One, I'm going to need you to do something about this," gesturing to his face with her free hand tucked below her outstretched arm, her hip cocked out, "and two; I want to know about these adorable little babies. I've been dying to ask you for...well, forever, so like, face thingy and the babies. Please."

Suddenly turning serious, the Seith Mage pulled down his hood, letting his usually unruly hair free, but staying matted down from it's containment as he pulled the little blondes hand from his chest, "The visor stays on, Cosplayer."

Giving him a small thoughtful smile, she stepped up the first two steps and tugged the extremely tall mage closer. Running her hands through his hair to get it to stand up like it had been when she saw it when he and Laxus worked out at the guild's gym, her voice equally as small and thoughtful, "You've got yourself a deal, Bix." She traced the cold, well-made metal with her fingertips, noticing the finely etched patterns on the visor now that she was close enough to be able to, before turning and heading towards the bar to order lunch, Bickslow and his babies close behind.

Lucy couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so much in her life than in the hour she ended up just talking with the Seith Mage before Laxus called her back up to his office. With a chaste peck to Bickslow's cheek, delicious blush spreading from where her lips made contact with his skin, she spoke a cheery goodbye before throwing back to him, loud enough the rest of the guild heard, "And you're always invited to have lunch with me, Bix, so don't be a stranger!," then turning and practically bouncing up the stairs to see what the broody man could possibly want.

Bickslow turned back around, he muttered under his breath, low enough he thought no one heard, "Holy fucking hell..."

When he heard the Poison dragon's low voice respond, he jumped a little, "Yeah, Bright Eyes does that to you and she has absolutely no fucking clue."

Back up on the second floor, Lucy walked into the little office, surprised to see Erza and Gray seated in front of his desk, Natsu leaning on the wall off to the side. The Fire Slayer's face brightened when he saw her, his voice loud and rich, "Luce! You'll never guess what Laxus did."

"Grew a sense of humor?," she quipped cheekily, giving the older mage a wink before walking next to her best friend.

"Hah hah, Blondie. Unfortunately not this time," the blonde drawled from behind his desk, mouth even though he wanted to smirk at her.

Erza cut in as she once again crushed the Celestial Mage into her breastplate, this time Lucy was sure she cracked some part of her skull as she spoke, "We have to take the first train to Sabertooth to inform them of your party. Master Sting isn't answering any of Laxus' calls, which has Master concerned. We leave in half an hour. I'll meet you all at the train station then and we are treating this as a job so pack what you'd need for one."

The blonde beauty gave Natsu's arm a reassuring pat when she heard him groan from beside her at the mention of the train, her voice calm and gentle, "Don't worry, you can lay your head in my lap the whole ride. I'll even play with your hair like you like." When he gave her a toothy grin in response, she turned back to Erza to ask, "It's only, like a two hour ride ride, right?"

"Yes, but we then have to make the hike up to the guild hall. Which is halfway up Mount Kaerimasu. That walk is going to be just as long as the train ride."

"Great. I better get back home and get to packing my cold weather stuff if I'm going to have to hike up a friggin' mountain in December."

She watched as the rest of her team stood to leave, Gray turning around just before he walked through the doorway, his deep voice questioning, "You coming, Lucy?"

Giving him a smile and a quick wave of her hand, "Oh yeah, I just have to tell Laxus about the rest of the party decorations. Will you wait for me? Plue's been asking about you..."

Shooting her an easy grin at the little spirit's mention, he gave her a quick nod and headed downstairs.

The deep rumbling baritone jumped her attention back to the Lightning dragon, "What in the hell more could you possibly have for me to do, Blondie?"

Closing the space between them, she ducked her head beside him, her voice lilting and sweet, "Nothing. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me and not letting me die this morning," wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders in an earnest hug, before pulling back and smirking at the powerful mages wide steely eyes, "So thanks, Laxus. I'll let Mira know you're off the hook until the 31st so she should stay out of your hair. Of course, you could join the rest of our nakama every now and then in until then." Ruffling his hair as if he were a child, earning the little woman a halfhearted glare from him before she turned to leave his office. His very quiet 'You're welcome' only widened her smile as she waved the Devil Slayer down.

Quickly handing her the wool coat and her pink scarf, they made their way towards her apartment.

Calling Plue out so he could see Gray, he gave the Ice Mage a little wiggle and excited child-like 'uppy' motions. When the buff, shirtless man picked him up and set him on his shoulder, he gave little 'pun pun' chirps to his Celestial Mage who giggled lightly before speaking to her teammate, "Plue would like to see your magic. He has requested a little cat like Frosch, Rogue's exceed." Patting her spirits head gently, she cooed at him, "And what do you say to Gray, Plue?"

Looking up at Gray expectantly, he added, "Pun!"

"There you go!" Looking into Gray's deep blue eyes, smile toothy as she added, "He says please."

In a flash of his magic, he held up a little frog suited cat, just like Frosch, and handed to the wiggling spirit, the very fast and enthusiastic 'pun pun's were obvious to the Ice Mage as he chuckled under his breath, "You're welcome, little man. Maybe you can show Frosch when we get to Sabertooth if you take good care of him until we get there."

Using his free paw to hug the side of his head, he turned to chirp as Lucy, his arms outstretched to sit in her arms.

Picking her Little Dog spirit up and hugging him to her chest, she turned to look over the naked torso of her long-time friend, not noticing for the first time just how well ripped he was and just how good he looked with his new tattoo, before clearing her own throat and attempting to speak clearly, "Do you really think anything is wrong at Sabertooth?"

Shrugging his shoulder, he turned to look at her flushed face, small grin split his lips before he answered coolly, "Naw, I think Sting's an idiot who can't keep track of his comm lacrima."

Letting out a choked laugh of surprise, she smacked his arm playfully, "Gray! You can't just call the Master of a guild...well actually, now that I think about it, you're probably right. I get regular calls from Yuki and Rogue about getting help with the guild's finances and paperwork because Sting has no idea what he's doing when it comes to records."

Narrowing his eyes out of confusion, he tilted his head to her, his voice low and questioning, "Why would they call you and not Laxus?"

Rolling her golden eyes, she looked down at Plue's little happy face before answering easily, "Well Laxus never answers the calls that come from Sabertooth and I usually spend every Sunday helping him with Fairy Tail's paperwork."

"You do?"

"Mmhmm, half the time it's because of Team Natsu and I have years of classes that seem to fit flawlessly into running a guild, so it just made sense for me to help." Stopping in front of her apartment, she gave Gray a quick hug before opening her door and calling back to him, "Thanks for walking me home and for making Plue his little Frosch! I'll see you in a little bit," as she disappeared up the stairs.

Pulling her door shut behind him, he ran his hand through his raven hair before heading to his place to pack for their impromptu trip.

xXx

The train ride was relatively calm aside from Natsu's occasional groan when the cabin rocked from the winds, which Lucy immediately soothed with careful ministrations of her fingers running along his scalp. When the blonde looked up at the mountain from its base, she let out her own very pathetic groan before trudging ahead of her team, yelling back to them, her voice full of disappointment, "Let's get up this huge fucking mountain as fast as possible. I'm already froze just looking at it."

She called Horologium out halfway through the hike and thankfully she had timed it just right that he was sent back just before they reached the guild doors. Bursting through the doors, Natsu's booming, rich timbre echoed through their hall as the three other members of Team Natsu stepped through around him, "What's up Saberkitties!"

Yukino happened to be sitting at the closest table and as soon as she laid eyes on her blonde Celestial counterpart, her face lit up and she ran to be wrapped in a tight hug, her voice happy and bright, "Lu! What on Earthland are you doing here? I thought for sure you'd be busy planning your party."

As the shorter woman tried to pull back, the pair was wrapped in a set of very toned arms, Sting's voice right next to Lucy's ear as he nuzzled into her hair, "Blondie! Have you decided to run away from that pink headed idiot and join my guild?"

Before she could still her laughter at his antics, Natsu had unceremoniously plucked her from his arms tucked her under his arm, his voice hot but firm, "No, Luce is my partner. Go find your own."

Poking the Fire Mage's ticklish side causing his grip on her to loosen, she side stepped his embrace before mumbling under her breath, "Weirdo territorial dragon..."

When her golden eyes landed on Rogue's inky black ponytail, she all but tackled the poor mage, breathless from the sprint in all her layers, her voice muffled into the fabric covering his toned back, "Ryos! Where's Frosch?"

Chuckling at her lack of actual greeting, her turned to face her, Frosch smiling wide as soon as he heard his second favorite persons voice, "Thank gods you decided to visit. Frosch thought you didn't like him anymore."

Giving the adorable exceed little eskimo kisses, earning little giggles from him as she cooed at him, "That would never happen, Cutie Pie. I love you too much to ever stay away from you for too long."

She felt a small tug on her pants. Looking down to see Lector's little embarrassed face as he held up a huge white dahlia for her.

Picking the vested exceed up with a little halfhearted noise of protest, she plucked the flower from his hand and hugged him into her chest tightly, her voice warm as she thanked him, "This is beautiful, Lector. Thank you so much!"

As Sting and Natsu started their normal brawl when they saw each other, Rogue's deep voice cut through her cooing, "Not that we are upset that you decided to visit, but why are you here?"

Erza, being distracted by the two dragons in the throes of a fist fight, missed the question completely so Gray stepped up so answer easily, "Laxus tried to get a hold of Sting to let him know that Sabertooth is invited to Fairy Tail's New Years Eve party, but his calls weren't answered so he sent us to make sure nothing happened to you guys."

Letting out a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose, the Shadow Slayer answered dryly, "That's because our illustrious Master has no idea were his comm lacrima is. I should inform Laxus that I keep mine on me at all times so the next time he needs to get a hold of us, he should just call me."

Tilting his head towards Lucy casually, shit-eating toothless grin curling his mouth as he gave her an 'I told you so' look.

She gave him a little shake of her head and a light chuckle before rubbing Rogue's arm to comfort the poor man, "It must be hard to keep him in line, Ryos."

Smirking down at the golden haired beauty, he drawled to her, deep voice sending shivers down her back, "You have no idea, Lucy."

"LULU! What are you doing here?"

When she turned her head to see the massive Lightning God, his huge smile beaming at her as he outstretched his hulking tattooed arms, she sat Lector down on the bar and with a quick pat to his head, she ran into his open arms. Spinning her before putting the curvy woman down, he kept an arm on her lower back as her to a table, speaking with his booming baritone excitedly, "What brings my favorite blonde to our neck of the woods?"

Sting's very disgruntled, 'Hey!' sounded from the ball of dragon slayers tumbling around the floor of his guild, before Lucy chuckled and patted his forearm, the smile on her face reaching her eyes and voice easily, "The New Years party of course!" Pausing to glance at Sting and Natsu quickly before tacking on, "well that and Sting's lack of regard for inter-guild relations."

When the noises of their brawl suddenly stalled, the blonde was a little surprised to see Erza looming over both the mages unconscious bodies before smiling at the Memory Make Mage who filled the spot across from her, getting into a deep conversation with the group of Saber's when Yukino and Rogue walked over to sit with her. Frosch and Lector quickly crossing the hall to climb into her lap after she removed her winter gear.

Gray ducked his head towards the red headed Requip Mage, his voice low and confused, "Since when does Sabertooth's mages have such a good relationship with our Lucy?"

Narrowing her brown orbs towards the table, she answered with a stern voice that left no room for argument, "You know how magnetic she is, but I sense any of them have ill-intentions towards her, I will not hesitate to act."

Giving a firm nod as he stepped over Natsu's drooling body, they took up the empty bench on their Celestial Mages right, her bright smile greeting them as she pulled them into the conversation.


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Thank you thank you! -kendraleaanne~