Okay, so this is my first Fanfic, and I'm not really expecting much from it. And yeah, um, any form of criticism is welcome, but don't expect me to acknowledge it properly if it isn't constructive. Feel free to cyber-rage at me if I mix up words like they're, their and there, if I misspell words, if I misused words/grammar, stuff like that.

I got a brief idea for this from that time at Tenrou when Hades used Nemesis and they showed Wendy pretty much about to cry from the fear. And that was months and months ago. After that, I never actually forgot the idea, but I didn't really do anything about it. Then I started reading fanfiction, so the idea came back when I was daydreaming in geography, and a story actually formed. :D So I thought, 'why the hell not?' and started writing. :)

AND I'm just warning you about some OOC-ness.. Yeah.. Sorry about that. :s

OH. AND I DON'T OWN FAIRY TAIL..

(that would be awesome if I did, though..)

CHAPTER 1

The bright shine from the sun reflected from the stone fountain. Its water shimmered gloriously, attracting many residents even from the other end of the small park. The air was filled with light chatter, the rustling of leaves and the occasional bicycle and shop bells. The autumn breeze gently played with the fallen leaves, racing across the grass. A bunch of children chased after each other in a friendly game of hide-and-seek tag, supervised by their gossiping parents not far off. A light scent of bread wafted across from the bakery nearby. The scenery was peaceful. A great place to be on a lazy Sunday.

But the atmosphere on the other side of the glossy windows begged to differ. It was as if the steel-framed glass was a barrier between two separate worlds. On one side, was the town of Magnolia, and on the other, was an isolate room with cream walls and a wooden floor. A small bedside-table stood in the corner next to the window, displaying a yellow, glowing lacrima, a glass bottle housing morning glory flowers, as well as a leather pouch and what seemed like a handle attached to a brown belt.

Across the room from the table, sat three figures. The oldest of the three was a navy-haired young adult, leaning back on the lounge with the youngest comfortably curled in his lap. The last person was a child the age of eleven whose dark hair tied in a braid that was slightly messy from sleeping on the man's shoulder for a bit too long.

They sat, waiting.

Gray felt a light tug on his dark t-shirt. "Gray-nii?" The timid voice was barely audible, but it was enough to surprise the ice-mage out of his lengthy trance. He hesitantly lowered his head to face the small child comfortably residing on his lap, still clutching a tiny handful of the cloth covering Gray's lean chest.

"Yeah?"

The steady, lacrima-made beeping noise gradually returned in the background.

"I'm hungry."

It took a little more than several seconds of a meaningless staring contest for Gray to comprehend the six year-old's request. "Oh. Yeah, sure," Gray whispered, not wanting to disturb the couple across the cream and wooden room. "Asuka-chan, wait for me outside." He gently raised his shoulder to pry the girl's head off, motioning for her to lead her younger brother, who was now crawling off Gray's lap. Gray stood, watching the Connell siblings trudge towards the door hand-in-hand.

With Asuka and Kiseki behind the door, he sighed and slipped his hands into his pants pockets. He returned his eyes onto the weakened blond, leaning down with her back towards the window and her head lowered. She wore a plain white t-shirt, one or two sizes too big for her curvaceous torso, black cotton shorts and white socks. A brown leather pouch that housed all twelve golden keys and five silver ones, and the handle of Fleuve d'étoiles could be found clipped to the belt on the bedside table beside her. Underneath the table was her classic, now fading, combat boots. The end of a white material sneaking out from underneath her shirt is the same material encasing her upper left arm from shoulder to elbow. The golden hair that now flowed untied to just below the girl's waist was the healthiest thing on her frail body. And even so, it was imperceptibly discoloured.

He missed the old Lucy. The "Lucky" Lucy from Fairy Tail. The cheerful Lucy who complained a lot from five years ago. He missed her genuine smile. The smile that once filled the whole guild, however raucous it may be on any day, with all the left-over happiness her face couldn't contain. He missed the sparkle in her chocolate eyes. He missed the way her hair seemed to reflect the sun's shine.

She lost all of that. It took only two years to accomplish what once seemed impossible. No matter how much power, time and strength someone had, it would be impossible to transform Lucky Lucy from Fairy Tail into just another girl who happens to go by the name of Lucy, and to banish all joy in the guild.

Gray stood still, evaluating his only approach method in mind. He preferred not to disturb the celestial mage, however he felt he needed to make sure she'll be fine. Not just for the day. He took his white jacket from the back of the chair and gently draped it over Lucy's shoulders, hands pausing to rest on them.

"Hey, Lucy?"

"..."

"I'm just going to take the kids to town. They'll probably want to look around, so we'll be a little late. I'll just have Mira look after them until Alzack and Bisca come back from their mission, then I'll come and walk you home. Just wait for me outside if I'm not back by the end of visiting hours."

The only response he got was a slight head turn to the side. Gray followed the motion and found the door. His eyes lingered through the glass, then fell to the bronze handle.

"Hey. She'll be fine, Lucy. She's from Fairy Tail." That said, the ice mage let his hand slide off her shoulder, and walked across the wooden plank flooring towards the door.

He paused at the door, one hand holding it open, and snuck a final peek. Lucy's head was still turned to the side facing him. Understanding, he sighed once more and closed the door behind him.

He looked down to the children wide-awake. "Let's go?"

The door eased shut, and the muffled sounds of the three's footsteps eventually vanished.

One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.

Five counts played automatically in Lucy's head before she returned her full attention to the comatose patient. The bed was draped in white sheets that flowed to halfway from the frame and the floor. The blanket covered its occupant from the hips down, concealing a disturbing sight from visitors, but only to a certain extent. Lucy dared a dreadful glance at the two lumps of different lengths from under the blanket. These represented the girl's lower limbs. The one closer to where Lucy sat was just longer than half the length of the other. Uncovered by the blanket was a mass of recently-changed bandages wrapping around her curvaceous upper torso, struggling to heave up and down. Her arms manifested scarred gashes and other wounds. Her head lay lifeless on the pillow. More bandages were wrapped around the top half of her head and jaw, covering her eyes and ears. The still unnamed patient's beautiful blue hair, now longer than before, cascaded down beneath her, gradually fanning out.

Lucy fidgeted in her seat under the atmosphere's discomfort. The bandages around her looked so tight in its thickness, it seemed her friend was straining to breathe. Because of that, Lucy had to fight the urge of ripping them off.

Weak.
Useless.

The words that immediately made Lucy visualise herself. She felt ashamed of the fact that the only person she really did love as a sister was currently lying on this bed.

Lucy had been there when she curled her hair, when she straightened it, when she grew it out, when she cut it. She even helped her through her first date with her first crush.

If only I was stronger. If only I was strong enough to protect you, Wendy.

"Ano.. Excuse me?" Lucy opened one eye unwillingly, the light was too bright to ignore, even from behind her shielding eyelids. A young nurse gently shook Lucy as to wake her. She sported shiny black hair tied up in a neat bun, leaving her lightly tanned face clear. A short groan escaped from Lucy, and she shut her eye. Waking up wasn't what she wanted to do right now. What she wanted was to return to her subconscious world where the boisterous gild was celebrating Wendy's recovery. The nurse was hesitant, but disliked the idea of giving up. She shook Lucy again, slightly harder than before. "Visiting hours are over."

Her hand tightened its grasp around Wendy's. The nurse sighed with sympathy, and whispered, "I'll be back in ten minutes." Lucy was thankful, but failed to show it. She raised her head from her forearm next to Wendy's and Gray's coat slid off her back.

For the remaining time she had left for the day together with Wendy, Lucy sat on the wooden chair positioned next to the bed, leaning forward and still holding Wendy's hand with both of her own.

I'll save you, Wendy. I promise.

Lucy aimlessly wandered the streets of Magnolia without any particular destination in mind, not paying attention to her surroundings. The guild bombarded her thoughts.

The guild is empty because of me. Wendy's in a coma because of me. I created a black hole in everyone's hearts. I caused their pain and suffering.

So why?

Why did they forgive me? Why did they continue accepting me in their guild when I hurt their beloved nakama? When I nearly killed my own sister?

I don't deserve this.

She stopped for a moment to take a look at her surroundings. The sky blushed a light shade of pink, signalling the approach of dusk. Apartment buildings withered on either side of Lucy. Curtains flapped in the light wind that entered from the broken windows. The street was lonely and had alleyways branching from here and there. Smokers, drunkards, bikies and stoners could be found in their corresponding groups at the entrances of the alleyways. Some shouted suggestive remarks at Lucy, others offered a chance to join them for the night.

After a brief mental debate, she approached the smokers. A blonde boy from the group took out a fresh cigarette and allowed the brunette to burn it. He waited until Lucy was closer before holding it out to her as if she was a well-known friend. Wordlessly, Lucy accepted the offer and sucked a deep breath before taking the cigarette away from her lips. She held it for a moment, feeling the heat of the smoke spread around her body, starting from her chest. She drew it up, imagining the smoke retracing its paths back to her chest, forming a large ball in her lungs. Lucy formed a small 'o' shape with her lips, as if she was blowing out candles on a birthday cake, and blew out a thin strand of smoke, taking her time reducing the ball in her chest. Her eyes followed the tip of the strand rise into the air and dissipate.

Lucy couldn't bring herself to take another breathful of the warming smoke. Not because she realised where this practice may lead her if she allows it become a habit. But because the end of the cigarette was frozen. By a very angry Gray. The others knew best than to meddle with mages' problems, so they remained silent spectators.

Gray stomped over, forcefully grabbed Lucy's pale wrist and silently stormed away. Before out of sight, however, he took his chance to stick up his middle finger at the smokers, while still marching and not bothering to look back. He also froze his hand, still clutching Lucy's wrist, to ensure she won't escape.

Warm. His ice is warm.

The two took the fastest route back to central Magnolia, reaching decent buildings and homes within ten minutes of rushed walking. When it was clear they were well away from the outskirts where the encounter between Lucy and the smokers occurred, Gray slowed down and allowed himself to undo the ice on his hand. He loosened his grip around Lucy's wrist. This way, she was no longer being 'dragged', but more like being led like a father protectively guiding his innocent daughter through the crowd at a festival. Within another minute or two, the pair of local mages had already entered the glistening central of Magnolia. Scarlet blood spilled across the sky, forcing the eastern rooms of buildings to switch on their lights in the darkening evening.

The people lining the streets were sociable and, say, patient. Only a small handful were rushing. Gray slipped his hand down from Lucy's wrist and intertwined their fingers together, much to the blond's unexpressed surprise. They slowed down further, adopting the pace of a couple out on a date. They reached the western entrance of Magnolia Park, watching a small pack of children chase after each other in a game of hide-and-seek tag. The parents of the children chattered gleefully at the benches nearby. Other people at the park were dog owners, on dates, or just simply there to enjoy the atmosphere; a chilly autumn breeze lightly ruffling the leaves, laughter of children playing and the smell and heat of the freshly brewed coffee in their hands. One was even sitting on the grass, happily sketching the peaceful view.

Gray silently took Lucy along the winding path to an unoccupied area in the corner of the park. The only noises coming from them were the soft sounds of their footsteps on the paved ground, the slight jingles of Lucy's keys, and the ruffling of clothes as they gracefully moved. This small crescent-shaped part of the park was well away from the main area. The path led to a small circle, marking sanctuary for those who sought privacy. The wind was gently playing with their hair and the grass.

He stopped there, remembering the feelings he had in the previous times he sat here alone. He faced Lucy, shifting his hand in hers into a position comfortable for the both of them. The ice-mage looked down into his friend's tormented chocolate-brown eyes.

So dull..

As if embarrassed by Gray's unspoken thought, Lucy turned her head towards the ground behind him. He was shocked at first, slightly blushing from how cute she looked just then. But he dismissed the idea, and released the bubble of breath, which he didn't realise he was holding, with a sigh.

"You know, just because you're not looking at me, doesn't mean that I'm not here with you. And that goes for everyone in the guild. Just because you don't show up doesn't mean they're not there for you. Lucy.. you don't have to hide it anymore. Actually, you never did have to. Remember what Gramps said all those years ago? I think it was just after the war with Phantom Lord." Gray paused, realising something embarrassing.

He untangled one of his hands and brought it up to Lucy's face. His middle and ring fingers traced the scar hidden in her eyebrow, brushing her bangs to the side, and continued its path down to the corner of her eye. From there, he cupped her cheek and guided it so that she was facing him again.

Chocolate met navy.

Gray stepped closer. The hand that cupped her face snaked to Lucy's neck, then to the back of her head, fingers interlocking in the soft locks. The other that had held her hand was gracefully sliding up to Lucy's back for support. He firmly but gently laid her head onto the crook of his shoulder, allowing her to be comfortable in his embrace, as well as allowing him to breathe in her strawberry-scented shampoo.

Lucy took the offer and brought her hands up to Gray's back. The two mages stood there, their hair and clothes being tugged at by the wind. The sky was dimmer than when they first arrived here. They had closed their eyes in each other's arms. After a few minutes of a friendly silence, Gray spoke.

"Hey Lucy, you listening?"

He stopped there, waiting for a response. He felt his friend's head move on his shoulder, and assumed she was nodding. The ice mage took a breath, and continued.

"Stop underestimating her."

Lucy's eyes jerked open. She loosened her grip around Gray, who did the same, and she leaned back. She looked at him, questioning him mutely. His dark eyes were stern.

She was confused. What did he mean by 'underestimating'? Her unspoken question was not answered, though, because Gray finally released the hug and interlocked his fingers behind the mass of navy hair on his head. His eyes changed; they were gentle, as if that short time of taking disciplinary measures didn't happen. He turned to the side, looking at the line of shops nearby.

He took in a deep breath with closed eyes, then let out most of the air in a sharp sigh. He opened his eyes, which instantly returned to a laid-back expression. "That cafe over there better have some damn good food."

Gray walked up the step to the small apartment house that overlooked one of Magnolia's water canals, carrying a certain sleeping blond piggy-back style. He tucked his right arm under Lucy's bottom so as to not let her fall while he knocked on the door with the left. He did the same with the arm he used to knock on the door for extra support while he waited to be answered.

"Hey Erza," Gray greeted the female mage who answered the door. She stood there, in pink pyjamas and her scarlet hair in a messy bun. Her hand was on the doorframe, the other on her hip. She had moved out of Fairy Hills three years ago, having found a cheap apartment not too far from the guild, and on the street across the canal from Strawberry Street, where Lucy's apartment is situated.

"You're late. Tardiness isn't a good thing, Gray. Do you know what the time is? The time is precisely 1:24am."

Gray chuckled and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, you see, I was late to pick her up after visiting hours ended.. and she ran off."

"What?! You IDIOT! Do you have any idea what could have ha-"

"She only had one smoke."

"Wait.. A smoke? A freaking SMOKE?"

The hand on her hip moved to pinch the bridge of her nose as she sighed. Gray looked to the side, feeling ashamed. She moved to the side and leant on the wall with her arms crossed.

"Just.. just get her to the bed."

Gray hurried inside, afraid of angering Titania even more. He slipped out of his shoes and left them next to the racks by the door, while Erza closed the door. Having followed this procedure for eighteen months now, he no longer needed Erza to lead him to her bed.

Her apartment was fairly spacious, and only displayed a few sets of armour. Like everyone else, Erza had become stronger in the five years since they returned home from Tenroujima. During those adventurous years along with her nakama at Fairy Tail, she acquired new skills, armour, weapons, knowledge and friends. Their magical power increased, and Erza was able to expand the area of pocket dimensions where she stores her armour and weapons.

Gray, having followed a similar procedure often for eighteen months, no longer required Erza to lead him around. He found Erza's bed almost subconsciously, after seeing it during every visit he paid. It was in the far corner on the right, neatly made. He made his way over to it, while Erza went to the kitchen to boil some water for tea. He pulled the covers back and gently laid Lucy onto the cushiony mattress, then proceeded to remove her boots, socks, belt and his jacket from her. He tucked her in, and took the stripped clothing to the lobby, where he hung his jacket on the coat rack, left her belt hanging on one of the hooks on the wall, and placed her boots on the bottom shelf of the shoe racks, with one sock hanging out of each boot.

Gray checked that Lucy's whip and key pouch weren't going to fall anytime soon before striding back over to the owner. He sat on the edge of the bed, studying her. Her head was tilted to the side facing the wall, resting comfortably.

A minute or two later, Erza returned from the kitchen, carrying a tray with tea bowls, a steaming pot and a small plate of biscuits. She set it down on the low table in the middle of the room and sat cross-legged on the zabuton, inviting Gray to do the same. He did so, while Erza proceeded to fill the tea bowls with the delicious tea Juvia gave her.

"You know, she didn't speak a word today," Gray said, reaching for his tea from Erza. "She only talks to you."

"Apparently, I'm the only one she cries to as well."

"It goes to show she trusts you the most. Not even Cana, her partner. Meaning, you have the most responsibility."

"Yeah, I'm used to that."

A friendly silence filled the room, with the only sounds escaping from the clock and fire lacrima in the fireplace.

"Where were you too all day, anyway?"

"Oh that, haha well, we just went around town for a while. We sat down with some ice-cream and she fell asleep on my shoulder."

"Oh.. How is she?"

"Well that's a stupid question, don't you think, Erza?"

Erza looked down at the tea in her hands. "Heh, yeah. Sorry."

Gray finished the rest of his tea, thanked Erza and stood up. "I should let you two rest. Sorry about the intrusion." He went over to the lobby and Erza followed. She opened the door while he put on his jacket and shoes before stepping into the outside chill.

Erza leaned on the doorframe once more, crossing her arms.

Gray stood on the porch, zipping up the white jacket to the middle of his chest. "Hey Erza."

"Hmm?"

"Don't let her go back tomorrow."

With that, Gray stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets and set off home. A few meters out on the stone-paved street, Erza called out to him. "Goodnight, Gray!"

"'Night!"

A/N: Oh wow, I didn't expect that one to be so long.. (It's pretty long for something I wrote). And guessing from my daydream, the whole thing's going to be pretty long. So review, PM me, watch/read some more FT, do whatever. AND THANKS FOR READING! :D

Btw, for those who don't know, a zabuton is a Japanese cushion that is used for sitting on the floor, but can be put on the seat of a chair, if you feel like it.

YES AND UM. If you have any suggestions or ideas to where this story leads to, PM me or put it in a Review. The rest is still pretty flexible, and I would love to see what you guys can come up with. :)

THANKS AGAIN! :D

30/9/12