I know I'm horrible for starting a new multi-chaptered story. But... this needed to be continued. I have so much I want to explore in this AU. Because there's so much possibility here.

Plus it's for a pairing that gets no love. It deserves love.

This is also a blatant excuse to write Gildarts and Erza broship.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Erza picked at the bandages on her shoulder with her fingertips, frustration mounting as the cloth refused to comply with her wishes. The pitch and sway of the ship was doing her no favors, either. Her nails weren't much to speak of, clipped short to hold her weapons properly, and her grip with them was tenuous at best. And then ship would crest a wave, and she'd lose even that tentative grip.

It throbbed.

She was loathe to ask for assistance from the others. They would help without question, she knew - but she did not wish to bother them with her inconvenience. After all, Wendy had just lost her entire family. The girl was still adjusting to the idea of a new start in Fairy Tail. And Erza didn't want Wendy to blame herself for not being able to help Erza in time. It wasn't her fault, and it wasn't a burden she should have to bear. It was Erza's own decision that led to her current predicament.

Lucy would be too nervous. Her hands had shaken the entire time she and Virgo wrapped the bandages in the first place, and the silent tears that had streamed down her face weren't something that Erza would forget any time soon.

Erza was not completely sure Natsu even knew how to change bandages in the first place. The boy tended to heal very fast from his own wounds.

And lastly - Gray was most definitely out. He had taken her decision as a personal affront and could not seem to bear to look her in the eyes. Ever since they'd boarded, he'd kept his distance. If he had glanced over at her at all, she hadn't seen it. It pained her deeply to see her first friend in Fairy Tail shun her so, but she chalked it up to just one more thing she never thought she'd lose on this mission, and subsequently had.

Jellal, Gray, and…

Her musings were interrupted by a quiet voice beside her. "May I assist you with that?"

Erza glanced up, into the icy eyes of Lyon Vastia. One half of the reason she was in her current predicament. She considered the offer for a moment. On principle, she was against soliciting outside help for such a trivial task, but if it were being offered… "Yes," she answered, dropping her arm with some relief. "I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you."

Lyon shook his head, sitting down beside her. "It's no trouble; I must say that I bear some of the blame for this, so it's only fair that I contribute a little here."

"You only did what I asked you to," Erza stated bluntly, watching his deft fingers unwind the bandages with ease - the cloth unfurling at his touch. "There's no need for you to shoulder the blame."

He hummed as the bandages fell away at last, leaving only the gauze to be removed. "Gray would probably say otherwise."

Through clenched teeth, Erza hissed as Lyon pried the gauze free. Wasn't sea air supposed to be good for wounds? So far, she was having trouble believing the adage. It was as if she could feel each molecule of air assault the wound.

"Sorry," he stated, inspecting the revealed wound with a clinical eye. "For this… and for making things difficult between you and Gray." Lyon forestalled the argument rising in her throat with a shake of his head. "Let's wait until after I've finished to discuss my foster brother."

Then he frowned at the injury. "It looks clean, and Natsu did an excellent job with the cauterization but… I think the edges are inflamed. Hold still for a moment." Soft blue light emanated from his hand, and Erza shuddered at the cold brush of his fingers against her sensitive skin.

Pausing, Lyon muttered an apology.

"No, keep going," Erza urged him, embarrassed by her reaction. "It doesn't hurt at all."

The ice mage's fingers touched the wound again, the swelling fading under his touch. Once it was to his satisfaction, Lyon withdrew. "I would have Wendy inspect it later, but that should suffice for now."

Erza nodded, and passed him the new, clean bandages to begin the wrapping process. As he began to do so, with a hypnotic grace in his movements, Erza spoke. "As for Gray, I should be the one apologizing for worsening things between the two of you. And you had only just reconciled… I feel responsible."

Lyon snorted in genuine amusement. "Things have always been rocky at best between Gray and I. This doesn't really change that. I did save him from a bomb earlier, so we might be better off than before, actually." He fell silent for a minute. "I guess you'll want to know why he's really avoiding you," Lyon suddenly said, with a roll of his eyes and an exasperated sigh. "Since he probably won't tell you on his own, I shall do the honors."

"You don't have to," Erza informed him, watching the taut lines of his face carefully. "If it's too much, I won't ask it of you. Besides… it's something I should work out with Gray myself."

"It's not a bother." Lyon leveled a cold stare at the redhead, his eyes as sharp and piercing as icicles. "And Gray is an idiot."

Somehow, the seriousness of his words had the opposite intended effect on Erza, causing her to let out a laugh. At Lyon's resulting affronted expression, it devolved into a full-out giggle session.

With a huff, Lyon finished with the bandaging while he waited for her mirth to subside.

She gestured for him to continue talking, once she had herself under control once again.

After a moment's hesitation, he did so. "Gray and I's master in Ice Make Magic, Ur… are you familiar with her?"

Erza nodded, somber now. "Yes. It's my understanding that she perished saving the lives of you and Gray."

"Indeed." Lyon's lips pressed together into a thin line, and his forehead creased in remembered pain. "That day… our master lost her leg in fighting against Deliora."

Understanding and horror rushed through Erza. "So that's why." No doubt this was unpleasant for him to talk about as well, she realized. Guilt caught in her chest, furthering the nausea already settling in from the ship's motion.

"It reminded him, probably." Then Lyon snorted. "Though honestly, I don't know why he's so hung up about it. He never actually saw her lose the leg."

Like I did.

Though it was unsaid, Erza heard the words as clearly as the rest. Gently, she laid her hand on his arm. "Thank you, Lyon. For doing what I needed you to do. It was a lot to ask." It was odd, but... somehow, she'd known he would. He was, like her, a pragmatist. Poison spreading too fast to wait for Wendy, the second their eyes had met, he'd understood, and had done what was necessary. What was needed.

Even if it meant bringing his sword down upon a comrade.

He coughed, and awkwardly patted her hand - unsure of how else to respond to her gratitude. "It's fine." Then he glanced at her shoulder, at the stump he'd created. "Do you have any plans from here?"

Erza smiled. "There are options. Expensive ones, it must be said, though I believe I have more than enough funds to cover them. This won't stop me from being a mage, or being myself. It'll slow me down for a while, I'm sure. But it won't be my end."

Lyon returned her smile with a tentative one of his own. "I'm glad to hear that."