~TWO UPDATES IN ONE DAY? I know, right? XD

So here would be chappie number two. Leave me your reviews, your thoughts, your votes. Please please please!~

While the mages were distracted by their sudden reunion, a blizzard was building outside that was sure to keep the mages of Fairy Tail stuck on Mount Kaerimasu overnight.

"You have to tell me what your theme is, Lu-chan! I have to be dressed properly and I know you and Virgo always have something up your sleeves," Yukino, in a thick light blue sweater with white patterns along the collar, spoke excitedly as she bounced next between Rufus and Rogue, jostling both the men and earning the little Celestial Mage small unnoticed smiles from the brotherly mages.

Rogue's smooth voice added as he watched Lucy rub his exceed's pink covered stomach, making the little kitten purr loudly as he cuddled further into her own light pink cashmere covered chest, "You are going to have a theme party for New Years?"

As if it pained her to peel her bright eyes from the sleepy green exceed, she quickly brightened her smile as she looked between the two, her eyes turning scheming as she leaned forward, careful not to wake the two cats in her lap, before her voice dropped low and she looked left and right as if she were telling them classified secrets of the kingdom, having to tuck her long hair behind her ears so the ends didn't tickle her little babies, even though pretty much the whole guild was gathered around the table and would hear anyway, "It's going to be a masquerade. Which you would have known if Sting answered his calls," giving the White Dragon a pointed but teasing look as she leaned on her chin in the palm of her hand.

Rolling his shining blue eyes at her dig, he drawled lazily from the end of the table, his hand toying with his new white quartz earring, "I would have answered if I had my lacrima. It's not my fault it never stays put."

Chuckling under her breath as she raised a brow to Sabertooth's Master, "That's what you're going with, Blondie? The comms lacrima grew legs and...what? Walked away?"

Orga's heavy, muscled arm draped over her shoulders as his booming laughter filled the hall, leaning the pair of mages closer to the bristled Slayer, giving his Master a smirk as he teased, "Probably ran the fuck away from him. I know I would." The little giggles that rang out from the woman snug at his side made his smile widen further.

"I haven't been to a masquerade in years, Miss Lucy. It should be a very entertaining evening with all the mages of Fiore hidden away behind masks, unrecognizable as the New Year rolls in and everyone searches for their first kiss to set the tone of the upcoming year," the Memory Make Mage had long since taken off his hat, his mask framing his deep, forest green pools shining as his handsome toothless smile spread across his face.

Lucy's eyes sparkled as she pictured all the wonderful unique masks all looking up at her crystal, soft lighting, her voice dreamy as spoke, "I know right? The mystery of it all makes it so sexy, almost dangerous. It get's my blood boiling just thinking about all the wonderful costumes, eyes shining from behind masks, everyone hunting for that special, lucky, one to kiss at the stroke of midnight," practically melting over the table.

Both Celestial Mages let out girlish breathy sighs at the romantic notion. Their moment was quickly ruined by the low grumbling of the Fire Slayer who had just woken up from Erza's clobbering, his voice raspy and confused, "Luce? Why do I feel like I was hit by a train?" The poor confused pinkette was holding his forehead with the palm of his hand as his heavy lidded onyx orbs searched for the blonde from the floor of the hall.

Giving her best friend a small smile, she gently cradled Lector and Frosch as she stood, giving them back to their respective Slayer's before kneeling next to Natsu's body the same time he leaned up on his elbow, her voice soft and lilting as she brushed his hair out of his face, "Erza actually, so I think next time you should take on the train instead."

Shooting the Requip mage a glare as he continued to rub the goose egg on top of his head, "Why the hell did you hit me so hard, Erza?"

Flipping her hair casually over her shoulder, her voice was lacking any remorse as she answered flatly, "You and Master Sting were rolling around the guild hall like a couple of children and it was distracting me from my duties so I put a stop to it. I can't help if your fragile skull can't handle my methods."

Whispering low in his ear as she helped him up, her left hand bracing his back while her right sat splayed over the hard ridges of his abs, his body leaning heavily against her small frame, "Don't worry about it, Natsu. I'll make sure the train ride back is easy for you. I brought that book about the stories behind the constellations you like, so I can read it to you the whole time."

Gray's voice cut through as a blustery wind swept the hall, making the mages all simultaneously turn and glare at the Ice Mage, before he slammed the door shut, "The train we will have to take tomorrow. That is, if the snow stops in time."

Frosch's little frame waddled over to the blonde after Rogue set him down from his lap, his paw rubbing his eye adorably as he called up to her, "Does this mean we are having a sleepover? Fro wants to sleep with Mama Lucy and Papa Rogue," giving the giggling woman puppy dog eyes the size of the sun.

Yukino and the redhead were stifling giggles as Orga and Rufus shared a mutual look of 'Papa...Mama...what the hell?' before taking in the Shadow Slayers bright blush and letting their own chuckles out at his obvious embarrassment.

Setting Natsu down on a bench, shaking her head as the Fire Mage quickly sprawled out across it, before crouching in front of Frosch, her voice light as she poked his nose with a bright smile on her face, "You'll have to ask Master Sting if we can have a sleepover in the guild first, Sweetie."

The White Slayer gave her a smirk, his arms crossed over his barely covered chest cradling his own exceed, as he watched the little exceed's pink frog suit walk over to him, his paws behind his back as he looked up from beneath his hood, his little voice cheerful as he asked, "Sting-kun, can we have a sleepover because of the snow? We can move the tables and everyone can stay here in a big, cuddly pile and Frosch can sleep with Mama Lucy."

Before he could answer, Lector's little voice called from his arms, "Me too! Mama Lucy's chest is way more comfortable than my bed," looking up to his Slayer with puppy eyes that rivaled Frosch's as he added, "Please, can we have a sleepover?"

His easy, carefree timbre was filled with mirth as he answered, "It seems I don't have much of a choice. So let's go grab all the pillows and blankets we can while you Fairies clear the tables to make room. Sound good, Little buddy?"

Nodding enthusiastically, the red exceed jumped down to take Frosch's hand and lead him to his room at the back of the guild to get their pillows and blankets. Quickly following the adorable pair, the rest of Sabertooth got up and in a chorus of high-pitched giggles, low chuckles and all out belly laughs, took turns patting the Shadow Slayer on the back as the bright red blush from his exceed's 'Mama Lucy and Papa Rogue' statement spread to the tips of his ears at his guild's actions.

When he took in the warm honeyed vanilla scent that filled his senses as the amber eyed beauty popped in front of him, her voice lilting and sweet as her head tilted, her golden waves shimmering under the Christmas lights they had yet to take down, "I don't think I said hi earlier," absently feeling the silk of his gold and black kimono as a beaming toothy smile split her lips, "so, hey."

Giving the little woman an earnest lopsided grin, his deep, naturally smooth as velvet voice spilling from his lips as he crossed his toned arms over her broad chest, "Hello, Lucy."

"Have I told you how good you look with your hair back because damn, you look good with your hair pulled back," patting his chest with a cheeky wink as she continued, "and you don't have to be embarrassed, Papa Rogue, I think it's adorable that Frosch sees us that way." Pausing to give the man a thoughtful look before adding, "Though, you do look equally as adorable as your exceed all flushed and flustered," crinkling her nose adorably up at him.

Muttering under his breath as she all but skipped over to the mostly naked Ice Mage to help him move tables, "Right, and I'm supposed to sleep next her tonight. Stellar," before turning to follow the rest of his guild, meeting the devious grinning face of their own Celestial Mage with a heavy sigh.

After they had pushed most of the tables to the side, Lucy called Virgo out and after the maid bowed and asked for punishment, she shook her head and asked, voice light, "No punishment but I do need some pajamas for myself and my team, if you had anything we could wear."

"Titania, the Fire Prince, and the Ice Prince are all in need? I thought you packed for a mission, Princess?," the pinkette asked earnestly as her head tilted to the side, her face tight with confusion.

Rubbing the back of her head sheepishly as she answered quietly, "Well we did, but we ran across a a Vulcan on the way up and it trashed Erza's wagon which had all our things on it..."

"Why wouldn't you call me out to hold your things like usual, Princess?"

"Well you're so busy with all the costumes for the party and I didn't want to bother you when we could carry our own things. It seems the sentiment was pointless anyway though," chuckling halfheartedly as she smiled to her maid spirit, the thick woolen socks twisted as she dug her toe into the stone floor.

Patting the blondes head affectionately as she gave her a toothless smile, Virgo bowed before disappearing to grab the clothes for her mage and her teammates.

Gray drawled coolly, not successfully hiding the scoff in his voice, from where he had leaned against the table behind her, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, "Fire Prince?"

Throwing a brotherly punch the Devil Slayer, Natsu's voice followed his easily, his fangs glistening from where they poked from beneath his lip, "Ice Prince?"

The Celestial Mage turned back to face them, giving the two men a fond smile before answering playfully, "You should hear what she calls Gajeel, Cobra and Laxus. My spirits play favorites tough, especially when it comes you Slayers. It's kind of weird actually."

Sting's play-hurt voice rang throughout the hall as the Fairies turned to take in the Sabers, their arms bursting with all sorts of blankets, pillows and bedrolls, "What Rogue and I aren't in the running because we aren't in your guild? I'm hurt, Blondie, truly. You wound me."

Lucy's scoff echoed off the walls but before she could shoot the handsome dragon a reply, Virgo popped back in, bowing to give the members of Sabertooth a very healthy dose of her ruffled panties, her voice even as usual, "I hope these will suit you well. Though I don't see the point in putting clothes on the Ice Prince with his unusual stripping habit."

As a cough sounded from somewhere behind the Maiden, she turned to take in Sabertooth's mages, her face deadpanning as she looked at the smiling face of White Dragon Slayer, voice dropping to emotionless monotone, "The Twin Dragons of Sabertooth, wonderful."

Leaning towards Gray and Natsu, the little blonde beauty held her hand up to her mouth to whisper to them behind the Maiden spirit's back, "Sting is her least favorite Slayer. Don't ask me why though, she never tells me anything; just gets weirdly sarcastic. Though she did say she would like Rogue more but he's always with Sting so it's a guilty by association thing for her."

The wild salmon hair of the Fire dragon leaned towards her heart-shaped face, not caring that Gray was wedged between them, his voice low as he whispered back, "I still want to know what she calls Laxus, Gajeel and Cobra."

Virgo's eyes sparkled as she practically swooned at the mention of the three older dragons, her voice dreamy, "Master Gajeel knows how to properly punish my Princess and his majesties, the Lightning King and His Highness, know how to treat a lady to make my Princess a queen. Big Brother has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to our Lucy-sama and who she needs to be with."

The rest of the mages had dissolved into a fit of belly laughter as the Slayers looked at the pinkette spirit owlishly. All in varying states of surprise before Virgo turned to face her laughing, teary-eyed mistress, "If that will be all, I'll be getting back to finish Master Bickslow's costume."

Erza sputtered from beside her through her giggles, giving Lucy an incredulous look, "M-master Bickslow?!"

The blonde just shook her head and gave half a shrug before hugging her spirit and taking their pajamas from her arms, saying her goodbye to the endearingly honest pinkette. With a small mile on her face, she turned to hand the bundles of soft cloth out to her team.

Grabbing Erza's wrist, she pulled the redhead to Sabertooth's female bathrooms, pointing to the male bathroom as she called over her shoulder to the boys, "That's your bathroom so get to changing. I have cuddles waiting for me."

As she stripped down out of her layers in the cavernous stone bathroom, the Requip mage asked curiously while she unhooked her armor, "Lucy, how did you come to be so close with the mages of Sabertooth?"

Pausing for a moment as she stood in her dark blue lacy matching bra set, the low cut of the thick bands of lace hugging the curve of her hip perfectly, the blonde shrugged a shoulder before stepping into an adorable frog onesie just like Frosch's, her voice was an attempt at light but sadness laced through her words, "When you all left, I didn't really have anywhere to go and Jason didn't care where I was as long as my stories were on time so when I visited Yuki, she invited me to stay with her here and I said yes. A lot of things can happen in a year, people change, relationships grow...and they were here for me when my nakama couldn't be."

Pulling on her own black cat onesie, Erza roughly tugged her sisterly mage into a tight hug, which Lucy had to admit, was actually nice without her chest piece to leave bruises and cracked bones in it's wake as she apologized, "I'm so sorry Lucy, I should have made sure you were okay after the guild disbanded."

Squeezing the mage before pulling back and gathering her clothes, the Celestial Mage smiled to the redheaded woman, genuine and forgiving, before she grabbed her hand, her voice matching her smile, "I was fine without you all so there's no need to apologize, Erza. Did I miss you? Yes. Did I blame you? No. And it doesn't matter anyway because we are back together and we are about to have a massive bonding experience with our fellow guilds of Fiore so you can make new friendships, too," her golden eyes sparkled as she looked up at the misty-eyed Requip Mage before leading her back out to the hall.

The moment Rogue's exceed saw her pajama's, his little face lit up and he ran over her as fast as his little legs could carry him, holding his arms out to let her know he wanted picked up. When he was secured in her arms, he quickly scrambled to pull her hood up so he could see the eyes that matched his own hood, her long golden waves reaching her hips as she pulled them forward from beneath the pink fabric.

The green exceed's voice was excited as he looked up at her from her chest, "Fro likes your sleep clothes, Mama."

Giving him feathery eskimo kisses, she hugged the exceed as she cooed back to him, "Me too, Sweetie. I think Virgo really out did herself-"

Finally looking up from Frosch's little green face, she almost crumpled into a heap of giggles as Gray and Natsu each had their own onesies on, the Devil Slayer's meant to look like Plue and Natsu's was a very convincing attempt to look like a crimson dragon, little spikes in a row from his hood all the way down to his long tail. Her voice was tight with laughter as she choked out, "Virgo might actually deserve a reward for this one. Dear Mavis, that is priceless."

The Fire dragon, literally, twisted and turned to look at the long tail that trailed behind him everywhere, his voice confused and angry, "What the fuck, Luce. Why can't I take this thing off?"

Snickers rang from the Sabers strewn about the floor at the sight of each of the Fairies in ridiculous footie pajamas. Gray's tired voice drawled before he flopped down on a sleeping mat, "I doubt they'll come off before tomorrow morning so shut the fuck up and lay down, Fire Princess."

Flopping on his stomach beside the larger than life-sized Plue in a heap, his voice sounded defeated and small as he pouted adorably, "I can't sleep on my back with this ridiculous tail..."

Erza stepped forward, completely in love with her new pajamas as they hugged her every curve perfectly, smirk quirking the corner of her lips as she easily offered, "I could always knock you out."

Sting, who had nestled himself into his own white fluffy bedroll between Yukino and where Lucy would be sleeping, called lazily as he pulled off his gloves and sat them off to the side, "Like he could afford to lose any more brain cells."

The younger Celestial Mage smacked the side of his head as she made her way to get to her own bedroll, voice soft as she rolled her eyes, "Like you have any room to talk."

Orga's deep baritone called out sarcastically from his own, much larger mattress, his arms tucked behind his head making his tattooed arms bulge, each of his hardened muscles defined perfectly, "Yeah, Master, impress us with all your very numerous brain cells and they power they have. Better yet, why don't you let Titania knock you out a few more times."

Rolling over under his covers, he gave them all the bird before grumbling under his breath about being the Master of a guild of assholes, pulling sweet, melodic giggles from her lips.

Frosch's lilting voice drew her attention back down to his sleepy face, his hand outstretched to point to the bedroll next to the grumpy Master, "Fro will show you where we will sleep, Mama. Fro made sure to make it really comfy and soft for us."

Setting the little exceed down and rewarding him with a toothy grin, her voice fighting the tinge of weariness from the activities of the day and her early morning, "Lead the way, baby." Following the cheery cat to a wider than usual mat, deep black fluffy blanket covering the thick padding. Lucy's giggle bubbled from her chest as Frosch lifted the plush fabric and motioned her to follow him under the covers fervently.

Meanwhile, the redheaded Requip whispered threateningly into the ear of the Shadow Slayer watching the whole exchange from the other side of the room, "I will destroy you if you do anything to taint my Lucy's virtues," before taking the bedroll between the fast asleep Ice Make Mage and the hulking figure of the Thunder God, pulling the blanket up to her chin and falling asleep, as if she didn't just threaten him while wearing a cat onesie.

The blonde's sleepy voice rang out from their bedroll as she leaned up to look for the red fur and blue vest of Sting's exceed, "Lector? Are you sleeping with me and Fro?"

His little tired voice called out from across the hall as he rubbed his eye with his paw in a act of child-like weariness, "I don't know where you are."

Crouching down to rub hid ear between his fingers, "Here Lector, I'll take you over. Just let me get the lights first, okay?," the Shadow dragon soothed the exceed easily. Flipping the lights off and picking him up, Rogue effortlessly stepped over and around the sleeping bodies in the pitch black that settled over the guild to get to where the beautiful blonde was cuddled into his things.

As he settled himself and Lector under the covers, her lilting sleep-ridden voice filled the silence of the guild hall, "I'm a cuddler so I'm sorry if that bothers you, Ryos."

When he looked down to see her small smiling face, Frosch tucked in her hair at her neck, Lector laying face down over her bountiful chest, he answered quietly, "I doubt it will bother me, Lu. Goodnight." Her smiled widened at his words before the rise and fall of her chest evened out and she was asleep.

After he laid down beside her on his back, his hand behind his head, he felt her leg hitch over his own as her arm snaked around his and pulled him closer, making him chuckle low under his breath before his breathing evened out to sound of a roomful of steady inhales and exhales.

xXx

When Lucy woke up, she had made herself into another blanket, draped across the Shadow Slayers chest, enveloped in his masculine, soothing scent. Lector had moved to use the crook of her neck as a pillow as Frosch laid across Rogue's chest, forcing his head to lean on hers, his breath dancing through her hair and his arm wrapped around her waist. The sound of little snickers had her cracking an eye to see who was looming over her.

As if he could read her thoughts, his raspy gravelly morning voice rumbled through his chest without having to open his eyes, "It's Yukino and she lacks boundaries. Especially in the morning."

The Celestial Mage in his arms giggled at his obvious lack of love for the early hour of the morning, before his chest rumbled from beneath her again, "I think the first one hundred pictures you took will suffice, Yukino."

After one last snap and a little excited squeal, her very bubbly voice sighed out, "Fine, fine, but I am so keeping these forever. They are positively adorable." Half cooing to herself as she walked toward the breakfast table, "Just look at little Fro and Lector, you're like a real family."

"Dear Mavis, she's going to be unstoppable when she gets in cahoots with Mira and Sherry," Lucy grumbled under her breath just thinking about at the ridiculous matchmakers coming together under the same roof for the party with hearts in their eyes. Mira almost deflated completely when she told the older woman that she and Natsu were going to be each others date's but he didn't actually ask her as a romantic date.

"Why are you so loud Mama Lucy?," Lucy couldn't help but chuckle at Lector's obvious irritation at her being awake and interrupting the grumpy cat's sleep.

"Sorry, huney, but I have to get back home so I can get the party ready so I can see you on New Years Eve," scratching behind his little ear before sitting up on her forearms on the chiseled chest underneath her. Innocently pushing his loose raven strands out of the dragon's sleepy face, his eyes still closed as she started tracing the scar across his nose before she lowered her voice, soft and considerate, "I told you I was a cuddler."

Without thinking and without hesitation, he answered, "It definitely isn't bothering me."

Giggling as she sat up to stretch her back, careful of the little bodies of her fur babies, her voice breathy as her lungs expanded fully for the first time, "The mysterious Shadow Slayer is a closet-cuddler." Returning her gaze back to the man beside her before tacking on, "Huh, I should have guessed that."

Finally opening his deep ruby eyes, he took in the sigh of her arms high over her head, the curve of her chest pushed out as he asked curiously, "And why's that?"

Matter-of-factly stating with a shrug, "Because Gaj is a cuddler, too."

Sitting up on his elbow, unintentionally jostling the exceeds, earning little noises of protest, as his eyes widened at her easy words but before he could ask how she would possibly know that, Rufus' hand stretched down to help the Celestial Mage up from the floor, his voice smooth and regal, "Miss Lucy, we've made breakfast for you before you head out to make the early train back to Magnolia."

Shooting the dragon an easy smile before taking Rufus' outstretched hand, she didn't miss the look of shock stretched over the raven haired man's face. Once she was upright, she looped her arm in the Memory Make Mage's arm, her voice bright but questioning, "You know what I never understood?"

Leaning his head to look into her golden eyes, his voice easy and light as he answered, "This I'm curious to hear. Not much goes unknown to you, darling."

Hugging his arm playfully as she smiled up at him, "Flatterer," turning her head forward before continuing, "I couldn't figure out how you, Freed and I never met before we become official mages."

"Aside from age differences, you were kept separate from most other children as far as I know. My older brothers always spoke of you like you were a hidden prize, the lovely Heartfilia heiress who wasn't allowed to come out and play with the rest of society."

Tilting her head as her brows knitted together, her voice inquisitive, "You have brothers, Rufus?"

"Three older than me and a younger sister actually."

"Huh, how have you kept that from me for this long, you sly man," narrowing her eyes playfully as she teased her fellow blonde.

His airy laughter lifted her chest before he held his free arm out to offer her a seat next to the Lightning God. When he had pushed her chair in and turned to take his usual seat on the other side of the table, Lucy's dainty hand grabbed his, her smile wide as she motioned for him to sit next to her, voice lilting and light, "I'd like to hear more about your family if you didn't mind sharing with me."

Orga, whose wild mane of light green hair had pulled back in a loose ponytail between his bare, broad shoulders, his black headband sitting low on his forehead, rested his arm across the back of her chair to play with her tussled bed head, his deep voice raspy from sleep, drawled to the little blonde, "He must really like you if he's tellin' you about the Lore brood. Bunch of proper babies with sticks up their asses if you ask me."

"Now that's not true, Seraphine isn't so bad," the masked man at her side matched the Lightning mages easy drawl.

Scoffing as the behemoth man ducked low to whisper in her ear, "The youngest Lore sibling. She already loves you, Lulu."

Ducking her head to meet the large mages, her voice equally as low with mirth pulling at the edges of her words, "Why do you say that?"

Giving her a handsome grin that made her insides turn to goo, his voice deep and rumbling, "Because 'you're the most beautiful and amazing woman to ever get out of societies clutches'. That would be a direct quote from the teen aged child every time one of us mentions you, though she's not wrong," sending her a quick wink.

Giving the green haired man a playful smack and an eye roll, she turned her attention to Rufus, "Wow. She must have been fed lies by her older brothers," raising a brow playfully to the Memory Make Mage to her right.

Putting a hand on his chest in offense, his voice deceived his actions, "Miss Lucy, how you could slander not only me but yourself in such a flippant statement is beyond me," before grinning slyly down to the giggling mage.

xXx

After a very reluctant and drawn out goodbye, Lucy reassured Fro that she would see him in a few days and gave Lector a kiss to his furry little cheek, before she and the rest of Team Natsu made their way back down the mountain and to the train station to arrive back at the guild around noon.

The relief the Celestial Mage felt the moment she unlocked her front door, finally able to take a nice hot bath before having to dive back into party planning. Wrapping her towel around her curvaceous body as her tub filled with steaming water, she was about to put her hair up when she heard a knock at her door, the distinct thought 'no one ever knocks on my door like a normal person', actually made the little blonde more nervous than if she would have just found an intruder inside her home when she was done with her soak.

Keeping her hand on her key ring and ready to loose a Lucy Kick at any moment, she answered the door only to be greeted by the very familiar covered face of the Heavenly Body Mage, whose sliver of exposed face turned red at her answering her door in nothing but a skimpy towel which left absolutely nothing to the imagination as her chest tested the know between her breasts and barely covered the apex of her creamy muscled legs.

Her confused voice drew him from his thoughts, "Jell-Mystogan? What the heck are you doing here of all places, you know, my front door...at my home?"

Clearing his throat, his deep melodic voice muffled through the fabric over his mouth, "I was told to come see you when I arrived at the guild."

Narrowing her amber eyes, not at him in particular but at her nakama's sending him to her apartment instead of just waiting for her to come to the hall herself, her voice was almost bored as it dawned on her, nodding her head in little motions, "Mira sent you here."

"Is...that a problem? Because I can go if you are busy..." his almost grey deep green eyes pointedly roved over her body as he cleared his throat again.

Backing up to let him come inside her apartment, she was completely oblivious to his onceover as she smiled warmly to the former Wizard Saint, "Oh, no no, I was just about to get in the-" her face went blank before turning to rush to her bathroom, the curve of her ass barely covered, "Shit. Just make yourself at home! I'll be right back."

Shutting the door behind him as he stepped fully into the very pink apartment, taking the small space in before moving to the pink suede couch and sitting in the corner, practically melting into the soft cushions after travelling non-stop to check in with Master Makarov on any leads he might have for him. That and Meredy's endless complaining about missing the woman whose couch he was quickly falling asleep on.

Having shut off the water before she flooded her apartment again, she walked back out to her living room, "So I'm assuming-" only to be greeted by the powerful mage, fast asleep on her couch, his head lolled over the back, his left arm propped up on the padded armrest, his right palm up in the center of the cushion beside him, soft little steady snores coming from beneath his scarf. Giggling under her breath, she padded over quietly to pull the hat from his head, his deep blue hair falling free, carefully unwrapping the scarf from his face before disappearing back into her bathroom to enjoy her steamy bath, hoping to have enough time to enjoy it before the man in her living room woke up.

After a shorter than usual soak, the little blonde hummed her way through her bedroom, completely entranced in her thoughts centered around the rest of her planning for the New Years party, when she saw the stunned face of Jellal, blood gushing from his nose at her wet, naked body before she squeaked out, "I'm so sorry! I forgot you were here and then I got in the bath," moving around her bedroom to pull on a new red satin bra set she had gotten from Cana for Christmas, "and you are so quiet, well besides your adorable little snores but I couldn't hear them over my humming," hopping around to pull on her skinny jeans and buttoning them up, her chest bouncing only increasing the flow of blood coming from his nose, "and you haven't been home in months and I was deep in thought with all the things I have to put together still and I'm so sorry, Jellal," finally putting her arm through the sleeve of her loose cropped grey tank top and grabbing a towel to press to his nose, "I'll try not to do that again."

He thought he had gathered his wits enough to answer the gorgeous woman but after his words left his mouth, he smacked his forehead at his obviously muddled mental capacities, "No, no! It's fine, you can do that again if you want."

"I will take that as a compliment," chuckling under her breath as she backed away from the man to head to her kitchen, pulling a tea set down from her cabinet, her tight stomach exposed at her reaching up, and putting on some water before calling back to the blunette, "So, was it Mira who sent you here?"

"Huh? Oh...yeah. She said if I left and took Meredy away from the guild before the New Years party, she would hunt me down and make me pay for keeping her from scheming 'all the possibilities', whatever that means, and then she said I had to come see you right away," speaking casually as he cleaned himself up, peeling layer after layer from his body until he was left in a skintight black tanktop and a pair of loose black shorts, his feet bare as he unwrapped his legs, mumbling under his breath, "Fucking hell, this outfit is ridiculous..."

Leaning back on her counter, arms crossed over her chest as she eyed him critically, her voice far off, "Hmm, probably white and gold...maybe white and green? Deep blue and emerald? I don't think I have many green costumes..."

"Lucy?," voice wavering with his slightly uncomfortable squirming as the little curvy blonde started circling him, poking and prodding at his body, lifting his arms, tracing his sides with her flattened palms.

Tilting her head as she gave his very muscular ass a firm squeeze, voice still distant and airy, "Hmm?"

Looking at the serious face of the blonde as he lifted his arms higher to see her, "What are you doing?"

Answering matter-of-factly as she continued tracing his legs, her loose top falling forward to give him an unimpeded view of her red satin clad globes, "Getting your measurements."

Blinking down as she bent over in front of him to finish running her hands down his calves, his voice distant as he tilted his head to ogle the way the light blue material stretched over her backside, "My measurements? What on Earthland for?"

Snapping up as she heard the kettle whistling, giving the flushed mage a brilliant smile as she again, flitted around her kitchen to prepare the tea, "For your New Years costume of course. Virgo and I are making all of them and since you and Meredy will be attending, you'll need your own. It's a masquerade so I'll just make sure Virgo gives you a Phantom of the Opera style mask to hide your tattoo and boom, welcome back Mystogan. We've missed you."

Impressed with the Celestial Mage pouring the most delicious smelling chai tea and adding warm milk over it, she gestured for him to come sit at her dining room table next to her with her free hand, his voice mirrored his sentiments of the beautiful woman beside him, "Is that why I had to rush straight here, little seamstress?"

Rolling her bright golden eyes, her voice half a scoff before she took a sip of the spicy drink, "No, if that was the case, she would have also sent Meredy. She's up to one of her schemes but that's okay, it all worked out in the end."

Taking his first drink from his mug, he couldn't help but ask her what exactly was in the expertly mixed drink. He couldn't quite place what set this particular cup of chai apart from all the others he's had being a lover of teas of all sorts.

"Oh, I use sweetened almond milk for my chai tea. Something about it just makes it so much better than regular whole milk. I think it's because it's thicker; soothing your throat as you swallow," genuine toothy grin spreading across her lips.

Finishing his drink quickly, he asked earnestly, "Were you headed to the guild after your bath? Before I interrupted that is..."

Brightening as if he reminded her of something, she quickly cleaned the tea set up, calling back over her shoulder to the Heavenly Body Mage, "Yes, I was actually so get your get-up back on, Mystogan. Fuck, I completely forgot about the cake...and the booze...shit, we gotta go tall, mysterious and handsome, so get that ass moving."

Genuine laughter filled her apartment as he started pulling on the layers of his disguise. He hadn't met a woman quite like her, well, ever as she ran around her tugging on a thin green sweater at the same time as she bounced on one foot to pull on her winter boots over the thick grey wool of her socks.

She grabbed his wrist as soon as her hand was through her coat's sleeve, thankfully he had just wrapped his scarf around his face when she pulled him from her apartment, the door locking behind them. Her pace didn't slow until they were bursting through the guild's doors, her breathless voice calling to the Takeover Mage behind the bar as she knelt over, hands on her knees, "I'm here! We are...here. Did I miss...it?"

"Lu-chan! I was starting to think maybe my plan worked too flawlessly," the silver haired mage winked at the pair before walking around the bar to take a seat at a table filled with little boxes, a woman standing at the end looking very bored with her arms crossed over her white uniform.

Waving over to the older mage to let her know she'd be over in a minute before turning back to the man next to her, still a little breathless as she looked up to the tall mages eyes "So, I'm about to eat a lot of cake and hear from a very reliable source that you love sweets. Want to help?"

Tapping the scarf over his mouth before answering her question quietly, "I'd love to but I'd have to put your baker to sleep and that might make ordering your cake more difficult. Thank you though, Lucy."

He couldn't help but smile at the slight disappointment in her voice, "I'm sure Gramps wants to talk to you anyway. If you or Meredy need a place to stay while you're here, my apartment's always open to you. I'll even make breakfast," patting his chest as she smiled up at him from beneath her lashes before turning to peel off her jacket and sitting next to the oldest Strauss sibling. Her silver topped head turned to make very knowing and pointed eye contact with him before he all but ran up the stairs to talk to Makarov.

xXx

After an hour of trying what felt like a million of different cake combinations, the two ladies decided on a white-strawberry cake, almond buttercream icing, chocolate cream between each layer with fresh strawberries on top and ordering the massive cake to be delivered mid-afternoon on the 31st.

Leaning against the chipper silver haired beauty, Lucy's voice was half a groan, "That was too much cake."

"Nonsense, Lu. We've just created a culinary masterpiece and now you get to help me take inventory of the guild's alcohol so we can place the order before five," she sing-songed from beside the blonde.

Sitting straight up, running her hand over her keys before turning to Mira, voice panicky, "Mira, it's already four and I know for a fact it'll that the two of us longer than an hour to take inventory and place the order."

Patting the Celestial Mages head to comfort her before ducking her head to whisper conspiratorially, "True, but it won't just be you and I," nudging the younger mage as she motioned her head to the cackling Seith Mage sitting with Wendy and Freed on the first floor of the guild.

"You want me to...recruit...Bix?," she was genuinely confused at what the demoness wanted her to do as she turned to look at the mage in question.

Rolling her sapphire eyes at the sweet blondes obliviousness, she clarified, "No, I want you to recruit the babies but I have a feeling Bickslow will be joining us as well," turning to head to the back storeroom behind the bar, her quiet maniacal laughter trailing behind her as she went.

Nodding her head as if that made perfect sense, "right," Lucy stood and walked over to the table that held the Seith Mage and his babies. Leaning over the table next to where Freed was sitting, her arm pressed against his as she smiled at the Sky Dragon, "My Wendy-lou, are you excited for the party? I think you're going to adore your costume, Virgo and I just finished it before we left for Sabertooth yesterday."

The little blunettes bubbly voice came out dreamy as she clasped her hands in front of her chest, "When can I see it, Lucy-nee?"

"I was hoping to be done with all the costumes tomorrow but even I don't know what the masks look like. Virgo has been very secretive about them," her voice had turned a little annoyed before turning her gaze to Bickslow, her usually cheery tone back, "Soooo, what are you doing right now?"

Looking over his shoulders before pointing to his chest, voice playful as his grin split his lips, Lucy's own beaming in response as she noticed he ditched his hood again today, letting his wild mohawk free, "Who me? I'm not doing a damn thing right now. Why, Cosplayer? You want me to be doing something right now?," tongue lolling from his mouth at his suggestive wording.

Giving the man her own devilish smirk as she leaned further over the table, her voice low and sultry, "Actually, yeah I do. Something only you can do for me, Bix."

Caught off guard by her equally as suggestive rebuttal, his mouth floundered for a minute before Freed's smooth laughter sounded from beside her. Turning her head to smile at the usually quiet man, her voice was earnest and bright as she absently played with his little lightning strands of green hair poking out from the top of his head, "You should laugh more often, Freed. I really like your laugh."

In a very uncharacteristic bout of confidence, his handsome smile spread across his lips as her turned to face her, taking her long golden curls in his hand to feel the silk of it between his fingers, his voice low and smooth, just like his laugh, "It seems your company brightens the mood enough to pull even me from my own thoughts, Lucy, so thank you for that. I look forward to seeing what you'll be wearing at the New Years party. Maybe you'll find your way to my side before midnight strikes."

Managing to pull a blush from the Celestial Mage, she breathed out a quiet thank you before watching the Rune Mage get up and leave the guild, a thick book tucked away under his arm.

Turning back to the matching gaping mouths and astonished looks of the two blunettes, her voice was quiet and airy as she asked, her hand pointed after the long-gone Rune Mage, "What just happened?"

"I have no fucking clue, Cosplayer. I've definitely never seen him do that before," voice full of an impressed kind of awe.

The little dragon just shrugged earnestly before getting up and skipping over to the table where Romeo and Natsu were having a very...loud...discussion, leaving Lucy and Bickslow to stare at each other for a minute before he shook his head and returned to his normal, playful self, "You needed my skills for something?"

"Uh right, I was hoping that you and your babies could help Mira and I do a quick inventory of the booze reserves so we can place the order before five," her voice still a little breathy.

Whistling to gather his babies, the towering mage got up and scooped the little blonde up on his back, his voice bright as he lead them to the backroom, "Anything for you, Pretty Mama." His casual words earned him a brilliant megawatt smile from the blonde as they disappeared to help Mira, his babies trailing behind, "Pretty Mama!" "Pretty Mama!".

~Depending on the number of reviews and votes from y'all, I'm thinking this will end up with multiple endings. The pairing with the most votes will be written first and depending on how quickly you leave me your reviews, the more endings I can get done to post New Years Eve!

So get to typing and let me know you lovely beautiful souls! {:~