Thank you everyone who faved and followed! Sorry this chapter is a bit boring, and drags out a bit, it's also shorter than the first but meh!

Once again, I own nothing except Raven, otherwise Gajeel and Laxy would be all over Lucy ;3

BLONDIES

CHAPTER TWO

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Lucy's P.O.V

It was the chirping of early morning song birds that roused me from my restless sleep, along with the warmth from the rays of the sun that streamed through my window onto my face. I thought about the cheerful tune's of the birds and wondered how on Earthland they could be so happy, when there was in fact, nothing what so ever to be happy about. I forced my eyes open, sleep having crusted on my eyelids during the night, they where sore and raw from crying through most of last night.

As I tried to sit up, the blood rushed from my head leaving me feeling dizzy and my stomach twisting uncomfortably. I'd never experienced a hang over, but from my knowledge, thanks to Cana, this is kind of what it's meant to feel like, even though I hadn't been drinking last night. I pushed myself from the bed, once I felt stable enough to walk, and that's when something caught my eye.

Sitting neatly on my bedside table, was Laxus' headphones. At some point during the night I must have taken them off, I don't remember doing so but I didn't question the matter. My dreams had been vivid last night, keeping me from being able to rest properly, however whenever I try and focus on the images, they just seem to slip away, like trying to hold water in your hands.

I showered quickly, not wanting to linger in case my dreams returned with full force under the hot jets, and then dressed in simple clothes; dark blue shorts, a loose fitting black shirt and my black combat boots, I wasn't in the mood to wear anything else. I was about to leave, but before my hand could touch the handle, my eyes drifted to the headphones resting on the table. Hesitation crossed me briefly, then before I knew it, I was grabbing them and placing them around my neck. The weight of them there was oddly comforting, but I could see why Laxus was never without them.

Deciding to forego breakfast, I could get food at the guild later, I slipped on my belt and left the apartment, making sure to lock the door behind me, not that it made much difference, my team always found a way in, in some ways, it was scary, knowing they knew everyway into my apartment. I could easily swear on my life that they knew it better than I did. Natsu especially- I immediately wished I'd never thought about it. The pryo-idiot's face appeared in my mind, all most at once followed with the image of him and Lisanna. My heart tightened painfully, causing me to falter mid-step and the boatmen passing called out worriedly, but I waved them off, telling them I was fine.

Then, as quickly as the image came, it vanished, being replaced with the blonde man who had stumbled across me yesterday, the blonde who's headphones I had around my neck. My breath caught in my throat for the second time, only this was for a reason unknown to me… but I was willing to explore it and find out.

Although, after the way Laxus had spoken to me yesterday, I wasn't sure if I actually wanted to speak to him again, however, I did have to return his headphones and say thanks, but until then, I would avoid it. Though, a selfish part of me, deep, deep down, didn't want to give them back, just hang onto them for a little while longer.

I knew I'd over reacted to his words, that he hadn't really meant to say it like that, but the words had still stung sharply, but I suppose he doesn't know me, so why would he care if he hurt me? I'm mean, sure, we're guild mates, but we've never actually spoken before, a few words of short greeting when passing but that's it.

I walked to the guild alone, without Plue at my side. Even though his little wiggly dance usually cheers me up and he keeps me company, he just reminded me to much of Natsu; the fact they had bonded immediately, he could understand my little dog and had witnessed the contacting between us, the image was still to raw in my mind right now.

The guild door's soon came into sight, for to soon for my liking, but it seemed quite, well quieter, so maybe Natsu wasn't here yet. Not that I wanted to avoid him or anything, but I wanted time to august to his new relationship before I had to witness it with my own eyes. After all, I couldn't force him to love me, however much it pained me to see him in someone else's arms. I pushed open the doors gently, and was greeted by the usual cheering of my family, biting my lip, I waved half-heartedly back as I passed them while making my way to the bar where the matchmaking queen of the guild stood in front of my black haired friend and her partner.

Raven's P.O.V

I'd arrived at the guild slightly earlier then usual today for two main reasons, one; it was the only time you could actually drink in peace around here, and two; I had a feeling Lucy might be getting here quite early after her reaction yesterday, and I wanted to question her without having everyone eavesdropping on us. I'm certain Mira was feeling the same way, because she kept hovering around me, checking the time and then letting her eyes flicker to the door every five minutes. She was one impatient woman, and so was I, neither of us liked to be kept waiting, and I was bored.

The demon herself came over to me again, refilling my glass that was only half empty once again. "Mira, for Mavis' sake, chill!" I grabbed my drink, pulling it towards me while glaring at her, she only laughed as if it was nothing, even though her agitation was clear as day.

Not long after she'd tried to fill up my drink, the doors flew open. I knew straight away it wasn't Blondie, there was no way she'd open them like that, she was to soft, but Mira looked up anyway out of habit. Disappointment crossed her face and she pouted while readying another beer as Gajeel plonked himself down in the stool next to mine.

"You're here early," I turned to him, he only grunted in response and pulled the plate of iron shards and steak, Mira had placed on the bar, towards himself. I rolled my eyes at my partner's way of greeting and elbowed his side roughly, "So rude," I muttered, and returned to waiting for Lucy.

~^3^~

I caught her sent before she could even open the door, only because I had been keeping track by taking a whiff every few minutes, and waved over Mira, to which she quickly obliged to. Once she was beside us again, she proceeded to give me yet another re-fill to which I snapped at her hand to stop her. It was getting irritating now, and if she asked me to pay for it, I'd flip her the bird and walk the fuck out.

The doors creaked open slowly, gently, compared to the way everyone, especially that pink haired freak of who I was ashamed to call my brother, opened them. Thinking about him only riled me up even more, he made one of my closest friends cry. However, this time, I smelt no tears as she came nearer.

The yells of greeting called out to her, causing both myself and Gajeel to wince at the loud noise, where ignored by the blonde, meaning something was wrong, she'd never ignore her friends. I looked at her as she sat down on my other side, asking Mira for a strawberry milkshake. The first thing that caught my attention where the spiked headphones around her neck, and I couldn't stop the smirk that twisted my lips up.

"So Blondie, your still carrying around Sparky's headphones," it was more of a statement than a question, as I leant against her arm, and used her shoulder to prop my chin up. I'd developed this habit a short time after Lucy had joined the guild, and I found it rather amusing, because she would whine and try to shake me off. She was also comfy and she smelt nice, not that I would ever tell her either of those facts.

However, today, she didn't try to remove me, only sat there limply. Frowning in distaste, I removed myself from her, only to spin in my stool so I was facing her and leaning my back against the length of Gajeel's arm instead. He growled lowly in warning, but I ignored him because he too, made a comfortable pillow.

Mira's P.O.V

I watched with mild interest as Lucy sat down next to Raven, asking me to fix her, her usual drink. I made quick work of the task, not only because she looked absolutely shattered and was my friend, but because I wanted to question her about yesterday. I hadn't missed that she'd come to the guild with Laxus' headphones, and couldn't help but grin, they suited her so well… in a weird way.

When I returned to them, Raven was using the blonde's shoulder as a pillow, I'd seen this interaction between them before and it was kind of cute, Lucy would always smile and playfully try to shake her off, but today she just seemed to be ignoring the fact that the Shadow Dragon Slayer was resting on her.

As I placed Lucy's milkshake in front of the sweet blonde, Raven had grown bored and leant back against the grumpy Slayer beside her. I covered my mouth to stop the giggle as my match-making senses tingled, they looked so adorable together, and that was a shocker, Gajeel and Raven in the same sentence as adorable was something that did not happen everyday. But the Iron Slayer didn't look at all bothered by being used as a pillow, in fact, I was sure I'd just seen a dash of a pink appear on his cheeks.

"So Lucy, what happened yesterday to make grumpy old Laxus give his headphones to you?" I asked, resting my elbows on the bar top, making a bridge with my interlocked fingers so I could rest my chin on them.

Lucy fidgeted in her seat, a small blush working its way across her cheeks, turning the tips of her ears red, she looked so cute and innocent like that, "N-nothing, Mira," she stuttered, she was behaving like a school girl who had just experienced their first crush.

"Luuuuucccy, Laxus wouldn't give them to just any person, you must be something special to him… Maybe he liiiiiikes you!" I purred, rolling my tongue in the way I know she finds extremely embarrassing.

"No he doesn't!" she franticly fell into denial, waving her hands in front of her face like a mad man, well woman.

Lucy's P.O.V

I couldn't believe they where doing this to me! I know they're my friends and all, but sometimes, Mira especially, would go to far when it came anywhere close to me possibly finding a boyfriend, wait, this isn't even a conversation about me getting a boyfriend! My cheeks flushed and I grumbled lowly.

"Luuuuucccy, Laxus wouldn't give them to just any person, you must be something special to him… Maybe he liiiiiikes you!" she purred, rolling her tongue in a perfect imitation of Happy, her comment made my face heat up despite my best attempts to stop it.

"No he doesn't!" I cried out, my arms waving around in panic, I just couldn't believe her, and there was no way I was going to admit to her about anything that had happened between myself and Laxus yesterday. It was just to embarrassing to even thing about telling anyone.

"But Blondie, you like him, don't you?" Raven suddenly asked causing my face to flush even more than it had already. I had never actually given much thought to how I saw Laxus. Sure, he was pretty damn sexy when you looked at him, I'd sneaked the odd peak at the man while in the guild, but what girl doesn't? Look at the man! But last night, I'd been able to get closer to him than ever before, I got to really see him, and I got a sneak preview of what lies underneath his hard front.

Looks aren't everything, even if he does have an amazingly build body, and the lightning shaped scar over his eye that gives people the kind of vibe: 'stay away or you'll get hurt' to those who don't know him. But on the inside he really does seem sincere, after the way he comforted me and everything he's done for the guild to make up for the fantasia incident like helping out on the island during the S-Class exams. My view on him has changed, from fear to something that I'm not purely sure about, is it to a friend? Or something else?

I don't even know anymore, everything is changing, I'm not his friend, I don't know him, and I like Natsu… don't I?

"Oi! Don't go spacing out on us! I asked you a question," Raven snapped, flicking my forehead which proceeded to snap me out of my thought's about Laxus.

"Sorry," I mumbled quietly, then I remembered what it was that she had asked me, and why I had been thinking about the Lightning Dragon Slayer in the first place, which caused my face to heat up all over again. "Nonononono, I don't!" the words tumbled out of my mouth in hast to cover my thought trail, but the way I'd said it sparked something in both of my friend's eyes. They knew I was lying about something. But luckily enough for me, Macao and Wakaba where my heroes, as they called over Mira before she could say anything else.

"Tsk, no point in asking you anything else now," Raven grumbled, swinging her legs back around so she was facing the bar again, leaving her to be propped up against Gajeel with her shoulder. Her nose crinkled as she though about something, before, striking like an adder, stole some of the mans food. My eyes widened a fraction in shock that he didn't even glance at her. I found it mildly interesting, how those two behaved together, if anyone else had tried to do that, they would have had their hand almost bitten off and shoved away, most likely even Levy, who I knew had feelings towards the man. I don't understand how my best friend could like someone like that, not that it was because I held any resentment towards Gajeel, but they just didn't seem to go together, Raven on the other hand, seemed to fit with him quite well. They where both Dragon Slayers, their personalities where fairly similar and even their hair colour was the same.

Laxus and I have the same hair colour… and he does look rather- no! Bad Lucy, stop it! He was so nice to me… even though he called me weak… he gave me his headphones… he comforted me and stopped my tears… maybe… maybe it wouldn't be so bad as to get to know him…

Raven suddenly shifted beside me, and I was once again snapped out of my thoughts about Laxus by the girl. I blushed furiously when I realised where my mind had been going, and Raven gave me an odd look to which I just shook my head.

Raven's P.O.V

I had noticed that Lucy had once again began to space out soon after Mira had gone over to those two old perverts, and I was soon facing my right away again, continuing to use Gajeel as my pillow. I saw her chocolate brown orbs pass over to us, a confused look sparking in her eyes. I only ignored her and drank my beer in silence until my stomach decided to make itself known, I couldn't be fucked to pay for food, or wait for it for that matter, so I reached over and snatched a slice of Gajeel's steak to eat.

He didn't seem to care as I stole his breakfast from him, only keeping his eyes on his food and continuing to munch steadily. He hadn't spoken a word all morning, and although he doesn't tend to say much, it was still bothering me, however I could hardly complain, I hadn't exactly tried to start a conversation with him, I was to busy getting caught up in Lucy's dilemma.

As I chewed on my stolen treat, from the corner of my eye I saw Lucy's face start to turn a delicate pink, I wondered briefly if she was thinking about Laxus, that was the mostly likely the subject of her latest thoughts.

Once I finished both my drink and Gajeel's steak, I sat up by myself, stretching out my arms and listening to the satisfying sound of my joints cracking with the movement. Lucy suddenly jumped beside me, her head turned towards me and I wish I had had a camera right then as her face was priceless, she was flushed such a deep red, her eyes where wide with shock and her mouth had dropped into an o shape. I stared right back at her, and knew definitely she'd been thinking about the blonde man, it was way to obvious judging by her reaction.

I frowned as she shock her head at me, as if saying something, but I wasn't to sure, maybe she was trying to rid her mind of dirty thoughts about the Slayer. I laughed, which only seemed to cause her more confusion as she bit her lip and looked away.

"Gajeel and I are going on a mission," I stated from no where, standing from my stool and stiffing my legs as I stretched them. Gajeel turned to look at me for the first time, one studded eyebrow raised in confusion.

"We are?" he repeated, he continued to look at me as he placed another piece of metal into his mouth and bit down sharply onto it, his actions almost robotic.

I scowled at him and snapped; "Yes!" he rolled his eyes but none the less got to his feet and stomped over to the request board, muttering something about bossy women under his breath as he went. I turned back to Lucy and gave her a small smile, "Bye Blondie, tell me all those juicy details about your Laxy when I come back!" I called, patting her head as I passed.

"He's not my Laxus!" I heard her yell right back at me, causing me to laugh as I followed Gajeel to the request board.

Lucy's P.O.V

"He's not my Laxus!" I yelped in embarrassment at Raven's statement. How had she known I'd been thinking about him? I heard her laugh as she followed her partner to the board that held all the missions for the mages, Gajeel had shoved Nab aside in the process in looking for a job. He wasn't my Laxus, I frowned, my heart seemed to reject my though, and I reached up to grasp the headphones resting around neck. Why did that thought not sit right with me? Why had I gotten so flustered when Raven had said those things to me?

Maybe I was just overly confused in my hopeless love for Natsu, my heart wanting to latch onto some form of hope that I could be loved. But I didn't feel that way about the blonde man… did I?

I wanted to cry out in frustration, it was all so confusing and difficult. Why did it have to be Laxus to be the one that found me? Why couldn't it have been one of my friends to find and comfort me?

But then you would never have gotten to speak to Laxus… you would never have gotten to see that kind side of the hostile man… would have never gotten his headphones. My inner voice pointed out. It was right, I would never have gotten the chance to speak with him…

Maybe… maybe I should give him a chance, to be my friend, to get to know him. What did I have to loose?

I'd made up my mind, when Laxus gets back from his job, I'd ask him to come on another with me, then maybe I can get to know him better. It would also give my mind and heart a chance to escape from Natsu and Lisanna, at least until I was used to the idea of my long-time crush and his long-lost friend dating…