Chapter 2

Hello Darkness My Old Friend

Natsu slept hard, burying his face deep into the down pillow. A little bit of the morning sunlight seeped in from the blinds of the front window, yet he did not stir. It had been a long time since he had slept in something other than a cot or rough barracks mattress. He was in such a deep sleep that he did not hear the bedroom door open as a small child crept into the room. He crawled over to the bed and pulled himself up onto the covers. He peered down at the sleeping man.

"Uncle Natsu!" the boy shouted, leaping into the air and slamming hard into his chest.

Natsu coughed as he was jolted awake. He hadn't the chance to take in a breath before the boy lunged at him and wrapped his tiny arms around his head in an attempt to lock Natsu into a chokehold. The little boy laughed as he flailed about.

"Larcade?" Natsu groaned. He grabbed the boy and held him up. The boy continued to laugh, his stringy blond hair falling in front of his dark eyes. "It's too early to wrestle..." The little boy either didn't hear him, but the more likely scenario was that he chose not to listen as he reached out to scratch Natsu's face. "You're a little demon child, you know that?" Natsu grunted. The boy simply gugled out a laugh.

Natsu sighed, flipping his young nephew over and pinning him to the side. The child struggled, but he couldn't break out of Natsu's grip.

"No, let go!" the boy whined.

"Not until you say uncle!" Natsu broke his grip and switched to tickling the boy. He erupted into laughter, pushing against his uncle, struggling to break free.

"Uncle!" the boy cried. "Uncle!"

Natsu let him go. The boy crawled back up. He leered at Natsu before lunging back at him. Natsu caught him and threw him back down into the sheets. The boy jumped up, growling like a tiger.

"Larcade! Leave your uncle alone!" Mavis shouted from the doorway. Her hair was an uncombed mess wearing a white tank and blue Patagonia shorts. Natsu could tell that she hadn't had the time to get cleaned up and ready for the morning either. The boy refused to listen as he continued to grab at his uncle, trying to pull his hair or slap his face or chest. Sighing, Mavis walked over and pulled her son away. "Sorry, about that."

"No worries, he's just like me when I was little," said Natsu. He stretched out his back. His face turned pink when he noticed that he was still sitting by half naked. "Sorry, let me get dressed."

"Come on, you," Mavis said picking up the boy. "It's time for your bath." She moved towards the door but stopped just before she left the room. "And Natsu you don't have to apologize. It's nothing I haven't seen before." She offered him a courteous smile, but it didn't make him feel any less embarrassed. He found his embarrassment a little odd considering he had been just as naked around his comrades in the military. "And besides, Zeref's body is much nicer," she turned and winked at him before closing the door.

Once they had gone Natsu dropped his face into his hands. He leaned back into the pillows and gazed towards the window before sluggishly lifting himself out of bed.

He went to the bathroom to take a quick shower before getting throwing on a pale gray sweatshirt and jeans. Once he was somewhat decent to head to the kitchen for breakfast. He poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat at the island counter.

As he ate Mavis came down the stairs holding Lacard in her arms. She dressed the boy in a red t-shirt with the image of Lightning McQueen on the front and blue basketball shorts. She placed the boy in a high chair by the table before strolling over to the refrigerator where she pulled out a pouch of baby food.

"I know it's short notice and all, but would you mind watching Larcade for me and Zeref tonight?" she asked, picking up a spoonful of orange baby paste.

Natsu was hunched over his bowl. His mouth full of cereal, so he simply nodded as he chewed.

"Thanks. It will be nice to have some alone time," she said. Larcade squealed, rubbing orange paste all over his face. With a sigh, Mavis cleaned him up with a white towel. "We haven't had a chance to have time to ourselves, with work and all."

"It's no problem," he swallowed. "I don't mind spending some time with my nephew. Where are you two going?"

"Well, that's the thing," she said, her face flushing a slight pink. "I was hoping you would take him out for the evening. Not all night, maybe for a couple of hours. I'll give you some money to take him out for some ice cream or something."

"I can do that," said Natsu, smiling as he chewed.

After breakfast, Mavis put on the movie Cars for Larcade while she went to prepare herself for work. Natsu sat on the brown leather sofa with his nephew and watched the movie on the large plasma screen TV that stood on small bookshelf stacked with DVDs and video games. In front of it was the PS4, something that Natsu knew Zeref had to have purchased for himself. Mavis was a reader, she indulged herself in books, not video games or movies. On either side of the TV were two ferns, fake of course. Toys littered the living room floor, from toy trains, to blocks, to tiny plastic dinosaurs and cars, and a few stuffed animals.

Larcade curled up beside his uncle and rested his head against Natsu's arm. Mavis came down the stairs wearing a blue pantsuit over a white blouse and black laced heels. She was busy putting in gold ring earrings when she stopped just behind the couch.

"Okay, I'll be at work for a few hours. If he gets hungry there's some more pouches in the fridge and some bananas in the fruit basket on the counter. He has a bottle of formula in the fridge as well, and he takes his nap at 12.30. If there's a problem my work number is on the island as well as Zeref's."

"Don't worry, I got this," Natsu said waving his hand.

"You be good," Mavis said, bending over the couch and kissing her son on the top of his head. "And Natsu, keep an eye on him and make sure he stays out of trouble." Again, Natsu waved his hand, signaling that there was nothing to worry about. She grabbed her purse that was resting on the couch seat beside her son and swung it over her arm. "Bye you two!" she shouted before closing the door behind her.

"Bye!" Natsu called back.

They heard the car engine start and the garage door close. Soon it faded off into the distance as the garage closed soon after. The two continued to watch the movie. Hey heard his phone buzz. Reaching into his sweatshirt pocket he pulled out his phone to read the text.

"Hey," Natsu said keeping his eyes on the TV. "Wanna go play with some fireworks?"

The boy beamed up at his uncle. "Yeah!"

Lucy looked herself over in the bathroom mirror. Tonight she decided to dress in a more presentable manner. She wore a long black silk dress with thin straps over the shoulders. The dress fell to just below her knees to show some skin, but not too much. It was tight fitted, allowing the silk to show off the curvature of her breasts and hips. Something sleek and sexy. It sparkled in the light, making it appear as though it had a white stripe that ran down the side of the dress. She wore onyx rose earrings to go with her dress and a thin silver chain necklace with a tiny cross that dangled just above her cleavage.

She played with her hair, deciding whether she should tie it up into a bun or if she should just let it fall loosely around her shoulders. She had already done up her face. A tad bit of makeup, not too much, she wasn't a clown, but enough to hide any blemishes. She put on purple eyeliner, that allowed her chocolate eyes to stand out. Maybe she should tie her hair back in a brooch? No. What was she, 12? Perhaps she should return to the old ponytail she used to wear back in high school? No, that wouldn't do. She wasn't in high school anymore and she needed to present herself as a woman.

She turned around to examine her butt. Was the dress too slutty? Her ass definitely looked shapely in the dress but she wondered it was giving off the wrong vibe. Sure, she wanted to look good but she didn't want it to seem like she was offering an open invitation for creeps to stare at it. She sighed. Perhaps the dress was too formal, at least for a girl's night out. But then again, it wasn't just for a girl's night out. A few of her male friends were tagging along too, and Natsu. Would he think that she was too slutty, walking around so exposed in the winter?

Maybe it wouldn't be too bad as long as she wore her coat. Obviously, she knew she would have to wear one, it was the middle of winter and there was already a bit of snowfall, but nothing serious. But what coat would she wear? Perhaps her navy blue peacoat. That way, if she felt too uncomfortable or too exposed she could say that she felt cold and bundle up inside of it. At the very least it would be a way to hide herself away from any unwanted and prying eyes.

She examined herself on last time. She looked sexy. She wasn't a humble girl, she knew when she looked good. But she couldn't help shake the feeling that it was too much.

There was a knock on the bathroom door. "Lucy?" Levy asked from the other side. "You almost ready to go?"

"Yeah," the girl lied. "I'm just putting on my lipstick!"

She fished around for the ruby red lipstick that she kept in the medicine cabinet. Levy opened the door and entered. She was dressed up in a light blue cashmere sweater with a pink scarf and black capri pants with beige uggs. She tied her long blue hair up with a crimson brooch. Lucy felt a bit off now. Levy was going casual while she looked far too formal. Perhaps she should change into something with a little less... pizazz.

"Is that what you're wearing tonight?" she asked.

Lucy hesitated for a moment. "Yeah."

"Won't you be cold?" she asked.

"I have a peacoat I'm going to wear."

"Oh, okay." Levy looked Lucy over again, a coy smirk rising on her lips. "You're putting quite the sexy vibe tonight. Are you trying to get anyone's attention in particular?"

Lucy blushed. "No," she shook her head slightly. "I just wanted to look nice tonight. Is there something wrong with that?"

"No," Levy shrugged. "I'll be in the living room. Cana just got in. Looks like she's pregaming it already."

"Are we just waiting on Erza and Lisanna?"

"I got a text from them. They said they're going to meet us at the bar."

"Okay, I'm just finishing up now. I'll be out in a minute."

"Okay."

When Lucy had finished prepping she walked out of the bathroom into the living room where she found Levy and Cana sitting on her latte colored ledger sofa. Cana wore a simple white tank shirt under a brown leather jacket with slim blue jeans. A black belt with a large brass buckle stuck out around her thin frame. She kept her brunette hair styled in a half and half. The bangs waved around her eyes and the edges dangled just above her shoulders. Her dark eyes were framed nicely with a little purple mascara. Her cheeks were already flushed from drinking a bit too much.

"Hey,"said Cana, the first to spot Lucy. "Look at you. What's with the getup?"

"Just thought I look nice tonight," she answered.

"Ah I see," she said nodding her head. "Someone's looking to get laid tonight."

Lucy blushed. "I am not!"

"She's getting dressed up because she's planning on seeing Natsu tonight," Levy giggled, winking in Lucy's direction.

The blonde's face flushed even further.

"I just want to look good for tonight! Can't a girl get dressed up nice without the insinuation that she's trying to get laid?"

"No," Cana laughed. "Come on, let's get going." She stood up and stretched out her back. "I'm thirsty."

"You've already had enough liquor to make Andre the Giant drunk," said Levy.

"And yet I'm still sober," Cana sighed placing her hands on her hips.

Levy shook her head and stood up. Lucy left the two of them, her face still flushed and went over to retrieve her coat from the hall closet near the front door of her apartment.

They drove the car to the heart of downtown Magnolia. The city was a buzz with life. The narrow streets were packed with cars, only made slower by the constant construction that took place on the roads and nearby buildings. Flashes of neon lights filled the night along with the orange hues of the street lamps. People dressed in coats and jackets wondered through the streets in groups, like animals hearding to different watering holes. Sounds of car horns and alarms filled the air along with the steam that emanated from the manholes on the streets.

It was damp outside. The streets were wet from recent rainfall, and the water that poured out from the gutters. The drains stocked full of garbage and debris. The concrete was mostly split and uneven, like shards of jagged gray rock that floated alongside a river of black asphalt.

Near the city, with no ample parking was the Fairy Tail, a pub surrounded by other shops and apartment buildings. It resided at the bottom of a building, taking up the street corner. A sign with the pub's insignia hung above the polished, oak wood front doors. Carved classed, lined the interior. Out front stood a brute of a man, tall and muscular with snow white hair and a ragged scar over his eye. Lucy identified the man immediately as Elfman, the local bouncer. A fighter by trade, he had the night job as the bouncer at the club to earn some extra cash.

"Hey Elfman," Cana greeted the mammoth of a man upon approaching the door.

"Hello Cana," Elfman grunted. Lucy had known him for a while, yet in all that time she discovered that Elfman was never one for much conversation. "How are you girls this evening?"

"Fine, just fine," she answered. "Going in for a few a drinks, maybe a dance or two."

"You don't dance," he grumbled, folding his massive arms across his chest.

"I do, just not well," she replied. "So, anyways, we'll see you later, okay big guy?"

Cana opened the door for the three of them.

"Cana," Elfman called out to her before she entered the building. She looked back at him with a cocked eyebrow. "Watch how much you drink," he said. "Don't need you causing anymore trouble tonight."

"Oh come one Elfman," she said innocently. "You know me better than that."

"Cana," he said with a warning stare.

The brunette sighed rolling her eyes. "Fine, I promise I won't cause any trouble."

Without another word she entered inside where Lucy and Levy were waiting for her. The inside was quaint and rather large for a pub that was nestled into a complex. The floors were made of polished wood, as were the tables. There were a few booths near the outside windows, but those were already filled with other patrons. The bar was situated in the middle of the pub, with large plasma flat screen TVs hanging on every side. Behind the bar stood a beautiful young girl with long hair as white as the untouched winter snow, and dark onyx eyes along with shelves filled with every type of alcohol. She busied herself taking orders and passing out drinks, all while dealing with belligerent drunks who were more interested in her than the contents that filled their glasses. Yet despite that, she carried a sweet smile that brought a comforting warmth to the crowded room.

The room was loud, music blared in the background mixed with the noise of people talking that it was hard to hear oneself think let alone talk to another person.

Another girl worked near the bar, pouring beers from a draft. Her hair was short and purple like the skin of a grape. Her eyes were dark as black coffee. She wore a long green and lavender work dress under a stained apron.

Cana led the three of them to the back of the bar where they found their other friends waiting for them. Erza, Lisanna were sitting in a booth in the far back corner near the darts and pool tables. Lucy saw that Gray and his girlfriend Juvia were there with them.

"Hey guys!" Erza called out when they approached. "Don't worry, we already ordered a pitcher," she said. While Lucy and Levy took their seats Cana was beginning to pour herself a glass.

"How are you guys?" Gray asked once they were seated.

"Good," Lucy answered. Her eyes darted around the room, but she could not spot a sign of cherry hair in the place. Her eyes were drawn away when she saw that a glass of amber beer was placed down in front of her. She stared at it, seeing Cana's hand reeling back. She picked it and took a sip. "So, have you heard from Natsu?" she asked Gray.

"What?" Gray said blinking as though lost. "No."

"What did she ask?" Erza asked.

"She asked if we heard from Natsu," Juvia replied.

"Natsu?" said Erza. "He's in town?"

"You didn't hear?" asked Lucy.

"No," Erza said shaking her head. She looked over at Gray and Juvia who both gave her an unknowing shrug. "Hey Lisanna," Erza said nudging the girl beside her. She had snow white hair like the bartender and Elfman. She was smaller though; a petite young thing who kept her hair short and neatly trimmed.

"Yeah?" she said.

"Have you heard from Natsu?"

"Natsu?" Lisanna said looking at them as though they were crazy. "No. Why?"

"He's back in town," shouted Juvia from the other end of the table.

"Really?" said Lisanna. "I haven't heard from him."

"Levy," Lucy interjected looking at her friend. "Didn't you say that Natsu was coming out tonight?"

Levy stared blankly at her. "I sent a message to Mavis," she answered. "I didn't hear back. I don't have his number."

"Double check," said Erza.

Levy pulled out her phone and looked through her messages. Her face dropped as she slowly placed it back in her pocket.

"Mavis says Natsu isn't coming out tonight. She asked him to watch Larcade. She said that she would be okay with it if he decided not to, but apparently he didn't want to come out tonight anyways."

"Huh?" Erza said taken back. "I wonder what's going on with him."

Lucy felt her heart sink. She had hoped to see him tonight. She had waited to see him for five years, and just when she thought she was going to get her chance, he decides not to show up. Looks like she got all dressed up for nothing. Not that she was doing it specifically for him, of course not. But still, it would have been nice to see him again. She quietly sipped her beer, rubbing her hands around the glass.

Juvia saw Lucy's depressed gaze. She reached out and cupped the blonde's hands. "He's probably just tired from traveling. He did just come back from the Marines. I'm sure we'll see him soon," she said reassuringly. Lucy smiled at her. Perhaps she was right, but still, she couldn't shake off the weird feeling residing in the pit of her gut.

What if it wasn't because he wasn't tired. What if was because he didn't want to see them. But if he didn't then why not? She took another sip of her beer.