Disclaimer: If you want to read something by the person that owns Fairy Tail, I'm afraid your only option is to read the manga.
Author's Note: I am so sorry this took so long. Please forgive me.
July 1st, Day 1 of 365:
Lucy woke up to find herself trapped underneath something. Or rather someone. Which did not make her happy.
"Get off of me!" she squawked, "That's sexual harassment!"
"Geez Luce, you're grumpy this morning." Gray griped, stretching his arms out and yawning loudly, "Happy birthday."
"Thank you," Lucy said sharply, "However, please refrain from ever lying on top of me again."
"I didn't do it on purpose! I was asleep!" Gray reminded her.
"Hm... Forgiven. But it shouldn't happen again." Lucy said, then clambered out of the gigantic four poster bed, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take a shower." She grabbed a pink tank top, tan skirt, and her favorite black boots.
The bathroom was amazing, yesterday Lucy had been way too angry to notice it, but today she could take everything in. The walls and floor were covered with a combination of green, blue, and white tiles that made Lucy think of the sea. The bath tub was the size of most swimming pools, and the shower was the same size as Lucy's room back at her real home. The bath fixtures were a so shiny that it hurt to look at them. Two incredibly fluffy towels- one pink and one dark blue- hung on the towel warmer. On the sink counter there was a variety of strawberry scented feminine products on one side, and vanilla scented masculine ones on the other.
Using the strawberry shampoo and strawberry conditioner, Lucy washed her hair. Then, she cleaned herself with strawberry soap. After that, she vacated the shower, got dressed,and put strawberry lotion on her hands. When she walked out of the luxurious bathroom, Gray raised an eyebrow at her.
"What?" she asked defensively.
"You really smell like strawberries." he chuckled.
"Isn't that good?"
"I guess so. It's just... really strong." Gray shrugged noncommittally.
"I think they want me to smell like this." Lucy confided in him, "There were a lot of strawberry smelling things in there. You, on the other hand, get to smell like vanilla."
"I believe you." Gray smiled , "I think I've smelled like vanilla since I was six."
"You don't right now." Lucy pointed out.
"That's because they were so focused on finding you they forgot to regulate my scent. I've flown under their radar for the past month or so." he explained.
"Guess I helped you with one thing."
"It's only the beginning."
As Gray grabbed his clothes, a red t-shirt and dark jeans, Lucy noticed, for the first time, the necklace he was wearing. She wondered if it had any symbolism to it. He exited before she had the chance to ask him.
She heard the shower turn on, and glanced around the room. Memorizing every detail so she could tell her parents about it. The floor was a rich, dark wood, covered by thick, pure white rugs. The walls were painted sky blue. The bed that she hated so much was covered by a dark blue duvet and creamy sheets. It was just as beautiful as the bathroom, if not more so.
When Gray walked out he really did smell like vanilla.
"Dang! If the smell coming from me is half as strong as that, then you were right, it's really bad." Lucy said.
"Told you!" Gray said imperiously.
"I have a feeling that we'll be wanted for breakfast," Lucy said, hastily changing the subject.
Gray wouldn't let her get away that easily, "I hope I can taste something over your smell."
"Shut it!" Lucy said, smacking him on top of his head.
"Okay! Point taken!" Gray gave in, "What do you think they'll serve for breakfast?"
"How should I know? I only got here yesterday." Lucy complained.
"It's your birthday. Maybe they want to cook your favorite meal." Gray said.
"Then I hope it's waffles with raspberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup."
(Author's Note: This is delicious. If you haven't tried this you should.)
"That does sound pretty good," said Gray.
Instead of eating in the dining hall, as they did last night, they ate in the breakfast room. It had floor to ceiling windows looking out onto a beach with snow white sands and bright blue water. The room was light green. A long maple table was in the center of the, around it were several chairs of the same wood. One chair was occupied by the master, already eating. Three plates were out, with waffles, raspberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup already on top.
"There's a dining room and a breakfast room?" Lucy said as she sat down.
"Yeah, pretty stupid huh?" Gray replied, looking down at the lavish meal before them, "It's kind of amazing that they already knew exactly what you wanted though."
"I'm not surprised in the least," Lucy said, digging into her waffle, "They already knew that I liked pink and strawberries. Why not know my favorite meal?"
"You're right," Gray said, placing a forkful of heaven in his mouth, "For a second I forgot who we were talking about."
The master cleared his throat loudly.
"Yes?" Lucy asked, looking up from her food.
"Now that you've realized that I'm here, I would like to let you know your schedule for the day: Right after breakfast, Lucy, you're getting your family mark."
Lucy glared at him but didn't say anything.
"Then you are going to make your official public appearance to the people, and announce your engagement. Afterwards, you'll go to bed."
"You mean the betrothal isn't already public knowledge?" Gray said, startled.
"Of course it isn't! It wouldn't seem right of anyone except the couple told the people, and we only just found Lucy!" the octogenarian said, as though this was simply common sense.
"What!" screamed Lucy, "I don't want to announce my marriage plans!"
"You can and you will!" Makarov said angrily, "As you should know, my hands are tied in these matters. If you don't do it they will make all of our lives miserable! Every single person in this castle! Consider your options wisely, because there's nothing we can do. But I beg you, don't make others suffer! No matter what you do you'll be unhappy, so do it for the others!"
"Fine!" Lucy snapped, thinking of how nice everyone had been.
"What am I doing all day?" Gray inquired.
"I already told you. Remember, you and Lucy are now attached at the hip. There will not be many points in time where you are separated." the old man said. "Though I do suggest you wear clothes when doing those things."
Gray discovered that he was already down to his boxers. He hurriedly put his clothes back on.
"Lucy, we've decided to hold off the celebration of your birthday until tomorrow. After you finish breakfast, Virgo will take you over to get your tattoo." the master said before storming off.
They followed Virgo to the kitchen, where Mira stamped the familiar crest on the back of Lucy's hand, in pink.
"At least I got to decide where they put it." Lucy whispered bitterly to Gray.
"I'm so glad you two are getting married!" Mira said, completely unaware of the mood.
"You are?" they said in unison.
"Yes! You guys are the cutest couple ever!" she squealed. "Which is good, because you both qualify as a celebrities, meaning that tons of people will be watching you!"
Lucy's face became a delicate shade of green and she turned to run.
"Don't let her get to you," Gray said into her ear as he stopped her, "This is her way of dealing with all couples. Whether they're real or not. She used to tell me I was wonderful for Juvia, and I frequently had to remind her that I am engaged."
"Can we leave though?" Lucy pleaded, glancing at Mira, "It kind of disturbs me, to think about our future, and the idea of paparazzi is frightening."
"Yes, but we have to walk."
"Where to?" Lucy whispered.
"I'd like to see the garden, before we have to make our 'public appearance'. I've heard it's beautiful."
"Oh, so they're going for a romantic stroll. Juvia will make sure nothing bad happens."
The garden was as lovely as promised. Vibrant flowers bloomed everywhere. Every color Lucy had ever seen- and some she hadn't- was present there. They came to a bench and sat down.
"Tell me about the governmental system on our islands." Lucy said.
Gray glanced at Lucy, then looked down at the grass, "There is a big group of islands that are united under a group of people called the Council. These islands are supposedly independently ruled by their kings and queens, but as you can see, we're being controlled by someone else. We've begun to suspect the Council."
"In that case, I hate the Council! I wish I could kill them! They're the worst people on the planet! I-"
Gray put his hand over Lucy's mouth, "Are you crazy?" he hissed, "Those words are treason. They can land you in prison!"
"What about the first amendment?" Lucy argued, then blushed, "Oh yeah, we're not in America."
Juvia snuck away, giggling, "Juvia now has proof to make her Love Rival go away!"
Of course Juvia had used her crazy stalker skills and made an audio recording of their conversation.
"And, just in case it doesn't get the rival in prison, Juvia will tell the Council she was acting on Gray-sama's orders. Then Love Rival will hate him! Gray-sama will be all Juvia's!"
This was the happiest Juvia had been since she found out about Gray's engagement. She laughed like a maniac. (Because she is one.)
(Back to Gray and Lucy)
Seemingly out of nowhere, Virgo popped up.
"Princess, and Prince you must change for your public appearance." she said.
Lucy looked down at her clothes, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing now?"
"As a princess, you must be the picture of grace and elegance. The clothes you are currently wearing do not fit into your character."
"My character!" Lucy spluttered.
"Luce..." Gray warned, "Remember what they can do."
The maid glanced at her watch, "You will find your clothes in your room. After you change, report to the screening room. You will receive your lines there." She then vanished.
Half an hour later, Gray and Lucy arrived at the 'screening room'. Lucy had an elaborate pink dress. (A/N: Like the one in my resolve.) Gray was wearing a dark suit, which he had somehow managed to keep on.
"Your lines, Lucy," Capricorn said respectfully, handing her a script.
Lucy was aghast, "What is this a movie? This entire thing is scripted!" She read the thing and her eyes widened even more, "I am not kissing him."
Capricorn stared at his fingernails, "I'm afraid, Lucy, that you are. You have one hour to memorize it. Afterwards, you will give your speech on the balcony. Please practice." He turned and walked away.
"Let's get it over with." Gray said quietly, motioning to their scripts.
After their hour of practice, they stepped out onto the balcony, well rehearsed and ready to roll. Thousands of people were gathered below, and Lucy could see news cameras.
"They're broadcasting all over the world." Gray explained, following her gaze.
"Why?"
"This is an important announcement, being done by a princess and her prince. As Mira said we are celebrities." Gary's eyes were sad and distant.
"I see," Lucy surveyed the crowd once more. They cheered like mad.
Lucy raised her hand in salutation, quieting the crowd down. "Greetings my people!" she called, "I'm Lucy... Lucy Fairy-Tail. I guess I'm going to be your princess from now on." She gave the nervous chuckle that her script called for.
"I'm Gray Fullbuster! Prince of Shima!" he supplied.
"I am going to marry Gray in exactly one year!" declared Lucy.
"Don't worry, I am worthy of Lucy!" Gray assured them, gagging as he did so, "I will treat her as well as a queen, though, of course, she will be one. I care for her more than all of the stars in the sky and the pearls in the ocean."
"And my love for Gray is greater than the oceans he mentioned before," Lucy shouted.
They turned and kissed each other.
Gray had never kissed a girl before, and he wasn't sure if he was doing it right.
It was Lucy's first kiss, and she hoped that she was performing up to the Council's standards.
The mass of people below loved it. They screamed and clapped so loudly that Lucy thought her eardrums would burst.
"Thank you!" she yelled over the cheers, "I will try my hardest to be a good ruler!"
She fingered her necklace and looked to the ground. "For my mother," she whispered, "For her, and for my father, I will have a happy public appearance. I won't let them know how miserable I am!" Lucy walked back into the screening room with Gray.
"That was a stellar performance!" Makarov congratulated them, "Great job!"
The future rulers walked away, uninterested.
"Are you ready to face the challenge?" Gray asked.
"What challenge?" said Lucy.
Gray pointed to the sign of the council on the tapestry before them, "Their challenge. We are some of the few people who have the nerve to stand up to the Council. The way that they've been throwing this stuff at us, they're scared."
"They are?"
Gray grinned, "Yeah, usually they aren't this involved. This means that we can actually make a difference!"
"Yes!" Lucy said, triumphant, "I'm going to do it! For my parents!"
"That's the spirit!" Gray encouraged her, then under his breath he added, "I'm doing this for Ul. I will make the people who have caused her death suffer."
The End.
I was right, this did take a lot of rewriting. And it's still not where I want it to be.
Isn't Juvia useful? She provides all authors of GraLu stories with an excellent villain. The Council is nice too. Man I hate them.
Just so you know, I don't hate Juvia, I just needed a way to make a certain something happen, and she was the solution.