Normally, silence would've made Lucy uneasy. In her estate it had been nothing but silence, nothing but emptiness. One of the reasons she liked Fairy Tail Academy so much was because every second was filled with some sort of life. The quiet scared her. It was like a sad memory trying to break through the defences she had so cautiously put in place.
But the silence in this detention was just...awkward. Looking around all Lucy could see was the depressed faces of the dysfunctional jumble of people that were here. Natsu was sulking in a corner which left her alone with Gajeel's gang. She should've been scared but they all looked so...sad, almost vulnerable. This was getting weird. Everything seemed so out of place here and Lucy wasn't sure how to act.
The six of them had been put in community detention. For today that meant they were painting over all the graffiti outside the English block. It was messy work and it didn't help that she seemed to be the only one doing anything useful.
"Boys..." Lucy muttered to herself. Picking up her paintbrush she got back to work.
Natsu stroked Happy while silently thinking of ways to piss off Gajeel. Seeing as he couldn't take his anger out on Makarov, he'd decided Gajeel would have to do. But so far the schemes in his mind all resulted in serious injury or death. That wouldn't do. He needed humiliation, not a criminal record.
"What do you think Happy?" Natsu lifted the cat to his eye-line.
"Meow..."
"Yeah," he sighed, "I guess setting his hair on fire is a bit much," he dropped the cat back on his lap and fell onto the grass.
Should have something with fire though, he thought with a mischievous grin.
"Need any help?" A voice called to Lucy as she struggled to reach the top of the wall.
"God Natsu finally I thought you were gonna leave me stranded with these di-" Turning around Lucy was surprised to see Laxus standing in front of her, "Errm...hi?"
He smiled sheepishly, "Hi," grabbing a brush he started working.
Lucy just stood there quietly and observed the blonde as he easily reached the area Lucy couldn't. After a few minutes he spoke, "I just wanted to...apologize for everything."
"Apologize?"
"Yeah...for like, the fighting and stuff."
"And my book..."
"Yeah...sorry about that. Natsu was holding it so I thought it was his..." he lowered his eyes.
"So if it was Natsu's you wouldn't be sorry."
"Well...Natsu got himself in a shit hole with Gajeel. That makes me obliged to beat the living crap outta him until he's sorry."
Lucy's expression hardened, "You're making it hell for him you know."
"That's kinda the point. Anyway that doesn't matter. I'm tryna say that you shouldn't of been dragged into it", he stepped closer, "Don't worry about Natsu. He's a big boy."
"I know he can take care of himself but he's not as strong as you think he is."
"This whole Natsu thing will fly over once someone else gets on Gajeels nerve", he took another step forward so there was only a few inches separating their faces, "Anyway, you have better things to think about."
Lucy could see where this was going but had somehow lost all ability to move, "Right...that's great...errmm...aren't you like...in the uni division or something?"
"Yeah," Laxus smiled and touched her arm, "What? You don't like older guys?"
A voice came up behind them, "It's not that...more that creepy pervs don't interest her", Natsu took Lucy's arm out of his grasp, "Come on Luce, we're done here."
"But you didn't even do any work!" Lucy whispered as she was dragged off.
Laxus sighed with relief as he watched the two disappear behind the building, closely followed by Natsu's cat, "Sorry Gajeel...no luck!"
Gajeel, who was attempting to eat through the railing looked up, "What?"
"She didn't take the bait."
"Damn", the raven haired teen clenched his fists, "I actually thought this might work."
Lyon brushed though the grass, "You thought that getting Laxus and Lucy together would somehow destroy Natsu?"
"Well...I donnu. Urgh I need Salamander to be so broken he'd be willing to do anything for me to leave him alone."
Scorpio shook his head, "Why?"
"I just...do! Okay. I have my reasons."
Yeah...stupid reasons, Laxus shivered as he realized he'd just tried to get with a newbie. The things Gajeel were making them do was just getting ridiculous.
"How could you let that creep get so close to you?" Natsu yelled as he pulled Lucy through the field.
"I...errm...Well I wasn't gonna let anything happen!"
"Like hell you weren't!"
"Natsu just drop it."
"Why should-"
"Please."
He let go of her, "Just...don't do anything stupid."
"Really Natsu...you're telling me not to be stupid."
"Hey!" They smiled at each other. Natsu crossed his arms, "I'm smarter than I look..."
"Hmmm...If you say so."
"Look, can we just get something to eat?" Natsu's eyes lit up at the idea of food.
"Ah yes, the amazing power your stomach has over you is impeccable", Lucy said sarcastically, "To the canteen we go!"
The smell of chips was enough to make Natsu sprint towards the doors leading to his heaven. Unfortunately a very angry red head was blocking the way.
"NATSU!" the girl grabbed him before he could run away, "Why aren't you at your detention!"
"Shit...LUCE! HELP SHE'S GONNA KILL ME!"
Erza looked down at him as he tried to escape from her grasp, "I asked you a question..."
"Errrm…wait...Luce are you running away!"
Lucy looked back at her friend, "I'm too young to die!"
One minute later, Erza had both of them slammed against the wall, "Why aren't you two in your detention."
"Laxus hit on me and Natsu dragged me away", Lucy blurted out then put on her best puppy eyes, "Please don't kill me."
Erza was silent for a moment, "You guys...are fucking retards."
"Well...Natsu can definitely make you think he is-"
"Hey!"
"QUIET!" Erza glared at both of them, "Master sees everything. Do you think he doesn't know you've ran off from your lunchtime punishment? Get your ass back to whatever you were doing before you're both suspended!" They weakly nodded as Erza released her grip, "And don't forget about tonight."
"Huh?" They both looked at her confusingly.
"Have you been living under a rock? Guildarts went on a business trip this morning. Cana's throwing a party at her house."
"How did we not know about this?" Natsu pouted, "Cana's parties are the best!"
"My first party! Well...my first party where I'm not forced to wear some creepy fancy dress", Lucy looked up dreamily, "Will there be music?"
"Probably"
"Dancing?"
"Well...if there's music I-"
"Oh! Beer?"
Erza smiled, "She hasn't actually met Cana has she?"
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked quietly.
Natsu laughed, "Don't worry Luce. They'll be beer."
Erza nodded, "Lots of beer."
"This is gonna be awesome!" Lucy jumped excitedly.
"Oh poor sweet innocent Luce", Natsu grinned, "You have no idea what you're in for."
