To the parents out there. Have you ever had one of those days where your child/children are just being awful? Like really really bad?

That was the twins today. They're two, so that's pretty self-explanatory.

Thing One just dumps out the shoe bin and stacks all of them on the entertainment center, while Thing Two keeps standing up on the coffee table looking me in the eye while he shrieks for no reason.

You want to scream at them, but screaming at toddlers (even if they are acting like they're possessed) isn't very manly. Instead of doing that you calmly place them in time-out, lock yourself in the bathroom, and let out strangled cat noises while you rip out your hair.

That's how my day's going.

Sigh.

So anyway, let me know what you think or if you have any ideas. I'm always open to listen to ideas, even if it's about another story. Or if you just want to chat. I'm ok with that, too.

Onwards!

Laxus couldn't fall asleep. Something was nagging at him but he didn't know what it was. All he knew was that it was about the blonde that was currently looking up at the sky from her ridiculous pink bedroll.

And that Freed had noticed it too. The day before, Freed had pulled him aside on their search for grub. But of course Bickslow was all over them begging to be let in on the secret because he 'really really really loved secrets.' Too bad he couldn't keep one to save his life. So after zapping him a few times, he finally sulked back to the inn. Freed said he didn't have a lot to go on but he was suspicious about something and he would tell him more after he could do some digging. He said the more he looked at it, the more he knew he's seen her tattoo somewhere. That was all he would tell him and it was driving him nuts.

'Too many fucking questions!'

A faint trace of salt reached his nose and he slowly lifted his head to see her face better. Her eyes were shining and she was taking deep shuddering breaths. He watched as she blinked hard and shook her head slightly before looking back up to the sky once more.

He laid his head back down.

'What the fuck is wrong with this chick?' He silently wondered as he closed his eyes. 'She refuses help, then refuses part of the reward even though she took out their damn leader, and then tries to take off on her own, acting like it's the weirdest thing in the fucking world that they'd travel back to the same damn place together. Always staring off into space or looking like she's one second away from bursting into tears but she never actually cries. And what was up with that bird guy apologizing to her for healing her? It makes no fucking sense.'

The sound of footsteps snapped him out of his never ending list of things that confused him about the blonde.

Slowly peeling his eyes open, he watched as Lucy walked out of the camp towards the dirt path they took to get there.

Laxus was tempted to follow her for two reasons. The first reason being that it was really stupid to venture off in the woods alone at night. The second reason being that he really wanted to know what she was doing.

'She's a big girl. She's proved that she can handle herself. She'll be fine.'

He closed his eyes and listened to her retreating footsteps until they were too far away for even him to hear.

The curiosity was eating at him but he forced himself to stay where he was.

'Stop being so damn nosey!' He threw an arm over his eyes.

She would come back eventually. Compromising with himself, he decided to stay awake until she returned.

After the longest hour of his life, Laxus was starting to grow frustrated. He was tired from walking all day and just wanted to get some sleep before doing it all over again.

As he was getting up to go search for her, the sound of heavy footsteps reached his sensitive ears.

Inhaling deeply, he realized he couldn't pick up any unfamiliar scents. Only Lucy's, but the footsteps he was hearing belonged to someone a lot heavier than the little blonde.

Immediately, his senses were on high-alert.

A low growl reverberated in his chest, making the nocturnal inhabitants of the forest grow silent around him.

The footsteps grew nearer and Laxus took on a battle stance.

Just as he started to channel his magic, a man with spikey orange hair stepped into the camp carrying an unconscious Lucy.

Laxus instantly relaxed. "Loke."

The Spirit shifted Lucy slightly and brought a finger to his lips, silently urging him to be quiet. He turned and walked to the pink bedroll and gently laid her down.

Loke covered her with the extra blanket Ever always packed and walked back over to the Lightning mage.

"What's up with her?" He whispered.

Loke shrugged. "She's fine. She wanted to stargaze and she fell asleep."

Laxus nodded. That made sense. He looked over at the Celestial Spirit mage. She was on her side and curled up to her knees. Her face was peaceful, although every once and awhile her brows would furrow slightly.

"When you get back to the guild, let the master know I wish to speak with him." Loke said, his eyes never leaving his key-holder.

"About what?" Laxus asked gruffly. He didn't like it when people demanded things of him. Especially this. He wasn't a damn messenger boy for his Gramps.

Loke just shook his head. "I can't say."

The leader of the Zodiac looked around the camp before meeting his glare. "I will say this though. Keep your eyes peeled." There was a flash of light and he was gone.

'Well that wasn't cryptic or anything.'

Laxus laid back down and threw an arm over his eyes again. Why would Loke need to speak to Gramps? What exactly did he need to keep his eyes peeled for?

There were just way too many questions and he was sick of not having any answers.

'So much for getting any sleep.'

}{}{}{

The next day, the group of mages continued on their journey. By early afternoon they had exited the forest and were walking along the cobblestone streets of a small town. The sight of brick houses and the even ground made her happy.

All Lucy knew is that she didn't want to step foot in another forest for a long time.

They walked in silence, other than the occasional argument between Ever and Bickslow. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was nice.

Laxus walked next to Freed a few feet ahead of her with Bickslow and Evergreen behind her. She felt as though she was in a Thunder God Tribe sandwich. Lucy giggled at the thought.

"What's so funny, Cosplayer?" Bickslow asked as he sidled up next to her.

She waved him off. "Oh no reason. Just thought of something silly."

The Seith mage shrugged and they fell back into silence.

Lucy nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt something land on her shoulder.

"Ack!" She shrieked.

The little wooden totem just giggled at her.

"Well hello there!" She smiled and gave it a little wave. A moment later, one of the others landed on her other shoulder. Then, one rested on top of her head. The remaining two floated around her, giggling and twirling.

Lucy looked over to see the armor clad mage gaping at her.

"Are you doing this?" She asked, giggling when one of the floating totems nuzzled her cheek.

It took him a moment to finally respond. "Uh, no actually. I don't know what they're doing."

She extended her arm and turned her hand so that her palm was facing upwards and one of the totems perched there.

"What are their names?" She asked.

Bickslow pointed to each of his babies as he named them off, starting with the one in her hand. "That's Peppe, Pappa, Pippi, Puppu, and Poppo."

Lucy greeted them all with a smile as they continued to walk through town.

Bickslow cleared his throat. "Wanna hear a dirty joke?" He asked.

Lucy heard a sigh from the Fairy mage behind her.

"Um, sure?"

"Here we go." Evergreen muttered.

"What's the difference between a hooker and a drug dealer?"

Lucy thought about it for a moment before giving up. "I have no idea."

"A hooker can wash her crack and resell it." He turned and grinned at her, his tongue lolling out to expose his guild mark. 'Resell it!' 'Resell it!'

She blinked up at him. Once. Twice.

The Celestial mage stopped walking and dissolved into a fit of giggles, making the totems float off of her and return to their master.

"That…is so….disgusting!" She choked out when she was able.

Bickslow cackled. "But it's true, right?" 'True! True!'

After a moment she righted herself and smoothed out her clothes.

"I got one!" Lucy skipped in front of him and turned around to face him, walking backwards with her hands clasped behind her back.

"Shoot!"

"What do you call a lesbian dinosaur?" She asked with a grin.

He scratched his chin in thought and then looked down at her. "I actually don't know this one."

"A lick-a-lotta-puss!"

Bickslow sputtered, and Lucy thought she heard a low chuckle from one of the mages behind her. She turned so she was walking the right way again and saw that Laxus's shoulders were still, and she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"I don't understand." Freed said.

Bickslow groaned. "It's not funny if you have to explain the joke, Freed."

The two continued to bicker back and forth, Freed arguing how he doubted an archaeologist would name a dinosaur such a thing and Bickslow trying to explain that wasn't the point.

She was so busy watching them in amusement that she didn't notice Evergreen was now walking beside her.

"Wow, Lu. I never would've guessed you had that kind of humor." Lucy jumped slightly.

"Jesus Ever don't sneak up on me like that." The Fairy mage just giggled. "And you shouldn't be surprised. Being a part of this guild for so long was bound to rub off on me eventually."

"That's a good point." She said, nodding in agreement.

"So, do you know where we're stopping for tonight?" Lucy asked.

"I believe we're going to walk straight through this town and into the next one. We should get there before sunset and then we will find an inn."

Lucy nodded and smiled at the brunette. "Good. I found a beetle in my bra this morning. Nature and I need some space for a while."

Evergreen shuddered. "I completely agree."

The two continued to chat as they walked, and for a little bit Lucy forgot to remind herself to not get attached to the group of mages around her.

}{}{}{

"Oh, I should probably let you guys know that I'll be venturing off on my own tomorrow night. Just for a little while." Lucy said as she sat back into the cushioned seat of the booth they were in.

They had just arrived into the next town and decided to stop at a little restaurant for dinner.

Laxus's head whipped up to look at the blonde sitting directly in front of him.

"Where are you going?" Evergreen asked, sounding confused.

Lucy smiled at her. "It's no big deal. Tomorrow night there's supposed to be a meteor shower. Over the years I've noticed that if I'm under the open sky during one, I can reach an intense state of meditation."

"What do you mean?" Freed asked, sounding intrigued.

Lucy sighed somewhat wistfully and looked up at the sky from the restaurant window right next to her. "Honestly? It just makes me feel incredibly connected to my Spirits. And the Celestial Spirit World in general. It's such a wonderful feeling."

Laxus couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips as he watched her gaze up at the purple and pink of the setting sky. The golden hue that seeped through the windows bathed her in light that made her hair look like it was glowing and for a moment he couldn't look away. She turned and noticed him staring and he snapped out of his strange trance, immediately taking interest in the plate of food in front of him.

'The hell was that?' He grumbled internally.

"That sounds fascinating." Freed breathed, his tone was one Laxus recognized as the one he got when he found something he desperately wanted to observe.

"I guess." Lucy chuckled sheepishly. "But anyway, I just need to find myself a place that will give me an unobstructed view of the sky. The shower should start around eleven and last for about an hour. So depending on where I go, I should be back around one or two."

"We're coming." Laxus blurted before he could stop himself.

"Huh?"

He looked up to find her staring at him with wide eyes, her head cocked to the side questioningly.

"You expect us to let you walk around an unfamiliar place all alone in the middle of the night?" He asked her incredulously.

She huffed and looked away. "I can take care of myself just fine, Laxus."

He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. "I know. But we're still coming with." He nodded his head towards the green haired man sitting next to him. "'Sides, I'm pretty sure the nerd here would have the time of his life getting to see it."

Lucy turned to look at Freed's eager face and her eyes softened. "Is that true, Freed?"

The Rune mage cleared his throat before giving her a curt nod. "Very much so."

She smiled at him. "I'm not sure it will be all that interesting. I'm actually not sure what happens at all. I tend to completely zone out while it happens, so I can't promise you anything exciting."

Before he could respond, a low growl erupted from the Dragon Slayer, effectively cutting him off.

"You mean to tell me, that you've been going out on your own at night and becoming completely oblivious to your surroundings while you do this? Are you fucking stupid, Blondie?" Laxus seethed. He had no idea why, but this made him furious.

Lucy wasn't intimidated in the least, however. Her cheeks flushed red and her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me? What part of 'I can take care of myself' do you not understand? I've been doing this for over a year now and I'm just fine."

Laxus didn't get it. Could she not see how dangerous that was? It would be dangerous for anyone to be out like that. He just couldn't understand why she would be so reckless.

"That's not the point. I told you before, I know you can take care of yourself. But only a fucking idiot would be that reckless. You might as well tape a target sign to your back next time, just to make absolutely sure that people know you're vulnerable." He was vaguely aware that his voice was rising more and more as he spoke, and that most of the other people in the restaurant were now watching their table. Some were afraid, and some were annoyed. Either way, Laxus ignored them.

Lucy stood from the booth, causing Evergreen to jump and scramble out so that the angry blonde could get out. The Fairy mage, along with the rest of the Thunder God Tribe, were too shocked at the girl's darkening aura to really comprehend what was going on.

"So I'm stupid, huh? Fine." She threw some jewel down on the table to pay for her meal before addressing the stunned mages. "Thank you all for taking care of me as I recovered. I'll see you back at the guild."

Laxus stared at her as she turned and stalked out of the restaurant. The farther away she got, the more his anger dissipated and slowly started turning into regret.

There was a sting of pain on his shoulder and he growled in annoyance at Evergreen who was pointing her fan at him. She was practically shaking, her anger rolling off of her in waves.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Things were going so great. She was finally starting to relax around us, and you just had to open up your damn mouth and ruin it!" She smacked him again. "I agree that it isn't smart for her to be going out on her own, but there are better ways to address it than insulting her!"

Laxus looked to Bickslow and Freed. Freed was shaking his head with a frown and Bickslow was scowling at him from the chair he had pulled up to the end of the booth.

"Yeah well, it's not like I can take the words back now." He sighed, starting to feel a little guilty.

"No, you can't. But you can get your big dragon ass up and follow her to apologize."

Laxus scoffed at her. "No fuckin way, Evergreen. You know I don't do apologies."

She glared at him. "I don't care." Her shoulders slumped. "I really like her, Laxus. You know how hard it is for me to make friends. I just scare them away. They're too afraid of me turning them into stone and they act as though I'd do it to anyone who crosses my path. The girls at the guild are better, but it's basically the same. Especially since the whole 'Battle of Fairy Tail' thing. Lucy doesn't, though. She looks at me like it never happened. She treats me just like a regular girl."

Laxus ran a hand over his face. He knew how badly Evergreen wanted girlfriends. But just like Bickslow, people were afraid of the power her eyes held so they stayed away. He knew how badly it hurt her. She acted bitchy and cold around other people so they at least had a reason to steer clear of her.

Seeing the tears gathering in her eyes, he felt his resolve break. "Fine." He stood up, gesturing for Freed to move so he could leave. "Meet me back at the inn."

Evergreen just sniffed and nodded, leaning into Bickslow who had moved beside her to throw an arm around her shoulders.

Laxus followed the scent of strawberries and cream through the town with a scowl on his face. He hated how easily Evergreen could get him to do things. The girl was like a sister to him. A bossy annoying sister. It would take a lot for him to admit it, but he loved her. He loved all of them. The Raijinshu was his family. They were the siblings he never had and he would do anything to make them happy.

Lucy's scent led him to a small playground that sat next to a brick school building.

'Oi, she moves fast.'

The sun was down now, the only source of light around him was the moon.

He walked quietly around the building and spotted her.

Her back was to him as she sat on a swing, her toes barely touching the ground. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, flowing slightly in the light summer breeze, and her hands were gripping the chains tightly.

Laxus stopped and watched her as she pushed her foot against the ground, extending her legs and then bending her knees to make the swing start to move.

She swung higher and higher until suddenly, she leaned herself back and stopped pumping her legs. She let her head drop back so he could see her face and just hung there, her hair brushing the grass as the swing carried her back and forth with her eyes closed.

He couldn't do anything but stand there and stare at her face. His mind registered the fact that this position gave him a wonderful view down the front of her shirt, and that he could see some of the white lace of her bra. But he couldn't stop looking at her face. She looked…almost tranquil. The sight sent a pang of some strange emotion through his chest.

The momentum of the swing dwindled down and she sighed and continued to hang there.

Her eyes opened and she blinked at him, then they widened dramatically.

"Eeeeeeep!"

With a shriek, her hands suddenly let go of the chains and she toppled off of the swing. Her head hit the ground first and the angle she was in made the rest of her body flop over so that she was now sprawled out on her stomach, once again facing away from him. "Oomph."

He stood stock still as the scene replayed in his head, trying to figure out what had just happened.

It was only when she slowly picked herself up into a sitting position and started rubbing her head and scowling at him that it hit him.

His booming laughter echoed off the school building behind him and he clutched his sides while he shook.

"That.." He croaked, gasping for breath. "..was….the…best thing…I have ever….s-seen!"

She glared at him and stood up, brushing the grass from her clothes. "Shut up!"

This only made him laugh harder and he sank to his knees. "Y-your…f-f-face!"

Lucy stomped over to him and crossed her arms under her chest. "What the hell is wrong with you? You can't just go around hiding in the shadows and scaring people! What are you, a vampire?!" She smacked his arm.

The next ten minutes were spent with Laxus trying to calm himself down while Lucy stood there glowering at him. Every once and awhile he'd finally think it was over, but then he'd take a deep calming breath and start laughing all over again.

"Whew, that was great." He said, finally standing back up. "Really didn't think you'd freak out like that." He chuckled, and Lucy smacked his chest.

"Don't you dare go into hysterics again!" She yelled.

Laxus just grinned down at her. "No promises. That was priceless."

He watched in amusement as Lucy stomped her foot like a child and stormed away.

The blonde plopped down heavily on the bench of a picnic table that was sitting in the center of the playground. "What are you even doing here, Laxus?"

His mood sobered as he recalled the reason he had followed her here in the first place and his scowl returned. He walked over and sat down on the other side of the table.

"You left." Was all he said. Laxus hated apologies. They were stupid and sappy, and he was stubborn. But this was for Evergreen, his honorary little sister, so he had to try. Even though he would rather be doing anything else. Even the stacks of paperwork that his Gramps always made him do.

Lucy glared at him. "And?"

Laxus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look. I'm, ah, bad with this?" He ground out.

"Bad with what?" She asked softly, and he dropped his hand and looked at her in surprise.

It seemed as though all the anger she held just a minute before never existed. Her wide eyes were softer, and she was leaning towards him over the table, concern etched on her features.

Somehow, having her look at him like that made it a little easier. "Sorry."

Laxus sat there as she studied his face for something. After a moment she relaxed, having found whatever she was looking for and waved him off.

"I'm sorry, too." She rested her cheek into her hand and gave him a small smile. "I know it's stupid to go out on my own and all that. I've never really thought of asking someone to go with me." She closed her eyes and sighed wearily. "I just got used to it."

He raised a brow. "Used to what?"

"Not having anyone to ask." She said quietly.

"Everyone leaves."

His eyes widened as understanding crashed into him.

"Blondie.." He started, but hesitated. He wasn't sure how or even what he was going to ask.

She opened her eyes. "Hm?"

"Where did you go?" He finally asked.

"When?" She tilted her head to the side.

He watched her for a moment. If he thought her hair was glowing in the light from the setting sun, then he was unsure of what it was doing now. He didn't have the words. It shined brilliantly under the moonlight, glimmering and practically sparkling when it moved in the light summer breeze. Her pale skin seemed to illuminate from within, and he swore he saw her dark eyes twinkle every now and then, just like the stars.

She seemed at home- in her element under the stars. And then he realized that she was. She was a Stellar mage, after all.

Laxus cleared his throat and looked away from her to free him from the third trance she had put him under that day. "After the guild disbanded. Where did you go? Did you join another guild like we did?"

When she remained silent, he turned to look back at her and sucked in a sharp breath.

The blonde seemed to have shrunk back into herself. Her head was bowed and her eyes were hidden behind her bangs. Her shoulders were hunched over slightly as she fiddled with her hands on the table.

"Shit. You don't have to-"

"No, it's fine." She straightened and looked him in the eye. "After…after Tartaros.." She cleared her throat daintily. "And the guild disbanding, I was pretty messed up. Gaj and Levy took me in. We stayed together for a while, going on jobs. Did you know that Lily can cook?"

He folded his arms over his chest. "Lily?"

"Gaj's Exceed. The gray one that can grow all huge?"

He nodded. "Right."

Lucy sighed. "Well anyway, we formed our own little team. But then Levy got this awesome offer from the Council." She laughed softly as she recalled the memory. "I had to practically shove her out the door. She didn't want to leave me. But I convinced her, finally. And wherever she goes, Gaj goes. Same with Lily."

"Why didn't you go with?" He asked.

She looked away with a frown. "I couldn't just leave. Not when-" She shook her head.

He didn't want to push it, but he couldn't help himself. There were too many questions that needed answers.

"When what?"

"Not when there was a chance everyone could come back." Lucy took a deep shuddering breath, and Laxus started to feel a little guilty. "Not when my best friend just took off after losing Igneel right after he finally found him. Even though it hurt that he would just leave like that, I still felt like I had to wait for him. It didn't feel right to leave. What if he came back not knowing the guild had disbanded? What if he came back to find everyone was gone? I couldn't do that."

Laxus just stared at the blonde in front of him. He didn't understand. If someone had abandoned him like that, there was no way in hell he'd sit around and wait for them.

But looking into the sadness in her big chocolate eyes, he couldn't help but feel there was so much more she wasn't telling him.

Suddenly her whole demeanor changed. Her posture straightened. Her eyes clouded over for a moment before she blinked away the saddened look in them, and her face morphed into an emotionless mask. She looked…regal.

It took a surprising amount of restraint to keep his jaw from dropping.

'What the fuck just happened?'

When it was clear she wasn't going to say anything else, he took it as his cue to change the subject.

"You can still come with us, ya know." He said gruffly, trying to hide how confused he was by her actions.

She gave a curt nod. "I would like that. Where are the others?"

Laxus shrugged. "Back at the inn probably."

"I see."

Lucy's head tilted slightly and her eyes became unfocused for a moment.

"You ok, Blondie?" He asked. It looked as though she had heard something he didn't and it unnerved him slightly.

Her eyes focused on him and she gave him a small smile, confusing him further.

"Oh! Yeah. Someone just wants to see me."

He raised a brow. "Huh?"

There was a small flash of light and Laxus hissed as it nearly blinded his sensitive eyes that were used to the darkness.

"Pun puuunnn!"

His eyes snapped open at the new voice and he nearly gaped at what he saw.

Shivering on the table between the blondes was a tiny white creature that reminded the Dragon Slayer of a snowman.

"Hey Plue!" The Celestial mage's mood took another drastic turn as she beamed at the creature.

Laxus felt like he was starting to get whiplash.

"What the hell is that?" He asked, bewildered.

If possible, the Spirit's legs started to quiver even more.

Lucy leveled a glare at him.

"Definitely going to end up with fucking whiplash."

"First of all, his name is Plue and he's one of my Spirits. Canis Minor, Nikora. He is not a 'what' he is a 'who'. Second, he is a dog."

"There's no way that's a dog. He looks like a snowman." He said.

Lucy simply ignored him and enveloped the 'dog' into a hug, squeezing him into her chest.

'Lucky bastard.'

Laxus watched in amazement as she set the spirit back down and started talking to it. He had no idea what he was saying, but she seemed to. All he heard was a series of 'pun puns'.

"You can understand him?" He asked her when there was a pause in their conversation.

"Yep! It's part of our bond." Lucy smiled widely up at him and he couldn't help smiling softly as well.

He cleared his throat and stood from the table. "We should probably get back before Evergreen wears a path in the carpet from all her impatient pacing."

She giggled and stood as well, picking up her spirit to carry it against her chest. "She does that a lot, doesn't she?"

Laxus chuckled. "You have no idea how much."

As they walked around the school building and crossed the street, he thought of something.

"I need you to promise me something, Blondie." He said seriously.

She looked up at him, brow raised. "I'd need to know what I'd be promising before I agree to anything. Celestial Spirit mages take promises very seriously."

"Really?" He asked.

"Mhm. The contracts we make with our Spirits are basically one big promise. If we broke promises, how would they trust us? That's where the majority of our power lies; trust."

"Huh. Nice to know." He mused. "Anyway. Listen, Ever…she…"

Laxus sighed. He wished he was better at this stuff. "You need to decide now if you're going to be her friend, and if you do decide you will be I need you to promise that you will take it seriously."

Lucy surprised him by beaming up at him. "You really care about her, huh?"

"Tch." He looked away from her and straight ahead as they walked to the inn.

A few moments later she spoke. "Alright. I promise, Laxus."

"Good. 'Cause I didn't really feel like roastin ya."