A/N: Fairy Tail does not belong to me in any way, shape or form. Thank you.


Lucy collapsed into the chair, arms folded on the table before her, cheek resting against the smooth wood. Levy smiled lightly. "Having fun, Lu-chan?"

"God, what is wrong with that boy?" Levy managed to make out from her best friend's muffled words. The bluenette patted her arm, nodding. Natsu was at the next table over, butting heads with Ur once again. Kirk and Siegrain were over there as well, splitting the boys and girls apart. Erza was currently savoring the cake Levy had tried so hard to keep her from and Wendy was watching in what could only be described as awestruck horror. "Oh… Do I know you?" Lucy finally raised her head, spotting the young noble.

Wendy flushed, shaking her head. "I-I'm Wendy." Lucy gave a tired smile.

"Hello, Wendy. I'm Lucy—oh, wow, Levy-chan, is that…?" Levy pushed her plate closer and the blonde gave her a dazzling smile before practically inhaling what was left on her plate. Levy shrugged a bit when Wendy sent her a startled look.

"Breathe, Lu-chan. There's more, don't worry," Levy pointed over to the long tables set up, but Lucy waved her off, dabbing delicately at her mouth.

"Later, later. So, Wendy-chan," the blonde grinned. "What brings you to the party?"

"M-me?" Wendy looked down, suddenly nervous and fidgeting. "W-well… The Pr-prince, I suppose… His birthday," she offered up. Lucy's face darkened and Wendy quickly sunk into her chair. From the next table over, her brother noticed and raised his head, trying to figure out why she looked so scared all of a sudden. The others took notice of his behavior.

"The Prince," her voice was dark and the other table stiffened at the venom in her voice. "Yes, of-course. Him. I take it, you're a noble then, yes, Wendy?" the girl barely managed a nod. "How lovely. Isn't it great, how we're all brought together for such a joyous occasion like the Prince's birthday?" Her smile was too wide and obviously fake and suddenly Wendy didn't feel very safe, even with Levy and Erza on either side of her. "Ah, Wendy-chan, did you know? Sting Eucliffe is supposed to be coming to this party. Do you know Sting?" The girl nodded again and Levy wrapped an arm around her shoulders, her other hand twining with one of Wendy's. She squeezed back tightly.

"Lu-chan, please, you're scaring her."

"Oh, am I? Sorry, it's just, I'm getting a little excited. You know, I'm going to be engaged at the end of the week, remember, Levy-chan, Erza?" The red head was eyeing her, not quite sure how to deal with Lucy's sudden personality change. "I'm going to be Her Eminence, Duchess Eucliffe. You remember that, don't you? Ah, but, then again, Mother could change her mind, you know how she is. And, well, I could tell him to go jump off a cliff for all I care and then, ta-da! I'm married to someone else, or, even better," Lucy's eyes were blank, smile way too creepy for her face, "I'll just disappear."

Silence and Levy slowly let go of Wendy to reach a hand out, hesitantly covering one of Lucy's with her. "L-Lu?"

Lucy eased out a breath and Erza watched as her eyes returned to life, her smile dropping to show the most defeated look she had ever seen on the blonde. "Lucy, please, you know everything will be quite alright," she offered, reaching out a covering Lucy's other hand. "No one is forcing you to marry Sting, and should the Madam ask it of you…" she paused, catching Levy's eye. A quick swallow and resolute nod from the bluenette and Erza's smile softened, both their grips tightening. "Why, we'll all run away and become pirates."

It was such an absurd thing, coming from such a serious person as Erza that Lucy eyed them both incredulously, mouth working as if trying to get words out. But then her lips curled up and she snorted, then laughed, one they hadn't heard in almost two months.

Loud. Happy.

"P-pirates?"

"Well, it is better than a Duchess, yes?" Erza responded in all seriousness, but she still wore her smile. Wendy, for her part, deemed it safe to return to how she previously sat and scooted up in her chair. "We just want you to be happy, Lucy."

"But I am happy, with you guys!" Levy beamed at her, tightening her hold. "Are we still going to buy that house and raise rabbits?" A funny look washed over Erza and the younger girls couldn't help but laugh at the face she made, Levy and Lucy leaning over and holding onto each other as they laughed.

"T-that was quite some time ago, Lucy, Levy! Honestly!" Erza crossed her arms, the barest hint of red across her cheeks. "Rabbits… Honestly…" but she couldn't help her smile.

"Mirajane won't be happy you decided to ruin her perfect matching, Lu-chan!" Levy offered, poking their friend lightly.

"Well, then Mira can marry Sting and have all nine of those preposterous children of his!" Lucy then set her sights across the table to Wendy. "Wendy, I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this. It's been… a rough couple of months for me," Lucy shrugged helplessly. "You must think I'm mad."

"W-well… Bunnies are very nice…" Wendy smiled softly, looking down at the table. Lucy's smile widened.

"Indeed. I've heard your name before. Wendy… Marvel, isn't it? The Duke's daughter?" A small nod from the younger girl and Lucy rested her head in her hand. "Let me think… Duke Marvel… I think I remember him from father's wedding…" her brow furrowed as she thought back. "But he came with no children…" Wendy couldn't help but blink at her.

"Your father's wedding?" Lucy seemed surprised and it took her a moment.

"Oh, yes… My father remarried some years ago. I supposed you would have been too young to attend…" Levy poked her lightly. "Hm?"

"What about Kirk? He would have been older than you," and Levy smiled cheerfully at the imposing man watching them closely. Lucy turned in her seat, blinking at the men all looking back at her.

"Ah… Hello?" and she bit her lip. "Um… I've been under a lot of stress lately?" she offered as way of explanation for her outburst. Natsu snorted and her eyes narrowed on him. "Watch it, or I'm not coming back and you can suffer here by yourself," he raised his hands quickly in surrender.

"Don't leave me here with them, Luce! Please, I'm beggin' ya!" she rolled her eyes, returning to facing her own table. "Luce?"

"Don't push me, pinky."

"It's salmon…" was the faint response.

Lucy smiled back at Wendy. "I'm afraid not. Your brother must have decided not to come to Papa's wedding. There were only a few kids there, and I know all of them." Wendy's brows were furrowed.

"Are your father and my—mine close, Lucy-san?" Lucy tapped her chin.

"Well… maybe not close… But it's proper etiquette, you know? I think Papa did business with your father," and Lucy shrugged, at a loss once more. "It was so long ago though… I don't think I would even recognize him now. I've been out of society for too long." Wendy nodded and Lucy rose from her chair, stretching lightly. "Erza," she perked, "I hear the gardens are quite spectacular, and Juvia would love to hear about them. Should we go?" The redhead eased herself out of her chair, brushing down her skirts. She raised her head, looking around the grand ball room before her eyes locked onto something on the other side of the room.

"The Madam is far over there, as is Alicia. We should go now," and the blonde linked arms with her. "Are you coming, Levy, Wendy?" Levy waved her off. "Then we'll see you later. Please, be careful about—"

"Yes yes, go on, you guys, I'll be fine!" she shooed them away and they went, smiles on their faces. Once they disappeared from sight, Levy turned to the other table, smiling pleasantly. "She really has been quiet stressed lately. I'm sure you understand." Her eyes zeroed in on Natsu. "You know how much work she has to do, don't you, Natsu?" The pinkette pouted, crossing his arms tightly.

"She didn't have to be so mean," he pouted. Gray raised a brow.

"You sure know how to find the crazy ones, don't you, Flame-for-Brains?" Two sets of eyes bored into him. "What?!"

"Lu-chan's had to deal with Sting for seven years," was Levy dark response. He gave a knowing nod.

"In which case, I retract my statement." Wendy patted at Levy's arm.

"Ah, yes?" Levy returned her gaze to the smaller girl that could easily be mistaken for her sister.

"Who is 'Juvia'?" Levy's smile immediately warmed at the mention of their other friend. "Could she not make it?"

"Ah, Juvia is… one of our friends, and yes, in a way. You see," Levy smiled sheepishly, "Natsu gave us invitations. Only Lu-chan got a proper one, being nobility and all." Wendy blinked, obviously not comprehending what she was saying. "So, Juvia had to stay behind tonight. Tomorrow, one of us will and she'll come to the party and see everything. But we promised to tell her everything that happened, and describe the castle as best we could. She really wanted to come as well, but…" Natsu leaned back in his chair, a frown marring his lips.

"How did she find out?" he asked her, voice oddly quiet. Levy looked over at him, then away, her lips pressed tight together.

"Alicia found them and showed her. If she knew we were here…" Anger flared in his eyes. "Lu-chan never told you? Lu's only "officially" allowed to come on the last night, when Sting will be here. He's going to propose you know," she informed him. The other three at the table with him(in addition to Wendy) had no idea now what was going on and were, understandably, lost. "Mira and Lisanna brought us here. We're leaving at—" she looked away and up at the clock. Her eyes showed her shock. "It's been that long already? Wow… Well, we're leaving in a little over an hour," she smiled over at him. "You should dance with her again. She really was happy." He flushed and his friends immediately smirked, leaning in, ready to torment him. "I'm going to go and get some things for Juvia, I'll be right back," and she rose, hurrying across the floor towards the long food tables again, filling a plate after some hesitation.

"Does the pyromaniac have a crush?"

"That's real cute, Salamander."

"Congratulations, Natsu. When are you proposing?"

"O-oi, the lotta ya, shuddup!" Ur threw an arm around him, leaning in close. Natsu glowered at him, but when Kirk did the same, he was boxed in. He sunk into his seat, face screwed up in an ugly scowl. "You guys…"

"It's fine, Natsu's just growing up is all. Finally, after how many years?" Ur pulled at his cheek, grinning viciously. "But it looks like ya got competition. Eucliffe doesn't back down." His dark eyes narrowed at the name.

"Ha! As if! Luce's already told him to take a hike, but he just doesn't get it! And you call me dense!"

"You are dense, you idiot!" the two on either side of him scoffed, Kirk now pulling on his other cheek. He swatted at their hands, trying to get them to let go. To no avail.

"What're you two doing?" And they let go to look back at Levy. She raised a brow. "Never mind." She settled back next to Wendy, unfolding a napkin and scooping the rolls into it and folding the thin cloth back over and tying it. Natsu cocked his head to the side. She smiled lightly as she did the same with the cookies she snatched. A moment's pause and she eased her bag onto her lap, slipping the bundle in. She caught Natsu's eye and raised a finger to her lips. "Shh, okay? She probably hasn't had dinner yet, what with everything she's had to do."

"What's she had to do?" Her amused look vanished to be replaced with something blank. "What?"

"Really, Natsu?" she shook her head, letting out a soft breath.


"Lucy, dance with me!" Natsu jumped out of his seat the moment they returned. Erza took an imposing step forward, eyes narrowed on the pinkette as she shielded the blonde from his view. He flinched back, rubbing at the back of his neck. "I-I mean, Lucy will you dance with me?" Erza gave a nod and a smug smile before stepping aside, raising an imploring brow to their friend. Lucy, for her part, huffed out a sigh before giving a nod.

"Alright Natsu, but try to watch where you're stepping, okay? I can only take so much!" As his grin grew, hurrying around the table to take up her hands, Siegrain stepped forward, bowing low to Erza, whose cheeks immediately burst into flames. Lucy pulled on Natsu's hand, drawing him to a stop.

"Lady Scarlet, it's come to my attention you will be departing soon. Will you honor me with a dance?" She was a mess, stuttering and stammering, her hands fidgeting uselessly in-front of her, face progressively getting redder. But he still continued to smile calmly, offering her his hand. Levy, ever helpful, nudged their red haired friend, who finally reached out, taking his offer. She refused to look at him though. "Wonderful," and Levy noticed how he shot a look towards Kirk.

Who sighed. Heavily.

Wendy smiled, but confusion clouded her eyes. "Onii-san?" was her quiet question to her elder brother. He glanced at her before hissing out another breath and also stepped up.

To Levy.

"We might as well go out there too."

The bluenette, for her part, blinked owlishly up at him, copying Wendy's confusion almost perfectly. "Are you asking me to dance?" He looked away, pierced brows furrowed before he gave a single nod. "Really?" He gave her a dark look. The beginnings of obnoxious laughter was quickly cut off and they both looked over at Natsu to see Lucy covering his mouth with both hands, the blonde smiling pleasantly at them. "Alright." She slipped her hand around his offered arm and smiled up at him.

A gasp pulled both their attention—yet again—away and towards Wendy, who was grinning brightly, regardless of how her hands tried in vain to hide it. Kirk looked pained. "Oi, Kid—" and she began to hop slowly in place, hands pulling away from her face to mimic clapping. She never actually clapped, due to restraining herself. But she still made the motion. A squeal and suddenly Lucy joined her, the two holding hands and hopping around in a circle, giggling like mad. "Kid, Bunny Girl, knock it off!"

"Onii-san's got-ta cruuu~sh!" Wendy sang(his eyes narrowed dangerously) while Lucy just continued to laugh. Levy shrugged a bit, raising her other hand up to rest it on his arm.

"The music's starting soon," was all she had to say. Natsu pulled her away towards the center of the ballroom while Siegrain and Erza gave them amused smiles, following after the two.

"My Lady," Ur bowed to Wendy, offering his hand and she giggled before curtsying, taking it. "Shall we dance?"

"I'd love to!" Her brother should have felt threatened, but it was one of his friends being nice to his kid sister. If it was actually someone her age, it would have been a different story. "Onii-san?" Apparently she noticed his staring. He reached out, ruffling her hair, grinning and showing his teeth before he strode away with his partner. He heard her complain and just knew she was pouting, but now he was in a good mood.

"You look scary, but you're actually okay," a quiet voice mused and he snorted, taking up position on the floor. She smiled softly up at him and he blinked. "I think it's nice, how you two get along." He scoffed, looking away. She rested one hand against his chest—she refused to acknowledge the fact that she couldn't reach his shoulder like every other couple—and eased her smaller hand into his. He looked down at her, but she was too busy looking down at their feet, trying hard to remember the meager lessons she had learned over the years. She really hoped he was better than her at this. She looked up quickly, though, when his hand settled at her waist and it was a quick breath out before she remembered that, yes, that was how people danced.

He was grinning down at her, obviously catching that little taste of panic that had flitted across her face. "Little jumpy, yeah?" She pouted, brows furrowed and deliberately looking away from him.

For him, it was like he was dancing with his little sister all over again. The two were both equally short, but he guessed Levy was a little taller than the twelve-year-old. But still. She was remarkably short. By the way her and Bunny Girl ate at dinner, one would think they didn't get enough to eat at home, but that still didn't stop him from remembering that they ate less than even Wendy. Was that why she was so small? But Bunny Girl and the redhead were… well. And Levy…

When Levy looked up at him after a minute or so, glancing through her lashes, he was glowering at someone across the hall. She was also pretty sure he was baring his teeth and—was he growling? "Hey, everything okay?" He tore his eyes away from whoever he was glaring at, looking down at her. She offered him a smile.

"It's fine." But before she could respond with the obvious 'then why were you growling?' the musicians started up and they were whirling around the hall. It was all she could do to keep her steps, remembering vaguely that they had practiced this as children and she knew the basic steps. He was better, but she argued with herself that he went to parties all the time and she had learned the steps to an old, out of tune violin whilst dancing with a very nice boy a year older than her, Edrick, wasn't it? Who also had a head on her, much like her current partner. "Don't look so stressed out, Shorty," she glanced up at him and he flashed a smile, almost too quick for her to catch. "Yer doin' fine, ya know?"

Meanwhile, across the hall, a middle-aged man with dark hair was pointing and laughing hysterically, practically falling out of his chair while his wife raised her eyes to Heaven and asked the Gods to help her. It was granted when he began to choke.

"Gihi..." Levy scrunched her nose up in confusion, eyeing the man and wondering why he was suddenly grinning manically.

"Kirk…?" He pulled her a little closer and she flushed, immediately refocusing on their steps and not how much he towered over her.

On the opposite side of the hall, two white haired women where hopping up and down while holding hands, quietly squealing, both their eyes shut in their happiness. Many others around them quietly edged away while three men and a woman standing the closest to them raised brows, curious but not enough to ask.

And while Levy was trying hard to follow Kirk's lead, Erza was trying just as hard to resist the urge to lead—for which her blue haired partner was eternally grateful—and Lucy resigned herself to following Natsu's, despite his lack of skill and tendency to trod all over her very nice shoes. And toes.

And a young woman with light brown hair and dark green eyes smiled, watching them all from the sidelines.


"Do you really have to go, Luce?" Natsu was pleading, eyes begging for her to stay. She rubbed at her arm, shrugging helplessly.

"Sorry, Natsu, but we left Juvia home all alone. We really need to get back to her, and before they get home." He crossed his arms tightly, pouting. "Don't sulk." Behind them, Levy and Wendy snickered.

"I'm not sulking," he muttered. Then his gaze jumped to his friends. "I just can't believe you're leaving me with them, Lucy!" She patted his shoulder, not even faking any sympathy for him.

"Poor boy."

"Hey!"

"You'll be fine. Now," she shot an annoyed glance towards the clock. Just a little before midnight. Perfect. "We really gotta go. We have a fair bit of cleaning to do you know." He tightened his crossed arms a little bit more, scowling now instead of sulking. "I'll be back tomorrow, okay?" Now she was trying to reason with him.

"But I'm gonna be bored without you and your weirdness here, Lucy!" Her eye twitched and Levy was just about to step in when she took a deep breath, brushing down her skirts stiffly.

"Well, that's unfortunate, but, I told you already that we aren't supposed to be here." To make up for the lack of privacy, his friends were pretending that they couldn't hear their conversation. "So, I'll see you tomorrow. Okay?"

"Fiiine…" She beamed, stepping forward to offer him a quick hug, one she apparently didn't think through because she pulled away before he could process what had just happened and return it. "W-well! Tomorrow then!" a quick wave and she hurried towards where Lisanna and Mirajane were waiting, the two beaming as they captured her.

He could only blink.

Levy turned to Wendy, hugging the girl warmly. "You'll be here tomorrow, right, Levy-chan?" The older bluenette smiled lightly. "Please?"

"I'm not sure. Someone has to stay back tomorrow…" Wendy seemed upset by her answer.

"But why can't you all come?" Levy held her at arms length while the younger almost started to tear up.

"Juvia's very nice, you'll get along if I'm not here. And," Levy leaned in and Wendy did the same, "She's a bluenette, just like us~! So, if I'm not here, Lu-chan, Erza, and Juvia will keep you company! Okay?" Wendy looked down, before nodding. "Alright, you have fun, okay? And I'll see you again, promise!" Wendy hugged her again and Levy hugged back.

"Lady Scarlet, until the morrow," Siegrain smiled warmly at her and she flushed.

"Un-until tomorrow, S-s-s-siegrain…" he raised her hand to his lips and her cheeks grew redder. His lips had just barely brushed her skin when she couldn't take anymore and fled, joining Lucy and Mira. Which left Levy as the only one still there. She offered both Siegrain and Ur a smile.

"She's really not use to anyone complimenting her," was her simple explanation. He accepted it and Ur waved, his cravat mysteriously gone and his coat was unbuttoned and opened, as was his vest. Levy made no comment on it. "Don't cause too much trouble, okay?" she teased lightly. A heavy hand on her head and a familiar 'gihi' signaled who it was.

"I'll keep 'em in line, Shrimp." She frowned, waving his hand away and pulling at her scarf, making sure none of her hair was showing.

"I was talking about you too." He laughed louder and she shook her head, offering Wendy one last hug before pulling away and waving as she joined her friends.


After Mira and Lisanna helped them out of their beautiful dresses in their shop and they returned to their normal attire, they made the walk home, laughing and chatting cheerfully in the silent streets. Juvia stayed up with them for an hour after they returned, listening to their nights in awe as they took over her job cleaning. She nibbled on the rolls Levy had snuck for her before finally having her dinner of stew before going to bed. Where Erza had stammered through her night, Levy cheerfully explained she had been spying on her and filled in Lucy and Juvia, much to the redhead's shock and embarrassment. Lucy complained about Natsu for a fair portion of hers, but filled her in nonetheless. Levy was then subjected to the torment of Lucy and Erza teasing her about Kirk, which resulted in Levy returning fire from her eavesdropping.

All in all, it was a good night and when the sun began to rise, they rolled into their beds, exhausted but happy. They didn't even awaken when Suzuno and her daughters returned home.

In-fact, it was well after eleven when they finally began to stir, Juvia up first and just beginning to prepare lunch.


Chapter nine and part two of the first night~!

Thank you for the reviews and thank you so much for reading! I'm so sorry this is so late, I just haven't had the motivation to write! I'll be on vacation all next week, but now that I've gotten back into working on this, I hope to have ideas for the next chapter and start writing it soon!

Until the next time, ciao~!