A/N: I'm baackkk~~ After three months, hundreds of hours of writing, and needlessly obsessing about so many unnecessary details, I can finally bring you the next installment of Shine On You Crazy Diamond. I hope I don't disappoint. I believe this chapter is the longest yet with 8,627 words. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think!


Lazy Eye

Natsu Dragneel sat across from his young friend Happy, each boy munching away on the large late morning breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes that Mira had just placed in front of them. Usually, nothing could interrupt Natsu's thoughts during a meal, but that wasn't the case today. Natsu watched the younger boy carefully, trying to pick apart his emotions. All he wanted was for the kid he cared about more than any other to be happy. In small moments, when Natsu's guilt sank into him like a pick-axe, he would try to assess how well he treats the blue-haired boy in front of him.

Happy never knew his parents. He was raised in an orphanage until he was old enough to attend school. That was when his current foster family took him in, but it was hard to say they provided much love or attention. Sure, they made sure he was fed, they clothed him, and got him to school, but they cared so little for the emotional welfare of the boy. Natsu knew that Happy deserved so much better than what the wretched foster system could provide, and he wanted to give it to him.

Still, it was scary to consider actually being the father of a ten-year-old kid at such a young age. Was he ready for the responsibility? He would try to be. It was hard to drop Happy off back at that house each night, knowing those inside didn't give a rat's ass about the boy. They had lived with him for five years, how could they still not care?

Pushing away the thought, calloused fingers clenched into a night grip on the wooden guild table. It didn't matter what those people thought. Natsu cared. Natsu would do anything in his power to give Happy a good life- and that is the reason Natsu Dragneel feels so guilty on this final October morning.

Watching Happy finish every bite on his plate with a satisfied burp, Natsu decided to voice his concern. "I'm sorry I can't go trick-or-treating with you tonight, buddy."

The young boy finished off his glass of chocolate milk before smiling up at the pinkette. "That's okay, Natsu! You have an important job to do, and this way I get to go with Carla." Happy turned to stare dreamily at a table on the other side of the guild where a young white-haired girl sat beside a taller dark-bluenette.

October 31st was always a busy day here at Fairy Tail. Musicians belonging to the guild are typically requested to perform at parties and events, while the artists are commissioned to help create spooky scenery and costume design. Things only got busier with the added fact that Halloween happened to fall on a Saturday this year. All morning, members of the guild have been in and out, rummaging through the costume closet for something to wear and finalizing details before heading off to their jobs. Of course, this left many of the children of the guild without their parents or guardians, so the small group would all trick-or-treat together with a few pre-selected chaperones.

The bluenette sitting at Carla's table would be one of those chaperones.

Natsu whistled for Happy to follow him before getting up and making his way over to said table.

"Hey Wendy!" Natsu greeted the girl with a large grin before noticing the pinkette who sat across from her. "Oh, hey Chelia." The girls both waved in response.

"Hello, Carla," The words drifted sweetly out of Happy's mouth. The young girl whose white bangs were clipped up to her head with a small cat barrette simply crossed her arms over her chest and replied with a "Hmmp!"

The two other girls at the table snickered at the younger female's behavior before Wendy spoke up, "Hey Natsu, Happy. Don't mind her."

Wendy Marvell, age nineteen, was a talented singer and keyboardist who joined Fairy Tail just a few years ago, bringing along her younger sister Carla, age ten. Since graduating high school, Wendy has joined Erza on tour to form an act called Titania in the Sky. The two work together perfect, with Wendy's shy nature allowing Erza to absorb the majority of the spotlight. After finding out Wendy and Carla share a similar childhood to the one Natsu lives to forget, Natsu and Wendy bonded and have come to view one another as siblings.

The pinkette sitting across from her, however, was Chelia Blendy, Wendy's girlfriend and member of rival guild Lamia Scale. "Hey Natsu," The fellow pinkette grinned. Happy wasted no time in taking the seat to Chelia's right, striking up a school-related conversation with the youngest girl.

"I just wanted to thank you guys for taking the kids trick-or-treating tonight. I feel bad that I can't take the little guy myself." Natsu rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly looking around the guild to play off his embarrassment at behaving fatherly. His eyes flicker to the blonde head that enters the doors just in that moment. The man's heart rate spikes. Onyx eyes fall directly on tired brown orbs for just a moment before the girl averts her gaze, trying to hide her face behind her hair as she makes a beeline for the bar.

"It's no problem, Natsu," the sweet bluenette replies. Natsu turns his attention away from the blonde to focus on Wendy. "I wanted to take Carla, myself. Honestly, it's gonna be nice to take a night away from Erza." The keyboardist's eyes fell to the table as she spoke, her cheeks turning a not-so-shocking shade of red. Wendy was always blushing.

"So who is the girl, Natsu?" While Wendy was shy and sweet, Chelia was blunt and playful. They made quite the pair. Natsu looked at the outsider in confusion. "Oh, don't give me that look, Dragneel. When she walked in your face went as red as Wendy's."

"Chelia!" Wendy protested with wide eyes.

"What? At least it looks cute on you." The female pinkette poked her girlfriend's cheeks, causing the latter to blush even deeper.

Natsu took advantage of their distraction to peer over at Lucy once again. She was sitting at the bar talking to Mirajane and sipping on some kind of smoothie or something. The girl had been avoiding him ever since he stayed the night with her. He had only seen her a few times over the past week when the two of them met with Gray to go over the setlist Erza wanted to play at the wedding reception tonight.

Reluctant to admit this even to himself, Natsu would be lying if he said waking up next to her that next morning felt anything but comfortable. His eyes had fluttered open to witness the beautiful woman asleep like an angel, her head resting against his heart. Her small frame looked so peaceful, a vast change from the night before. Small bits of mascara still rested around her eyes and down her cheeks, inflamed flesh and deep scratches littering the canvas of her pale skin, a testament to her struggles.

Natsu climbed out the bed carefully, not wanting to wake her. He remained at the apartment on Strawberry Street for a few more hours after failing to find the resolve to leave her. The pinkette sat on the couch, charging his phone and watching the rest of the Star Wars trilogy until Lucy finally awoke on her own. By that point it was late afternoon and instead of pushing the issue he offered to walk with her to the guild for lunch. Very little conversing occurred on the way, save for bringing up Erza and the wedding gig. Once at the guild, other members rushed them with questions about the cover contest, congratulating them on the win.

It wasn't until he dropped her back at home that Lucy thanked him for all his help in the last twenty-four hours. Natsu brushed it off. While he had wanted to believe he made a difference, the track record of his past prevented him from claiming victory.

"Look at him! Just staring at her with no shame!" Chelia and Wendy laughed as they watched him, "Who is she, Natsu?"

"Oh!" Wendy shouted as if she just remembered something. "Is she your new partner?" Turning to Chelia, the bluenette explained, "Erza said that when she mentioned the wedding gig to Natsu and Gray, Natsu replied saying he would do it as long as he could bring his new partner. So is that her, Natsu?"

Salamander broke out of his trance, donning his usual smirk before answering excitedly. "Yup! Her name is Lucy! She just joined two weeks ago, while you were on tour, Wens. You should hear her sing. Man, is she talented. She can dance, draw, write, play guitar. She can even play violin-"

"Is it just me, or is he crazy about this chick?" Chelia jutted her left thumb at Natsu as she posed the question at her girlfriend. Wendy snickered.

"Hey! It's not like that. She's just a talented musician and artist, therefore a perfect fit for the wonderful guild that is Fairy Tail. And since I brought her here, I joined a team with her to show her the ropes. Goodness, Chelia, shouldn't you be harassing people in your own guild hall?"

Chelia shrugged, "Messing with you fairies is just more fun! And besides, who else is gonna take your kid trick-or-treating?" She punctuated her statement with a quick jab to Natsu's stomach.

Natsu clutched the patch of skin that had met with her fist despite the lack of pain, muttering under his breath, "Stupid snakes." Onyx orbs searched for a certain blonde again, finding she was now no longer sitting on her barstool. Scanning the room, Natsu found her being dragged by a white-haired she-devil to the costume closet. Oh, man, I can't miss this.

"Excuse me ladies, but I must attend to my partner." Natsu took his leave, making his way to the room Lucy and Mira disappeared into.

"Oh! Let's try this one!" Mirajane removed one of the many costumes hanging in the room and whirled it around to show the newest guild member. "Neko-Chan! You would look so cute in this!"

Natsu peered in from the doorway to see Mira trying to force Lucy into a black unitard with matching cat ears and kitten paw gloves. Bile rose into his throat when he noticed the sheer midsection of the outfit and the low neckline that would leave nothing to the imagination. What is Mira trying to do to the poor girl?

"I-I'll try it." Lucy replied warily, taking the costume from the barmaid's hands and disappearing behind a curtain set-up for changing.

Natsu remained in the hall, unsure if he should make himself known just yet. The idea of watching the She-Devil torment his partner with silly costumes was far too tempting. While playing his little game of "stalker," Fairy Tail's resident ladies' man approached the scene.

"Yo, Natsu." Loke called as he made his way towards the room. "Halloween again, ready to see some hot babes in slutty outfits?"

Ink-colored eyes found themselves rolling in their sockets. "I think you're the only one who looks forward to that, man." C'mon Natsu, like you're not dying to see Lucy dressed as a sexy cat. "Do you even have a job tonight?" Shut the fuck up.

"I was actually invited to a small get together this evening at the penthouse suite of one Jura Neekis," the ginger-haired man bragged. "I just popped by to see if the guild had any suits my size. I wanna look dapper for the ladies."

Natsu deadpanned, unsure of how to respond to someone so single-minded. "Yeah... Good luck, dude."

The playboy wandered into the room, greeting the single visible occupant, "Ah, Mirajane, my beautiful white dove. Might you know the whereabouts of any tuxedos?" Loke scooped up the woman's hand, planting a soft kiss above the knuckles.

Mira simply chuckled, "Let me take a look."

"I'm not really sure this is my kind of thing." Lucy finally spoke, coming out from behind the curtain, still inspecting the outfit, "I mean I like cats and all, but this costume is a little too revealing." She looked up only to be greeted with the golden, lense-covered eyes of a certain guitarist. Her cheeks began to burn as she wrapped her arms around her chest.

Loke's face fell, his legs immediately beginning their backward retreat out of the room. "O-on second thought, I think I'd better rent one just to be safe."

Mira frowned, "But I think I found one right here."

"You keep it!" Loke yelled from the hall.

"That guy sure is a weirdo," Natsu commented, finally making his way in from the hall. He forced his eyes to look anywhere but the blonde's body. "Tryin' to help Luce find a costume?"

"Yup." Mira's cheer returned full force. "No luck so far."

"Honestly, I would prefer something that doesn't draw a lot of attention." Lucy voiced quietly, making her way to search through the racks again.

Natsu's indirect gaze followed the woman as she timidly rummaged through the clothing, so self conscious and unsure. What could have happened to someone so seemingly perfect that would cause her to cower at every small decision? He had no doubt it was the same trauma that caused the self-abuse he had now witnessed twice.

Thinking back about when he first met her, she denied that the stunt on the bridge was an actual attempt on her life, and why would it be? She's beautiful and her talent stretches over a variety of disciplines.

A vision of white and bright blue flashed through his mind and onyx eyes sealed themselves behind their lids in an act of restraint. True, not all wounds are easily to visible to even the closest of relationships.

"How about this!" Mira's voice, though directed to another, brought Natsu back to reality. In the pale-haired woman's hands lay a red minidress with matching rabbit ears and fishnet tights. The boy gulped. Is she crazy?

"That's not exactly what I meant, Mira." Lucy sweatdropped.

"Oh, just try it on!" The she-devil launched at the blonde, fitting the rabbit ears to her blonde head. A waning whistle was heard from the doorway, and the two women turned to fix their eyes on a form behind Natsu. The pinkette craned his neck to find the hulking form of Gajeel Redfox.

"That really suits you, new girl." He stated.

"Excuse me?" The blonde questioned.

"That outfit suits you. I knew I was right to peg you for a bunny girl."

Suddenly the meaning behind Gajeel's odd nickname for Lucy sank in. The three other guild members exchanged glances, each looking to the others to try and convince themselves that Gajeel isn't saying what they are thinking. Unable to give the bone-headed musician the benefit of the doubt, Natsu decided to gift his friend with a nice punch to the gut.

"Hey! This is not the time to start a brawl, Natsu!" Levy trotted up the small hallway to the aid of her not-boyfriend.

"He was being a pervert." Natsu defended.

"Yeah, right," the bluenette doubted.

"Tell her what you said, Lug Nuts."

The four stared at Gajeel, most wondering if he would freely admit to his precious "shrimp" the words that had just left his mouth.

"I was just telling Bunny Girl over there that those rabbit ears really suit her." Red eyes refused to meet another pair.

Levy stared at the shaggy-haired male for a full minute before giving him a nice suckerpunch and storming off into the main hall. Gajeel recovered swiftly and followed after her.

"Wow, Lucy, you even managed to tug on the pervert hidden within Gajeel." Mirajane gave the girl a once over before snatching the rabbit ears off her head, "You're right, maybe something inconspicuous would serve you best. Wouldn't want you to take attention away from the bride, after all."

The music duo both sighed in relief.

"What are you wearing tonight, Natsu?" Mira asked. Natsu tried not to notice the way Lucy avoided his gaze, carrying on about her search with disinterest in the topic.

"Do you really have to ask, Mira?"

Mira simply smiled before turning to Lucy and explaining, "Every year Natsu insists on being a dragon wizard for halloween. He paints his face with red scales and even wears a large pair of wings. It can be quite bothersome to move around in, but I think it's cute that he keeps it up." She giggles.

Lucy focuses on the floor, trying not to look at Natsu for too long. Truth be told, the blonde is gravely embarrassed by the events of last Saturday night. "I'm going to go change into something else."

"Here," Wanting to end Mira's little game for the sake of his own restraint, Natsu grabs a garment from the rack closest to him and holds it out towards his partner, "Wendy wore this last year, so I can promise it's modest."

The costume was made up of a mid-thigh-length fuchsia dress with a deep purple bodice and translucent pink sleeves hanging from below the shoulder. On the back, flanking either side of corset-style lacing, were two medium sized white fairy wings.

"Excellent idea, Natsu. It will go perfectly with her guildmark!" Mira chimed.

"I'll try it on, thanks." Lucy timidly answered, taking the outfit from Natsu and heading back towards the makeshift changing station.

Natsu's eyes trailed her form as she receded behind the curtain, thoughts calculating a way to end her off behavior, when a new voice takes his attention.

"You might wanna go change, Ash Breath." Gray stood at the doorway, sleeved arms folded over his bare chest. He wore a white jacket with a deep navy trim, sleeves folded at the elbows. Tied around his head was a navy bandanna with a matching sash wrapped around his hips. On his feet was heavy pair of black boots.

"And what exactly are you supposed to be, Icicle Dick?"

"I'm a pirate, Flame Brain, what else?"

"I don't know, maybe the world's worst-dressed 80's rocker?"

"What the f- Ugh." Gray pinched just above the bridge of his nose, "This is not why I came in here. I was saying you might want to go change because Erza is here."

"Erza is here?" Sweat immediately formed on pink brow.

"Yeah, so while she's distracted by chastising everyone else, you might wanna go change before she sees you're not ready."

The fearsome woman's voice now trailed down the hall and into the room, "I swear, sometimes I do not know what to do with you. And don't even get me started with you, Macao."

"Oh dear." Mira muttered, making her way out the door with concern painted across her face.

"I need a cigarette," Gray mumbled, following the pale-haired woman.

"Shit." The pinkette threw off his jacket and shirt, removing a black vest from a hanger nearby before tossing his arms through the sleeves. With haste, he pulled at each black converse, removing the shoes and socks quickly. Grabbing at a pair of white pants, Natsu ducked behind a rack of clothes to conceal himself as he removed his own jeans and replaced them with the costume. For the finishing touches he slides on his wooden sandals before pulling on his dragon wings.

"Natsu?" Lucy's voice calls from behind the curtain. "I think this costume will work."

The pinkette smiles, glad to help, "Well come on out then, Luce."

Lucy tiptoed out from behind the curtain looking like a renaissance fair's dream. The shirt fell just below her thighs, accentuating the shapeliness of her legs. The bodice did well to encase the generosity of her chest with minimal cleavage. The trusses of her blonde hair fell to her shoulder's in wild tangles, giving her a sense of spring and life. Ba-dump.

"Luce..."

"Could you make sure the bodice is laced properly?" Lucy turned around, gathering her hair to one side and exposing the asterisms dotting her back. She held her breath when she felt the older male behind her, fiddling with the laces. Her nerves worked frantically inside her, asking question after question she didn't know the answer to. The number one seemed to remain: Why the hell does he make me so nervous?

Natsu released a held breath, affected easily by the closeness of her exposed skin. He was lost between the sweetness of her beauty and the bitterness of the mutilation that skin had been subjected to. Stop thinking about her like that! "Lucy," He tried to choose a side, "I hope I didn't do anything to upset you the other night."

The woman closed her eyes tight, swallowing the knot in her throat. She knew this conversation was coming, yet still wasn't ready for it just yet. Should I tell him?

"Natsu, I trust you are helping that woman to get dressed, not the other way around."

An angel arrived on the wing of a prayer.

Lucy and Natsu both jolted in the wake of the brusque interruption.

"Yup!" The pinkette, taking a step back, turned to the red-headed intruder with a brilliant smile. "I was just helpin' Luce with her costume. Erza, allow me to formally introduce my new musical partner, Lucy Ashley."

Taking another deep breath and summoning energy from some unknown second origin, Lucy turned around to greet the angel, one of the most famous artists in all of Fairy Tail.

"Erza Scarlet," A gauntlet-clad arm thrust out towards the blonde, "Nice to finally meet you." The older woman stood wearing a black dress with an armored breastplate sewn into the fabric and triangular metal tassets falling over the skirt in regular intervals. Vibrant red hair cascaded down to the female's mid-back. Overall, the costume was beautiful, but quite intimidating.

"Likewise."

The veteran guild member remained still for a moment, finger resting on chin as she fully examined the newbie.

"Your costume choice suits you, but you should let me do your make up. Come, sit." Erza, as always, got straight down to business. Pulling a folding chair from the wall, Erza set the bag she was carrying on the floor and began rummaging through it, removing a number of products and mumbling to herself about what would work with the blonde's outfit.

Lucy stood shocked by the older woman's behavior for a moment. She had done simple make up this morning before going to the guild, figuring it would work for whatever costume she chose. Unable to speak against her senior guildmate, she instinctively turned to Natsu for some form of input. The pinkette merely nodded, prompting the blonde to take a seat.

Erza made her selection, taking the blonde's face in her left hand as her right began applying something to Lucy's eyelids. "So Lucy, how are you enjoying Fairy Tail so far?"

The grip clenched on either side of the blonde's mouth prevented her from replying, allowing her captor to continue on. "No doubt everyone is treating you kindly. Mira has told me a little about you. It seems you have made a name for yourself as a street artist. We are lucky Natsu was able to scout you out before you joined another guild."

Lucy sat perfectly still, fighting flashbacks of Aquarius and Cancer dolling her up before one of her father's functions. The redhead failed to notice the shallow state of the newcomer's breathing.

"And you were able to win first prize at First Light as your first-ever guild job to boot. Quite impressive. A new talent like you might be just the thing we need to get these lazy bums off their butts and back into jobs. Recently it seems some of them have lost sight of what it truly means to be a member of Fairy Tail."

"You might wanna let the girl talk, Erza." Natsu could feel his partner's anxiety rising.

"Oh, right you are, Natsu. My apologies, Lucy. I'm done, anyway. What do you think?" Erza patted the girl on the shoulder, handing her a small hand mirror from her bag.

Any reminder of life on the estate was knocked out of the blonde when she looked into the mirror. In that small amount of time, Erza managed to give Lucy a sultry and dangerous look, much different from anything Aquarius would have allowed. The dark purple lipstick and thick black lashes felt like a mask, a device to hide behind and be something other than herself. While others might feel untrue to themselves, Lucy felt guarded and confident. "I love it."

"I'm glad," Erza smiled, "Now we should get going soon. Our train leaves in twenty minutes."

"Train?" Natsu asked, desperation in his voice, "You didn't say we would be taking a train?"

"How else would we get to Oshibana, Natsu?" Erza stood and turned to face the pinkette, voice filled with unspoken threats and daggers pouring from her eyes. Natsu jumped to hide behind Lucy, grabbing her shoulders to shield himself from the beast of a woman. Lucy, who was just standing from her seated position, is thrown off balance and nearly falls to the ground before an armored hand steadies her.

"Lucy, it looks like you have an odd scratch on your neck. Did something happen?" Erza steadies the heiress, running a finger over a red mark on the back of her neck.

Pulling an arm free from Natsu, Lucy quickly covers the mark, heart pounding.

"That was my fault," Natsu feigned sheepishness, "I got too excited when we won last weekend and accidentally scratched her."

"Ah," Erza hummed, "Well I would advise against harming your own partner, Natsu."

"What did Flame Brain do this time?" Gray appeared by the door once again, a smirk resting on his face hinting at his amusement sparked by the idea of Natsu's folly.

"Shut your mouth, Freezy." Natsu shot back.

"Boys, boys. I thought he had resolved your differences last time I was home. I better not hear you two are causing trouble for each other." Erza's aura of destruction returned.

Natsu and Gray glanced at each other before linking their arms and reluctantly answering, "Aye."

"That's more like it." The redhead clammed again. "Now how about the two of you hug it out."

The two men froze, looking at their older sister-figure with fear-widened eyes. When neither flexed a muscle to move, Erza grabbed a man with each arm, crushing them to her body in a group hug. "This is more like it guys. Feel the camaraderie." The redhead let out a deep breath, torturing her brothers with each second she kept them in the embrace. Neither had made any effort to return the hug. One second later, the redhead's eyes reopened quickly, irises glowing with a dangerous tint. "Gray, what exactly am I smelling on you?"

The hug fell apart, Natsu quickly jumping away to hide behind a confused Lucy yet again. Gray wasn't so lucky. He had tried to make for the door, yet Erza's grip remained on his forearm. Sweat soaked into his headband, his free arm tugging at his jacket as he itched to remove it. How was he going to escape this time? Erza had always been a stickler for what's right. Vices to her were a sign of weakness.

Long red bangs covered her eyes as she faced the ink-haired male. Her voice serious as the grave as she spoke, "Give them to me, Gray."

"Are you serious?" Gray argued half-heartedly.

"Serious as lung disease."

Lucy whispered to Natsu under her breath, "What is going on?"

Gray sighed in annoyance, free hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out his pack of Newports. Erza motioned a hand out, ready to accept the small package which Gray handed her reluctantly. Understanding flashed across Lucy's eyes for a moment before she witnessed what happened next. Natsu hid his head behind her back in wait.

Erza let go of Gray. Shaking her head, she walks over to the wall. It happened quickly, one hand holding the small box to the wall while the other reached into her boot and removed a butterfly knife. Snapping it open with practiced precision, the sharp blade cut straight through the box's contents with little resistance, rendering the product unusable.

Well, shit.

"Now, shall we all head to the train station?"


"Erza, why did you have to knock him out? Now I'm stuck dragging his big butt around all night." Gray asked, his voice strained by the hefty load of his gear combined with Natsu's unconscious body.

"His groaning was simply unbearable. It was the only way to silence him." Titania replied free of remorse, dragging behind her a cart carrying an obscene amount of luggage. "I would offer to help, but as you can see I've got my arms full, as well."

"Yeah, full of stuff no one needs." The black-haired male mumbled lowly.

"What was that, Gray?" Erza stopped in her tracks for a moment, shooting a death glare at the man who dared speak back to her. Gray ignored her and continued forward, attempting to cover the noise with a whistle.

"If you're having trouble with the load, I can help carry a few things for you." Lucy offered from the back of the caravan, her only cargo being her and Natsu's guitars and her personal bag.

Gray looked back at her the best he could, flashing her a smile before responding. "Nah, we aren't too far from the venue. Thanks, though." He turned back, giving Natsu's body a small shake and yelling, "Although, this could all be fixed if a certain jackass would just wake up!" The pinkette simply smacked his lips together, a small drop of drool landing on Gray's jacket. "Oh, when you wake up you are so dead."

"Behave yourself, Gray. We are just about here." Erza walked ahead, only to stop in front of a eerie looking structure on the corner of the street. Gray and Lucy followed slowly behind, a bit intimidated by the large stone building's decrepit state. The mansion stood tall above the other houses, with dark tiles and a large clock set in it's singular tower. A stone wall surrounded the whole property, with only an arch allowing entry. A plaque engraved on the wall read, "EISENWALD."

"This is the Eisenwald guild hall?" Gray questioned.

"Indeed." Erza responded. "You two wait here with the gear; I'll go in and find out where we need to enter and set up." The armored woman approached the door and knocked. A man dressed as an Egyptian pharaoh opened the door and led her in, instantly conversing.

"That's it, I gotta put him down." Gray slumped Natsu's body off of his own, propping the other man up against the wall and proceeding to stretch his arms. "Man, that feels much better."

Lucy allowed herself to lean against the wall as well, "Gray?"

"Hmm?"

"Is she always like that?" The girl asked.

Gray dropped a bag from his shoulders, sneaking a cigarette he had hidden in the cuff of his boot and giving it a light. "Who? Erza? Pretty much. She's always about doing things 'properly' and 'following the rules,' yet she tends to go about in a strange way."

"You can say that again," Lucy commented, remembering the way she wielded a knife without batting an eye.

"I can promise you it doesn't mean she's a cold person. She's just been through her share of stuff. Erza's helped me out more times than I can count. She's like a scary older sister." Gray sighed, enjoying the peaceful moment and the feeling of nicotine entering his bloodstream.

The two waited in silence for a few minutes, Gray prodding Natsu's motionless form with his foot. An onyx eye slowly blinked open as a limousine pulled up to the street directly in front of them.

"What's taking Erza so long? It looks like the happy couple just arrived." Gray wondered aloud.

"Wha-da? Where 'm m-I?" Natsu raised a hand to his pounding head, eyes frantically searching the surrounding area. "'his place is creepy."

A few feet away, a smiling man with a black tux exited the far side of the vehicle, running a hand to smooth over his short gray hair before opening the near door for his other half. Oh yeah, the wedding gig. Natsu watched the interaction, his mind still hazy from his unwanted sleep. A black haired male in a white tux jumped out of the car, happily pouncing upon the other and tackling him to the ground.

Natsu's mind jumped into overdrive. He swiftly hopped to his feet, closing the distance in seconds. Before anyone could tell what happened, Natsu held the man in the white tux against the car, his collar wrinkled by the pinkette's tight fist.

"What do you think you're doing?" the Salamander asked, his eyes burning embers of coal. The black haired man under him turning pale with fear.

"NATSU!" At the sound of the redhead's voice, Natsu's shoulders slumped. Still, he turned to defend his actions.

"This man was assaulting the groom!" He shouted, his eyes never leaving those of his pray.

"Natsu, that man is the groom." Erza replied, hastily making her way to detach the dragon-boy from the man he attacked.

Dumbfounded, the pinkette turned to the man in the black tuxedo, pointing his finger directly at him. "Then who is this guy?"

"That man is also the groom." Erza straighten up the victim, brushing a bit of dirt from his suit.

"Wha- huh?" Natsu looked between them quizzically. Gray facepalmed from behind the situation.

"Everyone, this man here is Kageyama," Erza introduced the man dressed in white, "and there is his new husband, Erigor." She motioned to the man dressed in black.

"Ooooh." Natsu droned, putting all the pieces together for a moment before summoning one of his trademark smiles and pushing a handshake towards each man, "Sorry about that! I'm Natsu Dragneel, it's good to meet you both!"

Kageyama and Erigor met his handshake and chuckled, "It's alright," Kageyama spoke. "I had heard that Fairy Tail's Salamander could be a little impulsive." Natsu's smile dropped slightly. "Thank you for attempting to protect my husband."

"Natsu," Erigor repeated the name, "You're lucky he's not hurt or I would have killed you."

"Kageyama," Erza greeted, "Erigor. It is a pleasure to see you two again. I am happy I am able to help you celebrate your big day."

"We're so happy you took time out of your busy schedule to come help us out." Kageyama expressed gratefully.

"Nonsense. Now that you have met Natsu let me introduce the rest of my team. Over here we have the talented percussionist Gray Fullbuster as well as the newest member of our guild, Lucy Ashley." Gray greeted the couple with an upward nod while Lucy gave a small wave. "Now, if all of you would allow me, we should go set up."

The gang headed into the building through the back door, their amount of luggage no longer a problem now that Natsu had joined the world of the living again. They set up their equipment, patiently waiting for the procession of guests, dressed in all kinds of costumes, to arrive and seat themselves before Erza made her way to mic and to act as the emcee for the evening. The redhead followed wedding tradition of introducing the the whole wedding party before making the grand introduction of the finally wedded 'Mr. and Mr. Dispellier-Shinigemi'.

The best man and 'man-of-honor' made their speeches, cake was cut, and food and drinks were served, allowing the guests to get properly lubricated before the music started and everyone began dancing.

"Good evening, everyone. As an added treat for you tonight, a couple of my friends from Fairy Tail and I have prepared a couple songs to play. Granted, our guild may not be the die-hard fans of heavy metal you all take pride in being, but I believe the set we have for you will more or less aid in the celebration of Erigor and Kageyama's love." A few drunkards in the crowd gave a shout of excitement. "Allow us to introduce ourselves."

The remaining three Fairy Tail members made their way to their instruments. "On lead guitar we have the roaring fire dragon himself, the Salamander." Applause went off as Natsu shedded a quick solo on his flame-decorated guitar. "On drums is our own icey pirate king, Gray Fullbuster." Another round of cheers met with the sound of Gray slamming a beat. "On rhythm we have our newest little fairy, Lucy Ashley." Lucy strummed a bit as a few drunk men shouted and some women clapped politely. "And of course, I, Titania, your humble knight will be set with the task of serenade." The crowd exploded into shouts and applause, welcoming the Queen of the Fairies to her stage.

The quartet kicked into a number of fun and fast songs to set the tone of the party. Although they had been forced to practice the set without her, Erza's performance fit perfectly into the space she filled. Lucy fought against her nerves, not quite as drawn into the performance as the first time she was on stage. Yet, she knew she had to get used to it. If she was really going to do this music-career thing, she had to get used to playing even when conditions weren't perfect.

To an extent she was amazed she was even doing this. Standing on stage performing a set for a crowd full of happy people. She had even put on a costume, talk about out of her comfort zone. She had been so nervous about the job that she hadn't slept in two days. Still, she had told herself it would be okay. She was with Natsu, who always helped her even when she deserved none. And Gray, who also shared his care and generosity. Of course she had just met Erza, but given the way the woman has earned the respect of anyone who has met her, she had to be trustworthy.

There was nothing to fear: she was with guildmates, friends.

A few feet away, Natsu stood fighting with himself to focus on his guitar. Normally this action would have been easy, but truth be told he was unable to take his eyes off his partner. This was only their second job and her first time playing a whole set. He would be lying if he said he wasn't worried about how she was handling the situation. Truth be told, she seemed like she was doing just fine, but it wasn't enough to come to that conclusion on his own. His flaw before was that he wasn't observant enough. He wouldn't let that happen again.

Part way into their fifth song, Natsu was so obsessed with watching Lucy and keeping up his performance at the same time that he lost track of his footing and ended up tripping backwards and falling over onto some sound equipment. The quality of the noise fell as mics dropped out and the sound of the stings turned empty.

The pinkette hardly breathed, "Fuck."

It took a moment for Gray to notice and stop drumming. The team of Fairy Tail musicians turned to Natsu in confusion and shock.

"My apologies, everyone," Erza shouted to the crowd, "It looks like we have some technical difficulties. Please excuse us for a moment."

"More like the salamander has some leg difficulties!" One drunk yelled back from the crowd.

Erza helps Natsu up, unstrapping his guitar as the two step over to the soundboard. Lucy and Gray follow not far behind.

"What did you do, Ash Breath?"

"Shut it, Ice Dick. I just tripped." Natsu did his best to keep his composure. Truth be told he felt like the biggest idiot in Fiore.

"Natsu Dragneel, you must be the biggest idiot in all of Ishgar." Erza spoke with a quiet rage from behind her bangs.

"It's a shame to interrupt the celebration," Lucy commented, looking back at the crowd. "Couldn't we play a song from the computer while we set it back up?"

Erza opened the laptop which sat next to the soundboard on a folding table. "It looks like the loss of power triggered an automatic reboot."

The gang stood in silence for a moment, collecting their thoughts and energies before jumping into action.

"You have your acoustic, Lucy. Why don't you go entertain them with a song?" Erza suggested, looking at the blonde with a sweet smile. "Natsu and I will get your guitar plugged in as soon as possible. Won't we, Natsu?" The redhead turned to Natsu with a promise of death in her eyes.

The pinkette gulped, "Aye."

Lucy stood there in shock for a moment. Play a song? Alone? For all those people?

"G-Gray could back me up, right?" She turned to the drummer and hatched a plan, "We could do Lazy Eye and you could play a soft beat underneath?" She wished it hadn't come out like a question.

"Sounds fine to me." Gray offered a grin and reassuring pat on the shoulder. "What do you think Titania?"

"Excellent idea, Lucy. Now you two get out there and play."

Lucy took a deep breath before turning back towards the main stage. I can do this.

I hope.

Slinging her guitar back around her body, she spoke to the crowd. "Good evening everyone. While they're working on fixing up our equipment, I'm going to play you a little song. Now, this song was written by Fairy Tail's ultra-talented songwriting trio, Shadow Gear, and has only been performed once or twice by Titania herself. It's about the anticipation of waiting to lock eyes with one you love. This song, of course, goes out to Erigor and Kageyama."

~Cue "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups~

Natsu and Erza look up from their task for a moment, amazed that she knew the history behind the song, as well as the meaning Levy wrote behind it. The fairy nervously began strumming, focusing hard on remembering the chords she had learned just a few days ago. Gray bobbed his head to the music, measuring the rhythm before his cue arrived.

I've been waiting.

I've been waiting for this moment all my life,

but it's not quite right.

Lucy's voice shook a little, detached from the power of performance without the atmosphere of dimmed lights and loud speakers. The crowd simply listened, a few beginning to nod along to the catchy beat. The blonde did her best not to focus on the eyes following her with expectation.

And this real...

It's impossible, if possible, at who's blind word.

So clear but so unheard.

The sound of the guitar grew deeper as her acoustic became electrified. The lack of hallow sound worked to improve the singer's courage. Come on, Lucy. This is your job, get your head together. This is what you always wanted.

I've been waiting.

Erza's synthesizer rang to life. The redhead left Natsu to continue maintenance while she joined the performance, adding the perfect background tones to fill the atmosphere of the room. The resonance of sound gripped the crowd as Eisenwald members began swaying to the melody.

I've been waiting for this silence all night long.

It's just a matter of time.

Let's go, fingers; keep moving. Voice, keep projecting. Strength, don't leave me now.

To appear sad,

with that same old decent lazy eye, fixed to rest on you.

Aim free but so untrue.

Lucy looked around the room again, glad to see the guild showing more response. She was no Titania, but she wanted to do her best. Her eyes eventually landed back on Natsu, relief tingling through her body as she watched the man make his way back to his guitar.

Everyone's so intimately rearranged.

Everyone's so focused clearly with such shine.

With the addition of Natsu's specially chosen tones, the song was now free to create the dreamy atmosphere it called out for. As he brought his Dunlop Tortex pick to meet with nylon and copper wire, the pinkette angled his head up to meet the gaze of his partner. The determined smirk that stretched his lips spoke volumes to her.

Everyone's so intimately rearranged.

C'mon Luce, show 'em what you got.

Everyone's so focused clearly with such shine.

With her drive returned, Lucy closed her eyes and threw herself into the song with abandon. Erza's voice joined the other, resounding through the hall, leaving no space free from the vibration of their soundwaves. The entire guild became encapsulated, as if all the world ceased to exist within one singular moment.

Lost and loaded.

Still the same old decent lazy eye, straight through your gaze.

That's why I said I relate.

I said we relate. It's so fun to relate.

The tension broke, giving away to a wave of peace. Nervous energy gave away, yet the blonde's heart failed to calm. It seemed to move freely within her, easily tugged and squeezed in a pain so comfortable.

It's the room, the sun, and the sky.

The room, the sun, and the sky.

The sound sank into her being, each tone peppering goosebumps on her skin. Every beat of the drums was a jolt, every sound from a string was an electric pulse firing at the synapses of her brain. Her body was hers to control, but her heart was lost. It belonged to the music.

As Natsu's solo grew closer, her eyes refused to leave his form. His fingers moved frantically, yet each drag against the nylon felt was matched with jerk of her heartstrings. Finally, lids curtained the windows of her eyes as the girl conceded all that was left of herself over to the resonance that he created.

This was freedom. This is what it means to be alive.

This gives life meaning.

Her shaking hands continued their work off instinct, pure adrenaline running through her veins, threatening to carry her soul out of body. Never before had music gripped her so tightly, taking complete control. She was numb to the world, a slave to the vibrations created by some callous fingers and a tortex pick.

In this breath of time, her past lost all gravity. Her origin lost all license. Her malady lost all privilege.

All of a sudden, as if standing on the bars of that bridge in Hargeon, Lucy found herself jumping all in. Yet, instead of meeting the stinging slap of frigid waves, there was nothing but warmth in all directions. Just a beautiful, glistening sea of eternal summer.

I've been waiting.

Every eye fell on the golden-haired guitarist, captured in the rapture of her surrender. As she threw her head back and sang her closing verse to the heavens, the light which sparked through her budded in her heart and grew to flourish from the garden of her lips.

She was shining.

I've been waiting for this moment.

As Lazy Eye finished it's last chord, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers. Kageyama let go of Erigor for a brief moment to wipe a stray tear from his eye, whispering to his husband, "This is why we hired Fairy Tail to play our wedding."

The quartet finished off their setlist without any other interruptions, yielding their time to a special playlist made of lovey-dovey songs Eisenwald had put together for the end of the event. True, the slow numbers were shocking given the guild's inclination towards metal music, but the open bar averted all complaints.

Numerous guests approached the FT members, asking if the "technical difficulties" had been a plan to increase the atmosphere and drama of the song, almost to refusing to believe their denial.

Lucy's body still buzzed, full of the voltage accumulated by the power of the music. While the others had settled into the crowd, dancing and drinking, the blonde made her way out the back door to get away from the army of bodies and bustle of the party. Leaning against a wooden support beam on the back porch, the fairy wrapped her arms around her torso and closed her eyes. She hummed to herself softly, relishing in the high the music gave her.

As she stood there, pondering the amazing way a melody can make all the world feel right, she missed the sound of the door opening and a body moving to join her.

"Hey." A gentle voice called to her, the blonde didn't have to turn around to recognize the owner as her partner.

"Hey." She returned.

"Just getting some fresh air?" Natsu half-expected her to remain silent.

"Yeah." Her voice was steady, calm. She turned to look at him as he motioned to stand beside her, looking out into the night. "You did a great job out there, Natsu."

The pinkette looked down at her, a bit taken aback by the return of her typical behavior. Met with the sincerness of her gaze, he smiled. "You were amazing, Luce. Thanks for coming with me tonight."

The blonde nodded, settling her eyes back on tracing shapes in the sky. A relaxed silence fell between them.

"Luce," Natsu paused for a moment before gaining the resolve to continue. "I'm sorry if I was a little out of line the other night. I probably shouldn't have cuddled you like that. Honestly, I was just trying to help. I don't want you to think I was trying to take advantage of the situation or anything."

"Natsu-"

"Wait, let me finish. You just joined the guild and I know you're going through a lot. Last thing I want to do is make things uncomfortable for you, especially as your partner. I just want to help you, you know?"

"Natsu-"

"I mean, I can understand why you're mad. I probably should have just left the pillow between us. We had only known each other for a week and there I go jumping into bed with you. Well, I mean you had asked me to stay, but you were in a vulnerable condition I guess-"

"Natsu." Lucy laid a hand on his bare bicep, again surprised to find his skin so warm despite the October chill. "I'm not mad at you."

"You're not?" His pink brows furrowed in confusion.

"No. You really helped me that night. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't miraculously showed up. I really want to say thank you."

"You do?"

"Yes. In all honesty, I'm just a bit embarrassed. All of this 'friend' stuff is new to me." Lucy wrapped her arms around herself yet again, turning to look away from the boy as she continued. "I've had these... issues... for a long time. I've caused myself a lot of harm over the years, but I've never felt as free as I do when we play music together. As I do now."

Natsu's at a complete loss for words; a muffled voice in his brain telling him he should feel warmed by her words, while one only slightly louder told him to keep his distance.

"You keep apologizing to me, but truth be told that was the best sleep I have had in ten years. I agree it's rather odd for two people who barely know each other to share a bed like that. Other girls might have kicked you out or screamed at you, but... you really helped me. I... I want to try it again. I think it could be good for me."

Try it... again?

"I think you could be good for me."

I'm fucked.


A/N: Just to clarify a few things, I don't think "Bunny Girl" is as endearing as many fan fics make it out to be. Gajeel is basically just calling Lucy a "Playboy Bunny". Also, I made up the last names "Dispellier" and "Shinigemi" for Kageyama and Erigor as a play on the fact that Kageyama is a dispeller and Erigor calls himself the Grim Reaper (Shinigami). Last, before any Silversun Pickups fans try to cause a debate, I am following one interpretation of the song (used in the music video).

I hope you liked this chapter! Be sure to review and tell me your favorite part!

If you haven't already, please check out my newest Playboy!Natsu College AU story Anyone He Wants.

Summary: For the longest time, Lucy Heartfilia was sure there was nothing she would change about her life. Yet, when her last hope for love fails her, Lucy finds the answer to her dilemma might just lie with her playboy roommate and best friend, Natsu Dragneel: the man who can get any woman he wants. But why doesn't he want her? M for Language.

I hopefully see you all again in a few days for Nalu Week 2017 bonus prompt Video Games.

Follow me on tumblr (fair-ophelia) for sneak peaks, FT Grunge Aesthetic Boards, updates on my writing, and many Fairy Tail and other manga/anime related posts! Thank you all so much for your support and putting up with my inconsistent updates! Ganbarimasu!

zerOphelia