A/N: Hi there, cutie pies! Now. My dude. About our Snapchat situation. You say that you don't snap me much because you're so boring, yeah? (As I'm currently talking to you on Snapchat while writing this.) Well. There's a scene from an episode of Spongebob of all things that sums me up perfectly. It's called Doing Time. It's one of the most GIF'd things on Tumblr. Mostly for the "your life in snapshots" post. Only instead of sitting in traffic, it's me sitting up in bed, unable to sleep. Then, it's me slamming a Monster/Rockstar/energy drink of the day. Then, it's me sitting at my computer for a minimum of 12 hours with the occasional 10 minute break to take my furry monster outside. Unfortunately, there's no "Coming to bed, honey? Yes, dear." moment, but oh well. Just when you think your life is boring, there's mine. But that's what I have all of you for! You're my major social interaction/my daily validation and I love you all. So, to repay you for all your hard work, how about I shut up and let you enjoy today's chapter. Sound good?
And about that Natsu/Gajeel action? I'm not quite sure how that's going to work here. It'll happen. That's for sure. But how it's going to happen might prove to be…interesting. Uh. Ms. Olivier. We have a chapter to get to. Shut up, hypothetical assistant. I know that. Then, why are you still rambling in the AN? Do I pay you to make snarky remarks? You don't pay me at all, ma'am. I'm sorry. Occasionally, I have a Haru moment and I'm going to shut up now. Because I suggested you to? No! Can I see you outside?
If only Happy could've stayed last night. Then, maybe I would've been able to sleep last night. He may not have been Natsu, but the familiarity would've been nice. Yet here we are again. Another miserable morning in my miserable tower. When I woke up, my bed felt so cold. I missed my space heater. Such a cold bed, but I didn't want to move. I'll just stay here, bundled up in my quilt that still smelled like a smoldering wood fire.
"Hey, blondie," my new bodyguard gave my foot a shake, "Get up. Your old man's supposed to be here soon and I have to have you awake by the time he gets here."
"I told you," I grumbled into my pillows, "I have a name."
"Fine," Gajeel rolled his eyes, "Get up, Lucy. I don't want to deal with him any more than you do, but he's paying me, so..."
"Yeah, yeah," I managed to pull myself out of bed, "I've heard that before. How I'm just a paycheck."
"And who was that?" he wondered. All I wanted was my coffee and some quiet. Was that too much to ask for? Is Lucy not allowed nice things anymore?
"Don't worry about it," I shut him down, "Just know you're not the first."
"How revealing."
"Shut up," I ordered, letting my coffee scorch the back of my throat.
"Really, though," Gajeel didn't know when to stop, "Who else told you that you were just a paycheck?"
"I said don't worry about it!" Between my lack of sleep and my current situation, I wasn't afraid to drive my fist into his jaw. Although, I lacked the energy. Gajeel was a whole lot more of a morning person than my last guard was.
When it was still Natsu, Happy, and me, it'd be nothing for us to sleep in really late or if he finished a job early we'd take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. I don't think that boy ever saw an early morning in his life. Unless we had a job in the morning or he was sneaking out on one of those days where my father was coming earlier than he usually did. I missed those days.
"Hey," Gajeel gave me another little nudge, "Are you alright?"
"Why would you care?" I brushed him off, going into my bathroom.
"Don't say I never tried to be nice, princess!" he snapped.
Maybe I was a little harsh on him. On the guy that kidnapped me. Stockholm Syndrome already, Lucy? Come on. You're better than that. Instead of empathizing with him, I decided a shower would be a better idea. I felt gross after having someone watch me sleep all night and my father's impending arrival didn't exactly fill me with warm, fuzzy feelings. Hot water wouldn't change that, but it'd make me feel better for a while.
Happy place, Lucy. Happy place. I could do this. I'll be able to make it through my father's plans this morning. Hopefully, it won't be too awful. God only knows what he wanted to talk to me about. Probably where I've been for the last few months. Magnolia. Where I should be. In that place you hired Phantom Lord to destroy! No. Take it down a notch.
Maybe if you're a little more complacent with him, he'll realize you're meant to be back with the guild and let you go. Fat chance. I might have a sharp disdain for the man, but that's a tiger that will never change its stripes. And I might as well accept the fact that I'll more than likely be in this tower for the rest of my natural born life. I needed more coffee. Or therapy. Probably both.
"Hey, blondie," Gajeel's giant fist pounded on my bathroom door, "He's here. Whatever you're doing in there, hurry it up."
Joy. I took one last look in the mirror. Yikes. It's times like these where I wish I had my keyring. I could summon Cancer and look a little less broken. My face was all splotchy from the crying I've done in the past twelve hours and the dark circles under my eyes weren't helping. Cancer could be a miracle worker, but I'm not sure if he'd be able to fix this.
"I'm coming," I cracked the door, "How here is he?"
"He's at the bottom of the stairs."
"Alright," I came out of the bathroom and sat on my bed, waiting for my door to open.
"Lucy," Father joined us, "You're looking well."
"Really?" I scoffed, "Do I really? I look like a wizard that's just had her guild hall destroyed and is being held in a tower against her will by her father. Where do you figure I'm looking well?"
He grabbed a hold of my face, "Right next to that insolent little tone of yours. You're awfully brave for someone in your position. I have control of the Element Four and you're still mouthing off? I'm sure you'd hate for more misfortune to come to that little guild of yours you love so much. You've had your fun, Lucy. Now, it's time to come back to the real world. So, I'm going to ask you nicely. Are you done with that little rebellious streak of yours?"
I shook in his grasp. I never thought I'd be broken so easily, but it's so hard to fight him anymore. My body turned completely limp, "Yes, Father..."
"Good," he put me down gently, "Can we talk now?"
"Yes, sir," I don't know what I just saw in his eyes, but that monster wasn't my father.
"When we last spoke before you left," Father began, "I told you to choose a suitor, did I not?"
"Yes, sir."
"One of the men from the party," he went on, "He has control of a harbor in a very prominent town to the west. We've discussed running tracks through there. He has a son a little older than you. Congratulations, Lucy. You are officially engaged."
"I'm what?" I squeaked, "I'm marrying this guy's son?"
"Yes, you are," Father held his stance, "For the next three days, a wedding planner is going to come and discuss details with you. The sooner we can get this wedding taken care of, the smoother things will go."
"I'm not…!" He gave me a look that shook me to my core. Before I could go off on an angry tangent, I settled down and focused on the important things, "If I do this, will you make me a promise?"
"Depends on the promise."
"Promise me you'll leave my friends alone," I begged, hiding my disgust, "And everyone in Fairy Tail. Just leave them alone. Don't hurt them anymore."
"Fine," he promised, "I have no use for the wizards of Fairy Tail anymore, so why bother wasting my time? This is your one chance, Lucy. Did you have anyone else in mind from the party that you would prefer?"
"No."
"Salamander," Gajeel chimed in, totally uninvited.
"No one asked you!" Although I could've torn his throat out with my bare hands, I'm glad Gajeel gave me a little outlet for my pent-up anger before it turned into an ulcer.
"Who is this Salamander?" But now, I had to deal with the fallout, "Gajeel, wait outside."
"Alright," my new guard left us alone. Good.
"So," I wondered, hoping the change of topic would throw him off Natsu, "About my engagement. Is there going to be a party to celebrate?"
"After what happened at the last party?" Father scoffed, "Did you really think I'd fall for that again? Fool me once. No, Lucy. You're far too much of a flight risk. But you're going to go to the mansion for dinner tomorrow to meet your new fiancé. You two can discuss whatever plans you've made with the wedding planner. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."
"Yes," I let him go, "Forgive me for keeping you."
"Lucy," he cradled my cheek in his palm, "You're my daughter and I love you. You could never keep me. And in the end, I'm doing this all for you."
I quivered under his touch and watched out the window as his carriage pulled away. Finally. I felt like I could breathe again. WHO DID HE THINK HE WAS, MARRYING ME OFF TO SOME GUY I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW? AND ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A BUSINESS TRANSACTION? DID HE FORGET SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY THAT I WAS HIS DAUGHTER? NOT EVEN THAT. THAT I WAS A HUMAN BEING AND NOT SOME COMMODITY THAT COULD BE BOUGHT AND SOLD AT HIS WILL? I couldn't believe him. I was hoping he'd let me do things on my own terms. Praying, even. But no. Because of the circumstances of my birth, I wasn't allowed to do that. Deep down, in the pit of my heart, I know that if Mom was still alive, she wouldn't let this happen. She would've been just as disgusted as I was.
"Hey, Lucy," Gajeel came back in. Great. Just what I needed. More of my bodyguard's delightful commentary about my life falling apart. Although, his usual steely demeanor was a little softer and empathetic.
"What now?" I eased up on him, "I'm not in the mood for your attitude today."
"Not giving you attitude," he clarified, "But you didn't deserve that. The thing with your dad. Call me a hopeless romantic, but arranged marriages don't sit well with me. I can't imagine what you're going through."
"Hold on," I kept my guard up, "How do I know you're not just saying that, so you'll have something to run off and tell my father?"
"No," Gajeel fell back into his chair, "I'm not as heartless as you think I am. If I wasn't on his payroll right now, I wouldn't have let him get away with that."
"Really?" I was still a little skeptical, but it'd be nice to have a friend right now.
"Yeah, really," he assured, "And really. You didn't deserve that."
"Then," I jumped back on the defensive, "What was the deal with you throwing Natsu to the wolves like that?"
"I knew you didn't have the guts to say it," Gajeel explained, "Your dad asked you if there was anyone else you wanted over the other guy, right?"
"Right." Although, I think I'd rather a single wet sock over the guy he picked. The sock would probably have more personality.
"That's why I said him," he cradled his face in the palm of his hand, "I'm pretty sure you'd rather him over anything. By the way he was ready to take a bullet for you at the guild hall, I'm sure he'd say the same for you."
I hated that Gajeel had me in a box like this. Even worse, we had the rest of the day together. It's not like I could go anywhere. My father called me a flight risk. I had to admit, though. He was right. I was hoping that engagement party would've panned out. If I could've gotten to the bathroom at the mansion, I could've snuck out the window. I'd have to make a stop in my father's office, though. My keys couldn't stay there.
"I'm not in love with Natsu," I reiterated. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss him.
"Whatever you have to tell yourself, princess."
There he was. There was the jerk that kidnapped me. The jerk my father hired to watch every move I made. I want the other guy back. He had a cat and a sweeter disposition. Granted, he could be a little bit of a bonehead and sometimes, when we were on jobs together, he was lucky his head was attached, but when it came down to it, Natsu was an incredible wizard and an even better friend. In times like these, I could use that. Luckily for me, I'd have the next best thing coming to me later that night.
"Lucy?" Happy whispered at my window, "Are you awake? Or alive?"
"Yeah," I got out of bed, making sure Gajeel was still sleeping, "Hi, Happy."
"Are you ok?" he looked me over, "You look awful. More than you usually do."
"Thanks," I grumbled, "Kick a girl when she's down."
"What's got you down?"
I let out a heavy, exasperated sigh, "I got engaged today."
"Congratulations!" Happy chimed, "But aren't people supposed to be…I don't know…More excited when they get engaged?"
"They are when it's not being forced on them," I groaned, "I still can't believe he's making me go through with this."
"We're working on it, Lucy," he promised.
"Work on it a little quicker," I demanded, "You got three days before my sham of a wedding."
"I don't see you kicking any ideas our way," Happy argued.
"I've got other things to worry about," I snapped, ready to dropkick this cat into the sun, "I'm meeting my fiancé tomorrow."
"You haven't even met him?"
"I might have once," I thought back, "That party that you and Natsu decided to gorge yourselves at."
"I miss that party," Happy let out a nostalgic sigh.
"Thanks, Happy," I threw myself on my bed, "Way to focus on what's important. When you're done, how about a distraction?"
"What'd you have in mind?"
"I need a favor," I bit my lip, an overwhelming ache bubbling in my heart, "Can you keep an eye on Natsu for me?"
"I already do," he swore, "But! Speaking of Natsu, I have something for you!"
"Another gate key?" I crossed my fingers, "Preferably one that can break me out of here? My father's already got Virgo and she was my ace in the hole."
"Not exactly," Happy pulled a folded piece of paper out of his backpack, "I come with a message! Natsu told me to tell you to read this when you're by yourself and things seem bleak."
"Thanks," I hid it under my pillow where Gajeel couldn't find it, "Leave it to Natsu to show up in the most unexpected ways."
"That's Natsu for you!" he beamed, "I really should be getting back. Are you going to be ok for now, Lucy?"
"Yeah," I did a quick assessment, "I should be fine. Physically speaking, anyway. You'll be back tomorrow, right?"
"Well, of course," Happy assured, "I'm sure you'll write something back for Natsu and I have to be the messenger."
"You're the best," I hugged him tight against my chest.
"I try," he nuzzled his face in my shoulder. And I did all I could to keep myself from crying. I knew that Happy and Natsu were trying their hardest, along with the rest of Fairy Tail. I just hope it's good enough, "Hang in there, Lucy. You'll be ok."
"Try to be anyway," I let him go, "Go. Take care of him."
"Aye!"
Snatch.
Gajeel woke up out of a dead sleep and grabbed a hold of Happy's leg, "What do you think you're doing here, cat?"
"Hey!" Happy writhed in his grip, "Let me go!"
"I'll ask again," Gajeel repeated, "What are you doing here?"
"Taking better care of Lucy than you!" Happy never was one to shy away from a fight. No wonder he got along with Natsu so well.
"You're Salamander's exceed, aren't you?" Gajeel kept his voice at a low rumble.
"I'm not answering anything!" Happy snapped, "Not after what you've done!"
"He is," I answered for him.
"Lucy!" he squeaked, "He's the enemy!"
"He's alright," I settled him, flashing a quick glance at Gajeel, "I still don't forgive him for what he's done to the guild, but the hall can be rebuilt. The guild may be standing shakily right now, but we're still standing. And when we get the momentum, I guarantee we'll hit the ground running. But for now, Gajeel is ok. Depending on one thing."
"And what's that?" Gajeel wondered, confused by my new sense of trust I've given him.
"How's Shadow Gear holding up?" I asked.
"Out of the hospital," Happy reported, "Levy's still a little wobbly, but she'll be fine."
"Good," Gajeel relaxed. And he's poking at Natsu and me? At least I can retaliate a little.
"Now," I brought it back, "What did you want, Gajeel?"
"I need you to get a message to the little pyro, cat," he demanded.
"Hold on," I stopped him, pointing at Happy, "What's his name?"
"How am I supposed to know?" Gajeel shrugged, "Anyway…"
"No," I cut him off, "What's his name?"
"I'm bad with names," he groaned, "What's that got to do with…?"
"You're going to learn," I put my foot down, "Who did you hurt from our guild? The girl on the tree. What's her name?"
"Levy."
"You remembered her name" I pointed out, "Now, who is the Salamander?"
"Natsu," Gajeel hid a little smirk, "Sometimes, I hear you whining it in your sleep."
"Aww, Lucy," Happy gushed, "You're dreaming about Natsu?"
"Gajeel," I blushed, "What is getting etched in this cat's grave?"
"Happy, I think," Gajeel assumed, a cheap laugh coming from his throat.
"Very good," I came down, "Now, ask him what you wanted."
"Could you deliver a message to Natsu for me?" he asked, not quite sure where the sudden manners came from. I could tell him, but if I did, he wouldn't learn anything.
"What?" Happy still wasn't giving him any leeway.
"Tell him to come get his girlfriend," Gajeel smiled at me, "She's kind of a pain. I'm sure she's alright in small doses, but having her around all the time is exhausting."
"Hey!" I squealed.
"Told you so," he giggled to himself, "You walked right into that."
"You should go, Happy," I insisted, glaring a hole through Gajeel, wanting so desperately to punch that smug grin off his face, "Tell Natsu I'm fine and fill him in on what's going on."
"Aye!" Happy threw himself into my shoulder, "We'll think of something, Lucy. You'll be back at the guild hall before you know it."
"Go," I sent him off, "Before I start crying. The only one here to take care of me is Gajeel and I don't see that working out well."
"Alright." And just like that, the little blue cat flew out my window.
I curled back up in bed and shut my eyes for a second, "Hey, Gajeel…"
"What?" Gajeel kicked his feet up on the foot of my bed, "Let me guess. You're worried about me telling your old man about Happy coming here, aren't you?"
"Yeah…"
"Don't worry, princess," he promised, "I won't tell him."
"Thank you," I wrapped myself up in my blanket, "Go ahead and go back to sleep."
"Glad I have your permission." Without another word, Gajeel shut his eyes and didn't take very long before he went back to his mumbling about Levy in his sleep. Now, if I remember correctly, there was a note burning under my pillow that I needed to read while I was by myself. Gajeel's sleeping, so I might as well be by myself. Alright, Natsu. Let's see what you have to say.
Dear Lucy,
It's been a few days since you've been gone and the guild isn't the same without you. We've been holed up in the basement and we could really use the morale boost. You would've been perfect for that. With the short amount of time you were here, everyone seemed to get along a little better and smiled a little brighter. Even Gray and I didn't want to kill each other. Anyway, before I get so sappy, I just wanted to tell you to keep your head up. You're my job, right? Protect Lord Heartfilia's treasure? And my job's not done. I'll be there soon enough.
I miss you.
-Natsu
P.S. Don't worry about me. Not until I get you out of that tower. Then, you can worry all you want.
Oh, Natsu…You know how to pull at a girl's heartstrings, don't you? I miss you, too. I miss the whole guild. I miss the guild hall. I miss waking up in my house in Magnolia with the view of the water out my front window. I miss you and Happy crashing in my living room. I just…Miss you. And I want to come home.
A/N: Do you understand now why I yelled at you? Yes, Ms. Olivier. After the incident at the aquarium and the one at the pet store and that one time we took him to the beach, he doesn't need the PTSD flashbacks. Yes, Ms. Olivier. I've put Mr. Nanase to bed. All of them? Did you take away the gun from the one that shot the Haru that could read? Did you take away tall Haru's stilts? And his four-wheeler keys? Yes, ma'am. Main Mr. Nanase is cuddled up with his stuffed shark and he's sleeping soundly. Alright. Did you get a hold of Easter Dave? You mean, Master Makarov? SHUT UP, HYPOTHETICAL ASSISTANT! We're not supposed to be telling people about Easter Dave! He's always watching…Wait. When did you guys get here? Forget you heard anything! Hey, look! Bright colors!
Would you look at that, kids? Lucy Heartfilia's getting married. Look at her, growing up so…Uh…Ms. Olivier? Yes, hypothetical assistant? Lucy's still relatively young. And her wedding is being forced. I know. I'm the one that wrote it. Now, quit undermining me in front of the children. It's just that…Go. Corner. Now. Yes, ma'am. But could you change the newspaper? It's dirty from the last time. Who's the one that used it? Me. If I put your head between two pieces of bread, what would I have? An idiot sandwich. That's right. Now, go to your corner.
All that aside, yes. Jude is in serious need of a Snickers. And I love how Gajeel has become kind of like a big brother. Sure, he's difficult, but in the end, he doesn't want to see Lucy get hurt. Especially the way her dad was treating her. Lucy doesn't deserve that. Right now, she deserves to be back at the guild with her friends and her Natsu and everything is ok again! I'm sorry. I have a lot of feelings. I'll just be over here working on a chapter for tomorrow. See you next chapter! xx
