A/N: Well this update was totally unexpected.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Fairy and Tail
Chapter 12: Click
Mirajane's hands shook as she grasped a magazine in the hotel lobby. Its bright colors and flamboyant design caught her eye as she thumbed through the pages, looking for that article. Usually she was immune to such gossip magazines; as a manager and publicist she evaluated them for good and bad press, but it had only took an image and well coined caption to completely capture her interest.
Her blue eyes widened upon finding what she had been looking for.
"Love on Tour? – Lead Singers spark new romance."
A glossy, blown up image depicted Lucy and Natsu, hair and clothes mussed, kissing in what appeared to be a hall in the stadium.
Mirajane read the article, barely containing her surprise.
"The bands Fairy Storm and Tails Down recently kicked off a nationwide tour. This tour was originally thought to promote a united front for their record label, Vermillion Records. Was it really just a ploy for the singers to enjoy their newfound relationship? For exactly how long have they been seeing each other? Is the rivalry really left over tension from their last break-up?"
Mirajane's interest peaked as she picked up another magazine.
"Lead Singers of the popular bands Fairy Storm and Tails Down hooking up to relieve stress? What exactly is their relationship?"
"What exactly is their relationship indeed." Laxus Dreyar plopped down into a chair next to his girlfriend, their eyes connecting.
"Did you sell them this crap?" He questioned, looking with ill-disguised disgust at the gossip magazines.
"Of Course not." Mirajane set the paper down, "It certainly is interesting to say the least. Do you think it's real?"
"You know the media Mira, they are desperate to get a story. They have also gotten better with the use of Photoshop." Laxus ran a hand through his hair. "Let's talk somewhere quieter."
Mirajane led the way, heels clicking against the marble hotel floor. The deep blue hue of her dress matched her eyes, and Laxus smiled softly. He was very lucky to land such a woman, and even more so to land her again.
"I think that we are going to have to interrogate them." Mirajane stated upon reaching the smallest of the hotel's 3 large conference rooms.
"Separately?" added Laxus, "Or together? We only have today before we go back on the road. You know as well as I do that the next stop is in Rosemary, and that will bring enough issues by itself. We don't need this hanging over their heads too."
"I say separately." An authoritative, feminine voice interrupted Laxus and Mira's conversation.
"Mavis!" Mirajane exclaimed on seeing her boss's boss. "What brings you here?"
The short woman smiled. "You know what brings me here. This issue is taking up all of the record's press. I can hardly promote my other clients with this clouding the air."
Both Laxus and Mirajane nodded respectfully. Mavis, the head of Vermillion Records, was highly respected through the industry for always catering to her client's needs above all else.
Lucy Hearfilia found herself, 15 minutes later, sitting in front of her manager and her manager's boss, the one who had worked out her contract. She smiled nervously. "Um, what is this about Mira?"
Mavis, who had taken a seat across from Lucy and next to Mira, took out a magazine. She slid it across the table.
"It's about this, Lucy."
Lucy blushed red at the picture. "When was this taken?" She asked, her voice wavering.
"Apparently a couple of days ago. " Mirajane continued, "What exactly is your relationship with Natsu Dragneel?"
Laxus slammed down another pink magazine on the table, startling the slumbering Natsu.
"What the hell is this Natsu? Got yourself a girlfriend? Did you ever stop to think about the press?" He questioned with intensity.
Natsu looked to the side sheepishly. "She isn't my girlfriend Laxus, calm down."
"That is worse!" roared Laxus, "When did you become so careless? Do you want the band to go down in flames? Either you are together with Lucy, or you aren't. There isn't room for "maybe" in this business. You don't want to hurt her, do you?"
Natsu sat up immediately. "What about Lucy? What did they do to her? Did they label her a slut or some shit like that?" His eyes hardened. "I'll tear them apart if they hurt her."
Laxus put his head in his hands. "They haven't done anything yet Natsu, but you and I both know that it is only a matter of time. If they find even a whisper of a reason, they'll take it and blow it up as big as possible. "
"You won't even get a chance to start a relationship, much less maintain a successful one."
Natsu's fiery persona lit up. "Then let me be with her! It might be rushing it, but at least we will get to know each other more under the guise of a new relationship."
"It's barely been a week Natsu, and you want to date her?" Laxus asked.
"Yes, if it means I get to be with her and learn more about her." He responded strongly, not once wavering in his answer.
"I don't know what my relationship is with Natsu Dragneel." Lucy replied nervously. "He's always on my mind and after everything that has happened between us I still do not know."
"I'm going to lay out the options Lucy." Mirajane put in, "You can be in a relationship in the eyes of the press, and still date if you want to, or you can deny it and remain single. But I must warn you that the rumors and hate will be there. You will be faced with hate and rumors with what ever decision you choose. It is up to you to choose your fate."
Lucy's hands shook. Just a day ago, it seemed, that she had met this boy. Now here she was, deciding if it was in her best interests to date him. The words of her mother suddenly manifested in her thoughts.
Love is a rare and wonderful thing, Lucy. There are pockets of it in the people of this world, all around you. If you find that even the tiniest bit of you may love something, or someone, invest in it. You may never know where this love will take you, so revel in the joy of its experience.
"I need to talk to Natsu."
