I don't even think there's bad language in this one? No grown up fun either? WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

Two days.

Two long, awkward days.

That's how long it took for Bickslow to officially lose it. Between the tension in the house, which Gajeel's stammered apology did little to resolve, Levy locking herself in the room designated as her study so to avoid the aforementioned slayer, and the overall sensation of just waiting around for imminent chaos, Bickslow had well and truly had it. He wasn't allowed out, not even into his own front yard, couldn't sit in his workshop in the basement - too many shadows, apparently. Hell, he was even starting to contemplate braiding Gajeel's hair, just for something to do.

Relief came in the form of a knock on the door, late on a Tuesday - at least, he was pretty sure it was Tuesday. Hard to keep track when all your days are so similar they blend together. It was Levy who answered it, and he had to smile at the interaction he overhead.

"You're infinitely prettier than the last guy who lived here, decoris. Not that I wouldn't love to make your acquaintance, but I'm looking for someone."

"About this tall, crazy hair, funny looking mark on his face?" Levy's voice was ringing with mirth and it made his heart jump to hear her so bright again. "Come in. Bicks! Company!" She led two men down the short hall from the front door and into the living area, smirking at him as she entered the room.

"Van! Cris!" He was off his feet in a flash, throwing long arms around his brothers in a tight hug. He loved his family, hadn't seen them in far too long to not embrace them on sight.

"Okay, enough. Get off me. Off!" The slightly shorter man, his black hair streaked with red, was the first to pull away, fingers jabbing into Bickslow's sides in an effort to get him to let go. "Seriously, let go!" His fingers found their target, and Bickslow jumped enough for him to slip free with a laugh.

As Bickslow and the other man embraced, holding forearms and touching their foreheads together, the young man turned to smile at Levy.

"Well, you're definitely too pretty to be the housekeeper. Vander Pradesh, the pleasure is all yours" he winked at her. Oh yes, Levy definitely liked him, he was every bit as cheeky as Bickslow had said.

"Hands off, little brother. Vander, Cristoff? I'd like you to meet Levy. My soulmate." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling down at her with so much love it was almost tangible within the room.

It was Cristoff who recovered first, taking her hand within his much larger ones and bringing it to his lips, gently kissed the back of her hand before placing it against his forehead in a show of respect.

"Familia grata, compar filii mei fratrem."

Returning the gesture, Levy touched his hand to her own forehead, speaking in his native Boscan. "Gratias ago tibi, mi frater".

"Beautiful, and that accent... How did you ever convince this wonderful woman to put up with you?" Cristoff joked, playfully pushing his brother with enough force to make him stumble slightly. "I am Cristoff, you've already been introduced to Vander there, who has no respect for propriety, apparently" he sighed as Vander stepped forward, wrapping Levy into a tight hug and lifting her off her feet.

"Propriety schmiety. She's family! We hug our family. She doesn't mind, do you Lev?" He got his answer in the form of nimble fingers jabbing into his ribs until he dropped her in a fit of laughter. "She's a feisty one Bicks, dad's going to love her!"

"She is standing right here" Levy interrupted, hands on hips, not the least bit intimidated surrounded by three tall, gorgeous men. She was, after all, well used to being stood over in her daily life. "Come on, dinner's ready. Gajeel! Lily! Food!" She called, gesturing for the trio of Pradesh's to sit as she bustled around the kitchen gathering cutlery and plates before bringing steaming dishes to the table, just in time for Lily and Gajeel to join them.

"Gajeel, Pantherlily, that's Vander and Cristoff, Bicks' brothers. Eat! Don't worry, I didn't cook it, you're safe."

They sat, quietly tucking into the dinner spread Levy had laid out, Gajeel happily munching on the iron she had laid out at his plate - he was thankful she didn't seem to be pissed at him any longer, grumpy Levy was scary and her iron was the sweetest he'd ever had, even if it was now missing the cute little heart in the centre.

"So, Levy? How is it that Bicks here managed to land someone as radiant as you?" Vander quipped.

"I'm sorry, amica, Vander was very obviously dropped on his head as a child. Please ignore my idiotic younger brother." Bickslow rolled his eyes at the look of mock hurt on his brothers face.

"You wound me, brother dearest!"

"I apologize, soror. They are ridiculous apart, but together they are insufferable." Cristoff's midnight blue eyes sparkled with mirth, his love for his family was evident. "But you do seem to have us at a disadvantage, you know so much about us, and yet Bickslow told us nothing of you - just that he was now bound to his soulmate."

"Oh, there's not much to tell" Levy giggled awkwardly, not used to being the centre of attention and finding the sensation of being critiqued a little unnerving. "Bicks and I are in the same guild. He was, uhmm... He was a very good friend to me when I was going through something, and our relationship built from there."

"All of which is very true, but I don't think my brother was asking about us, Bluebell." He squeezed her knee under the table, reassuring her, before turning his gaze to Cristoff. "She's a script mage, and a damn good one. Got a brain to rival Freed's, knows more languages than anyone I've ever met, and she can even get Laxus to tap out in a fight. Brilliant company, but please do not ever ask her to cook." He laughed, his gentle teasing caused Levy to smile and shaker her head at him.

"So the girl can't cook, who cares. You look like you know some interesting things, trabeata. And anyone who can knock that overgrown spark plug down a notch is more than alright by me!" Vander smiled, holding his hand out for a high five, which Levy returned, her own smile just as bright.

"Does everyone know their role?" Levy cast her eyes around the room, seeing everyone nod in agreement. "Natsu? Remember -

"Not to destroy the town. Yeah, I got it. You're fo fun, Levy" the pinkette joked, usual easy grin on his face.

"If you pull this off and don't level Magnolia, I'll fight you. No hold barred. Deal?"

"Oh yeah, I'm all fired up now!" Natsu jumped up, flaming fist in the sky as the rest of the group just shook their heads.

It was late, almost midnight, and the group consisting of Gajeel, Lily, the Thunder Legion, the Pradesh brothers, Natsu and Levy were huddled around table, maps and plans laid out before them as Levy and Freed walked them all through the plan for defeating Vassenia.

"We'll have to do it soon. The moon's nearly full, and while that gives me a significant power boost, it's also somewhat distracting." Cristoff shrugged, before he continued. "Unless you plan on fucking her to death? Which, for the record, I'm not sure is even possible".

Ignoring the blushing and embarrassed stammering of some of their team, Levy checked the lunar calendar hidden underneath a pile of papers. "Full moon is in three days. Well, two days now, I guess seeing as it's so late. Or is it early? Hard to tell... Where was I? Oh, right! Is before or after the full moon better for you, Cristoff? We need every advantage we can get." She looked expectantly at him, oblivious to Vander's mutterings of 'does she always ramble like that?'

"Before. I'm more powerful after, but also much less coherent. I think, in this case, it's probably wise to opt for lucidity over strength."

"I agree" Laxus said, standing, his face settling into a determined scowl. "Freed, Levy - you did well, it's a solid plan. We'll put it all into action tomorrow night. Go home, rest. Be sharp tomorrow".

Taking it as the dismissal it clearly was, the group dispersed for their homes, Bickslow and Levy accompanied by Vander, Cristoff, Gajeel, Lily and Natsu.

"Hey Levy?"

"Yes, Natsu?" She sighed, bracing herself for whatever was about to tumble out of his mouth.

"How you holding up?"

"Huh? Uhhhh... I'm alright, I think?"

"Can't be easy having bolt brains back there hangin' around you all the time. Just checking on my old friend" he smiled, knocking his bicep against her shoulder. Levy just smiled back - for all his shortcomings and roughness, Natsu was one of the most genuine and caring people she knew. They weren't as close as they had been as children, but knowing he was thinking about her had Levy's heart warming, the same way her arm was from her proximity to his superheated body.

"You're a good friend, Natsu".

Nawwww you just know Natsu is a huge softy - he and Levy grew up together, after all. Next chapter, it's finally here - the showdown, and hopefully the answers to all your questions!

• Guest - I'm really glad to hear that! It's such a compliment to know I've got you pulling for a couple you don't necessarily enjoy!

• Dragonfly - I'm convinced all the slayers (well, the boys at least) had their filters wiped to make room for more BS dragon things XD

Like I said last time, we're about to be free of this particular swathe of trouble, but we all know Fairy Tail can't stay out of hot water for long - I'd really love to hear what mischief you'd like for them to get up to next. Drop a review and let me know!

Translations for this chapter:

decoris = beautiful

Familia grata, compar filii mei fratrem = welcome to the family, mate of my brother

Gratias ago tibi, mi frater = thank you, my brother

Soror = sister

Trabeata = trouble/drama. (I have this head canon that Vander and Levy are instant friends and they're going to get into all sorts of mischief together, hence why he calls her trouble)