Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. Nor do I own the Pradesh OC's used in this story; that right belongs to Desna!

Author's Note: This story is a real close hit home, as this story was written by me to help me overcome the issue addressed in this story. So, if you have issues with mature topics, Dark Topics, then please turn and leave now. As the content of this story are things that I have experienced in my life multiple times. Thus there will be no sexy stuff at all. And was done for August 15th Friendship, We are alive day, hosted on AO3 by ! Go check out her stories on AO3, as she does not use FFN anymore.

Pale lavender tinted, gray eyes watched the blond from across the smoke-filled room. Tracking her, assessing her as she downed another shot, smiling jovially with the group of four that were with her. It was easy to see that something was wrong. The smile on the woman's face was forced. Leaving a bad taste in his mouth, those with her didn't notice or refused to acknowledge it and allow the blond to continue to drink. It was deplorable in the worse way.

"You see it too?"

Turning to look at the speaker, he frowned and gave a brief, sharp nod of his head. Seeing the pain and worry in his younger brother's face, he knew now why he had been asked to come along.

"Bickslow, you know this might end badly, right? Especially if she gets wind that you are intervening," he stated as his eyes drifted back to the blond.

"Yeah, I know Kaleb. But she needs help. I told you what I have noticed... and saw the other night," Bickslow mumbled.

It hurt to hear his little brother who was usually so happy-go-lucky, sounding so down and out. Kaleb knew that his brother was a soft-hearted person, but very selective of whom he lets into his life and then into his bubble. Each of them had come from bad backgrounds and adopted by their amazing father, especially after the man had lost his wife.

"Alright, by the end of the night I will have given her the card, then it is up to her to make a choice," he said.

Turning his gaze back to his younger brother, Kaleb saw the relief wash over his angular face. With a smile, Kaleb knocked back the rest of the beer in his cup, stood and made his way to the bar where the group was. He knew he'd need another beer or three to do this. And it was a legit excuse to talk to the blond and get her alone.

Lucy smiled as she tossed another shot back, enjoying the warmth that spread through her person as it numbed all the thoughts that were banging around in her head. She wasn't here by choice. No, she had been drug from her house where she had been sequestering herself because she didn't want to annoy or bother anyone. Lucy knew in part that it was wrong to bottle up everything. Let her pain, self-loathing, and suicidal thoughts have free reign.

But after her last job with her team, she had felt entirely useless (again). She had been a burden. Then she had been called fat again by her best friend. While used to it, with her thoughts as they were, made her feel worse. So she hadn't been eating either to try and lose some weight. It wasn't her fault she was only five foot four inches, large hipped and had excessively large breast. Then again, that last job was barely enough to pay her damn rent.

Then again, her figure, while an hourglass, garnered her a lot of trouble growing up. Lucy had been bullied because of her figure by other girls, that claimed she was a slut or had her rich father give her implants. While guys tried to turn her into a sexual object. And here she was at twenty-seven a fucking virgin. Sighing, Lucy grabbed another shot and tossed it back, keeping up with Cana easily.

"Damn, Lu, lookit you go!" Said brunette spoke up.

Giving a small smile, Lucy winked playfully at Cana, as well as the other three.

"You said a girls night, right?" Lucy quipped as she set her now empty, shot glass on the table.

The nods she got from not just Cana, but Erza, Levy, and Evergreen made her smile a bit wider. Though a second later, those smiles were gone as their eyes went wide as they stared past her. Curious, Lucy swiveled her head around to see a tall platinum piece standing behind her at the bar. His gray eyes were looking directly at them with a natural, come-hither smile curling the corners of his lips. He was very yummy and so her type.

Turning her head away, Lucy looked at Cana. Noting that her friends already had that look in her cinnamon-brown eyes. Lucy already knew that her friend was going to attempt to get a piece of mister yummy behind her. A part of Lucy spoke up and said it wasn't fair that her friend had so much confidence. Then her mind shifted, reminding her that she had nothing to offer and being just another blonde girl in the crowd with no chance of getting his attention.

"I think I wanna piece of that," Cana finally said, drawing Lucy from her thoughts.

"Do it," Evergreen said, slamming a hand against Cana's back.

"Yeah, something like that don't show up often," Levy stated before hiccuping and lowering her flushed face.

Lucy gave her trademark smile to her friend to show she supported her in this endeavor.

"Okay! Here I go!" Cana said, giving a smug grin that said she had this in the bag.

Keeping her eyes on the table, Lucy did her best in her drunken state to listen as Cana said hello to the guy and began to play her game.

"Hello, haven't seen you before. New around here? Visiting?" Cana asked.

"Visiting, Miss," the man replied.

His voice was deep, smooth and oddly detached.

"Oh? Personal? Business?" Cana continued.

"Family," the man said.

It was hard to miss the tone he was using. He wasn't showing interest. And Lucy knew that would make Cana try a diversionary tactic. The woman was like a snapping turtle didn't let go of her prey once she latched on.

"Oh. That's cool. I mean family is vital," Cana said. "You waiting for your family to get here?"

"No, they already came and gone," He stated. "So, is it commonplace for you to just ditch your friends to try and get a cheap piece of ass?"

Lucy's eyes flew open, and her alcohol-soaked mind sobered up at the man's curt words. Lifting her head, she saw the shock registered on the others face. Her back was still the duo at the bar behind her, but from the look on their faces, she could guess that Cana was less than pleased.

"Hey, they understand. We are all single ladies, and accept that if one of us wants to leave to have a fling," Cana replied slowly. "And if you don't believe me, come ask for yourself, mister?"

"Kaleb and I think I will," the man, Kaleb said.

It was the last call, and Kaleb watched as Lucy just giggled into the last of her pint of Moose Drool. He was not impressed by Cana at all. He was one to take pleasure where and when it was offered. But he was already disgusted with the group for not noticing their friends current state. So, as he watched Evergreen (one of his brother's other friends) help hold up the red-head Erza and walk her out. Cana and Levy were both passed out, and the bartender had called a Uber for them. Leaving him to deal with Lucy.

"Miss Lucy, you said you live only a block or two away?" He asked.

The way her unfocused brown eyes looked at him, before she gave a soft smile and nodded.

"Then let me escort you home, please," he said.

The way her face flushed under the alcohol he knew where her mind went. And he wasn't ignorant of the fact she was attracted to him. But because of her friends clear interest (said friend that didn't take the direct hint he didn't want her sexually or at all) and she was too far down a dark rabbit hole, wouldn't act on it.

"Uh.. you don't have to," Lucy told him.

"Actually, I insist. You are a little tipsy, this is not a good neighborhood, and my brother whom I am visiting lives near you," he said.

It was fascinating to watch her think, even drunk. Her eyes showed her intelligence. She was a beautiful woman. On the short-side, making her natural curves more pronounced and took care of herself. If this was any other day and situation, and his brother wasn't crushing hard on her, he'd take a chance.

"Uh, okay?" Lucy said, making it a question.

Shaking his head, Kaleb got up and paid his tab, as well as Lucy's, before returning to her side. He saw the look in the bartenders face, how grateful he was for him helping Lucy. When he stopped by her, he offered her his elbow. The way she looked at it, glazed eyes showing her processing the many reasons why, before she threaded her hand through it.

From there, it was a matter of keeping her standing upright as he walked her in the direction of her little studio apartment in the same building as Bickslow. Listening to her half mumble and half slur her words. And what she was saying was self-deprecating, and it had him feeling sick to his stomach.

Her head felt like someone was ripping it apart from the inside out. Carefully Lucy opened her eyes and looked around not sure where she was at until she saw familiar pink curtain fluttering across the room. Somehow she had made it home safely, this morning. Slowly she moved her head feeling that pain in her head radiate down her spine to settle into her lower back as she realized she was laying on her old, rickety, and broken couch.

Not the best place to sleep, but she couldn't complain, it wasn't the floor. Though, she didn't know why she had a blanket covering her and tucked into the couch cushions. It was done in such a way that she wouldn't be able to fall off the couch to the hardwood floor. Knowing she couldn't have done this herself, drunk or sober, her mind recalled a deep, soft voice. A gentle pair of gray eyes that had a lavender tint to them and a small piece of paper.

Groaning, she forced her body to roll onto its side and looked at her battered, patched up coffee table. There on it was a similar piece of paper, a card, and her pink notepad and green feather tipped blue gel pen. Both objects she knew were kept solely on her writing desk. This had her OCD rearing its ugly head and causing her chest to feel tight as a small anxiety attack hit.

Closing her eyes, Lucy did slow breathing and willed her brain to calm down and that it was okay. She knew she hadn't moved it, so that person with the gentle eye and soft voice must-have. But it was clear that they were not in her apartment, and she was clothed under the blanket, so she didn't have a one night stand — something she hated.

Once she felt in control again, Lucy pushed and pulled herself into a sitting position and reached for a piece of paper and note pad. Her eyes were scanning the writing on it carefully.

Lucy,

I am leaving this card for you. Look at it, think carefully. This is your life, your choice. And from what you were talking about last night on the way home, even if it was to yourself, I think that this is an option for you. By no means do I have a right to butt into your life. But I am concerned with the thoughts you expressed last night.

I found you to be a bright person who cares about everyone else around them. Even if it makes you uncomfortable, it was clear to me last night you didn't want to be there. That you were doing it to humor your friends who didn't notice, or if they did, didn't care. You are not a stupid person, no you speak very well, showing intelligence and education. And you are a beautiful person. You cannot control your genetics.

You have so much to offer, so please don't keep thinking the world would be a better place without you. Even though it is clear you would be hard-pressed to take that route, it is something that someone close to me (you do know them) has dealt with in their life off and on. And like you, they present one face to those around them, while having another that they keep to themselves. The world would be a sadder, darker place without either of you two in it.

Kaleb S. Pradesh

P.S. Before I left, I put down a new puppy pad and some food and water for your dog. He is a strange fellow. Affectionate and loves you.

Blinking a few times, Lucy re-read the message and frowned. She was less than pleased at what this strange man was saying. Of course, it hit close to home and horrified her that while drunk Lucy had talked to a stranger about her thoughts to kill herself. Then again, depression was something she had dealt with her whole life. And who was this person this man claimed she knew, and why did that last name sound so fucking familiar?

Sighing Lucy glanced at the card that was left. Reading the name on it.

Farron C. Pradesh, LICSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

1345 Alder Ave, Suite 13 E Magnolia, Fiore 34521

(555)545-2341 FAX (555)545-6916

Giving a hard, sharp shake of her head, causing pain to burst through her skull, Lucy tossed the card and pad back onto her table and hearing it creak in protest. She was pissed now. And it was Sunday, so Lucy had to get up and start prepping stuff for the next week. Because she needed to see if there was any more job requests at the shop. Food was important.

Blue eyes looked at the men before him; his lips pulled up in a small smirk as he leaned forward over his large desk. He knew why both were there, and he was enjoying their discomfort. A perk of the job and as an older brother. Though he did have some good news for them since they were seemingly at the end of their ropes and ready to hang themselves.

"Yes, she did," he said.

The twin looks of relief, before their faces morphed into a mask of 'fucking finally' had him chuckling. He was under obligation to not say more. They knew it.

"Now, if that is all, get out. I still have patients to see today," he said.

"Farron!"

Arching an honey-blond eyebrow, he just looked at his brother, Bickslow, who hung his head. Farron was well aware that Bickslow was in counseling to help with his issues. Their father was a damn saint. Adopting several kids after his and Zen's mother passed away in a freak pipe explosion in a restaurant on their anniversary. Hell, he, himself, had seen a counselor for that. Realized that it helped a lot and wanted to do the same thing.

"So, it only took a few months for her to call, at least she kept the card that night," Kaleb spoke up and smiled widely.

Giving a small nod of his head, Farron politely pointed at his office door. He had to get back to work. His next client would be arriving soon. And he promised them that no one would be there. He didn't have a secretary; it was just him in this little hole in the wall he had at a well known clinic.

Swallowing her nerves, Lucy looked at the simple pine door and felt the urge to run away. The pale peach curtain over the small glass window to the side was sheer enough she could see inside. There was someone in there behind a desk typing away. His head was down so she couldn't make out anything distinguishing about them. Glancing at the placard on the door, she figured this would be Dr. Farron.

A small smile graced her lips as she twisted the card in her hands. The man had been straightforward to talk to over the phone when she called the first time and then hung up. It took a few more attempts before she had been able to make an appointment. Of course, making that choice had come after Plue had passed away and she had tried to OD on pills. Since the one thing she could get hyper-focus on to keep the evil thoughts away was gone.

Her savior was her neighbor, who had been nothing but polite to her, had realized he hadn't seen her for Plue's walk and got worried. He saved her life and lectured her after calling the EMTs and forcing ipecac down her throat to make her vomit and help her breath. Bickslow was a sweetheart on the best of days. To see him crying because she tried to kill herself, it hit home and hard that she needed help.

Steeling her nerves, Lucy knocked on the door and waited until she was told to come in. Placing her hand on the doorknob, she knew there would be no going back after this. Turning the knob and pushing the door open, Lucy took that step to get herself some help.

It had been almost seven months since she had entered his office. And he could see the difference, as well as here it, when she spoke. To view this woman lite up and smile it had Farron feeling a bit light-headed and flushed. He hadn't been prepared for what Lucy Heartfilia looked like from either of his two brother's description of her. And quickly could tell upon first glance that she was a mess mentally and emotionally. Bags under her eyes, showing how sleep-deprived she was and way too thin.

Now, she had a healthy glow to her skin; eyes shone bright with her intelligence and humor. The amount of confidence she exuded was astounding to the mouse that had crept through the door that first day, ready to run and hide. Seeing her smile as she worked on the project he gave her, Farron could appreciate seeing another person getting better.

As they talked, learning about her past with her mother dying, father rejecting her, the verbal and mental abuse (sometimes physical) from kids at school. Then the boys harassing her for things she didn't want to give, he knew it was deep-rooted in her psyche even now. Their sessions were now only once every two weeks now.

Though the first thing Lucy had told him was that she didn't want any medications. He was glad because he was unable to prescribe and preferred natural treatments. Sound therapy and regression helped her a lot. She was allowing him to access her most inner memories and talk about them. When they had reached her adult years, to see her balk again with the progress they had made, Farron had been less than pleased.

He had told her in a blunt, harsh, cold manner that real friends wouldn't call her fat, make her feel useless or unwanted. She was none of those and that they should listen to her when she had ideas on how to do things for the jobs their company sent them on. Instead of being destructive and making it hard for her to live. Compared to her friends, Lucy lived modestly and refused anything to do with her father. Something he was proud of her for since the man had rejected her, made her into an object to be sold.

It took a while, but he had gotten her to bring her regular group of friends into the session. And he had her write a letter and read it aloud to them all. The purpose was to give her a safe environment to talk about her feelings and allow him to gauge their reactions. Before he ripped into them for not noticing how their friend was feeling, how far she had sunk into her depression and starving herself to other stuff. Or they were forcing her to go drinking when she didn't want to.

The way they all hung their heads let him know that they were not as self-absorbed as he thought. Then he announced that he wanted a once a month group session with all of them. Because he knew Lucy wanted to keep them as friends. To fix what had been damaged or broken. Her friend's Gray and Erza did not take that suggestion to well, but Natsu had jumped on it, not wanting to lose Lucy in his life. Farron wasn't an idiot, the man was very inept with his words, actions and loved Lucy like a sister.

"Farron, Done!"

Snapping from his inner thoughts as Lucy handed him several sheets of paper. More than he had thought she'd do in the hour that was allotted to her.

"Thank you, Lucy, that will be all. I will read this tonight, make notes and we can talk about it in two weeks," He said, earning a sunny smile and nod of her head.

When she turned and grabbed her purse from the small table by the couch in his office, he saw her pause and look back at him.

"Dr. Farron?" She asked.

"Yes," was all he replied.

"Thank you so much, and I am glad that guy gave me your card that night," Lucy said. "I know I still have a long road to travel, but if I can meet him again, I want to thank him. Do you think he'd be happy to hear it?"

Farron couldn't stop the smile that appeared on his lips as he replied. "Yes, Lucy, I think it would make him happy to hear someone be honest as they thank him for his help. Whether it was wanted or not. Now, get going, you have a date with a special person, don't you?"

The way her face turned red as she blushed had Farron laughing as she stuck her tongue at him and ran out the door, closing it softly behind her. He didn't have the heart to tell her that Bickslow was his brother, as was Kaleb.

Lucy bounced from one foot to the other as she scanned the crowd around the restaurant. Her boyfriend of two months had reserved seats for them at Izumi's tonight. It was a high-end Steakhouse that cooked the food before you. He had been adamant about this. Said he had a surprise for her.

She smiled as she recalled how close they had gotten after he saved her life. He was her lifeline, one that she was happy to have. Of course, he had been candid with her after a point telling her that he had always liked her. Though she was a beautiful person and that her smile was her best feature. It had made her freeze and stared at him in shock. There was no deceit; he even removed his sunglasses to show his odd eyes. Eyes, she found beautiful, also if they were unique due to a congenital disability.

"Lucy!"

Spinning, she saw him walking towards her, towering over the crowd of people. Her eyes went wide when she saw a familiar head of platinum hair. As Bickslow drew closer, she noted that the man was standing beside him and smiling down at her. Lucy couldn't remember his name, but those gentle gray eyes with lavender tint stood out.

When Bickslow stopped before her, she leaned up on tiptoes and placed a quick kiss on his chin. Her eyes were darting back to the man for a second in confusion.

"Babe, I want you to meet my older brother, Kaleb," Bickslow said slowly.

She hadn't missed the nervous note in his voice. Making her stare more pointedly at him. She did care for him, loved him even.

"Let us eat, I will explain because a full stomach is better than an empty one," Bickslow said fidgeting as he tried to smile at her.

Nodding her head, she let him lead her into the restaurant.

Kaleb was highly amused at seeing Lucy stare wide-eyed at his younger brother. Said brother had his head hung in shame at having admitted to throwing Kaleb into her path in a hope to help her. That he had noticed the changes in her and felt useless because they didn't know each other very well. Just in passing. Though he was sure, that wasn't why Lucy was staring. Nope, he was confident that had to do with the fact that Bickslow was a Pradesh, like him and Farron. Sons of the international Ambassador Arman Tesion Pradesh.

"Bixy? Look at me, please?" Lucy whispered.

He watched as his brother lifted his head and met her gaze with his own. Only to stiffen when she reached up and removed Bickslows sunglasses. The way her face became gentle as a smile curled her lips had Kaleb relaxing. He knew she wasn't mad.

"I am glad you did. I talked to my therapist... your brother, about wanting to say thank you," Lucy said.

This had Kaleb feeling a small bit of heat rush down his neck even though he felt happy about hearing it.

"Really? You're not mad?" Bickslow asked.

"No, I... I love you a lot. And if you hadn't done that or saved me, then I wouldn't have gotten to know you and how amazing you are. Thank you!" Lucy said.

Kaleb had the decency to look away as Lucy pulled his brother down into a soul-searing kiss. It made him happy that his younger brother had found someone like her. And that they could help each other grow and get better. They both were great people, kind and helpful. Never really thinking about themselves but everyone else.

Kaleb knew a good friend would be there no matter what, even if you didn't think they were your friend. They'd help you, accept you for your faults and bad decisions. Not let you wallow in your pain, depression, and suicidal thoughts. To see the fruits being born of a friendship like that, as it grew and evolved, it made him happy. Because he had his relationship that started that way, and that man was so precious to him. He loved his fiancee.

THE END!