Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Author's Notes: Based on CoLu Week 2015, Prompt Family (Slight AR Lahar never died). And for the sake of this story (it pains me greatly as Lahar is one of my BAEs of FT) will be the obvious bad guy. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around andleave now because I don't see the point in wasting your time and mine.


Happy. Elated. Ecstatic. Over the Moon.

These were all adjectives one could use to describe Lucy right now.

"Tink?"

Turning, Lucy flashed a toothy grin at Cobra. Not caring, he gave her a look that said she had gone off the deep end.

"Seriously?"

Nodding her head as she hugged the six pieces of paper to her chest. Lucy now understood what a parent felt when they received good report cards.

"Weirdo."

Laughing, Lucy nodded and threw an arm around Cobra's waist. It was half a hug, and he was still uncomfortable with touching. So she kept it short as he stiffened.

It had been over a month since the incident and punishment. The little heathens had been 'very' well-behaved.

Lucy knew she had high standards. Especially for herself. But she'd done her best to temper herself, not to pressure her friends (charges), and it paid off.

"Well, how did they do?"

Blinking, Lucy looked at Rufus (who was acting guild master for Sabertooth) and Makrov (who was filling in for Laxus).

Humming, Lucy placed all six report cards on the table in Fairy Tail's Guild Masters Study. She watched as the two picked them up and read each piece of paper. Lucy enjoyed seeing their shock (like she initially felt) morph into their faces.

"Miss Lucy, how?"

"This is unbelievable! I knew Laxus and Wendy, possibly Gajeel. But Natsu?"

Feeling smug, Lucy leaned backhands in her lap.

"Yup. I had the same thoughts. Though Rogue is quiet, he is very studious. Sting isn't dumb, just randomly impulsive," She explained. "Natsu is smart but lives by his instincts due to his situation."

As the two acting Guild Masters looked at her, Lucy felt Cobra shift next to her.

"Tink, just tell them."

Huffing and rolling her eyes, Lucy elbowed Cobra.

"Stick and Carrot," she said. "Recall that an incident occurred at the Royal Academy a month ago. That was an introduction to the stick. So the carrot follows on the understanding I am a creative and Virgo could have them."

The way both Makarov and Rufus pale said it all.

"So, I used incentives to get them all to focus and study more."

The sight of white and blond eyebrows jumping in tandem was priceless.

"Now they get a reward. Each has different needs and wants. Thus I had them make a list containing five 'reasonable' rewards they wanted. Oddly, they all listed trick or treating with Cobra and me."

It had struck her as odd, yet Lucy gave in as Halloween was around the corner. It was one of her favorite holidays.

"I see. Do you think their grades will continue to get better?" Rufus asked. "not that most C's and B's are good."

Standing, Lucy looked at the memory-make mage. Smiling and lifting her chin, she left. Lucy'd let Rufus interpret that how he will. She had to rescue Team Raijinshuu, Erza, and Gray from her mini heathens.

000000

Cobra watched as Lucy walked among his fellow slayers. The symphony of all their souls had him feeling melancholy. A part of him was jealous.

They got to relive their childhood and rewrite the bad memories. And Cobra knew they all carried scars like him. Yet he'd been with Lucy, thus exempt from being attacked by the spell.

Though he was also glad since he got to experience having a family, Lucy was definitely something else, and she ensured he was included. It gave him a sense of belonging; the most significant perk was listening to her soul 24/7.

"Hey, poison, quit daydreaming!"

Putting on a mock frown, Cobra looked at Lucy and her herd. They were all looking at him expectantly.

"Come on, Mr. Cobra, Lucy's gonna make lasagna for dinner," Wendy squealed. "And she said Virgo is willing to help add our element to our dishes."

"Yeah!"

Glancing at Lucy, Cobra was glad he kept from blushing as she winked at him. Lasagna was his favorite dish; she did this for him, not the brats!

TBC!