Trouble deicides to find me, a rare occurrence these days due to reputation. Two older men one with an extreme hairstyle the other with a considerable purple stubble. Naturally, I know they aren't coming forward to make friends. I watch them approach apprehensive of the fact I could simply turn on my earphones and not deal with whatever shit they're going to pettle my way. Not far off Natsu is in a wressle with Grey, so far with the losing position.

"You ain't a woman are ya?" The one smoking asks, I glare him down, so that's how this is gonna go huh? "Yeah, figured as much."

"How old are you anyway? Older Natsu in anycase." Obvious in their implication they don't seem to want to hesitate. Which is fine, there are certain manners that I can adapt to deal with on the fly, this just so happens to be one of them.

"None of your business." That ticks a nerve, both seemingly grinding their teeth, but they do seem to have some brain in their heads because they don't start throwing punches, smarter then a lot of people I have met.

"You're in our guild now buddy, dating a kid we've known almost all his life, you really want to have that attitude?" Though not directly stated I know that they hate my very being because of it, even if they are using my dating Natsu as leverage against me to get my cooperation. There is a heavy handed look to both of them, they know not to be direct in their rejection of my way of life but they are being covert about it. I raise from my spot at the bar, its almost pleasing to see a trace of sweat on their brows as I tower over them.

"Look, I came here for one reason only, and it certainly wasn't to make friends with a bunch of fairies." My father speaks in my head thoughts of poison. I never expected to say and mean them, even if it was accidental. Stupid old man was more of a pain in the ass then I originally thought. They seem to be of the same opinion, as their expressions mare into something angry and implicating.

"You wanna fight buddy?'" Truthfully there is a steering in my gut, a will, I recognize the want, rarely ever so present in my mind. However I hold myself back, and instead shoo them off in the only way I know how, focusing my attention on something else. Getting a cold one sounds like a good idea at the moment, not to mention a distraction from the surmounting feelings this place is plaguing upon me. Before I can order from Mira; who is granting me an understanding look, while also managing to fleetingly glare at the two behind me in a look of well placed scorn, when another voice crooks out from not far away.

Makarov. My father whispers harsly in my head again. My grandfather, I have to correct, their is nothing to imply the man was all that Ivan said, in fact he seems to be almost the complete opposition to that. Not that I am going to be trustful of the man quickly, he did kick my father out from the guild for what I understand to be non-existing reasons. That being said it would be unjust of me to be discourteous to the man after he welcomed me into his guild simply because Natsu vouched for me. I owe it to him, and myself to be a little less on guard for once, even if instinct screams at me.

"Lux." He says in way of greeting holding up his beer as he takes a long drink, then rests his eyes on me in a serious manner. Its difficult not to compare him to Ivan, extremely, as he has the same eyes as my father, however, his hold something a little different a weight that I don't think I can understand. "I accepted your entrance to the guild because Natsu vouched for you. However there are some things we do need to discuss." He sighs loudly, he had been putting it off apparently. Yet, he shifts a beer by his side to a placing just parallel to the stool on his right. "Drink with me, let's talk, you are legal aren't you?" He laughs in a little chuckle only a man of age can do. I sit, gripping the rim of the bottle. Its not difficult to look at him seen as he is sitting on the counter. But I am wary of his topic of conversation, so I choose not to meet his eyes.

"Actually I do need to know your age, hope you don't mind, but there are some things that I just can't leave off your file." I suppose it would make sense to keep files of each member, even my father does so, No idea how these ones are categorized, probably vastly different from what I am accustomed too.

"Twenty-three." I take a swing from the bottle in front of me, a good brand surprisingly. He scoffs.

"How the hell did you meet someone like Natsu?" I think it wasn't an actual question. Still the whole thing was rather funny for someone not having been there.

"I accidentally asked him out after seeing him take down a man three times his size in the bar." This time a loud uproar of laughter follows. Clearly, both of us are thinking the same thing, it was simply such a Natsu thing to do. Seduce someone unintentionally just by fighting. Despite the good mood projected, our conversation is a serious one and the laughter dissipates, but not uncomfortably. He looks me dead in the eye, a raised eyebrow mychivious in nature.

Whispering: "I would be more careful if I were you, Natsu may not have noticed it, but your pocket is pretty obvious to anyone who looks closely." M heart sticks in my throat for a moment, clasping my hand down rather harshly on my thigh digging the object into my skin painfully. The new pants are less showful then my normal leather ones so I can take comfort in that, I hadn't realized I had been so careless with where I had put it.

Still flaming with the understanding that he had figured me out so quickly I only manage to grumble, almost incoherently: "Thanks..." He winks at me like an old buddy would, and its actually slightly comforting to be on the receiving end of some well meant teasing. "Not like it matters though. Not according to the law here." Its a difficult admission, mostly because the only reason why I have been holding off was because I didn't know how to make it more then a sham.

"I know some people." He shrugs, "Legality aside, its mostly up to you." He leaves it at that before becoming cautious, straying his eyes away from me for a moment. Clearly there's a sensitive topic on his mind. "Did Natsu inform you about Dragonslayers?" Finally he stares at me serious as can be, though there was a lot to unpack in that question, I feel I know what he's talking about with just the flush to his cheeks.

"The whole business of their being two types, yeah, we're careful." I normally wouldn't disclose that much, but I know for certain this was guild business to the man, additionally he is also seen as a father figure to Natsu, I couldn't very well ignore his questioning without being disrespectful. However that is all we leave it that, both taking a swing of our drinks. Mutually uncomfortable.

Grey is a little shit.

I say that as someone who has known him for many long years of struggling with dealing in his stoicism and general need to pride. His pride is vaster then mine and Laxus's together, I swear that to be sure. When he was younger it all made perfect sense to me. He had lost Ur, his master, and someone he considered almost parentally, as children both of us had experienced this. He was embittered by her death, shaped by it in a way I could not understand and was harsh and brash because of it. Lashing out in egotism and pride in her teachings, he would never consider learning other types of magic in pure respect for her.

However, now as we continue to age mutually, he hasn't lost that same gross egotism, the need to be a good student in order to appease a ghost of a woman long since past. The anger he harbours for the one that caused her death -a demon, who also destroyed his family and town turned from a ripe apple into one of blackness rotten on the inside and wasteful. Yet, he still wanted to eat at it instead of letting it drop to the soil. He simply cannot let go. On a level I understand, I am not one to give up, but this is different then the situation I have with my father. I respect him for it, but I also despair for him, because he has allowed himself to be contorted by his continued anger. A thing I had previously done myself, now I can see just how painful that type of duration is.

So as I fight him, I cannot stop my mind from thinking that maybe if he learned to let go he would feel less weak. For thats what drives him so profoundly, its the reason is so strong, that feeling of weakness in the face of anything he comprehends as a threat to the way he lives his life. For as long as I have known him, he has always sought out strength in his magic instead of improving his mentality. On the inside of him there is a little boy who had lost his family, weak to prevent their deaths, a child who even in a time of power lost and failed to protect the only other person to accept him due to reckless abandon of his own design. Guilt, weakness, and anger, are the driving points of his magic. A year ago I wouldn't have argued with that mentality, it had been my own. Being with Laxus had changed my attitude in how I considered myself and my magic.

I had ended up taking up his advice and applying it unintentionally. Three months into our relationship he had told me of the failings in using anger as an outlet for harbouring magical power. Maybe I hadn't believed him then, but since, my punches have a little more force to them, and my fire a little more sting.

Grey doesn't understand this, nor do I think he wants too. His stubbornness is real shitty.

"You idiot just listen!" I'm just trying to get him to listen for once, but I know it won't really work, never does with Grey really, he has always considered me a moron compared to him. Stuck in his ways. His fist catches on my side, making me choke a little as it echos on my ribs. Of course because he's Grey he uses it as opportunity to use his Ice-make and knocks me over with a well placed hammer to the same side he punched. He's not even arguing with me, he's just angry, as if I'm some sort of enemy he needs to eliminate, the eyes he has are ones I recognize but have never had directed before me. It both sets my blood to a boiling point and freezes my bones at the same time. I have never been nervous around Grey, never wary of his intentions. However, I feel now that were I to drop my guard he would take the opportunity to kill me. Hope sets forth in insuring me that isn't the case, after all he's known me almost all our lives, he's a friend, he wouldn't try to kill me, he wouldn't think it a solution. Still I don't know.

I roll upwards after his strike, already feeling weakened, but I think that's more my resolve to fight him then anything physical. Expecting a fight is different then wanting for one,. I have my fist raised without even thinking about it, but I pull it back. I no longer want to teach him a lesson, I don't care for it anymore. Sure, the anger is still there but its losing place to the emotions of sorrow at the Stripper's attitude, and the feeling I have whenever glancing at Laxus's back -now at the bar. Comforting and soothing from the betrayal I feel, settling if only a little the sorrow so present in me now. Honestly, the lack of anger is nice? I'm not used to it, and its a good absence, a change of pace from something I shouldn't have felt for so long anyway.

He stutters in his step, position unsteady as he sees me back down. No matter how he feels about me, about my boyfriend, I know him. So I do the thing I know will tick him off the most, and grin at him as jovially as I can. "Thanks for the fight Grey, needed to let off some steam. Think I'll go get something to eat now." Like it was any other day, except I have never before thanked him for fighting me. It throws him off, I see it clear as the air itself.

"Hold on! You can't just back out you fucking coward!" Strangely the statement doesn't raise anger like it normally would have.

"Well I am.." My grin stays firm, and it actually feels right, like a simple banter between the two of us. Elfman suddenly stands banging his fist on the table, I'm almost wondering how it didn't break for a second.

"Your no man Natsu! How could you-" I rest my gaze on him, because fighting Elfman does nothing, there is no thrill, his magic simply isn't at my level yet, no matter his newfound strength during Phantomlord's assault.

"Frankly, I don't give a shit about what you people have to say about me, or my boyfriend. I'll love whoever I like." His forehead knots, both his and Grey's they seem almost regretful, but I know better then that. Not far off, Maccou and Wakaba glare fiercely at the ground. I'm not naive enough to think that's the end of their ideals being brought forth. . My eyes go to find Laxus, however, they rest on Lucy first, her shoulders shaking slightly as she stares at me directly. But she swallows and regains herself, posture steadying.

"Natsu, I-" I want to question her, or even stop her before she can finish, but she seems intent so I don't. "I wanted to apologize." That isn't what I had expected. Maybe it shows because she seems to gain more confidence in talking, voice calm without tremor. "You're my friend, its not my place to tell you how to live your life. And if you so happen to be in love with a man, then I'll have to accept it. I just ask that you please be patient with me, and I hope we can still be friends?" My chest lightens at her words, I knew she was a good person at heart.

"Definitely!" I give her my full confidence in that, and she smiles happily, something sweet in relief and kind in her appeasing nature. It was a bit presumptuous of me to assume that she would get it right away, but I'm glad she seems genuinely guilty for what she had said, and her thoughts towards me. So, no matter, it would make me the worse person if I didn't accept her apology. Not far off the sound of my disgruntled guildmate makes a most obvious sound of disgust, it takes a personal struggle to stop from punching him square in the face. Instead, I decide to exemplify myself in a more positive light, and use the rare knowledge Laxus bestowed on me of his native culture.

Basically, its a rude way to say 'fuck off,' in Magolanii (name of Laxus's native tribe) culture. One raises their fist as if shaking it at the other person, but instead, you punch the palm of your other hand into the inner elbow. In colonization times it was usually used as a declaration of indepence from the local tribes. I add on a scowl in show of my current standing with him. Perhaps I could have used the more polite version, but hearing Laxus laughing not far from me in mocking and seeing his eyes give me a glance of pride makes the memorization worth it.

Gramps gives out a loud laugh as well, his more brightened, probably because of the alcohol in his system. Grey only seems confused as do the rest of the gathered guild. Though one thing is obvious: it was meant insultingly. Fullbuster knows this, and turns to Gramps with ice in his eyes as opposed to his palms. "What did he just say?!" However the man is too overcome by drink to answer with a straight face.

Laxus wearing his smug smirk leans on the counter and crosses his arms, looking down his nose at -what I have no doubt- he sees as a little child throwing a tantrum. Not saying a word, clearly he isn't going to bother with Grey, I cannot say that I'm shocked by this, Laxus is a bit of a jerk with people, and if he doesn't consider you worth his time you aren't going to be dealt with like an equal. Admittedly I am in love with a man of ego, still he makes it work, unlike the demandable wizard angrily pointing fingers.

Master regains his composure a little, though he is still giggling slightly. "I believe Grey, Natsu just told you -kids cover your ears- to 'fuck off' more or less. In… I think Magolanii?" He shifts himself a little, probably realizing its a little unlikely for me to know that gesture. "Are you native then Lux?" The strong man turns his head in response, I'm surprised that he has come to accept gramps so quickly as to answer, and honestly at that. Or at least, believes him a man of good character, that he is freely disclosing information.

"Only on my Mother's side." It is Mira who speaks next, ignoring Grey as he growls to himself.

"Do you follow any of the traditions then?" Polite is her tone, but her eyes speak of interest, I even see Lucy pay closer attention, perking up to listen in. Several other guild members start to eavesdrop as well, no doubt curious about Native culture it is not like their are many left after all. For his part, Lux doesn't really seem to care about the prying ears, addressing only Mirajane and Gramps. Very him, he doesn't deal with people well.

"Only a few of them, I didn't grow up in the land." He scarcely follows tradition. If I'm honest I find the ways of the ancient tribes more grounded in fact then the ones presented forth by Zentopia. In fact the way people live in common day life is confusing, especially when you consider how at peace the people of Magolanii are. Much more interesting, Laxus explained to me that those who ground themselves to the spirituality of the earth and the sacred holds of all life, the more powerful ones magic will become. That's why people of native descent are often the most powerful of wizards, however, they do not fight or take jobs like the common guilds.

Truthfully, I want to know more, but I know he won't volunteer the information. The only true tradition I've ever seen him do properly is the cleansing ritual, to shed from you the blood of your enemies. Whenever he does it, I feel so much sorrow from him in his aura, it plagues his scent into that of dreary rainfall. This I think to be the most depressing of times, for whenever his mind is on the ritual I cannot be near him, the scent he carries chokes me. Although afterwards he smells like a clean spring, and I can only assume that the right is not for simple cleansing, but to alleviate guilt from those burdened by death.

Rare as it is, was, whenever he would clean himself around me he would seek me out. Aloofly attaching himself to me, and whispering in the native tongue I try so desperately to understand. Because occasionally in these times of redemption and pain he'll open himself and everything he cannot show bursts forth, and he cries like a child in grief. My mind always works for ways to help him, but I can never focus straightforwardly when confronted with his own moments of strife. Much like my own dealings I never know what is appropriate, except when I feel as such I have him, I have him by me and he is always so keen as to what I need from him. Yet I can never help him.

He cries and buries himself into my chest as I so frequently do to him, and all I do his hold him close. How could anyone consider us disgusting?

"You really love him don't you?" Lucy's voice breaks my thought, and I snap my eyes to her. Laughing a little at my own absence of presence. I hadn't realized I had been staring at his back, not paying attention to the rest of the guild disgruntingly settling down with their new addition. Macao and Wakaba drinking heavily at the bar, as if they needed to burn away the day from memory. Grey and Elfman are glaring about, whispering to each other, no doubt hatefully. Lucy seems to be the calmest in the hall, apprehensive in her posture, but yet, compassion shines clear in her eyes, and she meets mine with a clear gaze not beholden with any type of fear. "You were staring at him like he was the moon and stars." She giggled, good humour, trying to make herself understand something she doesn't fully comprehend. All the while making me feel comfortable by not changing herself. Lucy's a rare one thats for sure.

My worry about her being as Grey seem to be unfounded. "I was not!" I respond instead of thanking her, if normality is what she wants then I can accept that.

"You were! I thought you were gonna start fluttering your eyelashes!" I could not have been that far gone! Stupid Lucy must've been seeing things. Even so, I feel a heat in my cheeks displaying like a beacon of guilt. Happy flutters by the picture of self peace with a fish in his paws, sitting at the table beside and raising one paw in comment.

"Lucy's right Natsu, your in looooooovvveeeee!" I was really hoping I hadn't made it too obvious, although Happy would make the same claim to anyone, still a smug evil expression rests on his face, confident that he has it all figured it out. "Just admit it." He starts nibbling on his fish, teasing as he does so. "Natsu and Lux sitting in a tree-"

"Shut it Happy!" Lucy is laughing along, revalling for once in his taunting where she never had before.

"-k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" They both finish laughing along with each other, and I glimpse a hidden high-paw behind their backs, as they both wear darken expressions. Embarrassment is clear in my mind still its a nice change of atmosphere, and it is lessened considerably from what it would normally be.

"You can talk Lucy, where's yoouur boyfriend?" She gaped at that one, and Happy looks at her with a smile, clearly thinking the same as I am.

"You fell into that one Lu." The familiar voice shakes both me and Lucy from our banter, as Levi joins into our conversation, looking the picture of perfect health. Nay a scratch upon her, though she does look a little tired. I wonder how much she heard, honestly, I'm just glad she's doing alright. Lucy seems delighted, considering her jumping onto the poor woman, Levi seems to welcome it, so I don't say anything. I do give her a smile however. "Natsu!" Me and her don't normally speak so she catches me off guard with her apparent delight at seeing me. "That's one fine looking hulk of a man you got!" She winks at me, and I have to laugh at it, her natural way of lightening the mood could've been very useful just a little while ago.

"Well I have to agree with you there!" Giggles fill the hall, sorely missed from her time healing, it is a nice return to how things were with her good humour ringing about the place as it always has. Jet and Droy don't seem to be doing so bad either, joining in with their team leader in earnest. They don't seem to mind my and Laxus's relationship, which is refreshing seen as it is currently being gossiped about in every corner of the guild.

Others take notice of their return and some come to greet team shadow gear back home, Grey and Elfman included, I have to resist scowling at them both. There's the normal inquiries about health and concern spread among those gathered, Mira suggesting that they should all eat something to get their strength back, while Lucy manages to fret and joke about in between questions with the other girl. I see eyes glaring down at me, and I force them back with my own feelings of rebellion. A strain between me and at least half the crowd building.

However before it can snap, Master calls out from next to Laxus -who I note has turned in curiosity.- At their return. "Ah, good your back, I have something I want to ask you lot." He wears with him a grim expression, and in response Levi nods equally as seriously, bidding an 'excuse me,' as she goes to meet him. Laxus in good manner distances himself from their conversation, and I decide to go to him instead of leaving myself with those unwelcoming of my company. He vacates himself to a table instead of the bar, letting the Master and Levi have privacy for their serious conversation.

Hopping ontop of the table directly in front of him hardly garners any reaction, other then moving his beer away from where I had been about to knock it over. He's more then used to it by now, in fact he has taken to reading the newspaper, that had been tucked underneath his arm. No doubt following habit. Its mean of him to not even pay me any attention, not that I would pout or any thing like that. But I was hoping in part, to hear what he thought of our guildhall, or just the people in general, even if he hasn't faced their best side yet. I go to speak when he lays his hand on my thigh stroking his thumb back and forth. A position we have had for a very long time now. He mutters when reading, squinting a little, and I try to follow along to the disjointed words for something to do.

He throws the paper down within a few minutes scowling as he tosses it carelessly onto the tabletop. Something must have annoyed him. So naturally I go to look for myself, I'm stopped by him shaking his head at me resolutely head in hand. This time I stare at him, furrowing my brows and waiting for an explanation, he opens his mouth to speak, but sighs instead, rubbing at his eyes with his free hand.

"Are you certain that's a good idea Master?!" Levi's voice reaches me a tilt to it I cannot pinpoint. "I mean, if you think that it'll help… I'm okay with it." She holds her arm, biting her lip, nervous at whatever he had purposed. I have to wonder that is, it doesn't sound good, or look that way from how she responded. I don't hear him continue, as their conversation goes quiet once more.

Pressure on my thigh, has me looking over to Laxus, who still has a far off look in his eyes, thinking of something far different, that too cannot be good, as he is insuring himself of my presence. Occasionally he'll need to, but it is not a regular thing for him. Not that I dislike it, I enjoy having him having near me just as much as he does. Lucy walks over, appearing as nervous as Levi, not looking away from her friend talking to Gramps.

"I wonder what that's about?" She questions me, hoping I can provide an answer by proximity. I shake my head.

"No idea. Nothing good." By me my boyfriend sighs once more, but I know he hasn't heard any of us. He has selective hearing in moments like these. The blue hair of Levi wobbles as she nods once more to Gramps, then makes her way, with wary eyes to where me and Lucy are, still holding her arm. She stops and both of us wait for whatever she wanted to say. She breathes through her nose, I'm a little surprised to see irritation in the action. So far removed from her usual pleasant happy aura.

"Apparently, Master is going to invite Juvia of the Element Four to join the guild." Ah, that must have been why she hesitated. From what I understand though, Juvia wasn't too bad a person, even if she did work with Phantom. Though I could see why someone who was so directly targeted by her guild would be nervous about letting one of them join. "That's not all. He wondered, if I'd be comfortable allowing Gajeel to join as well."

"WHAT?!"

"ARE YOU GOING SENILE GRAMPS?!" Both me and Lucy break forth the fragile statement pronounced by the wary woman in front of us. Yelling directly, not heeding Levi who tries to calm us down in a frazzled state. Placating hands held up, and smile in place. Celestial and Dragonslayer alike, we both get a harsh glare from Gramps in return, a reprimand for disturbing the guild, but nothing more harsh then that. Fingers jab into my leg, and I turn to yell at my boyfriend for interupting my anger at such a ridiculous notion. When any thought of reprimand flees me in staring into blue-grey eyes and is all let out in the sigh I produce. I hate how he can do that so fastly. Laxus holds my knee, not straying his eyes from mine, speaking annoyed.

"The hell you yelling about?" He really hadn't been paying any attention, I growl a little at his obliviousness, he could of at least paid attention to what was going around him before reprimanding me for my anger. I cross my arms, meeting his stare.

"Levi, just told us that Master Makarov intends to invite Juvia and Black Steel Gajeel to join Fairytail." Lucy replies for me, which is unfair. On the outside, Laxus hardly responds, but I feel his hand tense and his jaw tick at the information. He doesn't like it either. He lets go of me.

"Huh, good then, I've heard a lot about this guy, I'd like to have a chat with him." I catch onto the double meaning, but anyone else, not acquainted with the ways of the Dark Wizards wouldn't have caught onto his meaning. I think it best to tell him not to do anything like that. But I know it wouldn't do anything really, I have to wonder at his reaction though. It wasn't as if Phantomlord has harmed or slighted him in anyway. Yet he seems smug at the fact, downright expectant, for when he can threaten the metal dragon. Admittedly it makes me a little cautious at the glee in his eyes. He has not come out of Raventail without a few sadistic tendencies afterall, I just hope he won't display them publicly, or go overboard. Even if the jerk deserves a little payback for what he did to Shadow Gear and our hall, I am one who believes in second chances; example being me and Laxus's relationship.

Lucy on the other hand, doesn't get what he's throwing down. Even in the wake of his intimidation, she narrows her eyes. "Good? That guy beat team Shadow Gear to a pulp not to mention destroyed our guildhall! And you want to have a friendly conversation with the man?!" Yeah, she definitely didn't understand what he meant. For his part my blond man seems to understand this. Taking it in stride, and simply raising his eyebrow at her indignation.

"I didn't say friendly princess."