Morning light streamed in through the windows of the room. Rays of sunshine fell onto the face of the girl sleeping in bed, gradually waking her. She opened her eyelids, revealing red irises beneath. She yawned. She ran a hand through her long, red hair, and then sat up.
Flare Corona sat in the bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She looked around the room where she had spent the past few nights. It was a somewhat small, undecorated room. When Master Makarov agreed to let her stay at the guild, he said she could use the room, since it wasn't currently being used for anything. She wasn't sure what it had been used for before she arrived, but decided it couldn't have been anything special. The "bed" she was on was not a real bed, but a makeshift creation. It was a bunch of boxes with an old mattress placed on top. But she found it comfortable enough.
She stretched her arms out, and blinked a few times. She knew she should get up, but part of her still wanted to sleep more. She considered laying down for a little while longer. As she sat there caressing the all-too-inviting pillow, she heard a knock on the door. She sighed a little. So much for sleeping in, she thought.
Before she could answer the knock, the door opened. In walked Master Makarov himself. He stepped into the room, and looked at her sitting in bed.
"You know, its not nice to come into a girl's bedroom uninvited", she said, not entirely seriously. She was covered in the bed sheet, although she was not naked underneath. She was still wearing her dress, but without the gloves and shoes, which were placed on a nearby chair. She hadn't brought any changes of clothes with her to the guild, so she had to wear what she came with on her back.
"This isn't your bedroom." Makarov said. "It's a room in my guild that I'm letting you use for the time being."
"I know, and I do appreciate it." She said. "But I wouldn't mind an extra pillow and a cup of coffee." She said this with a smile.
Makarov breathed deeply, and stepped further into the room. He sat down on a chair on the other side of the room. "You're feeling playful this morning, are you? Well, I'm not here to play. There's something important you and I need to talk about."
Flare tilted her head. "Important? You and I? This sounds serious. I better get dressed." As she said this, she moved over on the bed, and sat with her legs hanging off the side. She reached for her gloves and shoes on the chair, and began putting them on, which was her idea of 'getting dressed'.
Makarov shook his head a little, but pressed on. "You know, Miss Corona… Flare. You've been staying here for a few days now. I was fine with letting you seek shelter here temporarily, but this can't go on like this. You're not a member of this guild, and you're not contributing anything."
Flare stopped what she was doing, and turned to look at Makarov. She stared for a moment, and blinked. "You're kicking me out?" She asked simply.
"Not exactly." Makarov said. "I know that you're in a bad situation right now. But as I said, I can't let you continue to stay here when you aren't a member, or contributing anything."
Flare tilted her head again. "You want me to join Fair Tail?"
"I won't ask that of you." He said. "Although if you wanted to, I wouldn't oppose it. But I will have to insist that if you're going to stay here any longer, then you start making yourself useful to the guild. That way, we can both help each other."
Flare smiled. "Gee, and here I thought you were just letting me stay out of the goodness of your heart."
Makarov smiled back, but with less humor. "I'm afraid I'm not that generous. The fact is, you're not the only one in a bad situation. As much as I hate to admit it, our guild is vulnerable, and isn't in the best shape. You know about our current enemy that we're dealing with, correct? In fact, they're the reason you came here in the first place. Isn't that right?"
After Makarov said this, Flare turned her head and looked out the window. She looked at the blue sky outside. She wasn't ignoring him, but was contemplating what he just said, and what it might mean.
"So, you want me to help you fight them?" she finally said. She said this quietly, the humor gone out of her voice.
"Not necessarily." He replied. "That depends on how this 'meeting' with them goes. But I wouldn't be surprised if in the near future we need some extra help. In the meantime, the conditions are simple: if the guild is attacked, you help us defend it. And if we go on the attack, you fight alongside us." Flare remained silent for a moment. Makarov spoke again, "It may seem to you that I'm asking a lot. But I'm just looking out for the best interests of my guild. This guild can be hard to look after in the best of times. And these are not the best of times. Frankly, we can't afford to take care of an outsider who's just going to be an additional burden."
After Makarov finished talking, Flare turned to look at him. "You're not leaving me much of a choice, are you?" she said.
"There's always a choice." He replied.
Flare slowly nodded. She then turned to the master, and smiled a twisted smile. "Aww, why the hell not?" she said. "Sure, I'll help you. Its not like I've got anything better to do. And I guess I should stop being a loafer and start contributing something, yeah? Uh, I could use some money though. This 'fighting for Fairy Tail' thing wouldn't be a paying position, would it?"
Makarov smiled a little. "No. Although, maybe one of the members would let you accompany them on a job, and split the reward with you. Couldn't hurt to ask. Of course, it would be easier if you joined, so you could accept jobs yourself…"
Flare tilted her head a little, still smiling, but looking a bit more strained. "Thanks, but after what happened with Raven Tail, I'm not looking for another guild to join right now."
Makarov shrugged. "Suit yourself. But as far as everything else goes, we have a deal?" He held out his hand. Flare stared for a moment, and then responded.
"Sure, deal." She said, and reached out her own hand. They shook on it.
"I have an important task for you." Boudica said.
"Oh, is that right?" the dragon slayer responded.
The two of them were in the war room on the third floor of the grey building. Normally, only the leaders of the alliance were allowed in there, but Boudica wanted a conversation someplace where they wouldn't be interrupted. She sat in her throne/chair and he stood nearby, arms folded. The sun from outside came in through the windows, but the clouds in the sky allowed only patches of light, and left the rest of the room dim.
"Yes." Boudica said. "Nothing too difficult. I just want you to watch Natsu Dragneel."
The man known as Cobra smirked. "The fire dragon slayer. I've been curious about that one. When you say 'watch him'…"
"I mean, I want you to keep an eye on him, observe him. Right now, I have to deal with Fairy Tail, Natsu's guild."
"Is he even still a member of that guild?" Cobra said. "He's been here these past few months, but he still has their guild mark, and still goes on about them sometimes."
"We'll deal with that later." Boudica said. "For now, I'll deal with the guild itself. Which means I can't devote attention to Natsu right now. So, for the moment, that will be your job."
Cobra frowned. "You want me to be a babysitter? That's not what I signed up for."
"Its only temporary." She replied. "Besides, I suspect I'll have a more important task for you in the near future." Cobra lowered his head, and walked around the room a little.
"You know, I am grateful to you for helping me and all. Really, I am. But that doesn't mean I want to hang around here being your errand boy. I just want something to do to make us even, so I can get on with my life."
Boudica listened to his words, and then leaned forward a little in the chair. "And what would you do with your life at that point?" she asked. Cobra said nothing, but just folded his arms again. "Do you even know?" she persisted.
"That's for me to worry about." He said simply.
Boudica shrugged. "Have it your way. Once I'm finished dealing with Fairy Tail, you can consider us even, and go on your way. Keep in mind, there is a chance that they may need to be dealt with in a lethal manner. If that happens, then I expect you to participate."
Cobra smiled. "That's fine by me. In fact, I kind of feel like I got cheated out of a fight with them the last time. During the Nirvana deal, we were supposed to mix it up with them. But then you and your pals came along, and things changed."
"Yes they did." Boudica said. "Maybe you'll still get your chance if you're lucky. Personally though, I'd prefer to avoid that distraction. Either way, just watch Natsu for right now, and if you're needed for something bigger, I'll let you know."
"You got it, boss." He said, without enthusiasm. He walked out of the room to prepare himself for his chore, leaving Boudica alone.
It was nighttime, and Lucy Heartfilia was lying in her bed in her apartment. She was not asleep. She lay there on her side with her eyes open, looking at the walls. She ran her fingers along the cool bed sheet. She sighed.
She had been laying there for twenty minutes, unable to sleep. Her body felt relaxed, but her mind was preoccupied with so many things. There was the business with the enemy cult group, who were supposed to be sending an "envoy" in the morning. Lucy didn't know what was going to happen there. And earlier, Gray had approached her and told her about some secret mission he was going on with Mystogan, and he asked her if she wanted to help. She hadn't been expecting that. After thinking about it for some time, she eventually agreed to do it. She wasn't entirely sure why though. She thought Gray's plan sounded a little half baked. And yet, it still sounded like a better idea to her than agreeing to meet with these people who had attacked and hurt so many, including Fairy Tail. She sighed again, and sat up in bed. She turned on a dim light, not wanting the room to be bright.
"What's wrong, Lucy?" a voice said. Lucy turned and looked to her side. Loke was lying there, looking up at her. He was naked underneath the bed sheet. Although Lucy hadn't planned on it, the two of them had ended up sleeping together again. She had intended their previous encounter to be a one-time thing. Although, she also hadn't ruled out the possibility of a second time…
"Nothing." Lucy responded. Loke sat up next to her.
"Really? Nothing?" he said.
Lucy shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, a lot of things. I just… I don't know, my brain won't shut up. I'm just thinking about what might happen over the next few days, and everything that could go wrong. I'm tired of things going wrong."
"You can always call on me if anything does." He said, rubbing her shoulder.
"Thanks." Lucy said. "I have a feeling I'm going to need all my spirits. I actually wouldn't mind having a couple more to call on."
"I'm sure you will, sooner or later." He said. "In the meantime, I guess I'll just have to work twice as hard."
Lucy smiled at him. "I bet you will." After that, they sat there in silence for a minute. Loke was about to suggest they lay down again, when Lucy spoke up.
"Hey Loke? I want to ask you something."
"What is it?" he said, looking at her with curiosity.
Lucy wrung her hands a little, considering how to phrase her question. Without looking at him, she spoke, "What are we exactly? What we're doing, I mean, we're not dating, right? But we've done this a couple times now. Sooo…"
"Well…" Loke began. "We are friends at least, right?"
"Of course." Lucy said.
"Do you want us to be more than that?" he said.
After a few seconds she said. "No. At least, I don't think so. I'm okay with things as they are." Lucy was a little surprised to find herself saying this, and more surprised to find she meant it. In the past, she had always assumed that when she slept with someone it would be someone she was in love with. And yet, here she was.
"So, I guess that makes us fuck buddies." Loke bluntly said with a grin.
Lucy looked at him and frowned. "Fuck buddies?" she repeated in a less than thrilled tone. "That's so crass."
Loke could tell she was not amused by that. "Mmm, okay, how about friends with benefits?" he suggested.
Lucy's expression eased. "That sounds better."
Loke smiled. "Okay. Friends with benefits then." He sat there a moment with his arms behind his head. He then felt Lucy gently nudge him in the ribs with her elbow.
"Fuck buddies." She repeated again, still with a little annoyance, but also now with a hint of amusement. Loke threw up his hands.
"Okay, I get it, I won't say that again." He promised. They both laughed a little. The two of them there in bed, with their upper bodies bare. Only the sound of their breathing was heard. Lucy reached a hand over to him and touched his bare skin. She started rubbing his chest, and looked at him in a way that suggested she wanted something other than sleep right then. Loke smiled.
Before things could go any further, a loud sound startled them both. It came from the door to Lucy's apartment. They sat there a moment, and then the sound repeated. Someone was knocking on the door, loudly.
"Hello, Lucy Heartfilia?" a voice on the other side of the door said. "We're from the magic council. We want to speak with you." Lucy and Loke exchanged a glance.
"This can't be good." Lucy said. The knocking continued. "I'll be right there, hold on!" she said. She quickly got out of bed and started putting her pajamas on. Loke got up. "I'll be around the corner where they can't see me. If you need my help, I'll surprise them." He whispered.
"I don't think we can attack the magic council." She said quietly.
"I'll only get involved if they start something. Besides, they could be lying about who they are. Be careful." He replied. He got up and went over to the corner.
"We have important matters to discuss, please open the door." The voice again said.
"I'm getting dressed, hold on!" Lucy said. "Be quick." The voice said. Lucy finished putting her pajamas on, and got up. She walked over towards the door. She saw Loke in the corner, still naked. She wanted to tell him to put something on, but she was afraid whoever was at the door would hear her. Besides, she figured that men weren't as concerned with modesty as women were, so it probably didn't bother him as much as it would her in the same place.
Lucy grabbed the door knob and opened the door. Standing just outside the door was a young man dressed in a rather formal looking uniform with some symbols on it. He had long black hair and a stern face, and was carrying some kind of book. Beside him were two other men, dressed in similar uniforms. Lucy recognized what they were wearing. They were rune knights.
"Are you Lucy Heartfilia?" the long haired man said. Lucy nodded.
"Yes, I am. And you are…?" she replied.
"I am Lahar, and I am here on behalf of the magic council. I want to ask you a few questions. May I come in?"
Lucy was reluctant to let them in. Partially because Loke was still in there naked. But also because the whole situation felt weird to her. These strange men showing up at her door in the middle of the night without warning made her uneasy, even if they were ostensibly from the council. "Do you know what time it is?" she said. "You can't just come barging into a young girl's apartment in the middle of the night. I'd… rather you stayed out there."
Lahar looked annoyed, but said, "Fine. This should only take a minute or two." Lucy waited a moment for him to continue, while the other two men stood by impassively. "First of all…" he said. "I want to ask where your master is right now."
"My master?" she said.
"Yes." Lahar continued. "We went to your guildhall earlier, but he wasn't there. There's something urgent I want to discuss with him. Where is he right now?"
Lucy felt uncomfortable with this line of questioning, but answered him. "I don't know. He didn't tell me anything."
"Then when will he be back?" he said.
"I don't know, really." She said. "Probably soon."
"Soon?"
"Look, I don't know. What's so important you need to talk to him now?" she said.
"Its about these aggressors from Bosco. That's all you need to know. Perhaps we'll try again tomorrow."
Lucy knew that the aggressors in question were supposed to send an envoy tomorrow. Makarov had agreed to this. Lucy didn't know what the magic council wanted. Although, she was aware that Fairy Tail and the council had a rocky relationship. She didn't know what might happen if they showed up at the same time as the envoy. She also didn't know how the master would want her to handle this, so she just said what came to mind.
"Actually, we're going to be busy tomorrow. Not the best time." She said.
"If you're going to be busy tomorrow, then your master will probably be there. Sounds like the perfect time." He said. Lucy frowned, but didn't say anything. "I'll see you then, Miss Heartfilia." He said. He then turned on his heel and left, followed closely by the rune knights. After they left, Lucy shut the door and locked it. She turned around and leaned back against the door. "Shit." She said.
"Potty mouth." Loke said, emerging from around the corner.
"Hey, you're the one who said we're 'fuck buddies'." Lucy replied.
Loke laughed. "Jeez, are you gonna let that go? I'm sorry, I didn't think it would irritate you so much." Lucy waved a hand.
"No, its just that guy." She said. "I can't believe he came here in the middle of the night asking those questions. What was that about? The whole thing made me really nervous."
Loke walked over to her and put an arm around her. "Well, you did a good job hiding it. You handled yourself well."
"Thanks." She said. Loke was still naked, and she was making a deliberate effort to look him in the eyes. "You know, you could've at least put your underwear on."
Loke smirked. "It's nothing you haven't seen before."
"That's not the point." She said. As they stood there, she noticed the playful look on his face, but also noticed there was also a sympathetic expression mixed in. He rubbed her shoulder, which somehow made her feel a little better. "Anyway, I'm glad you were here." She said. "If I had been really alone here, I think it would have been harder to handle."
"Don't mention it." He said. "So, do you want to pick up where we left off?" Lucy knew what he meant by that.
"Sorry Loke, but that Lahar guy killed the mood, I think." She gently removed his hand from her, and started walking back towards her bed. "Besides, I should get to sleep. I feel like I'll need it for tomorrow."
Loke nodded. "Do you want me to go then?" he asked. Lucy held up a hand.
"No, no. You can stay. Just no naughty stuff. Not now, anyway." She climbed into bed and motioned him to join her. He smiled again.
"Okay. I'm coming." He said. "Keeping your pajamas on?"
"Just making sure." She said.
"So, did you have a chance to talk with Wendy?" Gray said, attempting to be conversational.
"Briefly." Mystogan replied. "But I could tell she wanted to talk more. She seems lonely."
"Yeah, I know." Gray replied. The two of them were standing outside of the guild. It was dark, and there were very few people out at that time. Gray had wanted to have this conversation with Mystogan alone, and he had agreed.
"But that isn't what you really want to talk about, is it?" Mystogan said.
"Right now, no." Gray said bluntly. "There are bigger things to worry about. I want to make sure we're on the same page with this plan."
Mystogan nodded. He was wearing his mask since they were outside, and was mostly sticking to the shadows. "I told you before I'll help you. As you say, I am the most qualified for this particular mission. I'm under the impression that Wendy is coming as well."
Gray folded his arms. "We'll see. The master has been saying he might want her at this meeting, assuming it takes place. Personally, I'm half expecting them to just show up and attack us again tomorrow."
"If that happens, I assume the mission is cancelled." Mystogan said.
"For now, at least." Gray said. "Anyway, assuming this does happen, I asked Lucy to come along too."
Mystogan turned to face gray. "Miss Heartfilia. You think her skills will be especially useful here?"
Gray shrugged. "I don't know about especially. But I'm sure she can help out in some ways. Besides, we've worked together a lot, and know what to expect from each other. Sometimes that's good to have." Mystogan simply nodded, although Gray could barely see it in the dark.
"How do you plan to make it there?" Mystogan asked.
"Train." Gray said. "I already bought a few tickets. We leave tomorrow afternoon."
"I think I'd prefer making my way there through other means." Mystogan said. "At any rate, you might not be able to get all the way into Bosco by train, with the new travel restrictions. You may need to find some other way to make it the rest of the way."
"I know. That's why I'm also bringing Happy. Wendy said Carla could go with us too." Then a minute of silence passed. Mystogan said, "Was there anything else?"
"Guess not." Gray said.
"Then I will see you tomorrow." Mystogan replied.
"Yeah, see ya." Gray said. But after a moment, he realized that Mystogan was already gone. Gray made an irritated noise, and then went on his way. Shortly after he left, someone else stepped into the spot where the two of them had talked. He had been listening nearby, but went unnoticed. He stared into the night.
"I'll have to talk to them tomorrow." Said Master Makarov.
Endnotes: I should probably clarify that Lucy and Loke will not necessarily become a romantic couple. I'm not ruling out the possibility of it, I haven't made up my mind yet. But its certainly not a guarantee. Don't be surprised if they ultimately end up with other people. To be honest, I wanted to explore a casual sexual relationship in this story because its such a taboo in anime, and something you generally won't see in canon (not just for Fairy Tail, but in general).
Also, mentioning this might open up a can of worms, but there's something I also want to clarify about Natsu, given the direction of his relationship with Lisanna. My personal interpretation of Natsu (based on how he behaves in canon) is that he is demisexual. For anyone interested, here is what it basically means: wiki/Gray_asexuality#Demisexuality
I don't think mentioning that about Natsu is a big deal, but it might help to make his character here a little clearer.
As for the non-romantic stuff; the story will have another big turning point in the next few chapters. This chapter was more about setting things up.
