This story is like an absurd earworm and instead of working on my novels I'm writing fanfiction for Hiro Mashima. Hmph.

Lucy sat on a boulder high up on the ridge of Draco's canyon. Yukino had curled up in her sleeping bag and Draco remained next to lake. She could imagine that he used his natural camouflage to hunt at night but was staying for her sake. Without being able to see it, she could tell that his attention was focused on her. As well as an open eye.

Her pensiveness was so deep that the bright lights of Loke's arrival didn't surprise her. "You should sleep," he said softly, sitting down next to her. "You're supposed to start training tomorrow."

She didn't bother asking how he knew that. "I can't. There's just- I don't know." She dropped her head onto her knees. "Can you do me a favor?" she asked, her voice muffled.

"Of course, we can elope. I thought you'd never ask," Loke said, smirking at her.

Lucy lifted her head and glared at him. "Shut up, idiot. That's not even close," she said, shoving him with her shoulder but a small smile appeared. "I need you-" She stopped, her gaze moving to Draco. "Don't let me run away."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm scared. What if I can't do this?"

"I've never heard you talk like this."

"Normally because Natsu's stupidity rubs off. I guess it only took six months for self-preservation and common sense to kick back in." At that, Loke chuckled. "I need you to not let me run away because I get scared or because it's too hard."

"You gave your-"

"He wouldn't let me. He didn't want me to risk my other contracts if training with him became too difficult and I gave up."

"You won't give up because you're a Fairy Tail mage."

"Fairy Tail doesn't exist anymore." The words had fallen from her mouth so many times that harsh bitterness was gone. He hated hearing the sadness that was combined with her acceptance.

"That emblem on your hand says otherwise. As does the one on my back. Just because it's gone now, doesn't mean it can't return. The guild's been rebuilt before. You'll just have to finish your training and come back strong enough to rebuild it yourself."

"And beat the crap out of Natsu."

"Definitely do that. And don't forget, I'll be here with you the entire time."

"Loke, promise you won't go easy on me. This won't work if you do."

"Yes, Princess."

Lucy stood, stretched her arms over head, and arched her back. Next to her, Loke unabashedly ogled. "Thank you," she said before starting to climb down.

"Anytime, Princess," he said, watching her carefully make her way down to Yukino.

The next morning, Yukino prepared to leave on her own. Her brown eyes searched Lucy's for the hesitation from the night before but the fear seemed to have disappeared. Slowly, she smiled and nodded.

"Okay then," Yukino said, the smile widening.

"Are you sure that Sabertooth won't mind holding my stuff?"

"Don't worry about that. Can I tell Sting and Rogue where you are?"

"Don't tell them about Draco but everything else, yes. I want to explain everything on my own time."

"Okay. I'll be back in a month's time. If there's anything you need before that or want me to bring, you have your lacrima."

"You sound like your worried that you'll never see me again."

"I'll admit that I'm concerned," Yukino said.

Lucy took her hands. "Go. Take care of your boys. And call me if you hear any- Actually, no. Don't call me. I'll become a dragon slayer and sniff his ass out and then kick it into Bosco."

Yukino chuckled. "Sounds like a plan." The girls hugged and when Yukino stepped away, both of them knew it was time for her to go.

Lucy watched Yukino make her way up the side of the valley. Once she was over the edge and out of sight, Lucy turned to Draco. "What first?"

"Call Leo out. I want you to start with endurance training."

Running. Of course, they had to start with running.

-O-

"Yukino! Where have you been?" Sting demanded, running up to her when she entered the guild. He held her shoulders as he looked for any possible injuries that could have delayed her by so many days.

"I'm sorry, Sting. I got back and then left again with Lucy."

"Lucy?"

She nodded and looked around for Rogue. He was watching them talk but immediately stood when Yukino beckoned him over. Frosch watched him walk away but Lector was quick to entertain her again.

"Come on," she said, motioning to Sting's office.

The office was large with two desks, because Sting didn't do anything without Rogue, a burgundy sofa, and trophy case with all the GMG trophies from before Natsu and his friends returned. Sting carefully leaned on his desk, which was covered in papers, while Rogue against the wall by the door.

"On my last mission, I met someone who specialized in a powerful type of celestial magic," Yukino said, thinking of how she'd planned to phrase it on the train ride home.

"That's awesome. Can we see it?" Sting asked.

"No. He said that only a Heartfilia could learn it as an adult. So, when I got back, I visited Lucy and took her to him. She's decided to stay and train. Which brings me to this: can we store her stuff here?"

"Sure. There's space in the basement."

"Okay. I'll see who I can round up to help pack."

"Yuki," Rogue said softly as she went to pass him, "Are you sure that you're okay with not being able to train with Lucy?"

"Yeah," she said honestly. The entire train ride had been spent trying to figure how to word what happened without mentioning that Draco was a dragon. Knowing her abysmal poker face and the fact that the dragon slayers could probably smell a spike of adrenaline, she'd told the truth. Just not all of it. "I'd rather be with the guild and my boys." She looked over her shoulder at Sting. "Besides, someone's gotta keep you out of trouble. Not blowing up a monster and getting guts everywhere."

Sting sputtered and Rogue laughed.