Shadows of the Heart

A LaLu pairing

Rated T ( no lemons this time)

Everywhere, every damn where he looked more and more red and pink hearts assailed his eyes. It was bad enough that he found his mailbox overstuffed with sappy cards spouting love this and love that, enough to make you want to puke. But why on Earthland did the town feel the need to shove this love shit down their throats as well? This was one day of the year where he wished he could just fade into the background, to not be seen or heard, but his hulking body and huge ego worked against him there. He couldn't go unnoticed even if he tried, and it made him even crankier.

He knew the moment he'd woken up there was something off about the day, something poked at his brain, and he tried to remember what the hell it was that he was supposed to be remembering about this date that was so important. But nothing came to mind. Did he have a mission he'd forgotten? Doubtful, if he had then he would've been awoken by his team banging on his door. No, it wasn't mission related, but then maybe it had something to do with the guild? A birthday or anniversary perhaps? Not that he'd care either way. Those kinds of things didn't appeal to him. So what the hell was it then? It was there right on the tip of his tongue as he trudged outside to get his mail in a pair of lightning pajama pants, uncaring of who would see him. He froze when his gaze landed on what used to be a normal sized mailbox, but instead found what looked like an overinflated metal balloon ready to pop at the slightest touch.

"Ah fuck, don't tell me."

Not wanting a repeat of last year he picked up the nearest stick and poked at it, only barely managing to stand back as it exploded. Twisting his lips in a grimace, he noted the hundreds of frilly red cards, bursting with confetti flitting to the ground.

"Every fuckin' year it gets worse." He grumbled, sending out a few small lightning bolts, frying the frilly cards to ashes.

Twenty minutes later Laxus made his way to the guild taking back alleys and avoiding the main streets like the plague. He'd learned his lesson years ago to stay away from the crowds when he'd been besieged while on his way to the guild. He shuddered as he remembered the mob of females that had appeared out of nowhere. The oppressing giggles of the screechy females, swarmed him before he could react. Hands flying everywhere, clothes being ripped as red hearts full of chocolates were thrust into his face from all directions. He still got the chills every time a bunch of school girls passed by him.

Shaking himself from the bad memories he pushed open the guild doors and suddenly wished he had stayed home. He wasn't sure how, but Mira had decorated every available surface in the huge room with hearts. Red and pink streamers wrapped around the rooms pillars making him dizzy. Hearts of various shapes and sizes plastered the walls, and the ceiling was supporting an army of ugly babies in diapers holding bows and arrows. He snorted as he walked through the doors noticing the red balloons floating around the ugly babies.

"God, I really don't need this shit." he muttered making his way to the girliest looking bar he'd ever seen. Placing a hand down he had to snort at the texture. Somewhere Mira had found a table cloth of red velvet.

"Mira, get me a beer!"

"Don't you think it's a little too early for booze Laxus?"

"I'm a grown man Mira, I can have booze in the morning if I damn well… what the fuck are you wearing?"

The takeover mage had strolled in from the kitchen wearing the most frilliest red monstrosity he'd ever seen. It was the length of a ball gown, the skirt swung around with her movements and he knew the damn thing had one of those stupid hoop skirts underneath the fabric.

"What? You don't like my Valentines Day dress, Laxus?" She asked innocently with a smirk.

"How the hell do you move in that thing?"

She laughed, placing a bottle of beer on the bar for him. "All it takes is a little practice."

"And no gag reflex." He mumbled, popping the top of the bottle, taking a generous swig.

She giggled. "Oh Laxus. Just because you can't stand Valentines Day doesn't mean everyone in our guild does."

"That's a real shame." He replied with a smirk and made his way to the second floor.

"Going to waste another day in your office?" She called after him.

He shrugged as went up the stairs. "The old man left the paperwork to me while he's away."

"But you're gonna miss our Valentines party!"

"You know at first I was fuckin annoyed at the old man for pushing off all this shit onto me, but if it gets me out of this red nightmare, then that's alright with me."

"Party pooper!" She yelled back.

"You know what they say Mira, every party needs a pooper!"

Many hours later found Laxus in an even crankier mood. He'd just managed to get caught up with the pile of paperwork the Master left him and sat back in exhaustion. He could hear the rambunctious sounds of his guild mates outside of his office doors, yelling, laughing and generally having a good time. He contemplated just staying cooped up in his office for the remainder of the night, however he hadn't eaten in a while and even if he did stay in his office he wouldn't outlast a party at Fairy Tail. Grumbling he made his way out his office door and paused on the second floor landing to watch the chaos down below. Just like in Fairy Tail fashion the guild was packed and everywhere he looked he saw happy smiling faces.

"What a bunch of idiots." He muttered leaning on the railing to watch. His stormy eyes scanned the crowds seeing couples sitting together, drinking with goofy grins on their faces and again he had to hold himself back from barfing at all the lovey dovey crap. He was brought out of his musings by Mira's voice over the loudspeaker and turned to watch the stage at the far end with everyone else.

"Ok kiddies! It's time for us to really let loose with a Valentine's dance! This is no ordinary dance though, its a competition!"

"Yeah! I'm all fired up, Mira! What do I gotta do?" Natsu shouted, his arm around Lisanna.

"Huh, wonder when that happened." Laxus muttered.

"It's a competition to see who can dance the longest without passing out!" Mira shouted back. "Now everyone get into pairs and as soon as you make your way onto the dance floor I will start the music." She nodded, making her way over to the music controls.

"Alright, come on Lisanna, lets beat that Popsicle stick!" Natsu shouted dragging the girl onto the floor as Gray led Juvia out as well. The two were already shooting daggers at each others with their eyes and he could see it probably wouldn't be long til one blew up.

His eyes landed on the multiple couples as they made their way out onto the floor. Evergreen was being led by Elfman, Bixlow had Cana on his arm her mug of beer fixed firmly in her hand, Wendy and Romeo, Alzack and Bisca and a multitude of other couples. He raised a brow as he spotted Levy pulling a reluctant Gajeel out on the floor with her and chuckled.

"Man, he's already whipped."

"Ok everybody ready then?" Mira shouted.

With a chorus of yes's, Mira pointed to a rather large stopwatch on the wall as she poised her finger over the start button of the music and watch.

"Ok everybody, in 3, 2, 1...lets boogie!"

Laxus groaned as the first sounds of a sappy love song belted out of the speakers and hung his head. He just wanted this day to be over and go home so he could pass out in his bed, but noo. He had to stay here in his grandfather's place acting as

Master while he was away on a trip.

Looking up he let out a small smile as he noticed Freed stepping up beside Mira and was clearly trying to ask her to dance.

Even if it was corny and sappy as hell he could concede that it was a rather endearing sight to see. His brow furrowed when he noticed a certain blonde wasn't among the dancing couple and scanned the rest of the guild, only to find her standing by herself against a pillar by the front doors.

"Why isn't blondie dancing with someone?" He frowned further when he noticed her waving off Jet and Droy. Erza then came up to stand beside her and after a few minutes they started talking. He couldn't help but be curious as to why she wasn't out there with everyone else and subtly moved close enough for his enhanced hearing to pick up their conversation.

"Lucy, are you doing alright?" The redhead asked, concern shining in her eyes as she looked over her friend.

The blonde nodded and smiled weakly, but he could see it was forced. "I'm alright Erza."

"You certainly don't look alright. Maybe you should just call it a night? I know how hard this must be for you."

"But Mira..."

"Is too busy to notice if you're here or not." The redhead sighed and laid a hand on the blondes shoulder. "You don't have to force yourself to be here tonight Lucy."

"You sure?" Her glittering brown eyes looked up to the redhead.

She nodded. "I'm sure. Now, go do whatever it is that you want to do."

"Thanks Erza, I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered giving her teammate a hug and headed for the door.

He narrowed his eyes, when she thought no one was looking her shoulders slumped further and he could smell salt in the air. From her posture it was clear she was upset as she headed out the doors. It was odd to be sure. The whole time he'd seen her around the guild he could never remember seeing her like this and it was unsettling. He cringed as another sappy love song blared out and wondered if anyone would notice him leaving as well. He was curious as to what was wrong with blondie and to get away from this nightmare would be a bonus. He couldn't deny that he'd noticed just how much more livelier the guild was with her laughter and smiles and without those everything just seemed more bleak. She was one of the few women who could stand to be around him and actually take his shit and dish some back of her own. She was a little spitfire and he'd be a fool to overlook this opportunity to find out more about her and perhaps help, if he could.

"Hey brat."

He looked down to see his grandfather at his feet looking at the people swaying to the music down below.

Makarov took a swig of his beer and hopped up to sit on the railing.

"Gramps, thought the meeting was going to take longer."

He shrugged. "Eh, it was just a meeting between the heads of the guilds. A room full of old fogies, nothing major." He turned to level a glance at his grandson. "Got all your paperwork done I take it?"

Laxus waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah. It's all done you old fart."

Makarov nodded, looking down towards the front doors, before glancing at his grandson out the corner of his eye. "Well then, there's no need for you to be here anymore tonight. So get your butt outta here and I'll see you tomorrow."

Laxus narrowed his eyes and frowned at the small man. Usually he wouldn't waste an opportunity to make him stay under the pretense of training him to be the next Master, when really he just enjoyed seeing him squirm.

Makarov scowled and waved a hand. "Go on git outta here you brat."

Laxus shrugged and made his way down the stairs to the front doors. He wasn't gonna complain at being let go, especially since he had other pressing things on his mind at the moment. The smell of salt and strawberries assaulted his senses and he frowned remembering blondie's hasty exit. She was definitely upset, question is what about. He was halted suddenly as Erza stepped in front of him.

"Titania."

"Laxus."

He frowned, wanting to get by her to find blondie before he lost her scent.

"Something you need?"

She nodded. "You're going after her aren't you?"

"How'd you..."

"Woman's intuition." She sighed. "Look Laxus, today is a hard day for her. She came here when all she wanted was to hole up in her apartment all day."

"Why though?"

"That's not for me to say." She said softly, looking over at the bodies still swaying to the music, before leveling a stern gaze back at him. "What I will say however is that if you make her cry, or upset her more you will answer to me."

Laxus snorted, but nodded anyways as he moved past, only to pause once again when her voice floated through his ears.

"Sometimes Laxus, the best actions are the simplest ones."

Laxus arched a brow and she smiled softly. "I'm sure you'll figure it out on your own. By the way, I'd consider looking for the highest hill in Magnolia. You can see all the stars there at night."

With a brief nod he went into the night and headed for the highest hill he knew of.

A deep sigh blew out from between her lips as she hugged her legs further into her body. She'd forgotten just how cold it still was this time of year and to be out at nearly midnight in nothing but a short skirt and skimpy top wasn't exactly smart. Today just wasn't her day. She dreaded Valentine's day, not only because she was alone year after year, but it was the day her mother had died. It was a bittersweet feeling being surrounded by all this talk of love and then be reminded that one of the most important people in her life has been taken from her. For the past couple of years Lucy had made sure to be away on a solo mission when this time of year rolled around but Mira had managed to get the Master to put a hold on missions so everyone could be around the guild for her Valentines party. She knew Mira had no clue, and just wanted to plan some fun for their guild, but fun was the last thing on Lucy's mind. She was miserable at the guild, pasting on a fake smile as she noticed everyone pairing up and enjoying themselves, when all she wanted to do was run out the front doors. She had just been on the edge of breaking down when Erza intervened. Sometimes that woman could be so intuitive without anyone saying a thing and it still surprised her that she hadn't pried.

Instead she offered her a reprieve and gave her a way out.

A cold breeze whipped her hair around her head and she shivered as she tilted her head up to view the millions of stars winking in the night sky. It was one of her favorite places to be alone and think when she needed some quiet to get her head back on straight. The twinkling of the stars blinked down at her as tears pooled in her eyes. Even though it had been years ago that her mother had passed, the pain was still there, a deep void that refused to be filled by anyone. Lucy buried her head in her knees and let the tears roll down her face finally, letting her bottled up emotions out.

She was startled out of her crying as a warmth enveloped her shivering form. She whipped her head up and sniffled as she hastily wiped the tears from her face as she spotted the one person she'd never thought she would see.

"Laxus?"

He grunted and fixed the coat he out around her shoulders more secure. Lucy was speechless. Here was one of the most strongest and feared men of her guild lending her his prized coat, that he never, ever lent to anyone. The breeze whipped up around the pair and Lucy shivered as it seemed to even pierce the heavy coat on her shoulders. She heard him let out a sigh before extra warmth was pressed to her back and strong arms wrapped themselves around her small frame. Her body froze as his larger frame enveloped hers. She could feel his chest expanding as his lungs took in air and after a few minutes the steady sounds of his breathing relaxed her muscles enough to lean back into the furnace that was his body.

"Why?" She whispered.

She could feel him shrug against her back and let out a small smile.

"You looked cold." He grunted as he settled his chin upon her head.

"I was." She turned her head a bit into his chest and listened to his heartbeat as it lulled her into a state of peace, one she hadn't thought was possible. "You're not gonna ask me why I'm crying?"

She felt as he shook his head. "Nah. I figure it's something that's painful to remember, so it's painful to talk about."

"It is."

They sat for a while, neither wanting to break the soothing silence around them as each studied the heavens stretching above them.

They lapsed into another comfortable silence, before he nudged her again.

"Ya know, if you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen."

Lucy tilted her head up and noticed the pink dusting his cheeks as he looked off into the distance, refusing to meet her eyes. She smiled softly, knowing this was his way of offering her a shoulder to cry on.

"Curious?" She teased.

Laxus smirked and tilted his head down to look at her. "You could say that. You're less annoying than the rest of the guild and it helps that you're easy on the eyes."

Lucy's eyes widened as she gasped softly seeing that behind the teasing, he really was interested in hearing about her. "You mean..."

"I wanna get to know you Lucy, the real you." He replied, tucking a few errant strands of hair behind her ear.

She frowned. "But, isn't this a bit too sudden?"

He shrugged. "I'm not exactly a subtle man and I don't do beating around the bush or mind games. So, when I'm interested in someone I tell them straight out."

"But this is the first I've heard of it, besides the comment during the Phantom Lord incident."

He cringed and looked away. "That's one of the reasons I never approached you."

"Huh?"

"I wasn't sure how you'd take someone who had attacked you, comin' onto you."

She frowned and pinched his chest earning her a grunt and an arched brow.

"I forgave you ages ago. You had good reasons though, you went about it the wrong way you still only wished to make Fairy Tail better and I can't fault you for that." She grabbed his chin and looked him in the eye. "Just never do it again, ok?"

They looked at each other seriously for a minute, before his lips quirked up into an amused smirk. "Wouldn't dream of it, blondie."

"Will you let me get to know you? Is that too much to ask?" He asked hesitantly.

"As long as you let me get to know you too." She replied with a smile.

He chuckled. "You've got yourself a deal blondie."

A comfortable silence descended once again between the two.

"So," He started, nudging her with his chin. "Do you feel better now?"

Lucy turned her gaze back up to the stars expecting the familiar tightness in her chest and tears to start but surprisingly they never came. It was the first time in a long time that she didn't feel miserable, and she knew his presence had a lot to do with that. She nodded. "I do." And tilted her head up to catch his eye. "Thank you." She whispered.

"No problem blondie, anytime."

A little bit of LaLu fluff

(¯`·._.•NIchiki •._.·´¯)