That evening, the two blondes found themselves on Lucy's pink couch, drinking ridiculous amounts of hot coco, and watching Christmas movies. They were on their fourth movie, and it was nearing ten o'clock.
In all honesty, even though it was getting late, Laxus really didn't feel like leaving. Lucy's apartment was cozy. She'd somehow convinced him to stick a candy cane in his hot coco and it was fucking awesome. He knew that the first chance he got, he was going to the store to stock up, reputation be damned.
She also smelled really good. Like really really good. He wasn't sure, but he thought it was a mixture between toasted coconuts and warm vanilla. He'd smelled it before at the guild, but could never pinpoint it to a specific person, and now that he had he wished he could somehow bottle it and spray it around his house.
Laxus stole a glance at the blonde next to him, and fought back a grin. It was obvious she absolutely loved this holiday. She was curled up on the other side of the couch, still wearing her Santa hat, under a fuzzy looking blanket with snowmen all over it, and smiling like an idiot while watching a movie about a grown ass man who thinks he's an elf making a fool out of himself while trying to reconnect with his long lost father.
When the credits finally rolled and she got up to search through her collection of holiday movies (she had way too many, but he wasn't going to judge) he went to refresh their drinks and grab a snack.
When he came back, she took one look at him and burst out laughing.
"I thought you were joking!" She said in disbelief as he slid her giant plate of cookies across the coffee table to rest in front of her.
He feigned a look of mock hurt. "I would never joke about cookies."
She gave a rather unladylike snort and rolled her eyes, and he sat down as she started the movie.
He took a seat next to her, a little closer this time. If she noticed, she didn't say anything.
"So what's this one about?" He asked, snatching a gingerbread man off of his plate and biting its head off.
The opening music started, and she grabbed two sugar cookies before settling back under her blanket.
"This huge family is going on a vacation to out of the country and they left one of the kids at home on accident. It's all a big adventure for him, until two guys decide to try and rob his house. He basically turns the house into one big booby-trap."
He turns and faces her with a raised brow. "Who the hell forgets their own brat?"
For some unknown reason, Lucy found this question so funny she fell off of the couch laughing. Laxus peered over the couch and watched as she clutched her stomach in her mirth.
"The fuck is so funny?"
She finally calmed down, but apparently didn't want to move, so she pulled down her blanket and made herself comfortable on the floor.
"I just think it's funny that you are asking me that question. We are like the poster-children for neglected childhoods."
He thought it over for a moment and decided she was right. "Fair point."
As they watched the movie, Laxus continued to peak at her from the corner of his eye. Almost halfway through the film, he found that she had nodded off. She had somehow shifted closer to him without him noticing, and was using the side of his thigh as a pillow.
With a small smile, he turned off the movie and picked her up off of the floor. He set her on her bed and took off her Santa hat. As he was turning around to leave she called his name, and then gave one of the cutest yawns he had ever seen.
"Yeah, Blondie?"
She gave a sleepy smile, eyes still closed. "Merry Christmas, Laxus."
The Dragon Slayer chuckled. "Merry Christmas."
Laxus gathered his things, turning off lights as he went, locked her damn door, and then lightning teleported home. Just a tad more excited to spend Christmas at the guild than he had been for years.
}{}{}{
Lucy awoke the next morning to the sound of incessant pounding on her front door. She groggily reached for Horologium's key on her nightstand, and grumbled at how early it was.
At some point during the night, she had woken up to her bra digging into her ribcage and had changed into her pajamas.
The Celestial mage hauled herself out of bed, and stumbled to her front door.
"What the hell do-" Her angry rant died on her tongue when her sleep-fogged brain realized who was standing outside.
"Laxus. It's six in the morning." She groaned, sagging heavily against the doorframe.
Laxus held up a beverage tray and a large paper bag. "I brought caffeine and muffins."
She eyed him for a moment before stepping aside and allowing him inside of her apartment.
"Hand over the coffee unless you want me to introduce you to a giant axe-wielding bull."
A Styrofoam cup was immediately thrust into her hands and she sighed in content when the slightly sweet liquid hit her taste buds.
She trudged to her couch and a chuckling Laxus sat down next to her, already digging in to a muffin.
"You know, I thought you'd be a bit more excited this morning." He mused.
"Why are you here?" She said in an exasperated tone.
Most mornings were like this. Her friends knew better than to converse with her until she'd had at least two cups of coffee. Mornings were not her friend.
The large blonde man grinned at her. "Presents."
This however, perked her up immediately. "Holy crap! It's Christmas!"
Laxus laughed. "There she is!"
Lucy ignored him and shot off the couch to gather the two presents sitting under the tree. She basically threw his at him, before settling down with hers in her lap.
"Ladies first." He said, face full of amusement.
She didn't need to be told twice. Tearing through the pretty gold and silver wrapping paper, she found a rectangular black velvet box.
Lucy felt her magic stir immediately and looked up at the man who was watching her curiously.
"You got me a key?" She asked almost absentmindedly, close to tears at such a thoughtful gift. There was no better gift than a new family member.
He raised an eye brow in surprise. "You can tell?"
She nodded with a hum.
"That's actually really cool. Open it!" He urged.
She obliged, opening the box slowly. Her eyes widened, then immediately watered.
Without even thinking, Lucy launched herself at him, arms wrapping around his neck.
"Oomph." He grunted upon impact.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" She practically sobbed into his shoulder.
Laxus awkwardly patted her on the back and coughed. "You're welcome. I got it as part of a reward last month and thought you'd like it."
The Celestial mage pulled back and resumed sitting on the couch, her cheeks a dark crimson. "I do. It's wonderful."
He smiled at her and she swore her heart faltered for a second. He seemed to notice as well, because his face immediately became concerned.
"Holy shit are you ok?"
Lucy laughed nervously, face heating up even more than it already was. Which was really saying something. "Oh, yeah. Totally fine. That just happens sometimes." She waved him off.
He seemed unconvinced but left it.
Thank Mavis.
"So what key is it?" He asked.
"Oh it's…"She looked down and traced the symbol with her finger, sorting through her extensive knowledge. "Corvus, the Crow."
"Sound cool."
She smiled at him. "Yeah. U-um. Your turn."
Laxus nodded and looked down at his gift. He peeled back the paper, grinning widely until he was holding the unwrapped gift in his hands. His grin slowly faded.
It was a new pair of sound pods. She'd noticed that the pair he had were run down. One side had a spike missing and a rather large dent. Lucy really didn't know why he hadn't replaced them already.
The silence stretched on, so Lucy did what she always did when she was uncomfortable. She opened her mouth. "I uh, I saw that yours were a bit broken. So when I saw those, I thought it would be a perfect gift for you, and-"
"I have to go." He cut her off abruptly, standing and striding to the front door.
She watched in stunned silence, eyes burning as he left, and completely confused.
"D-did I do something wrong?"
}{}{}{
That evening found Lucy sulking at a table in the guild, reindeer antlers on her head, and a frown marring her lips. She'd been berating herself all day. Any other gift, she could've picked anything else, but she'd gone and screwed everything up.
She felt ridiculous. And stupid. He got her an amazing gift, and she got him something he couldn't even pretend to like.
Her friends all gave her concerned glances when they thought she couldn't see while they ate. Now everyone was lounging around the guild, completely stuffed and mostly drunk.
Knocking back her sixth glass of red wine, she grinned when Mira immediately replaced it. The older woman seemed to understand her current need for inebriation.
"Thanks, Mira." She said, happily noting there was no slur to her words. Fairy Tail had done wonders for her tolerance.
"No problem, Lucy." Mira smiled, before wondering off to tend to their nakama.
Halfway through her drink, the last person she wanted to see at the moment settled in next to her.
Her glass was now somehow empty.
"Hey." He greeted lowly.
"Hi."
Mira came back with a refill, looking at her concerned, and Laxus with unbridled curiosity. She left after a moment, undoubtedly planting herself behind the bar to watch them like a hawk.
Lucy decided right then and there that she was being stupid and acting like a baby. So she plastered the biggest fake smile she could muster and faced him.
"Was there something you needed?" She asked sweetly.
His eyes widened for a moment, and then he frowned.
"I'm sorry for being a dick."
Lucy blinked. "What?"
Laxus sighed and pinch the bridge of his nose. "It just caught me off guard. My sound pods… they were a gift from my old man. Really the only gift I'd ever gotten from him. I guess I just kind of freaked out."
That's when she realized he was wearing the pair she had given him. Her entire demeanor softened and she placed a hand on his arm.
"I get it. It's ok." She reassured, giving him a genuine smile.
He was still looking at her expectantly and she raised a brow at him.
"Was there something else?" She asked in confusion.
Laxus smirked and pointed up. Glancing up, Lucy blanched at the sight of mistletoe hanging from the banister above their heads.
"There's a tradition that goes with those, I think." The large blonde man looked entirely too smug.
Lucy sighed, shrugged, downed her wine, and then did something she would probably be incredibly embarrassed about later.
She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him down, pressing her lips to his.
He made a small sound of surprise, before he relaxed and coiled an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His lips were slightly chapped, and she was sure her breath smelled like a vineyard, but at that moment she couldn't bring herself to care.
A high-pitched scream ripped through the guild and Lucy jolted so hard, her forehead bashed against his.
She pulled back with a hand to her head. "Ow." But then she giggled, looking up at a slightly pink Laxus. "Was that Mira?"
He rubbed his forehead and grinned. "Yeah, she fainted behind the bar."
Lucy nodded, knowing the barmaid, she'd be out for a while.
Laxus leaned forward. "So I've been thinking."
Noticing his seriousness, she leaned forward as well. "About what?"
"If hot chocolate tastes that awesome with a candy cane, do you think it would taste as good with peppermint schnapps?"
She burst into loud peals of laughter and nodded. "Probably. Why don't we get some from Kinana, since Mira's down for the count?"
He laughed back and nodded, pecking her on the cheek before he stood.
When he came back, drinks in hand, they clinked glasses.
"Merry Christmas, Blondie." He grinned.
Lucy gave him a brilliant smile. "Merry Christmas, Laxus."
Aaaand that's the end of this super ridiculously fluffy Christmas three-shot.
Thank you for all of the favorites/follows/and reviews. You all are so great, and I hope all of you have/had a safe and happy holiday season!