Gildarts POV

She grew up to be a fine young lady for Laxus. He's grown up to be quite the ass, but she'll mellow him out some. She knows how he operates. Kind of like how Lisanna knew how Natsu operates.

Lisanna.

Could she really be gone?

"Gildarts, what's wrong?"

I blinked at Erza. "Nothing. Nothing… Just thinking."

"About Laxus and Lucy, eh? I hear that they had quite the relationship when they were young. I remember how his eyes used to darken whenever her name was mentioned. He was haunted by his memories of her. I heard that she knew him before the scar happened… Master always said that Laxus was a bright happy, bubbly child much like Lucy is. That true, Gildarts?"

"Heh, yeah… They were two of a kind. They'd go to dangerous lengths just to protect each other. When she left… He felt helpless, he knew if he kidnapped her and brought her back, Lucy's father would only bring her back home. He was in a state of self-pity… It was depressing to watch. She's part of the Light of Fairy Tail just like the rest of us… When one of us leaves like that, through death or through force by a parent, that light fades. Laxus only became worse when Master banished Ivan from the guild. First he lost his mother figure, then his best friend, then his father. He knows loss almost as well as Lucy knows loss. Mira puts it best when she says we each carry our own baggage."

Erza nodded and smiled faintly at my words. "I would like to become friends with Lucy. She and I aren't so different. I wonder if she likes strawberry cake…"

I smiled at her banter with herself. Erza is a kind gentle soul. "Erza, I'm sure if you approached her in a friendly manner, she'll de great friends with you. She was pretty close to Lisanna."

"That's right. It was Gray joined first, then the Strauss siblings, then me, then Natsu."

"It was Laxus and Lucy, then Cana, Gray, then the Strauss', then you, then Natsu."

"So, Lucy knew Cana and Gray before she left, too?"

"She was good friends with Cana… Gray not so much. She found his stripping habit to be… disturbing… for lack of better words. He was beaten pretty badly by her so he just steered clear of Lucy."

"She was a happy child until she was told by her father to leave. The year before Lucy left, Laxus became more protective of her. He kept going on and on about how he failed. It wasn't until a few years ago that we discovered what he believes he failed at. Before we just thought that he blamed himself for her leaving, but it was because of his promise to Lucy." Master Makarov said sitting on the bar between us.

"What was his promise?" Erza asked.

"Only they know. It apparently bound the two in more ways than one. Laxus Marked her, which made their bond grow even stronger. Ivan scolded Laxus constantly for making a magic promise on Tenroujima with Lucy. Though, Layla came to me saying how we should arrange a marriage between the two."

"What'd you say, Master?" I asked.

"That the two are still children, they must experience freedom. Layla, being the more reasonable one of the two parents, understood. Ivan kept pushing for the marriage. Then he suddenly just let it go, saying how he'd convince Laxus to fall for her. I supposed he did that, but in his own way, he truly fell for her."

I nodded. "She'll mellow him out. Though their promise was sealed in magic there seemed to never be any side effects. I do wonder what their promise was. I hope they didn't get married or something…" I sighed. "Hopefully, she'll tame him to be less of an ass."

They laughed. "That we can only hope!"

"Well, I must depart. Natsu, Gray, and I were given tickets to Akane Resort at the end of our last mission. We'll be taking a short vacation. Bye!" She waved at us before dragging said boys behind her.

"She's still as violent as ever with them." I laughed.

"She may be stronger, but she's still the same." Master smiled.

"Oi, Lucy, Laxus!" I called.

They walked over, Laxus gently holding her hand from what I can tell. "What, old man?"

I bit down on the urge to punch Laxus. "When's the wedding?" I smirked.

The blood drained from their faces as they looked at each other. They had what looked like a telepathic conversation before they turned their attention back to us. "How did you know?" They asked in perfect unison.

Sorry it's short but I needed to post what I had since it's been such a long time! Sorry!

R&R

Check out my Gajeel x Lucy FanFic series "Take Me Home"

Love,

-SFL