Yuletide Lessons

Chapter 15

December 25th


The Fairy Tail Christmas party was in full swing and mages from all over were invited to join the fun. Looking around the room Lucy spotted people from Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale and of course a few from Sabertooth. As per tradition with anything involving Fairy Tail the air was filled with laughter and scattered happy chaos, but anyone within the guild would have it no other way.

The blonde sighed happily as she saw many familiar faces among the crowd, waving and offering hellos as she walked the room. It was always bittersweet to her, the fact that after Christmas was the end of the year, but then remembered that a brand new year was coming right behind that. Every year her wish was the same; to protect and keep safe the ones she holds dear, and perhaps to win the lottery.

Music filled the air, along with various scents of cinnamon and peppermint bursting from the bubbles floating around. Juvia and Gray had worked out some magic to produce bubbles and snow flakes that when they popped produced colorful sparkles and the lovely smells filling the air. She couldn't help but smile at just how beautiful everything looked, the lights twinkling on the huge tree, the boughs of holly decorating the walls, the garland twisted around those, and of course the strategically placed mistletoe courtesy of Mirajane. Lucy took her time to note the positions and sidestepped them, not wanting to be pulled into a trap by the she-devil. Her mind however kept side tracking as she kept an eye out for somebody she didn't recognize, or someone paying too much attention to her. She slumped back against the wall with a frown and wondered if perhaps she was overreacting to everything, but every now and then she could feel someone's eyes on her. And not randomly either. No, this was deliberate. But every time she turned around the feeling would disappear suddenly and would only leave her more frustrated than before.

"Lu, how are you doing?" Levy whispered as she came to stand beside her.

"Oh, I'm alright. I just can't seem to focus on anything tonight."

"Still haven't found your mystery guy?" She leaned in closer.

Lucy blew out a frustrated sigh. "No, I haven't noticed anyone that I don't know, but I do feel like someone's keeping their eyes on me."

"So, it sounds like they are getting ready to approach you then, because it seems like they are waiting for the perfect time." Levy reasoned.

"Yeah, but I wish I could just get this over with."

"Alright everybody it's time to open presents!" Mira shouted.

"Come on Levy, you and I were picked to hand out the gifts." Lucy pushed off the wall and made her way to the tree.

With the help of most of the girls, they handed out the gifts and sat down to tear into their own.

"Oh awesome Luce! These chocolates are so good! Thank you!" Natsu shouted.

"Ooooh free fish for a year! Lucy you're so awesome!" Happy cried out, tears running down his face clutching his first fish.

"The armor you bought are simply splendid Lucy, I thank you." Erza said with a warm smile and a hug for the blonde.

"Oh my gosh this coat is incredible. Dude, look at these boxers!" Gray shouted sporting his new underwear.

"Gray no stripping for goodness sakes!"

"Aww come on Mira just this once, you gotta see what these boxers can do!"

The words were barely out of his mouth when the boxers flew across the room making everyone groan and the girls yelp covering their eyes, only for the underwear to reappear back on the Ice Mage in a flash.

"Woah, those are pretty darn handy."

"Well at least we won't be subjected to his perviness for very long anymore," Natsu shouted, laughing loudly.

"Shut up Flame brain!"

"Make me Ice Princess!"

A collective sigh rose along the crowd and they parted as the two started throwing fists. Lucy looked amongst the discarded wrapping paper, trying to find a forgotten present for her.

'Why isn't there another one?'

"Lucy," A voice interrupted her actions and she turned to see Rogue sporting his new cloak proudly.

"Oh Rogue, it looks amazing on you." She smiled fondly at him.

"Thank you Lucy. I've never gotten anything quite like this before."

Fro zipped into her sight and latched onto her neck. "Fro thanks you for her Rogue doll. Fro will take very good care of him." The exceed zipped off looking for Happy to show off her new toy.

"You don't know how much all this means to the both of us Lucy." Rogue whispered.

She blushed, waving her hands in the air. "Oh it's no big deal. I'm just glad your first Christmas was a fun one."

"Regardless of what you may think, you did something no one else had and we thank you for it."

"You're very welcome then Rogue."

"By the way Lucy, did you see you've got one more gift under the tree for you?"

"No, it probably got shoved to the back of the tree under all this sea of wrapping paper." She laughed, but was intensely nervous as Rogue pulled out the package and handed it to her.

Unwrapping it she sees a piece of paper, but as she goes to read it notices there isn't anything written on it. She turned it over and frowned. "Why is it blank?"

Rogue moves to her side and hands her a book cover silently. "Because, there are no words on any page to describe just what you mean to me."

Lucy stood there frozen for what felt like an eternity, her mouth agape in disbelief.

"Y-you mean it was you? This whole time all these wonderful gifts were from you?" She whispered knowing the whole guild was silent and watching the scene.

He nodded and gently lifted her hand to fold within his own. "I admit I had no clue what to get you for Christmas, so I enlisted a few of your friends to help," He smiled. "I thought I'd send you some small gifts, each from the heart telling you my feelings for you to get you used to the idea."

Tears gathered in her eyes as she stood there in front of her family, the warm feeling bloomed within her chest expanding to such a degree she was afraid she would explode happiness all around the guild, only to be rudely interrupted by Natsu and Gray from the sidelines.

"Hey, who said you could give our Lucy gifts like that?" Natsu shouted balling up his fists.

"Just what's your aim with all this Rogue?" Gray asked seriously, still only clad in his boxers. "Because if you're not serious we won't let you get close to her."

Rogue turned and squared his shoulders, his fingers lacing with Lucy's tighter as he faced the threat head on, knowing that this had been coming and was glad Erza and Mira thought to warn him about it beforehand. "I wish for nothing more than to be by her side and to make her happy, if she accepts."

Narrowing their eyes they stalked up to the dragon slayer and the room held their breath wondering if a tremendous fight was going to break out over this. Everyone knew just how protective Team Natsu was over the blonde.

"Hey you two, don't I have any say in this!"

Lucy tried to push between them thinking it was going to end badly but Rogue gently steered her behind him.

"Let me handle this Lucy," He said softly, and explained further before she could take offense. "They will never let me be by your side until I can prove to them that I am strong enough to defend you, I have to prove to them I am willing to be your strength."

She nodded reluctantly and stepped back, but made sure to clutch onto his cloak to keep him close to her. She would defend him from them if needed. Natsu and Gray stopped within a few feet and stared intensely at the young man. The usual routine would be the guy would cower and back down when faced with both formidable mages, but none had the strength and conviction this one did. Rogue stood straighter and his gaze never wavered. He would prove to them he could protect should she need it, he wasn't going to back down.

"If she accepts me I will do everything in my power to make her smile everyday. She will want for nothing because I will see that she always has everything she could ever wish for and should I ever make her cry I will do my utmost to make it up to her and more. I humbly ask you to let me make her happy for she is my guiding star in the night sky and without her I am lost."

Both boys stood there speechless, neither knowing how to respond, the guild still held their breath in anticipation, but after Gramps cleared his throat they snapped out of it and nodded dumbly.

"Treat her right Rogue, or we'll make you regret it." Gray said with an evil smirk. Rogue nodded and turned to Natsu who had yet to say anything.

Natsu stalked up to Rogue and pushed his face into his, his eyes narrowed and he inhaled deep before relaxing somewhat and a soft smile played on his face. "Your scent says your words are true and I know your intentions are honorable, but know this, if you do make her cry you won't have to be afraid of our reaction." He smirked at the confused look on the young mans face before Natsu continued. "I'd be more afraid of what she will do to you. Lucy is a force to be reckoned with, take care of her, she's family."

Laughter broke out around them as Lucy's face turned red with anger.

"Natsu!?" She shouted.

Natsu jumped back out of reach and laughed. "See? I think she can handle herself just fine."

"Damn right I can!" She came to stand next to Rogue and he pulled her aside as Gramps ushered people away.

"Ok brats nothing more to see here, quit staring at the poor couple, you'll make them nervous."

They both stood there, not quite knowing what to say or do.

"Did you really mean all that?" She whispered, her fingers tracing a scale along his cloak absently.

"Every word and more Lucy." He replied without hesitation.

She was silent for a few moments, her eyes studying his face and then launched herself at him with a cry of joy as he caught her in his arms. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply, clutching her body to his tightly relishing the moment. The feel of her in his arms made him relax and the familiar warmth bloom in his chest.

"I think Santa heard my Christmas wish." She whispered and he pulled back to stare into her deep brown eyes.

"What wish was that?" He asked.

"I wished to make you happy."

"Oh? Well I think my wish came true also."

"What did you wish for?

He smiled softly, brushing his lips over hers. "To hold my very own star in my arms and never let her go." He leaned in closer and suddenly stopped with a small smirk on his face, confusing the blond. But as he untied his cloak and draped it over both their bodies shielding them from view she had to let out a laugh. It was better then making out in front of everyone thats for sure. "And I never intend to, my star, my Angel of Mercy."

She laughed softly, pressing her lips to his firmly. "I started this to teach you about Christmas and yet, I think you've taught me more in return. This was the best Christmas ever."

"There will be many more to come." He pulled her in for another lingering kiss. "I promise.


AN: And there we have it.

I hope you all loved reading it as much as I loved writing it.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

(¯`¥´¯`·.¸.:¨NIchiki ¨:.¸.·´¯`¥´¯)