A/N Ah guys, thank you so much for waiting!
Twinkling lights and cords of pine garland swayed along the stone brick walls of the Guild Hall. Golden banners made of lace hung from the banisters and shimmered in the soft light of the candelabras that sat upon the wooden tables. A live fir tree decorated with glass stars, tinsel and lights towered in the center of the hall.
The Guild Hall was packed. Members laughed and cheered with their husbands and wives, with their children and with their fellow guild mates. Members sang and danced to holiday folk music while drinking and eating the feast set out before them. All current members of Fairy Tail were present. All except one Dragon Slayer.
Lucy had yet to see Laxus at the Christmas Party.
She sat at one of the many wooden tables, a full plate of food before her. Her head was downcast as she poked at her food with her fork. She sighed.
"You're not going to eat?"
Lucy turned her head. Cana sat beside her, a bottle of wine in her hand and a full plate of food before her.
Lucy nodded her chin towards her best friend. "You're one to talk," she said, pointing at Cana's untouched plate.
Cana grinned as she raised her bottle of wine. "I'm good," she said before taking a drink from her bottle. She held the bottle out towards Lucy. "You want some?"
Lucy quickly shook her head no. "No, thanks," she said as she waved her hands at the bottle of wine. "I'm not going to drink tonight."
Cana nudged Lucy's shoulder as the grin on her face widened. "You making your move tonight?" the Card Mage asked.
An image of Fairy Tail's Lightning Dragon Slayer flashed in Lucy's mind. Her cheeks warmed and she quickly turned her head away from Cana. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," she stuttered.
Cana hummed. Her grin turned devilish as she wrapped her arms around Lucy's neck. "Oh, you know exactly what or should I say who I'm talking about," Cana whispered seductively in Lucy's ear.
Lucy's eyes skirted over to the other side of the Guild Hall where the Raijinshuu sat at a table together. Laxus was notably absent.
"But," Cana continued, leaning away from Lucy, her voice growing louder. "Maybe I need to spell it out for you and anyone listening!"
Lucy covered Cana's mouth with her hands. "Shh, Cana. Jeez."
Cana raised her eyebrows in silent question.
Lucy sighed, lowering her hands from Cana's mouth. "Fine, okay," Lucy said. "Yes, I'm going to ask him. Satisfied?"
"Oh, I'll be satisfied after I hear the play by play," Cana said suggestively. She took a drink from her bottle of wine. "And don't you dare tell me that you won't kiss and tell."
Lucy's face reddened as she blushed. "I doubt anything is going to happen," Lucy said. Her heartbeat quickened as she scanned the Guild Hall for the tall blond. "Besides, he's not even here."
Cana finished her bottle of wine and slammed the empty bottle on the wooden table before them. Lucy flinched and Cana smiled as she took Lucy's hand.
"Come on," Cana said standing up. She tugged on Lucy's hand, pulling the Celestial Mage out of her seat. "I bet I know three people who can tell us where he is."
…
"Hey Cosplayer," Bickslow greeted as Lucy and Cana approached the Raijinshuu's table. "What brings ya over?" the Seith Mage asked with a wink.
Lucy paused and her eyes widened as she turned towards Bickslow. He wore a red Santa hat and sported a nasty looking black eye. His eye was half lidded and swollen. Purple bruising surrounded his eye socket and had spread to his cheek bone and nose. She looked away when Bickslow's eyes met hers.
"Hey, Bix," Cana said as she plopped down beside Bickslow. "We were just wondering what the hell happened to your face," Cana said and Lucy gasped.
"Cana," Lucy warned. She looked towards Freed and Evergreen, who sat on the opposite side of the table, and gave them an apologetic smile. Freed politely gestured to the empty seat beside Cana and Lucy sat down.
Bickslow laughed. "Ya'll should see the other guy," he replied as he put his arm around Cana's shoulders.
"This guy," Cana drawled, pausing to poke the poof on the end of Bickslow's Santa hat. "Is he tall, blond, tatted, and sparky?"
Lucy's eyes widened. "Laxus hit you?"
"Oy, don't make that face, Cosplayer," Bickslow said with his hand over his heart. "My bro's going through some hard shit and I failed him last night. I deserved to be hit."
Lucy remembered Laxus passed out behind Master's grave and the empty liquor bottles at his feet. Cana nudged Lucy's side and the memory faded. She shook her head to clear her mind. She took a deep breath and gathered her courage.
"Where is he now?" Lucy asked, her heart racing.
"Laxus will arrive within the hour," Freed replied swiftly. Evergreen raised her eyebrow. "He will," Freed continued, "It is Christmas."
"Ya know he ain't coming," Bickslow said.
Freed puffed out his chest. "Laxus said he would join us. He is a man of his word."
"When he ain't broken," Bickslow continued. Evergreen smacked the back of his head. "Oww!"
Evergreen narrowed her eyes. "If Laxus wishes to be alone, then we should respect that," she said.
Lucy bit her lower lip. She remembered Laxus' cold, nearly frozen body. She remembered how his eyes darkened when she mentioned finding him behind Master's grave. She blinked as Bickslow met her gaze. He grinned at her.
"Check Kardia's south-western tower," Bickslow said and Evergreen elbowed him in the ribs. "Oww, Ever. Ya know he shouldn't be alone."
"Then you go," Evergreen snapped.
"Nah, he'd rather see Cosplayer. Ain't that right?" he asked Lucy.
Evergreen's eyes widened as Lucy blushed. "What is going on?" Evergreen demanded. Bickslow ignored her as he raised his hand in the air.
"Oy, Mira!" he called out. He waved the Takeover Mage over to their table. "Can ya get some food boxed up? Cosplayer is gonna take it to Laxus."
"I am?"
"He's grumpy when he's hungry," Bickslow explained. "Unless ya plan on offerin' something else?" Bickslow waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Evergreen grabbed Bickslow by the collar of his shirt. "I'll ask you one more time," she said through gritted teeth. "What the hell is going on?"
Bickslow just grinned as Mira showed up with three large boxes of food. Mira passed the boxes to Lucy.
"Thank you, Mira," Lucy said. She stood up.
The Takeover Mage smiled. "Better hurry before the food gets cold," she said with a wink.
"Oh yeah," Lucy said. She bit her lower lip.
Cana slapped Lucy's ass and Lucy jumped. "Go get him," Cana whispered.
Lucy swallowed hard. She took a breath.
"Carpe diem, Cosplayer!" Bickslow called out.
Lucy headed towards the Guild Hall's exit, her heart pounding. She gripped the warm boxes of food as she pushed open the Guild's double door with her back. She offered Cana a nervous smile before leaving.
"Carpe mother fucking diem!" she heard Bickslow yell before the Guild doors closed and silence surrounded her.
A/N Thank you so so much for your patience! Personal thank you to love crimson red ray88, kurahieiritr JIO, sassykitten1701, RosesMcKellar, weirdopotato, Univerzes, ginonymous, Numinous-Alqua, LunaStarLady, Adabs18, xXPumbaXx, QueenoftheMermaids, Desna, Illustre, Grimnack , LaluHeart777, 6661, Lalu-forever, scallywag4real, Tiernank, Adabs18, westerngoddess, lara jefferys, and LittlePrincessNana! Thank you everyone for reading and taking the time to review. It means so much to me!
Laxus POV is up next! Go get him, Lucy!
