Author's Note: Just to clear up any misconceptions about the rating, it's more due to caution than really being explicit. There's a decent amount of cursing (especially from Gajeel) and one scene that's (if I didn't completely screw it up) kinda racy. If you're here keeping your fingers crossed for a lemon, I'm going to sorely disappoint you. If you prefer your scenes more lime flavored, I might have accommodated that. If you guys think I was too harsh with the rating, I might drop it back to 'T', but the ratings explanations from FF made it seem like this leaned more 'M'.
This story is entirely written, and I will publish a new chapter on Sundays and Thursdays (barring any unforeseen circumstances) until it is all up. I was originally just going to do Sundays, but discovered that the extra days to obsess over future chapters were really not helping things. There are six chapters and an epilogue, though the epilogue is short so I will most likely post that along with chapter six.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Fairy Tail. If I did, we'd all be drowning in main pairing shipper feels all the time. The only things that are mine are the song Starlight and the obnoxious, loudly printed shirt, unnamed reporter guy.
Shout-out!: To the intrepid axlorg89 who put up with my needy questioning and gave me some really great feedback. This probably would've languished forever on my hard drive otherwise.
CHAPTER 2: STARLIGHT, EVERYWHERE
July 2, X793
Erza, with exaggerated politeness, laid a sheaf of newsprint that still smelled of fresh ink in the middle of the band's breakfast table. Everyone leaned in curiously, but cautiously. Silence descended.
Jellal broke the quiet by clearing his throat. "That's… unfortunate?"
"A pretty mild way of putting it," Gray muttered in disgust.
"Juvia doesn't think it's so bad. They obviously don't know anything concrete."
"Well, shit," Gajeel declared, glowering at the tabloid headline. In enormous block letters on the front page read 'Who's Lucy?: The heart of the notoriously single Salamander is bewitched by a mystery girl.' He shook his dark head slowly before staring pointedly at Natsu. "How the hell did this even happen? What possessed you to -"
"I thought I saw her, okay?!" Tired of being harassed by his friends, the pink haired man growled. They'd spent all last night trying to pry the truth out of him, and he just didn't have the patience for it anymore. "I couldn't help it." He bit down hard on his viciously speared sausage, teeth clashing against the fork.
"You thought you saw her?" Cana spoke up, eyes shifting to meet Mirajane's in the seat next to her.
Shaking his perpetually tousled head, Natsu smiled bitterly. "Stupid, I know. There was a girl with blond hair, but she was too far away to see well. Like she would really be there, right?"
"Weeeellllll…." Mira hedged. "Maybe not that stupid."
No one spoke for a moment until Erza leaned forward over the table towards the two women, palms planted firmly on the surface to support herself. "What. Did. You. Do?!"
Chuckling and waving her hands placatingly, Mira said, "Oh, nothing crazy! It's just that we, Cana and I, remembered that yesterday was Lucy's birthday…"
"Yeah," the brunette jumped in. "We thought it might be a nice thing to send her a ticket! That's not so bad, right? For her birthday." Her laughter sounded strained under Erza's ominous stare. "Maybe it was a special ticket but…"
"YOU WHAT?!" Natsu was now gawking at the two looking horrified, fingers gripping his fork so tightly his knuckles were white.
Heaving a sigh, Erza straightened. "Am I to understand you decided to send Lucy a ticket to last night's concert? For her birthday, yes," she acceded when Cana started to clarify. "But not just any ticket. You sent her the one that normally would've had her called up on stage as part of the show… in front of everyone… without warning the rest of us?"
"When you put it like that, it sounds sort of unkind," Mira pouted, the only one in the room unintimidated by her redheaded friend.
"We don't know that it was her, do we?" Jellal asked, attempting to diffuse the situation. He really wasn't ready to mediate a fistfight over breakfast. "That was an enormous crowd, and I'm sure there were lots of blond women there."
"She definitely used her ticket," the eldest Strauss said confidently. "Or someone did, anyway. I checked with the venue gate records before the show started to be sure."
"Not helping, Mira," Cana hissed out of the corner of her mouth.
The table suddenly jostled as Natsu scrambled to his feet, and Gray lunged forward to stop the drinks from tumbling over. "Jeez, man! Take it easy." His eyes widened when he took in the pink haired man's pale face. The rockstar looked like he was about to hyperventilate.
"But… She… Augh!" Natsu's fingers scrubbed through the spikes of his hair, upsetting them even more than usual. "I should've…!"
Erza's authoritative voice split the tense air like an axe. "Everyone just calm down. I know this seems like it's a terrible thing, but - "
"Terrible?!" Evergreen butt in. "Are you crazy? You can't buy this kind of publicity. Just think! We can absolutely spin this to our advantage and use it to promote the new album!" She looked positively gleeful at the thought.
"No." Natsu shook his head, jaw set. "No way. You are not going to use Lucy like that. She's got her own problems. She doesn't need to be dragged into crazy paparazzi territory."
"But the opportunities… Oh, fine!" Evergreen crossed her arms belligerently. "If you're going to be that way, we'll just have to ride this out. No one is going to mention Lucy. If the press doesn't get anything new, they'll eventually lose interest."
Cana looked up at the still twitching Natsu. "Don't you think you should at least talk to her? There's no way she didn't realize that song was about her. You even sang it on her birthday for a concert in your hometown. Pretty hard to miss that message."
Sputtering, the pink haired star actually blushed. A flustered Natsu was a rare sight. "It's not… I didn't…!"
"Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that," she snickered over the rim of her whiskey spiked coffee.
He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just don't think it's a good idea. Lucy's still probably grieving for her dad, and she's already dealing with those reporters bugging her about the business. She really doesn't need me to pull her into some kind of tabloid hell."
"We're going to be busy the next few days with other commitments as it is," Freed reminded them, flipping through the hefty itinerary in his hands. "There are interviews, an awards show, that event to promote the music education program…"
"Still," Erza said. "I think it would only be fair of you to speak to her. You can disguise yourself a bit if you're afraid of attracting attention."
"I dunno… I'm not sure -"
"Perhaps I stuttered." The aura of menace became palpable around the redheaded stage manager, making everyone else cringe. "You should go see her soon and wish Lucy a happy belated birthday. It's the least you can do for a friend who's going through a tough time."
"Yep! Definitely gonna do that, Erza. Ha ha ha! Great idea!" Natsu hastily agreed. He really didn't feel like dying today anyway.
July 5, X793
"But can the stars come out tonight?
They're the only light I need
Can the stars shine tonight?
She's the only light I need"
Lucy cleared her throat from the back seat of the car. "Sagittarius, would you mind…?"
"Alrighty, M'lady!" the spirit exclaimed, quickly changing the radio station.
"Please, let the stars come out tonight
They're the only light I need
Oh, let the stars shine tonight -"
"You know what? I'm tired of the radio," Lucy said exasperatedly while the horse-costumed celestial spirit flipped the music off. "I think that's the only song anyone is playing."
"It does seem extremely popular," Loke mentioned with an amused smirk, earning himself a glare from the blonde in the back seat.
"Almost as popular as 'Who's Lucy.'" Flipping some of her long blue hair over her shoulder, Aquarius crossed her legs. It was a habit she had cultivated ever since she sorted out how to give herself 'land-legs.' "Do we need to discuss your lunch date with Sawarr Junelle? Anything I should know before you do irreparable damage to the company's image?"
Lucy groaned. "I didn't punch him, if that's what you're asking. Though I feel like maybe I should have…" She could still feel the clammy sensation of his palm sliding against her inner thigh. Next time she would wear pants for sure.
"Is there something I need to know about?" Loke craned around to look at the two women from the front seat of the car, frowning.
"No. It's nothing. He just… doesn't have an appropriate concept of boundaries. It's not new, and I can handle him." The young CEO sighed. "He's exactly how I remembered him from when Dad wanted to arrange our marriage when I graduated high school."
"That bad, huh?" Aquarius actually looked sympathetic. "He sweats so much and always wants to put his hands places they shouldn't go. It's revolting."
Lucy chewed her lip. He'd also been ignorantly condescending and implied she wouldn't 'need' to work again if she was his wife.
The car pulled into it's usual spot underneath the enormous Heartfilia Konzern and Railways building, and Lucy quickly let herself out even as Sagittarius scrambled to get to her door. As usual, she waved him off with a soft smile and thanked him for the smooth ride. "Yeah, well, he did promise he could save the company."
"From his own family's hostile takeover attempt." Loke shook his shaggy head in distaste, joining her as she headed towards the elevator to get to her office. "It's basically extortion."
"But I'm starting to feel like we're running out of options…" Lucy admitted reluctantly.
Standing with them, Aquarius heaved a dramatic sigh. "You could always hook up with Natsu. It would do wonders for your image if you had a famous boyfriend." The sound of Loke's palm connecting with his forehead and Lucy's choking made her smile impishly.
"Look," their boss started as she stepped out of the elevator, "I know you all seem to think the song is a declaration of undying love or something, but that's not the case! He probably just used our… relationship as inspiration to write something that would sell. I haven't seen him in years, and he hasn't tried to contact me." She ignored the pang in her chest. "It doesn't mean anything."
"Um, Ma'am?" Aries shifted nervously from foot to foot while standing near the office door. "There's someone here to see you…"
Lucy frowned, glancing at Loke for confirmation. "I don't remember having an appointment." The lion spirit shrugged and shook his head negative. Feeling suddenly determined, Lucy strode past her timid secretary. "Whoever it is better not pick a fight. I'm pretty fired up… today..."
She gawked, jaw hanging loose. Sitting in the chair across from her desk was a man in a ratty windbreaker with a baseball cap pulled down low over his eyes. If it wasn't for the spiky ends of pink hair poking out from where they were smashed down around the nape of his neck and the achingly familiar scarf she might not have recognized him.
And the face splitting grin. She'd never mistake that. "Na… Natsu?!"
Behind her Loke shut the office door with a mischievous smile, effectively cutting off any escape route. He might have be as surprised as she, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to take advantage of it.
Traitor! she thought vehemently. Struggling to maintain her cool demeanor, Lucy did her best to tamp down the nerves zinging through her body. "What are you doing here?"
"Hah! Your face! Man, that was fantastic," the star chortled while slapping his hand on the arm of the chair in delight, making her scowl ferociously. "You weirdo."
You're weird. We should be friends!
"Yes, well, that still doesn't tell me why you're in my office."
"Oh right!" He leapt to his feet and passed her a thin, plastic case. "Your face was so funny, I almost forgot."
She stared, vaguely horrified, at the disc visible through the clear case cover. Scrawled in Natsu's terrible handwriting was the word "Starlight." The universe hates me.
The young man had jammed his hands deep into the pockets of his faded jeans and rocked back on his sneaker shod heels. "That's a copy of the studio recording. It's not really supposed to be available yet, but I figured we could make an exception for you. Happy birthday!"
"You… shouldn't have," Lucy responded diplomatically.
"Nah! It's cool." He fidgeted, eyes skittering around the room rather than looking at her. "I mean, that song… it's sorta about… It's because I -"
"Are you hungry?" she broke in, fearing the next words out of his mouth and earning a look of surprise. "Because my business lunch was really awful. I barely ate anything, and I could seriously go for a burger right now."
He grinned his impossible grin. "You know me, Lucy. I could always eat. Though…" Natsu scratched at the side of his face with his index finger. "It might not be super smart for me to go out somewhere that people could see us. Not that I don't want to be seen with you," he started to babble, "but those paparazzi guys can get pretty bad, and they already want to know…"
"Oh, don't worry. I've got an idea," she declared confidently, grabbing the door handle and swinging it open. "Hey, Aries, would you mind -" Lucy stopped short at the sight of the three spirits standing right at the threshold.
"Yes, ma'am?" the ram squawked. She was the only one with the decency to look abashed for having been caught eavesdropping. Loke and Aquarius were just smug.
"On second thought. Loke, would you mind grabbing us some food?" If he was going to show no shame, his boss would at least make him do some legwork.
With a flourish, he nudged his glasses up his nose. Loke still looked far too pleased with himself. "I would be delighted, Lucy. I can grab a blanket too, so you can have a refreshing picnic in the park."
"Man," Natsu said enviously, "I wish I had cool spirits to get me food."
Loke shrugged. "Anyone can make a contract with a spirit. You don't need any special abilities, just a willing spirit."
"Yeah, but not everyone is Lucy." The woman blushed at Natsu's oblivious flattery. "You really awesome guys won't even think of making a deal with just anybody."
"We powerful spirits are quite picky," Loke agreed, practically preening over the unintended compliment. "And Lucy is rather exceptional when it comes to making contracts. Though… I could put in a good word for you with some of the lesser spirits."
"Seriously?!" The star said excitedly. "That would be great! I could get one that would fight with -"
"No," Lucy cut him off. "You can't just make a contract with a spirit so you can practice your martial arts on them." She ignored his noise of disappointment. "And Loke? Stop winding Natsu up. You're being a bad influence."
As much as she would have liked to inflict a bit of anguish on the cocky lion, Lucy had to admit the picnic was a great idea. By the time they were settled in under the tree and digging into the food, she'd already begun to relax. They chatted about nothing, making jokes and teasing in a way that relieved some of the weight that had taken residence in her chest since her father's death.
Natsu amused himself by stealing the pins out of her hair between bites of his hamburgers until the blond locks tumbled down her back where the wind caught at it. "Gee, thanks, Natsu. Now I get to enjoy the lovely flavor of strawberry shampoo with my meal," she groused while trying to pull the wayward strands out of her mouth, though there was no real anger in her complaint.
"Aww, c'mon. You never liked wearing it up. Besides, I like you better this way." Lucy stilled, feeling an awkward knot start to form in her stomach from the easy way he'd made the comment. In the past she would have brushed it off as Natsu simply saying what was on his mind, but looking at him now… He watched her from the corner of his eyes with a strange sort of intensity.
She hesitated before saying, "Someone else told me today that I look better with it up."
"Pfft." Flopping on his back, half on the blanket and half in the grass, Natsu wrinkled his nose in the shadow of his baseball cap. "That someone is stupid. It makes you look like someone else. Like not Lucy."
Silence stretched between them for a long moment while Lucy tried to form a response. Eventually she gave up, beginning to pack up the remnants of their lunch. She brushed the crumbs from her pencil skirt before standing and slipping her shoes back on. Natsu's calculating gaze felt like a firebrand under her skin.
"I had fun," she admitted, staring off at a group of teenagers playing frisbee in the grass. "I'd forgotten how nice this could be. I hate to cut this short, but I really do need to get back to the office. No fair for the boss to be a slacker."
The incognito rock star rolled to his feet with covetous grace. "Yeah! This was great." Snatching up the blanket, he sloppily folded it. "We should totally do this again. How 'bout tomorrow?" The earnestness in his eyes as he extended the bundled blanket to her made Lucy's heart stutter.
"I… I can't. I have a lunch meeting with investors…"
His smile sagged a bit. "'Kay. Then the day after?"
"There's a engineers' presentation about train fuel efficiency."
Now the smile was gone. "Dinner." She shook her head, starting to answer before he cut her off, "Breakfast the next day?" Another headshake made his teeth grind. "C'mon, work with me here!"
"I'm really sorry, Natsu, but I've got a lot of work ahead of me to get HK&R back in shape. I don't think I'll have any free time for awhile." His mouth had turned down at the corners, and she laid gentle fingertips on his arm. Lucy could feel the tension radiating off of him. "I really did have a nice time. It was… It was good to see you. Maybe when things die down." Carefully, she took the offered blanket from him, trying in vain to ignore the spark from where her fingers brushed his warm, calloused ones.
"Sure," he whispered. Her soft, sad smile cast over a shoulder as she walked away made Natsu bury his mouth into the scarf around his neck to hide the way he bared his teeth in frustration. He didn't want to think that the burning pit in his gut was anger - he could never stay mad at Lucy - but he sure didn't care for it.
Extra Author's Notes (On Spirits in the AU): In this world, spirits can come and go as they please between the human and celestial realms. However, in order to freely stay they need to form a contract with a human. They don't need to eat or sleep and instead draw their nourishment from the energy of the person they've contracted with. Stronger spirits are more picky about who they'll make a deal with and are more likely to contract with someone who's already got a contract with another spirit. The Zodiacs in particular are known for being extremely choosy, and the fact that Lucy has ten of them working for her makes her quite exceptional.
Spirits are the only beings (aside from exceeds who have their Aera) able to use magic. While they used to wage war on behalf of their human partners, these days there are strict rules regarding the use of their powers. Anyone caught wrecking the joint without a very good reason can expect a visit from the Celestial Law Bureau. Nobody wants that. They're meanies.