I sighed, looking at myself in the mirror, debating on wether or not I should wear my mask. I shook my head, deciding to put it down. I looked at my appearance once more, biting my lip. Was this good enough? Was it too much? He did say dress nice…
I looked down at my outfit. It was a black corset with shimmery red trim on the top and bottom, going down the middle as well; my saber mark visible along with my collar bones and the bottom of my neck however a black collar covered the rest of my neck along with my arms just under the bottom of my shoulder, covered in sleeves that hugged my arms. I had a frilly black mini skirt on, black tights on underneath with the same shimmery red on them, since it was winter outside still but it was getting warmer the further we got away from Fiore. My hair had been tamed, brought to the opposite side of my Saber mark, in soft curls over my shoulder and chest thanks to Cancer. I had a black belt on, contrary to my usual brown one. My belt had both of my whips on it, my keys resting in the pouch they belonged in. I had decided to leave my sword and guns off of me.
I sighed once more, biting my lip. What does Salamander have planned? My thoughts were cut off by a cold draft in the room, the door opened. I looked to see Gray standing there, only visible thanks to the light in the room, it seemingly pitch black outside. He smirked at me.
"You clean up nicely." He teased and I giggled.
"I could say the same to you." I trailed off, glancing behind him curiously. He stepped to the side, the door way opening up.
"He's ready for you." He said and I swallowed, walking forward and trying to hide my emotions, feeling unsure without the mask. Gray bent his head slightly when I passed him.
"Don't hide your emotions tonight okay? And you really do look great." He whispered. I glanced at him and slowly nodded. I stepped out of the room, guided by the little light that flowed from the open door. I stopped however when the door was shut and it was completely dark. I frowned, only being able to see the vague outlines of things on deck. I scowled more, this was probably a dirty trick, how could I be so- I felt skin on my temples, things I could only guess as fingers going over my eyes which was pretty dumb since I couldn't see anything. My breath hitched slightly, having been taken off guard, warmth rolling off the person behind me onto my back.
"Do you trust me?" He asked, his voice soft, barely a whisper but I could hear the hopeful, nervous tone. Salamander was nervous? Something about the way he had asked me made me stop the sarcastic comment that wanted to rip free from my mouth. I thought seriously for a moment about what Gray had said, telling me I shouldn't hide my emotions tonight. My breathing hardened slightly as my mind raced. Did I trust him? Could I trust him? If I did would I be giving in to easily?
"I...I…" Was all I could get out, the air feeling heavy in my lungs. A second later I felt him exhale near my neck and I knew if it weren't for the collar goosebumps would be raising on my skin.
"We can work our way up to the big things...do you trust me to make my mistake up?" He asked, his voice seemed casted down and my stomach twisted.
"I...trust you'll try." I said finally. I heard him hum and his hands came away from my face, resting on my bare shoulders.
"Lookup." He said quietly. I scrunched my face up in confusion, tilting my head up and letting my face change instantly into surprise and awe as I saw the masks, gasping softly.
"Ho-how did you…" I whispered, watching the previously orangish white sails wave in the soft wind, painted blackish blue with the stars scattered on them. Not only that, all the constellations I had pointed out to Salamander were there and they were moving, doing tricks slowly or dancing among other stars, all of them shimmering as if they were real. My gaze was pulled away from the brilliance above me when there was more light suddenly all around me, lanterns and torches allowing me to see the deck, it being really clean compared to what it usually was and a table was set, two lit candles with silver trays over what I assumed was food. I looked at Salamander, he was in a red silk shirt, classic pirate style with the V at the top, it cutting down half way down his chest and poofy, nice black pants that looked new, his black boots clean and shined, his hair looking chaotic like usual however now it looked like an organized mess.
!?-!
Her eyes had a twinkle in them that took my breath away. She went to speak but my mouth opened, words tumbling out.
"You look amazing by the way." My eye widened and I mentally slapped myself when I said it. She closed her mouth, a blush crossing her cheeks.
"Thanks Salamander, you look good too...how did you do all this?" She asked, waving her hand around. I scratched the back of my head.
"Ah, I got Reddus to paint the sails and I asked Jellal a few questions." I answered and she gave me a grin.
"It's fantastic." She said softly. I gave her a smile.
"Hungry?" I asked and she nodded, a hand on her stomach.
"Starving." She answered and I put a hand between her shoulder blades, putting my arm out towards the table.
"Let's eat." I told her, pulling her chair out and pushing it back in when she sat down walking over to my side of the table, reminding myself to not trip and be careful as I sat down myself.
"Where is everyone else?" She asked and I licked my lips.
"Uhm…" Before I could answer we heard a crash from the kitchen quarters, followed by Erza's screeching. Lucifer raised a brow and I laughed awkwardly. I felt like my heart was going to rip itself from my chest at any moment, fighting the urge to just throw myself off the edge of the ship.
"Anyway...let's eat!" I said excitedly, my stomach rumbling. I lifted the silver top off my plate, warm steam rising up to reveal pasta noodles with white sauce, small chunks of different things which my nose identified as peas, lobster chunks and cod fish. Lucy squealed.
"This is my favorite!" She cheered, looking up at me with a huge smile. I felt like melting, my head getting dizzy slightly as I returned the smile. I grabbed my fork, twirling some pasta on it and stabbing a piece of fish on the end of it. The door of the kitchen opened and Gray walked out. I paled when I saw what he was wearing, or lack thereof. He was wearing a red bow tie and server pants, holding a bottle of champagne.
"Would you like some sparkling champ-" He cut himself off with a yelp as he hit the ground and a tipsy Cana who was in a waiter's outfit as well giggled.
"You guys don't want that stufff!" She cheered and I put my head on the table. Fuck. My. Life.
"You guys want some hardcore vodka!" I mentally fire dragon iron fisted myself in the face.
"What! No way Erza said we had to serve the champagne!" Gray yelled, his forehead against Cana's.
"Vodka is way better though!"
"Uhm...I think I'd rather have the champagne." Lucifer said and I sat up, Cana and Gray both shutting up as I rubbed my temples.
"Leave them both." I said, deciding vodka would be perfect to get rid of the embarrassment. They both paused before setting the bottles down, turning and leaving. The door closed to the kitchen and Erza's screaming was easily heard. Lucifer giggled.
"Wow." Was all she said and I shook my head, smiling awkwardly.
"Count on Fairy Tail to make something seem like it's not and make things worse." I muttered, pouring us both a glass of the fruity champagne, taking a long swig of the vodka. Lucifer laughed more, waving her hands.
"No no, that's part of you guy's charm, well I think anyway. You guys make everything fun. Man, I would have killed for you guys to be at one of the royal parties. They were always so boring." She said and warmth filled my body, I smiled at her widely.
"Yeah? Well everything is funner with you. The ship has been a lot more lively since you've been on board." I admitted. She blushed softly, tilting her glass toward me. I nodded, doing the same and taking a sip. We made light talk, making stupid jokes and she threw a napkin at me for all the stupid puns I kept making all the way until we were both done eating. She opened her mouth to retort something towards another one of the said puns when she cut herself off, jumping as soft music started playing. Something flickered in her eyes as she thought for a moment.
"I know this song...from where though….?" She asked, more to herself than me, biting her lip. I watched her, sipping at my champagne as I waited. Realization hit her and she looked at me with wide eyes.
"I wanna be friends again...not just at peace." I said. If I couldn't have her like I wanted then I would have her any way she needed or wanted.
"Salamander...I…" Fear shot through me. She was going to say no. I couldn't let her.
"Dance with me." She said suddenly and I furrowed my brows in confusion. Before I could protest she was up, her hand on my wrist. She pulled me up and away from the table. She gave me a light smile and I sighed, giving her one back awkwardly.
"Uhm...why do we have to dance?" I asked and she looked at me.
"Because it's fun. Besides I never got to dance with you when we were little. It was improper." She reminded me. I swallowed thickly.
"We've danced before…" I trailed off, remembering our awkward child bodies swinging around her room, laughing and having fun until her father walked in. He had growled, ripping me off of her. The next day I was kicked out. Lucy looked up at me.
"We never finished that dance." She said, taking my hand and putting her other one on my shoulder. I shivered slightly at the touch.
"I haven't ballroom danced since then." I admitted, looking at her. "I've taken on a much more...pirate style." I told her and she laughed.
"So have I, let's just pretend okay?" She said and I nodded, swallowing thickly gain and putting my arm around her waist, pulling her tight against me. She sucked in a deep breath, biting her lip.
-?-?
He pushed forward and I let him lead, both of us moving slow to the music, still getting back into the idea of dancing professionally instead of thrashing bodies and grinding we were both probably use to now. His hand on my waist warmed my body, sending tingles this way and that almost like it hurt or burned but I welcomed the feeling. We picked up a tad more speed, both of us settling into the comfortable pace.
"See? You've still got it." I said playfully and he tossed me a smirk, pulling away and twirling me. I giggled, coming back to his chest and continuing. He let out a light laugh, the sound blending perfectly into the music.
We danced until the end of the song, both of us ending in in giggles and laughter, making stupid faces. I squealed as he put both hands on my waist and lifted me, twirling me before setting me down on the final note. He grinned at me and I held his arm, taking a breath from the surprise and trying to steady myself.
"You're still an amazing dancer, you and Sting must dance all the time." He said, I ignored the fact his eyes changed slightly from the bright happy ones he had a second ago. I bit my lip and shook my head.
"Sting doesn't dance. He said it's something only people in the court do so naturally he doesn't know I can dance." I said honestly. He wanted to be friends and everything he's done tonight...it reminded me of the little boy I use to be inseparable with. He was still in there somewhere, even if he was hidden by the pirate captain.
"Ah…" I could tell he was holding back from ranting and I was glad, not wanting to ruin a nice night.
"Salamander...I think we can try...to be friends I mean." I said, looking down awkwardly. If I wanted to be his friend then it would have to be with the guy underneath the title, then again. Not much had changed in the fact that he was him through and through. Maybe I could learn...be more true to myself.
His grin brought me out of my thoughts and he rushed forward, hugging me tightly. I tensed for a moment before smiling, hugging him back. He pulled back a second later and held my arms, his grin huge.
"Awsome! I won't let ya regret it! I'm all fired up!" He cheered and I let out a laugh. I couldn't help but to think that if he and Sting stopped hating each other for a second then they would get along really well. Before everything happened Sting had even admitted that Salamander was actually his idol. I couldn't help but to smile at the thought. I met Salamanders eyes and sucked in a deep breath. He had a happy grin that reached his eyes.
"Lucifer...I-". He started to say when the ship lurched. I fell forward, Salamander falling backwards. He grabbed a rope, half leaning on a barrel and half holding himself up with the rope, grabbing me and pulling me to his chest before I could hit the ground.
"What...what was that?" I asked, holding onto him as the ship steadied itself. I pulled away and his smile was gone, replaced by a scowl.
"I don't know..." He muttered, moving towards the helm of the ship as Erza and Gray came out of the kitchen, frowns on their faces. I followed Salamander, all four of us meeting at the steps to the helm.
"What was that?" I asked and Gray licked his lips.
"It's a barrier we have up, warns us when a ship we're not on good terms with us is close..." He said and I frowned.
"Do you know who-" I stopped when Salamander put a hand on my stomach, looking off.
"Shh! Do you guys hear...GET DOWN!" He yelled, pouncing on me. I squealed as we hit the ground the second the railing we were near burst into splinters. My eyes widened.
"Are you okay?" He asked quickly and I nodded. He jumped up, pulling me up. Erza was pushing herself up and Gray laid on his back groaning.
"ALL HANDS ON DECK!" Salamander screamed, letting go of me. I darted forward, checking Gray. A quick check told me nothing was broken.
"Fuck." He muttered and I took his hand.
"Come on." I said breathlessly. I pulled him up only to stumble at the sound of another canon. The crew were pouring out now, all going to their stations, a few confused looks but no one missed a beat as their Captain roared out orders.
"Who the hell is it!?" Gray hissed and I shook my head.
"It's not Sabertooth. I'd be able to tell where the canons were." I said. Suddenly all the torches around the ship roared higher and brighter, the mask shifting back to its symbol. I paused at the amount of magic energy that rushed over the ship, causing the crew to let out an encouraged roar as the enemy ship was brought into view. My breath left me when I saw the Kings seal.
-edited version-