Here is the first 'date' in the Well They Know Now 'verse.

I don't own Fairy Tail, I'm just playing with it.

Lucy floated happily in a river of stars, her spirits playing around her. Aquarius was curled up with Scorpio on what seemed to be a meteor as Capricorn lounged nearby reading his poetry aloud. On the other side of the river Taurus and Cancer sat sharpening their blades as Sagittarius practiced trick shots a few feet away. Giggles drew Lucy's attention up stream where Loke was tossing around what appeared to be a star with Aries, Virgo, and Lyra. Above them Pyxis and Gemini were flying and trying to catch the ball mid throw.

Lucy closed her eyes and settled back into her floating with a content smile. With Plue resting on her stomach the only one missing was Crux but she knew he was most likely in his library soaking in new knowledge.

Seconds later the peace was interrupted by a dull banging sound. Lucy furrowed her brow and kept her eyes closed, willing the sound to go away. Unfortunately, after a few more seconds the sound came again, this time though it was loud enough to make the spirits notice.

"You're needed hime." Virgo said softly. Lucy frowned and wrapped her arms around Plue in an attempt to ignore it.

The banging came again, even louder than before. "Wake up!" Aquarius demanded, water washed over Lucy and she shot into a seated position, her eyes flying open. Looking around Lucy found that she was not, in fact, in a river of stars but in her bed. The banging however persisted.

Lucy jumped from her miraculously dragon slayer free bed and grabbed her keys before stumbling toward the door. "I'm coming. I'm coming." she grumbled as the banging came again. Not bothering to turn on the light, she wrenched the door open to see who had woken her from her dream and was immediately thrown backward as a heavy weight launched itself at her legs.

"Cosplayer!" the weight cried.

The ridiculous but familiar nickname stilled Lucy's hand where it had been scrambling for her keys. "Bickslow?" she asked with a frown.

"That's me!" the weight sang, "Bickslow! The Bixinator! Bixy! That weird tongue guy! And on special occasions, Bertha!"

"Bertha! Bertha!" five high pitched voices chanted.

Lucy gave a snort before bursting out laughing, "Bertha?"

"Hey! It's not a special occasion!" Bickslow whined.

Lucy rolled her eyes, "You knocked on my door in the middle of the night and tackled me to the floor. It feels like a special occasion to me Bertha."

"Is not." The seith mage pouted.

"Whatever you say Bickslow." Lucy sighed, "Can you get off of me please?" the seith mage was silent for several seconds before Lucy heard the very distinctive sound of a snore. "I can't believe he feel asleep on me." She muttered, she blinked up into the dimly lit room, "Um, Bickslow's babies?"

"Yes? Yes?" they chirped close by.

"Can one of you hit the light switch?" Lucy asked, "It's about an inch to the doors right."

"Got it!" a single voice called out. Light flooded Lucy's small foyer revealing her wide open door, five totems, and a seith mage wrapped around her long legs.

Lucy couldn't help but stare, for once Bickslow's hood was down and his grate was nowhere in sight. It was the first time she'd actually had a chance to look at his face out of the heat of battle, that and the late hour she would forever blame for her next comment. "Holy shit! Bickslow's hot!" she muttered, giggles drew her eyes up to the five totems and she blushed. "Let's just keep that between us shall we?"

"Ok! Ok!" they all giggled.

Lucy sighed, "Who am I kidding? You will tell him as soon as he wakes up won't you?"

"Yep! Yep!" they all responded cheerfully.

Lucy sighed again, "I guess that's what I get for answering the door at…" she brushed her fingers along Horologium's key for the time, "Sweet Mavis its 3 am!" she tried to push Bickslow off of her legs but he gripped them tighter, "Bickslow get off! I have to get up in two hours and I want a little more sleep!" the seith mage simply locked his arms and rubbed his cheek against Lucy's thigh.

The blonde's face burned red at the action and she desperately wiggled her legs until Bickslow frowned and rolled over. Lucy scrambled to her feet and looked down at the sleeping male currently sprawled out in her doorway. She looked to his babies, "Why did he pass out?"

"Party! Party!" they cheered.

Lucy raised an eyebrow at them, "So, what? He's drunk?"

"Yes! Yes!"

"And I bet this late he won't be up until after noon." Lucy groaned, rubbing her hands over her face. She quickly went through her options before looking back to the totems, "I have a job in the morning and no extra key for him to lock up if he stayed here so could you five lead me to your house?"

They floated quietly for several seconds before the totem with the grumpy face came forward, "Yes."

Lucy smiled, "Great. I'm going to put on some clothes and then we'll head out." She started back to her bedroom before she stopped and turned, "I'm sorry. I completely forgot. What are your names?"

The grumpy face totem bobbed, "Pappa."

The two largest flanked Pappa, one with a large green nose and the other with green eyebrows, "Peppe." "Poppo." The said in turn.

The smallest, a totem with a big red smile, floated under Pappa, "Pippi."

The final totem, a medium sized totem with a red mask around its eyes, floated above Pappa, "Puppu."

Lucy gave a small wave, "Hi! Nice to meet you all officially! Just give me a few moments to change alright?" she retreated to her room and threw on her standard mini-skirt, tight blouse, and heels. As she came out of her room she tied her hair into a ponytail before grabbing her belt that held her whip and keys.

"Alright, let's go." She said as soon as she clasped her belt. She pulled out a gold key, "Open! Gate of the Golden Bull! Taurus!" she called.

Taurus appeared in a flash of gold, "Looking gorgeous as usual Miss. Lucy." He mooed.

Lucy smiled up at him, "Hi Taurus, sorry to call so late. Can you carry Bickslow? He's a bit drunk and I don't think I'll be able to handle the dead weight."

"Anything for you." The bull spirit said with a smile. He lifted Bickslow up by his waist and carried him after Lucy as she led the way out of her apartment.

When they reached the street Lucy looked to the totems, "Alright then, we'll follow you guys." The totems bobbed in acknowledgement and started down the street at a healthy clip. Lucy and Taurus walked after them, holding a small conversation before descending into a comfortable silence. Finally, a thought occurred to Lucy and she walked a bit quicker to walk with the babies, "How did you guys end up at my house anyway? I'm always ready to help a guild mate but you guys don't talk to me except to occasionally call me a Cosplayer."

Pappa drew level with her, letting the others take the lead, "Talking at party. Lot's about past. Came to talk."

Lucy frowned, trying to decipher the meaning behind the disjointed sentences, "People were talking about the past at the party? That doesn't really sound fun. And why would he need to talk to me?"

"Hurt Cosplayer." Pappa said in a sad tone.

Lucy huffed, "This was about Fantasia then?"

"Yes." Papa said, "Came to say sorry." The other totems repeated, "Sorry. Sorry."

Lucy stopped, making the totems stop and look at the blond mage as she crossed her arms over her chest, "I forgave them for that a long time ago. All of you in the Raijinshū and even Laxus. You all showed true remorse for what you had done and made real efforts to integrate yourselves into the guild. You don't need to say sorry anymore and neither does Bickslow."

"Really? Really?" the totems all asked.

Lucy smiled at the adorable totems and held out her arms, "Really." The totems all flew to her and Lucy closed her arms around them without hesitation. They snuggled into her breasts and let out little purr like noises. Lucy giggled at their little purrs before releasing them, "Alright, now that that's cleared up let's get Bickslow home huh?"

"Yes! Yes!" they cheered, starting off again.

Lucy followed with a quick smile at Taurus who grinned down at her, "You are very kind Miss. Lucy."

The blonde waved him off, "I just don't see a reason to have them apologize after I've forgiven them. The past is the past."

"Cosplayer." Came a slight whine, the blonde and the bull looked down at the unconscious mage with amusement.

Lucy gave a small huff before patting Bickslow's back, "It's alright Bickslow."

After walking several more minutes, the babies raced to the front door of a small house tucked on the outskirts of Magnolia. It was a deep blue color with white trimming; the door itself was green and must have had a way for the babies to open it on their own because seconds after they showed up the door swung open. Taurus entered carefully behind Lucy and tried to tread softly as they were lead back into a bedroom; when Lucy came into the room the totems led them to she saw the babies trying to pull the covers back on a large king sized bed.

"Let me help you guys." Lucy said, stepping over and easily flicking the blanket back. "Taurus, put him on the bed please." The large bull placed the seith mage in his bed carefully before saying goodbye to Lucy and disappearing. Lucy leaned over to grab the blanket and pull it over the male when arms came up and pulled her down onto Bickslow.

"Sorry Cosplayer." Bickslow murmured in her hair.

Lucy huffed again, this time into his discretely muscled chest, "I forgive you Bickslow. Just let me go and get some rest." When he didn't release her, Lucy pressed against his chest and wriggled free.

Her movement seemed to wake him a little, Bickslow frowned up at her where she was readjusting herself after being grabbed, "Cosplayer?" he questioned softly.

Lucy rolled her eyes, "Do you even know my real name?"

"Lucy." He replied easily, that earned him a soft smile, "What happened?"

"You passed out on me." Lucy said, "I had Taurus carry you while your babies led us back to your house."

Bickslow blinked several times, glanced around the room then back to her. Without warning his hands shot forward and grabbed her breasts, Lucy squealed and smacked at his hands until he released her breasts. "What the hell Bickslow!" she snapped, backing away from his bed.

"Huh." He said nonchalantly, "This isn't a dream." With a hiccup a lecherous grin spread across his face, "Very nice by the way Cosplayer."

Lucy huffed, "Your still drunk. What, did you challenge Laxus to a drinking contest?"

"Nope." He hiccupped again, "Cana."

"Sweet stars that was stupid." Lucy sighed, "Your lucky you don't have alcohol poisoning."

"I'm fine." Bickslow said, waving his hands at her.

"Really Bertha?" Lucy snorted.

"How do you…" he yawned, "Know that name?"

"You told me." Lucy said flatly, she reached over him and quickly covered him up before he could make another grab for her. "Get some sleep. Your gonna need it for the hangover you'll have in the morning."

Bickslow's eyes drooped, "Thanks Cosplayer."

Lucy smiled down at him, "Your welcome Bickslow." She watched as four of his babies snuggled around his head before she left with Pappa hovering at her shoulder. She brushed her hand against Horologium's key again and sighed, "And now its four, no chance for extra sleep." She sighed, making her way back through Bickslow's house.

"Coffee?" Pappa asked softly.

Lucy smiled at him, "Yeah I'm going to need a lot of it."

Pappa spun in front of her making her stop, "We have coffee." He said.

The blonde tilted her head at him, "Do you think Bickslow would mind?"

"No." Pappa replied.

Lucy smiled, "Then I'd love some. Lead the way." She said cheerily. Pappa led her to a large kitchen and showed her the coffee maker and the coffee grounds to make it. Soon the strong aroma filled the room. Lucy spent the next forty-five minutes chatting with Pappa while she loaded up on three cups of coffee. When she was done she quickly cleaned her cup, set the coffee maker for Bickslow, and wrote him a quick note before Pappa showed her out.

As Lucy walked back to her apartment and mentally steeled herself to deal with her team on less sleep than usual she found her thoughts straying to Bickslow. She hoped he considered her note.

Bickslow woke feeling like death warmed over. He fucking hated hangovers. He rolled over slightly, trying to go back to sleep but he only managed to roll out of bed. He rubbed his forehead as he heard his babies giggled, "Traitors." He muttered.

'That's what you get for doing a drinking contest.' Pappa said sternly.

Bickslow moaned as he sat up and looked around, "I made it home? How in the world?"

"Cosplayer! Cosplayer!" his babies answered.

Bickslow frowned, "Lucy? Lucy wasn't at the party." He said, trying to pull up memories from last night.

'They started talking about the Fantasia and you insisted on going to apologize to her.' Pappa said, 'We woke her up and you passed out hugging her legs. She brought you home.'

'Seriously?' Bickslow moaned again, 'Damn, she probably hates me even more now.'

'She said she forgave us.' Pippi piped up, floating closer to Bickslow, 'She gave us a hug.'

Bickslow smiled at his youngest soul, 'Of course she forgave you guys. She thinks your cute.'

Peppe floated over, 'No, she said she forgave everyone on our team. Even the Boss.'

'She said we didn't have to apologize anymore.' Pappa said, 'That she forgave us a long time ago.'

'Really?'

"Really! Really!" his babies all said out loud.

"Well good, I guess." Bickslow said, "Did she mention anything else?"

'She said you were hot.' Puppu chuckled.

Bickslow frowned and reached up to his face, expecting his mask and hood, "Holy shit! I was without my visor and hood all night?!"

'No, just since we headed to Cosplayer's house.' Pappa reassured.

"And she still said I was hot?" Bickslow said, he knew he wasn't entirely bad looking but most people were put off by the tattoo on his face and his magic eyes.

'Yep, even tried to get us not to tell you.' Pippi giggled, 'And she blushed.'

Bickslow grinned, "She was embarrassed. That's pretty cute." His grin disappeared as a particularly hard throb of his head reminded him he was hungover. He struggled to his feet and stumbled from his bedroom to his kitchen. He blinked when he saw that the coffee machine was blinking to show it was ready to brew. He frowned at his coffee machine and walked over to it.

In front of the coffee machine was a folded piece of paper, Bickslow hit the switch to start the brewing before he grabbed the paper and unfolded. His eyebrows rose when he saw a note written in neat hand writing on the page.

Dear Bertha,

Bickslow choked on his own spit, "Who the hell told her that name?"

'You did.' Pappa said in an amused tone, 'Before you passed out the first time.'

Bickslow silently cursed his drunk self and continued to read the note.

Dear Bertha,

If your reading this, you're awake and probably hungover. That's what you get for challenging Cana to a drinking competition. Still, I hope it's not too bad.

Your babies told me why you came over this morning and I just wanted to let you know that you were forgiven a long time ago with the rest of your team. It wasn't the best situation but you all showed remorse for your actions and have changed for the better since so I see no reason to hold on to the past.

With that in mind I'd like to be friends. By this time, I'm gone on my mission with my team but when I return I'd love to get to know you. From the conversation I had with Pappa, you and your babies seem like very interesting people. Come over when I come back and we can chat.

Cosplayer

Bickslow let the note fall to the counter with a small smile, she wanted to get to know him. And his babies. She didn't leave them out. Apparently she had even had a full conversation with Pappa. He looked over to his faithful spirits, "Do you guys like Lucy?"

"Yes! Yes!" they all chanted, twirling in place.

Bickslow smirked and looked down at the paper, "Friends." He said with a small hopeful smile, the small smile turned into a huge grin when he remembered that she called him hot, "Maybe more."

As you know they became more than friends. lol

The after math of the first chapter is half written and I will post it when its done.