Soundtrack - Days in the Sun from the Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack 2017

Sabertooth was calm and quiet; all soft silence and still shadows as Rogue ran his hands absent mindedly through his hair. Fingers tangling as he pulled it back into a ponytail at the back of his head. He paid little attention to the fading sky of red and gold outside the long side windows; only his clipped strides echoing through the guild hallway. The edges of Crocus were filled with wintered soft silence, the water washed colors of crumbling cloud hovering gently over the city. Along their fringes grew a faint flutter of pink.

He couldn't seem to form a string of completing thoughts, his eyebrows wrinkled and his mouth turned into a slight frown. Frosch trailed easily behind him; the Exceed seemed unconcerned with his best friend's brooding, the soft spring of his feet a gentle echo to his own intent pacing. The rest of their guild had long sense disappeared off to sleep; though Rogue was sure their curiosity over their master's strange behavior would return tenfold in a few hours. Morning was creeping closer after all. Soon they would all be concerned and wondering. Wondering about a strange young woman arriving in Sting's arms, covered in blood and the white dragon raving as if Zeref himself had taken her from him.

"I hope Sting and Lector will be alright," Frosch said suddenly, breaking his reflections. "They seemed really upset at first. Happy upset…but still upset."

He didn't reply. There wasn't really a need to.

"How do you think Sting knows that girl?" the cat quipped, eyes wide and blinking. "She was really pretty. He seemed to like her a lot."

Rogue murmured vaguely in agreement. He had felt it earlier that evening…he imagined the entirely of Crocus had rippled when the waves of Sting's emotional magic had barreled over them. The fluctuation of pulses had curled through the guildhall, raising the hairs on the back of Rogue's neck and sent Yukino and himself sprinting to Sting's closed door. Even Rufus had appeared, dressed in a rather frilly looking robe with wide, round eyes. When he finally retired to his own room, there were mutterings of his memories – never feeling their friend's magic impassioned with such force before. When he'd met Yukino's shining eyes in the hallway; Rogue had silently agreed.

He continued silently down the hallway, wondering where all of this fit together. In the end, they hadn't gone through the door. Sting's magic had dispensed almost as quickly as it flared to life and truthfully – he hadn't wanted to intrude. The way Sting had looked at that woman…his heart had sat at the very tip of his mouth; eyes intent as if he looked away she would disappear right in front of him. It was obvious she had meant something. Something great and powerful. What exactly that was? Rogue didn't think Sting knew himself.

It had been a part of his covered past – one that he had hidden from everyone save the little Exceed that never wavered in his solidary with the white dragon slayer. Enclosed because of reasons that Rogue couldn't guess – but he had his suspicions. And now it had come crashing back. A burning piece that had fractured and splintered off to lodge achingly in the pulse of who Sting was. Something that had turned him into the cocky bastard he'd shown to Fiore. When strength was all that mattered to the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth.

Rogue understood. He accepted his brother's drive to be better. More than anyone else. He knew what it was like to lose something. To have parts of yourself destroyed because something you cared for was gone. Ripped. Snapped and lost. Replacing them were feelings of weakness. Of broken inadequacy. And your only response is to bury them away. Sabertooth had demanded the strongest of them. Jiemma had refused anything less.

It was easier after all. To act fierce and powerful – when under ever layer, every huff and boastful profession…you were simply afraid of losing anyone else.

Rogue gave a small sigh and then looked forward with sudden resolution. Whatever it was – whoever it was didn't matter. Sting was his friend. His brother in all senses save blood. If she was special to Sting – then he would protect her. Rogue would do anything for his guild. For his friends. For his family.

Rogue suddenly heard Frosch humming a bit to himself as he skipped around his feet and his mouth tugged through his thoughts. Despite the sheer exhaustion that he felt, (when was the last time he'd actually slept?) he couldn't help feel a little lighter at the Exceed's wide, cheerful smile. It was nice. Having this joyful little shadow that never gave up with his own unique way of support – Rogue would be lost without it. He allowed the small smile to emerge as he entered the guild's large common area. He hadn't expected anyone to be there.

Yet he stopped and blinked for a moment. Yukino was there, with a snoozing Lector curled up in her lap. She was seated with feet tucked up against her side, with her fingers wrapped around a mug of steaming tea and eyes turned thoughtful out the bay windows. The curls of vapor were intertwining near the ending strands of her pale hair and Rogue could see the growing light of morning washing over her face. She was this shining thing of silver and dawn pink and when she looked up at his entrance Rogue felt his face flush a bit. Like some moroic dewy eyed idiot. Just a few hours ago…they had…Rogue gulped. Her hand in his. Her soft lips against his cheek. She'd smiled at him.

Holy shit. His face got a little redder.

"Hey," she whispered when he collapsed into an armchair across from her. Frosch took advantage to also crawl up into Yukino's open arms. Snuggling into a tumble of fuzzy limbs with Lector.

"Did Sting ever come out? Is she…?"

"No," Rogue answered lowly. "He hasn't left the room. I'm assuming that girl is alright. Sleeping at least. If she was otherwise…you saw his response."

Yukino nodded thoughtfully, eyes sliding downwards in thought. She was quiet for a moment and even though the silence was easy between them, Rogue felt an odd struggle blooming within the creases of his chest. She made weird things flip inside him; the dragon magic seemed to be waking to reach forward. Lifting a shadowed head and red eyes finding her glittering figure in the dark.

He didn't know quite how he felt about it. They had been darting about each other for so long, trading glances and the soft brush of fingers. Nothing more. Nothing that gave him an idea of something more. She had been a solid fixture in their guilded family, a never wavering sense of friendship and, what he thought, a focal of his unrequited affection. Rogue had honestly no idea that all those shy smiles, lingering glances in his direction and quiet reassurance to whatever he and his brash dragon partner had gotten themselves into to – meant something on her end too. Not until Sting, with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, simply shoved them together.

He wondered if he should thank him.

"Rogue," she said breaking his thoughts with a snap. "What happened earlier? His force of white magic was intense. I've never felt that before."

She was concerned. Of course she was. Yukino worried over all of them. She cared and cherished Sabertooth with everything she was, and it didn't matter if it was something as trivial as Olga failing his singing lessons (again) or the agonizing breakdown of Minerva when she finally returned home after her time at Tartarus. Caring and helping them all was an essential part of who Yukino was. It was something that Rogue found touching. And strangely…attractive.

"He was upset about something," Rogue finally answered. "I've felt him do that only a few times before. There is no spell attached to it – rather simply just magical energy from his core."

"I hope he's alright," Yukino pulled her lower lip against her teeth and Rogue strangely felt his eyes drawn to it. "It happened even earlier than that. Do you remember? We had just gotten back from our date…" she suddenly trailed off a bit looking flushed in the face. Rogue glanced up to meet her eyes but found they were fixed upon her tea. "Um…yes…when we, uh got back and there was that force coming from the Crocus castle gardens…do you think it was when he maybe, found her?"

Rogue nodded, a hand to his chin in thought. The correlation between the evenings chaotic and muddled timelines somewhat snapping into a sequence. He did remember that.

"Do you know who she is?"

He shook his head. "I don't. I only know what he told us."

Yukino nodded and stroked the fur of the Exceeds coiled around her legs. Lector's small snores stopped for a moment as his mouth twitched in a smile. Frosch coupled it with a nonsensical muttering.

"It's alright," she whispered. "I won't push him. He's been through so much…and when he's ready…we'll all be here."

Rogue didn't reply. His agreement didn't need to be spoken.

"It's been a whirlwind of an evening," Yukino said, turning back to the window. "So much happening in this short amount of time. A single evening to culminate all these revelations."

Maybe it was the sheer sleep deprivation. Or perhaps it was that since the moment that Sting had waved them off later this evening, hands behind his head and Lector holding back snickers, that he couldn't stop thinking about her. Even the realization of watching her made him feel. Yukino, giving him a soft smile at this moment with eyes quirked in a small, still question – she looked beautiful.

"I enjoyed our part of the evening," he said suddenly in a sticky rush. Her cheeks abruptly grew red again, but her smile spread along with it. Strangely Rogue's mouth began to feel very dry. He wanted to spout out the words – while he was still feeling the courage from moments before. But as he tried it found them resistant as if his tongue was glue.

Damn it. He was a dragon slayer for shit's sake! And not just any fucking wizard…a Twin Dragon of Sabertooth! He had faced down Jiemma exploding out from the earth pulsating with demonic magic! He had attacked Mard Gear with all confidence and brooding bluster! Fucking hell, if he could last through one of Rufus's one man thespian plays he could get this out! Try again, he yelled at himself. Try again…

"I mean…You and I could…only if you want to of course…"

Smooth. Rogue frowned and began to not secretly curse himself. Yukino's eyebrows rose into her hairline and she started to look almost as flustered as he did. But the smile on her pretty mouth didn't disappear. Perhaps there was a way to salvage this.

"I don't want to push you," he mumbled. "But maybe we…"

"I would like that," she broke through. Their eyes met through full flushing faces Rogue couldn't seem to find an ounce of embarrassment in him to care. "Yes," she continued. "I would like that a lot."

He felt light. Much lighter. His eyes strayed to the window and Yukino's dipped to the Exceeds on her lap, but there was a happiness there. A bright, lovely thread that was raveling tighter between them. Rogue had to contain himself from feeling his chest swell with the corresponding enlarge of his heart. His face quirked in the slightest smiles, a simple tug on the corner of his mouth – but he wondered if Yukino could see it reflected in his eyes, or perhaps from the curl of his own magic. His dragon was smoldering and pleased, while the man was a contented equivalent. The exhilaration that was rippling below his wavering calm exterior.

"Do you think we…?" He didn't finish.

There came a sudden massive bang that slammed against the guild front doors, echoing like an explosion off the walls. It rounded off with the force of a cannon and Rogue stood at once with Yukino at his elbow; the drowsy, but wide eyed Exceeds in her arms.

Another bang, this one causing the enormous hinges to rattle and vibrations ripple across the ground. Rogue could hear a chorus of bedrooms opening and far away shouts down the halls, his guild mates abruptly being awoken to the sheer pounding at their door. Rogue growled and lowered a bit further in a fighting stance. He stretched out a hand to shield Yukino behind him, but the wizard was anything but timid. He saw the glimmer of a key from her belt, eyes hard and ready to defend their home.

He could hear Minerva shouting and the distinct voices of Olga along with others, but Rogue's eyes remained fixed on the door; mind reeling because what was…

The traces of someone he knew suddenly hit him like a wallop upside the head and he rapidly blinked at the multiple scents he was smashed with. One was definitely canine…but the others…the others were…

"Natsu?" He shouted, utterly confused. Somewhere in between, Minerva arrived to stand at Yukino's side dressed in a robe of deep turquoise, hair still undone from bed. When Rogue met her eyes briefly she looked as perplexed as he did.

"Is that Natsu?" She asked. "I don't understand…"

Muffled shouting, one last bang and before they could move the front doors swung on their large hinges. Creaking and breaking with fire and force. The dragon slayer in question was there in the flesh, eyes blazing and burning. Happy was hovering above him, face strained with worry and tears. However, it was Natsu that caused Rogue's mouth to open and eyes turned wide.

Natsu's teeth flashed white in the morning light as he growled through them and he looked almost feral as he bounded through the mess of their doors. His dragon slayer magic was licking everywhere; all flames and raw emotional power and Rogue was suddenly reminded of Sting earlier. The untamed, wildness of it. What the hell was this?

"Natsu? What are you…?"

But Rogue's words faltered off quickly. Behind Natsu, coming through the now open door was a giant, immense beast of a creature. Ink black and glowing gold eyes, its fur fluttered as if it held stardust trapped in the stands. Spatterings of glitter at its long clawed legs, and great thick mane. Lector and Frosch both gave a great yelp at the wolf, which oddly enough seemed more concerned with staring off into the darkened corridors of the guild hall, past the heads of worried wizards – then it did munching on any bite sized cat treats.

"Natsu," Rogue started again, eyebrows now furrowing as he met the fire mage halfway across the room. "What the hell is that? What's going on?"

"It's Lucy!" he shouted suddenly and Rogue put up a hand to block a spark that flash by his face. "I need you to help Lucy! Skoll said…"

"Who the hell is Skoll? I have no memory of such a name," Rufus stated quickly, appearing immaculately dressed, yet face still mirroring concern. Natsu rounded on him a ferocious snarl.

"Damn it assholes! Just – help her! He took us here so there has to be something…"

"What's wrong with her? What's wrong with Lucy?"

Yukino and Minerva had pushed themselves forward kneeling as Natsu collapsed to his knees, body shaking. Rogue at first couldn't see over the tops of the women's heads, but he heard their horrified gasps. He could feel it. The ripple across his skin. The chill that unexpectedly began bleeding about the large room. Cold. Everything was turning cold. It was wrong. Something was very wrong.

He stepped closer and when he finally saw her; the shudder heaved through him. Every inch of his body; his dragon, his magic roared at the horribleness of it. The piercing tang of magic that wasn't quite right. The sharp bitterness that stung his tongue. The frost that clung to the air. All of it was corrupted. Tainted. Infected.

Natsu wouldn't let her go. Cradled against his chest, Lucy's mess of golden hair cascaded over his tanned arms, spilling to the floor. But that was all that seemed normal about her. Her entire right arm, from the tips of her limp fingers to the hollow of her collar bone was molted and black. Strange looking spidered ice glimmered just under the shell of her skin, running in tracks of luminous unnatural blue. It spread and clawed up her body, even jutting through the surface at times. Breaking and harsh.

Her chest rose quickly with labored breathing while snow and ice dotted about her pale skin. Rogue could see it even gripped her long lashes and rimmed her mouth as she muttered Natsu's name into the folds of his shirt. Her uninjured hand was fisted into his clothing, but Rogue could see the dusting of frost over her knuckles.

"Natsu," Yukino whispered over the weave of her fingers. "What happened? What is this?"

"We had this job," sobbed Happy speaking for the first time. "There were these things…Lucy saved Wendy and then – and then they stabbed her! Natsu destroyed them, but she got possessed by their magic! Then Skoll said that his mistress could help her…!"

Rogue's eyes snapped back to the monstrous wolf, who he assumed was this 'Skoll' they kept referring to. It was sitting back on its haunches, silent and still. Staring back at them all with those eerie eyes. A mistress? Why would it come here? At first, Rogue couldn't think of anyone who had ever met such a creature. Surely he would remember - that thing was hard to forget…

But then…wait…

"Can we talk about this later?" Natsu barked back, tightening his grip on Lucy. "Fucking running out of time…!"

"What's going on? What the hell happened to the door?" came another shout and the mess of Sabertooth members that had been scattered about suddenly parted. Sting was jogging forward; his face full of alarm until his gaze landed on Natsu.

"Natsu?" he blinked, eyebrows raising up high on his face. "What are you…" He suddenly blinked again as the turmoil of the scene opened out before him. Yukino and Minerva…faces white and eyes wide with worry. Rogue, silent and grim – but there was no mistaking the tense pull of his crossed arms, the downward pull of his mouth. Natsu had buried his face into the corner of Lucy's undarkened neck, shoulders shaking back and forth. And what was wrong with Lucy that she made Sting's stomach suddenly churn and magic flare in guarded suspicion? He felt a clawing, creeping chill run up his spine…because he had felt this before. He knew this. In the garden. That thing in the garden…

But before he could think on it any further he saw the slight movement. Behind everything – in the loosening shadow of the destroyed doorway; the glowing eyes turn and stare right at him.

"Skoll," Sting breathed out in question and he glanced quickly back and forth between all the faces gathered around in a space that suddenly seemed too small. He vaguely heard Lector gasp out in shocked surprise ("What a minute – that thing is Skoll?"), before he continued himself. "What's going on here? What are you doing with Natsu?"

Natsu's head suddenly snapped up and he rose quickly to his feet, Lucy still clutched tightly against him. "You know this thing?" He snarled. "Good - then you'll know his mistress. Go get her! Now! We're running out of time!"

Sting felt a fist wrap around his chest. He glanced down to quickly look at the celestial mage in Natsu's arms, covering his mouth when the force of the vile iced scent of her hit his nose. He couldn't believe it. What was this? Is this what would have happened to Noel if she hadn't burned her own flesh alive? Sting's stomach dropped and suddenly felt like lead. Nauseous and heavy.

"I don't…" he growled out, facing Natsu again. "She can't! She's severely injured and almost drained completely of magic power. I don't know what will happen if she does it again."

"I don't give a damn about any of that," Natsu's eyes glowed and smoldered like coals. His fingers pulled tighter on Lucy, and he stepped forward a bit almost smacking Sting against his forehead. "Lucy is going to die. Skoll said…I don't really know the details, but – where is she? I'll take Lucy to her myself then!"

He shoved past Sting with licks of fire magic, but Sting's hand shot out to grasp his shoulder, pulling back at him. "Well I do give a damn! Fucking shit Natsu – you know I would do anything to help you…but I won't let Noel destroy herself! Not now! Maybe there is another way…"

"There is no other way," Skoll finally rumbled from his unmoving post. His deep baritone vibrated off the walls and every tensing waiting gaze rounded to look at him. "But if my mistress is injured…this is troubling. I never should have left her…"

Lucy suddenly released a shattering cry, a strangled version of the dragon slayers name sobbing from her blue lips. The ice under her skin gave an eerie hiss, one that was felt throughout the room. Sting felt that unnatural magic reaching out like skeletal fingers about the air. Grasping, creaking, and cold. It was almost like the wraith was growing in this very entrance. Shrouded glowing eyes and hidden shadows. Lucy whimpered as the ice under her skin grew further up her neck, clinging to the roundness of her jaw and threading into her cheek.

Natsu's eyes grew wide in his anger and he roared into her hair, deep gasps of hot air pulsing from his mouth. He was losing her. He was losing her. He meant to glare at the white dragon slayer from his clutching of Lucy, to scorch into this obstinate bastard that he would drag this fucking mage out by her hair if it meant saving Lucy from whatever magic was quickly overwhelming her.

He would do anything. He couldn't lose her. Damn it…damn it! Flashes of them suddenly whipped through him. A shudder as he could still feel her warm flesh against his. Curled around her in her bed – messes of pillows and blankets, her scent vanilla, flowery and fresh had curled around his head like smoke at the time. He'd gotten drunk from it. Drunk for her touch, her warmth…her breath on his skin.

He could barely smell her anymore. All that remained was frost. Ice. Cold.

"Please," he rasped out and Sting blinked at the vulnerability that Natsu released from his clenching teeth. He could see the mirror of growing tears in his eyes, and they dropped unrestrained across his cheeks when he dipped his head back to Lucy again. "Please. Please help me."

Stunned, Sting couldn't get past the lump in his throat, the feeling of hopelessness that spread into his chest. Happy released a muffled sob into Natsu's robe, and a sudden heavy silence dropped upon Sabertooth's common room. What was he supposed to do? He would do anything for Natsu and Lucy…they were his friends. They were family. They might not wear the crest of his guild…but that didn't mean he could abandon them. That didn't mean he wouldn't give himself to help.

But Noel. She was his…she was his…

"Sting."

He whirled around at once, eyes wide and releasing a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Noel was in the entryway of the corridor, one hand leaning heavily on the wall; but her face was determined and resolved. "Sting, help me get to her."

Sting ran quickly to her as she stumbled forward, dropping into his arms with a groan. Her head rested into the crook of his shoulder for just a moment, but when she rose she met his eyes with a reflection of tenacity. A quirk of her lips into a smile. "I need you to support me."

Sting opened his mouth to argue, but it died as quickly as it came. She stood on wobbling feet, fingers wrapped around his strong arm. Skoll was suddenly there at her elbow, giving her bare shoulder blade a small lick in greeting.

"I am sorry I wasn't there," he mumbled in a quiet whisper, but she shook her head and tightened her grip onto Sting.

"It doesn't matter, you can tell me later," she replied. "What happened to her?"

"Wraiths," he answered with a snarl through his pearly teeth. Sting saw a few guild members back up a few paces at the sudden sound. "They attacked this group of wizards near the border crossing. She put herself between one and a child."

"How long?"

"Too long. She's run out of time. It will reach her heart within minutes."

Natsu looked up just in time to see a young woman with very long brown hair and glittering gold eyes kneel beside them. She reminded him strongly of Erza; with the curve of her figure and the shape of her proud face. But she was also heavily bandaged and the smell of medicinal herbs was strong on her skin.

The white dragon asshole bent along beside her and for a brief moment Natsu's agonized eyes wondered at how Sting's fingers remained dusted over the girl's elbow. But he immediately snapped back as Lucy groaned again, her pain whispered out in soft breaths.

"Come on Lucy," he pleaded. "Stay with me.!" He looked at Noel, his furrowed brows a strange combination with the sheer fear reflected in his eyes. "You can help her right?"

Noel frowned, tried to ignore the stinging pain that pulsed up her side as she bent over the young girl. Skoll had been right. She was almost lost.

"My magic has the ability to burn away the frost possession," she replied. "But it will be painful. I don't know if she'll…" she stopped for a moment, gravely meeting Natsu's eyes. "You'll have to hold her down."

Natsu gave a slow nod, teeth glued together. His warm hands dropped to squeeze Lucy's cold shoulders. Noel turned to Yukino, who had come down near Lucy's head. Rogue and the other Exceeds remained still and silent, grim faces filled with unease.

"I need to you get some cold rags," Noel said. "And water. I'm afraid what the sudden change in temperature will do to her fail body. Once the possession is out she'll have the original wound. She'll need first aid." Yukino gave a quick nod and disappeared at once Minerva following quickly on her heels. "Sting, help me stay up. Skoll stand guard, just in case I don't..."

She didn't finish, but the beast nodded and began a slow circled pace around Lucy's resting body. Eyes narrowed and darting about. The click of his talons echoed across the marble floor. Sting moved then, on his knees behind Noel, legs spread on either side; hands on her shoulders. Noel took a deep breath – trying to her best to steady the throb of her injuries…but the flush of her rapid heart in her ears was noisy it was hard to think. Sting wrapped around her. Her back pressed up against his chest…was that her heart or his? It was so loud…and so fast…

"I'm here Noel," he whispered right above her ear. "I've got you."

She nodded and released a low, shaking breath. "Are you ready?" she asked Natsu. He bent over Lucy's closed eyes, dusted in crystals that looked like fractured glass. She was so pale and so still…her breath barely rolled from her lips anymore.

"Hang in there Luce," he breathed over her skin before brushing his lips against her temple. For just a moment…there was warmth there. Her eyes fluttered open and she gave him the smallest of smiles.

"Hey Natsu," she graveled out. Happy was there suddenly at her arm, tears into her cold skin. This was too familiar. Natsu felt a panic suddenly lumping in his throat. It was too close to before…when she…when he lost her.

"Okay," Noel said and Natsu's gaze snapped back to her. He nodded slowly. He wouldn't let it happen. He couldn't lose her.

Noel put her arms out, palms spread out against Lucy's corrupted skin. She felt Sting's fingers tighten on her shoulders and with that silent support, her magic spread outwards – settling into the cracks of Lucy's original wound.

The room filled with the sparkling flares and curls of her sun magic. Natsu's face suddenly become warm and his eyes widened at the brilliance of it. There were mutterings and gasps at the rise of magic that sparkled up towards the ceiling, but it didn't last. The stillness. The wonder of it. It ended with a violent snap.

Lucy was screaming. Her body bowed off the ground, back arched and fingers digging into the slick marble floor. Natsu felt his heart wrench and twist in his chest as he bent across her, his strong arms holding her down. Lucy's chest pressed hard against his as she curved up again and he buried himself into the crook of her neck. He felt the woman's magic flare once more, lighting up the room like daylight. Lucy cried once more. Louder this time. Her voice rough and cracking with the sheer agony that flashed through her.

Natsu's head snapped up, angry and terrified. "What are you doing? How is this helping? She's hurting and – I can't…!"

Noel was straining, she wavered on her knees, but Sting held her fast. She could feel his breath in the shell of her ear. She drew on his solid support. He sustained her.

"I know, but this is the only way," Noel shouted out narrowing her eyes as she looked at Lucy's arm. "This is extensive! The wraith's magic is moments away from consuming her! They poured their very soul into her – I've never seen corruption this deep!"

It wasn't enough. She had to give more. This young woman would be lost if she didn't. What had the man called her? Lucy. She had seen the way he looked at her. Like his heart was in his eyes and he would give it to her each time. He would break if his blond mage was taken. He would lose something irreplaceable – and then they would have won once more. More lost souls dead to frost and cold…another life snapped out. Except with this…the wraiths would keep the hollow of her. A walking corpse that wore her face that her friends would have to destroy. This young man left to pick up broken and unfixable pieces.

Sting's hands wrapped around her shoulders, the warmth of his skin bleed into hers. Noel gritted her teeth together. She wouldn't let that happen. She couldn't.

She pushed everything she had left into Lucy's side. The woman was sobbing, crying out a hoarse name that Noel knew must belong to the man crying over her. His tears fell on her skin – but he didn't let her up. Noel marveled at his sense of loyalty. Of protection. He never wavered.

The ice was disappearing. Slowly her blackened skin was fading. Bleeding out like water, being replaced by the pale pink of her original flesh. The ice crystals dropped off and clamored to the floor, melting into small pools that reflected the gold of the magic all about them. Lucy's cries became softer, her breathing calmer and those horrific little spidery fingers of ice…the ones that had been sneaking towards her heart and face, suddenly disappeared into a flash of gleaming notes of light.

Gone. It was gone.

Noel's magic faltered and dimmed until the last of it flickered off into the morning air. She slumped into Sting's arms, eyelashes fluttering back and forth as she tried to maintain consciousness.

Lucy stirred with a grimace and opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as if they were filled with fog.

"Natsu?" she groaned out. "What – what happened? Where are we?"

He didn't answer, but instead pulled her into his arms – tight against his chest. Lucy's face flushed a brilliant red color, half expecting to find steam coming from her ears. But she still found herself winding her fingers into the soft folds his shirt. Natsu was baring his teeth, struggling to push back the sobs that shook his shoulders. Happy was somewhere in the mix – he could hear the Exceed's happy cries…but all Natsu could feel was Lucy. Lucy. His Lucy. She was warm.

"Natsu," he heard her mumble and pulling her back a little met her wide eyes. "Is everyone okay? Is Wendy…?"

"They're fine," he whispered. Still feeling bold and reveling in the knowledge that she was here, that she was burning him; he drug the pad of his thumb across her cheek. Wiping away the stray tears of his that had fallen across her face. "Wendy is fine. You saved her Luce."

Lucy gave Natsu a tired smile. Her eyes glittered as she gazed up at him. "That's good," she sighed into his skin. "I was worried. Everything is a blur…I couldn't remember. I just wanted her to be safe…"

"Natsu? I'm sorry, but we're not done yet. We still have to heal her wound."

Natsu looked up quickly, forgetting for just a moment exactly where they were – sprawled on the cold marble floor of Sabertooth's entrance hall. Yukino bent over and waiting for his response, gaze still somewhat worried. Minerva and Rogue were standing behind, arms full of Noel's request. Natsu blinked because even that giant of a man, the one with crackling lighting, was waiting with a few tiny boxes of medical supplies.

Natsu nodded and as carefully as he could, stood with Lucy clutched still in his arms. Happy hung across his shoulder, still crying and would only be appeased when Lucy wrapped a gentle hand around his furry cheek. He wanted to laugh. She was here. She was whole. He hadn't lost her. Natsu pulled her tighter against him. The dragon inside his chest was settled for the moment. Appeased and still.

He could see Sting shuffling on the ground; no one mattering in the room except the pretty girl who had helped them. The one that he still supported in the clasp of his hands. Natsu felt his heart thunder past a beat. The girl who had saved Lucy.

She was shaking her head back and forth, fingers clutched to a forehead covered in sweat. She looked pale and exhausted. The white dragon asshole was worried, showing a furrowed brow and shining eyes. Natsu blinked at Skoll, now back as small sleek little shadow, sitting near his mistress's legs – golden eyes trained on the both of them. He wondered at bit at all of it. About Sting. About the wolf. And about the girl…

"Thank you," he said gruffly and she rose her head to meet him. "Thank you so much for saving Lucy."

Her lips tugged up and she gave him a soft smile. "I'm glad I could help."

Natsu nodded and with one last prominent look at Sting he followed Yukino and the others down the hall. The morning sun sprayed all about them – pouring in through the windows and turning their bodies into gilded colors of yellow and orange. Lucy gave a soft sigh, eyes closing with a gentle drop – mouth open and filled with easy breathing. Natsu couldn't take his eyes from her. She looked. She looked…beautiful. Beautiful, alive and warm.

As they continued their first aid, inside an extra guild bedroom; Natsu still wouldn't let her go. Through everything and anything – she refused to let her fingers unravel form his own.

Dear wonderful readers,

I know it's been a long time. Too long. Please don't worry though – this story still has so much left to tell and I love every minute of writing it. Your reviews and follows always give me such encouragement and keep me pushing through when writer's block is determined to halt my progress. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Aulani

PS. Go see Beauty and the Beast. It's perfection. 3