[Re-edited 05.05.23]

It's Friday! And I need this weekend like Haru needs water…

Lots of fluff and goofing around ahead, plus a glimpse into what the boys got up to over the two-year time skip to set up the next arc.

Also, quick note, more adult-explicit scenes seem to be popping up in my chapters as of late… this is the only reminder-warning you get, FTTD is M for a reason. So, tread carefully and skip ahead if anything isn't your cup'a tea!

~Onward!

35

-The Gate-

Erza and Gray crested the top of the hill to the West of Magnolia, offering stunning views over the town sprawled at its foot. The distant shape of their guildhall rose above the town on the eastern edge with its large silver bell catching the light. Sighing dejectedly, Erza dropped a hand onto a cocked hip and cast a subtle glance at her companion. Gray didn't look any less exhausted or disappointed than she did, and she knew neither of them were looking forward to delivering news about another dead end.

They'd been away just shy of a week, following a rumour that came in from the Trimens of Blue Pegasus about a pair of independent mages accepting the occasional merc job in the area. No one had seen any distinctive features or the magics of either, but apparently, they completed missions that had remained unsurmountable for months, and so efficiently, that the unknown pair had reached high demand.

Unfortunately, she and Gray were unable to turn up anything helpful. Despite successfully tracking down a few people who'd had their request answered, not one person had gotten a proper look at either mage. The common consensus had been that the mystery duo were always hidden beneath heavy cloaks and the clients had no reason to question the decision. They'd just been happy to have their requests answered.

Placing a gauntleted hand on Gray's shoulder, Erza smiled softly at him and started down the hill without a word, knowing he'd follow when he was ready. For all the shit he gave the fire mage, Natsu's disappearance had left Gray lost without his oldest rival. Erza knew he wouldn't easily admit it, but he considered Natsu to be, perhaps, his closest friend in the Guild, despite an outward appearance of getting along far better with Haru. The fact they were both missing weighed as heavily on his heart as it did on hers.

Gray caught up not long after and the two walked through the streets at a gentle pace, waving back at the various townspeople that called out to them. Even after being back for a few weeks, the locals remained excited and stunned to see them back around town, finally ending the strange quiet that Fairy Tail's absences had left.

"Erza dear!"

Turning at the sound of her name, Erza found the short baker of her favourite cake shop standing in his doorway, the door propped on his hip. He smiled brightly at her and she returned the greeting with a soft smile of her own.

"I haven't seen you in here for a slice of strawberry cake recently," he told her, "when you returned, I was positively floored to see you back and placing your same order. Just positively floored!"

Erza nodded affectionately, "I am just glad your bakery is still thriving. Rest assured, I will be around soon to try every new item on your menu, with Wendy as well, I'm sure."

The small man nodded enthusiastically and wiped his already spotless hands on his apron absently. "Wait right there," he told her and disappeared into his shop. He returned with a slice of her favourite in a small box, "for my best customer."

"I couldn't possibly—" she said, requipping some jewel, "here, let me pay—"

"No, no, you just promise to bring your friends by when you find them, okay?"

Erza chewed her lip subconsciously, and felt Gray's supportive hand fall on her shoulder, "Of course, you'll see the whole team in here soon, I promise."

The baker gave her a thumbs up and waved goodbye to them as they continued on their way back to the guild. Silence hung over them for a while after, each in their own thoughts. Then Gray broke in, "We will you know... We'll bring Dragon Soul there again for a celebratory desert when we get those idiots home." He gave her a smile when she met his eyes, "and Wendy too, Mira and Juvia, hell, we could bring the whole guild!"

Finally laughing at his escalating suggestion, Erza brought her free hand up to stifle her amusement. "I'm not sure Chef Rory would appreciate that…" she laughed, picturing their rowdy guildmates swarming the quaint little bakery.

Gray just smiled back, glad he could get her out of her head, if only temporarily. Erza tended to put all the weight of a perceived failure on her own shoulders, often forgetting to ask for help. He was sure that if Master allowed for it, she would run herself ragged until their teammates were located, and Gray would not let that happen.

"Well, good news or not, we're home..." Erza said, pressing a hand into one of the large doors. They entered the guildhall and announced their return home. They discovered the hall to be fairly busy, their guildmates milling about in much livelier groups than had been the recent norm. It warmed Erza's heart to see that everyone continued to enjoy themselves even while they continued their searches. She and Gray approached the bar where Makarov was perched with a tell-tale drunken flush and an overflowing beer stein in his hands.

"Yo! Erza, Gray, welcome back!" the elderly man slurred with a silly grin and a hand held up in greeting.

Erza exchanged a glance with Gray before shrugging a shoulder. "Master, I regret to report that we weren't able to find any—"

Makarov threw a hand forward in front of her face, and shushed her. Only his low chuckles of amusement dampened what might otherwise have been a rude gesture. Erza arched a brow at the Master's strange behaviour but then she heard a long-since missing voice, "Oi Erza, Gray, ya gonna join us or just stand there?!"

Both mage's eyes bulged from their heads, they looked at each other first as though confirming the voice was not their imaginations playing tricks, before slowly turning with faces marred in disbelief. On the opposite end of the hall lounging carelessly in one of the large corner booths, Natsu sat with his legs kicked up on the table, one arm around Lucy and the other in the air waving at them. Wendy and Mira were both to his left in the booth's center and Haru sat next to Mira and across from the fire mage, resting his chin lazily in his palm with his other hand held up in a wave as well.

"The fuck?!" Gray barked loudly.

. . .

Natsu smiled widely as he watched Haru climb out of the booth and allowed himself to be pulled into a bear hug by the ice mage, who was rambling loudly and clapping him on the back. Lucy shifted out of the booth to allow Natsu to approach Erza who seemed caught between smiling happily, crying in relief and glaring daggers at him. He rubbed at the back of his head sheepishly, waiting for her to say something or attack him, but she just reached forward to slam his head into her breast plate as usual. "Where have you idiots been?" she demanded in a quiet tone that didn't quite hold the bite he would have expected to be there.

"Here and there," Natsu joked back. Erza seemed more than a little irritated with his belittling her concern and frustration for their wellbeing. Her complaints died on her tongue when he righted himself and drew her into a proper hug though, "It's so good to see you Erza."

Gray had released Haru at some point, and now stood stiffly staring at Natsu and Erza like he didn't know how to handle his previously missing rival. Natsu just smirked when he noticed, "Oh get over yourself Gray, I missed you too... Ice-Prick," he announced, stepping forward with his hand extended. "I won't tell anyone if you don't, though" he added with a chuckle.

Gray's tension eased and a laugh broke from him as well. He slapped his hand into Natsu's and let his oldest friend pull him into an aggressive hug, "Deal, Fire-Breath."

The foursome finished their reunions and turned back to the booth where Lucy had squeezed in tighter with the girls to make more room, Natsu and Haru slid back in first with Erza and Gray to each of their sides respectively.

"The guys were just telling us some of their travel stories from the past couple years," Lucy informed their friends. Erza grinned in anticipation, opening the slice of cake the baker had gifted her and even Gray looked interested to learn some of what they'd been up to.

Evening

The reunited friends spent hours catching up for lost time, just laughing and sharing stories. Natsu and Haru kept to lighter stories, avoiding going into too much detail of their search for the Tenrou group or any of the rougher self-imposed missions they'd taken on and were still actively engaged in.

Instead, they joked over the months they'd spent in a near constant state of motion sickness in the early months of their search, each trying to help the other and usually just stumbling around clumsily, often tripping overboard. They shared various silly stories of interactions they'd had with random people in the small villages and towns they passed through when accepting quick missions to replenish their funds. Of the kind locals that practically force fed them hearty meals and offered accommodation when the village was too small to boast an inn. Of the children that followed on their heels, begging to see or learn magic when a mission kept them around longer. And of course, the subtly and occasionally boldly flirtatious girls that followed on their heels almost as closely. The group had laughed even harder when both Lucy and Mira had leaned in, almost simultaneously, demanding follow-up information.

They skimmed over some things and carefully dodged the occasional question that came too close to a topic they wished to avoid for the time being, redirecting the conversation subtly without their friends becoming wise to the topic changes. It wasn't that they had anything to hide, they were just elated to be back among their long-absent family and wanted to keep the reunion carefree and upbeat for now. After all, they had a mission to propose to the team themselves, and that would get serious quickly. So for now they'd enjoy the smiles, the playful banter, the jokes that came freely and often came at their expense.

Lucy was well passed tipsy by the time the night fully embraced Magnolia, another fruity cocktail already in hand. Natsu was taking her inebriated state in small strides, half amused by her rapidly vanishing inhibitions and half exacerbated at the thought of having to deal with her antics all night.

A drunk Lucy was always a challenge to handle.

When it was his turn get the next round of drinks, she leapt from the booth to latch on to his back, nearly sending them both sprawling. "Lucy geez! You're gonna crack your head open if you're not careful!" he scolded, even as his hands sought purchase under her thighs. Once he'd regained balance, he continued over to the bar without detaching his girlfriend from the spot she'd claimed.

Kinana eyed the rosy-cheeked blonde draped over his back and giggled, "Ne, Natsu, I will bring your drinks over when they're ready, it appears you have your hands full." With a grateful look Natsu thanked her and returned to their table. Only Haru, Mira and Gray were left now. Wendy had announced she was heading home for the night, and Erza left with her and Carla, the ever-protective, honorary big sister, ensuring that they made it home to Fairy Hills. Happy should still be around somewhere as well, or would be back, Natsu wasn't entirely sure, but he hadn't said he was spending the night with Wendy.

"Man, she is wasted!" Gray pointed with a chuckle when Natsu was close enough to hear over the partying in the guild. Lucy was nibbling her way up his neck as one of her hands smoothed over the muscle of his chest through the thin fabric of the deep maroon top he wore. It didn't leave much more to the imagination than his vest did, and her explorative touches seemed to declare her appreciation of the choice.

Natsu sighed, resolving to keep his focus on his company lest he let the blonde's handsy drunkenness work him up. "Luce, time to hop off," he pleaded with her. She jumped down with a pout, sliding back into the booth and was back in his lap the second he sat down. Gray, sitting between the dragon slayers and their respective girlfriends, laughed heartily at the look on Natsu's face as he resigned himself to his fate. There was no way Lucy was letting him walk out of the guild without a raging hard-on at this point. He briefly considered admitting defeat and just taking her home now, but decided against it.

How bad could she really get? Even drunk as she was, they were surrounded by nearly all their guildmates...

Kinana approached and placed a large tray with their drink orders down, and Natsu eyed the pink-hued drink that Lucy had been indulging in all night. A strawberry something or other, he'd lost count of how many she'd had at this point. Enough to do Cana proud, clearly. He sighed and reached for the shot of fire whiskey, adding his thanks to Gray's, before Kinana returned to the bar.

Lucy leaned closer to nip skin just below his ear before whispering, "Natsuuu, you didn't look at those other girls, did you?" He was about to tell her he'd be crazy to look at any other girl when he had her, but his words died on his lips when she interrupted. "'Cause you know you're mine, right?" Her possessive statement was punctuated by her sneaking a hand down between them to cup his confined cock firmly through his pants. His eyes blew wide in surprise at her bold public display, and he dissolved into a coughing fit when he inhaled too sharply.

Gray eyed him curiously, the amusement on his face, plain to see.

"Y-yeah… she's wasted," Natsu confirmed the ice mage's earlier statement as he snagged his girlfriend's offending hand. Apparently the tighter khaki pants he wore this evening only succeeded in increasing friction. His eyes snapped down to hers, "Lucy, public. You better stop or we won't be making it home before I give you exactly what you're asking for," he warned huskily.

She smiled coyly, "And if I don' wanna?"

Natsu groaned, this was a battle of wills and he was losing control of it quickly. Drunk Lucy truly was a handful.

Haru and Mira across from him, both wore matching alcohol-induced flushes across their cheeks as well. They were currently curled into one another, oblivious to the world around them and enthralled in a heated make-out session. Haru's hand had even glided up the smooth skin of one of the legs Mira had kicked over his lap, massaging flesh hidden beneath her dress. This meant one of two things: Haru was very, very drunk, or he was giving Macao and Wakuba a giant middle finger in response to their eye-ogling the white-haired beauty. Potentially both. Either way, Natsu was more than a little surprised by his partner's actions. Surprised, and impressed.

Their guildmates, outside the Trial participants, were previously unaware of the developments of either couple, and Gray seemed to be having a grand time laughing at the various reactions anytime someone caught sight. Macao had literally tripped over his own feet when he first noticed the heated kisses and landed with a full stein of beer on his head, all while looking at Mira mournfully.

Cana randomly yelled the occasional lewd remark or catcall like clockwork, every time the team had assumed she'd passed out drunk. But the girl just kept bouncing back, her alcohol tolerance continuing to be inhuman. She'd also taken to goading the non-tenrou mages about the betting pool on the Twin Dragons' bachelor status that had been in play over the years and was now officially closed. Plenty of new betting options had already sprung up in their place though, the brunette had already added Elfman and Evergreen, at Mira's behest. And there was Gray and Juvia of course, added by Juvia herself, much to Gray's chagrin.

Elfman's reaction to catching site of his sister and Haru had been almost as amusing as Macao's, even considering he had been present for the beginnings of the relationship. He'd practically thrown a temper tantrum, which on a man of his size was funny enough. He'd tried to berate Haru for 'defiling his sister in the guildhall,' though the water mage had flat out ignored him. So instead, he'd whined to Mira about whether she had to 'do that in public.' Without breaking away from the kiss, or seizing the explorations of hands, she'd simply thrown him the middle finger over her shoulder. He'd gone red in the face instantly and sputtered indignantly, before slumping in defeat and retreating from the scene.

Gray just laughed all the harder, each new reaction to either couple seemed to delight him even more than the previous.

However, Gray's laughter cut off abruptly and gave way to a chill when Juvia literally popped up from under the table between his legs. With a bright smile she chirped, "Juvia thought Gray looked lonely over here between the happy couples!"

"How in the hell did you get there?!" Gray shrieked, his face going a vibrant red. His eyes skipped over to Natsu who wore a smirk and was raising his eyebrows at him suggestively, even as his hand began seeking out skin to tease under Lucy's shirt.

"That's a great idea Juvia, Gray was just saying how lonely he was!" Natsu goaded, and Gray answered with a look that screamed 'traitor.'

"Juvia will be happy to keep Gray company, she is always in service to her darling Gray!" she announced. She continued to look up at him through her lashes, waiting intently for his answer as she remained between his legs.

Natsu burst out laughing. "You know Juvia, I think Gray would love to be serviced..." he sputtered through his laughter. Lucy giggled beside him, momentarily distracted from her own teasing, though her hand continued to trace patterns over his abs beneath his shirt.

Going even redder, Gray shifted uncomfortably, flustered by Natsu's insinuations even if Juvia seemed completely innocent to his meaning. "Fuck Juvia, just get up here before anyone gets the wrong idea!" he urged through clenched teeth. Snagging her by the shoulders, he forcibly pulled her up from under the table to get her away from the embarrassing and compromising position. Much to his horror, and further flustering, she responded by planting herself in his lap and nuzzled into his chest with a content purr before he had a chance to get her situated on the bench next to him.

Natsu would have continued teasing his rival, had it not been for the hand that had been on his abs suddenly groping his steadily growing arousal. With a low growl, he tore his eyes off the 'not-a-couple.'

"Alright, now you've done it," he bit out. His mischievous girlfriend returned his pointed, but notably lust-hazed look, with a failed attempt at an innocent facade. Natsu felt their friends' eyes on his back as he leapt out of the booth and roughly dragged Lucy across the guildhall, pulling loud giggles from her in response. It was late, and the Guild was still in full-swing party mode, celebrating the official reunion of the vast majority of their family, so Natsu didn't think anyone was even sober enough to pay them any mind. Hell, a few of them had already passed out, they wouldn't be likely to remember anything even if he chose to bend the stellar mage over the bar counter—

And that thought... Did nothing to help him.

Natsu pulled her down the hall out of the main room of the guild, seeking anywhere that would allow him to pay Lucy back in kind for groping him so shamelessly in front of their friends. Natsu had little shame himself and having her feel him up in the middle of the guildhall didn't really faze him one bit, if anything, it turned him on. But that was the problem, because he was also rock hard now, and that, wasn't possible to ignore when she wouldn't stop with those damn explorative touches. He eyed a supply closet they passed by, but decided it wouldn't do, desperate or not.

Lucy hopped onto his back again and busied herself with fondling anything she could reach while he sought their solitude. With a curse he relinquished the search and threw a shoulder into the door to the showers, awkwardly carrying her to a shower stall as she created delicious friction against his straining erection with her heel.

"Fuck Lucy," he growled at her, "off, now," he demanded impatiently. She slid down his back sensuously, being sure to rub herself as firmly against him as she could while doing so. He had her pinned to the wall in a second, one wrist in his firm grip over her head as he slammed his lips into hers, the other hand already pushing her skirt down her thighs. Lucy had her free hand dragging the tight material of his shirt up to expose his abs to her searching hand. That didn't preoccupy her for long though, before she was sought out the bulge in his pants instead.

When her hand snuck into his pants to palm him through his boxers, he rewarded her with a low moan and bit down on the soft flesh at the junction of her neck. "Turn around," he breathed, but soft as the command was, it left no room for debate. The authority in his voice sent heat through every nerve ending in her body. She complied quickly, pressing her forearms against the cool tile and hinging forward slightly. Looking back at him over her shoulder, she gave him an expectant, lustful gaze. Natsu shed his clothing and had her bottoms off faster than her alcohol and lust muddled mind could process, and then his body was flush against hers again, rolling his hips into hers roughly. She could feel him straining against her as he trailed his tongue up her neck, soothing the spot he'd bit earlier.

Natsu nudged her legs further apart with one of his own and then sank into her to the hilt in one fluid motion. "Gods… Natsu, fuck yes," Lucy moaned screwing her eyes shut and pushing her hips back to meet him.

"I don't know what got into you Lucy," Natsu said in a low voice, giving her a deep slow roll of his hips. "You aren't usually so naughty. Feelin' me up, in front of our friends?" he continued as he rocked into her.

Lucy couldn't respond, his hand crept up under her shirt, squeezed her breast. "Please Natsu… Gods, so good—faster," she whined.

With a chuckle he leaned closer to her ear, "God huh? I'll take that," he said cockily. Complying with her demand, he snapped his hips forward with a harshness that pulled a long moan from her. The harder pace had her crying out euphorically, and he covered her mouth with his palm, "Still in public Luce, do you really want our guildmates coming in here?"

"I really don't fucking care," she swore uncharacteristically. She flipped her hair back, looking at him with hazed eyes and swollen lips parted in ecstasy, just daring him to stop. Natsu moaned at the abandon of her declaration, the unspoken 'let them see,' hung in the air between them. He came hard and reached around her body to work her clit between his fingers, dragging her to release with him a scant moment after.

Natsu caught her around the hips as her legs wobbled and threatened to drop her where she stood. Stabilizing them both with his free hand on the tiled wall, he dropped his forehead to her shoulder as he worked to catch his breath.

"That… was hot," Lucy sighed, twisting around to draw him in for another slow kiss.

Natsu took in her flushed face when she pulled away, and took her chin in his hand. "You, are such a damn handful when you're drunk…" he told her, claiming her lips in another bruising kiss, tasting the lingering notes of strawberry.

"And you love it," she stated knowingly.

He smirked back, not bothering to confirm the obvious statement. "Can you stand?" he asked.

"Mmm," she hummed, releasing his shoulders and taking a step back experimentally. Pleased with her balance, she nodded triumphantly.

Chuckling, Natsu pulled his pants back on, but as he reached for his shirt, the blonde let out a squeal as her legs gave up on her after all. She tripped forward, and he caught her a moment too late as she reflexively swung a hand out searching for purchase on something to prevent her fall, and found the shower tap. Freezing water cascaded down on their heads. Lucy screeched loudly in displeasure and Natsu swore as the high pitch of her scream grated on his ears as much as the ice water warred with his innate body heat.

. . .

Haru glanced around the guildhall, a few of their comrades were still up chatting, but the games, brawls and dancing had ended a while ago. The majority of their fellow mages had passed out in piles on the floor or slumped over the tables around the room. A large mess to clean up was waiting to greet them all in the morning. Haru had shifted to lean comfortably against the back wall of the booth, and Mira had curled herself contently between his legs. She sipped at a large glass of water in her hands, trying to ward off the inevitable hangover that would come tomorrow. Gray had given up after some half-hearted opposition and resigned to letting Juvia sit across his lap, his arm wrapped around her waist as he nursed a beer and people-watched.

The foursome had exchanged glances when Lucy's scream had reverberated from deeper in the guild, but none of them dared to go check in on their friends just yet. If they didn't return soon, Haru would go… cautiously.

But not long after, Mira started giggling and pointed to the hall at the back of the guild where a highly amused looking Natsu was helping Lucy toward their table. The blonde was dripping wet and more than a little shaky on her feet.

"Why are you drenched…?" Gray drawled, "but spare us the details," he added as a quick afterthought.

Natsu grinned, "Clumsy here," he jabbed a thumb at Lucy, his magic flared to gradually dry her without turning her clothing to ash, "decided to take a brisk shower to sober up."

Lucy turned a fuming look on him and smacked his chest, "It's your fault I couldn't walk!"

"Geez Lucy, who knew you liked it so rough," Gray joked, snickering as the fire mage's laughter joined his. Juvia flushed a bright red and eyed the ice mage with a longing that he remained oblivious to.

Cheeks heating intensely when she realized what she'd just inadvertently admitted, Lucy whipped back around to the table. "Because I'm drunk! I can't walk 'cause I'm drunk!"

"And how is that Natsu's fault?" Haru countered mercilessly, earning Lucy's glare. Some best friend.

"Was it gooood Lucy? Maybe you should get Natsu going in public more often, looks like it was good."

"Miraaaa!"

The Next Morning

The smell of coffee wafted through the air and drew Haru from his half-waking state, he blinked up at the ceiling he was facing, momentarily forgetting where he was. "You look terrible Haru!" Happy chirped, leaning over the edge of the table to look down at him.

Haru's eyes narrowed at the early-morning annoyance. "Gee, thanks Happy," he answered, tone dripping in sarcasm and daring the cat to make another comment.

Then pink filled his vision as Natsu appeared above him as well. "Goooooood morning Haruuu!" he greeted with far too much amusement for Haru's liking, "how ya feelin'?"

Finally realizing he'd fallen asleep in the booth at the guild in the very early hours of the morning, Haru attempted to shift under the weight that had him pinned in place. The awkward knot of his body already had his muscles feeling abnormally stiff. His eyes flicked down to the head of white hair on his chest. At least Mira appeared comfortable, he thought dryly. She was draped over him, legs tangled with his and one arm dangling off the edge of the seat cushions.

Haru squeezed one eye shut in a grimace as he fixed his attention back on the Fire Slayer, though amusement still pulled at his lips. It wasn't like he hadn't fully expected to find himself in this state after the previous night's celebrations. Honestly, he was just relieved he remembered everything. Addressing his partner's earlier question, Haru said, "I'm fine... Just feeling like a gang of Vulcans is tearing around my head… No big."

Laughing, Natsu dropped his weight back onto his butt on his side of the table again, disappearing from Haru's sights. "You and half the guild this morning, I'm sure," he said. Not for the first time, the fire mage would be grateful that his magic metabolized substances in his system so quickly, even if he occasionally complained that he couldn't get as off-the-rail drunk as the rest of his comrades. Haru would trade alcohol tolerances with him any day.

Haru tightened the grip he had slung over Mira's hip and pressed himself up with his free hand. She moaned softly at the disturbance, blue eyes opening into unimpressed slits as she peered up at him and then over at Natsu. "Morning Mira, how ya feelin'?" the pink-haired man echoed his earlier greeting again, mirth still colouring every word as he chuckled at her bleary-eyed expression.

She didn't respond with her usual Mira-level cheer. She didn't respond at all, except to present him with her middle finger and a scowl. Ignoring him as he burst into an even bigger fit of laughter, she simply focused on gently massaging her temples instead. Freeing his legs, Haru stretched out more comfortably but kept her legs slung across his. He wrapped his arm loosely around her shoulders and gave her a small smile. "You and me both, Mira," he commiserated. He reached for one of the four coffees that were still expelling steam in the center of the table. Lifting one in a grateful gesture, he thanked Natsu for the foresight. "So, where'd Lucy and Gray get off to?" he inquired after a few satisfying sips.

Natsu pointed down and Haru craned his neck to glimpse the mop of blonde hair in the fire mage's lap. Lucy was still out cold and curled up on the other side of the booth, using Natsu as her personal pillow. "Gray and Juvia on the other hand… stumbled out of here totally wasted, shortly after you passed out." A sly grin spread across Natsu's lips, "something tells me we'll have bright sunny skies today," he announced, alluding to Juvia's likely mood.

Mira bounced slightly in her seat at the news. Clapping her hands excitedly, she immediately began prematurely planning couples' trips for all of them to Hosenka resort. The sounds of her high-pitched squeals and plotting eventually dragged Lucy to wakefulness as well. She sat up with visible effort and dragged her gaze over each of them between strands of tangled blonde hair and eyes slitted against the assault of the bright lights in the hall. With an elongated groan she dropped her forehead onto the table in front of her and blindly reached for one of the remaining coffees. Natsu appeared sympathetic, if a bit amused, and brought a hand up to absently rub circles into her back as he continued to chat with Haru and Mira.

"Woah! Lucy looks worse than Haru!" Happy chanted, and without missing a beat, Lucy's hand shot out to grab the cat by the whiskers.

"What was that, ya damn furball?" she asked as the blue cat squirmed in her clutches and pleaded for Natsu's rescue.

The morning was predictably a little more subdued than normal as the Fairy Tail mages began waking up to peel themselves off the floor and tables, or where ever it was they'd dropped the previous night. When Erza showed up, she shrieked at the insane mess, as if the resulting disaster area wasn't totally commonplace after every one of Fairy Tail's infamous blow-out parties. Groans sounded around the guild as her yelling began to accost people's hangovers, but they still dragged their feet into action to get cleaning, lest they further incur Erza's wrath. Even the master eyed her with slight trepidation and got to helping Kinana clean up the bar so she could start getting prepared for the inevitable breakfast and hangover orders.

Gray and Juvia wandered in slightly before noon and without the slightest subtlety, the foursome's collective gaze trailed the pair across the hall as they approached the bar to order breakfast. Mira leaned across the table conspiratorially, whispering to Haru, "Did they…?" she trailed off, blue eyes sparkling.

"Not my place," Haru answered flatly. Undeterred, Mira didn't hesitate a second before leaning around him to drop her chin onto laced fingers with an expectant look at Natsu instead. Much less polite Natsu.

Natsu, to his credit didn't answer her questioning look either. He had his lips pressed together and an eyebrow arched, his entire focus still on their friends as they turned with plates of food and coffees in hand and approached to join them. "Still exactly where we left you, huh?" Gray asked as Natsu and Lucy moved into the booth's center so the new arrivals could join them again. "Not the least bit surprised," he added.

Leaving the quip unanswered, Natsu's face cracked into a wide knowing grin instead. "Just couldn't seal the deal, huh Gray?"

The ice mage spat a mouthful of coffee across the table and began sputtering. Juvia, with a bright smile, wrapped her arms tightly around his upper arm and began rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. "Juvia's darling Gray was a perfect gentleman! He tucked her into bed and even helped her hangover with his ice magic this morning."

Gray looked spectacularly uncomfortable receiving her praise. The resultant blush across his cheeks deepened as he scratched sheepishly at the back of his head, keeping his eyes trained on the ceiling.

"Even though Juvia's Water Body prevents hangovers…" she added with a particularly cheeky smile.

"Wish my water magic did that," Haru complained under his breath, even as the rest of the group burst out laughing when Gray's head whirled back to stare at Juvia with eyes wide as saucers.

"W-what?! You just let me take care of you beca— ah… Right, never mind."

They laughed all the harder and Juvia dropped her head on to his shoulder with a content smile as the ice mage rolled his eyes in defeat. She didn't stay long though, bidding them a farewell once she'd finished her breakfast to head home for a shower and a change of clothes. The group waved her off as she disappeared across the guildhall, humming as she went and with a noticeable skip in her step.

Once the guild was back in working order and the evidence of the party cleaned to Erza's high standards, the redhead waltzed over. "So, what do you all think? Should we take a mission to celebrate our team being reunited?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure Erza, what mission would you like to pick?" Gray droned sarcastically, gesturing offhandedly to the sparse pickings on the request board across the hall. All six heads slowly swivelled to gaze at the formally packed bulletin. Nab still made himself a near-constant fixture in front of the board, as though he still couldn't make up his mind over the two or three low-level mission flyers available. He would likely be the most indecisive person Haru would ever know.

"Forget that," Natsu started, eyes flashing over to Haru's, so quickly no one really noticed. "We've got a mission proposal for Dragon Soul, and company, but there's still someone missing..."

Erza quirked a brow and the girls and Gray all exchanged curious looks before impatiently pressing them for more information. Both dragon slayers remained tight lipped, explaining that it would be easier to tell the entire group at once.

The doors of the guild crashed open violently not long after, interrupting their conversation. "SALAMANDER!" a voice barked angrily, "you smoke-for-brains, shitty excuse for a dragon slayer, ASSHOLE!" Gajeel stomped across the hall and threw his fists down into the table, red eyes glaring back and forth between Natsu and Haru. He jabbed a finger in Haru's face, "and don't think I've forgotten about you, ya drowned rat!"

"Gajeel," Haru replied calmly with a dismissive smile, using his name in greeting.

"Hey ya metal freak! Long time no—"

"Can we stop the yelling please?" Lucy begged, pressing the heels of her hands into her temples harder.

Gajeel ripped Natsu out of the booth, not caring that he knocked Gray out of the booth with the force. Gray yelled his displeasure, but was promptly ignored by both the other men. "Don't you long time no see me! I've been out over a week, searching for you jerks on Gramps' orders, and what do I come home to find?! YOUR scents assaulting my nose!"

Lucy rolled her eyes and continued massaging her temples. "No, I suppose a little quiet would be too much to ask," she droned irritably. Gray took pity on her then, sneaking back into the booth past the squabbling dragon slayers. He snagged the spot between Lucy and Haru, and fit ice laced hands over her head. Sighing in relief as the pounding in her head began to ease, her attention flicked back to Natsu and Gajeel's odd reunion.

"Well, welcome back! Safe trip I hope?" Natsu was continuing, blatantly ignoring his fellow slayer's rage. The iron mage growled again, drawing an arm back to throw a punch that Natsu caught easily and didn't bother countering. He just gave the other man a toothy smile, "you are just the guy we've been waiting for."

Clenching his jaw, Gajeel's eyes narrowed and scanned over the rest of the mages watching them. "What the hell ya going on about Salamander?"

"Hey Wendy, get over here will ya?" Natsu called over Gajeel's shoulder as he lazily clasped the wrist of the hand Gajeel still had fisted in his scarf. Controlled flames burst off Natsu's hand, and the Iron Slayer yelped and retracted his own hand rapidly, red eyes glaring at the smug look he got in response.

Once Dragon Soul was gathered, with the additions of Mira, Gajeel and Wendy, a short silence settled over them as the Twin Dragons seemed to fall into one of their unverbalized conversations, deciding where to begin. Erza cleared her throat, trying to refocus them and Haru pursed his lips in consideration, "Okay, first we need to catch you all up on some things that went down while you were missing," he began.

The rest of the group perked up in curiosity, except Gajeel who continued to lean on an elbow with a bored air of indifference. Regardless, they remained completely silent as they waited with minimal patience. "Natsu and I are part of a clandestine group called the Eclipse Team, have been for nearly a year now, but something has recently come up that we can't tackle alone. That's where you all come in."

Natsu picked up where his partner left off, "Mission aside, there is some things we've learned, that this group in particular, deserve to know," he alluded. Haru noted the flicker of discomfort that ran through him, but he flashed a smile anyway, "so listen up, this is a long story, and we're not repeating it."

Flash Back

"We really doing this?"

The softly spoken question pulled Natsu from his trance and the cascade of thoughts that had been plaguing him. He glanced to his side at his partner, eyes searching for any signs of reservation. But Haru's face was simply set in a stony mask as he stared back, unwavering, no consternation, no hesitation. It solidified things for Natsu, after warring over whether or not this was the right decision during the past week. It was highly possible the leap of faith would land him and Haru in a bad situation with no way to return home again. There were simply far more unknown variables to this plan than either of them were comfortable with, he knew. But as usual, Haru supported him without exception, and Natsu would always have his back as well, not that Haru would likely be coming up with ideas as asinine as this one.

Natsu gave a curt nod, "Yeah, I don't see what we have to lose at this point," he quipped.

"She's alive you know."

With a drawn-out exhale of irritation that came out in a puff of fire, Natsu looked over his shoulder with narrowed eyes to give Aquarius his attention. The spirit floated just behind him and to the side of the room. With her hands on her hips in defiance and her face pinched with as much exacerbation and anger as he'd ever seen, he fully faced her. Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited for her to continue. This was not a new conversation, they'd had this particular discussion, if it could be called that, on repeat over the last few weeks during the preparations. Natsu just generally didn't really engage, aside from allowing her to say her peace knowing it wouldn't change his mind.

"None of our contracts have been rendered void," Aquarius continued, gesturing to the other Zodiac gathered about the hall. Natsu's eyes swept over them, his upset climbing steadily at the mermaid spirit's condescending tone. "Besides that," she continued, "if she were truly gone, I'd know."

That did it.

Natsu's eyes flashed as did some sporadic embers crawling over his skin, "And you think I wouldn't?!" he snapped angrily. Clenching his jaw, Natsu reigned in the abrupt spike of rage with an audible exhale. He knew Aquarius was just missing Lucy as he was, and was worried for him and Haru. Not that she'd readily admit that. "Look, this isn't us giving up on them, we both believe Lucy, and all of our family are still out there, somewhere," he told her with as much calm as he could muster. He felt Haru's hand land on his shoulder, empathizing with his position as no one else could. "Hell, we've spent so much time combing every inch of that damn ocean, that motion sickness barely phases either one of us anymore, and we still aren't any closer to bringing them back. We need answers that—"

"—And you think throwing yourselves into the Eclipse Gate is the answer?! The gate was never meant for travelling BACK in time."

"Maybe, maybe not, but Anna Heartfilia –your previous master—warned me about Zeref and Acnologia. So she could potentially provide us with insight that might help us find everyone, and at the very least invaluable information that we need if we are ever going to eliminate that dragon from this world."

Aquarius' eyes softened, a rare expression for her that had Natsu's resolve faltering slightly. He was adept at dealing with the temperamental spirit's bouts of rage, her stubbornness that rivalled his own, he was not used to the concern painting her face now. She looked away, "How do you think Lucy would feel if something happened to you—to either of you?" she whispered.

"How do you think Lucy would feel if we let ourselves remain stagnant in grief and hopelessness? Without living for something, without fighting for the future because of her? Lucy would never want that."

"And besides, we will return, just as they will. We will all be together again," Haru added with conviction. Natsu glanced at the Water Slayer sidelong, nodding at him gratefully.

Clicking her tongue, Aquarius acquiesced, "Fine." Her lips pressed into a tight line, until she rounded on them with a renewed flare of her usual tenacity, "but if either of you doesn't make it back, I'll beat you to a pulp!"

Leo approached to stand before her and gestured for her to take her place with him and four of the other spirits lined up on the right side of the Eclipse Gate. She did so without further complaint or discussion, though she didn't look any more pacified.

"Are we about ready here then?" a man of small stature asked as he approached the pair of dragon slayers occupying the center of the chamber, the heavy gold crown atop his head marking him as the King of Fiore.

The boys nodded stoically.

. . .

It had taken weeks of petitioning to gain entry to Mercurius. Taking those weeks to do so, had been yet another blind leap of faith as all their self-assigned missions came to a crossroads. They couldn't have been sure that the gate was still in the palace, despite Anna informing Natsu that Tome E. Fiore hadn't destroyed the Gate as Layla had implored all those years prior.

Eventually though, a summons arrived at the inn they'd been staying at. They'd found themselves meeting up with the Captain of the King's Guard outside the palace, though still being denied the audience they sought. Arcadios presented a request of all things, and Natsu had outright balked at the audacity to hand them a mission statement, when for weeks, Mercurius had simply ignored their pleas.

"If you can eradicate the demon plaguing the villages to the North, the King will grant you your audience," he'd informed them. The air of smug arrogance coating his information told them Arcadios thought he'd won the exchange. Assumed they wouldn't be able to complete this particular mission, not alone anyway.

So, without much choice, the Twin Dragons had begrudgingly set off to make quick work of yet another demon. This one had not been an Etherious of Zeref, so it had been a fairly simple task and they were back and finding themselves being escorted through the pristine marble halls of Mercurius not two days later. The King had fidgeted and picked at his royal robes nervously when Haru had brought up the Eclipse Gate, as though he assumed the pair were there to punish his transgressions. Like a couple mages bound by Era's laws had the power to do that…

When Natsu explained their proposal with a surprising level of nonchalance, considering what he was suggesting, the King's jaw had dropped. "So, you aren't here to destroy Eclipse?" he had asked numbly, slumping in his chair as the tension in his posture drained visibly.

After that, Natsu and Haru had been introduced to a small group of the King's most trusted advisors and staff to assist in the mission they'd ironed out. The King was enlightened to the severe threat the Apocalypse Dragon posed upon the world, though it had taken a great deal of convincing to make him believe there was a dragon loose on the continent somewhere. A team was assembled to prepare to send the Twin Dragons 400 years into the past, and if everything worked out according to plan, get them back safely as well.

The dubbed Eclipse Team was sworn to secrecy or face punishment of treason against Fiore should the details be leaked. Among the sensitive information, the details of the mission and the Twin Dragons' own identities. Having less to do now, with Haru's aversion to attention, and more to do with their safety and ability to work effectively, as this was only a facet of the bigger mission to hunt down Zeref and anything related to the Black Mage and Acnologia.

Natsu and Haru needed the world to believe they had vanished with the rest of their guildmates back on Tenrou. It was part of the reason that they couldn't reach out to the remaining Fairy Tail members, however much they wanted to.

They had to be ghosts.

. . .

Haru's eyes raked over the intricacies of the massive gate for what must have been the hundredth time, while the two celestial spirit mages they'd managed to recruit began the process of feeding their power to the gate. The King's own daughter had turned out to be a celestial mage, but alone, she couldn't maintain the flow of power that would be required to open the Gate. Thankfully, as the ten spirits currently in Natsu's possession were still contracted to Lucy, they wouldn't draw their power from the summoner's own magic stores indefinitely. Though the mage still needed to possess enough power to open their gates in the first place. Aquarius and Leo had been showing up by way of their own magic ever since Haru had found the gate keys on the ocean floor after trailing a magic signature reminiscent of Lucy's.

For a little while, the Eclipse Team had thought they were out of luck. Lacking the other two necessary keys or the spectacular level of power it would take to open the gate without them. They needed another celestial mage, but celestial mages were nearly as rare as the dragon slayers themselves were, and with the sensitive information around the mission it wasn't like they could put out a request calling for one.

After a frustrating week of trying different options with Hisui's help and Leo's input, they were about to resign themselves to abandoning this particular strategy. Then one morning, Arcadios threw open the double doors with an ecstatic energy and ran to join them in the hall where they gathered most mornings. He slapped a program booklet detailing the first annual Grand Magic Games down on the great stone table that the Eclipse Team sat around discussing the day's plans and sharing some breakfast.

The whole team, including the princess, deadpanned, eyes narrowing in displeasure. "We don't have time for the Games right now Arcadios," the King stated flatly, "I will make my appearance tomorrow at the opening ceremony as required, but we can discuss that later."

"No –look!" the knight barked, flipping the booklet open to the section that detailed the participating guilds and specifically, the teams representing them. He tapped a finger on the page of new and upcoming guild Sabertooth.

Natsu's eyes narrowed further as he eyed the team of five with barely disguised distain. It would have been impossible not to have heard of Sabertooth while living in Crocus these past couple months. The citizens were positively brimming with anticipation to see Fiore's top guilds showcase the brilliance of their magics in Domas Flau for all to see. But of all the guild-chatter and rumours running rampant in the city, the excitement surrounding Sabertooth's debut dwarfed all other conversation. Particularly, Sabertooth's Twin Dragons. Natsu pondered the partners depicted on the page, two more dragon slayers appearing on scene not a full year after Fairy Tail vanished, adopting their same title.

A silent challenge?

The pair could not be much younger than he and Haru, the rumour was they were incredibly powerful, though their elements and abilities remained unknown. What they were well known for, was cocky statements of having 'surpassed Fairy Tail's Twin Dragons and would one day prove it on a world stage.'

A not so silent challenge…

"She's a celestial mage?!" Haru gasped next to him, and Natsu let his competitive tendencies give way to curiosity as he leaned further over to see what his partner was talking about. Sure enough, the beautiful white-haired girl, Yukino Agria, was described as a celestial mage who, coincidentally, wielded the power of two Zodiac Gate keys.

Natsu groaned in frustration and slapped his hand over his face. What were the chances that the power they needed, and the remaining gate keys would be in the hands of a mage belonging to the same guild of members vowing to take him and Haru down? Of all the guilds in Fiore… wouldn't she just have to be Sabertooth? How could they possibly consider approaching her, let alone, trusting her to keep their identities a secret from her guildmates?

"Well, that's just fucking great," he spat.

Arcadios turned to him with a confused look, eyes shifting between both dragon slayers who each looked more than a little frustrated with the development. "What? This is good news isn't it? Exactly what we needed!"

"Yeah… sure Man. Go get her, just don't mention me 'n' Haru until you can be absolutely positive, she wouldn't betray us," the fire mage instructed reluctantly. He exchanged an uneasy glance with Haru, his fellow slayer was just as apprehensive about this plan, given Sabertooth's own dragon slayers' apparent obsession with them.

However as it turned out, Sabertooth wasn't a guild of familial bonds like Fairy Tail and the other light guilds they'd associated with over the years... Sabertooth was a guild entirely concentrated on power. Absolute power.

Yukino seemed a perfectly sweet girl, a walking contradiction to the guild she was aligned with. So after some discussions with Arcadios and eventually the King, they entrusted her with the knowledge of Acnologia's existence and the threat they all faced. Yukino was quick to take the vows that bound her as an official member of the Eclipse Team not long after that, wanting nothing more than to fulfill her part in protecting the world. Only then did Natsu and Haru reveal themselves and the rest of the details of the team's mission, much to her surprise at finding them as the catalysts behind the mission.

Now, Hisui stood to one side of the Gate and Yukino to the other, each in temporary possession of five and six of the gate keys respectively. Leo's key remained with Natsu. All twelve keys burned with vibrant gold light, and the Zodiac spirits dissolved into streams of shimmering light to shoot toward each of twelve stylized key holes around the upper arch of the Gate. With a loud groan that had the chamber around them trembling, the double doors parted, emitting the first rays of a perfectly white light to pierce into the room. This light allowed no hint of what lay beyond and Natsu sucked in an anxious breath as the doors widened further. He blindly reached out a hand that Haru grasped back tightly. Instinctually, their eyes met briefly and with a final unspoken word they locked eyes on the white void and marched forward.

Natsu threw his free hand up, thumb and finger extended, though he knew the Eclipse Team wouldn't understand the meaning behind the gesture, it didn't matter.

No matter how far we are parted, we will always be watching over you. We will see each other again.

Isn't that right... Lucy?

And the pure white light swallowed them before the doors slammed close behind.

A/N. Man... those cliff hangers keep on coming though.

Sooo, any predictions?

** Also, as noted a chapter or two ago, this arc is where the story deviates more significantly.
SO, there will be more things than usual that don't line up entirely with canon facts. For instance, how the Eclipse Gate functions to open (ie. Celestial Mages on both ends), past travel was never really touched on, when Future Rogue and Future Lucy came through the gate in canon, I'd guess that Lucy opened the gate in the future, but no one was around in the present to open it to allow them passage. Same when they opened the gate for the dragons in the present, I doubt someone in the past was like "here dragons: go for a jaunt in the future why don't you."

As such I take full creative license over the gate and past events :D So don't read too much into the differences with character appearances, places used or events in the upcoming chapters.

Shout outs to my usual crew, SuperSaiyajin4Vegeta, FireShifter, Joker D. Zero, Valerioux, EternalFlame, Loso and guests, love ya!

'Til next week,

R&R

LokaMuse