It's All Fair in Love and Guild Mates

Part 5

 Gajeel x Levy, Natsu x Lucy, Gray x Juvia
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fairy Tail story line or any of the characters in it. Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

"Luuuccyyy." Happy cooed as he flew towards his blonde haired guild mate.
"What do you want, cat." Lucy snapped back, suddenly annoyed by his presence.
"Geez, you don't have to be mean about it!" Happy pouted. "Where's Natsu?"
"Probably still wrapped up in Lucy's bed," Levy snickered.
Lucy elbowed her friend. Annoyed, she then grumbled,"Why does everyone think I know where he is? It's not like he's my boyfriend. So why should I know?"
"Ooh, Natsu slept overr?" Happy the cat cackled. "Natsu liikess you. He sleeps in your beedd tooo!"
"You'd better watch it cat," the blonde threatened.
The doors to the guild suddenly burst open, Natsu's voice filling the guild hall "LUCY!"
"Oh Mavis' grave, here we go," Lucy muttered under her breath.
Natsu stormed towards her, seizing her shoulders and started to shake her violently. "I. Have. No. Idea. What. To. Wear."
"Na-"
"LUCY HELP ME!" He shook her more.
"Keep shaking blondie like that and her head's gonna pop off," Laxus called behind him. "And that would be a shame."
Natsu stopped shaking his partner, dropping his hands from her shoulders. "Sorry," he apologized sheepishly.
Lucy wondered if seeing three of him was normal. "It's. . .okay, " she said and shook her head to try to get rid of her dizzy spell.
"But seriously," Natsu took her hands in his. "I don't know what to wear."
  Lucy blushed as he squeezed her hands. "Why don't you wear the suit that you wore to ball?"
Natsu furrowed his eyebrows in confusion,"Which one?"
The one you looked hot in, she thought."You know, the one you wore after the Grand Magic Games."
"Oh, Erza has that one."
  Lucy looked at him, puzzled. "Why would Erza have it?"
"Because she dresses me for that kinda stuff, Luce." Natsu rocked on his heels, "Duh."
"She dresses you," Lucy repeated. "Like, frequently?"
"Yeah, Gray too." Lucy raised her eyebrows at him, pursing her lips.
"OOH, Lucy's jealous!" Happy chortled.
The now aggravated blonde mage dropped Natsu's hands, turning to yell at Happy. "SHUT IT, CAT!"
Unfazed by her outburst, Natsu slapped his hands onto Lucy's shoulders. "I HAVE AN IDEA!"
"And that is?" Lucy replied submissively.
"Why don't YOU pick my outfit, Lucy? You are my date, after all." Natsu grinned at her like an idiot. "What do you want me to wear?"
"I, er. . . Uhh-" Lucy stuttered, completely of caught off guard by the fact that Natsu Dragneel had just referred to her as his "date." Her face began turning pink.
"I think she just said she liked the what you wore to princess Hisui's palace," Levy chimed in.
Natsu looked at Lucy for her approval. She nodded in response because words were not in her favor at the moment.
"Hold on a sec, pinky. You're telling me that you got a hot chick like Lucy to go with you to this thing?" Gray called out from his table, Juvia under his arm.
Juvia squeezed Gray's arm protectively, glaring daggers at the blonde that sent chills up and down Lucy's spine.
"Yeah, and?" Nastu sneered back at him. "You jealous, ice prick?"
"Are you looking for a fight, pyro?"
"Bring it on, 'ya pervy popsicle!" Natsu shouted as the two boys charged at each other.
"Here we go again." Lucy rested her face in between her hands and watched through the cracks of her fingers as her partner went at it with the stripping ice mage.
"ENOUGH!" Erza's voice boomed through the guild hall.
  Natsu and Gray stopped dead in their tracks. "Y-yes Erza," the two stuttered in unison.
Erza put her hand on her hips disapprovingly.  "Gray, Natsu, were you two fighting again?"
"Of c-course not Er-Erza. We were j-just t-talking about Natsu's choice in dance partners. R-right Natsu?" Gray asked his quivering guild mate.
"Aye." Natsu agreed.
Lucy rolled her eyes at her friends, going back to her seat. Natsu was back to his old shenanigans and she was back at the bar. Typical, Lucy grumbled.
"Mira," she said to the bar maid who was returning to her post. "Hit me with a double."
***
  Levy sprinted back to the guild once she was out of Gajeel's sight.
Had she just- did she just, kiss Gajeel? Her heart pounded in her chest, she needed to tell Lucy. Surely she would be back at the guild by now, and would bring some good advice along with her.
  She blew past Jet and Droy on her way into the guild.
"Hey Levy!" Droy called after her.
"Can't talk- gotta find Lucy!" She yelled back at them.
The solid script mage flew through the doors to the guild hall, slamming them open and silencing the entire guild. Levy doubled over, catching her breath. "Has anybody. . . Seen. . . Lu-cy?"
"Over here Lev!" Her friend called from her usual seat at the bar.
  Breathing heavily, Levy walked over to her friend and slid into the seat next to her. The guild returned to its usual roar of conversation.
"Levy what happened? You look like you just ran a marathon!" Lucy exclaimed, concerned.
"Gajeel happened." Levy eyed the glass of water that Lucy held loosely in her hand. "Can I-" As if reading her mind, Lucy slid the glass in front of her and Levy drained it. When the glass was emptied, she wiped her mouth and then began to elaborate. "You can't freak out okay," she said to Lucy.
Lucy knitted her eyebrows, still not sure of what was going on. "Okay," she agreed dubiously.
Levy waved her closer before whispering, "I kissed Gajeel."
Pulling away from her, Lucy screeched, "YOU WHAT?"
Levy slapped her hands over her friend's mouth. "Shut up!" The bluenette scolded. "I don't want Jet and Droy to know. They might get-"
"Jealous." Lucy guessed, her voice slightly muffled through Levy's hands.
Levy dropped her hands, "Yeah."
"Well, what happened?" Lucy cried, dying to know more.
Levy narrated the whole story to her eager friend. Starting from their suspicions about the mysterious favor, then the sudden invitation to lunch, the diverted route around town, the blindfolding, the surprise picnic, and the invitation.
  "I would've killed to see his face when he found out you knew what he was planning the whole time," Lucy laughed, clutching her stomach."I bet it was priceless."
"Yeah," Levy chuckled. "What was even more priceless was his face after I kissed the numbskull."
"How'd that happen?" Lucy inquired, smiling deviously.
"Don't look at me like that!" Levy shoved her friend. "It wasn't even on the lips. He stole my book and kept it away from me until I agreed to go out with him, so I kissed him on the cheek to distract him."
"Wait you didn't even say yes?" Lucy gasped. "You just left him there like that?"
"Oh my god," Levy clasped her hands over her mouth. "I guess I just got so caught up in the moment I forgot to even except! I said I'd think about it but- Oh! And he went through all that trouble to cook-"
"Gajeel cooks?" Lucy exclaimed. "No way! All Natsu ever does with food is inhale it!"
"Yeah I was pretty surprised," Levy smiled.
Lucy sighed, "And how he asked you was so, romantic. Natsu just invited himself into my house and then dropped it on me."
"What did you expect?" Levy laughed, "That's typical Natsu for ya."
"Yeah, you're right," Lucy nodded, smiling. "He may not be a chocolate and roses kind of guy, but he sure knows how to surprise me."
"Absolutely." Levy rubbed her friend's shoulder, "And you want in on a little secret? The Master told all the boys to pick a partner close to their heart, someone that they could count on no matter what."
"Thanks, Levy," Lucy looked over her shoulder at her pink-haired partner and smiled.
***
The tipsy Cana Alberona slid into the seat next to Natsu, who was sitting at a table with Happy stuffing his face with food. "So Natsu," Cana slurred. "Are you and Lucy like a *hic* thing now?"
"Cana, leave the kid alone!" Macau half-drunkenly yelled.
"Yeah, a real man doesn't gossip!" Elfman yelled.
"Will you stop it with this "real man" business!" Evergreen scoffed. "It's so annoying."
"You two fight like an old married couple," Lisanna giggled.
"SHUT UP!" Elfman and Evergreen shouted at her in unison.
"Elfman and Ever, sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. . ." Bixlow and Lisanna taunted.
"Well," Cana pressed. "Are you?"
Natsu shrugged, "I don't know." Then he stood up and bellowed across the guild hall, "HEY LUCY!"
Lucy nearly spit her drink all over Mira. "Yeah?" She turned around and called back.
"ARE WE DATING?"
Lucy almost fell off her bar stool. "N-no!" She shrieked back at him.
Natsu turned back to Cana, "Well, there's your answer."
Cana took a sip of her drink. "Do you like her at least?"
Natsu answered like it was obvious, "Lucy's my partner. Of course I like her."
"No I mean-"
"Do you looovve her," Happy asked.
Natsu blinked, he'd hadn't really thought about it too much. I mean sure, Lucy was his guild mate and he cared about her, but he didn't think he loved her. Then again, he didn't know why but, he'd feel all funky whenever someone brought up him liking her in the first place.
He did know he didn't like it when other guys would flirt with her, or when people tried to hurt her, or take her away from him. He missed her when she wasn't there and felt nice when she was around, things just wouldn't be the same without her. He liked sleeping in her bed, too. She also smelled really nice, (not to mention was nice to look at). I guess you could say he saw her than more than a friend, but never did much about it because he didn't think she would feel the same way.
"I guess so," he said finally.
Happy's jaw dropped. "NATSU LOVES-" The dragon slayer grabbed his cat friend by the tail and shoved a fish in his mouth.
"Mmm." Happy nommed, forgetting about tormenting Natsu.
Cana smiled drunkenly, "Make a move on her then! You're already taking her to this banquet, and it's obvious you two have a thing going."
Natsu looked over at his partner from across the guild. She was talking to Mira and Levy with a noticeable blush on her cheeks. "Maybe," he said to Cana before getting up and walking over to Lucy.
  "Hey Luce!" He grinned devilishly and slung his arm around her shoulders.
Lucy looked over at him, her eyes widening. "Natsu?"
"Could I crash at your place tonight?" He asked her. "Happy and I wanted to know 'cause we're all gonna be leaving in the morning to go to the train station. And your house is closer."
"Uh, sure. You've never really ask to stay over before but I don't see why not." A light blush was forming on Lucy's cheeks, making her her look cuter than usual.
"Cool, see you back at your place!" Nastu dropped his arm from around her and called for Happy, leaving the guild without another word.
***
Levy looked over at Lucy and raised her eyebrows.
"Don't give me that look!" Lucy yelled at her friend. "At least I didn't kiss him."
"Lu-chan! Don't talk about that!"
A smirk formed on Lucy's lips as she looked behind Levy,"Oh hey, Gajeel."
Levy gulped, hoping that he friend was playing a sick joke on her.
"Blondie." Gajeel replied gruffly.
"Can I talk to shr- I mean Levy for a moment?" He asked.
Levy still hadn't turned around. Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears, Did he just call me Levy?
"Of course Gajeel!" Lucy said sweetly, patting her friend on the shoulder."I have to head home and pack anyways." She looked at Levy and said with a wink,"Have fun!"
As her friend walked off, Levy turned to face her crush. "Hey Gajeel."
"Hey Levy."
Oh my Mavis, this is so awkward. Levy panicked, How long ago did I kiss him? Like an hour ago? What was I thinking? "So about earlier-" Levy decided to start, but Gajeel cut her off.
"Don't mention it."
"N-no. Not about that," She stuttered. "I wanted to thank you for lunch."
"Oh, you're welcome shrimp." Gajeel scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Gajeel, weren't you going to remind Levy to wear something nice?" Mira intervened, her voice like honey.
"R-right." The iron dragon slayer cleared his throat,"Wear something nice, shortie."
"Was already planning on it," the bluenette mumbled.
"Good. Well, then, see you tomorrow." He said and hobbled off to the other side of the guild.
Once his back was turned and he was out of earshot, Levy groaned and slammed her head onto the bar counter. "I still haven't actually accepted his invitation."
"Oh don't beat yourself up over it." Mira patted her on the head, "He probably hasn't even realized it yet, those dragon slayers are as dense as a rocks."
"Yeah, I noticed."
"I really need a man," Cana thought a loud before downing two more pints of booze.
"What am I supposed to do?" Levy said into the counter.
"Give it time," Mira sighed. "I mean, look at Juvia and Gray. I never would've thought he would own up to his feelings for her, but now," she pointed in the direction of their friends. Juvia was snuggled up against Gray's chest with a light smile on her face, she appeared to be sleeping as Gray paged through a newspaper.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Levy looked back at Mira and smiled." I wonder how Natsu and Lucy are doing, she thought. She never really told me what happened when he asked her.
"Gray, your clothes!" Cana called out to the half-naked ice mage.
"DAMN, WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?"
"Here my love, take these." Juvia handed Gray his clothes from the floor.
"Well aren't you two just adorable," Mira cooed.
"Shut up, Mira!" Gray yelled at the bar maid.
"Why are you so mean, Gray!" Mira cried.
Levy giggled, if Gray and Juvia were being so friendly, she assumed Natsu and Lucy were doing just fine.
***
Lucy was in the middle of packing when there was a knock from downstairs. Don't tell me Natsu's actually using the front door, she thought as she made her way down the steps.
"Who is it?" She asked while unlocking the door.
"It's me, Luce."
"Wow, Natsu Dragneel actually figured out how my front door worked, Congratulations!"
Nastu grinned and adjusted his backpack,"Can I come in?"
"Yeah, are you hungry?"
Natsu's eyes lit up,"Hell yes!"
"C'mon up then," Lucy led him up the stairs. "Where's happy?"
"Back at home, he didn't want to interrupt our 'quality time'," Natsu shrugged. "Whatever that means."
"Oh," She said and then thought, damned cat. I would rather have him around and being annoying than leaving us alone and making it awkward.  "Where's Gray staying tonight?"
"I saw him leave the guild with Juvia."
"Whoah, okay. Wow."
  Natsu suddenly got defensive,"Why? What do you care where that cold streaker is staying?"
"O-oh, no reason," Lucy said quickly. "It's just that you guys usually all crash at my place before a big job." She set down a plate of food she'd pre-prepared for him.
"I think Erza's dropping by," Natsu said as he shoved an whole apple in his mouth. "She might actually drag the rest of the team along with her."
Not a moment later there was another knock at the door. "Lucy! It's Erza. I brought some others with me, can you let us in?"
"Yeah, coming!"
  Lucy jogged down the stairs and ripped open the door. Erza, Wendy, Carla, Happy, Lily, Juvia and Gray all stood at her doorstep. "Hey guys!" Lucy greeted.
"Hello Lucy," Erza smiled. "Is it okay if we use your house as a meeting place? We're just going to go over what's expected of us on the mission and then we'll be out of your hair."
"Oh no problem, come on in!" Lucy stepped out of the doorway and ushered them inside. "I made some food, if Natsu hasn't eaten all it already."
"I'm sorry if us visiting is an inconvenience," Juvia said politely.
"No really, its fine. Make yourselves at home." Lucy led them up the stairs before muttering to herself, "It's not like everyone doesn't already." Lucy laughed and led them up the stairs. "Natsu! You were right, Erza dropped by." She called upstairs,"And she brought Wendy and Gray with her!"
"The exceeds and Juvia too!" Wendy added.
"Erza sent Gajeel to get Levy," Carla informed her friends. "So they should be here shortly."
***
Levy was just about finished packing her fifth book into her bag when there was a knock at her door.  Who would be here at this hour? Levy wondered. "Coming!" She called and sprinted to the door, opening it cautiously.
"Laki?"
"Gajeel's waiting outside for you," she informed.
"Gajeel's waiting for me? Why?"
"Something about a team meeting. Anyways, boys aren't allowed inside Fairy Hills. So I suggest you go down and meet him," the purple-haired mage adjusted her glasses.
"Okay, thanks!" Levy said as she rushed out of her room, jogging through the halls of the girl's dorm. When she reached the front door, after noticing it was open, Levy called out for Gajeel.
The iron dragon slayer's attention fell on Levy just as she tripped over a pile of books that had been left precariously in the middle of the hallway. She went flying towards the open door, about to face plant into the floor before Gajeel caught her.
"Nice going there, shrimp," he said sarcastically and helped her to her feet.
"Shut up," she muttered as she turned to close the doors behind her.
"A thank you would be nice."
Levy faced Gajeel with a light blush on her cheeks,"Thank you."
"You're welcome, shortie," he patted her on the head. "Titania asked me to walk you to bunny girl's. So let's get walking."
Levy adjusted her ruffled dress and started to walk alongside her crush. After a few moments of silence Levy asked, "Wait, Gajeel, why exactly are we going to Lucy's?"
"Somethin' about a team meeting or whatever," he waved her off.
"Oh, okay." Levy smiled up at him, Thanks for picking me up."
"Do I get a kiss this time?" Gajeel grinned.
"G-gajeel!" Levy stuttered.
"Oh, c'mon Levy, I did just save your skinny butt." He tapped his cheek, "I want a kiss right here."
  Levy sighed in defeat. "Fine." They stopped briefly as Gajeel leaned down and Levy stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
  However, Gajeel seemed to have other ideas. Levy didn't realize this until her lips had almost touched his cheek, and he whipped his head around and pecked her on the lips instead.
"GAJEEL!" Levy shrieked, pounding him on the shoulder with her small fists. "Don't do that!"
"Gihi!" he laughed boisterously.
"So not cool!" Levy put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
He swung an arm around her shoulder, "C'mon shorty, I'm just messing around."
"Hmph," Levy pouted. "Oh, I almost forgot!"
"What is it?"
"I never formally accepted your invitation. " Levy beamed, "But I'd love to go to the banquet with you, Gajeel!"
The dragon slayer's cheeks reddened, "G-glad you said yes, partner."
*
"Levy-chan!" Lucy greeted happily.
"You're late." Erza said crossly to Gajeel and Levy.
"Sorry everyone." Levy apologized quietly, becoming quite interested in her shoes.
"Yeah, our bad." Gajeel snickered, "Shrimp had a little trouble walking right."
"GAJEEL!"
  The scarlet-haired mage waved them off. "Never mind that, let's get started. Wendy, may I see the Master's instructions?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Wendy said eagerly, handing Erza the sheet of parchment.
Erza began to talk, "As most of you know, since the start of the Grand Magic Games, the Magic Council has hosted a banquet for all the guild masters every other year to thank them for their services, as well as keep tabs on all the guilds. It has become tradition that each master bring an entourage of some of their best members. This year master has chosen us to attend the banquet with him."
"But what about our dates?" Gray asked before pulling off his shirt. "Where's the catch?"
"NO STRIPPING IN MY HOUSE, BUDDY!" Lucy yelled as she "Lucy-kicked" him in the jaw.
"Is Titana normally this dramatic?" Gajeel whispered to Levy, who shrugged in response.
"That's the great Erza for you," Happy said to Gajeel.
"You're such a suck-up, cat," Lucy muttered. "When did you even get here, anyway?"
"I've been here the whole time, Lucy!" Happy cried. "Why do none of you notice me."
"Ahem," Erza cleared her throat. The room fell silent. "If you must ask, the 'catch' is, there has been a breach within the magic council. One of their high-security prisoners escaped last week, and is most likely going to make an attack on the guild masters at the council banquet."
"Pardon the interruption, Erza." Lily said politely. "But I'm assuming it's our job to capture this criminal."
"Correct," Titania agreed. "Due to our success in capturing escaped convicts in the past, specifically our reputation from Nirvana, we will be working closely with the Rune Knights, as well as Lamia Scale to catch this fiend. Their members have been the only other guild informed of the prisoners escape, as well given permission to bring extra members to the festivities."
"Great," Gray said under his breath. That means Lyon is going to be there.
Erza continued, "Very few people have been informed of this recent development, as to avoid any widespread panic. We're under orders to bring extra members, but we're saying they're our dates to keep from raising suspicion. The minimum number of guests a master can bring is usually five, so doubling those numbers will be seen as unprecedented."
  "So us sayin' that the extra manpower we're bringin' along are our dates, is to try and keep everything hush-hush?" Gajeel asked.
"Indeed," Carla clarified. "That's why it's a two-guild job, to make it appear as a publicity stunt or friendly rivalry, something for the press to focus on while we complete the job at hand."
"Then they most likely chose Lamia Scale because of the known rivalry between Gray and Lyon," Juvia interjected. "Since Sabertooth and Fairy Tail are allies now, they need something to stir up the tension."
"Fantastic." Gray huffed, "Last time I checked, Lucy and Sherry weren't on the greatest terms either."
  "You got that right." Lucy then wondered, "Who is this creep we're catching anyways? He must be pretty a pretty big deal if the council is asking the guilds for help."
"Its not those Oracion Seis, right?" Wendy shuddered, "I don't want to deal with those guys again."
"I'm right there with you, girl," Lucy agreed.
"No, this is someone far worse," Erza said gravely. "They call him the Carver. Apparently before his capture, he was responsible for a handful of deaths of female wizards in Master Macarov's time. He's been imprisoned for over three decades now."
"The Carver?" Levy said quizzically. "I remember reading something about him when I was flipping through some old archives."
"Yeah, you were telling me about that the other day." Lucy said. "He was the creep that liked to rob female wizards of their magic power and turn it into lacrimas, right?"
Her friend nodded in agreement, "Yeah, supposedly he'd carve the lacrimas into jewelry and sell them as magic items, or wear his favorites around like trophies."
"That's sick," Gray muttered.
"Juvia agrees."
  Gray's eyes drifted Juvia, who was looking at the ground, obviously troubled by this. He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. She gave him a strained half-smile before throwing her arms around his torso. He tensed up at first, then eased into her embrace. Settling himself back into the couch, he wrapped his arm around her waist protectively.
"So this Carver dude only targets girl wizards?" Natsu said before shoveling more food in his mouth. "Lame."
"This is serious, Natsu!" Erza slammed her first down on the coffee table. "The Carver has his eyes set on the guild masters and all the wizards attending the banquet, not just women! He's not just planning to get rid of the masters, he's planning an all out attack that'll weaken all the guilds across Fiore."
Wendy's eyes were beginning to glaze over, "Oh no!"
"He's going to kill the guild masters and all their strongest members," Erza said solemnly. "Making it easier for him to get away with committing his crimes in the future, meanwhile throwing the land into disarray."
"Despicable," Carla covered her mouth with her paw.
"What's his motive?" Juvia asked. "Was he affiliated with any dark guild, or does he do it for money?"
Erza shook her head. "No motive. He kills for fun."
"That's crazy!" Gray clenched his fist angrily. "There has to be some reason he's doing all this."
"Gray, my love," Juvia comforted him.
"Most of the time he just smashes the lacrimas," Levy explained. "There were a few cases where he kidnapped the wizards and held them up for ransom, only to return the bejeweled versions he'd carved."
"That's awful!" Lucy said. "How could someone do that do another wizard?"
"He's truly black of heart, possibly one of the greatest adversaries we'll ever face," Erza looked up at her team. "However, since his magic focuses solely on extracting a wizard's into a lacrima, it leaves him with little to no battle magic. So by he carving up the lacrima, he's creating travel-sized versions of that wizards powers, allowing him to harness the spells they used without expending any magic power of his own."
Lucy shivered. "Does that mean he can, like, fight forever?"
"Unfortunately, that seems to be the case," Erza nodded. "But that's not all, the Carver doesn't just rob a person of their magic power. He extracts the very essence of the wizard. Their magic power, stamina and experience with their craft."
"He takes their souls," Lily said quietly. "And then turns them into accessories."
"It's more than criminal, it's immoral." Juvia said, her voice quivering.
"Indeed," Erza said. "Not only does he take their soul, but he obtains all of the magical progression that wizard had made up until that point. He's a master of all crafts, the jack of all trades."
"So let me guess," Gajeel said bluntly. "It's our job to go in, find the bastard, beat him senseless and then turn him in to the Rune Knights without messing up the Magic Council's little tea party?"
"Basically," said the redhead. "Though this is no tea party, this banquet is one of the few times a year the guild masters, especially our master, has the time to make amends with the council members. Show off not only to them how much the guilds have grown in the past year, but the other guilds as well. The banquet's success is impertinent."
"But how are we supposed to beat him if his power is in-expendable?" Lucy asked.
"Basically, we'd have to break all his toys before we either run out of magic power, or get turned into a trinket ourselves," Gray replied.
"Well then," Natsu wiped his mouth and stood from his chair. "Sounds like a challenge to me, bring it on!"