No one was steady. Malice hung in the hall particularly thick. Myself, I could only feel pensive, waiting, patient for some sign negative or positive that would decide for me my actions. That doesn't stop automatic anger from frothing forth and spilling from my eyes like venom., scowling down at a cause for trouble so clear in his form one could find the word explained with the very description of his face. Pierced heavily, with red set eyes, and punk torn clothes, boots of heavy leather like he owned the very concept of animal cruelty, and a sharp scowl more prominent then my own, with fangs longer and sharper to bare forth.

Looking to him, my mind does not speak calmly, only of his past and actions of sadism. Yet I know well enough not to hold him at face-value, just because I have no need for friendship with the man does not mean I can't be applicable. After all, I know of the many things my boyfriend has done and I don't hold him to them, I can't be harsh without being a hypocrite. Perhaps in my own disposition I have only put myself into further difficulty.

Levi has taken to removing herself far away from the man. Droy and Jet are glaring from a corner, Macao and Wakaba drinking at the bar. That doesn't sake the distrust from the room, no one is calm, everyone has their eyes open ready for any action.

Strangely I find my combat skills in play. Yet I am not watching and waiting for my metal counterpart to make a move. No indeed, it is my observance that is taking into attention; That is the fact that the entire guild seems less intensive with someone who destroyed and hurt us, then myself when I presented Laxus forth. How does that make sense? They were not made aware of his past, so they cannot site that as reason for distrust. They were more cautious with me and Laxus because we-

My blood chills in my body. I know not why it doesn't boil over. In place of my usual anger, so simple and easy, I think what fills me now, what chills my blood. A crushed disappointment in those I care for. Hopelessness of complete acceptance. Maybe I had been foolish to even spark a dream that could be my reality. Gajeel holds more confidence in my guild then I do.

Well! Should that be my situation- I stuffle the frigidity in my body and make for the metal dragonslayer. I am a man of second chances am I not? I have proven this to myself. Might as well be charitable. Even despite my own dislike of the man, I don't know him nor his circumstance, and that at least deserves investigating. Besides, I do know how to deal with shuffling information out of tough guys with dark pasts. Not something I had ever thought myself to be proud of.

I don't drink much, nearly at all, I like my sobriety actually. I found only one time where I had gotten drunk I had found myself trying to seduce the entire company of drunk men. Not something that can happen in Magnolia without problems. Still, I grab a beer from one of my fellows knocked out by black out, still full.

The bench makes a creaking sound as I sit, though Gajeel has been watching me approach. Staring, he says nothing. Waiting for me, I equally respond, finding myself under the impression that a Dark Wizard is looking to me. Nevertheless, I don't think it'll be me who breaks first. I am right by his annoyed grunt as he swings from his mug, and I lean against the backwards bench.

"I don't want your company Salamander. Get lost." He grumbles. Fire does not reside in his attitude however, more of a mumble then a true declaration. Now, red gazes refuse to meet my eyes. I don't know him well, but if I didn't know better, I would say he's embarrassed.

"They're staring at me more then you.' I reside myself to an arbitrary form of response, not dealing with his demand. Drink from my own mug, decidingly put out with the weight on my back. He himself seems to take my words as truth giving the area a brief once over with his elbow resting on the wood like a suspicious bar paton. His finger tapps on the surface for a moment, glaring at me from where he is slouched forward.

"I'll bite. Why? It ain't just because you decided to sit with me." Wish it had been that simple, its not like I'm gonna get more affection from what I'm doing now though.

"My boyfriend joined yesterday. They didn't like it." . He grunts, yet there is amusement hidden underneath, smirking as if he was aware of something so very important. Raising his mug he waits for a moment, and we clink in a melancholy cheers. All I can assume is that he as I has something to hide or should have hidden in himself with blood rusted anger.

"You got courage salamander." He drinks gluttony not resting juglar speaking well enough of regrets kept from view. His hand causing a spill over his chin, when he allows himself breath he stares so intently, baring down a weight in expression alone. "Watch yourself. Those council fucks don't hold back." The arm so leisurely resting on the tabletop balls into a fist. Is it a wonder that I curiously tilt my head to him, wondering what had happened in his shoes, why he is so strained? "Knew a woman, real charmer, friend a mine even. She had a lover, tough chick. Anyway Master Josi wasn't a nice man but liberal, didn't say nothin bout them, ya dig? So this friend of mine she comes up to me one day, tells me that her and her partner is pregnant and they are gonna try to raise the kid all secret-like. Me? Good friend that I am congratulate her, got a baby gift and everything. Few weeks later she comes crashing into the guild, cryin- no sobbin."

I feel a pit form as he continues solid in his thoughts, detached in the way he speaks, he must have thought about this alot, more then a lot for him to feel so absent as he recalls. "The knights came right up to their door, when she answered it they knocked her out immediately, no chance for her to defend herself. They completely ignored her rights, they didn't see her as human I suppose...." He trailed himself off, becoming quiet, his eyes cast left, not breathing for a long span of time. Then he filtered back in, away from his memories, I dread what he'll say next. Gajeel is not the type of man who was emotionally weak, mental fortitude was what Metalicana had thrived on according to my dad, so if he was this shaken.... It couldn't be anything good. "When she came too, she was staring right into her lovers dead eyes. They killed her, they killed a woman who was six months pregnant because she dare lay with a woman."

I-

"She begged Master to save her, to save the baby, to do something! He couldn't., The entire guild tried so fuckin hard to help, but how the hell could we?" His eyes drop, bitter so bitterly shaking smile. "I dug for her, looked into the White Knight platoon that had done it..... You know, some people are fuckin sick? I couldn't tell her, how the fuck could I say to her that her parents had done it?" He drinks. Large drunken-like gulps. I feel bile so acidic form. Parents. I want to throw up so bad. Want to erase everything I just heard.

He steals my drink, I stare at the wood. "Salamander." Methodically I focus on his expression, straight-faced, serious as his persona. "Your lover, he a wizard?" My head nods on its own. "He can protect himself right?" Vision blurs, I can't find myself caring, the very thought of them trying to do what they had done to those poor women to me and Laxus shifts my entire head into lightheadedness. Laxus is more powerful then I. Maybe if I could be more clear headed I would deny that. He has, and can deal with a few White knights no magic needed there were tricks to it apparently.

I need to warn him. Why? Why do I need to, he probably already knows. Screaming, my mind comes with the thought so loud so frantic, I think it can't be me for a moment. I'm scared.

I don't want to fight. I don't want to run. I don't know what to do.

"He is- was a Darzird." A peek of humour whispers at the uncommon slang, its been awhile. Gajeel blinks at me, red eyes wide.

"Huh, didn't think you'd be into that type of man. Of all people." Warmth returns from the numb sensation. Its almost amusement breaking free.

"Shut up metalhead."

"No seriously, aren't they all meatheads with overinflated egos?" He wasn't wrong... Technically. Instead of irritation the comment is actually... funny.

"You dissin my man Black Steal?" He coughs out in his laughter, the tone in between us sits heavy with understanding, but not restricted by it. A strange comradence, far from friendship, but crossing unabashedly into respect. A type of stupid humour dancing between us compromising the serious atmosphere we had thus crafted. I open my mouth, wanting to add something ridiculous to the conversation and avoid the frozen topic from earlier. However, Gramps has taken to standing tall -or... short- on the stair ledge with a rather serious expression put upon himself. Clearing his throat loudly for attention.

"Erza, Grey, Lucy, and Natsu. You lot pay attention." Strictly speaking considering the present circumstances I was expecting some sort of reprimand. That is not what followed. "You have been selected to help our allies combat a dangerous dark guild." Erza breathed deeply, that reaction of settlement and with her anticipation. Although the thought of beating up a bunch of dangerous wizards has its appeal. Oddly, I know that I should be more excited then usual, but I know that dark guilds aren't always what they seem, so maybe its apprehension that holds my own eagerness back. 'Their name is the Oracion Seis, a guild composed of seven members," Did Laxus not mention them? I remember some sort of laughter following, but not much else., I'm pretty sure he was plastered that day.

"Great! When do we leave?!" Grey casts me a scowl,

I return it in equal measure, but that isn't unlike him at all. Were the situation less hostile between us, it could even be considered friendly, or our version of it anyway. One has to wonder just how such a teamup will work now. Grey begins a long, not thought out rant in complaint, while Erza starts to scold, I meanwhile, leave to go pack the nuances.

------------

Much, much later I lay on prone on the dirt path, a fallen young girl laying on my chest. Tears the size of raindrops coating my clothes, streaming cries of lonely fear. Shaking shoulders reminiscent to shivers, all representing a chill of absence. I understood all too well, particular to her circumstance I sympathize. Not long before now, her tears were ones of elation, relief that the place she grew was not a lie, that it had been saved.

Currently we are resting on a pathside fireplace our designated camp for the night, I wonder how long she will stay within misery. I say nothing though, instead I braid her hair for distraction onto myself, and so that it doesn't get dust or snot on it. I had very long hair once, when younger, I insisted that Igneel not cut it, until realizing that it couldn't be properly washed, Wendy wouldn't have had that problem. I did braid Laxus's hair as well, he had shoulder blade length hair once, I'd loved it, Ivan less so.

Wendy doesn't make any sounds only a gentle breathing and the fluttering of eyelids, fallen asleep from exhausted crying. I'm almost glad, hopefully the need will have fled her by morning.

_------

Stomach rolling, vision spinning I drop from the cart -if it can even be called that with all its spinning madness- Grey and Wendy laugh with all too different tones. Only for the slight on his part do I rise more quickly then normal. Certainly, he will find an invisible link should I fail to much before his eyes. Surprisingly I almost succeed in forcing myself up quicker then my body would find acceptable. Were it not for the way I saw the entire town shift onto a ninety degree angle, I might have been able to pull it off. Erza's metal elbow connects directly with my side and jolts me to a position similar to upright.

Needless to say, it takes me awhile to regain myself, and I do end up ungracefully falling onto one of the hall tables. Hips digging painfully into the wood -ha!- my hand also falls into someones drink. Which is sticky and gross -ha!-, but it also cools down the superheated nature of my skin at the moment. Obviously, I feel worse then normal, probably because I tried to rush myself, and this is the result.

Honestly, I want my bed, though the table is real comfortable right now, and I don't really care to move. Were Laxus carrying me in a hold I wouldn't protest, he's all comfortable and stuff. Only if he makes sure not to rock me when walking, but he's never done that to date. Hm, Laxus and bed, and lazy kisses sound real nice right now. Of course, he isn't here though, he would have come over by now, still on that stupid trial job Master sent him on. Someone mumbles to me, and I know because I feel their hand on my shoulder. Don't know what they could possibly saying, so I just grant them a thumbs up, and allow the table the company of my head on its cool surface.

No one touches me after that, and the lightheadedness ebates, in raising my eyes the room doesn't spin, and my stomach doesn't jolt forward as if wanting an escape. The noise hits me at once, but at least its familiar, everyone is once more clustered together, this time around Wendy speaking excitedly, and laughing among each other. Whatever had occurred to her in the past, I hope she can find some sort of salvation here, as I did. I'm sure no matter what she'll fit in just fine.

"Natsu?" I hear next to me, Mira speaking softly, clearly not wanting to startle after my own collapsing onto a table. In her dainty hands is a small letter, not sealed but clean and unfolded. She hand it me, and I recognize the bolded scrolled lettering anywhere. Laxus must have left it for her to give me, which means he must have been back before I was. That's annoying. I glance at Wendy first, because honestly I want to go and join in, but I know well enough my presence would not be a welcome affair, and would sour the greeting for the other dragonslayer.

Natsu,

Don't get pissy, I got back earlier then expected. Heard from the Master you went on some dangerous job with the red-head, spoiled princess, and that stripper. Reading this; I'm glad you didn't get your ass killed. Bet you probably battled that cocky asshole Cobra too. Eric can be a real pain, so I hope for mine and your sake you didn't lose any limbs. Only reason I didn't chase your ass down is because I heard that the Wizard Saint Jura was going to be helping out, otherwise I would have told Master he was a moron for sending you lot to deal with that guild. I'm sure you know they pack a serious punch, no matter how irritating that leader of theirs is.

I went on a quick trip to go and get some stuff I left at you-know-where, so I'll probably have to deal with my Pops for a few days.

I didn't get a chance to talk with Black Steel either.

I also thought since your birthday is coming up, I'd try to get you something special seen as your away. Our anniversary is coming up to right? Put out a list of things you wanna do and I'll see if I can arrange something.

See you at home.

~Lux

Typical. In pure stubborn nature I want to get pissy, just to spite him. I can't. He remembered our anniversary, and my birthday, which for someone with a bad memory to anything that isn't a grudge, is an impressive feet. Its also the fact that a gitty, bubble-popping sensation is rising at my chest at the fact he said 'home.' We have a home, living together like a normal couple. I actually find myself wanting to giggle -but hold it at the back of my throat in fear of Elfman.

Unfortunately I cannot ignore the springing understanding that Ivan will be a problem. Even as a Guild Master he isn't that strong, surely not as powerful as Laxus, but even the aloof man that he is. There is a lingerence that things needn't be bad between him and his father. That, more then anything concerns me. Still, worrying about that jerk won't get me anywhere but a world of stress, so instead I think I'll go talk with Erza who is speaking with an irate expression to Mira. I walk over unashamed and mostly unconcerned, knowing the two of them it is their familiar sense of sibling like rivalry.

"-but how?! Given the current laws-" Mira grins widely smiling like the cat who got the cream while Erza slams her fist on the table. From where I am I cannot decide if it is good-natured or anger that causes the action. In caution of her own nack for backstabbing her elbow -which is covered in armour I should add- I hold back from walking further.

"I know it wouldn't be easy! But Erza I saw it myself! Actually, he told me!" Erza leans close to the platinum woman, whispering so none can hear. I don't frequent myself to eavesdropping but the conversation is a strange one, and it has my curiosity skyrocketing. This is excluding the fact that the known warrior is blushing profusely, a twinkle in her eyes as if such information was a new set of priceless armour.

"I just can't believe it!" She says, and in hearing that. I have to admit defeat and announce myself because honestly I get nowhere with this. They can talk around anything all day, however: "Lux actually told you -" At the exact moment I want to continue listening because him telling anyone anything is more then a little rare, however, they stop as the Guildoors open wide and in steps the topic of conversation, conveniently hushing their whispers. Bandages are wrapped loosely around his forearms and he sports a black eye sharpening the blood from his split lip in contrast of purple and poignant red.

By the look of him I'd have to guess he hasn't cleaned them up. My mind flinches in butter reaction, my hope of his freedom from his father's violence as he joined Fairytail seems but a foolish desire. Maybe it was something I never understood, how someone could beat on their own child, how someone so unapologetically nonchalant couldn't strike back against his own violent father.

Knowing the routine I make my way to him, stubbornness will flare quickly and I need to deal with his injuries before he even starts. His mouth opens as he sees me, predictably..

"Sit, not dealing with your stubborn pride." His glare is smoldering, though he knows well enough I don't give a damn. For he sits regardless, wherein I can see his eye and lip clearly. At least they don't look infected yet, but his lip has a smudge of dirt on it, and that has me cleaning it with my finger so fastly he flinches at the press of my touch.. Before I can see fit to continue a sudden bell chimes, and the blaring echo of the towns loudspeaker covers the guild.

"GILDARTS SHIFT IN PROGRESS, PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. GILDARTS SHIFT IN PROGRESS." The old man is back early. I consider that. Although knowing of Gildarts as I do, I can only conclude that he had finished the job with little issue. Underneath my eyes I catch the m,ovement Laxus makes to late, and am suddenly grabbed by the waist, firm hands digging in as if I would take my leave reproachfully. Perhaps had he and I not been seperated, however, I find that with him so near so often I cannot allow for his disappearances as easily as I once had. The urge to forgo conventional spacing dwindled each day our company became more intertwined with each other. Where we had both previously shared a need of seclusion, I think under this change of pacing we both have found more comfort in proximity then we did before.

"We should make out." That on the other hand does give me a little shock, as well as a jolt of interest and caution. Laxus has never asked that in public space, certainly not within eyeshot of a light guild, nevermind his own aloof attitude. It doesn't really fit him, so I have to assume that circumstance must be causing to act strange. He pulls me in closer before I can respond.

He doesn't get very fair before the door opens with a bang. Gildarts not looking his age as usual, the tenseness of his face at ease as it ever was. I want to go up and get in a good punch before he can realize what hit him, a nice cuff in the back he'll be to slow to counteract, for old times sake. My boyfriend's grip on me tightens as soon as I attempt to move to do as I bid. His overprotective nature showing, and I swivel in on him, ready to give him a piece of my mind for not letting me see someone I know.

"Natsu, hey bud!" The ginger man cuts in before I get the opportunity to speak my mind, and I glance back at him with a familiar sense of home settling over my shoulders. "You've grown I-" He stops staring just behind me wide eyed before his entire demeanor changes, shifts in a way I don't recognize. He takes a step forward, and the floor beneath him splits, I feel the residual tremors and nearly fall over at their intensity, grasping for purchase at the table behind my peripheral catches Laxus standing.

His face thundered with concentration. I know it well, when he thinks there is a threat. I want to protest, however, my throat shuts tight at the expression Gildarts bares as well. Both of them see an enemy, and I just happen to be right inbetween the invisible battle.

"I wanna know why there's a dark wizard in my guildhall." An aura erupts from them both at the same time, a warning to the other to back off before a serious fight breaks out snapping, crackling I feel from Laxus has my static around me going crazy, raw pressure from the elder making my lungs choke. The severity is so impossibly high that their aura's filter through and there is a daunting mist of white pressurized air crushing the ground, alongside a stream of bright yellow raging into the atmosphere and causing my own hair to stand on end from the power.

Laxus has never displayed this much intimidating air around me before. Always keeping rather passive, but this is.... Not something I could have guessed to have happened, not to him. He'd never gotten serious in a fight before, always meandering his way through with a lazy step as I had fun taking down tough and easy oppoints at my own leisure. That isn't the case here, he's serious, angry, and its intimidating. Even to me.

"Back off." Laxus growls, and Gildarts jaw ticks.

"You want this to end as it did last time brat?" Because I will gladly comply." Another step shakes the ground, and I find myself sitting on the stone.

"Don't underestimate me."

"Shouldn't you be in Raventail? Does Ivan really think he can cozy up to Fairytail by sending in a spy?" A sharp crack broke the air with the unpleasant dispersion of magic power frothing around Gildarts. Laxus was hardly more controlled. The echo he invaded around him was a sting. Still both were holding themselves with a relative restraint even though the tension could snap at any given moment. Laxus was pressured and Gildarts sensed threat by the man he knew not. It was a bad situation, and I have the want to put it to an end before either of them reaches an apex. However, the grappling, stinging, suffocating magic power has me paralized, my legs refuse to move in any other way then trembling..

Maybe I would have felt more brave if I wasn't aware of my teeth chattering the sound lodging in my skull. My eyes still on Laxus, a vain showing on his temple, the muscles around his neck straining. I know both of them, I know both of them well so my own ineptitude is shitty at best. No one knows Laxus as I do, I'm the only one who can calm him down, Gildarts I've grown up with, however, most in the guild would hopefully be able to calm him down. I tear my eyes away from the fight of dominance and stare into the crowd instead.

There isn't much to see, a stone settles into my stomach at the cold glares cast to my boyfriend, obviously they trusted their own pronounced S-class mage more, but surely they couldn't be wanting a fight in their own repaired hall? This was becoming desperate. Where was Gramps?

I need to do something, anything besides sitting down and staring.

It happens before I can even try getting up though, Gildarts shifts moving forward in a leaning motion hand outstretched, Laxus shifts to his left side nearly coliding into the wall as the wall behind cracks and crumples. I'd never seen it used in an actual battle before, the fact that its being displayed in a brawl based on misunderstanding helps me little. Gildarts rears towards his target. Back facing me, and a horrible but manageable idea grips me. I jab my fingers using a slight flame on their tips into his knee, forcing him to stumble. As he does Laxus's gaze connects with mine wide eyed tension around his forehead.

"He's not a spy." I say, not shaking from the truth of my words. I get a sputter in turn, and face it with a glare of my own, as I stand, not graceful in the slightest.

"Natsu, stay out of this, he's strong he won't hesitate to leave you black and blue." It was muttered as a type of secret no one but himself could be aware of. Maybe through the tension and abusdity of reality that my chest bubbles and a laugh escapes in true humour. But considering the pressure so easily recalled from the atmosphere simply of hands pressing down on me in desperation has me coughing in laughter. It is with restraint that I manage to control myself, knowing well enough that I had at least two pairs of eyes staring at me in disbelief, honesty it was ridiculous even for me.

Naturally, Gildarts would have just assumed I was being my normal defensive self, walking blindly forward on my own conviction. He wasn't necessarily wrong. Unfortunately that moment is one to late, before in front of me Gildart rears light escaping a clenched fist before it connects with Laxus's jaw. It sends my body reacting, red smearing suddenly into my eyes, and fire lighting in a pit I had tried so hard to stifle.

Everything runs fast, connecting my foot with bone landing harshly, eyes looking down at me in glowing visage. The heat spurs onto my fist as I grapple for a hold on his hair, sound so loud blocks my rational. I tug as powerfully as my muscles contact to the strength put forth, Lower now, I can aim, before I can I feel something press on my chest. And all objects blur momentarily as my back connects with something and I suddenly cannot breathe. I gasp, it hurts, for a reason I don't understand. Everything blurs once more. Yet I can still see him tall and red haired raising from where he had been downed.

My back hurts.

My chest hurts.

My eyes are stinging.

My legs quiver..

The concrete doesn't let me move. I don't know where I am, but something runs down the side of my face, and its annoying and warm.

The world clarifies.

It hurts. Something stabbed me! Stinging into my back. My head pounds as I try to move it, my leg cramps. Something clumps in my throat, and I cough, with pain to my lungs. Something is wrong! I know! I open my mouth, working, I let loose a restrained sound, working.

"I-" Its quiet and my head screams at me for even that.

I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. My mouth opens on its own, pain already striking through my jaw.

"LAXUS!" HELP!"