Shall we dance? {LaxusXLucy} [By Sheyshen]

Chapter 4

"What are you doing here Wendy?" He asked curious.

"Carla and I had just finished a mission and were just heading back to our hotel room." Wendy answered happily. The mentioned cat was turning her attention away from Laxus as Happy came to greet her. Ignoring the other cat for the most part, Carla confirmed what Wendy had said. "What about you?" Wendy asked, tipping her head to the side while looking at the group.

"We're on a mission for later and were trying to find a place to stay for the night. But the hotel is full." Laxus answered coolly as he turned to face the group.

"If you need a place to sleep, you can share the room with us." Wendy offered, a wide smile on her face.

"Absolutely not!" Carla exclaimed. "If it were just Lucy I would have no problem, but I do not wish you to share a room with these two males and their tomcat."

"But Carla!" Wendy whined.

Carla huffed, turning to look away from the pleading eyes of her dear friend.

"There's probably another hotel somewhere in this town. And we have about three hours until the dance, so..." Laxus muttered.

"Dance?" Wendy asked, looking up at the towering blonde.

Lucy nodded, "We have a mission to act as guards at the dance tonight." She smiled at the little dragon slayer as she oooed in wonder.

An idea struck Natsu, and he grabbed Wendy by the shoulders gently. "How about this! You come with us to the dance tonight as Laxus' partner. And you'll let us stay in your hotel room with you tonight."

A wondrous smile covered Wendy's face at the thought of getting to go to a dance.

Noticing the smile, Carla began shaking her head vehemently. "No." She said, "No. Absolutely not. Wendy. No. We can't just let them stay with us."

Wendy looked at Carla, a forlorn expression temporarily hiding her joy, "But Carla." She whined. "We're a guild, we're a family. C'moooon." This and other whines came from not only Wendy, but Natsu as well. Finally giving in, Carla gave them permission.

Cheering, Natsu jumped to his feet and motioned for Wendy to lead the way. Curtsying, she led the group to the hotel room, where she revealed two beds close together.

"Lucy and Wendy in one, me and Laxus in the other?" Natsu asked awkwardly.

Laxus shook his head, "No way I'm sleeping next to you flame-brain. If I gotta sleep next to anyone here it's gonna be Blondie."

Carla grumbled at the comment.

"Then one of us on the floor then?" Natsu asked. "Lucy sleeps next to one of us and one sleeps on the floor?" The group agreed and drew makeshift lots to figure out how they'd sleep.

It was decided that Wendy would sleep with Lucy, Laxus alone and Natsu on the floor. Accepting the results Wendy and Laxus left the hotel to find something formal to wear for the party in a couple hours.

Unpacking her dress, Lucy cleaned off the wrinkles as best she could. Nodding at the display Lucy turned to see Natsu watching intently. Cocking his head to the side he finally spoke after a long pause.

"So..." He said, speaking carefully. "What is with you two?"

"Hmm?" Asked Lucy.

"I mean why are you so close all of a sudden?"

Lucy closed her eyes for a moment. Deciding it might be the best time, she began telling him everything that had happened the past couple days.

Natsu was shocked to say the least. Not only had his dear friend been attacked without him knowing, but Laxus had been the one to save her. And judging by the light blush on Lucy's face as she regaled the events, the rescue had left a lasting impression on the celestial Mage.

"I guess I have to thank him for helping you..." Natsu looked down, slightly ashamed that Lucy had been harassed while he was sleeping not too far away.

Lucy waved her hands in front of her, "no, no it's fine. He said it was the least he could do after everything that has happened." She smiled warmly at Natsu, leaning over to rest her forehead on his shoulder. "Thank you, Natsu."

He glanced at her confused, "for what?"

Lucy shook her head gently. "Well, for everything, y'know. Bringing me to the guild, and taking me on missions and helping me and all that." She sighed lightly as Natsu patted her head softly. "Just thank you. Really."

"We'll aren't we a cute couple." A low voice came from the now open door, heralding the return of the other two dragon slayers. Lucy jumped slightly at the interruption.

Twisting her head to look at the pair in the doorway, Lucy's eyes widened as she saw what they were wearing. Laxus was clad in a formal black suit, with a tie that depicted a stormy night. Standing up, her gaze focused on the little dragon slayer behind Laxus.

"Wendy! You are just...so...cute!" Lucy hugged the smaller girl, the pair giggling. Wendy wore a poofy white dress that ended just below the knees, with a matching white stole[K1] and shoes.

"I wasn't sure if this would suit me or not," Wendy paused, using her head to gesture at the taller dragon slayer, "but Laxus assured me that it was perfect for me." She smiled warmly, happy to have had a chance to connect with another dragon slayer. Wendy hadn't met Laxus until the fiasco with grimoire heart. And even then it was a fleeting moment of introduction.

Natsu stood up and walked up to the group, so he was standing directly in front of Wendy. Smiling wide, he placed a hand on her head, touching her hair softly as to not mess it up.

Wendy's hair was tied up in a pony, with a hair clip that looked like wings jutting out of the tied mass.

"You look beautiful." Natsu said happily before turning and retrieving the clothes he would wear for the night. Lucy followed suit and after much fuss and a summoned Cancer later both were prepared for the event as well. Lucy did her hair up in a simple bun with the silver hair clip and small chains holding it up, and wore her prepared dress. Natsu wore a deep red suit, with a black bow tie.

Happy wore a matching tie, and Carla wore a smaller version of the dress Wendy wore, but with a small white rose clipped to her fur. Happy made his way to the white cat and began fawning over her and showered her with compliments. Carla looked away, clearly embarrassed, causing Lucy to giggle at the pair.

Laxus cleared his throat and gestured to the clock, "it's already 6:30. We should head out. If you are all done preparing, that is."

He didn't specify who, but Lucy had a feeling that the comment was directed at her. Nodding, the group exited the room, Lucy leaving last as Laxus held open the door.

As Lucy passed by the lightning dragon slayer he coughed out a "You look nice."

Blushing Lucy looked up ashe turned away. She giggled, "Thank you Laxus." She paused, "you look nice as well." She smiled and followed after the group.

Trailing behind, Laxus locked the room and hurried up to the group as they made their way down the street to the party. Most of the previously busy street was now empty, and the sun began to sink towards the horizon. Looking at the array of colours, Lucy couldn't help but smile.

"What is it Blondie?" Inquired the tall blonde, cocking an eyebrow at the small, but sad, smile on Lucy's face.

"Nothing." She said, returning her attention to the path before her. "I just couldn't help but find it funny how the sunset looks so similar here as it does in magnolia." She sighed lightly, brightening her smile as she looked up at the dragon slayer. "That's all."

He felt there was more, but had a feeling that he shouldn't push the subject. A glance of concern from Natsu made Laxus shake his head, hoping that the fire dragon slayer would get the idea that he shouldn't push either. Apparently he had, as he nodded to his comrade, attempting a silent communication between them.

^_^