Paper Moon

Chapter Thirteen

There had to be some kind of divine being watching over her because the rest of the wedding somehow went off without a hitch, of course the bride threw a few minor temper tantrums and attempted to climb out the windows, but Mr. Okiwo was able to calm her down enough to continue with the ceremony. For Lucy, it was all too surreal and the stupid ceremony couldn't seem to go fast enough. Her head wasn't exactly in the 'finish-the-job' state, but no matter what, she needed to see it through. They were only required to be there for the actual wedding process, not the reception, so that was a plus that she was looking forward to. As soon as she got the all clear, she would be gone. For now, Lucy stood at the back of the ballroom, where the wedding was being held and tried not to think too hard about the events that had just transpired.

The blonde held in her yawn and shifted her weight from one leg to another. It wouldn't do to have her leg fall asleep. From her place in the back, she could just make out Natsu in the corner and Erza at the front. Erza and Natsu had been placed in charge of helping the servants set up the reception. Apparently, that was something Natsu could screw up and after bringing Mr. Okiwo near tears, he was put on surveillance instead. It seemed to fit him much better even if he was pretending to be a ninja. Besides being embarrassing, by the look on Erza's face and the twitch of her hand, the requip mage didn't think much of it.

Basically, if Natsu didn't cut it out, Erza was going to beat him.

Lucy hummed to clear her throat and looked around. Gray stood in the back as well, on the other side of the aisle next to Lucy. Everyone in the room was waiting for the bride to enter through those double doors. The guests from both sides looked exactly the same, dressed in various shades of lilac, it was easy to see which side was the bride's, as they all had a similar twisted grimace plastered on. Minutes crept by painfully and just before she was about to lose it and summon Gemini to imitate the bride, the orchestra started playing and all the guests stood at attention. The bride finally strolled in, and to no one's surprise, a frown in place.

"She looks unhappy." Lucy murmured under her breath. Gloris, the bride took her place at the front of the room. The music stopped and the priest started the ceremony. She heard Gray rustle next to her..

"It's cause it's an arranged marriage and the client didn't want his daughter running away or something like that." Gray leaned over to Lucy and whispered in her ear. She tore her eyes away from the wood pews, a sense of pity curled in her chest. I kind of feel bad for her, I've been there before… she tried not to think about the those days, when her father tried to sell her off to the highest bidder. It was better to remember him in his later years...

She looked over at the groom, it explained a lot, Gloris seemed to like tall, dark men and the groom was not exactly the paragon of tall and dark. Suddenly, an invasive thought popped into her head and she grinned wickedly. "Wait, how do you know?" From the corner of her eyes, she could see the ice mage freeze up and blush vividly. Oh? Did I hit a nerve? "Oh…" Lucy smiled mischievously. "Gray, you didn't do anything bad did you?" She teased, her eyes scrunching.

He scowled back at her. "It was nothing! She was all handsy and then she cried when I rejected her." Gray shoved his hands into his pockets aggressively. "That's when she told me everything." Lucy opened her mouth and went to ask him something else but Mr. Okiwo fixed them with a sharp glare. Eep! I better step away from him before he refuses to pay us. Losing two jobs' worth in one month was not going to help her rent situation. She shuffled to the left again and turned her head away. Not being able to speak to Gray again gave her an extra ordinate amount of time. Why was it that weddings were so boring?

The silence did give her time to reflect on the events of the day. More specifically, the person of her day.

Laxus.

Lucy nearly sighed dreamily. After all this confusion, one thing was clear to her, Laxus was into her, so much so that he traveled all the way here to Willow Creek instead of waiting for her to get back to the guild. It at least showed that the last couple of weeks affected him just as much as it had her. Her feelings were returned and soon, they would completely clear everything up and start over, hopefully together.

More than that, the thought of having the blond mage between her thighs caused a bright red flush to spread from her cheeks to her neck. Clear your dirty thoughts Lucy! You're in the middle of a job in case you forgot. She was definitely going insane, being on Natsu's team had finally gotten to here head. Great now I'm scolding myself. What's next?

She resisted the urge to impatiently tap her foot. How long did weddings usually take? Was it really that difficult to hold hands and repeat some words? Although the priest was now on some bit about holy matrimony; Gray leaned over once more. "What's got you so hot and bothered?" Lucy turned her head sharply and almost smacked Gray in the face with her head. She glared at him, wasn't he supposed to not talk to her? Lucy fixed her eyes straight ahead at the couple, before turning back and glaring at him harder. "Don't give that look, you've been blushing over there for a few minutes now."

"I'm not supposed to be talking to you, now go back before the client notices!" She hissed and scanned the room for Mr. Okiwo's scolding expression.

Gray shrugged, "he's not even paying attention to us, besides, wouldn't you rather not be here?"

Lucy dropped the glare and gaped at Gray. Just what was he suggesting? "Gray, I can't. We're in the middle of a job! Besides, what would I tell Erza and Natsu?" Her sense of nakama was so much more important. She had to finish this job, it wasn't too long before she could leave anyways.

"I'll cover for you, if you want." Lucy fought with herself on that one. Gray was offering to help her reunite with Laxus. The fact that he had offered really showed how amazing her team was because she was certain Erza and Natsu would do the same in Gray's position. What kind of teammate would she be if she just abandoned them in the middle of a job? It took all of ten seconds for Lucy to make up her mind.

Laxus could wait a little longer.

She smiled and shook her head. "No, it's fine, it's just until the recital, we can leave after. I wanna see this through." Gray shrugged and leaned back against the wall. Nonchalant as he acted, Lucy knew she had made the right decision by sticking to her team.

"It's cool, just wanted to help." Her heart warmed at the thoughtfulness of her teammate, Gray really was such a great guy.

"I really appreciate it." Lucy flashed him a smile and then straightened out and stood silently for the remainder of the ceremony. It was nearing the end however, and she watched as Gloris signed her name on a sheet and a glowing light eclipsed the room before disappearing again. That's it? Seems really short and impersonal for something that'll attach you forever. Lucy knew everything about contracts, from time with her father to her spirits, it just all seemed so formal…

The guests all stood once again and the newlyweds left the ballroom, guest filing behind them. Lucy caught a glimpse of Erza directing the traffic into coaches. It started to dawn on Lucy that perhaps her job might not quite be done. She was proven right when half an hour later, she was sitting in a small table towards the back in the second ballroom.

Where the recital was being held.

Instead of in a hotel somewhere in town having insanely amazing sex. Lucy shut her eyes and sighed before sitting up straight. "Will this job ever end?" She bemoaned and wallowed at her bad luck. Think of your rent. You need the money for that. Maybe Laxus would let her move in with him, then she wouldn't have to pay rent. Lucy sighed once more. She tapped her fingers on the table she was occupying before leaning back in her chair. At least she didn't have to stand, those ridiculous heels were killing her.

She heard the chair next to her being pulled out and Lucy glanced over at the noise. Gray set his body into the chair and leaned back. "Is this seat taken?" Lucy cracked a smile and shook her head. He was her quietest friend, so she knew conversation would be limited and she could pursue her thoughts uninterrupted, or she thought. "What's with the face?"

"What face?" He raised an eyebrow at her and she blushed. Gray wasn't stupid, he knew her expressions pretty well. He knew when she lied. "Don't worry about it, I'm just being childish."

It looked like he wanted to say something but said nothing. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, with Lucy tapping the glass table and Gray scanning the room. "Hey Lucy."

His voice interrupted her daydreams, she hummed at him. "Hmm?" Her eyes lazily followed to where he was signaling. Past the crowd of guests, past the bride and her scowl. Lucy's mouth opened in shock. No way, what's he doing here? Is he crazy? Towards the back of the ballroom, near the exit stood Laxus, dressed in a suit, his signature coat over his shoulders.

His eyes caught Lucy's, a smirk spread on his face and he nudged his head towards him. He looked so handsome, especially in that fitted outfit.

Lucy simply stared as a blush crept on her face. "I'll cover for you, go." Her eyes ripped from the dragon slayer to Gray. Is he offering again? Somehow, this time was impossible to deny.

"Okay, tell them I wasn't feeling so good." Lucy hugged the ice mage warmly, ignoring the shocked noise that came out of him and stood up. "Thanks Gray."

He smiled at her then, "No problem. Go get him Lucy." Lucy smiled widely at the ice mage and promised herself to cover for him when he hid from Juvia. Lucy dodged through the waiters and weaved past the guests. She quickly crossed the room and stood in front of Laxus. They stared at one another for a few moments before Lucy gave him her biggest smile.

"Hi." She said a little breathlessly. Lucy's hands were behind her back and she rocked a little on her toes.

Laxus visibly relaxed and smiled back at her. "Hey," before tensing up again. bemused, Lucy watched his expression as he struggled for the right words. What was he about to say? Should she be worried? "I promise I'm not a creep!" His face was tinged a pale pink.

Whatever it was, Lucy wasn't quite expecting that. Lucy scrunched her eyebrow in confusion. "Whoa, what's this about?" She looked at him in disbelief as Laxus averted his eyes. "I meant showing up here. I thought this would be really romantic in my head but now that I think about it, this is probably very stalker-ish and weird." He rubbed the back of his neck, visibly embarrassed.

She couldn't help it, a small giggle left her throat and he glared at her. "Sorry, it's just...I didn't even think about that until you mentioned it!" Laxus reddened even more.

"Oh."

"Don't be like that," Lucy said reassuringly and stretched out her hand, "wanna get out of here?" Laxus relaxed once more at her reassurance and took her hand in his.

Together, the two of them managed to sneak out of the wedding ceremony and were now on the streets of the little town. They walked in silence mostly, unless Lucy let out a giggle.

Laxus glanced at her and tugged at their joined hands, "what was that?"

She bit her lip before answering, not looking at him, but straight ahead. "I just, this is my first time skipping out on a job. I feel like such a rebel!" She chanced a look at his expression, Laxus had a raised eyebrow and he appeared to be holding back a laugh.

"Oh, is that all? Look at you, I might have to call the Rune Knights and report such a rebellious criminal." Is he trying to make a joke? He's so cute! "I could have Gajeel arrest you if you want."

"No, anything but that!" Lucy followed along and let her laughs out. What a bizarre turn of events. Here they were, mostly likely about to have insane amounts of sex with one another in the near future and they were attempting to crack jokes. Definitely the weirdest foreplay I've ever had.

She awaited his comeback and when it didn't come and instead Laxus stopped walking, Lucy looked at him again, confused. The tips of his ears were red and he looked nervous again. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

She was slightly taken back by the odd request but nodded anyways.

"Why me?"

Oh boy, here it was. The big one. How did she even begin to answer that? Where to start? Laxus let go of her hand and turned so they were directly in front of each other. His piercing stare gave no room for half truths. Seeing little room for any other action except for maybe sprinting away like she did last time, Lucy took a deep breath and attempted to answer the question the best she could. "It's a really long story and I really couldn't tell you all the little details. So I'm just gonna go with short and sweet. Sure you were a dick and all at the beginning, and you kind of are now-"

"Nice compliment by the way."

Lucy blushed under his scrutiny. "Do you wanna know the answer or not?" He shrugged and Lucy rolled her eyes but continued. "How does anyone really know? After that snowman thing that one time, it just started to search for you in the guild and my heart ran so fast when I would spot you, and I thought about you all the time, very inconvenient by the way, and I just knew, you were the one I wanted." She finished lamely.

"Way to keep it short and sweet. I definitely noticed all those stares, you're not very discreet, you know that?" He was teasing her, after she had poured her heart out, way to go Laxus. "So you decided you liked me because of a snowman?"

She pouted. "Well, when you put it that way…"

Laxus chuckled deeply. "I'm just messing with ya. I had a thing for you way before that so…" Lucy visibly brightened at his response. Did she hear that right?

"Wait you did?" Laxus looked bashful and took her hand again. He started to lead them back towards the hotel he was staying at but Lucy dug her heels into the ground. "Nuh uh, we're not going anywhere until you explain."

Laxus ran his free hand over his face, "are you always this difficult?" Lucy made so sign to move so Laxus let out an ever-suffering sigh. "I've had a thing for you since the Grand Magic Games." Lucy's eyes widened. Holy crap, he had a thing for me longer than I did for him!

"Why didn't you say something?" Lucy asked disbelieving. All this time…

"I'm not exactly the smoothest guy around there, if you haven't noticed." Lucy had to agree on that. She found it endearing most of the time, but vanishing for three weeks was a little over the top. "Besides," Laxus looked away and fidgeted with his coat. Lucy raised her eyebrow, waiting for the rest of his sentence.

"Besides what?" She could sense there was more to this than Laxus wanted to admit. Why did he look so uncomfortable?

"You were with Gray." Wait what? Did I hear him right? "It's okay, really, all the dragonslayers kind of knew about that." Laxus rushed to spit out the rest of his sentence while Lucy stood there, mouth open, and in shock.

Lucy didn't think anyone knew about that little fling with Gray.

It was rather brief, lasting only a few months during and after the Grand Magic Games. They were never officially dating but that didn't stop them from trying to screw on every available surface. It ended just as quickly as it started and the two remained close friends and their short relationship, if you could call it that, was left in the past as if nothing had happened.

"How-how did you know about that?"

Laxus let out a booming laugh. "We could all smell him all over you. Like I said you're not very discreet."

Lucy rushed to assert herself, "there's nothing going on with Gray and I anymore and we definitely don't have feelings for each other. It was really short and-"

Laxus tugged her into a warm hug, "I know, I'm not the jealous type, you don't have to worry. I only brought it up because you wanted to know why I never tried to ask you out. I do believe in bro-code you know, these things take time."

Holy shit could he be more perfect? Lucy was overwhelmed with emotion and surged forward, pulled him down by his tie and planted her lips on his.

Laxus was a little surprised but quickly followed. They stood there, in the middle of the street, kissing as if their lives depended on it. Lucy pulled away and smiled.

"Hey Laxus?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want, will you be my boyfriend?"

His smile widened and he chuckled once more. "I thought you'd never ask. Yeah, I will."

Her heart swelled in triumph and she threw her arms around the large man. Lucy suddenly felt giddy. Laxus Dreyar is my boyfriend! She could have squealed. Next stop, hopefully the bedroom.

Okay I'm so sorry for the late chapter, I lost my inspiration for this story along the way, and I had a difficult semester at Uni. I'm so happy with all the reviews and follows and favorites, you all are total babes and I love you all!

One chapter left to go, and I promise it won't take me five months to write it!