AN: This is my third piece for LaLu week and my entry for Day 4: Purple. I've been wanting to do a LaLu piece with Dragon Slayer mates.

"Picture, you're the queen of everything

As far as the eye can see

Under your command"

Lucy was not looking forward to entering the guild. Wrapped in bandages and purple bruises was not the way she wanted to see him again after being away for over a week. She had half a mind to go back to her apartment, but knew it would be for naught. He would show up which beat the point of not going to the guild. Might as well get this over with. She sighed.

The Celestial Mage ignored the amused look Ezra and Gray shared. She narrowed her eyes on Happy when he glanced at her and pressed his paw against his mouth to contain his chuckle, but failed miserably. Natsu was the only one who wasn't giving her any grief, but he was the one running toward the guild doors and pushed them open.

"We're back!" he yelled announcing their return.

"Welcome back!" A few of their guild members said in greeting, but one look at their darling Celestial Mage had the guild going quiet. It was not a silence filled with tension, but with anticipation.

Heavy footsteps coming down the stairs filled the silence.

"Laxus!" Natsu raised a flame licked fist at the approaching Dragon Slayer. "Fight me!"

Lucy mentally sighed. She could already feel his lividness and she didn't even have to look at her nakama to see they were enjoying this.

The moment the guild doors opened Laxus knew she came back before Natsu even announced it. Her scent hit him before he caught sight of her. From his spot on the second floor he had a perfect view of Team Natsu. It was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because he finally got to see her again. A curse because the moment he saw the bandages and purple bruises that marred her flesh he saw red.

"Not now Natsu." Laxus walked passed him with his arms crossed and stopped right in front of Lucy.

"It's not as bad as it looks."

He knew she was trying to pacify him, but the instinct within him raged that he should have been there. He should have protected her. If he couldn't protect her then he must carry out retribution against those who did this to her. "Those responsible?"

"I dealt with them." A corner of her lips curved upward into a grin.

That's my girl. Pride swelled within his chest and quelled his thirst for vengeance.

"I'll have Wendy heal me."

"She's not here." His fingers curled gently around her arm and heard her heart skip a beat at the contact. His thumb slid over the purple bruise and she trembled under his soft touch.

"Then they'll simply heal with time." Her voice a whisper only for him. A reassurance that she knew he needed.

Laxus knew she was right, but a Dragon Slayer's mate was their most prized possession. May the Gods have mercy on any who tried to hurt or take her from him because he won't.

"I will be your guardian

When all is crumbling

I steady your hand"

-Never Say Never (The Fray)

AN: I apologize for any grammatical errors. Even though it ended up being small I hope you guys liked it. Please don't forget to review telling me what you think. I love hearing from you guys! =D