So, I am alive, on the outside at least.

I'm sorry for ducking out so long, to be honest my love for Fairy Tail died out a bit, and then I got thrown into the sea of fandom only to come aboard the My Hero Academia. However, so many of you these past couple months have commented, saying you had reread this story, that you loved it, and that you were still eagerly awaiting a new chapter despite the abrupt 2 year hiatus. Somehow I was able to muster up the will to write more of this story again, I can't promise any sort of pattern to updates, and soon this will probably get pretty canon-divergent seeing as how I didn't read the end of Fairy Tail yet, and I'm not sure I will? It was dragging on a bit and I lost steam... however maybe I will go back and at least get some ideas on a few events to add in here.

Thank you all for your patience, understanding, support, and especially your kind words.

Now, after much waiting: Drowning Star

Lucy POV

It's so warm... I don't want to get out of bed.

I cracked my eyes open and saw nothing but sun streaking through my curtains at first, backing away a bit I saw I was laying down with Laxus' arms around my waist. My cheeks burned as I realized my chest was being used as a pillow. I felt his body laying between my legs, his arms tightened around my waist and my blanket was pooled by his hips, barely touching my shins.

"Stars above, he's like a meat blanket..." I sigh, I lift my mand to his hair and run it through the blond locks, it's so soft, are the spikes a side effect from static electricity? I chuckle and lean forward to kiss his head. I let my head fall back onto my pillows and run my free hand through my bangs, I didn't have any nightmares last night... I smile as I glance at the man before me, I guess he scared them all away, after all, what nightmare wants to fight a dragon? I grin at the thought of a golden dragon shocking all my fears away. I glance at the clock on the desk by my bed and my eyes widen as it read 9:52.

"I never sleep in this late!" I gasp

"It comes from sleeping with boss man." I saw Bixlow in my doorway grinning, no visor on, just the shirt and shorts Virgo brought him last night.

"You always come into a lady's room without knocking?" I smirk, sitting up, Laxus' head moving to my stomach, his arms still around my waist.

He grinned in a way that reminded me of a cat. "If my fearless leader's missing and the 'lady' in question happens to be his lady, well, I can't help it if my manners are slacking off." He sat at my desk chair and crossed his arms, "But you're both dressed and he's not all scratched up... so I'll assume you were innocent." He winked

"Yes, we were very PG-13."

"Oooh 13 eh? So some make-outs happened?" Bix smiled

"I don't kiss and tell." I chuckle

"What if I said 'pretty please' Cosplayer?"

"I don't care how sexually attractive the please is perv, that's between us." I smirk

He shrugged but stayed in his seat, "Had to try. After he saw your sleeping clothes last night I figured some control woulda been lost."

"I'm sure he's got more control than you give him credit for."

"True, now. But honestly he's changing a little around you. He's more... cheery than usual."

"'Cheery?' What do you mean?"

"His soul is calmer, and it doesn't seem like he's as on edge as he would be in a situation like this." Bixlow shrugged again, "Don't get me wrong, he and Freed are the man's with the plans, but normally something as crazy as what Master dropped on us woulda usually ended up with a large bar tab and at least one busted tree."

"Really?"

"Well, his sense of direction kind of sucks, so trees often 'get in the way' of his path, so he'd walk right through 'em... by making them into toothpicks." He chuckled before sighing, "So I think it's fair to say you've made him a little happier Lucy."

I blinked at Bixlow calling me by name before understanding his words, my cheeks flushed, "I don't- I mean I can't believe- er... I think you're overestimating me..."

"I've got a pretty good grasp as to who people are Cosplayer." He tapped the corner of his eye, "So don't get all shy with me when I say you've been a change on his life already."

"Bix... I- it hasn't been a one way deal... he makes me so much...clamer too." I blush, "I feel like I can only handle this because he's here with me..." I shrug a little as I run my hand through his hair some more. "He's my rock."

"Yeah, I know what you mean..." He nodded, his smile slipped off his face and he looked straight at me, "And I know you're going through you're own thing too... I don't know what happened while we were out of commission, but I know it hurt you."

"How did-"

"Your soul's a little... well sad... like, it's in mourning." He sighed, "I don't normally try and look, but I do see glimpses here and there. and when you and Pipi touched yesterday, I felt a pang of hurt... It was pretty loud."

"Sorry."

"Ain't nothing to apologize for, we all got that pain in us. Your's was loud and resonating... I'm guessing it's a fresh wound." He sighed, "And I know that there were some heavy hits thrown at us thanks to those Tartarous A-holes. So don't worry about it, I just want you to know that the pain you felt... it's not permanent... not if you have good peeps around you."

"Thank you Bix... I do have some sweet marshmellow-y friends here now, don't I?"

"You're so damn cheeky! I like it!" He cackled, "Anyways, enough of the sappy stuff, I came to tell you Freed making french toast and coffee."

"Awesome. I'll be down in a second. How do you wake this guy up?"

"Very carefully. You don't wanna get a grumpy wake up." He grinned before standing up, "Now I think I'll go grab some food before the black hole wakes up." He stood up and stretched his arms before putting his hands in his shorts pockets. "See you later Cosplayer."

I smiled my biggest smile, "Thanks Bixlow."

His cheeks flushed a little and his hand ran through his mohawk, "S'nothing to thank me for."

I reached out and grabbed his wrist, "No, it means everything to me that you're so... caring towards Laxus... and me." He removed his hand and grabbed mine, holding it gently.

"You make him happy, you make everyone happy..." He murmured, "Just keep doing that and you're taking care of us. Don't ever lose your light Cosplayer."

"I'll do my best." I nod

"Alrighty, well I'm out, too many cheesy lines happening here!" He cackled, tussling my hair, making the bed head I wore a huge mess.

"Oi!" I shouted, trying not to jostle Laxus too hard, "Stop it!" He did stop and I sighed, "Thank you." I muttered, pulling my hair and tucking it behind my ears.

"Uhhh Cosplayer?"

"Hmm?" I hummed while fixing my hair some more.

"Why's there a box full of leather by your bed?" His voice tilted up higher as he picked up the leather shirt and the collar. "Oh my god, is that a lightning bolt..."

"W-wait, it's not like that!" I stutter trying to move, but Laxus' arms are still holding me

"Oh yeah... you're name before I met you was the 'Killer Cosplayer Queen..."

"And who made that up anyway?!" I huffed

"I heard it from a few people, and was quite happy to hear that a chick like that joined."

"You would be!"

"Hey, I can appreciate a Queen." He grinned holding up the choker, "I'm sure Boss can too!"

"Virgo brought this stuff as a prank!" I groaned, My reputation is so freaking skewed!

"She has good taste... Well, I think I'll be off. Gotta make sure I get food before he wakes up."

"I'm already up..." A growl rumbled through my stomach as Laxus pressed his face further into my stomach.

"Sorry we woke you." I murmur

"S'not your fault... I can smell the food." he rolled his shoulders before sighing

"That's my cue to bounce! See ya down there Cosplayer." Bixlow chuckled before leaving.

"Morning." I smile

He unwrapped his hands from my waist and lifted himself up to look me in the eyes, leaning over he kissed me lightly; "Mornin..." He lowered his head and yawned. "Mmm... how'd you sleep?" He asked bleary.

Sleepy Laxus is really cute... "I slept well, thank you." I smile, kissing his cheek. "Seems like my scary lightning dragon wards off nightmares."

"Good to know I'm scary." He smirked before cracking his neck.

I followed his actions and stetched my arms up, "Only to my dreams, you're pretty adorable in reality." I sigh satisfied when my back cracked.

"I am not adorable." I cracked my eye open and saw he had that slight pouty-scowl he had when he was being teased.

"I'm afraid you're wrong there Sparks. C'mon, food's up and I'm sure you're hungry."

"I'm always hungry." He sits up on the edge of the bed, "Comes with being made part dragon."

"Do you-" I stop, it felt wrong to finish the sentence... we hadn't really known each other thta long after all.

"'Do I' what?"

Do you hate being forced to be a dragon slayer? "Do you think we'll be okay feeding you on our own?" I grin, "I'd hate for us to be homeless just because you're eating us literally out of house and home." He ruffles my hair, making it frizz up with static.

"Don't worry, I have savings, and Freed's used to helping budget meals when long mission expenses were breaking the bank." Laxus stood up and offered his hand, motioning his head towards the stairs. I nod and take his hand, following behind as he steps down. He stops at the bottom and leans forward kissing me quickly. "S'nice not having to lean down. Shorty."

"I'm of average height, thank you." I kiss his forehead before steppin around him, "Not my fault being a dragon slayer equates to giant."

Freed cleared his throat, he grabbed a couple mugs and poured coffee, handing them to us before sitting down. "Natsu seems of average height, he's actually among the shortest of males in Fairy Tail is he not?"

"He's-" I stopped to compare, Natsu was shorter than a lot of the guys, Jet, Droy, Freed, Bixlow, Gajeel, Even Nanba and Macao... Gray was only an inch or two taller. Even Loke had a few on him. "Well damn, he is pretty short compared to most of you. Romeo'll probably have him beat in a few years."

"Pffft, you make it sound like you just made the discovery of the year Cheerleader!" Bixlow grinned over his breakfast. Laxus snorted adding some cream to his coffee. I pet Pipi as I drink from my mug, Freed did the steeping absolutely right.

"Well, for me it's definitely eye-opening." I sip again, "After all everyone on my team was pretty average height." I put my mug down and grabbed some french toast, ham, and eggs. "So suddenly having to compare Nastsu, heck my team to the mountains that are you guys, Elfman, and Gajeel, is a bit disorienting." I admit, squeezing in between Laxus and Ever and across from Bix.

"Lucy? Are you drinking your coffee black?" Ever stage whispered

"Yes?" I cocked my head, "Is that bad?"

"I took you for a cream and sugars girl." Ever admitted

"Oh. Yeah, I guess I can see that. I usually add a little lemon and sugar to my tea, but coffee has always tasted better black to me."

"These are some good beans, 'a medium roast with notes of chocolate and caramel' it says." Freed read off my coffee bag, "Is this a local brand?"

"Ah, no. It's actually shipped into Fiore from Hargeon. It's what we always had in the kitchens at home. So I splurge a bit on it. Tastes like home y'know?" I smiled biting into my breakfast stack.

"It's good. This something Aed introduced to you?" Laxus asked

"Yeah, he's the coffee guru that led to my caffeine addiction."

"Who's Aed?" Bix asked

"He was our head chef in the family manor. He was like... a mischievious uncle?"

"Head chef, in your manor?" Freed asked, "That's right, you were technically a runaway, weren't you?"

"Yup!"

"Huh, we don't really know much about you, huh Lucy?" Bixlow mused "Let's play 'get to know'"

"What like 20 questions?" I ask

"Uhuh! You get asked a question by me, then you ask one, then Freed askes you, and you ask him!"

"I have to answer four times the questions!"

"We already know each other quite well." Freed replied, "It'd be a moot point for us to ask each other."

"Then I get to ask a group question. One that pertains to all of you." I grin, "No vetos allowed"

"Alright!" Bix nodded

"Sounds fun." Ever nodded

"We should probably keep it to one round for now, we do have to figure out our next moves after breakfast." Freed noted, "We can continue later."

We all looked at Laxus who just nodded, "Freed has a point, but sure, I'm in."

"Okay, so who first?" I ask

"ME!" Bixlow crowed, his totems echoing him.

I smile, "I should've figured, what's your question?"

"How'd you come to be a celestial mage?" I pause, that was not what I expected, blinking the surprise away I grinned.

"My mother was a Celestial mage, it's been in the Heartphilia blood for... about 800 years at least. According to my mom." I let my hand lift up behind me to my dresser and stroked the pouch. "They're my strongest connection to her spirit."

"A family line of the same magic... incredible." Freed whispered, "that's a very rare thing to have continued so long."

"So, what's my question?" Bixlow asked

"...How did you come up with the names for your totems?" I asked, I noticed a silent look from Ever and Freed passing, I glanced at Laxus and noted he was tensed. "You don't have to answer Bixlow, I understand if-"

"Nah, it's okay Cosplayer," He looked at me and pointed to his face, his dark green eyes seemed to flash light for a second. "You remember my magic type right? Seith magic isn't something you just know comes naturally... it's something that gets pulled out of you."

"My pops, he wasn't really... well, and I could see it. But I was a kid... I didn't understand what I was seeing. When I saw my dad... pass. well I ended up activating my magic and put his soul into the totem doll he'd carved for me."

"Oh, Bixlow." I grit my teeth, I hadn't thought this answer was so... deep. "I'm sorry."

"Nothin' you have to be sorry about... My dad reverted to a bit of a childish state. A lot of wandering souls do, tends to make it easier on them unless they're the vengeful kind... This guy here," He points to a stern looking totem, "Is Papa. He said this totem reminded him of his dad when he carved it, so Pa and Pa's Pa. Papa." He grinned, "Then we got Pipi of course, Pepe, Pupu, and Popo." He pointed, they all landed in front on my seat and I touched Papa.

"It's nice to meet you all properly." I look at Bixlow, "Thank you for telling me."

"It's okay, I know you won't spread it around." He lays his hand on my own on top of Papa, "You're one of the team now anyways."

"Thank you." I shudder out.

"Aah, stop thanking me." He waved his hand but still left the other on mine. "Freed, you go next."

"Ah yes, what made you want to be a novelist?"

"Oh! When I was a child, my mother and father used to have family reading nights. We'd make a fort in the library and read to each other. Fantasy was my mom's favorite genre and my dad was a pretty talented actor, he'd read and make the stories so alive. So when I was sick he's read to me, when he or mom was sick I'd read instead." I shrugged, "It was sort of a tradition, sometimes I'd make stories up when I'd run out of books and more weren't coming on the supply cart for a bit. Mom said I had a talent for it, and that stuck with me."

"I see, it certainly shows in the care of your writings."

"Thanks Freed! So I guess my question for you would be... what's your favorite genre?"

"I find all literature to be immensely intriguing, but..." He flushed a bit,"I do find myself enjoying romance novels, and horror novels."

"Really?!" I was continuously surprised by these guys

"Yes, I lack imagination when it comes to writing myself, but when I read a horror novel I do find it easier to see it in my minds eye, it's so darkly thrilling that the picture makes itself known in my head and the chills are invigorating." He nods, "Romance novels are a guilty pleasure of mine, seeing the... love blossom between characters is always heartwarming."

"Wait, so when you tried to out me on those trashy novels Erza and Mira gave me... you recognized them! Didn't you?!"

His face was fully flushed now, "I DO BELIEVE IT WAS ONLY ONE QUESTION, EVERGREEN, YOUR TURN!" Freed looked like a long stemmed strawberry with his hair and face.

"Mine's simple enough I suppose, what brought you here? To Fairy Tail exactly."

"Natsu. I ran into him in Hargeon, he helped me out of a small jam, so I repaid it with food. Then he bust in on the slave ship I'd been captured on and helped me again while getting rid of a Fairy Tail imposter. Once he was done destroying the ship, and the harbor we ran away from the army to here." I sighed at the nostalgia, "He went way overboard and practically destroyed all of Hargeon's port."

"Oh my god... he's a menace." Laxus snorted, "I'd heard about that but I thought it was an exaggeration since half the council was always pissed at us."

"Nope, where Natsu, and then Team Natsu is involved in, it's always total chaos." I huff, "To the point where we'd barely get paid because of damages."

"That sounds... dreadful." Evergreen muses

"Exasperrating" Freed empathized

"Insane" Bix chuckled

"Natsu is a bipedal disaster" Laxus huffed

...

"Pfft! That's the best description I've ever heard given to him!" I giggled, I held my stomach as I remembered him eating fire while walking, literally just a wildfire with legs. We all chortled at Natsu's breaking habits. "Oh man... wow." I wipe my face and take a deep breath. "So, Ever."

"Yes, what's my question?"

"What's with the fan?" I point out, "It suits you, but I always see you with it. is there a reason?"

"My fairy dust spell is useful, but it's slow activating unless I use the fan to spread it around, makes it easier to take a group down if I can just force them asleep. My stone eyes are draining, too much use and they get dry and I get tired." She pulls the fan out and flutters it in her face, "Also, it does suit me. Plus it's good for whacking certain people on the head with."

"Aw, and here I am not accessorizing myself for your sake! I'll start getting chrome helmets so you can see yourself in the reflection."

"That'd be lovely, thank you." She nodded

"Laxus, I believe you next?" Freed prompted, rolling his eyes at the two bickering mages. I glanced up at him and cocked my head to the side.

"Favorite color?"

"Wait, what?" I deadpan.

"Favorite color, I'm curious."

"Cream" I smile

"Cream?" Ever repeated, "That seems bland compared to the colors I see you wear."

"It's calming, I see it in all the little things I like. The heads of my celestial keys, my mom's favorite dress, book pages. Dogwood and Magnolia blossoms." I remember the estate and how it would overflow with sweet smelling petals in Spring. "It's the color of home to me."

"What question do you have for me?" He murmured

"Favorite music?"

"I do like that song, 'make you feel my love', but genre wise I like rock."

"Naturally" I nod

"And classical."

"Really?" I smile

"Mmm, I used to take music lessons. Piano and guitar."

"I took Piano and Violin as a kid. Didn't like them very much..." I reply, "I preferred singing while Mom played. Do you still play?"

"Not really." He shrugs

"I think the last time I saw you play was guitar... you were especially wasted." Freed grinned

"Remember what song it was?!" Bixlow cackled

"Oh god, that's right..." Ever snickered

"Am I missing something here?" I smile up at Laxus, he's not looking at any of us, only pouting into his coffee.

"He did an acoustic version of a boy band song. It was frankly, amazing but so very silly!" Ever grinned, "It was I want it that way, right?"

"This topic is over." Laxus groaned, he leaned down and whispered, "Please, Blondie, do the last question. I can't handle this." I pat his arm around me sympatheticaly and decide to make it easy.

"In one word, describe what you thought of each other." I smile, "Just you're immediate first impression."

Freed looked at us and pointed to Ever, "Tenacious" then Bixlow, "Mischeivious." and Laxus, "Imposing"

"Aw Freed, how eloquent," Ever used her fan to gesture back at Freed , "he was 'uptight', He was 'energetic'" she gestured to Bixlow, "Laxus was... prideful."

"Oh really?" Laxus asked, "I remember you calling Freed chivalrous and Bixlow boorish."

"That was after I got to know them. Same as you, you're still proud, just less in your face about it." She snapped her fan open haughtily, "Am I wrong?"

Laxus just did his one shoulder shrug, "Nope, so long as you accept 'narcissistic' for yourself Ever." He nodded to Bixlow "Wild and you Freed were uptight in the beginning."

"I suppose a written speech of introduction was a bit much. I can admit my past short comings." Freed nodded.

"I can give the same answer to all 3 of you. 'Hot'" Bixlow grinned, the totems chanting "hot" behind him

"I didn't know you swung that way Bix." I grinned, "Bi? or Pan? Oh, or Demi?"

"Pansexual here." He nodded

I smiled, "Cool, I'm Bi myself." Laxus looked down surprised for a moment before Bixlow snickered

"Technically, we're here, so you're not 'by yourself' Cosplayer."

"Oh my god, no." I groan, "No sexuality puns."

"Do they not pan out for you?" He chuckled

"Nooooooooo..." I groan to the rest of the Raijinshuu's laughs

AN: Yes puns. Puns all day and night. Puns 24-7