The Fairy Tail guildhall was alive in its usual way—loud, chaotic, and filled with the kind of rowdy energy only too many hotheaded mages could bring. Plates clattered, mugs spilled, laughter boomed, and bets were shouted across tables like it was some grand sporting event.
Lucy sat stiffly at a table near the bar, trying her hardest to look natural while sipping her juice. She'd only just joined Fairy Tail this morning, and she already felt like she'd been dropped into the middle of a circus. A very violent circus.
A crash shook the hall as Natsu slammed Gray into the floor, both boys shouting at the top of their lungs.
"THIS TIME, I'M GONNA WIN!" Natsu roared, his fists blazing with excitement.
"As if, flame-brain!" Gray barked back, already stripped down to his boxers. "You don't stand a chance!"
Lucy nearly dropped her cup. "A-Are they always like this?!"
From behind the bar, Mira chuckled, setting down a tray of empty mugs. "Every single day," she said with a smile. "You'll get used to it."
Lucy gawked. "Used to it?! They're trying to kill each other!"
Mira leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Oh, don't worry. They don't use magic in here. It's just brawling. Perfectly safe."
Lucy stared in horror as Natsu hurled Gray through a table, splinters flying everywhere. "Safe?!"
Before she could protest further, a shadow fell over the fight.
Kael Draven moved with a casual confidence that immediately shifted the atmosphere. Broad-shouldered, mismatched eyes gleaming, he stepped straight into the chaos without hesitation.
"Oh no," Mira muttered, though her lips curved into a knowing smile. "Here we go again."
Kael caught Natsu by the back of his vest mid-swing, yanking him backward like a misbehaving child.
"HEY!" Natsu barked, kicking wildly.
"Cool it," Kael said, his voice calm but edged with excitement. "You're not the only one looking for fun today."
Gray saw his opening and lunged, fist cocked. But Kael's hand snapped up, catching the punch in his palm without flinching. The crack echoed through the hall. For a heartbeat, everyone froze.
Kael's grin widened. "Both of you are sloppy." He twisted, hurling Gray into Natsu so hard the two toppled into a pile. "Guess I'll show you how it's done."
The guild erupted in cheers.
"KAEL'S JOINED IN!"
"Hundred jewels says he outlasts both of 'em!"
"Finally, some real fun!"
Lucy slapped her forehead. "You've got to be kidding me…"
The fight that followed wasn't just a brawl. It was a performance. Kael ducked Natsu's wild swings with ease, sidestepped Gray's jabs, and landed quick strikes that left both groaning yet laughing all the same. The others gave him space instinctively. Even in chaos, no one wanted to be caught in Kael's way.
Lucy couldn't look away. It wasn't just strength—Kael controlled the fight. Every shove, every taunt, every laugh spread through the guild like wildfire.
Cana Alberona plopped into the seat across from Lucy, tankard already in hand. She smirked, cheeks flushed from drink. "First time seeing Kael let loose, huh?"
Lucy nodded slowly. "He's… terrifying."
"Nah," Cana said with a chuckle. "That's just Kael being Kael. He's been like this since the day he joined—always throwing himself into fights like it's a game. He's not trying to scare anyone."
"But…" Lucy glanced at the crowd, at the way everyone watched him with something more than amusement. "They look at him differently. Why?"
Mira wandered over, polishing a glass. Her expression softened as she glanced at Kael weaving through Natsu's flailing punches. "Because he's not just fighting. He's teaching without saying it. He rarely loses control. He knows exactly how far to push, when to pull back. That's why the guild respects him, even when he acts like a fool."
Lucy frowned, still watching him. "So, he's not just reckless…"
"Playful, not reckless," Mira corrected gently. "You'll see."
Back in the fight
Natsu lunged again, eyes blazing. "STOP IGNORING ME!"
Kael ducked low, flicking his forehead so hard the dragon slayer spun onto his back. "Focus, Natsu. Temper's not a weapon, it's a leash."
Gray laughed, wiping a bit of blood from his lip. "Look who's talking."
Kael shot him a wolfish grin. "Difference is—I can back it up."
The brawl might have gone on all night if not for a booming voice.
"ENOUGH!"
The word thundered through the hall. Every brawler froze mid-swing, turning toward the small old man perched on a barrel.
Master Makarov puffed his pipe, smoke curling lazily as his face darkened. "Do you brats have any idea how much it costs to repair this place every week?!"
Natsu and Gray muttered apologies. Kael scratched the back of his head, smirking sheepishly. "Sorry, Grandpa…"
Order returned, or at least as much order as Fairy Tail ever knew. Laughter resumed, mugs clinked, and Lucy tried to calm her racing heart.
That was when Natsu rushed over, waving a job flyer in her face.
"This one, Lucy! Easy money!" he declared.
Lucy blinked at the paper. "'Daybreak'? It says… we're supposed to destroy a book?" She frowned. "Doesn't that seem… weird?"
Happy fluttered beside them. "Aye!"
Before Lucy could argue, Kael appeared at her side, brushing splinters from his shirt. He leaned over to glance at the flyer.
"Good eye, Lucy," he said simply. His tone wasn't teasing this time. "Most rookies wouldn't notice something's off. That's shady money."
Lucy blinked at him, startled—not because he saw it, but because he had validated what she already thought. "So I'm not just imagining it?"
Kael shook his head. "Not at all. Trust your gut more. You're sharper than you think."
Lucy felt her chest tighten. No one had said that to her in a long time.
"Too late, we're taking it!" Natsu shouted, snatching the flyer before she could stop him.
Lucy groaned. "Why do I feel like I don't have a choice here…"
Kael clapped her lightly on the shoulder. "You don't. You're part of Team Natsu now."
Lucy blinked. "Team… Natsu?"
"Yeah," Kael said with a grin. "Natsu, Happy, you, and me. a recipe for disaster—perfect for Fairy Tail."
Lucy dropped her face into her hands. "That is not reassuring."
Kael only laughed.
From behind the bar, Cana leaned toward Mira, just loud enough for Lucy to overhear. "So, Mira… looks like your little sister's got some competition now." She smirked knowingly at Lucy. "Better watch yourself—Lisanna and you both chasing after Natsu? Gonna be fun to watch."
Lucy nearly spat her drink. "W-What?! I'm not—!"
Mira only smiled, eyes twinkling. "Cana's right, Lucy. My sister does care for him. And you… well, you'll figure yourself out in time."
Lucy turned crimson, flailing. "I-I just joined! Don't make it sound weird!"
Cana raised her mug with a grin. "Too late, it's already weird."
The two women laughed together, leaving Lucy burying her face in her hands.
Kael watched quietly from the side, expression unreadable. Then he stepped forward, resting a hand lightly on Lucy's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Lucy. I'm only on this team for one reason—to make sure you're alright." His mismatched eyes softened, just for her. "That's my job."
Lucy froze, then nodded slowly. It wasn't teasing, or smug, or mocking. He meant it.
For the first time since stepping into Fairy Tail's madness, Lucy felt the warmth of belonging. Maybe she'd stumbled into chaos… but she wasn't walking into it alone.