-Lucy POV-

I was back at my apartment. usually, it would have been a huge relief. Nobody had broken in as yet and everything was quiet. It was a relief. But… "I wonder how Rio's doing," I said aloud, just to fill up the suddenly empty room. Even though I technically lived alone I wasn't used to actually being alone. It was strange for me.

Rio was used to being alone. I wonder how she felt about it? Did she not mind so much? Or did she feel like me, distantly surprised and strangely empty? Rio was so quiet and unobtrusive. If she didn't like being alone, which was entirely possible, then she wouldn't say anything. Even if she cried herself to sleep she would try to hide it. It took a lot of prodding to get her to say anything about her past, especially about her old guild. Not that it was much of a guild. I was worried about her. Rio. I couldn't decide if she was incredibly strong or desperately fragile. She'd been through so much and yet she broke down at the slightest things.

If I was worried then Laxus must be doubly so. He was so protective of her… I would never tell him this of course, but it was really cute. And I was glad Rio had such a strong guy protecting her. Laxus had changed since the Thunder Palace incident. And he'd changed even more even just this week. Part of that was Rio's doing.

I flopped down on my bed. My thoughts were all over the place tonight. When Archana attacked I'd been so worried. Now that she was gone, I was just as concerned. Rio was still in danger. She really shouldn't be left alone.

I smiled to myself. I'd just gotten idea.

-Rio POV-

I was back in my room. The room that was given to me. Julius was in my arms, taking up my entire lap. He was incredibly comforting to have with me. I wasn't quite so alone. Well… I wasn't really alone anymore. Laxus had promised and I believed him. But… I still didn't like being the only living person in the room. It was nothing like it used to be.

Being alone like that used to be a relief. I used to feel a paper thin layer of protection between me and whoever came down the stairs, be it Archana, Iuliae or my mother. Sometimes it was someone else but usually not. Nobody really wanted to deal with me and those three just showed up to use me or to hurt me. Now though… I wasn't so sure that would ever happen again. There were people who wanted to protect me from that. I really appreciated it. It made me feel safe when they were around. And lonely without them.

Loneliness wasn't something I often experienced in my life. For the longest time it had been Ray and me chained in that room forever. Then me and Mosoroth. Then I just sort of cut myself off from the feeling. All my feelings. Anger. Desperation. Determination. I cut all those away from me. But I couldn't get rid of the fear. Or the pain.

Seeing Archana again… It was scary. She and her spiders always creeped me out. And despite handling it relatively well in the moment… it left me a little shaken. I hadn't realized that until just now, sitting here without Laxus. I relied on him a lot now. And maybe that was a good thing because I knew he wouldn't let me down. But I wanted Laxus to be here right now.

That was selfish of me. Laxus couldn't spend the rest of his life with me hanging off of his shoulder, no matter how much I wanted to stay near him. It's just that nobody made me feel quite as safe as Laxus.

There was a knock on my door. I jumped slightly at the sudden noise but I didn't fall off the bed. I was sort of proud of that. I left Julius on the bed and went to answer the door.

"SURPRISE!" I was very surprised. So much so in fact that I screamed and jumped back and fell on my butt, heart racing.

-Ever POV-

Rio was just so cute! It hadn't been the best of ideas to startle her like that but I'd forgotten in my excitement. Lucy had come up with the great idea of throwing Rio a slumber party so she wouldn't feel lonely. It was probably the most brilliant thing I'd heard all day. Rio kept hugging Julius to her chest nervously but she seemed happy to see us.

"Um… n-no offense, but why are you all here?" Rio asked.

"Because it's a sleepover!" I explained delightedly. I knew we were pushing her boundaries and even making her stutter but it was good for her and Rio seemed determined not to get scared of us so I took it as both permission and as a good sign.

"Okay," Rio nodded then looked back up. "What's a sleepover?"

"An occasion of spending the night away from home, or having a guest or guests spend the night in one's hope, especially as a party," Levy reported.

"Did you just memorize that from a dictionary?" Lucy asked suspiciously.

Levy looked embarrassed. "Yes," she admitted.

"Oh, okay," Rio nodded again. I could see the gears turning in her head. "What do we do now then?"

I can't help it! She's just so cute! I hugged Rio all over again. She eep-ed again but didn't pull away.

-Laxus POV-

I was worried. Actually, no, that would be putting it mildly. I was stressed. So much so that no matter how long I lay on my bed I couldn't sleep. I'd walked Rio to Fairy Hills, hugged her goodbye and gotten a brave smile in return. Then she left. Now of course I was seriously regretting that decision. I knew I didn't need to be there by her side every second but that's not what my instincts were telling me. It may be an extreme reaction but Rio didn't seem to mind. If anything she seemed more relaxed when I was nearby.

I kept making mistakes when it came to Rio. Most of them involved leaving her alone. It felt like anytime she was out of my sight something bad happened. First with the storm, Rio had said it wasn't a big deal but I had trouble believing that. Then just the other day when she got attacked. That had been rough on both of us.

If she got attacked again now there was no way for me to get into Fairy Hills! The runes would keep me out! No. That wouldn't happen. I needed to calm down. Rio would be protected by the girls even if I couldn't get in there. But everything I had screamed that it should be me. I should be the one to be there and to protect Rio when she was in danger. Not that I would ever let her be in danger in the first place.

I groaned and sat up, feet touching the floor off the edge of the bed. My instincts just wouldn't shut up. I put my head in my hands and let out a breath. There was no way I could keep this up every night. We needed a new arrangement. One where Rio stayed closer to me and I could get to her if I needed to.

I didn't want to smother her or anything but I couldn't help it. I sighed. Maybe I should figure this out in the morning… If I ever got to sleep that is. I didn't see that happening anytime soon. Temporarily giving up on sleep, I went to get food. Maybe that would help.