A/N: Hey guys! So, this is a new old story that I've got here for you. It was originally under a different fandom, but I was never truly happy with it. After some serious talks with myself (not in a creepy way), I decided to get that down and get this up. The new and improved Glory Box under the fandom that this story has waited for. Enjoy :o)

Summary: The Glory Box was Fiore's hottest burlesque bar, but the secrets held within were enough to make him sick. Dragged along for a night of fun, Natsu Dragneel finds himself drawn into a world he never knew existed. He has now been assigned to watch out for Lucy, the beautiful dancer he couldn't keep his eyes off. But appearances can be deceiving, and falling in love can be deadly.

Rating: M

WARNING: This story will contain strong violence, strong/offensive language, themes of a sexual nature, and drug and alcohol usage.

Disclaimer: Alas, I own nothing...

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September 2nd 2017

She had always assumed that she knew what love was. What it felt like.

It was just like the movies.

Boy meets girl, they fall in love, and everyone is happy; smiling without a care in the world.

But their love was different.

No words would ever be able to describe their love. Two souls destined to be brought together. Designed and created simply for each other. Their love was the type that the history books would never be able to write about. It was their love for each other that held them together in an impossible world. But as she looked down at their entwined hands, the blood seeping through their fingers, she realised that it was their love for each other that would tear them apart.

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Chapter One

March 2017, Six Months Earlier...

It sat behind Hargeon Station. Somewhere between Western Square and Lilith Street, hidden deep in the shadows and silently towering over the people. Few knew of its existence – its purpose – but those who did were happy enough to feign ignorance and turn a blind eye in the daylight hours. When night fell, that's when they came out to play.

The Glory Box.

Natsu Dragneel didn't try to hide his disdain as he stared up at the red glowing lights, The Glory Box staring back at him with the reassuring promise of living up to its name. Where all your dreams come true. Nothing but an empty promise, he was sure.

Drawing the last from his cigarette, the butt finding its watery end in a nearby puddle, he turned to face his friends, excitement and want dancing in each of their eyes as they stared up at the old brownstone building. He could already tell that The Glory Box meant so much more to them than it did to him. Their hunger being drawn out from the depths of them. It was almost enough to make him go home there and then. Not to mention the middle aged balding assholes trampling over each other to get a sneak peek at their own personal dreamland.

"I'm not going in there," Natsu finally scoffed through a humourless laugh, quickly lighting himself another cigarette as an excuse to stay outside that little bit longer. "Fuck that shit."

With excitement dwindling and panic setting in, the three snapped out of their lust fuelled daze and gawked at him in horror. Loke, unsurprisingly, was the first to complain, his arms flailing wildly in disbelief as his gaze snapped between the building and Natsu. "Are we even looking at the same thing!?"

"Yeah, what the fuck, Natsu!?" Gray chimed in, anger boiling within him. "We've been talking about this all week, man!"

"Knew you was gay from the beginnin'," Gajeel smirked with arms crossed over his broad chest, his attention briefly being caught by two scantily clad women being escorted in by a man whose shoes looked to cost more than what he made in a year.

Shaking his head, his eyes rolling heavenward, Natsu blew a cloud of smoke into the already putrid air. The plan had been to head out and get a few drinks. Not this. Nodding in admiration at a passing young lady, Loke smiled before grabbing his friend by the shoulders and pulling him closer, his smile quickly fading to panic as his small eyes threatened to pop out of his skull at any passing moment.

"Natsu, I'm begging you man, please!" he hissed, a look of pain washing over him as he turned to look at the building once again. "Do you know how near damned impossible it is for guys like us to get in to a place as . . . wonderful as this?" Grip tightening on his shoulders, he shook him slightly. "If you care for our friendship at all you'll do this for me."

Chuckling, Gray sauntered up beside them, stealing the cigarette from Natsu's fingers before finishing it and flicking it away. "It's not every day you turn twenty-one, Flame Brain. Might as well enjoy it."

"Twenty-one or not," Natsu replied, absently waving to the building, "It hardly warrants this. Can't I just spend my birthday getting a few beers with my friends? Shoot some pool, maybe get a bit fucked up and crawl into bed?" Loke went to respond. "Alone!" Natsu cried, cutting him off.

"No, you can't!" Gajeel huffed, grabbing the back of his shirt and hauling him towards the doors. "Ain't no way I'm wastin' another damn minute out here listenin' to you whine like a little bitch. You're goin' in and you're goin' to fuckin' enjoy it."

Fighting a losing battle – Loke and Gray pushing him on from behind – Natsu huffed before succumbing to his fate. With a friendship like theirs, there really wasn't any room for enemies.

The queue was quickly dwindling, raw lust in the air. Trapped between his friends, he could only scowl as they neared closer and closer to the entrance, the thundering music and joyful jeering washing over him in a wave of nausea. A large rounded man with a moon face stood at the door, his inky black hair scraped back as he ushered each man in to his own personal dream world.

"Come one, come all, catch your jaws before they fall! These girls are perfect, these girls are queens, these girls are the angels from your dreams," Natsu felt the bile in his gut rise as they approached. "Step right up, don't be shy, think of the regret if you should die," A chill rushed through him. "Forgive my rudeness, but it is my duty, to inform you of the wonders of a Glory Box Beauty."

"Cute," Natsu murmured as they approached the red velvet barrier, "real cute."

Eyes rolling heavenward, Loke heaved a disgruntled sigh. "Natsu! Lighten up, man!"

A booming chuckle from Moon Face stopped them dead. "Well, well, well, aren't you lucky boys. Very lucky indeed. You're in for a real treat tonight."

The excitement emitted from him. Like a child at Christmas time, he practically bounced on his heels, the glint in his beady eyes unnerving. It was instant hatred that fell upon Natsu, but no one else seemed to notice.

He nearly blew when Loke wrapped an arm around his neck, his excitement mirroring that of Moon Face's. "Birthday boy here will be getting a private show then."

Moon Face erupted with joy as he unhooked the red velvet rope that separated them from the hell Natsu was sure he was going to have to endure for the rest of the night. "How exciting! You boys enjoy now, y'hear?"

Casting a look of disgust over his shoulder, Natsu was quickly dragged over the threshold, Moon Face twiddling his fingers in a wave of encouragement.

"Go fuck yourself." His call went unheard over the music.

With a chuckle, Gray slapped him on the back as they made their way down the dark hallway, the only illumination coming from the neon purple strip lights that ran down the tunnelled ceiling. As the music grew louder, the dread Natsu felt grew tenfold. It wasn't that he wasn't up for a good night out – he was notorious for them. At the best of times he could drink Gajeel under the table, and there was no denying that the man was a tank; it was just that for him, sticking jewel bills in some girls g-string as she gave him a lap dance was not his idea of fun.

He was more than capable of picking a girl up without having to buy her affection.

You don't get them girls loose, loose were the words that followed them down the hallway, Loke letting out a whoop as they finally came to a stop at a set of heavy double doors, The Glory Box writtenin large silver lettering above.

"Gentlemen," Loke announced, his lip curling over his teeth in delight, "welcome to a little bit of Heaven."

He threw the doors open.

Yeah, yeah, yeah! Que no pare la fiesta! Don't stop the party!

And a party it was. With another slap to the back, Gray chuckled as Natsu took in the sight before him. It was unlike any strip club he'd ever seen, the vivid colour of feathers and sequence stunning him as he watched a few of the beautiful women The Glory Box offered suspend and dance above the large circular stage by long vibrant silks. They moved with such grace and elegance, something he didn't think possible with the choice of song. He scanned the room in awe, the red, purple and pink stage lights capturing every glint and sparkle.

The place was crawling with life, young women gliding through the room with drinks and snacks for the lust filled customers that couldn't take their eyes off the spectacular wonderland before them. Natsu watched as they paraded around in their extravagant outfits, most leaving nothing to the imagination. He watched as they danced on the bar and sat with desperate fucks who were more concerned with what was down their corsets than what they were saying.

"What the fuck is this place?" He finally managed to stutter. "I've never seen a strip club like this before."

"A strip club!?" Loke cried, leading the way toward a booth by the stage; more women gracing it as they moved and gyrated to the music. "Have to say, man, I'm offended," he carried on in mock hurt. "Can't believe you would think so little of us."

"I think you mean so little of us," Gray said, pointing between himself and Gajeel. "You, my friend, are nothing but a scoundrel."

Loke laughed, and they all fell into the plush black and red leather seats that surrounded the stage. With a smile fixed firmly in place, Loke slapped his hand on the table while pointing to one of the waitresses to bring them some beers, and to keep them coming.

"Thank you, sweetheart," he mumbled when a busty girl with big blue eyes placed the drinks down.

He didn't even try to hide his wandering eyes as he slowly scanned her retreating form. "No Natsu, my young Padawan," he carried on, taking a generous sip from his pint, "this here isn't a strip club. No, this is what they call Burlesque, and a mighty fine thing it is."

"Burlesque?" Natsu reiterated, a brow cocked in confusion.

Arms stretched behind his head, Gajeel wiggled to get comfy, his grin and gaze fixed to the stage. "Ain't nothing quite like it."

Natsu couldn't quite agree when he looked to the stage, the girls sultry dance finally coming to an end. There was an eruption of cheers and the lights dimmed. The music faded away to nothing and the room filled with darkness.

"Beautiful, just beautiful," a sultry voice rang out, silencing the beasts that lined the stage begging for more.

A single spotlight fell to the platform, capturing in it a fiery redhead wearing a dress of flames. Wisps of orange and crimson moved with her in a sea of chiffon, the gold sparkle lining the edges being caught in the light. She was beautiful, there was no doubt in Natsu's mind. She walked the stage with poise and elegance, a mic gripped gently between gloved hands.

"Aren't we in the presence of sheer talent tonight, ladies and gentlemen?" She carried on, slowly waltzing past to a modest applaud. "Now, without further ado, it gives me great pleasure to announce our next act for this evening," the crowd began to cheer again, excitement for what was to come, "a little angel who we have all come to know and love," the noise escaladed, the rowdiness twisting Natsu's gut, "ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage our very own Glory!"

The room erupted, cheer after cheer, each one louder than the last. Looking around, still in a daze, Natsu saw the hunger – the desire – in each of their eyes. Whoever Glory was, she was popular, he couldn't deny it; and the sad thing was, was that she was probably just another young girl who was desperate for fame and stardom, and would do just about anything to make it.

The lights faded to purple, Loke nudging his side in anticipation. With a muttered 'fuck off', Natsu turned back to the stage as the music began, a familiar tune that oozed sex and mystery. He watched as the silhouette of a petite woman stood behind a white silk curtain, coloured by the lights. Her long legs seemed to go on forever, Natsu thought, as they moved fluidly to the music. As the beat grew, so did her movements, the curtain falling to the floor and the lights rising behind her.

And it was like a kick straight to his chest.

The minute he saw her in the light – her long golden curls in wild disarray, her skin so flawless he feared even looking at her would taint it – the minute he saw her, he knew he was in trouble. He never looked away as she made her way up the stage, the pearly white costume she was wearing catching every flicker of light as she spun. He heard the faint snicker of his friends as he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he continued to stare up at her. There was nothing remotely stripper like about her, her modesty well protected by a white feathered skirt which danced round her thighs.

He followed her every move as she drew closer and closer to his side of the stage. Hair bouncing. Pearls shimmering. When she smiled his heart near stopped. Beautiful wasn't a strong enough word, and he didn't know if he'd ever find one that would be. She was Heaven. It wasn't until the song drew to its close did she look in his direction. Their eyes meeting over the lights. Her smile faltering slightly. That same kick to the chest, he could tell. For a moment it was just them, a cliché scenario, but it was true. Just them. Just the music. Just her eyes.

Then darkness.

Natsu was brought out of his trance with the crowd's cry. Glory was gone and the redhead was back, but her beauty paled in comparison.

"Well, well, well," Gray laughed. "Enjoy the show, Natsu?"

He chose to ignore him as the music picked up again, the stage coming to life with a new set of dancers. Clearing his throat, Natsu tried to compose himself, guzzling the rest of his beer before waving the waitress to bring over another. But no matter how much he tried, he couldn't shake the memory of her. Her smile. Her eyes. Deep, rich, chocolate pools that had stared him down. Stripped him back to his core. Eyes he didn't want to live without seeing at least once more.

"Man, she was hot," Loke broke through.

Natsu didn't know why, but his words corrupted her. Fist clenching, he chose to look away, focus on something else. And he couldn't deny that he wasn't pleased with what he saw. Glory, sat in a booth up the back, hidden away in the corner. He admitted it was odd. A dancer as vibrant as her hiding away, her hair falling around her face as she read a book. He couldn't help but smile at the sight. She was taking notes, her gaze shifting between the book and her papers. Engrossed in whatever it was that she was doing. She sported a pair of black thick rimmed glasses which she pushed up her nose with the end of her pen. They added a goofiness to her that Natsu liked.

There was definitely something different about her.

"Go talk to her," Gray said quietly, causing Natsu to jump. "She's not going to be there all night."

Natsu struggled to hide his blush. He hoped the lighting would, but it didn't. His friends stared back at him with wicked grins, Gajeel chuckling at the irony.

"Are you sayin'," he began in amusement, "That out of all of us, it's Flame Brain here that has a chance to pull. The one who didn't even want to come in the first place!?"

"You guys are out of your minds," Natsu huffed, falling back into the couch and grabbing his beer.

Scrambling in to sit next to him, Loke pried the bottle from his friend's hand and grinned. "Natsu, when was the last time you got laid!?"

"Has he ever even been laid?" Gajeel muttered, causing Gray to snicker.

Natsu glared, but didn't answer to either question.

"Dude," Loke began, his eyes darting between his friend and the girl in the back corner, "she's gorgeous, and she was definitely not immune to your," waving down his body, Loke struggled to find the word, "physique." Natsu sighed. "Look, just go talk to her, if nothing happens, fine – it's cool – but if it does, dude you are never going to forget this birthday."

He couldn't believe that he was actually listening to him. Loke was a moron. He even admitted it himself, but he was a likable moron, and one of his best friends. Glancing over his shoulder, Natsu felt his chest hitch at the sight of her once again. She was indescribable, and from what he could tell, definitely interested. The sly glances in his direction as she tried to read were a giveaway.

"Ok, fine," he said, the three showing their excitement.

Standing, Natsu finished his drink, downed half of Gajeel's, and turned in the direction of Glory. But where his heart had hammered before at the sight, rage settled in quite comfortably.

The guy that had approached her table couldn't have been much older than himself, his long bleached blonde hair tied back in the 'stylish' man-bun that seemed to be dominating the world. Natsu imagined that he would have felt jealous at the two conversing in the corner had it not been for the fact that Man-Bun looked bolshie, and Glory looked pissed. With narrow eyes, Natsu watched. His blood boiled when the Man-Bun lowered himself to sneer in Glory's face, his hand slamming down on her book as he shouted at her.

"What the fuck," Natsu practically growled, making his way towards them without hesitation.

The music seemed non-existent as he bumped past people, Man-Bun reaching down and grabbing Glory by the wrist, heaving her out her seat.

"Ow, you're hurting me," her voice rang out, "let go! Zancrow! Bora said I could study!"

"Stop whining and get up!" He spat back. "Bora wants to see you."

Finally reaching them, Natsu wasted no time in pushing his way in between the two. "She said leave her alone," he growled, his voice deadly calm. "So, I suggest you leave."

Man-Bun – Zancrow – laughed, his grip still tight around Glory's wrist. "Look, dude. I work here. She works here. It's business, so I suggest you leave."

"Or what?" Natsu challenged, almost nose to nose.

"Or I'll finish your sorry little ass right here." Was the threat as he pulled Glory around him. "Now, let's go Lucy."

The girl cried out in pain, her glasses flying from her face as Zancrow pulled at her. "I said, you're hurting me!"

Rolling his eyes and huffing in anger, Natsu sighed. "That's it," Sure as not to hit the girl, he threw his fist back and connected it to Zancrow's nose, the cartilage cracking under the impact. "Now, she said leave her alone."

Grip on Glory's wrist falling, Zancrow stumbled back, tears in his eyes and blood on his lip. "You son-of-a-bitch!" He cried, swinging for Natsu and hitting him on the side of the face.

Before he knew it, Natsu found himself on the ground hovering over Zancrow laying punch after punch into him. Left and right. He didn't stop. He couldn't stop. It was over all to soon when Gray, Gajeel and Loke pulled him off, Natsu firing obscenities in the rat's direction as he was helped up by a white haired giant.

"What the fuck!?" The bouncer shouted, coming to stand in between the two before Zancrow could make another move.

"Elfman!" Glory cried, stepping between him and Natsu. "Elfman, Zancrow was being an ass, this guy was just sticking up for me."

"Like shit he was," Zancrow shouted over the shoulder of Elfman. "He was just sticking his nose where it didn't belong!"

"Zancrow, relax," Elfman boomed before turning to Natsu, "You and your friends, out!"

There was a moan and a grumble.

"What!?" Loke cried. "Are you serious!?"

"Out!"

Lip bleeding, and eye bruising, Natsu and the rest were quickly ushered out, one final glance at Glory – Lucy – the closest he was going to get.

The whole journey out, Loke cursed Elfman's very existence, the other three telling him to shut up. Pushed out into the pouring rain, the door was quickly slammed shut, the booming music nothing but a dull throb in Natsu's skull.

"Hey, my taxes pay your wage, man!" Loke shouted in one final attempt at getting the last word.

Slapping him on the back, Gajeel sighed. "Somehow, I doubt that, man."

Natsu couldn't remember a time where he had been so angry. Wiping the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, the rain quickly washing the rest away, he looked to his friends, guilt riding alongside his anger.

"Look, I'm sorry guys," He said. "But he was hurting her!"

"Hey, Natsu," Gray began, hands up in defence, "we're with you on this one, dude. A hundred percent."

"Yeah," Loke agreed. "He was a bleached blonde, Man-Bun wearing, dick face. But hey, at least you got to look all macho in front of your little honey."

Natsu smirked and rolled his eyes. "Somehow, I don't think I'll be seeing Glory again." Feigning a shiver, he changed the subject. "Now let's go, I'm freezing my balls off here."

In agreement, they all made a start for the car, Loke immediately being caught up in telling Natsu how cool the whole thing had been; but before they had got more than ten yards away, they stopped dead in their tracks when the sound of The Glory Box's doors opened back up. Turning, Natsu was shocked to see Elfman standing in the door way, the anger from before gone, and small smile tugging at his lips.

"Yo, little man," He shouted, pointing at Natsu. "Why don't you come back inside."

Confused, Natsu hesitantly looked at his friends, but never moved.

"The boss wants to see you," Elfman clarified. "And believe me, you're going to want to meet him."

With one final look to his friends, Natsu slowly made his way back into the cesspit, the lights from The Glory Box shinning brighter than he remembered.
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A/N: FINALLY! It's done! XD Well guys, I really hope you liked the first chapter. I've not been well recently and had plenty of time to finish this story in my head, so no it's just getting it down. Please leave a wee review and let me know what you all thought. Also, please check out my other stories. For those of you reading 'The Good Girl', the next chapter is underway. Thank you my lovelies xoxoxox