Gray, Natsu, and Lucy were all trudging back towards their home city. They had just completed a mission and although no one was seriously injured, they hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, 12 hours ago. To make matters worse, the client didn't have any money to pay them. Natsu had shrugged and told the man who had hired them that payment wasn't necessary but Lucy was worried about next month's rent. The mood among the team was a starting to get a little sour.
"Urgh, my feet are killing me," complained Lucy. "I can't wait to get home a take a hot bath."
"You should let Gray take a bath first, he stinks," grumbled Natsu.
Gray's hand shot up and smacked Natsu on the back of the head. Natsu punched him back at a fraction of his full strength. The dragon slayer was too tired to deliver any serious punishment.
Lucy groaned. "Does this mean you guys are planning on coming over to my place again? Why can't you guys hang out at your own apartments?"
Natsu smiled at Lucy and put his arm around her shoulder. "Your place is the best. You have the most food and the most comfortable bed." He ruffled her hair playfully.
Lucy frowned and poked Natsu in the chest. "You are not sleeping in my bed. Last time you came over I ended up sleeping on the couch and I am too tired for that tonight."
"Can I get the bed if I give you a ride the rest of the way?" Natsu motioned towards his back with his thumb.
Lucy considered the offer. Her feet were starting to blister and there was a good chance Natsu would end up sleeping in her bed anyway. Gray interrupted before she could answer.
"How about we hitch a ride on that?" Gray pointed to a small carriage that was being drawn by a single, sturdy looking horse.
"Not transportation…" groaned Natsu. His extreme motion sickness made him steer clear of any vehicle that moved.
Gray ignored him and jogged up to the carriage. Natsu and Lucy waited while Gray negotiated with the driver. A few minutes later he came jogging back.
"He's heading our direction but he's carrying luggage for a wealthy family so there isn't much room inside," explained Gray.
"That's fine because I'd rather walk." Natsu looked down and kicked a stone in the street.
"How much is it? I'm worried about making my rent this month," asked Lucy.
"Not much. I'll treat you."
That was all Lucy needed to hear. "See you later, Natsu," she said without a glance back. She was already at the carriage's door. She peered into the tiny compartment.
"It's almost completely filled with luggage. I don't think we can both fit."
Gray opened the door and hopped in. "No problem, you can sit in my lap." He pulled Lucy up and shut the door behind her. He peered out the window at Natsu and called out to him. "You should think about staying at your own apartment tonight. I'm not planning on leaving you any hot water or food."
Natsu gave him a dirty look and the carriage pulled away.
"That wasn't very nice," said Lucy with a small frown.
She felt Gray shrug and he leaned in so that his mouth was just inches from her ear. "I've had enough of Natsu's company for one day."
Lucy shivered. "Are you cold?" asked Gray. He rubbed his hands against shoulders. "I almost never notice when it's cold out."
Lucy shook her head. She was keenly aware of the touch of Gray's body against hers. She could feel his thighs beneath her own and his chest against her back. Thank goodness he was wearing a shirt, she thought.
It wasn't just Gray's proximity that was distracting. She was pretty sure that he was flirting with her. During the rest of the trip back, his fingers seemed to keep brushing against her thigh. Each time they did, Lucy imagined she could feel traces of his touch lingering after the contact between them had broken. Gray carried most of the conversation, keeping it light, but he was talking almost directly into her ear and Lucy could feel his breath against her neck.
Lucy's mind was racing too quickly to focus on most of what Gray was saying. She kept trying to sit up so that she wouldn't be pressed against the ice wizard so tightly but a bump in the road or a shift in Gray's position would inevitably send her back into his arms. She was also starting to worry about what would happen when they reached her apartment.
Two hours later, the carriage pulled up to Lucy's apartment. She had the coach's door open before they had even come to a complete stop. "Thanks for the ride," she said quickly. She went to close the coach's door behind her but Gray was already coming out. "I'm not really sure I have any food," she continued. "Maybe tonight isn't that best night to crash at my place."
Gray was paying the driver. "I'm sure we can find something," he said smoothly. "You always seem to have something to eat at your place and I'm starving."
Lucy's shoulder's sagged. They had gone so long at food it would be cruel not to offer Gray something to eat. "Okay," she mumbled. She unlocked her apartment and they strode in.
As soon as they were through the apartment door, Gray immediately took off his shirt. "Ahhh, much better," he sighed.
"You shouldn't go stripping in other people's homes," she scolded. Not that it would do any good, Gray was always undressing.
"Would you like for me to put something together for us?" asked Gray. Lucy shook her head and shuffled him out of the kitchen. "I'll just make us a few sandwiches," she said.
When Lucy was done with the sandwiches, she came out to find Gray reclining on the sofa. He was practically taking up the whole thing and it would be hard to sit there without sitting in his lap again.
Lucy put the sandwiches down on the coffee table. "Move, I need a place to sit too."
Grey smiled up at her and moved an inch deeper into the sofa. "There's plenty of room," he said with a flirtatious pat at the cushion in front of him.
Lucy felt panic begin to boil up inside of her. That was definitely flirting she thought. Oh god, what should she do.
"Uh, oh. I forgot the mustard," Lucy babbled and turned around hastily. She was too flustered and forgot that the kitchen door was closed. She ran smack into the door, hard enough to fall to the floor.
Lucy lay on the ground a few seconds too embarrassed to move. God, she was acting like an idiot. Gray's face came into her vision.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she grumbled. "The only thing hurt is my pride."
Lucy felt Gray's arms wrap around beneath her. He lifted her up and carried her over to the couch.
"This really isn't necessary," she said. She was starting to blush. "I'm fine."
Gray laid her down and looked at her. "I think you're going to have a small bump on your forehead."
"Great, just what I need."
Gray put his hand over the spot where she had connected with the door and Lucy instantly felt it turn cold.
"Guess that spell comes in handy for us klutzes," she joked. She still felt embarrassed and was blushing. Gray brought his other hand up.
"You feel kind of warm," he said, stroking her cheek.
"Well it's your fault." Lucy closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. After a couple seconds, she opened them and saw Gray watching her, waiting for her to continue. "I keep expecting you to make a move on me," she finished.
Once Lucy had said it, she felt better. Gray would now correct her and they would laugh about it. She waited for the teasing to start. Nothing happened. "Uh, Gray?"
"Well, I'm trying to but you seem all jumpy and it's making me nervous."
Fear clenched at Lucy's gut. "Well, if you're nervous, maybe you shouldn't do anything."
Gray frowned. "So you don't want me to kiss you?" he asked.
"Uhhh, uh," Lucy stumbled, feeling panicky. "I don't know… Well, I guess… Ahhh…"
Suddenly she felt Grey's mouth press against hers. His lips were soft and coaxed hers into kissing him back. It was wonderful. Grey was only the second boy she had ever kissed and that was counting Elliot Measter from the third grade. Lucy eased into the kiss and felt her trepidation melt away. What had she been so scared of? This was great. Lucy ran her hands through his hair, bringing him closer to her. After a few minutes Gray pulled away, much to Lucy's annoyance.
Gray was grinning at her. "So, what do you think?"
"I think you are a good kisser." Lucy wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and brought him into another kiss. Gray was starting to climb on top of her when they were interrupted by a crash outside.
Lucy and Gray stared at each other for a minute and then realization washed over them. "Oh crap, that is probably Natsu," said Gray.
Luffy fan: I have just spent several weeks watching this anime and I love it so I wanted to write a quick little story. I have a couple other stories that I need to finish so this will only be another chapter (I think). I also had an idea for a Lucy X Natsu story but I want to finish up some other things before I tried that. I would love any reviews! Thanks for reading.