i wrote this in like 15 minutes so
don't hate, appreciate ~
disclaimer: i do not own fairy tail
He had her first.
It's selfish to think like that, he knows — but it's true, dammit. It's true, but it's never that simple.
They all had a little piece of her — him, Happy, Gray, Erza; but he had it first.
But it doesn't matter, not really.
Because as he watches Gray playfully tug her hair, he realizes that what really draws him (and Gray and Loke and — ) in was that Lucy gave bits and pieces of herself to everyone she meets, friend or enemy, and she still greets everyone with a smile that burns him more than the fire he wields ever could.
And he can't begrudge her that, because it's Lucy and she's always been like that — as bright as the sun, blinding like a supernova, making room in her heart for endless amounts of people.
Gray sees this, too.
Natsu thinks it could be worse. Gray is strong and fierce and determined and he would protect Lucy and care for her and —
Natsu takes a swig of his drink, the alcohol searing his insides as it went down.
Gray would love her. Does love her.
He watches Lucy puff out her cheeks in irritation as she swats the ice boy's hand away from her ponytail, her face dusted an adorable, pink blush at his antics.
And he watches, as they share secret smiles and brushes of hands under the table.
Natsu may have had her first, but Gray had her second, and her third, and her fourth —
And Natsu realizes this is one battle he couldn't beat his rival in.