This is set in the modern era. It is also heavily -not really- based off of the song 'Hospital' by Lydia, so if you want to know the general direction this story is going in you can listen to that.

Apartment Balcony

Chapter 1

Old Fashioned.


Lucy Heartfillia couldn't help but smile uncontrollably when her boyfriend kissed her goodnight. She also couldn't help that she continued to smile even after he had left. And just when she was able to get her happiness under control her phone rang.

"Hello~" She sang.

"Hey, Luce. Just called to say goodnight," Her boyfriend's voice sounded on the line.

"You already said goodnight. You were just over here," She said as she plopped on her bed.

"I know but that didn't count since neither one of us actually went to sleep," He said

"Oh? Is that so. Oh, yea I forgot to tell you Erza called again. She wanted to know where you were."

"Did you tell her?"

"I told her you were at work" She answered.

"Ok good. She doesn't need to know I was visiting my brother. That would blow over bad," He laughed.

"When will you let me meet him?" Lucy asked, falling onto her back.

"Never. He's crazy as hell. He's killed people Lucy."

"I know but that's because of his disorder. You can't actually say he's killed people," She huffed. She knew all about her boyfriend's family. He had five brothers and a little sister, she was really close with all of them besides one of his brothers. She hasn't even met him. Hell, she didn't even know his name.

"I know but he's dangerous, everyone would freak if they knew I still visited him," He yawned.

"You're tired. Go to sleep. I'll call you tomorrow." The blonde said.

"Yea ok, Goodnight Luce," He yawned again.

"Night, Natsu," She hung up and threw the phone on the nightstand, groaning as she sat back up. She looked at the time and sighed.

9:34

She had to wake up in 7 hours but she wasn't tired at all.

Pondering the time again, she decided to call the only person she absolutely knew would be up.

"Gray!" She yelled when he finally picked up.

"Ow! Goddammit, Lucy. Calm down!" He shouted into the phone earning many looks from the people around him.

"What? Juvia called me and said you were mean to her again!"

"What! No! I just said that she couldn't let the baby drink too much water before bed! We're trying to potty train her for god's sake and Juvia isn't helping by letting the poor child drink gallons and gallons of water before bed!"

"Awwww~ You sound like a dad." She cooed

"I am a dad. You sound like a mom, what's your excuse?"

"I don't have one. You can blame Natsu for that one. He says he doesn't want kids. He says he just needs Happy. That damned cat," She huffed

"Ha! He's had that cat forever, it's getting old too. It ain't gotta live much long," Gray said as he finally made it home.

Lucy heard the sound of crying and laughed.

"You just got home didn't you?"

"Yea…. Lyon's twins are over and goddamn they're loud. One finally goes to sleep and the other one starts crying waking the other one up! And then both of them wake up mine! Lyon and his freaking fertile sperm." He groaned

"What about Sherry? I thought she had them this week"

"Nah, She's on her honeymoon with Ren," He explained. "Juvia I'm home!" He yelled as he pulled the phone away from his ear.

"You're happy though right?" Lucy asked as she walked to her balcony door.

"Yea, Luce. I'm happy," He smiled. " Are you?"

Lucy stopped and stayed quiet.

"Luce?"

"Lisanna was at his house again…" She whispered.

Gray stopped in his tracks and ran a hand over his face. "Fuck," He whispered.

"I don't know what to do. I want to trust him but after last time," She sat down on her balcony chair.

"He already broke your trust once. And the bastard has barely earned it back and he's already fucking around again!"

"GRAY! LANGUAGE!" Lucy heard a female scream.

"AHH! Calm down, woman. Juvia! I'm Sorry! Hey, stop throwing stuff. LYON! Don't you help her!" Gray yelled.

Lucy smiled gently and laughed as she heard more yelling and banter. She sighed and hung up the phone, deciding she'd wasted enough of Gray's time for one day.

She looked up at the stars and smiled. "Mom, what do I do?"

"I say you dump his ass," A male voice said.

Lucy squeaked and looked around frantically.

"Over here," It spoke again and she saw movement as he waved his hand.

About five feet away, on the balcony directly in front of hers stood a man. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Also didn't mean to eavesdrop," He said as he leaned against the railing of the balcony.

"No, it's fine." She said, standing up and walked to the railing herself. "Wow, I never realized how close that balcony was to mine."

"Yea poor design. You come out here often?" He asked.

"Only at night."

"That's probably why, it's hard to see," He said.

"Yea," As her eyes finally adjusted she finally saw the man before her. All she could really make out was that he was tall, she guessed he had brown or a reddish color hair. But the lack of light made it hard to tell. "I've never seen you before now did you just move in?"

"Nah I've been here awhile. I just moved rooms," He answered.

"Oh, cool. I'm Lucy by the way."

"I know. I heard the guy on the phone saying it. Again sorry didn't mean to spy."

"You could hear it from there?"

"Yea, I've been told I have excellent hearing." He paused for a moment,"Cobra."

"What?" Lucy asked looking around for the snake.

"My name. It's Cobra." He said.

Lucy giggled. "Cobra?" Lucy's earlier sadness was decimated as she burst out into a fit of laughter from the man's strange name.

Cobra growled, "Really? I really don't think we know each other well enough for you to be making fun of me."

"No! I'm not! Ah, I love it! It's amazing, I really love it," She said reassuring the man.

"Yea, whatever," He grumbled.

Lucy sighed happily and pulled her chair next to the railing and sat down, still facing her new acquaintance.

"You really should dump his ass," Cobra quipped.

Lucy's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

Cobra groaned, "Damn you're slow."

"Hey!"

"Your boyfriend. Dump him already."

"What do you know," Lucy said firmly, standing up and glaring at the man.

"Well, from what I picked up, he's cheated on you before. Call me old fashioned but a girl should never be cheated on."

"You know what. That's really none of your business!" Lucy shouted. She spun around and ran into her room slamming the door behind her and ripping the curtain closed.

Hot tears spilled out of her eyes. She knows that a girl should never be cheated on. But Natsu, Natsu claimed it meant nothing. That he was drunk and that Lisanna was just a friend that he had thought was Lucy in his drunken state. Lucy knew better than believe it but it hurt to much to accept the fact that it had happened.

Lucy collapsed on the ground her knees hitting her carpet, and her hands sliding on the curtains. Tears streamed down her face as memories of the morning after Natsu's birthday party.

She had walked into the house cups and trash everywhere, Laxus and Sting collapsed on the couch, Rogue asleep in the bathtub. Gajeel sprawled out on the floor. A few of Natsu's friends half-naked and passed out among the trash. Gray completely naked under the TV stand. Even Erza and Levy asleep on the dining room table. Lucy had went to find Natsu, assuming he was in his room. Only to find cloths spewed across the room, and Lisanna's naked body laid out on top of Natsu's. Of course she exploded. Screaming at her boyfriend, waking everyone up. Gray had done the job of beating the shit out of Natsu with the help of all Natsu's brothers.

But somehow the bastard had talked Lucy into forgiving him. Or so he thought. Despite the fact that Lucy had said she forgave him. She never really did.

She thought she did. But as time drew on, the more and more aware she became of the emptiness she felt inside her.

Yes, she felt happy when ever he kissed her or when they spent the day together. But when she was alone everything she hides comes out and breaks her down.

Every memory and thought came pouring out of her eyes as she cried into the curtains. The man she'd met forgotten at the moment.

Lucy cried until her lungs began to fail and her breathing shortening. Taking deep breaths she looked at the time.

10:23

Lucy whimpered and crawled to her bed. Pulling herself onto the pink sheets. She buried her face into the pillow and screamed. She was over it.

She just wanted to be left alone. Even if they break up, they would still have to see each other. They had the same friends, they were always throwing parties and hanging out. She would probably see him every day. How could she see him every day knowing he was probably seeing Lisanna.

Lucy laughed. She was doing that now. She was having her suspicious about her boyfriend, and she had the right too, but after Sting had called her this morning saying Lisanna had spent the night, Lucy knew. It was happening again.

Lucy didn't know what to do. And it wasn't just her relationship with Natsu she was concerned about. Lucy had grown to love all of Natsu's family. Laxus, Rogue, Gajeel and even Sting. And of course Wendy. Lucy was pretty certain that she would keep contact with them, but the issue was would they want to?

Lucy's eyes grew heavy as her thoughts started to fade. She was startled when she heard her phone ring on her nightstand. She reached and picked it up. Gray's photo flashed on the screen, he was probably wondering why she hung up. But Lucy didn't feeling like explaining anything to anyone. She watched the screen as the ringing continued. Then it stopped and her friend's picture faded. It was then Lucy saw her missed call logs. Natsu had called at 10:12.

Another notification dinged and Lucy checked it seeing it was a voicemail.

"Hey, Luce. I..um. I went to see Natsu and I kinda broke his nose. But I want you to know that I love you and Juvia loves you. Even Lyon asks how you are. So you're welcomed here anytime if you want to escape from life for a couple of days." Lucy smiled when she heard a female voice shout, "Is the Love Riv- Lucy? Tell her she's welcomed anytime!"

"I already did. Well bye Lucy, Love you," The recording said.

"Yes! Love you!" Juvia's voice sang. The recording stopped and a fresh batch of tears slipped from her eyes. She saved the recording and plugged in her phone. She laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"I love you guys too," Lucy smiled and closed her eyes, falling asleep almost immediately.

~AP~

"Lucy!" Lucy groaned. "Lucy! Come one! We're late!" Her eye sprung open and she snapped her head to look at her phone.

7:56

"Erza!" Lucy yelled. She fell out of her bed and ran to the door, not even looking as she unlocked it and swung it open. She barely registered Natsu, Gray, Juvia and Lyon standing there before she ran off to her closet.

"Why aren't you ready!? We were supposed to be there already. Oh my God, Erza's gonna kill us," Gray said as he grabbed his head.

"I know. I'm sorry I didn't set my alarm." Lucy said as she ran into the bathroom.

Natsu walked in and sat on the couch awkwardly fidgeting around. Natsu worried about last night. Gray had busted into his house, he had kept yelling about betraying Lucy. The guy had even broke his nose. Natsu had tried to call Lucy to ask what was happening but she hadn't picked up. And now they had to attend a wedding, and they both were in the bridal party.

They literally had to walk down the aisle together.

"Oh no. Lu-chan. You'd better hurry Juvia doesn't think that Erza will wait. She's been waiting for this day for 11 years," Juvia shouted through the bathroom door. Lucy opened the bathroom door, her makeup done.

"They're going to be doing my hair there, right?" She asked. Juvia nodded. Lucy through on a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, matching Juvia.

"I got your dress," Lyon said pulling the dress from the closet and zipping it into a garment bag.

"I got the shoes," Gray said as grabbing the black pumps and putting them in a bag with Juvia's.

"Thanks. Nat- Juvia can you grab my purse from my nightstand?" Lucy asked as she brushed out her hair. Everyone looked at each other at the change in name. But Juvia went to get the bag.

"Did you guys eat?" Lucy asked rushing to the kitchen.

Everybody shook their head. Lucy grabbed five apples and her house keys.

"Is that everything?" She said aloud.

"Phone," Lyon said as he grabbed it off the nightstand. Lucy nodded appreciatively.

Natsu sighed and was last to leave the apartment. Using his key to lock it behind him. He followed behind as he looked at the ground, he tugged at his shirt, nervous about the wedding.

Actually, that's a lie it wasn't nervous about the wedding. He was nervous about Lucy. She had barely looked at him in the apartment. He had to talk to her, he watched as she smiled with Gray and Lyon and he subconsciously growled. Lucy was his. Lucy would always be his.

They all filed to Gray's minivan and headed towards the church. Lucy smiled as she listen to Gray and Lyon argue about diaper brands. She never imagined her and her friends would end up here. She would've never imagined Gray and Juvia eloping and having a little girl. She would have never imagined Lyon have twins with Sherry, who was now married to Ren. She kinda imagined Erza marring Jellal, they have loved each other since childhood. But one thing she never imagined was Natsu cheating on her. Sweet and innocent Natsu, he didn't even understand sex until the they started dating. But now.

Lucy sighed and leaned against the window looking at the trees lining the old road. Her chest was aching and she felt horrible that she was so sad on such a happy day. All of Erza and Jellal's friends have been waiting for those two.

The car finally parked and the five ran out Lyon carrying the two dresses. Gray peeked his head through the church doors and saw Mira, Cana, and Levy still decorating. He looked back at his friends and brought his finger to his lips indicating silence.

Gray pulled back the doors and they snuck against the back wall, trying to make their way to the dressing rooms.

"You guys are late!" A female voice shouted. Lucy stopped, her heart beating so hard she felt it in her fingertips. Her eyes wide.

"Lisanna!" Juvia yelled.

"Erza doesn't' know your late yet. So hurry," She whispered. Everyone nodded and thanked her. But Lucy stood there her hands frozen on the wall. Her back was facing Lisanna, Lucy felt like she needed to say something but just by hearing the female's voice her heart was cracking. And every day she fought this feeling the cracks just got bigger. Her eyes began to water. She felt a small push on her back and looked to see Lyon with his hands on her shoulders and then felt a tug on her hands, and saw Gray holding her hands, gently pulling her into the dressing rooms.

Gray looked back to see Juvia talking to Lisanna. "Juvia!" He called. Juvia nodded and entered the dressing room.

"Ok, our room is right across the hall if you need anything," Lyon said as he hung up the dresses. "Now hurry. Mira gonna be here to do your hair" Then they left.

Lucy quickly wiped her face and sat on the dresser. "Juvia can I do your make up?" She asked.

"Yes! Please! I have such problems doing my own!" Lucy got up and let Juvia sit. She began applying it. She admired Juvia's complexion, her clear pale skin, and her dark blue eye. In Lucy's opinion, Juvia was the prettiest girl she knew.

Maybe that's why Natsu likes Lisanna, because she's prettier than me, she thought. Lisanna was beautiful, she also had pale skin and the prettiest white hair. Short and clean. She had an amazing figure, very close to Lucy's in fact. Lisanna was nice and caring. And they had made promises to each other when they were children. Natsu and Lisanna started dreaming about a life together before Lucy even met Natsu. Many people think that Lucy stole him from the Straus sister. But when Lucy met Natsu, Lisanna had been in a coma. She had been in a coma for years. But then she came out of it...

Natsu and Lisanna were fated to be with each other. And who was Lucy to deny fate? Tears dripped down the blondes face as she applied makeup to Juvia's eye. The blunette's eyes were closed thankfully. But Lucy couldn't stop the onslaught of tears as she sobbed and Juvia opened her eyes.

"Lucy?" Juvia whispered. She pushed the blond's hands away and reached her arms around her friend's neck hugging her. "Shhh, it's going to be alright."

After minimum explaining and a few dozen tears later Juvia knew why Lucy was crying. She knew about Lisanna now. She knew why Gray left the house so abruptly and came back with a bleeding hand. And why they picked up Natsu with a broken nose.

"Lucy here put this on," Juvia said handing the blonde her dress. Lucy nodded and did so. "Are you going to break up with him?" She asked as she put on her own dress.

"I think. I'm done with feeling like crap," Lucy answered, she motioned Juvia to sit down so she could finish the makeup.

Ten minutes later Erza came busting into the room. She sighed when she saw her bridesmaids ready. Lucy squealed when she saw her friend. She was of course in her wedding dress. "Erza you look beautiful!" Lucy and Juvia screamed.

No less than 5 seconds later, Gray, Lyon, and Jellal came running into the room.

"What!? What's wrong?!" Gray yelled as he rushed through the doorway.

"We heard screaming," Jellal sighed, "We should know better there is always people screaming with you guys." He stopped when he saw his bride. "Erza you look-,"

Lucy rushed forward and covered Jellal's eye, practically gouging his eyes out. (A/N Sorry)

"No seeing the bride before the wedding!" She wailed she pushed the three out and slammed the door.

"Ugh, men."

~AP~

Lucy smiled as she peered around the corner. It looked like the whole town showed up for the wedding. Erza stood behind her, breathing hard. "Calm down Erza. All you have to do is watch Jellal. OK? Just keep your eyes on him," Lucy assured.

"Ok, Ok," Erza whispered. Lucy eyed Natsu across the hallway and looked behind her again. Herself, Juvia, Lisanna, and Erza stood in a line waiting for their queue. On the other side of the hallway lined Natsu, Gray, Lyon and Mr. Dreyer, also waiting.

Lucy took a deep breath and without looking behind her said," Lisanna? Do you want to switch places with me?"

Lisanna flinched,"Ah, don't you want to walk with Natsu?"

Lucy was blunt, "Not as much as you."

"Um.."

Lucy turned around and stood beside Lisanna waiting for the other girl to take her old spot. Lucy smiled sweetly, despite her feelings. Lisanna nodded and took the place at the ahead of the line. Erza watched, she didn't mind the change. She just wanted to get the wedding over with and out of the uncomfortable dress.

Natsu watched as Lucy spoke with Lisanna. And his heart broke when they switched places. He looked behind him and saw Lucy was now paired up with Lyon. He audibly growled and Gray started laughing. The dark-haired man leaned forward, and whispered, "Did you really think she was going to walk with you? Did you really? Get over yourself," Natsu snapped his head back and almost hit Gray before Mr. Dreyer cleared his throat and growled.

Mr. Dreyer was Natsu's grandpa. But really he was like a Father to Natsu and all of his friends. They all respect and feared the tiny old man.

Natsu stopped and turned towards the front again and sighed when the music started. He walked straight to begin with, and met Lisanna in the middle, not meeting her eyes as she wrapped her arm around his.

Jellal blinked when he saw the change in alignment and gave a questioning look to Gray when he and Juvia came walking down. Gray shook his head and flicked his eyes to Lucy and Lyon now walking across the room. But Jellal's focus shifted as the Bridal March started and everyone rose to their feet.

His breath hitched as he watched his bride walk slowly down the aisle with Mr. Dreyer in hand. Her scarlet hair falling in waves over her shoulders and a simple white rose planted in it's depths. The long dress clinging to her chest and stomach but falling in ripples down her legs. His eyes met hers and he saw tears there. Jellal himself was about to cry too.

Everything the two have been through. They had met when they had both been kidnapped for human trafficking. But Erza escaped, she thought Jellal had been killed helping her off the island, but that was proved wrong when 10 years later a Medic found him unconscious washed up on a beach. The Medic happened to be Erza's close friend Wendy. But it still wasn't so easy. Jellal was wanted for things he was forced to do. And Erza was an FBI agent. After many months of hushed and slim communication his name was cleared. Now he worked as a FBI Consultant.

"Ok, before we officially start does anyone object to this union?" The Priest said.

It was then Mira stood from her seat, "If anyone says anything I swear I will turn into a demon and drag you to Hell. We have been waiting for this day for a long time," Mira said sternly, but then she smiled. Anyone who knew her knew never to be fooled but that smile. She sat down and everyone else didn't know to either hide or laugh. Then the Ceremony started.

Everything they had been through led up to this moment. The vows and ceremony were a blur to them both, just tears and love. The reception was even more of a blur because of booze and a different kind of love.

But Lucy remembered everything very clearly.

She sat there, smiling as she watched her friends dance. She jumped as a hand rested on her shoulder. She didn't have to look to know who it was.

"Luce, Can we talk?" Natsu's voice reached her ears.

She looked up and smiled, "Sure!" She said cheerfully

Natsu flinched at her fakeness and followed her as she walked outside. She smiled as she caught a quick glimpse of the perfect, clear night sky.

"What'd you want to talk about?" She asked

"Lisanna," He said looking at the ground. Lucy nodded, not letting her mask break. "We did it again." He whispered, "She came to my house and things got out of control but we had sex again."

Lucy nodded. "I know," she said. "And that's why I wanted to talk to you, too"

"You knew?" He whimpered. "How?"

"Sting."

"Oh," Natsu couldn't be mad at his brother, all of his family loved Lucy and saw her as their own family. "Are you breaking up with me?" He asked trying to mentally prepare for what he knew was coming.

"Yea, I am. I realized something. I never really forgave you for the first time. I said I did. Hell, I thought I did. But that was just doubt. And Natsu I don't like to doubt myself. I don't like thinking that I'm not good enough or that you love someone else more than me. I don't like waking up every morning feeling like crap because I cried myself to sleep."

Natsu stared at the ground, his eyes watering. "Luce, I didn't- I don't love her more than you"

"Well, if that was true you wouldn't have cheated on me when you know I'm always open to the idea of sex." Lucy said, her eyes burned. But she refused to cry.

Natsu met her eyes, "I- I'm sorry," He whimpered, he fell on his knees and wrapped his arms around her stomach, resting his head there. "I'm so sorry, please Lucy. I love you so much. Please"

Now the tears finally came. "Natsu, I can't stop picturing you with her. Everytime I close my eyes I see it. And I can't continue to do this," She cried. She knelt down and slid into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. He buried his head in her hair, hugging her tight.

"I love you so much," he whimpered.

"I love you too," She whispered. She pulled back and looked at him his face stained with tears. And she kissed him, she kissed him with everything she had, she poured every ounce of hate, love, lust and betrayal. Because she knew this would be the last time her lips touched his.