Hello! This is my first fanfiction ever. The first chapter is mediocre, in my opinion, and so I'm uploading the second chapter tomorrow. It does get better! Trust me. :3

I initially wanted it to be beta-read, but I couldn't get anyone to respond to my requests, so...

~ If any beta is reading this and would like to check out my next chapter(s), please PM me! ~

Thanks a million for reading, and any reviews or, dare I say, favorites, are very much appreciated.

- Izzie-Chan

It was yet another noisy, sunny day at the packed guildhall. It seemed like everyone was there today, laughing, talking, or just drinking: Levy had her nose in a comically large volume, and Gajeel, who was gnashing on some iron, was sitting next to her. Erza was eating strawberry cake, Juvia was stalking Gray, Happy was chatting with Charla and Wendy, and Elfman was perusing the job board. Mirajane was tending the bar, discreetly listening and giggling at the two guild members seated on the barstools nearby. Gray was sulking.

Why is he just sitting there? He asked himself.

Natsu, the pink-headed dragon boy Gray was referring to, was sitting alone at a table, his face turned away from the bar. He looked miffed, or like he had something on his mind, but there was no way in hell Gray was going to ask.

If he doesn't want to fight, fine. Doesn't matter to me.

And there was something on Natsu's mind, something that made it impossible to think about anything else.

Lucy.

She was only sitting up at the bar, but it felt like she was a mile away. Instead of Natsu cozily perched next to her, as it should be, she was sitting next to him.

Loke.

The guild's favorite playboy was in another flirtatious mood, and although Natsu couldn't see Loke, he could easily hear his playful, suggestive chat with Lucy.

"Y'know, Lucy, I'd really love to go out on a date with you. I think we'd be very… Compatible." He smirked, his hand lightly tracing Lucy's arm.

Natsu grew angered, instead of just irritated. He didn't know why, exactly. Lucy was just Loke's friend, right? And plenty of guys have tried to make a move on her before. And besides, he continued thinking. Loke flirts with all the girls in the guild. How is this any different? But it is different, Natsu thought, because he's messin' with my Lucy.

This last thought startled him. My Lucy? Where did that come from?

He shook his head of these thoughts, and was just about to throw his chair back and beat Loke up when he heard Lucy's response.

"Loke," she laughed, playing with her lovely blonde hair. "Seriously, can't you take 'no' for an answer? I love you, as a friend of course, but I'm really not interested in dating right now."

Loke made an exaggerated pouty face, then, perking up, raised his eyebrow. "Well, then," he said, lowly, leaning towards her ear to whisper. "Would you let me sleep in your bed tonight? Natsu says it's so comfortable."

At this, Lucy felt heat rush to her cheeks, and it wasn't the thought of Loke in her bed that prompted her blush. It was memories of Natsu in her bed, holding her tightly in his strong, warm arms that made her feel this way. Sure, she used to try to kick him out of bed, but recently… she would give in more easily. Not hitting him as hard in the morning (or at all), making sure to leave room for him to crawl in at night, reciprocating his gentle touches. Actually, she thought. I can't even sleep without him there anymore. I miss him when he stays at his house for the night.

This last thought startled her. Where did that come from?

BOOM.

Lucy's thoughts were interrupted by an abrupt slamming noise. Swiveling around in her chair, startled, she looked up to see Natsu pinning Loke by his shoulders up on the wall. Although Natsu's hands were ablaze, his eyes had fire in them too, but not physical flames. He had a wildly insane look on his face, but also a sort of pained look, too. Loke looked scared to death, even though he was clearly trying to keep his cool.

Lucy was scared to death for Loke, too.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HER?" Natsu roared. "NO ONE TALKS TO MY LUCY LIKE THAT!"

At the first boom, the entire guild turned to the source of the noise. Now they were really staring, but Lucy and Natsu didn't notice. The guild was silent, too, and obviously startled. Unlike Natsu's fights with Gray, this was something different altogether.

Lucy had never seen him quite like this before, either. Except… when he was protecting her from whatever enemy they were fighting at the time. Then he had that look on his face.

"NATSU!"

Her voice echoed loudly throughout the silent hall.

Springing out of her seat, she struggled to push her way between Natsu and Loke, her eyes wide.

Natsu slowly let go of Loke, his eyes still burning intensely

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?" Loke yelled, still a bit shaken.

Natsu said nothing, looking away furiously.

"Are you alright, Loke?" Lucy said, turning to the lion spirit.

"I'm fine, thank you. Talk to you later, Lucy," He said, brushing his jacket off and stepping away. After shooting Mira a glance, he walked past Natsu and muttered, "Asshole".

Natsu was about to lunge, not yet realizing Loke was already out the door, when Lucy roughly grabbed his arm. When he turned his head around, her piercing gaze trapped him. Unable to move or talk, all he could do was listen.

"WHAT THE HELL, NATSU?" She screamed, shaking with fury, not even noticing the numerous sets of eyes attached to the scene.

"I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOU MESS WITH MY FRIEND LIKE THAT AGAIN!"

Natsu couldn't imagine Lucy like this. He couldn't remember at time she had been this angry with him. He fought with Gray all the time; how was this any different?

But Lucy kept staring at him. Her face said she was angry, but also worried and hurt. She seemed like she was about to cry.

Why? What made her like this?

Pain swelled up in Natsu's chest. He made her like this. How could he have done this? When he hurt Loke, he also hurt Lucy.

I hurt Lucy.

The thought reverberated in his mind. Hadn't he sworn, hadn't he known in his heart he would never, ever hurt her? Or let anyone else hurt her? But he had. He could see in her eyes.

"Why did you do that?" She asked, quieter this time.

"I didn't want him talking to you like that." Natsu replied, softly, eyes still locked on hers.

Tears finally welled up in her eyes, and she angrily let go of his arm, finally, after what seemed like an eternity.

"What does it matter to you?! You said yourself, that you don't like-"

Glancing around suddenly, Lucy realized everyone was staring. Everyone. They were all silent, listening, and shocked. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized what a scene Natsu, and she, had caused.

"BAKA!"She yelled, dashing out of the hall.

Natsu was left standing alone, hurt and angry. At himself. At Lucy. At everything. He stormed out of the hall too, doors slamming behind him.

As the entirety of the guild started murmuring softly about the scene that just occurred, Mirajane was still at her corner of the bar, open-mouthed.

This didn't turn out the way she had planned at all.