Loki's antics never seize to annoy me. Seriously!

Whenever he shows up, he flirts with me –or at least the first girl he sees, which is still usually me-. When I try to summon him Virgo shows up. And now, here he is, showing up –in my bathroom- even though I didn't want him to. I actually thought he would change over the 7 years that I've been gone. But no! He was openly gaping at my body. He's still a pervert. I felt kind of sorry for him -after I slapped him and closed his gate- since I know that that my spirits missed me after the time gap, but he did deserve it. I just sighed and hoped he learned his lesson...

But hoping wasn't enough when it comes to Loki.

Because the minute I wrapped myself with a towel, he was already sitting on my bed with a smirk on his face.

"I like your shampoo. It smells really good" he said with a seductive tone in his voice.

I just rolled my eyes at his comment. I am so not in the mood for this, I thought to myself.

"Loki, what are you doing here?" I asked him exasperatedly.

"Well, I think I'm staring at my master's gorgeous body" he replied smoothly.

I just remembered that the only thing covering my body was a towel. I crossed my arms over my chest. He chuckled when he saw me blush at his comment. Darn it, I thought as he locked his golden eyes with mine. I tried my best to glare at him.

"Okay. I'm sorry, Lucy. There's just something I want to show you" he smiled and took my hand that was over my chest.

"H-hey, let me put some clothes on first!" I protested. He just covered my eyes, ignoring me. There really was no point in arguing with Loki so I just let him lead me towards my living room.

"Do you really need to do that?" I groaned as we took little steps so I wouldn't trip.

"I'm afraid so, princess. I don't want you to ruin my surprise" he replied with a grin. Or at least he sounded like he was grinning to me. "I'm sure you're gonna love it!" he continued.

"I was actually referring to the way your arm is wrapped around my waist, Loki" I snapped at him. I pinched his arm as he chuckled at my comment.

Darn it, Loki! This is so embarrassing. Doesn't he know that he is literally breathing down my neck? I thought while grabbing my towel tighter to my body. I felt the wood under my feet and sighed with relief. After a few more steps he took his hand away and I was in the middle of my living room.

My eyes focused on a present on top of my center table. It was covered in shiny blue wrapping with a gold glossy ribbon. Pretty.

"You do know that you could've just handed me the present instead of giving me a trip to get here" I smiled sheepishly at my lion spirit.

"Aww, but where will be the fun in that?" he grinned.

Of course! And by fun, he meant making me as red as a tomato while grabbing my towel-wrapped body against him. I rolled my eyes and just shook off the thought.

"And besides," he grabbed the rectangular present and gave it to me. "This is really special –but not expensive special-" he said quickly before I could lecture him. "Special because this is from all of us" he added then smiled in a way that it would be a crime not to smile back at him, so I did. I kept my stare at the present while murmuring "thanks" so I wouldn't have to look at those golden eyes.

I slowly pulled the gold ribbon on one end then unwrapped the present which made a crinkling sound. I couldn't help but remember something. Though I didn't know what it was. It just seemed like this happened before. Me, slowly opening a present from Loki. But that's impossible. Because if Loki gave me a gift, I would've simply remembered. I got so absorbed with the thought that I almost forgot Loki until I felt his stare.

"Oh! Sorry, Loki. I was just trying to remember something" I told him softly. "Thanks for not rushing me by the way" I added with a smile.

"Sure thing, Lucy" he smiled back. "Did you at least remember the thought you were thinking of?" he asked expectantly.

I didn't think he would be concerned about such an errand thought but I answered him anyway. "Uhm, no. It's impossible anyway, so don't bother" I assured him.

I wasn't sure but he seemed disappointed with me not remembering. I just shrugged it off and continued unwrapping the present. I let the gift wrap drop to the floor as I touched my present. It was a simple, neat, old book and I liked it that way. The funny thing was that Loki wrapped it facing the wrong way. I was about to reprimand him about it and that he didn't need to give me a present –since we already had a party at the Celestial Spirit Realm- until I flipped the book over.

…

I gasped –or more like choked- after seeing the book.

"Lucy? What's up with the gasp just now? Was that the wow-this-is-the-best-gift-ever gasp or this-gift-is-so-horrible-that-i-can't-believe-i-even-talk-to-the-person-who-gave-this-to-me gasp?"

Loki's question was so weird and hilarious that I should be rolling on the floor right now. But no. I couldn't. I was frozen. I think he's still talking, but I couldn't hear him. It's like automatically tuned him out. The only thing I hear and see was the trouble my team and I got to because of this book. I held the book tightly, afraid to make the same mistake Natsu, Gray, Erza and I made. But there was also a part of me that wanted to throw it away.

This is bad… this is…

"…memory days…" my whisper was soft but sounded terrified that Loki stopped what he was about to say just to check on me.

"Lucy..?"

"This book… is bad, Loki" I turned to look at him and saw my terrified expression in his eyes. Loki's expression seemed hurt by what I said. I felt a tinge of guilt for Loki.

"Oh I'm sorry, Lucy. I guess I'm not that good with-" I cut him off to explain.

"That's not what I meant, Loki. This is a magical book. More like cursed. Trust me. The others and I almost got stuck in history because of this book. I'm sorry… but I can't take it" I said it as apologetic as I can so he won't feel bad, the continued "but I do appreciate that you guys wanted to give me a gift" I smiled and tried to look him straight but his hair shadowed his eyes. "Thank y-"

"No, Lucy" he cut me off. "You shouldn't be thanking me. It was my fault. The other spirits just told me that I should at least get you a gift that was from all of us. I, on the other hand, was too stupid to even know if the gift is bad for you. Ugh! I just rushed in to make the decision of getting you a book, since you love books. You're a writer. You like reading books when you're happy. You also like reading books when you're sad, and since the news about your dad seemed-" Loki stopped there.

I was shocked. No. More like touched –but not flattered- in a surprised way. This gift wasn't for me being gone for 7 years. It was because my spirits were concerned about me. They knew about my dad being… gone. They were worried. Loki was worried.

"Oh no. I-I'm sorry, Lucy. I didn't mean to make you cry" Loki's voice pulled me back to reality.

Weird. I didn't now that I was crying until he said so. He wiped my tears away and apologizing to me at the same time. I sighed and just hugged him –but still held the book behind him- so he would shut up.

"It's okay, Loki. I think you're really sweet. I really wish I could thank all of you guys" I said to my ginger-haired spirit.

I should really be careful of what I wish for. A second after I said that I saw a flash of light and smoke and two of my spirits were beside their zodiac leader.

"We just wanted to see what gift Loki-san got Lucy-chan, ebi" Cancer said while snipping his scissors.

"S-Sorry to intrude" Aries whispered shyly with a blush on her cheeks.

E-eh?

"What the-? You guys shouldn't be here!" Loki yelled, but was cut off by three more –poofs-.

Before I even knew it, Virgo, Taurus along with Gemi and Mini were in my living room.

"We're here, piri!" the twins said in unison.

"Loki-sama, how could you? Lucy-sama's beautiful body is mine!" Taurus exclaimed, smoke still surrounding him.

My cow spirit's comment finally made me realize that I was still hugging Loki. My face felt so hot. It was a good thing Loki didn't notice, or at least pretended not to notice since I saw a smudge of blush on his cheeks before he looked away.

"Why are you guys here?!" Loki asked angrily but still managed to put a smile in his face. He looked… evil actually.

Virgo was the one to answer Loki's questions with a blank face. "We felt that the princess was crying. We wanted to know what was wrong, so here we are. Her eyes suddenly shifted to Loki and her tone became serious. "And Loki-nii-sama was the one who made the princess cry, which means he needs to be punished."

"Hey! Wait a minute, you guys-" Loki started again.

I held the book tighter as I heard another puff of smoke followed by two more. I felt… weird. Everything seemed so nostalgic. Me, losing a parent, getting a gift from someone and feeling so tired.

No, I corrected my thoughts. I feel more like… weak. Weak enough to fall asleep…

And never…

I felt my grip on the book loosen.

…wake…

Then I just couldn't help but let go.

..up!

…