Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the characters (but I wish I owned Gray xD)

Thank you to those of you who have reviewed A couple of you were concerned about the way Natsu was acting, and I agree that it seems like a weird behavior for him as well. It was almost painful to even think that he could do such a thing. But the characters seem to be acting on their own at this point. I'm surprised I've even made it to a third chapter. In any case, keep on reading, and you might just find out what's really going on… :P

Lucy held herself tightly as she walked back to her apartment. A slight breeze rustled her blonde locks, and her eyes remained glued to the cobblestone road. Plue followed closely behind her, listening to her as she confessed her worries. "I hope I didn't worry Mirajane too much," she sighed. "It's just been difficult keeping all of this to myself for the past month." She turned her eyes up to the fiery red sky. "But I love Natsu and I know he loves me too. We'll definitely get through this together." Her heart lightened at the thought and her lips curled into a sweet smile.

After walking a couple more blocks, she paused in front of a bookstore, deciding whether or not to enter. "I just wish I could see the real Natsu for more than a few minutes at a time though," she whispered. "It's quite a dilemma, isn't it, Plue?" She smiled sadly at the dog-like creature by her feet. Slowly, she turned her head forward, and entered the bookstore.

Further back down the road, Gray was walking at a casual pace. "She hasn't seemed to notice me yet," he muttered. "Her mind must be really preoccupied." He stopped, still far enough from the bookstore that he wouldn't be noticed. I wonder what kind of book she'll get today, he thought. He stepped back into a nearby alley and waited.

Shortly after, Lucy emerged from the store with a fairly large book in one of her hands. Gray squinted to make out the title of the book. "Looks like something about dispelling curses," he mumbled. He wasn't sure what to think. She could be researching something for one of her novels, or she might have just picked up the book out of sheer curiosity. Having a growing curiosity of his own, Gray continued to follow the girl silently.

...

Lucy walked up the steps to her apartment door, having already sent Plue back to the spirit world. She removed her keys from her belt (she had decided it would be easiest just to keep her house keys with her summoning keys), unlocked the door, took a deep breath, and entered slowly. She was startled to find Natsu shirtless, back against the couch, knees drawn to his chest, with his head in his hands. "Natsu?" she cried, running to her boyfriend's side. She knelt before him, placing her hands on either side of his face. "What's wrong?" Her eyes swept his body, searching for any indication that he might be in pain.

A small sob escaped his lips. "I'm so sorry, Lucy," he said, barely audible. "I'm so sorry." Lucy pulled him into her chest, placing one of her hands behind his head, stroking his tousled pink hair. Her eyes, wide and expectant, drifted towards Happy, who had been watching the entire spectacle from the kitchen counter.

Happy stared at her, a look of relief on his face, and nodded. "Aye, it's him," he confirmed.

Lucy stared back down at the crying boy in her arms. Her eyes softened, but were still sad. "My poor Natsu," she whispered.

"Lucy, I'm going to go get something from our house," Happy said. "You'll probably be okay with him for now. Just don't make him doing anything dirty while I'm gone." He snickered as he flew out the open window.

Lucy smiled slightly at the blue cat's lewd comment, still watching the sad boy. "Please don't cry, Natsu," she said soothingly.

"Lucy. I'm so sorry, Lucy," the dragonslayer repeated. He removed his face from her shoulder and looked into her eyes. "I never wanted to do anything like that to you. I never could have imagined doing something like that. I love you." The look in his eyes proved he wasn't lying.

"I know, Natsu," she replied, her voice low. "But you can't keep blaming yourself. It wasn't you. I was being careless, but at least now we know more about the situation. Besides, it doesn't hurt that bad." She smiled at him sweetly.

"But if I hadn't been so careless in the first place, this wouldn't even be happening," Natsu argued.

"It's not your fault. End. Of. Story."

"It is Luce," Natsu smiled sadly. "But honestly, I'm really surprised no one has said anything at the guild."

"They've merely reasoned that your sudden change in behavior has something to do with you hitting puberty, and finally realizing what boobs are."

"That's really not very funny."

"I know. But it was worth it, I think, to try and make you smile." She leaned in a little closer. "I love you, Natsu. And I swear we'll get through this together."

"Lucy…" Natsu reached a hand towards her face, swiping a few hairs out of her eyes. He pulled her in, agonizingly slowly, until their lips finally met, crushing against each other in a small burst of passion. He pulled away for a moment, looking into her eyes, then brought his lips back to hers again, his tongue gliding against her lower lip, begging for entrance. She obliged, her body melting into his as his hand slid slowly down her arm to her waist, pulling her in tighter. She felt like she couldn't get close enough.

Natsu fell backwards onto the floor, pulling Lucy on top of him. She took the opportunity to deepen the kiss as Natsu's hands slid up her shirt. The pure shock of his hot fingertips against her skin was almost too much to handle. She pulled away from the kiss, both of them gasping for air, and rested her forehead against his, staring deeply into her lover's eyes.

Outside, a dark-haired boy stood listening outside the window, mulling over what he had just heard. As he looked up to the now clouded sky, a raindrop landed on his face, rolling down his cheek.

Yep, so things are definitely starting to get crazy xD Plus, I really kinda wanted to give Lucy and Natsu a moment. I love GraLu the most, but I do enjoy some NaLu every now and then :P Please R & R! Next chapter should be up soon :)