A/N: I feel like this is more NaLu than GrayZa but oh well.
Day Four: Teamwork
It had been a week since Natsu had started moping around the guild, and frankly as much as it was surprising it was annoying, and Gray Fullbuster had had enough. The stupid flame brain would not shut up about how Lucy was ignoring him and how he had done something wrong. Normally he wouldn't concern himself with their affairs (he did wonder what Lucy saw him in however), but their little falling out had lasted long enough and he honestly could not stand to hear Natsu moping around any longer.
Before he had met Lucy, nothing would ever get him that down and if it did, he was always revving up to go fight someone. Then Lucy came along and he liked to think that she changed him for the better, although no one told him that the ice mage would have to put up with such nonsense along the way. It was off putting, seeing Natsu mope around like a lovesick fool, and he didn't think that he would ever forget the memory now, though it did give him shudders just thinking about it.
He needed to do something, anything, to fix Natsu and Lucy's relationship and save him from acting all buddy-buddy with Natsu to try and comfort him. Although he really didn't do any comforting, just make matters worse by plainly insulting him and nitpicking at what he did wrong.
But he didn't know where to start, and he definitely was not going to ask Mirajane to help him. She would take it too far, considering that she was far too invested in their relationship, along with his and Erza's. Speaking of the redheaded girl, he had noticed her enter the guild with a small frown on her face.
Walking over to her, he raised an eyebrow in curiosity and concern. "What's wrong?" he asked, stopping in front of her.
Erza looked up, a hand on her chin in her thinking pose. "Lucy's not coming out of her house. I've tried speaking to her but she refuses to see Natsu's face. She did tell me the reason behind their fight and frankly, I don't know if they'll ever recover."
Gray's curiosity was only peaked as his eyebrow raised higher. "Why? What did that idiot do now?"
Looking around the guild for a moment, she grabbed his hand to take him outside. It was a confidential matter and she didn't want to risk anyone else hearing. "Natsu forgot their first year anniversary. She had been hinting at it all week but when the day came, he completely forgot about. Lucy tried confronting him but she found him pigging off with Happy at a diner. That idiot blew her off for food, and didn't even bother to apologise. The next day, when she tried speaking up, Natsu completely ignored her and decided to go on a job request without offering her to come. I don't know what Natsu was thinking but she was really upset about it. And Natsu still hasn't apologised," she explained, wanting to punch someone because of Natsu's stupidity.
Gray was unimpressed and shared the same feelings. That idiot. Lucy was the best thing that happened to him and yet he was letting her slip away. What was strange however, was that Natsu forgot such an important date. If it was important, he would remember it. And even if he couldn't figure out what Lucy was hinting at, Happy was there to help him out. So what happened?
"Are you sure Natsu forgot? He wouldn't forget something like this. There had to be a reason for it. Even I know Natsu wouldn't be that stupid," Gray reasoned, watching Erza's expression change when she realised he was right, it was strange behaviour coming from Natsu. There had to be something more.
"What do you suggest on doing?" They had to help mend their friend's relationship. They were their friends, and friends helped each other. Plus Erza was really liking that whole double date dynamic their team had going on.
Gray frowned. "I don't know. I just want to fix their relationship so that I don't have to hear Natsu mope anymore."
The redhead thought to herself. "Maybe we should let them sort it out, but we need to get them in the same room together. It's a matter between them, but I think we can give them that little push."
He nodded. "That sounds like a plan. You handle Lucy, I'll handle Natsu and we meet up at my house. We can lock them up in my guest room or something."
Erza nodded in agreement before giving him a chaste kiss. "See you later then."
"Yeah, see you," he said with a dazed smile before the frown took over his features once more. Now how was he going to get Natsu to come? He hadn't exactly moved from the same spot for the past week, except to go bathroom but that was it. Gray didn't have dragon slayer senses, but even he could smell that he hadn't showered for a week. The stench was overwhelming.
Sighing, he walked back into the guild and was not surprised to see the dragon slayer slouched over the wooden table, his head resting on the table while his arms were stretched out in front of him. Rolling his eyes, he took a seat in front of him, waiting for Natsu to acknowledge his presence. But the flame brain wasn't doing anything and considering that he wasn't very patient right now, he decided to use a little violence. It had been a while since he had given Natsu a good beating.
Without hesitation, the ice mage stomped on Natsu's foot, smirking triumphantly to himself when he felt Natsu jerk before sitting up to howl in pain. He held his injured foot while glaring at the smirking mage.
"You bastard! What the fuck was that for?" he cursed, massaging his foot.
"You were acting like such a drama queen the past week. It's getting annoying Natsu," he replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
"So? And I have not been acting like a drama queen ice princess," he retorted, the pain finally subsiding.
Gray rolled his eyes. "Yeah right drama queen. Tell me what else have you been doing other than mope about Lucy the past week?" When he received no answer, he smirked in triumph.
"Exactly you idiot. You haven't even showered man. You fucking stink." To prove his point, he grabbed one of Natsu's arms and forced him to smell it, his smirk growing wider when the dragon slayer jerked back in surprise. He looked down at himself in horror.
"Blergh, I didn't notice I needed a shower. Geez I stink," he muttered.
"You don't say Captain Obvious. Anyway, enough moping and do something about it you dumbass. I know why she's angry at you and frankly, I would be upset too. You screwed up big time flame brain," he said.
Natsu raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You know why she's angry at me? Tell me ice prick."
Gray scowled. "Figure that out yourself dumbass. I'm only here to knock some sense into you, and to help you and Lucy make up. If you agree to this, come with me. Otherwise wallow in your pit of misery for all I care," he told him before getting up to leave the guild.
As he walked, he heard Natsu groan for a bit before finally stumbling after him. Natsu, check. All they needed now was Lucy, and he wasn't worried. It was Erza bringing her over.
Erza banged loudly on the celestial wizard's door for the third time, annoyed when she didn't get a response. Normally she didn't like breaking and entering but this was a serious situation.
"Lucy, I'm coming in!" she warned before lifting a foot up to kick down the door. Before her foot could make contact however, it flew open and she ended up falling unceremoniously onto the ground. Lucy watched in shock as Erza picked herself up off the ground without looking the least bit embarrassed. It was just like her falling in that pit on Galuna Island. Her composure was crazily scary.
"Erza? What are you doing here?" she finally asked after getting over the initial shock. It wasn't everyday you saw Erza Scarlet tumble to the floor like that.
Erza said nothing, instead grabbing Lucy by the wrist and deciding to drag her to the destination rather than talk to her. It was better that Lucy didn't know what was going on. She highly suspected that she would run off and refuse to meet Natsu at all costs. But Erza wasn't going to let that happen, not on her watch.
Lucy was caught by surprise and the firm grip on her wrist told her that she had no hope of escaping. She could only just follow along obediently, which she did after stumbling after her and trying to regain her composure. She didn't know where Erza was taking her and decided not to ask. The redhead was looking particularly determined and even after years of a strong friendship, she was still rather scared of her. She suspected that Gray was too, and he was the redhead's boyfriend.
Minutes later and they finally reached their destination, Lucy downright befuddled when she noticed the familiar exterior. "Gray's house? Why are we here Erza?" she asked but received only a tug in response as the redhead dragged her inside. It was open, which was strange but Lucy couldn't think anything of it as she was dragged upstairs.
Erza was glad to see that Gray had arrived before they did, and wasted no time in leading (dragging) Lucy to the guest room. Standing outside the guest room's door was Gray, who shared a look with her, signalling that Natsu was already inside. She nodded in understanding before Gray opened the door and Erza pushed Lucy in, the ice mage immediately slamming the door shut and locking it from the outside.
The two shared a look of triumph, satisfied with their work. "You managed to get him to come," Erza noted, impressed.
He nodded. "Yeah, it was easier than I expected. And I see you didn't even bother speaking to Lucy," he remarked, recalling the grip she had on Lucy's wrist. He felt sorry for the poor girl, being on the receiving end of Erza's brash nature.
"I figured that she may run away. She wasn't really listening to me when I started talking," she replied before a silence overcame the two, both unsure of what they should do next.
"So what now?" Gray asked, leaning against the door with his arms crossed.
"Now we wait," she replied, standing next to him and leaning her head on his shoulder.
They stood silently for a moment before a smirk crept its way onto Gray's face. "Or we could do something better while we wait, like some kind of victory celebration for our flawless teamwork."
Catching onto his words, Erza replied with a smirk of her own as she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. "And what do you suggest?" she asked seductively, breathing on the ice mage's lips.
He stared down at her, his eyes darkened. "I think you know what I'm suggesting."
She smirked sexily at him. "But maybe I just want you to demonstrate," she replied huskily, pulling his head down to meet hers.
He didn't reply, instead connecting his lips with hers as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him as they got lost in each other. The two were wound up in their own world, oblivious to the other couple on the other side of the door.
Lucy stumbled inside and was more than surprised to see a ragged looking Natsu looking at her in desperation. Had she really done that to him? His appearance tugged on her heartstrings but she restrained herself from going over him to embrace him. She was still hurt.
"Lucy..." Natsu started, deciding not to walk closer due to his stench. He'd rather her nostrils stay safe from his overwhelming stench.
"Natsu," she greeted curtly, deciding to stay near the door just in case she needed to bolt.
"Lucy, I'm sorry. I think I have a feeling as to why you were so mad with me and let me tell you now, I didn't forget. I was just carried away," he confessed, looking rather embarrassed.
The blonde frowned in confusion. "Carried away doing what? You were clearly stuffing your face!"
"Happy was helping me plan your surprise but we did in a diner so we got distracted. I was planning to make it up to you the next day but I realised that I hadn't prepared anything yet so yeah," he explained sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Forgive me though Luce?"
A few tears escaped her eyelids when she realised how wrong she had been and she was about to cross the room to give him a hug when Natsu put a hand up to stop her. "I don't think you should come any closer," he warned.
"Why not?" she asked confusedly. Was he angry with her? She sincerely hoped not.
Natsu looked away in embarrassment. "I haven't showered for a week and I really stink."
Lucy gaped in horror. "Natsu!" she screeched, turning around to try and open the door so she could escape. She was beginning to smell his stench and she was grateful that Natsu had stopped her before she did something she would regret. However when she tried to twist open the door handle, she found it to be locked. Eyes widening in panic, Lucy banged on the door.
"Gray! Erza! Please let me out! Please! Natsu's smell!" she shouted, not willing herself to turn around to face Natsu. The stench had reached her nostrils and it was taking her all not to puke right there and then. He smelled like stinky fish and charcoal, lots of charcoal.
Gray and Erza, who had been in the middle of a rather passionate kiss, ignored her pleas, Gray breaking away only briefly to yell a response.
"Not until you two make up!" he yelled before attaching his lips with Erza once more, his hands playing with her long strands of red hair. Erza pulled him closer, locking him in a firm headlock and refused to let him break away from her again. His kisses were oh so addicting that she needed more, she needed more of those lips on hers.
"We already did make up! I'm serious! Please open the door!" Lucy begged and Natsu was about to come and help her get it open when she halted him with a screech. "Open the window first Natsu!"
Gray smiled against Erza's lips when he heard the little commotion going on in the room. His room may stink afterwards but right now he really didn't care. He was too lost in the heat of the moment, and Erza was being especially aggressive today, a side of her he liked a little too much.
"We should do this more often," Gray muttered against her lips after hearing her let out a small moan.
"I'd say we're better matchmakers than Mira," she replied as Gray pulled her even closer.
"Or we're just that good," he remarked teasingly.
"Mhmm, now shut up. More kissing, less talking."
"Yes ma'am."
