Lucy was exhilarated after her first day of real college classes. She had already learned a lot from her sparring with Natsu in their magical combat class and he had asked her to join his team. Lucy felt like she just kept getting lucky and feared that her luck was going to run out with all of the good things happening. It was only her fourth day at Magnolia U, but she felt like she was right at home. She had gotten breakfast with Levy earlier that morning and was heading over to the English building with her roommate for their Lit 100 class.

"Since you're really interested in literature and writing, I'm sure this class will be a breeze for you. Honestly, it will even be a little bit boring, but it's just another requirement for the university!" Levy explained with a sigh.

"Well, that's alright. At least I'll be in a class that I enjoy! Not to mention, you're in it!" Lucy giggled and Levy smiled up at her.

"Oh, hey! Speaking of classes you like, how'd magic training go?"

"It was great! Gray and Natsu are in my class, and I got to meet Gildarts of course." Lucy laughed lightly at the memory of meeting Cana's peculiar dad. "Oh, and Natsu asked me to be on a team with him and Happy!" Levy stopped in her tracks and whipped around to face her.

"What?" She practically screeched and Lucy looked at her in utter confusion.

"W-what? Did I do something wrong?"

"No! It's just that I'm so surprised that Natsu took on a partner other than Happy… He's always been closed off to people joining his team, he likes to prove that he can do stuff on his own. As much as he's obnoxious, he's quite a private person." Levy informed Lucy and her heart did a little flutter as it had been doing lately. Have I developed palpitations? "Plus he really doesn't know much about you… Oh, but don't worry! I'm glad that you have him; you're in safe hands!"

"O-okay…" Lucy stammered out as they finally reached the classroom they were supposed to be in. The rest of the class went by quietly; Levy had been right, the class was a bit boring and predictable. One of their main reading assignments was Romeo and Juliet, and while Lucy loved the story, it was a 'been there, done that' kind of situation. Lucy sighed and shoved her belongings into her backpack after the professor dismissed them. She bid Levy farewell as the shorter girl raced off to her next class, and promised to have dinner with her at the guild later that evening. Lucy pulled out her schedule to check what class she had next; Magic Power Training. Lucy was captivated by just the title of the class and excitement bubbled in her stomach. Though she had time between then and her next class, she made her way swiftly back to the Battle Dome. Outside of the main dome, there were normal classrooms that lined the outskirts of the building. Lucy made her way to room 209 and timidly peered in. The room was empty and Lucy decided to sneak in early for some solace before having to start another lecture. She scrolled through her phone and responded to the few messages she had from Levy and Cana, and then took out a notebook doodling in the corner of the page. Just then the door opened as another person entered the room. To her surprise when she looked up, Mira stood at the front of the room and smiled at her.

"Hi, Lucy!" She greeted cheerfully and Lucy looked at her in surprise.

"Mira! What are you doing here?"

"I'm the TA for Magic Power Training- oh, that means teaching assistant in case you didn't know! I'm graduating this year and it's part of my practicum. Anyways, I'll be mainly teaching this course!" Mira smiled. "Besides, Gildarts focuses mostly on combat… And well, he's never here anyways."

"That's great! I'm glad to see some more familiar faces around here… It's so big!" Lucy admitted and Mira giggle a bit.

"You'll get used to it, you haven't even been here for a week yet! Don't get intimidated by everyone else, you are coming in mid semester as well."

"Thanks Mira." Lucy smiled appreciatively at the older girl. Their conversation was ended as more students filed in and Lucy was disappointed when she didn't recognize anyone. She prepared herself for the class to start when, three minutes after class was supposed to start, another student came rushing in.

"Sorry I'm late!" It was Natsu, his pink hair windswept and his white teeth gleaming in an apologetic smile. "Oh, hey Lucy!" He called to her and planted himself in the empty seat next to her. She smiled quickly at the disheveled boy and Mira nodded to him.

"That's okay, Natsu, you weren't too late this time." Mira giggled again and then turned to the board behind her. "As most of you know, we all have magical power within us. It is what fuels us and allows us to use magic. Without it, we would die…" Lucy tried taking diligent notes until she saw a piece of paper being shoved onto her desk from Natsu's outstretched hand. Curiously, Lucy carefully placed her pencil down on the table and unfolded the white lined paper scrap. It read, in horrible hand writing:

Two classes together! Woohoo!

Lucy smiled a bit at Natsu's enthusiasm and responded with a simple smiley face and passed it back to Natsu's desk. After the interaction, he was quiet and Lucy enjoyed learning more about how to hone in on her own magical power. Mira explained how, by the end of the semester, she was going to teach them how to use their own magical power to do some simple transformation magic, like what she started off with. The class ended shortly after that and Lucy stretched her arms out in front of her, heaving a sigh of relief; she was done with classes for the day.

"So, what are you up to now?" Natsu's voice interrupted her thoughts and she snapped her head up to look at him.

"Oh, I'm done with classes for now. It's nice to get out so early!" Lucy sighed contently and Natsu smirked.

"Me too! How have you liked it here so far anyways?" He asked as Lucy gathered up her backpack and the pair headed towards the door.

"It's been great! Levy and everyone have been so helpful, I don't know what I would be doing without you guys! Probably holed up in my dorm and wandering around lost on campus." Lucy laughed and Natsu snorted.

"I'm sure you woulda' done fine, but we're all happy to help!" He smiled down at her widely, the corners of his eyes crinkling ever so slightly.

"Thanks, and thank you all for inviting me into your guild… You all have such a special bond. It's an honor to be a part of it." Lucy replied quietly and Natsu stared out in front of them as they exited the Battle Dome.

"We're all happy to have you, ya know. I think it means somethin' special that Erza accepted you so quickly, so I wouldn't worry! You're nice and I think that everyone can see that, so you're part of our family now, okay?" Natsu grinned down at her and Lucy could feel tears begin to fill her eyes. Ugh, I'm such a crybaby. By the end of the semester I'll have cried in front of everyone in Fairy Tail! "H-hey, why are you crying?" Natsu yelped out in alarm and Lucy laughed lightly.

"Don't mind me, it's just something I do. I've been a little emotional lately. It's just… It's nice to have a family… It's nice to have people that accept me so wholeheartedly." Lucy explained and Natsu looked down at her for a long moment before speaking.

"It sounds like you've had a hard time too." His voice was quiet and his eyes looked faraway as he spoke to her. She explained to him how her father had died not too long before she came to Magnolia University, and how her mother had passed when she was very young.

"I guess you all are really the first real friends I've had… Pretty pathetic, right?" Lucy chuckled bleakly and Natsu shook his head.

"Not at all. If Gramps hadn't have found me, I'd probably be dead somewhere. I'm lucky to be here too." He smiled and Lucy's heart squeezed in sympathy. "You belong in Fairy Tail just like the rest of us!"

"Thank you, Natsu." Lucy whispered out almost inaudibly, but Natsu nodded his head with a slight smirk on his face. Lucy found herself allowing Natsu to lead her to wherever he was going and found herself back at Fairy Tail.

"If ya don't have too much work, wanna come to the guild hall?" Natsu questioned and Lucy nodded her head.

"I'd love too! I'm supposed to meet Levy here fairly soon anyways for dinner." Lucy informed him.

"Great!" Natsu cheered and flung open the door to Fairy Tail. The place was still as messy as ever and Lucy wondered when Erza was bound to come in and yell at them to get their act together. Lucy tripped on a stray backpack causing beer and soda cans to rattle across the floor. The smell of damp cardboard and old pizza hit her airway like a brick and she resisted the urge to cover her nose. Correction, the frat house had seemingly gotten worse since the previous day Lucy had been there.

"U-uh, sorry for the mess…" Natsu grimaced slightly after seeing the obvious disgust on Lucy's face.

"I-it's okay." Lucy laughed awkwardly as she finally made her way across the lounge area and down the hall to where the stairs leading to the guild hall were. As they moved further away from the main part of the house, the stench subsided and Lucy allowed herself some deep breath in. She followed Natsu down an identical set of stairs that Fairy Girls' had, and made her way out into the openness of the hall. There were more people down there than she thought and Lucy wondered just how many people were in the guild, it was seemingly endless.

"Hey! I didn't summon you!" Lucy instinctively protested and Loke looked at the pair of them reproachfully.

"What's got you so riled up, Natsu? And hello, beautiful. I'm here using my own magic, don't worry." Loke grinned and Lucy rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, why the hell do you get to be part of the girl's initiation, huh?" Natsu folded his arms across his chest, his vest hanging just wide enough for Lucy to get a good look at his toned stomach. Oh my god, stop looking! You're being creepy! Lucy shook her head and watched as the conversation unfolded.

"Didn't you hear my beautiful lady Lucy? I'm a celestial spirit and very close to my celestial wizard." Loke winked at Lucy making her blood boil in annoyance.

"Waddaya mean?" Natsu asked, dumbfounded and Loke scoffed a bit.

"Lucy's a celestial mage, I'm one of her spirits. During her initiation she summoned me. I just happen to be part of Fairy Tail as well, and just happened to never mention the fact that I'm not human." Loke grinned and Natsu's frown deepened.

"What the hell? That's not cool man! I knew you smelled weird."

"Smelled?" Lucy squeaked out and looked at Natsu wearily after his peculiar comment.

"Relax, man. You know the ladies love me anyways, I was welcomed." Loke snickered and Lucy frowned.

"Yeah, I don't think that's how it went down!" Lucy retorted and his smirk faltered a bit.

"Tell me what goes on in there!" Natsu demanded and Lucy sighed and walked over to the bar just in time to see Mira coming in through the girl's entrance. Cana was in her usual spot chugging a frosty mug of beer, and Lucy took the seat next to her big curiously. She secretly wondered if Cana even went to her classes; Lucy supposed she had to, she was a senior after all.

"Whew! What a day." Mira sighed and plopped her belongings behind the counter. "I see you've helped yourself Cana."

"Yep, and I ain't sorry." Cana finished off the yellow liquid in a few swift gulps letting out a loud 'ah!' and slammed the glass down on the bar top. "What's up, Lucy? How are you doing?"

"I've been good! I met your dad yesterday." Lucy told Cana who rolled her eyes, though there was a hint of affection in her actions.

"I'm surprised the old man even showed up to class." Cana snorted and Lucy let out another awkward chuckle. "So, if you ever need anything, you know I'll always be there to help! Want a beer?" Cana offered as Mira topped off the older girl's glass.

"N-no thanks, I'm okay! Maybe another time. Levy said she'd be here soon so we could eat dinner, you're welcome to join us!" Lucy invited and Cana smiled.

"Sure thing, sweet cheeks! Where is that blue haired short stack anyways?" Cana slurred her words slightly as she swung around in her chair to scan the hall. Just then, Levy's familiar figure entered the hall, Jet and Droy trailing her. She happily waved her hand when she saw Lucy seated at the bar, and smiled while bounding over.

"I'll catch you guys late, kay?" Levy promised the two boys behind her, who pointed, but nodded in agreement. Lucy thought it was funny how infatuated Jet and Droy were with her roommate, and she thought it was too bad that they didn't know they didn't have a chance with the solid script mage; they were nice guys. "Hey, Lu! Cana and Mira!" Levy nodded to the girls and Lucy smiled widely at her friend. Lucy's eyes scanned over the hall behind her and noticed even more members had filled up the tables as the day was winding down. Natsu was somehow still arguing with Loke and she shook her head at her problematic celestial spirit.

"What's got Natsu all worked up?" Cana followed Lucy's gaze and commented on the pink haired boy's heated attitude.

"He's mad that Loke got in on my initiation." Lucy snorted a bit and Cana snickered.

"Jealousy." Cana smirked into the bottom of her glass as she sipped her drink.

"Natsu, quit being such an idiot!" Gray's deeper voice called as he entered the hall.

"They don't take their time when it comes to fighting each other, do they?" Lucy commented, a small smile playing on her lips.

"No, they do not." Levy agreed and Mira shook her head.

"They're going to be in for it… What can I get you guys for food anyways?" Mira asked with a smile and Lucy wondered what she meant, only for a moment however. Laxus' large form entered from the boy's side of the hall and stormed up to the three arguing boys which had quickly turned into just Gray and Natsu in fisticuffs.

"You two again!" Laxus growled and the pair froze.

"Laxus!" The two cried in faux happiness and Lucy rolled her eyes at the pair. In that moment, Erza came down the stairs from the other side of the hall, her arms rested on her hips authoritatively.

"Problem, boys?"

"Nope, not a single one!" Gray and Natsu yelped and slung their arms over each other in mock friendship. Erza placed one final glare at the two before making her way over to the bar as well.

"You two… You're really pissin' me off." Laxus growled in their faces. "Initiation is this Saturday, if you guys can't get it together this week then I'll sic Erza on you, and then Gramps." Laxus turned away from them before they had a chance to respond, his coat swishing out dramatically behind him. "Those damn idiots. I can't believe the old man dumped em' on me."

"Now now, you knew what you were going to have to do." Mira's soft voice responded and she pinched the man's cheek affectionately. Lucy had a pretty good idea that Mira was the only one that was allowed to do that to Laxus.

"Yeah, well…" Laxus trailed off and Mira giggled as she placed food in front of Lucy and Levy.

"This is really good!" Lucy exclaimed taking a bite of the smoked salmon and steamed vegetables Mira had given her.

"Mira's a great cook." Laxus praised his girlfriend and Mira smiled broadly. "I do have help from the Thunder Legion. You know Freed works hard in the kitchen with me!"

"What's the Thunder Legion? A-and who's Freed?" Lucy asked curiously.

"Geez, so many questions." Laxus grumped and Lucy gulped and looked at him apologetically. "I'm just kiddin' blondie." He barked out what sounded like a laugh and Lucy let out a small, nervous chuckle. You're blonde too…

"The Thunder Legion is a team in Fairy Tail made up of Laxus, Evergreen, Freed, and Bickslow. Freed is the one with the long green hair over there!" Mira pointed out and Lucy followed her guidance and saw the boy she was talking about seated with the girl that Erza had had pinned on the floor the other night. Another boy with a knight's mask and his tongue hanging out sat with them, enjoying each other's company. "They're very loyal to each other and are one of the strongest teams in Fairy Tail!"

"Yeah, they're all right I suppose…" Laxus grunted, but a smirk played on his lips as he looked at his teammates fondly.

"Freed helps me cook and prepare food when he's not in class." Mira smiled and gestured to the dinners the girls were eating.

"It's great-" Lucy stopped short after feeling something wet drip onto her arm. "What the?" Happy hovered over her making her yelp in surprise. The cat was drooling on her arm and eyeing her salmon longingly.

"It looks so yummy…" He dreamily replied and Lucy frantically wiped her arm off.

"Ew, get out of here, cat! This is my dinner!" She protested and Levy leaned away from Lucy's swiping hands. "Get your own!"

"Natsu, Lucy's being mean again!" Happy wailed over his shoulder and Mira giggled.

"You know Happy; I can give you your own fish."

"Really!" Happy rebounded quickly and landed himself on top of the bar; Lucy guarded her plate wearily.

"Why are you bein' mean to Happy?" Natsu trotted over, having forgotten about Loke and Gray.

"I am not! He was drooling on my arm and trying to steal my food!" Lucy protested and Natsu scoffed.

"You could share!"

"And he could get his own food!"

"That's mean!"

"Is not!"

"Geez, you two didn't waste any time to start bickering either." Cana observed and Lucy frown. "Sexual tension perhaps?"

"NO!" Lucy and Natsu both barked out and Mira's eyes sparkled in delight.

"How interesting! I knew it would only be a matter of time, but this soon…"

"Mira…" Levy warned in a low voice, but the barmaid just started off dreamily. Lucy had a feeling it was going to be a long semester as she averted her eyes from Mira, and batted away Happy's wandering paw towards her plate.

Natsu's POV

Natsu had had a long day, in his opinion, and was looking to relax at Fairy Tail before having to head back with Happy to their dorm. He was thrilled that he was finally going to be able to have his initiation; it was more so that he was excited to see what Laxus had planned for them rather than the prospect of them being accepted- he knew they were already honorary members of the guild. Besides, there was no way that Gramps would just refuse them a place in Fairy Tail, that would be bullshit; he had been a member ever since her was a kid. Laxus just liked to be a dick and drag everything out to watch him suffer. After the night in the guild hall, he made his way back up to the lounge in Fairy Tail and kicked back on the big couch and flipped on the entertainment lacrima. He flicked through the channels while other guys filtered in to do various activities and talk with each other about their day's events.

"Alright everyone, I just want you all to know that Natsu Dragneel is officially the biggest douche that has step foot through Fairy Tail's door." Gray's voice drifted in from the hallway and into the lounge.

"We already knew that!" Came a response from somewhere and Natsu whipped his head around to meet Gray.

"What the fuck, are you trying to start another fight ya prick?" Natsu snapped and Gray chortled.

"No, I'm just stating the facts, you're a dick." Gray stated bluntly and Loke snickered.

"We already knew that, but what ever did our little Natsu do this time?"

"I swear to god, if you got a chick pregnant…" Laxus griped and placed a hand to his forehead in distress.

"Wha- like hell I did!" Natsu roared out in objection and Gray's loud laughter filled the room.

"So, what'd he do then?" Max questioned.

"Yeah, I'd like to know what I did that was so wrong." Natsu pouted and Happy dropped down on the back of the sofa behind him.

"Don't worry, I've got your back!" The little blue cat flexed his paws, in an artificial fighting stance.

"Thanks buddy."

"What Natsu did was invite Lucy to be his teammate with him and Happy." Gray announced and 'oohs' sounded throughout the room.

"Who the hell cares?"

"You're not even a full member yet…" Laxus sighed and shook his head.

"It matters because you just met her. You didn't even give the rest of us a chance to get to know her or invite her to team up with us." Gray countered and Natsu snorted.

"That's not my problem! You've never worked in a team before anyways, why start now?" Natsu retorted and Gray glared back.

"Yeah, well maybe I would've! It's not like you and Happy ever work with anyone else! There should be a sign on your door that says 'does not work well with others'. I feel bad for Lucy!"

"It was her choice and she chose to accept my offer!" Natsu leapt to his feet in defense and faced Gray fully. "It's not my problem if you're mad!"

"You guys should have seen him in combat yesterday! As soon as Gildarts put the offer up for someone to be Lucy's partner, Natsu was all like 'ooh! I'll do it, I'll do it!'." Gray imitated him poorly only making Natsu more pissed off.

"What's your problem, man?" Natsu huffed and folded his arms in front of him.

"I don't have a problem; it just sounds like you've taken a liking to the new girl. Just admit it." Gray smirked and Natsu was taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, it's not like Natsu would actually know the difference between being partnered with a boy or a girl." Jet snorted and was met by a chorus of guffaws.

"Why the hell does it matter. So we have a new member; if you guys are gonna fight over it, I'll go talk to Erza and ban either one of you from partnering with her." Laxus warned.

"No fairy! Lucy's nice!" Happy protested and Natsu clamped his mouth shut.

"Don't you two worry, Lucy's closest with me anyways. I don't think she'll get in the way of your… whatever relationship you guys have." Loke snickered and Natsu's fist clenched.

"Whatever you guys wanna think, I don't give a shit. Lucy's a member of Fairy Tail now and that means she's everyone's friend. I didn't do anything wrong and it's not my problem if Gray is all butt hurt because I asked her first." Natsu glared at the ice mage who looked at him with a cocky smirk.

"Geez, calm down Natsu. I was just trying to get a rise out of you. Guess it worked." Gray snickered and Natsu shouldered past him.

"Whatever, I'm outta here."