Wendy: Standard disclaimers apply! This author owns nothing but they storyyyy :D

Happy: Aye!

Erza: Hey, why is it so short?

Happy: The author's tired.

Erza: Well, that shouldn't stop her from giving a good story should it?

Happy: A-Aye!

After the threat, Natsu left, and she didn't know why but Lucy couldn't find the will to stop him from leaving. She followed his figure with her eyes as he walked away; alienated to the fact that Gray was looking at her with pain in his eyes and a heart shattered like glass, he didn't know what to do either.

The Spirit Mage turned around and looked at Gray with puzzled eyes. He felt so guilty and upset with himself 'cos he couldn't even reassure her, even just one bit. He was confused too and at that moment, he felt so weak and useless.

The blonde girl snickered. Gray looked at her in more confusion. How can she even smile at a time like this?

"Relationships are so complicated," Lucy threw careless words in the air with a broken smile on her face. She'd be crying right now but she had no tears left,

"Why do they even exist?" To Gray, she sounded like she was on the edge of sanity,

"Well..." She stood up straight with a seemingly renewed resolution,

"If he doesn't want me, his lost. He wants to play a game? Fine. No? That's okay too. I don't care anymore. The numbness in my heart is already painful," She snickered once again,

"So, are you in?" She smiled at him.

"In... what?" Gray asked her with a bit of fear.

"The game. We're 'gonna play a game. Let's see who can collect more hearts. Me, him... or you." Lucy grinned, seemingly losing it all.

"M... Me?" Gray shuddered. Lucy was so scary...

"Yeah." She laughed like a child in an asylum.

At that laugh, something woke up inside Gray, he didn't know what but...

"Lucy," She held her firmly,

"Love isn't a game. If you're in pain right now, don't do something stupid that you're 'gonna regret later. Natsu loves you, it's just too early and he knows it... You know it too. ... This isn't the best time." He finished.

"Who are you my dad?" She took his hands off of her arms,

"It's Lisanna he loves..." She said in pain, but regained sanity. She would've collapsed if Gray didn't support her,

"He told me himself..." She said, looking at the ground. She didn't expect Gray to do anything but her eyes widened in shock as a pair of strong arms enveloped her.

"That jerk." Gray smiled.

Lucy laughed slightly.

"I know." She agreed.

"But..." Gray released her and looked into her eyes,

"I don't think it's smart to choose right now. Until you know who you really want... We're all just 'gonna be friends. You know this." He said in caution.

She smiled. A seemingly-genuine smile.

"I agree. See 'ya around Gray." She said in a weird tone as she hugged him, he returned the hug but, he felt something wrong with what was happening.

"You're right," She started to whisper in his ear words that made chills run up and down his body,

"Love isn't a game. So, this isn't a game of love... It's something else..." She whispered as she finished tracing the muscles at his back.

"Lucy..." Gray said in a tone somewhere between pleasure, restraint and awkwardness.

He stopped as he felt a gentle kiss being placed on his jaw line, somewhere near his ear. It weirdly felt good, like a sweet spot or something.

Suddenly he felt so annoyed and a bit irritated. Everything felt so strange at that moment. He was being... overpowered by this girl. He couldn't take it. If Lucy wants a game... she'll get one. He wasn't 'gonna lose.

"I'm in." He pulled his teammate closer to his body as she was about to let go,

"No dropping out and no take backs." He whispered into her ear huskily then let her go, still maintaining a way-too-close distance,

"Just make sure you're ready," He started with concern slowly mixing with his words,

"Heartbreaks aren't allowed here and jealousy should be frozen." The Ice Mage finished.

"I started this. Why are you making all the rules?" Lucy asked with flirt in her voice, the games had started.

"You know what they say, safety first." And with a [seductive] wink he started walking away,

"Let the games begin! Be sure to tell Natsu!" He reminded her from a distance.

Lucy smiled a broken smile once again. Then grinned a devious grin as she reached for her keys.

"Hey, Lucy. What's up?" The spirit greeted his owner in casualty.

"Can you help me?" Lucy asked as she took a step forward.

"... What is it?" Loke felt a strange request coming up once again.

The blonde girl motioned for the brunette to bend down and lean in closer.

He whispered things into his ear, then he stood up straight after hearing the words with an indescribable look on his face.

"Why are you so surprised?" Lucy asked blindly.

"Hmph," Loke asjusted his glasses as he let go a knowledgeable snicker,

"Sure." He smiled with all his charm that needed no effort to project.

"Great. So-" The blonde started but was cut-off as a short, soft, sweet and unreadable kiss was placed on her lips.

"What was-" She was at a loss for words. The kiss probably meant nothing but it was one of the best she ever got, considering it only lasted for a second.

"I got it. I'll come by later to help you with... whatever this is about." Loke laughed; a sweet chime was heard.

"Thanks." Lucy smiled as she closed his gate,

"Of course." She sighed, the Spirit refused,

"What? Go back already, please." The blonde smiled. Loke had noticed her reduced sanity from the minute she spoke.

"I'll go back. But please remember Lucy, love's not a game, people aren't toys and you're relaying your feelings in the wrong way." The spirit stated like he was her father.

"I've heard it all before." She smiled as she secretly failed another forced gate closure.

"Oh, and you have to choose someday." The brunette winked at her as he disappeared in a flash of gold light.

"What? Loke-" Lucy knew what her spirit meant, she just didn't 'wanna believe it.

Choose. She had to choose.

Someday.

Someday, she had to choose.

So, I decided to post the long chapter in short and medium-length chapters so it won't hurt your eyes. The story's a bit fuzzy right now, sorry. Please forgive. Anyways. I'm 13. Don't expect epicness -_- K. 'Till next time! :D

Aye!