The second that Gajeel hears the other voice, he angles himself to shield Levy's body from view. He withdraws his hand and grabs a throw cover and tosses it over Levy. Smooching her cheek, he stands.
"I'll be in the kitchen." He glares at Lucy as he exits the room.
"Damn it, Lucy! Knock next time." Levy says as she sits up holding the covers. She drops the angry look the second she sees the heartbroken expression on Lucy's face.
"One moment sweetie." She rushes into the kitchen still wrapped in the blanket. Gajeel is splashing water on his face.
"Gajeel.." She stumbles on her words trying to explain. He places a finger on her lips.
"I saw her face. She needs her best friend. Its fine. I'm a little frustrated buuut.. I get it." He leans down and smooches her.
"I can always come back some other time and finish what I started." She blushes and hugs him with one arm.
"I love you Gajeel."
"I love you too, shortstuff. Now go help your friend. I'll let myself out." He gently pushes her towards the bedroom and heads for her front door.
"Gajeel, thank you" She smiles warmly at him.
"Anything for you." He quietly shuts the door behind him and she takes a deep breath and enters the room. Lucy is sitting on the bed staring at her knees. Levy rushes into her closet and throws on a long sweater and shorts. She had never seen Lucy so distraught before. She goes and sits beside the blonde and turns toward her.
"Lucy, what happened?" Lucy's lip trembles and she sniffles.
"You know you can always tell me, no matter how trivial." Lucy nods softly and then begins to sob. Levy pulls her in for a hug and lets her friend bawls as the bluenette pets her hair.
"Is it about Natsu?" She looks knowingly at her friend. Lucy sniffles hard and sits up.
"How did you know?" She asks, her voice still shaky, tears streaming silently down her face. Levy's heart broke for her friend.
"Luce, everyone knows. You both have a thing for each other an-"
"Apparently not both of us." Lucy says almost spitefully.
"Explain" Levy demands, crossing her arms over her small chest. This she had to hear.
"You remember the after party, the one where you kissed Gajeel?" Levy nods trying not to be drawn into those memories. Lucy sniffles finally calming down.
"Well, Natsu and I were dancing. I don't mean just dancing. Levy, we were dancing. Like, it was a good thing that there were no children around. We had both had a bit to drink and I figured, What the hell? Now's as good a time as ever. and I told him that I liked him. He, being Natsu, didn't fully comprehend what I was saying. I explained to him that it was more than just friendship." She chuckles softly
"The look on his face when he finally understood what I was trying to say; I wish I had thought to get a picture. Anyways, he pulled me in closer and confessed that he liked me too. I was so excited Levy. I thought that I would finally have what Wendy and Doran have. Someone who truly cares about me for me."
"Well, what happened?"
"I went over there today to hang out. I was gonna surprise him and make him dinner. And when I knocked on the door." She tears up again and starts crying softly.
"Yukino was there in nothing but a towel and Natsu was in the kitchen. He told me that he doesn't have a roommate.I thought he liked me! And then I find my friend half naked at his house!" She sniffles and cries softly.
"Did you ask him what was going on?" Levy inquired softly. She was confused as to why Natsu would do this. He was a kind guy. He would never make Lucy cry.
"No! I dropped my groceries and ran off crying. I don't want to ask him what was going on! I don't ever want to talk to him again! I hate him!"
"Lucy, do you really?" Levy's voice was kind and tender. She knew how to handle Lucy in this state.
"No." She buries her face in a pillow and replies muffledly."I love him."
"Then maybe you should talk to him."
"Why? So he can make up excuses? No I'd r-" Lucy stops as someone pounds on the front door.
"Levy? Are you home? Is Lucy there?!" Lucy's lip trembles at the sound of Natsu's frantic questioning.
Levy gets up and walks out of the room and to the front door. She opens it as Lucy peeks out of the bedroom doorway.
"Levy! Oh thank Mavis you're here! Have you seen Lucy? I think she's upset at me. She came over and-" He notices Lucy in the doorway.
"Luce! I found you. I can explain! I know you're probably upset but its not what it looks like!"
She storms out of the bedroom mad as he steps inside.
"Well then what is it? Because it sure looks like the aftermath of a one night stand, just DAYS after you confessed you like me! Do you even like me? Or were you just lying to get in my pants?!"
"Lucy! Yes, I still like you! Yukino was over because she's dating my new roommate, Sting! I was making me something to eat when you knocked on the door and she said she would get it. I had my back turned to the front door and didn't notice that she was in a towel. She must have just got out of the shower! I swear thats the truth. Lucy, I like you. I'm not gonna go sleep with another girl when you're the one I want. And I wouldn't lie just to get in your pants. Since when have I lied to you about anything?!" She stops hearing Natsu's explanation.
"Oh, so you didn't sleep with Yukino?"
"No! Lucy, I want to be with you! No one else! Anyways, I don't need to lie to get in your pants" He smiles suavely. The blonde's face turns bright red. She is so embarrassed.
"How'd you know where to find me?" She asks. Natsu grins.
"Well Levy is your best friend and you had just ran from my house sobbing. I'm not THAT stupid." She blushes again.
"So why did you come over?" He cocks his head as he asks.
"I was gonna cook you dinner."
"Dinner?! Why are we still standing here?!" He tugs her towards the door. She waves goodbye to Levy who just laughs at the two.
"Bye guys!"
