So, I honestly have no idea who this request was for. I lost my notes, and it was a PM request, so it was impossible for me to find. So, for whoever requested this, I'm sorry about my scatter-brain, and I hope you enjoy this.

Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail.

SOME DAY

"So Lucy, what do you say you and me go out some time?"

Lucy smiled at the blonde-haired boy and was just about to nod her agreement when an arm dropped heavily onto her shoulders and a deep voice answered for her.

"Not a chance in hell, Sting. Now beat it."

Her lips turned down, Lucy looked up to find her brother smiling tersely at the other male. "Gray..."

"Hey man, don't you think you're taking the older brother thing too far?" Sting said, his expression shifting with annoyance. "She's old enough to date whoever she wants to."

Gray's eyes narrowed, his tense smile falling away. "Well, she's not dating you pal. So, do yourself a favor and find some other girl to harass."

"But Gray..." Lucy tried, but was silenced by the dark look on her sibling's face.

Sting smirked. "Looks like she doesn't want to listen to you. Looks to me like she wants to go out with me."

Once more, Lucy nodded her head in agreement, and once more, Gray shut her down. "Leave it alone, Luce. This guy isn't worth your time." He glared back at Sting, then gave an antagonistic roll of his shoulders. "And you...you best get moving, cause if I see you around my sister again, I'm gonna kick your ass."

The blonde guy bristled at Gray's challenge. "What the fuck is your problem man? She's your sister, not your damn girlfriend!" He stopped, his lips shifting into a mocking sneer. "Or is it like that? You got a thing for your sister there Gray?"

Lucy gasped, stepping back with her hands clasped over her mouth. She couldn't believe he'd suggested such a thing, and she knew without a doubt that Gray wouldn't let that go. It was going to be a fight.

Sure enough, Gray stepped forward and plowed his fist into that crude smirk, sending Sting flying back against the long row of lockers behind him. Her brother glanced her way, his mouth set in a scowl. "Get home, Luce. I'll be right behind you."

"Gray...don't do this."

But her plea was largely ignored as Sting clamored to his feet and launched himself at Gray. It was useless. There was no way her brother would let it end before Sting recanted his vile words, and she knew the snarky blonde guy well enough to know that he wouldn't be doing that lightly.

Giving a deep sigh, she turned and left the school. What a mess this day had become, and it had started out so well. She thought she'd finally gotten her first date, and then of course, Gray had ruined it all. He was always doing that, always jumping between her and a potential boyfriend before a relationship could even get off the ground. It was so frustrating.

That wasn't to say that what Sting had said was true. Such a suggestion was gross, and Gray certainly had never behaved in such a way toward her. He was her brother, plain and simple, but there was nothing simple about his over-protectiveness.

It was down right annoying at times. She couldn't seem to find any guy that Gray thought was 'worthy' of her time in spite of the many offers she'd gotten throughout her time in high school. And yet, with all those requests for dates, she'd still not gone on a single one, and it was all thanks to her brother. Somehow, he had managed to scare off every guy that approached her. Well, either that or he caused such a stink for the guys, that they decided she wasn't worth the trouble.

She'd begun to think she'd never have a boyfriend, and if Gray had anything to say about it, she wouldn't. She understood why he hovered so closely. Their parents were gone most of the time, had been for as long as she could remember, and Gray always felt like he had to look out for her, protect her.

Although she knew and understood why he behaved the way he did, it didn't change much for her. She was tired of being the only girl in her class without a boyfriend or at least having gone on a date. She wanted to know what it was like to get all dressed up, have a boy take her out, and have the time of her life. She wanted to hold hands and finally get her first kiss.

But she had a feeling that was a pipe dream, at least as long as she was sharing a high school with Gray. He was just far too focused on keeping her safe to allow anything to happen to her, even if it might turn out to be something good. In his opinion, it wasn't worth the risk.

To make matters worse, he was so busy keeping track of her that he'd neglected his own love life, which in turn had made him pretty cranky of late. It was so pathetic really – here they were in high school, supposed to be having the time of their lives, and instead, they were stuck together...all because Gray couldn't chill out.

She wondered how long he'd be this way, if it would continue all the way through college. God, she hoped not. She wasn't sure how much more of this she could take. The truth was she was lonely. She wanted a life of her own, outside of her brother and her non-existent parents. Yes, she had her friends, but she wanted more, just like every other girl in her school.

Maybe one day she could have that. Maybe one day, she could experience the first blush of love, feel shivers run up her spine from her boyfriend's soft touch. But for now, she'd just have to wait...