A/N: I changed a tiny little detail from chapter 12 because someone pointed something out to me. Basically, people who "failed" Lisanna's test don't actually get kicked out, Lisanna just makes sure everyone in the building shuns them and basically isolates them. Still a shitty thing to do, but not as drastic. That's the only change so yeah, enjoy this chapter.

Natsu's POV

I hear Gray whistle a low tone behind me before he steps up to wrap an arm around my shoulder. "Not gonna lie, seems like you kind of fucked up dude," He says, shaking his head in mock pity.

I knock his arm away, "Me? How was that my fault? It's Lisanna's stupid prank." I cross my arms, hoping my words convince him.

Gray looks at me with a sort of 'do you think I'm an idiot' look on his face and shrugs. "I'm just saying, an apology is probably the way to go, because she didn't sound like she was messing around. If you want her to stay, which, I know you do, then you better get in there and fix this."

I scoff, "Why shouldn't you apologize too?" I demand, despite knowing the answer.

"Because, dipshit, it would only count if it was from you." He turns to walk away, waving over his shoulder before entering his apartment. I take his leaving as a cue to begin my apology, but I have no idea what to say.

For one, I don't know why she took it so hard. It was only a joke, and though it is a little harsh, it's totally harmless. I know I need to apologize because, as much as I hate to admit it, Gray is right. I do want her to stay. I just don't know why I'm apologizing.

Instead of overthinking it, I decide the best option is to simply wing it. I'll start with a basic "sorry" and go from there.

I run a hand through my hair to make it look more presentable and knock lightly on Lucy's door. After about a minute of no response, I knock again. After another two minutes, I practically bang down the door. I'm trying to be nice here, but she's making it difficult.

Finally, the door opens, revealing a blotchy faced, red-eyed Lucy. Her appearance jars me. I knew she was upset, but I wasn't expecting this intense of a reaction from her. Before I can say anything, she wipes her face and stands a little taller.

"I really don't feel like talking to you right now." She starts to close the door, but I jut out my foot as a way of blocking it.

"Listen, Luce-," She flinches at that name,"-I mean Lucy, I'm sorry for the little joke we pulled on you. We didn't think you'd take it so seriously. It was meant to be harmless fun, and I'm sorry that it hurt your feelings."

She doesn't react to my apology. No hint of whether or not she accepts it or hates me even more. She just says, "Please move your foot."

"Lucy, I'm trying to apologize."

"I don't want your apology."

"Well, why not?" I push open her door, causing her to take a step back. We're in her apartment now, and I notice her almost shrink in on herself as I move further into the room. She walks towards the counter, casting her eyes down, avoiding my gaze.

"Lucy. Why can't you accept my apology?" I ask, staying at a distance to make her more comfortable. She flashes her eyes toward me, her frown somehow deepening.

"Maybe because you don't deserve forgiveness? Maybe because the little joke you like to pull on people is complete bullshit and shows a lot about whom you really are? There's an entire list of reasons I could give you, but, due to recent events, I need to start house hunting." Lucy moves around me in a few long strides, opening the door. She gestures with one hand for me to leave, "So, if you wouldn't mind, please get out."

I don't move, wanting to resolve this. I need to stall to think of a way to get her to stay. She can't just leave, not when we've barely scratched the surface of getting to know each other. I want to break that surface, shatter it into a million pieces to find out who she really is. It's the first time in a while that someone's intrigued me as much as her. She's funny and loud and obviously feels deeply. I'll admit that, at first, I thought we could have fun together, the artificial type that never sees the light of day. But each encounter, each moment we spent together after that left me wanting more. She rejected me, yes, and I haven't really given up on that aspect. That's something she has to decide on, and I would never push her further. Despite her rejection, though, I felt we connected. We're similar, and under the attraction that's obviously there, I hoped, and still do, that we could be friends.

My stubbornness to not move upsets Lucy even more, however, and her face starts to twitch as if trying not to lose it. I expect her to yell or maybe punch me again like she did before, but instead, I see tears form in her eyes. She isn't quite crying yet, but I know with a few more blinks, it will start. I put my hands up in a "don't hurt me" manner, and inch slowly toward her. Her face is now pointed to the ground and her shoulders are shaking the slightest bit. I risk touching her arm, relief flowing through me when she doesn't flinch away.

"Lucy, can we talk about it. I don't-"I hesitate, not sure if I should admit what I'm really feeling. My pause causes her to look up, the wetness around her eyes and down her face breaking some part of me. I don't care if she knows, as long as I don't have to see that look on her face anymore. I continue, looking her straight in the eyes, "I don't want you to leave."

My confession jars her. Her eyebrows knit together as if she's confused.

"Why, so you can play more jokes on me? Natsu, I can't live with people who think doing something like that is acceptable." She moves her arm away from my touch and opens the door wider. "I won't ask again; please leave."

"Can you just explain to me why the joke was so bad?" I practically beg.

She looks at me, and despite the tears still streaming down her face, there's not an ounce of sadness in her expression. Her look is hard, verging on angry. She closes the door with enough force that the walls practically vibrate and steps toward me. I step back automatically, scared of the drastic shift in her mood. My attempt at distance doesn't do much, however, and she gets close enough to push my chest once. Hard. It's not enough to knock me down, but the action surprises me. I'm even more surprised when she does it again.

"It was bad because it was insensitive. What don't you get about that? You can't just pretend that someone's being cheated on as if that isn't a serious situation that some people actually go through. You can't act like it's not something that affects people every day and is only a mere prompt you can use when you want to test someone. It's not funny. It's devastating." She stops pushing me and switches to hitting my chest instead. "And you using it as something that can be laughed off isn't just rude, it's childish. Only an immature tool would ever think that cheating is funny to replicate." She's crying again, her words coming out between sobs. "It hurts Natsu. Being cheated on sucks. I know Lisanna was only pretending, but it's not right to make believe a situation like that." Lucy put her arms down, hugging herself instead of attacking me.

I don't say anything; just continue to watch as she cries. I want to comfort her, but I don't think it'd be appreciated given the current situation. I mull over what she said and one thing stands out. She talks about being cheated on as if it's from personal experience. If that's the case, her reaction to our joke makes a lot more sense.

"Lucy?" I ask softly. She doesn't reply, but her sobs quiet down, prompting me to continue. "Were you cheated on?" Her eyes dart to the floor, shame covering her like a blanket. She doesn't reply again, but her head gives a slight nod. I want to ask more, to get the full story. I want to find out who the guys is and throttle him for hurting Lucy in this way. I want to hold her, but I don't think she'd let me. She just looks so sad in this moment, so utterly beaten down.

"Fuck it," I mutter, pulling Lucy in and wrapping my arms around her. She stiffens, obviously uncomfortable at the sudden contact, but doesn't try to detach herself from me. This gives me confidence, and I hug a little tighter. I hear her sigh a little, but she still doesn't hug me back.

"Listen," I whisper, thinking over my next words in hopes of not making her more upset. "I'm sorry. I know you say you won't accept that, but it's the truth. I wasn't aware of how immature our joke was, but I am now. I won't do it ever again, and I'll make sure to tell Lisanna how dumb it is. I'm not asking you to forgive me now, or maybe even ever, but I am asking you to stay." I pull back enough to look at her. "Please just stay."

Lucy remains quiet, and I'm scared I didn't change her mind. Finally, though, after what seems like hours, she wraps her arms around me, returning my hug. I sigh in relief, knowing that at least I convinced her not to leave.

"Natsu," She says, her voice muffled by my chest," You're an idiot."

I bark a laugh at that, my body relaxing more at the lighthearted feeling in the air. Lucy laughs a little with me, finally letting go and breaking our embrace. We both step back a little awkwardly, not sure of where to go from here.

"So, just to clarify, you're staying?" I ask, wanting to get rid of all doubt.

Lucy nods her head, "Yes, Natsu, I'm staying."

I smile at the sureness in her voice, and she smiles back. Feeling bold, I ask one more question.

"And do you forgive me?" Her smile fades a little but doesn't completely disappear.

"Not yet, but I'll get there." She says, the promise in her words more than I could have asked for.

I thrust my hand out to her, a sort of peace offering, and she takes it. We shake hands, a gesture that seems oddly formal but oddly perfect for our situation.

"Friends?" I ask, our hands still grasped together.

"We'll see." She replies, not letting go.

Ha ha ha oops. Been a minute. I am continuing this story don't you worry.

I've been really stressed these past few months so hopefully I'll have more time and moitvation to write.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed your holidays and have a happy new year!

Review, follow, favorite, whatever.

Thanks for reading :)

XoxoAsh