CHAPTER 11

AN: Hey guys! I'm so sorry for taking so long to update. But here's chapter 11! And omg thank you so so so much for the lovely reviews! Made me so happy hehe

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Previously

Natsu couldn't take it anymore and punched him in the face. "Stay away from her Gray. It's a warning." He said quietly, but the words were filled with venom.

Gray looked back at him too startled to react to the punch. Natsu opened the door and walked inside. He saw Lucy waiting in the chair. He walked to her and smiled. "Let's go home, Luce."

She smiled back and Natsu felt all his anger melt away. He realized that he loved her smile more than anything in his life.

She took his extended hand and they walked out. Natsu didn't see Gray as they walked to the elevator And he didn't care. He will not let him have Lucy. He will not let their friendship develop into something more. Natsu decided as he took Lucy home.

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Lucy sank deeper in her tub, sighing loudly. They arrived home earlier, and she excused herself to take a shower before dinner. Natsu said he would take a shower himself and then meet in the dining room. He didn't tell her if he was going to stay over. His room was still being repaired from the other day. But there are plenty of empty rooms.

Lucy hates to admit that she doesn't want him to leave. She doesn't want to stay alone in this big house. And there are many rooms he can stay the night in. She doesn't even know if he's still supposed to work here. Now that her father died, everything belonged to her. So does it mean that Natsu works for her now?

"Lucy dear! Dinner is almost ready." She heard Ms. Spetto's voice behind the door.

"Okay! I'm coming down in a bit!" Lucy called out to her, then quickly finished her shower.

She got out of the bathroom and went through her wardrobe until she found a pair of baby pink shorts and a t-shirt. After getting dressed, she quickly put on her long socks and walked out of her room. She didn't bother to dry her hair. Just had a small towel on her head. Doesn't want the dinner to get cold. So she ran to the dining room. But before she reached the stairs, she collided with a hard chest and they both fell on the carpeted floor in tangled limps.

Lucy opened her eyes and found Natsu under her. His hair was still wet from the shower, like hers. So his bangs were down this time. He actually looked kinda cute like that. Her eyes trailed to his, and she found him staring back at her. But his face was unreadable. He cleared his throat and Lucy quickly got off him, her face burning.

"Sorry! I didn't see you." She said quickly turning around giving him her back, too embarrassed to look at him. Lucy put her hands on her cheeks, and they were hot. She probably looked like a tomato right now.

She heard a chuckle behind her. "It's okay Luce." He said. And before she could move her legs, a towel dropped on her head. Then Natsu came around to stand in front of her as he put his hands on the towel. "You should dry your hair first, Lucy, so you don't catch a cold." He said as he started drying her hair with the towel.

She avoided his eyes, still embarrassed. "You do know your hair is wet too, right?"

"I have short hair. It will dry quickly on its own. But you have long hair, so it will take longer." Natsu said. She finally looked up and found him smirking. She scowled and snatched the towel from his hands.

"It's okay, it's almost dry now. Let's go before the food gets cold." She said quickly and went downstairs without waiting for him.

She walked into the dining room, Natsu trailing behind her, and saw the food ready on the table. Lucy sat down in her usual seat on the right side of the head table. Natsu followed suit and sat opposite of her. His mouth watered at the food, and he quickly dug in. Lucy stifled a giggle. He has such a large appetite and eats like a pig.

"What's so funny?" He asked with a mouthful of food.

"Grossssss. Natsu, don't you have manners at the table? You shouldn't talk when your mouth is full of food." She scrunched her nose in disgust.

"Showwy its jwsht sho delishosh" He said, a few pieces falling from his mouth.

"Don't talk idiot!" She yelled, but he just laughed and put more food in his mouth.

Lucy finally gave in and giggled. "Slowly Natsu. You'll choke!"

Natsu shook his head furiously and kept digging in. "Nevveeeeww"

"If you—" She started to say but was cut off by the ringtone of her phone. She took her phone and saw Gray's name.

"Who's calling?" Natsu asked after swallowing a big bite.

She turned her screen phone to show him Gray's name. "It's Gray. But I don't know why he's—" Natsu suddenly snatched the phone from her hands and answered the phone.

"Natsu!"

"What do you want, droopy eyes? Lucy's busy, stop calling her." He said into the phone and then hang up.

Lucy reached over the table to take her phone back, but he held it out of her reach. "Natsu! Give me the phone!"

Natsu just leaned back further in his seat, the chair tipping back slightly. "Nope!"

Lucy looked at him bewildered, then stood up and stormed over to his side. He didn't see it coming, so he was surprised and lost balance in his chair and fell over. But the phone still gripped tight in his hand.

She stood over him and tried to take the phone, but he moved his hands away. "Natsu this is not funny! Give me the phone!"

He was laughing now and rolling away from her. Lucy glared at him and jumped on top of him to hold his hand down. Then her phone rang again. Natsu got distracted for a second, so she took the opportunity, snatched the phone, and stood up quickly. He was still on the floor when she answered the phone and walked away from him.

"Hey, Gray. Sorry about—" She said, but the air was knocked from her lungs when Natsu snatched her back by the back of her shirt. She landed on his lap and he wrapped an arm around her middle keeping her in place and snatched the phone yet again from her hand.

"What part of busy don't you understand? Stop. Calling." He said and hang up again.

"Natsu! I'm going to kill you if you don't let me go right now!" She hissed as she struggled against his grip. But he was a lot stronger than her, it was hopeless.

"Luce, you should thank me. I got rid of him for you." He said calmly wearing a pride grin on his face.

"Why would I get rid of him, idiot! He might need something!" She turned her head to glare at him, but he held her in place.

Natsu then narrowed his eyes at the back of her head. "Are you worried about him?"

Lucy gave up at this moment and huffed, crossing her arms. He's too strong. "Of course I worry about him, He's my friend."

He hesitated before asking. "Just a friend?"

"What's that supposed to mean— omg don't tell me you also think there's something between us?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Well, is there?"

Lucy sighed. Why couldn't anyone see that Gray is just her friend? Was it because they got friendly in a short period of time? Or was he because her bodyguard that no one saw the friendship between them. Sure, she doesn't know much about him. But he's such a nice guy and so easygoing. And it's so easy to get comfortable around him. But they're just friends.

She felt Natsu tense under her. "You're taking awfully a lot of time to answer." He said quietly.

"There isn't—"

"What's going on here?"

They both turned to the side and saw Gray standing by the door.

"Gray!" She exclaimed and stood up quickly from Natsu's lap. She walked to him and gave him a quick hug. Natsu scowling behind her. He stood up from his place on the floor and strode to them. He stood next to Lucy and put his arm around her shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his eyes narrowing at him.

"What are you doing here?" Gray fired back, eyes narrowing as well.

"I'm staying over."

Lucy turned her head to him, looking surprised. "You are?" She asked surprised while Gray asked annoyed.

Natsu nodded. "Yeah. So what's your reason?"

Gray's eyes caught Lucy. "I wanted to talk to Lucy since I didn't get the chance earlier."

Natsu glared at him and motioned with his head for him to leave, but Gray ignored him. "She doesn't wanna talk to you—"

"Natsu it's okay," Lucy said as she stepped away from him. Natsu pouted and crossed his arm.

"So, what did you want to talk about ?"

Gray looked over to Natsu then back to Lucy. "Can we talk alone?" He asked, pointing to the door behind him.

"Sure—"

"No!"

Lucy turned her head and glared at Natsu. He didn't back down and stared right back at her, a scowl on his handsome face.

She sighed. He can be so childish sometimes. She turned back to Gray, grabbed his arm, and quickly pulled him out of the room, and closing the door behind her before Natsu could say anything else.

"Come on, let's go outside," Lucy said pulling him all the way to the front door. They stepped outside and the cool air hit against her face making her shiver. It was a cold night. She wrapped her arms around herself and sat down on the steps.

She patted the spot next to her, looking up at him. "Sit."

Gray nodded, but before he sat down he took off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.

"T-Thanks…" She mumbled.

They sat in awkward silence for a few minutes, Gray fiddling beside her while she's playing with the sleeves of his jacket.

"Soooo.." She said awkwardly.

"So…" He repeated as awkwardly.

Lucy sighed and turned to him, ready to apologize for the last encounter they had. She didn't have a right to be mad at him and ignore him. He was doing the best he can. He was trying to save his friend, and she knew she would only get in their way.

"I'm sorry—" She was cut off when she felt his lips on hers. Lucy froze in place as Gray Fullbuster kissed her gently. He pulled away slowly, staring into her eyes.

"Gray…" She whispered, her heart racing.

"I like you, Lucy."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

Lucy looked down. Her heart was beating wildly. Her hand almost reached her lips, but she clasped her hands together. "I umm…" She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to feel.

Gray scooted closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Lucy stayed still as he hugged her gently. "Give me a chance." He whispered softly into her hair.

Lucy didn't get a chance to respond before Gray was snatched away, and he was tumbling down the stairs.

"Omg, Gray!" She yelled as she stood up. But before she could take a step down, a hand grabbed her arm, pulling her inside.

She turned and saw the arm belonged to Natsu as he stormed inside, pulling her along. She looked back at Gray at the bottom of the stairs and saw him holding his arms, glaring daggers at Natsu.

"Natsu wait!" She tried to pull her arm from his grip, but he only gripped harder but still not hurting her.

He pulled her inside and closed the door behind him.

"Natsu what—"

He let go of her arm and stood towering over her. His face was harsh. He looked so mad. "Did you just fucking kiss him?"

"I didn't—"

"Don't lie!" He yelled in her face. His hands pointing outside. "I saw you with my own eyes!" He took a step closer, but she backed away from him. He was so angry his hands were shaking.

"Natsu…" She whispered, backing away from him. "Please calm down."

"You want me to calm down—" He yelled again but then there was a bang on the door.

"Natsu open the door! I know you're in there!" Gray said banging on the door. When did he lock the door?

"Gladly!" He yelled and stormed over to the door. Lucy quickly ran and stood in front of him, blocking him from the door.

"Move Luce."

Lucy shook her head. "No Natsu. It's obvious you're angry right now and not thinking clearly. I don't want you to do something you'll regret."

Natsu stared at her for a few seconds, then he scowled. Lucy gulped and flinched when he stepped toward her. He pulled off the jacket she was wearing and threw it on the floor. "Step aside Lucy. Now."

"I said no!" She glared back at him. "If I let you open the door now, you two will kill each other! I don't even know what's wrong with both of you! Aren't you supposed to be friends!"

Natsu laughed humorlessly. "If he was my friend, he wouldn't do this to me!" He yelled to the door.

Lucy was so confused. What was happening between them? They've been fighting a lot recently. And she knew this time it's not one of those harmless fights they get into every day and make up seconds after. This time it's different.

She reached for his hand but he pulled away from her. "Please Natsu calm down, lets talk through this. Tell me why are you so mad?"

Natsu looked at her in disbelief. "How can you be so blind?"

Lucy looked at him with confusion. What is he talking about?

"Natsu you're dead! Open the door!" Gray yelled behind the door.

Natsu's face darkened and was at the door before Lucy could blink. She turned around as he unlocked the door and opened it.

He was met with a punch but blocked it with his hand and pulled Gray inside. Gray didn't expect it, so he stumbled a bit but caught himself before he fell.

Natsu didn't waste a second and swung his legs under Gray, but Gray saw it coming and jumped over his leg. He grabbed Natsu's leg and pulled it toward him to throw him over his shoulder. Natsu flipped back on his feet and raced toward Gray again with ready fists. But stopped himself as Lucy stood in front of Gray, his fist inches from her nose.

His eyes widened and he stepped back. "Lucy don't—"

"Stop!" She yelled at him. "Just stop! You're acting like my father!" Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Natsu froze, then fell to his knees. He stared at the floor and then banged his head on the floor. Once, twice, and more, till blood stained the floor.

"Oh my god Natsu no!" Lucy quickly dived and put her hand between the floor and his head. He didn't see her and banged his head. But when his head hit something soft, he looked up and saw Lucy holding her hand, whimpering in pain.

Gray kneeled beside Lucy and took her hand. "You hurt her, jerk!"

But Lucy pulled her hands away from Gray. "It's okay. Gray, please go home, don't make this worse." She pleaded with big eyes.

Gray looked uncertain. "I'm not comfortable leaving you with him, Lucy. I should stay."

Natsu just kept blankly staring at her hand that was stained with his blood.

Lucy stood up from her spot and grabbed Gray's jacket from the floor. Gray stood after her and she gave him his jacket.

"Lucy, I really don't want to leave you with him."

Lucy looked back at Natsu who seemed to be in a trance. She turned back to Gray. "He will never hurt me. I know him. You know him. Don't worry."

Gray was about to protest more, but she put her hands on his back and pushed him to the door lightly. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Let me fix it."

"But you don't understand, Lucy. He's mad because—" She cut him off with an apology and shut the door in his face.

She watched Natsu on the floor and approached him slowly. "Natsu…" She whispered to him, but he was still frozen in his spot.

She kneeled in front of him and put her hand on his cheek. "Natsu." She whispered again.

He took a deep shuddering breath and looked into her eyes. "Luce…"

They were so close, their breath mingling together. "I'm sorry." He whispered with regret.

Lucy shook her head. "Talk to me, Natsu."

Natsu avoided her eyes this time and pulled away. He put a hand on his forehead and winced from the pain. Then his eyes were on her hand. His eyes were wide and scared. "Luce, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He put his hands out and looked the other way. "Here."

Lucy looked at him in confusion. "What?"

Natsu stretched his hands more. "Hit me. Hurt me. I deserve it."

Lucy looked at his stretched arm and then back at his face that was turned away from her. She couldn't help but giggle. Natsu's head turned back to her and looked at her in surprise.

She lowered his outstretched arm and scooted closer to him. She gave him a soft smile. "Natsu, You don't deserve to be hurt." She brought her hand to his forehead and touched the cut. He flinched but didn't pull away from her touch. "You're already hurt, idiot."

"I'm really sorry, Luce. I know I had no right to be mad." He said, his face falling.

"Let's clean your cut first, Natsu. Come on." She stood up and grabbed his hand. She pulled him up, and they went upstairs all the way to her room, still holding his hand. When they were inside her room, she let go of his hand, but he grabbed it again tightly in his hand. She looked at him in surprise but didn't say anything.

She pulled him into her bathroom and made him sit on the edge of her tub. She grabbed a small towel soaking it in water then she walked over to him cleaning the blood away.

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Natsu was quite staring at her while she focused on cleaning his cut and his heart clenched at how beautiful she is. He fisted his hands. When he saw them kissing outside, he went crazy. He knew Lucy is special. Knew he felt something for her. Knew he wanted her for himself. But he didn't realize he was so in love with her that it drove him crazy. When he saw them kissing and hugging outside, that was the last straw. He felt his heart crack at the sight. He couldn't take it.

Why was he so unlucky that he and his best friend fell for the same girl? It was so unfair. After the loss he went through…

He closed his eyes tight as a painful memory came to his mind. He doesn't want to go through this again. It's too much. It's just too much.

He felt a soft hand on his cheek. "Are you okay?" Lucy whispered, looking at him with worried eyes.

Those damn beautiful eyes.

He nodded and stood up. His hand touched his forehead and felt a bandaid on the cut. "Thanks." He said simply and walked out. He was still thinking about the kiss. It still made him mad and jealous. Why did it have to be Gray? Why not him? He felt like a sore loser for thinking like that, but he couldn't help it.

A soft, delicate hand grabbed him when he reached the door. He stopped and turned around.

"I didn't kiss him. He kissed me." She said quietly looking down.

"W-what?" He wasn't prepared for that.

Then Lucy looked him in the eyes whispering "Gray is just a friend to me."

And Natsu couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed her waist pressing her close to him and kissed her. He felt her soft lips as she kissed him back. He deepened the kiss wrapping his arms around her pressing her closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and one hand went through his hair.

They pulled away slowly to breathe. Natsu stared into her chocolate eyes and leaned down for another kiss. She giggled against his lips and he couldn't help but smile.

When they pulled away, Lucy was panting slightly, her face was flushed, and she had this adorable smile on her face. Natsu couldn't help himself and kissed her for the third time.

"Natsu!" She giggled and pulled away for air.

He leaned his forehead against hers. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this." He breathed.

She looked at him. From his eyes to his nose to his lips and then back to his eyes. She leaned in and gave him a light peck. "I'm glad you finally did."

He pulled back. "I'm going to kick Gray's ass for kissing what's mine." He glared.

Lucy laughed lightly. "Oh, so I'm yours now?" She asked with a hand on her hip.

"You've always been mine, Luce. You just didn't know it."

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AN: soooo this was such a dramatic chapter right ? I hope you liked it hehe.