The thick curtains in Happy's room couldn't hold back the bright rays this morning. The blue Exceed was debating a furniture arrangement as the sunlight hit him right in the eye. Flipping over in his bed, he closed his eyes once again.

I wonder if Natsu is going to actually leave his room today…

Two weeks have passed since Lucy went on her undercover job. In that time, the Dragon Slayer has only left his room to eat. Even that didn't seem like it happened every day. Happy would wake up every morning to check on him, finding Natsu in the same position that he did the last time. He would ask his best friend if he wanted to do something that day. Each time his answer would be the same.

"Nah, I think I'm gonna stay in today…. But don't let that stop you from having a good time!"

The Dragon Slayer would then put on a fake smile, before turning his head away and sinking it into his pillow.

The Exceed did all of the housework at that time, even going into his best friend's room to pick it up. Nearly every time, the pink haired wizard was sound asleep, snoring louder than a jet engine.

He knew Natstu was beating himself up for what happened with Lucy. It was awful that he didn't know when he would speak to her again. However, the Dragon Slayer shouldn't be stopping his life because of this event. When Lucy gets back, everything can be fixed!

Happy wanted his best friend back! With a determined look on his face, the blue cat got out of bed. After getting ready for the day, the Exceed decided to gather a team of professionals to help with this problem.

Erza and Gray might know what to do! The little blue cat quickly ran out his front door. It didn't take long for Happy to fly to Magnolia. Within the hour, the Fairy Tail guild was in his sights. He swung the doors open, looking for any sign of the team.

"Hey Happy!" Lisanna waved at the little blue cat. "I haven't seen you guys in a while. What brings you here?"

"Hi Lisanna." The Exceed waved to her. "Have you seen Erza? Or maybe Gray?"

"Why? Is something wrong?" A look of concern took over the young wizard's features.

"Well…" Happy looked at the ground, unsure of how to bring it up. "Natsu's still pretty beat up about Lucy going on that job. I was hoping I could get them to come over and get him out of bed."

"When was the last time he left the bed?" Lisanna questioned.

The little blue cat thought hard about it, scratching his head. "The last time I saw him out of there was three days ago. He grabbed something out of the fridge and walked right back in. This is the third week of this, and I just want my best friend back.."

"Really?" The shape shifting wizard couldn't help but feel a little bit responsible for this. She hated seeing one of her friends so heartbroken! "I'm sorry Happy…"

"Happy!" Wendy smiled and waved at the blue cat. "Where's Natsu? I had something I wanted to ask him."

"Uh…" The Exceed rubbed the back of his head. "He's not here right now…"

"Hey, Cat!" Black Steele hollered from across the guild hall. He and Pantherlilly began walking towards the group at the bar. "Where's Salamander?"

The blue cat took a deep breath as he held the bridge of his nose. "As I just said, he's not here. I actually came by to see if some people would help me get him out of the house."

"Out? Why?" The Sky Dragon Slayer asked curiously.

"Did he finally trash the place one too many times?" Carla snickered, until she noticed the distressed look on Happy's face.

"I bet it has something to do with blondie…" Gajeel rolled his eyes.

"Natsu hasn't left his room since Lucy went on her mission…" The blue cat looked at them worriedly. "I don't know what to do. I'm hoping that talking to some of you guys could help him. Who better than a couple of Dragon Slayers, right?"

"I'd love to go." Wendy smiled, looking down at her friend who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I guess I'll tag along." The Iron Dragon shrugged.

"Happy… Do you mind if I go too?"

"Isn't this whole thing your fault anyway?" Gajeel raised a brow.

"Hey!" Lisanna glared. "I already feel bad enough for what's going on. I don't need it from anyone else!"

Pantherlilly watched as Gajeel's jaw dropped, utterly speechless. The black Exceed quickly spoke, hoping to ease the tension. "I'm sure you didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"Guys.." Happy began rubbing his temples. "Can we focus? Please."

Wendy nodded. "Natsu is in need of our help. As his friends, it's important to be there for him.

Natsu could feel the sun warming the other side of his eyelids. He groaned and turned away from the offending light. The Dragon Slayer wasn't even sure what day it was, let alone what time. Ever since his best friend left, the young wizard has been an absolute mess.

The first week, he laid in bed with a dark cloud looming over him. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting Lucy in the way he did. There were so many things the Dragon Slayer wished he'd done differently. However, it took a lot of time to realize they more than likely happened for a reason.

Seven days after Lucy's departure, the Dragon Slayer decided to sneak out in the middle of the night once again.

While he'd been cooped up in his room, Natsu had been going crazy with the thoughts invading his mind. Even though she was gone, there were still ways he could be close to the Celestial Mage. While it wasn't one of his better ideas, it satisfied the little dragon in his brain.

It didn't take him long to reach her apartment. Natsu let himself go in the way he always did. He was extra careful to make sure there was actually no one home this time. As he looked around the empty apartment, the Dragon Slayer noticed a folded piece of paper on Lucy's desk.

The pink haired wizard walked over to her notepad, seeing a letter with his name on the top of it. His eyes widened as he picked it up quickly.

Natsu,

I knew you would come to my apartment some time, which is why I left this here for you.

There is probably an explanation for what I saw in the guild hall. However, in the moment I was allowing my emotions to take over. Being so angry, I just had to leave or else I was going to do something I would regret. It wouldn't be fair to anyone if I blew up in the guild hall.

I'm sorry that I didn't show up for the mission you were excited for. I know someone on the team was able to take my spot. You probably got the job done faster with Erza or Gray at your side.

There were so many times I pictured how our first night together would play out. It was indescribable. I could feel us sharing a true connection. When I said I loved you, I meant every word. What we have is special, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Natsu, please don't blame yourself for my departure. The last thing I want you to do is feel guilty. I've been needing a change for quite some time. I've felt like the weakest link for a long time. I want to get stronger for you, and my team. It's unfortunate that the catalyst to my decision came with such terrible timing.

I've spent the better part of my life doing things for others. This time, I'm making the decision to be a little selfish. I want to become a better wizard and save the world, one piece at a time. I want to be able to walk beside you in the chaos, instead of needing to be saved.

Please make use of the time I'm gone! The S-Class trials are coming up soon. I'd love to see the both of us compete.

Wishing you the best,

Lucy

The Dragon Slayer read the letter several times. While part of him felt relief, his best friend was still out there and he couldn't help her if she's in trouble.

The next week, although he wasn't as depressed, Natsu still spent cooped up in his room. The Celestial mage's absence left a hole in the Dragon Slayer's chest. It made it hard to get out of bed, he didn't feel whole. All he began to do was lay there and worry about Lucy. Why did she have to go on this journey alone? Was her mission going according to plan? Is there any sort of danger she could be in? Other things that began to plague him were the meaning behind Lucy's letter.

Unfortunately, Natsu just allowed his mind to get the best of him.

The Dragon Slayer could hear the sound of his front door opening. With all the extra noise, Natsu had the feeling that Happy wasn't alone this time. He appreciated his best friend thinking of him, but he didn't want to be the wet blanket in a room of people. Hopefully, they would keep to themselves in the living room.

All of his wishes were crushed from the moment Natsu heard a knock on his door. His best friend, Happy, slowly peered into his room. "Hey buddy. I was at the guild hall, and some people wanted to come see you! Is that okay?"

"Some?" The Fire Dragon Slayer questioned.

The little blue cat nodded. "Yeah, I was at the guild hall, and they were both looking for you."

"Well…" The Fire Dragon Slayer took a deep breath, taking in the new scents in his home. His eyes rolled as he smelled rusty iron. "I guess let them in the house, they're gonna be stubborn about it anyway. I'll be out in a couple of minutes."

Happy nodded and closed the door, allowing Natsu a couple moments of silence once again. While he wasn't happy for the interruption, he knew better than to keep another Dragon Slayer waiting. From the smell of it, Gajeel and Wendy were both here, along with their cats.

After he got into a fresh change of clothes, the Dragon Slayer walks out of his room, seeing the group of people making homes on the couch and various chairs.

The little blue Exceed kept a big smile on his face as he hopped onto his best friend's shoulder. "I went to the guild hall this morning, and Wendy needed to ask you something. Gajeel was also looking for you. Lisanna's been worried since she hasn't been seeing you at the guild hall."

Natsu looked at all of the people in the room with wide eyes.

The Sky Dragon Slayer was the first to speak. "I just wondered if you had any insight into this 'change' business. Either you or Gajeel." Wendy looked towards Black Steele, feeling a little anxious as they began thinking about 'them' once again. She could feel butterflies forming as a blush rose to her cheeks. "I think I'm starting to experience it. However, I can't be sure…"

Carla's eyes widened, this being the first time she's heard this. "Who are you talking about, Wendy?"

"Who isn't important!" The young bluenette mentioned, the blush on her cheeks only getting darker. "I just need to know exactly what it feels like. I mean, if either of you have gone through it."

Gajeel sighed, leaning back into the couch. "In the beginning, it was just a fascination with that person. I wanted them to be around me at all times. It didn't really matter what we were doing, as long as we were together. I found myself thinking of them and their wellbeing before anyone else. Almost as if my center of gravity changed from Earthland, to that person. My sole purpose is to be there for them."

The Fire Dragon Slayer looked at Black Steele with wide eyes. Gajeel had just perfectly explained how Natsu felt about Lucy. The pink haired wizard had his suspicions from their first conversation, but now he was absolutely sure.

Wendy wished she could find the words to describe how she felt. However, the Iron Dragon Slayer did a perfect job. "I… I think I've felt the pull."

"Me too…" Salamander and Gajeel mention at the same time, surprising each other.