The rest of the weekend flew by. The air was tense between Erza and Jellal but she figured it would take some time for things to start feeling normal again. As far as Lisanna goes, Erza was at a loss.

On one hand she wanted to follow Lucy's example. If she forgave Jellal she should forgive her too right? While on the other hand, fuck that. Erza let Lisanna slide with a lot over the years but this on top of everything else was just too much. She probably would've taken the secret to her grave if Jellal had let her and that in itself was reason to never speak to her again.

"Erza can we talk"

She heard a voice behind her say. It was now the end of the school day and Lucy insisted everyone come over to do homework and have "girl talk". She was just trying to quickly gather her things before riding back with the others.

"No time, I'm in a rush to meet up with my actual friends" The red head responded coldly before closing her locker. Just as she was about to walk away Lisanna grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"Unless you want to end this day looking drastically different from when you started it, I suggest you unhand me."

Lisanna sighed and released her grip.

"Just hear me out for 5 minutes. Please."

Erza rolled her eyes and turned to face her ex best friend. 5 minutes wouldn't hurt she supposed.

"What Lisanna"

Lisanna took a deep breath. As if trying to recall a speech she probably rehearsed 20 times over.

"Look Erza.. I'm sorry. I know what I did was awful, but it was a mistake. I saw you arrive to school with Jellal today. And I figured if you could forgive him maybe you could forgive me too. We're best friends Erza. I know it's easy to direct all your anger onto me from the bet and well.. the incident. But it isn't fair. I'm no worse than the guys. Or Jellal."

Erza scoffed at the last comment.

"If you're no worse, why didn't I find out the truth from you. In fact, don't answer that I already know the answer. The real question is what makes us best friends Lisanna?"

Lisanna starred dumbfounded for a second. She wasn't expecting that response.

"I- Well... We've been through so much an-"

Erza laughed cutting her off "We've been through so much? Like what."

"We've known each other for years Erza!"

"And have we spent those years being friends or was I just yours? I mean looking back, I'm always the listening ear but where were you when I've ever needed to talk? I had forgotten what it was like to have my feelings actually considered by a friend until I met Lucy and the others. I'm constantly defending yoou against accusations and attacks to your character that are lowkey true. You've never stuck up for me; I actually remember you laughing along when I used to get picked on. I don't have a single memory of you sticking up for me"

"Since when did you need to be stuck up for? Everyone was afraid of you!"

"when we got to the 7th grade, Before I ever punched anyone and gained that fear from my peers, you were there laughing along. You only started being seen with me when people started to respect me. And still I defended you when people called you a slut or a bitch. I didn't care when people told me you talk shit about me behind my back but you know what... I should've"

Lisanna starred in silence feeling guilty. She had to admit, all of those things were true. The only reason she never apologized is because she knew how well Erza actually knew her, and didn't feel the need to. She knew Erza knew she only did those things when she felt jealous or insecure; but at the core she was a good person... right?

"Look, I'm not here to bash or guilt trip you. There's a higher power you'll have to answer to one day and it isn't me. If I have to be honest... I have nothing positive to say about you right now. So that means I just shouldn't be around you. I wish you the best Lis.. but not as my friend"

With that Erza walked away. She was already running late to meet with the girls.

"And then you just walked away" Juvia said in awe.

They were now sitting in the living room area of Lucy's massive bedroom. Erza caught them up to speed on why she was so late.

"Color me impressed" Levy added "With your fighting skills I would've beat her ass. No hesitation. This is a new kind of strong" she threw a handful of popcorn in the air, catching none of it in her mouth

Lucy took the bowl from her friend, glaring at her for making a mess then directed her attention back to Erza.

"So, how are things with Jellal now." She asked, getting to the point of what everyone clearly wanted to know.

Erza shrugged "Awkward at best... I can tell he's trying. He's been showering me with gifts and affection. This morning before school he filled my car with roses. He missed his own lunch just to go to my favorite store and buy me cake for mine." She sighed thoughtfully.

"The gestures are sweet but they don't necessarily build trust" Lucy finished for her understanding where she was coming from.

Erza nodded.

"It honestly takes time. Natsu tried that approach at first but I didn't start to feel safe with him again until we started having heart to hearts about things."

Erza shuddered at the thought of being that vulnerable again

"But we did that this weekend"

"It's one of those things you have to keep doing till it sticks" Levy weighed in.

"I see..."

Meanwhile, next door the guys were having a similar conversation.

"You can't solve this by just buying her things idiot." Gray said half paying attention, half playing the video game.

"Didn't you and Juvia break up twice already because you can't be trusted" Natsu jabbed.

"At least I have enough sense and self control not to sleep with Lisanna" He quipped back

Gajeel laughed "He's got you both there."

"Do you want to fight" Natsu challenged them both

"GUYS" Jellal cut in "You idiots are supposed to be helping me! I honestly don't know what to do. I've never been here with Erza before. She said she forgives me but she's so cold now. I can tell she hates me"

"She doesn't hate you" Natsu responded while throwing something at Gray, not truly being able to let his comment go. "She just doesn't trust you."

Gray paused the game and tackled Natsu as soon as he finished his sentence. Ignoring the two, Jellal turned his full attention to Gajeel who picked up where Natsu left off.

"Flame brain has a point. All girls are sappy as shit. Even Erza. Levy needs constant reassurance to remind her I'm not goin anywhere."

"Doesn't that get annoying?"

"Absolutely. Not as annoying as the feeling I get without her though."

"Awww that's kinda nice" Gray said while punching Natsu in the face.

"Cram it ice pic. Anyways, try the little things. A simple text goes a long way." With that Gajeel resumed the game where Gray left off.

Natsu and Gray continued to fight in the background. Jellal was too deep in thought to care or pay attention to it. He pulled out his phone and decided to give Gajeel's advice a try. He typed up a simple 'I love you more every day. I will continue to prove it as long as you'll have me' and pressed send.

"And when I have my doubts he does stuff like this" Erza said showing the message she just got from jellal to her friends.

"Awwwww" They all said in unison

"Gajeel does this type of stuff all the time." Levy swooned "It honestly does help ease the anxiety and doubts"

"Aww I wish Natsu would do things like that." Lucy pouted

"Gray sama is only that sweet when Juvia pulls it out of him" She sighed sadly

"Hmm.. Maybe I should give it some more time."

After a few more hours of hanging out the girls decided to go their separate ways since they all had school in the morning. Once the girls left natsu took that as his cue to come over like he usually would after school.

Since their heated encounter the other day, they started exploring more often.

Lucy sprawled out on her bed, back arching, fingers tangled in Natsu's hair as he went down on her. He had one hand gripping and massaging her ass and waist while the other applied pressure to her nub while he tongue kissed her folds. She gripped his locks pressing his face deeper as she came undone, squirting on his face.

Natsu groaned, enjoying the sensation and the sweet smell of her scent. She tasted like candy to him.

Lucy blushed coming down from her sexual high, now realizing the mess she made.

"Sorry.."

"Don't ever apologize for that." He said huskily now inches away from her face. He kissed her passionately so she could taste herself on his lips.

She tongued him back eagerly, enjoying the pure and hot intimacy of the moment.

Natsu groaned and ground his hips into her naked wet core. Almost forgetting they were supposed to be taking things 'slow'

He ground into her again and started massaging her chest. Lucy gasped and froze when she felt his rock hard erection against her. As hot as this was, she still wasn't ready for all that. She started to gently push him off.

Lost in the passion, Natsu didn't even notice. He began to press into her harder, now licking and kissing down her neck.

"N-natsu" She began to protest but was silenced by his lips on hers, His tongue plunging into her mouth in a very erotic kiss. He'd never kissed her like that before. Not truly feeling ready and growing more nervous by his darkening lust filled gaze she pinched him hard on his bare abdomen.

"Ouch! What the fuck" He jumped back startled at the sudden sharp pain. With his senses and blood returning to the proper head, he took in Lucy's face for the first time since he had gotten back on top of her.

He saw a mixture of emotions. She looked nervous, uncomfortable, her eyes were glazed like she was holding back tears that threatened to fall, and worst of all she looked afraid. Natsu flooded with guilt realizing he let himself become so overcome with desire that he didn't even check to make sure if she was ok with what he was doing. He wasn't used to dealing with virgins, but that was still no excuse.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't... I'm not.." She struggled to find the words to say as tears threatened to fall.

"Fuck" he sighed under his breath disappointed with himself. Lucy was still rambling trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say.

"A-and I thought you were fine with not going further until I'm ready. And I just.. Maybe you should go." She looked at the ground sadly tears now spilling over.

Natsu then realized he had made another mistake staying silent too long. Now she thought he was mad at her. If anything he was very upset with himself for not controlling himself like he said he would. He was still a teenage boy afterall.

He lifted her chin and wiped a tear with his thumb.

"No I'm sorry. I am fine with waiting I just got a little ahead of myself. You're just so... Fuck I'm sorry" He kissed her on the forehead and pulled her into a hug that she returned resting her head on his chest.

She was relieved he wasn't mad at her. She wouldn't have given in even if he was, but it was good to know that he wasn't.

"Natsu.." Lucy nuzzled deeper into his chest "Do you love me?"

"I love you more than anything Luce. You're the smartest, most determined, beautiful, and talented person I know. I'm sorry If I just made you feel objectified."

Lucy couldn't help but giggle at him using the word she taught him.

"Thank you Natsu. Earlier I caught myself wishing you were more reassuring when Erza showed us a text Jellal sent. I'm sorry for not realizing I already have that in you."

She laid down pulling him with her. They laid cuddling until Lucy drifted off to sleep as Natsu stroked her back. He made a mental note to kick Jellal's ass later for making him look bad.