Disclaimer : Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

A/N: So, it's not a real update because I already posted this chapter once. A few comments made it quite clear it didn't turned out the way I envisioned it. So I deleted it and worked on it a little bit more. Actually, I only altered the end so it mostly remains the same. I do hope it will be more in tune with what I had in mind.

Luxus' POV

— Mirajane, what's up with the kid?" he asked after a solid ten minutes watching him staring vacantly.

— I am not sure yet, Luxus. He's been like that since his last fight with Gray." He lifted his eyebrows in curiosity and she waited him out, never stopping the rhythmic movement of the washing cloth on the counter. Its wood was already shining but she did not seem to notice as she kept on polishing it.

— Where is the girl?" he inquired. "They're always joined at the hip." Now that he thought about it, he had never seen one without the other and it was odd to see the brat sitting by himself, brooding. He hadn't even known he could do that. It was rather surprising. Scratch that, it was most peculiar.

— They aren't anymore.

— Trouble in paradise?" he snickered. It would be like Natsu to fuck up. The wave of anger coming from the bar was unexpected. He turned inquisitive eyes to the woman behind it and found her staring him down with one of her best glares.

— Do not laugh. I am worried," she whispered, emphasizing her last word and his face took on an astonished expression. This was her stern tone and her voice held that undeniable hint of danger. If Mirajane was that worried, then it was serious. "He works to a minimum, eats without any real appetite, barely sleep, only fights against Gray, has mood swings and stares vacuously for hours. It's been on and off for days, Luxus." He frowned. "Is it dragon-related?" she finally asked him, her tone hesitant. It would ease her concern if it could be reduced to that. But somewhere in her soul, she knew it wasn't. It was simpler and infinitely more complex at the same time.

— I never went through that," he declared evenly, shrugging. "Where's the cat?"

— Natsu shooed him off earlier in the week. Happy is sulking away with Wendy and Carla right now." That was new. Those two rarely fought and never stayed mad at each other long. He watched the whelp again and wondered if he should get involved.

— And the girl?"

— Probably drinking with Kana." His eyebrows disappeared beyond his hairline. He blinked, trying to process the information. So the well-bred, aristocratic, shameless mage was running wild. Without her usual partner in crime. Interesting. "She'll be here soon. You'll see for yourself." She sighed in defeat and concern. He only remembered that the last time he had been there, she had smelled weird. It was seductive and repulsive in equal measures. He had left early and hadn't spared her a thought more. Now he wished he had. "She's not herself," she said, choosing her words carefully. She wasn't one to mince words usually and it intrigued him.

— Explain.

— What, are you interested in the latest gossip, Luxus? I didn't know you were into that kind of things.

— Mira." She frowned on his use of the short name. He hadn't called her Mira in years. It brought up a myriad memories that she would rather leave alone. She was not willing to go there yet. So she indulged him and got him up to date.

— She's been lamenting on her deplorable love-life. She had a few boyfriends, on and off, nothing ever steady. They all disappointed her." He was seriously reconsidering his will to listen. Mirajane knew him well because she smirked and continued with details. "She always had a good reason." She began to tick them off on her fingers. "This one is too tall, this one too small. Sometimes they are loud and the next they are too quiet. They are either idiots or clever but arrogant. They don't smell right. They are sappy and smother her. When they aren't romantic, they are rude pigs. She can't seem to make her mind though about what she is looking for exactly. That she'd leave them at the drop of a hat whenever Natsu suggested they do a job didn't help of course. And now, she drinks with Kana with that sad look in her eyes and she doesn't smile or laugh as she used to."

— So basically, Blondie has fallen for our most prominent idiot, right?" He smirked. As he had said, they had been joined at the hip since he introduced her years ago. Damn, had it been that long already? She swatted him playfully. "So, what's his deal?"

— I couldn't say for sure, Luxus. Natsu is very private. More so than expected. He has not confided in anyone.

— But you have your theory, am I right?" he teased lightly, his head cocked towards her. She took his glass and served him another beer.

— I believe… he's overthinking." Luxus looked at her blankly then burst out laughing with great, heaving guffaws. Damn, he hadn't laughed that hard for years. His face ached and he felt piercing stabs in his sides. Tears of mirth prickled his eyes. Mirajane wasn't impressed. At all.

— Natsu? That air-head? Overthinking? Mira, really…

— You're underestimating him," she stated. "He's far more perceptive than anyone gives him credit for. And he can put two and two together."

— Yes, with great help!

— If you're going to be a prick about this, I'll ask you to leave. Now." He looked at her, her no-nonsense tone startling him. She was dead serious. Oh, so he had misjudged the extent of her worry.

— He's just lovesick. The immature spitfire has grown. A little. And discovered a new aspect to relationships. He'll ask her out or get over it. That's no big deal." She sighed in exasperation. "Look, until now, his head has only been filled with food and fights. Now it's full of a girl. So what? He took a bit longer to… develop." He chose his words with care because he had no wish to anger Mirajane. It was a shame nobody could see the irony and funny side of this whole fiasco. They should not mop around like their cat died.

— I am not sure Natsu has ever been really cognizant of the… implications of his behaviour with Lucy," she tentatively replied. He chuckled.

— Oh, he was. He may be immature like hell but he knew what he was doing. You can't just grope a girl by accident. Regularly from what I heard. And always the same one. Unless I'm mistaken?

— I rather meant like a young boy pulling on a girl's pigtails.

— You're worrying without reason. He's just got the worst case of cold feet I've ever had the displeasure to witness. I'll go talk to him."

Mirajane vainly tried to shush him and get him to settle down but he was on a mission now. Just as he went to get up, the guildhall doors opened and entered part of the usual merry band. More precisely, the girly giggling part. And they seemed tipsy, all of them. A drunk Kana wasn't a surprise and Lucy he had been warned. But Erza and the blue-haired bookworm? The rain woman seemed normal which was a feat in itself if a tad embarrassed and shy. They sure knew how to party between themselves. His eyes slid to the other dragon around. He sat ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on the girls and his glass forgotten in his hand. A few wisps of smoke seemed to gather around him. He couldn't help it. He laughed. This was just too good to pass up. He didn't regret coming in tonight. Well, he would look at them a bit more. He sat back down again and smiled to Mirajane.

— You're right. There is no hurry after all."

It was ridiculous really. He didn't remember ever being such a clumsy oaf. Those two were so very conscious of the other it was astounding they weren't all over each other yet. What could possibly hold them back? Now he was curious. It shouldn't be such a big deal.

— Natsu!" he boomed and saw her stiffen out of the corner of his eye. Not so drunk apparently… He smirked. Ridiculous. He grabbed a bottle on the bar and leisurely made his way to him, dropping with a dull thud on the chair opposite. He shrugged his coat away and poured them both a drink. Natsu was following his movement without a word.

— I don't drink alcohol," he finally declared and ignored the full glass, staring a moment into the hard gaze fixed on him before losing interest.

— Hey kiddo," he greeted while the youngest narrowed his eyes on the nickname. "I heard you've discovered there's more to girls than pulling their hair." He remained silent. "At least you have taste." He stiffened imperceptibly. "She looks positively delectable." He could feel the air warming. "Hmm, she's got curves in all the right places." His fists clenched visibly on the table. "Not that she makes much of an effort to hide them." Oh, he would get a stronger reaction than that. "She smells good too, I wonder how she tastes like…"

— What the…? Shut the fuck up, Luxus!" he roared, suddenly lunging at him, his eyes blazing with murder.

— Down pup," he ordered as he blocked his right fist. He put his big hand on the top of his head and slammed it down roughly onto the table. "Congrats, you've hit puberty." A muffled sound reached his ears from under his hand and it sounded suspiciously like swear words. "You're apparently in need of an elder guy explaining things clearly to you. So you will stay put, nice and easy and listen until I'm done. Are we clear, brat?" Another muffled sound. He increased the pressure on his head. "Are we?" A slight, minute nod since the wood would not allow him more. He grumbled, massaging his aching nose and forehead, muttering insults unintelligibly.

— Basically, it means you'll get hard every time you see a hot girl. Especially if you fancy her." Natsu blushed, to his great amusement and turned his head the other way. He didn't say a single word. "And you're going to fantasize about her. A lot." He saw him close his eyes for a second in a childish attempt to block his words and blush so much harder, he wondered for a fleeting moment if his fire had finally consumed him. Natsu flushing scarlet. This was priceless. But still he said nothing and refused to meet his eyes. "Now, you seem under the assumption that staying clear of that girl will make it all go away." He didn't miss the flash of hope that crossed his face. "It won't." His face fell. Who knew it would be so much fun to embarrass the usually fiery mage that way? "What keeps you from asking her out?"

— I owe you zilch," he answered and glared at him hotly.

— Don't take that tone with me, dragon cub," he chided and sent a jolt of lightning in retaliation. "I believe I asked you a question."

— We've been through thick and thin together. I am not losing her." So Mira was almost right. The little fool was thinking this over. He was contemplating the impact a love affair would have on their friendship if it didn't last. He was surprised Natsu, that cheeky brash dummy, would lose his fire over a girl. She must mean pretty much everything to him. In all honesty, he found himself to be proud. Proud that he wouldn't rush headlong heedlessly. It wasn't everyday Natsu earned his respect.

— You're losing her right now from what I've gathered.

— Are you done?" he spat after several minutes of complete silence.

— Not quite." He had never thought it would befall him to have that talk with Natsu. Well, someone had to make sure he wouldn't be as rash and irresponsible as he usually was. Once he had made up his mind and gathered enough courage to ask her out. "Do you know what consent means?

— I'm not illiterate." Learnt big words, did he? Well, he'll explain anyway. Just in case.

— It means no is definite. I don't care if you got blue balls, there is not a single second you aren't able to stop. Clear?

— Crystal." How exactly could he talk through his teeth, clenched as tightly as they were?

— Good. And you use protection." He found he was looking forward discovering the whole range of colors Natsu's face could take on. It seemed he wanted nothing more than for the earth to open up and swallow him whole. He himself didn't find it as weird as it could have been. In fact, it felt like sharing a big secret with a little brother. Inducting him and leading him astray. Embarrassing him without any real ill-will. Making sure he'd be alright and won't get his heart trampled because he blundered. Fuck, when had he begun to actually care?

— And you respect her." He finally looked up at him and he wore a clear look of utter betrayal.

— I always have.

— Now, now, you misunderstood me. Desiring her doesn't mean you love her less. On the contrary. Screw her to high heavens, God knows you've got enough stamina but worship her body. Every inch of skin." He noticed absently that he hadn't moved a muscle in a while. That uncomfortable with the discussion? He could be so innocent sometimes. "Look at it this way. How do you win a fight?"

— You hit as hard as you can on the weakest points. Bash them quickly or you'll run out of magic."

— Exactly. Now, this is precisely what you should not do with a girl." The blank look he got didn't bode well. Had he no idea at all? Did he have to go through technicalities as well?

— Bash them? I already don't." The impertinent little shit…

— Natsu, I know I'm using a lot of words right now. So nod if you understand what I'm truly talking about." He got a deep scowl. "Like I said, worshipping a girl's body means you take your time. You drag it out until you can't stand it any longer and then a bit more. It will be worth the wait."

— Please. Shut up now, Luxus." He sounded extremely strained. "I really, really don't need, nor want to have your opinion on this. This is neither the time, nor the place. And I am certainly not discussing this with you."

— The guild members are worried about you two when you are both just afraid. If she won't do you the courtesy of talking about it, then be better and do it yourself." He stared at him pointedly when he looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Like right now," he clarified.

— No. No way.

— It wasn't a suggestion and it is not open for discussion.

— She's drunk anyway." He shocked him again with electricity and Natsu growled.

— I have carefully monitored what she drank and I can assure you she most definitely is not drunk. None of them really are, except, most probably Kana. That said, you should probably chug this glass now," he advised, indicating the alcohol he had poured earlier and only got a disgusted scowl as an answer. "And don't fuck this up." Natsu sighed exasperatedly.

He knew the whole guild would have a field day once the two lovebirds emerge from their bedroom. He knew he would but he held his tongue. The kid was scared enough right now. No need to pressure him more or he'd most probably collapse from sheer panic. He watched him approach the girls table then rake his hand in his hair awkwardly, shifting from one foot to the other, clearly talking. He smiled when the blushing girl stood up to sit with him in a secluded corner. He chuckled when every single head in the guild followed their movements. He saw the group giggling and felt Mira's eyes on him. He had a gossip-lover to appease now. It really was no fun when Natsu was brooding and thinking and they had enough with one drunkard. Hopefully, he would have struck enough fear in him. The first step is always the most difficult. He sincerely hoped the little wanker would make it right with Blondie.

— I do hope you haven't messed him up Luxus," she hissed.

— Pff. They are talking again, aren't they?

— I will hunt you down and tan your hide if you had made matters worse," she threatened. He smiled serenely.

Ugh. Really, he hadn't needed that, Natsu groused in his own head. He probably should have opposed him at some point but he was simply not in the mood. It had been so much easier to just ignore his drivel, or try to anyway. Because, honestly, he had overplayed it. Luxus was way, way ahead of the current situation, but he could acknowledge his motive. Despite his gruffly, impatient, almost crude manner, he had meant good. And this was something he could definitely appreciate, however mortified and infuriated he had made him feel. Oh, Luxus had delighted in embarrassing him, he had no doubt about that but well, they were family. The same went for Gray. However much they disagreed or fought or aggravated each other, he knew he was concerned for him. Gray simply had no elegance and no social skills. He could make do with that. After all, they've known each other since they were small children and were still spending way too much time together for people who didn't appreciate each other. Contemplating his family's inadequacies did nothing to help him compose himself however.

Basically, he reasoned, nothing could stop him from leaving if he so wished but he had done half the hard work, hadn't he? He might as well see this through. And really, he just wanted his friend back. As the girls' table loomed before him, he pondered what exactly he wanted to tell her. Well, he would see soon enough he supposed.