CHAPTER 3

A/N: I wanna say thank you for everyone who read, reviewed, followed and favorited my story. And sorry if it took longer to update this one. Been busy moving to another country so I'm still adjusting with the new surroundings and people around here. Thank you!

Again, sorry for some mistakes and errors as English is not my first language.

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail is not my story.

"So are you staying with her for the night small guy?" Laxus asked.

"Pu-puun," Plue nodded.

"Watch her and don't make her cry, okay?"

"Pun-pun," he once again nodded.

"Okay Blondie seems like you have your little bodyguard here. Good night again." Laxus tapped the shivering snowman's head. He then pat Lucy's head and leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss in her forehead.

Once again, she woke up cuddling Plue some time early in the morning. She immediately took her leave before anyone sees her leaving the house. She knew that she should have said thank you to Laxus for letting her stay for the night and helping her but decided against it as she is not yet ready for confrontations. With the help of Pyxis, her compass spirit, she was able to locate her apartment since she is not familiar where on earth Laxus' house is situated.

Once she was inside of her apartment, she thanked Plue and immediately sent him back to the Spirit World. She plopped down to her bed and curled there. She decided that she will not go to the guild today. Missing one day at the guild will not raise suspicion with her guildmates. As much as she wanted to take a longer leave, she knows that her nakama will start to pry on what's happening with her. "I think I will deal with Laxus tomorrow. Thankfully, he's not the one to mind other else's business."

…...

How did she not think otherwise? Of course, she cannot believe her eyes. Not just one dragon slayer is in her apartment but two! And the two is making themselves comfortable with her room. Laxus is seated across her desk while reading through her manuscript. While the other dragon slayer, namely Gajeel, is ransacking through her fridge while munching something in his mouth.

"And what the hell are you two doing in my house?" she said pretending to be mad at them but doesn't have the spirit to kick their butts out of her house.

"So sleeping bunny is finally awake huh?" Gajeel said smirking.

"Yes and who give you permission to read through my novel? Put it inside Laxus, I promised Levy that she'd be the first one to read it," she scolded Laxus. "What's with all these people reading through my novel, Erza, Gray, Natsu and now Laxus?" muttering to herself while pouting which earned a smirk from the two dragon slayers. She knew then that the two heard her whining. 'Stupid dragon slayers hearing.'

"And Gajeel, make sure that I still have something to use after you munched through my utensils or else you need to replace it."

"Giihee, don't worry I'll mold you another one using my iron."

"Better, at least it will be foolproof, you cannot eat it the next time you think you can barge in my house"

"You're saying something bunny?" Gajeel raised his brow at her.

"Nothing. Did you hear something Laxus?" she said feigning innocence while turning her attention to Laxus. Laxus just shrugged and smiled sarcastically to Gajeel.

"So why are you here two? I don't think you just went here to read and eat or to hang around. I expect it with Team Natsu but not with you." Although, she has a pretty good guess on what they are up to, especially Laxus. But why bring Gajeel here?

…

Earlier…

He grumpily woke up from the sound of someone knocking at the door, mentally cursing whoever is outside disturbing his sleep. Reluctantly, he slides down from the bed and went to answer the door.

Upon seeing Gajeel in the doorstep, he suddenly remembered the event that took place last night. He let Gajeel in and nods at him with mutual understanding. He went upstairs to check for the sleeping blonde, only to find out an empty room and sheets neatly folded. He stormed out of the room and went back to Gajeel.

"I think Blondie must have left early in the morning," he calmly informed Gajeel.

"I think? You are not sure? You didn't even feel that she left your house? That's lame Laxus," Gajeel said. "Well, anyway, let's head to the guild together. Master is not there last night so I wasn't able to inform him of the events that took place. Maybe, Bunny Girl might be in the guild now too."

"Just go ahead. I still need to do something. Wait for me before reporting to Jiji," he said before slamming the door in Gajeel's face as he dismissed him.

"Damn bastard," Gajeel muttered to himself.

…

Gajeel walked inside the guild greeted by Mirajane at the bar. "Good morning Gajeel."

"Morning Demon," he said while walking to his usual spot. He saw that the Shrimp is already there and as usual reading her book while surrounded by the bickering Jet and Droy, trying so much to get her attention.

"Your usual Gajeel?" Mira shouted at him asking him for his breakfast. "Yeah, make an extra serving of iron," he said looking around the guild, secretly looking for a golden piece of head and his black exceed.

"Morning Gajeel, you're early today. How's your mission with Laxus?" Levy asked without lifting her eyes away from the book. When he didn't answer, Levy looked at him for a moment and said, "looking for something?"

"Morning Shrimp. Where's Lily? I didn't see him last night at our house when I get back," he asked but he's not really concerned with his exceed.

"Hmmm, I saw him earlier with Erza. Might gone to the training ground to spar," she said. "So how's your week long mission?"

"Boring. We didn't find anything," he said shrugging his shoulder, doesn't like to give further details in their mission.

"Alright," she said dismissing the topic. She looked through the guild door expecting someone to enter. "Hmm, I wonder why Lu-chan is late today. She said she's going to give me the next chapter of her novel. I can't wait to read what happens next!" Levy squealed in delight and excitement.

"Tch. Annoying fangirl!" he muttered while munching through his breakfast brought earlier by Kinana.

"Whatever Gajeel!" Levy said with a nerve popping in her head, hitting him with the book she's holding. "I can't wait for Lu-chan, she's much better company than you!"

Gajeel just smirked and shrugged his shoulder as his response. From time to time, he let his gaze fall at the guild's door expecting for a bunny to arrive. Instead, the blonde freak guy walks silently with his usual scowl in the face greeted by the demon at the bar. Laxus noticed him and gestured for him to follow him to Master's office.

…

The three took a while discussing their mission and the event that took place last night. It turned out that the information they got is just a rumor. Ivan Dreyar is still missing in action. The mission just took longer because they had a hard time infiltrating the dark guild plus the two dragon slayers have poor coordination.

The three walked out of Master's office and pause on the balcony. They observed their guild members who are having an all-out brawl below, of course, courtesy of Natsu, Gray, and half of the male mage population minus Gajeel. The guild is still half okay since Erza is still sitting at her table focusing on eating her favorite strawberry cake, not minding the chaos around her. Elfman is still shouting who knows manly things out of nowhere earning a deathly glare from Evergreen from the Raijinshuu table. Cana is drinking her barrel of alcohol. Juvia is standing behind a pillar cheering her Gray-sama.

"Well then, we'll observe her for now. You said that there is no sign that there's a fight broke out. If you can also talk to her, that's better. But until we don't know if there's a threat or none to her, please watch her closely," Makarov reminded her two child.

"You don't need to tell me what to do old man. See you later," Gajeel walked downstairs and a moment later joined in the brawl.

"It seems that she's not going here today. I'll be going Jiji, I think I'll pay her a visit," Laxus walked out lifting his hand in goodbye to Makarov without looking at him. As he neared the guild door, he felt someone is approaching him.

"Hey Laxus fight me!" Natsu shouted and attacked him with a burning fist. But before Natsu's attack land on him, he sidestepped causing Natsu to land face first in the guild door. Laxus just smirked and walked out of the door.

"Are you okay Natsu?" Happy flew above Natsu half concerned with his partner.

"I'm okay Happy."

"Alright if you say so, I'm going back to Carla," Happy said putting his paws at his mouth hiding his smiling face at his partner's position. He flew back to Wendy and Carla's table, not moment later offering a fish to Carla.

"Geez Happy. You're not really concerned, aren't you?"

"Aye sir!" Happy shouting at him happily.

Standing up, "hey Ice Prick, Tin can, where are you two hiding? Chickening out already?" Natsu shouted, looking at his early opponents.

"What are you saying, Flametard? Ice Make Lancer," Gray shouted, attacking Natsu out of nowhere.

"Ha, I'm outta here," Gajeel said leaving the two fighting. "Oi Metalhead, where are you going?" Natsu said while blocking Gray's attack.

"Gotta run. See you later freaks! Lily, I'll meet you in the house later," Gajeel said before walking out. "Bye Shrimp!"

"Bye Gajeel," Lily and Levy said waving goodbye at Gajeel.

"Running is not manly!" Elfman shouted.

After finishing her cake, Erza approached the two fighting men. "Hey Natsu, Gray, that's enough! Let's go in a mission. Where is Lucy?" Erza holding both of Natsu and Gray's head violently hitting them with her armored chest.

"Lu-chan did not go in the guild today," Levy said approaching the three.

"Maybe she decided to work on her novel. Well, she seldom takes a free time for herself, so let her be," Gray reasoned for her absence.

"LOVE-RIVAL! Gray-sama always knows where you are and what you are doing!" Juvia said behind the pillar while biting the end of her dress.

Her Gray-sama and Love Rival, hugging each other in the bed! 'Gray, I feel like not going in the guild today. Just tell them that I'm working on my novel, okay?' she said while cuddling closely at Gray's bare chest. Gray pulled her closer and kissed her on the head. 'Okay Lucy. Take your time Love, you should get your day off from time to time too,' he said while gently caressing Lucy's hair. They looked each other in the eyes lovingly and their faces getting closer and closer and closer…

"Oi Juvia, not gonna happen!" Gray sweatdropped at Juvia's wild imagination. Everyone else's do the same.

"Hai Gray-saaamaaaaa, Juvia knows you're faithful to Juvia," Juvia said with a heart in her eyes, happy that her Gray-sama talked to her. Her attitude turned from complete 180 degrees immediately, from the murderous looked on her face to a lovesick girl.

"Let's go tomorrow then," Erza dismissing everyone and ordering her fourth slice of cake to Mira. "Gray and Natsu, enough of your fighting already or I am gonna skin you alive."

"Aye!" the two said shaking while hugging each other.

"Skinning is manly!" Elfman shouted again at the background holding out a beer as he competed with Cana for a drinking contest.

"Hey Happy, let's go fishing. Lis you wanna come?" Natsu asked Happy and Lisanna.

"Mira-nee, can I come with Natsu and Happy?" Lisanna asked permission from her sister. "Ara ara, but be back before the sun sets Lisanna. Kinana and I still need you in serving dinner at the guild tonight," Mirajane said smiling sweetly to Natsu and Lisanna.

"Hai Mira-nee. Let's go Natsu, Happy."

"Aye Sir!" both of them excitedly said.

"Hmm, Natsu, are you sure it's okay that we don't visit Lushi today?" Happy asked worryingly. "You know, she seems weirder every day."

"I think she's fine Happy. Maybe Gray is right she's just working on her novel today," he said reassuring Happy.

"If you say so Natsu," Happy said but deep inside he feels that there is something going on with their partner. 'I'll just visit Lushi tonight,' he thought with a firm resolution. Lisanna approached the two and whispered something to Happy.

"Hey Happy, Wendy and Carla said you can stay at their place tonight," Lisanna whispered to Happy while teasing the blue exceed at the same time. With a heart forming in his eyes, he asked Lisanna, "Is that true Lisanna?"

Lisanna just nodded happily at him. "Carla, is it true? Is it true?" he excitedly asked the white exceed. "Hmp," Carla only said at lovesick exceed, crossing her paws over her chest and ignoring the he-cat. "Okay, see you later Carla and Wendy." And with that, forgetting his earlier resolved, flying back to the two waiting mages.

…...

The moment Gajeel stepped out of the guild; he immediately followed Laxus knowing that the man will go to Lucy's place.

"Why are you following me Metalhead?"

"Who said I am, Lightning Freak?

"Whatever, so what are you going to say to her when we got there?" Laxus asked.

"Tch. I don't know. You do the talking; I'll just check how she is doing," Gajeel said acting as if he doesn't care. But deep inside, he does care. Bunny girl is one of his closest friends in Fairy Tail along with Shrimp and Lily. He'd do anything for the two best friends. It's not about him feeling guilty during the Phantom days attack but the two women showed him how it is to be a truly reformed person. Shrimp just being by his side always and doing job together with Shadow Gear is enough for him to feel that he belonged in the guild. While bunny girl, being true to the meaning of her name, 'the light bringer', had talked to him before on how to reach out with everyone in the guild when she noticed that he's having a hard time to interact with the other guild members. Gone were his dark days that he thought that he can live alone and doesn't need the care of anyone. In Fairy Tail, he learned the true meaning of nakama. So, the two women held a soft spot in the metallic heart of his. No one knew that he and Lily would join the two sometimes when visiting their favorite book café. The two would silently read while he and Lily scanned the books around and ordered all the available food (special order of metals and kiwi) in the cafe. Shrimp would often end up annoyed at him when trying to give him some book to read but ends up reading only the first paragraph before dozing off while Bunny Girl would just laugh at them inside the café but was the first one to kick his ass when they're outside the store for being annoying.

"You're really concerned at her Gajeel, aren't you?" Laxus pry further.

"Not your damn business," he just said. He's concerned yes, but he's not going softie especially when Laxus is around.

"I care you know. After being excommunicated, I have time to reflect for all the things that I've done and failed to do. I realized that I pushed everyone away from me because I am power-hungry. At my lonesome times, I realized that I cannot live just by myself. It's lonely being alone out there. I regret everything that I've done, especially pushing away the family that truly cared for me. I was happy when I had the chance to meet everyone again at Tenrou and after going back from the island. I never expected to be welcomed by the guild including those that I never paid attention before because of their supposed weakness. I value this family, and by that I do not mean the Fairy Tail as the guild but the people itself, more than you think Gajeel," Laxus said hoping that Gajeel come across the meaning of his words.

"Damn, you're going soft Laxus!" Gajeel grunted teasingly.

Laxus just shrugged his shoulder and gave a soft pat at Gajeel's back. They are now outside Lucy's apartment. Gajeel acted to leap at Lucy's window.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Laxus asked looking at Gajeel ready to climb up the roof.

"Going inside, what else?" he ignored Laxus and readying himself to jump.

"Tch. There's a door inside, in case you are not informed." Laxus informed him.

"So do you expect to knock there and expect Bunny girl to welcome you with open arms?" He's now near Lucy's window.

"No, but I have a key with me." Seems like Mirajane distributed to all the guild members key to Lucy's apartment in case of emergency. "I'm sure you have your own copy."

"Giihee, it's more fun this way." Gajeel said smirking.

Laxus just shakes his head disapprovingly and head inside.

…..

"Speak up," she commanded.

"We know you know why we're here Blondie."

"Well, I can guess Laxus but the two of you?" she said, still not willing to give herself away. "It' getting late, do you want me to fix you anything for dinner?" asking the two but she's already in her fridge and looking for something to cook. It's obvious that she's just prolonging the inevitable. "Hmm, is curry and rice okay for you two?"

The two just nodded, allowing her to stall for time. Gajeel heading to her now vacated bed and lay comfortably there while Laxus continuing his interrupted reading. Surprisingly, the novel that he's reading is really interesting. He just finished earlier her completed work "Seeking of the Clock" and now he's reading the unfinished novel that she said is reserved for the Bookworm.

By the time that she's finished cooking, she came to her room to call the two and found the two dragon slayers still on the position they were in. Gajeel lying and humming to his newly composed song which mainly consists of "Sho Bee Doo Bop Sha La La", at least that's what she heard, obviously giving Laxus a terrible headache. And Laxus, trying hard as he might to focus on her novel, but cannot ignore the other dragon slayer's singing, sending a deathly glare from time to time to the oblivious Gajeel. She laughed at the sight of them. She cannot imagine that the two can tolerate each other's presence. If it is Natsu and Gray plus Erza around, her room will definitely be a total chaos. Happy may not join the fight but used the walls of her apartment to sharpen his claws. Wendy and Carla are her only sane visitors when working with Team Natsu.

"Hey, you two. Food is ready," catching the attention of the slayers.

Sitting at the table, Gajeel immediately digs in the food. The two very much reminded him of Natsu and Gray. Gajeel with Natsu, chomping down the food as if there is no tomorrow while Laxus with Gray, with a little finesse when eating.

"Really, Gajeel? After almost emptying my fridge, you can still eat like that?" she said teasingly.

"Shuddap Bunny girl," Gajeel said in between food.

"I don't know that you have it in you Blondie. You can actually cook huh?" Laxus said, slightly praising her cooking.

"It's either I cook or I starve. Well, I choose not to starve obviously," she said.

"Honestly, this is great. You can actually partner with Mira and cook for the whole guild. Just tell us if you're already tired on going to missions, we can suggest to Jiji to put you inside the kitchen," Laxus winked at her while Gajeel just groaned approvingly.

"Baka, and slave around just to feed the whole town? With Natsu and Gajeel around it's like feeding the whole Magnolia. No thanks I'll pass," Gajeel raised his eyebrow at what she said and she just smiled at his reaction.

They stayed there until they finished eating. She then served the two a tea after their meal.

"So," it was Laxus to first break the silence.

"So?" Lucy repeated.

"We're together when we found you last night," Gajeel said without preliminaries. He's tired running around in circles, that's what they've been doing earlier.

Lucy gasped. So that explains why Gajeel is also barging in her apartment. Of course, they want answers.

"We are checking if you got home safely since you just disappeared from my house and you didn't make an appearance in the guild."

"Well you can see now that I'm okay. Then that means you'll leave me alone now?" she said looking at the table.

"Lucy," Gajeel seriously said. Flinching as he said her real name. She knows that when Gajeel does that he meant business. Gajeel never called her and Levy by their name. It was always Bunny girl and Shrimp for them. At the beginning, she was greatly annoyed at him calling them that. First, she just wears that suit once, well, twice to be exact if you count the punishment of the losing group in the Grand Magic Tournament, of course for her, care of Gajeel. And second, it was not very creative. But once Gajeel use that tone and that name, his either extremely pissed off or his getting really serious.

"Lucy," after a while Laxus said. So they are really being serious now. No more blondie for Laxus.

She just kept quiet and looked intently at the table in front of her.

…

"Fishy fishy fishy!" Happy jumped happily. They were able to catch six big fishes, one each by Lisanna and Happy and the rest by Natsu.

"Come here Mr. Fishy," taking the two big fish and putting it inside his backpack. "Natsu, don't eat the entire fish okay? And remember do not cook, fry, or roast them all, it's always tasty when it's raw. I'm just spending the night with Wendy and Carla," Happy said dreamily while readying to leave before the two mages. "I'm heading back tp the guild. Lisanna are you going with me now?"

"Nah Happy, go ahead. I still have time before the sun sets. Maybe we can still catch fish, that means more fishes for you when you get home," she said smiling.

"Okay Lisanna do your best," Happy cheering her on. "Bye, see you two!"

"Bye Happy!" Natsu waved at his exceed.

Natsu and Lisanna sat silently while holding out their fishing rod. However, their focused is not on the rod but on the orange horizon above.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lisanna asked Natsu while still looking in the sky above.

"Yes, as beautiful as you are," Natsu said while looking at the magnificent sight.

Lisanna instantly turned her head at Natsu who was still looking at the sky above. She blushed when she realized what he just said. Staring at the boy before her, she can see his feature clearly, his boyish looks, pointy nose, slanty and expressive eyes, and his silly grin. She felt a tugged at her heart. She really likes this boy, her childhood sweetheart. She remembered when Happy was not born yet, that she asked him if she can be his wife someday.

'When we grow up… can I be your wife?' Lisanna asked.

'What are you talking about all of a sudden?' Natsu said blushing and flabbergasted.

Just like when they were kids looking at the setting sun

'How pretty..' she said.

Natsu just nodded in agreement.

'I wish this instant would last forever' she continued.

"Ne Natsu, what can you say now about the thing that I said to you three nights ago?" Lisanna asked him, hoping that she can finally hear his honest response.

Three nights ago… at the back of the guild.

'Natsu, I like you!' finally having the courage to confess her feelings to Natsu.

'I like you too Lis,' Natsu answered right away.

Lisanna was so happy that he hugged Natsu and kissed him on the lips. Natsu stared at her wide-eyed and in shocked. Her happiness is shortlived knowing Natsu as being dense as he is, that he only meant that he like her as his friend.

'Natsu, I like you not just a friend but more than it.' Lisanna explained to his childhood friend.

'What are you saying Lisanna?' he asked, confused at her.

'I like you just like the way a woman likes a man, like how Juvia likes Gray or how Bisca loves Alzack. Like Erza loves Jellal or Evergreen to Elfman-nii and vice versa. Do you understand now Natsu?'

Natsu nodded, he understands it perfectly but he was just shocked at her confession that he needs time to process it and would welcome any type of distractions at the moment. He understands it, just how Lisanna likes him, and he to her. But what confusing his heart right now is the same feeling that he likes Lisanna as much as he likes Lucy too. Yes, he didn't think that a time will come that he needs to choose between the two. So he just let his feelings grow for them. He likes their company. But he doesn't know who he likes better.

'Ahmm Lis, can you give me time to think about it?'

'Sure Natsu, but always know that I like you. I want to spend more time with you, talk to you often, go on a mission with you or your team… if you just give me a chance,' she knows it is lame for her to confess and to admit all her feelings to Natsu since she is the girl but knowing the dragon slayer, she thinks that if she didn't take an action, there will be no progress for the two of them. She also doesn't forget the fact that Natsu might like someone else especially Lucy.

Lucy, she thought sadly. If anyone in the guild that might be her biggest rival it would be Lucy. But she always knows that as long as Natsu is happy, even if he doesn't choose her then she will be okay.

"Yes Lisanna, I like you too," Natsu said a moment later bringing her back to the present. Natsu gave her his toothy grin. With so much happiness she felt inside, she hugs Natsu and felt overwhelming happiness when he hugs her back. When they separated, he let his other arm wrapped around her shoulder while her head leaned at his shoulder. They stayed like that for a moment while watching the sun sets.

"I'll be heading to the guild now or Mira-nee will kill me if I show any later than this."

"I'll walk with you Lis."

"No need Natsu, you can head straight home already. I'll be seeing you tomorrow Natsu," she said but before leaving, she gives Natsu a kiss on the lips.