"Look who we have here! My good old friends Heckle and Jeckle." Loke grinned wide as he hung his arms across the shoulders that belonged to Natsu and Gray.

"You seem to be in good mood." Gray added to which Loke simply nodded.

"Good things tend to make that effect. Oh and Natsu, didn't your parents told you that a good girl should be presentable before going out? Where is your make up? You look like a zombie with a hangover."

"Fuck you, Loke." Natsu grumbled in low tone.

"Language, Natsu." Blonde student chuckled "What do we have on schedule today?"

"We have practice today." Gray responded still keeping his posture regardless of extra weight that Loke placed upon his shoulder "After that I am free but cranky lizard has an appointment."

"With whom?" Loke asked, looking toward Natsu.

"Same girl." Pinkette gave a slight grin "I think I am making a good progress though."

"Is that so?" Loke's expression slowly turned, slowly losing the ecstatic look on his face with brows that had difficulty deciding if they would rise or frown.

"Not the way I expected to be honest, but, it is kinda refreshing to just hang out."

"Hang out huh?" Loke's voice was low, almost silent. A short glance forward and he noticed girl in question, tapping Natsu once on shoulder and pointing toward her and while pinkette's expression now lit so did Gray's became more and more suspicious. He was almost staring at Loke, trying to decipher every short twitch on his face as if searching for something "You, just hanging out with a girl? I don't think you understand that concept."

"If you don't believe me, I'll show you." Natsu moved Loke's arm from his shoulder and started walking forward "Come!"

"No thanks, another time perhaps." Blonde student responded and removed other arm from Gray's shoulder, fixing his uniform back to being immaculate. Natsu simply shrugged and turned, quickening his pace that would lead him to Lucy.

"You're acting odd." Gray said as his hand reached for necktie and loosened it a bit.

"You are imagining." Loke responded without a second of thought.

"Maybe, but there is something you are hiding."

Wide smile emerged on Loke's face. He offered a slight wink before turning to walk away in opposite direction of hallway. "Come on Gray, what could I be possibly hiding from you?"

Gray looked over his shoulder to see him walk away and after few seconds he looked down at the floor and then forward again toward Natsu who was already in front of Lucy. From the look she seemed relaxed, more so than usual when he would look her way. There was another thought that was stuck inside his mind, giving him no rest. It was a puzzle with pieces that were scattered but somehow oddly enough, connected and each created new question that only next piece could answer. But with one question answered another appeared and all this gave Gray a feeling that there was more to this entire situation than he could see with naked eye. As a rule of thumb, he would never bother himself over Natsu's relationships knowing that those were shallow waters with little to nothing deeper than what he could describe… and Natsu was very descriptive man. But Lucy… it gave Gray odd sense in his stomach that waters around here were deep… treacherous.

He shook his head twice and cleared his mind. Lucy's expressions on the other hand were not hard to read, she was now obviously sighing and her rubbing her forehead meant that Natsu already suggested something dumb and she was trying to find easy way out of awkward situation that Natsu was increasingly proficient in creating. Situation would've continued but fortunately, for her, Gray's loud whistle was more than enough for Natsu to avert his attention and understand time-to-go signal. She was left alone again, moving slowly toward the classroom with downed expression and thoughts lost somewhere in time and space. It appeared to be so severe that she didn't hear her own name being called.

"Lucy!" voice came from behind, making blonde stop walking down the halls of Fairy Tail and look at the source of the sound. Soft smile emerged on her face as she recognized the one who was calling.

"Hey Levy." Lucy responded, waiting for petite girl to catch up with her "How are you?"

"Don't you dare pull that on me!" Bluenette huffed and pouted "You've been avoiding me since Monday."

Lucy sighed, feeling remorse for the turn of events that were beyond her control "I wasn't avoiding you, it's just… I had really rough couple of days." Her tone lowered and in that instance Levy's pretense to be mad all but vanished, now displaying her honest concern.

"Is he still bothering you?" Levy asked and Lucy nodded.

"Yeah, he is…" Lucy started walking forward, clenching books that she already held tight in her crossed arms. Levy followed her, walking beside her.

"You know that I can just call Gajeel and have that fixed for you? Really, he is on speed-dial."

"I know and thank you but it won't change anything. He'll just return again and technically… he hasn't done anything wrong… just…"

"I know… you don't need to tell me about it." Levy said "Is there anything I can do?"

"Actually…" Lucy hesitated a bit after first word but after swallowing rock she continued "I wanted to ask you for a favor."

"Sure, what kind of favor?"

"See… I still have to do paper on Economics and I have to grab a lot of research material for it if I am to get all points."

"Since when are you being all skittish to ask me about it?" Levy asked, lifting her eyebrow at Lucy's reaction that became more and more nervous "Seriously if you needed partner for it you could have just asked, no need to call in a favor. We are both attending that exam."

"No it's not that… I already have prior engagement."

Levy sighed, showing no signs of hiding her exasperation. "Don't tell me you are grouping up with them again… Honestly Lucy."

"No! It's not them…" Lucy quickly turned to look at Levy. Her level of anxiety was already rising beyond her ability to fully contain it knowing all the possibilities that will go through Levy's head. She wasn't wrong. Levy looked at her and frowned, in her experience if it was not one leech it was probably another but in all those cases Lucy would be annoyed rather than nervous. Petite bluenette is many things but slow is not her trait. Her eyebrows quickly rose and lips slightly curved up into a smile while a small twinkle in her eyes appeared.

"Oh? I think know what it is." Levy quickly rushed to stand in front of Lucy, stopping her right in the middle of hall. Her voice was now deeper, teasing "It is the pinky, isn't it?"

"Please don't call him pinky… it already is weird enough." Lucy groaned, knowing that Levy has reached point of no return in her theories and assumptions.

"Fine fine, Natsu it is." Levy poked Lucy's chest with index finger "You two have been spending quite a lot of time together lately."

"Shush!" Lucy pressed her hand against Levy's lips and looked around "Don't be so loud, I am already having trouble enough with rumors I don't need them to continue talking about it."

Lucy could feel that Levy's lips curved even more and she moved her head enough to be able to talk properly again "So, has there been something?"

"No it hasn't and there won't be. I just don't want things to get… complicated."

"You have been rather stingy about that. Why don't you just try? I mean… what's the worst that can happen?" Levy asked and instead of answer, Lucy simply frowned at her. Once again, Levy understood the little signal. "Ok ok, I get the point, I still think you are wrong but I won't butt in. So, what's the favor about?"

"Yeah…" Lucy sighed and lowered her hand, placing it back on the book. "I didn't plan well since he kept insisting on this and Elizabeth won't be able to watch Michelle today so… Can you come for couple of hours later today?"

"Really? That is your favor? Jeez, we are past these moments so stop it already." Levy frowned heavily at her.

"I know but" Lucy paused "I still feel bad asking you… you have your own life that I shouldn't interrupt."

"Lucy, seriously, enough!" Levy interrupted her. "I already told you before that I am going to help you as much as I can, so no need to be embarrassed about it. What are friends for?"

"Thanks" Lucy smiled softly and her tiny friend responded same way adding a hug that Lucy couldn't deny "You're a real life saver."

"I do have one condition." Levy quickly added, pulling away from Lucy. She was serious, face straight and determined. "When you return, you are going to tell me everything that happened. Every… single… detail… Do we have a deal?"

"Fine, but nothing is going to happen."

"So you say but if you two hook up and have crazy sex, I expect to hear every little juicy part." She almost drooled as she finished sentence, resembling old pervert rather than brilliant student. Lucy had no escape from this and figured that it would be wisest to just give in.

"I won't hear end of it either way…"

Final bell rang. Doors of classrooms and amphitheaters opened and students emerged on the halls. Some left a painful groans due to stiffness from sitting, others were yawning, cursing the life of student that appeared so attractive while hiding terrible secrets of sleepless nights and lack of caffeine. Gray was not among the later but he could complain about stiffness in the back, fortunately for him, coach Strauss will soon correct this issue. His face pictured amusement as he watched his friend with zombified expression on face, neither alive nor dead, neither asleep nor awake. Tackling him would bring him so much pleasure but before that, he had to hurt him.

In this state, Natsu was perfectly obedient zombie, as long as he can see Gray he will follow without any protest. Fortunately for Gray, it was exactly the way Natsu should be for what he is about to do. They walked out of the main doors and Gray placed hand on Natsu's chest, stopping him. It took him couple of seconds to finally be 'awake' and realize Gray's action.

"Right so why are we outside? Field is on the other side of the campus." Natsu asked as Gray stood in front of him.

"Well because I can either help you or laugh at you. Notion of that later one is very attractive but I would then be a dick so… I am helping you." Gray grinned as he finished sentence leaving Natsu confused at words. Silent expectation that Gray would say something more to clear out this thick veil of his cryptic words offered no result.

"And we are standing here because…?" Natsu repeated his question.

Gray simply tilted head to his left. "Who do you see behind me?"

"I see some college girls gathering… Few dudes from classes."

"Anyone in particular that you recognize?"

"Jenny." Natsu said in lower tone, sound that resembled defeat.

"You're gonna have to finish up with Jennifer first before you go with that little evil plan of yours, Natsu." Gray moved his head back into previous position, obscuring Natsu's vision.

"Why is that?"

"You are not going to be satisfied with being just friend with Lucy for long time. I am saying that because I know you. Sooner or later you will become obsessed with her to a point where Jennifer is going to become jealous or left out and she doesn't deserve that. You have choice of either being yourself or turning new page. Before that later becomes reality you need to make sure you don't hurt anyone, much less girl who believes you like her."

Natsu couldn't argue with words that came from Gray. Everything he said was nothing less than a fact. Asking Lucy out on a proper date was not an option but rather a goal toward which he strived. To be new person for someone else meant to let history be history.

He took a deep breath and moved past Gray, leaving him to stand at the front doors and observe as Natsu approached Jenny. From this distance he saw that she was elated to see him and it made rock in his guts seem heavy. Watching from distance as a girl is being dumped is not easy, even if it wasn't directly affecting him. Small relief came as he felt pair of arms wrap around his chest and chin leaned against his shoulder.

"Hey Juv, have you been following me again?" Gray asked, seriousness on his face was replaced with a grin that portrayed his content.

"I haven't…" She answered quickly, making him chuckle.

"And that's a lie. We both know you are always within ten steps from me."

"I am just making sure you are not being bothered by some random girls that wish to exploit you." She added, puffing up her cheeks in slight pout.

"No you are just looking out for potential rivals that only you believe exist."

"Is that so?" She asked, looking up at him questioningly "And what are you watching now?"

Gray was silent for few moments before responding "Girl…" making Juvia frown but before she could answer he managed to start speaking "But not just any girl. If you look carefully you will see that I am looking at Natsu talking to his current girlfriend."

Juvia looked forward, her clench was still strong and her eyes searched for Natsu. Hair was always a bonus when it came to finding him in crowd.

"She looks angry." Juvia said, tilting her head, enough to lean her own cheek against Gray's who placed his hand on top of hers.

"No, she looks pissed." Gray said, frowning heavily.

"Why?"

"Because Natsu is breaking up with her and I don't think she is taking it well."

"I think that is a bit understatement… did she just slapped him?" Both of them made painful expressions on faces.

"Ain't first, won't be last." Gray said, his tone low and ominous. "And he just made her cry… Kind of feel bad for her right now."

"And why is that, Gray?" Juvia moved her head and looked at him with judging eyes.

"Actually whatever I say right now is gonna be taken wrong, so instead." He grinned and gave her small peck on lips "I will just say that practice is about to begin. Coming to watch?"

She just nodded and released Gray from her love clench, letting him praise gods and spirits for sudden rush of freedom… not that he hated it but Juvia tends to increase pressure whenever another girl would pass by, making sure that what is her remains hers.

Pain on Natsu's cheek pulsated throughout entire practice. Helmet did good job of covering that even though Gray could notice him moving finger to scratch red cheek. He didn't want to admit but he didn't feel good about setting Natsu to do what he did but he found some peace in fact that it was for his own good. Guilt was present but long runs and Elfman's loud yelling made him forget about it. Natsu on the other hand felt relieved. Despite the world-shattering slap that he received, much stronger than he actually anticipated, he felt good about entire situation, free. No obligations except those he will make. Fresh start, yes that was the thought he was searching for. Clean and fresh start. Among the things he didn't want to admit was the fact that he was slowly changing.

Even when he reached home, the mark of hand was still very much noticeable on his cheek. Damn, he thought just how strong is her arm? Must've practiced a lot. His gaze bounced from one corner to another. Although his room was pretty much typical for college student it was hardly immaculate. Time came for him to panic a bit. There was absolutely zero chance that he will allow Lucy to see this mess. Clothes hanged on chair, table with books and notebooks, wrinkled sheets and blanket just as he left it this morning as he left. And then there was the smell of stale air that all of a sudden became sore for the nose. She might as well come in, take a glance and just leave or worse… assume that he was not alone in his bed that morning. He frantically began collecting his clothes, taking a good sniff at each of it to determine if it should be left in room or thrown into basket. It didn't take him long to realize that he also needs to open window. Understanding of what 'tidy room' should look like differs from one perspective to another and from Natsu's perspective freshly cleaned room seemed to be sufficiently tidy.

His chaotic mind kept only single thought, making his own private space look appealing and extent of this focus was so great that he completely lost track of time. Eyes barely caught a glimpse of digital numbers on clock, making him utter a simple "shit" before taking his jacket and rushing out of his room and house, barely even managing to utter anything to Gran or Wendy who simply gazed at him with complete confusion.

"You look pale, are you sure you are ok?" female voice asked having rather worried tone.

"I am fine Nea, just a bit exhausted." Lucy replied, trying to force a smile in hope that it will look genuine but without much success.

"You are lying again." Waitress pouted slightly "But I know what's gonna fix your mood."

Lucy sighed "I swear, if this is another attempt to set me up with a blind date…"

"Well I was gonna say your boyfriend just walked in."

Lucy frowned slightly and looked away from her coworker friend and toward the front door. Of course she thought to herself as a certain pink-haired guy walked in, offering a quick smile before walking over to empty table to sit down.

"You want me to take him?" Nea asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"No, he's mine." Lucy took a small notepad from the counter, realizing mistake in her sentence that made Nea giggle. She groaned while walking and just as she reached table she smiled wide, stretching her pink lips that matched her outfit in color "Good day sir, what can I get you?"

"Sir?" Natsu asked, looking around himself. He knew she was referring to him but the word sir kept ringing in his ears as if he was old fart and not college student. "Come on Luce, do we really need to do that to eachother?"

"Shop policy." She said through her teeth, still smiling. "Why are you here?"

"To pick you up." Natsu said immediately.

"Not sure if you noticed but I am capable of going home alone. I am a big girl" Lucy retorted sarcastically.

"Yes, but do you know where I live?" he asked and she was clearly caught off-guard. She took a long pause before responding "No…"

"Would it be better if I have waited for you in your house?"

Another long pause and deep inhale "No…"

"Your shift ends in 20 minutes so I'll wait and in the meantime I'll have a coffee." Natsu's smile was one of a victor, knowing that she had absolutely nothing to say to defend her case. She sighed and wrote down on the pad before returning to counter. There was content in him but also there was a sliver of admiration. She had to wake up early, attend all classes and then immediately come to work only to be followed by them working on the project. All that in one day. He had issue waking up this morning and yet she looked fresh, strong, as if her body has more energy than life can suck from her. Lucy was, without a doubt, completely different type of girl.

Coffee was sweet but in his mind it wasn't even comparable as her, in fact, no confection in the shop would even come close to her. This was a new outfit that she wore, similar to previous one and just as memorable. Short skirt reaching just a bit over knees, blouse had apron design in front, pink in background and white in front with emblem of several cupcakes. And then there was the light make up that probably caught most of his attention. Simple pink lipstick that matched color and made her lips even more desirable and they would widen and curve into smile every time she talked to a customer. Shop policy be damned… no one should see her like that… well no one except for him. His imagination and silent argue went to such extent that he forgot the fact his coffee was still hot and he burnt his tongue on it. She looked his way as he cursed both coffee and his own immediate stupidity. Did she smile? He asked himself as he glanced over at her.

After a while she simply vanished, gone the minute he averted his eyes from her. He looked around, from table to table, trying to find golden hair that cascaded over shoulders, but alas, no such was to be seen. His search was interrupted "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." He took one more sip from now cold coffee and placed bill on the table to pay for it before following Lucy out of the shop.

"What is with your cheek?" Lucy asked as he caught up with her, walking side by side.

"Hm? Oh that…" he stuttered "Ummm… practice run, had a nasty fall on the ground."

"Aren't there helmets?" Lucy asked, slightly lifting her brow, observing the fidgeting Natsu who was attempting to forge a brilliant lie.

"I wasn't wearing one." He responded as soon as it occurred in my mind. "Anyway, we should go other way."

"We are not going at your house yet."

"Why not?" he asked, feeling disappointment rising in him.

"You don't really expect me to go like this, do you?" Lucy looked at him, expecting for him to notice her current condition but.

"What's wrong with your look now? You look like a cupcake" He didn't notice.

"Natsu, I was attending 4 lectures today and since then I worked for 6 hours. I quite literally, stink."

"Really? Huh… Can I take a sni-"

"No you cannot sniff me!" Lucy interrupted him, using her right arm to push him away from her as they walked, letting him chuckle in amusement as her face showed a slight blush and continued "Besides, I still need to pick up books from home."

"Alright. We go to your house and then to my house!" He exclaimed rather cheerfully, lifting his right hand up in sign of another small victory, leaving Lucy to wonder in what sort of mess she has gotten into this time. Despite Lucy's desire to have a quiet time while walking it was everything but quiet and she knew Natsu enjoyed it that way. Reaching her house was a relief for her and she first proceeded to talk to Elizabeth. Natsu didn't pay attention to it; instead he just focused on looking around a bit, not even noticing that she left.

"I'm going to take a shower, you stay here."

"You are afraid I might take a peek inside bathroom?" He asked with a grin.

"No, doors have a lock." She responded walking upstairs, leaving him to stand by the closed front doors. It still amused him how she reacted to his teasing. Ten minutes into the waiting and the sound of knocking on doors was heard. He wanted to call for Lucy but remembered that she is probably still in the shower so instead he turned and opened doors slowly, peeking outside to see who is standing.

"You are not Lucy." Female voice came from outside.

"And you are not mailman." Natsu replied before opening doors fully, letting her get inside. Small blue haired girl in yellow shirt and jeans with bag over her shoulder simply grinned as she walked in. He could swear that the grin she had on her face was far too mischievous than it should be. Instead of saying anything she was simply observing him, studying from two meters away and making him a good deal uncomfortable.

"So…" he started "nice weather."

"Mhm." She nodded, keeping same expression on her face. To say it made him uncomfortable was understatement. She was extremely difficult to read and he knew that smooth talk will do little to no effect not to mention the towering boyfriend who had patience of a Doberman that just saw a ball.

"I'm here for to pick Lucy."

"I know why you are here." Levy's smile became wider.

"You do? So Lucy told you…"

"Everything." She concluded leaving him in even greater discomfort.

"We are just going to study." He replied, hoping it will satisfy her concealed curiosity.

"Mhm."

"Well more like, write the… paper for…" he began to stutter with every word.

"Economics exam." She finished sentence for him and he nodded quickly.

"Yeah that. So… how's your boyfriend?"

"Good. He should come any minute now." Levy answered without giving a single second to think.

"Right… Ok I'll be honest you are now creeping me out a bit." He frowned, reaching the very peak of his endurance.

"Why? I am not doing anything." Levy responded, still having wide, smug smile on her face.

"Yea that's the problem. Why aren't you… you know, being overprotective and stuff? Aren't you girls good at it? Like, threatening me, telling me not to touch her."

"Why would I do that?" Levy asked, slightly tilting her head "Are you interested in 'touching' Lucy?"

Natsu's mouth opened but no words came. Saying no would be a lie and saying yes would be wrong on so many levels that even he could see would probably bury any of his chances.

"I'm taking that as a yes." She giggled "If you want my opinion, I think Lucy could use a bit of R&R if you know what I mean."

The sentence was a shock that went right through his mind. He expected demands to not come closer than length of an arm, ultimatums and threats, anything that he would expect of an overprotective friend… but a subtle signal such as this was last on his list.

"Hey, Levy." Voice came from top of the stairs. It was sign for Natsu to close his mouth and at least act decent despite various thoughts that were currently rushing through his mind. Most prominent ones were those that tried to comprehend her look that was a pink shirt and white pants, nothing remotely fancy but they simply suited her perfectly. He could tease her right now with a comment or two but he was one second too slow.

"Well you look like you're all set for a hot date. And speaking of, your escort is here." Levy said, pointing toward Natsu who widened eyes at her.

"He is not my escort." Lucy said in a groan "And please don't give him ideas."

"Why do you think she needs to give me ideas? I have plenty of my own." Natsu quickly interjected.

"Yes but you don't need her to give you more." Lucy finished as she came close, taking her bag off gave to Levy who simply hummed. "What?" she asked as he looked at Natsu.

"Nothing. Is your hair still wet?" He asked.

"Hair dryer is broken." Lucy replied as she walked toward the mirror "Why do you keep starring?"

"I am not starring!"

"He is." Levy added.

"Well look at her!" Natsu pointed at Lucy with hand "Fresh out of shower with still wet hair and shirt that stick to her more than it should! How can you not stare?"

"I know." Levy quickly replied "Doesn't that just make you want to pull her out of those clothes?"

"Actually I was thinking that exact same thi-"

"Ok out with you!" Lucy groaned as she took bag from Levy and pushed Natsu out through the door "Before you get any more ideas!"

"Oh come on, I just started to like her." Natsu pouted.

"That's what worries me!"

"You two have fun!" Levy was laughing as she closed front doors, taking another glance through the window at the pair. Despite the fact they moved onto the sidewalks she was still pushing him and he didn't seem to mind. As they moved away from her sight she moved onto the couch, leaning back. I wonder if she will notice she thought.

"You didn't have to make a scene; she was just saying what we were all thinking." Natsu said as he was walking beside Lucy. It didn't need great eye to notice the angry expression and a blush on her face.

"And I am better not knowing what else you two were thinking." Lucy replied and suddenly stopped, unzipping her large bag to look inside.

"Whatcha looking at?" Natsu asked as he stopped and stood in front of her.

"Trying to see if I brought keys." She frowned but that frown suddenly turned. Her hand reached a bit deeper and slowly pulled out an object that she knew wasn't supposed to be inside. Natsu's looked at it, then at her to notice her shock.

"You know this is just cruel, Luce." He said as he narrowed eyes at her "I mean this is just teasing."

Lucy looked up at him and then down at her hand, remembering that she in fact did gave her bag to Levy for brief moment "Oh Levy, I am going to kill you…" she uttered as she gazed at two condoms that she was holding.