A/N: This is going to be long chapter... you have been warned. I suck at short chapters, I really do because there are so many things I want to say, so many moments I want to include, so please endure it. I did took few suggestions you threw in, mostly ones about Levy and to be honest I found that this personality fits her very good for the purpose of my story. But more about that in next chapter, for now, enjoy.

Pair walked in silence. It has been good twenty minutes since the event that placed Lucy into very uncomfortable position. Fact that the culprit was Levy did very little to repair the awkward silence, however, fortune comes at most unusual moments in form of a boy who somehow knew how to break silence and make things a little better… or a lot worse.

"You are making a big deal out of this, you know?" Natsu said, glancing over at Lucy who was locked in prolonged and difficult battle to keep blush from appearing on her cheeks. "Really, I mean… so she made a little joke."

"Can we drop this?" Lucy asked, lifting both of her hands to cover her face. She stopped walking.

"Man you are taking this bad." Natsu chuckled, walking up in front of her but keeping distance.

"It's not…" she started and then took a big sigh "Not like that alright? She does that all the time."

"What? She often places condoms into your bag?"

"No! She just… likes to push me to… be with a guy."

"And that's… bad?" Natsu asked, tilting head a bit in hope to see her still obscured face.

"She doesn't mean bad but I can't convince her that I don't need a guy." Her hands lowered and she started walking again, not sure if she is going in right direction but Natsu followed her and that was enough of a sign for her. He was not content with the answer. Instead of usual annoyed feeling that he would have when girl is ignoring him, now it was a feeling of disappointment.

"Right…" he answered in lower tone, hiding his silent defeat.

"I don't even know where I am going now… where are we going?" She turned to look at him and his face quickly changed expression.

"Actually, we're here." He pointed toward the house, thirty meters in front. As they approached she had a better look at it. Yard was spacious, fence made of iron protecting neatly cut grass, separated by a path that led from gate to the main door with ornate rocks on each side. House itself was likely three times as large as Lucy's, had a distinctive brick facade, dark red with white window seals. It was two stories high with roof made of dark green tiles… she could argue that it was perfect representation of a typical sub-urban house, stationed near the center of the same.

"You live here?" She asked as she eyed house up and down. "Guess I was right…"

"About what?" Natsu asked as he opened gates.

"Well when I first saw you during first year you appeared like one of the rich kids. I wasn't wrong."

"Wasn't always like this. At first it was no bigger than yours but dad worked for it. Been several years since Igneel became partner at law firm and year after year it kinda got bigger."

"Igneel?" Lucy asked as she passed through the gate.

"Dad. Actually you'll get to meet him… and the rest of the insane squad."

"Is that so?" she turned and glanced at him, raising eyebrow "So this is another one of your elaborate scheme and main objective is for me to meet your parents."

"Hey hold on, cupcake." He waved with both hands "I didn't pick who gets to be at home today but it's in your favor that we ain't alone."

"How so?"

Natsu grabbed doorknob but didn't turn yet. "Well imagine if we were alone and you had to suffer me walking around the house nak-"

"Ok I get it! No running around naked, please."

"Thought so." He chuckled and opened doors, letting her enter first and he followed. First glance revealed nothing unusual, in fact, no one was around. It was only after he closed door that another voice could be heard.

"Natsu, can you please go and pick up- oh…" silver-haired woman appeared from kitchen, still holding towel in her hands, slightly startled at the unusual 'apparition' that stood by the doors… and to make things worse she had beautiful golden hair. "I am sorry, I didn't know you brought a friend."

"Good evening, I am Lucy." She said, extending her hand a bit shyly.

"Pleased to meet you, Lucy." Gran took her hand and shook, having a small smile that hid her confusion. Her gaze turned to Natsu who was behind Lucy and his look was anything but confused. He looked around, then back at her with single finger over his lips. She didn't need anything more to be said and everything was understood in a single second. "On second thought, I am sure you two have a lot to study. I will ask Wendy."

"Yeah, thanks." Natsu responded, nudging Lucy to move along and she responded well to it, instantly starting to walk to avoid another awkward moment.

"Has Natsu-nii returned?" petite voice came from upstairs and soon the physique followed the voice. Wendy was, however, a lot more surprised than her mother and she was not discreet about it. "Hello!" She responded, walking down the stairs only to stand in front of her "I am Wendy."

"Pleased to meet you Wendy, I am Lucy."

For a few seconds Wendy was just looking at her, raising the probability of awkward moment occurring. Natsu on other hand had a bad feeling in his stomach, as if something bad was approaching. Wendy more than anyone in the house understood the situation Natsu is in and just how rarely he brings people. Every second was more difficult than the other, heavier, longer… tension rose as Natsu expected something to come out of Wendy's mouth. Something disastrous, something sinister…

"My pleasure." Wendy responded, smiling wide at her "You are pretty."

"Oh, thank you." Lucy smiled a bit awkwardly "You are very pretty yourself."

"Wendy, sweetie, come here for a bit." Gran asked her, leading her toward kitchen and giving Natsu much needed room for escape. He nudged Lucy again and they started climbing upstairs. He could have sworn that he saw Wendy gasp as she was walking toward the kitchen. As soon as they entered room he closed doors behind them, letting out a long, deep sigh.

"I swear they are going to be responsible for my death…" Natsu grunted, leaning head against doors.

"What are you talking about?" Lucy asked, not even bothering to look at him and instead she was inspecting his room "They are nice."

"Yea, to you… wait till you get to know them better."

"And you are already making plans for that event?"

"No it's just… general expression… because I know them and little imp is going to storm you with questions later." He grunted yet again, taking off his jacket and threw it over his chair.

"Huh… so this is fortress of solitude…" Lucy commented as she looked around. Room had only one bed, located at the opposite end under the window. Next to it was a small nightstand with clock that showed signs of severe abuse and on other side was a desk, books scattered across the surface. Walls were covered in various posters, most of them being those of various sport superstars however there was one that grabbed her attention.

"Billy Idol?." She asked.

"Yeah, I don't often listen but he has some neat songs. Why, do you like him?"

"I used to. Actually I had one favorite song from him… well more like lived up to it."

"Really? Which one?" He asked eagerly but she waved her head

"I already told you more than I want to. Shall we get started then?" She asked, taking off bag from her shoulder."

"Yea sure, make yourself at home." He pointed toward his bed, expecting for her to make a comment or send him deadly glare but instead she simply walked to it and sat down. She opened bag and from it she took two books and laptop. Despite heavy desire to sit beside her, Natsu knew it would be a very bad idea, so instead, he took a chair and turned it around, sitting on it and placing hands on the lean.

"Old model." He commented. When she looked at him he pointed toward her laptop.

"Yeah… Levy gave it to me last year when she got new one." Lucy smiled softly and turned it on "I needed one for college since only printed papers are accepted and I don't have time to use ones at University's library. I am grateful I even got this one."

"You want me to type? Make things a bit easier for you."

"How fast can you type?" She asked as she looked at him.

"Well… ummm I am not… completely bad…"

"Then best let me do it." Smile appeared on her face "I am used to it and sooner we finish, sooner I can return."

"Geez, you just came here and you are already planning to escape…" he huffed, having again that feeling stuck in his chest.

"Natsu, it's not like that… I am not planning to but I left Michele at home with Levy and she has her own life. I shouldn't be taking that from her."

"Hold on…" Natsu leaned a bit forward "We are talking about same girl who gave you condoms, right?" she nodded awkwardly "Yea I thought so, unless her definition of sex is a quickie she'll expect you to return at dawn. You're fine." He chuckled a bit and his head turned and eyes glanced at his bedroom doors.

Despite the feel that she should protest that, Lucy decided not to. He had a point at least in this matter. Levy would probably expect Lucy to come home late but that still didn't give her much comfort… well maybe just a little bit. She opened book, finding appropriate page and began reading, typing everything she found important. Progress would've been much faster if it weren't for Natsu's constant interruptions and for some reason, it didn't bother her nearly as much as she thought it would as most of his comments were in forms of jokes about what she was typing about.

"You have internet here?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah I do. What, you don't have it?"

"You are confusing me with someone who can afford to pay for it. Usually I use one at college or library."

"Oh yeah, that. Sure… let me type it in." He stood up and reached for her laptop but she pulled it away from his grasp, lifting eyebrow "You don't trust me?"

"Knowing you? I bet you'd just try to find naked images of me." She commented with grin.

"Wait, you have those?"

"Maybe…" She teased "But why would you need them?"

Natsu was caught in tight spot. Any answer would be completely wrong and could potentially cause her to inflict immense emotional pain to him… perhaps a bit physical too, after all his groin was within reach of her leg. Instead, he lowered his head and shut his eyes tight, groaning for a moment before looking at her.

"Let me type in the password."

"Trust me I am big girl capable of typing."

"You are not gonna like it…"

"I am sure I won't, but, I can do it here or I can go to public library."

"Fine fine…" he groaned again and sat on chair "Natsusexmachine… one word, capital "N" and no commenting alright?"

Lucy started laughing, briefly stopping in middle of the typing to cover her mouth. All this led Natsu to receive color on his cheeks closely resembling his own hair. He was glad that she finally laughed and this is first time he heard her actually laugh. But then again she was laughing at him and that didn't make him feel particularly good… in fact, for a split second, he wanted to just walk out of the room.

"Are you done?" He asked as Lucy's laugh was subsiding.

"Sorry…" she stuttered a bit as she wiped tears from her cheeks, finally catching up air "I don't know what got to me."

"Well I am glad you find me funny." He commented sarcastically.

"Well… it's you. It fits your character." She returned her gaze to screen, typing in rest of the profound password. "Although image was kinda funny."

"Wait, what image?" he asked, leaning a bit forward.

"No, nothing, forget about it."

"Hell no, you started it you have to finish it. What image?"

"You are not gonna like it." She repeated his statement.

"Try me."

Lucy stopped for a bit, grin never left her face and her eyes met his. "Well when you said it I kind of imagined you standing on a table in thongs with rose in-between your teeth."

"Wow." Natsu responded, widening his eyes "That actually… I didn't try that before. I don't have thongs although I can probably grab a garden flower… there are plastic ones too, wanna see that?"

"No no no!" She quickly waved both hands and quickly covered her face, partly to calm herself while other part to spare her from teasing that Natsu would probably do if he saw her red cheeks. She rubbed her face, making her skin react and receive faint red texture from the pressure, hiding the previously mentioned blush and she returned her attention to laptop. It already was half hour since she got here and she only managed to write single page and if she wanted it to be good, it had to extend beyond five pages.

Natsu was left to watch her, observe silently as she poured all her focus into her work. His mind was mostly calm but same couldn't be said about his racing heart that could be felt on the very surface of his chest. Fingers rubbed one against another as tension in him rose and decision for bold move was made. He stood up and moved to bed, sitting beside her and much to his surprise, she didn't object but it was clear that she noticed him. Next step in his repertoire was to place hand on her shoulder but that would end faster than he could say his own name. Instead, he leaned a bit to her side, enough to see what she is typing.

Lucy didn't want to admit to herself but his closeness was more than just distracting. A minute ago every single word she typed was correct and she didn't need to even delete any in order to spell it better but now… every third one was either missing a letter or was typed with one too many. She stopped, averting her gaze to book in order to see if she can use anything else but that was the cover… She already knew everything there is to know about contents of the page but she needed a minute to collect her own thoughts. Being used to constant pressure had its perks and within a minute, she yet again regained her own composure and focus.

Though Lucy was back on track, she did occasionally glance at Natsu who had this particular look on his face as if he is about to unravel the great mystery of existence… in truth, he was contemplating on how he can turn word 'consumerism' into a dirty joke.

"Okay what does that mean?" He broke the silence.

"What?"

"That." He moved hand and pointed at the screen.

"Customary pricing? Well that is a practice of establishing a price with intent to not change it over a long period of time."

"Huh… well that makes sense…"

"You don't even know what it means, do you?" She asked in lower voice, fully knowing what he will answer.

"Not one bit." She was right.

"Well what you need to know is that it creates a positive effect for certain products as people can rely on the same to have same price despite fluctuation on market. It can be double-edged sword; sometimes other companies that produce similar products will adjust their prices to yours or risk losing profit. But if someone offers product will lower price, people will buy that other product at which case you will suffer lesser profit. Positive side is when prices fluctuate and you have same price, buyers start to buy product for the sake of supplier or seller rather than for product itself, thus you build a mass of loyal customers."

"But if someone else puts it for lower price, wouldn't it be smarter to lower your price too?"

"Yeah but then it would no longer be customary pricing." Lucy responded and returned to typing, having Natsu occasionally comment and ask for explanations. She didn't mind, in a sense she felt good about it, having to actually be one to lead conversation… dare say "teach" someone. Natsu was like a child, easy to guide and she adjusted every explanation with easier words for him to understand even to a point of using simple examples.

Natsu on the other hand quickly caught up on this practice and felt as if he was being indeed treated like a child. Safe to say, he was not fond of it.

"You know, just because a term is unfamiliar, doesn't mean I am completely idiot as you stigmatized me…"

"I didn't stigmatize you as idiot." She looked at him, frowning slightly.

"Oh really?" He sat a bit further away from her on the bed, crossing arms and placing legs up. "You have my number in your phone?"

"I do…" she responded reluctantly.

"And what did you put as a name?"

Lucy opened her mouth but she quickly closed them "How do you know about that? Have you been looking through my contacts?"

"Maybe…"

"Natsu!"

"It wasn't on purpose!"

Lucy frowned even more, her tone quickly became angered "Oh and you accidentally found my phone and it was accidentally unlocked with contacts on display?"

"Hold up, hold up." He quickly placed his hand on her shoulder but before she could smack it, he quickly removed it "First of all, it was back when you fell asleep on the bench after Sabertooth incident. I didn't know where you live and if I brought you here you would've gotten all the wrong ideas. I had to find someone and ask where you live… and that's when I saw the Idiot contact with my number on it."

She sighed, deeply. As wrong as it sounded he didn't do anything bad and perhaps she wasn't all to fair with him.

"Well you haven't exactly done much to prove it otherwise."

"I deeply resent that." Natsu responded.

"Very well. If you give me a good idea on the subject of marketing I promise to change your name in contacts from Idiot to-"

"Raging sex machine!" He quickly interjected with wide smile to which she involuntarily giggled.

"To Natsu. Good enough?"

"Alright I will take that bet!" He exclaimed and stood up from bed. At first he was just standing at one spot but soon he began pacing around the room, letting out slight hums every time he would pass by. Lucy watched him with great interest, waiting to see what pearls of wisdom he will spill in his moment of absolute brilliance. She didn't have to wait long.

"Hot girls!" He said, turning toward her with expression of a man who just discovered that world is round.

"Of course…" she answered in rather disappointed tone.

"Hear me out." He walked over to his desk and took his phone, finger quickly tapped on screen as he was trying to find something. "What would you say is the best-selling product for women?"

"I would say cosmetics." She responded.

"And mostly you see lotions, make up, soaps that make skin smoother, right?" she nodded "And, who are models for these products?"

"Well, women, obviously."

"Hot women." Natsu corrected her "You see someone advertising a make-up, girl is not 80 kilos, she is usually model, right?"

"True… Where are you going with this?"

"Here." He handed her phone and she looked at screen, seeing the image of a teenage girl who indeed looked beautiful holding mascara in her hand. "Advertisers actually play on the card that their buyers are easy to manipulate and they send message that if girls use their products, they will look just as hot, even though they are missing 99% of other important items."

"Right…" She said, seeing a pattern in his words.

"But more than that, they want girls to believe that if they use those products, their lives will become something else… glamorous or rebellious, something that is gonna make men go crazy about them. Same goes for perfumes. Not someone that looks like she just ate Moby Dick but instead a smoking-hot blonde chick in a strapless dress and red lipstick. Was it perfume that made a guy on the advertisement come sniff at her? Hell no, she could smell like a donkey's ass and guys would still swarm at her… but they want girls to believe that overpriced perfume will make them desirable."

"Now look at the guys." He took a step to his right as if to even symbolize his sex-shift "Same thing, guy sprays deodorant and his girlfriend just comes at him and hugs him from behind. Is it because of deodorant? Fuck that, he is a 190 with a body made out of marble and stubble… There is a commercial where some celebrity sprayed his own brand twice, walked down the hall and three hot chicks opened door and came out to look at him. Producers want guys to believe that if they smell like that, chicks are gonna go nuts for them but painful truth is you can bathe in it and if you are ugly your chance of scoring a hot chick won't go up unless she is drunk… and blind."

"That's… actually true." Lucy admitted.

"But that's not even half of the basket with dirty tricks. You know how in supermarket there are those who promote certain products?"

"I do."

"There are no guy promoters. Usually it is a girl, half as cute as you with double the make up to make her look attractive, wearing some apron and who does she aim for? Single guys. Why you ask? Because if she tries to sell it to couple, one of them will not be interested and pull the other so… she picks those who come alone. She smiles, offers him a product, make cute small flirt moves just enough to reel him in. He can't escape! Already feeling uncomfortable but he likes how she is moving toward him. In the end, he buys whatever she is selling because he likes hot girl flirting with him. What single guy in right mind wouldn't want that?"

"Someone who is probably gay?" Lucy commended with a smile.

"Way to ruin my speech Luce…" he groaned slightly.

"Sorry." She giggled "But you do have a point there."

"Damn right I do. Only thing that sells product better than hot chick is a half-naked chick." He finished his presentation with a proud conclusion. His head turned again at doors and with slow, careful movements he began walking toward it. "Say… why don't you take off that shirt?"

"Come again?" She asked but instead of any response he simply pressed finger against his own lips. Once he reached doors he grabbed doorknob and turned it, opening them wide.

He didn't need to look… he knew exactly who was standing there. Gran suddenly turned, pretending to clean the dust from the door frame while Wendy was the unlucky one and stumbled as she lost her lean. Natsu inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled, looking down at the ground with his back leaned against the door, placing two unlikely spies in an uncomfortable position.

"Really? Eavesdropping? You should be ashamed of yourselves…" Natsu said as he looked at them.

"We were just passing by, that's all." Wendy quickly threw in excuse at which Natsu just nodded, not believing single word she said "Oh and dinner is almost ready so when you two are done…"

"I don't want to be a bother." Lucy said.

"Oh dear it is no bother at all. We would love to have you as our guest." Silver-haired woman said, leaving her little act of cleaning.

"We'll be down soon, now off you go!" Natsu responded and closed doors. He pinched bridge of his nose "See what I have to deal with every day?"

"I really don't think I should be staying."

"Trust me Luce, it's not you who's gonna be in awkward position. That spot is reserved for me." He sighed "How much more do you have to write?"

"Well just what you mentioned. Gonna need couple of minutes to put it all together and to write names at the end."

"Just yours." Natsu corrected her.

"I can't do that, you helped with the paper." She looked at him with questioning look.

"Yeah but I don't even have this exam." He chuckled, leaning back with elbows on the bed to support him.

"Then why did you work with me?" Her voice suddenly rose.

"Because I made a promise." Natsu responded, smiling wide as he returned to chair and resumed watching her in silence as she typed. Painful truth was… he could watch her type all day and all night. Finally she let out a deep sigh and moved her head from side to side. "Done?"

"Yeah." Lucy responded and saved document before closing her laptop and placing it in bag along with other books she brought. They walked downstairs and toward the dining room. Table was already set with food on it and it already made Lucy feel slightly uncomfortable as everything that was on the table was more than she could actually afford. At the head of table Ingeel was sitting, comfortably waiting for everyone to gather and upon seeing Lucy he stood up.

"You must be Lucy, correct?" he asked as he politely extended hand toward her.

"Yes." She responded and lightly shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Lucy. Natsu usually doesn't speak much about his friends so you will forgive me if we appear a bit curious. Have a seat." He instructed and both of them sat down. At first Lucy felt slightly intimidated. Man before her had strong facial lines with stern impression but as conversation during dinner went on his questions were less stressful for her. In truth she grew so much accustomed to eating quickly. Long meals and conversation to this extent were alien to her. Natsu was eating in silence, carefully listening to conversation but he couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen… a calamity of great magnitude was approaching.

"Are you Natsu-nii's girlfriend?" Calamity struck and Natsu choked on piece of meat.

"No, we are just colleagues." Lucy responded, feeling that she herself might choke if another question is to be asked "He is helping me with studies from time to time."

"Natsu is helping you with studies?" Igneel looked at her, slightly frowned and in complete disbelief of what he is hearing "My son? I find that difficult to believe since he barely is helping himself. Still I hope he hasn't been too much of a bother."

Boy in question closed eyes and silently prayed topic would shift. He was correct when he said that it will not be Lucy who will be placed into uncomfortable position. Wendy's giggle didn't help his situation.

"Well actually, he is not bad. He even helped me with house cleaning." Lucy continued and suddenly felt as all eyes were suddenly fixed on her, watching her in complete silence.

"Natsu-nii… cleaned?" Wendy asked, looking between two of them.

"Natsu?" Igneel asked and turned head toward him "You cleaned someone else's house? All by yourself?"

"Yeah dad, I did, can we please skip that now?" Natsu growled silently making Lucy suddenly remember Gray's words.

He is the guy who runs to hide in my room at the dorm when spring cleaning starts. I have him almost every weekend there and I have never seen the guy wash the glass he was drinking from…

Lucy looked toward Natsu and he was still struggling, holding bridge of his nose with eyes closed shut. She knew that pose, it was the look of a man praying for earth to open up and swallow him. Being at center of attention, at least this kind was last thing he ever wanted… to have his flaws exposed by his own family. She felt a bit sorry for him, realizing that she is the reason for his uncomfortable position and it was something she wanted to avoid… hence that desire to not stay for dinner. Still she couldn't just stand up and walk away… that would be beyond disrespectful but she could attempt to draw attention away from Natsu. What she didn't notice was Igneel's gaze that was fixed upon her. There was a growing suspicion in him.

"Well I do not know how you accomplished that but you have my gratitude." Igneel said, not minding Natsu's growing grunt. "Then I presume you are not staying at the dormitory?" Igneel continued.

"I rent a house here in the city."

"Living alone?" he asked.

"With sister." She answered but that only further fueled Igneel's interest.

"Is she attending college along with you?"

"Well she is two and a half years now… so, not exactly." Lucy said, swallowing last bit of meat with extreme difficulty.

"How are you managing?" Silver-haired women interjected.

"Somehow." She joked, trying to ease her own sensation in stomach that kept tightening with each question.

"And your studies?" Igneel asked.

"I am on the economy branch of Fairy Tail."

"That is not an easy one. Are you on scholarship program?"

Lucy nodded "I am still lacking some points to retain scholarship for next year and Natsu is helping me with essays to get them. I cannot afford tuition fees of Fairy Tail, at least not with part time jobs."

"Where are you working?" Igneel again asked.

"Well I got fired on Monday from grocery store so now I still work as waitress at Sabertooth and cashier at local cake shop."

"You had three jobs?" Gran asked and Lucy nodded.

"It is tiresome but I am managing." She smiled briefly "Not easy working night shifts as waitress but it pays well and that is what I need right now. I am not complaining."

"What about your parents? Aren't they sending money for support?"

Lucy's gaze lowered, staring at her own plate "They are… dead."

"I see. My condolences." Igneel said in softer tone. He watched her closely again and seeing as she slowly moved hair behind her ear he again decided to ask "Would you mind if I ask what is your full name?"

"Lucy Heartfilia." She answered, already expecting another question.

"Ah, never mind then." Igneel smiled softly resuming his meal. He had more questions but felt that it would be inappropriate to ask, especially considering it is first time they met… nevertheless there was a small bug inside his head that kept giving him a hunch. Clock on the wall showed 21:00 and it was time for Lucy to go. She stood up and thanked for the meal before leaving, followed closely by Natsu who insisted on walking her home.

"I have to admit, she is rather impressive. Not many would have such strength to study, work and look after a child."

"Hmm?" Igneel snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his wife "Oh, yes. She is determined which is more than I can say for other friends of Natsu." He stood up from his chair, intending to walk up to his workroom but he stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Gran asked.

"I had a feeling she resembled someone and her last name reminded me of who she looks like." He let out a silent hum before looking at his wife and then proceeding upstairs "I need check something."

"That was heeeeeell!" Natsu groaned as he walked by Lucy's side.

"I told you it is not wise to have me stay."

"Well not hell for you, hell for me!" He rubbed his face with both hands.

"They do seem nice…" Lucy said in lower tone "You are happy to have such parents."

"I would be happier if they wouldn't put me on spot like they did…" Natsu groaned as they approached Lucy's house. "Now about that thing?"

"Don't worry I'll change your name in my contacts." Lucy smiled approaching the porch "But just to Natsu, you can only dream about Raging Sex Machine. Still… thank you."

"For what?" He asked.

"For today… I really had fun, even though I didn't enjoy watching you get roasted."

Lucy giggled as she saw Natsu grunt but didn't complain; even this was a giant leap for him. He was happy to be able to talk to her a bit more relaxed, to be able to be close without her twitching or moving away. It was indeed a big leap. She turned to reach and unlock doors but they suddenly opened, followed by an appearance of angry, short, blue-haired girl.

"You know what time is it?" She asked, confusing both of them, leaving them speechless. "It is not even 10 in the evening… why are you home early? Give me that!" She took bag from Lucy's hand, rummaging inside and much to her great displeasure… she found what she was looking for. She looked up toward Natsu, sending him cold glare "You only had one job!"

"Whoa hold on! I was just there to help her with essay!"

"Don't give me that you wuss!" Levy growled at him.

"I'm… just gonna go now and will see you tomorrow Luce!" He waved and quickly walked away.

"Was that really necessary?" Lucy asked, as she walked inside, followed by Levy who closed doors as they entered.

"Oh he'll live. Right now I am mad at you."

"Why?" Lucy asked, turning to face her.

"Because you are bigger wuss than he is." Levy responded.

"Levy, not everyone can jump from one relationship to another."

"I know that but you also can't have one bad one and decide to give up! How long are you going to hold onto that?" She asked, watching Lucy's expression turn, no longer showing signs of agitation but rather genuine sadness. "Hell, even Gajeel had girls before me."

"Hey don't pull me into this!" Voice came from couch, obstructed by lean of the same as he was lying on it. "My previous accomplishments are not tied to this!"

"Pfff… Accomplishments." Levy snorted "Two girls aren't exactly accomplishment, Gajeel!"

"Two girls? Hey for your information I had three."

"Only three? Geez looks like only I know how to have fun around here." Levy grinned and a head suddenly rose from behind the couch, hair looking like it just caused power shortage for entire block.

"You wanna run that by me again, shrimp?"

"Oh relax you big log. Back to you Lucy, why are you so stubborn?"

"I am not stubborn, Levy! I am just… not looking for a guy right now." Blonde grunted as took bag from Levy and placed it on chair, taking off her shoes.

"Is he too ugly for you?"

"He isn't ugly."

"Is he too small? Too short? Are you into girls now? I can set you up with a friend of mine who is into girls." Levy pressed on and the black messy head yet again appeared, eyes wide as he was listening to conversation.

"I am not into gir… Look you know what happened last time, do you?"

"I know what happened and I am not asking you to marry him. It has been years since that and you really need to move on, not every guy is that level of asshole and you really really… really… need to get laid."

"No I don't! I am perfectly fine the way I am right now."

"Really?" Levy asked, lifting her eyebrow as she moved close to Lucy "So you wouldn't want for someone to just… grab you…" she quickly grasped Lucy's hips with a rather loud smack, pressing up close against her, moving lips close to hers "Rip those clothes from you and just have his way with you all night long, right here… on this table…"

Lucy had no words to say. She knew well how Levy could be and this was no surprise. Gajeel's expression was something new, sporting the look of an owl that just had second cup of coffee as he observed this interaction between them. She returned gaze down to her bright-eyed friend who kept biting her own lip. She would lie to say that she hasn't at least thought about it, once or twice but current situation and studies always managed to bring her down to the ground… still, desire lurked somewhere in her mind and the thought of at least being with Natsu in ways that Levy just described was not completely repulsive. Perhaps… and just perhaps… not everyone will be same.

"Do I have to?"

"Think about it. One night, no strings attached, just pure, raw se-"

"Alright we need to go, woman!" Gajeel suddenly stood up from couch and walked over to them, grabbing Levy by her shoulder and pulling her away. "Was nice seein' ya Lucy but we need to go… college stuff and all."

"Wait, what stuff?" Levy asked, looking confused at her boyfriend.

"Shut up and keep walking you mushroom." He instructed her out through the door, slapping her on her butt enough for her to let out a semi-loud yelp.

Lucy giggled, finally being alone for the first time today. She glanced through the window only to see Gajeel pulling Levy by her hand… well she knew them both to understand what is about to happen and she could expect Levy to be ecstatic tomorrow. Work was done, everything set to be printed tomorrow and give her essay to professor but for now… all she needed was a good night sleep. She walked up the stairs and into her room, walking slowly toward the crib to check on Michelle who was sound asleep. Another day she missed to be with her.

"No strings attached, huh?" She asked herself as she placed herself on bed, being now only in her shirt with phone in hand that scrolled through contacts to find Idiot. Her eyes were fixed on the name… one minute passed, two, five… ten… mind trying to properly process image and thought that represents him. Finally she pressed finger on it and started typing a message, one she is sure to regret but the way she felt right this moment after Levy's lecherous actions… she could use at least one bad idea.

Natsu was mentally exhausted and just fell down on his bed. His hand reached for pocket and removed phone from it. Eyebrows slightly rose as he saw envelope on screen, wondering how he missed to hear the sound of it. His lips curved up as he saw Lucy being sender and quickly opened to read content. Two words were written inside.

"Rebel yell..." he mumbled. It took him twenty seconds before he finally realized what it meant and his eyes quickly turned, seeing poster of Billy Idol on the wall. At first he smiled but then it turned into full blown laugh. "I take it back Luce… Looks like it'll be you who's gonna be end of me."