A/N: Here I am, back from the land of the dead with another update after... embarrassingly long period of pause just to prove I am alive and that this story is not yet near it's end. I apologize for the delay and I assure you that I intend to see this story to it's proper end rather than wrap up. That being said... it's not ending soon. I think I am somewhere halfway through but more things keep coming up and I feel like I should add them. Main plot checkpoints will remain the same and with some fillers inbetween. Enough of my rant, please enjoy and let me know what you think.

Ten minutes until eight. First lecture of the day is about to start and students are already entering in amphitheater, preparing for the lecture. Most are still talking, socializing, sharing experiences, ideas, news and gossips. It is natural progression for a social creature that is Homo sapiens. They live for this, they live because of this. Friends, associates, partners, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses… humans depend on other humans and so they band together to satisfy that ever present urge to be part of something bigger than themselves as individuals. The classroom is a hotspot for it and those who are not following this recipe are either half-asleep or Natsu.

There he is… sitting at the desk closest to the stars that ascend from the professor's desk and up to the last of the rows. His face is neutral, absent, sitting in silence, leaning his chin into his hand with elbow on the flat surface of the desk. Eyes are fixed, staring in the distance toward some unidentified point and his mind is lost in an endless train thoughts. Those who would see him for the first time would assume he is but a wise man, pondering on the exact purpose of life. Fortunately, too many know him better.

"There you are." Familiar voice pulled him from his endless philosophical trance, pushing him back into the less impressive world of reality "Didn't see you at the gates, assumed you just overslept."

"Not today, Gray." Natsu answered, following man in question with his eyes until he sat down beside him.

"Bad sleep?"

"Not really, didn't sleep at all." Natsu answered, still keeping his pose, moving his head enough to be able to see Gray.

"Well color me impressed. Natsu not being able to sleep is close to national holiday." Gray jested, sporting wide smile on his face, though Natsu was not that impressed with the snarky comment "That reminds me, how did it go?"

"How did what go?" Pinkette asked, feigning ignorance on the subject.

"Don't play dumb. Did you do it?"

"Depends what you consider as 'do'." Natsu said, continuing to avoid a proper answer. It didn't take more than few seconds for Gray to become suspicious and Natsu knew this. For a man who saw through just about everything that happened up to this point, it would be impossible for Gray to miss this. Well… there is that and the fact Natsu told him all about the 'event' yesterday prior to him leaving to attend it. But now… now he was worried. In his head, he knew that he did the right thing and if it wasn't the right then it was closest thing to being right thing. That, however, didn't change the fact that Gray might disagree. What scared him was him trying to pull him away from situation. He could also push him forward, give him good advice and point him in direction needed to resolve the situation but… he couldn't muster enough courage to tell. Right now, it isn't the question If Gray will figure things out… It was When?

Pinkette took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. All that gave Gray extra material to be curious. Anxiety in Natsu continued to grow.

"It ended well, actually." Natsu said. It wasn't untrue but it wasn't exactly what Gray wanted to hear.

"Yes but did you do it? Don't you fucking dare ask me what does do mean, I am asking you if you had sex with her."

"No, we actually just went for a walk, grabbed a bite to eat and… returned." Natsu concluded, nodding with head, trying to make Gray believe in the it.

"Is she still mad at you?" Another question was shot toward him. This time Natsu frowned, changing his blank expression as he pondered on the events that transpired last night

"I don't think so… No, I think it went good."

"Huh… so you didn't screw up?" Gray asked, a little surprised.

"What? Is it that big of a deal that I didn't fuck up?"

"No no it's…" Gray started but stopped mid-sentence, receiving the glare from Natsu "Actually yea, now that I think about it… It's a little miracle. Ok but if things went well why are you looking like you are going through mid-life crisis and can't decide how many cats you wanna buy?"

"Well it's not that nothing happened… I mean, I did do something."

"Ok, what did you do?" Gray asked after long sigh, expecting yet another stupidity from Natsu that generations will look back and study like a black box pulled from the wreckage.

"I kissed her." Natsu said after a short pause. His eyebrow slowly rose as he once more stared into empty spot, fully realizing what he did. It's not the first time it hit him, in fact, the entire sleepless night was about that kiss but every time he would try to clear his mind, the scene would flash once more, making him feel like a deer that just saw a pair of headlights coming toward him.

"Riiiiiiiight…" Gray said, elongating the word as much as possible "And she slapped you across the face."

"Nope…"

"Did she kick you?" Gray pressed with another question to which Natsu just waved head "Did she yell at you?"

"Dude… she didn't do anything like that. She didn't reject me… I think she kissed me back…"

"How did you figure that out?"

"Because when I kissed her… her lips moved a bit… not much I think maybe… millimeter, maybe two but you know… a bit… moved…" His gaze turned to once again look at Gray who had his mouth gaped open. He was completely dumbstruck at what he was hearing and it took couple of finger snaps for him to once again focus.

"Yea… ummm… I kinda blacked out." Gray explained as he cleared his throat. Now he felt like that same deer. "Ok so you kissed Lucy, she didn't reject you and let's just put possibility of kissing back on the table… let's just leave it there for a moment. Lucy could perhaps , possibly, probably, MAYBE like you… You aimed for that, so, why do you look like you are about to end three weeks worth of constipation?"

"Cause I have no idea what to do now." Natsu added, shifting from his pose, leaning back on the chair, hands placed behind his head and stretching.

"You don't know what to do?" laughter followed after the question "Seriously man, you? You kiss girls the way I breathe. Second base for you is equivalent to morning wood. Since when are you acting like pre-pubescent boy who just got kissed by a girl for the first time?"

"I don't know, man." Pinkette sighed heavily "I mean, everything went smoothly, we resolved the whole issue with the bet…"

"Well at least you didn't screw that." Gray quickly interjected but Natsu didn't seem to mind it one bit.

"…and I took her out for a walk. We talked, we walked, we ate, we came back and I just kissed her. I don't know I guess I expected her to react but she… didn't."

Nervousness was still there. He didn't want to tell Gray about what he told Lucy… at least not yet. The fear of being advised against his wish was still there. It is Gray, he will probably do what he did before and support him but then he might not. Maybe he will see this as just another bad idea and advise him to just drop it. He had good excuse not to tell more even though he was 100% sure he will continue with questions until he squeezes last bit of information from him. Professor just entered and thus ended all possibility of them talking openly about it. For once he was glad to see professor in bad mood, and she demanded absolute silence. He will probably be cornered by him once again and be under barrage of questions… but before that, he will have to confront her.

Bell rang, lecture ended and classes were dismissed, giving them time to switch the classrooms and amphitheaters in accordance to schedule. The day was not heavy just for Natsu… there is one more who was just as confused.

"Spill it." Voice followed Lucy, not giving her a single millimeter of space.

"Levy, I told you this already…"

"Oh you did but I want what you didn't tell me. Details." Small bluenette pressed, revealing her nature that was akin to an old pervert, fishing for any juicy bit of information "What was he like? Did he press you against the wall? Did you jump into his arms? Maybe it was like a compromise and you two rushed toward each other, ripping off the clothes-"

"What? No! And I came in clothed!" Lucy quickly added, speeding up her pace, desperate to hide the blush that was forming on her cheeks.

"Well forgive me for having imagination." Levy grumbled watching her speed up "I think stories about him might be just a bit of an exaggeration…"

"It's n-" Lucy stopped to answer but quickly slapped her own hand against lips. It was far too late.

"And how do you know?" Levy pressed with questions, catching up to her friend. At this point and from this angle, Lucy's expression was impossible to hide and it was all Levy truly needed. From that point on, every speculation and assumption that she makes wouldn't be far from truth. In fact, she decided to do just that "Let me see if I got the story straight…"

"Levy, please…" Lucy pleaded, groaning audibly as her best friend stood before Lucy, looking straight into her eyes.

"You left me without details. How else am I going to learn about your sex life if I don't pry into it?"

"I don't have sex life…" Lucy said, realizing that it is not the best comeback.

"I know… it's depressing…" Levy added in lower voice "Buuuut it doesn't mean that it's not on the table."

"It's not." Lucy quickly interjected before Levy could get another idea "Look… it happened… I don't know it could be a spur of a moment. We talked, he apologized… in his own way… and he managed to surprise me."

"Is that it?" Levy asked, still keeping her skepticism and showing it in voice "Tell me the truth Lu or I swear I will write 'Lucy kissed Natsu' on every Facebook, Twitter and every other social media I find on the internet. Even those obscure ones."

This was usually the part where Lucy would protest, do anything that Levy wants to stop her from her usually harmless threats. Levy always knew what line she can cross and what lines were off limits. This wasn't one such limit where crossing would make things uncomfortable, it was one that she could exploit to get much desired information. It was yet another one of vicious cycles… in order to preserve her low-exposure, Lucy would usually abide by Levy's demands. Problem was… she wasn't protesting.

In confusion, Levy just stared at Lucy who was still red, biting her thumb to a point where it became almost white from the lack of blood in it. Fortunately, clock in Levy's head works fast and soon it started ringing after she realized what actually went on.

"No!" Levy practically shouted, turning her confusion into euphoria.

"Look it was just a moment and it was nothing!"

"You kissed him?!"

"No! He ki-" Lucy responded in equally loud tone but she quickly realized that it was attention she doesn't want. She pulled Levy away from path toward the window, lowering her voice as she answered "He kissed me…"

"I know that." Levy added with frown "What I meant was, when he kissed you, did you kiss him back?"

Lucy was silent. Her lips moved in every possible direction, but no words came… she wanted to say something but nothing came from it. It was more than enough for bluenette who was almost ecstatic at this point.

"Oh this is perfect!" Levy said as she smiled wide at Lucy who was still experiencing the full sensation of being in-between the rock and a hard place "I really hoped you two will hit it off, and you did!"

"We didn't hit it off! It was just one moment, it means nothing."

"It means you are not ice queen anymore." Levy added quickly.

"It doesn't change the fact that nothing will come from it. You know as well as I do that it is a terrible idea to start anything now."

"Oh I know." Levy agreed "It is bad idea. Horrible idea."

"So why are you all happy?"

"Because you need few bad choices to shake you away from your comfort spot."

"What happened to you agreeing that I shouldn't jump in bed with him?"

"Oooh don't get me wrong Lu, jumping in bed with him is horrible idea that you really don't need right. All I am saying is that you need to add a bit of 'unknown' into your life and lean on someone who can support your weight."

"I don't know…" Lucy responded, reluctant to accept Levy's words. She wasn't wrong per se, but it all seemed all too familiar…

"I worry about your sanity most. All you do is study, work and sleep. Everything in-between is somehow related to any of the three and you are too young for me to visit you every other week and only when you are heavily medicated… Look at this as your valve. Correct me if I am wrong but I think you did not loathe spending time with him."

Silence fell between two friends. She could lie, she could say that he forced himself on her but that would only be half of the actual truth. He really did push himself closer to her but it was her who made the choice of accepting it… of accepting him.

"I did not…" Lucy responded in lower tone, shame mixed with anxiety and even a bit of pleasant feeling was involved in it.

"See?" Levy asked quite enthusiastically "He seems like not-exactly-respectable but fun guy and I bet you can grab a share of that fun and just hang out with him from time to time. And before you say anything because I know you will…" She quickly interrupted her blonde friend just as she opened her mouth to speak "Yes, this is not a good idea and yes you need this bad idea. Make some mistakes!"

Lucy realized that there is no point in arguing any longer. More she pushes, more Levy will push back and force her into a corner until she agrees. The frightening part is that she will do it metaphorically and quite literally and there are already enough rumors of them being 'too close'. Well, that was nicest of rumors about her. Air between her and Natsu is a bit more clear now but it didn't made any less uncomfortable… in fact… that one kiss created more confusion now than the moment he kissed her. All this seemed like yet another brick on Lucy's shoulders. In addition to living arrangements that was followed with numerous expenses, her daughter, college and jobs, she had to add Natsu on the agenda and even though she didn't show it… it was frightening to her. But then she remembered… words that came from Natsu himself… boyfriend is not just a baggage, most of the time they are there to share the load. Would it apply to a friend too? Levy was always there to help her, through thick and thin, taking the 'load' from Lucy and onto herself. Gajeel was there too… although in smaller percentage but he did help her when she needed him most. Her current job at Sabertooth is, after all, him pulling the strings. Will Natsu be the same?

She wasn't left with much of a choice to begin with. Cornered, metaphorically this time, by Levy and her big eyes that stared at her, she was left with no other choice than to place her trust in Natsu, hoping that this decision will not bite her in the ass… again. Long sigh escaped through her pink lips, giving Levy all the answers she needs from just that one hum. Her eyes looked to the side, as if she knew there would be something to see. Standing five meters from her were Natsu and Gray, focused on their own conversation. His head turned and met her gaze and every single sensation that she felt the night before suddenly flashed before her eyes once more. His lips occupied her mind completely. Lucy's eyes widened and cheeks once more received dark shade of red and just as he was about to wave, she turned around and rushed through the hall, trying to create as much distance as possible.

"Wow… look at her go…" Gray commented as he noticed Lucy walk away in haste.

"Damn…" Natsu commented. His brain automatically assumed that he once again screwed up. Perhaps that kiss was too much and now she is mad at him again.

"Well, there is only one logical explanation for this." Gray added, nodding sagely "You must be so horrible at kissing that you made poor girl experience shell shock. I mean she is probably having war-time flashbacks."

"Must you?" Natsu looked at Gray, frowning heavily at the comment which would probably make him laugh at any other point. Now… now is not that time.

"Oh come on, it's funny!"

"Yeah…" Natsu said in quiet tone as he watched into distance. The knot in his stomach suddenly disappeared and his lips curved into a big smile "This is great!"

"Come again?"

"It's what you said yesterday… if she hated me or didn't want to acknowledge my existence, she wouldn't even flinch. She would just turn her head and move on but look at her!" He pointed with both hands, extended in direction where Lucy went "Running like a vampire from garlic. She cares!"

Gray smirked at the explanation. The idiot not only remembered the talk but also managed to use it in situation "So are you gonna talk to her?"

"Yeah, after practice. She's probably working so I'll find her at sweets shop."

"If you survive that long." Gray commented begrudgingly "Don't forget coach is gonna make us pay for short round last time."

"Well…" Natsu nodded, still keeping his wide smile, looking at Gray "My day is ruined."

Much to Lucy's expectation, the rest of the day proved to be just as tedious as morning was. Six hour shift at Sweets shop as she danced between tables, adorned in pink apron and the mask of smiling girl proved to be even more tiring than before. The mask of a girl whose only goal in life is to make everyone's life sugary and covered with chocolate and sprinkles was beginning to falter. She did the only thing she knew how to… take deep breath, focus, push everything to back of her head and give her best performance.

It's over… at least for today. She left the shop and after only few steps she noticed a man, leaned against the traffic sign, tapping with hands against his outer thighs. The anxiety immediately reached new heights.

"Yo, Luce!" Natsu greeted her, pushing himself from the sign and walked over to her.

"Hey… ummm… about today…" She stuttered, trying to find right words.

"Yeah, I saw." He added "You ran like you saw the ghost of dead uncle that no one really liked but everyone tolerated because he is part of the family even though they suspect he is probably keeping few skeletons in some closed."

"That was… oddly specific. Do you have uncle like that?"

"Pfft… you kidding me? I am gonna become one." Natsu added with a chuckle and even Lucy managed to stifle a short laugh. It was a good sign "So about today…"

"I know… It's not you, it's me."

"Geez… where have I heard that excuse before?"

"I am serious." Lucy said quickly, realizing that she was trying to give an excuse to… Natsu. That part was a bit depressing "It's confusing, okay? I just need a bit of time to work it out in my head."

"But why?" Natsu asked as he took another step closer to her, making her widen her eyes "Nothing has changed between us and I mean every word that I said. I will be patient and wait until you are ready and in the meantime I really just want to be your friend."

For a moment, she was left speechless. Whatever comeback she had prepared was gone and the world-shattering anxiety has diminished. She felt as if she can put her hands down for just two seconds, lower her guard next to him. Maybe he is lying… he broke promise before but… for some reason she felt as if she can trust him this time. Friend. Yes, he said friend. "What is friendship to you, Natsu?"

"Friend?" Natsu repeated that particular word, his eyes looked up then to the right as he tried to come up with best explanation "I guess it would be a person who is there for you, who doesn't need a reason to help you. One who shows up when you need him without telling him that you need him." His words rang into her ears but instead of loud, booming sound of a bell that alerted her every sense, they were soft, calming… and then he said the magic line "A person you can lean against and know that they will support your weight, no matter what."

Small smile appeared on Lucy's face. For the first time in weeks, months, years perhaps… she was genuinely happy. Calm. As if every trouble in her world suddenly vanished and she could finally resurface to get air. She didn't say anything and in complete silence she just walked past him, taking the same route she always does when she is going home. The sound of footsteps behind her no longer scared her, no longer brought her blood pressure to points of burst. She knew that he is gonna walk with her until she reaches home and right now… she didn't mind it.

"Sooo… not gonna run away tomorrow?" Natsu asked as he caught up with her, walking side by side.

"No, I won't. In fact you can look forward to a greeting." Lucy responded calmly, still satisfied about how things managed to reach conclusion.

"We're cool?"

"Yes, we're cool." She answered.

"Oh good, for a moment I thought you were gonna fixate on the kiss." The moment he said that, her eyes widened yet again and the familiar red tint on her cheeks appeared. So close… "I was wondering… I mean, when I kissed you I could swear you kissed me back."

What was she supposed to say now? Yes? No? Truth? Lie? The moment of clarity shattered and she was once again plunged into the ocean of indecisiveness. It would be easiest, but not the best, to just tell the truth.

"I might tell you someday." Lucy teased, mustering any and all bits of her composure left in her. His eyes glanced at her, noticing her calm gaze that was fixed forward and straight line of her lips. She would've been a lot more convincing if it wasn't for her scarlet cheeks and that was all he ever needed to see.

"Alright, suit yourself. Say, how about we go see a movie this Saturday? I know what you are thinking… no it's not a date and no I am not gonna trick you and say afterward "It was a date". This is just two friends, hanging out and seeing a nice movie that I am going to sleep through."

"Can't. I have evening shift at Sabertooth." Lucy answered, making Natsu lose his smiling expression. She didn't lie "But, I am available on Sunday."

"Perfect. Sunday it is!" He confirmed as he stopped. They were at the intersection and road to his home was to the right as opposed to Lucy's which was straight "I'll see you tomorrow." He said as he made the turn, walking along the sidewalk with hands in his pocket, trying his best to avoid skipping as he walked.

Lucy kept walking without looking back, without answering to his words. This has been, without a doubt, the most confusing day she ever had since the start of this semester and everything pointed out that there will be more. More confusion, more anger, more moments when she could feel the urge to strangle him right there on the spot and be rid of all the problems. The problem with this 'problem' was that if she does strangle him… she'll be left without the moments that truly colored her days. Good and bad.

Fifty meters from home, Lucy stopped walking and took a deep breath. Good and bad, she said to herself. Make a mistake. She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone, going through the contacts until she reached name 'Idiot'. Hesitation. Ten seconds, twenty seconds. She presses the call button and leans phone to her ear.

"What's up? Is everything alright?" Natsu asked over the line.

"Yes." She said.

"Did you call to have a chat? Didn't think you'd miss me this soon."

"No. I called you to say yes."

"Ummm… yes to what?"

"To your question from earlier. Yes."

And with that, the call has ended.