FULL SUMMARY: There is really nothing wrong between BFFs Natsu and Lucy, except that many things have influenced how they show their affection for each other. A personal notebook, romantic comedy movies, fandoms, fan people standards, everlasting BFF codes, family and friends. The challenge, done like some sassy God, has made them insane. They must face their fears, denials, and insecurities, because it will very well affects their lives. The problem: this whole thing is too messed up to be "Cliché, huh?"

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail or it's characters. This guy does: Hiro Mashima

"past conversations"

'cited from Lucy's notebook'

Lucy

The stars always amazed her. From her mother's lectures, Lucy could identify all the constellations in seconds. She had known them by heart.

As the daughter of the CEO of Heartfilia Industries, Lucy was used to being pampered. She had dreamed of viewing them at an extravagant balcony. That would be an incredible lifestyle. From inside a luxurious room to wonder the twinkles above, sitting on expensive chairs. Stars said success to her. One day Lucy would do that and show her papa.

She had shared that once to Natsu. It was after prom, which was a disaster. Lucy was still downhearted to know that Natsu had not even considered asking her out. Coincidentally, their dates weren't much fond of them either. Yukino was shy with Natsu while Sting was angry that Yukino was with Lucy's best friend. Half of the program, Lucy joined Levy and Gajeel, being the third wheel. Not that Sting left her, he actually insisted of walking her home and all, but she suggested that he should go to Yukino and he obeyed. So Lucy had some of the drinks that were secretly spiked and her senses started to haywire when Natsu joined her. They were tolerably drunk yet she remembered most of what happened. They were on the roof as she was right now, only that was at school. Natsu was laughing, she didn't know why at first. "Why do you need a balcony?" he'd asked, laughing. She answered that it was a way to prove to her papa she was successful. Natsu stopped laughing and went into a sitting position. The transition built a solemn atmosphere; it caught her attention really well. "Shouldn't it be your happiness that proves you are successful in life, Lushi?"

"What if…what if I am already happy, guru-Natsssu," she replied, almost slurring the words. "Does it mean I am already successful?"

Nastu moved closer to her, making her blush redder. "I think," he whispered to her with a smile. "Success is always achievable and continued to be achieved. Success in life is not having great power, bountiful money, or popularity. It has something to do with achieving happiness, and it is everywhere! You can't find joy in power, money and popularity. And I tell you, all those three ain't going to make you smile like you always do. It what makes people competitive, it makes them insane and—"

"Since when did you become so wise, huh?" Lucy drank shortly and inspected it like she was inspecting treasure to pour out.

"Mu-must be this," She hiccupped before saying, "drink."

Natsu pouted at her, which made Lucy giggle. "Luce," Natsu leaned towards her and seriously said, "Success is here." His hands moved all around, gesturing the beautiful dark blue gradient sky. Natsu look, for once, a gentleman despite his drunken state. Years of being a roughhouse fighter, it had build Natsu's physique well. His suit and tie really looked amazing in him. He had his hair as messy as well, but it made him dreamier. It beat those Hollywood actors. (Sorry Leo, Tom H., Benedict C., Chris H., Chris P., Chris E., Justin B., Justin T.) Then the way his dark eyes fell on her that night, it almost took her soul away. Lucy wanted to just scream… Scream her little emotional, love-sick heart out.

But no confession happened that night. She knew well because it rained. For hell's sake, how a cleared up night turned into a storm? It was like an evil romance author wanting them not to be together. She so wanted to point out many references.

Natsu enjoyed the cold hard rain while Lucy wanted to take cover. "Where are you going, weirdo?" he called her as she was approaching the ladders. "Inside," Lucy shouted and waved a hand at him. Natsu stretched his arms, inviting the rain to him. Of course, his childish ways annoyed her. "This, Natsu, is what weird people like you do!" Apparently, the stubborn one always wins. In a minute, at the grassy open field, slightly drunk Lucy and Natsu were chasing each other, laughing like kids. Later, Gray and Erza joined them. Then most of their friends who hang out with them at Fairy Tail joined. It was a crazy night that her first dance, who Sting should have received, went rightfully to Natsu. Against the storm and in their best suits and dresses, they felt goofy, happy and fearless.

Fearless, a feeling she can only feel with him. Whatever it was to Natsu, it was romantic to her.

Bottom-line: she was in love with Natsu. At first, she would deny it to herself. She remembered the lines well that Natsu is annoying, loud, mostly does not know the meaning of manners. He made her do crazy stuff: he made her climbed up to the roof of the apartment and school building; they danced like monkeys in the hard rain; he taught her how to drive when he was drunk; once, he dared her to be drunk, which he immediately regretted; they jumped together from the peak of a waterfall, which Natsu just grabbed her; when it was unbearably hot, Natsu hosed her from a fire truck; They went skinny dipping when Natsu passed his last exam; also for fun, they travelled many places and broke many speed limit rules just to find a university for Lucy; they have done extremely famous and hilarious pranks, which Lucy was always the puppet while Natsu worked the strings.

"Embarrassing," she muttered, "silly."

It didn't end there.

Natsu was totally attached to her. He had done crazy stuff for her: he was the first person to befriend her; the only person who could comfort her without having to touch her; had threaten half the male population and many of the bitches in school if they mess with Lucy; prideful Natsu had beg the teachers and even the principal when Lucy had lacked money to pay tuition; he had received multiple bruises in brawls that involved her safety; went to the mall to go shopping together; baked a cake for her birthday that did involve exploding the oven; spent his holidays with her; helped her raise a charitable donation by fire dancing (Natsu hated dancing); Natsu trashed HI main office; made her papa apologize to her; and proudly claim that she was his friend.

Lucy sadly smiled at that. How could she be so stupid? Although it was not reciprocal, she loved the guy. Love. There was no love. Just friendship. She had wish that ceased to hope for more. The signs were already presented:

"I love you."

"Love me?"

"Yes, weirdo. You're my pal."

If only she had not hope again, then yesterday would not be as devastating. She would be sleeping. She would not be having emotional sessions like this. She would not be doing selfish things against her best friend, because Lucy must be proud of him. She has to be proud of his determination. Aside from being a troublemaker and a pyromaniac, he is doing something beautiful: reunite his family. She is except…

"Good bye, Lucy. It was great knowing you."

It was not because he neglected the plans they had made.

"They said it will take months, years?"

It was because he neglected her.

"But who cares? I am happy though."

She can't handle losing another loved one.

And even if he writes every time, there are many what ifs. So many to haunt her. What if he becomes so busy? What if she becomes so busy? What if he gets tired of writing? What if he finds a person much more he likes? What if he forgets her? What if he dies in the escapade? What if he won't care about her? What if's have been killing her repeatedly.

What great effect a person can do to one's life. She felt her life screwed up despite the independence she had conquered. Then she did what she supposedly had done yesterday and continuously have done until now and probably in the succeeding days.

She cried.

At first, her eyes were like the clear sky. Suddenly, clouds that will distort the vision appear and there goes that downpour. Her tears had no switch and she wanted it off.

The morning was at a nautical twilight. The darkness of the blue touched with the light the sun on the other side of the horizon. Given the chance, Lucy would love to witness the movement of the sun. Sunrises are typically labeled as renewal or resurrection or popularly noted as hope.

There it was again. Hope. Did she just stop hoping? How many times did her mind changed about pursuing this love? Twice. If Lucy had known, she was not the only one with mixed up feelings right now.

One spring, Fairy Tail went to the beach. It was that typical hang out paradise that went for hours. It was already dusk when everyone thought of leaving. Unfortunately for Lucy, some pervert stole her extra clothes. She had not gotten a chance to change from her swim suit cover herself in her towel, which was also stolen. What was worse that, Gray's car needed to be taken to the mechanic for fixing, thus, the only thing she can ride is a motorcycle. Meaning, she had to suffer the cold outside world.

Lucy had initially thought that Natsu stole her stuff. It was not unnatural for a guy like him to pull a prank on others. Natsu would not be that kind of person even in his insane mind.

For low tolerance of coldness, Lucy's teeth were already chattering. In her two-piece swimsuit and with other towels also wet, she was surely struggling with the cold. Then suddenly, something warm covered her.

It was Natsu's scarf.

No one wore Natsu's scarf except Natsu. It was the only thing that is capable of surviving in his care. No one was allowed to mess with it, unless you wanted to desperately meet the god of death. And Lucy was the second. Oh Mavis, Natsu let her use his scarf.

Is there a room for a third time? She asked herself.

She continued to cry, hugging her blanket, wishing for comfort only one person could provide.

The fading stars, please, guide her. She might hope again.

"I know what you did."

"What?"

"You placed something in the drinks."

"Are you insane?! I was with Juvia the whole time."

"With Juvia spiking up the drinks!"

"Believe me. We had nothing to do with this."

"Do not deny. You shall face my wrath, Fullbuster!"

"If this was Natsu, I wouldn't be scared, but you have Erza, so..."

"GET BACK HERE!"

"AHHHHH!"

So here ya go! I hope you like this chapter ;)

reviews for your thoughts!

chapter 7: Together