Fine, you want another chapter?! Here, take it, see if I care!

Oh look another day, another chapter. Can't believe you guys are just reading it as fast as I can write it, like...damn. Get a life you weirdos.

Story related: it's NaLu because fuck you NaZa fans. Decided this morning I wanted to keep it loosely tied to the canon story, so there. Also, relationships and fluffy stuff ahead because fuck you, that's why.

Enjoy, you bastards.


It had been a long day for all of those involved, and with Erza absolutely refusing to let go of Natsu's hand as they walked back home, he couldn't help but feel…happier than he was when the day started. Granted, it was a small, marginal happiness, but a start all the same. Like this, he felt that there was a chance he could get back on track, and maybe, just maybe, he could get the help he needed.

However, he'd have to get by his other friends, who, to his surprise, were waiting out by his apartment as the two returned. Lucy was pacing nervously back and forth while Gray did his best to reassure her that Erza would find him. His third attempt at calming her down was interrupted by the blonde stopping in place, her eyes cast down the street.

Curious, Gray followed her gaze, and was….stunned was the wrong word. He was happy to see Natsu returned safely, but from the state he'd seen his friend in, it almost felt inappropriate to be elated that his friend had been saved. By none other than Erza, too, but…Gray finally had an inkling on what was rushing through his friends head.

And that scared him; it upset him to no end, but he didn't want that to show.

Lucy, on the other hand, held no such reservations.

Upon seeing Natsu, she all but sprinted towards the two, Erza dropping his hand so that the blonde could throw her arms around his back and press her face into his chest, tears evident on her face.

While such a thing would normally have made him blush fiercely, this time, Natsu was calm, letting the celestial wizard cry quietly against his skin. He only listened as she went on and on about how sorry she was, only for Natsu to finally answer her hug, his strong arms seeking their way around her shoulders.

It gave her pause and a red face as she felt his secure grip around her slender shoulders, even more so to have him lean down and whisper into her ear.

"I'm sorry, Lucy."

She was quick to pull up, but not out of their hug. "Wh…why are you apologizing, Natsu? We're the ones who…who should have said something when…" Eyes watering up again, she was unable to finish as he took her back against his chest. He decided he liked how she felt there, and despite this contact, found himself at ease.

Was this what love meant? Not nervous butterflies, nor awkward conversation or shifted eyes? Could it be that she actually had a calming effect on him?

Either way, he now knew that he needed to be with her, lest he become depressed to a severity like this again. On that matter, however, Erza was speaking to Gray on.

"Gray. We'll have to keep an eye on him. Just because we're in the clear this time doesn't mean he's back to 100%. There's always a chance that he can revert back to this state, and there's no telling what will happen if he does." She looked on as Lucy and Natsu embraced, the two of them looking as though they'd been designed for one another. It was cute to see them like that, to witness the first moment when a man and women fell in love.

Albeit it was grown from sadness and grief, the fact still remained that Natsu needed someone like Lucy in his life, and Erza wasn't one to get in the way of that.

Her silent musings were interrupted by the ice mage speaking up. "Agreed. But what do we want to do about tonight? I don't know about you, but I don't want to leave Natsu alone when he's like this."

He had a point, to which Erza called Lucy and Natsu over. When the two – Lucy holding onto his arm as if he were to vanish at any moment – approached, she presented a plan. "Now…we've all had one hell of a day. That said, I think it best if we three spend the next few days at Natsu's. That includes, but isn't limited to, sleeping over to assure that you can be safe."

This was directed at Natsu, who looked rather ashamed that he'd been the cause of all this, but nodded in agreement. He knew he would appreciate that his three friends would be able to keep a close eye on him regardless of the time of day – it would be nice to have the company he'd so desperately wanted but had never asked for.

After Lucy and Gray voiced their agreements, Erza took charge. "All right then. Gray, you get Natsu settled in while Lucy and I return to our homes for a few days' worth of clothes. When we return, you can go get your belongings. Sound good?"

The ice mage nodded and after putting an arm over Natsu's shoulder, gently led the depressed Salamander into the apartment, with Natsu giving the two girls a grateful look before the door closed.

Once the boys were in the house, the scarlet haired woman turned to her blonde companion, a deviously playful smile on her face. It was just disturbing enough for Lucy to take a step back and wonder if Erza was still totally sane after today. "A-are you okay, Erza?"

"Oh, I'm fine, Lucy Dragneel."

This proclamation made Lucy turn a red comparable to Erza's hair, her face rivaling Juvia's whenever in the presence of Gray. "Wh-wh-what are you saying that for?!"

The only response she got was a low laugh and still that devious smile as she started her walk home, Lucy following behind. "

You know very well, Lucy. You liiiike him." Cackling like a madwoman, Lucy had no choice but to ignore her friends teasing as they spilt paths in the middle of town, Lucy finding her way back home. Her face had remained the same shade of red since Erza's declaration, and one could practically see the steam coming off the top of her head.

She was so flustered, in fact, that she didn't even walk along the wall as normal, leading the boaters to question her if she was feeling okay.

That couldn't be further from the truth, and she somehow made it home without melting into a Lucy puddle along the way. However, once she arrived home, her freak out began, and no soft article was safe. Making an odd 'squeeing' sound, the blonde wizard tossed herself onto her bed, reaching for and tucking a pillow up to her chest.

'I know it's wrong to be excited, after all that's happened today…but I just can't help it! I get to spend a few days in Natsu's home, with him!' Biting into the pillow, her mood went somber as she recalled his face. 'But it's not about me. It's about helping Natsu get better, and I'm gonna be the best friend I can be!'

Inward psyche-up over, she set about gathering clothes for the next few days. Into her black suitcase went a white tshirt with a pink heart in the center, a long sleeve black tee with a white cat peeking in from the corner, and blue plain tank top. For bottoms, she opted to take one of her denim skirts, a pair of jean short shorts, and a pair of simple jeans.

Additionally, she packed a Fairy Tail themed bikini – the top featured a black Fairy Tail emblem on a white background. The bottoms were a plain white, but showcased a pair of loops on the side; these were purely ornamental.

What stumped her, was packing underwear. She wasn't sure what to bring, and she didn't know why she was having a hard time on deciding. It wasn't like anybody was going to see them, so why bother in turning it into a painful process? Nonsense aside, she eventually decided on three bras and pairs of underwear. The first set consisted of a mint green, demi bra that included little patterns of snowmen on the front, as well as a pair of black bikini cut panties.

The second and third sets were considerably more edgy, with the bras of both being strapless and the underwear…well, could be considered thongs. She had no idea why she was bringing them along, and as a result, felt incredibly nervous walking back to Natsu's apartment. Maybe…

A ridiculous idea, there was no way that was actually going to happen…right?

Regardless, she found Erza back in the center of town, and together they walked, with Lucy finally asking Erza what she meant by her earlier comment.

"Hey, Erza?"

"Hm?"

"What did you mean earlier when you called me Lucy Dragneel?"

A look of confusion quickly brushed Erza's features, but was gone just as fast.

"Isn't it obvious? You like him, Lucy. It isn't that hard to see."

"Oh." Her face had gone back to the red state from earlier. "Is it really…?"

Laughing, Erza gently touched a hand to her friends shoulder. "Yes, really. The question everybody's been asking is why you haven't told him."

Caught, and embarrassed, the celestial wizard tried to explain. "We-well, I've been meaning to-"

"Do us a favor and don't tell him today, all right?" The comment caught Lucy off guard, and it was her turn to look confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Natsu…he's been hurting for a while now, and if you confess your feelings any time soon, he'll just think it's out of pity no matter how sincere you make it sound."

After thinking a moment, Lucy nodded. "That makes sense, so I'll tell him when he's finally feeling better."

Smiling, Erza agreed. "Thank you."

"Of course, Erza."

Their conversation carried them to Natsu's home, where after announcing their presence, pushed inside the small space, finding Natsu asleep on his bed and Gray keeping a watchful eye over his sleeping friend. Looking to the ice mage for an explanation, Lucy raised an eyebrow.

"Don't look at me. We came in here and he just crashed. Bing bang boom, out. Didn't want to wake him, but now that you two are here, I'll be leaving to go get my stuff." He got up from the chair he'd claimed, and after gently closing the door behind him, left his friends to keep an eye on Natsu.

After analyzing the apartment, it became quickly apparent to them both that there was only enough room for two to sleep comfortably – one on the sofa and the other on the floor. Meaning one would need to share a bed with the Dragonslayer. And judging from the look playing in Erza's eye, that someone would be Lucy.

At this point, Lucy knew it would be pointless to argue, so after silently accepting her fate, turned red as a tomato.

This…would be interesting.


There, happy? Enjoy it or not, I don't give a fuck; I like writing this way too much to care what you think.

Chapter 6 out by 7/24. See ya then, ya crazy bastards.