Just like everyone else, Lucy regretted a lot of choices in her life.
But, when she woke up in the morning, her head slightly hurting she was sure having sex was the biggest mistake she's ever made.
Not because she didn't like Gray or anything, goodness no, she's always had a small attraction to the ice user, but she was the loyal type of person.
She couldn't help but feel as though she broke Juvia's trust by sleeping with the ice user.
And trust was a big word for Lucy, perhaps holding even more sentiment than the word friendship, but that was to be expected considering she was a celestial spirit mage.
Breaking Juvia's trust? Well, it felt like she had stabbed herself with a knife and taken another beating from Gajeel.
Felt like she had been burned alive by the sadistic blonde from Grimoire Heart all over again.
'But it feels so right at the same time..' Lucy thought to herself as Gray's arms wrapped around her middle.
Pulling her body flush against his.
Lucy thought that when a person gets drunk, they forget everything the next day.
That wasn't the case for her.
She actually remembered every single detail.
Asking Lisanna how the takeover mage feels about Natsu, Cana molesting her, and then her starting the whole sexual intercourse with Gray.
It was selfish of her, but she wouldn't mind doing this kind of stuff again with Gray despite knowing Juvia had a huge crush on Gray.
She sighed, she was such a bad friend. She had to get her mind out of the gutter.
She didn't want to hurt Juvia. Her needs don't matter compared to her odd friendship with Juvia.
Thinking about the water user gave Lucy the motivation she needed through guilt. Slowly, she pried herself out of Gray's arms and replaced herself with a pillow.
Gray didn't notice the difference.
Quietly, she made her way to her bathroom.
She did her best to cover up her hickeys with both make up and clothes, though she had no doubt that the dragon slayers would be able to tell that something was off.
'And it would be too suspicious of me to not go to the guild. They'll be able to figure it out.'
Normally Lucy didn't like keeping secrets from her friends.
But she felt like she did when she introduced herself to Natsu and Happy. She felt insecure.
Back then it was because of her last name, this time it's because she did something unforgettable.
"Lucy?"
Lucy startled and turned around to see Gray standing at her bathroom door in all his naked glory.
She looked at him, ignoring the fact that he was naked.
But with the memories of last night still in her head, her face became an interesting shade of red.
"Can I take a shower?"
Lucy nodded dumbly, she was half expecting Gray to talk about the night before, but the ice user just walked over to the shower. And proceeded to shower as if she wasn't there.
Well, she wasn't really surprised at the last part considering Gray's shameless when it came to lack of decency.
"Uh, Gray?" Lucy awkwardly asked.
"Yeah?" He asked sparing her a glance.
"Umm, about, uhh last night..."
"It's cool, you were drunk. Otherwise you wouldn't have done that with me."
"No!" Lucy immediately denied earning a confused look from Gray, "I..."
"You...?" He gently prompted.
Lucy took in a deep breath. "I am attracted to you." She knew that already, almost as much as she knew she felt some degree of attraction for the males in her guild.
Gray looked at her, genuinely surprised.
Lucy blushed.
"Well, I think you're cute?" Gray confessed after an awkward silence.
'Gemini was right...'
"Want to join me?" Gray offered, trying to defuse the awkward situation.
"Uh, sure." Lucy meekly nodded before pausing, "What about Juvia?"
"What about her?" Gray asked in confusion.
"Juvia likes you." Lucy stated, it was obvious to everyone.
"Oh, yeah." Gray didn't seem surprised.
"You knew?"
"Yeah."
"Then why pretend like you don't?"
"If I acknowledge her feelings she'll become worse, besides I have no feelings for her. In my head she's just the girl who follows me and uses water magic."
Lucy frowned at Gray.
Noticing this, the ice mage sighed. "I mean if she actually stopped doing those weird stuff, and actually talk to me without glorifying me, I might actually like her."
Lucy mentally noted that to herself, she was going to explain that to Juvia one day.
"Eek!" Lucy shrieked as Gray pulled her towards the shower. "My clothes!"
.o0o.o0o.
When Gray left, so did Lucy's cheerful mood.
'Can't believe we ended up having sex again...and in the shower...'
She felt mad at herself. For betraying Juvia like that, and for actually enjoying the sexual intercourse.
She wanted to tell someone, but who?
She was too ashamed to tell the girls from her guild.
Natsu wouldn't get it. Happy would make her feel worse than she does.
Someone...
Her eyes widened.
She ran to her bathroom, filled her tub with water, and summoned her first friend.
"Aquarius, I-"
"I told you not to summon me for a week." Aquarius sharply said.
"S-sorry, but this is important!"
Aquarius seemed annoyed as she lifted her ur, prepared to drown Lucy. "How important?" She humored Lucy.
"I had sex!"
The spirit's eyes widened and she accidently dropped her trusty weapon.
"...what?"
"With Gray." Lucy mumbled.
"The ice user?"
Lucy nodded, "It was a mistake.." she dejectly said.
"He's not as hot as my boyfriend, but he isn't bad looking."
"I know."
"Then why be sad about it? You finally got laid, and you're actually sad about it?"
"It's because Juvia likes Gray..."
"Juvia?"
Lucy explained who Juvia was to Aquarius.
"I see," Aquarius nodded in understanding sipping on the tea Lucy made while explaining everything.
"So?"
"This is so stupid." Aquarius bluntly said, "When it comes to love, all is fair."
"But Juvia's my friend!"
"So? It's not your fault Gray actually wanted to have sex with you. And besides, from what you've told me she needs to learn to give the guy some space."
'Look who's talking...'
"Basically it's your love life. And if it feels right to you and him, then no one gets to say otherwise."
Lucy smiled a bit, Aquarius actually managed to cheer her up. As usual.
"More importantly, why were you drunk?" A menacing aura surrounded Aquarius.
Lucy paled.
She forgot that she promised Aquarius to not drink until she was 18 back when she was little, and that Aquarius didn't know that she was mentally 18 already.
.o0o.o0o.
Lucy's butt stung as she sat down on her designated spot in the guild. Luckily Natsu nor Gajeel was there to sniff out Gray's scent on her.
She ignored the curious looks she got and instead smiled at Mira who looked concerned. "Aquarius."
Mira's face washed in realization, "Oh my, what got her mad this time?"
"She found out I got drunk yesterday..."
"Speaking of yesterday, did Gray properly took care of you?" Mira curiously asked.
Lucy's face flushed as images of last night and what happened in the shower passed in her head.
"Hey Lucy, there's something I want to talk to you about." Gray said appearing out of practically nowhere and took a seat next to Lucy.
"Gray, hey." Lucy managed a small smile, her face a bit flushed.
"You seem uncomfortable..." Gray noted.
"Ah, Aquarius punished me..."
"Want me to help?" Gray offered racing his now ice covered hand up.
Lucy could feel the stares on her back, most expecting her to reject the offer with her famous Lucy Kick.
Instead she just nodded, it wasn't like Gray hadn't seen and touched every inch of her already.
The guild collectively gasped in shock as Gray casually rubbed his hand on Lucy's butt while the two conversed about trivial stuff.
Mira had a sly smile.
"Love rival..." A menacing voice uttered making Lucy shudder.
"Juvia.." Lucy evenly greeted turning to face the water user.
"What are you doing with Gray-sama?"
Lucy quirked an eyebrow, it was obvious that Gray was the one feeling up her butt.
"I'm talking to him?"
"I think Juvia is trying to ask what's going on between the two of you." Erza explained.
Lucy blinked, really not knowing the answer herself.
"We're dating." Gray declared much to everyone's, including Lucy's, shock.
Mira had a gleeful look, already imagining the babies. "I want details!"
"No way! Lu-chan's going to tell me first."
"Don't be foolish Levy, Lucy will tell me first. I am her teammate after all."
"As the Fairy Queen, I deserve to know first."
"Shut up Evergreen, Lucy's going to tell me first."
"Why would Lu-chan tell a drunk like you? I think she'd prefer telling her best friend."
Mirajane, Erza, Levy, Evergreen, and Cana all glared at each other. Menacing auras surrounding them as they were prepared to fight for the right of being told the details first.
"We should get out of here." Gray quietly told Lucy as he dragged her out of the guild.
Lucy was still too shocked to say anything.
Her mind was trying to latch onto something to distract her.
"What did you wanted to talk to me about?" She blurted.
Gray stopped, and looked back at her with a blink. "I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend." He admitted not letting go of her hand.
"Oh..."
"So, do you want to?"
"Why me?" Lucy decided to ask, avoiding the question.
"Why not you?" Gray returned.
"I'm being serious here." Lucy mumbled to him.
"At first I thought you were just a pretty face, all bark and no work." Gray started as he continued walking. "You proved me completely wrong, but what really got me interested was your personality. You may not notice it, but even by our guild's standards you're one of the nicest members."
They reached her place again, her hands still being held by his.
"I'll see you around then?" Gray awkwardly asked letting her hand go.
Lucy smiled at him. "Of course, you are my boyfriend, aren't you?"
Gray looked surprised for a moment, but then he leaned his face down to kiss Lucy.
It was just supposed to be an innocent peck on the lips.
But they ended up making love while the rain heavily poured down in Magnolia.
.o0o.o0o.
Gray and Lucy ended up as partners in the S-class Trials.
Lucy didn't plant it, but this time around Juvia was just too depressed to participate so Lisanna became Cana's partner.
Gray just casually mentioned that he wouldn't mind having her as his partner, and then it sort of just happened.
Aside from Juvia, everyone was more or less happy for Gray and Lucy. They made a cute couple after all.
Lucy being the kind girl who made sure Gray didn't get into too much trouble, while Gray escorted Lucy to everywhere.
With the partner change up, Lucy and Gray ended up fighting Cana and Lisanna.
The former easily won, Lucy taking on Lisanna with Gemini while Gray took down Cana.
Then they fought off some Grimoire Members.
Ultimately defeated the guild leader too.
It kind of went better this time since Gray wouldn't leave her side. And they made a good team.
.o0o.o0o.
Gray grasped Lucy's hand in his as they all stood in a circle.
"I...the time we spent was really fun." Lucy suddenly said to him, not even looking at the dragon, but at him.
"We'll have a lot more fun together," Gray promised squeezing Lucy's hand, "We'll go on more walks around the park, I'll take you to fancy restaurants, we'll become S-class mages, we'll keep dating, and one day maybe we'll get married."
Lucy smiled at that, truly she could see it happening. In a more stable timeline she would have fallen in love with Gray and they'd get married. Gray had told her he wanted two sons, and one young daughter to dot on.
"I love you Gray." She really did come to love him romantically in this loop, maybe it would seem like she fell fast, but it felt right. And she had a feeling she wouldn't get to say it to him for a while.
Unless she finds a way to make sure she stops looping.
Gray's eyes softened, and he nodded. "I love you too."
.o0o.o0o.
When Lucy saw Gray again during her next loop she didn't say anything. What they shared during her last loop was amazing, and she would love to experience it her whole life.
But...
She had to focus on other things.
In the back of her mind she classified her previous loop as a vacation get away.
Now she had things to do.
Namely research on Grimoire Heart, Zeref, and Fairy Tail itself.
