Disclaimer. I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.

-Oby Abel-

Chapter 13: What to do?

Blank.

His mind drew blank when he heard her say no. There he was. On his knees with flowers in his hands, being romantic as Lucy had always been adamant about she needed a guy to be, yet she refused to be his girlfriend.

Why?

"W-what?" He felt the need to get angry at how she was playing with his feelings. They both liked each other so why the fuck was she not accepting his proposal? It wasn't even a marriage proposal for heaven's sake! He asked her to be his girlfriend, to take it slow instead of diving right to he mating ritual.

"I… I'm s-sorry Natsu. I can't, not yet." He saw how torn she was. And her words did give him relief but he was still dumbfounded. Why couldn't she accept him? Wasn't it better to put a more definite word on their relationship status. Both of them knew they were more than best friends.

"Why?" his own voice sounded so defeated. He was disappointed. In her and in himself. He was doubting himself for acting to fast but their kiss had spurred him on. She hadn't downright rejected him. Heck she could've moved away or just stop it but she didn't.

He seriously wanted answers. He poured his heart out, and if possible he would've taken it out and hand it to her too. He was utterly in love with her. Spending months apart after finding out he harbored feelings for her had been rejuvenating.

Everyday the girls would have him write one word he liked about Lucy, and they gushed about how sweet he was mentioning everything. They prepped him real good. Yet it was all for naught. Lucy rejected him.

So he truly wanted an explanation and make it a good one. Just because they would have new titles didn't mean much would change. The only things changing would be their titles and how they openly acted upon their feelings. Nothing else. Natsu would even not touch her inappropriately if she wanted. He would refrain himself from kissing her and just be content with holding her hand or hugging her.

So she truly better have a good explanation.

Lucy sniffled and wiped her tears away. She truly wanted to say yes but she had things she needed to do before she could let herself commit. She didn't want to disappoint him by accepting him and then just not commit to their relationship.

So she had to refuse. It made her feel like the worst but she would explain her reasons. He deserved that much.

Taking a moment to calm herself, she hid behind her hands. She took calming breathes before she found the right way to approach the topic. It would be sensitive for them both but she needed it to be said.

Opening her eyes she saw Natsu still in place. It pained her. She couldn't help herself by pulling him into a hug. "I'm sorry. I want to, I really want to but I have things I need to do first." She whispered into his shoulder.

He pulled her into his embrace. He couldn't nor would he deny her any hugs. They calmed him down and made him think more rationalized. Inhaling her scent had its instant calming effect on him.

"What is it that you have to do?" His mind drew blank to figure out what significant things she had to do. There was none in his books. None that would make her refuse him.

Pulling away she locked eyes with her expressive chocolate brown eyes and his deep soulful obsidian eyes that shone green in the lighting. Her hand rest on his cheeks and he nuzzled into her hand.

"I have to go on a journey. To find Aquarius new key. I can't accept you now because that's unfair to you." She explained part of her reasons and his eyes widened in surprise.

"You're leaving?" Lucy saw hurt flash his eyes and it pained her but she had to go. She made a promise to her dear friend and she wanted to find her key before someone else did, so she lowered her gaze and nodded her head.

"Yeah…"

"When? How long? Can't I come with you?" His words were frantic and desperate. The thought of her leaving for gods know how long made him panic. He couldn't bear to stay away from her. Four months had been painful and now she had to leave again.

"I don't know," She muttered lowly, she really had no idea when she was leaving or how long it would take. The key could be anywhere. "But," her eyes locked with his once more with a more strong yet soft gaze. "I will be back. Before anything can happen to you. I promise. I-"

"I don't care what happens to me at this point! You are leaving me!" he could barely contain his anger and hurt.

"Not for good. I will be back."

"I'm coming with you." Staying with her was the only option he could agree with. He was going to let her wander across the continent alone, in the search of her spirit. Heck no. He would help her all the way. Even if it took years, he would help her 'til the end of his days. Lucy was his most treasured person, his love, so he wanted to stay with her every second he was able to.

"I have to do thi-"

"No!" he said firmly shaking his head. "No you don't have to do it alone. That's something you are choosing but you don't have to do it. And that's why I'm coming with you. You can protest as much as you want but I will not have you make the same mistake I did by leaving you. We both don't need to go there again."

Lucy stared at him bewildered. As she let his words sink in she knew he was right. She didn't have to do it alone. She just chose to. Burdening her friends with searching for Aquarius' key would not sit right with her even if they were willing. She just couldn't ask for that much. It was her own mess and she wanted to solve it by herself.

"I can't ask you for th-"

"Well you don't need to ask because I'm going no matter what. Whether you like it or not, I'm coming with you. End of discussion."

"But Natsu!" She tried to protest but he wouldn't let her.

"No. End of story. Call me selfish, but I rather be selfish than depressed and worried about you every second passing. So no buts, I'm coming and that's final." He dismissed the topic with finality. He wasn't going to let her slip past his grasp. No. Never again.

She gawked at him. He was serious. As in dead serious. She had no way out of it, it was clear as a day with his hard expression. Did it piss her off? Slightly. Did it make her seem like a fool? Majorly. She knew that if she left to would be all Tartaros over again, despite the guild being intact and all their nakama having returned. But if she left it would be much more cruel than when he left her because now both their feelings were out in the open. He liked – loved – her and she loved him.

So why was she a stubborn girl that just ran away from the diner ignoring his calls? Why couldn't she just realize that there didn't have to be a problem with them getting together? That it was in fact her creating a problem because of something so stupid as fear. Fear of being abandoned again by a loved one. Deep down she knew that Natsu wouldn't leave her ever again, he promised but she let fear control her once more and ran away.

Her emotions were overwhelming her making her act irrational. She needed space to think. Just to get away from the reality of things.

Natsu was shocked when he saw her push away from his embrace and run away. If he hadn't been in a stupor he would've followed her but the surprise was too much to stop her from doing anything. The patrons around him looked at him with pitiful gazes, some even gawking at the entrance were Lucy had left from.

Old man Yajima approached him with a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's alright son, she'll come around."

"I don't understand.." Natsu's voice was just barely above a whisper as he spoke. He turned his face to Yajima, his eyes shining with confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"

The owner shook his head and motioned Natsu to stand up from the ground. "Get up, boy. I'll tell you a little secret I've learned about girls over the years."

They took a seat by the table next to where Natsu and Lucy had been sitting. The Fire Dragon Slayer looked at the old male expectantly. "So?"

"You love her a lot, don't you." He stated rather than question. Natsu nodded his head.

"More than my own life." Natsu declared. And he did. He had long forgotten about the imminent death lurking around the shadows when he turns 22. All his focus was solely on Lucy and their relationship.

"And I gather Lucy loves you as well. But she's afraid of something." The old man stated.

"I don't understand what it is she's afraid of?" Natsu really couldn't understand what it was. There wasn't anything to be afraid of. All he told her was that she wasn't going alone in her quest of finding Aquarius' key. Was that wrong?

"It's just how women are. They are so fragile and very complex creatures. It would take forever to truly study them and understand why they are as they are." Natsu nodded, agreeing with him.

Women are very hard to figure out, 'specially those he knew. The women in his guild could be so odd and weird at times, but he never questioned why. Because he didn't want to burn his brain cells to understand why.

And Lucy. God she was the hardest to understand out of every women in the guild. She was so complicated. One moment she was happy the next she was pissed off. Her ways of acting was indeed hurtful but he loved her, and truly wanted to understand why she left like that.

"So what do I do?" He really wanted to know. Should he follow her? Ask her what's her deal? Or should he wait and give her space? He knew from experience that Lucy liked her space when something happened but he was really nervous that he again fucked things up despite knowing full well that he hadn't done anything slightest wrong.

Yajima looked at the nervous and confused male with soft eyes, and mouth shaped into a gentle smile. "Give her a bit time to cool off. She'll come around." His words were filled with promise and slight amusement.

"An hour good enough?"

Yajima chuckled at Natsu's impatience and shook his head. "Maybe two hours are best. Or maybe you should wait 'til morning. I guess both of you had a rough day and need to sleep it off." His suggestion didn't please the Fire Dragon Slayer.

"I can't wait that long. She might leave again." Natsu was extremely worried that she would pull the same stunt she did four months ago by just leaving without saying goodbye. He did not want her to repeat the same thing once again.

"So she left you? I've always thought it was you who left her. That was what she told me when we met up in Crocus." The old man mused.

"I did…" He admitted guiltily. "If I had known the guild would disband I would've brought her with me, but obviously I didn't. And yes, she left to do some research a good four months ago, without saying a word, only leaving a letter."

"Like you had done to her." Natsu looked at him surprised that he knew that much, and Yajima explained. "Lucy told me everything, from the beginning to the end. And I do not judge either of you. You did what you had to do and she did what she had to do. What you both need to do is build up your trust. For what I can see Lucy is very hesitant and afraid of accepting anything you tell her. She doesn't trust you."

"How do I gain her trust again then? Give her time? But that would only make me more impatient. I trust her completely, despite we both made mistakes in the past and handled it wrongly."

"Then you have to suck it up. You love her, I get that but you have to give her time to open up. Don't act impatiently or else she would panic and close off. Make her fall in love with you even more than she already is. Make her understand that you are there for her and that she can trust your heart to you once again. Act gently than rash. Time will heal any sorrow." Yajima told sternly yet with a soft edge. He wanted Natsu to realize that acting hot-headed and rash would get him nowhere relationships wise with the blonde.

If there was one thing he learned about Lucy Heartfilia it was that she was so vulnerable. Her exterior may come of as a strong independent woman but inside she was the sweetest and most insecure girl who had been hurt for far too long. He had seen the fake smiles and laughs, how she kept a haply façade in front of others. He had seen the dull look in her eyes, how she was tried to keep it together. To feel something. And he had seen many times how it had failed.

She was hurt. Her family had been scattered throughout the kingdom and started a new life for themselves. Her best friend, the boy she trusted more than she had trusted herself had left her, making her relive the pain of abandonment. She had lost a dear friend of the stars because of need to save her family. She was strong yet so fragile. She was a broken mess.

All that he had seen in her eyes. And he felt sorry for her. The poor girl was too young to feel so many heartbreaking emotion. And he had confronted her once. Told her to tell him everything on her heart. It had been a hard process but she had opened up and broke down like a broken dam. When she told him everything he too was heartbroken for her stead. Yet proud of her.

Lucy had been strong enough to keep it together. It could've ended tragically yet she did not go there. Thank the heavens for that. So he was proud of her for being strong to keep herself rationalized. But he had told her to process her feelings, let them out more often so it wouldn't overwhelm her.

But he knew from looking at her earlier when she had entered his diner that she had only just started that process. He had seen her eyes glazed with shed tears but he had also seen the twinkle of light in them. The happiness. The relief.

He had noticed both had been crying put had not said anything and kept being cheery. He had seen everything from the sidelines and was so happy to see Lucy progressing. And how could he not be happy about that? Both of them deserved to be happy.

He did though feel sorry for the young Dragon Slayer to be thrown into a mix of emotion because of how Lucy was handling things.

Maybe he should've kept a closer eye on her? Oh well what had happened had happened. No turning back. He would though have a talk with Makarov about those two. Maybe the old geezer would help him with a plan to make Lucy's emotion stable and have them finally end up together.

"Tell you what, dinner is on me tonight, eat, drink and then you can go look for her. How does that sound?" He told after coming out of his musing. The lad could use some food, and the time would pass a lot easier than having him getting anxious.

"If you say so."

Meanwhile Lucy had run to Fairy Hills. She didn't trust herself to go back to her apartment with the fear of Natsu showing up. She didn't have the courage to see him just yet. There was so many things to figure out. The main one was why she had run off in the first place.

So her feet dragged her to Fairy Hills were she hoped she would find her other best friend. As she entered the building she was reminded that her best friend was in Dragon Terms married, and that dampened her mood. But she tried her luck anyways and hoped the petite pregnant woman was in the building anyways.

Already knowing her room door by heart she knocked on it and waited patiently for someone to answer it. Thanking her lucky stars someone opened up but that someone made her frown.

"Gajeel…" her greeting was a bit depressing. The bulky Dragon Slayer rose a pierced eyebrow at her dejected appearance.

"Bunny girl." He greeted back. "If ya looking for shrimp, she's napping."

"Already? It's what? 7 pm."

"The little shits making her tired. Was there something important ya wanted?" He gruffly asked.

Lucy sighed and shook her head. She was not going to disclose anything with him. He would tease her or tell her something she didn't like. So that was out of question. "No. Nothing. Just forget it."

"Lu?" a groggy voice behind Gajeel asked. Said man turned around and frowned seeing his mate yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"Ya should sleep, shrimp."

"But I thought I heard Lu-chan's voice. And who are you talking to?" The bluenette questioned with a pout.

"Levs, it is me." The blonde took her cue to speak and squished past the Slayer and entered the room.

"You've been crying." Levy stated with a deep frown. "How bad is it? Ice cream bad or snuggles bad? Or worse, both?"

"B-both.." Lucy whimpered feeling her strong emotion return back and hugged the pregnant woman.

Levy hugged her back and eyed her mate. "Would you be a dear and get us two tints of Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream?" She smiled at him.

He looked at her incredulously. "Ya don't think ya can eat that much, do ya?"

"Make it three. One chocolate, one vanilla and one with strawberry mint." Her smile only widened as she stated her request. "Oh, and some pickles and figs, sour pumpkin and dates too."

His face morphed in disgust, but he nodded nonetheless and called his cat. "Lilt, we heading out! Grab my wallet" seconds later the Exceed flew past the sobbing blonde – which he didn't question – and handed Gajeel his jacket and wallet. The duo left the room.

"Now, tell me everything. From the beginning. This has something to do with Natsu, right?" Levy asked when she had pulled the blonde with her to the couch in her book-fested room.

Lucy nodded into her chest and pulled away. "I-I d-don't know w-what's wrong with me!"

"Deep breathes, Lu. Deep breathes." Levy reminded her distraught friend as she demonstrated a big inhale and exhale.

It took a few minutes to calm herself down but Lucy managed it. Levy grabbed her hand, stroking it gently and waited patiently for her to continue. For what she could tell so far – other than the obvious; it had something to do with Natsu – was that Lucy was wallowing in self-loathing. She knew her best friend like the back of her hand, and she knew Lucy did something she was regretting.

So she approached the matter with a soft and caring voice. "So after leaving the guild, you and Natsu went someone to talk. Start with that. What happened?"

"W-we talked." Levy suppressed the urge to roll her eyes by Lucy's statement.

"I could guess that much. What did you talk about?"

"About the past. About how hurt I've felt, how his leaving affected me much more than it really had. How I… loved with.." She admitted with tears forming once more.

"And?"

"And that I couldn't stand this strain on our friendship. After Tartaros everything just fell apart. Him leaving, the guild disbanding, my sacrifice of Aquarius' key… just everything. Every emotion I felt the past year just crashed down on me and I poured it out for him. And then…" She was reminded of the devastating look on his face, the look of a broken man. A man in complete fear.

Levy frowned, feeling her patience wearing thin. "And then what?" She urged on. She was normally collected and calm – a totally different story when it came to books and ancient artifacts, then she was impatient to solve or read it as fast as she could, the anticipation getting the best of her – but this time she was worried and anxious. Lucy seeking her comfort meant thing went downhill and that meant there was a very sad and pitiful Dragon Slayer in town, which she also felt extremely bad for.

"And then Natsu misunderstood and thought I was ending our friendship for good. But I wasn't, I just wanted to forget everything. All the hurt and pain. Just everything. But his face still haunts me. It hurts thinking I inflicted so much pain on him."

"At least you both had a talk about the bottled up feelings you've kept inside. You managed to finally admit everything you've concealed for yourself and for him."

"But that doesn't make it alright. I hurt him. Not once, not twice but fucking thrice! I left him in at the diner because I'm a coward. I don't trust myself anymore!" She cried loudly, hate was one word she felt she could relate to. Hate for herself.

"What do you mean?" Levy questioned surprised and confused.

"We agreed on a do over and everything went great. We went to Yajima-san's, everything was great until he got on one fucking knee and-"

Levy gasped in shock. "He proposed?!" Her voice pitched high enough to alert every other female individuals in the building.

"No!" Lucy quickly denied yet she corrected herself because he did promise but just not in that kind of way."I mean yes! But as his girlfriend." She clarified. "He asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Thank God!" Levy said relieved. It wasn't that she didn't find it romantic or cute that he would propose to her, ask her to marry him, but it was way too early for that. They had all told him to start slowly. Skipping steps could be a big mistake for most – her relationship with Gajeel didn't count, they were both mutually into each other and in love, thought not very verbal about it 'til now – so they had coaxed him into start with small steps like asking Lucy out in dates and then asking for her to be his girlfriend. But the idiot had acted fast and went straight to business. Levy was glad that he hadn't asked her to be his mate. That would have made Lucy more uncomfortable than she already was.

"Alright, let's back up a bit. After your talk, everything between turned good and then you went to grab a bite, and talked someone more and then he asked you to be your girlfriend? Am I understanding this correct?" Lucy nodded and her head hung down, ashamed. "And then you ran away and now you're here?"

"Y-yeah…"

"Why?"

Lucy looked up, silent tears streaking down her face. "Because I'm afraid…"

"What are you afraid of Lucy?" She flinched by hearing her own name roll of her best friends tongue. Never had she heard Levy speak her full name without feeling annoyed or sad, or worst yet, disappointed. "What made you run away and reject him?" The bluenette mom to be pressed.

"I… wanted to accept him."

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because I'm leaving again…"

"To find Aquarius' key." Levy knew that. She knew that Lucy would leave with the first opportunity she got to find the Spirit's key. She could totally understand her reasons but it didn't mean it didn't piss her off.

"You didn't accept him because you want to travel around to find her key, so you opted with breaking his heart once more. Your selfish needs comes first, don't they?" It wasn't meant to come out as harsh as it did, but her hormones were just fueling her anger, and made her words sound more venomous than intended.

Lucy flinched by the harsh words coming out of Levy's mouth. She could deny her claims but why deny it when Lucy fully knew the bluenette spoke the truth. She was selfish and she did probably break his heart once more. There was no denying that.

"I…" and she had no answers to give because there wasn't anything she could say to rectify it.

Feeling bad for speaking so harshly, and out of term, Levy put a hand on the trembling blonde's, and smiled sadly when Lucy locked eyes with her. "I know you didn't mean to do it. You're scared. Scared that if you entrust your vulnerable heart to him again, you will return back to the Lucy a year ago. And I get that but Natsu won't break your heart this time around. Not intentionally. All you got to do is tell him how your feeling so he understands. You won't get anywhere if you do not open up to him."

"It-It's hard… I'm… I don't know what to do…"

Levy scooted closer and brought her friend into her arms, and began stroking her back in soothing motions. "And that's fine. Tell him that. Make him understand your fears complete. Don't shut him out. He doesn't deserve that and neither do you."

The blonde gripped Levy's dress tightly on the back and let her emotions out. Levy was right. She knew it to her bones that she was right. Shutting Natsu out would do no good. He deserved much better.

"And you know what, you aren't alone Lu. We will help you finding Aquarius' key. You don't have to do it by yourself. We are family and Aquarius' and your other spirits are part of our family too. So there isn't any reason for you to wander off on your quest alone. Fairy Tail's with you all the way."

That made Lucy sob louder. Every word levy had spoken was only the truth. Lucy had just been blinded by her fears to see it before now, her friend reminded her that. She felt utterly stupid for not thinking straight and also for dismissing Natsu.

"Oh God!" She gasped and pulled away when her thought remained on the make she had left in such a hurry.

"What's wrong?" Levy questioned with worry and alarm by her sudden exclamation.

"Natsu…" Lucy whispered as her eyes grew big with horror. "I, I just left him there!"

"Calm down Lu, he probably went home to sort his feelings out or something. You can speak with him tomorrow morning, I'm sure he'll come to you the second it hits morning." Levy assured and helped her calm a bit but the horrible feeling that she recognized as guilt did not leave her. It only made her feel more like an idiot, a selfish bitch who was only concerned with herself.

To sum it all she felt like the worst scumbag alive. A goddamn awful person.

"Don't fret, Lu. Wanna watch a movie and cuddle till Gajeel comes with our food?" The mother to be asked to lighten up the mood and grinned at her friend.

Lucy could use some distraction of sort, and agreed. It was better than her letting guild take over her emotions and mind. So they flicked through a few channels on the lacrimatron and settled into Levy's bed, all cuddled up. It was a pure comedic movie; Spy with the lovely and funny as hell Melissa McCarthy. It eased the tension by tenfold and let Lucy relax with her best friend like old times. Just pure relaxation. With only their snacks needed.

Speaking of their snacks, Gajeel had wandered the streets of Magnolia to find everything his mate had required. He went from store to store to find the items. He and Lily even bought snacks for themselves.

As he wandered the streets he picked up the scent of his fellow Dragon Slayer and decided to pay him a visit. He had seen Bunny Girl distraught, so he gathered something must've been wrong. Normally he wouldn't give to shits about other people's business but since this was his brother in a weird fucked up way, he worried for Natsu. Natsu was the last – excluding sweet and innocent little Wendy of course – the only one to have either begun the ritual or finish it. Sting and Rogue had acted in and hesitate and luckily for them they hadn't had to court their mates like Natsu had to.

But Lucy was a different case than most of the other mates. First of all she was the only one who had a direct link to the Dragon God, who was actually at fault for all the Slayers and their mates to be in this predicament. Secondly she may come out as strong and confident but he knew otherwise. He had seen her whenever she spoke with Levy how her eyes didn't twinkle the same way it did before Tartaros. She wasn't happy. She was broken. It was plain and simple as that. And he was for sure that it had all to do with Natsu leaving her and her losing her friend.

And lastly but not least. Lucy was the most stubborn person he knew. She was determined and headstrong. If three was something she had her mind set on then she would do everything in her power to accomplish that. Like for an example when she suddenly disappeared and left a moping Natsu around. Only so she could find a way out of her and Natsu's mating ritual. She was a person that let her fears control her, instead of being the one controlling her fears. And because of that she hurt both herself and those around her.

He truly felt sorry for Natsu for everything that was happening around him. After learning about all that shit yesterday and then having it be told more detailed today, it was hard on them all. But to top it off his mate had apparently run away from him again so he really did feel sorry.

He found his Slayer brother in the old man Yajima's place, and was surprised to see him scarf down food after food. He didn't look as sad as he had expected. Natsu locked eyes with him mid eating, as Gajeel entered the diner.

"Binge eating after getting dumped again?" It was meant as light teasing and luckily Natsu didn't seem offended and slurped down the sauce covered spaghetti noodles.

"Har har, Tin Can."

"Shouldn't ya be crying ya balls out like Bunny girl?"

"Did you see her? Did she cry a lot? How did she look?" The Fire Dragon Slayer fired away his worried questioned by the mention of his mate's name making Gajeel grimace at his desperate tone.

"She's with shrimp. How ya holding up?: He informed and took a seat in of the Fire Breather.

"I'm okay I guess. It stung a – what the fuck? Why am I even telling you this?!" Natsu roared at his own mistake of suddenly opening up to his fellow Slayer like it was the most normal thing to do. It disgusted and actually frightened him.

"Don't needya yelling in ma face, Salamander." Gajeel glared at Natsu menacingly, his red eyes hard and narrowed down on his.

"Fuck you. Why are you here? And why do you –" Natsu sniffed the bags he saw it the gruff Slayer's possession, "– have Ice Cream, figs –"

"For Shrimp and Bunny girl. Bunny's crying a fucking river at Shrimp's place, and this comfort food." He answered simply.

Natsu furrowed his brows, frowning as he began feeling a bit uncomfortable that Lucy was so sad that she was resorting to find comfort in food. She had him if she needed comfort. "How bad did she look?"

"Awful but ma Shrimp will handle it. Don't worry up ya last few brain cells." He told with an insult and a smirk.

"If I wasn't eating my food and feeling shit I would've bashed your head into the wall." Natsu threatened darkly.

Gajeel's smirk turned more malicious and he let go of the bags to crack his knuckles. "Come at me, Salamander." He taunted with a waved motion.

Natsu's eyes hardened and he let out a growled, but before he could sprint forward Lily flew inside and glared at Gajeel. "Why did you just leave without telling me?" He was annoyed.

"What? Ya could'a followed."

Lily just made a face before picking up the bags. "The ice cream will melt if you keep stalling. If you want to deal with a hissy Levy then be my guest." The Exceed told more annoyed.

Gajeel let out a string of curses under his breath. Levy would get upset if the ice cream melted. He locked eyes with Natsu as he got up from his seat. "Ya coming?"

Natsu looked at him surprised before letting a grin taking over and he shot up from his seat. "Thank for the meal, old man! See ya later!" he called towards the kitchen were Yajima was in. With his goodbye he followed his fellow Slayer out. But the minute he was out he was graced by an iron pole straight into his face.

"Gajeel!" he growled dangerously as he locked eyes with the smug Iron Dragon Slayer.

"Must I remind you that there is a pregnant woman waiting for these?" Lily stared at the two male with a stern glare. He for one did not want to be murdered by Levy for taking too long. They had already been gone for a good hour and a half, anymore wasn't necessary.

Both men turned to cat only to glare back at him. "Why dontcha take those to them while we settle this?" his housemate told.

"And tell her that you paid Natsu a visit, and ended up fighting him and probably wrecking a few along the way? No I don't think so. I don't want to die just yet." The Exceed was dead set on bringing Gajeel with him whether he liked it or not. He feared what would happen to him with a pregnant hormonal woman and an emotional woman. It could only be something frightening.

So no. If he was going to go down he would take the persons responsible with him.

They eventually got going but not without a few punches along the way. Natsu needed to bring himself to justice by that surprise punch in the face, but nothing escalated to a full blown fight. Not with Lily on the watch. So they ended at Fairy Hills. Or at the path to the female dormitory.

"Why are you staying here? Didn't we help build that house in the forest for you to stay?" Natsu questioned as they began walking up the path.

"Shrimp wanted to read some books and stuff so we crashed at her old room." The Slayer answered simply. They still paid for the room because in all honesty all Levy's books would consume too much space in their new home. She already had a room designed as her personal library at their house at it was filled with books. Like literally filled up from wall to wall, stack upon stack. Every freaking where. So opting to pay for her dorm room was more than okay.

"Did Lucy tell you that there was a reason Levy's pregnant with twins?" Natsu thought to bring it up if she hadn't told them yet. And to keep a light conversation going.

The gruff Slayer halted and looked at his fellow Slayer oddly. "There's a reason for it?"

Natsu nodded and turned his head forward once again, proceeding to walk. "Yup. The first pregnancy apparently ends up with multiples. She said it was because each baby will take after one of their parents, and then a new generation of Slayers. So one of them will be a Solid Script Dragon Slayer and then other Iron Dragon Slayer. It's actually kinda cool."

"What the fuck? What does a Solid Script Dragon Slayer do then? How does that work?" The baffled father to be of the sad Slayer stated utterly confused.

Natsu shrugged his shoulder. "Dunno. Ask Draco tomorrow. I'm sure he knows."

A shiver went down both their spines when they began thinking about actually meeting him. Natsu had forgotten all about him until the second he actually uttered his name. He had a feeling the Dragon God would either love him or hate him. He just didn't know which yet.

Gajeel was dreading to meet him. If just a small amount of his scent and name could throw him off, then what would happened when his nostrils are plunged with his scent and presence, he didn't really wanted to know. The Dragon was ancient, he was a God for fuck's sake, and just that made his feet wobbly. He was a God and he was going to meet said God. He had been thinking about worst case scenarios. Because he had a naughty mouth he was sure that he would be offed just by uttering a word of disrespect.

"Did Bunny Girl speak about him? How is he?" He inquired as to quell his stupid wandering fears and thoughts. If he at least had some info of him he wouldn't be too frantic or fearful. Or he hoped he wouldn't be.

"He isn't as scary is we think. She didn't tell much, but it's not like she knows him that we'll. They've only met." Gajeel was not pleased. It didn't help at all. In fact it just made it worse. He was officially dreading the meeting and hating Natsu for being nonchalant about it.

"Ain't ya scared though. What if he ain't pleased with us? What if he wants to strip us from our powers?"

The Fire Dragon Slayer snorted at his last suggestion. "I don't think he can do that. And if he could I doubt he would. Why make us go through the mating ritual and have our mates suffer to only strip us off of our power? Wouldn't make sense."

"Right, right. But what if-"

"Are ya scared? You definitely sound it." Natsu cut him off with a large taunting smirk.

"Why would I be scared of an overgrown-" He stopped his onslaught of suggestive and ill-natured works as he looked up at the sky with fearful eyes. What if he heard him? He would so die.

Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw his brother in arms actually being afraid. It was too much. It first started with a small pfft and the it turned into a full out bahahahahahahhahahaha with him rolling around in the grass because it was just too fucking funny.

Gajeel's face morphed from fear to plain anger and he summoned his magic to beat the shit out of the rolling and laughing Dragon Slayer that knew no ends to stop.

Sensing the hostile magic directed to him shut Natsu up momentarily and he dodged the Iron Poles sticking out from the grass. Quickly he was back on his feet and smirked at Gajeel only to lose it again just by seeing his face.

"Oi! Will you shut it!" Gajeel didn't like being laughed at, specially if it was Natsu laughing at him. No fucking way. He was so going to get him.

"No, will you shut it! Both of you!" an angry Lily shouted. He had had it. They were just a few meters from the building yet still blowing a storm. Couldn't they just both be civilized for two minutes? Two minutes was all he asked.

The two men stared at the Exceed as if he had suddenly magically grown a second head. He settled his cold stare onto Gajeel, getting the Iron bulk to flinch. "You will move those legs and move them fast! Two hours Gajeel, two hours!" He repeated to point out that they had been gone for two freaking house when they could've handled everything in 30 minutes tops.

"Shit, already?"

"Yes!" The Exceed hissed. "So better move your asses or receive Levy's fury."

That got both males to run towards the building in a hurry. Why Natsu ran he had no idea, he just did because he was afraid of being the receiving end of the petite bluenette's fury.

"Boys?" An newly bathed Erza stopped them dead on track by the hallway. "What are you doing here?" Her tone was calm yet firm with an underlying threat.

"Just getting Shrimp some stuff. Cravings." Gajeel replied and proceeded to walk away. Erza let him knowing that Levy's needs comes before anything. Her eyes stayed on Natsu.

"And you?"

"Luce's visiting Levy, just picking her up." He lied or sorta lied. He would escort her home and try to straighten things up before going home himself.

Erza eyed him suspiciously, only because he was sweating and looking all nervous, but she let him pass. "Alright. But if I find out you lied-"

"Bye!" he scurried past her and ran to Levy's room, following the scent of Gajeel and Levy, and a hint of Lucy. The door was wide open but he hesitated going in for Levy was scolding her mate pretty loudly for being late.

"Go stay at the house! Me and Lu will stay here for the night!" he entered just when she finished her shouting. The three adults turned to look at him. Lily had gone into hiding in the kitchenette, eating his kiwis and avoiding Levy's wrath.

"Natsu?" Levy looked at him surprised but he was more focused on his mate who was looking at him shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"Luce, I'm sorry for scaring you and for whatever I did wrong, so don't think about leaving again, okay?" He ignored the owner of the room and Gajeel as he approached the bed.

Lucy's eyes began watering again as she nodded and let out a whimper. "I'm s-sorry." He smiled softly and brought her into his arms, pulling her up from the bed.

"Shh, it's alright. I'm not mad or anything."

"Lu, I think we should finish the movie tomorrow. Why don't you take her home for the night, Natsu?" Levy smiled at the Fire Dragon Slayer holding her best friend in his arms.

"That's probably a good idea. You okay with that Luce?" He received a nod. "Well we'll be going then. See ya tomorrow."

"Bye!"

He actually carried Lucy all the way to her apartment because she clung to him like she was a baby monkey. Not that he minded. Not the least bit. He actually enjoyed it. It made him feel more at ease and calmed his earlier thoughts.

Entering her apartment he went straight to her bed and sat down with her still clinging on to him tightly. Her sobbing had subdued, and if he hadn't known better he would've thought she had fallen asleep but that wasn't the case. She was wide awake.

"Wanna tell me why you ran off like that? Did I do something to upset you?"

Shaking her head she pulled away and looked at his worried eyes. "N-no." Her voice was turning hoarse from crying all day and her eyes were stinging and all puffy and red. Clearing her throat she told. "You didn't do anything to upset me. I'm the one at fault." She admitted ashamed.

"Why did you leave Lucy? Tell me so I can understand. All I said was that I would not let you wander off to that journey alone. I don't think I can bear being apart from you too long, so I want to accompany you." He only let a tint of his sadness lace with his words for he didn't want the blonde to suddenly begin blaming herself. It would get them nowhere.

Her lips trembled, her eyes full of shame and sadness as she gazed into his. Fear. It was fear that made her act like she did but how could she blame it on the fear that she had created herself. She knew that her own lack of judgment was the reason they had ended in this particular situation. It was all on her and her fears.

So she admitted it. Out loud for him to hear. Levy's advice ringing in her ears. She opened up to him. "I'm scared…" it was a silent murmur and she had to pause herself from continuing. The guilt and feeling of shame were hard to suppress. It formed a lump in her throat. Because she truly felt stupid and idiotic for how she had reacted.

"Of what?" Natsu urged her on with slight impatience in his tone. He began mulling over what she could be sacred of. There was so many things but what she had said next was definitely not one of them.

"…of falling in love with you."

There! Levy talked some sense into her. And she truly spoke what was scaring her.

Falling in love is seriously scary. It happens so fast and can end just as fast. But if you've already had your heart broken once before it's hard to entrust your heart to another person. Even worse, to the same person that had broken your heart.. And that's why Lucy acted like she did. She didn't think rational nor logical and let her fears control her despite knowing that Natsu had learned from his first mistake – not really his fault though – but all it had to take was Levy setting her straight. Plus old habits do die hard. Lucy had reverted back to her independent self, so she had shrugged the help from her friends off. She had been dead set on finding the key by herself. BUT SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE! She isn't alone anymore. Sweet, darling Natsu is there for her. And he intends to stay. Forever xD And so does the Guild and all her family and friends too.

So I do apologize if I upset you with the previous chapter, with how Lucy rejected him and just how much of a bitch she is. Hope at least this explains it a bit better why she did. AND DON'T WORRY! I WILL HAVE THEM END UP TOGETHER SOONER THAN LATER. LIKE, PERHAPS NEXT CHAPTER? XD

So keep on loving the story and review! I love your reviews. And apologize for not answering your question, I was afraid I would reveal too much. I have a big mouth and in all honesty, a blabbermouth. -.-' So I seriously hope you will get your answers to this chapter.

And another thing. Remember this story does not follow the actual timeline. It's set after Tartaros and the disbandment of the guild. Makarov disbanded the guild because of his guilt and not because he sought out Alvarez. Alvarez may or may not happen. Still debating on that. So the guild was rebuild and everyone got back. And of course 6-8 months past since that till where we are now.

Shit. Again. I'm blabbering. -.-'

Anyway, tell me what you think about this chapter! Fave and follow too!

I love you all and I'll try to stop with the stupid cliffies. And this chapter hasn't been proofread yet! I'll get to it after finishing a chapter to my other story!

'Til next time!

Peace out and good luck with your studies and finals!

-Oby Abel-