Rivalry

Natsu and Erza liked Lucy more than a friend and everyone in the guild could see it. They were all excited to see just who Lucy would end up with. Natsu and Erza haven't tried approaching Lucy about their feelings and Lucy hasn't noticed anything it seems. But one day one of them decided to tell Lucy how they felt and the other got upset. Who will win Lucy's heart?

...

"So do you think Lucy will end up with Natsu or Erza?" Cana asked as she drank some more alcohol. Gray and Mira looked at each other.

"I think she will end up with Natsu. I mean she probably likes boys right?" Gray said.

"Well I think Erza will win her heart." Mira said with a smile. Cana laughed and slammed her beer down.

"Let's make this a bet."

"Oh boy..." Gray chuckled.

"Well looks like we might find out." Mira said. Lucy walked into the guild with Erza by her side. They were both smiling about something. Natsu glared at Erza from his seat. She smirked and put her arm around Lucy. The blonde didn't seem fazed by the action. Natsu stood up and marched over to Lucy.

"Can I talk to you Lucy?"

"Uhh sure. I'll be back in a minute Erza."

"No problem Lucy. I'm going to talk to Mira." Erza released her hold on Lucy and walked over to the counter. Mira handed her a piece of cake and she dug in.

"So Erza...what's going on with you and Lucy?" Mira asked.

"You will find out." Erza smirked again and ate another bite of cake. Mira and Gray looked at each other. Cana laughed.

"I wonder how Natsu is going to react." Cana said. Erza turned her head to look at at the two people now sitting at a nearby table. Natsu was rubbing the back of his neck nervously and Lucy was trying to keep a straight face. Erza turned back around and pushed her cake to the side. Gray stared at her with a horrified face.

"You're not eating your cake!"

"Not at this moment. I have other plans for it." Erza said with a playful smile. Gray paled and Cana burst out laughing. They all turned their attention back to Natsu and Lucy.

"So uh Lucy...I was wondering...would you...um...maybe you would go on a date with me?" Natsu asked nervously. Lucy let out a quiet sigh and looked up at him.

"Natsu I would love to, but...Erza and I...started dating yesterday. I'm sorry." Lucy looked down at her hands and waited for whatever Natsu would reply with.

"I see..." He turned and walked out of the guild. Lucy stared at the doors as if he would come back through them. She could hear the murmurs around her. She got up slowly and started to head out of the guild when a pair of armored arms wrapped her in a hug. Lucy stopped and turned her head to look at Erza.

"I'm sorry Lucy."

Lucy turned around and buried her head in Erza's shoulder and quietly cried. Erza guided them back to the counter where she sat down and put Lucy on her lap. She let Lucy cry until the girl calmed down. Lucy looked up at Erza and had a sad smile on her face.

"Natsu probably hates me."

"Lucy I don't think he hates you. He probably doesn't like me though for taking you."

"Do you really think it will be okay?"

"I'm sure it will. Natsu will get over it soon."

Lucy stared at her hands in her lap before Erza placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Lucy smiled and Erza grabbed her cake. She took a bite and then fed Lucy some. The blonde let out a shaky laugh and allowed Erza to feed her. Gray gaped at the scene before him. He still couldn't believe Erza was sharing her cake...or dating Lucy for that matter. They heard a loud crash and turned to see Natsu stomping into the guild. He was coming towards the counter where they were all seated. Erza sighed and Lucy stood up. She whispered into Erza's ear before moving away.

"Please don't hurt him..."

"Erza! Fight me!" Natsu bellowed. Everyone in the guild fell silent as they watched the pink haired boy charge Erza. The knight mage stood up and drew her sword. Natsu tried to punch her, but she was faster. She sent him flying with a kick to the gut. Natsu glared at her.

"Natsu. Please stop." Lucy pleaded.

"Come at me Erza!"

"I'm not going to fight you Natsu."

"Scared?!"

Erza sighed and put her sword away. She was not going to hurt Natsu anymore than he already was. Lucy looked between the two. Erza did feel bad about hurting Natsu. She never meant to. Natsu glared at her and then looked at Lucy. The blonde had grabbed Erza's hand. He grit his teeth and punched the ground.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" Lucy asked. Natsu sighed as he rose to his feet.

"I'm sorry that I tried to fight you Erza and Lucy...sorry that I got mad." He turned to leave when Lucy ran up to him and hugged him from behind.

"Natsu...I'm sorry we hurt you."

"You love her?"

"...Yes." Lucy wasn't sure why he had asked.

"Then it's okay."

"Friends?"

"Of course you're my family Lucy. I was stupid to get mad like that. When I saw you hold her hand...I knew I didn't have a chance." He smiled sadly. "You're both my friends Lucy."

Lucy smiled as she released him. Erza walked up to them and Natsu hugged her. It was an awkward hug, but she returned it.

"Take care of each other." Natsu said. They both nodded and held hands. Gray just sat at the counter confused.

"I need another drink Mira..."

"Me too." Cana said as she slammed her mug down. "Oh and Gray, since you lost the bet...hmmm...you have to go on a date with Juvia."

The guild erupted in laughter as things started to return to normal.