A/N: I wasn't planning on uploading this one right away, thinking of uploading it next week? But I kind of noticed that I've been doing updates on a T-TH-S basis so might as well stick with that :D

Here goes the next one! Seriously, I'm having a hard time to express myself at times. *sigh* T.T

Once again, thank you for reviewing! ^_^

Hachibukai

Oshirajinda

HinaSnowBastia

jdcocoagirl

Chapter 3: Whatever It Takes

Gray's POV

"I need you. I need my best friend with me." Those words kept ringing in my ears. 'I need you.' The words I wanted to hear from you so bad, you finally said it. I heard it, loud and clear. But… not the way I wanted it to be. A friend. That's all I am to you anyways.

"Silly girl." I scolded, forcing up a smile to cover up the pain I was feeling. There's no way I'd show that to Lucy. I'm so not gonna be weak in front of her.

Lucy blinked her eyes several times to show her confusion. "…huh?"

"You shouldn't be saying stuff like I need you just like that!" I poked her forehead earning a slight frown from her.

"But I do need you, Gray!"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in irritation. Geez Lucy, are you nuts? If you keep on saying cute stuff like that, I may not be able to hold back. "I told you, don't do that, especially in front of guys. They might take you the wrong way."

Lucy furrowed her brows, still not getting what I said.

"Your innocence is almost killing me, Luce." I sighed louder.

"Ah! You just sighed twice!" Lucy exclaimed, pointing a finger at me.

"Did not."

"Did to!"

"Whatever." I don't want an argument to build up over such small matters so I went ahead, Lucy following from behind.

"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Lucy asked, grabbing my sleeves.

I sighed. Again. "By what?" I pretended not to know. I really don't want to bring that up again. It just slipped out from my mouth unconsciously.

"What's killing who?" Weirdest question I've heard.

"I said; don't say things like I need you unless you mean it. Say that to Lyon. Things like that should be said when you truly like someone, in a special way." I detailed out, covering up the mistake I made. 'Crap, I almost told her how I feel.' I mentally slapped myself for letting my emotions take over me.

She looked down, covering her eyes with her bangs. "You're right…" Lucy said, raising her head up to reveal a smile and a blush on her cheeks. "Sorry about that. But you are special to me too, Gray. And you know that."

"That's why—" I found myself being cut off by Lucy's words.

"More the reason that I want you to come with me later. You may be thinking that Levy or Erza would do, but you should understand better. As someone who has been with me for years, you should know, right? How important it is to have you there with me above anyone else… you're my best friend… No, you're more than just a friend. You're like my brother already." Lucy spoke out, bearing a gentle smile.

Her words hurt like hell. A friend. Her best friend. She treats me like brother. Heh…. No wonder I'm special. "You're still as bothersome as you can ever be." I replied, giving her my usual smirk.

Her face lit up, eyes hopeful and her hands clasped together across her chest. "Is that a yes?"

"Who knows? I'll think about it." I hummed in a low tone of voice. This has to be longest trip back to our room. It's like walking on an endless hallway.

"You came, in the end." Lucy uttered out, giving me a teasing look.

"Whatever." I briefly replied. I just hate how I can't say no to her.

Lucy sat on a bench while I stood behind a nearby tree to conceal myself from Lyon when he arrives. I leaned on the tree, hands in my pockets and wore my earphones. I'm not playing any music though, just a little trick to keep Lucy from talking to me. I want some time alone.

"Thank you, Gray. Well, you probably won't hear that."

I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth her gentle voice brings me. I heard her clearly yet I pretended I didn't. Why did I even agree to come? Lyon just called her out. And according to Lucy, he has a surprise for her. Finally settling things between them? So what's with Ultear?

~FLASHBACK~

It's almost time for my dear brother's appointment with Lucy. And here I am, walking towards the school gate to leave this school. Humming beside me is Lucy who seems to be happy that I'm walking with her. She probably thinks that I'm gonna go with her later.

"What are you so happy about?" I asked, breaking the somewhat comfortable silence between us.

"Nothing!" she stated, still humming a happy tune.

"Lu-chan!" called out a petite blue-haired girl. She's Levy McGarden, one of Lucy's best friends among the girls. "We're gonna stop by that cake shop by the station. Erza says she wants some blueberry cheesecake right now. Want to come?" she offered.

"I heard they're quite delicious." The red-haired beauty beside Levy said, cupping her chin while nodding happily to herself. And that one is Erza Scarlet, often called as Titania. Don't you dare get to her bad side. She isn't nicknamed Titania for nothing. I can't believe she's one of Lucy's best friends at first!

Lucy gave them a smile which slowly faded away. "Sorry. I can't" she said, approaching them. She whispered something to the girls. Hearing what she just said placed huge, teasing grins on their faces. I guess she told them about Lyon.

"Don't worry Lu-chan! We can always go there next time, with you. Just do your best okay?" Levy gave her a wink followed by a 'Fighting!' gesture.

Lucy nodded happily, hugging her friends and soon waving them goodbye. Not before long though, Ultear came and called for attention. "Ah, Lucy!"

"What's up, nee-san?" I greeted, yawning a little. I'm starting to get bored. First it's Levy and Erza, now it's Ultear. Wow, Luce, everybody wants to talk to you!

Ultear ignored me, much to my annoyance, and approached Lucy as fast as she can. She grabbed her hands, clenching them tightly. "Lucy, have you heard? About Lyon…" she asked, her tone somewhat depressed.

Lucy shook her head, signalling a no. "He says he wants to be the one to tell me… 'that'. I'm not sure what is though. I'm gonna meet him later at the park." She put a smile.

"That Baka-Lyon…" Ultear softly uttered but it was loud enough for me to hear. She bit her lower lip, tightening her grip on Lucy's hands. And when she finally noticed me, she dragged me close to her, whispering something in my ear. "Be sure you don't leave her. No matter what." She said, rather, demanded.

"Ah, Ultear-chan! See you next time!" said a blue-haired boy, rushing in hopes of catching up with Erza and Levy.

"Aah! Jellal! Wait up!" Ultear went into panic mode and was about to run after Jellal but not before giving me a death glare that sent me shivers all over. "Remember what I said. You hear me, Gray?"

~End of Flashback~

"Hey, Lucy-chii! Did you wait long?" a voice greeted. It's Lyon, of course. He's the only one who calls her Lucy-chii, once stating that it's an abbreviation for chibi-Lucy.

Nice going, Gray. You're about to witness your beloved get taken away from you by your own brother.

"L-Lyon…?" Lucy asked in a shaky voice which is weird. She should be happy to see Lyon, right?

I was about to take a look at the scene when…

"Oh, so you brought Gray with you? Perfect!" What the-? How did he…

I went out of my hiding place to see Lucy staring at me with almost teary eyes. No wonder Lyon found out. She was probably staring at my location for a while. "Luce? What's-"

"Gray, come here for a bit." I shifted my head to face Lyon, surprised that he's actually not alone. Beside him stood a girl, hair matching the colour of the deep sea and skin as pale as the moon. Okay, that's a little bit too pale.

"Who's the girl? I thought you came to tell Lucy something. Should I leave then?" I nonchalantly asked, making my way to Lucy's side. I did it of my own accord; it has nothing to do with what Ultear told me. I grabbed her hand, placing it behind my back, not letting anyone notice and squeezed it in a way that I'm sure she would notice what it meant.

She looked at me, eyes curious at first but then she smiled realizing what I meant. Her teary eyes were now gone as she squeezed my hand back in appreciation, reverting her gaze back to Lyon and the blue-haired girl.

My brother placed a hand over his mouth, standing there silent for a couple of seconds, probably too shy to speak. It's so obvious with his slightly flushed face. I don't like where this is going. Don't tell me he already forgot? "I-I'd like you guys to meet my girlfriend, Juvia Lockser."

"Juvia-san?" Lucy gasped as she recognized the woman. "Th-that's great! Congrats!" I can feel her hand trembling so I tightened my grip on it.

I can tell that Lyon was surprised, even I am. It seems that the girls know each other since Juvia gave a smile acknowledging her knowing Lucy. "Thank you for listening to Juvia's problems back then, Lucy-san."

"You know each other?" Lyon and I asked in unison, much to my annoyance.

"Yeah, some things a while back. You've got yourself a good girlfriend, take care of her okay?" Lucy answered in a mellow voice, lowering her head a bit, a faint, pained smile evident on her angelic face.

I know I shouldn't have but I smiled inside, knowing that I could be of help to Lucy, knowing that I could be her source of strength. She wouldn't cry, that's a given. Not with that I'll-be-with-you hand squeeze I gave her, at least not in front of Lyon.

"Lyon… just how…" I couldn't bring myself to speak properly, not with the mixed emotions swirling inside of me. I feel the pain Lucy was having yet deep inside I was longing for something like this to happen. Everything I wish for really does happen. But I can't help the anger I'm having right now towards my brother. How could he? "Don't tell me you actually forgot?"

"H-huh?" Lyon asked, completely confused and shocked at the same time. He wasn't expecting me to give such a reaction huh?

Great! The worst mistake I can possibly do is bringing up a stupid thing from the past, which I just did. It's like handing you Lucy just like that, not even a fight or so. It wouldn't make a difference anyway, for the coward I've been all these years. Heck, I don't even have the courage to confess, afraid that I might lose the only thing that that connects me to the girl I like, this precious friendship. It's hurting me like crazy, doing this. But I can't just stay silent, knowing how Lucy wants to cry deep inside.

"That promise!" I yelled out, letting my emotions to take over me once again.

I felt Lucy's hand grabbing me by the sleeve of my uniform. "Geez, Gray, what are you talking about? Ah, you probably watched too much TV last night!"

What are you saying Lucy? I'm sure you do remember… "Ah, yeah…" I tried to keep up with the lie she just invented. I don't want to cause her trouble. "Just wanted to imitate a line…"

Guess what? My idiot of a brother actually believed it! Juvia seems confused at first but soon she too, was eventually fooled.

"Nii-san, we'll go ahead. It's getting late and Luce here wants me to walk her home." I blunted out, dragging Lucy with me as I waved the couple goodbye.

Lucy looked at me with questioning eyes. Perhaps it's what they call the what-are-you-saying look.

"Ah… o-okay." Lyon answered back, eyes on the ground. "Careful on the way, then."

"Gray…"

"Gray!"

"G-R-A-Y!"

Huh? "What?" I asked, realizing that Lucy had been calling my name for a while now.

"I thought we were going home?" she questioned, her beautiful caramel eyes staring at me directly.

"You know I was lying." I gave a serious look, much to my surprise; she didn't budge but instead returned the look I gave her, slightly raising an eyebrow. "Look, I did that to get you out of that place." Instead of bringing her home like I just told Lyon I would, I brought her by the river bed instead. She was sitting beside me, knees tightly embraced before her. I on the other hand, had my legs spread out freely, hands on both sides for support."Sorry."

Lucy giggled. "What for?"

I looked away, afraid that she might notice how red my face is at the moment. Why am I just so weak when she smiles like that? "I-I'm sure you remember. That…"

"Promise?" Lucy continued, freeing her knees from her tight embrace and stretching them out just like mine. "How come you know about that?" she asked, looking at her fingers which she started to play with on her lap.

"I heard it…" I began, returning my gaze at her. She gave me a side glance, head slightly lifting up. "Everything you guys talked about at the balcony. I heard it by chance. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose."

Lucy gave me a look, telling me to go on.

I took a deep breath. I don't know if what I'm doing is right. Why am I even doing this? "How he promised you that he'll definitely wait for your answer."

"Oh…" Lucy responded with a dim smile. "That's a thing of the past Gray. It's been so long; perhaps he already got tired of waiting. I'm just glad he found happiness. I'm happy when he's happy." She looked at the sky, a hand covering her mouth. Her bangs covered her eyes so I couldn't really tell but somehow, I think she's forcing herself not to cry. "I don't mind… really…"

"I do mind!" I yelled out, unable to control myself. How can I? She's in the verge of crying yet she says she doesn't mind? "If it weren't for you, if only you weren't there… I would've— " I found myself stunned, feeling the warmth of Lucy's delicate finger over my lips.

"Beat the hell outta him?" Lucy once again, continued my words, giving me an amused smile. "But you didn't, for me. You controlled yourself. For that, I'm thankful, Gray." She said with a smile, though her eyes tell me she's definitely not okay.

I took hold of her hand and stared at her captivating eyes deeply."-A proper woman can't cry so easily. A lady shouldn't let anyone see her tears. They're more beautiful than any jewels- is what he said? You actually complied with it, keeping your tears to yourself like that."

Lucy went wide-eyed "H-how?"

"Believe me, he talked about you non-stop when we got home that day. And he had such a goofy grin on his face, too." I laughed, recalling how silly Lyon looked back then.

"I-I see…" Telling that seemed to have brought Lucy a little bit of happiness.

"I don't agree though." I said frankly, causing Lucy here to tilt her head in confusion. "What I'm saying is, you don't have to be a lady in front of me." I clenched her hand tightly, pulling it close to my lips. "Just be my precious Lucy Heartfilia. Be the crybaby I've always known. Cry all you want."

Lucy took hold of the hem of her skirt, holding onto it tightly and uttering a few words. "Just this once…" she looked down, still hesitant to continue. She bit the bottom of her trembling lips before finally speaking again."Let me borrow your chest."

I gave her a smile, pulling her to warm embrace. "Please do the honour of getting my uniform wet with tears." I let her cry for as long as she wanted to, not knowing that tears had begun to escape from my own eyes as well. I love you Lucy. And I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy. I will never leave your side.

-End-

A/N: that's pretty much it, yeah, it's actually a Juvia-girlfriend, that's pretty much expected I guess! xD

Hachibukai, do you read minds? ;) Hehe ^_^

What to do with GraLu? Hmmmm….

I was thinking of uploading this one, can I? It's more on Lyon though xD truthfully speaking, I'm starting to like Lyon for Lucy. Nah, Gray is still the best one for Lucy, in opinion of course :DD

Fragments of the past Preview: Not completed as of now. :D

Lucy gave out a smile, waving a hand to a sad-looking Lyon.

"Heh~ Mom! Lyon's blushing, big time!" exclaimed a black-haired girl, bearing a striking resemblance to her mother Ur.

"U-Ultear! Wh-wha.." Lyon tried so hard not to stutter, afraid to embarrass himself in front of Lucy, but he failed in the end.

Gray pulled on his brother's shirt, catching the latter's attention in the process. "You got yourself a girlfriend?" he innocently asked, making Lyon and Lucy as well blush furiously.

"N-no!" the two said in unison.

If something's not to your liking, I'm very much sorry! xI