Chapter Three:
Lucy busied herself in the kitchen preparing some refreshing herbal tea for her and Gray to boost their immune system. Her pet Plue-the small white Canis Minor celestial spirit- was wandering around her feet "plue-ing." Absently, Lucy patted Plue's head as she brought two mugs of hot tea toward her dining room table. She went back and took a plate of crackers, cold cuts, and cubes of cheese from her refrigerator to set on the table next to the tea.
She went to her dresser and took out some fresh panties, short pajama shorts and a comfortable t-shirt that was always falling off her right shoulder. She exchanged her terrycloth robe for the cute blue and purple outfit. The sound of running water cut off in the bathroom. When Gray opened the door there was no steam pouring out-apparently the Ice Mage didn't enjoy hot showers. And then Gray stepped out completely nude.
"Gray!" Lucy warned quickly averting her gaze, but it wasn't fast enough to avoid an eye-full of toned, muscular, impressive male.
"What?" Gray asked looking wide-eyed from side to side and taking up a fighting stance. "What's going on?"
"Could you put on a robe?"
"Ack!" Gray shouted slamming the bathroom door behind him. He stepped out a moment later wearing the robe Lucy had pointed out earlier. "Sorry about that," he apologized sheepishly as he made his way to the table.
"I hope you're hungry," Lucy said choosing to not comment further on his previous state of undress. She'd been teammates long enough with Gray to have seen him in his streaker state a time or two.
"I'm almost always hungry. My magic requires a lot of energy." Gray sat in the chair across from her and started to help himself to the snacks. "I appreciate you letting me stay here while it's storming outside, especially since I hate getting soaked, but it's really unnecessary. The cold doesn't bother me."
"I still remember when we traded bodies and I was drooling ice cubes because your body is so cold! And as for you staying here - part of it is selfishness." Lucy glanced over toward the calendar on her wall. It was the twenty-seventh of October.
"How is that?"
"Today is my mother's birthday," Lucy explained.
"Oh," Gray said. "Do you still write her letters?"
Lucy nodded.
"How old were you when she passed away? I lost my parents when I was seven."
"I was ten," Lucy answered. "It was the same year as when the dragons disappeared."
They ate in silence. Lucy thought about her parents. They were both gone now. Though, she didn't lose them to a rampaging monster like Gray did. And while she'd run away from home due to her father's inattention and plan to marry her off for a business proposition he had tried to make amends in recent years-unfortunately she and her teammates had been stuck in a time paradox.
"At least while we were in that time warp your father tried to make things up to you," Gray said breaking the silence.
"That may be part of the reason I had a problem with Natsu being engaged. My father had arranged a marriage for me when I was young and I had to find my own way."
"It's hard to compete with a memory," Gray offered. "When you lose someone you tend to focus on all their good qualities, while the people you see on a regular basis become annoying." He stirred his tea with his fingertip and caused it to cool dramatically. "We won't be able to avoid Natsu indefinitely."
"Should we ask him to assist in the longer mission?" Lucy asked.
Gray shrugged. "Not necessarily. You and I have worked together before. He wasn't there when we waited tables at one of the local restaurants to make your rent a few months back. Erza might want him though-we are Fairy Tail's strongest team."
"Of course, when we're all gone bad things tend to happen. Remember when we returned to find the guild had been destroyed by Gajeel and his old guild?"
"Hard to forget when your guild leader is drained of his powers and your new teammate is kidnapped on orders of her very powerful father," Gray answered with a cocked eyebrow. "Or how about when we were stuck in the time paradox and came back to discover Fairy Tail had gone from being the number one ranked guild to dead last?"
"You won't be able to avoid Juvia forever either, Gray."
The ice mage shrugged. "I know that. She joined Fairy Tail because she was impressed with our guild's mentality and because of her crush on me. Any time I'm around her I always end up soaking wet. I hate being wet," he answered with a scowl.
A clap of thunder shook the very walls of the apartment, the lights flickered, then went out. Lucy closed her eyes to calm her nerves. The electricity went out-it wasn't a big deal. She'd just light a candle and it would be fine. She heard Gray's chair slide across her wooden floor and opened her eyes in time to see Gray light a candle.
"How did you know where my candles were?"
Gray scratched his neck sheepishly with his free hand. "Well, we do often come here after jobs, and when we forget to pay our electricity, or go grocery shopping..."he trailed off.
"By we, you mean? You and Natsu?"
"And Erza and Wendy and Cana!" Gray clarified setting a second candle on the table. "That's why we don't mind helping you to make rent. You've the best place-it's cozy. It feels like being at home. And your refrigerator always has the best food."
"Next thing you know you'll tell me you have spare clothes stashed here."
"Actually," Gray started with a bashful expression. "I think I have some pants in the back of your closet."
"What?"
He didn't answer but left the table and went toward her closet with one of the candles. Lucy tried to calm down her anger. She was quite aware that her teammates felt free to enter her home at their convenience. She could think of at least ten times in the past year when one of her teammates were inside her apartment when she opened the door. Gray had been nothing but kind to her that day and a good friend. And if he happened to have stashed some extra clothes at her place it might be for the best, because with him only wearing a robe the chances were good she'd be seeing a lot of Gray.
She stood and starting to clear the table under the remaining candle light. "Maybe I can hang your clothes so they'll dry faster since the power went out."
Gray followed after her sans the robe and in a pair of black pants with a candle toward the laundry closet, his bare feet echoing softly in their steps. Silently, she pulled out his clothes from that day and hung them up on the rod above the washing machine. "They aren't too damp so hopefully it won't take them long to dry."
"So what do you want to do now? How about you tell me what's going on in your book?" Gray suggested.
"I told you! I promised Levy that she will read it first!" Lucy said slapping her hand on his chest teasingly.
"But I know how it starts, I need to know what's going to happen to Filion and Trina!" Gray said grabbing hold of her wrist. "Please? I'm your pretend boyfriend! I have rights too!"
Lucy laughed and propped her hip against the kitchen counter. Plue circled around her feet excitedly. "You know, Gray, Juvia is my friend. She already thinks that we're rivals for your love."
"And? If she already believes that you're in love with me and you two are still friends- then our plan shouldn't affect that friendship," Gray reasoned. "Don't worry it will be fine. Besides, this plan is to protect me from her obsessive clutches. It's one of the best ideas you've had and it will keep me safe from unsolicited female attention."
Another rumbling thunder shook the walls and Lucy was suddenly in Gray's arms. She laughed nervously before pulling away. "I'm not scared of rain or anything, I just don't like lightning."
"Pluuuuuuueeeee!" Plue squealed in terror. Lucy kneeled down and hugged and soothed the spirit before she dismissed it back to the spirit world.
"This rain isn't going to ease up anytime soon," Gray said. "If you're determined not to let me walk home in the storm we might as well go to bed. I'm exhausted," he said with a yawn-not bothering to cover his mouth. Gray took hold of Lucy's wrist and picked up the candle from the countertop. He started to lead her toward her pink frilly bed, but paused to blow out the candle on the dining table first. He set the other candle on her desk and pulled her down beside him.
"Exactly where do you think you're sleeping?" Lucy demanded, hands flying to her hips and glowering at her teammate.
"What kind of question is that?" Gray sat on her bed without a second thought. "I always sleep on your bed when I stay the night here."
Lucy wanted to protest, but she should have known that Gray wasn't going to sleep on the floor-that's something Natsu would do. The few times that the entire team was at her apartment it seemed that Gray always gravitated to her bed. Natsu claimed the floor next to the bed (unless he was sick then she often found him under the covers) and Erza slept sitting up with her back propped against the wall and ready to spring into action at any moment.
"Fine. I suppose you have a point. The reason lightning bothers me is that Mom died during a thunderstorm. It's not that I'm scared or anything," Lucy said defensively.
"I never said you were scared. And don't worry, there won't be any funny business," Gray promised as he pulled back the covers and encouraged Lucy to slip inside their warmth. He blew out the nearby candle and lay on top of the covers next to her. "Let's just get some sleep so we can start early in the morning."
Lucy's eyes began to adjust to the darkness and she could make out her friend's features. "Gray?"
"Hm?" Gray asked, blinking his dark blue eyes sleepily.
She lifted her hand to brush aside his bangs, her fingers brushed softly across the scar above his left eyebrow. She remembered when he received the injury on Monster Island. "We've been through a lot."
"Yeah," he agreed. "Lucy, I know you're sad thinking about your parents. I can't say that I don't have the occasional depression when I think about losing mine or when I think about losing Ur. Fairy Tail is your family now. I'll be here when you need me."
Why was it that Gray seemed to know exactly what to say? Lucy felt her body relax and her hand fell away from his forehead. "Good night, Gray."
Not ten minutes had passed when there was a pounding on the front door of the apartment. Lucy and Gray both shot straight up in bed. "Do people normally knock on your door in the middle of the night in the rain?"
"It's hardly the middle of the night-maybe eight o'clock?" Lucy said pushing aside her covers and starting for the door. The next thing she knew Gray was beside her again. "What are you doing?"
"You're always getting kidnapped. I'm not about to let it happen on my watch," Gray said. He reached the door first and glanced through the peep hole. "Interesting," he said before touching Lucy's shirt where it had fallen further off her shoulder and pulling it back to it's appropriate position before he opened the door.
Lucy was about to reprimand the Ice Mage for taking the liberty to touch her shoulder when she realized he was simply preserving her modesty. And she was glad for his action when her guests presented themselves.
Wendy and Carla stood on Lucy's doorstep. The Sky Dragon Slayer wore a bright blue colored rain coat and had an umbrella over her head and was holding her prim and proper Exceed in a tight embrace against her chest. "Uh, Gray? Is Lucy here?"
"I'm right here, Wendy. What's wrong?" Lucy asked stepping into view.
"I just finished a lesson in town on herbal treatments by the village healer. I was on my way back when the storm worsened and you lived closer so I thought..." Wendy trailed off nervously when another flash of lightning lit up the sky.
"Come in, come in!" Lucy took hold of the girl and forced her inside before shutting and locking the door. "Sorry, no power. Just hang up your jacket on the coat rack right here and you can set your umbrella on the tile by the door."
"Thank you for letting us in," Carla said-always the diplomat. She eyed Lucy and Gray suspiciously. "We aren't interrupting?"
"The electricity went out so we decided to go to bed early. We have an early morning planned. You're welcome to stay over," Lucy invited. "How were you lessons?"
"Very helpful and as a result of my studies even if I am unable to utilize my powers I will still have the ability to help with injuries. I like to be useful," Wendy said. "What do you two have to do early in the morning?"
"You've saved my life a few times. And we are planning to shop!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Prepare for our next job request," Gray corrected. "You need a bigger bed, Lucy." He went back to her adequately sized bed for the one person it was intended for and laid back down and immediately went to sleep. It was almost comical how he could be one-hundred percent alert one moment and unconscious the next.
"Maybe I do," Lucy agreed referring to her bed's size as she held back the covers for herself and Wendy. Lucy was next to Gray and Wendy was on her other side while Carla made herself comfortable on top of the covers at Wendy's feet.
The thunderstorm continued and while the rainfall was soothing the claps of thunder were unnerving. Lucy's thoughts drifted to her parents and her life as a debutante before she joined Fairy Tail. And she realized how blessed and lucky she was to have such close teammates that even with four of them sharing a full-sized bed (perhaps she needed to invest in a Queen) she felt richer than she ever felt as her father's daughter.
Hours later when the sun's rays began to stream through the cracks in her blinds Lucy opened her eyes blearily. Wendy was snuggled against her left-side and Lucy's cheek was resting against Gray's shoulder-which was surprisingly warm. She was incredibly grateful to see that she hadn't drooled on her handsome teammate's muscular shoulder.
Lucy sat up in the bed and stretched her arms above her head. "Wake up guys! The storm is over and the sun is up!"
Gray groaned and turned so that his face was hidden in a pillow. Wendy sat up and rubbed her eyes before picking up Carla and hugging the Exceed to her chest.
"You want to get some breakfast together? The stores won't open for another two hours," Lucy said.
"Okay," Wendy agreed getting out of the bed and straightening the wrinkles from her clothes.
Lucy shook Gray's shoulder. "Wake up sleepy-head. Your clothes should be dry by now. Get dressed so we can have breakfast at the Guild Hall." She kicked back the covers and went to her closet to change into more appropriate day-time attire.
"It's hot!" Gray said sitting up abruptly. The discarded covers had all been tossed over him. He looked around the room quickly before he relaxed and laid back against the pillows. "Five more minutes..."he trailed off.
OoO
Gray and Lucy continued towards the Guild Hall after walking Wendy to her home-the Sky Dragon Slayer decided that she'd like a change of clothes and that she would join them later for breakfast. Gray had his hands tucked into his pants pockets and kept a wary eye open for Juvia. No doubt the Rain Mage was somewhere nearby and watching. Perhaps she was part of the reason behind the rain storm?
"So, where are we going to shop for our clothes for tomorrow's job?" Lucy asked. "Lucky for you I know a thing or two about fashion thanks to my upbringing. It's really the only good thing that came out being the Heartfilia heiress."
Gray didn't know what to say to that, but it was nice to see Lucy when she was in a confident mood. It wasn't often that Lucy mentioned her upbringing-perhaps she was feeling sentimental after her mother's birthday. "There's a shop on the outskirts of town that have suits, tuxedos, and evening gowns. I figured that would be the safest bet."
"Walda's Wedding Wonderland?" Lucy asked clasping her hands in front of her chest with sparkles in her eyes. The look made him nervous.
"Yeah, I suppose that's the name," Gray reluctantly agreed. He sensed something at his two o'clock and caught a brief glimpse of blue - Juvia? Probably. "Come on, I'm hungry," he said taking hold of Lucy's hand and running toward the Guild Hall forcing her along.
Lucy laughed breathlessly when they crossed the threshold of their headquarters and Gray released her hand. There weren't too many guild members in the place just Cana, Macao, Bisca, and Alzak. Cana and Macao appeared to have never left the previous night and were drinking heavily at their table. Mirajane was as usual at the bar. He and Lucy started to make their way toward the bar-stools.
"GRAAAAAAAAAY!"
Gray looked to his left just in time to push Lucy protectively behind him and out of the way as Natsu came running at him with fists raised and fire steaming out of his mouth. Happy trailed behind flying to keep up with his wings beating rapidly.
"What are you doing coming here early in the morning with Lucy!?"
"None of your business!" Gray encased his fist in ice and punched Natsu in the face.
"Of course it's my business! Lucy is my teammate!" Natsu declared taking the punch like it was a gentle tap and not what was causing the huge swelling in his right cheek.
"She's my teammate too!" Gray shouted. The air around him dropped several degrees in temperature while the air around Natsu began to heat up.
Lucy stepped between them and put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Guys! Calm down! I don't have time for another pointless fight between you two!"
Natsu gaped at her. "Pointless fight? I'm defending your honor, Lucy!"
"No you're not, you're picking a fight with our friend and teammate. Gray and I have a busy couple of days, so if you're not going to help then leave us alone," Lucy warned. Natsu and Happy both had bewildered expressions on their faces. She spun away from them both and made her way to Mirajane. "Those two drive me crazy!"
The white-haired S-class mage smiled apologetically while wiping down the bar with a clean rag. "They have always been at each other's throats, but when it matters they always come through. At least you and Erza have tamed them somewhat."
"Yeah, I know," Lucy agreed. "They've both saved me enough times. Do you know if breakfast is ready yet?"
"Today's special is omlettes," Mirajane said. She leaned across the bar close to Lucy. "So, what's going on with you and Gray? You know I always thought you two would make an adorable couple," she whispered.
Lucy's automatic response was to deny anything going on, but Gray had agreed to her idea of being in a pretend relationship. "You also said the same thing about me and Natsu, me and Loke, and me and Laxus- so I'll let you know when I figure it all out," she answered vaguely. The bar-stools on either side of her were pulled out and Natsu sat at her left and Gray on her right.
"I'm sorry, Lucy. It's just, I don't want you mad at me," Natsu said. He wouldn't look her in the eyes and stared hard at the wooden bar in front of him.
"Aye, don't be mad at us, Lucy," Happy pleaded standing in front of her looking like the sad, dejected blue cat that he was. "You know Natsu is an idiot."
"I'm not mad, I just don't want to have mine or Gray's time wasted. We have a job request later that we have to prepare for and he doesn't have time for a scuffle with you." Lucy angled herself toward Natsu and hooked his chin with her curled index finger to force him to look at her. "You didn't seriously think that Gray would be anything, but a gentleman to me, did you?" She released his chin.
"I guess not," Natsu agreed reluctantly.
"How did your job with Lisanna go?" Gray asked from Lucy's other side.
"We just did a short job yesterday-we ended up pet sitting some large animals," Natsu said.
"Gray! My prince!" Juvia exclaimed holding a wrapped present to her chest. "Juvia has brought you a present to beg forgiveness for her terrible behavior yesterday."
Gray's cheeks flamed in embarrassment and he rubbed his fingers over his forehead where he started to feel a stabbing pain above his right eye. "Juvia, no."
"But, Gray, Juvia really thinks you will enjoy this present!"
Gray turned to her. "If it is just a token of friendship I accept. However, I have already forgiven you for the accident yesterday. If this is another attempt to win my affection I do not want it."
Juvia's shy expression switched rapidly to one of outrage as her eyes changed focus from Gray to where Lucy sat beside him. "It's you! Isn't it? Lucy, my rival for Gray's love! What have you done? I thought you were my friend!"
Lucy swallowed hard and scooted closer to Natsu and further from Gray. "Uh, well you see, Juvia..."
"Don't blame Lucy for this, Juvia." Gray reached over and drew Lucy back near him with an arm around her waist. "Don't be shy, Lucy." Gray gave her a sharp look and crinkled his forehead to ask permission. She nodded slightly. "Lucy and I have developed romantic feelings, but it was not in direct opposition to your attempts, Juvia. I'm sorry, but I don't know how many ways I can tell you no. I have had feelings for Lucy for a long time-even before you and I ever crossed paths."
"Juvia will defeat you, Lucy," Juvia warned. "Water is every where, Juvia is every where. You cannot keep Gray from Juvia. He belongs with Juvia forever!"
"Juvia!" Gray shouted with anger lacing his voice. "Stop! I'm with Lucy. I'm not interested in you outside of friendship."
"Gray is lying," Juvia said with her eyes filling with tears.
"No. I'm not," Gray said turning toward Lucy and cupping her face with his free hand and pulling her close and kissing her possessively on the lips. Lucy's eyes widened in surprise and he felt his eyes closing as he relaxed into the action. Kissing Lucy was nice. Were all kisses this nice? He had never actually kissed anyone before-just CPR once and that was Lucy too. He pulled back.
"Woah," Lucy whispered and a puff of ice came out of her mouth.
Gray kept one arm around her and turned toward Juvia. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Juvia. We were trying to keep it a secret because we didn't want to hurt your feelings, but you have forced my hand. Please see that you and I are not going to be together."
"Juvia will not give up," Juvia vowed before she dissolved into a puddle of water and then vanished.
"That was creepy," Lucy said before turning back to face Mirajane in front of her. "I hope our friendship isn't over." Happy and Natsu were staring at her and Gray with their mouths hanging wide open.
"Boys come and go, girlfriends come back around for each other when it all comes crashing down," Mirajane reassured her with a smile. "Give her time and a lot of space."
Natsu shook his head and his hand went into an automatic fist with flames. "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"
Lucy quickly looked to her left. "It just hadn't come up yet. You didn't tell me about Lisanna," Lucy argued eyeing his fist warily.
"Ice bastard, I'm going to beat you into a pile of ashes. You should have gotten my permission or something!"
Gray rose from his stool and stood between Natsu and Lucy. "I don't need your permission for anything flame-brain!"
"Guys, can you settle down please?" Mirajane asked calmly on the other side of the bar. "Gray don't you think there could have been a less embarrassing way to let down Juvia?"
"She doesn't listen to less embarrassing ways. I've told her that I wasn't interested countless times!" Gray growled with his hands clenched in fists.
"Oh! I get it!" Happy exclaimed. "You two are pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend!"
"What? Oh!" Natsu said nodding his head. "That makes sense. Of course, Lucy would never be interested in a guy like Gray."
"And what would Gray see in a girl like Lucy? She's so stupid!" Happy agreed.
Lucy reared back her hand and bopped the top of Happy's head while Gray let loose a wave of ice magic to encase Natsu's lower body. Then he head butted him. "Don't insult, Lucy," Gray warned, while Lucy shouted, "I am not stupid, you stupid cat!"
Lucy took hold of Gray's arm and started to stalk out of the Guild Hall. "Let's go, Gray. I won't stay here only to be insulted. We'll eat somewhere else."
At the door Wendy just entered the hall. "Lucy? Gray? Where are you going?" Her gaze went past them to where Natsu was melting his icy prison and Happy had stars circling above his head.
"Sorry, Wendy, we'll have to eat together later. Things are too annoying here right now," Lucy explained.
"That stupid cat did something stupid again," Carla muttered at Wendy's side.
Gray didn't want to think about it, but his pretend relationship with Lucy wasn't feeling very pretend.
A/N: Hope y'all are enjoying this! Please remember to leave a quick review. Feed back is appreciated and only takes a moment!