Lucy was sleeping by the time they reached her house and Gray let himself in, carefully laying the girl in her bed so as not to wake her. He sighed as he looked down at her, healing Zeref had really taken a lot out of her and he wondered if it was really a good idea to allow her to continue using that magic. Sometimes it seemed to have no affect on her at all, other times it seemed to completely deplete her magical stores. He brushed a strand back from her face before turning to go, knowing that he'd better get back to the guild before Juvia started to think he was secretly seeing the blonde mage.
Gray shook his head at that thought. Sure he cared about Lucy, but it wasn't like that for them. She was like the little sister he never had, and he knew that she viewed him more as a big brother rather than a love interest. He turned to see Natsu and Zeref standing in the doorway, glowering at him.
"It's about time you two pulled your heads out of your asses," He grunted. "You realize that if I hadn't watched her try to leave she would be collapsed in the street right now?"
The two bowed their heads, guiltily, nodding.
Gray nodded back, "Get your shit together guys. Lucy can't handle you two being at each others throats all the time. She can barely handle her normal life as it is right now. She needs both of you and, I swear to god, if I ever have to have this conversation with you two again I'll sick Erza and Mira on both of you while Master seals Lucy back on that godforsaken island, got it?"
They nodded again, their hearts sinking as Gray walked out, glaring at both of them.
Zeref lowered himself onto Lucy's couch, looking woefully at the pinkette across from him.
"We really messed up this time, didn't we?"
Natsu sighed, rubbing his head, "Yeah, I guess we did."
"It's only because we care so much about Luce."
Natsu nodded his agreement, "You know we're going to have to settle this once and for all soon, right? We can't keep putting Lucy through this."
Zeref looked up, surprised that it was Natsu who had said what they both were thinking. He smiled softly.
"You really have grown, Natsu," Zeref mused.
Natsu looked at Zeref in confusion, but shrugged. He was always saying weird things like that and Natsu had given up long ago on trying to figure out what the man was talking about when he said those things.
"I guess," He replied, looking over at Lucy's sleeping form. "I wish she would wake up so we could apologize to her."
Zeref nodded his agreement, "She probably won't wake up until the morning now, though. Why don't you go home and get some rest?"
Natsu nodded, "Alright. Where do you live? I'll walk with you."
Zeref laughed, "I live here. Lucy wanted me to stay with her and I'm not leaving unless she's throws me out."
Lucy woke the next morning feeling better than she had in weeks. She shifted and noticed things gradually. First she noticed the soft comforter around her that signaled she was in her own bed and a smile crept across her face, there was nothing like sleeping in one's own bed to make you feel better. The second thing she noticed was that she was still in the same clothes as yesterday, which made her long for a hot shower and something new to wear. The last thing she noticed was the warm body pressed against her back and the smile turned into a grin as she rolled and noticed Zeref sleeping beside her, one arm wrapped tenderly around her waist.
She giggled and kissed his forehead before slipping out of bed and into the bathroom where she stripped and stepped into the shower, relishing the feeling of the warm water cascading down her skin, sloughing off the grim and dirt that had accumulated since she'd been in the infirmary.
She stayed in the shower until the water was cold and her fingers were pruney. Stepping out to find Zeref awake and making breakfast. She grinned as she quickly changed, kissing Zeref once more as she settled down at the table.
"Feel better now that you've showered?" He teased, though he was curious.
She nodded, "I might have to burn those clothes I was wearing, but I feel amazing now."
He grinned at her, "I'm glad. Plans for the day?"
"Go to the guild? Or maybe I'll work on my novel some since I haven't since we came back."
He nodded, "Whatever you want to do, but I should warn you that if we don't go down to the guild Natsu plans on stopping by today. He wants to talk to you and apologize for last night."
Zeref set a plate of pancakes down in front of her, "As do I. I'm sorry for the way we acted. If Gray hadn't have been there to walk you home..."
He trailed off, shuddering at the thought of what could have happened to Lucy. Lucy took his hand in her own, causing him to look up at her smiling face.
"Don't worry about it," She said. "I'm fine."
The words did little to soothe his guilt, but he appreciated her attempt anyway.
Zeref looked at the alarm lacrima that Lucy kept by her bed and his eyes widened.
"I'd better get going. Levy is waiting for me by now," He told her, hurrying to finish his breakfast.
Lucy giggled as she watched him leave, then sighed when she realized that once more she would be spending the day without him.
AN: Sorry this one is a little shorter than the rest! :) I woke up with roughly four or five reviews asking for another chapter ASAP, so, because I love you all so much, here's a little filler one until I can actually sit and write out my next one.