OHHH MYYYY GOOOOD ALMOST TO 200 REVIEWS!

Guys, seriously, thank you so much for the support you give to this story!

I never would have thought my little dinky idea would become something this awesome.

(Well it's not as big as Virtual Flames or The Chase, BUT WHATEVER I'M PROUD AAAAAAGEIFN)

XxXxXxXxXxX

Lucy could vaguely remember warm arms wrapping around her, hugging her so tightly yet with a certain gentleness at the same time.

The warm skin and the white scarf made Lucy immediately realize who this person was.

"Stop!" She sobbed, trying to push Natsu away.

It was a mess.

Juvia had collapsed onto the floor, her body shuddering with cries of anguish.

Levy was curled up and rocking back and forth slowly, her own quiet sobs able to be heard through the noise.

And Gray.

He was probably the worst out of all of them.

He was trying to get Juvia to get up.

"Godammit, Juvia!" He shouted. "Get your head out of your ass!"

This, not being the best of encouraging words, only made Juvia slump moore onto the ground and cry harder.

Gray paled as he realized what he had done. "Shit - fuck, Juvia, just - AUUUGH! Natsu, help me out here!"

The crown prince was at a loss of words as he cradled Lucy gently, wincing from time to time whenever she sloppily slapped him in the arms or face.

"We should probably go home," Levy sniffled.

Already she had her silver phone out and was dialing a number.

Gray hesitated. "Okay, that's a good idea, call Joey and I'll - "

"No," Levy interrupted him, rubbing her wet eyes as she lifted the phone to her ear. "Not Joey. I have someone else in mind."

There was a small moment of waiting as Levy dialed the person, and she spoke.

"Yeah... Pick us up from school? ... Please. Yes. West wing. I know you know where it is... Bring ice cream. A lot. And a whole buttload of coffee, too. Just do it! ...Okay. Thanks." She ended the call, her eyes rimmed with red as she wobbled to her feet.

"Let's go," Levy told Gray, grasping Juvia and somehow managing to heave her upright.

"I can send the principal an email later," Levy said, answering his unasked question.

Nodding, Gray helped Levy by grabbing Juvia's other arm and looping it around his shoulders.

"Oi, shitface, let's go." Gray barked to Natsu as they passed him and Lucy.

Natsu did nothing to retaliate to his insult and only scooped up Lucy before following them.

By now, both the blond and blunette were exhausted. Lucy had fallen asleep, head leaning against Natsu's chest as she took in shuddering breaths.

Juvia was barely awake, mostly relying on Levy and Gray to help her walk.

Guilt welled up inside Natsu's chest like fire. Seeing his friends so tired and torn... It was gut-wrenching. And it was his fault.

The flames within his chest bloomed even further, and it took all he had not to vomit up his lunch.

For once in his life, fire didn't give him comfort.

XxXxXxXxXxX

"Holy fuck. What happened to all of you? You all look like shit," a rough voice said as they climbed into the back of a black van.

"You called him?" Gray asked in disbelief.

Gajeel shot him a fanged grin. "Gihi. Shrimp called me ten minutes ago about having to pick you all up. Guessing it has something to do with Bunny Girl and Rain Woman's crying. I can smell their tears from here."

"You can ask that asshole for what happened," Gray snapped, jerking his thumb over to a sullen Natsu.

"Just drive, Gajeel." Levy muttered, exhaustion seeping through her voice.

For once, Gajeel didn't complain and did as told.

"Ah, right." He suddenly said, and with one hand on the wheel, Gajeel's arm stretched over to the seat next to him. "Shrimp said to bring these."

He presented five small cartons of different flavors of ice cream.

"Thanks," Gray said tiredly as he snatched up the mint chocolate chip one.

Levy took the chocolate one and immediately dig in with the small plastic spoon that came along with the carton.

"Oi, flameass. Want one?"

"No." Natsu's answer was short and clipped as he leaned against the side of the car, staring out the window.

His hand subconsciously played with Lucy's golden hair; the said blond was currently curled up in his lap.

"Suit yourself," Gajeel muttered, tossing the three boxes of ice cream bacm into the seat. "I also got this."

He held out a foam tray of six medium coffees.

"Gajeel," Levy said, reaching over and grabbing the tray. "Are these all different flavors?"

"Yeah... Figured you guys might want something different," Gajeel sputtered.

Gray smirked as he leaned over the seat to look in the overview mirror. "Ha. You're blushing."

"Shuddap!"

Levy was in slight awe as she picked out a caramel macchiato, her favorite.

Gray was next, sipping his chocolate mocha with a satisfied sigh.

"Natsu," Gray called.

Natsu grunted in reply.

"Gajeel got your favorite. Vanilla frappe with hot sauce."

At this, Natsu seemed to perk up a little. His hand reached over and picked the strange drink out of Gray's hand, before gulping it.

"Freak," Gray muttered as he handed Gajeel back the tray that had three more cups on it.

"Shut the fuck up," Natsu said, almost spraying out a mouthful of spicy frappe.

"Ew! Natsu!"

"Look the other way, stupid!"

"I swear, if you get that nasty shit on my car, I'll cut your dick off!"

XxXxXxXxXxX

Natsu gently picked up Lucy, sliding her up his back before trudging towards the palace.

Gray had done the same with Juvia, all of them having an exhausted and worn look on their faces.

"I will prepare dinner, Chef-sama." Virgo bowed to Gray as she greeted them at the front doors.

Gray smiled wearily at her. "Thanks, Virgo."

"Can you ask Capricorn to organize the books today?" Levy asked the purple-haired maid as she passed her.

"Of course."

With that, they all broke away from each other.

Gray said a half-hearted goodbye to his friends before carrying Juvia to her room, muttering complaints along the way.

"I better take Shrimp up," Gajeel gihi'ed as he laid an arm on the blunette. She yawned in response.

Flipping his middle finger at Natsu, Gajeel carried Levy away on his shoulder, the archivist too tired to complain.

Natsu was silent as he carried Lucy to her - their, room.

A golden curl brushed against his cheek, and suddenly, Natsu felt like crying.

Crying... He hadn't cried since he was five, when his mother died.

Natsu gently laid Lucy down on her bed, and immediately the blond grasped her pillow and turned to her side.

Natsu softened and sat beside her, cheek in his hand.

He could see the glittering ring on her finger even from here.

He wondered if he could look at it without the urge to throw up later in the future.

Because at the moment, the most disgusting thing in the world was him.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Please review!