Last time: Natsu and Lucy helped a kid out with his family.

Now: They return home as does Krysta and Gray.

Chapter 2- Just Another Day at Fairy Tail

The warm summer air beat down on them as Natsu and Lucy walked through the streets of Magnolia. They had just returned home from their job in Cedar Town, helping Manny and his family. After being paid, they headed for the train station and started their journey back home. Natsu's motion sickness the whole way back was unbearable that Lucy had to keep him calm by gently stroking his hair the whole back as it laid in her lap. But the entire train ride back, Lucy wanted to talk about their job and Manny, but couldn't because of Natsu's miserable state. Now, though, they had been walking for the past ten minutes and he was already fully recovered from his stomach's attempts to make him sick.

Lucy glanced up at the dragon slayer next to her as he walked with his hands behind his head. "Hey Natsu."

"Hmm?"

"That was a really nice thing you did for Manny," Lucy complimented as she looked down at Happy, who was sound asleep in her arms.

Natsu glanced at her. "Oh it was nothing." He said casually.

"It wasn't nothing, Natsu," Lucy said, looking up at him again. "You stood up for him in front of his foster father. You also made his day even if it did result in a tree getting burned. You were great back there." She looked ahead as she smiled. "I sometimes forget how great you are with children. Especially since you are still rather childish yourself." She teased lightly.

Natsu smirked at her. He then looked ahead too and dropped his arms as his smirk faded. "The kid reminded me of Romeo when he would get picked on. I would always stand up for Romeo and Macao. I just hate when people pick on someone they should be friends or even family with. I guess I just don't like bullies."

Lucy smiled lightly at that. "I know you don't. If that is one of the great things I have learned about you over the years, is that you will stand up for anyone who is being brought down by another. I saw you do it for Romeo, for Erza, Gray to some extent, Wendy and Carla, definitely Happy," she gestured lightly to the sleeping cat in her arms, "everyone in the guild, even people who aren't in our guild like Yukino, and of course, me." She looked at him. "And I like that about you, Natsu."

Natsu met her gaze and immediately her cheeks flushed red as she realized what she just admitted. She averted her gaze and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, bashfully. Natsu chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in closer to him. Her blush darkened as she tried to avoid his gaze, but in her peripheral vision, she could see him grinning like an idiot.

"I've always got your back, Lucy," Natsu said sweetly. "You're one of my best friends and I'd do anything for you. Including beating up some jerks trying to mess with you."

Lucy couldn't help but look up at him and grin herself. "I know, Natsu." she said.

However, deep in her heart she felt a slight pull as he referred to her as his best friend. She knew they were best friends and she never wanted that to change, but the ache she was starting to feel towards that term was making her wonder if Natsu would ever catch on to how she truly felt. But how did she truly feel? She didn't even know the answer to that question, but whatever it was, she knew she wanted it more than anything.

"I think this is the last of them," Krysta said as she set the last box down on her kitchen table.

"Alright. I'll go double check and if it is, then I'll tell the cart to take off," Gray said as he moved for the door.

"Thanks," she said over her shoulder as she watched him head out.

Once he was out of sight, she turned her attention back to the dozen boxes the two of them had just lugged upstairs to her apartment. After spending an extra few days with Dale to clear out her room, Krysta and Gray finally returned to Magnolia. It was late into the afternoon and they had been riding in the back of a carriage for a day now. Her back felt stiff from the carriage and from carrying all of these boxes into her apartment. But now, she was fully moved out of Lena's place and fully moved in here.

That thought struck a chord with her as she felt her features fall. This was officially her home now and even though she could go visit Dale, all of her belongings were here. She was fully moved out. It was an odd feeling and a lonely one at that. For her entire life, she had spent living with someone to always look after her. And when she first moved to Magnolia, she was completely okay with the prospect of living in her own space as she figured she would be at the guild more than here. It was lonely those first few nights, but Krysta had quickly adjusted because she had her new friends so close by to call on if she needed anything. But she also slept okay knowing that she also had someplace to go when she would go visit home. However, now, that option felt impossible to grasp even if Dale gave her the spare room in his house.

"You okay?" Gray's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Krysta looked around at him to see him standing in the open doorway of her apartment. She nodded and put on a smile. "I'm fine. Just thinking."

Gray frowned and walked over to her. He reached up and gently caressed her right cheek, wiping away some tears that she didn't even realize had fallen. She blinked at that causing her smile to falter. "It's okay, Krysta. You don't need to pretend in front of me. I know you miss her. And that this is a big change. But I'm here and so is the guild. It'll be okay," he said quietly.

Krysta nodded and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. He returned the hug, holding her close for as long as she needed. They held the hug for a while before Krysta finally pulled away.

"Thank you," she said as she wiped her face. "For everything."

"It's no problem at all," Gray said, giving her a gentle smile.

She returned the smile before looking at all the boxes. She sighed. "I should probably start unpacking all of this stuff," she said, almost unenthusiastically.

"Would you like some help?" Gray offered. "Or do you want to go back to the guild hall and grab some grub? I'm sure everyone would like to see you and make sure you're doing okay."

Krysta thought about that for a moment then sighed in defeat. "That actually sounds better than unpacking at the moment. I have plenty of time to unpack all of this stuff."

"Then let's go," Gray said, offering his hand to her as he snatched her keys from the bowl beside the door. "I'll buy you the first round."

Krysta couldn't help but smile as she reached out and grabbed his extended hand. She laced her fingers with his as she let him lead her out of the apartment. He locked up her place before handing her the keys. Together, they walked out of the apartment and towards the guild hall together.

However, they did not walk hand in hand the whole way to the guild as they still hadn't told anyone that they were together. They knew at some point they would have to especially with Juvia still drooling over Gray, she needed to know the truth. But neither of them were quite ready to reveal their relationship to the guild. They both had been enjoying the blissful privacy over the last two weeks as they were still trying to figure out what their relationship even is. They knew one thing was for sure. They did love spending time together and being with each other.

Gray made Krysta so happy and made her adjustment to joining the guild an easy one thanks to his support and kindness. But Krysta made Gray happier than he had ever felt before. Around her, he would smile and laugh more than he ever has before she joined the guild. Plus he felt like he could be himself around her without any fear or judgment. And she wasn't clingy or overbearing as Juvia could sometimes be even though he did like having the water mage as a friend. They were practically a perfect fit for each other, but they were still in the beginning stages of their relationship. Anything could still happen to change that feeling, but neither of them were worried about that right now.

They reached the guild about fifteen minutes later and pushed open the doors to the boisterous guild as everyone seemed to be there.

"Krysta! Gray!" Lucy called as she came over to them. "It's so good to have you back. How are you doing?" She asked Krysta.

Krysta smiled at Lucy as the blonde pulled her into a hug. "I'm better. Thanks."

"That's good," Lucy beamed at her as she pulled away. "Come on, we were just having a bite to eat." She said as she started to pull Krysta along to the table Lucy was sitting at with Levy, Gajeel, Natsu, Happy and Pantherlily.

Gray followed after them when suddenly…

"Gray! My love!" Juvia's voice rang through the whole guild hall.

He stopped in his tracks and turned to see the bluenette running towards him with a big grin on her face. She tackled him in a hug that he was able to keep his footing for.

"I missed you, my dear!" Juvia said excitedly. "I'm so happy to see you back. How was your job?" She asked as she pulled away.

"Job? What job?" Gray asked her confused. He looked over at Lucy and Krysta to see if they knew what Juvia was talking about. Lucy just shrugged as if this was the first time she had heard of it.

"The one I assumed you went on after that funeral you attended," Juvia said quietly. "The others returned, but you didn't. When I asked them where you were, they said you had stayed behind. I assumed it was because of a job or something." She said naively.

"Juvia, I didn't stay for a job or anything," Gray corrected her, gently. "I stayed to help Krysta and her adoptive father pack up her master's belongings along with the remainder of her things."

Juvia blinked at that and looked at Krysta. "Love rival," she growled under her breath.

"It's not like that," Krysta tried to negotiate, trying to hide the blush that came to her cheeks.

"Juvia, I offered to stay and help. Krysta didn't ask me to. I wanted to," Gray told her before the water mage could say anything else. "But I'm back now. So just… chill." He said, annoyedly.

He moved away from her and over towards a table that had Jet, Droy, Warren, Max and Elfman, deciding to join them for dinner instead. Juvia and Krysta watched him go before looking at each other.

"I'm sorry," Juvia apologized to Krysta. "That was really nice of Gray to do that for you. I shouldn't have let my feelings for him cloud the fact that you are currently in mourning and that he was just trying to help. How are you doing by the way?" She asked carefully.

"I'm doing better," Krysta said. "And it's okay, Juvia. You're just looking out for him. I get it. But you don't need to apologize." She said, understandably.

Juvia nodded and looked over to Gray as he talked with Max. Krysta patted Juvia's shoulder before continuing to walk with Lucy over to the table.

Gray laughed as Elfman finished telling them about his manly escapades on his most recent job with his sisters. As their laughter died down, he noticed Juvia approach the table with a sorrowful expression on her face. He felt bad for being rude to her earlier, but she was being rude to Krysta in such a delicate time in her life. However, as she walked over, he realized that they would need to talk about everything. He sighed inwardly as she came to a stop beside him.

"Hey Juvia," he said simply.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier," Juvia said, bowing her head to him. "I was rude towards you and Krysta. She has already forgiven me, but I still owe you an apology. I was just worried when you didn't come back with the others. I worried that you might be ill or you decided to go on a job to clear your head after. I wasn't sure. All the others said was that you were staying for a couple extra days and to give you some space until you returned. So I'm glad to see you back safe and sound. And I'm happy to hear you were helping Krysta through this difficult time. I shouldn't have made it worse. So I am sorry." She said apologetically.

Gray sighed and looked at the others at the table. "I'll be right back guys," he said as he stood.

"Watcha gonna do Gray?" Jet asked curiously.

"None of your damn business," Gray snapped at him. He then looked to Juvia. "Can we talk somewhere private for a moment?" He asked her gently.

Juvia nodded, but didn't say anything. Gray led her away from the rest of the guild and out to the courtyard in the back of the guild. Thankfully, there wasn't anyone back here yet so they would have privacy for now. Once outside, he turned to face the girl following him. She looked so downcast following him as she was going to be punished for breaking the rules. He sighed and rubbed at his neck.

"Look, I'm sorry for snapping earlier," Gray started. "It was just that Krysta has been through a lot these past few days. And for someone who has also lost the person who taught them how to use magic, I am very empathetic to her situation right now. So seeing you do that in front of her…" He trailed off. "It pissed me off. I appreciate your concern for me. You're one of my friends and comrades. I worry about you too. Just remember that Krysta is now a part of our guild now too. She needs your support just as much as she needs mine and everyone else's. Especially right now. Does that make sense?"

"Yes it does and I am truly sorry," Juvia said, looking him in the eye. "I just let my jealousy get the better of me. You mean a lot to me and I just want to make sure you're okay too. So I am sorry again."

"It's alright Juvia. I forgive you. Just be mindful next time," Gray advised. "And…" He trailed off. He needed to talk to her about their own relationship before he could even bring up his relationship with Krysta, but he couldn't find it in him to bring it up now. He suddenly realized that telling her how he truly felt was going to be a lot harder than he ever thought. He sighed.

"What is it?" Juvia asked curiously.

"Oh I can't remember, but when I remember I promise to tell you," he lied. "Now come on, let's head back inside." He said, flashing her a smile.

"Of course my love!" Juvia squeaked as she was in better spirits since he had forgiven her.

Gray glanced at her as they re-entered the guild as she beamed at him. He smiled sadly at her. He knew he couldn't lead her on for too long, but he made a mental note to talk with Krysta later to see how he should go about telling Juvia the truth.

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