When Lucy returned home after a long, rather emotionally draining day, she found herself calling Metal.

ThatChillGuy: METAL, PICK UP RIGHT NOW.

ThatChillGuy: METAL PLEASE

ThatChillGuy: C'MON, I ANSWER WHEN YOU CALL

ThatChillGuy: METAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

The moment it finally popped up that he had read her messages, she rang him right away.

"Metal!"

"God damn it, woman!" He groaned, his voice sharp. "What's your problem?"

"Metal, I need you to be a girl for ten minutes, can you do that?" She asked quickly.

"The fuck you on about?" He snapped; Lucy could hear him sitting down before he suddenly sighed with realisation. "Oh, for fucks sake. Did something happen with Dragon?"

"Yes, and I need to talk about it with someone who knows him," she was practically jumping in her seat.

"Why me?" he grumbled. "I hate this kinda shit."

"Metal…" She whined. She heard him sigh deeply and go quiet before speaking again.

"You have ten minutes." He growled. Lucy squealed with happiness before leaning forwards.

"So, you were right. I found out who Ice was; I know his name and what he looks like now too."

"Oh, yeah?" Metal sighed; Lucy could hear him run a hand over his face. "He as ugly as I imagine?"

"No, he's cute as fuck but average compared to Dragon," she dismissed, ignoring his disgusted groan. "Anyways, they were fighting – "

"Sounds about right."

"And I spoke to Nats – Dragon after it. Alone. In a classroom."

"How scandalous."

"Shut up. Anyway, I am ninety-eight percent sure he was going to ask me out."

"Hm," Metal hummed with slight interest. "That's different. I've never heard Dragon express any interest in anyone. How do you know?"

"Well, he was about to ask me if I wanted to do something, but he was cut off when people started coming into class," she explained, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice. "But what else could it have been?"

"Maybe he wanted to ask something innocent," Metal suggested, and Lucy recoiled.

"Didn't I say act like a girl?"

"Yeah, but I'm not a girl," Metal snapped. "What do you want from me?"

"To tell me I'm right!" Lucy whined. Metal sighed again.

"Seriously, who are you right now?" He asked, clearly amused, and exasperated at the same time. "I thought you were freaking out because you know him in real life and in game. And now you want to date him?"

"You haven't seen him," Lucy groaned and leaned back into her seat. "He's gorgeous."

"M'kay, first of all - Gross. And second, what are you gonna do if you date him and he asks if you like gaming?" Metal asked and she froze. "You gonna lie?"

"Well – Well, no, but – "

"And then when you don't lie, and he asked you what games you play. You gonna lie then?"

"…You make a terrible girl."

"That's because I'm not a girl – I'm a guy." He huffed again. "Why don't you talk to your girl friends?"

Lucy grunted in annoyance and sank deeper into her chair. "They're either make fun of me or tell me I'm overreacting. They think I'm insane."

"Hah, that's because you are insane," Metal chuckled, and Lucy grumbled. Metal scoffed. "Don't gimme that. It's true. The sooner you tell the guys the truth the sooner you can relax. Especially around Dragon. It's pretty obvious you have the hots for him."

Lucy spluttered. "I do not. He's just cute, that's all."

"Kay. You wanna lie, whatever. You're obsessed."

Lucy rolled her eyes before tilting her chin up.

"Anyway, I didn't notice you in college today. Not that I would have anyway."

"Hah, trust me, if I was close by, you would have noticed," Metal laughed. "We have all week."

"I don't understand why you're so convinced I'd know," Lucy pondered. "What's so special about you?"

"I just stand out," Metal offered and that was all the explanation she received. "Anyways, I have to get shit sorted for tomorrow. You done using me as a girlfriend?"

"For now," Lucy said with a smirk. "Talk later?"

"You got it. See ya."

"Bye."

Lucy turned off her PC and stood to flop down onto her bed, Metal's words ringing in her ears. He had a point. Even if Natsu had asked her out, it's not like she could have said yes. As much as she wanted to go out with him, it would just feel too weird.

"I mean," Lucy mumbled to herself while she stared at her ceiling. "It's not like I'd be able to relax or be myself."

She lowered her voice, trying to imitate Natsu. "'Hey Lucy, what do you do for fun?' Hah, not game, that's for sure."

Lucy groaned and rolled over to bury her face in a pillow.

"I'm an idiot," she muttered. She should have just told him everything the moment she realised who he was. How did she let this all get so complicated?

"Coward," she grumbled when she heard a knock at her door.

"Coming," she called softly with a sigh before forcing herself to roll over and sit up. She smoothed her hair a little as she made her way over to the door and pulled it open.

Her eyes widened as she took in Natsu's form in all his glory. His scarf was, as ever, wrapped around his neck. He was clad in a plain t-shirt and only thin jacket even though it was freezing outside. His pink hair was as wild as always and his lips curled into a smirk when his eyes met hers.

"Hey," he said lightly. Lucy blinked for a moment before she formed any words to speak.

"Hi," she wrapped her arms around herself and shrugged. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh," he looked down and pulled her textbook from his bag. "You left this after class. I was goin' to give it to ya friend, but she said she had to run so…"

"Thank you," she murmured with a smile as she took the book and hugged it to her chest. She hesitated a moment before smiling wider. "You want that coffee now?"

Natsu grinned and nodded before stepping over her threshold. "Why not?"

Lucy nodded and stepped aside so he could fully enter. As he made his way over to her small couch, she made her way over to the kettle.

"This is a nice place," he commented as she poured water into the kettle. "Kinda big for a single dorm, though."

"Yeah, my parent's left me some money. I knew I wanted a small kitchen and living area and couldn't resist," she shrugged to herself as she boiled the kettle. "It could probably house two people, but I like my space."

"That's fair," It was quiet for a moment before he continued. "So, your parents gave you the money for this place? That's sweet."

"Left me the money," Lucy corrected with a smile. "They were pretty well off, but they died a while back. They left me a lot."

"Oh – " Lucy poured their drinks while he fumbled for words. "Well, that sucks."

Lucy had to laugh. His response was the most refreshing one she'd ever received. "Hah, yeah. It's okay though, I've made my peace with it. I'm lucky to have great friends."

"That's alright then," Natsu grinned as she turned to hand him his mug. She offered him a bright smile. "Any other family watching ya back?"

"My Godmother," Lucy said with an amused smile. "She's a bit full on and protective but she's the best."

Natsu nodded as he sipped his coffee. It looked like he was about to say something, but he stopped. Lucy giggled.

"What is it?" She asked. Natsu smiled before shrugging.

"My parents passed away too," Lucy's brows furrowed but he waved her off. "It's okay. I never knew them – My Dad adopted me when I was really young, so he was the only parent I've ever known. I'm really lucky to him."

Lucy nodded and smiled at the story. He was quite vague, but they were still very new friends. Hopefully he'd reveal more about himself in the future. Lucy shook away the thought. She was really getting ahead of herself now.

"Your dad and you sound pretty close," she said as they took a seat on her couch. He sat close enough that she could feel the heat from his body. It was enough to set her cheeks aflame.

"Yah, we are," he agreed before frowning. "Hey, you okay? You seem kinda flushed."

"Oh, I'm okay," Lucy waved off his concerns but stopped short when she felt a finger graze her cheek. Her eyes flew up to his face to find him watching her just as intently. His right hand had reached up to softly run his finger over her blazing cheeks, but he froze the moment her eyes met his.

It was like she had forgotten how to breathe. She could almost swear she saw the breath hitch in his throat before he looked down and dropped his hand.

"Good," he muttered. He turned a little and shook his head as he sipped at his drink again. "Anyway – Yeah, my dad and I are pretty tight."

Lucy had to think back to what she said to make sense of his statement. She smiled again and relaxed back into her seat. "Makes sense if he condones you fighting people you meet for the first time."

That broke any tension left between them. Natsu laughed loudly.

"Hey, it was Ice Freak, so it doesn't count." He joked and Lucy giggled.

"Noted."

It was quiet for a moment before Natsu spoke up again.

"There was another reason I wanted to talk to you," he said, and Lucy felt her stomach jump in anticipation. "I was gonna to ask you in class but – "

"People walked in." she finished for him. Everything Metal, Cana and Levy had told her flew from her mind the moment those green eyes rested on her.

"Yeah," he nodded, Lucy thought she could see a slight blush on his cheeks but surly she was imagining it. "I actually wanted to ask ya if you'd like to go out with me sometime."

The breath caught in Lucy's throat, but Natsu continued.

"I know we're both pretty busy with college right now," he reached a hand up to run his hand through his hair, distracting Lucy for a moment. "So maybe – Next weekend? Once our assignments are out the way – If ya want to."

He trailed off, his eyes still trained on her face as she finally released a long breath and smiled, her face on fire at this point.

"I – Yes. Yeah, I'd really like that."

The grin that spread across his face would have made her weak at the knees if she was standing. He turned his eyes back down to his coffee before nodding to himself.

"Okay," Lucy found herself unable to stop smiling at his expression. "That's – Yeah, we'll do that."

Lucy laughed lightly and brought her own coffee back to her lips, unable to stop the butterflies filling her stomach that were making it hard to breath.

They chatted idly for another half an hour or so before he realised his dad was expecting him. Lucy took his mug from him and took it into the kitchen while he shrugged his jacket back on.

"Thanks for the coffee," he said as she walked him to the door. He hesitated and circled back to face her before bothering to pull it open, causing her to stop flush with his chest.

"Um – " He spoke lowly as he looked down on her face. "Do you think I could have ya number? Then we can organise the date."

Lucy's heart fluttered at the sound of his deep, quiet voice but also at the fact he straight up called it a 'date'. She nodded wordlessly and grabbed her phone from the side. She messed with it a moment before offering it to him.

"Just put your number in there," she said in an equally quiet voice. She saw him shiver. "I'll text you after."

Natsu nodded, tapping in his number before handing her the phone back with a smile. "There."

"Thanks." She smiled back as he turned and opened her door.

"I'll see you at college," he said as he stepped out and faced her again. He lingered in the doorway for a moment before leaning forward and pressing a lingering kiss to her cheek.

"Later Luce," he muttered as he pulled away. He smirked at her expression before turning on his heels and making his way from her dorm, his hands buried in his pockets.

Lucy could barely move. When she finally managed to close her door and made her way into her dorm in small, jerky motions she found herself jumping with excitement.

"Oh my god!" she squealed. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"

She pressed a hand to her throat, trying to suppress the hammering in her chest before making her way back into her room and turning her PC back on, wasting no time before messaging Metal again.

ThatChillGuy: I'M SO SORRY BUT I NEED YOU TO BE A GIRL AGAIN.

ThatMetalGuy: You've got to be fucking kidding me.

ThatChillGuy: I won't argue about you being squad leader for a whole month.

ThatMetalGuy: You'd better fucking not. Call.

Lucy found herself squealing again, trying to ignore the gnawing dread in her stomach at this mess she had found herself in. She was certainly digging herself into a hole.

But right then, she found it very hard to care.