So, um, yeah, it's been a while folks. *nervous laughter* I haven't been able to get to this piece since recently. Anyway, this isn't a "novel", Red String of Fate is just a collection of GraLu one shots (word length varies) as stated in the summary.

Oh, by the way, these one-shots aren't connected to each other unless I say otherwise!

BY THE WAY, this is a quick note. This was formally title The GraLu Spectrum, but I thought it was more befitting to name it Red String of Fate because of this: "The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances." This quote kind of embodies what I'm trying to do. I'm writing a collection of one-shots exploring the relationship with this couple in any time, any place, any world, universe, situation. Just to clarify :) If you have any things to suggest, let me know!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters. If I did...Gray and Lucy all the way

• Red String of Fate •

The Asshole Who Would Ruin Everything

"Come on, Lucy," Natsu whined. "You need to get out more."

Said blonde scoffed and rolled her chocolate brown eyes. "Natsu, we've had this conversation before."

"But it's true! Even Levy goes out more than you do, and she's the real bookworm!"

Lucy sighed. "That's because she has a boyfriend."

"You did too, you know," Natsu pointed out.

She glared. "Yeah, that was one of the biggest mistakes of my life." She shook her head. "I was so stupid for not realizing that love was an idiotic, messy thing."

It was Natsu's turn to sigh. "It's always you and your studying, Luce. I hardly get to see you much anymore." He gave her the puppy-dog eyes.

"Not going to work, Natsu Dragneel," Lucy stated coldly.

"Ouch," Natsu pouted.

The pink-haired twenty-one-year-old watched his best friend write down notes from the big ass medical textbook. He sighed once again, feeling a little helpless at this point. Maybe he should've brought Levy along to try to convince her stubborn workaholic roommate. Natsu opened his mouth to try one more time.

"Don't even start," Lucy cut off without so much as a glance.

Natsu groaned. "Look, Luce, a good friend of mine just moved to town and transferred to Magnolia University. The whole gang's going to be there. It'll be fun!"

"Hmmmm," Lucy hummed, tapping her pencil against her desk.

Natsu grit his teeth. "I won't ask you to come to anything else for a month."

Lucy paused. "All right, I'm listening."

He smirked. "If you come today, I won't bother you to come to anymore social outings for a month. How does it sound, Lucy Heartfilia?"

She looked at him with pursed lips. A few seconds ticked by before a smile graced her lips. She stuck her hand out. "Deal, Natsu Dragneel."

He grinned and shook her hand. "See you at Blue Pegasus' Bar in an hour."

Yup, Lucy had no idea what she was thinking. The blonde had a tight smile on her face as she uncomfortably weaved herself through the crowd of Blue Pegasus. She prayed to Mavis that Hibiki wasn't here because she didn't know if she'd be able to hold back the punch reserved for his cheating face.

The one guy she went out with of course happened to be a player. The fucking asshole was the reason she gave up on love and didn't really believe in it anymore. Ever since that failure, Mira had tried to set her up ever since, but she always vehemently declined.

Where the hell are they? Lucy thought to herself frantically.

After maybe a fe good minutes of bulldozing through the hot and sweaty crowd, Lucy finally came upon the gang minus Natsu.

"Hey everyone," she greeted with a smile.

Everyone's eye lit up in surprise and delight. "Lucy!"

Suddenly, the poor blonde was tackled by Levy and a crying Mira.

"How did that flaming idiot convince your ass to get over here," Gajeel asked curiously.

"We made a deal," Luce said with a smile.

"Speaking of Natsu, where the hell is he and his so-called friend?" Lisanna asked with a huff.

"Right here!"

Everyone turned around to see a smiling Natsu and a very annoyed looking raven-haired guy.

"Sorry for being late guys, but this is the annoying prick I was telling you about. He just moved from Hargeon. This is Gray, guys."

Natsu gestured to the handsome raven-haired guy beside him, who in turn knocked him upside the head.

"Idiot," Gray muttered before turning to us. "Nice to meet you."

Everyone minus Lucy charged up to him and starting introducing themselves before bombarding him with questions. Lucy chuckled when she heard Mira's first question, which was: "Are you single?" That devious matchmaker was already on the move, and that was Lucy's cue to head to the bar.

She seated herself on a stool and was drinking a glass of vodka when a man slid into the stool next to hers.

"I'll have the same as this pretty lady," his smooth, deep voice said.

Lucy suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. So, instead she gave a tight-lipped smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Well, since you're talking to me, I'd say otherwise," he replied.

Lucy blinked. Well, she was not expecting that. She could literally feel the smirk in his voice. She turned to see none other than Gray beside her. The blonde felt her breath hitch. Oh Mavis, Lucy said inwardly. This new guy was like an Adonis in the flesh. Chiseled features, broad shoulders, spiky hair, hypnotic eyes... Yup, focus, Lucy, focus. No distractions. Talk and learn about his personality. Personality is what matters!

"So, you're Gray...?"

"Fullbuster." He reached out his hand. "And you?"

She smiled and shook his hand. "Lucy Heartfilia." She couldn't help but notice how his roughly calloused hand enveloped her small soft one.

"Oh, so you're the girl Natsu has talked to me about," he acknowledged, letting go of her hand. His midnight blue eyes scanned her up and down before settling back to her eyes. "His words certainly didn't do justice."

Lucy arched a brow. "Thanks?"

Gray chuckled and looked at his drink. "Nothing bad. He kept going on about how smart, hard-working, funny, and pretty you are."

Lucy slowly felt heat rushing to her cheeks but still kept her raised brow. "And how do they not do justice? Because that's an accurate description of who I am, if you ask me."

He swirled his drink before looking at her. "You're not pretty, Lucy. You're beautiful."

Lucy would have been left as a hot mess if it weren't for Mira's girlish squeal of excitement from across the bar. The white-haired girl was staring at the two of them with heart-shaped eyes. The blonde narrowed her eyes but kept her smile. Her eyes returned to Gray.

"Did Mira send you over here?" Lucy asked, switching topics. She had no idea how to respond to his sincere comment.

"Actually, no."

"Really now?"

Gray gave her a crooked smile. "To be honest, you looked like the sanest person here."

Lucy laughed. "You'll get used to them. They're a rowdy bunch, but the best of friends you'll ever get to meet. Not to mention, unforgettable."

"I'll remember that."

"Hey Gray, this is Laxus!" Natsu shouted from afar. "He just came by!"

"Well, I guess that's my cue to leave," Gray stated. He downed his drink and slapped some cash on the table. "It was nice talking to you."

"You too," she waved.

"See you later," he said and gave her a wink.

Lucy chuckled and swirled her drink. Her eyes caught the green cash splayed on the table, and her eyes widened. He paid for her drink too?! She turned around and watched Gray's retreating back. She felt the same feeling of blood rushing to her cheeks. And that's when Lucy realized she enjoyed her time with him. He was able to make her laugh, and she acted like herself.

You gave up on romance a long time ago... Lucy reminded to herself in her thoughts. Love is not for you.

She finally concluded Gray Fullbuster was going to be the asshole who would ruin everything.

Once again, if you have any questions or concerns, just PM me. Thanks everyone!