Falling Too Far - Gruvia

Bonus Chapter - Lucy's POV

Juvia was fifteen minutes late.

I'd been sitting on a mildly uncomfortable plastic chair by the exit waiting for her arrival. In hope for time to pass faster, my eyes glance over my disappearing red painted nails, only patches left around each one. The day I had them done was actually the same day Natsu woke up from his surgery. I was lonely, being shamed, stressed, so I decided to treat myself.

Now that I thought about that, I didn't deserve that treat. For the past weeks I had been killing myself over my intoxicated behaviour. Why of all people did I have to sleep with Gray. Loke would've been less of a brutal choice, and I'm convinced he also would've accepted. But no, I just had to go for the person my best friend has feelings for.

One part of me wanted to defend my choices, the other part was forcing me to admit my own guilt. I used the excuse that Gray and Juvia would do nothing about their feelings for one another. Gray is appalled by the idea of a committed relationship, and Juvia doesn't like it when she's only used for sex. I knew there had to be more of a story behind both of their reasons, yet it was never confessed.

_ _ _

"Luce, Lyon's taking me home now. Do you want a ride too?" Juvia approaches me as I was sat on the couch next to a hammered Gray who was sprawled on the couch, lying flat on his stomach.

"I'm driving..." I shrug.

Her eyes roll, "You don't have a car." Excuses excuses.

"I'm fine," I said throwing back the rest of my wine, "I'm gonna stay for a bit longer anyway, enjoy your drive." I slur on my own words.

She accepts my answer and caresses the edge of my shoulder as she follows Lyon out of the door.

Half an hour later, Cana and Loke depart, leaving Natsu, Gray, Gray's father and I alone in the apartment.

After drinking my body weight, I stumble in attempt to get off the couch. Natsu had been sitting on the couch next to me with a sulky pout as his buzz wore off ages ago, and had none of the stash left. Gray was in the kitchen with his dad getting sobered up, which from my point of view wasn't a success.

"You were flirting with Mira all night." I mumble, just about loud enough for Natsu to hear.

Natsu shows a nasty scowl, "You were flirting with any breathing man in this place." He retorts.

I wasn't. My friendly actions may come off as flirting, my father says it's because of the way I dress. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thought floats around Natsu's mind.

"I was... being friendly, actually." Sentences coming out of my mouth was a much slower process than usual.

"Sure." He grunts, giving me the cold shoulder as he turns his head.

"Why do you give a fuck?"

My cursing caught his attention, getting a glare stabbing into mine, "You do it to piss me off."

"For fucks sake, Natsu," I am a woman with my own choices, how has he not managed to grasp that? "The day after we slept together at Laxus' party, you went and shagged the girl who lives downstairs!"

Our feud wasn't discrete, as Gray and his father were now eavesdropping in an obvious manner.

"Because you implied that nothing was between us!" Infuriated, he rose from his seat.

I scoff, "You're a mindless twat."

Silver exits the kitchen, unable to handle the heat and calm the situation. His hand is planted on Natsu's chest and gently pushed him further away from me. "Come on, you two. That's enough."