A Snowball's Chance

Chapter 4

Lucy sighed and set down her teacup.
"It's... Complicated.."
Gray raised an eyebrow at this, "Well, I've got all day."
Lucy wouldn't meet his eyes, "Natsu... He didn't have a place to say an he didn't want everyone to know."
"Why not stay at with Gildarts?"
"I.. Uh.. Don't know."
"You guys are together aren't you?" He said flatly.
Her normally porcelain skin started to turn pink,"Not really.. I mean.. We...why do you care anyway?"
"I'm just curious, is all," he answered coolly,"However, you still didn't answer my question. Are you and Natsu a couple or not? I don't exactly feel comfortable knowing that I've showered the same place Natsu has."
Now it was Lucy's turn to raise an eyebrow, "Are you really that...picky?"
"No I just... it's... I'm just curious I guess," he finished weakly. He knew his defense was cracking, and he didn't exactly enjoy the idea of getting in a fight with Natsu over Lucy. He was hers anyway.
She pressed her lips together, finally she opened up, "We're not official. I don't know if he's really into me or considers me a little bit of fun he can have every now again."
"Whoa wait you guys haven't-"
"No! No," she interrupted, "just... You know.. Kissing... Erm.."
Gray took her discomfort as a moment to regain his composure,"Making out?"
She couldn't look him in the eyes so she nodded instead.
"Look, I'm happy for you Lucy. Not so much for Natsu because sometimes his ignorance really gets on my nerves but if you're happy, I'm happy."
"So...You support it?" He couldn't read her expression, she was either hopeful or horrified.
"Only if you want me to," he answered gently.
"Thank you Gray, it means a lot. And I don't want everyone at the guild to know so... Keep it under wraps?"
"You know I will," he promised.
She got up off the couch and snatched some more tea off of the kitchen counter, "So what about you and Juvia?"
He groaned in response.
"Oh come on, she's not so bad."
Gray ran his fingertips across his forehead and massaged his temples, as though he had a headache,"I'll give you all the details as long as you promise me you will never tell another soul... And, you finish your part of our original bargain."
"Oh," she nodded quickly,"right. Well... What do I need to do to help you with said prank? "
Before he answered Gray realized she still hadn't bandaged her hands.
"Hold that thought, where can I find some bandages?"
She pointed towards a cabinet. Gray pulled out some ointment and then the bandages.
"Hold out your hands," he commanded gently. She did so and tried to ask her question again but she couldn't focus because she realized his hands were on hers. His fingers moved deftly as he wrapped her hands. She couldn't help but notice how calloused they were but still that gentleness was completely unexpected.
"Lucy?"
"Hmm?"
"Are they too tight? Too loose?"
It dawned on her that this wasn't his first time asking. She finally looked him in the eyes and their gazes locked. His eyes! she gasped to herself.
Gray felt his heart start racing. It doesn't matter, he told himself, she might be beautiful but she's not yours, back off'! Get a grip!
He stumbled back, nearly colliding with the counter behind him. "Uh.. I...I'll have to get back to you on my prank... I just realized I was supposed to help... Uh..." He raked his mind for a name, "Wendy... Train for a uh.. A thing... Thanks for letting me drop by Lucy I'll see you later!" He waved as he fled the apartment.
"Gray! It's still-"but he was out of earshot," raining..." She finished to herself. Oh well. At least Natsu will be here soon... Hopefully...