WAR ➳ nalu vs. graylu

Chapter 4: Ice and Keys

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Fairy Tail Guild House

3:00PM (Two Weeks Later)

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[NORMAL P.O.V]

It's been a while since Team Natsu had disbanded. Or rather, Lucy was kicked off the team. Natsu and Lisanna were dating, Gray was developing a new feeling. But the blonde mage was nowhere to be found and acting quite strange.

"Anyone seen Lucy?" Erza asked Wendy, peering down at her. But Wendy shook her head, also worried about the celestial wizard. "Where could she be...?" She pondered, then Mira butted in.

"She's on a job... Again... By herself.... Again." Mira said, and sighed. Erza tightened her fist and banged it on the table.

"Why is she going alone?! She could get hurt! I'm going after her-"

Then, Lucy walked into the guild's doors with a tired face.

"Lucy!" All the friends said in unison. Lucy turned to them slowly and smiled.

"Guys... It's so good to-" A tired body just fell forward, but Gray came in front and caught her swiftly.

"She must be tired from all those jobs." Mira said, and ran over to Lucy. Gray set her down on a chair and pushed silky blonde bangs from her face.

"Lucy?"

[GRAY'S P.O.V]

I have to admit, it scared me half to death to see Lucy fall like that. I thought she was badly wounded. She was just tired from all the jobs she had taken. I had a feeling I know why.

She woke up with a start, frantically looking around.

"Lucy, Lucy, It's okay... You're in the medical ward." I say to calm her down with a smile. She nodded, letting herself sink back into the pillow behind her.

"Luce, why'd you take all those requests?" I asked out of curiosity.

She flinches when I say her name, her gaze fixed on her feeble fingers. She tilts her head back, the heels of her palm digging into her eyes.

"I thought... I thought I could handle it. I guess I wanted to prove to myself that I could. So I took a few." She replied, speaking softly.

"A few?" I said, raising my brows with crossed arms.

"I took more than a few. I want to become strong, Gray... I have to... I have to prove-"

"No, you don't Lucy. You're stronger than you think you are. And the smartest mage here. You shouldn't have to prove yourself to anyone." I snapped back.

"Y-You really think that?" She said, flicking those golden brown hues up at me with a glimmer of hope. We fell silent, I found myself staring into her eyes.

"Gray?" She broke the silence, shaking me out of the trance.

"H-Heh, nothing." I said quickly and stood up. "I should probably... Y'know, head out." I added quickly and saw Lucy's smile fade a bit.

"Oh... O-Okay. Bye Gray." She said and gave me a smile. That smile. Even though I knew she was lonely, I still wanted to stay with her.

[LUCY'S P.O.V]

I admit, I was a bit disappointed when Gray left in a hurry. It stung a little, but he had places to be. Of course. Why does it bother me so much?

"Lucy are you- Oh my god, are you blushing again?" Mira spoke up, catching my attention as she came to sit by me with a wide grin. She lifted her finger with a knowing snicker. "Gray just walked out red-faced too! Are you guys secretly dating?!"

"Goddammit, woman! Keep it down, we're not dating!" I snapped. I could feel my face growing hotter before Mira carefully puts a hand to my forehead.

"Well, you ain't sick, so it must be a case of love!" She smiled and stood up walking to the door. She then turned. "I'll ask Gray."

"Wait, Mi-"

She's gone. Crap.

[GRAY'S P.O.V]

I was about to leave the guild when a very squeaky Mira came to me with a big smile.

"Hey there Gray, so are you and Lucy dating or..." I quickly covered her mouth and growled as Natsu, Lisanna and Happy walked pass sitting down at the bar.

"S-Shut it, Mira, and me and Lucy aren't dating!" I think I might of said it too loud as I noticed Natsu meet me eyes with a suspicious look. I quickly looked away, and looked at back Mira.

"Sure, I was just with Lucy and she confessed somethin' big to me! I ain't telling you though!" I frowned and crossed my arms. She's probably lying... But I'm suddenly feeling a bit anxious.

"Tell me what she said. What did she say?" I asked. Mira smirked and sighed dramatically. 

"I'll tell you if you tell me your feelings towards Lucy." She said and groaned.

"Feelings? Well, I... I guess I like her?" I could feel my cold cheeks soon turn hot. But I could still Natsu's eyes on me. Next thing I knew, I was up against the wall, being pinned down by a very angry Natsu.

"Oi, what you say 'bout Lucy?" He barked. I tightened my fists and pushed him hard, causing him to stumble backwards.

"None of your business, flame brain!" I yelled and attracted attention from the guild. Natsu's fist soon turned into flames and I prepared myself.

"Bring it, ice princess!" He growled and I lunged towards Natsu. Oh he's in for it.

[NATSU'S P.O.V]

I don't really know what came over me. One minute I was chatting up with Lisanna and Happy and next minute I was ready to pound Gray's dorky face with my fist. I heard Lucy's name come from him and that's all I wanted to do. 

I lunged forward, ready to kick his ass before Erza stood up, staring daggers at us both. She gave us the sit-your-ass-down-before-I-murder-you look.

Without hesitation, we darted away from each other, too afraid to make Erza any more angry to keep fighting. 

I glance back at Gray, we're both still irrationally angry at each other like always but something was different. He storms off, heading towards the infirmary. I return to my seat by Lisanna, greeted with a stern look from her.

"What was that about?" She asked, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"N-Nothing, Lisanna..." I replied and let her kiss me hard. But I felt uneasy about... Something. I just didn't know. I couldn't put my finger on it.

Why was Gray talking about Lucy? Where is she?

[LUCY'S P.O.V]

I sat on the infirmary bed, slipping my boots back on. I figured that I had enough rest. Despite Gray telling me that I was good enough, I still can't help but feel as though it isn't true.

I looked up as Gray entered the room again. I opened my mouth to speak but before I could, Gray smacks his mouth against mine. I almost fell backwards with the amount of force he had. He pulled away, taking his warmth away from me. 

"Shit, sorry... Dammit, that was dumb, I'm sorry, Lucy--"

"Gray. It's fine." I found myself grinning like an idiot. "But, uh, what was that for?"

"I guess... I guess this was my chance to tell you. I like you. And... and I think we should go out." He says quickly, almost bracing for impact.

I break the silence with a chuckle. A sense of relief lifts my heart. "You're on, stripper." 

He response with a bright smile, something I regret that I don't see often. 

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oh, did i mention that this story is more GrayLu than NaLu? but, yeah, tune in for the next chapter!

vote, comment and share this story with your buds. thanks for reading!

- Andrea