Operation: Too Many Boyfriends

Most Eligible

The Next Afternoon, Guild Hall:

Lucy yawned for what seemed like the umpteenth time and apologized again to Levy.

"Sorry - it was a weird night."

Mira, Erza, and Juvia slid in to the table with the girls. "How did it go, Lucy?" Erza asked.

"It was....weird," Lucy began, stifling another yawn.

"How so?" Juvia asked.

"Well, I went with Hiro, and that was okay. However, I kind of felt like a baton being passed around! I mean, all these men kept asking me to dance and they all seemed to know who I was!" She chuckled. "Honestly, it was hard to get away from them! I apologized to Hiro, but he didn't seem too happy. I'm guessing I won't be getting any more dates from him," she sighed. She smiled. "It's okay, though. Just," she yawned again, "I'm exhausted from dancing all night!"

She rested her head on her hand and looked at the girls.

"Um, I think I know why all the men knew you," giggled Mira. "Have you seen this issue of Sorcerer's Weekly?"

"What do you mean?" asked Lucy, sitting up.

Mira produced it on the table, flipped through, and then pointed to a page.

"Most Eligible Female! Fairy Tail's own celestial mage, Lucy Heartfilia!" She smiled. "It's a new feature they're doing. I hope you don't mind, but they asked for approval to use one of their pictures and I picked this one!" It showed Lucy in a bikini in a seductive pose.

"Kyaaaaa!" screamed Lucy, leaping up. "Mira! Why didn't you tell me?" Her face turned red. "No wonder so many men knew who I was and asked me to dance! This is embarrassing!"

"What's embarrassing?" asked a curious male voice, wandering over to the girls. Looking up, she saw Natsu and shrieked again. Leaning over, she grabbed at the magazine, but Natsu was too quick. He looked at the page, then looked Lucy up and down. "Yep, that's you! Why are you embarrassed, Luce? It's a good picture!"

"Natsu!" She pointed out the words. "Most eligible? It makes me seem....desperate!"

"No, Lucy, it's not like that! It's actually an honor," Mira broke in quickly. "They're profiling all the popular Guild's single members. See?" She flipped the page. "They profiled Sting as well from Sabertooth!"

"Yeah, but he's not in a bikini!" Happy giggled, floating over the group. "Lucy, are you worried you look fat?"

"CAT!" Lucy yelled. She looked at the girls. "I can't deal with this!" she cried. "What must it look like?"

Natsu wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Luce, I think you're taking this too far. You always wanted photoshoots in Sorcerer Weekly. Why aren't you happy about this?"

"You don't understand, Natsu," whispered Lucy, head down. "It's different for guys."

Mira's mouth straightened to a thin line. "Listen, Lucy," she said, getting irritated. "This is a pretty big honor and I nominated you as our first member to be featured. Am I going to regret it?"

"Er, no, Mira, thanks for the honor," Lucy said quietly. "I'm just tired after last night. I think I'm going to go home and rest."

"Let me walk you home, Luce," said Natsu, giving her a hug.

"Yeah," Happy agreed. "Natsu and I will fight off all the guys who will be attacking you after seeing that spread!"

"Really, cat?" ground out Lucy. Natsu looked at Happy and shook his head, knowing the exceed was going a little too far with the teasing. Lucy was really upset about this for some reason.

Back at Lucy's apartment, Natsu helped her to her bed.

"Want me to stay with you awhile?" he asked.

Wow, he's being really sweet, she thought, giving him a small smile.

"If you don't mind," she replied softly. She scooted over and made room for him on the bed. Natsu lay next to her, wrapping her in a hug. He laid his head on top of hers and listened for her breathing to even out. Then, he closed his eyes, too, and slept.