Operation: Too Many Boyfriends

The Fake Couple

Lucy shook her head. "I'm not even sure if Natsu really understands the whole dating process, to tell you the truth." She blushed, thinking of how she woke up this morning and how she hadn't wanted it to end. "To him, everything he does for me is because we're friends and guildmates."

"Oh, Lu, don't you think it's more than that? I mean, you don't see Natsu treating anyone else like he treats you."

Lucy looked pointedly at her friend. "And Gajeel doesn't treat anyone else like he treats you, either. So, what does that say?"

Levy blushed but glared at her friend. "These are two different situations!"

Lucy's eyebrows raised. "Are they? In fact, Mira already has a name for you two - Gale....or did she say Gajevy? Either way," she shook her head, "Natsu and I aren't the only ones being 'hooked up'."

Levy mumbled a curse word under her breath. "Fine. I won't tell her you two are faking it - because I don't think you are - as long as she leaves me alone. For Mavis sake, why can't she work on Juvia and Grey?" she grumbled.

"Yeah, they're Gruvia," giggled Lucy. "I'm guessing Bixsanna is Lisanna and Bixslow, Elfgreen is Evergreen and Elfman and....I thought there was one more, but I could be wrong."

Levy echoed her giggle. "Maybe she should try Miraxus - Mira and Laxus!"

They both laughed and high fived each other. "Good one!" Lucy said, grinning at her friend. She glanced over at her table and watched Mira set the milkshake and burger down. "I better head back there before Natsu drinks my shake!"

Levy nodded, glancing at Gajeel, who she almost caught staring at her. He whipped his head around quickly and pretended to be looking in the other direction. She sighed, used her script magic to whip up some steel and walked over to the big guy. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to be "hooked up" with him, she thought.

"Hands off my shake, mister!" Lucy warned as Natsu's hand strayed towards it. He looked up at her and grinned.

"Hey, was just going to make sure it tasted okay for my girlfriend!"

"Yeah, well, my boyfriend better get his grubby hands off!"

"Oh, Juvia thinks you two are so cute together!" cried Juvia as she walked by. "Now love rival is no longer after my Grey!"

Lucy leaned into Natsu. "Give me a break!" she muttered. She slapped Natsu's hand as it strayed towards her shake. "Get your own!"

Kianna appeared before the two with an extra straw, placing it in the milkshake. "Courtesy of Mira!" she laughed, walking off after giving it to Lucy.

"See? We can share now!" Natsu grinned, sticking the extra straw in his mouth and taking a big slurp.

"Well, at least let me get some first!" grumbled Lucy. She glanced over at his empty plate. "If you wanted to share, you should've left me some!"

"Yep, they sure act like a married couple!" announced Happy loudly. The guild members chuckled as Lucy's cheeks turned pink. Natsu, on the other hand, ignored them.

Grey wandered over, smirking at them. "You know, just to show us you're really dating, maybe you two should kiss!"

"Grey!" hissed Lucy, but Natsu declared loudly, "Sure, no problem, ice boy! Especially since you're so scared to kiss your crush!"

"I don't know what you're talking about flame brain!"

"Yeah, ice princess, I'm sure you do! I'll tell you what. Lucy and I will kiss if you lay one on Juvia!"

Juvia overheard this and began to jump up and down excitingly.

"I will if you go first!" dared Grey.

"You're on!"

"Hey, wait, I'm not being kissed just because two dumb boys are competitive!" Lucy exclaimed, then was stopped by Natsu grabbing her, holding her close, and kissing her. It didn't last very long, but when they broke apart, Natsu leaned his against her forehead and whispered, "Wow, Lucy, you taste just like strawberries, like I imagined." He smiled at her and gave her another quick kiss.

As Lucy was processing this, he turned to Grey and smirked. "Okay, I did my end of the deal. Hey Juvia, come on over and get your smooch from Grey!" he called out.

Grey blushed. "I didn't think you'd really do it," he whispered more to himself than to Natsu. Juvia threw herself around him and announced, "I'm ready for my kiss, Grey-sama!"

Grey sighed, then leaned over and gave Juvia a quick peck on the lips. It was enough for Juvia to go starry-eyed and Grey had to admit, it hadn't been that bad. Of course, now Juvia clung to him like a second suit and he could not get her to let go!

Lucy turned to Natsu and whispered in a low voice, "What do you mean you imagined me tasting like strawberries?"

"Huh, what?" Natsu tried to cover up his fumble. "You know, cause you like strawberry shakes so much!" he managed to get out with a grin.

"Oh." She was disappointed. She had so hoped that he had meant something else. She sighed.

"Are you okay? Did you want me to mean something else?" Natsu asked her, tilting his head and studying her. She seemed....disappointed.

"No, I'm okay," she replied. She got up to leave but was stopped by his hand grabbing hers.

"Luce, you don't need to run away every time," he said.

"What?"

"Everytime you're uncomfortable, you run away. Well, maybe not run, but always find an excuse to go elsewhere. Sit back down for awhile and relax." He grinned at her as she looked back at him. "Just hang out."

She sat back down, surprised by his words. She guessed she did tend to take off in awkward or uncomfortable situations instead of facing them or dealing with them. She just wished that for Natsu, this was not pretend but real.