With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 33

With nothing else pressing to do, Natsu decided to pay Lucy a visit. He still felt bad about running out on her the other night and wanted to make it up to her.

He made his way to her house, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door.

Unfortunately, it wasn't Lucy who answered—it was her father.

The tall, stern-looking man squinted at him.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, hi there!" Natsu said, putting on his most polite smile. "I'm Natsu Dragneel. I'm a friend of your daughter's."

The man raised an eyebrow. "She's never mentioned you."

"Really? She hasn't?" Natsu rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"No. Now go away."

"But—"

"Dad, stop!" Lucy's voice called from inside.

She came down the stairs in a hurry, looking flustered. "It's fine, he's a friend. He's the one helping me with schoolwork."

Her father folded his arms. "Oh... him. Hmph. He doesn't look as smart as you made him sound."

"Dad!" Lucy said sharply, clearly embarrassed. She grabbed Natsu's wrist—making him turn a slight shade of pink—and pulled him outside.

Once they were on the front porch, she let out an apologetic sigh.
"Sorry about that. My dad's the captain of the police force. He's suspicious of literally everyone."

"No, it's okay," Natsu said quickly. "I get it. He's just being protective."

"So, what brings you by?"

"I just... wanted to apologize for running out on you the other night. I didn't mean to ditch you—it was just, you know... that explosion and everything..."

Lucy smiled gently. "You don't need to apologize. You were making sure people were safe. It was impulsive, sure—but it was also brave. Noble, even."

Natsu rubbed the back of his head again. "Heh... thanks."

"So, are you still up for helping me study?" she asked.

"Of course! I'm not bailing on you again."

"Good. Because honestly, you're the only tutor I've found who doesn't put me to sleep. That is... until it gets late, and then you mysteriously vanish."

"Well... I've got other stuff going on. Gray and I don't just study for tests, you know."

Lucy narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh? Like what?"

"Nothing." He hesitated. "Definitely not... rooftop stalking or anything weird like that."

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" he said quickly, then changed the subject. "Anyway, how's your physics going?"

...

Downtown, Gray crawled silently across rooftops and walls, carefully trailing Lyon and Juvia on their date. Part of him wondered if he was really doing this just to make sure Lyon wasn't some super villain, or if Natsu was right—he was driven by jealousy.

"No way," he told himself. "Juvia's nice, but I like Lucy. I'm doing this purely for her safety."

Lyon and Juvia chose a nice restaurant with outdoor seating. Perfect—Gray could hear their conversation from his vantage point.

"So, what do you think about this Black Demon character?" Lyon asked. "I find him pretty interesting."

"Interesting, maybe," Juvia replied, "but honestly, I think he's out of his mind and belongs behind bars. He almost killed me once."

"Really?"

"He set off a bomb on a balcony I was standing on. I would have been done for if Blue Tiger hadn't saved me."

"So you've met one of those weirdos?"

"Who are you calling a weirdo?" Gray hissed under his breath.

"I'll admit they're a little strange, but I admire them. I mean, they risk their lives every day to save innocent people. I just wish I could get my thick-headed brother to see that," Juvia said. "But enough about me — what about you? What are you studying?"

"Business management and finance agreements."

"Sounds complicated."

"It is. But I'm sure I can handle it, just like my father. Though he thinks it's only a matter of time before I screw up and get kicked out of school."

"I'm sure he doesn't really think that."

"But he does. I just wish he'd cut me some slack for once."

They finished dinner and started walking around the town. Gray followed closely, doing everything he could to stay out of sight.

"The city sure is pretty at night," Juvia said, admiring the lit-up buildings. "I bet it would look beautiful from up high."

"Maybe," Lyon said, "but right now, I think you're the one who's beautiful."

Juvia blushed, turning away nervously. Lyon leaned in, gently turning her face toward his. Gray held his breath. He wasn't sure if he could watch—or look away.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Juvia pulled back.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I can't. Lyon, you're a wonderful man, and I enjoy spending time with you, but I'm not ready for another relationship."

"Is this about that guy you dated before?" Lyon asked.

Gray's ears perked up.

"To be fair, we didn't really date much," Juvia admitted, "but I really liked him. I was so disappointed when I found out he had feelings for someone else. I still have feelings for him, but I know I'll get over it eventually. Until then, I can't seriously date anyone."

"I understand."

"But I think he's an idiot for having eyes for someone else."

"That's sweet, but the heart wants what it wants."

"Who is he anyway?"

"I'd rather not say. It'd embarrass him."

Gray wasn't sure what to think. He knew Juvia was interested in him, but he hadn't realized she had real feelings. And honestly, he didn't understand why—he saw himself as a loser, while Juvia was so much more than decent. Yet, here she was, wanting to go out with him.

Lost in thought, Gray's grip slipped on the building wall. Suddenly, he fell.

"Oh no! Ah!"

He crashed into trash cans in an alleyway below.

"Ow," he groaned.

"What was that?" Juvia asked, startled.

"No idea," Lyon said, looking around nervously. "It's getting late. I should walk you back before any creeps come out."

"Thank you."

They left, and Gray pulled himself up.

"Aunt Ur was right," he muttered, cracking his back. "Nosing into other people's business only leads to trouble."