Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail and/or the characters.

It was a bright and sunny day in the city of Magnolia and the citizens were as bubbly as ever. They opened up their own shops and stores and were greeted by their regulars. Some mothers were seen in the market with a basket hanging from one of their arms while their other free hand held onto a child's hand as to not let them run off on their own. Other mothers were seen chatting up with store owners about topics such as the weather, the quality of their products and occasionally a few compliments were tossed in, in hopes of haggling for a lower price. Children were seen in school uniforms running and playing with each other on their way to school. The other townsfolk who were taking their daily morning strolls greeted one another. It was a splendid day in Magnolia.

"Ugh! Why is it so bright! Who turned on the lights?!" Lucy complained as she pulled her sheets to her face

It was a splendid day in Magnolia, for most people at least.

"Seriously! Can't a girl get some sleep? Natsu-" Lucy sat up to start nagging at her teammate only to find herself all alone in her apartment. She didn't mean to accuse him so quickly but it had just become some sort of habit since the pink haired mage would always break into her home.

"Oh." Lucy realized "He's not here..."

"And he probably won't be anymore, ever" something at the back of her mind spoke up

"What? No!" Lucy slapped herself out of it "You're better than this Lucy! Come on!"

After her short motivational speech she jumped out of bed to start making breakfast and take a shower.

Lucy was walking along the streets of Magnolia greeting anyone who passed by and was greeted by anyone who could. She entered her favourite book store, or rather only bookstore in Magnolia but nonetheless. She wanted to indulge in a good book to take her mind off of the only thing she's been thinking of for the past few days, weeks, months; Natsu.

Ever since Lisanna came back things haven't been the same. In fact, saying that things were a little different would be the biggest understatement of the year. Nope, nothing was the same for Lucy. Ever since Lisanna entered the picture Natsu's been well distracted. Well, of course, I mean the boy hasn't seen the girl since forever and it's only right that he should spend time catching up with her. It made Lucy feel selfish and ashamed for getting jealous at the attention Lisanna got. So Lucy let it pass seeing as though it was pretty practical that Natsu was spending time with Lisanna and that she could handle some time alone. Besides, some time alone sounded good for her.

However, hours became days that became weeks that now amounted to 3 months, but who's counting? I mean it's not like Lucy cared right? Right! Natsu can go do whatever he wants to do! Whatever pleases him and Lucy couldn't have cared less! She shouldn't feel anything towards the man she called her best friend and yet here she was, giving every little drop of care her heart could muster for him. It was wrong, unfair, and heart-breaking. Wrong because she shouldn't feel jealous of how much time he devotes to Lisanna because Lucy has had what she calls her fair share. Unfair because unlike Lucy, whose feeling confused, afraid and angry of what she was feeling, Natsu was having the time of his life. And heart-breaking because the man who she called her best friend, who saved her multiple times even though she thought she didn't deserve it, who was the one who brought her to Fairy Tail in the first place, where she gained many friends and a family, was so distant. The man who she had so much faith and trust in was so out of reach. And it hurt so bad she can't help but feel abandoned.

Lucy walked out of the bookstore and sighed. She had failed to find a good book to distract her and now she feared another night in lonesome.

"Lucy?" a voice called out to her

"Huh?" she turned to look for the source of the voice and she found a raven haired man waving at her from the store next by.

"Gray!" she called cheerfully and made her way towards him

"Hey there Luce, how you been?" he grinned

"Great!" she lied "You?"

"Oh you know, the usual. My schedule's been hectic ever since the world discovered the cool, amazing, handsome Gray Fullbuster" he joked and shrugged nonchalantly "Seriously, the girls just can't get enough"

"Yup, which is why "the girls" are standing over there snickering and making fun of a half naked man instead of asking for his signature" she chuckled and pointed behind him

Gray turned around and sure enough there were some teenage girls making fun of him.

"Gaahh! My clothes!" Gray cried and quickly put on his discarded clothes while Lucy laughed.

After Lucy settled down and Gray had enough clothes on to be socially accepted they strolled around the town.

"So," Gray started "haven't seen you around the guild for awhile now, anything wrong?"

"Huh?" Lucy blinked, she didn't think anyone would notice her disappearance. Ever since her mixed emotions about Natsu she's been avoiding him and the guild. "Oh, nothing really, just some, uhm, stuff I needed to take care of..."

"What? You've been on a job?" Gray raised an eyebrow

"...No" Lucy said quietly

A heavy silence passed on between the two.

"You don't have to lie to me you know," Gray sighed "I get you"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Lucy played an innocent smile to which Gray raised an eyebrow to.

Another moment of silence passed on between the two.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I miss going on jobs with the flame brain," Gray stared at the lake to their side "believe it or not we haven't brawled in a while too"

"I thought I was the only one" Lucy looked at her feet feeling a wave of relief

"Nope, and I bet you Erza would feel the same way too, well you know, if she wasn't out on a job herself"

"She is?"

"Yeah, with Juvia and Levy,"

"What!? Really!?" Lucy gawked

"Yeah I know," Gray chuckled "not her kind of crowd right? But she said something about "bonding with other girls" and she dragged them away"

"That's new..." Lucy chuckled at the thought of Levy's and Juvia's faces with them being dragged along

"Hey! That's an idea!" Gray light up

"What? A girl's day out? You and me?" Lucy cocked an eyebrow

"No!" Gray cringed "I mean going on a job!"

"A job?"

"Yeah a job! You and me! It'll be just like old times! Without flame brain and Erza though. I mean, think about it. We both haven't gone on a job for a long time, plus pretty sure flame brain won't invite us anytime soon at the rate he's going"

"My rent is coming up soon..." Lucy thought about it for a moment then beamed "You know what? That's a pretty good idea Gray!"

"It sure is!" Gray boasted "Well, let's go to the guild! I can't wait to beat up some monsters or catch some thieves!"

"Monsters?! Thieves!? Who said anything about that?!" Lucy twitched

"Well I thought of it, so shouldn't I pick the job?" Gray frowned

"Maybe..." an evil grin made its way up to her face "if you beat me,"

"In what?" Gray perked up at the thought of a fight

"How about whoever gets to the guild first gets to choose the job?" Lucy suggested

"Well why not?" Gray grinned "I'll be sure to beat you!"

"There is just one condition," Lucy smirked

"What?"

"You have to be fully clothed!" Lucy exclaimed "Ready! Set! Go!"

Lucy ran off leaving Gray to ponder on just what she had said when he realized he had stripped himself of his clothes again

"LUCY!" Gray growled in frustration

Despite Lucy getting a head start, Gray still made it first and much to Lucy's horror, he chose a job where you have to beat up monsters and catch thieves.

This is my first fic so please be nice!

Reviews and friendly criticism is accepted with open arms~