{It's safer not to look around

I can't hide my feelings from you now

There's too much love to go around these days}

If It Makes You Happy

Natsu scoffed at the man in front of him, coming to the conclusion that he was an idiot.

"So let me get this straight," He began, pausing to keep himself from laughing at the man's expectant look. "You want me to help you win back Lucy, the woman who's heart you broke?" He raised an eyebrow, blood boiling at the thought alone.

The blond man fidgeted, obviously uncomfortable with Natsu's condescending tone.

Good, he thought, let him squirm, arrogant bastard. Vengeance he had no right to feel coursed through his veins, sent a fire to his stomach. If Sting wanted his help he would have to do more—and by more, Natsu expected nothing less than begging.

"I understand your uncertainty." Sting tried to soothe the tension with his silky voice, only pissing Natsu off further.

"My relationship with Lucy hasn't' been exactly..." He hesitated, searching carefully for an appropriate word. "Perfect."

Natsu couldn't contain himself any longer, a chortle escaping him before he could stifle it.

"Really? I thought you guys were close this entire time!" He barked in laughter, amusement growing when he noticed Sting's irritated huff.

"Yes, very funny." Sting looked as if he were repressing a snide remark. "But when we were together, Lucy showed nothing less than complete adoration." He puffed out his chest, a dopey smile falling across his lips. This snuffed out Natsu's amusement instantly.

"From what I heard you only ever received the love and adoration, never gave." His voice lowered, anger pulsing through him. The blond's smile thickened, pearly white canines flashing.

"I guess Lucy never told you about the things I did for her?" His hands slind into his pockets, a devious grin flashing. "Well, I wouldn't blame her, she was always the shy type."

"Oi bastard," Natsu growled, cursing his cheeks for the blush that was steadily growing.

"Lucy told me everything." He blatantly lied, his voice terse.

"Oh?" Sting lifted an eyebrow, his air of confidence returning. "Then you know about that I presume?" He questioned innocently, his gaze displaying the exact opposite.

Natsu felt his throat go dry, his lie already biting him in the ass. "Yes."

"So there's nothing to hide." Sting stated simply, shoulders sagging in relief. His hands slipped from his pockets, "I did something unforgivable and I've realize my mistake—albeit much later than intended." He chuckled darkly, his eyes littered with regret, and Natsu wasn't sure if that uneased him more than the words he spoke.

"But I want to make it up to Lucy and show her that I still care about her." He took a step forward then,hands spreading out in front of him. "That's where you come in." His toothy grin returned, and Natsu began to feel ill.

"Just tell her that she has a date and to be ready by six." Sting spoke gently, as if relaying the information to a child. "I'll show her how I really feel and your job will be done."

Your job will be done.

Is what Sting had said, but his undertone was obvious—

You will have no reason to contact Lucy any further.

Natsu's heart stilled at the thought, then resumed, beating ten times harder than before. He couldn't control himself—with clenched fists he grounded out, words sharp as glass—"You're the reason Lucy came to me in the first place. If you think I'm gonna help you destroy her happiness you're crazy." He turned away, about to storm away when—

"Putting your feelings before the client's, that's not very professional of you is it, Natsu-san?" His voice reeked of arrogance, the smirk on his face dripping into his voice.

Natsu wanted to turn around so badly and knock him out, but stopped. For the first time, Natsu restrained from the urge, opting to breathe deeply before proceeding to storm away as intended.

He cursed Lucy for his change of heart, the blonde woman floating in his thoughts as he calmed himself down.

No way Lucy would want to get back together with that loser.

Right?

Wrong.

Natsu thought as he stood against the door, shamelessly eavesdropping.

"Lu-chan just tell him!"

"Tell him?" He heard the blonde wail dramatically and rolled his eyes, knowing how over exaggerated she could get.

"He'll never say yes! Not after last time!" The sound of a pillow smacking flesh and a quiet squeak told him one of them had smacked the other.

"Levy-chan!" Lucy protested, the sound once again meeting his ears."

I almost forgot, Levy and Lucy know each other. Natsu blinked in mild surprise, recalling the time Lucy had dropped by his house uninvited. Not that he could talk, seeing as he was doing the same exact thing, probably ten times worse.

"Stop whining and just tell him! Who knows, maybe he still likes you." Levy's voice wavered with laughter, a giggle or two escaping her.

"I'm nervous, what if he's over me or worse—never even liked me?" Her voice was filled with the weight of her words and Natsu had half a mind to burst into the room and shake some sense into her.

Sting is crazy about you—well, about you with him. He scowled at the thought, the thought of Lucy with Sting left his stomach in a mess.

"You'll never know if you don't call him." Levy sung, and Lucy huffed in reply. He pulled his ear from the door and sighed, giving himself a moment to sift through his thoughts.

Was he really putting his feelings before hers? Was he blind to her feelings, blocking them out for his own ill intent?

What exactly was his intent? His feelings? He swallowed loudly at the thought of confronting them, turning on his heel to skip down the brick stairs.

He ignored the boot-quaking thoughts, letting out a steady breath.

His feelings or lack thereof didn't matter.

What mattered was Lucy's.

He walked to the nearest payphone, determination and a heavy heart fueling him.

He would give Lucy happiness, even if it wasn't with him.

This time, when Natsu arrived at Lucy's apartment he managed to knock, announcing his presence.

"Coming!" A faint voice called from inside the apartment, high pitched yapping accompanied by it. A half-smile lifted at the corner of his lips, his hands sliding into his pockets.

"Hello?" The door opened wide and there Lucy stood, blonde hair tied into a sloppy bun and brown eyes curious. Natsu's smile widened, transforming into a grin when Plue ran to his side, jumping in demand to be held.

"Hi Plue." He crouched to pet the small dog, 'oofing' in surprise when the dog impatiently jumped into his arms. Lucy giggled lightly, moving aside for him to pass through.

"Gray told me to say hi," Natsu begrudgingly complied to the request Gray had asked of him earlier. Lucy's eyes brightened, closing the door softly before walking to his side.

She reached out a hand to scratch behind Plue's ear, affection pooling in her gaze. "That's nice of him, tell him I said hello as well." She murmured absently, her affection quickly turning into full blown adoration as she cupped Plue's face, cooing at him.

"Ugh just take him already, I don't wanna watch this." He fake gagged, holding out the energetic pup. Lucy blushed bashfully but obeyed his command, taking the pup into her arms.

Immediately he began to whine in protest, sad large eyes directed towards Natsu. Natsu stared at the dog in disbelief as it twisted in Lucy's arms, crying for Natsu to hold him again.

"I can't believe this!" She gaped at the dog, releasing him with a pout. As expected, he ran to Natsu's side, jumping at his knees. Natsu snickered, pointing at Lucy childishly.

"Even your dog has better taste than you!" He taunted harmlessly, holding the dog up fondly. Plue stuck his tongue out to pant happily, fruitlessly trying to lick Natsu's face.

Lucy crossed her arms with a huff, eyebrows scrunched together in childish hurt. Her look alone made Natsu's insides feel fuzzy, a dopey smile forming on his lips. "Please, that dog did the exact same thing to Sting." She waved him off, only realising her mistake after it was far too late. They tensed at the same time, expressions rigid as they turned their gazes to the floor, the air around them thickening.

After a few moments of silence, Lucy reopened her mouth "Natsu I—With Sting reentering my life I just..." She bit her lip, unable to piece together the storm raging inside her heart.

"Don't worry Lucy." He made sure to smile, becoming his cheery self once more. "I'll fix everything for you, don't worry." He situated Plue in his arms so he could give her a reassuring thumbs up, making her smile quirk genuinely.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me." She confessed, avoiding his gaze by staring at Plue. "But don't worry, I can handle him."

"Oh I know you can," He smirked, tossing Plue gently onto the couch. He turned back to her, clapping his hands together. "That's why I—"

"By the way," She quickly interjected, brown eyes gazing at him curiously. "I tried calling you last night but you didn't pick up." Her cheeks began to fill with color, raising his guard.

"Really? I was out." He vaguely replied, feeling his own cheeks heating. Admitting to his unannounced visit and eavesdropping would not please Lucy, and he convinced himself he was refraining from telling her only because if she kicked him out Plue would surely cry for him—yes, Natsu was holding back for Lucy's sake. (Guilty conscious much?)

"Oh." The word fluttered from her soft lips, flat and unconvinced. "I see."

"Why?" He asked, suddenly bothered by her aloof tone. "Did you need to tell me something?" He cocked his head, bracing himself for her next words.

To his surprise she blinked, as if being pulled from her thoughts, and her brown eyes widened. She stared at him in slight startlement, the rosy blush on her cheeks intensifying, causing Natsu's interest to pique.

Suddenly she began to wave her arms, as if it would persuade him to believe her. "N-N-No! Nothing at all I just—n...never mind." She sighed, dropping her arms in defeat. He rose an eyebrow, curiosity rocketing.

"Uh you sure it's nothing...?" When she rose her head and opened her mouth to ramble some more, he made sure to stop her. "Ok, ok! As long as you're fine..." He mumbled, eying her carefully. She fidgeted slightly, her scarlet cheeks hidden from view as she ducked once again, looking like a small child.

"Well besides my awful ability to pick up the phone, I wanted to tell you that I found you a date for tomorrow!" He perked up, trying to pull Lucy out of her sudden embarrassment. She looked up, her eyes cautious yet curious.

"Really? Who?" She tilted her head slightly, her innocent look causing Natsu's heart to pound.

"W-Well..." He rubbed the back of his neck, attempting to buy himself some time to think up a story. "This guy he uh...he wanted to make something up to you." He offered, hoping that would be enough for her.

Surprisingly, she brightened, leaning towards him with glittering eyes. "And do tell who this mysterious man is?" Her excited smile threw Natsu off, her eagerness completely unexpected.

"He uh...well he wants it to be a surprise!" Natsu tried to sound convincing, but it came out weak at best. This didn't deter Lucy's happiness however, and his heart clenched at how she glowed.

"A surprise, huh?" She bit her lip, trying her hardest to hide a smile. As if realising how she had been acting she calmed herself slightly, yet her rosy cheeks betrayed her. "Alright," She looked into Natsu's eyes, her own bright. "Tell this 'mystery man'—" She made quotation marks with her fingers, a giggle escaping her—"that I'll be there." She smirked, looking oddly proud of herself. Natsu had no idea what Lucy was currently thinking, or who Lucy thought the guy was, but deep down in his gut he couldn't get rid of the feeling that this was an awful idea.

But looking at Lucy as she skipped around, excited beyond measure, he also knew deep down in his gut that she deserved this. He had been the one to tell her they couldn't harbor feelings for one another, he didn't have the right to feel regret now.

Tomorrow at around this time, Lucy and Natsu would cease to be friends.

Ah, sue me. He grumbled internally, wallowing in bitter regret.

you know i'm sorry but...sorry.

almost done with school, and my depression is sorta calming down.(does that make sense?)

don't want to waste your time rambling, but i've planned out a few chapters so unless i add stuff then i can finish this soon.

cya then(whenever 'then' is)

please review, thank you~!

-clem.