-sorry wasn't able to update this morning. Had a headache 😔.
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"Are you sure they're coming to pick us up?" Erza asked. Her hair on a high ponytail.

Lucy and the others were waiting outside the dormitory's gate. Each with their own light luggage. All wearing summer clothes.

"Yes. They'll be here in a minute," Lucy answered.

"I don't really know who we're waiting for, but who cares. It's summer!" Sting murmured enthusiastically.

"I think that's them," Levy said as she pointed her finger towards a white minivan, black mustang, and a black motorbike headed their way.

"Sweet ride," Cana chimed, already in her blue bikini top and dark brown shorts.

The vehicles stopped just in front of them.

Jellal was driving the mustang with Loki on the front seat. On the minivan were Gajeel and Gray.

"I don't know 'bout you guys but I'm riding this baby right here," Cana instantly jolted towards the mustang with a grin on her face.

"Hop right in, beautiful," Loki said, opening the backseat door for her, "Who else?"

"Me," Erza followed.

"Check it out man, redhead is riding with us," Loki said playfully at the other.

"Shut up, Loki," Jellal reacted with a slightly embarrassed face., not turning his head to the girls.

Thankfully, nobody heard what his womanizer of a friend said.

"So...," Gajeel who was wearing an aztec patterned bandana started as he looked at the ones remaining, "I suppose blonde boy and shrimp here are riding the van."

"Am I supposed to be the shrimp?" Levy pointed at herself. But proceeded to enter the minivan anyway with Gajeel loading her bag at the back.

Lucy figured what her metalheaded friend was trying to do. He was leaving her out to ride with Natsu. Rascal.

"Woah woah woah," Sting finally was able to speak up. His eyes were wide the moment he saw pink hair, "You're telling me we're spending summer with these guys?" he asked no one in particular.

Gray on the van's driver's seat laughed.

"Don't worry bro, we're not heathens," he joked.

Sting couldn't say another word. His mouth was gaping.

"There's more space in the van, I'm riding it as well," Lucy said and started to walk to the van.

Natsu was looking at her the whole time ever since they arrived. And she knew it, that's why she never dared to give him a glance. His stare could melt an iceberg.

"Nope, the van's only limited to four persons," Gajeel stopped her and smirked.

"Really?" Lucy sarcastically gave him a look. Lies.

"Yep. So you go ride with your husband," Gray added up.

"Then I'll switch places with her," there was no way Sting was going to let Lucy get devoured by the wolf on the motorbike, "Let her ride the minivan instead of me."

Gajeel and Gray gave him a look. Even Lucy glanced shortly at him.

"Nobody's ever ridden on that bike except bunnygirl," bandana said, "Natsu never lets anyone else near it" he finished with a smirk.

But Sting was being stubborn.

"She should be in the minivan where it's safer."

Lucy was going to speak but got cut off.

"You're saying I don't know how to fucking drive?" a calm voice with a trace of irritation got their attention.

"Somebody's gotta stop this before someone gets hurt," Jellal on the other car said. The girls had no idea what he was talking about, but Loki did.

"No. I'm saying she shouldn't be so reckless," Sting replied as he faced Natsu.

Lucy could feel the tension surrounding her. She could tell behind his blank eyes, Natsu was mad. And by the looks of it, he was about to get off the bike and pick a fight.

Before things got ugly, she quickly handed her backpack to Sting.

"Don't provoke him," she whispered lowly to the blonde before walking towards Natsu.

Sting was going to argue again but Gajeel pushed him into the van.

"That's enough, brave knight. You don't want to mess with a dragon," Gray chuckled at Sting who slumped on the backseat.

"Mhm. A damn possessive one at that," bandana agreed with a nod as he sat on the front seat.

"Do they have a relationship or something?" Levy asked.

Everyone went silent.

The blonde beside her sighed exaggeratedly and answered,

"He's her ex-boyfriend."

"What?!"

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She got on the bike and fixed the white cap she was wearing as he started to power it up.

The minivan and mustang already drove away ahead of them.

"Hold on to me."

Lucy didn't hesitate to do as she was told. Besides, based on experience, Natsu was never a slow biker. He even used to race on the streets with the boys, with her cheering up for him.

"Tighter."

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" she said as she tightened her hold around him.

"Can't say I'm not," he replied and the bike started to speed up, "You used to love it when I took you for a fast ride."

She didn't say anything.

Her hair blew with the wind as they drove. The sceneries they passed by were wonderful. The track towards the lakehouse was filled with different views of nature. And there was no traffic. Totally peaceful.

"Blondie seems to care about you," Natsu started.

She could smell the cool scent of gel on his hair.

"Of course, we're friends."

"But he doesn't look at you like a friend would look at another friend."

Something about what he said made her want to deny it. She didn't want him to think that she and Sting were more than just friends. She didn't want him to think that she was inlove with someone else.

She wanted to tell him there was only him.

But she couldn't.

Finally, they've reached Dragneel's Lakehouse. Everyone was already running around or taking pictures of the vast area since both of them arrived later.

Everything was green, giving off a nature-y feel. Tall trees were strategically scattered around the ground of green grass. The huge wooden styled cabin situated just beside the clear lake.

Levy was with Gajeel walking near the pump boats, taking pictures with her camera. Cana was checking out the area with Sting, a beer on one of her hands. You can say Erza and Jellal already got along pretty well.

"Alright gang, gather up!" Gray called out as soon as Lucy and Natsu arrived.

They all stopped in front of the cabin's entrance.

"Let's all get in and choose who gets which bed," he said as he opened the carved bronze painted door of the house.

As soon as he did, everyone else flooded in, excited to check everything out and fight to the death to get the bedroom they liked. Even Sting was hyped up the moment they entered.

Lucy walked in last, Natsu following behind her.

It's not like she was unexcited, it was just that she's already been there many times. She didn't have to check out the place, she already knew every corner of it.

She made her way up the elegant wooden staircase and into a familiar bedroom. It was like her feet automatically brought her there.

Lucy opened the door.

Her eyes scanned the room. Still the same. Nothing removed or changed. The same queen-sized bed with a carved wooden headboard matched with white pillows and sheets. The same grey fur carpet scattered on the floor. Same bamboo couch with pink square pillows and many more.

This was her bedroom. This is her room.

And there was no way she could easily forget how the two of them used to cuddle on it. How he would sneak in at night and go to bed with her.

They haven't really done it yet, but that doesn't mean Natsu has never touched her before. He has. They've went as far as having only Lucy's bra and panties on and him on his boxers. Natsu falling asleep on top of her half nude body isn't something so new.

"Your things are still in here," his voice stopped her from reminiscing those memories.

She turned to Natsu who was behind her.

"This cabin has a monthly cleaning. But I especially instructed the domestics to leave this room exactly how it is."

Lucy stared at him. He was never able to let go of her, just as she was never able to let go of him. Even after a long year.

"Okay..." her voice was soft and quiet.

After that, he turned away and started to leave.

But stopped and faced her sideways.

"Hey,"

Lucy looked at him as he finished,

"You still owe me an explanation."