Lucy stormed into the kitchen, blushing furiously. She didn't know how she was going to look at her best friend's face, after what had happened. There was no sign of Jellal or Erza, so she washed her plate, put it back, and sat on the counter. She still hurt a little in weird places.

Stupid Lucy, she thought. You really can't handle your alcohol, can you?

Her head felt like it was being split open, and her eyelids felt heavy. There was an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. A wave of nausea passed over her. Shaking a little, she poured herself a glass of water.

A door closed behind her, and she turned. Erza had come through the back door, which led into the kitchen. She smiled at Lucy.

"You doing okay?" She asked.

"My skull is going to burst."

"Maybe some tea would help?" Erza stretched, yawning.

"Didn't sleep a lot, last night?" Lucy grinned weakly.

"Better than you did. I was excited that he was with me, though. Oh, he left, just now. Can't stay in a place for too long."

The red-head leaned on the counter, looking down.

"Did you....do it?" Lucy asked tentatively.

Erza laughed.

"Duh. It wouldn't be the first time."

"What?"

"He visits me a lot. Mostly, we just hang out, but yeah. We have done it before.... Wait, last night was your first?" Erza asked. Lucy nodded.

"Must've been messy. Do you hurt?"

"A little. And I really need to sleep, but my head is killing me."

"Why don't you catch a few winks, then? Also, where's my dress?"

Lucy thought for a moment. "Open, Gate of the Maiden, Virgo!"

"Yes, princess?"

"Do you have my dress with you? You were folding it, weren't you?"

The spirit tilted her head, and looked at Lucy somewhat guiltily. "It's a little torn up, princess. But I do have it."

The shimmering fabric appeared in Virgo's hands. She gave it to the blonde.

"Will that be all?"

Lucy nodded. Virgo disappeared in a flash. Erza took the dress and examined it. It was torn in certain places, and there were a few slashes. One of the straps was half torn off and hanging loosely. She raised an eyebrow.

"As expected of Natsu. No wonder you hurt. Go upstairs, Lucy. I have a few turtlenecks in the blue suitcase. The dark blue one. Pick one, and try and cover your neck up, okay? Rest first. We'll see Mr. Raymond afterwards. Then we're going back to the guild."

Erza watched as Lucy quietly went upstairs. Then, chuckling slightly, she looked at Natsu wolfing down spaghetti, and at the ruined dress in her hands.

"Some best friends."

_______________________________________________________________

After meeting with the Mayor and collecting the reward, we started for the guild. It was afternoon when we met Mr. Raymond, because we discovered that Happy was missing, and Natsu freaked out. His nose seemed to be off because of all the drinking, but we finally found the cat in the attic of the house we were staying in.

Robin had been allowed to come along with us, and both he and Lucy were extremely excited. Since we didn't get a wagon to the train station, we walked. Lucy seemed to be in high spirits, but she still avoided Natsu like the plague. It didn't go unnoticed either, because Natsu hung back and pestered me.

"Hey Ice Princess, do you think Lucy's mad at me?"

"How would I know?" I asked. "Talk to her."

"But she keeps brushing me off! She's talked to Happy more than to me, today. Happy. Do you think it was the kiss?" I saw that he was actually concerned.

"Do you think I went overboard?"

Yeah, I thought. Both of you.

"Hey man, just ask her gently, okay? Listen to what she has to say." It was Lucy's decision to tell him what had happened, and even though I felt a bit bad, I kept my mouth shut.

Natsu nodded and walked a little faster to catch up with Lucy and Robin. This time, Erza hung back to walk with me. Happy flew beside us.

"So Gray," She said, looking at the three of them who sauntered in front of us,"how much are you ready to bet that they'll get together by Christmas?"

"They're in luuuuuurve."

"Today is the twenty-third of November, which doesn't leave a lot of time till Christmas, but let's see. Five hundred jewel, that they won't be a couple by midnight on Christmas. Natsu's too dense."

"Five hundred jewel, and a meal at Magic Island. Food is the winner's choice, and the loser pays for it." Erza smiled. She loved raising stakes.

"Deal." I was up for the free food.

"Deal."

Natsu whistled as he walked next to Lucy. She was listening to Robin talk, occasionally interjecting. Suddenly, the little boy tripped, and before Lucy could catch him, fell. He got up, dusting himself. He'd grazed his knee a little. Natsu picked him up, and made Robin sit on his shoulders. Lucy smiled.

"Hey Luce. Are you mad at me?"

She sighed and looked at him. "No, Natsu. I just...have a lot on my mind."

"Well then, tell me what's wrong. Is it that you're gaining weight?"

"What? No. And w- am I getting fatter? Nevermind. I'll tell you later, okay?"

They walked in silence. Robin was bored and was starting to get sleepy. He couldn't wait to join the guild. His wine-coloured hair shone in the rays of the evening sun.

"Aren't you excited to get your own house?" Natsu asked, determined for the atmosphere to be lighter. Lucy's eyes lit up.

"Ugh, yes! I'll get two more bedrooms downstairs, you know? And the large kitchen, and hall. I'll have a lot more space for parties and all."

"That's awesome! I can finally draw on your wall and shit."

"What?! No! You're like a toddler."

"Lucy, can I stay with you?" Robin asked, suddenly.

Natsu seemed taken aback.

"You're definitely staying with me until we find your parents, okay?"

Natsu looked up at the little boy, whose was grinning.

"You've got her wound around your little finger. Can I stay with you, Lucy?" He asked, smirking.

"No, you ass. But you stay there nearly all the time, so I don't suppose there's a difference."

Robin yawned. Lucy looked up at him. His eyes were still happy, but his eyelids were droopy.

"Natsu, give him to me."

He bent down a little, and she took the little boy. Robin put his arms around Lucy, and rested his head on her shoulder. He was very drowsy, and very tired, but he was also very happy. Natsu took Lucy's bag from her, and watched as Robin's eyes shut slowly.

"He's asleep," He said, leaning in and whispering in her ear. She nodded.

Erza, Happy, and I stared at them. The looked like a small family, as they walked forward, the sunset in front of them. Lucy was the young mother, Natsu was the fun father, and Robin was their little son. Happy giggled next to me.

"They look like they're married."

Erza nodded in approval.

Watching them like that, I suddenly wasn't so sure that I was going to win Erza's bet.

_______________________________________________________________

Ten chapters is a milestone and it shall be celebrated.

Here's the gif for ten chapters.

I love them. Okay. Thank you for reading!

~T.