Prologue

When Gray and Lucy start dating, Erza can't help but feel left out. When she looks around the guild, it seems as if romance is oozing out of everyone. She can name just about every couple there is: Mira and Fried, Gray and Lucy, Elfman and Evergreen, and Levy and Gajeel. She looks at the happy couples and sees that they have a certain glow about them, even when they fight. It's a magical thing, and Erza finds herself yearning for such affection from a man. Through a series of events, she begins to fall for the adorable yet attractive Natsu…Will he reciprocate her feelings?

All Natsu ever hears about is the latest on people's relationships at the guild. It makes him sick! He doesn't care about other people's love lives. All he wants is to go on jobs with Lucy, Gray, and Erza without any fuss. But of course, Gray and Lucy act too couple-y for his taste, even though they aren't that mushy. Every time he goes to the guild, romance surrounds him and he wants to puke. Happy constantly teases him about not having a girlfriend, which really pisses him off. However, when one thing leads to another, he becomes drawn to the dangerous beauty Erza.

Chapter 1: Romance, Romance Everywhere!

It's a typical day in Fairy Tail: Natsu and Gray are fighting, Elfman is flexing and shouting "otoko", Levy is reading, and Lucy is complaining about rent money. As Erza surveys those in the guild, she notices that there is a glow around everyone, especially those who are in relationships. Lucy is always smiling brightly, even when she's complaining about money. It's so peaceful nowadays. I like sitting around and eating my cake, Erza thinks.

Lately, there hasn't been much activity going on in the guild, so everyone mostly hangs out at the guild all day. The constant peace has made Natsu restless, which drives him to take the strangest jobs that don't even pay that much. Erza has heard him speak of going nuts because he has nothing to do. She laughs to herself whenever he mentions it. She tells him to try and taken advantage of the peace, but he refuses to do so.

"Ne, Erza." Lucy says from across the table.

Erza looks up. "Nani?"

Erza notices that Lucy is wearing a blue knee-length dress and sandals. Her hair is up and she can see traces of subtle yet beautiful makeup. Erza frowns slightly, wondering why Lucy is wearing such a thing at the guild. Maybe Gray's picking her up later today for a date? Erza wonders.

"Does this dress look ok on me?" Lucy asks as her cheeks turn pink.

Erza smiles. "It looks spectacular!"

Lucy turns even pinker. "Y-you really think so?"

Erza nods enthusiastically. "Uh huh!"

Both girls smile widely as Lucy looks down and examines her dress. She twirls around and the dress flows around her knees. Erza watches as the sequence on the dress catches the light. There is a slight glow that captures Gray's attention. He glances over at his girlfriend and grins. He can't wait to wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her soft cheeks. He walks toward Lucy, but from behind. He hugs her waist and pulls her close. She gasps in surprise and turns toward her boyfriend. She smiles and kisses his mouth.

As he pulls back, Gray says, "You look gorgeous."

Lucy turns pink. "Arigato."

Erza smiles as she watches the couple interacts. She notes how every time Gray speaks, Lucy looks him in the eye and smiles. She also notes how Gray never takes his eyes off Lucy. Erza unconsciously clenches her fists because the absence of Jellal will forever sting her heart. Always seeing these happy couples constantly reminded her that romantic love was something she'd never have. At one point, she even yearned for Gray's touch. She constantly curses herself because, secretly, she still yearns for him.

With the turn of her head, Erza hears Levy giggle. She looks over and sees her being chased by Gajeel in a playful kind of way. He's growling and pretending to capture her, but he's laughing right along with her. When he "captures" her, he wraps her up in a bear hug and kisses her cheek. Levy turns pink and continues laughing. She smiles and looks him in the eye. She whispers something to him and he does his famous laugh:

"Gee hee." Gajeel grins a toothy grin.

"Don't say anything." Levy says loud enough for Erza to hear.

Erza turns away from them and tries to enjoy her cake. She looks down and stares at the strawberry on top. It seems to trivial now. Erza doesn't know why she ever cared so much about a stupid piece of cake. Why am I so foolish? Erza thinks, Why do I yearn for a man that I can't have, and mourn for one who is long gone?

These thoughts overwhelm her so much that she quietly walks out of the guild. She heads toward the river that she knows too well. Memories of crying and fighting fill her mind as she recalls the river. Sadness overwhelms her and she fears that she will break. Her pace quickens as she tries to hold the tears in. When she finally arrives, she sits down in front of the river and stares at the water.

More memories flood her mind; memories of Jellal, Natsu, Gray, and Simon. Her heart slowly breaks as she recalls each event. She can still feel Simon's body in her arms as she held him for the last time. She feels warm tears fall down her cheeks like the time when Gray first saw her cry. She still feels Jellal's arms around her and the warmth that came with it.

"Erza?" Natsu's voice echoes in Erza's ears.

She turns and sees Natsu standing a few feet behind her. She forgets that she's crying and briefly wonders why he's frowning. She then realizes that he hates it when she cries, almost more than when Lucy does.

Natsu takes a step forward, then another. Erza slowly stands and finds herself wrapping her arms around him. Her tears wet his shirt as she lets out all of her pain and sadness. Natsu wraps his strong arms around Erza and holds her close to him as if he's protecting her.

"Do I need to kill someone?" Natsu asks.

Erza shakes her head. Her voice is a whisper, "Just stay…"

"With pleasure."