Inversion

by SparklyLarry

Chapter Five

Blending

Waffles and marshmallows bathing in hot chocolate. Fried bananas skying in ice-cream mountains. Lollipops sticking out of caramelized ground. That's what heavens look like. The Celestial Wizard realizes that the dream can't go on forever. Sooner or later, she would have to face the mess that's reality and forget about this sweet dreamland. Groaning, Lucy yawns sleepily, her eyes flutter open before shutting again due to the bright light. The blonde quickly pulls the blanker over the head, luxuriating in the warmth and comfort of her bed. Her bed. Oh, how she missed it! The girl didn't get a chance to sleep in it after their return from the Games because of certain someone who had burnt his own house to a crisp and unceremoniously occupied her sleeping place. Bed, sweet bed! It's a bliss to have you back! The Celestial Mage happily inhales the aroma of fresh linens. She also feels her mouth watering as a few delicious scents from her tasty dream enter the reality and tease her nose. If only I could get a bit of those yummy waffles soaked in chocolate... Yeap, I can even smell them frying... with a crispy crust... Lucy licks her lips, indulging in the aroma.

It suddenly strikes her that something is wrong. No, not something. Several things, actually. Firstly, how come the blonde was sleeping in her bed and not on the coach? She has given up trying to fall asleep in her rightful place since Natsu moved in three days ago. The Dragon Slayer did not mind sharing the small bed, so he just flopped back after Lucy attempted to reclaim the place. Unlike him, she was bothered with words 'sleeping together' and moved to the coach. Cracking her eyes open and peeking out of the blanket, the Celestial Wizard casts a suspicious look around the bedroom. Her pink-haired friend is nowhere to be seen, but there are pillows and a crumpled counterpane on the coach, which means that it was slept in. Confusion usurps her mind as she tries to comprehend the situation. The blonde spent most of the previous day with Levy, discussing every stupid trifle girls' find utterly significant. The talk included a lot of blushing, teasing, giggling and sobbing... and liters of hot chocolate. She wasn't drunk or anything, that's for sure! So, Lucy clearly remembers how she entered the apartment at about 10 p.m., took a quick shower and dropped asleep on the coach. What a nice surprise... Okay, that's weird.

Then, there is the second thing that's been making her uneasy for the last six minutes. It does smell like waffles. Lucy has no doubts that scents cannot transfer from dreamlands into real life; all in all, she is sober! But what the heck then? Alerted, the Celestial Mage pricks her ears? Merry sizzle comes from behind the kitchen door. Oh, someone must be making breakfast. Great. Shrugging and calming down, the blonde draws down the eyelids and snuggles into the blanket once again. An idea lazily crawls across her mind; she wonders who can be possibly cooking now. Indeed, who? ...

Wide awake, Lucy jumps out of the bed and rushes to the kitchen as if house were on fire... which is very probable at the moment... for she can think of only one person who is in charge of her waffle-irons now. Why does Fate hate me so much?! Not my kitchen, too! The Celestial Mage almost smells the reek of disaster in the air. Everything is so very ruined... How do I pay for the damage?! The landlady gonna kill me for the burnt kitchen... Yeap, I'm as good as dead. Bracing herself and sucking in a sharp breath, enraged and terrified Lucy throws the door open.

...

Huh?

To get a better idea of the blonde's reaction, you should imagine a clumsy stout in a pink ballerina's attire dancing gracefully in your house. Lucy is so flabbergasted that she even forgets to snicker. Her jaws slowly dropping, she dumbly gawks at shirtless Natsu in a green apron dotted with golden hearts. A spatula in one hand. A plate topped with hot waffles in the other. Aside from a curved brow, his face is blanker than a white wall. As if bored, her partner just shrugs at her and continues to nonchalantly set the table... like it's absolutely normal and there is nothing to gape at. The Fire Dragon Slayer silently rounds the stunned girl, bringing cups and a teapot.

"Good morning," finally, Natsu greets the Celestial Wizard as he has run out of things to put on the table. "Food tends to get cold if not eaten quick enough," he adds casually and takes a seat.

"You cooked," Lucy blurts out, secretly pinching her arm to make sure she is awake. Okay... Too much funny things have been happening lately. Maybe, I am delirious or something? The salmon-haired male stares at her questioningly, his eyes slightly narrowed. "You. Cooked," the blonde spells it out for him, supposing that the Dragon Slayer missed her words the first time. The man, though, keeps on peering into her face in a very unnerving manner. "Damn it, Natsu!" her reserve can't hold the pressure of his gaze any longer and breaks with a snap under its weigh. "Since when do you cook?! I mean, cook like cook, not burning everything around you!" Intense eyes do not leave her rigid form right away, lingering on the girl for a few more seconds.

"I don't." At last, onyx orbs take pity on her and move to the waffles. Sensing Lucy's puzzlement, Natsu inhales deeply and elaborates. "You cooked."

"What?!" It's like a meteorite hits her hard on the head. However, her friend ignores the shock in the blonde's voice and helps himself to a waffle, meticulously spreading cherries and dark chocolate over its crust.

"Yes. I have simply heated waffles up. You were the one to cook them yesterday evening when you returned," comes his nonchalant reply. Disbelief and perplexity are written across Lucy's features as she knits her brows. The blonde's memory refuses to unfold the moment of her making waffles. It's just blocked. How comes she can't remember this?

"B-but...! Why...?" the Celestial Mage stutters in embarrassment, hating to be seen in such a ridiculous situation, even by her best friend. Yummy waffles have absolutely evaded her mind as anxiety absorbed all the appetite.

"You were drunk," the salmon-haired male deadpans and takes a bite of his waffle. "You had a bath and then said that you needed waffles and started to make ones. You were asleep before you could try them, so I took you to the bed. That's it."

"No way..." Lucy whispers in horror, hands clasping her mouth. But she didn't drink anything strong with Levy... did she? The world crumbles around the blonde when a small chuckle suddenly rings out. Miserable and depressed, she watches her partner to conceal a wry smile while sipping tea.

"Bought it."

"What?" a single word flows off her tongue as the blonde gapes at the unruffled male.

"You bought it," sighing, Natsu spares her a brief amused glance. The blonde's mouth remains wide open when another quiet chuckle escapes him. "I cooked the waffles while you were asleep."

"Wh... I.. The... But... You jerk!" A long search for words ends in an abrupt exclamation; steam rolls out of Lucy's ears as she grabs a teaspoon and throws it at Natsu's forehead which leaves a red heart-shaped print there. "You idiot! For a second, I believed that I was really screwed not to remember last evening! Idiot!" huffing, she angrily sits down and glares daggers at her partner, who is uncharacteristically nonplussed by her tirade. Only slightly raised corners of lips give away his amusement. It's a relief that the Dragon Slayer refrains from mocking her any further; however, Lucy's wounded pride won't let him get away with his prank easily. A wicked idea pops in her mind. Pretending to grumble, the blonde pushes the table, so that Natsu's fork falls down. An exasperated glance hits her, but the Celestial Mage flings back a catty smile. As soon as her friend disappears under the table, Lucy peppers the male's waffle and salts his tea. She then helps herself to a crunchy waffle with chocolate. The girl is happily munching on it when the salmon-haired mage sits back. Her waffle tastes even better as the blonde imagines Natsu's distress at eating something very spicy... The male gets ready to take a bite... Lucy anticipates the upcoming reaction with great pleasure. One... Two...!

"Don't you want to try my waffle?" his hand freezes a few inches away from the mouth. Clenching teeth, the girl stifles a disappointed moan and puts on a plastic smile. Her waffle is suddenly much less sweeter that a few seconds ago.

"Nope, thanks, I've got one," she shakes her head impatiently, wishing Natsu to taste his special waffle. The male, however, won't stop insisting. The peppered waffle is brought to her lips instead.

"But yours isn't seasoned," the Dragon Slayer arguments with an infuriating smile curling his mouth. Surprise can't stay away from the blonde's face, resulting in her eyes widening to the saucer's size and mouth forming a perfect 'o'. "Try it. Pepper, chocolate and cherry make a perfect composition." His next move creeps the girl out. As if to insure her, Natsu takes a bite and munches his waffle with an unperturbed face. Lucy watches him closely, trying to find the trick in the show. He can't possibly eat something like this without his eyes watering and his mouth firing! "So?" The special waffle awaits her bite once again. Cautiously, the Celestial Mage nips on it. Fireworks erupt on the tongue, sparkles bite her palate; the girl is about to spit out the nasty stinging food, but a firm hand clasps her mouth. An incinerating glare she sends the salmon-haired mage dies out when suddenly flames in the mouth cease to burn. Little by little, a wonderful tickling sensation runs up her tongue, the sweetness of cherries soothes scorches like a balsam. Revealing in the fantastic taste, Lucy raises brows in astonishment.

"Impossible!" she whispers, overwhelmed with exhilaration. A burning after-taste teases her lips and the Celestial Wizard quickly takes another bite from Natsu's special waffle. He gives another chortle, observing her with poorly concealed amusement. "It can't possibly taste that good!" A confused line than burrows the blonde's forehead. "How did you know I peppered your waffle?"

Natsu stares at her for a moment before leaning closer; Lucy inhales sharply as charcoal eyes dig into hers, his proximity taking her breath away. "Maybe I know you all too well?" Too nervous to utter a word, the Celestial Mage watches numbly as the Dragon Slayer leans back with a chuckle and takes a sip from his cup... Black orbs pop out of his head as he chokes with salted tea. "... or not," he mutters while wiping his mouth. Lucy can feel holes being dug on her and she giggles awkwardly.

"Sorry," the blonde says sheepishly, pouring him another cup of tea which Natsu takes with a deathly glare.

"Dragon Slayer's scent. Pepper has a very tart smell. I could have distinguished it even in coffee," shaking his head, the salmon-haired male explains patiently. Lucy's palm connects with her forehead, producing a loud smack. Okay, that was stupid. Damn Dragon Slayers with their keen senses. But what is really irritating, it is his smart smirk. Why wouldn't he just laugh straight into my face?! The thing is that the Celestial Mage can't even yell at him properly, because no stinging remarks fly at her. All Natsu's mirth is veiled under a reserved smile which she hates. The girl can only choke down her irritation and grit teeth as she breakfasts on spicy waffles.

...

The Light Dragon Slayer has seen many weird things in his life. Never before, however, has the concentration of odd happenings been that high. Fairy Tail is like a crazy salad, cooked with all kinds of insane stuff and seasoned with madness. This salad tastes funny, and Sting likes it. There is definitely something to flying mugs and tables, dancing bottles and soaring teeth. Occasionally, pants and shirts will land on somebody's face, some cakes will get smashed or smeared on the same face. In short, this guild is great. The blonde can't believe that he despised them. Life there is so very exciting! You can just throw a chair at a random guildmate and it will be absolutely normal! Fork, I love it here! Dodging another tankard, Sting sends his iron club at some bulky man, enjoying the brawl very much. Natsu and real Gajeel are nowhere to be seen. The two will have to go to Sabertooth... The fact seemed a bit disturbing at first, but now Sting likes the idea of his too well disciplined guild becoming... livelier. The Fairies will surely wreak havoc there. A devilish grin twists the Tiger's lips. It sounds great!

"Natsu..? What the heck are you doing?!"

"I guess, it's called reading."

A familiar intonation of boredom and 'why-won't-you-bug-off' attracts Sting's attention and his inquisitive gaze travels around the guild hall. He quickly finds bossy Blondie with her arms akimbo, bickering over some nonsense. In her shadow the Tiger can distinguish a silhouette of his currently salmon-haired partner. An open book rests in the male's laps, a right hand supports his head. Everything in his posture, from narrowed eyes to tensed shoulders, speaks of exasperation. The White Dragon Slayer knows his friend very well to immediately read his mood. Judging by the signs, the Celestial Wizard is effecting Rogue to an extreme extent. His twin is evidently at the brink of snapping. The observation makes Sting blink in surprise. But confusion on his face is quickly replaced by a playful grin. Meanwhile, Blondie huffs and tries to look at the book Rogue is reading. As to his partner, he purses lips in a stubborn manner and raises the damn volume out of her reach. The blonde Fairy, of course, is as persistent as he is and attempts to grab it, stretching over the Tiger. Sting lets out a wolfish whistle. The show is pretty interesting; the Light Dragon Slayer wouldn't mind to have some snacks to fully enjoy it. Wow, wow... Not gonna let him forget this one! The girl is literally all over his twin, straddling him and suffocating him under her weigh.

"You dummy, show me the book!" Blondie whimpers in a feisty way as if saying 'I-gonna-whimper-all-the-more-unless-you-comply'. She's evidently aware of the Shadow Dragon Slayer's irritation, so the Fairy is skillfully pushing his buttons with a malicious glint shimmering in chocolate eyes.

"No." Well, that's all you get from his partner. But this brief reply agitates Sting all the more. Oh, yes... He clearly hears these dangerous notes in his voice. A dormant volcano is soon to explode.

"Tsk! You're being childish! It's not like you read everyday! Let me at least know what kind of books can be an interest to thick heads like yours! Please?" the Celestial Mage tries to reason with him... to no avail, of course. Rogue is adamant, like a rock. That's a more romantic simile, though. Sting prefers an old kind 'stubborn like a mule' saying.

"But then, you are being absolutely mature," the pink-haired Tiger counters her ferocious verbal attack with a fluent one. A vein pops out on Lucy's temple. Yeap, Blondie is pissed. Suddenly, a small hand claps the Light Dragon Slayer on the shoulder.

"Hey, Gajeel! Care to lay your bets?" the chestnut-haired Fairy casts a taunting smirk at him and empties her bottle at one confident gulp. "Heeh, I go for Lucy! Three bottles that she will wipe the floor with Natsu while reading his book!"

"On it! Gee-hee," Sting winks at the beauty and observes the two with an appraising look. Blondie is one hell of a chick, but his partner is a tough nut. Don't fail me, buddy! "Five bottles that the blonde bimbo walks away with her bu...-" BANG. A loud crack drowns out the brawls noise. Two moans synchronically follow the sound. The White Dragon Slayer gapes at the pair in the corner. Both Lucy and Rogue have their butts on the floor, the heads buried between knees as strings of profane words stretch out of their mouthes. The damn book is happily soaring over the fighting mages. The pages flutter the last song of freedom before being reduced to ashes by someone's attack that fall down and form a neat pile in front of the two. "Fork."

"Fun killers," the card mage rolls her eyes and obviously wants to express her disappointment in colorful words, but just hiccups instead.

"Great," the salmon-haired Tiger hisses while rubbing his red forehead. The two must have collided or something...

"Well, it's your fault, Natsu! You should have just let me take a glance at the stupid book!" Lucy retorts, her eyes flaming. "What's up with you?!"

"Same question here," Rogue mutters tersely, receiving a smack at the shoulder.

"You're the one being obstinate!"

"You are the nosy one."

"Something's wrong with my nose, jerk?!"

"Nothing. Just a bit too long for my liking."

A moment is too perfect to miss. Stifling the laughter, Sting comes up to the bickering mages and mockingly reprimands the two. Yeap, he likes it here. "Now, now, love-birds! Why don't ya solve your family issues at comfy home in a cozy bedroom in a warm..."

"Shut up!" And so the darkness invades his mind.

...

They say you can always rely on your best friends, confide in them and seek comfort. The best friend is like a balsam to aching wounds. The description should be moderated if you talk about the Twin Dragon Slayers' comradeship. Rogue massages his fist that hurts like hell after punching his currently metallic partner. He trusts his best friend, no doubting that. The White Dragon Slayer will always stick to his side in battles and won't betray him. That's also a fact. Then, there is another case. According to the Law of Fate and Destiny, Sting is always the one of the Twins to look like an idiot. His big ego rarely does anything to help in the matter. Sometimes, however, Fate has a mood swing and fools with the two, reversing the partners' roles. That's when the blonde Tiger triumphs, coming up with thousands of ways to make up for all the times he made of a fool of himself. Sting's goal is to embarrass Rogue and Rogue's job is to knock him out before both of them end up being morons.

"You know, lately Gajeel gets on my nerves too often," Lucy, who is still pretty pissed at him, comments at Sting's prostrated body that has crushed a pyramid of barrels. A glare is then viciously thrown at another Tiger in disguise. "Just like you. You've been a real pain in the ass, Natsu. When I saw you with the book, I thought you were going to have some fun burning it or something... I was really excited to learn that you can actually enjoy reading! Jerk, you could have told me about your secret hobby! We can discuss books and have arguments and...-"

"Lucy, you know I despise reading." The Shadow Dragon Slayer understood that much from his fellows' reaction to his suggestion to search for information on their predicament in the library. As soon as the words slipped off of his mouth, Rogue was pinned to the spot by three meaningful pairs of eyes. He just sighed in submission, realizing that Gajeel and Natsu weren't much better than Sting and couldn't stay in the book's vicinity for more than half a minute. So, the Tiger was kind of a volunteer to read something about bodies' exchange. The book he had difficulties finding and obtaining (via Sting who managed to interrogate the dreamy blue-haired bookworm) wasn't difficult to comprehend. But then, the certain Celestial Mage just had to pry and ruin everything. Rogue moans inwardly as he looks askance at a pile of ashes that used to be his book. Fate is having fun once again.

"But you were reading!" Lucy argues stubbornly, earning another exasperated glare from the Tiger. Who is being persistent now? "Or were you just feasting your eyes upon Times New Roman?"

"It is not really worth reading. I was just curious," he lies smoothly, hoping that the girl will finally stop nosing into his business. Of course, Rogue asked for too much from Fate. Chocolate eyes become suspicious slits, lips curl into an alarming grin. The Shadow Dragon Slayer can only prepare himself for what is coming.

"Oh. Looks like somebody prefers dirty fiction!" the blonde titters while nudging him suggestively. He would have rolled his eyes and come back with a terse retort, but someone else heard their little dialogue and decided to rudely join it without an invitation.

"You're kidding, right? Natsu likes bed scenes?!" the bluenette gasps in astonishment, her eyes even wider than usual. The urge to face palm is impossible to contain. Salamander gains the Shadow Dragon Slayer's respect every minute he spends in the blonde's company. How does he get along with this girl? I am amazed. She makes my life even more miserable than Sting does.

"Yeap," the Celestial Wizard nods in the affirmative, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Surprising, huh?"

"Wow, I've never thought that Natsu is in for reading this kind of... literature..." the mage named Levy murmurs in shock, but still loud enough for another Fairy to catch some intriguing words.

"What's Natsu in for?" the mage with short white hair inquires innocently, her big eyes gazing at him in curiosity. "Reading? I didn't know you liked books!"

"Not just any books," Levy whispers something (that's not difficult to guess what exactly) into the other girl's ear, causing her giggle. Surprisingly, her cheeks are barely tinted.

"Bed scenes? Really!"

"Who said bed scenes?" the famous drunkard of Fairy Tail makes her way to the blushing and cackling females and a morose shadow that is Rogue in the centre. She hiccups and flings an arm around the Dragon Slayer. The pungent smell hits his nose and he cringes in disgust. Never again would he get drunken. Never ever again. "Aaahhh, Natsu, you little playboy!" the card mage purrs alluringly, attracting a few more interested glances. The Tiger just covers the face with his hand. Here it goes...

"Playboy and bed scenes? What are you discussing there?!"

"Did I hear 'Natsu'?"

"What the hell are you talking about?! Playing games with boys?"

"Was it 'Natsu in bed' or I've misheard?"

"I'm pretty sure it was 'Natsu is one hell of a playboy in bed with a book', idiots."

"Nope, it was about writing a novel about some playboy who is like Natsu."

"Lucy is writing a novel about Natsu?"

"Lucy and Natsu are WHAT?!"

"Did you say 'bed'?"

"Are we playing Drinking Games today or what?"

"In bed with Natsu? He is a real man!"

"What?!"

"Babies?"

"I thought it was Lucy."

"Naughty brats, if you ask me."

"Yeap, I believe they read about it first, ya know..."

"That's not manly!"

"Wow."

"Babies?"

"Do you think he can lend this book to me later?"

"Hold on a sec, I thought Lucy is writing it."

"She must be writing hot stuff after all the experience."

"Babies!"

"I wanna read this!"

"Nah, Natsu is screwed. Can you imagine him...-"

Drowning out this annoying tittle-tattle, Rogue instead focuses on the Celestial Wizard who has gotten the taste of her own medicine. All the stupid talks have no effect on the Tiger; he can't care less what Fairy Tail mages believe Natsu to be or do. Lucy is another case. Judging by her stuttering, gasping and furious blushing, she is very self-conscious at the moment. Some very suggestive remarks turn the blonde's head into a ripe tomato that's ready to burst. The situation has evidently gone out of her control. It isn't the Shadow Dragon Slayer who is dying out of embarrassment. It's the Celestial Mage. Should I sympathize with her now? The rational part of his mind screams at him that the blonde deserves it for being mean. Another part, a very small and insignificant one, timidly hints that she is not to blame. All in all, it is Rogue who causes her to react in such a way. Heaving a deep sigh, the Tiger frowns at the fretting girl. Her attempts to reassure guildmates are not just futile. If anything, Lucy's pitiful explanations only add fuel to the flame. Somebody mentions 'experience' and 'relationship', and the Dragon Slayer can't help wondering whether Salamander and the blonde have any. The image of the Celestial Wizard in a bath-towel made... quite an impression on the Tiger. I don't think that friends, even very close ones, will freely walk with no clothes in front of each other... Or is it another distinctive feature of Fairy Tail? He then casts a skeptical look at the naked ice mage who is laughing at 'Natsu'. Maybe bath-towels are the height of decency in this guild...

"Ha, Flame Pants! Who is the pervert now?!" the same ice mage, who is probably Gray Fullbuster, calls out challengingly with a smug smirk stretching his lips.

"Gray! Not you, too!" the overtinted blonde moans in frustration. "You burst into my apartment just like Natsu!" What?

"What?!" a hysterical screech sounds his inward question aloud. The azure-haired mage with madness glinting in the watery eyes then pushes everyone away and pins the Celestial Wizard to the wall, threatening to throttle her. "How many times have you locked my dear Gray in your house?! What have you been doing to him?! You will never be able to make him fall for you! My darling is stronger than Natsu! It takes more than a pretty face and huge...-"

"Juvia... Can't... breath..." Lucy wheezes out as the rain girl is strangling her. Meanwhile, the Shadow Dragon Slayer just stares at everything with a blank expression, not sure how to react to his surroundings. That must be what stands for the culture shock.

"Aha! So, one man is not enough for you! You want both fire and ice! You may have seduced Natsu, but I won't let you dishonour my sweet and noble Gray!" the bluenette continues to shout in rage, each word coloring the blonde's cheeks. To say that Rogue is confused is beyond understatement. No, his mind is utterly muddled up in the web of Fairy Tail's gossips, speculations and teasing. At this point, the male is close to believing that he, or rather Salamander, and the Celestial Wizard are in a mutually sadistic kind-of-romantic relationship that resembles one between a sly cat and a rabid dog. One moment the blonde is all too concerned about her partner (or a friend, lover, comrade... however it's called) and walks in a towel, the next she drives him mad and makes his life miserable. What a mess...

"Tsk, I've been always telling ya they're doing naughty things there!" the card mage chimes in happily. "Don't buy this childish disguise! Natsu is a grown-up boy, right?" winking at him, Cana nudges Rogue and wriggles her brows playfully. Everyone here is a copy of Sting. "Right?!" It turns out that her question wasn't rhetorical. "Heey! No need to be shy!" the drinking demon continues to harass the two in a singsong voice.

"We are not shy!" finally free from the rain girl, Lucy pants out.

"Oh?!" the drunkard raises a brow as a devilish smirk tags her lips. Blinking, the blonde slowly realizes what she has said and starts to furiously shake her head.

"N-no, no, no! That's not what I mean!"

"Not what?"

"That!"

"What that?"

"I don't know! You are insinuating... things!"

"What things?"

At this point, Rogue's head is close to exploding. The Tiger doesn't even recognize his voice right away when it blares out. "Are you talking about m...- Natsu?" The mage everyone believes to be the Shadow Dragon Slayer stands next to his blonde guildmate in the doors, a curious expression dominating his facial features. The real Rogue refrains from smacking his forehead. One more face-palm, and his front will be as pink as his hair. Salamander is just the right person to complete the mess that is today...

"More like Natsu and Lucy," somebody snickers from the crowd and cackling Cana pushes the Celestial Wizard towards the Shadow Dragon Slayer. The two collide with a moan and fall down in a heap of tangled arms and legs. Scarlet eyes immediately shoot at Rogue, fury splashing in them like a sea of lava. He finds it quite unusual to see so many emotions distorting his face. They are better to be kept inside... because now he looks like an idiot, waving his hands in anger and roaring.

"Hey, you! I need to talk to you before we leave!" The Tiger cringes upon noticing an ugly toothy smirk stretching his lips. He does resemble a hybrid of Natsu and Sting... the sight that sends shivers down his spine. Salamander hovers over the vegetable salad that is tomato-red Lucy and aubergine-dark Rogue like a mad cook, glaring daggers and butcher knives at the Tiger.

"Good... I would like to have a word with you... as well..." the Shadow Dragon Slayer pants out from under the blonde. There is something I planned to do but didn't get a chance... Grumbling and cursing, the currently dark-haired fire mage nods and walks out of the guild.

"I'll be waiting outside!" he cries to him before slamming the doors. Evidently, the Fire Dragon Slayer is pissed off... Rogue has a bad feeling about the talk. His eyes secretly slide to the Celestial Wizard who is desperately trying to untwine their limbs and get up. No doubt there, her name will be the first word he hears from Dragneel. Knowing Salamander, he won't be quiet... No, the moment he opens his big mouth, all Magnolia will be aware of their talk. Another drama is the last thing the Tiger needs now. A picture of Fairy Tail gossiping about the 'love triangle' burns in his mind like chili. This image is closely followed by another one; the same rumors weaving in Sabertooth... then in Fiore... I am not letting this happen.

Without superfluous pondering, Rogue grabs the blonde's hand and, ignoring her indignant 'hey!', walks out of the guild. Dozens of prying eyes are gnawing their backs, but the male refuses to acknowledge them. Upon noticing the Celestial Mage, Salamander points an accusing finger at the two. "I meant an eye to eye talk, pal! No Lucy, get it?"

"Excuse me!" the said blonde folds arms on the chest. "If you have something to tell Natsu, you can do it while I am here. We are partners and have no secrets from each other," she concludes with a note of finality in her stern voice, leaving no place for argument. The Fire Dragon Slayer can only open and close his mouth in an impotent anger. Smirking inwardly, Rogue gives him a curt nod, confirming Lucy's words.

"Moreover, I want to talk about something concerning Lucy, so her presence is indispensable," the Tiger adds nonchalantly, causing both Fairies to look at him in surprise.

"Huh?"

"Yes." The Shadow Dragon Slayer then turns to meet Salamander's look that has lost its ferocity and holds nothing but bafflement. That must be done one way or another... And it must be done by me directly. "Rogue," it sounds strange to say his own name, but he dismisses the thought. "Do you remember what happened a few days ago in Crocus... before the dragons' invasion?"

Crimson eyes widen for a second before narrowing. "You should be the one remembering, Natsu," the fire mage drawls out. "'coz I do. So what?"

"Then, you certainly remember something you must be doing right now," the Tiger continues in a solemn tone, his fists clenched. He didn't want to do it via Natsu. It is a personal matter. Still, that's better than nothing. Both Fairies stare at him as if there is a bush blooming on his head.

"Huh?" the two wonder in unison, their eyes fluttering in puzzlement.

"Apologize," Rogue elaborates calmly, his gaze shifting to the astonished Celestial Wizard.

"Huh?" the same sound leaves their mouths once again.

"You killed her," the Tiger should be surprised at how composed he speaks. It is easy, much easier than he has expected, to reprimand himself. All of a sudden, blame tastes so sweet. He can't have enough of it. A strange surge of thrill and joy hits him as Rogue continues in an even voice. "Lucy saw herself dying from your hand, Rogue. The least you can do now is to apologize."

The two are rendered speechless as they cast quick glances at each other and then lock their dumbfounded eyes on the Shadow Dragon Slayer. Silence. Damn silence that gets on his nerves. Won't he just say 'I'm so sorry' and be done with that?

"No." Lucy is the first to come back to her senses. She shakes her head slowly, chocolate eyes watering, but she manages to hold back tears. It's Rogue's turn now to be puzzled. "It wasn't him who killed Lucy, Natsu. And it wasn't me who died. Those people came from a completely different life, a different world. Future Lucy... she was so broken... I could hardly see myself in the girl. As to Future Rogue... I remember those sly eyes and venomous smirk... and I can also recollect the same despair in his look... the same hopelessness that was in Lucy's fatigued gaze. People from that other future suffered. The pain of loss changed them. They were not us. Rogue here is not that person. And neither am I, Natsu. He must not apologize."

"Yes, he must," gulping, the Shadow Dragon Slayer retorts harshly. Whatever nonsense the Celestial Wizard was talking about, it doesn't change a thing. He was him. Future or past, it's no difference. It was him. And it was her dying. The glimpses of his future self have been haunting him in nightmares. Rogue saw him killing the blonde Fairy. He saw her bleeding out on the marble floor. He felt himself frowning at realizing that he murdered the wrong Celestial Mage. His future and present combined in his mind, allowing Rogue a glimpse into his other self's mind. It was me.

"No." Natsu's stern reply astonishes the Tiger all the more. Lucy's forgiveness he should have anticipated, but Salamander's...? "I am my present self, not some freak from the future. I haven't done anything wrong. I helped everyone to fight dragons. I don't want this hell to happen. There is nothing to apologize for," the Fire Dragon Slayer finishes determinedly, flashing the two of them a goofy Natsu-smile.

"You are modest, aren't you...?" the girl mumbles under her breath. Rogue just lets out a deep sigh. Salamander has good intentions at heart... but the Fairy has just made him sound like an impertinent self-confident jerk who doesn't even try to be grateful for being forgiven.

"Still, you...-"

The Tiger's words are lost in the sudden uproar that comes from the guild. Confused, the three enter the building to find the reason of the troubled shouts. There in the centre stand two men. Rogue narrows his eyes upon recognizing them from the Games. They are from the Magic Council. A bad feeling is crawling inside of him as he notes sombre expressions on their face.

"Lucy Heartfilia." The Dragon Slayer's heart falls upon hearing this name. He already knows what's coming. And it makes him feel not only helpless, but guilty all the more. His future self did so much more than just killed future Lucy. He ruined her present. "We are here to escort you to the Magic Council as the Chairman demands your presence," the one in the glasses announces morosely. Something resembling regret can be detected in his voice, but Rogue is too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice it. He has to act quickly... and he does.

...

"What are you doing, Natsu!?" coughing and gagging, Lucy rasps out as toxic smoke hampers her breathing. Her eyes are watering from all the fire that is licking the guild. The sudden eruption has dumbfounded everyone. But even more confusing was the Fire Dragon Slayer, who was emitting the infernal flames that engulfed the building. A few others are also gaping at him in utter shock.

"What the hell, Hot Brains?! You've ruined the guild!"

"The FORK?!"

"Are you insane, Natsu?!"

A strange grin mars her partner's lips. "Whom do you call Natsu? The weakling you call Salamander is far away from here."

Another wave of hot flames bursts out of the male's hands and washes away the last supporting pillars. The roof screeches like a wounded owl. People scream and shout.

There isn't darkness that envelope the Celestial Wizard then. No. There is blinding brightness.

A/N: late update, sorry! Well, I was traveling across the Andes for three days. Three amazing days without Internet, hot water, electricity and other privileges urban people have. How do I feel? That's such a thrilling experience! Well, my feet hurt like hell, but I am so very inspirited!

Anyway, enjoy the chapter! Thanks for all the feedback! I hope I don't disappoint you guys! This chapter isn't that funny, but it is essential for the main plot. The next one must be fun, though. I'll try to update soon)

P.S. There might be a few mistakes. Well, there are definitely some mistakes... Fine, fine! There are tons of them! Forgive me...? Pretty please...?