My eyes were closed. My head hurt. I felt nothing but sweet warmth and comfort around me that was all too familiar but couldn't point out. Was I in my bed? I can't be at Mira's place now, can I? 

But why is it so warm and comfy?

Oh shit.

I'm in Natsu's arms, aren't I?

See for yourself, you idiot.

We're the same, oh not-so-dear conscience!

Whatever.

I slowly peeked my eyes open to confirm the fact that I can't be that comfy if I'm still at Mira's place and that I, accidentally being drunk out of my mind, passed out there.

Want to know what I saw?

I saw myself cuddling Natsu freaking Dragneel.

Great. Just great. 

I slowly stirred and managed to get my left arm move freely. I slowly poked Natsu's cheek in attempt of waking him up. He stirred, mumbled something incoherent and stopped moving.

"Natsu," I whined.

"Hm?" He hummed.

"Wake up. It's 11 in the morning!" I huffed.

"5 more minutes, babe," he replied and snuggled closer to me, hugging me tighter and also grabbing my arms to not let me move. I groaned and squirmed again but his grip got tighter. "Luce please stop moving." He half-whispered and half-groaned.

Why does he have to sound and look so sexy at the same damn time?

"Natsu come on! I need to shower and feed your hungry ass too! We reek of sweat and alcohol. Eww." I sniffed myself and gagged. I moved my head a little so that I could face him and- ahem... I was so close to his face that if I just inch a little forward-

Snap out of it Lucy Layla Heartfilia!

I took a deep breath, examining his face very closely. He had a very smooth, tanned face. His cheeks looked so soft. Something urged me to touch them but I couldn't because of the owner of this face himself had grabbed my arms so I couldn't move. When I inspected his face more closely, I saw the dark circles under his eyes. There were a few wrinkles on his forehead that clearly told me he was frustrated.

"I didn't know I was that hot, Luce. I know you're checking me out." He peeked through his right eye and then slowly opened both of them, smiling very smugly. I got uncomfortable and tried to look away. He brought his right hand up and cupped my face. 

"You look absolutely pretty today." He pinched my nose lightly.

"Eww no, I definitely don't with my bed hair and- how come you don't have morning breath?" As soon as I realized that, I covered my mouth instantly.

He chuckled and replied, "Dragons don't have morning breaths."

I gave him a look that meant 'oh really?' and he laughed again.

"I showered and brushed early in the morning." He replied. "Unlike you, I was sober enough to get you here and not annoy the hell outta the person who gives you a ride home at 4 in the morning. Besides, you're not on my route to home."

"What're you talking about? You practically live here and you rarely go back to your nest." After I managed to get rid of his very human-like grasp (sarcasm intended), I yawned and told him. "Anyways, I'll go and shower now."

"Don't you want to know what you did last night when you were drunk?" I shuddered and glared at him coldly.

"Go back to sleep, Salmonella." He rolled his eyes and the second he turned, I heard him snoring.

I definitely don't want to know because I'm damn sure it'll be embarrassing.

I sighed, "Some things never change." I yawned, snatched the first outfit my eyes landed on in my closet and headed to shower. 32 minutes later, I was in the kitchen making pancakes and bacon when I heard a knock on the front door.

"Coming!" I yelled from the kitchen. I wiped my hands and headed to the door, remembering how Natsu always checks who stands behind the door (with his special senses) and then letting them in but from the scent of that specific perfume and strawberry cakes, I instantly recognized who it is.

Our very own jelly bean.

I opened the door and we greeted in our very own casual 'hi's and 2-second hugs. I told him to come to the kitchen with me because I was making pancakes and bacon there and I definitely don't want to burn my pancakes. I don't really care about the bacon because Natsu reassures me every time that he'd burn it a little and let the ocean of hot sauce flow onto it before eating.

"Do I smell pancakes?" Jellal's hungry gaze landed on the stove and he started drooling.

"Yep. Want some?" I happily offered him.

"Why not?" He smiled, "Let me help you with these."

"Do you know how to cook?" I asked him smugly.

"Did you really think that I'll burn it like Natsu or freeze it like Gray? Lucy, I've ran a coffee shop before. I know how to cook." He took the batter from me and I focused on the stove.

"Wow. I never knew that." I mused but I was shocked too.

"You don't know a lot of things and you underestimate us. You still don't know what the guys are capable of." He said.

"So, how about you tell me what you guys are capable of?" I put a hand on the counter and leaned for support, waving the spatula in the air and signaling  him to go on. 

"Well for starters, I can be a good spy. I can cook and I also can tame the monster known as 'Titania'. Gajeel is an expert when it comes to metallic stuff. He's grumpy and cold but he has a big heart. He is a beast when it comes to cars or bikes. Want to get your car fix? Want to get it back in a really good condition? Gajeel is there. Gajeel loves guns too. Gray is quite amusing. He has a cold personality and will show that he doesn't give a fuck but he actually does. He is an expert ice skater and he has a record for making good ice and sand sculptures. Plus, he is the fastest ice consumer I've ever met. One time we had a competition on who can eat the ice fastest and he won. I was second." He smiled, relishing his memories.

"What about flame dick?" I asked.

"Natsu? Well, Natsu is the most special out of all of us. He's dense, but really talented. Sure he lacks skills in understanding some stuff but overall he is an amazing guy. He can tolerate heat and spices more than anyone can. He looks like a bastard on first sight but he'll be a real sweetheart if he considers you a friend. He is an expert driver, despite his motion sickness. See him when he races us when he's on his bike. He's a monster there. He handles his guns very well, even better than Gajeel or I can. Out of all of us, he's the best fighter. He can fight physically and mentally too. Oh, and he's really persuasive."

"You guys handle guns?" I asked him in astonishment.

"I wasn't supposed to say that, was I?" He sweat-dropped and nervously scratched the back of his head.

"What're you hiding from me Jellal?" I questioned him seriously.

"I'm being very honest Lucy and you're supposed to keep this a secret okay? I think of you as a little sister so I'm going to tell you this. We practice fighting with our fists and guns both for security purposes. We like to be strong and defend ourselves along with the ones we love. I'm 100% sure McGarden told you how I was involved with some stuff?" He took over the stove when I started pouring syrup on the pancakes. I rummaged for the hot sauce while talking to him at the same time.

"She just told me that you've been a criminal and followed the path of dark and you think you can't atone for your sins and that's why you reject poor Erza every time she tries to knock some sense into you." I peeked from the corner of my eye and surely saw Jellal flinching.

"She's too good for me. I don't deserve her and vice versa. She should find a better guy for her who is innocent and can treat her right." He sadly concluded.

"Jellal, you love her, don't you?" I put my hand on his shoulder and he nodded.

"I'm madly in love with her." He blurt out sadly yet again.

"Then what's stopping you? She doesn't care if you did some bad stuff in your past. Heck, she doesn't give a flying rat's ass' fuck about who you are. All she knows is that you've changed for the better and that you're a good person. She loves you for who you are and you'll rarely find gems like these in this world. Don't you understand? She needs you. She needs you now more than ever. You guys might had a rough childhood but look how you turned out. You are a villain  in your eyes but to her, you're a hero. I'm not supposed to tell you this but when she meets you, I feel happiness radiating from her eyes and smile. When you leave, her mood changes in a flick and she looks gloomy. I feel sadness and pain when we ever talk about you but she smiles all the way. I'm not an expert but I know when and how the person reacts to the other. I never believed in the concept of soulmates because it felt so unreal but now I do. You guys are meant for other." If this doesn't teach him a lesson then I'm banging my head against the wall.

"They say that you love what you think you deserve. It's right and wrong at the same time. I never deserved such good friends but I fell in love with all of you guys and the concept of living like this. I never did something good in the past that brought me here. Look, if Erza loves you then she deserves your love back. Don't leave her hanging. Don't break her heart anymore." I said again.

"Go to her. Tell her what you truly feel and this time don't make up any stupid scenario and 'I have a fiancee' was not a good excuse and even she knew that you faked it." He shuddered and blushed. I internally squealed and smirked in victory, doing a mini dance in my head.

"Before that I need an energy boost." He looked at the pancakes and I nodded, taking a container out.

"Take this with you to her apartment. I'm sure she'll love it." I packed the pancakes for her, pouring some strawberry syrup in the ones that Jellal made.

"Right now? B-b-

"Yes, right now. So, take this and get out." I pushed him in the lounge and he abruptly stopped.

"How will I do this?" He nervously asked me.

"Act natural. Take deep breaths and do what you do best." I messed up his hair a little.

"Now you'll impress her further. She likes your hair messy." I winked. He suddenly hugged me tight. I gasped but then I melted in his embrace and hugged him back.

He's just like a brother I never had.

"Wish me luck." He broke the hug and held me by my arms.

"Best of luck." I grinned.

"Thank you Lucy." He grinned too.

"Anytime. Now after you're done meeting her, do let me know the situation. Now go! Get your girl!" I pushed him to the front door yet again.

"Alright! See ya!" He ran outside as soon as I opened the door. I sighed and closed it, leaning on the door and sliding down to sit on the floor. I let out a deep breath and held my face tightly, wiping sweat off of my face. I heard someone walking towards my direction and sit beside me.

"So he finally decided to man up and confess everything to her, huh?" Natsu rested his head against the door like me and spoke.

"Yeah." I replied, resting my head against his shoulder. 

Why is he so warm and comfortable?

"You really are something else, Luce." He suddenly kissed my forehead and side hugged me, placing his head on top of mine and holding my hand too. Me being me, melted into his embrace and let his warmth envelope mine.

"Luce?" He asked me.

"Hm?" I closed my eyes and hummed.

"If, for example, I were to fall in love with a really beautiful girl and I was whipped for her and I wanted to confess my love for her, what would you advice me to do?"