Hot and Cold

413 and Mt. Hakobe

~*****~

Winter had finally arrived, and with the house being so warm, it felt great to finally get outside to remove the brush and overgrown trees lining the walls of Natsu's house. "Miss, I got another thorn in my paw," Ballad whined from above me.

"You didn't have to help me, you know," I retort as I rip a vine lining the upper window. "You could've slept in."

Ballad picks at the thorn in her paw. "I didn't wanna laze about and Natsu and Happy are out doing a job in town. There was nothing else to do."

I snort and pluck it from her paw then quickly covering my ears as she lets out an anguished wail. "Aria, may I have a moment of your time?" I rub at my ears and lean my head over, peering down the wall.

"Oh, Juvia! How the heck did you find this place?" I ask curiously.

Juvia scratched at her neck impishly. "I may have memorized where my rivals live." Juvia murmured.

I laugh heartily. "Rivals? I'm honored!" I slide down the wall and grimace at the claw marks. "What can I do for ya?"

Juvia fidgets with her fingers. "What kind of gift would you give a guy?"

I rub at my head and hum thoughtfully. "I know Natsu would like more food," I retort. "But a gift that I'd give would be something physical."

"Physical?" Juvia chirped, her head tilting.

"Y'know," I mention, my brows wiggling. "I might make a coupon book for fun time activities!"

Juvia flushes darkly. "Oh-- Oh my!" She squeals.

"I think she's gone off to Gray-Land again," Ballad mentions as she starts squealing to herself and muttering wildly.

I scratch at my head again. "Why not just make him something by hand?" I ask. "Like a cake? Or some food? I mean, he's not as wild about food like some men I know, but he'd sure appreciate something made with love."

Juvia gasps and beams wildly. "My goodness, you're right!" She chirps. "I'll go right now and make him a cake!"

She runs off and I tilt my head curiously. "Was there some special occasion or something?" I ask Ballad.

She shrugs. "You got me." She sighs.

I sigh lightly. "Well, let's get back to work. Watch those thorns, my ears are throbbing." I warn as I climb back up the wall. "Man, it's hot." I grumble.

Ballad laughed. "It's freezing higher up! D'you wanna change spots?"

I beam brightly. "Hey, what are you guys up to?" Natsu's voice rings out. I peer down the pathway to the house.

"Cleaning the brush," I retort. "Hey, wait--" I shout as he starts running full speed at the house, lips spurting fire with each step. "DO NOT BURN EVERYTHING! THE HOUSE IS FLAMMABLE!"

"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" Natsu suddenly bellows, destroying all the brush on the house and leaving scorch marks everywhere.

~*****~

I perk up as Natsu approaches me in the guild hall with a mission poster. "Where to today?" I ask curiously.

"Your favorite! Mt. Hakobe!" Natsu cheers. "C'mon! Let's get goin'!"

I laugh cheerfully. "You got it!"

Lucy sighs. "It's so cute to see you guys act like an average everyday couple,"

I stare at her for a moment before turning my gaze onto Natsu. "Wanna fist fight before we leave?"

"Hell yeah!" Natsu roars.