Sweetheart

88

Projection room?

Aina looked across the library table and raised an eyebrow at Natsu.

"Why couldn't you have just asked me that instead of texting?"

Natsu gave a discrete nod towards a couple of students as they stared at the table. Aina looked back at them, and they quickly looked away.

"What's that about?"

"Probably wondering why I've been sitting with you all year," Natsu said as he shrugged. "I mean, we're kinda suspicious."

"You don't think they know, do you?" Was her nervous question.

"Nah. All they see is you forcing me to do homework."

Aina took one final look at the table before standing up and signing out, walking out of the library and down the hall. She reached the projection room, and about ten minutes later Natsu joined. He softly closed the door and grabbed one of the stools, placing it by the control panel and starting to flip switches.

"You know that Levy hates whoever does this, right?"

"Think of it as adding a little spice to an otherwise boring event."

"It's not boring," Aina defended. "Last week they argued about crude oil versus other sources for energy and..."

She trailed off once she saw Natsu's unimpressed expression. A small huff left her as she grabbed a stool of her own and sat by the door. Natsu looked over his shoulder to see that Aina was on her phone, so he snuck over to her and lowered it into her lap.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're acting really anomalous today."

"Too big, sweetheart."

Aina hopped off her stool and stepped closer to him, eventually leaning into him and turning her head up to see his.

"You seem less stressed today," she observed.

"Uh yeah. Guess I just needed some sleep."

Aina smiled and wrapped her arms loosely around him.

"My mom is making spicy mac and cheese tonight."

"Is this my invite?" Natsu laughed.

"I'm pretty sure she'd be fine with it," she teased back.

-------

Natsu tossed his backpack over in the corner by the front door and followed Aina into the kitchen where banging pots could be heard.

"Hi mom," she chippered.

"Oh so I see Natsu is up to the challenge of my spicy mac and cheese?" Kelia cockily spoke.

The three of them did their usual kitchen duties, Natsu setting the table and Aina and Kelia finishing up the cooking. Kelia grabbed the pan once it was done cooking and shuffled out into the dining room before setting it in the middle of the table.

"Dig in!"

As soon as Natsu took a bite, he started coughing. Aina giggled as she started eating her portion, and Kelia had a devilish glint in her eyes.

"I, uh," Natsu stumbled as he continued to choke, "I guess that is spicy."

"It's my super secret recipe!"

"Yeah," Aina drawled, "two bottles of hot sauce."

"You put two whole bottles in here?" Natsu asked, completely bewildered.