Being a Chang

Chapter Eight

There was a lot that I did not wish to really unpack concerning what had just happened with Laxus that I ended up shaking it off, as best as I could anyway, and headed further into the house knowing a hot bubble bath would do wonders right now.

Though in truth a part of me could not help but freak out, and have a fangirl moment, considering Laxus Dreyar had been one of my favorite male characters before.

My lips still tingled even now while the taste of ozone and Italian espresso lingered in my mouth, and I just knew it would be a taste I would not forget.

Mavis above, this was not going to go down well...

"Don't you just look properly ravished," teased Leviathan as he appeared beside me making me send him a droll look in return. "Do try to see the good bits of this. Laxus Dreyar is a powerful mage, a Dragon Slayer even, which means he can easily protect you."

Leviathan had been harping on pairing me with Laxus from the very start.

So of course, he was happy about this turn of events.

"I don't need protection," I stated with a slight look of warning making him hold his hands up before shifting into his snake form and moving to wrap around my shoulders. "Right now, it wouldn't even be a good time considering the instability of his actions and mind because of the dragon lacrima in his head."

How anyone thought that was a promising idea I would never know.

But that was the least of my concerns since I knew here soon, after the Everlue arc, things would begin to move quickly.

What with the Eisenwald flute incident leading to the stolen S-class job on Galuna Island.

Between those two things was the Phantom Lord show down.

Which meant Gajeel Redfox.

"You look distracted," mused Natsu causing me to jerk back before snapping my head towards where my kitchen was, leave it to Natsu to scare the shit out of me in my own house. "You alright?"

"It's been a weird day," I answered honestly before reaching out to flick his nose. "Though just why exactly are you breaking into my house now for?"

"Lucy and I just finished a job dealing with some book," answered Natsu with a slight huff as he turned back to the plate of food that he had made for himself. "It was super weird one, the clients name sounded yummy though."

"Right," I drawled out slowly trying to fight back a laugh considering how he would take it as me making fun of him, when in truth I just found him too adorable at times. "I'm glad the job went well, please tell me you didn't end up destroying everything around you?"

"He'd be lying if he did," teased Happy appearing from the kitchen and clutching a fish in his paws while sending a grin toward Natsu. "But at least it wasn't all his fault, Everlue did a lot of the mess himself from using his mole magic."

Right...

I had forgotten that horrid man had two types of magic that he could use.

"Anyway," cut in Natsu with another huff as Happy went to settle in the living room area with us a step behind since Natsu was here to stay. "We ran into that idiot Gray on the way back to the guild before running into some trouble from a set of idiots that tried to eat Happy of all things."

How they had thought the cat would taste good, I did not want to know.

"Long story short," finished Happy with a light purr when I reached out to scratch behind his ear much to his enjoyment. "Those guys mentioned some flute and Eisenwald, which ties in because once we got to the guild, Erza showed up. She wants us to join her on dealing with Eisenwald since Master Makarov is out meeting with the other Guild Masters."

Sometime since I had arrived at the house Leviathan had left back for the Celestial World. Which was not too surprising considering he did only step out to talk for a bit before going back.

Mainly because if he did not either Lucifer or Mammon would drag him back.

Neither liked him bugging me for too long during my down time.

"What does that have to do with you two crashing at my place?" I asked with a light roll of my eyes while Natsu splayed out on my couch after setting his plate onto the coffee table.

He knew better than to make a huge mess in my house.

That had been something he had learned the hard way when he had made a large mess in my kitchen and tried to leave it like that. Something I got onto him quick about. Now it was just habit for him to be careful and watch what he was doing.

Something I knew even Lucy would be grateful for.

"Because she wanted you to join us as well," answered Natsu simply while turning his head toward me before giving me a beaming heartwarming smile. "You know it won't be the same if you aren't there!"

Now came the hard part.

I had not known if I wanted to be a part of the famous Team Natsu or if I should stay as a solo mage. Mainly considering I found it fun to take jobs with others in the guild or solo.

This was the moment that really began it all for their team, and I did not think that involved me.

"I already have plans," I said with a slight grimace as his face fell and went blank, should have known he would not take that well since I was his best friend. "That doesn't mean I won't go on other jobs with you in the future Natsu, I just like being a solo mage and something tells me that with you teaming up with Erza, and likely Lucy and Gray, it's going to be something special."

"Fine," sighed out Natsu as he slouched forward before getting slowly to his feet making me feel like I kicked a puppy. "But you can't take it back now that you've agreed to go on the next job I take."

That should be fine, I think.

"Agreed," I promised while moving forward to pull Natsu into a tight hug with my arms around his waist, I was shorter than him by a good bit, as his own wrapped tightly around me. "Be safe and don't do anything stupid."

"I'll try," laughed Natsu before he was moving back toward my front door with Happy flying beside him while giving me a backward wave. "See ya later Lev!"