Laxus didn’t know what he was thinking letting Blondie tag along. This job was almost too easy for him; he didn’t need her at all. Maybe it was her damn persistence? Or maybe it was that fire in her eyes? Ugh. Why was he even thinking about that?
He held the paper in his hand, rereading it. He really didn’t need Blondie; the paper said that the presence of a Celestial Wizard was requested. Not absolutely necessary, but in a way, he needed her. Damn. He hated relying on other people.
He snorted, stuffing the paper back in his pocket. Mira was right. This would be a perfect job for Blondie to take on her own. Still the money was good, and the place they were going had something he wanted. Something that he had been searching for, but he couldn’t let Blondie know, of course, he’d just use her to get it faster.
The sun began to rise over the rooftops, lighting the streets of Magnolia. Laxus raised a hand, shielding his eyes. He snorted to himself, looked like Blondie was a no show. How typical. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he turned to the forest.
“Hey!” a voice yelled, “wait a minute!”
Laxus glanced over his shoulder. There she was, Blondie, running as fast as she could towards him. She looked as if she were running for her life, with her blonde hair sticking to her forehead, her face was as red as a tomato, and she seemed flustered.
“You’re late,” he stated, as she approached.
“”You’re—still—here,” she panted, putting her hands on her knees in attempt to catch her breath.
“Not for long,” he turned on his heel, heading back to the forest.
”What?! You’re—just going to—leave me here?!” she yelled.
Laxus didn’t reply, he continued walking. Jeez. She talked a lot, and smelled like ash.
“Wait a second!” she yelled. The noise of crunching leaves and twigs snapping followed her voice, “don’t forget that this is my job!”
“How could this possibly be your job?” You don’t even know where we’re going,” he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. People like her were the reason he took jobs alone.
“If you gave me the damned paper, maybe I would!”
“You couldn’t even show up on time! Why would I trust you with the paper?!”
“It wasn’t my fault, Natsu wouldn’t—“ Lucy stopped and she grew silent, “fine,” she said after a moment, “keep your secrets, but you’ll have to tell me eventually.”
“Tch.”
* * *
Lucy didn’t know how long the two of them were walking; the forest had grown so thick that the sun wasn’t even visible anymore. This was pissing her off, how could he just steal her job, give her no other option but to follow him, and then not give her the details? What an ass.
Ugh. He made her so angry The way he acted like he owned the place, his insults, and especially the way he carelessly threw Natsu in her face.
Lucy massaged her temples, she was still angry with Natsu, too. Particularly after this morning, he just couldn’t get it through that thick skull of his that she needed time to sort out her thoughts. She stole a glance at Laxus’ back. That’s why she was late.
Her morning was going fine. She had woken up hours before she was to depart to the forest. She had been able to write a little bit, and take a nice, long, hot shower. That was all before Natsu showed up. He came in through her window, again. He had insisted on making her breakfast after she had gotten over her shock. Well, he hadn’t exactly asked her, he just did it.
