I let out a deep breath as I hopped off the train in Magnolia Station. "Sure is good to be back huh, Natsu?" I said, turning around to face him.
His face was as white as a sheet when he barely whispered, "G-give me a second," and flopped out of the train onto the platform.
"Honestly, Natsu, I keep telling you, you gotta get over this motion sickness!" Happy fluttered to the ground next to his friend.
"It's kinda lame, too, Natsu," I agree, "Don't you want to see how the guild's doing? WE've been gone for longer than usual..."
Natsu hopped back on his feet, apparently cured, "It's not my fault it took so long!" Natsu exclaimed, "I'm not the one who refused to work in the middle of the day!" He swished his finger accusingly between me and Happy.
I opened my mouth to argue, but he stopped me before I could say anything, "Lucy. Don't try denying it, you stayed inside Horologium when it got too hot out. But, that doesn't matter, I just wanna get back to Fairy Tail," and with that, we were off.
Along the way, we passed the Magnolia Book Store. "Hold up, Natsu, I want to see if they have the newest edition of 'Sorcerer Weekly.'"
He mumbled something about wanting to get back to the guild, but plopped down on a chair looking disgruntled. I rolled my eyes, but didn't say anything, besides, it would only take a couple of seconds.
I entered the run-down looking shop and went straight to where they kept 'Sorcerer Weekly,' It's odd, I think to myself, I've been here thousands of times, but I only go to where 'Sorcerer Weekly' is. I make a mental note to look around next time. I quite shuffling, I've seen all these magazines before. I let out a breath. I've never missed an issue since my fourteenth birthday. i hang my head and walk morbidly away form the store.
Once outside, Natsu and Happy's heads shoot up. "Jeeze, Lucy, it took you forreeever!" Happy complains.
"Shut up, cat!" I retort, with more malice than I had originally intended. I look over at Happy to see if I should apologize, but he's distractedly talking to Natsu. That cat sure gets over things quickly, I think to myself.
Natsu stops their discussion and looks at me. I can feel myself blush, so I look away. "Hey, Lucy, didn't you want a magazine or something?"
"Yeah, but it was sold out."
"Oh, okay."
"It's okay."
Okay. This conversation's getting a little too awkward, I think. As I'm about to suggest we head back to the guild, Natsu smiles at me, "I bet Mira will let you borrow her copy!"
Relived of the awkwardness, I reply, "Yeah! I'll ask as soon as we get there!" and once again, we started our trek back to Fairy Tail. Along the way, Natsu and I joke, mainly about me packing lighter than Erza, and then, we were home. The guild hall looked as normal as ever. I sighed with relief. Ever since Phantom Lord attacked the hall, I was always worried we'd come back to destruction.
Natsu burst through the doors of Fairy Tail, "We're back!" he exclaimed and all heads turned our way.
"Hey, pyro! I heard you took care of a sissy job on a farm!" said Gray, to which Natsu responded, "It was Lucy's turn to pick a job!" and the two began fighting. Thus, Fairy Tail returned to normal.
I walked up to the bar, where Mira, Levy, and Cana were all talking. "What's up?" I ask, sitting besides Levy, who immediately turned towards me and gave me a hug.
"Oh Lucy! We were just wondering when you'd be back," Mira explained, drying a glass.
Cana nodded, "Yeah, we we're getting worried for you. You were gone longer than usual," she said between gulps.
"Well, that's my fault. It was way too hot to work, so, I kinda sat in the shade while Natsu worked..." I responded, blushing at how lazy that sounded.
The girls giggled. "What? What's funny?" I ask.
"Oh, Lucy," Mira says, "You're lucky. Natsu's changed a lot since you joined teh guild. Typically, he'd only choose jobs that included fighting, and he refused to team up with anyone."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Cana agrees, "you bring out the best in him."
I blush and the girls giggle. "What's so funny?" asks Natsu, walking towards the bar.
"Oh, nothing," Levy says, "Well, anyways, I gotta run."
"Me too," Cana says, turns, and leaves.
Mira laughs, winks at me and walks away. It's just me and Natsu now. I gulp and turn to face him, "Uh, hey, Natsu," I say. I wish one of the girls would've stayed with me...
Natsu chuckled and handed me money. "What's this for?" I ask, startled.
"We both took the job, right? It's your share!"
"Oh, Natsu, I didn't help at all, you keep it!"
He smiles but doesn't take back the money, "Lucy, your rent's due. Keep it."
I look at him, "You, uh, sure?"
He nods, "Listen, I gotta go, but I'll see you tomorrow." He turns on his heels and waves goodbye.
I blush. Jeeze, I need to stop doing this, it's just Natsu! I shake my head. I ought to get back to my apartment, too. I summon Plue, and together we walk back home.
I tell Plue about what the girls said in the guild. He listens, faithfully nodding at all the right parts. When we get to the canal, I walk along the edge, and right on cue, "Hey Lucy! Be careful, or you'll fall in!"
I giggle in response and hop down, and dead in to my apartment. It's crazy, I've been in Magnolia for less than a year, and I feel so comfortable with the town already!
I gather my stuff for a nice, relaxing bath, but when I pull back the shower curtain, I see none other than Natsu sitting in the tub. "What now?" I say, completely expecting this. "I forgot to tell you at the guild," Natsu begins, "While we were fighting, Gray told me that they opened up the new Magnolia Ice Arena, and the whole guild's invited to go skating tomorrow night!"
I can feel my eye twitch. "And you couldn't wait to tell me tomorrow, why?" I ask, my voice strained.
For once, Natsu seems at loss for words. "I...uh...um..well, you see-" he stammers.
"He liiiikes you, Lucy!" Happy says, flying through the window. I blush, not looking at Natsu.
"Happy!" Natsu exclaims angrily. Happy laughs and flies away. Natsu curses under his breath. "Uh. See you later, Lucy!" Natsu tries to smile at me, and jumps out of the window, chasing Happy. I watch them disappear before getting in the shower.
All night, I couldn't shake what Mira and Cana said. Natsu's changed since he met me? I bring out the best in him? And best of all, what Happy said, Natsu likes me? I don't know why, but I can't keep from smiling.
I go to bed thinking about tomorrow. I can't wait to see Natsu again!
* * * *
A/N Hey guys! How'd you like it? I got this idea the other day, and I just couldn't wait to put it down! Hope you enjoyed, I'll try updating again soon!
