Angel Rose

Chapter 17

"I'm home!" I called as Tigerlily and I walked into the house from our latest job. "Gajeel, Lily, Levy; anybody home?" Don't be at the guild. I had successfully managed to be in the guild twenty minutes at a time for the past two months to get jobs or set up time to hang out with my friends and avoid Laxus.

"Mama, there's a note on the fridge." Tigerlily called from the kitchen. Must have gone looking for kiwi. In the past two months, Tigerlily had also learned to speak fairly well. We were still working on her reading and writing skills. I dropped my pack on the couch and followed Tiger into the kitchen, where I found her sat on the counter, chowing down on a kiwi. 'Angel, didn't know what time you'd get back. Went to the guild for the day. If you're up to it, you can join us.' Well, hell. Guess I can't avoid him forever.

"Tiger, what do you say we go to the guild today?" I asked.

"Yeah!"

"Great. Let's go."

"Angel! Fight me!" Natsu yelled, jumping at me, fist aflame, as soon as I stepped into the guild hall.

"Not right now." I deflected his punch and watched as he sailed into the door.

"Aw, come on. You always say that." Natsu whined.

"Lily!" With her cheer, Tiger flew off to the table where Lily was sitting with Gajeel and Levy.

"Tomorrow. I'm taking a couple days off."

"Finally gonna buy a house?" Natsu switched gears, walking alongside me to the bar.

"Yep. But you're not allowed over until I get Freed to set up some runes. I don't want to buy it and have it destroyed in the same day."

"Fair enough. So, you'll fight me tomorrow?" And just like that, Natsu was back to being hyper.

"Yes. Now go bug Gray or something." I watched with a smile as Natsu ran off to fight with Gray.

"Angel, it's nice to see you again. We just got in a new stock of pineapple."

"Really?!" My excitement was palpable as I felt lightning flicker through my eyes.

"You wanna shake?" Mira offered.

"Yes, please, Mira. Your pineapple shakes are the best."

"I'll be right back with it. Oh, I picked this up for you today when I was in the market. The stall owner said it was a new batch." Looking down at the pastry in front of me, I began to inspect it. It smelled like honey and looked soft. A quick poke proved it was, and that it was slightly sticky. I licked my finger and moaned at the mix of sweet honey and tart lemon. If just a taste is that good, then I have to eat this. I picked up the pasty with one hand, and bit into it, savoring the flavor. It's almost like they put a lemon square inside a honey bun. It's amazing. I scarfed down the rest of the sweet before Mira even made it back with my shake.

"Was it that good?" She asked with a chuckle.

"It was fucking amazing. That was what dreams are made of. Mira you have to get the recipe." I pleaded.

"Good. Now maybe we can talk about Lax-"

"No, Mira. I'm not ready yet."

"Fine. But we will talk about it eventually."

"I know. How was everyone while we were gone on our last mission?"

"Lucy went with Wendy and Erza on a job. Max and Laki went on a date. And Gildarts is in town for a few days."