Her rubber yellow boots pattered against the puddles on the sidewalk as the corners of Lucy Heartfilia's lips quirked feeling a little childish, she loved the rain and the chances to write when the weather was just right for her. Lucy always sat by the window with a cup of chamomile tea and her laptop while she appreciated the sounds mother nature gave her to be calm after a stressful day.

But before she could go home Lucy visited a local diner she loved as a child. She specifically loved the way it made her feel welcomed and the owners and workers were like family even though they were not blood-related. They always encouraged her in her work to be an inspiring writer.

Lucy crossed the street keeping a tight grip on her bag watching out for vehicles, she could really hear the rainwater splash against her rubber boots now.

Once she reached the sidewalk again she let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness."

Lucy lifted her head to see the familiar dimly lit sign above her. 'Strauss House'.

It proudly stood out from the other retro buildings next to it, and Lucy liked it that way. No other diner could stand out like this one did.

Her hand reached for the door pulling it open hearing a merry jingle that went off when a customer opened it.

"Lucy! Did your class go okay?" A woman with flowing white hair greeted Lucy with an ecstatic loud call out across the diner. She had her bangs down today, Lucy thought she looked pretty that way as she did admire her - Her name was Mirajane.

Lucy smiled. "I was a nervous wreck at first, but I remembered the prep talk you gave me yesterday." She chuckled lightly. She was happy there weren't any customers at the diner in the evening so she could talk to Mirajane and her family without worrying of the rush-hour. The Strauss House is quite popular during the day.

"I was hoping that would give you some confidence. But you have plenty of it already" Mirajane was refilling the napkin dispenser, from the looks of it Mirajane had already cleaned the bar spotless. Lucy sat down pulling the wet raincoat off her shoulders setting it on the seat beside her.

Lucy reached for a menu as her eyes scanned it. "Can I have a cup of coffee and your special for Thursday?" She looked up at Mira, but her eyes focused on the kitchen window seeing a glance of pink hair. The pink haired person disappeared before Lucy could get a good look...Did they hire a new chef?

Mirajane nodded. "I'll get that put in for you Lucy" She didn't have to write it down, she just called out into the kitchen since they weren't that busy. "One Thursday special!"

"Gotcha!" A man's voice echoed from the kitchen, Lucy was now determined the Strauss family hired a new cook. She had never heard that voice before.

The curiosity got the better of Lucy Heartfilia as she tried to lean to the side to see the pink haired man working in the kitchen.

Mirajane placed a cup of coffee in front of Lucy noticing her quickly and she giggled. "We hired a new chef to help out around the diner, he's pretty good."

Lucy suddenly felt heat rush to her cheeks and raised the coffee to her lips. "I-I thought that, he didn't sound like Elfman."

Mirajane agreed with her, Elfman was muscular and had a pretty gruff tone. But he was a nice guy all around.

Her phone rang, as Mirajane took the phone out of her pocket answering it. "Hello? Lisanna?"

Lucy listened a little, it felt odd to listen to other people's conversations but she was worried by the tone of Mirajane's voice.

"I see… I'll come around the curve, tell Elfman to stay home he has to save his money on gas"

Mirajane listened for a couple of seconds, then saying she loved you too to Lisanna, hanging up. "Lisanna's car broke down. I have to pick her up and bring her home".

Lucy looked worried too. "Should I stay here to look after or-?"

Mirajane shook her head. "No, you should get home too after a few hours, Natsu can assist you and close the place for the night."

Natsu was the pink-haired man's name.

Lucy eased up a little. "Okay, Be safe."

"Will do- Make sure to keep up your confidence." Mirajane waved picking up her coat and keys leaving the diner. Lucy was now alone.

The famous pink-haired man rounded the corner holding a plate of what Lucy ordered and to Lucy, he was brave. It was crazy to wear a tank top in this kind of cold weather but Natsu did it. But when she thought about it, it might have been because of the heat in the kitchen. He looked muscular, his hair was spiked and tied back by a white fabric. Lucy thought it looked like a scarf.

"One special for the last customer of the day." The man showed a toothy grin placing the plate down in front of Lucy.

"Th-Thank you" Lucy said nervously, she couldn't help it. She felt embarrassed she was so determined to find out who this man was only to be alone with him now.

She looked down at the plate and it was...Amazingly well done. Lucy's eyes gleamed with eagerness to try out the dish Natsu brought out. It far surpassed what a diner's chef could cook.

"Go ahead, it won't bite," Natsu said to Lucy. The dish was Chicken Pasta, with a side of tomato bisque she liked.

Lucy brought the fork to her mouth, and Natsu could tell she enjoyed it as he still held his grin. She quickly went in for another bite as the man went back into the kitchen and gave her some privacy to enjoy her meal. After she finished, she wiped her lips with a napkin as Natsu rounded the corner again to collect the dirty plate.

"Looks like you enjoyed it." Natsu stated.

"How can you do that? It was amazing… It reminded me of home a little." Lucy was relaxed.

"I work here and there. My experience comes from being all over and coming from restaurant from restaurant."

"You didn't like them?"

"Yeah…" Natsu rubbed the back of his neck. "It's something like that."

Lucy could tell he was a little nervous from that question. She wanted to talk to him and not make him uncomfortable so she thought as many conversation starters as she could.


That's it for this chapter, This is an AU based off the movie wolf children with Nalu. I hope you enjoyed it!