Hello friends! As promised, here is a new story of mine! I'm trying a new 'format' here, so what this will be is this:
It won't be an actual ongoing fic per se, but rather a loose series of drables all set in the same AU :) I think that is a fun way to create a cute story without being pressured into updating regularly or thinking of a compliacated and dramatic plot. ;) So this will stay lighthearted and fun! ^o^
I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!
tails & talons
"Thankyou so much. Have a nice day!"
"Thanks! You too! Bye!"
With a content sigh, Lucy Heartfilia sorted the coins into her little cash desk. Today was a good day. Lots of customers, and friendly ones at that. Nonetheless, her stomach demanded that she take her usual lunchtime break.
With a happy tune on her lips and slight bounce to her steps, she unbound her apron and hung it onto the little crooked hook at the backside of the door that led to her tiny preparation chamber. Once inside, she grabbed her wallet and, with a last checkup for little branches and petals, she made her way to the entrance of her little store and stepped into the sunlight.
Even lunch seemed to taste better than usual today, with spring on the way. Lucy munched on her tomato mozarella bun on a parkbench, unable to rid herself off the small smile on her face that seemed everpresent - today was the first day it had been warm enough to eat outside. Nothing lifted her spirits like the departure of winter.
As she brushed some crumbs off her skirt and was about to round the corner back into Strawberry Street, her eyes remained glued to the sign dangling in the breeze, the one that promised deliciously tempting coffee and free wifi.
The internet didn't tempt her much - though it would as soon as she received her phone bill - but the coffee, well that was a whole other thing.
Noon was dragging her down into far too relaxing dephts, and a little wake-up call would do her good if the day proofed to remain as busy as it had begun.
So she entered the little coffee house, smiling at the young woman behind the counter.
"The usual?"
"Yeah," Lucy grinned. "Oh, wait, make it two. But the second regular, and without milk."
It was one of those days again.
Days where the impossible seemed within reach.
Maybe, just maybe, the uplifting atmosphere had made it into her old aqquaintance's shop without being dimished by the smell of ink and the lack of colours - and his joy-defying disposition.
And so, Lucy walked down her beloved road with a coffee in each hand, and instead of entering her shop, she came to a halt one house earlier - where a big, black sign promised high quality tattoos and, probably, certain death, if the talons and bones were anything to go by.
With a chuckle, she entered.
"Gajeel?"
But no familiar buzz filled her ears. Maybe he was in the back, for one of those hour-long sessions. About to turn on her heels, Lucy's body suddenly chose to defy her, jumping in shock and almost scattering the hot drinks all over her white tanktop.
While Lucy silently praised the lids that kept the liquid tamed, her mind caught up to her body's actions.
The reason why it had reacted the way it had was now standing behind the counter. From beneath which he had jumped up like a madman.
A man. But not a customer?
"Gosh, you scared me senseless! Where did you even come from?"
"Aw, sorry! I was looking for that damn screw I dropped… little bastard. I'll find ya for sure! Uh- anyways! What can I do for you?"
With a sheepish grin, he rounded the counter and walked towards her. Involuntarily, Lucy assessed his appearance. She just couldn't help it.
And the first conclusion she came to was a very simple one: he was hot.
Smoking hot.
And clad in jeans and a very fitting tee with rather extravagant patterns. It suited him though, in a weird way.
With a nervous little swallow, Lucy tried to sort her thoughts.
"Oh, uh, I'm not a customer!"
"You're not?" His eyebrows lifted in curiosity. "Then what are you doing here?"
Well, he would have to work on his manners. He wasn't a secretary, that was for sure. But to think Gajeel actually had employed someone…? It almost seemed impossible.
This guy either had to be a wizard or… really good at his job.
Her eyes dropped to his exposed bicep, and the sleeve that peeked out under it, probably covering every inch of skin at least up to his shoulder.
"Would you like a coffee?"
"What?"
"Uh, I have a coffee." Ohgod, Lucy. Stop. Stop right now. Think. But her desperate pleading was ignored by her brain. What a mess she was. Get a grip. And she did, if by sheer willpower.
"It was for Gajeel, actually, but - he 's not here?"
"Ah, I see! You're a friend of his? He's in the back."
"…well, kind of friend, I guess." Lucy gave a chuckle the boy didn't seem to understand - for very justified reasons. He was not the one who had been working next door's to his boss for the last five years. "We get along. In a weird way. He's a great guy, somewhere deep down."
She probably shouldn't be telling him things like this. But she had started blabbering now - there was no taking back words. And it was the truth, after all.
Over the years, a weird friendship had formed between her - the happy go lucky flower girl - and the dark, gloomy tattoo guy.
"Just like I would've assessed, heh!"
The pink-haired man grinned as he reached out a hand to take one of the cups.
"Ah, not that one, that's mine! This one."
"You sure you wanna give me that? Isn't Gajeel expecting it?"
"Ah, he doesn't get them on a regular basis, so it's okay."
She winked at him, a quick and automatic movement. But as his tongue darted out and he licked his lips - was he doing that on purpose? was it just a coincidence? - she found she should have refrained from it.
Because his expression was doing weird things to her insides.
"Thanks, then! That's really nice!"
He brought the cup to his lips with a grateful smile in her direction.
"Wait, that's ho-!"
But he was already pouring it down his throat, showing no signs of first degree burns. He inclined his head to the side slightly as he looked back at her.
"Hm?"
"Nevermind."
Was he a dragon or something? Fire cannot kill a dragon. That was what they had said in that new show she had started watching, right?
It would be sort of fitting the shop's name, too, if he was one. Iron Dragon. Not a name she would have chosen, if she was honest, but it was just right for Gajeel Redfox.
"So, you're not a customer, you're not really a friend, so tell me: who are you, mystery girl?"
"Wha- oh! Ah, yeah! I work at the flower shop next door! Faerydae?"
"There' a flower shop next door?" An ironic grin spread across his face.
"Of course there is! Didn't you see?" She puffed her cheeks at him, her pride obviously hurt. "I run it!"
"Sweet! Fun name, though. Fairy…?"
Lucy eyed him skeptically, but his enthusiasm seemed authentic.
"It's Faerydae. It means gift from the fairies," she declared proudly. "It's fitting for a flower shop, isn't it? And - well - it sounds cool, don't you think?"
His grin turned into a full-blown laugh, that rang off the walls and filled the space between them.
"I like it! I'll have to drop by."
When her eyes widened as she stood there, apparently at a loss of clever things to say, he chuckled again, crossing his tattoed arms. All she managed in her distracted state was:
"Y-you like flowers?"
"Eh? Oh, I guess? Didn't really think about that."
Now it was too late. Her cheeks were flaming. He hadn't thought about that? So…?
"I thought - the coffee. I gotta repay you, right?"
Oh. The coffee. Of course.
With a relieved laugh, Lucy tried to calm her heart, which had went into overdrive. What was this guy doing to her? And why were his eyes twinkling so shamelessly? Who was he to make her feel these things?!
Determinedly, Lucy decided to walk out with grace as long as she could.
He was her new work-neighbour. He was nice - and maybe cute. That was all.
But he was still grinning at her - and it made her weak.
Then a door creaked at the back of the room, and her concentration was broken. Her eyes snapped to the clock on the wall.
"Oh shit!" she squeaked, and immediately cursed herself for her choice of words. Her new aqquaintance was still grinning. "I have to go back now! Customers!"
And with that, she turned.
"So will you take me up on that offer, then?"
Lucy turned back around, blinking against the rays of sunlight as the door slowly fell to a close behind her.
"Sure!"
She was proud of how casual she managed to sound.
"Cool! I'm Natsu, by the way!"
That was the last thing she heard, because then the door fell closed with a click. Inside, Natsu's face dropped as a big shadow built up behind him, and his grin was replaced with a face that tried to be apologetic, but somehow failed.
Lucy grinned involuntarily as she imagined what Gajeel would have to say at the lack of his personal coffee. Would he secretly be disappointed? She hoped so.
And she hoped his new employee wouldn't have to pay for it.
Natsu.
Nice name.
As she entered her store and the familiar smell of flowers filled her nostrils, Lucy finally allowed herself to grin and shake off some of the tension by performing a small - and not very graceful -dance.
She had been right. Today was a good day.
