Ore no Kazoku Chapter 1: Support System, a fairy tail fanfic

Ore no Kazoku = my family (as generally spoken by a man)

Rating might go up. For now, let's keep it at T-rating.

i. Support System

"That fucking bastard left, didn't he?"

Slamming open the door loudly, I entered the dimly-lit apartment. The steady pitter-pattering outside was like a sombre soundtrack to the equally heartbreaking scene inside.

In the middle of the living room, there she sat — a frail figure in a fetal position. Her knees were pressed to the chest. The shoulders are visibly shaking. And even if the head is blanketed by a mass of dishevelled hair, I could just tell the silent wailing and volume-less sobbing.

My booming voice filled the whole apartment. Never mind if the neighbours can hear me.

The owner of the apartment didn't stir. I'm sure she knew the identity of her uninvited guest the moment I came in. Instead, she let out a forlorn-sounding sob. It was as if my presence was the very trigger for her to cry out.

"I will beat the shit outta him and wipe that smug off his face. I swear to the fuckin' gods, I will make that bastard regret the day he stepped outta this apartment."

The sentiment was well-appreciated, I hope, but it's not helping at all. Heaving a sigh, the crying girl straightened up from her sitting position. She gazed up at me. I could only hope that my presence also brings a sudden comfort to her aching insides. She brushed the strands sticking to her tear-stained cheeks, and then smiled at me.

But that smile didn't reach her eyes. I'll take it nonetheless.

I knelt in front of her. And using the back of my hand, I wiped the tears welling in her eyes. The liquid dripping from her nose was brushed away with my thumb. She scrunched her nose probably from my calloused skin. But then she chuckled, and I could tell she was grateful.

Boldly, since we're not exactly the closest friends, she rested her head on my chest. Her scent, like always, was intoxicating. I hitched a breath, and here's hoping there wouldn't be any straining down there.

"Juvia will be okay soon, Natsu. It'll be fine, although it will take time."

"I'll hunt him down for you, Juv," I snaked my right hand around her, patting the back of her head. This is probably the most intimate I've ever been to her. Technically, we're friends because of our friends; there's a second-degree of separation, it seems. We're really not as close to each other; we rarely hang out together alone. Yet, there's this sudden protectiveness for her that's developing in me.

Partly, it has something to do with the fact it's my best friend who left her this way. Well, I don't think I'll be considering that bastard a 'best friend' after what he did...

"Come on. Let's go out and drink this sorrow away," I suggested, encouraging her to step out of this dreary place. I hate to take a page out of Cana's (our common friend) manual for living — which is drink, drink, and drink — but consuming alcohol can somehow do the trick, even though the effect is just temporary.

Juvia pulled away from me. She giggled and that made me confused. She patted my cheek, and dear lord I wish I ain't blushing!

What followed was a piece of news that stopped my heart from beating. She beamed brightly, eyes sparkling, and her cheeks tinged with such rosy shade that it rivalled my hair colour.

"No can do, Natsu. Can't drink even a drop of liquor," she winked at me. Juvia took my right hand then placed it on her flat stomach. "Juvia's pregnant."

###

"I'm going to ask her to move in with me."

This bold statement took my friends by surprise. I gave them a smug grin, since I predicted the exact reaction prior to this meet-up.

"You're kidding, right?"

I rolled my eyes at the golden-haired beauty I refer to as my best gal-pal. She repeated the question to me, as if I'm such a fuckin' idiot. I heard you the first time, thank you very much!

"What do I gain from making such a joke? Did it make you guys laugh at all?" I asked with such an incredulous tone that it seemed I was talking to people who can't understand simple sentences! "No, right? I don't see anyone laughing here, especially not me." Wow, I'm on a roll with sarcasm today. I'm lovin' it~ (yes, to the tune of the now-defunct McD's jingle!)

"You've gotta be out of your mind, Nats," Lucy once again said this with such an exaggerated timbre.

"Why? I'd offer the same thing if it happens to you," I pointed out nonchalantly, and then my eyes travelled to the girl beside her. Since were sitting at an outside cafe bistro, the sun was shining down on us, particularly on this girl with a head full of bloody red hair. It made it seem as if she's raging mad. "I'd do it for you too, Erz," I claimed, albeit my voice going on a lower volume.

Suffice to say, I'm friggin' scared of her!

Erza remained speechless, but perhaps she's only devising in her head for ways to punish me — whether deservingly so or not. I shrugged internally. I don't think I did anything wrong though.

"Look, Juv lives on the fifth floor without an elevator. By the time she reaches her fourth month, she'd be having a hard time climbing those stairs," I started outlining the reasons for my sudden decision. "She lives the farthest from any of us. Her very best bud, one she truly relies on, lives in another city. Who else will she turn to in times of need? I highly doubt you can offer your studio apartment. You've no room for her, Luce." I grabbed the iced coffee in front of me and took a huge sip. My throat got so dry from all these talking... and I'm not even finished with what I had to say.

"And you, Erz, I don't think it's wise for you to offer your house. You and Jellal just got married, and the last thing you need is to take care of a pregnant lady," I gave Erza an almost-challenging look. Almost. God knows what she'd do to me if she deems I'm being disrespectful towards her.

Both Erza and Lucy glanced at each other. I get that they have this amazing eye-to-eye communication. They weren't saying a single word, but it seemed understanding dawned on them. Yet, I was still unfinished with my speech.

"I've a big house with just me and Happy," I folded my arms as I leaned back on my seat. "I can spare a room or two, ya know!"

And that, my friends, concluded my less-than-appealing monologue. Here's hoping it's convincing enough.

"I see your point," was the first words Erza let out.

"Right? I'm right, right?"

Erza sighed out loud, mimicking my position with her arms crossed. "I just can't believe you can come up with such a solid decision."

Was that a light-hearted insult or a shitty compliment? Knowing it's the Titania, I'd say both.

She grabbed my own glass of iced coffee (as she already finished hers) and drunk it without even getting my permission. I tried to protest and make a face, but I'd risk being badly beaten. Dear lord, how can Jellal live with this woman 24/7?

Looking at her watch, she gave a slight nod to me, as if indicating that this discussion is over. This woman is always acting as if she's still in her office, in front of her lowly subordinates. I internally rolled my eyes nonstop. "Well, it's time for me to go. Jellal will be home soon and I need to prepare dinner," she announced as she stood up.

"And the bully becomes such a puppy to her hubby," I mumbled under a breath. She gave me an instant glare, making this oh-so-brave-man cower a bit.

"I will see you tomorrow, Lucy. Make sure that you submit those proposals first thing in the morning." With that, the great Titania turned and left.

Once she was out of earshot — and I made sure some good ten minutes had spanned — I gave Lucy a pitiful look. She is a junior editor at a major publishing company. And well, her direct superior is none other than the prettiest bully in the form of Erza Scarlet.

"Wow, tough luck, eh, buddy."

Lucy gave me a harmless kick. "I love my job; and even if Erz is a strict boss, she's amazing to work with."

"Pfft, you're just trying to suck up. Well guess what, blondie, reddy-bully isn't here anymore." Yes, I can only call Erza names when she's not around. Sue me for being a coward!

Lucy shook her head, as if giving up on me. "Nats, you're changing the subject here. While the points you presented to us make excellent sense, there's something you're forgetting."

"And that is?"

Sighing out loud, Lucy patted my left arm as a sympathetic gesture. I'm not sure where she's bringing this discussion to, but I feel like I'm not gonna like it.

"You've another reason why you're doing all this for Juvia," she stated in a clear, calm voice. I raised a brow in question. Mentally, I went through the list of reasons I already told them. I don't think I missed a single one. I remained tight-lipped, making Lucy do all the talking. "You're in love with Juvia."

I found it so uselessly dramatic in some movie when the lead character gains an epiphany. The world around the character gets converted into a black and white scene, and it seemed the people and the happenings become a blur.

Well, yeah, at this very moment I became part of this nonsensical dramatic panorama. Everything was like smudges in my eyes, even Lucy's face. All that I was aware of was Lucy's statement resonating in my ears.

The deal here is... I'm not really having an epiphany. I've been in love with Juvia for a long time now. It was just astounding and unexpected that someone stated it directly.

"I thought I was doing a good job of hiding it," I admitted out loud. No use denying it; that was the cold hard truth. That was the top reason why I wanted Juvia to move in with me.

Lucy chuckled, but I could tell she wasn't making fun of me. "You are pretty good at keeping it a secret," she stated then added, "But I've known you since high school and I know your ways when you like someone." She snorted out loud. "I even realized you had a crush on me before."

I gave her a disgusted look. Okay, she didn't lie. The first time I met Lucy, which was freshman year of high school, I was infatuated with her. However, the attraction remained as crush; our relationship transformed into a state of platonic. I prefer it that way, and I bet she does too.

"You know, unconsciously, your eyes follow after her. Your face also lights up when she enters your field of vision. Heck, I've observed that your ears would perk at the mere mention of her name."

Apparently, I was that obvious to my best friend. No wonder me and this girl work well as a team. One would think she's way too 'girly' to suit my brash nature. I can proudly say she's my soulmate, without all those sexual nature incorporated in it. God, no. I'd like to consider her more as a sister than something like a lover. Again, yuck, just to think of doing that with Lucy.

But anyway, I wonder if she's the only one who observed my deep attraction towards the beautiful bluenette.

"I don't think anyone else notices it," Lucy announced as if she heard my internal thoughts. I only gave her a nod. She gave me a thoughtful look. Uh-oh, I dislike that look. "Natsu, listen. I'm gonna say it but I hope you don't take this the wrong way," she started.

Again, uh-oh, what she up to now?

"Don't..." she trailed off, clearly unsure if she should voice it out. Knowing Luce, she would anyway. "Don't take advantage of Juvia's vulnerability. At least not for now."

I blinked. I wrinkled my eyebrows, and then I blinked again. I comprehended her inference. Again, I'm not that dumb. I happen to hold a high position at a corporate company in the construction industry. I graduated as a civil engineer, just so everyone knows.

I can see where Lucy is coming from. But, it didn't mean that a part of me was slightly offended.

"You think I'd take advantage of her situation?" My voice was strained as I was trying to keep calm.

"I would, you know," Lucy declared. "I mean, if I see the opportunity to rescue the one I love, and have that person for myself, I would grab it," she explained further; the anger in me slowly dissipated. "But we both know of Juvia's loyalty to Gray. She pined for him for years, and we know it will take a long time for her to move on."

It really hurt to hear the truth, even though I knew about this long before Lucy had to state it clearly.

"I don't want you to get hurt, Natsu," her voice was sad. "It took you time to recover from..." she trailed off. She didn't need to continue her statement because I knew what she wanted to say.

During my senior year in high school, I finally got into a long-term relationship with a childhood friend. Her name was Lisanna Strauss, my first girlfriend. Our relationship lasted until my third year in university. Fate intervened and decided that Lisanna belonged to the heavens above. Grief overtook the remaining years of my studies, and till now, I wasn't sure how I was able to survive.

I saw my future in Lisanna's eyes. She was my muse and inspiration. She made me want to be completely successful, to be the one to ensure a stable future for us. Yet, she was taken from me just like that. One moment we were kissing; in the next hour was a phone call to inform me she was gone. Forever gone in my life.

And because the cruelty in life, at times, comes in packages, my father passed away the following year. My two solid supporters were gone from me in an instant. Suffice to say. It took a long time to heal.

I heaved a heavy sigh, dispelling the sad thoughts that started plaguing me once more. I gave Lucy a small smile.

"Don't worry, Luce. I'm just planning to be a friend to Juvia, nothing more than that," I assured her. "I just want to be her family, temporary with no strings attached."

Now the question is... can I keep my word?

A/n: My 2nd NaVia fic, wow. I really love this [crack] pairing. To be honest, this wasn't what I had in mind. As I said in my previous fic, I have two in the works, and this one is not one of those. I'm very apprehensive to upload the one I created. Anyway, I wanted to participate in the NaVia week, but I'm just no good with writing quick-fics. I tend to take time, re-read, revise, re-read, edit, re-read, and then upload.

So, this was supposed to be for the 'Family' day, but I decided to turn the one-shot into a multi-chapter cause I have enough meat for the story to develop. Hopefully, I'll get the same amount of support as Feeling of Flames. So please, do tell me how this one goes so far.