I'd just like to briefly touch on the fact that despite this being in a first person POV, and Romeo's for that matter, I hope it's good. Enjoy.
Couples: NaLu and RoWen
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail
XXX
The purple flame licked the edges of my hand, as I turned it into a ball and threw it up into the air like a fascinating toy. The guild was quieter than usual, but I stayed entertained with my game.
It seemed like everything was back to normal again once Natsu and the rest returned after seven years. I'd also thought it was odd to see them still so young whereas everyone around me continued to age.
"Romeo," my father began, sliding up next to me, "is something troubling you?"
I shook my head, extinguishing the flame. I didn't want to tell him I was afraid of Natsu and the other not returning again, so I kept it to myself. "I'm fine."
He opened his mouth prod further, but after a moment of silence, he nodded sulkily and sighed.
I traced the pattern on the wooden bench, sliding my finger up and down the indent. I wrapped my free hand around the edge of the bench and leaned back. Firmness from the table supported my back, and I closed my eyes for a second. Sometimes, when I closed my eyes, I remembered what it was like before Natsu disappeared. He'd always been my hero, and still was, but now, it felt like I couldn't talk to him anymore. Those seven years, as much as I hated to admit, are nearly costing me a friend.
"We're back!" Natsu yelled, throwing open the guild doors. I peeled my eyes open and grinned. Happy was perched on the top of his head, his tail dangling near Natsu's shoulder. Lucy stood a little to his left, inching towards Levy. Gray, Erza and Juvia had yet to come back from their mission.
"Natsu-nii!" I greeted, launching myself across the room. Natsu mused my hair, his smile widening.
"Hey, Romeo, how've ya been?" He asks, steering me towards the bar. Happy flew off, probably in search of Charle.
I shrugged, finding it hard to straighten out my features, "Great! I've practiced more with my yellow flame."
He wrinkled his nose, "Why that one?"
Laughing, I answered, "It's the most fun to use in a battle."
Natsu's grin was back, "Now we're talking!" He sat down, waving his hand for a drink. Kinana slid a drink down the length of the bar, which he picked up and took a big gulp from.
We were silent, for a longer amount of time than I would have guessed and Natsu frowned for a moment.
"What are you two brooding about?" Lucy took the empty seat next to Natsu, bumping him with her shoulder.
"Nothing, Lucy-nee," I say, a little bemused by their interaction. Right after she bumped him, he playfully hit her arm, his hand skimming down her arm.
Natsu chuckled, "Yeah, Lucy, just having a man to man conversation." Lucy laughed a little herself and smiled at me.
"Is that so? Don't mind me then," She went to stand, and Natsu watched her with a closed expression. What was happening? Natsu and Lucy always got along so well, so why the distance now?
I spoke up, "Ah, Lucy-nee, you can stay if you'd like." Natsu glanced at me, surprised, as if he'd forgotten I was there. I mustered a smile.
"Well…" Lucy began, licking her lips, looking between Natsu and I. She locked eyes with Natsu and it was like an unspoken conversation happened between the two of them. "Alright." She sat back down, crossing her legs.
To change the awkwardness in the air, I mentioned how well I was improving with my magic, and immediately roped Natsu into the conversation. Lucy watched the two of us talk with a careful expression, making sure to equally watch me and him. Although I had the feeling she wanted to watch him more.
"Romeo, it's getting late, we should go home," My father announced, approaching us. The heated debate between Natsu and I ended abruptly about the easier way to take out an enemy with fire magic, once dad appeared.
I got down from my seat, "Okay." Natsu and Lucy waved as I walked beside dad, and I briefly heard the rest of their conversation.
"Come on, Lucy, I'll walk you home."
"You don't need to do that!"
"I'm walking you home." I glanced back and saw he had hauled her off the stool and was holding her hand. Lucy's face was going red. Was she sick?
"Fine." Natsu retrieved Happy and the two of them shared an odd look. Then dad led me out, forcefully ending my snooping.
That night, as I lay in bed staring blankly at the roof, I wondered. I thought about how weird they had been recently. How they have clipped conversations. Come to think of it, doesn't Natsu almost always walk Lucy home? I couldn't quite grasp what they really were. I knew they were best friends, but lately, like my previous thoughts confirmed, something was seriously different.
I rolled over, how I wish I were older to understand them.
XXX
"Oi, Romeo, I have a surprise for you!" Natsu called, grinning. He settled next to me.
Returning his grin, I say, "Oh yeah? What is it?"
"I was talking to Macao and I convinced him to let you come on a mission with me, if you want, that is." Natsu scratched the back of his head.
My eyes widened, "Are you serious? Just the two of us?"
His grin turned sheepish, "Not exactly. Macao didn't agree unless Lucy came with us, and Lucy wanted to invite Wendy."
Well that was a bummer. I wanted to have some guy time with Natsu. I guess it wasn't such a big deal; dad was just looking out for me.
"Did you want to come? Maybe I can convince Macao to let just us go…"
I shook my head, "No it's awesome! The four of us can go. It'll be fun."
Natsu brightened considerably. "Great!" He cupped his hand around his mouth and yelled, "Lucy, come here!"
"Where are we going?" I asked, waving at Lucy and Wendy as they approached.
Natsu yanked out the flyer from his back pocket and spread it out on the table. "Our client wants us to hunt down a man who kidnapped his daughter."
Lucy looked over Natsu's shoulder at the paper, "Four hundred thousand jewels? So much?" He chocolate brown eyes were wide.
"One hundred thousand for each of us…" Wendy muttered, standing shyly next to Lucy. I realized for the first time, with an almost sinking feeling, that I had never spoken to Wendy before.
"I can pay my rent and have money left over!" Lucy exclaimed, fingering the edges of the paper.
The fire mage smirked, "I figured you'd be happy about that Lucy."
She tried to smother her blush, but I caught the slight pink tinge to her cheeks.
"It doesn't look like it's that hard of a mission." I spoke up.
Lucy shook her head, "No, I wouldn't say that. The flyer says the man has escaped custody even before they could cuff him. He's tricky to catch. I wouldn't be surprised if it took us a few weeks." Wendy nodded in agreement.
"Oi! Lucy! With me there it should only take us a day!" Natsu protested. I watched, and briefly saw the stellar spirit mage touch his hand. Were they always touching in some way?
Wendy laughed nervously, "It sounds like it's going to be a fun mission."
I couldn't help but smile at her reassuringly, "With Natsu-nii, you can never be sure of anything. But I'm sure we'll have fun." Wendy beamed at me, and then her expression shied. It was… cute. What the hell am I thinking?
Natsu and Lucy bickered for another few minutes, before Lucy sighed and sat down in between the two of us, her leg bumping his.
He leaned back, his fingers brushing against Lucy's back. "Be prepared you guys, we head out in the morning!"
So that was chapter one! What did you think? I hope you liked it! Review!
~Emerald~