Story Title: A Visitor's Wish
Rated: T
Pairings: GrayXNatsu and you do not know who else...
Warnings: AU, Language, Shounen Ai, Yaoi.
Beta Reader: Gothpandaotaku (I could kiss the floor she walks on, I swear)
Boring long important Author Note:
Hello Ladies and gentlemen in Fairy Tail Fandom, lovers of GrayXNatsu my eternal devotion. Ok, so first I would like to apologize for those who wrote stories that I am following but didn't review yet, and those who sent me private messages and I haven't yet replied. Really, truly, and honestly, I am tons sorry. It's just that there were many unpleasant things going on in my miserable life, and they are waiting for some professional fixer. Until then I hope you can forgive me, I will start replying to those messages as soon as possible.
ABOUT THIS STORY: Alright. This story has been lingering in my goddamn personal computer for like… two months. It was originally planned as a one-shot story, but then it stretched, and I eventually had to split it into two halves. The other half is finished, just tuning some stuff, but basically, it will be posted next week… So I hope you enjoy reading knowing that you won't have to wait until next chapter for long.
I would like to thank my beta reader immensely. She is like, perfect. She helped me find some possible ways to go on with this story in addition to editing and checking it with me. Thanks Gothpandaotaku-san, you are just awesome.
So, don't mind me, and I hope you have a good time.
Oh and remember, Flame Belt doesn't own Fairy Tail. Flame Belt doesn't help the feeling of wanting to sabotage the Anime by creating poor fuck displaying Natsu and Gray's deep love for each other and sharing it with some awesome GrayXNatsu fans.
O.o.O A Visitor's Wish O.o.O
By Flame-Belt
"Natsu. I told you not to come today." The white haired bartender chuckled a bit from the obvious boredom that the boy showed.
The boy's finger went to wipe a sleepy tear and yawned again. "It's not like I have anything to do at home… Man, I didn't think that it would be so quiet."
The lady shrugged and continued her work.
All that was heard was the glass ringing whenever she placed one on the counter. The boy sighed as he rested more into his seat as a result of the extremely noiseless atmosphere and released a slow yawn.
It was too peaceful in the Falling Fairy restaurant. It was always that peaceful on Friday nights. No customers, no kids spilling drinks, and no music. Just the sound of the birds chirping and ocean waves crashing against the huge rocks which the restaurant itself was constructed on. In the middle of all the serenity and calmness, a young pink haired boy sat on a wooden chair with his legs crossed, staring at the incredible view from inside the restaurant.
The sun was setting. By that time, the restaurant's square table candles lit up the place with a few round pendant lights. The warm color helped in making the area even more warm as it illuminated the wooden structure that showed clearly in contrast to the turquoise flowers and fabrics used inside.
The bar showed behind the pink haired boy with only one worker. The lady kept cleaning some glassware while smiling at the boy sitting down. He was dressed semi-casual. His legs were fairly defined by dark blue straight line jeans while his upper area appeared in a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows and properly tucked inside his jeans and a dark blue vest on top.
The boy rested his arm on the table and stared again at the birds and endless waves right outside the window. Just when he was about to lose it because of the quietness, his ear picked up the sound of a car engine drawing closer and closer. After a while, the restaurant's wooden floor transmitted the sound of someone's steps and the boy looked at the visitor with desperate curiosity to stare at anything but the ridiculously blue ocean.
A black haired guy who looked closer to his own age was walking and supporting himself by crutches whilst his right cheek had some traces of blood that came out of a freshly open cut. On top of the black haired guy's eyebrows, there was a sort of adhesive bandage while black sunglasses shielded the boy's eyes. He looked like he just came out of a fight if it wasn't for his clean sophisticated clothing options.
Natsu, found himself staring for too long while his mind tried to imagine different scenarios that might be the reason of this person's shabby condition.
'Geez, does he think himself going to the hospital?'
The black haired boy looked around for a while then decided to limp to the outdoor area to sit outside. Natsu stood up quickly and decided to help the guy who was struggling with the door and the crutches. By the time Natsu reached there, the guy looked extremely vexed. His fist banged on the door knob harshly causing the bartender to flinch.
"Fuck."
Natsu heard that, and fought the urge to laugh at the helplessness of the guy.
"Excuse me sir? Please let me handle this." Natsu politely asked, faintly catching a glare from under those sunglasses.
Right on cue, The black haired man held his crutches and limped to the back, allowing Natsu to open the door and hold it for him as he walked outside, however, the boy stumbled, not noticing the step ahead and Natsu hurried to support him out of instinct before he fell.
Which resulted in a very awkward situation.
"Ah…" Natsu looked like he was at a loss for words. He couldn't help staring at the complete stranger while one of his hands pressed against the hard chest and the other holding the black haired boy's shoulder to balance his movements. Throughout the awkwardness, Natsu's nose picked up a refreshing citrus and cinnamon scent that crept up to the his head, getting his full attention and focus shattered around the man that he was almost embraced by.
Although the boy's eyes were hidden behind the black sunglasses, Natsu could see them staring right at him with the same amount of mixed bafflement and shock-And yeah, Natsu thought that the guy should've gone to the hospital because he looked even worse close up with that cut on his lower lip-and no, Natsu didn't want to be asked why was he staring at a complete stranger's lips while he was practically being huddled up to him.
"Do you mind? I am feeling extremely uncomfortable."
The irritated tone did the trick and Natsu's full consciousness kicked in again. "Ah Sorry? There…" Natsu let go slowly and gently, afraid that he might be obscuring the other's orientation and balance. It was enough that he showed such a stupid-looking face, he didn't need to be the reason the other falls too. If that happened, it would be a real embarrassment, in addition to a bad reputation for the restaurant's staff.
The guy chose the table next to the fence, and placed the crutches next to him, sighing as he sat as if it was the biggest mission of his life.
Natsu cleared his throat and tried to smile with his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Welcome to the Falling Fairy. My name is Natsu Dragneel, and I will be under your service for this evening."
"Wonderful."
'The sarcastic bastard...' Natsu shrugged off the remark and kept a natural smile on his face. "Are you expecting company sir?"
"Yes, As a matter of fact, I am." The guy took off his sunglasses and placed them on the table revealing dim electric blue orbs that grabbed Natsu's sight for a few seconds, enough to stir something in his chest.
Alright, blue eyes. Totally normal.
"A-Alright sir, how many are there in your party?"
"Just one." The answer came out with a groan as the black haired guy adjusted his pained hips.
"Great. Um, would you like to order anything now, or do you prefer to wait for the other person, sir?"
"Ahh, I think I will wait, thank you."
"Would you like me to get you a drink sir?"
"Yes. If you have Beer."
Natsu watched the injured fellow scrunch his nose at how his legs obviously hurt. "Ok, I will just go get you the menu, and I will be with you in a minute-"
"No, no, don't bother. Just tell me what options do I have."
"Ok… There is um, the Brown Ale, the Old Ale, Marcel, Randy, Oud Bruin-"
"-Screw that-Stop! Stop! Stop!" Natsu Dragneel's lips stopped immediately, the smile was replaced with a confused look. "Just tell me what you recommend." The blue eyed man sighed running his finger over the bridge of his nose nervously.
"Um… That would be Randy sir."
"Fine, I will take that." He might as well 'Shoo-Shoo' Natsu away.
"Alright sir. I will be bringing you your drink shortly."Natsu slightly bowed, and walked inside the restaurant with an irritated face that the bartender immediately noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Arrogant-prick-alert. Arrogant-prick-Alert." Natsu was extremely mad.
The white haired bartender laughed. "The one who hugged you?"
The boy rolled his eyes. "Please Mirajane, Don't start."
"Alright. You got his order?"
"Big prick wants Randy."
"Wow. Weird." Mirajane chuckled, "Wait for a minute."
Mirajane started preparing the man's order and Natsu tapped his fingers on the counter, thinking about the weird meeting.
"What do you think happened to him?" Mirajane smiled as if knowing what's going on in the mind of the pink haired male.
"Are you serious lady? I get the feeling that the highest authority might barge in any second, demanding that we hand over their criminal who is accused of being a murderer." Natsu replied.
"Be serious Natsu."
"Ok, it could be two things. Either a car ran him over, or he is really a missing convict. Personally I would prefer it if it's the first."
"Then it would be unfortunate to have such an accident."
"He actually deserves it. I mean, just LOOK at his attitude. People get killed sometimes because of being assholes."
Mirajane poured the liquid on ice and shook the mixture, releasing a small laugh. "Don't wish something bad for someone you have just hugged."
"Mirajane…"
"That was beautiful!"
"MIRA-"
"If you just looked at it from here! The view was-"
"That's enough woman." Natsu glared and the girl gave a small sheepish smile. "Alright, Alright. Here you go, one Randy."
"Thank you." Natsu looked at her suspiciously, then took the tray and turned around to walk back.
When he went out to the outdoor area, the guy was staring at the ocean and the sun, with a scowling face that says I-want-to-SHOOT-someone-in-the-head, and Natsu found himself wondering about what really happened to that man. "Sir, your drink." Natsu placed the drink and Napkin in front of the prick and slightly bowed.
"Sir if you-"Natsu saw the man hiss at the liquid as it touched his cut lip and stung his skin. "If you… don't mind, we have a small first aid kit used by the staff for situations like these." Natsu pointed to his lip clarifying his meaning, "So I strongly recommend it if you let me bring it to you sir."
The guy was too busy taking the pain and didn't hear a word, but replied, "Yeah yeah whatever." And Natsu could feel the drop of sweat on his own head. However, he bowed again and went to get the small case.
"Mira, do you know where our first aid kit is?"
"Yep, it's right here."
"Great, can I have it?"
"What for?"
"I just offered the prick to give it to him for his bruises."
Mirajane stared at him for long, then shrugged. "Ok, here you go. But, be careful. We need it."
"I will, thanks."
Natsu went to the outdoor area, spotting the only customer outside and sighed walking towards him.
"Sir, I brought the first aid kit, now if you may-"
"-Who said that I wanted such thing?"
Natsu licked his lips, feeling his patience getting pretty slim. "You did, sir."
"Yeah? I don't remember and I am fine."
"By fine you mean bloody lip, scratched face, and broken leg, sir?"
Freezing eyes glared at the restaurant's host, however, he wasn't affected by such aggression at all.
"Are you… perhaps mocking me?"
"Sir, I am just saying that you are not fine."
"Well then, listen smart-ass, it's fucking none of your business. So if you don't mind, I need to be alone now. Your sight is adding a bad taste to this shit."
Every word came out from the man pierced through Natsu's forehead like daggers. From the moment the black haired guy entered, he was nothing but rude. During his job, Natsu faced snappy customers, but never like this particular one. He looked like an angry wolf, needing nothing except for just lurching up and shredding Natsu's existence.
Unexpectedly, Natsu slammed the case on the table causing some of the golden drink to stain the client's clothes.
It was the last straw.
"WHAT THE-"
"Sir. Sorry if I only wanted to help, but you didn't have to be such an ass about it!"
"What did you just call me, scum?"
"You heard me, Sir."
"Wh-what's happening, Natsu?" Mirajane came out from inside the restaurant when she saw the commotion outside and hurried to see what was wrong.
"Hey lady! Who is fucking in charge of this place?!"
"Why, Sir? What happened?" Mirajane glared at Natsu for a moment then showed a concerned face to her client.
"Your employee here is being extremely rude to me." When the man forgot that his legs are disabled temporary, and tried to stand up, he released a sharp gasp on his way to the floor. Before he could feel the harsh cement colliding with his body, he saw a blur of pink and felt his legs burning.
"Agh, Fuck!" Again, he was supported by Natsu who had no clue about his thoughtless movements. The boy wanted so badly to leave the man to suffer, but as he stands again huddled up to him, he thinks that he has lost his mind in the kitchen's microwave turned on grill number 5.
"That's why I said you would be BETTER off in a hospital, sir!" It wasn't a concern, it was just a fact. The guy needed to go to the hospital and fast.
He panted from the pain and leaned some more on Natsu who walked forward, trying to return the guy to his seat slowly to avoid causing any more pain.
Mirajane didn't know what to do too. "Do you want me to call the ambulance for you sir?"
He glared at the white haired woman, but then her concerned face eased up the tension.
"No thanks… It's fine."
"Sir, you can barely walk, and you are injured in several places, I strongly recommend that you get a medical treatment." Natsu tried to sound both stern and polite and it was very difficult because basically, Natsu never had to use those two different combinations in any of his arguments before.
"It's really fine… I just got out of medical care."
Mirajane's gasped in shock. "And they let you get out like that?!"
"Ah, no. I sort of escaped."
"SIR, Why?!" Natsu pressed.
The older guy was still groaning from the pain and managed to grunt through it. "Bitch Please, it's bad for my IQ."
Both of the workers blinked and stared at the man intently.
"Anyway, I needed to leave because I have an important date tonight."
"Sir-"
"-I don't want to hear more of it. I will be fine and I need to be here."
"Fine!" Natsu spat then returned back to the restaurant leaving Mirajane to deal with the client.
"O-oh please. Excuse him, Natsu's just a caring person. But if he's annoying, I will assign someone else to-"
"No it's fine. I snapped at him, it's not his fault."
Mirajane bowed slightly and caught the sight of the first aid box on the table. "Well if you let me do this little favor…"
The pink haired worker sat fuming at one of the stools in front of the white haired lady who sighed.
"Natsu, stop wearing that scary face. Customers don't like scary faces."
Natsu grunted. "Yeah well, sorry. There is one customer right now, and I don't think that I desperately want to please him."
"Leave the guy alone, looks like he really had a rough day."
"Doesn't mean he can come here and blow off some steam on us."
"You have a point, but you are a host, your job is to make it easier. Now listen to me, when his date comes, I want you to act completely respectful, alright? His condition is none of our business."
"… Ok." he nodded, not so happy of his position of being the man's host. Natsu Dragneel has some tetchiness issues and short-term-temper, thank you very much, the presence of another one of his kind is like placing a timed bomb that could blow up any second.
"Why don't you go and see if there is anything he needs?"
"I am not ready yet, Mira."
"Fine, but when his date arrives, you better be."
Natsu shook his legs nervously because of pure irritation. Once a host served a table, he cannot change it afterwards. Therefore, Natsu cursed himself for hurrying up instead of letting any other worker deal with the problem that was currently making itself clear in the outdoor area. The customer barely agreed that Mirajane treat his obvious scratches and he has been glaring at the peaceful ocean for a while as if it was the source of his distress.
'Talk about wackos being a pain in the ass…'
After about another twenty minutes, Natsu heard the clicks of a woman's high heels inside the restaurant and tilted his head to spot an exquisite classy blue haired mademoiselle with a long black coat covering her petite frame. It wasn't a habit of Natsu to stare at his female customers, but this particular one was just attractive enough with her sharp radiant blue eyes, and straight lined face. To Natsu, she was both gorgeous and a bit scary, and that was before she released a heavy sigh as she found her desired goal. Her face softened then, giving more delicate features.
'Wow… super pretty.'
Natsu mused, then watched as she made her way to the outdoor area, holding her small brown bag on her arm with the loud clicks of the high heels all the way.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he saw her heading for the male client's table.
"Well, I guess the date arrived." Mirajane smiled.
"No kidding. She's with him?!"
"You look surprised."
"Yeah, I mean yeah… She's super hot. How does a sick guy like him get a girl like her?"
Mirajane put on a thoughtful face for a while, then shrugged. "We don't know if she's his girlfriend to begin with, and still, it's none of our business. After a few minutes, go out there and get their orders and don't let him provoke you again."
Natsu was lost in the sight of both people outside. He watched as the blue-haired young lady sat down in front of the other and put aside her belongings which were a brown bag, sunglasses and a purse.
By then, the sun was down, and the soft light of the candles was all what lit up the area outside the restaurant in addition to the light coming from inside. Some time passed, and Natsu thought that it was his turn. He took small note and a pen, preparing himself to take the clients' orders for the evening. He opened the glass door and headed towards them only to hear some sort of a dispute going on.
"Gray-sama, please, you have to listen-"
"-I am done listening to you. Really, it's a pain."
Both hushed when Natsu showed up and the pink haired host almost whined because this night seemed too long.
"Good evening. Would you like to make the order now, sir?"
The called 'Gray-sama' looked at the pink haired briefly then cleared his throat. "Yes, sure. Take the Lady's order first."
"Miss?"
"Oh, I am sorry, but I don't really want anything at all." The girl forced a half-hearted smile for Natsu then ignored him focusing with the black haired guy.
"How come? You are not hungry?" The black haired man asked, a bit mocking and Natsu didn't like it.
"Gray-sama. I am begging you, just-"
"Let me make it short for you." The black haired man shoved a hand in his pants' pocket and got a small wrapped dark brown velvet box out of it, then opened it revealing a magnificent diamond ring and Natsu refused to release a dumb gasp at it, it was enough with his eyes sort of bugged out.
"G-Gray-sama?!" The girl looked shocked while already admiring the beauty of the ring.
"Now look Juvia. Seriously, I want you to fucking look at this piece of artwork and know that you will never be able to have it or lay your fingers on it for the rest of your life."
"Wh-Wha-"
"-Never. Not now, not ever. That is all I want to say for the night. If you don't have anything to say back then, you may leave. Frankly, I am tired of you."
The girl got up, then slapped the guy across the face hard enough, and burst into tears. "You are going to regret this, Gray-sama. I-I swear to god, you will."
He didn't comment at the girl's words.
"You will never have anyone to understand you like I do. You will never be loved by anyone as much as I love you. You will be always sinking in the depths of despair and loneliness, and you will really regret this."
She snatched her belongings and left with the same sound of high heels clicking on the soft wood, tears rolling on her doll face with hotness, with a breaking sobbing voice, disappearing into the sound of the ocean waves as she left the restaurant completely.
Silence was roughly dominating the atmosphere. Natsu stood in the middle of the mess with his pen still in its place, on the paper where he intended to write down both of his clients' orders. Slowly pressing on the head of the pen, Natsu closed the tool and put it in his pocket, closing the small note after with a what-the-fuck face, then allowed himself to peek at the black haired guy.
The guy swallowed his drink down, with an obviously hot pressure in his chest, then sighed loudly.
"I would like one more Randy, please."
It was almost midnight, and the client sat still in the same spot he claimed since the afternoon.
"Natsu, you are the one responsible for that table, you have to go and talk to him." Mirajane reasoned.
"First of all, he is a jackass, and second, he is a superb jackass, so no."
The lady sighed. "You are a host, and you know this restaurant's policy. You have to cheer up your clients."
"If he wanted that, then maybe he would have gone to a club, it's not my problem to deal with sadistic gloomy bastards like him. Did you see what he did to that girl? Completely despicable. Hell, a whore doesn't deserve to be treated that way." Natsu argued with a stern look on his face saying No. Way.
"Natsu, please. Just try? I know no one deserves that treatment, but she is not our client now, but he is."
Natsu stood up suddenly and angrily. "Fine. I will go talk to him, but I will not be nice."
Mirajane pouted then watched the pink haired boy going out with the seventh Randy drink of the night, and she could tell that the black haired guy outside wasn't really sitting there because he was simply enjoying the view. She saw deep pain and self loathing. At nights like that, it was very sad to see such an unfortunate aura radiating off of someone.
Natsu placed the drink in front of the client and turned to leave only to be stopped by Mirajane's angry eyes from inside the restaurant, telling him to go. Talk. To. The. Guy.
He rubbed his eyes nervously then rotated to the back, and sat in front of the dark devil, 'Gray-sama'.
The guy was in mid-drink when he glanced at Natsu, and blinked, putting the drink aside.
"What are you doing?"
Indeed. Why the hell should he even give that cruel human being-Satan in his worst form, a second glance?
Natsu intertwined his fingers on the tables and gave the guy a look which wasn't so pleasant. "I am a host. Unfortunately my job strictly demands that I listen to your problems and whatnot. Want to hear my personal point of view? I think I would not like to since you made it clear that you are a total jackass, sir, but I have to anyway, so you might go ahead and torture my ears."
The guy raised an eyebrow, indicating that he was not happy with Natsu's statement, but sipped from his drink anyway, chuckling a bit afterwards. Natsu was amazed how he didn't get drunk after drinking what he estimated, about a barrel of Randy. The guy's dark blue eyes came in contact with Natsu's green ones and he leaned forward, trying to get his lips to talk.
"You are… Natsu, right?"
"Right, sir." Natsu barely answered without averting his gaze somewhere else, extremely annoyed from the guy's attitude with the girl from earlier.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"If you must, sir."
"Very well. If I gave you three words. Beauty, Wealth, and Loyalty, which word would you choose?"
"That's very vague, I don't know a certain condition to-"
"Just pick one. Whatever comes to your mind and makes you feel satisfied."
Natsu rubbed his pink locks, then huffed getting aggravated by the sudden riddle. "In that case, well, I think I will pick loyalty."
Gray clapped his hands for seconds before he nods in approval. "Excellent choice. Now, if you have a partner, what word would you pick out of the three for them to be described with?"
Natsu bit his lips, then looked again confused. "I think it will still be the same, sir. Loyalty."
"And I think you are a good man, Natsu."
"Ok, what the hell are you talking about? Because I really don't understand." Natsu tried to put it as nicely as he can.
"You chose loyalty. A very rich trait that people fail to fully understand its meaning nowadays. Different people answered me with either beauty or wealth, none of them actually cared for loyalty."
"Sir I-"
"-I had a car accident this afternoon. Nothing big, just a couple of broken ribs, minor bruises, and slightly broken legs."
Natsu looked at the man again, failing to get compassionate with his condition.
"I was immediately transferred to the hospital. To tell you the truth, I thought that I almost died when I saw the world upside down from my position after the car accident. I don't know how they managed to pull me out, but hey, I lived." He drunk a bit from the golden liquid then continued, "I passed out and when I opened my eyes, I hoped that I didn't. Because first, hospitals do have nasty green colored walls and second, seeing my so-called fiancé sucking face with my brother is not a very pleasant scene to observe."
Natsu couldn't help but to look bewildered, but then rubbed his own hands and tried to argue with the statement. "Ok that's hurtful, but maybe it was just an accident-"
"Excuse me? I have seen this woman over and over in compromising situations that I would prefer not to mention, and I don't think they were all accidents."
Natsu felt like the guy in front of him had stuffed a shoe in his mouth by that answer to his possible questions.
"Once, a friend of mine told me that marriage and engagements were just for formalities and that they are not a big deal, but I can't help but to think that I am putting my future in risk with someone who cannot be loyal to me. I can tell you now that she loves me more than anyone will ever would, but just because I refuse to give her what she needs, doesn't mean that she can go behind my back and get it whatever way she likes."
Natsu looked down at the table feeling a bit uneasy because he has pictured the person in front of him as the Satan himself.
"There was a time when I thought that love was a sacred thing. That people respected it, but now all I see is a foolish fantasy for a stupid guy who couldn't get just about anyone to be with. People simply get together because they are lonely, and they abuse the word love by taking it as an excuse for their fake relationship." He paused looking into the stunned green eyes, "So, Natsu, if you want to be the one holding the torch against me, be my guest. It's not like you are the only one who misunderstood my hideous doings."
Natsu blinked then his look of hatred slowly changed into a more neutral one. "Love is not a fantasy, sir."
"What?" The guy skipped a laugh.
Natsu wore seriousness on his face. "Love is not a fantasy. Whether it's love from your family or friends… or a lover. It's all real, you just have to search pretty hard before you find a sincere realistic one. Happiness is not easy to find and neither is love."
The guy kept staring, not amused in the slightest.
"I know that you are in a state which allows you to deny it but just remember that when a door closes in your face, another window opens you know? You just have to learn not to give up, and that eventually, you will find your happiness one way or another."
The guy stopped drinking and looked down, rubbing the side of his cheek which seemed to still hurt after the lady's earlier slap. "For your sake, I wish this is true."
Natsu rolled his eyes.
"Well, my name is Gray Fullbuster. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand for Natsu, and the pink haired shook it as a friendly gesture with a hint of a smile over his lips. "Sorry if I offended you earlier. I was just having a rough day."
"So I have heard." Natsu released a dramatic sigh earning a laugh from the other. "I hope it gets better."
"It did get better now, thanks to your crappy hosting skills."
"Can't you be nicer?"
"Nah, it's not in this blood of mine."
Natsu shook his head then stood up, taking the empty glass. "Not that I want to pry or anything, but I think you should stop drinking and call it a night."
The black haired guy nodded, "I will be calling my driver. Ah, the bill?"
"Sure. Please give me a minute."
After disappearing for some time, Natsu came back with the bill and waited inside the restaurant until Gray Fullbuster came on his crutches with a tired looking face.
"I will be leaving then. Sorry I caused both of you a lot of trouble today."
Mirajane waved. "It's no problem at all, please visit us again soon."
The guy smiled then looked at Natsu for some time and huffed a laugh. "Oh I will do that."
As he exited the restaurant, Natsu didn't register why his face suddenly felt hot.
As previously stated, Gray did show up at the restaurant the day after, with his crutches and same shabby condition. Natsu realized that the guy wasn't going to just give up and surrender to the hospital bed. It was breakfast time, and Natsu finally got to bring food to Gray's table which was the same as the night before.
"Here you go sir, is there any other thing that you want?"
Gray smiled, but shook his head while tapping on his phone, paying only one-tenth of his attention to Natsu who shook his head, but smiled. Gray's first negative thing is sarcasm, and now it seemed the second is arrogance. Even though Gray was an ass, Natsu didn't find him as disturbing as the day before, also, his presence seemed to be affecting Natsu in a slightly different way. His mighty look just makes Natsu a little bit nervous, even though he was the guy on crutches.
Every day at the same time, Gray showed up for breakfast for the next week. Naturally, Natsu seemed to be the one taking his orders, and helping him with supporting himself 'till the exit of the restaurant with small words exchanged. Although they didn't talk much except for the usual greeting and order questions, Natsu found himself anticipated to that particular client's next visit and it was really strange.
The week after, Gray didn't show up for breakfast. Natsu felt like something was wrong and spend the rest of the day serving customers with an empty head and a half-hearted smile.
When that happens, other hosts and customers notice and Natsu doesn't simply get away with it.
"Hey Natsu, Quel est le problème? What's wrong, man?"
Natsu looks at his blonde customer and chuckles. "Nothing Hibiki. Are you here to order food or to analyze my mood?"
"Excuse me, I sense that you don't look up to me anymore, and I don't know why."
"I am not used to looking up at you at all."
"Don't hurt me, Natsu. I am dying."
"Then die or order food."
"Brat, you are not cute at all."
"I was never cute to begin with, I told you before, it makes me feel less masculine."
The dark blonde guy smiles while scanning the menu. "All the girls call their beloved guys cute, you are just not from this world."
"Whatever, if you don't order in twenty seconds, I will walk away."
"Geez, fine. I want the usual lunch and Marcel."
"With Ice or without?"
"With Ice yes."
Natsu wrote down the order and took the menu from Hibiki. "And as a host, you will come sit with me while I eat my lunch."
Natsu smiled helplessly, "Don't I always?"
His customer was satisfied and let him go to bring the order.
Natsu slapped himself on either side of his face to snap out of it and gave the order paper to the kitchen. He should be happy, truly. He doesn't have to deal with a certain grumpy black haired boy, neither helping him get on his crutches and making himself a supporting tool. So what if he didn't come? The world is still a better picture without him.
Natsu went to prepare Hibiki's drink next to Mirajane who is already busy with other clients. As he stood behind the bar, the restaurant's door opened revealing two people. A stunningly elegant and gorgeous crimson haired young lady wearing a sleeveless white dress with brown sunglasses covering her eyes. She didn't look so kind, yet not so cruel. Her body was nicely shaped and reminded Natsu of how rare athletic women are and how they are insanely attractive.
Next to her, Gray Fullbuster stood with his crutches, with sunglasses as well, dressed in casual clothes. They looked at each other and argued where to sit down, then Lucy, another host in the Falling Fairy restaurant came to help and guided them to Gray's spot on the terrace outside. For a minute Natsu was so lost and got distracted from the mission at hand, but when Mirajane nudged him, he came to the world of the living and hurried up with Hibiki's order.
Taking the tray of food, Natsu hesitated to open the terrace's door for a while, then pushed the strange voice in the back of his mind, and walked to Hibiki's table, momentarily establishing an eye contact with Gray who was chuckling at something the red-haired beauty has just said.
Natsu served the food and sat down in front of Hibiki, feeling somehow exhausted.
"Boy, you really need to take a break." Hibiki commented after seeing such a sullen face.
"Leave me alone. I enjoy doing my job."
"Funny, I haven't heard that statement since world war two."
"Stop mocking me every time I say that, oh what do we have here? A letter?" Natsu picked it up, "I want to read, can I?"
Hibiki chuckled, "Yeah, go ahead it's nothing personal."
Natsu opened the letter thrown next to Hibiki and focused a bit because of the strong sunrays, "My Beloved Hibiki… Um, Hibiki, are you sure this is not personal?"
"Of course, continue." Hibiki took another bite of bread and drank a bit of the cold beverage, smiling at Natsu who blinked.
"Ok… Together entangled on the hot white sands of the paradise island, I dream of embracing you while our hot skin touches, shouting with a need and thirst for love. When your lips hovers above my mine, and our breath perfectly align, I will drink of your scent and feel your-" Natsu stopped reading and glared at Hibiki who had an amused look on his face, "Does she think that you are Bryan Cranston?"
"Maybe, why not? I am twice as hot."
"You miserable asshole. You told me this was not personal!"
"Yeah, it's not. Jenny-san and I get creative sometimes, so what?"
"The hell? You guys are so old fashioned writing LETTERS-"
"No, no. Please, Jenny-san is in prison, and that's the only way we can contact, so sometimes I also write about wanting to fill her burning desire on a hammock suspended between two Magnolian trees in the land of love."
"She's… in prison? Why?!"
"Good question, I never thought about that."
"Why the hell not?"
"I got too busy replying."
Natsu looked at Hibiki doubting that this guy is in his right state of mind.
"Yeah well, I will get on it after finishing. Thanks for reminding me. Probably she attacked a man again, she doesn't know how to act when she's drunk."
"Hibiki, you can stop now."
"Alright." Hibiki shrugged. "Why are you feeling so down? Want to exchange sensual love letters with me? Maybe it'll cheer you up."
"You know what will cheer me up? How about I get that ice cold hammer and shove its stick up your perverted ass?"
Hibiki coughed and some liquid fell from his mouth on his creamy shirt. "That… was nasty."
"Tell yourself that." Natsu chuckled.
"One of those days, you have to remember that I am the one who pays you, you know?"
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. I said nothing."
"Good."
Both stayed silent for a while, then abruptly laughed together as if they were having a private conversation with their eyes.
"Ok, got to stop eating now." Hibiki said as he drunk some water and paid the money, already knowing the amount required.
"What? But I just got you the food."
"Yeah well, I have an important flight that I don't want to miss. Blazer, please?"
Still shocked, Natsu got up and got Hibiki's blazer as the dark blond man put on his black sunglasses on, ready for leaving the restaurant. They both walked outside the terrace, with Natsu's gaze fixed on Hibiki, almost radiating laser beams.
"How come I didn't know anything about it?"
"Aw, it's sudden. My boyfriend is kind of a Christopher Columbus nut, he won't let me have our holiday here. You know what I think? He's kinda crept out from Jenny."
"Who wouldn't? I missed that guy." Natsu nodded understandingly.
"And I will miss you. Hug, please?"
"Ahh…" Natsu hesitated.
"What? Don't tell me you suddenly have a jealous boyfriend out there who is willing to drink from my blood if he saw you near me?"
"No, I am still as single as fuck, thanks."
"Then, a hug Natsu. I came all the way to get it and then get punched by Jellal, later."
"Alright." Natsu laughed and hugged Hibiki tightly.
Hibiki is a regular client at the Falling Fairy restaurant. He used to come with his friend (who later became his boyfriend) a lot and Natsu has been a practical friend to the small family ever since.
"Just don't let Jellal see that letter with you. Now he, will be happy to drink from your blood."
"Ah shut up, Natsu. Jellal is like a wise man once said: He doesn't mind me working up my engine as long as I park in the right garage."
"And let me go, the hug is over." Natsu shoved Hibiki away who snickered and walked to his parked car.
"Sure you don't want to come and bawl your eyes out in the airport for us being separated?"
"No, I am pretty good."
"Alright. Suit yourself, you will feel the real loss once I am gone to… hang on, I forgot…" Hibiki got his phone and saw where he was supposed to flying to, "Sweet vacation. GERMANY! Can you believe that blue haired moron?"
Natsu waved goodbye as Hibiki grumbled and took off with his car. Natsu felt happy for both individuals, but he was already missing Hibiki. It was hard to admit, but Hibiki does lift Natsu's spirits once in a while. With him gone, the amount of fun is certainly going to be decreased.
Sighing, he turned around only to come face to face with one blank-faced Gray Fullbuster.
"Holy shit!"
"Surprised?"
"You think?! Next time, knock!"
Gray looked around himself, then shrugged. "Don't see any doors around in a public street."
Natsu panted a little. "Is there… Is there anything that you need?"
"Nope. Just got touched a bit, you know. Seeing you two say goodbye to each other."
"Yeah, he's a good friend, and the day you are touching is the day of doom."
"Nah, I am serious."
Natsu doubted it. "Whatever. If you don't need anything, I will be going inside."
"Actually, I do have a question." Gray stabilized himself on one of the crutches then put on a thoughtful face, "What kind of a restaurant is that?"
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
"Ok… come with me please."
They entered the restaurant and Natsu stood explaining, "It's basically a dining place. We have a bar, and if you look closely, you will see my fellow workers sitting down with some of the clients as requested."
"And that's the host thing?"
"Yeah, we believe that people should not be alone while eating a meal because that's sad. We prefer to entertain them while they are doing so, hence the host thing. Lucy, for example, gets to sit with a good number of perverted people, but she laughs, they laugh, and it's all good."
"And that dark blond guy was one of the sad-lonely-people?"
"Ahhh, no. He's actually very happy with his love life, he has just requested that I sit with him."
"Because it's your job?"
"Yes, why are you suddenly interested?"
"Oh not really. I am thinking next time I should be requesting you to sit down with me."
"Yeah right, when you don't have a red haired hot chick with you."
"And why are you suddenly interested?" Gray raised an eyebrow while staring at the abruptly red faced pink haired host.
"I am not, sir."
Gray smirked to himself then cleared his throat. "Ahem. For your information, she's a business partner. Or my enemy, depends on how you see it."
Natsu tapped his foot on the ground while crossing his arms. "When are you going to leave, sir?"
"Cool your guts. I am waiting for my driver."
"Ok. I am going to get back to my job then." Natsu walked away leaving one amused Gray Fullbuster behind.
End Of First Chapter
To Be Continued.