Natsu's POV
"Happy, make sure you grab only small things. We don't want to get caught," I whispered to my hungry son.
Happy was the best mistake of my life. When I was just barely out of high school I had a one night stand with a girl I'd known all my life, Lisanna. I didn't love her and she never thought I'd be her first. She had fought with her boyfriend, Bixlow, and was crying on my shoulder. One thing lead to the other, a broken condom, nine months and two weeks later a blue haired baby boy appeared on my porch with a note from Lis.
Natsu,
I know I'll regret this one day, but the night we were together and the condom broke, I got pregnant. Bixlow wanted to keep him and just tell everyone he was the father, but it felt wrong to me. This is YOUR son and its YOUR fault he's here, so he's now YOUR responsibility. I don't want nor will I have a part in his life. Name the bastard whatever you want. Our friendship is over and please don't tell anyone, even the brat, that I'm related to it. I'll deny it.
Lisanna
P.s. Dude, it's Bix, don't let her get to you. The pregnancy cost her her dream job and she's just pissed off. Take care of the baby and I hope you both have a good life. Again, sorry for Lis.
And just like that, I was a single father to the first ever baby I'd ever encountered. Panicking, I called my cousin, Laxus. The surly blonde had become a father a couple months back and the kid's mom had died during birth. The child was still alive and growing just fine, so I figured Laxus knew what he was doing.
Two months of parenting lessons and one really bad day later, I'd lost my job and we started living on my savings while I looked for a new one. Without any college education, I could only apply to fast food restaurants, gas stations, and physical labor jobs. I would have my neighbor, Gajeel, watch the kid for me when I'd have interviews or go to apply. Sadly, someone else usually got the job.
Eventually, we ran out of diapers, food, clothes, and then the bills started piling up. The electric, water, and gas were shut off. A few weeks later, we lost our home. We've been on the streets ever since, stealing to survive. The managers at the local store and gas station have caught us many times, but they don't have the heart to stop us. I know it's their job, but Happy is only a child. They can't handle being the reason my son starves, so as long as we stay off camera, they don't care to say anything.
Tonight we sat in the corner of the gas station, filling our pockets. It was cold out, so cold, Happy's hand's had begun to turn red so I was stalling, trying to get him warm. I'd sell my soul for him to live a proper childhood, but this was the best I could do.
There were times when I thought about giving him up. I loved my son more then life itself, but living life like this just wasn't what I wanted for him. During the first two years of living on the street, I had stood outside the orphanage for hours at a time almost every day. I knew it'd be better for him there, but I was selfish and didn't want to give him up.
"Hello," a voice called to us, pulling me from my thoughts only for me to find a gorgeous blonde and her tiny look-a-like standing before us.
"Sup?" I replied, shocked but oddly happy.
The blonde, Lucy, offered to help us. She said she'd get us dinner and Happy a jacket. I was a bit in shock over the whole thing as I watched her pay for the stuff we'd been hiding in our pockets. She was an angel. A beautiful angel.
As we left the store she smiled at me reminding me that I still hadn't told her my name and that she wanted our story as well. As we crawled into her car and she began to blast the heat, I sighed and turned towards her.
"My name is Natsu Dragneel, this is my son, Happy." I said it with a smile, but inside I was cold. I didn't want her to hate me for being a crappy father, but she was helping us so I had to give up our story.
I watched Lucy's face as she drove. I told her our story and watched her big brown eyes fill with tears. She'd blink a lot to clear them so she could see the road, but they'd come back.
"Well, there you go. You now know the story behind our lives," I whispered looking away.
"Oh!" Her sudden yelp caused my head to snap up and my gaze to meet hers. We were parked outside a Walmart, both kids asleep in the back seat. She was looking me up and down, a smile playing out on her face.
"Natsu, I've decided to buy you and your son a new wardrobe. I'll also be buying you both a decent amount of food. You'll stay in one of the apartments on the estate." Lucy smiled. "I'm hiring you as security for my home. Capricorn will be retiring soon and we'll need to replace him, so I'll hire you."
"Luce, you don't have to do that."
"I want to. I have a child, too, you know, and I saw Michelle's face when she saw you both. I know she wants to be Happy's friend so I don't mind helping you guys out."
"Okay. I'll work for you."