Jet, Droy, and Levy had been friends for years. She honestly couldn't remember a time when they weren't by her side, causing trouble and watching out for her. They were her best friends, practically her brothers.
And they drove her absolutely crazy.
Jet had his face pressed against Levy's stomach and Droy had settled for hugging her legs against his chest. The two of them were "crying" about how Levy could've gotten in an accident and they wouldn't have known since she wasn't returning their calls.
She rolled her eyes and sighed, pressing her lips together to fight the smile.
Always the drama queens, these two.
"Alright you two," she said, pushing at their heads. "Collect yourselves."
There were a few sniffles as they released her and got to their feet, both staring down at her with pouts.
"I'm sorry for not calling you back. Things have been busy lately."
Jet looked around the empty store and then back at her, arching an eyebrow.
She huffed at his unspoken accusation and smacked his side. "I meant busy in my life."
Jet held up his hands and Droy laughed. They both shifted back so they could rest against the tattooing chair and she pursed her lips in a small frown.
"Besides, if it was important you should've left a message."
"We thought about it," Jet said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smile.
"But then we decided we'd rather come see you in person," Droy added.
"You know you don't need an excuse to visit," she said.
"We know, but if we have an excuse then you can't get mad and yell at us for annoying you," Droy said, grinning brightly.
She huffed a laugh and relaxed back in her chair. "I don't always yell." When they just looked at her she held her hands up and laughed again. "Alright, alright. Stop with the accusations. You know I love you guys."
"We know," Droy said.
"So … what was so important you had to come all the way down here?"
"We're leaving on Saturday," Droy said.
"My dad wants me to go handle some business deal in Italy," Jet said.
"Oh? How long will you be gone?"
Jet shrugged. "Hopefully a week, probably two though."
"Hmm." It wasn't uncommon for Jet to get shipped across the country to deal with things his dad didn't want to bother with. She still remembered the time when they were just barely 18 and he'd been sent to Japan for a month. He'd called every day to check up on her, at the time it had been annoying, but now the memory made her smile.
"You'll be safe?" she asked.
"Always."
She nodded and got to her feet. The bell above the door jingled and she glanced past them at Lucy.
"You'll be okay here?" Droy asked, worry in his voice. Her eyes flicked to his face and she smiled.
"Don't worry about me. Just have fun in Italy."
She reached out and they stepped into her arms. There was once a time when they were all the same height, now she felt dwarfed by them.
"I didn't buy enough food for everyone," Lucy said as she walked past them. "So you two are screwed."
"We're not staying," Jet said, stepping away from Levy with a smile. "Packing to do." Then he grabbed Droy's arm and started tugging him towards the door. "We'll call you."
She lifted her hand in a wave, waiting until they were out of sight before following Lucy into the backroom.
x
Fridays never came fast enough and always went by too quickly. She could've sworn that just a few minutes ago it was noon, but her clock flashed 8:00 in big red numbers. She eyed the pile of dirty laundry in the corner of the room that she hadn't got around to washing with a groan, but turned her back to it to dig through her closet for something decent.
Lisanna had called a couple of hours ago and told her to be ready at 8:15 sharp for a wild night out, which could really mean anything. She could end up being dragged to a fancy restaurant or a trashy club, anything goes when it came to Lisanna.
Finally she decided on a comfortable pair of jeans – that hugged her ass just right if she said so herself – and a loose button up blouse made of a sheer fabric, showing off the lacy undershirt. Fancy enough for a restaurant and comfortable enough for dancing, the perfect outfit. She glanced at the clock – 8:10 – and then at the mirror, scowling at her hair. There was no way she'd ever be able to make it presentable in only five minutes, and sure enough five minutes later when she heard the knock on the door her hair was the same as before –possibly messier. With a sigh she quickly twisted it into a loose bun, grabbing her purse as she hurried to the door.
"You ready?" Lisanna asked, grinning brightly.
"Yep. Where are we heading?" She stepped outside and shut the door behind her, making sure it was locked before following Lisanna towards the stairs.
"Natsu said he'd take us to a great bar. Extalia or something. We're going to meet up with him at Fairy Ink."
"Great, I get to go to work even when I'm not working," Levy said dryly, smiling when Lisanna laughed.
"Relax, it'll only be for a minute. Besides-" She slanted a look at Levy, her lips curling with a smirk. "-it's not like you do any real work there."
Levy laughed, pushing open the door to step out to the street. "I'd argue, but I was raised not to lie."
Lisanna chuckled and they turned down the street towards Fairy Ink, chatting about this and that as they walked. One of the reasons Levy had chosen her apartment was because it was only a 15 minute walk to work.
The bell above the door jingled as they stepped inside and Lucy looked up, smiling when she saw them.
"Hey guys, he's just finishing up with a customer."
They sat on the couch and Levy glanced back towards the private room. They only used it when a customer requested it, and usually the customers only asked if they were getting something that required them to get semi-naked … which made her wonder what that customer was getting.
She looked back at Lucy with a raised eyebrow and Lucy motioned down towards her … oh.
"Ouch." Levy winced just thinking about that.
"Yeah."
Lisanna glanced between them, arching her brows, but before they could tell her the door swung open and Natsu stepped out.
"Ya gotta take good care of it," he said. "Don't want that to get infected."
The man winced and Levy hid a giggle behind her hand.
"So …" Lucy started, as soon as the man was out the door.
Natsu held up his hand. "Don't."
"I wasn't going to say anything."
"Sure you weren't."
Then he turned to Lisanna and Levy, his smile huge. "You ready?"
"Did you clean up your mess?" Levy asked, her own smile artificially sweet.
His mouth twisted into a pout and he stared at her, but she just arched a brow.
"Fine," he huffed, turning to stomp towards the back. They watched him go, laughing quietly.
"He's such a child," Lucy said, but her voice was full of fondness, and when she watched him her eyes grew warm. Levy was 80% positive that Lucy was in love with Natsu (and 100% positive that Natsu loved Lucy), but she didn't say anything. Instead she waited for them to figure it out on their own.
"Are you coming with us?" Lisanna asked.
"Mm. Better not. Tomorrow's my day off, but I do have to get up early for a workshop."
"How is your writing going?" Levy asked, sitting up straighter. When they met a few years ago Lucy had just began writing a novel, and after much pestering on Levy's part, she'd promised to let Levy read it when it was done. "Is it done yet?"
"Almost," Lucy said with a laugh. "A few more chapters and then you can read it."
"Yesss!"
Lisanna laughed. "Will you let me read it too?" she asked, and Lucy shrugged.
"If you can pry it from Levy."
Levy smirked at Lisanna. "Over my dead body."
Lisanna rolled her eyes, whatever response she had cut short by Natsu reappearing.
"Let's go!"
Then he was out the door and, with a final goodbye to Lucy, Lisanna and Levy followed.
x
"Doesn't look like much," Lisanna said.
"Trust me, it's great."
Bars and clubs lined the street, most with neon signs advertising their beers or hot girls, but the one in front of them was dark. A sign flashed Open and fading silver paint was stretched across the window, spelling out Extalia in big block letters.
"It looks …" Levy started, not quite sure how to finish the sentence.
"Don't judge a book by its cover," Natsu said, shooting a grin over his shoulder before pushing open the door. He held it open for them and she had to pause once inside for eyes to adjust to the dim lighting.
It wasn't a terrible set up. There was a stage against one wall with a band warming up, the bar was against another wall, and the tables were spread out across the floor. Some of the tables had been moved away from the stage to clear a space for dancing, and people were already milling about. It wasn't as crowded as their usual haunt, but she could tell it got quite a bit of business.
"Lily, the owner, only has local bands play here," Natsu said, leading them towards the bar. "I've discovered some really great music because of that."
Levy hummed and glanced towards the stage. The band appeared to be a ragtag group of 20 year olds and she wondered how good they would be.
"As long as we can dance I don't care who's playing," Lisanna said, grinning.
"That's the spirit!" Natsu smiled at them before turning to face the bar. "Three of your specials, Lily!"
Levy blinked in surprise when she saw the man that faced them. When she'd heard the owner referred to as Lily she'd assumed they were a woman, but she'd been very, very wrong.
Lily was in fact a man (at least biologically), with broad shoulders, a bald head, and a scar curling around his left eye.
Scary, was her first thought. But when he saw Natsu his eyes crinkled and his lips pulled up in a warm smile.
"I was wondering if you'd be in tonight," he rumbled, his voice reminding her of a cat's purr.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Then Natsu stepped to the side and motioned towards her and Lisanna. "These are my friends. Levy's the short one, Lisanna is the pretty one."
"Excuse me," Levy snapped, glaring at Natsu.
"You're pretty too."
She huffed and Lisanna laughed, stepping forward.
"Nice to meet you … Lily?"
"I know, my name doesn't fit my appearance." He shrugged. "My mother liked flowers."
"I think it's a nice name," Levy said, claiming one of the stools.
Lily smiled at her and dipped his head, grabbing a couple of bottles to mix their drinks. When he was done he slid the glasses to them and she stared down at it. It was a very pink drink. Natsu just grabbed his and shot it back in one gulp, smirking when he put the empty glass down.
"Fruity."
Then the first chords rang out and Natsu whooped.
"Party time!"
He grabbed Lisanna's arm and she only had a second to shoot back her drink before she was dragged to the dance floor. Levy chuckled and sipped her drink more leisurely. Natsu was right, it was fruity.
"Not going to join them?" Lily said, and Levy smiled.
"Oh, I will. After I finish my drink." She took another sip. "It's very good."
"I'm glad you like it."
She drank a little more and set the half empty glass on the bar. "How do you know Natsu?" she asked, she was curious. She knew it was possible that Natsu had just stumbled upon this bar one day, but she had a feeling there was more to it.
"We have a … common friend."
She arched a brow, wondering what that story was, but he just smiled and she pursed her lips together.
"What about you?" he asked.
"Work."
"Ahh. Are you an artist?" She nodded and his smile turned thoughtful. "I thought about being an artist when I was younger, I always wanted to illustrate children's books." Then he chuckled. "It would've helped if I could actually draw."
"Not everyone can be as gifted as me."
He laughed again and she picked up her drink, smiling over the rim.
"What made you buy a bar?" she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
He shrugged. "Just felt like it."
She hummed, sensing more to the story, but didn't push. They were virtual strangers after all and she didn't want to tread into personal territory. At least not yet.
She gulped down the rest of her drink and rose to her feet. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, rooting around in her purse for her wallet, but he just waved her off.
"Don't worry about it."
She would've protested, but an arm looped through hers and she was tugged towards the dance floor before she could.
The last thing she saw before the crowd swallowed her was Lily's warm smile.
x
Panting and absolutely exhausted, they collapsed against the bar. It had been hours since they first arrived and they'd danced through three different bands, all of which were surprisingly good. Levy had already bought a few albums.
She gratefully accepted the water that Lily gave them, gulping half it down in one swallow. Then she groaned and dropped her head to the bar.
"I may never walk again," she moaned.
"Ditto," Lisanna said, practically falling into a stool.
Natsu just laughed. "You guys are weak," he said, puffing out his chest. Levy turned to stare up at him, smirking when he collapsed onto the stool. Even he looked a little worn out.
"Looking a little tired there, Natsu," Lisanna commented, and Natsu stuck his tongue out. Then he perked up and turned to Lily.
"Oh yeah! I was supposed to tell you that Gajeel's back."
Lily hummed thoughtfully. "I'll be sure to give him a call."
"Gajeel?" Lisanna asked, tilting her head.
"My brother. Well … sort of brother. We're not actually related, but we're still brothers. Like me 'n Wendy."
"Ahh. Why haven't I heard of him before?"
"He travels a lot. Like more than you."
Levy tuned out their conversation as she rooted through her purse for her phone. She had a couple of texts from Jet and Droy and she sent them a quick safe travels text, then she glanced at the time and groaned.
"It's almost 2 a.m. which means time for me to leave," she said, getting to her feet. She wrapped her arms around Lisanna in a quick hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek, and ruffled Natsu's hair. "It was nice meeting you, Lily," she murmured, pausing to smile at him. "You'll probably be seeing me again."
"I look forward to it," he rumbled with a smile of his own.
Then with a final wave she turned and trotted out the door. She hadn't realized how late it'd gotten and seeing as she worked in 12 hours, she was ready to get home and get in bed. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she glanced at the screen, not seeing the person in front of her until she slammed into him.
She winced and barely saved her phone from falling, glancing up with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry," she murmured, her eyes flashing to his face for a moment before back at her phone.
"'s okay," he rumbled, stepping to the side. She smiled again and stepped past him, her fingers flying across her phone as she assured Droy that the flight would be fine and the plane would most certainly not crash into the Atlantic.
He sure had a lot of piercings, she thought as she sent out the text and glanced over her shoulder in time to see the man disappear into the bar she'd just left. And a whole lot of hair.
Then her phone buzzed again, drawing a sigh from her lips as she once again assured Droy his flight would be fine.
Notes: Who one Earth could that mystery man be? Tune in next week to find out (as if you don't already know).
Alright this chapter was sort of rushed and it reads really choppy to me and I'm sorry. I can't figure out how to fix it ... So hopefully it's not as bad as I think it is and you guys enjoyed it. And as usual, if you notice any mistakes feel free to tell me so I can fix them.
