A/N: Hello! I'm back! Thanks for all the support in the last chapter! It's great to see that you are all so invested in my story! It makes me happy and encourages me to keep writing! Everyday, I at least try to add 300-400 words to the chapter so I make progress. This chapter was supposed to be longer, but I cut it in two. This is definitely on the lighter note and showcases some of the main relationships I'm going to be working on in this story.
I hope you all enjoy!
I don't own Fairy Tail nor it's contents.
From Across the Hall
-O-
Chapter 4: What are friends for?
"NATSU. YOU MORON!"
"WHAT THE FUCK. YOU DAMN STRIPPER. GET THE HELL OFF."
"WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU STUPID PYRO."
"I'M GOING TO BEAT YOUR ASS, YOU STUPID SNOWFLAKE."
"WHY DON'T YOU COME OVER HERE AND KISS IT INSTEAD."
"I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO KISS. HOW ABOUT MY FIST INSTEAD?"
Natsu and Gray were entangled, pulling at each other's hair, at each other's mouths as they glared daggers at one another and engaged in physical altercation. They rolled around the floor of Natsu's apartment, not caring about the ruckus or noise they were making.
It was on rare occasion that both men had a day off, so naturally, they stayed inside and played the ever-growing collection of video games that were hardly touched because someone constantly needed saving.
In typical Natsu and Gray fashion, both boys disagreed on the game and when it finally came to choosing how the game was to be played, they picked versus mode and projected their conflicting views on one another through children based video games.
Gray was close to unleashing the finishing move until Natsu accidentally spilled his beer all over Gray, who ended up lunging at the pink haired boy. This lead to a string of insults and flying fists until a very red faced and angry Lucy Heartfilia came knocking down Natsu's door.
"Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster."
Both men – no, boys – gulped in fear as the oldest Heartfilia crossed her arms and tapped her foot with an unrecognizable glared etched on her pretty brown eyes.
"You are both incredibly loud and may I say, have very colorful and disruptive language that can be heard across the hall. And shall I remind you that my four year old daughter can hear you spray your crude and disturbing insults at one another. So, I kindly ask that you refrain from shouting such indecencies!"
"Yes, Lucy. Right away, Lucy." Natsu nodded in stilled fear as he turned pale white.
Gray nodded. "Yes, mam. Right away, mam."
A chilling smile appeared on Lucy's face.
"Great! Allison and I are having pasta for dinner if you want to join us."
Both boys looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders, nodding. Natsu was content with pasta. The more carbs the better. He wasn't going to reject free food. Especially free food from a pretty girl.
"But I do not want to hear another curse word from either of you. Got it?!"
She threw them a pointed look and both the pink haired and raven haired boy stood sharply and nodded.
The devilish smile returned and she made her way from Natsu's door back to her apartment, in which when Lucy opened the door, found a giggling Allison Heartfilia that waved hello to the boys. Gray merely shook his head in disbelief.
"Damn. Lucy is as frightening as Erza."
Natsu shuddered then mumbled to the paramedic. "Don't I know it."
"Say Natsu, you think I got a chance with someone like her?" Gray halfheartedly joked as he padded down on his shoulder.
The pink haired fire fighter narrowed his eyes, then snorted. Gray arched a brow.
"What?"
Natsu then laughed and shook his head. "Not a chance in hell, you damn stripper. Besides, even if she had happened to say yes, which I doubt knowing your emotional destructive self, Juvia would probably murder Lucy before that happened."
At the mention of her name, Gray paled instantly.
"Dammit, you're right." He muttered, but also glared again as he punched Natsu in the arm. "And I'm not emotionally self-destructive, you asshole!"
"Ha! You're full of shit!"
"Shut the fuck up before I knock you on your ass!"
"Try me! I'll take your stripping ass all day and still win!"
"LET'S GO."
"FIGHT ME."
And there was a slamming of the door. Both men were too indulged in their shouting match and string of insults to pay attention to the impeding steps of doom. In a matter of seconds, Natsu and Gray were grabbed by the ends of their ears and pulled down to the short stature of the beautiful blonde that has moved in. Meeting her at eye sight, their eyes flickered in fear as her brows furrowed deeply.
"Enough." She tugged a bit harder and both boys yelped in slight pain.
"Your door is open and not only can Allison and I hear you, but also can the whole entire floor with how loud the two of you are! I will give you one more warning before I ban you from entering my apartment permanently!"
"Ouch! Lucy! That hurts!" Natsu cried as she pulled harder.
"Yeah, oww! What Natsu said!" Gray followed right after.
She released their ears and both boys immediately reached for the lobes.
"Ohhhh mommy is so mad at you!" And at the door frame of their apartment, Allison was hiding behind the door and giggling. "Mommy says it's not okay to say those bad words!"
"But you're not going to repeat anything we say, right Allison?" Gray asked as he rubbed at his ear.
Lucy pinched the nose of her bridge and sighed. Natsu chuckled slightly.
"Nah, she knows better than too! That's why she's smarter than you, Gray."
The raven-haired paramedic threw Natsu a nasty glare, but the pink haired man merely shrugged it off as he winked at the youngest Heartfilia.
Allison giggled and Lucy couldn't help but sigh with a tired smile. In the three weeks that she had been here, Natsu had become an intangible support system. She was shocked by how easily her daughter and the firefighter had gotten along. Lucy supposed it was due to his childish nature that he could bond with Ally so easily.
Gray had also become an unexpected friend that she was starting to see around more often. His friendship with Natsu and his daily coffee runs at the Fairy Diner led to multiple conversations between the two, and even an exchange of phone numbers.
"Come on, kid! Let's go help your mom out with that pasta!" Natsu grabbed Ally by the waist and lifted her to his shoulders, running into her apartment, without invitation of course, with the youngest blonde cheering with excitement.
"Yay! Let's go, Mr. Pinky!"
Lucy sighed at the comment and rolled her eyes. Still with the ridiculous nickname.
Gray smiled slightly as he dug his hands in his pockets. "The nickname suits him, so I wouldn't lecture her too much about it."
"It's not just his nickname though. She calls Elfman, Mr. Man, You Mr. Ice, and worst of all, Laxus Mr. Bolt. And Laxus is my boss." Gray released a tiny chuckle.
"She's just a kid. Ally will learn. Besides, I think Laxus' nickname rather suits him. Guy is kind of a dick."
Lucy sent him a sharp glare and Gray just shrugged his shoulders. "He pays my rent so I would like to not be fired any time soon."
"Nah. Mira likes you. She wouldn't let Laxus get rid of you that easily. Trust me."
There was some comfort in Gray's words and they shared a small smile until the clash of pots and pans interrupted the trivial conversation. Lucy's eyes darted immediately inside.
"Hey kid, is this supposed to be in two pieces?"
"Uh oh. That's mommy's favorite one."
The color vanished from Lucy's face and Gray shook his head.
"What an idiot." He whispered and gestured towards the apartment. "You should probably get in there. Natsu is a lot of things, but a chef is not one. You might want to intervene before he burns down your kitchen."
Color completely drained from her skin. "How ironic considering he is a firefighter." Gray couldn't argue there. He had known Natsu since they were kids. Fire and Natsu did not mix well together at all.
"Are you not staying?" Lucy asked and he shook his head.
"I have to catch up with a friend, but thanks anyway. Save me some though, will ya?"
Have to catch up with a friend, eh?
"I'll see if I can. No promises though with Natsu's appetite."
He rolled his eyes at the comment, but gave her a small smile. As he waved goodbye, there was another crash, one that sounded like breaking glass. Lucy's head whipped almost immediately.
"Shit."
"Oh no. Mommy's going to be maaaad."
"You should probably check on the idiot and make sure he isn't ruining your apartment. See ya, Lucy."
"Right. You are absolutely correct. By Gray."
And with that, the raven-haired man walked out and Lucy sprinted inside, shrieking at the mess of broken glass on the floor. And her favorite cooking utensils left in shambles on the corner of her dining room table.
-O-
After the kitchen fiasco that was Natsu breaking one of her wine glasses and breaking her favorite cooking pot in two pieces, the pyromaniac was officially banned from the Heartfilia kitchen. He could do what he liked in his own home, but Lucy forbade him from stepping anywhere near hers.
While Lucy was cooking in the kitchen with a rather annoyed frown, Natsu was playing with Allison in their living room. Taking a glimpse around the room, he noticed that the once vacant area had come a long way since they moved in almost a month ago.
Small, decorative pieces were hung on the walls along with photos of Allison and Lucy. There were a few photos that included a few people he didn't recognize, but he assumed those were friends or family members of Lucy's past. The living room was also decorated in furniture like a couch and a small coffee table. Of course, the blonde had enlisted in his and Gray's help when it came to carrying these pieces up to her apartment.
"Your turn!"
Allison moved her checker piece across the board and Natsu thought intuitively about his next move. While he may have not been the smartest in school, he wasn't an idiot either. As a firefighter, you had to had common sense and book knowledge.
"You're pretty good, squirt. I'll give you that. But! I'm even better!'
He moved his piece and swallowed up two of her pieces. The smile on her face dropped as she frowned, pouting instantly. Natsu would be lying if he didn't admit that it was the most adorable thing in the world.
"You cheated!" She accused and he instantly furrowed his eye brows.
She may have been 4 years old, but that didn't give her the right to accuse him of cheating! He was not cheater!
"What?! No I didn't!"
"You can't do that move!"
"Yes I can!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Ya huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Ya huh!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Ya huh!"
Natsu was staring down the youngest Heartfilia then looked down at his board, and looked back at her. She looked like she was about to cry and he didn't make girls cry. Especially cute ones like her.
"My bad. I thought I could." He shrunk back onto the floor and moved his piece back while Allison immediately recovered and the biggest smile now appeared on her face.
Tch, she's lucky she's cute.
"Yay! I won!" She cheered as she jumped over Natsu's last checker.
"Fine, fine. You win!" He frowned at first, then pouted, mimicking the same behavior as the child. She looked somewhat guilty, and looked away.
He took this opportunity to smile as he reached for her, grabbing her by the waist once more and lifting her to his shoulders again. "Alright! Celebratory airplane ride!"
"Yay! Yay! Airplane ride!" Allison clapped as she grinned ecstatically.
"Where shall we go, Captain Heartfilia?"
"Let's go to the beach!" She grabbed onto his hair. With a slight tug, Natsu flinched, but carried out his promise.
Lucy walked out of the kitchen with a small. Watching Natsu fly around with her daughter on his shoulders warmed her heart. While Allison never asked, or at least, hasn't asked in some time, she knew her daughter was curious about the whereabouts of her father. The blonde knew it was a void she could not fill. Allison would have to grow up without a father.
It saddened Lucy to have to think that. Despite the relationship she had with hers, having both her parents were vital to her upbringing. She only wished she could have provided that type of life for her daughter.
The first-time Allison asked for her father, Lucy nearly cut her finger off. She was in the middle of making dinner when the young blonde casually asked where her daddy was.
"Mommy… where's my daddy?"
Lucy's heart almost stopped as her daughter posed a question she didn't think she would ask for another few years. Pain immediately shot up her arm as the knife she was slicing the tomato with cut her own finger. Her eyes wide with anticipation, Allison was staring at her with in need of an answer.
What does she tell her daughter?
She wasn't prepared for this. Nothing was coming to mind. And, she didn't want to paint her father as negatively, especially when the issues were between him and Lucy.
"Your dad?"
She nodded, shyly. "My friend has a mommy and a daddy. Where's my daddy?"
Her throat went dry. Lucy's finger was bleeding profusely, but that was the last thought on her mind.
"Your dad…" Her voice trailed off, looking down at the finger that continued to bleed. A dark red consumed the cutting board.
"Your daddy… he is far away from here, Ally."
Her bright blue eyes shone with a glaze, her brows scrunched in failed understanding.
"What do you mean, mommy? My friend's daddy is really close! So, where's mine?" Lucy's heart ached as the sadness in her daughter's eyes grew. Finally paying attention to the bleeding finger, she put pressure and reached for a napkin. Wrapping her finger, she crouched down to her daughter's level and reached for her hands.
"It's hard to explain, sweetheart. But know that your daddy loves you."
Allison didn't seem to buy the explanation. Lucy didn't think this was a conversation she would have so earlier. The blonde was anticipating the day's Allison would bring it up, but she didn't expect it to be at this age.
"If he loves me, why isn't he here, mommy?"
Her throat was dry and there was a tight squeeze on her heart.
"Your daddy does love you, Ally. But, he and I had some things we needed to work on. We couldn't be a whole family. We are both working really hard to be good parents."
Lucy could feel the bile reaching up to her throat. It wasn't as if she was lying, but there wasn't complete truth to the statement.
She and Allison's father had a lot of personality and character issues to resolve. But, there wasn't much resolution before Lucy moved to Hargeon. She doubted he was looking for them now. It's been four years.
The young Heartfilia looked away from her mother with a pout, and tried to hold back the tears. She wished she could take away her daughter's somberness. Lucy reached out for a hug, embracing her daughter with everything she had.
Natsu's laughter rang throughout their tiny apartment as Allison giggled. Watching the two interact gave her a sense of faith. At first, Lucy was concerned Natsu would spite them because of her daughter's comment.
The effect was almost the complete opposite.
Instead of turning the other way, he embraced Ally's sense of play and adventure. He was such a kid at heart, always taunting her daughter. Watching his interactions with the people around him and his carefree spirit made her chuckle. He accepted her and Allison so easily, not batting an eye to the fact she had a child at her age.
Natsu made it so easy to be around him, despite the teasing. He welcomed her with open arms and helped where he could, even though he was busy with his own life.
He had been a great friend so far, and Lucy hoped he would stick around.
"Alright you two. It's time for dinner." She called out and Natsu stopped immediately in his tracks.
Allison's smile grew.
"Yay! Food time! Put me down, Mr. Pinkie!"
Lucy sighed, shaking her head at the ridiculous nickname. Natsu laughed and complied, pulling her off his shoulders and on the ground. She ran towards the sink and washed her hands.
"This looks great, Lucy!" His mouth was practically watering at the pasta on the dinner table.
"Don't forget to wash your hands first!"
Natsu pouted and then shrugged, ruffling Allison's hair on the way over.
When they finally gathered around the table, both Allison and Natsu thanked Lucy for the food and dug in. Lucy followed with a chuckle when she noticed how similar both her daughter and their neighbor ate. It was true. Allison could eat her own weight easily. It was a wonder she hadn't gained the weight she ate.
But, Lucy made sure to keep her daughter fed well and nutritiously.
At the end of their dinner, Allison dropped her plate off at the sink she couldn't reach (step ladders were wonderful inventions), and ran off to her room to change into her pajamas. Natsu stayed behind to help Lucy clean up the table.
"Maaaan, was that good! Beats the noodles I was going to chow down on for dinner tonight." He grinned and Lucy shook her head with a smile. "Thanks again, Lucy!"
"You really should learn how to cook more balanced meals, Natsu. Eating all that sodium will only clog your arteries." Lucy didn't mean to chastise him, but it was so fun.
His grin grew wider, if that was even possible.
"What's clogged arteries when the fires will take me out first."
While he laughed, Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Yes, because burning to death sounds so thrilling."
"At least I'd go down as a hero."
What a morbid topic, she thought. But, the smile wouldn't stop from reaching her lips as Natsu's contagious laugh rang throughout her kitchen. As she washed at her dishes, the giggle escaped her lips and the pink haired firefighter grinned once more.
"If that's your preference."
"Nah. That comes second to being smothered by a pretty blonde."
It took her a moment to register Natsu's comment, but when she finally did, her face turned beat red and she immediately turned towards him.
There was a smirk on his lips and Lucy choked on her own words. Her reply fell on her lips and she could feel her cheeks burn hotter by the minute.
"Wha- What? Don't just say things like that, you idiot!" Natsu's smirk remained as he chuckled.
He faked a gasp and covered his mouth. "Ms. Heartfilia, did you just say a bad word in front of your daughter?"
Lucy glared as she put her hands to her hips. "I did no such thing!"
"What did you not do, mommy?" Allison was staring up at her mom while wearing her pajama dress. She was carrying around an old, mermaid doll that was definitely worse for wear. But, she was clutching it close to her body, so Natsu assumed it was very important to her.
The blonde sighed, and shot Natsu a quick frown.
"Nothing at all, honey. Did you brush your teeth, already?"
Her daughter replied with a toothy grin that showcased her pearly whites. Natsu laughed in the background. "See how clean my teeth are, Mr. Pinkie!"
"Oh yeah? Watcha think about mine!" And Natsu followed with a toothy grin of his own, revealing his gems. Ally tilted her head to the side, gaze intent.
"Not as clean as mine!" Allison concluded as she smirked like she won something.
The pink haired firefighter frowned. But then crossed his arms and nodded. "You do have pretty clean teeth. I'll give ya the win on that one!"
Lucy dropped down to Allison's level and tugged down on her pajama dress. "Okay sweetheart. Say goodnight to Mr. Natsu now."
Her head dipped low and she pouted. "Aww… "
"Allison…" Lucy groaned, knowing full well her daughter's game. But Natsu stepped in as he put a hand to her head.
"Don't worry, kid. We'll play again soon, okay?"
Her eyes lit up as her smile split her face in half. "Tomorrow!?"
"Unfortunately not because I have to be an adult tomorrow and go to work, but maybe a few days from now. What do you say?" There goes that grin again, Lucy thought to herself as she watched the interaction between her daughter and neighbor.
They had really taken a liking to one another and it warmed her heart.
"You promise!?"
Lucy's heart tightened at the charismatic and fulfilling smile that crossed Natsu's face.
"You bet I do!"
"Yay! Good night Mr. Pinkie!"
She then proceeded to give her mother a kiss on the cheek and ran back to her room, calling out to Lucy to hurry so she could tell her a bed time story. Both adults laughed and Lucy replied with a be there soon.
Walking to the door, Natsu yawned, groaning at the thought of his morning shift the next day.
"I don't know what it is, Natsu Dragneel, but my daughter has really taken a liking to you." Lucy stated, and Natsu turned with a grin.
"She's a cute kid. Has lots of spunk. She's a lot of fun to be around. Makes me wish I was a kid again." He reached for his keys and Lucy leaned against the door frame with a candid smile.
"Ally does that to you." Brushing a stray hair back, her brown eyes went soft. "But honestly, thank you for spending time with her. She hasn't had it easy and it means a lot that you sit down and play with her."
Natsu's eyes shifted from that of playful glee to a more serious gaze. The grin dropped and flat line stretched on his lips. It worried Lucy for a moment. This was the first time since she met him that Lucy hadn't seen a smile or smirk on him.
"You ever need anything, Lucy, you just ask, alright? That's what friends are for."
And just like that, his smile was back.
Was it possible for someone's smile to radiate so brightly?
They waved goodnight to one another as Lucy smiled for one last time in the night. Closing the door behind her, all she could think about was the kind hearted, playful, outgoing, brash neighbor of hers sitting down and playing with her imaginative and high energy daughter.
"Mommy! Story time! Story time!"
Lucy sighed, shaking her head.
The duties of a mother never end.
A/N: How was it? Did ya'll enjoy it? I found myself smiling a lot after I read it. And, it included my three of my six favorite relationships/friendships in the series: NaLu, GrayLu, and Gratsu (the other two being Gajevy, Levy and Lucy, and Gajeel and Lucy). The story will continue progressing in the next chapter as some of our favorite and core characters of the series are FINALLY making an entrance. I didn't anticipate for them to take so long to be introduced, but when the story just writes itself sometimes, there's nothing you can do.
Anyway! Ya'll know my usual! Reviews are always welcomed! Any comments, concerns, etc. you know where to find me!
Until next time!
Dark Waffle