Double Update! :) This chapter reveals some important things about the story, and the next will (finally) get the action going! Thank you for the reviews and I hope you'll enjoy these two chapters!

Disclaimer: Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail

Surf's Up!

04: goofy foot

"What do you mean he should get a cheap softboard?! This is going to be my son's first ever surfboard, and it needs to be the best you can offer." The lady spoke, slapping one hand on the counter while tightly gripping onto her son's wrist with another. She looked to be in her early 30s, with a slender figure and long brown hair tied in a long ponytail. The 8-year old standing by his mother's side seemed unfazed by his mothers anger, looking around the store curiously and searching for a surfboard that would suit his liking.

Gajeel sighed. "Look, yer kid's gonna beat the hell outta his board when he's learnin' and he's gonna fall over every 2nd wave-"

"What? My son is a surfing prodigy!" she insisted, eyebrows furrowing as she glared at the unlucky salesman.

"Woman, prodigy or not, he ain't gonna survive the big waves if ya give him a big board. Look at 'im! Scrawny and pale, he's gonna fall over and smash his head to pieces once a 3 foot wave hits 'im!"

Visibly affronted by his rudeness, her slim hand on the counter balls into a fist. "Excuse me? I'm sure my son is able to handle a professional board, boy." As Gajeel starts to contemplate throwing the lady out of the shop, a calmer voice interrupts their conversation.

"Softboards are much safer than fiberglass boards, miss." The maroon-haired man explains. "Fiberglass boards have really sharp fins and a sharp nose, which can cause some serious injuries. Prodigy or not, the waves are merciless, and he's going to fall at least a few times as he tries riding bigger waves. In the likely even that he gets hit by his board, he would not be severely injured." The lady huffs as she considers Cobra's words, glancing at the small boy beside her before her gaze softens.

"I guess you're right. I can't have my boy getting injured before he rides the big waves. When he masters surfing, however, I'll be expecting the best surfboards lining up for his perusal!"

"Of course." Cobra nods, picking up the recommended beginner's board and placing it on the counter. "That'll be $100, thank you."

Both men watch as the mother and son leave, small hands now holding the new surfboard, a bright smile illuminating the young boy's face as he bounds out to the beach with his mother. As their latest customers vanish out of sight, Gajeel stretches his arms outwards before slumping against his chair.

"Damn it, I hate arrogant mothers." He grumbles. Cobra simply smirks at his friend's annoyance, choosing to remain silent to the complaint. "Yer so much better at talkin' to people than I am, Cobra. Can't fuckin' understand why I'm the one on shitty salesman duty."

"Your short fuse is precisely why you need training on how to… interact with other humans." Cobra muses.

"As if! Training my ass. That old Marvell just wants to make me suffer!" A brief silence ensues, before, "It's gettin' late, let's close up as soon as we can."

Cobra's smirk widens at Gajeel's sly attempt to get off his shift early, noting the excitement rolling off of him in waves despite the nonchalance in his expression. "And might the reason for your excitement to leave be a certain 'Shorty' you're taking out to dinner?"

"Shut yer trap, idiot!"

"Huh, and I thought your eloquence would increase thanks to your intelligent girlfriend…"

"Shaddup!"

"Um, excuse me..." Both gazes snap up at the new intrusion, only to find a familiar purple hair in a black button down shirt.

"Oh, hey. Kinana, right?" Cobra greets. From behind him, Gajeel's eyebrows shoot up, but he remains silent.

She smiles and nods. "Finally stopped looking to drown your sorrows in alcohol and went to do something productive instead?"

Cobra smirked. "Too soon?"

"Am I losing a regular customer?"

"Possibly."

"Then yes." She grins.

"Well then, what I can I get for you, my loyal bartender?"

Kinana laughs, stepping further into the store. "I'm picking up Laki's order for her. Said she'd rather go early for her shift than enter the lions' den."

"Lions? Look who's talking." Cobra snorts, but heads to grab a box from behind the counter. "Damn, that's heavy. What kind of torture device is she building this time?"

"Now, now, we all know that it's art." she smirks, prompting a laugh from Cobra.

He presents the box to her and she reaches out to take it. "Need help bringing it over to the bar?" Kinana receives the box, judging it's weight.

"I think I'll be fine. I should probably leave before I'm actually late for my shift," she chuckles. "See you around," she smiles, almost shyly, and swiftly makes her way out the door.

A low whistle catches Cobra's attention, and he winces as he belatedly realises the presence of his coworker. "So, loyal bartender, you say?"

"...Shut up."

Glossary

goofy foot: surfing with the left foot on the back on the board, which is less common than using the right foot.