Natsu was quick to grow fond of mocking Gajeel; as expected. This is evident from their arguments as everyone strolled the familiar path from the trams to the cafe. Gray walked in front of them, not quire participating in their heated insults. He complimented himself about being mature and not getting into fights but Juvia slapped him in the arm fast enough to remind him of the many fits he had made in public before; this lead to their own usual arguments. Kagura and Erza also somehow managed to make yet another argument about Erza's unhealthy cake habit whilst Minerva blankly stared at the sky; indifferent to their qualms for some unknown reason. Sting and Yukino simply argued about everything as they always do; leaving the 'shut the fuck up' role to Rogue.

Growing tired of insulting Gajeel as he walked, Natsu eventually opted to walk beside me. His face full of amusement and excitement from all the buildings and shops. Truly, like a child.

"So," he began, facing me with his now signature grin, "What's this cafe place all about?"

I beamed, "You should ask your buddy, Gray, if you want the real history and all."

Natsu obeyed and turned his head to his friend; Gray was yelling at Juvia, who yelled back even louder. "Yo, Gray!"

"WHAT?" Gray exclaimed, whipping his head around, pure annoyance etched on his face, "Can't you see I'm putting this bitch"—he gestured a hand at Juvia—"in her place?"

Juvia slapped him in the face harsh enough for me to hear the faint sound. "You dumbass! Can't you see I'm the one putting you in your fuckin' place?"

"I'm clearly winning this argument!" Gray waved his hands up in the air as if it was the obvious thing on Earth, "I'm fuckin' telling you there is no way Kim K. is divorcing Kanye!"

"You fuckin' moron! Didn't you see her last goddamn marriage? No shit, it was a disaster!" she yelled.

"How many times do I have to say that Kanye is the biggest thing on Earth right now, woman?" Gray yelled in disbelief, "Oh my God, I have never seen anyone so blind in my fuckin' life!"

Juvia slapped him again and I sighed. At least she hasn't actually murdered him yet.

Natsu turned to look at me, "My buddy, Gray, is a bit busy right now."

I laughed, "I see. Well, Gray, being a dumbass, was hoping to go to Starbucks three years ago when it was recently built around that time. He got tired and just stumbled into Fairy Tail Cafe exhausted and ordered what he wanted; a smoothie. Starbucks was actually just another block away but the cafe turned into our spot from then on."

"He truly is a dumbass." Natsu laughed and I treasured it. His laugh was a soothing wave. It calmed me and made me forget about ungodly worldly things such as essays, republicans, world hunger and Donald Trump—things that no one could easily fix no matter how hard they tried.

"He has his moments."

"I would know; being the middle school childhood friend and all. How long have you guys' been friends with each other?"

"Him and I? Or him and everyone?"

"I suppose everyone." he answered after a second.

"Well, it's more like we were all boarded in the same sinking ship; we all became friends in freshman year. At that time, I was already friends with Erza since I went to middle school with her. Kagura and Minerva were friends with Yukino and the guys, so there's that. We all united together to become the idiots that we are now."

"How did you and Gray become friends?"

I sighed, almost reliving the day in my head, "During the second week of freshman year, Gray made his debut awfully exciting by losing a top and asking me out of all people for a spare gym shirt."

Natsu laughed heartily, glancing at Gray with Lisanna's gym shirt as he did so.

I continued, "I gave it to him out of pity. We've been friends ever since that accident. I haven't really been able to become surprised at his usual crap."

"And you're okay with that?" he chuckled.

I shrugged, "Just a few weeks ago, Gajeel just decided to take Gray's lamp to his apartment for no reason. And they started a brawl in the city when Gray found out."

"Do you think I'd fit in?" he grinned.

An unusual question but I ended up laughing.

"That depends on how long you plan to stay, Natsu." I smirked.

He grinned but didn't say anything afterwards. I wondered why he didn't say anything to argue. I shouldn't try to get into crap I'm not involved in.

And so, Natsu and I strolled peacefully to the cafe; both unconsciously staring at the grey clouds and humming show tunes.

I suppose Koharu isn't really anything at all compared to the places he's gone to.

The warm air greeted me once again. Even though it was a weekday, Fairy Tail Cafe was still as lively as it had been on the weekend; the music—the usual acoustic songs—hummed faintly in the background and the renowned heavenly scent of overly sweet cakes had hit me and probably a starved Erza. The owner—Makarov Dreyer, an unusually short man, quite perverted too—sat in one of many barstools, catching up with lady acquaintances as he always did. Mirajane was behind the bar as she usually was; she waved and beamed at the sight of us arriving.

Due to Makarov's experience, FT Cafe wasn't entirely, well, a cafe. The short man had previously owned pubs, so he incorporated a bar in the cafe two years ago. Alongside karaokes. Maybe this is why Starbucks is panicking.

"I was wondering when you guys would show up," she greeted, then spotted Natsu, who grinned.

"Is this some kind of new recruit?" she asked.

Yukino, Erza, Minerva, Levy, Lisanna and Juvia already sat in the usual table; all in deep conversation. I wrinkled an eyebrow but decided to ignore it.

"Hell yeah." Sting grinned, "But first, may I order my usual?"

"Five cakes coming right up." Mirajane said automatically.

With that, the guys and myself strolled to the table, taking seats. Gajeel quickly pushed Sting out of his seat next to Levy so he could maintain his dignity as her boyfriend. Natsu sat next to me; his arm brushing against my own. Saint Cecilia and I quickly made contact.

"So this is Fairy Tail Cafe." he breathed out, facing me.

I grinned, "The one and only. It used to be nearly empty, now it's the big staple in town."

"Starbucks competitor, I'm guessing?"

"Pretty much."

"I find it hard to believe it's all because of Gray."

"Neither do I. To think him being half-smashed would lead to good things. I wouldn't have believed it three years ago."

"What would you have done?"

I laughed, thinking about my answer, "I would've said 'you're a fuckin' idiot' and drink probably my fourth bottle of beer."

"I still doubt you always being sober."

I laughed, "Well, you really shouldn't. I'm a V.V"

"What the hell is a V.V?"

"A now-popular alcoholic term Juvia created last year; vodka veteran."

Our conversation remained between us as everyone opted to complain and converse about Sting's unhealthy amount of food; Erza being the main speaker—or really, just the angriest. It seemed like her and Yukino were fighting over who could be angry at Sting the most, much to blonde-haired boy's horror.

"Vodka veteran," he repeated then snickered, "But wait, isn't everybody a V.V here in Koharu then?"

"Hmm, I guess. But I'm a V.V.V."

"What?"

"Vigorous Vodka Veteran. And you, Natsu?"

"I think I can hold my drinks pretty well, actually. But I still haven't witnessed the Koharu standards. I might have to warm up soon."

I laughed, "Warming up for what?"

He grinned mischievously, "Losing my V-card."

"I hope that's not what I'm thinking."

"It is; behold, I'm going to lose my vodka card."

Juvia placed her attention on us, "Did someone say vodka?"

I honestly love my Juvia; not Hiro's Juvia, but mine here. The one here who's a goddamn bartender and tells everyone to shut up. She just makes me crack up so much. And with the difference between Hiro and I's Juvia; it ends up being even more funny. I feel like if she were here with me; we'd honestly be inseparable. All your reviews are so wonderful and perfect and just, ahh.

I'm very tired but I'm still as motivated as ever to keep writing. Which reminds me; thank you for reading!

Till then,

Ice

Scintilla; (noun) a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling.