Chapter 7: Natsu

Our trio walked into the guild later in the afternoon, Natsu's arm casually slung over Lucy's shoulder, all the while laughing and smiling. Happy flew almost immediately over to Carla and Wendy who had just returned that morning. Natsu and Lucy also made their way over slowly. The blonde haired mage going over to greet and hug Wendy with Natsu's arm slipping from where it was over her shoulders. He smiled at the interaction but felt anxious about loosing the contact with her. A flashback of his most recent dream played over in his mind leaving him wide eyed. He quickly shook it off when he realised the youngest dragon slayer was talking to him. "Hi Natsu-San, I heard you were injured, want me to take a quick look?" "Sure, thanks Wendy, it's only minor but Lucy won't let me go on any missions like this" he flashed her a small grin to which Lucy rolled her eyes. "No problem" Wendy smiled sweetly gesturing for him to sit down. While Wendy got to work he watched his partner intently, just noting the simple things like how small dimples appeared when she smiled while talking to Happy and the way she tucked her hair behind her ear... She was only across the table from him yet he still felt a sense of detachment. His emotions had been so conflicting recently. Only this wild, wonderful woman could make him so happy and yet melancholy at the same time. "There, all done" Wendy announced. Natsu hadn't even been paying attention to what she had been doing. He stretched his arms out above his head and smiled when he felt no pain. "Woah, thanks Wen, you're magic never ceases to amaze me" she blushed slightly at the comment. "So how did your Job go?" Enquired Lucy, shifting down the bench so she could sit down next to her. "Oh really well, I definitely think I'm getting stronger" "ah well I might have to take you on at some point there" Natsu teased. The group carried on chatting for awhile before Wendy excused herself to go find Erza. "Want to go check if that Job is still available?" Lucy suggested. "Aye!" Happy concurred and so they made their way over to the request board. Sure enough, the job was still available. "It's not too far but I think we should get the train there, so we can start quicker" Natsu shivered at the thought but agreed, he knew how much Lucy hated travelling by foot. After accepting the Job from Mira the group made the plan to meet at Lucy's in a few hours time, giving them the opportunity to pack.

Lucy

Packing wasn't Lucy's only intention however, after visiting that quaint store the other day she was intrigued to return and so headed in the direction of town. She smiled when she spied the 'Empyrean Imperium' for the second time. There was just something so appealing about the bantam shop. Perhaps it was the name? She stepped inside and it appeared empty. Once spying the bookshelves she decided that she should purchase something interesting to read on her journey. There were books of all sorts of nature, seemingly arranged in no particular order at all, some new, some old and in all shapes, colours and sizes. Normally this composition would exasperate her OCD tendencies but there was something mildly pleasing about its disorganisation. She ran her fingers along one shelf like piano keys taking in all the different titles until one in particular caught her eye 'Encyclopaedia of Known Dragons and their Abilities'. It wasn't particularly large, she noted straight away, there must be a lack of information to work with she supposed. The book itself was clearly old and slightly tattered, the cover simply showed the same debossed text from the spine and the authors name 'Frederick Tatian'. Just as she went to open the book she heard a voice which made her nearly drop it in surprise "Hello there". After collecting herself she looked up to see a handsome young man before her with bleach blonde hair and the deepest emerald green eyes. They seemed to shine, contrasting his pale skin, despite being slightly hidden behind large square spectacles. He stood tall dressed in attire that didn't seem to match his age at all, right down to a tweed jacket and bow tie. He pushed said glasses further up his nose and smiled a small sweet smile. "Um, hi" Lucy responded, nervously fumbling about both surprised by his sudden appearance and slightly embarrassed by his attractiveness. She found herself blushing slightly. "What can I do for you miss?" "Ah Lucy, Lucy Dra.. Heartfillia. Lucy Heartfillia" she blushed further, how did she nearly get her own name wrong?! "Nicholas Roussos" the man returned. "I was just looking at your collection of books here" she continued "quite the array I must say". "Why thank you, I do like to explore different themes in all types of literature, I suppose you are interested in literature miss Heartfillia?" He liked books! It seemed rare to find a gentleman who happened to share this passion of hers "oh yes, I am an avid reader!" Lucy couldn't understand why she had become so flustered, It wasn't like her to be affected in this manner, it was just his eyes... They were... Entrancing... She shook off the strange sensation "I'd just like to get this book please, how much?" She asked reaching into her bag "ah for you? Free miss Lucy" "really? Oh no I couldn't possibly" the man held up his hands "I insist, of course only on the affirmation that you should return, it's always refreshing to converse with another literature enthusiast" she smiled at that and found herself agreeing unable to say anything otherwise. "Thank you, I really must go now" Lucy clumsily shuffled to the door and was pleasantly surprised when Nicholas opened it for her with a consistently sweet grin. She smiled back and hastily exited. She released a breathe, and blinked several times. What an unusual encounter. Sure Nicholas was charming, handsome and clearly intellectual and she felt an odd appeal. Alongside this however was an uneasy sensation that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She made haste for her apartment, book in hand, in order to go pack, completely unaware of two green eyes fixated on her as she went on her way...

AN: I really hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Starting to get more into the story now :3

Amaya-Mae x