Chapter 8 - Porlyusica's live feed

Porlyusica sat propped on her bed, gazing at her laptop and trying not to laugh.

Natsu had just called Lucy a cock hater and Lucy had just given him a look that said "you're disgusting, kiss me" They both looked as if they'd enjoyed the sparring a little too much and hated themselves for it.

Porlyusica watched the whole thing transpire on two different sides of the computer screen. One view from Lucy's camera, and one from Natsu's.

Now separated.

On the right side of the screen, Lucy was getting into her car. On the left Natsu moved through the bar to follow Lucy? But stopped mid way.

Why stop? You obviously want her? And I want to see one of you throw a punch.

"What's going on?" Natsu's target Millie demanded.

"Yeah! What the hell is going on?" Lucy's target Hibiki said. "—We were leaving together then she nearly peppers me? She's crazy! And I didn't let the team down, I'm not even on a team!"

Hibiki took one look at what I'm guessing is Natsu's murderous expression and raced away.

"Go home to your husband. It's not nice to cheat." Natsu tells Millie.

"Wh—What?! I don't know what you're talking about? I'm not married.." She laughs nervously.

"Yes you are, and you should be ashamed of yourself."

Millie gasps in offense, disappointment then anger.

"There's nothing wrong with having a little fun!" She glares.

"And that, is why I gave up relationships years ago. Thanks for the reminder."

"Hey! You flirted with me. You came to me, you asshole!" She jabbed a finger into his shoulder.

"And for your husband's sake, you should have sent me on my way." He walked away from her then strode outside just in time to see Lucy whip away from the parking lot.

Natsu cursed under his breath, then ripped the camera from around his neck. Turning the lens to himself. Porlyusica saw total fury. "I hope you enjoyed that." He growled, then his side of the screen went blank.

Oh I did.

Meanwhile, Lucy was slamming her fist into the steering wheel.

"I am an insane crazy woman. I should be locked up to save the world from myself! That was NOT a turn-on! He is an arrogant asshole with no manners! Just because he fills out his jeans every time he looks at you does not mean you should get excited when he calls you bad names. You are NOT a masochist, Lucy! Well, you didn't used to be anyway." She muttered.

Lucy hits the steering wheel again. "Ughhh!" sounding frustrated, she ripped off her camera and threw it on the floorboard. Her screen goes blank.

Porlyusica couldn't help but laugh! She didn't normally watch the feed live. But since this was the last assignment she'd get to observe, she decided to make an exception. And thank God she did! Lucy's life needed a little shaking up. The girl was becoming too jaded, too closed off. Too much like Porlyusica, herself. And Porlyusica didn't want that for Lucy.

A few weeks ago, Porlyusica had gotten a phone call. Her ex-Husband number two had died of a heart attack. They'd been the same age.

And even though she'd fantasized about his death, it really shook her. She realized she wasn't promised a tomorrow. She'd wasted most of her life in loneliness, hate and despair.

The awareness had been a defining moment for her. No longer would she allow cynicism rule her judgment. No longer will she question whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile. She'd live in the moment; she'd enjoy everything thrown her way. She'd do it now, before it was too late.

End of Chapter 8