~Who knew that out of all the people she'd interviewed, Natsu was the one who was the most straight-forward... and also the one who gave her the answer she'd been secretly hoping for.~
A Lot Like You
Lucy had enjoyed her time as a writer and reporter for Sorcerer's Weekly. In fact, she'd enjoyed it so much that when she'd submitted her resignation letter, she'd told them that any time she could be of any help, she'd be there. If they wanted her to write a guest piece one month or interview someone from Magnolia, she was their girl.
Of course, she was an immensely talented writer and they'd been sad to see her go, and so from time to time they actually did take her up on her offer. One day they needed her to interview Wendy for a piece they were doing on her and Chelia, the next they asked her to write an article on the process of becoming an S-Class mage in Fairy Tail. Whatever the task, she was happy to help. It was sort of nice doing some writing aside from her own novel every once in a while. And hey, she'd gotten some prospective deals from other publishers and magazines because of it.
Not to mention the fact that she'd been a fan of Sorcerer's Weekly since she was a small child. She'd been glued to the pages, reading every article time and time again so it was only natural for her to be beyond happy at actually being able to contribute to her favorite piece of weekly literature.
And it was unsurprising that she accepted yet again when Jason asked her to conduct an interview on some of the members of Fairy Tail. After all, Fairy Tail was arguably the most well-known guild in Fiore again and so people soaked up any information they were given or juicy gossip they heard, like sponges.
A few weeks prior Jason had been in their guild hall, excited as ever, conducting his own research on what made the women of Fairy Tail tic. Or more specifically, what some of the most popular female mages looked for in a man. It was a fluff fan service piece of sorts, but Sorcerer's Weekly was always chock full of them, Lucy supposed.
She herself had been one of the interviewees along with Mira, Juvia, Erza, Cana, Levy, and Lisanna. Wendy had arguably pouted in the background at being left out, muttering something to herself about chest size possibly being an issue, although everyone else knew it was because of her age. It'd been a rather embarrassing interview, but they'd had a few laughs and apparently the public had loved it, so all was well.
Jason had told Lucy that it was such a hit in fact, that they wanted to do the same with a few of Fairy Tail's most popular male members. Apparently he was a little less interested in hearing the guy's answers, so he'd asked Lucy to do the interview, and then write the piece. She was excited for the most part, but a little wary. First of all, she doubted anyone really wanted to do this interview, and second she doubted she'd get any straight answers out of them. Besides, she was only supposed to ask them one question and one question only: what did they look for, or like, in a woman.
The subjects, or rather victims, of choice had been Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Laxus, and surprisingly Loke. Apparently her Celestial Spirit had quite a fan base out there that she hadn't known about. Again there were a few mumbles and grumbles from those who hadn't been chosen, but she figured they'd get over it in due time.
And so she found herself in the backyard of the guild with the five boys in front of her, on stools, looking rather unamused with the entire situation. And a little self-conscious as nearly everyone else from the guild had shoved their way through to make a crowd around them, curious and excited to watch the interview go down.
Lucy had figured she'd go from least complying to most complying. Laxus was of course first on that list as he looked as if he'd rather be literally anywhere else than where he was. His answer was simple: he wanted a woman who was beautiful and complimented his personality well. When asked to elaborate he shrugged, saying that he wanted someone who wasn't really like him at all. He was surly and laid-back and sort of grouchy and hard to get along with at times. He wanted someone who was more caring, easier to talk to, and ultimately someone he found engaging and interesting. Everyone had exchanged looks at that comment, wondering who he might be alluding to.
Of course, Lucy had a feeling he wasn't alluding to anyone, rather simply answering her question, but as always, Fairy Tail members tended to read more into what anyone said about love than was really necessary. Cana had promptly hiccupped and said he was big softie and he needed to drop the act. Lisanna had agreed, and Mira had laughed, shaking her head and telling them that he'd only become more gruff if they told him that. No one knew exactly what was going on in Laxus' love life, although everyone wanted to know. Especially the Master who had made it more than a little clear he wanted great-grandchildren and he wanted them soon.
Lucy went to Gray next who was already frowning so deeply it looked painful. His arms were crossed and he'd already lost all clothing aside from his boxers. He was a little more reluctant in answering the question. He said he didn't know, he said he didn't like the question, he said he didn't understand the question, he said people were being too pushy, he said he didn't care, and finally he said that no, he wasn't avoiding the question and fine he'd give an answer if they'd all just shut the hell up.
And shut up they all did, aside from Juvia who was practically a puddle of squeals and embarrassed energy. Gray had then sighed, saying what he looked for in a woman was that she cared about him. He said it was simple, and what every guy wanted. That's what love was: genuine feelings for the other person. There were eyerolls from around the crowd at that answer. Some told him he'd still avoided it, while others told him to be a man and get more specific… well, Elfman did, anyway.
Juvia of course had taken this as almost a blatant love confession to her, as she was the one who ultimately cared about Gray-sama the most. He didn't look thrilled by her reaction… although no one missed the color in his cheeks or the way he tried to shove the question off onto the next participant, who was Gajeel.
At this point Lucy had to break her rhythm of going in order from least to most compliant as it appeared Loke couldn't handle the wait any longer. He interjected, saying he would like to go next as he had his answer, and it was much more interesting and straightforward than any of the other guy's answers. And as Lucy knew for a fact that he wouldn't ever let it go if she waited to ask him until last, she obliged.
And a show began. With flamboyant gestures Loke re-told basically the story of Romeo and Juliet, all the while comparing their tragic love story with the struggle of love every modern couple had, including himself. During this time, he never once answered the question of what he looked for in a woman, and after his tale came to a close, Lucy had to re-ask him this question, saying that his story was lovely and all but she really did just need his own personal opinion.
Half of Fairy Tail looked bored and the other half had been enraptured in his story. How long had it taken? Fifteen minutes? Loke sure was a hopeless romantic… at least that's how Lucy decided to put it.
He cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses and sitting back down onto his stool. He said love was simple, and yet very complicated. Women were that way too. Again Lucy had to remind him to stay on topic as she sensed he was going to ramble off down a side-tracked train of thought and he nodded. He looked for a woman who was as beautiful as the colors of a sunset sky right after a gentle rain. He wanted a woman with class, grace, and poise that rivaled his own yet someone who still needed him, relied on him, wanted him. He wanted to be able to sweep her off her feet like no man had done before. Despite the classy aspect of his ideal woman he wanted her to still have fire, personality, drive. And admittedly, he wanted her to love him for who he was. He then mumbled something about not minding if she had a jealous streak but Lucy decided to ignore that remark.
He'd sent her a wink at the end and she had the feeling he'd been aiming most of this directly at her, though she was determined not to let on that she'd known this. Everyone else seemed to have picked up on it too, including Natsu who was looking at Loke with very squinty eyes, scrutinizing him as if he wasn't sure whether he should say something or not. Which made Lucy's stomach flip involuntarily and she had to move back on to Gajeel.
Laxus had been rather vague and short with his answer, Gray had avoided the question and then given a textbook answer, though he seemed genuine enough, and Loke had practically spelled out his life story and written a novel all at the same time. Lucy had expected Gajeel to react similarly to Laxus' answer. However, it seemed he was going to be very different. It almost appeared that he was confused by the question. He stared back at her, blinking once and then looking off into space.
She was thrown for a bit of a loop by this. "U-Uh, you don't have to word it well or anything," she laughed awkwardly. "They just want to know what you think."
It still appeared that Gajeel was a little confused, but he did answer. "Uh… short?"
It was fairly common knowledge by now that something was going on between him and Levy and so this answer, while unconventional, wasn't a surprise. Levy fiddled with her own fingers, smiling down at the ground. At least one person was happy with his answer.
"Okay, that's a start," Lucy encouraged. She just had to get him talking. "What else?"
"Uh… small?"
"O-Okay," Lucy nodded. No, it appeared as if he wasn't fully catching onto the feeling of the question. "It doesn't just have to be a physical trait."
"Oh," he grunted. "Uh… smart?"
Levy fidgeted a little more and Lucy couldn't help but smile. "Okay, there, now we're getting somewhere."
"Oy, that's the dumbest thing for you to care about, y'know that?" Natsu crowed from the stool farthest from Gajeel. Lucy had purposefully separated the two in hopes of avoiding a fight.
Gajeel leaned forward to look down the row at Natsu. He frowned. "What did you just say, Salamander?"
"I said that's the dumbest thing for a meathead like you to care about! Everyone's smart compared to you. You say you like a smart girl well, compared to you that's like… all of them."
Gray looked a little too pleased at the furious look on Gajeel's face. "Oy, you bastard ya try comin' down here and saying that again!"
At this point Natsu took it as a challenge and practically vaulted off of his stool. And also at this point, Lucy decided to intervene. "Natsu!" she yelled. He froze in place, looking at her in confusion. "What did we talk about before this?"
He blinked at her innocently. "U-Uhm… that you wanted me to behave myself? But he's like openly challenging me-"
"And what else did I tell you?"
He thought a little deeper. "You said that if I wanted to do this interview… I had to sit on my stool at all times…" He slouched a little, understanding now why she was angry with him.
The crowd snickered amongst themselves as he trodded back over to his stool. Yes, it did sound a bit like she was a parent scolding a child, but she'd made the rules clear. Natsu thought interviews were pretty fun and one with her moderating was one he was practically chomping at the bit to do. She saw it going wrong so quickly that she'd given him two rules. She told him to stay on his stool at all times, and she told him to behave. Of course it wasn't like she was going to punish him and tell him that no, he couldn't answer the question, but he didn't have to know that.
Gajeel looked rather smug at having had someone intervene in the argument. Levy on the other hand didn't seem too thrilled that his answer had been interrupted and was pouting to herself.
"Alright, so far we have short, small, and smart. What else do you look for in a woman?"
Gajeel scratched the back of his neck. "Well, like… someone who's real nice." It was painfully obvious he wasn't good with words. Although, Lucy had never expected him to be. She'd of course weave it all together fluidly when she wrote the article.
"What the hell that's the same thing! Everyone's nice compared to you!" Natsu bawked.
Gajeel's nostrils flared and his eye twitched but he didn't look Natsu's way. "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't hear you over there on your stool, come again?"
"Why you little," Natsu huffed, grabbing onto the seat of his stool and apparently finding a loophole in her rules. He bounced up and down, scooting his stool across the lawn in little jerky jump movements toward Gajeel. Well, he wasn't breaking a rule… he technically was still on his stool. But still…
"Hey," Lucy warned and Natsu stopped. "I'm serious…"
He gave her a desperate and frustrated look. "But-"
"Please, Natsu."
He held eye-contact for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. "Fine, fine, you're lucky this time, though, Iron Maiden," Natsu said, shooting Gajeel a glare as he jump-scooted his stool back to its original spot.
There was a buzz of hushed whispers amongst the crowd and Lucy felt her cheeks growing red as she felt the general consensus of immense impressment at how she'd handled Natsu. Quickly she moved on.
"Y-You're free to continue, Gajeel."
"Oh, uh," he started again. It almost seemed as if he'd expected that to be it for him. Short, small, smart, and nice maybe were his only answers. Nevertheless, he wracked his brain for another. "I dunno just someone who's carin' and forgiving and a great partner. Like someone strong but able to admit when they need help." He nodded. "Somethin' like that."
Okay, she could work with that. She nodded at him and he seemed pleased either because they were done, or because he'd given an answer she'd deemed satisfactory. Levy was still blushing and no one missed the glance she exchanged with Gajeel, who gave her a smile more genuine than it seemed he'd be possible of. Yep, there was definitely something bigger between those two… maybe they were just not sharing it with everyone else. Yet, anyway. Although Lucy was a little offended as the resident best friend that Levy wouldn't have told her… she'd have to ask her about it more seriously the next time she came over.
Oh boy, that meant Natsu was the only one left. She didn't have high expectations for him. She hoped he'd give a semi-decent or normal answer that she'd be able to work with. That was honestly her line of expectation for him: just something useable. However, she would've been lying had she said she wasn't even a little interested in what he had to say.
"Alright, Natsu-"
"Ooh, is it my turn!?" He was perched on the edge of his stool.
"Y-Yes, it is."
"Okay," he said, satisfied and proud. He sat up straight, cracked his knuckles and took in a deep breath. "What I look for in a woman… Well I agree she's gotta be smart, and creative, and nice," he said, shooting a glare down at Gajeel that dared him to make any comment. Gajeel seemed a little distracted now, however, and didn't make a move to argue with him, instead simply rolling his eyes.
Natsu continued, tapping his chin and looking upwards. "Well, someone who's like new, fresh, not like anyone else… and real nice-looking and pretty… and bright and colorful… and real like… spicy and hot and smells real nice-"
"Dude, you're describing food," Gray deadpanned.
"What?" Natsu piped.
"You legit just described a good-tasting chicken wing or something," Gray snorted. "You're supposed to be talking about your ideal woman."
Natsu looked beyond offended. "I am! I'm not describing food; how was I describing food?!"
"Fresh, good-looking, colorful, spicy, hot, smells nice? That just screams chicken wing…" Gray shook his head.
"It does not!" Natsu looked a little embarrassed. After all he was notoriously known as not having any sense when it came to women. He usually took the insults with a smile and ignored them, but every once in a while, it was clear that he felt a little insecure about his interactions with the opposite sex because of those comments. As if he was afraid maybe he really was as dense as everyone made him out to be. He looked desperately at Lucy and she felt a little bad.
"Okay then, what does the trait 'spicy' even mean? Hm?" Gray asked.
"It means… y'know… like when a girl's real…" He couldn't find the words, instead opting to make a few karate moves in the air to make his point. "Y'know?"
Gray stared back at him. "No… I don't know."
"I believe the word you're looking for is feisty?" Loke offered.
Natsu snapped his fingers and pointed at Gray. "Yeah, that!"
Gray rolled his eyes. "Feisty and spicy aren't exactly the same…"
"It's rather close," Loke said. "Another word might be, spitfire?"
"Ooh!" Natsu appeared to like that word, though Lucy seriously doubted he knew what it meant. "Yeah, sure, that too!"
"Still sort of describing a piece of meat…" Gray sighed.
Natsu huffed in irritation. "No, I'm not. I just like a girl that's really nice and kind but has a big personality like I do and can take what's thrown at 'er, y'know! Someone really pretty whose scent is pleasing and easy to track. Someone who's easy to talk with and easy to get close to. A good partner and someone who knows me real well. Someone I can trust and who can trust me. Someone that it's just easy to be around and it's just second nature to be with 'em…" He looked a little perplexed, as if he couldn't find the words he was looking for or a good comparison and the mumbles from the crowd weren't helping. And then his expression lightened. "Oh! Y'know, someone just like Lucy!"
There was a second or two of complete silence where everyone stared at him, wondering if he'd really just said what he'd said, and then everyone looked at her, wondering if she'd heard what he'd just said. And she most definitely had… and everyone could tell because she could feel her face heating up so quickly she wondered if steam was beginning to come out of her ears.
He looked proud of his answer and sat cross-armed and cross-legged on his stool nodding, having finally come up with the perfect comparison. Though, if he put two and two together to realize that if his perfect woman was Lucy, perhaps that meant they were a bit more than partners, she wasn't sure.
And that was where she drew the line, standing up and announcing that she had what she needed for the interview and it was over. Because honestly she wasn't positive she could take any more of it, or rather him and his answers, because they'd been exactly what she was hoping for and she wasn't sure how to handle it.
And also because it was clear there was going to be a lot of teasing from the crowd and she really wanted to head that off as much as possible. If at all possible… which she doubted it was.
#9 - spicy
I love the thought of Lucy still writing for Sorcerer's Weekly. She grew so much by doing that I think, plus, it's sort of like a dream job for her. It just kinda fits in my little headcanon that she'd still help them out here and there... but maybe that's just me haha ;D
Plus, Laxus is like the only mature Fairy Tail member there is, including the Master, so I get a kick out of him just sitting there like 'I'm surrounded by idiots... I swear' while they goof off. He also got the harem ending according to Mashima apparently, though I still hardcore ship him with Mira...
Anyway, seriously just ignore me and my rambles. I hope you enjoyed and thank you so much for any feedback you give! :D
~Foxtail-chan
