Mocha-latte Dream

Nalu Fluff Week prompt- Cafe

"I am not!"

"You are too!" Gray quips and crosses his arms, "I can't see any girl giving such a goofy idiot like you the time of day."

"Tch, big words for a guy who can't get to first base with Juvia." Natsu picks up his cup of coffee to take a sip.

"Whatever, at least I have someone who likes me."

Natsu lifts the coffee cup to his lips before retorting, but quickly realizing it was empty. "Dang," the cup drops back to the table, "I need a refill. Be right back."

"Wait!" Erza's hands fly up to stop the young man from standing up, but it was too late.

As Natsu jumps from his seat and quickly turns, he doesn't notice another patron about to walk past and bumps right into her, spilling the blonde's cup of iced mocha down her skirt. The whole table goes silent for several tense seconds as both Natsu and the woman freeze in place. Natsu's male friends, Gray and Gajeel snicker quietly while the females, Erza and Levy shake their heads.

"See… idiot," Gray mumbles.

"OMG!" the blonde shrieks, dropping her backpack into the seat previously occupied by Natsu. She lifts the fabric of her skirt to inspect the damage and realizes only about a quarter of the cup had spilled onto it, most ending up on the floor. But that was still an issue. "You clumsy!" She catches herself before swearing. "Ugh! Pay attention to where you're going!"

"I-I'm so sorry!" Natsu panics, his face heating up into a flush. He waves his hands excitedly in front of him, "I'll go ask for a rag and order you a brand-new cup of coffee."

She jabs her finger into his chest, "you bet your clumsy hands that you're buying me a new one Pinky. Don't worry about the rag, I'll just go wash up in the restroom," she huffs and stomps away.

"Wait'a go Pinky," Gajeel sneers, "could you be any smoother about picking up chicks?"

"Shut up!" Natsu levels a glare at the older guy, "and it's salmon," he pouts, "not pink…" mumbling as he walks back to the cashier.

Of all the ways to embarrass himself, really, bumping and spilling coffee all over a pretty girl. "Smooth move…" he groans. Someone just end his torture please. His friends were right, maybe he really will be single for the rest of his life. As the line slowly moves forward, Natsu keeps an eye out for Blondie. 'I bet she's gonna tell her friends later about it. Word will spread about how a goofy boy with pink hair spilled coffee all over her skirt at the FT Cafe.' His shoulders slump with a heavy sigh, 'At least she didn't slap me.'

He places his order for two drinks and moves to the side to wait. Damn cashier had even sneered at him and pointed out another employee with a mop and bucket cleaning up the mess he'd made. Talk about even more embarrassing. Natsu swore he could feel the stares against his back or snickers from other customers. 'Tch, whatever. They act like people don't have accidents sometimes.'

Meanwhile Blondie had made her way back to the table. He could see the dark, damp spot on her blue skirt like a beacon calling attention to the whole disaster. 'It's just coffee,' Natsu reminds himself, certain that it wouldn't leave a lasting stain. 'Fuck it, if it does, I'll just buy her a new skirt.' She appeared in good spirits despite what had happened, chatting casually with his friends as if she'd known them forever. Laughing with them… the woman has such a bright pretty smile…. What was he thinking! This isn't the time to have such thoughts! He turns away quickly, refocusing on waiting for their order. They were a good group, and it was nice to see her relaxed around them.

"Here you go." Natsu places the new drink on the table in front of Blondie.

She stops mid-sentence of her conversation with Levy, looking up, to thank him. "Oh, I can move," she starts to grab her bag, "this was your seat."

"No, no," Natsu waves his hands excitedly, "don't worry, really, I'll just grab another one," looking around for an extra chair, "please stay and chat if you're enjoying it."

"I am, actually," she looks back to the group with a smirk, "they've been really nice, telling me all about you."

Natsu glares at the two other males, knowing they were the most likely culprits, "I'm sure they are," he seethes through a gritted smile. "Be right back, I'm gonna find a chair." The place was fairly busy, but he manages to find an unused one and brings it back to the group, settling in between Lucy and Gray.

"So, what'd I miss," Natsu fidgets with the cup in his hands.

"Well Lucy here was just telling us how she's thinking of coming to this college in the fall," Gray explains as he leans back, purposely bumping his shoulder against Natsu's.

"Yeah," she blushes lightly, "they have a good creative writing program here, but I wasn't sure how housing would work so I came to see the campus for myself and talk to an advisor."

'So, Blondie's name is Lucy…' Natsu's smiles at the new piece of information. "Are you gonna be a Freshman?" He asks her.

"Mmhmm," she nods, sipping at her drink. "Erza said I could probably get into their Sorority and that'll take care of housing."

He sits up straight. "That would be so awesome!" Natsu utters a little too excitedly, earning a weird look from not just Lucy, but everyone on the table. "I mean," he pipes back down, "their sorority and our frat are linked, that's how we all know each other so you'll fit right in."

Lucy's eyebrow raises, "That means I'll run into you too I presume?"

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It might be for my clothing."

At that moment you could have heard a pin drop as everyone else's jaws at the table drop. Gray and Gajeel wanted to high-five the blonde for getting a crack in, but they all were just waiting to see Natsu's follow up. The boy rarely ever backed down from a game of jest, even against other girls. He and Grays bicker contests could go on for hours.

But instead of getting all fired up, Natsu deflates completely in his chair. "I didn't mean to spill your drink," he pouts, "I'll even buy you a new skirt if that'll make you feel better."

Levy and Erza turn to each other sharing a knowing look, the boy was smitten! But Gray and Gajeel chuckle. Gray's known Natsu since High school, and this was the first time, well first girl he's ever been so cheeky with.

It wasn't the reaction Lucy had expected. Natsu's friends had described a high energy, lovable goof ball, who was quick with worded jabs, loving any challenge that presents itself. She really wasn't that upset over the coffee debacle and had planned on just teasing the boy as a bit of payback. The boy was goofy alright, but his pout and genuine despondency over possibly upsetting her, made him quite endearing. All the guys she's known till now would have cared less about something this minor.

Lucy relaxes, "that's not necessary Natsu, I was just teasing. You seem like a nice enough guy, so running into you again on campus wouldn't be so bad."

That perks Natsu right back up again. He beams with an ear to ear grin, "Really! Yeah, and of course if you'd like a tour of the campus or anything, I can help you navigate! It's a pretty big place and it's easy to get lost when you're not familiar with it."

Her cheeks burn from seeing such an adorable reaction. This pink-haired boy sure made it too easy to find him charming, and she couldn't disagree that he was a bit attractive. "I'd like that actually. I've never been away from home on my own before, but you guys are making it so inviting."

"Well Natsu here," Gray slaps him on the back, "is gonna be a Junior so he's familiar with the campus, and what he don't know I'm sure one of us can help ya."

"I'll probably have classes in the same buildings as you," Levy chimes in, "cause most of the linguistic courses are there."

"And I volunteer with Freshman orientation," adds Erza, "so I'll make sure you get what you need."

"Oh my, you guys are so sweet!" Lucy's eyes crinkle in a smile. She sits up straight, "alright! I've made up my mind, I'm definitely coming here!"

The group chats for another hour or so, regaling Lucy with stories about Magnolia U, the town, and about their little group. She in turn tells them a little more about herself, her hometown of Crocus, and family's business. By the time she needed to go to catch the last train home, she truly felt like a part of their group. She makes sure to get all of their contact information so they can stay in touch through summer break.

It was almost sad to say goodbye. Who'd have guessed an innocent little accident would have led to a wonderful afternoon. Guess she really had to forgive Natsu now for being clumsy. "Again, thank you, because I was on the fence about moving here, but now I'm so glad I met you guys."

"That's great to hear, Lucy," Erza speaks for them all. "And if you have any other questions registering just contact me, I'll make sure it's taken care of."

Lucy stands up, shouldering her backpack with a smile, "I will. Have a nice summer everyone!" She waves and starts off towards the exit.

Just as she makes it out of the glass doors, a man calls to her. She turns around to wait. "Did I forget something Natsu?"

"Oh, no," he breathes out, catching his breath from dashing out after her. "I—I, had a question…"

"Yes?" she looks at him inquisitively.

He runs his hand nervously through his hair, "d-do you think over the summer I could see you or something? You know, c-cause I'd like to get to know you better."

Lucy blinks, surprised that he was asking her that. She grins, "Natsu Dragneel, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Maybe…" he grins, feeling the weight and heat of the question boring down on him. "I mean it could just be like a casual, you know, to hang out and stuff."

She chuckles, "I'd like that." Giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "I gotta run, but text me or something, kay?"

"Okay!"

"Bye, Natsu!" Lucy waves and jogs away.

He places his hand over his cheek where she'd kissed. It felt so much warmer than the rest of his face, and no doubt flushed a nice bright shade of red. Fall couldn't get here soon enough…