Hi everyone! I'm sorry for being a day late on this update, work and life has been a bit crazy and I lost track of the days lol. I wanted to give a heads up on the next chapter possibly being delayed. I'm starting to change some things around and it may take longer than I hope. So please keep that in mind! Anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter!
CHAPTER 8
Natsu woke with a heavy weight sitting on his chest. Opening his eyes he was met with his small feline friend, Happy, staring back at him.
"Morning." Natsu grumbled as he sat himself up. Wincing at the brightness in his room, a sharp pain shot through his temples. Cursing to himself for having one too many drinks last night.
It had been a little over a week since Natsu had met Lucy. He had gone back to the club with Gray and his cousin Lyon last night, hoping to run into the blonde again. Turning at every head with golden locks, his entire night was cursed with disappointment, and with each disappointment came another drink. He had a feeling he wasn't going to run into her again, but if that bastard Gray came back saying he saw her, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.
Happy jumped to the ground as Natsu swung his feet off the bed. Grabbing some gray sweatpants that were laying on the floor, he pulled them over his hips and made his way to the kitchen. The feline meowed and purred as Natsu neared the pet's food. Grabbing a bowl, he plopped the wet food in the dish and pushed it towards Happy on top of the counter. He watched as the cat ate the fishy meal with satisfaction.
"I don't know how the hell you eat that, little buddy. That shit stinks." Natsu chuckled.
Happy responded with a flick of his tail as he continued to devour his food. Petting the cat, Natsu resumed his one sided conversation, telling Happy that he would be heading back to work soon. Which meant Wendy and her cat Carla would be watching over him until he returns. "Maybe we will deliver the news in person today."
Natsu's attention was caught when the door to Gray's room slowly opened. A blue haired woman peeked her head out and she slipped into the hallway. Placing his chin in his propped up palm, he watched as she made her way to the kitchen. She hadn't noticed Natsu yet, too busy zipping up the rest of her dress with one hand while the other held her purse, phone, and shoes. He recognized her as one of the girls that grouped up with the three of them last night. He didn't think Gray took a liking to her, considering how pushy she seemed, but clearly Natsu had the wrong idea.
It didn't take long for the woman to realize she was not alone and stopped in her tracks. Lifting one of his brows, Natsu held his free hand up and gave a small wave to the startled women. She blushed instantly and frantically stumbled with the items in her hands before shyly smiling back.
Sensing that any further interaction would cause her more embarrassment. Natsu cleared his throat and glanced at the door, hinting for her to go about her escape. The woman grinned again and nodded her head. No words needing to be exchanged before she hurried out the front door.
Natsu snorted, finding the interaction a bit awkward himself, and pulled away from the counter.
He was immediately reminded of his pounding headache, and decided some food would help ease his pain. Grabbing from their apartment's select choices, he poured a bowl of surgery cereal and complimented it with a can of Red Bull as his morning drink.
'Ah yes. A meal fit for a king.' He joked to himself.
Plopping down onto the couch he scrolled through his phone as he enjoyed his refined meal. He responded to a few texts and then moved to his emails. He saw an email from his boss, Gramps, the subject line suggesting that he's already been requested for his next client. Not quite ready to see who or what this job might be, he threw his phone to the other end of the couch and let out a loud sigh.
"What's got you so worked up this early?" Gray's voice spoke from behind him.
"Just the usual work shit." Natsu responded. Turning to see Gray make his way to the kitchen, he was thankfully wearing boxers.
Gray grabbed his regular mug from the cabinet and poured himself some coffee. "You already got something scheduled?" He asked.
"Looks like it."
"Well that didn't last long." Gray chuckled as he walked over and joined Natsu on the couch.
Natsu shoved a spoon full of cereal in his mouth. Swallowing the food quickly he shrugged. "That's what happens when you are the best." He said with a wink and a cheesy smile.
Gray threw his head back and let out a fake laugh. "HA! You are not the best."
"Bullshit, I'm the strongest. Who else would it be?"
"Clearly me. I have the most requests." Gray bragged.
Natsu wrinkled his nose. "Pff. Just because a bunch of girls like your stupid face, doesn't make you the best. Plus, Mirajane definitely has us both beat with requests."
Gray didn't bother to deny the statement. "Well anything is better than your ugly mug, Flame Brain." He barked back.
"Whatever." Natsu hissed, his headache getting the best of him as he felt the conversation making the ache worse.
He continued to munch on his cereal while Gray turned on the TV and flicked through the stations, but nothing was ever good on at this time. Settling on some random news network, Gray shifted his attention back to Natsu.
"Any luck last night?" He asked, taking another gulp from his coffee.
Gray didn't have to clarify for Natsu to know what he was talking about. Dipping his head, Natsu stabbed his cereal aggressively with his spoon. "Nope."
Sighing, Gray patted Natsu's hunched back. "You should just give up dude. I know you don't want to hear that, but she's just some girl. Find a new chick to hook up with. I'm sure you'll forget all about her." He suggested.
Natsu's face scrunched at the idea. Something told him it wouldn't be that easy to forget someone like Lucy. Plus, he didn't want to forget about her, he just wanted to see her again.
Wanting to change the topic, Natsu took a couple more bites of his cereal and tilted his head to the front door. "Looks like you had fun last night."
Gray looked to the door and chuckled. "Yeah, she was cute."
"Ran out pretty quickly." Natsu spat out with a full mouth.
"She had work." Gray corrected.
"Sure she did."
The two chatted for a bit longer before Gray finished his coffee and left to take a shower. Natsu glanced back at the TV, zoning in on the news station. They were talking about some high up businessman and his daughter. Debating who would claim the spot of marrying the woman and earning the title of president of their company.
Shoving another spoon full of food into his already stuffed mouth, Natsu shook his head and laughed at the ridiculous topic. "I'll never understand rich people."
…
The strong fragrance of flowers and herbs burned Natsu's nostrils as he sat on the floor watching Happy try to gain the little white feline, Carla's, attention.
"So how long do you think this next job will take?" Wendy's soft voice called to him from the small cottage kitchen.
"I'm not sure." Natsu yelled back, hearing her grab some glassware for the tea she was brewing up for the two of them. He was never a big fan of tea, it was just hot water with leaves in it, but he sucked it up for Wendy. "I still have to do some more research into the request, but it looks like this might be a long one."
Natsu threw himself back and laid on the floor, the rug's rough fabric prickling his shoulders and the back of his head. "The pay is really good though…" Natsu added, almost too good for what the request was. . Maybe he was beginning to underestimate how much money the rich are able to throw around.
"Well that's always nice." Wendy replied as she walked out of the kitchen with a tray of tea. Carla let out a loud hiss as a warning to Happy and Wendy told her feisty feline to play nice.
The money would be a lot of help, no matter how much Natsu hated doing these types of requests. He would be able to help pay off some of the shop's debts and possibly take a vacation.
Natsu sat back up as Wendy joined him on the rug. Her long dark twin tails fluttered by her hips when she sat and placed the tray down. "I added a little more ginger in the blend this time." Wendy said, eagerly waiting for Natsu to take a taste.
Porlyusica, Wendy's adoptive mother, ran a local tea shop in their town. The older Wendy got, the more passionate she became about making her own blends and helping out around the store. She always wanted Natsu to help taste test her newest experiment, even though she knew Natsu wasn't the best to critique the warm leaf-flavored water.
"This is pretty yummy." Natsu admitted, taking a few more gulps of the drink.
Wendy giggled and rolled her eyes. "That's what you always say Natsu."
"Well it's not a lie, everything you make is always good."
"Trruuueee, but this one is to help relax muscle soreness." Wendy added, "Thought I'd make a couple bags for you in case you end up taking on this job."
Natsu smiled and patted the top of the small girl's head. She was like a younger sister to him, meeting her through Porlyusica and Gramps' long running friendship. He would stay at their house more often than his own due to Wendy not wanting him to leave.
"Thank you, but I don't think I will have to worry about this job." Natsu responded. "Seems like it's going to be pretty easy and straightforward."
"Well just in case, here's some tea bags. Drink it after you get home for the day, right before bed."
Natsu held his hand to his forehead and saluted the young girl. "Aye aye captain."
The two giggled and began playing with their rowdy cats. Natsu loved moments like these with Wendy, she was the closest family he had. Just like Wendy, Natsu was adopted when he was young. He had no idea who his real parents were and he did not care to know, his adopted father Igneel being the best parent there was.
Natsu smiled at the thought of his father, the sense of pain and longing following quickly after. He didn't like the sharp ache squeezing at his chest and quickly changed his focus back to Wendy and the cats, sparking up another conversation with her before she could notice his change in emotion.
The two caught up with each other and finally ended their visit once the sun began to set.
Natsu let Wendy know he would keep her updated on the next job and the details of how long and when she would need to watch Happy. "See you later. Tell Porlyusica I'll stop by the shop next time." He waved and headed back home to finish up looking over his new request.
Welcome back! Nothing crazy for this chapter, just a small peak into Natsu's life. I'm trying to keep his job a mystery for those who still have not guessed it, but it will be revealed soon! I love writing Natsu and Gray's interactions, their bickering is the easiest for me to write for some reason. Natsu's morning breakfast is based off something I watched one of my friends eat, idk how he is able to live off of RedBull and cereal, but you do you lol. Again next chapter might be delayed, I'm having a bit of a crisis trying to figure out the details of the plot. I very indecisive and that is not helping at all haha, but know I'm trying my best to make this a decent story for you guys to read! As usual, you all are amazing and I hope everyone is staying happy, healthy, and safe!