iii. Happy
There was a third person, now there is a fourth person and a third party.
..
Natsu has expected that Gray will, one way or another, never waste an opportunity to poke fun at him and strive to get him flustered and abashed. With the revelations he has just dropped like it is nothing, of course it is a success. But honestly speaking, he doesn't mind at all.
Specifically not when he can see that it affects Erza, too.
Here in the place where he has confessed to her, Natsu watches as Erza's face colors so prettily. There's a shyness in her eyes that's very unfamiliar to him but he's eager to learn to appreciate. She looks demure and so lovely, and although Natsu adores the strong and fierce side of her, this is something that he yearns to cherish, too.
He can stare at her like this all day, he sure can, but Erza is already clearing her throat to get his attention.
"Let's start our picnic date," she says and it sounds so wonderful to hear.
"Sure."
Natsu takes the basket and begins unloading it. Now that he thinks about it, this is going to be his first official date. He isn't exactly confident that he can pull this off smoothly but he's determined to do his best, especially because Erza has said that she's had an attempt on picnics before but they have both ended miserably, so she's looking forward to making this a pleasant and memorable one.
With that in mind, Natsu exerts his best effort on behaving and acting like a refined man, not noticing that his actions are so awkward they look well-nigh robotic.
Until he hears Erza chuckle.
"Natsu, you're too stiff." Her face is painted with mirth when Natsu chances her a glance. "You don't have to act so differently. Just act like the usual and be yourself. I like you the way you are."
'W-what is she doing? What is she saying?' he muses as he gets startled with her words. He's supposed to be the one trying to make her fall in love, not the other way around. He's already so deeply in love with her, why is she making him fall even more? Natsu speculates whether she realizes what she has just let out.
"You like me?" he verifies as he scans her face. She's in the middle of setting up the dishes she has prepared beforehand when she seems to comprehend her words. Natsu isn't disappointed with the cute reaction she exhibits.
Blinking slowly, she gives him a humbled look. He grins at her, expecting. "I can't say I love you, yet." 'She said yet.' "But that doesn't mean I don't like you."
Natsu's grin becomes wider, his overall mood brightening up tremendously and the air around him turning so light he feels like soaring high. "I like you, too!" he says with great delight. "And I also love you."
Erza blushes.
The plate on her hand jolts a bit, but she swiftly straightens it as she recovers. She smiles softly, her gaze becoming just as warm and it sends a wave of pleasure down Natsu's spine. "I know."
They proceed to eat in comfortable silence, the wind surrounding them so fresh and natural. And Erza's prepared dishes are so delicious that Natsu can't even bother to hold back. But it is just as well because he is told to simply be himself. Erza probably doesn't know how substantial the impact of those sentiments for him are, all the more reason why he's giddy with content.
Eventually, as they almost finishes, Erza poses a question.
"So, is what Gray said true?"
Natsu chews his sandwich, pours black tea on a cup and offers it to Erza. She accepts it and gives her thanks. "He's lying," he answers as he takes a cup for himself.
"On which part?"
"The thing about being right from the start is true. The thing about not hard to notice is a lie." He sips the tea and for a fleeting moment, he sees another blush on her cheeks as she sips her own tea.
"Really?" She averts her gaze from him and Natsu finally realizes what he has just said.
"Yeah." He mildly scratches his cheek in a gesture of embarrassment and chuckles softly. "A-anyway, it's really not easy to notice. He just picked it up right away because he's had a crush on you and he could relate to me."
She raises a brow, showing confusion. "What?"
Natsu lets out a chortle. "Don't tell him I told you that but yeah."
"Oh."
Later on, they tidy up the plates and cups and deposit them back to the basket. They move so naturally and in surprisingly impressive coordination and Natsu smiles at the thought that this can become a constant thing for them.
Erza sits beside him after they're done. He welcomes the closeness with open arms and takes relish on the coziness brought by her presence. Their gazes are drawn to the stunning skyline, it is irresistible in all its gory.
"This place is a wonder. I'm ensorcelled," she comments and Natsu can't help but agree.
"You were all I ever wanted to look at that day so I didn't notice but yeah, it is."
She shoots him an abrupt gaze and he meets it with a curious one. Then after a few seconds of just inspecting his face, she beams at him.
"I enjoyed our date today, Natsu. Thank you."
He gets mesmerized, almost rendered speechless, but he wills himself to give a response and says, "Me too."
Steering back his gaze at the view, like she has done, becomes difficult because he can't seem to take his eyes off of her, so he gives in to his impulses and focuses solely on her. He props his chin on one hand and stares at her, showing no shame at all, as he admires how her eyes look so awed. She appears contented, leading Natsu to feel the same.
He smiles broadly and stares a bit more.
She's so beautiful.
..
Happy watches as Natsu wordlessly organizes the mess in their house. Earlier, he has seen him fix their old furniture and washes the dirty dishes. It is still considerably in disorder but the thick dust is gone, as well as the piles of trash that have accumulated.
He swears he hears Natsu whistling at some point.
"Natsu! What are you doing?" he asks, already disturbed by his partner's abnormal acts.
"What do you mean? Can't you see that I'm cleaning?" he speaks casually, yet with a hint of sullenness, and wipes a table. There's a cup in there that Natsu probably fails to notice, so it gets dragged by his rag and eventually falls. It breaks into pieces, similar to how he has broken two glasses minutes ago. He has also definitely shattered a few of their stuffs by accident in the short span of his cleaning process.
"Why?" Happy flies toward his direction and floats right above him. "Natsu, are you sick?"
"I'm not!" He squawks in indignation as he picks up the poor fragments on the floor. "It's just that we'll be having a guest."
"Really? Who is it?"
Natsu throws away the pieces and gives Happy a lopsided grin. "You'll see. She's probably on her way now."
Happy perks up at this. He flies excitedly and follows Natsu as he checks the result of his work. It is far from neat and tidy but it is passable, but more importantly. "She?"
"I'm all ready for your teasing, prepare to roll your tongue."
This results a thrill to come over Happy's furs. Natsu means only one thing, right? Someone he liiiiiikes is going to come and visit them. Finally, finally, he's going to see her. Although Happy sees Lucy almost everyday, today is going to be different. He's very excited and he's so so ready to tease them.
He has actually witnessed Natsu acting so weird these past few days. He doesn't how to describe it but it feels like there is always a contained enthusiasm in him that Happy can't connect to any jobs or fights that he has been involved with. But now, it is beginning to make sense to him.
'So this is Natsu when he likes someone.'
He happily drafts a plan on how he can best tease them, more so with Lucy as her reaction are always exaggerating, and imagines the red faces they will sport right after. He snickers to himself.
Before long, Natsu is walking to the door with light steps and screaming to Happy that "She's here!"
He flies in circles, dancing and prancing in the air.
Then the door opens, Happy stops in anticipation, and Natsu steps on the side to welcome Erza.
Happy feels like his wings are suddenly clipped when he goes down. He lands on the table silently but without grace as he stares at the mage that he and Natsu are so admittedly afraid of. At least that's what he truly believes.
"Hey, Happy, this is the person that I like," Natsu says, proud but sincere and Happy sees a faint redness on both of their cheeks.
'Eh?'
He can't think straight, he can't form proper words, he can't even choose on how to react. He just stares at them quietly, his mouth probably opened and his eyes wide like a saucer. He hears Erza say something to Natsu and Natsu chuckles at her, his expression elated but gentle.
Eventually, Erza comes in, inspects the inside of their humble home and comments about something here and there. Happy doesn't hear any complains or even nitpicking and her tone even sounds lighthearted and her words and probably her attention, but mostly her presence are providing Natsu merriment and joy.
Happy only blinks in confusion.
He watches, still in silence, as Natsu presents his mementos and expresses his thoughts, all the while being mindful in keeping Erza interested. It looks successful as Erza appears to be invested to his opinions.
He watches as they chat, bicker lightly and exchange ideas, plans and aspirations. They talk, they laugh, and they smile at each other in a way that is different from how they usually are.
He watches as Erza becomes a person that Happy doesn't recognize. All her features are the same, but she's different from the Erza that he knows, so much that he questions himself why he is afraid of this person when she looks so gentle, kindhearted and amiable.
He watches as Natsu proceeds to make expressions that Happy hasn't seen before. His mood, his face and his attitude are different from what he's used to seeing. It is all unlike the excitement he displays in a battle with strong opponents, or even in front of an unlimited feast, and Happy immediately labels it as one of the best things.
Still, he blinks.
There's only one thing that he wishes to say, a question that's gnawing on him.
"Natsu, what about Lucy?"
They look at him at the same time, and Happy can't identify what kind of expression Erza is making, but Natsu only raises a brow at him.
"What about her? I didn't invite her."
"Eh?"
Happy is still in disbelief. All along he thinks Lucy is the one coming, Lucy is the one Natsu likes. He has prepared all the teasing that he's going to say to her and expects all the possible time they'll spend together in the future.
But now, everything gets thrown away when reality decides to fling his wings and slaps him in the face because it is not Lucy, it is Erza.
He feels down, all of a sudden, as he vaguely hears Natsu leaving for a moment to check on something outside. If it is fish, he may get alleviated, otherwise, he doesn't really care what it is.
Gingerly, Erza nears him. "Happy," she calls out and Happy is momentarily surprised when he hears her voice. "Do you like Lucy more?"
"Eh?" Happy straightens and looks at her. Her voice sounds so quiet and unconfident and her face is layered with dejection and remorse which Happy thinks doesn't suit her pretty face. In a jiffy, he gets washed over with guilt as he realizes that he causes her undeniable sadness simply from what he has said and how he has acted. "N-no." He stutters, not knowing how to explain. "I just thought it's Lucy and I'm expecting her and I'm waiting for her and..."
Erza's expression shifts, but Happy can't see because a shadow has been casted over her face. And yet, he can tell that it isn't something good.
"I see. Sorry, Happy," she says apologetically and silently walks out the door.
Happy watches as she goes over to where Natsu is, watches as she bids him goodbye and apologizes for the suddenness, watches as she tells him something urgent has come up. He watches as Natsu watches her leaving form, his other half sulking while the other is disheartened.
He watches with realization that he has technically driven Erza away and causes both of them great pains.
He has done something really bad to Erza and Natsu, hasn't he?
The next day, they learn at the guild that Erza has taken a lengthy S-class mission, all by herself, that no one knows about except for Master.
..
Erza's pace is slow as she strolls the ample expanse of the beach side. It is arctic and humid and the cold air feels almost unbearable. But her feet still bring her here as her mind wanders.
She's done with her days of investigation and all she needs to do now is solve the problem. Yet she can't find the enthusiasm to start on it right away, for when she finishes, she's expected to go home.
It is very unprofessional of her, she knows, and not only does it affect the client, but she's also tarnishing the name of the guild. But she feels an extreme anguish in her heart from the notion of going home.
In the first place, she has grabbed this job first thing in the morning just to get away. Natsu may get mad, but she hasn't told anyone, even him, after she receives Master's approval. She will have to deal with them when she comes back, even though she doesn't really want to.
It isn't supposed to be like this, it isn't supposed to hurt this much. Happy is entitled to have his opinion and own preference and it isn't strange that he has someone he's rooting for to be with Natsu. She's a mature woman, she's supposed to be cool with it, to accept and understand.
And yet, remembering Happy's words, why does it hurt her so much?
Why is she affected so much that it's inter-meddling on her job?
Why does her heart feel so broken?
She and Natsu aren't even officially dating yet. She's still in the process of working out on her feelings for him.
Or does this ascertain what her true feelings are?
Erza places a palm over where her heart is supposed to be. With all the metals protecting her, why does she feel like it is still damaged and shattered to pieces?
She sighs in melancholy and is too late in noticing that something ominous is approaching. Next thing she knows, a giant wrathful wave is eating her and the entire beach alive.
..
Today marks the third whole week since Erza has gone to that S-class mission. Truthfully, Natsu isn't very worried about her. He's fully aware, after all, that her strength and aptitude is more than enough to take a highly difficult mission all alone. She has done it before, with great precision and excellent results, and she can do it again and again.
But he has a growing apprehension as to why she hasn't bothered to tell him anything.
Natsu isn't expecting her to bring him with her, or even ask for his consent, all he wishes is for her to clue him in about being away for a while.
He can't say it doesn't sting to be informed that she has left so abruptly like that. It actually hurts quite a lot, enough that even Happy is affected by his brooding. He stays at Lucy, most of the time, and always looks at Natsu with wary eyes. Sometimes, he thinks Happy will say something, but then decides to bite his tongue and flies away from him.
He doesn't really understand why he acts like that but it is probably better that he's often away from him as to not perceive how depressed Natsu has become.
..
"Natsu! Where do you think you're going?" Master Makarov yells with a stern voice that he rarely use when Natsu is just about to step out.
An intense tension is filling the whole guild as everyone is on alert with what may occur and Happy can only watch in anxiousness.
One month since Erza's sudden departure, they have received a message from her indicating that something unforeseen has happened on her mission which forces her to stay for a few more days. She mentions an accident and her magic getting temporarily dispersed, but is quick to reassure them that she's unharmed. The message includes telling them not to attempt to go after her as she will be back immediately after closing the client's case.
Predictably, the guild members expresses their worries and concern for Erza, but Happy is aware that the most affected in this happening is Natsu.
He has made that widely known when he hurriedly tries to go.
"I'm going, jii-chan," he murmurs.
"Are you really going to ignore what she just said and disrespect her wish?" Master lowers his voice and Happy hopes that Natsu will listen.
"But..."
Master lets out a sigh, his expression turning sympathetic and kind. "She said she is fine, so she is fine. Trust her and just wait for her return."
To their delighted surprise, Natsu relents.
He silently walks back to their table, where Happy and Lucy are watching him, with his head hanging in defeat. He sits down, props his head on the table and keeps his face away from everyone's eyes. He looks so dejected.
Deep down, Happy knows that it is all his fault. He has hurt Erza, which has driven her away, which has resulted for her to go on that mission, which has led to her getting into an accident, which in turn has worried Natsu and probably has saddened him all those days Erza is gone.
He really doesn't know how to apologize, but he at least needs to tell Natsu and explain to him. He takes slow steps to reach Natsu's head and calls out to him.
"Natsu."
He gets ignored. It hurts him but not enough to deter him. He decides to give him time for now.
'Later,' he thinks as he wipes the corner of his eyes filled with unshed tears, 'I will tell Natsu.'
..
When he walks home, still feeling dejected and worried, Happy is following him with so much caution. He isn't flying, nor is he positioned on Natsu's shoulder, he's simply walking beside him as he tries his best to keep up. He chances him a glance and sees a determined yet somewhat guilty look on his face. He furrows his brows in confusion.
He learns the reason of Happy's oddity when they reach their house and he declares that he has something to say.
"Natsu, it's my fault that Erza went to that mission."
Natsu's attention is all focused on him in an instant. "What do you mean by that, Happy?"
"When she visited us, I asked for Lucy and she asked me if I like Lucy more." He hastily wipes a tear that rolls down on his cheek with a paw. "A-and I said I thought you like Lucy and that I was waiting for Lucy. Natsuuu, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drive her away. I'm sorry."
Natsu can only watch him cry his eyes out. He hasn't had an idea that something like this has happened. Is that really the reason why Erza has suddenly decided to go away? And is this also why Happy is acting so strange around him?
"Happy." He pats him in the end and tries to comfort him. Natsu is a bit shaken with what he has heard but he doesn't like seeing his partner in this state. He already looks repentant and has accepted that it is his fault, there's no reason to intensify his guilt by getting mad at him. "Hey, buddy, it's okay. I know you're sorry and you won't do it again, but you have to apologize to Erza, too. Okay?"
Happy sniffs, his wails quieting down. "I will. I will apologize to her when she comes home."
"Yeah, when she comes home," Natsu mumbles to himself, once again feeling a wave of worry flashing into him.
"Natsu." Happy takes a grasp of his hand, he sniffs again, and then gives him a resolute look. "She'll come back soon, she'll come home to us, and then I'll tell her that I like her, more than anyone, for you."
Natsu lets out a chuckle because suddenly, he's the one getting comforted.
"Yeah, she will. But don't tell her that just because you're sorry, tell her that if only you really mean it. Otherwise, she will notice and will only get hurt even more."
"Aye sir! I will tell her because I mean it! I really really do!"
He laughs at Happy and moves to wipe the mess he has made on his face with all those crying. It makes him giggle and the joyous sound makes Natsu laugh. When he's done, Happy asks him a question that he hasn't really thought of until now.
"Natsu, why do you like Erza?"
..
Happy has seen how happy can Natsu be when he's with Erza. He has also seen how sad he can be because of her. He doesn't have any doubts anymore that she's the only one he truly likes, and he can pick out how much he likes her.
But he's curious as to why her.
Of course, that's not to say that Erza doesn't have likable qualities. Happy even thinks they are too many to mention. Apart from being scary, he probably likes everything about Erza, most worth mentioning is that she never forgets to count Happy in. Where people always label Team Natsu as an originally four-member group, Erza is quick to correct it as five. It has always made Happy feel belonged.
"If you ask me what I like about her, I can say a lot of things. But if you ask me why I like her. Hmm..." Natsu purses his lips in deep thinking, his finger rubbing on his chin while his gaze is focused somewhere above with so much intensity that they're almost squinting. "It's hard to tell but I probably like Erza because she is Erza."
Happy doesn't really understand, so he asks another question.
"If you have to choose between me and Erza, who will you choose?"
Natsu looks at him in all his seriousness. "That's the thing, Happy. Erza will never let me be put on that spot."
"Eh?"
Happy sees a smile grazing Natsu's lips, and it is one of those smiles that he has seen him give to Erza on that day. It feels heartwarming, even to him. "Erza knows how important you are to me, she will do anything so that I won't have to choose between the two of you. Besides, she cares about you, too, buddy. If she ever feels like I'm about to choose her over you, she will definitely kill me and save you, herself."
Happy thinks he gets it. He, too, believes that that's how Erza will act. She is always making sure that everyone is safe and happy and she is always making sure to support and guide them all. And Happy should have known that. After all, Erza is always watching over him since the first day he has first seen this world.
Somehow, it sparks some sense into him knowing that Erza has always been a great influence for him and an important part of his life.
He gets even more determined to see her and apologize to her. And then after that, Happy will tell her how much he really likes her. So he hopes and prays that she'll come home very soon.
..
After one month and one week, Erza finally comes home.
..
-k-