"hey," Loke got inside the kitchen with full guilt. "i'm sorry that we went there by surprise."
Lucy sighed after washing the last plate they used during dinner, without Natsu as always, the director had already excused herself from the superior to take the whole afternoon off as Sol didn't want to let go of her, clinging to her like a koala until they got home.
luckily, the superior had a soft spot for kids which made him excuse Lucy that easily. it bothered Lucy how quiet Sol was the whole time and how she didn't want to look up to anyone of them.
"it's okay." Lucy smiled at the babysitter that's giving her a guilty frown. "don't give me that look!"
She knew Loke didn't mean to make a mess. his purpose was just to give her the lunch they, him with Sol, worked hard to make. She hated how Loke kept on blaming himself when it's actually not his fault.
"but imagine if Natsu would have been there!" Loke groaned, hitting himself for the nth time for being stupid.
Lucy explained to him everything, from her relationship with Natsu to her being a director at Natsu's Company.
Loke stayed frozen for a good five minutes at the living room, trying to process what Lucy just said to him, and the realized the mistake he did. if he should have known then he wouldn't have brought the kid with him, if only Lucy have told him earlier.
But he's not blaming her, it must be hard to trust anyone in telling that secret of theirs.
"but he wasn't, okay?" Lucy chuckled, turning around to place light slaps on Loke's cheeks to bring him back to reality and showing that she isn't mad at him. "everything is okay."
"is it hard?" Loke asked out of curiosity. "is it hard having a relationship like that with Natsu?"
"it's painful." Lucy said, not even bothering to lie. Loke is her bestfriend, she didn't want to hide anything from him anymore. "but i need to stay strong for Sol."
the brown haired then threw his body towards Loke and hugged her very tight, making Lucy have a hard time breathing. "you're going to find someone one day. someone who will love you and is willing to stay by your side no matter what happens."
what if Lucy wants no one but Natsu?
"it's late and your landlord might be looking for you." Lucy slowly pushed Loke away and gave him a sweet smile, ruffling the boy's hair. "you don't want your lover to wait, do you?"
as much as he wants to go home and shower his beloved with kisses, Lucy looked like she needed help.
"I know that look." Lucy pouted. "do you think it's my first time being alone with my princess?"
"you really have to cut ties with Natsu." Loke sighed, just speaking with pure honesty. "he's not being of help."
"he's doing a great job on his part, Loke." Lucy said, cursing at love for making her side with Natsu despite of getting hurt by him.
but Lucy is not wrong though, Natsu really is doing his part. being a good father to Sol and supporting them financially. love is not given but Lucy already appreciates Natsu taking responsibility.
rolling his eyes, Loke couldn't believe his friend siding with a heartless person. "sure, he's doing a great job in breaking your heart into tiny pieces."
"you really need to go home." Lucy isn't mad, she just didn't want anyone say any insults to Natsu. it hurt her too.
"will you be-"
"Lucy Heartfilia!"
the two of them had their eyes widened and quickly faced their heads to the front door only to be greeted by Natsu Dragneel crossing his arms with that stern look plastered on his face.
"Natsu?" by that look on the older's face, Lucy knew something bad will happen. She didn't want Loke to witness it. "take care on your way home. i'll be fine, it's going to be fine."
"Lucy!" Natsu approached the director and grabbed her hands harshly catching Lucy off guard. He was well aware that Loke was there but he didn't care anymore. by now, Lucy probably told him everything so what's the point of hiding. "what was that all about?"
Loke was shocked seeing Natsu snapping, looking like he'll hit Lucy any moment from now. "Natsu, you aren't supposed to do that-"
"stay away from this." Natsu glared at Loke that's protecting Lucy.
"Nat-"
"why did you bring the kids to office!? how many times do i have to tell you to keep them away from me as possible!"
hearing that made Loke scoff, "you're ashamed of your kids?"
"it's not that i'm ashamed, babysitter." Natsu growled at Loke.
"i should not be caught, do you even know who my father is?"
everyone knows who, and they all know how powerful the Dragneel family is. even Natsu is scared to meet with his father's wrath, which is why he should not do any mistake.
"guess what rich kid," Loke harshly pushed Natsu away and went in front of the poor director, who's very near to crying, to protect her from any possible violence Natsu could do to her. "i was the one who brought Sol to the company so don't go accusing Lucy who did nothing wrong."
they didn't know Natsu caught them, well, atleast they thought Sol didn't see Natsu
clicking his tongue, Natsu decided not to have any violent fights. he only excused himself quickly to his parents saying that he was just going to the office and plus, he didn't want to return home having a bruise, "this is going to be the last, i don't want anything like this happening again."
Loke held Lucy's hand very tight and hid fully her body behind him. "what are you going to do?"
turning around, "i'm going to end it right here. i'm not taking any responsibilities anymore and i'll erase this family out from my life." he said before leaving the house.
he didn't waste anytime to avoid any questions coming from his parents.
Loke quickly turned to face Lucy, cupping her face and hushing her before tears would fall from her eyes
"Lucy don't cry, it's going to be okay"
but tears fell down even with Loke trying his very best to prevent them. Lucy then wrapped her arms around and hugged him tight as she buried her head on his chest and cried really hard. yuta could only sigh and run a hand through his friend's hair, hoping that it comforted her.
"Loke, i don't want that to happen." Lucy cried out, "i don't want to be erased from his life."
Sol closed the door of her room, holding onto the plushie tightly as she looked out of the window, the headlights of her car shining into her room
She frowned, closing her eyes and trying to forget what she heard and saw "Daddy is a scary bean"
Natsu didn't mean to hurt anyone last night. he didn't mean to snap and make Lucy cry.
he didn't mean those words he had said last night. sure, he was mad at the two for bringing Sol to the company
Imagine if their secret would be leaked at that moment. but Natsu didn't intend to shout and hurt Lucy, all he wanted was to talk to her and warn her about it.
it just so happens that he went to visit Lucy's house and saw the two being so close. Loke protecting Lucy didn't even help him calm down, especially when he saw Lucy relying on Loke at that moment.
how she hid behind Loke's back and thinking she'd be safe there and how she gripped into the babysitter's shirt so tight as she was scared.
"Natsu, they are just friends." the male buried his head on the palm of his hands. "it's normal for Loke to protect her and she can rely on anyone, i don't care."
as long as Lucy doesn't disturbs him.
scoffing at that thought, "she had disturbed me ever since that very night."
but it's also his fault for taking advantage. it was his fault in the first place, he knew it was wrong, he knew they were drunk, yet he did it.
but he blamed it on Lucy even though he was at fault.
"this is making me think too much" groaning, Natsu stood up from his seat.
he needed to find another place to make him stop from thinking too much, a loud place where he gets distracted. checking his wrist watch, a smile made its way to Natsu's lips after checking the time.
Five more minutes till he gets back to work. No more time to have his mind wander around.
Natsu just hopes, he didn't want to be in a quiet place again. it makes him think a lot.
"did you know miss heartfilia has a daughter?"
"the director? She is married?"
Natsu's feet started to move very fast out of the lobby, not wanting to hear the gossips.
Lucy having a adorable daughter was already a big talk inside the company, and having a very hot husband was also another thing to talk about.
Natsu wasn't supposed to mind it, at least it's not about him and is far from being obvious about him having any type of connections with Lucy.
but being married?
having a daughter with a very hot husband?
It's Loke they are referring to as a 'very hot husband and Natsu was so bothered knowing that.
"i don't care." Natsu mumbled to himself, covering his ears and making his way to his chamber. "why should i care?"
no he wasn't bothered at Loke being called as hot
no he wasn't bothered by Lucy being married in their eyes, no he wasn't bothered at them seeing Lucy, Loke, and Sol as a family.
Honestly speaking, Natsu doesn't know what he was so annoyed at.
sighing in relief, Natsu stepped put of the elevator to his floor and thought that he was finally free from his mind but boy was he wrong after seeing a familiar
Director stacking up a pile of papers to be carried. looking up from the desk, Lucy could feel her breathing stopping after seeing Natsu standing by the dividers of the computer cubicles gulping, she gathered the guts to send him a small smile. "y-you're early sir."
the director also passed a smile, reminding himself not to care, before showing the blonde his expensive looking wrist watch, "a minute from now, the foreign advisors meeting will start."
Lucy gasped, totally not keeping track in time. "well then, i better go."
She placed another pile of files and papers, groaning at the sight of what to carry, and she still has to bring her laptop that's on the desk. Then again, it's her fault for setting the deadlines of the projects on the same date.
"you need help?" as if he would really help.
Lucy frowned at the thought and shook her head as a no. "i'm fine."
carrying everything all at once, Lucy was already internally crying and suffering but managed to keep a straight face outside. all she needs is too pass by Natsu, ignore him, and everything will be alright.
"Yukino showed you a picture of the little girl?"
"yeah! oh my god, she is so cute."
"of course, a cute looking mama and a hot daddy? mixed together, a cute fluffball"
"i don't get it."
"ugh, just show me the pictures."
again with the gossips.
Lucy too was aware but decided to ignore them and avoid it from getting her distracted from work. Lucy did it so easily meanwhile Natsu was having a hard time shrugging it off.
he would also accept and agree at the compliments of their princess being called cute but referring her father as someone else other than him?
how about, no.
turning around so quickly, Natsu caught up to Lucy and carried the pile of papers that had a laptop on top of it.
catching Lucy by surprise. Natsu could only just walk beside him as he helped her carry the things to the said meeting, not glancing down at Lucy who's giving him a look.
clicking his tongue, Natsu pushed the door open to the small meeting room. "don't just rely on that babysitter, i'm also here for you."
