That last Wednesday, he had gotten lost while searching for her classroom, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

"Yo, Ashina!"

The green-haired dancer landed gracefully on the balls of her left foot. She whipped around to face him, the long ponytail arcing in a perfect circle around her head.

"Natsu! It's been a while!" a melodious voice rang out as she skipped towards him. "Take five, everyone!" She gestured to her class, an energetic group of youths who immediately froze mid-pose. Grabbing the end of her towel to wipe the trails along her cheek, their instructor flashed a cheerful smile his way. "How have you been?"

"Same old. Work's been crazy."

"Yeah, I can tell."

She propped a hand on her hip. "Dad has been coming home late almost every day. Whom should I be taking it up with that my poor father is all zombie-like now?"

"Uh…"

"If we hadn't known better, I swear mom would have thought he was having an affair."

Natsu's eyes went wide. "Alzack, I mean, your father isn't that kind of person. It's just-"

"I'm kidding," she snorted. "I know how much my parents are in love. Makes me gag just looking at them, especially since they don't know how to differentiate between what kind of affection should be public and what should be only done in the privacy of their own room… Anyway, what brings you here?"

He chuckled. "No nails, thank you very much. I was on my way somewhere, but when I saw you, an idea just came to mind. Are you free Monday?"

A curious gleam entered her eyes. "Oh yeah, what is it?"

"The design team's been in a bit of a funk recently, and I was wondering if you'd be open to trying something. Come to the office around 4. I want you to be around for an idea I'm toying with."

"Aw… Now you're making me wait five whole days?" Ashina's full lips pouted as she sidled up to him. "Natsu, you can't arouse a girl's curiosity like this and then make her wait a week. You'd be driving me crazy."

"Nothing is set in stone. I told you, I just thought of it when I saw you."

"Gosh, at least give me a hint," she cajoled. "Otherwise, I might go complaining to Dad that his boss is bullying me."

"Ashina, your students are watching," the pinkette replied as he removed her arm from his shoulder. "No funny business."

She chuckled and poked his ribs. "Does that mean that if no one were around, you-"

"No, thank you," he snorted. "You're not my type."

"I'm everybody's type," she huffed then rolled her eyes. "But who'd want to date you anyway? You're a maniac who's chained to his office desk and- Wait, what are you doing here? Dad's still at work, which means you-"

"Not telling. See ya!"

"Natsu! Oi, Natsu!"

"See you on Monday!"

"Lucy… Oi, Lucy!"

"Huh? What?"

"Are you listening? You were zoning out again."

"Listening to your voice puts me to sleep," she replied blandly.

"Don't be rude," Darius retorted. "Focus, will you? This part is important."

The blonde sighed and re-shuffled the pages of her portfolio again. Nothing was out of order, but she just needed to move her fingers to regain her senses. She had been wholly unprepared for how quickly things became hectic. And here she was, foolishly thinking that three months was sufficient time.

How naïve she had been.

On top of her usual classes and preparing the first drafts of Levy's new romance novel cover, nearly every other minute was spent shadowing Professor Crosby. After that, she had been meeting up with the professor's assistants to discuss the curation of the artwork in the gallery.

As Darius said, she would have a whole wall to fill up. The idea that she would be displaying her art, a distillation and embodiment of her innermost thoughts and desires on canvas for the world (and hundred critics guaranteed to turn up) to see, thrilled her to her core. At the same time, it terrified her beyond belief. Her knees would quake, her heart would beat almost painfully, and her throat would go bone dry. Although it was not her first time exhibiting her work, it would be for an event of this scale.

Lucy shivered. It might have been the cold air-conditioning blowing her way, or perhaps simply the notion that one of her grandest dreams was well in the works. Either way, she could not wait for the red-letter day to come. But firstly…

"I can't believe I have to work with you for this," she grumbled.

"I'm sure you can tolerate me for a few more weeks, Lulu."

"Lu-cy."

"Lucy." Darius slowed to keep pace with her. "Isn't there something nice about this though?"

"What are you talking about now?"

"You know…" he began. "We used to work like this together as well, side by side."

Damn it. Lucy hastened her pace. "I'm not interested in taking a stroll down nostalgia lane with you."

He quickly matched it. "I'm not trying to stir anything up. Just making light conversation."

"Then stick to other topics," she replied bluntly. "Like what we need to do on Monday. And for how many minutes I'll need to see your ugly mug."

"Most people would like this mug. You used to."

"'Used to' being the operational phrase, Fairheart. Now, enough with that nonsense and teach me properly."

By the time she left the gallery, Lucy was tired.

No, tired was an understatement. She was drained, enervated, sapped of all energy.

As much as she hated to admit it, she was truly grateful to have Darius guiding her throughout. She detested the man but his experience with exhibition organization far surpassed hers, and already she had picked up countless tips from him. If she had had to work all this out by herself, Lucy might have thrown in the towel a long time ago.

She nibbled away dazedly at the sandwich she had bought at the gallery boulangerie. At that hour, there had not been much of a selection left and although she was not a fan of tuna salad, it had really been one of the most palatable options left on the shelf. It was either that or overpriced cold bagels. Having been spoilt rotten by the head baker at the Regency Café, Lucy was not able to subject her tastebuds to stale bagels.

As was her habit, she opened her chat app to stare at Natsu's cheeky grin.

It had been a long time since she last saw him in person. Sure, they still enjoyed each other's company through text and calls, but it simply wasn't the same. If she had known that he would be leaving town for three weeks, she would have asked him to stay the night after their date in the garden.

Meanwhile, the rumour about him and Ashina was now even wilder than before. Ever since the dancer rather loudly and proudly announced that she had been invited by the pinkette himself to collaborate on some secret project at Strauss Tech, the gossip mills had begun churning out stories ever quicker.

As curious as she was, Lucy didn't want to probe. He hadn't brought it up, and she certainly wasn't going to approach Ashina about it. The older Connell sister was all aglow about the secret project and to be honest, it was driving the blonde positively nuts. But Lucy hated being one of those girls and so, despite curiosity burning a hole in her gut, she refused to give in.

It was probably a good thing then, that she was being kept run ragged with work.

Almost every day now, she was practically dragging herself into the house. The academy was a short distance from home, but the gallery was nearly 45 minutes away by car. The route from the museum also took her past Strauss Tech. Whenever the taxi stopped at the cross junction next to the building, her attention would inevitably be drawn to it. Lucy would rest her head against the glass and stare up at the steel edifice reaching up into the sky.

Then, she would think of him.

And she would miss him.

Finishing the last morsel of her cold dinner, the blonde pulled her thick jacket tighter around her body.

Winter had finally fallen upon them.

Sitting outdoors in the cold air soothed her frazzled nerves, but sometimes it could get a bit much. That evening was growing particularly chilly and she slumped down onto the bench table, curling inwards to retain some body heat.

She sighed and her breath puffed out in small clouds. The wispy trails of smoke rose up a few inches before dissipating into the wintry chill. Lucy watched them fade as the empty loneliness of the streets steadily gnawed away at her.

There weren't many people around as it was a Friday.

Usually, Lucy would have gone home by now, but her quiet apartment was not much of an improvement. There were no chores that needed completing, no books that needed reading, and certainly no one awaiting her return. She could work on Levy's frontispiece but frankly speaking, Lucy needed a bit of a break from her work. She had also briefly entertained the idea of visiting Mirajane. Alas, the sisters were both knee-deep in the season's sale surge and her presence would only be a burden.

The cold wind whistled down the streets, sending a flurry of discarded tissues and dried leaves tumbling down the asphalt. She would typically enjoy such a tranquil atmosphere but spending so much time with the boisterous male had ruined it for her.

She sighed quietly again.

"Mmhmm… I want to see him."

"What would you say when you saw him?"

"That I miss him an- Eh?!"

Lucy leapt to her feet, her head whipping around towards the voice. Amber eyes went wide and her mouth fell agape when she took in the figure now standing before her.

He stood there in a casual stance, gloved hands tucked in the pockets of his trench coat. That same cheeky grin flashed across his face now, and the corners of his eyes crinkled upwards. Natsu laughed playfully as he cocked his head at her.

"What else would you tell me?"

"You're back…" she replied dumbly. "You said your return flight was in two days'."

He shrugged. "I came back early. You said you missed me."

The blonde flushed and tugged at her scarf ends. "You can't possibly have known that. I just said it."

"Well, I missed you too."

Natsu wrapped his arms around her waist as he drew her into a tight hug. Burying his head in the crook of her neck, the man inhaled slowly and exhaled with a contented sigh. "You have no idea how much I missed you."

His comforting warmth enveloped her. Unable to speak, Lucy just curled her fingers around his coat and rested her head against his own. His spiky hair was as soft as she remembered but this time, the thick locks were cold against her cheek. He smelled of lemon mixed with a hint of rain.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"I didn't," he mumbled. "Went to your school first. Levy told me the museum is now your second home."

"Yeah well…" A wry laugh parted her lips. "Exhibition's in two months…"

Natsu drew back from the hug. "Are you done for the day?"

She nodded then startled a little when he suddenly leaned in for a quick kiss.

"I've got something to show you. Let's go."

I'm changing the rating in a bit. I hope you all enjoy what's to come.

Sam.