Storyline: Natsu was a suffering insomniac who hated everyone. He travelled to the same coffee shop each day - What happens when he nearly spills his coffee all over the wrong girl?


The harsh wind ripped harshly at Natsu Dragneel's scarf and he growled before yanking it back into place.

It was autumn, it was 7 AM and Natsu couldn't sleep. He had to suppress another growl as he hid his mouth behind his scarf when a passer-by stared at him. He clenched his sharp teeth and rolled his eyes which he hid under sunglasses. It was cold and all, but the sun peaked over Magnolia's buildings and seemed to aim directly at Natsu's eyes.

Natsu shrugged to himself. It was convenient. A lot of kids were heading to school, and he didn't want to draw any attention to himself, negative or positive. Sometimes girls would stare and giggle at him, which always managed to make him feel uncomfortable. His friend's had a ball teasing him about his mass of pale pink hair, but woman certainly weren't complaining. He heaved a sigh.

When he started growing into his body at sixteen, he decided that if old woman wanted to clutch their handbags to their chests, and if mothers wanted to pull their children closer when he passed them, he'd at least look like the delinquent they all thought he was.

There was no use trying to change a fixed opinion, so why try? He sported baggy, faded jeans with a plain top and a worn leather jacket. As always, his scaled, white scarf that his father gave him hung around his neck, as well as his rare, pale brown fedora hat that he'd inherited from his father too.

He let his scarf fall loose as he made his way into the coffee shop. It was his favourite since it was open all hours of the day and night and that's how long he seemed to be awake. Insomnia could be a hell of a bitch and all, but it helped when you have a test to study for. You don't need to worry about nodding off on the job, that's for sure.

He nodded in greeting to the couple that sat beside the window as he took off his glasses, even though he had never spoken to them. They seemed to be here as much as he did. He pretty much knew everyone who entered this shop but offered nothing but a nod. Were they suffering insomniacs too? He didn't know.

Natsu placed his scarf on his regular table – He'd never usually risk leaving his scarf anywhere, but he felt he could trust the people in this café - and left his sunglasses there too before sauntering over to the counter. He ordered his usual black coffee with three sugars.

He didn't hear the door's bell announce someone's arrival as he fought heavy lids. How was it possible to be so tired but be unable to sleep? He took his drink groggily and paid before turning to make his way back to his table.

"Whoa!"

A small body collided with his torso. Luckily, the person seemed to be more than a whole foot shorter them himself, standing just below his collar bone, otherwise he was sure his drink would've spilt all over them. Natsu regained his balance and looked down at the person who ran into him.

It was a girl. He raised a brow. No, a woman. She was… attractive, he noted with some uncertainty. Her platinum blonde hair was tied in a loose ponytail but from what he could tell it was quite long. Her eyes were something though, which in turn was something coming from him.

She had very pretty almond shaped eyes that looked heavy with eyelashes, but that's not what made him stare. They were brown. But a honey brown. The colour had almost liquified and looked like amber. It was strange and rare to see. He grumbled and looked down at his coffee.

"You're lucky that didn't spill," he muttered, waiting for the flood of apologies or for her to run away. He expected the latter and chose to walk around her before she did. He paused when a sound he didn't expect came from the blonde girl.

She scoffed.

He turned around slowly to see her looking up at him incredulously. No - Angrily.

"I'm lucky?" she asked before narrowing her eyes. Her voice wasn't as expected. He'd expected it to be high and shrilly due to her height. Annoying. But it was lower than he imagined, with an intelligent edge to it which was attractive as fuck.

Wait, attractive?

He didn't have time to think more about it as she continued.

"You're the lucky one," she went on. "If you had spilt that coffee on me, this would have gone very differently. Maybe you should watch where you're going."

Natsu arched his brow but didn't argue. He turned around to face her fully and looked her up and down before his eyes finally landed back on her face.

"…What?" he drawled. The girl just rolled her eyes and turned her back to order at the counter. Natsu hummed to himself in bewilderment before turning to make his way back to his table with a shake of his head.


Natsu tried his best not to ponder the brief interaction, but his eyes wandered over to her more than he would have liked. He was finally working over some music scores when she approached again, her expression now more sheepish than challenging. Natsu raised his brows before crossing his arms over his work to lean towards her with a smirk.

"Here to yell some more?" he asked in amusement. She huffed again and suppressed a chuckle. Since when did a girl other than his friends make him laugh?

""Well, I was here to apologise," she more or less growled. "But you won't receive that apology if you're going to be so rude about it."

Natsu released his laugh, breaking any ice left between them. "Okay, okay I'm sorry. You said you were here to apologise."

"Yes," she agreed with a nod of her head.

"And you're saying sorry for…"

She looked at him incredulously. It looked as if she was fighting the urge to glare at him which made Natsu grin again.

"For snapping at you earlier, since that whole thing was, somewhat, my fault too."

Natsu scoffed. "Somewhat?"

"Shut up. I've had a shitty day and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. Although you gave me the perfect opportunity to do so."

Natsu laughed again. Wow, twice in one morning.

"You've had a shitty enough morning to snap at a total stranger and it's only," he glanced at his watch before looking back up to the girl. "7:45?"

The girl sighed before slumping into the seat opposite his and placing her coffee down.

"More of a shitty night. I had to study all night for some test I have tomorrow, and I need to stay awake. I was out of coffee so I had to trek all the way over here," she stopped herself before she got wound up again. Natsu laughed again before holding out his hand, surprising himself.

"Natsu Dragneel,"

The girl eyed his hand before a smile tugged at her lips and she offered him a tentative grin. She leant forwards to shake his hand. "Lucy Heartfilia."