It was like a vague memory. Or maybe memory isn't the right word. More like the impression you have of a dream that you can't quite remember. But there are images, pictures and general feelings that stick with you. Yes, it was more like that. And at the center of this fantastical image was him. His soul a driven flame, and his smile just as warm. But that's the thing about dreams I suppose. Eventually, you have to wake up, and you are just as empty as you were before.

I ran my fingers across my pale and bare left hand. If anything, the skin was a little dry, a direct result of the boiling heat. But aside from that, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing. Did I forget to wear a ring? A bracelet? No that wasn't it.

"Miss Heartfilia…" I was rocked back to reality by the editor who was reviewing my work, determining its worthiness for publication. "Are you listening to me?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, please continue." Ugh. I can't believe I zoned out again. This one person is literally deciding my entire future, why am I not more focused?

"As I was saying…" The editor, with her hair pulled tightly back, and glasses glaring from the sun coming through the window continued her review, irritation marking her voice. "To be succinct, Miss Heartfilia, your writing is simply unbelievable. Your narrative is bland and uninteresting, and quite frankly… unreadable."

I listened as my dreams practically shattered before my eyes.

"They say to write from experience." The editor continued, "And you Miss Heartfilia, so apparently have none."

My eyes stung with every biting word.

"To be perfectly honest," The editor took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "This is the fifth work you've brought me Lucy." She sighed heavily. "It's not that you don't have talent, it just lacks…. Soul."

I picked myself up, trying to show my determination. "Well… I mean…I'm currently working on another book as well, it should be much more relatable and compelling…"

The editor lifted her hand, stopping me mid-sentence. "Any story you write, until you can gain more experience yourself just won't be enough. I'm sorry Lucy."

My head hung low, "Okay, thank you for your time." I slowly stood up from my seat and walked out of the office. The receptionist stared at me as I left, obviously realizing that this meeting had turned out much like the others.

With nothing but anger and disappointment littering my mind, I ran back to the one place where I felt the most at home.

As the sliding doors opened and I felt the AC, the immediate smell of books filled my senses. Instant relief washed over me.

"Oh hey Lulu!" I couldn't help but smile as she greeted me, her bright blue hair kept from her eyes by a yellow ribbon.

"Hey Levy!" I walked over to the library reception desk, my elbows resting square in front of her.

"So, are you going to leave me in suspense? How did it go?"

I groaned deeply, my head falling on the desk in front of me.

"That bad huh?"

"I'm never going to be a writer Levy. I just don't think I'm cut out for it."

"What? Why would you say that? Your writing is incredible!" Levy's encouragement was wonderfully appreciated, but I also knew that If it was true, I would've gotten published by now.

I let out a big sigh. "It's okay, I'll get there one day. It's like the editor said! I just need more experience to add to my writing!"

"More experience?" Levy cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"Yea!" The premise of an idea started to come forward, and my spirits picked up with every vague notion. "Yea, that's what I'm going to do! I'm going to go on an adventure!"

Levy started chuckling, her hand reaching her mouth to stifle it. "An adventure? But to where?"

"I don't know yet but believe me I'm going!" I clenched my fist in determination. "It will be just what I need to kick start my writing!"

Levy's chuckles turned into a warm and comforting smile. Her unending support was exactly why she was my best friend.

"First I'll need to make sure to save up enough money to go." I rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment. "I mean I can barely make my rent as it is." An uneasy laugh escaped my lips.

Oh shoot. Rent. Money. "Oh crap! I totally forgot about work!" I bolted out from the library, quickly waving back to Levy as I left. "Bye, I'll call you later 'kay?"

In a whirlwind I was gone, leaving Levy alone once again to the quiet of the public library.

I ran to the diner, my feet flying across the concrete sidewalk. As I slammed the door open, the faint ding chimed my entrance.

"Sorry I'm late Droy!"

The big man grumbled, his greasy black hair slicked back as he flipped one of the burgers on the grill.

"Yea, it's okay. It wasn't too busy anyway."

I donned the white apron and immediately started wiping off crumbs from the diner counter.

"So…" I heard the sizzle as Droy pushed down on one of the patties. "Did you talk to Levy today?"

I groaned. Not this again.

"Did she mention me?" Droy closed his eyes, cradling his spatula as he was caught up in his fantasy. "What a goddess!"

I threw a spoon, hitting Droy square in the head drawing him back out from his daydream. "Cut it out!"

I shut my eyes in clear frustration. "You realize she has a boyfriend, right?"

"What? Who? That metal headed construction freak?"

I blinked at his description. "You mean Gajeel? Yes, that's him."

I watched as all of the life drained from his face, a clear sadness coming over him. "Why, Lucy? Why do you have to hurt me like this?" He sunk below the serving hatch and away from my vision.

A great sigh of exasperation left me. He and Jet really needed to work through this unhealthy obsession. Levy, bless her heart, is just so caring that she puts up with it. She says that they help her out a lot with her research, but I think if we were all being honest, she just appreciated the constant moral support they gave her. Oh well. I was the last person who had the right to judge her personal relationships.

I heard the faint ding that signified the entrance of another guest. "Welcome to Dine and Dash please feel free to sit wherever…" My breath halted as I saw who had just walked through the door. Thin, but well built. An aura that irradiated warmth. And that rose-pink hair was unmistakable.

Another man followed in close behind him, his polar opposite. As he walked in, I felt a shiver run down my spine. His hair was dark black, and he wore a silver pendant around his neck.

"Just going to stand there or will you find us somewhere to sit?" The black-haired one prodded the other.

"Yea, yea don't get all twisted up." The pink haired man scoffed as he made his way to the booth in the corner.

Why was he here? I could've sworn he was just a figment of my imagination. An amalgamation of every fantasy book I had ever read into one perfect person. And yet here he was, in my diner. As they settled into their booth, I forced myself out of my shock and grabbed two menus.

Carefully I set the menus down before them. "Welcome in guys! Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"Hmmm…I'll take an orange juice, thanks!" His voice filled me with excitement. I swear it sounded so familiar. It felt like a comforting blanket on a cold day.

"I will just have a water, thank you." Even the way the two talked was so different from each other.

"Coming right up!" I put on my best server voice, masking any hint of confusion and unease. I must have seen him somewhere before and just not remembered. Probably around town, and I just didn't think twice about it. Yea, that had to be it.

I came back to the table, setting down the juice and water. Time to dig for information under the guise of polite server talk. "So, are you guys new in town? Taking in the sights?"

"Yes, we just arrived today actually." His silver pendant dangled slightly in front of him as he looked over his menu.

"Oh really, first time here in Wellicker then?"

"Yea," The man from my illusions spoke again. "In fact, I'm not sure why we came here in the first place, but my big bro just absolutely insisted." He sighed, kicking his head back against the back of the booth. "Personally, I'd rather be somewhere cool like Hawaii or New York."

A soft sigh echoed from the older brother's lips. "I told you I have a job interview Natsu. You know, something that gives us money so we can have things like a house, and food."

Natsu put his hands behind his head and pouted. "Yea yea yea. Whatever."

"Oh, a job interview? Where for? if you don't mind me asking that is!"

"It's quite alright. I am interviewing for a teaching position with the local community college's history department."

"Oh that's great! Well I wish you the best of luck!"

The older brother smiled softly. "Thank you very much."

I groaned internally. I was no closer to figuring out where I had met Natsu, I think that's what he called him, before. I had grown up in this town my entire life and had rarely ever left. So, if this was their first time here, then where did that leave me?

"Well, what can I get started for you?"

"I'll take two double stacked burgers, with an extra side of fries!" Natsu was quick to the jump, obviously starving from his order.

"I will just take your house salad, please and thank you."

"Coming right up!"

I collected the menus and walked back behind the counter, writing up the ticket and placing it in the serving hatch for Droy.

It all just didn't feel right. And Natsu. I swear even the name sparked a wave of familiarity over me. It's like when you walk in a room and forget why. It was right there in the front of my brain, but whatever it was I just couldn't access it.

"You okay there Lucy?"

I snapped out of my daze and matched gazes with Droy. "Oh yea." I let out a slight uneasy chuckle. "Sorry about that!"

I refocused my attention on Droy, "Hey, is Jet coming in today?"

"Yea…." He looked at me with concern. "He'll be in later tonight."

"Okay, cool."

Another ding sounded throughout the restaurant. I looked up, unsurprised to see a tall woman in a business suit sharp enough to kill, and scarlet red hair done up in a messy bun walking up to the diner counter.

"Oh hey Erza! Just the usual?" A genuine smile washed over me as I greeted the regular.

"Good afternoon Lucy. Yes, please if you don't mind." She took a seat at one of the stool's and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Long day?" I called back to her as I filled up a mug with piping hot coffee, prepping up 4 sugars and a cream for her to stir into it.

"Quite so." I placed the coffee in front of her and she immediately started to mix it together. One sugar first. Then cream. Three more sugars to follow.

"What's going on?" I propped my elbows down on the counter in front of her, showing my willingness to listen.

"The bank robber hit another ATM a couple of cities over. That means a whole new set of interviews and reports." She sighed as she tipped the mug back for her first sip. "I'm close to finding him, I know it. He won't taste freedom for much longer."

"You'll get him Erza! I mean you are the best detective I know!" Maybe the only detective but it still applied.

A slight chuckle exited her lips. "Why thank you. You are a good friend Lucy." A ringing broke off the conversation before I could respond. I watched as she put the phone to her ear. "This is Erza."

She was silent for a few moments while I barely heard a faint voice on the other end. "I'm on my way." She looked at me, determination in her eyes. "Duty calls. Would it be alright if…"

I stopped her midsentence. "Don't worry about it! I'll put in on your tab." I offered her a smile.

"Much appreciated." She left in a whirlwind, off once more to do what she does best.

"Order up!" I looked back at Droy, a platter of two hamburgers and a salad sat in the hatch. In a pinch I grabbed the plates and walked them over to the back booth.

"Two double stacked burgers, and a house salad!" The plates clattered as I placed them on the table. "Can I get you anything else?"

"Actually…" I looked at the older brother as he was about to further his order. "I do have a question."

I cocked my head, listening intently.

"Do you happen to know of where my brother could apply for a job?"

My mouth stood agape in shock before I realized myself and shut it back again. "Oh uh, well I mean they might be hiring at the community center," I racked my brain trying to think of other likely places. "And I know that we are always hiring here…"

"Great!" I looked over to my left at Natsu. "I'll apply here then!"

"Well, Natsu don't you want to know what your other options are?" The brother chastised him for making such a quick decision.

"Nah, if you're going to make me get some sort of job, this place is as good as any other." He closed his eyes as he rocked his head back against the booth again.

The brother sighed. "Very well, could we get an application please? Thank you."

"Yea, no problem." As I left the table, I tried to hide how shaken I was. Why did I say that? Why did I even mention him working here? It was a bad idea all around. Or… my brain ping ponged around in my head. If he did work here, it would give me more time to figure this out.

"Hey Droy, we got a new applicant!" I yelled across the hatch as I grabbed an application from the file folder in the bottom cabinet.

"For real?" His surprise didn't shock me, because everyone knew I was the only one stupid enough to work for the two most love obsessed fools in town.

"Yea, and we could use the help so don't go scaring them off like the last one you got me!" I waved a spoon at him threateningly.

"Why are you yelling at me, it was Jet who did it!"

I growled angrily, and dead eyed him through the hatch.

"Okay okay okay! Stop evil eyeing me! I got it!" He turned from my gaze instead focusing on his next patty.

Quickly, I walked the paper back to the booth. "There ya go! Good luck! I'll be sure to put in a good word for you!" I let out a slight chuckle.

"Hey, thanks! 'ppreciate it!" Again, with that same warm smile. My stomach fluttered.

"Hey, so if you are going to be in town for a while, do you mind if I catch your names?" I had already figured out Natsu's for the most part, but I thought a proper introduction was in order.

"My apologies. This is my little brother Natsu." The black-haired man let his hand do an indirect point to his partner across the table. "I am Zeref."

A shiver instantly found its way down my spine, almost as if a ghost had passed through my body. Zeref's eyes narrowed at my involuntary convulsion.

"Oh! Must've been a draft." I rubbed my arms quickly to try to warm myself back up from the uncomfortable cold. "Well anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you guys! I wish you both the best of luck!"

I walked away from the table, but all the way back to the diner counter I felt dark eyes staring into me. Something was so wrong, and I was determined to figure it out.