. When the Day Met the Night .


"When the sun found the moon,

She was drinking tea in a garden,

Under the green umbrella trees,

...

When the moon found the sun,

He looked like he was barely hanging on,

But her eyes saved his life…"

~ "When the Day Met the Night" by Panic! at the Disco


Lucy was miserable, and she knew that every single person who came around her knew it. Everyone working alongside her in the bakery knew it. Every customer knew it. Erza, who'd come by again and chatted with her, had known it. Gray had known it. Even Levy, with one step in the blue-haired woman's direction, had known it.

She knew, although she couldn't say how, that Natsu not coming around and avoiding her as hard as he'd been avoiding her wasn't normal. That he didn't intend to hurt her feelings. She couldn't explain how she knew that, but she did. And she wasn't angry with him, but she was certainly worried.

"He's a mess," Gray and told her after finding him in a day prior. "Dunno why, but he's a mess."

She'd gone so far as to ask Levy for Gajeel's number - how the blind woman had acquired it so quickly was beyond Lucy - and had called the terrifying man to ask him if Natsu was all right. Gajeel had responded gruffly that he probably wasn't, considering that he and Wendy hadn't seen much of him for the past week.

Sad and a little hurt, Lucy had decided it would be best to let Natsu work out his own problems and then be there when he came back. She ran a hand through her hair, glancing at the clock. She had two and a half hours before closing time...at least it would keep her busy.

"Um, Lucy?" Lucy glanced over and caught sight of her newest employee looking distressed. Hired to replace the high schooler that had flunked out, Yukino Auguria had seemed promising upon being hired. For one, she and Lucy had gotten on quite well. It turned out that Yukino had come from a similar family situation, although she had a sister who lived in the port town of Hargeon with a few others. She was often confused, with thousands of questions and anxiety of making sure that everything was right, but Lucy didn't mind the extra work it created. She was training a good employee, and that was all that mattered to her.

"What can I do for you, Yukino?" Lucy asked, hurrying over and wiping her hands on her black apron.

She smiled nervously. "I was wondering...I know I'm new, that I've only worked here a few days, but I have a date tonight, and-"

"Say no more," Lucy laughed, smiling despite her own problems. She put her hands on her hips. "Go ahead and leave early. It's slow anyways, and I'm probably going to close early for my own sanity." She was exhausted after worrying so much about Natsu. She didn't know why she was so worried, but it was certainly exhausting.

"Thank you so much. You're a life-saver, Lucy." Yukino told her and then went to finish up what she'd been doing so she could leave. Lucy watched her go with a warm smile and then shook her head and went back to what she'd been doing.

As she was wiping tables, the door to the bakery opened. Instinctively, Lucy glanced up. She found that she was surprised by the sight of a pair of people she'd not expected to see together. "Levy," she called, eyeing Gajeel suspiciously. She'd have to give the "if-you-hurt her-I'll-kill-you" speech to him. She'd not expected them to actually continue hanging out. It just...didn't make sense when one looked at them, although she supposed it wasn't up to her.

Lucy was impressed, she realized as Levy expertly maneuvered around tables to find her friend. It didn't look as if Levy wanted to kill him, which likely meant he'd helped her get around unfamiliar places without being overly helpful and sympathetic. Not that she could see him being openly sympathetic. He didn't seem the type. He'd help her when she asked for it and that was the type of help that Lucy knew Levy preferred.

Levy found a counter with her fingertips and carefully leaned on it. Gajeel came to stand awkwardly nearby as she grinned and said, "We were out at the park and decided there was nowhere better to go than to the Heartfilia Bakery for something warm to drink." She wiggled her fingers at Lucy. "Can you get me your regular? I'll pay you back later."

"Nah, don't bother. My treat." Lucy sighed softly and turned to face Gajeel, eyeing him closely. She realized he was studying her, too, just as suspicious and Lucy remembered suddenly that he was Natsu's cousin. "Is Natsu still being ridiculous about whatever's bugging him?"

Gajeel nodded once. "Yeah, was out the door the second he woke up this mornin'."

Levy's head tilted a little. "You'd mentioned that he was acting odd, Lucy...what's wrong with him?"

"You know we've had these weird dreams that are stupidly similar," Lucy said, choosing her words carefully. She wouldn't give Levy details without Natsu's permission. "They've been particularly bad for him recently, and he just...stopped coming around one day. He won't answer his phone or anything. Gray ran into him and said he looked horrible."

"He does," Gajeel muttered, narrowing his eyes a little. "Bastard doesn't come home 'til one in the morning and is out the door by five. Dunno what he's doin' out so late, but it wakes Wendy up and she's been cryin' she's so worried."

"You should bring her by," Lucy told him, "I'll treat her to some cookies or something. Anyways, what do you want to drink, Gajeel? You guys go take a seat at a table, I'll bring it to you." She watched as Levy expertly did just that, weaving through tables as if she knew precisely where they were - and she did. It was something like a silent agreement between Lucy and Levy. Lucy had never rearranged the tables in the years that she'd owned her bakery, simply so that there was one of very few places that Levy could go out to a place to eat and know where everything was.

What amazed Lucy again, however, was how Gajeel just let her do it. He didn't so much as offer his help, as if he knew what she could and couldn't handle. Lucy knew Levy was more than grateful for it.

Lucy brought the pair some food and drinks - a little extra, despite the protests Levy gave upon picking up her cup of tea. When Levy waved for her to join them, Lucy politely refused, explaining that her new employee was leaving early.

"New employee?" Levy questioned, shocked. "You didn't tell me you'd hired someone."

"Mm, she's great," Lucy said cheerfully. "She's new to this kind of stuff, but she learns quickly and I like how she makes sure everything is done properly." Lucy leaned her hip on the table. She had a few minutes before Yukino was done. "Her name's Yukino Auguria, and-" Levy choking on her coffee had Lucy pausing, staring at her in surprise.

Gajeel frowned, too. "You good, shrimp?"

"Yeah, yeah," Levy sputtered, coughing hard to clear her throat. "Sorry, just...went down the wrong tube." She cleared her throat, voice hoarse. "You were saying?"

"Yukino's looking to be one of my best employees outside of Lisanna, and Lisanna's been helping me train her, even," Lucy said. "Mind you, I told her that I'd do the toaster training… "

Lucy left them not long after that, telling them not to bother with the check and that it was on the house. She worked behind the counter after that, covering the register as she did so, pausing only to wave when Yukino left with a bright smile on her face. Lucy didn't miss the weird look Levy took on when she heard Yukino's voice call out a farewell.

When closing time came, Lucy swapped the sign and let out a loud sigh. It felt good to be alone, although she supposed she was usually alone. It was something she'd always been used to, but now it just felt...lonely. She found herself dearly missing Natsu's company. He'd become a fairly lovely presence in her life and the fact that he was so suddenly blowing her off made her feel horrible - as if she'd experienced a massive loss she wasn't used to.

After she'd finished cleaning up and putting stools and chairs on tables, Lucy made herself a cup of tea and went to sit in the corner she usually occupied during moments like these. She settled into the chair with a sigh, enjoying the warmth of the evening sun and looking out the massive window at the beautiful snowy world outside.

It was peaceful, she thought, and it settled the unease in her soul.

It was a good amount of time into this peaceful resting when she heard the familiar jingle of bells. Not bothering to look away from the window, amused brown eyes locked on the figures throwing snowballs in the park across the street, Lucy called, "We're closed! Sorry!"

The person who'd entered cleared his throat and said hoarsely, sounding exhausted, "Lucy."

Her gaze snapped over and she set her tea down rather sharply in shock at the sight of Natsu. He was supporting a fur-lined coat, but his nose was red from cold. "Natsu," she said in a shocked, choked voice. "What are you - come in, already! You look like you're freezing-"

He didn't move from where he stood, however, and instead shuffled his feet awkwardly. "You're not mad?"

"Of course I'm mad," she retorted, "but I can't very well be mad if you freeze to death, now can I?" And she was mad, she realized. She'd not thought of the anger, but it was there, simmering beneath the concern. She was furious that the one person she'd let in after so long of only allowing Gray and Levy that close had turned his back on her. But she could see what Gray had meant. To put it simply, Natsu Dragneel was a mess. A disaster, even. "Get in here and sit down," she ordered, pointing at the seat across from her own. "I'll go get you some of that coffee you said you liked…"

She bustled into the back and was back within minutes, a hotter-than-average coffee in her hands. She winced, nursing a burnt finger as she set it firmly before him with a clink and then took her own seat again, eyeing him closely. Natsu had deep bruises beneath his eyes and his pink hair was sticking up even more than normal.

"So," Lucy said after he'd taken a deep drink of it. She wondered how he didn't burn his tongue on it. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Around," he said unhelpfully. "Visited the museum a few times, I guess."

"Levy didn't say anything."

His lips twitched at her accusing tone. "I made sure she didn't know I was there. It's not that hard." Natsu winced. "That was rude. Sorry."

Lucy eyed him. He didn't normally notice when he was rude like that. He must have been deep in his head for stuff like that to be noticeable. Taking a cautious sip of her tea, she said, "Are you okay? You stopped coming around after that bad night...although I'm going to take a wild guess and say the books didn't help?"
He shook his head, setting his coffee aside. Natsu put his face in his arms after folding them on the table, groaning. "I didn't want to tell you 'cause you were nice and tried to help. S'why I didn't come by."

A startled giggle left her lips despite everything. "Natsu, I wouldn't have been upset if you told me sooner. It's not your fault that my solution didn't work for you." She cleared her throat, putting her tea to her mouth as she added, "But I'm still mad. That isn't an excuse for you to avoid me like that."

He didn't look at her, instead remaining how he was. "I know. Sorry."

Lucy contemplated what to do, knowing that he was as miserable as he was. With a sigh, she let go of the sudden anger and let simple concern flood into the space it left. Gently, she reached out and gently touched his arm. "Is it the same dream?" He nodded without lifting his head. "I'm sorry, Natsu, I can't really do anything to stop them, but you can't go around not sleeping like this...it's going to end with you getting really sick and hurting yourself."

Natsu grumbled soundlessly, moving his head so he could breathe but too tired to come up with a proper answer, and within moments, Lucy realized she wouldn't be getting an answer from him again anytime soon. "Did you...you really just fell asleep on my table, didn't you?" Lucy muttered, shaking her head. But she felt a spike of warmth in her heart as she studied the sleeping man before her. He was somewhat cute, she thought, smiling to herself at the peaceful look finally on his face.

Turning red at her own thoughts, Lucy quietly rose to her feet and took her cup of tea to the back, entirely content to remain at the bakery while Natsu caught up on his sleep no matter how long it took.


It was almost nine at night when Lucy decided Natsu should probably stop sleeping awkwardly in a chair and actually go home, and that was only because Gajeel suddenly sent her a scathing text that said if she saw him, she needed to tell him to get his ass home because Wendy was crying. Lucy grimaced in sympathy for the poor young girl. She must have been desperately worried for her cousin.

Gently, Lucy prodded at Natsu's shoulder. "Natsu," she said gently, "time to get up."

Lucy had never seen someone pop awake so suddenly with shocked eyes, but Natsu did, and he looked like a gopher - enough so, that Lucy jumped back with a squeak of surprise. He blinked owlishly at her for a few moments and then sputtered, "What the hell-"

"I'd love to spend the night in my bakery," she said with an amused look, "but Gajeel's threatened to skin me alive if I don't send you home, so-"

"I'm...wait, what? What time is it?" Natsu said, squinting at the darkened windows. "How long-"

"You got here about quarter to five," Lucy replied, lips quirking in amusement as she propped her hip and folded her arms. Her eyes shone with gentle warmth. "It's almost nine in the evening. You passed out and since you hadn't been sleeping, I thought it would be a good idea to leave you there. How are you feeling? Any better? Did you have that dream again?"

Natsu blinked again, confused by the sudden barrage of questions. And then he said, "Guess I feel better. Need more sleep though. And no, I didn't have the dream. Didn't dream at all for the first time in a long time." He thought about that with a frown and then slowly climbed to his feet, wincing as he popped his neck. "Sorry. 'Bout falling asleep. You could have woken me up."

Lucy waved him off. "Gajeel and Wendy aren't the only ones worried about you, you know," she said kindly, smiling warmly. "Now off with you. I want you back here tomorrow evening if you have the time though, you hear me? You owe me your company after disappearing on me like that."

Natsu stared at her openly for a few moments, puzzled that he was so easily forgiven. Rather than saying anything about the matter, however, Lucy was pleased to see him simply accept it, bid her farewell, and duck outside, yawning as he did so. Lucy watched him go with a sigh and then gathered her things, flicking off lights as she headed outside after him.

Time to go back to her lonely apartment and dream herself, she supposed.

At least he'd be coming back at some point the next day to provide her with some decent company.


As he meandered through the near-empty snow-filled streets of Magnolia, Fiore, a few things came to mind. For one, the town was so, so different than what he remembered. Then again, he supposed his memories were a little mixed up to begin with, and he'd never really been able to tell what had happened and what was happening. He'd always wondered about what would happen in the future, though. He also thought about the fact that he should have tried the busy town before then. He'd hunted through every other city and town in Fiore, coming up with a few names, but never the one he wanted to find most.

He supposed it shouldn't have surprised him so much upon discovering that so many familiar names were popping up in Magnolia. It should have even been the first place he checked.

But dealing with present and past memories that mingled together and created a confusing world around you was troublesome, and it had confused him, replacing Magnolia with other titles of cities and towns.

"Hey!"

He paused, pushing his hood back a little to look over his shoulder. A familiar woman came jogging down the alleyway, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her cheeks were flushed with cold and she practically bounced up and down as she pushed hair from her eyes. A frown appeared on his face. "Did you find anything?"

She thrust a flyer into his cold fingers and he studied it. "I told you Magnolia was where we needed to go!" she said, pointing outright to the objects displayed. "It's for a local museum. It's got historical artifacts from digs done throughout Fiore. Look at the ones found in Old Magnolia."

He recognized a few of them immediately - particularly the remnants of a scarf that lay encased in glass. It was the most memorable out of any of the shown items, though he thought a few here and there looked just as familiar. "Well done," he praised. "Let's head there. Did you find-"

"No," she said, voice filling with annoyance. "But...I'm sure we'll get information when we get to the museum, so let's go."

"It's three-forty-six in the morning. We're going to have to wait, you know."

She wiggled her fingers at him. "Haven't you heard? I'm a thief. I know my way into a museum without setting off any alarms."

"Just don't take anything. These are valuable for more than just financial reasons."

"No promises."

He sighed heavily, wondering once more why life had to be as difficult as it was.


Who's this making suspicious comments about the museum? ;) And Yukino's here, too!

Reviews are still weird, but thank you to all of those who reviewed and to those who favorited and followed! I appreciate all of you!