Chapter 1 - The Group
The famous Thunder God's tribe sat at their leader's usual table, in one of the alcoves overlooking the garden. She watched them, biting her lip nervously.
Guild members don't often visit Magnolia's cafes and restaurants as they all have their own in their guilds. Of course there would be times when they do but never that often and seldom in their little cafe.
The only one regular mage customer they had so far was Laxus Dreyar who liked his coffee white and sugared and whose favourite meal was their breakfast set plus double the eggs. He loved his eggs runny and fried.
But today, Laxus Dreyar decided to bring his friends to their cafe for the first time.
There was the buxom beauty called Evergreen and every time Lena sees the other woman, she couldn't help but do so in amazement. She could never wear such revealing clothing and feel comfortable wearing them. Besides, it was winter outside. Normal people like herself need layers to keep warm.
Then, there was the strange masked man called Bickslow who was always accompanied by his even stranger toys. Lena feared him the most. Who would not? Everything about the way he talked, walked and breathed screamed 'maniac'.
The green-haired man, on the other hand, called Freed Justine, looked the most normal to her - in comparison to his friends that is. Out of the three, he looked the least to attack or bully her.
No, Freed Justine looked like the type to forget that she was a person and would probably treat her like the next furniture. But that was safer than Bickslow's leering grins and the Evergreen's haughty smiles.
Lena continued wiping the gleaming countertop while she looked discretely around her workplace and hoped her co-workers, Victor or Theresa, would finally take the group's orders. She found Victor currently waiting tables whilst Theresa was nowhere to be seen. As if sensing her, Victor turned his smiling eyes from his customer and briefly gave her a pointed look, cocking his head slightly to the mages' direction. She held in her whimper and looked around once more for Theresa.
''God... Where is she!?'' She whispered to herself as her heart grew more heavy. She knew that she would end up having to take their orders herself. If it was only Mr. Dreyar it would have been fine as she had always done this so many times. And the Thunder God himself felt safe. So long as she stayed as harmless and meek as a squirrel, big bad dragons like him wouldn't take notice of her.
But this time, he brought his friends!
''Oy! Waiter!'' Bicklow hollered at the direction of her friend. Lena flinched as the peaceful buzz of the cafe halted. She watched as many of her customers hunched their shoulders in their seats, eyes warily observing the group. Some started to eat their meals quicker. ''We're starving in 'ere!''
Fearing for her friend and to quickly diffuse the tensed atmosphere, she quickly abandoned her job and wiped her hands on her apron. She rooted for her notepad from her pocket and controlled her fear because folks like them can probably scent emotions. She had seen some mages fight and they were incredibly extraordinary. They were gods amongst humans.
''Finally! I thought you're going to starve us to death!'' Lena broke out from her reverie and realised that she had reached the Mage's table. Bickslow was grinning from ear to ear; his full attention on her. His voice was raspy and mischievous. Lena forced herself to breathe slowly and repeated to herself that she was there to serve. She was nothing and her customers are her masters. They come first and they were always right.
''I'm sorry for the lateness, sirs...'' She turned to Evergreen who was looking up at her with a raised eyebrow. ''Ma'am.'' She turned away to look down on her menu, a smirk on her glossy lips. ''May I take your orders?''
Bikslow leaned back his chair, thighs apart like a big some big alpha bully. His eyes flitted up and down her body. She was no stranger to the ways of men. Especially men like him. Although Lena wished that he would at least do this subtly. She fought her revulsion as the man's tongue slithered across his lips, still grinning at her lecherously.
''I'll have a cute little mouse, please.'' Lena hoped that the man didn't see her jaw clench in annoyance as she smiled.
The man's floating toys circled around her, chanting, ''Little mouse! Little mouse! She's a little mouse! Dinner! Dinner! We're hungry! We're starving!''
She could feel the stares of the other customers now, heard the first set of chairs scraping the floor and the door's bells ringing their exit.
She let herself frown innocently as if confused before smiling. ''I'm sorry Sir, we don't—''
Her heart skipped a beat as the masked man leaned closer; face in front of her breast. She felt his warm breath on her skin and it felt utterly repulsive. Even when she was effectively taller than him since he was sat down, she still felt small.
An intimidation tactic, she told herself. He's playing with you. You're furniture. A piece of wood. You feel nothing. You are nothing.
She only blinked in response, waiting. She saw Freed Justine shook his head behind his menu while the other woman in her vicinity leaned her back against their cushion seats, simply watching. Even her kind Mr. Dreyar...
Lena controlled her anger. You're nothing. You're a thing. They are testing you.
She didn't look away from the grinning masked man. His toys were circling around them both now. She glanced suspiciously at one which was dangerously close to her skirt.
''You're heart is beating so loudly, I can 'ear it from here...mouse.''
She surrendered and took a step back, giving him a fake apologetic smile. ''I'm sorry, sir. You are quite intimidating.'' There, men like him would certainly take that as a compliment.
Bickslow's lip curled up into a pleased cruel smile, although she wondered if this was actually the way he smiled. If so then she should really pity the man. He could actually be a good man deep down.
''How about you meet me outside and I can show you how much more intimidating I can be?''
Deep deep down.
''Bickslow, shut it. You're scaring the poor girl!'' Miss Evergreen finally admonished her seatmate though she didn't sound particularly concerned as Bickslow had done this numerous times before, threatening waitresses about sexually assaulting them. How terrible, Lena thought.
Evergreen turned to her and she was glad to finally divert her attention from the lecher.
''I'll have the scampi salad with tartare sauce and orange juice…'' Then in a slow tone, added. ''Mouse.'' Bickslow was delighted at this and his floating toys copied his laughter.
She felt the heat rising up her stomach but as usual she doused it professionally.
You are nothing. You are wood. You feel nothing.
She nodded silently with a smile, taking note. She moved her gaze to Laxus who had his eyes closed; a furrow growing in between his eyebrows. The man next to him coughed, demanding her attention.
''House Burger with guacamole. And Earl Grey tea please.'' Freed ordered, not deigning to look up and meet her eyes but that was, of course, alright with her.
''Yes, sir.'' She glanced quickly to Mr. Dreyar again, ignoring the odious man on her left, the woman checking her nails next to him, and the green-haired man who was now eagerly watching Mr Dreyar.
''So…'' She fought to maintain her civility and turned to Bicklow once again, praying that this was the last she saw him. ''What time do you get out, little mouse. I can wait.''
Ew.
She hoped one of the group would finally speak out for her but Evergreen just leaned on her hand, watching them while the green-haired man opened a book filled with alien words on its pages when Mr Dreyar ignored him. As if sensing her stare, he tilted his book away from her gaze.
Jerk.
She smiled again. Slowly, as if talking to an idiot (which she was, but since he was sinisterly strong and creepy, of course she would not say anything) she politely said, ''I get out quite late, sir. You'll just be wasting your time. Please, may I take your order as well?''
''You're right… Where's your toilet. We could—''
''Bickslow.'' The timbre of his voice rushed through her like a cold shower on a hot day. Freed looked up from his book, Evergreen straightened up in her seat then looked down to her nails again, looking like a child chastised in public.
Laxus opened his eyes and looked straight at her and then to his masked friend. The intensity of his gaze had always made her want to run away for cover. It was a feeling she never fully understood herself. She liked to admire and stare at him, yes, but only from afar. But this time, there was a sharpened glint in his eyes as he stared his friend down who eventually slumped in his seat.
''Same as Freed, only double the large fries, will ya?'' Bickslow said finally, still grinning, although his impropriety levelled down considerably.
''And your drink, sir?''
''Give me a man's drink!''
''Man's drink! Drink! Drink!'' His toys echoed.
She didn't roll her eyes, although she was tempted to do so. Instead she forced a thoughtful hum. '' We have beer, whiskey, rum, cider...''
''Cider?! Cider's for girls!''
She waited. Patiently. Nicely. Indifferently. She didn't matter. Customers are always right. But heck, Lena wanted to bash his head with the hardest thing nearest to her or stab him with her pen. But she can't and she won't. It is not right. She fears the repercussions and of course, the pain of his revenge.
''I'll have two pints of good, ol' beer, mousy''
Lena scribbled that then waited for their leader's turn. This was probably the longest she had to deal with rude customers.
''Do you still serve the breakfast set all day?'' He inquired. Lena blinked. Of course they do. That was his usual order. And his usual question too.
Why he felt the need to ask this all the time Lena had no time to wonder. Her legs were already begging her to walk or better yet, run away. ''Of course, sir. I'll add two more eggs as the usual. Your drink sir?''
''Coffee.''
She nodded. ''White with sugar, yes?'' Seeing him nod, she dropped him an impersonal smile and thanked everyone goodbye.
When she deposited the note to the chef, Theresa, who suddenly appeared, attacked her with questions.
''How was it? Did you talk to Freed-sama? Laxus-sama or Bickslow-sama? Oh my God! He looks so hot today! As usual! What did they order?''
''Where were you?'' Lena sighed, wiping her weakened hands on her apron.
''At the back sorry! So! So! What did they say? They're so so hot-hot.''
Lena shook her head, watching her friend peer outside of the kitchen to the group, hoping the men couldn't hear them. The summer sky is blue, grass is green, she hated her job, and all three men were handsome. Bickslow was not bad either, when one properly looks. But thank the gods that perverted and lecherous handsome men were never her type.
Nope, no thank you. Please. No.
She sighed the tension out of her body. She pointed at the hanging note. ''I will do the dishes, can you take over their table?''
Theresa dropped her rag cloth on the floor theatrically, lips forming an 'O'. ''Oh-my-god! Of course!'' Lena chuckled as the eager woman switched aprons with her. Internally, she already wished for the day to end and for her parents to come back home.
The Thunder God's tribe was bad news. Mages were all bad news. Bad things follow them everywhere they go. One should always know to stay away from them if one wants no part of that danger. A mage can easily break a massive boulder falling from the sky to pieces or easily dodge the thing. But people like her? People like her simply had nothing to do in response to that but run or die.
With heaviness in her chest that felt keenly of disappointment, Lena walked to the sink where the dishes waited for her and thought of how even Mr. Dreyar was no exception to this danger.
''Aww… She's so cute and little! She makes me want to pinch her here and there!''
''You scared the wits out of her, Bickslow, seriously.'' Evergreen said as soon as the girl scurried away.
They chuckled. Freed sighed and closed his book with a snap, aware of the eyes on them. ''You were disrespectful, Bickslow. Reign it in and don't pick on little girls.''
The man in question just chuckled, crossing his hand behind his head. ''Please…lemme have a bit of fun! I'm so bored, I wanna punch something.''
''You can't punch a girl.'' Freed replied, crossing his arms.
''Why not? Girl, boy, man, woman. They are all equal game to me.''
Freed shook his head. ''Civilians are out of the game and we don't do that anymore.''
''Do what? And I wasn't referring to that girl! Did you see her? I bet ya my whole salary next mission, she's knocked out with a slap.'' Bicklow gestured at the air, chuckling to himself.
Freed gritted his teeth. He glanced at the man next to him whose energy was slowly unfurling. ''Everything we do will reflect on Laxus! So, you should stop causing ruckus everywhere you go!'' He leaned over the table and hissed at their ignorant friend.
''Laxus. Ruckus. Hey, that rhymes!'' Bicklow cackled.
'Laxus. Ruckus. Laxus. Ruckus.'
Horrified, Freed glanced at Laxus who was now looking out in the garden, then to Bikslow's toys. ''Shut them!'' He hushed.
Bickslow only laughed as his friend growled at him like some pussycat. Evergreen shook her head and leaned over to Laxus, brightening up. ''Ne, it has been a long time, isn't it? Since we hung out together like this?''
The duo ceased their fighting. Freed straightened up in his seat while Bickslow sobered up even just a little. ''Yeah, Laxus. Do we have a mission?''
''No. I just want to eat.'' Laxus simply replied, looking out to the garden with an inscrutable look on his face.
The three other Mages surveyed the bright idyllic café and then back to their brooding leader. Ever since he'd left and ever since being stranded from that island, the Thunder mage had changed. He was silent when he used to be loud and humble when he used to be arrogant. The air around him exuded power but there was now a certain calmness in him that wasn't there before. The three mages looked at their leader with shining eyes and sighed with Freed's, of course being the loudest. But only one thing echoed in their heads:
'He is so cool!'
Lena groaned as she heaved the black bag to the garbage bin. Shivering like a leaf, she walked towards the warm light and sighed in relief as she closed and locked the backdoor. She took the stairs and entered the kitchen and found that Victor was currently hanging his apron whilst Theresa was peeking at the mages' table from the kitchen window again.
Lena has always been in awe of her friend's courage and shamelessness.
''Are you sure, you'll be fine, Lena?'' Victor broke her thoughts. The guy stopped in front of her, leaning on the counter with a sheepish smile on his handsome face.
She gave him a small smile, touched by the young man's sweet concern. ''Yes, I'll be fine, Victor.''
''Yes… Lena and I will be fine, Vic,'' added Theresa over her shoulder, brown ringlets set wild from her net, tumbling down her back. Lena only continued smiling up to their male co-waiter, Victor who was also a law student in the University of Magnolia.
''I could stay and help you lock up.'' He offered. He was also a varsity player in basketball. And today, Lena was sure he was running late for his practice.
She shook her head. ''No, it's okay.'' She said softly, waving her hands. ''You're already late for your practice, remember?''
Victor sighed. ''Yeah. I'm sorry, Lena. I would stay but-'' He murmured, smiling apologetically.
''Seriously, it's okay.'' In the corner of her eyes, she saw Theresa mock-gagging before rolling her eyes and turning back to the apples of her eyes.
With a gentle pat on her hair-netted head, Victor finally left. On his way, he slowed down by Theresa, ''Bye Theresa. See you tomorrow.''
''Yeah, yeah, good luck with your practise, attorney.''
He left them with a playful wink.
Lena went back in drying the dishes and putting them away. ''That guy likes you, you know…''Theresa drawled as she curled a ringlet around her index finger. Lena shook her head and stopped herself from reminding her friend not to remove the net until she finishes her shift. If only her mother was here, she would surely scold the girl but Lena hasn't reached the level of confidence yet, even if she had every right to tell the girl off today - for being distracted by the group of mages in their cafe, for disappearing when needed the most, and by removing her net when she wasn't done working yet.
Lena shook her head and remembering her friend's little remark, she replied: ''He has a girlfriend.''
''I know. What a bastard.'' Theresa smiled cheekily.
Lena turned to her friend with a polite smile, lightly admonishing her. ''Don't say that, Tessa. He's nice.''
''Yeah, nice…A guy who flirts with other girls while he has a girlfriend.'' Her friend replied with a snort.
At this, Lena had to agree. She chuckled. ''Yeah… He's a bit of a dickhead.''
Her friend gasped, pressing herself against the counter theatrically. ''Well… I do love it when your mouth gets dirty.''
Laughing quietly, Lena checked her watch. It was fifteen minutes before closing time. She left the kitchen and tidied up the table where a family had already left. She knew Theresa was waiting for the mages' table to go as well so she could personally clean up after them. Lena busied herself with the other tables.
There were only two tables present now. The mages' table and one more. The three men conversed peacefully with each other. When they started to leave, she caught their eyes and bowed politely. ''Thank you for coming. Have a nice evening, sirs.''
''Thank you, darling. And you.'' They grinned at her. Something curled in her stomach at the slight flirty look she caught from them. They were a trio of dark-haired men who were around middle aged. Two of them were short and stout while the remaining one was tall and lanky. Ordinary men enough.
She bowed until the trio left. Then, she continued her work, removing such non-essential things in her mind.
As the last jingles of the door ceased, the mages stood from their table too. They were quieter than she had expected, even Bickslow. She wondered if Mr. Dreyar had words with them.
Theresa emerged from the kitchen with an enthusiastic disposition. ''I hope you liked your meals?'' Lena internally cringed when no answer came until a familiar voice finally replied.
''Yes. Thank you.'' Lena paused from wiping a table clean and bit her lip to stop her smile growing too large. Of course, it was going to be Mr. Dreyar. Unlike his friends, he had manners!
''It was good, I guess.'' Miss Evergreen echoed haughtily. Beside her, Freed Justine even bowed and thanked her friend.
''Eh! What's this? Why the hell do you sound like you've just eaten flowers?''
There was a sound of a slap and an 'Ow!' coming from the puppet master.
Lena turned and moved out of the way, bowing as the group headed towards the door. Much to her surprise, their leader stopped in front of her. She straightened and came up face to face with a well defined chest.
His dark shirt was too fitted! He might as well be naked! She thought and tried to remove the fancy thoughts trying to raid her head. She looked up, making sure her 'inappropriate' thoughts had gone, replaced only by a pure and innocent professional confusion on her face.
I'm so good at this, she boasted arrogantly inside. At this point, she might even be convinced to do performing arts instead of -
''Where are your parents?'' He asked. The gentleness in his tone made his friends snap towards him.
To Lena though, nothing was amiss. The lightning mage was a distant and handsome man, but not unkind. She had seen her father converse with him a couple of times (her father carried most conversations whilst he answered politely with short answers...).
''Um... they went out of town, Mr. Dreyar. Can I help?''
For a moment, they stared at each other's face. She couldn't help but linger on the lightning scar on his face. She wondered how he acquired it but thought that it was probably from a very dangerous battle with lots of thunder and fire and whatever striking everywhere. It would have been awesome to watch - from a very far and safe distance, of course.
She blinked as the man straightened and if possible, appeared even bigger to her. Lena was soon aware that all the eyes were on them. Theresa was beaming behind their customers. When their eyes met, her friend gave her a thumbs up and nodded at her approvingly.
She fought the embarrassed blush but failed. Her pale skin meant that she was prone to blushing all the time. There was no way to hide. She blushed harder when she noticed his eyes lingering on her cheeks.
She had to put an end to this immediately. ''Is there something…''
''No. Just be careful and lock up all the doors and windows.'' His lips lifted slightly into a small smile. ''Good night, Helen.'' He told her and left, his cloak following behind him as he strode away.
''Bye, Helen.'' Bickslow waved, followed by an evil chuckle. Lena gave a small weakened smile and bowed. Those people are gonna be the death of me one day, she thought as she nervously bit her lip, trying to shake off the anxiety she felt from being singled out.
Theresa approached with an excited squeal and threw herself to Lena. She shook the other girl's shoulders. ''They talked to us! Oh my goodness! Laxus talked to you! He literally stood in front of you, looked at you and then spoke! God! Look at you! Rip out that net from your hair!'' Lena pulled the said thing out with the help of her friend who continued her babbling.''...And then you replied and then he replied back! Oh my god! It's a conversation! You, my blondie friend, had a conversation with the Thunder God! He's fanning the inner fangirl in me. Hoo! That was HOT!''
''But...Tessa, we converse with him every time he's here.'' Which was mostly every day. And how's that even hot, she wanted to say but chose not to. She shook her head at her friend's funny antics and the memory of the golden mage's body. Fit as a fiddle, as her mum would describe him.
''Do you work, Tessa.'' She said as she changed their door sign to a closed, turned off the porch lights and locked the door.
Remembering Mr. Dreyar's advice later that night, Lena double checked the windows and doors after her friend had left. She climbed up to her room at the top of the house, ignorant of the little scuffle occurring near her backyard.
AN: Just wanted to read about a not-superpowered OC as a romantic interest for Laxus.