"There! One Mint chocolate chip, and one salted caramel!" Lyon passed the two ice cream cones over the counter with his signature smile, but as soon as the customers turned away with a thank you, he let out a deep sigh, practically melting against the counter.
"So, do I get free ice cream once I'm done?" A voice grunted from in the back. Lyon gritted his teeth, stepping away from the counter and into the backroom where all his freezers were. It was the hottest day of summer, so far. And one of his freezers was broken—of course. Typical bad luck. On top of that, his air conditioner was busted. It was hotter inside then it was outside—even with all the windows open. And it was so busy. It seemed like everyone who was out and about was stopping into his shop. He hadn't had a moment to even ask Laxus to look at the air conditioning.
"Are you almost done?" Lyon sighed, looking down at where Laxus sat, with the freezer pulled away from the wall.
"Tsk, like you have to ask." Laxus grinned, snapping a plate back on over the wires. "It's done."
Lyon let out a relieved sighed, "Thank god," He groaned. He heard the door at the shop open once more. Not a moment to even talk. "Just give me a second."
Another group of customers to serve, and then another, and then another. By the time Lyon had a moment, Laxus was done putting the fridge back in its place, and though Lyon hadn't told him about the air conditioner, the electrician was already examining it.
"Hey," Laxus said, stepping out from the backroom. "You uhh… look pretty busy."
"No kidding," Lyon said, handing another cone to someone over the counter.
"You know," Laxus said, crossing his arms.
Lyon glanced back and offered him a frown, "Aren't you supposed to be doing your electrician thing on my air conditioner? It's like eighty degrees in here." He whined.
"Geez," Laxus smirked, "You really don't like the heat huh? I'm working on it. But I have something I want to tell you," He said. "You need help, Lyon. You can't keep running this shop by yourself. Especially not during the summer."
Lyon let out a sigh in response, serving up three more cones. "You're saying I should hire someone to help out."
"You haven't even had time to clean the tables today, or sweep." Laxus huffed. "Lucky for you… I know someone who's looking for a job."
"Oh." Lyon blinked, glancing over at the electrician. "You're finally being helpful."
"Hey!" Laxus scoffed and then laughed a little. "Our friend Jellal, his little sister is in town for the summer. She's going to university on the other side of the country, but she's looking for a summer job."
"Oh." Lyon had met Jellal once or twice when he came into the shop. He had spoken about his sister once or twice. Juvia. But Lyon had never met her.
"I think you should offer her a job," Laxus said.
"Have a nice day!" Lyon beamed, handing the customer one last ice cream cone, before turning to Laxus, and studying the blonde with aggravation. "If I promise to at least talk to this girl will you fix my air conditioning?"
Laxus laughed, "Gods, Lyon, you're really not built for the hot."
"Would you just fix it before I melt?!" Lyon snapped.
"I'm working on it." Laxus turned back to his work, and Lyon rushed to wipe down the tables before more customers came in. After a moment Laxus said, "Once I get this fixed I'll text Hisui. She has Juvia's number. I know she'll be happy to help."
⁂
Finally… It was afterhours. Lyon dropped against the counter, exhausted. The sign on the door read closed. At least Laxus was able to fix the AC. He was almost ready to fall asleep, against the cool counter, the hum of the freezers storing all his ice cream lulling him off. But there was a sudden soft rapping on the door.
"We're closed," he groaned. But the rapping was insistent. So Lyon glanced up to see someone—a young woman—standing just outside the shop. He groaned. This must be the Juvia person… Jellal's sister…
So Laxus really had sent her over. "Coming!" Lyon ran his fingers through his pale hair and came around the counter to unlock the front door. The moment the door swung open the breath was sucked out of Lyon's lungs. He felt like his heart was being crushed. This angel! This can't be Jellal's sister?! Is she?! He had never seen anyone so beautiful. Is this… love at first sight?! His heart was hammering in his chest. He felt warm all over. He was lost in her deep blue eyes, the soft pink flush of her cheeks, and those beautiful long blue curls.
"Umm…" She flushed a deeper pink. "Are you Lyon Vastia?"
He clutched his chest, choking on the next words. "Y-yes."
"My name is Juvia Lockser! And… Hisui said you're looking for some help this summer?"
"Y-yes." Lyon nodded, still trying to speak despite how weak he felt. "U-um! Come in!" He took a step back, holding the door open for the aqua beauty. She smiled a little as she stepped in hands clasped.
"Juvia would be happy to help this summer doing anything!" She beamed. "Juvia can clean! Juvia can serve ice cream!"
It would be… very bad to have her here every day. He couldn't even think straight. I would be so distracted… He couldn't look away from her beautiful eyes. Then again…
⁂
The door swung open early the next morning as Lyon was hefting buckets of ice cream into the display case. "Good morning, Lyon-sama!" Juvia was standing in the doorway, her hands clasped, her beautiful curls tied up in a ponytail. "Juvia is very glad to be working with you."
Her smile almost made him drop his bucket. Yeah. Lyon took in a shaky breath. This is going to be hard. He smiled a little, shoving the last bucket of ice cream into place. "Good morning… Juvia."