Natsu was looking at all the members of his guild who were currently brawling, laughing, having a good time, drinking, and betting. So a perfectly normal day for the rowdy guild.
He had come to enjoy its quirkiness with all the different imperfections that made them unique and known. One of the academic girls, Levy McGarden; preferred to read and not engage in brawls that resulted in many broken bones, blood that tainted the walls and floor, and broken furniture that cost a lot of jewels for the poor guild master.
Levy was a bluenette who wore glasses and yellow clothing. She was pretty cute and innocent compared to the other brash members who did whatever they wanted, but she was very bright for her age.
Natsu liked her because she knew when not to pry about his past. Of course, she was naturally curious about his upbringing, Natsu knew that it was custom to ask a fellow guild member about their upbringing and what they did before joining the guild. But he didn't feel the need to socialise with the others. The only reason he joined was for jewels, and jewels alone nothing more nothing less.
He had been honest once when he was talking to Levy one evening when the others were drunk and fell asleep.
—
"So, Natsu?" A female voice asked beside him. "Why did you join the guild?"
Natsu looked to the side and saw that it was Levy McGarden, the bookworm of the guild who looked as cute and innocent as always. She had a look of wonder on her face as Natsu quirked a brow at her. It hadn't been his first time talking to the girl and certainly wouldn't be the last.
"Why did you join the guild?" Natsu cheekily asked redirection of the question at the bluenette.
"Hey! You first!" She huffed. She did have her rare moments when she became irritable but never angry, and if anyone managed to make Levy McGarden angry, the world would undoubtedly end.
"Okay, fine, I joined for only one reason," Natsu said, hoping that the bookworm would leave him alone, but that was not meant to be. She raised a brow at him, unimpressed by the lack of information he gave. The Dragonslayer rolled his eyes. "I joined for the Jewels. That is the only reason I joined; for the money, I will earn."
Levy wasn't entirely surprised to hear this as it wasn't unusual for some members to only be part of a guild to earn a living, some rarely stop by the guild unless it's about money. But to hear someone her age say it made her feel slightly weird.
Sure, some kids think about money, but Natsu made it seem like that was the only thing he was after; no friendship or anything else, just Jewels to pay for a meal or whatever he planned to use it for.
"Is that really the only reason, or is there something your not telling me?" Levy asked neutrally which made the boy grin.
"Well, yes, Is it that hard to believe?" He asked with a small frown when he saw that her face contorted into one of full concentration.
He didn't understand why they found it hard to believe that a kid his age focused on Jewels. Adults do it all the time, so why not a kid? Sure, adults had a better excuse as they needed to pay for multiple useless things that somehow make the kingdom thrive. How they manage that is beyond Natsu. But back to the line of thought; why was it hard to grasp that a kid wanted money to buy things?
"No ... " He glanced at her and saw that she had a thoughtful expression. "It's not hard to believe, it's just unusual for someone our age to think about money to the extent you seem to do," she looked apologetic.
"Ah!" Natsu now understood the problem. "So what is hard to grasp isn't me wanting money, it's the extent that confuses you?"
Levy nodded in confirmation.
"Ah, Okay, that is something I can understand. I do suppose that a kid my age shouldn't think so much about money since it can become an unhealthy obsession so I guess it's true." Natsu reasoned out loud.
They sat together in silence as they contemplated what they had talked about.
Natsu had to admit when he thought about it deeply; it is unusual for a kid no older than seven to talk about money greedily. But was it because of his Dragonslayer magic? His magic was supposed to resemble dragon attacks and make the one wielding it act like a dragon, so was it one of the side effects? The greediness?
Of course, there are hundreds of possibilities. For all he knew; he could be naturally greedy and that is why he is the way he is. Or maybe there was something he secretly needed the money for that his subconscious was trying to tell him but that he just didn't quite hear.
The fact that Makarov didn't seem surprised led him to believe that he had come across someone similar to him in that regard; someone who did have greediness. Maybe it was someone in this guild? Or was it an old friend to the third master?
Natsu shrugged. Who Makarov associated himself with was none of his concern.
"Why are you so desperate for Jewels?" The question felt as though it came out of the blue. He was momentarily shocked as if he didn't expect such a question to be asked.
He turned his head slowly to Levy who was staring at him with full of wonder and innocence behind those eyes. Her thirst for knowledge made her ask that question.
In the same way, his thirst for Jewels made him work.
He looked away from her and stared at the older wizards who were drunk and sleeping because of the excessive alcohol consumption that would leave a bad hangover on them whenever they woke up.
"To be honest; I don't know," He looked down at his feet. "I never thought about it this deeply."
Levy frowned slightly but understood that you didn't always have an answer to these things.
"Getting rich has always excited me," Natsu suddenly spoke, bringing the bluenette out of her thoughts. He was looking into her eyes, making her blush slightly seeing his onyx eyes look so... serious.
"What?"
"You heard me; getting rich has always excited me," He stated with a small smile gracing his lips as though he was remembering a fond memory. "I always wanted to be so rich that I could burn jewels and it wouldn't be able to make a dent in the bank. Eat at expensive restaurants, be the owner of multiple businesses, own rare artefacts, own expensive vehicles, all of it."
Levy listened on with interest in hearing what he wanted in life. To her, it wasn't surprising that he thought of those things. Everyone at one point in their life would sit down and imagine what it would be like to be filthy rich.
Age-wise, it's unusual for a kid to think about the things Natsu mentioned. Most kids their age think about toys or cool things, and never the 'adult' things he mentioned.
But, she realised that she didn't know him very well. She didn't know the kind of life he has lived and what he had to endure to survive. Who was she to judge?
"Interesting, but aren't you interested in making friends? What's the point in being rich if you don't have friends that helped you along the way?" She asked innocently. Natsu stiffened up but seemed to be thinking about it.
"What's the point in making friends when I don't want any?" He asked as gently as he could. He didn't want to hurt the girl's feelings, but he truly didn't wish to be close to anyone.
Levy looked shocked. Her mouth hung open as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing or in this case, hearing. He didn't want friends? Why? Why didn't he want friends?
"Why don't you want friends?" She asked curiously, needing an answer.
Natsu sighed to himself. He had a feeling that it would be a common question that he'd be asked. Not that he blamed them, many of them wanted to make friends after having rough childhoods.
He would admit; that he didn't have the best childhood, but he didn't need friends. What he needed were jewels. That's what he needed. Everyone needed jewels to survive, buy things, pay the bills, and so much more.
Why couldn't they see that? That it was more important to have money than to waste time in a guild making friends who will one day backstab them later in life?
"Jewels are more important. Friends stab you in the back in the end, so it's not worth the trouble." He said with a shrug making Levy widen her eyes.
Without realising it; Natsu made it seem like he had been backstabbed by a close friend.
If he knew what he had insinuated, he made no move to correct himself. He just continued to watch the fight ensue with great intensity before a girl with scarlet red hair named Erza stopped the fight and told them that she'd tell Master next time.
He chuckled. He started to like the place.
What he didn't realise was that there was one girl who was looking at him with concern in her eyes.
—
He had a thoughtful expression on his face as he made his way towards one of the expensive restaurants. They sold the finest seafood and steaks with the nicest wine and sauces he's ever tasted.
The reason he liked the place was that it was expensive, and with the work of the guild, he easily could afford these meals.
Speaking of jobs, he had managed to go on an A-Class quest with no damage. He got the full payment of 600,000 Jewels. It felt nice carrying that money back to the guild. As a reward, he had stopped by the guild to inform them that he had gotten back alive and then gone towards the restaurant.
The youngest of the Strauss siblings greeted him with a smile and welcomed him back as did the others.
Levy and the rest of Team Shadow Gear were on a job while Cana was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't taken a quest so she was bound to still be somewhere in Magnolia but he could care less. She was old enough to take care of herself.
It might sound cold but it was true, she was old enough to do jobs, which meant leaving the guild and Magnolia for a long period.
When he sat in the comfy chair at the private booth for the ones with money, he grinned widely when he had seen a few of the richer townspeople look shocked when he wore an expensive purple two-piece suit with a black shirt and red tie. He had been getting expensive tastes lately and it showed.
He glanced around and saw that there were a few that he had recognised from a few solo missions around town he had done as a way to remember the directions. He didn't acknowledge them, they were mere useless clients who knew nothing else than to throw money around, hoping that it would solve all their problems. It did, but that doesn't mean they should teach their kids that.
Whatever he couldn't give a crap about it.
When the server came with his drink of choice; Fire Whiskey, he couldn't help but think about the mysteries of Cana Alberona. She was cute, he couldn't deny that sneaky one, but cute.
He still remembered her calling out to him after he had gotten into a street fight with those punks.
If he would be honest with himself, he felt guilty.
Guilty for just flying away and leaving her there while she just wanted to talk to him.
When the food came, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. the thickest, juiciest steak in the house was right in front of him. He thanked the waiter and dug in.
Heavens, it was good. The whiskey was good too. He had managed to trick the staff that he was of the right age with a lie that said a spell had hit him stunting his growth for a prolonged period.
He knew they didn't believe it, but they didn't say anything because he was a paying customer so they allowed it to slide.
But as he ate, he couldn't help but think about a certain brunette.
