Lost and Found

notes: sooooo this was supposed to be a cute nalu bonding chapter...yeah idk what happened either, lol. but i guess they did get closer anyway, haha. enjoy!

/friends

Gray sandwiches me from one side and Erza the other as we wait for our food to arrive.

"Um...your shirt," I hesitantly point out to Gray who swears and pulls it off the ground, stuffing himself into it. He looks so uncomfortable wearing clothes that I can't stop my giggle.

"Don't laugh!" he mutters, blushing a little. "I can't help it!"

"I know, I know," I reassure him, still smiling. "You just looked so annoyed that you had to put your shirt back on. It was cute."

"Hey, I'm not cute!" he protests, flexing. "See these muscles?"

"Oh yeah? My muscles are better than yours!" Natsu suddenly challenges from across the table.

"What, those wimpy things? You call those muscles? Please." Gray rolls his eyes and smirks provokingly.

"Guys—" I start to say but it's too late.

Natsu lunges at Gray, who coolly sidesteps him and whacks Natsu on the head. I shriek as Natsu's feet come dangerously close to my face, causing Erza to snap her attention to the fight.

"Natsu! Gray!" She climbs over me, nimble as a monkey, and punches each boy hard in the stomach. Satisfied, she sits back down next to me and smiles calmly. "I hope they're not bothering you too much, Lucy."

"Oh no, it's fine."

"Alright, but if they do bother you, just tell me and I'll deal with them." There's a sharp glint in her eye that tells me her method of "dealing with them" might be life-threatening.

I gulp and nod.

"Oh Erza, boys will be boys," Mira chimes in, smiling beautifully at Lucy. "Just let them be. They're usually harmless."

"Are they always like this, then?" I ask, curious.

Mira nods. "Well, usually they're worse. They're behaving surprisingly well today. Must be because you're here."

I turn to look at the two of them, rolling and fighting on the floor. This is "well"? "I don't think I want to know what it's like when they go all out."

"They generally end up destroying buildings and stuff." Lisanna joins in the conversation, making a face at the brawling boys. "That's why we're always trying to do odd jobs, to make a little extra money for the next time we have to pay for them."

I gape at her.

"But don't worry, Lucy," Mira says sweetly. "If it comes close to that, I'll step in."

We all shudder. Maybe Mira isn't as kind and innocent as I thought.

"Food's here!" someone shouts and Natsu and Gray come racing back to the table.

I watch as Lisanna fusses over Natsu, fixing his hair and clothes and making sure his hands are clean before he eats. He complains but he doesn't move away and it's obvious he doesn't really mind.

I look away and immerse myself into conversation with Erza and Mira. No point wallowing in heartache when I'm surrounded by so many new friends.

When the meal ends—Mira tells me she's so glad they only broke a table and some chairs—I turn to Natsu and Lisanna and say, "I'm gonna look around, see if I can find Levy-chan. I'll go pick my stuff up from your place once I've checked into the hotel and everything."

Natsu leaps up. "Wait, I'm going with you! I'm your guide, remember?"

"Don't you have to go to work?" I ask, hoping my desperation isn't leaking into my voice.

"Oh right." He turns and shouts, "Hey Mira! I'm gonna show Luce around, so you'll have to do without me today!"

"Wait—" I start.

"Alright!" Mira agrees easily.

"But Lisanna—" I try again.

"Yeah!" Lisanna quickly jumps in, hands on her hips as she pouts at him. "Are you leaving me to fend for myself?"

Natsu grins at her and ruffles her hair affectionately. "Aw c'mon Lis, you know the kids all like you better anyway!"

"No, they don't!"

"Well, I gotta guide Luce around!"

"You really don't," I chime in, but everyone ignores me. I sigh and give up, deciding to just slip away.

Unfortunately, Natsu notices and immediately chases after me. "Luce, wait for me! See ya later, Lis!"

I hear Lisanna yelling his name in the distance and I wince, internally apologizing to her for monopolizing Natsu's time. He's clearly way dense if he can't realize that she just wants to spend more time with him.

"Natsu—" I begin but he cuts me off, which I kind of expected.

"C'mon Luce, the more the merrier! 'Sides, I gotta visit Levy too! Metal Head'll probably be there." His smile turns a little wild and he cracks his knuckles.

"Metal Head?"

"You'll see," he says vaguely. "Now let's go!"

He runs off, leaving me to sprint after him, trying to catch up, but years of being cooped up in a mansion surrounded only by books and stuffed animals did not do wonders for my athleticism. By the time I catch up to him, I'm huffing and puffing, doubled over with my hands on my knees and sweat lining my forehead, while he's bouncing impatiently in place, complaining that I'm too slow.

I glare up at him with as much energy as I can muster. "Not everyone...can run...as fast...as you!"

"Yeah, but try to keep up!"

I open my mouth to retort but he just turns and bursts into the bookstore with a loud greeting, leaving me to catch my breath and follow him in.

"Hey Natsu," I hear Levy greet as I walk in. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey Levy! I'm here with Luce!" He moves aside and Levy's eyes widen as she looks at me.

"Lu-chan!"

"Levy-chan!"

We run at each other dramatically, arms wide, and meet in a hug worthy of cinematic long-lost lovers. Natsu scratches his head, lost.

We start babbling at the same time.

"Oh my Mavis, did you read that new book—"

"Mavis, yes! I ordered it online months early and got it as soon as it was publish—"

"Lucky! I had to wait a bit—"

"Uh," Natsu says, "hello?"

"Oh, and how's that novel of yours coming—"

"Same as ever, I guess, haven't been much inspired lately—

"Don't forget, I'm the first to read it—"

"Um—"

"Of course! I promised, didn't I? What about you? Still studying old texts and stuff—"

"Oh yes, I came across these ancient books and had to learn a new language just to start translating, but they're amazing—"

"You'll have to show me—"

"Hello!" Natsu finally yells and we jump at the volume, staring at him in shock. "Finally! Mavis, It's like I'm not even here."

Levy-chan and I look at each other. "Well..."

"Salamander, what the hell're you doin' here?" a gruff voice rumbles from behind some book stacks a few seconds before a huge and intimidating man steps out and moves to stand beside Levy-chan."

"Metal Face!" Natsu greets. "Haven't seen you at the gym in a while! Where ya been?"

So he's Metal Head, I think as I look him over, immediately understanding the nickname. He's pierced all over his face and maybe his arms too, though it's hard to tell with his long black mane curtaining his body like a cape.

"Busy," comes the terse reply. "Got a cat ta take care of now—"

"You really got one?" Natsu guffaws. "I know I'm awesome, but there can only be one Natsu—"

"Who said ya got anythin' ta do with it?" the man replies, glaring menacingly down at Natsu, who merely grins back.

"Um," I say timidly. "Maybe an introduction?"

"Oh!" Levy-chan gasps. "I'm sorry, Lu-chan! Lu-chan, this is Gajeel Redfox. He helps around the store a lot. He looks scary," Levy-chan adds in a conspiratorial whisper, "but he's really just a big teddy bear."

"Oi, Shrimp, I can hear ya!" Gajeel Redfox snaps, though I notice the lack of real menace in his tone. He stands next to her protectively, like he's ready to lash out against any threat at any moment.

Levy-chan giggles and I appraise her in a new light. "Gajeel, this is Lu-chan—I mean, Lucy—wait, what's your last name? I don't think you've ever told me, actually."

Because I want you to treat me like a normal girl.

"Heartley," I supply with a tight smile, hoping they can't see through the lie. I'm really a terrible liar.

"Lucy Heartley!" Levy repeats, beaming. "We talk about books together."

"Nice to meet you, Gajeel," I smile politely. He grunts and nods at me, and I figure that's probably pretty polite for someone like him. He's got a tough guy act on; it's easy to see his fondness for Levy-chan.

Gajeel and Natsu fall into another round of manly intimidation, so I nudge Levy-chan with my elbow and smirk, "I see how it is. Tall, dark, and rough around the edges, eh?"

She blushes, as I predicted. Oh, these two are so obvious. "Wh-what are you talking about? It's not like that!"

"Hey, I never said anything," I respond innocently, giggling at her weak glare. "You two would be so cute together though, seriously."

"Stop it!" she whines. "He doesn't feel that way about me."

My eyes stray towards the man in question. I watch as Natsu gets a little too rowdy and almost rams into Levy-chan, and the way Gajeel immediately shields her and shoves Natsu away before he can make contact.

"Oi, watch it, flamehead," Gajeel snarls.

"I don't know," I say thoughtfully. "Pretty sure he might."

"W-w-well, what about you and Natsu, huh?" she challenges weakly.

I look at her dryly, eyebrow raised into my hairline. "Levy-chan. I basically just met him today."

"Love at first sight?"

I roll my eyes. "You know I don't believe in that."

"Yeah, me neither. That's too easy," she mutters. "I'm surprised to see him without Lisanna though. They're usually joined at the hip. Hey, watch the books, you two!"

"They were both supposed to work at the daycare today but Natsu insisted on being my tour guide." I sigh and shake my head. "He's so oblivious."

"Poor Lisanna," Levy-chan sighs.

"Poor Lisanna," I agree with a nod.

Gajeel and Natsu are breaths away from dissolving into an all-out fistfight so I quickly grab Natsu by the back of his shirt and drag him out of the store, waving goodbye to Levy-chan and Gajeel as I go. Natsu flails and curses the whole way until I unceremoniously drop him and glare down at him.

"Natsu, we were in a bookstore!" I hiss. "You can't just go around starting a fight anywhere you want! You might destroy something valuable!"

He jumps up and shrugs, dusting himself off. "Never been a problem before."

"Don't you feel bad for your friends? They're always helping you clean up your messes, aren't they?"

Something flashes in his eyes and his face shutters. "My friends and I are none of your business."

I recoil and suck in a breath, shocked by how much his words actually sting me. Gathering my wits about me, I shake my head and mumble, "You're right. And I'm none of yours."

I take off without a backwards glance, zigzagging blindly so he can't follow me, though if he's really trying, I know it's only a matter of time, since he knows Magnolia and its streets much better than I do. But I'm not really expecting him to look for me.

Why would he? We're not each other's business, after all. Not like he asked me to be friends or anything.

"Whatever," I mutter to myself. "It doesn't matter. I can make other friends." Probably. Not that I have any real experience with friendship. Maybe that's why I said the wrong thing to him.

Whatever.

With a decisive nod, I stride confidently down the streets, stopping to ask for directions for the nearest and cheapest hotel. Turns out there's only one large hotel in the city and it's Magnolia Hotel, so I head there and check into a room with the stash of money I brought with me.

Luckily, I managed to smuggle quite a bit of money out of the house, though most of it is in my suitcase. But it does make me feel a little disgusted to have to rely on the money my father—ex-father?—made.

But I suppose money is money.

I go up to my room and am very pleased to find a cozy and clean room, very sizable for its price. The view is nice too, looking out over a river, and there's a lot of sky. It's perfect for however long I decide to stay.

When I return to the lobby, I'm startled to find Natsu running in and frantically asking if anyone has seen a blonde girl. I squeak and quickly hide, especially when the clerk at the front desk who checked me in nods.

While Natsu is talking to him, I try to sneak out of the building, but the clerk notices me and I hear him say, "Oh look, there she is." I instantly pick up my pace and soon I'm running down the sidewalks again.

Mavis, I feel like I'm on the run.

"Wait! Lucy, wait!" Natsu calls after me and I try to push myself to run even faster but it's no use. He quickly catches up to me and grabs my arms, yanking me to a stop, but my momentum throws me forward into his chest and he grunts as we stumble backwards a bit before we find our balance.

I rip myself away and begin walking but he sighs and jumps in front of me.

"Lucy."

I pin him with my stare. "Look, I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to offend you and I know it was nosy of me. I just wasn't really thinking—"

"Lucy," he interrupts once again, "it's fine. Don't apologize, I'm the one at fault. I know you didn't really mean anything by it. I'm sorry."

I stare at him wordlessly for a few moments and he ducks his head, cheeks pinkening to the color of his hair. Finally, I nod. "Okay. Glad that's cleared up. I'm going to go move my stuff into the hotel now."

"Wait, Luce, you can just stay with us!" He falls into step beside me. "Lucy, come on."

I throw my hands with an exasperated groan. "What is it you want from me, Natsu? I don't need you—your pity, or whatever it is! I can—I can—I can pay you back somehow for helping me so just—"

"What are you talking about?" he cries, staring at me. "We're friends!"

I whirl on him. "I thought you and your friends were none of my business!"

"I already said sorry!"

"Maybe I don't want to be your friend!"

He freezes but I continue stomping, feeling tears prick my eyes. I don't even know what's happening right now. Why am I pushing him away? He did apologize, and I was more at fault for saying something so presumptuous.

But doesn't this all just show how bad of a friend I am? I don't know what friendship really is. How can I be a good friend when I go and insult someone within hours of meeting them?

Suddenly, I feel myself spinning around, strong hands gripping my arms. Natsu stares at me grimly. "Lucy. Please tell me what I did wrong so I can make it up to you. Tell me how we can be friends again."

And then I just can't help it—the tears start rolling and they won't stop. He jumps away in shock and panic, his hands fluttering uselessly in the air.

"I don't need friends!" I shout at him. "I—I can't have friends! All I'll do is hurt them because—because I-I-I've n-never really had a f-friend before and—and I don't know how to be one and—"

He hugs me tightly and I hiccup into his shoulder, trying to stop crying so I don't ruin his shirt after ruining his day. "Lucy, everyone needs friends. No one really knows how to be a good one. You just do the best you can as you go along and apologize when you mess up. That's all. No one really knows what they're doing and that's okay. A true friend won't hate you because of one little mistake. Trust me, I make mistakes all the time, but my friends still put up with me!"

I cry harder at his attempt to lighten the mood and he stiffens. "I-I'm sorry, Luce! I didn't mean to make you cry even more! What do I do? I'm sorry!"

I shake my head and pull away, scrubbing at my face. "I-i-i-it's not your f-fault. You're just too nice, Natsu. Thanks for comforting me."

He smiles hesitantly. "So...we're okay?"

I nod, still wiping my face and trying to smile.

"Good, 'cause I'm starving!"

I surprise myself with the laugh that tumbles out of me. "Natsu, we just ate."

"Chasing you around the city's pretty tiring, ya know!"

© Copyright 2015 by The Siege