Lost and Found

/favorites

There's something about Natsu that draws people in. You can't not like the guy; it's literally impossible—unless he doesn't like you. He's rowdy and hot-tempered and reckless but passionate in such a way that he inspires hope and compassionate in such a way that he attracts friends like dogs attract fleas.

There's a similar feeling about Lisanna that encourages adoration; she's so sweet and beautiful and kind and forgiving that it's all you can do not to grovel at her feet. She's independent and fiery and capable and so obviously in love with her best friend that you know she'd do anything for him.

But his oblivion is on par with his charisma.

This is what I know after a week.

I spent that first day with Natsu, which included a lot of running and eating and talking and eating and laughing and eating and meeting new people and eating and holding him back from fights and eating. There's a pattern in there somewhere, I'm sure. All in all, a rather enjoyable day. There's never a dull moment with Natsu around, that's for sure.

He and Lisanna helped me move my stuff to the hotel, though they had both protested and told me to just stay with them. I told them I liked having a place to myself, but I had smiled at Lisanna and she'd thanked me while blushing when I gestured towards Natsu behind his back.

"Good luck with him," I had mouthed.

"Thanks, I need it," she had sighed back.

And boy, does she ever.

That first night, I slipped into bed and fell asleep almost immediately, completely exhausted. Around four in the morning, I woke to loud knocking at my door. I would've ignored it if it hadn't been so insistent and annoying, so I got up and opened the door blearily.

It had been Natsu, bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet hiding something behind his back.

When he saw me there, yawning and rubbing my eyes trying to decide if it was a dream or not, he whipped out a blue cat and shoved him into my face.

"This is Happy!" he'd introduced, and the cat meowed, wiggling its paws into my hair.

"Wha—"

He'd dropped the cat and I had fumbled to catch it, staggering from the surprising weight and my sleepiness.

"Natsu—"

He had pushed past me like I had invited him in, locking the door behind him, and kicked off his shoes before falling into my bed without so much as a word.

Gaping, I set the snoring cat down on the covers and shook Natsu awake. "Natsu, what are you doing here? It's like—four in the morning!"

"You didn't get to meet Happy," he mumbled sleepily.

"Couldn't that have waited until later?"

"But he wouldn't sleep till he met you!"

I had groaned and fallen back into bed, too tired to kick them out. But when I woke up the next morning wrapped in warmth, head against a hard chest, and a furry tail tickling my ear, I had jumped out of bed and screamed, apologizing to Lisanna in my head and praying she'd forgive me because it was so not what it looked like, not that she was there to see it.

I had shoved him out and told him not to do it again but despite his agreement, each night he unfailingly made his way to my room and somehow convinced me to let him stay the night.

"I don't know what to do about him," I moan into my arms. "I'm sorry, Lisanna."

She laughs it off, patting my arms, but I can tell it bothers her. I feel extra guilty for enjoying his warmth and company, though of course I'll never admit it out loud to anyone.

"You should do something with him to keep him up at night, so he'll be too tired to come over," I suggest, ignoring the tiny twinge in my chest at the thought of being alone.

"Whoa there, Lucy, I think you're thinking too far ahead!" Lisanna giggles and I'm confused until I realize how suggestive my words are.

I turn red and stammer, "You know that's not what I meant!"

"Luce! Why's your face all red?" Natsu runs over and sits down next to me.

"No reason!" I get up and wash my hands, but I don't go back to the table. "I think I'll go see how Mira is doing with the kids since break's almost over."

"Okay, see ya, Luce!"

"Bye, Lucy!"

I smile at Lisanna, only to find her already laughing with Natsu about something. I can't help but see the softness in their gazes, the comfort of their closeness, the ease of their conversation. They're always laughing while I feel like I'm always scolding Natsu for something or other. I briefly wonder if I should lay off; I can't be much fun to be around. But then I jerk back to reality and quickly walk away, cursing myself for thinking such thoughts. There's no need to go to extra lengths for Natsu. The intimacy between him and Lisanna could never happen with me anyway.

Mavis, I'm so stupid.

I find Mira and join her with some of the older kids. A smile unconsciously makes its way to my face as the cuteness washes over me.

"Miss Lucy, you're back!" a dark-haired little boy runs up to me and hugs my leg.

I laugh and bend down to ruffle his hair and smile at him. "Hi, Romeo! Happy to see me?"

He nods vigorously. "You're my favorite!"

"Aw, thank you," I coo at him. "Don't tell the other kids, but you're my favorite too." He smiles happily.

"Hey! I thought I was your favorite!" Natsu whines from behind, almost startling me out of my skin. He grins disarmingly at the both of us.

"Who are you talking to, Natsu?" I question, pulling Romeo up into my arms.

"Both of you, duh!"

I roll my eyes good-naturedly.

"Both of you are my favorites!" Romeo declares proudly, giggling when I tickle his stomach.

"That's no fair! You can't have two!" Natsu protests childishly.

I throw him a look. "Of course he can."

"Who's your favorite, Natsu?" Romeo asks and for some reason, I don't expect Natsu's answer.

"You and Luce and Lisanna!"

"Hey, how come you get three?"

"'Cause I'm older than you!"

Romeo wriggles out of my arms and he and Natsu start to chase each other around, while I watch in a daze.

Natsu included me in his favorites. Of course, he was probably just being nice and trying to beat Romeo using the people already mentioned but it was still nice to hear.

"You and Natsu are very close, aren't you?"

I whip around. "Mira!"

She smiles gently at me. "Thank you for helping out, Lucy."

"Oh no, it's my pleasure. Kids are so fun."

She hums in agreement. "I don't think I've ever seen Natsu become so attached to someone so quickly."

I try not to blush. "I think he feels responsible for me in a way, since he found me and all. He's just being a good host."

"Maybe," she allows. "What do you think of him?"

"Me?" I point to myself. She nods. "Er, well, he's nice. Um, reckless but loyal and well-meaning. Huge appetite," I tack on with a laugh and she joins me.

"You seem quite taken with him as well," she observes and it's all I can do not to stutter out an unconvincing denial.

"No, well, he's kind of...my first true friend, I guess." I smile softly as I watch him let Romeo overpower him. "Maybe I imprinted on him?"

Mira laughs loudly at that. "Oh yes, I can see why he and Lisanna like you so much."

"Lisanna's in love with him, isn't she," I say softly, not really asking.

Mira sighs and nods. "Has been for at least the past ten years but Natsu is really too much of a rock to realize and Lisanna is too afraid to ruin their friendship to tell him. So frustrating, those two."

"They really suit each other. When I first saw them together, I thought they were already a couple," I chuckle, trying not to think about why it almost pains me to say that.

"They are rather close," Mira nods. "But from an outsider's perspective, you and Natsu look equally close."

I stare at her in shock.

She giggles at my expression. "A different kind of close, perhaps, but close nonetheless. You are good for him, I think."

I shake my head. "Mira, I...I hope you don't..." I hesitate, unsure how to word my thoughts without sounding intrusive or offensive. "I don't want to get in the way of their friendship in any way."

"Oh, of course not. I know you would never do that," she says, surprised. "I didn't mean for it to sound like that."

"No, no!" I quickly wave my hands in front of me. "It didn't sound like that at all! I was just making sure...I mean, I don't know if it looks that way to others, so I wanted you to know..."

"Don't worry, Lucy," she says softly. "I trust you. You are a good friend. But I hope you don't deny yourself in favor of others." She smiles with an unreadable expression in her eyes and walks off to tend to the younger kids.

I remain where I am, stunned and confused by her words. I'm unsure what to make of her words.

Natsu comes barreling into me with a laughing Romeo in his arms. "Oh! Sorry, Luce, you okay?"

I nod, picking myself up with a grimace and patting my clothes clean.

"What were you and Mira talking about so seriously over here? Thought I heard my name."

Over the din of the children? His hearing must be exceptional. I hope he didn't hear too much. "Not much, really. Just you and Lisanna."

"Huh? Why're you talking 'bout us?" Natsu cocks his head to one side and I have a hard time persuading myself that it's not utterly adorable.

"You're too dense to understand." I stick my tongue out at him childishly and run away to play with the kids when he shouts in indignation.

There's something growing in my heart and I feel like it might be too late to stop it.

© Copyright 2015 by The Siege