The Lost Heir
Summary: Novali and Laxus' first encounter isn't a good one… She literally crashes into him with a tray full of hot tea and cake, which makes Laxus furious since he has to leave for work. Novali then meets him again when she goes out to have a drink with her best friend Vivian at Fairy Tail, the local bar-which much to Novali's utter shock, the bartender is none other Laxus. After going home that night, both are surprised to find out that they live in the same apartment complex. After a few more incidents, they start getting closer and bump into each other more often. Soon Laxus asks Novali out on a date, not taking no for an answer. But on their way to the restaurant they get attacked by men in black suits. They're cornered when they try to get back to their apartment, but get saved by Freed, the butler of the Dreyar Royal Family. How will they both react when they learn Laxus is actually Prince Viktor Reyson Dreyar the lost heir of the Ikazuchiryū Kingdom?
Chapter Two – Who's Stalking Who?
I had come to the bar with Vivian, and the bartender she said was so hot was none other than the blonde guy from the lecture and the one who crashed into me.
"It's you! The giant with the rude attitude!" I yelled before I could stop myself.
"And you're the clumsy girl who threw boiling tea on me!" He scowled right back at me.
"I didn't throw it on you!" I snapped, giving him a glare of my own. "You ran into me, remember?!"
"I never imagined you'd follow me all the way here." He scoffed, "I don't have time for stalkers."
"How dare you accuse me of stalking you?!" I snarled. "I was invited here by my friend!"
"Ha! A likely story." He huffed, "I have plenty of girls who make up reasons to follow me around."
"Wha… Why you-!" I started to go off again, but was interrupted.
"Hey, Laxus, can I get a refill?" A customer slurred.
The man sighed, "The bottle is right in front of you. Pour it yourself." He said.
"But it tastes better when you pour it for me Laxusssss!" The woman whined.
'So the giant's name is Laxus.' I mused. 'And he acts stuck up to his customers too. I can't believe they put up with him…'
"No way! You're kidding me, right?" Vivian asked looking at me in disbelief.
"Hmm?" I hummed at her.
"You know Laxus, too?" She whined.
"I wouldn't say I know him… More like I literally bumped into him at the palace and…" I trailed off with a sigh. "It's a long story…"
"I'm so jealous!" Vivian said for the umpteenth time. "Laxus is the talk of the town around here. This bar's gotten super popular since he started working here."
"Well, I won't deny he's good looking, but…" I stopped, making a face at the rude, cocky attitude I knew he had. "Vivi-chyan, I think I'm going to take a rain check today…"
"No way!" Vivian said, suddenly grabbing my arm in a vice grip. "We came all this way here, so you have to have at least one drink, got it?"
Vivian dragged me to a stool and sat me down at the bar. I sighed, but said no more protests. Vivian watched Laxus like a hawk.
"Mmm, he sure is easy on the eyes." She purred.
I sighed again. Like my so-called best friend, most of the female clientele were gazing adoringly at Laxus, too.
…
'To think I would see him again at that bar…' I thought in annoyance as I walked home. 'Maybe he's so cocky because people always make a huge fuss over him.'
After parting with Vivian, I stomped back to my apartment, just seething. Suddenly a tall figure appeared from the side of the road.
"Eeek!" I gasped in surprise, and then realize it was Laxus.
"Huh?" He blinked at me.
His eyes widened, then he sighed loudly.
"You again…? Seriously? Give me a break." He groaned.
I scowled, "You know, you're always saying I'm stalking you, but I'm starting to think you're actually stalking me." I said, looking at him suspiciously. "Like just now, you suddenly appeared from a dark alley. What about the bar? Weren't you still working?"
"You're completely mistaken…" He said, holding his hands up. "I finished my work and I'm on my way home."
"Uh-huh. Sure." I said as we started to walk.
I sped, up trying to get away from him. But then he sped up as well, and soon we were speed walking as though we were racing each other.
"Stop following me." He said. "Are you trying to find out where I live now?"
"No way!" I snapped. "My apartment is over there!"
"So is…mine…" He said slowly.
My eyes widened in horror.
"Y…You're kidding, right?" I deadpanned.
We stopped in front of the apartment building and look at each other.
I huff and crossed my arms, "Is this some kind of joke?" I scowled at him. "There no way you live here!"
Laxus frowned, "I just moved in yesterday." He said.
"Huh…? Oh! That was YOU who made that loud noise when you dropped a box full of pots and pans?!" I said in astonishment.
"Tch… I can't believe I've moved into a building with such a short werido…" He sighed hopelessly. "I guess I'll just have do my best to avoid you."
"Please do!" I snapped, my temper rising from being called short.
Laxus shot me a look and went inside. I followed him inside.
…
'I can't believe this!' I mentally scream as I stomped up the stairs to my room. 'The new guy who moved in was him?!'
I shut the door behind me and lock it. Then as I pulled my baking apron out of my messenger bag to put in the wash, something else tumbled out, making a loud thump as it hit the floor.
"Oh…" I murmured, "Laxus' book… I forgot I had it."
I picked it up, and after a moment's hesitation I made a pained face, heading out of my room.
…
'I'll just hand it over, and then have nothing more to do with him…' I reassured myself as I walked over to Laxus' room. 'If I remember correctly he went into the left room on the far end of the hall. I wasn't sure that was an available room though…'
Thinking it a bit strange, I slowed my pace, but kept going. I notice the door is slightly ajar.
'Is this his place…?' I wondered, as I knocked.
I waited for a moment, but there was no reply. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Hello? Laxus?" I called.
I heard another door open, and I spotted him just as he was stepping out of the bathroom from a shower.
"U-Um…!" I squeaked, turning bright red.
He's only wearing a towel, and my eyes wandered without my permission.
'Huh… That birthmark really does seem like a fairy with a pointed tail… And, wow, he has an amazing body.' I thought absently, 'Wait! This is no time to be thinking that!'
My face became even brighter. But Laxus only smirked at me.
"Are you still gonna say you're not a stalker?" He asked in amusement.
"U-Um… I-I-I…" I stammered so badly, I just stopped talking.
As I stepped back, Laxus drew closer, backing me up against the wall. The bath towel around his waist started to slip.
"Hmm?" He hummed in amusement.
The towel slipped even further and I bolted from his room.
…
'I didn't see anything!' I told myself, 'It was close, but I didn't see anything… I don't think… No! No, I didn't see a thing!'
Back in my own room, with the doorknob locked and deadbolt fastened, my heart was still racing and I was still clutching Laxus' book.
'How is it he always ends up twisting things around on me…?!' I mentally snarled.
Thoroughly annoyed, I threw myself down onto my bed.
…
The next morning I opened my eyes to the sunlight streaming in through the curtains.
"Mmm…" I groan.
'My head feels fuzzy…' I mentally complain. 'Oh… That's right, I was brooding about what happened…and I couldn't get to sleep…'
I glanced at the clock, and jumped out of bed in alarm. It was way past the time I usually wake up.
"I can't believe I forgot to set my alarm!" I yelled in annoyance.
…
'I've never been late before!' I panicked as I thundered down the stairs.
As I rushed, I became aware of someone else coming down the stairs as well. I looked up and see the person I least wanted to see.
"Ugh… I guess I can't avoid my stalker when there's only one set of stairs…" He sighed.
"G-Gimme a break! I told you, I'm not-whoa!" As I was snapping at Laxus, last night's scene popped into my head, distracting me and causing me to miss the next step.
Laxus quickly reached out and grabbed my arm, steadying me as we ran.
"Careful!" He scowled at me. "What were you thinking of to make you blush so hard and stumble?" He then grinned at me, "Ohhh, I see. You must have had good dreams last night."
"I had nightmares!" I snapped.
"How could you have nightmares about a body like this?" Laxus' smirk grew wider as he gestured up and down his body.
"Shut up!" I scowled, glancing at my wrist watch, "Oh no! I'm gonna be late!"
"Late…? For what? Work?" Laxus questioned me.
"Yes! And I've never been late before!" I panicked. "So I don't have time for you right now!"
"Who do you think you're talking to?!" Laxus glared at me as he ran beside me.
"Move it or lose it!" I shouted.
…
I used a burst of speed to shake Laxus off, and ran outside of the complex. I glanced back for a second and saw him getting on a motorcycle.
'Must be nice to have something like that… It would be useful for times like this…' I pouted as he started it up, but resumed my sprinting.
…
I was running as fast as I could. But Laxus quickly caught up to me on his motorcycle. He pulled right in front of me, breaking to a stop, and caught me easily as I plowed right into him.
"What are you doing?! I-" I shouted as I pushed myself away from him and started to panic.
"Get on." He interrupted me, as he took off his helmet and held it out to me.
"Huh…?" I panted.
"I'll give you a ride to work." He said.
"W-Why would you…" I trail off gasping for breath. "…do that for me?"
His cheeks flushed slightly.
"It's not like I'm doing it especially for you." He said scowling, "Or would you rather be late to work for the first time? Are you this half-assed about your work too?"
"What are you saying?! Of course not!" I snapped.
Laxus smiled at me, "Then get on." He said, shoving the helmet onto my head.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the seat behind him.
"Tell me the way." He said revving the engine, "I'll be going fast, so hold on tight!"
"O-Okay!" I stammered, wrapping my arms around him.
I gave him directions and squeaked as he sped off, tightening my arms around his middle to the point of clinging.
…
Laxus came to a stop in front of the Take Over Bakery and Café. I slipped off the bike, grasping onto him arm for a moment, until my legs became steady enough to hold me. He grinned at me and then looked at the building.
"Huh, so you're a pastry chef." He mused. "So that's why you wore that uniform at the Glass Palace."
"Yes, that's right." I said smiling, "I love baking so much that I became a pastry chef."
"What's your name?" Laxus asked me suddenly.
"Novali Holiday." I said still smiling, "And you're…Laxus, right?"
"How did you know?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at me. "So you are a stalker…"
"I am not! My friend, Vivian, told me!" I yelled.
"Girls sure like to gossip…" He muttered, "But, yeah, I'm Laxus. Laxus Sparks. Nice to meet you, Novali."
"Nice to meet you, too." I said pleasantly. "Thank you for taking me to work. You really saved me. I'm so happy I'm not late!"
'I'd rather not, but I should thank him properly…' I thought.
As though he could tell what I was thinking, the corners of Laxus' lips curl up in amusement.
"Well, you do have a lot to be grateful for." He said teasingly, "For yesterday, and today… You should be honored that I'd do this for you."
I frowned stiffly, "I am…" I said tightly.
'This guy is so full of himself!'
Laxus laughed at the sour face I was making.
"Hey, see you later, then!" He said, patting my head and then taking off before I could yelled at him for messing up my hair.
…
'Laxus is a mysterious guy…' I mused to myself as I worked, 'I thought he was an arrogant, full-of-himself, jerk… But this morning he was pretty nice to me… I don't get him…'
As I worked, I was lost in thought about Laxus.
"Nova-chan…?" Mirajane called out to me, breaking my thoughts.
"Oh…! Yes, Mira-chyan?" I asked, looking at her.
She studied me thoughtfully for a moment, before smiling softly in concern.
"You've been drying that same bowl for ten minutes now." She said gently.
"Oh, s-sorry!" I stammered and put the bowl down.
"Something on your mind? It's rare for you to space out like this." She said, and then smiled again, but it was a mischievous smile. "Is it a guy? Are you in love? Who is he? What does he look like? Oh! Was it the man who dropped you off this morning?! Tell me everything!"
Elfman and Lisanna quickly put down what they were doing and hurried over to us.
"What?! No way! Not at all!" I shouted.
"The lady doth protest too much." Elfman snickered. "You should go for it like a man!"
"Well, I'm not a man, and I'm telling you it's not like that…!" I said, rubbing my temples. "I don't even get him! He's a jerk and he's arrogant, so-"
"-it is that guy!" Lisanna squealed. "He's hot, good choice!"
"No! Go away!" I snapped, and chased my giggling cousins away.
But all day my head was in another place, and I kept making little mistakes.
…
I sighed loudly, 'Today was not a good day…' I thought tiredly. 'Starting tomorrow I have to buckle down on my work…'
I reflected back on my day as I headed home from work.
…
As I was climbing the stairs of my apartment building I looked through my bag for my room key.
"N-No…! Where is it…?!" I said out loud as I frantically searched my bag. "It's not here!"
'I'm sure I locked the door this morning and put the key in the small outer pocket! After that… I was running and then Laxus gave me a ride… It must have fallen out somehow… But I was sure I zipped it shut!'
I groaned and thought about looking for it, but it was already dark out.
'It would be better if I called my landlady…' I finally thought.
…
"She's not answering…" I moaned and slid down my apartment door until I was sitting on the floor.
I pulled my legs up and rested my head on top of my knees as I waited for her to call me back. Suddenly I heard the sound of footsteps approaching me. I looked up when they stopped.
"Ah… G-Good evening…" I muttered.
Laxus frowned at my depressed greeting.
"Now you're waiting for me to pass in the hallways?" He teased lightly, although now looking at me with a concerned look.
"Ugh, I'm not waiting for you…" I sighed. "I lost my apartment key…"
"You lost your key?" Laxus repeated in surprise.
"I called the landlady, but she didn't answer." I explained, "So I left a message and decided to wait here for her to call me back."
"Here in the dark hallway?" He said with a disapproving look.
"Well, what else am I supposed to do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. "I don't have anywhere else to go right now. My cousins already have their hands full with each other, Vivi-chyan is out of town for the next few days, and I have no other family here."
Laxus sighed, rubbing his head.
"Jeez, you… I guess I can't leave you alone." He trailed off with a bit of a chuckle. "First you were going to be late for work, then you lose your house key. You really need to be looked after, huh?"
I hid my face in embarrassment.
"I guess you're right…" I said, my voice muffled by my hands.
'I can't really argue with that…' I thought pathetically.
I fell silent, feeling even more depressed, when I felt a light stroking motion on my head.
"Come on, then." Laxus said, pulling me up and down the hall with him.
"What are you-? Wait, where are you taking me?" I asked in confusion.
"Don't make it sound like I'm kidnapping you." Laxus said, "For now, you can wait at my place."
"Hang on a minute, Laxus!" I said, "Maybe you could just help me look for my key?"
"It's too dark out. I doubt we'll find it." Laxus said, "And it would leave a bad taste in my mouth if I just left you sitting here by yourself looking so pathetic."
By now we were in front of his apartment. He kept a firm hold on my hand as he unlocked the door.
Looking back at me with a grin, he said: "No matter what you say, you're coming inside."
Then he pushed me inside before I could protest anymore.
...
Well, this is chapter two. Hope you are enjoying so far. Please leave a review!