Hey everyone! We've got some really crappy weather over here, so it gave me time to post this chapter. I know you've all been reviewing like crazy, which made me very happy, so let's get right to the story, okay?
Disclaimer: The soup is in my ownership…everything else? Not so much…
Chapter Four: Caring for You
This wasn't happening. Nodding to herself and closing her eyes, Lucy pinched the side of her arm and jumped at the pain. After a second she opened her eyes again, feeling a swell of panic in her chest at the menacing look Laxus was giving her. He was still in the middle of the bar, waiting for her to challenge him. People all around them were quiet, Lucy praying for some break of the silence while she tip-toed around the bar top. She felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder from Mira as she passed, and saw the look of confidence Cana gave her. Loke didn't hesitate to rise from his seat, linking Lucy's arm into his own and escorting her toward the middle of the floor. Though the situation was tense, Lucy felt a little better with an ally standing next to her. Loke sent her a reassuring smile before turning serious and looking to Laxus.
"You promise on your allegiance to Fairy Tail to abide by the rules that were stated? If Lucy guesses your sign, you will leave her credibility as an astrologist alone, and partake as one of her clients?" Loke sounded so mature when he dropped his playboy act. It was in these moments that Lucy was in awe at how strong the photographer was. He had a likable personality, and made it his job to get girls to swoon over him. But when he got like this, Lucy felt like she truly was a princess of some sort.
"I don't have to answer to you, but I do agree. Lucy also has to agree that if she doesn't guess correctly, she will quit Fairy Tail. That's my stipulation."
"And do you agree to that, Lucy?" Now the regal man's attention was drawn back to her. She felt herself swallow despite the soft tone he used, understanding the consequence of failing. She'd not only be jobless, but would fail all of her friends who believed in her. Mira, Juvia, Levy and even Natsu. Thinking of the pink-haired companion, she glanced away from Loke and toward the table her friends had been at. She could see the worry in Levy and Gray's faces, while Erza looked somber. Natsu, however, had no similar expression. Despite their earlier fight, Natsu sent her a confident look while nodding his head, smirking. Even without words she knew he was telling her to go for it. It was enough for Lucy to blow out a steady breath and nod back to Loke.
"I understand."
"Good! I was getting tired of hearing all the weaklings gossip about this astrology bullshit." She knew that before she actually started her job, Lucy didn't want to be an astrologist. It had been tough bringing up old feelings from her mother and Lucy's past. The first week hadn't been a walk in the park either. At moments, Lucy wanted to walk away from the tiring job. But hearing Laxus drag her occupation through the mud made anger build in her stomach.
"You can do this, Lucy." She felt a strong hand on her back, Loke's encouragement chasing her earlier nerves away. This was the battle that Cana had warned her about. Laxus was a physical metaphor of all the people who had doubted her. In a way, she almost saw her father standing there as well. Both had mocked something of true importance to her, and she wasn't going to let that slide.
"I know what sign you are," Lucy said, Laxus raising an eyebrow while the bar murmured.
"Go ahead; take your best guess." She was still intimidated by his large stature and piercing gaze, but Lucy wasn't going to back down. Even with her knees trembling, she squared her shoulders with him and forced herself into astrologist mode. This was do or die, and nerves weren't going to stop her from protecting the job she was starting to love.
"You speak like you're royalty, and you're arrogant." Her opening statement was probably a little bold, but Lucy wasn't trying to be nice. If Laxus wanted proof of her abilities, she had to be honest. Knowing his sign, he wouldn't want her to tip-toe around the topic. His silence told her to continue. "You have this careless look about your style, but you walk with noble bearing. You're well proportioned and have a sex appeal that most women find hard to ignore at first. You're tall, too, and extremely proud of it. It makes you stand out against the others, something that is particularly important to you. You're extremely smug; you tend to cut others down as you see fit, and can be uncaring of those who are hurt around you. You keep up an appearance of power no matter what you're really feeling. When hurt you are coldhearted, and too stubborn to ever apologize first. You dislike being ignored, being left out of the spotlight, or being lied to. Anyone who laughs at you or tells you what to do will instantly be on your bad side.
"But you're loyal, too." Lucy felt her voice soften as she thought of all the endearing qualities of Laxus. Even if she was mad at him, and he tended to act like a brat, Laxus had an overwhelming list of positives under his belt. "You're full of pride in Fairy Tail, because this is your home. You can be generous with those you care about, and you're more mature than many in the guild. I see you take on responsibility that you don't have to, but do anyways. You have a lot of courage, and aren't afraid to make bold choices in order to move the process along. And sometimes, with the right person, you can even be friendly or kind. You're great with leadership, and probably wish to take over Fairy Tail when Master Makarov steps down. You're protective of those who you consider family, and will go as far as even sacrificing your own well-being for their safety."
"I've yet to hear a sign." Because as stubborn as he was, Laxus could never show how impressed he was with Lucy's findings. She smiled fully at him, understanding now why he had to challenge her. It wasn't to embarrass her or make her feel useless; it was to ensure that the people of Fairy Tail were not getting deceived. He didn't want to see them hurt because of something he could have prevented. So, putting on his bad-guy shoes, Laxus made sure to protect his family the only way he knew how.
"Your interests are sports, or any heavy exercise. You also like parties and family events. Your family is your life, and you expect to have a big family with whoever you settle down with. You love luxury, and only accept the finest silks and wines in your life. The more personalized and creative something is for you, the better. In taking a romantic partner, you want someone who will adore you while being the envy of everyone around you. You want total commitment, and dependency in some way to you. Though you will love your partner unconditionally, you wish for them to understand you are the king of your castle. The show always has to be about you, after all. You are the only Fire element that is masculine and fixed. You are the fifth zodiac sign, the true ruler of the zodiac. Laxus Dreyar is a Leo. That is my answer to you."
"Leo's rules from July 23rd to August 22nd. I would know, my birthday is August 4th. Laxus, may I have your birth date, please?" Loke squeezed Lucy's arm gently, as if reassuring her that everything would be okay. The touch had the opposite effect, Lucy's nerves jumbling in her chest. Did she seriously just do that? Analyzing her friends was fun, but Laxus was a whole other story. A lot of the stuff she said to him wasn't positive! Feeling her heart beat out of control, Lucy stared at the brooding man in front of her. This was it; the moment of truth. Laxus didn't seem in any rush to answer, continuing to stare at Lucy in a way that set goose bumps down her arms.
"Laxus was born August 16th." Lucy's head jerked back to the bar, Mira not seeming to mind the sudden attention while she held up a tray of drinks. She smiled in her normal fashion, nodding her head happily. "You were right, Lucy. Laxus is a Leo; you win."
"I was right?" The words barely left Lucy's mouth before the crowd erupted around her. Looking back to Laxus, Lucy only caught sight of his blonde hair as he stormed into one of the back rooms. Knowing that he was most likely upset with her upstaging him, Lucy felt a slight pinch of guilt in her heart. He had asked for it this way, and embarrassed himself in the process, because of his dedication to the people of Fairy Tail. Though she didn't like how he insulted her practice, Lucy could understand his reasoning. It was in her Cancer nature to feel compassion for other people. Unfortunately, it would only worsen things if she went to him now and apologized. Trying to forget the empathetic feelings, Lucy smiled at the crowd cheering her name and laughed.
"Good job Lu-chan!" from the seat across from the blue-haired girl, Erza watched Levy cheer on her best friend. Even with the loud shout, Erza was sure Levy couldn't be heard by Lucy. Fairy Tail sure was a lively bunch when they wanted to be.
"Did you see how quickly Laxus ran with his tail between his legs?! I can't wait to rub it in his face tomorrow!" Erza now glanced to Natsu, whose smile shone like he was the one who proved Laxus wrong. He was practically beaming from his enjoyment of the situation. He looked over at Gray, who was quietly sipping on a drink Lucy had brought over earlier. "Hey Ice brain, want to go congratulate Lucy with me?"
"I thought you two were in a fight?" Erza asked, amused as how easily Natsu brushed her question off.
"I'll be mad at her tomorrow!" Smiling at her friend's spirit, Erza leaned back in her seat and laughed. The relationship between Lucy and Natsu was a weird one for sure. Then again, she had a feeling it was probably one of the strongest bonds in the club. The two were attached at the hip, and this was the first time she had ever seen them in an actual fight. Though Natsu refused to explain why they were arguing, it had really affected the guy's morale. His fighting spirit had simmered (which was kind of a good thing for the bar) and his upbeat personality had dampened. Natsu really couldn't fake a smile to save his life. But once Lucy had proven Laxus wrong, it seemed the only thing Natsu could do was grin. "So let's go celebrate with Lucy!"
"I think Loke's got that covered." Interested in what Gray was implying, Erza and Natsu both turned to see the Leo pulling Lucy into his arms. A second later, Loke was carrying the girl bridal style toward the doors of Fairy Tail.
"Lo-Loke!" Despite her protesting, Lucy's face was red from the attention.
"My beautiful celestial maiden deserves a night of romancing after such an intense battle of the minds. Shall I take you on a walk for the beach? Or dinner by candlelight?" The whole bar laughed at Loke's teasing while Lucy desperately tried to wiggle her way out of Loke's embrace. It was in good fun, Erza was sure, since Loke knew that Lucy was still on the clock. While most of the group kept their attention on the 'couple' on the floor, Erza's eyes strayed toward her unusually quiet friend. Natsu's smile was still there, but lost some of its shine. Erza knew it was because of the scene in front of them. Natsu had always been Lucy's best friend since the moment she walked into the bar. Because of that, she never really hung out with the other men of the guild without Natsu being present. But that all changed once she started her astrology job. Men were more inclined to come to her at work, whether it be the bar or her celestial duty. She had stepped out of her friends' shadows and made her own name in Fairy Tail.
Though she knew Natsu was very supportive of Lucy's job, Erza had a feeling that he was starting to see some of its drawbacks.
"They actually look like of cozy," Levy said, giggling at her blonde friend's embarrassed expression.
"You think Loke has a chance? I doubt it," Gray replied, sipping on a rum-based drink.
"Why not?" Erza asked, Gray slowly shrugging his shoulders and finishing his drink in one long swig.
"Just a hunch."
"We'll have to keep a close eye on our astrologist friend," Levy teased, turning back to the book she was reading. How Levy could concentrate in such a rowdy place was a mystery to Erza.
"This is too boring!" Natsu quickly stood, pressing his fisted hands on the table top. "I'm going to find Gajeel; maybe I can get him to fight with me."
"Do you really need to pick a fight with someone right now?" Erza asked, sending a disapproving look to her younger friend. He nodded sharply, grinning while scanning the bar. When he located the brooding giant, Natsu hopped over the table top and jogged his way toward his old nemesis. It didn't take long for a brawl to start, making Gray scoff and rub his temple.
"That idiot; what's with him? Can't he behave for one night?"
"Not tonight," Erza answered, her eyes never straying from Natsu. Despite her disproval of the fight, a slight smirk appeared on her face. It caused a strange look from Levy, though Gray remained silent.
"What's so special about tonight?" Levy asked, not picking up on the same wavelength both Gray and Erza were now on. Erza shook her head, slowly standing up and stretching her arms over her head.
"Nothing. But I should be on my way; I have an early morning with Master tomorrow. Levy, would you like to join me?"
"No thank you. I think I'll stay here a little longer."
"Then I assume Gajeel will be taking care of your walk home?" The slight blush on her pale friend's cheeks confirming her question, Erza felt comfortable saying goodbye to the table. She closed her eyes when the cool air outside of the bar hit her cheeks, Erza shutting the door quietly behind her. Though she loved her fellow Fairy Tail members, it was relaxing to be surrounded by silence. The sun was on the horizon, beautiful hues of red and dusky purple blanketing the town of Magnolia. Erza paused in her walk to take in the view. Wind captured her hair, blowing it over her shoulder and exposing her tattooed bicep. She pressed her fingers along the outline without looking, memorizing the symbolic ink on her skin.
"I hope you're doing well." Her voice was only a whisper, but it echoed in her heart like a loud drum. She smiled sadly, her hand tightening on her arm in unspoken pain. She blinked back any evidence of her distress, shaking her head to clear it. Taking a slow breath, Erza pushed her feet to walk while turning her back to the sunset. This time of the day always had affected the headstrong woman. It was a reminder of the night her fiancée had walked away. Jellal Fernandez, the one who had never left Erza's heart.
Unbeknownst to her, the same man was quietly watching her from his new Magnolia apartment.
"That was exhausting." Lucy felt aches in muscles she hadn't even known existed as she slowly walked down the deserted street. After her minor win against Laxus, the pace of her job increased. Adding Laxus as one of her clients didn't make her astrologist occupation any easier. Though he had agreed to participate, his lion pride left little room for the two to talk intimately. Lucy was still nervous around the big guy, and Laxus had a wounded ego he was still nursing. Most of their "appointments" were long stretches of silence that left Lucy mentally groaning. How was she supposed to fix up a man who thought he was too good for her help? It was making her head spin.
Mira didn't give her an ounce of slack when it came to her bartending, either. Each time Lucy would finish with Laxus, he would storm off into one of the rooms out back. Like a worried mother, Mira would leave Lucy alone at the bar to attend to the bratty grandson. Lucy could only guess Mira's reasoning; a grumpy Laxus put the whole bar in an uneasy mood. But, the absence of Mira would always leave Lucy to take care of the drunken patrons by herself. While it flattered her that Mira trusted her, Lucy was sure most of her aches came from the hours she was left alone. But even with the pain she was suffering from, Lucy smiled. Her job was stressful, but she was starting to look forward to it. How many people could say they actually enjoyed going into work?
Her tired pace came a full halt when she caught sight of a figure leaning against the entrance of her apartment. Nervously securing her backpack with her personal belongings in it, Lucy resumed her strut confidently. If she could take Laxus on, there was nobody she wouldn't face!
"Hey, Luce." Except Natsu. Lucy blinked in surprise at the slouched guy, who was kicking at the dirt in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, scowling. She hadn't forgotten about their argument three days ago. The two had avoided each other in the guild, neither backing down. She refused to let her guard down when he shrugged, slowly looking up to her.
"I kind of thought we should talk."
"Oh." There was a long pause between the two before Lucy glanced up at her window. Though she refused to admit it, Lucy had left her window unlocked in hopes that Natsu would come to his senses about the Jellal incident. Every time she came home to a Natsu-less apartment, a little part of her hope dwindled. She wasn't quite sure why he was waiting outside of her apartment. Even if he thought the window was locked, he had a key. Moving past him to unlock her door, she sent him a soft smile to try and lighten the mood. "I'm kind of surprised that you didn't break into my apartment."
"I was gonna!" He protested, Lucy nearly tripping through her doorway. Did this guy have no sense of privacy? They quietly moved up the stairs and into Lucy's apartment, Lucy shrugging off her bag while and shutting her front door behind them.
"Well then why didn't you?"
"Cause I…" Lucy looked over at the uncharacteristic pause, Natsu glancing to the side with his arms crossed. Even with his grumpy face, Lucy could see a slight blush on Natsu's cheeks. "I didn't know if that'd be okay with you."
"You always break in without my permission," she said flatly, Natsu waving his hand to dismiss her response.
"Because I know you don't mind it normally."
"Oh, is that it?" Is that what Natsu really thought? That Lucy enjoyed her privacy constantly being invaded? Lucy felt her eye twitching at Natsu's simple logic, though the guy didn't notice. The humorous moment disappeared when Natsu's tone changed.
"We've never fought before; and you told me I wasn't welcome in your apartment anymore. So I was stuck hanging out with metal-brain and the ice-princess. After three days, I couldn't take it anymore!" Even though she knew he was being serious, Lucy couldn't help but smile. Was that why Natsu hadn't come to see her?
"I was just mad at you for attacking Jellal in my house. I didn't really mean not to come around."
"But you sounded so serious when you said it!"
"Well that's because I was!" Lucy said, shaking her head. "If you go beating up people in my house, nobody will want to come over. Sometimes you've got to talk things through with people before using your fists."
"Why?"
"Natsu…" She growled out slowly, trying to keep herself from strangling him. She had just told him violence wasn't always the answer, right? Natsu seemed to remember her earlier comment, a hopeful look coming onto his face.
"So my ban is lifted right? Because I really don't like when we're fighting," Natsu said, invoking Lucy's empathetic nature. Feeling guilty, Lucy moved forward to clasp both of his shoulders in her hands.
"I missed you too," she mumbled, the two exchanging awkward smiles. Lucy had been extremely busy between the bar, the clients, and the commotion from the Laxus incident. Even with the hustle and bustle, Lucy could feel something missing. Without Natsu around, Lucy walked home alone. It wasn't a far walk by any means, but it was quiet enough for Lucy to feel isolated. Not being woken up or intruded on was refreshing at first. But by the third night, Lucy almost wanted Natsu to come barreling back into her life. Even Happy seemed to notice his owner's disappearance, sitting on the windowsill for hours at a time.
"So we're best friends again, right?" She nodded at his question, receiving her favorite smile from the pink-haired man. "Alright! Operation Layla is back in business."
"Even though you contribute little to this operation," Lucy teased, moving to her dresser to fish out some clothes.
"Well, that's part of what I wanted to talk about." She glanced over at him when she finished selecting her sleepwear, unsure of what he meant. She didn't have to wait long for his answer. "As your best friend, I should be a part of the mission. So, I want to become one of your clients."
"W-what?!" So shocked by his answer, Lucy nearly dropped the clothes in her hands. Natsu nodded his head rapidly, making Lucy slowly swallow and release a nervous laugh. "Do you really understand what I do, Natsu? What my job is?"
"Yeah, of course! You explained it to me the first night, remember?" Thinking back, Lucy did recall their conversation about his sign. It was the night he refused to believe Cancer and Aries weren't good for each other. Did that mean that Natsu was really interested in finding someone? Even though she knew Natsu was a man, she had never seen him take interest with anyone in the bar. He was friends with many women, but his sexual desires rarely came out. That wasn't to say Natsu had none; she had woken up several mornings to something embarrassing pressing into her backside. Him and Gray would occasionally swap dirty jokes, making Lucy blush to the tips of her ears. But to think of Natsu actually having a girlfriend…she almost felt uneasy about it.
"What's with the sudden interest?" She asked, trying to ignore her strange emotional reaction. It was probably benign, but jealousy was pricking at her insides. Shoving the unwanted feelings to the back of her head, Lucy listened to Natsu speak.
"I just want to help you achieve your goal. The more support you get, the more involved Fairy Tail will get. You've already got most of the girls on board, but seeing Laxus being such a baby made me realize the guys were still hesitant. If they see someone like me in the mix, they'll want to join too!" Natsu did have a point. While some guys were willing to join, most of the males were staying away from her astrology table. Laxus becoming a client helped a bit, but having Natsu on board would really seal the deal. From his point of view, the idea was a good one. So then why did Lucy want to disagree with him?
"This isn't a game though, Natsu. If you're going to be a part of the program, you need to take it seriously." At Lucy's warning, Natsu's eyes narrowed and he nodded.
"This has never been a game for me, Luce. I know how important this is to you. That's just another reason why I want to help. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it. You can count on me." Seeing his determination, Lucy slowly nodded. Even with the lingering feeling of discomfort, Lucy knew Natsu was right.
"Okay, Natsu. I'll set up an appointment with you so we can start your astrological chart and personality matches."
"Really? That sounds kind of complicated. Do you have any idea what type of person you'd pair me up with?" Lucy let out a long sigh, not wanting to work while she was at home. Knowing that Natsu would continue to pester her, Lucy moved into the bathroom to buy herself time. While she tossed the green blouse over her head, Lucy struggled to think of a person to match Natsu up with. As she switched her underwear with a new pair, the astrologist slowly started to piece together a personality. Though most signs were easy to match, Aries was not one of them. They had an expectation of greatness from their partner, which was almost unrealistic. Add that to all of Natsu's…eccentric nature, Lucy had an uphill battle ahead of her. While she normally looked at the pairing's best signs, she decided to take a different approach with Natsu. If she could build the perfect woman for his needs, she could find the sign that best matched it and then work with that.
"You'd need a very patient person. Probably a lover who doesn't mind your sporadic nature." She took a moment to yank up her shorts, admiring her figure in her mirror. "A fit woman, who likes a possessive partner. They can't mind jealousy, but need to be able to put you in your place when it's necessary. Your sign expects devotion, so it has to be a girl you've known for a while. She needs to be faithful, and doesn't find it essential to criticize you for everything you do. Aries don't really do well with Earth signs because they find them too lazy or boring. Adventurous is probably another characteristic you'll need. I mean, you do tend to do crazy things. She'd have to adaptable, so maybe an air or water sign.
"But mostly," she said, smiling at the confused face she was sure Natsu was making. She did just pour a lot of information onto him, and Natsu tended to only do well with small doses. "If nothing else, you need a girl who will be happy being by your side."
"Oh. So…kind of like you, then!" At the blunt response, Lucy's eyes widened in the mirror. She opened her mouth to protest, but felt embarrassment take over her voice when realizing he wasn't wrong. Though she hadn't meant to, Lucy's natural description did have an uncanny resemblance to herself. Shaking her head, Lucy pushed out of the bathroom.
"What are you talking about? That doesn't make any sense; I'm not even a possible match. What kind of a matchmaker would date their clients?" Before Natsu could answer, a loud smash in the corner disrupted them. Looking toward the crash, Lucy groaned when seeing her glass vase broken on the floor. Happy was curled up on the spot where the vase used to sit, seeming content with his work. "Happy! That was the vase Loke got me from Italy!"
"I think he was doing you a favor; that vase was really ugly." Ignoring Natsu's opinion, Lucy ran over to the mess and started to pick up the glass. Not thinking the idea over, Lucy hissed when a sharp piece of glass slit open her finger.
"Ouch!" Seeing blood, Natsu swore and wasted no time yanking Lucy away from the dangerous mess.
"You shouldn't be handling glass with your bare hands, especially since you're a bartender." She didn't protest his scolding, knowing he was right. If she hadn't been so distracted by Natsu's comment, maybe she would have grabbed her gloves under the sink. She mentally scolded herself when Natsu picked her up, placing her on the sink counter in the kitchen. Her finger was placed under the faucet, warm water soon splashing the open cut. "Keep this under the water while I grab your first aid kit."
"I'm sorry," she said, feeling like a burden on Natsu. From the other room, she could hear him laugh.
"The only reason I know where your first aid kit is kept is because you've bandaged me up after every fight I've gotten into. Guess it's my turn to return the favor." He returned after a minute, holding up the kit before dropping it on the counter. After dabbing her cut with antibiotics, Natsu clumsily tried to wrap the tip of her finger with gauze. While she admired her friend's attempt at wrapping her finger, all he was really doing was wasting her medical supplies. Despite his lack of ability, Natsu still made the attempt. That was more than anybody else had done. Thinking back on her earlier feelings of jealousy, Lucy felt ashamed. How could she let a little friendly jealousy get in the way of Natsu's happiness?
"Natsu?" He peeked his head up at her, his curious gaze making her smile and continue. "I promise I'll find you someone that makes you smile for the rest of your life."
The sentence seemed to catch Natsu off guard, his eyes widening enough for her to notice. She frowned, unsure of why he looked so surprised. Didn't he want to smile? Or was it something else? She wanted to ask, but felt herself hesitating. Did Natsu make the face because he had someone in mind? It sure seemed like her comment had made him think of something. Before she could ask, Natsu nodded at her and squeezed her bandaged hand in his own.
"Thanks, Lucy." Not used to seeing Natsu so relaxed, Lucy felt herself flushing. She hopped off the counter in a hurry, putting distance between them. Knowing she was acting strange from the arched eyebrow she received, Lucy grabbed her broom and dustpan before walking back toward the glass mess.
"You should probably get going, it's pretty late."
"But I was planning on crashing at your place tonight; I haven't been able to sleep in your bed for three days, you know."
"This is not your personal flop house, Natsu!"
"But Luuuuucy!" The whine caused a new fight between the two, though smiles and laughter interrupted the playful argument. From his resting spot, Happy watched his two owners with what almost looked like a smile. Settling down with his tail curled around his face, the kitty found peaceful slumber in the familiar scene.
It wasn't quite in Gray's nature to worry about small things in life. If someone was fatally hurt or a catastrophe happened, then he'd get worked up. On normal days, Gray tended to be more relaxed than his fellow Fairy Tail members. He would let the others fight and worry while he preferred to sit on the side lines. If asked for his opinion he'd give it, and he never backed out of a challenge from Natsu. He just never really offered his voice first.
And yet, for an unknown reason, Gray felt uneasy while opening the Fairy Tail doors. The night was alive, though pretty slow. Then again, it was only Wednesday. He nearly ran into some of the younger guild members playing tag in the open space, Gray shaking his head with a smile. Though he truly never planned on having them, Gray always enjoyed the younger kids around Fairy Tail. Sometimes it made him feel like he was getting old, but on most occasions Gray liked the fresh atmosphere they brought. Once the group had scampered by him, Gray looked around the bar for a familiar face. He was greeted with a pair of warm brown eyes, Gray instantly knowing who they belonged to. Though they weren't exactly what he was looking for, Gray made his way to sit at the bar.
"Good evening, Lucy." She sent him a charming smile, which only enhanced her feminine beauty. Gray wasn't blind; Lucy was a gorgeous young woman. With an even more endearing personality, it was hard not to understand the woman's appeal.
"Gray! It's so nice to see you; how was work?" She leaned her hand on the bar, the strap of her tank-top sliding over her silky skin. She probably didn't notice how noticeable the swell of her breast was now. Gray looked to the TV across the bar, wondering how to tell her without sounding perverse. Lucy certainly was proud of her curvy body. It wasn't that Lucy was a slut; far from it. She held herself with high esteem, and was understanding of the body she was blessed with. Gray was the same; a side effect of his unexplainable stripping complex. Lucy and Gray were actually very similar, despite having so many physical differences. It was probably why he tended to feel a sense of protectiveness about her.
"Lucy, your strap," He said casually, hearing her quiet squeak. Once sure she had adjusted herself, he returned his amused stare back to her embarrassed face. He checked the bar around them, most of the men too interested in their drinking buddies to see Lucy's slip up. It was a relief for him. Now with Lucy's appearance behind the bar, more guests came to Fairy Tail. With these strangers came inappropriate proposals that made Lucy uncomfortable. She hadn't asked for protection, not that she needed to. Natsu and Gray had already taken it upon themselves to keep the bar visitors in check. He knew that Natsu would never let someone hurt Lucy, but Natsu tended to overdo everything when it involved Lucy's reputation. Gray was much more focused and discrete about handing perverse men. In truth, Gray didn't mind being the bad guy to keep his friend out of harm's way. Plus, it was better him than Erza.
"Sorry," she mumbled, Gray shaking his head.
"I can only imagine how many times you've seen more of me than you'd expected." The two laughed Gray's self-jab.
"So what brings you here tonight? You're not the type to drink during a work night." The question brought back the discomfort from before, Gray's smile tugging into a serious look. "Gray?"
"I'm just wondering if you've heard from Juvia. I borrowed a book about modern Hinduism from her last week and I need to return it. I figured she'd be here for her appointment, but I haven't seen her." For some weird reason, he saw Lucy's grin widen at his question. He was tempted to ask, but decided against it. He had seen Lucy and Juvia hanging out much more than normal, which he was sure involved the slight changes in Juvia's behavior. He didn't mind her attempts at communication, and enjoyed their late night talks a little more than he thought he would. When they were at Fairy Tail, it was too noisy to have true intellectual conversation. With the occasional phone talks between the two, it allowed Gray to see a deeper side to his overly-emotional friend. Though he knew Lucy had something to do with it, he wasn't going to question her…yet.
"I'm happy you two are talking more outside of Fairy Tail. Juvia is a really good friend." Gray nodded slowly, feeling a chill down his spine at her mischievous snicker. Why did that remind him of Mira? And how come he felt like he was playing into Lucy's well thought out plan? Before he could ask, Lucy let out a soft sigh. "Unfortunately, Juvia isn't coming here tonight. She texted me earlier to cancel her appointment."
"Did she say why?" He asked, slightly surprised at Lucy's answer. Juvia constantly raved about Lucy's appointments, swearing by them. For the life of him, Gray couldn't think of a reason Juvia would cancel.
"That woman probably won't be here tomorrow either." Gray looked over to Gajeel, who groaned while dumping himself into a chair. A few oil smudges on Gajeel's skin showed he had been working at his other job. Most nights he worked for Makarov, but in the daytime the pierced man could be found lurking at the auto-shop down the street. He was quite nifty with a car, and Gray had gone there on many occasions. Gajeel knew his stuff, no matter how annoying his bragging was.
"What are you doing here on your day off?"
"Only place I knew that made soup," He mumbled out, the answer confusing both Lucy and Gray. Letting out a long sigh, Gajeel stretched his arms over his head and leaned back in the chair. "Juvia caught some sort of virus from work, which is why she's not here. We had lunch plans, but she can't get out of bed without puking. Who wants to see that while chewing on a steak?"
"That's so much more information than I needed," Lucy mumbled, scrunching her nose in disgust. Gray felt the same, though noticed his interest was hung up on something else Gajeel said.
"You're close to Juvia?"
"We bonded over both being social rejects. Not that I expect Mr. Popular to get it." The sneer in Gajeel's voice made Gray purse his lips, but he didn't respond. Gray knew he was a hot topic for women in the bar; it wasn't really his fault. They found his quiet demeanor mysterious and attractive. He was sure they didn't mind his stripping habit, either. Men seemed to enjoy his friendship, and he got along with most everyone. Did that mean he deserved the nickname? No. The tense moment passed quickly, and Gajeel yawned before continuing. "Don't really know when our lunch dates started happening, but we meet up on Wednesdays to keep in touch. I think she pities me or some annoying shit like that. Now that she's sick, she's been bugging me all day to bring her something she can stomach."
"That doesn't sound like Juvia at all. The girl could break her leg and not complain," Lucy said skeptically, Gray watching Gajeel's reaction silently. The bigger man scoffed, glancing away from Lucy while crossing his arms.
"Well she didn't really ask…I just figured she should eat something before she passes out. She keeps refusing to go to the doctors, so I know—"
"Juvia hasn't gone to the doctors yet?!" The shrill exclamation from Lucy had Gray and Gajeel both wincing, Lucy shaking her head while grabbing her phone. "I wish I had known all of this before my shift started! What if there is seriously something wrong with her?"
"I ain't her mother, and neither are you. She keeps saying the virus only lasts for two days, so she's not in a rush to leave the house. If she doesn't want to go to the doctors, we can't make her. But what you could do is get me some damn soup so I can get to her house before midnight. I'd like to take a shower eventually, and her couch is calling my name."
"You're staying over?" Lucy asked, seeming just as surprised with Gajeel's behavior as Gray.
"Juvia's got unlimited channels on the biggest TV I've ever seen. Yeah, I'm spending the night. Plus…I owe her a favor." It was extremely rare to hear Gajeel sound self-conscious about something. Whatever Juvia did for him wasn't something he was planning on sharing. He glared to the bartender, making a 'hurry up' motion with his hand. "So can you hop along, bunny girl?"
"Of course, I'll put in the order with the kitchen now. Do you know what kind she likes?"
"Tomato. She hates anything with noodles, so no chicken or minestrone. " Gajeel said it like it was obvious, making Lucy huff and Gray scowl. The mechanic seemed to know a lot more about Juvia than Gray did. The information really shouldn't surprise him; Gray never tried to spend time with Juvia outside of Fairy Tail. Even with their late night talks, Juvia was always focusing the conversation on him. It hadn't really bothered him until now. Hearing the knowledge appear like magic to Gajeel made Gray feel distanced from Juvia.
"It shouldn't take long, I'll be right back!" Lucy scurried into the kitchen, leaving the two boys alone. Gray started to relax in the silence, but it was short-lived.
"You and Juvia have been getting cozy."
"How so?" Gray asked slowly, wondering just how close the two outcasts were. Gajeel didn't answer at first, taking his time to snicker.
"She told me about your late night chats. Never thought you'd be the talkative type, Gray." Though he knew Juvia meant no harm from it, Gray felt irritated with Juvia's openness with Gajeel. Did she need to tell him everything about their friendship?
"It's nothing. Juvia occasionally calls me, and I answer. Whatever you conclude from that is your prerogative."
"I'm more interested in what you take out of it," Gajeel replied, not letting Gray evade the conversation.
"A talk with a friend," Gray answered, disliking the constant questioning. Gajeel let out a long groan, which Gray assumed meant the assault was over.
"Then I guess I'm only going to warn you once." Glancing from the corner of his eye, Gray was instantly rubbed the wrong way with the sneer Gajeel was giving him. "Don't get Juvia's hopes up if you don't intend to stick around. That girl's been abandoned enough; she doesn't need someone putting on the prince charming costume if he can't play the part right."
"My relationship with Juvia isn't your business," Gray said coldly, disliking the surge of emotions in his stomach. Some were curiosity at the ominous statement from Gajeel. What did he know about Juvia's past that Gray didn't? How had she been abandoned? And why did she only tell Gajeel?
"I'm making it my business." The other emotion was anger. He could almost feel the irritation festering when Gajeel slammed his fist into the bar and leaned into Gray's personal space. Gajeel bugged a lot of the guild because of the Levy incident, but Gray had never had a problem with him. Normally Gray was the one distracting Natsu from starting a pointless fight with the metal-head. But now, he was almost ready to start a fight himself. "You either step up, or fuck off. But once you step up, there's no backtracking. Juvia deserves someone who will follow through, not give up like a child."
With the bold statement, Gajeel met Gray's unwavering stare. Gray didn't respond; not sure if he could do so without yelling. This was a first for him. Even with Natsu, Gray never felt such rage. Why was Gajeel questioning his intentions with Juvia? The two had technically been friends for years. Gray knew their level of communication had increased over the past few weeks, but Juvia was a willing participant. Was Gajeel telling him to back off? And if he was, how was Gray supposed to respond?
"Here you go!" Lucy returned much quicker than Gray expected, breaking the death stare between the two. Seeming to read the situation quickly, Lucy sent a concerned glance between the two silent guys. "Is…everything okay?"
"We're peachy, bunny girl. You got the soup?" Gajeel was the first to break eye contact. Though Natsu would consider that a win, Gray knew better. Gajeel wasn't intimidated; he just knew Gray wasn't going to defy him. Lucy slowly nodded, holding up a small container. Steam billowed through the holes in the top, Gray watching the vapor silently. Though he knew Lucy was talking, his mind only continued to repeat Gajeel's words in his head. Step up…
"Yeah, they went super fast when they heard it was for a fellow Fairy Tail member's well being. They made sure to keep it away from anything with noodles, and they promise it's the best tomato soup Juvia will ever taste! But you drive a motorcycle, right? I should put it in a bag so you—"
"I'll take it to Juvia." The interruption of Lucy's rambling was a shocker to the blonde, though the mechanic almost smirked. He saw the challenge in Gray's eyes, who reached forward for the container while keeping his eyes on Gajeel. Like a crazed maniac, Gajeel's mouth split into a wide grin that showed off his pointed canines.
"Juvia is stubborn when sick; she'll probably fight you over everything. I can't even get her to do half the shit I want her to. You may have to get personal, Mr. Perfect. Can you handle it?" It was a loaded question. This wasn't just about taking care of Juvia when she was sick. This was Gajeel asking if Gray could handle the relationship he was starting with their mutual friend. Gray knew Gajeel wanted him to back out. He wasn't sure why, but Gajeel didn't want Gray to go over the line Gajeel had drawn. Anyone else would have hesitated at the repercussions of crossing Gajeel. Even though Natsu had beaten the guy, it was by no means an easy fight. After his declaration of victory, Natsu had passed out from injuries. With bruises, open wounds, and a few broken bones, Gajeel had maimed Natsu like a wild bear. Gajeel didn't need further proof of how lethal he could be.
"Yes, I can. I'm not a child." Gray, however, refused to be scared. Making sure his point got across to Gajeel, Gray turned back to Lucy and took the container from her hands. "I'll make sure Juvia eats the whole thing."
"O-Okay!" Though it was obvious she was confused, Lucy's face beamed with excitement at Gray's "unprovoked" offer. Lucy quickly scribbled Juvia's address, Gray thanking her while trying to ignore the stare on the back of his head. Gray sent one last glance Gajeel's way before hopping off the chair. He wasn't sure what road his friendship with Juvia was going down, but he refused to let anyone else determine that for him.
Especially that asshole Gajeel.
At the sound of her doorbell, Juvia groaned.
"Juvia is coming…" Even though she wanted to be cheerful, Juvia's sickness swiped away any indication of comfort. Her cheeks were drained of any color, her hair unkempt. She tightened the blanket around her shoulders, praying she could answer the door without getting sick again. The last thing she knew Gajeel would tolerate would be her puking on his boots. Her hand pressed to the doorknob, her head rolling to the side while she feebly pulled the door open. "Good evening."
"You really have done a number on yourself." Her head was so clogged with fluids, Juvia almost missed the voice she had memorized in her sleep. She lifted her head up quickly, swallowing hard when her stomach lurched in protest. Staring at Gray's concerned face, Juvia felt panic swarm her. Before another word could be said, Juvia slammed the door shut between the two of them. She pressed her forehead to the door as she groaned, the excitement from the situation upsetting her unstable stomach. She heard his quiet knock, her eyes closing at the sound of his beautiful voice. "Juvia, let me in."
"No."
"Why not? I have soup from Fairy Tail." She blushed at his comment, her heart swelling in exhilaration. Gray brought her soup? It was the first time Gray had ever given her something! Though her love for him demanded she open the door, Juvia resisted the urge.
"Juvia did not know Gray-sama was coming. Juvia looks horrible; she does not want Gray-sama to see her this way."
"I don't care what you look like, Juvia," He answered, deflating her heart instantly. Feeling sicker than she had from the virus, Juvia frowned.
"Juvia understands; Gray-sama finds Juvia unappealing no matter what. Juvia will not burden him with seeing her again."
"What? That's not what I meant!" She heard a small 'thump', and she smiled slightly when realizing Gray had dropped his head against the wood. There was silence from his side of the door, making Juvia wonder what he was thinking about. She wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't come out. That was because she was sure if she spoke, she would puke again. She tightened her eyes while trying to wait for her stomach to settle, Gray's voice entering her ears again. "It's okay if you look sick. I don't mind because you're Juvia, no matter what you look like. My opinion won't change of you over something like this."
"Gray-sama promises?" She asked weakly, her voice refusing to show her relief. Gray didn't find her disgusting after all.
"Why would I lie?" He had a point. Gray never really liked to lie, especially to his friends. Gathering her strength, Juvia opened the door again to Gray's irritated expression. "What does bother me is that you're out of bed. Lucy would kill me if she knew you were up."
"Lucy knows too? How did Gray-sama and Lucy find out?" She felt herself being turned around, one of Gray's cool hands pressing against her shoulder blade. It guided her back into the house, somehow directing her to the entrance of the room. Getting the hint that Gray wasn't going to let her move again, Juvia weakly climbed into her bed while watching Gray scan her room. Instantly, she felt anxious. Gray Fullbuster was finally in her bedroom. Granted, it was not under the best circumstances, and Juvia's dirty mind was forced to take a back seat to her ill body. Still, it was a step in the right direction.
"Gajeel told us." At the new information, Juvia scowled.
"Juvia told Gajeel not to tell anyone. Gajeel has never told a secret of Juvia's before!" She wanted to call her friend now to scold him, but her phone was currently missing. Too lost in her irritation with the brooding man, she missed the sour look on her caretaker's face.
"I didn't know you were close to Gajeel." She looked up at him quickly, catching the different tone he used. She nodded slowly, her eyes trailing after Gray's moving form. Once she realized he was only moving to sit in her computer chair, and not leave, Juvia responded.
"Gajeel and Juvia have been close for some time. Juvia and Gajeel connected after they both discovered their similar pasts."
"I doubt you two are similar in much," Gray said, finding the information unrealistic. Everything that Gray knew about Juvia was completely different than the delinquent Gajeel. Then again, how much did he know about her?
"Juvia and Gajeel are both orphans."
"You…are?" Juvia nodded, relaxing her sore body against her pillows. It was hard to get comfortable, but having Gray by her side soothed her.
"Gajeel was deserted by his father when he was a teenager. Juvia grew up alone, also." She never even got a chance to meet her family. From what her orphanage told her, Juvia's parents had only been sixteen when she was born. Neither ready to be parents; they left Juvia abandoned in a trashcan outside of their school. The janitor discovered her the next morning, miraculously making it through the freezing rain the night before. Her parents were caught up in a media maelstrom, while Juvia was taken to her orphanage. Even though she had never met her parents, Juvia knew their disposal of her had affected her choices of career in life, as well as her personal life journey.
But Juvia refused to tell the story to Gray. Instead, she turned the conversation to him.
"What about Gray-sama? What are your parents like?" At the innocent question, Juvia watched a shadow cast over Gray's face. Instantly, she knew the look. Gajeel had gotten it the first time that Juvia had asked about his mother. It was the 'remembrance of death' look. While Gajeel's had been somber, Gray almost looked physically pained. "Gray-sama…"
"You should worry more about eating." A second later, Gray had rolled the chair over to bump into the side of the bed. Juvia watched as Gray uncapped the soup, a puff of tomato steam filling her nose. Her stomach growled at the delicious aroma, though Juvia tried to ignore it. After everything she had heaved, she wasn't sure if she was willing to try eating again. Gray looked up at her, speaking quietly. "Where are your spoons?"
"This isn't needed; Juvia isn't hungry."
"You won't get better by starving yourself," He argued, Juvia glancing between him and the soup.
"Juvia does not want to get sick while Gray-sama is here! Gray-sama should not have to take care of Juvia."
"I don't mind." She could hear the irritation in his tone, which she was sure was caused by her refusal to eat. She was going to deny his offer again, but stopped when he caught her stare with his. "If you eat, I'll tell you about Ur."
"Was Ur Gray-sama's mother?" She asked, his serious stare showing he wouldn't speak again until she ate. Willing to do anything to learn more about Gray, Juvia pointed out the doorway. "In Juvia's kitchen, Juvia has a drawer underneath the toaster. Gray-sama will find a spoon there."
He left quickly after, Juvia trying to watch him through the doorway. She nearly passed out when realizing that Gray had unconsciously lost his shirt, enjoying his stripping habit more than anyone else in Fairy Tail. Watching his muscular form behind her kitchen counters made Juvia sigh dreamily, imagining him making her breakfast in bed. He would be a wonderful husband, she was sure. Juvia leaned back against her set of pillows, her hands resting over her erratic heartbeat. Even when sick, her thoughts revolved around her dark prince. It caused her to faintly blush when he returned, spoon in hand. The chair made a quiet squeak when he dropped back down into it, stirring the warm soup slowly.
"Ur wasn't my biological mother, but my parents were very lackadaisical with parenting. They were very career oriented, and never planned to be parents. I had been an accidental birth." Juvia was so entranced by his soothing voice that she almost missed the steam that brushed her lips. She quickly regained her concentration, looking to the spoon that was held up to her lips. Blushing at the idea of Gray feeding her, Juvia quietly sipped on the spoonful of soup. Once she swallowed, Gray scooped another spoonful and continued to feed her. "They got me into martial arts as a way to keep me out of their hair. Ur was my teacher, and I spent more time with her than my own family. Sometimes, they'd leave me in her care while they went on business trips for weeks at a time. Eventually, Ur asked to adopt me. My parents were more than compliant with the idea. I never heard from them again.
"I lived with Ur for six years. When I turned eighteen, I decided I knew more than she did. We got into an argument, which I was completely wrong about." His eyes closed partly, his fingers tightening on her spoon while feeding her. "She wanted me to go to college, so I could have the easy life she never experienced. I refused, planning on following her example and working at the martial arts studio. Eventually, I ran away from the conversation. I told her to…never talk to me again. I disobeyed her orders and left the house. She went out searching for me in her car. We were in the middle of a snowstorm, and Ur was worried for my health. I can only assume it caused her to drive faster, even though the roads were slippery. They…found her car on the side of the road, wedged between two trees. She died on impact. She was 30."
No words came after that. Maybe they weren't needed. Juvia watched the spoon slowly drop back into the empty bowl, Gray's gaze falling to her sheets. Juvia's mouth opened quickly, but she realized she had nothing to say. How did someone who never knew the love of parents comfort someone whose caregiver's love haunted them? Feeling helpless, Juvia's body shook in pain. Not for herself; for Gray. His head lifted towards her when he noticed her quiet sniffle, his eyes returning to their normal size when noticing the wetness on her cheeks.
"Gray-sama…" she whimpered out, her tears continuing to pour out. Through blurry vision she saw him quickly stand, his knees resting on her bed while he shook his head.
"You shouldn't be crying over this; I'm okay. It was a long time ago," He whispered, which only increased Juvia's tears. He wasn't prepared for Juvia to launch herself at him, clutching his bare shoulders while she continued to cry out his name. Running a hand through his hair, Gray leaned back on his free arm while Juvia wailed against his chest. Thinking back to what Gajeel said, Gray was starting to wonder if he could handle everything that Juvia brought to the table. Gray was never outwardly emotional, and hated clingy people. He felt her hands clutch tighter, as if trying to squeeze the memory out of him. Constantly his name rang through the air, Juvia unable to say another word in her distress. Despite the noise bothering his ears, Gray couldn't stop himself from smiling. Juvia, despite being sick beyond imagination, was still more concerned with Gray than herself. Juvia could barely keep herself up, and yet was trying her best to comfort him. She was always thinking of him, wasn't she? He should have already realized that from their phone calls. No matter how her day went, she seemed to brighten any time he talked to her. It had almost seemed natural to tell Juvia about Ur, despite only knowing her for a few years. Their recent conversations helped Gray see past her obsession. Unconsciously his hand ran through her hair, trying to calm down her tears. Their friendship was forming into something substantial. Something Gray could actually enjoy. Something-
"Gray-sama?" Hearing his name for the thirtieth time, Gray almost missed the queasy tone Juvia used. Looking down to her, Gray tensed when seeing a sickly color to her cheeks. Before she even spoke, he knew where this was going. "Juvia think she's going to…"
"Ba-Bathroom!" And that was where Juvia and Gray spent the next twenty minutes. Gray awkwardly rubbed her back, unsure of how to comfort the vomiting girl. A part of him wanted to leave her, but he quickly dismissed the idea. The only reason she was getting sick again was because she had been moving around so much to comfort him. Having that much motion after eating was a disaster waiting to happen. So instead, Gray sat behind Juvia's lithe form and tried to relax the tense muscles in her back. By the end of the violent hurling session, Juvia couldn't lift herself off the floor. Gray silently helped Juvia to the sink to brush her teeth, then ushered her back into her bed.
"Gray-sama doesn't have to stay; Juvia will take care of herself." Even as she said it, Gray was getting himself comfortable in his previous seat.
"If I left you like this, Lucy would have my head. You're pretty sick so you can't be left alone. I haven't used a sick days in two years; I have some stocked up for tomorrow."
"Juvia does not wish to affect your work!" He let out an irritated sigh, looking up at the worried look she gave him.
"I know how it feels to be alone when you're sick. Having nobody to care for you is worse than the actual sickness," he said, knowing the sentence got through to her by the quivering of her lower lip. Not wanting to see another cry fest, Gray continued. "So stop worrying and focus on your health. Sleep would be the fastest way to get you back on your feet."
"Where will Gray-sama sleep?" He pointed to the chair underneath him, making Juvia shake her head. "Juvia does not approve!"
"I've slept in worse places thanks to fire breath." Juvia pouted before sneezing, her nose turning red from the constant usage.
"Juvia wishes Gray-sama to sleep next to her." He glanced at the empty spot on the bed, knowing that his night of sleep would go easier on a bed. It was a tempting thought, but he only shook his head.
"Ur taught me to respect a woman's space. I'll be fine over here. Go to sleep." Juvia blushed at his reply, pulling the covers closer to her face before closing her eyes. The room fell silent, Gray slouching to rest his head on the back of the chair. His eyes were closed, starting to let himself get dragged into the darkness of sleep.
"Ur had a beautiful soul, Juvia thinks. Juvia wishes she could have met Ur." Slightly surprised at Juvia's words, Gray opened his eyes and glanced to Juvia's back. He didn't respond or move from his spot until he heard the soft breathing of Juvia even out. Once sure she was well into dreamland, Gray moved to her side of the bed. Softly brushing her hair away from her forehead, Gray rested the back of his hand against the warm skin. She still had a fever, which troubled Gray. It would probably make it hard for him to get to sleep. He didn't mind the conclusion knowing it was for Juvia's health. Thinking over her final words before falling asleep, Gray let his fingers trace over the side of her face. When she mumbled 'Gray-sama' in her sleep, he felt his own cheeks start to warm. In the darkness of night, nobody was able to see his bittersweet smile.
"I'm sure Ur would have thought the same thing about you, Juvia."
What a cute ending to this quirky chapter! So Laxus is the mighty Leo…I'm surprised nobody guessed that! He is the ruler of the Zodiac after all…butthings are starting to churn in the love lives of our favorite characters. Who will Lucy pair Natsu up with? What will Erza do when seeing Jellal? Will Gray ever come to terms with his growing feelings? And just why does Gajeel owe Juvia something? Of all people! Does it involve Levy, perhaps? Send me a review and let me know what you think! =D
Chapter Five: Warrior