Disclaimer: I don't own fairy tail or any of it's characters
At three AM Lucy woke up in her bed, fully clothed from the day before, her skin and hair feeling completely saturated with greasy butter. She sleepily turned off her alarm and rolled out of bed, just barely staying upright. "Wow, I must have been extremely tired last night," she yawned to herself.
She stripped down to her bra and underwear, throwing her disgusting clothes in the laundry hamper. Then after tossing her towel over her shoulder she padded out of the bedroom to the bathroom next to the kitchen. She turned the shower on as hot as she could stand it, letting the water pour over her face. Finally awake and grease free, she stepped out, threw her hair in a messy bun, and wrapped her towel around her midsection.
Lucy stepped out of the bathroom humming, moving into the kitchen and starting up the coffee maker. She pulled a yogurt out of the fridge, pulled a spoon from the drawer and leaned back on the counter as she pulled off the lid. She made a happy little moan when she ate the first bite, but was torn from her morning routine when she heard the sound of someone clearing his throat. Her eyes grew wide and her spoon to the floor when she looked up and saw Natsu sitting on her couch.
"Morning Lucy," he said, smiling the biggest grin she had ever seen.
"H . . . how, how long have you been up?" she asked, the fog of her tired morning brain lifting and the memory of the night before returning all too clearly.
"Long enough to know I want to sleep on this couch every night," he teased.
"Natsu!" she yelled while pathetically attempting to throw a dish towel at him. It didn't even make it out of the kitchen.
"Oh, come on," he stood up and stretched his back. "It's just like seeing you in a bathing suit. It wasn't that bad."
Lucy's eyes grew wider. Oh God! She walked through here in her underwear! She squeaked, tossed the yogurt on the counter and ran to her room to put on her clothes. When she returned a few minutes later, Natsu had found mugs in the cabinet and was pouring them each a cup from the finished pot. When he looked up at her she couldn't help but blush.
"Sorry, I wake up early all the time, but it still takes my brain an hour or so to turn on," she said taking the mug he handed her. Despite her embarrassment, it really was nice to have some company this early in the morning.
Natsu chuckled, "Well you don't have to apologize to me." He winked at her.
Lucy scowled and smacked him playfully on the arm. Then she pulled another spoon out of the drawer and returned to her yogurt. "When do you have to get over to work?"
"I try to get there at six, so I can get a few hours of peace and be able to work without the client watching my every move, but really I don't have to be there until eight."
"What exactly are you doing?" Lucy asked.
"Putting in a floor, some crown, and beadboard at a lake house down in Onibas," he said as he sat at her small kitchen table.
"You're doing a floor? I thought you did electrical stuff."
Natsu looked at her like she was crazy, "Electrical? What would make you think that?"
"Levy said that when she first recommended you for fixing the oven," Lucy said confused.
Natsu stared at her for a second than burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Now I understand why she keeps asking me to fix her stupid microwave. I can do electrical stuff, but it's not really my thing. Laxus is the electrical guy, it's like he has the magic touch with the stuff. I usually handle more of the woodworking sides of our jobs, floors, trim work, framing, that sort of thing. I've also built some furniture and done some inlays. What I really love is wood burning, I guess there's a part of that childhood pyromaniac that never died." Natsu grinned real big. "I swear if you're not a character in a book that girl doesn't pay any attention to you, well, except for metal face of course."
"Metal face?" asked Lucy.
"You know, Gajeel." Lucy looked at him dumbfounded, so Natsu continued. "He's big, crazy black long hair, piercings in his face. "
Lucy put her hand to her face thoughtfully. "Oooooh, yea, Levy calls him the asshole."
"The asshole?" Natsu repeated back. "That seems harsh for Levy."
"Yes, umm well, she's not very happy with him," Lucy explained. She noticed the clock, "Oh no! I'm already running late!"
"No problem, I'll give you a ride." Natsu stood and pulled his keys out of his pocket.
"That would be great if you don't mind," said Lucy relieved he had offered. "Can you take me by the bank first? I have to drop off my deposits."
"Sure Luce, I can take you anywhere you need to go," he said grinning widely at her.
"Thanks Natsu," She smiled, grabbing her purse and heading towards the door. "It's going to be another long day."
He opened the passenger side door and helped her up into the cab. "I was serious about driving you home, just shoot me a text and I will be right over."
She smiled brightly, "You're a lifesaver, I really don't think I would have felt comfortable walking home after last night."
"Why do you have to work so late anyway?"
"I just have so many orders to fill, and with so many more people coming in during the day, it's hard to get all my baking done during the hours were open. I can only wake up so early." Lucy sighed, "I really need to hire someone but where would I find someone reliable to work for just the two weeks until Christmas?"
"I know somebody," Natsu offered as he climbed in his seat.
"Really?" Lucy was afraid to hope. A little help would make things so much easier.
"Yea! The old man has a neighbor named Wendy, she's home from college and told me she wished she had a little more spending money. She'd be perfect." Natsu started the engine. "I'll call her today and bring her by after I get home from work."
Lucy was starting to think she had found Natsu at the end of the rainbow, without him she didn't know how she would have made it this far! Wendy was so perfect she could kiss him! She was polite, and smart, and somehow extremely excited to work for not very much pay. Lucy couldn't wait for her to start. When he came back to pick her up this evening she would have a huge box of food for him, no two boxes of food for him. None of it seemed like it would be enough to thank him, but if she had asked Natsu she would have known, her smile had been enough.
It was the day before Christmas Eve and Natsu finally finished the job at Jenny's lake house. Her intricate wood flooring had a beautiful sun pattern in the middle of the room, the new trim and beadboard was a bright, crisp white, the walls completely repainted, and a brand new ventilation system in place thanks to Gray. They had just come over to do a quick walk through with the client.
She squealed with delight as if she hadn't been there every day, watching the process step by step, and threw herself in Natsu's arms. "The room is perfect! The decorators will be bringing all the furniture and décor in an hour. Thanks so much for getting this finished just in time, you are a life saver Natsu! Christmas will be perfect this year."
Natsu looked at Gray and rolled his eyes and, while Jenny's attention was diverted, his friend made a face and a crude gesture back at him. They would have been done with plenty of time to spare if she hadn't decided to change the floor when it was half way finished and picked a new color of paint three times. They were being paid well for her indecision, but sometimes it almost didn't feel worth it. Natsu peeled her arms from around his waist and attempted to put a little distance between them. Why did she have to always get so touchy feeling and enthusiastic when they finished a job.
"Okay then," he laughed nervously, "We're gonna get going. Just call Laxus if there's anything you need." Natsu started retreating towards the door.
"Yes! Of course! I think I have something else I need at the main house. I'll call him after the holiday." She said, following him to the door as if magnetized. "Merry Christmas Natsu!"
"Merry Christmas!" he yelled back, practically running to his truck. Gray hopped in the passenger seat, and they pulled away before he had his seat belt buckled. Natsu sighed in relief, never had he been so happy to be done with a job.
"That woman wants you so bad, it's disgusting," Gray said.
"What? No way man!" Natsu sputtered.
"Yes she does, she was all over you!" Gray smirked at Natsu's discomfort.
"No, she's just not very good with personal boundaries, you know like how Bixlow is a close talker," Natsu defended.
"You are such an idiot! Did you see me get a hug? I didn't even get a Merry Christmas."
"Yea, I guess that's true," Natsu admitted, pondering Jenny's weird behavior. He was pretty sure she was married; it hadn't even occurred to him that she could be interested in him. "Or maybe it's just because you're a dick and she doesn't like you," he offered, although he was pretty sure she never hugged Laxus or Gajeel either, but they weren't exactly the most approachable looking guys either.
Gray laughed, "Maybe. It's not like I'm complaining, these jobs always make my wallet happy. Whatever you're doing that's so irresistible keep doing it, I need to get a new truck. So what are you doing now? Want to go get something to eat or something?"
"Well, I was going to stop over at the bakery . . ." Natsu scowled, he didn't really want Gray along for the ride, but he couldn't think of a way to get rid of him without having to deal with being hassled about his feelings for Lucy.
"That sounds good, she's got breakfast stuff right?" Gray asked
"Yea," Natsu huffed, his scowl deepening. It looked like he wasn't going to have a choice.
It ended up not mattering because Lucy's shop was packed. Wendy was practically running to fill the orders, while Lucy rang them up at the register and bagged. She looked up and grinned wide when he saw them walk in.
"Natsu!" She called out, "just grab a seat at one of the tables and I'll have Wendy bring over your usual."
"Can I get some for Gray too?" he asked, his friend giving Lucy a small wave.
"Of course!" she said cheerfully, "just let me deal with this rush first." She turned away from his and called number 47.
"Wow, no wonder you come here all the time. If I knew she looked like that, I would have been coming all the way here for coffee as well," Gray said, blatantly staring at Lucy.
"Hey! Back off!" hissed Natsu before really thinking about what was coming out of his mouth.
"Getting a little territorial are we? Have you even asked her out yet?" teased Gray.
Natsu started to growl and was considering dragging Gray outside to beat him to a bloody pulp, when he was interrupted by Wendy. She smiled sweetly and set down two coffees, two ham and cheese croissants, four muffins, and a fruit cup. Natsu looked at the fruit in front of him with a confused look, "What's this?"
"Lucy said you needed to have at least something healthy to go with all the bread and sugar you've been having. She doesn't want to give you a heart attack," Wendy explained in her sweet little voice. Then she took advantage of Natsu's astonishment to slip away quietly and return to helping Lucy with the customers. Natsu held it up and gave Lucy a quizzical look. She smiled at him and then mimed eating.
Gray laughed grabbing one of the croissants for himself. "Man, she's got you so whipped and you aren't even getting any."
Natsu used a plastic fork to shove a piece of melon in his mouth. He looked Gray right in the eye and said cheerfully, "Whatever Ice princess, I like fruit. It's nature's candy!"
The morning rush had been insane! Lucy set up Wendy with a few tasks in the back and hummed as she came to the front to make herself a coffee. She was so excited that she was going to have a moment to sit with Natsu and his friend, her feet could use a break. Then the bell rang at the front door announcing another customer had arrived. Lucy took a deep breath, trying to shake off her disappointment. She turned around with the biggest smile she could muster, but her face dropped when she saw who her new customer was.
"Hello princess," said Loke, pulling his shades from his eyes and giving her his brightest smile.
Lucy narrowed her eyes at him, "Please don't call me that Loke, you know I don't like that nickname," she said tersely.
"That's all I get? I've finally found you after searching for months and I don't even get a hello?"
"I didn't ask you to look for me Loke; this isn't some kind of elaborate game of cat and mouse here. Is there anything I can get for you? Because otherwise it might be best if you just leave."
"Surely you don't mean that love!" Loke said, practically throwing himself at the counter to get closer to her.
She looked sadly at the man she used to care so deeply for. He looked so handsome in his business attire; he had probably just popped over from his office. Instead of it causing her to long for her past, looking at him made her think of someone else. How would Natsu look dressed like that? Probably dangerous, he just seemed too wild to be tamed with a suit and tie. Unable to stop herself she glanced over at her pink haired friend and noticed he was giving Loke a death glare. Natsu caught her looking and grinned embarrassed, then went back to eating his food. Was he jealous? She couldn't help but grin at the thought.
Unfortunately Loke took her little smile as an invitation and grabbed her hands, "Lucy how long are you going to let our past keep us apart? Can't you give me one more chance? Then you wouldn't have to waste away in this dump. Let me take care of you."
Lucy narrowed her eyes and was ready to lay into him when Natsu interrupted them by placing two empty mugs on the counter. "Hey Lucy, we're heading out."
His face looked so sad she wished she could reassure him somehow. Lucy was disappointed she missed all her time with him, especially for Loke. She had to make sure he would come back. "Natsu can you do me a favor?"
Natsu looked up at her, his face slightly relieved. "Sure Luce, anything you need."
She opened the register and pulled out a ten. Lucy handed over to Natsu and said, "I dropped one of the Lemon Chess pies I needed for an order tomorrow, and I am all out of lemons. Could you pick up some for me and bring them when you come back later tonight?" She smiled, feeling extremely proud of her little plan. He would have to come back sooner so that she could make the pie, giving her more time than just the all too short ride home.
"Of course," he said with a grin, though it seemed smaller than usual.
"Thanks for the coffee Lucy," called Gray and with a wave the two of them were gone.
She looked back to Loke who was studying her. "You have got to be kidding Lucy," he said, his expression showing his irritation.
"I don't know what you are talking about," she said, as she grabbed a rag and went over to wipe the table the two men had used. She was extremely busy and didn't have time for Loke's uninvited disapproval today.
"Your father would never approve," Loke continued.
For a moment this gave her pause. Thinking of her father made her heart hurt, but then his dig made her angry. He had no right to say that, he had no right to be here. "Well Loke, I'm quickly learning most of the time what my father wants for me is not necessarily what's best for me. It certainly isn't what is going to make me happiest." Lucy stood tall and turned to look him right in the eyes. "After all, we saw that with you now didn't we?"
Loke at least had the good sense to look remorseful, "You will never forgive my sins will you Lucy?"
"I have forgiven you Loke; I just don't love you anymore. I've moved on and you should too. I'm sure one of your many other loves would be all too happy to take my place. Now if you aren't going to buy anything I have a lot of work to do. It would really be best if you left."
Loke pursed his lips, obviously frustrated but all he said was "Goodbye Lucy," He walked over and kissed her cheek, then put on his shades and disappeared out the front door.
Natsu sat parked in his truck, watching the suit leave the bakery, get into his Mercedes, and drive away.
Gray sighed, "Surely you aren't dumb enough to think Lucy is into this guy?"
"What am I supposed to think? His suit probably cost more than my entire closet! I couldn't afford that car even if I sold my soul! That's the kind of guy who could give her anything she wants, how do you compete with that?"
"Natsu, you are such a moron," groaned Gray.
Frustrated, Natsu turned it around on his dark haired friend. "What do you know about it? Here you are lecturing me but are you ever going to take Juvia out? Isn't she still blowing up your phone? Gajeel is starting to get pissed at you man, you can't ignore his cousin like that."
"No way! What would a hot hydraulic engineer want with an HVAC guy? It's just too weird. She's gotta be completely crazy, or she's slumming it. Either way I don't have time for that." Gray seemed to slump lower in his seat.
"Or maybe she's just dumb enough to like a pervy popsicle like you?" Natsu offered.
"She's not an idiot, flame brain!" yelled Gray.
"Well you are!" circled back Natsu, at this point they both sat grabbing each other by the collars, face to face, both high on the frustration of their own ridiculous doubts and desires for women they thought they couldn't have. After a few seconds of a staring contest they sat back in their respective corners, stewing in their own anger and self-loathing.
When they finally calmed down, Gray turned to Natsu, "Wanna go hit the bag? We can pretend it's the suit from the bakery."
Natsu chuckled and started the engine, "Yea, that sounds great." Hearing that Gray felt so similarly to himself made him feel a little bit better, not so alone. It also made him think that maybe he was being silly to feel so inadequate. He wondered what Lucy was doing for New Year's.
Levy's work day was almost over. She sat behind the register, face in a book, waiting for the clock to hit six and free her for a well-deserved long Christmas vacation. Levy would be closing the book store from Christmas Eve to the day after New Year's. She had promised Jet and Droy that she would come from Christmas dinner, but after that she was going to shut herself in her apartment with the only friends she needed right now, her books.
The bell rang and Levy looked at her watch. Of course someone would come in two minutes before closing. Not bothering to lift her head she called out "Let me know if you need any help!"
The customer headed towards her counter and stopped right in front of her. Levy couldn't help but sigh. She was annoyed that someone was here, she was annoyed she had to speak to said someone, and she was annoyed that all of this was interrupting the progress she was making in the book. This person had better make a big purchase. Levy slowly lowered her book and snapped "Yes? . . .Oh"
She stared, mouth open, at the very man who had put her in a terrible mood for the last two months. She was so flabbergasted she didn't know what to say. He looked lost too, so finally unable to bear the silence any longer Levy said the only thing that came to her, "Where the hell have you been?"
Gajeel noticeably flinched, surprised at her swearing. Levy didn't typically use such crass language, but she felt the situation needed it. How could he just walk in as if he hadn't been avoiding her for two months? Levy set down her book and sat back, arms folded. He opened his mouth and then closed it tightly again. Apparently he was still unsure of what to say.
Levy sighed in irritation. "Let me lock the door real quick, it's after six." She felt his eyes follow her as she walked to the front door and turned the deadbolts. She stomped back to the counter, and began to put together her things. She turned and handed him the box of books she planned on reading over her time off. "You can help me get this home, but you had better say something before we get there Redfox."
He looked down at the box in his arms then back at her and nodded, tucking the box under his left arm. Gajeel didn't say a word as he followed her out the back door and waited patiently for her to lock it. They walked down to the street in silence, every second of quiet increasing her irritation. Just when she felt like she was about to explode he finally said, "Shorty, I messed up."
"Damn right you did," she spat back.
"I never should have touched you like that . . ."he started.
"Stop," Levy interrupted.
"Stop what? Hell Levy, I'm trying to apologize," he scratched the back of his head showing his discomfort.
Levy turned to him, "You are so stupid!" she screamed. She was so mad! That night meant everything to her and once again he was finding a way to make her regret it. His shocked face just made her angrier. How could he not understand her feelings in this, how could he be so dense! She could have stopped him at any time, she had wanted it. Why did she care so much for this insensitive jerk! She began punching his chest over and over again, screaming "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
He grabbed one of her tiny fists with his free hand and said "Levy please stop."
"How can you treat me like this? Like I'm just some little tramp who can't resist your charm, like I had absolutely no say in the matter! You've turned that entire wonderful night into absolute crap and I hate you for it!"
His eyes widened "Wait, what?"
"You suck Gajeel! You suck! You know what give me those books." She snatched the box from his hands and stormed in the direction of his apartment. She got ten steps away when the bottom of the box broke open, dumping all of her books on the ground. It was just too much, exhausted and upset, Levy collapsed, sobbing into the pile of literature on the sidewalk.
Gajeel crouched down next to her and began silently rubbing her back. She sat back on her knees and looked up at him. He wiped a tear from her eye and pulled her into his arms.
"I know Shrimp, I suck. I'm the worst"
"The absolute worst," she chuckled reluctantly and pulled away from him, fighting the part of her that didn't want to let go, and began silently stacking the books that littered the cement. Gajeel picked up the stack, then he stood and held out a hand to help her up. They walked in silence the rest of the way. When the got to her apartment she opened the door and turned to take the books from him, not wanting to take a chance at letting him into her apartment.
"Gajeel I just don't know how to even be around you right now. You really hurt me and I . . .I just don't trust you anymore. I want to so bad, I just miss you so much, but I can't," Levy wiped a tear from her cheek.
Gajeel sighed, his face sad. "I know Shorty, I know." He rubbed his eyes and pulled his hands down his face. "Damnit, I never should have to . . ."
Levy covered his mouth, "No Gajeel, you never should have left like that. That's what I'm mad about you ass. You left like I was some dirty one night stand from the bar, like we weren't friends and we didn't care about each other. You never should have disappeared for two months! That really hurt. You should have picked up my calls and returned my texts. You should have talked to me. But you didn't. You blew me off as if I meant nothing to you and it killed me Gajeel!" He stared at her eyes wide, but said nothing. Disappointed Levy quietly said, "You should go, I'm really tired."
He reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a gift, wrapped in newspaper. It was a box about the size of a hardback book; Levy wondered what it could be. "This isn't going to make up for anything I've done, but I made you this for Christmas," he said quietly. Levy took the box and stared at it. He gently kissed her on the cheek and then walked away. She stood in the hall watching, until he disappeared into the stairwell. Levy quietly walked back in her apartment and set the gift on the end table next to the chaise. Then she collapsed on the large chair, softly crying herself to sleep.