Luce Heartfilia loved the town of Magnolia, with it's wide, welcoming streets crowded with friendly people going about their business. Although she was relatively new still, she had come to think of it as her own. But out of all the stores, parks, rivers and cafés. There were three places Lucy considered her absolute favourite.
One was of course her apartment. Which, when it wasn't being intruded by dragon slayers and their annoying blue cats. Served as a comfortable sanctuary for her, complete with a warm bath and cosy living space.
Second, was her noisy, disruptive, and (dare Lucy say it, a little eccentric) guild. Sure it usually seemed to be on the causing, or receiving side of trouble., and you could be sure if they weren't on either, then they would find a way to be smack-dab in the middle of it. But she had gotten used to it, now Fairy Tail was like a second home for her.
And last but not least, was the Magnolia book shop. Nestled comfortably in the corner of town, Lucy found another home amongst the countless shelves of books. Lucy took comfort in the fact that even the top selling authors had once been aspiring novelists themselves, and that maybe one day her name would join theirs on the best selling list.
That is where she was at the moment, scouring the shelves, waiting for a new book to catch her eye.
Although she had to admit, she wasn't all that into it. Lucy's thoughts were elsewhere. She had, had something on her mind for a while.
It was at this moment another customer bumped into Lucy, causing him to drop his many books. Including a fairly thick encyclopedia which ultimately landed on her toe. Immediately withdrawing her from her thoughts in painful surprise.
"Kyaa! Watch where you're going!" She shouted, her anger flaring. Her rage soon turned to humiliation as she noticed all the other customers staring, due to her sudden out-burst. Lucy suddenly wished the book shelves wood swallow her whole. Instead she did the next best thing and ducked down out of their view, pretending to help the stranger with his spilled books.
"Oh, gomen ne sai! It was an accident. Daijoubu?" The man who was about Lucy's age was apologising furiously avoiding contact with her eyes. Lucy decided to let him off the hook, it was an accident after all. Besides he was actually kind of cute, "I'm fine, don't worry about it."
**(Gomen ne sai – I'm sorry)**
**(Daijoubu? - Are you okay?)**
The man, being forgiven finally lifted his eyes to look at her. "I really am sorry, I-" the man's apologies suddenly halted, his eyes widening."Lucy?"
"Eh?" Lucy said frantically trying to figure out how the good looking guy knew her name.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten me!"
Lucy took another look at the guy, his sandy-brown hair and blue eyes. His square jaw and tanned skin, he did seem familiar.. Then it hit her. Of course she didn't recognise him, he was only a kid the last time she saw him.
"Jeremy?" She asked cautiously, all her doubt disappearing when he smiled and nodded. Lucy suddenly felt a little strange after thinking of her much, much younger childhood acquaintance as 'cute'. But brushed it off under the excitement of seeing him again.
"Jeremy! I can't believe it." she said as the stood up and hugged him. She imagined they would have looked pretty ridiculous to lookers on. One minute she's yelling at him, and the next she's throwing her arms around his neck in a friendly hug.
"Wow you really grew up!" She exclaimed breaking contact to look at him once more. She meant it too, and blushed as she realised how forward she was being. She was treating him like the same ten year old kid when clearly he wasn't.
"You haven't changed at all." He said smirking, Lucy felt the excitement of the moment subsiding and she collected her thoughts once more.
"What brings you to Magnolia?" she asked politely.
"Nothing particular just passing through." He said just as politely, it was odd him being so tall.
Lucy changed the subject, "How's your father?"
Jeremy just smiled, "He's doing well. We all took it hard after Jude passed away but his business is still thriving. How about you?" Lucy took a while to answer, astonished at how mature and courteous he'd grown up to be. So different from the delinquent she remembered.
"I'm happy. So my dads company is doing well huh, does that mean you work there now?"
"Of course, you know I admired both our fathers. I'm head of data location."
Lucy was surprised, "Really, so young?"
"I'm 17, That's how old you were when you started right? I heard you went and joined a guild like you'd always talked about."
Lucy couldn't help but smile every time she mentioned her guild. "Yeah, Fairy Tail. Its the best, I have a lot of great friends there."
"Better than me?" Jeremy teased, and Lucy saw a glimpse of someone closer to the Jeremy who would pester her for hours on end while their fathers talked business.
Lucy laughed nostalgically, "You know that's not what I meant."
"Yeah I know, but I was seven years younger than you." He chided in return.
Lucy recalled, how he would follow her around and ask about her spirits. She'd read him stories and play games. To think, she mused, that he would grow up to be like his father.
"So you joined the family business, huh?" Then Lucy had a brilliant idea.
"Jeremy, I have a favour to ask."
...
Natsu was sitting at the guild enthusiastically enjoying a meal.
"Natsu, quit it!" He looked across from the table to find a very annoyed Lucy, protectively shielding her book from fly-away pieces of food that escaped his plate. Natsu thought it was unnecessary, she shouldn't be sitting at the same table as him if she wanted to read in peace. Especially if he was eating.
"If you don't wan't to get dirty, don't sit so close!" Natsu said indifferently through a moth full of food.
"I'm not even sitting close to you!" Lucy shouted.
"It's because she liiiiiiikes you!" Happy giggled, making Lucy's face turn red. Weather it was from embarrassment or anger, Natsu wasn't sure.
"Shut up stupid cat, and don't roll you're tongue like that!" Lucy said, sending Happy a glare to rival Erza's.
"Aye!" Happy cried submissively as Lucy got up to leave. "What ever I'll go talk to Levy-Chan, at least she respects litterateur."
Natsu finished the last of his food quickly, before getting up to follow her. "Aw Lucy don't get so cranky, I'm done anyway so let's go on a mission!" He suggested getting fired up.
Lucy just smiled apologetically,"Sorry guys, no mission today. I'm gonna work on my novel."
Natsu had a feeling it was coming, but this time he wouldn't just let it slide.
"You've been saying stuff like that all week 'I gotta write my novel' or 'I don't feel well', 'I'm tired.'" He quoted her in a high, exaggerated voice with one hand placed dramatically on his hip.
"Wow Natsu you sound just like Lucy!" Happy commented approvingly.
"I DO NOT SOUND LIKE THAT!" Lucy growled, anger apparent on her face. Natsu guessed she probably hadn't liked his impression of her, but he wasn't giving in. She'd avoided them all week and he wanted to know why.
"Why don't you wanna go on a mission?" Natsu asked.
Lucy just sighed and turned on her heel, "I'm just busy okay!" she snapped before leaving the guild in a huff.
Natsu stared after her for a few moments before he made up his mind.
"Come on Happy." He said walking towards the exit.
"Where are we going Natsu?" Happy asked curiously.
Natsu just looked at him and grinned, "To follow Lucy of course."
"Aye!"
…...
"There she is!" Happy said spotting Lucy from their hiding place outside the Cafe they had followed Lucy to.
Covering Happy's mouth with one hand, Natsu shushed him."Remember Happy we are Ninjas."
"Aye, sir." Happy whispered before muttering a few obtuse Nin Nin's.
"What is she doing?" Natsu asked Happy who was spying from between the bushes where they were hidden.
"She's sitting down, and getting a notebook put of her bag." Happy reported back.
Natsu groaned, "You mean she's actually is just working on her novel, boring." He muttered, already losing interest.
"Maybe but, it kinda looks like she's waiting for someone." Happy replied sceptically.
Natsu piped up, "Waiting for who? Levy?" He asked, his curiosity peaked once more.
Happy's eyes suddenly widened, "Oh! A guy just waved to her, And she's waving back!" He exclaimed, making Natsu jump.
Secret meetings with random guys this was like being real Ninjas! Natsu thought, "Do we know him?" He asked Happy who was hogging the only spy-hole.
Happy just shrugged, "I've never seen him before, but he's sitting down with Lucy so he must be who she was waiting for."
Natsu was tired of being blind, "Oii Happy, Let me see." He said pushing out of the way.
Happy was right there was a guy sitting down with Lucy at the cafe. He was tallish with sand coloured hair, and Natsu had definitely never seen him before.
"Hey Natsu maybe Lucy's on a date!" Happy said beside him.
Natsu didn't want to believe it, "You mean she ditched us to go on a date?" Natsu didn't think Lucy was the kind to do stuff like that to her friends.
"Well he is real pretty, way prettier than you Natsu!" Happy teased, but Natsu didn't laugh he was trying to catch their conversation.
"I don't care about pretty, now be quiet so I can hear." Natsu said silencing Happy.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice." The man's voice said. It was educated and laced with honey. Just like Lucy's, Natsu thought.
"No problem, I'm glad you called." Lucy answered him, giving the man a warm smile.
"Well, I have a lot to tell you but first.." The man trailed off unsure.
"What is it?"
"It's about your friend."
"Natsu? What about him?" Lucy asked perplexed.
Natsu flinched at hearing his name, how did that guy know him?
"Don't you think we should tell him what were doing, it's pretty big news don't you think?" The man said a little concerned.
Tell me what? Natsu wondered, suddenly feeling the weight of spying on a conversation he wasn't meant to be hearing. Natsu felt the brunt of something uncomfortable in his stomach, like he was about to be sick as he awaited Lucy's answer.
After what seemed like an eternity she sighed, "Oh.. We will but- I wan't to be sure first. I don't know how he's gonna react, so I wanna wait till we're absolutely 100% certain. I think for now it's best if he doesn't know anything." She concluded placing her hands together decisively.
The man shrugged in return, "If that's what you want."
Now Natsu really felt awful, he didn't really understand why though. All he knew was that he didn't want to hear any more.
"Let's go Happy" He said taking his leave.
"Huh, Natsu? Wait up!" Happy called confused, as he hurried to catch up to the rapidly disappearing dragon-slayer.
…...
"Morning Minna!" A voice called making Mira look up from the glass she was drying. What she saw was a very cheerful Lucy walking towards her.
**(Minna - Everyone)**
"Morning Lucy!" Mira said easily matching Lucy's mood as she sat down.
"Mira, where's Natsu?" Lucy asked unsurprisingly, it was anything but unusual for those three to be in each others' constant company.
"He and Happy went on a mission this morning, he seemed pretty glum." Mira replied, recalling Natsu's sour expression as he left. It occurred to Mira that perhaps they had been acting rather odd lately, she had been surprised when Natsu had requested a mission this morning with out Lucy.
Lucy though, didn't seem to be fazed. "Really? Well then I've got just the thing to cheer him up. When will he be back?"
Mira almost dropped her glass, had she heard right? It was probably nothing but her secret longing for those two to start a romance and her over-active imagination were getting the better of her.
"Later on in the day I suppose, why?" She answered, as casually as she could.
"When he is, can you tell him to meet me tonight?" Lucy asked excitedly.
"Meet you.. Tonight?" Mira asked breathlessly.
"Yeah, the park should be fine. There's something I've gotta tell him, it's really important."
Her mind was buzzing with pictures of little Lucy's and Natsu's running around the guild, Could it be a confession? Mira thought excitedly.
"Of course I'll tell him!" Mira said a little to enthusiastically. Luckily though Lucy didn't catch on.
"Thank's Mira! I have to go now, but don't forget." Lucy said walking out of the guild apparently oblivious to Mira's rapidly beating heart.
"Finally!" She squealed silently, as she waited for Natsu to return.
…...
Natsu was standing beneath a tree in the park where Mira had told him to wait for Lucy. Natsu didn't know why he came, he didn't really want to talk to Lucy. Mira had been in a pretty weird mood when he and Happy got back from their mission. She'd said Lucy had something important to tell him. He knew exactly what she had to tell him, and he didn't want to hear it.
This feeling was new to him, it bent his usual way of thinking and made him want to avoid Lucy. Which he knew was wrong, despite what he felt they were still Nakama. That's why he'd decided to come, -that and Mira really hadn't given him the chance to refuse.
"Natsu!" He heard Lucy's voice sing his name from across the park. He didn't look up at her,
"Yo." he greeted her simply, but it was enough to earn him an excited smile from Lucy.
"I'm glad you came, cause I have something to tell you."
"I know." He replied flatly, looking up at her. Although it was dark, the full moon provided enough light Natsu could see clearly even with out his advanced sight.
"You know?" Lucy repeated, her brown eyes growing big in surprise.
"Yeah I saw you with that guy the other day.." Natsu said keeping his voice steady as he could.
"You did? Well I guess that ruins the surprise." Lucy laughed, trying to shake off her shock that he already knew.
"Surprise? You mean secret." Natsu was trying very hard to keep the venom out of his voice, but it was laced on pretty thick.
Lucy noticed as well. "Are you...mad?" She asked confounded.
Natsu felt a little annoyed by her naivety, "Did you not expect me to be mad?"
Lucy's eyes were growing more confused, "I-I thought you'd be happy.."
"Happy?! How could you think I'd be happy?" Natsu snapped, his temper rising. How could she have thought that! His mind raced.
"Because this is what you wan't!" Lucy shouted back equally as flustered. Natsu couldn't believe what she was saying, had she done it purposely to make him feel this way?!
"Exactly it's what I want so why do it with someone else!" Natsu was furious, how could she do that to him? Weren't they team mates?
"Wait are you jealous?" Lucy asked unsure.
Natsu nearly burst into flames at her abruptness, "Yes. I'm jealous." He spat.
Lucy's expression became even more puzzled, "I don't understand, is it because I kept it from you or because you didn't think of it first?" She asked.
Natsu almost choked. "I-I did think of it! I've been thinking about it for a while actually." He lied, of course he had only considered the possibility since he'd seen her at the cafe.
"Then why didn't you do something about it?" Lucy questioned savagely.
"You- you think I should have?" Natsu stammered incredulously. What did that mean? Was she saying she wanted him to, Or was se just being insensitive?
"Of course if it's what you wanted!" Lucy wasn't shouting anymore but her voice was still strained.
"Is it what you want?" Natsu demanded. But Lucy wasn't looking at him anymore, she was backing away slowly with her shoulders haunched.
"I.. Just wanted... I'm sorry I- I really thought you'd be happy." Natsu heard her mutter softly before he was left in the park alone, with no one left to be angry at but the moon for illuminating the tear that had slid down Lucy's cheek as she ran away.
Natsu was left the park a mixture of confusion, anger and guilt tainting his heart.
…...
Mira had been waiting patiently for the love-birds to arrive all morning. Positive they would make their announcement to everyone that day. So she was surprised to see a very disquieted Natsu arrive alone, with a equally troubled Happy following behind.
"Natsu, how'd it go?" Mira asked discreetly as Natsu sat down. Receiving no answer she continued "I thought Lucy was gonna talk to you about something."
"Don't talk to me about her." Natsu grunted, before storming out of the guild in silence.
"Natsu?.." Mira stammered confusion painted across her features.
"Happy, What happened?" She asked worriedly.
Happy sighed miserably "Natsu and Lucy had a fight."
Everything went dead silent, somehow even the hearts of all the guild members refused to make any sound. Everyone just sat there speechless.
It was Grey who finally broke the silence, "What?"
"Well, it was bound to happen one day." Wakaba muttered as the guild descended back into it's usual busy self and the hum of conversation picked up where it left off.
"I wonder what it was about, probably something grave considering it's those two." Erza said thoughtfully, a fork loaded with strawberry cake hovering just below her lips.
"How's Lucy doin' I wonder, she didn't come to the guild today." Grey said earning an eruption from Juvia "Grey-sama... No!" Juvia cried dramatically as she envisioned the distraught Lucy coming to Grey for comfort, as Juvia lost him to her love rival forever.
Grey merely went back to his business oblivious of Juvia's antics.
"Happy what are you going to do?" A distraught Wendy asked.
Happy looked at her confused, "Eh? What do you mean?"
Carla took it as her cue to explain what her meek dragon slayer had tried to say, "What she means is that you are closest to both of them, so it's up to you to be mediator in this situation."
"It is?" Happy asked surprised.
"Do you wan't them to continue fighting?" Mira cut in.
Happy shook his head, "Of course not, but shouldn't I let them figure it out themselves?"
Carla sighed, "If you think that is best, however I'm not sure if two people as stubborn as Natsu and Lucy are going to be quick to apologise. I'm sure they would make up eventually but not before things got worse."
The others watched as realisation finally dawned on the blue exceed's face. "Aye, you're right Carla. They are pretty stupid, I think I'll talk to them after all." Happy said before leaving to talk to his team mates.
Wendy sweat-dropped and said sweetly, "Ahh, Happy-San I don't think that's exactly what she meant..."
…...
Happy decided to talk to Lucy first, since Natsu was still in a pretty bad mood. When he got to Lucy's apartment he found her sitting on her bed looking really upset.
"Lucy?" Happy called carefully, aware that an angry Lucy could be twice as scary if approached unawares.
"Huh, Happy?" She said looking over at him.
"Are you okay Lucy?" Happy asked moving closer, he teased Lucy a lot but she was still an important friend to him.
"Well, not really... Did he send you?" Lucy said, spitting the last part icily.
"No, he's not talking to me either." Happy replied truthfully.
Lucy's face softened "Oh.. I'm sorry Happy, I'm not mad at you... Actually, I don't really think I'm even mad at Natsu. I'm just confused." she said resting her face in her hands.
Happy sat beside her, "Why?"
"If I knew why I wouldn't be confused would I?" Lucy replied smiling.
Happy smiled to "Aye, so you're not mad at Natsu?" he asked hopefully.
Lucy sighed. "No, I mean I don't get why he acted that way. But, I guess I really shouldn't have gone behind his back."
"You really think so?" Happy said his eyes lighting up.
Lucy shrugged, "Maybe.."
"So... you'll apologise?"
"No."
Happy frowned disappointed, "Why not Lucy, I'll give you a fish."
Lucy just crossed her arms stubbornly, "I won't apologise unless he does. Besides, I'm still too upset." She said her eyes tearing up dramatically.
But Happy had already heard all he needed. "Aye! So he just needs to apologise, see ya Lucy!"
"Eh?!"
…...
"Never." Natsu said for the third time.
"Why not?!" Happy demanded, annoyed his fool-proof plan was being ruined by his partner's foolishness.
"Because, I don't want to." Natsu replied stubbornly.
Happy Tsked, "Natsu you're being childish."
"So what?"
Happy was growing impatient, he just wanted them to make up so they could go back to having fun together. "Why are you so upset Lucy has a boyfriend anyway?" Happy asked irritated, then he realised. "You Like her!"
"Of course I like her!" Natsu covered himself pretending not to know what he meant, but Happy knew him too well.
"No I mean you really like her. That's why you wanted to stop playing Ninjas the other day, Because you were jealous Lucy was dating that pretty boy." Happy shouted, proud that he'd figured it out.
"I don't care." Natsu muttered, even though obviously he did care.
"Natsu... If you like Lucy, you should tell her." Happy said encouragingly.
Natsu sighed, "I can't now can I?"
Happy's eyes widened, "He admits it!"
Natsu sweat dropped, "Why are you so surprised? You already figured it out." He said a little annoyed.
Happy just looked at his friend, "Natsu.. Even if Lucy doesn't like you back, she's still your friend. Besides, I mean technically... she really didn't do anything wrong."
Natsu got visibly more angry, "What do you mean 'didn't do anything wrong'? She ditched us for a whole week and lied about it! Friends don't keep secrets!" He yelled and Happy could hear the emotions in his voice. It was the same one's he felt when Lily got too close to Carla.
"Well maybe but, that's not really why you're upset is it?" Happy asked earnestly.
Natsu stiffened before answering, "No..." Then he looked up at him and Happy felt relieved to see Natsu's familiar grin once more, "When did you get so smart Happy?"
Happy just laughed "I have to be smart, Natsu. Since you and Lucy are so dumb!"
"Hey!"
…...
Lucy was sitting at her desk, attempting to write her novel. Actually she was attempting not to think about her fight with Natsu, but that didn't change the fact her novel needed writing.
She had hardly even looked at it this past week, she had been so busy with Jeremy.
"Maybe I should apologise.." Lucy sighed solemnly.
…...
Natsu could see Lucy through her window at her desk, probably writing something. Although right now it looked more like she was upset, with her head bent down and her blonde hair spread over her face and shoulders. I need to apologise, Natsu thought, if I don't I'll lose Lucy as a friend, and I don't want that.
"Lucy?" He asked climbing through her window. She looked up hearing her name and he saw that she'd been crying. He immediately felt worse, "I came to apologise" He said, but before he could Lucy stopped him.
"I should apologise first, I- I'm sorry Natsu.. I should've told you about it from the beginning. I had no idea you would feel that way, but I guess I would have if i'd just talked to you about it first." Natsu could tell she was sincere, and he felt bad for doubting Lucy's motives.
"No, I had no right to be jealous. I'm sorry I spoke to you like that, it was wrong and I made you cry.. I swear I'll make it up to you Lucy." Natsu said looking at her so she could see that he meant it. Hesitantly he asked "Are you still mad at me?"
Lucy surprised him by smiling and "Baka! I was never mad at you."
**(Baka - Idiot)**
"But.." Lucy began looking up at him mischievously, "now that you said you'll make it up to me I'll have to hold you to it."
"Eh?" Natsu protested.
Lucy ran back to her desk grabbing something off of it before returning "Here, I know you didn't want them but take them anyway. Jeremy and I worked way to hard for them to just lie around unused." She said holding the strange package out to him. Feeling a little bewildered, Natsu accepted it.
"Jeremy?" He asked the name foreign to him.
"The name of the investigator you saw me with." Lucy said oblivious to Natsu's confusion.
"Investigator?"
"I met up with him in town by chance, he's an old family friend and business partner for my dad's company. He was nice enough to help me with my inquiries, but he could only meet up during his lunch break." Lucy explained.
"So this is.." Natsu studied the package more closely and felt his breath hitch.
"Information. Time-lines, Articles on dragon sightings from foreign newspapers, there's even a paragraph on something called 'The Serpent's Crest' we found in an old scripture written at least 400 years ago. It's all there, well at least all we could find." Lucy rambled on excitedly.
Natsu couldn't believe it. All this time he had been angry at her, thinking she was ditching him when actually..she'd been doing all this for him, he was nearly sick with how guilty and stupid he felt. But mostly he was grateful, this package could lead him closer to Igneel.
"It's not much..and most of it is probably useless anyway. But, lately I've been feeling kind of selfish." Natsu looked up at her his expression puzzled.
"Selfish?"
"I mean you guys do annoy the hell out of me sometimes, but you also help me out a lot. I just wanted to help you for once, you know? Gray and Erza were easy, I knew exactly what to get for them, and I have a giant fish marinating in my fridge right now for you-know-who." She laughed and then continued her expression turning solemn.
"But.. when it came to you I really couldn't think of anything that would be good enough, because you've helped me more than anyone. I know how much you want to find Igneel, and I know it's not a lot but it's something at least. I just wanted to-"
Natsu couldn't help it he hugged her, the package slipping out of his hands and safely onto her bed.
Lucy just looked at him shocked, she obviously hadn't expected his response. But despite that she didn't push him away.
"Eh, what was that for?" She asked as he let her out of the embrace.
Natsu grinned at her "Thanks Lucy, and you don't need to thank us for helping you. We're Nakama, which means we are supposed to help each other."
Lucy smiled "I guess you're right..." she trailed off and Natsu noticed her expression was sad again as he waited for her to continue. "Although we haven't been acting like good friends, have we?"
Lucy finished looking up at him soberly.
"Eh? I thought you weren't mad any more" Natsu began confused.
Lucy slapped him in reply, "Not us, Baka. I'm talking about Happy!"
Natsu suddenly understood what she meant, Happy had been the one to bring him to his senses. Lucy was right, Natsu hadn't been a good friend to him either.
"He had to play peace maker because we were being to stubborn." Said Lucy.
"We should make it up to him.." Natsu agreed.
Then, Lucy looked up at him with a knowing expression "What is it?" He asked her.
Lucy just smiled "I still have that big fish.."
**The End**