Standing By

by howlingwolvesonfire

Cobra's life takes a turn for the weird when a certain white-haired demon offers him and Lucy an especially interesting job–as love doctors. With inward and outward conflict brewing, can Cobra keep his cool against those looking for love advice? Or will he–and Lucy–fall victim to something far worse? Told in drabbles. Updates daily.

137. Day 5 (Part 6)

Lucy paused suddenly and regarded Cobra slightly more seriously. "Mira got back to me yesterday. She said she talked to her friend–Perse I think it was–the one who's renting out the space to her."

Cobra's heart skipped a beat. "What'd she have to say? Guessing nothing too bad, or you wouldn't be in today."

"No…Mirajane said she explained everything to her and Perse remembered she'd mentioned it to some of her friends to build hype for the opening. She even apologized for that one guy since he made us uncomfortable."

"What's his name?"

Lucy paused, and after a moment, shook her head. "I don't think Mira mentioned it. Maybe she didn't feel the need since Perse apparently said she'd talk to him and make sure he didn't come back."

"Oh…" For such a simple answer, it left Cobra feeling decidedly unsatisfied. On one hand, it made sense that the owner of the building wanted traffic when it opened for her friend and perhaps attracted some of the weirder sides of the people she told about it. On the other…was it really like things in Cobra's life to be resolved so simply? Plus, there was the matter of the other woman…but wait, she'd said friends, plural. Was that animal woman a part of it too then?

Lucy chewed her lip as she watched him think. "Mira did say that if anything else were to happen, she'd let Perse know and that we can stop if need be. I mean I'd rather not, but if it came down to it…" She looked down at her hands, clutching the little notebook for writing down all the town's love secrets. "I mean, obviously safety comes first, right?"

Cobra's chest felt cold, and inside a brief mental tug-of-war took place. In the end, all he did was sigh. "I wouldn't say no to a day off…but it's not like that guy's coming back. That woman sounds damn unlucky, making friends with weirdos like him and the demon."

At this, Lucy smiled. Cobra tried not to feel too guilty (not usually a hard task for him). He hoped his assuming of the woman's connections was right…for both their sakes. No need to get more riled up over things that might not mean anything, after all. If things did go south…well, it's not like he couldn't take a weirdo or two if need be.