NATSU'S POV

I set the weight on the bars above me and rose to catch my breath. I could feel the tightness in my chest and the light feeling in my arms.

Man!

If I keep this up for a month or two, I might even get my physique back.

I stood up and took a long sip from my water bottle. Now all I need to do is tone down on the fast food and find some profitable alternatives then I can get my awesome body back.

I went over to where Gildarts and Lisanna were, they were simply chatting amongst themselves by the boxing station.

Gildarts.

To me, he's like the dad I never had. Even a kid who saw nothing but the option to end it all, Gildarts saved me from all of it and taught me the things my real dad failed to teach me.

If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have even known of or got into Fairy Tail Corp, since he's now one of the bosses of an entire branch... THAT HE SHOULD BE MANAGING, mind you... I have a great deal of respect for him for landing me such a job though. However, he can be just as annoying as Lisanna at times and we tend to share a family-like bond on that.

"There he is, the hotshot himself!" Gildarts exclaimed as I stopped by him and Lisanna. He threw an arm around my shoulder and pulled at my cheeks, "Look at you, not visiting me all this while! Did getting a big job in Fairy Tail make you forget about my kindness?"

"No. I just had to focus on work,"

"Haha! And look where that's gotten you," Gildarts laughed aloud as he quickly punched me in the arm, "Noodle arms, am I right, Lisanna?"

Lisanna laughed with the old man and I just shook my head but laughed a little.

They aren't wrong. I stopped coming to the gym religiously after working for Fairy Tail. I needed to secure a job fast so I could send money home on time.

"That's why I'm getting back into it now, I need to get stronger for-."

Gildarts appeared behind me and started rubbing my shoulders, "Let me guess, for Lushheeee?"

"HUH?!"

"Lisanna told me that a cute blonde lady called Lucy Heartfilia has taken your heart and you are getting healthy physically and mentally for her so you can... doooo tha deed," Gildarts whispered in my ear with that weird, perverted thing he does from time to time.

I tore myself from his grasp.

"Get off of me, I'm doing this for myself. And you can never trust what Lisanna says, she's an idiot,"

Lisanna giggled, "He's just embarrassed that I found him out. Last night they skipped out on a pizza party to do some, quote on quote, work."

I sighed as I rolled my eyes.

Gildarts began sobbing, "My Natsu... he's finally becoming a man. It felt like just yesterday that you were making me proud with the boxing I taught you. Now you are pleasing a woman,"

"You are acting like this is my first rodeo or something."

Lisanna and Gildarts gasped

Ah, dammit.

"He didn't deny it!" They said in unison as they both looked at each other with stars in their eyes.

I shook my head. These two are so annoying.

"Natsuuuu, my little boy!" Gildarts tried to cuddle up to me, "You know, I can give you some helpful tips in the bedroom-."

"I don't need your tips because I am not doing anything with Ms Heartfilia, she's just my colleague."

"Sounds like the start to a great relationship," Lisanna giggled and Gildarts followed suit.

They're just like kids.

Hate 'em but still love 'em.

Whilst they are annoying, they were always there at my darkest times.

"When will I get to meet this wife of yours?" Gildarts asked.

I began to speak but felt my face being pushed to the side by Lisanna, and she said: "You can drop by tonight! On the way here, he said he's going to invite her to dinner at his place!"

"Well, I haven't decided ye-."

"Well, now you can decide to do something more! Haha! I'll be there, I'll be there!" Gildarts exclaimed, "I'll get to see the beauty that Natsu has his eyes on,"

I sigh.

I have to go shopping.

3RD PERSON POV - At the Office...

Loke was confused at this, his eyelids flew open at how serious Lucy was right now, "Hehe, that's just the dynamic Natsu and I share,"

"It's a weird one. Come on, you can tell me. Think of me as your reliable shoulder, a person you can tell anything and everything. I want to know why you and Natsu are so cold to each other. I've seen a lot of male relationships and they haven't nearly had as much animosity in them as you and Natsu's have, so what is going on?" Lucy asked politely.

Loke took in a deep breath and let out a large sigh.

"Well, Natsu is... just a fucking jerk," Loke shrugged his shoulders, he didn't know what else to tell her.

"Ugh, Loke, you can be so annoying sometimes- Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed with the brightest face that Loke has ever seen.

"Huh?" Loke raised a brow and turned around to the pinkette who opened the front door.

The pinkette held his backpack and wore his neutral expression as always.

"Yo," Natsu said as he entered the office and dropped his bag on the desk.

"Has it been a fucking hour already?" Loke squinted his eyes at the clock and saw that the lunch period was practically over.

"Language Loke," Lucy spoke up before staring up at the pinkette who was digging through his backpack.

She didn't know what it was but he looked much brighter and had a different aura to him than he normally has. It felt good… and warm.

The pinkette looked up from his backpack and accidentally locked eyes with the blonde. Lucy held her lips together and kept eye contact with the pinkette who just gave her a warm smile before picking his backpack off the desk.

She could feel her heart in her chest beat profusely, and her want for Natsu became stronger every time the pinkette did such minor things.

"You better hurry to your station before Mrs Scarlet kicks your ass, huh Loke," Natsu grinned.

Loke stared at Natsu with both eyebrows raised, "What's got you acting brave, huh?"

"Just being patient with you, now head to your station before Mrs Scarlet drags you herself," Natsu said as he threw his bag under his desk.

Loke glanced back at Lucy with a sort of embarrassed expression then back at Natsu, "I was gonna leave anyways, dammit... don't need you giving me orders,"

Loke stood up with his hands in his pockets, as he made his way to the door, he intentionally bumped shoulders with Natsu and left the office.

Now, Natsu and Lucy were left in the office by themselves, with Natsu slowly turning towards the blonde who sat in his chair, staring back at him with hopeful eyes. She didn't know what she was hoping for at this moment because she feels that she hasn't done anything significantly right (yet) to make him look at her like he was going to make love to her right there and then.

"Why is Mrs Perfect sitting in my seat? I thought you enjoyed sticking to the rules," Natsu said with a little bit of excited banter in his voice which made Lucy smile brightly at him, a tint of pink gracing her cheeks.

"Woah, this is something... when were you ever up for joking around?" Lucy chuckled, instantly loving this new side of him.

"Consider yourself lucky since I'm in a good mood! I went to the gym during lunch and I'm feeling all fired up now!" Natsu chanted.

"See. Taking care of your well-being allows you to be the best version of yourself," Lucy said as she brought her hand to her mouth.

Natsu just grinned happily.

Lucy chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a soft hue as she admired the young man's smile. She fell in love with those white teeth and his precious lips that she got to taste, even though it was just for a second, she was excited to just be near him and see the bright side of him, "I'm happy to see you are feeling much better now,"

Natsu nodded, "Well, if you aren't too busy tonight, stop by my place for that dinner I told you about. It will be made by yours truly-"

And without hesitation, Lucy responded with:

"I would love to, Natsu!"

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To Be Continued