Note: Hey, you didn't think it was over did you?

Prompt: Bonus Day - Athlete/Model AU

Summary: Being the official unofficial office caddie wasn't what she signed up for, and neither was unintentionally running into the love of her life.

Bonus Day

"What do you mean the meeting got pushed up to 2:30!?"

"I mean that it got pushed up to 2:30 P.M. Today."

Lucy could only gape as she quickly pushed up her sunglasses with the hand holding the coffee cup, tilting it to the side as it threatened to spill, while she listened to manager ramble on about the new tasks she had to complete now.

"B-but," she stuttered, "That would only give me," a quick look at the time on her phone, "13 minutes!"

"Yea, so get it done."

There was a long beep and then silence. Lucy only stared blankly ahead of her, stunned. How in the world was she going to do all of that in 13 minutes? The list of things to do were piling up even though she was just supposed to be an intern for a few months. 'A trial period,' they said, 'to see if she would be fit for the team.'

But she wasn't so sure what that had to do with buying 1 Americana Frappuccino, 2 Black Coffees, 3 iced coffees, and 1 super extra long order she would just end up switching for a watered down, regular coffee because it was essentially the same thing. In all reality, she was just a glorified office caddie who just bought coffee and snacks to the higher ups who talked about what to publish next. With how often they sent her out of the office, it was no surprise she couldn't really shadow anyone, let alone even begin getting down the ropes of the business when she was sent out before she could learn anything.

And of course, the day she would finally be able to get her big break, they not only sent her out on a task, but just before her meeting would take place. She had suspected they were doing it on purpose but now she knows for sure that they were. They weren't as slick as they thought they were and she had often overheard a few conversations about a 'dumb little model' trying to break out into the journal industry.

She almost considers quitting on the spot. What was the worst that could happen, they would tease her? She tried to take a deep breath, remind herself to be calm, not to act rash, but the longer she thought about it, the angrier she got. Because she did work hard for this position, for months– no, years. She didn't go through the modeling industry to get here for nothing, and that was not a kind industry to put it lightly. She worked her butt off to get into this position just a few months ago, retiring modeling for good to start new. But apparently, work drama was work drama regardless of where you went.

Now all she would need would be–

"Woah! Watch out!"

...an accident.

She gasped as someone bumped into her, and she watched with wide eyes as the cup in her hand flew into the air in slow motion, tipping over and suddenly everything was moving too fast.

There was an indignant shout, a distant laugh, and shocked gasps as Lucy whipped around and was met with a, used to be white, brown shirt and a pink-haired man covered in the sweet smell of sugar. Gasping, she whipped her head up and was met with equally wide onyx eyes.

While it was already embarrassing that she spilled her coffee on somebody, what was worse was that she knew that face. Natsu Dragneel. If his pink hair and face wasn't a catch, then it would surely be the ruined jersey he was wearing for the 'Fiore Fairies' with his name written in big, bold letters, the hot topic of the hottest sports team in all of Fiore at the moment. But of course she didn't know him yet, because she was expected to interview him at this moment.

"Uh," the man just blinked as they both stared at each other.

Lucy hand clenched the side of her bag tight, not knowing whether or not she should offer him a napkin or just turn in her resignation now.

'Maybe he doesn't know me?' Lucy's silent prayer went out the door as her face twisted in a disgusted scowl once he brought up a hand to lick his finger, and he immediately caught her eyes. If he didn't know her now, he would definitely know her as the girl who not only threw a cup of coffee at him, but also found him disgusting. Great.

But instead of his eyes hardening, they lightened up as he grinned.

"Wow Luce, this stuff tastes great! Knew you were spunky, but this is different."

She couldn't think as she sputtered, cheeks set aflame as she stared at him with concern, "Luce?"

"Oh, yea. I should probably introduce myself," he reached an arm out, hand still covered in coffee as he gave her a huge grin, "I'm Natsu Dragneel, pleased to meet you "aspiring journalist" Lucy Heartfilia."

Her cheeks were burning as she sent him a scowl, because of course he read her Link-ie page. And of course he already knew who she was.

Since it wouldn't matter whether or not he would be offended given she hardly doubted she would keep her job after this, she ripped open her bag, took out a single tissue, and wrapped it around her hand before taking his own outstretched one.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, "chaotic" Natsu Dragneel of the Fiore team." She met his smile with a small upturn of her lips, eyes upturned in a fake smile.

His grin only widened as he dropped the teasing to let out a deep-bellied laugh, which caused Lucy to blush as she smacked him on the arm to keep quiet as they had already drawn in a crowd.

She didn't like admitting she thought of him as adorable after that day, covered in coffee like that of mud, with a huge dorky grin. Or the fact her heart had fluttered out of her chest the moment he pulled her into a hug, despite it leading her walking into the company with a stained shirt. She liked to blame it on the stress of the day. 'Made me go mad,' she would shake her head. But he would chuckle, 'sure Luce' and reminisce because it was love at first sight, eyes staring at her adoringly, despite her adamant denial for years till they got together.

Note: I never ended up posting the last bonus I promised (it's a long story) so to make up for it, here's a bonus for this year!

But that's all for Nalu Week 2024! Thank you for reading my story and I hope you guys enjoyed it!

~writingamongstars