"Mommy, is that man going to rob that house?" The mother shushed the child immediately, placing her hand over his mouth and picked up her pace while dragging him away.
He and many other onlookers watched in confusion, annoyance, and fear while a pink-haired menace was pounding away on someone's door. Some thought he might've been one of the Fairy Tail members that received a Saint Ten Army award for defeating Acnologia.
The frame and corners started chipping away, and the body of the door bent inward from the force of his fist repeatedly 'knocking'.
"OI! We're back and I need Happy! Mira! Elfman! LISANN-oof" He fell back when the door opened outwards and slammed into his nose. The short haired girl answered in a huff, "Natsu! You'll break the door, you lunatic!"
In agony, Natsu carefully held his nose as the tears welled up in his eyes, "What's wrong with you! We're supposed to be nakama!" nearly crying while loosely pointing at Lisanna and his nose.
"Yes, but nakama don't break down doors at 8 in tHE MORNING!" Even though she meant to be annoyed at his antics, she smiled happily at him. "Welcome home Natsu, come in! We can wake up Happy and I'll make you breakfast!" She opened the door more, indicating for him to come in.
Still lightly rubbing his sensitive nose, Natsu was heavily tempted and nearly drooled but had to shake his head," Nah, I can't. I gotta get my stuff and move into a new place Master got me. Just bring me Happy. And pack up my breakfast to go."
She looked confused for a moment, "What new place? Why would the Master get you a new place?"
Natsu sighed, as if tried of explaining his current situation, "My house got wrecked while we were gone. Apparently, something might've…spontaneously combusted. But since I've got so much stuff to set on fire, everything else went off too. My neighbor said he thought I was just playing with the fireworks again, so he didn't report it until it was burned to the ground."
He brightened yet again," But I got all the important stuff in a safe. A fireproof one. Tell Mira I owe her big time for that! But I gotta go, where's my cat?" He looked at her expectedly.
Trying to think of any other excuse," But what about the mission? You took down Acnologia! You got an international award! Don't you want-"
Natsu groaned slightly, "Lis, let's do that later or at the guild. I'm in a rush right now and my back's killing me."
Lisanna's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she couldn't help but feel a little dejected," But I haven't seen you in eight months. That's the longest we've ever been apart!" Feeling slightly emboldened at the sight of him, she grabbed his calloused hand but then looked at the ground shyly," I really missed you."
She looked at his hand. It was gigantic compared to hers, he was a battle-hardened man, and he finally began to look it. When he had stood up earlier from his fall, she saw he had grown in height and was more defined in shoulders and face. His skin was the most bronzed she's ever seen, and even his eyes had a different gleam to them. He wasn't the loud little boy she played family with, now he could be ready to someday make a family of his own. She knew she was ready.
She carefully looked up bashfully but immediately regretted it.
Natsu had his whole pinky from his other hand digging in his nostril. He had his signature carefree grin and said," Awe shucks Lisanna, I missed you too buddy. But I gotta go, now get me Happy and my food." Quickly turning her by the shoulders, he gently patted her back as if to signal, get to it.
Meanwhile in Lisanna's head, it was a constant flatline sound…
-And one word on repeat.
Buddy.
Buddy.
Buddy.
Buddy.
She doesn't even know when she collected the kittens' items and Happy, who tried meow-ing at her for attention, handed everything to Natsu and he left.
Buddy.
A faint giggle behind her snapped her out of her trance. Her older sister Mirajane was trying to stuff her giggles into her hand but failing miserably as she could see tears running down her face. "I am so sorry, Lisanna. I can't stop. That was a good effort on your part, ridiculously cute, but it will take more than that for you to get Natsu's attention." A mischievous look took over her face.
Lisanna felt like she was burning from her head to her stomach, her heart felt like it was full crude oil, and it was heavy in a hard to breathe way. She tried to calm down, but her face completely reddened, "I wasn't!-Itwasjust-AH! I need to go lie down." She decided and stormed off past her laughing sister and ran upstairs to her bedroom.
As she bounced into her bed, she tried to mull over the incident that just occurred. Turning to her nightstand, she looked for a younger version of herself and Natsu in an old frame where they had been standing next to each other, arms over each other's shoulders and grinning. It had been years ago, on her fifteenth birthday, the guild members threw her a surprise birthday party. When asked to make a wish, Lisanna remembered exactly what she asked for.
'I want to be Natsu's bride.'
Turning her head into the pillow, she let out a sigh and tried to figure out what to do. Her heart only grew fonder over the years, but Natsu stayed the same. His abdominal muscles say otherwise.
That's not what she meant though, Natsu stayed same happy go lucky, charismatic, kind…and oblivious person he's always been.
Looking through the window and at the clouds and blue sky, Lisanna thought to herself before falling into a much-needed slumber.
'What will it take for you to notice me, Natsu?'
"Haa-ppy!"
Natsu let out an exasperated sound while he clutched to the stone wall. Going up a hill is never a problem for him, he can even jump his way up to twenty story buildings but it's much different when he's carrying basically a small trucks' worth of ruins from his old house.
"meow."
And Happy, his most prized possession, was being cradled by the other arm.
Natsu tried to reassure the blue cat, "Just a little more buddy, we're only a minute away." Some would say, it was almost as if the cat snorted at the term, buddy.
Natsu was also trying to reassure himself, he wasn't a fan of moving but presently there were no options. The house his father had built him was burned down, ironic considering both he and Igneel had a predisposition for fire, maybe it was genetic? It felt like since taking on the S-Class missions, it's pushed him outside of his comfort zone. He had a fear something like this could happen. Not exactly house burning down to nothing but debris fears but a fear that if he left, everything will be gone. The memories, the friends, the home.
He doesn't know why he feels this.
When his father ditched him at a young age, he would spend most of his time waiting in the home or checking the woods. He'd fantasize about how he'd react to him, that when Igneel returns he'll put a big tough show. That he was perfectly fine without him, and that he was just casually wondering when he'd be back. Then he'd say, "Just let me know, next time."
Then his fantasies changed to showcasing how terrible he felt, the loneliness and despair he felt without his father. The countless hours of energy expelled from the search. The tears Natsu hid in corners where no one can see them, he'd collect all of them and let him see, and rub it in his face so Igneel will never leave him again.
More time passed and he decided with the new, raging hormones flowing through his body, that he'd beat the shit out of his father. He'll hurt him so bad, with every new skill he's learned from Gildartz and knock him out or even kill him. Then he'd force himself to not care anymore, that his own father abandoned his sons. His emotional extremes brought terrible thoughts sometimes.
However, once both of his brothers left. He realized he just wanted them back. Anyone, to come back to him because he was still waiting for them. He didn't move because he wanted them to know where to find him.
"meow."
Natsu looked down at his little buddy, and realized he walked right to the building. He settled down his mammoth of a backpack on a bench right outside and pulled out his lacrima phone. Staring at the building, he finalized that he hated his situation.
The building was shiny and new and right in the center of the city. Completely opposite to his old isolated giant house with who knows how many free acres of woodland and greenery. He hears too many noises, smells too many odors and sees too many things all at once. He dialed a number and waited with the device on his ear but with a bit of distance.
His senses felt overstimulated, especially after such a long mission which during he dreamt of absolute silence for a bit when he'd return. He unconsciously sniffed the air as a breeze passed over him.
Wait…
His brows furrowed and he took a huge whiff from the direction of the wind.
What is that?
It smelled heavenly.
Sweet, warm, and clean. It was like it cleansed his head for a second. He turned towards the scent, and tried to pinpoint where it was coming from. His eyes widened when he saw something very familiar walking towards him, the scent kept getting stronger with every step.
It was her.
There, wrapped in a lilac dress with her shoulders exposed and her body stretching the material, was the girl.
He'd forgotten her name, 'Luigi' maybe? But he was never able to forget about her. She plagued his thoughts ever since that day. He doesn't know why exactly, but her face would appear in moments just like this where there's a turmoil in his head and he's tired. Maybe he conditioned himself to use her existence as his comfort. But how could he have not noticed this scent before? Last time she smelled of sea salt and shells an-oh right, she was in the ocean.
It dawned on him that he was blatantly staring at her, and she noticed too.
She began stomping her way over to him, "HEY! BUDDY! You got a lot of nerve looking at me like that!"
She remembered him, his belly jumped in warmth at the realization. And already considers him her buddy!
She looked at him incredulously as a stupid smile made way on his face. "Why the hell are you here? Did you follow me? Did you want a round 3?" When he finally registered that she was threatening him, he barked out a laugh.
She pursed her lips and widened her eyes in anger and began using more explicative language towards him. He really didn't want to laugh; he knew from experience she could knock him down if he wasn't on guard, but she looked like an absolute princess trying to get a rise out of him. Even the top of her head glistened gold in the sun, like a crown. He's an entire head taller than her, and she looked tiny to him.
The menacing fingers pointed at him were so small and delicate looking, he wanted to grab them and feel them. They look so soft…
WOAH. He's never even talked to this girl and here he is thinking about hand holding.
Instead, he surrendered himself by raising both arms up and yelled," PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" Happy, from the bench, also raised his paws in the air like his 'father' and meowed something in the same desperate tone.
'Luigi' was caught off guard," Huh? No-but what are you doing here?" she demanded while staring him down. Or is the right word, up?
Natsu was confused why she asked but answered her nonetheless," My house burned down, so my boss got me a new place here. This is Latham Hills right?" 'Luigi's' eyes, if possible, grew bigger at his simple response and backtracked her attitude.
"Your house burned down?" She looked concerned," I'm so sorry to hear that, that's terrible to happen to anyone…" 'Luigi' revved herself up again, "Everyone, including a PERVERT like you!"
He brought his hands up to his face, to protect his mug," No, I'm not! You knocked me out and didn't give me a chance to get my thoughts together. And they were right in my face! If anything!" He was now pointing at her," I should be mad at you!"
'Luigi' started sputtering," Well! But-but you know what you said but…you might be right." She looked terribly regretful as she looked to the ground contemplating her behavior. She looked up at him hopefully," I'm sorry I kicked you, then punched you and said these things. Then came here to attack you again. Sometimes I lack patience, but I promise I'm very nice!"
He chuckled at her resolve," Heh, I dunno' maybe I'll have to fact check you on that." She looked like she was about to protest," I'm kidding, you forgave me, so I'll forgive you. Deal?" He held out his hand.
She grinned at him," That's the quickest fight I've ever been in. But, okay! Deal." She shook his hand, looking nothing more than content. Natsu on the other hand, felt odd. He felt a little squirmy when her hand landed in his, it fit perfectly in his and there was a little electrical-like shock upon initial contact.
He let her hand go because he had a feeling if he kept touching it, he might try to ask her to hold it a little longer.
Her mouth formed a little o' when she realized something," I just realized something!" She did. "I didn't catch your name, sorry." 'Luigi' looked at him expectantly.
He smiled proudly at her, "My name is Natsu Dragneel."
Her expression immediately changed, and she resorted back to pointing at him. "Oh, my Mavis! You're- "
Scratching the back of his head almost bashfully, "Fairy Tail's Salamander, yeah but- "
"The guy who keeps breaking the cabbage man's stall!"
They both exchange a stupefied look before 'Luigi' continued," The cabbage man's stall, it has your name and it used to have a hand drawn pic but it was stupid because he made it look like you breathe fire and had horns."
Natsu was suddenly enraged and jumped into a stance," That old man needs to let things go, it's been years-"
'Luigi' interrupted him," Wait, can we go back to Fairy Tail? You're a member there?! I have a few friends there."
The two kept talking for hours outside and didn't realize until darkness shrouded them, letting them know that it's time to go inside.
'Luigi' in a panicked manner exclaimed, "Oh no! It's getting late, I should get going! It was nice talking to you, though! Salamander!" She snickered after over-enunciating his nickname.
Natsu pouted back at her," Hey, don't say it like that it's weird. But then again, you're pretty weird so it probably makes sense to you." 'Luigi' stuck her tongue out at him.
Taking a look around the now quiet road, "I can walk you home, it's pretty dark." He offered.
She laughed at his courtesy, "It would be too long and treacherous of a journey," then pointed directly across the street to an even bigger, newer, and shinier building," But I'll be fine." He laughed with her and realized maybe he could see her more often.
'Luigi', who had been introduced to Happy, had been cradling him in her arms. Natsu told her he never warms up to anyone so quickly, which was a lie. Happy would cuddle anyone or at least everyone at the guild, maybe never to an outsider so it's not a complete lie.
Natsu realized he's been holding his phone in his hand the whole time and he still needed to call Laxus to let him in. Groaning in exhaustion he was about to unlock the lacrima device but got an idea. He decided to kill two birds with one stone.
"Can I have your number?"
It was silent for a second when he asked and she looked at him curiously, as if not hearing what he said.
His face heated up after the words left his mouth, he didn't really think of any implications of his request but just wanted it. She gave him a small smile," Yeah, sure!" Thank Mavis, the creepy squirmy feeling in his stomach dissipated at those two words.
He handed her his phone in a giddy way, which was mirrored by 'Luigi' but when she faced his screen her expression dropped. He noticed immediately and prayed she wasn't looking at the picture of him dressed up as Erza.
She looked directly into his eyes and turned the screen towards him.
It was a picture of her insane cleavage.
He did not take that; he just had his phone in his hands the whole time, and it must've gone off while he was using them for gestures.
He looked behind the screen to explain himself-
SLAP.
He held his swollen cheek and saw her figure walking away from him to her building and for some wild reason, despite being incredibly crestfallen that he didn't get her number or name, he couldn't help but think-
'Damn, she has a great ass too.'