3rd Person POV
"I'm Lucy Heartfilia, I hope we can get along Lisanna..." Lucy trailed off.
"Strauss. Lisanna Strauss." Lisanna shook her hand, "Come to me whenever you want to know the deep dark secrets of everyone here,"
"I'm sure that won't be necessary, hehe," Lucy stepped back from the handshake and waved her hands frantically.
Lisanna smiled from ear to ear, "It will be absolutely necessary. I can give 10 good reasons to steer clear of Loke, you see he-."
Loke jumped behind Lisanna, covered her mouth and pulled her into a tight squeeze, "He has been the most polite and easy-going person in the whole wide world! Don't you mind Lisanna, she has schizophrenia,"
Lucy and Levy laughed lightly at their foolish antics.
"So, where's Natsu?" Lisanna asked after getting out of Loke's grip.
Lucy intently listened in on this, given the fact that everyone was here before herself and Natsu, it sounded odd that Lisanna knows Natsu unless the two were formerly acquainted before Lucy and Natsu joined Fairy Tail Corp.
"He went to talk to Cana," Loke told her, rubbing the back of his neck with slight annoyance, "These new changes are going to be hard to adjust to,"
"Tell me about it. Uncle Gil filled me in before I got here, what a mess," Lisanna rested her hands on her waist and sighed.
On the Roof of the Fairy Branch...
Cana pushed open the emergency door to the roof of the building. She breathed in and out, exaggerating her need for fresh air.
"That's that Magnolia air, so rich! And needed," Cana said as she loosened her suit jacket that began to gently move in the breeze.
Natsu leaned up against the wall, his pink hair blowing around in the air as Cana pulled out a bottle of whisky from her suit.
"Ugh, you're still drinking?" Natsu said with a disgusted tone.
"I am my father's daughter, of course I'm still drinking. But more about you and less about me, I was surprised when Dad told me you'd gotten into Fairy Tail Corp, Natsu," Cana lightly laughed as Natsu glanced at the ground.
"It weren't no easy trip, that's for sure, that Macao fella was a real trip in the interview," Natsu tutted, "He wanted to know every single thing about me, how much do you need to know about a person who came to do Business Analysis,"
"Saying that, did you even study Analytics?" Cana raised a brow at the pinkette who shook his head confidently.
"No! But Gildarts and I managed to squeeze 3 months of study in one week before I started," Natsu scratched the top of his head as he remembered the grueling experience.
"What?! 3 months?!"
Natsu nodded determinedly, although, it took one day of absolute crying before they actually got started since the two of them had no idea what they were looking at when doing the study.
"You and Dad haven't changed, still as idiotic as ever," Cana sighed, staring at Natsu as if there's no hope for him.
"Hey! Don't bunch me up with that moron," Natsu slouched over, "I'm at least three times less idiotic than he is. Even so, thanks to him, I belong to a respectable business, with a respectable pay, and position,"
Then Cana started laughing which made the pinkette raise his brow in complete confusion, "What's so funny?"
"Do you… hehe," Cana rubbed a tear from her eye, "Even know what Dad signed you up for?"
Natsu looked at Cana with worried brows, almost scared to get her answer.
"An analysis role… right?" Natsu smiled hesitantly.
"You're half right," Cana swirled the contents of her drink in her glass bottle, "Before joining a company, an employee does their research on said business, did you even search about Fairy Tail Corp?"
"They are a business that handles the funds of investors by selling them their services," Natsu responded.
"Correct. And do you know who our investors are?" Cana smiled from ear to ear.
"Hmmm, a lot of the top leagues in weapon & vehicle construction," Natsu answered confidently, "I've seen the charts when I analyse what our business needs, you know,"
Cana stared at him with a mocking smile which made Natsu confused and also annoyed.
"What are you-. What are you trying to say???" Natsu gritted his teeth with slight annoyance.
"The Fairy Tail Corporation has dealings with some very, very bad people!" Cana told him happily, grinning from ear to ear.
"Like???" Natsu's brows raised with heavy concern.
"You know, paramilitaries, assassins, spies, mafias, the whole lot," Cana shrugged her shoulders, returning back to drinking her alcohol, "A very respectable business, yes, but skeptical too when observed by fairly moral individuals."
Those words bounced around in Natsu's head as Cana's voice began to get quieter, and quieter.
Cana took a quick swig from her bottle, "We are at the top too, and there are some dangerous wolves at the top who want us gone like no other. We are spreading thin across all offices because we've had some fuck-face raid our warehouses. So sometimes you'll see one of us leave the office for some time to 'fix' those issues…"
Natsu's face turned white, completely, as his eyes rose to the top of his head and he toppled over, falling on his back with Cana just staring at him.
She stared down at him with humorous, slit eyes, "Really? You're so dramatic, Natsu. It's not even that bad, you're literally a part of the branch that doesn't have to get their hands dirty,"
She sighed heavily, the wind rushing past her, and blowing her suit jacket in the breeze, "I really don't want to carry this moron back,"
Roughly Two Hours Later – Natsu's POV
I gasped. Rising immediately in a cold sweat, I looked at my surroundings and noticed that I was in my apartment, tucked into my bed.
"I'm home… maybe a dream. Nope, nope… there it goes, my brain reminding me that I fell on my back…" I rubbed the back of my head.
I looked at my apartment and it was pretty much the same - untidy and all over the place.
I let out a yawn and glanced over at my phone that was sitting on the desk beside my bed, I picked it up and proceeded to turn it on.
"Only 7:00 PM… mmmm," I grumbled.
The weekend is almost near, what should I do…? I haven't seen Happy in a while.
The supermarket should still be open, right? I need to buy Happy's food.
"Oh, Mr Dragneel, you're awake!" The voice of Ms Heartfilia rang through my ears, I looked up to see her holding a pot of food whilst wearing an apron.
"About time," I recognised that voice and immediately turned to the source, and there she was, leaning by the frame that leads to the kitchen with that smug look that she always gives me.
It was so much of a surprise that I couldn't see anything else but her at that moment.
"Lis..." I said softly.
"Long time no see, Natsu,"
A Few Minutes Before… - 3rd Person POV
"So, on the weekends, you run a yoga class as well as a bakery class? You really are a busy bee, Lucy," Lisanna commented as she washed the dishes in Natsu's sink.
"Yeah, I like to occupy myself with different activities so I can broaden my horizon and keep being the best version of myself," Lucy said happily as she stirred the pot of spicy chicken noodle soup, "At first it is stressful, but knowing that people are relying on me gives me all the energy boost I need to be strong for them."
"I like your spirit, Lucy! I can tell you and I are going to be great friends," Lisanna said cheerfully as she began scrubbing one of the pots, "Feels like forever since I've been here,"
Lucy stared at the pot in front of her, watching the ingredients bumble in the giant hot pot, she glanced at Lisanna who was busy focusing on the pots.
"How much does one man eat to have to use more than five dishes, ugh," Lisanna muttered to herself as she went through the dishes.
Lucy's thoughts were wondering.
Who is Lisanna to Natsu? And is she going to be an issue in Lucy's pursuit of Natsu? Lucy was somewhat jealous of the silver-haired woman knowing Natsu before herself, but she didn't want to jump to conclusions before knowing who Lisanna is and what she wants with the pinkette.
"Are you and Mr Dragneel close friends?" Lucy asked with a happy face that suddenly turned neutral.
"More than friends, we grew up together," Lisanna responded without looking towards Lucy, "I met him at the age of 6 and we've been close ever since. I travelled to Edolas a few years back, but we kept in touch till he started working at the construction site, then from there he was constantly busy with that. I know so much about Natsu that he would never do anything to piss me off,"
"That's amazing. You two must have so many interesting adventures together!" Lucy replied in a neutral tone. Lucy decided to throw the big ball in to see what was what, "What made you two break up?"
Lisanna closed the water off and turned to Lucy with a serious face. Lucy was taken aback by this and didn't know how to react, so she instinctively stared back at her with a neutral expression.
The silver-haired woman began laughing and held her stomach, which made Lucy even more confused.
"That's the first time someone... has ever assumed that Natsu and I had that kind of relationship," Lisanna wiped a tear from her eye as she spoke in between laughing.
"Oh, hehe, really?" A sense of relief was lifted off of Lucy's shoulders and her bright smile returned to her face.
"Yep. Natsu and I are more like super besties! We grew up with each other like brother and sister, so it's not a surprise that someone would think we were dating," Lisanna said as she dried her hands.
"Thank god," Lucy whispered to herself. She fixed herself up and grabbed a cloth to carry the pot to the living room, "Let's get the table set up then. We should wake up Mr Dragneel now to eat,"
"Aye sir!" Lisanna said as she dried the sink before making her way out to the dining table.
"Oh, Mr Dragneel! You're awake," Lucy said cheerfully as Lisanna appeared behind her and leaned on the frame leading to the kitchen.
"About time," Lisanna smiled from ear to ear staring at the pinkette with a smug grin on her face.
"Lis..." Natsu said softly.
"Long time no see, Natsu," She said with an enticingly soft voice.
"What the heck are you doing at my house?!" Natsu said annoyed, "Who let you in?!"
"Seriously?! After so many years, that's how you say hello me?!" lisanna pouted at his response, "Is that how you respond to your long-time bestie after so long?!"
"Yeah!? You barely call me???" Natsu clutched his hair with both hands in disbelief.
"You barely call me?!!" Lisanna scolded him, "And the phone works both ways, Natsu!"
Lucy's POV
Natsu and Lisanna really are like siblings, they bicker like siblings at least.
"You could've at least told me that you were joining Fairy Tail Corp," Lisanna pouted cutely and folded her arms, deliberately nudging Natsu for his attention.
"And why would I waste my seconds of my life filling your ear with that useless information?" Natsu raised a brow at her.
"Because we are friends! Ughh! Has working at the construction site made you slow too," Lisanna sighed heavily whilst I slightly chuckled.
I know I shouldn't, but it's kind of a treat to watch these two interact.
I don't think I looked well at Natsu's apartment, it's untidy but also artistic in its own way, and it surely compliments the hardworking behaviour he shows off.
I walked around the dinner table to get a good look at everything.
It's smaller than my apartment, but I don't judge. Most of the flooring was covered with a cream carpet, but was painted with endless amounts of books, there was a smooth wooden bookcase that was also filled to the brim with books, poking out here and there, some even sitting on top of each other.
I never expected Natsu to read a lot, that's an extra point for attractiveness.
I glanced over at him and Lisanna who stood by the dinner table now.
"The food smells good~!" Natsu said as he had a taste of the noodles, "Mmm,"
"Tell me about it, Lucy sure knows her stuff," Lisanna added as she also took a taste of it.
"Mmm~." They both said in unison, and remained silent for a bit before Natsu spoke up again.
"Why are you still wearing the same tracksuit after all these years, Lis?" Natsu pinched her arm as he tugged at her tracksuit.
Lisanna yanked her arm away from him and pouted at him, "This is a pristine premium edition tracksuit! It's the same colour theme, but not the exact same tracksuit! It's not the same thing,"
Natsu rolled his eyes, "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. Weirdo,"
"You're the weirdo!" Lisanna fired back, "Don't let me remind everyone about the stupid outfit you once had with the fire patterns-."
Natsu clasped his hand on her mouth, showing off his gritted teeth, "Why do you still remember that you little-!"
He glanced around, his eyes landing on me as he gently waved, almost as if he wanted to keep that a secret.
I gently smiled and waved back at him.
Natsu and Lisanna were still going back and forth with each other after that, which I couldn't help having a giggle at.
They are a silly pair.
I picked up the books as I grazed past them and stacked them on the kitchen worktop neatly, I went over to the bookshelf and began ordering them.
Not to be nosey!
I'm just a very tidy person.
If we were together Natsu, I would organise all your books for you, keep your fridge stocked with food, I'll make you a meal every night, breakfast every morning, and a packed lunch for work.
But for all of that to happen, I need to know you.
I want to know you.
What do you like?
What do you hate?
How much do you eat?
What do you like to eat?
Any allergies?
Who are your friends?
What was school like for you?
Just anything to get a peak into your personal life.
But I'll wait for you to be comfortable telling me everything about you.
I'll do it right this time.
Take it slow and let everything come by naturally, I won't make the same mistake again...
Hopefully.
"Ms Heartfilia!" That handsome voice snapped me out of my trance.
"YES!" I turned around immediately to Natsu who was fully dressed and correcting his hair.
"What did I miss at the office? Anything important," Natsu stood shirtless before me, his body well-define in physique and detail, is that what he built at the construction site, hmm.
"Not much. We didn't speak about anything else after you left with Mrs Alberona, but I'll be joining your team in order to help with the cut down of employees in the office,"
"That means no slacking off," Lisanna karate-chopped the back of his head and Natsu just growled at her.
He smacked her hand off his head and pouted at her, "I don't slack off, I nap when necessary and work when needed – two different things, Lis!"
I didn't know a more fun side of Natsu existed especially with how focused he is at work, I guess you are not all around cold as you make yourself out to be.
I want to be able to draw that out of you just like Lisanna does.
Natsu fixed his collar as he pushed Lisanna to the side a bit, "Alright, I need to head out,"
"To the Supermarket, I need to pick up a few things," Natsu rubbed the back of his neck, "Wanna come?"
"Yes please," Lisanna answered sheepishly.
"Of course you will follow. Ms Heartfilia, would you like to join us?" Natsu turned to me
I remained quiet for a little bit, "You want me to come?"
"Might as well treat you to something for all this hassle, right? I doubt Cana dragged me here," He said with these hopeful eyes as if he was begging me to say yes.
"You got that right! She practically dumped you on our feet and ordered us to take you home," Lisanna grinned.
"Sounds just like her," Natsu said with lazy, slit eyes before he opened them and looked back up at me, "How about it, Ms Heartfilia?"
How can I refuse such an offer, Natsu, as long as I get to spend time with you then it's fine with me.
"Well, of course, thank you, Mr Dragneel,"
"Just call me Natsu," He said as he passed by me, making his way to the door.
You said it! You said it!
You gave me permission to call you by your first name!
Lisanna pranced up behind him, "What a gentleman for offering to pay for our food, Natsu-."
"Save it, Lis, you are paying for your food," Natsu opened the door wide and gestured for me to go before him.
I'm looking forward to this progression in our relationship, as long as I don't force anything and let it play out naturally then I should be fine.
3rd Person POV – At Magnolia Supermarket...
Natsu pushed the trolley along with Lisanna, who was walking beside him and dropping random items in the basket.
"Quit it, Lis," Natsu clicked his tongue.
"Come on, I haven't been in Magnolia for a while… they have so many new things here!" Lisanna's eyes sparkled at the items in the pet aisle.
"You don't even have a pet," Natsu growled lightly.
"Yeah… because WE have a pet. My little Happy! I haven't seen him in forever," Lisanna skipped along happily.
Lucy watched the two bicker on and on as they waltzed down the aisle, her eyes darting from Natsu when he began to speak then to Lisanna when she began to speak, and so on and so forth – she was starting to feel left out here, this is the closest she's been able to get to Natsu without him waving her away and going about his business, so she decided to jump in.
"Natsu, why exactly are we in the pet food aisle?" She asked politely.
"Oh yeah, I want to quickly fill up Happy's stash before Christmas rolls through," Natsu responded.
"Happy?" Lucy tilted her head to the side.
"He's our pet! What about you, Lucy? Do you have any pets?" Lisanna asked as she dumped another item in the basket.
"Stop, dammit..." Natsu whined as he put the item back.
"I have a small pup called Plue," Lucy responded as she was now walking right beside Natsu.
"Plue, huh? Sounds cute, he'll get along with our adorable Happy!" Lisanna exclaimed.
"MY adorable Happy," Natsu sighed before glancing at Lucy, "We found a newborn cat and raised it between each other when we were kids. He was a bundle of happiness according to Lisanna, so I named him Happy,"
Natsu reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
He handed it to Lucy who gently held his phone with care. The photo contained a blue cat who was sleeping in a customised blue basket with green-paw-coloured patterns.
"Awww, he's so cute!" Lucy exclaimed, she looked up from the phone at the pinkette, "Where is he now? I didn't see him in your apartment,"
"He's living with a family friend right now. I couldn't tend to him as much due to my job and all, so I visit him on weekends when I have the chance," Natsu pushed the trolley to a specific part of the aisle which he turned to and pulled out three stacks of boxes filled with treats.
"Worst. Idea. Ever." Lisanna said in a disappointed tone as she folded her arms followed by an annoyed pout.
Natsu rolled his eyes.
Lisanna slowed down her steps and took the trolley from Natsu, "Now, I'll go help myself to the delicacies in the other aisles. I assume that I have no budget,"
"You have a budge-" Natsu started but Lisanna slammed her finger against his lips and cheekily grinned.
"I have no budget? Thanks, Natsu! Awhh, you're the best," Lisanna cheered before rushing off with the trolley.
"You are going to get fat if you keep eating like that!" Natsu shouted.
"That's the point!" Lisanna shouted back.
Natsu tutted, "Moron,"
Lucy let out a small laugh, "Lisanna brings the best out of you, doesn't she?"
"The best? I'm not so sure about that, all she does is annoy me," Natsu said as he clicked his tongue and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Don't say that, she's your best friend," Lucy shook her head.
He rubbed the back of his head whilst looking on before glancing down at her, "Unfortunately. Can the same be said for you and Loke?"
"Hm," Lucy hummed as she looked up at the pinkette who continued speaking, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You seem to put up with him, so I guess he's your friend, but I don't know, he seems like a dick," Natsu tutted as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Always on my case for no fucking reason,"
Lucy could understand that, judging from the way Loke acted today, she knows that Loke isn't very fond of Natsu.
"Loke's not so bad," Lucy said calmly, trying not to pick sides on this one.
"Huuuh???" Natsu was slightly shocked by her answer but returned to a neutral expression, "Ugh, how can you be so lenient with his behaviour and spend a lot of time around him? Not that there is anything wrong with that, by the way."
"Hmmm, are you jealous, Natshuuu?" Lucy teased as she nudged his arm, "Ooo, are you worried?"
"Huh? No way, I'm just throwing it into the void on this one." Natsu continued to rub the back of his neck. They exited the aisle and made their way to the snacks aisle where Lisanna would definitely be.
"I just feel like it's a group you may not want to hang around with for too long," Natsu said with a very neutral tone. Despite not knowing much about Lucy, he wasn't afraid to speak the truth.
He saw promise in Lucy and wanted to at least advise her on how to traverse the office, even though he was as new as she was, he felt like with as much as he has observed this month, he can say something.
"As you already know, I'm not quite the popular type at work so instead I just observe from the wayside. I find that much better than flocking around the office with Loke and his silly bunch," Natsu continued.
"By silly bunch, does that also include me?" Lucy joked.
"At first it did, but after you demonstrated your dedication to helping others, I decided you weren't a part of Loke's flock, a flock of lazy bastards and self-absorbed pricks. Sorry, it's not my place to pry into who you hang around, I just wanted to see where your mind is at," Natsu closed his eyes.
"Not at all, I'm learning so much just listening to you. I'm glad we are having this conversation, it just shows that you aren't as cold as everyone says you are," Lucy said as she also sat back, she looked up at the clouds, "A workplace with colleagues that encourage hard work is the place I find myself more comfortable at. Watching you, Mrs Scarlet and Mr Fullbuster work so hard makes me want to be that supporting beacon for people like Loke,"
Natsu nodded gently. He was impressed with her response and did something that brought great joy to Lucy's heart.
He smiled. But not just any smile, a bright, white, toothy smile, "Then let's work hard together, Lucy Heartfilia!"
Lucy felt the blood rush to her face, her face tinted pink and her heart beating faster than before.
She was happy because she got two things from today:
To see Natsu's smile and say his first name with no hesitation.
It looked like her lucky stars were giving her a second chance and lighting her way, she did not doubt that Natsu was that special person she had been searching for and to have him talk a little bit about himself here and there, left the blonde open to learning more about him.
"Aye!" Lucy responded with a joyful expression on her face.
To Be Continued