The Fated Encounter

Words That Never Were

"Show me outside." He gently pulls you from your seat. Was this really happening? You opened your mouth to object only to be interrupted by the booming voice from the dungeons.

"Natsu Stop." It was Erza. She looked as though she held a fire that threatened to engulf the guild in it's entirety. "She's not even healed yet. Let her relax." You look up at him -- having been staring down at your bare feet. He spoke to the devastatingly beautiful woman without saying word. His eyebrows furrowed the longer they stared at each other. 

Natsu shook his head, letting one of your hands free. "It's not going to be a fight. I just want to see this 'contact magic'." You felt your heart pound. These two were much stronger than you and not just magic wise. Suppose if they were to begin brawling?

You put your hand on his chest.  Hoping this gesture would calm the storm bubbling just beneath the surface, you gave him a fawning look. "Maybe later?" And just like that, his anger dissipated,  leaving him aghast in a web of lawless emotion. 

He stood, inert, as Erza grabbed his vest. His eyes never leaving you, he looked more and more like he had just lost all liking for mankind. Erza breathed the words she was choosing into his ear. You suspected that whatever they were they caused his misanthropic look -- it was a logical assumption, right? 

You backed up from them,  Natsu letting your other hand fall limply at your side. It did not take but a moment for the interaction to end -- when it did,  it was almost close to an eerie calm where the hum of life was gone.

Natsu gave Erza an smoldering look. "It was nice meeting you, (Y/n)." He started to walk backwards, taking one last glance at you before correcting himself.

You took a few steps after him for a reason you could not rightly explain. "Where are you -" Before you past her, Erza took your wrist. You watched as Natsu pulled the door open and slipped outside.

--

A few days pass. Not one hide nor hair of Natsu. What did she say to him? You sprayed the counter with a bottle of cleaner -- the wash cloth soaking up the lavender scented liquid.

You had been working as a server with Mira -- master Makarov had been keeping an eye on you for any health problems. With being counter staff, you had gotten to know all of the members of Fairy Tail. Mostly on their drink schedules.

"I haven't seen Natsu in a while." Lucy tapped the counter in a rhythmically.

You grab her empty glass, she had been drinking carbonated water -- her usual at this time of day. "Me neither," You didn't want her to see your irrational concern for him -- you kept your head down and your hands busy. "Not since Erza whispered something to him a few days ago." You didn't think that it would be problematic to just ask but if she wanted everyone to know she would have it said it aloud.

It was just then, you had a thought. "Suppose Happy knows where he is?" You looked around for him. He was playing a card game with Komo -- Lily and Carla helping him win against Happy.

Lucy, after swallowing her sip, calls the cat over. Happy's usual smiling self was but a curious shell. It was almost like he had a foresight of what you were going to say once he had reached the counter. "I haven't been able to get Natsu out of the house lately. He's sad about something but he wont tell me." You nod. There was no other explanation but to come to the rational conclusion that it was in fact Erza. Though,  through the days of serving everyone, you know Erza is second in command. She is the Fairy Queen.

You began to order glasses while listening to Lucy's life rants. She spoke of her many complaints about her land lord -- mostly of her raising the rent 200 jewel.

Just as she started another rant, the guild doors opened. It wasn't unusual for it too, of course, but the one who opened it was the person you've been looking for. His head is down as he made his way further into the guild. He didn't look about the hall until he was completely down the stairs. Almost on instinct, his eyes found yours. But it wasn't the immediacy of it that was a bolt in the blue,  it was the way they embraced you. It was so natural -- almost like finding two puzzle pieces that fit. But that moment of abiding intimacy was cut short when the blue exceed drew his attention away.

"I'll be right back." Lucy pushed her glass away from the edge. She jumped from the stool, her keys smacking against each other. You couldn't help but to wonder what it was like to be summoned as they were. What happens if they were doing something important?

In your mist of thought,  you felt eyes burning through you. You mustered up the will to peek up. Natsu looked away just as you found him. He looked awkward for a bit after, almost like he had done something wrong. You picked up a glass. You wanted to see what was going on but didn't want to be creepy.

'They're just talking.' You grabbed another glass. 'Probably about Lucy's rent.' You giggled stupid to yourself as you though about how talkative she can be. 

"Hi, (Y/n)." You flinched, the glass slipping from your hand to ultimately shatter into a myriad of shimmering shards.

You immediately crouch down, picking up the largest pieces first. "I apologize." You see a shadow pass over as Nastu leaning on the counter.

"Hang on. Let me get a broom." You tried to get the pieces up before he got back. The thought of being in this confined space about made your heart cavort for reasons unknown. "Okay." You peer up at him, an act which made Natsu lose his grip on the mini metal broom that was attached to the dustpan. "Sh-" he took a breath. "Shoot." He sat on his knees next to you. You didn't notice you were white knuckled while gripping the shards because you more focused on how his hands trembled as he tried to separate the broom and pan. Natsu mumbled to himself.  You didn't think it was strange more relatable if anything. The more he struggled the more his hands shook.

"I can do that, if you would like." You gave him the fawning look again. He simply closed his eyes, an obvious attempt to collect himself.

His eyes opened. "Please." You took the broom and pan from him. It was kind of cute how he was stumbling.

You managed to separate them and clean the glass while Natsu offered to throw it away and put the broom away. You couldn't help but to think of how aiding he was.

Though, once the broom was away, he began to go back over to Lucy and Happy again. "Natsu wait.." You Touched his arm. You were amazing by how toned it was. "What did Erza say to you the other day?" You felt like you crossed a line by the slight face he made.  You let his arm go then added "if you dont mind my asking."

He looked at you. His eyes were lively -- you could feel his euphoria at the small touch. "She just needed to tell me something." Natsu gives you a wink before heading back toward the oddly excited pair -- Happy and Lucy. 

"Are we missing a cup?" It was Mira. She had an odd ability to appear out of nowhere. It was rather fascinating but also a bit frightening.

"I broke it. I'm sorry." You fiddled with your thumbs.  How did she know? There were damn near a hundred of them but if one goes missing.

She giggles. "You know." She stands next to you. Nonchalantly cleaning the counter. "I have a hunch that there a certain fire dragon that many have a crush on you."

You look at her. "What makes you think that?" You could feel your cheeks burning as She explains Natsu's normal behavior. That since he brought you back, he's done nothing but make it comfortable for you -- or so he thought. Mira also goes on to say that it's already noon and he's not starting a guild brawl. 

"Not to mention he glows everytime anyone says anything about you, or hints your name." Mira has said this before. In the past few day of your working with her, she's paired everyone with everyone -- some she's drawn with a light pen. "Its just my observation." She says as she goes off to serve the master his twelve o'clock drink. 

XxTo Be ContinuedxX