#blazingdestiny

but she definitely doesn’t need to flaunt like that now that the job is done.

don’t let it bug you, don’t let it bug you, don’t let it . . . lucy mentally lectures herself, arguing that she has no reason to be so put - off by someone acting in such a manner. she’s being ridiculous! her and natsu aren’t even ─

she finally breaks as the stranger takes another step forward, much too close, arms laced strategically behind her back as her shoulders move backwards, frame bobbing lightly as she laughs at something natsu’s said. the celestial mage clears her throat, crossing the distance between them in a few bounds. immediately, she wraps her arms around one of natsu’s in a familiar gesture that hopefully won’t stand out to him too much and offers a brilliant smile, much to the stranger’s clear dismay.

[weak smile]

Puck was raised by his brother, and in turn helped raise his sister until the both of them died. Taking on a semi-parental role planted a little seed that decides he needs to help others... sometimes  (+plus his already ‘I need to be useful to others in order to have meaning’ thing he has going on).

Basically speaking it’s a sort of... pick-and-choose kind of deal. Most of the time he isn’t half bothered to help people out, but with friends or those who click something in his brain, somewhere deep down, he’s definitely a “you’re stuck with me until i figure out how to help you!” kinda guy.

his appearance isn’t a surprise ─ naturally, they’d been spending a lot of time together ever since natsu’s arrival to the city. of course he’d show up on christmas day! what is surprising, though, is the gift he extends to her. blinking, lucy accepts the gift. she stares at the box and wrapping and it’s done in such a natsu - like way that he could have presented her with the box alone, and she’d feel elated. nonetheless, with a smile, lucy carefully peels back the wrapping, treating that in itself as a prized possession. it’s obvious he’s put work into it, after all. 

slowly, the mage unveils the gift inside. a scarf. moreover ─ handmade. it’s not hard to put together the amount of effort that was used to make it. lucy pictures natsu, normally so erratic and hyper, sitting down and focusing long enough to knit her such a gift. the love and care that went into it is as apparent as his dedication to his friends and the guild ─ so, massive. her heart swells with bliss as she wraps herself with the article ( one that closely resembles natsu’s scarf … and given how important it is, she feels honored ). she takes a few moments of silence to take in the feeling of it and how much the gift means ─ at least this way, she can blame the warmth quickly coming to her face on the added layer of clothing. 

❝ natsu, i … ❞ she stalls, unsure of how to begin to properly thank him. actions speak louder than words, though ─ almost instinctively, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, lucy takes a few steps forward and stands on her toes, placing a gentle, quick kiss on the fire mage’s cheek. she steps back, her face immediately flushing a deep pink. despite this, she’s smiling like a total fool. 

she really shouldn’t complain ─ rent is non - existent, giving lucy more financial freedom than she’s had in a while( though, she’s gotta admit, there’s something she misses about frantically running about missions to make the monthly payment. something … nostalgic ). but she has to admit, the temporary lack of electricity and, by extension, heat has been very irritating! if they’re going to kidnap her and force her to live in the city, the least they could do is provide the basics! but it’s only temporary, so she tries to avoid thinking on it too much. 

that doesn’t change the fact that it’s freezing in her room! 

she’s bundled herself under all her blankets but they can’t fully protect her from the chilly winter air. it’s pretty difficult to relax but eventually and miraculously, exhaustion consumes her and she drifts off into an uncomfortable, light slumber. she finds herself waking up a few times, having to readjust her blankets to gather warmth. thankfully, she’s able to get comfortable and sleep undisturbed.

… the morning makes it very clear that there had been more than blankets at work overnight to create a peaceful sleeping setting. 

somehow, she doesn’t panic. there’s another person in her bed and, any other time, her reaction would be a furious panic as she would have no second thoughts about attacking the intruder. but there’s no emotion akin to that ─ instead, lucy feels content and safe. she knows these arms well. the feeling that arises is familiar and warm; literally and figuratively. she feels as if she vaguely recalls being aware of him coming into her room in the middle of the night but since it’s natsu, there was no warrant for panic, and so she was immediately able to rest and drift back into a much - needed sleep. but that’s all a sleepy haze, perhaps, since he’s a presence of comfort … 

but now that she’s woken up and becoming increasingly aware of what’s going on and how close they are, lucy feels her heart racing ─ strange, considering this isn’t the first time he’s broken in and it’s not the first time they’ve been this close. yet she finds herself completely flustered, red spreading to her cheeks. suddenly, she’s grateful that he seems to be sleeping as deeply and contently as she had been not too long ago, safe and secure and warm …

ah.

she wiggles a bit, testing to see if he’ll wake up from the slight jostling. once she’s confident he won’t be bothered, lucy slowly maneuvers herself out of his arms and out of the bed. oh, how she wants to stay. finally, she looks down upon his sleeping figure. the color in her cheeks has yet to leave and her heart still doesn’t seem to slow, yet a smile makes it’s way onto her expression as she begins to connect the dots. he really is always looking out for her.

❝ thank you, natsu. ❞ words spoken hardly above a whisper as she pulls the blankets back over him. tentatively, she’s still. things seem frozen as her mind whirls. slowly, she leans forward, closer … and quickly pulls back, gnawing her lips. instead, she brushes some bangs out of his face before quickly retreating out of the room and into the kitchen. 

       ❛ You look like some cosplayer or something, are you supposed to be in from some anime? Manga? I would say gacha but I play a ton of gacha and I never have seen your face before~ ❜ He meets his eyes with a grin in his own. Ukon tips his head, as though this very simple question was not so simple. 

“Don’t worry ruby! I’ll do my best to get out shop that victory!”

sidekicks : 6 / 8 filled !

          ❛ i do but – ❜ did this guy even read the requirements for the job posting…? she needed someone who could do more than just melt stuff… wasn’t that what a furnace was for? though now that she thinks about it, if this guy could control fire and heat, WPNS might be able to save a lot on using the furnace. plus, she could always teach him the basics until he gets the hang of it. even still, the owner can’t help but be hesitant. but if he was this enthusiastic about trying out for the position, ruby’ll give him a shot. it’s the least she can do.