〘 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 〙

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"The guild is being way too loud than usual, "Aevy muttered as she and Cael hid inside your coat to prevent themselves from colliding with a large object; a table for example.

"Did some members have a fight?"

Quirking one of your eyebrows in question while standing right in front of the large doors of the guild. Eventually, you shrugged it off and opened the door slowly to step inside the building.

However, as soon as you do, your eyes immediately landed on the bickering boys which are Gray and- Who is that pinkette kid? You could say the rare color of his hair is the main reason why he caught your attention.

As much as you love to greet everyone else, their boisterous voices are getting annoying that you immediately make your beeline over to the Master's office.

The other guildmates who have noticed someone's presence snickering to themselves, couldn't wait for the disaster that was soon to occur.

"Hey, dumbass! Just admit that you ate my food!"

"It's not me, ice princess! You probably ate it without you noticing it!"

"Did not!

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did to-!"

Your gaze fell on the red-headed girl when she stomped her feet in their direction.

"Can you guys cut the crap already?!"Erza's voice boomed.

You watch her grabbing a fistful of their hair to slam their skull against each other which brought not only pain but also stars in their view. Their agony scream echoed throughout the building while their bodies rested on the floor, holding their head due to the impact.

Your hand still holding the door knob of the office, their scream also leads you to winch without noticing, as if you could feel their pain.

"Ow! It's hurt!"

"Argh!"

"Well, that's what they got for causing a ruckus, I guess."You chuckled and disappeared into the room to give your reports to the old man with the sound of them getting themselves lectured by the female fades into the background.

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"You're not Erza."The unfamiliar boy declared the fact when you told him to stop fighting and narrowed his eyes, "Who the hell are you?"

Except receiving the cold gesture from the anonymous, you received another exciting male voice that finally welcomed your return with open arms you could see the tears in the corner of his eyes when he jolted back up to his feet,

"[Y/N]! You're back!"

"Oh, I want to hug you but please wear your shirt first."You smiled as you simply ducked down to dodge his hug attack while his lips erupted into a bashful grin, looking around to search for his clothes.

The others soon greeted you with a broad smile on their faces, hugging both Erza and Cana and you gave your book to the little Mcgarden who wrapped her small arms around your waist in glee.

There's still one person who hasn't greeted you as he remained far from the crowd that was formed around you and could only watch the scene with an envious stare. Various questions about you flooded his mind.

Until you walked up to him.

"Hey, kid. I'm just going to ignore what you just said to me just now. So what's your name?"

Kid? He would retort but indeed you're in a position to fall him that when you're standing taller than him. He will admit that but only slightly, okay?

"...Natsu.. Dragneel." He quietly mumbled.

"Well, Natsu, is it? Your smell is different."You declared and as if in a cue, his whole face flushed red in embarrassment at your bold statement.

"Wha-?!"

"What's your magic?"

Your question immediately; slightingly- reduced the redness on his face. He was hesitated to tell it while you patiently waiting for him to reply. The others only watch you two from behind.

But he currently has his dilemma. The first time he told anyone about his magic, he would receive a laugh. He was sure people would call him a liar.

"A... Fire Dragon... Slayer..."He replied hesitantly, slowly looking up to see your expression that had your smile completely dropped from your lips while disbelief was all written on that beautiful face of yours.

"No way!"

See? You're the same with anyone el-

"That's awesome!"

"Huh?"His eyes widened in bewilderment and snapped his head up to look at the broad grin that was etched on your physiognomy.

"You didn't find it ridiculous?"He questioned when your hands securely wrapped around his, head shaking to deny his words,

"Why would I when we're the same!"

"You mean..."His eyes now could be compared with a full moon with a huge grin finally plastered on his lips. Excitement flashed on his face, replacing his previous expression.

"Yes, I am-"

"Oi, [Y/N]! Master is calling you!"Laxus's loud voice cut off your words as your head craned over to look at his office that's on the second floor.

"Another quest?"You muttered to yourself with a frown and shot the male in front of you an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Natsu, I need to go."

His smile dropped once you released your grasp from around his hands, giving the raven-haired boy - who has been waiting for you to hug him with his arms wide open for a good five minutes- a quick hug to which he no longer pays attention to it.

Until a hand was felt on the top of his head and ruffled his soft salmon-haired locks,

"See you later. I'm [Y/N], by the way. Nice to meet cha."

With that, you immediately rushed over to the second floor, leaving the others to stare at your retreating back and flushed pink boy that has his face now matched with his hair.

But instead of you going into the office, he noticed you went inside another room, watching you trying to stop the tall blonde teen from stepping through it from the first floor.

You eventually won the short battle by slamming one of your heels onto his feet, making him let out a shrill cry of pain before closing the door on him and shooting him a smug grin.

"Hey, pervy flasher."

"The heck you want, flamebrain."He retorted with the same tone without looking at the boy next to him.

"Why did she enter that door?"

Gray turned his head around to the mentioned room and shrugged.

"Well, she told me that that door connected with one of the doors in her house on an unknown island."

"How's that possible?

"Door crossing, I think. According to her, she's the only one who can access inside after she casted a spell on it. If anyone else tries to open the door, we will meet in an empty small room like storage or something. Alas, we're forbidden to go to the second floor anyway."

Not saying anything afterwards, the two remained their gaze on your figure when you walk inside the office. Only to bolt out from the room as if in a hurry while a large cloak engulfed your body and put on the hood that covers half of your face not long after.

"Gotta go, jewels waiting, ciao!"

That's the only thing you said when you dashed past them, leaving behind some dust and he faintly could smell something burning in his nostrils.

"Welp, there she goes."Gray huffed with arms crossed and spun his heels around to leave when the pinkette's voice stopped him,

"When is she coming back?"

"Probably 3 months starting from today."

"3 months?!"The male screamed with eyes almost bulging out from his sockets.

"I said 'probably' didn't I?!"The ice wizard emphasized the word before the two bumped their hard heads; which contain nearly nothing - against each other.

But Erza is there to save the guild.

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For 3 months, the young dragon slayer would wait in front of the guild doors for any sight or hint of your scent the least.

And exactly 3 months later, you came back.

But he didn't expect to greet you on the shoulder of a tall guy with dark-orange hair, barely conscious-no, screw that. Completely unconscious.

"Who the hell are you and why are you carrying her like that?!"He screeched while pointing his index finger at the adult who later blinked and scratches his jaw with his other free hand; as the other one is holding your back to prevent you from falling- in confusion while Natsu keeps causing a ruckus.

"Who is this shithead?"

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"He basically kidnapped me!"Your voice echoed that followed by the sound of your fist slamming against the wooden counter. Annoyed surely laced in it.

Despite smiling, the person who has the 'Master' title is now sweating profusely.

"Now, now... Let's settle this in peace."

"Hahaha!"

"Don't 'hahaha' with me, old stager!"You snapped your head at Gildarts, "I already told you when you found me that I was going to sleep! But you suddenly lift me on your shoulder and told me to have a rest by knocking me out cold!"

"Of course, I must do that. I wouldn't let my daughter sleep without any protection from meeee!"

"I'm not your daughter."You groaned, stopping him from saying any words by pinching both his cheeks hard, stopping immediately afterwards due to the stinging sensation on your fingers because of his goatee.

"Remind me not to touch your face again."You mumbled while looking down on your now red hands in remorse.

"[YYYY/NNNN]."

Jumping off from the barstool, you ignored his childish whine even the single tear in the corner of his eye to gain your unavailing sympathy, making a beeline over to the Dragneel who has been staring since the moment you regained your consciousness.

As you took the empty seat next to him, you inquired a question while rummaging your bag,

"Where is Gray? Or Erza?"

"Out. Doing mission."

"So they ditched you?"You cracked up a laugh that you couldn't contain, making his whole face flushed red in both fuming and embarrassment.

"N-No! I'm the one who ditched them!"He scoffed, making a 'humph' sound while turning his head away and his simple action managed to crack up to another laugh from your lips. He was about to vow to himself to never open his eyes, but his curiosity got the best of him when you placed something in front of him.

Slowly, one of his eyes took a little peek to look at the object when both his eyes ended up open in the size of a full moon.

A brand-new white baseball ball[?].

"I bought this on my way back from the quest."You explained whilst grinning softly, watching his eyes getting slightly teary,

"A simple welcome present from me. Let's play catch together when we have some free time."

You assumed it was the first time in his life to have a present from someone else by seeing how speechless he was.

Now, where did you put your light pen? You would like to paint his face- Oh, never mind. Reedus already did that for you. You probably would buy the picture from him; he would still give you that for free though- before Natsu finds out.

"But that old codger over there perhaps wants to play with us."You exclaimed with a crooked smile, thumb pointing over to the S-Class Mage who now has his face lights up and a goofy smile adorned his lips by your words.