Work Text:
Sometimes, Natsu hated the idea of money. Just whose big idea was it that we needed to have things like money in order to trade for things that will aid in survival? He hated it because that meant that he had to work for his money instead of doing the things he wanted to do. Things like being able to at least still be in bed by 5am. But no, he had to set up this stupid coffee shop that he worked in. The worst part about it was he was working with people from his younger days who he just despised.
He yawned loudly as he was getting the stock ready when his manager and colleague tutted at him.
“Oi, no yawning dickhead. You weren’t even on time.”
Natsu would have lunged at Gray if it weren’t for the simple fact that Erza was right there. That and he was so damn tired.
Erza nodded in agreement. "Yes, no yawning on the job, Natsu. I can't have you sounding as if you don't want to be here."
"That's because I don't ," he muttered darkly to himself. He saw Erza turn around to glare at him and he wondered just how much neck strength for that not to not phase her. He cringed at the thought of him trying that.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
"That's what I thought."
Gray snickered at him and Natsu just stuck up his middle finger before Gray disappeared into the kitchen to get started on some pastries. Erza gave Natsu a look that told him to stop being childish before she went to go and help Gray out.
When she turned around, Natsu rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her. He saw her stiffen and he quickly turned back around to continue with what he was doing. He didn’t really know how she did it, but she was able to sense when he was being rude behind her back.
Still, Natsu was surprised that he had been able to hold such a job as this one down. He didn't really have the attention span or patience to keep a job, but he needed to get his priorities straight. He was more than ready to move out of his parents house as they were just driving him insane. He knew that he was going to need a job to start paying bills and his rent. He also didn't want to be compared with Zeref anymore. His perfect older brother could do no wrong. It was annoying. He was sick and tired of hearing that shit.
He grabbed the box of cold drinks and shoved them all in the fridge, sniffing deeply when he could smell the invigorating scent of freshly roasted coffee beans. The smell alone was enough to wake him up properly without having to consume the drink. He sighed to himself, hoping that this day could just end already.
~x~
Juvia sighed in frustration when she realised that she couldn’t find exactly where she had put her coffee machine. She had just moved from Oaktown to Magnolia and she had been procrastinating when it came to unpacking all her boxes. She did the important things like bed, TV, toiletries, a few pots and pans and plates. Everything else was still wrapped up tightly in bubble wrap and cardboard.
She debated starting her day without the said drink, but she quickly discarded that thought. That would not be happening at all. She needed as much caffeine as she could get if she was going to start at her new school. It wasn’t really the job she wanted to do as she didn’t go to university to study meteorology just to become a swimming coach, but she would rather be a swimming coach than be told that she should just become a weather girl because she has the looks for it.
She grunted in annoyance at the memory before shaking off her anger. Either way, she wanted to check out Magnolia’s meteorologist office and see if she could hand in her CV there and work in the local Secondary school in the meantime.
“For now though, it’s time for a coffee.”
She had spied a place a few roads over when she was driving the moving truck down to her new place. She could easily walk there for her coffee and then be on her way to the school that wasn’t far away. She had been there a few times already, introducing herself to the school swim team at the end of the last school year before they broke up for the summer holidays so that they would know they’re getting a new swim coach.
Juvia’s reputation precedes her in the swimming world. She had gotten a gold medal in swimming in the youth Olympics and she had won many other titles in many other swimming competitions. Many people had been excited, thinking that she would go into the real Olympics, but they had been disappointed when she didn’t continue. Not like she cared, it was her life after all. Hell, even her parents didn’t care that she didn’t continue. Whatever made her happy was their priority. She still trained hard and the kids at Fairy Academy were still excited to see her.
She smiled, her nerves falling away. There was no need to be nervous about her day. She was going to make a great first impression and then none of the kids would give her a hard time. She remembered just how crazy school kids can actually be. Especially if she had to deal with anyone who would end up being like her best friend, Gajeel Redfox.
Pulling open the door, Juvia stepped into the place and was immediately met by the sound of soft, smooth sounding jazz and the aroma of coffee. She raised an eyebrow in surprise, wondering who the hell would wake up this early just to lounge around in a coffee shop on a weekday.
Ignoring the music, she moved up towards the line. There were already three people in front of her and she hoped that whoever the barista was wouldn’t take too long. She wanted to get to the school and settle in before she met with the teens that she would be dealing with.
There was a guy who was standing off to the side, clearly having said his order and was now waiting for it and the guy who was now in front was humming at the board above the barista's head, clearly unable to pick what he wanted. Juvia couldn’t help herself as she made an off handed comment under breath saying “hurry the hell up.”
The silver haired man in front of her snorted as he turned back towards her. “Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I’m a little late for work today and this guy ain’t helping. Plus, Natsu’s working the tills and making the coffees until it picks up a little later. You just know we’re gonna be here for a while.”
Juvia blinked, shocked that the guy had even said so much to her on a Monday morning. “Oh, so you’re a regular here?”
The man nodded and Juvia noted that he looked around her age, but she wasn’t too sure. “Yep, here every morning to get my coffee and piss off my brother, Gray, if he’s here. It’s a win win. Natsu does make the best blend though, so if you’re new here, you’re gonna have the best first coffee from this place. The name’s Lyon by the way.”
Juvia nodded slowly, taking in all the information. She looked over his shoulder at the back of the head of the man who was still taking his time to pick an order. The barista was now engaging in some friendly conversation with him and Juvia rolled her eyes.
Eventually, the man who was waiting for his drink got it, the other man ordered and the line moved forward. It was now Lyon’s turn to order his drink. He didn’t even say anything as Juvia watched the pink haired man light up with a gleam in his eyes and a smirk on his lips. Juvia’s eyes widened as she stood there a little stunned. He wore a black shirt and a name badge that read ‘Natsu’ on the left side. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and Juvia bit her bottom lip at the sign of the veins that were visible on his arms. Oh God, he definitely had the body of a god under there, didn’t he?
“Yo, Lyon. Same as always? An Americano as black as your soul?”
“Very funny, idiot. Where’s Gray?”
“In the back, bumming around. He’s prepping the food and shit with Erza. I’m glad to be out here.”
They were talking as Natsu was making the other man’s order first. Juvia couldn’t help herself as she was mesmerised by his every movement. The way he stretched out for a cup and grabbed the syrup, he wasn’t even doing anything and she still found him hot. The way her heart was beating, it barely even beat like this after a hard swimming session!
Juvia felt a presence approaching from behind her and Lyon turned around to talk to her with a smirk. “See, he’s so slow.”
Juvia found herself nodding her head absentmindedly before realising that Lyon was giving her a strange look. She watched as his eyes went past hers and he stood up straight. Juvia couldn’t help but turn around to see who had made him react like that.
It was a woman with hair pinker than Natsu’s and her hair was in a high ponytail. It was beautiful as it flowed down her back in a way that Juvia could only wish happened to hers. Her red eyes swept over Juvia before looking back at Lyon. Juvia almost flinched at the dismissive way she had cut her eyes from her.
“Meredy! Morning!”
“Hmm. New friend of yours?”
“You know me, I’m just chatty. How are you?”
“Thirsty.”
Juvia blocked out their conversation as she realised what was going on here. They liked each other and they were dancing around each other. Furthermore, this Meredy woman clearly thought that her and Lyon were flirting with each other or something!
“I hope Natsu doesn’t think that’s the same thing happening here either.”
Juvia watched as the man who had been indecisive about his order had finally grabbed his drink and sailed past the three of them still in the line. Lyon immediately moved over to the side, seeing as Natsu knew his order. Meredy must have given her attention to her phone because Lyon soon turned back around to Natsu.
“Dude, Meredy is here!” Natsu whispered. Juvia was still close enough to hear it though as she tried to look up at the board to see what she should order. She was trying her best not to stare at Natsu, but it was proving difficult.
“I know!” Lyon whisper-shouted back. “She didn’t seem so happy to see me this morning though. She was even more rigid than usual.”
“Because she thought we were flirting, Lyon. You guys are hopeless and I’ve only seen you guys interact for like five minutes,” Juvia thought to herself. She found her gaze dropping down to Natsu before she occupied herself with the board again.
“Well it is Monday. And maybe your face just pissed her off. You’re pretty ugly, man.”
Lyon bristled and Juvia actually wanted to laugh. She could hear the cheekiness in Natsu’s tone and she decided that she liked that. Another barista finally showed up with a whole tray full of delicacies and Juvia appreciated his dark features. He was usually the type of guy that she had a thing for and she could see where he was attractive, but she was so drawn to Natsu that she didn’t even care about who this guy was.
“Morning, dickhead.”
The second barista paused and scowled at Lyon who smirked and waggled his fingers. This was clearly his brother, although they didn’t really look alike.
“Aww fuck, who let their dog in here?”
Juvia could sense a huge argument brewing instead of her coffee, so she politely cleared her throat to gain all three of their attention. Once she had it, she could help but squirm under their gaze as she blushed. She wanted their attention and now she got it, although it was definitely because Natsu was looking right at her that she was blushing.
“Ano, Juvia is kind of in a rush, so can you please take your argument elsewhere?”
Lyon scrambled upright. Juvia almost clicked her tongue at him. “So much for in a rush. Although he did say he managed to make time to piss off his brother.”
Meredy chuckled from behind her and Juvia couldn’t help but look back. Red clashed on blue and the condescending look was gone. Her gaze was a lot friendlier than at the start.
“Putting Lyon in his place on a Monday morning? I like you.”
“Hey,” the said man whined and Juvia stepped forward to take her order with a smile.
Now she was standing directly in front of Natsu with just the till in their way. “Holy fuck, he’s even more mesmerising up close!” Juvia could now smell the cologne on him. It was a nice earthy and spicy scent that she couldn’t get enough of. She almost leaned in as gave her order.
“Sorry about the hold up there, miss. What wouldya like?”
“Ano, Juvia would like a strong mocha with an espresso please.”
Natsu raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Why so much coffee but also chocolate?”
With Gray now out, he was there to help make the orders. Juvia was elated that Natsu had also decided to talk to her. She wasn’t going to waste this opportunity, that’s for sure!
“Juvia is a swim coach and she’ll be starting at a new school today. She needs all the coffee she can get, but still wants something a little sweet.”
Natsu perked up. “Fairy Academy?”
She nodded her head. “The very one. Juvia recently moved from Oaktown. Juvia is looking for other jobs as well. Jobs that have to do with the field that Juvia studied in, but Juvia is content with being a swim coach for now.”
“Wow, I went to that school when I was younger. You’ll definitely see my name engraved into a few walls here and there.”
He cackled like a mad man and Juvia couldn’t help herself as she giggled along with him. His eyes glinted at the sound of her laugh, almost as if he were excited that he had made her laugh along with him.
“So what did ya study then?”
“Meteorology. Basically it focuses on the weather.”
She had seen how confused he looked when she said it, but her simple explanation made him light up in recognition. She then watched as his eyes flittered over her face and down her body, almost as if he were checking her out before they snapped back up to her eyes, an easy grin on his face.
“Well I hope you find whatever job it is you’re looking for. You seem like a hardworking girl, you’ll get the job, promise.”
He threw her a wink and Juvia’s heart almost tumbled out of her chest. He turned back around when Gray announced that the order was done and he grabbed a napkin. He pulled a pen out of nowhere to write something down before passing over Juvia’s drinks with a smile. Juvia frowned when she realised something.
“Oh, Juvia hasn’t paid yet.”
“Yeah, because there’s no need to. It’s on the house, cutie. Sorry I made ya wait and stuff. It was kinda rude of me to forget I have actual customers and not that bastard.” He gestured towards Lyon who was still here. Juvia wondered if he wanted to talk to the woman named Meredy behind her.
Still, she couldn’t help but focus on the fact that Natsu was giving her a free drink and just called her cutie ! A part of her wondered if he does this with all the girls who come in here, but she let herself indulge in the flirty banter for now.
“O-oh, thank you! You really didn’t have to do that.”
Natsu shrugged with a lazy smile still on his lips. “I know I didn’t, but I wanted to. You’re going to your first day at Fairy Academy teaching them little shits. I would know, I was one of them. Hope you have a good day, weather girl. Also hope to see you around more.”
He gave her a breathtaking smile and Juvia couldn’t help but reciprocate it. She nodded her head slightly. “Juvia hopes you have a great day too. Maybe she’ll see you tomorrow!”
She turned around, said a quick goodbye to both Lyon and Meredy before practically skipping out of the coffee shop. Her heart felt light as she couldn’t get rid of the smile on her face. At this point, she didn’t even need any coffee! She was on a natural high, excited that she had just spoken and flirted to the sexiest man she had ever seen without fainting.
On her walk to the school, she raised the napkin to her lips to wipe away any stray coffee when there were some black markings that caught her attention. She pulled it away so that she could get a better look and gasped slightly when she realised what she was looking at. A set of digits. Natsu’s number !
She stopped in the middle of the pavement and glanced back towards the direction of the coffee shop. Not like she could even see it anymore, she had already been walking for ten minutes. She binned her empty coffee cups and pulled out her phone, a slight smile tugging at her lips. This was the best Monday ever, no doubt about it.
She saved his number into her phone with the intention of texting him at the first break. By then, she should be on his own break, right? Hopefully. Either way, it looks like whatever box her coffee machine is in, it could quietly go up the loft now. She wouldn’t be needing that again.