…
With a clink the door swung open, to reveal dark blue and black inside of the home. Rio got in first, turning on the lights to switch the black into warm yellow into that combination. The lion of a man gave his toothy grin and a guiding gesture to the smaller wolf.
“Welcome to my abode!” he said. When the wolf took time too long with checking the doorframe, he added, “Please, minha casa e a sua casa! Don’t be formal, don’t be polite, don’t even be careful! Just come here.”
Natsu blew out small stream of air, after which he lifted his suitcase and entered. He had never been in a sleepover. As a matter of fact, he rarely went out to visit someone else’s home, period. It was just awkward, having to come into someone else’s home and get comfortable in there. Few times he did, it never went that well. 
Perhaps because of that, he came to follow few rules. 
One of them, was to check the bathroom. After that one time with the tacos, the vents and the scarecrow, it just became an important aspect of any guest experience, in his mind. 
Number two was how the windows were located. If he were going to be living there, he needed to make sure that the possibility of any sort of trouble could be fixed with a simple jump through the glass. For example, burglaries! Or fire! Or wild snakes that managed to get a hold of ancient technologies and were trying to conquer the earth! Of course, he could never break through glass himself, far too lightweight for that. But, a backup plan was always good to have in case.
And so, after finally stepping into a new place, a newly minted third rule materialized. And that was, to warn his would-be rentee about their belongings. Simply put, having to stumble just as you go over the frame, knock the coat rack with suitcase, have it land on the table, shook the keys and a miniature vase off it, with both landing on the floor thereafter. It just felt reasonable, to avoid potentially breaking stuff into million little pieces to be picked up from the floor.
“It’s fine,” Rio said, helping the ashamed young wolf on his feet. “It’s just a…gift from my ex.”
Natsu wanted to disappear again.
Rio then gave a hearty laugh. “I kept telling myself, ‘You gotta get rid of it!’, but nope, couldn’t make myself!” He bent down to pick a piece. “In the end, just left it here, just to be pretty. Oh, he was so wonderful, too. Can’t believe he just…up and left me because of some dream he had as a-“ 
He turned his head to the kid. The latter was in the middle of pondering if he could go inside his own suitcase and disappear for the rest of his life. 
But then, a heavy hand slapped his back accompanied by another laugh. “Too much info? Sorry! Yeah, guess we should…proof this place for a bit,” Rio said in a way to skip a word. “Haven’t had people come over to my place in a while! Well, that is no one I wasn’t going to sleep with. Anyways, let’s pick this stuff up.”
Natsu stood perfectly still, trying not to do anything else. He was exactly like one of those decorative statues you’d see in the lobby those fancy hotels, that looked okay and not all that pretty, but helped to set the mood in. For him, this man had already done a lot just to give him a place, and he had no clue what was going to happen from here on. He really should lessen the carelessness he has been showing up until now. Break any more stuff, and it will become even worse. He had to go as methodical as possible about living here. No sudden or strange movements. Keep it together.
The lion put back the keys and lifted the rack up. He looked over to the Natsu statue, only to squint at the spot behind him.
“Hey, kid! Can you move-“ 
Natsu’s hand jolted, knocking his suitcases at the rack again. It nearly slipped from Rio, but he caught back perfectly. So perfectly, he managed to put in place, alongside of relocating Natsu and his suitcase to another spot. The kid had no clue how he did that. 
“I’m sorry…” Natsu mumbled, his throat getting drier. Time to be methodical started now, he thought pitifully. 
“It’s fine,” the older man stated, then reached for the broom by the rack. “How about, after I’m done here, I show you your bedroom? I think you’ll like it. Just, make sure to follow right behind, okay?”
“Umm…Okay.”
Rio smiled, and continued on to casually clean up. 
Natsu gazed up to the living room, then saw how Rio had, really, a fairly normal-looking house. A nice black couch, a coffee table on the rug, a TV with a player, most of the things looked no different than Natsu expected from someone living by themselves. The only things that stood out were a pair of heavy dumbbells and a wine rack near the kitchen. Then again, he sort of expected these from looking at Rio. For one, the guy was huge. For the other, he looked like someone who knew how to drink and make parties fun. 
Rio went into the kitchen to dump the vase pieces away, before shortly returning.
“Ready?”
Natsu twitched, then gave a confident nod.
“Good! No more knocking stuff, y’hear! Now, we’ll be going down this hall, which will lead to the basement,” he explained, leading the wolf behind him. 
Natsu steadied his breath, making sure to focus on where he was stepping. This whole place felt like a completely new thing, and he wasn’t sure if he could do it. How could he even be sure that he could it, anyways? It was his first day, and he already screwed it. He even had less hopes in himself than his brother.
And yet, Rio was being awfully patient. What exactly did him and brother did together to make him so amicable? Was he just that nice in the first place? Was being gay meant he was just naturally friendly?
Rio opened the door that lead to downstairs. 
“Here’s where you gonna be living! There’s a bedroom, bathroom with a shower and a guest room. Once you unpack, just tell me anything you’re missing.”
Natsu nodded silently. He looked down, seeing the endless darkness that awaited him, with all of its mysteriousness. A dry clump was sticking to his throat. He really was going to go through it all, by himself.
“Don’t forget the lights,” Rio said, turning the switch. 
The stairs have lit up quite brightly, changing the scene dramatically. Natsu could see not just the steps, but the floors at the end too, and even some blotches. Suddenly, Natsu realized how much breath he was holding in.
“Oh,” escaped from his mouth. He looked to Rio, whose smile was ever warm. “Thanks,” also slipped.
“Anytime.” Rio winked.
He began making his way down.
“Try not to fa-“ Rio tried to tell him, but Natsu’s clumsiness was that faster than him. The boy had already reached the bottom, gathering five or six bruises for his first sleepover. A new record, for him. Rio’s grimace was that of shock and sympathy.
“I’m okay! My suitcase cushioned my fall!” Natsu exclaimed from under the thing.
And that was how his first day concluded.
…
Natsu had a hard time getting up in the morning. Half of it of course came from his body still aching, but that also came from only having three hours of sleep. He was in a new bed, and a new room, in a new house, that belonged to some unfamiliar older man. He already had associated trauma with just moving places once. He probably just wasn’t good at change. 
Even though, he frankly needed some.
Natsu, after two more tries, sat himself straight on his bed, then rubbed his eyes. His head just could not get any lighter, and kept on pulling him back to the pillow, which he didn’t even like. He could find time to sleep in another place, he thought. Perhaps he could ask Rio, the guy seemed reasonable enough. Maybe in his car too. It will be a thirty minute drive anyways. He could just-
A noise came from upstairs, akin to a singing. It was deep and rumbling, yet somewhat nice to listen to. Natsu looked to the ceiling, then suddenly realized he was back lying on his bed. With a heavy sigh, he got up, tediously, then pushed himself on his feet. After a minute, he went straight to his still unpacked bag. Picking random shirt and pair of pants, he changed and headed out of the room. Trudging through the dark, he found the stairs, and made his way upwards, within the darkness. It was just easier on the eyes. As he did, the singing became louder, and his nostrils got filled with something burning. It was familiar, though he couldn’t place what smell it was. Probably something close to burned milk. 
He opened the door and the sizzling, mysterious aroma filled his nose. It was then that he became aware of his hunger. He turned his head, until he could spot Rio, cooking something in the kitchen. Seconds later, Rio spotted him back.
“Morning newbie!” 
Natsu closed the door behind him, giving another look to the house he was in. Everything was the same as yesterday, except for perhaps a missing miniature vase. The boy felt shivers go down his spine.
“Feeling hungry today?” Rio asked, in the middle of the sizzling he was making by the stove. “You can come closer and see what I’m making. It’s a new recipe.”
Natsu had a bit of reservation against coming over, despite the friendly nature of the bigger feline. It wasn’t because of how he looked, the man wore a nice, conservative robe, beige in color. The dining room also had a good presentation, so there was no problem there either. He was just afraid he might knock something over.
That said, maybe just standing around so awkwardly wasn’t a better choice. Especially with his stomach slowly tying up a knot. Agreeing to a decision, Natsu waddled his way into the kitchen. 
“Whoop, almost done!” announced Rio. He motioned to the table, “Have a seat.” 
Natsu did as he was told, while the lion reached for the plates near him. The table was small, fit for only two people, and draped in black cloth. He noticed how both spots were already laid with utensils and a cup. There was also a carton of orange juice. None of them he dared to touch. 
“I’ve set up an interview for you with a friend of mine,” said Rio nonchalantly, cleaning out the pan. “You’ll be mostly working there, first. Didn’t think you need to work at my place yet. That said, if you need more time to focus on your studies or something, just let me know.”
Natsu watched him bring over his share of breakfast. It looked like some weird red, brown and green omelette. Which, weirdly, felt less like it was made of eggs, more of milk instead.
“Bon appetit!” Rio sat down with his own plate and then took a swig from a cup of coffee. After savoring the taste, glancing at the nearby magazine, and then checking his phone again, he noticed the boy again, who didn’t move an inch. “You gonna eat?”
“Why…” Natsu took a deep breath, then resolutely continued, “Why are you doing all of this for me, sir?”
“Hmm?” Rio absentmindedly answered, pouring his cup.
“I-I mean I’m not ungrateful or anything!” Natsu quickly added. “I just, I guess, we don’t know each other…But I guess you know my brother.” Natsu rubbed his neck, his head feeling exhausted again. “I just wondered…”
“Oh, your brother,” Rio chuckled. He took one salt-shaker and began shaking it, looking up into the air. “Your brother…what a good man he is. Young, prospective, charming, everything you look for in young people today. And I admit, he helped me with my business quiet a bit more than I thought a bambino like him would.”
“What do you mean?” Natsu asked curiously.
“Oh, he actually saved me once!” Rio declared. Natsu’s eyes grew wide, though they quickly folded under their weight. “That said, he is not the reason I have you here. Now, eat up, before it gets cold.”
“Oh, okay,” Natsu replied. Once again, my brother did everything, he thought.
He took another whiff of the egg that he had. There were some vegetables around it, like asparagus and pepper, plus some mushrooms. That part of the breakfast he had little trouble with. Same couldn’t be said with the egg. He finally grabbed the fork, and started checking the food in front of him. Something about it, the more he prodded and sliced it, made him less convinced it was a real egg in the first place. 
“Um…sir?” He tried to wave his hand to Rio. The lion kept switching between smelling and throwing more salt on his dish. “Um, excuse me? Can I ask something?”
“Yes?” Rio answered friendly, only to get up and go to the fridge. He pulled out a bag of parmesan, a clump of which he sprinkled on his egg. Natsu watched as the omelette increased in size before his eyes.
“What…erm…what exactly is this?” Natsu managed to ask, while Rio sat down.
“Just a bit of tomato, asparagus, pepper and vegan eggs.”
Natsu raised a brow. “A vegan egg?”
“Yes! Haven’t you heard of it?”
Natsu looked down again. “What is vegan? A type of bird?”
Rio chuckled. “Oh no, believe me, it ain’t. In all fairness, I’m still not sure myself what exactly it is!” Rios continued to laugh. “I think it just means everything is made of plants?”
Natsu’s eyes grew wide from that suggestion. “No way!” 
“Oh yes. They are quite healthy for you, apparently. Especially if you’ve been eating meat non-stop for several years and worry about your heart. Or think that maybe you should try to loose weight, just to get back at that stupid, self-agrandizing smartass of a sunnova…” Rio paused to look aside, only to knock on the table suddenly. It was three times. He continued, “Let me tell you, as a personal health trainer? Eating healthy is just as important as working out your body! Seriously, you can lift weights everyday, but eating junk? That’s how the Death herself gets to you. So remember, eat and live healthy!” he punctuated, and took a bite from his dish.
Then quickly spat it out.
“Also, living like that can take time, which is perfectly fine! I think I might have to get a sandwich from Apollo’s, something doesn’t sit right with me.” He got up from his seat. “Do you…”
Rio noticed Natsu scarfed the whole breakfast down clean. As the bunny-ears wiped his mouth, he noticed the glare from the former.
“Um…did I…?” Natsu stammered, expecting that he did something wrong.
Rio, after scratching his mane, grabbed his own plate. “You…really are a rabbit, huh?”
Natsu rolled his eyes and groaned.
“Do my ears really make me look like one!? Do I need to shrink them or something! My muzzle is pretty long! I guess it’s not too long, but I have fangs and no buckteeth-“
Rio chuckled, patting the young man to peace. “Heh-he-he-heh, yes, it’s the ears.” He then placed his plate in front of the pouting young man. “But who am I to judge, I have blue mane!”
“Yeah actually, did you dye it?”
Rio furrowed his brows over the smile.
“What makes you say that?”
“Cause you’re gay, right? Gay people dye their hair, right?”
Rio stared at him for a moment, looking lost.
“What…is a gay person to you? Just wanna ask.”
Natsu thought for a moment, prodding the second omelette with the fork, and then said, “Hip, I think? I think my Dad said it was something along the lines like that. You like to paint your bodies, grow flowers and eat them, and also promote peace and kissing your enemies. Is that right?”
Rio thought on it for a moment, and then said,
“Why yes…I suppose so.” 
Natsu nodded, then proceeded to finish his second plate. 
Rio looked at the clock again.
“Let’s finish up, time to get to work!”
Natsu shot up from his seat.
“Should I bring something with me?” he said spitting the omelette all over the floor.
“First, finish up.” Rio put him down. “As for later, just yourself and your winning spirit!”
Natsu nodded energetically, and swallowed everything in his mouth. Feeling himself filled with energy and spirit, he took his plate and made his way out. Hitting his toes on the table, Natsu lost his smile, his spirit, and had it both shattered into millions of pieces, just like the plate that was in his hands.
He limply looked up to Rio, whose gaze was locked on each and every one of them. “I’m so sorry.”
Rio’s smile did not leave, but it became painted on. 
“Ah, not to worry!” he said in a broken tone, trying to imitate himself from yesterday. “That’s just…part of a set I got from my very dear, childhood friend. I was gonna replace it anyway. Go change.”
Natsu bolted out of the kitchen, the heavy tiredness inadvertently disappeared. He got downstairs faster than he did when he tumbled. 
As he changed, he could still hear the cries Rio was making.
He was not gonna make it.
…