Marriage
Erza looked dazzling. Not that she was not beautiful any other day, but today – Gray thought – she glowed. Today was a big day: bigger than her, than him, than Jellal. Her husband to-be. As soon as the priest finished his motions that would change.
But Gray didn't hear the priest's words, didn't see his broad, sweeping movements. Erza had lost her armour and she had never looked happier. He sucked in that sight, before it could slip away.
The white of her dress cocooned her. It was sleeveless with an elegant cut of a name that Gray didn't know, her gloves were long and satiny and ended with shimmering gems. The veil hung past her hair, made of white tulle and turning her hair as pink as the roses that sat at her temples. The body of the dress flayed out around her, pooling at her feet.
The priest must have concluded his speech while Gray was soaking in the sight, as Jellal was now kissing a gold ring that had not been there a moment before. Then she kissed him and the entire gathering roared with Fairy Tail might.
The following minutes were followed by congratulations and handshakes as the congregation slowly filtered out, to give the couple an hour for pictures before the dinner and dance to come.
Gray was the last in a long line of friends, but when he reached the couple they still glowed and Erza was eager to wrap her arms around him.
"Congrats, Erza," he said once he was allowed air. "I mean it."
She beamed at him. "Thank you." They stepped out into the day together. It was bright and warm as if just for the couple.
"So are you Erza Fernandes-Scarlet now?" Gray asked at length.
"No," she shook her head. "He wanted to take my maiden name. Gray... I thought this day would never come."
"Neither did I." She shot venom at him. "No. No! I just mean it feels surreal. We grew up together but I never thought we'd grow up. Y'know?"
"I know." A smile of a different kind touched her face then. Nostalgic. "And you? Will you get married?"
He started. "Wha- I don't-"
"You love Natsu, do you not?"
He looked somewhere not her face, catching his thumb as it rubbed his ring finger. "Y-yeah."
"Then," she took his shoulder in hand and pushed him on ahead, "do not wait. Take it from me."
Gray waved back at her, before going to find his stupid flame-head in the crowd.
A/N: This isn't a new story and has been completed for a while. I still haven't written fanfiction and still have no plans to despite loving and respecting the medium. However, I'm still writing stories and would always love any feedback given. :)
