I do not own Fairy Tail.

Strike a Pose!

One

"Oh, come on, dear, one more photo and you're free!" Laughed Levy McGarden, setting a camera on the right mode and checking the battery percentage of her brand new Canon. The moment for a photo was ideal since, right then, no one was walking on the street they were having a session at.

"Levy, I really don't feel comfortable in those clothes…" Said Erza Scarlet for the fifth time by then, showing her friend an outfit she had been forced to put on, clearly being more than a little embarrassed and uncertain. "I mean, it's not like I am a real model and yet you made me come here in this and have a photo shoot…"

"But Erza, you look simply fabulous." To even greater annoyance of the forced-to-be model, Levy rolled her eyes. "You still don't believe me, right? Look, someone's coming… Hey, hey! Mister! Excuse me!"

"Levy, don't!" Moaned Erza, but it was already too late.

"Mister, what do you think of my model's outfit? How does she look?" The little photographer asked a random man with complete seriousness on her tiny face.

"Er, well…" Stuttered the man, obviously surprised and abashed. "Your model really looks outstanding, I'd say… Good job as a stylist for you, missy."

"Thank you very much." Levy beamed at him. The man nodded, unsure of whether that meant he might go, but since the blunette stopped paying attention on him, he quickly pulled out. "See, Erza?"

"That wasn't necessary." Mumbled the current model, ashamed to the limits. Inside, she was really angry with herself. What on Earth made her say yes to that moony woman who was her friend? What was more, Levy decided not to make the shooting in the studio, like Erza had believed, but forced her to go out into the city like that: dressed in a gothic outfit, with a corset exposing her curves, and there was even a black ribbon in her hair. She was also wearing long black boots with heels. "Can we go now?"

"Sure. Just strike a pose. One last time, okay?"

Relieved that it was almost over, Erza did as the blunette told her and even smiled a little. Finally, the camera clicked several times and Levy straightened up, saying: "Done." Erza sighed and came closer to the photographer. She wanted to see the pictures, at least the last takes, but Levy took the camera away. "After I process them, Eru."

"Okay, okay. It's not like I want to see them so badly anyway." Said the redhead rapidly, taking off the ribbon and letting her hair loose. All she was dreaming about was to go home and change into her regular clothes. Besides, what would her childhood friend, Gray, say if he saw her like that? She shivered.

"I'm going, then."

"Wait! I promised that I will make it up to you." Levy winked at her. "But maybe you're right. Let's meet up later. What do you say? We can invite Cana and Gray, too. We want to say goodbye to you properly before you leave us…"

"I'm having a furlough, that's not leaving my friends!" Erza denied, but then sighed and smiled. "But this is a great idea. I would love to see you all."

"Then meet us at 7mp in Rosemary's Place, our usual restaurant. Don't be late!" Levy gave her a wave and rushed the opposite way.

"Yeah, you too." Erza smiled and folded arms. She was glad that they will meet before she went to Spain on vacation. The interior designing company she was working at was sending the best employees abroad. She received so many good opinions from the clients and was such a hard-worker that her boss came to her in person. The redhead was happy to accept the offer and visit a foreign country. The boss gave her all the information needed: all dates, the hotel's address, and a name of the place where she would be staying for the next two weeks.

Erza Scarlet smirked and headed home; deep in thought, she completely forgot about the extraordinary outfit and the photos. Spain, huh… It sounded like a dream to her. Out of Japan. Away from her friends. Resting. That was a nice distraction from her everyday life and past… Which was hard to even think of. Her father… And good-hearted Mom… No. She must not think about that… She was supposed to forget everything to be able to start a new life. She moved out. She was supposed to forget about his very existence…

However, it was too late not to consider her bad childhood. All in all, Erza ended up running home and holding the tears till the moment she finally opened the door to her flat.

Erza managed to get over the miserable memories by taking a mixed shower. Cold water help her sidetrack and a hot jet made her relieved and calm. Taking a deep breath, she managed to push those thoughts aside and peacefully prepare for the dinner with her best friends.

She approached her wardrobe and looked for a dress for the evening. Well, it's the last night in Japan, so at least I need to show how much I care about my comrades, thought Erza with a tender smile. She took out a blue dress which ended just before the knees and had thin shoulder straps. Yes. Not too flashy and not too modest. Just perfect for the restaurant such as Rosemary's Place.

Not wasting any time, Erza tried it on and moved to a mirror on the opposite wall, watching herself critically. She always liked her figure, which was strongly womanly. The dress she picked was showing what she wanted to expose and nothing that could be taken as inappropriate. The interior designer nodded and stripped. There was still some time and she could make it dirty or damage it.

The redhead checked the time. She still had an hour to spend at home, so she decided to check what was happening in the world. Erza turned the news on, but, having found nothing overly interesting, she began surfing through the canals with a bored expression. Lastly, Erza left a music canal set and went to put the dress on, checking herself in the mirror. Lastly, she turned the TV off, and went out of the flat, remembering to take the gothic clothes from today's photo session. Her plan was to give them back to Levy before the rest of the companions could see it.

Erza was deliberately going afoot, still crooning one of the songs she had heard on the TV. The night was falling over Magnolia, and it was a good time for a nice stroll. How unfortunate that the Rosemary's Place was only five minutes away from her home… Well, maybe it was better, it would be easier for her to come back later on.

"Erza!" Someone called her.

The woman looked behind and saw Gray Fullbuster, her childhood friend, who was smiling with happiness and kindness which she adored in him. "You look outstanding! And how I missed you!"

"Gray, you handsome man." She laughed, kissing him on the cheek. "Missed you too, buddy."

"Ready for the best evening of your vacation? Because you're not gonna spend such a night there, where you go." He said with a funny look.

"Sure I am! Come on, Cana and Levy must be waiting for us." Erza urged him and he opened the door before her with a small bow, like a real gentleman. That made her smile and she said with fondness: "Thank you."

Gray looked like he was really complacent. Erza was going first and she quickly found two ladies sitting in the middle of the place. She turned to Gray with a smile, took his hand, and hurried towards them.

"Cana! Hello again, Levy!" Exclaimed Erza, hugging Cana Alberona from behind, hiding her face into her beautiful brown hair. "I haven't seen you for ages, dear."

"Yeah, same goes for you, Erza." Said Cana with a sly smile, making all the vowels longer. "You're leaving us for two weeks, huh? And I found out about that just the day before yesterday! How mean…"

"Sorry, I couldn't tell you earlier, I was quite busy…" Explained the redhead and sat in front of Cana. Gray took a chair next to Levy, catty-cornered from Erza.

"Oh? Busy? Maybe there's some man, huh? Did he finally show up? And was keeping you busy?" The brunette's eyes twinkled with interest. Erza almost burst out laughing. Cana was that type of a woman. She never, ever said anything without second meaning. Oh, how she missed her!

"Yes, Cana, dream on." Said Levy with a mysterious smile. "She was busy being my model."

"Really?" Suddenly, Gray got interested and stopped reading the menu for a moment.

"Yes, but Levy was not supposed to say anything about it." Grunted Erza, blushing a little. She sent the blunette a look full of betrayal, but Levy only shrugged her shoulders and added: "But just you wait until we finish dinner — I've got all the pictures here!" She patted her bag with her laptop, the essential machine of hers.

"Woah, fantastic!" Clapped her hands Cana and took a menu laying in front of her. "Whose treat is it this time?"

"Mine." Answered Erza, but her friends protested.

"No, you need some money with you abroad!"

"I will treat you, guys." Said Gray as soon as he could.

"Eeeeh? Really? Thanks, Gray!" Cana winked at him, licking her lips. "Mm, let's see what I can order, then…"

"Thank you, you're so sweet." Sighed the redhead and Levy nodded vigorously at her words. Gray turned a bit redder on the cheeks, but said nothing.

It was the best beginning of vacation she had ever had. Gray did not joke around when he said he was going to treat them and bought the best meals from the menu for all. Then he insisted on taking a dessert or at least coffee, which was one of the best in the whole. Every minute of their meeting was laced with conversation, reminding them of the ones they'd used to have a long time ago. Erza leaned her chin on her hand and pretended to listen to Cana teasing Gray again, but in fact she was enjoying the view of her beloved friends before tomorrow's departure.

"Eru, what are you doing?" Levy waved her hand in front of the redhead's nose.

"Ah, nothing." The woman, jerking and smiling. "I was spacing out, and thinking how I'm going to miss you all."

"Ah, right! Before you go: the pictures!" Levy face-palmed and took out the laptop. Erza's face fell. "Oh, don't be like that. Look, look, they're really good."

The interior designer forced herself to look onto the monitor of Levy's laptop. Well, it was not that bad, she thought. However, she still preferred not to show them to Cana and Gray. The woman was commenting on every one of them with a typical for her sexual overtone, and the man was only blushing, which Erza found quite surprising.

"Okay. That's it." Announced Levy and showed them the last photo, then closed the device. "Now, tell me, Eru, where are you going? We only know that it's going to be far away…"

"Yeah, I haven't told you yet. It's Spain, a city called Málaga. The hotel where I'm staying is situated right next to the sea." Explained Erza.

"Mm, Erza, you lucky bastard! All the hot-tempered Spanish men for you, aww. Fantastic." Sighed Cana with jealousy.

"Well, enjoy yourself there." Said Levy, smiling.

"And be careful, Erza." Finished Gray with an inscrutable expression.

"Sure I will." Erza looked at the clock. It was half past midnight and she still had to pack her things. In fact, she had not even started yet. "Well, then. I must be going now."

"Oh, take care. Call me often." Both women hugged with her. Scarlet promised that she would be writing and calling. Then she turned to Gray.

"Don't be silly and let me take you home." He mumbled.

"Oi, Gray! What about us?" Asked Cana, surprised.

"You need to wait for me." He shrugged his shoulders and smiled "Otherwise, you will be stuck here. It won't take long, promise."

Grateful for his thoughtfulness, Erza waved at her friends and left with Gray right behind her. They started walking in silence, watching the stars above. It was truly a beautiful night, she thought, noticing the charm of every little thing on their road. The man was strangely quiet, which was unlikely of him. Finally, Erza prodded him and asked with concern. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh? Ah, yes, yes." He answered rapidly, his arm wandered to his hair to brush them backwards. It was a natural reaction of Gray when he was feeling uncomfortable. She knew him too well for his own good.

"No, it's not. Tell me." She leaned ahead so that she could see his downcast face. "You can tell me!"

Gray looked at her and she smiled gently.

And then it all happened fast. She had not noticed a paving stone, which she tripped over. She only felt in amazement that she started to fall and some strong hands caught her halfway to the ground. She looked up, straight into the face of her childhood friend. Gray had his eyes widened extraordinarily and was panting. There was a strange tension between them and Erza couldn't quite put her finger on it. But she knew that her legs refused to make any movement at all. So, they froze in that pose, trying to unveil the other's thoughts.

"Um, Gray?" Erza finally inquired in a small voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He budged and helped her stand straight. He turned his face away and stuck his arm out for the woman to take it. "Here. I always thought those stupid heels are a dangerous thing."

Erza took him under his elbow and they continued walking silently. At last, they reached Erza's flat. She turned to him to say goodbye, but saw that he looks as if he was battling with his thoughts, so, expecting him to let it out, she decided to wait.

In anothre moment, he seemed to make a decision.

"Erza."

"Y-yes?" She started to feel scared and somehow excited, which was a kicker to her.

"I must tell you." Gray took her hands in his and looked her right in the eyes. Erza was paralyzed. "I… have wanted to tell you for a long time. I don't really know where to start…" She waited, but she could not move anyway, floored. Suddenly he looked at her with such passion and uncertainty that she shivered. "Erza. I love you. I've been wondering for a while now, why do I feel uneasy when I'm with you… Or so overprotective… And I have that funny feeling every time I look at you. Now I am sure." Gray took a deep breath and continued. "I always had a weakness towards you… Now I know it was because of my feelings."

"G-gray…" Erza managed to utter, startled. Where did it come from?

"Listen, Erza. I confessed, but, please. Do not answer me right now." He said with a hard expression. "I want you to think about it for a while. And… Maybe when you come back, maybe later… When you will be ready, you'll give me an answer. Now, goodnight. And take care in Spain."

He hugged her tenderly, strongly, manly, like he never did before. Erza felt a bit dizzy from the overtake of emotions and thoughts inside her head. When he was done, Gray let her go and walked away at once, not once turning back. She stood there, under her own staircase with a shocked expression. When the shape of the man disappeared, she finally came to her senses. The redhead touched her forehead and closed her eyes. What was that, all of sudden? Gray? In love… With her?

No. It was too much for her to think about it then. Her mind refused to go deeper into all the information she had gotten from the man — and which she had to process. Finally, Erza managed to go upstairs, open the door, and go inside without problems. But right after crossing the doorstep, the enormity of Gray's confession fell onto her.

All she could say right then was a simple, disbelieving Oh.

There! tadaaaam

The second Jerza, couldn't help it, I just had to write it.

To all the Gray fans, I'm so very sorry. But I just l-o-v-e the idea of Gray's unrequited love for Erza ^^

There is no Jellal yet, but don't worry:) he's going to show up soon. Mmm, maybe the next chapter?

Cheers, and thank you soooo much for every review.