I am gifting this story to my friends Rhea and Clara. They are acting as my beta readers, as well as helping me out with many other particulars of this fic.

"Cheers!" a soft clinking sound is emitted as the two beer cans hit lightly.

"Aaaaaaah! The joy of drinking chilled beer on summer nights!"

"Hmph."

"But you know, I was watching a video on YouTube the other day. Apparently, we're supposed to look into each other's eyes while saying cheers," as the girl speaks, a lazy wind blows, making a free lock of her untied hair fly into her mouth. "Argh! What's this? I don't want to eat hair; I have pizza and beer."

"That's why I told you to tie it up," the other girl comments.

"No. I'm sorry. My head is aching from having to tie it throughout the week because of the stupid 'dress code'. No way I'm tying it while at home."

"Hnh."

"You're awfully quiet today. Not at all how you're supposed to be on a Saturday night."

"Because today being Saturday means tomorrow is Sunday," she sighs as she takes another sip of her beer.

"You do remember, huh?"

"Of course I do. Did you think I'd forget?"

"Well, not really. But I was kinda hoping," she opens the pizza box and picks up a slice.

As she munches on her pizza, she steals a glance of her flatmate. She's looking really troubled right now. Staring at the night sky with an empty expression.

"Pizza's getting cold."

"Eh?" her red-haired friend looks startled. "Ah."

She picks up a slice and takes a bite.

They eat in silence in the semi darkness of the balcony. The green floor tiles on which they're currently seated shinning slightly in the bright light of the streetlamps.

"You know, Erza, I hated it," the girl speaks while still struggling to manage her hair, her beer and her pizza slice at the same time.

"Huh?" her friend finally looks at her.

"I hated that I had to live in a suburb. I mean, it was my dream. You know, country girl, first time living in the city. I wanted to enjoy the full flavour of it."

"Pretty normal."

"I know, right?" she giggles; "But now that I think about it, I'm glad it didn't happen."

"Why?"

"Because I got to meet you, my darling flatmate," she gives a smile that Erza cannot really see well due to the lack of illumination. But she scowls anyway.

"And I love this balcony. Sitting here with you like this, talking about things," She takes another bite of her pizza. "Besides, I'm already tired of looking at skyscrapers all day. That's all I can see through the window at my office. Here at least, I can see a little bit of the sky. And the air is less polluted."

"Why do you sound like a seventy years old grandma?" Erza sips her beer while going back to looking at the distance once again.

"Did you just call me a grandma?"

"But I enjoy living here with you too."

"Huh?"

"I wish we could just continue living here like this. I wish I didn't have to…" she falls silent.

"I see… Trying to change the topic isn't going to work, is it?"

The redhead looks at her friend.

"Then tell me. Why did you agree to marry him in the first place? I never asked because I didn't want to sound like an intruder. But now I'm really curious. Like really."

"Why, you ask?"

"Yes, why? You clearly don't want to marry this… what was his name again?"

"Jellal Fernandes."

"That's a really weird name I must say. I keep forgetting."

"Well, my mother was best friends with his mother. Since their childhood. Apparently they made a promise when they were young."

"I respect your mother. But that's pure bullshit."

"No," Erza protests loudly, "No. She didn't try to make me marry him because of that promise. It's just that when she found out about her illness, she became really worried about my future. You see, I was sixteen."

"Oh."

"She wanted to make sure I have a secured future. She had literally given her everything in order to raise me."

"That... I agree with. I often wonder just how strong she might have been. You were two at the time of your father's accident, right?"

"Yeah."

"By the way, do you have any idea what he wants to talk to you about? Like, why did he ask you to meet him?"

"None. And that's what makes me nervous"

"I see," Sakura takes another sip; "It might be weird. Having a fiancé like that. I mean, you two are practically strangers. But you can't date anyone else."

"I don't care. I'm too busy to even look at anyone."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. And what about you, Sakura?"

"What about me?" Sakura looks a little surprised at the sudden question.

"Why don't you date anyone?"

"That part about being too busy to even look at anyone; I come under that category."

"You might end up all alone. I still have a fiancé at least."

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" the pink haired girl intervenes. "I thought you were upset about said fiancé!"

"I am."

"But clearly, you didn't sound like that a moment ago."

"I'm trying to think positive. Don't you always ask me to do that? Why aren't you helping me now when I really need it?"

"Oh. That's how it is! Well, then, tell me; is he handsome?"

"The last time I saw him face to face was six years ago."

"What's wrong with photos though?"

"What if he's using filters?"

"You think he's using filters?"

"I'm not saying he is. I'm saying I can't be sure he isn't."

"I see," Sakura nods; "So, you think he looks good."

"Hold on. When did I say that?"

"If he looked bad, I don't think the idea of filters would have crossed your mind."

Erza stares at Sakura for a while before speaking, "Whatever. He has blue hair."

"Blue hair? So his blue hair and your red hair; when you two have kids, they'll have-"

"What are you blabbering? You bubblegum head?" Erza throws the rest of her beer on Sakura's cotton t-shirt.

"You are dead meat," Sakura declares war and chases after her friend who has already run towards her room; sensing the impending danger.

Jellal checks the time for the nth time.

9:39 am. He looks at the road through the glass wall. But doesn't see any trace of the woman he's here to meet. Well, they're supposed to meet at 10 anyway. So there's still plenty of time. But he's getting impatient.

He glances at the other corner. He can see his friend sitting there, completely immersed in his book. Jellal keeps staring at him for a while but he doesn't look like he has any intention of lifting his face anytime soon. So after a while, he decides to give up and goes back to his phone.

A few moments later, someone speaks in a feminine voice, "Excuse me."

He lifts his face.

It's a girl with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. He tries to remember if he knows her. But to the best of his knowledge, he doesn't.

"Well, hello. I just wanted to say that my friend over there thinks you're really cool," she gives a mischievous smile.

What the-

Jellal forgets that shutting his mouth is also an option.

As he recovers from the initial shock, from the look on the girl's face, he figures that he's been staring too long.

But what is this about? So early in the morning! This type of things have never happened to him before.

"Well… I mean… thanks?" he manages to say somehow. Without even bothering to look at said girl. "But... I have a fiancé."

"Oh," the girl looks surprised. "Is that so?"

"It is."

"Well then, thank you for your polite words. Have a nice day."

"You're welcome," Jellal nods silently.

What was that?

He looks at his friend. Still devouring his book without a care in the world.

"I'm really nervous, Sakura. Why do you think he wants to meet me?"

"Well…"

"I mean, he's been back for like what? Three months? Why did he ask to meet so suddenly? What if he wants to get married already?" she stops on her track. "I'm not ready yet. I'm so not ready. Twenty four is still too young to get married. I'm going home. I'll call him later and come up with some excuse," she turns back and starts walking in the opposite direction.

"Wait a minute!" Sakura jumps to stand in front of her, blocking her way. "Don't be stupid, Erza. You can't run away like this. You have to face him sooner or later."

"But-"

"Think about it like this. Maybe he wants to talk to you because he wants to cancel the engagement?"

"What?"

"Maybe he has someone he likes, you know? I mean, he left the country six years ago. He studied there for five years and then worked for another. It's not impossible for him to have found a girlfriend there. And, it's not like you two were close before he left."

Erza stops to think. "You do have a point."

"I totally do."

Sakura pushes the door cautiously. As she hears the bell chime, she sighs in relief. She has had enough of pulling doors that were supposed to be pushed and vice versa. She enters the café with Erza following after her. Two pairs of eyes search for the person they are here for.

"Is that him?" Sakura points towards a blue haired guy sitting with his back towards them.

Who on earth does that when he's waiting for someone?

"It is."

Erza starts walking towards her fiancé while Sakura follows.

"Umm… Hi…"

Jellal, who was busy with his phone looks up.

"Oh! Erza," he stands up, "Hello."

He's a head taller than her now. That's the first thing Erza takes notice of. Before anyone can speak further, she sees Jellal looking at Sakura.

"Your friend I guess?"

Well, not really. I know. She's your flatmate. Right?

"Yes. My flatmate. Sakura."

"Sakura Haruno. Nice to meet you," Sakura smiles cheerfully and bows her head a little.

"Jellal Fernandes. Nice to meet you too."

"You two go ahead and talk. I'll be waiting at another table," Sakura says and turns back. Only to find that there is no other table that's available at the moment.

"If it's not too much of a trouble, over there, that's my friend. I can ask him to let you share his table with you," Jellal points towards a guy at the corner.

When Sakura looks, all she can see is a head full of spiky black hair sitting on top of a body wearing a navy blue t-shirt. And said person's entire attention is focused on a book.

"Wait a minute," Jellal picks up his phone and calls.

Sakura observes the guy in the t-shirt and sees him look at his phone's screen. Immediately, he lifts his face and looks their way. And Sakura can finally see his face.

Jellal gestures him to receive the call and he does.

"What?"

"Actually, Erza has brought her friend along. And since there's no other table available at the moment, I want you to let her sit with you while I talk to Erza."

Sasuke scowls. If he's not wrong, that pink haired girl is said friend. And Jellal is asking him to let that girl share his table. That's… unexpected.

That girl from the photo, huh?

"Alright," Sasuke hangs up and carefully puts the bookmark in the book. He places the book on the table and starts walking in their direction.

As he gets close, Sakura notices that he is really good looking. With strikingly sharp facial features and eyes just as black as his unruly hair. Also, he has a really good physique. Hmm.

"Ah, Sasuke," as Jellal speaks, Sakura remembers that ogling her friend's fiancé's friend isn't really a great idea. She feels a little embarrassed because she has a feeling that he might have noticed. Cause it doesn't seem very convincing that his piercing gaze can miss anything.

"This is Sasuke. My friend."

Sasuke gives a slight nod, "Hello."

"Sasuke, this is Erza. You've already heard about her. And this is Sakura, her friend."

"Hello," Erza smiles.

"Hi," Sakura says without meeting his gaze which she can feel is upon her.

"Well, then, I guess it's time we get into business," Jellal says.

"Alright. We'll leave for now," Sakura says, finally looking at Sasuke.

"This way," Sasuke speaks and starts walking back towards his table without waiting for an answer.

Sakura follows after.

As they walk away, Erza feels Jellal's eyes upon her. And she starts to get nervous.

"Erza."

She looks up at him. The point is, when did he start looking this handsome?

She knows that WhatsApp profile photos are no good way to judge what someone looks like. But this is totally unexpected. He looks so much better face to face. And through his black polo neck t-shirt, she can totally tell that he has really broad shoulders.

"Let's sit down."

Oh right! That's also an option.

As they sit down, Jellal speaks, "Would you like to order first?"

"Ah? Yeah," she nods. Anything to delay the conversation.

Now that she's finally recovered from crushing on him, she's back to being nervous. She can almost feel her palms sweating.

After ordering a cappuccino and a slice of the strawberry and vanilla cake, she returns the menu to the waitress. Jellal orders a latte.

.

.

.

As Sakura takes the seat opposite Sasuke, an idea pops in her head.

This Sasuke guy, what if… Jellal didn't find himself a girlfriend but a boyfriend? Otherwise, why'd he bring him along? Was he nervous like Erza or was it something else?

She scrutinises Sasuke as he sits down and takes a sip of his black coffee.

Could he be gay?

"What's it?" Sasuke suddenly lifts his face.

This takes Sakura off guard.

"Um… you and him… Jellal… how do you two know each other?" she manages to speak somehow.

"Ah, about that," Sasuke leans back on his chair; "We work at the same company. We were trainees together."

"Oh," Sakura nods heavily. As if she just understood something very complicated.

Sasuke takes the time to admire her features. The bright green eyes with the rose coloured hair. Definitely a unique combination. And of course a very good one. He's not one to fall for looks. But he has to admit that she indeed is pretty.

Much prettier face to face than she was in that photo.

Just as he's thinking of going back to reading his book, she speaks again.

"You two must be really good friends. I mean you accompanied him here."

Sasuke narrows his eyes. What's with that question?

"We're kind of… close, yes."

Close, huh? I knew it!

"But I'm here because we're supposed to go meet someone afterwards. It's work-related."

Oh.

That's how it is! And Sakura feels a sense of relief.

Wait! Why is that?

.

.

.

Sakura's caramel and peanut butter milkshake arrives. She eagerly takes a sip.

"Oh! It's so good!" she exclaims.

Sasuke lifts his face from the book, frowning.

"Could you kindly keep quiet? I'm trying to read here."

By now, Sakura has given up trying to have a conversation with him. But at least she has the right to enjoy her drink. She is just about to remind him that this isn't a library and if he wants silence, he should go to one, when she remembers that this actually is his table and he is letting her sit here.

"I'm sorry," she apologises while punching his face in her mind and starts taking her frustration out on the poor straw by chewing on it.

As Sasuke is about to go back to his book, he cannot help noticing the v shaped neckline of Sakura's light pink one piece. And just how perfectly it sits upon her collarbones.

So, collarbones can be that attractive? Who knew!

.

.

.

Erza takes a small bite of her cake and her face lights up. It tastes really good. Much better than the bakery she works at.

"You like it?"

"Huh?" as she looks up at Jellal, he can't help noticing how beautifully her brown eyes shine. She's let her hair down today. And it's falling all over her shoulders and her chest. And its scarlet colour looks even more vibrant against the white of her sleeveless top.

She's gotten even prettier, huh?

"Yes, I like it. It's really yummy."

Jellal smiles a little. This is the first time since she arrived here, that she looks a little relaxed. She's been so nervous all the time. And he knows the reason very well. That's why he hates bringing this topic up.

But he has to. Not like he has a choice.

"So, Erza," he clears his throat; "I really appreciate that you came here to meet me today-"

Here it comes.

Erza's mind screams. It's game over for you, Erza Scarlet. Say hello to Mrs. Erza Fernandes.

"Actually I wanted to talk about our-" he stops to come up with the correct word.

Engagement?

Well, that's what it is.

Although it never became that official. It was more of a verbal commitment.

But if everyone started to act like words had no values, that'd be a serious problem.

"Arrangement," he finally finishes.

Why God? Why? What did I do wrong?

Erza wishes she could simply disappear. If only Harry Potter was real! Today would be the best time to borrow the invisibility cloak.

"You see, I've been back for three months now. And it's been like eight years since our-"

"Engagement."

Just say it. It's not like not uttering the word is going to change anything.

"Well, yes," Jellal looks at her; "Engagement."

He takes a sip of his latte and continues, "So I was wondering, and also my parents were asking. Not like they're trying to put any pressure on me. But you see, I'm their only son. So, I thought maybe it's time we figured something out."

'Figured something out?'

What on Planet Earth is that supposed to mean?

Note: I had been intending to write something involving my two favourite pairs for a while. Seeing a few 'I have a fiancé' memes on twitter yesterday, the idea suddenly came to me. Since this is a crossover, I wasn't very sure about it. So, I wrote a draft of this chapter and showed it to said friends and explained the plot-line to them. They encouraged me and were very enthusiastic about it. They play a very vital role in the development of this fic.

With love, June (o^▽^o)