Imagine a Fiore without the GMG. The Fairy Tail power-houses have just returned from Tenrou and are ready to get on with their lives. We deviate from the canon and explore a tangled what-if world, focusing on the romantic relationships between our favorite guild mages. This is presented through a series of interconnected AU short stories that can be read as stand-alone pieces, as a universe, or a single relationship at a time by referencing the tags in the description of each story.

Many pairings will be explored (not all at the same time, obviously). Throughout the series, we'll see some: Gruvia, Lyvia, Grayza, Jerza, Nalu, Nali, Lolu, Bixanna, Gale, ElfEver, Miraxus, Laxana, MiraFreed as well as a handful of crackships as we try to pair the spares. Consider this my attempt at solving the infamous love maze in a way that is grounded and realistic. Welcome to the [Mazeverse]!

Happy Friday! Brand new story today, guys. I've been waiting to share this one for a while. I hope you like it!

For those who are new to Mazeverse, make the assumption that in this world, Juvia reaches out to Lyon for help often for all things Gray-related. With as helpful as he's been, I imagine she probably has him on speed dial. :) Also, Mazeverse Juvia is in a transitional state where she mixes first and third person when she speaks. There are plot-related reasons for that. If you're curious, I'll direct you to the appropriate companion piece in my notes at the end of this chapter.

For those who are familiar with Mazeverse, this takes place about two or three weeks after the end of Schemes, Dreams and Festive Treats and A Wingman for Christmas. I guess it would be mid-to-late January. That's probably the wrong month for the events that I reference in canon, but I needed this to take place between Christmas and Valentine's Day. So it's January. :)

- K. Chandler

"I just think that you need to be realistic," Yuka said. "I don't see this going well."

Toby clutched the latest issue of Sorcerer Weekly to his chest. "I don't see why it's a problem. What's wrong with having a dream?"

"It's love! That's never a problem," giggled Sherry, gesturing to make a point. "I'm with Toby on this one."

"It's Jenny Realight! That's the problem," Yuka insisted, slamming his fist on the table. "Lyon, talk some sense into these two."

"That's right," Sherry chimed in. "Tell us who's right."

Lyon looked at his teammates, unsure of what he was supposed to say. Did they honestly expect him to have an opinion on this? It wasn't like it was any of his business.

Lyon's communication lacrima sounded. He almost grinned. "Sorry, I actually have to take this," he said. "I've been expecting a call." He excused himself and stepped out of the Lamia Scale guild hall.

He didn't know who was calling, but he would have answered even if it had been one of those pushy magazine salesmen. Fortunately, the voice that greeted him was far more pleasant.

"Hello, Lyon."

Lyon could feel himself smiling. He tried not to sound too excited. "Juvia! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Juvia was looking for some advice. Are you busy?" she asked politely.

"No, not at all." Lyon brushed the snow off of a bench and took a seat. This would probably take a while. "What's on your mind?" he asked.

"Juvia is looking for a present for Gray," she said. "You see, our anniversary is coming up and Juvia didn't quite know what to get him. And you're so good at this sort of thing, and Juvia was wondering if you had any advice," Juvia rambled without pausing for breath.

"Your anniversary?" he asked evenly. He forced himself to reign in his emotions. "I didn't realize you two had known each other that long."

"Well, technically, it's been more than seven years. But for us, it hasn't quite been that long."

He gave a wry smile. "So how exactly is it an anniversary?"

"Maybe that's not quite the right word, but does Juvia really need a reason to express her feelings? Any day can be special, if you let it." It sounded like she was smiling.

"That's very wise. So, basically you're looking for an I Love You Just Because present?"

"Yes, you could say that. What do you think I should get him?"

"Is there anything he enjoys doing?"

"Juvia's not sure…" her voice trailed off. "The other day, he was saying something to Natsu about snowboarding. Would tickets to a ski resort be too much?"

"That's a good idea. As long as you don't expect him to bring you along, that is," Lyon said.

"Oh." Juvia sounded crestfallen. "But who else would he take?"

"Natsu, maybe. Or one of the girls on his team?" Lyon suggested wryly.

"You mean he might go with Love Rival? Juvia couldn't bear that!"

Lyon sighed. Juvia wasn't a bad sort, but she was imaginative and tended to go to extremes. Then again, the rest of her foolish guild did as well, so it wasn't a surprise. Birds of a feather and all that.

"I doubt Gray appreciates you talking about his friends that way," Lyon interjected gently. "She has a name, doesn't she?"

"Yes, but Lucy is Juvia's Love Rival!" Juvia insisted.

"Juvia. You have to stop calling her that," he said firmly.

Juvia sighed. "Fine. But Juvia doesn't want Gray to go on a romantic getaway with Lucy. Maybe Juvia should just ask Gray out on a date. What do you think?"

"Do you think he'd say yes?" Lyon asked.

"Well, no… that is…"

"Let's try to come up with something he would like."

"What do you think would make a good present?" asked Juvia.

"Me?" Lyon paused. "Personally, I should think that spending the day with someone special should be more than enough. A walk on the beach. Watch the sunset. That sort of thing," he said honestly. He preferred the snow, but Juvia seemed to be a seaside sort of girl.

"Lyon's such a romantic!" Juvia giggled.

"It's the thought that counts. As long as something's from the heart, nothing else matters."

"But we just decided that a date isn't a good idea, so it needs to be something else," she said, pausing. "Maybe Juvia should make something?"

"Handmade gifts are always nice. Did you have something specific in mind?"

"Well, we've established that Juvia is a disaster in the kitchen…"

"I wouldn't use the word disaster," said Lyon, remembering the afternoon they had spent baking cookies for his foster brother. He smiled at the memory of a flour-covered Juvia. "Though, avoiding the kitchen might not be a bad idea."

"Juvia could knit him a scarf…"

"Do you know how to knit?"

"Well, no…"

"You might want to hold off on that, then," he suggested gently.

Juvia sighed.

"You know, there's nothing wrong with buying him something either," Lyon suggested. "It'll still be meaningful with all the thought you put into it."

"That's a good idea. But what should Juvia get? There are so many choices!"

"I wouldn't mind taking a look with you, if you think it would help."

"Oh, would you, Lyon?" He could hear the excitement in her voice. "But… Juvia wouldn't want to trouble you…"

"No trouble at all," he told her. "I have business in Magnolia next week anyways. I don't mind arriving a day early."

"Thank you, Lyon! You've been most helpful again!"

"Sure thing. Any—" A click sounded in Lyon's ear. "Any time…" he cringed to himself.

Lyon stared at the lacrima in his hand for a moment. Then he sighed, slipping it in his pocket.

"Lyon!" a childish voice called out.

Lyon turned to see Chelia Blendy beaming at him like a Cheshire cat.

He frowned. "How much did you hear?"

Chelia shrugged innocently. "Some. I don't know if I remember all of it though…"

"You don't remember any of it," Lyon said sharply.

Chelia laughed. "Whatever you say, Lyon. Although that was an awfully interesting conversation. Were you talking to that Fairy Tail girl?"

"Chelia," he warned, frowning at her.

"That's okay, you don't have to tell me," she said. "I'll just ask Sherry."

The little devil!

"Whatever you do, don't say anything to Sherry," said Lyon.

A slow smile pulled at the corners of Chelia's mouth. "What's in it for me?"

Lyon racked his mind for a good bribe. "Well, what about…"

"Don't bother," said Sherry, stepping out from a shadowy alcove. "I heard everything."

"Aw, Sherry! You're no fun," pouted Chelia. "You should totally have waited until after he promised me something!"

Sherry ignored her. "Expecting a call, huh?" she asked giving Lyon a pointed look. He couldn't tell if she had caught his lie or if she was teasing him over Juvia.

Lyon let out a breath. "Just… don't. Don't say anything."

She didn't, choosing to high-five Chelia instead.

Chelia Blendy - Extortionist in Training.

Looks like Lyon's in way over his head. Our boy's got it bad! My head-canon for this 'verse is that Juvia probably calls Lyon a lot to get his advice on Gray-related things. Lyon, a fool in love, never fails to deliver.

So this is the story of Lyon, who's head-over-heels for Juvia, who's pining after Gray, who... any guesses as to what comes next? We'll add to this sentence in a few chapters...

If you're wondering about the reference Lyon makes about baking cookies with Juvia or you're curious about Juvia's reasons for first vs. third person, hit up my profile and check out [Mazeverse] A Wingman for Christmas.

Next time, in [Mazeverse] Anniversary: Special, Just Because, Lyon and Juvia go shopping: "Gray tends to be practical. I always try to get him something he'll actually use. One year, I got him socks for his birthday."

Stop back next Friday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.