Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, or the characters

Erza made her way up the stairs to Lucy's room. She bit her lip, excited to see what the other girl had put on.

Knock, knock. Erza wrapped her knuckles on the wooden door quietly. She could be gentle when she wanted to, and though she would never willingly show this side of herself to Natsu or Gray, she was more than ready to show it to Lucy.

"Just a second," the celestial wizard said, her voice tight. Erza looked puzzled. It sounded like Lucy was holding her breath.

"Are you okay," Erza said in her usual strong, protective tone.

"Fine!" the other girl squeaked. Erza sighed as she ran her hand across the door to Lucy's room until it reached the handle. Locked. Erza closed her eyes. Of course she was gentle around Lucy, but she also had her fearsome 'one of the strongest wizards in Fairy Tail moments. Erza opened her eyes and balled her hand into a fist.

The door to Lucy's room burst open, flying off it's hinges and splintering everywhere. Lucy screamed and fell from where she was standing on a stool in front of her mirror, trying to squeeze into a long pink dress with a tight corset, and elaborate black and white heart designs adorning the skirt.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" Lucy said, whining as she tried to get her legs untangled from her voluminous dress.

Erza sighed and brushed bits of door off her shoulders. "You sounded out of breath, so I thought I'd come in and help."

"How is exploding my door and knocking me down helping?" Lucy said still floundering in despair on the floor.

Erza knelt down and put her arm around Lucy, gracefully lifting her back on her feet. "Is that better, Goddess of Love? That is your costume, right?" Erza said with a smile.

Lucy tried to say, "Yes, I'm Aphrodite", but it came out as, " … ye…aphro…"

Erza laughed. Lucy blushed, but she couldn't help it. She always turned to mush when she was around Erza, especially right now, with their bodies so close and Erza's beautiful eyes looking into hers; staring at her with that subtly charming smile.

After Erza made sure Lucy was steady on her feet, she moved around to the back of the dress, which was still unzipped. "Let me help you with this."

All Lucy could do was nod. But then she froze. She remembered the exploding door, and suddenly she thought of herself as the door and of Erza behind her. Lucy braced herself.

Erza grabbed the zipper on the back of Lucy's aphrodite dress. She pulled it up, smoothly and gently.

"It's a perfect fit," the red haired girl whispered. Lucy let out a breath and smiled in pleasant surprise. So, Erza could be gentle when she wanted. The two girls turned to face each other.

"You look beautiful," Erza said with a polite smile. Lucy giggled. Then she noticed something.

"Oh! Erza, you don't have a Halloween costume!"

"I'm Athena, Goddess of War and battle strategies, I don't need a costume."

Lucy laughed and smiled back at Erza. "True. So, we're Love and War?"

"All's fair. Let's get to the party."

"Yes, let's."

Erza took Lucy's arm in hers and together they walked out through the shattered doorway.