There wasn't much to do in a small town like Magnolia which could lead to all sorts of trouble. Especially with friends like Mirajane Strauss. If her style wasn't enough of a red flag to anyone, who crossed her path. Mirajane's devil may care attitude would be more than happy to fill in the gaps. She was a storm and Erza was always caught in the eye constantly swept away.

There was no one Erza could blame for her lack of self-restraint. Not even Mirajane. She may be an expert at picking people apart, figuring out which buttons to push, slipping past defenses. But Erza always took the bait. Even after knowing her for over a decade. Which lead Erza to her most recent predicament, Mirajane's most recent challenge.

They were on their way back from the Library; what passed for a school when they couldn't make it the actual school in the next town over. Mirajane's silver ponytail swayed over her shoulder as she sashayed down the dirt path. A handful of silver bracelets jingled from her wrist.

Erza fiddled with her braid. Suddenly aware that she had become lost in her thoughts, "Where are we going?"

Mira glanced back not bothering to hide her smirk. "Scarlet, for a teacher's pet you sure have a hard time paying attention."

"I only pay attention to matters of importance," Erza shot back.

"Oh, look who finally decided to come alive!"

Erza prepared to come back, but then the light hit Mira's hair in the most frustrating way. Were her eyes always that blue? The words died in her throat as quickly as they had come. It was happening more often than not lately. Before her heart only thrummed with rare moments of vulnerability. As of late, just about everything her friend did sent her heart racing and set her face aflame.

Mira satisfied with her win slung her leather clad arm around Erza's shoulders. Her biker jacket, providing an extra layer of warmth against the fall chill. The breeze gusted past as they reached the beginnings of the cobblestone path that indicated they were back in the main part of town. "We're going to mine. I got my hands on something interesting."

Strauss Tavern would be dead at this hour of the day. It never got busy until after dark when the town's residents converged after the day's end. It was Mira's inheritance. Mrs. Zera took the place over temporarily years ago. Her old room was still set up on the second floor. Most of the furniture had been moved when the Strauss children went to live with the Vermillions, but an assortment of junk and an ancient day bed remained. When there wasn't anything better to do or Erza needed a place to crash, they went there. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet as they entered. Magazines were strewn across the bed. A medley of candy and chips set in a box by the nightstand. Erza settled into the musty armchair by the window. "Is this going to be interesting or are you just saying that?"

Mira brought her hand up to her chest in mock offense, "would I lie to you Erza?"

"Yes, definitely, you do it all the time."

"I guess I don't have to share these sweets with you then?" She shrugged out of her jacket before digging through junk food to pull out a pastel pink box.

Erza couldn't help herself. Ears perked she took in Mira's face. The teasing look, the pastel pink packaging, were those..., "Is that...strawberry?" Her mouth began to water. She and Mira shared a love of sweets, but strawberries were a whole other level, and Mira knew it. Whatever trick she had up shelve...Erza was not going to be able to deny her now.

A feigned look that may have appeared innocent to the untrained eye crossed her face. "It is, but since my nearest dearest doubted me..."-a wicked grin crawled up her face-"I don't know..."

Erza faltered. She wanted this candy whatever it was, "Is it good?"

"The best."

"What is it?"

"Pocky, it's a biscuit covered in flavored chocolate." Mira drew one of the biscuits out of the box snapping it between her teeth. "They're delicious."

"C'mon you had your fun," Erza whined, "can I have one, please?"

"Sure," Mira drawled out, "in fact, you can have the rest of the box on one condition. You have to win it from me."

She could not help the sigh of exasperation that followed with Mira there was always a catch. "How?"

"Apparently, there's a popular game people play with these."

Erza eyed her warily, "Really?"

Mira's teeth glinted, "Really?"- She began to walk toward Erza like a predator stalking its prey-"Here's how it goes,"-she rested a hand on the arm of the chair as she leaned over-"we each take one end, and we start eating. First, to chicken out loses. Winner gets the rest of the Pocky."

Heat rushed to her cheeks. What a dangerous game. "That seems like an arbitrary decision process."

"What, are you conceding already?" Mira looked down hauntingly. "I didn't even have to try."

"You wish!" Erza rushed up nearly knocking their heads together. She would never back down from a challenge. "I just want to make sure the rules are clear so you can't twist them."

"Awww," Mira moved, so they were even closer. If that were possible. Composure never breaking. Meanwhile, Erza's head had finally begun to cool only for the heat to rush back; once she realized the position, she was in. Mira must have caught on as she teased, "you know me so well. Whoever has the least left is the winner. Ready?" She asked, but obviously, she felt she already had Erza's answer.

The second Erza opened her mouth a stick of Pocky was shoved in. Mira smirking around her end began inching her way to the other end. Erza's end. Strawberry sweetness coated her tongue, but she was too lost to enjoy it. Mira was still moving. If she thought they were going to kiss a moment before it may happen now. She was at a loss. Her cheeks burned the color of her favorite fruit. Mira's eyes were defiant even half-lidded. Blue as the sky and just as endless. Long lashes shadowed. She drew closer. Silver tendrils brushed her face as a delicate touch guided her in Mira's direction. Erza squeezed her eyes shut. Her teeth involuntarily snapped the Pocky waving the white flag. Mira's breath was hot against her before soft lips captured hers. A fraction of a second that lasted an eternity.

Suddenly, Erza's space was hers once more. She let a breath out that she didn't realize she was holding. Mira leaned back smugly. A wry smile on her lips. Something was off. "Lame, and here I thought you would put up more of a fight. Guess, these are mine then." She turned to stretch out on the bed promptly burying her face in a magazine. If Erza didn't know better, she would think Mira was blushing. Maybe she was, there were not any protests when Erza polished off her Pocky.