AN: Welcome to MidKino Week Day 1! Today's prompt: Can I Keep You?

A variety of prompts, not all in the same universe, at different points in their lives. Other pairings of this week will most likely include CoLu, NaLi (because it's important to the storyline), Miraxus (for convenience's sake), and Gray x Sorano (too lazy to come up with a name).

Props to EmpressofEverything, fellow host and creator of this amazing ship week, for the apple juice idea. Check out her other story, non-existent sorrows and apple juice, to see the original source for that.

Onto the story!

Yukino sighed as she stirred her drink.

Swiftly picking up the glass, she gracefully chugged all the contents down.

She usually wasn't one for alcohol- she loved her liver too much to attempt to destroy it like Cana Alberona did (who was currently attempting this again in another corner)-but the current situation merited it.

Earlier that day, Yukino had dropped by Fairy Tail with Sting and Rogue to spend the day with her role model-Lucy Heartfilia.

Unfortunately for her, it was also one of the only days that Crime Sorciere, Lucy's boyfriend's guild, was able to drop by. Lucy had apologized profusely and offered to spend time with her anyways, but Yukino knew that the days the poison dragon slayer and the celestial mage had to spend with each other were far and few. Therefore, she had kindly reassured Lucy that she was fine, and had given the two of them some privacy.

She had instead opted to spend the day at the guild hall instead, and possibly spend some time with Mira and Sorano, the two people she considered her sisters.

However, once again, it had been a difficult situation as Gray and Sorano had planned to go on a date that day, so Yukino had once again excused herself to the bar with Mira.

While technically this meant she got to see Mira more, due to the influx of people that day, Mira had been kept extraordinarily busy. In fact, the only time Yukino had gotten to say more than two words to her, was when Yukino had ordered her drinks. So basically, only seven times.

And while she was slightly tipsy, even the drinks could not drown out the sight directly in front of her.

Natsu Dragneel.

With his new girlfriend and mate, otherwise known as Lisanna Strauss.

Yukino genuinely liked Lisanna, she really did. It's just that when two girls chased after the same guy, the losing side is bound to feel a little bitter. And jealous.

And yes, Yukino hated herself for every second that the stabs of jealousy ran through her. But she couldn't help it.

Maybe it would hurt less if Yukino and Lisanna looked less like carbon copies of each other. But sadly, they were very much alike in both looks and personalities.

The only difference was that Lisanna was not a failure like Yukino was. Lisanna had saved her sister, while Yukino had just sat and cried. Lisanna was strong and powerful. Lisanna was beautiful and charming.

Maybe if Yukino was less of a failure, and more like Lisanna, Natsu would like her too.

The guild doors opened, and a laughing Lucy and a slightly smirking Cobra came through them. As they arrived, a chorus of wolf whistles and vulgar remarks greeted them Lucy blushed profusely, while Cobra merely looked on smugly.

Lucy was perfect too. Lucy had a boyfriend who loved her, and she was strong. Lucy had many people who cared about her. In fact, before Natsu had liked Lisanna, he had adored Lucy.

Once she had started dating Cobra of course, he backed off. She couldn't blame him. Cobra's glare was a fearsome thing, usually accompanied by a hair-raising snarl. Needless to say, Natsu had gotten the message quickly.

One thing was very clear to Yukino however. Natsu clearly preferred strong women.

Sure Yukino knew hand-to-hand combat and was a decent celestial wizard. But did she have Lisanna's strength, or Lucy's keys? Could she fight as well as either of them?

She didn't think so.

In fact, wasn't Lucy just the better version of Yukino anyways? More beautiful, more powerful, more strength, more perseverance, more everything.

She was even outclassed by her in breast size.

For god's sake, even her spirits were in love with her.

Yukino let out another, more disparaging sigh as she eyed her empty glass. If she ordered another, Mira was sure to notice, even in her distracted state. And while she loved the barmaid, she would never dare to mention that she was jealous of her actual sister. Mira might like Yukino, but between Yukino and Lisanna, she would surely choose Lisanna.

After all, who would want Yukino when they could have people like Lisanna and Lucy?

Biting back yet another sigh, Yukino resumed staring at her empty glass. As empty as her spirits, she noted.

Yukino felt a hand on her arm, and she immediately looked up. It was Mira, and the barmaid looked desperate. Fighting through her alcohol-induced stupor (Yukino was a bit of a light-weight), Yukino struggled to make out what she was saying.

"…take this? Kinana took the day off, and Lisanna is really busy, and I hate to ask you since you're our guest, but would you mind?"

Yukino half-smiled. Busy. That was one word for it.

Shaking off her bitter, self-pitying stupor Yukino smiled her usual soft and sweet smile. "Of course I can Mira! Just tell me what to do."

After all, she couldn't very well sit here pitying herself forever, could she?

Mira smiled angelically at her. "Great! Thank you so much for doing this Yukino, I just don't think I can handle them all myself today! Can you take this drink to Midnight? He's sitting in that corner table over there."

Yukino let her gaze search for the visiting mage, and then let her eyes land on a partially obscured table far in the back. She let herself smile. Of course the narcoleptic mage would sit there. It was the perfect location to sleep peacefully in, set apart from the guild's usual brawls and outbursts.

"Sure," she replied to Mira. She then smiled apologetically. "Could I have something to sober me up first? I'm afraid I got a little carried away today…"

Mira frowned. "That's not really like you Yukino, is something wrong?"

Yukino quickly brushed off her concerns with a wave of her hand. "It's nothing. Sting is just rubbing off on me I guess…"

Frown still in place, Mira disappeared and reappeared seconds later with a mint green concoction, which Yukino swiftly downed. She blinked as she felt sobriety return to her immediately.

Smiling once again at the demon barmaid, Yukino thanked her, and then took the drink apparently reserved for Midnight from her grasp. The barmaid appeared to want to pursue the topic, but eyeing the line of people waiting at the bar, she hesitantly returned to her post. Yukino let out a sigh of relief. At least she wasn't going to have to tell Mira about what a despicable person she was being.

Natsu was happy with Lisanna. She ought to be happy for him, not jealous that he hadn't picked her. Sure he had avenged her dignity once. Did that mean he was in love with her? Of course not. Yukino's feelings were completely one-sided, and it was about time she moved on.

Taking a deep breath, she proudly walked past the adoring couple, her head held high, and moved towards the apparently sleeping reflector mage. The minute she passed them, she drooped, but continued in her path. Stopping before the desired table she placed the drink in front of him, and gently shook him awake.

"Midnight? Midnight, Mira sent me with your drink. I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to let you know, in case you were waiting."

The reflector mage blearily opened his eyes and reached for the drink. Yukino took this as a sign that she was not a bother, and she gently pushed the drink into his hands. Lifting his head up, he grasped the glass in his hand and quickly chugged it down. It appeared to wake him up, and he slowly rose into a sitting position.

Yukino blinked. She had thought that the amber liquid she had given him was alcohol, but considering it had actually woken him up and made him more alert, she was now doubtful.

"Um, excuse me, Midnight? What was actually in the drink that I brought you?"

Midnight stared at her incredulously. "You mean, you brought me a drink, but you didn't actually know what was in it?"

Yukino blushed. "I was a little…distracted when Mira explained to me what she wanted me to do."

Midnight eyed her knowingly, but didn't pursue the subject, something Yukino was grateful for. She wasn't sure how to explain that she had gotten tipsy watching her somewhat secret crush exploit his relationship with his new girlfriend.

"Apple juice."

She blinked. "Pardon?"

He eyed her curiously, probably pondering the reason for her distracted state. "You asked what was in my drink. It was apple juice."

Yukino's mouth parted slightly. "It was…apple juice?"

Midnight nodded sagely. "It keeps me awake."

Yukino frowned. "But wouldn't you prefer to sleep? You seem to enjoy it after all."

Midnight smirked, a corner of his mouth tilting upwards. "Only when I'm surrounded by my annoying guildmates. However, when I'm in the company of pretty ladies, I prefer to stay aware of my surroundings."

Yukino blinked again, before realizing that he had meant her. Stammering, she attempted to hide the rosy blush that was now attempting to take over her face. "I-I don't… I'm-I'm flattered, but… I-"

Midnight sat back with a satisfied smirk as he watched the beautiful celestial mage stutter. He could get used to this, he thought. It felt oddly satisfying to watch the blush spread across his face, knowing that he had been the one to cause it.

"I know a way to spice up your apple juice if you want!"

This time, it was Midnight's turn to blink at the outburst. He had certainly not expected that.

Yukino blushed again. Why would he care about ways to spice up his apple juice? He probably liked it just the way it was. She was just being stupid again, as always. Stupid Yukino, always messing everything up-

"I'd like that."

Yukino jerked out of her thoughts startled. "You-you would?"

Midnight nodded, a slight smile gracing his face.

"Really?"

The smile on Midnight's face became fuller. "Yes, I do believe that is what I just said."

Yukino flushed a brilliant red. "S-Sorry, I'll get on that right away!" She immediately fled the scene, the tray that had held the drink she had brought him raised to hide her furiously flushed face. Once again, she had made a fool of herself in front of a charming guy. Would her bad luck ever stop?

Cobra snorted as he eyed the unaware and embarrassed celestial mage run towards the kitchen behind the bar in apparent haste. If she was referring to Natsu as the other example of a charming guy, she was probably one of the only ones to do so. He doubted that many had referred to the impulsive idiot in that way, save for his obviously infatuated mate.

Speaking of the devil…

"Hey Cobra!" Natsu burst in, fist already aflame. "Fight me!"

Cobra knocked him out with a swift punch, not even bothering to respond. Ignoring his now huffing mate as she bent down to check on her moronic best friend, he pondered the question that had plagued him since he had first met the idiot.

Why was this guild so filled with morons?

Yukino rushed back to the table, fresh new drink in hand. Stopping abruptly before the table, she set it down on the table fast.

"Here you go!"

Midnight looked up, already had been nodding off in the absence of Yukino. He eyed the drink. It was relatively similar in color to what he had been given before, but it now smelled and appeared slightly different.

He eyed it suspiciously. "What did you do to it?"

Yukino blushed. "It's just something my sister taught me a while back. She used to make it for me when we were younger. I used to get myself into an awful lot of scrapes, but whenever I was crying, or just sad in general, she would always just make me a steaming mug of this. It's called apple cider, I think."

Midnight did not lose his suspicions. "Is there alcohol in this?"

Yukino blushed even more furiously. "Just a bit."

Midnight stared at her incredulously.

"It adds flavor!"

"Your sister gave you alcohol. When you were, what, six years old?"

"Actually…I was four."

"..."

"She was just trying to cheer me up!"

"Oh sure. I guess your liver will feel really cheerful when it's rotting from alcohol poisoning."

Yukino felt the first stirrings of irritation since the conversation started. "Are you going to have it or not?"

Midnight smirked. "Cool your jets, princess. I'll drink it." He raised the drink to his lips, but paused midway. "Are you sure you aren't just trying to get me drunk so you can have your wicked way with me?"

Yukino flushed an angry red. "Just drink it!"

Midnight chuckled. "You didn't exactly answer my question." Yukino made an angry gesture at him, and he smirked. It seemed that the kitten had claws after all.

Yukino watched anxiously as he raised the glass to his mouth once more and took a sip. He seemed to mull over the taste for a few seconds, and then he took another sip. He set the glass down and stared at her.

Yukino twitched. "Well?"

"Can I keep you?"

Yukino dropped the tray she had been holding. "Pardon me, but, what?"

"Can I keep you?"

Yukino experienced, for the first time, what appeared to be a full body blush, as she stuttered and struggled to ask him what he meant by that. "Wha-what?"

"This drink…is the most amazing thing I've ever tasted in my life."

Yukino picked up the tray, eyes shining. "Re-really? I mean, I've liked it all the times I've made it, and Sting and Rogue seemed to enjoy it as well but…"

Midnight felt a flash of annoyance at hearing the two Sabers' names. So Yukino had made them the drink too, huh? It looked like he would have to change that.

"Really. In fact, it's so good, that I can't have you making this for anyone else but the two of us."

"The two…of us?"

Midnight nodded. "Exactly. From now on, it will remain our little secret. In fact, why don't you run along, get yourself some of this, and sit yourself down next to me so we can start on this tradition right away?"

Yukino nodded emphatically. "I'll get on that right away!"

As she quickly sprinted to the kitchen, Yukino placed a hand on her heart.

Funny. It was moving almost as fast as when Natsu had spoken to her in the past.

Yet…She didn't think she was over him yet. After all, she had loved him for almost an entire year. Just because she had met Midnight today and liked him, didn't mean that she would forget about Natsu right away.

But for now, she enjoyed his company. And like she had thought before, it was about time Yukino moved on. Maybe she had been a failure in the past, but now, she was a member of Sabertooth. And Sabertooth members did not lose themselves in self-pity like she had done before. Sabertooth members were strong and unyielding, and could overcome anything. And it was about time that Yukino started handling herself like one.

And strangely, Midnight also found himself thinking along the same lines as Yukino (minus the self-doubt and pity) as he finally allowed himself to move on from the white-haired barmaid. He privately vowed he would not attempt to interfere in her relationship with the sparkplug dragon slayer again.

And he also quietly hoped she did not discover what he had done in the past in an attempt to break them up.

He really hoped that she didn't. He didn't need to die before he finally had a chance to move on.

That would really put a damper on his whole day.

Cobra snorted as he surveyed the soon-to-be-existent relationship. The white-haired celestial mage had returned with her drink, and now the two were quietly chatting, with the celestial mage turning red and blushing every few minutes. Who did they think they were fooling? It was obvious they were both head over heels for each other. Honestly, if they started dating right now, he bet that they would be married within two months. They had been so busy sulking over the people they thought they "loved", that they hadn't realized that they really were perfect for each other.

He shuddered. His thoughts were sounding way too similar to that of his crazy wife's right then.

Speaking of which, he turned to face her, and then quietly rolled his eyes as he noticed her staring at the same couple with hearts practically shining in her eyes. Joining her was the demon barmaid, who had seemingly abandoned her post to join Lucy in her staring.

"I ship it. It may just be my new OTP! MidKino!"

Lucy grinned at the barmaid. "Thanks for your help in making it happen. If you hadn't sent her over there, who knows how long it would have taken them to get together?"

Mira winked. "No problem Lucy. It's about time Yukino got over Natsu. I was glad to help."

Lucy snorted. "No kidding. She is way too good for him."

As if on cue, both of their glances passed over the still knocked out, and slightly drooling fire dragon slayer. They both shuddered.

Mira squealed. "I can't wait to see what their babies look like! His two-toned hair, her beautiful white hair, they're going to be so adorable!"

Lucy squealed in agreement.

Cobra stared at them both. "You do realize that they aren't actually together yet, right?"

In unison, both of them turned to face him. "Not yet they aren't. But they will be."

Cobra stared at them and shuddered. This was getting much too creepy for his taste.

"And Cobra, you'll help won't you? You'll let us know how far their feeling for each other have progressed, right?"

Lucy chimed in. "Erik, you would tell me right? After all, if both of our friends get together, we could go on double dates! Wouldn't that be fun?"

Once again in unison, their voices rang out dangerously. "You'll help us, right?"

Cobra surveyed them both. As he processed their unwavering stares, their angelic smiles, and their pouting lips, he began to feel a new and unique sensation. One he hadn't felt for a while, except way back on top of Nirvana, before Brain had stabbed him.

He believed it was called fear.

AN: And that's it for Day 1! Review to let me know what you think, or to tell me if you wrote anything for this ship week, because I'd really love to read more of this pairing. It just needs more love people!

That's all I have for now, check in tomorrow for Day 2: Sugar High!

-Fareetauhl