6 PM (The Strausses)

Elfman managed to catch Lisanna's eye and nod meaningfully toward the back of the guild. Lisanna met him on the other side of a stack of chairs, outside of Mira's sight.

"It's almost time," he said.

"Are you going to pick up the cake, or shall I?"

They stared at each other: whoever ran pickup got a bit of alone time with their significant other. Elfman looked across the hall at where Ever was gesticulating wildly in some kind of argument with Freed and Bickslow.

"You go," he said generously. "I'll bring Mira."

"You sure?"

"Of course." He smiled down at her. "I'll await your signal."

Nodding, Lisanna bounded out of their hiding spot, making a beeline for Levy.

Elfman crossed the guild more slowly. Real men found ways to be romantic on Christmas Eve even if they didn't get a moment alone with their girlfriend; of course, he wasn't coming up with any ideas…

When he stalked up behind Evergreen, Freed's eyes skittered over him and away, Evergreen still oblivious.

"That's totally not how it works," Ever was telling her teammate.

"This is my area of expertise, Ever," Freed said. "I think I would know."

"I—"

Elfman bumped up against Ever's back.

"Look where you're…" She caught sight of his face and blushed. "Oh. It's you. Hi."

"It's rude to argue on Christmas Eve," he teased her, earning a smile from Freed.

"Came over here to scold me?" Ever asked, eyes narrowed as she turned around. She tried to take a step back so she wasn't craning her neck, but Elfman had his hands on her hips and kept her close. "You're not the boss of me, Elfman."

"Really? You could've fooled us," Freed said.

Bickslow barked a laugh.

"Smitten," he agreed.

It was Elfman's turn to blush.

"I'll show you all who's in charge," Ever growled, and leaned up to kiss Elfman.

Which was what he wanted in the first place.

It was a quick kiss, but both Ever's teammates were smirking when they pulled apart.

"Yup," Freed said, looking at Bickslow. "He's got her all wound up."

"Shut up!" she said, smacking Freed's arm.

Elfman pulled her to his side so she couldn't continue her violence. Ever made a show of struggling, even though her hand gripped his arm, fingers running over his bicep the way she liked to do. The gesture always calmed him down—not that he could be much more contented than he was already. Ever's presence had that effect, no matter how 'wound up' she was.

"Where's Laxus?" Elfman asked them.

Freed's eyes slanted away and there was a second's hesitation from Ever.

"Still on a job," Bickslow said.

"On Christmas Eve?" Elfman asked in surprise.

"He should be back any time."

"He's late," Freed muttered, giving the guild doors a worried glance.

A light flashed briefly behind them. Bickslow stared between Elfman's and Freed's shoulders in the direction of the bar, mouth hanging open. The other three turned to see.

Erza had requipped out of her armor into a formal dress. She looked stunning. Hair up, body swathed in something shiny and wine-colored. Even Elfman saw she looked lovely—being ace didn't mean he couldn't see beauty. More than a few people were trying not to stare: Cana's face was pink and she appeared to be choking, while Max, who happened to be standing next to the requip mage, had fallen over.

"You look spectacular, Erza," Freed called, apparently the only guildmember to retain his manners.

"What?" She turned around looking dazed. "Oh. Thank you."

"Who is she waiting for?" Ever whispered as they turned back to their group.

"Dunno."

The three of them looked at Bickslow.

"You should probably reattach your jaw," Freed said wryly.

"Just because I'm not gay… Or ace," Bickslow added. "Or a straight woman. You three have it easy."

Elfman chuckled.

"He has a point, Freed," Ever laughed. "If it were Laxus looking that good…"

She cut off when the rune mage's eyes tensed. It was a barely imperceptible change to Freed's features, but the other two teammates fell silent. Elfman suddenly felt like an intruder on Freed's personal emotions.

At that moment, Levy darted into Fairy Tail. Elfman straightened: that was faster than he expected. Especially considering there were very obvious hickies on Levy's neck that hadn't been there before. Oh Lisanna.

Levy waved at him and gave him a thumbs-up.

"That's the signal," he said in a low voice. He pulled his arm away from Ever with regret. "I'll be back."

"Have fun. You owe me later," she called after him.

Elfman blushed. Even though they knew it wasn't an innuendo, most other people wouldn't realize that. It made him uncomfortable when people assumed he and Ever were having sex—which was stupid, because other people's opinions on their relationship didn't matter. Ever had always told him to keep on being himself, but it was hard not to feel unmanly when everyone else was so proud of fucking.

"Fine by me," he called back. He had a feeling this debt would be called in the form of a back rub: she'd complained of being tense all week. Something about Laxus acting more infuriating than normal.

Approaching the bar, he found Mira standing on a stool hanging last-minute decorations. Her expression was harried. Looks like perfect timing.

"Neechan, Lisanna and I have a gift for you."

"Hm?" Mira looked around only to step sideways off the stool.

Elfman caught her before she hit the floor.

"Be careful."

"Sorry," she murmured, standing on shaking legs. Elfman wanted to ask what on earth she was apologizing for. "What were you saying?"

"We have a gift for you."

"Oh. Okay. I'll be right there."

Elfman bit his lip. The stress around her eyes was clear, mind elsewhere. Mira loved people and parties, but she constantly overworked herself trying to make everyone happy.

"Other people can do that," he said, grabbing her hand before she could get on the stool again. "We'll be back in a little bit. Promise."

Sighing, Mira let him lead her toward the guild doors, though he noted the small smile rising on her lips. Sometimes she just needed someone to tell her to stop.

When he handed her coat over, she blinked up at him.

"It's outside," he said, grinning. "You'll like it."

A gleam came into her eyes as she followed him out the guild doors. Their speed increased the farther they went, Elfman leading her down quieter lanes toward the edge of town. Mira had a suspicious look on her face, and he knew she was trying to guess their destination.

"I thought Yukiko's was closed tonight?" she asked.

"It is."

Mira frowned and Elfman couldn't suppress his smile.

They turned down the last block and headed toward a small restaurant with a single light on in the window. Yukiko's had been their family's favorite ever since Lisanna came back from the dead.

"What?" Mira asked in confusion as Elfman opened the door for her.

Inside there was only one table occupied. Lisanna sat grinning in the candlelight Yukiko had provided for them, a strawberry cake arrayed in front of her.

"What?" Mira repeated, her voice turning emotional. "Serious?"

"Serious," Lisanna said, getting up to hug her. Elfman hugged them from the other side so Mira was squashed in the middle. She was tearing up and giggling and beaming as she clumsily held them both.

"But Yukiko's doesn't sell cake," Mira protested as they sat down.

"We got this at the bakery down the street." Lisanna grinned. "Paid Yukiko to let us use this place tonight. Figured you'd need a moment to relax."

Mira laughed. "You know me so well."

"First bite is yours, Neechan," Lisanna said, motioning at the cake.

Mirajane smiled at them.

"I love you two so much."