AN – thanks to CrystallineDragonDemoness and assassins-fairy-basketball for writing me beautiful reviews that this fic does not deserve (and also special thanks to assassins-fairy-basketball's review for reminding me that this fic exists).
i have an issue, in that i started this fic having no clue as to how this fic was going to go (except downwards). so i currently really have no clue as to how to continue this fic.
still, i figured that it might be easier for me to write (and update) in small chunks so i can take breathers between each scene. much apologies to those who are expecting updates of epic lengths and story/character developments!
An awkward pause ensued as both redheads stared at each other. Taiga was completely out of his element, while Erza had clammed up when she finally realised how odd her behaviour must have been to the boy in front of her.
It then occurred to Erza that she should try to rescue the situation, since she had caused it in the first place.
"Let's take a seat first, shall we?" she asked apologetically, a faint blush rising up her cheeks.
"Yeah," Taiga nodded, but there was a hint of wariness still lingering in his eyes.
The two pulled up their chairs mutely, gazes fixed on each other in a manner not unlike two fighters sizing up their opponents before a match. Erza was beginning to regret the date. What was supposed to be a casual outing was all coming to pieces, and it was all her fault. Maybe she just wasn't suited for romance, after all.
When it seemed like the silence was going to last for an eternity, salvation arrived in the form of the waiter, who came bearing with him menus. The redheads accepted them almost eagerly, thankful that they had an excuse not to make conversation.
After the both of them had, much to the chagrin of their attending waiter, spent an unnaturally long time perusing their menus with more concentration than was probably necessary, Erza finally decided to take the initiative to dispel the silence.
"I'll have a steak, please," she said, snapping her menu shut.
"Er, give me 15 cheeseburgers." Taiga added, handing his own menu back to the waiter. He turned back to face his date, only to see a look of undisguised shock on her face.
"15 cheeseburgers?"
"Uh, yeah, that's about half of what I usually eat," Taiga shrugged, as though the information he had just divulged was of no big deal. "I'll order more once I'm done."
"That's too many cheeseburgers!" Erza frowned in disapproval, quite forgetting that she was on a date, and that this wasn't Natsu or Gray she was dealing with. "No, you have to supplement your diet with something healthier."
With that, she made a move to signal the waiter for the menu again, completely ignoring Taiga's thunderstruck expression.
"Hah? Who are you to tell me what not to eat?" the crimson-haired boy exclaimed in outrage. He grabbed onto Erza's hand roughly in an attempt to get her to put it down. "I'm having my cheeseburgers, no matter what you say," he growled, split eyebrows knitted together threateningly.
Erza's own eyebrows snapped together, unused to having such a direct challenge to her authority. "No. Someone has to teach you proper eating habits for your own good," she fired back, returning his menacing gaze with one of her own. "Now let me go."
"Not until you let me eat what I want," snarled Taiga, incensed, flabbergasted at the audacity of the girl in front of him. Not only did she come late and make him hit her against his will, she was now trying to dictate what he should and should not eat? Screw this – Taiga wasn't going to deal with this shit, even if it was from a girl.
In an attempt to intimidate her further, he jammed his face further into her personal space, unaware that Erza naturally wasn't one to back down from such a fight.
"Is this a challenge?" the scarlet-haired girl asked coolly, brown eyes flashing dangerously. "If you want a fight, you've got one."
"You're on," the crimson-haired boy countered, blood boiling in his veins at the expectation of a face-off, "You and me, at the basketball court. Now."
"No. If you want to fight me, we'll do it on my terms. Magic, and nothing else."
"Magic? I don't – "
"Uhm," interjected a voice next to them. It was the waiter, balancing two trays on his hands and peering at them hesitantly over round-rimmed glasses. "One medium-rare steak, and 15 cheeseburgers?"
Embarrassed, the two redheads returned to their seats, muttering their apologies to the waiter. Their attentions off each other, Taiga chose instead to direct his mutinous glare to the lone flower on the table, while Erza tried her best to restrain herself from bowing fervently to the waiter in apology, lest she spook him even further.
"Let's just eat," offered the crimson-haired boy, once their food was served.
It was an unspoken olive-branch, and Erza accepted it gratefully.
"Good idea."