Thanks for the amazing response too the story, you guys! I honestly wasn't expecting it. Enjoy!
Erza groaned and pulled the blanket back over her head. She'd attempted to drown out her displeasure with liquor the night before, but it hadn't worked. It just gave her a massive headache. All she remembered was Elfman shouting about manliness to anyone who would listen and Natsu causing a fire behind the counter again. Typical night, honestly. Erza groaned again as someone knocked on her door.
"Erza?" Levy voice asked. "Are you still sleeping?"
"No," Erza moaned. "I'm hungover" Levy laughed.
"Can I come in? I promise I won't laugh" Erza told her she could and she heard the door open as she sat up, facing Levy, who frowned. "You look terrible."
"I know" Erza said flatly, rubbing her temples. "What is it you need?" Levy grinned suggestively.
"Well... it's nothing I need, but..."
"What is it?" Levy pulled out a small bag from behind her back.
"The bookstore got my recent shipment in..." Erza's eyes widened, a grin forming on her lips. "...And I just figured I\d pop by and give her your book" Erza practically jumped up happily. Well, she tried, but it made her head spin.
"The third book in the Bonded Princess series?" Erza asked excitedly. Levy nodded.
"Yep, it's right here. I read a little bit and it gets really good when..." Erza clamped her hand over Levy's mouth.
"Don't spoil it!" Erza hissed. Levy nodded and Erza released her and she was handed the book. "Thanks for this Levy" She said, hugging the smaller girl. "I was really looking forward to this"
"No problem," Levy replied as Erza released her. "Just remember to give it to me afterwards, okay?" Erza nodded, she could remember that. Erza felt woozy and and her head span wildly. "Hey, are you sure your okay, Erza? You look like your really hungover" Erza grabbed Levy's wrist.
"I need you to do something for me" She hissed, watching the solid script mage stare at her.
"What is it?" Levy asked, confused.
"I need you too hold my hair for me while I throw up" Levy chuckled.
"Yeah, what are besties for?"
Erza stumbled into the guild and made her way for Natsu and Lucy, who were currently sitting off to the side. Thankfully, they weren't in the presence of a certain Ice make wizard, who got on Erza's nerves more currently than Ichiya, and That was saying something. The two looked up as she approached.
"Morning," Erza murmured as she sat down next to Natsu.
"Are you okay, Erza?" Natsu asked. "You seem pale, like, more than usual."
"Yes, thank you for asking, Natsu" She replied, grinning weakly at the dragon slayer. "I'm just out of sorts, I suppose" She wasn't going to tell the two she was hungover, that wouldn't go well, seeing as Lucy and Natsu had a much cleaner image of her.
"You look tired, Erza" Lucy said, worry seeping into her tone. "Did you not sleep well or something?"
"No," Erza replied, grateful for an excuse. "I couldn't get to sleep" Happy flew into the middle of the table and laughed at Erza.
"Were you up with Gray all night?" He asked suggestively. Erza replied by grabbing the exceed by the neck and throwing him behind her, hearing a satisfying crack as he hit the wall. Natsu chuckled as Happy wailed for help.
"You deserved it, Happy" Natsu called. "Erza doesn't need to discuss her night with us. It must've been fun, seeing as Erza usually doesn't stay up all night." Erza was not in the mood for this, so she did the only sensible thing.
She started strangling Natsu.
In the midst of killing Natsu and Lucy trying desperately to defuse the situation, Erza heard someone walk up to them.
"Seriously, babe?" a voice asked. "I mean, if you want to bond while we kill Natsu, I'm all for it. But I think this is a bit much." Erza temporarily released her steely grip on Natsu's throat, allowing him to slither away. She turned towards the questioning voice, and got even more pissed of when she realized who it was. She still, however, because she was a much better friend than he deserved, did her best to act flustered and smiled.
"Oh, Gray!" She acted surprised to see him. "I uh... didn't see you there" Gray chuckled.
"Oh course you didn't or I would've gotten a kiss by now" He replied,and Erza's tried her best to turn her growl into a girly giggle halfway up her throat. Gray sat next to her and draped an arm around her as Natsu crawled back up onto Lucy's side.
"Thanks, Gray" Natsu said, coughing as Lucy rubbed his back. "I thought she was going to kill me" Erza disagreed. She wasn't going to kill Natsu, she was just going to choke him until he went unconscious and made Lucy use mouth to mouth to resuscitate him, which would get everyone off her back about her and Gray as they'd be too focused on Lucy and Natsu. Mira oftentimes referred to them as Nalu.
Erza wanted to puke again at the thought of it. If Mira ever gave her and Gray a ship name, she's make sure the she demon never got a chance to make another, partly because Erza would use her vocal chords to hang her.
Erza realized how violent she was when she drank, and she didn't particularly like it. She had more pressing matter, anyhow. Mainly, trying not to do said act against Gray instead of Mira. He'd turned into such an ass as of late. Erza knew it was only for show with the guild, but it made her angry how he expected to just go along with everything he said or did willingly, just because she was supposed to be acting like his girlfriend. Erza was relatively proud of her performance so far as well. As far as she knew, no one suspected a thing. Especially not Juvia, of all people. It was often the thought of Juvia's room alone that fought Erza back to Gray's side. It was just so weird.
"Erza" Lucy said. "I asked you something."
"Huh?" Was all Erza managed, which made her blush slightly as Natsu chuckled. "Sorry, Lucy, I didn't hear you" Lucy smiled.
"I asked how you and Gray are" She replied. Erza did her best not to moan, partially due to the question and partially because her head hurt. She cast a side glance at Gray, who was watching her like a hawk. She sighed.
"Great, actually" She replied, using her pain to lock her mouth muscles into a smile. "I can't believe the guy for me was in front of me the whole time." Natsu pretended to throw up, and Erza almost joined him. She hadn't been expecting the words to make her sick. She watched as Lucy reprimanded Natsu for the gesture, and Erza thought on her feet to find something to say. "Speaking of how people are doing, how are you and Natsu, Lucy?" The blonde turned , confused.
"Huh, Me and Natsu?" She asked, too of which Erza grinned suggestively. Even she, who was as blind and oblivious as Natsu himself most of the time, could see the two had a deeper relationship than friends, even if neither realized it. Lucy blushed furiously. "I don't know what you mean, Erza"
"Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean, Lucy" Erza replied. Erza found how enjoyable it was to tease Lucy about Natsu, mainly because she reacted so drastically. This was Mira enjoyed this so much. She stood and grabbed Natsu by the collar.
"We're going on a job, Natsu" She spoke curtly. "Come on"
"But that's all we ever do anymore" Natsu complained, leaning back. "I just wanna hang out with Erza and Gray today"
"Tough luck. Besides, I'm sure the happy couple would love to spend some time alone" Erza didn't need to act so offended, but she still did. Lucy blew a raspberry at her as she dragged the complaining dragon slayer away. As soon as they were far enough away, Erza pushed Gray off her, causing him to fall over. He groaned, which only intensified Erza's headache.
"Seriously?" He asked.
"Babe?" She demanded, and Gray paled. He looked terrified, and for a good reason.
"Sorry, just, you know it's been a week, and I just thought, y'know..." Gray rubbed his head awkwardly and Erza narrowed her eyes at him. "You smell like alcohol," He noted. "Have you been drinking?"
"I tried to drown the memories of the past week at the bottom of a bottle of scotch last night," Erza replied.
"Really, is it that bad?" Erza could only nod, rubbing her temples again. "Sorry, I'll calm down a bit" Erza smiled gratefully as her vision blurred slightly.
"I'm going to get coffee for this"
"Good luck" Erza stumbled over to the counter.
"Hey, Mira, can you get me a coffee, my head is killing me,"
"Not surprised." The white haired bartender said with a grin. "I thought you were going to out pace Cana last night." Erza didn't reply, she just waited for her damn coffee. "Hey, Erza, I've been doing some thinking..."
"About?" Erza watched Mira look up, looking proud of herself.
'Grayza!" She announced happily. Erza was confused.
"Huh?" She asked quietly.
"You and Gray's ship name! isn't it cute?!"
"Fucking shoot me" Erza muttered.
Hehe, Erza's not enjoying herself at all. Remember to review!