A/N: Thank you all for the reviews (actually thanks to anyone who simply read the story) it is nice to know that people like it and that someone other than myself likes the Laxza ship (even if it is only crack) hope you like this part!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.
Erza's Earrings.
"Hey Erza?" Lucy asked, peering at the requip mage curiously. "Where did you get your earrings?"
An armoured hand instantly reached up to feel the dangling jewels. "My earrings?"
"Yeah," the celestial wizard nodded. "I was just wondering because I don't think I've ever seen you without them."
She blushed slightly, looking down. "An old friend gave them to me," she said, her eyes glazing over as memories flooded her mind.
"What are you moping for?" The blonde haired teen looked at the young girl across from him. Her bangs fell into her face, long red plait hanging over one shoulder as she stared out the window of the S-class floor.
"I'm not moping," she replied, not even looking at him.
"Yes you are," Laxus leaned backwards, holding his hands behind his head. "Did a quest go wrong or something?"
"How would a quest go wrong? You've been on all my quests with me," she answered irritably.
"Is that your way of telling me you like having me around on missions?" He raised a brow skeptically.
"I'm saying that since you come on all of my missions with me, you would know if something went wrong," she snapped.
His brows drew together in displeasure. "You make me sound like some kind of clingy toddler."
"I can't help it if that's what you discern from my speech," she muttered, turning away from him again.
He stared at her for a second before, crossing his arms over his chest and pursing his lips. "Alright, what's eating you?"
"Why do you even care?" She challenged, turning her glare to him.
"Is it that time of the month?"
"What!? No!" She blushed profusely, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and looking off to the side. "It's nothing."
"It's obviously not nothing if you're getting this worked up about it. So spill."
Her blush grew deeper. "It's embarrassing."
He rolled his eyes. "Try me."
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" She asked. He shook his head in return and she took a deep breath. "Well, today... Hilda, our dorm lady, gave us all a jewel each. She brought in a whole box of them and they were so beautiful but soon we realised we were one short. I didn't want to disappoint any of the other girls so I said I didn't want one and now..." She looked away, clearly uncomfortable with telling the older teen about her feelings. "I regret it. I just wish I hadn't lied."
He didn't respond for a long time and the silence made her nervous and edgy. Fidgeting with her fingers beneath the table, she dared to raise her eyes to see his expression. It remained in its dry and unconcerned state. "That's it? You're sad because you didn't get some jewellery?"
Her mouth dropped at his bluntness and she shook her head feverishly. "N-no! It's not just that, but yes it is a big part of it. It's just," she paused and sighed, "that would've been the first gift Hilda ever gave to me and I had been secretly excited about it. I guess I'm just..."
She trailed off, not being able to find the words to express exactly how she felt. Every time she came close, they seemed to slip away from her tongue and continue to render her speechless. In the end she stood up and looked away from him, heading towards the stairs.
"Forget it," she said over her shoulder, forcing her voice to sound nonchalant.
"Are we still going to train tomorrow?" He called after her.
"Sure, I'll see you after lunch."
It was four hours after lunch time and Erza still hadn't shown up to their usual spot to train. Laxus sat at the base of the tree near Fairy Hills, watching the storm clouds begin to gather in the east. No doubt the rain would come soon and he didn't plan on waiting for the requip mage any longer. He was surprised he had waited for so many hours as it was.
Making his way back to the guild, he entered the quiet hall. His brows drew together in confusion and he shoved the small leather box in his pocket down further in a gesture of slight worry. He went directly towards Mirajane who sat at the bar with Levy.
"What happened?" He asked immediately.
"There was an accident on the back roads into Magnolia," the demon answered, taking a sip of her drink.
"So why is everyone so..." he searched for the right word, "gloomy?"
"Our dorm lady, Hilda, died," Levy replied, sniffing and clasping her tissue. "Her carriage went off the road when the driver lost control."
His eyes widened a fraction. "Where's Erza?"
"That idiot went charging off towards the back roads the second she got the message this morning and she hasn't returned yet," Mirajane said, looking away from him. "It's not like she can do anything to help her now anyway."
"Mira! That's not very nice," Levy sniffed, more tears gathering in her eyes. "Erza really loved Hilda, she was the only mother-figure she ever had..."
Laxus wasn't listening anymore though. The girls' voices drifted away as he power walked out the door, not even stopping to grab an umbrella to shelter him from the rain. He broke into a run as soon as he got past the gates, and he didn't stop sprinting as he followed the mental map in his mind. Every two seconds he would check to make sure the box was still in his pocket.
It only took him minutes to reach his destination, coming upon a small cliff road where a wooden carriage lay in splinters at the bottom. The rain lashed from the heavens, soaking the ground and broken machinery. Only a few feet away stood Erza, her hair dripping wet, armour sleek with the rain and shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
He approached her slowly, laying a hand on her shoulder. She whirled around, eyes wide with hope and tears. It died as soon as she realised it was him, he knew she had wanted it to be someone else, that someone being her dorm lady. Her face seemed to crumple with sadness and she fell against him, her sobs muffling into his shirt.
Normally, he would've pushed her away, afraid his clothes would be ruined or that someone would see him with her. These weren't normal circumstances though and he didn't think he'd be able to forgive himself if he rejected her while she was like this. No one had ever seen Titania cry and it wasn't exactly a privilege for him, it felt like a punishment.
He decided in that moment that tears didn't suit her.
His arms wrapped around her slim body, her head tucked neatly under his chin and his hand massaged her hair gently as she cried. He didn't say anything, neither did she but when her sobs began to quieten and subside, he took a deep breath.
"C'mon, Scarlet, let's go home," he said softly.
She pulled away slightly, looking up at him through red-rimmed eyes. "I don't want to go back. Not now."
He released a sigh. "Then we won't, but you have to get into some dry clothes, before you catch a cold," he let her go and stepped back, taking her hand in his without even thinking about it. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?" She asked uncertainly.
"To my place," he replied, glancing back as he felt her stiffen. "Don't give me that look, I'm not going to try anything on you. Give me some credit." The corner of his lip rose slightly. "Now dry your tears so the townspeople don't see them, it's not fitting for Titania to cry."
She was silent for a bit, but then she quickened her pace, falling into step with him. White teeth sunk into her lip and her smaller hand squeezed his for support.
"Right," she breathed shakily.
Although tears may not have suited Titania, his clothes certainly did.
She stood in front of him now, her cheeks tinting red as she tugged at the hem of his t-shirt. He thought it had been long on him, but it was like a dress on her. The blue fabric came down just above her knees and he could see the bottom of his red boxers beneath it. Her long red hair was half towel-dried and fell around her shoulders in crimson curls.
He tried his best to keep his eyes on her face. "Feel better?"
She made her way over to him, sitting down in the couch. "Sort of, thanks."
"No problem." A slight pause. "Sorry about your cranky old dorm lady."
He said it casually yet there was a sincere tone to his voice and it made her raise her eyes to look at him. "It's ok, I'm sorry I missed training today."
"Yeah well, you're going to have to make it up to me," he leaned back against the couch, trying not to let the grin show on his face.
"Make it up to you?" She repeated in confusion. "How?"
He made a sound of false thought in the back of his throat and looked towards the ceiling. "What do I want...? What can I get you to do for me...?"
She gave him an unamused look. "Just tell me, I already know you have something in mind."
"Fine, close your eyes." She only narrowed her gaze in response and he rolled his eyes. "I told you I wouldn't try anything, now close them."
"Alright," she obeyed begrudgingly. He took a second to marvel at how dark and long her lashes were against her porcelain skin before reaching into his pocket and taking out the small box.
"Open them," he commanded, holding the box out in front of her.
"What's this?" She asked in surprise, taking the little leather object from him.
"An engagement ring," he deadpanned and she gave him a look that resembled one of a deer caught in headlights. She could be so gullible sometimes. "I'm kidding. I didn't want you to sulk anymore so I got them for you yesterday."
She opened up the little box and a small gasp escaped her lips when she saw the two earrings hanging daintily in front of her. They were small and silver, shaped as dangling diamonds that kind of resembled her swords.
"They're beautiful," she whispered in awe, her eyes beginning to tear up and he could see her bottom lip start to quiver.
"Hey, I got them for you so you'd stop crying, not to set you off again. You know I can't deal with-"
He was cut off as Erza suddenly threw her arms around his neck and hugged him with all her might. "Thank you!" She squealed in delight. The force of her body crashing into him sent them both sprawling backwards on the couch. He hit his head off the soft armrest and Erza landed on top of him, his arms encircling her waist.
He became very aware of the t-shirt riding up over her abdomen as she tried to get off of him quickly, blushing slightly. Her hair fell around them, like a curtain from the outside world and he couldn't help but notice how amazing his shampoo smelled in her hair. His arms suddenly tightened of their own accord, preventing her from moving farther away and she paused, looking down at him in confusion.
"Laxus...?" She whispered his name as more of a question than anything else. Her eyes were still laden with tears but as one dared to trail down her cheek, he wiped it away softly with his thumb. His hand lingered there for a little longer and she leant into his warm touch.
"I could kiss you right now," he murmured before he could stop himself. He could feel his cheeks heat up in sync with her own as his eyes darted down to her lips.
Her tongue ran over them out of instinct. "I wouldn't stop you," she replied quietly.
That was confirmation enough for him and he leaned upwards, taking his lips with her own. She responded hesitantly to the soft brush of his, not moving back but not exactly sure how to respond. He could practically taste her innocence and he persisted gently, moving his lips gently against hers.
If Titania was one thing, it was a quick learner and soon her own lips began to move fluidly against his. He dared to go a little deeper, entangling his hand in her hair and pulling her down, applying more force. She mimicked his actions, her arms to tightening around his neck and pulling him up to her, small box still clutched in her hand.
She pulled away slightly and he opened his eyes to find her looking at him through half-lidded ones. Her cheeks were pink and her breath ghosted over his mouth. He could feel her heart beating rapidly and he raised an eyebrow in consideration.
"Was that your first kiss?" He asked.
"Yeah..." She nodded, looking away briefly. "Was it that obvious?"
"Only a bit," he answered, "you just need some practise."
"So will you teach me?" She asked, the level of pinkness in her cheeks increasing rapidly.
"As if I would let anyone else teach you," he grinned and pulled her lips down to his once again.
