"I want churros~"

Jellal raised a brow at the girl who was lounging in his couch inside his personal den.

"What? Blame the movie for it," She huffed, gesturing at the rolling credits going on in his TV screen.

"Yes, Heartfillia, because it's normal to be craving for churros after watching The Book of Life," Jellal retorted in sarcasm.

It was a Sunday and their parents had goaded them into spending some "quality time" and get to know each other. So Lucy had been coerced to come over his place which ended in them watching The Book of Life, of course after many persuasions and prodding at Jellal, who had been planted in his library, on Lucy's part. The Fernandez heir finally gave in when the noise the blonde was making was starting to get him exasperated.

"First you wanted to watch a cartoon and now you want me to buy you a Mexican pastry just because it was shown in the movie, what's next Heartfillia?"

"In due time, Fernandez, in due time," She smiled impishly, a mischievous glint in her chocolate brown orbs," But as of now, I want Churros."

"Please, Jellal?" She gave him the puppy eyes, peering at him with wide brown eyes.

Jellal sighed," Fine."

"Yeey!"

"Well, there goes my Sunday," Jellal muttered.

Juvia was just idling in her couch when all of a sudden she had that feeling. That meaning she was craving for something. Something sweet and glazed… perhaps a pastry? Maybe some eclairs then? Glazed with blueberries and garnished with cream.

She was already feeling hungry just thinking about it.

So with that settled Juvia stood up from her perch and made sure to grab her purse on the nearest end table before heading out to the door. However as soon as she opened the door she was met with the sight of Loke in the process of supposedly knocking on her door.

"What is Loke doing here?" Juvia tilted her head.

"Isn't it obvious?" He shot her a killer smile," I'm visiting my girlfriend."

"Well, Juvia's heading out," She waved at him, making a move to continue on her way," So bye."

"Wait, where are you going?"

"To the pastry shop. Juvia's up for some eclairs," She replied with a smile on her face, just thinking of said pastry.

"I'll come with."

Juvia knew it was hard to brush off Loke and decided accepting would require less time and energy than declining.

"Okay," She nodded.

The quaint shop was only a few blocks away and with Loke's car it had taken them little time to get there. Juvia's face all but lit up at seeing the chocolate brown painted shop that was practically radiating mouthwatering aromas.

But Loke, on the other hand, had his attention glued on something else- someone else rather.

She was leaning forward in front of one of the numerous display counters in the shop. He could've sworn her hair never looked as golden against the morning glow. Her soft pools of chocolate brown all but sparkled in a way that could probably put the stars at night to shame.

Loke couldn't help but stare at Lucy Heartfillia.

He took on a sour expression as soon as he noticed the blunette with her, occasionally commenting words Loke couldn't quite make out.

"Is Loke listening?" He was snapped away from his thoughts when Juvia profusely waved his hands in front of his face," Earth to Loke."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I asked you if you wanted anything," She peered at him, giving him a funny look.

"Er…" With the expecting look she was giving him, he didn't have a heart to tell her that that was the last thing on his mind right now," Surprise me?"

She nodded, smiling.

His gaze fell back to the couple in front of him. This time Juvia noticed it and traced his gaze to see Lucy Heartfillia and Jellal Fernandez. She was then again reminded of the predicament they were in.

"Loke?"

She was unknowingly giving him that doe eyed look.

He smirked," I guess it's time to get our act on."

Juvia wordlessly nodded her head.

Lucy had been contemplating on the flavor of churros she was to pick, eyeing said pastry through the glass of the display counter she was intently leaning forward to.

"Just pick already," Jellal groaned in exasperation.

The blonde had been at it for what seemed like forever. How long does it take for a normal person to pick churros.

"Unfortunately she's not normal," Jellal muttered under his breath as he watched the blonde ramble on.

"Picking a flavor is very crucial, Jellal," She lightly chided and Jellal had to hold back an eye roll," It requires a lot decision making, foresight and time management."

"Yes, Lucy, time management," Jellal said sarcastically.

"A pleasure seeing you here, Princess," A familiar coquettish voice cut in.

Of course. Loke had to be here of all places.

"Hi to you too, Loke," The blonde smiled and her gaze eventually fell on the blue haired girl beside him," Hi Juvia!"

"Hi Lucy-san, Fernandez-san," Juvia smiled in acknowledgement.

The addressed blunette simply nodded in recognition.

"Having trouble picking a flavor?" Loke asked as he glanced at the churros Lucy had been eyeing.

"Yup."

"Want some help?" Loke asked with a smile.

"Sure," Lucy ardently replied.

"Try the black and white churros."

"The one with white chocolate filling and dark chocolate coating along with white chocolate stripes?"

"Yeah."

And as she faded into the background, Juvia opted to pick her order wordlessly. Her eyes landed on the variety of éclairs mounted on one of the display shelves. Her gaze swept over the shelf, intent on finding the flavor she was looking for.

"There it is," Juvia muttered as she reached for the provided tong at the side of the shelf inside a penguin designed utensil holder along with a glossy paper container that had the shop's logo.

"I'm surprised you don't mind this at all," A smooth voice spoke from behind her.

"What do you mean, Fernandez-san?" Juvia asked as she continued picking her pastry and gingerly placing it inside the paper container in her hand.

She shifted her gaze to the blue haired guy.

"This," He gestured at Loke who was teasing Lucy and the latter pouting, albeit having that smiling expression on her face," Her and him."

"Juvia doesn't," Juvia shook her head, giving him a small calm smile," What Loke does with his life is up to him. Why? Are you, Fernandez-san? That your fiancé is getting chummy with someone who may or may not be her love interest."

"Lucy and me aren't in that type of relationship," Jellal said with a nonchalant shrug.

"Oh?" Juvia's eyes glinted," Is there someone else then?"

"No, not that I know of," Jellal faintly shook his head," And even if I did I wouldn't be telling you."

"Of course, Fernandez-san."

Juvia was well aware that Loke was inwardly smirking with that oh subtle look on his face as he sat across one Lucy Heartfillia with Juvia sitting beside him. Said blue haired girl was also seated across the reserved Jellal Fernandez, calmly sipping his cup of tea with Lucy beside him. Juvia was casually nibbling on her blue-berry glazed eclair, gaze vaguely glancing at the other occupants of the table by the window. It had been Loke's idea to share a table for the four of them since they were already here and all and Lucy had readily accepted whereas Jellal had only shrugged his shoulders, albeit shooting Lucy a subtle pointed look that Juvia didn't fail to notice. Said blondes were currently consumed with their conversation, unlike the two blunettes who were indulging in their treats and drink. Loke was teasing/flirting with Lucy who had the telltale pink hue dusting her cheeks.

"I'm telling you, you do look more beautiful today, Princess," He flashed her his signature smile.

"Loke, cut it out with the nickname already."

"I can't help it. You'll always be one."

Juvia had unintentionally caught Jellal's gaze who had a flat look on his face, indicating more of his mood than he let on.

"Bored?" She mouthed silently.

"Your boyfriend's such a smooth talker. Did he forget you're here?" He mouthed back, making sure their companions won't catch them but seeing how consumed they were in their chat they won't be noticing any time soon.

"Loke's er... Loke," She gave him a faintly crooked smile.

"You're being too tolerant, Miss Lockser."

"Or Fernandez-san's just jealous," She smiled slyly at him.

Jella gave her an incredulous look," What is wrong with you?"

"Juvia's just being observant."

"Then I could ask you the same thing," He shot her a look that practically says 'you can't get away with this one.'

"What does Fernandez-san mean?" Juvia adorably tilted her head, looking at her blue doe eyes.

"You're jealous of Lucy and Celestial," He easily pointed out.

Juvia couldn't help but roll her eyes which made Jellal slightly smile.

"Okay, what is it, Loke? Does Loke have something to say?" Juvia asked, facing Loke who had his eyes on the road, hands gripping the wheel.

"What do you mean?" Loke kept his gaze straight ahead.

"Loke has that look on his face."

"What look?"

" 'The keeping something bottled inside' look."

" I have that?" He blinked.

"That's beside the point. What is it, Loke? Loke only has that look everytime he talks about Lucy-san."

"..."

"It's about Lucy-san, isn't it?"

"More or less."

"Go on," She signaled him to carry on with her hand.

"Not until you tell me what you and Jellal were talking about."

"What Juvia and Fernandez-san were talking about?"

"Yeah," Loke said as he still kept his eyes ahead, not sparing her a glance.

"Well..." Juvia mused, poking a finger at her chin in thought," It's not mine to tell."

"So I'm not telling you what's on my mind either," He playfully said.

"Hmmpphh... wise guy," She poked her tongue at him.

Loke chuckled.

"Gray, have you ever heard the saying 'you only know what you have when it's gone...?"

"Or you knew all along what you have you just thought you'd never lose it and crap like that blah blah blah," Gray cut her off, finishing her monologue for her rather offhandedly," I know what you're trying to do, Erz and it's not working."

They were currently at his house. Both of them were supposed to have a study session but apparently only Erza was doing the studying part while Gray was casually fiddling around with his fingers, apparently making a paper airplane out of the sheet he was supposed to be solving in and out of sheer boredom of course.

"Gray, stop being stuborn," Erza lightly groaned in exasperation.

"I could say the same thing to you as well, Scarlet."

"She's too good for that womanizer," Erza said, her eyes narrowing.

"Who knows? Maybe she could change him," Gray shrugged casually.

"Gray, you can't change a person-"

"Yeah, I know, "because only love can change a person" blah blah blah, somewhere along those crappy lines," Gray cut her off yet again, trying to finish her sentence for her.

"I was gonna say you can't change a person when he's someone like Loke Celestial," Erza said with a haunting look on her face.

Gray arched a brow at her," You still not over the first day you met Loke?"

"He tried to flirt with me," She scowled.

"You sent him to the infirmary," Gray shot back in a deadpan.

"He deserved it," Erza countered.

"Erza, might I remind you that even with Loke being like that he's still our friend."

"Don't remind me," She groaned.

Gray throws the paper airplane at her and it lands on her head.

Suffice to say, no studying had been done and papers had been turn into airplanes for chucking at each other.

"We're here," Loke announced as he pulled over in front of Juvia's house.

Getting no response from said girl, subsequently. He looked over his blue-haired companion only to see her sleeping. She had her eyes closed, lashes practically kissing her cheeks, breathe even- a serene picture of peace and tranquility. She had leaned her head against the window and the look on her sleeping face made him guilty of even considering to wake her up.

He deliberately got off the car and walked over the other side, carefully opening the door in order to avoid waking the sleeping girl up. He gingerly placed his hands on her shoulders, prepping to carry her. But as he shifted closer to her he couldn't help but tuck a stuborn strand of blue hair behind her ear.

"Sweet dreams, Drizzle."

He placed his hand on her back and the other under her legs before easing her up in his arms. He carefully walked up to her front door while carrying her bridal style. He was about to press the doorbell with his elbow when the door suddenly opened before he even had the chance to do so.

" Oh hello Loke,".Mrs. Lockser greeted (to which Loke had politely greeted back despite his situation) before quickly stepping back to give him space to enter upon registering the sight of her sleeping daughter, opening the door wider for him.

"Thanks, Mrs. Lockser."

"Well you know the way to her room."

Loke made his way upstairs.

"Oh and if Juvia asks for me please tell her that I'm out buying groceries," Mrs. Lockser said in a cheery tone before leaving out the door.

Fortunately Juvia's door had been left slightly ajar so all he had to do was give it a small push before entering the room. He gingerly placed Juvia on her bed. He gazed at her sleeping face before smiling. He boopes her on the tip of her nose, chuckling upon seeing her crinkle her nose adorably.

He had the sudden urge to kiss her and so he did... kiss her on the forehead.

"You did say only the lips were off limits," He softly said.

Eventually she stirred and the next thing he knew lids were fluttering open, revealing two soft pools of cerulean blue.

"Loke?" She grogilly voiced out, not completely awake with her half opened eyes.

"Yeah, it's me. Go back to sleep, okay? You look like you still need it," He said as he petted her head, coaxing her back to slumber.

He made a move to leave but before he could even get the chance to Juvia spoke up.

"Juvia can't."

Loke arched a brow at this.

"Why's that?"

"Juvia had a dream."

Loke pulled a chair by her bedside and positioned himself closer to her," A bad dream?"

Juvia nodded her head.

"Wanna tell me about it?"

She hugged a pillow to herself," Loke was in it."

"Oh," A smirk gradually formed on his lips," I knew you-"

"Then you were gone. I lost you. Loke left Juvia. You turned your back on me, just like everyone else."

"Juv-"

"Loke was never coming back."

"Juv," He placed a hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes," That's not happning, alright? I won't do those."

She faintly nodded her head.

"Now go back to your afternoon nap. It was just a bad dream," Loke smiled," If you want I could stay there with you while you get back to sleep."

She squinted her eyes at him in suspicion," What is Loke scheming now?"

"Why do you always think I have evil plans up my sleeves?"

"Because you do!"

"Anyways, I'm just gonna lie there with you, nothing more. It's not like we never did this before. We always lie next to each other on the roof, the only difference this time is it's a bed."

Juvia quietly moved over to give Loke more space in her (fortunately) double size bed.

As soon as Loke had positioned himself a good distance from her she suddenly spoke.

"Hey Loke, can I tell you something?"

"Sure, go ahead," Loke was currently staring at the ceiling with his arms folded behind his head.

"Juvia never had friends," She said, trying to firm up her voice," And... Loke had been my first friend."

Loke looked over at her, offering her a small smile," It's because you don't even look like you make an effort at making one."

He flicked her on the nose.

"Owh!"

"You should try making more friends and less on chasing after Gray," He spoke to her as one would do to a child.

"Juvia's not a kid, you know," She puffed her cheeks in exasperation.

"Juvia?"

"Yes?"

"Can I tell you something?"

Juvia smiled," Of course."

"You're the most adorable friend I have so far."

"Sounds tentative," Juvia japed.

"You should atleast feel honored."

"Not even a bit."

"Okay," Loke messed up her hair," Back to sleep now."

She hugged her pillow closer as her lids started getting heavier, threatening to close. Fortunately Loke had the decency to stay a good distance away from her and she couldn't but think that maybe Loke Celestial wasn't that bad.

"Sweet Dreams, Drizzle."

" Night, Leo."

He draped the blanket closer to Juvia as her eyes finally fluttered close, smiling. Looks like he isn't the only one giving nicknames here anymore.

Sporting her red hoodie and faded jeans with black converse and a hastily made bun (messy bun, that is) Laki sat in front of the ravines. She had her knees pulled up to her chest as she stared below the steep valley, contemplating whether she should be dangling her feet along the edge.

She peered on the water flowing on the ravine floor, meandering its way further. The place was serene and tranquil except for the sound of the water which she somehow found soothing.

She heard something shifting behind her and a twig snapping. She instantly turned to look at the intruder, only to see none other than Laxus.

Great.

Just when she was enjoying her isolation.

"Oh," She heard him say,"It's you."

"Dreyar," She said matter-of-factly," Fancy seeing you here."

She was lying, of course, but she felt like she needed to say something.

"You here alone?" Laxus asked, crossing his arms.

"Apparently not anymore."

She was hoping he'd take a hint and leave.

"Laki..."

"Yes?"

"I don't think you should be that close to the edge," He had said with a straight face. Laki didn't see an ounce of emotion there.

"I see," She turned her gaze back to the ravine.

She eventually stood up to leave," Well I gotta go back."

"Dreyar-san," She nodded at him as a sign of goodbye before walking away.

This time, she realized, she didn't want to be the one staring at someone's retreating back.

AN: Care to tell me what you think about this chapter..?