Her eyes were gaping at him in surprise.

"Don't be stupid."

"I'll be here for you."

"Meredy."

The last word struck her the most.

It was the first time he said her name.

But after a short while, the weight of his second statement hit her hard too. He might have only said a few words, but the thought of the mere sentence was heavy. If his words were indeed earnest, it was a big commitment, given her current standing. A huge doubt began clouding her mind regarding the sincerity of his statement, because it meant that he was willing to risk his life for her.

Who was she to Lyon for him to give her that privilege?

She found herself looking at him straight into the eyes, searching for reassurance that he was telling the truth.

But the answer immediately bounced back to her through his strong, unyielding gaze.

He had meant what he said.

Then everything else went weird. Her face was feeling hot, her stomach was acting funny, and her heart was beating faster. While she had experienced various emotions before through her Maguilty magic, the combination of the emotions she was having at that moment was very foreign to her. She had never been under a charm spell before, was this how it felt?

She immediately looked away.

"Just trust me on this," she heard him say. When she nodded, her arm was grabbed by him again, pulling her away from their previous spot. She didn't know where they were going, but he stopped when they came across a person.

It was that mystery woman who Lyon was conversing with earlier.

The woman chuckled. "Looks like our paths merged once more, Lyon Vastia."

The ice mage let out a sigh. "I thought I told you to call me 'Lyon.'"

Her lips curved up into a smirk upon seeing his frustration. Her eyes then trailed to the pink-haired girl. "And this is?"

"Oh yeah, this is Me—" Lyon stopped just in time, realizing how he was about to commit a grave mistake. "Mary! Yeah, Mary. Chelia's distant cousin."

Meredy let out a breath in relief, and then immediately smiled at the woman.

"I see. It's nice to meet you, Mary. I'm Kagura," she uttered with a smile, shaking her hands. Kagura chose to ignore why they were acting weird, but she still eyed her closely, much to Meredy's discomfort. "I don't think I've seen you in the Grand Magic Games, though."

"That's because she's just visiting," Lyon quickly interjected, "She isn't in any guild at the moment, actually."

"So, she is a mage." Kagura's eyes twinkled, seeing an opportunity. "She should join Mermaid Heel, then."

Lyon laughed nervously. "You should know that we're urging her to join Lamia Scale too." He coughed loudly and planned on changing the subject swiftly, before it would turn into yet another Yukino-like scuffle that happened during the party at the castle. "Where are you heading to, by the way?"

"The program just ended, and I wanted to visit Erza. I heard she would be manning a fighting booth, where people could personally challenge her into a fight." She slightly titled the hilt of her sheathed sword. "I actually just plan to ask her how she is, though I don't really mind taking up the challenge as well."

The ice mage crossed his arms, smirking. "Heh, as expected from you. Tough as ever."

"You aren't bad yourself, you know," the mage from Mermaid Heel retorted back, smirking at him as well.

The two mages exchanged looks with their lips curved upwards, and for a moment, Meredy felt out-of-place. She felt an unwanted pinch in her heart, and she didn't know why.

Kagura continued, "You know, perhaps you should try and challenge her too."

Lyon waved a single hand. "Nah, I'll pass."

"I see." Kagura began walking away. "Well, I better get going then." She eyed the two's close proximity and the stuffed toy in Meredy's arms. "You two enjoy your date."

Lyon groaned in response, but didn't bother pointing out that they weren't a couple. They were often mistaken for one, and he was getting pretty tired of convincing them otherwise. They wouldn't believe him, anyway.

"I saw the two of you conversing earlier, after I spoke with Doranbolt," Meredy professed, looking at the dark haired woman's withdrawing figure. "She must be someone special to you, am I right?"

"What the hell, what made you say that?" the ice mage refuted back, though he couldn't help but blush. He scratched one side of his cheek awkwardly. "I only fought her during the games. That's all. Though I have to admit, she is special; she's a very reputable and powerful mage, I give you that. But she isn't special to me in that way, no."

"I see."

Lyon gazed over his companion and saw that while she was smiling, there was a pained look in her eyes, and he didn't know why. He frowned.

"We should get going too, right?" she suggested, glancing over the lively environment around them.

"Yeah, but let's grab something to eat first. I'm hungry." Lyon started walking away without waiting for her to respond, and he sneered inwardly upon seeing that Meredy could only trail after him. He recalled her pained face again, but decided that he wouldn't bother himself with that thought at the moment as he led her to a nearby restaurant.

In silence, they walked inside the building and decided to take a seat at the corner of the room, where they would be most unnoticed. Lyon waved at a waiter to obtain their menus, while Meredy placed the stuffed toy beside her. She then realized that she was still holding the prize envelope from the darts and balloon game.

"Looks like we'll finally know if we'll be jewels richer with this." She ripped off the top part of the envelope and brought out two pieces of glossy paper.

Lyon raised an eyebrow. "Those don't look like money. What does it say?"

It took her a few moments to respond as she tried to summarize what was written. "Well, apparently these are vouchers for an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner at the most expensive restaurant here in Magnolia. And since this is from a Fairy Tail event, there's a special note indicating that you could have an exclusive date with any Fairy Tail member of your choice." She brought down the stubs on the table. "Well, there isn't really somebody there that I'd like to have a date with, and even if I did, I shouldn't." She placed the vouchers on his hand. "You should take these."

Lyon wrinkled his brow. "And why?"

"Consider it as a thank you gift from me for everything that you have done." She placed a hand on her chin. "And besides, I bet there's someone in Fairy Tail that you like!"

Just then, the menus arrived before Lyon could say anything else.

"Well," Meredy asserted, going back to the topic, "am I right?"

"That would be right," Lyon started saying slowly, "if we were having this conversation months ago. I admit I did like somebody from Fairy Tail before."

"Eh?" Meredy was slightly shocked. She was just actually teasing him, and somehow, it felt good that she was able to make him confess something like that. "Really? Who is she?"

"None of your business," he dismissed quickly, going over the menu. "Now, be a good girl and just order."

"No fair," she grumbled as she grabbed the other menu, pouting.

In the end, Meredy could only comply and ordered a milkshake. Lyon chose a meal with a plate of clubhouse sandwiches and juice. The waiter left to forward their orders to the kitchen.

"Okay, since you won't tell me anything about the Fairy Tail girl," Meredy mused as she tapped her chin, "Go on a date with Kagura, then!"

"I thought we already came into the conclusion that I do not have any feelings for her." Lyon crossed his arms in frustration. "And Kagura isn't even from Fairy Tail."

"Well, the vouchers don't say anything against dating another person from another guild. I think the Fairy Tail thing is just a bonus, actually." She placed her hands on the edge of the table, leaning her body closer to him. "Besides, even if you don't have feelings for Kagura at the moment, who knows, maybe it'll develop once you have dinner together!"

"Ugh, will you please stop it?" he snarled annoyingly. "Why are you so determined in pairing me with her, anyway?"

"You know you aren't getting any younger!" Her voice was marked with determination along with enthusiasm. "You have lots of fan girls, why don't you try going out with one of them? Sooner or later, you have to be with somebody!"

"Says a person who doesn't even have a boyfriend," he snapped back, but immediately regretted it after seeing the look on her face.

The excitement in her face and voice faded, as she straightened her body back to the chair. "You're right. I haven't even earned the right to say it… I'm sorry for imposing."

Realizing how insensitive he sounded, he was about to apologize when their food arrived, temporarily suspending the impending discomfort that was about to happen. When the waiter left, Lyon took it as a cue to start speaking. "Look, about what I said earlier, I'm sorry, it wasn't what I really meant—"

"No, you don't have to apologize. Maybe I really was annoying you. I am the one who is supposed to do the apologizing." When she saw the confused look on his face, she decided to continue. "I was imposing onto you some of the things that I wouldn't get in my life. Call them my frustrations, maybe."

Lyon observed how she let out a humourless laugh, and it disturbed him a great deal. He didn't know what to say.

Meredy just proceeded to say what was on her mind, as she fiddled with the straw of her drink. "I've always wanted to know how it feels to live a normal life. Of course, I'm not saying that I regret meeting Ultear and Jellal. They're kind and brilliant people." She stopped playing with the straw and instead leaned her arm on the table, placing her chin on her hand. "But sometimes, I wonder, what would be the feeling of waking up in the morning without ever worrying about the need to get out of that place as soon as possible? Or how it feels to be walking around the streets without being wary that people might notice who I am…?"

He heard how she breathed out a heavy sigh before continuing.

"One of them is falling in love and being with someone, I guess. You know, I think I already know why Jellal refused to have a relationship with someone." She didn't know if she should be saying it to him, but she continued anyway. "Ur said that he shouldn't be punishing himself too much, but he still chose not to pursue their relationship even if he really loved that person. He told us it was because the person he loved was following the path of light, and he wasn't. I was supportive of them at first, but now, I understand why he chose that decision."

Lyon's features softened, as he tried to digest her revelation.

Seeing the sympathetic look on his face, Meredy suddenly brightened up. "Oh, was I speaking too much? I'll stop right now; your sandwich is getting cold!" She took a sip from her milkshake happily, as if she hadn't revealed anything earlier.

He hesitantly grabbed one sandwich and took a bite, still looking at her closely. She was humming a tone and was gazing over the other customers in the restaurant. He pushed his plate in the middle of the table, sharing his food to her.

She looked at him briefly, but took a sandwich anyway. She carelessly took a bite causing some mayonnaise to stain her cheeks. "Oh, but I should tell you, I'm still not changing my mind on giving you the vouchers!" she uttered with her mouth still full.

Lyon rolled his eyes and grabbed a napkin from the dispenser on the table. He leaned in forward and wiped off the condiment on her face. "No."

His sudden action and closeness caused heat to rise up her face again. "W-well, if you won't accept them, I'll give them to Chelia!" She inwardly jumped in victory when she noticed how he seemed to be stabbed by her words. "She seems to like you very much!" she pushed even further.

He looked at her dangerously. "You wouldn't."

She didn't seem fazed, however. "I won't if you would accept them."

Leaning back to his chair, he finally slumped back in defeat. "Fine."

A cheerful laughter escaped from Meredy's mouth, as she exclaimed her enthusiastic triumph over him. Lyon huffed in irritation and just took a bite from his sandwich. He couldn't stop his lips from curving upwards though.

He still hadn't forgotten her disclosure earlier, but at least, he made her smile again.

After eating, they resumed their booth-hopping and tried various games. They managed to win more prizes, but decided to stop since Meredy's hands were already full of stuffed animals; even Lyon had to hold some of them. They decided to give out the toys to some children who were passing by, who happily accepted all of them, with the exception of the large pink one.

"We keep that, it's the first prize we won," Lyon said as he handed the last stuffed toy to one kid, who then frolicked away with his friends.

"Seriously?" Meredy giggled. "I never expected you to be the sentimental type."

They decided to pass by some of the booths managed by the Fairy Tail members, such as Natsu's Barbecues, Gray's Ice Treats, and Juvia's Water Spa. They even passed by Erza's just in time to see her scolding Natsu for not being in his own booth.

"But I want to challenge you too, Erza!" Natsu said, justifying his actions.

"Fairy Tail members aren't allowed to join," Erza sternly replied back before kicking him back to his own stall.

Lyon and Meredy however weren't able to stay with them for long since their booths were too close to the Magic Council's headquarters. Lyon assumed that they were positioned there for a reason.

"Probably to keep an eye on those troublemakers," Lyon deduced, pertaining to the Salamander and his fellow Ice-Make mage. Meredy could only agree.

Meredy thought that Lucy's booth was probably one of the most interesting ones, since hers changed by the hour. "She's having a hair salon right now," she mentioned as she saw a Celestial spirit with claws—the spirit of the Crab, she assumed—rigorously cutting the hair of one customer.

"I heard from Gray that she had a hosting session earlier," Lyon shared, "She summoned the Leo spirit, if I'm not mistaken."

"That's…pretty creative," she could only comment.

They passed by other interesting booths, such as Levy's Library, Reedus' Caricature booth, and Lisanna's Animal Petting area. There was also an exhibit on fairies which was organized by Evergreen, and on the other side was Elfman's Manly exhibition. On another corner, a drinking contest hosted by Cana Alberona was occurring. They also passed by the children's area which was managed by Wendy and Romeo, who were also accompanied by Chelia.

"How are you, Chelia?" Meredy asked, approaching the Sky God Slayer.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself here," Lyon added, smiling at the gathering of the several children. Somehow, he remembered his childhood with Gray. He observed some particular children who seemed to be sharing the stuffed toys they donated.

"That's true! It's really fun to get to know others who are my age." Chelia grinned, before excusing herself to aid Wendy and Romeo.

The two continued roaming around the festival grounds. Along the way, they stumbled upon Yuka and Toby, who wagged their eyebrows at Lyon upon seeing the both of them. Lyon dismissed them in annoyance and walked away, much to Meredy's confusion. She heard them laugh before their voices faded with the chatter from the crowd.

Going over another street, they saw a counselling booth on "How to manage a broken heart" by Jet and Droy, as well as a stall on "Family Advices" by Alzack and Bisca. There was also a gathering of men on one corner of the street, headed by Macao and Wakaba. They decided to avoid booths that seemed too outrageous basing from their names, such as "Demon Mirajane's Matchmaking Booth," "Laxus' Electrifying Chair" and "Freed's Fun Jail Booth."

Soon, they did not notice that four hours had already passed past noon, so they decided to rest by riding one of the attractions built by the Iron Dragon Slayer.

They were halfway the top when Lyon started complaining, "This ride sucks," noting the creaking sounds of the tubes keeping the whole attraction together. "I could make a better Ferris Wheel than this load of metal crap."

"Shh, he might hear you," Meredy mumbled, looking at Gajeel from above. Thankfully, he appeared too preoccupied with the managing the queue of people wanting to ride. "But you know, I doubt that anyone would want to take a seat on an icy gondola," she said, recalling her uncomfortable ride on the ice eagle.

Lyon shrugged. "Hmpf, I could set up an area where they could rent appropriate clothes, then."

Meredy only laughed as they reached the top of the ride, where the gondola they were sitting on stopped. She pushed her blue-tinted glasses onto her head to better appreciate the scenery. "Wow, this is a nice view of the town," she remarked, gazing at the buildings. "It's really beautiful," she said further, as tints of orange amplified the splendour due to the gradual descent of the sun.

Lyon gazed sideways and saw how Meredy was beaming—her mouth was slightly opened in awe and her eyes were gleaming with wonder. Without looking at what she was pertaining to, he found himself saying, "Yeah, it is."

Unbeknownst to them, Gray was standing near the queue of the line after he was finished in cleaning up his own booth. He watched over the tall metal attraction before him.

A voice interrupted his sightseeing. "Gray-sama, let's ride the Ferris Wheel together!" The owner of the voice then clutched her arms around his, much to his dismay.

"Get off me, Juvia!" Gray said as he tried to fend her off, but it was futile. "And anyway, I don't think we could. The ride will be closing soon."

"Juvia doesn't think so!" The water mage responded, "Gajeel-kun said that he would be working overtime!"

"Ah, crap," he could only say as he was pulled by the girl towards the queue.

"By the way, has Gray-sama seen Meredy?" the water mage muttered with a worried tone, "Juvia hasn't seen her again since she passed by Juvia's booth."

"Eh, why don't you see for yourself?" Gray pointed his free hand upwards, towards the direction of the highest gondola.

Juvia followed and saw that indeed, Meredy was there, together with Lyon. Although they were a distance away, she was sure that Meredy was smiling, a completely different sight from when she saw her earlier. Her friend also appeared to be in good terms with Lyon, who seemed to be equally comfortable with her.

Gray noticed that for once, Juvia didn't seem to be too love-struck with him even if he was standing that close to her. He found himself looking upwards too, and saw what was making Juvia preoccupied. "Meredy is happier now, it seems."

"Yes, Juvia knows."

Juvia was happy too, and she hoped that her smiles would continue even further.

A/N: Though the chapter is relatively shorter compared to the previous ones, there's more development for their relationship here, hehe! And it would intensify in the next chapter, maybe? Also, I might insert some hints on other ships for the next chapter, so if there's anyone anybody prefers, I'll try to write about them. That's all for now, and as usual, reviews would be great! :3