A/N: Though I love Fairy Tail dearly, I claim nothing, merely my own characters.
"Oh, hey, you're back!" Levy had been startled out of her dinner when the three appeared in the doorway. A thin soup and a slice of bread(stale) had awaited her until she deemed enough work had been done. True to her word, she was nearly finished, and just about ready to pass out. She hadn't meant to push herself so much, she just wanted to prove that she was useful, despite her small size.
Erza was not amused.
"Bed. Now."
"Erza, I didn't—"
"No arguing." Lucy frowned at her for good measure as the smallest of their group hefted out a heavy sigh. Juvia didn't comment, her hands clasped to her chest as she stared at nothing with wide eyes, rocking side to side. "Finish your dinner and go to bed. We shall continue." Levy puffed up her cheeks, but to be honest, she was probably about to fall asleep at the table.
"Fiiiine…" A smile threatened to overtake the blonde's lips as Levy slurped loudly. "So, how'd everything go? Did you all—"
"JUVIA'S IN LOVE~!" Apparently, she hadn't been able to hold it any longer, immediately pouncing on the smaller girl and grabbed her hands, the spoon dropping to the ground as Juvia beamed at her. Levy swallowed, eyes trailing to her friends, looking for their assistance. Erza looked too smug to be willing to help and Lucy seemed just as surprised as Levy. "Oh, oh, Levy-chan, Juvia met Ur-sama and we're getting married! Think of our lovely children~!" And she just as quickly let go to press her hands against her reddened cheeks, swooning as she, apparently, thought of them. "Kyaaaa~!"
"U-um…?" Levy furrowed her brow over at Lucy, who shook her head. Levy's smile returned, albeit wobbly. She hadn't pegged him to fall in-love at first sight, nor confess his undying affection for a woman he just met. So, this was all Juvia.
A murderous aura suddenly took over the love-stricken woman and Lucy stiffened when blank blue eyes bored into her. "If Love Rival makes a move towards Juvia's Beloved, Love Rival will drown."
Lucy threw up her hands, waving them frantically. "I-I told you, Juvia, I'm just grateful to Ur, for bringing Loke! That's all! We're just friends! He's all yours!" Juvia relaxed and offered the blonde a pleasant smile. But Lucy was having none of that, backing out into the hall. "I'll just get to work. I'll talk to you later, Levy-chan." And she was gone, a small cloud of dust settling in her wake.
Levy wasn't willing to ask about what had happened now, nor did she think she wanted to.
"Oh, Juvia almost forgot!" the chipper woman chirped. "Kirk-kun wondered where you were, Levy, so, Juvia explained that you stayed behind! Like Juvia did last night~!" Levy narrowed her eyes, watching her cautiously. She was still smiling. Creepily. "And Juvia told Kirk-kun all about Levy-chan! He was curious, so, Juvia complied! Kirk-kun never really was interested in girls, so, Juvia decided he must really like Levy, to be so interested. Wendy-chan also says hello, and anxiously awaits tomorrow!"
Levy wasn't sure if she should be flattered he noticed she was gone and asked after her, or to sob at the thought that Juvia told him everything about her. She was like that, Levy supposed, but for her to be so open with a stranger? So soon after meeting him? And the Duke's son? Maybe she shouldn't go back. Maybe she'd just run away and hope she fell off the edge of the earth.
"He did seem concerned about you, Levy," Erza added, as if the smaller girl needed a second opinion.
"Ju-juvia, you told him everything about me?" Levy questioned, almost afraid of the answer.
Her smile grew wider. "Yep!"
So Levy did the only logical thing a person could do in this situation: She banged her head against the table and wondered if she would black out before or after she started sobbing.
"There, there," Erza's hand was heavy against her back and not at all comforting considering the force behind it. "You'll see him tomorrow and assure him yourself that you're quite fine." Levy began sobbing. "Now, Levy, you really shouldn't get so attached. He is the Duke's son, after-all. Though, I suppose he is quite handsome, in a rouge-ish sort of way." She knew what the scarlet-haired woman was attempting to imply, but she wasn't thinking that way about him at all!
"Kirk-kun and Juvia grew up together! He's very nice and always watched out for Juvia! He was very kind when Juvia's mama was sick and we left to come here!"
"Ah, did he?" And Levy could only continue to spiral downward as the two spoke about him and assure her that they could still be friends(Erza) and they'd definitely be perfect together(Juvia). She stopped listening after a time, wallowing on her stool and wondering when exactly this idea had turned out so wrong. Was it when she actually met him? Or when Juvia reunited with him? Possibly a combination of the two. But this was not her fault. Not in the slightest. It was all his. He didn't have to ask about her and if he hadn't, Juvia wouldn't have then proceeded to tell her life story.
Oh God. Juvia told him her life story. Sweet Mavis, what was left of her life was now over.
"I-I'm going to bed!" she managed, half a sob, the other half resigned.
"A good idea. You'll need all the rest you can get. Go on, I'll wash your dishes," and Erza patted her head and nudged her out the door, smiling and being so calm, so collected. "We'll tell you all about it in the morning. Good night, Levy."
"Night Levy~!" Juvia sang, gathering the bowl and discarded spoon.
Levy let out a strangled half sob, half sigh. This was not what she needed. Not at all.
They didn't notice her despair.
"Did you know," Levy immediately raised her head, looking to Cecilia. The trio had returned close to three, giving her friends more than enough time to finish what she started and fall into bed. The younger was up first at quarter past eleven, wobbling into the kitchen instead of the dining room and perching at the table, smiling warmly at the small bluenette. "I saw Mirajane with someone last night?"
Levy's thoughts immediately fizzled to nothing and she could only stare at the teen, the brunette smiling gently as she reminisced about her night. "O-Oh? Did you?" This was it, the moment she would tell her that she had seen them last night, during that close call they told her about. Now, their lives would be over, they'd be kicked out and left on their own, and Lucy would suffer here by herself, alone while they—
"Mhm. A blond man, very tall, very muscular. Strange, I feel like I've seen him before…" Cecilia tapped at her chin in thought while Levy held herself up on the counter, breathing deep and thanking every God she could think of for this stroke of luck. "And Lisanna was well. I hate to say this, but I'm fairly sure he's a fool."
"W-what?"
"The man she was dancing with. He looks like a fool," the lady of class clarified bluntly. Levy pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh at her serious expression. "Strangely dressed in a cape and I thought I saw a visor at the table they were all together at. Levy, his suit…" Cecilia shuddered and now Levy was curious, watching as the younger Clark came to terms with what she saw in her mind's eye. "…was striped."
"Striped."
"Yes. Stripes. I mean, it suited him, with his hair as it was," Levy now wondered about the man's hair, "but on anyone else, the suit would have looked ridiculous. You have to have a certain air about you, to pull that off. A certain air and enough confidence to back it up."
"I see…" Silence as the brunette returned to breakfast, only for the both of them to jump at the sudden pounding at the front doors. "I-I'll get it!" Levy practically shrieked, running towards it, sliding on the smooth marble and righting herself before she slammed into the wood. It was almost noon, but Suzuno and Alicia weren't up yet, and any disturbance would not make them happy. Her friends were still asleep as well, Levy up first only an hour prior. It was just luck that the younger awakened first and wouldn't mind if they were all still asleep. "Y-yes? What is it?"
"Gihi, did I wake ya, Shorty?"
And Levy finally looked up, the door fully open now, and she blinked up at the man grinning down at her. Her face went scarlet as she remembered earlier this morning when her friends tormented her and she swallowed thickly. "W-wh-what're you doing here?! Kirk?!" She pushed him where he leaned against the frame, closing the door behind her and hoping Suzuno hadn't woken up. "Why're you here?!" He looked somewhat annoyed she would question his motives and not invite him in. But she didn't have time for that right now. "If the Madam woke up from your knocking, she won't be—"
"Jeez, Shrimp, calm down, will ya? Juvia said you stayed behind and I was curious is all!"
Aha. That's right. The two were friends.
"Nice skirt." Levy looked down at the skirt she wore, taking in the colors and textures. Her 'scrap skirt', as Lucy called it. A patchwork of strips and squares from the dresses they had made over the years and from the ones they'd taken apart. She was smaller, so she hadn't needed as much fabric as her friends and it lasted a few years now.
"Thanks? Did you come to see Juvia? She's still sleeping, but I could—" A heavy hand rested on her head and he leaned down to her level, still grinning. She noted that his hair wasn't tied back and smoothed down. It was wild and she wondered if he had even combed it.
"Came to see you, Shrimp. Wendy was worried and all," he dropped his hand, raising both to link behind his head, looking away.
Hazel eyes blinked once more. "Me?"
"Tch, yeah, you," he still wasn't looking at her, but she wasn't sure wait to make of it. "To be honest though, I'd much rather tell Her Ladyship just what I think of 'er, but Juvia made me promise to behave. Damn woman, ruining all my fun…" He scowled out at the drive and Levy came to the abrupt conclusion that Juvia had, in-fact, caught up with her old friend by revealing everything about what had happened since they'd last seen each other.
Which meant that not only did Natsu know they weren't those of nobility, now the Duke's song knew. It wasn't a problem, not really, since the party was open to everyone, but Ur and Siegrain were Princes, Kirk to be a Duke. And who were they?
No one.
Levy swallowed and dropped her gaze. Erza was right, but at the same time, so totally wrong. They could never be friends. The rest of the week would be lovely and she would remember it for the rest of her life, but she couldn't pretend that he even saw her as anything but what she was. And Wendy had no idea who she was. What if she asked to have tea with her the next week? What was she supposed to tell her? 'Sorry, but I'm going on a trip. I'll be sure to stop by when I come back!' and just leave the girl thinking they'd meet?
"Can I help you with anything else?" She couldn't bear to use his name now, not so casually, given their different stations, yet calling him 'My Lord' was also out of the question.
"Oi, Shorty, what's up?" She smiled and raised her head, but refused to meet his eyes.
"I really have to get back to work. I'm sorry." So, she fled back into the estate, shutting the door in his face before he could react. She considered running and hiding, but, knowing him, he'd start yelling soon enough.
Cecilia raised a brow from where she stood in the foyer. Levy managed a smile. "Is someone at the door?" Levy swallowed and followed the brunette's eyes to the windows, where the man had his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, staring pointedly at the small bluenette.
Levy beamed. "No one~!" Cecilia pursed her lips, brow rising a little higher. "I-I already spoke to him, so he really should be—" He knocked on the glass, his frown deepening. "He'll be leaving shortly!" Cecilia didn't look convinced and proceeded to step closer. Levy swallowed again, eyeing the girl. They were so different, the two of them. Levy in a skirt she had for years and a worn green blouse, and Cecilia in an elegant dress. They came from two totally different worlds. What parallel world was she seeing when she even thought they could be friends?
"May I?" Levy backed away from the door, standing silently a few steps behind her as she pulled open the heavy wood and smiled at the man. "Yes? Can I help you, My Lord?" As yes, Levy had forgotten: Kirk and Alicia were on the same level, as Wendy and Cecilia were one in the same—all were children of a Duke, or Duchess.
"Lady Heartfilia," he offered a bow and despite the commoner's clothes he wore, she had recognized him.
"I don't recall Mother informing me you were visiting. Or was it on impulse, perhaps?" She was teasing and Levy wondered when the two became so close. "Unfortunately, my mother and elder sister are not early risers, like yourself. Would you care to leave a message?" Cecilia stepped back and motioned Levy forward. The smaller teen took a deep breath before schooling her features into an emotionless mask, slipping the pad of paper and graphite pencil from her apron pocket.
"My Lord?"
"I'll leave you to it. Levy, if you could prepare a lunch when you're finished?" Cecilia waved a hand over her shoulder as she moved gracefully away and towards the stairs. Levy dipped into a curtsy, despite never really ever doing so for the younger before. It was all an act, put on for the Duke's son. Just as Cecilia's speech had changed to accommodate for the nobility on her doorstep. "Just something simple is needed."
"I'll see to it, Miss," and Levy's voice was lowered, head bowed. Cecilia's heel steps echoed as she moved up the stairs and only after Levy heard the door open and close did she turn her gaze back to him. "Well?"
He was watching her silently, eyes thoughtful, which she hadn't been expecting. Honestly, she expected him to pull her outside and start yelling about how she closed the door on him. "You're interesting, Shorty." He reached out and ruffled her hair, a grin back on his face, showing all his teeth. "I'll see ya tonight. The Kid could hardly sleep, thinking about everything she wanted to tell you." And then, he just turned and started down the long drive, back towards town.
"W-wait, what?" But he merely raised a hand in goodbye, saying no more. She cursed his long legs as he was then too far to speak unless she wanted to yell. "Stupid Kirk," she muttered darkly, closing the door and stomping towards the kitchen. "Appearing out of nowhere and then just—just leaving! As if he came to see me! Torment, more like!"
From the sitting room, Erza, Lucy and Juvia pressed their lips together to keep from laughing. They had snuck in after Cecilia took charge and listened in. The door opening had awakened them and they could hardly pass up the opportunity to spy on their friend. Who would of thought he'd actually come to check on her(Juvia, but that wasn't the point)? Even despite their reassurance she was fine, he was still worried. "Though, what did he come for?" Lucy whispered, brow furrowed as she thought back. "He said he came to see her, but, I mean, he did just leave…"
"Obviously, his affection for our friend compelled him to—" Erza cut off abruptly and the younger girls turned to her curiously. The redhead had a strange look in her eyes, mouth working with no words coming out.
"Erza?"
"Is everything alright?"
"H-he—He—He—"
"Yes?" Lucy urged, leaning forward, brows furrowed.
"He…?" Juvia repeated, wondering if Erza merely lost her train of thought.
"HE LIKES—" Juvia and Lucy pounced, covering her mouth and simultaneously shushing her, eyes narrowed as silence descended and they waited for any noise to indicate that the other occupants of the house were awake. After several moments, they relented, slipping off Erza, deeming the coast clear. She had tears in her eyes, but whether they were happiness, terror, or the lack of oxygen, they were about to find out. "H-he likes Levy! This is terrible!" would have been the wail, if their fearless leader hadn't lowered her voice to a whisper. "They'll forever be a-a-apart!" And she began to cry in earnest, honestly feeling for their friend.
Juvia and Lucy swooned, supporting each other. "Forbidden love~" they squealed. "Oh, Mira's going to love this!" Lucy remarked, eyes sparkling.
"Mira-san will know what to do!" Juvia assured their redheaded friend. "True Love knows no bounds! Kirk-kun will come with roses, and he'll sweep Levy-chan away! Aaahhh, Juvia wishes her Ur-sama would do the same~!" She got off track at the end, yes, but it was the first thought that counted.
Erza revived, a determined fire in her eyes as she smacked a palm into her open hand. "Then it's up to you two to make sure this night goes perfectly! Make every effort to make sure Levy is beautiful! Make him jealous as all eyes are on her! Spare no expense!" Well, she was fired up now.
"A-ah, but remember, she has to keep a low profile, yes? So the Madam doesn't know? Juvia hardly thinks making Levy-chan too flashy would be a good idea…" It had to be said, honestly. Erza's plans were sometimes over the top, but her heart was in the right place.
"Ah… I forgot. Well, then do what you feel is best."
"Agreed."
"Juvia will do the best she can."
"Right then. Now," Erza marched towards the door, openly it without another word. Upon exiting, she faced the girls. "Lunch."
Chapter twelve~!
Mm, a little shorter than usual, but I just wanted this on its own. The next chapter will be out within the week!
I thought about making them kiss, but that'd be going waaay too fast for the two of them! XD
I quite like the idea of making Levy's entrance as flashy as possible, but I can't. You know, the whole, not supposed to be there thing. Ruins everything, otherwise we all know Natsu would have made such a racket every night when Lucy came in, all shouting and waving hands. And possible fires.
I love you guys, thank you all for the reviews! They make me so happy! Guys, gets this! That first day I posted chapter 11, I got ONE THOUSAND VIEWS! Dude, this is like a big deal to me! I mean, chapter 11 got 412 total since I posted it, but one thousand on my story! I'm really proud of myself! The stories I read on here get like a thousand a day, two thousand when they post a new chapter, but this is my second most viewed story!
Sorry, no one cares, but it just makes me so happy that you guys like it!
Until the next time, ciao~!
