Chapter 13: Fluff 'N' Stuff

Julia stayed close to Mira-jane for the first hour or so she was at the guild. It didn't take long for her to relax and begin running and playing. Mirajane kept a close eye on who she interacted with just in case Julia got scared.

So far, so good.

It wasn't until about one in the afternoon that Mirajane had found that Julia had suddenly disappeared. She carefully scanned the hall, but to no avail. Her face became troubled as she set down her tray, still looking for Julia. She quickly and quietly made her way down the hallway, checking each of the rooms, but without luck. Mirajane returned to guild hall and paused to think. After a second, she noticed Cana pointing to the bar.

Of course!

She sighed with relief upon seeing Julia nestled into her little hideout. The little girl blinked a few times and looked up at Mirajane.

"What's wrong Mira?" Julia asked tiredly.

Mirajane smiled and shook her head. "Nothing, just making sure you were okay."

"Oh okay," Julia yawned, closing her eyes.

Mirajane stood up and took a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves. The last thing she wanted was for Julia to be triggered. After that fearsome display the other day, Mirajane was determined that there be no repeat of the situation. It was for the safety of everyone; Julia included.

--

It was about six in the evening when Mirajane finished her shift. Julia had already voiced the fact that she was hungry not that long ago so the timing worked out well. She wasted no time in gathering her belongings and returning to Mirajane once their departure had been announced.

"Lets drop your things at my house first," said Mirajane, taking Julia's hand. "Then we can go out and get food. Does that sound good?"

Julia didn't hesitate. "Yeah, sure does!" She punctuated her agreement with a fist pump into the air.

Mirajane smiled down at her and led her out of the guild. They walked contentedly in silence as they made their way to Mirajane's home. Occasionally Julia would skip a few steps while she hummed. She also made sure to grip Mirajane's hand firmly so she wouldn't get separated. Mirajane couldn't tell if it was from nerves, excitement, or both.

"Here we go!" Mirajane proclaimed as she unlocked the door.

Julia slowly followed her, keeping close until the light was turned on. As soon as she could see, she began dashing around to all the rooms. Mirajane directed her attention to the smaller of rooms.

"This will be your room!"

She turned the light on and let Julia rush in. Without hesitation, she tossed Harry and her bag onto the bed. Julia turned a few circles, looking at every inch of the room.

"This is all for me?" she asked, looking back at Mirajane now.

"Uh-huh!" replied Mirajane. "For whenever you're at my house, this room is all yours!"

Julia hugged her guardian fiercely. "That's so cool Mira! Can we go eat now?"

The eldest Strauss tossed her head back and laughed heartily. "Of course!"

--

It was just about ten-thirty that night; Mirajane Strauss found herself peeking into Julia's room. The orphan girl had eaten enough to feed Natsu and then crashed not long after returning home. It had been a stumbly sleepwalking dance to get her into her pajamas; Harry was grabbed and snuggled as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Mirajane had waited an hour to ensure Julia had indeed fell asleep. Once she felt certain, she left the door cracked and slipped into her own room. She shut the door, just to change. When she reopened it, she turned off her light and got into her own bed. She had just settled down and was dozing off when she heard the quiet pitter-patter of little feet. The weight on her bed shifted as Julia hauled herself and Harry into the bed. Mirajane finally looked over at her, a knowing smile breaking across her face. Julia was sleepily rubbing her eye as she crawled closer to Mirajane.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Mirajane whispered, helping her get beneath the blankets.

"Sleep with you," Julia mumbled as she settled into Mirajane's embrace. "Just like Lucy..."

Mirajane accepted the child with a contented sigh. It wasn't long before Julia had gone back to sleep. And Mirajane was soon to follow.

--

The next morning Mirajane awoke feeling stiff and slightly disoriented. She blinked several times, stretching out her arms and legs. But her left arm bumped into something instead of stretching out. She looked over, a bit confused, but once she realized it was Julia, the memories of last night came flooding back. A smile graced her face as she stealthily slipped from the bed, re-tucked Julia in with Harry, and then snuck out to the living room.

"Just like when Lisanna and Elfman were little," Mirajane whispered to herself as she set about making coffee. Once brewed, she prepared herself a cup just as she liked, and settled down with the day's newspaper. Ten minutes passed by before she heard a little voice.

"Mira?"

Julia pushed the door open and stepped out of the bedroom. She had Harry tucked beneath one arm while the other was busy rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Good morning Julia," Mirajane greeted. "Did you sleep good?"

Julia nodded drowsily, pulling herself onto the couch. "Yep, your bed is bigger than Lucy's."

And yet you slept right under me the entire night, Mirajane thought with amusement. Besides it wasn't like she didn't sort of enjoy it a little bit.

"Are you hungry?"

Julia nodded eagerly, ditching Harry on the couch and jumping onto a chair at the table. She stretched her arm across the table to point. "I like that cereal Mira!"

"Coming right up!" Mirajane chirped as she gave Julia what she asked for. She sat back down and watched Julia shovel spoonful after spoonful into her mouth. For someone so small, she sure could eat!

"What are we doing today?" Julia asked through a mouthful.

"Don't talk with food in your mouth!" Mirajane chided, wiping the child's face playfully. "But I don't have to work at the guild today, so what would you like to do?"

Julia shoved another spoonful into her mouth as she hummed and began to think. After several chews, she looked back at Mirajane with a big smile; food and all.

"Is there a playground somewhere?" Julia said as small chunks of food went flying. She covered her mouth with her hands, giggling at herself. "Oops, sorry Mira!"

Mirajane sighed and shook her head with a smile. "Yes, we can go to the park if you stop talking with food in your mouth."

The girls shared a giggle before Julia went back to scarfing her breakfast. As soon as she finished, she hopped from her chair surprising Mirajane as she floated down gracefully. In stunned silence, she watched as Julia danced back and forth through air as if she were weightless.

"Um...Julia," Mirajane stuttered, causing Julia to stop and look back at her. "Why don't you go get dressed?"

With an award winning smile, she ran to her room and shut the door. In that split second, Mirajane was suddenly wary about what attire Julia would pick.

"Oh my..." Mirajane murmured. "Guess it doesn't really matter..."

Quickly, she dressed herself and awaited Julia's unveiling. Mirajane was rewarded a short moment later, as Julia finally came out. With a deep sigh of great relief, Julia was dressed as a normal child. She had put on a simple shirt and shorts with her sneakers, which were also not tied.

"I used to could tie them," she explained as she approached Mirajane. "But I can't no more."

"Why not?" Mirajane asked as she began tying the laces. Julia only shrugged in response.

"I don't know. It all just stopped working."

"What do you mean?"

Mirajane looked up at Julia as she demonstrated. She wiggled her arms a little in the direction of her shoes, but nothing happened.

I get it. Mirajane thought. She used magic to do it, but since she's scared of magic she can't do it now...

"Oh you mean like this," said Mirajane, using her magic to tie Julia's shoe. She held her breath as she waited for Julia to respond.

Julia's bright green eyes were darting back and forth, growing wider by the second. Mirajane grabbed Julia's shoulders and gave her a small shake. It seemed to wake Julia from her trance and Mirajane pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry," Mirajane whispered. "You don't have to be scared of magic...I will never hurt you. And neither will Lucy and the others. Do you understand?"

Julia silently stared into Mirajane's eyes for a moment before cracking a smile and returning the hug.

"We get to go to the park now yeah?" Julia asked, as if nothing had ever happened.

Mirajane chose to overlook that quirk for the moment. "Sure thing sweetie!"

X--x--X

Okay guys, we getting all fluffy with this installment. Might be a trend for the next few chapters until I decide on which puzzle pieces to drop for you guys.

As always, read and review puh-lease and thank ya!

Rhys