Erza loved Natsu and Gray-she really did. They were like the brothers she never had-quite annoying at times, but still family all the same. Many days she would even not mind their fighting-it showed that all of them were in good health, and weren't sad about something.
Today wasn't one of those days.
"Flame brain!"
"Ice Princess!'
"Hot head!"
"Icicle!"
Erza felt her temper rise. All day, the two mages had been going at it, punching at each other to no avail. If they hadn't had such durable bodies, she was pretty sure both of them would have been unconscious by now. However, the ending wasn't in sight, and Erza didn't know how much more she could take of this.
She looked at Gray. She shook her head. How could she have fallen in love with such an IDIOT? No matter how she looked at it, Gray would remain Gray,always fighting, always rowdy, always stripping. She thought Gray was better than this. She felt a shirt hit her face.
"Erza,are you okay?"
Erza took Gray's clothing off of her face, looking at Lucy angrily. No, Erza wasn't okay, and she wouldn't be until she had pounded the ice mage's head one thousand times into the guild's walls. She looked at him, rolling her eyes. He was still fighting with Natsu, not noticing that a) he was naked and b) his days were numbered. She got up,walking over to him.
"Gray! Natsu!" she yelled, straining her voice over the din of the guild hall. The two mages looked over at glared at them. "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT." The two boys stood their for a while, guilty expressions on their faces, before running out. Erza looked at them exit, before sinking to her feet in exhaustion. She had been much more moody lately-and, while she hated saying sorry-maybe it was due this time. Cana approached her, one eyebrow raised.
"What's the matter with you?" she asked, an undertone of anger in her voice. "They didn't do anything wrong." The meaning of the words were evident: sure they were fighting, but they were doing it to get stronger. And if getting stronger was a sin, then so was living. Erza shook her head, putting a fan across her visible eye and letting out a shaky breath.
"You're right. I should apologize," she said, before standing up and running after them.
She found Natsu first. He was wandering the streets of Magnolia, a pensive countenance on his face. He didn't seem to notice which way he was going,or what part of town he was wandering-his whole mind and body was focused. She breathed. The only time she had witnessed him like this was in battle, and she was usually so busy fighting that she didn't get to take it in. It oddly suited smiled.
"Natsu."
The fire mage turned around, to jump in shock at her sudden appearance. Had he been so concentrated that he couldn't recognize her voice? He looked down at the ground.
"Look, Erza, I'm really sorry, and I'm sure Ice Popsic-I mean, Gray, is sorry as well, please don't-" Natsu was cut off by Erza's arms wrapping around his body, her head resting against his shoulder. Natsu looked at her, before hugging back. They stood there for a while, before Erza let go.
"I'm sorry as well. I was out of line. When we get back to the guild, I will get Lucy to punch me in the face as hard as she can," Erza said mirthfully, as Natsu rolled his eyes at her comment. However, he smiled, putting his arm around her. And,for that moment, everything seemed okay. However, reality kicked in, and Erza looked into the horizon.
"I should find Gray now," she said, waving at him before running off. Natsu raised a hand in farewell, before grinning.
"PARTY AT LUCY'S HOUSE!"
When Gray saw her, he winced. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to pick the most obvious place to sort out his thoughts. After all, this river had been theirs for as long as they could remember being friends. Erza took a seat next to him.
"I knew you would be here," she whispered. He didn't answer. There wasn't really anything to say. He felt Erza lean against him, her eyes half closed.
"Remember the day we first met here?" she asked,looking up at him. He looked down at her, nodding. She closed her eyes, snuggling closer to him.
"That was a good day for me."
Gray smiled, holding her close.
"Yep. Me too."
Afterwards, they returned to Lucy's house. After hearing Lucy complain how her home had turned into an overcrowded dorm, everyone partied until they were too tired to move, and since Lucy didn't have the energy to kick them out, the meeting turned into a sleepover.
Erza still punched Gray and Natsu for fighting,but none thought much of it, and, when the two had the gall to continue, Erza usually let them. It was okay. Because, with each punch, they were becoming stronger.