A/N: Merry Christmas guys (or Christmas Eve, because I know some of the world is ahead of me and some isn't and ugh timezones)! I'm glad you guys have all stuck by this story since it started, what, almost a month ago? Here's Christmas Lights, inspired by Coldplay's song. :3
Erza always loved the holidays. The lights that decked the guild hall cast a certain mood over the members of Fairy Tail. No one fought over trivial things, everyone was happy, and no one left on missions. Sometimes, even Gildarts would come back.
It had been three years since everyone who'd been on Tenrou Island came back, and since then, Gray and Natsu had both been granted S-Class status. About three weeks ago, Gray had taken a mission, promising to be back before Christmas. He still had to make that promise, though, and the biggest holiday was in a week.
"Hey, Erza!" Macao hollered from the bar. "You gone shopping yet?"
Erza shook her head. "I'm still waiting." She refused to shop for everyone without Gray; it had been their tradition since they were little kids. Everyone in the guild knew that she was put off by him not being there, so they all tried their best to make her feel better. Mira had had her make cinnamon rolls for everyone earlier that morning and Natsu had her hang lights on Lucy's house.
"Erza! Alzack and I need to go shopping; would you mind watching Asuka?" Bisca asked from across the guild. Erza smiled as the young girl, now nine years old, ran toward her. Erza loved the little girl, as she was strong and just as brave as her mother.
"I'll take her through town," Erza agreed, waving off the Connell's. "Have you bought anything for your parents yet?" She asked the girl clinging to her legs.
"Not yet," Asuka looked at Erza with her wide, violet eyes. "Will you help me?"
"Of course," Erza agreed. "When was the last time your mom got new boots?"
"Um," Asuka put a finger to her chin and puckered her lips in thought. "Daddy's been meaning to get her some, but he hasn't yet. They look really really old. Should we put an order in?"
"That sounds like a good idea, Asuka." Erza ruffled the young girl's hair, holding out her hand for her to take. Asuka took it, and they walked out of the guild together.
Gray really was cutting it close for the holidays. He had one week to buy gifts for everyone, and Erza would be pissed that he hasn't made it back yet. He was in Magnolia, at least, so he could get some gifts before he went back to the guild.
He scanned the streets, hoping that he could catch a hint of scarlet hair. There were a few times that he wished he'd taken Titania along with him, after being pummeled into the dirt repeatedly by a monster of huge proportions. He smiled when he caught Erza with Alzack's daughter in front of the cobbler's shop. Erza was grinning largely at the younger girl, crouched down and ruffling her hair. Gray smiled despite himself; it was nice to see her showing affection to the youngest member of the guild. She wasn't overly affectionate with anyone, but she was still a girl.
"We still need to get your dad a present," Gray overheard Erza say. Apparently the exquip mage had taken the young girl shopping. "What should we get?"
"Daddy likes cowboy hats... But he ripped his favorite cloak!" Asuka said loudly. "Let's go!" The young girl grabbed Erza's wrist and dragged her off in the direction of the tailor's shop.
Gray noted that Erza looked extremely content helping the girl buy presents for her parents. A motherly protectiveness seemed to radiate off her aura, and Gray couldn't help but wonder if she'd settle down soon. She was still young, yes, but she wouldn't stay that way forever. He couldn't help but wonder if he could catch her before someone else did.
He walked back to the guild, wanting to surprise her by being there when she returned. Mira waved him over as soon as he stepped through the front door, a grin smothering her face. "You're back!"
"About damn time! Someone needed to cheer that girl up," Macao declared, slamming his empty beer mug on the bar. "She's been so mopey recently! She hasn't even gone shopping, saying that she was waiting for you to get your ass back here!"
Mira slid another beer down to the old guild leader. Gray looked at her questioningly, asking her if that was really the case. Mira nodded, sliding the ice mage a cold glass of juice. "She's been really down. She was pretty sure you were breaking tradition." Mira said quietly, not wanting Macao to interject.
"She knows I'd never do it on purpose," Gray sighed. "She looked so happy with Asuka."
"Motherly, huh?" Mira smirked knowingly. Gray felt his cheeks flush. He cursed himself for letting it show so obviously on his face. "Better catch her soon, Gray. She's not gonna wait much longer."
"You make it sound so easy," he sighed again. "How should I go ab-"
"Iced-up Underwear Prince!" an angry voice yelled through the guild. Gray frowned when Mira greeted Natsu. "You better have a good reason for taking off right before Christmas!"
"I needed money, Flame-brain!" Gray growled back. Natsu looked angrier than usual, though, and Gray wasn't sure why. He really needed to watch his step.
"You could've taken Erza with you! She's been moping around the guild the past week, not doing much of anything!" Natsu spat, his glare becoming even angrier, leaning closer into the ice mage's face.
"How's that my fault?" Gray asked, ramming his forehead against Natsu's. "She could go on a mission if she wanted to!"
Natsu grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer, the tone of his voice deadly and low. "She's been sad because you left and she was afraid you wouldn't keep your promise. Don't make promises you might not be able to keep." His tone lightened as he continued. "I recommend taking her shopping. Girls usually forgive guys that way. I should know."
Gray wasn't sure if he should laugh or be terrified. "Do you really make Luce mad that often?" Gray decided to keep to the jovial comments.
"You don't know the half of it." Natsu smirked at Gray, and they bumped fists. "Nice to have you back, Underwear Prince."
"Nice to be back, Flame Brain." Gray waved at Lucy, who grabbed the fire dragon by his scarf and dragged him back into the snowy streets. Natsu tried flailing, but didn't get very far and just huffed ay Gray.
Gray focused on the front door of the guild, waiting for Asuka to drag Erza back in from the dark skies outside. He waited for a while, greeting various people who welcomed him home.
Erza came back to the guild at about ten, carrying a sleeping Asuka back into the guild, a smile playing on her lips as she watched the girl sleep. "Anyone know where Bisca and Alzack live?"
Most of the guild shrugged in response. Erza sighed and sat in a booth, still holding the girl. "I can have her sleep in my dorm, Erza-san," Wendy offered.
Mira stepped out from behind the bar and took Asuka from Erza. "I'll take her home. You have some catching up to do, Erza," the barmaid pointed back at Gray, who was trying to hide. Erza would certainly beat him up.
Erza sighed and climbed out of the booth, glaring at Gray for a moment before sitting next to him at the bar. "You really do have a way of making a girl worry." She said, taking the cup of grape juice from his hand and sipping at it.
"Sorry. I told you I'd make it back in time," he said, taking the cup back from Erza before drinking from it again.
"I still need to go shopping for everyone," she poked a finger at his chest, "and I won't break tradition."
"Are any of the stores still open?" He asked. "Most people are asleep right now."
"We can find out -" she started, about to leave again, but Gray grabbed her wrist and slid out of his seat. He pulled her into a tight hug, mentally smirking as he rested his chin on the top of her head. He could finally do that.
"I'm sorry for not inviting you to come with me," he whispered. "Would you like to out to eat sometime?"
"Is that a date offer?" she asked, basking in his warmth and being hugged. She wasn't one for much physical affection, but it felt nice.
"Possibly. Do you accept?" He replied snarkily, ignoring the snickers from the other guild members witnessing them.
"Of course."
"You knew he was coming in today, didn't you?" Mira asked Bisca. "That's why you sent Erza out with Asuka. He'd see her, wish that it was Erza and their child, and then they'd end up being together."
"You think too hard about getting them together. I just needed a babysitter," Bisca shrugged.