"Are you in for cards later?" Jellal directed his question at Mystogan who had his eyes trained on Juvia. She sat in a reclining deck chair in between Anna and Lisanna. She had a laptop balanced on her belly that wasn't nearly as large as it would be before the twins were born. Siegrain had no idea what they were shopping for but he could guess. There was a completely empty bedroom in his house Lisanna had her eye on. They'd been tiptoeing around the idea of leaving her birth control in the dust but no decisions had been made.
"Mystogan," Jellal said in a sharper tone. He poked his brother in the arm and earned himself a glare.
"What?"
"Cards," Jellal deadpanned. "Are you playing with us or not?"
"I suppose that depends on how much you want to lose today."
"One of these days your arrogance will lead to my crowning victory," Jellal said haughtily. Siegrain snorted into his cup. He still had his eye on Lisanna who excused herself and went inside for another drink. Anna and Juvia made their way slowly around the pool, arms linked. The April breeze fluttered the long wisps of fabric that made up Juvia's sun dress. As they approached, Mystogan's attention scattered. He smiled at her in the most disgusting way.
Anna's face twisted into mild horror. "Mystogan, why is there a slice of bread in your pocket?"
Siegrain quirked an eyebrow as Mystogan's hand rose to the breast pocket of his shirt. He seemed both surprised and nonplussed to find the bread there.
"Mother, please," he said in the tone he took when he especially wanted to annoy Anna. "No personal questions."
"You're completely right," Anna drawled. "How rude of me." She turned back to Juvia who pursed her lips and reached for the breadstick.
"We talked about this," Juvia muttered. "Snacks aren't for pockets. Shake that out, please." She took Anna's arm again and together they strolled toward the shade. Siegrain could not control his laughter.
"You talked about this?" he snickered. "You had a whole entire discussion about perishable snacks in your pockets?"
Mystogan managed to look affronted. "It's a bad habit."
"So bad that she had to remind you not to keep bread in your pocket?" Jellal quipped.
"I bet he's got a mommy kink," Siegrain added poking Jellal in the shoulder. "She clearly has to babysit him."
"Well," Jellal said with a considering expression. "She does call him daddy in Spanish."
"It's kinkception," Siegrain said, chortling.
"You two are the actual children," Mystogan said dryly. "I'm going to find some smart people to talk to." He spun on his heel and wandered off.
"I bet she finds half melted Jolly Ranchers in his pockets," Jellal laughed, clearly enjoying not being on the receiving end of the joke for once.
As the sun set and the evening colors reflected off the pool, Mystogan eventually found his way back to his brothers. Siegrain found his stride just a little too casual and he recognized the ever so slight twitch of Mystogan's grin.
"So, Jellal," Mystogan asked. "Does Erza call you daddy?"
Jellal nearly choked on his soda. "Does she what now?"
"I'm just curious." Mysrogan shrugged and Siegrain watched his face carefully. He thought maybe he understood where this was going and almost felt pity for Jellal. Almost. "Does she?"
"No!"
Mystogan grimaced and nodded somberly. "So you don't have it, then?"
"I… don't have what?" Jellal glanced at Siegrain who shrugged in an over exaggerated way.
"Well, Sieg and I have it. But not you?"
Jellal scowled. "What are you talking about?"
"As you so studiously pointed out, Juvia calls me by a pet name. Sherry called Sieg, daddy once and he's admitted on more than one occasion that he didn't hate it." Mystogan's smile turned sharp. "So does Erza call you daddy or not?"
"Or do you call her mommy?" Siegrain piped up.
"What?" Jellal breathed, taking a step back.
"That's a shame," Mystogan said, shaking his head. "I thought you'd be in the club by now."
"This is a stupid club!" Jellal hissed. "We're thirty-one. You can't keep making up secret clubs!"
"Don't worry, Jellal," Siegrain said with a sympathetic grin and clap on the back. "I'm sure you'll get it one day."
"I can't believe you two." Jellal crushed his soda can and turned to leave their huddle.
"Where are you going?" Mystogan asked - just like he always asked but never actually had to.
"To find Erza," he snapped back.
"That was good," Siegrain muttered into his cup.
"Yeah, I thought so," Mystogan replied. "Ready for cards?"
"Always."
