Hello, my lovely readers~! How's everybody doing?!
I'm back with another chapter of It Started With Fate. You know, sometimes, I wonder why I even called it that title (I came from the top of my head). Imma just keep it like that for now, and make it mean something later on. . .
On to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. Mashima-sensei does.
Erza left the parade in disappointment, but she didn't want that to the lighthearted day, so she kept her smile on. Honestly, she really didn't care what happened as long as Gray was by her side. Which, of course, wasn't something she wasn't going to say aloud.
But Gray sensed her uneasiness easily. What can he say? He has been with Erza for twelve years. He watched the redhead, who was glancing back at the parade road and hopefully looking for the little lady in green.
"You still looking for her?" Gray asked in a playful tone.
The redhead turned her head to the Gray. "I-i'm sorry," she stuttered, her voice almost inaudible.
He let out a small laugh. "You don't need to be sorry about that." He wrapped his hand with Erza's. "Better luck next year, right?" He flashed one of his signature smiles again. It was one of those smiles that made any girl swoon over him, and the smile that eased Erza no matter what.
When the redhead realized that she was staring at Gray for a bit too long, she averted her eyes to the ground. She was quietly squealing over the feeling of having Gray's firm hand on top of hers. I guess he's really serious about the "date," she told herself.
Now Gray had to try to think of a something that makes him actually sound smart. He rewinded to Natsu's lectures. Try to know how the girl feels, not just yourself. Well, here goes nothing. "Why? Did you want to leave?" He gave Erza another nervous glance. Please say no. Stay with me, Eru.
"What? Of course not. . .I. . .want to stay with you, of course," she admitted sheepishly.
Gray didn't know whether or not he was dreaming when he heard the redhead say that. Nor did he know he was dreaming when he saw Erza's face turn into a fiery red. But he didn't care...until he suddenly remembered what Lucy told him last week. "How long will Erza's warm hand belong to you?"
Gray let out a long sigh. I really don't know. If I wasn't born a Fullbuster. . .If only. . .He looked at the redhead, who was humming to herself peacefully. He couldn't stand the thought of the redhead being with Jellal. It pestered him nonstop ever since Natsu mentioned it on Saturday. So he made a resolve. Today, he was going to tell Eru how he really felt about her. Who cares about his family's business? He loves Erza and he wants to make her his queen.
He sharply sucked in his breath. "Hey, Erza," he started. The redhead turned to him. Her large brown eyes feigned innocence. Meanwhile, Gray felt like his heart was going to burst. He couldn't believe what he was doing. Usually, it would be girls confessing to him, not the opposite. "Actually. . ." He took another deep breath. "I. . ."
He wasn't able to finish his sentence because the next thing he knew, Erza was too busy looking at something else. "Hey," the redhead said. "Would you excuse me for a second?" She pointed to what she was staring at. "I have to go to the bathroom."
"Sure," he answered. "I'll wait for you right over here."
The redhead gave a small nod before taking off.
When she disappeared, Gray sighed. Though he didn't know whether it was because he was glad that he didn't have to confess, or that he was disappointed that he didn't have the chance. I guess I have to wait 'till later. He didn't know whether or not he should be glad.
Trying to keep his spirits up, he made a scan of the vicinity. Then something caught his eye. It was the teddy bear that Erza was so fascinated with earlier in the morning. Sure, it was a different booth, but the bear looked the same. It still had the same red and white spots at the same place. And at that booth, the line seemed much shorter than the one he saw earlier.
He looked around. Erza wasn't here yet. Maybe he could just try his luck. . .
Gray paced to the booth. As he got closer, he inspected the stall. They'd taken the frame of one of the cherry blossom festival booths and adorned it with spring blooms.
"Hai!" Gray shouted. He walked in front of the owner.
The owner had a crooked smile that was almost entirely covered by his beard. "Oh ho ho! Why, don't we have a handsome, young lad!" The owner's eyes were glinting with amusement. "You here to try your luck on this game?"
Gray nodded.
Shaggy Beard nodded back. "Now for the rules," he started. He walked up to fake wall. "You see all of this?" He waved his hand around the wall. "Now you see this?" He pointed to several of the holes on the wall. Shaggy Beard returned to Gray with a basket of ping-pong balls. "You gotta make at least three balls go through them to get a prize." Shaggy Beard raised his eyebrow. "Questions?" he asked.
Gray shook his head. Just as he was about to pick up a ping pong ball, Shaggy Beard stopped him. "Gotta pay first, boy." He held out his hand for money. "500 Jewels, please."
The dark haired boy slapped a 500 Jewel coin on Shaggy Beard's palm. "Now if you excuse me," Gray said. He fetched out the first ping pong ball. It stared at his target. How much force he was supposed to put was something he questioned. Well, he did play basketball. But a ping pong ball was definitely much more different than a basketball.
He threw the first ball recklessly. He just needed a feel of the ping-pong ball. Not surprisingly, the ball didn't make it anywhere. He kept throwing the ping-pong balls without any aim. Even though he didn't win, at least he gained some experience. When he ran out of shots, Gray promptly thudded another 500 Jewel coin on the table. "Again," he said, and Shaggy Beard supplied him with another basket of ping-pong balls.
This round, Gray kept his eye on the target. Unfortunately, not even one ball made it in. Gray gave in another coin, and he got another basket. Like the last time, he had no luck.
Frustrated, he slammed another coin on the desk. He was not going to give up. Not until he got that bear. He flung the ping pong ball he grabbed to the wall. Surprisingly, the ball actually made it through. Gray suddenly felt that maybe. . .just maybe. . .he could get another two balls through. He eyed his target. He threw. When the buzzer lighted, signaling he made another shot, Gray was inwardly bouncing with joy.
Over the next few throws, he had no success. And now, he was only with one other ball left. I have to do this. Oh God, help me. Please let me make a shot. I just need one more shot, and I can get the teddy bear. I have to do this. . .for Erza! He threw the ball with his eyes closed, all his hope in one throw. Amazingly, the buzzer sounded again, and he felt like that he was flying over the moon.
Shaggy Beard came up to Gray with a grin. "Great job, kiddo." He pointed at the prize shelf at the side of the booth. "Whatcha want?"
"The red and white bear please," Gray answered. He was already imagining Erza's expression once she saw this. His eyes followed Shaggy Beard, as he picked up the teddy bear, and started making his way to him.
"Thank you, sir!" Gray said. He was so excited, it sounded like he was shouting. Gray took hold of the bear and started making his way to the restrooms to wait for Erza. Finally, the redhead appeared, her happiness and beauty radiating as she walked past the restroom doors. When she spotted Gray, she made a small wave.
"Come here!" the dark haired boy shouted. He motioned for the redhead to hurry up. When she reached him, her eyebrows furrowed. "What happened?" she scanned the boy, making sure he wasn't injured.
"Well," Gray started. He revealed the bear that was hiding behind his back. A smile crept up his face. "So? Whaddya think?"
Meanwhile, the redhead was mesmerizing by the bear. It's soft looking fur, the proportion of red and white, the soft caramel eyes. . .It was. . .perfect. "May I?" she asked. She was so hypnotized, her voice was so faint.
"Um, yeah. Of course," Gray replied. He handed the bear to the redhead. He made a frown when Erza portrayed no reaction. "Sorry if you don't like it," he said. "I could give it back and. . ."
"No!" the redhead suddenly shouted. "I. . .love it, Gray." A genuine smile appeared on her face. And that was when Gray knew that he loved Erza more than anything else. He loved her to bits and pieces. When he found himself staring at her captivating smile, he cleared his throat.
"So. . ." he started.
He was cut off when he felt someone warm wrap around him. "Thank you, Gray," Erza said, her voice so gentle. "You are a really amazing friend."
Gray felt his heart pounding like there was no tomorrow. But he still managed to compose himself. If only this can last. . .forever. . .
Jellal watched his friend scribble on his notebook endlessly. It seemed as if his friend would never stop writing. Didn't his hand get tired? Or does he just write a lot, that the phrase "tired hands" doesn't exist?
"Are you going to finish your sandwich?" the bluehead asked. He was eyeing the turkey sandwich that was left unbitten.
In the first time since. . .forever. . .Lyon looked up from his notebook. He made a shooing motion with his hands, signaling that he didn't want the sandwich. Without another word, he returned to his work.
Jellal didn't hesitate to grab Lyon's sandwich. "Are you going to even eat?" the bluehead questioned. Lyon was too fixated on writing to reply. "Oh whatever," Jellal sighed, rolling his eyes.
Jellal took a bite out of the sandwich. He might look like that he was occupied eating his sandwich, but he was staring at something through the corner of his eye. He watched a certain redhead giggle with a certain boy, their eyes crinkling as they smiled. The bluehead watched that certain boy protectively place his arm around the girl and whisper something to her ear. Just watching that made Jellal lose his appetite. Jellal decided that he was sick because he wasn't used to romantic scenes. . .at least not anymore. As his mind replayed what he saw during the morning, he felt more sick. Titania and Gray walking side by side, holding hands, hugging each other. . .It was all "eww" to Jellal.
Jellal was about to continue watching, when Lyon snapped him out of his daydream. "Whatcha looking at?" the boy asked, his eyebrows raised.
"Um. . .the pigeons eating," the bluehead answered.
Lyon looked more confused then he already did. "There are no pigeons around."
Oh shit. I'm such an idiot. "There were pigeons. I could've sworn that. . ." Jellal started.
"Yeah yeah yeah. I don't care." Lyon shoved his notebook to his friend. "Just review through my notes to make sure that I got everything at the right place."
"Why do you even write all of this down?" He handed the notebook back to his friend. "It's not like that recording all of that data is going to help you and your relationship with Erza. Senpai is never going to notice you," Jellal commented with a smirk.
"And that's where you're wrong!" Lyon said, a big grin on his face. He kissed his notebook cover. "That way, next time, when I daydream about me and Titania on a date together, all I have to do is flip through my notes and let my mind wander."
"Okay. . ." Jellal said. Lyon is such a weird person, I would even consider him the #1 Fanboy of Titania. If only it wasn't for Gray. . .
Lyon sat up straight, looking triumphant. He finally had made stubborn Jellal agree with him. Suddenly, an idea occurred to him. "Hey, Jellal. . .You wanna watch the fireworks display?"
"What?! I thought we would go home after we ate!"
"A hahaha," Lyon chuckled nervously. Well, he did promise Jellal that they would leave soon. "You see, couples always go see the fireworks display every Magic Day. So I never got the chance to see the fireworks. . .because it feels weird to watch, but see a couple smooching at the corner of your eye." Lyon turned to his friend. "Well?"
Jellal made a face. "So. . .I'm your date or something."
Lyon's eyes widened. "What the hell goes through your mind, Jelly?"
Jellal continued to frown. "You sound like my mother each passing day."
The white haired boy smirked. "We'll just be going as friends. I'm not planning to kiss you." He mischievously eyed his friend. "Unless you want me to."
"Eww no." Jellal cringed. "Now you're really sounding like my mom."
Jellal grinned. His friend sure was something surprising. "Sure . . .Mom," he replied with a grin.
Little did the two know what Gray and Erza were talking about several tables.
"You sure your parents won't mind?" Erza asked. Her parents were out of town, so they wouldn't know. But if Gray's parents found out, they were in so much trouble. And Erza could only imagine what Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster would do to their one and only child and heir.
Gray shrugged. "Of course. Why not?"
But Erza still felt a little uncertain. "But then, you're gonna come back home late and you might get in trouble. . ."
"So what. . .You wanna watch the fireworks display now? It's not going to be that pretty."
But Erza knew the real reason why she didn't want to go to display. It wasn't that she didn't like Gray. In fact, it was the complete opposite. She couldn't stand watching couples make out right in front of her, and know that she and Gray are never going to be that way. Her life was just a miserable mess. While most people think that "Oh! Titania is from one of the richest families of Fiore!", Erza can only question how different her life would've been if she wasn't famous and looked up to.
"Are you certain?" the redhead asked one more time.
"As certain as your love for Strawberry Cake."
Erza looked at her teddy bear. The name Strawberry Cake fits with the teddy bear almost as perfectly as night always goes with day. The bear was white and red, just like the topping of the cake. And guess what? Erza loves strawberry cake. And she knows for certain, she loves that bear. It proved to her that the bond between Gray and her were real. Gray tapped Erza. "Wanna go watch a show?"
The redhead smiled. "Sure. Why not?"
As evening started to set in in Magnolia, the items game booths were being repacked, people started heading to food stalls for snacks, and tourists stampeded to the souvenir stands. The street lights started flickering on, and the clear sky turned from an orange purple, to dark indigo. Young children clinged on to their parents, and complained about their aching feet. Other parents promised to their whining children that they would watch the fireworks afar, and the parents scrambled their minds for excuses. Much more were simply strolling, enjoying the evening air. And others were standing at the Lake Sciliora beach boardwalk waiting. . .and waiting.
"I hate the beach," Lyon grumbled. He shook his feet, and sand sprinkled off of his sandal. "I hate it. I hate it. And I HATE it."
Jellal, relaxing at a nearby bench watched his friend's misery. "It was your idea, you idiot."
"You know what, I wanna go home. This is boring. I hate waiting. More than I hate the beach."
"You're such a squirmy worm," the bluehead retorted. He didn't want to be here either. He should've been watching Naruto or something.
Lyon pouted. "Imma find something to do."
"Oh no you don't."
"Well then. . .good bye," Lyon said. He obviously didn't heed Jellal's warning. And Jellal, knowing what trouble his friend could do, had no other choice than to follow him. Well, there goes his plan of actually trying to enjoy the fireworks.
"So, whaddya wanna do?" the bluehead said, breaking the silence.
Lyon shrugged. "Maybe we can buy a pretzel or something 'cuz I'm staaaarving. Honestly, I just want anything that keeps my boredom away. Or maybe we can. . ." Lyon's voice trailed off. He froze in his tracks.
"Lyon?" Jellal called. He found it weird that his friend suddenly stopped moving. He wove his hands in front of the white haired boy's face. "Lyon?" the bluehead repeated. "Hello? Lyon? Earthland to Lyon." He frowned when his friend still didn't respond. "Oh whatever." Jellal, now pissed that his friend had decided to ignore him, followed Lyon's gaze. The hell, there's nothing interesting here. What in the world is Lyon staring at? I hope he's not having a seizure 'cuz I really don't want to call an ambulance or. . . Suddenly, the bluehead realized exactly what happened. No way. He rubbed eyes. Nope, he wasn't dreaming. Why are THEY here? His gaze was locked at a bench near the edge of the boardwalk. That boy and that girl. Gray and Titania. It had to be.
"Let's skip the pretzel idea," Lyon finally muttered, his gaze still fixated on the couple.
Jellal groaned inwardly. "Really? I don't want to be a creep and follow them around again." He was weary after a day of doing just that.
"Okay then," the white haired boy said. "I'll go by myself." He started weaving through the crowd.
"Oh my god," the bluehead grumbled. When will his friend stop being such a nosy brat? But then again, this was Titania they were talking about. Who wouldn't be interested? I'mma start blaming all my misery on Lyon. He started trailing after his friend.
Lyon, realizing that Jellal was coming in the end, smirked. He waited for his friend to reach him. When he did, Lyon placed a finger in front of his lips. "Not one sound."
Jellal nodded.
Lyon hunched over and started walking that way until he was behind the bench that Titania and Gray were sitting in. He squatted above the ground. There was no way that he was going to sit on the sandy floor. As he waited for Jellal to do the same, he pulled out his notebook and a pen.
Jellal plopped down on the spot next to Lyon. Why the hell was he here, he didn't even know himself. Just one more time, right? This will be the last time he will be tuning into Titania's conversation. After that, it's back to his "Who's Titania?" stage. Good plan, right? Right.
The bluehead decided to just sit and do nothing. He was just here to accompany Lyon, anyways.
But he soon realized that he couldn't help but tune in. ". . .Thank you," Jellal heard a gentle voice murmur. That had to be Titania. He suddenly felt a knot of jealously. That was the beautiful voice that Gray had heard all day. But then again, why should Jellal care?
Jellal heard a chuckle. It was Gray. "As long as you had fun. What was your favorite part?"
The redhead didn't even hesitate to answer. "When you gave me Strawberry Cake, of course." Another chuckle followed. A long pause followed, and Jellal could feel the awkward atmosphere from the back. Bored, Jellal decided to watch the scene by looking through the gaps in the bench. He saw Gray, staring out into the distance, and Titania, playing with a certain teddy bear. That was probably Strawberry Cake.
"Hey," the redhead said, breaking the silence. She looked up to meet Gray's eyes. But Jellal noticed something different with the queen this time. There was something different with the way the light flickered in her eyes. And to Jellal, that light was a little too familiar to him. "Gray Fullbuster, we've known each other for twelve years. And you were one of the best people I've ever met.
"You always kept me company, you always cheered me up, and you showed me some things I would've never experienced without you. You helped me when I needed it.
"But I was never able to truly become your friend, because of our families. Sometimes, I wonder what could've happened if I wasn't born as a Scarlet, or if I had another sibling. But our warring families is the reality. My parents expect me to grow up to be a lady and be prepared to run a large enterprise. They expect me to follow the path they've planned out for me.
"Not wanting to disappoint them, I've tried to go down that road. But I realized that by doing so, I could never become your friend. It was the barrier that seperated the two of us. And if being a Scarlet is hindering my friendship with you, I am willing to give that path up. Why?" A soft and warm smile spread across her face. "Because Gray, I. . ."
Another chapter. . .done! When I reread it, it felt like a boring chapter to me. . .Sorry guys!
Sorry for the late update. I have THREE state exams this week (Tues, Wed, and Thurs). So if the next chapter update is late, well, you'll know the reasoning.
Thank you to all my lovely readers! "It Started With Fate" has reached 3,000+ views! Though 3,000 doesn't sound like a lot, this is my FIRST CUMULATIVE FANFICTION! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
Have a great week, everyone! 'Till next chapter! ~CHS