It was the night of the Valentine's Day dance. Red and white and pink decorations filled the guild. Heart-shaped balloons, the tables set with white cloths, the streamers sprawled across the room, above each table. People either entered with their partners or waited at the door for them to arrive.
Laxus had not seen much of Juvia. Not ever since she went shopping with Evergreen. When he would see her, it was brief. Their interactions were limited since their time consisted of helping with festival construction. They did not talk much—not as much as they were used to. They didn't even meet for regular training sessions, much to his dismay.
He did not even know why it annoyed him. She was nothing to him. He liked her cooking and her motherly ways—but it was much more. It could be the reason why he tolerated her for so long since he grew up without his mother. He did not know. But it endeared her to him. Not like a son missing a mother. It was different. More like a friend, or a little sister that bugged him. She was extra doting, like Freed but cuter.
Though, he guessed it was good that he would not have to be present for her constant mentioning of Gray. But despite that, she grew on him. On this particular day, Laxus did not see her at all. All she said to him was that she would meet him there. The woman he did spend a lot of time with, however, was Evergreen.
Self-proclaiming herself as his official stylist, Evergreen barged into his home earlier. And with Elfman, of course, hauling the dozens of shopping bags in tow. Sometimes Laxus felt sorry for him. Having Evergreen as a match, even if they were actually dating had to be a lot to handle. The woman was the definition of high maintenance.
"I've brought some potential outfits to wear tonight." She said proudly.
"I don't need any 'outfits.' I'll wear what I always wear."
She threw her head back and laughed, "You need to wear a better outfit than the usual long jacket and leather pants combo." It stung him a bit. The way she said it, it made him seem...basic.
"For the occasion tonight, you need something better."
"And what is that?"
"You'll see." Her grin was devious, almost as if she were preparing a scientific experiment.
Evergreen styling him would have bothered him on a regular day, but he knew her. She would choose something simple that he would actually wear.
She chose a violet button-down shirt and fitted black dress pants with a matching belt and shoes. And no tie—he did not like ties. The only thing left untouched was his hair. He kept it short and spiky—the way he liked it.
Thirty minutes had passed until Juvia arrived. When she stepped foot into the hall, Laxus was not the only one that took notice. Many others did as well. Her usual wavy blue locks were blown out. It cascaded down her back, almost covering her strapless plum dress. The silver heels enhanced her height, elongated her legs. She looked good. He knew it but he would never admit it to himself. At least in public, that is.
She scanned the room until her eyes stopped when she spotted him waiting at a nearby table.
"Laxus!" She waved her silver clutch before power-walking towards him. When he looked up, she hurried to give him a hug before looking at him and giving a shy smile.
"So, she is alive after all."
Her pale face turned pink, "I'm sorry I'm late. Evergreen was just— " The devil herself interrupted them, stepping between them. She flipped her hair and straightened her back, "We were getting ready."
He raised his eyebrow, "Several days long?"
She chuckled a bit. "You know, it takes girls far longer to get ready. And by the looks of us both, it was certainly worth it." She gestured for him to look at both of their outfits. Her brown hair was also given a fresh blowout; her tresses were shiny. She wore a form-fitting emerald green number that gave showed off her figure.
"How do we look?"
"Fine." He replied flatly.
The rest of the Thunder Legion came over, greeting the rest of the crew. Freed looked majestic in his Victorian-styled crimson suit and slicked back hair. Bickslow exchanged his mask for sunglasses and a nice, navy blue suit set-also styled by Evergreen.
Taking notice of Laxus' eyes still fixated on Juvia, Evergreen pushed her towards his direction. "Isn't she beautiful?" She commented.
She turned to Juvia, "You have such a lovely figure." Turning back to Laxus, "Don't you just love how she just fills out her outfit?" He looked at his friend with suspicion before giving making a vague noise, "Mm."
"No matter what dress she tried on, she always looked good in them. At one point, we didn't know what to do. So, we chose one at random."
He looked at her and her back at him. His eyes said, don't even try it. Her eyes playfully responded, don't pretend that I haven't noticed. They continued their staring match before she adjusted her glasses and looked away. Noticing Elfman waiting for her, she made an excuse to leave and dragged both Freed and Bickslow with her.
Gray didn't want to go, but he wanted to see everyone. And Cana wanted to go...for the free alcohol. They should have sent her to rehab a long time ago. Though, no matter how drunk she was, she was always fun.
When they walked in, Cana pointed out Juvia and he went for a casual look. He saw had him taken aback: she looked stunning. Her smile was bright, her behavior animated. She looked to be engaged in conversation with Laxus. And before he could do anything, Cana dragged him to the couple.
"Hey, Juvia!" Cana greeted.
"Hello, Cana!" She was as cheerful as the other woman. When she looked at Gray, she held her breath a bit before exhaling.
"Hello, Gray!" She said in a more restrained manner. He looked handsome. His usual short button-up shirt and dark pants were replaced with a white button-down and black slacks and matching dress shoes.
"You look great!" Cana added. Cana didn't look too bad herself with her tan complexion in her pink cutout dress. Picked out by Erza herself.
"Thank you, so do you." Her answer was coy.
Laxus, looking away from both women, notices Gray looking at Juvia. He seemed to be checking her out, head to toe. He let out a sly grin. Laxus didn't dislike Gray, he basically grew up with him.
But the man annoyed him.
He felt sorry for Juvia. These few weeks made him a bit sympathetic towards her. In the beginning, he told her that if they were going to get along, she would need to cut it out with the Gray bullshit. And she agreed to it, for the most part. And she was doing well. But the fact that he was now noticing her irked him. And then a light bulb turned on.
Focusing on Juvia, he put his arm around her. "You know, you don't look too bad." He said with a smirk, "Were you trying to match me?" He took note of their similar-colored outfits. It was simple, it was subtle. It was what he needed to get a reaction out of her.
Of course, in Juvia fashion, she blushed and denied, "N-N-No, I just—Evergreen said this color would look great on me." She said in defense.
"And she was right. It looks good on you anyway." He continued, his smirk never leaving his lips.
Cana smiled wider, giving Juvia a slight nudge with her elbow. What was going on with him? She thought. Whatever it was, she liked it. And that was all he needed to do to get a reaction out of Gray.
In his peripheral view, he could see Gray look away and clench his jaw. It was slight. He could tell the other man was uncomfortable, as he should be. Every day she outpoured him with love and he rejected her at every time. But she still, like a stray puppy, kept going back for more.
He continued with more compliments, "It suits you, you should wear it more." She gushed, not expecting that compliment.
Gray found himself irritated without explanation. He could not put his finger on it. He was positive he felt nothing for her but he could not help but feel a tinge of jealousy.
Here she was, in front of him but focused on Laxus. It was a relief at first to be away from her, but now it annoyed him whenever he saw them together.
Even her behavior around him was different. She was less clingy, more restrained. If it was a month ago, she would be all over him. Now, it's a polite greeting and quick small talk before she started talking about her adventures with Laxus. Laxus this, Laxus that.
He could not, for the life of him, understand how she and Laxus could get along. They were nothing alike. He didn't even want her in the guild in the first place! And now, they are close friends? Unbelievable.
Juvia, trying to get over Laxus' sudden appreciation for purple, looked over at Gray. "That's a nice shirt you're wearing," she complimented. Gray with a smirk—the same as Laxus—says, "You bought it, remember?" The fact that he remembered that small detail not only stunned her, but shocked her as well.
Laxus was not impressed. But instead of saying anything further, he continued to observe the other man.
"It was at Hargeon, I think," Gray says with confidence.
"Yes, I remember that mission. I didn't think you still had it."
Cana observed in silence. As she thought, Gray likes Juvia. She could not wait to tell Erza.