As she stood awkwardly a mere step away from the doors that separated her from the main hall of the Fairy Tail guild, Kagura couldn't help feeling like she was about to do something extremely ridiculous, bad on several ethical levels and just plain useless. But at least she could comfort herself with the thought that it was all Millianna's fault and not her own.

What was she even doing there? She couldn't even find the courage to push the doors and step inside the guild; she remained paralyzed, unable to accomplish anything in that very moment.

She had fought many dangerous foes before that day, from giant fish Celestial monsters to misguided mages ready to stab her with her own sword to god-like figures with disgustingly perverted magic. But she had never been terrified until that day. Right now, standing in front of Fairy Tail, in front of a building filled with people who cared for her and her fellow Mermaid Heel members.

"You need to apologize to Erza for real. Invite her to a coffee shop, buy her a slice of strawberry cake and do not kiss her this time."

Kagura felt shame rushing from deep down her guts to her cheeks as Millianna's words echoed through her mind. Still, weeks after the fact, Kagura failed to see the wrong in what she had done, though she wasn't sure why she had done it in the first place. An eye for an eye, a kiss for a kiss. Right? The logic made sense. It did to her, but apparently, other people, like her best friend, thought that it was sloppy.

Reminiscing the kiss, the warmth of Erza's cheek under her touch and the softness of her lips, Kagura felt her whole face burning up. Why?

Kagura was halfway through convincing herself to just turn around and leave when the doors opened, revealing the silhouette of the very person Kagura was too embarrassed to look at.

"Oh," was the little sound that left Erza's lips. "Kagura."

Kagura clenched her jaw. She didn't think it possible, but her face felt even hotter now. Her heart was beating too fast. That wasn't normal, was it?

"Erza..."

Before Kagura could say anything else, Erza had her wrapped in a painfully tight embrace, chest pressed to her armor.

"It's so nice to see you again, Kagura!" Erza only tightened her embrace around Kagura's shoulders, nearly crushing her. "But what are you doing in Magnolia?"

"I had a job nearby. I thought it might be rude not to come see you since I had the opportunity." Kagura struggled to explain, both because of Erza's bone-crushing hug and the proximity that left her breathless.

"Erza, let the girl go, you're going to kill her."

Kagura wasn't sure who had spoken (the voice was unfamiliar but comfortingly soft and kind) but she was thankful for them, as Erza loosened her vice-like grip on her. Her back would remember it for several days, no doubt. Still, Erza stood close to her, too close. But it would be the perfect moment to ask her to go- to go where?

"Erza!" Kagura exclaimed, eyes shut tightly, embarrassment and shame bubbling in her stomach all over again. "Erza! Go out with me today!"

Everything was silent. Even the bustling inside the guild had stopped, more than indication enough that Kagura had spoken much too loudly and caught the attention of everyone around. When she opened her eyes to confirm the disastrous results, Erza was frozen in place, a confused look on her face, just like when she had kissed her, and everyone was staring.

She should have never listened to Millianna - she always had weird ideas about what to do, especially when it came to just about any sort of feelings. Kagura's face felt so hot that she thought her head might explode.

"This idea was so stupid. I should have known," she muttered under her breath, fists clenched at her sides.

"I'll go with you."

Kagura blinked.

"You will?"

Erza's smile was kind. And so beautiful. Erza was the most stunning of warriors that Kagura would ever have the chance to encounter, there was no doubt in her mind. Had she really accepted her offer? It felt surreal.

"I will. So, let's go!"

Kagura felt a strong grip on her right forearm, steel-clad fingers biting her skin from the roughness of the gesture, but she couldn't find it in herself to say anything about it. Erza looked content, pleased, and it was obvious wasn't to hurt Kagura - so how could Kagura say anything that could erase Erza's smile?

"Erza?"

The woman stopped abruptly and let go the arm she had been using to drag Kagura behind her through the streets of Magnolia. Erza's head was tilted to the side, so akin to a puppy, as she patiently waited for Kagura to express herself.

"You may have noticed that I am not very comfortable when interacting with people outside of my guild," Kagura said, and Erza nodded. "I do not always know what to say or do, and it was brought to my attention that... that..." Kagura bit down on her lip. It was hard to meet Erza's eyes right now when she couldn't even bare to think about the fact that she had kissed Erza. "I PROMISE NOT TO KISS YOU AGAIN!"

Erza gave her shoulder a harsh slap and laughed. Erza was laughing.

"Don't promise such a thing, Kagura."

Erza's features had softened so quickly that Kagura was barely able to register the change.

"Promise to ask me first instead next time."

Next time?

NEXT TIME?!

"Next time?" Kagura repeated, voice trembling over the two words.

Instead of replying, Erza grabbed her hand - she had unequipped her glove without Kagura realizing - and started to walk again. Her fingers were calloused, even more so than Kagura's own, but they still felt soft, or maybe it was their warmth that softened Kagura's heart.

"You're cute when you blush, Kagura."

"Thank you," she whispered. "Do you really mean that I could kiss you again, though?"

Erza gave a shrug of her shoulders.

"Ask if you can kiss me and you'll know."

"Erza!"

Maybe that idea hadn't been all that stupid, after all.

"Will you let me kiss you?"