Five Golden Rings
Laughter filled the air as Levy, Cana and Lucy made their way into town. The trio flew in lazy swirls in the air, happy to finally be out of their noisy home.
That morning, Mira had taken Levy aside and asked her to pick up an order from Crumble Bakery in Hergeon. Lucy and Cana overheard and jumped at the chance to come; they boys had been driving everyone crazy lately, even the Master himself. And besides, it had been ages since they went anywhere together, let alone to the bakery with its mouth-watering scents and delectable treats.
It took them less than an hour to reach the outskirts of Hergeon. They shifted and turned big, walking arm in arm down the main road. They oo'ed and awe'd over the colorful decorations and lights and paused to listen to a group of carolers standing near Mr. Johnson's shop. The older man stepped out and gave them a cheery smile.
"Now I should probably be worried when three Fairies hover suspiciously in front of my shop," he said with a wink, which made the girls erupt into a fit of giggles.
"No, not us, Mr. Johnson. We're just picking up some supplies for our Christmas party. It's the guys you need to watch out for." Levy answered, smacking Cana when she snorted on a laugh.
Mr. Johnson smiled. "Sounds like a fun time. Saw your old man and the tall boy a few days ago. Doing some Christmas shopping I think."
"Really?" Levy leaned closer to whisper. "What shops did he go to?"
Gajeel was going Christmas shopping? Where did he go? Did he get me anything? I hope he likes my present! I wish he would have taken me with him. I could have-
Mr. Johnson winked. "Say hi to old Makarov for me when you get home."
Levy's thoughts shattered like a glass ornament. She pouted and crossed her arms, earning a laugh from her companions.
"We will!" Lucy waved to the shopkeeper.
They followed their noses to the bakery and admired the decorated treats on display in the window. Bells chimed over their heads when they opened the shop door and a man popped his head over the back counter.
"Hello! How can I help you?"
Levy took the lead, Cana having moved to the side to study the chocolate cordials while Lucy admired the cakes. "We're from Fairy Tail and we've come to get-"
"Ah yes, the blue haired girl! I've got your special order right here." he ducked into the back room.
"I...but...what?" Levy stammered, looking to her friends. They only shrugged, not helping in the slightest.
"I was told you'd be stopping by today." The baker's muffled voice called out. "Someone ordered a batch of my famous Golden Rings, but why he said only five and not a dozen I'm sure I don't know."
The baker walked through the pivoting doors and placed a square pink box in front of her.
"There you go. Enjoy!"
Levy batted Cana's hand away from the box and picked it up. "Do you happen to have another order, by chance? For someone named Mira?"
The baker checked his notepad and shook his head. "Nope, not on my list. The only Fairy Tail order I have for this week is for those right there."
"Oh...alright then. Thank you!"
"Merry Christmas," Lucy waved to the baker as they exited the shop.
They heard his answering call before the door shut behind them with the tinkling of bells. Lucy and Cana turned down the center road heading back to the outskirts of town. Levy shuffled behind them, but couldn't help staring at the pink box in her hand.
"So...you gonna open it or what?"
Levy startled and after giving Cana a half-hearted scowl did as she was asked. Their heads inched closer together, each holding their breath until the lid slowly lifted. Nestled inside the box were five freshly baked golden donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar. They gasped at the sight and Levy's mouth watered at the buttery aroma.
"Those look delicious…" Lucy groaned, fingers twitching.
Cana draped an arm around Levy's shoulders, eyes never leaving the treats. "You're gonna share...right Levy-girl?"
"Well now, you heard the baker." Levy snapped the lid back into place with a sniff. "He was waiting for a blue haired Fairy and last I checked only one of us could possibly be the rightful owner. So toodles!"
Levy turned small and flitted away from her whining friends. She darted through the air and clutched the box carefully against her, wondering just how long it would take her sweet-toothed friends to catch up with her and her golden treats.
"Do ya think she'd even like that?"
"It wouldn't hurt to try." Mira leaned on the counter top and looked at his notes. How she managed to read upside down was beyond him. He was still having struggles managing to read like an average person.
Gajeel scratched his head, opening his mouth to protest when the door burst open with a flurry of cold, winter wind. Levy barreled through the door, her bright AIR letters dissipating around the room, and made a beeline for the stairs. Lucy and Cana came hurtling after her, the door slamming shut behind them. Gajeel watched them jerk to a stop when a large barrier suddenly erected at the bottom of the stairs.
With huffs and grumbles, the two Fairies turned big and sulked to the counter. Gajeel quickly folded his notes and shoved them into his coat pocket.
"Selfish Levy...won't even share."
"After we volunteered to go with her, too."
The two mages collapsed onto the bar stools and mumbled a small, whining greeting at him. Gajeel bit back a smirk, sharing a look with Mira.
"What seems to be the problem?" Mira asked casually.
"Levy is being a meanie-"
Lucy froze, her eyes trained on the stairs. Gajeel peeked over their heads, frowning at two floating objects slowly moving toward them. The objects rested on puffy PILLOW words and hovered in the air until they floated directly next to the two girls.
Cana and Lucy grabbed the items and Gajeel snorted at their gloomy faces.
"She's mocking us."
"She's totally mocking us," Cana grumbled, holding up the half-donut gifted to her.
"Hey!" Lucy shouted, waving her portion in the air, "You're gonna get too heavy to fly if you eat all of those by yourself!"
"Christmas calories don't count!" came an answering shout from behind the safety of the SHIELD blocking the stairs.
With a growl the two girls jumped off their stools and a friendly shouting match echoed through the guild. Gajeel smiled, resting his chin on his hand to watch.
"See? I told you she would like your ideas," Mira whispered.
Gajeel ducked his head, his face turning warm. "I guess so. I was kinda worried she'd think its stupid…"
Mira wrinkled her nose and waved off his protest, straightening when the SHIELD disappeared and a smug looking Levy entered the room. Gajeel studied her closely. There were a few specks of sugar around her mouth, but the box was missing.
Cana and Lucy noticed as well.
"Where are they?" Cana growled deep in her throat, a card glowing between her fingers.
Levy crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling. "A place you'll never find them."
She smirked, a smug sort of grin that dimpled her cheeks and made his heart lurch. Her two friends looked briefly at one another and charged up the stairs. Levy's grin dropped, her panic-filled gaze briefly locking with his before she turned heel and stumbled up the stairs after her friends. Their footsteps pounded on the floor above his head. He breathed a small laugh and shook his head, bringing his notes back onto the counter; the girls were making almost as much noise as the guys did on a regular basis.