Hisui fidgeted in her dark blue dress, fixing the straps for what must have been the hundredth time. Is this too revealing? The dress had a sweetheart neckline and a low back. Maybe she should find a cardigan or shrug to wear with it. Before she could open her closet door again there was a knock just below and her heart skipped a beat. It was dark in the shop as she dashed down the stairs, heels clacking on the tile floor as she took a deep breath. She could see Laxus standing outside the shop door where the little closed sign hung in the window. She took another deep breath, collecting herself before she crossed the room and swung open the door to face him.

He must have changed at the station because he wasn't in uniform. He was wearing a purple dress shirt, and tan pants. His hair was actually brushed back. The moment their eyes met he glanced over her, from her dress to her hair and smile, and his whole face turned bright red.

"…Hi..." She smiled, feeling her own cheeks grow warm.

"You look… beautiful…" He whispered, his voice hoarse. Hisui glanced down at her feet, biting her lip. She felt all flustered now—her whole face flushed and hot. This man… making her all…

"You look very nice too," she breathed, rubbing her arm.

"Are you cold?" He held out his coat which was draped over his arm. "Here." He gently wrapped her up in the fur. "Don't worry, it's just a short walk to the restaurant." He took a step back, letting her step outside, heels tapping on the sidewalk. She turned to lock her door, and when she turned back to face him he was holding out his arm, smiling sheepishly down at her. She slipped her arm in his and pulled him close, drawing in his warmth in the cool evening.

"I have something for you." Hisui said as they walked. She lifted her left hand and held out a white carnation. Laxus blinked, and they paused in their walk.

"A flower?" He gently took it from her hand. Then he offered her a knowing look, "Does this have anything to do with flower language?"

"Maybe," she smirked.

"What does it mean?" He asked as they resumed walking. He twirled the little flower between his fingers.

Hisui giggled, nudging him with her elbow. "You'll have to guess."

He blinked, orange eyes meeting her green. "Guess? Alright." He mused for a moment, "Joy? Happiness?"

Hisui smiled a little, pulling him closer as they walked. "No… it doesn't mean that."

"Mm… you're happy… we're going on a date?"

"Yes," Hisui giggled, "I am, but that's not what the flower means."

He frowned, his lip pouting a little, "Strong friendship?"

"Hm…" Hisui mused, resting her head against his shoulder. "I feel like it has a little bit more meaning than that."

"More than just friends, huh?" Laxus grinned.

The restaurant was on the corner—Hisui knew it but had never been inside. It looked like a fancy place. Fancy wallpaper, beautiful gold, dimly-lit chandeliers. They were led to a little table for two on one end of the restaurant. Laxus carefully pulled out her seat, and they sat together. It was awkward at first, but soon they fell into comfortable conversation. Laxus forgot about the white carnation, and they laughed and talked over wine and food. In the candlelight he looked even more attractive—or maybe that was his smile. He was happy. And seeing him smile so much… it made her happy.

The evening came to an end too fast, and as they left the little restaurant Laxus draped his coat over her shoulders, and the moved out into an evening lit by streetlamps. It was quiet. A few cars passed by. Hisui reached out and took Laxus's hand in hers. He paused, entwining their fingers together. She leaned against him, shoulder brushing his arm. They walked in silence for a little while, and then as they drew closer to the flower shop Laxus spoke,

"Are you going to tell me what this means?" He held up the flower in his hand. Hisui smiled.

"Give up already, detective?" The flush on his cheeks made her blush.

"Well, I could always look it up," he smirked.

"I'll tell you." Hisui turned to face him, still holding his hand. She didn't dare look him in the eyes. "The white carnation… it's my first response to the arrangement you had me make." She reached up to touch the petals of the little flower. "It means… 'You're sweet.' And… I wanted to give it to you because everything you've done for me makes me so happy… you make me melt inside…"

Before she could finish Laxus leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to her cheek. Hisui froze, still unsure of what just happened. But Laxus was still so close, she could feel his breath on her neck, he turned his head so their noses brushed, forehead touching hers. She closed her eyes, reaching out to cup his cheek. Kiss me. He let out a soft breath, leaning closer—lips almost touching. Kiss me now.

"Laxus!" An unfamiliar voice called out from across the street. A young man with long green hair waved. As he crossed the street, drawing closer to them, Hisui could see he wore a police uniform. Laxus must have known him from work. The blond haired officer jerked away from Hisui in surprirse.

"Freed?! What are you doing here?"

"Well, I—"

"Laxus! Hisui!" Mira waved from the doorway of her shop, and then looked both ways before bounding across the street, "How was your first date?!" She gasped, eyes trained on Hisui expectantly.

"It was nice," Hisui smiled, still holding Laxus's hand.

"I see you've met Freed!" Mira set a hand on the green-haired officer's shoulders, and the young man's cheeks flushed bright red.

"Not officially." Hisui laughed.

"You two know each other?!" Laxus gasped.

"Mirajane's case was the first case I took," Freed nodded, clearing his throat.

"Case?" Hisui blinked, and then she remembered. "Oh, right!"

"Seems I'm the only one in the dark here…?" Laxus frowned.

"When my little sister Lisanna went missing," Mirajane said. "Freed was the officer to pick up the case."

"That was when Evergreen and I were partners," Freed said, his blush darkening as Mira leaned against his shoulder. Hisui grinned at her friend, raising an eyebrow. Mira noticed, but offered her a glare and ignored her.

"Freed and Evergreen managed to bring Lisanna bake safely, thank goodness," the café-owner beamed. "Elfman and I are forever grateful." Hisui could remember when Lisanna first went missing. It had been a long wait before they finally brought her home. Mirajane had come crying to her one night after weeks of refusing to show emotion. "What if she's dead?!" When the police had finally found Lisanna… Mira had burst into tears and couldn't stop crying, but Hisui had never met the detectives who were on the case.

"Well, it's late," Freed said, "I should head home, I have an early shift tomorrow. Thanks for letting me stop by, Mira."

"Thanks for talking!" Mira beamed. "I have to finish cleaning the tables! I'll leave you two lovebirds be." She giggled, waving as she practically skipped across the street. Hisui let out a deep breath.

"Thank you… for taking me out," she blushed a little looking up at him, remembering him so close to her.

"It was nice getting to know you," he smiled, squeezing her hand. She glanced down at the ground and then back into his eyes.

"You too…" she whispered, hoping her face wasn't as red as it felt. "Goodnight, Laxus." She stood up on her tiptoes, grasping his collar and pressing a tender kiss to his jaw. She lingered there a little longer than she should have maybe… and when she pulled away she pulled away just barely, their noses brushing again.

"G-goodnight," He breathed.

She took a step back, and watched him go, waving once as he turned back to look at her. Then she turned back and unlocked the shop, locking the door behind her as she came in. She took in a deep breath, feeling too excited and too giddy to sleep. She carefully slipped out of her heels and headed towards the stairs, passing the white carnations and the red roses. She smiled a little to herself. I hope we can go out again soon.