Happy Friday! This is the final chapter of Of Redheads, Warriors, and Best Friends. We're going out with a boom! I left you guys with a cliffie last time, so we're picking up right where we left off... with Cana kissing Gray.

(This is like the Cronut of FT ships... Does anyone remember Cronuts? Gotta try it at least once; the novelty makes fun on occasion.)

Guest: They're both pretty interesting. I've done quite a bit of Gray and Erza shippy stuff, but this is my first Gray and Cana, so it was an interesting challenge. Thanks!

WonkyBookshelf: I would definitely do another (actual) Gray and Cana fic. This is such a rare pairing that i don't even remember who or what spurred the idea. I love Gray, and Cana's a fun character to write too, so they've always been interesting to me. In this case, friends with benefits did cross my mind. As far as legitimately shipping these two, I think it could work under very specific circumstances. (I would say that about most ships, so that's not the most valuable comment...) But I think it would have to go back to a deeply-seated friendship, and growing up together. Gray and Cana were the first kids at the guild, so they've got a long history. There are other ways to approach it, but that would be the easiest. Let me think about that some more... As for Erza and the hair dryer... Little Miss Wedding Dresses could probably have handled that better, but she misses the boat regularly. I'm hoping that Gray is finally convinced (in his head) that there's no salvaging this one. In his heart, he's still not quite there yet, but that's part of the growing process. Almost like mourning a relationship after a breakup (if that makes sense), except they were never together, so there was nothing to break up. (Actually, I was inspired by watching others try to move on from relationships. When it's your own relationship, the wallowing feels justified. When it's your friend, you empathize to a point when you're tired of hearing their same old stories about their ex and you wonder why they can't just let it go. Well, Gray's that friend... for today.) As for him letting loose... sit tight. Read the end notes. See you soon! XD

- K. Chandler

What the heck? Was she kissing him?

Gray wasn't sure how long it had been, but she was done before he could register it enough to fully react.

Cana pulled away gently, ending with a playful nip at his upper lip.

"That's what it means. That someone's a good kisser," she breathed. "Is it true? Or is it just a load of crap?"

"Not sure," said Gray, still slightly dazed.

"Hm. I've always wondered what it would be like if we kissed," Cana told him. "You're probably right. Jury's still out on whether that was any good or not."

Gray's mouth still tingled from Cana's touch. He couldn't say that the thought of kissing Cana had ever crossed his mind, but that was more than just good. He had to admit that it had been pretty freaking awesome! Cana's sensual caresses had only served to escalate the amazing adrenaline rush. It was an incredible feeling.

Cana's words from earlier echoed through his head.

Silence those thoughts and give yourself permission to live in the moment. What would you do if nothing else mattered?

Gray let out a breath. So, what would he do if nothing else mattered?

He'd kiss her again, that's what.

"Here's to living in the moment," he said, helping himself to one of Cana's tequila shots. He threw back the alcohol in a single, decisive gulp, slamming the empty glass on the counter.

Gray tugged Cana towards him, his hands planted at Cana's narrow waist. Then he slid them down to her hips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, rocking in time to the music.

Gray dipped her backwards with a wicked growl that made Cana hoot with laughter. Then they were kissing, mouths moving against each other.

The pull of desire had his heart racing, but the way he was feeling was something else entirely. He'd never been so bold. So confident. He was feeling pretty good about himself.

He pressed her against the bar for leverage as he drew his teeth across her lower lip. She tasted like booze and maraschino cherries.

Gray felt the wild thrum in his veins as his hands roamed her bare back. He shivered as Cana ghosted the sensitive shell of his ear with her warm breath. Their kisses grew faster, bolder, greedier. Gray's senses were flooded with pleasure as he ravished her neck with kisses.

He'd regret this tomorrow. But for now, Gray couldn't have cared less.

Gray swore under his breath.

"What is it?" asked Hibiki.

"I have to go," said Gray, fumbling for his jacket and shoes. "When I get back, I want you gone. Like you were never here. Where's my other shoe?"

"This?" asked Hibiki, holding it up before tossing it at him.

"Thanks. See you later. Or, rather, let's not," said Gray.

"Good call," said Hibiki. "We'll never speak of this again."

"Hm-hmm," agreed Gray. "Never happened," he called over his shoulder.

Gray only wished he could brush away the rest of his transgressions from last night so easily. How could he have let himself go like that? He was such an idiot!

Why had he done that? What made him think that making out with Cana would be a good idea? Sure, it had felt great. But now, now he wished he could turn back time. And if not, he just hoped that nobody else saw.

Gray stumbled towards the guild, squinting against the brightness of the sky. He wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed… after he changed the sheets and disinfected everything since Hibiki had spent the night there. But that would have to wait. He had something more important to take care of first.

Oh, he was so stupid!

Yeah, she was gorgeous, and he was kinda drunk, and aside from the fact that he felt horribly guilty about it all, it had been almost amazing. But that was no excuse! Cana was his friend. He shouldn't have done that to her. If he wanted a cheap rebound, or a flirty fling, he really should have looked elsewhere.

He should have known better than to risk their friendship like that. She probably thought he was some kind of creep. What if she hated him for it?

He had to clear things up with Cana first and probably apologize. He owed her that much. Hopefully, it wasn't too late. Hopefully, he hadn't screwed things up beyond repair with Cana. Hopefully, she'd forgive him for being so freaking stupid.

The din of the guild hall made Gray wince as he lurched inside. He could feel a dozen pairs of eyes turning towards him, and he tried not to look as disheveled as he felt.

"Look what the cat dragged in," said Cana cheerfully. She had been talking with Laxus at the bar, but she waved him over to an empty seat on her other side.

Laxus narrowed his eyes, giving Gray a cool glare.

"Rough night?" Cana said, flashing him a knowing grin that made him cringe.

"About that…" said Gray.

"Say no more. Hey, Mira! Can we get some rum and coke over here?"

"Ugh, not more alcohol," groaned Gray.

"It'll help," said Cana. "Everyone knows that the best way to fight a hangover is the hair of the dog that bit ya."

Gray didn't even look at the drink that Mira placed in front of him. Never again.

"Drink up," said Cana, pushing the glass towards him. "I swear, it'll make you feel better. Trust me on this one."

"Cana!" Gray clamped a hand down on her wrist before tearing his hand away hastily.

"What's the matter?" she asked. But after a moment, her expression grew serious, her eyebrows scrunching in concern. "Oh. Right. Come with me."

Cana grabbed him by the arm and pulling him into the infirmary. Cana ushered him towards the bed that was furthest from the door, pulling the curtain shut behind them before dropping onto the bed.

"I guess we should talk, then," said Cana with a sigh.

What were they doing here? Why the infirmary?

"Oh, God. Please tell me we didn't," begged Gray.

"Didn't what?" asked Cana, shaking her head.

"Please tell me I didn't sleep with you…" he mouthed, dropping his aching head into his hands. He really didn't think that he had been that drunk.

This was getting worse and worse. What else had he done last night? Did he kiss someone else? Did he go streaking through the park? Did he get married without knowing it? He must have made such a fool of himself.

"Oh. God, no! Why would I do that?" exclaimed Cana, flushing a blotchy shade of coral.

"I don't know…" said Gray. "You're the one blushing like crazy!"

"That's 'cause you're being weird about it!" retorted Cana shrilly.

"You're the one who dragged me in here," said Gray. "Oh, just forget it. About last night."

"Yeah? Pretty great, huh?" she said grinning.

The apology died on his lips. Great? Great wasn't the word he would have used. He was mortified. But she didn't seem to mind at all.

That was a whole different problem. Maybe she wasn't upset because she was expecting them to start dating or something.

Gray let out a sigh. "Listen, Cana. You've been a really good friend, an amazing friend, since the start. And I want to keep being friends."

"Okay. Yeah, and?" she said, sounding genuinely confused.

"Last night, I took things too far. I sort of crossed a line that I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry. That kiss…"

Cana blinked curiously at his perplexed expression. Then she threw back her head and guffawed.

"You're such a dork…" sighed Cana, shaking her head.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Gray.

"Last night… was fun," said Cana. "That's all it was. It's a thing that two people do after having drinks at a club. No different than dancing or beer pong."

"Cana. So, you're telling me that you didn't expect that to be the start of something more?" asked Gray, trying to be as clear as possible.

Cana shook her head. "I would say: 'let's do it again sometime,' but you're too boring and serious to be doing this on the regular, Gray. I think we've just proven that."

"So, you're not disappointed that last night was a one-off sort of thing," said Gray, looking at Cana for confirmation.

"Beyond the fact that I think it's a shame, because you're a pretty good kisser? Seven and a half out of ten. With a little practice you could be a solid eight," teased Cana.

Cana's reassurances took a weight off his chest, but Gray still couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You're a good guy, Gray," said Cana. "A little too serious, but a good guy. Of course, we're still friends."

"No hard feelings?"

"No hard feelings," she said. "Don't worry. Nothing changes."

"Good," he said, letting himself deflate in relief.

And here ends Mazeverse's shortest relationship. (Unless you're counting Flare or Kagura. Gray wasn't trying so that shouldn't really count.)

Hope you guys had fun with this little exploration into the world of weird and wacky. I would totally do more random Gray ships somewhere else. If this made you laugh, let me know with a comment or sub. (Can you hear my inner YouTuber coming out? lol!)

But for now... Gray needs to do something different. So another guildmate steps up to take a crack at meddling. Shoo-be-doo-bah! Yes, it's Gajeel's turn. And hopefully he's more successful than Cana was.

Stop back next Friday for [Mazeverse] Musical Therapy, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.