Disclaimer: I don't own anything Fairy Tail, only storyline and characters.
Chapter 10: It's All In How You Present Yourself
Melchior stared across the guildhall watching Mira, once again, from a distance. He had been so ready two days ago, when Lexi told him to go for it. His confidence had lasted until he was almost to the bar, when he caught her eye.
She'd looked almost like a deer caught in the lights, ready to run at the first move. So instead of coming closer, he bolted in the opposite direction.
"She can't read your mind you know," he started and looked up to see Lisanna sitting next to him. He glanced back to the bar, she had disappeared.
"I don't think anyone would want to read my mind right now." He ran a hand through his hair.
"Are you and sis having problems? I heard you got close at Akane, but now…" She let the sentence hang, and it hung heavy on his mind.
"When we were at the beach, she kind of scared me." He admitted with a slight blush.
"How so?" He couldn't believe how patient and understanding the Strauss girls were.
"Well, with my powers, there are times if I'm completely at peace things can happen. She reacted strongly when this happened, as if I were going to disappear." He sighed.
"I see," Lisanna stared at him with sympathy. "About nine years ago, I disappeared on her. I don't think she knew what was happening, she probably thought it was happening to you too."
"You disappeared?"
"Yeah, I must have switched places with my alternate self in Edolas," Lisanna smiled sadly at the memory. "I know it hurt big sis and brother Elf."
It was quiet as Melchior processed what he was told. "That doesn't quite explain why she always seems ready to run as soon as I get close."
"Oh, that." Lisanna sighed. "Well apparently a year after I disappeared, she met this guy."
"I've heard of him, kind of." Melchior nodded. "I do know he hurt her and paid for it."
"Yeah, you don't mess with Fairy Tail and expect to come out unscathed." Lisanna chuckled. "But I think that because of him, she's afraid of getting close to another guy. He better be glad he never met me." She scowled deeply.
"Or me," Melchior sighed. "What do I do?"
Lisanna thought for a moment. "Show her you're not going anywhere. Show her that you're different." She smiled encouragingly. "She just left to do some shopping for the guild, why don't you go meet her?"
"A surprise meeting," he laughed without humor. "You sure that's a good idea?"
"Look, I'll come with and soften her up," she winked at him.
xX Xx
Lisanna lead Melchior to the market where Mira normally shopped. They stayed quiet, but it was comfortable.
"There she is!" Lisanna said in a low, but excited, voice.
"I'm not sure I can do this," his stomach gave a strange roll, almost making him feel a bit sick.
"Relax," Lisanna stopped him. She faced him, her eyes, so much like her sisters, were determined. "Sis is just as scared as you are, but you have to be brave and show her."
Melchior breathed in deeply, his senses reaching out for Mira's soothing light. When he found it, he breathed out and smiled. "Ok, you're right." He patted her shoulder and stepped around her.
Lisanna decided he didn't need her anymore. "Good luck," she smiled in their direction.
He stopped a couple feet from her, watching as she laughed at something the vendor had said.
"Mira," he breathed reverently. She stiffened at his voice, turning slowly. Her hand was clenched tightly on the handle of her shopping bag.
"M-Melchior," she very nearly whimpered.
"Can I-"
"I have somewhere to be," and she darted away.
Melchior's heart sunk, but he shook his head. Reaching out he followed her light. When he caught up to her again, she was in the park leaning against a tree. Her bag was gone, her hands clenched together near her heart.
"Mira please, stop," he tried to keep the pleading out of his voice, but it was hard. "We can't keep going like this."
"Melchior...you don't understand…"
"I do, a little bit." He moved closer. They were now face to face, a foot between them. "I would know, if you let me in."
"I can't," she shook her head, eyes closed tightly. He could feel her conflicting emotions.
Without thinking he reached out and took her hands, pulling her close. She gasped lightly, eyes flying wide.
"Mel-" he shook his head, pulling her into his arms. She was tense, but relaxed.
"I want you to know, I'm not going anywhere, ever." He said softly. "I couldn't leave you, even if I wanted to." He chuckled lightly at that. "What you saw that day, was something that happens when I'm truly at peace with my surroundings."
Mira leaned back and stared up into his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Well without intending to, I almost took on my true form. No one other than my foster father and my sister have ever seen it."
Mira still looked confused.
"Well it's very similar to your Satan Soul," he replied, his hands playing with hers lightly, sending tingles up both their arms. "Would you like to see?"
Mira pulled back, "I would like that." She had a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Come with me," he offered her a hand.
xX Xx
He ended up taking her into the forest a little ways, but far enough no one else could see. She waited with bated breath.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on letting go. He was reassured by her warm, pulsing light and he relaxed fully. He began to glow once more, levitating slightly, it was like watching a sunburst so she closed her eyes for a moment until the glow dulled down. When she opened her eyes, she was rendered breathless. His body seemed hollow and water-like.
"M-May I?" She reached out slowly, he nodded to her. She was surprised at how he still felt solid.
A pulsing core illuminated his body, making it appear as if a nebula was trapped there, working as its structure.
Her hand moved from his shoulder, to his cheek. He felt so warm, he leaned into her touch. "You're beautiful."
"Nothing compares to your radiant beauty," his voice sounded hollow and echoed lightly.
"Let's see how you feel after you've seen my Satan Soul," her hand fell away and her eyes turned downcast.
"Let me be the judge of that," he said as he returned to normal.
In a flash Mira's appearance changed, to that of her famed Satan Soul. She now towered over him, looking less fearsome than she ever had in this form.
Melchior reached up and traced the crack on the side of her face. She shivered at the touch. "I see no difference, you're just as beautiful."
"Melchior," her voice was so much deeper in this form. She changed back, his hand clutched in hers. "I want to...I do, but after...I'm not sure how to…"
"Mira you have to know one thing," using their joined hands, he pulled her close once more. "I'm not him, I will do everything in my power to prove it to you. If you give me the chance."
Mira's eyes shone, she threw her arms around his neck over balancing them and they fell together. She gave a surprised laugh as she looked down into his eyes. "Ok." She ran a hand through the his hair, watching her fingers as she did. Without warning, Melchior molded his lips to hers.
She gave a startled squeak, but kissed him back for all she was worth. When they pulled back, she smiled. "Ok...you'd better prove it to me."
xX Xx
Lexi sat in the cafe, waiting. She had her hands wrapped around a large mug of coffee. She glanced around, absentmindedly people watching.
"Hey sorry I'm late," Lucy slid into the seat across from Lexi.
"It's ok," Lexi smiled brightly. It's been a week since she and Gray had their moment, and it had been the best week. She felt bad that she hadn't gotten back to Lyon quite yet, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to wait awhile and see how things went.
She tuned in to Lucy's voice, realizing she'd spaced out for a bit. "So, thinking about Gray?"
"Actually, I'm wondering if I should talk to Lyon," she sighed. "I haven't talked to him since right before Gray and I got together. I think he should know that we're together."
"Are you sure?" Lucy wondered, she knew of Lexi's confusion with the two ice wizards.
"He told me it would be ok if I chose Gray," Lexi replied. "I mean, he's too good a guy to lose. I want to try and stay friends."
xX Xx
Lyon slipped into a bar, a heavy sigh escaping him. He glanced around, hoping maybe he could find something to take his mind off the fiery eyed girl who'd stolen his heart.
"I can sense you're troubled," a woman's voice said, he looked up and could only see the lower half of her face, she smirked. She was completely obscured by a robe. "Mind if I join you?"
He felt slightly uneasy, but as she sat down he caught a glimpse of her hazel eyes and his mind calmed immediately. "What brings you here?"
"I'm doing some research," she replied cryptically. "I'm trying to track down a certain girl."
"Oh?" He felt a slight chill, wondering if this woman came to him by chance. "How did you know I was troubled?"
"I told you, I sensed it." The woman replied she smirked. "It's about a girl, is it not?"
Something seemed to seep into the back of his mind, nagging at him. He pushed it away. "That's very astute. Are you some sort of fortune teller?"
"In a way," she replied mysteriously. Her hood fell and revealed her entire face. Her pupils dilated and his mind went blank. "It has taken me some time to track you down, Lyon Vastia. Now tell me, do you know if Lexi Violet is with Gray Fullbuster?"
"No," he replied blankly.
"Are you very close with her?"
"In a sense," he replied.
"I need something from you," she placed her hand over his. "Incase the Rain woman's jealousy isn't enough, I need you to try and step in. It seems my nightmares weren't enough to push him away. You must make sure they do not end up together."
"Yes, of course," he nodded, his eyes completely blank.
"I will find you again for your report on progress," she pulled her hand back. "Enjoy the rest of your day." She stood and disappeared.
Lyon shook his head and looked around confused. "What just happened?"
xX Xx
"So my 18th is coming up soon," Lucy smiled brightly. "I mean I should technically be 24, my body is physically turning 18. Want to help me shop for a perfect outfit for the 'surprise' party the guild is throwing me."
"How did you-"
"Natsu isn't very good at keeping secrets from me," Lucy replied with a sly smile. "Especially now."
"Well, what are we waiting for, let's shop!" Lexi smiled brightly.
xX Xx
"That's it, that's the one!" Lexi gave a cheer. Lucy wore a red tube top that stopped just before the hem of the dark wash skinny jeans. On her feet were black wedge heeled booties.
"Are you sure the tops not too revealing?" She asked worriedly as she checked herself in the mirror.
"No, you look amazing. Natsu is gonna have a hard time keeping his eyes off you. Not that they stray much anymore." Lexi smirked teasingly at the blonde.
"Why don't you get a new outfit too?"
"Because it's not my birthday," Lexi shook her head.
"Nonsense, just because it's not your birthday, doesn't mean you can't get a new outfit." Lucy smiled brightly as she turned to change back to her regular outfit, she shooed Lexi away.
Lexi sighed and did as instructed. She browsed the racks by herself for a bit, before Lucy eventually joined her.
"Ooh Lex, I found the perfect dress!" Lucy shoved it into Lexi's hands and steered her to the dressing rooms. "Try it on, and come model for me."
Lexi rolled her eyes as she stepped into the room and changed. She walked out and looked at herself in the large mirror Lucy had just been using.
"Wow," her eyes widened. The dress was a halter style, it was a dark blue along the top with black straps and an asymmetrical, short in front and long in back, black skirt.
"You look beautiful," Lucy sighed. "You're getting it."
"Yeah," she nodded before going and changing back.
"I have some shoes you can borrow that will go with that," Lucy said as they walked to the front of the store to purchase their outfits.
xX Xx
On the day of Lucy's birthday the guild was even more raucous than normal. The party started at noon, and would no doubt last into the wee hours of the morning.
Lexi had just finished her eyeliner, perfecting her look, when there was a knock on the door. "It's open!"
She put some small diamond studs in her ears, when she heard a sharp intake of breath. She turned and saw Gray staring at her open mouthed. She blushed lightly, glancing down.
"Hey," she said softly.
"You look…I mean, wow." He shook his head. "Are you almost ready? Natsu is getting Lucy and we're all heading over together."
"Yeah, I just need to get some shoes from Lucy anyway," she passed him, brushing his hand as she passed. Just before she was out of reach he took her hand and spun her back to him. "Gray?" She breathed his name in surprise.
He shook his head and leaned down to peck her lips quickly. "Couldn't let you leave before I got that."
She felt like she couldn't breathe as he let her go. She turned and walked dazed across the hall to Lucy's apartment. She walked in without knocking, since it was normal for everyone who entered the blonde's apartment.
"Lex you ok?"
"Hm?" She hummed focusing on Lucy and Natsu who stared at her confused. Her face reddened, she couldn't believe the effect one kiss from Gray had on her. "I'm fine, where are the shoes?" She avoided their gazes. Lucy handed her a pair of black pumps. "Let's go."
She slipped into the shoes and they foursome left to the guild together.
When they walked into the guild, everyone shouted. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCY!"
xX Xx
I know this isn't my most popular story, but I love writing it and I'm gonna be posting it and maybe someone will love it too.