A/N: Hey guys! Sorry about the incredibly long wait on this, but finally managed to get back into it recently. So, in honour of Valentine's Day, here's the second chapter of Festival of Two Stars! This chapter follows up on all of the couples from the first chapter, and adds in Miraxus and Jerza! Hope you enjoy it!
"These games are definitely rigged!" Ever fumed as she walked through the festival.
Elfman walked beside her, trying very hard to keep a straight face. Ever had managed to lose miserably at every single game they'd tried so far at the festival.
"You might be right" Elfman nodded solemnly. "It's impossible for someone to lose that badly at these games without there being a set-up" he said, but he was unable to stop the tips of his mouth turning upwards slightly. Not good. He was breaking.
"Hey!" she said rounding on him, her eyes widening in realisation, "Are you-" Then Elfman burst out laughing. "S-Shut up!" Ever yelled at him, even as he doubled over in laughter. Bracing himself on his knees, Elfman tried to calm down.
"I-I'm sorry" he said, shaking still, "Just, when you, you...almost shot the stall owner in that gun game, I've never seen someone look so scared" Elfman told her.
"W-Whatever" she said, turning away from him, still with folded arms, "So I'm not good at festival games" she admitted. Elfman came up beside her with a manly grin.
"It's fine. You actually look pretty cute when you're frustrated like that" he told her.
Ever blushed furiously, "Y-you idiot! You can't just say things like that straight out" she mumbled, "Where's your sense of modesty?"
Elfman grinned bashfully, "Sorry. I don't do this kind of thing a lot"
"Yeah" Ever agreed, "I figured that out when you decided shout your invitation to the whole guild. Any chance of that bastard Bickslow not finding out about this is gone now"
Elfman raised his eyebrows, a slightly cautious expression on his face "You don't want the rest of the rajinshuu to know you accepted the date?"
Ever paused for a moment. Thinking over what she said, she supposed it could be interrupted that way. Shaking her head, she smiled at him, actually finding it kind of cute that he'd misunderstood it in that way, "I don't care if they know. It's just that guy never misses a chance to try and embarrass me, and it'd mean having to deal with a whole new level of his crap" she explained with a reassuring grin. Despite her constant losses at these stupid (obviously rigged) Festival games, she was enjoying herself. Not that she'd ever admit it out loud. She just didn't want Elfman to think otherwise.
"Alright" Elfman said, seeming convinced, "Then let's keep going. For the record, I don't care if everyone knows I'm on a date with you, either"
"Hmph, of course not. Why would you?" she said, "You can brag about this for the rest of your life" she told him.
Elfman laughed, "Yeah, I could. Actually" he said, scratching the side of his face uncertainly, "I was a little surprised you agreed to go with me" he admitted.
Ever glanced at him, "Jeez. You need to have more confidence in yourself. If you thought I'd say no, why'd you even ask?" she asked. Not to mention, he'd done it in front of the entire guild. If she had said no (not that she would've, but if), he'd have been rejected in front of the entire guild.
Elfman paused for a moment, considering his answer, then he smiled at her, "Because I thought a date with you was worth the risk" he answered honestly. Lisanna had helped to convince him, but he'd been working up the courage to ask Ever on a date for a while now. Even though there was always the possibility that she would turn him down, the thought of being able to go on a date with her, just the two of them, made him happy.
Ever's eyes widened in surprise at his straightforward sincerity, and she felt her cheeks heat as she looked at his smiling face, "I-I see. Well, g-good for you" she stuttered. Turning away from him hurriedly, Ever moved her hair to cover her reddening cheeks. Jeez, what was his problem? Did he know that the stuff he said to her was beyond embarrassing? Granted, it was also sweet, and cute, and made her feel warm inside…but it was still embarrassing! She chanced a glance in his direction, her face still burning. Elfman was looking ahead of them now, walking with a ridiculously big grin on his face and looking like the happiest guy in the world. And it made her smile knowing that it was because she was with him.
"I'm glad you said yes, Ever. Going on dates is a man!" he announced loudly. People nearby looked at him in shock, startled by his outburst, but instead of feeling embarrassed, Ever found herself laughing. Did he really have no sense of humiliation?
"Well" Ever said, "I've never actually been asked to this festival before" she admitted slowly. The festival had always felt like an event where you went as a couple, while she had had brief relationships in the past, she'd never felt that way with them. Which was why it surprised her as much as anyone that she hadn't even given a second thought to agreeing to go with Elfman. Granted, she had felt like she was in the middle of an ambush when he asked her out, but she never did anything she didn't want to. If she had minded Elfman being the first person to take her to the festival, she would've rejected him.
"This is your first time at the festival?" Elfman asked.
"Yeah. It's better than I thought it'd be" she commented with a smile. Elman frowned, and seemed to be deep in thought about something. "What's up?" she asked, noticing his expression.
Elfman placed a hand behind his head nervously, "Well, I'm not smooth or cool like Loke or the guys in Pegasus...but I hope I've made this enough fun for you to remember your first festival with a smile"
Ever blinked in surprise, then smiled. How about that? Who would've thought the big lug had a sensitive side to him, "You don't need to worry about that" she told him nudging him slightly with her shoulder, "This is already shaping up to be a great memory"
Gray scanned the cafe menu, trying to decide what he was in the mood for. He glanced up at Juvia...to find her staring adoringly at him. When their eyes made contact, she hastily ducked her head down, hiding behind her upright menu. Gray sighed. She really was a bit too much sometimes, but, he supposed it was cute in a charming kind of way.
"Well? Decided what you wanna have?" he asked, attempting to look at her over her menu.
"Yes, Gray-sama" she told him, emerging slowly from behind the menu, "Juvia will have a bagel"
"Just that? I'm paying for the meal you know, you can order whatever you want" Gray assured her. Juvia's eyes widened in shock at his words. She then glanced uncertainly at their surroundings, seemingly analysing everything before finally fixing Gray with a strange look.
"G-Gray-sama?" she asked cautiously.
Gray leaned back a little, sensing that something was about to happen and worried about whatever it was, "Yeah?" he answered.
"Is...Is this a d-d-date?" she asked. Gray raised his eyebrows in surprise and relaxed. That was what she was trying to figure out? Jeez, she had made it look like she was trying to solve the puzzle of the universe.
"Yeah" Gray told her, "I thought that was obvious. Didn't you say before that if I took you out to eat, you'd consider it a-"
He was cut off as Juvia shot up out of her seat. Gray just stared at her in wide-eyed shock. Then she stood before him, in full view of all of the diners, and started bowing repeatedly.
"Juvia is so sorry, Gray-sama!" she wailed, "Juvia isn't even dressed for a date! Juvia wanted to be at her best when Gray-sama took her out on a date for the first time, so she wouldn't embarrass him, but-"
"Alright, alright! Cut it out!" Gray pleaded with her, looking in all directions at the other customers whose attention they had caught. It seemed to be the entire cafe. His face was a searing red as Juvia continued bowing in front of him. "You look fine, OK, so sit down" he told her.
Juvia halted in her bowing at looked at him, "Really? Does Juvia really look alright for Gray-sama?" she asked.
"I promise you" Gray assured her desperately. Looking convinced, a slightly red faced Juvia slipped back into her seat. Gradually, the rest of the customers got back to minding their own business, although Gray heard one boyfriend whisper to his girlfriend, "Why aren't you ever that grateful when I take you on dates?". Gray sighed. This was probably the last time he'd be able to come to this cafe. He turned his attention back to his troublesome date.
"J-Juvia is sorry, Gray-sama, she might have gotten a little excited" Juvia told him with a light laugh.
"Just a little, huh" Gray muttered, "Well, never mind" he shrugged. If this whole thing with Juvia did work out, he would probably have to get used to this kind of thing anyway. He could do that. Maybe. Probably...It'd take a while.
"Uh...Gray-sama?" Juvia asked, cautiously, "A-Are you sure you want to take Juvia on dates...after what happened to Silver-sama?"
Gray looked at her in confusion. Why would what happened to his dad affect his opinion of her? Did she still somehow blame herself for what happened to his old man? That was ridiculous. "What are you talking about?" he said, "What happened with my old man wasn't your fault. What were you going to do, let that necromancer bastard win?" he told her.
Juvia looked up at him, eyes wide in genuine surprise, "Gray-sama doesn't blame Juvia for Silver-sama disappearing?"
Gray shook his head, "The old man was already dead. Those Tartarus bastards used him. If I blame anyone, it's them"
"Oh" Juvia said, realisation settling on her face, "Juvia didn't know you thought about it like that, Gray-sama" she said, slightly embarrassed.
Gray sighed, "Jeez. You seriously thought I blamed you? Stop blaming yourself for everything. If anything" he told her with a smile, "I'm grateful you broke that curse they put on him. Thank you, Juvia" he grinned. Though his grin vanished in the next moment, when Juvia lunged at him across the table and pulled him into a crushing hug.
"Gray-sama!" she exclaimed, "Juvia is so happy!" she told him, her arms tightening around his neck.
"Alright, calm down!" Gray told her, trying to pull away. He was losing oxygen fast. But Juvia's grip was unbreakable, and he just ended up dragging her onto his side of the table. A waiter came up to them, and took in the scene in front of him, with an expressionless face.
"Sir...is everything alright?" he asked with a pointed look.
Gray cleared his throat, his face blazing. He looked down at Juvia, whose head was now planted firmly on his chest while she smiled and snuggled into him, seemingly unaware of anyone or anything else going on, "Yes" Gray said, "Can I get a coffee please?" he asked the waiter, trying his best to sound casual.
"Yes sir...and, for your...ahem, friend?" the waiter asked, the sides of his mouth tilting upwards.
"Juvia will have a bagel" she mumbled happily into Gray's chest.
"Mira?"Laxus asked, walking into the guild. He brushed some snow off of his coat, and took in his surroundings. "Where is everybody?" he asked, surveying the empty guild hall.
"Oh, Laxus? You're back from the job already?" Mirajane smiled, "Everyone is on a date somewhere, for the Festival of Two Stars" she told him happily.
"Seriously?" he asked, sitting down on one of the bar stools, "Didn't expect all of 'em to be out. How come you're not out anywhere?"
"I'm watching the guild" Mirajane told him, drying a glass and putting it back on the shelf.
"Yeah? So then, where's gramps?"
"Master had a meeting with Porlyusica-san, something about the future of the guild" Mirajane informed him.
"Huh. So he's gone too...any chance I could get ale?" he asked.
"Not if you ask like that" Mirajane smirked at him, placing her hands on her hips. Laxus sighed. She'd always loved to give him a hard time, even when they were kids. That hadn't changed, although now she seemed to save it for whenever they were alone.
"Please" he added in resignation. Then he and Mirajane smiled at each other, enjoying their familiar dynamic, before she turned to get him a glass, "So? How many set-ups are you responsible for this year?" Every year, around the festival time, Mirajane made it her mission to make sure as many guild members as possible had a date….even if they didn't necessarily want one.
"Oh?" she asked, sending him an innocent look over her shoulder, "What are you talking about?" Laxus gave her a skeptical look, and she giggled, "I may have tricked Lucy into a date with Natsu...but they were heading there anyway. Probably" she grinned, placing a mug of ale on the counter.
"Thanks" Laxus said, taking a swig of the ale, "So, just those two, huh?" he asked,highly doubting that that was the extent of her meddling this year.
"I might also have convinced Carla to go on a date with Happy" Mirajane said with a thoughtful face, "But again, that would have happened eventually too"
"Jeez, you're matchmaking Cats now? You've really got a problem, you know" Laxus sighed. Looks like as long it had a pulse, Mirajane could matchmake it. He took another large swig of his ale.
Mirajane raised her index finger, "They're Exceeds" she admonished him, "Not Cats"
"Those two are gonna grow up eventually. What are you gonna do if kittens start runnin' around our guild?"
"Cuddle them" she replied with a smile.
Laxus smirked, enjoying the stressed out way he imagined the old man would react to kittens in the guild. Still, eventually he'd have that job. And kittens sure as hell weren't on the list of things he expected to be taking care of when he was guildmaster. Neither was any of the drama that resulted from Mira's he remembered something else he'd seen earlier, that Mirajane might be responsible for.
"Your brother and Evergreen. That was you too?" Laxus asked, with a raised eyebrow. He'd seen the two of them as he made his way through the festival. It'd had nothing to do with him, so he didn't worry about it.
"No. I think that was our baby sister, actually" Mirajane beamed proudly. Laxus shook his head. There was something up with this Strauss family. "Which reminds me" she continued, "Where are Bickslow and Freed? I thought they'd be with you"
"Hmph" Laxus snorted, "When Bickslow saw Elfman and Ever, he chased after them sayin' something about "blackmail material" and dragged Freed with him...You and your sister's weird hobby is messing with my Raijinshuu"
"Oh? And you need their protection that much? You, the great Laxus?" Mirajane giggled. Laxus raised his eyebrows at her. He swore she loved to tease him more than anyone else in the guild.
"Least you'll admit that I'm great" he shrugged. "So, you spending the whole night here, on your own?"
"That is what I'm getting paid for" she winked at him. Laxus sighed. How did she always manage to make him feel like an idiot with so little effort? No one else had that ability.
"Well, I guess I'll keep you company" he told her, drinking the last of the ale from his mug.
Mirajane looked surprised, "You don't need to. I'll be alright on my own. You can go home if want to"
"Nah" Laxus declined, holding up his mug, "Here's where the ale is" he grinned.
After what seemed like a long, blissful eternity, Lucy separated from Natsu. She looked up at him, her face lit a bright smile...until she saw the look of utter shock on his.
In an instant the ramifications of her actions crashed over her with the force of a tidal wave, causing her to widen her eyes in horror as she take a step back from Natsu.
Natsu frowned at her sudden change in expression, "Lu-"
He didn't get to finish his words, as Lucy took that moment to turn...and start running in the other direction. She rushed in a panic towards the end of the bridge...and made it all of three steps before a strong hand gripped her wrist, stopping her from moving any further.
"Let go!" she said desperately, not looking at Natsu behind her. She couldn't face him. Not now when she'd probably just ruined their friendship.
"Wait, Lucy, calm down" Natsu said, as she struggled to break his grip. "Just...tell me what that was all about and I'll let go" he promised. Lucy stopped struggling, and turned back to face him, impossibly red faced. Cautiously, Natsu let her go.
"So...what was that?"
"It's called a kiss" she mumbled, hoping he'd be simple enough to let it stop there.
"Even I know that!" He laughed, and Lucy felt like kicking him for being carefree enough to laugh when all she wanted was for the ground to open up and swallow her. "I mean, why'd you do it?" He asked.
Lucy gritted her teeth, her embarrassment and irritation spiking, "It's all your fault!" She yelled at him. He raised his eyebrows in surprise at her outburst.
"My fault?" He asked, totally confused as to what he did.
"Yes!" Lucy confirmed, jabbing a finger at his chest to emphasise exactly how much at fault he was, "You had to be really sweet, and take me on this date to cheer me up! Then you had to give me your coat because you saw I was cold. And then, you just had to put on that amazing display of me and Aquarius! Of course I'd feel like kissing you, who wouldn't?!" she demanded, throwing her hands into the air in exasperation.
"I didn't do any of that to get you to kiss me" he pointed out.
Lucy paused for a moment, and sighed heavily. She was being ridiculous, yelling at him when this was her fault. Her voice returned to its normal volume when she spoke again, "I know that" she said quietly, "That makes it even more sweet" she explained, her cheeks burning, "That you didn't do it with an ulterior motive or anything...You just did it for me" she said, looking away from him. Seriously, how was she not supposed to feel anything for him after all he'd done? She cast her gaze at the river below, which was quickly becoming frozen over at the cold temperature.
"So...it was just a mistake?" Natsu questioned.
That question rattled around in Lucy's head. Had it just been a mistake? A result of everything that had happened tonight? Natsu didn't seem too upset about it. If she said it was just a mistake, then they could maybe go back to the way they were before...But did she really want that?
"Ughhhh" she groaned, and turned away from him, sitting on the curved bridge with her hands on her temple. Natsu came and sat down next to her, waiting patiently.
"No, I don't think it was mistake" she muttered finally, "But, I don't know. I mean, we're really good friends, and...I don't wanna ruin that. "
"Right!" Natsu said decidedly, causing Lucy to look up at him. He kept to his feet.
"W-What?" she asked uncertainly.
"Let's go on a date" he told her with a grin.
"Huh?"
"To the festival" Natsu clarified, "Let's go as a couple, on a date. Then we'll get to see if we're good together. If we are" he flashed a grin at her, "Then, yeah, let's date. I think it'd be really cool having you as my girlfriend"
Hearing him describe her that way caused Lucy's cheeks to sear, and she looked down at the bridge, unable to meet his eyes.
"Come on" Natsu urged, "Let's go have some fun" he grinned.
Lucy looked up at him to see him reaching down, offering her a hand. With a deep breath for courage, she reached up, and took it, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. She blushed a little more when Natsu didn't let go of her hand, instead leading her off of the bridge that way. Lucy marvelled at the warmth that enveloped her hand at his touch.
She glanced up at him beside her, still red faced. He looked completely relaxed, with an easy smile on his face as they walked along the street.
"Natsu" Lucy said, again not meeting his eye.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks"
He looked puzzled, "For what?"
"Not freaking out, I guess?" she said thoughtfully.
His trademark grin returned as he looked down at her at his side, "I figured you did enough of that for both of us"
Lucy blushed again and shoved him with her shoulder, causing him to laugh as they walked down the snow-covered road together.
Erza was making her way back from the festival, boxes and boxes of cakes and sweets were piled in her arms. She smirked to herself, wondering how many she would be able to sample tonight before she was full.
"You always did have a sweet tooth, Erza" came an amused voice from behind her. Erza froze in surprise as she recognised it. Her boxes dropped on the ground as she whirled around, searching for its source. What was he doing here? "Although" Jellal continued, walking out of the shadows of the underpass and into the moonlight, "Maybe "sweet tooth" is putting it too mildly" he finished, with an pointed glance at the numerous boxes of sweets on the ground.
"Jellal" Erza said, walking up to him and greeting him with a smile, but then the possible implications of his presence came to her mind, "Did something happen? Did you sense dark magic coming from the festival?"
Jellal looked momentarily surprised, then he threw his head back and laughed, "You haven't changed, Erza. But, there isn't anything wrong. I only came to visit, that's all" he assured her with a small smile.
"O-Oh" Erza said, slightly embarrassed at her automatic assumption, "T-then, it's good to see you...where are the rest of Crime Sorciere?"
"Staying at an inn on the edge of Magnolia. I'm staying there too, for the moment" he explained, "Shall we pick up your...trophies?" he asked, trying to conceal his smile. Erza's cheeks tinted red.
"Yes, thank you" she nodded, stooping down to gather her sweets. Jellal helped her, gathering as much as he could in his arms. When they had gotten everything, they started walking again, arms crammed full of boxes.
"How have you been, Erza?" Jellal asked, over the large pile of boxes he was holding.
"I have no complaints" she answered with a firm nod, "It's been quiet for the last few months. Since Tartarus fell, it doesn't seem like any of the smaller dark guilds are willing to cause trouble"
Jellal smirked, completely unsurprised that she'd interpreted his question that way. It was his fault for not phrasing it correctly, "I meant" he tried again, "How are you?" he asked, hoping she would realise the emphasis meant he was enquiring about her wellbeing.
Erza was silent for a moment, and her eyes widened as realisation settled in on her face, "Good...I'm good" she smiled at him.
Jellal nodded, "I suppose that was a foolish question...given the obvious strength of your appetite" he added with a sideways glance.
Erza blushed beet red, and lifted the boxes in her arms slightly higher, hoping to hide it.
Jellal laughed, "How is everyone?" He asked, taking pity on her.
"Oh, they are all fine" Erza informed him cheerfully, "Although, I don't think you'll be able to see them tonight" she added thoughtfully, "I believe they are all at the Festival of Two Stars"
Jellal smiled, "I see. That is a shame. But, to be completely honest...it was you I came here tonight to see, Erza"
Erza stared at him in surprise, and he smiled at her expression. Then she quickly turned her head away from him, hiding her flushed cheeks by looking at the river next to them, "I-I see" she said, a bright smile forming on her hidden face.
"Although" Jellal continued, amused at her more than obvious embarrassment, "It looks like I've interrupted what was going to be a very exciting night for you" he noted, looking down at the boxes of sweets in his arms.
"N-not at all" Erza argued, her head whipping back around to look at him, "This is for everyone in guild" she lied smoothly. Jellal raised his eyebrows, strongly considering calling her on it just for fun.
"I see" he nodded, deciding on mercy, "Is that where we're going?" He asked, taking in their surroundings.
"Yes" she told him, firmly, "To drop off these sweets...that I got for the guild"
"Wendy's way better, Carla, Natsu can be terrible sometimes" Happy informed his date. They were discussing their respective dragon slayers, but so far, it seemed that Happy had nothing but complaints about Natsu.
"Well" Carla said fairly, "Wendy can be difficult sometimes too. She's impossible to wake up in the mornings, hardly ever eats healthily, and can be unbelievably stubborn" she listed, picturing each one of the offences in her mind.
"Natsu does all of those too" Happy responded, "But I bet Wendy never charred you and your fish before"
"Well...no" Carla agreed, Wendy barely knew how to light a fire, "But she has sent me flying a few times when she was practicing her magic" she recollected.
"I would take that over being charred" Happy said, "Do you know how many fish I've lost because he wanted to try cooking them and overdid it?"
Carla sighed, "Is fish all you ever think about?" she asked.
"Nope" Happy chirped, "I think about you too, Carla" he grinned. Carla blushed (something she'd been doing way more than she thought she would be on this date), and avoided his gaze.
"Well, I don't particularly want you thinking about me" she huffed, taking another sip of her milk.
"I can't help it. You're too beautiful, Carla" Happy beamed. Carla choked on her milk, and cleared her throat a few times. All the while her face blazed a bright red. Jeez, how was he able to say such embarrassing stuff so easily?
"Are you OK?" Happy asked her, a concerned look in his eyes.
"I-I'm fine" she replied, regaining her composure. She tried to will her face to quit burning and return to its original colour. When it finally felt normal again, she relaxed enough to take another bite of her fish. She had to admit, it was much better than she had expected.
"Do you like the fish I caught, Carla?" Happy asked. Carla observed the hopeful look in his eyes, and found herself smiling. He was really proud of his catch.
"Hmmm" she pretended to think about her answer, "It's pretty good" Carla told him evenly, not wanting to inflate his ego too much. It surprised her to find that she actually enjoyed teasing him.
"If you want, I can show you where I caught it sometime. It's in the forest, right by where Natsu usually trains" Happy said with a smile.
"Well, I guess I don't mind" Carla told him, drinking her milk. Then she stopped mid-sip. Had she just accidentally agreed to go on a second date with him? And what was wrong with her that she didn't feel like she minded? Deciding not to dwell on her thoughts, she finished her milk, and ate the last of the fish.
"Are you finished?" Happy asked.
"I am" she confirmed.
"Good! You're right on time then" he grinned, looking at the watch on his wrist, "It's Ten o' clock" he announced happily.
Carla was confused, "What's special about-?" then she stopped without finishing her question. A slow song erupted from the guild hall below them, loud enough that they could hear every word of it even from the attic. Happy grinned brightly, and stood up. Walking around to Carla's side of the table, he cleared his throat, and bowed.
"Can I request a dance with the beautiful lady?" he asked, extending his hand towards her. Carla stared at him in stunned surprise, totally blindsided by the unbelievably cute gesture. Had he really planned all of this for her? She had always known that he liked her, but she'd never realised that he feelings were this sincere. She was really touched by the effort he'd made for her, and she couldn't help thinking that Mirajane was right, and that he really did deserve a chance. Smiling brightly, she placed her hand in his.
"Yes, you can" she answered.
"I think you'd be evenly matched" Laxus said, setting down his sixth mug of ale.
"Really?" Mirajane asked, "I think I would have the upper hand"
"You're underestimating Erza, I'd say it'd be an equal fight...or she'd have the advantage. That's my bet" he shrugged.
"Well, maybe one day we'll find out" Mira smiled. The she glanced at the clock on the wall, and jumped to her feet from the bar stool.
"What's up?" Laxus asked, watching her go around behind the counter.
"It's ten o'clock" she told him, rummaging beneath the counter for something, "I've got a promise to keep"
"To meet a Prince Charming before the bell sounds ten times?" Laxus questioned, leaning over the counter to see what she was doing.
"Nope" she told him, surfacing with a large round object in her hand, "To give one of our guild members a chance to become one for the night" she explained with a bright smile. Laxus recognised the object- a music lacrima. He watched as Mirajane closed her eyes, and poured her magic into the lacrima, causing it to glow, and begin playing it's music. The sound of slow paced romantic music filled the guild hall, loud enough to make Laxus wince. "Alright" she said, opening her eyes with a satisfied smile. Walking out from the behind the counter, she took both hands off of the lacrima, and used her magic to levitate it high in the air to the ceiling, just below the attic.
"What the hell?" Laxus enquired as she walked back behind the bar.
"Slow songs" she explained, "It's a favour for one of our guildmates"
"They asked you to fill the guild with fruity music?"
"They asked me to help set the mood by doing this" Mira corrected him, "Not that I mind-this is my kind of music" she told him. Then a look came over her face, one that Laxus recognised as the look she had whenever an idea came to her. When they were kids, he'd learned to fear that look, as whatever she had planned usually involved him being embarrassed or getting hurt in some way.
Laxus watched as she started moving smoothly from side to side, going with the flow of the music. "What are you doin'?" he asked, watching as she walked around the counter, and glided smoothly to the centre of the guild.
"Going to dance" she answered.
Laxus raised an eyebrow, "Is that what you get paid to do?" he asked, mirroring her earlier words.
Mirajane halted her dancing, and thought for a minute, "If you want to pay me to dance with you, I'll accept" she told him with a grin.
Laxus snorted, "You'd have to be Magnolia's best dancing partner to get me to pay for a dance with you"
"So come over here and find out if I'm any good" she challenged, lifting her hands and moving her shoulders perfectly in time with the rhythm of the song. Laxus couldn't help the grin that came to face as he watched her. He shook his head. What was with this girl?
"No way in hell" he told her.
Mirajane pouted, "Why not? You used to love dancing with Lisanna when we were kids" she complained, halting her dancing again and faking a wounded look.
"No" Laxus said, "When we were kids, you tricked me into dancing with Lisanna by saying it was training to improve my footwork in fights...and then you took photos of us" Mirajane laughed at the memory, informing Laxus that she wasn't at all repentant. If anything she seemed proud of her deception.
"How about this: if you come and dance with me, the next mug of ale is on the house" Mira offered.
Laxus stared at her blankly, "You've been charging me for these?" he asked, glancing at the numerous rounds of mugs he'd piled up, "I'm the master's grandson"
"Oh? Is there a rule that says being related to the master makes you exempt from paying for drinks? But" she said with a teasing smile, "I might be willing to wipe your tab clean for a few dances." Laxus considered this for a moment. He had the money from this recent job. However much he drank, there was no way it was enough make a big impact on his earnings. She had no leverage in this.
"Nah, I'll pay for them" he told her confidently, "It's not a high price to avoid making a fool out of myself"
"You know" Mirajane said, looking thoughtful, "I think I have those photos of you and Lisanna dancing somewhere. They're pretty well hidden for now...but it'd be terrible if they somehow started showing up suddenly all over the guild"
Laxus glowered at her, "That isn't funny." he told her. If those photos got out, he could only imagine the amount of abuse he'd get from Natsu and Gray, not to mention the old man.
"It wasn't a joke." They stared each other down, engaging in a silent battle of wills.
"How do I know you've still got them?" Laxus asked, eyeing her suspiciously, "This could be a bluff"
Mirajane smiled and click her fingers once. There was a rattling from somewhere upstairs, and two photos flew down the steps. They stopped in front of Laxus's face, so he could view them clearly. The first was him, dressed in a suit as a kid, dancing with a young Lisanna with a completely focused and determined look on his face. Then the next was him in that same suit on the ground, crying with his hands rubbing his eyes while a worried Lisanna tried to comfort him. Laxus looked up from the photos, glaring at the smiling take-over Mage. The photos flew back up the stairs.
"You'll be throwing your own sister under the bus" he pointed out, keeping his poker face fixed. He couldn't let her see him worry, "What kind of older sister would that make you?" he questioned.
Mirajane giggled again, "Lisanna was always good at dancing. She didn't trip almost every time she tried it and then cry...You were so cute, Laxus"
Laxus cringed at the memory. He hadn't noticed until way too late back then that Mirajane had been taking photos of him. Now he was paying the price for his own lack of observation. He furrowed his brow and tried to think of a way out...but there wasn't one. She had him. And the smug smile on her face told him that she knew it too. Unbelievable, he thought bitterly, aside from old man Gildarts, he was the strongest member of Fairy Tail, now here he was, being blackmailed by a take over mage. He sighed in resignation. If he did this, he'd need to make it worth his while.
"One song, one dance, and the photos go" Laxus told her, standing up, and leaving his coat on the counter.
"Five songs"
"Three"
"Five"
"Four?"
"Five"
Laxus sighed again, "Five songs, and I get to be there to witness them burn" he compromised.
"Deal" Mirajane beamed happily, running forward and dragging him by the hand towards centre of the guild.
"Is that music?" Jellal asked, as they neared the guild hall. Erza listened for a minute. That was odd. Everyone was supposed to be at the Festival except Mirajane. Was she listening to music on her own? Closing her eyes, Erza found that she could sense the magic of a second Mage in the building. Laxus. She smiled. It seemed that Mirajane had the ability to matchmake even herself.
"It's Mira and Laxus" Erza told Jellal, "It seems they are listening to music together"
"Alone?" Jellal asked, as he stared up at the large guild hall.
"It appears so"
Jellal nodded, "Then we should let them be. It is the Festival of Two Stars, after all"
Erza smiled at him, "You're right" she agreed. She turned and glanced at down at the boxes in her arms, "I'll suppose I'll have to think of somewhere else put these for the time being. Since I can't drop them off at the guild...for everyone"
Jellal laughed, causing Erza's face to redden, "Then, why don't we drop them off at your apartment?" he suggested lightly.
"I suppose we have no choice. It will give us a chance to get out of the snow, at least" she nodded.
"Juvia is sorry, Gray-sama" Juvia apologised again, "Juvia may have gotten a bit excited in the cafe" she explained. Gray glanced at her walking beside him in the snow. Once he had managed (with considerable effort) to pry her arms open and free himself, he had convinced her to return to her side of the table and they had finished their food without further incident, although he had been on edge the whole time. They were walking to the festival now, and Juvia was clinging tightly to Gray's arm as they strolled down the street.
He sighed, "It's fine. I don't really mind" he shrugged. So Juvia was a little over-affectionate, what was wrong with that? Aside from society maybe having a thing or two to say about the way she chose to express it, he didn't think it was that big a problem. It wasn't like he cared what other people thought. And if Natsu or Gajeel had anything to say, they could say it to his Ice Eagles.
"It's just that Gray-sama made Juvia so happy" Juvia beamed, giving his arm a tight squeeze, "Juvia couldn't help it" she explained. It made her beyond happy to find out that Gray didn't blame her for Silver's disappearance. That had really been the only big obstacle in her plan to marry Gray and have his children. Now, not only was that out of the way, but she was also on a date with him. This was a big step forward, and it was all Juvia could do not jump up and down with glee. Still...what had made her Gray-sama decide to ask her on a date, after all this time? What was the cause behind this remarkable development? Juvia could think of any number of possibilities; the Two Stars Festival, fate, destiny...she hadn't tried slipping him a love potion since the last time, so it couldn't be that. Or maybe he had finally realised that there was no other woman who could love him like she could? She wanted to know the answer. The question burned inside her.
Painfully aware that she was about to question her good fortune, Juvia took a deep breath, "Gray-sama" she said, trying to keep her voice level and calm through her anxiety.
Gray looked down at her, and raised an eyebrow uncertainly at her intense expression. What happened to the happy Juvia from literally five seconds ago? "Yeah?" he answered cautiously.
"Why did you decide to ask Juvia on a date tonight?" she asked.
Gray released a relieved breath, his tension dissipating. Jeez. She really kept him on edge. He considered the answer to her question. He supposed this had been a long time coming. Even without Erza's words, he would have asked Juvia on a date eventually. He'd had a "why not" moment when he realised that it was the Two Stars Festival this weekend. This had been the perfect time to do it. He had already decided to ask her on a date the next time he saw her when he'd run into her outside Gajeel's place. As to why he decided to pursue a romance with her? If anything, it was what he had felt the moment before he had considered using Iced Shell on his father. The thought of how all of his comrades would feel if he did had invaded his mind...but of all of them, the thought of Juvia was the one that convinced him to live. The possibility of never seeing her again, of never being able to see her smile, or hear her call his name in delight, had strengthened his resolve to stay alive. He had wanted to experience all of those things again. It was the thought of her that had reminded him why life was so precious...So, now how was he supposed to explain all of that to her? There was probably a simpler way.
"Well, I guess it's because...I want you to be my girlfriend" he said, after some thought. That was about right. It pretty much summed up his feelings. He watched for her reaction...and didn't see anything. Her expression didn't change, her body didn't move. She was completely still next to him. Gray untangled his arm from hers and waved a hand in front of her face, checking if she had somehow passed out standing up, "Juvia?"
"G-Gray-sama" she stuttered in barely more than a whisper, "Is this real? Is Juvia dreaming?"
Gray grinned. Then an idea came to him. A bold one. There really wasn't any taking it back after he did it. But what the hell, it was the Festival of Two Stars- if ever there was a time to be bold, it was now. He pulled Juvia in by her waist with one arm, causing her to gasp in surprise, and with the other, he cupped the back of her neck, pressing her head towards him as he leaned down and kissed her.
Heat spread through Juvia's body at the touch of Gray's lips. She opened her mouth willingly, denying him nothing as his tongue moved to gently stroke hers. For a moment, everything in the outside world seemed to stop moving. The snow ceased to fall, the sounds of the night quietened down and the cold breeze stopped blowing. Everything was still as Gray's lips moved against hers, and Juvia thought that she wouldn't care if the rest of the world stayed frozen like that forever, leaving them in this moment.
Gray pulled back slowly, grinning as Juvia's whole face blazed bright red. She wasn't able to think properly. Was she supposed to say something? She didn't think she could, even if she wanted to.
"So? Did that feel real to you?" Gray asked with a smile. A wild euphoria erupted inside of Juvia, raging through her and filling her every thought with joy and bliss. She jumped on Gray, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and pressing her lips to his again.
"Juvia is so happy, Gray-sama" she told him as tears shone in her eyes.
"Gray's pretty happy himself" he grinned down at her. Juvia laughed, before pulling him down to kiss him a third time.
"Juvia will never get tired of that" she said, more to herself than to Gray.
He grinned again, "We'll have plenty of time for that later on. Come on. The festival's firework show is gonna start soon. I wanna watch it with you" he said, taking her hand in his. Juvia inwardly rejoiced as he led her down the street, only barely resisting the urge to scream her joy at the top of her lungs into the night.
"Are you having fun, Ever?" Elfman asked his date as they made their way towards the field for the firework display. At the middle and end of the Festival, the town always put on a firework display.
"Well" she said with a teasing smile, "I suppose you get passing marks for now"
"Only passing?" Elfman asked, bemused, "I've been trying really hard tonight" he told her matter of factly.
"Laughing at me for losing those fixed games lowered your score" she told him sourly.
Elfman glanced at her, and smiled at the adorable sulking expression she had on her face, "Well, maybe you're right" Elfman conceded. Then his eyes caught sight of a game on the right, "I'll make it up to you" he grinned, grabbing her hand.
"H-Hey, what are yo-?" She was cut off as Elfman pulled her by the hand towards a stall on their left. As he pulled her along, Ever tried her best to ignore the way having his hand wrapped around hers made her heart race. What was she doing, getting all giddy over something so simple anyway?
"Here we go" Elfman grinned.
Ever glanced at the game beside the stall. It was a high-striker game, where you hit the lever with a hammer as hard as possible to get the puck to move up the tower. Given his physique, Ever thought, Elfman would be suited for this game. Then she blushed, wondering exactly when she had starting taking notice of his physique. Then again, it wasn't exactly hard to miss.
"Ah" the stall master said, walking out with a grin, "You're attempting the game, then?"
"Yes!" Elfman said, "Winning his date prizes is a man!"
The stall owner stared at him uncertainty, "OK" he said, deciding to let it go, "I should warn you that no one has beat this game tonight. This high-striker is reinforced with magic to withstand the strongest of force"
Elfman nodded, "I see. As expected of the Two Stars Festival. I'll play" he told the stall owner. He paid the man his jewels and grabbed the ridiculously large hammer. Ever stepped back, genuinely worried about what was going to happen when he brought it down. Elfman shot her a grin over his shoulder.
"Partial Beast Take-Over!" He shouted, and raised the hand clutch if the hammer. Ever watched as his arms transformed into the larger and (if possible) more muscular arms of his take over beast from. Since when had he been able to do that?
With a roar of determination, he smashed the hammer down onto the lever, sending the puck all the way to the top of the tower...and shattering the entire game as well as the ground around it.
Ever almost lost her balance, wobbling precariously as the ground beneath her cracked and shifted, "S-Seriously?" she choked in shock. The earth immediately around them was completely shattered from the force of his swing, and passing onlookers exclaimed in panic at the loud noise and sudden vibrations in the earth. The dust whipped up by the impact cleared, and Ever saw Elfman grinned apologetically at the game master.
"Sorry about that. I really wanted to win a prize for my date" he told him sheepishly.
"D-Don't worry about it" the man said, looking in awe at the destruction around him, "I didn't think I'd need to use it, but I know a bit of repair Magic myself" he informed Elfman. Walking over to the stall, the owner waved his hand over the prizes, "Take any prize. There's no one who can deny you beat the game after that" he said, walking over to the game and beginning to chant his magic.
"Ever" Elfman called over his shoulder, "Which prize do you want?" he said.
"R-Right" Ever replied, walking over to the stall and jumping to avoid the cracks in the ground. Fairy Tail might get in trouble for that later.
"Well?" Elfman said, gesturing to prizes with pride. Ever smiled at his smug expression as she looked over the prizes. There wasn't really anything that interesting. It was mostly stuffed toys.
"I don't really mind. You can pick something for me" she shrugged.
"Alright" Elfman said, nodding decisively, "Then" he reached out and pulled out a stuffed toy from right behind all of the rest, one she hadn't seen in her brief glances. Ever's eyes widened as she saw what he picked out, "I'll get this one for you" he told her with a grin.
Ever stood with her arms at her sides, staring at the large, stuffed, red heart Elfman was offering to her. His grin was wider than ever as he extended the heart to her. Ever's stunned expression remained fixed, but she slowly reached out her arms and accepted the heart. It was a simple gesture, all he had done was won her a prize at a fair, but for some reason, the large red heart in her arms made her feel inexplicably happy. It took her a moment to realise that no-one had ever actually won her anything before and she was even more surprised to find that she didn't feel embarrassed at the sweet gesture. She had always considered this kind of mushy display to be ridiculous, and often wondered what on earth it was that compelled people to act that way. She felt like she could understand a little bit now. Instead of any kind of humiliation, she felt an altogether different and unfamiliar emotion. One that made her smile uncontrollably as she hugged the stuffed heart closer to her. She looked up at her date, huge, muscled and unbelievably sweet.
"Thanks" she said, the strange smile still on her face.
For a moment, Elfman looked stunned- he had never seen such a sincere smile on Ever's face before, and, if it were possible, it made her look even more beautiful.
"You're welcome" he replied with a huge grin.
"You've gotten a lot better than this, Laxus" Mirajane giggled happily, as Laxus gently twirled her.
"I'm glad" he replied, deadpan, causing Mirajane to giggle again.
"Don't tell me you have someone else you practise with?" she said, "You're going to make me jealous"
"Like I'd ever make an idiot out of myself with anyone else" he huffed.
"Oh? Does that mean I'm special to you?" She asked with a smile.
Laxus rolled his eyes, " That means you're the best at messing with me" he grumbled.
"You know, you could be more happy about this. A beautiful maiden is dancing with you, and you look like you've just lost all of your mission wages"
"A beautiful maiden is blackmailing me into dancing with her" he corrected with a wry grin, "Sorry if I'm not ecstatic about it"
Mira giggled again and Laxus struggled to maintain his frown at the sweet noise. "At least admit that you're having fun" she prompted him.
Laxus sighed, spinning her once, then back again, "Well, I suppose it beats a night alone in my apartment" he said thoughtfully.
"That's it? You need to learn to be more charming, Laxus" she admonished, "You'll never find a girlfriend with that attitude"
Laxus snorted, "Leave me out of your twisted matchmaking games" he told her.
She spun into him, and he caught her, wrapping an arm around her back and clasping her hand.
"Then" she said, her blue eyes glancing up at him as they moved, "You don't have anyone you'd want to be with right now?"
Laxus glanced down at her in his arms. Her head was tilted slightly to the side, waiting for his answer with genuine curiosity. Her blue eyes were fixed calmly on his, silently demanding an answer.
Laxus thought about her question. There really wasn't anyone who immediately came to mind when he thought about it. Except maybe…if he'd have to choose right here and now, his answer of who he'd spend the most romantic night of the year with...was probably the beautiful, infuriating take-over Mage currently standing in front of him.
"Well, I suppose if I'm choosing, at this moment in time, it'd have to be you" Laxus said thoughtfully.
Mirajane's gaze shifted from one of curiosity to genuine surprise, "Me?" she asked, as though not sure she heard him right.
"Yeah" Laxus confirmed, "Even though you can be a pain in the ass sometimes, it's not like we don't have fun hanging out together, and it's never boring when we do. Also" he grinned at her, "You got a way of getting under my skin the way no one else does. Not my favourite thing in the world, but I think it keeps me from getting too big a head"
Mira laughed at his blunt words, "You really know how to make a girl feel special" she told him, "But...I think it's sweet that you feel that way" she said, looking up at him with warm eyes. Something about the way she'd said that caught his attention, and looking down, he was surprised to find a light blush on her cheeks. That was weird. He didn't think he'd ever seen her blush before...it was a cute look on her.
"I feel like that too" Mira told him, "It's easy to be myself around you"
"You mean be evil?"
Mira laughed, "I mean be completely comfortable...but the evil is fun too"
Laxus rolled his eyes, "So, how about you then? Festival of two stars is supposed to be some big romantic event, right? Got anyone in mind you'd rather be spending it with than your blackmail victim?" He asked.
Mira pretended to wonder for a moment, "Nope, you're doing pretty well as my Prince Charming tonight"
Laxus raised an eyebrow, "That's what I am?"
"Well...we're dancing, and there's romantic music, it's just the two of us, anything could-"
Laxus spun her gracefully, and took a step towards her to catch her. The felt his foot slip on some kind of liquid of the floor, and ended up slipping.
His momentum carried him forward, and he caught the briefest glance of Mira's widened surprised eyes before he crashed into her, carrying them both to the ground. Laxus shifted quickly, turning them so that he'd be able to cushion her fall.
The sudden sharp pain in Laxus' back as they crashed to the ground told him he'd succeeded.
Then he was aware of two hands planted on his chest, as Mira gently pushed herself up to look down at him.
She glanced down at his arms, both still wrapped protectively around her back, pulling her to him.
"You really are a gentleman Laxus" she giggled.
"I just moved on instinct. Don't let it go to your head." He attempted to appear calm and aloof, but she knew him well enough to see the embarrassment he tried to hide.
She giggled at him, "I'm glad I chose you as my blackmail victim tonight"
"Uh-huh, I'm glad you're glad. Come on, let's get up" he made to move, but Mira pressed him back down again.
Laxus raised an eyebrow, looking down at the hand on his in his chest, "And what's this?" he asked.
"Well, what does the princess do after she's been saved by the Prince Charming?" she questioned.
"Wipe his ale tab clean?" He asked hopefully.
Mira laughed on top of him, causing his entire body to vibrate. Then she leaned down, their faces nearly touching, "She says "thank you"" she informed him with a smile, before leaning further down and placing her lips on his.
And that's it for now! Hope you guys enjoyed it, review and let me know what you think!
Happy Valentines Day!