Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

122. Adventure 122

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.

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In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

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LAST TIME, on Fairy Adventure: Kyler decided his family needs a day of fun at Fantasia World, but as much as they all want this day to go Kyler's way, things aren't what they seem in this park. Bael's Shadow is starting to take form, and Mirella and Talia send Mammon to take care of it. Talia might not be the easiest to approach, but her new friend Jonas remains undeterred in being her new friend. While Mammon is well-versed as a Daemon, he's got a long way to go when it comes to speaking to people. But his new friend and Sun God Slayer Aditya looks like she'll how him how different the world can be. Mirella had to put up with a lot today, but it was all worth it when she got to propose to the man who stole her heart—and he said yes! It looks like we have a wedding to go to!

"Once we find the Gods' Map, I'll put an end to Baracles' reign of terror of us. Permanently."

Looks like Lance will be answering for the wrongs Baracles committed. But at least we have a wedding to look forward to!

---

Seeing Nora hard at work felt suspicious.

Meg and Carson busied themselves with their tasks within Nora's large study, of course, but both glanced at each other before looking at Nora. Even though it was around brunch time, he looked like personified graze in his noble suit and his hair fashioned in a low ponytail. He set straight to the work the Marquis had given him without delay. A concrete focus set his face as he kept up the pace.

And Meg and Carson were suspicious of this new development.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Savant Hall

Larkspur County

Fiore, Ishgar

11:03 AM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Not once has he tried to sneak out the window, Meg thought, adjusting her monocle. All those times of him trying to sneak away from work and his deadpan bribes of jewelry for her silence seemed long-gone. The moment we got him from his college, he insisted on working.

Carson's eyes narrowed on Nora. Not only that, but…

Nora paused in his work to look out the window. Spring settled nicely in Fiore, and the estate reflected such beauty. Grayed yellows softened and a small smile played on his lips.

He's been sighing and smiling like that for a few days now, Carson noted. "It's so…creepy."

"It feels like he's plotting something," Meg whispered back. "Maybe this is an act or something?"

Carson had no idea. "Maybe he's sick."

A tick mark bombarded Nora's temple as he clenched his fountain pen. They know I can hear them, right? A soft knock garnered his attention. "Come in."

Richard appeared with a tea cart. "Young Master, I thought it'd be appropriate for a break. You've been working so diligently." He shot a laser look at a sweating Carson and Meg who could not meet his gaze. "Not gossiping on the job."

Nora breathed a chuckle. "Thank you, Richard. Perhaps a slight break is in order."

Richard took the trolley over to Nora's desk and went about preparing the tea and pasties, but he noticed that self-smile Nora did and something inside him sighed. Ah. He looked just as Dardanius did when he thought of Moira. His eyes glinted he finished straining the tea and started adding the honey. It's so nice for the young master to look in such high spirts.

Clearing his throat, he finished stirring the tea and offered the cup and saucer to Nora. "Young Master, I assume your good mood is thanks to an important meeting."

Meg and Carson did not understand. An important meeting? Carson gave Meg an accusing look, but she made an X with her hands, shaking her head.

Nora accepted the tea, amused. "You could say that." As he brought the tea to his lips, a waft of the scent hit him. Nostalgia played tricks on him as he remembered such vivid scarlet hair. She certainly knows how to get a man excited.

Meg checked her tablet over Nora's calendar, brow scrunched, and she called, "I see what you have a meeting to attend, but the details state you're meeting with a merchant."

SLAM!

Carson and Meg felt like an irritated Richard was looming over him as he growled from beneath his mustache, "That's because the young lord bribed you with a rare brooch to be purposefully vague on his calendar about his meeting so the Marchioness wouldn't find out about it."

Meg sweatdropped as she remembered not asking any questions when Nora opened the velvet box and showed her such a beautiful butterfly brooch. Ah, right, he did to that…

Carson picked up his Bluebull and snarked with a smirk, "It's a wonder you even have a job. What sort of assistant just easily takes bribes from her employer and can't remember meetings?"

Meg adjusted her monocle, making it glint. "And what about you?" She whipped around his PAL to show his screen was an otome game and he was currently having the female lead entice one of the "tyrants" of her harem (and Carson nearly had a heart attack). "Like you're one to talk! You let him get you addicted to another game!"

"It's not just a game!" Carson insisted. "It's a highly complex simulation where you have to use critical thinking and know every love language—!"

Meg showed his account's modification tabs with everything he paid for, and she deadpanned, "You invested fifty thousand jewel into this game."

"But it's not just a game!" Carson pointed a finger at her. "And you're the one who takes stupid bribes from a teenager! Look at your necklace!"

"How could you say that!" Meg gasped, scandalized. "This necklace came from the four-hundreds! Do you know how much it's worth!"

Richard sighed as Meg and Carson bickered, setting down the teapot. "We have such incompetent staff. They never learn."

"Let them be, Richard." Nora took a sip of his tea before admiring the taste. "You can't expect them to save face all of the time. It's fine. I don't mind."

Richard nodded. "Of course, Young Lord." He portioned out the pasties onto another saucer and murmured for Nora's ears only, "It would seem our suspicions are correct. The Holy Eye has sent two of its Children to monitor Lady Ena and her servant separately, but they've always been out of range."

Nora's face darkened. "Thank you, Richard." I knew Holy Mother would find Silver a threat to my relationship with Ena. Insofar, I doubt the Holy Eye would do anything to him now. He's a Fairy Tail Mage and part of the family that once almost lost one of their sons to abduction. That, and because I haven't established a concrete relationship with Ena, it'd be too risky to make a move and raise her suspicions. How troublesome.

"Find out what you can on those following Ena and Silver," Nora instructed. A frown deepened on his face. "Perhaps it's time I call one of the family's Shades to ensure Ena and Silver's safety. They may be Mages, but the Holy Eye has its…less than ethical tactics."

That surprised Richard. The 'Shades' are silent workers only Her Majesty can entrust to noble families. In most cases, only the head of the family can summon a Shade. But Lord Dardanius bestowed Nora that power. And for him to want to call one to protect Lady Ena… He bowed. "Understood. Young Lord. I shall make preparations right away."

"And one last thing before you go."

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Call the wardrobe master for me immediately." Nora looked out his study's window and watched a pair of birds flutter outside in such fondness. "It wouldn't do for me to meet such a creative mind of fashion looking out of sorts. I want to look my best for my"—his lips twitched—"date."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Tobase STAR TRAIN

Tsuki akari wo se ni FLY AWAY

Mada minu mirai he to kakedase

Yozora wo koete

•

Kimi mo Step Forward

Sono Yuma wo nosete Jump Around

Sekai wo hirogete hashirou

Shuuchakueki ha

Kimi no Wonderful World

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver never felt more blessed than right now.

The room was nothing special, to be honest. Big, yes, as in it was probably the same size as a football field, but at its core, it was nothing. At least, it was nothing until the master of the room decided it needed something.

Ena looked like a lightning flash as she used her dual blades to cut down the various golems the room continued to create for her. Some were armed with guns and swords while others wielded basic Elemental Magic. But all perished before her as she blundered through with her swords that matched her vigor and power with every step, every breath, and every stroke. She was the Scarlet Fury with her sun and moon swords heeding her every command.

And Silver had a front-row seat.

He merrily sat on the little porch with a normal door behind him. Water, electrolyte drinks, a towel, and some quick snacks—he was prepped with all of it. But with elbows propped and his cheeks in his eyes, he dreamily sighed. She's so beautiful and powerful. Internally, he was fanboying with his hachimaki and a flag with Ena's face on it being waved around. And I get to see her like this, so up close! This is like a dream!

Ena's quick movements might have looked like blurs to an outsider, but Silver could keep track her each sharp action with ease.

It's so weird. Before, when I'd watch her train, I could barely see her. Now, it's like everything is in high definition. That took his smile off his face. But…it comes and goes. Sometimes, my vision is normal, but then other times, it's really sharp and I can see in the dark. It's been happening to my other senses too. I felt bad making Mom put out her candle because it just smelled so intense to me. And my dreams…

He shoved the troublesome thoughts away in favor of admiring Ena. It doesn't matter. As long as I can use this to my advantage to be of use to my mistress as her shield, then I'll be fine. The aura of a seasoned stan simping over his idol made such a flower flush around him. Be of use to mistress… He could think of it now.

"You're such a good boy, my little pet," Fantasy-Ena cooed at him with a leash in hand. "I need you so much." She slowly brought his leash closer to purr, "Why don't you come here and I'll show you how much I need you?"

Silver looked like an absolute nutcase as more of a flower aura burst around him. Such a dream could true would probably kill me! But it'd be so worth it! Mistress, please don't think I'm a pervert!

A disembodied voice broke him out of his fantasy. "Level thirty-six has been complete. All combatants have been dispatched and defeated. Requesting administrator approval for level thirty-seven."

Ena stood in the center of the room with her hair in a tight ponytail and her training clothes of athletic shorts and a sports bra. Sweat glistened as she tipped up her head to breathe, and both her swords hummed, happy with their work.

Silver smiled to himself. She really is beautiful inside and out. His smile softened. I'm really lucky to have fallen in love with such an amazing mistress. He called to Ena, "Mistress, you should take a break! You've been training for a while now!"

Ena wiped the sweat from her nose with an arm. "Fine." Dismissing her blades, she abandoned the area to approach Silver. He offered her the option of water or her electrolyte shakes, and she chose water. "Thank you, Silver."

"Of course." Silver brought out the towel as Ena sat down and blotted her neck. "You've been training so hard, Mistress. Your training chamber is amazing. It's like the Battle Tower for Inter-Guild."

"That's because it is." Ena allowed Silver to tilt her head as he plotted under her chin. "The Forge created the Battle Tower upon my mother's request. And she also created this room for my mother as well."

"Has your mom gotten to the final level of this place?" Silver questioned.

Ena shook her head. "No. But she's grateful for that. Unlike the Battle Tower, this room doesn't have limitations on how many levels there are. Mother and I predict there are only one hundred levels, but she hasn't reached it yet. The Forge made sure this room would be able to push Mother to the limit." She internally sweatdropped. And we have to thank her for making this a pocket dimension. If we used our full power in our dimension, Mother would probably destroy us all.

That made something come to her. Speaking of…

Silver was preparing Ena's snack—

"I'd like you to train with me here."

Silver choked and gaped at her. "What? B-B-But, why?" She wants to kill me. I'm not of any use of her anymore and now she can kill me off. I should plead for her to let me go, but I probably know too much and she has to get rid of me. I can't die before I tell her how I feel. But what if telling her how I feel is the reason I get killed off?

Ena (oblivious to Silver's left-field panicking) told him, "Because you need to make time for your training as well if you hope to grow stronger as a Battle Mage. I barely see you train as it is."

"Oh." Silver looked away. "Right…"

Ena frowned. "Being a Battle Mage…is what you want, isn't it?"

"Well." Silver played with his fingers. "I don't know, really. I don't know what sort of Mage I want to be in the future. And the future just…scares me a little." Because every time I try to see the future, I get so worried…that you won't be there anymore. He pressed his hands together. And I'll be far away from you when all I want to be is by your side.

A hand fell on Silver's head to yank him out of his thought. He looked to see Ena offering him a half-smile. "Mistress…"

"There's no need to worry so much about the future," Ena assured, stroking his hair. "Just take it one day at a time. And I'll be by your side for whatever you choose, okay?"

Red coated Silver's cheeks. His gaze dropped, and he gave a consenting nod. "Yes, Mistress."

"Good." Ena took away her hand—

Silver caught her fingers to bring them to his lips for a chaste kiss.

Ena sighed, but she did not have the hard to wave him off. He's certainly a peculiar one. Silly, too. He's been so stressed about his future. A thought struck her. Is it due to the influence of his lady love? Her frown deepened when she felt something uncomfortable with her heart. What is…? Why do I feel sick again? Mood gray, she gruffly told Silver. "That's enough."

Hurt, Silver watched her snatch back her hand, set down her drink, and stand up. "But… Mistress…"

"If your concerns of the future are that great, you should share them with your lady love," Ena muttered. "I don't have the time to console you every time you stress. So speak with her." Her swords came to her hands, and she walked away.

Silver instinctively reached after her. Mistress! But before he could grab her hand, he hesitated and pulled it back. But…you're the one I love, Mistress. I just… He clenched his hands. I can't tell you that…when I know you don't want a person like that in your life. I just want to be with you in any way I can. So why can't that be enough to show you I…?

Heart heavy, he stood up. He caught Ena ordering the room for another training session and held back from calling for her. I should…get her after-workout snack prepared. Turning his back on her was hard when all he wanted to do was stay, but he left the training chamber to emerge inside the Fernandes house.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fernandes Household

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

11:47 AM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As he schlepped down the hallway with his head down, he clutched the material over his heart. Would it be so bad to tell her how I feel?

• — • — • — •

"You love me?" Fantasy-Ena mockingly laughed at him from her throne made of swords with her legs crossed and a contempt smirk about her. "How pathetic. You are nothing more than a worthless dog to me. A useful one, but now that you've made your intentions so clear…" She threw out a hand. "Take this dog to wear dogs belong!"

He helplessly struggled as guards dragged him in chains with comical tears. "M-M-Mistress—!"

"Oh. And don't call me 'mistress'." Fantasy-Ena shoved off Fantasy-Nora at her feet with his leash in her hands and a look of pure devotion on his face. "Only he gets that right now, don't you"—she made sure he saw her smirk as she cradled Nora's jaw—"my precious little pet?"

Fantasy-Nora looked mesmerized and he breathed, "Yes, Mistress."

And Silver wailed as the guards took him away, "Noooooooooooo!"

• — • — • — •

Silver shook his head, terrified. She'd replace me with him! He could imagine Nora with his stuffy suit and a fishy smirk before shredding the image and slapping his cheeks. No way! I'm not letting her replace me with him! I just have to bury my feelings is all. It'll be easy. As long as I don't give any sign that I'm in love with her, I can make sure I'm by her side and no one steals her away.

But he was on all fours with a dreary aura hanging around him. Who am I kidding? I'm my mom's son; that'll never work. He wanted to cry and curse the deities. All my love role models basically wore their lovers down!

He could envision his cool-as-ice father smiling as Juvia happily clung to him. Mom relentlessly stalked Dad for years until he caved. All those lovey-dovey moments between his parents made him feel so very single and so very lonely as hearts from their love bounced off him.

He could see his older brother happily pampering his embarrassed girlfriend. And Gary basically and literally chased after Nashi. And if I did that to Mistress…

• — • — • — •

"How dare you!" War-lord Ena stood with her swords to his throat and her cape fluttering in the wind. "You dare try to touch me for your pleasure? How disgusting. Just like a pig to make such a revolting pass. And if you are so inclined to act like a pig…"

CLINK!

Silver panicked when his wrists were cuffed down onto a table.

Ena raised her swords. "…then you will be slaughtered like one!"

SHNK!

• — • — • — •

Silver wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. Why am I the one who gets these difficulties! Maybe if Mistress was more receptive…

• — • — • — •

"Silver!"

This time, Fantasy-Ena dressed in a sundress with a sunny grin as she sat on a picnic blanket on a grassy hill. She had a creamy piece of cake on her fork as she proffered it to him. "I made you your favorite! Say, 'ah'…!" but a sudden guest of wind made her loose grip on her work and the creation splattered on her chin and chest. "Oh, the cake!"

A shy blush peppered Fantasy-Ena's cheek as she peeked up at Silver with doe eyes with cake on her person. "If you're still hungry…"—more red brushed her cheeks as she swiped some frosting from her chest and offered it to him"—you can eat it off me. I don't mind if it's you."

• — • — • — •

Silver felt down for the count. My heart can't take that sort of scenario. I'm such a pervert. If she acted even more cute than she is now, I don't think my sanity would survive.

"Silver?"

Silver looked up to see Aine giving him a quizzical look. He scrambled to straight up and blurted, "I wasn't thinking about Ena!"

Silence.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Wow ~

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver wanted to cry. Why me? Why can't I be normal?

Aine laughed behind a fist. "I heard you come out of the training chamber. Did you have a moment to talk?"

Silver blinked. "Um. Sure, Aine."

°•°•°•°

Aine watched as Silver manned the kitchen with an unenviable precision in each chop, mince, and measurement, all while she sat at kitchen nook and nursed her energy drink. Mom told me Silver's probably more acquainted with our kitchen than any of us. She even pressured him into telling her what ingredients he uses for Ena's meals to add to the grocery list.

She tended to her coffee. I remember how little Ena used to eat. She just pushed herself all the time and only ate when Mom made her to stop working or Luna forced her. But Silver's done a great job making sure she eats at least twice day.

"And this is for you."

Aine blinked to see Silver pushing a plate with two turkey wraps on it. "But…"

"I was making them for Mistress for her post-workout snack, but I made more for you," Silver told her as he slipped into the nook. "It's a thanks for letting me use the kitchen all the time." He scratched the back of his head, bashful. "I know it's not much, though. I'm sorry."

Aine smiled as she imagined a younger Gary beside Silver. He reminds me so much of Gary sometimes. "I won't say 'no' to free food," she teased him as she took one of the wraps. "Thank you, Silver." Two bites into the wrap, and her mouth exploded with flavor. She hurried to swallow and gave the meal an impressed look. "This is amazing!"

"Really?" Silver's flush deepened, but he gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you! Mistress gave me permission to experiment more with cooking, so I've been using some recipes my mom and Gary taught me and mixing them up a bit. And I can't be more thankful to Misses Fernandes for buying all the ingredients." He sheepishly scratched his cheek with a finger. "Even though I told her I didn't mind buying them myself."

Aine finished her next bite to explain to Silver, "Please, it's no trouble from my mom." With a glance down to the meal, she explained with a sad little smile, "Honestly, I'm sure she's so thankful to you for getting Ena to regularly eat."

Silver slowly frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well…" Aine cupped her coffee. "Ena tried to hide a lot from us growing up. And with my mom so busy and me being sick, we never saw her develop any bad habits. Once I was better, our mother put more time into the guild, but…" Dark toffee grew melancholic. "We didn't notice anything wrong until it was too late."

Dread filled Silver. "What happened?"

"It was…" Aine sighed. "Aunt Lucy had called my mom to tell her Ena was in the hospital. She'd fainted…from overworking her body."

Mayan blues widened. She fainted?

"Mages can last longer than Spiritless without food and water. It's by design," Aine explained. "But Luna had been sick, so she wasn't over as much to make Ena eat. And with my mother meeting other Guild Masters in Clover and Mystogan was always helicopter-parenting me… We just…didn't know she wasn't eating as much as she should."

Silver's hands balled into fists.

"Our mother was horrified," Aine continued. "But I remember how upset Ena looked seeing our mom cry when we came to see her. But…" Her hands tightened around her coffee. "Mystogan…said something to Ena."

• — • — • — •

"You shouldn't make trouble for Mom."

Ena sat up in her hospital bed fitted with IV fluids and nourishment and a hospital gown. With Erza speaking to one of the nurses, it left Aine and Mystogan to look after her and a worried little Luna sitting at Ena's side.

Mystogan leaned against the wall with a cool expression as he looked out of the glass door to watch how stressed and red-rimmed his mother looked speaking with the ED nurse. "She's already busy enough with her work. She can't afford stretching herself thin with you being irresponsible."

Aine shushed him, "Mystogan—"

"Don't say that," Luna angrily sniffled. She had cried enough today seeing her best friend in the hospital, but she had angry tears in her eyes as she glared at Mystogan. "E wasn't being irresponsible! Don't be so mean!"

"Well, if she was more responsible, we wouldn't be in the hospital and Mom wouldn't have had to rush out from her conference for this," Mystogan evenly reasoned. "You can't expect Mom to always be there when she has her own duties she has to fulfill. You have to take care of yourself. Don't expect us to do it for you." He added, "Jellal made that clear we have to take care of ourselves."

Aine snapped at him, "Mystogan, please!"

Luna trembled with fury. "You—!"

"L, stop."

Luna paused to look at Ena. "But he…"

Ena tightened her grip on her blanket. "Mystogan is right. I was irresponsible." Dead dark browns stared up at Mystogan. "I'll apologize to Mother immediately for inconveniencing her. I'm sorry my carelessness burdened all of you. It won't happen again."

• — • — • — •

Silver gritted his teeth.

"After that," Aine went on, "Ena apologized to Mom. And we never had the issue again. I knew she was purposefully eating the bare minimum so nothing like before would happen again and so she wouldn't worry Mom. But still…" Her appetite sunk and her jaw twinged before she let it all go for a smile. "That's why we're so grateful to you. You've put Ena back on the right path. We're so happy that you've—"

"I never noticed."

Aine stopped to see Silver's expression torn between anger and sadness. Silver…

"All that time, I never noticed," Silver breathed. "I never noticed how much she was going through." Instead, I spent my time fighting with her. I should've noticed. I should've. And she suffered because no one outside of Lulu noticed. How could I…? Canines flashed as anguish cursed him. How could I not notice? How could I let that happen?

"Silver."

Tormented blues clashed with tender dark toffee.

"Because of you and Luna, you've managed to help Ena take care of herself more," Aine murmured. "Don't stress on the past. Worry about the present. We've seen such a tremendous change in Ena, and that couldn't have been done without you. And we're entrusting her to your care when you go to Caelum for her business trip." She added, "So keep noticing things about her for us, okay?"

Silver nodded. "Okay."

"Good." Aine watched the downtrodden Silver with such fond memories of Gary before her. He really does act like Gary sometimes. He was always so hard on himself when it came to Nashi's health and safety. And for Ena and Silver's sake, I hope the two of them can have the same happiness Gary and Nashi have. Because that's all I've ever wanted for Ena. Even if she doesn't believe me. And that triggered a thought. That's right.

"Silver," Aine called. "Can I ask you one more additional favor while you two are in Caelum?"

Silver blinked, surprised. "Uh, sure. What is it?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 122

•

The Deal

•

取引が

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

DING!

The elevator doors parted, and a few students came out with their backpacks and places to be. Luke exited as well, but he paused when he realized he was alone venturing inside the building. He turned around, amused, and beckoned, "Lu, are you coming?"

"I am, but…" Luna could not get enough of the lobby with its timeless feel. "Wow… This is where you go to school?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Society

Gloriosa County

Fiore, Ishgar

12:39 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luke shook his head. "No. This is just a higher level of academic guidance," he explained to her, nudging her along.

"This place is amazing," Luna breathed as she eyed the holographic globe.

Luke did not see the big deal as he glanced around. "I guess," he supposed. When they reached the next set of elevators, he pressed the button for them to go up. "I was star-struck a little when I first came here, but I guess I don't notice it now." He chuckled when he caught Luna pursing her lips. "What?"

"Just that you're so used to this," Luna muttered. "You're the smart Dragneel."

DING!

The elevator doors opened as Luke laughed. "We have labels now?"

"That's what Mary Jane calls you." Luna and Luke filed into the elevator. As Luke pressed his badge to the scanner before hitting the third-floor button, she told him, "You're the 'Smart Dragneel'. Nashi is the 'Leader Dragneel." She snickered to herself. "And she used to say Igneel was the 'Annoying Dragneel'."

The elevator carried them up, and Luke chuckled. "Sounds about right. And what about you? No, wait, let me guess." He pinched Luna's cheek and stretched it out, teasing, "You're the 'Cute Dragneel'."

"Hey!" Luna smacked his hand away to rub her cheek and pouted, "Of course I'm the cute one." She puffed out her chest and declared, haughty, "I've always been the cute one! Papa said so!"

Luke breathed a laugh. "That's because Dad spoils you. You could murder someone and he'd still gush over you."

"Igneel could murder someone and Papa would still give him a high five just to be supportive," Luna reminded dryly.

"Mmm, fair."

The elevator doors opened, and onto the third floor went brother and sister. The counselor's wing was not too busy considering the spring holiday was normally the period everyone fled from The Society and the offices would not be open until the week after. The brain games sat on one of the coffee tables, and Luke guided Luna to sit on the couch with him.

Luna kicked her legs, looking around. "How come you're having an academic meeting anyway? It's spring break."

"Yeah, but I haven't picked out my summer program for The Society, which I was supposed to do before spring break," Luke confessed with a grimace. "Normally, Sensei being my personal teacher defers my summer internship, but without him here…" His shoulders sank. It's been almost five months now without a word from Sensei. Where are you, Mystogan?

Luna bumped Luke's shoulder with a smile. "Don't worry! Misty will be back before you know it!" She giggled when Luke ruffled her hair. "Hey! What's that for?"

"For being cute," Luke laughed. "I feel better now."

Luna wrinkled her nose at him and pushed his hand away. "You know I'm not a kid, right?"

"I know." But Luke snickered at the reminder. "Try telling that to Igneel when we see him again. He's going to treat you like you're still five." He blinked when Luna sobered and looked down at her lap. "Lu?"

Luna placed her hands in her lap. "Do you think Igneel misses us as much as we miss him?"

Such a question threw Luke for a moment before he smiled. "I know he does." He placed a hand on Luna's head. "Don't worry, okay? He'll come home when he's ready to. And I'm sure he'll bring a lot of souvenirs back to get back in your good graces."

Luna huffed. "He's going to need to do a lot better than just presents." As Luke chortled, Luna confessed, playing with her fingers, "I'm more worried about Mary Jane, y'know? I know he's our brother, but…it always seemed like he and Mary Jane were…well… I don't know. They were something."

Yeah. Honeyed ambers darkened. They were something. And now…

"Mary Jane and Igneel will cross that bridge when they get there," Luke soothed. "It's not up to us to cross it for them. But I think it's sweet you're worried about them." He jested, "Does that mean Mary Jane has your seal of approval like you gave to Gary to be part of our family?"

"Well of course she does!" Luna told Luke. She hesitated, however, and mumbled, "But Peter's nice too… I just don't want anyone's heart broken."

Luke hummed his mirth. "Maybe you should be the 'Sweet Dragneel'," he said in good humor. "Like I said, it's up to them to cross that bridge when they get there."

"I know." Luna pointed up at her brother. "You better make sure you don't up and abandon your girlfriend, you hear me? Not with some letter, at least, because that's a running theme with all the men in this family."

Luke raised his hands in surrender. "Don't push that assumption on me," he chortled. "But I solemnly swear that I won't follow in their footsteps." He scratched the back of his head. "I don't even want a girlfriend anyway."

Luna muttered, "Because you play all those otome games."

Luke nearly fell over before he insisted, "They aren't just games! You don't understand—!" Seeing Luna's smug face, his ears burned as he coughed behind a fist. "And anyway, I have too much to do to meet girls. Just like you better not use this break to meet any boys."

Luna huffed again. "I won't. It's not like I'm even doing anything for the break." She crossed her arms, pouty. "Mama and Papa are doing their, like, thirtieth honeymoon. Nashi went to Caracole. You're going to meet up with your friends. E and Silver are going to Caelum, and I…" Her arms slowly broke free as the reality of her situation cast her expression down. "I'm going to be left behind…again."

Luke frowned. I know I shouldn't say anything, but… He could not take much more of Luna's lament and nudged her. "Hey. You've got me for the afternoon, yeah? And we're going shopping, right? And I'm paying for everything like the cool brother I am, right?" He smiled catching Luna's own when she looked away. "I saw that smile. See, I can be the cool brother too. It's not just Igneel."

Luna burst into laughter. "Like Igneel was ever cool. More like he was embarrassing."

"Yeah…" Luke sweatdropped remembering Igneel's mere presence scaring off anyone who wanted to get closer to Luna. Lu only saw Igneel when he was playing nice. But he was a tyrant whenever she wasn't around. He still got chills remembering how cold Igneel's eyes could be after he destroyed those who tried to challenge him. But she wouldn't believe me if I said that.

"Luke?"

Luke and Luna looked up to see Nice coming out into the reception area in a comfortable romper. Her smile widened seeing the duo and said, "This must be your sister, Luna."

Luna looked at her brother in surprise. "You talked about me?"

"A little," Luke confessed.

"And another student likes to talk about you." Nice's eyes twinkled. "And he's also from Fairy Tail. Three guesses who he is."

Luna flushed and rubbed her arm. "I-It's not like that."

Nice chuckled behind a fist. "Of course not." She beckoned Luke. "I'm ready for our meeting, Luke, if you are."

"Yes, Doctor Geonard." Luke kissed Luna's temple before patting her head. "I shouldn't be long and then we can head to BC Towers, all right? Stay here."

Luna huffed, "Where else am I supposed to go?"

Luke raised an eyebrow.

"I'll stay here," Luna muttered.

"Thank you." Luke pinched her cheek and got away before she could retaliate.

Luna rubbed the sore spot, scowling (or she thought she was scowling, but she was pouting). "I'm not a kid," she mumbled. Sighing, she sat back in her seat. It's been a while since Luke and I got to hang out. I'm glad it's not awkward. I thought…he wouldn't want to talk to me still after I blew up at him. But it's nice to have my brother back. And he's been working hard training his demonic powers.

Luna stretched out. I wish I could do something for spring break. I just…don't want to do it alone. Her skin prickled, uncomfortable for a moment. Not yet. I'm not ready to be alone yet.

Digging out her Compact to pass the time, she swiped through Insta. Chocolates widened at the pictures on her feed before softening. The pictures had been posted as a series from Nashi's trip to Caracole. She smiled to herself seeing her sister and her friends enjoy the tropical beach to the fullest. I'm glad Nashi's having fun. She deserves it.

She double-tapped on a picture of Nashi and Gary together to like it. I wonder if E and Silver will ever get to that level. She rolled her eyes. As if. E barely notices that Silver is in love with her. And Silver… Browns saddened. I wish he'd just tell her about his dreams. I don't want them getting hurt. I love them both. I want them happy.

She could the advertisement for Young Nation and pouted seeing her favorite seven artists promoting their concert with their single Butter (Jinnie was going to give her a heart attack with his smile). Her inner ARMY felt aggrieved seeing their concert dates. Ugh, and it's so not fair they get to go to Caelum where Young Nation is performing at the Sky Arena! I'm so jealous!

The next photo on her feed was from Gale's account. He had posted about him and Julia working out with Julia effectively taking him down, and he captured:

Y'know, I'm starting to think fighting like a girl is a good idea

Luna laughed to herself, eyes warm. Gale said Julia invited him on a trip for spring break. I'm sure he'll have fun. I'll… She thumbed her screen. I'll miss him. Is that okay? Am I allowed…to miss a friend?

A loud voice carried down the hallway. "I promise I'll be there, Cymmie! You can count on me!" A handful of beats. "No need to change, I promise! You'll look great in anything, Cymmie!"

Luna looked up, curious, when someone new came into reception to sit. Oh. He must be a part of The Society.

The young man plopped down on one of the chairs and gayly laughed. "I'm not just saying that, Cymmie, I promise! You'd really look good in anything! And whatever you wear will be perfect for tonight. But you have to tell me what you're wearing." His smile turned bashful. "So I can match you."

Luna smiled down at her Compact. Aw, that's so cute.

"Do you really have to model with her?" the young man complained in a mumble. "No… No, I know you agreed, but—!" His hand clenched before his shoulders dropped, defeated. "Yeah… Yeah, I know. But she—"

Luna frowned over the long silence. I wonder what's going on?

"She… She asked you on a date, huh?" His hand fingered with the edge of his shorts. "And…what did you say?" A few beats. "Oh… Okay. Right. She's just a colleague. I get it." He forced his tone to brighten as he asked, "But don't forget about me, okay? You're totally going to love what I have planned! It'll be great, okay?"

Luna ended up grinning with her Compact as a shield. He sounds like how Igneel used to sound around Mary Jane.

"Hey, and don't forget—! Oh… They need you, huh? No, no, it's fine, Cymmie! You should get back to them!" A few beats and some laughter. "Well, you'd better! But seeing you there with me is enough to make it up to me. Yeah, okay. See you soon, Cymmie!" The call ended, and the young man gave a loud sigh before mumbling, "Not soon enough, though… I miss you, Cymmie."

Luna tried to be unfazed by the entire affair, but inwardly, she was a ball of messy feelings with her eyes watering. Oh my goodness, this must be one of those busy-lovers trope! When one lover is always busy and the other one tries so hard to make it work! This is so adorable!

Clearing her throat, she murmured to the young man, "Sorry to butt in, but… I'm sure whatever you have planned for the person you spoke to will be perfect."

"You really think so?" The young man rubbed his neck with a rueful smile. "Sorry you had to overhear all of that. It's just… I really miss him, y'know?" He looked at the black screen of his Compact. It came awake to show a field of brilliant daisies and a parasol, but his fingers on the screen covered the face of the person holding the parasol. "Cymmie's always so busy with photo shoots and important jobs and interviews. I feel selfish wanting him all to myself, but… I can't help but feel jealous."

"I understand." Luna was in heaven. Oh my gosh, he's so cute. He reminds me of Igneel so much! "Have you ever told him you want some more time together?"

"I did!" the young man insisted. But then he sighed. "But Cymmie has a lot of work to do. I know he'd be with me if he could. But… The last time it was just the two of us was on Heart's Day weekend."

"Did you have fun?"

"He did!" The young man was bursting to tell anyone who would listen about such a glorious weekend. "I took Cymmie to a really nice restaurant and we even got to share dessert! And my powers didn't even act up once!" He played with the drawstrings of his shorts, posturing proudly. "But… I thought I could handle sharing a bed with Cymmie until my powers started acting up. So I slept on the couch in our hotel room." He sulked. "Miss Lupita said she can't make a potion so I can keep in control around Cymmie, but I was really excited to share a bed. And then I ruined my only chance."

Inwardly, Chibi-Luna was at a shrine with incensed and she kowtowed. If there's a god out there, thank you for blessing me with this cuteness.

Luna gently consoled, "I'm sure you'll have more opportunities too. Have you told him how you felt?" I bet this is all a miscommunication trope like I read about—

"Of course I have!"

Luna could have fallen over. He's so bold!

"I told Cymmie a lot of times that I really want to share a bed with him and that I love him and I think he's really beautiful! But…" The young man pouted. "He just pats my head and treats me like a kid. It's not like I'm that much younger than him. And I'm taller than him too! I'm a man!"

Luna giggled inside her head as the young man fumed. He and Silver would get along. Silver makes the same complaints about E. "I think you should wait for the perfect moment to tell him all your feelings. Maybe he doesn't think you're being serious, so you'll have to create a mood where he'll know you're serious."

To her bewilderment, the friendly reception she sat in converted into a hazy red space for two, completed with a romantic dinner set up and even a large bed filled with rose petals. "Wh-What the—?"

"Sorry, sorry!"

Luna looked around wide-eyed when she was back in The Society's counseling wing reception with the brain games undisturbed. "Wh-What just—?" Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest. "What…? What just…? Oh my goodness. What was that?"

"I'm so sorry!" the young man frantically apologized. "I'm so, so sorry!" He took out his Compact and seemed to be hurriedly searching for something only to groan. "Not again..." His thigh bounced. "I'm really sorry. I promise I'm really good at controlling my powers! It's just whenever I think about Cymmie…

It took Luna a good minute to swallow down her panic and breathe. "N-N-No, no, it's… It's okay." Another deep breath. "Did we just teleport?" A pang hit her. Wait a second… I don't think I even felt any Magic.

"No, we didn't teleport," the young man said, glum about his wrongdoing. "I'm really sorry."

"Please, don't worry about it," Luna soothed. "It's okay." But if we didn't teleport… How did he do that without me feeling any Magic? I want to ask him, but… She decided to lighten the mood and ribbed him, "I'm sure if you make something like that around your 'Cymmie', he'll have to take you seriously then."

"You really think so?"

Luna simpered. "I really do." Well, in any case, I know he didn't mean to cast some sort of spell. I hope everything works out for him and his 'Cymmie'. She gasped. "Oh, my mama would kill me. I have really bad manners. I'm Luna. It's nice to meet you."

He gave a sunny grin. "It's nice to meet you too, Luna! I'm—!"

"Oh, good, you made it." Nice and Luke reemerged from the hallway with Nice pleasantly surprised to see the young man. "Lupita told me you might be a little late."

The young man laughed and scratched his head. "I'm working hard on being better at being on time. And if I'm on time here, that means I'll have more time with Cymmie." He got up and dusted off his shorts.

"Right." Nice cupped her elbows with a Cheshire grin. "Lupita told me about this 'Cymmie' too." She chortled when the young man looked appropriately flustered. "Don't worry. We'll make sure our meeting is quick so you can meet up with him." Before Luke could get far, she touched his elbow and murmured something for his ears only.

Luna cocked her head as she watched an uncomfortable expression waver on Luke's face before he nodded. I wonder what happened there? Is everything okay?

Nice finished her last discussion with Luke before smiling at the young man. "I'm ready for you now. Let's get you started. Do you have the folder Lupita told you to bring?" She chuckled when the young man panicked. "It's okay. Take it easy. I'll have everything we need for today, okay?"

The young man messed with his drawstrings and mumbled, "I promised Miss Lupita and Cymmie I'd be more organized though.

"Well, you came on time," Nice reminded him in a soothe. "And that sounds like a step in the right direction." She threw Luna and Luke a wave before leading the young man down the hallway.

Luna got up to meet the brooding Luke halfway. "Did everything go okay?" She gave the hallway a sidelong glance. I didn't find out what his name is.

"Yeah," Luke sighed, adjusting his messenger bag. "I just have to figure out some stuff for my summer program is all. It's just a little stressful." Catching Luna's frown of worry, he smiled before and steered her towards the elevators. "But it's nothing that shopping won't fix."

Luna hoped, "And ice cream?"

Luke snorted. "I thought you said you weren't a kid anymore?"

"Ah…" Luna cleared her throat. "Ice cream is for people of all ages, right? And you promised you'd buy me two milkshakes today."

Luke pretended to mull over it as he pressed the button for them to go down. "Two, huh? I remember saying I'd buy one…"

"No, no, you said two!"

Luke made a scene of hemming and hawing as Luna puffed her cheeks and looked too adorably determined he would buy her lie. He teasingly conceded, "I guess I did. Two milkshakes then." He snickered when Luna tried and failed to be discrete in her triumph. And she wonders why we spoil her. She's too cute.

His hand rested on his messenger bag. But what am I going to do about my summer program? Sensei… What should I do?

---

"No."

"But, Mistress—!"

"No."

Silver pouted as he sat on Ena's bed. It could not be helped when he admired her in her pastel spring number. She had twisted her hair in a side updo with her stray braided lock falling down her shoulder and looked like a powerful young lady in every sense of the world.

(And Silver kept it to himself how eager he would be to kneel at her feet with or without her ask.)

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fernandes Household

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

1:22 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena went for her jewelry, though she was not that inclined to put on anything. "Silver, I don't understand why you're so desperate to come. You knew I had a lunch meeting with Nora for two weeks now, and you never said anything."

"I did too!" Silver argued. "I've been asking every day why you won't let me come, and you never answer!"

Ena paused. Wait. That's what he's been asking me? Now she could remember all the times she had self-muted Silver whenever he laid into his whining, too mentally checked out to process what he said outside that he looked like a puppy that learned how to bark. "Oh. I've just been ignoring you."

Silver would have fallen over. She's so cruel to me!

Deciding to forgo jewelry, Ena checked herself in the mirror. "And in any case, this is nothing more than a business luncheon, Silver. Assistants don't typically come to luncheons. And Nora is a gentleman. You have nothing to worry about."

But there's so much to worry about! That nagging imagination of his ran wild imagining Nora showing up on his large horse with a bundle of roses to sweep Ena off her feet. He's clearly trying to seduce her!

Ena fixed her shirt while Silver silently fumed. "And you need to finish packing. We leave for Caelum tomorrow for our business trip. Think about that instead of thinking about Nora and me."

It's been months, and I managed to keep it all a secret from Silver and L. She allowed herself a smile as she touched her chest. But I'm sure they'll like my surprise. They're both very dear to me. I want to give something back to them for all they've done for me. L has been like my sister, and I love her so much. And Silver… Warmth tickled her cheeks. He's my faithful shield who I want with me always. I have so much to thank him for.

Silver caught Ena's smile and frowned. Is she thinking about Nora? He gawked seeing pink tinge her cheeks. And now she's blushing! Heart aching, he frowned down at his lap. She must really like him, huh? The thought soured everything within him. He's basically a knight and I'm… I'm nothing. His hands tightened onto his shorts. I'm just the minor character in her fairy tale.

"Silver?"

It caught him off-guard when Ena's hand cupped his cheek and even more so when she tilted his head for concerned dark browns to catch surprised blues.

"You look upset," Ena observed. "Are you okay?"

Blues glinted. She's worried about me? He cupped his hands over hers and could not help his smile. "I'm fine, Mistress." When she's close to me like this, how can I be sad? His nostrils flared, and he was hooked on the sweetness of her scent. So much so that he ended up breathing, "You smell so good, Mistress."

Silence.

Internally, Silver started sweating. Oh, no. Why did I say that? Why did I say that!

"As I should." The sparkle of businesswoman glinted off Ena. "I've been using a new body-wash with green tea, cucumber, and aloe vera. It's been very effective in working with my natural scent."

That's not what I meant. Silver breathed a quiet sigh of relief in his head. But at least she didn't figure out what I actually meant.

Ena smiled and thumbed his cheek. "There's no need to worry about this meeting. Everything will go perfectly, and I'll be back before you know it."

"But what if he isn't the gentleman you think he is?" Silver asked, desperate. "M-Maybe I should be with you just in case."

Ena chuckled. "That's very sweet of you to be protective, but that's not necessary. Besides"—she displayed Soledia—"Soledia is more than willing to make the first strike to his throat to remind him of his place."

The sunstone on Soledia went crazy with her glints before she disappeared.

Silver managed a shaky smile, sweatdropping. My mistress sure can be bloodthirsty. "But I…" Red quickly shot up his neck and face when Ena kissed his forehead. "M-Mistress…"

"I'll be back soon," Ena hushed him. "Luke took L out so that way her parents could finish packing her bags for Caelum. I'm sure you and L could hang out for a bit until I'm done today."

Silver hmphed and muttered moodily, "You make it sound like you and Nora won't be finished for a while."

"We might not be," Ena admitted. "I don't know how long this meeting with him will take, but I'd also like to speak to him as friends." She smiled behind a fist when she caught Silver sulking. He's adorable when he's being protective.

"Well then…" Silver gave Ena a stern look. "I have rules."

Question marks floated around Ena. More rules than last time?

"Don't stay out too late," Silver instructed. "And if he offers you a drink, don't accept it. And make sure to tell me if he's taking you somewhere else. Don't accept any gifts from him. And if he tries to touch you, call me."

Storm clouds gathered inside Ena's mind. Does he think I'm a child? "Silver—"

"And call me when you're coming home too because…" His fingers slipped onto her cheek, lashes lowered as pink colored his cheeks. "Because I'll worry too much if you don't, Mistress. And I want to greet you when you come back."

How could Ena be irritated with that? The storm clouds were done away with, and her heart did something strange. I feel warm and…odd. My heart… It feels like it's beating faster. She focused on Silver's shy expression. But I can worry about that later.

"Okay," Ena murmured in agreement. "I will."

Silver perked. "You will? Promise, Mistress?"

"I promise." Ena felt her heart pulse again as she watched him. When I see the way he acts, worried about when I'm coming back, it makes me feel…strange. Her eyes twinkled when Silver brought her hand up to kiss her fingers then her knuckles. He makes me feel strange.

"Then…I'll be impatiently waiting for you, Mistress," Silver breathed upon her skin. Something in those blues intensified under his half-lidded gaze. "So come home soon."

Ena could not help it when she promised him, "I will." She touched her forehead to his and could smell the hints of ocean and rain that gave her gooseflesh. "I'll try not to keep you waiting too long, my Silver."

°•°•°•°

Silver watched from the porch as the chauffeur drove off with Ena in the SUV. He waved until the car turned down the street, and he was left alone once again. His smile fell, and his heart clenched.

Please come home soon, Mistress. I'm worried if you stay with him longer…you'll forget about me and only want the knight in your fairy tale. He sighed and turned to head back inside. But…I don't have the right to get upset. Even if I want that right.

Silver moseyed back into Ena's bedroom. His ears alerted him he was the only one in the house, which gave him all the more reason to flop into Ena's bed and scrounge up her pillow underneath him. One greedy lungful later made him melt. It smells just like her.

And just like that, he threw the pillow away from him, mortified. Oh my gods, I sound like a pervert! Where he launched the pillow ended up being near the glass cloche of the blossoming rainbow roses that would soon be too big for their cage. He went over to touch the glass.

"You guys are growing strong," Silver murmured. "I hope this means we're taking care of you well."

But Ena said she barely waters them. Even so, the roses are healthy. I wonder what Rainbow Roses actually need to blossom more flowers and be this lively. He shrugged it off. I guess it doesn't matter as long as they're okay now. His lips quirked upwards. Even though she doesn't like flowers, she still takes care of the ones I gave her. Blues reflected the luminescent rainbow of the petals. I really am lucky.

He turned around—

Large mayan blues.

For a moment, Silver was deeply under the sea as he was face-to-face with the horned head of a Dragon and its sneer of teeth, not to mention the cyan lightning clacking off its whiskers. It looked as surprised as him to see him. But when he stumbled back and hit something, the vision was gone, and he was left panting in Ena's bedroom.

Deep inhales and exhales were hard to come by when he could not calm his racing heart. His knees gave out as he collapsed on the floor, a subtle throbbing battering his temples. What just happened? That… That was—

His nails scraped the hardwood. No. This is my power. I can control this. Saying that was easier than doing it, but he grabbed onto the edge of the dresser and shakily pulled himself up. Sweat dotted his forehead, but he did not care. I can control this. I can control this. I have to. For Mistress.

Trembling fingers drug out his Compact to place a call. It did not take more than a few moments until the call connected. "Lulu? Could you come over to my house?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"You had a vision again?"

Luna laid on Silver's bed as she watched him methodically pack his suitcase down to even folding his socks to keep him busy. Concern held her as she looked at him. "Silver—"

"I know." Silver slipped in some underwear into his suitcase. "I know, I know, I know. But I—!" He stopped to comb through his hair. "I can control this. I just…need to learn how." He started for his closet—

"You know how, Silver."

That made Silver lock up.

Luna sighed and patted the bed. "Do you want to lay down?"

Two beats.

Silver mumbled, "Yes."

Luna scooted over for Silver to join her and he rolled onto his back while she laid on her front. He covered his eyes with an arm as he confided, "I don't want to leave."

"Then what's the alternative?" Luna asked him. "That you keep having all these dreams and visions?"

Silver worried his bottom lip as he brought down his arm. He weakly countered, "I could learn how to control it by myself."

"Silver…"

"I know." Silver rolled onto his side, giving her his back. "But it's not… It's not easy, Lulu. I didn't ask for this or want this. I just—!" He swallowed as his eyes stung. "I just…want to stay here with you and my mom and my dad and…Ena."

"I know." Luna dropped her chin on his arm, sorrowful. "I want that too, Silver, but I don't want you to keep having these visions and dreams and feeling like this."

Silver rubbed his nose as he sniffed. "Why can't I control this?" His voice cracked during the ask. "I just…!" He sniffed again and mumbled, "What's taking her so long, anyway? I wish she were here. She'd make me feel better and she smells so good."

Luna playfully rolled her eyes at him. "I'm sure E and Nora just got started." She tweaked his nose and laughed when he half-heartedly waved her away. "Stop being so jealous."

"I'm not jealous," Silver grunted. "I'm worried about her safety. You don't get how Nora is." Just remembering Nora painted him out to be a Victorian rake as he gallivanted on his horse. "He's a smirking jerk!"

Luna simpered. "Who says 'smirk'?"

Silver growled and turned over to face an amused Luna. "I do! Because he is! You should've seen the way he was looking at her, Lulu! He doesn't have good intentions!"

Luna arched an eyebrow. "And you think E would take that lying down if he didn't have good intentions?"

Silver remembered Ena's threat and happily pictured Ena in her warlord regalia forcing a chained Nora to his knees as she cast her swords. If I'm lucky, she'd use her swords on him. But the fantasy caved for reality when he caught Ena's subtle discomfort when Jasper touched her. His heart sank to his stomach.

Luna frowned seeing Silver's change in mood. "What's wrong?"

"Well…" Silver averted his gaze. "I… I don't know if she would do something." What if Nora makes her feel uncomfortable, but she doesn't want to cause a scene? Or she feels like she has to let him do it because of the business they're doing today? I don't want her to feel like that. No one should ever feel like that.

"Silver," Luna cautioned. "Did…? Did something happen to E?"

Luna's scent altered when Silver drank her in on instinct. She's getting anxious. She smelled sad for so long. I don't want to worry her. And if Mistress hasn't told her, then I shouldn't either. He gave her a grin. "Nah, it's just me worrying over nothing. Ena would kick ass if someone tried something, Lulu. You know that."

"Right." Relief was palpable as Luna smiled. "She totally would." Her smile dimmed a little. She wouldn't have accepted it like me. But her morbid thoughts broke from giggling when Silver crushed her into his chest. "You're squishing me!"

"Well, you looked like you needed a hug!" Silver squeezed her tighter and murmured, "I'm here for you, Lulu."

Luna stopped struggling for a few moments before she mumbled into his chest, "Thank you." She hugged him back.

Silver softened. "Sure, Lulu."

Luna pulled away to get the hair out of her face. "You need to finish packing for your Caelum trip." Mischief glowed in her eyes as she rolled out of the bed. "And while you're packing…"

Silver sat up, curious when Luna paired her Compact with his speakers. "What are you—?" He fell into a groaning laugh when a familiar pop beat with a banjo started. "Lulu, no…!"

Luna used her Compact as a microphone and started singing, "You're on the Com with your girlfriend, she's upset…! She's going off about something that you said…! 'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do…!"

Silver laughed when Luna pointed her Compact at him and he sang, "I'm in my room, it's a typical Tuesday night…! I'm listenin' to the kind of music she doesn't like…! And she'll never know your story like I do…!"

Silver got off the bed, as Luna crooned, "She wears high heels!"

Silver sang back, going to his closet, "I wear t-shirts!"

"She's Cheer Captain—!"

"And I'm on the bleachers!"

Silver brought out a few more of his button-downs and shook his head when Luna rocked out to You Belong With Me and sang, "Dreamin' 'bout the day when you wake up and find that what you're lookin' for has been here the whole time…!"

And that was how Silver packed the rest of his clothes and admittedly got sidetracked in the task. Black Magic had both of them jumping up and down on his bed as they sang their hearts out. Rush had them screaming the lyrics together into their make-believe microphones. And No Air left them breathless messes on the floor before they were laughing like fools.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend

Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend

Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend

Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boy

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna snort-laughed as Silver started replicating the suave dance and sang, "Have you ever had the feeling you're drawn to someone? Yeah." Silver's wink made Luna pretend to be an avid fangirl as she fanned herself. "And it wasn't anything they have could've said or done?"

Luna squealed and clapped when Silver did a smooth body roll and brought up her Compact to record him. He blew a kiss at the camera and sang with the artist, "And every day I see you on your own…! And I can't believe that you're alone…! But I overheard your girls and this is what they said!"

Silver mimicked the pointe dance—

"Damn, look at Twinkle Toes work it!"

Luna moved her camera to show Julia leaning against the doorway as she held back laughter while Gale held onto the doorframe, grinning. Her smile from before fell when Gale mocked the same moves Silver had been doing before.

"I can't believe you still listen to that," Julia snickered.

Luna paused the music as her frown deepened seeing Silver slightly turn away. "What's wrong with this? It's a good song."

"Sure it is, Blondie," Gale teased as he stepped into the room. He ruffled Silver's hair. "We always knew you had the heart of a teenage fangirl, Twinkie."

Julia laughed while Luna's frown hardened into a scowl when Silver flinched. "That's not funny," she snapped at Gale.

"You used to dance all over the house to that shit," Julia remembered with a smirk. "It was so fucking hilarious. You always got so into it." She mimicked what Silver was doing earlier before chortling. "Oh my god, I haven't heard that song since, what, I was, like ten-eleven? Do you still have that karaoke microphone too?"

Silver's eyes went to the floor and mumbled, "No."

"But you looked so cute when you'd dress up like that one rich bitch from that stupid musical movie," Gale joshed. "You'd wear all those sparkles and feathers and all that shit. Lady J, remember when he put on all that face paint too?"

Silver's expression shuttered when Julia cracked up.

Luna growled. "You—!" But she stopped when Silver grabbed her wrist with a subtle shake of his head and a pleading expression. Agitated, she looked away from him, but she held her tongue.

Gale sauntered to Luna with a grin. "Are you guys going to start putting on make-up and everything too?"

"Maybe," Luna gritted. "But that shouldn't concern you."

"Aw, c'mon, Blondie, we're just joking." When Luna huffed at him, Gale called, "Yo, Silver, you know we're just screwing with you, right?"

"Yeah." Silver shuffled his feet. "I know."

"Then it's all good!" Gale went to touch Luna, but his chuckle faded when she pulled away. "Blondie, c'mon, it's just a joke. Li'l Fullbuster thinks it's funny—"

"It's not funny to me," Luna bit. "You don't—!" But she bit down when Silver imploringly looked at her. "You're just…sweaty," she lamely excused. "Go take a shower. Don't—!" She held up a hand when Gale stepped towards her. "Don't touch me…right now," she reluctantly added. "You smell."

Gale exaggerated his groaning. "Fine. I'll shower. But just so you know, this stink came from Lady J kicking my ass. Don't I get a little sympathy?"

Luna forced herself not to bark and gritted, "No. Please don't come near me until you've showered. Please."

"Your wish is my command, principessa," Gale purred as he mock-bowed. He moved to mess with Silver's hair with a grin and a wink. "Have fun dancing, Twinkle Toes."

Julia laughed. "Justin will be proud of you if you add a death drop."

If it were not for Silver grabbing her wrist, Luna would have snarled something, but she waited for the duo to leave to close the door behind him. "Silver—!"

"Lulu, it's fine," Silver quickly insisted. "Really, it's okay. They're just joking, okay?" He went back to packing his suitcase, face downcast. "Seriously. It's fine."

But it was not fine to Luna. She followed him as her anger exchanged for grief. "I thought you said they stopped?"

Silver went rigid for a moment. "They did," he reasoned. "And it was still just them messing with me then just like it is now. It's fine, Lulu. There's no need to get worked up about it." He looked away when Luna touched his shoulder.

"The way I see it, it's not just joking," Luna told him. "I could—"

"I can handle it, Lulu, so please." Beseeching sparked in Silver's eyes as blues connected with browns. "Please let it go. And promise me you won't say anything to Gale, okay?"

"But—!"

"Lulu, promise me."

Luna gave a loud sigh. "I promise," she begrudgingly agreed. She added in a sniff, "But just because I won't say anything doesn't mean I'll be nice to him. If he hurts you, he hurts me. End of story."

Silver could not help but smile. Oh, Lulu. You really are my best friend. He prodded her. "Thanks, Lulu, but please don't do that. I don't want him coming to me for why you stopped talking to him." Not to mention all the times he's already done that. He felt dreary remembering all the times he was spooked and nearly lost his soul when Gale hounded him for answers when Luna gave him the cold shoulder. But I don't want to tell her that.

When Luna still would not give up her blatant annoyance, Silver added playfully, "And if you stop talking to him, it's only a matter of time until he loses it and pins you down."

Red crawled onto Luna's cheeks and she stuttered, "H-H-He wouldn't do that!"

"He totally would!" Silver laughed as he fixed one of his folded shirts. Because if I was in his shoes and Ena wouldn't speak to me… I'd do go out of my mind trying to figure out how to get her to say my name again. He sighed. Mistress… I hope everyone is going okay. He fisted the material over his heart. I miss you already.

---

Someone purposefully downplayed the restaurant. Yes, it had marble floors and its own rock garden and trickling fountains and soft piano jazz played live from the grand ivory piano. But it did not post and brag about its wealth. Most of those who nabbed a table or a booth were in business in some sort of fashion, with suits and contracts and business cards and pretty words floating about. But the private rooms included their own entrance into the establishment where the staff signed NDAs to serve their clients and all Compacts had to be checked at the hallway before entry.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is The Chimney, a fine dining restaurant known for its discretion located in Crocus. They vet the staff for any ties to newspapers, blogs, and magazines. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nora waited in a casual button-down with his sleeves rolled to his elbows and his hair in its low over-the-shoulder ponytail, but when the door slid open to the private room, he stood up and found his breath stolen away seeing Ena and her shy smile.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Chimney

Crocus

Fiore, Ishgar

2:45 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"I thought I told you not to go through all the trouble for fine dining," Ena teased him.

Nora smiled as he met her more than halfway. "Forgive me. I wanted to make a good impression." He took her hand and kissed the back of it, eyes shining. "Is it working, My Lady?"

A bit of rose sprinkled Ena's cheeks before she stepped back and twirled a finger. "Spin for me slowly."

Nora straightened and offered a slow turn to show his outfit. "Should I always expect an inspection from you every time we meet?"

Ena examined him with a critical eye. "If you wish to be seen with me publicly, yes."

"So then." Nora stood before her. "Have I passed your inspection?" He stepped closer and asked, tone husky, "Or perhaps I should show you more?"

Heat touched Ena's neck, but she told him diplomatically, "You look well-dressed. Give my regards to your wardrobe master. He's done well." She went for her seat and snuck him a look when he brought out her chair and tucked her in.

"He'll be pleased to know such a fashion icon approves of his selection," Nora told her as he sat on the other side.

Ena made herself comfortable, but it was hard to maintain decorum when Nora openly stared at her. "Keep staring like that and I'll think you're challenging me, My Lord."

"I can't help it." Nora sat forward with a hint of a grin. "It's hard not to admire the Scarlet Angel, My Lady. Forgive me for staring if it makes you uncomfortable. I feel lucky I get to be in your presence once more. It's been a while."

"I…" Ena cleared her throat and could not keep up their eye contact. "I-It hasn't been that long… Just a few weeks, really."

"Somehow, you make your absence feel like an eternity, My Lady," Nora confessed. He placed his cheek against his propped knuckles and chuckled when Ena floundered for words. I shouldn't tease her too much. He pressed a button on the underside of the table.

A server who kept their eyes on their work instead of on the guests delivered the appetizers first. Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms, broiled salmon bagel bites, and marinated grilled shrimp were paired with a good year of a Chardonnay and some lemon water before the server left.

Nora gestured to the spread. "Shall we eat?"

"You've given some thought to the menu," Ena said as she went for her wine first. "I admit, I'm not one to enjoy someone ordering on my behalf."

Nora simpered as he portioned out their appetizers. "Then you'll have to forgive me for my error. Are none of the dishes to your liking?"

"It's that they are to my liking that concerns me," Ena admitted after a sip. "You know my palette."

"When someone is gifted with the opportunity for a private meal with someone they admire or want to do business with, it's natural they would do their research, My Lady," Nora smoothly replied. "Am I correct in saying you would do the same?"

Ena tried not to take another sip of her wine and hid her lips behind her glass. "I… Y-Yes… You're…correct in that." Scrambling to get her wits about her, she raised the glass to Nora. "Well now. I think a toast is in order to start our negotiations and our friendships."

Nora laughed. "You always say the words a man wants to hear, My Lady." He raised his wineglass. "A toast to our negotiations becoming successful. And," he added with a softer tone, "a toast to deepening our…friendship, so to speak."

Ena cleared her throat. "Agreed."

They clinked glasses and chased down their cheers with a swallow.

As they helped themselves to their portions, Ena tucked one leg under the other and told him, "Sylvie has been enthusiastic about her dress for her summer solstice coming-of-age ball."

"So she's told me repeatedly," Nora muttered. "Odette's lucky she's off at university, but I'm stuck with Sylvie at college and at home, so she likes to tell me everything."

Ena simpered as she swallowed her mouthful. "I hear rumors many young nobles are hopeful to catch her attention. But I hear even more rumors Duke Alexandreux has been seen with Lady Odette on morning strolls."

"Father isn't pleased," Nora filled her in, amused. "He can't forbid Odette from seeing the Duke, but I know he isn't happy. Odette is known to reject most offers for her time and the Duke has stayed away from romance for his activism. And now, given the state of things, it's only a matter of time before the Duke asks Odette for a date."

Ena's eyes gleamed with excitement. "She already let it slip to me the Duke has asked about her interest in opera, so I've agreed to send her some conceptual dress designs just in case. And thanks to her and the Duke, more noble young ladies have swarmed the House of E for their own wardrobe to impress bachelor nobles."

"So my sister's relationship is financially beneficial to you, is that it?" Nora asked in jest.

"Mmm." Ena pretended to mull on that answer as she chewed on her food. "What do you think, My Lord?"

"I think"—Nora's grin broadened—"you are a bright and beautiful businesswoman who knows how to expand her clientele and knows her audience."

Ena smiled. "Exceptional deduction. I'm starting to like you more."

"Well that won't do." Nora offered a lazy perusal as he brought up his glass. "I was hoping you'd already liked me all the way. I'll have to try harder."

Ena's ears burned and she stuffed her mouth, ignoring Nora's rumbling chuckle. A switch of topics was due. "Forgive me for bringing up unsightly topics, but…I need to know." Dark browns steeled. "Atticus?"

The mood darkened as Nora nodded, his smile descending to a frown. "It's difficult for me to keep track of him, considering he's at university. All his friends latch to him for power and status, nothing substantial."

"Why not start with his staff?" Ena offered.

"I wanted to, but it's even more difficult," Nora explained. "His assistant is the one I wanted to speak with. He's the only staff member Atticus has not swapped out. The rest are continuously shuffled, but his assistant has stayed with him since the beginning. The only plausible reason why is that Atticus sees him as useful. But he's quite the anxious person, and Atticus fiercely guards him."

Ena weighed on that. It's clear Atticus has shown his assistant a side of him he keeps away from the public eye. But why? Has he blackmailed the assistant? What does he have over him that keeps his assistant to stay? I'm sure these are the questions Nora is thinking about too.

Nora said, "I'll continue to investigate for any ex-friends Atticus had. But unfortunately, that's all the news I had. But as for my toxicology report? I have more information."

Ena sat up. "What were you poisoned with?"

Nora looked like he was at war with himself before he answered, "Aglaophotis."

That chilled Ena.

Nora caught her fear. "I take it you're familiar with it."

"Yes." Ena pulled her hands onto her lap. "Yes, I am. Occults crush that peony into an herb. To Wizard's, it poisons our Magic. But to normal Spiritless, it does great damage to your bodies, but it's not something well-known. In most cases, people mistake it as a normal plant and it's often in a lover's bouquet because of its natural fragrance. And as an herb, it loses a lot of its potential when mixed with oil." But the cure for that… "Your estate physician gave you the antidote, did he not?" She could see a shift on Nora's face. "What is it?"

Nora obliged. "Tristan did an investigation on the plants in Atticus' greenhouse."

"And the Aglaophotis…"

"Yes." Nora clutched the stem of his glass. "He grows them."

Ena stewed over this new information. "Does anyone have access to Atticus' greenhouse?"

"Several." Nora leaned forward. "You don't think he poisoned you?"

"I think that Atticus is much more of a chess master than I," Ena said with care. "And he's smart enough to know someone would make the connection between his plants and what was in the food. With his status, he could silence accusers. But Atticus seems too cunning for basic silencing." And the question remains then. It was Silver who warned me about the herb. But how could he have known? The herb is tasteless. It has a very weak aroma when combined with anything with oil. So how did he…?

"The Hall of Knights."

Ena frowned up at Nora. "Pardon?"

"The greenhouse at the Hall of Knights," Nora reiterated. "We didn't check to see all the plants the greenhouse grows."

Ena latched onto the growing theory. "And the Holy Eye is in charge of the greenhouse for Holy Knight examination. They could have poisoned me." But why? To abduct me? Is that the same reason to inject me with Anti-Ether? But why do they want Enchanters so badly? What can we provide a religious organization?

"I'll launch a private investigation on all the plants grown in the greenhouse on the Hall of Knights property," Nora promised her. "And I'll report my findings to you once I have them. You have my word."

Ena nodded. "Thank you." As she took up another stuffed mushroom, she wondered, On the balcony, when I was on the Com with Mother, I saw Father Johannes visit Atticus' greenhouse, and he left dissatisfied. What was the dispute about? Did it revolve around the herb? It feels like I'm missing such a crucial piece.

"But I think that's enough of that."

It confused Ena for a moment when her hand was taken, but she froze like a deer in headlights seeing Nora's half-mast eyes and a smile that was up to no good.

He clasped her hand with both his own and told her, "I think it's time we spoke about why we're both really here, My Lady. And that is for you"—he threaded his hand with her own—"to become my partner."

Fuck decorum—Ena choked.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Dinner was served and looked like a scrumptious green herb salmon with wild mushrooms on cheesy polenta.

Not that Ena could enjoy it with Nora's laughing.

Nora could tell Ena would rather stab him than her salmon, but he could not stop his sniggering. "My Lady, you looked so traumatized like I had just proposed to you."

Ena colored (and hushed her swords from taking pointe to maim the one who dared laughed at their lady) and groused, "You did say, 'partner'."

"Ah. But I didn't say what type of partner," Nora smartly pointed out. "Should I be flattered My Lady automatically assumed I was propositioning her for a rather…romantic and sensual—?" He still smiled despite Soledia aiming for his throat. "It would seem my former sword isn't happy with me."

A tick mark pounded on Ena's temple, but she commanded, "Soledia, don't kill him. He's just teasing me."

Soledia flashed her sunstone in blatant warning before she poofed out of existence.

Nora tittered. "She still doesn't like me."

Ena had to deal with Soledia making a racket of complaints and vaguely alluded, "She's just a little cross is all. She'll get over it." She ignored Soledia's ringing and whirling of no I will not get over it, My Lady! to salvage her mistake. "But yes. Our partnership." Out of thin air, she pulled a leather folder out. "We discussed our terms of it, but I thought it would be better to make a draft."

Nora took the offering. "You never ceased to impress me, My Lady." He read the contract inside and commented, "This states nothing of our companionship."

"As it shouldn't." Ena rested her chin on propped hands. "If the media got a sniff we were contractual partners, it would damage both of our reputations. As such, I have prepared this contract the same as I do for all investors and shareholders. We'll have a gentleman's agreement for our companionship."

Nora gave her an expectant look as he closed the folder. "Where do I sign?"

That took Ena back. "You're not going to read it through?"

"You're a woman of integrity. I'll take my chances." Nora further teased her, "Which means my money is in your hands. I should hope you make me a fortune. And I trust your vision thoroughly."

Ena pursed her lips. "I could be playing you a fool."

"You already make me a fool, My Lady," Nora told her with a knowing half-smirk. "Indulge me in making me a bigger one."

Rightfully bashful, Ena broke away from Nora's stare to weakly suggest, "We should eat." She hurried to take a few bites and tried and failed to ignore Nora's mirth. He keeps teasing me, and I keep letting him. Is this how Silver feels all the time? A compilation of Silver's embarrassment overwhelmed her.

"M-Mistress!" Silver looked hopelessly flustered and panicked. "Please don't tease me like that!"

Ena smiled to herself at all the memories. He looks adorable when he's embarrassed. I suppose that counts towards what I like about him. And… Her smile faded. I'm sure…his lady love likes it too.

Nora caught Ena's falling mood and casually asked her, "How's Silver these days? Any luck with the lady he's in love with?"

"No." Ena fingered the rim of her glass. "He hasn't breathed a word about it. He's been working so hard for me these days as we prepare for the mock runway and make sure everything is in place for our summer shows." Is that why he hasn't progressed with her? Because of work? Maybe I should relax his workload so he can see her. But…

Something inside her felt oddly disturbed. Why does that idea bother me so much? If it were L…

"Hey E!" Luna beamed and showed off a grumpy Gale. "Do you mind if we do a raincheck? Gale asked me out on a date!"

The situation made Ena agitated on the spot. If Redfox tried to steal L away, I'd be annoyed. So this is merely me wanting Silver's time as he's my friend. That's all. But even as she assured herself the answer, she could not help that niggling doubt in the back of her head.

"Does he know you and I will be feigning as court companions?" Nora inquired.

Ena opened her mouth to assure him only to close it, troubled. "I… I think so…"

"You haven't told him."

The way Nora said that made Ena bristle. "I will," she insisted. "I'll tell him when I see him tonight." Irked, she went back to eating her food.

Nora observed her before tending to his own meal. Silver… I can't help but feel a little guilty. "When you tell him, be sure to include that our court companionship is for show."

Ena tossed him a weird look. "Why? Wouldn't it be better for him to believe us too?"

"Indulge me on this favor." He added, "Please, My Lady."

Ena waved it away. "Fine. I'll let him know." Three beats. "I expect we'll debut as court companions during Sylvie's summer solstice ball. And that's also where I'll meet Tristan again with information on my swords."

"Correct." Nora sipped his water. "I convinced Sylvie to give Tristan an invitation. His father may have him on lockdown, but to have his son miss a party of a lady of Sylvie's caliber would be foolish. So you'll meet Tristan as a guest."

"And Sylvie's party is a masquerade." Ena snorted. "How traditional."

"Miss Strauss mentioned how traditional it was for coming-of-age balls to be masquerades," Nora informed her. "The blossoming young lady would be the fairest of them all with an obvious mask. And the faceless suitor who caught her attention for the last dance of the night would reveal himself. Sylvie's excited for it."

"It'll be a good time to unveil my fae renaissance gown," Ena said. "My mentor is helping me style it to look like Queen Titania. And I guess you'll be my Oberon."

"I'll be the handsome knight who stole the heart of the queen," Nora suggested. "It's befitting given our situation." He went on: "As planned, you'll be my date for the festivities and we'll enter together and share the first and the last dance. And, as it stands, no Holy Eye members will be in attendance. But that could change if you come with me to the temple during the summer marchion tour."

"I'll give it some thought," Ena promised him. "I know it would help strengthen the illusion of our companionship if we arrived together at the temple. We could gather better intel. It's more my fashion week schedule I'm concerned about."

"As it should," Nora assured. "We'll make sure to iron out the finite details as we progress down the line, including planning out future public appearances."

Ena was in agreement—

"We'll need to practice displaying affection."

—until then. Wide-eyed, she rasped, "Pardon?"

"Yes?" Nora raised an eyebrow with a grin. "I assumed you understood as my companion, we would have some semblance of physical intimacy for the public eye to prove we're courting." His grin widened. "Is My Lady perchance…inexperienced with matters of the heart and touch?"

Ena's face matched her hair, but she refused to acknowledge it and ground out, "I'm experienced." She pointedly looked away from him to gulp more wine. I've read all those books from Mother and Aunt Lucy's library. That's all I need to know. I'm in Fairy Tail for gods' sakes. That in itself is a lifetime of experience.

Nora could not get enough of the scarlet licking Ena's cheeks. She's adorable. It's not like I have much experience either. But she's too proud to admit it. She makes me feel like a lucky man.

Blues filled with undulated rage.

The memory fresh, Nora wondered, How will Silver react? The look in his eyes when he took out the men hurting Ena… He looked…feral. I'm not so much worried about myself. But I'm worried about Ena. What happens to her if Silver doesn't take to us well, even knowing we're for show? I know he wouldn't hurt her, but…

Ena slam of her glass jolted Nora from his thoughts and she declared, "In fact, I'm so experienced that I'm prepared to kiss you right now."

Silence.

"Ha."

Ena fumed when Nora broke into laughter, her eyebrow twitching (Soledia was pinging all sorts of untranslatable insults toward her old handler) How dare he laugh at me!

Nora corralled his amusement for a smile. "My Lady, there's no need for us to be physically intimate behind closed doors."

"W-Well, I…" Ena rapidly blinked, trying to come up for a reason, before she held her hand in her hands. I've dishonored my family name.

"But…that's not to say we don't have to be."

Warmth spread when Nora lifted Ena's hand with his fingers caressing her chin, and Ena felt a little dazed. "Nora…"

"Our court companionship will be used as leverage for the Holy Eye's schemes," Nora reasoned. "But…not all of it has to be a ruse, My Lady." His thumb brushed against her glossed bottom lip. "You're an admirable young woman with a strong mind and a caring heart. I'd considered myself blessed if our companionship spread to beyond closed doors."

"I…" Ena did not know what to say. "Nora, I…" He's a gentleman, well-read… He respects me. He knows the art of the sword. Logically, he makes for an ideal partner. But I—

Warm mayan blues. A sincere smile. "Come home soon, Mistress."

Ena's eyes fell to the side with her heart in disarray and her mind confuddled. I don't…understand. Why am I thinking of him at a time like this?

Nora was gentle in relinquishing her and tender in his smile. "I will be nothing but respectful to you, My Lady. I have no intention to break your boundaries. But for you, I have none. Please remember that."

"I…" Ena clenched her hands beneath the table. "Yes. I'll remember."

"Good. Now. Finish your meal. I have planned out a private stroll through the botanical gardens. We're going elsewhere for dessert."

"Oh?" That was news to Ena as she quirked an eyebrow. "Already planned a triumphal celebration?"

"I wouldn't dare to be so arrogant, My Lady," Nora smoothly rebuffed. "But I know you have quite the love for flowers, even if you don't want to receive them, and taste for cakes. So I thought such an occasion warranted special attention to your favorite part of the meal and your favorite past-time. In truth, it was my last line of defense if you rejected me."

Ena simpered. "You would have used cake to manipulate me? You really do do your research."

"Do I get a reward for it?" Nora jested.

But Ena surprised him when she slyly replied, "Perhaps. If you exercise patience and let me have as much cake as I want, I'd be more inclined to reward you for your efforts. It's only natural." She held out her glass to him.

Nora meant to say more before his lips pressed together in a smile. She really knows how to make a person fall for her. "Then I'll count this as our first unofficial date, My Lady." His eyes became hooded as he purred, "And I look forward to your reward"—he held out his own glass to her—"Mistress."

CLINK!

---

The basement of the Fullbuster residence was the typical hangout spot Julia claimed with all of her friends. But since she had left the house, Silver and Luna snuck downstairs with a Magia romance movie Teen Beach Movie on while Silver knitted a scarf and Luna has her feet in his lap as she laid down and went through her photos.

Just a typical night for them.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fullbuster Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

7:56 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver kept glancing at his Compact so much so that Luna nudged his stomach with her foot. He jostled and complained, "Lulu…!"

"Stop checking your Com," Luna scolded. "She's not going to text us any sooner if you keep doing that." It got old quickly seeing Silver eagerly reach for his Compact when it lit up only for him to go into his Emo Mode when Ena was not the one calling. "I'm sure she's fine with Nora."

Silver hmphed and angrily kept up his ribbed scarf pattern. She better be. I can only imagine what that bastard is doing to her.

• — • — • — •

The recesses of Silver's imagination, for some reason, conjured a romantic hotel room with Fantasy-Nora pinning down a blushing and shy Fantasy-Ena. "My Lady…" Fantasy-Nora huskily breathed. "Without your servant around, I can't help myself."

Fantasy-Ena weakly resisted as he leaned closer. "No! No, please, I…!" She closed her eyes with tears pressed into the corner of her eyes as she struggled in Fantasy-Nora's hold. "Silver!" she moaned in beseech. "S-Save me!" But it was too late when Fantasy-Nora laid his lips on her neck—

• — • — • — •

BONK!

Silver rubbed his forehead, betrayed. "What was that for?"

Luna gave him a look. "I know what you were thinking." Seeing Silver dive into his imagination and suddenly get inflamed with rage was a sight to behold. "You were going to storm into their meeting when you can't, Silver. E would be angry at you.

Silver imagined—

He choked when he got a hit to his shoulder. "Ow!" His breath hitched when a finger was in his face.

"Stop imagining things!" Luna scolded. "You always get carried away! And I won't have you embarrass E by letting your imagination run wild! So stop it and get it out of your head!"

Silver ditched his knitting needles and scarf onto the coffee table before trying to protect himself from Luna's hits. "Ow, ow, ow, okay, okay!" He grabbed her hands and pinned her onto the couch. "I wasn't going to storm in!"

Luna narrowed her eyes.

Silver mumbled, "I wasn't going to now." He pushed off her to settle back on his side of the couch, but he groaned when Luna laid on him. "Lulu…"

"E really trusts you, Silver," Luna murmured. "I know you're worried about her, but please hold on a little longer until she's back, okay? And you're the one spending a week with her in Caelum, not Nora."

Silver sighed through his nose. "Yeah, I know." He put his arm around Luna's shoulders. But it's always the knight who gets the queen's attention. Not just a stupid servant. If I could just be better than a knight… If I could be a king—

Luna's Compact lit up, drawing both their attention.

Luna huffed seeing Gale's contact and declined the call. "I can't believe him." She tossed her Compact back onto the coffee table and snuggled Silver's side. "I'm not talking to him."

Silver laughed. "Come on, Lulu, you know you have to." He reached for her Compact and offered it to her. "I know you're trying to have my back and all, but seriously, it's okay. Gale and Lady J joke around all the time about me. It's really okay."

"I don't like seeing you upset—"

"And I'm not," Silver soothed. "It's cool." He watched as Gale's contact flared up on Luna's screen. "So talk to my cousin before he blows up your Com."

But Luna still declined the call. "No. I'm hanging out with my best friend. He can leave a voicemail or something."

Silver looked at the slew of notifications on Luna's screen and told her, tone dry, "I think he left so many that your inbox is full."

"What?" Luna snatched her Compact to check her messages. A tick mark twinged on her cheek seeing how many were from Gale. He's like an obsessive dog. A few more voicemails came from telemarketers, but as she scrolled further down, she saw something odd. What the…? "Hey… Gale called me back in December?" She showed Silver the voicemail.

Silver squinted at the date. December… The day made him freeze. Wait a second… Wasn't this…?

Luna shrugged. "Huh. I wonder what he called about." She went to press—

"Lulu, wait!"

Luna shot a panicked Silver a strange look and said in her defense, "What? I was just going to play it." Seeing the uncertainty on Silver's face made her all the leerier. "Why? What's going on?"

"Well…" Silver considered his options on how to go about this. I was the one who told Mistress we should give Lulu a proper warning for the voicemail, but… If she's still mad at Gale, what if this makes her want to hear it even more? And their friendship… I don't want to see Lulu cry over him again. Against it all, he came clean. "That voicemail… Ena and I accidentally listened to it already."

Luna did not see the problem. "Okay? So?"

"I-It's just…" Silver scratched his cheek with his eyes ricocheting to the Compact. "It's just… What Gale said on the voicemail… That message was when he left you alone at the Towers with Bleu, remember? And he went to a party."

That remembrance did a number to Luna. All her guilt for being the reason Gale had raged and stormed off combatted with confusion. "Yeah, I remember." Chocolates saddened. "I made him get angry at me."

"You didn't," Silver vehemently denied. "You didn't make him do anything, Lulu. I heard the whole thing from Julia. You didn't do anything wrong—"

"But I said things too," Luna whispered in sad confession. "I made him get that upset. Just like the time after." Drawing up her knees, she balled herself into Silver's side. Just like the Snow Ball, when I made him angry then.

Silver's heart broke for his best friend. Lulu… His hand tightened into a fist. She's always like this. How can she defend everyone else when she can't even say that he hurt her? This… This isn't fair to her. But for now, he let go of his angry to comfort her. "You and Gale were…both emotional." He hated saying a half-truth like this, but it was all he could manage. "And because of that, the voicemail Gale left you… He wasn't in his right mind at all about it."

Blues darkened. I've never felt so angry towards him for sending that to Lulu. Even now, the nature of the voicemail sickened and infuriated Silver. If he had just vented to blow off steam, I could understand that. But…for him to send that to Lulu… He'd break her heart. And she…she would blame herself.

"Silver?"

Blues met browns.

Luna gave the voicemail a hesitant look. "Is…? Is it really that bad?"

"It's…bad." Silver tried to hold back on how bad the voicemail was. "I know Gale is trying to change, but… This shows him before all that. It shows when"—he winced—"he was trying to hurt you."

Luna defended, "He wasn't trying to—"

Silver gritted his teeth. "Luna."

Luna went rigid.

"Don't…!" Silver's muscles flexed, furious. "Don't…defend him like that. Lulu, he attacked you and he would have hurt you—!"

"H-He was just upset," Luna insisted, recoiling a little. "And…you defended him upstairs—!"

"That's different," Silver dismissed with heat backing his words. "He didn't do anything to me. He did something to you. He abandoned you. He attacked you!"

Luna's eyes smarted as her bottom lip quivered. "He changed," she insisted with a slight hitch. "H-He wouldn't do that to me again if I don't—"

"Don't say if you don't make him upset," Silver beseeched her. The anger he felt, the sorrow that poisoned him—it came head-to-head as he took Luna by the shoulders and needed her to see how desperate he was for her to not say those words. "Please, Lulu, don't say that! It doesn't matter how upset he is! He shouldn't attack you! He shouldn't make you feel like you deserve it or couldn't fight back! I know you can fight back! I know that! He doesn't deserve to be your exception on this!"

Luna flinched and her gaze dropped with her hands shaking cupping her Compact.

Regretful for his volume, Silver backed down to quiet his voice as he murmured to her, "I get he changed. I'm…happy he's in therapy. I really am. He's my family, Lulu, and I'm really happy he wants to get better. But that doesn't excuse what happened to you before. And it shouldn't happen again." He added, dulcet, "If someone loves you the right way, Lulu…doesn't that mean they don't want to break your heart?"

Teary chocolates connected with sad mayan blues.

"He didn't mean to," whispered Luna. "It was…an accident. He was just mad…"

Silver could not help it when he pulled her into his chest to cradle her into an embrace. He forced out an exhale and closed his eyes to stop himself from angrily tearing up. Instead, he focused on his breathing and hugging Luna as tightly as she needed until she stopped shaking. I know Gale is changing. I know that. He might make fun of me, but… I know he's better. But I can't stand by and let her blame herself every time he gets mad.

The basement door opened with footsteps trekking down the staircase.

Silver cracked open his eyes to see his father and his uncle Gajeel emerge onto the basement floor and judging from both their expressions and the way they looked at Luna, Gray and Gajeel had heard most of their conversation. His blues shied away as Gray slipped onto the couch, but Silver felt Luna's flinch and the way she locked onto him. Fear stunk his nose and his ears pricked to catch her racing heart.

He soothed, "It's just my dad and Uncle Gajeel, okay?"

Gray rubbed Luna's back with a calmingly cool hand. "Hey, kiddo."

Luna sniffled and mumbled into Silver's shirt, "Hi, Uncle Gray. Hi, Uncle Gajeel." She unraveled from Silver to rub her eyes before peeking over her shoulder at Gray. When he opened his arms, she fell into his embrace with her cheeks wet.

Gray glanced to see Silver distraught before looking down at Luna. "Y'know… When you beat your shitty old man for the Generation Smackdown, you couldn't believe how proud we all were of you," he told Luna. "You fought back, and you won. And it wasn't easy. Natsu plays like a dirty son of a bitch, even with his own kids. But then again, he's teaching you that not every fight is fair…and opponents can hit you where it hurts."

"He didn't mean it." Luna's words muffled against Gray's shirt. "He was just…"

Silver scooted over to curl around Luna's back.

Gajeel squatted down against the back of the couch to watch Luna with somber rubies. "When I was around Pipsqueak's age, I hurt his mom pretty badly."

This was a new story. Luna sniffled and peeked an eye over to Gajeel. "Really?"

"Yeah." And that memory would stay with him. "It was different with me and her though. I was working for the enemy back then. And my job was to hit Fairy Tail with a warning they shouldn't forget." Rubies darkened. "To hit them where it hurts. And I hurt Levy. I hurt a lot of people back then. And don't you think for one fucking second I can forget that."

Those reds snapped back to Luna and softened. "When Shorty wanted to still be friendly with me after I became a Fairy Tail Wizard, I thought she was crazy. We were enemies. And I hurt her badly. How could she just smile it off?"

Silver asked, "What'd Aunt Levy say?"

Gajeel put a hand on Silver's head as he told the pair, "That she would forgive me, but she wouldn't forget it either. She forgave me for the shit I did. But she'd still wanted us to remember it."

"Then how'd she forgive you?" Luna questioned.

"Forgiving and forgetting are two separate things, Squirt," Gajeel said. "I was lucky Shorty forgave me. She didn't want our relationship to have bad blood between us. And even though she'd remember how I'd hurt her, it wasn't to spite me. Clean slates and fresh starts—shit like that doesn't exist. We have to remember the damage we did to be better."

Gray added, timbre soft, "It was hard for Juvia to learn that." His dark gaze went to his surprised son. "Your mom was one to forgive and forget when it came to me. It was different with our enemies. But when it came to someone she loved, she was willing to forget." That dark regard went to a shrinking Luna. "It's a lot easier to not forget when it comes to people we don't know. And it can be easy to not forget when it comes to people we love letting us down. But sometimes, for people like you, Luna, and Juvia, it can be easier to forget when it comes to people we love."

Luna rubbed her arm. "But…" She winced when Gajeel's heavy hand landed on her head.

"Don't go bein' too hard on yourself right now," Gajeel murmured. "You just focus on gettin' strong and fighting back because I know you're doing a damn good job in training. You'll figure out what you want to do." He gave her a fangy smirk. "And don't think I'll make excuses for the runt either. He gets his ass kicked in training for all his bullshit."

Luna giggled. "Don't be too mean."

"I'm his dad, Squirt. I'm allowed to be an asshole," Gajeel reasoned. He ruffled Silver's hair as well and warned him, "And if my shitty son pulls anything on you, you tell me."

Silver laughed. "Thanks, Uncle Gajeel."

"You're going to be kicked onto my couch again if Levy hears you're trying to find a reason to bully Gale, y'know," Gray muttered dryly.

Gajeel pushed himself to a stand and guffawed. "You're just pissed if I come over, Rain Woman will focus on me and not you."

"Because I'm so jealous coming downstairs to see you in a fucking face mask and getting your hair braided while you guys watch Real Housewives," Gray snarked back.

Gajeel snarled, ears red, while Luna and Silver snickered. "Shut the fuck up, Fullbuster," he barked. "Says the one who goes candle shopping."

Gray shrugged, unbothered. "I half do it because it makes Juvia happy and it's not a bad way to pass the time." He grinned and winked at his son and niece-in-heart. "The other half I do it for is to fuck with the nose of a Slayer." He got up from the couch and slanted both teens lingering looks. "You guys will be okay down here? Gajeel and I just came in to grab some stuff to prep for our vacation."

"The fuck do I have to go on vacation with you anyway," Gajeel grumbled.

Gray replied, flat, "Because my wife misses spending time with her quote-unquote 'big brother'. You think I wanted this?"

"We'll be fine, Dad," Silver assured.

Gray nodded. "Good. You guys are on your own for dinner, but we'll still be there to see you off at the Sky Port tomorrow morning." He poked Silver's forehead, but the warning was clear in his eyes. "Don't go to any beaches."

Silver frowned and averted his stare, but he nodded. "Yeah, I know."

Gray turned to Luna. "Make sure that one doesn't accidentally sleepwalk to the ocean." Even though he said that in light-hearted jest, he noticed Silver sink a little in his seat, and his eyes darkened. He's still my son, Mercuphobia, and on land. He's not ready.

Luna offered a confused smile. "Um, sure, but…" She sniffed and rubbed her nose. "I'm not going on the Caelum trip, so…" It made her suspicious when all three men would not look at her. "I'm not going, right?" Her stare swiveled and narrowed onto the gulping best friend. "Silver…"

Silver shook his head and pressed his lips together

Luna prowled closer. "Silver."

"I don't know anything!" Silver squeaked. He leaned away from Luna's intense stare and swallowed, sweating. Mistress will kill me if I say anything. I have to be strong.

"Silver, look at me."

Shakily, Silver peeked—

A sweet and innocent aura spread around Luna as she looked up at him with her doe eyes and a cute pout. "Won't you please tell me, Silver? For your best friend?"

DING-DING-DING!

A knockout bell was rung as Chibi-Silver felt himself melting. Why is she so friggen adorable! My heart! My heart can't take it!

Gray and Gajeel watched with dreary auras as Silver succumbed to Luna's cuteness. He didn't stand a chance.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna jumped on the couch, excited, while Silver draped over the armrest of the couch, defeated. She squealed, "I'm going to Caelum! I'm going to Caelum!"

"That's nice, Lulu," Silver dazedly murmured. Mistress is going to kill me. She had this whole surprise in place and I ruined it because of puppy eyes. It's always the puppy eyes. Lulu, how could you do this to me? I'm going to die now.

Luna plopped back onto the cushions. "And you know what? I can help you! I can help you and E get closer!"

"What? I can't hear you over my funeral march," Silver sulked.

Luna rolled her eyes and shook him out of his funk. "Come on!" she tittered. "I'm being serious! I can help you and E get closer!"

"Hn…" Silver sullenly looked at her. "And how are you going to do that, huh?"

"Easy!" Luna looked scholarly as she showed him her Reader app filled with cheesy romance titles from Dawn to The Journal to Thirty Shades of Gray. "We follow how the main couples handle romance in books."

That would get me arrested! Silver rubbed his forehead. "Lulu, thanks but no thanks." Blues fell onto his silent Compact, somber. "As much as I want to get closer to her, I don't want to overstep. And…"—he drew up his knees to his chest—"I don't want to give myself false hope she could like me back. I know she wouldn't."

But the nagging thought reminded him, But she could.

• — • — • — •

"Do you think you'll ever love, Mistress?"

In the dark of the night, in the seclusion of his bedroom, he endured Ena's closeness and waited with bated breath for the answer.

"No. I don't."

Her answer. His peril. This must have been what drowning felt like. Feeling so helpless, struggling, falling into a dark abyss that you shut down—

"But…I could."

His heart stopped. Her answer with a second part. A possibility. A could.

A hope.

• — • — • — •

Luna hugged Silver's side and murmured, "I don't want to force you both into something neither one of you wants. You know that, right? But… I've seen the way E looks at you and acts around you, Silver. I know she cares about you. Haven't you ever thought about how much she cares about you?"

Ena's faint answer came back to mind. "But…I could."

She said she could love, but… Silver tightened his arms around his knees. I just remember her other words…

"I won't care if the right person comes along." Ena's edged bit as they strolled through a forest path to the Savant Hall of Knights on horseback. "In the end, if I stay with them long enough, I'll see them turn into the wrong person before my eyes."

"She said…she wouldn't care."

Luna frowned. "Silver…"

Blues glinted in dejection as Silver rested his chin on his knees. "She wouldn't care if the right person came along. She said being able to rely on someone brings sorrow. But I think it can bring joy. What's so bad about loving someone?"

What a loaded question with a thousand answers, but Luna did her best. "It's not that E can't love someone. Honestly, I think she could if she found the right person. She won't because she's seen so much heartbreak already."

She pointed and flexed her toes. "It wasn't easy for her without her dad. I remember when Aunt Erza came over one night while Papa was gone. E stayed the night too. But we got thirsty and went downstairs only to hear her mom crying. She just really missed E's dad. Mama was helping her through it, but still… I know for E, that made it clear to her that love only made people cry. And it can, but it's not always like that. She just…won't see that."

Silence.

"She won't."

Luna blinked up at Silver when a realization crossed him. "Right. That's what I said."

"And you were right," Silver said. "She won't. It's not that she can't do it; it's that she won't. But she could. She could do it." I was so focused on the negative. But… If Mistress can, she just won't… Then maybe—just maybe—I could show her love can bring joy. I could teach her what love means. Even if she doesn't love me, she could still love someone else.

His heart constricted. It hurts to think about it, but I shouldn't be selfish. She could have anyone if she wanted to. She should be with someone she chooses. And I'll still stay by her side, even if she doesn't choose me.

"Lulu," Silver started, "I need a favor."

Luna nodded. "Sure. What is it?"

"I want to teach Ena how to love." Blues connected with browns. "Will you help me?"

"Ah…" Luna misunderstood. "But what about you?"

Silver shook his head. "I'm not important," he told her, firm. "This is about her and anyone she wants to stay by her side. She deserves to be happy with that person. And"—he looked away with a grim smile—"I don't think that's me. She'd never look at me like that." I'm not the knight in her fairytale.

Luna went to say something, but she bit back that words. Why can't he see how she looks at him now? Why can't he be more selfish? E… Please notice how great of a person Silver is. Because he can't see it himself. "I'll…help you," she agreed.

Silver looked partially glad and partially dejected. "Thank you—"

"But," Luna cut in, poking his nose, "only if you let me help you out too."

Silver echoed, bewildered, "'Me'?"

"Mm-hmm!" Luna beamed. "So just leave it all to me, okay?" She ignored the question marks around Silver's head to think, Silver and E deserve happiness too. And I'm going to do what I can to help them get it. I'm going to hone Aunt Mira's powers of matchmaking! She pumped a fist. "I won't be a third wheel on this trip!"

Silver still had question marks around his head. "Huh?" He wanted to ask more when his Compact lit up.

Ena was calling him.

Luna could laugh at him all she wanted—he dove for his Compact (and panicked a little when he nearly stabbed himself with his knitting needles) and when he thought he accept the call—

He gaped when he hit ⟪ Decline ⟫. No…! His head spun, horrified, and he looked at his Compact like it betrayed him. What have I done? What have I done? She could be hurt! Or Nora could've kidnapped her and this was her only Com call to let me know and I declined it—!

Ena called again.

Silver hit ⟪ Accept ⟫ and squeaked, "M-Mistress—"

"I play nice and by your rules and you can't even answer the Com," Ena sniffed.

Silver wrinkled his nose when Luna was laughing at his expense and turned away to whisper, "I'm sorry, Mistress—"

"Never the matter," Ena dismissed. "As per your rules, I'm calling to let you know Nora is being kind enough to drop me off at my home. Although, we did leave the restaurant for other activities. My apologies for not letting you know."

Silver scowled. "Mistress…"

Ena sighed. "In exchange for breaking your rules, I've made sure the cake I brought home is large enough for us to…share. I suppose."

That shocked Silver. "You'll share your cake with me? But…" He got several jabs to his shoulder and looked to see Luna giving him exaggerated encouragement to take the offer. "Um… Okay, Mistress. That sounds fine." He blushed when Luna did a happy dance that gave him secondhand embarrassment. "When will you be home?"

"Nora?" Ena called, a little distant (and she would never see Silver rolling his eyes, thank the gods). "What's our ETA?"

Nora teased her, "To your home or mine, My Lady?"

Silver could not help it when he snapped, "She's coming home to me."

Ena laughed. "Silver, Nora's simply teasing."

"Maybe." You could hear Nora's amusement. "Maybe not."

"Oh, stop it," Ena scolded good-naturedly. "You'll make me blush."

"You'd still look beautiful, My Lady. You've practically been a blushing bride all day," Nora chuffed. "I'd say it suits you."

In Silver's mind, Chibi-Silver was prodding his voodoo doll of Nora with multiple needles. I knew he didn't have good intentions with her.

"I should be home in the next hour or so," Ena informed him, a tad flustered. "But you don't have to wait for me—"

"I said I wanted to greet you when you came home, Mistress," Silver fiercely reminded her. "And I meant it. I'll walk Lulu home first and then I'll wait for you." He added in a softer tone, "So come home soon, Mistress."

Five beats.

"I will," Ena murmured, a warmth in her tone. "Thank you for waiting for me."

The call ended.

Silver squawked when Luna pounce into him and would have collapsed had he not gotten his balance together. "Lulu—!"

"She's sharing her cake with you!" Luna cheered. "E never shares her cake with anyone!"

"She does with you," Silver retorted.

Luna got off him to flip her hair. "Yeah, well, I'm me. Duh. But this is you. She's letting you share her dessert! Don't you know what this means?"

"No." Silver palmed his pounding heart that said otherwise.

Luna could tell he was fibbing and asked him, "Why can't you see what's happening here? That maybe—?"

"Lulu, I love you, but please don't say it," Silver pleaded. "I can't, okay? I-I…!" He harshly swallowed and his gaze fell to the floor. "I don't want to give myself false hope, okay? So, just… Please." He looked away when Luna got on her knees beside him.

"Okay," Luna murmured. "I won't say anything but thanks."

Silver's brow furrowed. "You're welcome, I guess, but for what?"

"Let's just go with for welcoming E home," Luna decided. A bittersweet smile tampered with her good fun. "E was the only one who understood me about growing up in an empty house. We knew our families loved us and when we saw them, it felt so amazing, but… They were always busy. I was always the one who welcomed everyone home. But E… She never had anyone to welcome her home, not really." She leaned her head onto Silver's shoulder. "So thank you for welcoming her home."

Luna's words stirred Silver. She never had someone to welcome her home? Blues twisted with woe. Mistress… His hand tightened around his Compact. Then I'll work even harder so she always has someone to welcome her home. He leaned his head against Luna's and looked at his lock screen. It was nothing special, solely the Rainbow Roses in the glass cloche.

"It's my pleasure, Lulu."

---

The car ride home was nothing special with a cake box between Nora and Ena, but the pair were in good spirits with their bellies full and smiles on their faces.

"Tristan is certainly a trip," Ena laughed. "He'd do well at Fairy Tail were he a Wizard. I can't believe all his brothers put up with his antics."

"Oh, they don't," Nora told her. "But Tristan makes himself scarce when a scandal pops up to avoid his brothers trying to discipline him. I'm the first one all of them call when Tristan's disappeared, but none of them would ever think to call the college library. I'm sure they think Tristan doesn't even know how to read, given his reputation."

"Which gives him ample opportunity to do as he pleases," Ena noted.

Nora agreed. "Yes. Most assume when Tristan goes to the college library, it's for a study room hook-up. Even the librarians think so. And it works all in our favor. I couldn't ask for a better friend. Barring that time he hit on me, he's like a brother to me."

"I could only imagine the face you pulled when Tristan tried his hand with you." Ena shook her head. "But he seems like a great ally and friend to have."

"He has his moments," Nora joked. "Although, he managed to fenagle my escape from my guards to see you at your live steel demo. And you were, of course, a sight to behold. A knight with scarlet hair against two to three opponents. Even now, that memory remains fresh in my mind."

Ena felt her cheeks heat and murmured, "You flatter me, My Lord, but I'm sure someone of your caliber has seen better swordsmen."

"And you'd be right," Nora gave her with a lazy half-smirk. "But they never had your elegance and beauty, My Lady. That's not something that can be taught at the Hall of Knights, I guarantee that."

Ena crossed her legs, awfully warm. "Nora…"

Nora lightly chuckled. "I can't compliment my companion? I would think My Lady is used to such high praise." When Ena looked away, pink-cheeked, Nora leaned closer to tease her, "Or perhaps My Lady is simply shy when it comes to genuine compliments. You must be flattered all the time. And yet my flattery makes you blush." His fingers grazed her cheek, and shining grayed yellows met with bashful dark browns. "I'll count myself a lucky man."

Ena swallowed, unable to meet his gaze. "N-Nora…" The slow withdraw of Nora's fingers gave her gooseflesh.

"I promise I'd treat you with respect," Nora vowed to her. "I know our companionship is to fool the Holy Eye, but…"

Ena hung onto that word. "'But'?"

Nora leaned back with a sigh. "It's nothing, My Lady," he dismissed.

"But—"

"If you try to pry, I'll have no choice but to quiet you."

Some would count that as a threat, but the husky quality to Nora's voice made Ena keep to herself and turn away, face aflame.

Nora laughed quietly before letting out an exhale. I can see why Silver hedges to confess. He must want to so badly, but when the moment of truth happens, he must be afraid like this. That if he tells her—grayed yellows observed Ena as she looked out the window—she'll run far away. And he'll lose her for good.

The Fernandes Household came up soon enough with the porch lights already on. It came as a surprise for Ena to see Silver already outside, pacing the length of the porch, but he paused when he saw the car come into the driveway.

He…really came over? A strange flutter bothered her stomach and her heart. What is this? Why do I feel…strange?

"Allow me to get the door for you, My Lady," Nora proffered. The moment he got out of the car, he could feel Silver's death glare on him and he laughed to himself. He hasn't changed. He afforded Silver a half-grin.

Silver bristled, a tick mark on his temple. Is he trying to pick a fight with me?

Nora rounded to Ena's side and opened the door before extending a hand. Ena took it and helped herself out with the cake box in her free hand. This part—the part where a gentleman saw her home (she discounted the Heart's Day incident with Jasper and Silver)—was new, and she hedged to find the right words. "Ah… Nora, I…"

"I'd say our meeting today was successful," Nora led with.

Ena hooked onto the topic, relieved. "I agree. It was productive."

"Aye." Nora's eyes twinkled. "That it was, My Lady."

Why did Ena feel so flushed? "I know we have many more discussions to come, but I'll make sure to have our shareholder contract notarized and a copy will be sent to you."

"I'd rather collect it in person." Nora leaned down so she could tell his eyes were more yellow than gray. "It would give me an excuse to see you again, My Lady. If you'll take such an excuse."

"I-I…" Ena cleared her throat. "I…wouldn't mind if you came to collect it in person."

No. Nora glanced at a fuming Silver. But I'm sure someone else would. He straightened and suggested, "I suggest another…meeting. A private one. We can share a meal and you can talk to me about what I missed from the previous investor meeting last quarter. I'd love to hear more about your plans of an expansion, and how I can assist you."

That made Ena blink in surprise. "You actually care?"

"I do." And Nora meant that. "You're a talented and passionate designer, but you know how to balance creativity and business in a way that doesn't compromise your integrity yet lets you flourish fiscally. I wouldn't have offered to become a shareholder had I not done a thorough check of the House of E, and I'm impressed with your work. If your wish is to expand your empire, then I'm yours to command." His smile widened. "Shall I get down on one knee and profess my devotion and loyalty to you, Mistress?"

Silver's ear twitched.

Ena coughed into a laugh. "That won't be necessary," she tittered. She could not help her warm beam. "But thank you, Nora, for caring about this. It means a lot to me."

"I know it does," Nora murmured back. "And that's why it also means a lot to me."

Trying to stave off her shyness, Ena prodded, "I really think I'm making you a bigger fool. I receive your financial assistance for my company, but what do you get out of this companionship outside of learning the truth about the Holy Eye?" Her teasing lilt fell for a hitched breath when Nora closed in on her. "Nora?"

"What do I get out of this?" Nora repeated, tone sweet and low. "The answer should be obvious, My Lady. You may think I'm a fool, but I can assure you. I'm nothing more than a selfish man."

"I-I…" Ena did not know how to counter that and feebly said, "I-I…should go inside. I shouldn't keep Silver waiting."

Nora puffed a chuckle. "Just the words a man wants to hear."

Ena had question marks around her. What does he mean by that?

"I believe this is where I'll leave you for the night," Nora decided. "I would walk you to the door; however…" He gave the pacing Silver a wry grin. "I don't think your Silver would appreciate it."

Ena could not help her little laugh seeing Silver perk when he saw she noticed him only to scowl at Nora. "He's just protective," she wrote off even as fondness filmed her stare seeing him there. "And…he's waiting for me to come home." He's really here. He waited for me.

There went that strange fluttering again.

"Forgive me, My Lady, for what I'm about to do."

Ena frowned. "What do you—?" Her words were choked away when Nora cupped her cheeks and tilted his head as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

Silver gawked.

On a very unrelated note, a jogger let her dog wander over to a fire hydrant down the street for him to mark his territory, but she went into dead shock when the hydrant suddenly burst in a four-way geyser that punted her little poodle.

Nora was slow to pull away with half-lidded eyes to see the shock on Ena's face fading for a pretty pink and her eyes large. He breathed, "Forgive me for being bold, My Lady. I'll accept your punishment the next time we meet." He took a step back and bowed. "It was an honor having your time today. Now." He nodded towards Silver. "I think someone is waiting for you."

"A-Ah…" Ena rapidly blinked. "Yes. Yes, of course." Her composure in shambles, she ended up pushing out, "We'll speak soon. Good night, Nora." An on unsteady feet, she went down the rest of the driveway with a hand touching the cheek Nora had kissed. Why did he…?

"Mistress!"

Ena blinked out of her daze to see the worry on Silver's face. Yes. He's here. All her questions faded into unison warmth and comfort. He's been waiting all this time. She flooded up the steps and did not even realize her face broke into happiness. "Silver—Oh!" She would have dropped the cake with the force of Silver's hug, but he made sure her waist was secure to keep from toppling backward.

Silver buried his nose into her shoulder and mumbled, "Welcome home, Mistress."

Dark browns shimmered before her lashes lowered. "Yeah." Her fingers hooked onto his shirt. "I'm home." The ocean and hints of rain wafted around her and made her fall pliant in his embrace. He smells nice. "Did I keep you waiting long?"

Silver shook his head against. "I'd keep waiting until you came home, Mistress. I don't mind." He remembered Luna's words.

"But E… She never had anyone to welcome her home, not really."

He took a lungful of Ena's scent. I'll keep waiting for you to come home, Mistress. I promise.

"Silver?"

He looked up with his teeth showing when Nora drawled his name. The stir in his chest rumbled. "Yeah?"

Nora grinned and called to him, "You owe me. I intend to collect." And with that, he loaded into the car.

Silver fumed with Chibi-Silver crucifying his Nora voodoo doll. He really does want to pick a fight with me! Bastard! He waited until the car was out of the driveway to pull away from Ena and hold her face in his hands, searching for any sign of injury or discomfort. "Did he do anything to you?"

Ena shook her head. "Mmm-mmm. He didn't, I promise. And the meeting went well."

"So well you didn't tell me you went elsewhere," Silver muttered.

Simpering behind a fist, Ena teased, "I broke your rule. How are you going to punish me?"

That made Silver stiffen. Punish her? The very censored and very mature images his mind conjured up made him steam red and hurriedly back away from her, covering his mouth. "I-I don't want to do that!"

"I'm teasing, Silver." Ena held up her box of cake for him to see. "Why don't you let me get comfortable and we can talk over cake?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"This is Heaven…!"

Silver and Ena had a stakeout in her bedroom. She had changed from her classy look before into a simple summer set of pajama shorts and a tank top. Silver sat up on the bed while she laid down and thoroughly enjoyed each bite of cake.

"It's so good!" Ena moaned, kicking her feet. "I could have this every day! The gods do exist!"

Silver had a love-drunk smile on his face as he said, "They sure do." He took his time rationing out another piece of cake onto the fork and feeding it to Ena (all the while, Chibi-Silver celebrated in his head). This really is Heaven. I get to feed Mistress in bed. The gods do exist!

Ena finished her bite to frown at Silver. "You've hardly eaten anything. Do you not like the cake?"

Silver froze before nervously laughing. "No, no, it looks delicious!" I was so into watching her eat it that I forgot we were sharing. Before he knew it, the fork was stolen and his heart plummeted seeing Ena section off the cake. And then his heart nearly shot out of his chest when she offered the morsel back to him.

"Here. Eat," Ena commanded. "I said we were sharing this cake and you've been feeding me. So I'll feed you. Eat."

Silver's eye twitched. Such words would sound so sweet—he shrunk when Ena's flaming aura threatened to consume him—if she wasn't intimidating me. Blushing, he leaned forward to take the forkful.

As Silver chewed, Ena told him, "You'll have to get used to Nora being around me so often now that we'll be companions."

That soured Silver's good mood in no time as he finished his bite. "I just don't understand why you have to be his companion," he muttered, indignant. "Can't you fool the Holy Eye some other way that doesn't involve you guys being so…close?"

"This is the path of least resistance," Ena reasoned as she fed him more cake. "It was clear at Savant Hall the Holy Eye had an interest in my relationship with Nora. Playing off that will be easy enough. We have natural chemistry."

Silver spluttered. "N-N-No you don't!"

Ena shrugged. "It's believable he and I would move from an intrigue with one another into a courtship." She mused, "And if we keep up this ruse long enough, Nora could propose to me in the future—"

"He can't!"

Ena arched an eyebrow when Silver slapped a hand over his mouth. "I don't understand why you're so energetic about this. I told you all of this was nothing more than a ruse to the public. Even Nora insisted I be the one to tell you nothing of our companionship follows us behind closed doors."

It clicked for Silver. Wait… Is this why he said he owes me one? He snarled thinking of Nora and that stupid smirk. Bastard! He better know I'm not taking my eyes off Mistress for a second!

Silver sniffed, "I just think there could be a better way that doesn't make you guys…close. I mean, what if you meet someone who you really like? What will you do then?"

Ena snorted around finishing her own piece of cake. "I doubt that day would come."

"But it could," Silver insisted.

"No, it wouldn't."

Ena's flippant response itched Silver's skin. "It could happen," he persisted. "You could meet someone you really like, y'know, but then you'd be caught up in all this 'companionship'—"

"And I'm telling you it won't." Ena sat up with her shoulders set. "I'm loyal to the mission. Everything else is an afterthought or not a thought at all. And meeting anyone isn't a thought." She decided to box the remainder of the cake up. "I'm done talking about this."

"I'm not," Silver argued. "You keep saying 'won't' and 'wouldn't'. It means you're not willing, right? Not that you can't."

Taking the box with her as she slid off the bed, Ena snipped, "Silver, let it go."

"But you could—!"

"That is enough," Ena snapped. "Would, could—it doesn't make a difference. I know. I know there is never anyone for me. So instead of focusing on me, focus on the girl you could love. I'm not worth the argument." She stalked away—

Ena went rigid when Silver hugged her from behind, impeding her escape, and she hissed, "Silver—"

"I'm sorry, Mistress." Silver meant every word as he hugged her tighter. "I didn't mean to make you upset. Please don't leave. I won't talk about it again."

Staying mad lasted all but two seconds before Ena felt weary and foolish. "No. I shouldn't have snapped at you." Her shoulders slumped and she let Silver's hazy ocean scent wash over her. "I'm really not worth the trouble arguing about this." Dark browns flickered to the floor. I've never been worth fighting for.

"I think you're worth it."

Browns widened before Ena felt herself softening over Silver's murmur. Her head lowered and she murmured back, "Thank you." He always knows what to say and do. How does he…?

Her heart fluttered. Why is my heart like this? Why do I…?

Enough was enough. She needed to regain some semblance of control. "You can let me go now," she told him. "You shouldn't cling to me—"

"Just a little longer," Silver mumbled into her shoulder. "You still smell a little like Nora."

That made Ena quietly laugh. "I do? You certainly have a sensitive nose. And I don't think my skin could handle another bath, so what's the solution? You'll make me smell like you?" She could feel Silver's face burn. "I'm teasing, Silver, really." Dark drowns cast bittersweetness. "But you shouldn't cling to me. It isn't proper when you have someone else out there you love."

"She doesn't mind."

Ena sighed. "Perhaps she does mind and you haven't noticed how much it bothers her that you cling to me. Have you considered that?"

"No."

A tick mark made Ena's jaw twinge. "Why not? Show some loyalty to her. Are you blind? No lady would be okay with—!"

"I know she's okay with this because she told me," Silver explained in a languid drawl as his nose touched her neck. A heavy breath made her skin tingle. "She knows my mistress comes first. That's my loyalty."

Ena rubbed her temple. "Silver, your loyalty should be to her first." The words tasted like acid and her heart constricted. "I'm not worth being your first." Her lashes went half-mast. I'm not worth anyone's first. I have to be my own first.

"You're my first, Mistress," Silver promised her against her neck. The more he took in her scent, the heavier his breath was. An intense blue glowed in his eyes. "You're always my first." His teeth ached as the stir in his chest goaded him to show her she was first.

Ena did not know how to react when a sharpness grazed her, but her body stilled and her heart stopped. That feeling again… What is he doing? "Silver?" she called, voice timorous.

Silver could smell unease and the stir urged him more. The instinct urged him. The sounds of the tides and pitter-patter of rain swept away every thought outside the heady sweet scent he could taste. Blues deepened as a rumble struck his chest. His grip went vice when she made a movement. The rumble changed to a purr to relax, be still so his fangs could—

Hints of fear hit him.

That slapped him out of it.

Silver pulled away like he was burned, horror transcending that daze feeling from before. What…? What was I doing? What was I about to do to her? A tangle of guilt, shame, and self-loathing mangled his insides and made him feel dirty. What's wrong with me? Why did I do that? And she… She was afraid of me.

That thought alone made his own fear broaden.

Ena turned around, worried. "Silver—"

"I should go," Silver choked out, disgusted with himself. "I-I-I-I'm so sorry—!"

"It's okay," Ena soothed. "Silver, it's okay. I know you wouldn't hurt me."

"But you smelled afraid!" Silver shrilly blurted. "I did that. I made you afraid—!" He could not get out the words when a new layer of revulsion thickened inside him. "I-I'm sorry, Mistress. I'm so sorry."

Hearing that panic and grief in Silver's tone over his repeated apologies made Ena want to soothe him, but she became flabbergasted when he knelt at her feet. "Silver—!"

"I'm so sorry, Mistress," Silver sniveled. "I-I don't know what's wrong with me. I made you afraid of me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

I'm disgusting, he cursed, sorrowful. I made her afraid of me. I shouldn't be around her. What If I make her afraid of me again?

Ena sighed. "Oh, Silver. I made you cry again."

That startled Silver. Checking his cheeks to confirm, a steady flow of tears wetted his skin. I'm crying?

"I think that's enough conversation for today," Ena decided.

Silver flinched. She wants me away from her. I have to go— But he grew puzzled when her fingers caressed his jaw and tipped his head upwards.

Smarted blues connected with gentle browns.

"Come on." Ena brushed away a few of his tears. "I think we could use some rest."

Silver did not know the words to say until he breathed in disbelief, "You want me to stay?"

"You're not in the right headspace to leave," Ena reasoned. "If you prefer to use the guest room, I don't mind. Whatever makes you comfortable. But you're not in the right mind to leave my sight." She added, softer, tender, "I know you wouldn't hurt me. I don't know what's going on with you, but I at least know that. So please take some comfort in that and stay here."

Blues shimmered. Mistress… He bowed his head. How does she always know the right things to say to me? "I'll…stay."

"Very good." Ena bent to kiss his hair. "Do you want to stay with me?"

His lips parted only to press together. I shouldn't want to. I made her afraid of me. I should sleep somewhere else so she isn't afraid again. Against his thoughts, he whispered, "Yes."

"Do you want me to hold you?"

That made Silver's eyes water all over again. "Mm-hmm."

"Okay. Can you wait for me for a moment?"

Silver nodded again.

Ena drew back and pivoted to her dresser to set down the cake box. She returned for Silver and offered both her hands. Wordlessly, he took them after a brief hesitation, but he needed no help getting to his feet. Ena was quiet with her touches so gentle and undeserving when she took off his shirt. It was nothing intimate. But on a different day, he would feel touched she remembered he hated wearing a shirt to bed when it made his skin crawl. But today, it made him feel worse. She was being considered.

He made her afraid.

Getting on her eye mask, she climbed into bed before him with her Magic doing the work to turn off the lights. The moon was the only one interested in watching them now. She would judge them.

Silver fell into bed and crawled into Ena's arms, feeling less than, feeling disgusted, feeling unworthy. How ironic the source of his grief was the relief from it? Her scent antagonized him and soothed him. Her touch made him burn and cooled him. She was his contradiction.

She was his first.

"I'm sorry," Silver whispered.

Ena threaded a hand through his hair. "Go to sleep, Silver. You're stressed. We can talk more in the morning." She adjusted her eye mask as her heart beat a tempo allegretto. How could he tell what I was feeling? What's been going on with him? I hope he can tell me when he feels ready. I want to help him too.

A lungful of ocean and rain filled her nose and made her drowsy on command. A noise buzzed into her ear—a purr. The vibration soothed her rattled heart and made her feel prisoner to sleep.

What…is that? she sleepily wondered. I've heard it before… It's…nice… She wanted to ask Silver if he knew, but all she got was, "Sil..ver…"

She was out and succumbing to the tidal waves of sleep.

And that purr became constant in her dreams.

---

The Dragneel Residence was down to its final two members and that was a-okay. Luna was used to an empty house, but it was nice to have Luke with her. Icarus took up the large doggy bed he, Actaeon, and Lelantos normally liked to share in the living. He was a well-fed dog with all his bacon for dinner. Luna and Luke decided homemade macaroni and cheese and an old classic movie were the way to go to spend their evening.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Dragneel Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

10:46 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"How could you not tell me?"

Luke rolled his eyes as he swallowed his mouthful of mac and cheese. "Because it was meant to be a surprise," he said for the third time. "That's why I took you shopping today. Mom finished packing for you before she and Dad left for their trip."

"I can't believe I didn't know, but now I'm so excited I do!"

"Well try to act surprised tomorrow, okay?" Luke pleaded. "Bambi was really looking forward to surprising you about this." As he played with his bowl, he admitted to her, "She was stressing a lot you wouldn't want to go to Caelum. We know you've been okay going out of Magnolia now, but another country… I mean, given everything…"

Luna looked down at her bowl. "I feel safe with E and Silver. And…I don't want to live like this. Like I'm afraid all of the time."

"It's okay to take things easy," Luke soothed. "There's no need to rush things, Lu. I know…" He sighed and scooped up more macaroni and cheese. "I know you went through things no one should in Alvarez. And you did it all for Nashi and for me." Guilt festered onto his face. "You didn't deserve that. You didn't deserve any of that."

Luna frowned. "We talked about this. It's okay. I had to protect you—"

"Not like—!" Luke withheld his anger for the circumstances and let out a long exhale. "I know we talked about it. I know. I just…" He looked over at her. "You're still my little sister, Lu. You shouldn't have to protect us like that. If Igneel had been there—"

"And we promised Igneel will never know," Luna firmly reminded.

"I know," Luke muttered.

"Good." Luna forked some more mac and cheese in and spoke after swallowing, "Then that's that and we don't have to talk about it. We should talk about what I should do to help E and Silver get closer."

Luke snorted. "You're going to play matchmaker now?"

"Yes!" Luna looked affronted in Luke's non-belief in her. "I could be a great one! And they need my help."

Luke popped an eyebrow, grinning. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yes, they do," Luna sniffed. "I'm going to make sure I'm not the third wheel so they can have quality time together." And I'll also capture it on my camera so I can get in some photography. It's a win-win.

Luke was about to take another spoonful of mac and cheese, but Luna's suspicious look flashed onto him made him pause. "Yes…?"

"And you're sure you don't like E?" Luna wanted to make sure. "I mean she's pretty amazing."

Luke chuckled. "Yeah, Bambi's beautiful and smart. But that's as far as that goes." And I remember how Silver looked when he thought I might like her. In his mind, he was looking down at a yapping puppy trying hard to be tough. I wish him luck with that. He shrugged. "Honestly, Igneel was the only one who got weird around her. Granted, he got pissy with practically everyone who wasn't you and Mary Jane, but he could always sense where Bambi was and it got him angry."

That made Luna bewildered. "He could sense her?" She chewed on that. I feel like E said something about that to me before, but I thought she was just annoyed with Igneel. "Did they fight or something and we never saw it?"

"From what Igneel said, they never did." Luke chewed on his mac and cheese and washed it down with his drink. "I don't know. They were always at each other's throats. It was weird." He scanned his memories for all the incidents involving Ena and Igneel. I couldn't get a straight answer from Igneel why Ena bothered him. It's still weird to me. "Anyway, you better not try your matchmaking skills on me."

"I won't."

She said that so firmly! Luke adjusted his glasses, offended. "Well I'm glad we're on the same page."

Luna giggled seeing him put out. "No, it's not like that," she insisted. "I just get the feeling you don't need any of that, y'know? Considering you have a Bond and everything." Her laughter faded seeing Luke's flinch and grimace. "I guess you haven't really thought about that, huh?"

"I'd…rather not," Luke admitted, shifting. "I haven't told Mom and Dad about that part."

Luna's eyes widened. "You haven't told them?"

"Well…" Luke shuffled around the contents of his bowl. "I'm sure I will…eventually… It's not like it matters that much. Whoever did that to me should be long gone by now, so why worry about it? I'm free to live my life how I want to. Shouldn't I be happier about that than stressing over the person who did this to me?"

Luna mentioned, "But…what if they come back for you?"

Luke stiffened before he roughly gulped. "They… They wouldn't." Uncertainty edged his words. "I mean it's been months. They could've come for me any day now. They probably ran off. And even if they come back, it's not like I'd welcome them with open arms. I-I didn't…ask for this. I didn't want this. I don't want this. They don't have the right to ask me for anything. I could…" He tightened his grip on his spoon. "I could fight them."

It was not that Luna disapproved; it was the worry when Luke's hand shook. "Are you sure?"

"What choice do I have?" Luke threw back at her.

"Well…" Luna brought her bowl to her lap. "You could talk to them."

Luke gave a harsh laugh. "About what? They already did this to me. What's there to talk about now?"

"I don't know," Luna confessed. "But it's up to you how you want to handle it. I'll support your decision. If you don't want to talk to them—"

"I don't." Luke made sure no one would challenge that.

"Then you don't," Luna affirmed. "But… Maybe you should tell Mama and Papa? Just so that way they know to be suspicious if someone comes looking for you and everything. And I can be there if you want to tell them."

Luke's gaze lowered to his half-finished bowl. I know I should tell them. It's not that I don't think they won't believe me. I'm just afraid of what they'll do. His lips twitched into a grin and he joshed, "Look at you being the 'Smart Dragneel'."

Luna would not fall for that. "Luke…"

"I know." Luke's grin faded for a more melancholic rendition. "I'll tell them soon. I promise."

"Thank you."

Luke went back to eating his mac and cheese. Luna would have joined him if her Compact did not start vibrating. She took one look at the contact before huffing and shoving more food into her mouth.

Luke peeked at her Compact. "You're not going to answer Gale's call?"

"No." Luna hefted in more mac and cheese.

Luke waited for her to explain, but when she did not, he prompted, "And…why aren't you?" A sharpness intensified his features. "Did he hurt you again?"

"No!" Luna almost choked on her food and hurriedly swallowed it. "No, no, he didn't do that."

But Luke retained suspicion. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Luke's wariness rubbed Luna the wrong way. She caught Gale left a voicemail on her Compact, but she decidedly ignored it. "I would've said something if he did. He was being mean to Silver. That's why I'm not talking to him." And she went for more of her mac and cheese in the hopes that was the end of it.

Five beats.

Luke asked quietly, "Would you really have said something if he hurt you, Lu?"

Luna's furious chewing slowed and slowed until she finished her mouthful.

Luke could see he touched a sensitive spot and placated, "It's fine. I know Gale didn't hurt you. I understand why you're ignoring him. But you know if someone does hurt you, you can tell me about it."

"Yeah." Luna gripped her bowl. "I know."

Luke wished to say more, but all he said for now would have to suffice. "All right. As long as you know."

Their attention drew back to the vibrating Compact.

Luke snickered when Luna rolled her eyes. "You should probably get that before he tries to sneak over and corner you into talking to him."

"I thought you two weren't friends!" Luna complained. "I thought you'd be on my side!"

Luke raised a hand of surrender. "And I am," he soothed. "But I also know if he doesn't know he upset you by being mean to Silver, he's not going to stop until he knows why you've been ignoring him. And you'll keep complaining about him calling. So put on your big girl pants and talk to him."

Luna growled, but she made an unceremonious grab for her Compact. "I hate you."

"In little sister to big brother, that means, 'Oh Luke, you're so right! I love you and you're my favorite sibling and I worship you, but not in a gross way'—!"

SMACK!

Luke barked a laugh when Luna hit his shoulder. "You hit like a girl!" He kept laughing when Luna kept dishing her flimsy hits.

"I am a girl, you jerk!" Luna half-growled and half-laughed. She answered the Compact with a giggle. "Yeah?"

"You are one hard princess to get a hold of, Blondie."

Luna flipped Luke off who pretended to take her middle finger as a gift and treasure it. Rolling her eyes, she snipped to Gale, "Maybe because I didn't want to talk to you."

Gale whistled. "Damn, Blondie-girl. What did I do to deserve that?"

"You—!"

"Don't tell him, Lulu!" Luna could see Chibi-Silver's adorable pleading look. "You promised me, remember? You promised!"

Luna forced away the words she wanted to spit and sighed. "Nothing. I guess." Laying back on the couch, she told him, "Sorry for ignoring you. I have a lot on my mind."

"It's cool," Gale dismissed with shifting in the background. He teased her, "Any way I could take your mind off things?"

Luke's mutter floated over. "Not on his life."

Luna snorted. "Luke says, 'no'."

"Shit, why did you answer my call close to him?" Gale groaned. "Now I actually have to watch what I say or I'll wake up in a casket."

Luke called, "You should be watching what you say regardless. I hope you're not using any vulgarity around Lu."

"I'm bilingual in uptight gentleman and dirty talk, Your Highness," Gale called back, sardonic. "Let's not forget Eleven Shot Lukas."

Luke's red face made Luna intrigued. "What does he mean? Who's 'Eleven Shot'—?"

"No one!" Luke blurted, springing up from the couch. "He's no one. No one. He doesn't even exist. He's absolutely no one." Before Luna could ask anything else, he chirped, high-pitched, "I'm going to eat this in my room. Night." And he hurried out of the living room.

Gale's grin came through as he asked, "Did he ditch you?"

"Yeah." Luna sank into the knitted blanket Silver made her long ago. "But who is 'Eleven Shot Lukas'?"

"My leverage," Gale said, cryptic. "Enough about him." More shifting and adjusting. "How was your day?"

Luna forked some mac and cheese before answering, voice muffled, "Good." She swallowed and beamed. "E is taking me with her on her business trip to Caelum. It was supposed to be a surprise, but Silver was no match for me."

Gale chortled. "You've got some fucking dangerous eyes there, Blondie-girl. Of course he was a sucker." A beat. "Will you be okay out there in Caelum?"

The gentility in Gale's question made Luna smile. "I'll be fine. I'll be with E and Silver and Icarus. And I don't want to keep being afraid. I want to do this."

"M'kay." Gale was moving elsewhere. "Stay close to them. I know you'll have your Com on you, but keep your Call Cards on you too, just in case your Com dies. And you call me if you need to, all right? I'll come runnin'."

Luna shook her head in amusement. "Yes, Papa."

"Didn't know you were into that, Blondie," he cackled.

But Luna did not see what was funny or what "that" meant. "What do you mean?"

Three beats. "You're so innocent sometimes," Gale lamented.

Her brow furrowed. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing," Gale waved off. "So." Mischief licked his tone. "Can I come over?"

Luna grinned. "Nope."

"Aw, c'mon, Blondie, ya gotta give me somethin'," Gale needled. "I'm all showered and squeaky clean and my ego's hurt from Lady J kicking my ass today. And need I remind you, I have my flight tomorrow. I need a good dose of Blondie before I leave or I can't function. You're like my coffee but sweeter and way more delicious."

She snorted at that. "Ha-ha. Nice try."

"Had to chance it. So…? Is that a 'yes'?"

Luna pretended to think about it, humming. "I don't know…"

Gale loudly sighed. "I'll even throw in we could watch stupid Magia."

Luna sat up. "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series or you can't come over."

"What the fuck sort of title is that?" Gale complained. "C'mon, Blondie-girl, have a little mercy on me."

"Oh, I think Cane is free tonight—" She hid her giggle when Gale snarled, and she taunted, singsong, "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Gale. My baby and I wanted to do a rewatch, but we couldn't, so you get the honor."

"Ugh. He gets 'baby' and I get an innocent 'Papa'? Gotta say you do some wonders for my ego, Blondie. Makin' me damn jealous of Little Fullbuster."

"Time's ticking, Gale…"

"Okay, okay, we can watch your… What the Hell is it called? No, never mind, I don't want to know, it sounds stupid and dramatic. I'm just going to bitch about it the entire time."

"Yeah, yeah." Luna hollered, "Luke…! Gale's coming over!"

Luke called back, "I knew it!"

"I hate you!"

"Gesundheit! Keep the door open!"

Luna told gale, "Luke said it's okay."

"Well thank the gods Geek Charming gave me his blessing," Gale said dryly. "I'll leave in five then and I'll even be nice and bring you a shirt. Want to know what it's made of?"

"No, not again—"

"Cotton. Want to know what I'm made of?"

"Gale—"

"Boyfriend material."

Luna groaned. The joke was too corny for her to laugh. "Bye, Gale." She ended the call to his snickers. He's such a dummy sometimes. A text dropped down from Mary Jane that made her curious.

« Hey, do you have a minute? I tried leaving you a voicemail, but it said your mailbox is full »

« I mean if you're busy, it's okay »

« Sorry, never mind. If you're free and can talk, just let me know »

Luna quickly texted back:

« No, no, you're fine! Give me a minute and I'll call you »

She frowned. My mailbox is actually full? The mounting voicemails in her inbox caught her eyes, and her expression flattened seeing how many were from Gale throughout her time with Silver. Well Silver was right. No wonder it's full. She wiped to delete her voicemails. I should've done this from the start.

Her thumb stopped.

Luna saw the date of the voicemail Gale left her. This is it. This is the one Gale left me when we had that fight. This is the one Silver said is bad…

"You and Gale were…both emotional," she recalled Silver saying. "And because of that, the voicemail Gale left you… He wasn't in his right mind at all about it. It's…bad. I know Gale is trying to change, but… This shows him before all that. It shows when he was trying to hurt you."

Luna stared at the voicemail as uncertainties toyed with her and unraveled her nerves. Is it really that bad? I made him angry back then. Chocolates saddened. I really made him mad.

Gray's words came to mind. "It can be easy to not forget when it comes to people we love letting us down. But sometimes, for people like you, Luna, and Juvia, it can be easier to forget when it comes to people we love."

Is that what I've been doing? Luna wondered. She heard Icarus get up from his dog bed and pad over to her. Have I…been forgetting, Icarus?

Icarus put his muzzle into her lap. You have a kind heart, pup. But kindness can be taken advantage of, even by the ones we loved.

That made Luna's stomach twist. But…I made him angry at me.

Oh, my little cub, Icarus sighed with an external low whine. Being angry does not excuse cruelty.

He wasn't being cruel, Luna insisted. He was just…upset.

Like at the Snow Ball?

Those rage-filled rubies came back to Luna, and she gulped down her trickle of fear. He really was upset, she reasoned weakly. I should've explained things to him sooner. It wasn't his fault then.

Icarus sat down, disappointment and resignation clear on his face. If…you say so, Pup.

Luna fought down the urge to rub her arm. Things are better now. She had meant to convince Icarus, but it felt like her words were for herself. And he's changed. It's fine. She swiped and hit ⟪ Delete ⟫ before scrolling down to ⟪ Deleted Messages ⟫.

The ⟪ Clear All ⟫ button mocked her.

Luna hesitated before pressing it and the pop-up was the final question.

— • — • — • —

Permanently clear deleted voicemails?

⟪ Clear All ⟫

⟪ Cancel ⟫

— • — • — • —

Luna closed her eyes before they opened. Her thumb hovered—

—and she pressed.

---

— • — • — • —

Ah-ah-ah-ah-akkanbe—

Yodonda sekai to te wo tsunagu no sa

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

•

Ah-ah-ah-ah-akkanbe—

kibanda sekai ni mo itte agerusa

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

•

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

— • — • — • —

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Meg McMannin – Shara Kirby

Carson Moretti – Jean-Luc Hester

Nora Gosling II – Brad Swaile

Richard Caine – Tom Hollander

Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal

Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh

Aine Fernandes – Carrie Kernanen

Mystogan Fernandes –

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Nice Geonard – Tia Ballard

Noah Nakamura –

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Gray Fullbuster – Newton Pittman

Gajeel Redfox – David Wald

Icarus – Christopher Sabot

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ Star Train ⟫

Hi-Fi CAMP

Lyrics by

Hi-Fi CAMP⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG 1

⟪ You Belong With Me ⟫

Taylor Swift

Lyrics by

Taylor Swift⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG 2

⟪ Boyfriend ⟫

Big Time Rush

Lyrics by

Big Time Rush⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Champon ⟫

hockrockb

Lyrics by

堀胃あげは⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 123

•

THE FLOATING CITY

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

TO BE CONTINUED…

---

Chibi-Luna waves her hand. "Good day, class!"

"Good day, Teacher!" her students greet. "What's our Fairy Lesson for the day?"

Chibi-Luna wriggles down her map of Ishgar to point. "Today's Fairy Lesson is about Caelum!" She huffs as she yanks down her map of the country. "Caelum is an island off our southwestern border and is very important with its sea trade to Fiore and Minstrel but not only that!"

Chibi-Luna rolls down her screen and hurries to turn on the projector to show a quick video clip of a few young adults surfing on clouds as they raced upwards to a floating city. "Caelum runs primary on airpower," she informs.

"Legend says, long ago, Caelum's Indigenous people were constantly overrun with warring conquerors, Demons, and other creatures because of Caelum's natural beauty and abundance of resources. The people prayed to their gods, but the gods did not listen to the prayers. But a Spirit of Sky and Wind took pity on the people of Caelum. And so, it gifted those of Caelum the ability to control the sky, the wind, and the clouds and keep their cities too high for their enemies."

"Wow!" the students gasp. "That's so nice!"

Chibi-Luna enthusiastically nods. "Exactly! Not every person from Caelum is a Sky or Wind or Cloud Wizard, though, but the country has created transportation that revolves solely on using the element of air. Sky Boats, Sky Trains, and airships alike were actually created in Caelum!"

A hand goes up and a student questions, "What's the Sky Arena, Teacher?"

"Good question!" Chibi-Luna changes the slide to show half of a gladiator stadium that converged into a professional stage setup. "The Sky Arena used to be a battle arena for Wizards way back when. But it was turned into a stadium where many big artists perform! Because it's so highly elevated, they use Atmosphere Lacrima to help maintain oxygen levels. And Young Nation will be performing there!"

Chibi-Luna gives a sheepish smile. "We hope you enjoyed today's Fairy Adventure! Looks like I still have a lot to learn when it comes to forgiveness. Silver, Gale, and Julia's dynamic will be addressed in a short arc, so please don't worry! And we're excited to share with you Luke's side story about how he spent his spring holiday with a little advice from Natsu!"

PINPON!

"That's the bell!" Chibi-Luna winks. "See you next episode!"