It's Monday! It seems like you guys liked last week's angst-fest. Thanks to everyone who chimed in!
It's been a while, but do you guys remember why all of this started (other than because I was craving some fairy tale goodness and saw some Gruvia fanart)? For those who don't, Gray only met Juvia because (first, Juvia's Sea People friends sank Gray's ship...let's start with that) Lyon had Gray grounded to teach him a lesson for destroying another ship. Basically no more voyages for him and his crew until they could buy themselves another ship, which was looking almost impossible (much to Natsu's disappointment and Jellal and Erza's amusement).
guest: Hey, I hope you had an awesome birthday! Thanks for dropping in!
guest: The wait is over, I'm posting today, lol! :) Of course, this one's even shorter, but I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks!
darling spider: I agree. ;) I'm super-glad you like my Natsu. He's a hard one for me to write (he's so different from me, so I have a hard time identifying with him). Thanks again!
- K. Chandler
Knightwalker and her men were on the verge of a breakthrough. The man who sold the poison had been cooperative. He had readily provided the names of people who had bought that particular tincture, one of which worked in the castle.
Though it wasn't a sure thing, Gray was hopeful that Knightwalker and her crew could unravel the rest of the web before the wedding, which was only two days away.
But then he ran into Cana and Natsu on his way out of the castle.
Gray knew that he was in for trouble the moment Natsu started grinning. He had been feeling lousy enough with whatever nonsense his friends thought were a good idea. Still, he had no choice but to play along.
"We've got a surprise for you," said Cana.
"Honestly, I'm a little bit afraid," said Gray, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Don't be such a wimp, man!" said Natsu.
"Cover his eyes, Natsu," commanded Cana.
Natsu pulled off the plaid scarf he wore at his waist as a belt.
"What? No!" said Gray, struggling as Natsu wound the scarf around his head. "This is just weird, guys."
"Quit complaining. It'll be worth it when you see it," insisted Cana's voice. She sounded muffled and distant.
Blindly, Gray let Natsu steer him. He could hear the din of the crowd, making him guess they were headed through town.
He wondered where they were going.
The sound of bustling townspeople tapered into another sound, one that he'd know anywhere. Gray could hear the splash of water against wooden hulls and the rattle of chains against fluttering canvas sails.
The docks. But why were they going to the docks?
"Watch the—"
"Ow! Natsu!"
"—step. Sorry…" laughed Natsu's voice. He sounded entirely unapologetic.
"I'll make you sorry," snarled Gray, jerking against Natsu's grip.
"Don't rough him up too bad," said Cana. "We can't have the groom all beat up on his wedding day," she crooned. "And… to commemorate your fairy tale wedding, we present you with…"
As Natsu uncovered Gray's eyes, he could see a familiar looking vessel docked in the harbor.
Gray's breath hitched.
"No way. It's…the Fairy Tail," mumbled Gray, his voice thick with emotion. He could hardly believe it.
After being forced to sink his beloved ship to cover their escape that night, he thought that nothing would be the same again. There would never be another ship quite like her. But with his own emblem blazoned proudly on the topsail, there could be no mistake.
"Congratulations," said Cana with a grin. "Captain," she added.
"She's really mine?" whispered Gray.
"As soon as the paint dries," said Cana.
"It's actually the Fairy Tail II," said Natsu proudly. He moved to point at the name engraved on the stern.
Gray shook his head in disbelief. "You had them misspell the name again and everything."
"We had to. She's an exact replica of the first. Except better," said Cana.
"Better?" choked Gray. He couldn't imagine anything being better than having his ship back.
"There's bar in the galley," said Cana, pretending to whisper. "You're welcome."
"And upgraded cannons: they're twenty-four pounders for an extra punch!" said Natsu, ramming his fist into his palm gleefully.
"Don't forget about the couple's ensuite for you and the new Missus," teased Cana. "This is where we're having the wedding, by the way. It seemed more appropriate to have the ceremony at sea, especially for you. It severely limits the number of ritzy wedding guests your new father-in-law can invite, but I didn't think you'd mind that."
Gray was still shaking his head in disbelief. "But… how? A ship like that's gotta cost an arm and a leg!"
"Well, me and Cana rounded up the rest of the crew," explained Natsu. "And everyone's been pretty fed up with being anchored. So, we all chipped in for it."
"Thank you," said Gray, blinking away tears that made his eyes sting.
"Aw, look at you, all choked up!" crowed Natsu.
"Shut up, Natsu," snarled Gray half-heartedly.
"You're forgetting the most important part of the story, Natsu," said Cana.
"Oh, yeah. So it was totally Cana's idea."
"No, not that!" she said. "The part about Prince Lyon."
Gray stiffened. "Lyon? What does he have to do with this?" asked Gray.
"He kind of paid for most of it," Cana pointed out. "Including the expedite fee to get her turned around so quickly. We would never have been able to pull this off if it wasn't for him."
Gray blinked, trying to process the unexpected news.
"That guy," sighed Gray. "He pisses me off like nobody's business. Then he goes and pulls something like this!"
"You are an easy target," said Natsu cheekily.
"I'll have to be sure to thank him later," said Gray. He looked back out at the Fairy Tail II, in all her glory, his eye lingering on the topsail.
Was this Lyon's idea of a wedding present? Or some gesture of apology? Gray couldn't be sure.
Gray, Natsu and Cana BroTP FTW!
Who thinks the Fairy Tail II is more of an apology from Lyon for being partly to blame for Gray's not-so-voluntary wedding arrangements? That's exactly the sort of sneaky thing I can picture him doing.
So, the wedding scene totally has to take place on a ship. That was not optional. So, here's a ship.
Next time, in Silence, we finally get another Nalu moment: Natsu lifted Lucy's chin, so he could look directly into her teary eyes. "Look, I might not be royalty or whatever, but I promise: I will protect you."
Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.
