Ch. 26 — Happy Valentine's Day!

Day: 26

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail!

Genre: Romance

Summary: Bickslow always feels a bit lonely on Valentines' Day… but maybe this year will be the exception?

Bickslow was perched on the huge branch of the oak tree that overlooked the guild hall, his arm wrapped around the trunk for support. The smile on his face as he watched his fellow mages give and receive love was like a mask; it hid the pain that ached inside the hollow of his chest. He always felt like an outsider on this day, even now when the rest of the Raijinshuu had joined in the festivities. Mira and Laxus exchanged roses as red as blushes took over their faces, Evergreen and Elfman sat next to one another in front of the bar, pointedly looking in opposite directions but secretly enjoying their closeness. Even Freed was talking to Laki, his red cheeks a striking contrast to his long green hair.

The armored mage sighed.

"Hey, what you doing up here?" A voice from above asked. Bickslow looked up, and had to wrap another arm around the trunk of the tree to prevent falling of his his surprise.

He was looking directly up the skirt of Lissana Strauss.

Quickly, he whipped his head down so his eyes were fixed on his feet. "Please get down here." Bickslow said in a strained voice, not even bothering to add his usual 'baby,' to the end of the sentence. For some reason, he never felt the need when around her. The white-haired teen looked puzzled for a moment. Then, her cheeks flushed darkly, and she hastily jumped down to the branch where Bickslow stood. Slowly, he looked up and met Lissana's eyes. They were a bit lighter than that of his siblings', he realized. Not the color of a stormy ocean, promising danger, but of the sky on a clear day.

He was yanked out of his thoughts as Lisanna coughed into her hand. His eyes focused.

"You spaced out there, for a second." She explained. Bickslow nodded slowly, and Lissana's brow crinkled in thought. "Don't you usually have those tiki dolls with you?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, but I usually leave them at home today."

"Today?" She began to ask, but quickly registered the answer to her own question. "Oh, Valentine's Day." Lisanna looked down at the other guild members wistfully. "I don't really feel like I have a right to participate this year. I've missed so much of their lives." Her gaze drifted together to Lucy and Natsu, laughing together as they lay on the grass.

Bickslow's arm wrapped around Lissana's shoulders of it's own accord. She stiffened for a moment, but her muscles soon relaxed. He could feel every breath she released; they pulsed through his body with a suprisingly soothing effect.

As they watched the mages below from the peace of the treetops, Bickslow was struck with realization. The emptiness in his stomach was filled with a glowing warmth, his pain replaced with a peculiar feeling of happiness. Maybe, he thought as Lisanna let her head fall to rest on his shoulder, this Valentine's Day wouldn't be so bad after all.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Y'ALL! Sorry for the small update, but I've recently been pulled down into the depths of the fandom known as Homestuck. I'm already on Act 5… haha…

Bickslow: Wat. Have you done.

Laxus/Freed/Evergreen: Hahahahahahha!

Bickslow: Don't forget that you're all mentioned too…

Laxus/Freed/Evergreen: *shut up*

I am very proud of this X3.

Opinion (Special Edition: Ask The Raijinshuu):

Soooo, Laxus… what do think about Mira?

Laxus: *electrocutes* No. I refuse.

Review Replies:

Alyss Hatter: Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! It seems that I only get positive comments on this (though I'm not sure if that's a good thing — one does need feedback so they can improve). I was honestly a bit horrified that there was no Gruvia youtube tribute with that song, but I suck at making videos, so I just wrote this. X3

crazyangelgirl21: I'm cool! *puts on Dave Strider's sunglasses*