Title: Fifth Time's The Charm (5/5: Confession)
Author: Noble Voyager
Rating/Warnings: T
Characters: Erza Scarlet, Mirajane Strauss, Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster
Setting: Sometime after Episode 50
Summary: They say, "two time's the charm". But who says you can't have it five times?
Disclaimer: This story is based on the anime/manga created and owned by Hiro Mashima. I do not own Fairy Tail. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Here it is. The last chapter is finally up. I never thought I could go back to this story. Just like what I said back in the author's note in chapter 1, this was just the same story as that of "Blush/Unsettling Realization" (that is, if you've read it already). However, I actually changed the ending because the first ending was... blehhh... I couldn't find the words to express how awful and rushed it was. It's better if you don't know the first ending. Anyway, I hope you like this story... the story that I made 3 years ago and just by looking back at it, I could just laugh at myself right now for having such a childish attitude back then. Blame my childish attitude for morphing this story into fruition. After this, I will probably go back to posting more serious stories, since that's what I am really good at, anyway. But then again, that doesn't mean I will stop writing romance. I would also appreciate it very much if you take the time to review and share your thoughts on the story. Be as brutally honest as you can. XD
"Hey, Mira! Have you seen Gray?" the scarlet-haired armor mage asked in curiosity as she sat down by the counter.
Mirajane shook her head. It is quite unusual for Gray to show no signs of his appearance, especially in a time like this. The sun is about to set and he hadn't shown himself since morning. "Why do you ask, Erza?"
Erza shrugged as if to say, "Nothing in particular." Mirajane handed her a strawberry cake – the cake that she loved so much to point that it makes her want even more. By the look in Erza's eyes, Mirajane could totally see that there is something up. A momentary silence filled the air.
"You know what, Erza," Mirajane finally broke the silence, "you can tell me."
"Tell you what?" Erza raised her eyebrow as she took a bite from her strawberry cake, savoring its luscious and delectable taste as the sharp tang explodes inside her mouth. She's distracted, no doubt about it.
"Why do you want to see Gray?" Mirajane asked with a serious look on her face. "You have been looking for him a lot lately."
Erza's eyes grew agape. She never expected to hear that from anybody. But it was true. She has wanted to see him lately. And so, she put down her plate and said, "I just want to know how he was doing." There has to be some reason why she wanted to see how he was doing.
Mirajane was sure that there is a reason behind that answer. Erza is not someone who would be that concerned for Gray. "I heard he's been hanging out with Lucy lately."
"Oh, I see. It looks like he took my advice, after all", Erza muttered and she could not believe that she said that.
"What was that?"
"N-nothing..." Erza placed her hands on her mouth, covering it so that hopefully, she would not blurt out something like that again.
Mirajane did not say anything for a moment. But she knew well that Erza is hiding something. "You know what, Erza? You were never really a good hider... or liar." She gave out a slight smirk.
"Okay, I admit. I'm not a good hider and liar," Erza said firmly. "But it wouldn't hurt if I tell someone else... right, Gray?" She muttered under her breath.
"Wow... I never knew that the Titania would be one of Gray's confidants. It's the first time I've heard about this, Erza. The first time you joined the guild, you were as mysterious as Mystogan, but because of Gray, you began to open up to others more. I can see how much he has done for you. You're trying to do the same, right?" Mirajane smiled.
Erza regained her breath as she felt calm by that radiant smile of Mirajane. "How did you come up with that kind of conclusion all of a sudden? But it's true, though. I'm trying to help him in some way after all he has done for me... even though he's such a pain in the neck sometimes. It looks like he's struggling with his love life lately." Erza gave out a slight giggle.
"Well, he's growing up. What can you expect?" Mirajane returned a smile.
...
Meanwhile, Lucy is walking in the streets, wearing once again the dress she wore when Natsu "asked her out". Her hair was tied up in a rather messy and beautiful bun with loose strands of hair dangling in front of her ears. She looked elegant overall. However, she does not even know why she was doing this. Probably, Gray just asked her if she would help him dig out something again. But for some reason, Gray is not someone like Natsu despite his reckless nature. As she walked along, she saw a figure of a man standing by the Cherry Blossom tree. That is one of her favorite sights. And as she stepped closer, she saw Gray, wearing thick clothes. How unlike him.
Gray finally stepped out from the darkness and showed himself. "It's about time you got here." He said firmly.
"Yeah, yeah... whatever... Do you have any shovel with you? 'Cause I won't even mind digging out something this dress." Lucy said with a joking yet serious look on her face. And with that, Gray just gave her back a chuckle.
"What?" Lucy furrowed her eyebrows.
"You're better than I thought you'd be, Lucy," Gray smiled.
"What does that suppose to mean?" Lucy is starting to look irritated. There was a momentary silence. Then Lucy finally broke this awkward moment and said, "Why did you invite me to come here and meet you, anyway?"
"I just want to take you for a walk and you know, get to know each other better." After that statement, Lucy's eyes grew agape. This was so unlike Gray. Why is he merely taking her out just to know her better? There is something up.
They finally made their way as they let the night pass by. They did not give each other a single glance. The silence even grew more awkward. It was dark and quiet night. The stirring of the wind left Lucy quivering. The cold sensation made her legs shake and her whole body to shiver. She knew she should have worn thicker clothes.
Gray noticed that sensation Lucy is having so he took off his jacket and placed it around her. "Here you go."
"No, Gray, it's..."
"I don't mind. You're feeling really cold there. Besides, I can even stand the cold, so it's okay." Gray said delightfully as he interrupted Lucy's last sentence.
"Then why did you even put on so many clothes in the first place?" Lucy smirked as she gave a playful punch on Gray's arm.
"You got a point there." Then the two of them laughed. They realized how fun it is being with each other. As they let the night pass by, they talked about each other: their interests, their favorites. As a matter of fact, they would even tease each other. They realized they have a lot in common.
After several minutes, Lucy finally reached her home. This night was different, she thought. It was a good thing that it didn't end up just like the night she had with Natsu. After talking to Gray, she realized that there was still something she has to tell him.
"This night was fun. Thanks a lot, Gray," Lucy said as she brought him back his jacket. But before she was able to enter her apartment, she heard Gray calling out her name. "What is it?" Lucy asked.
"I just wanted to tell you..." But before Gray could finish his sentence, the moonlight shone at that beautiful face of Lucy. He was distracted. She looked elegant.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that?" Lucy asked as she felt her heartbeat rising.
"Err... nothing... it's just that... you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," Gray said as he gazed at that elegant appearance of Lucy. The blonde-haired stellar mage could feel her face turning bright red. For some reason, this was something like that fantasy she had earlier in the afternoon. But this was different. She could feel fireworks inside. That was it. She felt it – the electricity that makes you fall for someone you'd never expect to fall for. There was once again a momentary silence. But Gray finally said, "You better go home, now. I don't want anyone else to see those gorgeous eyes of yours."
"Gray, wait!" Lucy shouted, feeling her face turn a brighter shade of red. "I... I... just want to ask... who is this person you are in love with. It's because I've been hearing rumors and you know... I'm curious..." Lucy stuttered.
Gray's eyes grew wider. He didn't expect that she would hear about it, too. But after he opened up to Lucy more, he felt that she is a trustworthy person. So, he came closer to Lucy and looked intensely at those beautiful amber eyes. "Lucy..."
By just hearing him say her name, Lucy could feel her heart beating rapidly, her whole body shivering and her face turning redder than ever. She was nervous. Then Gray said, "You have been a really good friend, Lucy. You were always there for your comrades no matter what. You never give up. And I just want you to know that I..." Gray stopped, as if he were trying to think of a lie that would deceive her into thinking that the rumor was just a fake all along.
"I have always thought that you look good in a spaghetti dress," Gray said as he finally felt a sheer amount of relief.
Lucy just stood there, dumbfounded, "T-that's all you have to say?" There was an unfathomable look in Lucy's face that even Gray couldn't fully decipher.
"Well, yeah... That rumor about me being in love with someone was just a hoax."
"Fine, then leave now!" Tears were slowly starting to well up in Lucy's eyes. She pushed Gray away from her. "I'll... see you tomorrow..." she said in a rather annoyed manner. And thus, she slowly entered her apartment, pondering over the five times Gray made Lucy blush. "The next time you ask out a girl, be sure it's the one you like..." Lucy muttered under her breath.
Before she could even open the door, something grabbed her right arm, as if it were stopping her from meeting the luxury and comfort her home has to offer. It felt cold, and as she looked back to see what it was, she noticed Gray's face moving closer to hers so as to meet each other eye-to-eye. Gray cupped her chin and slowly placed his lips upon hers. It was only then did she realize the truth behind Gray's futile attempt to hide what he truly felt.
After several minutes, the two finally broke apart and looked each other in the eye. Gray finally cleared his throat and the words finally came out of his mouth, "I love you, Lucy."
Was this just a dream? Was she fantasizing again without being aware of it? No. This seemed so real. She never thought that it would turn into reality. "You're kidding me, aren't you?" Lucy prompted inquisitively.
"Do you want me to kiss you again, so that you can tell whether it's real or not?" Gray smiled.
"I think I might just like that." And so, their lips met once again, and they didn't want to break apart.
Gray whispered in her ear, "Want to go out with me again?" Lucy placed her lips upon his again, indicating her approval.
Who would've thought that there was such a statement as "two time's the charm" when you could have it five times?
February 2011: Noble Voyager (Edited and Revised on April 2013)