Official


"I've never known Lucy to be late greeting anyone at the shop," Erza's concern broke the silence. Her gaze was directed to the man at her side briefly.

"Agreed." Jellal paused while letting his gaze roam the storefront, "I wouldn't worry too much though, this happened last time I dropped by." At Erza's confused look, Jellal found himself laughing. "You wouldn't guess who kept her so late."

"Who?" the excited gleam made the blue-haired mage want to tease her a little bit. Prolong the anticipation. Too bad he never got the chance, as their topic of discussion skidded around the corner and almost collided with them.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" Lucy panted while pushing tousled hair from her face, "I lost track of time." Erza shot an amused glance Jellal's way at Lucy's embarrassed smile and the slight pink tinge to her cheeks. "Let's get inside so I can give you those crystals you ordered."

"Aye Luce!" Natsu's voice had both Erza and Jellal turning to watch the pinket strolling in their direction, a large brown bag slung over his shoulder with Plue trailing at his heels. "I told you not to run off. How are you supposed to unlock the door when your keys are in your bag…which I have."

"Ah," Lucy's blush deepened before rushing back towards Natsu.

"I'm guessing Natsu held her up last time," Erza said, eyes trained on the blonde attempting to yank the bag off Natsu's shoulder. Jellal only smiled, both falling silent once Lucy had dragged Natsu back toward the door, keys in hand and an annoyed glint in her brown eyes.

"After you," Lucy stepped back after opening the door and gesturing for everyone to head in first. The blonde pointedly ignored Natsu and his attempts to get her attention. "If you'll wait right here, I think I packed everything neatly in the back. Let me grab it and show you what Levy picked out!"

"Luce, I'm starving. Speed it up!"

"It's your fault we're late to begin with," Lucy shot back, waving his concerns away dismissively before disappearing in the back, "I'm still upset about my hair!"

"I figured after I couldn't dry it the first time you would have realized I can't do that," Natsu grumbled back while flicking Plue's ear. The shaggy white creature bared its fangs but Natsu only did the same.

oOo

This was quickly turning into the longest five minutes of Natsu's life. He'd only agreed to tag along because Lucy said this appointment wouldn't take too long and then they could go out for brunch. He had been more than content to wait for her back at her townhouse but she'd seem frazzled so he'd grabbed her bag and tagged along without her having to ask.

"So," Erza's tone had Natsu sighing, knowing where this was going to go. "You seem to be spending a lot of time with Lucy."

"Yeah, so?" the pinket answered around a yawn and a slight stretch. Make this the longest seven minutes of his life. "She's been helping me study."

"Not to mention you gifted her that giant moonstone," Jellal pitched in, "I was surprised, you never seemed interested in jewelry before." That caused Natsu to blush but shrug, nonetheless.

"I knew she'd like it," he hedged.

"You like her." Erza stated bluntly, and Natsu frowned.

"Of course I like her," pushed out around an annoyed laugh and an eye roll, "Is that all you're curious about?"

"Sorry, am I interrupting?" Lucy's hushed whisper caused everyone to swing their eyes behind the glass counter. Lucy was hovering hesitantly, a medium-sized box balanced in her hands.

"No, Luce." Natsu said with a grin, "Just talking about you is all."

"Me?"

"Well…yeah?" For the first time since the start of the conversation, Erza noted Natsu seemed nervous, "Who else would they be asking me about?"

"Mmm," Lucy responded while placing the box on the counter and looking everywhere but at the group in front of her.

"You think I bring back gifts for everyone?" Natsu barked out laughing and that brought a small smile to Lucy's face, "Plus I'm always at your place." He finished with a shrug and Erza couldn't believe how nonchalant he was about the whole situation. He hadn't flinched when she'd brought it up, just seemed like he was mentally preparing for a tedious conversation. "This isn't meant to pressure you or anything, Luce." Natsu continued, gesturing between the two of them. "I don't expect to hear your answer, but I do like you." He hesitated at the blush moving up the blonde's face before continuing in a quieter tone, "We can move at whatever pace you want…. I just know I like being around ya."

"We'll just trust you and Levy picked the right stones." Jellal interrupted, clearing his throat. He was quick to take the box from Lucy, say his goodbyes and beeline for the front door. Ezra was grateful he had the presence of mind to want to give them privacy; her face was probably as red as her hair. It was at this moment she realized she should have placed bets with Cana and Mira; she was a fool for laughing it off when Natsu's name was brought up. Especially watching the way these two interacted.

"Would have been easy money," Ezra grumbled under her breath as she fell into step behind Jellal.

"I told you," Jellal teased.

"You were talking about Natsu! Of course, I didn't believe you!"

"When have I ever been wrong?"

"Well,"

"My objections were warranted." Jellal interrupted, "Natsu's a wildcard. I didn't expect him to pass the Ranking exam. I was wrong, but my thoughts were grounded in reason."

"Fine." Erza conceded and smiled once they rounded the corner, "Just don't damage my bloodstone. You owe me a new spear before we have to leave."

"Did I promise a spear or just something new?" A spear was the last thing on his mind. He pictured making a crown for his battle mage; that bloodstone would look beautiful tangled in her hair in the heat of battle.

"Whatever it is, I'll love it."

"Of course you will. You love everything I make."

"Someone's getting cocky."

"Can't be cocky when it's skill." Jellal responded with a laugh. His laugh made Erza warm and fuzzy.

"Do you think we should have waited?" Erza finally said around a sigh, "I think we put Lucy in an embarrassing situation."

"It's only embarrassing if neither knew how the other felt." The blue-haired man at her side snorted, "Definitely didn't look like they don't know."

"I suppose."

"You're thinking of how to break the news to Mira and Cana aren't you?"

"No."

"Liar."

"I am not!"

"You've never been able to lie to me," Jellal countered before sobering. This crystal run was to help him and Erza get ready for a request directly from Master Makarov; one that was leaving a bad feeling in his mouth. "This request. It's odd."

"Odd," Erza agreed slowly, "We aren't supposed to engage though. Just check it out, see if the reports of activity are what they seem."

"He's anticipating a fight. Why else send Rank 10 and 9 Mages?"

"Laxus is checking out a different lead in the East, along with Bixlow." Red hair glinted in the light as Erza shifted, her gaze meeting his steadily. "Gildarts is looking in the West. He's getting ready to send Mira and Evergreen to the South. That just leaves the north and you've made it clear you'd feel better if he sent the both of us rather than just me."

"Coordinated monster attacks aren't normal Erza. We haven't seen this since.."

"Tartaros."

"Exactly, and this is the first I've heard him forcing Mira back in the field."

"The urgency has increased with the destruction of Blue Pegasus. It shouldn't have been possible. The hunters association has ordered a code red and all guilds are required to send their strongest mages to check out further disturbances. Mira wasn't exactly happy but she understood, Master is attempting to send her off before Elfman returned with Lisanna."

"So, it's official."

"Yes. We're preparing for the worst."