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"I still think it's kinda scary…" Lisanna said.
"Scary?" Natsu grinned widely. "This is the best thing ever! Just imagine – people wanting to fight you day and night!"
"What a dream come true," Lucy rolled her eyes as he laughed like a maniac, "I guess I should be grateful that it's just you breaking into my apartment day and night,"
"Speaking of which," Wendy interrupted from the table she was sitting at with Charle and the rest of the team. Lucy turned in her stool at the bar. "Are we going to stay like that until we know what's going on? Because then I will gladly host you all next time," she smiled sweetly and Lucy had to laugh.
"At least one of us is enjoying it,"
"Oh, Wendy!" Natsu turned. "I wanna play that cool game again!"
"Even though you have zero idea how to do it…" Gray groaned from the other side of Wendy's table.
"Who says I don't know how to play?" Natsu yelled.
"I do. Because you suck at it," Gray growled back. Lucy grimaced when they started to call each other names related to their magic, bumping their foreheads together, glaring. Hardly anyone in the guild had taken the news too seriously – or at least no one had been very concerned. They knew their strength, especially when it came to Team Natsu. It had become a joke almost immediately.
"Erza," Lucy looked up when her teammate exited the Master's office alongside Mirajane, "what did he say?" Erza sank down on a bar stool next to her, giving a shrug.
"Nothing too aggrieving." She waited for Mira to pour her a cup of tea. "He will contact the other Guild Masters to ask for clues but until then, we should just stay alert."
"He's sure you guys can handle it anyway," Mira said as easy-going and reassuring as always. She was already behind the bar, which she was running alone for the time being since Kinana had gone on a 'vacation'. Lucy had been excited for her, though when Natsu had mentioned something about a certain Dragon Slayer's scent on her, she had been intrigued.
She stole a side glance at Erza. The Queen of the Fairies was calmly sipping her beverage, showing no signs of an intrigue or affair. She had been avoiding all questions regarding Jellal and appeared flustered upon being put on the spot, but no more than her usual aggressive spirit.
Right now, however, she was having a hard time to keep her cool.
"Oh yeah? Erza didn't even show up because I'm so good!" Natsu boasted.
"Keep talking, Flame Brain; Erza didn't show up because you're such a disgrace at a simple card game!" Gray argued back.
"I could beat her and all of you to ashes anytime!"
"She'd eat you for breakfast,"
"I'll roast you for her to eat for breakfast!" Natsu pointed his finger. Lucy was tensing up already, nervously watching one of Erza's eyebrows twitch in annoyance. The entire guild was a riot by now. Most of them were cheering from their tables. Juvia was loudly rooting for her beloved while Macao and Wakaba placed their bets. And then started brawling, too.
"You moron can't even come up with a real threat,"
"I just did! Didn't you listen? I said-"
"I heard you," Gray hollered and Natsu formed flames around his hands. They came to blows, throwing over tables and chairs in the course of it. Elfman shouted his 'Man' catchphrase, joining in, tossing furniture. Half of the guild was standing by now, punching and shouting. Lucy kept out of the brawl, seeing Wendy do the same.
"Eat this, ice princess!" Natsu prepared for an attack, Gray only shooting back a remark.
"Would you cut it out!?" Erza boomed over the commotion and kicked Natsu into the ceiling. Lucy yelped, hair standing on end as he got stuck. With devilish eyes, Titania turned to her other comrade, who shrunk, backing away slowly. Juvia pulled him back into his seat, keeping a tight grip on his arm.
Everything went silent. Lucy froze when she noticed why. There was a figure standing in the doorway. A silhouette of a man, drawn against the light from outside.
"Jellal…" she heard Erza mutter. The entire guild stared at him. He stood still, having watched the spectacle for who knew how long. No one dared to sit down. It seemed as if no one was breathing either.
He took a step inside, when suddenly, something flew his way.
"Attack!" Asuka screamed, ambushing the intruder by crashing into his shoulder. Everyone gasped. Bisca and Alzack winced, hands twitching though not daring to reach out. Or say something.
He had not moved a millimetre. Asuka fell, landing on her feet. She bravely glared up at his plain face, tears standing in her eyes. He still showed not a hint of a reaction. Her breathing was heavy and she ducked to launch another strike.
"I will protect my friends!" She exclaimed, running towards him again. Bisca reacted this time, yelling for her daughter to stop. Asuka punched with everything she got, hitting his shin with her balled fist.
Nothing happened. Tears rolled down her face but she did not retreat. Everyone stared, suddenly inhaling in shock when he faltered. Staggering, Jellal sank to one knee, as if defeated. Asuka's eyes widened in surprise, relief washing over her face.
"I got ya!" She grinned triumphantly, pulling on the fabric of his trousers.
"Tiny hands," Jellal said softly, a hint of pretended hurt ringing in his voice, "my only weakness…" he announced his defeat and she hopped up and down. The entire Guild Hall exploded in laughter and cheers. They rejoiced for their youngest member, shouting her name in appreciation. Some had tears in their eyes at her words and courageous sacrifice. She bloomed in the attention.
"Asuka," Bisca finally came over, picking her victoriously giggling daughter up. She gave an apologetic glance towards Jellal, but he had his eyes elsewhere. Lucy felt her gaze glued to Erza's hand alongside his. More and more were watching, but the scarlet-haired mage did not seem to care as much as assumed.
Jellal accepted her help, letting himself be pulled up.
"Jellal!" Natsu yelled, falling from the ceiling. Gray gave an exasperated frown in anticipation of the next sentence. "Fight me!" The Dragon Slayer shouted over the laughter and toasts of his guildmates.
"Welcome," Mira said pleasantly as Jellal and Erza approached the bar, "what can I offer you?" She asked as if seeing him was a regular occurrence. She moved aside to present a rack full of different liquors and beer.
"Water would be just fine, if it's not too much trouble," he said, earning himself a playful smirk from the side. He frowned his lips in pretended irritation but Erza only chuckled, sitting down, too. She probably did not even notice the lovingly teasing shimmer in her eyes. Lucy felt herself stare unbelievingly. Not only were those perhaps the most expressions she had ever seen on Jellal's face, but they had insiders.
And they apparently contained alcohol…
"Meredy!" Juvia caught everyone's attention back to the entrance. Another figure blocked the sun's light now. She grinned happily, laughing as she was being stormed by the water mage.
"Juvia," Meredy hugged her back. Gray looked a tad stupefied at being left so easily. "I see you've been well," Meredy said. She let herself get dragged to her friend's table, sitting with her and the rest of the team.
"I didn't know you were in Magnolia," Juvia offered her something to drink – while Cana offered her something to drink – but she declined.
"Well, you have the best jobs. I suppose Fairy Tail's reputation lures them all in," she grinned and the hall cheered. They truly loved celebrating themselves, Lucy thought. She put her cheek in her hand, supporting herself on one elbow as she watched the pink-haired mage earn herself laughter and smiles.
"… the strongest and, of course, always the ones to wreck everything,"
"Hey!"
"So they say!" Meredy giggled. "I saw the lake right behind the guild – you can't tell me that wasn't you, Natsu." Everyone roared with amusement and Natsu fired his hands up.
"Is that a challenge?" He grinned. Gray rolled his eyes.
"He'll probably evaporate the entire thing…"
"Oh, but there's more," Meredy nodded when the guild closed in around their table, requesting more rumours and gossip, "at least there would be if they didn't all run from some kind of stripper…" she gave an innocent shrug, a smirk sneaking up on her face when Gray started to argue, everyone else laughing and cracking jokes about it.
Lucy had to laugh, too. She could not help but think just how well Meredy fit into that wild bunch of hooligans. She was tough and feisty but still sweet. She had already made friends with Juvia and Gray due to their past, but the cluster of people around the table seemed to be eager to get to know her better, too.
"You would?" Juvia's eyes sparkled. Lucy snapped out of her thoughts, focusing.
"What do you think!" Meredy had taken both of her friend's hands, "I'd love to join Fairy Tail – if you would have me," she said, receiving astounded and positive reactions from all sides. "But I'd have to check in with the boss, first," she gave a wink, tilting her head back to glance over her shoulder, "Jella…l…" she stared at the bar.
Lucy followed her gaze, spotting two empty bar stools. She scanned the hall, unable to detect either of them.
"Of course…" Meredy sighed, rolling her eyes with a knowing smile.
"Where…?" Lucy blinked twice.
"You didn't have to pick me up; I wouldn't have forgotten," Erza said. The landscape started to move, speeding up until it flew by their compartment window. They sat opposite each other, having the cabin to themselves. She still could not believe it. They were going on a trip. Just the two of them. Together. Alone. For an entire day, even staying the night.
Sure, it was just to go shopping for some things for the house, but she was excited nonetheless. She had been jealous of Kinana's holiday, but the feeling had subsided immediately when he had presented the train tickets.
"I reckoned on your luggage," he said, somewhat sheepishly. It was a miracle that he had come to the guild.
"I only need it for missions for additional armoury,"
"I see," he nodded, eyes flickering between her and the view outside. A soft smile adorned her lips and she stretched her foot a little to touch the tip of his boot with hers. He looked up.
"I'm glad you did," her voice was quiet and gentle.
"Hm?" He tilted his head. Erza met his eyes, shining affectionately.
"That you came to the guild." He nodded, slightly uncomfortable. He probably thought it to have been a disaster, but she only saw a triumph. He had been so good with Asuka, playing along, and he had not rejected her hand. He had been accepted by everyone after the first doubts, proving himself. And proving to her that she could be bold enough to act no different around him in public than she wanted to.
"They all seemed so happy to see you," she said and he gave a sharp exhale through his nose, obviously disagreeing.
"They stalked us like vultures,"
"Then let them have their prey." She returned immediately. Then she hesitated for a moment, feeling a slight blush creep up into her cheeks. "I think… I think next time we're both at the guild and someone asks, we should tell them that we're dating." She decided. Jellal choked.
"...w-we are?" His eyes were wide and hers grew at that, too.
"We're not?"
"Eh, no, I mean, yeah, I mean, sure..." he stuttered, his face glowing in a deep red, "When exactly did we start...?" He carefully asked. He seemed shocked and it surprised her. It almost hurt, but since he was not denying anything, she went on. One of them had to.
"I thought that other night when I kissed you," she said. She noticed his eyes flinching away from her, awkwardly wiping his hands on his lap. It was clear that her choice of words bothered him, but she saw no reason to rephrase them. He could have been the one to dare, yet, here they were. She would let him have that for a while; see if it got him any further. And if not, she would just tease him a little more with it.
"What day was that?" He asked and she frowned. Her mind clicked. He wanted to remember an anniversary! She could not believe just how adorable he was. And how insidiously she would use it.
"I don't know." She shrugged, putting on an indifferent expression. "It's not that important; we'll just remember the wedding date and it'll be fine," she almost laughed at his wince.
"The...?" Jellal stammered, his face flaring with a deep blush. "Are you… proposing?"
"No," she smirked, lowering her eyelids at him, "I'm giving you subtle hints, that's all,"
"How very subtle..." a grin tugged at the edges of his mouth. Both startled when the compartment door opened.
"Tickets, please."
They were suffering from nerves. The shop was not too crowded and it had almost too many things to properly decide on what to buy. Their carts were stuffed with towels, cutlery, plates, pots and pans, soap, washing powder, a shower mat, tissues, a broom, a table and two chairs, light bulbs and much more. He just could not refuse any of her wishes and Erza was a lunatic when it came to shopping. She liked everything.
They had gone to a different town as not to be seen, though it was hard to find a single place in Fiore where the mighty Titania was not recognised. Luckily, she was accompanied by men on a regular basis, so most people just went by after shortly gaping at her in awe.
"No, I really don't mind – it helps me learn,"
"That's hardly an argument,"
"It is. I've never even thought about electricity in my life, but now I'm fixing cables in the wall." Jellal tried to soothe. Would she not be too busy with handing the articles to the cashier, she would have surely crossed her arms. Her face did the job for her, speaking of defiance. She reached into her pocket when everything was calculated.
"Here, let me-"
"No, please don't. I'll pay," Jellal interrupted, wallet already in hand.
"Jellal,"
"It's fine,"
"It's not,"
"It's my house,"
"I'll use all of this, too; at least let me pay half," she pointed out but he shook his head. He could not let her pay; what kind of person would that make him? The gentleman would go out the window.
"No, you shouldn't, you're a guest." He said, only then realising how it must have sounded. Her head fell.
"…oh…" Erza said quietly. He panicked. She was obviously sad at what he had said. Who cared about the gentleman when she would now be out the door?
"I-I mean, you can live..." he stuttered, "there... too..." her head snapped up and she stared at him with surprise. Blush lit up both of their faces within an instant. He felt the cashier's eyes burn into him from the side. He cursed at her reputation now more than ever, knowing that more and more onlookers had gathered after hearing the exchange.
That, and they were stalling the other customers.
Jellal insisted on paying, anyway, noticing with embarrassment that he just did not have enough, being forced to allow her to pay the rest. They walked in silence for a while, not having thought about how to get everything back from the store. They ordered a taxi to deliver their purchases to the train station, where they would be stored until the departure the next day.
"I'll pay you back," he eventually broke the silence as they made their way to town, in search of the inn.
"Hm... no." Erza said. Her voice was more upbeat now, a smile hiding in it. She walked with her hands behind her back, gazing up at the darkening sky.
"I will anyway," he returned. She made a thoughtful face.
"How about... dinner? And then we're even," she proposed. He hesitated for a moment, already hearing the faint music in the distance. The reason he had actually been so keen on not missing the train. He gathered up his courage, inhaling.
"Only if I can take you to the festival afterwards," he actually managed to sound easy-going. Her eyes widened and she smiled, nodding enthusiastically.
"You got yourself a deal."