Well, we're already halfway into the Christmas specials and I have to say, I'm getting better... last Christmas chapters of mine were published in June/July xD
CheesyDelphox, thank you! I'm glad to know you liked the Laxus and Jellal friendship! There actually is a spin-off Manga on Laxus times at Blue Pegasus, it's called Raigo Issen. Thanks again for your support!
Somnolent Sushi Roll, your review got posted twice and I'm not complaining xD Thanks so much! 'Jellal is also mom of 2 kids' made my day xD genius. And not untrue :D I'm glad it was understandable - I'm no where near proficient with machinery either but sometimes my descriptions are impossible to understand by anyone not owning my brain, so I'm glad it was fine :D haha, Erza would so do that, she don't care xD I should be focusing on Zoom meetings as well, but... priorities!
Mitzy123, thank you so much for your review! I can practically feel the waves of enthusiasm all the way here - thaaanks! I'm so happy to hear you liked the rat-man-part; was a lot of fun to write :D And, ah, I can't believe you liked the action! Thank you for feedback on that! There's a lot of room for improvement there but I'm glad to hear what you thought!
foxydame, your review is so much more than any author could ever hope to dream of, thank you so much! I love it! Being too long for my emails, insiders of the underminer, praises on action (what's up with you people, I'm starting to believe you!), soo many details, I'm so happy. Happy Author-San thanks you. Lots. When did Jellal encounter Ichiya in the 100 YQ? I don't remember much as it seems xD I'm so glad to know his many magic types are being appreciated; I always find them missing in the original as well (just like the magic circles that were abandoned at some point in the anime). 'cough up the mission money' xDxD Go, nosy aunt, persuade him to propose!
Off topic, how does the English language not have its own word for vegetable snacks? Don't you people bring raw veggies to parties...?
Enjoy!
"We met up with Ichiya of all people," Jellal held back a groan, the cups thudding as he put them down on the table that morning.
"And he made a scene, then you beat the guy up and saved the ship," Meredy slid her palm through the handle of her tea, cupping it for warmth. He blinked at her in short surprise. "Everyone knows," she elaborated. "You talked the entire night through; did you expect us to sleep through Erza's constant giggles and swooning?" She raised an amused brow.
"Oh, I didn't know. You were the lucky one to share a room?"
"It's an onsen, we all shared the same room," she held the cup to her lips, letting the steam vent up into her face.
"Oh."
"We all know about the mission. I even know everything down to the password – I had the futon next to Erza," she took a careful sip. "I know you call her 'love' when wishing a good night," she winked and he bit his tongue to focus on not blushing. What fortune that Mirajane had not been the one next to his beloved. "Let's go shopping sometime," she changed the topic, "for presents," she reminded.
"I still have nothing," he agreed on the idea. They used how the shower was still running. "I don't even know what I could get her," he lamented.
"Neither do I," Meredy shrugged, "but I thought you'd know her best,"
"Parasite,"
"Lapdog," she stuck out her tongue, eyes twinkling. "Do you still have that bucket of paint you didn't use?"
"One and a half, why?" Jellal dared to sip his own tea. It did not burn for once, warmly running down his throat in a soothing way, honey sweetly coating his mouth.
"For the bathroom, the one in Fairy Hills,"
"You're moving before Christmas?"
"I hope so," she hissed excitedly, now intensely shining at him with her eyes. "I already asked for the rooms to be disconnected but until that happens, I can have all of them and pay for one as long as I don't furnish and live in the others," she proudly puffed out her chest. He followed the gesture. He liked winter – it made her cover up most of the skin she usually liked to expose.
"Then I'll give you a voucher for Christmas," it hit him.
"Ah, no. And don't you give me that I'm-so-good expression now, I'm not buying where you tell me to," she shook her head, taking another gulp.
"You won't accept money," he gave her a look but she only hummed in agreement as if nothing was amiss. "What about that one shop – I forgot the name – the one in the outskirts, next to that cheese factory," he proposed, receiving a huff.
"They only have like… ten different kinds of wallpaper," she argued.
"Wallpaper?" Jellal frowned, enclosing his tea with both hands. "You want to change the whole thing up?"
"Duh,"
"Well, I've been there and they have hundreds of choices. Believe me, I was dragged around for hours," he harked as the shower had already stopped, the bathroom door opening down the hall.
"That's still limited to only that one shop," she retorted as if he was a complete idiot. Sighing hopelessly, he shook his head, taking another sip.
"Girls just can't be pleased," he wanted to roll his eyes when she gasped. He frowned at her bewildered expression.
"Erza!" Meredy called. Not a second later, the Requip Mage's head poked around the corner.
"I feel a disruption in the universe,"
"There is!" Meredy practically exclaimed. "Jellal just made a prejudiced comment about women," she retold with shock. It was his turn to be bewildered, glancing uneasily from one to the other.
"That is disturbing indeed," Erza wandered into the kitchen. She halted next to where he sat, putting the backs of her fingers to his forehead. "Are you okay, dearest?"
"More like what's gotten into you?" He frowned at her, then Meredy who was already grinning again.
"You're never disrespectful to anyone, least of all women," Erza said, going over to the counter to put the kettle back on.
"Maybe because I know at least one who can beat the crap out of me,"
"That's right," she kissed the top of his head, then went to put her arms around Meredy's head in a meant-to-be protective hug, nearly squishing her into suffocation. "Do give her a break, though, it's her first apartment after all, she should be choosing whatever she wants," she almost pouted and Jellal narrowed his eyes, not least due to the smug triumph on the smothered face of the pink-haired Mage.
"I didn't say she couldn't choose what she liked," he sighed.
"There, was that so hard?" Meredy twisted the knife in the wound, just for the fun of it. He gave her a disbelieving scowl as soon as Erza had gone back to the counter behind his back. She opened the fridge, disappointed when not finding any fresh pastries or desserts.
"I take it I missed the entire ceremony of you two being elected president of the 'Picking on Jellal Federation'?" He asked rhetorically, his cheek dropping to rest in his hand.
"Oh, no, you flatter me. I'm only Vice President," Erza jested from over his shoulder, giggling as she placed a peck on his cheek. He blew a strand of hair out of his face with his lips pursing in defeat.
"Girls' night out is a valuable bonding process," Meredy stated with that mischievous spark in her eyes again, completely ruining the seriousness she played. "One girls' night out equals five years of marriage," she said, Erza nodding matter-of-factly while refilling the by now empty cup of her guildmate. "So you'd better watch out for her bachelorette party," she smirked, making him blush this time. Erza's cheeks puffed contently, lips stretching into a broad smile.
"Not you, too…" Jellal groaned, getting up at the snickering from both sides. "I'm going to wash," he announced, fleeing into the bathroom, running into the clotheslines just like the day before. "Meredy," he called down the hall.
"Yeah, I did a load,"
"You could've removed the clotheslines,"
"Sorry," she yelled back.
.,.,.
Turning, she watched as Erza settled in his warmed chair, stirring the fullest spoon of honey into her tea that was physically possible. "He doesn't know what to get you," Meredy then disclosed, earning a hearty sigh.
"No proposal…"
"No proposal." Meredy shrugged sympathetically.
"It's not even that bad; I don't know what to get him, either," Erza leaned over her beverage, inhaling. "I was thinking perhaps a new apron but that's about all I can come up with," she licked the spoon. "I spoil him too much."
"What about something for the office?" Meredy asked, instantly lighting up the mood of her friend.
"That's a brilliant idea!" The Queen of the Fairies burst, then lowered her voice again. They listened to the steady rustling of fabric in the bedroom, then the closing of the bathroom door. "You know," her eyes wandered over her guildmate, "those really suit you," she smiled at the attire that was actually her own.
"This is so endlessly better than having to take Jellal's," Meredy drawled, plucking at her nicely fitting pyjamas she had been lent.
"Speak for yourself," Erza smiled into her tea, currently dressed in one of her lover's shirts. "But we can buy some more – I'll show you the shop where I got them from,"
"Thanks," Meredy beamed. "I'm long overdue to get some winter clothes – or in general…"
"Then let's go gift shopping while we're at it,"
"Definitely,"
"And I actually think you might like the shop Jellal suggested," she said, continuing when there was another pout pushing its way out of the Maguilty Sense Mage's lip, "it has furniture, too, so you could always use the voucher on a lamp or table if you don't like the wallpaper," she explained. She was excited to get decorating, even if it was not her own place and even if it meant changing what had been her home for so many years.
"It's not that I don't believe him, but I don't want him spending so much money on me,"
"He feels better when he does; it's not a burden," Erza soothed, knowing how her guildmate was stubborn and wanted to be independent.
"No, I mean you need it more than I do," she urged, "you might someday have to provide for more than just the two of you," she whispered, eyes shining warmly. Erza's heart skipped and dropped right after. She shook her head softly, returning a smile, if a small one. She would ask him again, but not yet.
"Don't worry about us, the Council pays very generously and we both have income," she assured.
"Sure, but you have to pay for two- oh!" Meredy had absently glanced at her lacrima, catching sight of the time. "I'll be late; I'm meeting Juvia, we'll have a sleepover," she announced. She downed her cup in one gulp, placing it in the sink and then hurried to put on her boots.
"You're not staying overnight?" Jellal asked as he exited the bathroom, having heard her put on her coat. He had made a tiny ponytail by himself, making Erza smile brightly, then giggle when Meredy dashed over to flick it once, snickering as she ran back to the door.
"Nope, knock yourselves out," she threw him a wicked grin, dodging the towel he threw in return. "See ya!" She was still laughing when she hustled out into the late morning, the street lamps still lighting up the snow underfoot, the sky a murky, gradually brightening grey. Jellal sighed, shaking his head. Then he went to lock the door.
He followed his beloved back into the kitchen.
"They were for you," he said, running his fingertip over the soft, slowly withering petal of one of the many flowers he had ordered. She smiled, taking his arm, leaning on it.
"I like it this way; she really deserves them," she calmly disclosed.
"For using the house?"
"She guarded it well,"
"Did she?" He raised a brow. But she knew he had not found a single trace of anything having been broken or gone amiss, everything in perfect order apart from the pink hair in the bathtub drain.
"She didn't make the washing machine flood everything like I did," she nudged him and he softened. His arm wrapped around her waist, tugging her closer.
"Of course not, Meredy's smart," he absently said, immediately realising his mistake. Her brows rose to their peak but they did not need to, adrenaline of panic already zapping through his every limb. "I mean not that- like, she, uh, she's familiar with handling washing machines? I mean technical skills- oh, who am I trying to fool…" he frowned to himself, the hectic wiggling of his body slackening. "There's no talking out of this one, is there?" He glanced down with slight unease still lingering in his eyes. With her hands now on her hips, she wordlessly shook her head.
A long sigh escaped his lips. His shoulders dropped.
"I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean it like that; I didn't mean to insult you," he dared to near her and she was not one to refuse his approaches, quite enjoying the way his hands stroked along her sides as they wound around her back. Not that she gave in completely.
"And yet, I get the feeling you did," she lifted her chin, a teasing spark in her eyes. He pulled a face of pretended annoyance.
"Alright, what do you want?" He enquired. Her hands landed on his chest and she leaned forward, gaze meeting his with intent.
"You. In the shower."
"No."
He envied her for her magic as he peeled out of his boots and coat, having to touch the icily slushy wetness. Dropping all bags in the hall, he joined her in flopping down at the end of the bed.
"Why is shopping always so exhausting?" He breathed as his chest deflated with a sigh.
"Likewise," Erza groaned, arms and legs stretched far from her.
"That's not a logical reply to my-"
"I'm tired, okay?" She weakly brought up a leg to kick him, merely a nudge.
"At least we were successful," he said and she smiled with content. "I can't believe all of that unnecessary stuff that's being sold,"
"It's Christmas,"
"But it's all so ugly. Who'd want a bearded dwarf blinking from their balcony?"
"It's tradition," she argued and he huffed with unbelieving amusement. "And they wouldn't offer it if people didn't buy it. You're a lone soldier here," she poked his side and he laughed.
"No kidding…" he rolled onto his side, propping his head up on his hand, regarding her from the cold rosy cheeks and nose. A smile edged its way onto her lips when she felt his eyes on her, leaving her own closed. "The 'spirit', right?"
"Right," she nodded and he grinned. He still remembered those confused and angrily flushed faces from the ball, complaining to him and anyone who would listen. It had been hard not to burst out laughing into their faces, not that it had much helped his utter embarrassment. "Come on," Erza vocally heaved herself up to sit. She scooted off the bed. "Let's make something really yummy for dinner," she beamed at him. Both were overjoyed with having returned home, gladly falling back into habitual patterns.
"Aw, damn, I only just planned on something disgusting…" he sat up with played disappointment. He fell right back over, being shoved away. It lured out another chuckle and he found her to be waiting for his next attempt. He became a human seesaw as she nudged him back over whenever he tried to get up.
"You're a riot," Erza rolled her eyes, lips pursed to hide the twitching of the corners of her mouth behind annoyance.
"I am undeserving of such praises," he grabbed her hand this time, pulling her with him. She yelped, crushing his face with her arm, scrambling to meet his eyes from atop him.
"That you are indeed," she huffed, then squealed when his hands wandered to her sides with a threatening lightness. "No," she scolded, "no," her voice thinned out in fear as his legs locked around hers. "Jellal," she gasped, his name being the last proper word she managed for the next minutes of uncontrolled laughter. And bruises. A price he would always pay at the cost of her voice ringing loudly with laughter in his ears.
So loudly, in fact, he felt a little deaf as he prepared dinner, not minding either way. Her mouth later hovered above his ear as compensation so that he would not miss any of her whispers, her sweet nothings that lulled him into a peaceful slumber.
Natsu's sulking face brightened considerably when Lucy found some expired cookies in a cupboard. He had sniffed Erza and Jellal upside down upon their arrival at the Celestial Spirit Mage's place, devastated to find that they had for once not brought self-made snacks. With his arms and legs still crossed, he suckled on one of the dry cookies, giving disappointedly evil looks.
"Don't be so picky; there's plenty of food still there," Lucy scolded, hands on her hips. She sat back down around their game of cards – a Christmas themed one. Taking the plate of crudités, she offered it to him but he stubbornly shook his head. Shrugging helplessly, she passed it on.
The girls – Erza, Meredy, Lucy, Wendy and Juvia – had been shopping again that day after scrutinising Meredy's new apartment while Jellal had snuck out to seek inspiration of his own on what to gift to his beloved. Unexpectedly, he had found it at home, knowing she was going to be just as thrilled as he was. But he would have liked to give to her more; something material, his plans cut short upon her return and their departure to a night of games. Starting with that most ridiculous board game.
He was not discontent, however, on the contrary. The light-headedness that was creeping its way into his subconscious thanks to confidence around people when it came to himself and his relationship was starting to drift into the background more and more. At least when it came to a crowd he knew; people he found he trusted. Friends. It was healing to experience.
On a different note, he was grateful to be tracking his love's every step. He had never actively noticed before how she shuffled her feet in the house or mansion, but the way she would cease to do so, adapting a proper posture again once within anyone's sight that was not solely his – probably unconsciously –, truly warmed his heart. That part of her would always be his and only his.
At that thought, he smiled to himself, arms tightening around her where he acted as her backrest as usual.
"No, thanks, I don't eat this late," Erza declined when being handed the plate last. His smile widened.
"Says the woman who gets up at three in the morning to snitch some lava cakes," he teased. Meredy rolled her eyes with amusement while the other girls giggled. Erza restrained a pout, unsuccessfully, her cheeks tinting with a light pink.
"That was one time and I was- who asked you?" She interrupted herself, giving him a look from the side. Grinning, he offered the plate again and she narrowed her eyes defiantly, taking a slice of cucumber without breaking eye contact. She huffed, biting the poor vegetable with force. "Remind me again why I brought you," she closed her eyes, turning away to lift her chin.
"To remind you not to bring me," he smirked playfully. Only a few months if not weeks ago, he would have meant what was now a joke. It was odd to know; to watch himself change in real time. He liked how she was there to witness it, too. Then again, she was practically the main reason.
"Like that's ever going to happen," she retorted, and he lifted the plate for her help herself another time.
"How the hell did you even know she wanted one?" Gray could apparently not keep it to himself, his expression clueless, utterly confused.
"Yeah," Natsu piped up with the same cookie still between his teeth, "women always say something different than what they mean," he rolled his eyes, Lucy's glare landing on him. She nagged at him while Juvia was already throwing herself onto her crush, hands clasped in front of her chest as if in prayer.
"I'd never hide my true intentions from you, Gray my darling! I'm always honest with my feelings," she raved. He fell quiet for a moment and Jellal rose a brow at the small blush that was crawling up onto the Ice Wizard's cheeks. Meredy grinned while Lucy bit her lip in gleeful anticipation.
"I know, I… appreciate that," Gray managed, only then noting everyone to have gone quiet, staring at him. Grumbling awkwardly, he scratched his cheek. Juvia had meanwhile burst into a happily swooning puddle at his leg. She blathered unintelligibly while rubbing against it, making him complain and scoot away, cracking everybody up.
Not wanting to overstrain their hostess' hospitability, Jellal found himself offering their house for the inevitable sleepover they all were yawning towards already. Gray was the only one to decline, muttering something about whether she wanted him to walk her home for only Juvia to hear, failing slightly – not least due to her hefty reaction that directed everyone's attention back to them. Of course she accepted, and the girls speculated all the way back to the house if the Ice Mage was finally going to kiss his not-so-secret crush goodnight.
"Hold on," Meredy stopped the group with an outstretched hand while Jellal unlocked the door. "You might wanna enter separately…" she advised. Frowning in confusion, they exchanged glances. Pulling an awkward face, he remembered, about to explain when Erza had already pinned him to the doorframe. Her lips met his in a firm kiss and he sighed into her, an arm coming up and around her waist.
Mind's clicked at the mistletoe overhead.
Meredy shook her head when they were about to enter single file, watching safely from the corner she had slipped into how Erza used her every chance, not allowing her beloved to miss a single of the white-berried plants she had strung all the way down the hall in tiny patches. It was almost like a dance, one manoeuvring around the other to pull backwards under the next leaves. He took her hand, actually twirling her around as they guided each other into the kitchen.
"That's… really sweet," Lucy smiled shily as she observed what had turned into a waltz of fleet pecks and soft kisses.
"Mhm," Meredy nodded, crossing her arms where she leaned against the wall. "She was so excited, she ripped out an entire bush until we told her it was holly and not mistletoe," she grinned, both Wendy and Lucy giggling. "There's one on each door frame and one in the bedroom and kitchen respectively; the upstairs is safe," she enumerated.
"What about the bathroom?" Wendy threw a glance to the side, already spotting one above the door.
"Same," Meredy informed. Not adding how the second one was inside the shower. "I'll get the bed prepared," she said, rounding them at a safe distance to climb up the ladder to the attic.
"So what's the big deal?" Natsu, who had not been able to see from where he was still outside, poked his head in.
"Nothing!" Lucy jumped to the side, flustered, zooming into the bathroom, shutting the door. Wendy giggled and Happy, having noticed the decoration, snickered. They followed Meredy, though Wendy went back to the kitchen for something to drink. She folded her arms behind her back, not quite daring to ask but Jellal could guess.
"One hot chocolate," he handed her the mug as soon as it was done.
"Thank you," she beamed, cupping her beverage in both hands. "Should I ask if the others want some, too?" She was about to go and do so when she remembered it would leave him all the work.
"They'll have to," Jellal was already holding a tray with more cups, smiling down at her.
"Otherwise I'll have to sacrifice myself," Erza picked up a cup for herself, "what a pity," she shrugged, receiving a teasing grin from her beloved. "Halt," she spooked Wendy who was about to join the others upstairs in the safe zone when she realised where she stood.
A set of lips brushed her cheeks from either side. With big eyes, she stared up at Jellal and Erza, the latter putting her hand on top of her guildmate's head. She smiled gently, having it returned a second later by the young Dragon Slayer who now carried the hint of a blush. They followed Jellal where Meredy delightedly received the treats from him halfway up.
With the girls chattering and at some later point sleeping upstairs, Jellal hogged Erza closely to him in their own bed. She did not mind Natsu to be staying on the floor of their room, sleeping peacefully through his snoring Jellal had a hard time blanking out. Focusing on the steady breathing of his beloved, the rocking of her flank beneath his arm and the warmth she radiated at him, he eventually found rest, drifting off so deeply, he failed to wake from the Fire Dragon Slayer's stalking eyes in the morning, peering into the half dark in search of handy hints.