Okay real talk here: the best thing about jetlag is that I can post/write in the ungodly hours of the day. Like I've gotten so much done because I take random power naps throughout the day lmao. ...wait, is that good? Bad? I don't know, but oh well here's Chapter 12! Enjoy :)
It was a peaceful Friday evening at the Fullbuster residence. Gray walked inside, opening the door with one hand and holding an ice cream cone in the other. "You okay? You got quiet." he asked, turning behind him.
Erza shook her head, following him inside. "Yes, I'm fine. Just brainfreeze." she chuckled, holding a hand to her head. That was half true, after all- she and Gray had just returned from the ice cream shop close to his house, and she had eaten her first scoops too quickly. But she had also just realized that this was another day where she was spending time with Gray- on her own. She shook her head- that didn't mean anything, did it?
Gray laughed, leading her to the living room. "True. I could go for another scoop though. What'd you get?"
Erza examined the dish in her hand as she sat down. "Mm...strawberry, chocolate, and...avocado."
Gray sat on the couch next to her, scrunching up his face. "That's disgusting. Why would you do that?"
"It's healthy. I'd much rather eat an avocado than another scoop of fat."
"It's not like it'd make a difference. That's why I got cookies, brownie, birthday cake, lava cake, churro- "
Erza chuckled. "Right. We'll talk when you can't get rid of that potbelly."
"Potbelly?!" Gray sat up, puffing his chest proudly. "My six-pack is doing fine, thank you very much."
"Sure. Just like the five scoops of ice cream in your hand." Erza nodded at the stacked cone he was holding.
Gray looked at the dessert, and glared at her. "Look, just because I didn't opt for the traditional three scoops doesn't mean you have to call me out."
"Alright. I'll enjoy my three, reasonable, healthy scoops, then." Erza shrugged, happily spooning her dessert in her mouth.
Gray rolled his eyes. "Y'know, sometimes you can be- " He was suddenly cut off by the ringing doorbell. He and Erza looked at each other with a frown- it was seven in the evening, and Gray wasn't expecting anyone.
"I thought your parents weren't home?" Erza asked.
"They're not, and they wouldn't use the front door anyway…" He stood up, flicking his head to the door. "Let's check it out."
"What, together?"
"Yeah. If I get mugged, you can beat the guy up." he pointed out. Erza chuckled, nodding in agreement. They walked back to the foyer, and Gray opened the front door.
"Wendy?" they both asked, surprised.
The blue haired girl stood in front of them, looking slightly more shy than usual. "H-hey, guys."
"You good? What's up?" Gray asked. Although Wendy was several years younger than Gray, the two had been friends since she moved down the street from him. She was basically his little sister, and hung out with him and his friends on several occasions.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Wendy told him, but shook her head. "Well, not really. I was supposed to hang out with Lucy. She said she'd pick me up, so I was waiting outside my house...and then Mira showed up."
"Mira? What'd she want?" Erza asked, frowning.
"I'm not sure, but she said Lucy wasn't free and that I was hanging out with you guys instead." Wendy shrugged.
"That's weird. Well, you're welcome here, of course." Gray nodded, letting her inside.
"And she just left you here? Without any word from Lucy?" Erza asked, shocked.
Wendy nodded. "I thought it was strange, but everytime I called Lucy she didn't pick up."
Erza shook her head. "I can't believe Lucy and Mira would be so irresponsible!" She pulled out her phone. "Let me try calling them and I'll see what's going on, okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Erza!" the blue haired girl bowed her head gratefully.
"Come on." Gray spoke, leading Wendy toward the dining room. "Are you hungry?"
"Yeah. I was supposed to make dinner with Lucy, but again…"
Gray shook his head. "No worries. Erza and I just ordered a pizza, that fine?"
Wendy nodded eagerly. "That sounds good!"
"Alright." he smiled, and reached in the fruit basket behind him. "But, you should eat this in the meantime."
Wendy opened her hands, catching an orange just in time. "Um, why?"
"Because Erza would kill me if she knew I had given you pizza without something healthy beforehand."
She giggled to herself. "Gray, I'm fourteen. I'm not a baby."
"Fourteen? That's like...what, 168 months?" he joked. "But really, eat it. For safety reasons. Also known as me staying alive for at least another month."
She laughed again, nodding. "Alright." she agreed, peeling her orange.
Erza walked in, frowning. "It's weird. I called them both several times, and I got nothing but voicemail. So I left text messages."
Wendy's eyes widened with worry. "Do you think they're okay?"
"I certainly hope so. I can see Mira not answering, but definitely not Lucy." Erza pursed her lips.
"I'm sure they're fine." Gray responded, looking at the clock. "Hey, the pizza should be here soon."
"You're right." Erza then looked at Wendy. "Are you eating an orange?" Wendy nodded. "...Good." Erza approved, walking to the water glass cabinet. "Fruits are always important, especially at your age."
She rolled her eyes, smiling. "I'm not a child, you don't have to tell me what to eat." She looked at both Erza and Gray. "Both of you."
"That's true, but you're younger than us. We're watching out for you."
"Right," Gray agreed, "And if you're complaining now, you haven't seen anything yet- we still haven't talked about boys."
Erza nodded. "Another true fact. You better get used to this, Wendy."
Wendy crouched in her seat, hiding her embarrassment, when the doorbell rang. She jumped out of her chair, already walking to the door. "I'll get it!" she called. She wrapped her hand around the knob, swinging it open. "I'm ready for pizza- " She suddenly paused, shocked at the sight in front of her.
"Who is it?" Erza called from the dining room.
"Here, I have money." Gray added, opening his wallet as he walked toward the door. He looked up, and frowned. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
On Gray's doorstep was Romeo Conbolt, the blue haired boy just as surprised as they were. "Um, hey Wendy. Is Natsu inside?" he asked.
"No, Natsu isn't. And you can talk to me, not Wendy." Gray spoke, stepping in front of the younger girl.
"Graaaaaay..." Wendy groaned, nudging her way in front of him. "Hi, Romeo. What brings you here?"
"I was supposed to hang out with Natsu. Is he here?"
"No, what makes you think he'd be here?" Gray interrupted again.
"...Is this not his house?"
Gray stepped aside. "I think you should come in." Romeo gulped, walking in as Gray shut the door behind him. The three walked to the dining room, sitting at the table.
"Was that pizza? I'm starving- " Erza stopped, seeing their new guest. "Romeo? What are you doing here?"
The younger boy sighed. "I was supposed to hang out with Natsu. I was waiting outside my house, when Cana picked me up. She said we were going to his house, and she dropped me off here." He held his hands in front of him. "If I had known this wasn't his house, I wouldn't have shown up."
"Yeah right." Gray crossed his arms. "This is about hanging out with Wendy, isn't it?"
"What? No, I was hanging out with Natsu."
"Right. So no Wendy spying for you, huh?"
Erza nodded, stepping in. "Wendy is a good girl. She doesn't need boys visiting her at night."
Wendy sank in her chair, holding her hands over her blushing face. "Guys…"
Romeo held a hand out to her. "It's okay." he assured her. He turned to Erza and Gray. "No, this isn't about Wendy. I really was supposed to hang out with Natsu, but Cana took me here. I have no idea what's going on."
"That's just what happened with me and Lucy today! Except Mira brought me here." Wendy realized.
"No way! What a coincidence!"
"Yeah, it so weird!"
Erza turned to Gray as the other two conversed. "Hm. I guess it wasn't about Wendy." she commented.
"Yeah, I guess not." He looked at the clock, seeing that it was only getting late. "Eh, there's no reason to make him leave now." Gray responded.
Erza nodded, and turned to the younger boy. "Romeo," she interrupted, "would you like to stay for dinner? Wendy is joining us too."
Romeo smiled brightly. "I'd like that!"
"We're having pizza." Wendy added excitedly.
"Yeah, and no hand holding." Gray warned.
"Gray!"
Lucy stood outside a large red door. She had only walked up the driveway, and she was already nervous. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. It's nothing, this is nothing. she thought. Which, in fact, was true: she had been to this house plenty of times before. But her reason to be here today...she shook her head. No reason to be nervous. Shaking her nerves off, she raised her hand to knock on the door- when it opened.
She gasped in surprise, stepping back. But Natsu was in front of her, beaming. "Heya, Luce!" he greeted cheerfully.
"Natsu- " she frowned. "How did you know it was me? I didn't even knock!"
Natsu shrugged. "I was upstairs, and saw you walking up the driveway. What brings you here?" he asked.
Lucy looked up a the house around her, again realizing that she was, in fact, at Natsu's house. "Well, it's a weird story actually.." She stepped inside. "I was with Mira, and she just dropped me off here."
"Oh." he responded dully.
Lucy's face immediately reddened. "I would have texted you, or called, but I can't find my phone! I was supposed to hang out with Wendy, but as I was leaving my house Mira picked me up and said Wendy was cancelling, so she brought me here…" She shook her head. "I'm so sorry, this is so creepy, and so embarrassing- "
Natsu waved her off. "Relax, I don't mind. I had plans too, but the person cancelled." He led her inside, eventually stopping. "Want anything to eat?"
Lucy stood in awe at the kitchen around her, but at the same time expected nothing less- Natsu's huge appetite had to come with a huge kitchen. "I'm actually starving, if you have anything."
Natsu nodded, opening the massive pantry. "We can start with this." He handed Lucy an apple.
"Wow, healthy. I didn't think you were the type." she giggled, biting into the fruit.
He laughed. "I'm not. I won't eat them, so they might as well be put to good use." He suddenly grabbed Lucy's hand. "Hey, I want to show you something."
Lucy froze, blushing. "Natsu, that's my hand…" she murmured.
He took no notice of her embarrassment. "Come on!" he smiled, and led her up the stairs.
She followed behind him, hoping he wouldn't catch how red her face was. Was this the moment I had a dream about? she thought, following Natsu into a dark room. Is this where we finally tell our feelings-
Natsu turned around, putting a finger to his lips. "You have to be quiet." he whispered.
She widened her eyes. "O-okay…" He nodded, flicking on the lights. Lucy was about to ask what was going on, when her eyes fell to the corner of the room. "Oh!" she squealed quietly, falling to her knees.
In the corner of the room was a cat, sound asleep on the floor. He was comfortably resting in his own little bed, tucked under a small green blanket. His dark fur shined in the light, whiskers twitching slightly.
"Natsu, who is this?" Lucy asked, gently stroking the cat's smooth fur. Its dark hairs shone in the light, almost looking blue in the lowly lit room.
"This is Happy. The newest addition to the Dragneel family." Natsu smiled proudly. "I adopted him from the shelter just a bit ago."
"He's so sweet." Lucy smiled, continuing to pet Happy's fur.
"I think so too." Natsu added, brushing Happy's ear. He turned to Lucy. "I'm glad you're here."
"R-really?" Lucy stammered, feeling her nerves act up again.
"Yeah. If Romeo hadn't cancelled we'd be making such a ruckus that Happy here wouldn't be sleeping." he laughed.
"That's- " Realization suddenly dawned on her as she connected another dot. "Wait, you were supposed to hang out with Romeo?" Lucy gave him a suspicious look.
Natsu nodded. "Yeah, but he cancelled. Said something came up."
Recalling her own events with Wendy, she glared. "I'll need to borrow your phone." she told him. Mira has a lot of explaining to do…
"Thanks for stopping by." Jellal spoke, walking into his bedroom.
"Of course." Ultear responded, following close behind him. "You said 'calc emergency,' so I'm here." She looked around his room. "So...what is the emergency?"
Jellal sat on a chair on the side of the room, giving Ultear a sheepish look. "Okay, it's not exactly a calc emergency."
She crossed her arms. "Jellal, if this is one of your ways to help me improve your soccer kicking, I already told you I played soccer for a week when I was five, and cannot help you- "
Jellal held up a hand. "No, no, not that emergency either. Although we can cover that too, if you're offering?"
Ultear narrowed her eyes. "Try again."
"Right, sorry." He cleared his throat. "Um, it's about us."
Ultear raised her eyebrow, sitting down on the bed. She was surprised to hear that one. "What about us?"
"This is going to sound really weird. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but…" He took a breath. "I think I've gotten to know you really well since we started this whole...tutoring thing. And in that time I've started to realize how much I admire you, and...I guess, how much I like you."
Her eyes widened. She felt her heart pounding in her ears as her world began to swirl around her. "Jellal, that's...very nice of you to say."
"I mean, what about youl? Do you feel the same?"
She cleared her throat. "I've had a lot of thoughts about this, and I'm still not quite clear, but I...I like you too." She looked at him, smiling.
He clapped his hands together. "Well, that's that, huh?" he laughed lightly.
Ultear nodded, laughing as well. "I guess it is."
He smiled at her. "Uh, I'm glad you like me too."
"Hard to believe, huh?" she smirked. But she shook her head, knowing his words were exactly the ones she had been hoping to hear. "Um...I am glad you told me."
"Of course. I care about you."
She looked at him shyly. "So...where do we go from here?"
"Well...we could start with this." He leaned forward, smoothly pressing his lips into hers.
All her thoughts suddenly ceased, her doubts immediately disappearing. This was the day she dreamt of, the words she only imagined she would hear. And they had happened, now. Her mind was blank, but she knew one thing for sure: she pulled him closer to her, feeling herself fall back on the bed. This time is different.
Ayyyyy we got Jeltear done! Just kidding not done yet. Also some of my favorite Grayza moments are when their parental personalities show thru because of Wendy, so you know I had to put that in here. I hope you enjoyed, and leave a review if you did! The next chapter will be up real soon. And by real soon I'm dead serious it'll be up in like a day haha ;)
-Pinky