What Fairy Girls Want
by Ulquiorra9000
Chapter 2: getting ready for the fun part (you're so desperate for it)
Jellal Fernandez was halfway through his gaming session at his desktop PC when he heard the door to his, Gajeel's, and Alzack's apartment swung open courtesy of a borrowed key. "Oh, shoot. AFK, guys. My girlfriend's here."
"I'm still not convinced you really have a gf," came the voice of Jellal's punk teammate in the headset.
Jellal scowled. "I don't gotta prove anything. Back in a minute." He beamed as he set down his gaming headset while his ever-so-gorgeous girlfriend casually wandered into his bedroom.
On the plus side, Erza Scarlet held a cake box from her bakery in her hands, and on the minus side, she was already pouting. Uh-oh, Erza hadn't looked this mad since the local Storebucks discontinued a drink called the Succubus Sugar Bomb (Jellal was half-convinced that drink wasn't entirely legal to serve). So, Jellal played it cool. "Somethin' bothering you, babe?" On the PC screen, Jellal's teammates were getting massacred by a team of noobs. Sucks for them!
Erza gestured with the cake box. "You didn't visit the bakery today, Jellal! I waited an extra half hour after my shift! I even made this blueberry/raspberry recipe just for you."
Jellal stared in awe at the cake box in Erza's hands. "You invented a new recipe just for me? I'm touched!" He put a hand to his heart.
"Hmph! If you leave me hanging like that again, you won't touch anything on this bod. And I know how that drives you crazy."
Jellal actually felt himself go pale. "Oh, come on. You won't go there..."
Erza's pout intensified. "I'll go there and plant a flag! No girlfriend likes being stood up."
Jellal got up (his character had already died three times in a row) and motioned. Erza hesitated, then set the cake down to hug her boyfriend. "Sorry about that, Erza. I was kinda wiped after Psychology 301, and then I had my mind on today's practice with the team. And I guess I didn't have much of a sweet tooth today."
"Just be there next time, buster," Erza told him, fixing her warm eye on her boyfriend (her bangs kept hiding the other eye). She cracked a crafty smile. "How can Counter-Strike: Mega Fighting be more important than free samples at the bakery?"
"It's not," Jellal confessed, while on his headset, a raging voice suggested otherwise. Oh, fuck you.
"Any chance for a kiss?" Jellal asked sweetly, and his girlfriend's pout simply melted away. Ah, that's better, Jellal thought as they locked lips. "I'll swing by tomorrow. How's that sound?"
"Actually, I'm skipping tomorrow's shift," Erza explained. "Come visit next week."
"No shift tomorrow? For real?"
Erza beamed. "Guess what? Cana's hosting a party at her apartment this Saturday night, and I volunteered to help set it up. I'll get an extra mixed drink as a reward!"
"Hey, that's really cool. I'll help set up, too."
Erza shook her head. "Girls only."
"Normally, that phrase turns me on, but in this case, I feel left out."
Erza gave Jellal a little shove. "Keep it in your pants, lover boy. We girls just need an excuse to spend quality time together. I ought to catch up with them."
"Where, at the Magnolia Mall?"
"Right on the money."
Jellal folded his arms. "Fine. You win that battle. But there's no way you came all the way here just to not serve me a cake."
Erza's teasing smile spread from ear to ear. Oh, you cruel vixen! "Don't underestimate me, Jellal. I might eat it all myself." She knelt and picked the cake box back up, motioning with it again.
"You wouldn't." Jellal grinned, folding his arms.
"Why don't I help myself to slice #1 to prove it?" Erza popped open the box and slowly reached inside, her sparkling eyes still fixed on her hungry boyfriend.
"That slice is all mine, Erza." Jellal took a step forward and grabbed his girlfriend's wrist, just firmly enough to make it sexy and confident.
Too bad Erza was tougher than him! She reversed the grip, and Jellal yelped as Erza strained his forearm. "Crud! I give up!" Jellal yelped.
"If you ever misbehave like that in the bedroom, I'm leaving you for a freshman. Just a friendly warning." Erza's teasing smile somehow widened even more.
Jellal tried to pry off Erza's hand with his other hand. "I say again: you wouldn't...!"
Erza leaned closer, her face right in Jellal's own. Ah, she smelled so sweet... "If you want me all to yourself, you better fight for it, big boy."
Jellal was 60% sure he knew what Erza was really getting at. This wasn't about bakery visits or slices of cake or who could beat whom at arm wrestling (it was always Erza). And their sex life was a bit modest and uninspired, too, which was a real shame when Jellal heard about all the crazy shit his classmates were doing, especially the seniors!
Oh, man. Jellal felt his heart race excitedly as he kept gazing longingly into Erza's eye, not even caring that Erza still had his wrist in a bloodflow-restricting death grip. "If you want me to prove it, Erza, I'll do a little setup of my own. Watch your back!"
"That a challenge?" Erza's smile now revealed her pearly white teeth, a sure sign that Jellal's dumb ass was finally moving in the right direction. He'd better not screw up this once-in-a-semester opportunity! He felt himself blushing.
"This time next week, little missy, you'll be beggin' me for a sweet treat," Jellal declared. "Panting on all fours, tongue hanging out, pawing at me for the good stuff. It'll be like, 'what cake?' Get ready."
"Ooooooh." Erza let go of Jellal's wrist (sweet mercy) and closed the cake box, clearly unable to wipe that giddy expression off her face. "And here I thought I'd have a boring evening studying at my place with Lisanna. Now you've got my imagination juices flowing..." She licked her lips.
"It's gonna be worth it, babe. Jellal Fernandez doesn't play around."
Erza shot him a knowing look.
"Jellal Fernandez doesn't play around anymore."
"Exactly. See you this weekend, my darling slice of dessert." Erza winked, then turned and headed for the front door.
"Who were you talking to? Me or the cake?" Jellal blurted out.
"Yes." Erza swung open the front door, and Jellal locked it behind her. Whew, that was rough, Jellal thought as he wiped his brow, even though he wasn't actually sweating. He knew what the problem was around here, and it was 100% his fault. Well okay, maybe 90%, but it was hard getting Erza to admit that last 10%, even with some drinks in her. But this weekend would change all that. Thanks in advance, Cana!
To round out his evening, Jellal parked his butt back in his gamer chair and witnessed one of his opponents aggressively teabagging his dead character. Jellal put back on his headset at once.
"I swear to fucking God, if you keep doing that, I'm going to kick down your door and strangle you with those fiber-optic cables you keep bragging about," Jellal growled. "And no, your faster internet connection doesn't make you better than me! I'm just off my game!"
"Yeah, right," came his opponent's annoying voice.
Jellal rolled his eyes and quit the game to enter a new lobby. Competitive games used to be the perfect diversion after a tough day of class, but maybe that hobby was starting to lose its kick. Hmmmm... this year was gonna be totally different than the last two, wasn't it?
Better gear up.
*o*o*o*o*
"You seriously haven't been to one of my parties before, Lucy?" Cana Alberona said for the third time as she, Lucy, Bisca, and Erza happily wandered the crowded Magnolia Mall together on Friday afternoon for some shopping. "I could have sworn I saw you at one of them! Or two? Maybe?" She cocked her head in thought.
Lucy Heartfilia smiled and shook her head. "I've been to a few parties so far, but not any of yours, Cana. I hear your parties are a total jungle! I'd remember if I went to one of those."
Cana smiled wickedly. "Then you've heard of my party rule?"
"Don't you have like ten party rules?" Bisca asked. "You ought to write a brochure, Cana. Colleges across Fiore would thank you!"
Cana pointed at Bisca. "First of all, awesome idea. Thanks, homegirl. Second, the rule I had in mind was: no virgins at my parties."
Lucy stared. "You don't let virgins go? That's kinda strict!"
"You've got it backwards, my dear Lucy," Erza said with a smirk. "Cana, finish explaining that rule of yours."
Cana snorted with barely restrained laughter. "I mean any virgins who show up won't stay that way for long. At some point in a Cana Alberona party, everyone has turned in their V-cards." She high-fived Erza and a blushing Bisca.
"Oh, really." Lucy thought about her smartphone in her purse, wondering what came next for her and the charming Natsu Dragneel. Her steamy texts had scored instant results, and Lucy was ready to cash in those sexy chips! She and Natsu were gonna do all kinds of inappropriate things at Cana's party tomorrow evening, but she'd better keep her cards close to her chest for now. Natsu was pretty popular as a friendly soccer star with a winning smile. If any of those other thirsty MCC broads caught wind of this...!
Hang tight, Lucy, and you'll get some by the time the weekend's over, Lucy told herself smugly. She hoped it wasn't showing on her face.
Apparently, it was. Crap.
"What's got you so happy, Lucy?" Erza asked. "Are you that excited to pick up some summer clothes?"
"What - oh, yeah. That's totally it," Lucy said, blinking a few times in surprise. Whew, she needed to work on her poker face! But with any luck, she wouldn't need it for much longer. You're as good as mine, Natsu baby!
First stop: the local H&N, a price-friendly apparel outlet. Not bad!
"Hey, the selection here's not bad," Cana commented aloud by sheer coincidence. She beamed. "Swimsuits or everyday wear first, girls?"
"Swimsuits!" Bisca cried, raising her hand. "My old one is getting a little frayed. And it's not seductive enough anymore."
"Woo hoo! Get yourself a hot little piece to make Alzack look your way," Cana encouraged her with a slap on the back (the cashier stared). "Show some skin! In fact, show all of it!"
Bisca giggled. "That's skinny-dipping, and I haven't done that since high school at my aunt's house in the sticks. Now let's do this."
As the girls eagerly made their way to the swimwear corner of the H&N, Cana turned to Lucy next. "How about you, blondie? You've got a killer bod. Don't let it go to waste! You could melt the sun itself if you tried."
Lucy smiled. "Actually, I already have my own swimsuit. It's a pink and white two-piece. Fits me like that." She snapped her fingers.
"Oooooh, nice. I wanna see," Cana requested as Bisca started browsing, so Lucy showed Cana her selfie on her phone.
Cana leaned in closer to look. "That's a heck of a pose, Lucy. Like you're trying to get someone's attention." Her accusing eyes locked onto Lucy's own.
"I-I, um... I just posed on a whim," Lucy invented, suddenly going pink. Shit, what if Cana was on to her? Not good!
"Hey, she has every right," Erza told Cana casually, motioning at Lucy. "I mean, look at her, that hot piece of ass! If I ever get my lesbian phase before graduating, miss Lucy Heartfilia's at the top of the list!"
"Aw, thanks so much," Lucy said warmly. She winked. "And right back at you. I mean, we still have a few semesters left."
"Damn right we do."
On that lovely note, Lucy hung back and watched as Erza, Bisca, and Cana experimented with different swimsuits, and the girls took turns judging them as they stepped from the changing rooms.
"Too conservative. Why even bother?" Cana commented when Bisca showed off a one-piece suit. For shame!
"Not bad, but your hips don't stand out enough," Lucy declared when Erza presented herself in a bright yellow ensemble. "You've got hips for days, Erza! Make them pop!"
So, Erza returned in a tight, skimpy black two-piece that had all the girls whooping with approval. "Now that's a scandalous look!" Cana cried.
"Jellal will go nuts when he sees you in that," Bisca added, clapping.
"That's my queen," Lucy said as she clapped too. "Cana, you next! Make it even sluttier!"
"Bitch, that's all I do," Cana said, throwing Lucy a playful wink over her shoulder as she marched into the changing room with a few choice swimsuits in hand.
Then Cana re-emerged, and Lucy nearly got a heart attack! Lucy even felt a twinge of longing for that sweet, hot flesh and decided that Cana was at the top of her potential lesbian phase list. Sorry, Erza! Can we still be friends?
"It's amazing!" Bisca declared.
Cana slumped her shoulders. "Any girl can pull off 'amazing' with the right posture. I need something downright crazy."
So, she retreated back in there, and returned with something Lucy couldn't believe got approved by the textiles industry. Yee-haw! Cana's magnificent melons had 95% exposure, maybe 96%, and it was 100% boner material! The girls cheered, fists raised high.
"Go you, skank!" Erza whooped, grinning her head off. "Yowza!"
"You could seduce a mannequin in that!" Bisca added.
"You'll score guys in your sleep!" Lucy stated.
"Thanks, girls. Next step is straight-up nude. I just might try it," Cana said, spreading her arms wide, until a passing sales clerk scowled at her.
"Try it, and you'll never see the inside of this mall again," the female clerk snapped. Oh, who invited you, miss buzzkill?!
Finally, it was Bisca's turn, and while she showed off her camo-pattern outfit that earned rave reviews, Lucy gave Cana a look. It was normal for Cana the party queen to dial everything to 11 and soak it in beer. Typical college stuff. But why did Cana seem like a young woman on a mission today?
Like Lucy was?
Uh-oh.
Next came everyday wear for the coming summer months, and once again, Cana was determined to push the fabric-to-skin ratio to its most logical extreme. She presented herself in ultra-tight, impossibly short yellow shorts, a pale blue tube top, and high-heeled leather sandals, and earned instant approval. "You look ready for a date," Bisca commented.
"I just might be," Cana said, throwing her yet another wink, hands on her hips. "Truth be told, girls, I've been wondering if partying alone is enough for an enriching college experience. Maybe it's time I get serious about a guy or two. A hookup, a short fling, or maybe something even more serious! Wish me luck!"
"Go you!" Erza declared, raising a fist to eye level, a gleam sparkling next to her in midair. "What's your type?"
"Anyone crazy enough to keep up with me," Cana explained, and that was enough for Erza and Bisca, while Lucy felt a thrill of dread. She could only think of three guys who fit that simple description, and two were already taken! That left just one.
Uh-oh!
"Now that's hot!" Cana announced when Bisca took her turn finding summer wear. Bisca looked awesome in a cute plaid top that bared her midriff, followed by sexy jean shorts with a girly belt, leather sandals similar to Cana's, and a bright red handkerchief tied loosely around her neck.
"So, a cowgirl look," Lucy noted happily. "It suits you, Bisca. I bet Alzack will love it."
"That's the plan," Bisca said with a casual grin, making finger pistols. "Bam! Bam! Love bullets!"
"Ah! I think one hit me!" Cana joked, clapping a hand to her heart (it made her left breast jiggle). "Oops, you ended up at the top of my lesbian phase list, Bisca! Will Alzack be okay with that?"
"As long as he gets to see the sex tape, I'm sure," Erza put in, and Bisca solemnly agreed with those fair terms.
Erza took her turn next, stunning everyone with a scandalously short skirt of dark blue fabric, a thin white tube top with straps, high-heeled boots, and fingerless gloves. It was pretty off-beat, the girls agreed, but it suited the tough and sexy Erza Scarlet perfectly!
Cana whistled. "Between that black two-piece and this, Erza, Jellal won't get a lick of studying done this semester. He'll get a few licks of you!"
"Damn right," Erza agreed, and the girls high-fived. Whoo!
Finally, it was Lucy's turn. All eyes were on her.
"Uh..." Lucy winced, going pink. "This is awkward. I had my eyes on that cowgirl ensemble from earlier, but Bisca took that look already."
"Oh, I can try something else," Bisca said hastily, motioning with her hands. "You can try the look too, Lucy!"
Lucy shook her head. "Fair is fair, Bisca. You got it first. Let me try something else..."
Whew, this was nerve-wracking! Lucy didn't mind shopping with the gals, an afternoon staple of hers, but this time, it felt different. So much was at stake! What if she did this wrong? Or, what if she was being shallow and overthinking things? If Natsu Dragneel was to be hers, then she could seduce him with anything, so long as Lucy was her true, wonderful self. Her heart was the sexist of them all.
Oh, fuck it. Let's just find something slutty.
She settled on a highly revealing, powder-pink top with white lace, short jean shorts kind of like Bisca's, and open-toed sandals. She even struck the same poses as in her sexts to Natsu.
"You rock, girl!" Bisca cheered, clapping once again. "It feels like a good blend of what Cana and I are doing."
"You're the vision of youthful beauty," Erza stated, and Lucy couldn't be happier.
"Go you!" Cana said simply, sticking out her tongue as she offered a high-five. "I think that settles it, girls. We've got our summer looks for parties, dates, and the poolside! Let's ring these up and pick up some stuff for tomorrow's party."
And so it was, with Cana, Bisca, and Erza chatting away so carefree as they rounded up goodies for tomorrow night's party: a few packages of red plastic cups, some drink mixers (soda and juice), ping-pong balls for beer pong, and all kinds of lovely snacks, from pretzels to cupcakes and candy. Then, when it was time to say goodbye, Bisca and Erza waved farewell and headed out through the nearest exit, leaving just Cana and Lucy.
"Thanks for comin' with us, Lucy," Cana said warmly. "I can't wait to see you at the party."
"Me, neither." Lucy winked, her heart tightening with dread. She knew that look in Cana's eyes!
"If I may say so, Lucy, you really seemed to dress up with a guy in mind," Cana commented, setting down her shopping bags and folding her arms. "Can I ask who it is?"
"You first," Lucy blurted out.
"I dunno, Lucy. You seemed pretty antsy about this the whole time," Cana said. "Is something wrong? Will I not like the answer? You can tell me; it's okay."
Lucy heard the truth in the other girl's words and took comfort in that, but even so... She swallowed. "At the same time."
Cana tossed her hair. "Sure. One, two, three..."
"Natsu."
Lucy and Cana stared at each other.
"WHAT!" Cana pointed an accusing finger at Lucy, her eyes wide, her face going red. "You're into him, too?! You... are you gonna seduce him at the party? Were you planning on dating him this semester?"
"That's the idea, yeah," Lucy said, mustering all the courage she could, trying to look confidently defiant. "Cana, I really like him, and we're already such good friends. I'm ready for more. This is what I want."
"I've known him longer. And I've been to all his soccer games," Cana retorted. "Come on, Lucy, let me have this one. I'll find two single guys for you in return! Deal?" She offered a hand.
Once again, Lucy knew the other girl meant well. But all bets were off!
Lucy set down her bags and folded her arms, too. "Sorry, Cana, but no deal. I've got my eyes on Natsu, and since I can't hide it from you, let me say: at that party, I shall make him mine."
Cana broke into a crafty smile. "It's on, blondie, and the name of the game is seduction. Damn, I didn't think I'd be competing with you like this!" She shook her head.
"Can we still be friends afterward?"
"Of course we can! Bring it in." Cana spread her arms in a semicircle, so Lucy relented and hugged her.
"I ain't losing this," Cana half-whispered into Lucy's ear. "Game on, and no hard feelings afterward, you hear me? Natsu's mine."
"I'm barely getting started."
"Bring your A-game, girl. You'll need it."
"I'm bringing my A+ game."
"That outfit you bought was a B at most."
"Depends on the girl wearing it."
"Why don't you show me? Me and Natsu."
"Oh, I will." Lucy broke from Cana and picked up her bags. This was war! "Good night, Cana. See you in about..." She checked the mall's clock. "28 hours."
"You're on!"
Lucy took her leave, dearly hoping this wouldn't complicate things too much back at the apartment. She, Cana, and Bisca all shared an apartment close to campus, and if this drove a wedge between them...!
Some say "bros before hoes." That applied to girls too, you know!
*o*o*o*o*
"Jeez, someone's back late," Natsu commented as he slouched on the couch (hey, that rhymes) in his, Gray's and Eflman's apartment early that evening after a dinner of take-out and beers. He and Gray were half an hour into a rowdy sitcom, arguing over which character earned the most laughs from the annoying laugh track. No winner was decided yet.
Elfman Strauss shrugged as he shut the apartment door behind him, his backpack strapped on tight. "I was studying late after my last class let out. I'm telling you, modern lit is gonna kick my butt if I have to read so many historical novels and write reports on them."
"There's only one story that needs to be told, my good man," Gray said as he cracked open another cold one. "The sweeping tale of you and Evergreen getting it on! Haven't you made your move yet?"
"Yeah, Elfman. You've got a big body. How about some big balls to match?" Natsu teased him. "Hurry, or some other bozo will snatch up Evergreen and you'll be stuck with the Playboy mags you claim aren't under your bed."
Elfman pointed. "First of all, I got rid of those Playboy magazines -"
"An obvious lie," Gray cut in, "but do continue."
"And second," Elfman plowed on, "what do you mean some other bozo will get Evergreen? What do you take me for?"
"A giant teddy bear who can't get none," Natsu said, cracking a wide grin. "Sorry, buddy, but it's true. You're off your game. You're on track to fail your minor at this rate."
Everyone in this apartment - actually, everyone on campus - knew what that meant. It was a historical fact that no matter what anyone majored in at Magnolia City College, everyone minored in hooking up. Actually, a few people majored in it.
"Watch me. I'll graduate with both my major and minor," Elfman declared. He took off his shoes, then lumbered to his waiting bedroom. "It's you guys who oughta get serious."
"About which?" Natsu asked, suddenly feeling defensive.
Elfman tossed his backpack onto his bed, then returned to the living room, dusting off his hands. "Both, guys! Not only are you cutting even more classes than me, but I hear you're not getting far with your ladies. Gray, you and Juvia are in such a weird spot right now. You can't keep this up."
Gray groaned. "Let me guess. Your precious big sister filled you in?"
"Both sisters did, thank you," Elfman told him smugly. "Between them, they hear everything that happens on MCC's campus. And as for you, Natsu, you're single and ready to mingle! There are a few girls who have you on their radar. Aren't you ready to catch something on your hook and reel her in?"
Natsu gestured with an empty beer can. Shoot, he already needed to go buy another six-pack! But he was too lazy to make a liquor store run at this time of day. "I'm biding my time, Elfman, and I've got a few leads. No need to worry about me."
"Is Cana's party tomorrow night gonna change things?"
Natsu brightened. "You read my mind like magic, good sir." Then he pounded both fists together. "I know a few girls who are ready for a taste of this. And I'll be there for 'em."
Elfman nodded, and he suddenly had a distant, serious look in his eyes. "Choose carefully, Natsu. Those are real people's hearts you're dealing with. Same for you, Gray. Juvia's a weirdo, but she's a weirdo with a good heart."
"Sheesh, you're even more insufferable about this than you were last year," Gray grumbled. He took a drink. "Relax, will you?"
Elfman hesitated, then gave the thumbs up. "Right on. I'll see you at the party. First, a little dinner." He wandered into the small kitchen and swung open the fridge. "Come here, my precious yogurt cup..."
Gray glanced at Natsu. "Didn't you eat the last yogurt when we got back?"
Natsu nodded, prepared for the explosion.
"NATSU!" Elfman roared, slamming the fridge shut. "I was looking forward to that all day!"
"Whoops. Sorry!" Natsu grabbed the last beer from his six-pack carton and tossed it into the kitchen. "Can we call it even?"
Elfman cracked it open, took a big gulp, then grinned. "Even."
"That's what I'm talking about."
A content Elfman scraped together a modest dinner and took it into his room to eat, while Natsu tried to concentrate on the sitcom and its stupid laugh track. But now he had his mind on other, much hornier, stuff.
Of the three girls who sexted me, Cana's the one in the best position to make a move, Natsu noted. Hosting the party and all that. And Lucy's her roommate. Oof, that'll be tricky! I wonder if Lisanna will be there, too?
Then he looked at the closed door of Elfman's room and realized what that distant look had been all about.
Hoo boy... three thirsty girls were about to collide with one Natsu Dragneel in a single night, and there was no backng out now! What a semester this was going to be.