Chapter Eighteen

"We're going to be late for the wedding!" Lucy yelled. She grabbed Natsu and Happy's hands and took off running up the stairs.

"What is she talking about? It's only 7 o' clock," said Gray.

He was giving Erza his usual amused smile. The one they always shared when their guildmates were being over the top. Their eyes met and her heart started hammering in her chest again. Involuntarily, her eyes flicked towards his chest, his shirt having been stripped off somewhere during their journey home.

"Urk!" she replied intelligently. Beads of sweat began to run down her face. "I-have-to-go-bye!" she blurted in a rush, before running hell for leather out of the room.

Charle, Wendy and Gray exchanged bewildered looks. "What the hell was that about?"


"Porlyusica-san!" Erza slammed the door to the forest witch's cottage open.

Porlyusica came hurrying forward. "What's wrong?" she asked, anxiety evident in her voice.

Erza requipped off her armour and began unbuttoning her shirt in one fluid motion. She walked across the room to the bed where Porlyusica treated her patients. "I am sick," she said urgently. "There is something wrong with my heart."

Porlyusica grabbed her magical stethoscope and put it in her ears. "What exactly is the matter?" she snapped efficiently.

"It is doing weird things. Somersaults, loop-de-loops, increasing its tempo at random moments."

"Your heart… is doing somersaults?"

"It must be a very deadly illness."

"Get out."

"Huh?"

"GET OUT!" Porlyusica grabbed her broom and chased Erza out of her cottage. "And don't you dare come back!" she screamed, shaking her fist at Erza's retreating form.

She growled at the figure who emerged from one of the back rooms, "It is a miracle the human race survives, given its boundless stupidity."

Juvia covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.


A pretty pink blush stained Levy's cheeks as Master Makarov drew to the end of his congratulatory speech. The ceremony at Kardia Cathedral had been beautiful. Jet and Droy had walked her down the aisle, stopping halfway to argue over who got to let go of Levy's hand last. Gajeel had stomped forward and spirited her away before they could reach a decision. Later, the church had rung with laughter when the priest asked if anyone had objections to the union and Levy had said sharply, "Speak now and I will arrest you."

It had been perfect. Sitting now, by her husband's side, sheltered in the warmth and love of her family; it was the happiest Levy had ever been. Master Makarov raised his glass, grinned broadly at both her and Gajeel and wished them the happiest damn future possible. She found herself grinning back and reaching for Gajeel's hand.

Gray had just drained his glass of champagne when Lucy reached them. "What did you all think of the ceremony?" she asked, her eyes shining.

Erza wiped a tear from her eye. "The love that has blossomed between these two. I am moved!" She reached out in an automatic gesture to clasp her comrades to her breast.

Gray readied himself, already leaning into her outstretched hand when it swerved past him and grabbed onto Wendy.

"Oof," mumbled Natsu.

"E-Erza-san!" squeaked Wendy.

Lucy raised an eyebrow at Gray's obvious disappointment. He blushed slightly at having been caught out and looked away.

"Bouncy," commented Natsu, his head still pressed against Erza's chest.

"Try not to look like you're enjoying it so much," Lucy muttered tersely.

Wendy clocked Cheria's face through her daze. "Ch-Cheria, it's not what you think!"

"Using your feminine wiles against my girlfriend, how despicable!" Cheria said hotly.

Erza released Wendy and Natsu in surprise. Before she could deliver a denial, Cheria had taken a step forward, tripped over thin air and fallen quite spectacularly into her bosom.

"B-Bouncy."

An aura of depression descended upon Wendy. Charle patted her on the shoulder, "There, there, Wendy. You'll get there someday."


Juvia was amongst the last to arrive in the guildhall. She waited for the end of the speeches before she made her way over to Gray.

"Juvia!" he said when he saw her, genuine pleasure flooding his voice. He had not expected to see her out and about so soon. His brows shot up of their own accord when he glanced down at her outfit.

Juvia blushed and twirled slowly to show off her new dress. The buttercup yellow offset her blue hair, bringing a vibrancy to her complexion. It was a welcome change from her usual dismal hues. "Gray-sama," she began shyly, "would you like to dance with Juvia?" Gajeel and Levy had just ended their first dance to a loud round of applause and other couples were making their ways onto the dance floor.

Gray hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking her hand. He knew from his conversation with Cana that he would have to break up with Juvia, but he was not sure when. It was nearly December. Christmas would be upon them soon. It would be heartless to break up with her just before Christmas. But if he waited, it would be New Year's, and then Valentine's Day, and then White Day, and then he would have been with Juvia so long that he would be a total jerk for breaking up with her. He was probably going to end up married to her at this rate. Beads of sweat appeared along his brow.

If Juvia noticed his discomfiture, she did not say. She bit her lip pensively, her own agenda on her mind. "Gray-sama," she said slowly.

The apprehension in her voice made a tiny worm of panic poke its head out of his heart. "Is everything OK?"

Juvia gave him a falsely bright smile. "Dancing with Gray-sama like this makes Juvia very happy."

Gray flushed and looked away awkwardly. "Yeah," he said weakly. He saw Erza watching them from near the buffet tables, but she turned away the instant their eyes met. His brow wrinkled in confusion. Juvia shifted in his arms, drawing his attention.

"Gray-sama, these past few days with Porlyusica-san, Juvia has- Juvia has-"

"Hmmm?"

"Juvia has learned a lot, Gray-sama. Juvia has learned a lot about herself." Noticing the incomprehension in his face, Juvia took a deep breath and continued in a simpler vein. "The way that Juvia feels about Gray-sama, it-" she broke off abruptly when Gray stopped short.

"Gray-sama?" she repeated in confusion, looking up to find Gray staring at the doors of the guild, a multitude of emotions running across his face.

The sob broke free from his body before he could remember himself. Juvia forgotten, he strode forward. The tears pricked at his eyes as he unconsciously broke into a run. He stopped before the newcomers, his fists clenched, not trusting himself to speak.

"Long time no see, Gray."

Gray swallowed. His emotions were threatening to overwhelm him. "Yeah," he replied, nodding, "Long time no see, Ultear."


Wendy was enjoying a slice of the wedding cake (chocolate, much to Erza's disappointment) when her nose caught whiff of a familiar smell. "Anna-sensei!" she said, turning to greet her old teacher.

"My, Wendy, look how you've grown."

Wendy sweatdropped. "Nope, not at all."

Anna Heartfilia smiled and took a seat. All her old pupils were growing up. When she walked through the Eclipse gate 400 years ago, she had never expected to be attending one of her old pupils' wedding. The thought of how far those children had come filled her with joy.

She chatted with Wendy for a while, the two of them discussing the commotion in the guild. "I'm happy you found such a spirited group of friends."

Wendy let out an embarrassed chuckle. This was nothing compared to the brawls that took place in the guild. Master had threatened severe punishment to those who caused a ruckus during the wedding. Her guildmates were on their best behaviour.

Just then, Natsu went past with Lucy, tugging on his collar and complaining about having to wear a tie. Anna noticed the skin around Natsu's neck and turned to Wendy in alarm. "What happened to Natsu?"

There was a pause as Wendy debated internally about how much she was allowed to share. "Um, Natsu-san was injured during our mission. He should be OK as long as he doesn't use his powers to their fullest extent."

Anna gave her a knowing look.

Wendy returned a wry smile. "Keeping cool is hard for Natsu-san."

"As expected of a fire mage." Anna rested her chin in her hand as she considered the issue. She was a Celestial Spirit Wizard; this was quite out of her realm of expertise. Moreover, she had not practised magic since they had taken down Acnologia. Still, there had to be something in the library of her mind. "Wendy," she said eventually, "how strong is your Enchantment magic now?"


"How did you make it back?" Gray asked. He and Ultear were sitting on the stone benches outside the guild. It was quieter here, on the shores of Lake Sciliora.

A brief burst of noise reached their ears as the doors to the guild were opened and then closed. Jellal and Meredy, probably. The two of them had left him alone with Ultear, understanding that there was a lot for the two of them to discuss.

Ultear tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked off into the distance. "Jellal and Meredy." She raised a hand to show him her wrist. A slightly modified variation of Meredy's Maguilty Sense runes was burned into her skin.

Gray nodded, not needing to know the details. It was enough that she was here. "Are you back for good?"

"Yeah." A wistful expression came over her face. "It's a strange feeling. Being given a second chance," she murmured.

"What?"

Ultear shook her head to clear it of her thoughts. "Nothing." She smiled at Gray. "I'm happy to be here."

Gray reached out and touched her hand. "Me too." Ultear gave him a sly look and Gray withdrew his hand instantly. "Tch," he said, staring determinedly at the sky, "Don't go reading too much into it."

"So, you didn't miss me?"

Gray huffed tolerantly. "It wasn't so bad."

Ultear laughed. A breeze stirred the fallen leaves in the yard, their rustling filled with the calm promise of autumn. She watched a duck float up to the edge of the lake, pecking away at an invisible speck in the water.

"You mustn't blame yourself," she said softly.

Gray fiddled with the buttons on the cuff of his sleeve, undoing them and then doing them up again. How many times had he heard this? "I don't," he lied.

Ultear gave him a look.

"I'm working on it," he amended. He took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air. Winter was almost upon them. His favourite time of year. A time for new beginnings.

"I've realised," he said, "that while I bear responsibility for what happened with you and Ur-sensei, it doesn't mean that I should wallow in it." He paused to smile softly at Ultear. "If I care about your sacrifice then I can't waste it on an unhappy life. I'm going to move forward and live."

Ultear sniffed. It was not what she had hoped for, but she had long since realised that Gray was as stubborn as the ice he made.

She had thought that giving up her time to reverse the fate of the world had been her redemption. But, looking now, at the hopeful smile on Gray's face, she realised she had been wrong. This was it. He was her redemption. Just as he had been her mother's.

The compromise would have to do.


"Levy looks radiant today, doesn't she?" Mirajane said.

Lisanna smirked impishly. "You could say she has a glow about her."

"And that's a very interesting dress Levy is wearing. An empire waist on such a petite figure? What an unusual choice."

Lucy blushed, catching their meaning. There was a reason why Mira and Lisanna were the go-to sources for gossip in the guild. They were tenacious and sneaky. A deadly combo. She looked around, hoping there were no reporters from Sorcerer Weekly around. A pregnancy scandal was the last thing Levy and Gajeel needed on their honeymoon. Mira and Lisanna would just have to find out in three months' time like everyone else.

"I think she was inspired by the ancient Mildians," Lucy replied evasively.

"I see what you mean." Mira smiled innocently and gestured towards the faux marble columns that decorated the guild.

"I'm just glad the food isn't ancient Milly-dan," Natsu muttered, stuffing his face with more chicken.

Lucy sweatdropped. "Weren't you born during that time?" she said in an aside.

"You look really pretty too, Lucy!" Mira interjected.

"Yeah," agreed Lisanna, "I really like your lip-gloss! What kind is it?"

"Cherry," replied Natsu absently.

Lisanna and Mirajane exchanged a look, their eyebrows almost to their hairlines in amusement.

"I-It's not what you think!" Lucy said hastily, blushing crimson.

A wicked gleam came into Mira's eye, but whatever she had been planning to say was drowned out when Levy took the stage to make an announcement.

"Alright everyone!" Levy said, her clear voice silencing everyone in the guild. "It's time for me to throw the bouquet!"

Lucy found herself being manhandled by Mira and Lisanna. She was suddenly pushed to the front of the crowd near the stage. "Erza!" she exclaimed in surprise, looking at the person next to her.

"Lucy," replied Erza, a determined glint in her eye. "Ohho, so you are participating in this game too? I will not go easy on you. I will be declared the champion of this wedding."

"Do you even know what this game is for?" Lucy sweatdropped.

There was a surge of movement as Levy closed her eyes and tossed the bouquet. Lucy watched as Erza leapt up, her body arcing perfectly above a sea of grasping hands. She flew back, her hands outstretched towards the bundle of irises and snowdrops that Levy had thrown too high and too far. Her eyes widened in triumph as her fingers brushed the twine that bound the flowers, only to find herself suddenly pushed out of the way.

Erza landed with a thud, both her spine and ego bruised and blinked up at the person standing in front of her.

"Ho ho ho," cackled Evergreen smugly, "I win." She flourished the bouquet above her head. "Looks like I'll be getting married first, Titania!"

"Marriage is not manly," whimpered a voice from the corner.

"M-Marriage!" stuttered Erza. What the hell was Evergreen talking about? She moved to rise, desperate to clear the air. She had just placed her hands on either side of her to push herself upright, when she felt a hard boot instead of the wooden floor. She turned to look at the man standing behind her, her face paling in utter mortification.

"Jellal."


Jellal was finding it hard to breathe. Erza's embarrassed face had morphed into a smile; her expression bright enough to rival his Grand Chariot. She held a hand up to him, indicating that he should pull her to her feet. He obeyed the instruction meekly, his heart constricting at the contact.

"You are looking well," she said.

Jellal did not know if she was being polite or if she had finally stopped looking close enough to see the tension hidden behind his carefully neutral expression. Both options felt like a punch to the abdomen. Even if this was what he had wanted all along.

"So are you," he replied. And meant it. Her cheeks were suffused with a healthy glow and there was a sparkle in her eye that he had never seen. She looked happy.

The crowd around them began to disperse as Levy left the stage. Erza held out her hand to Jellal as the band struck up a lively tune.

He had never danced with Erza before. Not since they were children, playing make believe in the dungeons of the Tower of Heaven. The only time since that he had asked her, she had turned him down. He took her hand, wondering if this meant that their friendship had been restored.

Ten seconds later, he lost all ability to wonder as Erza began energetically spinning him around the room. "Dance is all about fighting spirit," she boasted, leading him around in a circle.

Jellal smiled weakly, grateful he had not eaten that morning. He was beginning to feel dizzy and nauseous. "I. See," he stuttered. "You are a tremendous dancer."

"Thank you."

The number drew to a close, the song being one of the shorter ones in the band's repertoire. Jellal hurried the two of them off the dance floor before Erza could think to start again. "I am parched," he explained.

"Of course. How rude of me not to have offered you some refreshments." Erza walked him over to the buffet tables and thrust a glass of champagne in his hand. "You arrived late," she said.

"Yes."

"You missed the ceremony."

"Gajeel asked us to wait until the speeches were over. He said the moment would have more impact that way."

Erza nodded. "Of course." It also conveniently prevented Ultear from stealing Levy's thunder at her own wedding. That had been neatly executed by Gajeel.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, the two of them lost in their own thoughts.

"Thank you," said Erza abruptly. Her eyes were trained on the back door to the guild. "It must have been very difficult."

"It was alright."

"Your injuries tell a different story."

So, she had noticed after all. Jellal shrugged, "I'll tell you about it some time."

Erza hummed in response. "I am glad you made it back safely."

So was he. He had ripped a hole in the fabric of space and time to find Ultear. The three words Meredy had mouthed at him before he stepped into the void seemed to ring in his ears. He saw Ultear stepping back inside the guild, her eyes immediately finding his. 'Bring her home,' Meredy had said. And he had. He had walked through hellfire to do it and he would do it again. She had shouldered his sins for him too long for him not to.

"What will you do now?" Erza asked, breaking him from his reverie, "Will you re-form Crime Sorciére?"

Jellal shook his head. "Crime Sorciére is done." He paused, swirling the dregs of champagne at the bottom of his glass. "Ul has a cottage in the hills outside of Crocus. We'll stay there while we figure things out."

Erza's eyes grew comically huge. "L-live together?"

"N-not like that!" he hurriedly corrected her. He looked down at the floor, his jaw working as he thought through his words. "Ul earned her redemption. She needs to use her second chance to live in the light. But I... There is still enough darkness in this world left for me to fight."

"You will work it out."

Jellal searched her face, looking for a hidden admonishment or instruction and finding none. No order to live. No command to forgive himself. Only calm supportiveness.

Erza patted him on the arm before turning and walking away. He watched her go, smiling as she paused to chat with the other guests at the wedding. Her steps seemed lighter. Her laugh a touch more carefree.

He watched her move forward and thought, for the first time, that maybe he could too.


Gray tried to ignore the feeding warthog by his side. He wiped his cheek, annoyed, as another flying fleck of roast beef went sailing past his nose. "Bastard, at least try to eat more neatly."

"Go away and let me eat in peace," replied Natsu, just as crossly.

"That isn't eating. There've been monsters that have laid waste to towns more neatly than you."

"Oh yeah? You wanna go, popsicle breath?"

Lucy patted the air, a nervous smile on her lips. "Calm down you two. Remember the Master promised a punishment for people who started a fight today."

"Yeah," Happy chirped, "And if he doesn't get you, Erza will. Scary!"

Gray scratched his chin and reconsidered the situation. Erza had barely spoken to him since the day before. Maybe getting in a fight would be the perfect way to get her to talk.

He would not have minded normally. He and Erza frequently went days without speaking. But today was different. It almost felt as if she was deliberately ignoring him.

He watched her standing behind Master, a scary glint descending into her eye. Master Makarov choked on his food, sensing the dark aura that had suddenly flared up behind him.

"Master, are you eating bacon?" Erza asked, her voice deathly calm.

"No," answered Makarov, his mouth incriminatingly full.

"You have to remember your heart cond-" Erza stopped short, a shiver running down her spine and making her hair stand on end.

"Erza-san, what an intoxicating parfum as always."

"I-I-Ichiya!" Erza shuddered, her face turning blue with shock.

Ichiya pirouetted past Erza, jumping atop Makarov's table before pointing finger guns at them. "Makarov-dono, my hearty congratulations on the union of Gajeel-kun and Levy-chan. Sparkle." He threw his hair back, tiny puffs of glitter materialising magically in the air around him. "The parfum of this event is exquisite. Men."

Gray could see the cogwheels turning in Erza's brain as she scrambled desperately for a way out of the conversation. He caught sight of Lily gesturing secretively towards her from the door to the kitchen. Erza's eye gleamed and she gave him a furtive thumbs-up in return. What the hell was that about?

Natsu burped loudly, diverting Gray's attention.

"You sure are eating a lot today."

"Having an Enchantment performed on you will do that to you," Lucy explained.

Gray's brow wrinkled in confusion. "What Enchantment?"

"Anna-sensei taught Wendy one to suppress my powers," Natsu replied, picking his teeth with a bone.

"This way Natsu won't accidentally make the poison in his body flare up!" Happy seemed overjoyed as he shared the information.

"That's great. No more Sealstone cuffs," said Gray.

Natsu grunted in response, clearly unhappy with the situation. All at once, his ears perked up. He turned horrified eyes to the rest of the group. "We have to get out of here."

"What? Why?"

Natsu grabbed Lucy and Happy by the hand and sped off. "Come on!"

Gray hesitated for a split second. On the one hand, he was in no mood to go running anywhere. On the other, the terror in Natsu's eyes had been genuine.

That split second, however, turned out to be his undoing. His face paled as he heard an unmistakable 'Shooby do-bop' emanate from the lacrima speaker nearest to him. "Shit."

"Now performing, in their farewell performance," Mira announced, "the one, the only, Steel Panther Swords 'n' Roses."

Gray collapsed into his seat as the lights came up on the stage, revealing Gajeel wearing a stylish white suit, sitting with a guitar on his lap.

Erza stood to his left, dressed in a black cat costume, a bass guitar around her neck. The fretboard of the guitar had been replaced with a sword; a stylistic choice too far for someone of Erza's guitar playing talents.

"Geehee," said Lily, striking the cymbals on his drum kit, "This is Gajeel's event planner side."

Gajeel cleared his throat and played a sour note on the mouth organ. "This song goes out to all the lovers, all the Romeos out there."

"What does Romeo have to do with this?" Macao demanded.

Gray thought he heard Levy repeating, 'Remember you already married him, remember you already married him' but he could not be sure.

The band struck up their first song and Gray wondered if Making some ice ear plugs would permanently damage his hearing. Maybe it would be worth it.

He looked around at the guildhall, simultaneously sympathetic to and laughing at the stunned audience.

His eyes drifted past the Custody Enforcement Unit's table where Alucardé Hyberion was throwing back a drink, seemingly cursing the day he chose to ask Erza Scarlet on a date.

Curious, Gray turned to the back of the hall where he had last seen Jellal and Ultear.

Jellal was shaking. He stared at the stage aghast, his mouth hanging open. Gray caught Ultear's gaze and she doubled over with mirth.

He was struggling to contain his own laughter. It was a good thing Jellal and Erza were broken up. There was no way he would see her the same way after this. 'Still,' he thought, his eyes returning to the stage, 'the cat costume is pretty cute.'

"Gray-sama," interrupted a quiet voice by his elbow. He had not seen Juvia since earlier that morning. He flushed as he remembered that he had left her in the middle of the dancefloor without a word of explanation. He was even more ashamed to realise that he had all but forgotten about her since then.

"Juvia," he said, turning to her, "I'm sorry I didn't come find you."

"No. It's alright. Gray-sama can we talk?"


The tiny cobblestoned courtyard was nearly silent, the cacophony of the celebration a distant din. The barren trees, like clawed black hands, stretched towards a grey sky that hovered between sunshine and rain. Juvia took a deep breath, the sweet smell of moist earth filling her lungs. Resolve tightened in her belly as she turned to Gray. The question she knew she had to ask was burning her up, threatening to turn her watery body to vapour.

"How does Gray-sama feel about Juvia?"

The question rent the air like a thunderclap even though the skies above remained as brooding as ever. Gray hesitated, a deflection ready upon his lips. He clenched his fists to help steel his nerves. He could not bring himself to meet her eyes as he spoke. "I want to deserve your feelings," he paused, his face clouding, "I want to be the kind of person that is worthy of the life you sacrificed."

Juvia tried not to flinch. That was still not an answer. "But Gray-sama… why?" Surprise flashed across Gray's face. It strengthened Juvia enough to say what she needed to say. "Gray-sama mentioned Juvia's feelings but he still has not told her how he feels. If you," her voice faltered and she bit her lip before continuing, "If you have decided to be with Juvia just because of how she feels about you then that's not love. That's a burden."

The tears prickled at Juvia's eyes, but she was resolute. "Juvia is asking you, Gray-sama," she said, "Do you love me?"

Gray's jaw worked with emotion. He had promised to chase happiness. It was not fair that he had to cause sorrow to do so. He sucked in a heavy breath, his head raised to the swirling sky, and slowly shook his head.

She had been expecting it. In the depths of her soul, where the light did not reach, she had always known. The pain still pierced her. As if she were made of flesh and blood and not endlessly pliant water.

"Then go." Juvia swallowed, her voice growing stronger. "Love is love. There are no bargains or conditions. No obligations. Juvia never asked for that." She gave him a watery smile. "Gray-sama brought sunshine into my life for the first time. Juvia will always love Gray-sama for that. But now I have to find my own sunshine."

The silence stretched between them, as heavy as the clouds. The turbulence dimmed in Juvia's eyes as she met Gray's glittering gaze. Sorry, she seemed to say, for thrusting my love upon you.

Sorry, he seemed to reply, that I could not return it.

The shadows lengthened as the afternoon melted away. Gray blinked his gaze away, his throat tight. He stepped forward and placed a kiss on Juvia's cheek. "Thank you," he said. For everything.

His hollow footsteps on the cobblestones echoed in the emptiness of the courtyard. Juvia closed her eyes and tilted her face to the sky; a single, solitary sunbeam shining down on her tearstained face.


"Erza-ba-san!"

Erza choked on her drink. "Ba-san?" Maybe she needed to start moisturising.

Asca clambered onto the bench next to Erza and grinned a toothy smile. "Erza-ba-san, what's a power couple?"

"Power couple?" Erza replied blankly. Her brow furrowed with concentration as she thought of an explanation. "Ah! When two people who are dating have a lot of attack power, they are called a power couple."

Asca nodded somewhat dubiously.

"Why do you ask?"

"Mama and Papa said that you and Jellal-san are a power couple."

Erza spat out the mouthful of beer she had just taken. She set her glass aside, thinking it was probably better not to try and drink during this conversation. "It is not like that between Jellal and me."

"Oh?" pouted Asca. "But I heard Mama tell Papa that you love him this much." She threw her arms open wide.

Erza spluttered, trying to come up with a response. "Ah, you see, um, we-, I-"

"My my, what's this? The party is almost over, and you haven't danced with me yet, Asca-chan," said Gray, walking up to them. He smiled at Erza, unexpected relief filling him when she nodded back.

Asca giggled as Gray spun her about the room. "Faster!" she ordered.

Erza stifled a smile as she watched Gray being forced to twirl at dizzying speeds. He set Asca down as the song ended, vaguely unstable on his feet.

"Again!" the little girl demanded.

Gray turned white but obligingly picked her up. Asca wriggled with excitement and began shouting out a list. "Now do Superhero Pose! Flying Swan Pose! Angry Vulcan Pose! Happy Pose!"

"Aye Sir!" Gray set Asca on his shoulders and raised his hand in a salute. He saw Erza hiding her laughter behind a gloved hand and sweatdropped. Humiliated by a child. "Hey Asca, why don't you ask your Erza-ba-san if she wants to join in?" he said mischievously.

Erza shot him a look of pure loathing as she too was manipulated into a series of increasingly comical poses.

Half an hour later, the tiny dictator was beginning to flag. She yawned widely as Gray and Erza contorted themselves into pretzel shapes. "OK, now you dance," she mumbled.

Gray and Erza obligingly bust out some disco moves.

"No. Together!" she insisted, "Social dancing!"

Gray turned to Erza and raised an eyebrow. She shrugged and accepted his proffered hand.

"Wait!" Asca said, and waved Erza over. She cupped a hand over Erza's ear and whispered loudly, "Don't worry, Gray-nii-san has a lot of attack power too."

Erza scowled as she stepped into position. The music struck up again and she and Gray began to move in slow circles. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before she looked away, irritated.

"What's wrong, Erza?"

"Why do you get to be 'nii-san?'" Erza asked simultaneously.

Gray sweatdropped, unsure of how to respond to that. None of the possible answers felt like they would end in anything but physical pain. He cleared his throat uncomfortably, hoping that would suffice. Music spilled from lacrima speakers that hovered in the air above them. Gray tried to relax into the rhythm but Erza was making it impossible. She held herself stiffly, almost as if prepared for an ambush. "Are you OK?"

Erza jerked. She cast a glance at Gray, and her face lost some of its tightness. "I should be asking you that. How are you?"

"Good," he replied, surprising himself. He had taken a walk through the town after his conversation with Juvia. The cold air and low rumble of city life had provided him with clarity. He was, for maybe the first time since he was a boy, unencumbered by the leaden weight of responsibility. "Really good."

Erza smiled then. "That is good to hear."

Some of the tension left her and the two of them fell into a familiar rhythm. His fingers played with the ends of her hair as he thought about their positions. He did not concern himself with the fact that Erza was still leading a little, stepping instead, into the gaps in the movement with a quiet assurance. The two of them ended up leading each other. Gray thought that that suited their relationship perfectly. Not a struggle for dominance, but a calm acknowledgement of equality.

"Juvia and I broke up," he said suddenly.

Erza's brow furrowed. The look she gave him bordered on scolding. "Today?"

Annoyance flared low in Gray's belly. "She wanted to."

Erza nodded, her lips pursed. She stared out, over his shoulder, her eyes shuttered as she regarded the party around them. The sounds of the dying evening swelled to plug the cracks in their conversation as the silence between them pondered on.

"I saw you dancing with Jellal."

Erza's hand twitched in his. "Yes."

"How is he? I didn't get a chance to thank him before he left."

"I am sure he and Ultear were tired. It is a long way back to Crocus."

Gray nodded. "They're not staying?" he asked redundantly.

Her lips twisted into a weary smile. "Do they ever?"

He almost laughed. His hand stretched taut across the smooth skin of her back, the tendrils of her hair slipping through his fingers. "You alright with that?"

"I'm moving on," she said quietly. The song faded away in a diminuendo and the two of them found themselves returning to the starting position.

Gray steps stumbled in the final bars of the song when he heard Asca yell excitedly. "Natsu!"

"Quick," he nodded at Erza, "while she's distracted." He seized a tighter hold of Erza's waist and danced her right out of the room. The two of them collapsed against the wall in the corridor, shoulders shaking with laughter.

"Did we just run away from a child?" Gray asked, wonderingly.

Erza shook her head sternly. "Never underestimate the enemy."

She felt relieved. Not at having escaped Empress Asca, but at how calm she was feeling. Her traitorous heart had not betrayed her as she had danced with Gray. Whatever it had been she had felt the other day, or even the churning in her stomach when she had seen Gray dancing with Juvia; it had been an aberration. She nearly sagged with relief. "Come on," she said, tilting her head down the corridor, "we can go out the side door."

It was late and neither of them had slept the night before. They had gone from a drunken party to a freezing tundra and straight back to a wedding. The weariness was settling into her bones. Erza yawned and absently reached behind her to retie the loosening halter of her dress.

Gray blushed as her outfit slipped forward and tried to avoid looking. Erza was way too casual about these things. He stumbled on ahead, turning the corner and smacking bang into a broad shoulder.

"Oh?" Laxus' annoyed rumble filled the corridor as he pulled his lips away from Freed's.

Erza walked into Gray's back, her eyes as wide as saucers. "S-Sorry! We did not mean to interrupt. Please excuse us, we did not realise," she blustered.

Freed's irritated eyes started to crinkle in amusement the longer Erza's apology went on. "You didn't realise we were dating?"

"D-Dating!" Erza's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head.

Gray shook his head, resigned. Erza's obliviousness was, at times, beyond explanation.

Laxus cleared his throat pointedly, the air around him still bristling with fractious electricity. His fingers drummed against the wall to the left of Freed's head.

"C-congratulations!" Erza bowed several times, each felicitation more effusive and comedic than the last.

Freed allowed a tiny chuckle to escape him. Erza really was too much. Laxus looked down at his smiling face and his anger seemed to melt away. "Tch." He reached out an instinctive hand and smoothed a lock of hair behind Freed's ear.

Erza's heart filled at the way Laxus gazed at Freed, at the obvious love between the two of them. A soft expression overtook her features. Her eyes met Gray's and her heart skipped a beat. She felt a flicker of something sprig up inside her and she crushed it with an iron fist. "Let's go," she said tonelessly to Gray.

Gray's face wrinkled in confusion and he raised a hand in farewell to Freed and Laxus. "Goodnight."

Laxus grunted in response. "Now, where were we?" Gray heard Freed say in the distance as he followed Erza out of the guild.

"Erza," he called to her as she turned to take the path up to Fairy Hills. The night around them was dark, the cloudiness of the day carrying over, leaving them canopied by a starless sky. He swallowed, all at once apprehensive. About what, he was not sure. "Take a jacket. It's cold out," he finished feebly.

She nodded, not turning to look at him. She requipped a long coat on over her evening gown. "Get home safe."

He scratched the back of his neck, puzzled by the sudden change in the mood. He flashed back to their conversation earlier, at the non-answer she had given him, and his lips tightened in understanding. He should have let it go at that, but he could not let her leave without some form of reassurance. He had had enough unhappiness from her to last a lifetime. "Will you be alright?"

Erza turned and flashed him a determined smile. "I will be." She drew her coat closed around her, warding off the evening chill, and walked away.


Lucy was exhausted. Their little trip to Jupiter had cost them two nights worth of sleep and her bridesmaids duties had kept her on her feet all day. She was really looking forward to a hot bath and her 400 thread count sheets. She pushed the door to her apartment open with a happy sigh.

"Yo!"

"Why are you in my apartment?!"

Natsu did not budge from his spot on the couch, instead cocking his head to look at her quizzically.

"Where's Happy?" Lucy asked.

"Staying the night with Erza and Lily at Fairy Hills." Natsu hooked his finger into the knot of his tie, trying to loosen it. He grunted, "You going to stand there all night?"

Lucy kicked off her shoes, a shiver of excitement running through her. "Hmm," she said huskily, fingering the neckline of her frock, "I should probably change out of this dress first."

"Oh?" Natsu raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers. A tiny fireball whizzed through the air towards her. "I can help with that."

"Natsu, don't burn it!" Lucy squealed, "I want to wear it again!" So much for her attempt at seduction. Natsu was way too dense.

The flame zipped along the hemline of Lucy's dress before slipping underneath and reducing her panties to cinders. Lucy stared at him, mouth agape.

"Smaller fires. Easier to control," Natsu shrugged.

"That was expensive underwear!" she scolded, stomping over to biff him on the head. Natsu caught her balled up fist with ease, slipped a hand under her and pulled her onto his lap.

Lucy stilled at the sudden proximity. Natsu was looking at her with his usual neutral expression, but his eyes betrayed him. She bit her lip, watching them darken to obsidian.

Emboldened, she moved to straddle him before sitting back, creating a space between their bodies. Slowly, without breaking eye contact, she undid the tie around his neck, sliding the silken fabric through his collar. A deft few minutes later, his shirt lay undone.

Natsu swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing, as Lucy spread his shirt open, running her hands over his well-muscled torso. Starting at his pectoral muscles, they then slid over his nipples and further downwards across his abdomen. Her curious fingers caressed the ridges of his abs before dipping lower, under the waistband of his trousers.

With a sharp exhale, Natsu gathered Lucy to him; pulling her flush against his body and bending down to nip her bare shoulder. "Lucy," he mumbled. He slid his hands up her thighs, her skin unbearably soft under his callused palms.

Lucy tangled her fingers in his soft hair, pulling his head back and kissing him. Natsu moaned into her mouth as she pressed herself against him, the heat of him almost searing through his trousers to her thighs.

She reached behind her and undid the necklace she was wearing and groped blindly for the side table to deposit it. Her hand bumped against something metallic and she heard a scraping noise as it was knocked off the sideboard.

Natsu blinked stupidly as Lucy suddenly pushed him away. She fell backwards, thighs still tight around him, and caught the photo frame before it hit the floor.

"Sorry," she explained, as she straightened. She turned the picture over in her hands, the light glinting off the glass. "It's just very precious to me."

He lifted the frame out of her hands and looked at the photo it held. Toddler Lucy grinned out at him; her arms wrapped around the neck of a very annoyed Aquarius.

Lucy bit her lip, taking the picture back from him and setting it in its place. "What were we doing?" she said distractedly.

"You were going to change out of your dress."

"Right! I've been wearing it all day." She tried to inject a bright note into her voice as she reached for her bodice.

Natsu watched impassively as she undid the first of the cloth-covered buttons. "I'm bored," he declared.

Lucy stopped, suddenly annoyed. Were her breasts boring?

"There's nothing to do at the guild. All the missions on the job board stink."

The corner of her mouth curved upwards. "Right."

"It really pisses me off that that Snake bastard thinks he got one over us."

"Yeah," she agreed.

"I gotta get back and kick his arse."

Lucy nodded fiercely. "That's right! He shouldn't underestimate Fairy Tail wizards!"

"But first, I gotta do something else," Natsu said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

"What?"

She yelped with laughter as he suddenly flipped her onto the sofa. Following her down, he said blithely, "Help you change out of this dress."


Erza nearly tripped over the figure hunched in the entryway. Alarmed, she flicked on the nearest light to reveal Juvia sitting on the floor, her knees drawn up to her ears.

"Erza-san." Juvia blinked at the sudden brightness.

"Juvia," Erza replied, settling down on the step beside her. "Why are you sitting in the dark?"

Juvia rubbed her chin along the top of her knees and said despondently, "Just waiting for Meredy."

Erza nodded. She smoothed back the hair from Juvia's face maternally and patted her back. "Do you want to come and wait upstairs? I am having a sleepover with Happy and Lily." Her voice dropped temptingly. "We have kiwis and cake."

Juvia shook her head. "Thank you. No."

The grandfather clock just inside the door ticked loudly; the two girls reflected in its glass body. Erza stared at the ageing carpet before them, its dull, faded grey a reflection of both their moods. "What you did today was brave."

"Erza-san," cried Juvia, suddenly flinging herself into Erza's lap. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed.

Erza rested her hand soothingly upon Juvia's head, flashing back to another time she had comforted her like this. Her heart plummeted. What was she doing?

"Does it hurt less?" Juvia choked out, her tears permeating the thin fabric of Erza's dress. "Love. Making these choices. Does it get easier?"

A dull ringing echoed around the room as the clock struck the hour. Erza looked up. The pendulum swung steadily, oscillating from one extreme to the other. She blinked and her eyes refocused, seeing herself in the glass. Her jaw tightened as she made her own choice. She stroked Juvia's back as the final gong faded away.

"Yes," she lied, "It does."


A/N: On a serious note, if your heart is doing random somersaults then you should probably get it checked out.

The temptation to do an obnoxiously long A/N is real, but I shall resist. But also, can I just say, wow can't believe no one called me out on the totally ridiculous use of clairvoyance in the previous chapter.

A/N 2: I had a hard time writing this chapter coz I was feeling really disconnected from the characters (So many OOC moments in the previous chapter. Erza would never offer to bankroll the op. She'd more likely misunderstand others' intentions and then slap them with a bill at the end of a five night stay at resort).

Made the mistake of rereading the Alvarez arc to reconnect. Idk, when i watched/read FT last year I was able fo handle the fanservice better. Probably coz I was so eager to read the story that I skipped over it. Seeing them do a pantyshot on Lucy when she casts Fairy Sphere, i.e. her most powerful moment in the entire series... It made my blood boil. This was why I stopped watched anime all those years go. Anyhow, a long weekend of me staring in the mirror and shouting 'Bad feminist! Bad!' ensued. After that I rewatched some of the GMG arc and my love for FT came flooding back. I defy anyone to watch 100 vs 1 and not feel inspired! (I am lonely and have no weeb friends, hence you are all subject to my ramblings. Sorry:( )

Anyway next chapter is also meant to be sort of angst/fluff (and deals with one of my FAVOURITE Fanfiction tropes) but I feel like we've had too many light hearted chapters in a row so I need to meditate and maybe rework some stuff. It could take a few weeks.

As always, thanks to those who faved/followed and reviewed! If you are so inclined, please leave a fav/follow or review this time as well. Until next time! :)