Chapter Text
To say that Levy was not slightly confused by the events of the past couple of days until now would be a lie. She wasn't quite sure if she had not dreamt the whole thing. About Gajeel and Juvia crashing onto the mission Gray and she had taken up. Having had not one but several moments with Gajeel that made her heart almost burst out of her chest. Even more so, they had kissed. Her feelings were reciprocated, instead of being one-sided as she had believed for so long. And if the romantic turn of events that happened to her wasn't enough, Gray seemed to have finally allowed himself to accept Juvia's love, not letting his past dictate his present and future as much as before. Levy sighed through her smile, thinking how all that had come to be, thanks to a mission that turned out to be about capturing a romance novelist who was searching for his muse. Love in Fairy Tail had a funny way, almost bordering irony, to make itself fully bloom.
Levy adjusted her bandana, looking at herself in the body-length mirror in the hotel room she was sharing with Juvia. Dressed in her dark legging and her cream-coloured, knitted sweatshirt, the petite bluenette was ready almost an hour prior to the rendezvous they all had agreed on, to deal with the aftermath of the mission.
However, a mission of hers was yet still to be fulfilled and early morning was the perfect time to do, as discretion was required.
She turned to her friend, seeing, as the only hint of her presence, the top of her head with her dark blue locks spread across the wall of pillows she surrounded herself with, her shape buried under a mountain of fluffy blankets. Levy had been beyond happy to see that Juvia also wanted to have a second part to their girls' night and had agreed to share a hotel room together. This time around, due to the fatigue of the mission, it had been a calmer but just as fun evening as it had been during camping.
The guys, however, had decided to not repeat the experience and preferred paying extra to have their own rooms, although it wouldn't have surprised Levy if they would still had found a reason to punch each other. Judging by how peaceful the night had been, no fight had broken between them.
Juvia not having so much as stirred because of Levy's morning routine, the Solid Script Mage was relieved to see she hadn't woken up her friend. With continued precaution, she tiptoed to the door, her satchel swung across her shoulder, and left without a sound.
The mission with Gray (and co.) had taken longer than anticipated but it was alright with her because it so happened that her trimestral 'side-quest' had to be in Shirotsume area. Levy smiled, wondering how he managed to know where she would be so efficiently to make her life easier for the exchange.
It took her less than five minutes to reach the meeting point. It was always the same thing no matter what city she was in : the cakeshop which had the best-reviewed strawberry shortcake. Naturally going on the left-side of the building, as if performing a practiced act, a hooded silhouette waited for her, just past the shop's bay window from which patrons could already be seen enjoying a cup of coffee and some pastries.
With the same practiced yet natural looking movement, Levy 'accidentally' dropped-kick her notebook, landing at the hooded person's feet. Picking it up, she approached with an apologetic demeanor, making anyone who could have noticed them, completely miss the exchange that occurred when passing over the notebook where an envelope was replaced with another in-between its pages in one swift movement, a swiftness seldom possess, save for magicians. An almost imperceptible 'thank you as always' only reached Levy's ears before the man turned his heels and left. Before she could slip the pale blue envelope she had been entrusted with in her coat pocket, a voice startled her.
“Who was that suspicious-ass person?”
Levy turned, facing Gajeel that was nonchalantly leaning against the brick wall. His voice hinted no distrust but rather plain curiosity, which made her feel relieved. Last thing she would want was for Gajeel to misunderstand this situation when they only just got on the same page about... their feelings. Which were mutual. It still felt surreal.
She walked towards him and, remaining discrete, Levy simply brought into view the envelope she previously tried to quickly hide. On it was written everything Gajeel would need to know about the situation, leaving no room for possible confusion; the name of one very scary knight, Erza.
“I'm the messenger for two lovebirds,” Levy soberly explained, a playful glint on her face. She both enjoyed her mission and took her role very seriously.
Gajeel's eyes widened, picturing his obvious surprise, instinctively turning to look back where the exchange had occurred, but in vain, as the hooded figure that he now knew as being Jellal had vanished.
The Iron Dragon Slayer let out an 'impressed' whistle, that she knew for sure was the premise of a nag, Gajeel-style. Unmistakenly, it happened just as expected. “Yer as bad as Juv' when it comes to romance. A real sucker for it.”
However, Levy loved how he always seemed to forget it was a two-player game and that he was too often challenging her on her own turf; words.
“And you feed into that 'love of romance' wonderfully with all the cute gestures you've had for the past few days.”
Gajeel made a face and then got a bad case of cough, surely having choked on his own saliva in his dubiousness. Levy bit her smile, looking at him under her eyelashes, not wanting to tease him too hard first thing in the morning.
“Want to grab a coffee while waiting for the rendezvous?” the petite bluenette offered, lightly tapping on his back which somehow seemed to worsen his cough.
“Sure,” he agreed, still averting his eyes, but Levy caught the light blush on the tip of his ears when he opened the door for her. With a 'thanks', she entered, beelining to the coziest-looking place that was still free. Wanting to secure a spot, she dropped her coat on an armchair. As she turned to go to the counter, Levy saw that Gajeel had already ordered their drinks. Head tilted, she wondered if she should tell him how she liked her coffee. Levy shrugged, deciding it didn't matter. In fact, it was wonderful no matter what. She was having coffee with Gajeel. And the fog of uncertainty had lifted. She felt so much lighter, but also somehow heavy with emotions. Never had she dreamt it would feel so good and so natural to be with someone.
Caught in her daydream, Levy hadn't realized he was back until he put down her drink in front of her. A steaming cup of coffee with milky foam in a leaf-like shape contrasted funnily with his own black coffee. The Solid Script Mage knew that he liked his coffee as 'dark as his soul' as he would say jokingly with a certain edge. However, she knew better. He liked sweets but only ate them with a cup of coffee. And since he didn't like the double taste of sugar, he had gotten used to drinking black coffee after a while and had stuck with it. Levy suspected it was also because he felt it matched his whole 'dark persona' he gave himself, which she found cute in its own way.
“A mocha with dark chocolate and almond milk,” Gajeel said, dismissively, as he took a sip of his own drink.
Levy felt her eyes slightly burn, tears threatening to spill, her heart swelling more than she thought possible. It touched her that he remembered all of that although it must have been a long time since he heard how she liked her coffee, down to every single detail of her favorite combination. Normally, people close to her knew that she favored mochas, but never that she would always take dark chocolate if given the opportunity and that her favorite milk was the almond kind despite the extra fee.
“Thank you, Gajeel,” she said, her voice more composed than she expected it to be. Taking in the delicious smell of coffee and chocolate, she hummed with contentment. “You're truly the best.”
Gajeel blinked, looking mildly confused. “It's just coffee I gave ya, Shrimp. It ain't the immortality elixir.”
Levy chuckled. Very Gajeel-like to dismiss his good deeds, as if they were the most normal things to do. It made these gestures even more authentic that they were done naturally and without afterthought.
“Thanks anyway. For everything. Just accept it.”
Gajeel looked at her for a moment and then, with a small smirk, shrugged. “Anytime.”
A companionable silence made them enjoy each other's company and their drink, as unknowingly they each daydreamt about the other, none daring breaking the spell that they felt had been casted on their breakfast. After the slower and cozier morning that she could have hoped for at the end of a mission, Levy felt revigorated when they walked towards the meeting point.
“That was a dumb mission,” Gajeel spoke up when they waited at the corner to cross the street, watching the vehicules pass a tad too fast.
“If I remember correctly, you didn't sign up for it,” Levy falsely mused, smiling mischievously as he was now pointedly avoiding her eyes. “You came uninvited and wreaked havoc, no?”
“I didn't see ya complain in the bookstore,” she caught him muttering. “Nor in the tunnel.” He slightly turned away, arms crossed, wanting to look brooding but looked more like he was pouting. Which he was.
The crosswalk officer stopped the vehicules with a hand and gestured them to cross. Gajeel quickly comply. She jogged to catch up, which she managed to do on the other sidewalk. “And so why are you? Complaining, I mean,” she laughed. “I personally had a lot of fun and I even heard the most romantic thing even spoken.”
“Oi, oi, stop blabbing about it. It's not for everyone to hear...” And then, he stopped himself, looking embarrassed.
Seeing him shy somehow gave her a boost of confidence. Feeling assured, she said, casually, “Rest assured, Gajeel. I keep what is mine close to my heart.”
When she said that she hadn't realized that he had stopped nor that she passed him until Levy felt Gajeel grabbed her wrist, making her halt.
Feeling his somewhat labored breath on top of her head, Levy gulped. She didn't dare turning around to see what face he was making. She regretted it a bit when he whispered with a soft but strangled voice, “Woman, are you trying to kill me?”
He must have regained his composure because when she finally turned around, Gajeel simply looked as if he was searching something through her eyes. She wondered what it was, but she knew that his fluttered face was something she would never get tired of.
“Quite the contrary,” she smiled, liking this unknown effect she seemed to have on him, today. “I hope you see how serious I am about this.” She reached for his hand that still held her wrist and took hold of it, intertwining her fingers with his. Meeting his crimson eyes, she felt shy all of the sudden but also courageous and daring, all at once. “But I'm glad to see I'm not the only one being overwhelmed by it all.
He must have found what he was looking for, because a glint of mischief flashed through his eyes. With a smirk, he rendered her somewhat helpless, her knees feeling weak, something that seemed like an acquired reaction to him, whenever he'd flash one of his cocky grin. It should alarm her that she could be so easily disarmed by the likes of him, but the want of loving herself against him always won over her reason. Or so, she would tell herself. However that was before knowing that her feelings were reciprocated and now, the realization that her delusions could become reality felt like a dangerous game.
And just like that, their uncanny connection struck once more as he went up and said, “Well, prepare yerself 'cos yer man is stepping up his game. Ya ain't even ready for our date.”
Levy bit her lips, holding back a giggle. She hadn't expect for Gajeel to embrace their newfound relationship so earnestly and yet it was so fitting of him too, somehow. She rethought of what he had said in the tunnel about how she was 'his treasure'. How could he so often say exactly what would make her heart swoon? She had truly believed she knew him well and yet she realized that so many facettes were left to discover. And now she could, wholeheartedly. She was the luckiest girl in the world.
“Everything is amazing with you. I can't wait,” she said, frankly and oddly enough with all the confidence that she often lacked when opening up on her feelings to him. She felt safer with him than ever. And for all her wait and patience, she only started to see how worthy it all had been. While on that cloud nine, a cold wind sent her a chilly reminder, the one about how her life was never as private as others'. The perspective of leaving the town didn't seem so appealing anymore. She gulped, “Also, I don't want to go back to the guild just yet.”
Taken aback, Gajeel asked, “How come?”
“I don't think the guild will be very calm with the news of...us.” Levy pointed alternatively between them. She wasn't looking forward to the guild learning about them two. It had been taunting enough when her friends were all speculations and bets upon her love life. Now, she couldn't help but shutter at the thought of their reactions at the revelation.
“Well, shit.”
Gajeel was on the same page, apparently. The opposite would have surprised her though.
“Yeah, that,” Levy sighed. She then offered him a hopeful smile. “I hope your plans are taking place in another city.” She then started feeling the familiar feeling of self-consciousness creeping back. Twisting her hands and avoiding looking at him, she tried to not trip on her words, caught in the turmoil of her emotions. “I want to just...enjoy, erm, being...”
“My woman,” he said, matter-of-factly.
“Gajeel!”
Levy buried her burning face in her hands. She couldn't believe that her heart would be so exert even after the certainty. Still, it had been barely a day. It was still all so new. However, Levy had a nagging fear that love wouldn't be so merciful on her heart and its racing.
“What?? I didn't misread it, did I?”
Gajeel looked mortified and she felt instantly bad for having made him doubt them for even a second. She quickly justified her outburst, despite her horrendous blush, “No, but...it's...arg, you're the one trying to kill me.”
The reuse of his words seemed to do the trick. His face regained some colors and even his infuriating smirk made an appearance.
“Shorty McGarden, dead by romanticism. Ironic given all the mushy stuff you read.”
“Stupid Gajeel,” she muttered, turning away. She sighed. “I thought you'd stop clowning me now that we're together.”
Gajeel snorted at that and then had the audacity to mess with her hair. “Nah, it's a life-long sentence.”
“Lucky me.”
Levy had taken a step when Gajeel spun her and made her face him. Already surprised by the smooth motion, her eyes widened further when the Iron Dragon Slayer gently lifted her chin with the side of one finger. His red eyes normally so sharp softened. Automatically, Levy closed her eyes and raised on the tip of her toes to melt into the kiss that was coming. With a contented sigh, she hugged him by the neck, her hands buried in his hair. Too soon, he straightened himself up, breaking the kiss and leaving her wanting more.
Surely it could be read on her face, because he then had the nerve to smirk once more, saying, “Let's stay decent; we're in public, after all.”
Levy huffed, mildly insulted but mostly amused. What a jerk he could be when he wanted. Although little did he know that she could also play unfair in a way that would make him regret mocking her. Thanks to the 'high' she was on from his unexpected kiss, she mustered in herself whatever resembled overconfidence and made sure he would eat his words. Looking under her eyelashes in a way that she knew that her doe-like eyes struck particularly, Levy winked at him and blew him a kiss, letting her fingertips brush on her lips longer than necessary. “Oh, don't worry about me.”
Satisfied with his dumbfounded face, the petite bluenette turned on her heels and started skipping towards the meeting point they had agreed with the others. Behind her, she could hear Gajeel mutter something about 'unfairness' and 'gettin' it together'. That cute side of him was easily among her favorites.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The whole ordeal with the authorities got wrapped up quicker than expected to everyone's relief. Gajeel and Juvia were waiting further away, not having officially sighed up for the mission despite their heavy involvement. While Gray was giving his testimony about his encounter with the culprit to the officers who had locked the guy up, Levy was making arrangements with the mayor and his secretary about the rescue of the victims, giving careful instructions as to how to un-petrify them. The statues had been transported at the same time as them, when they contacted the authorities via lacrima phone. The whole process had been done quickly and efficiently the previous day and now, all that was left was the yawn-worthy protocol to follow through to put it up in the archives and pocket the reward.
Levy patiently wrote down the parts of the depetrification spell that seemed to not be well understood by the 'experts' mobilized. Just when she was about to offer to do it herself, a older mage that exuded professionalism and experience approached them and suddenly everyone seemed to work more diligently. To her relief, the newcomer introduced herself as the Chief Mage of Shirotsume Town and that such curse had been cured previously by her and her team 'back in her youth'.
Now satisfied with all the operations were going, the Solid Script Mage left the local mages talk among themselves and she walked towards where Gray was, still talking with the mayor. She stopped when she saw her friend firmly shaking hands with the mayor before leaving the latter, mid-sentence of what seemed like a theatrical way of showing his gratitude. Exactly the type of things that irked Gray, Levy thought, amused.
Gray quickly joined her where she stood, nonchalantly showing their stamped documents to confirm the completion of their mission along with a hefty brown envelop that surely held their rewards.
“Great job!” She said, holding up her hand in a high-five.
Gray scoffed and unenthusiastically clapped into her high-five. “I'd say I'm sorry, but it looks like you fared rather well, given everything.”
Levy looked at Gray, puzzled. Saying how he wasn't planning on clarifying his strange statement, the Solid Script Mage voiced her confusion. “What do you mean 'given everything'?”
With a nonchalant shrug, he said, “Well, I told you that it would be a peaceful mission but it was anything but that.”
Levy laughed. It wasn't false. “I honestly can't choose what was the craziest thing that happened,” she admitted. It had indeed been rather a hectic couple of days between their surprise encounter with their guildmates and the discover of how peculiar the culprit was. However, it had been fun and many interesting developments had occurred.
Gray seemed to agree. “Easily that guy and his crazy ideas.” Readjusting his long coat, he frowned, looking in the direction of the officers talking to the media about the incident and its resolution. “Hope they never publish his nonsense.” His exasperation about the culprit appeared more visible when he added, “And, at least, the damage fees will be taken from that author guy's previous books' royalties.”
The bookworm nodded. For once, Levy was not opposed to a book not existing. What interest had a book born from causing so much chaos and fear to spark its story? As if her friend had read her mind, he added, muttering, something that seemed more meant for himself than for her, “Can't believe Juvia is curious about his books.”
That information perked her. “Oh, don't worry, I have plenty of romance novels I'm about to recommend to her. She will forget that nefarious author in the blink of an eye!”
Already her mind was categorizing potential recommendations by subgenres and tropes, Levy almost missed Gray's very light scowl. Levy really couldn't see what could have displeased him in their conversation as she had simply mentioned... Then, she realized.
With a sly smile, she continued on the topic in a way that showed no hint of her teasing him, “Just last night, I learnt so much about her and her tastes...” Levy left the sentence open.
Unbeknownst to him, Gray took the bait. Crossing his arms, in a stance that looked oddly on the defensive, Levy thought amused, he said, “Yeah, I've heard of that infamous sleepover.”
“Yeah?”
Still on a roll, Gray walked straight onto the path Levy had laid. “Apparently, you shared a lot of things.”
Falsely pensive, Levy put her index on her lips. “Have I?” Tilting her head, she gave him an innocent smile. “We did have a wonderful talk and got to know each other better. Juvia is truly a joy to be with.”
Gray averted his eyes, frowning. Levy bit the inside of her cheek. The Ice Mage seemed conflicted. Whatever was happening in his mind was challenging his normally aloof air. Levy was looking forward to see how he would confront her. Juvia had admitted she had confessed to Gray about their exchange and had profusely apologized for 'breaking the trust'. The Solid Script Mage had quickly reassured her friend that all was good and that Gray would have found out one way or another. The guy seemed to be born with a sixth sense when it came to gossip about him.
“Cut the crap, Levy,” he decidedly said, trying to pierce her with his disapproving eyes. “I know you told her unnecessary things about me.”
His query was instantly forgotten when they heard Juvia's laugh, making them both look towards where she was. Currently with Gajeel, she seemed to be having a blast, teasing him about something. Levy caught a peculiar glint in Gray's eyes when looking at Juvia. His face looked more relaxed with some touch of unguarded affection, one that she would not have been able to witness if Gray had remembered her presence. Something that told her that even more developments than she had first thought had indeed occurred.
Not wanting to miss the chance to test the waters on how well he accepted his own feelings, Levy finally answered to his accusations with questions of her own. “Do you mean about your likes?” the petite bluenette jokingly said, enjoying the reactions she got from her friend. She decided to push it even further, see how much his second-hand embarassment could take. “Or about potential date ideas for you two?”
Her questions were barely finished and Gray's face and ears were an interesting shade of red. It seemed like she wasn't the only one to easily blush. Suddenly, Levy wondered if that was a Fairy Tail thing. Levy couldn't hide her disappointment when instead of counter-arguing it in a funny way, he stammered some excuse to run away.
“G-gotta tell the others that, erm, we can leave.”
And then he was gone. Levy sighed. Well, at least, he didn't vainly deny it. That was progress. Even from afar, the bluenette looked fondly at Juvia, happily chatting with Gajeel. Slow progress was still progress and both of them seemed comfortable and happy with it. Levy couldn't wish anything more for her two friends.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As Gray-sama and Levy-chan were finalizing the mission with everything paperwork-related, the Water Mage patiently waited, standing back at a respectable distance, as passerbys would. She still felt a bit guilty in not helping them, but she understood it would ultimately complicate things more than help them, as Gajeel-kun and she weren't 'officially' part of the team that dealt with the culprit.
Juvia, hands joined behind her back, rocked herself on her feet, feeling eagerness outgrowing her patience. She couldn't help but imagining what wonders the day could offer with her beloved, now that the work was done. Her excitement was not something she could normally conceal, even less now. Gray-sama was such a serious and diligent mage, she thought, as she watched him talking with some authority figure. She couldn't help but replay their moment in the cave when they held hands. It had been so romantic. And then, Gajeel and Levy had arrived and her joy only grew at the sight of them, also holding hands. She absolutely loved how love would always prevail.
A scoff to her right made her remember her friend's presence. Gajeel, arms crossed in his usual grumpy way, was glaring at some poor souls that were talking to Levy. Juvia held her hand in front of her mouth, trying to conceal a laugh. It had been a pointless precaution, as nothing seemed to be able to tear his eyes from the petite bluenette. To such an extent that some people were doubling on him, wondering if they should alert some police officers about a 'seemingly dangerous individual'.
Juvia shook her head, mostly for herself. She still had so much to teach him. Sure, he had grown quite remarkably, but his dragon-like instincts might be stronger than she had anticipated. As Juvia was thinking about some plan to have him come over so she could tell him all about the story of the Ice Prince and the Water Witch, she caught sight of Levy smiling towards them, or rather towards Gajeel. Juvia turned her attention to her friend. The goofiest grin was plastered on his face. Huh. He was simpler than Juvia had given him credit for. Under all those iron walls he had built, Gajeel simply was looking for his safe space and he had found it in Levy.
“Juvia is happy for Gajeel-kun,” the Water mage said, her voice carrying all the genuine care she had for her best friend. “He deserved this second chance and Juvia is relieved he finally accepts it. May Gajevy live happily ever after.”
“The hell is a Gajevy?” the thick-skulled Iron Dragon Slayer asked, not trying to hide the confusion nor the slight judgement that crossed his face and missing every single point that she tried to come across.
Juvia let out a sigh disguised as a chuckle. More concisely, she tried again, “Juvia hopes only happiness for Gajeel-kun and Levy-chan.”
He crossed his arms, standing tall and proud, and with a curt nod, he voiced his own resolution, “I'll make damn sure she'll be happy. She's my treasure.”
Juvia felt her jaw grow slack. She never expected him to be so honest and blunt about his feelings. How loving Levy has made him grow as a person. It moved her, feeling her eyes getting teary.
Her friend noticed too and promptly said, with a false hint of annoyance, “No need to get all fangirl-y about it. Stay focus on your own happiness.”
What a 'Gajeel' way to wish her well on her own good fortune. She felt immensely grateful for how far they have both come since they first met. “Thank you, Gajeel-kun,” she said.
“For what?” he gruffly asked, looking elsewhere. “Ain't done a thing.”
“For being you. For being Juvia's friend,” she enumerated. And playfully, she felt the need to add, “And being Juvia's Love Ally.”
It worked wonders. The sigh he let out was worthy of an award of drama-queen-ness. “Not that bullshit again. How many times I must tell ya I ain't no-”
“Gajeel-kun's crush is no longer Juvia's Love Rival,” she interrupted him, finding it amusing that it shut him up so efficiently and made him blink like a bamboozled fish. “However, Juvia will always be there for Gajeel-kun if he wants to step up his game.”
“Oi, I don't need no help from ya. Shorty's been lovin' my date ideas.”
“Juvia loves to hear Gajeel-kun brag about his romantic endeavors.”
Gajeel choked, a sound that she realized that she found very amusing. Obviously, his life was not in danger, it was simply whatever pedestal he'd put his pride on that was crumbling. And it was something she would not get tired of witnessing.
“I ain't no romantic!” he 'vehemently' denied. He gave it a thought and then settled for, “I just, erm, rock. I know what's up, okay?”
“Whatever Gajeel-kun says,” she smiled. He seemed happy with her weak concession. How very simple her friend could be on so many fronts.
Gajeel made a face, which puzzled Juvia. Turning her head towards the source of his displeasure, it was with glee that Juvia saw Gray-sama quickly walking towards them, leaving Levy-chan alone where the two had previously been. Gajeel let out his signature 'tch' and he started walking away, hands in his pockets, joining the petite bluenette that somehow stood alone with a mischievous air to her.
Scratching the back of his neck, Gray-sama stopped a few steps away, standing there as if he wasn't sure what to say. Lucky for him, Juvia knew exactly what to say, by suggesting a brilliant idea to wrap up and celebrate their mission together.
“Gray-sama, now that the mission is over, why not go ice-skating?” The idea had been born from the intel Levy-chan had the amiability to share with her. She missed his eyes widening and his lips pursed, because once the dam of her creativity was broken, more plans formed, a myriad of activities she had dreamt of doing with him. “And then, and then! We could go to a cozy coffee shop! Juvia's heard of a cute one with cats.”
Gray averted his eyes and adjusted his collar, as if it was too tightly buttoned although it was already rather loose. He opened his mouth but then closed it without saying anything, as if he was debating something with himself. He tried again and finally said, “I don't have my skates...” She wondered what face she made because he quickly added, “But generally, ice rinks rent some. The best place is far from here so maybe we could do another activity that's closer?”
His suggestion was perfectly reasonable and after giving it more thought, it was true that both activities she had suggested were in cities far from Shirotsume Town. And she wanted her quality time with him now. She was still riding that high of their closeness.
“Juvia agrees. What about a theater play?”
The suggestion got him pensive for a moment and then he nodded. “Good idea. I've been meaning to go see one for some time now.”
Her curiosity flared. “Which one?”
“It's a new play.” He arched a brow, as if doubting himself when he added, “I believe there's a representation this evening, in Shirotsume Town. There was a poster about it at the Ice Museum.”
“Juvia hadn't noticed,” she admitted. Thoughtfully, she relived the lovely moment they had when visiting the museum, next to each other, physically separate but mentally united in their contemplation of the statues. No wonder she had missed it when she had been so absorbed in the feeling of being so close to her beloved in such a breathtaking place.
“I think it's about the pair of statues that you particularly liked,” Gray interrupted her reverie in the most wonderful way. “Erm, the Water Witch and the Ice Prince, I think?”
Juvia didn't hold the squeal that escaped her and bounced happily at that. Her joy was multifaceted; there was a play about her most recent favorite piece of art, Gray-sama remembered about it and, most importantly, she was going to see the play with him.
“Juvia is so down for it,” she said, excited. “Let's go see the hours right away!”
Gray considered it a moment and then nodded. He stopped mid-nod and a faint blush appeared on his prince-like face. Before Juvia could wonder, Gray asked, “Just us?”
The attempt was for a date, but judging by his creeping blush, going even to colour his ears and the back of his neck, Juvia decided against it. They could continue to go slow. She was patient, after all and Gray-sama was more than worth the wait.
“Let's go all of us together. Levy-chan and Gajeel-kun were probably planning something to do after the mission, so it could be the four of us.”
Gray seemed to relax at that, although somewhat conflicted. He nodded again, still pensive and said, “Yeah, we could do that. I guess I can tolerate that guy a bit longer.”
Juvia smiled at that and waved Gray-sama to follow her as she gleefully joined their friends. Barely had she been at distance to hear them that she heard their typical banter. Some things never changed indeed.
“You don't have to be such a jerk about it,” Levy-chan huffed, turning her head, not quite hiding her pout.
“I'm just statin' facts, Shorty. Metal wielding is more art than ceramic ever could dream of being. I ain't levelin' down to going to a pottery dumbassery workshop.”
“Gajeel-kun is very peculiar about his hobbies,” Juvia chimed in, ignoring his annoyed sigh.
“Tell me about it,” Levy groaned, rolling her eyes. “I'm even starting to wonder if he's actually fit to going out without being all whiny.”
“Oi, the hell I'm whiny?! If you actually had cool ideas...”
“Why don't you suggest stuff then, if your ideas apparently are so much better than me,” Levy said, her hands on her hips, making a face. One could think they were arguing, but their small smiles sold them out, as having ton of fun together.
However, the Water Mage intervened, cutting short at their little game, wanting to come to a consensus. “Juvia had an idea that they could all go see a play, one called The Water Witch and the Ice Prince, to commemorate our first mission together.”
“And the last,” both guys muttered in unison. When they realized it, both glared at the other as if he was an offender. Levy laughed but Juvia decided to ignore them. She continued, “It would be fun to see it! Let's check at what time there would be at the Grand Theater!”
Gajeel-kun shrugged, mirroring Gray-sama's. Both guys snapped at the same time.
“Oi, did your stupid personality melt or what? Stop fucking copying me, Icy Brain!”
“Stop being such a nuisance and get your own missions, Criminal Face!”
Gajeel-kun took a step forward, trying to tower Gray-sama, but only being a few inches taller, and growled, “I fucking dare you to play smart with me and found out what happens next.”
Gray-sama tilted his chin, a mocking glint in his beautiful eyes, and said, “You wouldn't see 'smart' even if it hit you in the face.”
“Oh, it's on, you goddamn prick,” Gajeel-kun said, cracking his knuckles. Air grew colder around Gray-sama, as ice particles materialized. With this silent and dignified response, the Ice Mage was accepting the Iron Dragon Slayer's challenge.
Levy-chan grunted, clearly at her wits' end. She turned to Juvia and asked her the one question she hadn't expect, “Wanna go on that date just us two?”
It was funny because she hadn't spoken that loudly but both guys halted themselves and looked at them two. Judging by Levy-chan's smile, she also knew of the effect of her words. She was a master in the Art of Words. Juvia gladly gave her the answer that would the cherry on top of the sundae. “After the night we had, we might as well just go together,” Juvia said, winking at Levy who giggled in response.
Gajeel instantly grabbed Levy by the arm and tugged her towards him, Levy landing her face against his chest. The Solid Script Mage had become an interesting shade of red, matching her blue locks in a lovely way.
Gajeel seemed oblivious at her reaction, his attention (and displeasure) directed to her. He barked, “What the actual hell happened in there for ya to say that??” He squinted, distrusting in a way that was laughable. He then 'tsk'ed. “You know what, Raindrop, don’t answer that. But stick to your Popsicle and stay away from Shorty.”
Juvia laughed wholeheartedly at that. Maybe, she didn't give herself enough credit on just how much influence she had on him, because his reaction screamed 'you better not be another Love Rival'.
Gray ignored the whole interaction and asked, “So, that's decided? Let's go check the play's schedule then.”
Levy's eyes sparkled at that. “Oh, yes!” She then turned to Juvia and added, “I've been meaning to see it, the reviews are excellent!”
“Great,” Gajeel muttered. “Still stuck with that guy.”
“You can get lost,” Gray deadpanned. “No one is forcing you to be a pain in the ass and yet.” The allusion was understood by all.
“It is settled then,” Juvia happily said, ignoring the animosity between the guys. She hooked her arm to Gray-sama's, getting sandwiched between them. “Let's go!”
Levy giggled and mirrored Juvia, hooking her arm to Gajeel's. The Iron Dragon Slayer rolled his eyes, but softened to his now girlfriend. Juvia beamed, happier than she had ever felt. It seemed the whole sky had cleared and the sun shone upon her dream life. Between her crush to whom she continued getting closer and closer and her grumpy best friend who started allowing himself to truly live, the Water Mage felt lucky.
Exchanging a look with her new girl friend, she turned to Gajeel and said solemnly but cheerfully, “The Love Allies came out victorious! Cheers to us!”
“Yer never gonna drop this, are ya?” Gajeel rolled his eyes, his sigh looking more like a smirk in disguise.
A question that needed no answer, because they all knew that it was only the beginning of a great story for them all.