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burstingdragons · 1 year

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The Iris Ending [NaLu]

Summary - Nearing the completion of her novel, Lucy struggles at coming up with the book's conclusion. In the midst of a rainstorm, her best friend drops by and she decides to experiment another ending, but this time... on him. Who could of imagined Natsu would be the solution to her writer's block?

Lucy Heartfilia was frustrated. The reasoning behind her frustration was rather amusing as the torrential downpour outside her window continued raging on. The blonde loved to write during a storm, it helped her mind relax and express itself freely without having any restrictions. However, today was different. She was struggling with creativity. Holding her pen in a tight grasp, Lucy stared blankly at all the papers sprawled about across her desk.

The novel she had been working on for years, The Adventure of Iris, was so close to its finishing touches. All that was needed was a respectable conclusion and the book would be done at last. A certain blue haired best friend of hers appeared in her mind as she quietly giggled to herself.

I'm sure Levy will be thrilled once I finally figure this ending out.

A few ideas had begun to form and she acted on them quickly and efficiently. Despite this mentality, she repeatedly would write a few lines down before grumbling under her breath and subsequently tossing the idea in the trash. After the fifth scrapped closing, her patience was running thin.

Why am I having so much trouble trying to create an ending that I like! I must be miss something important, but what?

Unbeknownst to Lucy, who was still occupied with her writer's block dilemma, the bedroom window slid open. She normally left it unlocked, for her other best friend, who just so happened to love to drop in whenever he could. With or without her permission of course. This was one of those days, despite it being rainy and more, that her precious fire dragon slayer would want to surprise her. He noticed she was once again swept away within her own mind and chuckled, making sure to cover his mouth with his hand as he did so, not wanting to alert her of his presence so soon.

Hehe, this should be fun!

He removed the checkered scaly scarf that was usually draped around his neck and shifted it to wrap around his face, concealing it as a mask would. He dropped down quietly onto her carpet floor and acted like a ninja.

Nin-Nin, I am ninja!

The pink haired wizard snuck up on his target as he stopped directly behind her swivel chair. As he prepared to spook the girl he noticed something rather odd on the right side of her desk that had been slightly covered up by scattered sheets of paper. He realized it was a large scale printed out picture that had been decorated in bright purple and gold. Glancing at the black lettering, he became even more confused seeing Lucy's own name a little further underneath.

"The Adventure of Iris?" He whispered out mistakenly and into the side of her ear as she shrieked, now becoming fully aware of someone behind her. Abruptly she jumped up and accidentally headbutted the boy, nearly knocking him out cold, as he fell backwards.

"Ow-Luce what the hell!" He ranted in annoyance as he held his now aching head.

"Natsu?" She turned around in question before realizing it was indeed him. "I told you to stop sneaking up on me like that! You scared me!"

He continued mumbling noncoherent curses as the pain in skull began to slowly subside. Seeing him sitting on her floor and all pouty caused her to smirk and laugh.

"Hey what are you going on about now!" Natsu playfully glared daggers as he listened to her beautiful laughter. Calming herself down, she leaned over and gave him her hand, helping him back to his feet.

"I'm sorry, you just looked as if you were a child in timeout." Her smirk all but faded, however as she observed his appearance. The storm had really done a number on him as his entire vest was drenched along with his spiky pink locks.

"Natsu, you're completely soaked!" She chastised him as she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the bathroom. Opening the door, and after quickly shoving him in, she shut it. "You're not coming back out until you take a shower!"

"Luce, I really don't need one..." She heard his muffled voice through the door.

"Yes, you do. You're ruining my carpet!" She explained as she noticed the dark spots appearing on her carpet, assuming those were the steps he had taken from the window to reach her. Opening one of her spare drawers, she popped it open, unsurprised as well as a little thankful, to find a spare of his usual clothing. Picking it up gently, she proceeded to the door and began reopening it.

"Natsu, I'm coming in."

"Okay." He nonchalantly spoke while staring at his reflection in the mirror. The rain had made him look like he had been hit by a train.

"Stop sulking Natsu. What's your deal anyways?"

"It's nothing, don't worry about it." He gave her a smile, brushing her worries aside. She didn't want to pry so she went along with it.

Okay... I guess he's fine.

Lucy hung his outfit up on a hook as she leaned into the shower and spun the handle to the side. Cold water instantly began gushing out as Lucy figured her friend would warm the temperature up to his liking with his own magic.

"There's a change of clothes, now hurry and clean yourself up. I'm wasting precious water money on you, ya know!" She laughed as she closed the door and turned on her heel.

"Damn Lucy, I told her I was fine." She caught his words, imagining him rolling his eyes in that moment, hearing foot steps going further from the door.

"I heard that!" Lucy called out and heard him yelp in surprise. She giggled to herself again, before strolling back over to her chair and sitting down. Faintly hearing running water in the background, she shuffled her papers and picked out an empty one. Grabbing the pen again, she sighed.

Round two Lucy, here we go.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

He stared at the glistening tile below him as his mind wondered back to the entire reason he had come here in the first place. To get advice, and maybe some help, from Lucy. Natsu and his other best friend, a blue flying cat, had gotten into an argument after coming back from a monster extermination mission. It started out small at first, but then grew larger as it escalated. Annoyed with the exceed, he had let a remark slip that caused his friend to fly off right when the storm began and now he had no idea where the little guy could be. Adding onto the fact, Happy most likely did not want to see or speak with him at this time either. So, here he now was.

As much as Natsu tried shooting her idea down, he was thankful for his best friend's determination to break him out of his stubbornness. She was entirely right in the fact that the current monsoon going on in Magnolia had ruined his clothing for the day, and that she was also right in the regards that he definitely did need a shower. It made him feel, well as one should, clean. The dragon slayer could of easily dried himself off with his own fire, but he had used a significant portion of his magic dealing with the monster and then the train ride back had been taxing, courtesy of his motion sickness.

Running his fingers through his hair, making sure to fix what mother nature had ruined, he let his previous argument wash away. He decided to think on something else, what he seen just a few minutes ago actually. That strange picture that Lucy had somewhat hidden on the side of her desk. He tried to figure out what that object was, but failed to understand it.

It had her name on it, but what could that mean?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This sucks!" Lucy shouted after complaining for the umpteenth time. Since her return from dealing with the pink haired boy, she had written down three more endings that might work and, once more, infuriatingly threw them in the garbage can.

This feels so simple, but it's not. Think Lucy, think! What am I possibly leaving out?

Her thoughts trailed back to the entire plot of the book. It was about her various adventures at Fairy Tail, with the characters obviously made up. The conclusion was supposed to be set after their war against Alvarez, or in the novel's case, Hearthia. One of the main genres, however was romance so she felt like she needed a strong epilogue between the two main characters for the closing.

It needs to be perfect.

Both characters had gone through trials and tribulations, most noticeably the loss of a father and close friend. The more Lucy wrote the more she realized how most of her novel mirrored her and Natsu, just names changed. At the end of the Tartaros war, the boy she had grown to adore helplessly watched his foster father be executed right in front of him. Likewise that same day, she had to destroy one of her very own special gate keys in order to save him and the rest of their friends. Without originally realizing it, during the one year absence he left her with and the original disbandment of Fairy Tail, she had placed their grief into the fictional characters in her story.

It had been nearly a full year since Alvarez's invasion took place, an invasion that nearly took him away from her heart. She had rewritten his demonic book and given him enough time for his wounds to heal in order to beat the nation's invading ruler, Zeref, but then he had been unexpectedly summoned into Acnologia's realm.

I'm just glad he and the other slayers won... and that we were able to defeat that monstrosity's own physical form.

She couldn't help but imagine the despair that she felt when their group of four had turned around and realized the he had vanished into thin air. Then, their reunion on the Hargeon port as he fell out of the sky after beating the black dragon of the apocalypse. Lucy could still visualize his cheery smile as she held Happy and him closely and got lost in his obsidian tinted eyes. She heard the flow of water come to a stop as she hummed to herself.

Since the characters are based off us, maybe, just maybe...

The door opened as Natsu made his way back out now fully dry. Well, almost fully dry. His scarf which he had wrapped back around his neck was still damp. Realizing this, she stood up and gave him a pointed look.

"Natsu."

"Yeah?" He questioned as he tried figuring out what his best friend was upset about now.

"Your scarf, it's not dry!" She clarified to him as he glanced down and, sure enough, he felt the fabric sticking to him as if it were glue.

"So, what Lucy! It's fine." The fire breather challenged.

"Nope, hand it over mister so I can help dry it!" Lucy ordered as she made her way to him and placed her hands around the material. As she tugged to loosen it off him, he stepped backwards and caused her balance to shift. Stumbling, the Celestial Spirit summoner fell forwards into his chest as they tumbled onto her carpet.

Lucy opened her eyes and couldn't help but become flustered as she had landed on top of the pinkette. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she raised herself slightly as she shifted her legs to get up. Though, to her shock, she was pulled back down.

"Natsu?" Her voice caught in her throat as his onyx eyes began piercing through hers.

"Luce, I've got a question for ya." He spoke as she saw his dark orbs dart out to the side.

What is he looking at?

"That purple thing... over there." He motioned with his eyes as she turned her head and found exactly what he had located. "What exactly is it?"

The cover! He saw the cover for my novel! He wasn't supposed to see that!

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Lucy hurriedly forced out hoping to satisfy his answer. She was very wrong, if anything her response only made him all the more curious.

"You sure? It has your name on it silly." He pointed out chuckling at her embarrassed state. She looked down and despite his laugher, she could tell the boy below her was genuinely interested in finding more about his discovery.

He is technically the co-owner of this adventure, so I might as well.

"It's the book cover for my novel I've been writing, Natsu." The blonde revealed as his eyes lit up.

"You mean that thingy you've been fighting the last three years?" He spoke cheerfully as she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Of course that's how he would see it.

"Yep, that's right Natsu, and it's actually been ten years with the whole seven year time skip thing." She nodded and corrected him.

"Oh whatever!" He waved his hand off to the side uncaringly. "So, does that mean you've finished it?"

That was the question she had been battling all day. The finale was right there, it was within reach, and yet it felt so far away. Constantly she had failed to write it the way she wanted it to turn out. Her mind just seemed to be in other places, all since he had arrived...

That's it! Maybe Natsu could get my ideas flowing again!

"Not yet, I'm struggling to complete the final few pages of it." Lucy explained as she saw his eyes expand eagerly before shrinking back down to their normal state.

"Need any help?"

"I'd love some!" She happily nodded, glad he could somewhat understand her issue.

"So, what's this ending about?"

Lucy couldn't help but blush as she had been hoping to avoid this type of question, but she knew it was necessary to answer if Natsu was actually going to help her. He would need to know what exactly it was they were dealing with here.

"The two main characters have just defeated the tyrant and won the war. I was, uh, hoping to have some type of romantic scene between them to finish it out." She summarized for him, as her cheeks became a dark shade of red at the end.

"Tyrant...war... kinda sounds like what we've been through don't ya think?" He casually said as a grin appeared on his face. He couldn't help but admit she looked rather adorable when embarrassed.

"I'm sure that's just coincidence!" Lucy attempted to deny his statement as she turned her head away.

"Sure, sure." Natsu continued grinning at the flustered girl above him as he begin to get his own idea. Turning her head back down to look at him, she noticed him seeming serious for once.

What's he thinking about?

"I might have something, but I need just a few more details..." He whispered as his gaze practically paralyzed her in place.

"I'm open to suggestions." She meekly answered as the shades of red across her cheeks grew even darker.

"For this scene, who starts it?" He spoke out, interested, as she watched the gears in his brain turn.

"I was thinking the girl-"

Lucy's speech was cutoff as Natsu grabbed her waist and dragged her down, switching their positions in the process. The fire dragon slayer now kneeled above her, keeping her arms pinned, as he looked at his best friend with an intense expression. Her flushed state at this point could rival Erza's hair.

"See, I don't like that idea. I think the boy should begin it, don't ya agree?" He stated, teasing her, as her heart rate rapidly rose.

"Okay..." Lucy mumbled, still in total surprise, as she decided to just let him take the reins wondering where this would go.

I've never seen this side of Natsu before...

"Are these two really close post-war or?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"Really close, they've basically known each other since the story's beginning. I would even say at this point they like... actually, they are lovers for sure." Lucy explained.

"Is that so?" Natsu couldn't help but believe the two mages present in the apartment and her two created protagonists for the novel had some type of connection between them.

"Yeah and-"

Once more, the Celestial wizard was interrupted as Natsu placed a finger against her lips, effectively silencing her.

"I think I got a way your book could end Luce, but you're gonna have to trust me." He stated as she could see tiny bits of fire making its way up into his irises. Even though he was acting strangely, she knew that he would never hurt her.

"I trust you, Natsu. I always have."

That had been the green light he was waiting for, as the dragon slayer lowered himself and carefully captured her pink lips. Fragments of his own imagination and affections mixed together as he poured it all out into the princess underneath him.

Despite initiating the kiss, Natsu quickly found out what reading some of the scarlet knight's novels had done to the blonde. Their coordination was admirable as the struggle to beat writer's block turned into a duel to best the other at their own game for dominance. Lucy felt his grip tighten around her as one of his hands traveled down to her thigh, squeezing it delicately. She couldn't help but release a moan at his gentle touch. Her insides, figuratively, caught on fire as Lucy felt like she was in Heaven. The two lovers continued to be deadlocked in a passionate frenzy.

Finally, something snapped inside of the pinektte as he broke free from his trance. Instantly he pulled back, gasping in pleasure and excitement, but also fright. He had nearly given into his draconic instincts and he knew she was making his own control waver.

"I'm sorry Luce, I acted on instinct-" Natsu began apologizing before her own finger traveled its way up, his own speech trailing off in surprise as she shushed him. Instead of being upset, Lucy was smiling at him. Her smile it was almost... taunting.

"I never said anything about stopping, Natsu."

The next few seconds happened quickly, but to him it felt like time had slowed down. Lucy once more secured his scarf in her grip as she eagerly pulled him back down to her. Wrapping her arms behind his neck she led him to her lips as she picked up from where they had left off. His hands ran through her hair as every emotion made its way to the surface. The war, the losses, the hope and fear, it was all there.

Thunder kept crackling outside as the two young adults tuned out the rest of the world and fell into an embrace of pure bliss. Separating for air, they cautiously glanced at one another before smiling after seeing the other's expression.

"So, uh... did that give you an idea for the finish to your book?" Natsu questioned.

Full of happiness and content with their positioning, Lucy inclined her head beaming up at him.

You've showed me much more then just an ending I can decide on. I finally have you, and now I'm never letting go Natsu Dragneel.

"Great! Does that mean this is the part where you usually say, 'the end?'" He chuckled, pondering on it, as he felt her clasp his hands and look up at him lovingly.

"No, not the end." Hearing his words, Lucy had immediately began thinking about the demon he was revived into and had once become, the fire demon that they had defeated, together.

"This is just the beginning. Our beginning."

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fairytail-whathesays · 8 months

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Breathe, a Laxus/Natsu fanfiction.

Work will contain: kissing, requited love, unrequited love, dire health situations, and people being assholes to one another. Marked explicit as there will also be sexual/erotic content in later chapters.

You can also see my other Laxus rarepair works:

Million to Zero: E, Laxus/Gray, fake dating into real dating, 5 chapters

Magnetism: E, Laxus/Gajeel, jealousy and pining, 12 chapters

Delilah: T, Laxus/Orga, outsider syndrome + character death, 6 chapters

Throw me some love @ft-reboost

#ftreboost #laxus dreyar x natsu dragneel #laxsu #my fics

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acacia-may · 1 year

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The Jam Problem [Gajevy & Fairy Tail Guild Shenanigans Past & Present]

Story Summary: Gajeel signed up to be part of a guild--not to pose for ridiculous photos for merchandise. When he refuses to participate in the creation of the Fairy Tail guild's promotional items, however, First Master Mavis tells him and the rest of the guild the origin story of Fairy Tail's merchandise business which began with Yuri Dreyar, his stubborn denial of his not-so-secret affection for Rita, and way, way too much jam. Will this story provide inspiration for Gajeel and a not-so-secret affection of his own in the present?

The Secret History of the Fairy Tail Guild’s Promotional Items and Merchandise.

Fandom: Fairy Tail

Genre: Fluff and (Attempt at) Humor, Tongue-in-Cheek/Satirical Humor, Fluffy Romance, Friendship, Fairy Tail Guild Shenanigans, Idiots in Love, Fluffy Ending, Affectionately Silly (Please don't take this too seriously)

Relationships: Gajeel Redfox x Levy McGarden (Gajevy), Fairy Tail Zero (Mavis Vermillion, Yuri Dreyar, Warrod Sequen & Precht Gaebolg) Friendship, Yuri Dreyar/Rita, and Fairy Guild Found Family. Some Gray Fullbuster/Juvia Lockser (Gruvia), Some Juvia Lockser & Gajeel Redfox Friendship. Hints at/Joke about Mavis Vermillion/Zeref (Zervis) for kicks & giggles.

Characters: Gajeel Redfox (POV Character), Levy McGarden, Mavis Vermillion, Yuri Dreyar, Warrod Sequen, Precht Gaebolg, Rita Dreyar, Makarov Dreyar, Juvia Lockser, Gray Fullbuster, and The Fairy Tail Guild

Rating: G (though there are a few instances of some mild language so PG would probably be a more accurate rating. However, it didn't merit a T rating by any means).

Warnings: A few instances of minor language, but otherwise nothing but fluff, humor, and shenanigans here. This story is silly and is not meant to be taken too seriously.

Word Count: 5560

Link to original post on AO3. Please do not repost to another site.

Story Below the Cut! Thank you so much for reading! 💕

The Jam Problem

(Or The Secret History of the Fairy Tail Guild’s Promotional Items and Merchandise)

“No.” Gajeel glared pointedly at the rest of the guild and at Makarov in particular. The guild hall was suddenly quiet, and Gajeel could feel all eyes transfixed on him. However, he stood his ground and argued, “I’m not posing for any stupid pictures.”

“Everybody in our guild does promotional photos,” explained Master Makarov. “It’s for official merchandise.”

“I was kind of nervous for my first photoshoot too, but it’s actually kind of fun,” said Lucy with a smile.

“Lots of fun,” agreed Happy with a bright smile. “And when you’re done, sometimes they give you nice fishies.”

Gajeel huffed. “I don’t like pictures.”

“It’s really not that bad.” Gray shrugged. “You just go. They snap a few photos, and it’s over. Takes like fifteen minutes tops.”

“Shut up,” grunted Gajeel irritably. “You just want an excuse to walk around shirtless.” Gajeel huffed again. “Why do we even have to have merchandise in the first place?”

“It’s a way to supplement the guild’s income,” explained Cana who was sitting on the table clutching a barrel.

Mirajane nodded, “Running a guild is expensive.”

“Then, why don’t we charge more for jobs or something? Why make us all into dumb calendar girls?”

“There’s not just calendars,” said Natsu. “They make lots of merchandise with our faces on it: figurines, posters, clothing, jewelry…”

“I don’t want my face on any of that stuff.”

“Oh come on, Gajeel,” chuckled Levy, appearing behind him. “It’s just part of being in the guild.”

Gajeel sighed. He supposed Levy had a point, but he was too stubborn to concede on it.

“The Fairy Tail guild has been selling merchandise and promotional items from the very beginning,” explained Makarov. “It’s a tradition my father started with the help of First Master Mavis.”

“That’s right,” giggled Mavis. “I had almost forgotten about that. It’s kind of a funny story actually. You see, it all started with this jam problem…” Her voice faded wistfully before she playfully smirked at him. “If I tell you the story will you promise to take the pictures?”

“I want to hear the story, First Master,” exclaimed Natsu.

“Me too!” Happy chimed in floating around her. “I hope it has yummy fishies in it.”

“I’d like to hear it too,” said Lucy, and Levy nodded in agreement as they chuckled amongst themselves.

“I’m actually kind of curious myself.”

Gajeel frowned, but eventually he sighed. “Alright fine, but I’m not making any promises about any dumb pictures.”

Mavis positively beamed at them before she settled down into her seat to begin her story. “Well…it all started when the Fairy Tail guild was just starting out, and Makarov’s dad, Yuri, and I were out at the market shopping for supplies…”

“What do you think, Mavis?” asked Yuri balancing an apple in one hand and an orange in the other. He threw them up in the air and eventually caught them, clearly trying to hide the fact that he fumbled and nearly let the orange drop to the ground.

“I think you can’t juggle,” Mavis replied with a tilt of her head. She nodded sympathetically at the poor fruit seller, Rita, who was clearly growing exasperated with Yuri’s antics. Mavis wondered if she would be more exasperated if she knew that the main reason for Yuri’s show was likely to get her attention. “I also think we have plenty of fruit back at the guild hall and don’t need any more.”

Yuri waved his hand at her insisting, “No, I just checked earlier today and we’re running low on apples and oranges.”

Mavis blinked at him. This was a bold-faced lie. They currently had at least a bushel of each back at the guild hall, possibly more since Precht and Warrod had been trying their best to think of creative storage places for the, frankly, ridiculous amounts of fruit Yuri kept bringing back to the guild. Their last solution, which Mavis had assisted with, involved stacking crates of berries on Yuri’s bed. This must have been at least somewhat of a deterrent for him since he wasn’t insistent on buying any more berries. Perhaps they would have to try the same thing with the apples and oranges he bought today.

While Mavis tended to see the humor in the whole situation, Warrod and Precht were at their wit’s end. Sure enough, when the pair returned from their shopping trip with two more crates of apples and oranges, they were greeted by a very exasperated, “For the love of Ethernano, Yuri, stop buying fruit.”

Warrod sighed heavily as Precht shook his head at the crates and added, “What are we even going to do with it all?”

Yuri shrugged his shoulders. “Eat them, of course.”

“This is way too much food for us to eat, Yuri,” sighed Warrod. “We could probably feed the entire city of Magnolia.”

“And it won’t keep forever. Fruit perishes quickly,” added Precht with a frown and a shake of his head.

“Well…” hummed Yuri, seemingly unconcerned besides a slight furrow of his brow and wrinkle of his nose. “I don’t know we can make it into jam or something.”

“That’s what we’ve been doing,” explained Mavis. It had been her idea to make jam in the first place, and it was turning out quite well given Warrod’s hidden and previously unknown talents for jam-making. She’d taken to teasing him that if one day he chose to retire from the guild, he could have a very successful and lucrative career as a marmateer.

With a weary sigh, Warrod nodded in concurrence. “We have enough jam to last an apocalypse.”

Yuri chuckled with a somewhat disbelieving scoff. “I’m sure we don’t have—” He stopped abruptly as Precht opened a cabinet door to reveal shelves stacked with jam, then another cabinet of the same then another and another.

“We’re running out of cabinet space,” observed Precht in his dry, matter of fact way.

Warrod sighed shaking his head at the jam jars before turning to Yuri with a pointed, almost pleading expression. “Please Yuri, stop buying fruit and just ask the fruit lady to go to dinner with you already.”

Yuri’s face flushed, but he frowned indignantly with a bristly huff. “First of all ‘the fruit lady’s’ name is Rita, and second of all this has nothing to do with her.”

Precht blinked at him, and Warrod shook his head with a sigh. “You’ve bought enough fruit to feed an army and you expect us to believe that’s because what? You just really love fruit?”

With a stubborn glare in his companion’s general direction, Yuri huffed again. “As a matter of fact, yes, but it’s none of your business why I want to buy fruit.”

“You’ve made it our business,” sighed Warrod. “And believe me, no one is more upset about the fact that we’re involved than we are.”

“I’d like to go back to that time when the fact that you were besotted wasn’t our problem,” said Precht with a dry, matter-of-fact expression.

There was a flash of red in Yuri’s cheeks, but he huffed indignantly, “I’m not besotted, and even if I was, it wouldn’t have anything to do with you.”

“It would if you kept trying to turn our guild hall into an orchard,” quipped Warrod.

“Which you are,” Precht solemnly added with a pointed stare. Yuri rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I got the joke the first time, Precht,”

“There’s nothing wrong with being smitten with Rita and wanting to go on a date, Yuri,” chimed in Mavis with a reassuring smile. “I’d like to go on a date too someday.” She paused and a somewhat dreamy sigh she had not been intending accidentally tumbled out of her mouth as she added, “With Zeref.”

Yuri’s brow furrowed at her, and he turned back to a somewhat concerned Precht and Warrod. “Are we ever going to do something about Mavis’s ‘Zeref Problem’?”

“I think it’s just a phase,” reassured Warrod with a thoughtful nod.

“She’ll probably grow out of it before anything bad happens,” Precht agreed, before he frowned. “The real problem here is you squandering our guild funds on way too much fruit for the four of us to eat.”

“We’ll probably be eating nothing but jam for the next decade,” sighed Warrod.

Yuri wrinkled his nose, but his face suddenly lit up. “I know! I’ll sell the jam!”

“What?” asked a cacophony of confused companions.

“Yes, I’ll take all the jams down to the market and sell them. Then we won’t have to worry about the cabinets or the money or whatever it is that has you both so twisted up.”

Yuri’s plan was, unfortunately, easier said than done. Though he and Mavis took several crates of jam down to the marketplace the next day and set up a makeshift shop table, they failed to sell a single jar. Never one to be defeated, Yuri determinedly took to trying to stop potential customers in the street which only made matters worse. Eventually he sunk back to his stool with a defeated huff.

“Don’t worry, Yuri,” Mavis tried to reassure him with a pat on the shoulder. “Maybe our guild can just have jam with every meal from now on.”

Yuri sighed, but before he could say anything a woman with a basket full of vegetables walked up to their booth with a gentle, “Excuse me? I didn’t mean to overhear, but did you say you’re in a guild?”

Mavis nodded. “Yes, we’re in Fairy Tail.”

The woman smiled. “Oh my goodness! Your guild saved my town when we were overrun by wild boar a few months ago. Thank you so much.”

Yuri perked up immediately, and standing up from his stool, shook the woman’s hand with a lopsided grin. “All in a day’s work m’aam.”

“Is Fairy Tail selling jam as part of some fundraising efforts? I’ll take four jars, please.”

Yuri’s eyes grew wide, but his smile widened. “That’s right. This is genuine Fairy Tail guild jam made by our guild members at the Fairy Tail guild hall itself.”

Some of the customers passing by stopped as they heard Yuri’s impassioned speech and began to crowd around their booth to buy their “Genuine Fairy Tail Guild Jam.”

Yuri turned to Mavis with a smirking smile. “Mavis, I have an idea…”

*-*-*

The next time Yuri and Mavis returned to the market all of their jam jars had labels that said “Genuine Fairy Tail Guild Jam” with their guild mark on it. The jam was a major hit, and the people of Fiore couldn’t get enough of it…until, of course, they could…

“Sales are down,” sighed Yuri with a slight shake of his head. “But we still have a ton of jam back at the guild hall.”

Mavis frowned. “We wouldn’t have nearly as much if you hadn’t made Warrod make more orange marmalade.”

“We were running out,” Yuri protested.

“We’re not trying to run a shop here. We’re trying to get rid of the jam we already have, right?” When there was no response, Mavis repeated, “Right, Yuri?”

Yuri’s eyes were glossy and his expression was distant with a somewhat dopey grin. Curiously, she followed his gaze across the market to the fruit stand. Mavis sighed. Of course…

“Yuri!”

He startled and whipped around to look at her. “What?”

“You’re making goo goo eyes again.”

His face flushed, but he huffed and bristled, “I am not making goo goo eyes.”

With a pointed tilt of her head, Mavis blinked at him; then, sighed. “I don’t understand why you don’t just go ask her to go to dinner so we can be done with this whole jam business.”

“I don’t want to go to dinner with her,” Yuri insisted. “And besides, if I did—which I don’t—it wouldn’t be that easy.”

“It seems pretty easy to me,” shrugged Mavis. “If Zeref was running a fruit stand, I would be over there right now—gazing deeply into his intense, sensitive eyes.” She sighed dreamily, and Yuri shook his head.

“I always thought his eyes were kind of emotionless, but okay…” quipped Yuri.

“Yeah…” sighed Mavis wistfully. “His intense, dead gaze, but yet his eyes are so sensitive and so sad…”

Yuri’s face contorted, and he blinked at her. “Yeah, Mavis…about Zeref…don’t you think he’s kind of…?”

“Wonderful? Handsome? Amazing?” Mavis interrupted with wide eyes. “The ideal man.”

“I wasn’t going to say any of those things,” Yuri replied bluntly. “In fact they’re not even close to anything I was about to say.”

“Have you seen his abs, Yuri?”

Yuri spluttered. “Have I…what?”

“Have you seen his abs?” Mavis repeated emphasizing each word.

“Well…no, but…”

“Then you can’t possibly understand.”

“You’re right about that,” Yuri muttered dryly under his breath. “I definitely can’t understand.”

“They glisten, Yuri. They glisten!”

“Yeah…okay…I’ll take your word for it…” Yuri huffed and rolled his eyes before he said hurriedly, “Oh look a customer.” He stood up from his seat and donned his brightest, salesman smile. “Good Afternoon, Ma’am. Welcome to Genuine Fairy Tail Guild Jams. Home of the official jam of the Fairy Tail guild—made by the guild at the guild. How can we help you today?”

“Yes, um…this might be a bit of a strange question, but my son is a big fan of Warrod…” A young boy shyly peeked out from behind his mother. Yuri smiled at him with a wave of his hand before turning back to the mother.

“Well you’re in luck. Warrod actually made all of these jams—it’s one of his many talents.”

The woman and her son smiled. “Does he have a favorite kind of jam?”

“Oh…uh…” stumbled Yuri, his brow furrowing.

Luckily, Mavis cut in. “He loves orange marmalade.”

“That’s right!” agreed Yuri holding out a jar to the customer.

On the opposite end of the table a group of young women giggled, and one of them asked somewhat sheepishly, “What about Precht?” before she and her companions started giggling again.

Mavis smiled. These girls must like the strong, silent type. She could understand that, but it was a bit funny to think about Precht having fans infatuated with him.

“Oh I know that one,” said Yuri proudly. “He likes blackberry jam, and Mavis here likes strawberry. I’m a raspberry guy, myself.” He said as he made a show of balancing some of the jars before holding them out to the giggling girls.

“Mavis,” he turned and winked at her. “I have another idea…”

*-*-*

When Mavis and Yuri returned to the market again, their “Genuine Fairy Tail Jam” jars not only had the guild symbol, but each member’s favorite flavor of jam had their face on it and the words “Warrod’s favorite jam” or “Precht’s favorite jam” and so on. The people of Fiore ate this up, both literally and figuratively—though Warrod and Precht were both mortified at the idea of having their face on a jam jar. Sales were rising through the roof, however, and the jam inventory at the guild hall was quickly decreasing so they didn’t complain about it too much. In fact, there was so much demand for the new jam jars, that Warrod and Precht were needed to help run the booth and carry more crates down to the marketplace. This only attracted more attention and sales steadily rose as people calmored not only for the jam but for the chance to meet their Fairy Tail heroes.

Mavis could tell from the weary looks on their faces that Precht and Warrod were both looking forward to this jam problem finally reaching its conclusion, but she knew they feared that until Yuri sorted things out with Rita they would be trapped in the vicious cycle of excessive fruit buying, marmateering, and jam selling.

Yuri, however, seemed content to take his sweet, sweet time, but this didn’t stop him from falling all over himself whenever she stopped by their booth.

“And now you can get a jar of jam and my pretty face,” teased Yuri with a lopsided grin that Mavis could only assume he thought was charming, as he practically shoved a jar of raspberry jam under Rita’s nose.

Rita merely blinked at him, but eventually sighed and conceded, “Alright fine. How much do I owe you for the jam?”

“What? Oh…”—Yuri waved his hand with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders. “Don’t worry about—”

“A dinner,” interjected Warrod.

Yuri whipped around to glare at him, then at Mavis as she added, “At our guild hall.”

Even the serious Precht joined in with a somewhat curt and monotone, “Tomorrow night.”

Yuri glared daggers at them though the blush in his cheeks betrayed his embarrassment. It seemed he couldn’t bring himself to turn back around to face Rita.

“That—” Yuri hissed at his friends through his teeth though it was clear that even he didn’t know what to say.

Rita’s brow furrowed in confusion, but she hummed thoughtfully at the jar of jam. After a long pause, she finally shrugged her shoulders and sighed, “Okay.” Yuri’s blush deepened though, of course, since his back was turned Rita couldn’t see it. Mavis, however, giggled at the strange combination of his embarrassment and indignance. Even Warrod and Precht shared a knowing look as a slight smile twitched in the corners of Rita's mouth and she quipped, “This had better be some jam.”

“So what you’re saying is, we all have to take these stupid pictures just because Makarov’s dad was too scared to ask out Makarov’s mom?” huffed Gajeel.

Mavis hummed thoughtfully. “Well I guess that was part of it, but the other part is that eventually Precht made a cost-benefit analysis and realized it was a pretty lucrative business and a good way to supplement the guild’s income.”

Gajeel blinked at her as Makarov agreed, “Running a guild is expensive.”

“Sure,” he grunted. “But you’re still lucky to have been born. Your dad was hopeless.”

“Don’t say that,” interjected Freed from his seat at the bar with the rest of the Thunder Legion. “Then Laxus wouldn’t exist either.”

Bickslow and his floating dolls, or his “babies” as he called them for some reason Gajeel would never understand, all nodded in agreement. “I can’t imagine a world without the boss.”

“It would be awful,” bemoaned Evergreen with melodrama.

Freed, seemingly unprepared to allow Evergreen to outdo his own melodrama, shook his head and added with a solemn, utterly horrified expression, “It would be such a dark, cruel and terrible world.”

“I don’t know, without Laxus’s bad moods things might be a little more cheerful around here,” argued Mirjane with a cheeky, teasing smile.

Freed huffed, “How dare you—” but Laxus cut him off.

“Everybody knock it off and calm down. Everything worked out, obviously, and even I can admit my great grandpa was pathetic.”

Surprisingly, Alzack jumped to the late Yuri Dreyar’s defense. “I don’t think he was pathetic. It can be difficult to express your feelings—especially in the beginning.”

Bisca nodded in agreement, but Laxus rolled his eyes.

Gajeel sighed. Though he could admit that maybe Alzack and Bisca had a point, he grunted, “Okay but the jam—really? It’s dumb.”

“I don’t know, Gajeel. I thought it was kind of sweet,” said Levy looking up at him with a smile that made his cheeks feel warm. He cleared his throat.

“It was kind of romantic,” agreed Juvia. “But too subtle. I would’ve been a little more obvious.”

Gray snorted in a muffled, disbelieving laugh. “A little?” he repeated incredulously before he dryly quipped. “You know you could learn a thing or too from Makarov’s dad.”

Juvia’s eyes widened, and she blinked at him doe-eyed for several seconds before she asked, “Would you like me to get you some jam, my darling?”

Gray pressed his hand to his forehead with an exasperated sigh.

“Maybe you should get some jam for a certain someone,” Happy teased Natsu by poking him in the arm.

Natsu shrugged. “Oh do you want some jam, Happy? That story made me kind of hungry for some myself actually.”

Levy laughed. “You know I wouldn’t mind some jam now either.”

“I can get you some jam, Levy,” interjected Jet.

“Well I can get you jam too—even more jam,” Droy quickly added.

“Not as much jam as me,” protested Jet before he and Droy descended into an argument.

Gajeel sighed and rolled his eyes, but before he or anyone else could tell them to knock it off, Lucy said, “I don’t think any of us should be using jam as a romantic gift.”

Juvia began to protest, “But my darling, Gray—”

“I don’t want any jam!” Gray cut her off in exasperation before standing up from the table.

“I think it’s kind of creative,” said Levy in what seemed to be an attempt to return to the original topic. “I mean anyone can give roses or chocolates, but you never hear about anyone giving anybody jam.”

*-*-*

You never hear about anyone giving anybody jam. Levy’s words stuck in Gajeel’s head for the next several days, despite his somewhat desperate attempts not to think about it. Could she really be serious about that? Was this some kind of girl code that she wanted jam?

“Mr. Redfox? Mr. Redfox?” called a somewhat exasperated voice, and Gajeel rolled his eyes with a frown. The photographer from Sorcerer Weekly was obnoxious, and even more obnoxious was the fact that he couldn’t get around having to take these ridiculous pictures. He’d like to give that Yuri Dreyar a piece of his mind, but, unfortunately, for now, he was stuck taking these dumb photos. He sure as hell wasn’t going to pose for them though.

“What?” he grunted, and the photographer looked somewhat frightened as he tightened his grip around the camera. “Are we done now?”

“Well we got lots of pictures, but we’re um…” He glanced nervously at his assistants. “We’re still hoping to snap at least one of you smiling…If that’s okay with you? Then we can wrap things up here.”

Blinking, Gajeel glared at them. No way was he going to smile for any of these stupid pictures. They should be glad he was even letting them take these pictures in the first place, and he was about to tell them so when a voice interrupted.

“Oh…sorry…I must be early…” Levy chuckled lightly as she walked into the room.

“You’re right on time Ms. McGarden. We’re just finishing up with Mr. Redfox,” said one of the assistant photographers. Levy’s eyes widened and she turned to wave at him.

“Oh hi Gajeel.” A wide smile spread between her cheeks and her dark eyes seemed to shine as she met his gaze. “You look handsome,” she chuckled, and Gajeel felt his mouth twitch. He wasn’t sure she was right about that.

“Eh,” he shrugged his shoulders. “You look nice too.” He heard Lily sigh and figured he probably deserved that after such an understatement. She looked beautiful, always looked beautiful, especially now when her cheeks flushed pink at the compliment and her whole face lit up with that bright, beaming smile of hers and it reached her kind eyes.

“Finally! Thank you!” sighed the photographer in relief, throwing up his hands. “That’ll be all Mr. Redfox.”

Gajeel’s brow furrowed. “What? What about…?” He stopped abruptly as his face grew suddenly warm. They must have gotten their smiling photo. Of course, they did. That smile had tugged at his lips as it nearly always did when he was with Levy, but he hadn’t even noticed.

Narrowing his eyes, he twisted his mouth into a frown, but he shrugged it off. “Yeah whatever…” he muttered. “Good luck with these morons,” he quipped only half-joking to Levy with a quick wave of his hand as he and Panther Lily walked off.

Sorcerer Weekly had had the bright idea to shoot photos on location in Magnolia, so Gajeel had to make his way back to the guild hall through town and the busy marketplace which was bustling with people, and who would’ve thought the first shop stall he noticed sold nothing but jam. Gajeel huffed and rolled his eyes with a slight shake of his head. It was all that stupid jam’s fault, but…he couldn’t help but wonder.

“Hey, Lily?”

“Yeah?” Panther Lily replied with a tilt of his head.

“Do you think Levy was serious about all that jam stuff?”

Lily shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe.”

Gajeel frowned, but his brow furrowed. He supposed it wouldn’t hurt to at least take a look at the jam booth.

Anyone can give roses or chocolates, but you never hear about anyone giving anybody jam.

“Oh hi, Gajeel,” said Juvia who was perusing the jam selection herself.

“Hey, Juvia. Shopping for jams?” He realized that was probably an obvious question, but he and Juvia had been friends for so long, he knew she wasn’t about to judge him for it. Sure enough, she smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I came straight here after I wrapped up my photoshoot. I wanted to get some jam for Gray.”

Gajeel blinked. She must have been shopping for a long time since she had had the photography appointment immediately before his. He would usually have said he couldn’t imagine how someone could spend so long shopping for jams, but now that he was actually at the booth and saw how many different types there were he was beginning to understand. He picked up a jar of blackberry jam, then blueberry then something called boysenberry whatever the hell that was.

“Why are there so many different kinds?” he grunted with a shake of his head. How was someone supposed to know what kind to pick?

“I was wondering that too,” sighed Juvia thoughtfully, but her mouth curved into a kind smile. “But I think I’ve finally narrowed it down. I’m going to get boysenberry because it’s so unique so it’s very special, and Gray is very special to me. And I’m also going to get strawberry because it’s sweet and Gray is sweet.”

“What kind of jam is smart, do you think?”

Juvia tilted her head. “Smart?” Her brow furrowed for just a moment before she perked up with a: “Well, yes, I suppose Gray is very smart. I should probably get him a smart jam too.” She hummed thoughtfully. “I read somewhere that oranges are supposed to make you smarter so maybe an orange marmalade.” She picked up a jar and held it up to Gajeel. “Yes, orange marmalade. I like it. Thanks for the idea Gajeel.”

Gajeel shrugged. “Sure.” That wasn’t his intention, but he didn’t really want to explain that to Juvia right now. Besides maybe she was right about the orange marmalade. He picked up a jar. What if Levy didn’t it like it though? Would she be upset? Maybe he should get more than one kind like Juvia. Levy was sweet but she was also spunky so maybe a tart yet sweet raspberry would be good… Or there was one time she and team Shadow Gear had invited him and Lily along on a hike through the woods where they had picked blackberries so maybe she’d like a blackberry jam. She helped make a strawberry cake for Erza once, but that seemed to be more of Erza’s favorite so maybe Levy wouldn’t like strawberry jam. And for the life of him he had no idea what boysenberry even tasted like. Gajeel huffed. Why in the world was this so hard? And why the hell were there so many damn jams?

*-*-*

“I’ve got a delivery for a Levy McGarden,” said the delivery man carrying a large, wooden crate into their guild hall.

“That’s me,” Levy replied. Gajeel quirked an eyebrow and glanced up from his food just briefly enough to see the look of confusion and surprise that passed over her face. Several guild members began to crowd around Levy as she opened the crate with a crowbar.

“Is that…jam?” asked Lucy with a tilt of her head.

Gray snorted a dry laugh and quipped, “Did they buy the whole store?”

“Do you want me to go back and buy you all of the jam, my darling?” asked Juvia in a fidgety concern.

“This has nothing to do with us, and you already got me jam, okay?”

“Wow! There has to be a hundred jars in there,” said Happy flying over the crate, but Carla huffed.

“Don’t be ridiculous. That crate can only fit about 25 jars.”

“25 five jars is still a lot.”

“I’ll say. I’ve never seen so much jam! It’s making me hungry!” chimed Natsu enthusiastically.

“Who’s it from?” asked Wendy, curiously climbing up on one of the benches to peer into the crate.

Levy shrugged her shoulders. “There isn’t a card or anything.”

“Ooh…a secret admirer,” gushed Mirajane who was wiping down the bar. Though she acted surprised, Gajeel could have sworn she turned to wink at him. He frowned.

“So manly!” agreed her brother, Elfman.

“Hey, I was going to get jam for Levy,” protested Jet.

“Yeah, well I was going to get jam for Levy too,” Droy argued in response.

After a few minutes they pointed at each other and said in disjointed unison, “Wait! You didn’t get this jam?”

First Master Mavis giggled. “It’s nice to know we’re still keeping with the Fairy Tail tradition of hopeless men.”

Gajeel huffed. She definitely glanced pointedly in his general direction.

“I guess that means Juvia is me,” she added with a cheerful chuckle. “And Gray can be Zeref—except not a dark wizard yet.”

Gray whipped around. “Yet?”

Mavis shrugged. “You never know.”

“Didn’t things between you and Zeref turn out terrible?” questioned Laxus dryly though he didn’t look up from his drink.

“Mmmmm…” Mavis hummed. “I guess, but it was good while it lasted. He was so sensitive and strong and have you seen his abs? He’s really handsome, just saying…”

Laxus blinked at her. “He’s a dark wizard—the dark wizard Zeref.”

“He’s still cute!” insisted Mavis, playfully huffy.

“He tried to kill you and trapped you in a rock crystal.”

“Actually Precht made the rock crystal, and that wasn’t Zeref’s fault. Our love was just too powerful.”

Laxus could only blink at her in disbelief as Juvia cried, “Oh no! Gray, my darling, do you think our love is too powerful and could hurt you?”

“What? Uh—” He stopped abruptly and clearly sensing an opportunity said, “Well actually yeah, Juvia. You should probably tone it down a little bit before I end up in a rock crystal like Mavis.”

Juvia nodded solemnly. “I will try my best, my darling.”

“This is ridiculous,” muttered Laxus under his breath.

“You’re just like Yuri,” giggled Mavis, teasingly poking him in the arm. “Though less friendly.”

“With all due respect, First Master, Laxus is extremely friendly,” interjected Freed, followed by Evergreen’s enthusiastic agreement.

“Laxus is the most friendly.”

“I would be his friend,” added Bickslow with emphatic nods that were mirrored by his “babies.” “And I am.”

Laxus glared at his companions. “Are you telling people I’m friendly? Stop going around telling people I’m friendly. I’m not friendly.” However, his protests earned nothing but more arguments from the Thunder Legion and laughter from both Mavis and Mirajane.

Gajeel decided this was probably enough chaos from one day and nodded at Lily as their cue to leave. He made his way out of the guild hall, but he must have failed to notice Levy get up from her table as well because the next thing he knew she was right beside him tugging on his sleeve. His cheeks grew warm, though he cleared his throat and tried his best not to appear too startled.

“Gajeel,” she said with a smile, and he felt a smile of his own tugging at his lips as she met his eyes. “Leaving so soon?”

“Eh, there’s only so much of these knuckleheads I can take,” he quipped dryly but the corners of his mouth twitched. “You should go back in though.”

“I will, but I just wanted to make sure to catch you and thank you.”

“For what?”

“For the jam.” Levy’s smile widened. “It was from you wasn’t it?”

Gajeel shrugged his shoulders. “So what if it was?”

She chuckled. “It was sweet—though you really didn’t have to buy every kind they had.”

“Listen, there were so many different kinds and I didn’t know what kind you wanted and—”

He stopped abruptly as Levy suddenly stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek which he was sure was flushed right about now. Levy was red faced herself as she pulled back from him, but she smiled sheepishly and said, “Thank you, Gajeel” before she scampered back off to the guild hall.

Gajeel stood frozen in the street outside the Fairy Tail guild for several moments. He imagined his expression was more similar to if Levy had whacked him on the back of the head with one of Erza’s swords, and he slowly raised his hand to his blushing cheek where she had kissed him in disbelief. That really must have been some jam.

#gajevy #yuri dreyar x rita #mavis vermillion #gruvia #ftreboost #gajeel x levy #yuri dreyar #gajeel redfox #levy mcgarden #juvia lockser #fairy tail zero #fairy tail fanfiction

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newgeht · 2 years

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Three Little Words - Prologue

I know I shouldn’t be starting another chapter story but this has been sitting in my docs for ages! I have much of it plotted out and most of the chapters written, so hopefully we can get this ball rolling. Enjoy everyone!

Summary: Emotions coupled with simple words were difficult enough; mix in one Erza Scarlet and Gray Fullbuster was doomed. Characters: Gray Fullbuster/Erza Scarlet, Team Natsu, Juvia Lockser, Jellal Fernandes Rating: M Words: 1,864 AO3 l FFNet

Of all the power he could harness, it was rage. A brutal color that filled his vision as he tread from day to day, burning holes through the small friendships he had somehow managed.

A thought arose whenever the word or name of the demon had been mentioned. The pain of endless hours at the creekbed going through the same motions of what he had been taught. Only a flimsy excuse to blow it all on a certain salmon-haired idiot.

But this was all unbeknownst to Gray, for he was only a child. One who naturally spent his days aloft in the frigid temperatures of his abode. The chill followed him as he ran amok through the aisles of splintered tables and when his feet clambered along the cobbled streets of Magnolia, his wide eyes trained on what laid outside of the strained borders. A sanctuary.

Just a ways east of the invisible line was a great forest. He guessed that the boles being larger than a Vulcan was impressive, but that was far from what Gray was interested in. No, it was much farther than the dense shrubbery and vibrant fungus that lay under his feet. Greater than the oblique vines that raced down from the tree tops; stained with the sunny bulbs, threatening to bloom on this autumn day.

He padded eagerly, grubby hands tearing past branches in search of the safe haven. Over the snapping of twigs and melodic chirping, the faintest trickling could be heard. His ears reached for the rush, greedy as he trampled over the forestry.

It was clear as he swathed past the last of the trees,the trickling evolving into the heavy flow of a stream, one that was attached to the smallest of waterfalls.

Gray leaped and bounded for joy, exclaiming aloud; just as any child would. The cloth that laid over his body, stripped seemingly all at once. The water called to him, singing its joy as he edged one toe into the water.

To anyone but him, it would have been cold. But to Gray, it was more than perfect. The best way to start off his summer.

Without wasting another moment he dived into the shallow pool. Beneath the water he was truly home, within this cooler atmosphere. A warmthless place but comforting all the same; tensions beginning to ease from the crystalline pool. Gray surged forward, propelling him lower into the pond, his hands opening wide for the slimy mud that lay on the bottom.

As he resurfaced, he belted out a cry of victory and threw the two muddy globs up into the air. But as he was too late to notice, this screech startled the one who sat perched upon the embankment. A single feeble eye, staring at him in disbelief.

Gray had never seen this girl before and he would certainly remember the voracious red locks of hair that crowned her head. And also the stark white eyepatch that covered her eye. She stood up straight, the lines in her skirt rumpled and tainted with the faintest green. The small dagger on her gleaming with portentous flair.

He opened his mouth to speak only to close it as he began to get pelted with rain -rain? Just as he looked up, the worst of it came down. Each plop of the dirty substance running over every part of his face. Gray groaned in regret, wiping away the muck from his face. Swiping every possible nook on his head to get rid of the gross and slimy texture.

Though it was far from amusing to him, the redhead stared with a smirk. Gray pouted, the mystery girl looking at him with pity.

She held one hand out to him but he declined as he waded out of the water. “You shoulda said something, ya know? What if you were a bandit?”

Her lips barely moved as she spoke. “But I’m not.”

“But what if?” Gray retorted.

“I’m sure a mage can handle themself.”

His face was buried deep into his t-shirt, just the slightest confused. “How’d you know that?” She merely pointed to the dark blue emblem that sat on his chest. He looked away sheepishly, using the shirt to dry his hair. “Right.”

There was a pause, the stream softly humming along with the chanting of the forest. He stood up straight, guessing she wasn’t much for words. “I can take you there-”

A sharp gaze shot across her features, as if she had been offended. Her shoulders drooping from their upset perch as she wrangled with the iron plate on her left arm. The leather strap snapping as she tore it off; revealing a tattoo that resembled his own.

Gray knew it was rude to stare but he was yet again set in a state of confusion. The mark of Fairy Tail presented proudly to him -unbelievable.

“No need,” she curtly stated. The chipped strap buckled back in securely, hiding the little blue fairy. It was a shame as he tried his best to proudly wear the mark of his guild.

Gray scoffed as he pushed his own chest forward, presenting his own emblem. He took one step forward as she took one step back. He did it again, only for the same to happen once more. Internally he cringed as he realized that maybe Macao did know a thing or two about women: you could never intimidate them.

It was a challenge he obliged to step down from. He ignored the girl, in favor of retrieving his clothing. His stomach churned as the skin of his back tingled with the warmest sensation. Every direction he turned, a wary sight following him.

Gray ignored it to the best of his ability, hoping that the girl would leave him alone. Natsu and Elfman had already turned his day sour; no need to rot the good left.

But her presence was bothersome. “This is my spot.”

The girl didn’t respond as she plopped back down on the rock. Her hand held over the rusted handle of her dagger. The sadness that leached from her seeming to disappear. Gray ignored it, not one for sharing.

Still he tried to be polite, “Can you leave, please?”

Her chocolate stare proceeded on. What was she staring at? The rush of water cut into the tension Gray built. He grumbled and put his back to her, dipping his toes into the stream.

Pretending like she wasn’t there, he began to splash around, making the biggest discrepancy possible. The redhead wouldn’t want to be here if he was annoying, right? It’s why he hated Natsu. And Elfman. Laxus, too.

By the time he slid back into the water, his clothes had disappeared. The water thrashed this way and that, droplets rising high into the sky. Falling as a storm around him, brewed only by himself. But as each fell, ideas flooded his mind; ones only induced by his magic. “Hey,” he called. “Watch this!”

The hum he felt through his body presented itself within the palms of his hands. A low drop in temperature as the water around his abdomen began to form into a state of solidity. Ice beginning to form and crinkle around his body, wading toward the girl.

Her deterrent found as she rolled her eyes. Obviously not one for competition. “You think you can do better,” Gray taunted. If he won, she would surely go.

The hand attached to the hilt whipped forward, her fingers beginning to dazzle and shine, flashing brightly. As the pazzazz faded, she held a scabbard. The blade was more lethal than the one strapped to her waist.

Gray’s jaw dropped. Frustrated that he couldn’t hide his amusement; he thought he could win. A frown settling as his mouth closed, pressing his palms together. He couldn’t concentrate on the magic he wove around his fingers; a pressure building as he tried to sculpt the icy tendrils.

A frigid whoosh sent him back into the pool. Unable to control his ethernano, Gray watched it skyrocket into the sky as a pillar. Gray hollered in delight, gazing upon the opaqueness of its thin stature. It stood as tall as the trees around them. Lacking in the width of size but he felt accomplishment. A large bout of it welling in his chest.

She definitely couldn’t one-up him again. He poked his head around the pillar, quirking a brow. But his amusement didn’t pass on as she stood from her perch.

The scabbard disappeared and so did the rusted dagger. Her hair flew about as she called upon her own recesses of magic. Ur said it was different for everyone but he could see the reach she had with her hands. The armor that encased her figure disappeared, warming his cheeks.

Turning his head as his blush worsened. It seemed like everyone in Fairy Tail liked to run around naked. Maybe she was just a nudist? Gramps called him that before.

Another bright flash and she stood in modesty; casual clothing adorning her body. Her own cheeks red but not from embarrassment. She sat back down on the rock immediately. “I think I win.”

Balling his fists, he crawled back out of the water. The girl squawked as he stood in all his unholy glory. Reacting with apologies and his own girlish squeak -clothes were a bigger annoyance than Gray's worst enemy, Natsu.

"Sorry…" Was she the winner anymore?

But introductions had to be done eventually. "I'm Gray. A ice mage and the best you'll ever meet!"

She was unimpressed as she muttered, "An, not a." Gray's own annoyance rose and she held her hand out, "Erza. Requip."

Requip magic; he sure wasn't fond of it, even the name. But Ur always told him to be open minded and to be nice to girls. Ur’s husband an example of a man he shouldn't be, but this girl really was pushing his buttons.

Though the name had rung a bell. His true mother would read it to him but it was a man in the scriptures. Not a woman.

"Erza," he echoed -not Ezra.

A strange look proceeding he felt the sweat on his brow. Why couldn't she just leave? Gray wished to enjoy the creek without company.

Gritting his teeth he clasped the empty hand. Giving the firmest shake possible but Erza's hand was much more tight. Wailing aloud as she continued to shake, enjoying his pain. "Ow! Uncle!"

She pulled away immediately, meek as she stood. "Sorry."

Pain aside, he didn't want to deal with this girl anymore. An unbridled cry as he stormed after his clothes. Sick and tired of people ruining his mood, "I hate you!"

A single tear strained from her wavering eyes. Belting out her own comments of anger as she retreated into the forest. Guilt was already clouding his mind as he thought how disappointed Ur would be.

The red locks bobbed as she dashed through the brush. Uncaring as her clothes caught on the snagging branches, gone in grace.

Gray knew this wasn't the first time he would see her cry. And it wouldn't be the last he brought her to tears.

#grayza #ftreboost #ftrarepairs #gray fullbuster #erza scarlet #team natsu #my fanfiction #ft fanfiction #lucy heartifilia #natsu dragneel #friends to lovers

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genavere · 11 months

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Director's Commentary - Ask session - Open!

While still working on my current project, and before I am able to share a tidbit of it before posting anything, I figured I would offer up a Director's Commentary on my fanfictions.

Have a question about a scene in Former Arrangements? Wanted some extra details about something in Royal Trouble?

Send me an ask and I will answer it for you to the best of my ability without spoiling anything set for other stories or that is appropriate!

If you would like to view any of my works, here is the link to my AO3!

#fairy tail #fairy tail nalu #fanfiction #ftreboost #natsu x lucy #lucy heartfilia #natsu dragneel #writing #fairy tail fanfiction #fanfic #nalu #director's commentary #send me asks

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raptortier · 2 years

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the february @fairytail-redraw was so fun i pulled one from january!

#ftreboost #fairytailredraw #lucy heartfilia #levy mcgarden #lucy x levy #iiii'm ship tagging hi guys #fairy tail #raptorarts

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ft-reboost · 2 years

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Fairy Tail Reboost!

Hi and welcome to our blog!

Fairy Tail Reboost is a new blog created for the sole purpose of boosting art, edits, manga colorings and fanfics from the many talented Fairy Tail content creators that are still active in the fandom!

This blog is neutral, meaning we will boost all ships, characters and brotps equally. The only exceptions to this rule are incestuous ships and any romantic relationships between adults and canon minors.

All content will be tagged to make searching for your favorites easier.

Now, as some of you might now, Tumblr doesn’t work off likes like other social media platforms. And while we all enjoy getting likes, unfortunately it doesn’t really help others find our content. So our hope is that if you find a story or fanart that you like on this blog, you will reblog it so that others can also enjoy it, and you can feel good about helping that writer or artist find a new audience!

Artist and Writers - It is literally impossible for us to stay on top of every tag so this will need a little bit of effort on your part. When you post an art or fic we encourage you to do one of the following to bring it to our attention:

Submit the post to our blog

Use the tag ftreboost in your first five

Mention our blog @ft-reboost on the post or in the comments

Fairy Tail Fans - If you see a post that you would like to recommend, you may also submit it to this blog. Please make sure that the content creator has posted new original Fairy Tail content since January 2021.

We plan on adding a fic search feature soon, stay tuned for more information.

The Fairy Tail fandom has a lot of wonderful content creators that deserve to be seen. Let’s work together to get them the attention they deserve!

Our asks are currently open, so feel free to drop us a line, and give us a follow if you enjoy Fairy Tail content!

Please REBLOG to help us get the word out!

#fairy tail #ftreboost #fairy tail fanfiction #fairy tail fanart #all ships welcome #lgbt friendly #rarepairs #gen content #fanfiction #fanart #fanedits #blog announcement #keeping fairy tail alive #blog post #coloring

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u1tear · 6 months

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boyfriends— freed/sting & hibiki/lyon

#my post #my edits #ft #fairy tail #ftreboost #my fav mlm ships #freed justine #sting eucliffe #hibiki lates #lyon vastia #freed x sting #sting x freed #hibiki x lyon #lyon x hibiki

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heartfilia-source · 2 years

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Mashima's Lucy headshot from this day, colored 💙💙💙

#fairytailsdaily #ftgraphics #ftreboost #fyfairytail #animangaladies #anisource #dailyanime #graphics-net #mangaedit #shounenedit #fairy tail #lucy heartfilia #gfx #coloring #solo #heartfiliaedit #by: pleu #yea im out of practice aha

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atomicpopcornart · 2 years

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I love drawing Freed’s hair.

This is the first time I’ve drawn his sword, too. I love the design, but it’s definitely a challenge to draw.

#fairy tail #Freed Justine #fanart #ftreboost #atomicpopcorn

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xfangheartx · 2 years

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Somebody sounds really hungry.

#fairy tail #natsu dragneel #ftreboost #poor guy #his tummy needs food 🥺

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acacia-may · 1 year

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More Than My Life [Mystwalker Fanfiction]

Story Summary: He should have listened to her all those years ago. If he had, he probably wouldn’t be lying on what very well could be his deathbed with a gaping wound in his stomach that had been meant for her, and she wouldn’t be standing guard quietly in the corner as her insides coiled and twisted. She wouldn't be contemplating if for once in her life she knew what it was to be truly and utterly scared…

When King Jellal is seriously injured protecting Erza Knightwalker, the words he couldn’t say and the feelings she wouldn’t admit are finally brought to light.

Fandom: Fairy Tail

Genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Love Confession, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Post-Edolas Arc

Relationships: Erza Knightwalker and Mystogan (aka Edolas Jellal) Romance and Friendship; Mystwalker; Edo Jerza

Characters: Erza Knightwalker (POV Character) and Mystogan (aka Edolas Jellal)

Rating: G

Warnings: Mention of some injuries as well as some non-graphic discussion of non-depicted violence related to those injuries and discussion of the treatment of those injuries. Spoilers for Edolas Arc in Fairy Tail but there should be No Spoilers for 100YQ.

Word Count: 2762

Links to original posts on AO3 and FFN. Please do not repost to another site.

Story Below the Cut! Thank you so much for reading!

Erza Knightwalker had been called many things in her life, but scared was not one of them. If anything, people had been scared of her—but of course that had been ages ago now, in what almost felt like another life. In some ways, perhaps it had been another life—after all, this was her second chance at life or maybe even her third, fourth or fifth given how many times she had almost perished given her particular line of work. Still, her king had offered her a chance to start over, and even she could admit he was kindhearted despite her belief that he was far too apt to forgive people who didn’t deserve it, people like her. When he had chosen to commute her sentence from the banishment or execution she likely deserved to working with him in rebuilding the kingdom that she had nearly pushed to the brink of destruction, she had thought the newly-crowned monarch was either totally naïve or completely out of his mind. When he had appointed her as his personal bodyguard, she was sure he must be a little of both, particularly after he had been genuinely surprised the first time she had taken a serious injury in his place.

“I never thought you liked me very much,” he had said, and Erza had merely blinked at him. King Jellal was far too smart to be this stupid.

When she had asked him, as respectfully as she could manage, why he had seen fit to make her his bodyguard then, he had twitched his mouth just barely in the corners and said, “Well I needed to think of some kind of punishment for you.”

She hadn’t realized then that this was his dry sense of humor talking, but humor or not it was a concerning sentiment. “It’s not much of a punishment,” she had insisted.

To which he had replied, “You believe you should have been banished with my father.” It hadn’t been a question.

“It would have been a just sentence.”

His smile had widened then for just a split second, and the expression of his face had softened, “You and I have very different ideas of justice then, Captain Knightwalker.”

He should have listened to her all those years ago. She was not so arrogant as to doubt the king only...if he had listened to her and sent her away, he probably wouldn’t be lying on what very well could be his deathbed with a gaping stab wound in his stomach that had been meant for her, and she wouldn’t be standing guard quietly in the corner as her insides coiled and twisted. She wouldn't be contemplating if for once in her life she knew what it was to be truly and utterly scared… Something panged in her chest, and her eyes burned, quickly growing misty.

“Captain…are you crying?” asked a hoarse, strained voice. Erza turned immediately towards the king who was lying weak, pale, and languid in bed as would be expected from someone who was so critically injured. As she rushed to his bedside, her only concern was stopping him from straining himself. In truth, what he had actually said had barely registered until he repeated, “Why are you crying, Captain?”

Erza’s brow furrowed. Crying? Surely, she wasn’t…

Erza’s jaw fell a bit slack as she pressed her fingers against her face and felt the damp trail on her cheek left by an unbidden and unwanted tear that had somehow struggled free. Her cheeks grew hot though she was certain she blushed even more when His Majesty asked, “Are you okay?”

Ezra was far too respectful of her king to roll her eyes, but a sigh did escape her mouth. He was unbelievable—absolutely unbelievable—mortally wounded and worried about her of all people. No wonder his subjects adored him. He truly deserved to be considered “the king of the people.” The difference between him and his father, King Faust, was almost night and day. “I’m fine, Your Majesty,” she assured him hurriedly. “Are you alright? Do you want me to fetch the doctor?”

The royal physician had only just recently stepped out for the first time since he had sutured and bandaged the king’s wounds. Erza was certain he hadn’t gone far. She could likely even catch up with him if she ran fast enough, but His Majesty said, “No, thank you. I’m alright. Please let poor Dr. Sequen have a bit of a rest.”

Erza quirked an eyebrow at him and his bold-faced lie, not to mention his concern for his royal physician, a scrawny old man who had, naturally, been running himself ragged over the last several hours trying to save the young king’s life, but that was his job and one he was more than happy to do, she might add. If anything, he might be upset that he wasn’t summoned immediately when His Majesty had woken up.

“Captain, you could use a rest too,” he said before Erza could begin to insist His Majesty send for medical attention. She shook her head briskly, and King Jellal sighed. “Would you at least sit down, then?”

With a sigh, Erza decided it was probably best to oblige his request before he hurt himself on her account, again, so she quietly took a seat in a chair at the bedside. After several moments of silence, she decided to give her report, “They’ve apprehended the assailant, and he and his accomplice are awaiting trial. The…the attack was intended for me, not you, Your Majesty.”

King Jellal nodded. “I figured as much.”

Which is exactly the reason you shouldn’t have made me your bodyguard, Erza mentally continued. There were surely countless people who wanted to hurt her, who wanted vengeance for the horrible things she had done under the reign of King Faust. It wasn’t fair for King Jellal who put an end to his father’s tyranny and ushered in an era of peace for Edolas to have to pay for her misdeeds. Even this de facto assassin seemed to think so since, as she had heard from some of her men, he had crumbled into a sniveling, apologetic mess when he realized he had stabbed the king in her stead. In his defense, she supposed, he had no way of knowing that King Jellal would jump directly in front of the swing of his sword and push her out of the way—no one did, least of all Erza herself.

“I’ve failed in my duty to protect you, Your Majesty.”

She hung her head but could hear King Jellal hum thoughtfully. “I suppose that is one way of looking at it.”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, what other way is there?” she questioned, glancing up at him again with a slight tilt of her head.

The corners of his mouth twitched just barely with that thoughtful, almost imperceptible smile she had come to recognize after years as his most trusted bodyguard. In many ways it seemed saved only for her and those moments when she was far more frank with him than a servant should be with their king. “That I succeeded in my duty to protect you.”

“Your Majesty, if you are the one protecting me, I have no right to call myself your bodyguard. It is almost nonsensical. When your subjects learn I have allowed you to be injured in my place, they will insist I be stripped of my rank of Captain in your Royal Army and perhaps even imprisoned or banished for treason.”

As something almost affectionate passed over his eyes, King Jellal tilted his head. “I think they will understand.”

“Your Majesty, your people are not as forgiving as you.” Erza sighed. “Though they are good people, they are also reasonable ones. They will never understand why their king would risk his life to protect his bodyguard.”

“Perhaps,” King Jellal admitted quietly; however, his expression softened. “But I can only hope they will understand why their king would risk his life to protect the woman he loves.”

Erza’s face grew suddenly warm, and she was sure her cheeks must be swiftly turning as red as her hair as her heart began to race. She shook her head slightly. Surely, she had misheard him…or perhaps infection was setting in and he was becoming delirious with fever. His Majesty, however, merely bit his lip as the faintest tint of pink flushed in his cheeks.

“I apologize. That was not how I intended to tell you. I’m not sure I intended to tell you at all, but I do think you should know…” He swallowed hard. “I do care for you—more than life itself it would seem.”

There was something so sincere in his dark eyes that Erza found she could only blink at him. Had she been any less helpless, she would likely have thought it was almost pathetic in a way—the former Great Fairy Hunter of Edolas rendered completely speechless, empty-headed, and useless by a few ardent words, even if they were utterly unexpected. As Erza continued to blink blankly at him, King Jellal sighed and averted his gaze from her, but he continued, “I suppose in a way it was unfair that I kept it from you. I hope you’ll forgive my selfishness in concealing my true intentions.”

“Your…your what?” she finally but barely choked in a somewhat garbled whisper as her cheeks flamed red.

“Nothing improprietous I assure you. It’s only…my affection for you is much deeper than merely a king for his bodyguard, and it always has been. And earlier today, when I saw that swordsman coming right at you and…your back was turned already fighting with another one, I…I realized that I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. I’m sorry.”

Erza shivered under the intensity of his gaze, but there was something so kind and so gentle in his eyes. She swallowed hard. It dawned on her that for the second time in her life she had absolutely no idea what she was doing with herself thanks to a completely outlandish declaration from King Jellal. She should have probably come to expect it by now, but this was not a pardon. This was not a commuted sentence. This was a…a…she could scarcely bring herself to even think it. Could this really be a declaration of…of love?

“There’s no reason for you to apologize, Your Majesty,” she stumbled. “But…uh…um…” Her voice hitched, and she stopped abruptly, mentally kicking herself for sounding so wavering.

“I’m afraid this is yet another time we will have to respectfully disagree, Captain. I have put you on the spot and made you uncomfortable, and for this I am very sorry.”

“No, uh—” she began to say she wasn’t entirely sure what, and, as much as she would never admit it, she was actually somewhat relieved when His Majesty interrupted her.

“Please don’t feel obligated to say anything just because I am your king,” he gently insisted. “If anything, I hope you have grown to see me as not only your king but also your friend.”

As Erza somehow managed a brisk nod, King Jellal smiled. “Then as your friend, I humbly ask for your forgiveness for being so forward and for making you cry.”

Erza touched her cheek, checking for yet another unbidden tear, but it was dry. His Majesty must still be referring to before.

“I’m the one who should ask for your forgiveness. It was completely inappropriate for me to…”

“Please, Captain. I know it’s selfish of me to ask but…”—His face flushed a rosy pink— “if you would just, please, consider indulging me and allowing me to believe that perhaps you were crying for me and for yourself.” The blush of his face deepened to a flaming red so crimson that it resembled her hair and clashed terribly with his. He buried his face in his hands. “That sounded…horribly wrong. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to cry, of course, ever, for any reason, but when I woke up and saw those tears in your eyes, I…I didn’t know what to think. I guess I thought that perhaps…perhaps it was possible that…that it was something deeper than just duty. That maybe you weren’t just mourning what had happened to your king, but…” His voice trailed, and Erza’s own cheeks flushed rose.

After a long heavy pause, she took a deep breath. “It was. It was more than that…” Erza confessed at last though she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. “I…I didn’t want to lose you, Your Majesty, especially not because I couldn’t protect you. I don’t think…I could live with myself if you died to save me.”

“I don’t think I could live with myself if you died to save me either, so I’m afraid we’re at a bit of an impasse, Captain Knightwalker.”

A breathy chuckle escaped Erza’s mouth. “Once again.”

His Majesty chuckled a bit himself before his expression softened. “I don’t regret it, protecting you, I mean. I would do it again, a million times over—as many times as it takes. I hope at least now you can believe me when I say I love you more than my own life, Erza Knightwalker.”

Erza’s cheeks grew hot, but she stumbled her way through a nod. “I do. Though I’m not sure I would have without you taking a stab wound for me earlier,” she admitted.

“I do appreciate your honesty.” His lips twitched, and there it was again—that secret smile. “I suppose it was worth it then, to be able to tell you that, at least once in my life.”

Something twisted in Erza’s stomach as an almost sickening sense of dread began to rise in her chest. “Once?” she repeated in an almost garbled voice. She stood from her seat and turned to rush out the door to fetch the doctor, but she stopped abruptly as His Majesty’s hand reached out to gently grab her wrist.

“No, please. I…I’m not on my deathbed, I can assure you—injured, yes, but I’ve been hurt much worse than this before, believe me.” He offered her a slight, reassuring smile that faded as he continued with the faintest pink tint in his cheeks, “I only meant that…if you don’t return my affections, I…I won’t express them again out of respect for you.”

Erza blushed, but she sighed. “It’s not me you should be worried about, Your Majesty. You should be thinking of your people—what they’ll say, how they’ll whisper and gossip about you if you try to pursue a woman who is merely a soldier, a bodyguard, and a criminal…”

“They don’t see you the way you see yourself,” he insisted with something so kind, so ardently devoted in his dark eyes that Erza could almost believe him. “And even if they did, I’m sure that when they got to know you they would see everything in you that I see and would know what an amazing person you are.”

“You have a very good heart, Your Majesty,” she replied, turning away from him with rosy cheeks and a bittersweet smile tugging at her mouth. “But you deserve someone worthy of you.”

“I can’t imagine anyone is more worthy than the person who has stayed by my side—fought by my side with an unshakable loyalty and who has always been willing to die to protect me.” King Jellal gently pressed his palm to her cheek, and as he whispered her name, “Erza…” her heart raced. “I love you, but I don’t expect anything from you. If you don’t love me, I understand. I will never mention this again and will hope you can learn to forgive my forwardness and remain my friend. But please only refuse because you don’t love me, not because you’re scared to.”

Scared. Erza Knightwalker had been called many things in her life, but scared was not one of them…and she was not about to take up that title now, no matter how apt it might be. She could only hope that the rapid beating of her heart wouldn’t betray her as she leaned forward, snaking her arms around his neck. Her warm breath brushed up against his skin as she hovered mere inches away from his face. “I’m not scared…” she whispered before she finally erased the space between them with a kiss.

#my first ever fairy tail fanfic #mystwalker #erza knightwalker #mystogan #ftreboost #mystogan x knightwalker #knightwalker x mystogan #mystwalker fanfiction #edo jerza #jellal x erza #fairy tail fanfiction

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