12 days ago I impulsively said I was gonna do this and here it is, I may have cried over it once or twice but it's done. So here this is for my friend at @fairytail-redraw
Each of the panels separately to see detail better is under the cut
You didn’t know you’d run into another guild member on your mission, being a fairly new member and all, you wouldn’t have recognized him if it wasn’t for the guild mark on his neck.
The city was busy and bustling, it was Saturday morning and the market had just opened. You were here to find out the reason behind many missing persons in the city, the only fact you had to go on was that where the break-ins happened, a small wooden bird was found. You took the mission from the board and got here in a week, now you were investigating and asking questions in the town square, where the last incident happened.
As you stopped for lunch you were waiting in line at a food cart, looking out at the crowds of people, when you first spotted his silver hair, you had to double take when you saw the black mark on his neck that was a twin to your own. You stared for a few moments, admiring his strong arms and handsome face, wondering how he got his scar on his face, before you panic and gasp, turning quickly when you realize he’s walking your direction
Your heart was racing, the smell of fresh bread filling your senses when the door to the bakery opened. For some reason, when you thought about this handsome man realizing you were in the same guild, you felt shy. You didn't want him to know because then he would talk to you and you might embarrass yourself.
Your eyes focus on the window and on your reflection, you have on a white sleeveless tank top tucked into black tapered at the ankle cotton pants that are held up by a black ribbon. Your arms are out, your hands on your hips, the various scars looked even lighter against your skin which was darker from your travels.
You reach up to fix your hair and notice the man is now behind you, you make eye contact with his reflection and he smiles “y/n?” he asks and you turn around, smiling up at him, your heart hammering in your chest as you tried to seem like you weren’t incredibly nervous.
“I know by your mark that it’s you, I dont know why i asked.” the handsome man holds out his hand “Elfman Strauss, Maracov sent me, thought you might need some help since he got an update about the posting” you take his hand and shake firmly “it’s nice to meet you Elfman, what was the update?”
“The mission was moved up a few ranks, the birds belong to a dark guild that moved into the area, the only problem is if anyone finds the hideout, it immediately disappears” you sigh as you reach your turn at the food cart “isn’t that interesting then… well.. Can’t fight on an empty stomach. Are you hungry?” you ask, your worry about embarrassing yourself slowly ebbs away when his only answer is a shrug after his stomach growls incredibly loud. You double your order with a laugh. You pay and before he has a chance to even object you are already shoving his half into his hands. “Let’s sit and you can tell me about yourself so I know how we can fight together well”
After you finish your lunch you are both laughing so hard your sides hurt, he was so easy to get along with and so funny. You were put at ease so quickly after he made his first witty remark, you got through introductions and talked about how your magic worked, once you were done talking business he really opened up, being his true self with you.
“How about we split up to investigate and if we find anything we find the other before we attack? And if we don't find anything we will meet back up at the inn” he nods “i’ll follow your lead!” you laugh “you really shouldnt though, im a greenie, if you have a better idea please let me know so i can learn too” he nods “dont worry, it sounds like a good start. It’s what i was thinking” you beam up at him and his heart melts “cool, okay i’ll take the north side you take the south”
When you go to knock on the door of the last house your hand freezes in the middle of the air as the side of the building explodes out, you panic when you notice the body in the wreck is Elfman. Your stomach drops “are you okay?” you shout and he puts up a fist, his thumb up. “Found the hideout” he groans and you run around the rubble to his side “you said you’d come find me!” the group of people who appear through the smoke and duts, was obviously the wizards you were looking for, no mistaking the thick feeling of hatred and bloodlust that fills the air.
“He fell through the roof” a guy in the middle with blue spiky hair says, spit stuck in the corner of his mouth. Your body moves slowly, placing yourself between the group of evil wizards and Elfman “so you threw him through the wall? Makes sense” you say through gritted teeth “well he’s the only one to break through to our hideout, we had to show him a good time” a small spindly person to your right says while laughing.
Your hands balled into fists against Elfman's chest and you sigh, relaxing and then putting on a sweet face as you stand and look at the one you think is in charge, tall dark hair and a smug smirk. You lick your lips and look the man over as you saunter over to him “Maybe I could show you guys a good time now?” You purr up at him and press yourself against his chest, he almost believes you, for a split second he buys your act, until your hand touches his neck and you use an electricity spell to taser him.
The other group members yell as they go to attack you but before they can Elfman is in his beast form, throwing their bodies to the ground.
“You almost had me convinced there.” he says with a nervous laugh when he changes back, his shirt now in tatters. “I know we just met an all, but Elfman…” you look up from your spot, crouching and tying up the bad guys, to meet his eye with a smile “betrayal isn’t the game I play” you stand and walk over to where he is, rubble and unconscious bodies surrounding you.
You reach up and brush the rocks and dust from his hair, checking him over for injuries, before meeting his eye and placing your palm against his chest “but if you wanted to have a little fun,” you lean in closer and whisper “I wouldn’t object” you chuckle at his bushing cheeks and the way he stumbles of his words. You pat his chest and walk away, grabbing a bad guy by the ankle and pulling him along “can you get the others? Let’s go turn them in and then hit the baths I’m so ready to relax”
You finish bathing in the hot red waters, the giant statues were kind of unsettling but you just kept your eyes closed. You wrap yourself in one of the robes that were provided to you and the silk of the material made you sigh in comfort when it touched your skin.
When you exit the bath to head back to your room you run into a half dressed and still dirty Elfman. “Hey what’s going on?” You ask, a little worried. He looks embarrassed, his cheeks flushed under the streaks of dirt, he reaches and scratches his neck with a nervous laugh “there are no rooms left, I’m on my way to the-“ you reach into the pocket of your pants which were folded in your arms and place an extra key in his hand “stay with me!” You say with an excited smile and then you realize what it sounded like.
Your cheeks flush a dark red and you look down to where your hands are connected, the key between your palms. “In an innocent friendly we’re in the same guild way. Like I’m not trying to make a move. Not that I don’t want to! You’re gorgeous! But I don’t move this quick! I.. I.. oh god” you laugh “you can stay with me unless it makes you uncomfortable, of course. Your choice” you walk away then, your heart racing and your cheeks hot enough to cook on. You felt so stupid.
“She.. she thinks I’m gorgeous” he’s frozen to his spot as he looks at your key, he feels honored that such a great magician and beautiful woman is so nice and is sharing her room. He will not! Mess! This! Up!
He takes off towards the baths, excitement in his stomach and heart to have more time with you.
You get some food delivered to your room and Elfman makes it back just after it’s been delivered. “I hope you’re hungry” you smile and kneel by the table as he makes his way into the room. “Oh come on you bought me two meals, letting me stay in your room. I’ll pay you back, I swear” you laugh, the sound was music to his ears “please, don’t worry about it. I like to take care of people. It’s just what I do.” You pat the ground next to you and begin to plate some of the food, setting some on his plate as he kneels beside you “thank you” he says softly. You place your hand on his back, rubbing it back and forth for a second “you’re welcome, Elfman”
you eat in silence for a moment, too happy with the food in front of you to think about anything.
You hear a little laugh and you look up to find him watching you “what?” You ask, your cheeks beginning to flush. “Nothing. You just uh, dance when you eat. It reminds me of my sister” you move your legs to the side so you could face him “you have a sister?” You smile and he nods “two actually” he holds up two fingers and then takes a drink of water that was on the table.
“What are their names?” Your whole attention was on him now, your tummy full and your eyes looking over his profile
“Mirajane and Lisanna” he clears his throat and tells you the story of his sister’s death and you swipe away your tears as you listen quietly, you didn’t know them but you can feel the hurt.
“Now, “ he says, his voice quiet and solemn “i live for Lisanna, so she can live on in my heart” you reach up and gently cup his cheek, wiping away his tears with your thumb “you’re so strong Elfman, thank you for sharing your story with me” his hand covers yours on his cheek and you lean up on your knees, bringing you up taller than him so you can kiss his forehead “i’m glad you were safe today. And that you chose to stay” his arms snake around you, hugging you tight to his chest, he felt so connected to you it was like he’s known you for years, not just hours.
You stayed like that for who knows how long, two touch starved people finally getting a little taste of affection and not wanting to let it go. You lay your head on top of his, your hand carding through his hair above his ear as you just held each other.
He felt your hand relax and fall to his shoulder, heard your breathing even out and slow down before he felt your body grow limp. he took the initiative and gently pulled you into his arms bridal style, holding you close to him for a moment as he looked at your calm relaxed face, relishing in how sweet and pretty you looked, before standing and taking you to the bed.
You woke up before the sunrise and laid there, staring at the ceiling as you tried to remember how you got to your bed. You gasp softly and your head turns swiftly to the side, before rolling over and smiling wide at the sweet man sleeping next to you. You sigh and then lift his arm up, moving slowly to cuddle yourself into him “im so glad you stayed” you whispered and kissed his bare chest before his arm tightened against you, making you smile as you fall asleep again,
When you wake up again, you smile at the weight of him laying on top of you, his head on your chest and arms out on either side, his legs between yours. You chuckle softly and begin to run your fingers through his hair.
He gasps and wakes with a start, pushing himself on his hands and looking down at you, your hands paused in his hair and you smile “good morning” you say and he looks at you for a few seconds more before releasing his arms and laying back down against you, tilting his head into your neck as he whispered “good morning beautiful” he mumbles and then smiles when he watches your neck flush, he leans up to get a look at the blush on your cheeks as well.
“Want to go to breakfast before we head out?” you ask, beginning to play with his hair again. “That sounds really nice” he says with a soft sigh, the feeling of your soft hands in his hair was relaxing.
When you are ready to go you meet Elfmman by the door of the room and he looks nervous you chuckle softly “are you okay?” you ask and he nods before clearing his throat “i’m sorry if i made you uncomfortable by staying in your bed and not sleeping on the couch i-” you chuckle and place your hand on his chest, leaning up and kissing his cheek “i love that you stayed. I felt really special.” you run your hands down his chest and you kiss his guild tattoo on his neck softly before pulling back “are you ready to go home?” he nods with blushing cheeks and you smile “me too”
You talk easily on the trip home, sharing stories like old friends who could never grow apart. You stopped at inns to stay at or spent the night under the stars, sharing a room or having your bed rolls right beside each other. You grew closer to him over this week and by the time you returned to the city you were pretty sure you’d do anything for him.
When you saw the gates to the city you stopped to take in the view. You were a little worried about what would happen when you got back to the guild, what would happen for you and Elfman. Would you just be friends who once had a moment? Had one mission together? would you pretend it never happened?
He looks back at you and smiles as he waits, when you notice him you grin “do you want to go on a date with me?” you ask, straight to the point and his jaw drops “this is SO NOT MANLY! I was going to ask you out!!” he says a little bit flustered and you laugh at him, reaching and taking his hand as you walk again “so that’s a yes?” you ask and he clears his throat “yes it’s a yes. But i’m planning it, so i’ll pick you up tonight at sundown” you laugh and give his hand a squeeze “it’s a date” you say and his heart flutters at your sweet smile.
