#grayza fic

“Erza, can’t you just, appear in human form, so, I don’t look crazy?” Gray mutters, his voice weak enough that his family won’t hear him.

“Gray is talking to himself again.” Gray heard Leon far too loud not to be heard.

“You should have said so in the beginning.” Erza blinks and there was a puff of smoke where Erza was flying in front of him to appear seated beside him, plates with hotcakes lathered with strawberries.

“So what are your plans today Erza?” Ur decided to interrupt, knowing how close his sons were close to start fighting.

“A little shopping. Gray promised to help me with something for a little family gathering we have.” Erza answers, as if she had been there for breakfast all along and did not suddenly pop out of nowhere.

Shopping? Forget that she woke him up with a kick, he could feel dread written all over this.

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Erza hums happily as she test tastes the cakes. She only behaves like a normal girl at these times but at the same time not. Do something to the cake and she goes nuts like a monster. 

Today is weird. She would take bites, savor the flavors like she always did but would sigh and mumble how this wasn’t the cake she was looking for.

“You don’t look kitty happy like you usually do? Did the strawberry cake not make you kitty happy?” Milliana, who works at one of the café’s Erza frequented often, asked. They developed a closeness akin to sisters. Despite Erza not being human, even Gray could not deny that the bonds she formed in Magnolia is more than the effect of magic. The bond is real.

Erza beams. “Nope, your cakes are wonderful. There just happened to be a specific taste I’m looking for.”

“Nya is that so? Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“I will.”

“Hope you find that special cake soon!”

“I’m confident I’ll find that cake.” Erza’s eyes shine in determination.

She would then proceed to drag him to another shop.

Somehow, they managed to look at every sweet shop, café’s and bakeries in Magnolia. It was a feat that Gray deemed impossible but the two managed, somehow.

“I think we explored just about every shop that sold cakes.” Gray commented, a bit tired.

“That we did and it was a success.”

“It is? But you didn’t look any happier than you did at Mermaid heel.”

“Did I seem that way?” Erza turns to look at him.

“You look happy but different.” Gray didn’t really have a word for it. Her hand reached his, gripping his in assurance.

“I am happy.” Though she smiles, it didn’t pass that there was an odd melancholy feeling to it.

Sometimes Gray wonders why Erza decided to one day to appear out of nowhere and be friends with him. He was normal. But of all humans, she chose to appear only to him. In her natural form, only he could hear or see her. It was a facet that put him into many tight spots, attracting all sorts of unwanted attention, earning looks from family, friends and strangers. By using a bit of magic, she could walk among humans like she was a part of their society, never questioning her appearance. Whenever she leaves their magicless realm, all memory of her existence fades along with her. Sometimes he wondered if she was real or not. Or if she was okay with being forgotten. In such cases occur, Erza would always drag him away to whatever kind of insanity she involves him to sate her curiosity about the human culture. And he lets her, hoping to help in any way he could. Sometimes, Erza would look distant, sitting by the riverbank with an odd look. Gray always made sure to be there. He could offer no words or hug to comfort her. Still, Erza seemed happy about it though he couldn’t fathom why.

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He wakes up to the pain in an odd position on the wooden floor, Erza sat gracefully on his bed, in her human form.

“Can’t you wake me up like a normal person?” Gray mutters as he sat, dusting dirt off his pajamas.

“This is the most effective way I can wake you up.” Erza answers.

“So?”

Erza hums as she walks to his closet and dumps clothes to him, knowing it was her ‘wear this’ silent order. Erza never made requests.

Minutes later, Erza is acting weird. Trying to look innocent but her features emanated excitement was she pulled him with her, off downstairs though he could not guess what was so important that-

There on the table was a simple cake. Strawberry shortcake but something seemed odd about it.

Erza forcefully made him sit, a slice prepared for him. Her eyes gleamed in excitement. “A gift for my human friend.”

“Thanks for this though you didn’t really have to Erza.” Gray smiles knowing now what the crazy cake shopping was for. The gesture touches Gray. She need not to go through all this fiasco just for him. Still, even had Gray known, there was no stopping Erza. He would appreciate her gift.

“Consider it a ‘Thank you gift’ then, since spring is coming.”

“That’s right. You guys like to celebrate every end of season.” Gray remembered.

“I also treasure this season because of you and everyone in this world.”

“Wait is this-”, surprise filled Gray’s icy blue eyes.

“Ice cream based. Just a little something to remember me by before we meet again. I know how you love your food as cold as ice.” Erza smiled in pleasure at the face he made.

“Just like you like everything in strawberries? And why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye?”

“I’m leaving today and it might be awhile before you see me again.” Erza looks at nothing in particular.

“You always come back after a few months. Why does this sound different?”

“Yes, I had but my purpose here is done.”

“Done?”

“The flow of the seasons has gone good. The anomalies, done. There is no reason for me to be here. Gray, you and everyone here proved how strong humans are.” Erza clenches her hand at this.

“That’s nothing to do with it. It’s always okay to stay here because you’re Erza.” Memories hit Gray’s back when they first met. Erza, who was so tough, who would not cry but had her moments of being sweet and lovely. “because you’re my friend, everyone’s friend. Even if people are not able to remember you, they would feel the bond you shared with them.”

Erza’s eyes widen at this, glistering a bit, knowing how this topic often made her sad. At the same time, she felt happy knowing how Gray felt.

“Knowing that Gray means a lot to me. More than you know. I would need to take a look at other cities and see how they are faring. My experience with you and everyone taught me so may wonderful things. Those, I will treasure and carry with me.”

Gray gives her a look and then takes her wrist, wrapping her wrist with a bracelet. A bracelet that was important to Gray. All protests died at her throat as his arms wraps around her. His skin was always a temperature down the norm but now felt really warm. “Take this gift then. Take this as a memento of our friendship. Everyone can forget you, I can forget you but while the memories disappear, you are still here, our bonds will remain.” His arms loosen, the two at a distance.

“You are correct. We may never meet again but we could never truly forget each other.” Erza smiles as she leans towards him, giving a small kiss to his forehead and the world goes hazy.

In that haziness, he remembers a soft smile, mouthing a thank you.

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“Gray-sama?”

Gray hums as he takes a bite of his cake.

“Why do you love cakes?” his girlfriend asked.

Gray smiles a little as he takes another bite. “I can’t really tell. I never liked cakes before but one day, I woke up with this fondness for cakes. It has this particular taste. Fierce but warm.”

“Can cakes taste that way?” Juvia wondered out.

“I am aren’t I? I’m kind of searching for a certain flavor.” Gray smiles.