Aria (Gray x OC)

+Two+

"I want to invite you to join Fairy Tail."

Mellodi didn't hesitate to respond. "No." Her smile faded into a frown.

"Why not?" Gray pondered aloud. "It's not like you have to be good at using magic."

She shifted the gray guitar case on her back. "I'm a musician, not a mage."

"Who said you can't be both?" He shrugged. "Heck, you are both, but why not join a guild? It's not like we'd tell you to stop playing guitar and singing."

"I don't think I'd let anyone tell me to stop singing and playing guitar. Besides that, I won't join a guild." She reiterated.

"Why not?"

"Just 'cause."

As soon as she said this, Gray effortlessly lifted the girl off of the ground and slung her over his shoulder like a doll. She yelped in surprise and began to kick her legs in attempt to escape from his grasp. "What are you doing?! Let go, Gray!"

He began walking, but Mellodi wasn't able to see where they were going as she was facing the opposite direction. She felt the boy place a hand on the back of her legs to keep her from kicking. "I'm not putting you down until you either join Fairy Tail or tell me why you won't join."

"That's no fair!" She whined and, deciding she could no longer try to kick herself free, began to pound on his bare back.

"Ow! Dammit, stop fighting me!" He cursed and began to walk faster.

She pouted, knowing that he was much stronger than her, and therefore, she wouldn't be able to break free from his grip. It was getting dark, so barely anyone was around to witness the scene. Still, the girl shouted, "Help! I'm being abducted by a strange man I barely know!"

"Jeez, do you want to make me sound like some creep?" Gray clicked his tongue. "I'm not abducting you."

"Yes, you are." She retorted.

"Well, maybe." He huffed. "But it's not like I'm taking you to a torture chamber or anything."

"Where are we going, then?!"

"To Fairy Tail."

Mellodi began to pound on his back again. "No! I don't wanna go!"

"Dammit woman!" He cursed and pulled her off of his shoulder. He set her on the ground safely and clasped both of his hands over her shoulders to keep her from running away. "Just give it a chance! From what I can tell, you can barely make it through a day with the jewels you earn! This an opportunity to be fed a decent meal, get a place to stay that's much cheaper than anywhere else you'll look, and build friendships and a family that's around!"

She frowned, anger beginning to spark in her auburn eyes. "I have a family."

"When's the last time you saw them?"

She looked away, slightly taken aback by the directness of the man; though, she hardly knew him anyway. "A year ago."

"And it's not like we got a chance to eat. Are you still hungry and up for that free food?"

She swallowed and didn't answer. Instead, her stomach rumbled, responding for her.

Gray nodded surely. "That's what I thought. Now, let's go." He began to walk swiftly, tugging the girl along. But her lagging pace caused him to stop. "I won't force you to join, but just come see what you'd be missing out on first. Though, I don't know if you'd be able to say 'no' to the stage." His lips curved into a smirk.