No key this time, Fairies! And sorry it took so long (again) to update! This has been a busy Summer, what with my research trip and conference work I've been doing! Hopefully it'll slow down a bit now...we'll see. XD
Also, on another, less wonderful note, I have to add something else here. Something I will be adding to all of my near-future updates in other stories as well.
***PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ASKING FOR AN UPDATE***
I am busy. Bamboo is busy. And getting comments that have nothing else written in them but "update!!" or "update soon" or "please update!" are distracting and make us not want to write because we feel pressured to have to update. So, please, if you want an update, just be patient. They will come eventually, I promise. Until we finish with the story, it will get updated. It will just happen when it happens.
Don't misunderstand, though: we LOVE getting comments on this story! As long as they actually have something to do with/about the story.
Alright, rant over. Thank you all for sticking with me, and happy reading!
~~~
Juvia joined in everyone's cheering the next morning at breakfast when Levy made her way into the dining room. Her face turned slightly pink as she thanked everyone, the blush darkening when she looked at Gajeel. She looked slightly nervous when she sat in the seat beside him at the table, but she immediately smiled when he grabbed her hand, Juvia noticing how he gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Cute, aren't they?" Cana chuckled from beside her, causing her to jump with a start.
"Y-Yes," she replied.
"And it's about damned time," Natsu said, loud enough for the room to hear him. "I thought I'd have to deal with that tension forever!"
Levy let out an embarrassed squeak as Gajeel cursed at his cousin in Russian. Everyone laughed as the two of them continued bickering, but that stopped when Cana's and Juvia's parents came in with the food.
Juvia grinned at the broad smile on her mother's face. Being a chef, she loved cooking, so getting to cook for this many people at every meal made her incredibly happy. Cana's mother seemed to be the same way, so Juvia hadn't really been surprised when the two hit it off and became fast friends. She glanced over at Cana, who was already at work dishing herself out a large helping of eggs, and felt her face flush. I wonder if Cana thinks of us as close friends like I do.
"After breakfast, I want you to come somewhere with me," Cana said, suddenly, taking Juvia off guard.
"Where to?" Juvia asked.
In response, Cana smirked. "It's a surprise. And bring your paints." With that, she went back to eating, talking with the others as if she hadn't ever left the conversation.
Juvia wished she could act normally. She spent the rest of the meal wondering where Cana could be taking her. And why would she need her paints? She didn't know why Cana was being so secretive about it.
"Are you finished eating?" Cana asked, bringing Juvia out of her thoughts. She realized everyone was cleaning off the table, and she hurriedly got to her feet.
"Yes," she said. "Juvia is finished."
When she reached for her plate, Cana grabbed her arm. "I'll get it," she told her, "you go get your paints. I'll meet you outside."
"O-Ok," Juvia nodded, rushing upstairs so that Cana wouldn't see her blazing face. Why do I get so flustered whenever she touches me? She asked herself that, but she knew the answer. It was because every time Cana touched her, a jolt of sensation shot to her chest, causing her heart to flutter wildly. She'd had crushes before, but never had they made her all giddy like Cana did.
