Work Text:
Strawberry Basil Margarita
0-0
"ERZA, PHONE!" Natsu's voice pierced through the music Erza was listening to on her headphones, and she looked up at him in surprise.
Who'd be calling her?
Her younger brother came into her room, phone in hand, boyfriend joined at the hip as always.
Neither one of them wore a shirt.
“Can you both please put on some clothes?” Erza asked, irritated by their constant disregard for her presence. "There are ladies present."
"Where?" Gray, Natsu's boyfriend, grinned at her good-naturedly. She bit back a retort, knowing it was pointless. She'd long ago accepted him as a part of their family, and he acted accordingly.
“Here, it’s Lucy.” Natsu handed her the phone. “She sounds excited about something.”
He rolled his eyes at her and made a gesture with his hand that implied that Lucy had been talking his ear off about something. Their task done, both boys left her room.
“Hello, Lucy,” Erza spoke into the phone. “What can I do for you?”
“Want to go out tonight?” Lucy asked in a hopeful tone. “There’s this new club. Cana said she might be there, but I don’t want to go by myself.”
“I don’t know, Lucy. I have work tomorrow.”
“Please don't say no. I’ll pay for all your drinks.” Lucy offered, trying to entice Erza into coming out with her.
“It’s not that, Lucy, I just- uhm, I already have plans,” Erza hedged, hoping her friend would leave it at that.
“Oh? And what plans are those?” Natsu had come back into the room and was shamelessly listening to her end of the conversation as he ate an apple.
“I-I was going to read that book I’d been telling you about.”
“Really, Erza?” Natsu frowned at her and quickly wrestled the phone from his sister. “What time should she be ready, Lucy?” He listened into the phone. "An hour? Got it. I’ll make sure she’s ready. Yeah, I’ve got this. Bye."
“Why would you tell her I was going?” Erza crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at her younger brother.
"I don’t want to go out."
Natsu sorted through Erza's closet as he talked. "Look, I know you're still hurting, but you've been hiding in here long enough. Go out, have some fun with Lucy."
“I’m not hiding,” Erza humphed. “And don’t even try to pretend that you getting me out of here is in any way altruistic. You just want to have the apartment to yourselves.”
Natsu chuckled. "Please, like you being here has ever stopped us."
Erza's face flared red, and she tried to hide her embarrassment by entering her closet and violently shoving clothes aside. She often wondered how on Earth they could be related. Natsu was so blasé when it came to sex and relationships, whereas she turned into a tomato at the mere suggestion of anything remotely untoward.
Natsu laughed at her discomfort and pulled her into a bear hug. "Go jump in the shower. Gray and I will pick out something nice." He squeezed one last time before letting her go. "You're going to go out, and you're going to have fun. You deserve this, okay?"
“Please don’t pick anything too suggestive. I’m just going for one drink.” Erza began, but her brother waved her off towards the bathroom, by now used to her anxiety.
“Not too suggestive,” he mumbled to himself. “Has she even seen the clothes that are in here? GRAY, I need you!”
Gray came into the room and flinched at the mess. "Are you insane?" he hissed. "Erza's going to murder you."
“Help me find something for Erza to wear to a club that isn't too suggestive.” Natsu said, making air quotes around the word suggestive.
Gray's eyes widened in disbelief. “Is she joking?”
Natsu snorted and shook his head. Erza worked as a children's librarian at their local public library. None of her outfits could be considered improper, let alone suggestive. He looked at the pile of clothes helplessly. He found a promising long-sleeved basic black cocktail dress and examined it from all angles, his brow furrowing in concentration.
"Scissors?" Gray asked seriously, and when Natsu nodded, he ran off to get some sewing scissors and a sewing kit. He returned quickly and handed them over, watching his boyfriend work with a fond expression on his face.
Gray admired the results as Natsu finished sewing the hems in and held the dress up to make sure everything was even. He'd cut several inches from the skirt so it would come up to Erza's mid-thigh and had cut cold-shoulder holes in the sleeves to accentuate her shoulders. Lastly, he'd brought the neckline down to show off her elegant neck.
"It's beautiful. But you realize she's going to kill you when she sees what you've done."
Natsu didn't look concerned in the slightest.
"Natsu Dragneel, what did you do to my favorite dress?!" Erza screeched as she came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and saw scraps of fabric on the floor and what remained of her dress in her brother's hands.
"Just try it on. I've learned a bunch of stuff since the last time I tried to alter one of your dresses!" Natsu sounded confident, but Erza knew him well enough to realize he was nervous. "Trust me?"
“Ugh, fine!” She grabbed the dress from his hands and stomped back into the bathroom, coming out a few minutes later, looking somewhat calmer.
Gray wolf whistled while Natsu just smiled at her. “You look stunning, Erza.”
"You did a lovely job! I'm impressed, but I can't wear this. I'd feel naked."
Gray grabbed her by the hand and dragged her over to the mirror so she could look at herself.
“You’re a beautiful girl, Erza. You don’t have to hide it. And it's time you stop moping over Kagura. Go out with Lucy and have some fun, make some new friends. You’re much too young to be a recluse.”
Erza nodded at his words while Natsu approached her with some jewelry he'd grabbed from her cabinet. There was a knock at the door, and she immediately tensed up while Natsu went to answer the door.
"You look amazing," Gray assured her as he helped her put on the necklace Natsu had picked out. He kissed her forehead affectionately and, with an evil glint in his eye, added, "Now get out of here so I can fuck your brother without having to be quiet."
“GRAAAY!” Erza shrieked as she chased him around the apartment, jumping over furniture as Gray laughed at how red her face had gotten.
Natsu and Lucy watched, both confused but smiling at the pair’s antics. “Wow Erza, where did you get that dress? It’s gorgeous.”
Erza stopped chasing Gray and said proudly, “Natsu altered my black cocktail dress.”
Lucy turned to Natsu. “You did that?”
Natsu nodded, rubbing his arm shyly.
“Damn, that's amazing! Can you do some of mine?” Lucy asked, already excited at the prospect of updating her wardrobe. “I’d pay you.”
"Sure, I need the practice," Natsu answered, and when he saw Erza go into her room to do her hair and get some shoes, he lowered his voice. "Go easy on her tonight. She hasn't been out since the breakup."
Lucy promised she would be on her best behavior and when Erza finished getting ready, both girls left the apartment.
“You think she’ll be alright?” Gray asked Natsu.
"I hope so. She can't carry on like this forever."
“Hmm, enough talk about Erza. Let’s talk about you and how sexy you look when you’re working,” Gray said as he pulled his boyfriend in for a kiss.
0-0
Erza and Lucy entered the club, heading straight to the bar to search for Cana. Erza looked around as they walked, taking in as much of the ambience as she could in the dimly lit room. The music was loud, and even though it was good, it made her uncomfortable, almost jumpy.
She still wasn't very sure she should be here, but she hated to worry her brother.
Ultimately, she knew Natsu was right. She couldn't hide away forever. Her relationship was over, and moping around wouldn't change that. It was time for her to have some fun and maybe rediscover herself. Besides, just because she was here didn't mean she was looking for anything. She was just helping a friend.
"Come on Erza, I think I see some empty stools by the end of the bar." Lucy grabbed Erza's hand and dragged her towards the seats before anyone else could grab them. Thankfully, the music was not as loud on that side, and Erza relaxed.
“Hey Lucy, who’s your friend?” The bartender came up to them and smiled. She was a beautiful girl with long silver hair and the biggest blue eyes Erza had ever seen before, outside of an anime character.
“Oh, hi Mira!” Lucy replied cheerfully. “This is my friend Erza.”
“Well hello, Erza, nice to meet you!” Mira extended her hand out, and winked, grinning as the redhead’s cheeks became flushed.
Erza immediately cursed her over-sensitive nature, but at least managed to shake Mira's hand without making a further fool of herself.
“What’s your poison?”
“Excuse me?”
“She means what do you want to drink?’ Lucy explained helpfully, while looking around the large room for Cana.
“Oh, uhm, anything’s fine,” Erza quickly replied.
“Come on, you gotta give me more than that.” Mira coaxed. “Anything you want, first drink’s on the house.”
“Won’t your boss be upset?”
“You’re looking at her!” Mira smiled. “Now, what will it be?”
"You own this place?" Erza asked, her eyes widening in amazement. "But you're so young!"
When she saw Mira still waiting for her order, she blurted out, "I like anything with strawberries."
“Coming right up!” Mira beamed at her, and Erza felt the beginning of a stirring in her stomach at the brilliance of that smile.
“I’m going to go look for Cana for a minute. Are you going to be okay?” Lucy asked.
"I'll be fine for a little while," Erza assured her. "Good luck."
Lucy smiled excitedly and asked Erza to hold her seat as she hurried away.
"Here you go beautiful, a strawberry basil margarita on the house." Mira winked at her again.That wink might be the death of her at this rate. It certainly was doing a number on her heart.
“Basil?” Erza asked with a bit of apprehension. She’d heard of mint in drinks but never basil.
“Yeah, it’s a new thing. It’s supposed to make the drink classier. Where did Lucy go? I forgot to ask for her order.”
"She went to look for her friend, Cana," Erza answered absently as she sipped her drink. The overwhelming taste of tequila surprised her. It was nothing like the sweetness she'd expected. And the basil wasn't helping at all. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to insult Mira, but she also didn't want to taste more of that drink than she had to.
“Oh dear, that’s not going to go well,” Mira said, sounding concerned.
“Why not?” Erza asked, wanting to keep the conversation away from her drink.
"Well. Cana is pretty drunk already, and when she gets drunk, she gets very flirty. Last I saw, she was getting very flirty with someone in particular."
“Oh.” Erza looked behind her, disconcerted. “Should I go get her?”
“No need. She’ll be back soon enough. I’ll have a drink waiting. Speaking of drinks, how is yours?”
“Oh, uhm,” Erza tried to think of the most polite thing she could, not wanting to sound ungrateful. "It’s a bit strong?"
"Yeah? Let me see." Erza tried to swallow the whole thing down before Mira could grab it from her, but the tequila burning down her throat made her shudder in distaste. She just couldn't do it.
Mira grabbed the margarita glass from her and took a sip, immediately spitting it back into the glass.
“Oh dear God, that’s terrible.” She looked horrified and kept sticking her tongue out to get the flavor out. Erza couldn’t help but laugh at how childish and cute she looked. Mira stopped what she was doing and smiled at Erza.
“You have a lovely laugh, Erza.” Mira said, suddenly looking shy. “I’m so sorry. I swear I followed the instructions.” She grabbed two glasses and filled them with water. “How about I get you something in a bottle?”
Erza nodded as she laughed. It had been a few months since her laugh had sounded so light and she thanked Lucy, Natsu, and Gray for making her get out of the house. Both women sipped the water to cleanse their palates, and Mira got them two wine coolers instead.
"I have to be honest with you. Our bartender called in sick and I couldn't find anyone to fill in on such short notice. I figured it couldn't be that hard, but I think I now understand why beer sales have been up tonight." Mira laughed, and Erza found the sound to be very pleasing. The way her eyes twinkled in mirth was quite lovely as well.
“I wasn’t sure if I should say anything or not,” Erza admitted.
“You definitely should. I need for this club to be a success,” Mira said, her eyes serious for the first time. She noticed some customers trying to get her attention. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Erza turned around on her stool so she could scan the club - finding it reasonably full. She searched for Lucy while she waited for Mira to return, but most of the people standing around were much taller than her friend, so she had no luck.
She hoped things were going better for her than Mira had implied.
“I’m back!” Mira announced cheerfully as she plopped on the stool that Lucy had been sitting on earlier. “I’m on break,” she explained as she took in Erza’s surprised expression. “So I have to ask. That dress is amazing! Where ever did you get it?”
"Actually, my brother altered it for me before I came here. I have a picture of what it looked like before on my phone somewhere." Ezra opened her phone and sorted through her pictures until she found the one she was looking for and showed it to Mira.
Mira looked from the picture to Erza and back. “Your brother did this? Can you stand up?”
Erza stood up and showed off her dress, her face flushing as she turned, aware of Mira’s eyes on her.
“Your brother is a genius. I mean, the dress looked good on you before, but now it’s just... damn.”
“He really did a good job, didn’t he?” Erza practically glowed at the compliment and at hearing her brother praised. Natsu had been working so hard, and his progress showed. "What about you? Do you have any siblings?"
"I have two, actually, a brother and a sister. My sister Lisanna is a model, and she works for a bunch of designers. If your brother has a portfolio, maybe she could show it around. They're always looking for interns and assistants."
“I’ll mention it to him. I’m not sure if he has one yet.” Erza hadn’t really been paying attention to much of anything the last few months. Life had mostly been home and work, with an occasional movie night with Natsu and Gray when they tired of her antisocial behavior. “I haven’t been very there the last couple of months,” she admitted a bit sheepishly.
“Well, sometimes life throws us curve balls.” Mira fidgeted with her bangs and finally put them up in a small ponytail to get them away from her face. “Anything you want to talk about?”
"No. I just need to put it behind me." Erza said firmly. "It must be tough to own a business," she said, changing the subject.
“It keeps me busy. What about you? What do you do?”
“Nothing all that interesting. I work at the public library, in the children’s section.” Erza murmured while looking down at her nails.
“You’re a librarian?” Mira looked at Erza in disbelief and giggled. “That’s right up there with kindergarten teacher!”
Erza was about to say she was nothing special, but Lucy’s return distracted her. She looked distraught, and Erza knew they needed to leave.
"It was really nice to meet you, Mira, but I have to go," Erza said, getting up from her stool and grabbing Lucy by the hand.
She guided her towards the exit, but Mira caught up to them before they could get far.
“Hey, the library’s not far from here. You should come for lunch sometime. I swear I'm much better in the kitchen. I'll even make you my special strawberry cake. It's to die for.” She grinned as she handed Erza a napkin and winked one last time before returning to the bar and taking her place behind it, already smiling at her next customer.
Erza looked down at the napkin and saw Mira’s phone number with Call Me written underneath and a little heart drawn next to it. She grinned like a fool, already more into this girl than she should be. And, she baked strawberry cake too?
As Natsu would say, this one was definitely a keeper.
Lucy looked down at the napkin in Erza's hand and pushed aside her own unhappiness, glad that the evening had gone well for her friend - it was just what she'd needed.
"Well, at least one of us had a good time!" Lucy smiled at Erza, who looked embarrassed by the whole thing, but happily so.
“Shall we go interrupt Natsu and Gray?” Lucy grinned impishly, knowing exactly what kinds of things the two were up to.
Erza laughed and said, “Lead the way.” She looked down at the napkin once again.
Life was definitely looking up.