The morning sun poured into the Fairy Tail guild hall, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air and casting long shadows across the wooden floorboards. The usual cacophony was just starting to build—Natsu was already arguing with a table, and Gray was looking for his clothes—but for Blake, the noise felt distant.
He walked into the hall with a specific mission, his heart beating a rhythm that felt suspiciously like nervousness. It was a sensation he rarely felt in battle, yet the prospect of the conversation ahead was far more daunting than facing an army of vulcan.
Mirajane Strauss was behind the bar, as always. She was wiping down a glass, her smile radiant and welcoming, the picture of the perfect barmaid. But as Blake approached, he saw her movements falter slightly. Her blue eyes met his, and for a split second, the "She-Devil" looked like a shy schoolgirl. She knew. Cana must have told her that the conversation was happening today.
Blake took a seat at the far end of the bar, away from the main crowd.
"Morning, Mira," Blake said, his voice struggling to find its usual casual cadence.
"Good morning, Blake," Mira replied, her voice soft. She placed a cup of coffee in front of him before he even ordered. "Black, two sugars."
"Thanks." Blake wrapped his hands around the warm mug, staring into the dark liquid. He took a deep breath. "So. Cana. She... she told me about your talk."
Mira stopped wiping the counter. She clasped her hands in front of her apron, her cheeks tinged with a faint pink. "I see. And...?"
"And," Blake looked up, meeting her gaze honestly. "I was surprised. I'm not going to lie. I'm dense with this stuff. But... I'm not opposed to it."
The silence that followed stretched out. Mira looked down at her hands, fidgeting. "You don't have to force yourself, Blake. I know you and Cana are happy. I don't want to be an intruder. I was content just watching you two—"
"Mira," Blake interrupted gently. "Cana wants this. And honestly? The more I thought about it last night... I think I want it too. You're important to me. You always have been."
Mira looked up, her eyes shimmering slightly. "Really?"
"Really," Blake nodded. "But we can't just jump into the deep end. It would be weird for everyone. I don't want to disrespect you or Cana by rushing it."
He took a sip of his coffee. "So, let's do this the right way. Let's go on a date. Just you and me. No guild business, no pouring drinks, no fighting dark guilds. Just a date. We try to build this slowly. We see where it goes."
Mira's smile returned, but this time it wasn't the practiced customer service smile. It was genuine, fragile, and beautiful. "I would like that very much, Blake."
Blake finished his coffee in one gulp, the caffeine giving him a boost of confidence. He stood up, adjusting his coat.
"Alright then. It's a plan. Get ready tonight. I'll pick you up at 7:00 PM. Wear something nice, though you always look nice."
"I'll be ready," Mira promised, clutching the bar towel to her chest. As Blake walked away, he heard her humming a happy tune, and he couldn't help but smile to himself. Step one: complete.
---
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of purple and deep orange. Blake stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom, adjusting the collar of a crisp, dark blue button-up shirt. He had traded his usual heavy combat coat for a sleek leather jacket.
"You look sharp," Cana's voice came from the bed. She was lounging with a book, looking entirely too smug.
"Don't wait up," Blake warned her, checking his hair.
"Oh, I'll be waiting," she winked. "Go get her, tiger."
Blake drove his car to Mirajane house where the strauss siblings live. The engine purred with a low, magical hum as he pulled up to the gate.
Mira was waiting outside.
Blake's breath hitched in his throat. She was wearing a white sundress that contrasted perfectly with the night, paired with a light blue shawl. Her hair was let down, cascading in silver waves over her shoulders. She looked less like a mage and more like a princess from a fairytale.
He got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her.
"You look stunning, Mira," Blake said, and he meant every word.
Mira blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Blake."
---
The drive to Hargeon was smooth. The coastal town was known for its romantic atmosphere and fresh seafood. Blake navigated the winding roads with ease, the magical headlights cutting through the darkness.
Inside the car, the air was thick. Without the noise of the guild or the distraction of work, they were just a man and a woman in a small, enclosed space.
"The... the stars are bright tonight," Mira ventured.
"Yeah," Blake gripped the steering wheel a little too tight. "Very bright. Good visibility."
"That's good," Mira nodded.
"Yep."
Blake mentally kicked himself. 'Good visibility'? What am I, a pilot? Talk to her!
"So... how was Elfman today?" Blake tried.
"Oh, he was fine! He broke a table though," Mira replied quickly.
"Classic Elfman."
"Yes. Classic."
Silence descended again.
They arrived at Hargeon Port. The smell of salt water and roasting garlic filled the air. Blake parked the car and led Mira to The Gilded Crab, an upscale restaurant with a balcony overlooking the harbor. The moonlight reflected off the gently bobbing waves of the ocean.
They were seated at a private table near the railing. A waiter in a tuxedo appeared, holding a notepad.
"Good evening. May I start you off with some wine?"
"Red," Blake said.
"White," Mira said at the same time.
They looked at each other and laughed nervously.
"One of each, please," Blake corrected with a smile.
"And for the main course?"
"I'll have the Spicy Seafood Pasta," Blake said.
"And I will have the Grilled Salmon with lemon butter," Mira added.
Once the wine arrived and the waiter left, the barrier finally began to crack. The act of ordering food had grounded them. It reminded them that they were just people who needed to eat.
"I didn't know you liked spicy food," Mira noted, taking a delicate sip of her wine.
"Love it," Blake said, swirling his glass. "Keeps you awake. Plus, after eating nothing but rations on long missions, I need something with a kick. You?"
"I prefer sweeter things," Mira admitted. "Though I do enjoy cooking spicy dishes for Natsu. Watching his face light up is fun."
Blake chuckled. "You're the only one who can control that chaotic kitchen of ours. How do you do it? Seriously. I've seen you turn a brawl into a lunch line with a single smile."
Mira giggled, and the sound was like wind chimes.
The conversation flowed from there. They stopped talking about the guild as 'work' and started talking about their lives.
Mira talked about her love for singing, how she hummed melodies when she was cleaning, and her secret desire to perform on a real stage one day. Blake listened intently, captivated not just by her beauty, but by her passion.
"You should do it," Blake encouraged, leaning forward. "Next Harvest Festival. You take the stage. I'll handle the lighting. We'll make you a star."
"You'd do that?" Mira's eyes widened.
"For you? In a heartbeat," Blake said softly.
Then Blake opened up. He talked about his obsession with mechanics, how he saw magic as a puzzle to be solved rather than just a force to be wielded.
Mira listened, her chin resting on her hand, her eyes focused entirely on him. She made him feel heard. She made him feel understood.
By the time dessert came—a shared chocolate lava cake—the awkwardness was a distant memory. They were laughing about Master Makarov's latest hangover and trading stories about Gajeel's terrible singing.
"I think our metal-head friend needs a vocal coach," Mira laughed, wiping a tear from her eye.
"He needs an exorcist," Blake corrected, grinning.
---
The drive back felt much shorter. The silence in the car wasn't heavy anymore; it was comfortable, companionable. Mira hummed along to the radio, and Blake tapped his fingers on the wheel.
They arrived at her house. The street was quiet, the gas lamps flickering softly. Blake parked the car and walked Mira to the front gate.
The night air was cool, but the warmth from the wine and the good company kept the chill at bay.
They stood by the gate, facing each other. Blake put his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels.
"I... I really had a great time tonight, Mira," Blake said, his voice low and sincere. "Better than I expected. And I expected it to be good."
Mira smiled, looking up at him through her lashes. The moonlight caught the silver in her hair, making her glow. "Me too, Blake. Thank you for taking me. Thank you for... giving this a chance. I know it's complicated."
"It doesn't feel complicated right now," Blake admitted. "It just feels right."
The wind rustled the leaves of the nearby oak trees. Neither of them moved to leave. The gravity between them shifted, pulling them closer.
Mira took a half-step forward. Blake took a half-step forward.
The world seemed to narrow down to the space between them. Blake could smell her perfume—vanilla and night-blooming flowers. He could see the flecks of lighter blue in her eyes.
Mira's gaze dropped to Blake's lips, then back up to his eyes, a silent question. She tilted her head up, her eyes fluttering halfway closed.
Blake didn't hesitate this time. He took one hand out of his pocket and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her soft skin. He lowered his head and closed the gap.
Their lips met.
It wasn't a hungry, desperate kiss. It was soft, sweet, and incredibly tender. It tasted of chocolate dessert and white wine. It was a question asked and answered.
Mira's hands came up to rest on Blake's chest, clutching his leather jacket. Blake's other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
For a moment, there was no Cana, no guild, no complex relationship dynamics. Just a man and a woman under the moonlight.
They pulled apart slowly, lingering in each other's space. Mira was breathless, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She touched her lips with her fingertips, looking at Blake with wonder.
"Wow," she whispered.
"Yeah," Blake breathed out. "Wow."
Mira stepped back, though she looked reluctant to do so. "I... I should go in. Lisanna might be waiting up."
"Right," Blake nodded, stepping back as well.
"Goodnight, Blake," Mira beamed, a smile so bright it could rival the sun. "I'm looking forward to the next date."
"Me too, Mira. Sleep well."
Only when the door clicked shut did he let out a long breath he didn't know he was holding. He touched his own lips, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
"Okay," he muttered to himself. "I can do this."
He got back into this car and drove home. The engine roared a little louder, matching his elevated heart rate.
---
Cana was sitting on the couch, wearing one of Blake's oversized shirts and holding a glass of wine. She bounced up the moment he walked in.
"Well?" she demanded, rushing over to him. "You're back! You're alive! Did you ruin it? Did you spill spaghetti on her? Did you talk about engines for three hours?"
Blake hung up his coat, chuckling. "Calm down, interrogate me later. No, I didn't spill anything. Yes, we talked about engines, but she liked it. We went to The Gilded Crab."
He walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water, Cana trailing him like a relentless reporter.
"And?" she prodded. "The vibe? The chemistry?"
"It was... really good," Blake leaned against the counter. "Awkward at first. But we clicked. We talked about everything. She's amazing, Cana. You were right."
He paused, smiling at the memory. "And... I walked her home."
"And?" Cana leaned in, her eyes sparkling.
"And we kissed," Blake admitted. "Goodnight kiss. Outside her house."
Cana clapped her hands together, letting out a triumphant cheer. "Yes! I knew it! I knew you two would spark! Oh, this is perfect. My boyfriend and my best friend. I'm a genius."
She looked at Blake, her expression softening into genuine affection. "I'm glad, Blake. I really am."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a regular matchmaker," Blake teased, pushing off the counter. He felt a profound sense of relief. The two women he cared about most were happy, and miraculously, the world hadn't imploded.
Blake walked over to Cana. The playful energy shifted into something warmer, darker. He looked her up and down, appreciating the way his shirt looked on her.
"But," Blake murmured, stepping into her personal space. "I did the hard work. I faced the awkwardness. I navigated the first date jitters. I think I earned something."
Cana grinned, biting her lower lip. "Oh? And what did you have in mind?"
And then goes towards Cana and kisses her.
"I think you know," Blake said.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her slightly so she had to stand on her tiptoes.
"Reward time."
He crushed his lips to hers. This kiss was different from Mira's. It was familiar, fiery, and full of the deep, established passion they had built over time. Cana hummed against his mouth, weaving her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer.
As the night deepened around the small house in Magnolia, Blake realized that despite the impending doom of Gildarts' eventual return, life—right here, right now—was pretty damn good.