Ember of the Starry Sky

Yukari watched Mirajane carefully, waiting for a reaction. But instead of speaking, Mirajane simply smiled.

Not her usual playful smirk. Not her teasing grin a real smile.

Soft. Genuine. The kind of smile that made Yukari feel like she was standing too close to the sun, warmth seeping into every part of her, leaving her light-headed and breathless.

And just like that, something inside her clicked.

She had been dancing around it, avoiding it, pretending it was just admiration, just a crush, just something that she could ignore.

But here, in this garden of firelit flowers and butterflies, with Mirajane standing before her bathed in golden light there was no pretending anymore.

Yukari took a deep breath, her hands curling into fists before she forced them to relax. Screw it.

"I love you," she said.

Mirajane's eyes widened slightly, lips parting in surprise.

Yukari could feel her own heartbeat pounding in her ears, like war drums before battle. But she didn't stop. She couldn't.

"I don't mean it the way people throw those words around so easily," Yukari continued, her voice steady but soft. "I don't mean it in some simple, fleeting way that fades with time. I mean it in the way fire means warmth, in the way the stars mean light. I mean it in the way that every time I look at you, I think, 'This is it. This is what home is supposed to feel like.'"

Mirajane's breath hitched.

"I love you because you make me laugh, even when I don't want to. Because you see parts of me that even I try to ignore, and you don't look away. I love you because when you smile at me like that, I feel like I could burn down the whole world and you'd still call me beautiful."

Silence.

Yukari swallowed, her fingers twitching at her sides. She had never felt this vulnerable in her life, and she had been through some seriously humiliating moments. (Most of them involved Natsu.)

Mirajane was still staring at her, her blue eyes unreadable. The pause stretched longer.

And longer.

And longer.

Oh god. Say something. Anything. Please.

Yukari was about to throw herself into the nearest bush and live there forever when Mirajane finally moved.

She reached out, took Yukari's hands in hers, and smiled.

Then, softly—

"I love you too."

Yukari barely had time to process the words before the red butterflies swarmed around them, their warm glow pulsing like a heartbeat. They landed on their hands, their shoulders, twirling around them like tiny, fiery blessings.

And then, like the universe itself was applauding them, the other butterflies joined in.

The pinks, yellows, greens, blues they all whirled into motion, their glowing trails intertwining until they formed a radiant, colorful heart around them.

Mirajane laughed softly. "Your magic is really dramatic, huh?"

Yukari, who had definitely not planned that, cleared her throat. "Yeah, well. It has good timing."

Mirajane hummed, tilting her head slightly. "You know, for someone who just confessed in the most poetic way possible, you look like you might pass out."

"Give me a second," Yukari muttered.

Mirajane's smile softened.

Then she leaned forward and kissed her.

Yukari froze. The world around them melted away. The fire, the garden, the butterflies it all blurred into the background.

All that mattered was this.

Mirajane's lips were warm against hers, soft and gentle but sure. Yukari felt herself melt into it, her entire body going light, like she was floating. Her hands instinctively curled around Mirajane's waist, pulling her closer.

She had imagined this before of course she had but nothing compared to reality.

It was better.

It was everything.

She could feel Mirajane smile into the kiss, feel the way her fingers lightly curled into the fabric of Yukari's shirt as if she was holding onto something precious.

And then—

FLASH.

The sound of a camera clicking shattered the moment like glass.

Mirajane and Yukari jerked apart, their heads snapping toward the noise.

Standing not-so-hidden in the bushes, grinning like absolute menaces, were Cana and Hinote lacrima camera in hand.

Cana whistled. "Damn, that was hot."

"Literally," Hinote added, completely unbothered.

Yukari's brain short-circuited.

Mirajane, whose face had never been redder, took a slow, deep breath before saying, "…How long have you two been there?"

Cana shrugged. "Long enough."

Hinote smirked. "Keep going. Pretend we're not here."

Yukari looked directly into the camera, deadpan. "I'm going to burn that thing."

Cana snickered. "You'll have to catch us first."

And just like that, the moment was gone.

Yukari sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "Alright. That's enough romance for tonight. Let's get you home, Mira."

Mirajane, still horrifically red, nodded quickly. "Yes. Good idea. Let's go."

She grabbed Yukari's hand, dragging her away from the scene of the crime.

Hinote and Cana simply waved. "Goodnight, lovebirds!"

Yukari flipped them off over her shoulder.

Yukari walked Mirajane to her doorstep, their fingers still loosely intertwined.

They stood there for a moment, neither one quite ready to say goodnight.

Then, before Yukari could overthink it, Mirajane leaned in and pressed a quick, soft kiss to her lips.

Yukari barely had time to react before Mirajane pulled back, smiling sweetly.

"Goodnight, Yukari."

And with that, she slipped inside, leaving Yukari standing there, stunned.

Slowly very slowly a stupidly huge grin spread across Yukari's face.

She turned, practically floating on her way home.

But the second she opened the door Cana and Hinote were already there, sitting on the couch, looking smug as hell.

Yukari stopped in the doorway. "You two are actual goblins."

Cana stretched lazily. "You're welcome."

Hinote grinned. "So, how does it feel to be in a relationship?"

Yukari narrowed her eyes. "…We wouldn't even be together if you two hadn't ruined our moment."

"Exactly," Cana said. "So technically, you owe us."

Yukari groaned. "I hate you both."

Cana patted the couch. "Come here, lovebird. We have something for you."

Suspicious, Yukari approached.

Hinote held up the lacrima camera. "Take a look."

Yukari squinted at the image displayed on the screen and immediately stopped breathing.

It was the perfect shot.

In the photo, she and Mirajane were locked in their first kiss, completely lost in each other. The red butterflies were circling around them, glowing softly. And in the background, the other butterflies had swirled into a delicate heart of light, framing them in a breathtaking display of fire and magic.

"…Wow," Yukari murmured.

Hinote's voice was unusually gentle. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Yukari swallowed. "Yeah. It really is."

And for once she wasn't mad at them.