WORD by leoslady4ever: Facetious – adj. used to describe speech that is meant to be funny but that is usually regarded as annoying, silly, or not proper

WEIRDO BLABBS: Last chapter! Whee! I really had fun and so much challenge writing all these chapters. Wow, I had to look far and wide for inspiration; I feel like a new man! _

I guess I'll see you guys soonest? I'll give a little heads-up, me and WolfieANNE are reviving Last Celestial Mage (upcoming chapter under construction) and my next mini-fanfic is another GraLu which involves nurses, sickness and tears. Please look forward to it! I hope I publish it soon.

Until then, please be patient and bear with me.

This has been WeirdoBlabber's STARSTRUCK! wishing you guys a happy and love-filled life!

~FACETIOUS~

"So, how is business doing, dad?"

"It's fine. You remember the Liu family from China, right? The one we've been looking forward to getting a deal with? They finially signed a four-year contract with us."

"And what's great is, Lucchan, if that happens, your father will probably be able to see you more frequently...!"

"I'm looking forward to it!"

"Which also reminds me, I and the cast are going on tour; Magnolia will probably be one of our destinations."

"Oh, that's great, mum! I'll certainly look forward to it."

"Gray, dear, why don't you come see our tour, too? I'll be very happy..."

I stopped halfway through my meal to look up at Ms. Layla. I was happy that she didn't forget I was there, but also a bit anxious because all three Heartfilias were looking at me now.

Sitting straight and pulling my chest up in a regal manner, I smiled at the mother of the woman I loved.

"I'd be happy to watch you on tour, ma'am," I said, "I'll try to see if I can get a day off then."

"You've become such a wonderful gentleman, Julius—" I sweatdropped at her choice of names to call me, "And I haven't thanked you for taking care of Lucchan all this time."

"All this time...?" I chuckled, "Five years isn't that long..."

That's right. Five years. Lucy and I have been together five years now. We've been quite content with our private relationship; but I still would want the whole world to know she's mine. It is a good thing that our paths hadn't crossed yet on stage. Else, I wouldn't be able to just stay still and pretend I didn't know her.

"What are you getting busy with lately, Gray-kun?" asked Mr. Heartfilia. I don't know if it's just him being a father or my imagination but I could swear he's not being very nice to me. "Any jobs or stable meetings?"

I laughed inside. I think it's safe to say that Lucy got her indifference of show business from his side of the family. "Well, my band and I just got back from our world tour three days ago so we're getting a week off. After that we're back to the usual interviews, TV show appearances, tours and, probably, another album."

"I'm glad that you work so hard," he said but he didn't look 'glad' at all. I swallowed. "And you still have time together with my daughter?"

"Dad!" Lucy flushed beside me, clutching her black cocktail dress. She had been worried about me meeting her father personally for the first time.

"Ah, well, we both are busy. Lucy has her budding broadway career and I have show business."

"Do you have time for her at all?"

"At times when we don't see each other, we try to make up for it," I said hoping I didn't sound too scared. "I do try my best to see her on her days off. And I call her when I can't."

"Hm..." he said flatly. I guess this is what you would call being protective? Should I try to convince him I'm a good man? "Your job isn't getting the way of your relationship, is it?"

"Oh, no, sir!" I impressed; Lucy was making a similar statement beside me. I could tell she's really embarrassed with this topic. Her father's interrogation is quite frightening.

"Hm..." he said, a small smile. Alright, now he's really trying to intimidate me.

"Our relationship—" Lucy bit her lip at the word, "—is quite... secure, if you could call it that. I have faith in her and she has faith in me; that's something you need to keep a relationship going, isn't it?"

He nodded, his caterpillar moustache moving sideways as he smirked.

I gulped again. I should try to lighten up this atmosphere—

"If I would say so, the only thing left in this relationship is for me to marry your daughter...!"

Everybody, that is, all three Heartfilias, in the small, private room stopped to look at me: Lucy looked as if I'd just said something that could start a war; Ms. Layla's eyes widened, a dreamy and hopeful look on them, as she clasped her hands together; Mr. Heartfilia looked—I don't really know how else to put it—as he'd just swallowed his moustache.

Crap.

Of all the things I could have said, I said something so facetious.

Crap!

Ground, swallow me now!

Somebody, detonate a bomb!

Or just kill me! Just kill me!

Mr. Heartfilia's lower lip quivered, something I admired when Lucy did it; I knew he'd be a bit angry at my stupid statement so I wasn't shocked when he started shaking and then burst into laughter—wait, what? Burst into laughter?

Yes, indeed. Mr. Heartfilia was now clutching his stomach as he roared in strings of 'ho-ho-ho' like that Christmas dude I used to believe in. He reached out to me and pat me heartily on my shoulder, then continued to laugh and giggle with his wife. Lucy, on the other hand, let out a fake smile and she pinched my thigh so hard I had to clench my teeth to keep myself from shouting.

Then, I let out a nervous laugh, myself.

"My dear boy," Mr. Heartfilia started, "That was a good one!"

"Th-Thank you, Mr. Heartfilia..." I said nervously. I don't know what about what I said was funny but since it didn't get me shot, it's all good.

"Please, call me Jude." He wiped a small pool of tear at the corner of his eye and collected himself with a sigh. "Oh, it's been such a long time since I've gotten a good laugh. I'm glad my daughter chose someone with a good sense of humor."

The man seemed friendlier now and he was smiling at me like he liked me. I felt relieved; as if a ton of weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Is this how it feels to have your girlfriends' parents approve of you?

"Isn't he such a dear?" Ms. Layla commented.

Mr. Heartfilia—no, Sir Jude shrugged. "A wedding will have to come ways later, my boy. You two need to enjoy your youth."

"I agree," Ms. Layla affirmed. "But I wouldn't say 'no' to the idea."

"Mum!" Lucy protested. I forgot she was there for a moment. She was beet red from ear tip to ear tip. "Please stop that. We're not even sure if marriage is where we're headed to...!"

I smiled bashfully and held her hand.

I am.

Very sure.

leoslady4ever: Yours is another new word and I'm glad and happy and just elated to be able to write this… I hope I got it right… If I didn't, I'm sorry… I did my best! : )