A Moment of Peace

Cana laughed brightly, completely unrepentant. "It's what I'm here for!"

Yukari groaned, running a hand down her face as Cana clinked her mug against an imaginary glass, looking far too pleased with herself. The teasing wasn't going to stop anytime soon. That much was clear.

Hinote chuckled, stirring the last of her stew with a lazy flick of her spoon. "You really don't make it easy for her, do you?"

Cana smirked. "Why would I? It's fun watching her squirm."

Yukari shot her a glare but didn't bother arguing. There was no winning against Cana when she was like this. Instead, she focused on her food, shoving a large spoonful into her mouth while ignoring the way Cana's smirk grew wider at her silence.

The warmth of the meal helped ease the remaining frustration in her chest, the familiar spices soothing in a way only Hinote's cooking could manage. The tension from earlier the anger at Phantom Lord, the lingering embarrassment from Mirajane's handiwork slowly melted into something softer, more manageable.

Hinote leaned back in her chair, eyes drifting toward the ceiling. "So," she mused, her voice casual, but laced with something thoughtful, "what's next for you, Yukari? You gonna listen to the master and stay put? Or are you planning something reckless?"

Cana snorted. "Knowing her, it's probably the latter."

Yukari exhaled, setting down her spoon with a quiet clink. "I don't like sitting around while Phantom Lord gets away with this."

Hinote nodded slowly. "None of us do. But Makarov's orders are clear."

Cana took a sip of her drink, watching Yukari over the rim of her mug. "Doesn't mean we can't be ready for when things change, though."

Yukari glanced between the two of them. There was something unspoken in their words, an understanding that went beyond what was being said aloud. They weren't just blindly following orders. They were waiting watching ready to move the second the opportunity presented itself.

It was enough to soothe some of her restlessness.

For now.

Hinote stood, gathering the empty dishes and taking them to the sink, moving with the kind of ease that came from years of habit. Yukari watched her for a moment before leaning back in her chair, stretching out her arms with a tired sigh.

Cana grinned. "Tired already? What, did Mira wear you out that much?"

Yukari immediately sat up, her face heating. "Cana!"

Cana cackled, completely delighted. "Oh, come on! You're making this too easy!"

Hinote, still at the sink, hummed thoughtfully. "I have to agree with Cana on this one. You're reacting an awful lot for someone who insists nothing happened."

Yukari groaned, dropping her forehead onto the table with a loud thud. "I hate both of you."

Cana patted her back with a little too much enthusiasm. "No, you don't."

Yukari groaned louder.

The teasing continued for a few more minutes, with Cana throwing in increasingly ridiculous comments just to get a reaction, and Hinote quietly stirring the pot when she felt like it. Eventually, Yukari managed to turn the conversation elsewhere something about upcoming jobs, the latest issue of Sorcerer Magazine, and how Laxus had apparently stormed out of the guild earlier after arguing with Makarov.

It wasn't unusual for Laxus to be at odds with the guild master, but something about the timing made Yukari's stomach twist uncomfortably.

Still, she pushed the thought aside for now.

She wasn't in the mood for more bad news.

After they finished eating, Hinote waved her off, refusing to let her help clean. Yukari didn't argue. Instead, she made her way to the living room, collapsing onto the couch beside Cana with a long, exhausted sigh.

Cana smirked but said nothing, simply lifting her mug in another silent toast before flipping to the next page of her magazine.

Yukari closed her eyes, letting herself relax into the cushions.

For the first time since returning to Magnolia, she allowed herself to breathe.

The weight of everything the mission, the fight, the guild's destruction would still be there tomorrow. But for now?

For now, she could just exist.

And for the moment, that was enough.

The next morning, Yukari woke to the smell of something burning.

She sat up instantly, her senses immediately on high alert. The scent of smoke filled the air, and for a brief, terrifying moment, she thought the house was on fire.

Then, from the kitchen, she heard Hinote's calm voice.

"Cana, if you burn one more piece of toast, I swear—"

Yukari blinked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she stumbled toward the source of the chaos.

The kitchen was a disaster.

Hinote stood at the stove, arms crossed, looking utterly unimpressed as Cana hovered over a plate of charred black toast, inspecting it like it was a rare artifact.

"I don't understand," Cana muttered, frowning. "I followed the instructions exactly."

Hinote sighed, rubbing her temples. "Cana, you put the bread in and walked away."

Cana shrugged. "Details."

Yukari leaned against the doorway, already regretting waking up. "What the hell is going on?"

Hinote turned to her, exhaling heavily. "Cana decided she wanted to make breakfast."

Yukari blinked, glancing at the burned toast, the messy counter, and the somehow still-intact liquor bottle sitting next to a bowl of what might have been pancake batter.

"…Why?"

Cana looked deeply offended. "What, I can't do something nice?"

Yukari stared at her.

Cana broke immediately.

"Okay, fine, I lost a bet," she admitted, flopping onto a chair. "But in my defense, the toaster is evil."

Hinote groaned. "That was you, not the toaster."

Yukari chuckled, grabbing an apple from the counter instead. "You know, Cana, I think you should stick to drinking."

Cana sighed dramatically. "I tried to be domestic, and this is what I get. No appreciation. No support."

Hinote handed her a perfectly cooked slice of toast. "Here. Eat before you burn down my kitchen."

Cana brightened instantly. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Yukari shook her head, smiling despite herself.