Just a quick story for the holiday season! I didn't do anything with my other story, so I figured I'd write another really short one before the time to do so is over. Enjoy! :)
There was no snow, just sleet, pelting down onto the earth. It covered the roads and homes in a thin layer of ice. Despite the cold and dangerous whether it didn't look like the winter wonderland people had hoped for. It was Christmas eve, but for some people, that didn't mean anything special. Laxus sat in his apartment alone with his thoughts, waiting for this holiday to pass by. He kept his sight on the store front clock outside his living room window. Only had 18 hours till Christmas was officially over. His guildmates knew that he wasn't big on celebrating around this time of year, so they never expected him to come to Fairy Tail's party. He had lightened up in the recent time, but it was still a shaky topic. One person, however, was still determined to try. Bixlow waited in the apartment hall, wondering if he should really be trying to get the Grinch out of his cave. Laxus could smell him but was anticipating for Bix to knock before he told him the door was unlocked. When a few minutes went by of silence before the middle-aged man gave up in frustration.
"Bixlow, I know you're there! Just come in already." Laxus yelled out.
The odd man scooted in but kept his shoes on.
"What do you want?" He questioned, a bit offended that it took so long for Bixlow to make a move and he still was keeping his shoes on.
"Um, you… You want to go say hi to everyone one with me?" Bixlow managed to make an uncomfortable smile.
Laxus stared at him and sighed. "Not really."
"Okay, just checking. I was heading over, so I'd thought I'd stop by… I got a congratulations gift for Cana. Do you want me to say it's from you too since you aren't going down there?" He held a small wrapped box and gently shook it.
"You don't have to do that. I… I still have mixed feelings about it."
"Mixed feelings? It was your idea to let her become S-class. If you didn't say something, she'd be cursing someone out for putting her on the recommendation list. A sixth reentry doesn't make sense, you said so yourself."
"It doesn't, and she's worked her ass off, but…" Laxus shook his head and rolled his eyes. "What the hell, you can put my name in too if it means so much to you."
"I don't think she knows you had anything to do with it. I honestly think she wouldn't give a shit, but whatever."
There was an awkward pause between the two.
"Where's Freed and Ever?"
"Probably getting food ready with the Stratus'… No one else wanted to come with me, so…" Bixlow smiled and let out a short laugh. "Cana said she would come along."
Laxus nodded and started looking out his living room window again.
"I told her you probably didn't want company anyway, but hey, it was worth a shot... I'll just get out of your hair now." Bixlow miserably concluded. He opened the front door back up again.
"I'll drop by tomorrow, okay? I know that's not what you were hoping for, but it's someth-" Laxus paused and tightened his muscles in a cringe as soon as he felt Bixlow's arms wrapped around him.
"I know you don't like hugs! I'm sorry! I'm excited!"
"It's just to say congrats to Cana! Let go before I change my mind."
Bixlow instantly released his hold and ran out the door, slamming it shut. His childish squeals of happiness could be heard through the walls as he rushed down the hall.
The older man took a deep breath and slumped even deeper into his chair. "Why did I do that to myself?" Laxus asked himself in regret of his vague promise. "Maybe if I went around 2, everyone would be passed out except Cana and the waitresses... Yeah, I'll do that." He sighed, closed his eyes and listened. He wondered if anyone else could relate to how he felt. However, with the carolers, bright colored lights and joyful laughter from the floor above, it was hard to imagine that anyone nearby could be hurting like he was.