xxx
It was a dry month.
What members of the Fairy Tail guild meant by 'dry month' was that there were no requests coming in and everyone was lounging about, bored and irritable.
Only Mirajane didn't mind so much.
It sometimes got lonely 'holding down the fort'. Waiting constantly.
She liked flitting between guild members, especially her little 'projects'.
Just little things to keep her busy like throwing Lucy and Natsu free tickets to some event, 'accidentally' pushing Levy into Gajeel, sending Jellal a Valentine 'from' Erza.
It was incredibly fun to match up her friends. People who were obviously perfect for each other were the best.
But as for her?
A small smile flitted across Mirajane's lips at the thought as she put another glass up on the shelf.
There was some saying about how matchmakers shouldn't fall in love.
Mirajane heeded this advice.
She understood love too well to fall into it.
"Hey look!"
Mirajane was startled as Natsu ran into the guild carrying a purple bottle. He held it up proudly for everyone to see.
"Look! Look at this!" He announced.
"That's a bottle." Grey told him.
"Yeah, I know that, Grey! But it's a magic potion too!"
"Magic potion?" Lucy stared at him. "For what?"
"Apparently it can make someone do whatever you want." Natsu's eyes flickered mischievously towards Lucy.
"Don't even." Lucy took a large step back.
"Where'd you get it?" Levy asked, peering in for a closer look.
"Some old woman on the street gave it to Natsu!" Happy chimed in.
Lucy shook her head. "Natsu…"
"Ha!" Grey snorted. "It's obviously a fake."
"You have to be careful when taking things from strangers, Natsu-san." Wendy told him.
"Huh?" Natsu blinked.
"Some people put some liquid in coloured bottles and pass it off as potion. Even for free, just to make fun of people." Lucy shrugged. "A lot of people are doing it nowadays."
"Oh, what?!" Natsu flung the bottle on the counter. "Are you tellin' me she lied?"
"Looks like you got tricked by some old woman." Grey smirked.
"Shut up, Grey!"
"Make me."
"No, Nat-!"
The next few moments consisted of various pieces of furniture being smashed, a lot of yelling and copious amounts of dragon fire.
Mirajane picked up the bottle, unfastened the lid and smelt it expertly.
Love potion. Undoubtedly.
Years of matchmaking made her somewhat of an expert in these things.
Mirajane smiled to herself.
Just think of all the fun I'll have with this.
Interrupting the chaos, the guild doors were flung open and none other than the prodigal son himself walked in.
Laxus.
Mirajane glared slightly at him.
Ever since his stunt against the guild, she had had a certain dislike for him.
Being turned to stone did that to a person.
"Laxus!" Levy gasped.
"What're you doing here?" Lucy leapt to her feet.
"Can't a man visit his own damn guild now?" Laxus stormed down the stairs.
"The Raijinshuu aren't here." Mirajane spoke up.
"I know." Laxus's eyes settled on her. "I sent them on a mission. I'm here to talk to the old man."
"He's at a Master's meeting." Mirajane said evenly. "So you should just go."
"Tch. Why so cold, Mirajane?" Laxus sat on the barstool and thumped the counter with his fist. "Gimmie a drink."
"What would you like?"
"Some beer."
"Sure," Mirajane smiled sweetly. "That'll be 13,000 jewels, please."
Laxus's eyes narrowed into slits. "Why, you-!"
"And don't forget to tip!"
"Oh, I'll give you a tip-!"
Laxus leaned forward and Grey and Erza took a step towards them purposefully.
Mirajane raised her hand. "Don't," She said, keeping her eyes on Laxus. "He won't do anything."
Laxus leaned forward, his eyes glinting. "Don't be so sure."
"Oh, but I am sure."
There was a long moment of silence.
"Huh," Laxus got to his feet. "You're not worth it."
He made for the door into the back rooms.
"Thanks for coming!" Mirajane smiled.
He growled at her and slammed the door behind him.
xxx
The name on the bottom of the bottle said clearly 'x-Love'. Mirajane had heard about this potion recently in Wizard's Weekly- it had had a whole article to itself.
Apparently it had been developed by Blue Pegasus, then production had got out of hand and there were a handful floating around, sold by certain specialized stores.
The interesting thing about 'x-Love' was that it chose a feeling of romantic love that was being repressed and brought it to the surface. Brought it rather violently to the surface.
People had been known to drive themselves insane with love.
Mirajane frowned at the potion in her hand, wondering whether to use it or not.
It was better not to risk it, right?
Something with such serious side-effects could be harmful, rather than helpful.
Yes. Better not to trust it.
Mirajane put it away on the shelf, in between the bottles.
"Mira," Levy came behind the counter. "Did you need any help?"
"Oh, no. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? Because everyone's coming back from the market with the groceries in a moment and they've been saying all day that they wanted ice cream sodas."
"Ice cream sodas?" Mira sighed. "Well, I guess we have enough stuff. I'll go get the ice cream- do you remember my recipe?"
"I sure do!" Levy grinned "Club soda, vanilla ice cream, cherry sauce and vanilla extract- right?"
"You got it. Do you think you could prepare some? I can add the ice cream after."
"Sure."
As Mirajane went down to the cellar to get the ice cream, her mind involuntarily turned to Laxus.
His recent behavior, his despicable countenance, the way he had changed…
She remembered how he used to carry her down these steps when they were younger. Lightning crackling in the palm of his hand to keep her away from the dark.
His electric-blue eyes looking down at her. It used to make him uncomfortable and frantic when she cried. Now he probably wouldn't care less.
Mirajane shook away those thoughts.
People change. She reasoned. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
xxx
The members of Fairy Tail had bounded back into the Guild, delighted upon seeing that they're drinks were ready for them.
"YES! Thanks, you guys!" Natsu snatched the first one.
"You're going to spill it." Lucy sighed. "Thanks, Levy and Mira-chan!"
"Don't mention it." Levy smiled as the Guild crowded round the drinks. "Oh, by the way, did you guys buy any more vanilla extract?"
Mirajane sipped her own drink. "We shouldn't need any more," She said. "Even with these drinks, there should be a lot left over."
"Nope," Levy held the empty 'x-Love' bottle upside down. "None here."
Mirajane was not the kind of person who usually spits, but this time she spat her mouthful of ice cream soda out onto the tiles.
"W-where did you get that?!"
"Between the bottles," Levy blinked at her. "Are you okay?"
"Oh God, oh God…" Mira snatched the bottle. "Did…did you put this in every drink?!"
"No. There wasn't enough. I could only manage about half-"
"Are you telling me that HALF of the drinks out there have THIS in them?!"
"Y-yeah. But, why-?"
"STOP DRINKING!" Mira slammed her hands on the bar. "Put the drinks DOWN!"
"Huh?" Lucy looked round. "What are you talking about?"
"Ah!" Happy squeaked. "Natsu's collapsed!"
"WHAT?" Mira gasped.
"So has Grey! And Gajeel!"
Levy turned to Mirajane in horror. "What was IN those drinks?"
"So is Elfman!"
"Something's wrong with Jellal and Erza!"
"Jellal's here too?! Way to complicate things!" Mira was freaking out, she grabbed Levy's shoulders. "Levy, that was love potion you put in!"
"What?!" Levy stared at her. "Mirajane! I left one on the Master's desk too!"
"YOU WHAT?"
Mirajane was about to run to the office, when a loud cry interrupted everything.
"JUVIA-SAMAAAA!"