I apologize for how long it has taken me to finish this chapter. I had a million different scenarios planned out and when I finally chose one, the ending kept screwing me up! Argh!
I don't know what I wrote or if it even makes sense ^^;;
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima, not me. I just own the plot.
Laxus tugs at the tie Evergreen finagled around his neck before the party; he can feel her glare from across the ballroom the moment his hand touches it.
Formal affairs are not his forte but he supposes he can suffer one night of being gussied up. Besides, how many can say they have been to a royal gala at Mercurius Castle.
Rebuffing another gaggle of admirers, Laxus snatches a champagne flute from a passing waiter and resumes keeping an eye on the partygoers. The dangers of what happened a few days ago may have passed but one cannot be too careful, especially with the boisterous Fairy Tail around.
Evergreen dragged Elfman away from the buffet table long enough for a dance; judging from her annoyed expression and his apologetic one, Elfman must have stepped on her foot. Evergreen gives him a final pout and resumes their waltz.
Freed is nearby with Mirajane. The two are in deep conversation, smiling and laughing with their hands clasped together. Laxus smirks as his friend's face turns bright red when Mirajane kisses his cheek.
Bixlow disappeared somewhere with Lucy ten minutes ago and that is all he is saying on that matter.
Natsu is nowhere to be seen and that does not bode well. Gray alternates between talking with Lyon and dodging Juvia's attempts to pull him to the dance-floor. He soon relents when Lyon requests a dance from the rain-woman and whisks an elated Juvia away to dance, oblivious to Lyon's knowing smirk behind his back . Erza is talking with Kagura in hushed tones until the swordswoman uncharacteristically sobs and hugs the redhead. Erza takes the gesture in stride and fondly returns the hug with a smile.
Wendy accepts a glass of fruit punch from a blushing Romeo; Shelia is making kissy faces behind them. Macao and Wakaba started a singing contest with Ichiya, irritating everyone in their vicinity. Gajeel trails behind Levy while she admires the lavish ballroom and rattles off tidbits of the castle's history. Even though the Dragonslayer is scowling, his eyes tell a different story by the way they soften at Levy's excitement when she is not looking.
Familiar laughter draws Laxus' attention to the bar. Cana is downing glass after glass with Bacchus. Of course.
"You should ask her to dance," Mavis smiles, popping up next to Laxus. "It'll be fun!"
The blond does not blink at her sudden arrival and keeps sipping his champagne. Bacchus leans forward and whispers in the brunette's ear. Whatever he said has her laughing harder. Laxus tightens his grip on his glass.
"She's having fun just fine," he grumbles.
When Cana moves closer Bacchus, Laxus angrily stalks off, practically shoving his empty (and very cracked) glass at a perplexed waiter.
Mavis glowers at his departure. "Honestly, he's too much like Yury."
As much as she loves her guild, they can be downright idiots, particularly when love is involved.
. . . . . . . .
Cana pauses her drinking when she catches sight of Laxus storming (haha, storming) out of the ballroom.
"Trouble in paradise, babe?"
She turns to her drinking buddy with a raised eyebrow. "Huh?"
Bacchus nods his head in the direction the blond took. "You and Dreyar," he slurs. "Youse guys have a lovers' spat or sumthin'?"
"Laxus and I are not a couple," snorts Cana.
The Cerberus mage shrugs and refills his glass. "Could've fooled me from all those looks he keeps throwing ya."
"Again?" the brunette groans. "First, it's that thing a few days ago and now this? Geez, what's been eating him lately?"
"Why don't ya ask him?"
Cana barks out a laugh. "The day I ask Laxus about his feelings is when I hang up my drinking spurs!" She clinks glasses with him.
"Wouldn't that be a shame!" chortles Bacchus, knocking back the liquor. "Seriously, toots, I still think you should ask 'im."
Cana gives him a long look. "Why are you so eager I talk to him?"
"Because I like my ass non-crispy," he lopsidedly grins.
"Wait, what?"
Bacchus just winks, swipes an expensive-looking bottle, and saunters to the buffet table where an eating contest has erupted between Fairy Tail, Cerberus, and Sabertooth.
Cana frowns and stares down at her full tumbler. Why does she always attract the weird ones?
. . . . . . . .
After loitering around the palace in a huff, Laxus finds a remote balcony far away from the partygoers and staff. Once alone, he loosens his tie and takes a deep breath. The cool night air tempers his dour mood.
Looking out over the splendor city below, his mind wanders. He cannot remember the last time a woman made him feel like this: grumpy, on edge, and completely drawn to her. The more he thinks about it, no woman has made him feel like this. A good chunk of his life has been a blur of one-night stands and random quickies. He is not proud of his debauched past but he sees more with Cana: a future. He sees it in her laugh, her smile, her courage and compassion.
Now if only he was better at articulating his feelings instead of being his usual grumpy self.
(Maybe he can ask Freed for advice, and make sure Mirajane is out of earshot when—if—he does. He'll never live it down from that gossipy she-devil.)
Laxus sighs and leans his arms on the stone railing, running a hand down his face. Everyone says love is a climb but if you are Laxus Dreyar, it is an entire freaking mountain range.
"Ha! There you are!"
Laxus' head shoots up. He looks over his shoulder and finds Cana sauntering over with a full bottle of champagne and two long-stemmed glasses in hand.
"What are you doing here?" he asks, straightening up.
"Thought you might want some company," Cana grins. "I would've gotten lost looking for you without Mavis' help. She told me where'd you gone and sent me off with a wink."
Laxus groans; he is going to have a long talk with that nosy faerie later.
"Thanks but I'm fine by myself."
"Yeah, I figured you'd say that so I brought some liquid companionship too." She shoves a glass in his hand and pours him a drink then does the same for herself. "Cheers."
They clink glasses. Laxus drinks half, thankful for the alcoholic, while Cana does not touch hers. Instead, she just looks down at her glass with a contemplative frown.
"Something wrong, Cana?" It unnerves him how quiet (and sober) she is right now.
"No," she starts, "yes. I don't know. Bacchus said something to me earlier."
Laxus' hands faintly spark. His face is a mask of indifference but his mind is roaring. If that bastard said something inappropriate, his ass is mine.
"He suggested I'd talk to you…about feelings of all things," Cana wryly chuckles. "It's crazy, right?"
Laxus is taken aback. "Did he say why?"
"Nope," she shrugs.
"You're right, that is crazy," he snorts and downs the rest of his drink.
The brunette twirls the stem of her glass between her fingers, watching the liquid slosh against the translucent surface before taking a small sip.
They fall into a comfortable silence, content on sharing the rest of the wine. The orchestra's music wafts up to the balcony. Cana hums along to the soft melodies. She turns to the blond, taking his empty glass and placing it on the railing next to hers.
"Dance with me."
Laxus holds back his surprise as Cana grabs his hands and puts them on her waist. Draping her arms over his shoulders, she begins to sway.
"I…don't dance."
"Just follow my lead," chuckles Cana.
Their languid dance gradually brings them closer until they are flush against each other. Cana rests her head in his chest. The thrum of his heartbeat lulls her eyes closed. Laxus keeps one hand on her waist as the other cradles her head, carding his fingers in her curls. Being close to the card mage like this is both exhilarating and terrifying and he never wants to let go.
Laxus closes his eyes, falling deeper into the embrace and Cana's warmth.
. . . . . . . .
Unbeknownst to the mages, three pairs of eyes spy their impromptu dance from another balcony high above.
"Kiss her!"
"Bixlow, shush! They'll hear you."
"Sorry, babe, but Boss needs a push. I can't stand his sad puppy eyes anymore!"
"Laxus has sad puppy eyes?"
"Really sad puppy eyes. It's ridiculous."
"I agree with the kissing. The sooner they do it, the better and happier they'll be."
"F-F-First, when did you get here?!"
"I've always been here, Lucy."
"Y-You were here when Bixlow and I—"
"Shush, Lu, they'll here you~"
"Oh can it, Bixlow!"
That's the end of the second chapter! Hooray! But don't worry, I'm fleshing out a few more ideas instead of just sticking with what I originally planned. So many ideas, not enough brainpower.
That little tidbit at the end kinda sneaked up on me (I couldn't resist!). And the comment about Yury was added long before Chapter 473 lol.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
