[A/N] I decided to post Chapter Four already because I got a review that made me smile so widely...You know who you are, thank you! I'll continue to do my best! (And I totally agree, there aren't enough good Laxana fanfics!)
Cana took a job early the next morning, grabbing a pack of travel meals from Mira and a bottle of whiskey for the road. No one had arrived at the guild yet, lucky her, and she was able to leave without fuss. She double-checked her card pockets (including the grounded tarot cards) and set off, swinging a pack over her shoulder as she headed for the train station.
It wasn't a big job; just a few days as bodyguard for some rich chick on the countryside. Cana had double-checked her cards about the job—forced to restart because they were so damned fixated on Laxus—and was certain that there wouldn't be any surprises.
She rested her chin in her hand and watched the scenery fly by through the train window. After Mirajane had left, she'd chugged the bottle of scotch. To her dismay (though any day but that she would've been proud), she didn't get drunk. So she was forced to drift off to sleep like an ordinary person, left alone with her thoughts and bitterness for hours.
"Mind if I sit down?"
She didn't even look up. "Beat it."
"Tch," he muttered, moving on.
Cana could always feel eyes on her. She loved the attention; why the hell else would she dress the way she did? Still, it could get tiring. And gross, sometimes. Especially if they couldn't keep their pawing mitts off her. Part of Fairy Tail's rep was due to her pummeling hands that got too grabby.
She took out a safe deck of cards—it was really three decks of solitaire cards shuffled together—and began a game. Few people knew that rules nowadays, but Serpent was one of the most complex card games in the world. Even fewer were those who could beat it, and Cana was one of them.
She separated the decks again with a wave of her hand and started a game of Faces with a single deck. No matter how damned hard she tried, she had only ever beaten it twice, after hundreds of games. Today was no luck; she started again.
Card games and booze were the best ways to distract Cana. Since the train didn't allow drinking, she couldn't enjoy both at once (besides, alcohol made Serpent a lot harder to beat).
This damned game, she thought angrily, restarting.
"Where's Cana today, Mira?" Blondie asked after ordering a drink. "She'd usually be into her third beer by now."
Mirajane poured her a tall glass. "She took a job early this morning and won't be back for a few days."
"Tch." The women turned to look at Laxus, who ignored their gazes. She didn't have to take me seriously, the cowardly bitch, he thought. The Salamander burst in, making Laxus' hangover protest violently.
Thank god I didn't go to her place last night, he thought fervently. That would've ended really badly.
Damn, how did she manage to be distracting without even being here? Fucking hell, she dumped you, get the hell over it already!
Laxus sighed. "Mira," he said tiredly, "Another drink, please."
Her eyes glimmered with amusement and she did as he asked. "What's the occasion?"
"Bored," he grunted. She set a glass before him and he downed it without blinking.
Mira crossed her arms and leaned forward over the bar. "I could tell you where her job is," she offered.
"Oh, I know where it is," Laxus replied earnestly. His mouth twisted. "It's in I don't give a shit town, near Mind your own damn business avenue."
Mirajane scowled. "I'm just trying to help."
"What even makes you think I need help, woman?"
Mira's eyes flashed. "Because this is the second day in a row you've had four drinks before two."
"Maybe it's just being home that makes me agitated," he growled.
Mirajane laughed humorlessly. "I don't believe you for a second."
"Yeah, and I know what bullshit you do believe," Laxus snarled, slamming his glass on the bar. "But believe me, you're wrong. I'm over it."
"No, you're not!" Mirajane burst.
"So what?!" he roared.
Mirajane leaned closer. "Why'd you do it, Laxus?" she whispered. "Why'd you cheat on her if you care so much?"
"I was─"
"You sure as hell weren't drunk for two months!"
Laxus shot to his feet. "It's none of you damned business, Strauss!" he roared.
The guild fell silent, all eyes staring at the bar. Laxus swept a gray-eyed glare over them. "Go to hell," he muttered at Mirajane, storming out.
Fucking Fairy Tail. Why the fuck did he even come back?
[A/N]: Cana's impossible card game, Faces, is actually called Picture Gallery (I made up Serpent). I've been playing it for about a year now, and I've only beaten it once. If you're playing electronically, you can't cheat, and it's difficult to keep track of the various ways to fill the gallery (I swear I'm not just stupid!). I encourage you to Google it, see for yourself! It's fun!